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Nutrition programs can raise members' energy levels and your profits.
Remember the early days in elementary school? Oh, that daily trip to the cafeteria for a deliciously prepared, nutritionally balanced lunch based on that cute little triangle with lots of colorful pictures of food! Afterwards, the students went back to class, their teacher handed out brochures from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the class began talking about eating healthy meals from the food guide. Then most students took the brochures home and promptly forgot about them!
Some of those students grew up to be your members. What do you think they have been eating since their early childhood days? Have they scrapped the spinach for sweet rolls? Have carrots been replaced with candy? Or maybe their dairy intake is limited to the cream in their cappuccino and summer ice cream cones!
It's time for them to pay for their pleasure!
Everybody has to eat. Food is the fuel by which our bodies grow. And as our bodies develop and change, the kind of food we eat becomes even more critical to our health-to our life.
If you follow the food guide pyramid and the USDA's Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA) for consuming proteins, vitamins and minerals in your diet, you're healthy, energized and fit. If you eat right, congratulate yourself. But what about your members' nutrition?
So, you may ask, what does nutrition have to do with members? Health!
As the club industry gravitates from promoting an athletic lifestyle to becoming a consortium of wellness services, nutrition becomes the basis for health and fitness. Members probably know very little about the food guide and RDAs, including just what is the accurate weight and size of a "serving" of an item from the food group.
So where do you begin in terms of offering nutrition education?
The best place to start any program is by selling it to yourself. Familiarize yourself with the food guide pyramid at the USDA's Web site at www.nal.us-da.gov:8001/py/pmap.htm (see Food Pyramids on the Web for other options). The pyramid has five major food groups and one miscellaneous group. It differs from the old plan by splitting fruits and vegetables into two separate groups and adding a sixth group containing fats, oils and sweets.
Learn about your diet by assessing your nutritional intake. Experts agree that by writing down what you eat and how often you eat, you can have a good gauge on where you need to begin to change your eating habits.
Compare your list of foods eaten with the food guide pyramid. Use the food serving-size reference to gauge your dietary intake. The RDAs are listed on most food product containers. Compare their recommendations to what you are eating.
You can download and print a copy of the USDA's Dietary Guidelines in a portable document format (PDF) from the USDA Web site. Also, the Interactive Healthy Eating Index (IHEI) from the USDA is an online dietary assessment tool at http://220.127.116.11/. After providing a day's worth of dietary information, you will receive a score on the overall quality of your diet for that day. This score looks at the types and amounts of food you have eaten as compared to those recommended by the food guide pyramid. It also tells you how much total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium you have in your diet. An IHEI score over several days gives a better picture of your eating habits over time.
So you've decided to take the bold step to evaluate your diet and your nutrition IQ. Great! Now you have to sell it to your staff. And it's advisable to add a nutrition expert. "Everybody in the world eats and everybody thinks they're a nutrition expert," says Dorene Robinson, R.D., C.N., the director of Nutrition and Health Education for Beyond Fitness in Bellevue, Wash. "Credibility is a problem."
A good place to start is by talking with a registered dietitian (R.D.) and/or a certified nutritionist (C.N.). The American Dietetic Association's (ADA) Web site offers consumers and health professionals the opportunity to find a dietitian at www.eatright.org/find.html.
What are registered dietitians and certified nutritionists? According to the ADA, an R.D. has completed both academic and related experience to meet the requirements established by the Commission on Dietetic Registration, the certifying agency for the ADA. R.D.s must pass a national exam and complete continuing professional courses and training. A C.N. has a degree from an accredited institution in nutrition.
R.D.s and C.N.s know their food guide. They know nutrients, eating habits, vitamins, minerals, calories, body fat indexes, and how to start a nutritional education program. If you are considering starting a program, experts recommend you get the facts and build a plan to integrate it into your existing weight-management and fitness programs.
If you bring in a nutrition expert, however, be prepared to deal with some resentment. "Clubs who want to do this may find a barrier of staff resistance," Robinson warns. She recommends addressing staff concerns, which may revolve around everything from questioning the need for a nutritionist to feeling threatened by a consultant's presence. Staff may just be wary of someone "upsetting the apple cart" on programs already established by personal trainers and other staff members.
Credibility and staff resistance aren't the only barriers a club manager may face in establishing a nutrition program. Members may build some barriers of their own. Use credible, documented reports to make them see the benefits of a nutrition program. For example, a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) points out that a diet of foods recommended in current dietary guidelines can significantly increase women's life-spans. The report, from a study at Queens College of the City University of New York in Flushing of some 42,000 women, claims that a diet stressing fruit, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, lean meat and poultry (e.g., the USDA food pyramid) adds longevity to a woman's life.
Not only should you let members know that your nutrition program can improve their health, you should inform them that the proper diet will allow them to get the most from their workouts. What we eat maximizes our physical performance, reminds Sheila L. Volpe, Ph.D., R.D., assistant professor of nutrition and director of the Center for Nutrition in Sport and Human Performance (CNSHP) and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. A privately funded center, the CNSHP continuously studies different aspects of nutrition and exercise.
Studies like those conducted at the CNSHP are exactly what your staff should share with members, who may argue that they can get all their nutritional information from the latest diet best sellers. As Volpe points out, diet and nutrition information needs to come from a reliable source, and you probably won't find one at Amazon.com. "Diet books," she says, "never reference publications or studies. You aren't seeing the whole story."
Although some people prefer the latest diet craze, many others enjoy nutritional benefits by following the food pyramid. In fact, Volpe notes that people may well be following the food pyramid more than they think. That's why people need to look closely at the guidelines to determine their nutrition intake-to see where they are succeeding and where they need improvement.
Chances are they want to improve. The ADA's recent public opinion survey found that 84 percent of Americans rank exercise and physical activity as important to them. And 79 percent agree with the statement, "Physical activity is as important to overall health as a nutritious diet." Still, most people don't exercise and eat right. As a club operator, you can help them with the former, and if you remember what your elementary school teacher taught you (eat right and follow the food pyramid), you can also help with the latter. Pass that on to your staff and members, and you can profit from a sound nutrition education program at your club.
Food Pyramids on the Web
Looking for a food pyramid that you can download or other dietary information you can share with staff and members? The Internet offers several options. From the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Campbell's Soup to Vanderbilt University and the University of Minnesota, here are a list of food pyramids and food guides on the Web. Pick your favorites and refer your clients.
Food Guide Pyramid for Young Children
Food Guide Pyramid From USDA
Beverage Guide Pyramid From the Processed Apple Institute
Food Group Links From the National Health Magazine
Food Guide Pyramid From Children With Diabetes
Food Guide Pyramid From Alaska Cooperative Extension
Food Guide Pyramid From the Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Food Guide Pyramid From the University of Minnesota
Food Guide Pyramid From Campbell's Soup
Vegetarian Food Guide Pyramid from VegSource
Actual Consumption Pyramid
Food Guide Pyramid for Older Adults
Supplementing Profits
On any given day, one nutritional supplement or another is touted as being a "hot" sales item. But before you stock the shelves with the latest nutritional craze, here are some points to ponder. The debate over the advantages and disadvantages about nutritional supplements and their benefits continues to swell. Most nutritional experts hold fast to the theory that people should derive their daily dosages of vitamins, minerals and proteins from the food they eat. However, some people may need to supplement their daily nutrition-especially those whose medical conditions either deplete their daily supply of nutrients, or whose diets are limited and may not include all nutritional requirements.
According to Dorene Robinson, R.D., C.N., the director of Nutrition and Health Education for Beyond Fitness in Bellevue, Wash., "More and more informed nutritionists recommend supplements." Robinson submits that a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) cited 43 different meal plans that were developed according to the USDA dietary guidelines. Not one of these meal plans provided 100 percent of the Recommended Daily Allowances (RDAs) set by the Institute of Medicine, a private, nonprofit organization that advises the federal government, and a part of the National Academy of Sciences, which has set the nation's RDAs for nutrients since 1941.
Robinson concludes from her evaluation of the study's findings that supplements may be needed for a complete healthy diet. And letting the public in on an R.D.'s secret, Robinson says the RDAs may be implicated as rock-hard facts, but they are simply a scientific theory.
Still, not all experts agree that dietary supplements are always needed. Ronda Gates is a registered pharmacist and the author of several books on nutrition. She maintains that the nutritional guidelines are the core of a healthy diet. "Good nutrition guides say there is no magic in a pill," she claims.
Gates agrees that some supplements may be needed by people whose diets may be restricted, but she warns users that she sees the supplement industry as being fraught with "quackery" and misleading information.
Gates' pharmacology background has enabled her to develop guidelines for those seeking help in determining their choices in supplements. "It's tough," she says, adding, "Most of the time [a supplement's claim] is built around the nutritional supplement's sales." She advises consumers to look for these signs on the products for clues to misleading information:
* Claims that provide solutions that sound "magical" or that present enticingly simple (and logical-sounding) answers to complex problems.
* Distrust of the current methods of medicine or suspicion of the regular food supply, with "alternatives" for sale (providing a profit to the seller) under the guise that people should have freedom of choice. Beware of anyone claiming to be persecuted by the medical establishment; it means an amateur is making your diagnosis. They often try to convince you that physicians want to keep you ill so that you will continue to pay for office visits, according to Gates.
* Evidence in the form of testimonials, case histories, and other nonscientific support for their claims. These are carefully selected and may even use the name of a person who doesn't exist. Also, everyone is passionate about something. And remember famous personalities are usually paid big bucks for their support.
* Evidence from "unpublished studies." Valid scientific studies are published in reputable scientific journals.
* Evidence that is purported to be valid because the person has a M.D. or Ph.D. or has studied at a reputable institution. (People can take audit classes at almost any institution, and a job as a lab assistant does not mean the individual has done research.)
So, how can one tell if a supplement is safe to use? Who determines what supplements are safe, which amount should be taken, and if the compound is standardized? As of this printing, the final decision is up to the buyer. Knowing the integrity and reputation of the supplier and verifying the manufacturer's claims is the consumer's responsibility.
The bottom line on nutritional supplements is this: If you want to sell them as part of a profit center, experts advise that you keep it simple and safe. Get a certified nutrition expert's advice. As Gates says, "There is no way any health club people can keep up with this [growing debate]."


