text: TODAY featured an opinion piece written by Ng Qi Siang (Class of 2019), who expressed his thoughts about what it means to love Singapore. Referring to an earlier commentary written by Nanyang Technological University student Wong Wing Lum, he said that patriotic feelings should not be mutually exclusive with acknowledging and critiquing Singapore's flaws. Instead, he says that loving one's country means to desire its continual improvement over time and that society should strive to build a more inclusive and prosperous Singapore.


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Frances Winston reviews this musical based on the iconic film of the same name
Sunset Boulevard, Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Grand Canal Square, Docklands, Dublin 2, until 25th November
Billy Wilder's seminal 1950 movie, sunset Boulevard, remains a masterpiece to this day, and marked a huge comeback for silent film siren, Gloria Swanson, playing, well, an ageing silent-film siren. It gave the public the phrase "I'm ready for my close up", and saw Swanson nominated for an Oscar for the part (she lost to Judy Holliday for Born Yesterday).
Since the film is almost 80 years old, I'm not giving away any spoilers when I say that it opens with the body of screenwriter Joe Gillis floating in a swimming pool, and the rest of the movie is spent with him telling us how he got there. It's a tale of intrigue, romance, obsession, and revenge, which musical theatre doyen, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, clearly thought would translate well into a musical.
Fast forward a few decades, and that musical is a multi-award winning phenomenon, that has seen some very big stars, such as Glenn Close, Stephanie Powers, and Patti Lupone, take on the iconic role of Norma.
Opening first in London in 1993, it has had several long runs internationally, and also enjoyed extensive tours, and it landed on Irish shores for a short run this week.
Starring Welsh actress, Ria Jones in the role of the deluded diva, it sees former Hollyoaks star, Danny Mac, take on the role of the doomed Joe. So much of this show rests on the chemistry between this pair, and aside from fantastic individual performances, they really do have an amazing electricity in scenes together.
While reviews of this show have often stated that the show sags when Norma is not on stage, in this case, Danny manages to keep the energy going for scenes that don't feature the character. He is somewhat of a revelation, and has far more substance and depth in his performance than I expected.
Perhaps just as importantly, since this is a musical, they both have fantastic voices and impressive range, whether individually on songs such as Sunset Boulevard (Danny) or As If We Never Said Goodbye (Ria) or together on Perfect Year.
The supporting cast and chorus also do a fantastic job, and you really get a sense of the excitement of the Hollywood of the 1950s.
The staging takes advantage of the Hollywood setting, using 'stagehands' to move things around, while someone 'films', which gives it a meta feel. Throughout, they take advantage of projections, both at the back to the stage, and either side, which show Norma in her heyday, and various other scenes. While this looks great, it does mean that at times there is a lot going on, and it is impossible to pay attention to it all. Touring sets are tricky, as you want to maintain the feel of the show, but be portable. However, in this case, stripping it back a bit might have worked, and made some scenes feel less 'cluttered'.
I was very familiar with the film, and I did wonder if people who didn't know the movie would engage with it quite so well. Also, if you are familiar with the movie, it doesn't have quite the sting of the original. Some of the movie's more sinister moments are injected with humour here. This works, but does dilute the original message somewhat.
This aside, this is a fantastic production that is completely mesmerising if you take it on its own merits. It is snappy and well-paced, and will leave you with a smile on your face.
Sunset Boulevard
Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Grand Canal Square, Docklands, Dublin 2
Tickets €20-€60. Show 7.30pm nightly until November 25th
Matinee 2.30pm Saturday 25th November

subset: commoncrawl


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Directly from the team:
Individual game tickets go on sale to general public sometime in mid-July. The specific date for that year will be announced a month or two in advance (in 2015 this is July 15th). These tickets are sold via Ticketmaster. In order to buy them, you will need to use a Visa debit or credit card. While this has the advantages of being at face value and being assured to be legitimate, it has the downside of being very hard to accomplish. Due to the team's great run of success, these individual game tickets sell out extremely quickly. Particularly popular games (such as when Peyton comes to town) can sell out during the presale to wait-list members. That is, some of the games are completely sold out prior to going on sale to the general public. Even if the tickets aren't sold out when the sale begins, there are so many people trying to purchase at once that you need to get lucky and refresh at the exact right time to grab the seats you want. This method is great when it works, but is unreliable.
From the secondary market:
Buying your tickets from someone who already has them is the way most non-Season Ticket Holders will get their tickets. The major downside is that this is expensive, especially for the more popular games. Another risk is that it's harder to confirm the tickets are real. Using a site like StubHub, AceTicket, or SeatGeek protects you against fake tickets (StubHub will refund you if you have a problem and AceTicket has a 200% guarantee), but has more fees. You can often save money by trying Craigslist, but you have no way to make sure you are getting real tickets and no recourse if you get turned away at the gate. SeatGeek is a website that does the same thing as Kayak, but for tickets. This can help you find the best listing. If you are buying on the secondary market, and don't need to be sure of your trip ahead of time, you can often get a better deal by waiting until shortly before the game. Sellers get desperate as the game approaches, because the tickets are worthless after the game so they will usually drop their price when it gets close.
From the wait list:
If you plan on attending multiple games (or eventually want season tickets), it might be worth it to check into the Wait List. Right now, you can't get Patriots Season Tickets, and there are somewhere around 60,000 people in line waiting for them. The estimate is that it will take decades to get them (the people who are getting season tickets right now signed up in the early 2000s, before the huge spike that followed sustained success). So, why bother signing up if you won't get season tickets for 20 years? Because, if you are on the wait list for season tickets, you can get individual games.
Before we cover the benefits, we'll go over the cost. It costs $100 per seat to get on the wait list, up to a maximum of 4 seats (and a minimum of 2). This is a deposit, so when you eventually get tickets it will be applied to the cost of your first season, and it is refundable, so you can get the money back if you decide to leave the list before you get tickets. However, you do still tie up a couple of hundred dollars for years.
The most obvious benefit of being on the wait list is that you will eventually get season tickets. However, there are several benefits that you can use in the meantime. Considering how they are immediately available, these benefits are arguably better than saving your spot for season tickets which won't happen for 15 more years. The main type of benefit is access to individual game tickets. There are a couple of ways that Wait List members can get tickets: Ticketexchange and pre-sales.
The Patriots TicketExchange is the only way that Season Ticket Holders (STHs) are officially allowed to resell their tickets, and is only available to buyers who are STHs or Wait List members. They must do so at face value (and the buyer has to pay an additional ~$10 fee per order). Their incentive to sell their tickets at this price, rather than marked up through a secondary market, is to preserve their own season tickets. If they are caught reselling season tickets, the Patriots will revoke their season tickets. Given the decades it takes to get season tickets right now, that's a pretty big deal. On top of being caught in the actual act of reselling, STHs are responsible for whoever is sitting in their seats. If they sell tickets to someone, and that person starts a fight (or other disruptive behavior), the season ticket holder is deemed responsible for them being there (which may result in loss of season tickets). When a STH sells through the Ticket Exchange, it is endorsed by the Patriots, and the responsibility for behavior is transferred to the buyer. This means the STH can recoup their face value without risking their place as a STH.
From the perspective of a Wait List member, the Ticket Exchange offers a way to purchase individual game tickets at face value (there is also the per ticket fee, but the face value price is the STH face value price, which is slightly lower than individual game price). The buyer is also assured that the tickets are legitimate. For most games, tickets mostly become available about a week before the game. Some less popular games (e.g. a late season game against the Bills), will have listings available right at the start of the season. For very popular games (such as a Jets-Patriots game), tickets may be sparse until 1-2 days before the game. A Wait List member may only buy up to 4 tickets per game via the Ticket Exchange.
The second way that Wait List members can get tickets is through pre-sales. The Patriots do a pre-sale for both the regular season and playoffs. About a week before the regular season individual game tickets go on sale, Wait List members get access to a private sale. This lets them buy tickets before the huge rush of the general public. Some popular games may still be sold out, due to STHs buying extra seats or faster Wait List members buying up the rest during the pre-sale, but this is an easier way to get face value tickets than during the general sale. In recent years, these pre-sale packages have required the purchase of a preseason game to go along with each regular season game. Due to the variable pricing discounting preseason games, this isn't as big of a burden as it has been previously. A Wait List member may only buy up to 4 tickets per game through the pre-sale (excluding preseason games).
Wait List members also get access to a pre-sale for home playoff games. Due to the higher demand, it is still difficult to get playoff tickets through the pre-sale, but it is impossible to get them via the general sale since they will sell out during the pre-sale. The number of playoff tickets a Wait List member can purchase is limited to a max of 4 (and the 2011 AFCCG was limited to 2), to try and spread out the small supply.


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Mendocino Works Generation Start Up panel
A panel of local entrepreneurs spoke about their personal journey to building a business in Mendocino County. Panelists include: Holly Madrigal, publisher of Word of Mouth , Jim Mayfield owner of Rainbow Ag, Doug Ware, owner of Ocino, Inc. and Cynthia Ariosta, owner/chef of Saucy in Ukiah and the new Flying Saucy. The panel session was recorded through a collaborative partnership between West Company, KZYX Radio and Mendocino Community College.
Broadcast 19 April 7-8 pm KZXY


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We invite you to the first-ever On The Table Charlotte, a day for Mecklenburg County residents to come together and talk about the community we love. On The Table Charlotte is designed to connect people to new ideas, perspectives and ways of thinking about the issues that directly or indirectly impact our local community.
On Wednesday, October 25, more than 5,000 people will gather in small groups in restaurants, coffee shops, and living rooms to discuss a common topic: the role of social capital in economic opportunity.
Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont will be hosting an On The Table Charlotte discussion at the Leon Levine Opportunity Center on the Goodwill Opportunity Campus on Wednesday, October 25, 2017, from 8 – 9:30 a.m. The conversation will be facilitated by Jean Veatch, Strategic Project Lead at Duke Energy and a member of Goodwill's Board of Directors. Parking is free onsite. Muffins and coffee will be provided by Community Table Bistro, our on-site restaurant. Space is limited, so please RSVP now at the following link if you would like to attend: On The Table CLT at Goodwill.
Engagement is action! When we come together to learn from and with each other, we have the power to impact communities and lives. We hope that you join us for this exciting conversation!
Learn more at onthetableclt.org.


