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In a bid to calm frayed nerves of stock market players, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Sunday clarified the government has no intention to impose a tax on long-term capital gains from trading in shares. He went on to blame "some sections" of the media for "misinterpreting" Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech in Mumbai on Saturday.
Jaitley said: "The Prime Minister's speech in Mumbai on Saturday has been misinterpreted in some sections of the media, which have started speculating this is an indirect reference to the fact that there could be long-term capital gains (tax) on securities transactions."
He said such an interpretation was "absolutely erroneous,", adding the "Prime Minister had made no such statement directly or indirectly... and therefore, I wish to absolutely clarify there is no occasion or opportunity for anybody to reach such a conclusion because this is not what the Prime Minister said, nor is the intention of the government as has been reported."
Read our full coverage on Union Budget 2016
Speaking at an event on Saturday, Modi had said: "Those who profit from financial markets must make a fair contribution to nation-building through taxes. For various reasons, the contribution of tax from those who make money on the markets has been low. To some extent, it may be due to illegal activities and fraud."
Modi further added that "to some extent, the low contribution of taxes may also be due to the structure of our tax laws. Low or zero tax rate is given to certain types of financial income. I call upon you to think about the contribution of market participants to the exchequer. We should consider methods for increasing it in a fair, efficient and transparent way." Modi also said the government will not hesitate to take tough decisions.
The Prime Minister's comments had led to fears that stocks are likely to come under pressure, with several market players saying earlier in the day that there could be a knee-jerk reaction, as stocks resume trading on Monday.
"There could be a negative reaction. The markets will eye clarification on the issue. Right now, there is already uncertainty in the market and the PM's comments could add to that," said Sandip Sabharwal, an investment advisor.
Currently, long-term capital gains (LTCG) on the sale of listed securities are exempt from taxes. LTCG are profit on sale of shares on a stock exchange platform after a holding period of one year or more. Meanwhile, short-term capital gains (STCG), profits on sale of shares held for less than 12 months, are taxed at a flat rate of 15 per cent. Besides these, all stock market transactions also attract securities transaction tax (STT) in a range between 0.017 per cent and 0.125 per cent.
"There was a fear in the market that LTCG could be introduced. You cannot be milking a sector, which is already paying decent taxes," said Ambareesh Baliga, an independent market expert.
Deven Choksey, managing director, KR Choksey Investment Managers said the PM's comments could be aimed at foreign investors and not domestic investors.
"A lot of foreign investors investing through participatory notes (P-notes) are making disproportionate gains and are paying zero of negligible tax. Most domestic investors are paying taxes. STT is getting collected on all transactions. STCG is taxed at 15 per cent. PM's comments could be directed at overseas investors. However, the market will wait for clarity on the issue," he said.


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In a physical bike store, you walk in and receive your goods in return for payment. With an online store however you pay and wait which creates an element of risk.
Here are a few tips to tell whether or not a bike shops is genuine:
• Physical address – If there is a post office box or the shop is based in an 'exotic' country, take care. With a physical stree address you can check on google maps and google street view and see if the building exists.
• Phone Number – A genuine business without a phone number is unusual. If they don't have one you can start asking 'why'?
• Cross Check the Address – Google to the recue, see if the address is listed in google. Many countries have online telephone directories with business listings and the retailer should be listed in a number of these.
• Shop Reputation – The effective way to see if an online bike shop is questionable is to search for the shop name with additional keywords such as "bad", "problems" or "scam". For example:
"ABC Bikes" +problems
While any shop will invariably also have bad customers, you will be able to judge how serious the problems are, often you will see search results with cycling forums and blogs and comments
• Use WOT (Web Of Trust) browser plugin which relies on community aggregation to rate good sites and suspicious sites. This can also highlight any other website which you visit which has been flagged. WAT is still in its early days so not foolproof however is growing in popularity. Available from: mywot.com
• Reliable Payment – Avoid "Western Union" payment and shy away from bank transfers unless you know and have used the online retailer. Instead, credit card and paypal have more reliable security and customer protection. Make sure payment is secure -the padlock symbol should appear and the web address start with https:// (and not http:// without the 's').
There are more tell-tale signs, if a bike shop fails any of these criteria, then be cautious.

subset: commoncrawl


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Toàn's goal at ASIAD honoured
2018-09-10 11:53:29
Vietnamese striker Nguyễn Văn Toàn's goal in the 108th minute of the quarter-final against Syria was chosen as one of the four most memorable moments in the men's football at the Asian Games 2018 (ASIAD), according to Football Tribe.
"Toàn's tap-in during extra-time has created history for Vietnamese football. His strike meant that the nation's men's team progressed to the last four of Asian Games for the first time," the website says.


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Corporate Office Telephone Number: 763-682-0665 - Fax 763-682-6543
Dr. Joseph M. Keenan
Medical Director
Adara is proud to have Dr. Joseph M. Keenan, a professor at the University of Minnesota, as our Medical Director and member of our Professional Advisory Board. Dr. Keenan's primary research is in community-based care of the elderly/home care, preventive cardiology/lipid management. He is a past president of the American Academy of Home Care Physicians and pioneered training for physicians to become certified Home Care Medical Directors.


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You Make Me Smile Quotes
Making your girl smileHarrliver
The best kind of guy is the one that can make his girl smile, even when she's mad at him.
Smiling for no reasonricketysailor
One of the reasons why I love you is because you make me smile for no reason.
Never leave your embracefizzyaerie
When something is bothering me, you are always there to talk it out with me. You are so soft, gentle, and beautiful, I never want to leave your embrace. Your smile brightens my world. I'm so lucky to have you in my life.
I love it when you smileblondchef
I love it when I catch you looking at me then you smile and look away.
My heart has found a homeblondchef
All my dreams have come true. My heart has found a home. You make me smile no matter what kind of day I'm having. I've never felt so alive and happy then when I met you. I just know that you and I are meant to be together forever.
You Smile at medugoutliberated
Whenever it seems like it's too much, like it's not gonna be OK, and I just wanna give up. You smile at me, and all my worries seem to fade away.
How did I ever get so luckySophiegx
How did I ever get so lucky? You are such a kind nice person, and I don't deserve you. You make me wanna work on myself to become a better person, so I can deserve you. The way you look at me and smile makes my heart skip a beat. All I wanna do is make you smile and make you happy, because I know you are the one for me.
Smiling For No ReasonSonia
One day I caught myslelf smiling for no reason,then I realized I was thinking of you.
You Changed My Life Foreverblondchef
You changed my life forever. I now smile for no reason. You make me feel special and valuable. You Speak to my heart like you know exactly what I'm thinking. I'm so lucky to have you as a part of my life.


text: Used by professional and Olympic athletes, kinesiotape is an elastic tape used to promote pain relief and swelling, improve muscle function, provide support without limiting range of motion. The elasticity of the tape pulls up on the skin which provides a stimulus that that activates inhibited muscles and overrides pain signals to the brain. Think of rubbing your arm after hitting it on a wall. The altered sensation from the physical touch (rubbing) overrides pain signals to the brain.


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Detail Images
Current Color
Free 2-Day shipping on orders over $50. Learn More
Select a Size:Select options
Select a Color:Select options
4 Reviews
The suit that grows with Junior.
When Junior thinks of winter, the first thing that occurs to him is rolling in the snow, and the Canada Goose Toddler Boys' Grizzly Snowsuit is just the thing to make playtime fun. The water-resistant shell fabric and 625 fill-power insulation keep him warm and happy when the snowballs start flying.
The outer layer of the Grizzly Snowsuit is polyester with a touch of cotton for a soft feel. The fabric is coated with a washer-safe water-resistant treatment to hold the elements at bay; at the seat and knees, the fabric is reinforced and features extra waterproofing. The snowsuit is lined with a smooth, durable nylon plain-weave fabric that's soft to the touch and won't cause irritation, even if it contacts bare skin.
Of course, the real story is the insulation. Canada Goose uses high-quality 625-fill white duck down. Down is extremely lightweight and packable, and locks in warmth as well as any insulation on the market. Canada Goose also filled the hood with white duck down, then gave it a toasty coyote fur ruff that can be removed for easy cleaning. The other feature that you'll love is Canada Goose's Gosling Graduate System, which allows you to extend the sleeves an inch and a half and the pant legs a full two inches when the time comes.
The snowsuit also includes reflective piping on the opening cuff edges and pant legs to make your child more visible, and a Goose I.D. hand-me-down label on the interior make the bunting easily identifiable. For added comfort, Canada Goose included recessed rib-knit fleece cuffs and elastic boot gaiters, and a soft brushed tricot lining at the chin and the back of the neck.
- Poly/cotton blend shell fabric with DWR
- Soft, durable nylon lining
- 625-fill white duck down insulation
- Down-filled hood with removable coyote fur ruff
- Gosling Graduation grow system
- Lycra sleeve cuffs and boot gaiters
- Machine-washable
- Item #CDG3385
Tech Specs
Gearhead Help
Tech Specs
- Reviews
What do you think about this product?
Have questions about this product?
Can't go wrong: adorable and functional!
- Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer
- Fit: True to size
- Size Bought: 4-5
- Height: 3'6"
- Weight: 42lbs
We bought this Canada Goose Grizzly Snow Suit in size 4-5 for our tall four year old and it fits him perfectly with room grow for another season! We took the suit along on several winter trips to Tahoe and Banff. The 625-fill white duck down insulation has proved to be excellent in a variety of temps. We've used it for pretty much everything including skiing, winter snow play, dog sledding and even hours of him running around a warm house pretending to be the winter edition of Captain America. Generally speaking he never wants to take off his cherished Grizzly Snow Suit! Quality is as you'd expect by Canada Goose, exceptional and durable. Our extremely energetic kiddo has put this suit through the wringer and every part of it is as good as new including the super sturdy zippers and coyote fur ruff. The suit also washes, dries easily and has withstood countless spills of hot cocoa and who knows what else! We look forward to this great suit seeing plenty of hand-me-downs and happy kiddos for years to come.
- Height: 4'
- Weight: 33lbs
I bought this model and I received item without tags, size 6-7, color red
This is a gift
A masterpiece, but too small
- Fit: Runs small
My son 109cm. When he wears 4t/5t it just perfect, but can not wear anything else inside. So I returned it and bought a 6/7 one. I wish this one not too big. I like this website. Return fast and safe. No tax and shipping fees. Perfect. The only thing I do not llike is too few reviews.
Great for Arctic Alaska!
- Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer
- Fit: Runs small
We live in the Arctic and this Canada Goose grizzly snowsuit has lived up to its name. We had no transportation and had to walk everywhere during our stay here with our one year old. Even in -40 with strong wind weather my son was nice and toasty and never complained. We are forever fans of CG and BackCountry.
How can i get Canada goose grizzle snow...
How can i get Canada goose grizzle snow suit toddler boys for 2-3 years old?
While BC offers that at times, I do not believe they have a size in stock presently that will fit a young lad of that age. I think you are looking for a 2T-3T size, or approximately a 2XS, or maybe an XS if you want to leave a little room for growth for the up-and-coming outdoorsman. I would contact BC gear representatives to confirm these statements though; I'm merely going off the provided sizing chart and size availabilities shown.
Hi. My son is 5 years old. My son is...
My son is 5 years old.
My son is 112cm tall. His weight is 18kg.
what size should I order the canada goose grizzly snow suit for him?
I would suggest going with the Small, possibly a Medium if you want a little bit more room to allow him to grow.
Hi. My son is 2 years old, and is a 92,...
Hi. My son is 2 years old, and is a 92, in european size. what size should I order the canada goose grizzly snow suitor him??
He would be in a 2T-3T snow suit. We have that size in the Black colorway.
Hi. And it is possible overalls measurements...
Hi. And it is possible overalls measurements at a rate of 2-3 years and measurements 4-5.
Hello Yuliya, check out the sizing chart here.


