text:
Training By Topic
My Account
HR Webinar Calendar
HR Training By Topic
My Account
About Us
Webinar Calendar
Recorded Events
Labor & Employment Laws
Workforce Planning & Development
Performance Management
Dispute Resolution / Investigations
Recordkeeping / Documentation
Payroll / Wage & Hour
Workers' Compensation
My Courses
My Team
Account Info
About Us
PDF Event Catalog
Course Details
Form I-9: Understanding The Anti-Discrimination Provisions Of The Law
Date: Recorded
When training staff on how to complete a Form I-9, most employers do not consider the portion of the Employment Eligibility Verification law that prohibits discrimination.
While most employers are aware that the Immigration and Nationality Act ("INA") requires all employers to complete and retain a Form I-9 for every employee hired, many are unaware that the INA also contains provisions which make it unlawful to discriminate during the Form I-9 process.
These discrimination provisions affect:
Procedures for accepting documents during the Form I-9 process
Which immigration status questions can be asked of a perspective employee
The procedures for re-verifying expired documents
The process for conducting an internal I-9 audit
How to make corrections to a Form I-9
These requirements are frequently unknown or misunderstood by employers. As a result, many employers inadvertently violate the discrimination aspects of the law and find themselves in the cross hairs of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Special Counsel ("OSC").
This audio conference will review the practices which are considered discrimination in the I-9 process under the law, as well as discuss policies and procedures which every business needs to have in place in order to reduce the likelihood of discriminatory I-9 practices.
What You'll Learn:
By attending this training session, you and/or your co-workers will learn:
The types of discrimination in the Form I-9 process that are prohibited under the Federal regulations
The guidelines and procedures established by the OSC in order to avoid discrimination in the Form I-9 process
Policies and Procedures employers should have in place to help eliminate liability in the Form I-9 process
How an employer can become the subject of an OSC investigation
What documents are generally requested in an OSC investigation - and what other investigative tools the OSC may use
The mechanics of an OSC investigation
Best practices for responding to an OSC Investigation
Penalties that can be assessed in an OSC Investigation
Recent case law/settlements from the OSC related to the anti-discrimination provisions of the Employment Eligibility Verification law
How a business can defend itself if there is an OSC investigation
Form I-9: Understanding The Anti-Discrimination Provisions Of The Law
Available on CD or On-Demand formats
Recorded CD ($239.00)
On-Demand ($239.00)
Customer Who Viewed "Form I-9: Understanding The Anti-Discrimination Provisions Of The Law" Also Viewed...
How To Use PTO To Reduce Absenteeism
OSHA Recordkeeping Requirements Beyond The Injury Logs
HR Recordkeeping Requirements: From Hire...To...Fire...Or Retire
Emergency Response: What To Do, What To Say, And How To Plan For It
Motivating Employees To Change Bad Habits
How To Keep HR From Being The Employee Complaint Department
How To Coach Up Or Counsel Out Problem Employees
Serious Complaint or Employee Drama?
How To Conduct A Reasonable Accommodation Discussion
Background Checks And Safe Hiring: Trends, Legal Developments, And Best Practices
Customer Who Purchased "Form I-9: Understanding The Anti-Discrimination Provisions Of The Law" Also Purchased...
I-9 Compliance Issues: Things That Most Employers Don't Realize They Need To Know
How To Properly Complete The New Form I-9
Multi-State Payroll Tax Compliance
Serious Complaint or Employee Drama?
Compliance Tips For Gifts, Awards, & Other Fringe Benefits
How To Keep HR From Being The Employee Complaint Department
IRS Rules For Travel Pay
How To Conduct Employee Relations Investigations
Taxation For International Payroll
What To Do When Applicants Or Employees Have A Criminal History
About Us
My Account
Contact Us
PDF Event Catalog
Send eMail
5755 North Point Parkway, Suite 228
Alpharetta, GA 30022


text:
McDermott happy for Zingarevich
Reading manager Brian McDermott was delighted to see owner-to-be Anton Zingarevich in the crowd as his side saw off Burnley 1-0 to rise to third place in the npower Championship.
Zingarevich's consortium, Thames Sport Investment, is set to complete a reported £40million takeover of the Berkshire club next month, and the clash with the Clarets was the first time the Russian tycoon has watched the Royals in action since the deal was announced in January.
"It's good for him to watch the game, have a look at the stadium and the training ground and what we're about really," said McDermott.
Copyright (c) PA Sport 2012, All Rights Reserved.News Now - Sport News

subset: commoncrawl


text:
This course is designed for those who have substantial trading experience and would like to hone specific trading skills, develop strategies and improve their risk management.
1 - Click Registration!
I was worried at first about the potential for loss. I know that there is high risk involved. While my losing trades were higher than before, my winning trades also increased dramatically. In fact, my profits went higher by 72% in the first month. This course really helped me understand how to trade in the short term.
This course really taught me how to take advantage of short term trading opportunities. It was easier than I thought it would be. With the guidance I received from my trainer, I was able to start earning short term in only 2 days. My first month profits reach $2,168.
Pro Trading is great. I was able to earn money fast in a short period of time. I was a bit concerned about the higher risks, but quickly realized that if you have a proper strategy and take into consideration the basic principles of aggressive, short term trading, then the possibility for profits is very high.


text:
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Woofie Wednesday
I love playing with my toys!
I especially love chasing my frisbee though i am not very good at it yet.
I don't know why but this cat toy is really cool but it makes me dizzy.......
14 comments:
- Kea said...
Hahahahaha! That video made our human laugh out loud!
Happy Wednesday! :-)
- May 12, 2010 at 1:52 AM
- Daisy said...
Hilarious! I have never seen a dog play trackball before!
- May 12, 2010 at 4:24 AM
- Cindy said...
Silly puppy! That is too sweet.
- May 12, 2010 at 4:37 AM
- Cheysuli and gemini said...
What great toys you have!!! I like the track ball and it looks like you were having fun too.
- May 12, 2010 at 8:33 AM
- Jacqueline said...
What a sweet baby; we love seeing you with all those toys, having fun!...You are silly to play with cat toys=very cool, do the kitties ever join you?!!...xo...Calle, Halle, Sukki
- May 12, 2010 at 8:54 AM
You B~~I~~G silly! Our mom just LOVES you! She thinks you are THE cutest woofie ever! Have fun!
- May 12, 2010 at 8:57 AM
haha that was great, i did not know puppehs liked our cool toys too!
- May 12, 2010 at 10:18 AM
- DailyGs said...
Sweet ICE, your paws are a little bit large for trackball, but you managed quite nicely!
- May 12, 2010 at 10:57 AM
- Katnip Lounge said...
LOL! Mommy says you are a silly Dog-Cat!
- May 12, 2010 at 1:56 PM
- Furkidsmom said...
That's a fun toy but we didn't know woofies liked it too.
Sniffie and the Florida Furkids
- May 12, 2010 at 4:34 PM
- The Island Cats said...
Oh ICE, how silly you are playing with the trackball!!
- May 12, 2010 at 5:35 PM
- Cheyenne -Millie said...
We laughed and laughed when we saw you playing with that cat toy! You really are a sweet woofie! Are you sure you don't have any kitty genes?
- May 12, 2010 at 6:12 PM
We have seen pups play with laser dots but not this!
- May 12, 2010 at 7:16 PM
- Baby Patches said...
OMC! Not even a woofie can gets dat darn ball out...I has never seen a woofie play wif it before, CUTE!
- May 20, 2010 at 12:26 PM


text:
Monday, August 14, 2006
Garden books: the GWI canon
Not that anyone's asked me, but I've noticed some posts—mainly on Garden Rant—on favorite or popular garden books, and figured I'd add my mite to the debate/discussion/observations.
Actually, I have been getting a lot of reading done during time that I ordinarily would be gardening, now that the garden is winding down and very little attention is needed. It's been fiction for the most part—including some historical stuff by Philippa Gregory, who did do a very nice series about an early plant collector in her books Virgin Earth and Earthly Joys. She is trashy, but that's what summer reading is all about.
Garden books, though. I used books in the early days to help me with plant selection and cultivation, particularly with bulbs and perennials. During this process, I inadvertently discovered the works of the late Christopher Lloyd, whose Gardening Year and Garden Flowers are still well-thumbed favorites. Lloyd is very opinionated, entertaining, and one of the most authoritative garden writers around. I was sorry to learn of his recent death and plan to search out his other titles so I have a complete library. He is to gardening what Julia Child and M. F. K. Fisher are to food, as far as I'm concerned.
Another book I lucked into was The Well-Tended Perennial Garden, by Tracey DiSabato-Aust. This is an invaluable go-to for any gardener: no-nonsense advice in an entertaining, lively style. I also get great pleasure reading the encyclopedic Botanica and Flora, just for fun.
Timber Press, which has published many of my favorites, is undoubtedly the gardener's best friend in the world of books. Until recently, high-quality books on gardening were few and far between, particularly when compared to books on food. We've grown used to seeing fifteen titles or more come out every year on the most minutely esoteric of cooking specialties (Doggie Desserts, anyone?) but the world of garden publications has never been as bountiful. That's why Timber Press, with its 400 titles, is so welcome. The company has now become part of the Workman group, but I am hoping the books will keep coming
Finally, I must once more recommend Beverley Nichols (1898-1983), as my favorite garden essayist (not that there are many in the field). In Garden Open Today and Garden Open Tomorrow, both originally published in the sixties, Nichols (in a rare departure) actually gives concrete garden advice, with many plant recommendations. That is not what is so enjoyable about these essays, and all of Nichols' garden writings. It is Nichols' rare combination of irascible humor and keen awareness of the beauty of plants that make these books indispensable for the gardener's shelf. In Garden Open Today, Nichols has the last word on the importance of water in the garden:
"…I take this opportunity of reminding the reader that every garden must begin with water in some shape or form even if it is only a pool two feet square sunk into a little concrete terrace. If this reader's retort is 'In that case I haven't got a garden at all because I haven't got any water in it,' my reply is, 'Quite. You haven't got a garden.'"
As for Michael Pollan: he's a good writer, but a bit too preachy. No doubt, all he says is right, but it has little significance for my personal relationship with gardening.
6 comments:
- Carol said...
I agree with you on many of your books. I've got shelves full of books on plants and gardening, but none by Beverly Nichols. I'll have to check him out.
I recently found some of the Christopher Lloyd books, and they are packed with info. Have you read any of the Mrs. Greenthumbs books? She is yet another of the people I keep discovering, shortly after they die.
Her books are aimed at a begining gardener, but they're very entaining. You have to like someone who titles a chapter "Don't plant magenta next to taxicab yellow". It makes me think of a house with a careful row of tall marigolds evenly spaced with short petunias.
- EAL said...
Well, Lloyd would advise DO plant magenta next to taxicab yellow. He is a big fan of strong color combos, as am I, though I can never time them so they are blooming together!
Not in rows though.
- dirt diva two said...
Virgin Earth was a pretty good read, but, the sequel left me cold. Sorry, young Tradescant's type just puts me off. Pollan's style is rather amatuerish at times. For fun you might enjoy Robin Chotzinoff's People With Dirty Hands: The Passion for Gardening, 1996 Harcourt Brace. Not new, but, interesting characters around the country.
- Anna said...
I'm glad to get some titles for some more advanced books. I've a gardening newcomer and have been looking through "Gardening Made Easy: Everything you Ever Wanted to Know About Gardening ... But Never Dared to Ask" that has beginning tips and more advanced gardening instruction. I hadn't really thought about gardening books being entertaining as well. I'm intrigued!
- Clint Sidney said...
Honestly, I resort to online research when I want to know about something. But reading books is also a great help. I am also a garden enthusiast. And I love finding great gardens online.