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Once only reserved for the NBA, the pregame handshake has wriggled its way into the friendly confines of Major League Baseball in the best way possible. The Pittsburgh Pirates have taken to performing one of the most elaborate handshake routines we've ever seen, one that takes over the entire dugout.
Andrew McCutchen and Josh Harrison appear to be the ringleaders, doling out different handshakes to each player as they stroll into the dugout to get ready for the first pitch. Once said players get through the handshake line with McCutchen and Harrison, they continue down the line, dapping up Gregory Polanco before continuing through the end of the dugout.
At a certain point, there appears to be 10 handshake procedures going on at once, like an Inception of handshakes. Our personal favorite, though, has to be Polanco and Harrison's Harlem Shake, because there's nothing better than two grown men gyrating their shoulders like a couple of 10-year-olds.
Photo Credit: Getty Images // Thinkstock


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Q20: My cat is trapped in an empty house, what can I do?
The police do not have the authority to break into a house to rescue a stranded cat. Try and entice the cat out with food, try to find the owner of the property and if all else fails, contact the SSPCA on 03000 999 999. They have limited resources and will only help if the animal is in peril. It is more than likely that when the cat gets hungry it will leave the house the same way it got in.


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Gul Panag recently revealed that she had a baby, his name is Nihal and he is six months old. It is surprising that despite being a celebrity and all, she has been pretty secretive about her baby and that is commendable. Gul managed to keep her baby under wraps and disclosed this secret only when she wanted to. In an interview to a daily she revealed that she did not want unwanted attention towards her kid and was wary of unwanted attention. Her husband Rishi Attari too seconded this thought and wanted to steer clear from unnecessary focus on their kid. She said that every individual has the right to decide when to have kids, notwithstanding the pressures of society. Gul got married in 2011 and had a baby this year.
Revealing some more about her journey to motherhood she said that her baby boy was born prematurely. It is thus natural that she was more protective towards him. She said that it is fun getting adjusted to the feeding and sleep patterns of a child and it is quite enjoyable to see him laugh, giggle and gurgle! It is impressive how Gul managed to keep her pregnancy and child under wraps for so long. We wish her all the happiness in this new phase of her life and hope that she enjoys this phase to the fullest! It is to be noted that she had baby at the age of 39 and therefore advocated that women should have kids only when they are ready.
Gul is known for her love for bikes, penchant for adventure and travelling. She has done movies like Nagesh Kukunoor's Dor and was also seen in Hello.


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Curbside, a startup powering same-day shopping experiences for traditional brick-and-mortar retailers, including CVS, is today announcing a new partnership with Yelp that will allow consumers to shop in Yelp's app, then pick up their items locally. For shoppers, the idea is that they'll be able to browse area businesses' products and promotions in Yelp, then drive to the store to pick up their order — without even having to get out of their car to retrieve it. The startup already had a relationship with CVS, which invested in Curbside last year. At the time, CVS said it planned to roll out this new curbside pickup
Rumor has it that Amazon's AWS cloud computing platform will soon launch its own Kubernetes-based container management service. Those rumors are getting a bit more concrete because AWS today joined the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), the open source home of the Kubernetes project, as a top-level Platinum member. With this, all of the major public cloud providers, including Microsoft, Google and IBM, are now part of this Linux Foundation-based group, which aims to bring modern cloud management techniques to the masses. Amazon already hosts the vast majority of Kubernetes deployments, according to a recent survey, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that Amazon is joining the foundation that,
FaceApp, ignoring its own previous missteps and those of others, has wandered back into controversy with a new update launching today that adds "ethnicity change filters," allowing users to see what it would look like if they were Caucasian, Black, Asian or Indian. When the company launched last year, there were some reports that filters designed to make users look "hotter" was just, in fact, making them whiter. Now, with four of the 10 filters available in the free version of the app being explicitly devoted to "changing" ethnicities, FaceApp seems to be getting a little too focused on races rather than faces. The app,
Starcraft II has been a target for Alphabet's DeepMind AI research for a while now – the UK AI company took on Blizzard's sci-fi strategy game starting last year, and announced plans to create an open AI research environment based on the game to make it possible for others to contribute to the effort of creating a virtual agent who can best the top human StarCraft players in the world. Now, DeepMind and Blizzard are opening the doors to that environment, with new tools including a machine learning API, a large game replay dataset, an open source DeepMind toolset and more. The new release of the
For the third installment of this season's Founder's Corner podcast, I sat down with Jessie Woolley-Wilson, the inspiring edtech leader who is transforming the way students learn with DreamBox Learning. On this episode, you'll hear Jessie share the lessons she's discovered about setting mission and vision, the mentoring she gives young professionals about asking for what they deserve and her perspective on bridging passion and purpose to build great companies. Jessie is the CEO and president of DreamBox Learning, a Seattle-based startup aimed at reimagining learning for kindergarten-8th grade students in mathematics. Previously, she held leadership positions at top edtech companies, including Kaplan, LeapFrog SchoolHouse and Blackboard, where
For the average American, the name "SoftBank" doesn't mean much. It's neither soft nor, technically, a bank. It's a sprawling Japanese mobile carrier, internet service provider and holding company for other businesses ranging from cloud services and self-driving cars to energy trading. And its investment arm has bankrolled some of the world's largest and most successful upstart technology companies, including many with serious name recognition here in the U.S. Like many large corporations, SoftBank invests its cash across a broad portfolio of asset classes. It also invests some of its substantial capital reserves in earlier-stage technology companies. So where does that cash go, and how is it doled out to startups across the
Tesla is working on self-driving technology specifically tied to its forthcoming electric semi-truck plans, according to a Reuters report. The tech would allow the transport trucks to move in convoy formation with a lead vehicle providing guidance for autonomous follow trucks, according to emails discovered by Reuters in which Tesla discusses the work with the Nevada DMV. Tesla is also set to meet with the California DMV to discuss autonomous trucking technology, according to comments made by that organization to Reuters. Tesla has already confirmed that it is working on an all-electric semi truck, set to be revealed in more detail at a planned event
Facebook has a new home for original video content produced exclusively for it by partners, who will earn 55 percent of ad break revenue while Facebook keeps 45 percent. The "Watch" tab and several dozen original shows will start rolling out to a small group of U.S. users tomorrow on mobile, desktop and Facebook's TV apps. By hosting original programming, Facebook could boost ad revenue and give people a reason to frequently return to the News Feed for content they can't get anywhere else. Watch features personalized recommendations of live and recorded shows to watch, plus categories like "Most Talked About," "What's Making People Laugh" and "Shows
When AWS today became a full-fledged member of the container standards body, the Cloud Native Computing Foundation, it represented a significant milestone. By joining Google, IBM, Microsoft, Red Hat and just about every company that matters in the space, AWS has acknowledged that when it comes to container management, standards matter. AWS has been known to go the proprietary route, after all. When you're that big and powerful, and control vast swaths of market share as AWS does, you can afford to go your own way from time to time. Containers is an area it hasn't controlled, though. That belongs to Kubernetes, the open source container management
Nextdoor, the social media platform for neighborhoods, is rolling out a real estate listings feature, showcasing housing for sale in local communities. The idea is to formalize behavior that's been happening organically, suggests CEO Nirav Tolia. "These real estate conversations are already happening," he said, so Nextdoor wanted to devote a section to it. The feature isn't just for those looking to buy homes. It also aims to help users assess the changing real estate prices in their respective communities. "People spend the majority of their net worth on their homes, and they want to know how those home values are doing over time." It will also


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Cezary Kocik, Vice President of mBank for Retail Banking:
At mBank, we understand the importance of online banking security. Therefore, we regularly introduce new products in this area. We were the first in the market to start mobile authorization, which is a convenient and secure method of approval of the business. Today, more than 400,000 of them use it. our customers. We also offered a CyberRescue service, or "digital ambulance", which is an extra umbrella in the e-world outside banking. It is also the only service on the market.
Many phishing attacks and fraud, despite these existing safeguards, caused mBank to seek new solutions that allow better protection for customers. This solution is intended to be behavioral verification, which will investigate the interaction between customers with the device they use electronic banking.
Based on this, the introduced system will create a customer profile and compare it during each subsequent use of the account. What will be checked? Among other things, the dynamic of using the keyboard, such as keystroke or writing speed, is also how to use the mouse or touchscreen.
When the participant agrees that in the mBank transaction service there will be a special code. It will measure typical user behavior when using online banking based on: how the mouse moves, the buttons "scroll" and "touchpad", the dynamics of using the computer keyboard and in the future using the smartphone screen. Based on this, the user's "image" will be built, that is, his individual behavioral profile. The system will identify users by comparing their current interactions with the completed profile
At the conference, the test system shows how the system works. First, account owner registered account, when a green identification row was displayed at the bottom of the screen (shown only in demo), when one of the journalists logged in after a while, the color of the bar changes to red – this is a demonstration of login data age. In the event of theft of the session, that is, when the customer logged in to the account and the transaction was already performed by someone else, just as the data was introduced in the transfer, the system also detected another user.
The bank's representatives stressed that the information collected by the bank is only about how we use the device, not what we do on it. In addition, in the service lottery, which lasts until the end of 2019, it will only apply to the customers that agree.
As part of the digital fingerprint behavioral biometrics, the system only analyzes how customers interact with devices while using mBank electronic banking services. It does not download data about the use of other sites or tools. So it will be checked how the user uses the site, not what he does in it.
This is a novel about behavioral verification. The second of the announced security implementations applies to all customers, as it will not require their consent, and should contain identification of devices using the mBank electronic bank. In a few words, mBank analyzes all devices used by customers, for example, when a new device is displayed on their list, where a large transfer is made immediately.
Both short stories begin today. In the case of behavioral testing, you can participate in the tests on the mBank website, which 50,000 customers will be included in.
Source link