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Azerbaijani athletes to compete in World Nomad Games in Kyrgyzstan
Baku, September 3, AZERTAC
From 3 to 8 September 2016 Cholpon-Ata city, located on Issyk-Kul lakeside will be hosting the World Nomad Games. The Games will bring together sports delegations from Turkey, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Mongolia, China and over 10 subjects of the Russian Federation. Kyrgyzstan, as a competition organizer will be represented by two teams in each sport.
The program of the World Nomad Games includes games such as Kok-Boru, Toguzkorgool, Kyrgyzkuroshu, Alysh, Oodarysh, At-chabysh, Zhorgo-salysh, Kunanchabysh, Ordo, Kyz-Kuumai. The winners of such national games as tiyinenmey, kulatuu, and salbuurun are also expected to be awarded with medals.
The World Nomad Games is an analogue of Olympic, Asian and Paralympic Games. This tourist project aims to develop traditional, national games of many nomadic nations. The project is presented on behalf of Kyrgyzstan.
Text contains orthographic mistake
Enter your note


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Fashion week in Burlingame/
Fashion week in Paris seemed a good time for Kids & Art to hold the second of its upcycled clothing craft sessions. This is the first season Purvi has explored this territory with the help of two local designers: Jill Pilot of Ricochet, in San Mateo and Neysa Young, a designer who teaches at California College of Art in Oakland. In September, a fashion show is planned to showcase the work.Read More


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Prospect Enrichment Preschool is strongly supported by private individuals through their donations of time. Not only is the school funded mainly by private donations but it also has a strong volunteer program, providing extra help and attention for each child. Volunteers help in a number of ways such as reading to a child or small group, initiating an art or science project, or just playing with the children.
In the classroom
The preschool depends on volunteers to give the students the best environment for learning. Parents, family members and school supporters provide extra help and attention for each child. Volunteers help in a variety of ways: reading to a child or small group, initiating an art or science project, cooking and nutrition lesson, storytelling, music, gardening and art activities, or simply being with and listening to a child.
As a Board or Endowment Fund member
The Board of Directors and Endowment Fund Boards each include a diverse group of volunteers including church members, education professionals and business community members. Both Boards are part of the corporation. Each group but meets independently but operates with the same goal of responsibility toward establishing and maintaining policies and the financial well-being of the preschool
Outside the classroom
There are administrative jobs, both short term or recurring, for volunteers to help keep the preschool running smoothly for children and staff alike. Bookkeeping, fund raising activities, grant writing support, bus and equipment maintenance, website and computer support and data entry are but a few of the volunteer opportunities that help the preschool make a difference for children.
For more information on Board members or volunteer opportunities please contact the preschool office.


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Welcome to the Family Launa!
BTB Family,
We would like to give a warm and heartfelt welcome to the newest member of the BTB coaching staff and family, Mrs. Launa McClung. Many of you have had the pleasure of meeting Launa in class and at Friday Night Lights. If not she'll be making her rounds at both gyms this week on the coaching schedule.
Launa is a Southern California native who just moved to the Atlanta area from Houston, Tx. She a former collegiate volleyball player who loves the beach, Mexican food, coffee, heavy barbells, and nutrition. She lives in Johns Creek with her wife and two fur babies.
How long have I been CrossFitting?
I have been crossfitting for about 4 years
What do I enjoy about coaching?
I have been a coach my entire life and love seeing athletes progress inside and outside of the gym. The strength, confidence, and badassery Crossfit ignites in people is one of my favorite things about it.
Favorite WOD?
My favorite WOD is DT
Whats my favorite and least favorite movements?
My favorite movement is Hang Power Cleans.
Least favorite? gymnastics. all of them.
Least favorite? gymnastics. all of them.
What is a fun fact about you?
I have lived in Hawaii.
What is your favorite thing to do outside of coaching and CrossFit?
My favorite thing to do outside of the gym is to be outside and binge watch Netflix.
My favorite music to listen to while working out?
All the rap music.


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Archive for March, 2010
Send Girlstart a Virtual Postcard
We want to hear from you! Girlstart is collecting virtual postcards from all over the world. Send us your questions, comments or just say "hi". Upload your message on youtube.com and send the link to email@example.com.
Hope to hear from you soon!
Ping Pong for Girlstart
Online Registration is NOW available!!!
Are you ready to play some ping pong with other awesome teams like…
Clayton Christopher from Sweet Leaf Tea
Team Velocity Credit Union
The Sneezing Unicorns from NI
Team Mindy Montford & Andi Sloan
Team Great Balls of Thunder
All team registrations and payments must be received & submitted by:
Friday, May 7, 2010
Ada Lovelace Day
Ada Lovelace Day is an international day of blogging to celebrate the achievements of women in technology and science.
Ada Lovelace was one of the world's first computer programmers, and one of the first people to see computers as more than just a machine for doing sums. She wrote programs for Charles Babbage's Analytical Engine, a general-purpose computing machine, despite the fact that it was never built. She also wrote the very first description of a computer and of software.
To learn more about Ada Lovelace click here or Wikipedia!
Register your daughter TODAY for Expanding Your Horizons to give her the opportunity to learn from successful female science and technology professionals!
Girlstart Alumna Volunteers During Spring Break
I was happy that spring break was going to begin because finally I was going to rest. At the same time I was sad because I did not know what I was going to do during a whole week of break. I decided to e-mail Ms. Julie who works at Girlstart and ask her if I could volunteer during the week of spring break. She responded back and told me that she would appreciate my help as a volunteer. I like Girlstart a lot because I went to their summer camps when I was younger, I had so much fun. I was really excited about going back to the program as an alumna, since I'm a sophomore going on to be a junior in high school.
I was so excited on Monday morning and was looking forward to what I was going to do. Monday morning Ms. Julie and I went to some sessions about technology and girls at SXSW interactive, with free day passes. Out of the two sessions my favorite one was Duh……Technology is for girls. I like this session because everyone was involved in the conversation, and everyone commented on the out loud comments on twitter. That day I learned that twitter is not just a page to gossip but it is also used for work purposes. I had a great time at SXSW interactive, when we came back Ms. Julie got me set up in the Girlstart twitter page and all afternoon I followed people who were part of the sessions we attended at SXSW interactive.
Wednesday morning I researched some potential activities that were on DVDs. One DVD caught my attention because it was talking about Latina girls and how we need to be encourage more to become engineers.
On Wednesday by midday Ms. Julie and I worked on a face book page for the Girlfriends Power Circle, added pictures and launched it live that day! Later on Wednesday afternoon I began separating some t-shirts that the camp was going to use from the ones that they were not going to keep. There were many t-shirts that they were not going to keep so I took some for my little cousins and we donated the rest to Safe Place. Organizing t-shirts is not that easy but it kept me busy for Wednesday and Thursday afternoon. I organized the t-shirts by color and made labels for the bins that they were going to be in. The room looked so much better with just having the t-shirts organized!
I had a great week here at Girlstart because many exciting things happened, and while I was having fun, I also learned new things. This is an experience that I will never forget!
Visit our volunteer page for high school volunteer opportunties this summer
$25 Summer Camp Discount
Top 10 Reasons Your Daughter will LOVE Summer Camp…
10. Yummy snacks everyday
9. She gets an awesome camp t-shirt!
8. Guest speakers with cool jobs
7. Fun counselors
6. Comfy bean bag chairs
5. Exploring new things and activities
4. Crazy games she'll love to play
3. New friends from all over
2. Great memories that last a lifetime!
1. All girls… All fun… All day!!
Take advantage of our $25 Summer Camp Early Registration Discount!
* Discount ends tonight, March 22nd, at 11:59pm.
Happy St. Patty's Day
Leprechauns left some dehydrated snow for us to play with today! Guess what color it is?
How this works?
The dehydrated snow or super-absorbent polymer powder is safe and non-hazardous. As you saw, the polymer absorbed all the water like millions of tiny sponges. Additionally the molecules swelled to an enormous size, 100x its original volume! The polymer soaks up the water, the water-filled molecules swell and it looks like eruption SNOW.
Insta-Snow is available through Steve Spangler Science
Green River
In celebration of St. Patrick's Day the Chicago River is dyed green. I've personally never seen the "Green River," but have heard it is a truly impressive sight. Do you know what makes the river green? Watch the video and read the story below to see if you can figure it out.
Click Image to Watch Video
(takes a second to load)
The Story Behind Dyeing the River
For the past 43 years the Chicago River turns green for the St. Patrick's Day Parade celebration. One would ask how this is different from the rest of the year when the river is always a murky shade of green. The difference is both significant and breathtaking because the color green is identical to the greens of Ireland from where it got its name "The Emerald Isle."
If you were watching this for the first time you would think this is a mistake or a bad joke. You see the dye is orange and its initial color on the surface of the river is orange and you would think to yourself what heathen would do something like this. After a moment or two you then see the true color magically appear.
Two miracles appear that day, the river turns a perfect shade of green something that many other cities have tried but have not been successful at doing, and the second miracle by starting with the color orange giving the impression that river will be orange only to convert the river to that true Irish green. We believe that is where the leprechaun comes in.
One of the initial problems was that there was no recipe for dying rivers green. Chicago was the first and only city to do it. So the question was: Do you use a few handfuls of dye or a carload?
One-hundred pounds was used the first year. The river stayed green for a week! The second year, 1963, we cut to 50 lbs, the river was green for three days.
We finally decided to use 25 lbs and that did the job for one day.
In 1966, the environmentalists accused the parade committee of polluting the river. They complained that the dye was oil-based and was detrimental to all living things.
Bailey laughed when he heard their argument but agreed to find a new compound that would do the job and appease the critics.
The committee experimented with a number of vegetable dyes and after a bit of trial and error, the current 40 lbs of new dye was hit upon. It produces a carpet of green for four or five hours.
Did you figure it out?
40lbs of orange vegetable dye that turns green when mixed with water


