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Top Three Reminders for Drivers in School Zones
Now that the school year has begun here in Sioux Falls and around the country we should revisit what to do and what not to do while behind the wheel.
Many of us shuttle kids on a daily basis to and from school. And equally if not more commuters pass through school zones.
As you sit behind the wheel:
- Slow down
- Put down the phone
- Forget about driving around that bus
AAA South Dakota has more safe-driving tips to observe.
Is it pain to get caught-up in school zones where you have to slow down? Get over yourself! It's the law. And keep another thing in front of you. Those kids you're slowing down for who are walking to class were once YOU and your friends.
AAA's School's Open – Drive Carefully awareness campaign was launched in 1946 in an effort to prevent school-related child pedestrian traffic crashes—helping kids to live fulfilling, injury-free lives.
See Also:


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Chief rabbi Ephraim Mirvis fears rise in anti-semitism
The next chief rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, says he fears anti-semitism may spread to Britain from the rest of Europe.
The 55-year-old, a former chief rabbi of Ireland, will succeed Lord Jonathan Sacks in September.
Rabbi Mirvis said he believed some rhetorical attacks on Israel stemmed from anti-semitism.
In an interview with BBC Radio 4's Sunday programme he also admitted there were some divisions among Britain's Jewish community.
Lord Sacks, 64, has held the post of chief rabbi since 1991.
The role is traditionally seen as the figurehead of British Jews, although it is only officially representative of the 70,000-strong United Synagogue - the biggest wing of orthodox Judaism in the UK - and other communities across the UK and parts of the Commonwealth.
'Rising trends'
The chief rabbi does not officially represent other branches of Judaism.
Rabbi Mirvis said Britain had a good record on combating anti-semitism but he added: "There are rising trends on the continent and we do have a fear for the future that some of this will spread to the UK."
He said: "We are delighted that anti-semitism is seen here not as being a problem only for the Jews, it's a problem for society and it is part of overall racism."
Rabbi Mirvis added: "There are sometimes attacks on Israel which at their base arise out of anti-semitism, and sometimes that's not the case."
Asked whether the Orthodox Jewish and Reform Jewish communities were more divided than ever, Rabbi Mirvis said: "There is some division but there are many areas in which we are working in a very cohesive way.
"My track record is that I have always sought to work with warmth and in a constructive way with the leaders of other components of the Jewish faith."
Ned Temko, former editor of the Jewish Chronicle, told the Sunday programme that Lord Sacks would be a "difficult act to follow" but he said Rabbi Mirvis's track record as a "conciliator" might help him to bridge divisions within the Jewish community.

subset: commoncrawl


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Strategy Sessions
You might be asking, what the heck am I going to do during this Strategy Session anyway?
Well, it's really simple.
There are only three rings of fire to jump through, a couple of sword wielding villains to battle, and a leisurely stroll through a scenic, orc-infested area called Mordor...
Kidding! The Strategy Session is all about you! Here is what we are going to accomplish:
We will work together to create a crystal clear goal on how you can become your optimal self.
You'll celebrate the strengths and skills you already have and discover the things that may be sabotaging your fitness success.
You'll leave the session renewed, reenergized, and inspired to get Take Control of Your Health for LIFE!
Whether or not you decide to join our team of Super Strivers, you'll understand the choices that are available to you, and leave with at least one action step to take towards a better you.
Oh, and you get to participate in the Functional Movement Screen...For FREE!
What is the Functional Movement Screen?
The FMS is all about finding your movement baseline. By screening a few fundamental movement patterns, we can identify your movement quality and then take actionable and effective steps to improve your performance and recovery.
Step 1, get screened. Use the FMS to determine your current level of movement quality.
Step 2, improve your patterns. Apply custom programming to improve your movement baselines.
Step 3, move better. Train at a higher level, return to activity faster post-rehab, enjoy a better quality of life!
Ready to schedule your strategy session? Fill out the form below!


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Descaling your Saeco Moltio espresso machine helps to keep it in optimal condition. Learn how to do this yourself easily.
How do I descale my Saeco Moltio espresso machine?
Before you start the descaling cycle
- The complete descaling process takes about 30 minutes and consists of a descaling cycle and rinsing cycles.
- Once started, the descaling procedure must be performed in full.
- Use Saeco/Philips descaling solution CA7600 or CA6701. Never use vinegar as a decalcifier.
Before you start:
- Empty the drip tray.
- Have a container ready to collect the water during the descaling process.
- Remove the INTENZA+ water filter from the water tank (if installed).
- Remove the Pannarello / Cappuccinatore / Automatic milk frother (if installed).
- For machines with a milk carafe, fill the milk carafe with fresh water up to the MIN level and insert it into the machine.
Descaling support video
YouTube video
Descale instructions - descale cycle steps 1-4
1) Press the MENU button and select the CALC CLEAN symbol. Press the ESPRESSO button to enter the descaling procedure.
2) The descaler symbol appears on the display.
3) Take out the water tank. Pour the entire bottle of Saeco descaling solution in the water tank.
4) Top up the water tank with fresh tap water to the MAX line. (Please ensure that the max line is reached, otherwise further rinsing will be required.) Place the water tank back into the machine.
Descale instructions - descale cycle steps 5-9
5) Place a bowl underneath the milk carafe dispenser and the dispensing spout.
6) For models with a milk carafe, half-fill the milk carafe with water, place it in the machine and pull out the milk carafe dispenser to the right up to the MILK FROTH icon.
7) Press the ESPRESSO or COFFEE button to start the descaling cycle.
8) The machine will start dispensing the descaling solution at intervals. The bar on the display shows the progress. This takes about 20 minutes.
9) When the mixture of descaling solution and water has been used up, the NO WATER symbol appears on the display.
Descale instructions - rinsing cycle steps 10-11
10) Clean the water tank thoroughly, fill it with fresh water to the MAX or Calc Clean line and then put it back.
11) The 'start rinsing' symbol appears on the display.
Descale instructions - rinsing cycle steps 12-14
12) For machines with a milk carafe, empty the milk carafe, refill it with water up to the Min level and put it back. Pull out the milk carafe dispenser to the right up to the MILK FROTH icon.
13) Put the bowl back. Press the ESPRESSO button and the machine starts the first rinsing cycle.
14) When the NO WATER symbol appears on the display, refill the water tank with fresh water to the MAX or Calc Clean line. Insert the water tank and press the ESPRESSO button to start the second rinsing cycle.
Descale instructions - rinsing cycle steps 15-18
15) The display shows the 'ready' symbol to indicate that the rinse cycle has been completed. Press the CAPPUCCINO or MENU button to exit the descaling process.
Important note: If the 'water tank empty' symbol appears on the display instead of the 'ready' symbol, you did not fill the water tank up to the MAX or Calc Clean level. Refill the water tank up to MAX level and perform another rinsing cycle. Repeat step 13 until the 'ready' symbol appears. You may have to do this several times before the 'ready' symbol appears.
16) The machine automatically primes the circuit. If the machine does not automatically start this process, press the ESPRESSO button to prime the circuit.
17) Empty the drip tray and put it back.
18) Rinse the milk carafe.
19) The machine is now ready for use.


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it's no small secret among those who know me best that when it comes to trips, i am a lousy packer. i pack too much (and still manage to forget something). our family of two adults and two small children (5 & 1 at the time) once took six large suitcases for a christmas vacation to family – and all six were delayed by the airline.
but one of the unforseen benefits of becoming minimalist is that it has made packing for trips much easier and much lighter. plainly stated, we just don't pack as much stuff. and surprisingly, our vacation wasn't ruined by taking less items – it became more enjoyable. less luggage to the car and through the airport, more room in the hotel rooms, and less time repacking to come home were just some of the things that made this summer's vacation better by packing lighter. and now that the airlines are charging extra for the second bag (and sometimes the first), it has also become cheaper as well.
related posts:
- benefit #10 – possessions do not equal joy
- benefit #11 – easier souvenir shopping
- full list of minimalism benefits


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Following a promising season opener Sept. 8-10, Red Hawks golf faced a challenging tournament at Inverness Intercollegiate (Toledo, OH) on Sept. 18-19.
The weather in Toledo went from cloudy and comfortable on Monday, to humid and stormy on Tuesday, resulting in the cancellation of the third round. If the tournament had been played as intended, teams would have played 36 holes on Monday and the final 18 on Tuesday.
At the end of Monday the RedHawks were seated seventh alongside Northern Illinois University. This became their final result when play was cancelled.
"Pat and Brian have kind of proven that they're our top two players. Within the team you have to look out for everyone," head coach Zac Zedrick said about players to watch.
This week senior Patrick Flavin and sophomore Cam Solomon led the team, tying for 15th place at -1 in a field of 87.
"It was really great to see Cam bounce back from a tough week for him at Wolf Run — to come back and have his best finish individually in a college tournament," Zedrick said.
Inverness Club was opened in 1903 and is ranked 42nd on a list of top courses in the nation according to Golf.com. It has been the backdrop for four U.S. Opens and two PGA Championships.
"It's one of the best clubs that we'll see all year. Just the history of the course and all the players that have won there," Solomon said. "It's just kind of a neat historic place that you don't get to see every day. It's definitely a treat."
This week, the team will be preparing to play at the University of Louisville Golf Club.
"It's somewhat of a long golf course, but it's wide open," Zedrick said. "It's very scorable."
The RedHawks will compete in the Louisville Cardinal Challenge Sept. 29-Oct. 1.