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Devotional Thoughts for Today
Jeremiah 6:11b-21
Pour it out on the children in the street and on the young men gathered together; both husband and wife will be caught in it, and the old, those weighed down with years. 12 Their houses will be turned over to others, together with their fields and their wives, when I stretch out my hand against those who live in the land," declares the Lord. 13 "From the least to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; prophets and priests alike, all practice deceit. 14 They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. 'Peace, peace,' they say, when there is no peace. 15 Are they ashamed of their detestable conduct? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush. So they will fall among the fallen; they will be brought down when I punish them," says the Lord. 16 This is what the Lord says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, 'We will not walk in it.' 17 I appointed watchmen over you and said, 'Listen to the sound of the trumpet!' But you said, 'We will not listen.' 18 Therefore hear, you nations; you who are witnesses, observe what will happen to them. 19 Hear, you earth: I am bringing disaster on this people, the fruit of their schemes, because they have not listened to my words and have rejected my law. 20 What do I care about incense from Sheba or sweet calamus from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable; your sacrifices do not please me." 21 Therefore this is what the Lord says: "I will put obstacles before this people. Parents and children alike will stumble over them; neighbors and friends will perish.
The first year that I started as the youth pastor at Catalyst, I was enthusiastic, excited, and filled with idea upon ideas of all the ways I would lead our youth to love and serve the Lord. Sermon prepping, event planning, and discipleship was a complete joy, and I instantly fell in love with my kids. It was about two years into my stint when I was bombarded with certain life circumstances that began to take a toll on my physical body, as well as spiritual and emotional health. What used to be exciting became a drudge, and it was about that same time when I saw my youth kids begin to struggle with complacency and lack of excitement for our youth events. I had my wakeup call when I was preaching a message about Jesus as the true King, and each one of my students— even the active participants—seemed disengaged. I knew at that moment that my actions, attitude, and spiritual life was seeping into the very lives that God had entrusted me with; and I needed to do everything I could to get well, not only for myself, but also for my students.
Today we read of God's destruction upon the land of Jerusalem for their failure to follow "the good way" and listen to the call of the Lord. He rejects all the burnt offerings calling them unacceptable, and pours His wrath on both young and old, husband and wife, prophets and priests, and the least to the greatest. While we would imagine that our loving Father would spare the lives of the weak and young, we see that Jerusalem's failure to heed the word of the Lord causes the entire nation to fall into the judgment of the Lord.
Our very actions have consequences to, not only ourselves, but those around us. If you are a teacher, your attitude and preparation affects how your students will learn; if you're a parent, your emotional health will affect the way you love and discipline your child; and if you're a husband or wife, your intimacy with the Lord will affect your intimacy with your spouse. The cost of sin is not just one that stays in the parameters of your personal life; it affects those around us because we were created in relationship and for relationship. Today let us assess how we are doing in our spiritual, emotional, and physical health and actively take charge to transform the areas that need work. The stake of our health in these areas is not just our well-being but also those around us!
Prayer: God, I thank You for Your loving mercy that covers a multitude of sins. But help me to see that in the midst of Your grace, there are consequences to my sins. Help me to steward all that You give to me so that I may be a blessing to all. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: Habakkuk 1-2


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Your average conscientious citizen sits down to read The New York Times today and, leafing through the first section, arrives at page 9 and a short article titled, "Palestinian Found Dead After Standoff With Israelis."
The reader glances at the first paragraph or two, which rely on the Israeli military as the source.
A Palestinian man was found dead in his home in the West Bank town of Bir Zeit on Thursday after a standoff with Israeli forces that had come to arrest him, according to the Israeli military.
The military said in a statement that the man, identified as Mutaz Washaha, 25, was "suspected of terror activity," without elaborating.
Maybe the conscientious reader makes it to the third paragraph, quoting the other side– "The Palestinian Authority government condemned the killing, calling it an assassination–" and shrugs, a little depressed, reflects, and turns the page.
If our reader had continued, in the fourth paragraph he or she would have found the real news:
The killing came as Amnesty International published a report on Thursday accusing Israeli forces of being "trigger happy" and using excessive force in the West Bank. The human rights organization said it had documented the killings of 22 Palestinian civilians in the West Bank in 2013, a sharp rise from the previous two years.
Let alone to the end of the fifth paragraph, in which the Times buried this nugget:
[Amnesty International] called on world powers to suspend all transfers of munitions, weapons and other equipment to Israel.
Can anyone blame your average conscientious citizen for being misinformed about the reality in Israel and Palestine?
Or maybe the Times should modify its famous slogan: "All the News That's Fit to Hide."


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But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, "First seek the counsel of the Lord" – 1 Kings 22:5
If you desire spiritual growth, then you'll need wise counselors in your life. Even Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, recognized the need for wise and godly counsel. Turning to trustworthy counselors in times of confusion or uncertainty can help you preserve your spiritual strength.
In the book of Proverbs, Solomon gave this advice, "Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many counselors, bring success." (15:22) He also said, ". . . with many counselors there is safety."(Proverbs 11:14)
Where else can you look for wise counsel? Solomon's father David looked to God's Word, saying, "Your decrees please me; they give me wise advice." (Psalm 119:24) And the prophet Isaiah made it clear that the Messiah himself would be our great counselor when he came. He said, "For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. And the government will rest on his shoulders. These will be his royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)
Jesus is the one who grants wisdom, hope, and purpose to life, even and especially in times of confusion or trouble. Good counsel comes from God's word and from godly people. It can come from professionally trained pastors, counselors, or from people who understand your specific issues and care for you. Whatever the case, don't isolate. You'll do yourself a great service if you seek wise counsel.
– Steve Arterburn
Counsel woven into the fabric of real life is wisdom. – Walter Benjamin
The fellowship of true friends who can hear you out, share your joys, help carry your burdens, and correctly counsel you is priceless. – Ezra Taft Benson


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More mega dialysis centres may be needed
The Straits Times
September 8, 2017
Cat museum founder not being evicted, says MND
Stick needed in fight against littering
Moving towards a 'car-lite' Singapore
How to have a Smart Nation for everyone
Local retail brands to get support in Orchard Road to raise their profile
First Circle Line 6 contracts worth S$1.75b awarded by LTA
Shopper injured due to faulty escalator at The Centrepoint in Orchard
Sofitel Singapore City Centre hotel to open in Oct
Ministerial committee to drive rejuvenation of Orchard Road
Cashless drive to be hot topic when Parliament sits Mon
Former company vice-president jailed 14 years for cheating close to S$5m
HDB move to bring communities together timely, say experts
Search on for ways to make flat construction speedier, more productive
Singapore as a cashless society: Why we should be looking forward to it?
8 negotiation tips to buy good property deal
CapitaLand receives global recognition for sustainable practices
Here's why Wheelock's share price falls behind CityDev
Singapore Business Review
Why are Serangoon HDB homes being bought over market value?
Zooming in on small, prime GLS sites
The Edge


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Gender equality gives organisations a massive advantage; they perform better and make stronger decisions based on diversity of thought. But our Managing Director Phil Vernon explains why that's not the reason why we need gender parity now – it's the moral obligation we all have to create a world where all of us feel valued and welcomed to contribute.
The sad truth is that the corporate world is still male-dominated. The finance sector in Australia is particularly dismal, with nearly 80% of investment managers being male. Change needs to happen, and the corporate sector in particular has an ethical obligation to ensure they don't treat groups of people differently to others.
Australian Ethical is being proactive. We're a signatory to The 30% Club, a global commitment that means we pledge to engage with companies on gender diversity – which is something we do anyway, but joining this club has given us another reason to keep doing this. Our Chief Investment Officer, David Macri, talks about his reasons for being on the Investors Group of Australia's 30% Club in his article, Fair Goals; The 30% Club.
We've also got our own robust Diversity Policy that includes procedures like sourcing 50/50 candidates on our hiring shortlists. As a result, we've recently hired two highly-qualified women into our investment and ethics teams. We also encourage a flexible work culture for both men and women, because there needn't be a double standard when it comes to caring for our next generation. Our 2017 Annual and Sustainability Report (page 32) goes into detail about our current staff diversity and targets, and it's supported by very detailed GRI Content Index reporting (pages 14-16).
There's also the critical issue that Australian women who retire today have an average of $120,000 less in their super accounts than men. This just doesn't add up when you think about how women tend to live longer. The inequity of women in today's society is such a big issue that our Ethics Analyst, Ella McKinley, has crafted an article that delves into some of the many nuances of the under-funding of women's super; Rectifying the gender imbalance.
In other news, we're excited to say that last financial year we were the fastest growing super fund in Australia. We knew things were going well, but it was pleasing to have it confirmed by an independent assessment from KPMG. Soon after, we were awarded the 'Fast Mover' award by the industry organisation SuperRatings due to our extraordinary growth rate of 34% in 2016. Our returns have been continuing to perform well too. This was all happening as we refreshed our brand, which as you might notice includes a new logo, rich new colours and impactful imagery, all to help us tell our story in a way that reflects what we stand for now and in the future.
Managing Director,
Phil Vernon.