text:
Aircraft Services
Haggan Aviation is a full service MRO specializing in Lear Jet, Hawker and Citation aircraft maintenance. Capabilities range from heavy to light maintenance, including all major scheduled inspections, non-scheduled maintenance, structural repair, sheet metal, NDT Capabilities (X-Ray, Eddy Current, Ultra Sonic Inspection, and Magnetic Particle/Dye Penetrant Inspections), modifications, weight/balance, Service Bulletin and A.D. compliance, Battery Servicing, and troubleshooting.
Click on the aircraft make below to view specific capabilities.
Airframes Supported:
- Lear Jet – Models 20 through 36, 45, 55, and 60 series.
- Hawker – 1000 series, 1 through 900XP series
- Citation —
Our technicians are backed by countless years of industry experience coupled with the highest level of mechanical training from aircraft manufacturer training centers as well as Flight Safety. This level of education allows our experienced team to provide many services in-house rather than through the manufacturer.
Services such as NICAD and Lead Acid Battery Deep Cycles, NDT inspections, and in-house engineering capabilities give our facility an edge over other MRO's. Our utilization of in-house specialists provides a more cost-effective product in a reduced time frame. Our in-house parts inventory is extensive and we have access to Inventory Locator Service (ILS).
Modifications and Specialty Services:
- Authorized installation facility for Raisbeck ZR-LITE Performance Systems and Aft Fuselage Lockers.
- Installation of Avcon Delta Fins
- Aircraft Sales/Brokering
- Pre-Purchase Inspections
- Certificates of Airworthiness
- Import and Export Documentation


text:
…I learned from a children's book. Opening keynote by Anita Silvey.
She's wearing a hat. Love that. I should wear hats more often.
Concept of the book is to talk with celebrities or people who have otherwise distinguished themselves about what books influenced them as children.
Drew up a list of 500 people that would have something interesting to say about books. Wanted people who would write something interesting.
Would wake up in the morning wondering, "Who do I get to talk to today? Will it be Kathy Bates or Pete Seeger?" Many chose not to write, but to be interviewed. Talked to some very interesting people.
What was her biggest surprise? Talking to Kirk Douglas. His favorite book is the Bobbsey Twins. (big laugh) His parents didn't speak English and her sister was the first one to speak English. She would sit him on the couch and read to him, and that's how he learned English.
Maurice Sendak chose "Harold and the Purple Crayon" – an artist can create his own world with the tools available to him.
Many of the people she talked to chose their career based on a book. David McCullough said, "I met my first revisionist historian when I was six." The book he chose was "Ben and Me", about Benjamin Franklin.
Lovely stories of people whose lives were very influenced by reading a book as a child. Children read for plot or story, or they read for character. Has yet to have a child say, "I love they way the author used metaphors." Most people, therefore, talked about a character they loved.
Judy Blume loved "Madeline" so much she stole it from the library and didn't admit to having it for 20 years. She says she has spent the rest of her life making it up to librarians.
Jo Marsh in "Little Women" was very influential for many women. Julienne Moore and Hilary Clinton, for example, loved the book.
Brad Paisley argued with his wife about naming their son after his favorite character. They argued up until it was time to leave the hospital. They came to a compromise: their son is William Huckleberry, after Huckleberry Finn.
Interviewed Andrew Wyeth. His father was working on the illustrations for "Treasure Island" he would read to Andrew every day from the book. When he saw one of the paintings for the book, he knew he had to be a painter. Robert Montgomery, years later, saw the painting about Wyeth's mantle and commented that when he saw the painting, he knew he had to become an actor.
This sounds like a lovely book – I have to pick up a copy. I wonder how many people fondly remember Nancy Drew, as I do. And this makes me remember back to the books I read and loved as a child, and start to think of the books I can introduce to my grandchildren as they grow. How will they be influenced?


text:
The Past 50 Years of Rock & Roll. CLEveland Style.
Hello and welcome to our sight. We appreciate you taking time to review one of Clevelands most DIVERSE & UNIQUE Bands, POP CULTure Cleveland, playin' 50 years of Rock n' Roll.
Promo Videos
This First Video below is Typical POP CULTure. POP Songs to entertain diverse crowds with our signature Cleveland Style Rock N' Roll edge.
Here is a link to our recent FOX 8 Performances CLICK HERE . Our most recent Performances were on The FOX 8 Jukebox Morning Show.
Our FOX 8 Performance below shows us at our core. 4 Musicians having a good time meshing with the environment...I mean it was like 8AM, ouch.
Doin' Dani California on FOX 8. Havin fun at 9AM. These are great clips to see and hear a band intimately. So many times you can't make heads or tails about a band from their videos but these are raw and real and thats why I like 'em!
FOX 8 performance of my Mothers favorite song below.
And of course, we are right on par with the Country vibe that has permeated the Music world. Some Jason Aldean below.
*WARNING - WARNING- Your Parents will not understand this following video*
But When the time calls, and it often does, PC can hang with the rowdiest Nightclubs out there. If your looking for A High Energy Show, you've just found it. Impersonations of Rock Stars included. This show was performed 5 Nights a week for 10 years straight in Las Vegas.
We welcome you to read through our massive song list and reminisce on when you first heard a song or test your knowledge on how many songs you know.
The song list includes Modern Pop, Pop 80'S, Rock, Rap, Funk, Dance, Classic Rock, Hair Metal, Your Parents Music, Your Kids Music and proudly, a slew of songs rooted right here in North East Ohio(NE Ohio songs are noted by a listing of the date when it came out).
To download the song list , click on this POP CULTure SONGLIST link. See you at the SHOWWWWWW!
It's always exciting to dream of being a Rock Star. POP CULTure personifies that dream for you. Let POP CULTure put you center stage & front row for the past 50 years of Rock N' Roll Pop Culture.
But let the truth be told, we are much, much more than just a group of guys dreaming they're Rock Stars. This diverse talented group of musicians and entertainers captures a nuance which is difficult to articulate. You will find that each song is a captivating mini performance in POP CULTures trademark way. Sometimes with just a hat and a pair of sunglasses or sometimes with an entire costume change you'll feel transported to that current songs time and era. We have broken the mold and moved well beyond just playing songs. Passion, excitement, energy and fun are just a few words to describe the myriad of emotions crowds experience. Our Diverse palette of musical styles and genres has a little bit for everyone and opens the door to all venue types. Please take a moment to get to know us and we look forward to performing at YOUR venue soon!
Our Mission
It is a lofty goal to try and enrich this town musically. The term Rock & Roll was born here, The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is here! POP CULTure wants to contribute, to be a part of enriching this town musically. Our goal is to enrich the Cleveland music scene by reminding small crowds to packed Amphitheaters how Great this Rock & Roll City is. We try and carry that torch and keep the house rocking by paying tribute to Famous Rock Stars and Rock Bands(Some are Clevelands own!). All of this is done in a lively upbeat, witty and playful style. We Are masters of engaging and connecting with crowds which changes the energy of a room. Its difficult to articulate the POP CULTure experience, let a few of our friends who we have performed for try and explain...
You guys Kick A$$ everywhere I place you and always get the very important invite back. Way to go. ; Erin Rossi, Cleveland Music Group dba Jerry Bruno Productions & Vocalist for 'Rossi and Romano' and 'The Element Group'.
We had our Member/Guest Tournament Party this past Saturday and all of our members are raving about it. The biggest highlight of the evening was the band; POP CULTure was exactly the catalyst that we needed to take the event not to the next level but to the next level and beyond. Thank you for recommending them to me. It was the best party the Country Club has had in a decade. I have already been asked to book them for the same event next year; Gerry C Heller, Tippecanoe CC General Manager
By Far The Best Band in Cleveland, always Rockin', and we just love our 'Chazzy': Sue Favazo , Owner and GM of 2 Paninis Restaurants.
Always one my my favorite and strongest bands. In our regular band rotation for sure; Michael Shwartz,Owner of Boneyard Mayfield and Flip Side Restaurant Chain
POP CULTure has been in towns across America, clubs in Los Angeles, Casinos in Las Vegas to cruise ships in the Caribbean and always represented our town. We want to bring those stories home where they belong. Look for POP CULTure and make our shows a destination or have us for your event. With PC you can count on a High Quality, High energy, Professional show that is always changing, and always entertaining.
See what's new, see what's next, see you at the showwwwwwws!
Band Bios
Chaz Amrose; Front Man, Entertainer, Rock Singer, Guitar Player.
Cleveland born Singer and Songwriter. Started in Cleveland Bands when he was 17. Spent years in Los Angeles as an Aspiring musician and song writer. Then in 1996 began a long musical run in Las Vegas. Performed for 12 years in his own groups in Casinos on the Famed Las Vegas Strip; Caesars, Ballagio, Harrahs, Stratosphere, Hilton, Hard Rock, Palace Station to name only a few. Also performed as a Las Vegas Impersonator doing characters such as Billy Idol, Kid Rock, Bret Michaels, Kirt Cobain, Bruce Springsteen, Ozzy Osborne, and many more.
Upon his return to Cleveland in mid 2012 POP CULTure was now a Cleveland based band. Bringing all of the High energy and excitement of a Las Vegas show right here to Cleveland, Ohio.
Mike Trivison; --EDIT to be completed soon—
Michael Mikulski; --EDIT to be completed soon—
Tommy Amato; --EDIT to be completed soon—
Some of our Friends & Clients we have played for
Hard Rock Rocksino Shooters On The Water
Vosh Nightclub St. Anselm Festival
Horseshoe Casino Murphys Ale House
St. Roccos Festival Wing Warehouse
Jocko's Stadium Bar & Grille
Time Warp Slim N' Chubbys
Hudson Country Club Greenville Inn
Tippecanoe Country Club Sly Fox
Canton Country Club Boathouse-Put N' Bay
Scoundrels Stringz & Wingz
Paninis(multiple Locations) Ace's Bar & Grill
Boneyard The Cove-Geneva Lake
Hooley House(s) Weddings & Private Events
Scroll down for Pics & Vids
PC Is The Modern Day All Occasion Band with A Home Town Rock N' Roll Injection.
PC Is Not A cover Band, PC Is Highly Diverse Show.
A 50 yr Musical Journey Through All Genres And Styles.
Top Notch Musicians and Entertainers. Doin What We Do Best.