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Make your summer plans happen in Seville
In Seville we know how to cool down and take advantage of the summer like no one else, we are as warm as our climate: An extra- welcoming summer for you!
At this time, the thermometer of good plans rises in Seville.
At summer nights, Seville wakes up and sparkles, experience that happens only here.
Here is the summer agenda in Seville:


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Social Media Marketing (SMM) experts eclipse public consciousness of your website, product or service, via social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, digg, linkedin, Stumbleupon, Myspace, Reddit, Del.icio.us, Care2, Techmeme, Wordpress, Blogspot, and many more. Through Social Media Optimization, we propose to increase your expansion social networks and other online communities than search engines.
Social Media is promoting online sites which in result become easy and accessible in social networking sites. As a result this evolves as the best platform to reach out to more people.
Social Media is promoting online sites which in result become easy and accessible in social networking sites. As a result this evolves as the best platform to reach out to more people.
Social Media optimization it was only search engine optimization that existed. It was only with the evolution process Social media as an effective portal came into existence; and now it is flourishing into a rapid pace. Search engine optimisation (SEO) is a widely used technique to reach to the top of natural search engine ranking and attract visitors. SEO can be combined with other marketing campaigns to boost business. The right online marketing combination varies for each company and depends on the product and budget.
Use the following process to increase traffic from Social media marketing traditionally serves four main online marketing purposes:
1. Complete analysis and examination of the prevailing social media trends.
2. Monitoring your traffic and visitor trends to help you devise profitable strategies.
3. Developing new methods for creating viral videos, blogs, social bookmarking, widgets, and podcasts.
4. Allow your visitors the opportunity to tag, share and communicate with your online activities.
5. Closely observe all the latest and hyped-up social marketing events to help you gain the utmost exposure.
6. Creating a buzz about your brand and enhancing your brand visibility.
7. Linking you and your visitors, community members, and even your competitors through various methods of online participation ultimately increasing your customer-base.
Social media websites is major and it's a great opportunity for businesses in terms of brand consciousness, traffic increase and business visibility. More importantly, is having a viable online marketing plan while branding yourself to the world or your local community. Social media and websites can be an effective means if done properly.
By building your brand online existence and partake online by talking to your targeted audience, you can easily increase your website's direct marketing impact as well as increase website traffic. And as a ahead added bonus, participating socially can also help with SEO and link building endeavor too. Facebook provides you with a list of pages and people who have the wordsBy building your brands online presence and participating online by talking to your targeted audience, you can easily increase your website's direct marketing effectiveness as well as increase website traffic.
Facebook's is that it allows you to make relationships with major numbers of people, increasing the pool of people who know, like, and trust you. You can jump-start your Facebook social marketing by inviting Fans or Friends who might be interested in the products or services that you offer. For quantity, you need to make new friends and learn how to keep them by providing regular interaction and prompt responsiveness. As for quality, ensure that your Facebook page offers something that you don't offer elsewhere. That will keep people actively engaged in your Facebook content.


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Jackie Furtado
Born in Bad Windsheim, Germany in 1990, Jackie Furtado was the product of young military divorcees. Induced by constant travel, a routine in movement was ingrained, and is now responsible for her methodology as an artist.
Artist Statement
Because my body never stays still, my way of making runs parallel with the domesticated and the asphalt. Arranging my camera on given siblings and structures that deceive with familiarity, pricks my skin –cues the shutter- to bare and present these instances. Once the event becomes still -lays as a photograph- we as viewers allow for the makings to dissemble, presenting estrangements that has always been.


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Cathie Anderson
Cathie Anderson: Roseville PR guru sets up shop, hires 6 employees in little more than a year
Public relations expert Lori Prosio founded her own firm last summer, and she told me today that her decision to do so has been validated many times over in subsequent months.
Prosio Communications closed out 2013 with a nice profit after only six months of business, she said. Last March, the president and CEO leased a 2,400-square-foot-office at 1544 Eureka Road in Roseville. Last month, despite competition from larger firms, the Prosio team won a $3.5-million-a-year contract from the California Office of Traffic Safety. And, this week, Prosio said, she is preparing to hire her seventh employee.
The state agency has the option of renewing the contract annually for up to three years, Prosio said, so she and her team are working to ensure that business keeps coming back. It was a contract that Prosio and several of her new employees actually won for the first time when they worked at the Sacramento office of Katz & Associates.
"When the contract came back up for bid back in June, my team put together what we considered to be a very strong proposal," Prosio said. "We will do everything related to communication issues for traffic safety, so there are three core components to the campaign. There's an anti-DUI effort. There's an anti-distracted driving effort, and then this year, they're incorporating a brand-new bicycle and pedestrian safety campaign."
After winning this contract, Prosio said, government contracts now make up the lion's share of Prosio Communications' revenue, but in terms of the number of clients, half come from the business world. Companies seek assistance with crisis communications, public relations and marketing.


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The University of South Carolina was founded in 1805. It originated in one building and over the years has grown to have over 200,000 living alumni. These include the band Hootie and the Blowfish, Grammy award-winning musicians, and Tonique Williams-Darling, 400-meter Olympic gold medallist for her native Bahamas in the 2004 Games.
The university's research initiatives in nanotechnology, health sciences, Future Fuels™, the environment, and information technologies have helped make it one of only 63 public universities listed by the Carnegie Foundation in the highest tier of research institutions in the United States.
Graduate student, Artem Vityuk and his colleagues are using Raman spectroscopy to study oxidation of CO over rhodium based catalysts in the Linkam CCR1000 cell.
Samples are loaded into the CCR1000 in a nitrogen filled glove box as the catalysts are air and water sensitive materials. During the experiment a CO/O2/He mixture flows through the reactor cell. Catalysis by "single site" catalysts is of particular interest to the researchers as at this scale catalyst properties change drastically which often results in enhanced catalytic activity.
At the moment they are still on the trial and error phase but I look forward to hearing more about their experiments in the future.
By Caroline Feltham


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LINKS (London Intercollegiate Network for Comparative Studies)
17 November 2015, 18.00-20.00 in Room 243, Senate House (second floor)
Creating Creative Criticism with Stephen Benson and Clare Connors
Dr Clare Connors and Dr Stephen Benson, University of East Anglia
Literature students learn early on that the 'content' of a work cannot be considered apart from its 'form', and that any literary criticism worth its salt must consider the interrelation between the two. And yet too frequently, critics operate as though the form of their own writing were negligible, insignificant or transparent. In this talk we discuss a number of works – which we've gathered together in our anthology Creative Criticism (EUP, 2014) – whose very form participates in the critical thinking they also undertake. We'll talk about the conversations and considerations that went into making the anthology, and also say something about the MA module we teach in relation to it. We hope that the ensuing discussion will permit us all to think more about the particular formal possibilities and exigencies of comparative critical work.
For the complete 2015-16 programme of LINKS, please see the attached file.


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If you love your Volvo car as much as we love ours here at our Haverhill, MA Volvo dealership, you know just how important proper maintenance and care can be to enjoying its full potential. Unfortunately, when it comes to finding a service center to render that proper maintenance and care your Volvo car deserves, you'll find that many auto shops and service centers here in Massachusetts are sadly lacking in expertise.
Fortunately, with our years of experience in providing quality Volvo service to drivers all over Massachusetts and the Merrimack Valley, we here at Jaffarian Volvo pride ourselves on being well-equipped to provide you with the relevant service and maintenance to keep your Volvo in great shape for years to come.
Whether you're a returning customer who's shopped with us before, or you're looking for reliable Volvo service near Methuen, Lawrence, or Andover, MA, we want you to know that we're committed to the highest quality of service here at Jaffarian Volvo. That's why we proudly offer our Volvo Service Promises to all drivers who do business with us, including…
Volvo vehicles boast an exceptional reputation for reliability, but as we all know, sometimes the need for maintenance and repairs can practically come out of nowhere. Luckily, there are ways you can be prepared for unexpected maintenance by way of our Volvo Increased Protection Plans here at Jaffarian Volvo. In fact, at our Haverhill, MA Volvo service center, we offer Volvo Increased Protection Plans like…
These Volvo Increased Protection Plans will help provide you with peace of mind for years to come, ensuring that you get the service and care your Volvo car needs right when you need it.
We help you take care of everything - from complimentary diagnostics to free software updates.
We'll make sure your Volvo continues to perform like a Volvo with regularly scheduled maintenance by your authorized dealer.
Every Volvo Genuine Part is crafted to ensure you spend more time driving your car and less time servicing it.
Browse our wide range of protection plans, all designed to give you added peace of mind - and help you get the most out of your Volvo experience.


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Adventure: Kanektok River, Alaska
Freshwater Adventures has been providing air cargo service out of Dillingham, Alaska for many years. Owner Jerry Ball's experience is unmatched when it comes to safely traveling through the vast Alaskan wilderness. Thanks to him and his employees at Freshwater Adventures, people can successfully enjoy the remotest areas of southwest Alaska. I just finished spending two weeks in Alaska shooting video and photos (and primarily fly fishing), and I loved flying in their vintage Grumman Goose. Jerry and company flew us to a remote lake, landed on the water, taxied up onto the shore, and deposited us and all our gear in the "Alaskan bush" (in four flights total). Eleven days later Jerry flew us out from a gravel runway over 100 miles from our drop-off point. It was a flying experience that rivaled my time in the F-16...except at a much slower speed.
Here's my personal items packing list for the trip: Packing List


text: Last night our mountain bike club rode up the bluff on the opposite side of the jumps. We call it Grand View and you can see the jumps. I was an official at the 123 Annual Ski Jumping Tournament (Competition Secretary) and I have attached some video from it (training jump the day before the tournament). I have had a lot of jobs at these jumps over the years; announcer, chief of hill, chief points calculator, starter, distance marker, hill prep and setting up the hill (with distance marks, start light, speed trap etc). I used to be a jumper but retired when I was 28. I never jumped in our annual tournament as I was no good. There are a lot of bad jumpers. I am getting too old to climb up and down many times during a tournament so I sit in the judges stand and keep track of all the number and official decisions that occur during the competition. You are too busy to watch the jumps. Sometimes this video loads slow. A properly prepared jumping hill has to be very icy for consistent takeoff speeds and so you don't dig in when you land. The chief of hill and his assistants have to wear crampons when they go out on the landing to repair divots from a crash.


text: Hey everyone, Laserwolf here to tell you about a game that I enjoy playing in Japanese. The design is very similar to Sims. However, since I have never played Sims (seriously) I can't tell you which I think is better. In any case, this game is a good time waster and a fun way to study Japanese. The game is currently not available in English, but since DS systems are region-free, you can play the Japanese game should you be so inclined. I have left detailed explanations of what I consider to be the most important things in the game so anyone studying Japanese should not be too intimidated.


