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By Kelly McKinnon, KF9 Leon Nicaragua
¿Quién Causa Tanta Alegría?
¡La Concepción de María!
An exuberant young man, who I was to later understand is the Priest who hosts a Grand Purísima celebration (attended by former presidents, the bishop, the mayor and a five piece brass band), rattled off the schedule of events of the day's celebration of La Purísima:
12:00p Fireworks are lit all over the city to signal the beginning of the celebration.*
12:10p Gigantona dance competition in the central plaza**
6:00p Mass ends and more fireworks sound
6:20p Fireworks end and the Gritando begins***
12:00a More Fireworks
*Not the pretty kind, but the kind that sound like a .12 gauge
**Oh the things I haven't written about!
***Translates as "Screaming" but actually refers to the call for gifts from houses, either a song or a sonorous reciting of "¿Quíen cause tanta alegria?"
On December 6th Fundación León 2000 celebrated La Purísima. Since my arrival I have been hearing about La Purísima. What I had been able to gather about La Purísima before this week, without doing any research because it felt like cheating, was that it's like Halloween and it's the celebration of The Virgin Mary/ The Immaculate Conception. After witnessing the celebration of La Purísima at Fundación León, I had only been able to gleen that singing was involved and, perhaps, gifts of Tupperware filled with matches and candy. I left the party, sent home with a garbage bag filled with four large Tupperwares and one bucket, all full of matches and candy.
Sandra, Kiva Coordinator for Fundación León 2000 and my main source of information, had explained to me that gifts of useful items are given by individuals or households that are able to give, and they do so in the name of The Virgin. And the people need many things. "Ooooooohhh!" I say. "So I can give out the Tupperwares from the Fundación León 2000 party?" I say. Well, yes. But the gifts are given in the name of The Virgin and are supposed to come from here, [Sandra taps her heart].
On December 7th, the day of peak celebration, I had two invitations.
The first celebration I attended required that I wade through streams of people that fit no discernible demographic other than it was a stream of people on a mission. My destination was a freshly painted colonial house with a surge of people at the sidewalk-to-roof wrought iron windows. I waited for the crowd to ebb and made a move for the door. Once safely within I was escorted to a majestic vignette of The Virgin Mary centered at the floor-to ceiling wrought iron window (the five piece brass band was framed at the other window). Hands reached through the wrought iron to receive the candies, toys, pens, cookies, and bags of rice. When we weren't standing at the window voices urged us back with calls of ¿Quíen causa tanta alegría?
I was late for my second invitation. I said my goodbyes and my thank yous and was again filled with gifts and asked to stay a bit longer. The hospitality of the household was unrivaled: I will never again let anyone leave my household without sending them away with a package tied up in a plastic bag.
The directions to Maira's house are: a block above the Tamarindon Tree, the house that has a little tree in front and is green con crema. I was never going to find it.
After asking at four houses (In which, I later learned, lived two of Maira's cousins) I zeroed in on the correct green con crema house with a little tree. Maira was surprised to see me, she never thought I would find it.
La Purísima in Maira's neighborhood felt less fervent, more communal (Like trick-or-treating becomes the further one gets from the houses that give out king size Snickers). There were little altars everywhere. Small statues of The Virgin adorned with beautiful fabrics and strings of lights and candles and flowers cut from nearby bushes.
Maira worried about her daughter being out too late, so we went around the block gritando at the houses that still had their altars illuminated. Maira's calls of ¿Quíen Causa Tanta Alegría? brought people to the door. I was a bit sheepish 'gritando' with my 40 year old coworker, the most I could muster with any kind of conviction was the response ¡Qué Viva! Maira knew everyone's name and narrated in which houses live her relatives. We returned home with our haul of candy. The family started to appear, a two year old was placed in my lap, I received a blue bracelet from a niece and was shown the photo of a grandchild who recently died of encephalitis. Maira says she was three and a little angel.
Maira's husband sits with me in plastic chairs under the street lamps outside where the air is fresher.
'So what do you think of all of this?' he puts the question to me with open hands and a gesture that spans the events of the night. 'You know we are criticized for this tradition? Because people say it's idolatry. But we aren't celebrating a statue. We are celebrating La Concepción de María. And it hasn't always been about getting stuff from people. It started as just singing.'
December 8th is the Catholic celebration of the Immaculate Conception or La Purísima, it is a big celebration here in Nicaragua. Roman Catholicism came to Nicaragua in the 16th century. And now about 60% of the population identifies as Catholic. I am told that each city celebrates a little differently; the city of León because of its colonial history has particularly festive traditions that span for seven days prior. On the eighth most people head to the beach.
Kelly is working with Fundacion Leon 2000 in Leon, Nicaragua and is now better prepared for La Purisima next year. Are you?!


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Willpower. For most of us, it's the reason that 'simple' equation never quite adds up.
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Remember that equation? It's not looking so difficult now, is it?
Find out what happens when Lisa and Jane want to lose weight. You'll be amazed at the difference Zotrim made for one of them!
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subset: commoncrawl


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i took a sample the other day and, all things considered, i think it tastes just fine the way it is. think i'm gonna nix the cherries and just call it a chocolate stout. also, i got the impression it would go great with a squeeze of fresh orange juice.
The one cherry stout I tried a couple years back (Bell's) I didn't like. And I realized afterwards I don't like cherries in any beer, period (though I do like cherries). So I am biased, but as far as I am concerned, it's like leaving out okra in just about any recipe, including fried okra... it can only be improved.


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Grade B Fabric, 25" x 26" x 44", 17" Seat Height, 25" Arm Height
|Frame Color (req)
|Grade B Fabric Sling (req)
|Item Weight:
|13 lbs.
|Item Price:
If your aluminum frame fails structurally, or if the finish peels within five (5) years from the original date of purchase, the manufacturer will repair or replace the frame in the original color and style, if still available. A similar frame or color will be provided if the original has been discontinued.
The manufacturer will warrant its furniture for five (5) years from strap breakage when used in a commercial setting, and three (3) years from strap detachment.
For a period of 1 year from the original purchase date, for defects in materials or workmanship, the manufacturer will repair or replace fabric slings, cushions, straps and woven materials and fabrics.
Service for authorized returns will be performed by the manufacturer in a location designated by the company. Parts and labor are included for a period of one (1) year. The manufacturer will pay freight costs for the first year in the Continental U.S. not including packaging for a period of one (1) year. A Return Goods Authorization must be obtained and approved from ParknPool Corp. (representing the manufacturer) Customer Service before returning products to the factory.
Our furniture is made with pride in the United States of America. Please note that colors may appear different on your screen than the actual product colors. To see the actual frame, strap, and fabric samples please request from ParknPool Corp.
How to obtain service:


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|Version 23 (modified by 14 years ago) (diff),
Server arrangements
Because Django uses WSGI, it can run on any WSGI-compatible Web server. Here's how to run Django on various server arrangements.
Apache with mod_python
See the official documentation.
Apache with FastCGI
See the official documentation.
Mac OS X users, see Django with FCGI on OS X? -- How to get Django up and running with FastCGI and the Mac OS X default Apache 1.3
Legacy documentation (i.e., unofficial docs written before the official docs were released) is available here: Django, Apache and FCGI and lighttpd+FCGI documentation.
lighttpd with FastCGI
See the official documentation.
Legacy documentation (i.e., unofficial docs written before the official docs were released) is available here: Running Django with FCGI and lighttpd and Django, lighttpd and FCGI, second take.
Django/lighttpd/FastCGI instructions for use on TextDrive shared hosting accounts are also available.
Multiple versions with FastCGI
See #172.
See the description in the trac-wiki for how to combine them. TooFPy is a pure-python webserver with focus on the creation of web services.
Apache and SCGI
SCGI can be used with Apache like this. It builds on stuff from the Apache+FCGI documentation above.
Django behind/inside Zope
Not really a server arrangement per se, I've found a way to query a Django site from Zope or Plone and return the result. This allows you to include a Django site inside a pre-existing Zope/Plone site. Good for custom content that you don't want to use existing Zope technologies to develop. For the code, see this partly documented file. It's in a temporary location for the time being; when I get a blog set up, I plan to complete the explanation and post it. For more info, drop an email to jeff (at) bitprophet (dot) org.
Running Django as a traditional CGI is possible and would work the same as running any other sort of Python CGI script, but is generally not recommended.
With traditional CGI, the program which will be run -- in this case, Django plus a Django-powered application -- is loaded from disk into memory each time a request is served, which results in a significant amount of processing overhead and much slower responses. FastCGI and SCGI, in contrast, load the code only once -- when the server starts up -- and keep it in memory as long as the server is running, resulting in much faster responses.
If that hasn't put you off and you still need CGI, take a look at ticket 2407
Django built-in development server
By default the development server that comes with Django will only accept connections on the localhost interface (127.0.0.1). To have it listen on the proper network interface, you can start the server like this:
python manage.py runserver 0.0.0.0:8000


