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"Catharine Baker is a champion for the environment. Since taking office, she has been a fierce advocate for protecting our natural resources. Catharine has shown that she will work across party lines and fight for clean air, open space, and strong environmental stewardship."
-Seth Adams, Conservationist (Save Mount Diablo for identification purposes only)
"As a leader on the Park Bond Proposition 68 campaign, we are pleased to support the re-election of Assemblywoman Baker. She has proven her commitment to the environment and is a strong voice in the Legislature for protecting park resources and access for all Californians. This clearly makes her the best candidate in the 16th Assembly District race."
— Stephanie Stephens, Executive Director, California Park and Recreation Society
Catharine Baker is a conservationist. She has worked for the environment since she was elected—she's smart, honest, hard working and effective, and we're lucky to have her.
-Seth Adams, Conservationist (Save Mount Diablo for identification purposes only)
"At the simplest Sacramento is about dividing up funding. I work on park and open space issues— Catharine Baker is right there with us—and she's always looking to make sure that East Bay residents get our share of really important funding – like the recent Prop 68 Park bond she helped get on the ballot, with money for wildlife, creeks, state and regional parks, and for every city."
-Seth Adams, Conservationist (Save Mount Diablo for identification purposes only)
"Catharine Baker has been a thoughtful ally in protecting parks, farms, ranches, and open space for the benefit of everyone in our community. Catharine is a leader in working across the partisan divide to ensure the protection of our parks, open space, and beautiful natural resources for future generations."
– Ron Brown, former Executive Director of Save Mount Diablo
"Catharine Baker has been a thoughtful ally in protecting parks, farms, ranches, and open space for the benefit of everyone in our community. Catharine is a leader in working across the partisan divide to ensure the protection of our parks, open space, and beautiful natural resources for future generations."
– Ron Brown, former Executive Director of Save Mount Diablo
"Catharine Baker is an outstanding leader in our community. She is a proven advocate for safe communities, safe families, and victims of crime, and she has worked in bipartisan fashion to put the needs of our community first over partisanship."
- Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O'Malley
"In the Assembly Catharine Baker has been the rare legislator who works across the aisle to support public safety in our communities. She has bravely supported common-sense legislation to reduce gun violence. With Catharine, it's not about ego; it's about protecting our community from crime."
– Alameda County Sheriff Gregory Ahern, Past President of the California State Sheriff's Association
"Catharine Baker has been a strong vote for public safety. One of her first bills established child abuse prevention training in our schools for the first time in California history, and her legislation shows she is fighting to keep our communities safe."
– Contra Costa County Sheriff David Livingston, Secretary of the California State Sheriff's Association.
"pro-choice, supports equal pay for equal work and has supported important gun reforms."
– State Senator Steve Glazer, San Francisco Chronicle, 10/31/16
"You have always been a great supporter of victims and victims' rights and we at CVU look forward to working alongside you..."
-- Harriet Salarno, Chair of Crime Victims United
"As our Assemblywoman, Catharine has put partisanship aside time and time again to deliver effective transportation solutions for our region. Her continued leadership is needed, and I endorse her for re-election."
- Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggarty
"Her work to bridge the partisan divide in the State Capitol builds important alliances that have resulted in open space, water, transportation and BART parking improvements."
– State Senator Steve Glazer
"Assemblywoman Catharine B. Baker (R-San Ramon) introduced as her first bill in Assembly legislation that will prevent future BART strikes."
– The Independent 3/12/15
"State Assemblywoman Catharine B. Baker (R-San Ramon) introduced legislation today that would prevent future strikes by unionized employees of the Bay Area Rapid Transit System (BART)."
– Pleasanton Weekly 3/12/15
"Baker would ban strikes by BART workers"
– San Francisco Chronicle 9/24/14
"We look forward to continuing to work with her on solutions to other urgent problems facing our region, especially the need for smart and adequate funding of our transportation infrastructure."
– Kristin Connelly, 3/17/2016
"[Baker's] attempt to end BART strikes deserves high marks for creativity"
– Contra Costa Times 3/2/15
"Catharine is a strong education leader. She has fought vigorously to hold our schools accountable and to provide sufficient funding to serve all students well."
— Anne White, Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District Board Member.
"Education is not a partisan issue. Catharine Baker has worked tirelessly for education and our schools. I support her because our students need her strong advocacy on their behalf in Sacramento."
— Suzy Pak, Lafayette School District Board Member.
"Assembly Bill 1048, recently introduced by Assemblywoman Catharine Baker and Assemblyman David Hadley, will untie the hands of our local school districts and leave local funding decisions to local school districts, just as the governor intended when implementing the Local Control Funding Formula."
– Contra Costa Times 7/31/2015
"AB 1044 by Catharine Baker, R-Dublin, would eliminate the 'last in, first out' rule of seniority-based layoffs that can disproportionately hurt poor and minority children because their teachers are often the most inexperienced."
– San Diego Union Tribune 7/30/15
"Baker, a mother of two school-aged children, seeks systematic change in public education and wants teachers held more accountable."
– Contra Costa Times 10/23/14
"consistently pursued bipartisan decisions, emphasize [s] education as the gateway to opportunity and...empowering local decision-making rather than state mandates."
– The Pleasanton Weekly Newspaper, 05/13/2016
"Baker agrees that California's overly protective rules on teacher tenure undermine the civil rights of low-income and minority students."
– San Francisco Chronicle 9/24/14
"Baker's voting record is decidedly moderate. Her scores from the League of Conservation Voters and California Chamber of Commerce put her very much in line with the Moderate Democrats"
– Capitol Weekly 10/5/17
"Catharine also has demonstrated a willingness to work across the aisle that is a worthy achievement"
– Pleasanton Weekly 12/8/15
"She's been a trailblazer on issues," said one Democratic legislator who preferred to remain unnamed. "She's breaking the mold of what people have viewed as the typical Republican."
– Contra Costa Times 9/28/15
"Planned Parenthood and Equality California each gave Baker a 100% rating, the only Republican to receive that."
– Capitol Weekly 10/5/17
"Baker has refused to fill out any secret questionnaires by interest groups, which are often a condition of endorsements and contributions."
– San Francisco Chronicle 9/24/14
"Centrist sensibilities"
– San Francisco Chronicle 9/24/14
"Pro-choice," "Centrist," "Bipartisan"
– San Francisco Chronicle 9/24/14
"Baker's centrist sensibilities would provide a good influence on the Republican caucus and potential partner for Democrats looking for bipartisan solutions."
– San Francisco Chronicle 9/25/14
"Catharine Baker is a moderate Republican. She's willing to cross party lines and work with Democrats to get things done."
– Pleasanton Weekly 10/23/14
"brings a fresh, outsider perspective"
– Contra Costa Times 4/23/14
"a fresh perspective for a legislature needing change"
– Contra Costa Times 4/23/14
"Catharine has proven she puts good policy over partisanship. She works in a bipartisan manner, and that makes Catharine the kind of leader California needs."
– Mary Warren, Former Vice Chairwoman of the California Democratic Party and Former Chairwoman of the Alameda Democratic Party
"She is thoughtful, and diligent, and hardworking."
– Steve Glazer, State Senator, Lafayette Town Hall 2/3/16
"Her bipartisan, independent approach to solving problems is refreshing and very welcome."
– Steve Glazer, State Senator, Lafayette Town Hall 2/3/16
"We both share our concerns about fiscal responsibility, school reform, environmental protections, and certainly about banning BART strikes."
– Steve Glazer, State Senator, Lafayette Town Hall 2/3/16
"I am a Democrat and I support Catharine Baker because she immediately went to work for my community, and it is obvious she cares. Catharine is bipartisan, independent and has worked tirelessly to represent this district well."
– John Marchand, Mayor of Livermore, 3/21/16
"Catharine Baker has been a breath of fresh air in Sacramento. Catharine is smart, hard-working, and fiscally disciplined. She really listens to the people of her district."
– Candace Andersen, Chair of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, 3/21/16
"I'm supporting Catharine Baker. She's bipartisan, independent, and represents this district well."
– Mark Mitchell, Mayor of Lafayette, 3/21/16
"I try to judge each candidate by his or her merits, without regard to party. I support Catharine Baker because she is an effective leader for our community and she works with people of all political parties to get the job done."
– Bob Simmons, (former) Walnut Creek City Councilmember, 3/21/16
"This is the bipartisanship that's been missing in Sacramento."
– East Bay Leadership Council, Newsletter, 2/29/16
"As the only Republican member of the East Bay delegation, she has shown herself to be bipartisan, solution-oriented leader, and she deserves credit for reinvigorating the search for intelligent policy solutions to some our most difficult problems."
– Kristin Connelly, 3/17/16
"she has shown herself to be bipartisan, solution-oriented leader, and she deserves credit for reinvigorating the search for intelligent policy solutions to some our most difficult problems."
– Kristin Connelly, East Bay Leadership Council President and CEO, 3/17/16
"determined to represent the people...not political parties or special interests,"
– The Pleasanton Weekly Newspaper, 05/13/2016
"East Bay Republican Assemblywoman Catharine Baker bravely crossed the aisle to vote aye, though she's a target in a swing district."
– Sacramento Bee, 8/23/16
"She turned down a legislative pay raise and returned a tobacco company's campaign contribution."
– Contra Costa Times 9/25/15
"In her first two terms representing the 16th district, Baker delivered on her promise to bring a fresh perspective and bi-partisan solutions to Sacramento at a time when needed most for public education, labor and environmental law, unfunded pension liabilities, and economic development. As evidence of her success seeking bi-partisan solutions, Governor Jerry Brown said, 'Catharine Baker is the kind of independent leader we need in Sacramento. She has worked across party lines to fight climate change while protecting California's economy.'
— Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce Endorsement 2018
"Assemblywoman Catharine Baker has been an outstanding champion for small business. She represents a clear voice of reason in the Legislature and has demonstrated a refreshing willingness to work across the political aisle to get things done."
Tim Argenti, Board Chair, Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce
"Lawmaker rejects per diem, tax funded car"
– CalWatchdog 3/12/15
"Thanks to Asm. Catharine Baker for her leadership to pass $100M tax decrease, CA is paying down unfunded pension & transportation bond debt."
– SV Leadership Group, Twitter, 3/1/16
"Catharine Baker has been a very solid and reliable vote for taxpayers. She has consistently scored well on the Howard Jarvis Taxpayer's Association scorecard. She is in a very tough race against a tax and spend liberal in a seat that fiscal conservatives cannot afford to lose."
– Jon Coupal, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association
"The reason Assemblywoman Baker's vote has been so critical is that the California Constitution requires a 2/3 vote of each house of the legislature to raise taxes. The Republicans are dangerously close to losing the ability to stop runaway tax increases ramrodded through the legislature by the majority party."
– Jon Coupal, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association
"Catharine Baker has been a leader in protecting women's health care services and reproductive rights."
– California Medical Association, 4/15/16
"Doctors give Catharine Baker an A+ on women's health issues."
– California Medical Association, 4/15/16
"Assemblywoman Baker has saved lives with her strong stand against the tobacco industry. We Doctors thank her."
– California Medical Association, 4/15/16
"Catharine Baker has been a leader in protecting our kids from tobacco."
– California Medical Association, 4/15/16


