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Radiation worries on Treasure Island
Radioactive contamination at the former Treasure Island Naval Station, where San Francisco plans to build a high-rise community for 20,000 residents, was more widespread than previously disclosed, according to a new Navy report and other documents.
Although the Navy and one state agency say cleanup on the island has been effective and the remaining contamination is minimal, the state Department of Public Health expressed alarm about the possibility of lingering radiation as recently as May.
The latest findings appear likely to complicate the environmental cleanup and construction on Treasure Island. Internal e-mails and documents the Bay Citizen obtained reveal the Navy's cleanup was riddled with mistakes.
The Navy's draft report, dated Aug. 6, marks the first time the military has fully acknowledged that the island, created from landfill in 1937, was used as a repair and salvage operation during the Cold War for ships that may have been exposed to nuclear testing in the Pacific.
Another potential source of contamination was a training ship the Navy intentionally doused with low-level radiation so sailors could practice scrubbing it clean. In a 2006 report, the Navy maintained that two sites where the now-dismantled ship was located were free of radiation, but the new report acknowledges that may not be true.
Pressed by state
The Navy prepared its draft report in response to concerns voiced by state regulators, who pressed for details after cleanup workers found radioactive waste in unexpected locations. The Navy has been preparing since 1993 to hand over Treasure Island to the city, which has agreed to pay $105 million for it.
The Navy and the state Department of Toxic Substances Control, which is also monitoring the cleanup, say that in general radiation levels found on the island are too low to endanger human health.
However, in a December 2010 e-mail, state public health official Peter Sapunor noted that Navy contractors had dug up and hauled off 16,000 cubic yards of contaminated dirt, some with radiation levels 400 times the Environmental Protection Agency's human exposure limits for topsoil. Sapunor said he believed extensive radioactive material remains in the soil surrounding those excavations.
Mayor aware
San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee is aware of the Treasure Island radiation issue, said Michael Tymoff, his deputy overseeing the development project.
Tymoff said San Francisco has urged the Navy to respond to California health officials' demands for a thorough radioactive cleanup. But he added that his office doesn't expect the latest disclosures to delay the summer 2013 groundbreaking for the $1.5 billion housing project, which is being developed by a consortium including Lennar Corp.
Navy environmental cleanup coordinator James Sullivan accused state public health inspectors of making exaggerated allegations.
The state's environmental management team has had a lot of turnover, Sullivan said, "and some of the history gets lost with personnel."
State public health officials declined to discuss their reaction to the Navy's new report, saying they would respond within 30 days through comments on the draft version.
Officials with the Department of Toxic Substances Control, however, said there is no health risk.
"If it were a public health issue, the (toxics control department) would have been very aggressive in taking steps to address it," said Denise Tsuji, chief of the unit monitoring the Treasure Island cleanup.
Contractors hired by the Navy to rid the island of its toxic past relied on an inaccurate 2006 assessment, according to a series of memos, notices of violations and e-mails from the state Department of Public Health.
The 2006 report said nuclear activity was limited mostly to 1940s-era instruction in radioactive warfare conducted in classroom facilities and on the mocked-up training ship - the Pandemonium - where sailors also were trained in cleaning up radioactive contamination.
The fake ship was doused with low-level radioactive material, which sailors washed off. Radiation in the stored wastewater dissipated within a few weeks, the Navy had reported.
But soon after the report was issued, workers with private environmental contractors hired by the Navy uncovered radioactivity in areas that were supposed to be clean. One civilian cleanup worker was ordered off the job after being exposed to the maximum radiation dosage allowed under Nuclear Regulatory Commission guidelines, said Sullivan.
What Navy missed
Then, in 2009, new radiation findings led the Navy to halt operations and reassess its contractor's work plan, according to minutes of a citizens advisory committee overseeing the cleanup.
State health officials recommended in strongly worded memos that the Navy scrap the 2006 report and begin its radiological assessment anew.
For one, the Navy had failed to fully detail what had happened to remains of the Pandemonium, according to a July 2011 health department review. The Navy recently dumped debris from two training sites into an undisclosed landfill, the review said, then declared the sites clean without testing for radiation.
"The Navy has not responded to requests for the location of the landfill," the review added.
The new Navy report acknowledges that the military conducted no "radiological investigations" of the two Pandemonium sites. The Navy now intends to test both.
Using photographs and other archival material, Navy researchers also discovered that Treasure Island was a major Pacific center for ship repair and salvage during the Cold War. They found indications that ships berthed there could have been contaminated with radiation from Pacific nuclear bomb tests.
More tests coming
John Hill, a civilian in charge of the island's base closure for the Navy, said the new report will be used as a guide for further testing at some sites, such as where workers once cleaned, repaired and salvaged ships. Areas given a clean bill of health will be the first prepared for turnover to the city for the housing development.
However, Stephen Woods, the state public health cleanup manager, accused the Navy in May of rushing its latest evaluation. Woods wrote in a memo to the Department of Toxic Substances Control that the Navy had delayed releasing sample data to state health inspectors, and failed to test for radioactive soil at sites where it had found toxic chemical waste.
As of May, contractors had transported 1,000 truckloads of radioactive waste off Treasure Island with more still in the ground, wrote Woods, adding that this volume defies assertions that Treasure Island had a negligible history of radioactive material.
The Bay Citizen is part of the independent, nonprofit Center for Investigative Reporting. For more, go to www.baycitizen.org. E-mail: email@example.com


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LinuxBazar is India's premier online shopping store offering a huge collection of Indian movies, classical music, books, and handicrafts. LinuxBazar supplies multitude of products and goods to buyers across various geographies since its inception in 2003.Our prime motto is customer satisfaction, and that's what drives our team to continuously improve our services. We are known in the market for delivering quality at a competitive cost.

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While Dylan (my husband) was at the Botanic Garden the other day I asked him to take a picture for me and this what he sent me… Isn't it so pretty? I just love it.
Photo Credit: Dylan T Price
I hope you had a great week and have an even better weekend. We're getting ready to make a quick trip to Chicago (my first time visiting the windy city!).


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Basics of a Capital Campaign
September 14, 2016 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm EST
A successful capital campaign raises more than money. It raises up new leadership, better communication, and a stronger spiritual community. This webinar will provide a step-by-step understanding of the methodology that has led hundreds of Episcopal parishes to success using a flexible three phase process: Discernment, Feasibility Study, and the Gifting Phase. Learn how to prepare for and execute a campaign for your church. All lay and clergy leadership are welcome to participate.
Presented by Leslie Pendleton, ECF Associate Program Director.
This webinar has ended. To view a recording, please click here.


text: Dr. Gary M. Lovett Forest Ecologist Share: April 27, 2008 Invasive Species My backyard is being devoured by a silent but aggressive invader, multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora). This thorny perennial shrub is an Asian import with arching green stems called canes that can reach 10-15 feet long. It advances across open ground at an alarming rate. Each spring, I am confronted with a jumble of new stems that wield half-inch thorns.Left unattended, multiflora rose would take over my yard. The plant's growth allows it to leapfrog across open spaces. When a cane tip touches the ground, it can root there and send up another cane. This botanical juggernaut climbs over anything in its way, creating impenetrable thickets of thorns up to 10 feet high.When trying to reclaim my yard, I dress for battle: a long sleeved sweatshirt, old pants, sturdy boots and a ball cap. Leather gloves are an absolute necessity, and my weapon of choice is a trusty pair of loppers.I cut back multiflora rose in the early spring, before leaves appear and conceal the bases of the plant's canes. Last year, I cleared an impressive swath of plants, but over the summer new growth reclaimed all the ground I had liberated and then some. I know I will have to do better this year.I spend a Saturday clearing plants with reckless abandon. As I maneuver my loppers into the tickets and snip the canes at their bases, thorns shred my clothing and, occasionally, my skin. A stem snatches the hat from my head and dangles it above me, taunting. It reminds me of a childhood bully; with a sneer, I lop the cane off at the knees. There is something personal - and maybe cathartic - in this fight.In plant competition for growing space, where possession is ten-tenths of the law, multiflora rose possesses space so quickly and effectively it leaves native plants in the dust. It is able to do this by investing in length instead of mass. When I finish my day of work, I have a pile of cut canes five feet high and 20 feet long, but it weighs no more than two or three of the logs I burn in my fireplace.Aside from the leapfrogging trick I mentioned earlier, multiflora rose has another competitive advantage over most native plants. Photosynthetic green stems let the plant grow on warm spring days before its leaves emerge, and this head start helps multiflora rose crowd out native species.Like most bad guys, multiflora rose has a good side. In May, plants are covered with clusters of sweet-smelling little roses. These flowers turn into rose hips, which are eaten by wildlife. The plant's thorny thickets also provide protected nesting sites. But for birds that like open fields and meadows, the plant is a habitat stealer.So I continue my battle. I know, of course, that even if I gain some ground today, I will lose the war. The war was lost more than 100 years ago when multiflora was first imported to this country from Japan.Multiflora rose was intentionally introduced as a rootstock for cultivated roses. In the 1930s, it became more firmly entrenched when the Soil Conservation Service promoted the plant to prevent soil erosion. In Asia, the plant is probably controlled by natural enemies (diseases or herbivores). Here in the U.S., in the absence of those enemies, it has spread out of control.To stop aggressive invaders such as multiflora rose, you have two choices: 1. Prevent them from being imported in the first place, or 2. Eradicate them before they are widely established. Once an invasive plant has been around for years, the chances of eliminating it are slim to none.This morning, multiflora rose resumes its inexorable march forward in my backyard. My arms and neck are still healing Share: Dr. Gary M. Lovett Forest Ecologist Northeastern forests are threatened by air pollution, climate change, and invasive forest pests. Gary Lovett studies the impacts of these stressors on forest productivity and water quality.Through Congressional briefings and interactions with state and federal agency staff, Lovett is promoting Tree-SMART Trade – a series of federal policy actions that would reduce the introduction of new forest pests.