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Eclipse home stretch
Peter Facinelli and Kellan Lutz arrived back in Vancouver early Sunday to finish off filming for Twilight Eclipse in Vancouver, now entering the final days of production and, more and more, approaching what's looking like a permanent farewell to Canada's West Coast.
As previously reported, British Columbia's current tax credit scheme is much less attractive than other cities, specifically Portland, which desperately wants the Twilight Saga back for the final installment. Vancouver crew members who worked on both New Moon and Eclipse have been told they are free to find other work, and have not been held for future engagement.
So heads up Vancouver Twi-Hards, they'll soon be gone. Throw pride and shame to the gutter and stalk them now while you can. Give Kellan Lutz a hug of relief too. Am told exclusively that he narrowly avoided a bad accident recently on set when a transport golf cart went rogue. A makeup artist was injured and after treatment will make a full recovery.
Here's Kristen Stewart Sunday afternoon at LAX also heading back to Vancouver after a quick 24 hours at home conveniently when the Scream Awards just happened to be happening…
Must be a simple coincidence.
Exclusive photos of Kellan Lutz and Peter Facinelli from PUNKD Images and Stewart photos from Wenn.com


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Air Force 2nd Lt. Christina L. Thompson has graduated from the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT) program conducted by the 80th Flying Training Wing at Sheppard Air Force Base, Wichita Falls, Texas.
The 55-week training program, sponsored by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is designed to produce pilots qualified for assignment to military fighter aircraft as part of NATO's flying force. The multinational program trains approximately 250 undergraduate pilots from the U.S. and 13 participating NATO nations each year.
The student pilots receive 256 hours of flight training in T-37 and T-38 aircraft, and 537 hours of ground training in academics, officer development, physical training, and other required subjects. Specific hours are used to achieve special skills needed to prepare the student pilot for follow-on training in fighter aircraft and acclimate pilots to adverse weather conditions and restricted airspace as experienced in Europe.
Thompson is the daughter of Nancy and Matthew Thompson of Bocilla Lane, Bokeelia.
Thompson graduated in 2008 from Fort Myers High School, and received a bachelor of science in 2012 from the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.


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natural order: Phyllis Styles
These objects are only a part of our collections, of which there are more than 350,000 objects. More information on the objects listed on our website.
This information comes from our collections database. Some of this is incomplete and there may be some errors. The database sometimes uses language taken from historical documents to help research, which may now appear outdated and even offensive. The database also includes information on objects that are considered secret or sacred by some communities.If you have any further information about objects in our collections or can suggest corrections to our information, please contact us.
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Reviewed by Kavyaa P. (age 8)
My favorite part was when Dink's dad tricked Josh that he is going to order spaghetti and meatballs. I like it because Josh loves to eat. I like this book because it is a mystery. The illustrations were very neat. The illustrations have lots of details in them. You can't wait to see Josh's drawings because he draws very well. This book is part of a series. There are 31 books in the series. It is very similar to the other books in the series because they are all mysteries.
I recommend this book to all the people who love mysteries. Students in grades two through five would enjoy this book. They would like the characters because they are very funny.


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I know the internet doesn't really care about this, but I've not been posting much because I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed, and under inspired.
I've got a couple of days of peace and quiet which I'm using to iron out a few crinkles in my head. And then, slowly, getting things underway again, with a bit of luck.
And to start - keep a clean house in just 19 minutes a day. Marvellous.
The Keep-It-Clean Plan | Cleaning : RealSimple.com
Monday, June 05, 2006
2 comments:
Hope you're feeling fresher and are ready to post again soon... I like the housework tips in theory, but fear I may be a lost cause.
- 1:32 pm, June 16, 2006
Hope you're feeling refreshed and ready to post again soon. I like the housework tips in theory, but fear I may be a lost cause.
- 1:33 pm, June 16, 2006
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Consensus Report
Informing an Effective Response to Climate Change (2010)Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate
Each report is produced by a committee of experts selected by the Academy to address a particular statement of task and is subject to a rigorous, independent peer review; while the reports represent views of the committee, they also are endorsed by the Academy. Learn more on our expert consensus reports.
Advancing the Science of Climate Change
Limiting the Magnitude of Climate Change
Adapting to the Impacts of Climate Change
A five-video series on the America's Climate Choices project
Demand for information to support climate-related decisions has grown as people, organizations, and governments have moved ahead with plans and actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to adapt to the impacts of climate change. Today, however, the nation lacks comprehensive, robust, and credible information systems to inform climate choices and evaluate their effectiveness. This report examines information needs and calls for the federal government to build upon its existing efforts and those of state and local government, the private sector and citizens by establishing clear federal leadership, responsibility, and coordination for climate related decisions, climate risk management, information systems, and services.
In order to meet national needs for state-of-the-art information on climate change, its impacts, and response options, a coordinated system of climate services is needed; such a system would require the involvement of multiple agencies and regional expertise, with very clear leadership at the highest level of government. A federally supported and credible system for greenhouse gas monitoring, reporting, verification, and management from multiple sources and at multiple scales is also a priority. The majority of Americans are concerned about climate change and are willing to respond, but would like more information. Therefore, the report also recommends the creation of a national task force on climate communication and education.
Key Messages
- Climate-related information from other countries is essential to U.S. climate choices for reasons that include: 1.) the economic and market couplings of the U.S. with the rest of the world; 2.) shared water and other natural resources; 3.) disease spread and human health; 4.) humanitarian relief efforts; and 5.) human and national security. The federal government should support the collection and analysis of relevant international information about climate change and its impacts.
- Decision makers in both public and private sectors can benefit from an iterative risk management framework for responding to climate change, in which decisions and policies can be revised in light of new information and experience. Information and reporting systems allow for the ongoing evaluation of responses to climate risks.
- In order to meet national needs for state-of-the-art information on climate change, its impacts, and response options, a coordinated system of climate services is needed. In the panel's judgment, no single government agency or centralized unit can perform all the functions required; a system that involves multiple agencies and regional expertise is needed, with very clear leadership at the highest level of government, responsiveness to the needs of users, and ongoing metrics for evaluation.
- The climate-related decisions that society will confront over the coming decades will require an informed and engaged public. A majority of Americans are concerned about climate change and are willing to respond, but would like more information. The federal government should establish a national task force that includes formal and informal educators, government agencies, policymakers, business leaders, and scientists, among others, to set national goals and objectives, and to develop a coordinated strategy to improve climate change education and communication.
- There is a growing demand for better information on climate change that is tailored to user needs, provided at space and timescales to support decision-making, communicated clearly, and accompanied by decision support tools that allow exploration of alternative pathways.
- There is considerable potential for the actions of state and local government, the private sector and individual citizens to contribute to the nationwide response to climate change, but better information and coordination with federal policies would make these decisions more effective.
- To provide a policy framework that promotes effective responses at all levels of American society, the federal government should build on its existing efforts and establish clear federal leadership, responsibility, and coordination for climate related decisions, information systems, and services.
- Today, the diversity of greenhouse gas standards, calculation methods, and reporting systems creates potential confusion for consumers, businesses, and policy makers. A federally supported system for greenhouse gas monitoring, reporting, verification, and management from multiple sources and at multiple scales is needed to ensure credibility and transparency.
- Tools for informing consumer decisions, such as appliance ratings that predict energy use, coupled with incentives, can change behavior. The federal government should review and promote credible and easily understood standards and labels for energy efficiency and emerging measures of carbon/greenhouse gas information that build trust and awareness with consumers.


