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Close to 250 participants in the Komen Ozark Race for the Cure® this spring were happy to donate their tears to be used in population studies for a new breast cancer screening test under development.
Ascendant Diagnostics in Fayetteville, Ark. is developing the company's first product, MelodyDx™, a pain-free screening test that is designed to detect the presence of breast cancer using the protein profile of an individual's tears. Potential advantages of MelodyDx over mammography include:
- Greater accuracy
- A less invasive and less expensive procedure
- Ability to detect cancer at earlier stages
- Capability of being used to screen males
- Ability to be administered in an office setting
Collecting Tear Samples for Breast Cancer Research
Collecting tears from individuals, with and without breast cancer, to test for proteins that may indicate the presence of breast cancer is an important first step in the research process.
"Tear samples collected from hundreds of race attendees at the Ozark's Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure provided a good opportunity in adding to Ascendant's 'tear bank' with samples from the general population," explains Anna Daily, PhD, chief scientist, Ascendant Diagnostics. Tear samples also were collected from men, a population for whom there is currently no screening, as well as from breast cancer survivors. "These samples will be used in future research applications of MelodyDx," adds Dr. Daily.
Ascendant Diagnostics currently is conducting clinical studies with five clinics nationwide. These clinics are collecting tears from patients coming in for biopsy analysis of a breast mass as well as those being treated for breast cancer (and other cancers) at various stages. Arkansas clinics include The Breast Center and Highlands Oncology Group in Fayetteville and University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Winthrop Rockefeller Cancer Clinic for Women in Little Rock. Participating clinics in the state of Washington include Kearney Breast Center at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver and PeaceHealth Medical Group-Surgery in Longview.
Race Attendees Happy to Help Promote Research
"Participating clinics are meeting the need for tear samples collected from patients with masses as well as those being treated for breast cancer (and other cancers)," says Dr. Daily. "Our company's greatest need was to fill the 'tear bank' with samples for general population studies, a step necessary for commercialization of a diagnostic test. The Ozark race was the perfect setting for recruiting general population tear sample volunteers."
Race attendee, Lindsay Rutherford, PhD, a scientist at Biologics MD in Fayetteville, Ark. provided a tear sample because she wants to support this research in any way she can. "I have a history of breast cancer in my family – my mom, my aunt and my grandmother all have been diagnosed with pre-cancerous cells or cancer…" says Dr. Rutherford. "It would be amazing to be able to screen for breast cancer with an eye wash instead of a mammogram and/or MRI." she says. "I think women would be more comfortable with this technique and would be more willing to get tested."
Kim Davison, a clinical research nurse at Highlands Oncology Group (HOG) in Fayetteville, Ark., helps screen for potential patients and obtain informed consent as well as collecting tear samples. She volunteered to collect tears at the Ozark race along with Dr. Daily, and other nurses and support staff from HOG and The Breast Center.
"Hundreds of race attendees were willing to help promote the research by volunteering their tears," notes Davison. "Many people waited in a long line in the rain in order to let us collect their tear samples."
Striving for Early Detection of Breast Cancer
Davison is very excited and hopeful about the development of Ascendant Diagnostic's potential new cancer screening product. "It would be such a big development toward early detection of breast cancer," says Davison. "I think more women would be willing to have a tear sample screening done vs. traditional screening methods."
"MelodyDx is the first product that Ascendant Diagnostics is developing to substantially increase the accuracy of cancer diagnostics, enable detection of disease at the earliest possible stage and improve patient compliance," says Dr. Daily. "We are working to accomplish these goals through the use of non-invasive, pain-free and lower-cost diagnostic tools."
Ascendant Diagnostics, LLC, based in Fayetteville, Ark. is a VIC Technology Development portfolio company.
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Yum yum from "Brilliant Bread" by James Morton. original recipe here.
- 500g strong white bread flour
- 20 g fresh yeast (2 sachets (or 14g) fast action yeast)
- 8g salt
- 30g sugar
- 250g water
- 1 medium egg
- 100g unsalted butter, chilled and diced
- 120 g icing sugar (250 g icing sugar)
- 2 tbsp water (4tbsp water)
1. Put flour, salt and yeast in large bowl, mix. Add the yeast and crumble with a little flour.
Add the diced butter and lightly turn in the flour.
Add the water and the egg and mix by hand till a rough dough. Do not squeeze the butter to much.
Cover the bowl with cling film and leave overnight in the fridge.
2. Turn out the dough (slightly risen) on floured working surface.
Form and roll out into a rectangle.
Fold in three parts .
roll out again in a rectangle. repeat 4 to 5 times until dough is smooth.
Cover with cling film and leave for 2 hours in the fridge.
3. Turn out on floured surface and roll out in long rectangle.
Cut into 10- 12 pieces.
Make a cut in each strip
twist the cuts into yum yum form ;-).
leave to rise for 1 hour.
4. Risen dough
Bake each piece in deep fat fryer at 170-180C. turn round after 3 minutes. Put on a wire rack and brush with the glaze (icing sugar mixed with some water).

subset: commoncrawl


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This FREE Service allows you to monitor your website in an easy way, just set your website url and the service check every minute the performance and availability.
tvtap said:
This FREE Service allows you to monitor your website in an easy way, just set your website url and the service check every minute the performance and availability.
Create a SSD Virtual Server with DigitalOcean , using this link you get $100 FREE
This tutorial shows you how to create images using TruType fonts and php GD library
This tutorial shows you how to create an amazing slider in perspective, is also animated with in 3D transforms
Nowadays is very common to find fullscreen websites as it was in the past in the age of flash. This plugin allows you to create fullscreen scrolling websites with the power of HTML, CSS and Javascript.
A flat-style Polaroid gallery where the items are scattered randomly in a container. When a specific item is selected, it will move to the middle while the other Polaroids will make space for it by moving to the sides. Optionally, an item can have a backface which will be shown by flipping the Polaroid when clicking on the current navigation dot again.
When working with 3D transformed elements, you might notice that they don?t have any shading and appear to be very flat. In real life, objects block light and have shadows. Surfaces can be matte, reflective, and everything in between. Indeed, we can do better, This tutorial shows you how to create shadows in 3D objects
This Cheat Sheet shows you the most important animations in css3 and allows you to apply the same concept on your site
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Reward Scheduling for QoS in Cloud Applications
Elnably, Ahmed
Varman, Peter J.
Master of Science
The growing popularity of multi-tenant, cloud-based computing platforms is increasing interest in resource allocation models that permit flexible sharing of the underlying infrastructure. This thesis introduces a novel IO resource allocation model that better captures the requirements of paying tenants sharing a physical infrastructure. The model addresses a major concern regarding application performance stability when clients migrate from a dedicated to a shared platform. Specifically, while clients would like their applications to behave similarly in both situations, traditional models of fairness, like proportional share allocation, do not exhibit this behavior in the context of modern multi-tiered storage architectures. We also present a scheduling algorithm, the Reward Scheduler, that implements the new allocation policy, by rewarding clients with better runtime characteristics, resulting in benefits to both the clients and the service provider. Moreover, the Reward scheduler also supports weight-based capacity allocation subject to a minimum reservation and maximum limitation on the IO allocation for each task. Experimental results indicate that the proposed algorithm proportionally allocates the system capacity in proportion to their entitlements.
QoS; Scheduling; Cloud; Storage Systems; Computer engineering