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Log Wall Art - HEART MOSAIC in NATURAL WOOD
- Heart shaped log wall decoration by The Log Basket.
- Wooden wall art.
- Hand-made log slice wall hanging in natural wood.
- Created using locally sourced timber.
- Size: 59cm x 52cm approximately.
A fabulous wooden heart for your wall, our log artworks are created by hand from timber sourced from the forests that surround our workshops. Hang one on your wall to effortlessly bring the beauty and warmth of natural wood into your home. Why not present one as an unusual gift of love to someone special? They make a unique wedding gift idea, too.
Incorporating log slices of different diameters and thicknesses, these wall hangings have a stylish sculptural quality to them. Each log mosaic is unique - the natural colours and arrangement of the log discs will vary from piece to piece, but our images are indicative of the item that you will receive.
The neat log slices are firmly bonded to a 9mm thick FSC Certified hardwood ply backing board and a hanging hook is centralised on the back of the artwork. Each Heart is cut, arranged and hand finished by Keith, here in the UK.
Our hearts are suitable for wall hanging and measure 59cm wide x 52cm high approximately.
Each heart is made to order - please allow 7-10 days for yours to be completed and dispatched.
More designs, colour palettes and wood finishes are available in our Wall Art department.

subset: commoncrawl


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Professional Pathways/ Seal of Biliteracy
MHHS Professional Pathways are an optional way for students to plan their high school courses and specialize in a certain area of interest. Students may choose to take a 3-4 course pathway sequence, which includes a capstone course, within this area to complete a pathway.
Pathway course selections compliment a college prep high school plan and demonstrate a student's dedication to education and training within a particular specialty area. Pursuing a pathway may help students prepare for careers and further education within that area. Completion of a Mountain House High School professional pathway culminates in special recognition upon graduation.
Students apply for pathway recognition in their senior year. Students may apply for recognition in more than one area if desired.
PLTW Professional Pathways (Engineering, Biomedical Science, and Computer Science):
PLTW students are better prepared for post-secondary studies and more likely to consider careers in critical STEM fields than their non-PLTW peers, research has shown. More than 100 colleges and universities are members of the PLTW College and University Partner Network, actively recruiting PLTW students and providing them with opportunities such as admissions preference, scholarships, and course credit. Learn more about PLTW partner universities HERE.


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New thermometer takes the guesswork out of heating baby food
Thermapen, makers of Britain's most popular kitchen thermometers, has designed a new tool to safeguard infants.
First Food Thermapen puts an end to trial-and-error by delivering an accurate reading in seconds, helping to ensure that the food is just the right temperature.
The casing also has inbuilt Biomaster antimicrobial technology to inhibit the growth of surface bacteria. The protection works 24/7 for the lifetime of the thermometer.
Thermapen Managing director Peter Webb explains:
"Food, breast milk and formula can be heated and re-heated safely with our new product and guide. Many parents are unsure about correct temperatures, yet they are crucial for the preservation of nutrients and hygiene maintenance.
Microwaving alone for example isn't enough, families must be able to trust and control."
To find out more visit the Thermapen website.


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Tarot Card Meanings
Two of Sceptres
Be patient and observant as you go through the decision making process.
Ace of Sceptres
Three of Sceptres
Watch Now: Two of Sceptres Video
Learn the meaning of the Two of Sceptres Tarot card in under a minute!
General Meaning
This suit, most often called "Wands" and sometimes called "Rods" or "Staves," represents initiative, ambition, drive and desire. This is the suit of enterprise and risk-taking.
The Two in this suit, often portrayed as crossed wands, imply a deadlock due to energies working at cross-purposes. This could refer to an internal split -- perhaps a duel between optimistic and pessimistic parts of your psyche, for example -- or some situation where you feel "damned if you do, damned if you don't." This could be a standoff with another person or rubbing up against limitations that are currently imposed upon you.
This card points to the possibility of creeping self-doubt -- the kind that arises in a situation where one has bitten off more than one can chew. Give yourself a moment to take in the full implications of your situation. Find your bearings again before launching back into action. Deal with real concerns now -- before they become regrets!
In the Reversed Position
When decision-making stymies you, look within your Self for the solution. The Two of Wands reversed suggests someone who is momentarily stuck in the process of decision making. You feel like you are in an all-too-familiar hall of mirrors, unable to recognize the real doorway amidst the many reflected images of it.
Bear in mind that your future self already knows what choice you made. When you can calm down and access the part of yourself that already knows there is a way out, your options will become clear again.
In the Advice Positon
The Two of Wands in this position advises you to respect your own decision making process. Instead of criticizing yourself for indecisiveness, appreciate the various implications of possible choices. Avoid pushing yourself to make a commitment.
Keep meditating, watching the situation and witnessing the forces at work. At some point you will have enough information to see clearly. The decision-making process will be over and the choice will be clear.
A powerful message is waiting for you! Get your Reconciliation Tarot Reading NOW...
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View Any Card in Ibis Deck:
WANDSAce of Sceptres
Two of Sceptres
Three of Sceptres
Four of Sceptres
Five of Sceptres
Six of Sceptres
Seven of Sceptres
Eight of Sceptres
Nine of Sceptres
Ten of Sceptres
Slave of Sceptres
Warrior of Sceptres
Mistress of Sceptres
Master of Sceptres
CUPSAce of Cups
Two of Cups
Three of Cups
Four of Cups
Five of Cups
Six of Cups
Seven of Cups
Eight of Cups
Nine of Cups
Ten of Cups
Slave of Cups
Warrior of Cups
Mistress of Cups
Master of Cups
SWORDSAce of Swords
Two of Swords
Three of Swords
Four of Swords
Five of Swords
Six of Swords
Seven of Swords
Eight of Swords
Nine of Swords
Ten of Swords
Slave of Swords
Warrior of Swords
Mistress of Swords
Master of Swords
COINSAce of Pentacles
Two of Pentacles
Three of Pentacles
Four of Pentacles
Five of Pentacles
Six of Pentacles
Seven of Pentacles
Eight of Pentacles
Nine of Pentacles
Ten of Pentacles
Slave of Pentacles
Warrior of Pentacles
Mistress of Pentacles
Master of Pentacles


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newly free, chelsea manning introduces herself on instagram
After years of fighting for her freedom, and healthcare as a trans woman in a military prison, whistleblower Chelsea Manning introduces herself to the world.
Hello world, and hello Chelsea Manning. The US Army whistleblower is out of prison, on Instagram, and serving us her first selfie. Ok, fine, it's not really a selfie, but who cares, she looks absolutely gorgeous. Bathed in natural sunlight and smiling ever so slightly, the candid portrait is her fourth Insta post since yesterday's release, following on from a pic of her box-fresh Converse, a slice of Pepperoni pizza, and a couple of glasses of champagne (obvs).
Chelsea, who is just 29 years old, was convicted in 2013 by a military tribunal for releasing US military documents -- revealing evidence of US complicity in torture, and involvement in the killing of civilians -- to WikiLeaks. Manning was sentenced to 35 years imprisonment; days after her conviction, she came out as transgender. When the military refused her treatment for her gender dysphoria, she filed a lawsuit. After negotiations with the military, Chelsea was given access to cosmetics, and grooming items available to other women in custody, and in 2015 she started hormone therapy. Chelsea was released following a pardon issued by Barack Obama in January, one of his final acts as president.
"Okay, so here I am everyone!!" Chelsea captioned her first Instagram selfie. What a pleasure to meet you Chelsea, we can't wait to see what you do next!
Read: The artist who painted Chelsea Manning.
Text Tish Weinstock


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CANCELLED - Berglund, Harryson & Wells
- Karlskrona
- https://berglundharrysonwells.se/
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The concert has been postponed, the new date is September the 26th at 7.30 P.M.
It will be a fully-packed concert experience from the stage. Berglund, Harryson & Wells with orchestra and singing guests across the country, during the spring 2020. A warm tribute to the old-time live entertainment.
BeskrivningBERGLUND HARRYSON WELLS
Many program leaders, chaplains and pianists have participated in the box over the years when the whole of Sweden has been waiting to be entertained. Now the first set of the success year´s of "Så ska det låta" is back, ready for a Sweden's tour!
Chaplain Johan Landqvist who led the "Så ska det låta" orchestra through the first twenty years came up with the idea of gathering the trio after all these years to now reunite. Johan and the whole original band are of course joining the tour.
Participants are Nina Söderqvist and Janne Åström, as well as local singers who will be highlighted in each city around the country.
- We want to bring in the unique atmosphere that was in the studio during the first few years when we worked together, which was cut away for reasons of time. That is, the jam, the swing and the joy. It will be a song and music party. Here are expected both competition moments but also musical oases with all participants. We will make sure that the audience is a big part of the whole concert, "says Berglund Harryson and Wells.
Berglund, Harryson and Wells participated in SVT "Så ska det låta" from 1997-2005.
PETER HARRYSON: The 1966 Stage School. The play, Stockholm City Theater, TV profile. Filming the sequel to Weddings, Funeral and Baptism. Directed by Colin Nutley.
ROBERT WELLS: "Rhapsody In Rock", Awarded King's Medal 2012, PIanolager Wells Academy for Young People. Toured in China, England, US, Australia etc. and is up to date with the new book "Blood Sweat & Toner". Right now on an anniversary tour with "Rhapsody In Rock".
ANDERS BERGLUND: One on the Billboard list (Hooked on a feeling) and USA tour with "Blue Swede" Björn Skifs 1974-75. 13 years with EUROVISION GRAND PRIX as conductor and he has arranged many shows for over thirty years with Stjärnklart, Film Music Composer until 1939. Right now on an anniversary tour with "Rhapsody In Rock".