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The last five years have been no piece of cake, but you've successfully stayed afloat by running a tight ship. That includes watching your pennies and trimming the fat. The bright side is that things are improving. Last year indicated that we've bottomed out and now we're beginning to climb back up again.
During this rough period, the paradigms have shifted and the way we work has changed. We realize that we can't do business the way we did in the past. And the changes we made to keep our doors open need to stay in place.
One of the areas we isolated as a major cost in our business is labor. So you need to ask yourself a simple question: How can I maximize our production so that my business can continue while keeping a competitive edge?
Since many of us offer a maintenance program, including those who only did design/build in the past, a good place to begin would be to see if we can improve our productivity by utilizing the equipment we already own. The question I would ask myself is: How can I get more use out of the investment that I've made in my lawn mowers?
With all of the new technology developed over the last several years, today's equipment can make your crews far more effective and efficient. So let's look at some of the lawn mowers on the market today and see how we can maximize their use.
Basic walk-behinds are a mainstay in any landscape contractor's equipment inventory. They're perfect for smaller residential lawns, where they've become the true workhorses. Walk-behinds are available from 21" up to 36"; they can go through small side door openings, are ideal for mowing strip medians, and can easily be transported.
The Commercial 30", a new walkbehind recently introduced by Exmark, is a hybrid of sorts. "What's great about the Commercial 30" is that you can use it just as a 21" but get far more versatility and productivity," says John Cloutier, product manager for Exmark. "You get that 30" cut, which is 45 percent greater than a 21" machine. And because of its larger size, the Commercial 30" can get into those tighter areas, those postage-stamp lawns, where in the past they've been mowed by the 21" walk-behinds. Also, because of its light weight and balance, it's not overly heavy and easy to maneuver."
If you're working on larger pieces of property, the next step up is a self-propelled hydro walk-behind. These units range in size up to 72". They're relatively heavier and more powerful machines and can travel up to six miles per hour.
In terms of effectiveness, your walk-behind can be just as useful on slopes as it is on level areas. "If the contractor is doing a lot of work on hills, then the walk-behind is worth looking into, because it allows you better stability," says Ross Hawley, marketing manager for riding products at Toro. "Most guys go with hydro walk-behinds so that they have a full hydraulic power package behind them, And on slopes, if you take the weight of the operator off of the product, you end up with good balance on the machine. The operator can muscle the machine, as well, which will help keep it going where he wants it to go."
Yet because walk-behinds are large, heavy pieces of equipment, as the day wears on, the operator becomes more fatigued and the equipment becomes harder to maneuver. Many hydro walk-behinds have given way to riding mowers because of the fatigue factor.
Now there's an easy solution to this problem. In recent years, manufacturers have been offering a single- or two-wheel sulky or stand-on for your walk-behind. By simply adding this sulky, you can eliminate operator fatigue. Now, rather than getting worn out walking miles during the course of the day, your crew member can float over terrain and remain fresher and more productive.
Although the ride-on mower has been around for years, it wasn't until the zero-turn (ZT) was introduced that it began to gain in popularity. By pushing both handles forward, the mower will move forward; pull both handles back and the machine goes in reverse. To turn right, push forward on the right handle, visa versa for the left turn. This machine seems to pivot in place and can turn within its own footprint.
ZTs are available in both midmount or front mount, and ranges from 36" to 72". They can travel at eight miles per hour or more, and they're excellent for larger-sized lawns. But just imagine, if you have a few acres or more to cut, using a 36" walk-behind or a ZT, how long it would take you to complete the job.
A more efficient way would be to use a 72" unit. One pass can cut twice the area of a 36" unit, thereby allowing you to do the job in half the time. It can maneuver around trees and fences easily. One of the more compelling reasons landscape maintenance companies purchase this unit is because it takes the wear and tear off of the operator.
The stand-on or stander was developed some years ago and fits somewhere in-between a self-propelled walk-behind and a ride-on ZT. Stand-ons fit through small openings and work just as well in tight spaces as they do in larger areas. Some operators feel more comfortable leaning into the unit's padded cushion while standing, which is why they prefer this mower to a ZT. Additionally, these units are highly maneuverable and easy to transport.
By picking and choosing the mowers that best suit your company's needs, you'll have the versatility to do smaller and/or bigger maintenance jobs far more efficiently.
Attachments Another area that's worthy of review is how to make your mowers even more multifunctional: by using attachments. Whether you're maintaining dry lawns in the summer or trying to clear snow in the winter, these handy implements can maximize the use of your mower and the productivity of your maintenance crew.
"Technology behind equipment has increased, and more thought has been put into the design of attachments to better accommodate mowers," says James Truan, vice president of sales and marketing at TurfEx. "For example, some attachments feature innovative mounting systems, which allow them to easily fit on almost any zero-turn mower on the market. Furthermore, some powered attachments are fully electric, allowing equipment like spreaders and sprayers to run completely off the mower's battery."
Attachments can definitely make your mower versatile all year 'round. In the spring and fall, you can easily convert your ZT from a grass cutter to a seed and fertilizer spreader. With the right attachment, you can just as effortlessly transform your unit into an aerator, a sprayer, a leaf pusher, or a dethatcher.
There are attachments that will allow you to mulch or vacuum; there are even blower attachments available. And when it's snowing, special attachments can make your mower a snow blower, a snow sweeper, or a snow thrower.
Adds Truan, "Some attachments are even multi-purpose. For example, TurfEx offers a Thatch, Groom 'N' Sweep package, which is a two-in-one attachment. To transform it from a sweeper to a dethatcher, the operator simply slides out the brush sections from the sweeper housing and replaces them with dethatcher tines. For added versatility, a leaf pusher can also be attached to the housing for gathering large piles of leaves."
While many of these attachments are ideal for front-deck ZTs—with the removable front deck allowing for a variety of attachments—your mid-mount ZT is also fairly adaptable. An aerator, for example, can be quickly attached to a mid-mount's rear and smoothly towed.
Other attachments can be conveniently added to the ZT mid-mount. Says James Parello, marketing manager of Husqvarna, "If you add a bagging system to the back of a midmount, you need to add weights to its front to offset the amount of weight behind the mower. It could be awkward. But if your job is to get around corporate parks and cut grass, collect it and get rid of it, you take a big commercial zero-turn, put a dump collections system on it, weights on the front that hook over onto the frame…and you're off and running."
What about mulching? Over the years, mulching has become more and more an integral aspect of a maintenance business, especially with the increase in ecological awareness. And since some municipalities prohibit the bagging and discarding of grass clippings, it's really your only alternative.
Some ZTs have built-in mulch-on-demand decks. But what if your mower doesn't have this luxury? You can add a side discharge unit which blasts the cut grass off to one side of the mower.
There are scores of mulching kits available which will allow your mower to more thoroughly and accurately mulch. Once installed, the average mulching kit takes all of the scooped-up grass clippings and discharges them—not to the side of the mower, but deep down into the turf.
"When you get into mulching, we do a dedicated mulching deck," says Tim Cromley, marketing manager at Walker Mowers. "You take the existing deck off and put a mulching deck on. They come in a variety of sizes, too. Some people take our grass-handling deck and use it in spring and fall. But for the summer schedule, a lot of time they'll want a mulching deck, so they'll just switch that out and it's a versatile machine throughout the year."
Going green
Another area that's impacting our industry is the green movement. There's a group of clients who are more attuned to being ecologically compliant. Our industry is also concerned about the environment, so now many manufacturers of mowing equipment offer a variety of alternative fuels.
The old stand-by is gasoline, including ethanol. Diesel fuel is being used as well as propane and natural gas. Additionally, a number of manufacturers are working on battery-operated units.
Now that we've looked at the mowers available and maximizing their versatility, keep in mind that your customers may very well dictate what types of mowers they want on their lawns. For instance, some of your customers might not want a relatively larger machine on their smaller property. This is all the more reason why you need to closely examine your choices in mowers, especially if you're an entry-level contractor. Rather than plunk down a lot of hard-earned cash on a machine that might be too large for your purposes, take the time to figure out what's best and most economical for you.
You also need to ask yourself, "Are all the bells and whistles on a more elaborate mower necessary for the needs of my business?" Find out what the majority of your contract jobs entail and—again, especially if you're a fairly new maintenance business—pick a mower that fits into your budget, while also ensuring both productivity and profitability.
In the end, no one mower will do it all. But thanks to the wide array of equipment on the market, as well as the advanced technology and adaptable nature of these versatile machines, you can definitely find the right mower that'll keep you and your business in the green.


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5 L-Box
Product Information
|Put all the pieces inside the frame.
|Level 9 - Gruelling
|European Wood Puzzles, Jürgen Reiche
|9 cm x 8 cm x 0.8 cm / 3.5 in x 3.2 in x 0.3 in
Product Description
As the title suggests, this is a packing puzzle that features 5 L-shaped pieces. To solve the puzzle, all five pieces must fit into the frame. Designed by Siebenstein-Spiele founder Jürgen Reiche and made in laser-cut wood by Siebenstein-Spiele.
Based in Munster, Germany, Siebenstein-Spiele was founded in 1992. Although the company is mainly known for board games, Siebenstein-Spiele also makes many wooden puzzles, several of which have been designed by company founder Jürgen Reiche.
NOTE: Wood colors may vary.
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Large Cap Value Fund (HWLCX)
The performance data quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Current performance may be lower or higher. Investment return and principal value of the fund will fluctuate, and shares may be worth more or less than their original cost when redeemed. Click quarter-end or month-end to obtain the most recent fund performance.
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The person posting on the Internet as "Marcella Hazan" had the legendary cookbook author's voice down pat: Gracious, authoritative, opinionated, fully capable of delivering either reproofs or praise.
Still, I assumed the "Marcella Hazan" commenting on a blog post I wrote wasn't really Hazan, author of the classic cookbooks creating "the definitive roadmap" to Italian food. It's partly that Hazan is 87 years old, living a quiet life in Florida, and not the first person I'd expect to find posting on blogs and Facebook and throwing around words like "blogosphere." I assumed the commenter was a hoax because Hazan is the "godmother of Italian cooking," a luminary in a way that few are even in today's celebrity-chef obsessed culture. Although I had interviewed Hazan and her husband Victor on a book tour when her memoir was released in 2008, seeing her comment on pasta books and rice cookers and measuring cups was as surreal as picking up the iPhone and finding Julia Child on the line.
Such is the strangeness of the modern world, though, that I could stop by Hazan's Facebook page and ask if "Marcella Hazan" was truly Marcella Hazan. ("Yes, my dear," she replied). And even more intriguing is the fact that the octogenarian author is one of the most interactive Facebook celebrities I've ever seen, using the social media service as a personal home page rather than a promotional tool. No, she doesn't play Farmville, but she writes elegant short essays in the "notes" function, she recommends magazine articles, she engages with friends and fans (currently numbering 3,232), and she leads discussions on food culture. She answers fans questions on issues such as whether prawns can be added to her recipe for fennel risotto. Her information page innocuously (but accurately) refers to her employment as "Self." (Education: "Studied Biology, Paleonthology at University of Ferrara.")
Nigel Slater: the best Brit you've never heard of
I wondered what Hazan gets out of Facebook, what else she's reading and writing about online, and whether we can expect to find her on Twitter next. She graciously answered questions via email:
1. Why did you join Facebook? And why join using a personal page (limited to 5,000 "friends"), rather than a "fan" page?
Honestly, I didn't know what to expect when I joined Facebook. I even thought I might drop out of it in short order. But it very quickly developed into something I have always deeply enjoyed and that has been missing from my life since I retired from teaching, direct contact with people who cook and moreover with those who like to cook from my books. I am cyber ignorant and don't know the difference between a personal page and fan page.
2. What are your guidelines for accepting friend requests? And which people do you send "friend" requests to yourself?
I try to accept requests only from those who have some mutual friends or who include a message that indicates they know and are interested in what I do. I do not accept, or if I have already accepted I unfriend, those, even if they are in the media, who I believe have a hostile or argumentative agenda. I do not send friend requests.
3. What has the experience been like so far? Do you consider it a social activity or a business-related one? Do you have any interest in Twitter or other social media sites?
It has been a terrific experience because I have established a warm epistolary relationship with people around the world. Facebook has also provided me with a platform from which I can discuss issues about which I have strong feelings. I am old, I have greatly diminished mobility, I no longer travel anywhere, and I lead a very quiet life on a barrier island in the Gulf. I am not looking to expand social contacts and I would not need FB to do it if it were to interest me. FB is an activity related to my professional interests and philosophical positions. It relieves me from even considering starting my own blog, for which I do not have the energy. I am not interested in Twitter or other social media sites.
4. I noticed that you had also commented on author Michael Ruhlman's blog. What sites do you regularly read online, and what inspires you to leave a comment or start a discussion?
I do not regularly read any blog. I have subscribed to Google alert, which brings to my attention references to my work that I could be interested in commenting on. Sometimes, a friend will tell me that there is a discussion going on that I might like to join, and I look it up.
5. When we last spoke in person, in 2008, you were on a book tour for your memoir. Are there other books you would like to write, or are working on now?
I have signed a contract with Scribner to write a book about ingredients.
6. The question you have probably been asked in every interview over the years: What are some of the things you are cooking these days?
I cook the food that is in my books. I am cooking less meat than I once did. We have both store-bought and homemade pasta regularly, with very simple sauces, risotto, soup, and always as many vegetables as I have the energy to prep. For the first time in decades, I have no kitchen help. We basically have one main meal a day: coffee only in the morning, a full meal at midday, and a very light supper after 9 PM that sometimes consists of just an apple, or a caprese, or a slice or two of prosciutto, or an English muffin.
Seattle writer Rebekah Denn blogs at eatallaboutit.com