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So, you've decided to buy some art. What are your options? Looking around on the High Street we have a few places that sell art. John Lewis, Habitat, Ikea, M&S all have print ranges that will enable you to get pictures on your walls (I'll be doing a future blog post on affordable high street art as there are some good decorative finds if you know where to look).
Some of the public galleries and museums offer fabulous limited edition print ranges – again, these deserve an entire post which is here…
Looking online, a google search delivers Saatchi Art at number one (tagline: Be Original. Buy Original). This is a good start. Its an online gallery that connects artists selling work with buyers. There's an online advisory service that takes you through a series of questions, all with visual prompts to decipher the type of thing you like (handy considering there are 88,000 items in the Painting category alone). But it's quite hard to part with a few hundred, let alone thousand pounds for something you think you might like from an online image. I'm currently going through the advisory service and again, will put up a dedicated post with the outcome.
It's important to connect emotionally with the art that you live with.
It's important to connect emotionally with the art that you live with. You can't always do that with a work you see online. Once you've bought a few pieces and are getting the hang of it, I think it works, but not for a first piece. So one of my top tips is to physically encounter art. Get an idea of the type of art you like (see previous post for help with this), think about the medium you're after – photographs, canvases, framed print, object etc. Think about the size of work you're after. And yes, consider your budget. This can be from a couple of hundred pounds upwards. You can pick up fabulous illustrations for under £100, but make sure you've got some budget to get them framed nicely (cheap frames make art look cheap, whereas a good frame can make it look fabulous).
Galleries are an obvious place to go if you're interested in art, but there are hundreds in London (there are some brilliant galleries outside of London too, but if you want to get a really good selection of art, then you will need to go to London to access the broad range of galleries and museums selling work). I can give you pointers on my favourite galleries, but this is obviously based on art I like and you might be after something different. In which case an Art Fair is your best bet as you'll find a number of galleries under one roof.
Luckily we have the London Art Fair coming up 18-22 January in Islington. This is a really good place for a first time buyer. The 125 exhibiting galleries are of a certain quality (they've been vetted by a panel to ensure they're offering a good selection of work by credible artists), plus they have a brilliant range of talks, designed from the beginner to the established collector.
Add it to your diary now!
I like recommending the London Art Fair to new buyers as it has a good range of art at a range of prices. Its easy to pick up a contemporary work on paper by an emerging artist for a few hundred pounds, or if you're after a work by an established Modern artist ('modern' art is roughly 19th century – 1960s), you'll find work from artists like David Hockney for £1000's. There are other fairs in London, but this is the BEST one for a new collector. Frieze Art Fair in October is brilliant, but has a very high price point (average work £20k+) and other art fairs don't always have such a range of decent quality art.
"London Art Fair caters for first time buyers as well as established collectors. We aim to create an accessible and enjoyable experience for all our visitors" Sarah Monk, Director of the London Art Fair
The fair always has a brilliant programme of Art Talks, which are a great way to develop your understanding and learn more about a specific area. London Art Fair announces its talks programmes in the next few weeks. Sign up here to receive their newsletter.
Precious Metal by Sara Pope, Jealous Gallery £250
Onwards and Upwards by Ray Richardson, Advanced Graphics £950 +VAT
Art Fairs can be extremely busy with so much going on, its easy to miss out on things. So plan ahead, take some time to read their website, work out whats going on and make sure you book in for talks and tours where relevant. Of course you could just rock up on the day and have a walk around to see what you like, but you might miss out on some interesting things!
Leila Jeffreys, Purdy Hicks Gallery, POA
Art Fairs are exhausting – often physically as well as mentally – you're on your feet for quite a few hours and (hopefully) engaging your brain. Make sure you give yourself the whole day, with time to fuel up on coffee and lunch – I'll be booking lunch at Bellanger (Corbyn & King's new Islington brasserie, so if you'd like to join me for this and a wander round the fair, drop me a line).
Kyung Hwa Shon, Chiara Williams, POA
Natasha Kissell, Bearspace Gallery, POA
If its the first time you've visited an art fair and spoken to a gallery, my advice is to stay open minded about the art. You might find yourself drawn to images you like aesthetically, but don't rule out other works – when you find out more about them from speaking to the gallery, you might find yourself drawn in to the idea behind the work and what the artist has set out to achieve in the work.
Depending on how seriously you want to take this whole art buying business, you might want to have a scroll through the list of exhibiting galleries before arriving at the fair, so you can get an idea of which ones have art that appeals to you. Its nice to just wander around but there's a lot to see and the time really does fly, so the more prepared you are, the more you'll get out of it. For the truly serious, there are guided tours and art advisory services – details to be announced on the fair's website shortly.
London Art Fair day tickets are £15 in advance or £22 on the day. I'll have a special ticket offer for subscribers to this blog, watch this space for more info (and sign up with your email if you haven't already).
London Art Fair 18-22 January 2017, Business Design Centre, Islington, London
Next blog post: Buying Limited Edition prints, an affordable way to buy art.


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Independence Day is a great time to celebrate strawberries as an all-American fruit, including the opportunity to better our lives.
Watsonville, CA (PRWEB) July 01, 2014
California strawberries are not only one of America's healthiest and most popular fruits, but they have provided a path to the American Dream for generations of immigrants, according to a new report issued today by the California Strawberry Commission.
The report - "Growing the American Dream: California Strawberry Farming's Rich History of Immigrants & Opportunity" - documents the rich history illustrating the role strawberry farming plays in providing opportunity for countless immigrants.
"Perhaps more than any other crop, strawberries are defined by decades of immigrants from Europe, Asia and Mexico. Not only do they work in the fields as harvesters, but they benefit from the unique attributes of strawberry farming that create numerous opportunities for upward mobility, including farm ownership," according to the report.
Victor Ramirez, a second-generation strawberry farmer and the commission's chairman, said the July Fourth release is for a very good reason.
"Independence Day is a great time to celebrate strawberries as an all-American fruit, including the opportunity to better our lives," he said. "California strawberry farmers embody the pursuit of the American Dream by growing a crop that lends itself to achieving that goal. Their success plays out in their ability to grow 90 percent of the nation's strawberries, supplying the nation with one of the most nutritious fruits in the market."
A key theme in this new report focuses on how the crop has provided opportunity for immigrants dating back at least to the early 1900s, when immigrants from Europe and especially Japan began establishing themselves as skilled strawberry farmers. Today, an estimated 65 percent of all the state's strawberry farmers are of Mexican-American descent, according to the report. About 25 percent of these Latino strawberry farmers started out as field workers and worked their way up to become farm owners.
According to the report, this path to ownership is possible because of a number of unique characteristics inherent to strawberry farming which support an environment for small farmers to operate successful businesses. These factors include lower barriers to entry, the ability to harvest a high-yield crop nearly year round on a small amount of land, and heavy consumer demand.
"On this Fourth of July, we are proud to document the enormous role that this delicious and nutritious fruit has played for immigrants in pursuit of the American Dream," said Ramirez.
Click here to download a copy of the report.
About the California Strawberry Commission
The California Strawberry Commission is a state government agency that represents more than 400 growers and 100 shippers and processors of California strawberries. With a focus on food safety education, commission strategies also include production and nutrition research, public policy and consumer awareness.


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Young children, even very young children, need consistent opportunities to wrestle with age-appropriate challenges, conundrums, complications, obstacles, issues and "big fat botherations."
BEWARE: Obvious answer ahead… because life is full of problems (always has been ~ always will be) and resisting them, complaining about them, or running away from them is just no way to live.
What kinds of problems do children need to solve?
SHARING & INCLUDING, for starters: Kids don't always want to share. They don't always want to include others, either… BUT kids do always want others to share with them, and they do always want to be included. How do we, their teachers, put those two seemingly irreconcilable opposites together?
ANSWER: We enable children to discover their own solutions by asking them the kinds of questions that get them thinking, together, in fresh ways (with fresh perspectives) about old familiar problems.
If we're going to really succeed at supporting our students in resolving their own challenges, then we must view our role from a big-picture point of view, rather than attempting to implement immediate 'fixes' or behavior modifications. Kids need help with honestly exploring their own and others' feelings about challenging situations that are oh-so-familiar. Children need gentle *guidance (where to look, but not what to see) in order to understand that all kids in their group feel pretty much the same when it comes to sharing. (*Guidance is best achieved with the right kinds of questions that invite kids, within peer group discussions, to safely express themselves and listen to each other, in a non-judgmental setting.)
The more kids learn and experience how much they genuinely share feelings and understanding, related to a variety of situations, the less alone/shy/isolated they'll feel, and the stronger will be their sense of belonging to, and being part of, the group. Sharing is easier in that kind of environment. And if not sharing, then shared understanding about why "it's just too hard to share that last cookie with someone else."
Communication is key for real problem solving to occur.


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PC Series Compressor Oil (PCH) ISO 32, SAE 10W
AMSOIL PC Series compressor oil is recommended for use in rotary screw, rotary vane, reciprocating and other compressor applications. Compatible with PAO, ester and petroleum based compressor oils. They are not compatible with glycol- or silicone-based compressor oils. Consult AMSOIL for further information.
Product Code: PCH • Brand: AMSOIL
Product Details Reviews & Rating
Product Applications
Product Description
Improves Compressor Efficiency
Controls Foam and Reduces Wear
Resists Water Contamination
Resists Heat and Oxidation
Safety Advantage
Click here to view the MSDS Data Sheet for AMSOIL PCH.
Keep out of the reach of children. Don't pollute. Return used oil to collection centers.
Share your AMSOIL Experience
by writing a review
|3 Easy ways to place your order now!


