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Aberdeen is now a significant global alternatives investor with offices in Europe, US and Asia. We provide clients with specialist access to a range of alternative and pan-alternative investment solutions, spanning multi-manager exposures in private markets and hedge fund strategies, together with direct and co-investments and real assets.
Across the range of solutions provided for clients – and the breadth of underlying investments made – Aberdeen believes that it is important to integrate an analysis of the risks ,and potential opportunities, arising from Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) issues. A key part of Aberdeen's philosophy is to focus on capturing long-term sustainable returns from high quality investments. These issues therefore form a natural component of proprietary fundamental research. As a long-term investor, Aberdeen also believes that it is important to be a constructive investor and owner of assets on an on-going basis.
To find out more, please read our Stewardship - Alternatives document.


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Higher Ground, March 1, 2015
On Valentine's Weekend, Bo had business in Kingston, New York so I found myself parked at the counter of Dietz Stadium Diner for a little over an hour. It's a totally American tableau: brown swivel leather seats, booths lining the right and middle sections, the type of place where you can get an egg-and-cream and a solid hamburger, and eventually everyone knows your name. Or at least, your face.
This particular afternoon Kingston is due for a snowstorm and the temperatures are at record breaking lows. (It was only 10 degrees out.) Everyone's talking about the weather. Ellie, a waitress, the youngest with blonde hair, says that her dogs been howling at the wind. Another fellow, David, who sat to my far left at the counter and ordered without a menu, kept saying that the empty slopes were the big sign: it's really, really cold. Too cold to ski. Everyone's shocked at his proclamation. I wonder how close to the mountain he lives, and if his business is the ski business. He shakes a large amount of salt on an iceberg salad and shrugs.
"No one is on the mountain."
A man plops down right next to me. He's tall, a little bit of weight at the waist. He cut himself shaving, so a hairline of blood is falling down his face.
"I want an egg sandwich to go, and the lentil bean soup. To go," the waitress nods and recognizes his immediacy. "And a coffee to take at the counter."
He turns to me.
"My finance is at home, and I thought it would be smart to pick her up dinner on the way home," he said. "I wouldn't want her yelling at me since I've been out all day. She's at the mall, getting her hair done."
I nodded. "That is smart."
"You can't go wrong with the lentil bean soup here," he said. He starts to down his coffee.
"You've got a little blood on your chin," I say.
"Ah, I cut myself shaving, it'll work itself out in two hours," he says. I order a hot chocolate, I need to relax and kill more time since Bo is still occupied.
"Your honey is working hard," the waitress says, having met him earlier. She hands me the hot chocolate with whipped cream.
"Now, all you need is a nice fireplace," the man said. He starts to tell me about all the historic spots, where exactly the best fireplaces are. He asks me where I'm from, what I do but doesn't offer that information in return. He's driven through Mobile (my hometown) just once.
"But only for like, an hour," he says. He misses southern food. Biscuits and the like. "My fiance tells me not to try to do a Southern accent because I might offend someone."
"She might be right," I say. His sandwich comes and he disappears without saying goodbye. But soon enough another man sits right next to me. He's in his 80s, wearing a coat with a patch that reads: "Rhinebeck Aero" and an image of a plane in red.
"Are you a pilot?" I ask. He laughs.
"No, just a member of the club." His name is Eddie. Everyone knows him. He's seems warm, the way he smiles, no teeth, but with the wrinkles drawing up his face.
"There's lots to do in Rhinebeck," he says, mentioning the town just across the river. "If you get a big group together, its more fun."
The waitress takes his order, a roast beef sandwich. It comes on a plate, smothered in gravy. Not a piece of bread in sight.
"What is this?" he asks. "I ordered the sandwich."
"Eddie it comes open faced," the waitress says. Eddie is angered, but finds it funny.
"I don't have teeth for all this chewin'!" he laughs with me. We get ourselves in a fit of giggles, we can't stop laughing. "Next time I ought to draw them a picture of what a sandwich looks like. Or have em bring me some bread. I need help over here, all this meat! No teeth anyways. But you know, who needs teeth? I used to have dentures so much trouble. Say, I'd share some with you but I already ate off of it…"
We laugh and the waitress comes up. "How is it Ed?"
He and I look at each other simultaneously, then back at the waitress.
"Chewin!" he says, and we erupt into laughter and she just shakes her head at us.
"It's so cold out," he says when the laughter has died down. "you better have your whiskers on! You know, all I hear is old women complaining they have nothing to do and it's too cold. They ought to go home and turn on the Hawaii chanel and put on a bathing suit. Well…" his voice lowered and he shrugged. "I guess it's not the same." The sad tinge of his revelation saddened me too. I wish I could just send him to Hawaii.
The owners of the diner, two men in their 50s sit beside me. They have lots of questions about Bo. They have deep Eastern European accents and big, expressive eyebrow that bounce off their faces. But they aren't brothers like I thought.
"He must know a lot," one of them says. "How old is he?"
I tell them Bo's age. Both of them jump in his seat. "I'm thirty," I say.
"You both have the face of a baby," they say.
For another hour I conversed with the patrons and Bo and I waved goodbye to everyone. The business was behind us, and now we could do what we came there for: to have a romantic weekend in Phoenicia. The remainder of the trip played out like a set of tween book titles: "Ariel's First Mountain" which I saw in the dark. Our driver wound us around every frightening, deep dark road. We went through Woodstock. We never drove downhill once, and the driver cut on the bright lights to see her way. Then the bus stopped in what seemed like the sleepiest stretch of blocks. Phoenicia. Our stop.
Bo and I got out in the snow, 9 degrees fahrenheit, and walked to our Bed and Breakfast for the night, the Phoenicia Belle. In the portion titled: "Ariel's First B&B" we entered an old 1875 house and met the proprietor who took us up the stairs to our room, The Sparrow Room. It was beautifully decorated with pictures of birds. Another couple staying in the hotel were watching TV in the B&B's lounge, a room in red velvet, a fireplace roaring. It was exactly to my liking.
Bo's friend runs a retreat center in Phoenicia, so he joined us for dinner in town. He picked Peek-A-Moose, a sort of cabin-in-the-woods themed spot. Moose and deer heads covered the tiny dining room and wooden decor. In the dark we stood around a fire roasting marshmallows, and on our walk to the car, I grabbed Bo's arm, "You can see the stars out here."
The mountains and the little mountain town were so quiet that we slept easily and well. The B&B proprietor made us breakfast in the lounge: Organic granola, fresh vanilla yogurt, fruits, toast and coffee. It was a painful -7 degrees when we woke up, but we tried to ignore it.
Bo's friend met us again, this time at the local cafe, and drove us even higher into the mountains for a tour of his retreat center. We crossed a bridge of a stream that hadn't frozen, and then hit dirt roads. "The retreat center is in a valley between two mountains," Bo's friend explained. The center was on a mile stretch of land, an arrangement of hotel cabins and spiritual centers, spas and a seasonal pool. We parked and went walking. The snow was about a foot deep and walking through it exercise in itself. Bo and I spotted a family of deer, paused in the meditation room, and then walked a bit further to see the conference center. There we met a man named Alexander, who stopped strumming his banjo to give us the full tour.
The "wilderness" (insert a pause for a sigh) is more unknown to me than the density of New York City. It really felt like Bo and I were "far out". I liked the isolation. We couldn't hear a sound besides our voices echoing up the valley and the crunch of the snow. The trees were thick enough to cover the houses far away, but one could see the intermittent smoke from a chimney.
Sun was setting when we took the bus back to New York City. Everything was like a picture from a postcard, the houses were all set far apart under snow laden trees and lakes. The front doors were barred with long icicles.
"It's like Currier and Ives," I told Bo, "Or better."

subset: commoncrawl


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What Does True Worship Look Like? (Romans 12:1-8)
You see, worship involves conflict with the way the powers and principalities attempt to rule this world, which too often centers on keeping the powers and principalities in charge, and everyone else scrambling to hold it together.
Worship is about reimagining the world the way God does—a place of peace and justice where no one has to go to bed at night fearing a knock on the door, the collection agent on the other end of the line, the bully at the end of the hall, or the sheriff and his 'tent city.'


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Shadows of darkness surround me everywhere, yet they soothe my soul.
Not to worry. I see everything, everywhere. Up above, my mother's heart so near. Pink and dear. It beats with love, do you hear? Thump…thump, thump…thump. It's comforting to me.
Take a breath. Deep. Deeper still. Hold it now. Close your eyes to imagine picture postcards of the unimaginable. Trust me enough to view this kaleidoscope of miracles.
Tip-toe through sparkles of ocean sand. Feel liquid warmth of foaming white trickling over toes…1 to 10. That's me! Brush wispy flying hair away from sweet soft face. Lift a coral conch shell aloft to your tender ear. Quiet now. Listen closely. Slight waves are washing back and forth. Shhhh… that's what I hear.
Swooosh! My tiny torso just flipped like a fish in the sea. Swimming… such a small space inside for me. My mother felt it. My father could see! A miniature foot kicking to the top of the roof! Arms of slight floating every which way with hands of fragile fingers. I touch clear walls. Like jelly it feels…ohhh, so magical!
This is exactly the place for me to be. Right now, here in this moment. Far too early for precious lungs to fill with air on earth. My mother prays. She rests her head on goose down pillows while caressing gentle hands beneath a bulging belly. Yes, that's me, and more. Wait you see…..
Look closely. There she is, just below. A mirror image of myself sleeping in a separate sac. Ohhhh, eyes wide open looking back!! Since the day of conception my sister has been here with me. In the beginning she was a secret, until doctor's discovered her. Soon she'll be shared with all the world. But, for now she is mine alone and I am hers. We are identical, yet different. While I am swimming in the sea, she is taking a nap!
Look now through your kaleidoscope of miracles to see the unimaginable.
Didn't I tell you?