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I thought that the way the course was organized with 2 lessons a week and quizzes to help reinforce the content was excellent and right on target. I found it easy to become engaged in the lessons, assignments, and online discussions; rather than experiencing information overload where it's harder to retain the material. The supplementary links were also very helpful and a nice addition to the lessons. The instructor was very responsive to any comments or questions I had along the way. I enjoyed the teaching style very much.
I really enjoyed this class. It definitely filled the gaps in my knowledge of Project Management. I also enjoyed being able to attend class at my leisure from home.
I had very little project management knowledge before taking this class and thought that I might be overwhelmed by the course content. However, I found that the course taught at just the right level to introduce me to the concepts, tools & processes of project management. I highly recommend the course to anyone wanting a taste of the project management world!
I really enjoyed the course, and wish I had more time to utilize the discussion area, it was fantastic, I had some of the same questions that were answered, and some great ideas as well! Great course, invaluable resources too!! Can't wait for the next part!
I was greatly impressed by this course. It was the correct length and enabled me to print out the exercises. The supplemental web sites are excellent. Great job.
This was a fantastic class and I really enjoyed it!
Mr. Swaim did a very good job in putting this material together. He has proven that he is very knowledgeable in Project Management. The lessons were easy to follow and understand and the flow of the subject matter was very good. I would recommend his course to others.
This was my first online class and I thought it was excellent. The instructor gave me material that I can use in other aspects of my job and I am planning on doing so shortly. If your other instructors are as good as Tony, you will have a great program, and you should be proud of it.
Tony, as a final comment on the course, my major is in Educational Technology and I've worked with technical institutes setting up distance learning initiatives for some time. The way you've organized this course is impressive. Also for the number of students that you had enrolled the amount of individual attention that you provided was spectacular. It takes a lot of time and committment to maintain contact with a large class, however, from the student's perspective it is extremely motivating.Good work.
Tony, Thank you for this on line course. I found both the course content and your comments to be informative and interesting.
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5 ways to give your home instant wow factor
Subtle changes can add the WOW factor and completely transform your home. Choose elements that aren't too expensive and won't take too much time or
With years of experience, we have the knowledge to provide a comprehensive range of wall and floor tiling services at a price that matches your budget. From interior tiling to installing heating systems, we will ensure you receive reliable and fast services at all times. We only utilise high-quality equipment from top suppliers to provide you the best results.
Since establishment, we are a high-quality organisation that provides one of the finest floor tiling services to our valued clients. Our great deal of experience in this industry means we have exclusively set the standard when it comes to ceramic interiors, and our first-class prominence and a vast number of satisfied customers prove our exceptional workmanship, attention to detail and transparent conversation. With our comprehensive trade knowledge, at NRA Tiling, we cover all aspects of tiling, from a very small interior fits to much larger commercial jobs.
We acknowledge that modifying the interior of your workspace can have an immense impact on the aesthetic atmosphere and appeal of the space. As expert tiling specialists, we desire you to be fully satisfied with the floor tiling services that we offer.
We provide an extensive range of services to all of our highly valued customers; from expert advice at the initial planning phases to our no charge quotation and evaluation service.
For a free no obligation quote call NRA Tiling today!
NRA Tiling is a tiling business based out in Edens Landing, south of the Brisbane CBD. Servicing clients in 100 km around their base, Gold Coast, Brisbane and up to Sunshine Coast, we can handle everything, when it comes to tiling.
Whether your kitchen is looking a bit dull and is in need of a faceliftment, or you are renovating your bathroom, or in need of a reliable commercial tiling services, look no further than the expert team at NRA Tiling.
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Subtle changes can add the WOW factor and completely transform your home. Choose elements that aren't too expensive and won't take too much time or
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Great Hall of Thráin
The Great Hall of Thráin was a vast rocky chamber beneath the deepest part of the Lonely Mountain of Erebor, named for the founder of the Kingdom, Thráin I. It held the Arkenstone, which Thráin himself had found beneath the Mountain, and the stone spilled light into the Hall (at least, if the songs of the Dwarves are to be believed).
After a time, the Kings of Durin's line abandoned Erebor, and for a time the Great Hall was without the light of the Arkenstone. After nearly four centuries, Thráin's descendant Thrór returned there, and replaced the brilliant stone in the Hall. For nearly two hundred years more the Dwarves dwelt undisturbed beneath Erebor, until the coming of the dragon Smaug. Thrór and his family were able to escape through a secret passage that led from the Great Hall, but Smaug plundered their treasures and gathered them together, lying on a bed of gold in the Great Hall of the Kings under the Mountain.
Many years later, Bilbo Baggins crept back down the same passage to find Smaug sleeping on his golden hoard. Bilbo failed to recognise the chamber as a Hall of Kings: he described it as no more than 'the great bottommost cellar or dungeon-hall of the ancient dwarves'. Through a series of extraordinary events, Smaug was eventually defeated and the line of the Kings under the Mountain was restored. Dáin II Ironfoot took up the Kingship of Erebor, but he did not return the Arkenstone to its place in the Great Hall. Instead, it was buried on the breast of his cousin Thorin Oakenshield, who had died in the battle to regain the Kingdom.


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maxafi necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 93 diseños de 28 diseñadores freelance.
We have recently acquired the domain 'cow.co.uk' and plan to utilise it for a price comparison site (with a few twists).
Desired Color Scheme:
No constraints - doesn't necessarily have to be the obvious choice of black and white!
Desired Style:
Clean, straightforward and uncomplicated
Accepted File Formats:
Illustrator EPS Preferred, Photoshop Layered PSD Acceptable
cow.co.uk will be a price comparison site, with a few twists that set it apart from all the other comparison sites out there (can't give more info than that right now I'm afraid!).
We need a clean, relatively simple and clearly recognisable logo. There are no set ideas in place in terms of the identity we're looking for right now, other than it needs to be something people can identify quickly without having to study it.
I have run a number of contests successfully here recently, and currently have another running right now.
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