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Necklaces | Beautiful Diamond Necklaces
What you want
For a piece that will make you glow every time you wear it, consider an exquisite diamond necklace, pendant or pearl necklace. Need a necklace for an important company get together? Want to look nice at your award ceremony or gallery opening? With our wide array of singular solitaire necklaces, inviting infinity necklaces and generous gemstone necklaces you are sure to find something that is just right for your needs. A simple but elegant diamond or gemstone solitaire can be the perfect compliment to your outfit. It's also something that goes with just about anything.
Make a statement
Perhaps you are looking for a bit more of a statement piece that will add a pop of color to your ensemble. Try a gemstone necklace or a colored diamond necklace. Our naturally colorful diamonds come in a variety of colors, but the most popular are the magnificent black diamond necklaces. Show your self love or give a gift to the person you love, we think you will be impressed with our selection of heart necklaces. A silver pendant with diamond inlay or heart-shaped diamond are both excellent options.
A gift to remember
You want to show you care and give something that will last. Not sure exactly what you are looking for? Try an initial pendant. With a lovely and classic font and select embedded diamonds, they are a beautiful addition to an everyday wardrobe. But if that is not the answer, try a string of freshwater pearls with a distinctive pink tint or a pearl and diamond pendant.
Need a gift for a special someone who is not your special someone? We have the pendants that will communicate just how much you care. Try something playful like our white gold sandal pendent, or something sacred like a diamond cross pendant. Go neutral but beautiful with a classic selection that is sure to be appreciated.


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Have you ever wanted to build your own microscope?
This Sunday, July 7, HacKidemia in collaboration with The Tech Museum of Innovation will organise a series of Bio-Making workshops. We will build microscopes from old webcams, extract DNA from strawberry and analyse different types of plants and microorganisms.
- Build your own microscope from an old webcam
- Extract DNA from strawberry
- Analyse and compare plants and microorganisms
The Tech Studio (Lower Level)
The Tech Museum of Innovation
201 S Market St San Jose, CA 95113
Sunday 7th July at 2:00 p.m.
The tickets are available here.


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For those who don't know, there's been a debate roiling around AIPAC's annual policy conference. AIPAC, the pro-Israel lobby, always invites all candidates to its conference in an election year. This year, that means inviting Trump, a decision which has rankled many within the Jewish community. Far from being a regular case of disagreeing with a candidate, many feel that Trump is beyond the pale--that his hateful and incendiary rhetoric make him inappropriate to include.
AIPAC is in a tough spot. They always invite all the candidates, and to disinvite one, or to put up preconditions (e.g. that he renounce hateful rhetoric) would run counter to their goal of working with all elected leaders in order to support Israel. And, there's a real possibility that Trump could be the next president. What would happen to AIPAC (and, potentially, to Israel) if a candidate got elected after having been publicly shunned by AIPAC? On the other hand, there must be a line--would AIPAC invite a neo-Nazi candidate?* I certainly hope not, no matter how strong his/her polling numbers were. It's a genuinely tough call; I'm glad that I'm not the one who had to make this decision.
* To be clear, I'm not saying that Trump is like Hitler. Yes, I know that there are points of similarity, but until he actually starts planning the mass execution of a group of people, he's not another Hitler. There are plenty of valid ways to compare him, appropriately, to odious historical figures. My point, instead, is to show that there IS a line which, presumably, AIPAC won't cross. Now the question is simply whether Trump is over that line.
At the same time as the "Should AIPAC have invited him?" debate has been raging, there's been a parallel debate about what we, Jews and Jewish leaders, should do now that he is invited, and is planning on speaking. There have been some who have called for a boycott of the whole conference--just don't go. Others have called for loud, angry protests--to try to drown him out. Many are calling for silence--just sit there, without applauding or cheering, greeting him with silence.
To me, the boycotting won't work--too many people are going to go, and the relatively few who won't, won't make a real impact. Angrily protesting? I get the idea, and I instinctively love the impulse, but Trump feeds off this kind of animosity. Plus, I'd worry about the real possibility of violence breaking out, which serves no one's purpose. As for sitting in silence--again, I love the idea, in theory. A room full of people, stoic and silent, could make for a powerful image. But, not everyone is going to join in a silent protest, and that means that everyone who is sitting silently is now, for all intents and purposes, just attending the speech. If 3/4 of the room are cheering, or booing, or whatever, then the silent people aren't really doing anything, and aren't going to get noticed. Unintentionally, they'll get counted in with the majority. The headline will simply be that X number of Jews attended Trump's speech at AIPAC.
Ultimately, the best idea (I think) is from a diverse group of rabbis who are organizing a walkout. When Trump enters, they'll simply stand up and silently walk out, and they're encouraging everyone who is willing to join them. Imagine what that will look like! Even better, they're organizing a teaching session in the lobby on Derech Eretz--civility and decency, as a counter-program to Trump. Beautiful.
I'm not attending the conference--not out of protest, but because of schedule and budget. But, if I were going, I'm pretty sure I'd be part of that group. The title of the conference this year is "Come Together." The response to Trump is being called "Come Together Against Hate." I'm an unabashed lover of Israel, and I greatly appreciate the work which AIPAC does in trying to support our homeland. But, there do have to be lines. I'd be proud to stand against hate, and against anyone who peddles in it.


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This event has probably been and gone!
Balling. Boffing. Bushwhacking. Getting laid. Its all sex. And there's so much to say about sex. Last Tapes Theatre Company presents the debut season of Mating in Captivity by Oliver Page, as part of the 2016 First Steps season. It's whip smart, it's funny, it's about sexual subtext and you can't spell subtext without butt-sex.
Annie and Rob are getting engaged. Or got engaged and their engagement party is tonight. But on their way out the door they get a call. It's Jacob, Rob's old school friend. He needs a place to stay.
In spite of his future wife's plea for privacy, Rob invites Jacob to bunk down with them in their teeny tiny, rinky dink central Auckland apartment.
What follows is a screwball comedy that brilliantly and viciously cuts to the quick of some pretty important questions about liberal ideals and middle-class morality.
In characteristic Last Tapes fashion Mating in Captivity brings together a team of some of the coolest, newest young creatives. This is Oliver Page's debut as a playwright, he's better known as a writer and director with Candlelit Pictures (We Talk About Loss, Runaways).
Mating in Captivity showcases the emerging directing talents of Renée Lyons, seen on TV in Filthy Rich, 800 Words and on stage in numerous plays and comedy shows, including her own show Tinderella in the NZ International Comedy Festival.
Starring Milo Cawthorne (Deathgasm, Once in Chanuk Bair, 360), Frith Horan (The Tempest, Benedict Cumberbatch Must Die) and Jack Buchanan (Jekyll and Hyde, Long Ago Long Ago, Servant of Two Masters).
Writer: Oliver Page
Director: Renée Lyons
Designers: Poppy Serano and Rachel Marlow
Presented by Last Tapes Theatre Company.
Show details with themes of sex, sexuality, and consent. Show contains nudity, explicit language.
Lock out after show starts.


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Letting Go Of The Reins: How To Manage Your ManagersCategories: Basecamp Franchising Expertise, Management
As an entrepreneur, you have invested (or will be investing) a large amount of time and money into your business. During the start-up stages, you manage every single aspect of the business. You learn the systems/procedures, traffic patterns, and what practices are most efficient. While doing this you truly become the Master of your Business. With these mastered skills, you can do things quicker, and most likely better, than anyone else; therefore, it's easier to do everything yourself. That's why when the time comes to hire employees and managers, it can be difficult to "let go of the reins" and share some of the responsibility.
Keep in mind that as your business grows so will the list of responsibilities. As a business owner, your focus should begin to shift to "Big Picture" goals (growing your business and managing inventory and expenses to ensure profitability). In order to shift focus to these "Big Picture" goals, it is imperative to have a strong management team in place and feel confident that they can take the lead on daily and monthly operations.
How can you build a strong management team that will execute and manage day-to-day operations, while keeping the company's "Big Picture" goals in mind? The answer is to go back to the basics by focusing on these three fundamentals:
1. Train – A manager cannot succeed without proper training. If you have a manager that doesn't seem to be pulling their weight, you must first review the training they've received. Have they been given every tool needed to be successful? Have they been given clear goals and expectations? Are they being evaluated on a regular basis to discuss their successes and areas of opportunity? Clear and consistent communication is a key factor in proper training.
Being part of a franchise is a huge benefit in the training department. Franchises give you guidance by creating systems/procedures to implement into manager training. A franchise will also offer support on how to train and coach your management team.
2. Reward – In order to get the most from your management team, you must reward and validate them for a job well done. Employees are willing to put in the time and effort if they feel appreciated. It is amazing how far a simple email, a card or a "thank you for all your hard work" can go. When a manager has gone above and beyond or done an exceptional job in executing their duties, make sure to recognize that. At times a gift or bonus may be appropriate (they can be small, maybe a spiff or a bonus structure for reaching goals). Employees that are management material will treat your business like it is their own if they have a reason to. Make sure to lay out a plan of progression so they know that they have room to grow and a future in the company. Give them benchmarks to reach and they will strive to get there. If you want your managers to give 110%, you must recognize and reward all of their hard work and effort.
3. Hold Employees Accountable – As you begin to "let go of the reins" it's important to hold on long enough to ensure that your managers understand their duties and are completing them. It's important for owners to find that balance of letting go, but knowing exactly what is being accomplished. Owners should be holding weekly meetings with their management team. This is the time for managers to report on what took place throughout the week and to set goals for upcoming weeks. Following franchise systems and daily/weekly/monthly checklists will help keep the management team on track to reach sales and personal goals.
Being a business owner is rewarding but tough. You are investing a lot of time and money to ensure success. Because so much is at stake, you want to be involved in every detail which is important and necessary in the start-up stages. However, in order to be truly successful, you need help! Successful businesses have a strong leader that has the support of a strong management team. A strong management team that has been well-trained and can instruct and motivate their team of employees to give it their all every day.