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Who Gets to be American?
How has the American narrative portrayed by cultural institutions fallen short? Examining representations of race and gender through the prism of the American identity, in what ways have institutions, and the art world at large, failed or succeeded in introducing overlooked narratives into art history? This panel aims to address these questions and the methodologies being used to rewrite historical narratives, probing what aspects of the American identity remain unaddressed and overlooked.
Moderator: Charlotte Burns, Writer and Editor, In Other Words, Art Agency Partners
Participants: Antwaun Sargent, Writer; Lauren Haynes, Curator, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art; Paul Anthony Smith, Artist


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Wrapping up this series is one final Google App that helps us power our trip - Google Forms. Forms is a data collector. Its uses are unlimited! If you want to collect, well, ANYthing, a Google Form can do this for you.
Forms itself is simple to start and use - as simple as a collection of names, phone numbers, and email addresses, but as complex as a medical questionnaire where your next question depends on your previous answer - and everything in between. Let me give you some examples.
NationsClassroom collects the basic contact information for our travelers when they register for the trip (thank you)! Since they do this work for us, we can shift our focus to pieces specific to our own trips. Forms is the outward facing link people enter their information in, but Google Sheets truly does the hard work of collecting. You'll see in each of the following examples.
Example of Forms: T-Shirts
We use a Google Form to sell t-shirts. [LINK - try it out! You can see exactly what our travelers and their parents see.] We include a picture of our shirt and our questions allow them to purchase the style and size they prefer. The Google Sheet [LINK] comes in next and collects all the purchases. The next step isn't required, but I use the Add-on "copyDown" to do the math for me [More info about copyDown → LINK] … I built the formula to add up the quantity of shirts times the cost of each of them (columns E through V) into the overall quantity (column Y) and cost (column Z). This helps out tremendously! The Sheet isn't the "prettiest" but it works!
I also ask for an email address. I create an automatic email (you might have read about formMule in my previous blog post) sent upon submission detailing quantity, cost, what was ordered, and where to send the money. (If you try it out, it should work for you, too. Don't worry, I won't contact you to send in your money!) My co-coordinator prints these off (Yep! She gets copied on each order) and she uses them to handout the shirts. The Sheet is also where she tracks payment. It's a pretty awesome system!
Example of Forms: Medical Uses
The other major use for Forms for our trip is the collection of medical information. This is serious business! Traveling with students more than 500 miles … is, well, daunting! Knowing many of our students depend on precautions and routines with their medications is a top concern for us. Each student traveler is required to have a signed form on hand during the trip, but we ask for FAR more information than what we physically carry. Our "Student Medical Form" is extensive [LINK - feel free to fill it out to see the details as a trial]. It has served us extremely well to find out about allergies, dietary restrictions, and various other medical conditions. NationsClassroom can and will make adjustments for a vast majority of these … but you have to know about them. (Thank you, Google Forms!)
Here is where the complex nature of Forms comes into play. I always ask the allergy question. If a traveler does have allergies, they move to questions asking for specifics. On the flip side, if the traveler answers "no", they don't see any of those questions! Same goes for emergency contact information … we allow for up to three contacts, but if a traveler only wants to provide two, they don't see the question for a third.
The Google Sheet of responses to the medical form also allows us to create name tags → hence the question of "preferred name". We add a column after-the-fact to include the bus number. We can sort the sheet by bus number and voila! We now have our travelers and medical information separated by bus! I use conditional formatting to color code particular responses - allergies and dietary restrictions. I use another Add-On called "autoCrat" to pull specific information into a Google Doc, which we then print, send home for a signature and this is what we carry on the trip. [LINK to more info about autoCrat]
ALL of these pieces are housed in my Washington, DC trip folder in my Google Drive. I can access it all thanks to the app on my phone (or any internet capable device). I add links to Docs, Forms, and our Calendar on our trip's Site. I use Sheets for a LOT of the "behind the scenes" actions.
Use Forms Again and Again!
I've been saving the best part for last … I make a copy of all the pieces from this series and I'm ready to go next year! It is work … the whole trip IS work … but Google is a great tool to use and build on and it makes the planning and organization much easier and therefore a much more enjoyable trip.
Ready to take the next step in planning your trip? Start by browsing through our many trip itineraries.


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- Icon Painting Classes Start Next Week
- St Demetrios Greek School Dinner and Dance Report
- Talk: Giving and Receiving in the Orthodox Church
- Report on the Clergy Wives' Dinner
- Talk: Living with our Thoughts
- Clergy Wives' Dinner
- Is it all Greek to you? Come along to our Greek classes for adults!
- Obesity and Healthy Living Seminar


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Editorial: The Spanish Miners' Struggle
On 11 July several hundred Spanish coalminers, who had walked 284 miles for three weeks from Asturias to Madrid, were joined by 25,000 supporters. Clashes with the riot police took place near the Ministry of Industry. Coalminers carried banners saying "Miner's Struggle = Worker's Struggle". Supporters threw firecrackers, stones, bottles, and cans at the police who were firing rubber bullets. Ten protesters were hit by rubber bullets, several arrests were made and there was a total of 76 injuries.
The working class in Spain is bearing the brunt of the austerity measures there –regulations that make it easier to sack workers, cuts to education and the national healthcare service, and 24 percent unemployment. The coalminers have had cuts in funding to learn new professions. The protests in Madrid happened on the same day that Prime Minister Rajoy announced a €65 billion austerity plan that will further assault the living standards of the working class as the country heads for a double-dip recession.
The main issue for the coalminers is the 63 percent cut in subsidies to coal mining industry that will destroy the industry. Twenty years ago there were 40,000 coalminers in Spain and Asturias was one of the country's most prosperous regions. Today there are 9,000 coalminers left in the dwindling industry, but a total of 50,000 jobs in the coal mining communities would be affected by the closure of the coal mines.
One coal miner was reported as saying: "This is not the first time miners have fought for all workers". The coalminers three-week march through the hot, dusty La Mancha region of central Spain elicited much support and solidarity from people who gave them food, water and shelter, the Spanish Red Cross was on hand to attend to any injuries and sore feet, and like athletes on a marathon they had regular food and water stations. This all demonstrated that the working class can work in co-operation in pursuit of a common interest.
Socialists recognise that the strike is a weapon of the working class in their struggle with the capitalist class. Socialists stand with the working class in their necessary battles with capital but it is important to continually point out that the real objective to aim for is the abolition of the wages system; the replacement of capitalism with socialism. The battles of the Asturian coalminers to save their jobs and communities are secondary to the ultimate goal which should be the whole world for all the workers.
Marx wrote that class struggles like that in places like Asturias were like "unavoidable guerrilla fights that incessantly spring up from the never-ceasing encroachments of capital or changes of the market". Working class struggles with the capitalist class are one fertile ground for the development of socialist consciousness and workers coming together in a Marxist socialist party to take political power. If the working class use elections intelligently they can win power by sheer force of numbers. The main lessons of syndicalism and general strikes such as 1926 in Britain and 1968 in France is their ultimate failure because state power remained with the minority capitalist class.
We urge, as Marx would have, the Asturian coalminers should "inscribe on their banner the revolutionary watchword 'Abolicion del sistema de salarios'"


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More like this ➡ here
Here is another cool robot kit designed to teach users coding and engineering concepts. The Sense Bot comes with infrared range detectors, line detector, and expansion slots. It can be programmed in Python, C, or using blocks. Kids can program the robot to follow a line or engage in battles.
The Sense Bot comes with a free programming interface. You can add 45 Neulog sensors to expand its capabilities.
*some of our articles have aff links. Please read our disclaimer on how we fund Exxponent.


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In recent years, strong housing price growth and the need for affordable housing has driven a rise in the popularity of Granny Flats across NSW and the ACT. Continue Reading
How can you build a Granny Flat to live in without losing some or all of your age pension payments? Our sales team are trained to give you clear general advice on this topic. Continue Reading
If you'd like to turn that wasted space and costly burden into something useful, we have a cash positive backyard solution. Continue Reading


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Click here for COVID-19 FAQs (for families, support schemes, etc)
Click here for our latest COVID-19 advisories
The scheme enables families who employ full-time Foreign Domestic Workers (FDW) to look after their loved ones with disabilities to pay a lower monthly concessionary FDW levy of $60 (instead of $265), if they are eligible.
As part of our efforts to continually improve our processes and easing application processes for caregiver support schemes, we have introduced the Client Assessment Form (CAF) for the application for the FDW Levy Concession for caregivers of persons with cognitive impairments such as Intellectual Disabilities (ID) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Who is Eligible?
How to Apply?
1) Get approval from the Ministry of Manpower
You will need approval from the Ministry of Manpower to be able to hire a FDW. You may visit www.mom.gov.sg for more information.
2) Download one of the following forms and have it completed by the relevant professional:
(i) Application Form For Schemes Administered By Agency For Integrated Care, Functional Assessment Report. (This form has to be completed by a Singapore Medical Council (SMC) fully registered doctor, Singapore Nursing Board (SNB) registered nurse or Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC) registered Physiotherapist (PT)/ Occupational Therapist (OT). The cost of an assessment may vary. You can approach your doctor or care professional for more information.)
(ii) Care recipients with ID or ASD can choose to have their level of support needs for ADL determined via the CAF. You may download a copy of the Assessment of Client on Level of Support Required for Activities of Daily Living here. (This form has to be completed by an AHPC registered PT/OT.) Care recipients who are currently students at a Special Education (SPED) school or receiving disability support services at a Voluntary Welfare Organisation (VWO) can have the assessment done onsite or be linked up to the Therapy Hubs for the CAF assessment.
Care recipients with ID or ASD who are not receiving disability services from the community may approach one of the following therapy service providers below to obtain their CAF asssessment:
Tel: 65115200
SPD Ability Centre @ 2 Peng Nguan Street (Tiong Bahru), S(168955)
Tel: 6579 0722 / 6579 0763
Tel: 6846 1171
3) Supporting documents
Photocopy the front and back of your care recipient's NRIC or birth certificate.
4) Mail your documents
Send the completed application form, FAR or Assessment of Client on Level of Support required for Activities of Daily Living form and photocopied documents to AIC at:
Agency For Integrated Care
No. 7 Maxwell Road #04-01
Annexe B, MND Complex
Singapore 069111
You can also e-mail these documents to firstname.lastname@example.com.
1) Application Form For Schemes Administered By Agency For Integrated Care
2) Functional Assessment Report (FAR)
3) Assessment of Client on Level of Support Required for Activities of Daily Living