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Ex-Wife Mike Betette joined us for our 9th Anniversary show – based off the suggestion "G.Q.". It was a rollicking good time for everyone involved. Check it out:
Our 9th Anniversary show last week was a blast. I brought my camera and snapped these candid pics of the gang backstage. Enjoy!
Ex-Wives Tim Jennings and Zabeth Russell joined us for our last show of the year – based off the suggestion
It's the holiday season again. And no matter what you celebrate, nothing is better than curling up next to a cozy fire with your favorite Trophy Wives. Fuzzy socks? Check. Hot Toddys? YES. Nuzzling? You bet your ass.
And it's going to be a chilly one this week, too. It might even dip down into the 40s. THE 40's, PEOPLE. We better huddle together to stay warm. There's no other alternative.
So throw on your best holiday sweater and join us this Thursday night at 10pm iOWest as we present our Intimate Holiday Special. We're sandwiched between The Reckoning and Drunkards and Dragons for maximum warmth. We'll bring the laughs. You bring the marshmallows and hot chocolate. It's gonna be festive as shit.
Trophy Wife's Intimate Holiday Special
Thursday, Dec 5th @ 10pm on the Main Stage
iOWest Mainstage
6366 Hollywood Blvd. Los Angeles
We're super-jazzed ("super-jazzed", really? Who says that?) about this Thursday night's show at iOWest. NOT ONLY because it might be our last show of 2013 (we don't know our December schedule yet), but also because we'll be joined by special Guest Wife Haley Mancini.
Haley's a veteran of Boom Chicago, UCB, iO, and the Groundlings, as well as the co-host of The Morning After on Hulu. Check out her latest episode:
We'll be sharing the hour once again with the always-excellent The Reckoning, so be sure to join us at 10pm this Thursday night at iOWest for a show we're super-jazzed about.
Trophy Wife with Haley Mancini
Thursday, Nov 14th @ 10pm on the Main Stage
iOWest Mainstage
Next month marks the inaugural Improv Fest Ireland in Dublin. Put together by our pal Neil Curran and friends, it's a full week of shows, workshops, and storytelling featuring groups from around the world. Despite a full-half of our team being of Irish descent, we can't make it, but we took a minute after a recent show to shout them out. Check it out:
For more information on the festival or to buy tickets, visit Improv Fest Ireland.
Our first Thursday night show at iOWest – based on the suggestion machete – was a total blast. And surprisingly bloody. No idea why. Anyway, check it out:
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Cold Steel 90WH War Hammer Drop Forged Tomahawk 30" Overall
Cold Steel
At the end of the 13th century, the sword ruled supreme as the primary weapon of Knights and Men-At-Arms. However, with the introduction of steel plate armor, the popularity of the sword as a battlefield weapon began to wane. You see, the problem was the sword couldn't cut or crush steel plate and had to be specially designed for use only as a thrusting weapon if it was to have even a chance at piercing plate armor. Enter the War Hammer - an ideal weapon for use against an opponent who is encased in plate steel. The heavy hammer head could crush the strongest helmet or suit of plate armor with just a few blows and the back spike could rip through helm and plate like a modern can opener! In battle, the hammer side was usually employed first to knock down and stun an enemy. Once he was on the ground, helpless, the hammer was reversed and the back spike was used to punch a hole through the helmet and deliver the coup de grace.
Now Special Projects brings you an inexpensive, yet highly effective, recreation of this awesome weapon. Weighing a little over 2 1/2" lbs., the Cold Steel War Hammer is highly maneuverable and can be easily wielded with one or both hands. The head is drop forged out of 5150 steel and differentially heat treated. This means the point of the spike and enormous hammer face (11/2" x 11/2") are fully hardened so they can pierce and crush tough materials without failing while the rest of the hammer is left soft to absorb the shock of heavy blows.
The handle of our War Hammer has been designed to be equally tough. Made of straight grain American Hickory and measuring 30" long it provides tremendous leverage so enormously powerful blows may be struck. To protect the handle from assault by an opponent armed with an edged weapon we have included a pair of sturdy steel langets which can be attached below the head with the screws provided. (Some assembly is required. Instructions are included).
Drop Forged Tomahawks
These superb tomahawks are precision drop forged from 1055 Carbon steel. Drop forging is, without doubt, the best method of manufacture for any impact weapon, particularly one with a cutting edge. During the forging process a metal ingot is heated almost white hot and then formed into shape in a series of progressive dies. The large steel dies are fixed to enormous compressed air hammers. Each die hammers the hot metal into a gradually more finished shape. The steel is kneaded and compressed into a completely homogenous mass making the grain structure uniform and minimizing gas pockets or other imperfections that can ruin the construction of a hand forged hawk. This is why most good axes, hatchets, and hammers are drop forged.
These hawks are differentially heat treated. This means that the cutting edge and hammer face is fully hardened, while the balance is left relatively soft to absorb the shock of striking blows.
Looking for a replacement handle? Click here.
- Primary Edge: 1 1/2" (Hammer)
- Overall: 30"
- Hawk: 7 3/8:
- Weight: 39.8 oz.
- Head: Made in Taiwan; Handle: Made in USA
UPC Code: 705442003250
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$84.98 On Sale: $56.95


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Are You Looking For a Hampton Bays Replacement Windows Contractor Today?
Built Right Renovation, Inc. is a remodeling firm located in Central Long Island. We have been recognized as one of "Americas best Remodelers" by Better Homes and Gardens magazine. We currently received the "Award of Excellence" by Alside Manufacturing Company (the pioneers of high quality exterior products), for demonstrating an exceptional level and expertise in the use of their building products.
As impressive as we try to make those acknowledgements sound, we are just a small firm, that gets its pleasure out of installing one job at a time, improving the living conditions of our clients. We would like to offer our window replacement services to you.
Built Right Renovations – Hampton Bays Vinyl Siding
From start to finish our Long Island vinyl siding contractor works to provide Hampton Bays homeowners with unmatched customer service. All of our Hampton Bays craftsmen are factory trained. Our experts have the experience and knowledge to ensure professional quality finish on your vinyl siding project.
We are a fully insured and licensed full service remodeling company in Hampton Bays. We provide service to both Suffolk and Nassau Counties. We also offer a 100% money back guarantee on our vinyl siding services.
Hampton Bays Kitchens
Financial considerations and emotional impact remain the two key factors in deciding whether or not to remodel a kitchen in Hampton Bays. Financially, a kitchen remodeling project averages the highest returns of all, followed closely by a bathroom addition and a new master suite. A minor kitchen remodel in Hampton Bays averages 115% ROI (return on investment), while a major kitchen remodel average 125% ROI in the first year.
Hampton Bays Kitchen Remodeling
If you're planning to make improvements to your home, you can start with kitchen remodeling since it is the area that always shows the signs of wear and tear. Your Long Island kitchen is not just a place that provides your family the comfort and nourishment you need but for a stay-at-home Mom, it is the center of the home.
A homemaker spends a lot of time in the kitchen for most part of the day – preparing and cooking meals, baking, or just spending some quality time with the kids. Apart from the bathroom, it is the most used part of the house and giving the area a makeover will give your home an instant facelift.
Our Remodeling Services in Hampton Bays
Areas We Provide Remodeling Services near Hampton Bays
Nassau County, NY | Hempstead, NY | Baldwin, NY | Bellmore Chamber, NY | East Rockaway, NY | Elmont, NY | Franklin Square, NY | Freeport, NY | Garden City, NY | Levittown, NY | Lynbrook, NY | Malverne, NY | Merrick, NY | Rockville Centre, NY | Uniondale, NY | Valley Stream, NY | North Hempstead, NY | Great Neck, NY | Manhasset, NY | New Hyde Park, NY | Port Washington, NY | Saddle Rock, NY | Sands Point, NY | Wantagh, NY | Oyster Bay, NY | Bayville, NY | Farmingdale Chamber, NY | Hicksville, NY | Massapequa Park, NY | Plainview/Old Bethpage, NY | Syosset/Woodbury, NY | Glen Cove, NY | Long Beach, NY | Suffolk County, NY | Babylon, NY | Amityville, NY | Babylon Village, NY | Lindenhurst, NY | East Northport, NY | Huntington, NY | Northport Village, NY | Northport, NY | Brookhaven, NY | Bellport, NY | Blue Point, NY | Port Jefferson, NY | Patchogue, NY | Mastic-Shirley, NY | Stony Brook, NY | East Hampton, NY | Montauk Chamber, NY | Islip, NY | Ocean Beach, NY | Sayville, NY | East Islip, NY | West Islip, NY | Riverhead, NY | Smithtown, NY | St. James, NY | Smithtown Chamber, NY | Southampton, NY | East Quogue, NY | Hampton Bays, NY | Sag Harbor, NY | Southold, NY | Greenport, NY | Mattituck Chamber, NY | Shelter Island, NY | Fire Island, NY | Queens, NY