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Earlier his week, the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace held a splendid discussion on the future of Inter-Korean Dialogue, supported by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea (let's get our names right: that's South Korea to you, or "the ROK" as it was referred to back in the day). The history and current state of DPRK-Cambodian relations are of interest to many, and this post kicks off our new, occasional series on the topic (it's a pretty quiet relationship these days since the passing of His Majesty, King Sihanouk).
If you ever visit Phnom Penh or Siem Reap in Cambodia, you may have had the pleasure of looking at a curious chain of restaurants called "Pyongyang Restaurants". These chains are found throughout China and Southeast Asia and are run the North Korean government, staffed by North Korean waitresses, serving North Korean cuisine.
Just across from the independence monument and adjacent to the residence of Hun Sen, you will also find a large grandiose (and relatively recently remodeled) building flying the flag of North Korea, which is indeed the embassy of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (an old political science rule of thumb is the more words denoting democracy before the name of the country, the less democracy on the ground). Visiting Angkor Wat, you will also have the chance to visit the Angkor Panorama Museum, which was funded by North Korea and even had artists from the Mansudae Art Studio (famous for undertaking art projects worldwide for other nations, such as Senegal and Zimbabwe) in Pyongyang paint a giant mural for the museum depicting a scene from the Angkor era.
While several southeast Asian countries maintain relations with North Korea, none seem to have the peculiarly close ties and history that Cambodia and North Korea share – with the possible exception of China's Macau Special Administration Region, the former home of the assassinated elder brother of DPRK head of state Kim Jong-Un and the headquarters of Banco Delta Asia. The latter having been banned from currency US dollar currency transactions by the U.S. Department of the Treasury since its active role in DPRK money laundering came to light.
Beginning with a simple meeting between President Kim Il Sung and King Norodom Sihanouk in Jakarta in 1965, the nations have remained close even through the times of the Khmer Rouge. North Korea built a palace outside of Pyongyang for Sihanouk to reside during his time in exile where he would spend 2 months of each year until he came back to Phnom Penh in 1991.
Since the death of both Kim Il Sung, Kim Jung Il and Sihanouk it appears the relations are becoming less than ideal for the North Koreans as the South Koreans increase their influence with their investment dollars. South Korea remains a primary source of not just FDI but also development funds and Phnom Penh hosts a rapidly expanding South Korean diaspora. This reality of the relationship with the DPRK is also compounded by the fact that the relationship between the two nations was particularly dependent on the personal relationship between Sihanouk and Kim Il Sung. Further, the attitude of the international community –particularly the increasingly harsh tone adopted by Beijing towards North Korea in recent times is only putting more pressure on nations such as Cambodia to distance themselves from their once close friend.
Cambodia, does offer a strange, pseudo-negotiating table between the two Koreas, where trade missions interact and where the general South Korean public (in the form of tourists to Cambodia) may see a glimpse of the neighbor that is so close, but still so far away. The north Korean restaurants offer a chance for South Koreans to put a face to their Northern neighbor and interact with the select few who are given the opportunity to work abroad. These restaurants are a definitely a spectacle to witness for yourself, as the staff are some of the most talented musicians who also work as waitresses. But beyond the culinary perks, whethe Cambodia will be able to act as ASEAN's point man on North Korea remains to be seen and the hallmarks do not quite appear to be there at present.
See also:
- Sovinda Po and Veasna Var, What's Next for Cambodia-North Korea Relations, the Diplomat, 17 March 2017
- Geoffrey Cain, Cambodia: Sihanouk's Love Affair with North Korea, PRI, 4 February 2013
- Luke Hunt, North Korea-Cambodia Relations: The Sound of Silence, the Diplomat, 21 March 2017
- Jaewan Noh, North Korean Restaurants Fail in Cambodia, Radio Free Asia, 2 February 2017
- Portia Chey, A Tour of North Korea's Multimillion dollar museum - in Cambodia, the Guardian, 1 February 2016

subset: commoncrawl


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I specialize in pain management using Neuromuscular Therapy, Trigger Point Therapy and a host of other modalities. My focus is in blending a western approach with an eastern mentality to address pain management and tension relief.
On top of my certification and training in massage therapy I have an additional certification in Advanced Neuromuscular Therapy from the National Holistic Institute. This modality is a form of Medical Massage. With it I have gained an in depth knowledge of assessment, anatomy, pathology and mechanisms of injury. Not only does it prepare me to address serious injuries such as whiplash or ACL tears, it emphasizes how our daily activities can impact our bodies and contribute to myofascial pain and dysfunction. This style of massage is ideal for those dealing with chronic pain, migraines, TMJ dysfunction, persistent low back pain, post-injury recovery, increasing range of motion in performance in sports and much more. My bodywork is highly individualized for every client because every client's body has different needs. I blend my knowledge of numerous modalities in order to get the most effective body work while keeping my client's history and comfort in mind.
My work is highly focused and due to the time and patience required for effective bodywork full body massage is not recommended in these cases. I charge by hour, not by service so please do not be shy about asking to incorporate or blend modalities. Also note that although appreciated, I will not be accepting gratuity as I believe what I do is health care and not a luxury service.


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islander scholars
The Islander Scholars program honors public high school juniors who exemplify the values that make Hawaiʻi unique. The program connects a select group of students to each other, forming a cohort of young leaders who will help Hawai'i thrive in the future.
why islander scholars?
We believe there is more to being a "scholar" than good grades and high test scores. Across our islands, there are students who demonstrate the very things that make Hawaiʻi special—they care for their families and communities, understand who they are as individuals, honor their past, and cherish this place as we do a loved one. Most academic awards praise students who have "great potential" based on their grades, test scores, and extracurricular activities. We rarely recognize students for who they are as people—for their character and commitment to the things that make us proud to be of Hawaiʻi.
about the program
Every year, public school principals at traditional and charter high schools statewide are invited to select one junior in their school to be an Islander Scholar based on six comprehensive learning outcomes rooted in Hawaiʻi's culture and environment. These outcomes, called Nā Hopena Aʻo or HĀ, emphasize the competencies that students need to develop to have a deeper sense of their purpose after they leave high school. These include a strengthened sense of Belonging; Responsibility; Excellence; Aloha; Total Well-Being; and Hawaiʻi, spelling out BREATH, which we know as HĀ. Islander Scholars are students who exemplify these characteristics through their actions in school, community and/or families.
All selected Islander Scholars come together for a three-day Islander Scholars Academy in June. As a part of their award, they connect to and learn from other like-minded students, talk story with cultural practitioners and mentors, share about their communities and 'ohana, and deepen their understanding of their kuleana as they head into their senior year and beyond.
Islander Scholars is led by Islander Institute in partnership with Mālama Learning Center and a team of individuals who share a deep commitment to Hawaiʻi.
how to participate
Any Hawai'i public high school can recognize an Islander Scholar. Encourage your principal to participate today!