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Life without Brad Davis, however long that may be, has started for the Houston Dynamo.
The US international is in California chasing a World Cup roster berth, and in his place is a big hole in production the club must fill. It is a chance for a number of players to chip in, but the player who will have eyes on him as a possible replacement will be Andrew Driver.
In 10 starts, Driver has been a mainstay for Houston playing mainly on the flanks. Davis has manned a central midfield role in recent weeks, so Driver will not be a like for like replacement if the Dynamo stick with their current three-man front line.
Driver, however, will not carry the whole load in replacing Davis; that will need to be a team effort. But with his experience, he'll be looked at to be one of the main contributors to help replace the Dynamo's engine, starting with Saturday's home game against the LA Galaxy (7:30 p.m. CT; TICKETS)
"It's not about extra individual pressure, its pressure as a whole," Driver said of replacing Davis. "There's no extra pressure. We've got to perform better as a team to make up for that because he's obviously a big loss."
A mainstay with the Dynamo since last season, there's no questioning Driver's comfort in the squad.
And even though he's yet to open his scoring account this season, the good news is he's found better chances than he did at the end of last year. Against the New York Red Bulls and Philadelphia Union he was in prime spots, but it was not to be.
"You can get down about missing chances, but the positive thing for me personally is that I'm getting into those chances and I just need to start putting them away," Driver said. "I've taken the positives out of it and I've just to work on my game to get the reward."
Driver's teammates are comfortable with what he brings and confident in his ability.
"We have a great understanding of each other and I love playing with him," said Driver's left-side partner Corey Ashe. "It makes my job easier to have a player of his caliber on my side. He's a dynamic player, he's quick and gets the ball off his foot. If we can get him the ball in dangerous areas and let him do what he does it will definitely be beneficial for us."
Said goalkeeper Tally Hall: "There's some intangibles that he creates that might be difficult to see, but the team sees them. He's a good player, he's intense and he's going to give 90 minutes of 100 percent effort and that goes a long ways. I like him being on the field."
Darrell Lovell covers the Houston Dynamo for MLSsoccer.com.


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AT&T HTC One Review – Preamble
[dropcap]W[/dropcap]e have had the opportunity to do a very thorough AT&T HTC One Review. This phone belongs in a vault with the rest of the gold because that is what it is… GOLD. It makes the iPhone 4s I have look like garbage and I can't believe I said that. I did though. First off it is beautiful. The slim, sleek aluminum body is Mac Book Air beautiful. The performance of this phone is outstanding, but it should be with a huge quad core 1.7 GHz processor and 2 gigs of RAM.
The big deal about this phone is it is really what the HTC First should have been, it's a great Facebook phone (the app you see on the image in the picture near this text is actually on the home screen), it has beats by dre, a huge crispy, bright screen, and all the power of a small nuclear submarine. The Facebook home screen is the best implementation I've seen in a facebook-widget-app. It formats everything near perfectly in a quick and easy read that you thumb through. It makes each post look remarkable, and makes updating your status easy and enjoyable.
AT&T HTC One Review – Audio
The beats by dre earphones are not impressive looking however, that is where that ends. They look like two ear plugs with a ribbon cable, but they sound better than my $500 Shure E535 earphones and to be honest that kind of irritates me. The beats by dre earphones have a rich, deep bass. The mid tones and high tones are sharp and accurate without being shrill. I'm not saying the beats by dre earphones are a lot better than the Shure earphones, but what I am saying is they are better. That's irritating considering they come with the $99 (with contract) AT&T HTC One.
Another new feature in the Audio department for the AT&T HTC One is the speakers. They mounted one on each side of the screen to give you full stereo speakers. So they got that right, and one of the only phones (the only one that I know of) that has done it. The problem with them is that even though you have stereo the sound is tinny and under-powered. At max volume I can only get 65-67 decibels on the review unit I am testing from 2 feet away, it goes up to about 78 around six inches from the device. 65 decibels is how it sounds if two people are having a normal conversation.
Perhaps the AT&T commercial with the 2 speaker promo set unrealistic expectations for me, but I expected more in the way of volume and I wasn't able to get anything out of the speakers that sounded decent enough to want to listen to them instead of a powered dock w/speakers or the beats by dre earphones that it came with. Regardless it is a nice feature and if I have to hear tinny music (I'm a budding audiophile so I may have much more expectation for my sound than you do) I'd rather hear it in stereo.
AT&T HTC One Review – Signal
One of the things most people don't consider when being dazzled by the latest smart phone trend (in this case the AT&T HTC One Cell Phone) is the signal strength and coverage. I know every provider will tell you that they have amazing coverage and if you act now you will get a second portion of coverage absolutely free (pay separate handling). [pullquote]The AT&T HTC One had a great signal and it didn't drop one call while I was on the road.[/pullquote] The reality of the situation is there are only really three companies in the US that I've had what I call a seamless experience with (in the way of coverage). AT&T is one of those companies. In fact, while reviewing this phone I went up to bumble-land Wisconsin (it's a real place, there are trees, cows, and nothing else for miles, you have probably been to bumble-land in your state at some point). The entire trip was uneventful in the way of signal loss. That's impressive.
AT&T HTC One Review – Battery
The battery for the AT&T HTC One is really my only gripe. Right now, the battery life is fine – but after 200 recharges most batteries are at their half life (and they last about 70-80% of what they did when they were new at that point). I don't fancy the idea of being tethered to an outlet, and while you can use programs like Juice Defender to squeeze more life, nothing fixes that issue like a battery swap. This is just not possible with the AT&T HTC One and why I must absolutely take a star. I have no idea why companies keep insisting on doing this, but it is the biggest mistake because without the ability to swap batteries people that use their phone in the field for 8 hours just won't buy one. They just can't afford the downtime or being tethered to the wall. So if you are one of those people you will want to hold out for my AT&T Samsung Galaxy 4 Review. I'll put a link in here when it is done in a day or two.
AT&T HTC One Review – Nerd Stuff
So some of the features that really talk to me that might not talk to you are the fact that the AT&T HTC One has Bluetooth 4.0 (with aptX, it's a better audio codec), it's NFC capable and the big deal… DLNA so you can watch your videos from your phone on any DLNA compatible TV (think any television made in the last few years). It also has Miracast which is very cool and was basically built to compete with Apple Airplay mirroring. The micro-USB 2.0 port that use to charge is also good to go for HDMI so you just need the special HDMI cable for it and presto you are ready for the good stuff. The FM Radio (you need to plug in earphones as they act as the antenna) is also built in. Lastly it has support for consumer infrared remote control devices, so all those nifty remote control apps can be utilized to control your TV, Blu-ray Player and all the rest of your gaggle of devices. Pretty nifty not having to look around for the remote! The last and the biggest feature is this is a development phone. This means you can go to HTC's website and unlock the bootloader, you can use an app to root it, and you can put custom versions of the Android OS on it. This is a great big deal for a lot of us nerds, and I can attest to the fact that the AT&T HTC One is really great with a stock rom, or a custom rom.
AT&T HTC One Review – Conclusion
All in all the AT&T HTC One is a great phone. The battery thing is a deal killer for folks that are out in the field 8 hours a day, but if you don't actually use your phone for work (and I mean USE it for 7-10 hours straight a day) it is not a big deal. I love the AT&T HTC One and I'm going to miss it (Now it's time to box it back up and send it back to AT&T! Thanks for loaning me this gorgeous phone guys). I give the AT&T HTC One Cell Phone a 4 out of 5 star ranking. I've thought about not sending it back. I was like "It could have been lost right?" LOL. It's that damn good. Below this you will find the specifications (just click the toggle and it will open up) and a photo gallery filled with various stock photos.
[toggle title="AT&T HTC One Review – Specifications"]
AT&T HTC One Review – Specifications:
CPU SPEED : Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 600, quad-core, 1.7GHz
Android™ with HTC Sense™ HTC BlinkFeed™
Total storage : 32GB/64GB, available capacity varies1 RAM : 2 GB DDR2
- Europe/ Middle East/ Africa: 900/1900/2100 MHz with HSDPA up to 42 Mbps
- Asia: 850/900/1900/2100 MHz with HSDPA up to 42 Mbps
- Canada/ Latin America: 850/1900/2100 MHz up to HSDPA 42 Mbps
- T-Mobile (US): 850/ AWS/1900/2100 MHz with HSDPA up to 42 Mbps
- AT&T: 850/1900/2100 MHz with HSDPA up to 21 Mbps
- Sprint: 1900/2100 MHz with HSDPA up to 14.4 Mbps
- 800/1900 MHz for Sprint
- Europe/ Middle East/ Africa: 800/1800/2600 MHz
- Asia: 1800/2600 MHz
- T-Mobile (US)/ AT&T/ Canada/ Latin America: 700 MHz and AWS band
- Sprint: 1900 MHz
Internal GPS antenna + GLONASS Digital compass
Gyro sensor · Accelerometer · Proximity sensor · Ambient light sensor
- 3.5 mm stereo audio jack
- NFC capable3
- Compliant with Bluetooth 4.0
- Bluetooth 4.0 with aptX™ enabled
- Wi-Fi®: IEEE 802.11 a/ac/b/g/n
- DLNA® for wirelessly streaming media from the phone to a compatible TV or computer
- HTC Connect
- Miracast wireless display standard
- Support consumer infrared remote control
- micro-USB 2.0 (5-pin) port with mobile high-definition video link (MHL) for USB or HDMI connection (Special cable required for HDMI connection.)
HTC BoomSound™
- Dual frontal stereo speakers with built-in amplifiers
- Studio-quality sound with Beats Audio™
- Sense Voice
- HTC UltraPixel Camera
- BSI sensor, Pixel size 2.0 µm, Sensor size 1/3′
- Dedicated HTC ImageChip™ 2
- F2.0 aperture and 28 mm lens
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS)
- Smart Flash: Five levels of flash automatically set by distance to subject
- Front Camera: 2.1 MP, 880 wide angle lens with HDR capability
- 1080p Full HD video recording with HDR Video
- HTC Zoe™ with Sequence Shot, Always Smile and Object Removal
- Gallery with Video Highlights and HTC Share
- Continuous shooting and VideoPic
- Slow motion video recording with variable speed playback
Audio supported formats:
- Playback: .aac, .amr, .ogg, .m4a, .mid, .mp3, .wav, .wma (Windows Media Audio 9)
- Recording: .amr
Video supported formats:
- Playback: .3gp, .3g2, .mp4, .wmv (Windows Media Video 9), .avi (MP4 ASP and MP3)
- Recording: .mp4
Embedded rechargeable Li-polymer battery
Capacity : 2300 mAh
Talk time:
- Up to 18 hours for WCDMA
- Up to 19 hours for CDMA
- Up to 27 hours for GSM
Standby time:
- Up to 500 hours for WCDMA
- Up to 496 hours for CDMA
- Up to 479 hours for GSM
Voltage range/frequency: 100 ~ 240 V AC, 50/60 Hz
DC output: 5 V and 1 A
- SIZE: 137.4 x 68.2 x 9.3mm
- WEIGHT: 143g
- DISPLAY: 4.7 inch, Full HD 1080p, 468 PPI