text:
Cheers to the Cocktails of Summer/
Buckle up, roll down the windows and get ready for an amazing summer cocktail cruise. We are happy to share with our Edible DC readers the full lineup of amazing summer cocktail recipes and specialty drinks served at the Edible DC Cocktail Derby on May 9. The event featured top shelf distillers of whiskey, bourbon, gin and new local craft distillers of a Virginia scotch-style whiskey. Beverage artisans True Tonics and Runningbyrd Tea were on hand to provide samples and mixers. Horse racing season inspired the decor and attire; hats and snappy outfits were everywhere. The event was catered by Poste Modern Brasserie and held in the outdoor courtyard of the Hotel Monaco. Vendors included Whistle Pig, James River Distillery, Koval, Catoctin Creek, Copper Fox, Virginia Distillery and Bernheim Wheat Whiskey. Special thanks to Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants, Typecase Industries, Amarillyis Floral + Event Design, and Elizabeth Duncan Events. Many thanks to event photographers Christina Brown and Katrina Tavanlar.
Copper Fox Distillery - The Bismark
2 ounces Copper Fox Rye
1 ounce lemon orange blossom shrub 1 ounce Carpano Bianco ½ ounce lemonade Sparkilng water Lemon verbena
Shake, strain on ice and top with sparkling water and lemon verbena for garnish.
Poste Modern Brasserie - Le Parc
1 part Strawberry Shrub (or any shrub flavor) 1 part Dolin Blanc 1 part vodka Club soda
Pour first three ingredients over ice, top with club soda. Garnish with a half strawberry and sprig of fresh thyme.
James River Distillery - Negroni
1 ounce Commonwealth Gin 1 ounce Campari 1 ounce Sweet Vermouth
Combine all ingredients in an old-fashioned or rocks glass and stir. Garnish with an orange peel.
True Tonics - Caribbean Pharaoh
2 ounces Lyon White Rum 2 ounces grapefruit juice ½ ounce True Grenadine Club soda Sprig of mint
Combine rum, grapefruit juice, and grenadine over shaved or small-cube ice in an old fashioned glass, top with club soda, and garnish with a sprig of mint.
WhistlePig - Porky's Smash
2 ounces WhistlePig Rye Whiskey 4 lemon wedges 4-5 mint leaves 3/4 ounce simple syrup 1 dash each, aromatic and orange bitters Fresh mint, for garnish
Muddle the lemon and mint in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and remaining ingredients and shake well; strain into a chilled old-fashioned glass filled with crushed ice. Garnish with mint leaves.
Catoctin Creek -When Me Angry Gin Smash
Half a lime 4 to 6 mint leaves 1 3/4 ounces Catoctin Creek Watershed Gin 1 ounce pea purée* Mint for garnish
Muddle limes in a cocktail shaker. Add pea purée, mint leaves, gin and ice to the shaker and shake well. Strain into a rocks glass filled with crushed ice. Garnish with mint.
*Pea Purée: Take a cup of shelled peas, 1 oz of cold brew green tea, a teaspoon of sugar and a pinch of salt and place them in a food processor or blender until smooth. Strain the mixture using a fine mesh sieve.
KOVAL Distillery - Magna Fortuna
Named for a famous rescued Chicago racehorse
2 ounces KOVAL Dry Gin 1 ounce KOVAL Ginger Liqueur 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice 1 ounce spearmint infused simple syrup Club soda
Shake all ingredients with ice and pour into a glass. Top with club soda and garnish with a wedge of lime (optional: also garnish with mint).
Running Byrd Tea Co. - Spiked Runningbyrd Tea
Adapted from Cava Grill
1 jar Runningbyrd Apple Cider Tea, chilled 2 ounces whiskey 1 sprig of fresh mint 1 cinnamon stick 1 lemon twist for garnish
Pour the whiskey into the tea and shake a few times. Pair with a cinnamon stick and mint and serve.
Virginia Distillery Company - Virginia Highland Smash, or Highland Smash
1 ounce Virginia Highland Malt Whisky ½ ounce of rich honey syrup (2:1 honey/water) 1/4 wedge of lemon 5 spearmint leaves
In a cocktail shaker, gently muddle lemon with mint leaves, taking care to just barely bruise the mint leaves. Add honey syrup and Virginia Highland Malt Whisky and shake with ice. Strain into a rocks glass over one large ice cube. Garnish with two mint leaves slapped between your hands to release essential oils.
Bernheim & Domaine de Canton - The Gold Rush
1½ ounces Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey 1 ounce Domaine de Canton liqueur ½ ounce fresh lemon juice
Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice; shake well and strain into a martini glass.
Catoctin Creek Distilling Company - Elemental Rye Julep
3 ounces Catoctin Creek Roundstone Rye Whisky ½ ounce of Element Lemon Mint Shrub (more or less to taste) 6-10 fresh mint leaves, plus more for garnish
Add mint to a rock glass with crushed ice, and muddle the mint to the ice. Add the rye and shrub and stir to combine, then garnish with more mint.
Thanks to Edible DC intern Avery Morrison for compiling the recipes and photos.


text:
although i'm a chinese, SELAMAT HARI RAYA to all readers!!
thanks to the kind Malaysian goverment, i've got a few days off from work and walla, here i am back in penang.. i started my journey back to my hometown in penang yesterday afternoon with Veron and ah D... the journey was the usual long and boring, with addition of heavy rain and traffic jam almost throughout the journey..
i only manage to arrive in penang in the evening around 8 something... mom and dad then decided to go visited my cousin's baby, and trust me, he is damn damn damn cute!!! he's like less than a month old and he has long fingers.. i didnt dare to snap pics cause i donno la, some chinese believe that babies should not take pictures as its bad or whatsoever... so, as a replacement, i am dedicating this cute pic for him..
after the visit, we went to Perak Road in Penang for my superbly late dinner.. when we were there, some people were having some ceremony thingy in the middle of the road, while raining.. they were throwing this paper thing as an offer to the other world as yesterday was the last day of the hungry ghost festival.. trust me, it was crazy and fun as lots of people were there throwing those paper thing while it was raining..
then in the middle of the night, tony called and we were on the phone for hours and well, it has been really really long since we had a good long chat since 2006.... i only then manage to sleep at 4 in the morning.. i was actually supposed to folloy my mom to the market early in the morning to buy the stuff needed to make mooncakes and for breakfast...but due to my
laziness tiredness, mom ended up going to the market alone.. SORRY MOM...
in the end, i woke up in the early afternoon, went to makan porridge mom prepared and then started making mooncakes.. it was really fun as it has been months since i had a long and random conversation with mom.. had a few jokes with her and then discussed a little family stuff.. after 2 hours of mixing, moulding and yada yada yada, we managed to come up with 30 mooncakes which consist of 8 big ones, and 22 small ones.. i've already got them packed and kept in the fridge ready to be transported back to kl for kelvin and a few people.. btw, those mooncakes are tasty!!
nice right??? place your order now if you want to makan.. i'll try my best to get more ingredients to make.. well, terms and conditions apply, and all that is only if i am free.. haha!


text:
please contact for full collections and availability.
WHERE ARE YOU BASED? I live on the Isle of Wight, in the UK with my wife and best friend "Sarah", our beautiful daughter "Alba".
DO YOU WORK INTERNATIONALLY? Yes, I am a big fan of travel and would love to photograph more connections all around the world. So far I have had the pleasure in making photos for a weddings and elopements in Lake Como and Tuscany – Italy, The Southern Highlands – Australia, French Alps, Split – Croatia, Santorini – Greece, The Scottish Highlands, Ireland and in the mountains of Bergen – Norway.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO BOOK? I take a select number of bookings each year so my best advice is around 8-12 months in advance but even on short notice, you might be in luck.
DO YOU OFFER ENGAGEMENT/PRE-WEDDING SESSIONS? Yes, connection sessions. These are intimate, close and honest. It's a great way to break the ice and to help put you at ease, ready for your Big Day. Available to all couples including those not planning a wedding.
DO WE GET EDITED THE PHOTOS? Yes, all final selected images are colour correct and enhanced, expect your images to look real and like you.
WHEN AND HOW DO WE GET OUR PHOTOS? Within four weeks via an online cloud gallery, where you and your family can also download the high-resolution images if you're willing to share your private link.
DO YOU OFFER ALBUMS? I currently offer handmade fine-art albums in various sizes.
CAN WE PRINT THE PHOTOS? Yes, I very much encourage it, images are born to be printed. My collections include the high-resolution image files which are licensed to print. I can recommend some of the best labs that will help you with any print requirements, within the UK and abroad.
DO YOU HAVE INSURANCE AND BACKUP GEAR? Yes.
I work on a "first-sign-first-serve" basis. To secure your date, a signed contract and deposit is required. I cannot guarantee my availability for any dates without these two things.


text:
Judith LongAssociate Professor
Judith Grant Long is Associate Professor of Sport Management and Real Estate, and Associate Professor of Urban Planning at the University of Michigan. Her research and teaching interests include sports and tourism infrastructure, mega-events and the host city experience, public-private partnerships for real estate development, and local economic development. Her latest book project, "Olympic Urbanism: Rome to Rio" explores the long-term impacts of building for the Olympic Games. She is Associate Professor of Sport Management at the University of Michigan, Co-Director of the Michigan Center for Sport and Policy. Prior to Michigan, Long was on the faculty of the Harvard Graduate School of Design, and served as the Director of the Master in Urban Planning program.