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Found at Random Nuclear Strikes:
On Thursday, May 14, 2009 I was notified that my Dodge franchise, that we purchased, will be taken away from my family on June 9, 2009 without compensation and given to another dealer at no cost to them. My new vehicle inventory consists of 125 vehicles with a financed balance of 3 million dollars. This inventory becomes impossible to sell with no factory incentives beyond June 9, 2009. Without the Dodge franchise we can no longer sell a new Dodge as "new," nor will we be able to do any warranty service work. Additionally, my Dodge parts inventory, (approximately $300,000.) is virtually worthless without the ability to perform warranty service. There is no offer from Chrysler to buy back the vehicles or parts inventory.Our facility was recently totally renovated at Chrysler's insistence, incurring a multi-million dollar debt in the form of a mortgage at Sun Trust Bank.
My guess is that there will lots more like this. Hope and Change, folks.


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As my love for writing has grown, I've begun to explore what it looks like to pursue authorship on a professional scale. On this page you'll find some information about published work I've already done, links to articles I've published on other sites, and excerpts or ideas for future projects.
Guest Contributions
I've recently had the great privilege of getting to partner with a few other ministries in writing and sharing my thoughts with their readership. Here I'll keep an updated list of any guest contributions I get the privilege of working on:
Journey Arts Collective: Naming your Fears (devotional)
DesiringGod Ministries: Secular Songs on Sunday Morning
For inquiries about commissioned writing or guest contributions, contact firstname.lastname@example.com
Simple Pursuit Devotional Project
A few years ago I had the great privilege of contributing a few daily devotionals to the Passion Publishing project Simple Pursuit. This was an incredible opportunity through which I grew in my skills as an author and teacher. Because I do not own the content of the book, I can't share any excerpts here. However, you can find some photos, samples, and videos on the book's website.
We crafted this 365 day devotional specifically for young adults, and I fully believe it to be a powerful tool for aligning your life with the call of Jesus. Check it out!
Book Project
Recently I've felt God placing certain issues on my heart. After exploring these issues more thoroughly, I've felt called to begin writing my first book. Over time I'll continue to share excerpts and ideas from this project, and would love to hear your feedback as this process moves along.
As of now, I'm in the early stages of writing and refining the direction of the book. Here you'll find a copy of what I'm calling the preface. This is essentially a document designed to communicate the vision and heart behind the project, and give some general direction for what's to come. More excerpts and ideas will certainly follow this, but I'd love to hear your feedback on what I've got so far.


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POLITICO Morning Trade
By: Adam Behsudi
The lawmaker who withdrew his own measure to ease agricultural exports to Cuba is framing his decision as a step forward for proponents of trade with the island nation - but not everyone is buying it. Rep. Rick Crawford and his supporters, including the "cautiously optimistic" U.S. rice industry and other pro-Cuba trade advocates, say withdrawing the amendment in exchange for a commitment from leadership to find a long-term solution means swapping a one-year fix for something broader and more permanent.
"The vote was going to be close and the congressman made the decision to pull back his amendment in return for commitments from opposition and House leadership that leave us optimistic that the barriers will be addressed this year," USA Rice Vice President of Government Affairs Ben Mosely said in a statement. Engage Cuba, a nonprofit focused on U.S.-Cuba relations, also called the move a "major step forward."
But a separate camp of Cuba advocates say the amendment had actually garnered bipartisan support and would have been attached to must-pass legislation, while a separate bill could be more difficult to push through Congress. Rep. Mike Conaway, the chairman of the House Agriculture Committee who supports expanded trade with Cuba, told POLITICO on Thursday that he didn't see any way a bill could come up this year.
Devry Boughner Vorwerk, chairwoman of the U.S. Agriculture Coalition for Cuba, which had advocated strongly for the amendment, declined to comment directly on whether the development was a good one. "What's positive," she said, "is that we were able to raise awareness." She added the group will redouble its efforts with this Congress. "We're going to let the dust settle today, and then were gonna reassess our strategy," she said.


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A century ago, folks remembered moments of special events simply in their memories. These sweet memories used to fade away with time and there was no way to bring back those memories again. In the beginning of 19th century, many innovations occurred and profession of photography made its first appearance. Even in those days, capturing photos wasn't as simple as it is nowadays.
Only a few rich people had the blessing of owning a camera, and the pictures taken by those cameras were neither coloured nor had a high quality. However recently, technology has modified the whole definition of photography.
Photography has become a part of our life and it can't be neglected when you're hosting parties, especially a birthday party for your kids. To avoid any mishaps and to get the best photographs, you need to hire professional photographer who deliver amazing results and preserve the sweetest memories of your kids' birthday party.
Always keep in mind that these moments would never return, therefore it's a terribly smart move to stay away from taking any risk in the slightest degree. Not hiring a professional photographer can turn out to be a big risk because later when the images taken at birthday celebration aren't of fine quality, dizzy, dim or have other flaws, then all you can do is regret.
You can spoil the mood of your kids and other family members, whenever you'll see those faulty pictures rather than cheering the memory of that event. All this can be avoided by simply hiring Sam Crawford Photography.
If you don't have a big budget for hiring a professional photographer for your kids' birthday party, then you can ask a friend or a family member who has a bit of photography skills to capture the pictures using a good camera, although the results might not be very satisfying. Or, you can make some efforts to find an expert photographer like Sam Crawford who can alter his fee just to fit in your budget and capture your child's beautiful smile.
Sam Crawford captures all those moments using his high quality camera that will bring a smile on your face. Remember, apart from capturing photos of the birthday boy or girl, all the guests should also be photographed. It's kind of a ritual to take photos of special moments such as cake cutting ceremony, children playing games or performing in some special recreation programs.
Sam Crawford not only covers the entire photographic purposes, but he can also give you some valuable inputs on how to manage themes at your kid's birthday party that will look amazing when captured on camera. So, are you arranging your kid's birthday party? Call Sam Crawford Photography today!


text: I finally got round to taking my certification exam today for my MCP. I did the BI Developer 2008, exam 70-448, it wasn't easy but as I live and breathe most of what's in it a few days studying was enough for me. For anyone wanting to take it I would recommend getting the book … Continue reading


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Exhibitor Information
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The Blooms to Brews Packet Pickup is the place for participants and the public to see and engage with your brand. Join us at the finish line as we celebrate with participants. With on-site food, beverages, entertainment, and awards - you are guaranteed and active and engaged audience!
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More from Reg Unterseher reporting from the NW ACDA Conference in Seattle
Please visit Reg's website at www.reginaldunterseher.com
Reg says:
I am reminded that when the level of performance at these events overall is high, my tolerance for performances that are merely good is quite low. I am not alone in that respect. I am a little disappointed in myself for that. But only a little. My ears are full! I am not going to be able to get to all the concerts tomorrow, even though they all look like they would be worth going to.
I got to the first concert session late, just in time to sort of hear (from outside the door) Carol Stenson's South Salem High School choir sing your "Mashed Potato/Love Poem". The audience was clearly getting it, and loved the choir. Also in the same concert session was a well-programmed, beautifully sung set by the Western Washington University's Advanced Women's Chorale with Tim Fitzpatrick. Of particular note was the Magnificat by Christina Donkin. It was sung in a circle, with 4 singers in the middle, with their backs to each other. The quartet sang with remarkable expressive and tonal unity, all without being able to see each other, and without a conductor. They were deeply musically connected, listening in an absolutely focused way that was riveting. Also, the standing in the round truly produced a particular color and depth to the sound that was remarkable.
The afternoon concert session started with the Alla Breve Women's Chorus with Marcia Patton, made of mostly alums and mothers of the Casper Children's Chorale. I love it when people make that connection to singing for their whole lives! Community choruses sometimes don't fare so well at these events, and come up with programs that are outside their strengths, but these women were spot on. They used music for some pieces, had the courage to sing from memory on some, and even used the folders in a creative way for some stage business.
The other standout was Sharon Paul's University of Oregon Chamber Choir. The first thing that struck me was the healthy, clear, focused sound, the kind of singing that makes you sit back and be willing to be taken wherever they want to go. It was also another wonderful example of good programming, pieces that treated us as a normal audience, not people they had to impress somehow. They gave terrific readings of your "My Friend Elijah" and "Vending Machine" from "Play with your Food!", with just the right amount of physical movement. When they sang the Stanford "The Blue Bird," I was absolutely transported.
The evening concert started with what may turn out to be the highlight of the whole series for me, a performance of "Canticum Calamitatis Maritimae" by Mäntyjärvi, by The Phoenix Chorale with Charles Bruffy. It is a deeply moving work, and I found myself completely wrapped up in the music itself. Not until it was over did I even begin to think about what a gorgeous choral sound, full range of colors, perfect tuning, and amazing balance it was that took me there. When the Soweto Gospel Choir came on, it was the perfect counterpoint to the Pärt, Whitacre, Gjeilo, and Lauridsen the Phoenix Chorale had sung. The singing, dancing and drumming were such a complete unit, and so full of joy and life. They did not need the over-driven amplification, which muddied things up a bit. Even so, the audience absolutely ate it up.
I am going to miss the concerts today, unfortunately, and I am sure there will be something I really should have heard. I got to hear some of the High School Men's Honor Choir rehearsal led by Timothy Peter, and those young men sounded fantastic.
My suggestion for the next conference is to hire a whole bunch of massage therapists. If people visit enough booths in the exhibits, they get a free massage in a room with no music or sounds at all. My version of that was to go to World Spice Merchants down by Pike Street Market. Going in there and just breathing in and out gave some other senses the opportunity to balance out the aural overload that this many concerts builds up in my brain. I wish we could decree that there be no music in the lobbies and restaurants and elevators of the convention hotels while we are there, we need the break!
-- Reg Unterseher
To the readers
8 years ago