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My husband and I fell in love dodging sparks over a shared affection for travel, coffee and Madeleine L'Engle. I had just finished rereading L'Engle's treatise on faith and art, Walking on Water, for the umpteenth time, feeling the usual pull to be a writer without the guts to follow the call. My future husband, it turned out, owned every non-fiction book she had written, but had a special affinity for this one because of his own call to be an actor.
Over the years, L'Engle's words have not only entertained, but also empowered me. For the closet creative with a secret compulsion to write, act, paint, draw, sing, plant or plan a Pinterest party, her words are just the pixie dust you need to fly.
I've had a fondness for Madeleine L'Engle since the first time my mom thrust A Wrinkle in Time into my hands in elementary school, making me promise to read it before devouring another Babysitter's Club book. Years later, after graduating and taking a job teaching seventh grade, A Wrinkle in Time was my first choice of a novel for my students to read for our literature circles.
But it wasn't until last year that L'Engle's words changed the trajectory of my life.
Five years after my husband and I fell in love, I reread Walking on Water not in the midst of my single life full of wide-open paths, but sitting on a spit-up stained couch by dim lamplight nursing my second baby. As I read, my secret compulsion unexpectedly grew into courage.
Like a prophecy that awaits its time, the words finally claimed me.
"Feed the lake," she wrote.
I had so many excuses why I shouldn't begin writing publically. (The baby on my lap, for one). But there were others:
There are already so many books and words—what could I add?
What if people think I'm a narcissist?
My writing is not as good as X.
Who will read it?
It will interfere with my calling as a wife and mother.
And so on.
But L'Engle dismissed my excuses in a single paragraph:
"If the work comes to the artist and says, 'Here I am, serve me,' then the job of the artist, great or small, is to serve. The amount of the artist's talent is not what it is about. Jean Rhys said to an interviewer in the Paris Review, 'Listen to me. All of writing is a huge lake. There are great rivers that feed the lake, like Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky. And there are mere trickles, like Jean Rhys. All that matters is feeding the lake. I don't matter. The lake matters. You must keep feeding the lake." [i]
Her words both paralyzed me with fear and freed me to flex my creative muscles.
Suddenly it dawned on me: It doesn't matter if my contribution is a tiny silver thimbleful of words poured into the ocean as long as I am using my words to shine into sacred spaces, speak truth and unleash a tad bit more beauty into the world. Even a small measure will do.
Our creative offering can be a wild and seemingly senseless act. Like Mary Magdalene who tiptoed over to Jesus as he ate and broke her alabaster jar of costly perfume, wiping his feet with her hair, we, too, "waste" our creativity on Jesus. Our poured-out gifts transfer from our hands to God's. And we may never know how he chooses to use them.
In addition to L'Engle dismissing my excuses why I shouldn't write with the flick of her wrist, she also reminded me to listen.
She writes, "When I am constantly running there is no time for being. When there is no time for being there is no time for listening."[ii]
With three children age four and under, this is not the season for days-off, sabbaticals or wandering thoughtfully through tree-lined lanes. L'Engle herself once described her thirties as "the tired years." But I can claim an attitude of awareness in the midst of even the most mundane days if I am intentional about noticing. Creativity doesn't need to be put on hold until a more convenient time. The work finds us if we are listening.
I also turn to L'Engle's writings when I wrestle with the dual callings of wife/mother and writer. I need someone to tell me that just because following this call is complicated doesn't mean it isn't right. Writer and podcaster Ann Kroeker talks about an opportunity she had to ask L'Engle how she managed to write during the years when her children were small. L'Engle simply gazed at her and said, "It was hard."[iii]
In Walking on Water, L'Engle admitted that "for a woman who has chosen family as well as work, there's never time, and yet somehow time is given to us…A certain amount of stubbornness—pig-headedness—is essential [to the mother who wants to write]".[iv]
L'Engle attests to the fact that she was a better wife and mother not in spite of, but because of her call to create. In A Circle of Quiet, she tells about how her daughter once remarked on her change in attitude, "Mother, you've been getting cross and edgy with us, and you haven't been doing much writing. We wish you'd get back to the typewriter." [v] L'Engle refers to this story in Walking on Water, reflecting that "I had to learn that I was a better mother and wife when I was working than when I was not." [vi]
As I write, I lean more fully into my other roles as a wife, mother, neighbor and friend. Now, as I go on agonizingly slow walks with my kids, touch the soft skin of my newborn, catch up with my husband over chips and guac and read inciting articles on social justice and global issues, I am on high alert for how the Spirit, my muse, will move me. And as I sit down at my keyboard in the stolen moments, something long dormant comes alive.
Maybe you, too, have the niggling feeling that connects with the call to create, but are too petrified to move forward. Courage, sister. And baby steps.
For now, just feed the lake.
As you gain boldness, break open your alabaster jar.
But remember that slowness is a gift as well. For as we learn to savor slowness, we will learn to hear.
Finally, believe that following your call to create will enable you to more fully embody your other roles in life. And consider the idea that the world doesn't need another Shakespeare, Chopin, Rowling or Ringo—it already has one—but perhaps the world does need little old you and all the art, music, stories, pictures and creativity you have to give.
[i] L'Engle, Madeleine, Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art (Wheaton, IL: Harold Shaw Publishers, 1980), 23.
[ii] L'Engle, Walking on Water, 13.
[iii] "Here's to the Writer Moms." Ann Kroeker, Writing Coach Podcast. Episode 49. May 7, 2016.
[iv] L'Engle, Walking on Water, 165.
[v] L'Engle, Madeleine, A Circle of Quiet (San Francisco: Harper Collins Publishers, 1972),
[vi] L'Engle, Walking on Water, 166.
Leslie Verner is a goer learning how to stay. Other cultures, spicy food, deep conversations, running, and sunshine feed her soul. She lives in Colorado with her husband and three kids. Leslie writes about faith, justice, family, and cross-cultural issues at Scraping Raisins and elsewhere on the web. Her first book Invited: The Power of Hospitality in an Age of Loneliness
releases August 2019. Follow her on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.


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2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Frozen Grape Must Bucket – Livermore Valley California
This is a preorder and will ship on or about October 1, 2020. You will be notified well in advance of harvest and shipping. We can also delay shipping your orders until a date you desire.
Pail Container Size: 6 Gallons
Amount of Must: ~5.25 Gallons
Must Weight: 50 pounds
Shipping Weight: 52 Pounds
Machine picked perfection at the perfect time. Machine picking uses laser guided and optical technology to make sure that bad grapes are rejected and that only the best grapes are picked off the vines. The grapes are then sent through a blower to ensure a fair amount of extraneous materials are removed. We then take these grapes for processing and freezing the same day.
This vineyard is located in Livermore, California in the Livermore Valley. The historic Livermore Valley is one of California's most prestigious wine grape growing regions. The combination of elevation, temperatures, soil drainage is extremely ideal for vineyards to flourish and produce high-quality grapes.
This particular vineyard located outside within 5 miles of Ruby Hill and across from a water preserve experiences a slightly cooler effect at night which promotes a later harvest and longer hang time on the vine. This, in turn, allows for increased absorption of nutrients and the flavors, in turn, are phenomenal. The climate of this growing region has been compared to Calistoga and St. Helena in the Northern Napa Valley.
Each 6-gallon container has 50 pounds of must and makes approximately 3.75 – 4 gallons of wine.
Load More


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Last week we had a post-Christmas and post birthday celebration for Ruth. We've been planning to do a dress up dinner together and finally decided to go to The Establishment's Crystal Room.
I love the interiors. Looked so elegant. I also liked the idea that there was a divider that allowed our dinner to be more private. I'm not sure if they really do that when you reserve a sport or it just so happens we know someone who works there. LOL
I was a bit full from the Charlie Chan Pasta version of my brother in law. I gobbled it down because I wasn't able to eat lunch that day due to a pretty hectic day. You'll find out soon what's the reason behind it.
Anyway, didn't get to enjoy the food that much because if that but I know its pretty tasty. I ordered grilled prawns. Sorry no photo. I didn't bring my camera because I thought I'll be riding a cab going there.
Anyway, my basis of prawns or shrimps cooked right is if its a bit jelly. It means its not over cooked. We are having a hard time doing that at home so I get to taste that type of prawns only when I go out.
The other girls ate different types of maki and other grilled items too like the Norwegian Salmon. We were all looking forward to French Cuisine but unfortunately they only have a centralized menu for the restaurant which is mostly composed of Japanese food.
Most girls didn't like this Mixed Berry Cheesecake. If you compare it to the normal standard of a cheesecake, perhaps its a bit disappointing. Although if you take it as a different dessert, I think it tastes great. I like the combination of the sour taste of the cheese and the sweetness of the berries. I feel like I'm eating grapes with cheese and crackers or rather, wine with cheese.
We had a lovely time. It was really nice seeing those girls again. We are planning to bring back our BS during Saturdays this 2011.
By the way, I wore a Maxi dress with a long sleeve shoulder on the right and a sleeveless shoulder on the left. I paired it with my recently purchased Forever 21 heels and Rings from Anagon and Crystal Catx.