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The family of a Vietnam Purple Heart veteran is scrambling to leave their San Mateo home of 40 years before a deadline of 6 a.m. Tuesday. They've lost their home to foreclosure despite desperate attempts to save it, paying out tens of thousands of dollars.
The family accuses those who promised to help them save their home of taking advantage of them instead. It's too late to stop the foreclosure, but they hope their story will help others.
The heartbreaking task of packing up belongings accumulated over 40 years is well underway for Delores Sexton and her husband Robert.
"It's so hard to leave," said Delores. "We've been here so long."
Adding to the stress, Robert is undergoing chemotherapy for leukemia.
Delores has known Robert since she was 9 years old and they've been married 46 years.
The couple began falling behind on their mortgage payments several years ago. He says Wells Fargo declined a loan modification,
But in 2015, Endeavor sent him a letter stating he, "may be eligible for a loan modification" and offered to help him apply.
Robert says he paid out close to $20,000 for attorney fees, program fees and for a forensic loan audit to endeavor and other companies it recommended.
Robert says it was a huge mistake, "I'm embarrassed, but I feel worse for my family because I let them down."
We contacted Endeavor, which told us it was no longer in business.
We also contacted the Foreclosure Defense Company which said it received the case from Endeavor.
Foreclosure Defense told us it prepared a lawsuit against the lender to advocate for the family's behalf, but never filed it because the family failed to complete a necessary affidavit.
Robert told us he gave the company everything it wanted.
Foreclosure Defense also said it prepared a loan modification package, but the state Department of Consumer Affairs said it is not licensed to do that.
Foreclosure Defense sent us a report it asked a self-described "certified forensic loan auditor" to complete.
Attorney Maeve Elise Brown of the nonprofit Housing and Economic Rights Advocates has seen these types of reports before.
"When they hear the words forensic loan audits," she said. "They think somebody is going to finally get to the bottom of this horrible experience."
Brown says she's never seen a forensic audit that helped anyone.
A recent report from the California public interest group found 11,000 federal complaints about mortgages from veterans.
"We saw financial institutions or evidence that would suggest financial institutions actually try and seek out service members," said Emily Rusch, executive director of CalPIRG.
As for the Sextons, a longtime neighbor has offered to take them in until they get back on their feet.
"We've always been a happy family. Hopefully we can catch our breath," said Delores.
Robert added, "I'm packing yeah, but I'm not going to give up."
Their immediate concern is finding a place to rent. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help them get back on their feet.
Read the original article here.


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Dear XMLPers, I took an action on last weeks call to take a look at the proposed edited recommendation of XML Schema Part 2[1] WRT the base64Binary type[2]. The description of the base64Binary type now contains a BNF and a canonical lexical form. The canonical lexical form contains no whitespace characters within the stream of base64 characters. Whitespace characters at the beginning and/or end of the stream of base64 characters are stripped due to the whitespace facet of the type having a value of collapse. Thus any canonical lexical form of base64Binary is one line of base64 characters. I believe that the addition of a canonical lexical form satisfies our requirements WRT XOP/MTOM. Regards Gudge [1] http://www.w3.org/TR/2004/PER-xmlschema-2-20040318/ [2] http://www.w3.org/TR/2004/PER-xmlschema-2-20040318/#base64BinaryReceived on Monday, 29 March 2004 05:25:38 UTC
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.3.1 : Tuesday, 6 January 2015 22:01:25 UTC


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7:15 a.m. Run 6 miles.
Yes, I am crazy for running in these temps, but it honestly wasn't that bad. I wouldn't have been able to go more than 60/75 minutes, but I thought it would be much worse than it was. My hip didn't hurt, which I was happy about. It does not do well on fresh snow that is sand-like. The extra lateral motion and unstable ground really aggravates it.
8:45 a.m. Breakfast: gluten-free toast with avocado and egg + 1/2 grapefruit + 2 Peanut Chocolate Protein Bites (all that went unpictured)
10:40 a.m. Run 3 more miles
I would have run more outside this morning, but I had to get back to take care of Cullen, so I ran a few miles on the treadmill at the gym. Usually my hip hurts with anything over 8 miles, so I was really happy it made it to 9 miles for the day with no pain. I know there was a break in between the two runs, but I've done other runs with mileage in this range with a 12 hour break, and my hip has still acted up. I'm wondering if it did okay because I wasn't running on slippery, unsteady surfaces for the second part. I need to test it out a couple more times with runs like this and see if it responds the same way.
11:10 a.m. Lift weights and do rehab exercises for my hip flexor
I spent a good 45 minutes lifting weights and doing exercises the PT prescribed for my hip labral tear, which is a lot of glute exercises. As I was leaving the gym, a reader of my blog said 'hi,' so whoever you are, thanks for saying something. Sorry I was too flustered to get your name!
12:30 p.m. Snack: string cheese
I usually try to bring a protein drink with me, so I can drink it in the car on the way home, but I completely forgot. I did have this piece of string cheese while shopping at Target to try and hold me over.
1:00 p.m. Banana + Coffee-Vanilla Peanut Butter
I was starving when I got home, so I grabbed the first thing I could think of. This Coffee-Vanilla Peanut Butter is from the Run Fast Eat Slow cookbook, and if you haven't made it, do it now! It is so, so, so good!
2:30 p.m. Lunch. . . finally: Lighter Asian Noodle Salad with chicken + tortillas and salsa
These were leftovers from last night, so it came together very quickly. I added sauteed chicken this time around, which was much better for filling me up.
3:00 p.m. Still hungry. . . .snack: goat cheese + crackers
I usually try to eat more calories in the morning, but when that doesn't happen, I know I'll be eating extra in the afternoon. Also, can I just say how much I love this combination!?!
3:30 p.m. The sweet tooth kicks in: tea + a handful of mini chocolate chips
5:30 p.m. Dinner: Bacon Kale Potato Soup + spinach salad + toast
I asked Cullen what he wanted for dinner, and he requested salad and soup, so that's what we had. Luckily I had some Bacon Kale Potato Soup that I had taken out of the freezer, so while the soup was reheating, I whipped up this salad in no time, remembering to keep it simple with spinach, strawberries, shredded Parmesan, and a random dressing I had in the fridge from another packaged salad mix.
8:00 p.m. Snack: tea + English muffin with butter (that Cullen didn't eat)


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Ritz Camera aims to remake itself by diversifying its inventory
Monday, December 28, 2009
David Ritz showed off his new toys -- flat-panel TVs, compact laptops and smartphones -- at his camera shop in Rockville.
Like General Motors and Chrysler, Ritz's company, Ritz Camera, emerged from bankruptcy protection this year with a plan to revamp its operation. Now known as Ritz Camera & Image, the reborn retailer has expanded its scope from just selling cameras, camera equipment and photos in a bid to appeal to a tech-savvy generation.
"We're not a camera store anymore -- we're an image store," said Ritz, who serves as the chain's chief executive. "We sell all products that allow you to either take, share, create or view your images."
Whether the new product lines catch on and succeed in turning around the retailer is an open question. As a privately held company, Ritz does not disclose its sales figures. Ritz said sales in the photo-imaging part of the business -- including cameras, calendars, DVDs and memory books -- "have increased significantly." But the company, he said, is still building the new product lines.
Mark Millman, president and chief executive of Millman Search Group, an Owings Mills, Md.-based retail consulting and executive search firm, applauded the new strategy.
"It's probably the right approach to take," Millman said, adding that the retailer is in a better position now to succeed because it shed its least profitable stores. "The camera [business] isn't what it used to be."
But given that consumers have dramatically pulled back on such discretionary purchases as televisions, computers and phones, other analysts said this may not be the ideal time to expand into those areas.
"I think it's great they've emerged from bankruptcy, but their model is troublesome," said Kenneth Brown, president of Washington-based Research Connect, which conducts financial analysis of retailers and other companies.
Brown said it will be difficult for Ritz to make money selling TVs, phones and laptops. Ritz, he said, is entering a very cluttered market space in the electronics sector with particularly strong competition from powerhouses Best Buy and Wal-Mart.
"If I were Ritz, I wouldn't focus on selling what everyone else is selling, but focus on breakthrough technology no one else has -- some highly specialized laptop you can't get at Best Buy," he said.
Founded by Ritz's uncle Benjamin Ritz, the company began in 1918 as a single portrait studio on the Atlantic City boardwalk. In 1936, Benjamin Ritz was joined by his younger brother Edward Ritz, who is David Ritz's father, and the business expanded to a photo-processing lab at 11th and G streets NW in the District. The following year, the brothers set up shop in Baltimore and began selling cameras.
David Ritz, who took over in 1969, expanded the retailer into 800 stores in 40 states by acquiring regional camera shops and film processing chains, including Fotomat. But the company faltered when customers shifted away from photo processing, which was highly profitable, to digital photography.


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About Dr. I-to Loh
Born in 1936 in Taiwan, the Rev. I-to Loh is a graduate of Tainan Theological College and Seminary (M.Div.), Union Theological Seminary in New York (SMM in Composition), and University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA, Ph.D. in Music, majoring in Ethnomusicology).
He has taught Asian and Global Church Music, Ethnomusicology and Worship for many years at the Asian Institute for Liturgy and Music in Manila, and at Tainan Theological College and Seminary. He has collected and compiled over 20 collections of hymns, including Sound the Bamboo: CCA Hymnal 2000 (including 315 hymns from 22 countries, with 44 languages). He was named a Fellow of the Hymn Society of America and Canada in 1995, the first non-Caucasian to have earned that honor in the Society's 70 years of existence. His other publications include over one hundred hymns and anthems, Teach Us to Praise, and many academic essays in Chinese and English.
For more than two decades, he was active in the ecumenical circles leading music and worship at the assemblies and conferences of the World Council of Churches and Christian Conference of Asia.
Rev. Loh retired from his positions as seminary president and head of the Church Music Department at Tainan Theological College and Seminary in 2002. He has been a visiting professor in various countries, continues to be the editor of the Official Hymnal of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan, and is writing a companion to Sound the Bamboo.
Video Interview
Here is a video interview conducted in 2007 by Dr. Angela Tam in Hong Kong.


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About 200,000 children worldwide are at risk of being infected with the polio virus exported from Pakistan, if the $12 billion anti-polio campaigns across the country fail.
This was said by World Health Organization (WHO) Emergencies and Country Collaboration Assistant Director-General-Polio Dr Bruce Aylward in a press conference on Tuesday.
Dr Aylward said in May, countries across the globe will gather in Geneva for a world health assembly. There, health experts will closely monitor the status of polio eradication across the globe. Pakistan and Nigeria will be the focus of the session, he said, and if the situation in the two is found unsatisfactory then a global polio emergency will be declared.
WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region Regional Director Dr Ala Alwan said Pakistan is one of only three countries that never stopped transmission of polio virus. Currently half of the children in the world who contract polio are from Pakistan, he added.
"[However,] we are hopeful that Pakistan will be successful in eradicating polio as many other countries, which were in worse crises than Pakistan successfully eradicated [the virus] completely," he said.
He announced that Edhi foundation has joined hands with the WHO in their campaign for polio eradication. Parents will be able to call polio team members at their door step by calling 115, in addition to the option of getting them vaccinated at Edhi health centres across the country, Dr Alwan added.
Dr Alwan said one of the major reasons behind the polio outbreak in the country is the migration of people from Bara tehsil in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas. There has not been a single anti-polio campaign in Bara since 2009, he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 21st, 2012.