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In 1993, my parents and I travelled to Italy for the first time, renting a villa high up in the hills where crickets were active all day and fireflies appeared at night. There was even an outdoor pool where I began each morning with a swim. But what most sticks in my mind is the lush green countryside with its rolling hills and cypress trees. I was reminded of these impressions the day I took the bus from Florence to San Gimigniano. There was something truly magical about leaving the city and its crowds behind to rediscover that amazingly green landscape. In truth, I wanted to journey to last for several hours and instantly regretted not buying a ticket as far as Siena. In San Gimigniano, I wandered further up the the steep slope, past the souvenir stalls with fedoras and the enormous queue for the amazing (and cheap) ice cream and found myself in a small olive grove where a man was playing a harp. I climbed up a little higher to the top of a ruin and surveyed the endless countryside around me. It's impossible for me to describe how it made me feel, only that it was probably the closest thing to paradise I have known and that I wondered how it would be possible for me to leave this place after experiencing such beauty.
I am still mulling over these thought a month after my return. I still hear the delicate rustling of the olive leaves in the light breeze on that perfect autumn day. It seems so immediate yet far away now that there's a chill in the air and the leaves have turned and begun to fall. I only hope that I'll experience that kind of beauty again and leave you with some photos from that day and some more from Florence.


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Editor's Picks: Everything I Want To Wear This Fall
A major advantage to being a fashion editor is getting a jump on the latest seasonal styles. But that also presents a (princess) problem: it's easy to totally lose sight of your personal style when confronted with so many beautiful things—all of which you genuinely appreciate. But when it comes to what to spend my own hard-earned dollars on, I try to be a bit more discerning. In addition to finding pieces that look and feel like me (which I've come to realize means comfortable but figure flattering, and feminine without being super girlie), I try to shop brands that are local and sustainable as much as possible. I buy less overall, which means that I can splurge a bit on pieces I think will last me.
All that said, I've recently been thinking about all the things I want to wear this fall—which happens to be my favorite season to dress for. I've compiled a wish list that includes the turtlenecks, oversized sweaters, and flat boots that I look forward to putting on once the temperature drops, but I've also added a few things to challenge my standard seasonal style (hats! Gulp.). And yes, they're all by Los Angeles-based brands.
"Pretty much everything Doen makes speaks to my heart: the LA-based women's collective created pieces that are feminine without being too sweet and every so slightly bohemian—but in a modern way. They always make great florals, but for fall I'm all about this ribbed sweater dress that I'll wear with flat boots."
"I live for a flat because—let's face it—even the slightest heel is torture by the end of the day. And these boots are buttery soft and perfectly distressed. I'm already wearing them with cuffed dark denim skinnies but I can't wait to pair them with a maxi and cardigan combo."
"I picture myself wearing this camel-colored leather necklace over my fave layering piece of all times, a form fitting black turtleneck. There's so much dainty jewelry everywhere so why not mix it up with a bold piece in a less traditional material?"
"I feel like mauve is taking the place of Millennial Pink this fall. It's a bit less precious but still feels soft and pretty. The perfect way to wear it? These superfine corduroy bell bottoms that I swear are so crazy flattering since they're super high-waisted and cinch everything in."
"Truth be told, I'm not much of a 'bag girl,' I pretty much wear a functional bag until it disintegrates. But Staud's cool take on the bucket bag totally temps me to invest: it's still big enough to carry all my essentials (and non essentials) plus the crocheted exterior makes it so 70's and stylish."
"This style, which I assume is named after actress Diane Keaton totally gives me those Annie Hall vibes, and while I admittedly struggle with how I look in hats, this one might be worth a try."
"I never considered myself to be a ripped jeans kinda girl, but this super soft and stretchy grey pair by L'Agence honestly make me feel like such a bad ass. I can sort of balance the toughness with a flowy blouse or just go all the way with it by wearing them with a well-worn tee and black leather boots. Oh, and the high waist is just perfect for my long torso."
"Who doesn't love an oversized, cozy sweater? No other garment feels as quintessentially fall. This super-soft alpaca wool version from Atelier Delphine is exactly what I'm looking for to wear all season long."
"Living in LA means not having to fully cover our feet much further into the season than other places. I take advantage as long as possible, so these minimalist mules would be perfect. The circular ornament makes them modern and special so you're guaranteed to rake in the compliments when wearing them."
"This corduroy tote makes the perfect weekender or carry-on bag—it even comes with a matching pouch for your makeup and toiletries. I imagine taking it on a little getaway to Big Sur or Idyllwild when I'm really craving full-on fall weather."


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As I reflect on 2016, I would like to share with our community our organizational changes, our growth, and a look ahead into 2017. Instead of creating one long blog post that would be difficult for most busy people to find the time to consume, I will be posting a series of short blogs to ensure that each update gets the attention it deserves. I hope you find it informative and valuable.
Organizational Changes
In 2016 we began to develop a more formalized structure to our Community Ambassador Program (CAP). In order to scale this program nationally it was important to design the protocol that would shape the future of the program. Led by our program manager Stephen Sobierajski, this program first took shape in 2013. Over the past four years, the CAP has supported students in gaining workforce experience and 21st century workforce skills. Stephen shaped the program to ensure students gained the opportunity to be a part of the program development and design of what it is today. A program that enables students to be a part of running the WCTD organization and to gain real world work experience. Teaching students entrepreneurship and building their communications skills both in person and across digital platforms, through collaboration with our teams around the world. Stephen developed playbooks for not only the CAP, but for every program we deliver today. His efforts have provided our organization with the guidance needed to scale and support successful programs across the NY Metro, Darby, Pennsylvania and as far away as Australia. With his leadership, his strong work ethic, and passion for empowering students, Stephen designed the model for our CAP program and the Program Manager role.
With Stephen as our Program Manager, the organization leaped forward and impacted students around the world. His leadership and drive provided the opportunity for me to build our for profit model to support our long term sustainability model. The foundation of the organization is stronger as a result of Stephen's hard work and passion for creating an impact for students.
This short video of Stephen sharing why he enjoys working with We Connect The Dots really demonstrates his passion and drive to make a difference for students by supporting their success.
Stephen moved on to an exciting new role in the fall of 2016. The move provided him the opportunity to be closer to home and to be a part of shaping a global program. I want to take this opportunity to thank Stephen for his contributions to our success, from all of us at WCTD, we miss you and wish you continued success.


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The excuses coming from the Democrats about President Obama "empty podium" performance at the first debate Wednesday night. MSNBC's Ed Schultz, who was visibly shaken and red with anger at the president, explains his performance as not wanting to come across as the "angry black man." Match that to Al Gore's "the altitude" caused Obama to bomb.
Schultz: "It was very frustrating to watch a guy lie to the American people and not be counterpunched because we are afraid he's going to be called an angry black man."
Um, wrong. Mitt Romney won the debate by flip-flopping and throwing his campaign positions underneath a bus, to prove that he is a Moderate Republican. The problem is, Obama didn't bother to push back. He waved a white flag or dropped a bomb on his own performance, depending how you view the situation.


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For those unfamiliar with my older brother Scott, it is time to be introduced. Scott is my older and only brother. He is a lawyer. He practiced law in Washington DC while serving as the chairman of the elders at Capitol Hill Baptist Church for several years. By God's grace, he moved to Louisville last year where I live and now practices law here. A funny guy. Excellent preacher. Enjoyable golfing companion. Oh yeah…he writes really well. One of the best writers I know. He just wrote an excellent article answering this particular question.
He writes for Boundless and is one of the writers called upon to answer questions that are submitted. A young woman writes a very honest question that I know puzzles many ladies about men, and Scott does a masterful job addressing the difficult questions asked. You can read her question and Scott's response here.
As a result of thinking this article would be helpful for pastors dealing with these issues in their churches, as well as an opportunity to give my brother a shameless plug, I commend this article for your consideration. He also recommends several helpful resources at the end of the article, I too would commend:
Sex is not the problem, (Lust is) (Josh Harris)
Tempted and Tried (Russell Moore)
Sex and the Supremacy of Christ (Several contributors including Piper, Dever, Powlison, Mahaney, Mohler, as well as Scott Croft)