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January 21, 2013
Brilliant: Occupy Wall Street Debate - Daniel Hannan at Oxford Union
Hat tip: Legal Insurrection
Daniel Hannan opens by saying that the bailouts were a crime that will one day be seen as a generational offence. He says there is a world of difference between being pro business and pro market. And he challenges 3 propositions; The Idea that we are living through a failure of capitalism, the banking collapse was caused by a lack of regulation and the idea that we're in this financial mess because of our greed.
The Oxford Union Society is the world's most prestigious debating society, with an unparalleled reputation for bringing international guests and speakers to Oxford. It has been established for 189 years, aiming to promote debate and discussion not just in Oxford University, but across the globe.
Must watch! British MEP Daniel Hannan delivered an electrifying take down of the central tenets of the Occupy movement during a debate about the movement at the Young Britons' Foundation this week.


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October 20, 2011, 8:07 am
Gotham Awards Noms Offer a SDFF Cheat Sheet
If you're anxious to start your award-season viewing, this morning's announcement of Gotham Awards nominees have a few 34th Starz Denver Film Festival (Nov. 2-13) flicks among them. So pull out your program and get to planning. Best features noms: The Descendants" (Big Night) and "Martha Marcy May Marlene" (Sneak Preview). Breakthrough Actor: Felicity Jones in "Like Crazy" (Opening Night), Elizabeth Olsen in "Martha Marcy May Marlene," Shailene Woodley in "The Descendants." And in the Best Documentary category "Hell and Back Again."
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If they are old enough to make a mess they are old enough to help clean it up. We always have my 3 yr old pick up after herself when she is finished with one thing before she takes out something else. She has been doing it since since she was about 2. We make it fun and get it done sometimes with a song and usually with mommy's help. Just this weekend she went to play outside with her dolls and blocks and umbrella, I was so proud to see that when she was done playing outside she packed up all her things and brought everything inside with her. That's the kind of thing that lets me know she is learning what we are teaching her!
Good job!!! Like this . My baby would say "Clean up ,clean up." She even went to my cousin house who is grown and told my cousin,you made a mess clean up!


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Furnish the home you never want to leave
Issue 18, Autumn 2017
Price includes VAT
Free Delivery
I love the nostalgic extravagance this chandelier exudes!
Established in Valencia in 1953 and born from a passion for porcelain and the aspirations of three brothers to create a business dedicated to the artistry of porcelain sculpture, Lladro has journeyed from being a little workshop to being a world renowned brand in porcelain craft. Each Lladro piece undergoes an artisan process that produces the finest quality and stunning hand-painted finishes that has earned the company global respect.
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We guarantee to match competitors prices.
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the same product at a lower price,
we'll match it - even up to 7 days after purchase
Tell me more
The Belle de nuit Chandelier is Lladro's interpretation and revival of the classic chandelier design. Thin porcelain lithophanes are used on this 12 light chandelier, radiating a warm glow and enhancing the beautiful details on this extravagant porcelain piece. Available in Blue.
H 75 x Diameter 65 cm
Max Power: 240 Watts
Frequency: 50/60 Hz
Dimmer not included / LED bulb non dimmable
Recommended Bulb: 12 x G9 Led 3W
(Bulb not included)
Please allow up to 10 days for delivery. Free UK mainland Delivery. International Delivery Available T&C Apply
Please call us on +44(0)207 349 9057,
or send an email to email@example.com
We offer Free UK Delivery. Postcode exceptions apply. See our full delivery terms and conditions for more information.
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This item qualifies for our Free White Glove Delivery Service. Your item will be unpacked and assembled in your home or office and our expert delivery team will even take away the packaging.
This item qualifies for our payment plan. Pay 50% deposit and 50% prior to delivery. Order over the phone on 0207 349 9057. Excludes international delivery. See our payment terms and conditions for full terms.
How to Ensure your Bathroom is Cosy and Looking Great for Winter
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#66 Premium Motorsports Toyota Camry
Mike Wallace ran the #4 GEICO Ford, owned by Fred Biagi, from 2002-2004 in the Busch Series for Biagi Brothers Racing. Mike won the Winn-Dixie 250 for this team in July of 2004 at Daytona International Speedway.
#4 LUCAS Oil Chevrolet
The #4 Lucas Oil Chevrolet Monte Carlo, owned by Morgan McClure Motorsports, was driven by Mike Wallace in 2005.
#09 Miccosukee
Already signed on to run Phoenix's Cup car, Miccosukee Resorts Dodge, owned by James Finch, signed Wallace to be their full-time driver for the remainder of 2006 Nextel Cup Series, and has had three top-five finishes. Mike Wallace drove the #09 Miccosukee gaming Chevrolet to a 4th place finish in the Daytona 500 in 2007, in the Nextel Cup Series race.
#7 Nations Rent Ford
#90 Heilig Myers Ford
#2 ASE Ford Truck
#1 Miccosukee Dodge
#12 Mobil 1
Mike raced the Mobile 1 #12 car in the Nextel Cup Series in 2001 for Penske Racing. Mike raced this car to a 2nd place finish at Phoenix.
#33 AT&T Monte Carlo
Mike raced the colorful #33 AT&T Monte Carlo for Andy Petree in 2002, and yes that is Carrottop on the hood!
#52 Federated Parts Chevrolet Truck
#7 GEICO Camry
Mike Wallace joined the ranks of Toyota racers for the 2008 season. He was behind the wheel of the #7 GEICO Camry, as part of the Camry's second season in NASCAR. The Camry made its debut in NASCAR competition in 2007, earning two victories in the Busch Series.