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Welcome to the Lake Shore Motel & Cottages
We'd like to take this opportunity to introduce you to the Lake Shore Motel & Cottages on the shores of beautiful Lake Winnipesaukee. We have a variety of rental units: cottages with full kitchens and screened porches, suites with full kitchens and decks with views of the lake, motel rooms and kitchenettes with out-calling phones. All units have color cable TV, heat and A/C. All units with kitchens are stocked with dishes, flatware, pans, toasters and coffee makers. Free wireless internet is available on-site.
The Lake Shore is an excellent choice for your family vacation. Our beach is sandy and gently sloping - great for little ones! We have a dock and a raft, plenty of lawn space for games or sunning, and numerous picnic tables and gas grills for your convenience.
Our weekly rentals begin and end on Saturday. Guests staying for the week bring their own towels and linens - we supply pillows and blankets. Linens and towels are available for an extra charge, and we have a pay washer and dryer.
Because our accommodations vary in size and type, our rates do too - by unit and season. Each unit has a base occupancy, with a reasonable charge for additional overnight guests and day visitors. Please call to get a quote specific to your stay.
Some of our units are pet friendly; after all, they're part of your family, and they deserve a vacation too! However, there are a few rules. Please see our policies page for details.
So, if you're looking to sit back and relax, or shop 'till you drop, or just have some fun in the sand or sun, remember: The Lake Shore is at the Center (Harbor) of it all. Come and join us!
Click here to view (and/or print) a pdf file of the property map!
Lake Shore Motel and Cottages © 2006 -
Managed by The Chalifour Design Group, LLC


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This message brought to you by DietDiva.com
This message brought to you by DietDiva.com
Heather, the mom behind OurKidsMom, is located in western Missouri. She is 3rd grade teacher turned stay at home mom with 4 children: Ethan (9), Emma (10), Joshua (20) and Kaytlin (25). She spends her "free time" at the gym, planning her next travel adventure, blogging, browsing Pinterest for her next craft and reviewing great products for her family and home.
Be sure to check out all posts by Heather and subscribe via RSS or EMAIL so you don't miss a thing!
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.


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Facilitators: ill Weaver/Invincible (of Complex Movements and EmergenceMedia.org) and adrienne maree brown (co-editor of Octavia's Brood: Science Fiction from Social Justice Movements and creator of the Emergent Strategy Ideation Institute)
Using science fiction and exploring emergent strategies such as adaptation and resilience, we will work together to generate community based practices for resolving conflict and addressing interpersonal violence without unjust police systems. We'll start the day by creating a science fictional Chicago in which to explore alternatives to policing, and then explore lessons from the natural world through the science of emergence to see what practices the community can generate to create more possibilities for a just future.
Facilitators: Adrienne Maree Brown & Invincible


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Get Involved
There are many ways to support the mission of changing children's lives for the better, forever.
Being a Big Brother or Big Sister is one of the most enjoyable things you'll ever do. Not to mention one of the most fulfilling. You can help shape a child's future for the better by empowering him or her to become the best version of him/herself. And the best part is, it's actually a lot of fun. You and your Little can share the kinds of activities you already like to do.
While girls and boys across the county are waiting to be matched, there are dozens of boys in particular ready and waiting for Big Brothers right now... about double the number of girls waiting for a Big Sister. Making a recurring or one-time donation is a powerful way to help these children. Your gift will help match a child with an adult mentor, and provide ongoing professional mentoring support. The gift you make today leads to successful outcomes for that child, and grows over time to enrich an entire community.


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Download PDF
Nikolaus Jaegersberg
[email protected]
In 12 years in the TV busines I started in the international co-roduction and licensing of TV-formats. Later I co-built the first international 24/7 broadcast over IP channel. Today I am working as a freelance consultant in the WebTV-business. I consult publishers, media companies and brands in their WebTV startegies.
Work experience
Head of Marketing
Freelance Consultant


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Lexi Saylor/
Lexi Saylor
- Lexi is a member of the RHS Color Guard.
- When asked about her favorite band memory, she couldn't name just one because she has had many with her friends and the whole color guard.
- Outside of band and color guard, Lexi is active in Art Club and enjoys spending time with her friends.
- After graduation, she plans to attend college part time while working.


text:
Gianvito Rossi's sleek Plexi Pumps exude undeniable opulence. Made in Italy with slim stilettos heels, these PVC-paneled pumps are detailed with luxurious pearl accents set against black suede. Their timeless aesthetic will lend sophistication to everything from weekend denim to after-dark dresses.
• We recommend purchasing your normal size – this design has a true fit
• Italian sizing
• Heel measures 10.5cm/4.1"
• Suede toe-cap and heel cup
• PVC plexi side panels
• Pearl embellishment
• Point toe
• Slip-on style
• Leather insole and sole
• BlackProduct Code: 212683137
Free for orders above 100 BHD 6 BHD for orders below 100 BHD


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To learn about pricing information, check date availability, book a tour, or ask a question click the button below or call (512) 276-1919
Olivia Brinson
Social MEdia Coordinator
Waitstaff Manager
Olivia Brinson was born and raised in Austin, Tx. As a child, her parents involved her in various activities. Many of them, she protested to doing, but did them anyway. By doing this she found her great passion for crafts and basketball.
In high school, she made the varsity basketball team her freshman year and help lead her team to two final fours during her time there. She also was involved in the student council and honor society.
Late in her junior year, Villa St. Clair opened their doors for business and Olivia was hired to work as wait staff. She saw the beginning of something that she knew would become a beautiful and great wedding venue. She continued to work there until she graduated.
In 2009, Olivia left from Brentwood Christian and when on to Baylor University. She worked at the school's intramural department as a supervisor for 5 years. She graduated in 2014 with a dual degree in Finance and Entrepreneurship.
Olivia then worked for an insurance company after college and realized that it was not the job for her. In December 2014, Villa St. Clair called her and offered her a chance to come back and manage the staff. She has been a member of the Villa St. Clair team since.
In her spare time, Olivia enjoys eating at new restaurants, hand lettering, graphic design, cooking, crafts, and going to the gym.


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In Israel, Whales Are Not Kosher
The good thing about being a small country, is that when an emergency presents itself, the whole population can group together, focus and take swift action. That's what happened recently when the US Secretary of State called Israel earlier this year asking Israel to support the US anti-whaling position at the annual International Whaling Commission (IWC) in St. Kitts-Nevis. The vote would be tight as Japan, a pro-whaling nation was allegedly buying the votes of small, land-locked countries in dire need of humanitarian aid. Greenpeace International has an Israel base and were pushing from within, giving a play-by-play to Israeli government officials on how to join the IWC and the background on the whaling industry. Five out of six resolutions were passed in the way Greenpeace would have chosen. Thanks to IMMRAC (Israel's local save the whales and dolphins group), Israeli environment and foreign ministries were convinced a "NO" whaling policy would need to be heard from the Middle East in an international forum.
IMMRAC is one group working to preserve biodiversity in the Mediterranean Sea and gives eco-education to tourists; another neat one which this TreeHugger got to take part in last week is Eco-Ocean, a floating, environmental yacht making waves in Mediterranean Sea research. The latter seeks interns.
See entire story::Israel21c
Related:: Greenpeace's proposal for cleaning up the Med Sea.


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Marlins rookie outfielder Marcell Ozuna underwent surgery today to repair the torn ligament and avulsion fracture in his left thumb and will miss the rest of the season.
Ozuna was injured Monday in Colorado while making a diving catch in the sixth inning of the Marlins' 3-1 win. His glove and hand bent backward. Ozuna played the rest of the game.
General manager Michael Hill said "everything went well" in surgery and the Marlins continue to say the recovery period will be six to eight weeks.
Ozuna, 22, has been one of the Marlins' biggest surprises this season. After being promoted from Class AA Jacksonville on April 30 he hit .265 in 70 games with three home runs and 32 RBI while splitting time between right and center fields.
"You think of a kid to who came to this team at the right time," manager Mike Redmond said. "We needed a boost and he gave us that boost and went out there and played great right field and just made a real easy transition to center field and continued to hit and get big hits and drove in a lot of runs for us. He brought excitement to our lineup and our team and energized guys. It was perfect. It was just what we needed."
Redmond said Ozuna was "as big a part of our June run as anybody" and believes the experience will go a long way in his attempt to make the team in the spring. First, the Marlins will determine if it will benefit Ozuna to play winter ball.
"We got a chance to see this kid over a couple of months have success and do well," Redmond said. "That's a good sign. He can play and he's going to continue to get better."
Pirates in to start long home stand
The three-game series against the biggest surprise team in the majors, the Pittsburgh Pirates, is the start to a 10-game home stand for the Marlins.
The series will be capped by a stellar Sunday pitching matchup featuring a pair or rising rookie right-handers: Miami's Jose Fernandez and Pittsburgh's Gerrit Cole.
Cole, 22, is 5-3 with a 3.51 ERA in eight starts. Fernandez, who turns 21 on Wednesday, is 6-5 with a 2.74 ERA in 19 starts.


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Megan Fox in Judd Apatow's 'Knocked Up' Spinoff.
Megan Fox negotiations to act opposite Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann in Judd Apatow's latest directorial movie 'Knocked Up' Spinoff is finalised.
Apatow did re-Tweet a fan's message that stated "I am SO excited to see Megan in your film. it is such an interesting choice alongside rudd and your wife but I love this idea!"
Rudd and Mann are reprising their characters of husband and wife from Apatow's Knocked Up in a new story by the writer-director. Fox's role is being kept under wraps.
Tags:Megan Fox,Knocked up spinoff,Judd Apatow,Megan Fox upcoming movie,Megan Fox photos,Megan Fox sexy,Megan Fox News.