text:
Welcome to gradplus.com
About Us
With net sales of 56.8 billion Euros, sales of 3.4 million vehicles per year and around 200,000 employees in over 140 countries, PSA Peugeot CitroÙn really is an automotive group of global proportion. As you would expect from one of the worldÆs most successful companies, the opportunities for individuals looking for challenging and rewarding careers are endless.
About the Function
PSA Peugeot CitroÙn is one hundred percent committed to its employees, recognising that they are fundamental to its continued success. This places great emphasis on the role of the Human Resources function, which is primarily responsible for the recruitment, training and on-going development of all Group employees. Within the UK, the Human Resources function consists of a number of specialist central support departments and three line personnel departments, all of which offer a diverse range of work experience opportunities for those wishing to pursue a career within this exciting field. From resourcing, training and management development to generalist human and industrial relations, PSA Peugeot CitroÙnÆs Human Resources function quite literally has it all.
About the Scheme
At PSA Peugeot CitroÙn, our Graduates are our managers of the future. ThatÆs why weÆre committed to giving you the high levels of training and support that you require to make your career a success. As a Graduate within the Human Resources division, you will undertake a number of different placements in order to provide you with a broad range of responsibilities and a sound knowledge of this dynamic function. As well as being fully involved in the day-to-day activities of the department, you will have the opportunity to further realise your potential through engaging in longer-term project work. At the end of your 12-18 month training period, you will be placed in a permanent role within the function, where you will be fully encouraged to put the skills and knowledge that you have acquired to the test!
About You
Enthusiastic, motivated and with the drive to succeed, you will possess first class communication and interpersonal skills. You will be able to analyse and resolve problems effectively, having the style and presence necessary to influence others at all levels. Most important, however, is a keen interest in pursuing a career within the highly challenging but equally rewarding field of Human Resource Management. A full EU driving licence is essential.
About the Benefits
As you would expect from one of the worldÆs most successful organisations, we offer a highly competitive starting salary of c.ú24,000 potentially rising to c.ú32,000 after four years, and an extensive benefits package including:
Discounts on new and used vehicles, parts and accessories
Profit sharing scheme
Stakeholder pension
26 days holiday
Share purchase options
Training and continuous development
So if you think youÆve got what it takes to embark on this exhilarating and dynamic career opportunity, apply now!
Closing date for applications - 8 January 2006.
Type the code from the image


text:
Many Firsts at the Playin' Possum 50K
By Mark Carroll
Individuals or small groups can generate ideas and even implement them. But when a community embraces an idea special things can happen! Ohio is well known for our Ultra-running Community. We have some of the best runners, running clubs, and events in the nation. But most of those events have been hosted in the northeast or southwest parts of the state. In fact, as unlikely as it may seem, Columbus, the state capital, and its 1.8 million residents, had never hosted a stand-alone trail ultra marathon. This vacuum created a need; races and the training runs leading to them can be the best way to breathe life into a trail running community. Out of this need the Playin' Possum 50K was born.
During the training runs leading to the main event friendships formed and goals and ideas for future adventures took shape on the first snowy, then muddy, then overgrown trails. Astonishingly, we had a 100% finisher rate; every single starter finished! This is a strikingly rare occurrence in ultra distance running. Furthermore, the event raised $4000 for Special Olympics of Delaware County Ohio. The money will be used to transport athletes to events, to purchase new uniforms, or to send additional athletes to the annual State Summer Games.
Several misperceptions were broken on race day! First, there are large numbers of trail runners in Central Ohio; the race sold out is advance of race day. Also, most runners were shocked at how beautiful and runnable the trails in Delaware State Park are! The course traverses an area dominated by a man-made lake that was formed by creating a dam in a river valley. Thus the course ran through woods, along trails that were dirt farming roads thirty years ago. Abandoned hedgerows, fences, and stone building foundations can be seen in the woods, but only if a runner pays close attention. This old farming valley is now home to a nationally renowned bird sanctuary. It is possible to see deer, beaver, osprey, blue heron, bald eagles, red fox, bobcats, coyotes, and yep, possums in an area only 20miles from Ohio's largest city. The area is flatter and more runnable than other areas of the state but the runnable course created an opportunity for a newcomer to dip their toe into ultra-distance running waters. Fifty three individuals ran their first ultra at Playin' Possum! They were joined by a truly elite group of local runners who set records that may last for years.
Ultimately what we will remember most about the race was the overwhelming generosity of spirit that we noted as the race evolved. We decided early in the planning process that we would not solicit sponsorship from any running shoe/apparel store. We wanted this event to belong to the entire running community and we felt that the best way to do that was to be an independent entity. With full knowledge of this policy, and knowing that no public recognition would be granted, several local running stores donated use of a finish line and clock, aid station supplies, and word-of-mouth advertising support. They simply care about their sport and recognized that we do too. It was pure, simple, generosity. The swag-bags were filled to overflowing because of similar generosity from well-wishers happy that trail ultramarathoning had come to Columbus. Similarly, Ohio has a number of races that are hosted by local running clubs or individuals, rather than corporations or professional race promoters. These races exist to raise funds for charity and to build community among trail runners. Several of these individual race directors are friends of ours and, sensing a shared value system, came to the aid of our new race, as did MANY individuals from the large and thriving Cleveland ultra running community who came down on race day to assist. These individuals simply wanted to make sure that runners new to trail running could see how cool it is when a community comes together for a "club-style" event that is not being run for profit, but, rather for the benefit of the runners.
The race was evidence that mountains aren't needed for a successful ultra, nor are corporations or professionals. It was proof that trail running can exist in any place where there are people who want to meet and play in nature, and that events are best when they are the result of generosity and collaboration. Trail running is alive and well in Central Ohio. It turns out that it always was and always will be. It was just laying low, like some sort of animal that isn't dead but simply acts that way…I won't provide an example. But I think you get the idea!


text:
Labor regulations from the Obama administration are stunting the nation's economic recovery, business groups told lawmakers Wednesday during a heated congressional hearing.
Representatives from the construction and retail industries assailed a series of workforce rules imposed during President Obama's first term, as well as those currently in the pipeline from the Department of Labor and the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
Regulations covering everything from worker protections to coal dust to rules governing organized-labor rights came under fire during the House Appropriations Labor subcommittee hearing.
"Many of these regulations have been promulgated hastily, with limited stakeholder input and questionable legal authority," charged Geoff Burr, vice president of federal affairs for Associated Builders and Contractors. "Clearly, this is not an environment conducive to growth."
Former Congressional Budget Office director Douglas Holtz-Eakin, who is now president of the conservative-leaning American Action Forum, estimated the government-wide cost of Obama's regulations at $521 billion. The rules that apply to labor carry a total price tag exceeding $10 billion, he said.
The testimony drew fire from Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), the panel's top Democrat and one of Congress' most vocal defenders of federal regulation.
DeLauro said federal rules assure equal pay for all workers and protections from workplace hazards, and are "part of doing business in a country that cares about its people."
"If anything," DeLauro said, "current rules and enforcement may not be strong enough."
She criticized her Republican colleagues for their insistence on pressing forward with legislation designed to undo or block regulations issued by federal agencies.
Holtz-Eakin and Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) said opponents of regulations had no other recourse apart from attaching riders on appropriations bills to deny funding for the implementation of rules they view as overly burdensome.
Further, Burr argued, businesses face an uneven playing field, thanks to the Obama administration's posture on labor.
In his written testimony, Burr said the NLRB — created to be a neutral arbiter of federal labor law — had abandoned the role "to unabashedly promote union organizing without regard to the impact on employers."
Burr's assertion that the president appointed some of the board's members illegally, an opinion shared by a federal appeals court that deemed the recess appointments unconstitutional, touched off a tense exchange between him and DeLauro.
In a raised voice, DeLauro said that the matter was headed to the Supreme Court and remained unresolved, before repeatedly questioning Burr and the other witnesses about the consequences of an NLRB not allowed to function.
"We want a functioning board with legally appointed members," Burr responded.


text:
San Francisco Giants
Giants' Buster Posey catching first Tim Lincecum start since April 2014
Buster Posey last caught a Tim Lincecum start on April 26, 2014. But Posey is behind the plate today for Lincecum's start in the San Francisco Giants' series finale against the Los Angeles Angels.
Manager Bruce Bochy said the decision was nfluenced by his desire to keep first baseman Brandon Belt in the lineup against Angels right-hander Jered Weaver. Belt is batting just .214 with no home runs and five RBIs, and Bochy likes to let regulars play their way out of funks.
"I gotta get Belt going," Bochy said.
Bochy said other reasons are that Weaver is tough on right-handed hitters, and that Posey has had several days recently playing at first base, so "he's had some rest."
"I'm hoping it goes well with Timmy," Bochy said. "But we'll see in the early go here."
The full Giants' lineup against Weaver today:
LF Aoki
2B Panik
CF Pagan
C Posey
1B Belt
SS Crawford
3B McGehee
RF Blanco
P Lincecum
And the Angels' lineup against Lincecum:
SS Aybar
CF Trout
1B Pujols
RF Calhoun
3B Freese
LF Joyce
2B Giavotella
P Weaver
C Iannetta
▪ Hunter Pence took batting practice with the team before Sunday's game for the first time since he fractured his forearm in spring training.
Bochy said Pence will continue with baseball activities "for the next couple days, then we'll probably have a pretty good idea when he'll start his rehab." Bochy said that one option is starting Pence with a couple of games at extended spring training, as he hardly played this spring due to the fracture.
▪ The Giants' Double-A affiliate, the Richmond Flying Squirrels, are in a tough stretch right now, having lost 14 consecutive games while starting the season 3-16. They're playing under first-year manager Jose Alguacil, whom Bochy said he talked with a few days ago.
Bochy said his message to Alguacil was: "We've all been through it. Here, (the Giants) went through a tough start. More than anything, you stay behind your guys. Augie and I talked for a while about different things. But he'll be the rock there, he'll be the guy that keeps them together."
▪ Bochy said after Saturday's game ended with Angels pinch runner Taylor Featherston getting hit on the leg with a Matt Joyce grounder for the final out that he'd never seen a game end that way. Hours later, the Dodgers-Diamondbacks game ended the same way, with Arizona runner Jordan Pacheco hit by a grounder off the bat of David Peralta.
Before the Giants' win, it hadn't happened in five years, since the Pirates lost to the A's that way on June 27, 2010. Then, Saturday, two games ended on an at-bat that officially went down as a single for the losing team.
"What's the odds of that?" Bochy said Sunday. "Never seen it in all my years, and less than what, five, six hours, it happened again."
Crazy game.
Call The Bee's Matt Kawahara, (916) 321-1015. See his baseball coverage at sacbee.com/mlb. Follow him on Twitter at @matthewkawahara.