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Galactic Map
The Galaxy. This map shows both the Indri VIII highway, which opened in 2340, and the Galactic core highway which no longer exists.
|Yellow text = Canon source
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|Copyright Graham Kennedy
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The Forex world is constantly evolving and during its weekly trading hours there is a wealth of news a trader must keep on top of if they want to make the most money possible. Indeed, because the market can be affected by a number of dynamics, it is essential they know exactly what's happening at all times in order to avoid any unprofitable deals.
For example, let's assume the US Dollar is trading well against the Great British Pound during the first half of the week. This would be a good time to invest some money and reap the benefits of a positive market condition. However, by Wednesday a series of negative news stories emerge from the UK and affect the country's economic performance. These dynamics then adversely affects how well the two currencies are trading. At this point it's important to know what's just happened because it will influence whether or not someone should cease trading this currency pair for a while or continue.
Knowing the value of each currency based on various internal and external factors is crucial and the reason why FXBrokerSearch.com's Forex news centre is a vital resource. Drawing on a number of resources, our information section provides the latest information and data from which users can refine their trading activity.
Beyond shifts in the currency market itself, FXBrokerSearch.com's new section has been designed to give traders an insight into the best offers and promotions. By monitoring each of our 200+ Forex brokers we're able to quickly tell users about the latest updates and bonuses.
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Just two days after the deaths of eight students and two substitute teachers, the pastor of the Dayspring Church acknowledged the pain wracking Santa Fe, a town of 13,000. "T ..
By Lindsay Dunsmuir and Howard Schneider WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. trade war with China is "on hold" after the world's largest economies agreed to drop their tariff thr ..
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If it wasn't already apparent that Amazon has a lot of confidence in Marvelous ..
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Al-Hidaayah has been at the forefront of bringing a massive range of services and Islamic books to the UK's Muslim community. Presenting a selection of excellent quality products to support and enlighten, we have become a highly respected online provider of Islamic items. We have traditional items like Black Seed products, prayer mats and prayer compasses, as well as Islamic software, Islamic DVDs and our popular range of digital Quran. The latter are perfect examples of how technology can be used to provide a supplement to our traditional methods of worship.
For prayer, Al-Hidaayah has a selection of essential items, from prayer mats and compasses to aid integration of prayer into today's busy lifestyle. Designed to go anywhere with you, the Sajaadati prayer rug is light and compact. Folding down to a practical wallet size, you can use this handy prayer mat either for day to day use or for taking with you on trips or events. Alternatively, measuring 42" x 27", the Dar-Makkah prayer mat which comes with a Qibla compass in one package is also a great quality item. We also have Qibla compasses for sale on their own, which includes a worldwide direction guide book.
Our excellent digital timepieces are designed for Islamic use, with settings to remind you of prayer times. Choose from the stylishly designed digital Adhaan digital clock, or the handsome and subtle Al-Fajr deluxe Islamic watch, featuring the Hiijri and Gregorian calendars. Both Islamic watches and clocks feature a Qibla direction system, which are programmed for use in 230 cities around the world.
We stock copies of the Quran in several formats, as well as translations in a number of languages. For a truly modern adaption, the Iqraa Holy Quran Digital Book is an extraordinary way of learning, reciting and listening to the Quran anywhere and anytime. This pocket size device presents translations of text in nine different languages, as well as audio Tafsir books and Hadith collections including Bukhari, Muslim and Abu Dawud. We also have many selections of Quran audio CDs in complete, comprehensive form or as a selection of individual Surahs and chapters. Tafseer collections from many Mufassirin are available to make the path to knowledge an easier one.
Our selection includes volumes by many authoritative and knowledgeable writers who are able to shed light on all facets of the Holy Quran; from family and social life, through to a full linguistic and spiritual exegesis. There have been many studies and publications on the Hadith, and our collection of Hadith books covers a broad variety. In addition to this, we have a wide collection of books on Seerah and the life of the Companions, providing everything from an overview of the Prophet and his Companions, to more in depth treatise on the subject.
For an outstanding selection of Islamic books in the UK, Al-Hidaayah's range is rich with reference material that covers all facets of Muslim life. Reference books include inspirational accounts by people that have embraced Islam from other cultures and religions, to those that have found strength through their belief. When it comes to understanding the history of Islam we have many Islamic history books, helping to understand the background of Islam's vivid past; these are essential to grasp the traditions that have built our faith over the centuries.
Moving and informative, the Islamic history books at our store add an important dimension to developing an understanding of Islam. We have so many Islamic books online, you will be enthralled by our selection, from historical texts to reference books on Muslim names. Perfect for naming a new baby, or to find out more on the meaning of your own Muslim name, you will find the right book at Al-Hidaayah.
Besides our far reaching range of Islamic books available online, we are also the first choice for Islamic software. Interactive editions of the Quran are available on CD ROM, as well as guides on explanations and details surrounding the Quran, bringing a new way of learning. We also have wonderful packages include Arabic language tuition and historical education for children, as well as guides and in depth tools for adults.
Educational tools, helpful guides and fascinating explorations of Muslim life are brought to you with a superb collection of Islamic DVDs. Follow the recitations and text of our Holy Quran DVD, which also includes English and French translations. Excellent documentaries and thought-provoking programs are also available, bringing to light key discussions and outlooks relevant to Islam today.
When it comes to education, our selection of children's Islamic books and resources brings everything you need to teach all the essential values and history of Islam. Our products are designed to develop knowledge of language with Arabic flashcards, understanding prayer, the Quran, and the importance of its teachings.
Colourful and captivating Islamic posters help to explain the world that Allah has created and their place in it. It's not just your children that can benefit from our selection of posters. We have Islamic posters that depict beautiful images, with a selection of words from the Prophet. And it's not just food for thought, but Al-Hidaayah provide a range of Black Seed products for your health and well being.
We are here to help you achieve the Pillars of Islam, and Al-Hidaayah is the place to turn when arranging your Hajj, and embarking on your sacred pilgrimage to Makkah. We have a selection of Hajj books to provide guidance and explain the importance behind the traditions that must be observed. Not only can we organise your Hajj, and provide necessary reference, but we can also supply you with Ihram clothing or Umrah clothing for other times of the year.
Look to Al-Hidaayah for your travel needs, Islamic goods, supplies and Islamic books online.
Al Hidaayah, 436 Coventry Road, Small Heath, Birmingham
B10 0UG, United Kingdom. Tel: 0121 753 1889 Email: email@example.com


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Ngoc Minh Ngo
- Yield
- Makes 6 servings
- For the squash
- 1 (4-pound) spaghetti squash
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- For the glaze
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon apple cider
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove, smashed
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch, dissolved in 1 teaspoon cold water
- For the tofu
- 1 (14-ounce) package extra-firm tofu, drained and patted dry
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Cut the squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Brush both halves with the butter and sprinkle with the brown sugar. Place them, cut sides down, on a baking sheet and roast until fork-tender, about 1 hour.
- 2. Meanwhile, in a skillet, combine the broth, syrup, cider, soy sauce, lemon juice, and garlic. Boil for 5 minutes, then whisk in the cornstarch and cook, whisking constantly, until the glaze thickens, about 1 to 2 minutes more. Set aside.
- 3. Slice the tofu into 1/2-inch-thick slabs. Then use a knife or a cookie cutter to create cubes or playful shapes. Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the tofu and sear until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes a side. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
- 4. Scoop the squash strands out and into bowls. Top with the tofu, drizzle on the glaze, and serve.
Related Video
Nutritional Info
- Calories192
- Carbohydrates24 g(8%)
- Fat9 g(13%)
- Protein8 g(16%)
- Saturated Fat2 g(12%)
- Sodium250 mg(10%)
- Polyunsaturated Fat2 g
- Fiber4 g(15%)
- Monounsaturated Fat3 g
- Cholesterol6 mg(2%)


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|Wagon Wheel
|Come Back Song
|Don't Think I Don't Think About It
|It Won't Be Like This For Long
Oct 2017 • 13 songs
Jun 2015 • 1 song
Mar 2015 • 15 songs
As the frontman of Hootie & the Blowfish, Darius Rucker was one of the most popular frontmen in mainstream pop/rock during the mid-'90s. The band's debut album, Cracked Rear View, was virtually inescapable in 1995, eventually selling more than 16 million copies and becoming one of the most successful albums of all time. Hootie & the Blowfish couldn't re-create that magic on future albums, though, and the band took a break from the studio after releasing 1998's Musical Chairs. Rucker used his free time to launch a solo career, which allowed the singer to explore his R&B and cou... Read more


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Preset - Detail
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5150 Rich with Chorus
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Created: September 1, 2019
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At first the FBI probed the e-mails of Paula Broadwell and CIA Director David Petraeus from a suspicion of cyberstalking and harassment. They then dropped the probe after determining that the biographer of Petraeus had a personal relationship with him, even though they discovered that Broadwell had classified documents on her computer. After the entire probe went public and forced Petraeus to resign, FBI agents suddenly conducted a seizure of materials from Broadwell's home — which the Washington Post reports comes from a belated curiosity into her possession of those classified documents:
The FBI is making a new push to determine how a woman who had an affair with retired Gen. David H. Petraeus when he was CIA director obtained classified files, part of an expanding series of investigations in a scandal that also threatens the career of the United States' top military commander in Afghanistan.
Senior law enforcement officials said that a late-night seizure on Monday of boxes of material from the North Carolina home of Paula Broadwell, a Petraeus biographer whose affair with him led to his resignation last week, marks a renewed focus by investigators on sensitive material found in her possession.
"The issue of national security is still on the table," one U.S. law enforcement official said. Both Petraeus and Broadwell have denied to investigators that he was the source of any classified information, officials said.
It is? That's odd to hear, especially since law-enforcement officials appeared to make it plain earlier in this scandal that no charges would be forthcoming. The Post is rather surprised to hear this, too:
The surprise move by the FBI follows assertions by U.S. officials that the investigation had turned up no evidence of a security breach — a factor that was cited as a reason the Justice Department did not notify the White House before last week that the CIA director had been ensnared in an e-mail inquiry.
If the investigation got reopened, one has to question the reasons for the renewal of interest. Was it because of the rising criticism of the FBI's investigation itself, which appears to have been prompted by a personal connection to a rival of Broadwell's within the agency? Or perhaps the new focus on Broadwell might be a way to look for ex post facto vindication after questions about the FBI's methods of perusing personal e-mails have come to the fore? And if this investigation hasnot been restarted but has continued all along with an eye toward national-security breaches, why didn't the Department of Justice notify the White House right away?
On the other hand, maybe the FBI just wants a sneak peak at Broadwell's next book project:
Former CIA Director David Petraeus' mistress, who wrote a biography about the top Army general, openly bragged about future projects with Petraeus as recently as October, Fox News has learned, despite a former Petraeus spokesman's public insistence that the affair had ended four months ago. …
Fox News' source attended a dinner Oct. 27 at the Washington Ritz-Carlton, where Broadwell was talking up the future projects.
"She said that they had two book ideas they were pursuing, and they hoped to publish again sometime in the next two years," Fox News' source said.
Bear in mind that this came after the first round of FBI interviews in their initial probe. By the following week, the FBI would interview Broadwell again and determine that Broadwell had classified data on her computer — but oddly conclude that there wasn't enough reason to tell the White House that the CIA Director's mistress had possession of these documents. That doesn't make a lot of sense, which is something that can be said about this entire sex scandal, especially in relation to the Benghazi terrorist attack to which it is connected, at least by circumstance.