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Back to All Events
Earlier Event: August 31Sidewalk Sale Labor Day Weekend
Later Event: November 29Holiday Stroll Thanksgiving Weekend Fri & Sat 10-6.
Larchmere is home to a remarkable collection of art, antique and auction galleries, shops, restaurants and more. Larchmere offers a unique shopping experience with personal service in a vibrant neighborhood.
The Larchmere district starts at East 120th Street and extends east to North Moreland – one block north of the Shaker Square shopping district. Detailed Directions >


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Fukushima beyond point of no return as radioactive core melts through containment vessel
by Mike Adams
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
he battle to save the Fukushima nuclear power plant now appears lost as the radioactive core from Reactor No. 2 has melted through the containment vessel and dropped into the concrete basement of the reactor structure. This is "raising fears of a major release of radiation at the site," reports The Guardian, which broke the story (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/201…). A former General Electric nuclear expert told The Guardian that Japan appears to have "lost the race" to save the reactor.
The only feasible interpretation from this analysis is that radiation emissions from Fukushima could suddenly become much greater. It is also now obvious that the radioactive fallout from Fukushima will last for decades, if not centuries.
Japan's Prime Minister Naoto Kan last night admitted the situation at Fukushima remains "unpredictable." Meanwhile, the presence of plutonium in soil samples is proof that the nuclear fuel rods have been compromised and are releasing material into the open atmosphere. (http://www.breitbart.com/article.ph…)
But don't worry (and don't prepare)
How many times were we told over the last two weeks that the Fukushima situation was solved? How many times were we assured there was "no danger" to the world? President Obama even went out of his way to tell Americans they should not prepare for anything, since there was nothing to worry about.
The Rest…HERE


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By Arathy S Nair and Huw Jones
(Reuters) - The London Stock Exchange tightened its grip on derivatives clearing on Friday in a sign of growing confidence that the threat of losing chunks of business to European Union rivals after Brexit was receding.
In the first major move by the exchange's new chief executive David Schwimmer, the former Goldman Sachs banker who took the reins in August, the LSE said it was spending 438 million euros ($501 million) on increasing its stake in LCH by 15.1 percent to over 80 percent.
The transaction, which will be funded from cash and existing debt facilities, will add to earnings per share following completion, expected before the end of 2018, LSE said.
"This reflects our confidence in LCH for continued growth," the exchange's chief financial officer, David Warren told an analyst conference call.
LSE shares were up 0.9 percent at 4,324 pence at 0900 GMT, bucking a weaker trend in the broader stock market.
LCH is one of the world's top clearing houses for derivatives, but its dominance in euro denominated transactions has led to calls for that activity to be relocated to the single currency area after Brexit.
LCH also faces the threat of being locked out of the EU market when Britain leaves the bloc next March if a no-deal Brexit puts the legality of cross-border derivatives contracts into question.
Warren, however, said he was encouraged by recent meetings with regulators and central bankers who are looking at potential disruption to so-called contract continuity.
"We think there is a new urgency about getting solutions and legal certainty in the very near future, and it's very clear our customers want continuity of service," he said.
A working group lead by the European Central Bank and Bank of England on market risks from Brexit is due to report its initial findings in coming days.
The LSE has a clearing unit in Paris, but Warren said customers don't want the exchange to apply for a licence there to handle the euro clearing currently being done in London.
LCH would need to serve notice on EU customers by December if it felt it could not continue clearing their transactions in London after Brexit, but exchange officials said on Friday they have no plans to do this in a further sign that the threat of disruption has receded.
Rival Deutsche Boerse in Frankfurt is stepping up efforts to attract LCH business from London but volume so far is small.
Warren played down the threat, saying euro-denominated business transacted by EU customers accounted for just 7-14 percent of LCH overall activity.
Nevertheless, the LSE, which also owns the Milan Exchange, has applied for a licence in Amsterdam to operate its Turquoise pan-European share trading service.
The LSE said that total income from continuing operations rose 8 percent to 522 million pounds in the quarter ended Sept. 30, below analysts' estimates of 530 million pounds.
Warren said an accounting rule change dampened revenue and income figures in the exchange's capital markets unit.
($1 = 0.7686 pounds)
($1 = 0.8735 euros)
(Reporting by Arathy S Nair in Bengaluru, editing by Dasha Afanasieva/Keith Weir)
This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Updated Date: Oct 20, 2018 00:05:51 IST


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3:00 PM | Accumulating snow still a threat for Sunday in parts of the I-95 corridor
Paul Dorian
There is still considerable disagreement between the latest computer forecast models in terms of storm track so certainly all is not written in stone as of yet for this weekend system. Specifically, the US models (NAM, GFS) have trended farther north with the storm track producing significant precipitation in the Mid-Atlantic on Sunday; however, other models (Euro, Canadian) continue to suppress the system to the south producing little, if any, precipitation in the Mid-Atlantic region. I believe the more northern storm track is the likely outcome here (yeah USA!) given the overall weather pattern, but it is still too early to be totally confident in this scenario; especially, given the still considerable time between now and event time. This type of storm has the potential to generate accumulating snow on Sunday in the I-95 corridor from DC to Philly. There will be additional threats for snow in the next couple of weeks. Stay tuned for further updates on the Sunday storm.


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2300 Rundell PL : A.D. Stenger
Even though mid century modern architect A.D. Stenger designed and built over 100 homes in the Austin area, it's still fairly rare to see one for sale. This particularly one looks extra delightful, and the Barton Hills location is in my mind, ideal. Built in 1950 (one of his earliest works) this home features a low slung roof line typical of Stenger homes, use of clerestory windows, as well as the use of local building materials like limestone. The interior courtyard, along with the extensive interior skylights, are two of the most striking features of the home. Both of them contribute to the light filled airy feeling in the home.
The interior has been thoughtfully updated by MJ Neal in a down to the studs remodel. The project won them a citation of honor at the AIA, Austin 2010 Design Awards. Rightfully so too. This one is a perfect example of how we should honor, restore and enjoy mid century modern architecture.
Want to learn more about mid century modern architecture in Austin? Check out my MCM primer.
Price: $915,000
Details: 1,933 sq/ft, 3 Bed, 2 Bath
Listing and photos courtesy of DEN property group


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Is a hospital room by any other name still a hospital room?
What if that room were chock full of special touches—a private entrance so no hallway passersby could peek in; the tangle of medical equipment out of sight; a serene beach scene lightbox adorning the exam light above the bed; a comfortable recliner for visiting guests and a computer workstation with internet connections and a printer to help them keep up with work while an ill loved one catches some Zs—all outfitted in a soft palette of earthy tones with plush towels and bedding designed to soothe the soul?
The supporters of Lucia's Room at Southampton Hospital hope it is much more.
Expected to open to its first patient in late September, Lucia's Room is intended to provide a more hospitable experience for patients going through difficult surgeries, palliative care and end-of-life services, as well as those undergoing mastectomies and reconstructive breast surgery.
In their sun-filled office on Oak Street last Friday, Stacy Quarty, president of Lucia's Angels—a local foundation that seeks to help East End women and families who are affected by late-stage women's cancers, including breast, ovarian, cervical and uterine—and Susan Barry Roden, vice president of Lucia's Angels, spoke of the room's inspiration.
After logging plenty of hospital hours in uncomfortable chairs and a sterile environment with two women, Andi Gulija and Sukran Bayraktar, who died of breast cancer last December, Ms. Quarty and Ms. Roden said they looked at each other and realized they wanted to improve the experience for patients and families alike on the East End. The name Lucia is in memory of another woman, Lucia Terzi Bagan, who died of breast cancer in 2006. Through an agreement with the Southampton Hospital Foundation, the foundation is fronting $150,000 so the room can be built right away, though Lucia's Angels must pay back that amount in five years, they said, and the project is costing more than anticipated, they acknowledged.
On Thursday evening, there will be a fashion show and cocktail party, "Haute Night in the Hamptons," at which pink cosmopolitans will be served to benefit the project, at Strong's Marine on County Road 39 in Southampton. Another local foundation, Nana Cares, The Kattie O. Berkoski Foundation, has also selected Lucia's Room as its charity to support this year.
Ms. Quarty and Ms. Roden, both Water Mill residents, who call themselves Frick and Frack, finish each other's sentences and brim with enthusiasm about Lucia's Room and its long list of supporters, many of whom are donating materials and labor, they said.
"It's just a beautiful room. We want people to use it, for families to appreciate it," said Ms. Roden, who is also a patient navigator for community outreach at the hospital. "It's not worth it to build something beautiful and have it just sit there. I did that once with a bottle of wine and then it went bad," she chuckled.
"When we get an idea, we just go crazy," Ms. Quarty said. "Full speed ahead," added Ms. Roden.
Coming from the patient's perspective, Ms. Roden said her favorite feature of the room is the beach lightbox—to imagine one is someplace else. Ms. Quarty, meanwhile, looks at it from more of the visitor's perspective, and named the recliner as one of her favorite features, citing the pain of a cricked neck after sitting around in regular hospital environs.
"Ultimately, it would be wonderful if we had a cure for breast cancer, so we wouldn't need to make rooms like this," explained Ms. Roden, a breast cancer survivor. "But I think, unfortunately, we're not at that point." She added, with a smile: "But just for the record, I have no intention of using this room."


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Using the highest quality milk
All our GB contracted farmer suppliers have Red Tractor Farm Assurance accreditation. The Red Farm Assurance Dairy scheme covers production standards developed by experts on safety, hygiene, animal welfare and the environment amongst other things. Our aim is to provide customers with additional confidence in the quality of our milk. Red Tractor Farm Assured British milk is world class. It is produced on farms that are managed by highly professional, well-qualified and caring stockmen. Certification to Red Tractor Farm Assurance Dairy standards allows farmers to demonstrate that their standards of husbandry and welfare meet nationally agreed levels of best agricultural practice.
Our dedicated Farm Liaison Team has an in-depth knowledge of animal health and nutrition and are committed to working closely with all of our farmer suppliers.