text:
Arrow 2012
Spoiled billionaire playboy Oliver Queen is missing and presumed dead when his yacht is lost at sea. He returns five years later a changed man, determined to clean up the city as a hooded vigilante armed with a bow.
Spoiled billionaire playboy Oliver Queen is missing and presumed dead when his yacht is lost at sea. He returns five years later a changed man, determined to clean up the city as a hooded vigilante armed with a bow.
What did the world look like as it was transforming into the horrifying apocalypse depicted in "The Walking Dead"? This spin-off set in Los Angeles, following new characters as they face the beginning of the end of the world, will answer that question.
An anthology horror drama series centering on different characters and locations, including a house with a murderous past, an asylum, a witch coven, a freak show, a hotel, a farmhouse in Roanoke and a cult.
Wiped clean of memories and thrown together, a group of strangers fight to survive harsh realities -- and the island that traps them.
After a particle accelerator causes a freak storm, CSI Investigator Barry Allen is struck by lightning and falls into a coma. Months later he awakens with the power of super speed, granting him the ability to move through Central City like an unseen guardian angel. Though initially excited by his newfound powers, Barry is shocked to discover he is not the only "meta-human" who was created in the wake of the accelerator explosion -- and not everyone is using their new powers for good. Barry partners with S.T.A.R. Labs and dedicates his life to protect the innocent. For now, only a few close friends and associates know that Barry is literally the fastest man alive, but it won't be long before the world learns what Barry Allen has become...The Flash.
When they were boys, Sam and Dean Winchester lost their mother to a mysterious and demonic supernatural force. Subsequently, their father raised them to be soldiers. He taught them about the paranormal evil that lives in the dark corners and on the back roads of America ... and he taught them how to kill it. Now, the Winchester brothers crisscross the country in their '67 Chevy Impala, battling every kind of supernatural threat they encounter along the way.
Agent Phil Coulson of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division) puts together a team of agents to investigate the new, the strange and the unknown around the globe, protecting the ordinary from the extraordinary.
A team of young superheroes led by Nightwing (formerly Batman's first Robin) form to combat evil and other perils.
Before there was Batman, there was GOTHAM. Everyone knows the name Commissioner Gordon. He is one of the crime world's greatest foes, a man whose reputation is synonymous with law and order. But what is known of Gordon's story and his rise from rookie detective to Police Commissioner? What did it take to navigate the multiple layers of corruption that secretly ruled Gotham City, the spawning ground of the world's most iconic villains? And what circumstances created them – the larger-than-life personas who would become Catwoman, The Penguin, The Riddler, Two-Face and The Joker?
Follows the personal and professional lives of a group of doctors at Seattle's Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.
Seven noble families fight for control of the mythical land of Westeros. Friction between the houses leads to full-scale war. All while a very ancient evil awakens in the farthest north. Amidst the war, a neglected military order of misfits, the Night's Watch, is all that stands between the realms of men and icy horrors beyond.
In the criminal justice system, sexually-based offenses are considered especially heinous. In New York City, the dedicated detectives who investigate these vicious felonies are members of an elite squad known as the Special Victims Unit. These are their stories.
Naruto Shippuuden is the continuation of the original animated TV series Naruto.The story revolves around an older and slightly more matured Uzumaki Naruto and his quest to save his friend Uchiha Sasuke from the grips of the snake-like Shinobi, Orochimaru. After 2 and a half years Naruto finally returns to his village of Konoha, and sets about putting his ambitions to work, though it will not be easy, as He has amassed a few (more dangerous) enemies, in the likes of the shinobi organization; Akatsuki.
Steve McGarrett returns home to Oahu, in order to find his father's killer. The governor offers him the chance to run his own task force (Five-0). Steve's team is joined by Chin Ho Kelly, Danny "Danno" Williams, and Kono Kalakaua.
After getting into a near fatal car accident, Alma discovers she has a new relationship with time and uses this ability to find out the truth about her father's death.
When Walter White, a New Mexico chemistry teacher, is diagnosed with Stage III cancer and given a prognosis of only two years left to live. He becomes filled with a sense of fearlessness and an unrelenting desire to secure his family's financial future at any cost as he enters the dangerous world of drugs and crime.
Raymond "Red" Reddington, one of the FBI's most wanted fugitives, surrenders in person at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C. He claims that he and the FBI have the same interests: bringing down dangerous criminals and terrorists. In the last two decades, he's made a list of criminals and terrorists that matter the most but the FBI cannot find because it does not know they exist. Reddington calls this "The Blacklist". Reddington will co-operate, but insists that he will speak only to Elizabeth Keen, a rookie FBI profiler.
The Doctor is a Time Lord: a 900 year old alien with 2 hearts, part of a gifted civilization who mastered time travel. The Doctor saves planets for a living – more of a hobby actually, and the Doctor's very, very good at it.
From murder and espionage to terrorism and stolen submarines, a team of special agents investigates any crime that has a shred of evidence connected to Navy and Marine Corps personnel, regardless of rank or position.
While running from a drug deal gone bad, Mike Ross, a brilliant young college-dropout, slips into a job interview with one of New York City's best legal closers, Harvey Specter. Tired of cookie-cutter law school grads, Harvey takes a gamble by hiring Mike on the spot after he recognizes his raw talent and photographic memory.


text:
BMW 2017 car sales hit 2.09 mln record but Mercedes keeps lead
BERLIN, Jan 12 (Reuters) - BMW sales rose to a new record last year on strong demand for sport-utility vehicles (SUVs) and the 1-Series compact, but the brand was again outsold by rival Mercedes-Benz whose deliveries increased twice as fast.
Sales of the BMW brand were up 4.2 percent in 2017 to 2.09 million passenger cars and SUVs, compared with a 9.9 percent gain or 2.29 million at Mercedes, which claimed the top spot in global luxury-car sales rankings for a second year.
BMW deliveries were fuelled by demand for SUVs which increased 9.6 percent in 2017 on year-earlier figures and the 1-Series, sales of which jumped 15 percent. Brand deliveries were up 9.5 percent to 195,916 cars.
"I'm confident BMW sales will continue to grow during 2018, while we also maintain our focus on profitability," said new sales chief Pieter Nota, who replaced Ian Robertson on Jan. 1.
Volkswagen's luxury division Audi is expected to release 2017 car sales later on Friday.
(Reporting by Andreas Cremer; Editing by Maria Sheahan)
Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.


text:
Stoke, Kent
Stoke is a civil parish on the Hoo Peninsula in Kent, England, to the south of Allhallows, on the north of the Medway Estuary. According to the 2001 census it had a population of 1,063, reducing marginally to 1,060 at the 2011 census.[1]
The two small villages of Lower Stoke and Stoke (sometimes referred to as Upper Stoke) stand on low-lying fertile farmland that is at most 17 m above highwater. The farmland descends to the Stoke Saltings – a maze of intricate channels and small islands beloved by wading birds. The church of Saints Peter and Paul is in Stoke; it was an appendage to the Manor of Great Hoo. The building contains some Norman and Early English work dating from 1175. It has no spire.[2]
In an Anglo-Saxon charter Stoke is referred to as "Andescohesham".[3] It was passed with other lands by Eadberht, son of King Wihtred of Kent to the See of Rochester for "the good of his soul and the remission of sins".[2] In 959, Lower Stoke, then called "Osterland", was granted by Queen Eadgifu to Christ Church, Canterbury.[4] In Domesday Book it is called "Estoches" and "Stoches".[5]
Due to its low-lying nature, Stoke has often suffered flooding, such as in 1158, 1235, 1309, 1682, and 1735 when ploughmen were swept from their fields as the sea broke through. Also, in 1791, 1854, 1874, and 1897, Stoke was cut off from the Isle of Grain for a week.[2]
In 1720 Manor Farm was leased to Jacob Sawbridge, one of the South Sea Bubble directors.[2]
In 1732 William Hogarth overnighted at the 'Nag's Head' in Lower Stoke. Due to the shortage of beds he had to share a bed.[2]
There was a large airship base nearby at Kingsnorth from which patrols covering the North Sea were launched during World War I. The site is now covered by Kingsnorth Power Station.
Future proposalsEdit
In November 2011, Lord Foster published proposals to improve the transport system of South East England. Under these proposals, called the Thames Hub, new high-speed rail lines would be built connecting Kent and Europe with North London, and the North East and North West of England. The scheme would also involve the remodelling of the Thames Estuary, by the construction of a four-runway airport on the Isle of Grain, partially on land reclaimed from the estuary but including land at Allhallows and Lower Stoke. This plan is controversial.[6][7] Residents highlight hazards caused the presence of the wreck of the SS Richard Montgomery with its 1400 tonnes of explosives, just off the Nore, and the natural gas terminals which import and temporarily store 20% of the UKs natural gas. In addition there are 300,000 birds that breed along the flight path.[6] Aviation specialists point to the difficulty in fitting another airport in this crowded airspace.
|Wikimedia Commons has media related to Stoke, Kent.
- ^ a b "Civil Parish population 2011". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 1 October 2015.
- ^ a b c d e Brian Matthews, the History of Strood Rural District, 1971, Strood Rural District Council
- ^ "S 27". (2014). Electronic Sawyer. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
- ^ Smith, Joanna (2014). "The Parish of Stoke, Hoo Peninsula, Kent: Historic Area Assessment". English Heritage. p. 5. Archived from the original on 21 July 2015. Cite uses deprecated parameter
- ^ Place name: Stoke, Little Stoke, Stone, Kent Folio: 5v Great Domesday Book. (not dated). The National Archives. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
- ^ a b Medway Messenger, 4 November 2011, pp=5-7
- ^ Kent Online- Fosters proposals Accessed 6 November 2010


text:
Route Update Features Ability To Add Favorite Destinations And More
July 30, 2012
Route, one of the most popular third party navigation apps, has received a significant update. Route 1.4 includes a number of new features most important to frequent users and for businesses such as couriers and delivery people. First launched in April, the universal app runs on the iPhone/iPod touch and Wi-Fi-enabled iPads. Its main function is to calculate the shortest route around town to save you time, and money on gas. In doing so, Route includes the ability to search for businesses, add addresses from your contacts, and add your current location as a destination. Each map may be shared through email or via printing, and supports up to 100 destinations per route. New features include:
Future app enhances include support for syncing between multiple devices via iCloud, and full integration with maps and navigation which are part of iOS 6. Take a look: Route is available in the App Store for $1.99. For more navigation apps for iOS, click here.
- Added ability to add previous destinations
- Added favorite destinations
- Added ability to add multiple addresses simultaneously
- Added new help views
- Fixed various bugs
- Minor UI tweaks
Mentioned apps
Surrendered Studios