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Holed up in her spartan dressing room with a chicken Caesar salad and a loaf of garlic bread, Tea Leoni senses fear in her lunch companion. "I'm fine," she assures, her mouth full. "Don't worry." You see, Leoni has just confirmed that stage fright before taping The Naked Truth each week still causes her stomach to, uh, rise to the occasion. "My agent said, 'Please stop talking about your vomiting,' " she says, laughing. "But I can't help it. I mean, it comes up." So to speak.
Leoni certainly is no prim Miss Manners. She belches during her meal. Smokes cigars at poker games ("It's become rather chic for women to smoke cigars," she notes, "and on that basis I won't do it in public"). And while she devours novels (most recently E. Annie Proulx's The Shipping News and Ann Beattie's Another You), she also reads the tabloids — and not just as research for Naked's trash-journal setting. "I'll be really straight," she confesses. "I read 'em before I was even close to the show." She continues, "I tend to ride a lone horse to the beat of my own drum. I'm certainly not milky. Always been weird."
The New York-born Leoni, now in her late 20s, ditched a modeling career after Aaron Spelling cast her in his failed Charlie's Angels spin-off pilot, Angels '88. Her next series, 1992's Flying Blind, lasted one season, but Leoni's sexed-up good-time girl Alicia earned her enough critical raves to help fuel a modest movie career (A League of Their Own, Wyatt Earp, Bad Boys). She'll return to the big screen next year, costarring with Ben Stiller in the comedy Flirting With Disaster, as a pushy neurotic who "wears her skirts so tight that if you wanted to get a hand up her skirt, you couldn't."
Sounds as if Leoni is on a mission to rejigger the '90s woman. "Somewhere along the sexual revolution and the coming of feminism, we let our sexuality slip," she explains. "We're women. Celebrate the difference." Ironically, Leoni's estro-spark has made her a target of the tabloid press ever since Naked Truth executive producer Chris Thompson, 43, left his wife for her soon after production began. "If I tried to put it into words, it might seem like there was practicality involved," she says of their relationship. "Trust me, there wasn't."
And trust us, there's no way she'd dilute Naked's coarse and kooky cynicism in exchange for bigger ratings. "I don't want pastels," she says. "I don't want to curb it. Home Improvement has done a delicious job of pleasing everybody. Everybody's happy, nobody's offended. I've never been told, 'Tea, you never offend anybody."' And that's the Truth.


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Happy 5th Birthday Evernote!
We would like to wish Evernote a very happy 5th birthday!
To celebrate the Evernote team is asking users to share how Evernote has helped or influenced them. Stories submitted so far can be found on Evernote's Five Year page. You can also see what the Evernote team has to say on its birthday 'thank you' video.
Launched into public beta in June of 2008, Evernote had two goals: to create an external brain that makes everyone smarter, and build a hundred year start-up. They say: "Five years is just the beginning. Whether you've been using Evernote for years or heard about us for the first time today, you're here at the start of the journey. Thanks for helping build Evernote." You can also see how Evernote has grown around the world over the past 5 years in this video.
Here is to the next great five years and wishing the team many more birthdays to come!


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Award-winning innovation
Typhoon H is an advanced aerial photography and videography platform available in such a compact size. Driven by customer demand for a design that goes beyond the limitations of a traditional quadcopter, Typhoon H delivers capabilities previously only found in high-end professional offerings, but at a consumer price.
Typhoon H offers flight durations of up to 25 minutes while filming with the CGO3+ 4K UHD camera. The Android powered ST16 Ground Station features a 7-inch touchscreen that displays live footage of your flight in HD 720p resolution and enables a wide variety of autonomous flight modes.
Since software version 3.0, the Typhoon H, in addition to improved flight stability, is now also equipped with a redundant wireless signal for more security, a function for panoramic photography and one for time-lapse recordings and shots, and also functions for serial photography. So that updates are even easier to install, we have also introduced an OTA update function. That means that all future updates will be downloaded simply via Wi-Fi using the ST16 and automatically installed on the remote control, camera and hexacopter.
A full 360° view of the world
The 3-axis anti-vibration CGO3+ gimbal camera captures ultra-stable 4K ultra high definition video, vivid 12-megapixel still images and can be rotated through an unlimited 360° range of motion. The CGO3+ gimbal camera features a high-quality glass wide-angle lens with a 94° field of view, and offers manual camera settings while in flight.
ST16 all-in-one controller
The ST16 Ground Station is an integrated transmitter, receiver and Android platform that gives you full control over Typhoon H, allowing you to easily program autonomous flight and capture stunning photos and videos. The large 7-inch integrated screen displays real-time footage of your flight, eliminating the need for an external device.
Digital video downlink in HD (720p)
View real-time footage in HD 720p on the screen of the ST16 transmitter with the integrated digital video downlink with a range of up to 1.6 km.
Team mode with Wizard and ST16
Wizard is a compact flight controller with its own GPS beacon, making it the perfect second controller and homing device for Typhoon H. With Wizard controlling Typhoon H's flight path, the camera operator can use the included ST16 controller to focus on capturing breath-taking still images and video.
Multiple intelligent task modes
Take your creativity to the next level by letting Typhoon H's autonomous flight modes focus on the flying while you focus on the shot.
Sonar collision prevention
Intel® RealSense™ – Intelligent front sonar sensors allow Typhoon H to stop short of obstacles automatically, ensuring a safer, stress-free flying experience.
Orbit Me
Typhoon H flies a circular path around you, keeping the camera trained on you the whole time.
Point of Interest
Select a subject and Typhoon H will orbit that subject autonomously.
Point of Interest Berggebirge Typhoon H
Journey Mode
Typhoon H will automatically go up and out, as far as 90 m, and capture the perfect aerial selfie.
Journey Hexacopter Typhoon H
Follow Me / Watch Me
Follow Me ensures Typhoon H moves along with you. Watch Me tells Typhoon H to follow you while always pointing the camera at you wherever you go.
Curve Cable Cam
Easily program an invisible route for Typhoon H to fly along. Typhoon H will fly between pre-set coordinates while independently controlling camera position.
Return Home
Simply switch to Home Mode and Typhoon H will return and land within 8 m of you.
Smart safety function
Ensuring utmost safety, the FAA-compliant No Fly Zone feature prevents flight near commercial airports. The No Fly Zone feature also prevents flight above 122 m from the ground. The built-in GPS establishes an 8-m diameter Smart Circle around the pilot when taking off and landing and also creates a Geo Fence that keeps the aircraft from travelling further than 91 m from the pilot's position.
Easy propeller installation
Quick release buttons make installing and removing each propeller simple and fast. In spite of its simple action, high-performance propellers make Typhoon H agile, fast and instantly responsive to commands.
Retractable landing gear
Typhoon H's landing gear retracts out of the way to give you a full, 360° view of the world without anything obstructing your view.
Foldable arms
Each one of the six arms folds down for convenience and compactness.
What makes the Typhoon H so unique
Intel® RealSense™ technology with automatic obstacle and collision avoidance system
25 minutes' flight time so you can enjoy flying it for longer
4K camera with 360° gimbal for breath-taking shots and videos
Integrated Android operating system
Diverse, versatile and intelligent flight modes (Orbit, POI, Journey, Curve Cable Cam, Follow Me, Return Home)
Quick and easy switching between individual applications
Increased flight safety thanks to the 5-rotor mode – Flight safety is maintained even when automatically switching from 6 to 5 rotors whenever a motor fails
Retractable landing gear and arms for convenient transport
Cooling system for flights at high temperatures
Capable of flying even in strong winds
Team mode with Typhoon Wizard and ST16
Easy to maintain and handle
Small parts are available as spare parts