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As part of a new initiative, Brian Parsons organised a dance workshop with Sian Archer – a local dance teacher and choreographer – at the Body Tech gym on Sunday. This first workshop was a resounding success, with the girls spending nearly 2 hours learning contemporary dance moves.
Much fun was had by all, and we hope these workshops will become a regular feature in our Fasti in the future.


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Apartment T2 for sale in Lisbon Historic Center • ref 22747
2 bedroom apartment in the heart of Alfama, one of the most charismatic neighborhoods in the city of Lisbon. Legend has it that the building predates the 1755 earthquake, having undergone several renovations and improvements throughout its history. The last one was completed in late 2018. It is located on the 1st floor and has been extensively rehabilitated. The profound intervention he suffered, required detailed attention both in the technical and structural part. Wooden floors rehabilitated with Portuguese floor with white stain, Liós stone in the canopy and sprinkled with reused hydraulic mosaic in the bathroom. Liós stone washbasin carefully designed for the space available. White lacquered kitchen and pantry cabinets with white corian countertops. On the wall of the room, installation with surplus pieces of demolition wood. Wooden ceilings, skirt and shirt rehabilitated, white. The finishes combine the quality and design suited to the requirement of harmony and uniqueness that was intended to be created. Porta da Frente Christie's is a real estate agency that has been in the market for over two decades, focusing on the best properties and developments, whether in the sale or rental market. The company was selected by the prestigious Christie's brand - one of the most recognized auction houses, Art and Real Estate institutions in the world - to represent it in Portugal, in the areas of Lisbon, Cascais, Oeiras, Sintra and Alentejo.


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|Computer Science/Discrete Mathematics Seminar I
|Lasserre Hierarchy, Higher Eigenvalues, and Graph Partitioning
|Venkat Guruswami
|Carnegie Mellon University
|Monday, February 20
|11:15am - 12:15pm/S-101
Partitioning the vertices of a graph into two (roughly) equal parts to minimize the weight of edges cut is a fundamental optimization problem, arising in diverse applications. Despite intense research, there remains a huge gap in our understanding of the approximability of these problems -- the best algorithms achieve a factor (log n)^{\Omega(1)} approximation as a function of the number n of vertices, whereas even a factor 1.1 approximation is not known to be NP-hard. We describe an approximation scheme for various graph partitioning problems such as sparsest cut, minimum bisection, and small set expansion. Specifically, we give an algorithm running in time n^{O_epsilon(r)} with approximation ratio (1+epsilon)/min(1,lambda_r), where lambda_r is the r'th smallest eigenvalue of the normalized graph Laplacian matrix. This perhaps indicates why even showing very weak hardness for these problems has been elusive, since the reduction must produce hard instances with slowly growing spectra. Our algorithm is based on a rounding procedure for semidefinite programming relaxations from a strong class called the Lasserre hierarchy. The analysis uses bounds for low-rank approximations of a matrix in Frobenius norm using columns of the matrix. Our methods apply more broadly to optimizing certain Quadratic Integer Programming problems with positive semidefinite objective functions and global linear constraints. This framework includes other notorious problems such as Unique Games, which we again show to be easy when the normalized Laplacian doesn't have too many small eigenvalues. Joint work with Ali Kemal Sinop.


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Asian Australian Cinema
Directed by: Vikram Bhatt
Produced by: Rohit Kumar Productions
Brought up in a very tight, conservative household, Sapna Dholakia is terrified to experience the freedom of falling in love with Rohit, fearing the upheaval it will cause in her family, namely her dad, Pratap Dholakia, who has plans for Sapna to marry Rishabh Patel, the son of a friend. Then there is her brother, Raman Dholakia, who follows in the footsteps of his dad, and will prevent Sapna from marrying Rohit. But Rohit is determined to marry Sapna and no one else… (Internet Movie Database http://www.imdb.com)
Year: 2002
Category: Asian Features
Country of origin: India


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|Date of Registration : Jul 21, 2016
Date of Revision : Jul 24, 2018
|Country / Area
|Fukui, Japan
|Proposal Category
2209 Other metallic products
3101 Optical machineries and equipment (including glasses, binoculars, photographic lenses, electronic microscopes, etc.)
3107 Clocks and watches, parts there of and accessories
|Target Country / Area
|All Countries / Areas
*Attention: JETRO shall not take any responsibility for the contents provided by users. Please take note of the fact that JETRO leaves the exactness and reliability of the contents to users' judgment.
Offering Processing Service of Precision Metal Parts
We offer processing servicce of precision metal parts by lathe machining or dedicated machine.
*Product outline
1) Precision screw
-Usage: spectacles, optical communication, precision process machine, watch, acoustic and decoration etc.
-Specialist of cutting and heading process
-Material: stainless, titanium, iron and resin etc.
-Size: M1.0, M1.2 M1.4, M1.6 and M1.7
2) Precision metal parts
-Usage: precision and machines etc.
-Deal pin and shaft by cutting
-Size: under diameter 20.0mm
3) Spectacles parts
-Usage: nut, rim-rock and hinge for spectacles frame
-Deal secondary processing, armor processing, temple processing, and mountain processing
4) Original developed parts
-Cross-grip-nut, spring hinge, screw with resin
-Specialize loosening screw (developed by our company)
-Size: M1.2, M1.4, M4.0, M6.0, M8.0
*Production/delivery capability
-Facility: NC machining center, NC auto-lathe, auto-lathe
-Techniques: metal or non-metal precision processing, metal cutting process and complex processing
-Delivery date: depending on tasks
*Features of our services
We always provide high-quality products as "professional manufacturer of metal precision parts" with technological innovation and development since establishment in 1948. We accept precision cutting of metal machining by lathe machining or dedicated machine. Since establishment in Sabae-city Fukui-pref. Japan, where is the center of the spectacles, we are working on metal parts with focus on spectacles parts. In recent years, taking advantage of our technology, we have established owned
company in Vietnam.
*Business result
Sales results to spectacles company, machining company, car company and trade company in Japan, Vietnam, Hong Kong, China, Europe etc.
Fukui, JapanApr 20, 2018 RegistrationJul 24, 2018 Revision
Total Sum of CONTACT Received : 1


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Ken Williams
Sponsored By
Bernstein: Relaxed Rick Hahn Has Sox In Good PlaceThe relatively young GM is under new pressure to win from a notoriously fickle, cranky fanbase.
Bernstein: Smarter Sox Done Fooling FansWhite Sox general manager Rick Hahn looks to have the guts needed for a gut rehab of a team grown old, stale and bad
White Sox Trade Kenny Williams' SonThe White Sox traded Ken Williams Jr. to the Colorado Rockies for first baseman Mark Tracy.
White Sox Promote Williams; Name Hahn GMA person familiar with the situation says the Chicago White Sox are promoting general manager Ken Williams and assistant GM Rick Hahn.
Bernstein: OK White Sox, Now Don't Blow ThisThe White Sox are no longer a cute little story, and that's a good thing.
Bernstein: Seriously, Appreciate The GameThis is the first All-Star break in recent memory that hasn't felt like the serene eye of a giant, swirling storm, in both good times and bad.
Buffett, Goldman Boss Tout Small Business Program At Malcolm X CollegeYou might think people who own thriving businesses know a thing or two about reading a balance sheet or creating jobs, but a program at one of the City Colleges of Chicago shows us you're never too experienced to learn how to make even more money.
Bernstein: Opening Day Feels Weird This YearHope and possibility are just a matter of time, at least for Chicago baseball.
Hoge: Williams Seeks To Bring Harbaugh Mentality To White SoxWhen Kyle Williams fumbled away last Sunday's NFC Championship Game, you couldn't help but feel for the guy.
White Sox Promote Buddy Bell, 2 OthersThe White Sox promoted three employees in player development Monday, including Buddy Bell.
Man Breaks Into Kenny Williams' Home, Defrosts LobsterA man was reportedly arrested after breaking into the home of White Sox general manager Kenny Williams.
Spiegel: Ken Williams' Shock And Awe
Bernstein: Here's Why VenturaKenny Williams lost his poker bet, after he pushed Jerry Reinsdorf's chips to the middle of the table and birthed a regrettable marketing slogan.
Reinsdorf Steps In After Williams, Walker Have Heated ConfrontationThe shortage of production from Adam Dunn, Alex Rios and Gordon Beckham recently lead to a heated confrontation between general manager Ken Williams and hitting coach Greg Walker, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
Williams To White Sox Players: 'Lighten Up'As the White Sox continue to struggle against their own division, Williams expressed obvious frustration before Thursday's game against the Twins.