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The Devils had a chance for a third consecutive win, but were stopped by a New Jersey native.
Kyle Palmieri, from Montvale, N.J., scored at 2:37 of overtime on Friday to give the Ducks a 3-2 win over New Jersey. The goal delighted the group of about 100 family members and friends who saw the hometown boy make good in his return.
"You try not to think too much about it but you know they're there," said Palmieri, who led the Ducks to their seventh straight win. "I grew up watching the Devils play, so it's pretty hard to ignore the fact that you're from here and there's people watching."
Palmieri sealed the latest deal with a pretty goal. He swung around Devils defenseman Eric Gelinas and circled behind the New Jersey goal. He then tucked the wraparound behind goaltender Cory Schneider.
"I just took a chance," Palmieri said. "I think it might have banked in off a couple of things. Sometimes you get those bounces and sometimes you don't."
Schneider stretched as far as he could, to no avail.
"I don't really know what happened, to be honest," Schneider said. "He carried around the net and I stretched and I tried to get my pad to the post. I don't know if it hit a stick or popped up or what. It's a bit of a bad break, but sometimes you create your own luck. I've just got to keep working hard and hope for the bounces to start going my way."
Andy Greene and Michael Ryder scored for the Devils, who have earned five points in the last three games (2-0-1).
"It's nice to at least get a point against a good team like that," Schneider said. "It hurts to not get the two points. It's another tough loss for and I've got to find a way to make that last save."
Schneider, 4-7-5, got the start after Martin Brodeur backstopped the Devils to home wins over Tampa Bay and Ottawa.
With the win, the Pacific Division-leading Ducks captured a seventh straight game for the second time this season, tying the franchise record set from Oct. 5-20, and in the 1999 season. Anaheim has collected at least a point in 10 straight games (8-0-2).
Unbeaten in regulation at home with a 13-0-2 mark, the Ducks have won four in a row on the road.
Mathieu Perreault and Cam Fowler also scored for the Ducks and Jonas Hiller made 19 saves.
Perreault, who assisted on Palmieri's score, gave the Ducks a 2-1 lead at 10:47of the third. He converted a centering feed from Palmieri that bounced off Gelinas' skate and landed on his stick in the slot for his sixth goal.
New Jersey tied it with 5:02 to go in regulation. Greene's power-play goal was set up by Jaromir Jagr, who hit the defenseman in the left circle with a backhand pass.
Ryder and Fowler scored in the second period.
Ryder put New Jersey in front with his 10th goal at 4:15. He got a backhand pass from Adam Henrique and lifted a shot over Hiller's left shoulder.
Fowler made it 1-1 at 14:06 with a blast from the left point, using Palmieri as a screen against Schneider.
Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau had a hunch playing in New Jersey would energize Palmieri, who had gone 18 games without a goal.
"I was really happy for him," Boudreau said. "I had been a while for him. You could tell early on he was more involved, and getting shots off. I really thought he might pop one tonight."


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Yesterday, HTC announced that the G2 and EVO would be going international under the Desire Z and Desire HD names (respectively). With the help of a tipster, Engadget managed to find the phones listed by UK company Play.com and on Amazon.de/Amazon.UK. Retail pricing ranges from £470 for the Desire HD to £430 to £499 for the Desire Z.
Source: Amazon.de
Source: Amazon.UK
T-Mobile UK
T-Mobile UK tweeted that the Desire HD will be free on contract for customers on a £40/month, 2 year contract.Read More


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Rocker Courtney Love has been found not guilty of libelling her former attorney.
After a week-long trial in Los Angeles, the former Hole star emerged victorious on Friday afternoon after a jury ruled in favor of the singer, who stood accused of libelling lawyer Rhonda Holmes in a 2010 tweet.
Love suggested Holmes took a bribe when she backed out of a legal battle her then-client Love was waging with the managers of her late husband Kurt Cobain's estate.
The jury deliberated for just over three hours on Friday before handing down a verdict of not guilty, adding it was clear Love wrote the tweet but that the plaintiff did not prove that the rocker knew the statement was false.
Speaking outside court, Love, who missed the verdict due to "traffic", said, "I'm really happy", adding she was delighted not to be on the wrong end of an $8 million libel pay-out: "It's not in my purse!"
Throughout the trial Love and her lawyers maintained that the singer and actress meant for the Twitter.com post to be a private message.
Rocker Courtney Love has been found not guilty of libelling her former attorney.


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repair(redirected from cemental repair)
Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Medical, Encyclopedia.
v. to restore to former condition or in some contracts to operational soundness. Contracts should spell out the repairs to be made and what the final condition will be. Example: roof repairs should be more than a half-baked patching to temporarily halt leaking.
repairnoun adjustment, alteration, amelioration, betterment, correction, cure, fixing, improvement, melioration, mending, overhaul, patching, reanimation, reassembling, reconditioning, reconstruction, recovery, rectification, reform, reformation, rehabilitation, remodeling, renewal, renovation, reorganization, restoration, resurrection, retouching, revival
Associated concepts: duty to repair, failure to keep in repair, opportunity to make repairs
repairverb adjust, ameliorate, amend, brush up, condition, correct, cure, darn, fix, improve, make better, make good, make improvements, meliorate, mend, patch, piece, put in order, put into shape, put right, readjust, rebuild, recondition, reconstruct, rectify, redress, reficere, refit, reform, refresh, refurbish, rehabilitate, remedy, render better, renew, reparare, reshape, resurrect, retouch, retread, revamp, revive, right, service, tinker, touch up, vamp
Associated concepts: duty to repair
See also: change, correction, cure, emend, maintenance, meliorate, rectify, redress, reform, rehabilitate, rehabilitation, remedy, renew, renewal, renovate, reparation, restore, upkeep


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Closed Cell Vinyl Foam with Adhesive on Two Sides
Conforms to Irregular Surfaces
Will Not Crack, Crumble or Powder
Approved AAMA 810.1-92 Specification
CRL Vinyl Foam Glazing Tape is a closed-cell vinyl foam sealant in tape form. It has an aggressive acrylic adhesive on two sides, and is specially formulated for applications where you anticipate a high degree of movement. It provides high tack to aluminum, vinyl or glass surfaces.
Color: Black
Thickness of Tape: 1/16 in (1.6 mm)
Width of Tape: 1/4 in (6 mm)
Feet per Roll: 200 ft (61 m)
Additional Product Information:
Vinyl Foam Glazing Tape is an excellent exterior and in-plant glazing sealant for wood, vinyl and metal window systems. It is also used as a roof sealant for metal buildings, and for gasketing between duct sections. It has good resistance to the effects of water, heat and constant movement. A minimum 25 percent compression is recommended to provide an effective moisture seal. Recommended application temperature is 40 to 125 degrees F (4 to 52 degrees C). Recommended service temperature is -30 to 180 degrees F (-34 to 82 degrees C).
Adhesion: 3.04 lbs/in
Shear Strength: 600 minutes
Important Note:
CRL Vinyl Foam Glazing Tape must be compressed 25 to 50 percent to maintain an effective seal. In small lites, this may be achieved by applying pressure directly to the glazing tape when installing glazing stops. However, in most lites, the use of a compression wedge gasket is recommended.


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I've had just one problem with this gal - inserting earrings is particularly difficult. I use a push pin as I do with all my dolls to make the ear hole the right size for earrings. There seems to be something inside Goldmine's head that stops the earring from going all the way in. I really had to work the opening more than should have been necessary.
The only complaint I've heard is about the light weight of this doll line. Someone called it a "quality issue." When I questioned her she said that she wants her dolls to weigh more. Since I don't have anything to compare her to besides Gene and Tonner dolls, I can't make a statement about her weight.
I certainly hope that nuts don't suddenly appear inside their bodies.
This photo was taken by a collector named, Em'lia. Her Model Behavior (12"/Integrity Toys/Jason Wu) doll broke apart in a fall and she was horrified to discover the nut glued inside. Obviously there is no intrinsic need for a nut inside these doll bodies. It must have been placed there to make the doll weigh more. Many have come to the conclusion that the nut is the cause of the floppy hip joints which keep the majority of Fashion Royalty and these dolls from holding an upright pose. This discovery has been the source of a great deal of indignant foot stamping and the source of several conspiracy theories. I have discovered that many people do not know the difference between a nut and a bolt and that several people think that a nut like this weighs a great deal and is causing their postage to sky rocket.
However, some pretty good comedy has resulted. A remark from one collector went like this: "...now if anyone takes apart a Homme and discovers they have matching bolt...I will die laughing."
Another collector made the following suggestions:"I suggest they make the nutsack, I mean the nutcase, I mean the body cavity, accessible. Certain edition numbers could contain a valuable prize instead of a plain nut, which would give us a logical reason to look at the COA. Or you could take the nut out and put stuff in the doll, like her jewelry, or a baby tarantula, or one of those little voiceboxes from Build-a-Bear*, something fun."
The entire thread made perfect sense to me. ;-)
Back on the topic of AvantGuards.
There is something about the body that inhibits complete posability. I don't know what is causing it yet. In any event, she is way more posable than Tonner's 16" dolls.
Here are some of my recent images using Goldmine as my model.
Wearing Ashton Drake's "Lucky Stripe."
I am looking forward to the release of Androgyny and Aphrodisiac.
I am looking forward to the release of Androgyny and Aphrodisiac.


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This listing has expired. Please see related listings below.
The No Essay Scholarship is an easy scholarship offered every month. There is no GPA requirement and no essay to write! All you have to do is create a Cappex profile and tell us what you do in your free time. Click 'apply' and you may have just made $1000!...more
VIU Scholarships
Scholarships on Uloop provides VIU students with competitive scholarships for the year, for the semester, and for specific amounts of money. The Scholarships category on Uloop also provides scholarships for all majors and all GPAs. In the Uloop Scholarships category you can find essay scholarships and competitive scholarships for students at Virginia International University.