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Corporate Environmental Policy
Basic Concept
The Hakuto group,inclusive of its domestic and foreign affiliates, as a good corporate citizen, aims to contribute to economic and social development and creation of a sustainable society by giving serious consideration to the global environment, and by accomplishing the aforementioned, Hakuto endeavors in environmental protection as well as in our business activities and promotes environmental activities.
Basic Policy
- We endeavor to prevent environmental pollution in the course of our installation and support services for the electronic and electric equipment we market
- We, promote systematic management of toxic chemical compounds in the electronic components that we market, and observe the Green-procurement Direction of our customers.
- We make a conscientious effort to do research into minimizing water, air, noise, vibration and soil pollution at our research laboratory plant, and sales offices which focus on the development manufacturing and sales offices of industrial chemicals for the purpose of pollution prevention.
- We promote marketing of electronic and electric equipment, electronic components, industrial chemicals, etc. effective in environmental conservation, provide information related to these products and promote product development.
- We establish an environmental management system to promote prevention of global warming, effective use of resources and reduction in waste disposal.
- We observe environmental laws, restrictions and requirements including those of customers that we have agreed to.
- We promote environmental activities to cope with serious environmental problem such as biodiversity diminution.
- According to our environmental policy, we apply our environmental management system over the corporate sections to set up their environmental objectives and targets. To improve our environmental management system, we periodically review amd upgrade our environmental policy, objectives and targets.
- We familiarize and disclose our environmental policies to all our corporate employees and to the general public by publishing the policies on our internet web page and on our internal electronic bulletin board.
June 28, 2011
Ryusaburo Sugimoto, President
Nobuhito Shintoku, VP of Environmental Issues
Hakuto Co., Ltd.
For more information please contact:
Hakuto Co., Ltd.
1-13, Shinjuku 1-Chome, Shinjuku-Ku, Tokyo 160-8910, Japan
Phone : +81-3-3225-8910
Fax : +81-3-3225-9001
e-mail Hakuto


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Welcome to this weeks Friday Flash Giveaway!
A great group of bloggers have gotten together to give one lucky winner $25 CASH!
Join us and enter this terrific Giveaway and have some fun!!!
Giveaway starts 10/26 at 12:01am and ends 10/27 at 12:01am EST and is open Worldwide!
Just enter on the easy Rafflecopter below and Good Luck!


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Babies, it seems, are everywhere I look. I wish I could tell you that I am 100% happy and content in this current season with both of our careers, surrounded by family, and enjoying our freedom and independence. I wish I could tell you I didn't want kids just yet. But I can't.
When my husband and I first moved back to the States after living in Venezuela I knew it was not the right time to have a baby. We needed to get settled, to find work, to take care of a thousand other things. I knew it wasn't the right time, but oh how I wanted a baby. I spent many a weepy evening crying.
One night over dinner I finally talked to my husband about my frustration with waiting to move into this next step in our family life. I had a long list of things that needed to be settled before we could start thinking about kids and Brandon surprised me by asking, "Why do we have to wait X amount of time? Says who?"
He reminded me that while we had plans, sure, we could also change those plans. I was delighted thinking that the waiting was finally over. But it seems that God's plans are a little different than mine. There is still no baby in sight. I have no idea when it will happen or if it will happen. You can't will yourself pregnant.
If I'm honest, each day is a struggle to believe that having a baby is even possible. It's hard to trust and have faith and to reconcile this desire and God's goodness with God's silence in the waiting. Each day I have to choose not to be frustrated or give up hope when the road is dark and bumpy and it's not what I wanted at all.
I have this dream to be a mother and right now I can't live it out. Maybe that's your story too? Maybe there's something else that's good and life-changing that you're waiting for and the road is taking much longer than you ever imagined. I know the struggle. I know the sadness and the moments of panic and wondering, "Will this be forever?"
I do not know the future. I do not know what will happen in the next week, month, year, or years for you or for me. However, as I have spent day after day, month after month in the kind of desperate prayer I do know one thing: Your story is your own.
While it may appear that everyone else in the world is getting married and having babies and doing this and that, that is not actually the case. I have never met two people who have had the same timeline of events in their lives. And I'm willing to bet you that you haven't, either.
One of the most dangerous pits we can fall into is thinking that, "Everyone else gets to have this but not me. God has forgotten me." I promise you this: God has not forgotten you. As I'm in the middle of this season of waiting and wanting, I would give anything to fast-forward to the part where I get what I want. But I know I need to trust, and thank God for working on it, and be open to what God might have in store. God has made everything beautiful in its time.
I promise you this: God has not forgotten you.
I have to hold on to that truth or else I keep falling back into that pit of despair and doubt and self-pity where I'm stuck, unproductive and truthfully, a kill-joy. In the waiting, I have to remember that God is well aware of what is going on. I need to stop focusing on my plans and instead pray a simple prayer, "But in the meantime Lord, what?"
It's not wrong to dream. I believe that God wants good things for me, and for you too. Wherever you are right now, whatever dream you might be hoping and waiting for, you are not alone. I can promise you this: there is beauty in the way that is unfolding, not shame, not regret, beauty.


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Sonia Dalano
Chair of the Board/Founder
Sonia has been the Director of a Non-Profit for over 15 years as well as being hands on in every aspect of forming and maintaining it. She has been in management throughout her career. She is a former volunteer for Hospice and Hillsborough County Animal Shelter, as well as a former certified foster for HCAS. Sonia is a certified mentor and volunteer for the Florida State Department of Corrections and is established as a Counselor for various Non-Profit organizations.
She has founded and runs all of the operations of A Promised Land Animal Rescue, Inc. Which includes, but is not limited to the daily care for the animals, transportation, adoption events, networking, recruiting volunteers, communications with fellow rescuers, and initiating the direction for daily and longterm goals.
Michelle Sueyras
Vice Chair of the board
Michelle is Counsel to a Non-Profit that has been in existence for over 15 years. She has a degree in Nursing and a caring heart towards the animals. She is also a past volunteer for St. Francis Animal Rescue and a present volunteer for the Hillsborough County Animal Shelter
She assists in counsel to the rescue as well as helping in any area as needed.
Crystal Davidson
Crystal has helped in the daily fuctions of a Non-Profit for the past 10 years. She is a former volunteer at the Hillsborough County Animal Shelter and a certified foster as well. Her career for the past 5 years has consisted of office management and secretarial work.
She records all meeting minutes and assists in the organization of all documentation, including legal documentation, expense reports, receipts,.... etc. She assits in writing grants for the organization to accomplish each of its missions. As well as the daily care of the animals, medical, transportation, and events.
Leslie Fonseca
Leslie has bachelor and master degrees in accounting and has been involved with many not-for profit organizations, through having them as audit clients and volunteering for other similar organizations.
She completed all initial legal/registration documentation and is the registered agent for the organization. She is in charge of preparing the organization's budget and initial accounting.
Devin Sueyras
Devin is a former volunteer at the Hillsborough County Animal Shelter. He also owns pets and has shown a high quaility of care for them over a long period of time.
He assists in any area of the rescue as needed
Jennie Dean Smith
Jennie has helped with a Non-Profit for the past 12 years in various areas. She is a former certified foster for the Hillsborough County Animal Shelter and has pets of her own that she cares for.
She assists in daily care for the animals, transportation, and events.


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The role is to be filled by Leeds City Council senior PRO Gerry Crookes.
It was recommended, along with a strengthening of corporate comms, in a review carried out by agency Daniel Harris Associates and the council.
Crookes joins next week and her first task, according to DHA head Daniel Harris, is to create a new comms structure. This could include boosting the numbers in the central corporate PR team, which currently has two PROs.
DHA was called in last year (PRWeek, 29 March) following an independent report, called 'Burnley Speaks, Who Listens?', into the summer 2001 riots.
This found little understanding between Asian and White communities and poor council attempts to tackle allegedly inflammatory media coverage of racial issues.
Councillor Andrew Tatchell, deputy leader of the authority and the member responsible for comms, said: 'We have been criticised in the past for not being as good as we should at getting information out to local people and not devoting resources to doing this properly.'
Work already done to improve comms since the publication of the report, includes creating a comms working group of officers from all departments, which is chaired by CEO Gillian Taylor.
An internal comms publication called Council People has been created, and council officers now meet more formally with local newspaper editors to liaise on possible community and consultation campaigning link ups.
Also the central comms team has been moved out of the single regeneration budget team, which unusually it was funded through, and now sits in the CEO's department.
Crookes was unavailable for comment as PRWeek went to press.