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June 28, 2019 at 3:00 PM
Most people think they drive perfectly, and may be completely unaware of small habits that can damage their car and cost them extra! To help out, we have compiled a list of 10 common problems that can be easily rectified:
1. Neglecting warning lights – if the warning light for the engine, braking system, power steering failure, airbag, oil pressure, or cooling system comes on, it is advisable to stop immediately and seek help. Check your owner's manual to familiarise yourself with what all of the different lights mean.
2. Late braking – consistent late braking places strain on the braking system, causing wear and tear, as well as costing more fuel. A slow and considered approach, fully anticipating the road ahead, is much better.
3. Riding the clutch – poor clutch control can cause excessive wear, leading to more frequent replacements of the plate. It's also considered to be a 'wear and tear' item, and so isn't covered by a warranty!
4. Overloading your vehicle – the greater the weight, the higher the strain on the brakes, suspension, and drivetrain. Plus, unnecessary weight is bad for the fuel economy of the car. Check your owner's manual for the vehicle's maximum weight.
5. Dragging the brakes downhill – increase the wear and tear on brake pads and discs, so they have to be replaced more frequently. When travelling downhill should be in a low gear, apply light braking, and then release to allow the brakes to cool.
6. Shifting from drive to reverse before stopping – shifting in this way in a car with an automatic gearbox is bad for the transmission, and causes wear and tear. The same can happen from crunching the gears in a manual car, so it's always advisable to come to a complete stop before switching into reverse.
7. Hitting potholes and speedbumps – up to a third of all vehicle damage is caused as a result of potholes. The impact can cause buckled wheels, lumps in the tyre, and cracked alloys, amongst other issues. So try to avoid potholes, and always slow down before driving over a speedbump.
8. Resting your hand on the gearstick – risks applying pressure to the mechanism that the gearstick is attached to, which can cause premature wear.
9. Flooring the accelerator in a high gear – accelerating at a low rpm, or in too high a gear, means that the engine is working harder, placing unnecessary strain on the motor. Change down and allow the revs to rise before changing up.
10. Revving the engine when cold – your vehicle starts from cold, so it is critical to avoid revving the engine until it is warm, to give the oil time to warm and circulate, avoiding damage or wear and tear.
We hope that this list has helped identify some of the ways in which your driving can impact your vehicle. If you have any questions, or your car is in need of a service, call us or come into one of our branches and our staff will be happy to help!


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Clips of Harvard running back Devin Darrington allegedly flipping off Yale defenders on his way to the end zone made their rounds on Twitter and folks understandably lost their shit over it. Harvard-Yale is a notable rivalry, sure, but to see an Ivy Leaguer give another team the middle finger while showboating is not something you see every day. With nothing but juicy Ivy League beef on the brain, I joined in the frenzy and quickly blogged the clip.
As the clip spent more and more time online, the question was raised as to whether or not that was in fact Darrington's middle finger, or just a normal taunting index finger. Thanks to Harvard Crimson photographer, Tim O'Meara, we have the real story.
Jason Gay of the Wall Street Journal interviewed O'Meara after the game to get his take on the situation.
"It was cool to realize for the first time that something I'd seen all over the sports media was not as it seemed," said O'Meara, a Crimson staffer.
What unfortunately happens now is that the story goes from being a funny moment in a college game to becoming another irritating example of officials not allowing any fun on the football field. Just let the kids be kids, dammit.


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Since the dawn of multiparty politics in 1994, the former single ruling party, Malawi Congress Party (MCP), is yet to find its footing.
For the two decades Malawi has been a multiparty democracy, the party is yet to win power through the presidency.
It took itself to the polls through Gwanda Chakuamba and John Tembo in three general elections, both heavyweights during the Kamuzu Banda era, but failed to make a mark on Malawi politics.
But it has not been losing everything. It has managed to have a good number of seats of Members of Parliament (MPs) in the parliament. It now holds the opposition leadership, meaning that it has more MPs than any other opposition party in the house.
But with the presidential system we have in Malawi, it is only on a few occasions that numbers in parliament matter. Decisions are made by the executive. That is where the real power is.
It seems like good news that the party still manages to retain a good number of MPs in parliament. But another challenge to this is the fact that most of the MPs are from the central region.
This is the region that MCP has always taken to be its home. President Kamuzu Banda was from the region. With his tyrannical three decades grip on power, people have always associated the region with him and his party. Even after his death, it continues to be like that.
In the 2014 Malawi general elections, with a totally new face on the ballot of Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, the party did manage to attract admiration from the neutrals with the change it had experienced.
Dr. Chakwera has brought in new kind of politics and for the first time people started looking at the party as an option to the then under fire People's Party (PP) and the less trusted Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which surprisingly went on to win power. MCP came second.
But still, the challenge was that it had most of its votes in the central region with the north going to PP and the south, the largest of all the three regions, voting for the DPP.
History and the 2014 performance is a wakeup call to the MCP that if ever it dreams of getting into power, it has to spread itself across Malawi. But for that to happen, it needs strong strategies.
Its Vice President, and also Speaker of National Assembly, Richard Msowoya, comes from the north. He won a seat in parliament. He acts as an entry point of the party into the region. But that alone does not solve it all. There is more work to do. The northern vote changes from one election to the other.
How about the Southern region? With the United Democratic Front (UDF) and then the DPP commanding the southern vote for the past two decades, MCP has totally failed to make a mark in the area. All it has are ground party structures which fail to transform or show up during elections. It is very hard for the MCP to penetrate the region.
But all is not lost, as far as the 2019 general elections are concerned, and also beyond.
The strategic advice MCP has to take heed of is to recruit Blantyre City Mayor, Noel Chalamanda, to contest as a Member of Parliament on its ticket.
He should be promised all the financial and party support for him to secure the seat.
Getting the special treatment than other contestants will be for one reason: He is a project.
During the run up to the 2014 general elections, Noel Chalamanda stunned people when he announced that he will contest as an independent Ward Councilor.
He abandoned a successful Law practice and went for politics. He gained people's love and support even before the elections and easily won and assumed the position of Mayor. There was no any other person people could have chosen for a Mayor than him.
Chalamanda is a man of class. He is probably the first celebrity politician who has attracted a lot of admiration from people. As a Mayor, he is delivering.
He has been engaged in several projects that have seen Blantyre City getting beautiful and clean. It shows that most of the projects are out of his vision and strategies, working together with the Blantyre City Council.
As a person, he is also known as a man who has a good sense of dress and appearance. He is good looking, has an intelligent face and a commanding voice. In short, he is the kind of man Malawi politics has been missing for years, someone who has command as a person and as a politician. With all the reputation he has gained, Chalamanda cannot lose an election contesting as a Member of Parliament.
If the MCP wants to penetrate the southern region, this is the man they must recruit and turn him into their man.
He can do a lot than what Richard Msowoya is doing in the northern region.
And recruiting him must not just be for the elections, but looking at him as the future of the party.
With a new generation of politicians coming in, MCP's survival depends on the presence of such people in its ranks. Securing the southern region vote will make the party invisible once again, a quality they lost in 1994.
*About the writer: Wonderful Mkhutche is a speech writer, a Political Scientist and a manuscript editor and developer.


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Our Leadership
Rev. David Fauss
South Texas District Superintendent
David L. Fauss has held license with the UPCI since 1971. He attended Texas Bible College. Brother Fauss has served in five district level positions for a total of 26 years prior to becoming Superintendent. He served the Texas District as District Youth Secretary, Apostolic Sentinel Editor, STX District Budget Chairman and STX District Presbyter. He also served as an instructor at Texas Bible College three years. Brother Fauss served on the STX Constitution Committee that wrote the original constitution of the district.
Brother David Fauss also served as Chairman of the Pentecostal Heritage Society for four years, overseeing the Center for the Study of Oneness Pentecostalism and preserving our Pentecostal heritage. He is presently serving on the Pentecostal Heritage Society Committee. In the past, his community service has included: President of Houston Northside Rotary Club, Orange County Red Cross Board, and serving on the Board of Directors of Orange County Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. He presently serves as Pastor of Bethel Tabernacle, with a total of 40 years of pastoral experience.
Rev. Danny Johnson
South Texas District Secretary-Treasurer
Danny Johnson graduated from Texas Bible College in 1977, with a Bachelors of Theology, where he later served as a faculty member for over 12 years. He now serves as the Pastor of Lighthouse Church in West Columbia, TX and as District Secretary-Treasurer for the South Texas District, United Pentecostal Church International. He and his wife live in Columbia Lakes and they have two wonderful daughters, one son-in-law, and two grandsons.
District Officers
View all District Officers and their contact information below.
District Board
Department Directors
Committee Chairs
Sectional Officers
View all Sectional Officers and their contact information below.
Central Coastal Bend (CCB)
Houston Metro North (HMN)
Houston Metro East (HME)
Houston Metro South (HMS)
Houston Metro West (HMW)
Our History
The South Texas District is part of the United Pentecostal Church International. In September 2002, the General Board of the UPCI approved the formation of the district. The South Texas District is divided into 8 sections. We began our first year of operation with 160 churches and daughter works and 330 ministers. In September 2018, the General Board of the UPCI approved the formation of the South Central Texas District creating a much smaller footprint of the South Texas District. Within the new boundaries created by these changes, the South Texas District currently has 5 sections, 4 sections in the Houston Metro and 1 section in the southwest including Victoria and surrounding cities. We currently have a total of 112 churches, 43 daughter works and many preaching points with more than 198 ministers spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Our 20/20 Vision
The 20/20 Vision of the South Texas District revolves around four God-inspired challenges. Encapsulated in each of these exciting challenges are elements that will inspire growth, both spiritually and numerically. By stretching ourselves to reach these initiatives, we will most certainly bring the Whole Gospel to the Whole World by the Whole Church. This vision will compel us to believe that every community and city within our district will hear this glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Generate a Culture of Prayer
Prayer is the building block of our relationship with God. By making prayer a priority in every activity and part of our district, God will be involved in everything we do. While men can create plans and programs to execute, God can take these to a level that is beyond our human expectations. This Culture of Prayer is the covering that is needed for the promised end-time revival.
Create a Climate of Growth
The South Texas District is positioned in a rapidly growing area. Just as our population, cities, and communities grow, we should adopt an attitude of growth. While growth cannot be forced, it can be aided. Growth only occurs when the conditions are right. We must cultivate, plant, and water, but it is God who gives increase. We will purposely focus on the Apostolic principles of growth. Together we can create this climate of growth by holding district and sectional level meetings where these principles are taught. This will result in an increase in every area of our district, including the number of churches and ministers.
The local church is the basis for every work we do. The energy, manpower, and finances that come from the local church fuels all of our efforts. If our churches are strong, so will our endeavors will be strengthened. This can be accomplished in many ways. Our priority will be to strengthen the weak by coming together to assist each other. We will, through Apostolic based seminars and teaching, minister to the needs of our existing churches of all sizes. By strengthening our churches, the entire South Texas District will become stronger and more effective for the cause of Christ.
Invest in Our Ministers
The South Texas District believes in its ministers. Equipping today's minister is an investment that will enhance the Kingdom of God. By planning events that are focused on ministers and their families, we will empower them to be more effective. Leadership seminars and ministers' retreats will serve to further equip ministers for the tasks required in this post-modern world. How can they hear without a preacher? As we invest in ministers, we invest in the coming harvest!