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Veterans returning home from duty often navigate a minefield of obstacles when acclimating themselves back into the civilian world.
A lot of these men and women bring their battles home with them, coping with the post-traumatic stresses of active duty military.
The American Military Veterans Foundation is currently in the works on new technology for veterans at risk; the CAMO Alert.
National board member of AMMILVETS and Veteran Service Officer Keith Campbell is hoping this program will be a vital resource for veterans and help save lives.
"This system is to help community and law enfacement understand the severity of a missing veteran or first responder that may not be in their right thoughts," he said.
This alert would be similar to Amber and Silver Alerts - giving name, last known location and other details about the person sought.
These alerts would be used in serious situations, when red flags arise and, potentially, even a suicide note left.
Veteran suicide is an epidemic across the country, something the AMMILVETS takes very seriously.
Their initiative for Florida veterans is "to help our military veterans, active duty personnel and their families cope with PTSD and everyday stresses; and to educate communities about PTSD and suicides."
"People don't want to talk about suicide or PTSD," said Campbell, "We need to stop pushing mental health to the side."
According to a suicide data report conducted in 2012 by the Department of Veterans Affairs Mental Health Service Suicide Prevention Program, 22 veterans take their own life every day in America, as does one active duty solider.
This may just be scratching the surface though, as this 13-year study did not include the two states with the largest populations of veterans - California and Texas.
Florida is home to the country's third largest veteran population with over 1.5 million full-time residents.
Of all the states polled, Florida held the highest veteran suicide deaths by state, at 26 percent.
"Veterans can feel they are a burden to their loved ones, they think 'My family will be better off without me,'" Campbell said.
What may be surprising to some, is that 65 percent of veteran suicides are white males over the age of 50, leading the AMMILVETS to believe that some recessed thoughts come back when veterans retire and maybe have more free time to think.
"We get lots of crisis calls, when these men and women have down time and idle minds, bad memories can creep back. For the younger generation, they come home and don't block it out. They're not getting the assistance they need and are turning to drugs or alcohol. Before, it was one tour and you're done; now, these men and women are returning over and over to war zones, they get used to the adrenaline rush and search for it. We've seen suicide by cop and even motorcycle; they look for that rush and it ends their life."
David Souders, president and founder of AMMILVETS as well as a former Marine and Air National Guardsman (active side), says the biggest challenges for veterans returning home is "the civilian community doesn't understand us, and we have a difficult time adapting back to an un-regimented lifestyle."
Souders, with 17 years of military experience, knows what it's like to return home from active duty and how tough it can be to reintegrated into everyday life.
His biggest concerns are for his brothers and sisters, especially those in Florida.
"The number of suicides among our veteran community is the driving force behind CAMO Alert; we're losing too many veterans. We can help protect veterans with mental health issues and physical disabilities with suicide prevention, along with keeping them out of the legal system," Souders added.
Getting this alert into action is a process though, one the AMMILVETS are tackling head-on.
Initially, state Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto was to draft the bill and present it for approval, but in recent times, her involvement with CAMO Alert has come to a stand-still, according to AMMILVETS.
"We're writing the bill ourselves, with help from a local attorney who is also a veteran, along with others," Campbell said.
The rest of the committee is comprised of Sauders, Joan Colosimo, a Blue Star Mother who is also on the board of directors at AMMILVETS, Megan Contreras, formerly of Wink News and Wendy Hayes-Boaz, nurse and Blue Star Mother.
Campbell said they want to keep the bill simple and to the point and hope to have it done by the end of June to present in July for submission. If approved, the bill would be voted on in next fall session.
"The issue of PTSD among our veterans is of the utmost importance," Benacquisto said. "Our office has hosted a PTSD Summit to hear from veterans organizations as well as law enforcement officials in our community. Additionally, we hosted AMMILVETS representatives in Tallahassee to meet with the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs so that they could establish a plan to help save the lives of veterans moving forward. I thank the proud men and women who have served and continue to advocate on their behalf. I will always work diligently to continue Florida's tradition of being the most veteran friendly state in the country and do all that we can to honor and protect our veterans."
So how does the program work?
AMMILVETS would like CAMO Alert teams established in Florida to assist with veterans that are missing or in distress.
CAMO Alert teams are formed and on call 24/7, 365 days a year, whenever a veteran is in need.
Local law enforcement can use CAMO Alert in quick fashion to alert communities.
The program would also post updates on the situation using county, city and state-wide communications to eliminate the limitations of law enforcement.
Expectations by AMMILVETS of the program include a veteran resource handbook by district to be updated annually, CAMO Alert teams to stand up, educate and bring awareness to Florida communities and PTSD and suicide prevention, State of Florida Officials to meet with established CAMO Alert teams at least once a year, CAMO Alert teams to meet quarterly with local officials and State of Florida officials working in conjuncture with CAMO Alert teams to establish Veteran Safe Zones.
"We want this to be a nation-wide thing," Campbell said. "Wisconsin already has a similar program in place and Texas will have one as well by the end of the year."
A vital resource for these men and women will be Veteran Safe Zones.
"Our AMMILVETS headquarters, along with other veteran centers, as well as churches and some fire stations are locations veterans can go to and feel safe, we're working with communities to get them up to speed," Campbell said.
These places must be drug, alcohol and weapon-free, have a friendly veteran environment and willing to offer crisis and stress management training from former veterans.
"We try to partner anyone feeling troubled with a peer mentor who shares similarities, usually someone from the same branch who may have fought in a similar climate who they can relate to," said Campbell.
"With PTSD, there is no script, you have to gain their trust," Campbell continued. "We have veteran organizations all over the state we can reach out to and ask 'Hey, do you have any Navy guys to peer mentor', or whichever branch, and get them set up with someone they can confide in."
Campbell tells of a female veteran who found success in the program's methods that potentially saved her life.
"We had a veteran who went missing three times in two weeks who was showing signs of wanting to end her life. We sent out a CAMO Alert on every social media platform we have and to other veteran groups. A veteran up in the Tampa area saw the alert, and found her in her vehicle in a Walgreens parking lot passed out and unresponsive in the back seat. They called police and EMS who brought her to the hospital, treated her, and released her. We were in contact with the law enforcement officer in Tampa who placed her in solace care for 5-6 days. Upon her release, she was brought down to Lee County and we provided her with the best care we could, including peer-to-peer mentoring and helping restore her military benefits. As of a couple of weeks ago, she's doing well and said CAMO Alert was the best thing that could've happened to her."
The AMMILVETS and their team are also working on different tiers of alert status, from low to severe and are reaching out to local law enforcement of how to break those levels down.
Any veterans looking for support can visit the AMMILVETS headquarters at 1490 N.E. Pine Island Road, suite 5D, in Cape Coral, or call 239-257-3410.


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This is a Startup Grind Shanghai event, co-sponsored by the Danish Chamber of Commerce in China (DCCC) Shanghai Chapter
How to Adapt Your Organization to Promote Innovation and Invention
Lars Kolind
Our discussion with Lars will focus on how to structure an organization to promote innovation and invention.
As business executive, Lars turned Oticon into the world's first paperless, networked, knowledge-based organization in 1991 and placed the management concept of "spaghetti organisation" in world media and business school text books ever since. He turned Oticon's from near-bankruptcy to €800 million valuation in his 10 years' tenure.
As an entrepreneur, Lars has started 25 companies since 1998 and still going strong. As investors, active board members, chairman, he has co-created disruptive and impactful startups in real estate, energy, startup platform, finance, music, etc.
As an industry leader, Lars has helped 5 companies in 5 different industries from being the insignificant Danish provincial players into industry leaders in their fields on the global market, among them LEGO and the Danish wind energy.
As a thinker, Lars has advocated "purpose before profit", "stakeholders involvement", "from boss to unboss, from limited company to unlimited company" in his books "Second Cycle", "UNBOSS", etc.
As a passionate advocate for leadership for positive change, he spent more than 35 years as an active Scouts and more than a decade in the inner circle of the World Scouts Foundation to create the conscious and self-perception of the International Scouts from an outdoor, nature, camping after-school activities into the "largest leadership development program on earth".
Thursday 14 January 2016 | 19.00 - 22.00
naked Hub
1237 Fuxing Middle Road 3F
To attend you must register here
Lars Kolind is Chairman of Jacob Jensen Design. Lars is among Europe's most prominent thought leaders, a serial entrepreneur and investor who has co-founded 25 companies and currently sits on the Board of Director of 9 companies.


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Sunday, August 2, 2009
4 comments:
- JIm said...
Update on socialized medicine from the UK
Patients forced to live in agony after NHS refuses to pay for painkilling injections
Tens of thousands with chronic back pain will be forced to live in agony after a decision to slash the number of painkilling injections issued on the NHS, doctors have warned.
By Laura Donnelly, Health Correspondent
Published: 7:45AM BST 02 Aug
Cuts to treatments would save the NHS £33 million. Photo: ANDREW CROWLEY
The Government's drug rationing watchdog says "therapeutic" injections of steroids, such as cortisone, which are used to reduce inflammation, should no longer be offered to patients suffering from persistent lower back pain when the cause is not known.
Instead the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is ordering doctors to offer patients remedies like acupuncture and osteopathy.
Specialists fear tens of thousands of people, mainly the elderly and frail, will be left to suffer excruciating levels of pain or pay as much as £500 each for private treatment.
The NHS currently issues more than 60,000 treatments of steroid injections every year. NICE said in its guidance it wants to cut this to just 3,000 treatments a year, a move which would save the NHS £33 million.
- August 2, 2009 at 9:44:00 PM EDT
Back in the USA, insurance companies decided that paying for Viagra is OK, but paying for birth control is a no no.
The "free market" in action.
Here's McCain's scintillating defense of his vote to maintain the double standard.
- August 2, 2009 at 10:37:00 PM EDT
- JIm said...
I suspect that in a truly free market, open to interstate competition, you could buy a plan with viagra or birth control or what ever you are willing to pay for. In a tax payer funded plan, if cost, rationing and health outcomes are the criteria of measurement, history has proved them to be failures. Many taxpayers would object to funding any of the above including abortion, probably on moral grounds. They don't want their tax dollar going to fund things they may disagree with. In a private plan the consumer, justifiably has more freedom of choice and control.
- August 3, 2009 at 10:35:00 AM EDT
- JIm said...
A New Poster Of Obama Surfaces in LA
Most, I am sure remember the multi colored poster of Obama, pictured as a messiah. There is a new poster picturing Obama as Batman's the Jocker with SOCIALISM under the picture. I must say it captures the spirit of the man and the moment.
- August 3, 2009 at 2:38:00 PM EDT


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Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda's banking sector is the second largest in the Eastern Caribbean region, accounting for one fifth of the region's deposits, assets, and loans. Antigua and Barbuda has traditionally also had an active offshore financial services sector.
- Political Stability
Antigua & Barbuda is a small, stable country both politically and socially, with a strong democratic system of government based on the Westminster (UK) system.
- Strong Investor Protection
Antigua & Barbuda has a Common Law system based on the UK model. The legal code guarantees investor protection, facilitating an attractive investment environment. In the Latin American/Caribbean Region, Antigua & Barbuda is ranked highly for enforcing contracts and protecting investors.
- Safety and Security
Antigua & Barbuda is one of the most secure and safe countries in the Caribbean and compares very well worldwide for low crime rates and the rule of law. The country has little or no exposure to large-scale security concerns, such as terrorism, cybercrime, and money laundering.
- Regulated International Financial Services
The international financial services sector in Antigua & Barbuda is regulated and supervised by the Financial Services Regulatory Commission (FSRC).
- Confidentiality
The International Business Corporations Act provides criminal penalties for any disclosure of the business affairs of customers in regard to banking, insurance and trust matters.