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The ever-popular The Original London Hop-on, Hop-off Tour allows you to see the sites of this wonderful city at your own pace and create your perfect London sightseeing itinerary.
Also included in the package is a River Thames hop-on, hop-off cruise between Westminster, Tower Bridge and Greenwich. Plus, get to know the city more intimately with three walking tours – Changing of the Guard, Jack the Ripper Tour, and Rock 'n' Roll Walking Tour.
With six routes covering popular London attractions, hop on and off at the well-placed bus stops and visit attractions of your choice. The London hop-on, hop-off tour gives you the liberty to customize your own sightseeing itinerary. With a high frequency of buses, you could simply hop off at a stop, spend time at one attraction and then board a bus to reach your next destination.
This tour covers all the must-see sights and boroughs; from swanky Kensington, to the shops of Oxford and Bond Street and the iconic attractions of Westminster and the West End - no area is missed off this all-encompassing route. For more information on routes and schedules, download the tour route map
Fancy an upgrade? You can add-on a ticket for the London Eye, the Tower of London or Madame Tussauds to get a complete London sightseeing package. You'll be presented with all options as part of the simple online booking process…
Ticket valid for 24 or 48 hours (take your pick!)Start Time
Buses depart between 8:10am and 6:30pm, every 10-20 minutes.
Thames Cruises run between 10am and 6pm.
Walking tour timings change season to season - ask the friendly on-street staff for the timings.
Before boarding the bus, you have to redeem your confirmation voucher at the Original London Visitor Centre (Charing Cross Station) located at 17-19 Cockspur Street Trafalgar Square London SW1Y 5BL.
Opening Time:
Monday - Saturday: 8:00am to 6:00pm
Sunday & Bank Holidays: 8:00am to 5:30pm
Hop off at any of the stops
Food and drinks
Voucher information: No need to print! You can show your voucher on your smartphone or other devices. (But if you'd rather print a copy – that's fine too!)
London is a functioning capital city and therefore political events, demonstrations and celebrations can disrupt the route at any time, especially during summer and at weekends. While every effort is made to ensure a smooth and frequent service, there may be delays, reduced frequency and route alternations due to traffic and road closures.
Whilst we offer the walk daily, the Guard Change will not take place if it rains. The parade will take place at Buckingham Palace on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. On the days when the visit to the Changing of the Guard Parade won't be available, you will be taken to see the Changing of the Horse Guard at Horse Guard Parade followed by a visit to the Buckingham Palace.
The itinerary is subject to change.
Your voucher will be valid for three months from the date chosen at the time of booking.
Children aged 4 and under travel free and do not need a voucher, therefore you do not need to make a booking for them.
Relaxed and informative,sarah fairbairn, United Kingdom, 06/Jun/2018
Very nice guides, we'd a lot of fun.Martin Petro, Slovakia, 24/May/2018
Total fun on the entire ride!denise brown-kahney, , 18/Sep/2019
the free changing of the guard walking tour was the best part and the live guide Cliff, on the yellow route of the HOHO London was greatELISE THOMSON, , 30/Aug/2019
I think in given 1 day tour itinerary everything covered we wanted to visitVijendra Nanavati, , 31/Jul/2019


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Soulshaker Ft. Lucas
Far Away
Far Away is available at:
RELEASED: April, 2015
GENRES: House/Electro.
Surrey/London, U.K.
IT has been nice to focus on solo artists…
and see what is out there. Although, technically, my featured track is collaboration, I am interested in the man behind the song; the voice that comes through- I shall introduce him soon. For now, I am interested in the solo market; the range of sounds- and what can be achieved. Over the last few months, I have been lucky enough to discover some great solo stars: the music is always ambitious and strong; the songs unique and personal- there is a lot of range and choice out there. I find that the band market seems a little limited: most of the bands I have come across tend to tread the Rock/Indie lines; a few go heavier (or softer), yet there is less diversity. Perhaps playing to strengths- you elicit the best results from these genres; it is what the public seeks- the lone artists has a tougher task ahead- without the support of band-mates, they have to do all the work; plan their careers- and fight off some tough competition. When presenting with a new artist- someone that is just starting out- I always tend to find the same thing: they have worked tirelessly (to get where they are); spent a lot of money and time- put a tonne of effort into making it happen. It is one of the signs of the times, I guess: to 'make it' or at least get recognised, you have to sacrifice a lot- that can include financial security and a degree of happiness. With that in mind, eyes and ears will concentrate on the most unique: those artists that offer something special; break from the parable of mainstream predictability- and craft something that really strikes the ear. This brings me to the issuer of genres/styles: the types of music that is currently favoured. Electronic sounds are coming through at the moment: some of the best solo music at the moment includes Electro./House elements; something upbeat and electric- essentially, music that is gripping and busy. With the likes of FKA twigs coming through- I know I mention her every review; there is a good reason for it- and the release of her new E.P. (Melissa), it seems to be a quintessential art-form- that is inspiring a lot of solo artists. Within Electro./House parameters, you can achieve quite a lot: there is more mobility and potential; switch seamlessly between forceful and sensitive- you are not as constrained and limited. I do appreciate great Folk/Pop music; yet find there are fewer stand-out acts: you really have to dig to discover something special. Before I continue my point, let me introduce Lucas to you:
"My name is Lucas and I'm an R'n'B, Soul, Pop singer/songwriter solo artist from London. I have an eclectic taste in music so I'll listen to pretty much anything. Listening to these different styles of music helps me to creatively write better songs, have a better production behind me and be more innovative in this ever changing industry. My style of music is a mix of old '90s R'n'B to modern R'n'B, Pop and old Soul! My vocals are inspired by my favourite artists from Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder through to Mary J. Blige, Ne-Yo, Usher and Justin Timberlake to name a few. I am planning on releasing my debut E.P. very soon as all the songs are written and just need recording now so that is one of my favourite processes and I'll have a few more cover videos out In the coming months. I also plan to start gigging as soon as I have my material all ready to promote!"
The young artist has a true talent: he is seamless when backed by electronic force; natural in the Pop arena- comfortable and striking when in the Soul mould. With an eclectic music taste, it is perhaps not surprising: here is an artist that will not rest; wants to perform various genres- and showcase his full range. Having just heard Elena Ramona's latest song/collaboration- Got It is a typically assured and stunning track- it seems that a lot of young singer/songwriters are joining forces- with producers/Rap stars to create something quite awesome. Lucas' voice is the star of Far Away: together with Soulshaker, the track is a compelling and authoritative House/Electro. mandate- a song that demonstrates what a talent (Lucas is). Soulshaker are a growing and reputable team: the producers-cum-D.J.s-cum-writers have worked with some incredible artists- their name is catching some influential ears; their portfolio is expanding by the month:
"Soulshaker are considered as being one of the hottest dance music production teams around. They won the 'Best International Dance Producers Award' at the Music Awards in, Malta, Europe, and to date have been involved in an unprecedented 12 No1 UK Music Week club chart Hits and countless more Top 40 Hits around the World including cuts on a new No1 Album in Japan. Always trying to keep their sound at the forefront of the underground dance music scene."
Far Away is the perfect coming-together of production team and central artist: the hungry young artist joining together with innovative and professional producers- to create something quite dazzling.
If you are new to Lucas, it may be worth heading to (his YouTube) page: it shows a range of cover versions; the artists that inspire him- and what his voice is capable of. What strikes me about (Lucas' voice) is his naturalness and soulfulness. When the likes of Plan B go into Soul territory it sounds a little forced: although Ben Drew has a Smokey Robinson-esque style, his natural home is in Rap. Lucas seems like he was born to be a Soul singer: given his influences include Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and Mary J. Blige; it is not a shock (he has such a terrific voice). From I See Fire (Ed Sheeran) to P.Y.T. (Michael Jackson), the young singer makes the songs his own- that rich and expressive voice brings life to the tracks. There are not a lot of great Soul voices on the scene now: the trend airs towards Rock and Pop; the opportunities to discover a Sam Smith-type vocal are few and far between. As we are witnessing a Lucas composition, it is hard to compare (Far Away) with previous output. With Soulshaker joining forces- and Lucas' previous output being mainly covers-based- this is a new venture; stepping into fresh territory- lacing his soulful voice with something harder and less Pop-based. Definitely check out his YouTube/SoundCloud accounts; get a gist of what to expect- and what his voice can achieve- and listen to that (in tandem with) Far Away- it gives you a glimpse into his future. In terms of confidence and authority, Lucas is at his peak (on Far Away) - he sounds more assured and stirring; his voice is in full bloom; perfectly mingling inside the composition. Few young artists are as mobile and adaptable: Lucas shows he is as confident when tackling Justin Timberlake- as he is singing his own songs.
Far Away starts with a very pleasing opening vibe: the first beats of the introduction put me in mind of the '90s Dance scene. With a suggestion of Show Me Love (from Robin S.) I was transported back to music's heyday: when the Dance/Club scene was awash with stunners and epic tunes; here there is instant nostalgia and evocation. That is not to say we are hearing a '90s tribute slice: Soulshaker make sure the introduction has a modern vibe: that comingle of '90s-via-current is intoxicating and wonderfully realised. The tribal call-to-arms rush (of the introduction) then succeeds to Lucas' voice- it comes in hard and focused. Not overly-produced or processed, we get a naturalness and nakedness coming forth- a rarity considering the wealth of Auto-tuned Dance/House music. Our hero's initial words are deployed with emotion and pace- the lines are teased in to make sure they hit home. Looking out across the land (so it is said) "we rise and we fall." As our man sees it all- his eyes and mind have witnessed too much- there is that desire to "drift away"- quite a mordent sentiment on first investigation. When it comes down to it, there's that need for calm and peace: get away from the rabble and chaos of events; find somewhere ensconced and quiet. The song gains early stripes with its mixture of tradition and simplicity. The composition remains vibrant, yet still pervades that air of '90s Dance: appropriating the glory days, you are instantly uplifted and smiling. The lyrics themselves touch on common themes and concerns: the lines are quotable and memorable; kept basic and honest- to ensure the sentiments can be appreciated/understood by all. With its rushing composition, the listener is gripped and invested- already sympathising with Lucas' plight of anxiety. As the beat gets heavier and more dominant- it is a static beat that punctuates and highlights the foreground- our hero is "far away"- there is a sense of obliqueness and mystery in some of the words. Wanting to return to a certain "place"- whether that is entrenches in music-making or a happier time- there is that desire to return: escape an unhappy way-of-life and find some sanctuary. Before you find yourself predicting the next moves- where the song is going and what will arrive- the track evolves and switches- a stunningly stirring mantra is unleashed. Backed by a soothing (feminine) backing vocal, Lucas is "not gonna wait": that sense of determination and spirit is unerring. The entire piece is backed with a rousing and multifarious soundtrack: the beats are less punchy (and more soothing); the electronics are colourful and sprite- the vocal is up-front and clear. That declarative statement comes around again (and again): it is a catchy and sing-along moment; sure to have club-goers and music-lovers unison in voice. Both bellicose and smiling, that sentiment ("I'm not gonna wait") seems to be the song's central message- something that defines Lucas' current objectives. There is that feeling of boredom and uninspired day-to-day: the images of Lucas going through the motions; working a humdrum job; not fulfilling his ambitions- that is what strikes my ear. Having heard a lot of modern Dance/Electro, tracks- including Elena Ramona'a latest- common themes come through. Dream-chasing and self-sacrifice are hot topics among young performers: there is that sense of stress and emptiness; that constant struggle to pursue dreams- having to compromise and do a workaday job (just to fund your dream). In my imagination- and I may be way off the mark- I get the feeling Lucas is calling out to the world: when he says he is "coming back" again; it refers to recording/touring. He is telling the world about it- I am guessing social media is being referenced in these moments- and determined to throw off his shackles and demons. Having overcome some hardships and trials, the young man has his eyes primed: he knows what he wants in life; music is his reason for existence- that desire and burning passion emanated in every note and expression. Supported by an insatiable and fire-cracking composition- that teases '90s beats with cutting edge electronics; static crack with swirling undertones. Writing a song that is not just personal- it can be extrapolated by so many people- Far Away is that definition of frustration: the need to get out of a bad way; feeling detached and alone. The final moments reintroduce that stunning chorus: its addictiveness and entrancing qualities seem even-more pressing and glorious; a perfect send-off for the track. The final seconds take things down rapidly: no time for fade-out or silence; the track comes to a succinct and speedy end. All that is left is to reflect and take it all in: try and get to grips with the many themes, dreams (and sounds) of Far Away.
As a song, it is filled with catchiness and nuance: you find yourself repeating it; missing things out on the first lap- you keep coming back time and time again. When you sit down and listen to the track, there is that instant nostalgia and recognition: consciously or not, Lucas and Soulshaker have crafted something that is '90s-sounding yet modern; 'oldskool' and current- a wonderful concoction. As beat-makers; Soulshaker come into their own. I have checked out their previous work, yet here they seem to be at their peak: the production qualities and sound is exceptional; it is clear and polished, concise and crystal- allowing every note and vocal to shine without any fear of muting/clarity loss. Lucas' central vocal is the real star here: his soulful and direct vocals bring the words to life; keep the listener fascinating from first to life- he showcases himself as a natural front-man and voice; someone with a huge amount of instinct and drive. The song's messages are personal to him: they can be understood and appreciated by everyone- we have all experienced that sense of disenfranchisement and struggle; the need to do something meaningful and good. Keeping the lyrics direct and simple, it not only makes the song memorable and quotable- it is perfect for the current crowd; those who want their songs easy-going and catchy. That is not to say the words are unintelligent or basic: Lucas has managed to make his thoughts deep and thought-out; yet has not made them too wordy or complicated. Soulshaker and Lucas seem like natural counterparts: their distinct voices/talents blend perfectly; there is a seamlessness that made Far Away such a stunning song- there are no loose edges or nervous moments; always a feeling of natural bond and intuition. I hope the two combine in the future; join force again for another round- this one-off collaboration will see the fans and listeners desiring more.
Lucas shows himself to be one of the best up-and-coming talents around. It would be good to see an official website from him: something that ties his social media together; puts himself up front and proud- is a one-stop port for his music and news. As things stand, the future is looking pretty good. I know he is planning his debut E.P.: a chance to see him in his element; show the world what he is about- and make his mark on the scene. Being such a superb interpreter it will be interesting to see whether Lucas- when his E.P. has been completed- opts for originals-only; or whether he will include a cover or two. Having studied his SoundCloud page, it seems like he has plenty of ammunition and music: his original tracks (largely snippets and ideas) seem full of potential and possibility; he may have a hard task narrowing his options down. Before I mention Lucas more, it is worth reflecting on Far Away- and the collaboration with Soulshaker. The startling production/D.J. crew seems like natural bed-mates: their intuitive ear is the perfect springboard for Lucas- when they join force, you get a real simpatico; I hope the two join forces again. The composition and production values are tremendous: they allow the vocal to reign yet do not negate the music itself—which is rich and filled with detail. A song that is ready-made for the dancefloors and clubs- that also has a made-for-radio popularity and quality- they have created a gem here- a song that cannot be ignored or overlooked. Soulshaker are on the rise; a growing force, they will be worth watching closely- and make sure you follow them closely. With regards the central voice: here is an artist that will go onto big things. Being a mutual friend of other great London/Surrey-based talent- including Elena Ramona and Chess- he is one (of the core) of young artists making their first moves- and showing the music world what they're about. Far Away is just one side to the young man: given his musical upbringing- and his eclectic range of idols- and list of cover versions; any future E.P. will be fascinating to predict- just what can we expect from Lucas? Well, it seems like there will be a leaning towards Soul and Pop: that unique voice augmenting tales of love and struggle; against-the-odd and fighting on. Lucas has overcome some hurdles and set-backs (in his life) so it will be fascinating to see how he distills that- and whether it will feature in his music. Of course, Far Away shows he is adept in the House/Electro. milieu: maybe his upcoming E.P. will combine all these strands. Far Away has already made its way into an E.P. - the track features a number of remixes- yet when Lucas goes alone, that will be the most interesting release. Equip with a honey-rich set of pipes; a confidence that bellies his age and youthfulness- keep your eyes peeled. The likes of Sam Smith and Paolo Nutini- two young and startling talents; both complete with stunning Soul tones- have shown what can happen- they are both among the best singers/artists on the scene. Smith has gone onto critical success and applause; Nutini is one of the most impressive singers around- there is no reason Lucas cannot join the pantheon of the greats. Of course, he will want to focus and regroup: plan his next moves and start to hit the road; taking his music to new audiences- before dropping an E.P. With so many jaded and fly-by-night artists coming through- most of whom have no real quality and durability- we need to embrace the truly deserving: those singers that have a long-term future; are filled with distinction. As the weather is somewhat capricious (read: complete crap) and summer is fading away, we all need something to rally the spirits- Far Away is just the tonic. Take a listen and drink it all in; it is a song that has nuance and fresh layers- all spiraled around a smooth and essential (central) voice. With Soulshaker providing ample support, Lucas is eyeing the future; making his next essential moves. Given what has come before, I predict 2016…
WILL be a very prosperous year for him.
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Follow Lucas:
Follow Soulshaker:


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By Blake Parker
The melodies of INSTINCT drift past in the same way a summer breeze moves through an open window – not demanding attention but rather adding atmospheric pleasantry to whatever may already be occurring. The music in this album, made by Wojtek Szczepanik, wonderfully accompanies and enhances those activities already peaceful and simple in nature, such as brewing tea, reading an old book, or napping in late morning. However, INSTINCT as an album was constructed in no simple manner.
Far from major civilization, amid farm fields and clusters of trees, there is a historic chapel, constructed entirely of wood in the 18th century. Szczepanik chose this chapel as the recording location for the entire album, utilizing a piano with a peculiar tuning and the atmosphere of the chapel itself – the vibrations of that 300 year old wood – as an instrument no less important than the piano. Additionally, the Swedish-made piano was built in a way that favors the non-standard tuning of A-432 Hz, rather than A-440 Hz. This tuning is mathematically balanced and is said to contribute to physical and mental relaxation, calmness, and even healing.
These elements of the album, paired with the earnest and sincere composing prowess of Szczepanik, come together to form something more than just an album of music. The resulting recordings hold a musical power beyond expectation. INSTINCT may be heard by those not seeking such an impactful peace; but once realized, this peace is valuable to both those who seek it and those who do not.
Listen to INSTINCT on your favorite digital platform, and keep up with Wotjek's work on Facebook and SoundCloud.


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Which cover?
My publishers have been kind enough to design two different covers for 'Death in Shanghai'. But only one will be available on launch day, September 10th.
Which do you like?
Let me know your favourite on my Facebook page at writermjlee or on the website writermjlee.com
And, if you really like it, why not pre-order at:
UK: ow.ly/QNMH8
US: ow.ly/RkcYa


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Botox supplier left red faced after reprimand by watchdog
Aggressive promotion of the wrinkle-reducing powers of Botox has left a leading manufacturer in hot water.
Allergan, an American healthcare company, has been reprimanded by Britain's medical marketing watchdog for telling doctors that its Botox was superior to a rival, and for repeating the claim three times after promising to stop.
Allergan was one of four companies, along with Shire, Sanofi and Hungary's Gedeon Richter, that were chastised yesterday for "bringing discredit upon, and reducing confidence in" the drugs industry in a crackdown on inappropriate promotions.
The Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMCPA) accused Allergan of "completely unacceptable" conduct in consistently claiming, in presentations to doctors, that its Botox was more potent than injections provided by Merz, a competitor, without sufficient evidence to back…