text:
Latest News
Republicans lead in 2 of the nation's battleground Senate races
WASHINGTON—Republican Senate candidates have fought back to regain an edge in two key races, pivotal battlegrounds that could determine which party controls the Senate, according to a series of new McClatchy-MSNBC polls.
Republicans hold narrow leads in Tennessee and Virginia, two must-win states where the party hopes to build a Southern bulwark against a Democratic tide that's threatening their Senate seats elsewhere across the country.
The new polls show Democrats leading in two states they must hold—New Jersey and Washington—as well as in five states now held by Republicans: Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.
Yet even if Democrats take all seven of those, they still need to win either Tennessee or Virginia to take control of the Senate. Democrats must gain six seats overall to take a majority.
"Control of the Senate is going to come down to Tennessee and Virginia," said Brad Coker, the pollster for Mason-Dixon Polling & Research Inc. who conducted the surveys for McClatchy-MSNBC in eight states, as well as one in Virginia for several major newspapers there.
Coker noted that Tennessee and Virginia are culturally conservative states in which Republicans have won Senate campaigns for more than a decade. Also, the Republican candidates in each state appeared to find their footing in recent weeks after missteps earlier.
In Virginia, incumbent Republican Sen. George Allen stopped losing ground after he was accused of racial insensitivity and went on the attack against his Democratic opponent, James Webb, in part charging that Webb was insensitive to women in the military.
In Tennessee, Republican candidate Bob Corker fired top campaign staff and went on the attack against his Democratic rival, Rep. Harold Ford.
While many analysts and insiders of both major parties expect the Republicans to lose control of the House of Representatives, the Senate remains a close contest. Control of either house of Congress is crucial to passing legislation, while the Senate has sole power to confirm appointments to the federal judiciary, including the Supreme Court.
The polls revealed a slightly shifting landscape in recent weeks, with Democrats consolidating leads in several states but Republicans not only clawing back in Tennessee and Virginia but also narrowing their gap in Montana, all but given up as lost by national Republican leaders. Of the nine key battleground states, Republicans are ahead in two and within the polls' 4 percentage-point margin of error in three more.
Iraq remains the dominant issue in all but one battleground state, despite weeks of news coverage of the page scandal in the House, North Korea's nuclear test and record highs in the stock market. That hurts Republicans, as those voting on Iraq break for Democrats by margins of 2-1 or more.
Terrorism _usually a Republican strength—has receded as a major issue in most battleground states, with the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks and news of a foiled alleged plot to blow up U.S.-bound planes fading into memory.
Even Republican efforts to rekindle fear of terrorism might not help in most of these Senate campaigns:
_Voters who say they're worried about a terrorist attack on the United States gave the Republican Senate candidate a clear edge only in Montana and Tennessee.
_They favored the Democrat over the Republican in Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.
_They split almost evenly between the Democrat and Republican in Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio and Washington state.
The polls partly affirmed decisions by Republican leaders to build a Southern wall to protect their Senate majority, steering campaign cash into Missouri, Tennessee and Virginia while pulling it out of states such as Montana, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Here are snapshots of the races, first for Republican-held Senate seats:
Democratic state Auditor Claire McCaskill led incumbent Republican Sen. Jim Talent by 46-43 percent. They were tied 43-43 percent in the same poll three weeks ago.
McCaskill gained in part because Missouri voters focused more on Iraq in recent weeks. They ranked it their top issue; before, health care was their top concern. Those listing Iraq as their top issue supported the Democrat by a ratio of better than 2-1.
McCaskill also continued to lead among voters most concerned about health care, as well as the economy.
Talent led by 80-11 percent among those who ranked terrorism their top issue, but terrorism ranked fifth on Missourians' priority list. And those who said they were very worried about a terrorist attack on the United States preferred McCaskill by 49-35 percent.
Breakout: McCaskill didn't have the support of a majority of women, but she did hold a slight lead among them, 47-41 percent.
Democrat Jon Tester, the state Senate president, led incumbent Republican Sen. Conrad Burns by 46-43 percent. Tester led three weeks ago by 47-40 percent.
Burns remains vulnerable largely because he was tied to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff and has been hit by attacks from Tester on his ethics. More Montana voters, 43 percent, had an unfavorable opinion of Burns than a favorable opinion, 42 percent.
Iraq dominates Montana's political landscape, ranked the top issue nearly 2-1 over terrorism. Iraq voters favored Tester by more than 2-1.
The threat of terrorism remains a strength for Burns. Voters who say terrorism is their top issue favor him by 8-1. Those very worried about a terrorist attack support him by 54-30 percent.
Breakout: Montana has a big gender gap. Women support the soft-spoken Tester by 53-34 percent. Men support the gruff-talking Burns by 52-39 percent.
Democratic Rep. Sherrod Brown led incumbent Republican Sen. Mike DeWine by 48-40 percent. Three weeks ago, Brown led by 45-43 percent.
Ohio is the one state in which Iraq isn't the top issue. Voters there rank the economy and jobs as their top concern, reflecting the retrenchment of the U.S. auto industry and its impact on Ohio assembly plants and parts suppliers. It also reflects years of losing manufacturing jobs.
Voters who say the economy is their top issue support Brown by 53-35 percent. Iraq is a close second, and Iraq voters support Brown by better than 3-1.
Breakout: Brown owes his lead in part to the fact that he's holding his base—drawing 84 percent of Democrats—while tapping into DeWine's by winning 18 percent of Republicans. He also benefits from a gender gap: He leads among women 53-36, while he and DeWine split the male vote.
Democrat Bob Casey Jr., the state treasurer, led incumbent Republican Sen. Rick Santorum by 51-39 percent. Casey led by 49-40 percent three weeks ago.
Casey, the son of a popular former governor, may have found the right key to this state as a Democrat who opposes legal abortion. He leads by a 4-1 ratio in heavily Democratic Philadelphia, by 5-3 in the closely divided Philadelphia suburbs and by 5-4 in and around Pittsburgh, and manages 38 percent support in culturally conservative central Pennsylvania.
Casey holds 90 percent of liberals, but also wins 17 percent of conservatives. He leads among women by 52-35 percent and among men by 50-43 percent.
Iraq is the top issue. Terrorism ranks fourth, a top priority for just 11 percent. That's noteworthy given the state's exposure to the 2001 attacks: United Flight 93 crashed there, and Pennsylvania is close to New York and Virginia, the sites of the other attacks that day.
Breakout: Santorum isn't popular. In fact, he was the most unpopular candidate in any battleground state, rated unfavorably by 48 percent and favorably by just 33 percent.
Democratic challenger Sheldon Whitehouse led incumbent Republican Sen. Lincoln Chafee by 48-43 percent, a wider margin than his 42-41 percent lead three weeks ago.
Rhode Island is poison to Republicans this year, with the lowest approval rating for President Bush (22 percent) and Congress (15 percent) of any battleground state. It also is the most tuned in to the Iraq war, with 36 percent calling it their top issue.
A whopping 74 percent of Rhode Island voters want to get troops out of Iraq, and they support Whitehouse.
Even Chafee's much-publicized distance from Bush and the war aren't enough to survive in that environment. He trails among Iraq voters, health-care voters and those worried about a terrorist attack.
Breakout: Chafee's opposition to Bush gets him some points, but not enough. Chafee gets 36 percent of those who disapprove of Bush, 32 percent of liberals and 21 percent of Democrats.
Republican Bob Corker, the former mayor of Chattanooga, led Democrat Rep. Harold Ford Jr. by 45-43 percent. Three weeks ago, Ford led by 43-42 percent. The campaign is for the seat being vacated by Republican Sen. Bill Frist, who's retiring.
Tennessee remains relatively hospitable turf for Republicans. The state gives Bush a 46 percent approval rating, among his highest. Just 34 percent think that House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., should resign because of the House page sex scandal, the lowest among battleground states.
Iraq is the top issue, and Iraq voters support Ford by a ratio of better than 3-1. Yet 44 percent approve of Bush's handling of Iraq. And those who support the president's policy on Iraq prefer Corker by 84-7 percent.
Race is an undercurrent in Tennessee. Ford would be the first African-American ever elected to the Senate from the South. He leads among African-Americans by 86-4 percent; Corker leads among whites by 53-36 percent.
Breakout: Tennessee is a state in which moral and family values rank high, the state's second highest issue. That could be because Ford emphasizes his religion, and Republicans have lambasted him for once attending a Super Bowl party with Playboy playmates. The values vote is going to Corker by a ratio of 12-1.
Republican Sen. George Allen led Democrat James Webb by 47-43 percent, regaining a lead he held in early September. Three weeks ago they were tied at 43 percent.
Among the states in play this year, Virginia is one of the most hospitable to Republicans. The state's voters give Bush relatively high marks for his handling of the economy, 54 percent, and for fighting terrorism, 57 percent.
Yet Iraq is a top issue, and that's not good for Republicans even in the state that's home to the Pentagon and the Atlantic Fleet. Just 43 percent of Virginia voters approve of Bush's handling of the Iraq war.
That helps explain why Allen, a staunch defender of the war, recently started criticizing it.
Also, Allen trails Webb in the Hampton Roads region, heavily populated with military families and retirees. Webb is a former Navy secretary under President Reagan who opposes the Iraq war.
Breakout: Allen regained his footing as interest declined in stories about how he called an Indian-American a "macaca," a racial slur in some cultures, and how he was accused of using racial slurs while a college student. While 30 percent said they thought the college stories were true, 83 percent said they weren't important to their votes.
Here are snapshots of the Democrat-held Senate seats:
Incumbent Democratic Sen. Robert Menendez led Republican Tom Kean Jr., a state senator, by 45-42 percent. He led by the same margin, 44-41 percent, three weeks ago.
The race there is a mudfest, with Menendez facing questions and ethics attacks over a land deal. Voters hold him in low regard, with 34 percent having a favorable opinion of him and the same percentage holding an unfavorable opinion.
Kean, the son of a popular former governor, fares only slightly better, with 35 percent holding a favorable opinion and 29 percent unfavorable.
Iraq beats terrorism as the top issue, noteworthy in a state that lost people in the 2001 attack on the World Trade Center. Iraq voters break for the Democrat by 8-1.
Those who rank terrorism their top issue support Kean by a ratio of 3-1. Yet those who say they're very worried about a terrorist attack split evenly between Kean and Menendez.
Breakout: The state that saw its last governor resign because of an affair with a man gives the most support, 50 percent, to the notion that House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., should resign in the wake of the House page scandal.
Incumbent Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell led Republican Mike McGavick by 52-37 percent, increasing her lead from 50-40 percent three weeks before.
Cantwell had the highest favorable rating—48 percent—of any candidate in the battleground states.
Washington state is hostile to Republicans this year, giving some of the lowest approval ratings to Bush (34 percent) and Congress (22 percent).
Iraq is the top issue, followed by the economy and jobs in a distant second place. Terrorism lags behind in seventh place. Iraq voters support Cantwell by a ratio of 8-1.
Breakout: Cantwell benefits from a gender gap in one of the three states that have two female senators. (California and Maine are the others.) She leads among men by 48-38 percent and among women by 57-35 percent.
BREAKOUT: In all the battleground states, those who identify themselves as moderates greatly prefer Democratic Senate candidates to Republicans. In Ohio, for example, self-proclaimed moderates backed the Democrat over the Republican by 59-27 percent.
The McClatchy-MSNBC Poll is a snapshot of voter opinion at the time it was conducted. It is not a prediction of how people will vote on Election Day.
The poll of 625 likely voters in each state was conducted by telephone Oct. 17-21.
Those interviewed were selected by a random variation of telephone numbers from a cross-section of telephone exchanges. That means anyone in the state with a land-phone line had the same odds of being called as anyone else. Cell phone numbers are not in the exchanges.
The margin of error was plus or minus 4 percentage points. That means that 95 percent of the time, the correct numbers could be up to 4 percentage points above our poll's percentage point findings or up to 4 percentage points below them. The other 5 percent of the time, the correct numbers could vary even more.
The sampling margin of error doesn't include other variables that could affect results, including the way questions are worded or the order in which they're asked.
The Mason-Dixon Virginia Poll was conducted for several major state newspapers and made available to McClatchy Newspapers.
(c) 2006, McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
GRAPHICS (from MCT Graphics, 202-383-6064): 20061023 POLL Senate, 20061023 POLL issues
Need to map