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- Croatia Times Travel Host
14 nights in mainly 4 star hotels
- All transfers as per itinerary
- 21 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 13 dinners (B, L, D)
- Entrance fees to 11 locations
- Tour director & cruise director
- Modern A/C motor coach
- Service charges & hotel taxes
- Authentic Food & Wine Experiences (T)
- 7 nights on luxury Small Ship MS Black Swan
- Ship welcome reception & cocktail
- Daily cabin service
- Free WiFi on ship (restrictions may apply)
- Visitor Taxes & Port Fees
- Porterage & gratuities
- Authentic dining experiences at local restaurants
- Unique stays in centrally located properties
- Traditional Pletna boat ride along Lake Bled
- Visit a local apiary for a honey tasting & hear about the beekeeping traditions of Slovenia
- Wine tasting in the Goriška Brda region of Slovenia
- Truffle Tasting Lunch in the heart of the Istria region
- Olive Oil Tasting at a family owned estate in Vodnjan
- Day trip to Venice via catamaran
- Walk the scenic paths of Plitvice Lakes National Park
- Wine tasting lunch at one of Croatia's most renowned wineries
- Visit & Tasting at Ston Oyster Farm
- Captain's Dinner with live entertainment
- Wine Tasting on the Island of Vis
- Cable car ride in Dubrovnik with sensational views of the Old Town
• Zagreb • Trakošćan • Ljubljana • Bled • Motovun • Poreč • Pula • Rovinj • Venice • Opatija • Plitvice NP • Zadar • Šibenik • Mostar • Dubrovnik • Korčula • Hvar • Split
Day 1, Saturday: Zagreb
Welcome to Croatia. Your day is at leisure before meeting your Host and Tour Director. Overnight and dinner at the hotel. (D)
Day 2, Sunday: Zagreb - Trakošćan - Zagreb
Zagreb is home to a mix of 18th and 19th century buildings with many charming parks, squares and city markets. Discover Ban Jelačić Square and medieval settlements of Gradec and Kaptol. See the Cathedral, Dolac Market, Tkalčićeva Street, Stone Gate and St Mark's Church. Proceed through the Hrvatsko Zagorje region to visit Trakošćan Castle dating back to the 13th century. It is Croatia's most celebrated and romantic castle together with its surrounding parklands and lake. This evening enjoy a welcome dinner in one of Zagreb's most loved restaurants. (B, D)
Day 3, Monday: Zagreb - Ljubljana
Head to the Slovenian capital city of Ljubljana. Ljubljana lies in a basin between the Karst and Alpine region. This city with a soul features the Baroque Old Town nestled at the foot of Castle Hill, the Art Nouveau mansions and masterpieces of the renowned architect Jože Plečnik. We take the funicular up to Ljubljana Castle, before having lunch at local Slovenian restaurant. The rest of the day is at leisure. (B, L)
Day 4, Tuesday: Ljubljana - Bled - Radovljica - Ljubljana
Lake Bled, together with its surroundings ranks among the most beautiful alpine resorts. Enjoy a Pletna boat ride along the lake to Bled Island. See St Mary's Church and later continue to the old medieval castle up on the cliff. The enchanting views and fairy-tale beauty are sensational. After sightseeing, enjoy a memorable lunch in Bled. Continue to visit a local producer of honey and hear about the beekeeping tradition of Slovenia and tasting of their products. Before returning to Ljubljana for an evening at leisure stop in Radovljica for a stroll through this magical little town. (B, L, T)
Day 5, Wednesday: Ljubljana - Postojna - Predjama - Šmartno
Postojna Caves is one of the world's largest karst monuments. For 140 years train journeys have been taking visitors through the caves to see the spectacular underground subterranean world. Photo stop in Predjama Castle before continuing to the Tuscany of Slovenia the Goriška Brda region for our overnight in the village of Šmartno. Upon arrival we visit a family owned winery for a wine tasting and viewing of their cellars before a dinner this evening. (B, T, D)
Day 6, Thursday: Šmartno - Motovun - Poreč
This morning take a stroll through the village and enjoy in the spectacular views of the rolling hills, vineyards and orchards before returning to Croatia for our stay in the Istria region. Proceed to the gorgeous hilltop town of Motovun, possibly the most picturesque medieval hilltop town of inner Istria. Lunch will be served in Livade, where you will experience a tasting of Istria's most famous delicacy, their truffles. Upon arrival to Poreč evening is at leisure. (B, T/L)
Day 7, Friday: Poreč - Pula - Vodnjan - Poreč
The seaside town of Poreč is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Euphrasius Basilica from the 6th century AD. The apse of the Basilica is ornately decorated with figural mosaics noted as one of the most remarkable examples of mosaic art in Europe. We discover Poreč before continuing to Pula with its impressive Roman Amphitheatre, the Temple of Augustus and the Arch of Sergii. There is a long tradition of olive oil making in Istria and we get a taste of this in Vodnjan where we visit a renowned family producer of olive oil. Return to Poreč where the rest of your day is at leisure until dinner this evening. (B, T, D)
Day 8, Saturday: Poreč - Venice - Poreč
Enjoy a day trip to Venice. A walking tour will show you the highlights including St Mark's Square, St Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, Bell Tower and Bridge of Sighs. Visit a glass blowing factory and watch a master artisan demonstrate this traditional Venetian art. The rest of your day is at leisure to experience Venice. Late afternoon return to Poreč for dinner and overnight. (B, D)
Day 9, Sunday: Poreč - Rovinj - Momjan - Poreč
Rovinj is one of the most romantic towns on the Mediterranean, with its cobbled streets, squares and picturesque buildings. Enjoy a guided tour before some free time to explore the town and its must see local markets, before continuing to our lunch today at an authentic family owned restaurant for a memorable Istrian style lunch in the small village of Momjan. Return to Poreč for an afternoon at leisure. (B, L)
Day 10, Monday: Poreč - Opatija - Rastoke - Plitvice Lakes
Today we depart for the Plitvice Lakes. Enroute stop in Opatija, one of the most popular seaside resorts on the Adriatic. It is often referred to as Croatia's Monte Carlo and was once the playground of the Austro-Hungarian nobility. Continue to Plitvice with a stop in Rastoke before arriving to Plitvice where the rest of the day is at leisure before dinner this evening. (B, D)
Day 11, Tuesday: Plitvice Lakes - Zadar
The Plitvice Lakes are Croatia's most popular tourist attraction. The beauty lies in its sixteen lakes, inter-connected by a series of waterfalls, set in deep woodland populated by deer, bears, wolves, boars and rare bird species. After discovering the National Park we continue to the Dalmatian coast for our stay in Zadar, upon arrival the rest of the day is at leisure before dinner at a local restaurant this evening. (B, D)
Day 12, Wednesday: Zadar
Zadar is one of the most charming old Dalmatian cities dating back to Roman times. Steeped in history, see the Roman Forum, St Donatus Church, the reconstructed Romanesque St Grisigono's Church, St Mary's Bell Tower and St Anastasia Cathedral. Take a stroll along its beautiful promenade Sea Organ & Greetings to the Sun, a sound and light spectacle and an award-winning architectural space before a tasting of famous Dalmatian cheeses and liquors. Enjoy another afternoon at leisure. Dinner is at the hotel. (B, T, D)
Day 13, Thursday: Zadar - Šibenik - Skradin - Međugorje
Today we depart for Bosnia & Herzegovina, we travel along the Dalmatian coastline where our first stop is Šibenik. Discover the oldest Croatian city on the Adriatic and see Croatia's most beautiful monument St James Cathedral. We continue to Skradin to visit one of Croatia's most famous wineries, Bibich Winery for an unforgettable lunch and wine tasting. Međugorje is a catholic pilgrimage site where 6 children are said have had apparitions of the Virgin Mary. Our stay here is at a unique property where the accommodation is set in traditional stone houses. Enjoy some free time before dinner is at the hotel. (B, L/T, D)
Day 14, Friday: Međugorje - Mostar - Počitelj - Dubrovnik
Mostar is where the 'East meets West'. Mostar is not only divided by the Neretva River, but also by religion and culture from one bank to the other. The most important site is the Old Bridge and the nearby Ottoman quarter, where we will visit a mosque and a traditional Turkish house. Enroute to Dubrovnik we have a coffee-stop in the village of Počitelj. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure before dinner this evening. (B, D)
Day 15, Saturday: Dubrovnik
Today our small ship cruise begins. After joining our vessel, the MS Black Swan transfer to city gates to discover the old town. The special charm of this ancient town are the buildings that have remained from the time of the old Dubrovnik Republic. Take the cable car from the Old Town to Mount Srđ to enjoy scenic views of the Walls and Elaphiti Islands. Later, return transfer to the ship for a Welcome Meet & Greet Cocktail Reception onboard. (B, D)
Day 16, Sunday: Dubrovnik - Slano - Ston - Slano
Departure to a small village of Slano on the mainland. Enjoy the magic scenery during breakfast as the ship cruises around Dubrovnik City Walls before continuing to one of the Elaphiti Islands for a swim stop. Afternoon arrival in Slano, a peaceful fishermen's village and our starting point to Ston, once fortified small town, famous for its oysters. After exploring the town's medieval ramparts, a short coastal walk leads to an oyster farm to learn more about oysters and tasting this delicious treat. Transfer to the ship for Captain's dinner with entertainment & music. (B, L, T, D)
Day 17, Monday: Slano - Mljet
Continue to the Island of Mljet. The legend says Greek hero Odysseus spent years on this island when he was captured by the nymph Calypso. Join the Cruise Director for a stroll to the famous saltwater lakes in the National Park and enjoy a boat ride to St Mary Isle to visit an ancient Benedictine monastery, an old abbey and a church from the 12th century. Alternatively, you can rent kayaks, bicycles, scooters or convertible cars to roam around the National Park or island. Dinner onboard and overnight in Polača or Pomena. (B, L, D)
Day 18, Tuesday: Mljet - Korčula
Cruise towards Korčula, the birthplace of Marco Polo. Lunch is in a secluded bay enroute. Afternoon arrival followed by a guided walking tour of this enchanting medieval coastal town. A fish bone street pattern design was used in Korčula Old Town to reduce effects of the wind and sun, providing citizens with sheltered and comfortable accommodation. There are many wonderful restaurants to choose as well as bars and clubs for those looking for evening entertainment. Optional excursion to small village near Korčula for real local experience where you will enjoy dinner and hear about history and local life. (B, L)
Day 19, Wednesday: Korčula - Vis
Continue to the Island of Vis, once a naval base and closed to the public. Due to this isolation, Vis has a special charm. Try some exquisite wine varieties in one of the traditional wineries. If interested, visit the remains of the Roman thermal place, city museum or simply take a walk enjoying the views of the beautiful Villae Rusticae situated along the waterfront. (B, L, T)
Day 20, Thursday: Vis - Biševo - Hvar
Cruise towards Biševo to visit the Blue Cave, a magnificent natural phenomenon. Visit to the caves are weather dependent. Continue towards the jet set Island of Hvar with a swim stop and lunch onboard at the Pakleni Islands. Hvar, the longest and sunniest island in the Adriatic is known for lavish lavender fields and breathtaking beauty. Enjoy a tour of the town, the Renaissance cathedral with its original tower and the oldest community theatre in Europe, take a walk to the Spanish Fortress overlooking the harbour for lovely scenic views. This evening explore Hvar with its numerous restaurants, bars and cafes open long into the night. (B, L)
Day 21, Friday: Hvar - Bol - Split
Morning departure to Brač Island, where swimming is planned at the most famous beach in Dalmatia, Zlatni Rat near Bol. Bol is a typical fishermen's village, converted into a popular tourist destination. Continue to Split and enjoy a guided tour of the historic town under UNESCO protection and part of the world heritage with an abundance of Roman architecture. See the magnificent Diocletian Palace, once inhabited by the Roman Emperor. (B, L)
Day 22, Saturday: Split
Check out is by 0900HRS. Say farewell to your crew and fellow travellers. For those of you returning home or travelling onwards you will be transferred to Split Airport. We are sure you will have made many friends and have a wealth of memories to treasure and take home with you. Sretan Put. (B)
13 Jun & 08 Aug 2020
Please note prices are per person twin share.
|Lower Deck
|fr $13,395*
|Upper/Main Deck
|fr $13,995*
|VIP Cabins
|fr $14,395*