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Russia has warned the West that its stance on Syria could aggravate the situation to the point of war, and said it will reject any U.N. Security Council peace enforcement resolution on Syria as it would be "nothing but intervention."
"Their [Western] position is most likely to exacerbate the situation, lead to further violence and ultimately a very big war," Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in Moscow on Thursday.
The West has also distorted the Russian position on Syria by suggesting Moscow should offer Syrian President Bashar al-Assad asylum. "This is either an unscrupulous attempt to mislead serious people who shape foreign policy or simply a misunderstanding of what is going on," Lavrov was quoted by Russian state media as saying.
He also said representatives of the Syrian Opposition groups would visit Moscow next week in the context of Russia's request to them to unite to find a peaceful solution to the ongoing crisis.
According to the U.N., more than 10,000 people have been killed in Syria since the beginning of a revolt against the Assad regime in March 2011. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a London-based organization with a network of activists in Syria, revised the death toll to 16,500 on Monday. Of them, some 5,000 were government troops and Army defectors, the group said.
The U.N. Security Council has so far failed to find a way to settle the conflict. Russia and China have refused to support any plans for outside interference in Syria.
For comments and feedback contact: firstname.lastname@example.com
Political News
New Drugs Approved In August
Biotech Stocks Facing FDA Decision In September
New Drugs Approved In July


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About Temple of Venus and Rome
The Temple of Venus and Rome, known in Latin as Templum Veneris et Romae, in the Roman Forum was built in approximately 135 AD during the reign of the Roman Emperor Hadrian.
Hadrian himself is thought to have heavily influenced the design of this temple, although it was later renovated by the emperor Maxentius after it was damaged in a fire.
Dedicated to the godesses of love and of Rome, the Temple of Venus and Rome would have comprised two main chambers and would have been an impressive structure. Its remains are found at the far east end of the Forum, near the Colosseum.
Related Places
Roman Forum
The Roman Forum was the very centre of ancient Rome. Throughout the lifespan of Roman civilisation the Forum served as the focus of political, civic and religious life.Explore
The Temple of Vesta
The Temple of Vesta was an Ancient Roman shrine now found on the Roman Forum.Explore
Temple of Antoninus and Faustina
The Temple of Antoninus and Faustina is one of the best preserved of the structures in the Roman Forum.Explore
Temple of Concord
The Temple of Concord was an Ancient Roman temple in Rome's Forum.Explore


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Europe large (German)
49,95 € – 99,95 €
incl. VAT excl. Shipping
– Dimensions: 770 x 570 x 20mm
– Scale: 1: 8.000.000
– Boost factor: approx. 20-40 (logarithmic)
Our relief map of Europe in the scales 1:8,000,000 or 1:16,000,000 is an impressive, visually attractive and naturally knowledge-imparting enrichment for classrooms or living rooms. From your office, create a geographical reference to current political developments or major social events. Use the card to actively plan your spring awakening excursion to Italy or Mallorca, your annual holiday in Scandinavia, a city trip to Paris or Saint Petersburg or a business trip to London, Frankfurt or Istanbul. Once there, you can also send the "old continent" in postcard format by post to friends, relatives, and other interested parties.
Tips and suggestions for your stay in the region can be found here:
From the mysterious Urals in the east to the wild coasts of the Atlantic Ocean and from the kingdom of the polar bear in northern Scandinavia to the fire-breathing Etna in Sicily, this is Europe.
Breath-taking metropolises like Moscow, Istanbul, Berlin, Rome, London or Paris captivate people from all over the world. Around 750 million people on an area of 10,180,000 square kilometres make Europe the second most densely populated continent on our home planet after Asia. Nevertheless, the wild side also offers a variety of attractions. Mainly in the north and east, wolves, bears, lynx or wolverines roam through huge connected forest areas. Golden eagles or griffon vultures draw their circles high up in the blue sky. Salmon return to spawning waters after years of migration.
Contact Germany
georelief Vertriebs GbR
Dohnaer Str. 383
D-01259 Dresden
Tel: +49 (0) 351 / 79 27 5100
Fax: +49 (0) 351 / 79 24 504
E-Mail: email@example.com
Our Partner in Schwitzerland
Georelief GmbH
Hauptstrasse 89
CH-8840 Einsiedeln
Tel: +41 (0) 554223315
Fax: +41 (0) 554223485
E-Mail: firstname.lastname@example.com


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Beige, pale brown, and taupe are some of the different shades of fabrics offered by Carousel Designs in this color category.
Unfortunately this product is not available for immediate shipment. However, you can still place an order.
The item is estimated to become available as indicated. For more information, please contact
our customer service team.
This item is in stock and will be shipped in the timeframe specified.
Limited availability items can be purchased only while supplies last. Order now before stock runs out!
Contact our customer service team for details.


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by Calum Fraser
Vodafone Plans Cost Cuts
Mobile phone giant Vodafone have announced plans to reduce expenditure by £1bn a year by 2011. The cuts are being blamed on rising raw materials cost as well as a reduction in revenues. It is still unclear where the cuts will be made.
Winning Start for Murray
Andy Murray beat Andy Roddick in 3 sets last night in his first ever Masters Cup match. The end of season tournament sees the top eight players from the season compete in Shanghai. Andy has two more group matches remaining. Roger Federer lost his first match in the same section.
New Tsunami warning system
Indonesia today unveiled an early alert system for tsunamis. It is designed to give coastal inhabitants forewarning, prompted by the events of 2004. The system is expected to be complete by 2010 but critics have cited that some areas are not fully covered by the project.
Mars Probe 'Dead'
NASA's Phoenix lander has not communicated in more than a week, ending a historic Mars mission. The probe survived twice as long as was expect and was the first to confirm the presence of 'water-ice' on the Mars surface.
High Street Sales Slow
UK High Street sales in October dropped 2.2% compared to this time last year, the first 12 month drop in more than three years according to the British Retail Consortium. The statistics come on the same day super chain Starbucks announced that it's profits had dropped from $158million to almost nil in a year.
Social Networking Positive in Workplace
A pan-European study has shown that the use of social networking tools dramatically increases productivity in the workplace. The independent survey reveals 65% of employees feel it makes them more efficient and almost half believed it allowed them to 'spark ideas'.
Stand-ups to Fill Schedule
The hole left in BBC One's schedule by Jonathan Ross is to be filled by a new run of Live at The Apollo. The stand up show, hosted by different stand-ups each week, will run until Ross' suspension ends in January.