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Meet the Press | April 14, 2013
>>> this sunday a critical phase for the obama agenda -- guns, immigration , and can gridlock in washington be broken? my lead guest is the key gop player in the immigration debate , florida senator and prospective 2016 presidential candidate marco rubio .
>>> also had morning the gun debate. high emotion as newtown families fight for tighter gun restrictions. what chance does a new compromise on background checks have are in a divided congress?
>> what's more important to you? our children 0 are or an "a" gra grade?
>> part of our political roundtable, with us democrat from new york senator kirsten gillibrand and republican from utah, senator mike lee .
>>> finally, jackie robinson , baseball and race in america a. new film about his life is out this weekend. why his story is so meaningful even to a younger generation in the age of president obama . joining us for a special conversation jackie robinson 's wife of 26 years, rachel robinson , and historian and documentary filmmaker ken burns .
>>> and good sunday morning the excuse my laryngitis. on tuesday a bipartisan group of senators will present its long long-awaited plan for immigration reform , the so-called gang of eight, has wrapped up months of negotiations and will present a bill that includes a pathway to s citizenship for many of the 11 million immigrants who are here without documentation. with us now the man at the center of bringing this group together, republican senator from florida, marco rubio . senator, welcome back to "meet the press."
>> thank you. thanks for having me.
>> i have to apologize for sounding like peter brady from "the brady buncbunch" this morning. so bear with me.
>> i just thought were you getting emotional.
>> let's get to immigration and the so-called gang of eight. if we were to sum up this proposal it would be to beef up border security , at the same time create a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants now in the country. why would you support this given the obvious political risk that this carries in your own party ?
>> well, three things. first of all, even if we didn't have a single person in this country in violation of immigration laws , we could still have to do immigration reform because our legal immigration system is broken. it's not good for anybody the way it works right now and this bill modernizes it in a way that will get broad based support. we also have to be able to enforce our laws. and this bill will pass -- this bill once introduced as we've agreed to, i think, will show a broad base of enforcement measures unlike anything this country has ever seen. and what it does, it creates a way for us to address the millions of people that are here undocumented in a way that's compassionate but also in a way that's responsible. it will allow them to ultimately earn access to our legal immigration system. they will still have to apply. it doesn't award them anything, but it does give them access to our legal immigration system, to a process that will not encourage people to come here illegal willy in the future, and through a process that isn't un unfair for the people who have done it the right way. you talk about the political calculus, i have avoided making the political calculus on this issue because for me, and this may sound new to people, what have you,terms of how politics works today, but what we have now isn't good for anybody. what we have in place today, the status quo , is hobble for america . the only people benefiting from the status quo in immigration today are people trafficking human beings across the border and the people hiring illegal labor for cheap purposes, you know, to pay them very little. these are the only people benefiting from the status quo . it's bad for everyone else.
>> as you well know and the criticism is fast and furious from conservatives like ted cruz , your fellow senator, for those who are going through the legal process , they'll feel like chum ps who are outside this country. his words. because those here illegally would get on this legal path to citizenship even if they would pay a pent, even if they would pay a fine and have to go through other checks. why isn't it tantamount to amnesty as your critics say?
>> well, first of all a.mnesty is the forgiveness of something. in fact, there will be consequences for having violated the law and reasonable consequences. but the type of consequenceses that ensure that there's no incentive to do it this way again. here is my second point. if you're waiting to come legally to the united states now, no one who has done it the wrong way will get it before you. it will be cheaper, faster, easier and less bureaucratic if you are doing it the right way. in no way having done this the wrong way be a reward in comparison to the people who are waiting to come here legally or the ones who have come here legally in the past. so i can't wait for the details of this to be available because i think people will find we've addressed that concern specifically and effectively.
>> three years ago in a debate you were clear on this. you said to earn a pathway to citizenship you would have to leave this country if you were here illegally, go back home, and then you could come back in. you said an earned pathway was amnesty. yet you've changed your mind here. why?
>> well, first of all, what i said throughout my campaign was that i was against a blanket amnesty and this is not blanket amnesty. this is not blanket anything. it's not amnesty because you pay serious consequenceses for having violated the law. third, we need to understand the existing law. the existing law does not prohibit someone from violating the immigration laws from getting a green card . it simply says you have to leave the united states and you have to wait ten years. what we have done is created an alte alternative to that that forces you to wait more than ten years, that forces you to pay an application fee, that, forces you to pay a significant fine, that forces you not to qualify for any federal benefits of any kind, that tells you you have to work and be gainfully employed so you are not a public charge. even with all of that, you don't gain access to the green card process. you have to apply for it. it's not award ed to you. you don't gain access to any of that until there's a universally verified system in place and an exit system in place.
>> there's a change. you said that you would have to leave the country before you could come back, and you've changed on that.
>> but that's not necessarily what i've said in the past. what i've said in the past is there is a the pathway to citizenship and that is the legal immigration system. and all this bill does is give people access to the legal immigration system. it allows them to earn an access to the legal immigration system. and so what we are doing is we are creating an altern it tetch to that path that exists now and quite frankly it will be cheaper, easier and faster to leave and wait ten years than to go through this process that we've designed.
>> the political problem the party faces, republicans face among minority communities, is so large if you look at the results from the 2012 election. you've spoken to it as have others and i wonder whether this is enough, the party 's repositioning, your leading the way is enough to overcome those difficulties. colin powell was on the program earlier this year. he had some comments about the plight for the republican party and i want to get your response to them.
>> i think what the republican party needs to do now is take a very hard look at itself and understand that the country has changed. the country is changing demographically. and if the republican party does not change along with that demographic, they're going to be in trouble. there's also a dark -- a dark vein of intolerance in some parts of the party . what do i mean by that? what i mean by that is they still sort of look down on minorities.
>> do you agree with that, and do you think that these efforts on immigration are enough to overcome it?
>> well, first of all, i don't agree the republican party characterized by intolerance or looking down on anybody and i respectfully disagree with someone i think has served our country admirably. obviously there's political ramifications to everything we do in washington, but it's not the rein to do it and it certainly isn't the reason i'm involved in doing this. i'm involved because i think what we have now is terrible for the united states of america . we have a legal immigration system that does not work. it does not reflect the economic needs of this country in the 21st century . it needs to be modernized and our agreement will do that. it will modernize the legal immigration system that is more merit based and jobs based and less based on whether you know someone who already lives here and that's an important development along with the ability for people to access is the workforce in the high-tech field, et cetera . the second thing this does, it puts in place effective enforcement mechanisms unlike anything we've ever had in the history of this country before. my last point on this, i think republicans need to do a better job reaching out to everyone in the united states . politics is always about getting the support of the majority of our people. and i think the best way to do that is is for the republican party to prove, as i think we can, that we are the party of upward mobility . we are not the party of the people who have made it. certainly we don't begrudge people who have made it. we secelebrate what they have done. in america we've always celebrated success. but we are the party for the people trying to make it, who are trying to start a business out of the spare bedroom of their home who are trying to give their kids a better life . and the only way that's possible is through the american free enterprise system the democrats on the left are undermining.
>> isn't the hole rather deep? based on our recent poll, favorable/unfavorable ratings among hispanics in this country comparing you to hillary clinton here, look at her at 63%/13%. you are at 23%/12%. isn't that a sign of just how big the hole is even among hispanics in the country between you and top tier of democrats?
>> i don't know anything about these polls. and i quite frankly don't spend a lot of time analyzing them. this isn't about improving anyone's poll numbers. this is simple. i'm a senator. i get paid to solve problems. we have millions of people in this country who are illegal ly here. we don't know who they are, where they are. many of them aren't paying taxes. it's not good for them obviously either. it's not good for our economy. we have a legal immigration system that our business community is telling us is keeping them from creating jobs that can lead to economic growth .
>> understood.
>> we have immigration laws that aren't being enforced.
>> there's something that happens in this debate, the amendment process, additional opposition from conservatives that causes you to step back and say, i can no longer support this compromise agreement .
>> well, i've been very clear about my principles of what reform needs to look like, and if this bill were to somehow ab abandon those principles, certainly i wouldn't support that. i don't anticipate that. there are amendments, designed to make a bill better. i think that's important. what we are working on is a starting point. it snos the take it or hev it. we spent a lot of time crafting it. i think it's a very good piece of legislation, a very good law. there are 92 other senators who have ideas of their own, and i think that from them we are going to get ways to improve this. we are going to get ideas that make it better and i welcome that. there are amendments designed to undermine this, that will be designed to make this thing undoable. and obviously i'll oppose that especially if that's the intent of them. so certainly i'm looking forward to an open process of debate on this.
>> i want to get to a couple of other issues including the gun control debate. striking moment this weekend when you had one of the family members of the victims in newtown actually give the weekly address that the president normally gives. wheeler had this to say. i want to play a portion of it and get your response.
>> we have to convince the senate to come together and pass common sense gun responsibility reforms that will make our communities safer and prevent more tragedies like the one we never thought would happen to us.
>> how do you answer francine wheeler when you are opposed to expanding background checks , when you voted even to oppose this debate coming forward in the senate?
>> well, first of all, let the me say my heart, as everyone else's, goes out to these families. i actually met with these families including her and her husband. it was, i can tell you, the most emotional meeting i've ever had in my service. i admire these families because, quite frankly , their agenda is not a political one. they are trying to turn this horrifying tragedy into a positive in terms of getting changes in public policy , and i applaud them for that. here is my point and has always been my point on gun laws . they are highly ineffective in terms of accomplish the following goal and that is to protect the right of law abiding citizens to possess weapons which the second amendment guarantees, the constitutional right, and they are ineffective at keeping guns out of the hands of dangerous criminals who quite frankly because they're criminals don't care what the law is. so i'm not opposed to all gun laws . i'm just opposed to the ones that don't do those two things, don't protect the right to keep firearms.
>> don't you need to be challenged?
>> i don't think these accomplish that.
>> there are checks at the federal level . this would expand those checks in order to shore up certain loopholes. how is it that those additional checks would undermine the second amendment?
>> well, first of all, we have, for example, concealed weapons permits across the country. i have one. these are people that are preapproved in terms of getting concealed weapons permit. perhaps there's a way to accommodate that across all 50 states where concealed weapons permit is treated as a de facto background check . ultimately the reason we are doing this, in essence we are spending all of our time talking about background checks as if criminals will no longer get guns because they have to undergo a background check , we're lying to people. that isn't true. the fact of the matter is we have a violence problem in america . guns are what people are using, but violence is our problem and no one is having a debate about the violence problem. and i think this is a missed opportunity to have an honest and open conversation in this country about why these horrifying things are happening. not simply what they're using to carry this out but why are people doing this to it begin with and all the focus is on laws that only law abiding people are going to follow.
>> you know the political analysis right now as a pro-suspect issive 2016 nominee, you have to be careful not to stray too far from the republican party on guns particularly when you're stepping out trying to be a leader on immigration . you have to pick your areas where you're going to stand out.
>> david, i disagree with that. my position on guns is the same as they've always been. the second is amendment is a constitutional right. i didn't write that. that's in there. anytime you're going to do anything that impacts a constitutional right, the scrutiny should be very, very high. and that's what i'm applying to th this. if someone can produce a law that keeps guns out of the hands of criminals but protects the rights of law abiding citizens to possess them and doesn't infringe on those rights, i would support that. i haven't fully read the toomey/manchin compromise but all the proposals do not reach that. we are miss iing a golden opportunity to have an important debate about violence in our society. violence in our society is the problem.
>> i want to ask you about north korea can as the administration waits for a potential missile launch from kim jong -un. how do you think the admission has handled it? how do you defuse this crisis?
>> i don't have much qualms with the way they've handled it, to be quite frank. i think they've taken the right steps to protect the united states and to make very clear that we are going to live up to our security obligations to our allies in the reswron. the truth of the matter is that i think it's a mistake to view north korea can as a government. it is more like a criminal syndicate . and this young man now in charge of government there is even more erratic, as hard as it is to believe, than his predecessors. it's a very dangerous situation. i'm glad to see secretary kerry visited china yesterday. i think it's important that the chinese weigh in on this. i think in the long term it's the goal of everyone to see a unified korea that actually provides for the people of north korea , the kind of life that they need. i think certainly in the short term what we have to ensure is all of our allies in the region clearly understand that we are going to live up to our security commitment, that we are position ed militarily to defend the united states if, in fact, these guys carry out an irrational act and long term to make them understand that this pattern of irresponsible behavior followed by some sort of reward in the form of food aid that those days are over and that is what's important, that we not reward that behavior with any sort of aid.
>> you were critical of the administration after a trip down to cuba by beyonce and jay-z. they were seen vacationing there, walking through the streets. it was sanctioned by the treasury department . isn't the broader issue here, senator, what, if anything, will it take to get more normal relations with cuba and the united states ?
>> well, that's up to cuba . if cuba wants normal relations, there are certain things they need to do like become a normal country that respects the rights of their citizens. i thought it was hypocritical of beyonce and jay-z to go down to cuba . there is a rapper on a hunger strike and has been persecuted because of his lyrics. jay-z wears a shirt of a man who was a racist and a killer. he's not in the middle of any public discourse here. it's important to point out when people take stances like that that are absurd, beyond that the fundamental problem is not jay-d and beyonce . the problem is these trips to cuba are being abused. they are not people to people trips, they are tourist trips that provide a currency for a tyrannical regime at that get hard currency . that's why the trips need to be ca carefully cruet nized.
>> final question on politics, can a nominee of the republican party in 2016 be a champion for an immigration reform policy that provides a pathway to citizen for for illegal immigrants in this country?
>> i think the nominee in our party needs to have answerses to the problems our country faces and immigration is a serious problem. the supposed 11 million people here undocumented is not a theory. no one is talking about bringing 11 million people here illegally. they are here now. they are here for the rest of their lives. if someone believes we can round them up and deport them, they should advocate that. i don't think that's a reasonable goal. if someone thinks we should make life miserable for them so they self-deport, it doesn't work. we can leave things the way they are, status quo , and that is amnesty. or try to address it in a way that's responsible and that's what i'm attempting to do and what i hope i can convince my fellow republicans to be supportive of.
>> senator, thank you as always. thanks for not making fun of my voice.
>> thank you.
>> and coming up here after a personal plea from the familiar had lis of newtown victims this week, new gun control legislation moves forward on capitol hill . but will controversial measures like expanded background checks get through a divided congress? joining me for debate democratic senator kirsten gillibrand of new york and republican senator from utah mike lee .
>>> later, my special conversation about the legacy of jackie robinson with his wife of 26 years, rachel robinson , and [