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The asset management industry is going through a period of profound, transformative change. This process is multi-dimensional, and includes such diverse factors as technology innovations, disruption, unconventional monetary policies and a constantly evolving regulatory landscape.
One of the developments that few of us could have foreseen is how asset managers' understanding of their fiduciary responsibilities to their clients has shifted from one of return maximisation, subject to risk and guideline constraints, to one which includes extra-financial considerations as well.
BNP Paribas Asset Management has been one of the early movers in the asset management industry in embracing sustainability, a journey which has taken us from being one of the first asset managers to launch social and responsible investment (SRI) funds, and being a founding Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) signatory, to the landmark decision to move to a fully sustainable fund range. This will rapidly make our mission of "making a difference to people's life by adding sustainable value to their investments while contributing to a better world for future generations" very real to our clients and employees alike. We are committed to embedding environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles into all of our investment processes, putting sustainability at the heart of what we do.
As with much of our industry, sustainability has its own unique taxonomy, and its own full lexicography of (sometimes baffling) acronyms: this is a world of PRI (Principles for Responsible Investment), GRESB (Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark), ATNI (Access to Nutrition Index), IIGCC (Institutional Investors Group for Climate Change), TCFD (Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures), and many more.
Despite the plethora of different terms, the essential concepts are simple. Engagement is integral to our aim to make the world a better place. Engagement refers to the dialogue we enter into with companies and other institutions about sustainability-related issues, in order to help change awareness, attitudes and behaviour. Engagement may be individual – performed by our analysts, members of our Sustainability Centre or combinations of the two – or collective, i.e. in conjunction with other investors and organisations.
Collective engagement can be particularly powerful in influencing corporate behaviour; there is much common ground on sustainability among investors, both in terms of agreement on principles and also on best practices. Pooling forces helps to save time and increase pressure. In some cases, we have successfully combined both individual and collective approaches.
Over the years, our Sustainability Centre has noticed how the geography of engagement dialogues has shifted. A few years ago, our teams were typically meeting Heads of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), a function which was normally embedded in the communications parts of the company. As sustainability has moved into the mainstream, this has been reflected in its location within company structures.
Many of our meetings now are with a member of the respective company's Executive Committee, sometimes with the chief executive officer (CEO) in person. The same phenomenon is observable among asset managers: Chief investment officers (CIOs) and CEOs are increasingly leading the dialogue on sustainability. For asset managers, asset owners and companies alike, the focus has shifted from communication and transparency, to integrating sustainability into overall company strategy.
Companies that are part of the problem can also, by definition, be part of the solution. Companies in sectors beset by sustainability-related problems are often particularly susceptible to engagement. Some of our most successful initiatives have combined both individual and collective engagement with companies in the energy sector.
Earlier this year we published our 500-page PRI report detailing our sustainability approach. Our achievements in 2017 are impressive: we covered 2 424 companies, interviewing or meeting 210 these on ESG issues and interacting with a total of 480 while being involved in 46 separate initiatives. Numbers like this, impressive as they are, sometimes conceal more than they reveal. It's difficult to see the hard work and dedication in these statistics, or how we are making a difference. A few examples help to illustrate how our efforts are yielding tangible results.
One such initiative combined both individual and collective engagement, culminating in our co-filing a proposal at Exxon Mobil's annual general meeting to request deeper disclosure on five climate-change related issues. This resolution was passed, increasing transparency and helping to shape Exxon Mobil's attempt to address climate change.
Other examples of successful engagement involve our private dialogues with food companies Danone and Group Bimbo, which have helped to influence them to improve the nutritional content of their products. These individual examples, help to illustrate how we, at BNPP AM, are "contributing to a better world for future generations", a goal towards which we all need to work together as one company, and one for which we will have much more to do, and write about, in the future.
Investments in the aforementioned fund are subject to market fluctuation and risks inherent in investing in securities. The value of investments and the revenue they generate can increase or decrease and it is possible that investors will not recover their initial investment. Source: BNP Paribas Asset Management Holding.


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Reviewer: Howard Steven Frydman
Theater: The Hartford Stage
Production: Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsence
Playwright: David and Robert Goodale
Director: Sean Foley
I say I say I say- it's a British Invasion- extraordinary extraordinary in every way is Jeeves & Wooster in "Perfect Nonsense". If comic novelist P. G. Wodehouse played dice with the comedy universe – we would have a cross between gap toothed Terry-Thomas, Des O'Connor, Bennie Hill, and Mr. Bean in the likes of the inebriated upper-crust Wooster and his "oh so clever" gentleman's gentleman the one, the only the original "Jeeves". My friends, this is British tongue and cheek humor at its finest. Bravo to the Hartford Stage for providing this most excellent entertainment to the the colonies, since the invasion of those Fab Four chappies. I say, I say I say! Yea, yea, yea to the Oliver Award-Winning comedy from brothers David and Robert Goodale, and directed by Sean Foley from its original London West End production.
For those in the need for a meet and greet – so you never heard of English born P.G. Wodehouse you say? My my my – Sir Pelham Grenville Wodehouse, famed Broadway lyricist and playwright, columnist, and most noteworthy – humorist novelist, with the creation of such memorable characters including; Augusta "Gussie" Finknottle, D'Arcy "Stilton" Cheesewright, Pongo Twistleton, Ronald Psmith, and of course the already mentioned Bertie Wooster and Reginald Jeeves. Folks, P. G. Wodehouse was indeed the "The Laugh-Maker of his day. Now, as soon as Jeeves and Wooster is over today, I strongly urge you to download one of his novels – start with "Thank you, Jeeves", it's the one that started it all and introduces you to these beloved characters.
Ok folks here we go- it's time for "Perfect Nonsense" at the Hartford Stage, if you still need a "what's it all about" think the 1981 film "Arthur" – starring Dudley Moore and not the 2011 disaster of a retread starring Russell Brand. So here I sit in Section D, Row 7 (thank you so much Miss T.) as there is nothing better than a live theatrical performance, and this my friends is a doozy of a good time. I beg you from the start to listen to Wodehouse's wordplay, the puns, and those little bits of theatrical nonsense that will find you and your theater mates laughing and rolling in the center aisles.
A theater within a theater- here we meet Bertie Wooster (Chandler Williams), who has set himself the task to do a one-person theatrical performance- "how hard could it be"? Hmm it's pretty hard and he soon calls in for assistance from his tried and "true blue friend" and valet the one and only "Jeeves" (Arnold Burton) and enfeebled butler Seppings (Eddie Korbich) to assist him bring about the production, which includes them playing an assortment of multiple unforgettable characters. The production by Wooster which centers on his most recent experience at the Totleigh Towers, yet eventually turns into a "Who dunnit fun-it" as they search for the elusive "silver Cow creamer".
Let me say quite rightly besides the wonderful use of the English language, a bit of a drawing room comedy, Jeeves and Wooster is indeed a comedic journey filled with wild imagination and a ballet of action packed humor. This is a highly visual piece, things come and go rapidly – in instantaneously orchestrated sequences- the steering wheel currently on the American driver side right – quickly traverses to the English driver side left, a fire place flutters with some augmented poles and paper, wheeled sets come and go, actors change clothes on set as swiftly as new characters are introduced. Yes your head is revolving and you don't want it to stop.
We give major props to Scenic Designer Alice Powers for making her minimalistic sets provide us such grand illusions- from a blank theater, a country drive, to the inside of Totleigh Towers. I rightly give all our three leads the coveted "Howard Noticed You Award- to actors Chandler Williams, Arnie Burton and Eddie Korbich- this triple treat trio is remarkably talented, and a joy to behold in all their numerous comedic trials and tribulations. Enjoy!
Tickets for the Hartford Stage production of Jeeves & Wooster in "Perfect Nonsense " are on sale now and can be purchased by calling (860) 527-5151 or by visiting http://www.hartfordstage.org. Weeknight and evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Matinee performances are Saturdays, Sundays and select weekdays at 2 p.m.
Howard Steven Frydman is General Manager and Executive Director of BATV – Channels 5, 95 & 96 and a member of the CCC. Please feel free to contact Mr. Frydman with your thoughts and ideas at email@example.com.