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Last weekend, I ventured out of DC on a road trip of sorts with two of my fellow interns. We went down to Charlottesville to see Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's homestead and to see the campus of the University of Virginia, TJ's brainchild in his later years. First off, we took the scenic route to get there. We were so involved in looking out for southern fast food joints that we need to try, we missed our first exit. No big though, after a stop so Matt and I could try our first Chik-fil-A sandwiches (which was delicious but I am not a sweet tea fan), we went the long way to Charlottesville. It was a picture perfect day. After being complete tourists and stopping at a "scenic view" stop on the highway for our first good look at the Blue Ridge Mountains, we arrived at Monticello. We got our tickets for the house tour and then took the bus up to the house. First off, TJ knew how to pick a spot. He had a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains and more land than he knew what to do with. We started out with the Plantation walking tour. Bob, our guide, was very knowledgeable about the daily life on the plantation in Jefferson's time. He mainly discussed the lives of the slaves on the plantation and focused a lot on the Hemings family. I did like that they were very upfront on the fact that Jefferson definitely fathered at least one, if not all of Sally Hemings' children. DNA cannot lie of course. But that wasn't the focus of the tour, it was a walk down Mulberry Row and where the nailery and joinery would have been located. I liked the storytelling aspect of the tour but Bob was a bit long winded.
After the tour, we headed down to the graveyard and saw Jefferson's grave. Very different from the tomb of the Washingtons. It was sort of a mini-Washington monument. After taking our pictures of the headstone, we walked back up the hill and wondered about for awhile. I love the look of the house. Jefferson was an amateur architect and designed Monticello himself. All his travel in Europe meant he tried a lot of things at Monticello that hadn't been seen in the States yet at the time. The all-weather tunnel running under the house, the design on vents from the cellar into the house as a sort of pre-electricity air conditioning system. We chilled in the garden for a bit and then went to get in line for our house tour.
This was the best part of the day for me. If I ever design a house, I want Monticello. First off, his library was an extension of his "study" which led into his bedroom with a very cool alcove bed that was a running theme in the house. Best use of space was Jefferson's goal for the entire house so he came up or brought back from Europe all these "space saving" elements. Like, in his bedroom, his bed is between his study and the room but his closet is above his bed, accessible only by a ladder. A lot of his doors folded into the walls so they didn't take up space in the room. He had a fabulous "tea room" that I would have gladly lived in and the guest bedroom had another alcove bed for best use of space. Overall, I loved the house tour. Our tour guide (who's name I have sadly forgotten) was amazing – telling all the great stories but not being over-tedious. After the tour, we walked back down to our car (all down hill) and headed back towards Charlottesville to find food.
We found the main downtown district which is chock full of used bookstores – great and bad at the same time. I escaped with only one book so I was impressed with myself. After a quick dinner, we hopped on the free trolley and rode over to UVA. It is a good thing I never came to look at this campus, I would have had to come to a school that is huge but has the most beautiful campus I have ever seen. Seriously, I would live on it now. We got caught in a storm however so we cut our tour of campus short and headed back toward the car. Once back, the rain had stopped so we took a driving tour of campus instead. We found the stadium to take pictures as well. Heading back to Washington, we were treated to a fabulous sunset over the Blue Ridge Mountains. Breaking what I am sure was quite a few laws, we pulled over to take picture which I think are my best yet this summer. It was a great trip though, full of lots of fun. I really enjoyed seeing the house at Monticello and UVA.
That was Saturday. On Sunday, I did a mini-museum marathon. I started at the Freer Gallery (Asian art with Whistler thrown in for good measure), the Sackler Gallery (more Asian art) and the Hirshorn Museum (Modern art). All three are lesser knowns in the Smithsonian family. I really enjoyed the Hirshorn actually which surprised me – I am not much of a modern art fan but they have a fabulous exhibit right now, temporary, on cinema art which was very interesting to walk through and take all the different films in and what they are trying to convey. After the museums, I walked through the Castle (now a visitor's center) and paid my respects to Smithson's tomb before I headed over to the National Botanical Gardens. I had done the outside gardens earlier in the week but the Conservatory closed too early for me to go after work. I liked this a lot – the big greenhouses host different areas of the world – jungle, desert, forest, endangered species. In the jungle greenhouse, they have a canopy walk which was a lot of fun to go through with the mist going off every few minutes, making you think you're actually in the jungle (for about a second, but hey, atmosphere is everything). That was pretty much my Sunday. Next post, this week and my weekend plans…


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Special Services
Certain life events have particular significance in our journey with God, and as such, are acknowledged by the church with special rituals and liturgy. Emmanuel welcomes people from within and beyond our community to acknowledge these special occasions in our midst, or in our space.
Holy baptism
Holy Baptism is the sacrament by which one becomes a Christian, a member of the Body of Christ, a partner with Christ in saving the world, and an inheritor of the Kingdom of God. It is an event of importance and celebration both for the individual Christian and for the whole church. Parents and godparents who present children for baptism discover that their participation has a profound effect on their own spiritual lives. Adults who come to be baptized experience this as a crucial step in their journey of faith.
A wedding is a sacred ritual that acknowledges and celebrates your desire to enter a lifelong relationship. It symbolizes the ending of former ways of life and other future possibilities, and establishes a particular pathway into the future – one that you promise to travel together. By uniting within the context of a faith community, you recognize that God is active in the love you feel for one another, and you place your relationship in God's care.
The liturgy for the dead is an Easter liturgy. It finds all its meaning in the resurrection. Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we, too, shall be raised. The liturgy, therefore, is characterized by joy, in the certainty that "neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8). This joy, however, does not make human grief un-Christian. The very love we have for each other in Christ brings deep sorrow when we are parted by death. Jesus himself wept at the grave of his friend. So, while we rejoice that the one we love has entered into the nearer presence of our Lord, we join in sorrow and sympathy with those who mourn.


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Spa Tour
Open since 2003, Oasis Day Spa continually strives for growth and education. Using the latest techniques in relaxation and wellness, our desire for excellence has earned our spa the "Best of Howard County" since 2007. Whether you're here for a full day of pampering or for a massage to unwind after a long day, when you treat yourself or someone you love to the gift of relaxation, it extends well after your appointment.
We have nine luxurious treatment rooms including one Couples Suite and one Sauna & Shower Room.


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- Tuesday, April 25, 2017 - State Semi-Finals – The state champion teams for the Ricardo and the Adam Smith divisions compete with other states to advance to the National Final. If you are one of the Massachusetts semi-finalist teams, the paper and pencil competition will be conducted at your school. – (Test date for schools on spring break) (April 20, 2017.)
Contact information:
Dr. Van Pham
Massachusetts State Coordinator
Co-Director: Center for Economic Education
352 Lafayette St., Salem State University, Salem, MA 01970
George "Scott" Guild
President, Massachusetts Council on Economic Education
One Financial Center, Fifth Floor
Boston, MA 02111-2660


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[Exclusive] Group Behind #ShootBack Posters Says Gay Community Can't Protect Families if Elected Officials Disarm Them
On Thursday morning, residents of West Hollywood, California, awoke to find their neighborhood had been plastered with rainbow-colored Gadsden flag posters that were emblazoned with #ShootBack.
The posters, 30 of them in all, were spotted near West Hollywood City Hall, the Pacific Design Center, and The Abbey, a well-known gay lounge. One also appeared in front of the home of artist Chad Michael Morrisette, who had covered the roof of his house with 50 mannequins after the terrorist attack in Orlando on Sunday.
The #ShootBack hashtag on the gay rainbow flag with the pro-gun Gadsden symbol was clearly a provocative response to Sunday's attack on the gay nightclub in Orlando where 49 people were killed. There has been much speculation about who was responsible for the street art, but no one has come forward to claim responsibility ... until now.
A street artist in Los Angeles who said he is a spokesman for the group responsible for the posters spoke exclusively to PJ Media on Thursday. Sabo, who was behind the tattooed "Blacklisted and Lovin' It" Ted Cruz posters that appeared in Hollywood back in 2014, said the #ShootBack posters were a group effort and they were designed to send a message.
First, "it's important that people know that this image came out of the gay community," Sabo said.
West Hollywood is home to a significant LGBT population and was the location of an LGBT Pride event the night of the terror attack. Hundreds of people attended a candlelight vigil to remember the victims on Sunday night.


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New look online websites
14 April 2012 in Classroom Training, Featured Articles, Instructor, Online Training
We have changed the look of our online sites for the better. They have more information and links to class room and other online courses. All affiliate links work the same so you can add links to your websites and earn.


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Receiving or downloading a discount via your telephone is a phenomenon that has begun to catch on. Companies ought to take this idea seriously and take up the challenge of making this a commonplace practice.
Using mobile discount coupons is becoming popular: around one in ten mobile phone users in the United Statessay they will be using them this year, reports an eMarketer study. That goes for "coupons or codes received via SMS, applications and mobile web browsers, and quick response codes for redemption online or offline." And the number of users should continue to increase in the coming years - to 13.5% in 2012 and 16.5% in 2013, says eMarketer. This trend is even stronger among smartphone users.
One in three smartphone owners in 2013 will use digital coupons
One in five adult smartphone owners will use a digital coupon in 2011. By 2013, this figure will grow to one in three. According to Noah Elkin, Principal Analyst at eMarketer and author of the report: "Even as the sputtering economy attempts its recovery, the popularity of couponing has continued, spurred in part by the burgeoning daily deals space. Mobile coupons will play a central role in broadening the appeal and acceptance of digital coupons among shoppers." However, the growth of this practice doesn't only depend on consumers.
Sales professionals need to do more to blaze the trail
Businesses will need to make an effort in this area. Digital coupons have yet to really catch on among many consumer groups. Noah Elkin again: "Consumers have started to use mobile devices more extensively at the top of the shopping funnel - to research products and pricing, for example," he explains, adding however that "usage has yet to migrate to the bottom of the funnel on a wide scale." So retailers must get on board. "Most consumers have yet to be convinced of the benefits of using their mobile devices as a payment mechanism, for either in-store or online purchases," concludes Noah Elkin.