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It was a cold, wet Saturday evening. The date? Twelfth of December 2015. Yes, folks. It has been THAT long. I was invited by my all round top dude Daniel Mucs to document the night at Rebellion Bar. We jokingly mentioned it might as well be called Mucs Fest because he plays in all three of them! Three bands. Great music. Awesome folk. Fun times ahead in our favourite city.
This is the first out of three blog posts I will be revealing from the enjoyable night. You will need to wait for Screaming Beast and Dirty Habit as I present to you with the first metal outfit.
For your viewing visual pleasure, this is Not Above Evil! The brutalising trio will be releasing a new album soon. If you like your metal fast with technicality and finesse, these gentlemen are right up your street. Enjoy!


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As parents, we're always monitoring our babies for clues about their well-being. Little bodies go through many changes after starting solids and bowel patterns can be unpredictable.
Constipation is often one of the most common concerns, yet the standard solutions (like your mom's 30 year old tricks or trusty suggestions from Google) generally fail to identify and solve the true underlying cause. Even solutions from your doctor typically just treat the symptoms only.
Smooth Moves Baby provides numerous gentle, yet effective remedies and techniques proven to naturally relieve constipation in your little one. This eBook will ease your worries and help you uncover the root cause of the issue. This way, you can prevent it from becoming an ongoing concern and put an end to their constipation for good.
Smooth Moves Baby Includes:
what's normal, what's not
identifying constipation & possible causes
foods to include & foods to avoid
proven natural remedies for constipation
the real deal with fiber
ways to nourish your baby's gut health
which remedies & medications to avoid
healthy recipes to relieve constipation
Smooth Moves Baby
For babies & toddlers, 6 months +


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Despite the fact that I've been playing games since I was tiny, I have no idea what to class myself as. This is probably a good thing – putting yourself in a box, saying you're a Eurogamer or a fan of Ameritrash cuts out a huge amount of quality games from your potential plays. Friends who see you as someone who will only touch German games involving cubes won't offer you the chance to play stuff like Memoir '44, for example. On the flipside, if you're known as the kind of person who demands huge amounts of immaculately sculpted minis in their game, titles like Fresco may pass you by and that would be a pity because Fresco is a cracking game.
Based in Rennaisance times, players take the role of artists who have been commisioned to paint (shockingly enough) a fresco in a cathedral. While it basically comes down to collecting different types of paint – yes, represented by cubes, this is a German game after all – and trading them in for tiles bearing differing amounts of victory points, there's an awful lot more to Fresco than that.
The first time I saw the board, which covered in what seemed like several thousand cubes, tiles and meeples, I honestly thought I was in over my head. I'm not the best at managing several different tasks at the best of times (see several disasterous games of Colonia – a game that I am truly awful at) and was sure that this was going to be more of the same. However, beneath the piles and piles of bits lies an actually quite simple game – keep on top of what you should be doing and everything will be fine.
Not actually as confusing as it first appears!
You start by – randomly enough – choosing what time you'll be getting up. This effects your mood, which can prove very important. Drop into too much of a foul mood and you will lose an apprentice, and you need them for the next stage of the game where you secretly select what actions you will take. You may choose to visit the market to buy paint – tiles are places on four different stalls, but you may only buy from one – the price is set by the time you chose to get up, getting cheaper the longer you choose to sleep in. Other options include hawking your sevices as a portrait painter (which builds up your cash reserves), visiting the cathedral to paint part of the fresco itself (trading in paint cubes to claim a tile, thus scoring points), mixing up paint (higher value points tiles need mixed colours) or even visiting the theatre to cheer yourself up and improve your mood!
No cathedral is complete without a bishop, and Fresco's one is very useful indeed – should he be on your tile (or adjacent to it) when you pick it up, you are awarded bonus points. Paying one coin allows you to move the bishop, so his strategic use can really help you build up points. Each action can be taken up to three times, depending on how many apprentices you chose to send to each area in the initial secret selection. A bonus apprentice can also be picked up if your mood is sufficiently good, gaining you a very useful advantage.
Fresco is a game of spreading out your limited resources and keeping ahead of your opponents while constantly making sure you're building up your supplies. I found that people who failed to buy good quantities of paint then neglected the mixing aspect as well – and if you ignore that part of the game, you are going to fall way behind on the points track very quickly.
However here is a trading program, that will keep you ahead of everyone else, due to its advanced software. This is based on trading digital currencies and it uses one of the most well-known and respected monetary coins in the market. You can easily use the program once you understand the instructions. Read more about Ethereum Code, here.
Now, a small admission: I have only played the simplest version of the game. Players can choose before starting what level they wish to play at (higher levels have a second level of mixes leading to greater points scores, for example) but I believe that I'm still able to comment on Fresco. Once you grow to understand the range of different actions – and their consequences both good and bad – you will discover an entertaining game that is rich in theme. You really can get into character, sending your minions out to the paint stalls, mixing up their purchases and revealing the fresco piece by piece. A special mention for the artwork must be made as well – Fresco is a game well worthy of it's name. It's a beautifully put together effort from the elaborately decorated (double sided) board to the brilliant rule book – well worth a purchase and definitely worth playing.
Fresco was published in 2010 by Queen Games, and was designed by Marcel Süßelbeck, Marco Ruskowski and Wolfgang Panning. It handles between two and four players and will cost you around £40 here in the UK (though IGUK are doing it for a bit less).


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Why would you take a leap into the unknown? And how do you go about doing it?
We've been asked these two questions a lot as we prepare to embark on MacroAdventure.
We were recently interviewed by Vanessa from social enterprise crowdfunding platform HelpingB about why we took the leap into this ambitious project and what we wish we'd known before we started...
This summer, we'll be launching our crowdfunding campaign with HelpingB, which runs crowdfunding for social good products. Keep an eye on our Twitter feed for updates!
In mid-2016, Dom Meredith Hardy and Jo Cruse will be setting off on an expedition from Alaska to Argentina. They hope it will be an adventure of epic proportions – and would love for you to be part of that journey. They, along with many others, can see the face of business is changing. So too is people's motivation for starting them. This has inspired them to make the transition from the corporate world into social enterprise themselves. Their personal experience has made them want to understand this phenomenon further.
So, in May this year they will be leaving behind their lives in London to embark on a nine-month expedition from Alaska to Argentina. They want to find out what is driving people to defy convention and build businesses which are a force for good? What enables them to do this successfully, and, what happens when purpose is pursued as well as profit?
Tell us a little bit about yourself, your background and what you were up to before MacroAdventure
Dom – I am an outdoors loving, adventure seeking, fun chaser. A keen sailor and part time surfer I can often be found somewhere on the South coast. As a recently qualified paragliding pilot I have also added the sky to my list of favourite playgrounds. I am drawn towards outdoors activities that get the adrenaline flowing, always loved the sea, being outside, and having adventures. I decided early on that I wanted an active outdoors career, rather than a desk job so chose to study Oceanography at University.Four years later – where did I find myself? Behind a desk!
Coaxed by the bright lights of opportunity I had decided to move to London. My first job was in sales, the polar opposite to my Oceanography upbringing, and I loved it. It was a completely new skill that I found I had a talent for. Despite lots of travel and exciting opportunities to progress up the hierarchy I knew deep down I was craving more. I still wanted learn more about the world. I was craving a bigger challenge. I then moved to become a commodities and shipping analyst . I felt this was a good compromise between my sales skills and my thirst for knowledge. I have loved it. This role was fascinating and taught me a huge amount about global trade. I have traveled the world, met some very influential people, and developed a huge range of commercial skills. The problem was that I didn't like what I was learning about the environmental cost of the world's commodities industries. Something had to change. I now want to put the skills I have gained through a career in the commercial sector to good use. And so MacroAdventure was born.
Jo – London-born and Cape Town-raised, Jo is passionate about using business as a means to tackle pressing social and environmental issues. She has travelled widely – thanks largely to a childhood in Africa and her family's time in the Middle East – and the fact that she has yet to explore the Americas is a key motivator for this trip. She has a professional background in politics and communications, and is currently Communications Lead for Stemettes, a social enterprise which inspires girls into careers in Science, Tech, Engineering and Maths (STEM). In her personal capacity, Jo also writes and speaks regularly on topics concerning career change and challenges facing the millennial generation. MacroAdventure embodies her desire to create positive social change, build a purpose-driven career and pursue adventures which test her mental and physical limits.
What was the dream when setting up MacroAdventure?
The dream when setting up MacroAdventure was to create something good, whilst having fun along the way. Jo and I had both been craving a change in career. We both know that we are ambitious and want to go far in life but we want to use the skills we have and the effort we give from now on to create something that will benefit others as well as ourselves. Part of the dream is to enable others to change their lives in the way we have and give people confidence to follow the path they dream of.
Tell us more about your social impact angle and why you're encouraging the public to be more involved in your mission
We're encouraging the public to be more involved in our mission, because they are exactly who make our mission worthwhile. We want to disrupt the status quo and show that social impact and profit can and should go hand in hand. In order to create an impact and spread the word about the great lessons we will learn in the next nine months, we need people to take this journey with us. We intend to reach people and communities all over the world, we can only do that if we succeed in creating a movement that is bigger than just Jo and I.
Why social entrepreneurship VS conventional business?
We care deeply about many of the issues affecting people, and our environment but feel the existing model is simply not working. The current trajectory we as a human race are on is simply not sustainable and will come to an end if we don't change. Our traditional understanding of business tends to be that profit is the primary metric used to measure success. However, social enterprises are increasingly showing that making a profit and making a difference do not have to be mutually exclusive.
What is the motivation behind your crowdfunding campaign?
The motivation behind our crowdfunding campaign is two fold:
- It will help spread the word, raise awareness of what we are doing and help us build our community; and
- Jo and I have both left our successful careers behind in order to pursue this dream and we are investing all of our own funds to make it a reality. We will make this trip whatever happens. But funds that we raise through our crowdfunding campaign will allow us to reach further, for longer.
The value of MacroAdventure is within the people we meet, and the knowledge they share. The more funds we raise the more people, business', influencers and education centers we can visit and the greater the information we can share will be.
What is the one thing you wish people had told you before you started your entrepreneurial journey?
The only thing I wish people had told me before we started out would be 'get on with it'. Everything else you can learn along the way. No-one really knows what they are doing. There are no rule books, no rights or wrongs. Don't let the idea of embarking on an entrepreneurial project intimidate you to the extent that you never get to make it a reality. It is a constant process of creation and iteration. Failure and making mistakes is an inevitable part of that process. They key is to fail fast, learn from your mistakes, and be able to pick yourself back up and keep going.
Any advice for people who want to have a social impact but are reluctant in making the jump?
Focus your idea, refine it, refine it, and refine it some more until you can sum up your idea in one sentence. There have also been so many moments when what we're trying to do has seemed like an unconquerable mountain. There have been points when we've been scared and wondered if we are being completely stupid and irresponsible to leave our secure London lives behind. We are only halfway up the mountain ourselves, but seeing how far we've come, my advice would be, if it feels to big to handle, break it down into smaller steps, prioritise what's important and take another step. If it feels too scary, it's probably because no one else has done it before, which means you're on the right track. Just keep pushing forwards.
Don't be afraid or too proud to adapt your idea, we have evolved and pivoted many times along our journey already. But it is important not to lose what is at the core of what you want to achieve. Make sure you are clear on what your end goal is and everything else will evolve around it. Lastly find a fantastic Co-Founder who shares your vision. The only way Jo and I have consistently kept moving forwards is by being strong for each other. Everyone has moments of doubt, luckily Jo and I always seem to time our moments perfectly so we can always pick each other up when we need it.
Kickstarter not kicking it? Are you looking for a crowdfunding platform for your social enterprise? Check out Helping B for more info.