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Prospect of owning home 'a pipe dream' for many, says Shortall
Social Democrats planning to run 80 to 90 candidates in next year's local elections
Social Democrats TD for Dublin North West Róisín Shortall speaks to the media during the party's think-in on Wednesday in Dublin. Photograph: Paul Sharp/Sharppix.
For many people in Ireland the prospect of owning a home is "becoming a pipe dream", Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall has said.
The party held a think-in on Wednesday in Dublin, which focused on "living affordable lives", ahead of the Dáil resuming next week after the summer recess. Those in attendance discussed issues such as the housing crisis and the the high cost of childcare and education.
"The aspiration to own your home is becoming a pipe dream," Ms Shortall said during her address, which noted the rising cost of living in the State and the need for greater investment by the Government in public services.
"The crisis of affordability in housing means that the average home in Dublin costs 11 times the average income, yet someone applying for a mortgage can only expect to borrow 3½ times their income."
Ms Shortall said the Government also needed to be proactive on issues such as car insurance, education, public transport, and energy, which often "eat into people's incomes".
Ms Shortall accused Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil of playing "political games" as it appeared the former wanted an election but the latter, the support of which the minority Government relies on to stay in power, does not.
"The country can do without that kind of carry-on," she said. "We're heading into a period that's very uncertain in terms of the future impact of Brexit. The Government needs to concentrate all its efforts on ensuring that we minimize the impact on our industries, particularly our export industry, and ensure that we have the best deal possible coming out of Brexit."
Joe O'Connor, chairman of the Social Democrats, said the party had grown significantly since being foundedin 2015 and was looking forward to next year's local elections.
"It is my firm view that we should have 80 to 90 candidates competing for seats across all local authorities areas, and I see no reason as to why we can't elect at least 25 to 30 Social Democrat councillors," he said. "We are here to shake things up and we want those of you who share our values to join our movement."
Ms Shortall said the party had selected 21 candidates to contest the next general election, 13 of whom are women, and has organised in 28 Dáil constituencies. The party currently has two TDs Ms Shortall and fellow co-leader Kildare North TD Catherine Murphy, down from three as a result of Wicklow TD Stephen Donnelly leaving and later joining Fianna Fáil.


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Moving Water Canoeing
If you have ever wanted to paddle on a river, our Moving Watercourses will give you the skills and confidence needed! A natural progression from Lake canoeing, this course opens up an entirely new set of locations to paddle. Whether you would like to come out to one of our Rivers Weeks or to just go paddling with some friends or with a local club, we would love to help you get there!
Rates & Information:
Courses are two days long.
From 9:00am to 4:00pm (approximately).
The location is dependent on water levels. Group rates are available.
Intro Moving Water Tandem and solo
Price per person: Tandem: $349.95 plus tax
Solo: $375.95 plus tax
Location: Dependant on weather and water levels
March 21, 2020
July 25, 2020
Basic/ Intro Tandem or Solo Lake skills (certificate or personal confidence in your skills)
Group bookings and Private lessons available. Contact us with your preferred dates!
People that take this course:
- Want to learn to paddle on a river.
- Are going to paddle Bowron lakes and want to do the "Chute".
- Are looking for the natural progression from lake paddling.
- Want a little excitement!
Learn to paddle your canoe effectively and safely on a mild river (grade 1 to 1+)
- Eddy turns (safe section of the river, and how to get in and out of them)
- Ferrying (moving from one side of the river to the there)
- Running or paddling a river
- Utilize the river currents to move your canoe.
- Strokes: Review of lake strokes, river "J", stationary draws and pries.
- Rescues and throw bag usage.
- River paddles, river canoes, flotation equipment, river canoeing gear.
- Packing for a river trip.
- Trim and balance of a canoe.
- Map reading (how to anticipate what a river will be like from a map)
Paddle Canada Moving Water Canoe Skills Introduction Tandem
Paddle Canada Moving Water Canoe Skills Introduction Solo
Moving Water Maintenance Clinic
Pre-Requisite Skills:
Moving Water Intro Tandem/ Solo Canoe Skills
Dates: March 18, 2020
Pricing: $149. 95 plus tax per participant
This course is for you if you already have taken a Moving Water course and simply wish to refresh your skills! A great way to get out and practice in a fun, low-pressure environment!
Talk to us about intermediate or solo levels of paddling!
604 477 4663
Moving Water Canoe Instructor Tandem/Solo
Moving Water Intermediate Tandem and Solo Canoe skills
With permission of instructor-trainer, based on proof of prior learning of equivalent skill and knowledge. It is up to the paddler to prove to the instructor by means of evidence, demonstration or assessment hat experience has led to learning. It cannot be assumed that experience has led to learning.
Minimum Age: 18
First Aid and CPR: 16 hours
Typical Course Length: 4 days minimum (instructor foundation work on "How to be an Instructor" is done at this level)
Course Dates: Dates coming soon!
Location: dependant on water level and weather.
Contact us for more information!
Office: 604 477 4663
Order Here
Moving Water Basic Solo$375.95
Moving Water Basic Tandem$349.95
Hear what folks are saying!
The course was wonderful. I really liked all of the hands on stuff and walked away actually feeling like I understand it because of how it was broken down. I have done first aid before (years ago) and found this much better. Eric was really good at sinking it in your head! Planning on taking the advanced course next!


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There are millions of parents that are worried about their children's safety on the internet. Keeping your child safe is of utmost concern to internet programmers and site owners.
Keeping this in mind, they're constantly attempting to make websites safer and more secure for children, and trying to protect them from possible Internet threats. To combat threats against your children, you need to be proactive about their safety online.
you can place the computer in easily accessible areas so that you can watch the child in which website he is seeing while you are standing in the room.
This lessens the chances of them visiting sites you may not deem appropriate. The less privacy they have on the Internet, the safer they are, even if they don?t like it.
There are programs created each year which allow you to pick and choose the sites you feel are most appropriate for your child to visit. If they attempt to enter a site they are not allowed access to, then they will be prompted to enter a password. If the wrong password is entered, access to the site will be denied. This way you can monitor and regulate their internet surfing.
Don't keep the same password for long and change it regularly in such a way that is beyond your child's imaginary powers. When trying to protect your children while they are online it's a good idea to not allow them on sites that offer a chat function.
Teach your child how to stay safe when they are online; it is the best way to protect them against the bad guys.


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Look at all the fun we've been having!
We recently finished up a fantastic season of Camp Bosco. Check out a few photos from the summer and catch a glimpse of what the campers from your parishes may have experience this year at Camp Bosco!
National Day of Volunteer Youth Ministry Training
Are you a youth minister/volunteer/catechist/adult who loves kids and wants to bring them closer to Jesus? You are invited to join us for a free morning of youth ministry training! Click on the "more" button for details.
Still taking Diocesan Youth Board Applications...
We are in the final stages of interviewing our Youth Board candidates for 2019-2020, but there is still time. If you have a High School teen in your parish who might want to serve the other young people of the Diocese, we want to talk with them...
Message from Bishop Brennan
In a recent interview for the diocese Bishop Brennan answered a question regarding youth as the "future of the Church." In this video he echoes Pope Francis saying that youth are the now of the Church. Check out what he has to say about the integral role young people play in the local Church here in West Virginia!
Click here to see the rest of Bishop Brennan's interview.