text:
Irish colour talent on show again
Students from Ireland once again demonstrated outstanding talent at the Irish heat of the SDC International Design Competition. Hosted by the National College of Art and Design (NCAD) in Dublin, we welcomed students from Galway Mayo Institute of Technology, Belfast Met, University of Ulster and NCAD for a day of keynote presentations and competition judging.
The first speaker was Judith Neilly whose wide ranging roles include John England (high fashion, theatrical and interior fabrics), Fergusons (fine dining and soft furnishings), Brownlow (traditional giftwear) and Franklins (labels, embroidery and badges). Judith said she has employed previous entrants from the design competition and offered placements, so the opportunity was there for the right person.
Judith had a number of key messages:
- You're an artist if you design something for yourself. You're a designer if you design something to meet the brief.
- Make it fit for purpose.
- Expect restrictions and design round them. Use space wisely.
- Research is key – 15 minutes of historical research is never a waste of time.
- Use the classics, but be sure to update them.
- Do your research and select your colour palette well in advance.
- Colour is vital, and often the accent colours are the most important.
Judith's talk focused on her extensive work in film and television, designing the fabrics for costumes, working to specific briefs and often to very tight deadlines. This was a 'who's who' of recent blockbusters and has included work on Game of Thrones, Into the Woods and Pirates of the Caribbean, and was accompanied by samples of her work, including the fabric produced for Sirius Black's trousers in the Harry Potter films.
One of the unique features of film costumes is that often they don't need to last long, unlike the clothes we buy in the shops. Judith also talked about the use of colour to age a fabric in In the Heart of the Sea, and how colour and fabric were used to age a character in Game of Thrones.
She finished by emphasising that whilst we may not be able to compete with the mass manufacturing of garments that takes place in Asia, we can compete on design excellence.
The second speaker was SDC member Janet Best, who is a fashion colour management specialist. Janet said that 80% of sustainability is set at the design stage. She talked through some of the common problems experienced in achieving the colour you want and gave an insight into the colour management process throughout the supply chain. Factors which impact on time, quality and cost include lab dips, unreliable colour standards, human factors, poor process control (a lack of systems and procedures) and difficulties with suppliers. She said the first victim of fast fashion is often quality.
Janet illustrated her talk with the example of 'that dress' to demonstrate that people see colour differently. She gave examples of some of the different factors that can affect colour perception, from the way your brain works to your age.
Ireland has an impressive record in the SDC International Design Competition, and we welcomed the three most recent global winners, who gave short presentations on their experience of the competition and how it has impacted on their careers.
Rachel White won the competition in 2013 and is now a freelance designer and art educator. She said the competition theme was always forward thinking and industry focused. Following her win, she undertook a diploma in art education, partly paid for by her competition prize money. She highlighted how her win had given her a 'stamp of approval', and this, along with the press coverage it generated, had helped her to get a number of roles including her first full-time design job at Styletex in Dublin. Styletex design and manufacture ladies fashion garments for numerous UK, Irish and online retailers.
Orla McCarthy was the winner in 2014. Following her win she had a nine month internship at Dunnes Stores in the homeware department, giving her invaluable commercial experience. She has since worked on a freelance basis for Emblem Weavers in Wexford, and has recently returned from exhibiting at Premiere Vision in Paris. Emblem are a high end linen weaving company, working with leading brands in the luxury goods and high fashion sector. Orla is keen to work as a freelance designer in future.
The most recent winner was Aoife Mullane, who won the competition in November 2015. Aoife received incredible press coverage following her win, including a feature on Nationwide television programme and the front cover of the Irish Sunday Times. Recently she has been working hard to establish her own textiles brand.
The announcements were then made of the winner of the competition. The judges commented on the outstanding standard of work overall.
Congratulations to the winner, Fiona White from NCAD. Fiona goes forward to represent Ireland at the grand final to be held in Shanghai in November.
Congratulations also to the runners up, Matthew Lenehan from Belfast Met and Grace Lavin from Galway Mayo. A special commendation went to Megan Lee from NCAD.
Thanks to Judith Neilly and Janet Best, to our previous winners, to Rachel Tuffy and Andrew Campbell at NCAD for hosting the event and for their warm welcome. Thanks also to Paul Santokhi from SDC's Ireland region for organising the event. Last but not least, thanks to all the students and colleges who took part.
Details of the SDC International Design Competition are available on the SDC website.
Tags: competitions, fashion, International design competition, Ireland, National College of Art and Design, NCAD, textiles, Veronica Bell
Trackback from your site.


text:
Often considered the best powder tool ever created splitboarding has taken the mountains by storm. These destinations offer classic tours that will take you deeper, higher, and further. From easy access pass skiing to multi day splitboard mountaineering objectives and even hut to hut skiing.
5 charming mountain towns, 4 unique ski areas, 3 endless mountain ranges of backcountry skiing, and a backcountry hut system is why Summit is called Colorado's playground.
Massive vertical relief captures a deep maritime snowpack providing steep fall lines that exemplify the legendary terrain surrounding Mount Baker.


text:
Tag Archives: Glasgow
Could People Make Glasgow – a National Park City?
Below is a blog written for TCV. Since moving from London to Glasgow I've followed the London National Park City campaign keenly and been really interested to see if there might be interest in the idea in Glasgow – so … Continue reading
Posted in The Environment Tagged conservation, Environment, Glasgow, National Park City, national parks Leave a comment
Perfect weather
For once – and for me the weather has worked out perfectly – work was reasonably quiet over Easter, I had planned in a couple of climbing trips out into the Lakes – and yes, the weather was glorious… I … Continue reading
Posted in Outdoor Adventures Tagged Beaufort scale, Climbing, Easter, Glasgow, Manchester, Oxford, Recreation, Weather Leave a comment


text:
Never accepting mediocrity ~ Questioning the status quo
Improving my corner of the universe one day at a time.
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Taking Up Space
I saw this today, and thought "yes, this. This is why I claim the name of feminist. Because the difference in experience matters. Because a person should not have to live in fear or pain simply by virtue of what's between their legs. Because a life lived in fear is a life half-lived."
Also, although I very much see this happening on a cultural and societal level, I am very grateful to have grown up in a home where it did not really happen on a familial level. A family where I always knew that I could go and do and be whatever I dreamed. A family where mother had the math degree and father taught school so that he could have summers off to go hiking and globetrotting. A place where egalitarianism was standard enough that I had been on my own for ten years before I could even recognize the continuing need for feminism in the rest of the world.
So go forth my sisters (and my brothers). Speak the truths you know. Don't be ashamed to speak the unpopular or taboo truths. Do what your gut tells you is important. Be a rebel if you need to be. Take up your space.
(here is the transcript, in case you have trouble with the video...but it is worth listening, because she speaks it well.)
Across from me at the kitchen table my mother smiles over red wine that she drinks out of a measuring glass.
She says she doesn't deprive herself, but I've learned to find nuance in every movement of her fork and every crinkle in her brow as she offers me the uneaten pieces on her plate. I realize that she only eats dinner when I suggest it.
I wonder what she does when I'm not there to do so.
Maybe this is why my house feels bigger each time I return. As she shrinks, the space around her seems increasingly vast.
She wanes while my father waxes.
His stomach has grown round with wine, late nights, oysters, poetry, a new girlfriend who was overweight as a teenager but my dad reports "now she's crazy about fruit."
It was the same with his parents.
As my grandmother became frail and angular her husband swelled to red round cheeks, rotund stomach, and I wonder if my lineage is one of women shrinking. Making space for the entrance of men in their lives. Not knowing how to fill it back up once they leave.
I have been taught accommodation.
My brother never thinks before he speaks. I have been taught to filter. "How can anyone have a relationship to food?" he asks, laughing, as I eat the black bean soup I chose for its lack of carbs.
I want to say we come from difference Jonas.
You have been taught to grow out. I have been taught to grow in.
You learned from our father how to emit, how to produce, how to roll each thought off your tongue with confidence. You used to lose your voice every other week from shouting so much.
I learned to absorb.
I took lessons from my mother in creating space around myself. I learned to read the knots in her forehead while the guys went out for oysters. And I never meant to replicate her, but spend enough time sitting across from someone and you pick up their habits.
That's why women in my family have been shrinking for decades.
We all learned it from each other. The way each generation taught the next how to knit, weaving silence in between the threads which I can still feel as I walk through this ever growing house. Skin itching, picking up all the habits my mother unwittingly dropped like bits of crumpled paper from her pocket on her countless trips from bedroom to kitchen to bedroom again. Nights I hear her creep down to eat plain yogurt in the dark. A fugitive stealing calories to which she does not feel entitled. Deciding how many bites is too many; how much space she deserves to occupy.
Watching the struggle I either mimic or hate her, and I don't want to do either anymore. But the burden of this house has followed me across the country. I asked five questions in genetics class today and all of them started with the word "sorry..."
I don't know the capstone requirements for the sociology major because I spent the whole meeting deciding whether or not I could have another piece of pizza. A circular obsession I never wanted, but inheritance is accidental.
Still staring at me with wine-soaked lips from across the kitchen table.
Talkin' about women
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)