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"I repose in this quiet and secluded spot, not from any natural preference for solitude, but finding other cemeteries limited as to race, by charter rules, I have chosen this that I might illustrate in my death the principles which I advocated through a long life, equality of man before his Creator.
Inscription on the Tombstone of Thaddeus Stevens
As regular readers of this blog know, I greatly enjoyed the film Lincoln and praised it for its overall historical accuracy. Go here to read my review. One of the many aspects of the film that I appreciated was Tommy Lee Jones' portrayal of Thaddeus Stevens (R.Pa.), a radical Republican who rose from poverty to become the leader of the abolitionists in the House, and one of the most powerful men in the country from 1861 to his death in 1868. There haven't been many screen portrayals of Stevens, but they illustrate how perceptions of Stevens have shifted based upon perceptions of Reconstruction and civil rights for blacks.
The above is an excellent video on the subject.
The 1915 film Birth of a Nation, has a barely concealed portrayal of Stevens under the name of Congressman Austin Stoneman, the white mentor of mulatto Silas Lynch, the villain of the film, who makes himself virtual dictator of South Carolina until he is toppled by heroic Klansmen. The film was in line with the Lost Cause mythology that portrayed Reconstruction as a tragic crime that imposed governments made up of ignorant blacks and scheming Yankee carpetbaggers upon the South. This was the predominant view of scholarly opinion at the time. The film was attacked by both the NAACP and the Grand Army of the Republic, the Union veterans' organization, as being untrue to history, a glorification of mob violence and racist.
By 1942 when the film Tennessee Johnson was made, we see a substantial shift in the portrayal of Stevens. Played by veteran actor Lionel Barrymore, best know today for his portrayal of Mr. Potter in It's a Wonderful Life, Stevens is portrayed as a fanatic out to punish the South and fearful that the too lenient, in his view, treatment of the South in Reconstruction will lead to a new Civil War. This leads up to the climax of the film, the trial in the Senate of Johnson, with Stevens as the leader of the House delegation prosecuting Johnson, with Johnson staying in office by one vote. The portrayal of Stevens is not one-dimensional. Stevens is shown as basically a good, if curmudgeonly, man, consumed by fears of a new Civil War and wishing to help the newly emancipated slaves, albeit wrong in his desire to punish the South. Like Birth of a Nation, Tennessee Johnson reflected the scholarly consensus of the day which still painted Reconstruction in a negative light, although not as negative as in 1915. Additionally, the issue of contemporary civil rights for blacks was beginning to emerge outside of the black community as an issue, and Stevens in the film is not attacked on his insistence for civil rights for blacks.
Tommy Lee Jones in Lincoln gives a masterful performance as Stevens. As indicated in the above video he had, to say the least, a prickly relationship with the Lincoln administration as Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, then as now one of the most powerful posts in the House. Like most abolitionists Stevens viewed the Lincoln administration as laggard in its anti-slavery measures, and if Lincoln had not been assassinated no doubt Reconstruction policy would have featured numerous battles between Lincoln and Stevens. The Lincoln film can be viewed as a tribute to two men: Stevens and Lincoln, which would no doubt have vastly amused both men who so often clashed in life. Contemporary scholarship almost entirely views Reconstruction as the noblest of experiments foiled by racists North and South and the issue of race today is the prism by which most scholars view the past, not unusual for viewing the Civil War and Reconstruction, but usually reaching polar opposite conclusions of most scholars of the period from 1890 to 1955.
How we view our past always is always heavily influenced by present day conditions and the portrayal of Stevens in film is a striking example of that fact.


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More than a simple bottle tracking facility, we're delighted to now be able to offer REFCOM members a FREE new software package which will help you to track, maintain and report so you remain compliant with F gas regulations. Just launched - REFCOM Mobile, ensuring compliance on the go!
As a REFCOM member you are entitled to one FREE user package FOR LIFE - that's savings of £30 a month, £360 a year or over £1,000 when you renew your F gas certification with REFCOM!
REFCOM have teamed up with Joblogic, the UK's leading service management software provider, to offer a new industry-leading refrigerant tracking software package.
FREE for REFCOM members the software will help you with:
bottle tracking and stock control of all gas bottles
automatically updating F gas logbook records
data analysis and synchronisation of every service visit and leak check
auto updating and generating service record certificates, customer records, compliance certificates and data for clients
digital management of cylinder locations
asset tracking – helping you do identify and solve recurring problems
helping to minimise rental charges on bottles
making it easier than ever to fulfil your audit and inspection obligations
full reporting and recording in the office, on site and on the go
To take advantage now and sign up, or simply for more information on how the software can help your business click here...


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Tuesday, June 19, 2012
The Ugly Republicans
This fine piece of work was at the Montana Republican convention this week. The outside featured fake bullet holes. Inside was a phony Obama birth certificate. There was also a sign that said, "for a good time, call Michelle Obama". Then the First Lady's name was crossed out in favor of Hillary Clinton, then Hillary's name was marked out to be replaced with Nancy Pelosi.
I expect lots of Republicans thought this was freaking hilarious. They probably fell on the pavement laughing. The Montana Republican leadership denied any knowledge of where it came from - "gee, we just don't know, it appeared out of nowhere". I believe that, don't you? Obviously, they had no objection to such a hateful thing representing their party or they would have ordered it to be removed.
They didn't...because this is today's Republican party - mean and ugly and totally self-absorbed. They believe that anyone who doesn't agree with them deserves to be demeaned and disrespected and maybe even destroyed. That can mean a sitting president duly elected by a majority of voters or it can mean whole groups of Americans - gays, women, Hispanics, African-Americans, working people.
Republicans just keep sliding down the degradation pole taking themselves and our democratic system along with them.
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a. Walkara
b. Big Foot
c. Green Blanket
d. Arapeen
Yesterday's answer:
(A) A dugout
From the life of William Miller: He stopped at Garden Grove, where his wife's father, Aaron Johnson, was presiding, and put in crops, which, however, he left for others to harvest, and continued to Council Bluffs that season, in time to cut hay and make winter quarters. But after cutting his house logs for his winter cabin, he was taken down with a severe sickness. On his recovery, he found that someone had appropriated his house logs, and, as winter was on him, he sold his only coat for a dugout in the side of the bluff, where he and his family passed the winter of 1846-47.
Andrew Jenson, L.D.S Biographical Encyclopedia (Salt Lake City: Publishers Press, 1901) Vol. 1, 484.


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Marriott Ohare June 2013 - womenoftheelca
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Chocolate Lounge: Networking event for young adult women
Marriott Ohare June 2013
An after work networking event brings together women in their 20s, 30s and beyond, to share community.
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How to Machine-Embroider Your Own Refrigerator Word Artcomments (0) July 19th, 2008
I always linger in front of the magnetic word art display at Barnes and Noble...do I feel like a poet today, or maybe a little naughty???? I can never decide, so as it stands I don't have any of those little words on my fridge. When I was doing the "How to personalize a canvas tote" blog, it occurred to me that I could embroider my own word art...I could come up with a starter set and then every time I got in a mood or needed a new saying, I would add to it.
Join me and start your own collection of words for the fridge. I'm even going to show you how to use all those outdated magnets you get at the dentist's office to make your words stick!
What You'll Need:
- Permanent spray adhesive
- Lightweight stabilizer
- Posterboard
- Temporary spray adhesive
- A few words programmed into your embroidery machine
- Embroidery thread
- A size 10 Microtex (sharp) machine needle
- Old magnets you want to recycle
- Glue gun
Start by using the permanent spray adhesive to stick a piece of lightweight stabilizer to one side of the posterboard.
|I used Aleene's Tacky Spray to stick the stabilizer on the back of the posterboard.
Cut the posterboard down to a size that will lay flat inside your hoop. Don't try to embroider on a piece of posterboard that hangs over the edge of the hoop; the stiff paper will cause stress on the stabilizer while it's embroidering. This could cause the hoop to pop open. Hoop another piece of stabilizer and use temporary adhesive spray to stick the posterboard in the hoop.
Either program words on the screen of your embroidery machine or use embroidery software to customize your words on the computer. Either way, make sure you leave enough space between words so you can cut them out!
Place the hoop on your embroidery machine, and put in a size 10 Microtex needle in (that's a super-sharp needle). When you're embroidering on paper, you don't want to use a big needle because it will punch big holes as it embroiders. Also, ballpoint needles are not good at piercing the paper. All-purpose needles have a slightly rounded point so they aren't the best choice either (but they'll do in a pinch!). Embroider your words.
Take the hoop off the machine and trim all the threads between the words.
Take the paper out of the hoop and cut the words into strips. If you have a rotary cutter and a ruler, it's easy to get nice, straight edges.
Cut the rows into individual words.
|Look at all my lovely words!
Collect your outdated magnets and cut them into strips that will fit on the back of your words. You can make larger strips for the bigger words or use two smaller strips.
Finally, use a glue gun to stick the strips of magnet onto the back of the words. Now you express yourself all over the refrigerator!
I just decided that I will probably embroider some cute motifs to go with my words...my daughters will love that.
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For Monday I would like to see a mock up ready to fit on the body. If you don't have all the pattern pieces traced don't rush to trace them, there may be additional adjustments to be made on the master pattern, you can then trace the adjusted pieces. If you have them traced already that's even better you can make the adjustments on the pieces and start cutting! In this module it is critcal that all the homework is done to keep the class on track.
Please bring in your materials and checklist to be sure there is nothing missing. No need for sewing machines this week.
Have a good one!


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Learn More
R&D Systems™ Human Neuregulin-1 alpha/NRG1 alpha EGF Domain Recombinant Protein
Extensive quality control produces industry leading bioactivity and lot-to-lot consistency that instills confidence in results and ensures reproducibility. Applications: Bioactivity
Marke: R&D Systems™ 296-HR-050
Weitere Details : Netto-Gewicht : 0.00010kg
BeschreibungThe Recombinant Human NRG1-alpha/HRG1-alpha EGF Domain Protein is derived from E. coli. The Recombinant Human NRG1-alpha/HRG1-alpha EGF Domain Protein has been validated for the following applications: Bioactivity.
|Lyophilized from a 0.2μm filtered solution in PBS with BSA as a carrier protein.
|7 kDa
|97%, by SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions and visualized by silver stain.
|Neuregulin-1 alpha/NRG1 alpha EGF Domain
|Use a manual defrost freezer and avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles. 12 months from date of receipt, -20 to -70° C as supplied. 1 month, 2 to 8° C under sterile conditions after reconstitution. 3 months, -20 to -70° C under sterile conditions after reconstitution.