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Raise Your Glass
You are invited to raise your glass and gather together to celebrate the glory of those who do not seek it, yet serve our nation every day. WineShop At Home's Raise Your Glass corporate giving program benefits America's Mighty Warriors, a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization that honors our troops, the fallen and their families with programs that improve quality of life, resiliency and recovery. Funds donated allow us to support programs that help those who served and families of the fallen. WineShop At Home contributes your entire donation directly to America's Mighty Warriors. Over 95% of dollars donated go directly to support our Veterans, Veterans' families and families of fallen members of the Armed Forces.
Raise Your Glass with Glory Cellars! Purchase a Case or Half-Case and raise your glass to support the heroes in your own family. With every bottle of Glory Cellars purchased, a $2 contribution will be made on your behalf to America's Mighty Warriors. A fitting tribute to our troops and military families, enjoy Glory Cellars with your loved ones during the holidays and all year long.
Debbie Lee founded America's Mighty Warriors after her son Marc was the first Navy SEAL to be killed in Iraq on August 2, 2006. In Marc's Last Letter Home (see below) he asked for friends and family to "pass on the love and kindness and precious gift of human life." Since then, America's Mighty Warriors has been fighting to support our troops, the fallen and their families. With their Helping Heroes Heal, Random Acts of Kindness and Gold Star Resiliency & Respite programs, America's Mighty Warriors mission is to inspire, encourage, motivate and advocate for those whose lives have been touched by war and loss.
If you would like to raise your glass with us and help support America's Mighty Warriors, please follow the links below for donation options.
We give back to our community by supporting causes, programs or initiatives that are near and dear to our hearts through our Raise Your Glass corporate giving program, currently partnered with America's Mighty Warriors. For more information on our Raise Your Glass corporate giving program, please contact us at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Live healthy but not necessarily on a diet? Come share recipes and advice on how to live a healthier life.
Use this control to limit the display of threads to those newer than the specified time frame.
Allows you to choose the data by which the thread list will be sorted.
Order threads in...
Note: when sorting by date, 'descending order' will show the newest results first.
Forum Rules


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Advertising set to adorn the sides of school buses in Aurora Public Schools
Pull up next to public transit buses in cities nationwide and an advertising board featuring a service by a local business is a sight often seen.
And now, Aurora Public School buses are next, as the district Tuesday announced its set to outfit yellow buses with boards that advertise for select organizations willing to pay up.
According to a news release, the cost for a bus board ad starts as low as $250 per month, and half of the revenue goes toward the school district while the remaining goes toward a local company who is designing the ads.
"This is a wonderful opportunity, we were happy to explore new avenues to create revenue for the district during these difficult economic times," said Paula Hans, a spokeswoman for APS.
Hans adds that the district has had to cut $70 million from its budget in the last three years. Both the Cherry Creek and Douglas County School Districts do similar bus advertising.
The district, according to the release, has developed guidelines to ensure that bus ads are appropriate for children and families. All ads are approved by the district prior to production.
Some of the early advertisers involved in the effort include TCF Bank, Change and Pickens Technical College and Aurora Schools Federal Credit Union.
Follow Kurtis on Twitter: @kurtisalee


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'Borsch, Vodka and Tears': author explores Polish vodka and cuisine
Professional boozehound, chef and author Benny Roff wasn't always a vodka fan. It could be said that he took the long road in his appreciation of both vodka and Polish cuisine. Roff travelled the world while working as a chef along the way at restaurants such as Le Bernardin in New York City, Jardinière in San Francisco and Kensington Place in London. Upon returning to his native Australia in 2006, Roff started his Polish education as bartender and then manager of Borsch, Vodka and Tears – a restaurant/bar in the Windsor suburb of Melbourne.
Founder and former owner Andrzej Kaczmarski derived the evocative name from a Polish proverb about drinking piołunówka (Polish absinthe): "First is drunk for health; second for pleasure; third for tears; fourth is for madness." Roff describes the restaurant as looking and feeling "like some kind of dive in an old part of Kraków" and while the décor, food and drink are distinctly Polish "the easy-going crowds are most definitely modern and Australian."
By Roff's estimate, the restaurant has approximately 100 different vodkas in house at any given time, including clear, infused, fruit, oak-matured and herbal vodkas. This varied vodka collection provided the perfect opportunity for exploration and Roff started by tasting two or three different clear vodkas in a sitting, and comparing them. His appreciation for vodka grew and spawned further research, which he compiled for staff as a survival guide after an encounter with a particularly difficult customer.
"[The customer] was asking me a lot of pointed questions and was really quite pompous. I'd done a lot of research on vodka and I never tried to lord it over people but this fellow really lorded it over me and I thought to myself, 'Well I don't really want anybody else to have to go through that,'" Roff says. "I basically wrote a note for every single vodka in the place. And also, I said you could be asked this kind of question by this kind of customer and feel free to tell them this. It wasn't always highly complimentary," he laughs.
This staff survival guide became the impetus for Roff's book Borsch, Vodka and Tears: Food to Drink With (Hardie Grant Books, 2012). "I learned of a whole world of complexity reflecting the geographical origins and the base ingredients of the drink," Roff writes. In the book, he shares the history of the restaurant as well as an in-depth look at vodka: its history, distillation techniques, notable vodkas, how to taste vodka, pairing vodka and food, and 37 vodka cocktail recipes.
One of the key misconceptions Roff seeks to dispel in the book is that there are no discernible differences between vodkas – that they're characterless and only good for mixing. "I've had people who are booze pundits tell me, 'Surely there's no real complexity – it must just be mouthfeel that's the difference between them,'" he says. "I don't think that's entirely true although there isn't a strong, tangible language used to describe vodka the way there is for wine, Cognac, whiskey or beer, or any of those drinks with lots of flavour just there on the palate."
Roff offers readers notes on pairing vodka with food, detailing both the basic concepts of food and drink pairing, as well as the subjectivity and fun involved. "It's much easier to match with food than a really strong spirit," he says. "Spirits do get matched with food now and then – Cognacs and Armagnacs tend to go with desserts – but vodka can go with the main course and the entrée and every part of the meal. It's very exciting that way." He prefers to drink his vodka neat and, depending on the vodka, at room temperature, and frequently with food. "I might stretch to do a martini but I think that a good, clear vodka, or one of the light-flavoured vodkas like the angelica vodka, is fantastic by itself," Roff says. "It's even better if you have a bit of rye bread and a pickled herring or something. It's quite amazing. I would never have eaten pickled herring before I started work with the Poles but it's an acquired taste and I've acquired it."
The subtle flavours of Polish cuisine are explored in the third chapter of the book with sections on appetizers, soups, sides, mains and desserts. Roff consulted with restaurant co-owner and chef Philip Tait (Disclosure: Tait is a friend of the writer.) – founder Kaczmarski's son-in-law – to compile the collection, which includes recipes for traditional dishes such as Bigos (Hunter's Stew) and Pierogi (recipe below), bestselling dishes such as Potato Blintzes (recipe below), and personal favourites such as Żurek – a fermented rye soup. "Żurek is definitely a really Polish thing. We've tried putting it on the menu time and time again but it's just very hard to sell fermented rye soup to the public, which is annoying," Roff says. "I love it and Phil [Tait] loves it so we put it in the book. If anybody wants to make it and they've got three days, some rye and some good, live culture get stuck into it. It's an amazing soup."
Roff has spent his life travelling, eating and drinking, and he admits that before his work at Borsch, Vodka and Tears, he had no idea that "Polish food and Polish booze had such a magnificent pedigree." These aspects of Polish culture are ripe for discovery, and re-discovery in terms of vodka, which is among the most popular branded spirits in the world but widely misunderstood. Roff suggests you hold the cola and the lemonade and really taste the distinct differences between vodkas. "There's a world of flavour out there albeit very subtle," he says. "I'd like to help people reach another milestone in their voyage of gustatory discovery."
Printed with permission from Borsch, Vodka & Tears: Food to Drink With (Hardie Grant Books) by Benny Roff
Bison and Apple
This is a very old drink combination. I believe the Poles have been mixing these two together for at least 150 years. In Poland it is called the equivalent of 'Apple Pie', though at Borsch, Vodka and Tears we serve another drink by that name so we went with Bison and Apple. The sweet spice notes from the bison grass match very well with cloudy apple juice. This is the version we serve at the bar, at home I quite like to double the vodka, it's delicious.
30 ml (1 fl oz) Żubrówka vodka
¼ lime, cut into 2 wedges
approximately 120 ml (4 fl oz) cloudy apple juice
Fill a 295 ml (10 fl oz) highball glass to the brim with ice.
Add the vodka, squeeze in the lime juice and drop the wedges into the glass. Top with cloudy apple juice and serve immediately.
Serves 1
Potato Blintzes / Placki Ziemniaczane
These delicious crispy potato cakes are the source of some confusion to many Poles when ordering at Borsch. In Poland these are known as Placki Ziemniaczane if you are from the south, Placki Kartoflane if you are from the north, and Latke if you're Jewish! While the word blintz actually comes from the same Slavic root as blini and is a softer pancake that sometimes contains fruit, we thought it might be a bit easier for Western tongues to grasp! At Borsch we serve them with sour cream and lemon, or with the addition of smoked salmon, but you can also serve them with a sprinkle of sugar.
500 g (1 lb 2 oz) potatoes with the skin left on, coarsely chopped
1 egg
½ onion, coarsely chopped
45 g (1½ oz/¼ cup) potato flour
1 teaspoon salt
vegetable oil, for frying
Put all of the ingredients, except the oil, into a food processor and process to make a batter — there should still be bits of potato and onion floating around. It's quite a forgiving recipe, but a totally smooth batter is a bit much. The batter at this stage is quite liquid. Alternatively you can grate the onion and potato and combine with the remaining ingredients in a bowl.
Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a cast-iron frying pan or flat griddle plate over a medium–low heat. You really do need cast iron, as no other surface seems to work — if you don't have a pan, try using the grill plate of your barbecue, just make sure it's clean first.
Spoon ¼ cup of the batter into the pan at a time, spreading it out to form a little round pancake. Cook for 5 minutes, or until they are set on the top, then turn over and cook for a further 5 minutes, or until lightly browned. Remove from the pan and set aside. Repeat with more oil and the remaining batter to make about 12 blintzes.
Once you have cooked the blintzes the first time, heat 2 tablespoons of oil in the same pan over medium–high heat. Return the blintzes to the pan, working in batches, and cook until golden brown and crisp on both sides. Serve immediately with your chosen accompaniments.
Serves 4
Polish Dumplings / Pierogi
Pierogi are synonymous with Polish cuisine. They are hugely popular in Canada where they are a ubiquitous pub meal. Pierogi almost certainly trace their roots back to Bona Sforza and her bevy of Italian cooks. While they owe a lot to ravioli in their construction, the fillings are uniquely Polish. Make the filling and let it cool before rolling the dough out. You can make both the dough and filling ahead of time. Alternatively, pierogi freeze very well, just make sure you separate them with layers of baking paper or freezer paper, or they'll stick.
The dough we use at Borsch is made like hot water dough, scalding milk is added which cooks the flour as it is mixed, resulting in a silky, pliable dough. The dough will keep, tightly wrapped in the refrigerator, for about 1 week. The dough is the same one we use for uszka, the soup dumplings that go in Polish borsch. The major difference is an extra fold.
325 g (11½ oz) plain (all-purpose) flour
1 egg, lightly beaten, plus extra, for brushing
185 ml (6 fl oz/¾ cup) milk
Place the flour in a bowl and make a well in the centre (alternatively you can do the whole thing in an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment). Add the egg and mix until it is well combined. Put the milk into a saucepan and scald it (that is, heat it until it starts bubbling and threatening to rise up). Immediately add it to the flour mixture and mix through. Knead the dough for 5 minutes until it is smooth and elastic. Wrap in plastic wrap and leave it for 15 minutes to rest.
Divide the dough into six portions — cover any that you aren't working with to prevent them from drying out. Roll out a piece of dough on a lightly floured work surface until it is thin enough to see your hands through. You can use a pasta machine to do this if you prefer. When the dough is thin enough, use a pastry cutter to cut out circles with an 8 cm (3¼ inch) diameter. Repeat until all the dough is used up — you should have about 45 circles. Arrange the circles on sheets of baking paper in layers.
To make the pierogi, place 1 teaspoon of your chosen filling (make sure the filling is cool) into the centre of each circle. Brush one half of the rim with lightly beaten egg, then fold the circle carefully in half, trying to leave as little excess air in the pierogi as possible, and press the edge to seal. The pierogi can be stored at this stage on layers of baking paper. You can freeze them successfully for up to 3 months.
To cook the pierogi, bring a large saucepan of salted water to the boil. Add the pierogi, in batches if necessary (add roughly the number of pierogi that would cover the surface of the pot in a single layer), and cook for about 3 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente.
It is perfectly acceptable to brush the pierogi with a little melted butter and serve them as is, but at the vodka bar we like to take it a step further and sauté them until they are a little bit crisp. Sauté them in a little vegetable oil and butter with their individual garnish until they start to brown, then serve them with a dollop of sour cream.
Pierogi is one of the things we serve as a late-night bar snack at Borsch, but it is not convenient to have many boiling pots and pans running all night waiting for a few orders so we opt to deep-fry them. All you do is fill a deep-fryer or large heavy-based saucepan with enough oil to come one-third of the way up the pan and heat until it is 180°C (350°F), or until a cube of bread dropped into the oil browns in 15 seconds. Drop the pierogi into the hot oil and remove them when they're golden brown, about 5 minutes. I must confess that this is one of my favourite ways to eat them, served with a side of sour cream with some capsicum salsa mixed into it and some chopped fresh dill. I'd recommend trying it late at night!
Makes 45 pierogi
Cheese and Potato Pierogi / Pierogi Ruskie
This is the number one pierogi ordered by Polish people when they come to Borsch. It seems to be the national favourite. It's odd that the favourite has the name 'Russian pierogi', as the relationship between the two countries has certainly had its ups and downs and the people of both countries have extremely long memories.
It's an interesting sociological comparison with America's renaming of 'freedom fries' on the basis of a political slight when the French refused to endorse the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003. The Russians actually did invade Poland, slaughtered officers and withheld support for the Warsaw Uprising in 1944 against the Nazis, with whom they were at war. Then, during the Stalinist era, during the eleven years after World War II, many thousands of perceived enemies of communism were executed summarily by the occupying superpower. Even so, 'Russian pierogi' is the name for this dish and it has stuck. Perhaps it reflects the difference between a country with the largest number of people on antidepressants in the world and a country where the main psychotherapeutic tools are stoicism and vodka.
250 g (9 oz) starchy (mealy) potatoes such as desiree, sebago or russet, washed
200 g (7 oz/¾ cup) quark cheese (farmer's cheese), or ricotta (see note)
80 g (2¾ oz) butter
1 onion, finely chopped, plus 1 extra, sliced, to garnish
5 mint sprigs, leaves finely chopped (optional)
Put the potatoes, whole and unpeeled, into a saucepan with enough water to cover generously, add some salt and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 20 minutes for very small potatoes, up to 45 minutes for very large, or until they are cooked through (they are done when you can stab them with a paring knife and they fall straight off again).
Drain and peel the skins while they're still hot, you can let them cool a little and you can use a tea towel to protect your hands, but potatoes don't mash as well when cool, and they don't taste as good and are not as good for you when you peel them before boiling. Mash the potatoes using a mouli, ricer or potato masher. Alternatively, you can place it in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Add the quark cheese and mix thoroughly.
Heat 20 g (¾ oz) of the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until it is lightly browned. Remove from the heat and add to the potato and cheese mixture. Agnieszka's Babcia (Granny) uses fresh mint in her mixture, if you want to give it a try, add it at the end. Season with salt and a little black pepper, to taste. Use the filling to make the pierogi and cook it following the instructions for Polish Dumplings / Pierogi above.
The traditional garnish for this type of pierogi is fried onion strips. Cook the onion slices in the remaining butter in a frying pan over medium heat until they turn golden brown. If you can't be bothered or it's all too hard, I've seen this type of garnish (which is also used in German cookery for spätzle) substituted with the crispy fried shallots that you find in Southeast Asian grocery stores. It's not the same, but it's tasty and easy.
Serves 8
NOTE: Quark cheese is known as farmer's cheese in the United States. It is essentially a bit creamier, drier and tangier than its Aussie counterpart. It can be found in Continental delicatessens. If you use ricotta cheese, add a tablespoon of sour cream to make it a bit zingier.