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I'm in the process of transitioning my DVD movies to digital, making them easier to view, transport and share. While sorting out what makes the cut, I continue to run across movies that I haven't screened at in a long time, that still have great appeal. Some were once popular but now largely forgotten, others are totally obscure, but totally deserving of an audience.
With that in mind, from time to time, I'm going to post trailer links to a few of these films that I think you'll enjoy. If you haven't seen them before, it could be a nice discovery. If you have seen them, but not in a long while, you may have a good time getting reacquainted with them. Ideally, this will be a helpful list when you're roaming around Netflix or iTunes, trying to find something that catches your attention.
I'm going to start by listing films by genre. Heist/Caper films are sweet spots for me. Something about the high wire act of executing well thought out (or not so well thought out) plans with colorful masterminds consistently makes for exciting, often humorous films. Below is a handful of films that will entertainingly take you through the ups and downs of the high minded criminal. Click on the title to see each respective trailer.
The Bank Job- while primarily known as an action guy, Jason Statham has good acting chops that he brings to the fore, in this fact-based British heist caper, set in the seventies. Taut suspense, a few laughs and one brief fight scene, The Bank Job successfully showcases Statham's thespian abilities as well his raw charisma.
Lassiter- 'Magnum PI' made Tom Selleck one of the most in demand television actors of his day. He tried to parlay that popularity into motion pictures, with mixed results. But he did a sort of tribute to Cary Grant in 'Lassister', where he plays an American jewel thief transplanted to London in the late thirties, just prior to WWII. The US government blackmails him into stealing 10 million dollars in jewels from the German Embassy or go to jail for good. Great clothes, nicely done action and a fine star turn from Selleck make 'Lassiter' a real find.
Out of Sight- I didn't get George Clooney when he was blowing up on 'ER'. He just seemed like a sleepy eyed guy who couldn't keep his head from bobbing up and down. But his turn as Jack Foley, an unlucky bank robber who breaks out of jail, in Steven Soderbergh's 'Out of Sight', served him up as a movie star. Charming, funny and completely relaxed, Clooney is everything you want a leading man to be. Jennifer Lopez, as the US Marshall out to arrest Clooney if she can keep from falling in love with him, has never been better and the supporting cast is A+: Don Cheadle, Ving Rhames, Dennis Farina, Michael Keaton, Albert Brooks and Steve Zahn make 'Out of Sight' one of my favorite films..ever. Unfortunately released in the summer of 1998 and ineffectually marketed, 'Out of Sight' garnered huge critical acclaim, but not much box office. Happily, it is available on almost every video format and only gets better with time.
Ripley's Game- John Malkovich is one of those actors whose personal style often informs, but rarely intrudes on the role that he's playing. Like Jack Nicholson or Christopher Walken, Malkovich has a persona that is uniquely his own, and when cast correctly, he provides the moviegoer with a refreshing and entertaining experience. 'Ripley's Game' may be the perfect fit for him. As the adult Tom Ripley, Malkovich picks up years after Matt Damon's 'Talented Mr. Ripley' left off. Malkovich's Ripley is a more refined, understated criminal based in Italy, where he puts a deadly game in motion against a local picture framer who has casually insulted him. Beautifully photographed, with a fey, witty Malkovich in top form, 'Ripley's Game' came and went quickly from your local theater, but I'll pay your rental if you watch it and don't love it. It's that good.
Thief- Michael Mann's debut film is a character study of 'Frank', a longtime jewel thief, expertly played by James Caan. Going after the fabled 'one last job' in order to provide for himself and his makeshift family, Frank finds that things aren't destined to go as smoothly as he would like. Caan looks like a million in sharp Armani suits, but is as hard and cold as the Chicago skyline that the film is set in. Even in 1981, Michael Mann had an impressive visual style, an affinity for shooting at night on rain wet big city streets and most importantly, getting deeply under the skin of the criminal at large.
To Catch A Thief- Finally, THE Hollywood jewel thief flick of all time. Cary Grant, Grace Kelly, Alfred Hitchcock, The French Riviera, what else is there to say? If you've never seen it, do it now!
If you're still not sated, try 'Cool Breeze' a Blaxploitation version of 'The Asphalt Jungle', or a trio of outstanding french caper flicks: 'Rififi' (which contains one of the most admired heists in all of moviedom: a 20 minute robbery with no dialogue, tension personified!), 'Grisbi' and 'Bob LeFlambeur'.
If there's a genre you'd like me to put together a list for, just post in the 'reply' section at the bottom of this post.


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I posted the kitchen to this house earlier this week, but the rest of the home is just as smashing. Even though this home is on the grand side I love how it still feels cozy. It seems like every room is used and I could easily see children running throughout. To me livable design is design done right.
via here


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Basking Shark Research Expedition
At the end of the summer, basking sharks start their southerly migration to the sub-tropics with one final aggregation in southern Argyll. During this period we run research expeditions to observe the sharks and explore different areas while gaining information on this stage of their migration. During these trips we have a different base on the Clyde rather than being in the Hebrides. We can still swim and photograph the sharks during these tours which are open to everyone.
Guests on these trips can be involved in our southerly migration study with the primary goals as follows:
- Study abundance of southerly basking shark population
- Record location, time, size, sex and behaviour of southerly basking sharks along with environmental factors
- Record images and video of sharks for entry into shark fin ID catalogue
- Analyse plankton samples from feeding and non-feeding areas
- Analyse zooplankton samples for plastic to assess ingestion risk
- Record cetacean sightings data (e.g porpoises/dolphin/whales)
Along with the study of the sharks we will have the opportunity to look for and record other exciting marine life such as whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals and seabirds during our time at sea. Passengers with enough experience will be able to swim with the sharks during these trips and we will be collecting underwater information about any sharks that we observe on the expeditions. Photographers and videographers are most welcome on the trips and will benefit from fewer passenger numbers on the boat than our usual trips.
The expedition also includes a series of info-talks on the ecology and conservation of basking sharks by our trained marine biologists.
The minimum age on the trip will be 16 years ( although mature younger kids who would enjoy being involved in this style of survey would be welcome) and we encourage students or prospective marine science students as they will gain a lot of skills and survey experience. These trips are a great way to be involved in the real work of observing and recording large marine life. However the trip is open to everyone who has an interest in basking sharks, marine life and ocean adventure.
Please note the objective of this project is to study the sharks, their food and many other factors. Although we hope to be watching and observing them both in and out the water, the goal is gather quality data rather than like our tourism style tours during the summer season. Passengers will be expected to assist with taking measurements, data gathering and work up of samples.
Following our research expeditions in 2016,2017 & 2018 we're curently reviewing all the information we have gathered over winter 2018/2019. We will be deciding on future goals and research expeditions by the end of winter 2019. At the moment we are not offering any dates where you can join us. If you want to keep in touch then join our email list below and follow our social channels.
For more information on our research then click here.
Contact us
Trip Details
We will meet you at Dunoon and then take you to our base for the trip. This will require a short ferry from Gourock which has great transport links to Glasgow via train or road. Otherwise you can also drive there if you are planning to drive yourself. More details of this can be found in our booking information documents which we will send to you on request. You will meet the evening prior to the first day of the expedition and stop at the supermarket for some supplies before driving to the expedition base. On arrival you will check in and we will do a short talk on what to expect over the following few days and your surroundings.
The first day will start with an early talk on survey methods and scientific aims of the project before having some time to get ready before heading out on the boat. We aim to return around 4pm each day so we can work up our results from the day.
Depending on the weather and previous day's results, we will use the morning to study our plankton samples and photo ID images from the day before.
Our survey route will depending on previous shark sightings and weather and changes on a daily basis. We can be 100m from our base or up to 40-50 miles away.
In the afternoon, there may be some time available for snorkelling in the bay and we are in a fantastic dark sky location for night photography. In 2016 we even had a few nights with Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights).
On the last day, you will check out in the morning before heading out to sea. On return after working up the samples we will take you to meet the ferry in the evening.
Our base for this expedition is on a stunning peninsula which gives us close access to the Clyde but with many weather options.
Accommodation is in waterfront wooden chalets with either two or three bedrooms per chalet. Bedrooms are either double or twin bed setup with separate bathrooms along with a large lounge and outdoor balcony. The expedition is self catering and there is a fully equipped kitchen attached to the lounge where you can prepare all your meals.
Accommodation is arranged on a twin share basis however if you prefer you can also upgrade to single occupancy (limited numbers).
What's Included
- 4-8 days research based expedition
- Amazing wildlife, scenery and culture
- Knowledgeable and experienced guides
- Educational presentations on basking sharks, research techniques and photography
- Training in plankton sampling and analysis
- Hot drinks and home baking snack on board
- Onboard binoculars, books and information guides
- Snorkel option for gathering data on sharks
- Shared lodge accommodation (single option available for additional cost).
What's Not Included
- Equipment hire for snorkelling option - please see here for gear hire.
- Weather or wildlife guarantees! Sorry we'd love to be able to do that and please remember this is research based.
- Food - the tour is based on self catering accommodation. You have the opportunity to visit a supermarket on arrival and there is a local shop and hotels for evening meals.
- Travel (e.g ferry from Gourock) to the meeting point in Dunoon