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Want to write great blog posts? We'll teach you how!
Blogging is a powerful way to share what you know. On Wednesday, November 30th at the Arlington Central Library, we'll train you to write blog posts that effectively and persuasively share your ideas with the world.
Our last blogging session was a huge success! We'd love to have you at the upcoming one in Arlington. Photo by Kelli Raboy.
The session is from 6:30-8:30, on the second floor of the library (1015 North Quincy Street). The goal is to help you expand your writing skills by teaching you what works and what doesn't in blogging! Here's some of what we'll cover:
- Three fundamentals that any blog post should have
- How to pick a topic and write an introduction that will grab readers' attention
- The strengths and weaknesses of a sample GGWash post
We'll also have plenty of time to answer your questions.
If you want to attend, please let us know via this form.
We plan to host more of these sessions all around the region, as we're constantly looking to grow our community of writers— so don't worry if you can't make it to this one. Also, let us know if you'd like to host a session; we'd love to come to your neighborhood or group!


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Brum's very own K2 rises to the top with his own record and fashion label
It can be hard as a young man from the streets of Brum as drug dealing is the only for survival for many,but as you know most of the youth have major talents and thankfully there are platforms to push our up coming artists.
K2 is one artist and hope for our city who has been through a lot of trauma losing friends and family members.
Since the age of 17 this bright hopeful has been selling his story and has gone from being a local to nationally known MC who recently did his own sold out headline show at the 02 institute.
Check the story of a man that has gone from strength to strength in the music scene and who shows that you can truly go from negative to positive.
Where does the name come from?
Being young I had the nick name hustler, it's because where I have come from and all I've ever done was hustled. Going from negative to positive and its been hard
Sacrificing things and putting my energy into just music but I like to embrace the hustle, this is just me and everyday life really and alot of people can relate too as its just how it is.
We all go through struggles no matter what angle you are in life we all hustle. What ever your hustle is it's just about getting paid.
Has your street lifestyle help you bring you amazing content for your music?
Doesnt matter how you live it will be good music anyway because its real, everyone has their own audience it aint just an audience for what I talk about, I'm just representing my way of life.
It's helped me to write a story but really we all have a story to write about.
You have gone through a lot
Its all factual and when I listen back to my music I like to see the journey of where I have come from, and I know so many people relate to what I go through.
How did you get into the music game?
Started from a young age. My close friend Shamz was alive, you looking at 13 to 14 years old just doing my own videos, low budget not big channels like today, but I took it serious from 2017.
How has it been since last year?
Mad! I've had headline show, a manager, booking agent, radio play on BBC 1xtra, New Style Radio, and sponsorship deals.
I've always had a buzz around my name but when my EP dropped in November it all went crazy then the Behind Barz features with Mist
What was the process like making the Hustler Season EP?
It was long and deep as I really wanted to explain who I was as a person. It was impoirtant for people to know who I was, thats why from track one to the end you can hear the transition of being on the road to where I am now.
I wanted to show it was all road mentality and I came away to make better of my life.
Whats the message?
It's all about showing how you can grow as a person and make it in your talent
Do you see yourself as the voice?
Most definately, I'm not the main voice but I certainly contribute to being one for people coming from my background.
Your fellow Mist you supported on his tour, this the first time performing?
Yes twice already I supported him this is my third time round.
How has response been at the Mist shows?
I did Leeds Bristol, Leicester and Nottingham, even leaving the place the car gets crowded ha its like a movie, in the moshpits girls gripps me up on stage and all sorts.
I been performing from 17 when I never even had an ID for clubs, I was a mad performer jumping off the stage.
I had confidence from a young age so when it came to performing I always known I got it in the bag not being boasty but experience helps. Was great to have my own headline show and bring people up.
Who do you like working with?
RM Lemz I done who I want to work with, I'm satisfied who I have featured with. I'm really about focusing more on my own music and getting better.
Whats your thoughts of Birmingham are we there yet?
It's strong to me, it's like how it used to be. We are active, when grime went dead Birmingham was the grime and London was coming here.
Skepta was remixing Birmingham artists, Stormzy too, so Brum was already active we just went quiet.
Where would you like to see yourself in a years time?
Be nice to be nominated for an award, rated MOBO, any but yes just the recognition be nice.
I can make it off my own back, I don't want to be relying on features and riding on someones back.
I aim to make it off my own content, talent is talent at the end of the day.


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Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral, Nicaragua
Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral, Nicaragua
99.00 149.00
This photograph by artist Jason Bafile is available in a 12x18 inch print on beautiful Fine Art paper. Fine Art paper is similar in look and feel to watercolor paper and is a great alternative for fiber-based printing. Created using large format inkjet printers and more fragile than traditional photographic prints, Fine Art prints should be handled with care.
Add To Cart


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Annual reports
Company Name : KOBAY TECHNOLOGY BHD
Stock Name : KOBAY
Annual Report for Financial Year Ended : 30/06/2018
Subject : Annual Report 2018
The Annual Report have been formatted to be viewed with Adobe® Acrobat® Reader software. If you do not have Acrobat® Reader, please download it here.
For any enquiry, please email: [email protected]


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Congratulations to our local and regional riders on winning such a prestigious award in recognition of their consistency at HOYS qualifiers.
This year saw an exciting season of intense competition and we are thrilled to announce the winners of the Tagg La Liga Awards Series. The Tagg La Liga Award Series recognises those who have shown consistency at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) qualifiers held around the country.
New for 2015 was the introduction of the HOYS Showing Wild Cards. All horses and ponies that top their relevant ridden section of the Tagg La Liga Awards, but who have not already qualified for HOYS, had the chance to be awarded a Wild Card entry.
The Wild Card winners for 2015 are:
Ridden Pony Winner: Prince Nestor and Clarissa Dugmore (Connemara)
Ridden Horse Winner: Drumconnick Diamond and Annette Buckingham (Cuddy Working Hunter)
In addition Grandstand Media Ltd. has decided to award an extra Wild Card to an outstanding Arab horse. This award recognises the different points system that is used in the Arab classes when accruing points throughout the Tagg La Liga Award Series.
The additional Wild Card winner is Perfect Design LA and Stephanie Eggleston.
The Tagg La Liga Award winners in each section are as follows:
Topspec Lightweight Hunter – Proper Little Miss
Topspec Middleweight Hunter – Bloomfield Tetrarch
Topspec Heavyweight Hunter – Sir Flint
Cuddy Working Hunter – Royal Gent
Small Hunter – Maximus VIII
M&M Ridden New Forest – Harvey's Magic Moment
M&M Ridden Connemara – Nire Valley Charlie
M&M Ridden Fell/Dales – Greenholme Warbler
M&M Ridden Highland – Moss-Side Mclaren
M&M Ridden Dartmoor/Exmoor/Shetland – Moortown Honey Boy
M&M Ridden Welsh A – Brynrodyn Darius
M&M Ridden Welsh B – Northlight Coppellia
M&M Ridden Welsh C – Cwmythan Easter Express
M&M Ridden Welsh D – Cefnbangor Rob Roy
M&M First Ridden Pony – Castlemead Andy Pandy
M&M Lead Rein Pony – Firle Kingfisher
122cm M&M Working Hunter Pony – Chetwynd Caspar
133cm M&M Working Hunter Pony – Synod Ieuan
143cm M&M Working Hunter Pony – Lowhouses Monarch
Exc.143cm M&M Working Hunter Pony – Bisterne Diva
Ladies' Side Saddle Horse – Conspiracy Theory
Small Hack – Sharlen Royal Enclosure
Large Hack – Whittakers Prince
Small Riding Horse – Casino
Large Riding Horse – Corbally Lucky Boy
Lightweight Cob – Woodfield Choice
Heavyweight Cob – Copycat
Maxi Cob – Colebourne
Coloured Ridden Non-Native Pony Sponsored By Chaps (Uk) – Palmira
Coloured Ridden Non-Native Horse Sponsored By Chaps (Uk) – Stoneyraikes Ringmaster
Coloured Ridden Native/Cob/Traditional Pony Sponsored By Chaps (Uk) – Miss Marple II
Coloured Ridden Native/Cob/Traditional Horse Sponsored By Chaps (Uk) – The Life Of Riley
Intermediate Show Hunter – Noble Star
153cm Intermediate Show Riding Type – Runnon Ruby Tuesday
158cm Intermediate Show Riding Type – Runnon Watergate
128cm Children'S Riding Pony – Rotherwood Rainmaker
138cm Children'S Riding Pony – Landeman Peony
148cm Children'S Riding Pony – Scallywag II
First Ridden Pony – Barkway Precocious
Lead Rein Pony – Barkway Tell Tale
Ridden Partbred Pony – Rotherwood Another Peep
122cm Show Hunter Pony – Hightopps Allegro
133cm Show Hunter Pony – Scalacre Eclipse
143cm Show Hunter Pony – Lindeth Talisman
153cm Show Hunter Pony – Carnsdale Iron Lady
Lead Rein Pony Of Hunter Type – Overley Gamebird
133cm Working Hunter Pony – Precious Gem II
143cm Working Hunter Pony – Riversdale Magic Heart
153cm Working Hunter Pony – Freckleton Maximus
Intermediate Working Hunter Pony – Carnsdale Beltane Poppy
Ridden Purebred Arab – Mg Vaquero
Miniature Stallion – Spotlights Bo Diddly
Miniature Mare/Gelding – Donabi Uk Uno Colour Fairy
Miniature Youngstock – Karosel Alamo'S Tarantella
The 54 winners of the Tagg La Liga Award Series will receive a certificate in recognition of their achievement and a special HOYS rug.