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David Friedman / NBC News
Oumama Kabli, center, celebrates becoming a U.S. citizen during a naturalization ceremony on April 15 at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. Kabli, 19, is a private in the Army National Guard and entitled to become a citizen without the normal five-year residency requirement because of her military service.
This story is part of NBC News' series "Immigration Nation," an in-depth examination of immigration in America.
A wartime edict to entice immigrants to join the military in exchange for rapid naturalization has created 83,000 new American citizens. But one critic worries the initiative will become permanent — or perhaps even expand — essentially outsourcing more U.S. combat jobs and, he argues, injecting the armed forces with an increased security risk.
Launched via a 2002 executive order by President George W. Bush, the program lets green-card holders who enlist in the U.S. armed services bypass the typical five-year residency rule and apply immediately for citizenship at no fee. More than 10 percent of such naturalization ceremonies have taken place in 28 countries abroad, including 3,412 in Iraq, 2,102 in Japan and 1,134 in South Korea, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, or USCIS, which administers the process.
In 2008, a one-year pilot program – called Military Accessions Vital to National Interest (MAVNI) – was approved. The program allowed the armed services to tap non-citizens without green cards — here on temporary visas or under refugee or asylum status — to naturalize to help bolster branch needs for specific language or medical skills. "The initial pilot program ran through December 31, 2009 and had a cap of 1,000 total recruits for all services," Pentagon spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Nate Christensen told NBC News.
Last May, the program was brought back for an additional two years with a cap of 1,500, he said. Thus far, the Army has enlisted fewer than 600 soldiers, and no other branch has used the MAVNI authority.
"I feel like I'm living the American dream," said Oumama Kabli, 19, who was naturalized April 15 during a ceremony at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.
Born to a Moroccan mother and raised in Canada, she moved with her mom to Virginia to finish high school and attend college. She's now an Army National Guard private with plans to enter officer training. (Only U.S. citizens are eligible to become commissioned officers). A Muslim, Kabli believes "it's an advantage for the Army to have people familiar with the religion or the culture" when troops deploy to predominantly Muslim nations.
'Citizenship meant everything'
Just as her Moroccan stepfather did in 2004.
"I actually left (Army) basic training, got my naturalization on Friday and was on the plane to Iraq on Saturday morning," said Youssef Mandour, 31, who worked as a translator, reaching the rank of sergeant. He pulled a second tour of Iraq from 2009 to 2011, working on reconstruction efforts for the State Department.
"Citizenship meant everything. At that point, I was ready to die for my new country," added Mandour, who arrived from Morocco on a tourist visa at age 17. Today, he owns a defense contracting company in Virginia. "I'm so proud of Oumama. By making her a U.S. citizen it's going to create that diversity we're missing in Iraq and Afghanistan. She will be more received by (Muslim) nations than the normal officers from, say, Alabama."
Source: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Ending the current naturalization-through-service program would require a new White House executive order, said USCIS spokesman Daniel Cosgrove. All military candidates must pass brief civics and English language tests and then undergo background checks for serious criminal histories or possible affiliations with terrorist groups.
"The thing I'm concerned about is not what's happening now in the military but what could happen if the Pentagon and politicians get too enamored of this idea of non-citizens joining the military," said Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, a nonpartisan research organization in Washington, D.C., that advocates tighter immigration policies.
The White House won't rescind the 11-year program, Krikorian predicts, even after the scheduled 2014 pullout of American troops from Afghanistan, and "it will become a de facto feature of military life." Further, that immigrant pipeline may be enlarged, he added, "if we open up the officer corps to non-citizens." In that scenario, he foresees many foreign students joining in order to stay in America permanently.
John Moore / Getty Images
Nearly 700,000 immigrants take the step to U.S. citizenship each year. Meet some of those who have just become part of that select group: Americans.
'All bad things can start small'
But if global events transpire that compel the branches to rapidly expand their ranks, he also can imagine a scenario in which the military perhaps further loosens the rules, allowing foreigners abroad to enlist and serve by dangling citizenship as "their compensation."
"You have the real possibility of soldiering becoming a job that Americans won't do — just like the Roman empire, not to get too melodramatic about it," Krikorian said. "That's not something that's around the corner. But all bad things can start small."
An armed force composed of a far higher share of noncitizens also could boost the security risks for all soldiers and intelligence officers, he added.
"Being an immigrant or from a recent-immigrant family just adds an additional layer of concern, as we saw with Maj. Nidal (Hasan), the Fort Hood shooter, or Army veteran Ali Mohamed, one of the leaders of the (1998) African embassy bomb attacks," Krikorian said. "The vulnerability to blackmail also increases if the target has family members outside the U.S. who can be threatened — drug cartels have used this tactic to compromise Customs or Immigration agents with relatives in Mexico.
"For the ordinary soldier, my main concern is still numbers. The question is: How many noncitizens are being recruited by the military, and are there any restrictions" on how many green-card holders and temporary visa holders can the armed forces approach in a given year?
'The U.S. is my new home'
Pentagon spokesman Maj. Erik Brine responded: "We have no restrictions or limits on the recruitment of foreign nationals who are lawfully admitted for permanent residence."
Today, about 35,000 formerly foreign troops span active-duty, National Guard and reserve units, according to the Department of Defense. (That equates to 1.3 percent of the total force strength). The policy was first used during the Revolutionary War when the federal government allowed noncitizens to enlist and it was revived during the War of 1812, the Civil War and both World Wars.
New U.S. citizens serve the modern branches in a variety of roles, including health care, languages, aviation, logistics and infantry. Christensen, the Pentagon's spokesman, said they "will continue to play a vital role in the U.S. Military."
David Friedman / NBC News
Oumama Kabli, right, celebrates with her mother, Sanaa Mandour, after becoming a U.S. citizen during a naturalization ceremony on Monday, April 15, at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.
"I am excited that I get to be part of a nation that I'm serving," said Oumama Kabli. "I'll always be a Canadian at heart. But the U.S. is my new home, my new adoptive country. It has taken me under its wing. This is where I'm going to live my life."
"She got to see the process I went through. I've told her, 'I used to be like you but I joined the service,'" added Mandour. "It's like the iron that shines you up. She wants to help people. I told her that's the best way that you can help people."
Related stories:
- NBC News' series: Immigration Nation
- Through the obstacle course of immigration, many paths to citizenship
- To get green cards, these immigrants must prove they are extraordinary
- By the numbers: How America tallies its 11.1 million undocumented immigrants
- Waiting half a life for a green card: Families languish in immigration line
- For asylum seekers, path to citizenship is paved with peril


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25 ml bottle each of cyan, magenta and yellow ink (for 6 ~ 7 refills)
A refill clip, ink injection syringe x 3, an ink suction syringe, an adhesive tape, a pair of plastic gloves and manual are included.
InkTec inkjet cartridge refill kits allow you to refill your existing empty ink cartridge. Why buy a new or remanufactured ink cartridge when you can refill the cartridge you have for much less money? Each kit includes the ink, tools and instructions to refill your empty inkjet cartridge and get printing again quickly. It is always a good idea to refill cartridges that have just ran out of ink. You also shouldn't try to keep printing on an empty cartridge as it will burn out of the printheads on your ink cartridge. All inkjet cartridge print quality will eventually fade but by keeping your cartridge full of ink and printing regularly you should be able to get a few cycles with one cartridge before buying a new or remanufactured ink cartridge.
|Standard Yield
|0.47 cents
|24-36 Months
The price stated in regular price does not reflect Dell OEM pricing. It is a reflection of general industry-wide pricing for alternative remanufactured products to replace Dell OEM products.


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Club Council
The Club Council comprises the President, President Elect, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Immediate Past President and six other elected members.The Council normally meets once a month following the normal club meeting.
Related pages:
President Ewan's Valedictory Address
Handover to incoming President Alex Evan Wong was carried out before Alex went off on holiday to the Far East.details
Special General Meeting - 2nd December 2014
With 13 members and 0 visitors Secretary Stuart Nicol reported that there were as usual the requisite uncontested nominations for election as Club officers and confirmed:details
President 2013-2014
Donald Mackay becomes first member to do a second term in the chair at the Rotary Club of West Fife.details
Keavil House Hotel
The regular Tuesday meetings of The Rotary Club of West Fife are held at 6.30pm in Keavil House Hotel, Crossford KY12 8NNdetails
Notice of 2012 AGM
One aim of the meeting is to appoint next year's committee chairs prior to the District Assembly on 29 April. It is proposed to take only part 2 of the meeting. Part 1 of the AGM is ajourned to the Business Meeting on 1 May.details
Notice of Special General Meeting
The club SGM to elect officers for next year and the President for next year but one, is called for 7 December.details
2011 RIBI Conference - Dublin
Five members and their partners enjoyed a weekend of fellowship in Dublindetails