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Mid-day rain meant a track too wet for fast times in most of the finals on the last day of the 101st Japanese National Track and Field Championships Sunday at Osaka's Yanmar Stadium Nagai, but first-time 100 m national champions Abdul Hakim Sani Brown (Tokyo T&F Assoc.) and Kana Ichikawa (Mizuno) didn't let that stop them from scoring the sprint double with 200 m national titles to wrap the day.
Having already downed 100 m and 200 m national record holder Chisato Fukushima (Sapporo T&F Assoc.) in the 100 m, Ichikawa was out in front throughout the 200 m, shy of the London standard in 23.63 (-0.2) but still winning by more than 0.10. Not her usual self, Fukushima was only 5th in 24.01.
In the men's race the general assumption seemed to be that Sani Brown would drop Japan's first sub-20, but at 20.32 (+0.3) he wasn't close, even if under the London standard. Kenji Fujimitsu (Zenrin) was next in 20.47, with Rio Olympics 4x100 m silver medalist Shota Iizuka off his best game at 3rd in 20.53. Although Iizuka holds a London qualifying standard, the JAAF lived up to its 2017 Nationals motivational slogan "All we need is #1" by only confirming Sani Brown for the London team pending a few more weeks of its selection algebra grinding along.
Like Sani Brown winning with a time under the London standard, Shunya Takayama (Zenrin) took the men's 110 m hurdles national title in 13.45 (-0.2) to secure his place on the national team. Mirroring Iizuka's predicament, 3rd placer Genta Masuno (Yamada Denki) found himself in limbo after running an all-time Japanese #2 time of 13.40 in the heats but only 13.61 in the final.
The most exciting race of the day came in the women's 5000 m. Defending national champion and Rio Olympian Misaki Onishi (Team Sekisui Kagaku) was never a factor, leaving a front pack including Rio Olympian Ayuko Suzuki (Team Japan Post), her new teammate Rina Nabeshima, top-ranked high schooler Shuri Ogasawara (Yamanashi Gakuin Prep H.S.), 10000 m 4th-placer Mao Ichiyama (Team Wacoal) and more to deal with Kenyan pacer Ann Karindi (Team Toyota Jidoshokki). Despite a decent 3:03 opening kilometer the pace slowed off 15:22.00 London qualifying territory, critical to most of the top women who had yet to clear it within the window. When 4000 m came in 12:27 Suzuki went to the front, cutting it down immediately to a quartet of herself, Nabeshima, Ogasawara and Karindi.
Still together with one lap to go it came down to the last 100 m with Karindi crossing the line first in 15:19.62 and Nabeshima getting the national title over Suzuki 15:19.87 to 15:20.50, solid closing speed considering their 4000 m split. Ogasawara was next in 15:23.56, just missing the London standard but cutting two seconds off the under-18 national youth record. For her troubles, Nabeshima scored a place on the London team with Suzuki in a holding pattern for the weeks to come. Of the three women who held London qualifying marks prior to Nationals, Riko Matsuzaki (Team Sekisui Kagaku) took the top spot at 7th in 15:29.74. Whether she picks up the third spot on the London team remains to be seen.
In all three women's distance races, the 5000 m, 10000 m, and 3000 mSC, this year Japanese women ran with purpose and intensity, their personal slogans clearly "All we need is the World Championships." By comparison, the men had just as clearly taken the JAAF's slogan too much to heart, content to say, "All we need is #1 in Japan." None of the three distances saw any Japanese men even try to go after London standards despite every race featuring men who had broken them in the past. The 3000 m steeplechase came closest, with defending national champion Hironori Tsuetaki (Team Fujitsu) finishing just over six seconds off in 8:38.20 despite going through 2000 m in six minutes flat.
With the last two 5000 m national champions, 5000 m national record holder Suguru Osako (Nike Oregon Project) and 10000 m national record holder Kota Murayama (Team Asahi Kasei) both a DNS and only thirteen Japanese men and one Kenyan pacer starting the 5000 m had something of a forlorn air right from the start even with the all-time #2 man over the distance, Tetsuya Yoroizaka (Team Asahi Kasei), in the house. After a 2:50 opening 1000 m was followed up with a 2:55, 10000 m runner-up Yuichiro Ueno (DeNA RC) duly went to work, leading a charge at a more respectable 2:42 for the third kilometer.
Over the next 1500 m it was a tag team effort before Komazawa University graduate Shogo Nakamura (Team Fujitsu) gunned it with 500 m to go. On the back curve he was run down by Shuho Dairokuno (Team Asahi Kasei) and then teammate Hiroki Matsueda (Team Fujitsu), the sprint finish in the home straight going to Matsueda in 13:48.90. The 10000 m top three and 3000 mSC champ Tsuteaki are bound to chase standards early next month at the Hokuren Distance Challenge, but it's likely we won't see any Japanese men in London in at least the 5000 m, and possibly at the other distances.
101st National Track and Field ChampionshipsDay Three Highlights
Yanmar Stadium Nagai, Osako, 6/25/17
click here for complete results
athletes in bold cleared London World Championships qualifying standards
T42/44/47 Men's 100 m Final (-0.4)
1. Tomoki Tagawa (AC-Kita - T47) - 11.34
2. Yudai Suzuki (Nittai Univ. - T47) - 11.46
3. Mikio Ikeda (Chukyo Univ. - T44) - 12.40
4. Atsushi Yamamoto (Suzuki Hamamatsu AC - T42) - 13.27
T54 Men's 1500 m Final
1. Sho Watanabe (Toppan) - 3:10.12
2. Masayuki Higuchi (Puma Japan) - 3:10.21
3. Hiroki Nishida (Baccarat Pacific) - 3:12.02
Women's 200 m Final (-0.2)
1. Kana Ichikawa (Mizuno) - 23.63
2. Saori Imai (Iida Byoin) - 23.74
3. Mizuki Nakamura (Osaka Seikei Univ.) - 23.76
4. Miyu Maeyama (Niigata Iryo Fukushi Univ.) - 23.89
5. Chisato Fukushima (Sapporo T&F Assoc.) - 24.01
Men's 200 m Final (+0.3)
1. Abdul Hakim Sani Brown (Tokyo T&F Assoc.) - 20.32
2. Kenji Fujimitsu (Zenrin) - 20.47
3. Shota Iizuka (Mizuno) - 20.55
Women's 800 m Final
1. Yume Kitamura (Nittai Univ.) - 2:04.62
2. Ayaka Kawata (Higashi Osaka Prep H.S.) - 2:05.31
3. Ayano Shiomi (Kyoto Bunkyo H.S.) - 2:05:47
Womens 5000 m Final
1. Ann Karindi (Toyota Jidoshokki) - 15:19.62
2. Rina Nabeshima (Japan Post) - 15:19.87
3. Ayuko Suzuki (Japan Post) - 15:20.50
4. Shuri Ogasawara (Yamanashi Gakuin Prep H.S.) - 15:23.56 - NYR
5. Mao Ichiyama (Wacoal) - 15:26.25
6. Yukari Abe (Shimamura) - 15:28.62
7. Riko Matsuzaki (Sekisui Kagaku) - 15:29.74
8. Tomoka Kimura (Universal Entertainment) - 15:34.64
9. Kaori Morita (Panasonic) - 15:36.19
10. Misaki Onishi (Sekisui Kagaku) - 15:36.65
Men's 5000 m Final
1. Hiroki Matsueda (Fujitsu) - 13:48.90
2. Shuho Dairokuno (Asahi Kasei) - 13:50.07
3. Shogo Nakamura (Fujitsu) - 13:50.91
4. Yuichiro Ueno (DeNA) - 13:53.30
5. Takanori Ichikawa (Hitachi Butsuryu) - 13:53.55
6. Tetsuya Yoroizaka (Asahi Kasei) - 13:53.87
7. Yuta Shitara (Honda) - 13:54.71
8. Kazuma Taira (Kanebo) - 13:58.70
9. Waweru Nganga (Kokoku H.S.) - 14:02.02
10. Ken Yokote (Fujitsu) - 14:06.85
1. Ayako Kimura (Edion) - 13.12
2. Hitomi Shimura (Toho Ginko) - 13.31
3. Eriko Soma (Starts) - 13.44
Men's 110 mH Final (-0.2)
1. Shunya Takayama (Zenrin) - 13.45
2. Wataru Yazawa (Descente TC) - 13.61
3. Genta Masuno (Yamada Denki) - 13.61
Women's 400 mH Final
1. Sayaka Aoki (Toho Ginko) - 56.35
2. Manami Kira (Art Home) - 57.67
3. Moe Oshiden (Ritsumeikan Univ.) - 58.65
Men's 3000 mSC Final
1. Hironori Tsuetaki (Fujitsu) - 8:38.20
2. Aoi Matsumoto (Otsuka Seiyaku) - 8:41.22
3. Kosei Yamaguchi (Aisan Kogyo) - 8:42.46
4. Yasutaka Ishibashi (SGH Group) - 8:43.42
5. Shuto Mikami (Tokai Univ.) - 8:44.34
Men's High Jump Final
1. Takashi Eto (AGF) - 2.25 m
2. Kazuhiro Ota (Kanazawa Seiryo Univ.) - 2.20 m
3. Naoto Hasegawa (Niigata Iryo Fukushi Univ.) - 2.20 m
Men's Triple Jump Final
1. Ryoma Yamamoto (Juntendo Univ.) - 16.29 m (+0.6)
2. Mutsuki Harada (Ritsumeikan Univ.) - 16.27 m (-1.1)
3. Yuki Kyoda (Kanoya Taiiku Univ.) - 16.20 (-0.1)
Women's Discus Throw Final
1. Minori Tsujikawa (Tsukuba Univ.) - 51.27 m
2. Nanaka Kori (Kyushu Kyoritsu Univ.) - 49.87 m
3. Ai Shikimoto (Niigata Albirex RC) - 49.21 m
Men's Shot Put Final
1. Satoshi Hatase (Alsok) - 18.26 m
2. Hayato Yamamoto (Fukubi Kagaku) - 17.79 m
3. Reiji Takeda (Nihon Univ.) - 17.70 m
Men's Discus Throw Final
1. Yuji Tsutsumi (Alsok) - 59.09 m
2. Shigeyuki Maisawa (Oriko T&F Team) - 58.53 m
3. Masateru Yugami (Toyota) - 57.38 m
© 2017 Brett Larner, all rights reserved


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In conjunction with YOUTH CLUB, the Gavin Watson Archive undergoes a groundbreaking ongoing preservation project. This fascinating mission continues to unearth the incredible unseen depts of Gavin Watson's work, from the early hangings out on High Wycombe street corners, to the pivotal foundations of the Rave scene.
An ambitious restoration of 50,000 images celebrating key moments in British youth culture history, this cultural treasure trove unlocks an intimate insight into the passion of subculture and coming of age. The Gavin Watson Archive is an ongoing digitisation project working to preserve and share this invaluable cultural asset, telling his extraordinary story and paving the way for future generations.
Stay tuned for regular updates of exclusive new content.
Gavin Watson was born in London in 1965 and grew up on a council estate in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. He bought a Hanimex camera from Woolworths in his early teens and began to take photographs. Upon leaving school at the age of sixteen, Watson moved back to London and became a darkroom assistant at Camera Press. He continued to photograph his younger brother Neville and their group of skinhead friends in High Wycombe.
The 'Wycombe Skins' were part of the working-class skinhead subculture brought together by a love of ska music and fashion. Although skinhead style had become associated with the right-wing extremism of political groups like the National Front in the 1970s, Watson's photographs document a time and place where the subculture was racially mixed and inclusive. His photographs were published in the books Skins (1994) and Skins and Punks (2008), and the director Shane Meadows cited them as an inspiration for his film This is England (2006). In 2011 and 2012 Watson photographed campaigns for Dr Martens and began a project with the singer Plan B.