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Article By:Blackhawks Recall Bickell From Rockford
Chicago, Ill.-The Chicago Blackhawks have recalled left wing Bryan Bickell from the American Hockey League's Rockford IceHogs.
Bickell, 23, has appeared in one game with the Blackhawks this season, posting five hits in 6:46 of action during Chicago's 3-2 loss at the Detroit Red Wings on Oct. 8. He also recorded four penalty minutes in three preseason games with the Blackhawks in North America before dishing out an assist in the team's 9-2 win over HC Davos in Zurich, Switzerland on September 28. Overall, Bickell has notched two goals in eight career regular-season games with the Blackhawks over parts of three seasons (2006-07; 2007-08 and 2009-10).
The Orono, Ontario, native ranks third on Rockford with 26 penalty minutes, shares third with four goals and fourth with six points in 14 AHL tilts this season. He collected 14 points (6G, 8A) and 60 penalty minutes in 42 contests with Rockford during the 2008-09 regular season before tying for the team lead with two assists in four postseason tilts.
Chicago's third choice, 41st overall, in the 2004 National Hockey League Entry Draft, Bickell has appeared in 177 career AHL regular-season contests with the Norfolk Admirals (2006-07) and IceHogs (2007-09) since turning pro in 2006, registering 39 goals, 45 assists, 84 points and 204 penalty minutes.
Prior to turning pro, Bickell spent four seasons in the Ontario Hockey League with the Ottawa 67's and Windsor Spitfires, notching 190 points (94G, 96A) and 235 penalty minutes in 242 career regular-season outings.
Next Home Game: Friday, Nov. 13 vs. Texas Stars. The puck is set to drop at 7:05 p.m. The first 2,500 fans into the building will get an IceHogs cape courtesy of Rasmussen College and The Eagle.


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New York City Opera; Powder Her Face
Composed by Thomas Adés
Conducted by Jonathan Stockhammer
Directed by Jay Scheib
Sets by Marsha Ginsberg
Costumes by Alba Clemente
Lighting by Thomas Dunn
Projections by Josh Higgason
Inspired by the real-life sex scandal that rocked Britain in the early 60s, English composer Thomas Adès' 1995 chamber opera returns to BAM 15 years after its New York premiere at the BAM Majestic Theater (now the BAM Harvey Theater). In this new production from New York City Opera, director Jay Scheib presents his genre-defying vision, integrating technology and daring physicality to this modern opera that plays off the public's obsession with the tabloid controversy surrounding a series of Polaroid photos of Margaret Campbell, Duchess of Argyll, dubbed the "Dirty Duchess." Through the prism of Campbell's life story, and featuring Phillip Hensher's libretto, Powder Her Face explores the intersection of gender, politics, and power.
The "phenomenal" (Il Giorno) British mezzo-soprano Allison Cook makes her US debut as the Duchess; Matt Boehler, "a bass with an attitude and the goods to back it up" (The New York Times), has his company debut as the Hotel Manager; "sterling tenor" (American Theater) William Ferguson returns to New York City Opera as the Electrician; and coloratura soprano Nili Riemer makes her company debut as the Maid.
Allison Cook* (Duchess)
Nili Riemer* (Maid)
William Ferguson (Electrician)
Matt Boehler* (Hotel Manager)
*New York City Opera debut


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The Contour VIP seats fill the room at the Fallsview theater which is home to big entertainment acts and performances. The portable seating allows easy reconfiguration to fit any staging needs.
Clarin Premium Series VIP folding chairs. Features: fully upholstered seat and back, contour uplift seat with ultraflex webbing for comfort, front and back leg covers.


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As I post this the #CapFireSlam countdown is 27 days. My arrival is even sooner mind you. I need at least a day to unpack my suitcase 🙂 I booked & paid for my flights & hotel at the end of 2016 so the new low for the Canadian $ isn't going to hurt me as much. But I'll be eating cold pizza more this year I guess, rather than dining out.
After the disastrous hotel of last year I've opted to up accommodations by a star – I really need a hotel in which the a/c works & that has a coffee perk in the room. It's not clear to me why some hotels charge extra for wifi in the room – when they offer it free else where in the hotel? I'll be a little further from the Fire events this year – which won't add too much walking time. I will get more use out of the transit system 🙂
Last year I booked a couple of guided tours to give me a better idea of tourist sites to avoid 🙂 This year I'll get myself to some of those spots via public transit now that I know where they are & what I want to see. There are several Smithsonian's I want to visit, so if I get to one or two I'll be happy. I have my fave dining spots to hit too: Mule Bone; Ted's Bulletin: both on 14th St.
Most of all I'm looking forward to the fierce talent of Capturing Fire – renewing some old acquaintances, deepening them a little perhaps. Time is so concentrated there never seems to be enough to do more than be happy to see each other. Also, for me, not being an indulger in social bonding via substances, I'm at a disadvantage (one which I have no regrets in maintaining).
I look forward to everything about travel except the border crossing itself – each year it gets more complex with photos, i.d. & I fully expect we'll soon need health records as well. Soon no one with pre-existing conditions will be allowed into the USA without proof of adequate health insurance. Guards can deny you entry into the USA based on a whim & to question that whim becomes disrespecting their authority which is punishable by death.
So I ask myself is it worth the risk. The answer is yes. I'm a quiet, compliant traveller. I have all my documents ready, my hotel reservations in print, a list of things I plan to do (if asked), my answers ready. One of benefits of white privilege that I'm grateful for is being so innocuous. There is no thought scan yet 🙂
My undies & tees have all been mentally picked pending last minute changes. If only I could teleport luggage. I try to take less but it's not easy making the right impression with such a limited selection. I'll have some new writing to present, if I get a chance. Still not sure if I'll take any of the new chapbooks. More than three of anything like that can get questioned & customs duties can raise their head too if it appears I'm there for commercial reasons.
Check out my Capturing Fire fun in past years – http://wp.me/P1RtxU-1e3. Yes I'm looking forward to Capturing Fire with eager anticipation with an undercurrent of border crossing dread 🙂
The Cost of Free
saying no
to what I don't need
hasn't gotten easier
not that I'm not tempted
by things I want
when the price is right
even if there is no point
in having them
it is hard to say no when
there is no such thing as enough
of having too much
at least as much as the next fellow
I long to have too much
but I have no place to put it
I can't afford the cost of free
it piles up and up
so when I get what I need
I don't have room for it
I've been filled to the brim
with what I was taught to want
by this culture of more
more is better than enough
especially when the price is right
when the price is one
you have always pay a little every day
not all at once
take your time
but keep on paying
because if you don't need it now
you will eventually
down the road you'll be glad
to be suffocating in the free for all
Chapbooks available: http://wp.me/P1RtxU-2f6
on going 🙂 when new podcast are posted: Disability after Dark iTunes
June 9-10: attending: Capturing Fire 2017 – flight & hotel booked already
check out these poets from Capturing Fire 2015 & 2016
August 31-Sept.3 – I have my ticket already
November 1 – 30 Participating NaNoWriMo
Hey! Now you can give me $$$ to defray blog fees & buy coffee in Washington – sweet,eh? paypal.me/TOpoet
Like my pictures? I post lots on Tumblr


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Tasting preview: The Wright at the Guggenheim Museum
I was a busy girl last night! The first leg of my evening took me to one of the Upper Eastside's love-it-or-hate-it crown jewels, the Guggenheim Museum. Members of the press were invited to oogle the decor and sample delectable morsels courtesy of the museum's revamped and renamed restaurant, The Wright, which coincidentally opens to the public on the Guggenheim's 50th anniversary, Friday December 11th. Named after Frank Lloyd Wright, the famous American architect who designed the museum, one would never assume that a boring cafeteria used to occupy The Wright's space.
The Wright: sleek white lines and curvature, custom-made leather seats (that smelled just like a brand new car), royal-blue tinted banquets and walnut accents. This particular photo makes the space look like a cross between The Jetson's and Jet Blue Airways (or its retro terminal at JFK)
The Wright: guests sipping and noshing at the communal table. Note the colorful horizontal wall art
With as many people as there were in the restaurant, I was pleasantly surprised by how clearly I could hear those with whom I was conversing. In terms of precise numbers, The Wright comprises 1600 square-feet of space and can comfortably seat fifty-eight guests, exclusive of the communal table.
With Bouley alum, Rodolfo Contreras, acting as Executive Chef of The Wright, diners can expect a modern-American menu with a focus on fresh ingredients.
Parsnip soup: served in a shot glass, this creamy puree was topped with a crispy slice of fried parsnip
Chocolate-pumpkin cake: while this dessert looked prettier than it tasted, I found both of its key ingredients to compliment each other quite well
Location: 1071 Fifth Avenue (at 88th Street)
Contact: 212-427-5690
Hours of operation:
- Lunch: 11:30a.m. - 3:30p.m. daily, Friday through Wednesday
- Sunday brunch: 11:00a.m. - 5:00p.m. Sunday
- Bar menu: 11:30a.m. - 5:00p.m. daily, Friday through Wednesday
- Dinner: 5:30p.m. - 11:00p.m. Thursday, Friday, Saturday; starting January 2010


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If you're a letterer then you know the hoarding struggle is real, so when I went to organize my studio space I knew that a clean, minimal look was out of the question - I was gonna have to somehow make functional and pretty coexist. Pretty storage, lots of shelving, and hidden drawers were the answer - along with lots of light, colorful items!
Studio Life Lately
And I thought last month was busy! I am smack dab in the middle of invitation season for fall weddings and trying to wrap things up before going on vacation so I feel a little bit like my head is spinning these days! And it doesn't help that Micahboo is teething, yet again... anyone else feel that 30 minute nap pain? Anyways, here's a glimpse at some of the amazing projects I've had the pleasure of working on!