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Relay For Life of Baldwin Hills
- Home
- United States
- Los Angeles, CA
- Relay For Life of Baldwin Hills
24 hour fight against cancer, celebrate survivors and honor those lost to cancer! Donate at www.RelayForLife.org/BaldwinHillsCA
About Relay For Life History of Relay For Life One person can make a difference. Nowhere is that more evident than with the story of the American Cancer Society Relay For Life, which began in Tacoma, Washington, as the City of Destiny Classic 24-Hour Run Against Cancer. In the mid-1980s, Dr. Gordy Klatt, a Tacoma colorectal surgeon, wanted to enhance the income of his local American Cancer Society office. He decided to personally raise money for the fight by doing something he enjoyed—running marathons. In May 1985, Dr. Klatt spent a grueling 24 hours circling the track at Baker Stadium at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma for more than 83 miles. Throughout the night, friends paid $25 to run or walk 30 minutes with him. He raised $27,000 to fight cancer. That first year, nearly 300 of Dr. Klatt's friends, family, and patients watched as he ran and walked the course. While he circled the track those 24 hours, he thought about how others could take part. He envisioned a 24-hour team relay event that could raise more money to fight cancer. Months later he pulled together a small committee to plan the first team relay event known as the City of Destiny Classic 24-Hour Run Against Cancer. In 1986, 19 teams took part in the first team relay event on the track at the colorful, historical Stadium Bowl and raised $33,000. An indescribable spirit prevailed at the track and in the tents that dotted the infield. What is Relay For Life Today? The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. At Relay, teams of people camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, Relays are overnight events up to 24 hours in length. What Happens at Relay For Life Events? Although every Relay For Life is different, there are certain traditions at all Relays, no matter where they are held. These traditions help participants celebrate, remember, and fight back. Celebrate – The Survivors Lap Relay starts with a Survivors Lap – a inspirational time when survivors are invited to circle the track together and help everyone celebrate the victories we've achieved over cancer. The Survivors Lap is an emotional example of how Relay participants are ensuring that more lives are saved each year – like those of each individual on the track. We also recognize and celebrate caregivers at Relay For Life. These individuals give their time, love, and support to friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers who face cancer. At Relay, people understand the frustrations and joys of being a caregiver, since the effects of cancer reach far beyond just the person diagnosed. Remember – The Luminaria Ceremony After dark, we honor people who have been touched by cancer and remember loved ones lost to the disease during the Luminaria Ceremony. Candles are lit inside bags filled with sand, each one bearing the name of a person touched by cancer, and participants often walk a lap in silence. As people take time to remember, those who have walked alongside others battling cancer can grieve and find healing. This is a time that truly highlights the importance of defeating this disease. Fight Back – The Fight Back Ceremony Last, there is a Fight Back Ceremony, where we make a personal commitment to save lives by taking up the fight against cancer. That personal commitment may be to do something as simple as getting a screening test, quitting smoking, or talking to elected officials about cancer. By taking action, people are personally taking steps to save lives and fight back against a disease that takes too much. Celebrate, remember, and fight back are themes that link all Relays events together, but you can learn more about national event standards and recommendations and more about how to structure your Relay's planning committee using a suggested three-tier approach by connecting to the documents below. Philosophy – Why We Relay The American Cancer Society Relay For Life represents the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported, and that one day cancer will be eliminated. Relay For Life is more than just a fundraiser. It's a life-changing experience. At Relay, every person in the community has a chance to celebrate, remember, and fight back. And every person who participates joins others around the globe as part of this worldwide movement to end cancer. Everyone's reason to Relay is as unique as their own personal story. At Relay, you can find healing, comfort, and support from others who have faced cancer or who have lost a loved one to the disease. You have a chance to meet people in the community who are equally as passionate about finding an end to cancer in our lifetime. You can thank all the people who have done so much to support you through your personal cancer experience. And you can gather together with friends, family, and colleagues to laugh, cry, and create lasting memories. No matter why you take part in Relay, however, one thing is clear: with every step you take, you are helping the American Cancer Society save lives. With your help, we aren't just fighting one type of cancer – we're fighting for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. Each person who shares the Relay experience can take pride in knowing that they are working to create a world where this disease will no longer threaten the lives of our loved ones or claim another year of anyone's life. A Presence in Communities Relay For Life is conducted not simply to raise funds, but to involve new communities, give the Society a local presence, and provide communities the opportunity to own the mission. Because Relay provides grassroots access to the population, it is a critical means of achieving the Society's 2015 goals. A Celebration of Cancer Survivorship Relay is a moving celebration of cancer survivorship. The event begins with a Survivors Lap in which cancer survivors take a victory lap around the track. A candlelight ceremony is held later in the evening to honor cancer survivors and remember those who we've lost to this disease. A Community Event Relay For Life is a community event. Event sites should be selected based on how communities identify themselves. A town or small city may see itself as one community. Larger cities are usually made up of several different communities and neighborhoods. If people identify themselves as being part of a given community, the community qualifies as a Relay site. For example, Relays are even happening on college and corporate campuses, on military bases, and in cyberspace. A Community-Owned / Volunteer-Driven Activity As a community event, Relay fulfills a need for belonging that we all have. It also creates a sense of community by bringing people together in a moving and fun atmosphere, with sufficient time for cultivating relationships. The event is volunteer-driven, with Society staff coaching the volunteers. There is a true partnership between volunteers and staff. A Means of Unifying Communities Cancer is indiscriminate and knows no boundaries. As voluntary organizations in the United States must serve an increasingly diverse population and customer base, the way in which the American Cancer Society does business will need to shift. Our ability to communicate appropriately and utilize partners in our efforts will facilitate our growth in reaching diverse communities and ultimately in reaching the 2015 goals of the Society. Inclusion is imperative. Relay Around the Globe The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is an international movement to end cancer. Since 1996, the Society has partnered with multiple cancer organizations in countries outside the United States to license and support Relay For Life programs. Through Relay, these organizations bring together passionate volunteers, promote their mission-based activities, and mobilize community members to take action in the fight against cancer. Relay has proven especially important to countries at the beginning stages of educating both the public and health care communities about this deadly and often preventable disease. International Relay For Life events are now held in communities spanning 18 countries outside of the United States.
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Welcome to My Personal Page
One in nine fathers, sons, husbands, brothers, partners, and friends will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, including 2,070 men in Kansas this year alone.
I'm participating in the ZERO Prostate Cancer Run/Walk because I want to put an end to prostate cancer. Please support me by making a tax-deductible contribution today!
Your donation provides much needed funds for research, education and awareness, and patient assistance for prostate cancer patients in our local community.
Team up with me to fight prostate cancer; you'll feel proud knowing you've helped save lives.
Raised $250
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Kenneth Collins
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Donated to Myself


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Red Barrel Studio Cam Dragon Rice Bowl
Search for top universities, colleges and business schools worldwide and contact their admission offices directly!
Search for top universities, colleges and business schools worldwide and contact their admission offices directly!
Getting your Masters degree online is highly convenient and can be completed at a pace which suits you best. Online Masters degrees awarded by accredited online colleges and universities have the same respect and prestige as those from traditional educational institutions. Online programs are an excellent way to obtain degrees and pursue higher education.
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Recently published data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) reveals that Scottish universities are making strides toward equal access in higher education. Here's a closer look at the figures, along with what higher education leaders have to say about them, according to a Scottish Government press release.
On the Rise
Just under 16 percent of students entering Scottish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the 2017/2018 academic year were from the region's 20 percent most deprived areas. This falls just shy of the government's target for 2021.
Enrollments also increased across a numbe...
Master of Business Administration(MBA) is a highly popular postgraduate degree for business students globally.
Law studies are undergraduate (LLB) and graduate programs (LLM, MBA, PhD, JD) offered by law schools or faculties in universities.


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Where is the property. What is the highest and best use?--Gregory Garver - Commercial Real Estate Broker Broker License# 01716531 (415)225-9894 firstname.lastname@example.com Reference: http://www.gregorygarver.com
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DWTS Season 10: Shannon Doherty kicked off first
I'm not entirely shocked she was the first to leave since she really doesn't have a strong fan base. However, I am so sad that Mark is gone but it's got to be fate since he would've been out anyways due to his injury. I don't know if I could stand to watch Corky with Shannon…that'd be an awkward pairing!
I don't have anything positive to say about her dances since her technique is terrible but she tried and she made her dad proud! But here are the videos anyways 🙂 Enjoy
Shannen's 2 Dances:
Week 1: Viennese Waltz
Week 2: Jive
What some of celebs are saying about Shannen's early elimination:
@NiecyNash: She might have been dubbed a "bad girl" but to me she was "real". Shannon will be missed!
@EvanLysacek: SO bummed to see @OfficialMBallas and @DohertyShannen go. Marks performance last night was so heroic and Shannen is the biggest sweetheart
@aidenturner: @DohertyShannen you were awesome !!!! missing you already, doing DWTS won't be the same without you!!!! have a safe flight back to LA


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This is a pair of quality surgical stainless steel stud earrings.
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Product Details (As Seen in Picture)
Material: 100% quality surgical non-allergic stainless steel, Princess Cut Cubic Zirconia (CZ)
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We will provide 100% satisfaction guarantee and 100% money back guarantee. Order with confidence and take advantage of our 1-Year product warranty and a 30-Day money back guarantee.
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NewMacgadgets has re-created the Apple Store experience with their new line of Apple accessories designed to replicate the look of the world's most popular retail outlet.
NewMacgadgets Apple store displays have been especially popular with businesses, retail outlets, trade-shows, conference centers, schools and others that are looking for a secure and elegant solution to showcase their products.
New products include, the iPad Security Base designed for the New iPad & iPad 2. The iPad Wall Mount Display; also designed for the New iPad & iPad 2. The iPad Acrylic Pedestal Base, which holds all iPads; including the new iPad Mini. The Apple Store Headphone Stand with acrylic base and stainless steel arm. And in just a few weeks, newMacgadgets will be introducing the new iPhone 5 Security Base, designed to provide both flexibility and security for iPhone users.
Combining security with the stylish look of the Apple store acrylic displays, newMacgadgets has developed a line of popular products for companies to feature their Apple products in open environments.
No other company currently offers this unique line of products. For additional details, pictures and pricing please visit newMacgadgets today. They also carry a full line of other Apple related accessories and products.