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Want to discover the undiscovered? If you're a diver, we hardly need to tell you about the feeling of awe you can only get by exploring that whole other world underwater. So for a few of the very best adventures down there, we asked five seasoned divers and travel bloggers for their hotel picks near truly amazing dives. Take a trip to the Silent World with these hotels near some of the world's greatest dive sites.
Our panel:
- Florine, World Adventure Divers
- Matthew Karsten, Expert Vagabond
- Roxanne Genier, Luxe In A City
- Jacob & Emily Cass, Just Globetrotting
Chris Stevens, Backpacker Banter
Mimpi Resort Tulamben, Bali
Chosen by: Florine from World Adventure Divers
"On the northeast coast of Bali, just a short swim from the pebble beach of Tulamben, lies one of the most famous shipwrecks in the world: the USAT Liberty. It is the home of bumphead parrotfish, ghost pipefish and colourful nudibranchs. Staying at Mimpi Resort Tulamben is a great way to enjoy Bali's traditions in style, with luxury cottages facing the ocean. It is just 15 minutes walking away from the dive site so you can be the first one to dive the Liberty Wreck at sunrise."
If you want to see more hotels in Bali, visit our Bali hotels page.
ION Adventure Hotel, Iceland
Chosen by: Matt from Expert Vagabond
"One of the coolest hotels I've ever stayed at, ION Adventure Hotel is deep in the heart of Iceland, built into the landscape and surrounded by wilderness. Why is it great for scuba divers? It's only 30 minutes away from Thingvellir National Park and the famous Silfra fissure, a deep volcanic rift filled with icy crystal-clear glacial water, and one of the most unique scuba diving destinations in the world. When you're done diving, head back to the hotel in the evening and watch the Northern Lights dance in the sky from a heated pool!"
If you want to see more hotels in South Iceland, visit our South Iceland hotels page.
Hopkins Bay Belize
Chosen by: Roxanne from Luxe In A City
"Scuba diving is all about discovering a new world, and in a place like Belize, that underworld is filled with thousands of colourful fish that will take your breath away. Although some will advise staying on one of Belize's white-sanded beach islands, staying at Hopkins Bay Belize on the mainland gives you a chance to explore both land and sea on the same day. There is just something special about starting the day at the bottom of the ocean, swimming along the coral reef with a giant turtle, only to return to land for an afternoon hike in the jungle, listening to howler monkeys and local birds. The duality is what makes Belize so unbelievable."
If you want to see more hotels in Hopkins, visit our Hopkins hotels page.
BuBu Long Beach Resort, Malaysia
Chosen by: Jacob & Emily from Just Globetrotting
"The Perhentian Islands in Malaysia have some of the clearest waters in the world, making for amazing scuba diving. Not only that, it is also one of the cheapest places in the world to scuba dive! BuBu Long Beach Resort is a great base for exploring the islands."
If you want to see more hotels in Terengganu, visit our Terengganu hotels page.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives
Chosen by: Chris from Backpacker Banter
"I'm an ocean-lover, scuba diver and surfer, so one of my favourite places to stay on the planet has been Cinnamon Dhonveli in the Maldives. This stunning resort is surrounded by incredible dive sites where turtles, sharks and manta rays cruise in the big blue. Not only that - the island also boasts a private surf break too, so it's the perfect mix of waves and bubbles!"
If you want to see more hotels in Maldives, visit our Maldives hotels page.


text: This Petite Sirah will make your mouth water - and it embodies the description of jammy! These grapes were grown right here on the estate, and you'll swear there's a blackberry field out there. Peppery venison on the finish, you'll definitely want to keep a few bottles of this around!


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Kurukh is a tribal tongue that belongs to the Dravidian family
Kurukh, an endangered tribal language of the Dravidian family, is set to get a new lease of life in West Bengal. It is spoken by the Oraon tribal community.
"We are taking steps for the recognition of the Kurukh language of the Oraon community who live in Dooars [in north Bengal]… We are proud of our languages. We love and respect all languages," West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said. The language was given official status in the State last month.
Experts say that while most of the tribal languages in the State have their origins in the Austro-Asiatic and Tibeto-Barman families, Kurukh is an exception....................Read more
Source: The Hindu


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Monday, March 5, 2012
Help me wake up!
PAT - I am the only girl here with the hunters. I am happy with that. I do not cook for anyone. It's not like that. Just Hunter and me. We only have a tiny microwave and tiny fridge so I need to buy some tiny food to get us through a few days. I'd set an alarm to go down and have free breakfast but you the lazy that is me. I am like hell no. Turned off the alarm and went back to sleep. Thanks for all your comments. I appreciate it very much.
I am still cold. It's supposed to get up to 60 degrees today and close to 70 tomorrow. Yes please! I have no complaining to do about Hunter yet because I will not see much of him for the next couple days. I have to write that in case you guys thought you went to the wrong blog. I can give you a little something from yesterday if you'd like. Where to go. What to see. Hunter said, "Well we could go toLolly's to see the auction house that Vern goes to. Really?I want to go to the place where that taxidermist spent all our money that he still hasn't paid back." Two can play that game. As you recall, we are already going to stop and see alot of his friends. Im thinking we can sto at all the flea markets and thrift stores-and I mean ALL-we pass as we are driving. Yeah, I know. That won't fly but I sure as hell can try.
Peace and love. So far at least.
4 comments:
- My name WAS Female, I shit you not! said...
Some times...I think you are pulling my leg.
Hunter loaning someone all that money for what...an efffin stuffed bear. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Doesn't get paid back and he's still friends???
Hunter... can't be for real. :0(
orrrrrrr CAN HE???? ;0)
Head SOUTH my friend...HEAD SOUTH.
It's WE WOMEN who can't be for REAL!
- March 5, 2012 at 10:52 AM
- klahanie said...
I'm hoping that you are no longer feeing yucky and have had a invigorating shower. A cup of coffee and then time to greet your adoring fans.
Sometimes it seems like you just go along with situations that are not exactly what will make you sing like a "shiny, happy people"...
Up to 60 degrees and then maybe up to 70 degrees. Wow, that's hot! Oops, you meant in Fahrenheit.
Peace be with you, my friend.
- March 5, 2012 at 5:57 PM
- My name WAS Female, I shit you not! said...
Hope I didn't come off as judgemental.
I've done some CRAZY SHIT in the name of love...myself!
We all dance to a different drummer.
What....it's taken me how long to find I have " a voice???"
This isn't your "first Hay Ride" either. (((hugs)))Pat
- March 5, 2012 at 6:52 PM
- Ms. A said...
Looks different around here!
- March 5, 2012 at 7:34 PM


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Top military cooks embrace week at culinary school
JOB TRAINING Military's top cooks get week at school
When Sgt. Arturo Torres joined the U.S. Marine Corps five years ago, he wanted to be an infantryman. After all, the Marines' reputation is largely built on the expertise of its infantry.
But the 18-year-old's mother didn't like the idea one bit - especially in wartime.
When Torres explained that to the recruiter in his hometown of Dallas, the recruiter made a suggestion: food service.
At first it didn't seem that exciting. But when Torres was deployed to Iraq three years ago and got to cook for then-Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, food service took on a whole new shine.
MBA BY THE BAY: See how an MBA could change your life with SFGATE's interactive directory of Bay Area programs.
Air Force Senior Airman Ashleen Cacciatore thinks her last name might have had something to do with the reason she's now feeding 500 people a day at McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, a joint military base in Trenton, N.J. The 26-year-old originally wanted an assignment in mental health but was sent to the kitchen. Now, getting told "35,000 times a day that Air Force food is so much better than any of the other armed forces' grub" has more than convinced her it was the right decision, she said.
Torres, Cacciatore and 23 other cooks from the Marines, Air Force and Air National Guard were selected by the Hennessy Travelers Association's Educational Foundation for the annual Armed Forces Forum for Culinary Excellence at the Culinary Institute of America Greystone campus in St. Helena.
For a week the military cooks hone their skills at the venerable chefs school, learning everything from chopping techniques to how to prepare healthful meals. And Hennessy, an association of volunteers from the food-service and hospitality industries that raises hundreds of thousands of dollars from private donors each year, is picking up the entire tab, said Carmen Vacalebre, a Connecticut restaurateur and president of the group.
The group's mission is to promote educational opportunities for members of the armed forces serving in hospitality as well as help military cafeterias run more efficiently and effectively. The organization also helps former military cooks pursue careers in food service in the civilian world.
"These 25 individuals chosen for the forum have been identified as the cream of the crop," said Jack Kleckner, a Hennessy group member.
The hope is that the young cooks will go back to their mess halls and motivate others with their food and proficiency, said Art Ritt, an officer with the association. "We're trying to teach them how to think out of the box," he said.
One day this week, they were learning how to tart up leftovers, with Greystone instructor Tom Wong showing them how to use up yesterday's tomatoes by making salsa.
"It's a chance of a lifetime," said Jamie Schoewe, a staff sergeant in the Air National Guard in Milwaukee who spends one weekend a month cooking for the troops. "I can take everything that I'm learning back and teach everyone else."
Schoewe, 24, said she requested her kitchen assignment, which sometimes involves cooking meals for as many as 1,200 troops a day.
"There's something about preparing a meal for the people around you," she said. "It's nurturing."
She got some kitchen training in the Air Force's technical school, "but it was nothing like this," she said about the courses she's attended at the Culinary Institute.
Anthony Delvas, a staff sergeant in the Marine Reserves based in San Bruno, was also impressed. The tips he's learning from the week at Greystone would have come in handy while operating out of field kitchens during three tours of Iraq back when Delvas was active duty.
"This is a great experience," he said. "Being able to pick the brains of the top chefs in the industry is amazing."
During the course of the week the military cooks will also get one-on-one face time with top food-service CEOs. Senior Master Sgt. Ed Walden, who oversaw the troops while they were in St. Helena, said one of the biggest perks of the program is that it opens up a world of possibilities for young airmen and Marines who are planning their future.
"This shows that after the military there's something they can do," Walden said. "A lot of our skills don't translate. But food service does."
E-mail Stacy Finz at email@example.com.