text:
Everything I know about the Church of Scientology
Throughout the past month or so, I have been doing some intensive research on the church of Scientology. The thing with Scientology is that not many people actually know what it's even about, including its members. Think about what you or the average person knows of the organization. Science? A creepy cult? Tom Cruise and John Travolta? Those were my thoughts too. So I took it upon myself to learn about where it comes from, what they practice, and all their dirty little secrets.
The church of Scientology was founded by a struggling author by the name of L. Ron Hubbard in 1954. Hubbard would write a wide array of science fiction novels and short stories, and actually holds the record for most books ever written and/or published, about over a million. He wrote day and night as at the time they would only pay writers one cent per word, and he needed the money to survive. After resigning from the U.S Navy in 1950 due to "war injuries" that later on turned out to be a total lie, Hubbard wrote one of his most iconic and important pieces of literature - "Dianetics - The Original Thesis". This book is the basics of what Scientology is, if you can even understand it. The "movement" shall I call it, was a fad that was popular for a short while and then everyone just lost interest. This propelled Hubbard to create a new movement, which we know now as Scientology.
An interesting fact about Scientology is the reasoning behind why L. Ron Hubbard wanted to create a religion in the first place. In his 20's, he would gather once a week with fellow authors living in the New York City area and they would discuss each other's books and mingle I guess. A conversation had come up by Hubbard stating that he was dreading to pay his taxes as he could barely even afford it. A friend who overheard him piped up and told him as a joke that he should create a religion, as religions do not pay taxes. Being the man he was, Hubbard did exactly that.
As I understand, most Scientologists actually do not know what their religion preaches before spending years and lots of money to find out. I learned the basics of it in about an hour by googling it. The true backstory of Scientology (or Dianetics) is that billions of years ago, a galactic alien overlord named Xenu created 76 planets orbiting the stars with civilians similar to how our human beings were in the 1950's. Apparently, these planets were severely overpopulated, so Xenu or whoever brought these beings to planet earth and dropped them in a volcano near Hawaii. Great population control technique. The theory is that each human being is comprised of Thetans, which is like a soul. It is believed that all our troubles, issues, anxieties, addictions etc are bad thetans that we absorbed at birth from those people that were tossed in the volcano ages ago. And the practice of Scientology is meant to rid you of your bad thetans so that you can live life to the fullest and be your best self. No, this is not the plot line of an episode of Doctor Who.
To liberate your inner thetans, they have a process called "auditing". Auditing sessions happen to each Scientologist weekly/daily and are sort of like a twisted therapy. What basically happens is that an auditor will ask the Scientologist questions such as "Do you have a present time problem?", "Is there anything you failed to reveal?", "Is there anything you have been careful of?" and so on. A machine created by Hubbard called "E-Meter" which is strikingly similar to a lie detector is used by an auditor during this procedure. A small screen with "rise", "set", "fall", and "test" and an arrow is used to indicate whether the person is being honest with their auditor or not. Similar to a simple lie detector, you hold the two metal cans which apparently monitor your pulse and brain waves or something like that. Through lengthy periods of questioning and answering, the auditor is supposedly able to find thoughts and memories from your past thetans (lives) and once they are rid, you are able to live a much happier and fulfilled life.
Auditing is really expensive. The church tends to amp up the price and time of a session each time, meaning that you could pay from $75 to $10,000 and up for your sessions. Another part of auditing is that the more you do it, the more seniority you gain in the religion. Once you reach your highest state possible, you become an Operating Thetan (OT). An OT is described to be in "a spiritual state above clear" meaning that you have full control over your physical and mental state. There are eight OT levels which one can achieve, and each one gives you more information on the backstory of Scientology. All auditors are OT's and have much experience in the church. The average hourly wage of an auditor is an approximate $14.44 and is a career for many people with high OT levels in the church.
There are many career options inside Scientology, with the most popular one being the Sea Organization (Sea Org). The Sea Org was originally created in 1967 as a private navy for Hubbard to basically be his staff on his crusades through the world's oceans. When you join the Sea Org, you are obligated to sign a "billion-year contract". It is possible to leave the Sea Org, but breaking that billion year contract is pretty tricky. Sea Org members belong to Scientology in a sense like how nuns belong to Christianity. They are responsible for many things, from organizing all activities and gatherings in the church to cleaning and hard labor. Sea Org members are forced to live, eat, sleep and coexist together in designated buildings by the church. They are paid very little for their services, and have a long history of being abused and wrongly treated by people of power in the church.
While we are on about abuse, let's talk about David Miscavige. The snake of all snakes. This man is the current leader of Scientology, as well as Tom Cruise's best friend. He wasn't really appointed by Hubbard or anyone but with much backstabbing, lying and abuse he weaseled himself to the top. Being born into the church, Miscavige became a deputy to Hubbard during his teenage years. One year after Hubbard's death (1987) Miscavige became the official chairman of Scientology. But with a big fancy important title comes a lot of drama. David Miscavige is known to have a pretty slimy reputation. Many ex-Scientologists have come out with their experiences on being abused and publicly humiliated by Miscavige, who seems to never hold back. He is described as a cold hearted man who will do anything for money and success who holds a very believable facade for all his devoted fans who worship his existence. His wife, Shelly Miscavige, has not been seen publicly since August 2007. There are many theories as to where she is and what her husband has done to her. Much effort has been put in to find her whereabouts, like when ex-Scientologist Leah Remini filed a missing person report to the LAPD, was closed and classified as "unfounded".
Most religious groups tend to dislike it when their members leave, but Scientology REALLY dislikes it. Similar to herpes, depression, and glitter, once you're with Scientology it's pretty hard to get rid of it. When someone decides to leave the church, they are treated like a convict. Scientology says that you are allowed to leave whenever, but once you're gone it is against the rules to communicate with your family, friends or anyone who still is in the church. There are endless stories of mothers and fathers not being able to see their children ever again, or best friends being forever separated because of this rule. If you do happen to try and secretly communicate with them, you will eventually be caught and kicked out too. In Scientology lingo, this is called being declared, or being a suppressive person. Once you are declared the entire church shuns you and treats you like a criminal, as Scientologists think that being declared means that you committed a crime towards the church.
The church, Miscavige in particular, is so incredibly concerned about their image and bad press. Any little speck of bad PR needs to be removed, from a blog post dissing their practices and people to the popular tv show South Park making an entire episode mocking them. Many people and their families have been stalked and harassed by Scientology employees for spreading negative news on the church.
Recently, many Scientologists of importance have left the church and have been using their power to expose it. Celebrities such as Katie Holmes and Nicole Kidman (both ex-wives of Tom Cruise) have left, as well as Leah Remini who is now working on the exposure of Scientology and using her fame for good. With the help of Mike Rinder, also known as the former senior executive of the Church of Scientology, Remini has created a tv docu-series on her's as well as many other victim's experiences with the church. Her goal is to educate people on what truly goes on at Scientology and to eventually shut it down. Leah Remini and Mike Rinder aren't the only ones who are working on exposing Scientology, as many other networks, journalists, and everyday people have been spreading the message during the last few decades that the Church of Scientology is truly despicable.
Today, the church of Scientology allegedly has over 10 million members worldwide (although recent studies show that the number is a bit closer to 40,000). There are many churches (or Organizations as they call them) throughout the world, but the most notable ones are the flagship church in Clearwater, Florida and the Pacific Area Command Base in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles has the largest amount of Scientologists worldwide, making their presence a lot louder there. The Church of Scientology also managed to have an entire block named L. Ron Hubbard Way, which is where the Hollywood organization is.
There is also a "celebrity center" in Hollywood, which is where the religion's biggest asset goes; the celebrities. Whether you know a single thing on Scientology or not, almost everyone knows the celebrities who are or have been linked to it. The two biggest names in Scientology are actors Tom Cruise and John Travolta. Hubbard's main interest it seems was to gain new and popular celebrities to his religion, as who doesn't want to copy their favorite actor or musician?! The celebrity center is everything and MORE you would expect for their precious celebrities. I myself have driven past it, and to be honest I was absolutely captivated by the stunning white castle-like building with gold trim that they oversee.
Scientologists everywhere believe that someday, somehow, their savior L. Ron Hubbard will come back from the dead (or wherever they believe he is) and continue his oh so needed work. In each Organization, a beautifully decorated and personalized office awaits for Hubbard so he can get back to work as soon he comes back. There is also an empty mansion in Western California awaiting his return, just in case he needs somewhere to live too.Learning about the Church of Scientology has been really interesting, yet also very disturbing. I am glad to have gained this knowledge, and I certainly do know now that no matter how awful my life is, I will never become a Scientologist. I'll just watch from a far instead.


text:
FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Volkswagen's (VOWG_p.DE) former Chairman Ferdinand Piech, who left the company following a showdown with ex-Chief Executive Martin Winterkorn in 2015, has testified to prosecutors investigating Winterkorn's involvement in the carmaker's diesel scandal, according to Winterkorn's lawyer.
"Winterkorn learned a few days ago of the existence of more detailed testimony by the former chairman, Prof. Dr. F. Piech," a lawyer for Winterkorn said in an emailed statement, adding that Winterkorn did not know any details about what Piech told prosecutors.
The prosecutor's office was not reachable for comment on Friday.
Piech, the carmaker's former chief executive and chairman who spearheaded its global expansion, quit in April 2015 after more than two decades at VW's helm following a power struggle with then-CEO Winterkorn.
Prosecutors in Braunschweig near VW's Wolfsburg headquarters said last week they were investigating Winterkorn over suspicions of fraud, citing indications that Winterkorn may have known about VW's cheating on emissions tests sooner than he has said publicly.
Reporting by Jan Schwartz and Maria Sheahan; Editing by Georgina Prodhan