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The well-hidden community is home to an enclave of artists, writers, musicians, fishermen and other colorful characters. Smiley's Schooner Saloon and Hotel, believed to have been established in 1851, is one of several overnight accommodations in the area.
41 Wharf Road, Bolinas, CA 94924
Hours of Operation, Monday-Friday, 11am -2am; Saturday-Sunday, 10am-2am
Bar Phone: (415) 868-1311
Hotel Booking: (415) 881-1851
Office: (415) 868-1319
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com


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Industry Awards Program Also Highlights Mary's Pets Transdermal Gel Pen for Animals
DENVER, Jan. 9, 2016 –Mary's Medicinals, developer of the transdermal cannabis patch and other medical cannabis innovations, has been recognized by Edibles List Magazine for 'Best Transdermal Patch,' in the 2015 Best of Edibles List Awards. Mary's Pets, a sister company to Mary's Medicinals, was also recognized as the second place winner in the Best Pet Line Category.
"These recognitions from the Edibles List community validate our efforts to create trusted, effective products for the patients (and pets) that rely on us," said Nicole Smith, CEO of Mary's Medicinals. "It is such an honor to be included in this new awards program."
Mary's Medicinals established itself as one of the most trusted and innovative producers of canna-based products in Colorado, and has since expanded into Arizona, Oregon, California, and Washington. Mary's was first to offer THCa and CBN products; discovered harvesting techniques for the isolation of CBC, and continues to develop cutting-edge approaches for isolating, manufacturing and delivering medicinal cannabis.
Available in THC Indica, THC Sativa, THCa, CBN, CBD and CBD/THC, Mary's award-winning patches utilize the highest-quality, locally-sourced cannabis. The patches provide patients with up to 12 hours of reliable relief.
Mary's also has been recently recognized in multiple award programs including 2015 Denver Post Cannabist Awards, 2015 Cannabis Business Awards – Most Innovative Product (Second consecutive year, 2015 Cannabis Economy CannAwards – Finalist: Most Influential Person in The Industry & Most Influential Organization in the Industry and Cannabis Now Magazine Top 25 Cannabusinesses of 2015.
Mary's products are currently available in Arizona, California, Washington, Oregon and Colorado. To find the location nearest you, visit: https://www.marysmedicinals.com, and look for Mary's products in additional states soon.
Mary built on her experience crafting healing remedies for the medicinal cannabis community to found Mary's Pets, a line of animal wellness products designed to ease the suffering of our animal companions. More information about Mary's Pets is available at http://www.maryspetshop.com
About Mary's Medicinals:
Mary's Medicinals is a wellness company innovating at the intersection of engineering and horticulture. Mary's is focused on transforming how people view and utilize cannabis, developing products that isolate the benefits of cannabis and other vital plant extracts for optimum patient care. More information is available at: www.marysmedicinals.com


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You are very excited about your travel, you prepare everything and every step right. The day of your departure arrives, load your car and take on the road, or you carry your luggage and head to the airport, the train or the seashore. You are thinking, I can't wait to record and tell the story of my trip. The question is, what story will you tell if you lose your luggage, your child or your pet?
Losing something or someone while traveling is the biggest travel spoiler. No one wants to experience losing your child, your pet, your purse or your luggage during your trip.
Where can you lose your item during a trip?
During your trip, there are countless places where you can lose something or someone. Some place it may be easier to find it and get it back and not others. The various places may include
The vehicle takes you to the airport or carrying you around during your trip, even inside a rental car
The airport, the train station, the seashore or the dock, when you are coming or going
The hotel, at the lobby or in your room.
A grocery store, a restaurant, a Mall, an office building, in the mountain, the roadside
the parking lot, the campground etc.
Statistics show that:
- 1 in 150 people have their checked baggage lost or stolen in the US
- 800,000 children are reported missing each year
- 3 Million out of 5 Million US People with Alzheimer's Disease will wander yearly
- 24M luggage per year are mishandled globally
- 15% of the 78M dogs and 86M cats in the US only are lost every year (Trackimo, 2019)
The Nightmare.
I can not describe the nightmare you went or can go through when you lose your child, pet, family member, or your belongings when on a trip. It is certainly awful. Such an incident will defocus you completely from your trip and create an unsettled situation that goes on for days, month, and even years.
It is not a pretty situation that requires a highly welcome solution bringing you peace of mind.
Lost & Found - The Solutions
There are various solutions out there, it all depends on the type of trip. Most of them involve search using very limited systems, the police, and the community. When your child or your mother or father are missing, it can be not only scary but time-consuming and highly costly. The most concerning of it all is the uncertainty of the outcome.
Will my relative be found?
Will my car be found?
Will my Motorcycle be found?
will they find my backpack lost in the mountain?
Can they retrieve my purse forgotten inside a mall restroom? Etc.
The Current Ideal Solution
There is a solution that can give you a total piece of mind. With that device, you know that, no matter how bad it may look, you love one, your luggage, your car, your pet or purse will be found. No need to worry.
Track your Love One
I know you are asking how can that be possible? Let me introduceV-Bag TrackiSafe and Trackimo.
V-Bag TrackiSafe and other Trackimo devices are the Internet of Things (IoT), your 'personal assistants', taking care of the security of your items, your pets, and your people. V-Bag TrackiSafe is the most commanding, trailblazing, Anti-theft tacker for luggage. This Luggage Tracker enables censoring and watching your suitcases or bags anytime and anywhere seamlessly!
According to Trackimo, The V-Bag TrackiSafe Luggage Tracker pairs with user's smartphone through the free, user-friendly TrackiSafe app, available on Google Play and the App Store. The light combined to motion sensors on the device allows you to receive instant notifications on your smartphone if your bag is abruptly opened or moved.
The simple, convenient, credit card-like device design is precisely made for travel. Its thin, smooth and lightweight shape makes it almost not perceivable in any baggage because it takes very little space.
Additionally, no need for ridiculous roaming overage charges using your smartphone as GPS tracker internationally.
With the Trackisafe, you can monitor your luggage in more than 90 countries worldwide without any unpredicted costs TrackiSafe save you time and money at the same time! Discover more potential with the Trackimo products.
Remember, our goal is to make your travel fun. Our Motto " The one Stop for all Travelers." We recommend you take this seriously. Same as the travel insurance, consider your safety, the safety of your valuable, your pet, and your loved ones. Your peace of mind is very important for travel fun.


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Here's to you getting the results you want as it relates to you finding, connecting and converting more of your quality clients...FASTER!
You're worth it and I am here to help you ROCK!!!
Below is an overview of what to expect in our work together. Please refer back to it if you have any questions. Of course, you can always email with your questions in between our weekly sessions, firstname.lastname@example.com
Our first session will outline the goals you are wanting to accomplish in the next 90 days. Please allow 60 minutes for each of our weekly sessions.
Please have a notebook/journal that you can (hand-write) notes in. You will need this for each session so it is best to have something you can dedicate solely to our work.
After each session, please email a detailed recap of what we discussed and share your number one "take-away". This ensures we are on the same page
Please be on time for each session. You will call me at our regularly scheduled time. (If we are using Zoom.us, please join in my meeting room, via this link, at our scheduled time.) If you need to reschedule our appointment, please call/email me at least 24 hours prior to our scheduled appointment to avoid forfeiting the session.
Each week, during our session, I will be asking you questions and giving you "bonus" assignments based on our conversation. We will also review the bonus assignments, from the previous week, in the first part of our session.
In the email I sent to you (subject: You're In! Important next steps of the Amplify Your Results Coaching Program) there is a pre-assessment questionnaire. Please complete this exercise at least 48 hours before our first session. It is optional to send me your answers before out call and not required. We will discuss your answers on our first call.
Please allow time during each work day week to work on your bonus work. You will spend approx. 30 minutes to 90 minutes each day (most of this time will be highly focused around working ON you and your goals).
My goal is to help you succeed your goals, but you have to want it more than I do for you! Bonus assignments are not optional. There will be one waring if bonus assignments are not completed, after that, we will have to discontinue our work together. These bonuses are necessary to complete each week, as this will help you reach your goals faster.
Please remove words like: "I can't", "That's already been done", "It won't work", I don't know" from your vocabulary. You are the engineer of your life..I am here to help you with troubleshooting.
We will be discussing "rewards" for you each week, as you complete the activities necessary to achieve your goals. I will have more on this during our first session.
Last, but not least, for ideal results, there should be no more than 7-8 days in between our sessions. The minimum requirement to work with me is 90 day (roughly 12 weekly sessions. After our first 90 days, we will decide how to proceed forward. Most clients elect to keep working together because there are new goals they want to accomplish and they are delighted with the results we are achieving together.
Ready to move mountains, Rockstar! I am so happy to be on this journey with you. Now, let's kick butt, take names and charge ahead with creating your most confident and fulfilled life and business!
Take Care,
Here's what others have to say about working with Erica:
"Erica's approach to simplifying the process is vital to any working mom! It's made a huge difference in my happiness and feeling free!"
> Kimberly F.
"Through our work together, I have learned to value my time, which has made me more productive. Erica is amazing!"
> Tonya S.


text: Geography teaches an understanding of places and environments. Through their work in geography, children learn about their local area and compare their life in this area to contrasting localities in the UK and abroad. They learn how to interpret maps and to use investigational skills, analysis and problem solving. Through a growing understanding of human geography pupils gain an appreciation of other cultures. Geography also motivates pupils to find out about the physical world and enables them to recognise the importance of sustainable development for the future.