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We're thrilled to share that M G Leonard's Beetle Boy has been selected for Tom Fletcher's newly launched children's book club.
The McFly member turned children's author has launched a children's book club exclusively with WH Smith. The book club titles will get promotion in-store, online and on Fletcher's YouTube channel, which has over 625,000 subscribers.
The new club follows that WH Smith already runs with YouTuber Zoella.
The 10 selected titles, chosen for Fletcher's first book club, target 7-11 year olds of varying reading abilities - ranging, according to Fletcher, from the "brilliantly bonkers to heart-warmingly wonderful" - offering something for every child to read.
Each of the 10 titles will feature exclusive Tom Fletcher book club stickers when purchased from WH Smith and be displayed in unique promotional bays.
The book club launches across WH Smith High Street stores today. A launch video published on Fletcher's YouTube channel introducing the books and featuring a song written by Fletcher.
Fletcher, Penguin Random House children's author behind The Christmasaurus and The Creakers, commented it could be tricky for children to find the right book and he hoped the recommendations would inspire children, whatever their current engagement with reading.
"I am immensely excited to announce my book club with WH Smith," he said. "There are so many incredible children's books out there but every child is different and finding the right book is tricky! Get the wrong one and it can turn someone off reading for life and they might end up joining a band or something horrendous like that! So here are ten books that I think are pretty awesome. They range from brilliantly bonkers to heart-warmingly wonderful and I hope there's a book in this selection that will inspire children whether they are new to reading or fully-fledged bookworms. Happy reading!"
Fletcher will continue to upload weekly review videos for each title to his YouTube channel, while fresh unseen content from the books, short stories, exclusive blog posts and videos from the books' authors will populate the WHSmith Blog.
Frankie Adams, WH Smith books business unit director, added: "We are delighted to launch the new Tom Fletcher Book Club across our stores. By combining the brilliant Tom Fletcher with some of the most fantastic, leading children's authors we're confident we will get more kids reading and enjoying books."


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Information Provided By Toronto Animal Services
Losing your pet is a very traumatic experience. It's important to stay calm so that you can search for your pet and hopefully be reunited. There are a number of steps you should take as soon as your pet goes missing. If your pet is not immediately found, repeat these steps again.
Don't give up searching for you pet too early!
What to do:
|Where to search
|Search around your home and neigbourhood, including asking your friends and neighbours if they've seen your pet.
|Who to contact
|Contact 416-338-PAWS (7297) to file a Lost Animal Report. Be prepared to provide a description of your pet, licence number and tattoo or microchip number if applicable.
|Lost pets photos
|View photos of lost pets online.
|List of lost pets
|View a list of lost pets found within the last five days, which will include where they were found and which shelter they are at now.
|Where to go
|Visit our shelter locations in person, as well as local veterinary clinics and Humane Society locations, such as the Toronto Humane Society. Only you can identify your missing pet.
|Deceased animals
|View a list of deceased animals received in the last month. This will also tell you where animals were found and where they are located now.
|Posters & flyers
|Put up posters and flyers in your neighborhood, veterinarian offices, animal shelters, supermarkets, libraries and other bulletin boards in your community.
|Pet registration
|Register your pet with Helping Lost Pets to widen your search to across North America.
About Helping Lost Pets
Helping Lost Pets is a system to help return lost pets back home. The site lists lost and found reports posted within your community and across North America. You can see a map of your area and attach a photo to a Lost or Found report to help find your pet.
Helping Lost Pets allows you to:
Even if you have not lost your pets, you can also register them to be ready just in case they ever go missing.
Once your pet has been found


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Retired –
An Adobe Community Professional (ACP) serves Adobe and the community in a number of ways- being a local evangelist – promoting Adobe products and features sets into the region.
Being an ACP is a great role for me and I am honored to be one of the founding members of this very talented and diverse team. We are privileged by the training we receive directly from Adobe on a weekly basis and in special sessions in the various events around the country.
This outreach can be via meetings with companies, or simple one on one visits with individuals over coffee or a lunch.
John has represented Adobe at Trade Shows, a variety of Speaking Engagements and regional User Groups.
Speaking and Training Engagements
- EMC World
- Image USA
- Apple
- Photoshop World
- Xerox Events
- Adobe Launch Events
- Printing Industry Association
Adobe Speaking Subjects
- Lastest Updates in Cloud
- Photoshop – how to be an artist in hours
- Lightroom
- InDesign – automation of catalogs
- Illustrator -new features
- Acrobat
- Many more available
Web Based Subjects
- Search Engine Optimization
- Key Word Strategies
- WordPress Optimal Setups


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The Miami Herald unearthed George Zimmerman's old Myspace page today. On it, the man who's now charged
with second degree murder for the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin reveals what life was like shortly after he moved to the Florida suburb that's now become infamous after Zimmerman's encounter.
On it, Zimmerman uses the alias "Joe G" and a personalized URL that reads "onlytobekingagain." While describing his new life in Florida after having moved from Virgina, Zimmerman writes:
> "I dont miss driving around scared to hit mexicans walkin on the side of the street, soft ass wanna be thugs messin with peoples cars when they aint around (what are you provin, that you can dent a car when no ones watchin) dont make you a man in my book," the 2005 Myspace page said. "Workin 96 hours to get a decent pay check, gettin knifes pulled on you by every mexican you run into!"
Zimmerman also celebrates some of his earlier legal victories, including one against an ex-fiancee who's described as his "ex hoe":
Here's a blurb from Talking Points Memo:
> "Im still free!" he wrote on Aug. 24, 2005. "The ex hoe tried her hardest, but the judge saw through it! Big Mike, reppin the Dverse security makin me look a million bucks, broke her down! Thanks to everyone for checkin up on me!" >
> Six days later he posted about another victory. >
> "2 felonies dropped to 1 misdemeanor!!!!!!!!!!! The man knows he was wrong but still got this hump, Thanks to everyone friends and fam, G baby you know your my rock!"


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Kellie + Zach | Wormsloe Engagement | Savannah Wedding Photographer/
Kellie + Zach are set to wed just under a year away! And we were so excited when they asked us to be a part of their engagement session at Wormsloe here in Savannah, Georgia.
The two got engaged on Auburn University's campus at the beautiful Arboretum. For Valentine's Day, Zach had gotten Kellie a gold bar necklace with both of their names on it. While walking through the Arboretum, just a quick pit stop before their weekly date night, Zach mentions that he had gotten her a second necklace to match. He handed her a small metal tin with a silver bar necklace inside. While the first necklace displayed their names, this one displayed, "Will you marry me?" She looks up to find Zach on one knee awaiting a very very important answer. And I think we all know what she said.
Film Lab: Richard Photo Lab


text: The family in this video didn't eat organic food because it costs more than conventional food. So for two weeks they decided to eat only organic and measure the effect. Before they began the experiment they took urine samples and discovered they had a number of insecticides, fungicides and plant growth regulators inside their bodies. The chemicals found included Chloremequat Chloride, Mepiquat, 3-PBA and TCP. They weren't too happy when they discovered they'd not only been eating pesticides, but that these chemicals have taken up residence inside their bodies! So they cleared the cupboards and switched to organic for this fascinating 2-week experiment. At the end of the two weeks, they tested their urine again and discovered that nearly all traces of the pesticides had completely vanished.


text: Live music, food trucks, and amazing Belgian ales & German lagers! Maybe a little hammerschlagen. Paired with a fun run, friends, and sunny day…this is what we like to call a Harriet Beer Run! AND…our run will kickoff Harriet's official High Summer Reggae Fest!!! Click Here for more info & to register.


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Avik Roy joined Hoover Institution of Stanford University host Peter Robinson and Commentary's John Podhoretz for a debate on health reform. Roy cites the benefit of free markets and explains how universal coverage, or simply more people having health insurance, is not necessarily at odds with the conservative agenda.
"This is the problem with the failure of imagination of conservatism. It's that we've conflated a policy outcome, more people having health insurance, with the process by which we achieve that outcome," Roy says.
To read more, and watch the interview on The Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity, click here.


text: The Dream Detective is Zeros 2 Heroes' latest IP offering; a new take on the classic detective noir genre. Z2H is planning a cross-media blitz with a strong focus on augmented reality. From social media websites to Facebook and mobile apps, The Dream Detective will utilize a diverse array of tools to build momentum. Many of the strategies are well off-brand, allowing Z2H to build a groundswell of interest and support for the property before it's even launched.


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"Martyrs & Monsters" is an eclectic collection boasting a variety of stories sure to satisfy lovers of both horror and literary fiction. These stories run the gamut, from bleak Noir tales, straightforward horror, intriguing takes on the origins of vampires and zombies, even science fiction and a bit of dark fantasy, also. Regardless of the form, Dunbar is a literary craftsman, a stylist, skilled at drawing meaningful characters, building suspense, and painting vivid, striking prose. And of course, it wouldn't be a Dunbar collection without a rendering of the Jersey Devil myth.
Two of the strongest tales in this collection are "Gray Soil" and "Red Soil", for their different takes on the birth of zombies and vampires – especially the implication in "Red Soil" that they share a common, ancestral line. Also, because of Dunbar's consistent literary voice, both tales read like the classic Stoker narrative, rather than just "more zombie and vampire stories". "Getting Wet" and "Are We Dead Yet" garner high marks as well, rendering a bit of "Urban Gothic Noir" flavor – if you will – and especially grabbing is the surprise ending of "Getting Wet".
In "The Folly", Dunbar once again takes readers into the twisted labyrinth of the Jersey Devil myth, but it's a fresh telling, not a rehashing of his novels "The Pines" and "The Shore." Also entertaining is the tale's Southern Gothic flavor, evoking thoughts of Flannery O'Connor and Tom Piccirilli's "A Choir of Ill Children". "High Rise" invokes the tale of the succubus, also with another unexpected, sacrificial ending.
Perhaps the collection's strongest is "Like a Story", simply because it proves Dunbar is more than just a detached stylist, he's a storyteller at heart. Invoking the classic "Stephen King boy's tale" with its authentic voice, "Like a Story" enters the world of two displaced orphans trying desperately to find a place in a world that doesn't want them. There's also an air of terrible discovery and loss of innocence, on par with one of the best Joe Hill shorts, "Van Helsing's Boys" (from "20th Century Ghosts").
Short story collections are always a mixed bag, but in this case the "mixed" refers to variety, not quality. For something different and substantial in short dark fiction, "Martyrs & Monsters" is an excellent choice.
Visit www.dunbarauthor.com, www.myspace.com/dunbarrobert, and www.darkhart.com. Buy it today.