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Abu Dhabi, Dec. 1: Lewis Hamilton is relishing another battle with Max Verstappen as he looks to claim an 11th Formula One victory of a 2019 campaign that concludes with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Sunday's race will see Mercedes bid for a sixth consecutive race win at Yas Marina Circuit, Hamilton having come out on top in three of the last five editions.
The world champion earned the 88th pole position of his illustrious career in qualifying, the first time he has topped the grid in his last 10 attempts.
Hamilton was ecstatic to end that barren run in the 21st and final race of the year and has put himself in prime position to add a win which would equal the personal best season tally he previously recorded in 2014 and 2018.
Valtteri Bottas qualified second but will start at the back after taking a host of engine penalties, meaning Verstappen, who won in Brazil last time out, will renew his combat with Hamilton from Interlagos on the front row.
Asked about continuing their scrap, Hamilton said: "Absolutely, yeah.
"I think we are in a slightly better position this weekend. Obviously, Max is continuing to drive well, but I'm looking forward to battling with him for sure.
"It's been such a long slog trying to get this pole position. I don't think my qualifying has been terrible but it's just not been at my usual standard perhaps, so of course it's incredibly satisfying.
"Obviously that's not even half the job done. We've got to battle with the Ferraris and the Red Bulls but I think we put ourselves in the best position possible, so incredibly happy.
"We just really tried to see what we could pull out of the car this weekend. It's well suited to the track and it's been feeling good."
The journey this year has been so special, so different but I am forever grateful for the lessons learnt. The growth all round brings me such pride and joy. Big thank you to @MercedesAMGF1 for continuing to push with me through the ups and downs.
@MSI_Images pic.twitter.com/7sEGDg5YQx— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) November 30, 2019
Verstappen vowed to challenge Hamilton but is aware he faces a tough task due to Mercedes' strength at this track.
"I don't think it's going to be easy, but we are going to give it a good try as a team, try and put them under pressure and see what happens," said the Dutchman, who was 0.360s off Hamilton's track-record pole time.
"We always know that Mercedes are very quick on the long runs. You have to be realistic and I think Mercedes is very quick. But there's still a lot of chances for Sunday.
"Qualifying was pretty decent. We seem to lack a bit of grip compared to [Mercedes] and they are especially very quick in the last sector. They are always very dominant here on this track but we tried to be as close as we could."
In the last 10 races in Abu Dhabi, where overtaking is difficult, only once has a driver starting behind the front row won, when Kimi Raikkonen triumphed from fourth in 2012.
The all-Ferrari second row of Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel therefore have their work cut out after suffering more frustration following their crash in Brazil.
Leclerc, following Vettel, could not cross the line in time to set a final flying lap in Q3. He initially blamed his German team-mate for driving slowly, though the four-time world champion was also hindered by traffic.
The Monegasque, trailing Verstappen by 11 points in the fight to finish third in the drivers' championship, has vowed to take chances, though he also has fifth-placed Vettel just 19 behind him.
Asked if he could win, Leclerc said: "Yes, definitely, and I will take quite a bit of risk at the start.
"I need to take some risk; I need to finish in front of Max for the championship and in the end I will give it all.
"We'll analyse it [qualifying] and try to understand for it to not happen again, because it's a big shame."
Three-time Abu Dhabi winner Vettel, who will start on soft tyres in contrast to mediums for the two Mercedes, Red Bulls and Leclerc, also had his say on the disappointing qualifying finish.
The German, who arrived to the circuit late this week after the birth of his third child, said: "Alex Albon was backing up because he had a McLaren in front of him. I don't know who was in front of the McLaren or whether the McLaren could be closer.
"It was just a pity because my tyres were very cold to start with and I lost it straight in the first corner and Charles didn't even start the lap."
Team boss Mattia Binotto conceded Ferrari had "screwed up" trying to take a risk by being the last cars out to take advantage of improving track conditions.
Bottas, meanwhile, insisted anything was possible after a retirement last time out ended a run of four straight podiums.
"Everything is always possible," said the Finn. "There's no point for me to set any limit really. Take every opportunity there will be and for sure there will be some.
"We've seen crazy races this year – look back two weeks in Brazil. So anything is possible. Look forward to coming up and taking those opportunities and most importantly having fun in the car.
"We'll find the fighting spirit. I believe. Anything is possible. We do have a good car and normally Sunday is better than Saturday for us so we'll give it all I have for sure.
"We've had many ideas for the strategy and obviously it's going to be a challenge, coming up from there – but I do look forward to it. I'm sure it can be fun trying to come up."
LAST HURRAH FOR HULKENBERG? The performance of Renault's Nico Hulkenberg will also be closely watched.
Replaced by Esteban Ocon for 2020 and with all other drives now taken, the German will start what may ultimately prove his last F1 race in ninth position as Renault look to hold off Toro Rosso for fifth in the constructors' championship.
"When I got in the car, it was business as usual," said the 32-year-old, who aims to return in the future.
"We still have the job in the constructors, which is very important. I just want to live it, enjoy it, get it done."
1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 4. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) 5. Alex Albon (Red Bull) 6. Lando Norris (McLaren) 7. Daniel Ricciardo (Renault) 8. Carlos Sainz (McLaren) 9. Nico Hulkenberg (Renault) 10. Sergio Perez (Racing Point)
2018: Lewis Hamilton 2017: Valtteri Bottas 2016: Lewis Hamilton 2015: Nico Rosberg
DRIVER STANDINGS 1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 387 2. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) 314 (-73) 3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 260 (-127) 4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 249 (-138) 5. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) 230 (-157)
CONSTRUCTOR STANDINGS 1. Mercedes 701 2. Ferrari 479 (-222) 3. Red Bull 391 (-310) 4. McLaren 140 (-561) 5. Renault 91 (-610)
Sunday's race is expected to be hot, with temperatures of up to 27 degrees Celcius, with no threat of rain or high winds.
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Restrictions extended to across Northern Ireland
MARY Jane (May) Geary (nee Carlew) was born on 19 March, 1924, at Toam Doohamlet, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan.
She was the third daughter of James and Mary Jane Carlew and eventually one of six siblings, three boys and three girls.
She attended school from 1929 until 1938 at Clogher National School, Drumhowen, Ballybay, and walked across the fields to school.
May, as she was known to family and friends, helped out on the family farm as well as working in Brady's Cafe in Ballybay until 1945. She held a lifelong and dear friendship with Joan Brady.
At the end of the war she found work as a Mental Nurse, as they were then known, in Hollywell Hospital, Antrim.
In 1950 she made a career move to become a Prison Warden in Armagh Gaol. Many memories of these vocations were shared with the family, from placing keys in a bowl of water to thwart the sleepwalkers in Hollywell Hospital, to supervising the Borstal girls at Armagh Gaol in cleaning up the horse manure from the Gaol Square, after the horse fairs, for the Gaol's rhubarb patch, to cutting grass on Joe Fee's grave using plastic scissors – the first and only time May ever saw plastic scissors.
Coming off duty on Saturday nights at 8pm, May would cycle home to Ballybay for her weekend break, returning on Sunday afternoon to go back onto duty at 8pm – a round trip of 43 miles.
She married William Geary in June 1955 and that brought an end to her prison service, as married ladies were not so engaged in prison work at that time.
She moved to William's farm at Tullyglush, Darkley, and took up all the duties of farm work, ranging from animal husbandry, calving and birthing sheep, to planting and gathering in potato crops, tending chickens etc, all intensive labouring tasks.
She learned to drive in a column gear shift Austin A45 van and made many trips to marts or checking livestock as far afield as Druncondrath and Virginia, Co Cavan.
Three sons came along, Trevor, Gordon and Ivan, and May saw to their upbringing, schooling, Sunday school and social gatherings.
The home at Tullyglush was always welcoming to one and all and any visitor from doctor to postman always departed with farm or garden produce.
A determinedly hard working and social lady, she was always generous and welcoming, and only allowing herself a few social outings with dear friends in Dorothy Shilliday, Maureen Beattie, Myrtle McKee or Mary Flanigan, kind and generous neighbours.
She saw her sons marry and give her five grandchildren and one great grandson.
Widowed by William's passing in 2002 she continued living on the family-run farm at Tullyglush and was lovingly cared for by her daughter-in-law, Lesley.
With the onset of Alzheimer's, and the family's reluctance, May was eventually moved into Hamilton Court Care Home, Armagh, in May 2014. There she was greatly rewarded by the adoption of a new family, the carers and nursing staff of Hamilton Court. Every one there dearly loved 'Wee May' as she was affectionately known.
May hardly ever sat whilst in Hamilton Court, but would walk day and night.
With this in mind and the memory of May cycling from Armagh to Ballybay,Trevor, her oldest son, and the family agreed to organise a sponsored walk in their Mum's memory, with the proceeds to go towards a Sensory Garden being planned by Danny Dougan, Manager of Hamilton Court.
This walk took place on Saturday, November 3, 2018, with Trevor and Ivan being joined by friends, starting in the Gaol Square at 8.30am and reaching Toam that afternoon at 5pm.
The outcome was £1,450 being presented to Mr Dougan for the Sensory Garden at Hamilton Court early in December.
The Geary Family would sincerely thank everyone who made a donation to such a worthy cause – thank-you one and all.


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A light and mild steamed cake with blended sweet corn. In my next attempt, I may increase the proportion of sweet corn to give the cake a more distinct taste of the sweet corn ^^
Yield: One 14cm round cake 圆型蛋糕
All ingredients in room temperature
70g top/cake flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking powder
40g milk70g top flour1/4 tsp baking powder
20g steamed corn
15g condensed milk
10g vegetable oil*
10g vegetable oil*
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs, separated
60g fine sugar
2 eggs, separated
60g fine sugar
* Avoid using olive and peanut oil which has a stronger scent.
2粒 蛋,蛋白蛋黄分开
60g 细糖
20g 熟玉米粒
1/4小匙 泡打粉
1. Line a 14cm cake tin with parchment paper. Set aside.
2. Mix top/cake flour with baking powder using a hand whisk.
3. Blend milk with steamed corn kernels using a food processor or blender. Then add in condensed milk, oil and vanilla extract. Set aside.
4. Beat egg whites in a clean and grease free mixing bowl at medium high speed using an electric mixer till frothy. This takes about 1/2 to 1 minute.
5. Reduce the mixer speed to low and add in the sugar in three lots. When the sugar is well incorporated to the batter, adjust the mixer speed to medium high, and beat the egg white batter for about 1 to 2 minutes, or till firm peaks formed.
6. Add in egg yolks, one at a time, to the egg white batter and mix well.
7. Start to preheat the water in a steamer.
8. Add in 1/3 of the flour mixture, one third at a time, to the batter using the whisks removed from the electric mixer.
Stir the batter in clockwise and anti clockwise direction alternatively, to prevent build up of gluten which will result in a harder cake.
Stop mixing once no flour can be seen.
Stirring clockwise顺时钟搅拌Stirring anti clockwise逆时钟搅拌
9. Pour in 1/2 of the corn milk mixture from (3), mix using the whisks.
Similarly, try to mix the batter with minimum mixing time.
将(3)的1/2份玉米牛奶混合物,加入。Add in the remaining flour and corn milk mixture in an alternating sequence.
10. Finally, use a spatula to scrap the side and bottom of the mixing bowl to ensure no unmixed corn milk and flour is settle below.
11. Pour the batter into the cake tin. Lightly tap the cake tin to get rid of trapped air.
14. Transfer the cake with the tin to a wire rack to cool for 5 minutes.
15. Remove the tin and allow the cake to cool to room temperature.
16. Cut and serve :)
切片享用 :)


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Incorrect Spare Tire Information Prompts Chrysler to Recall Fiat Vehicles
the tire could be overinflated, causing it to suddenly fail
Chrysler is recalling 32 model year 2016 Fiat 500 vehicles. The tire placard on the affected vehicles lists a tire inflation pressure for the spare tire that exceeds the maximum pressure listed on the sidewall.
As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
If the spare tire is used while overinflated, the tire may suddenly fail, increasing the risk of a crash.
The recall is expected to begin October 28, 2016.
Fiat will notify owners, and dealers will add an overlay on the tire placard to the correct tire inflation information, free of charge.
For further information regarding this recall, consumers may contact Chrysler customer service at (888) 242-6342. Chrysler's number for this recall is S69.


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The 2019 Tri-Peaks All-League softball teams were released with six Lamar players earning recognition.
The Lady Savages had four players named to the first team and two more named honorable mention.
First-team selections for Lamar included Alyssa Abitia, senior, P/OF; Lauryn Reyes, sophomore, 2B; Damonyca Segura, sophomore, SS; and Jaidyn Branom, freshman, OF.
Named honorable-mention for the Lady Savages were senior Reygan Gibbs, 3B, and Shania Sigala, P/1B.
Lamar finished second in the league standings with a 6-1 record and was 15-10 overall.
Rocky Ford sophomore Abby McElroy was named the TPL Player of the Year, and Rocky coach J.C. Carrica was named the Coach of the Year.
As a pitcher, McElroy went 13-8 with a 3.86 earned run average. She struck out 162 and walked only 50.
At the plate, she carried a .386 batting average with nine doubles and 16 runs batted in.
Seven more Lady Meloneers were named to the all-league team. Five of them were first-team and two were honorable mention selections.
Rocky Ford went 15-10 overall and won the conference title with a 7-0 record.
For La Junta, three players were placed on the first team and two were named honorable mention.
La Junta went 14-12 and placed third in the TPL at 5-2.
Lamar, Rocky Ford, and La Junta all advanced to the 3A state tournament.
Alamosa had two players on the first team and two honorable mention.
James Irwin had two first-teamers and two honorable mention.
St. Mary's had two on the first team and two honorable mention.
Dolores Huerta had one on the first team and two honorable mention and Florence had a single first-teamer and two honorable mention.
Tri-Peaks All-Conference Softball Selections – 2019
First team:
Rocky Ford – Baylie Krueger, junior, P/OF
Rocky Ford – Lexi Fernandez, junior, P/1B
Rocky Ford – Alisha Jaramillo, sophomore, C/OF
Rocky Ford – Karley Milberger, junior, 2B/OF
Rocky Ford – Niquole Knapp, junior, C/O
Lamar – Alyssa Abitia, senior, P/OF
Lamar – Lauryn Reyes, sophomore, 2B
Lamar – Damonyca Segura, sophomore, SS
Lamar – Jaidyn Branom, freshman, OF
La Junta – Sara Noll, senior, SS
La Junta – Alizeh Frazier, freshman, 3B/C
La Junta – Lexi Nunez, sophomore, 2B/SS
St. Mary's – Morgan Trechter, senior, P
St. Mary's- Katlyn Long, sophomore, SS
Alamosa – Emily Crowder, senior, P
Alamosa – Unique Ross, senior, OF
James Irwin – Hokulani Lua, senior, C
James Irwin – Sierra Finn, sophomore, P/INF
Dolores Huerta – Aralena Terrazas, senior, C
Florence – Alexis Dudley, senior, C
Honorable Mention:
Rocky Ford – So. Sidney Larrew, sophomore; Leila Chavez, freshman
Lamar –So. Shania Sigala, sophomore; Reygan Gibbs, senior
La Junta – Sr. Hailey Bender, senior; Azalea Gamez, junior
St. Mary's – Yelena Valentine, junior; Kayleigh Wallis, junior
Alamosa – Bianca Rodriguez, junior; Harmony Peterson, senior
Dolores Huerta – Markie Guerrero, junior; Cloe Mondragon, freshman
Florence – Allie Walker, freshman; Charolette Hendrickson, freshman
James Irwin – Layla Paet, sophomore; Brianna Manley, junior.
Player of the Year – Abby McElroy, Rocky Ford
Coach of the Year – JC Carrica, Rocky Ford