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Don't move firewood
by Emanuel County Live | December 15, 2008 12:00 am
The Georgia Forestry Commission and Georgia State Parks are sounding the alarm on a camping activity that can cause serious damage to our forests. Campers and park visitors are being asked to not bring any firewood into parks or other natural sites because of the danger of transporting destructive foreign pests. Firewood can be used at home, and even if you have something like the best log splitter you can still miss anything that is living in the wood which could be brought into the parks or any natural sites.
"Bringing in your own firewood seems like the smart and economical thing to do," said James Johnson, Forest Health Coordinator for the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC). "In reality, just a few microscopic fungus spores or tiny insects hiding in non-local firewood can wreak havoc on our native environment."
Johnson explained that local forest ecosystems have complex webs of checks and balances that combat native insect populations and plant diseases. Foreign organisms introduced into this environment are often resistant to these natural controls and can spread unchecked, resulting in much greater harm to our forests than is experienced with native pests. Spread of the gypsy moth and the destructive redbay ambrosia beetle, which causes laurel wilt disease, are suspected to have begun with the movement of firewood into the state. The emerald ash borer and sirex woodwasp are serious threats as well.
"Even a small chip of bark containing invasive insect larvae can fall unnoticed to the ground," said Johnson. "A sudden rainstorm can wash fungus spores off wood or out of your pickup, so the danger is very real." Johnson added that
According to Johnson, many species of hardwood and pine trees serve as potential hosts for these non-native pests, so no firewood is considered safe to be moved long distances. He said outdoor enthusiasts should purchase local firewood at the host park or at convenience stores selling firewood grown nearby. If campers have inadvertently brought in outside wood, it should be thoroughly burned onsite or turned over to park officials.
GFC and state park officials have launched an education campaign on the dangers of moving firewood. Georgia state park visitors are now learning about the "Don't Move Firewood" message from forest health experts, park rangers, posters, printed materials and complimentary refrigerator magnets. Georgia is home to 48 state parks that host 11 million visitors annually.
For more information on the safe use of firewood and Georgia's forestry resource, visit GaTrees.org. To learn about Georgia's state parks, visit GeorgiaStateParks.org or call 1-800-864-7275.


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April is shocked when she runs into a dragon in the alley behind her shop. Despite his urbane appearance, a wildness lurks in his gaze. Gathering her coven together, they discuss the ramifications of one of the witch-killing beasts appearing nearby. When spell after spell continues to go awry, is it a sign that their magic is truly weak or is it the dragon in the picture that is turning tulips into toadstools?
Dragons are too bossy to bond to their own kind, so when Drake meets the perfect witch for him, will he have enough fortitude to stand against her coven and their truly crappy magic?
"Most witches have useful powers. They manifest useful things like money, the power to do some good in this world or even a tuna sandwich," April said as she popped the lid back on a plastic container half-full of cedar. "Not me." She snorted. "So far, the only thing I've been able to manifest is a patch of toadstools and poisoned oak."
She glanced at the other members of her coven. All twelve of her adopted sisters looked on with understanding. If anyone could understand her predicament, it was them.
"I know exactly what you mean." Tansy stepped forward, her scorched cape still smoldering from her last attempt to cast a spell. "What's wrong with us?" She spread her arms out as if to encompass them all. "None of us have been able to manifest anything like Mother and Father did." She bowed her head and lowered her voice as though what she were about to say were somehow sacrilegious. "Do you think it's because we're adopted and not their blood kin?"
April shook her head and crossed her arms. "Being adopted has nothing to do with it." She made her voice sound strong and firm even though she wasn't sure herself. "It can't be that." Seeing her sisters looking so dejected over their failures, she decided what her next words would be, true or not. "If being adopted made any difference, why bother to train us at all?" She shook her head. "No, we are doing something wrong. I'm sure of it."
What that something was, was beyond her comprehension, but she would find out what it was if it was the last thing she ever did. If not for her, she would do it for her sisters and brothers, wherever her brothers were. She hadn't seen them since the unfortunate accident that stole their parents from them. She avoided looking at Rose, the little sister responsible for that horrific event.
"Look at Iris." She waved toward her little sister whose thick ebony hair escaped her bun with abandon. "She managed to manifest eggs this morning."
Iris grimaced. "Yeah. Eight dozen eggs and all of them raw, broken and covering the cheese, ham and English muffins that were supposed to be Eggs Benedict. Some success story."
"Well, you're closer than I am." April scowled at her sister's lack of enthusiasm. "I tried to conjure up mushrooms to go with the omelets we made out of all those eggs and got toadstools instead." But they knew that. They had all raided her pantry after that. Now it was as empty as her refrigerator.
April paced back and forth in front of her sisters, her wand in her hand. As she passed, each flinched as the tip of her wand pointed at them in turn. "Stop flinching or I'll turn all of you into Goddess knows what!"
As mad as she was about their reactions and this morning's debacle with the eggs and toadstools, she just might lose her temper and do something unforgivable—what, she had no idea. Man, it sucked not having control over her powers. Their parents had made it look so easy. April glanced around at her sisters' dejected faces and took comfort in the fact that at least, in this, she wasn't alone.
She wrapped the cedar shavings in the paper they used to make their smudge sticks, then lit it. Smoke rose as the comforting scent of burning cedar filled the room. It was always good to cleanse the room before and after they tried to manifest things. It not only cleansed the room of their mistakes and the inevitable negativity that followed failure, the scent helped relax and ground them.
"Since this session was an obvious bust…again, we should head home, rest and practice until next month." She nodded when Daisy raised her hand. "Yes, Daisy?"
"Do we have to practice? Can't we just hang up our capes and shove our wands in a box in the back of our underwear drawers and call it good?"