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Sonoran Beef Casserole
Lynley Jones
A simple ground beef and macaroni casserole infused with the flavors of the Sonoran Desert, topped with melty cheese and the crunch of breadcrumbs.
This recipe was originally created for our Series of Unfortunate Recipes, based on the book and Netflix series by Lemony Snicket.
Serves 6-8
2 Tablespoons flavorless oil
1 medium yellow onion, diced medium (about 1 cup diced)
2 pounds ground beef
Coarse salt
3 teaspoons ground cumin
3 teaspoons dried Mexican oregano
8 ounces canned diced mild green chiles (see notes to substitute fresh roasted chiles)
3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 cup chicken broth or stock, salted
1 28-ounce can peeled whole plum tomatoes
1/4 cup heavy cream
8 ounces Monterrey Jack cheese
1 pound whole-wheat elbow macaroni
1/3 cup panko bread crumbs
2 scallions
A handful of cilantro sprigs
1. Start heating a large pot of water to cook the pasta. While the water comes to the boil, you'll make the other ingredients.
2. In a large pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onions and saute for about 5 minutes, until slightly softened. Add the ground beef, stir in 1 teaspoon coarse salt along with the cumin and oregano and cook for about 10 minutes until the beef is fully cooked and no longer pink. Stir in the chiles.
3. Stir the flour into the meat mixture and cook for about 1 minute. Add the chicken stock, stir to combine, and allow the mixture to bubble for about a minute. Crush the tomatoes over the pot with your hands, tearing them into chunks and letting all the juices fall into the pot (you can remove any stray skins or tough cores you come across as you do this). Add all the remaining tomato juices from the can and stir to combine everything.
4. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the cream. Shred about 1/4 of the cheese (2 ounces) and stir it into the meat mixture. When the cheese has fully melted into the mixture, cover.
5. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Generously salt the pasta water and cook the pasta to al dente (don't overcook, as it will continue to soften and cook when combined with the other ingredients). While the pasta cooks, shred the rest of the cheese. When the noodles are finished, drain and add them to the meat mixture, stirring to combine everything. Taste and add a little more salt if needed.
6. Pour the meat mixture into a large casserole dish (9 x 13 inches, 2 inches deep) and spread the cheese over the top. Sprinkle the panko evenly over the cheese and bake uncovered for 10 minutes, until the cheese has fully melted and everything is bubbly.
7. While the casserole bakes, slice the scallions thinly and roughly chop or tear the cilantro into attractive pieces. (I like smallish torn leaves for this). When the casserole is finished, sprinkle the scallions and cilantro over the top and serve.
You can substitute 1 cup diced fresh green chiles you have roasted and peeled yourself for the canned chiles called for here. Anaheim, Hatch or Poblano are all mild and would work nicely here. Bell peppers would take the flavors away from Sonoran, but could be used if that's what you have or prefer. If you do use your own chiles, you'll probably need to add about 2 Tablespoons additional chicken broth.
This recipe calls for whole-wheat macaroni, but you can of course use regular macaroni if you prefer. This is the kind of dish where your guests would be hard pressed to tell you what color the macaroni was to begin with, and there are so many other flavors going on that they probably won't taste the difference either. Whole wheat pasta works well here because the extra fiber and protein add enough substance to the dish that it leaves everyone feeling fuller and more satisfied, and it's so delicious everyone will love it.
You can make this dish ahead up to Step 4 and save the meat mixture in the fridge or freezer until you're ready to finish the dish.


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I have come home. After approximately six years, working in Asia and Europe, my journey brings me back to Cape Town. It is weird and wonderful to be back. I feel like the same person who left, as if the point of departure has been tied over to the point of arrival so that the in between years are almost a separate part of me.
But they are not. They are there, like the skin a snake sheds after the winter. I made mistakes. I had failures. But I also had successes. In all, I am a more experienced human being for having passed through so many airports. For meeting so many interesting people. China. India. Japan. Vietnam. Poland. Hungary. These are places I have come to know and they have enriched me. The people, so humble and kind and gentle have made me miss my people. Especially those who are less fortunate and who always get by with a big smile and warmth of heart.
I am grateful to Saatchi & Saatchi for everything that I have learned whilst associated with them. There are some wonderful people in that network and I will always feel close to the name. It was my first agency in 1995, and it has been my home since just before my daughter was born. They literally let me into this business.
But today I am very proud to join a very exciting independent group: Joe Public - the 2012 Agency of the Year in South Africa and an agency that under the leadership of Gareth Leck and Pepe Marais have just gone from strength to strength. They are admired by peers, clients and staff alike. But, above all, I love their focus on purpose.
Today we form a partnership to re-establish Joe Public in Cape Town. I will be working closely with Gareth and Pepe to bring something new to the city. There are some great agencies in this town, so being competitive here will be a huge challenge. But I know we have something very interesting to offer - not just to the local industry, but also to global clients. Joe Public Cape Town, as part of the anti-network network, will be the same but different as its parent company. Same, in the sense that what is working for the group in Johannesburg will be replicated, but different in that we take cognisance of the differences of the Cape Town market. It will be a Joe for Cape Town.
Lastly, I am so happy to be back here in South Africa. Yes, this country has many challenges, but it is through challenge and obstruction that we become stronger and more creative. And it is through the strength and creativity and warmth of South Africans that we will keep pushing to build South Africa into the world power it can be. We just need to welcome the obstruction into our lives. Not back off from it, but embrace it.
So, here's to a new chapter. A return home and a great new partnership.


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About Amateur Radio
About NZART
05/1 Roll CallChairman: Stuart Watchman ZL2TW Council: Phil King ZL1PK, Neill Ellis ZL1TAJ, Howard Buxton ZL1BXA, Max Wheatley ZL2MAX, Don MacDonald ZL3DMC, Phil Holliday ZL3PAH, Alex Gordon ZL4ARGMinute Sec: Topsy Scott ZL2LS05/2 ApologiesZL2UDF Malcolm Wheeler arrived late05/3 Minutes of Council meeting September 2015 Approved / Carried05/4 Additional Agenda Items05/5 Action PointsAction Points Council Meeting December 20131 ZL2TW/ZL1PK to look at Debby's contract then follow with review, and update job description. A response has been received from Debby to the proposed reviewed contract. A response has been prepared by ZL2TW and ZL2PK. Council approved the proposed action. A response will be sent back to Debby.Action Points Council Meeting Friday 29 May 20151) ZL1TAJ/ZL2MAX consideration of a logo for promotional purposes for NZART.Ongoing2) ZL2TW to contact ZL4TAE regarding ETEC and NZART ETEC is a private provider of electrical industry training based in South Auckland. The Management have a connection with NZART via RFUANZ are keen to have NZART training material on their website and if possible provide examinations for the amateur certificate. The former is worthy of consideration however the latter may not be possible. Ongoing Action Points Council Meeting Monday 1 June 20151) ZL4XYZ/ZL2UDF/ZL2TW – to report back to Council on progress regarding remit 1 and tapping into resources from branches.ZL2TW hopes to have progress by next meeting Ongoing2) Upgrade of the Examination software for newer versions of Windows.ZL1VH had hoped to locate a person able to do this but reported is unable to do so.Council to consider appropriate action Ongoing 3) ZL4ARG/ZL3PAH/ZL3DMC New NZART websiteZL3PAH has met with the developers and they seem sound, they have given a quoteCouncil now need to determine structure and set a budget, to move forward with this.ZL3PAH will put a budget forward via email which will be sent out to council, which will be sent out in next few days. OngoingAction Points Council July meeting 201501) ZL2TW to write to the building owner re the security issues brought up by theBusiness Manager. (concerns need for a security light at the rear entrance)Letter has been sent but no reply, another letter will be written by ZL2TW. Ongoing 02) ZL4ARG/ZL2UDF to look into options for simple security camera at HQ.Alex has despatched the camera, Malcolm not received. Alex will look into this. Ongoing 03) ZL2TW - DATV WN VHF Group Ch 25 DATV TestZL2TW has had a recent discussion with the branch 74 President. Council will discuss a possible report for the members and any assistance needed. Ongoing04) ZL3PAH to contact ZL1VH regarding Hibiscus Coast Branch and Break In columnA comment has gone into the latest Break-In Complete 05) ZL4XYZ to put training DVD's on You Tube, ensuring NZART receives publicity.There are 8 videos on You Tube at present OngoingAction Points Council August meeting 201503 ZL2TW advertise the HQ Info-line Editor positionZL3DEN Denis Coulter has been appointed this position CompleteAction Points Council September meeting 201501 ZL2DL PO Box sharing update Complete(Sharing with RFUANZ is not an option unfortunately)02 ZL2DL to forward WRC donations list to Break In These will be put into next issue out Nov/ Dec Ongoing03 ZL1TAJ to follow up online Study Material with ZL1BRC Complete04 ZL3PAH/ZL1PK/ZL2TW to review budget and report to next meeting. Ongoing04 ZL3PAH/ZL2DL to look into purchasing a suitable printer for HQZL3PAH has identified a model that NZART can purchase to replace the printer when the Sharp contract expires in December, and will discuss this with Debby. Ongoing05/6 Confirmation of New Members September 2015 Confirmed / Accepted05/7 Monthly Financials September 2015a) Paymentsb) Actuals v Budget Accepted 05/8 Monthly Reports a) AREC Financial report Acceptedb) QSL Bureau Report August 2015c) ELG Report Accepted05/9 Vacancies for Solicitor and Marketing OfficerHas been put into Break In but no offers to date re advertise for solicitorMarketing Officer re advertise also Ongoing05/10 Public Liability Insurance for BranchesThis has failed, less Branches were interested therefore price increased and was too expensive to carry on with.Council agrees that this be dropped and removed from agenda Complete05/11 ZL6AMAn application has been received from the SPAM group to have this callsign allocated permanently. Approved05/12 Beacon MapZL1TAJ is working on this and will report back to President within the next week. Ongoing05/13 Request from ZL1TPH for a right of reply in Break InA reply will be sent to ZL1TPH advising he can write a letter to the Editor of Break-In. 05/14 Sangster Shield A replacement for the long missing Sangster Shield has been purchased privately by a non-member of NZART: ZL1DDZL1BXA to contact ZL1DD to clarify exactly what ZL1DD is requesting of NZART. Ongoing05/15 Kordia Service Agreement expiry June 2016A heads up that this will be approaching in 2016 05/16 05/1705/1805/1905/20 Leave of AbsenceTopsy Scott ZL2LS November 3rd meeting at conference ZL3PAH will do the minute's thankyou05/21 General BusinessZL2TW visiting Auckland branch on October 17th05/22 Information PapersNilNo further business meeting closed at 8.45 pmTopsy Scott ZL2LSOn Air Minute Secretary
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