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A Texan in Tennessee! I love pretty much all types of music, but since you don't want to hear me sing, I pursued the next best thing – playing the hits on your radio.
I believe you should get out of your comfort zone every so often, so I've participated in Star 102.1's Dancing With the Knoxville Stars, went 'Over The Edge' and repelled down the 12-story Langley Building for Restoration House, climbed to the very top of Chimney Tops, swam with sharks (not on purpose), and joined the Pigeon River swimming club (by falling overboard while white water rafting).
I'm willing to try (almost) anything once! In addition to music, I love movies and TV and reading and sports and food and theater and art and pop culture and shopping and animals and rainbows and butterflies, AND you get the point! I also use exclamation points too much!
I'm proud to work with the YWCA Knoxville & The Tennessee Valley as a member of their Domestic Violence Awareness Month committee (since 2014). I encourage all women to learn self-defense (I took 4 years of Krav Maga). I am pro-LGBTQ rights, have a soft spot for animals, and support the arts!


text:
@BobbyDaddy said:
I understand the AIs won't trade with me if I'm too close to winning, but when does that kick in? Does it adjust to the victory conditions of the game? I feel like when I have 8+ points I can no longer make trades, even if it's a 20-point game.
The AI won't trade if it feels it's competing with you for a spot, so that could even happen around 3-4 points. And I've seen the AI trade with someone on the verge of winning, even with the current behaviour.
This purportedly is all being reworked.


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Congressman Evans Calls GOP Tax Plan an Attack on Hard-Working Families, Veterans, and Seniors in Philadelphia
Today, Congressman Dwight Evans (PA-02), released the following statement after voting "No" on the destructive Republican tax plan.
The Republican tax plan, H.R. 1, is a giant handout to big corporations and wealthy Republican donors. It is a harmful example of what happens when a group of people try to exert their rule over hard-working Americans. The Republican tax plan should be called, the "Job-Killing Tax Cuts Act." The bill we voted on in the House today, did not include one amendment offered by my Democratic colleagues on the House Ways and Means Committee—this leaves the American people with a sad collection of tax cuts masquerading as tax reform.
According to one of the leading Hunger-Relief Organizations, Feeding America, H.R. 1 would undermine efforts to assist those who struggle with adequate access to food. As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, specifically a member of the Subcommittee on Nutrition, I find this entirely unacceptable and cruel. Additionally, the Senate version of this bill includes a measure to repeal the individual mandate of the Affordable Care Act, which would result in 13 million Americans losing their healthcare—a risk we cannot take.
"The Republican tax plan does absolutely nothing to help move our neighborhoods forward," Congressman Evans said. "It is a slap in the face to hard-working families, veterans and seniors in Philadelphia, our Commonwealth and our nation. Today, I voted 'No' against the destructive bait-and-switch-tax-scam because this bill is sure to grow the national debt and takes our attention away from the real problems facing the American people—like good-paying jobs. At a time when our cities and suburbs are already pressed for funding, this destructive tax plan is yet another way the Republican Party and the Trump Administration are shifting valuable resources away from cities which are in dire need."
"Our cities compete for people. We are in the business of making our city more attractive to current home-owners and new perspective home-buyers. Why on earth would we as a Congress want to support a tax plan that would cause more harm to our neighborhoods? I am in the business of 'Doing No Harm' to hard-working families, veterans and seniors in Philadelphia and Montgomery County and had no choice today but to vote 'No' on this destructive and debilitating tax plan," Evans said.
Media Contact: Becca Brukman, 202-225-4001, firstname.lastname@example.com


text:
Last updated: April 26, 2019
Video games do cause aggression. The most games that cause aggression is games rating with M for mature games. About 90 percent of U. S kids from ages 8 to 17 play video games usually show more aggression after play a violent video games. Everyday odds are you are going to have more aggression while playing a violent video game with the Rating M for mature or higher. Even though video games are a big part in teens. Some parents are noticing there teens are getting and having more violent behavior problems.
There was a lot of attention to video games and violence because people found out the shooting at Columbine High School with the two teenagers were a result of the two teenagers play a violent video game called DOOM. And there is more articles on kids with violent behavior and there link to a video game with violent that made them do these things. Sometimes kids who play violent video games for the first time usually is the one with the most behavior problems. When a kid or a teenager play there first mature rating game they encounter violence and aggression.
Then they break things, and they might even hurt themselves. Violent video games have been around for a very long time. The first violent video games were DOOM. Mortal Kombat, and Death Race. But the most violent video game of all time is Grand theft Auto (the whole series). Grand Theft Auto is violent because is has use of language, blood, and adult Persaud,2 contents. And you can only buy it if your older then 18 and you must show your ID's. But the biggest part is parents buy the games for there kids not knowing what the game has inside. And this is the reason why violent video games get to younger kids and teens.
There are pros and cons about video games. Some of the pros are that is increases visual acuity, which means your eyes and sharpen and you can see better. And another pro is that it increases problem and logic solving skills, which means you understand things better. Plus if you are play the system the Wii people get a reasonable workout, which means you get exercise from playing video games. It increases the attention span of a kid or teen, which means they are paying attention and can concentrate more and what they are doing. But the biggest pro is that video games is that they are fun.
The cons for playing video games is that some people become addicted to it and they do not do there homework, eat, and they don't exercise. And video games can give false expectation on life, as in real life if you die you can't come back to life. Some people become insensitive to violence which means they don't respond back from violence. Some people may thing that just because there characters in there video games are taking drugs, getting drunk, and smoking might not affect them but its a video games and in real life these things affect you.
Lastly, they turn your eyes red and you have to wear glasses if you play video games for to long of a time. They say that you are always active while playing video games. The way that your always active is that when your character kills someone or commit a crime he or she gets an award. But if you would do something like this in real life you would go to jail. That's why when you play video games for a long time you get addicted and you want to do things that the characters do in real life instead of keeping it in the game. That's why violence in video games are bad.
The popularity of video games with the rating M for mature is increasing and half the world plays these games. And in some games 70 percent of the games is based on drugs, violence, and adult Persaud,3 contents. The violence is often brutal and degrading to women. In the most recent studies scientist found that playing video games can cause violent patterns in the brain. Some scientist said that playing an violent video game is worst then watching a violent T. V show. All because the information makes the player, playing the video game more involved in what he is doing.
Over the past 30 years since the breakout of video games people play video games when ever they have free time or nothing to do. And plus with a new generation of games are released the more people waste there lives playing them. Scientist studies kids who play violent video games and kids who don't and they study them to see the outcome of what happened. And they said :play violent video games did have it effect on kids who didn't play it in there lives". And they realized only kids who play for the first time is affected the most. Scientist asked parents to watch there kids while they are playing video games.
They did this to see if kids who have been playing violent video game for a long time shows aggressive nature. Scientist found out that kids who play Call Of Duty shows more negative behavior. And kids who play PAC Man show less negative aggression. The only difference was the violence. And the parents then noticed violent behavior in there kids. Scientist found out the more a game is violent the more the game cost in stores. They increased it so the people will pay more money for it. And 2 years ago when Grand Theft Auto IV came out a kid who was being bullied went to school the next day and started firing guns.
Kids who play shooting games the most are likely to pick up a gun and start shooting. That's why violent video games prices are increasing. Video games will influence kids to act much worst then how they normally act in real life because of all the violence in the video games they are playing every day. Sometimes at a young age kids are most likely to get behavior problems. A 20 year old convict said right before he went to prison Persaud, 4 said and I quote " life is a video game". And how everybody has to die sometime. He was known to play Grand Theft Auto: Vice City before committing his crimes.
He was arrested for killing to police officers. And scientist found a link that shows in the game GTA the character beats up and kill officers. Violent video games cause kids to do things at school that get them in trouble or suspended or even worst expelled. Kids started drawing violent things and making picture that get them in trouble. In modern days kids smoke,drink and there is one link to all of this and its video games. Teens ages 12 and up play video games every day and some become addicted the most and they play till morning even days.
Study show that teens who play video games play it 75% of the whole week. Video games make there kids don't do there homework and they don't do there chores. In Conclusion, video games are a big part in kids and young adults but playing video games got parents noticing that there kids are having behavior problems. Video games can and will cause aggression to teens and it is merely about the addiction to video games and what it does to kids and teenagers. And how deaths and teens going to jail is what violent video games do to teens who play them constantly.