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Image Number: 0113-0610-1123-5102
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When I saw this lovely loaf cake on Sam's blog I knew I had to make it. The recipe comes from the North Wales Tourism website so it must be authentic; I stress that because I thought Bara brith always contained yeast and this, clearly, doesn't.
I can't ever think about Wales now without "Gavin and Stacey" coming to mind. It is one of my favourite comedies of recent times and I was trying to think how the Welsh characters would describe this cake. Stacey would definitely call it "lush" whereas my favourite character, Nessa, would probably go for a more measured, "tidy".
There's something enticing and comforting about a fruity slice of cake spread with creamy, rich, yellow butter. As to how much butter – a friend of mine described this perfectly when she said "butter must be thick enough so you can leave teeth marks in it". I couldn't put it any better:
The most fun part of this recipe is soaking the fruit. Whether in tea (as for this recipe) or spirits (Christmas cake) I can never resist peeking in the pot to see how much of the liquid has been absorbed. The fruit turns glossy and plump – it's practically botox for dried fruit!
I think there's no point blogging if you're not going to be honest and, the whole time I was baking this cake, I truly believed it would end up in the bin. So much so that as soon as it came out of the oven I started to bake a back-up cake! My first mistake was doubling the quantities to make two loaves – have you tried mixing that much fruit into a tiny amount of cake? Let's just say that I now feel fully prepared to enter the next arm wrestling contest I come across. My second concern was that the mix was so dry; I added some milk until it at least started to look like a cake mix although milk was not included in the source recipe.
When the loaves came out of the oven they looked nobbly, hard and dry so I thought I should cut a slice to see what the inside was like. At this point they were still definitely heading for the bin. The cut slice started to comfort me – the crust which formed during baking was just a crust and the inside was moist and fruity. I tasted it and was underwhelmed. Still heading for the bin. But something made me butter it and try it how it is meant to be eaten. Please now imagine the Hallelujah chorus playing at full volume in my kitchen because it was delicious! It so needs the butter (salted) to bring all the flavour and texture alive. It's heavenly!
450g mixed dried fruit – I used a mix of sultanas, raisins, currants, and blueberries
300ml tea – make as usual but don't add the milk!
2 tablespoons marmalade
1 egg
6 tablespoons soft brown sugar
1 teaspoon mixed spice – I put a little extra as I like it spicy!
450g self raising flour
Milk as necessary
To glaze: honey
Salted butter to serve
Start by soaking the fruit for 24 hours. Place all the fruit in a bowl and cover with the tea. Stir when you happen to walk past!
Preheat the oven to 170˚C/fan oven 150˚C/325˚F/Gas mark 3
Line a 900g loaf tin with baking paper – this will help you to get the loaf out of the tin.
Mix the marmalade, egg, sugar, spice and flour into the bowl containing the fruit and tea.
Spoon into the loaf tin and level the surface.
Bake for approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes or until a skewer, inserted into the centre of the loaf, comes out clean. After about an hour of baking check that the loaf isn't browning too much – if it is, either move it down a shelf in the oven or loosely cover the top with foil.
Leave to stand in the tin on a wire rack for 10 minutes then turn out onto the wire rack.
Use a pastry brush to cover the top of the loaf with honey. As the loaf is so warm, the honey will melt and become easy to work with.
The cake will keep for several days in an airtight tin.
Serve in slices, thickly buttered.
Bask in the glory of the wonderful thing you have created.


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Developing better mobile and stationery planetary gear units
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F-35 Debate: The Playground Version
The battle over the Pentagon's most expensive jet fighter just got juvenile.
A small Canadian company has created a 45-second video that reduces the debate over the F-35 to a playground feud. Literally.
The video features two young boys playing outside a Canadian barn with the toys they bought with $10 from grandpa.
One has an F-35 modeled after the expensive jet produced by Lockheed Martin Corp. The other has three F/A-18 Super Hornets modeled after the Boeing Co.'s design.


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A brief respite from the cold as it was only medium cold this morning. Every medium cold day get from now until March is one less very cold day, so count me pleased. My decision about which bike to ride to work today was predicated on the fact that it's easier to access my coffee mug when I ride the Surly, so I chose accordingly. It's Monday.
Massachusetts Avenue around Columbus Circle. There was a car in one of the "go straight" lanes that had stopped in order to merge into the "turn left" lane at E Street and it blocked the "go straight," since it couldn't fully clear it due to a line of cars already waiting to turn left. And here's the thing: it created some traffic backup and I don't think the other drivers liked it. But are drivers more inclined to do stuff like this (i.e. realize that they're going the wrong way and then try to rectify it) than bicyclists or pedestrians? I think no. We're all pretty much the same (I certainly think I'm the same the person when I bike or drive or walk) and we're all prone to making mistakes and/or getting confused and/or putting our own short-sighted and selfish interests ahead of those of others. But when drivers do it, it tends to create more problems. This isn't a moral judgment- it's a math problem. Cars take up a lot of space and accordingly they're harder to maneuver and as such when drivers make the same kinds of selfish decisions that bicyclists and pedestrians make all the time, they're much harder to correct and they have a much greater impact on those around them. That's just how it is and I don't think that we do ourselves any favors when we pretend otherwise. Nothing is to be gained through clinging to false equivalency.
I rode First Street NE. It was cool. Some work trucks in the bike lane, but nothing major. Another guy on a bike was behind me around First and New York, but then he took Florida and I took Eckington and he got in front of me and then we came back together around R and 5th NE. So, no real long term benefits of taking crowded and trafficky Florida Avenue instead of taking the slightly longer route with the bike lanes and sharrows. Worthwhile to remember, I guess.
#bikeDC needs more argyle socks. Like if everyone were to turn in an affidavit that they've completed 10 roundtrip commutes to earn a pair of red and white argyle official District of Columbia bike commuter socks, then I think the world would be a much better place. This isn't a solution to any real problem that any real bike commuter faces and would be a vast waste of resources. Maybe for the next WABA fundraiser?
R to Massachusetts to the welcome relief that I wasn't riding a folding bike and I had sufficient gears into which I could downshift to make my climb ever so much more gentle. I think I went through a Beatles medley on the way up the hill and It was mellifluous in no way, real or imagined.
At the garage, I saw and said hello to one if the students I worth with, a fellow bike commuter heading from Columbia Heights. Grad students should pretty much be considered one of the core constituencies for bike advocates: old enough to vote, poor and itinerant enough to truly benefit from getting around by bike. They'd probably even wear the argyle socks.
Like most days, I also rode home. This time I was lucky enough to get to meet up with the Official Wife, who was meeting up with some friends for dinner, so we met for a drink beforehand. It was nice. The place was on Connecticut between R and S (or S and T. Some two consonant streets) and there was bike parking immediately outside the restaurant and that's always a plus. I don't know if there's a way to emphasize enough how important nearby bike parking is in my decision to frequent an eatery or drinkery. I bet that's true of most cyclists. And our money is just as green as the next guy's, unless if course we're holding foreign currency, which we might because we are quite an international group and maybe also a bit snobby. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize I couldn't pay for this corn dog and Slurpee in euros," says Joe Bike at his local convenience store, pretty much daily.
Afterwards, I took Connecticut around Dupont to 19th to L, turning left at the cycle track to see some new green paint, possibly in place to indicate that cyclists should be in it to skirt around the Quincy Hotel 15 minute loading/unloading zone.
WASHINGTON DC- In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court today ruled that all fines and penalties assessed to drivers for illegally operating their cars in the new L Street cycle track should be voided. The vote was 9-0 and the majority opinion was written by Justice Antonin Scalia. It was the shortest opinion in the history of the court, simply the word CONFUSION written in size 72 font. When pressed, Scalia indicated that his belief in the judicial philosophy of constitutional originalism was the deciding factor in the ruling. "The Founding Fathers did not believe in these "so-called" bike lanes," said Scalia. When it was pointed out that the Founding Fathers also lacked automobiles, invented nearly 100 years after the Constitution was written, Scalia declined to respond and his chauffeur soon sped him away. (It actually wasn't even that bad today. One UPS truck. No one turned from the center lane.)
11th to E. Apropos the fifth letter, why are there no size E batteries? Could we not use them? Are there not E size electronics? My rear blindly could use new batteries. It flashed weakly.
Up and around Columbus Circle, and then Massachusetts to Stanton Park to Lincoln Park (this stretch of Mass should be called Stancoln or perhaps Stancolnia) to eventually A Street and home. Only one more set of rides this week. If anyone is riding to Turkey Day festivities (by this i mean Thanksgiving, not Turkish Independence Day, which probably isn't even called Turkey Day) and you would like to write about it, please email me and I'd love to post it.


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What is Cravely?
Crave.ly is a food-finding website & app that allows users to search by the dish and see what is available in the culinary world around them. Want steak, lobster, or cheese fries? Type what you are craving in the search field. You'll find that steak is available at more than steak houses, lobster is not just at Red Lobster, and a lot of places have cheese fries. You might find that a little known pub down the street has a world-class steak sandwich that you should probably try out. By searching for food and not for restaurants, you'll find that the ingredients you love can be and are being prepared at a local restaurant around the corner. Crave.ly opens your eyes (and bellies) to these new possibilities. Search for food. Find what you crave. If you own or manage a restaurant, bar or food truck you can attend a free 30 minute webinar to learn about all the things Crave.ly can do for your establisment. Join our Free weekly webinar.
To learn more about Crave.ly and learn about what we are doing checkout our Blog.