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Mets invite Tebow to spring training
Tim Tebow received a formal invite to spring training from the New York Mets.
Tebow made it to Class A with the Mets last season.
He summarized his first season of professional baseball as "a lot of learning moments."
"Almost every day there's something I've never been through before that you're learning, whether it's something on base or something in the outfield or something at the plate," said Tebow, who split his time between the outfield and designated hitter spots. "Or it's getting to go over something again because of the way someone's pitching you."
He homered in his first game with the extended spring training team in 2017 and had 126 strikeouts.
For the season, the former Heisman Trophy winner at the University of Florida and NFL quarterback notched a batting average of .226 with eight home runs and 52 RBIs.
Tebow started the season at Columbia in the South Atlantic League. In June, he was elevated to the Florida State League to play for Class A St. Lucie.
St. Lucie set a home attendance record with 122,000 fans last season.
The 30-year-old Tebow maintained his role as college football analyst for SEC Network.
--Field Level Media
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Swimsuit with front skirt, halter strap and soft cups sewn in.
Fully lined with under bust elastic. This one can be made as a one piece (as pictured), or a two piece, tankini + bottoms.
We can increase the leg length to create a 'boy leg' effect, attach the strap to the back of the suit, or create a flattering front panel with contrast colour for piping and strap. See examples of the Fifties-style in action at the bottom of the page.
Personalise this style with your choice of fabric (click to scroll through all our current fabric options.)
Interested in this style?
Come and see us at the market, in the workshop or have a chat via the contact page. We would love to hear from you!
See examples of the Fifties style


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Alien Autopsy is an Earth based science fiction which was released in 2006 and is directed by Jonny Campbell.
Following in the steps of other British comedian pairings such as Morcambe and Wise (Intelligence Men, That Riveria Touch, The Magnificent Two and NightTrains to Murder) and Cannon and Ball (The Boys in Blue), Ant and Dec star in their first feature film together.
The film is inspired by the infamous Roswell alien Autopsy which can easily be found on-line should you wish to view it. The film is based on the true-life exploits of two Britons (Gary Shoefield and Ray Santilli) who revealed the original Alien Autopsy. An interview with the real people is at the end of the movie.
The story takes the form of an interview by an American documentary maker interviewing two friends about how they came to have video of an alien autopsy with flashbacks to different parts of the story.
The story begins with two friends travelling to America to buy some memorabilia to sell back in the UK. They are offered a video of an alien autopsy which they see as making them loads of money. They raise money from family and friends and the local crime boss then return to the U.S. to buy the film. When they return they find the film is damaged and so go about recreating the film after being told the film that they bought was damaged possibly beyond repair. They make the movie in the home of Gary's sister as she is away.
Once made, they take the film to a number of distributors but the news of what their video has has spread and is national news with everyone wanting to see it. They travel the world to be interviewed and make a lot of cash along the way. The original video is repaired but they decide to bury the film and not go through the whole experience again.
As well as Ant & Dec, the film also features Bill Pullman (President from Independence Day), Gotz Otto (Stamper from Tomorrow Never Dies), Omid Djalili (British Comedian), Jimmy Carr (British Comedian) and Jonathan Frakes (Commander Riker from Star Trek - The Next Generation)


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Genia Lasda will be coming to The Reformed Church to lead a free course on Young Children and Worship. The workshop introduces how we design worship for the Children's Chapel in Church School, and how participants can learn it themselves. RSVP to Louanne, ext. 153, or email@example.com.
Back to All Events
Earlier Event: May 28Bronxville Career Network: "Marketing Yourself for Career Advancement"
Later Event: May 30WyldLife "Mess Fest" for 5th-8th Graders - at Christ Church, Pelham


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Santa is coming to the Caboose!!!
Saturday December 6th & Sunday December 7th from 2pm to 4pm
Santa will be inside the Frisco caboose at Caboose Park in Valley Park, just across the tracks from us!
Bring your own camera.
This is a FREE event sponsored by the City of Valley Park and the American Association of Railroaders (A.A.R.)
Donations are accepted at the caboose.


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My Honest Experience: Botox and Fillers With Skin By Lovely
I'm getting really, really, real today and talking about something most people do (especially in L.A.!) and never mention a word about: botox and fillers. GASP.
First of all, I think the double standard in this country ('Merica) needs to go. The fact that a female should always look beautiful effortlessly and never talk about what they did to get there is so totally ridiculous. I'd really like to change how procedures like Botox is looked down on, and maybe that's a tall order for one blog post, but I hope if you're reading this that it removes even the tiniest bit of stigma about trying something you've been wanting to do in the realm of beauty treatments or plastic surgery. While I've never had plastic surgery, I did recently try botox and fillers for dark circles that have always bothered me. If I needed it, I'd get plastic surgery, too. I believe if something bothers you and you have the means to fix it, by all means DO it!
For my recent experience I visited SkinByLovely, which is this gorgeous, super nice medi-spa in Santa Monica. Centrally located to the Westside of LA, but also close to Brentwood and Central Los Angeles, I would highly HIGHLY recommend them. Their space is beautiful, clean, and they specialize just in doing these types of treatments so I knew I was in good hands. For my visit I was attended to by the lovely Morgan, who was like a Botox fairy who made me feel SO at ease. Seriously I went in there nervous about the experience, which totally went away after about 5 seconds in their lobby. I literally almost changed my mind about doing this blog and going in for the treatment, but finally grew some and thought it was a great opportunity to get out of my comfort zone and talk aobut something most just won't.
If you're in your mid 20's - early 30's and wondering about trying Botox, Juvaderm, Restalyn, or any other kind of filler, keep reading for some tips and for some words of wisdom about my experience.
1) Why fillers?
Like I said above, I went in not even sure I'd do the filler under my eyes, cause I was actually scared, even though it's something I've been thinking about trying for a while. Why fillers for dark circles? Well, basically, as you age, your dark circles get worse due to loss of collagen and volume in your under eye skin, which is very thin. Sometimes people naturally have dark circles under their eyes even at a young age. I've always had them, not terribly bad, but I've noticed lately them being worse with how stressed I've been and because of work. Other than that, I've always been blessed with good skin, which made me really focus on this one thing I didn't like about my face. (OK there's others but we all have flaws, whatever) Anyways, I heard about doing fillers in this area to make dark circles better probably 10 years ago, but I finally bit the bullet and decided to try it this time around.
Here's what the experience was like. First, Morgan took a numbing agent to my upper cheeks above my cheek bones to numb the area under my eyes which is obviously really sensitive. After I was numbed, I basically didn't feel anything except for a little pinch when she put the (very) long needle into my under eye area. This was the hardest part. She asked me if I wanted to see her putting it in and I said yes (stupid), which FREAKED me out. Turns out I don't like the way it looks with a needle 1/2 an inch from my eyeball. That being said, if you're squeemish like me, don't ask to look during the process, LOL!
2) It doesn't hurt.
As for the botox, it was really mild. I asked her to put it in my forehead where I feel like I furrow my brows a lot, but I was really emphatic about her only using a little bit. I don't want freezer face EVER, and she totally understood - and said she wouldn't have given me a ton even if I asked for it. ha. I think I had something in the 10 units range. Most places charge 5-15 dollars per unit, so really it was just a small amount. You usually don't need a lot in your forehead unless you're older or have a lot of really deep lines.
3) How does it work?
Botox basically paralyzes the muscles to smooth out the skin that's on top of it, and prevents wrinkles by relaxing the muscles wherever it's placed. It's good to do in small amounts in your 20's to prevent wrinkles, especially if you start to notice them early on. As for the fillers, there are different kinds for different uses and there's too many to try to go into them all here, but basically they can be used to plump up any area - lips, cheeks, filling in lines like around your mouth (called nasolabial folds), or under eyes to help with dark circles. Clearly, I got the filler under my eyes for this purpose. Two of the most popular fillers are Juvaderm (commonly used in the lips), and Restylane. The one I tried is called Restylane.
4) Do I see a difference?
Yes, but I don't think a lot of other people can tell. It's not drastic, but I never wanted it to be! It's almost just like I look like a more relaxed, well slept version of myself. I like it. ALOT. Maybe too much! I'm kind of scared for it to wear off because I like the results so much.
5) How long does it last?
Again, it depends. Botox usually lasts 3-6 months but it depends on the area and strength of the muscle. People even get it in sweat glands or put it in their jaw for teeth grinding, which are really strong areas that have to get treatment usually more frequently. The fillers last longer, up to 2 years, depending on which ones you get.
5) Would I do it again?
Yes!!! Especially the botox. I think I'll keep maintaining it twice a year or something like that to prevent wrinkles, depending on when or if I think I need it. Like I said before I never want to totally freeze my face, though. I think human expression in a face is beautiful and I'd never want to get rid of that.
I hope this blog was useful and informative for any of you interested in trying Botox or fillers in the future, and eases fears for those who have been thinking about trying this! Feel free to message me on social media or leave comments below with questions, I'm always here to answer any you may have! Thank you so much to SkinbyLovely for having me and giving me such a great experience, I'll be back soon!
x, Genevieve
Interested in trying injectables, peels, or other skin rejuvenation? Contact SkinByLovely Los Angeles or Portland by visiting their website here.