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The Bike Gallery was founded in 1974 with the mission of putting more Portlanders on bikes. It now includes six neighborhood stores, while still remaining a family-oriented business dedicated to connecting Portlanders with bicycles for healthier hearts, minds and communities. The stores have a great selection of bikes, clothing and accessories for all cyclists.
Location - 1001 S.W. 10th Ave., Portland, OR 97205
Neighborhood - Downtown
Categories - Bicycles, Be PDX, Bike Rental, Outdoor Recreation
Features - Certified Sustainable, Near a MAX stop, Near Portland Streetcar


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Runnett Competition Winners announced
Posted on: 7 March 2017
The Brian Runnett Prize Competition for 2017 - held on Tuesday 21 February in St John's College Chapel, has been jointly won by Mr Richard Gowers of King's College and Ms Polina Sosnina of Magdalene College.
All candidates were required to perform two works on the Chapel's Thistlethwaite Organ to a panel of adjudicators including Mr David Dunnett, Mr Geraint Bowen and Mr John Challenger. Both chose to perform the J. S. Bach Prelude and Fugue in G BWV 541 and the Messiaen Les Bergers (La Nativité du Seigneur). They will share the prize of £800 between them.
John Challenger said 'we were delighted by the high level of interest shown in this competition, and the judges enjoyed hearing the extraordinary talents of these five accomplished organists.'
Brian Runnett, who was appointed as Organ Scholar at St John's in 1960, was later Lecturer of Music and Organist at Manchester University and Organist and Master of the Choristers at Norwich Cathedral before he was tragically killed in a road accident in 1970. The prize was established in his memory.
On this week's webcast from Sunday 5 March, the Choir perform the stunning Kenneth Leighton's Second Service, which was also commissioned by the Cathedral Organists' Association in memory of Brian Runnett. Follow the link below to listen to the service.


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The Magic!
Useful stuff such as case studies, whitepapers and solution briefs to help you sprinkle some magic sparkle into your customer engagement strategy.


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Booknificent Thursday Link Up Party #13
Hello readers! It's that time of the week again, when we share the books we've been enjoying! As always, I'm also open to any posts about helping others learn to read or improve their reading skills (including adults). Basically, anything literacy-related is fair game.
*This post contains affiliate links, marked with ($). If you click our link and decide to buy that product or even go on to buy something else we haven't recommended, Amazon will pay us a small commission for it at no additional cost to you.
I read such a fun novella this week: Gentleman of Her Dreams($) by Jen Turano. I'm not usually a novella person as they tend to be too short to give me the kind of character development I enjoy, but this one was fantastic! Turano seems to have a gift for quickly developing loveable, quirky characters. I also don't usually laugh out loud while I'm reading (because I'm usually nursing a sleeping baby when I get a chance to read), but this book had me holding in laughs until I was nearly snorting! Fortunately, I avoided waking the baby, but only just! Gentleman of Her Dreams($) is currently free for Kindle, and I highly recommend you hop over to Amazon and get it right now!
I enjoyed it so much, in fact, that I went and bought the next book in the series, a full-length novel called A Change of Fortune($), for full price! I can count on one hand the times I've paid full price for a Kindle book, but I have no regrets this time. I'm about half-way through it, and it too is hilariously funny and just a really enjoyable read (think Jane Austen with a little tasteful slapstick in NYC!)

And now, it's time to party! Please link up any posts you have, past or present, about books, reading, and literacy. This link party is all about sharing how books are impacting you! Joining in is easy; just click "Click here to enter…" next to "You are next" and copy/paste the URL of a blog post's (not your homepage's) URL. Choose a photo to upload and then click some of the other great posts in the party and meet new bloggers and find out about new books!
Why should you link up to Booknificent Thursdays?
Linking up to parties and leaving comments on other posts is a proven way to increase traffic to your blog and grow your blog's followers! Here are a few rules and suggestions:
- You can link up as many posts as you want.
- Please grab the Booknificent Thursday button and share it somewhere on your blog (sidebar, post, bottom, etc.) and please share about this party with any book-lovers you know.
- I'd also really appreciate it if you'd hop over to my facebook page and give me a "like" and/or subscribe to receive my blog (just enter your email address up on the sidebar.)
- We do want to keep it family-friendly, so I reserve the right to remove anything I consider offensive.
- And one final rule, please visit AND comment on at least one other linked post if not more.
Happy linking and have a great week!


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Lobsters, ribs and more on the beach at the Four Seasons Palm Beach – here's a very tasty way to kick off the Fourth of July weekend!
Friday night, July 2, at the resort, see the Gypsy Trio, live on the Restaurant Terrace, and partake of the all-you-can-eat buffet dinner: Lobsters, ribs, beef, shrimp and vegetable kabobs – and much more. (Expect some fabulous dessert.)
Cost is $35 for the buffet; an extra $15 gets you drinks with it.
Chef Darryl Moiles is creating the meal and will be mingling with guests, so say hello and talk to him about his foods.
For more information, and to make reservations, call the hotel at (561) 582-2800 – and tweet this to your buds for a tasty meet-up.
Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach
- 2800 S. Ocean Blvd., Palm Beach
- 561-582-2800; fourseasonsresort.com


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Game day nutrition plans are usually well practiced and refined by the time grand final day arrives, but on the big day these strategies are often challenged by a number of September factors. I cannot claim to know the exact nutrition plans for the Hawthorn and Sydney FC players this week, but I can write from my previous experiences with finals football. I have been fortunate enough to work with AFL teams in five grand finals, including the week leading up to the game, and at the ground as the players arrive for their last warm up for the year. I have seen nutrition strategies work well but have also seen some on shaky ground due to factors which are largely difficult to control but need to be considered and planned for.
Grand final week is a week like no other for an AFL player. In fact, it may be the only time they experience grand final week from a player perspective in their entire life. During the season, nutrition plans are created and trialed to ensure optimal fuelling, recovery, health and body composition and most players have a fine-tuned pre-game nutrition routine that is flexible depending on game times and location but reasonably consistent week-to-week. Players work with an accredited sports dietitian at most clubs to determine what works best for them the day before a game and then on game day. Players will have different requirements in terms of the type of foods, nutrients and timing depending on a number of factors including playing position, body weight, individual hydration considerations, climate and travel. By the end of the season it should all be pretty well rehearsed. Often things do run pretty smoothly up to preliminary finals, but those 7-8 days prior to the grand final bring various challenges. Of course the club tries to keep things as normal as possible and treat it as just another week and another game, but it obviously isn't. In terms of nutrition, a grand final brings significant challenges that are not always controllable. There are additional activities that are compulsory for the players and quite unlike a normal week, in particular the Grand Final parade which is scheduled just over 24 hours pre-game. Who came up with this concept I am not sure....it is great for building the excitement in the city, and for the wider community and supporters who can't get to the game because of all the corporates, plus a great activity for kids on school holidays, but in terms of preparation it is probably less than ideal for the players! Players have to travel into the city, wait around for the parade to start, then sit in the trays of utes (often out in the blazing sun), all when they could be relaxing and preparing. Considering that usually on the day before a game players have their own individual routine that might be quiet and low-key, with no restrictions on timing of meals and fluids, players need to be organized to ensure adequate nutrition and fluids during this time.
Speaking of fluids, September in Melbourne is ridiculous when it comes to weather. I recall one grand final I was involved with was hot and windy, another winter-like conditions and rain. If it is hot, it can often be the hottest day for 6 months and players are not accustomed to playing, and drinking, in that type of heat. At least players from both teams are subjected to the same conditions but how it is managed in terms of cooling and hydration strategies could become important. So, the weather can impact on hydration but there is a bigger factor that can play havoc with the best laid nutrition plans, and this is not specific just to AFL football but any major sporting events - nerves (for want of a more technical description).
In many ways a grand final is just another game, but in other ways it is not. If you play in a grand final and your team wins, you are a premiership player for life. If your team loses, you are not, simple really. The winners will be recognized for life and earn a coveted medal that all AFL players crave. I am certainly not a psychologist, but it is clear that there is both internal and external pressure created, and some players manage this better than others. I have frequently heard athletes say that if they don't feel nervous they won't perform well, so butterflies in the stomach can be helpful, perhaps because if you feel anxious it means whatever you are nervous about means a lot to you and you really want to do well. Some players thrive on the 'big-game' pressure and it brings out their best, others may be terribly nervous but can turn this around into a positive, and others can have a terrible time that interferes with them performing at their best. These nervous feelings can have a psychological impact, but also a physical impact that can impact on nutrition and hydration strategies.
A common side-effect is stomach upset, which can impact on appetite and make it difficult to consume regular pre-game intake both the night before and on game day itself. This effect is not exclusive to AFL. I see a lot of elite and recreational athletes who train for events such as a marathon or ironman triathlon, events difficult to simulate in training and that require extensive preparation for that one day, whose nutrition plans are severely impacted by nervousness on the day. The type of foods that are usually consumed may need to be altered, for example a change from a dense oat-based cereal breakfast to a lighter toast option, lower-fibre options and avoidance of dairy for improved gastrointestinal comfort.
Often nutrients are more easily tolerated via fluids rather than solid foods, so these can be a good option for athletes who struggle to eat pre-event. But over-drinking can be another concern. Fluid intake can easily be over-done pre-game when nerves are involved, with players taking sip after sip as they count down the minutes to game-time, so fluid intake should be monitored so players don't feel bloated and racing to the toilet all the time. If gastrointestinal symptoms are severe, players may struggle to eat much at all. I will always remember one grand final where we were providing regular small doses of lemonade, rice crackers and electrolytes throughout a game to one player who was really struggling and it was all he could manage. Not quite the usual theoretical sports nutrition recommendations, but it worked for that player on that day, sometimes you have to compromise and be creative.
Of course not all players experience disruptive physical symptoms, but they still have the challenge of timing their nutrition on the day. Ideally it would be good to wake at the usual time and stick to the usual breakfast then snack and/or light lunch before heading to an afternoon game. But players always like to make sure they get to the ground in plenty of time on Grand Final day, so with a 2.30pm start it means that players are likely to be in transit in that 2-3 hours prior to the game, when theory indicates is an ideal time for pre-event nutrition. With lots of things on a player's mind on the day, prior organization is paramount to ensure optimal fuelling in those critical hours.
As important as nutrition is, it is one of a number of factors that contribute to performance. Never is this more evident than on grand final day. Just think of those players who are injured and play out the game with a broken hand or finger, those who have ran and ran all day but still find that extra few metres of speed, and those who I have observed that you know would literally have no fuel left in the tank but still, somehow, manage to reach the contest and punch the ball away. It's why we love sport and why we love Australian Football. The psychological drive seems to be able to over-ride a lot of the physical aspects that would normally limit us (happy for any experts who may have research papers on this to chip in here!). That quest for a premiership....an individual medal, but more importantly a win with your team who have worked so hard all year, and for your club, to be remembered in history for years to come. A premiership win is the ultimate for AFL players, and although it may seem like I am over-dramatizing a little, for AFL players on grand final day, and many other athletes at their pinnacle events, they are playing for their lives. Not playing to stay alive (well perhaps to keep their career alive), but playing to achieve something that to date they have dedicated their whole life to.
Even if the parade and grand final day means nutrition is not always perfect in terms of sports nutrition strategies, any potential benefit that nutrition can still bring makes me feel happy! We know that pre-game and during the game nutrition can often be slightly different for a grand final, but what about recovery on grand final day? There are no specific recovery strategies on grand final day because there is nothing immediate to recover for. But one thing is certain, after the siren sounds, half the players on the ground will be swallowing tears of utter joy and jubilation, and the other half will be stuck with tears of absolute disappointment and despair. Let's hope all the players in this years Grand Final can manage their nerves and nutrition as best they can and play their best game for the year.
*Photo courtesy of www.sherrin.com.au


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So happy to have Warby Parker in my state through September 1! These guys make the best eyeglasses in their league, and once I heard they were traveling the United States to spread the word, I had my fingers crossed Minneapolis would be on the list. This summer's Warby Parker Class Trip kicked off in my hometown of Seattle and will finish in Miami just in time for Christmas. Their completely overhauled + refurbished school bus is gorgeous, plus 100% nostalgic. It was lovely to meet the crew and pick out a new pair of shades (the Thatcher in Striped Sassafras!) this week. Can't wait to show off (yep, they're that great) my new sunglasses in upcoming posts!
If you're local, be sure to swing by 1340 Lagoon Ave off of S. Fremont Ave. The bus is tucked into the parking lot of Mozaic.


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BAMAKO (AFP) - The Malian army said Monday that soldiers and civilians had been summarily executed during a Tuareg offensive in the town of Aguelhok, as France accused the killers of adopting Al-Qaeda-style tactics.
Tuareg rebels launched an offensive on January 17 and have attacked several northern towns including Aguelhok as they demand autonomy for their nomadic desert tribe, a struggle which has seen several rebellions in past decades.
Death tolls have been hard to establish independently, but France on Monday condemned the extra-judicial killings of some 82 people in the town on January 24, which the Malian army confirmed.
"There were indeed summary executions on this day. People's throats were cut, others were simply shot in the head," said Colonel Idrissa Traore, head of the army's information service.
He said there were civilians among those killed, saying he believed these acts could only have been committed by Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).
French Development Minister Henri de Raincourt earlier Monday condemned the the killings as he returned from a visit to Mali last week.
"There was absolutely atrocious and unacceptable violence in Aguelhok. There were summary executions of soldiers, civilians," de Raincourt told RFI radio.
Raincourt said some of the victims had their throats slit, while others were shot in the head at point blank range. "What's important is that the hostilities stop as quickly as possible," he added.
"There's talk of around 100 who were captured and killed in cold blood," he added, saying the tactic "resembled that used by Al-Qaeda."
Separately, an official clarified the death toll.
"In total there were exactly 82 deaths, no civilians," a source close to the matter told AFP, citing Malian official sources.
Monday's announcement marked France's first suggestion of a link between Al-Qaeda's North African wing and the Azawad National Liberation Movement (MNLA) and other Tuareg rebels, who joined forces at the end of 2011.
Traore said he could not give the exact number of dead, but it was "about 60."
But an officer involved in burying those killed told AFP he had counted 97 dead soldiers and saw a military camp "completely destroyed, cars were burning."
The MNLA -- whose numbers include those who had returned from fighting in Libya for Moamer Kadhafi -- is waging the largest offensive by the Tuareg since 2009.
At least, 20,000 people have fled the fighting to neighbouring Mauritania, Burkina Faso and Niger, according to aid agencies. Some have also fled to Algeria.
Malian President Amadou Toumani Toure briefly attended an education conference in Burkina Faso Monday, where government says some 10,000 Malians are seeking refuge.
Among the refugees is Hassane Ag Mehdy a paramilitary commander who defected from the force and told local press the rebels were demanding "independence for northern Mali, no more, no less."
Fighting continued on Saturday, when government troops regained control of the town of Lere, which had been under rebel control for around 10 days.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has visited the area to evaluate the situation and to distribute rice, salt, oil and basic necessities to the 4,000 displaced individuals around the city of Aguelhok.
The Red Cross had said Thursday that "at least 30,000 people are displaced in Mali and living in extremely precarious conditions."
A nomadic community of some 1.5 million people, Tuareg of various tribes are scattered between Algeria, Burkina Faso, Libya, Niger and Mali.
Mali and Niger experienced uprisings as the Tuareg fought for recognition of their identity and an independent state in the 1960s, 1990s and early 2000s, with a resurgence between 2006 and 2009.
Many Tuareg left for Libya where they later fought for Kadhafi's regime, but after his death in October last year they returned, some heavily armed, to their home countries.


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ICYMI: Clinton spotted in NY, protests continue, veterans voted Trump
A woman in New York stumbled upon Hillary Clinton taking a hike
Margot Gerster and her daughter posed for a photo with Clinton while the Democratic presidential nominee was out with ... read more.
More protests, violence mark second day of Trump's victory
The visceral reaction to Donald Trump's election victory hasn't abated — and in some cases, it's turning violent ... read more.
Why US veterans voted 2-to-1 for Trump
Although it wasn't proclaimed a legal holiday until 1938, Veterans Day -- originally known as Armistice Day -- was introduced in 1919 by President Woodrow Wilson ... read more.
Donald Trump victory triggers assassination threats on Twitter
Donald Trump's victory on Tuesday has caused outrage among some Twitter users, including those who have called for the assassination ... read more.
Megyn Kelly refutes debate 'poisoning,' Trump getting leaked Qs
Megyn Kelly took to social media on Tuesday night to discredit a New York Times review of her new memoir that insinuated that she might ... read more.
AOL.com's 'ICYMI' (in case you missed it) is a daily round-up with the biggest stories from the past day -- so you can have a life and still know what's going on in the world.


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Palin aide to work for Ariz. lawmaker
One of Sarah Palin's most-trusted advisers is going to work for a newly elected Arizona congressman.
Tom Van Flein, an Anchorage lawyer who has become a political adviser and fixer of sorts for Palin and her family, will become legislative director and deputy chief of staff for incoming Republican Rep. Paul Gosar, it was announced Monday.
Story Continued Below
Van Flein is one of the four aides Palin most relies on, helping to devise political strategy and do research. He graduated from the University of Arizona College of Law and formerly lived and worked in Arizona, Gosar said in a statement announcing the hiring and praising Van Flein, who worked on Gosar's campaign, as "one of my trusted advisers."
"I look forward to working with him in Washington and ensuring that we listen to the American people and work to uphold the principles that make this country great," Gosar said.
Van Flein said Gosar "brings a lot to the table in Congress, and it is an honor to go to work for him."
The move was first reported Monday afternoon as an unsourced item in an Anchorage Daily News gossip column called "Alaska Ear." It reported that Van Flein "is taking a leave of absence from his firm for at least a year" to join Gosar's staff, saying that the move "makes sense" because Palin endorsed Gosar and supports Arizona's anti-illegal-immigrant law.
Gosar, a dentist, first got to know Palin when he was chairman of the American Dental Association's Council on Government Affairs and teamed with Alaska dentists to fight an effort to expand training for rural dental health aides.
Gosar met with Palin at least twice, Gosar told POLITICO at the time.
At one meeting, Palin wanted to know why Gosar's campaign lapel pin featured an image of a shovel behind his name. "She goes, 'What's the deal with the shovels?'" Gosar said.
"When you're surrounded by a pile of crap," he told her, "the only way you can dig out is one shovel at a time. Time to pick up our shovels and dig out."
"She looked at the pin and said, 'I'm never going to look at a shovel the same way again,'" Gosar said.
Van Flein worked on Gosar's campaign, donating $2,760 worth of legal services, according to Federal Election Commission reports. They show that Palin's political action committee, Sarah PAC, has paid Van Flein's firm $155,000 in the past year for legal fees.
It is unclear whether Team Palin intends to replace Van Flein during his absence.
In a statement, Palin said Gosar "is getting a wise, experienced and principled hand that will help him hit the ground running." The Republican National Committee also paid Van Flein's firm $257,000 in September.


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The Lehman's House | Columbus, Ohio
Between Thanksgiving and Christmas my dear friends moved to a new townhouse in Columbus, and I was lucky enough to help them decorate their new space. I introduced them to places like TJ Maxx Home Goods and we visited a nursery down the road from their house to buy all their plants. We utilized affordable and creative lighting solutions for their home, thrifted for unique pieces of furniture and even found affordable ways to put custom paintings (done by Allie herself) on their walls. What they ended up with is a house that feels totally comfy, completely welcoming and absolutely their own. I cannot wait to cozy up in their guest bedroom again and wrap myself in the warmth of that salmon throw again.
I hope you enjoy a little tour of their newly decorated home.. to see more photos of their place check out Allie's blog for her mini home tour!


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Out With The Old...
Is Your Past Doing Anything For Where You Are Today?
Recently, I was asked by a friend to help with ideas for an article that she had to write titled "10 ways to ruin a relationship". Obviously, who wants to be a PRO on knowing exactly how to ruin one? Nobody. But, I felt like one. I can admit, I haven't always been blameless and had fallen short of doing my best that I could in a relationship. Still, I pay close attention to not only my own characteristics but also the individual who I may have been dating at the moment. So, I was able to provide my thoughts on the topic.
Apart from that, another relationship topic came up and this time it was at work, again. A colleague was requested by his church to pray about relationships. Currently his brother is going through a rough time with his wife and is temporarily staying at a friend's house. I guess you can say he took sleeping on the couch to a new level. However, there was something that he mentioned to me that really stuck with me and this could work both ways; depending if you're a pessimist or optimist. He stated that some people hold onto their past when they're in a relationship. In this case, they hold onto their past as a couple, not regarding their previous relations. When you begin dating someone, you have this guard up, you're not your complete self and you just want to impress the other person. You work for that person. You do whatever it takes until you get that person under your realm and often times you then lack the qualities that you've once had after having them for so long. It happens, but it usually strays into the past.
He then said, "Is your past doing anything for where you are today?"
All too often, people have a tendency to hold onto a relationship that no longer has the ability to be lit. For instance, consider a candle. The wick is lit so much and you're able to go on with lighting that candle for days, weeks, even months. Depending on how long you persist in trying to ignite that fire. Eventually, there is no more wax left in the candle and it burns out instantly. The candle wick becomes non-existent and you find yourself trying to light something that is no longer there. In the past, that candle, your relationship, made you feel like flowers blooming in the summer time. It gave you the feeling of freshness. It made you eager. It brought you peace. I hope you're catching onto the fact that I am using a candle as a reference, but I am still talking about relationships here, okay? When our candles burn out, we don't cry about it and wonder whether it will magically appear anymore. We grasp that it is now out of our control and that's the end of it.
Here's where you can be that pessimistic or optimistic person. Why did you have that candle? Were you only using it temporarily? Let's go back to relationships. What, in the past, made you want that relationship? What drew you to that person? Where did you leave that emotion? Sometimes, as stated before, we stay in a relationship that has run its course. On the other hand, we find ourselves no longer trying to make things work. We forget about the past. So, again I ask, is your past doing anything for where you are today? Have you gotten so comfortable that you forgot why you are where you are at now with that current person?
If you're in a relationship, I recommend that you ask yourself that question often along with these questions that I came up with:
First, have you prayed about it? Sometimes it can be about forgiving yourself or forgiving each other for being absent in the relationship.
[ Forgive each other as Christ has forgiven you. –Colossians 3:13 ]
Are you really doing all that you can to keep the relationship alive?
Have you tried something new and out of the ordinary?
[ There is hope in the darkness for all things will be made new- Revelations 21:5]
Do you find yourself settling because of laziness or lacking belief that you can do better?
What triggered different feelings?
Are you holding onto your past ? Has things changed after the "honeymoon stage" and as much as you've tried, it can no longer go back?
If your past is doing nothing for where you are today, sometimes you have to say Out With The Old, In With The New. Life is meant to be a constant rotation of change. If at first you don't succeed, well…you know the rest. And if that doesn't work, remember that we all grow apart, it's a part of life. We all have seasons and God knows the reasons. Being that I try to be optimistic, I say: Try, Try again, if of course you see that it's worth it.
With Love.


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Come one, come all, to Sunday's favorite rooftop Jol.
Immerse yourself into our world of plants, smiles, laughs and dance. Enjoy some sundowners with a loved one, and old friend or someone you just met.
Your vibe creates your tribe and we only provide the best!
Treepian: 11 - 2pm
Rosie Parade: 2 - 3:30pm
Mr Green: 3:30 - 5pm
Plaat Japie: 5 - 7pm
R50 - R80 gets you in.
Tables are booked on www.quicket.co.za otherwise tables are available on a first come first serve basis.


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Over 300,000 homes in New Jersey use private onsite wastewater treatment systems, which are commonly referred to as septic systems. When properly designed, installed, and maintained, these systems have little adverse effect on the environment in areas with low population densities.
Septic systems provide the benefit of recycling used water. First, the water is filtered, and then it is recharged to ground water supplies, which are now seriously depleted in some areas in New Jersey. However, in areas with high population densities, septic systems can contribute to contamination of ground water and wells. A key problem with septic systems is a misunderstanding of their function and purpose. Septic systems are only designed for the treatment of sanitary waste. They are not intended for the disposal of household waste or other chemicals.
Proper maintenance is crucial to keep a septic system working. Septic system owners are unique in that, unlike homeowners in areas served by a municipal sewer department or a regional sewerage utility authority, these owners are solely responsible for the daily operation and maintenance of their personal wastewater treatment and disposal system. While this may sound like a big job, many septic owners find living with a septic system easy.
Septic systems have several main components: a septic tank, a distribution network and an absorption area. Some septic system designs have other parts. Advancements in onsite wastewater treatment system technology have changed the conventional septic design greatly. Often new onsite technology is capable of producing a higher quality effluent and better pollution control than older systems.
Typically, the first component of a septic system is a septic tank. This large, buried, watertight container is usually prefabricated from concrete, fiberglass or polyethylene. It receives wastewater from your bathroom, kitchen and laundry room. The septic tank holds the wastewater for a long enough time to allow the heavy solid particles in the wastewater to settle to the bottom of the tank and the light materials (like oil and grease) to float to the water surface. These materials become sludge and scum.
Bacteria in the system help to break down organic matter in the wastewater. This process requires time. With the "floaters" and "sinkers" remaining in the septic tank, the resulting liquid, now known as effluent, will flow out from the septic tank into the distribution system.
The distribution system provides the means by which effluent is conveyed from the treatment tank into the absorption area. The distribution system may consist of a gravity delivery line to a distribution box, or to a tank with a lift or dosing pump, or to a siphon chamber.
The last component of the distribution network is the disposal field or absorption area. This generally consists of a set of perforated distribution pipes, which are installed in either subsurface trenches or beds. The distribution lines, sometimes called laterals, are designed to disperse the effluent over the entire absorption area. The disposal field removes harmful, disease causing microorganisms, organic chemicals and nutrients while allowing the water molecules to flow downward toward the ground water table.
Treatment of sanitary waste in the septic system is a function of bacteria/viral die-off. For this part of the system to function properly, it must be constructed on suitable soil by a knowledgeable professional.
State and local regulations determine what constitutes suitable soil for the disposal field. These regulations have been developed after careful consideration of many factors that affect a soil's ability to adequately treat domestic wastewater. Foremost among these is the speed with which water will flow downwards through the soil. If a soil is too fast or too slow it may not be suitable.
Before a septic system is built, State laws require that a permeability test be performed to determine how fast the soil absorbs water. Soil examination by a professional soil scientist can provide a more reliable assessment of the capacity of the soil to accept wastewater.
When designing a system, your design engineer should check the water table level to be sure it is at least four feet below the bottom of the absorption area. The designer should also make sure the septic system is located a safe distance away from any potable wells or water bodies.
The design and construction of the disposal field is critical to how well your septic system functions. The perforated pipes, or laterals, must be laid in suitable soil, away from tree roots and manmade structures. The dimensions of the disposal field must provide sufficient area and volume to absorb your home's daily wastewater.
If you need to construct, alter or repair a septic system, it is important that you find qualified professionals to do the necessary design and construction work. They are familiar with the Standards for Individual Subsurface Sewage Disposal System.
Problems that occur during construction can cause a septic system to malfunction. These include soil compaction due to excavation at times when soil temperature is high, pipes laid on improper grades, incorrect joints and alignments between system components and pipes broken or crushed during the building process.
In densely populated areas, the accumulation of nitrates from septic systems in ground water may cause health problems. Nitrate is oxidized nitrogen, which can interfere with the blood's ability to carry oxygen, particularly in infants. Nitrate concentrations in excess of 45 parts per million have been reported to cause methemoglobinemia in infants ("the blue baby syndrome"), an illness in which the infant's coloring takes on a bluish cast. The illness is rare and easily reversible once diagnosed. However, it is not fully known what health effects result from long-range exposure to low levels of nitrates.
If you rely on a well and septic system, have your well water tested periodically for nitrates, in addition to the other constituents recommended by the safe drinking water program. Use a relatively inexpensive test to ensure that the nitrate level is less than the Maximum Contaminant Level allowed under the State's standards for Safe Drinking Water (10 parts per million).
Your septic system can be compared to a small wastewater treatment plant in your yard. It treats your wastewater using a combination of physical, chemical and biological processes. Therefore, to avoid problems, it is important that you ensure that all of these processes function properly.
An onsite wastewater treatment system that is not functioning properly can release disease-causing microorganisms and unpleasant odors that can offend your neighbors. The principal signs of septic system problems are easy to detect: effluent rising to the ground or drains and toilets that operate sluggishly or not at all. Septic system problems can be minimized or avoided by understanding the needs and limitations of your system and by observing several precautions.
Toxics and Motor Oil
Toxic and household hazardous chemicals should never be disposed of through your septic system, as these can disrupt its functioning and contaminate ground water. Such chemicals include paints, varnishes, pesticides, solvents and drain openers. (See the Household Hazardous Waste Chapter in this booklet on proper disposal of these chemicals.)
Likewise, used motor oil from your car or truck should not be disposed of in a septic system. It should be recycled by taking it to your nearest recycling center or a service station.
Household Products
Inert or non-biodegradable materials should not be disposed of through your septic system. Examples are cat box litter, disposable diapers, coffee grounds, sanitary napkins and paper towels. These items can quickly fill your septic tank, decrease its efficiency and will require more frequent pumping of your tank.
Large quantities of cooking grease, oil and fats should not be allowed into septic systems. These can contribute to blockage within the system. The use of garbage disposal units should be avoided, as these increase the amount of solids in the septic system, and thus require more frequent pumping.
Water Everywhere
Too much water use can compromise your septic system's capability to treat and dispose of wastewater. Excessive water coming into the disposal field can result in hydraulic overloading and a reduction in infiltrative capacity. Excess volumes of water entering the septic tank can affect its ability to retain solids and result in carry-over and clogging within the disposal field.
The performance of your septic system will be improved if you cut down on water use so that a smaller volume of wastewater passes through the system. Water-saving showerheads can be easily installed and may reduce both your water use and heating bill. Be careful to turn taps off when not in use and repair or replace leaking faucets.
Your absorption area (drain field) will not work well if there is too much water in the soil. Water drained from basement floors, footings or roofs should be directed away from the disposal area to some other area in your yard. Your yard surface should be graded so that stormwater drains away from the septic drainage field and not toward it.
Consideration should be given to distributing dish washing and laundry throughout the week, instead of all at once during one or two days. It would be better to avoid showering and bathing at times when dishwashers and laundry are in use.
It is important to maintain a diagram of the location of all components of your septic system including the septic tank, any connection lines and pipes, distribution boxes and disposal field. For newly constructed septic systems, a copy of the design plans should be available. For older existing systems, simply diagramming the location to septic system components, measured from a common point on the building, is adequate.
When you are aware of the location of septic system components, accidental damage resulting from machinery and excavating tools can be prevented. Moreover, ready knowledge of the location of septic system components facilitates maintenance and repairs or alterations when necessary.
Be sure your septic system is inspected and pumped out on a regular basis. Remember that toxic gases can accumulate in septic systems, so use extreme care when inspecting it. At least annually observe the liquid levels through all of the inspection ports. Tank inspections can be dangerous, so consider employing a professional to do the inspection.
Have a reputable contractor pump out the tank to remove the accumulated sludge and scum every two to three years. This helps ensure that there is enough space in the tank for wastewater and prevents solids from escaping into the absorption system.
There is no known substance capable of eliminating or reducing the buildup of sludge and scum that makes periodic pumping unnecessary. Do not put chemical in your septic system for treatment or maintenance.
For more information, visit www.nj.gov/dep/dwq/owm_home.htm
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Jersey, 1996-2019
Last Updated:
July 11, 2018


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Stella Aquino (left) with Consul General Theresa Dizon-de Vega. (Photo by NYPCG)
Stella Aquino, a Filipina executive of Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, one of the largest insurance providers in the world, was honored along with five other women by the Queens Tribune, the largest newspaper in the Borough of Queens, N.Y. at its Glass Ceiling Awards in commemoration of Women's History Month.
The other awardees included the first-ever elected woman President of the Borough of Queens, Claire Shulman; New York State Assemblywoman Vivian E. Cook; Lawyer and New York Director for Immigration Affairs and Special Counsel Jenifer Rajkumar; Dr. Vasundhara Kalasapudi, Executive Director of India Home; and Barbara Amand, President of Amand Corporation and the organization Professional Women in Construction.
The awardees were chosen on the basis of their individual professional achievement in addition to pioneering and groundbreaking work in community service, particularly service to the women's sector in their respective communities.
Aquino, a magna cum laude graduate of the University of the Philippine Diliman School of Economics and masteral degree graduate from the University of Chicago, played an integral role during Empire's efforts to convert from being a non-profit to a for-profit organization.
She likewise helped establish an Asian-American employees association in Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield to make Asian-American employees more visible in the company.
She is currently the company's business director for actuarial valuation.
Her community involvement includes serving on the Board of the Asian-American Federation, one of the largest and most visible organizations for Asian-Americans, which has undertaken research work on the socioeconomic, demographic, political and health issues affecting Asian-Americans, including Filipino-Americans.
The Federation's various studies continue to be used by policy makers as a reference point in determining programs and funding for the Asian-American sector.
On hand to witness Aquino receive the award was Philippine Consul General Theresa Dizon-de Vega, family members of the awardee, and colleagues from Empire and the Asian-American Federation.
Queens is acknowledged as the most diverse borough of New York, as well as the preferred residence for the largest concentration of Filipinos and Filipino-Americans in the U.S. Northeast.
Awardees (from left) Barbara Amand, Dr. Vasundhara Kalasapudi, Stella Aquino, Claire Shulman, Jenifer Rajkumar and Vivian E. Cook. (Photo by NYPCG)
Tim Lyncecum See details


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Well Summer is in full swing, even if the weather thinks otherwise, and we are now halfway through August, so I guess that means I ought to empty the bathroom bin, take out the recycling and give you a run down of all the products I used up in July.
First up is the lovely Dr Hauschka Citron Bodymilk, a beautifully light and silky natural body lotion with the zesty scent of lemon. I really enjoyed this as it gave my legs a lovely sheen yet wasn't greasy and the scent was clean and refreshing. My dry legs really sap up any moisture so I tend to prefer a heavier moisturiser at night but this was fine applied in the morning. Another lotion I used up was Nivea Pure & Natural Body Lotion. I didn't know Nivea did a natural range so when I saw this 95% natural lotion I had to try it out of curiosity. It was nice, but didn't feel particularly nourishing, so it's not a product I'd buy again.
Moving on to two bath products, the first of which is I Love… Perfectly Peachy, a shower gel produced in conjunction with CoppaFeel! You can read more about this product and the CoppaFeel! Shower Hijack campaign here. I also used up the last of my Lush Snow Fairy which I bought in the Boxing Day sale. This has a very sweet scent and is a favourite amongst Lush fans but I find it a little cloying, so i'm not too sad that this is a seasonal product and is no longer available.
Next up is Mama Mio Gorgeous Glow Facial Wipes. I only use facial wipes when I really haven't got the time or energy for a full cleanse as I don't think they're ever as good as a thorough cleanse but if you really must reach for wipes make them as gentle and natural as possible, which these are. My only gripe with these is they didn't feel moist enough. Another skincare use-up is the Ginvera Marvel Gel, a really unusual and effrctive gel exfoliator. I loved this product and when I finished the sample I snapped the full size up on offer from The Libbie Club.
My final use up is the CB12 Mouth Rinse that featured in the April Lookfantastic Beauty Box. I find my mouth is very sensitive to the alcohol in some mouthwashes so this one was perfect. It's a little pricy compared to some mouth washes, but definitely worth considering if you're like me and can't use ones that contain alcohol.
Last month I actually remembered to save some of my Korean sheet mask empties. The Sparkling Wine and Pure Snail masks were from the June Mask Maven bag, while the Pure Smile Lavender Collagen Mask was from my last Memebox – Memebox Seeds and Flowers.
Have you tried any of the above products? If so I'd love to hear how you got on with them.


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If you need to download the manual of Spy Pen in English language, please click here and save the PDF file.
Spy Pen help manual in English language
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What is a Podcast?
Podcasting is like internet radio, but better.
It's better because you can listen to
- what you want to,
- when you want,
- where you want to,
- without having a radio and
- without being connected to the internet.
You can listen to a podcast at the gym, in your car, taking a walk, on the couch — you get to choose.
Podcasting does for radio and audio what the VCR did for television shows.
Individual podcasting shows are called podcasts.
Already listening to podcasts?
You're way ahead of the curve. Just 5% of the population has caught on.
How to listen to a podcast
You can listen to a podcast on any device that you can listen to music on (smart phone, iPad, MP3 player, etc.).
Two of the very popular apps that will help you find and subscribe to podcasts are
- the free Podcasts app is now built right into the Apple mobile operating system.
- the free Stitcher app is available for android, Apple and desktop devices.
Have a favorite radio show that you miss hearing sometimes?
If it has a podcast, you can listen to the show when you want, where you want, without turning your radio on.
The Doing Good Matters podcast
This free podcast helps helps you do good even better — regardless of which charities or causes you support. Another free public service from SeriousGivers. Listen to a sample episode.
Subscribe to the Doing Good Matters podcast at iTunes.


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Ok, every time I upload my avatar nothing shows on this web page either in my profile or when I post.
What is the trick. I know what the size must be, but is there a specific type of file the photo must be?
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Mar-13-2009 04:11
To know what happened previously in this story please review the following thread.
The Daughters of Miss Violet Parr:
Mar-25-2009 15:58
When he finally stopped, Michael McCabe did not actually have a head any more. Bane's face was full of blood, yet it could not cover the expression of satisfaction imprinted in his eyes.
He then looked up at Anna.
"What now" he asked. "You're gonna shoot me too?"
After the scene that she just witnessed, the woman was astonished. She didn't feel like dropping down the gun. Just as she was considering her options, a growling sound came from her behind.
"Pierre?" exclaimed Bane. "How the hell…?"
The dog jumped straight at Anna's hand, making her drop the pistol. She started to crawl back under Pierre's threatening eyes and growling.
"Hey, Bane…call off you hound. I…have a business proposition."
"Let's hear it then" said him, making a short sign to the dog to stop. Pierre assumed thus a sitting position, but kept his eyes onto the woman.
"I know where Mike has stashed his money…all that he earned in the last years. It's a big pile of cash, Bane. I also have all his old contacts. We could do real business now."
"I'm not sure that I want to do business with you, woman."
"I'm not talking about what we did today. By the way…did it work? You got the cash?"
"No dough, gal. They were the police."
"So…where are they now, Bane?"
"Oh hell…they're on their way!" He realized that he forgot about the cops following him.
"You got no option, Bane. If they come here and they find us, well both end up behind bars. Listen to me, let's go. I know a safe way out of here."
Bane had now to agree with her. There was no way the cops would ever end up believing his story. He thus decided to play this her way.
In a few minutes they were out. They picked the small boat that he came on and sailed through a thin hidden cave. It took the more than a couple of hours to reach the exit, but in the end they lost their tracks into the morning midst.
Mar-25-2009 16:38
*1 year later - Shanghai Race Track - VIP lounge*
A man was watching the race through the large windows of the lounge, holding a large cigar in one hand and a small shot of whiskey in the other. He was wearing an elegant dark suit, classy shoes and a white hat on the latest fashion. His polished nails and expensive perfume showed that he was a man for whom money was not a problem.
His face looked though as if he has been through a lot, as it was full of scars all over. He had a cunning smile though.
As the race ended and the board notified the winner, he posed a smile of satisfaction, raised up his glass and took a sip.
"Daddyyyy!" a crystalline sound came from behind.
He turned around facing a small girl, looking to be the age of 3. She was a small doll in a purple dress. She jumped straight in his arms and hugged him.
"Did Whiskey win, dad? Did he win?"
"Yeah, kid. He won. As usual" he answered.
The kid jumped down and hurried to the window, gluing her nose on the glass. She turned her head for just a second towards the woman that had come with her.
"Did you hear, Aunt Anna? Did you hear? We won! My horsey won again!" She giggled and turned back towards the window.
The woman came to the man's side as he was looking at her daughter with the most genuine love of a father in his eyes.
"I don't know what was in your head, Bane…buying her a horse."
"Well…I like to see her smiling." He waved at the little girl.
"A bit of an expensive smile that is. People are starting to look at you with suspicion."
"So…let them suspect. What do I care?"
"Be reasonable, Bane. The only legit business you own is that detective agency. Everyone knows they haven't ever taken any case."
"Well…they were busy with my case."
Mar-25-2009 16:39
"I think you found all you could about your past, Bane. It's time to think now of the present. The shipments are running good, but you do need to do something about your image. You keep this up and you'll have the cops on your head at the moment you least expect them."
"Alright, woman. Stop bugging me. I get the agency to run, ok?"
Just as he said that, the little girl turned and spoke.
"Now that's a hell of a good horse!" She giggled after that and hid her face into her hands.
Bane smiled, then said in a serious voice.
"Victoria, that is no proper way for a young lady as yourself to speak. Now why am I paying all those private English tutors?"
"For this" the little girl answered. She made a spin and ended in a bow, holding the sides of her dress in her hands: "My name is Victoria Joseph Bane. How do you do."
She chucked after doing that and jumped back up into his arms. They all laughed and then headed for the door.
Just as they were about to exit, Bane noticed someone at the bar: a woman in a purple dress. He slowly put his daughter down and made a sign towards 'Aunt Anna' to go a bit ahead.
He then approached the woman at the bar and placed his hand onto her shoulder.
The woman turned a startled face at him.
"Oh, I am sorry, Miss" said him as he took his hand back. "It seems I have mistaken you for someone else. Good day to you!"
He tipped his hat and walked away, mumbling something for himself:
"I wonder if I'll ever get to meet this woman…"
Mar-27-2009 00:15
A year after Gregory's death, Zeo found himself on the strange streets of Shanghai. He was hired by a very rich Baron to look for his lost lover, a dance hall girl named Suzy Wong. Armed with only a photo and an amulet she had given to his client years ago, Zeo doubted that he could locate her, but the Baron was generous.
"Even if you cannot find Suzy, I will still pay you for the leg work." The baron had handed a hefty advance payment to Zeo, and promised a sizable bonus if he did find the lady. "She used to work in the Dai-Sze-Jei Dance Hall. Anyone there would recognize her."
Dai-Sze-Jei Dance Hall was supposed to be quite famous in Shanghai, so when Zeo found himself lost after receiving confusing instructions from the concierge, he really didn't know what to do.
"Daddy promised me that I can ride Whiskey when I'm tall enough!" A little girl of about three years of age in a beautiful purple dress yelled in perfect English as she came out of what looked like the racetrack entrance. A lady with a wise but hard face was holding her little hand.
That doll of kid reminded him of the daughter he made Clift Garrett lost on that fateful night a year ago. At times, he still felt he was to blame. He still remembered that the girl was called Victoria, and later on he found out from Leopold's letter that she was still lost, probably with the man they saw that day, Joseph Bane. The fact that he shared the same first name with the man was enough to make Zeo uneasy.
"Well you should remember to eat your meat and vegetables then, darling." The lady said to the little girl. "We should wait here, daddy should be out soon." The lady looked around with vigilance, and saw Zeo staring at them.
Mar-27-2009 00:16
Zeo smiled, "I'm sorry, do you know where the Dai-Sze-Jei Dance Hall is located?"
"Man you are way off!" The lady eyed Zeo carefully, probably thinking what a perverted man would need to go to the dance hall during the day. "We are near the Dai-Sze-Jei 'Play Hall' here. The Dance Hall is way down near the shore."
The lady gave Zeo careful instructions while Zeo paid close attention and cursed the concierge in his head at the same time. He thanked the lady afterwards, turned around and headed for the shoreline.
"Daddy!" The little girl yelled a few seconds later. Zeo didn't bother to turn around. He still had a dance hall lady to find.
Mar-27-2009 06:12
** A year later in New York City **
Clift was having lunch with Makensie and Cody.
Whilst eating with his family he was reading a scented letter written on purple paper.
"I guess we all know who it's from." Makensie chuckled. "How is Violet? And how is Isabella?"
Clift smiled. "They are both still residing in London. Isabella is now attending the private pre-school Violet attended as a girl. Miss Parr herself did not give much information about what she is up to, but somehow from the feel of this letter I get the feeling that she somehow made her peace with Victoria's disappearance with Bane."
"No mother can ever be at peace when her child is not with her." Mak said.
"Remember Mak, what Patricia Crab told you about Victoria not being Violet's real daughter? Well I have this theory that when Violet disappeared with Isabella that night we were out to dinner in London two years ago, she actually managed to find out what happened to Victoria… somehow, and ended up being fine with it."
Makensie Brewer was a little confused. "I always wondered, Clift. If Victoria wasn't Violet's daughter, then whose child is she? Joseph Bane's?"
"I guess we won't ever know… we'll just have to assume that she is." Clift shrugged. "I guess I owe Bane one. I wouldn't have been able to manage to three kids at once. Cody alone is a handful."
"What daddy?" Cody looked up from his coloring book.
Mar-27-2009 06:16
"Nothing champ. Just was telling mommy how beautiful she and you both are."
Cody smiled and went back to drawing.
They all continued to eat quietly at the New York diner they were in. Clift started thinking about Violet Parr and all that he has been through eversince he met her. The love triangle with Mak, the case of Barry Grant, the pregnancy's, the attempted murders at the ship, the disappearance of Victoria and all else. Suddenly he was brought back into reality.
"Clift…" Makensie started. "What about Isabella, are you at peace with her being raised across the ocean in London?"
Clift held Mak's hands and kissed them. Smiling gently he said. "My dearest Makensie... if Violet is fine with Victoria being Victoria Joseph Bane, how on earth could I possibly object to Isabella being Isabella Violet Parr?"
Mar-27-2009 10:25
** … Two Years Later... Shanghai... **
A pretty little child of about six, very expensively dressed, walked into her father's main office.
The girl walked up to her dad, who was seemingly lost in thought. He pleasantly startled by her sudden appearance before him, before he could speak or react she revealed a purple envelope from the folds of her violet dress. "Father, this came for you earlier in the morning." The girl spoke both politely and properly.
"Thank you, Victoria." Joseph Bane smiled.
He felt the last four years had flown by. He spent a good deal of them investigating his past and his daughter's, and although he revealed everything he could about his, there seemed much to reveal about hers.
He was not sure anymore whose daughter she is.
Although many signs pointed to Miss Violet Parr as the mother, many unfounded rumours said otherwise. He was now lost in thought almost daily about the background of Victoria whom he loved so much.
She thought he was her one and only father but he knew now that this was biologically not true. Yet he had no evidence to support any of the many theories he had.
He looked to the purple envelope in his hand, and something struck him as slightly familiar about the flowery scent that this curious envelope emitted.
His curiosity led him to only one name and he was suddenly alert as he eagerly opened the sealed envelope and started to read the letter inside:
"My Dearest Mr. Joseph Bane,
I hope this letter finds you well.
As far as my knowledge goes, both you and Victoria are doing very well indeed.
I assure you of my own well-being and of my daughter Isabella's.
I am currently giving painting classes at the Chelsea College of Arts. Isabella is attending Mrs. Peacock Preschool for Girls; a charm school I attended as a young girl. I have left my apartment and moved with Isabella into my brother Leopold's manor house at Mayfair.
Mar-27-2009 10:30
Clift Garrett has moved back to New York and came to terms with his beginnings. The last I heard, he retired from detective work to a quiet family life. He and Makensie seem to have come to terms with all their past differences and are jointly raising their son, Cody James Brewer-Garrett.
The last we physically met, or came close to meeting was in Brighton, four years ago. I did manage to track you down in Brighton, England through my creative talents in painting. Having painted your portrait, I managed to get information from Victoria Station about your whereabouts or at least where you were headed.
Once I arrived to Brighton my investigations led me to McKinley's Brewer. I was there in time to witness the third round of your very violent boxing match and catch a glimpse of Victoria sitting by the bar with a woman I have never seen before. I soon was asked to leave by a gentleman who thought I was too properly dressed to stay. I assure you that I spent some time objecting, yet I lost sight of both you and Victoria that night.
I was not able to find out any information about your whereabouts up until I located Tombstone Enterprises in Shanghai and learned that both you and Victoria were safe and well. The woman who cared for Victoria, Anna, I felt was both strong and loyal: a good role model for Victoria. I kept you in mind and made periodical reviews to make sure you were fine. I was glad to note that you were the best person to raise Victoria after all she has been through.
I am aware that you have spent a lot of time and resources into uncovering Victoria's past. For the longest time I thought it would be best if you simply never knew who Victoria's parents were as that would ensure your mind is never burdened with any guilt or regret concerning your conscious/unconscious decision to raise her. With time I realised that it was unfair to make that assumption, for knowing the truth is always better than not.
Mar-27-2009 10:38
Since I am the only surviving link to the truth, I feel it is my duty to provide it.
When Aisha was sixteen, she was an Arabian beauty unmatched in all of Arabia. Back then, Sir Albert Parr was a young English Officer of the Gentry serving under Her Majesty Queen Victoria's Army and living in the British Protectorate of Bahrain where he was stationed.
It was there where he met Aisha and immediately fell in love with her �"apparently she had that effect on men in her younger years.
As you know, she soon became pregnant with me. Sir Albert Parr, out of fear for her life, took Aisha with him away from Arabia and their strict cultural customs towards extra-marital sex to New York.
Soon after she gave birth to me in New York, Aisha met and fell in love with Frank Georges and decided to marry him.
Frank was a neurotic man and went mad with jealousy when he discovered that Aisha had a daughter from another man. This prompted Aisha to give me away to Sir Albert Parr �"whom was already married to Lady Madhuri Parr at the time and had six boys.
As fate would have it, I lived and grew up with my father, Sir Albert Parr and my adoptive mother, Lady Madhuri Parr. I grew up to be a lawyer which prompted me to travel to New York and then take on detective work soon afterwards.
From this time on, I met Frank Georges on many of my cases as he was a notorious criminal linked with much of the city's criminal activity and I had to interview him several times as a witness or suspect. He soon discovered who I was and decided, perhaps out of spite, to make several attempts on my life. My biological mother, Aisha Georges who knew about all this, made a frightening show of indifference towards these vile attempts.
I discovered all this after kidnapping Aisha Georges with my trusted colleague Christopher Keller.
I later decided to go into hiding ignoring both Frank and Aisha Georges completely, which seemed to have ensured my safety for a long time.


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Rick Perry Resumes Iowa Bus Tour, Hammers GOP Opponents
(COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa) -- After a four day hiatus from the campaign trail, Texas Gov. Rick Perry restarted his bus tour through Iowa, pounding his opponents for their Washington and Wall Street "insider" status and selling himself as the "authentic conservative" in the race for the Republican presidential nomination.
"Why should you settle for anything less than an authentic conservative who will fight for your views and values without an apology? Why should you have to settle for anything less than the real deal to go to Washington, D.C., and to represent your values and work for you in Washington," Perry asked the crowd of over 100 at the jam packed Main Street Café.
"I've got all the respect in the world for the frontrunners in this race, but ask yourself: If we replace a Democratic insider with a Republican insider, you think we're really going to change Washington, D.C.?" Perry asked.
Without naming names, Perry listed the issues plaguing many of the candidates.
"You don't have to settle for Washington and Wall Street insiders who supported the Wall Street bailout and Obamacare individual mandate. You don't have to resign yourself to voting for wasteful Washington spending culture of earmarks and of deficits and this ever rising debt that we've got," said Perry. "You don't have to vote for a candidate who would allow Iran to wipe Israel off the face of the earth and then ultimately America. You don't have to you don't have to stand for that. You don't have to settle for that."
"I'm the limited government conservative in this campaign that's going to get Washington a complete overhaul. I believe that the federal government should do a few things, do those few things real well, and get out of the way and leave Americans alone."
With the controversial Sheriff Joe Arpaio standing at his side, Perry focused a good portion of his quick six minute speech on border security, drawing large applause from the crowd when he vowed to secure the border within one year of taking office.
Perry, who has three other events in Iowa this afternoon, ended his speech with what has become the closing mantra in his pitch to Iowa voters, pledging to them, "You have my back on January the third and I'll have your back for the next four years in Washington, D.C."
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