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I happened to come a cross a set of books in a charity shop that I thought Ju's little boy would love as its about a boy who helps his dad who is a carpenter in an old-fashioned Apalachian type homestead- nicely illustrated stories by a well know American kids' author. The books are called Will and Pa and not only do I love the pictures of Pa who always has a pencil behind his ear, tools protruding from his pockets and leaves a trail of screws and nails wherever he goes, but the picture on the inside cover of each of the books, that shows Pa's workshop, is just wonderful - I want it, it's the perfect workshop.
|I just love the detail in this picture, all the tools, the hardware and shavings. It has been incredibly well researched.
On an entirely different note, I have had a number of spoons sat in oil for a couple of weeks, then hung them to drip dry and was just thinking how great they look. I use wallnut oil and it seems to give the spoons a really nice glazed look. I don't think you can see it too well in the pictures, but on the darker, laburnum spoon, I think you can see what I mean - you could be forgiven for thinking they'd been varnished. I know they look wet, but they are actually not.


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Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS) is located in Nashik District, Maharashtra, India. The university was established on 3 June 1998 by the state Government of Maharashtra through an ordinance.
The State Legislature passed Maharashtra University of Health Sciences Act 1999 (Act No X) and received the assent of the Governor, in the Maharashtra Government Gazette on 21 January 1999. The University was declared open by the Governor of Maharashtra on June 10, 1998 and all colleges and institutions imparting education in health science in the state of Maharashtra have been affiliated to this new university under Section 6(3) of the Act.
The University has been established for the purpose of ensuring proper and systematic instruction, teaching, training and research in modern medicine and Indian Systems of Medicine in the State of Maharashtra. Within 3yrs of formation a committee was formed in year 2000 by the Government Of Maharashtra to review the progress of the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences and to recommend measures for modifying its functions and responsibilities in the light of the new challenges faced by the university.
Address: Vani - Dindori Road, Mhasrul, Nashik, Maharashtra 422003
Founder: Government of Maharashtra
Founded: June 3, 1998
Phone: 0253 253 9114


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Being Filled with Joy Through Loving Others/
On January 4, 2015, pastor Darin preached a sermon from John 13:34-35; 15:1-17 entitled Being Filled with Joy Through Loving Others. The vision Iron Works focuses on being: 1) devoted to God; 2) devoted to one another; 3) devoted to Phoenixville. Today the focus is on being devoted to one another. We were created to be in community with others (rooted in the fact that God is Triune and lives in perfect fellowship/"community"). So, Jesus recognizes His days on earth are short as He is about to die on the cross for sins to give eternal life to all who believe. So, He gives His disciples instructions on how they are to live in community with each other. The main idea of the sermon is that Christ calls you to living in vital connection and communion with him, with the result that you would bear much fruit, have much joy, and bring much glory to the Father.
1. We must remain connected to Jesus
a. 15:1-6 - Abide in Jesus: Jesus came so that we would have rich life through our union and communion with Him. Just as a vine is the source and sustainer of life to its branches, so too Jesus is the source and sustainer of life to His people.
b. Dig deeper: how do we abide in the vine of Jesus? Notice in v. 2 that the Lord "prunes" the branches. While we must work out our salvation, we do so resting in God's grace—that He is working in us to will and to do His good pleasure (see Philippians 2:12-13). The primary means He uses are His Word (vv. 7, 10), prayer (vv. 7, 16), and the community of faith (John 13:34-35; John 15:12-13). We must make diligent use of those means by God's grace.
2. If we are connected to Jesus, we will produce fruit
a. Verse 16: we are chosen to bear fruit, so that whatever we ask God He will give us.
1) God changes our desires so that we desire what He desires. Psalm 37:4 – "Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart."
2) When my request is in alignment with God's heart, His answer is "yes."
b. Dig deeper: note the connection between bearing fruit, and receiving what we ask in prayer. The context of the prayer is related to fruit bearing. God will always answer this prayer. This is similar to James 1:5 - asking for wisdom, and He will give it to you.
3. The fruit that we produce: love for one another
a. Verse 12 – we are commanded to love one another. Dig deeper: this is not optional! Do you treat this as a command, or as something you can take or leave?
b. Verses 13and 15: Jesus speaks of the great love for His friends. Jesus came to create the fruit of friendship in the church. The idea of friendship is one of close relationship to other believers. Thus, Jesus calls us to love one another (emphasis is on other believers)
1) The basic ingredient to love is that you must be willing to be hurt.
2) This love proves to the world that we are his disciples.
c. There are two aspects to this kind of friendship/love:
1) Vulnerability – Jesus lets them in to relationship with Himself. Therefore we must not be closed off to others, and must not allow interaction with others to be surface level. Dig deeper: CS Lewis said, "To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken..."
2) Sacrifice:
a) Many in the ancient world were impressed by how the early Christians moved toward suffering and pain for the sake of others.
b) This is grounded in the example of Jesus' sacrificial love for us. True love is costly, and He calls us to a community defined by the giving and receiving of costly love.
c. How do we produce the fruit of loving one another, where we live vulnerably and sacrificially?
1) It begins with God's grace through faith in Jesus: Jesus demonstrated His love for us through His sacrifice on the cross. He made Himself totally vulnerable, and allowed Himself to be devastated by others, and to bear God's wrath for sin, so that we might be brought into intimate relationship with God, and with others whom He calls out of the world by His grace.
2) Having tasted in seen the goodness of the Lord, we must be intentional in seeking out and connecting with others. This is what Jesus did: in verses 16–17, Jesus intentionally chooses those who would be His friends—who He would give such costly love and be in relationship with.o
Conclusion: May we be diligent by God's grace to seek communion with Christ and relationships of love and sacrifice with others.


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Possibly my last small painting study while here with my family in California. Tomorrow, I travel back to Maine to start painting for real for the show later this year. This is my sweet 16 year old cat Jazzy who is so well-loved at Bay Mountain Farm where she sleeps comfortably in the dog's bed in front of the woodstove.
"The Crouch"
5 x 7 oil on canvas panel