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The Kilohana Estate dates back to 1896, when plantation manager Albert Spencer Wilcox, one of the original missionary families, first developed it as a working cattle ranch. His nephew, Gaylord Parke Wilcox, took over in 1936, building Kauai's first mansion. The house was designed by the renowned British architect, Mark Potter and the home was unusually modern for it's time. The furnishings were purchased from Gump's of San Francisco, and the lumber was all shipped from the west coast.
Today the 16,000-square-foot Kauai mansion has been lovingly resorted to it's former 1930's beauty and style and now houses specialty shops, art galleries, and Gaylord's, a beautiful restaurant with breathtaking courtyard seating. Nearly half the original furnishings remain, and the gardens and orchards were replanted according to the original plans. Kilohana sits in the middle of 35 acres of pasture, manicured grounds, gardens and natural growth. As you leave Lihue heading southwest on highway 50, look to your right and you will see Kilohana across the pasture where gentle Clydesdales, a donkey and other animals graze. The curving driveway leads to the front door of the home and beyond to the parking area. You can tour these historic grounds for free and browse through the unique shops that are nestled in the beautifully restored rooms and quaint guest cottages.
Useful Information:
– Admission to the restored house is FREE
– Open 9:30am – 9:30pm, Monday thru Saturday;
– open 9:30am – 3pm, Sunday
– 22 North. Under the direction of Chef de Cuisine Aaron Leikam
– Unique boutiques, country stores and galleries are open to the public
The Luau Kalamaku is an unforgettable evening filled with a lavish island buffet and a truly immersive and interactive show. You'll also be able to explore the many shops and experience the cultural demonstrations that bring the Hawaiian traditions to life.
The Plantation Owners Evening begins with a culinary tour back in time with a four-course dinner at Gaylord's Restaurant at Kilohana Plantation's 60-acre orchard and agricultural park. Then you'll enjoy premier seating at the Luau Kalamaku show.
There are Luau shows and then there's the Luau Kalamaku show. Our advanced media system and interactive stage transport you to ancient Polynesia during its remarkable migration to the Islands, complete with fire poi balls and fire knife dancing.


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Energy Medicine Techniques for New Moon in Aquarius. Enjoy!
Time to welcome Aquarius with the New Moon on January 20th!
Aquarius is the sign of freedom and that need to be our own independent selves. To let our freak flag fly, and embrace our own uniqueness. Sure, being an original is super cool and all, but Aquarius is also the needing to bring the collective together for the greater good and for the future. As a result, Aquarius can be very future-focused. I was once told by a teacher of mine, "depression is attachment to the past, and anxiety is attachment to the future". With Uranus as the co-ruler of Aquarius, mind and body can get buzzy and almost electric, especially where thoughts and inspiration are concerned. So much sometimes, it can be difficult to get out of that genius mind. And what happens when we are in our minds a lot? We can, and often do become ungrounded. We forget to connect with Earth. Forgetting we are not our thoughts, we are not our minds and the future isn't here yet. So by grounding ourselves, and really connecting with Earth, we bring ourselves back to the present moment, and back to the simple things in life that make it so special and connect us all as one.
Here are a few simple energy medicine techniques to help us to stay grounded and present:
One, take off your shoes and walk in wet grass. This is so easy to do, especially here in verdant Portland, Oregon. Our body has a natural polarity that aligns with the earth, but sometimes through stress, daily activities, being in our heads too much and so on, our polarity can flip, therefore ungrounding us. I know this well, as I have to ground myself daily. My polarity flips all the time. So get your feet wet and go for it!
Second, sit or stand with your back to a tree. We often think of hugging trees right? Ever try putting your back to a tree and breathing deeply? When we do this, the tree connects the flow in the governing meridian, and takes energy down the roots of the tree into the earth, then back up again into the body, and creates a loop around the front and back of the body, kind of like a ferris wheel. I do this at least once every time I take I walk. When I hike, I stop often to do this. It feels wonderful. Tree medicine! Try it!
Third, if you are somewhere away from wet grass or trees, I'm sorry. But, good news is, you can always spoon the feet. Take a stainless steel spoon, and use the back side. Rub it lengthwise, back and forth on the sole of your foot, then across from side to side, then make figure 8's. Repeat on the other foot.
So, get out there and commune with Nature. Enjoy!
Love, Melina


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Please click on my "Facebook" icon over on the right to see our cat in action....seriously in action...ON THE TOILET....yes, our cat used the potty!!!
I'm working on an amazing and cute project that consists of burlap and keys and pictures...I hopefully will finish this weekend!
Have a great day and weekend! Now, go watch the video!!!


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Regular price
This is one bug you won't want to squash. Insectum is a handy beetle shaped bottle opener with a fancy metallic finish. So it does good and looks good at the same time. The perfect gift for the entomologist in your life!
Also available in iridescent.
We love seeing your purchases! Tag and follow us on Instagram and Facebook @smackbangstore and use the hashtag #smackbangstore


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Will Smith is a solid actor. Yes he gets damn annoying when he plays what seems to be the exact same guy in many films… but when he's called upon to be something more, or to play someone outside his regular range, he nails it (Pursuit of Happyness, Ali). The man has even been nominated for Oscars on a couple of occasions… but still… I wouldn't put him up there with say… the 15 best actors working today. And yet… no other name seems to be able to guarantee box office results like his does.
Let's look at Hancock for a moment. This film looked interesting, but not fantastic and the early reviews were pretty negative (I liked the film myself). But still… because it's Will Smith, the movie makes over $105 million in its first 5 days. That's CRAZY!
But it's not just Hancock either. His last film, "I Am Legend" also didn't look all that great, nor was it… but the movie still managed to pull in over $77 million on its opening weekend and over $580 million world wide when all was said and done.
The Pursuit of Happyness was one of the emotional dramas that don't generally make over $50 million… but put Will Smith in it and it makes $163 million domestically and over $300 million world wide
Little romantic comedy called Hitch… over $368 million world wide
I, Robot was a terrible and terrible looking movie. But hey… you got the Fresh Prince in there and it pulls down almost $350 million world wide
Bad Boys 2 (awful movie) – $273 million
Men In Black 2 (awful movie) – $441 million
The list goes on and on. It almost doesn't matter what kind of crap you put this guy in… it'll make huge money. The ironic thing is that his only real box office let down was for his very best movie, Ali (which was nominated for Best Picture and he himself got nominated for Best Actor).
The question is… who else is this bankable? Who else right now can a Hollywood studio look at and say "Yes… if we put this guy in the movie we'll make money"? The answer is… no one.
George Clooney – Only 3 of his last 10 movies made over $50 million domestaiclly and 3 of them were total bombs.
Tom Hanks – In just the last 4 years Charlie Wilsons War (great movie) only made $66 and The Terminal made only $39 million domestically.
Al Pacino – In the last 14 years and 22 movies, only 1 movie (Ocean's 13 in which he was just a supporting character) made over $100 million domestically, and 14 of them made under $50 million.
Russell Crowe (In my opinion the best actor alive today) – In the 7 movies he's done since Gladiator, only 2 have made over $100 million domestically.
Brad Pitt – Normally pretty bankable, but his last film (The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford) made under $4 million and just 2 films before that, Babel made under $50.
The point here is that even though all those actors listed above are better than Will Smith, for some reason Smith just seems to draw audiences into the theater more than anyone else. Not one of his last 8 films have made less than $135 million. NOT ONE! That's a crazy track record especially when you consider that some of those 8 movies really sucked and didn't look good from the beginning either.
So my question is this: Am I correct in saying that Will Smith is the most Bankable movie star (and maybe only one) working in the business today? Or is there someone I'm missing here?


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Providence Restaurant Shoot
Mills Tavern is a long standing go-to spot in the Providence food scene. With seasonal menu changes they are constantly recreating themselves. Luckily I get to capture their new menu just as it comes out. (There may be a little sampling too...Chef Ed never let's me leave without trying something he created!) Here is a sampling of what I have captured as the seasons change.


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Outfit research and health care laboratory settings with our selection of lab labels. Our materials are suitable for common lab surfaces, including cryogenic freezers and gas piping, and can withstand extreme temperature fluctuations.
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Lil' Factory in the woods
Call the Order Desk: 803-732-0937 or 800-247-4260 Fax: 803-732-9921
Address: 118
Tiger Paw Lane Irmo, SC 29063 Please call before showing up or
Over Half of
Trackside Tim's
Staff have Experience as Drivers and Officials!
Strives to use American Material Whenever Possible!
Trackside Tim's © 2019
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TurboJohn © 2019
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text: Does anybody use this for their photos? I'm struggling to backup my pictures to either my hard drive or a cd. It's the first time to me and I'm not so technical. I can find the photos and movies ok but I think I have to "select" them and nominate them to be backed up. I can't do this bit. The help function is singularily unhelpful on the matter.


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currently reading: minor robberies [deb olin unferth]
currently listening to: kate nash [my best friend is you]
So much has happened in the last eleven days! I can't believe that eleven days have gone
by! And with each passing day we come one day closer to graduation, which is terrifying
and exciting at the same time. Here's a bit of a sum up list of all the fantastic things that
have been happening as of late:
+Portobello Thursdays
+BBQing on Ben & Evan's porch
+Acing my Philosophy of Feminism quiz.
+Receiving a Titanic puzzle in the mail.
+Kate Nash's new CD.
+Kathy, Zac, & Abbie's art opening.
+Angels and Airwaves with Ben, Clay, & Val.
+Family time in Chicago.
+The Hyde Park Jazz Society.
+Urban Belly for ramen with Clay.
+Eating at Q's Cafe a lot!
+Fantastic weather.
Ben Scott & I are also working on started a Knox College Fashion zine titled Youth Style
& I'm including some of the pictures from our first shoot done on his lovely porch. We're
pretty pumped about getting this thing printed, it's gonna be tight.
Basically this past week & a half has been really lovely. There are your average bumps in
the road, but with nice weather and fun friends, it's getting harder and harder to whine
about things these days. I'm still busy as ever, but this next month is something to remember.
BBQ on Ben & Evan's porch
ben scott, youth style
katie hart, youth style
sandy caribou: youth style
blouse & belt: thrifted, skirt & cardigan: american
apparel, tights: zara, sandals: target