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Guild has proved they are ever serious about maintaining their storied legacy with this impeccable resurrection of the S-200 Thunderbird. The moment I began playing mine it was pure love.
Ive owned and/or played many MIA Les Pauls, Strats, and Teles, and this MIK axe is as finely crafted as any of them, which tells me Guild set out to stake its brand on this product. Appearance wise, its elixir to the eyes, dripping with elegance and sex appeal; photos dont do it justice. Its body, slimmer than a Strats, rings punchy and warm with crystalline overtones, and its contours conspire to render it cozy in the embrace. The finish, detailing, nickel plating, the necks binding and fingerboard inlays, all exude expert craftsmanship. When Im not playing it, its placed prominently in my studio for visitors to behold.
Now on to the electronics, which takes the S-200 to a next level. Guild LB-1 pickups are simply my favorite Ive ever had on a guitar, and Ive been playing electrics for almost 35 years now, about evenly between stage and studio. The LB-1s have more tonal nuance than dual-coil pickups on other guitars Ive played. The best way I can think of to describe it, is they sound tempered in the midrange to a degree that offers more definition and balance. They also seem sensitive to the instruments mahogany resonances in flattering ways. I dont need to reach much for the Baxendall EQ on my Manley channel strip when Im recording this guitar, and if I do reach, its only to subtly enhance whats already there.
Which brings us to the S-200s switching options, where theres a certain genius at work in the circuits architecture. It centers on a two-position switch which Guild calls the guitars Mode switch, and each mode has its own set of volume and tone knobs. In its up position, the mode switch puts the S-200 in a neck pickup-only setting, bypassing the rest of the circuit, and in that mode, this guitar sounds singularly sublime, like nothing else Ive played before, rich with silky brown butter on the bottom, and crispy cool Riesling on top.
In the Mode switchs down position, a panel of three switches is activated, and with it, a wide spectrum of numerous tonal options. When I cycled through a bunch of songs by a variety of famous bands, I could approximate the guitar tone of each song by manipulating this panel. Being a producer/composer who does a lot of home recording, this tonal versatility is a key feature for me: the ability to dial in various sounds from the guitar, rather than reaching for the recording gear, or worse, mangling the sound with plugins. But I imagine a cover band guitarist would love this too, the ability to mimic the sounds of a wide variety of recognizable tunes.
Of course, the S-200 brings its own tone and texture to the mix, in the best way. Take it to a quiet room, not plugged into anything, just strum an open Emaj, and youll hear the depth. Place your ear against its body and hit the low E string, and youll get all kinds of character. Its an instrument that gives back to you more than merely what you play on it, and its inspiring stuff. Bravo to Guild.


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(Reuters) - Office Depot Inc will acquire smaller rival OfficeMax Inc in a $976 million all-stock deal, the companies said on Wednesday, confirming an agreement inadvertently announced earlier in the day, before it was completed.
The combined entity's name, headquarters and CEO are all undetermined, an unusual level of major decisions yet to be made that points to the integration challenge the companies face.
"I have seldom seen a situation where they can't decide on the name, the CEO or the corporate headquarters. Normally that's what you work out before you announce a deal," said Tom Stemberg, managing general partner of the Highland Consumer Fund and founder of office supply chain Staples.
Office Depot shares plunged 17 percent, dragging down the value of the deal. Even with a parallel 7 percent decline in OfficeMax's shares, that stock still closed well above the per-share value implied by the offer.
A source familiar with the situation said the terms of the deal were not yet finalized when the news first broke around 7:30 a.m. EST (1230 GMT) on Office Depot's website in an earnings release that contained certain merger details. Confirmation only came about two hours later.
In a presentation to analysts, Office Depot Chief Executive Officer Neil Austrian said the company's webcast provider inadvertently issued the press release "way ahead" of schedule. Thomson Reuters acknowledged that one of its units was responsible for the premature release.
"We regret this error and are taking all steps necessary to enhance our processes and controls to ensure this does not happen again, as serving our valued customers remains our highest priority," Thomson Reuters said in a statement.
Thomson Reuters is selling its investor relations and services businesses, the unit that was responsible for issuing the Office Depot release, to Nasdaq OMX Group Inc for $390 million. The deal is expected to close during the first half of this year.
The error was reminiscent of Google's accidental earnings release last year, when a premature regulatory filing by its printing services provider RR Donnelley & Sons included a copy of the still-incomplete statement with the phrase "Pending Larry Quote" where Chief Executive Larry Page's comment was supposed to go.
Office Depot insisted the deal was a merger of equals and not an acquisition, although its shareholders would get the larger part of the combined company. Austrian and OfficeMax CEO Ravi Saligram are both candidates for the top job, though Austrian said it was premature to discuss who the CEO would be before the deal wins regulatory approval.
The agreement calls for the exchange of 2.69 Office Depot common shares for each OfficeMax share. At Wednesday's closing prices, the transaction would be valued at $975.9 million, based on 86.8 million shares outstanding as of December 29.
Office Depot executives said their shareholders would own 51 percent of the combined entity, and OfficeMax shareholders would own 44 percent. Office Depot preferred shareholder BC Partners would own 5 percent, assuming it follows through on a potential plan to convert some of its preferred stock to common shares.
If BC Partners' stake were fully redeemed, Office Depot shareholders would own 54 percent and OfficeMax 46 percent. Office Depot and OfficeMax will have equal representation on the combined entity's board, however.
Office Depot shares closed down 16.7 percent at $4.18, while OfficeMax fell 7 percent to $12.09. Both had been down much more sharply before rebounding somewhat in the last hour of trading.
It was not immediately clear whether the offer was enough to satisfy one of OfficeMax's largest shareholders, Neuberger Berman, which said earlier this week that it would support a deal depending on the terms.
One of the firm's key demands was that OfficeMax pay out a special dividend to shareholders. Under the terms announced Wednesday, OfficeMax would be able to pay cash dividends of up to $1.50 per share before the deal closed.
J.P. Morgan was financial adviser to OfficeMax, and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Dechert LLP were legal advisers. Peter J. Solomon Co and Morgan Stanley were financial advisers to Office Depot's board. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP was legal adviser to Office Depot, and Kirkland & Ellis was legal adviser to its board. Perella Weinberg Partners also acted as financial advisers to the transaction committee of Office Depot's board.
The two sides may have to address antitrust questions, though Austrian said it was "very unlikely" the deal would be blocked. Analysts expect less pushback from authorities for this deal than what Office Depot faced in the 1990s, when it tried to merge with Staples. Of seven antitrust experts polled by Reuters, six said they expected a challenge by regulators or said it was still too close to call.
Office supply retailers, often seen as a barometer of economic health, have suffered as demand for their products fell after the recent U.S. recession. They also face strong competition from Amazon.com Inc and Wal-Mart Stores Inc in selling everything from pens and notebooks to furniture to government, businesses and individuals.
Office Depot and OfficeMax said combining would help them compete better with online retailers and warehouse clubs, among others. They expect the deal to yield annual cost savings of $400 million to $600 million within three years after its anticipated closing by the end of 2013.
They declined to discuss any potential store closings on a conference call with analysts, which Wall Street expects to be a key outcome of the deal. Some analysts expect store closings to be required for antitrust approval.
BB&T Capital Markets analyst Anthony Chukumba said the Office Depot-OfficeMax combination would help larger rival Staples, too.
"Clearly, you can't make this deal work unless you close a bunch of stores," he said. "Store rationalization is long overdue, and Staples will clearly benefit from just having fewer stores to compete with."
Staples has 39.9 percent of the U.S. office supply market, Office Depot 19.2 percent and OfficeMax holds 15.7 percent, according to Euromonitor International.
Both companies also reported fourth-quarter results Wednesday, figures that helped make analysts' point about the need for consolidation in the sector.
OfficeMax said sales fell 7 percent in the quarter and would decline in the first quarter as well. Excluding special items, the company broke even in the fourth quarter, while analysts were expecting a profit of 4 cents per share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.
Office Depot reported a 12 percent decline in sales, which missed Wall Street expectations. Earnings of 16 cents a share before special items beat the analysts' forecast by 1 cent.
Reporting by Phil Wahba; Additional reporting by Jennifer Saba, Caroline Humer, Dhanya Skariachan and Olivia Oran in New York; Writing by Ben Berkowitz; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn