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I've been working there for the past year as a fitness instructor, and I've grown to absolutely love the people, the location, the classes and pretty much everything about this place! It's a true blessing for Travelers Rest to have a facility like this - right in the heart of TR's fast growing Main Street! And the members are such a blessing to us.
Jennifer Arends, a successful triathlete, long-distance runner and Ironman competitor, started HUB Fitness on in April of 2014 and it has been a successfully growing business. She also started HUB Coaching, where she coaches athletes who are training for triathlons, races, marathons and ironman competitions. Both businesses grew so much in the first year, and in order to be able to give her clients the attention they deserve (while still being able to spend time with her family), Jennifer made the decision to sell HUB Fitness to me and my husband. She knows I have a passion, much like hers, for not only HUB Fitness, but for helping the entire Travelers Rest community get fit and healthy. I guess you could say it's a "win-win" situation!
Please come visit us online at www.hub-fitnesstr.com or better yet, if you are in the area, stop by and say hello! And if you live in the area, there is a free week pass you can sign up for on our website. We want you to come check us out and see what you've been missing! Our whole philosophy at HUB Fitness rests on commitment, consistency and community.
May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us - yes, establish the work of our hands.
Psalm 90:17


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Self-Storage Insurance in Kerrville TX & Fredericksburg TX
Quality Insurance Options for your Storage Facility
Garrett Insurance Agency, Inc. provides insurance to self-storage facilities in Kerrville, Fredericksburg, Boerne, Ingram, San Antonio, Comfort, and surrounding areas.
As is the case with most businesses, self-storage facilities are subject to damage, theft, and the liability that comes owning/renting a space. As the owner of a self-storage facility, you want to make sure you are protected. Garrett Insurance Agency, Inc. will work with you to create an insurance package that will provide you with the protection you desire.
Here are some of the coverage options we offer to owners of self-storage facilities:
- Property coverage
- General liability
- Theft coverage
- Customer goods liability
- Sale and disposal liability
Contact an insurance specialist at Garrett Insurance Agency, Inc. to find a plan that is right for you.

subset: commoncrawl


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The Buckeye Region of Narcotics Anonymous - Area Meeting Schedules
The Buckeye Region meets bi-monthly: February, April, June, August, October & December, 2nd Saturday at 10:00 AM, Town Hall II, 155 North Water Street, Kent, Ohio 44240.
Geographically,our Region serves the following Counties: Ashtabula,Trumbull, Mahoning, Columbiana, Lake, Geauga, Portage, Cuyahoga, Summit, Medina, Lorain & Wayne.
The Buckeye Region is composed of seven Northeast Ohio Areas. The meeting schedules for each of the seven Areas in our Region are listed below. Click the Area below to view, download, or print their current Group Meeting Schedule.
Buckeye Region Trifold Meeting Schedule
Designed to be printed on 11x17 paper.
Maybe to small for most to read on 8x11
Area Meeting Schedules
NCCASCNA - Northern Columbiana County Area of NA
(Serving Northern Columbiana County: Columbiana, Lisbon, East Palestine, East Liverpool)
GLASCNA – Great Lakes Area of NA
(Serving Eastern Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga, & Ashtabula Counties: East Cleveland, Mentor, Willoughby, Ashtabula, & Conneaut)
LEGS – LEGS Area of NA
(Serving Cuyahoga County: Greater Cleveland)
NEOASCNA – Northeast Ohio Area of NA
(Serving Mahoning County: Greater Youngstown)
TASCNA – Trumbull Area of NA
(Serving Trumbull County: Greater Warren)
WAGS – Wags Area of NA
(Serving Western Cuyahoga, Lorain, and Medina Counties: West Cleveland, Brecksville, Elyria, Lorain, and Medina)
WRASCNA – Western Reserve Area of NA
(Serving Summit, Portage, and Wayne Counties: Akron, Kent, Ravenna, Wooster, Norton and Wadsworth)
NA meetings often change and are only as accurate as those Meetings, Groups, or Areas who take the time to provide the updated information. As meeting information changes frequently, you may wish to verify that the information is accurate through local phone lines or webpages.
If you would like us to register your new group with NAWS please email firstname.lastname@example.com
Please send your meeting updates to your local PR Chair or email to:email@example.com
Meeting Schedules can be picked up at the Regional Meetings held in Kent, Ohio at Town Hall II. You also may make other arrangements by emailing firstname.lastname@example.com
Click the link below to use the new World Service NA Meeting Search.
The NA Meeting Search app version 2.0 is now available for your smartphone or tablet.
As meeting information changes frequently, you may wish to verify that the information is accurate through local helplines or webpages.
The information here is the most current we have on file. If the information you find on our website is inaccurate, please notify us, or your area or region so that the information for the meeting or group can be corrected.
On the search result pages, we provide links to maps of local meetings as a service for anyone trying to find their way to our meetings. Such links do not constitute any endorsement, affiliation or approval of the service or company providing the maps, nor any pages linked from those map pages.
Narcotics Anonymous is not affiliated with the organizations where meetings / activities are held.


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From a lack of carrier confidence to poor sales estimates, Nokia's Lumia 900 sure has had a tough life since its April release.
And the struggles aren't letting up. In a move that likely bodes poorly for the device, Nokia and AT&T have slashed the on-contract price of the Lumia 900 from $100 to a budget-friendly $50.
A fifty dollar price drop just three months into a life cycle is a big deal for any phone, but with the Lumia 900, it's charged with far more meaning. After all, this is the device that was not only supposed to save Nokia, but also inject Windows Phone more extensively into the minds of consumers. A price cut, however, tells a different story: Nokia's little Lumia 900 may not have long to live.
Here's the thing, though: The Nokia Lumia 900 has been dead for a while — it just didn't know it. The death stroke came last month when Microsoft made the disastrous announcement that Windows Phone 7 devices won't be upgradable to Windows Phone 8. This made the Lumia 900 obsolete overnight, killing consumer interest in a device that not even its biggest cheerleaders were supporting. Hello, Osborne effect.
On the other hand, the price drop is also further push for the Lumia 900 as a mass market device. This was, after all, much of the reason the phone sold for $100 to begin with: Nokia wanted to keep it cheap, and it wanted consumers to notice.
But this may not be the type of attention Nokia actually wants. With the cut, Nokia's golden child is now rubbing shoulders with other, less illustrious members of AT&T's $49 smartphone tier like the Samsung Galaxy Exhilarate, the Impulse 4G, and the HTC Vivid. These are phones that are as ancient as they are irrelevant.
So the price cut can go one of two ways: Either it will boost sales by making the Lumia 900 more affordable for more consumers, or it will sink the whole ship by showing that niether Nokia nor Microsoft has any confidence in the Lumia 900 game plan.
The move may also suggest that Nokia (or, more likely AT&T) is trying to move inventory ahead of the launch of a Lumia 900 follow-up. It's also possible that AT&T simply did not have room in its $100 smartphone category now that Motorola's Atrix HD has hit the market.
But with only three days before Nokia's second-quarter earnings, this eleventh hour move reeks too much of desperation to be that well thought out. Nokia and Microsoft may have a plan for the Lumia 900, but if the past is any indication, it won't be a good one.
VentureBeat reached out to Nokia and AT&T to get a better sense of the reasons behind the price cut, and we'll update this story when the companies respond.
Lumia 900 photo: Sean Ludwig/VentureBeat


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Metroid: Other M
It's not easy being Samus Aran. She's the most badass bounty hunter in the galaxy…but that's all anyone cares about. Everyone knows about her insanely powerful weapons, legendary battles, and the mass destruction she'll inevitably trigger. But they all forget something far more important: there's a person hiding beneath those layers of impenetrable armor and advanced technology. Not just the cold and calculating killer, but an introspective, flawed, and vulnerable individual. Such things don't make her weak; they make her human. No one considers what life must be like for her. Losing her parents as a child, being raised as a warrior by aliens, getting drafted into an intergalactic military before going solo…it's a miracle she's survived this long. Despite all of her bravery and heroism, Samus is still treated as a pariah. It never occurs to anyone that maybe, just maybe, she might want – need – something more.
The theme of companionship versus isolation is what Other M is all about. After responding to a distress call from the nearby Bottle Ship space station, Samus crosses paths with a squad of Galactic Federation soldiers and agrees to assist them. The situation is further complicated by Adam Malkovich, the team leader and Samus's former commanding officer/father figure/possible love interest. It's through their interactions and flashbacks that you get more insight into not only Samus, but the Metroid series as a whole. There's nothing wrong with this idea; it's high time that Samus got some characterization. The problem is that, despite giving her new depth, the story is bland and generic. Adam's role and eventual fate are littered with cliches, and the rest of the Galactic Federation team is so utterly one-dimensional that it's difficult to tell the characters apart. You shouldn't have much trouble predicting plot twists hours before they happen. The few secondary storylines – especially the game-long buildup to a certain boss fight – aren't given nearly enough development and execution they deserve. Since most of the important stuff doesn't happen until the last third of the game, it's easy not to care (or forget entirely) about the disappointing story…
At least it would be, if Adam didn't screw it up. One of the stipulations of Samus's mission is that she take his orders. That means investigating whatever areas he chooses, and using her weapons and powers only after he's authorized them. This undermines everything that Samus – and the Metroid games themselves – are all about: freely exploring a massive world and figuring out the different routes, limited only by what features you had acquired. It allowed for the experimentation and discovery that defined the series. But Other M ditches these ideas in favor of something far less interesting; you're told exactly where to go, and you can't get to certain areas until Adam gives you permission to use the powers necessary to access them. It's understandable why the game designers chose to do it this way. They needed a way to gradually strengthen Samus (thus reflecting the formula of the older titles) without having her lose her powers. But it won't take long for you to realize just how ridiculous an idea this is; witness Samus getting slowly roasted to death in a Norfair-esque lava area before Adam lets her activate the heat-resistant Varia Suit. Or having her waste time at a dead end and forcing her to backtrack to trigger the necessary cutscene. Or making her fight an unbeatable foe, only to remind her to use a new weapon. Needless to say, progressing is far more tedious than it should have been.
If anything, they should have let Samus keep a few of her powers, then acquire more as she explores. The game takes place in a research facility; it'd make more sense for her to find new weapons and suits instead of waiting for permission to use pre-existing ones. All of this nonsense would have been forgivable had the stages been better designed. One of the most fundamental aspects of the Metroid games are its complex and interconnected layouts. Secret passageways, shortcuts, and hidden areas are what made the exploration so fun; you were rewarded not just by finding some extra missile upgrade, but discovery of how large and intertwined the games truly were. Other M tries to emulate this, but fails miserably. Oh sure, there are some side tunnels and shortcuts every now and then, but they require little effort or exploration to uncover. The majority of the levels are long, linear, and devoid of the detail fans have come to expect. There are a some clever ideas, like wall-jumping between moving cylinders or having to deal with fluctuating gravity, but such moments are few and far between. The rest of the stages involve running through lengthy corridors, activating switches, or jumping around easy-to-reach platforms. Other M got the basics of the series right, but watered them down into a feeble imitation.
The game places far more emphasis on combat. The stages are infested with giant bugs, killer plants, and other gargantuan monstrosities. Samus slaughters everything with weapons from her Super Metroid days. She starts off with a simple beam cannon, missiles, and Morph Ball, but she'll eventually be able to freeze enemies, shoot through obstacles, and launch more powerful and faster projectiles. The Speed Booster, Shinespark, Screw Attack, and wall-kicking abilities also make their triumphant returns, and they're far easier to use than before. The same goes with the Grapple Beam, but it's nowhere near as important as before. While it was featured prominently as a combat tactic in Corruption, it's been reduced to a platforming tool that you'll rarely use. Instead, you'll spend most of the fights abusing the new Sense Move ability. If you press the directional pad just before an oncoming attack, Samus will dodge it with some needlessly fancy acrobatics and counterattack. If an enemy is temporarily stunned, she can even get closer and trigger a finishing move; there's nothing quite as satisfying as shoving Samus's arm cannon down the throat of some diehard mini-boss and blasting its skull to pieces. While it makes for great entertainment, it also makes the battles too easy. Aside from a handful of awesome boss battles, you're going to spend most of the fights mindlessly charging up shots or mashing the attack button.
Even if you run into trouble, there won't be much risk involved. If Samus's health or missile ammo get too low, you can recharge them by holding up the controller and pressing a button for a few seconds. While it eliminates the need for you to hunt down pickups to regain energy the old fashioned way, it makes the battles less challenging. That doesn't make you unstoppable, though. The game uses an auto-aim feature that automatically latches on to the nearest enemy…or it was supposed to do that. The problem comes when you're facing multiple foes at once; the game can't keep focus when you're trying to slaughter small hordes of kamikaze bats and feral Geemers at the same time. You'll unintentionally turn away from an easy kill, leaving yourself wide open for attack. Rather than employ any strategy, you'll probably end up spamming your weapons until everything has been annihilated. The inconsistencies aren't limited to just combat, either. You'll often come across areas where you'll have to grab onto ledges and pull yourself up. The game doesn't always register your proximity to these platforms, which occasionally has you botching a jump and falling into some difficult-to-escape deathtrap. Even when you've gained access to stuff like the Screw Attack and the Shinespark, you'll still find yourself missing what should have been some easy platforming.
The motion controls are the worst part, though. While the game is presented as a 2D side-scroller a la Super Metroid, you can point the Wii Remote at the screen to go into a first-person perspective. This Search View mode plays an important role in exploring rooms, uncovering otherwise invisible features, and providing an alternate way to kill enemies. It's a blatant knockoff of the Scan Visor from the Prime games (and a good way to pander to the fans), but it's nowhere near as easy to use. The range of vision is much more limited, and it takes longer to lock onto targets. Not to mention the fact that you're left immobile the entire time. That can be a huge problem when you're trying to defeat enemies that can only be defeated via Search View. Imagine being in the middle of a battle and frantically having to switch between stances; the lag between the shifting perspectives not only wastes time, but leaves you unable to move or attack. Even when you've locked onto to something, the game's hit detection isn't always accurate. You could waste countless minutes firing at a switch that won't respond, or an enemy that is somehow magically impervious to your weapons despite being only slightly too far away. While the first-person perspective is a great idea, it is poorly implemented.
This is best demonstrated during the scripted cutscenes. Every so often, Samus will stop moving and enter Search View by herself. The game isn't glitching; it's telling you to examine the immediate area for something important. An object, person, whatever it takes to trigger the next scene. This destroys what little was left of the exploration aspects the game has to offer. Previous titles gave you the freedom to observe your environment and use your own intelligence and deductive reasoning to figure things out. Now, you're literally forced to look at something specific just to progress. These moments are a major hassle, mainly because the poor lighting and the limited sight range make spotting anything nearly impossible. One scene has you looking for some kind of computer terminal, all while you're standing in almost pitch-black darkness as some unseen monster roasts your immobile ass with its fiery breath. It's not fun, nor does it add anything to the game. Given how inconsistent the lock-on reticule can be, you're going to waste more time trying to finish these tedious screens than you will doing anything else.
The progression is further hindered by Samus's penchant for cutting off access to her weapon controls. She'll lower her guard, switch the camera to an over-the-shoulder perspective, and simply let you walk her through the given room. Like the mandatory scanning screens, these moments are used to set up oncoming cutscenes. It's understandable why they happen; it gives the game a more cinematic feel. Samus carefully, cautiously sneaks through an unusual area until she triggers whatever's supposed to happen next. The problem is that it also slows her down to a snail's pace. All you can do is make her plod around like some kind of mindless robot, hoping that the next room will bring things back to normal. When you do get to see the cutscenes, you'll likely be impressed; the character models and animations are some of the best visuals the Wii has seen since…well, since Corruption. Even if the writing and voice acting are terrible (Samus calling the last Metroid "The Baby" is particularly cringe-worthy), you can take in the gorgeous visions of Samus's flashbacks and enjoy the superb orchestrated music. The rest of the game isn't as shiny or crisp, but it makes up for it with a surprisingly creepy atmosphere. Imagine wandering down lengthy hallways, the only thing guiding you is the blinking of the emergency lights and the dull glow of an abandoned computer monitor in the distance. It doesn't hold a candle to the stuff of the older games, but the effort is appreciated.
Look, folks. Other M isn't a bad game. It's just nowhere near as it should have been. It takes a much-needed deeper look into Samus, and it provides more insight into her character and the Metroid canon as a whole. But despite its benefits, the plot is bland, predictable, and utterly cliche. By limiting Samus in such a nonsensical way, the game goes against everything the series is about. The exploration aspects are severely limited, and the linear designs are watered down versions of the stuff you'd find in the previous games. Instead, the game places heavy emphasis on combat; with so many abilities and moves at your disposal, you'll discover why Samus is one of the most badass characters in gaming. That's what Other M was hoping to achieve: making a Metroid game more action-oriented. If it weren't for the little inconsistencies and awkward camera controls, it would have succeeded. The whole first-person perspective thing was an interesting concept, but poorly implemented. That could be said for the game as a whole; Other M has some awesome ideas, but its numerous flaws drag it down from potential greatness. Regardless of how you consider this game, we can all agree on one thing: It's not easy being Samus Aran.


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More than 500,000 pounds of cargo pass through the American Airlines cargo building at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport every day. This time of year, that includes tons of fresh cut flowers.
"Its a very busy time of year," said Roy Hamblin, a Supervisor with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. "Obviously with Valentine's Day coming up. February, March, up to the Easter time we see tons of flowers. They're imported almost every day."
But before flower shops can sell them, customs agents need to inspect the hundreds of boxes they come in.
"We're looking for insects, we're looking for plant diseases that come from foreign countries. We obviously don't want them here in the United States," said Hamblin.
Inspectors do the same for fruits, vegetables and other food shipped here from other countries.
"We're also keeping an eye out for something that may be in that box that's not supposed to be there. Because there is a smuggling concern as well," said Chief Morris Bigham with U.S Customs and Border Inspection.
Most of the cut flowers sent here come from the Netherlands, Guatemala and Costa Rica.
At least one shipment from Guatemala will have to be fumigated after inspectors discovered a bug inside one of the boxes.
"They can either be re-exported to the country they came from, they can be destroyed, or we can fumigate them," said Hamblin.
Inspectors want to keep out anything that could be harmful, because even a small bug can cause big problems.


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Item # BEL00B5Item # BEL00B5
Safety third.
The Bell Youth Sidetrack MIPS Helmet brings together all the bells and whistles your little adventurer needs when they're out on two wheels. With a mountain bike helmet-inspired design, cooling ventilation, and industry-leading Multi-Directional Impact Protection System (MIPS) safety, this helmet is comfy to wear and packs a huge dose of safety into an effortlessly cool package.
The big draw with MIPS is its ability to reduce impact force from rotational forces in the event of a crash. MIPS consists primarily of a strategically anchored liner on the inside of the helmet that looks simple, but serves a complex purpose. That little liner is designed to move independently of the helmet shell to effectively redirect impacts and reduce force. Bell incorporates its ErgoDial Fit System, which makes for an easily customizable fit and a snap-in visor that adds in some style points while keeping eyes protected from direct sun and drizzle.
- A cycling helmet designed for kids that go hard
- MIPS technology redirects impacts to reduce force
- Protective polycarbonate shell with 15 vents
- ErgoDial Fit System ensures a snug and comfortable fit
- Low-profile visor provides some shade during sunny rides
California Proposition 65
View more Kids' Bike Helmets
Reviews & Community
The name says "kid" and the sizing says "one size" is this a child (up to 54cm) or youth fit (up to 57cm)?
Thank you!
Good price for a MIPS helmet
- Familiarity: I gave it as a gift but have feedback to share
My son's been using this helmet for a couple years now, luckily no big crashes so far. The helmet looks good and fits him well. Only issue he's had with it is the buckle. When he first got it he had difficulty strapping the helmet on himself and would need my help buckling him in. Would be nice if it had one of those magnetic buckles, would be easier for him to strap the helmet on himself.
Bell Sidetrack MIPS Helmet
- Familiarity: I've used it several times
Great fit for a 4-year-old. And room to grow!
As expected.
What more could a two-year-old want!?
- Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer
She absolutely loves the pink design with the flower blossoms around the back. We ended up buying her the "youth" version instead of the "kids" version. It had to be cranked all the way tight when we first bought it, but she was already snug in the kid's one with it all the way loose. Now she's got plenty of room to grow into this one for use over multiple seasons. We also love how the neck strap has a protective area to prevent pinching her cute little neck when putting the helmet on / taking it off.
Insane in the membrane...
- Familiarity: I've used it several times
This helmet is great for the young up and coming MTB riders! Got it for my 8 year old nephew and he loves it. It also gives me a little piece of mind knowing he has better than average head protection. Cool color options as well.
My Daughter Needed A New Helmet
- Familiarity: I gave it as a gift but have feedback to share
My daughter says its comfortable and likes that it breathes. I like that it has MIPS and that she is willing to wear it. We got the Matte Pink Blossom. She likes pink and I like this pink, but we both agreed we didn't like the flowers, so we painted over the flowers. It took the paint well, so we got it to look more Ziggy Stardust then someones bad wallpaper and now we are both happy.
Great kids helmet.
- Familiarity: I gave it as a gift but have feedback to share
My little 5 y/o love it. It fits well, so it doesn't bother her. Therefore, she actually wears it. The MIPS system gives me a bit of peace-of-mind.
Looks great, fits great
- Familiarity: I gave it as a gift but have feedback to share
Bought this for a birthday present for my niece. She loves it. It fits perfectly, and it doesn't look dorky, so she's down to wear it.


text:
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|Electronic book
|Material Type:
|Document, Internet resource
|Document Type:
|Internet Resource, Computer File
|All Authors / Contributors:
Thomas M Daniel; Frederick C Robbins
|1580460666 9781580460668
|OCLC Number:
|Target Audience:
|Scholarly & Professional
|1 online resource (216 pages) illustrations
|Other Titles:
|Polio (Online)
Polio infantile paralysis was until recently a greatly feared disease, but is now preventable by a vaccine, which has largely eradicated it from the Western hemisphere; a global eradication campaign is underway. This book tells of the story of polio in fascinating and personal detail, through a series of essays written by those who experienced the disease: its victims, those who cared for them and those who worked to eliminate it altogether. The opening chapter recounts the history of polio from its earliest depiction in Egyptian art to the present day; it is followed by three personal descriptions of the experiences of patients who were paralysed in youth by polio, but went on to build successful lives. The challenges of caring for polio sufferers are described by two physicians who worked on polio wards at the height of the epidemic. The story of the cultivation of poliovirus and the testing of the vaccines is related by two research scientists who devoted much of their careers to the laboratories where the breakthroughs were achieved. The final essays describe the public health vaccination campaigns which successfully eradicated polio from the Americas, as experienced by those who directed them. Dr THOMAS M. DANIEL is Professor Emeritus of Medicine and International Health and Director of the Center for International Health at Case Western Reserve University; Dr FREDERICK C. ROBBINS is University Professor and Dean Emeritus of the School of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University. Contributors:THOMAS M. DANIEL, FREDERICK C. ROBBINS, MICHAEL W.R. DAVIS, ANN L. MCLAUGHLIN, RUTH E. FRISCHER, ROBERT M. EIBEN, MARTHA LIPSON LEPOW, JOAO BAPTISTA RISI, JR., CIRO A. DE QUADROS.


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When people say they've lost their religious faith, the core reason is nearly always that they observe the world to be a mess, that cruelty and despair are integral to the world–probably to the cosmos–and God does not intervene, "hence God doesn't exist". I don't blame them. They're both right, and wrong, in my view.
There are various rationales offered to us for the existence of evil in the world–"it's necessary so that free will can also exist" is one–but in fact evil probably exists because nature simply iterates that way, ramifying so that we receive "evil" (relative to our consensus reality) along with "blessings". But a "blessing" seems doomed to be crushed eventually, as if it were a happy woman suddenly abducted and murdered: victimized by the infinite rolling of the cosmic dice; by entropy, and the bitter shortness of life; by death.
To me, there is no God per se, but that doesn't mean there's no Supreme Being of any kind. The mistake is in assuming that there must be a higher being defined by our childish notions. "The Supreme Being has to be our creator!" Then who created the creator? "The Supreme Being has to have deliberately designed this Grand Absurdity!" Says who? Primitive tribesmen in the Middle East 2500 years ago? "It has to be all-loving and good according to what humanity thinks is loving and good." Same answer, and that presumption is your need for a perpetual parent which you superimpose on the world.
And these notions of your God's loving kindness are strange in the context of the Bible where God does at least as much mass murdering as blessing–drowning millions of babies in the Great Flood for example. This same fellow sends billions of people to burn for all eternity for entirely arbitrary reasons. That should have been a sign from the first something was wrong with the whole concept.
But that doesn't mean there's no supreme, or higher being. Sunlight can be cruel. Be congruent with its nature, however, and it cultivates you. Darkness can be a blessing–modify harsh sunlight with shade, a modicum of darkness. . .
To me this pervasive, intrinsic consciousness–this hypothetical higher being– has some background, rootlike connection to our own consciousnesses. Then again, it's like a river one goes to for irrigation– you must fetch out the water yourself, but it is, by its nature, always on offer. Just remember that a river is a natural force that might drown you as well as quench your thirst. The Nile is not kind or unkind. Nor is it a distinct god. Tillich said, the being that pervades the cosmos is "not a person–but not less than a person".
It seems to provide a mysterious kind of guidance, and nourishment. But it's not going to listen to your prayers for money or physical healing or saving innocents–it's for us to save the innocents. The consciousness intrinsic to the universe is beyond listening to us as individuals…Do you hear the individual splash of every raindrop that falls in every storm?
Childish, self pitying notions of its obligations to us merely obscure it from view. And when we look for it, we tend to look with the wrong part of ourselves.
Tags: evil, existence of God, God, supreme being


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Mike told me today that he only follows SOME of the links I post. Shocking, huh? Thought he'd be hanging on my every interest. My only criteria for posting links is that they have to be things I find interesting. So I'm wondering if other people find my links interesting. Sometimes I just put them there as a bookmark for myself, but I do try to pick a variety and share with you the best of what I'm reading. Well, here's today's selection, which includes a cute kitty sitting on pillows, a post about breastfeeding, a story about China's economy, a recipe, and of course an octopus craft project.
- Feeding your baby: you only know what you have been told from primalmeded
- China's Hypergrowth Fueled By Building Giant Cities No One Lives In from The Consumerist
- Selling Lamb Chops and a Summer Mint Pesto Recipe from Getting Stitched on the Farm
- Handpainted Octopus Shower Curtain via Craftzine
- Linen Stacking Pillows from The Purl Bee:


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The weather seems to change surprisingly rapidly, and this morning's light rain has given way to some welcome brightness this afternoon.
This viburnum seems to have buds and flowers through much of the winter and it gives a welcome lift to the barrenness of the season. On mild days, even in January, it can sometimes be humming with bees.


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Prodigy of Mobb Deep reveals the tracklist for his upcoming album, as well as the cover art for the deluxe edition.
Prodigy already revealed the standard album cover for his album H.N.I.C. 3, and now we get the deluxe edition artwork and tracklist with production credits.
See deluxe edition artwork and the tracklist below, with features from T.I., Wiz Khalifa, Havoc & more. The album drops July 3rd, and the deluxe version will have four bonus tracks in addition to the sixteen below.
1 Without Rhyme or Reason (Prod. Alchemist)
2 Slept On (Prod. Alchemist)
3 Pretty Thug (Prod. Ty Fyffe)
4 My Angel feat Willie Taylor of Day 26 (Prod. Beat Butcha)
5 Co-Pilot feat Wiz Khalifa (Prod. The Colombians)
6 Live (Prod. Alchemist)
7 Make It Hot (Prod. Young L)
8 Get Money feat Boogz Boogetz (Prod. Young L)
9 Life Is What You Make It (Prod. S.C.)
10 Award Show Life (Prod. S.C.)
11 Who You Bullshittin feat Havoc (Prod. Sid Roams)
12 Skull & Bones (Prod. Beat Butcha)
13 Smack That Bitch feat Esther (Prod. Valentino)
14 Let Me Show You feat Vaughn Anthony (Prod. Ty Fyffe)
15 Gangsta Love feat Esther (Prod. Valentino)
16 What's Happening feat T.I. (Prod. T.I.)


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Editor's note: This article was initially published in The Daily Gazette, Swarthmore's online, daily newspaper founded in Fall 1996. As of Fall 2018, the DG has merged with The Phoenix. See the about page to read more about the DG.
My name is Dr. Strokes, and I'm your newest sex columnist.
Here are some things you need to know about me:
1. I'm a white female who was raised in a wealthy and largely secular household.
2. On the Kinsey Scale, I consider myself to be around a 1.8. Mostly attracted to men, but also substantially to women, although I have very little sexual experience with the latter and that's something I want to change. Unrelatedly, I've always wanted to say that I'm π queer, but sadly π is just a lot queerer than I am. Maybe it's as queer as you?
3. I survived sexual abuse and a rape attempt during high school, and most recently (seven months ago? is it really that close?) I survived a stranger rape in a foreign country. I also survived the subsequent hospital rape kit and police interrogation. We'll talk more about that process later, but let's just say that cutting my own fingernails now reminds me of rape. I wonder if a manicure would.
4. I struggle to some extent with depression and anxiety, although those problems were at their worst during the period I'll describe in Bullet Point 5. So I'm on SSRIs. Sometimes I worry that this impairs my sexual experience further. Sometimes I worry that I'll never get off of them. Mostly I'm grateful that they help me function as well as I do.
5. For a long period between Big Sexual Trauma #1 and Big Sexual Trauma #2, I would experience a debilitating pain in my genital region after sexual activity, masturbation, and sometimes just when I got horny. I couldn't walk, standing up was painful, and hey, lying down and crying was painful too, but at least then my eyes got itchy so that I could focus my self-loathing and feelings of being an inadequate woman somewhere else. Despite going to doctors and psychologists, nobody was ever able to explain to me what exactly was wrong, just that I was suffering from some sort of vulvodynia (literal translation: pain in the vagina) and that maybe it had physical causes and maybe it had psychological causes but yes, yes, it was pain. Oh yes? Tell me something I don't know. Although this problem has disappeared in recent months, I continue to worry that if I re-enter old psychological habits, or if I get a skin rash, or if I hit my funny bone the wrong way, the pain will return.
Have you digested that?
This isn't going to be Carrie Bradshaw's sex column. This isn't going to be anything like the sex column at Harvard or Yale. This is especially not going to be Dan Savage's sex column. How do I know that? When I was telling friends about my plans, one said "Well, Dan Savage says the secret to his success is that he never writes about himself, and when he does it's a lie."
I am always going to write about myself. And as far as possible I am going to try to tell the truth about reconciling my identities as a (sort of queer) lover of kinky sex, a survivor of sexual violence, and a possibly recovered, possibly relapsed sufferer of a sexual pain disorder.
I am going to tell you what it feels like to be triggered during masturbation and during partner sex. I am also going to tell you what I've learned about working through these triggers and towards a more fulfilling sex life, so that maybe if your next partner is a survivor you won't be scared when they entrust you with that information.
I am going to tell you about what it feels like to think that you're the only girl in the world with an aching vagina and an inability to reach orgasm. I am going to tell you what I've learned about sexual pain disorders, so that maybe if your next partner has one you'll be willing to work with them.
I am going to tell you about how I theorize my queer identity and my survivor identity, and how one impacts the other. I am going to tell you about how I reconcile my fantasies about violent sex with my lived experience of rape. I am going to complain a lot about the mainstream media and its depiction of sex, and to counteract it I am going to recommend some way sexier and healthier alternatives.
I am going to give you the occasional "Try this position!" or "Wow, this is a good lube!" sex tip to cheer you up after all the doom and gloom, but really it's not going to be that much doom and gloom: this is a column about working through your issues and learning to love yourself because of what that working through has turned you into.
Why am I spilling out all of my secrets on the Internet, then?
The first reason is selfish: I am still working all of this stuff out. The best way for me to work things out is to write them down. The only times I feel like writing about painful topics are (1) when it's 3 AM and I'm drunk and kind of on an adrenaline rush and (2) when I know somebody is going to be reading on the other end. So guess who gets to witness my own attempts at therapy, even to be my Greek chorus of therapists who comment useful things in harmonic unison? Yes, that would be you.
The second reason is entirely non-selfish: These are not topics that people talk about, and the fact that we don't talk about them leaves people feeling dangerously alone and depressingly unsexy.
I know because that was me just a few years ago. The Courage to Heal, a weighty tome of 600 pages which has sometimes been described as the "Survivor Bible" (and yes, I acknowledge the controversies surrounding the book and will talk about them later) has maybe twenty pages on being a survivor and having sex.
But do you know what kind of healing might well take the most courage of all? Sexual healing. And besides the wonderful Staci Haines, who is talking about sexual healing for survivors and how painful and difficult and weird it can be? Certainly nobody in the mass media. And honestly, not that many people in the public spaces of the Internet, the place where you can find porn of anything and good sex advice on virtually nothing.
So who is sharing their personal experiences with all of these problems (and making them highly Google-able, so link, kids, if you want to be an ally, LINK) so that the rest of the people struggling with them don't have to feel so goddamn useless and frigid and alone anymore?
…I'm looking around, and the only person I'm seeing is Dr. Strokes.
Let me make a few disclaimers before I leave. First, I don't want anyone to stop reading because they're not a survivor or they don't have a sexual pain disorder. I think you'll find that even the "normals" can identify with (and learn from?) my column. To some extent, we've all had to deal with the same cultural trauma surrounding sex, and we all hear media and cultural messages that make sex out to be something very different from what it actually may be for us.
So if you're reading about my experiences with dissociation and thinking "Crap, this sounds familiar, but nobody ever raped me!" you should calm down, because contrary to what the media tells us, sex isn't easy for anyone, and when you get into the bedroom, everyone's got some sort of cultural and individual trauma they're going to have to stare down and ultimately work through.
On the flip side, I don't want anyone to assume I'm speaking for all women or all survivors or all people with a sexual pain disorder or all people who are all that, queer, and have mustard on top.
I'm not. Also I don't have mustard on top. While some of my experiences may be shared by people who share those identities, in this column I'm only speaking for me. Just because I like having my head rubbed and hate it when people talk about orgasms doesn't mean anyone else feels the same way.
The take-home message here is "This is the unique way that Dr. Strokes experiences sex, and this is how she's benefited from spelling that out to herself and the entire Internet. Why don't you ask your partner to think hard about the unique facets of their experience, but maybe in the privacy of their own bedroom, so that they too can reap the benefits?"
Well, OK, there's a lot more take home messages where that one came from (one: I want more people to describe their sexuality in terms of irrational numbers, because you are not a fraction, dammit, and you cannot be reduced! and two: is mustard sexy? is an important question to ponder) but for now it's time to end this meta-column with a meta-reflection: Writing this column is the scariest thing I've ever done, but I think that if I do it right it could also turn out to be the best thing I've ever done. If you're in my intended audience, you know it, and I'm really glad you made it here.
Keep on surviving,
Dr. Strokes


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1 Preliminary remarks topenlarge
Fracture assessment and decision making
These fractures are extraarticular but multifragmentary. They may often be associated with an ulnar styloid fracture.
Because of extensive comminution, fixation should aim to restore length, axis and rotation. The function of the plate is bridging the comminution and promoting secondary healing with callus formation.
As these injuries are often associated with disruption of the DRUJ, before starting the operation, the uninjured side should be tested as a reference for the injured side.
Bridge plating of the distal radius - plate choice
In the presence of extensive metaphyseal comminution, conventional plates do not allow for enough purchase particularly in the proximal fragment. Specially designed, longer, angular stable plates have been developed to allow stable fixation of the distal fragment and metaphyseal bridging of the comminution.
2 Patient preparation and approach topenlarge
Patient preparation
This procedure is normally performed with the patient in a supine position for palmar approaches.
The radial shaft is approached using a classical Henry's palmar (anterior) approach.
A thorough knowledge of the anatomy around the wrist is essential. Read more about the anatomy of the distal forearm.
3 Radial plate fixation topenlarge
Radial plate fixation
The plate is pre-contoured distally, so it is already adapted to the palmar curvature of the distal radius.
Plate insertion
The plate is first positioned distally on the flat intact palmar surface of the distal radius and fixed with distal locking screws parallel to the articular surface. The distal end of the plate should end at the anatomic watershed zone of the distal radius.
The first screw inserted is in the hole on the ulnar side of the plate and its position should be checked under image intensification with the hand elevated 20-30° off the table – in lunate facet view.
The other distal screws should be inserted in a way that the radial inclination of approximately 20° is restored.
Restoring radial length
The correct length of the radius in relation to the ulna should be established preoperatively by taking radiograph of the opposite wrist. The length of the radius in relation to the ulna is then achieved by inserting a unicortical screw just proximal to the proximal end of the plate, and then using a spreader, as illustrated, to move the plate gently distally.
Once the correct length is achieved, the plate is provisionally fixed proximally with standard screws.
The relationship of the radius to the distal ulna is checked under image intensification before the plate is fixed with additional proximal screws
4 Assessment of Distal Radioulnar Joint (DRUJ) top
Before starting the operation, the uninjured side should be tested as a reference for the injured side.
After fixation, the distal radioulnar joint should be assessed for forearm rotation, as well as for stability. The forearm should be rotated completely to make certain there is no anatomical block.
Method 1
The elbow is flexed 90° on the arm table and displacement in dorsal palmar direction is tested in a neutral rotation of the forearm with the wrist in neutral position.
This is repeated with the wrist in radial deviation, which stabilizes the DRUJ, if the ulnar collateral complex (TFCC) is not disrupted.
This is repeated with the wrist in full supination and full pronation.
Method 2
To test the stability of the distal radioulnar joint, the ulna is compressed against the radius...
...while the forearm is passively put through full supination...
...and pronation.
If there is a palpable "clunk", then instability of the distal radioulnar joint should be considered. This would be an indication for internal fixation of an ulnar styloid fracture at its base. If the fracture is at the tip of the ulnar styloid consider TFCC stabilization.


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The Hawaiian name "Mauna Loa" means "Long Mountain." This name is fitting, because the subaerial (above sea level) part of the volcano extends about 120 km (75 mi) from the southern tip of the Island of Hawai'i across the volcano's summit to the eastern coastline near Hilo. Mauna Loa lava flows have also advanced to the north-northwest, reaching the ocean at Kīholo and PUAKU on the North Kona coast of the island.
Mauna Loa, the largest active volcano on Earth, rises about 4,170 m (13,680 ft) above the Pacific Ocean. But the submarine part of the volcano descends an additional 5,000 m (16,400 ft) to the sea floor, which is depressed by Mauna Loa's enormous mass another 8,000 m (26,250 ft). So, from its base to its summit, Mauna Loa is more than 17,000 m (56,000 ft) high.
Mauna Loa encompasses more than half the area of the Island of Hawai'i. It is larger than all the rest of the Hawaiian Islands combined.
During the past 3,000 years, Mauna Loa has erupted lava flows, on average, every 6 years. Since 1843, Mauna Loa has erupted 33 times, averaging one eruption every 5 years. Dates, locations, durations, and other facts about Mauna Loa eruptions are compiled in "Geology & History."
Eruptions on Mauna Loa typically occur within Moku'āweoweo, a caldera (large oval depression) at the summit of the volcano, along one of its two rift zones (Northeast and Southwest), or from radial vents located on the north and west flanks, outside the caldera and rift zones.
The Mauna Loa Geology and History section includes additional information about the volcano's eruption History.
Mauna Loa erupted most recently in March-April 1984. Following more than two years of increased seismicity and summit inflation, the eruption began at 1:30 a.m., HST, on March 25, when a fissure opened in Moku'āweoweo, the volcano's summit caldera. By 4:00 a.m., the eruption had migrated into Mauna Loa's upper Northeast Rift Zone, where active fissures eventually reached the 2,835-m (9,300-ft) elevation. Fast-moving 'a'ā flows advanced downslope, and, in a matter of days, lava was within 6 km (4 miles) of Hilo city limits. Fortunately, the eruption ended on April 15 before lava reached Hilo.Read a more detailed narrative of Mauna Loa's 1984 Eruption: March 25-April 15.
Volcanoes often show signs of unrest—increased seismicity (earthquakes), deformation (inflation) of the volcano's summit and flanks, and emission of volcanic gases—days to months in advance of an eruption. For example, Mauna Loa exhibited inflation and elevated seismicity prior to its two most recent eruptions, with increased rates of seismicity beginning one year before Mauna Loa erupted in 1975 and two years before it erupted in 1984.
USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) scientists can detect and track these signs of volcanic unrest, but cannot forecast exactly when or exactly where lava will erupt on Hawaiian volcanoes until an eruption is about to happen. HVO has recently upgraded its monitoring networks to improve its ability to detect early unrest. Numerous seismic, GPS, and tilt stations across the flanks of Mauna Loa keep a vigilant eye on the mountain 24 hours a day.
The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory has an extensive monitoring network of more than 100 field stations, each with multiple ground-based instruments to monitor volcanic activity in Hawaii. These instruments monitor for changes in:
HVO scientists also use space-based technology to supplement ground-based techniques to monitor Hawaiian volcanoes. Satellites orbiting Earth provide data that can be used to identify and monitor thermal energy (heat) sources, discern and Global Positioning System (GPS), Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR), and NASA Earth Observing 1 (EO-1) Satellite imagery. HVO is also exploring the use of infrasound sensors and other tools to help us evaluate changes in the volcanoes.
The evolution of HVO's monitoring tools and techniques is summarized in The Story of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory—A Remarkable First 100 Years of Tracking Eruptions and Earthquakes.
Subscribe to the Volcano Notification Service and change your settings to receive status updates for Mauna Loa. All current reports are available on HVO website, and past reports can be searched on the Volcano Hazards Program website.
If the status of Mauna Loa changes, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory will elevate the Volcano Alert Level and Aviation Color Code for the volcano (see next question for more information about these levels and codes), in addition to issuing public notices through news media and HVO's website.
The USGS uses a standardized alert-notification system for characterizing the level of unrest and eruptive activity at U.S. volcanoes for people on the ground and in the air (aviation). The Volcano Alert Levels used by USGS volcano observatories are intended to inform people on the ground about a volcano's status. NORMAL indicates that a volcano is in a background, or non-eruptive state ADVISORY indicates that a volcano is exhibiting signs of unrest above known background levels but does not indicate an eruption is either likely or certain. WATCH indicates a volcano is showing heightened or escalating unrest with increased potential of eruption; it can also mean that an eruption is underway but poses only limited hazards. WARNING indicates a hazardous eruption is imminent, underway, or suspected to be occurring (when visual observations cannot verify an eruption in progress).
Aviation Color Codes are used in conjunction with the Volcano Alert Levels to provide information about volcanic-ash hazards in the atmosphere for the aviation sector (for example, airlines, dispatchers, air-traffic controllers, and pilots).Additional information can also be found in our fact sheet: U.S. Geological Survey's Alert-Notification System for Volcanic Activity
There are two main reasons why USGS scientists change the Volcano Alert Level from Normal to Advisory: (1) increased seismicity (earthquake activity) and (2) deformation of the volcano above typically quiet, or background levels. Such increases mean that changes are occurring within the volcano's magma storage system.
USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists closely track Mauna Loa's seismicity, deformation activity, and gas emissions at the summit caldera through the HVO monitoring network, and they are prepared to deploy additional monitoring instruments on the volcano as needed. These might include additional seismometers, GPS receivers, webcams, and gas-measuring stations. HVO will also continue to provide information about Mauna Loa's status to Hawai'i County Civil Defense, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, and the public.
At the ADVISORY level, an eruption of Mauna Loa is NOT considered likely or certain in the near future. When scientists declare an ADVISORY level for Mauna Loa, they will have determined that earthquake activity and changes in ground deformation (for example, ground tilt and spreading across the volcano's flanks) are occurring at rates above background levels. At the ADVISORY level, continued increases in earthquake and deformation activity are by no means certain—the level could return to NORMAL without an eruption.Additional information can be found in our fact sheet: U.S. Geological Survey's Alert-Notification System for Volcanic Activity
Recent earthquakes beneath Mauna Loa have been smaller in magnitude and fewer in number than those that occurred prior to the volcano's two most recent eruptions in 1975 and 1984. Prior to Mauna Loa's 1975 and 1984 eruptions, shallow earthquakes significantly increased in number and frequency over a period of 1-2 years, clearly indicating that pressure was building within the volcano.
The locations of recent shallow earthquakes are similar to those prior to the 1975 and 1984 Mauna Loa eruptions, but other precursory signals are missing. These signals include stronger intermediate depth earthquakes and increasing rates of deformation (inflation) and seismicity.
The distinct clusters of intermediate depth earthquakes (red circles) located northwest of Moku'āweoweo prior to the 1975 and 1984 eruptions have not been observed in recent years.
If seismicity and deformation rates increase above background levels, the Volcano Alert Level for Mauna Loa will be elevated from NORMAL to ADVISORY. However, an ADVISORY alert level does not mean that an eruption is likely to occur. See questions 11-14 for more information about Volcano Alert Levels.
Mauna Loa volcano Monitoring in near-real time is available in addition to data in various time frames, which include up-to-date deformation (GPS and tilt) and seismic data plots.
Mauna Loa tends to erupt more lava more quickly than Kīlauea—in other words, large volumes of lava erupt at higher effusion rates—so Mauna Loa produces voluminous, fast-moving lava flows. For comparison, during the 1984 eruption, Mauna Loa produced as much lava in 20 minutes as Kīlauea erupts in a day (at Kīlauea's eruption rate in 2015).
The slopes of Mauna Loa, especially on its southwest flank, are also quite steep compared to much of Kīlauea. These steep slopes also contribute to the speed of advancing Mauna Loa lava flows. Mauna Loa is similar to Kīlauea in that both volcanoes can produce 'a'ā lava or tube-fed pāhoehoe flows that can travel long distances from an active vent.
A Mauna Loa eruption could disrupt communication, traffic, and people's lives—disruptions that could be further complicated by the influx of large numbers of residents and visitors wanting to see lava flows. These spectators could add to the congestion of roadways and other infrastructure already impacted by the eruption.
It's important to note that these impacts will likely be far-reaching. In other words, the impacts will not necessarily be restricted to the immediate area of the eruption or only to the Island of Hawai'i. For example, during the 1984 Mauna Loa eruption, vog (volcanic smog) blanketed much of the State of Hawaii.
Mauna Loa erupts lava at a much higher rate than any other Hawaiian volcano, even the highly active Kīlauea volcano. This results in fast-moving and long-travelled lava flows, which can require quick responses in order to protect life and property.
How long you have to respond to a Mauna Loa eruption depends on your proximity to the eruptive vent, how steep the slope is between you and the vent, and the rate at which lava is being erupted. If you are in close proximity to, or on a steep (more than 15 degrees) hillside downslope of, an erupting vent on Mauna Loa, you could have precious little time to respond or evacuate—perhaps only hours.
The Districts of Ka'ū and South Kona on the Island of Hawai'i are at significant risk during a Mauna Loa Southwest Rift Zone (SWRZ) eruption due to the steep slopes and proximity of developed areas relative to the rift zone. During most historic SWRZ eruptions (1868, 1887, 1919, 1950), lava flows reached the ocean in less than a day. In fact, during the 1950 Mauna Loa eruption, one lava flow traveled from the vent at an elevation of about 3,050 m (10,000 ft) to the sea in about 3 hours.
On the other hand, the District of Hilo is relatively far from the most active part of Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone (NERZ) and the slopes above the town are fairly gentle. NERZ eruptions can certainly threaten Hilo (for example, the 1855-56 and 1881 lava flows covered land that is now within Hilo city limits), but the lead time for response and potential evacuation during a NERZ eruption is likely to be substantially longer (days to weeks) than for SWRZ eruptions (hours).
USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists closely monitor Mauna Loa around the clock. If an eruption is likely, or is in progress, HVO will immediately notify Hawai'i County Civil Defense, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, and other emergency managers responsible for public safety. HVO will also issue public notifications through news media, and will post updates and status reports on the HVO website.
You can sign up to receive Volcano Activity Notices (updates, status reports, information statements, and alerts) via email for Mauna Loa and other Hawaiian volcanoes by signing up for the free USGS Volcano Notification Service.
HVO currently records a Mauna Loa update message that can be accessed by calling (808) 967-8866. This message is a summary of the Mauna Loa Status Report posted on the HVO website. The status report is updated as frequently as the status reports are released, which varies with alert level.
Preparing for an eruption can help you prepare for other emergencies, such as severe storms and earthquakes, so it's a good thing to do! Learn about the hazards that you might face during an eruption and how to evacuate from your home. Prepare an emergency kit and make a family plan. Know how to get information about the volcano should it become significantly restless or erupt.
Agencies that provide information on preparing for natural disasters and other emergencies include Hawai'i Emergency Management Agency and the American Red Cross. FEMA offers a Ready.gov webpage that provides information specific to preparing for volcanic eruptions.


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What's new in the latest Lotus Notes Domino Platform
Upgrade to the latest version of Lotus Notes and Domino
Understand the new features and put them to work in your business
Appreciate the implications of changes and new features
In Detail
Lotus Notes is an integrated desktop client option for accessing business email, calendars, and applications on a Lotus Domino server. Domino is an application server that can be used as a standalone web server or as the server component of IBM's Lotus Domino product, which provides a powerful collaborative platform for development of customized business applications. It also provides enterprise-grade email, messaging, and scheduling capabilities.
The Lotus Notes powerhouse has been part of the corporate application and messaging architecture for more than 20 years and, over the years, Lotus Notes has come to signify the essence of electronic business communications. With Lotus Notes 8, IBM has once again provided the user with an intuitive, fully integrated platform to enhance each user's experience with business communications. It is no longer just an email tool, but a basis to extend business communications to a new level.
This book reviews the current release of the powerful Lotus Notes and Domino architecture platform.


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Elaine Grey Flats
Our new favorite flats are here! A fun to the classic flat, these come with a side cutout, stacked heel and suede finish. Perfect to slip on for work, play or both!
Materials: Man made, suede leatherette
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Financial Case
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report mainly provides analysis and evaluation of a capital budgeting project proposed to Senior Management in Diamond Chemicals. The project has been proposed to improve the product output of Diamond Chemicals' Merseyside factory. However, recently, problems such as capital expenditure, marketing cannibalization, discount rate, etc. have surfaced from different departments. Diamond Chemicals need to take all these factors into consideration and eventually decide whether or not they should carry out this project. Methods of analysis include the evaluation of impact on Earnings per Share (EPS), payback period, Discounted cash flow (NPV analysis), and Internal Rate of Return (IRR). The report finds that the project will benefit Diamond Chemicals, and it is applicable. However, in order to make a desirable impact, Diamond Chemicals will have to: 1. Include the £2 million cost of tank car purchase as the capital expenditure of Merseyside's capital program. 2. Include the potential loss of business at Rotterdam caused by the capital project in the analysis...... Diamond Chemicals Ltd. (A): The Merseyside Project
Diamond Chemicals PLC (a)
Case Studies in Finance, Bruner, 4th
Advance Study Questions:
What changes, if any, should Lucy Morris ask Frank Greystockto make in his discounted cash flow analysis? Why? What should Morris be prepared to say to the Transport Division, the Director of Sales, her assistant plant manger, and the analyst from the Treasury staff? How attractive is the Merseyside project? By what criteria? Should Morris continue to promote the project for funding? Critique the way in which Diamond Chemicals evaluates its capital-expenditure proposals (i.e., its capital budgeting techniques). Give an in-depth analysis based upon class discussion and the text. You may also draw upon previous courses' material (i.e., FIN...
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The general feeling surrounding Chelsea's 2008 Champions League run is that it was done in spite of Avram Grant, rather than because of him. Perhaps it was, however his networking could well have tipped the balance in Chelsea's favour should their final game against Manchester United go to penalties if any footballing knowledge he may possess did not (it didn't, of course, but I digress.).
A friend of Grant's was also a friend of Basque economist Ignacio Palacios Huerta and, realising that the latter's work could help his friend win the Champions League, he put them in contact. Ignacio had written a paper, entitled "Professionals play Minimax", examining the ways penalties were taken and used his research to create a report for Grant.
The four main points were:
- Edwin van der Sar dove to the kicker's natural side more often than most keepers. Facing a right-footer, he would dive to his right; for a left-footer, his left. Chelsea's takers should shoot to their unnatural side.
- Most of van der Sar's penalty saves were aimed mid-height. Chelsea should strike their's low or high for the best chance of scoring.
- Cristiano Ronaldo "often stops in the run-up to the ball. If he stops, he is likely (85%) to kick to the right hand side of the goalkeeper." Ronaldo was also adept at changing where he would place the ball at the last moment, making it crucial for Petr Cech not to move early.
- Go first – teams going first win 60% of the time.
Now, with these rules in mind, watch the shoot-out again and it's even more fascinating:
Man United win the toss and Rio Ferdinand turns to the bench to ask what to do, John Terry offers to go first but is wisely ignored. Despite Terry's best efforts, Law 4 is broken. And so the shoot-out begins.
Carlos Tevez scores. 1-0 Man United.
Michael Ballack (right-footed) strikes it high to van der Sar's left. 1-1.
Michael Carrick scores. 2-1.
Juliano Belletti (right-footed) scores low to van der Sar's left. 2-2.
Cristiano Ronaldo stops in his run-up, but Cech doesn't move – Ronaldo hits it to the Czech's right. Cech saves. Still 2-2.
Frank Lampard (right-footed) scores low to van der Sar's left. 2-3.
Owen Hargreaves scores. 3-3.
Ashley Cole (left-footed) hits it to van der Sar's left, breaking Law 1, but it's struck low and goes in, although van der Sar gets a hand on it. 3-4.
Nani scores. 4-4.
John Terry (right-footed) strikes it to van der Sar's left, but due to an, ahem, unfortunate slip, it cannons off the post and goes wide. Still 4-4.
Anderson scores. 5-4.
Salomon Kalou (right-footed) scores to the left of van der Sar. 5-5.
Ryan Giggs scores. 6-5.
Nicolas Anelka (right-footed) strides forwards and van der Sar points to his left, he'd noticed a pattern in Chelsea's kicks – all went to the left thanks to Cole's transgression of Law 1. Anelka now faces a tricky situation; he too should kick it to van der Sar's left, but the Dutchman knew that. Anelka hit it to van der Sar's right – this might have been okay, but he struck it at mid-height too. Van der Sar saves; Man United win; John Terry cries.
Post-match, Alex Ferguson said: "That wasn't an accident, his penalty save. We knew exactly where certain players were putting the ball."
Somewhere Ignacio Palacios Huerta was cursing Anelka, the only Chelsea player not to follow his advice, for robbing him of his own part in a Champions League victory. Still, he had managed to pick the numbers for the supposed shoot-out lottery.


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|9 December 2013
Construction of a new verandah at the Kalangadoo Community Sports Club is well underway.
Construction of a new verandah at the Kalangadoo Community Sports Club is well underway. Wattle Range Council Mayor Peter Gandolfi recently inspected the progress of the verandah at the club.
Mayor Gandolfi said Council has provided $15,000 in financial support which is matched by the significant labour contribution provided by the Club to build the verandah.
"I'm pleased that Council was able to assist the Club in building the new verandah," Mr Gandolfi said. "Council recognises the importance of sport and recreation organisations in our communities that promote and support active lifestyles."
He also congratulated and thanked the many volunteers involved in the club for their contribution.
The much needed verandah is being constructed by club and community members under the expert supervision of qualified building supervisor Ben Opie. It will provide shelter for Club patrons and protect the building from the weather through the winter months.


text: Tech-Wallets I have designed a small range of Tech-Wallets to suit the ipad and ipad Mini which does not have a smart cover or separate keyboard. Available in combination of colours with a secure tab to prevent the ipads from slipping out of the cases. I also make bespoke covers for other tablets, all I need are the dimensions, your choice of colours for the tab and case. (there will be an extra cost for this service). I make a range of handy cable tidies with a secure popper fastening to help you control all of the unruly cables that come with modern technology. You can string them together for larger items of use them individually. A great way to keep all of your cables or earphones tidy. iPad Slip Cover : £70 (GBP) Price includes Postage and Packaging (UK Only) Designed to hold an iPad which does not have a smart cover or separate keyboard Dimensions : H 25cm x W 20.5cm Leather secure closure tab with popper. iPad Mini Slip Cover : £60 (GBP) Price includes Postage and Packaging (UK Only) Leather secure closure tab with popper Dimensions : H 22cm x W 16.5cm Designed to hold ipad without smart cover fitted. Colour shown is not currently available, but Ipad Mini Slip Cover is available in all of the colours shown on the colour page. Leather cable ties with popper fastening : £12.50 for six Post & Packing extra to be advised when ordering (Royal Mail 2nd class) Dimensions : L 11 cm x W 1.8 cm Designed to secure unruly cables and chargers. Cable ties are shipped in a batch of six, one of each colour as shown on the colour page.


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Excellent service and very good professional work recommend to anyone value for money.
For a first time house buyer like myself, I needed a bit of guidance on how I could best secure my home. The person working at the store called Mitul was very helpful when informing me about the products that would be most beneficial to my situation. This is a great example of how customer service should be!! Would definitely recommend this place.
Watchdog locksmiths were really quick to respond and arrived at my home in 20 minutes. I would strongly recommend that company has given me BRILLIANT service.
Arrived in 15 mins , had a key jammed in the door their engineer was very helpful. Good value for money.. would recommend them for any lock issue!


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Do you remember the days when men were men? Bring those days back and set a trend with our handcrafted wooden cufflinks.
These Decorum Cuff cufflinks are an essential attribute to the gentleman's accessory collection. Crafted with passion from quality zebrawood and finished with gilded silver (925), this pair of wooden cufflinks adds character to your outfit. The Decorum Cuff has a rounded shape and bullet back. This subtle add-on to your dress shirt is useful and light – at only ca. 6.8 grams – you won't even notice it! The form of these wooden cufflinks is different and gives it a sense of perfection. This sophisticated pair of cufflinks comes in a beautiful wooden box that was designed specifically for them.
Included: Wooden box
Wood: Zebrano
Material: Gold plated silver 925
Weight: 4,2 g
Metal: 925 Silver


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FilterChoose in 5 steps
Men's Saddles129
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A proper bike saddle is paramount to getting the most from your bike. This is why we offer a wide range of saddles at Mantel. Bike saddles come in all shapes and sizes. There are women- and men-specific saddles, some might have a cut-out, some might not. The specifications on the left allow you to choose between road bike saddles, mountain bike saddles, time trial saddles, trekking saddles, or city bike saddles.
For more advice, you can walk through our extensive saddle selection guide. This way, you're sure to find a saddle which best suits your needs.
Selle Italia SP-01 Boost Kit Carbonio Superflow Saddle
225.30 203.4030 Day Satisfaction Guarantee


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Product Description
Product Description
Luvion Baby Monitor Multi Camera Bundle including Extra Camera great for Twins comprise the Luvion Premium Platinum Video Baby Monitor complete 2.4" set and 1 extra digital camera. This 2 camera bundle let you monitor different rooms with Auto Scan.
- Encoded signal between the parent unit for complete privacy
- Data Lock Encoding stops interference from Wi-Fi networks.
- 200m Range in optimum condition.
- 2.4" High Definition LCD screen.
- Comes with 2 Wireless camera's
- Connect up to 4 wireless camera's (sold separately)
- TV/Av cable included
- Automatic Best Channel Selector for continuous transmission quality
- Automatic Night Vision (5m) so parent can see baby day or night.
- Portable Battery or Mains operated - parent unit includes Rechargeable Lithium battery (included). Baby unit can be used with 4AA alkaline batteries (not included)
- Power converts automatically to battery in case of power failure.
- In-built safety features include low battery and out-of-range indicators so parents are warned when they reach the range limit or batteries are low
- Sound activated light display enables parents to be aware of baby's sounds, even with the sound turned off.
- Resistant to interference from other devices, provides a secure and private connection and a consistent crystal clear picture and sound up to 200m.
- Adjustable sound sensitivity function picks up the quietest of sounds.
- Camera can be self-standing or wall-mounted (screws and plugs included)
- Designed in The Netherlands
- Plug and play within 2 minutes
- Warranty 12 months
A Product Specification
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(Posted on 01/04/2010)
Pros: Very clear picture and absolutely no interference
Cons: Camera is not remote controlled. You can''t turn the key tones off and the nightlight is easy to knock on by accident
(Posted on 30/03/2010)


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619 Madison St #102
Oregon City, OR 97045
503-650-7002 (fax)
Appointments scheduled Wed, Fri & Sat 9 AM-5 PM, Thurs 1-9 PM
Professional and personal nutritional counseling for adults and children. Call now to schedule an appointment for an individualized nutrition plan based on your lifestyle and health needs.
On the corner of 7th and Madison in the Tarleton Building.


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Township Planning Documents
- Comprehensive Plan Addendum, adopted June 2005 (PDF file, 4.3 MB)
- Plan Addendum maps, June 2005 (PDF file, 19 MB)
Valley Park Wetlands
- Valley Park Wetlands Mitigation Project Plan, 4/1/10 (PDF file, 1.06 MB)
Phoenixville Regional Comprehensive Plan
- Regional Plan adopted 2008 (PDF file, 14.5 MB)
(Please note that this file is a large download.)
- Appendix to the Regional Plan (PDF file, 628 KB)
Phoenixville Regional Planning Committee
The Phoenixville Regional Planning Committee (PRPC) is a coalition of municipalities coordinating efforts that advance regional common interests, and is comprised of Phoenixville Borough, Charlestown Township, East Pikeland Township, Schuylkill Township, and West Vincent Township. The PRPC operates within the parameters of a Regional Comprehensive Plan and Implementation Agreement to direct growth into the Region's older communities and designated growth areas, to maximize the efficient use of existing public infrastructure, and to preserve the Region's rural areas.
Chester County Comprehensive Plan
On November 9, 2009, the Chester County Board of Commissioners adopted Landscapes2 as the official long range policy plan for Chester County. The plan updates and replaces Landscapes, originally adopted in 1996.
Audubon Bird Town Program
Bird Town is a working partnership between the PA Audubon Society and a municipality to promote conservation, land stewardship, and community-based actions to create a healthy, more sustainable environment for people and birds. The program started in 2010, and Schuylkill Township was one of the first participants.
Some residents may be familiar with the Audubon at Home program which encourages individual property owners to improve their backyard habitat, and Bird Town rolls up the actions of these individuals and provides more tools that foster stewardship for the whole community. Birds are the most visible and measurable indicators of environmental health, and Pennsylvania is an important place for year-round birds and migrant song birds, but habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation continue to cause population declines in birds, other wildlife and plants. Bird Town's mission is to reduce this trend by encouraging the use of native plants, shrubs, and trees, by implementing stormwater management practices, by reducing use of chemicals and pesticides, by reducing lawns, and by creating a culture of conservation.
Property owners seeking more information on Bird Town in Schuylkill Township or businesses interested in sponsoring conservation activities should contact Mary Ellen Heisey 610.935.7701 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
For the latest news, see the latest version of the Bird Town Flyer, the newsletter of the Audubon Bird Town Pennsylvania program.
Traffic and Transportation
Traffic in Schuylkill Township
An article by former Township Supervisor Lee Ledbetter (posted October 29, 2002).
- GVF, A Transportation Management Association
GVF is a not-for-profit organization created to advocate and promote a viable transportation network for the region's economic vitality. See this PDF document for further information.
- 422 Corridor Plus
The 422plus Project will consider whether tolling approximately 25 miles of US422 Expressway could fund road improvements. Details on the US 422 Corridor Master Plan are available at this website.
- 422 Corridor Coalition
The US Route 422 Corridor Coalition is a collaboration of municipalities, private-sector businesses and Chambers of Commerce along the US Route 422 corridor.
- Traffic.com
Traffic updates for the Philadelphia area.
Local and Regional Maps


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Making Canada Proud with True Talent: An Interview with Peter Bloom
There are more rock-and-pop-influenced singer-songwriters on the musical landscape than there are punk rock bands - I guarantee it. So if you're going to make music in this style, you'd better have something that sets you apart from the stumbling herd. At the very least, you need to have a few good songs with something to say; otherwise, why bother? Peter Bloom, a singer-songwriter who fronts a killer band and isn't afraid to be intense and real, has all of the above. He takes elements of the classic rock of the Beatles, Springsteen and others and uses them as the basis for personal expression that has both sincerity and a flare for the dramatic. Bloom also mercifully eschews indie rock pseudo-hipster cool and blah blah whatever" lyric-writing for passion, with songs that address relevant topics ranging from today's politics to the eternal drama of life and love - be it love of one's fellow human or one's brother. The playing on the CD Random Thoughts (from a paralyzed mind) is excellent throughout, especially Bloom's piano-man stylings on the keys - but the real the stars here are the songs.
[Mark Kirby] What are your earliest memories of music?
[Peter Bloom] I'd have to say playing xylophone in preschool - I'm serious! We were taught music via the Orff method (named after composer Carl Orff). I soon followed that up with some killer licks on the recorder. I apparently showed a lot of promise at a young age, four or five, and my mother was encouraged to get me into piano lessons. But we couldn't afford piano books, let alone lessons. So I actually didn't pick up an instrument until a good friend left his drums at my house when I was fifteen. I taught myself to play over a few months. The friend took up bass while my brother handled guitar in what became our first "serious" band, The Elementals. I had always enjoyed singing in church and just about anywhere, so I also became the lead singer, by default really.
[Mark Kirby] What music were you into when you were young?
[Peter Bloom] I discovered Elvis when I was five or six, thanks to my dad. Elvis is still my number one music "icon." But as I went through my teens, I had the benefit of older siblings who bought a lot of various music, so I had the pleasure of listening to everything from The Romantics to the Police, from the Stones and Zeppelin, to Simon and Garfunkel and Elton John. I also got into two acts who have helped shape my musical journey: Springsteen and the Beatles. But my biggest "band icon" as a teenager was U2, hands down. I also liked a lot of the alt and punk rock music of the 80s, from the Smiths, The Cure, and Echo and the Bunnymen to the Sex Pistols, The Ramones and The Clash. So the teen years covered a lot of musical influences. Did I mention Barry Manilow? Never mind.
[Mark Kirby] How did you get started performing music?
[Peter Bloom] The Elementals gigs would have been my first official performances. Before that, church and school talent shows were the places I sang.
[Mark Kirby] What incident, record or show made you want to be a musician?
[Peter Bloom] It was a combination of Elvis Presley's Gold Records - Volume 1 I believe, and the movie Grease. And subsequently, I wore out the soundtrack! I actually had the pleasure of meeting my childhood hero, John Travolta, a few years back. I was so thrilled; it felt as though I was a kid all over again! He is such a terrific performer and person. He actually hugged me twice during our encounter!
[Mark Kirby] What was your first band like?
[Peter Bloom] Loud, sloppy and full of spunk! We were not seasoned musicians by any stretch, but man, did we put on a show! And the fact is, we wrote some pretty darn catchy college rock" tunes. I'd bet they would still go over now! "Three chords and the truth." Well, more like "three chords and some booze!" That'll always be a big part of my musical identity - the raw energy part, not the alcohol. We were definitely young, wild and free. Well, maybe not free, but we were cheap (insert rim shot sound here)!
[Mark Kirby] What are your current influences?
[Peter Bloom] You know, it's funny - although my music would likely be categorized as "singer-songwriter" at its core, I'm still primarily influenced by bands - classic bands. If I had to be specific, I'd say the Beatles for musical structure and melody, Queen for vocals and "flare", U2 for passion and earnestness, Springsteen for lyrics. I know you're probably thinking, "How about an artist who started within the last twenty years?" But really, although there have been - and still are - some terrific, somewhat more current bands (for example, my perennial favorite, Foo Fighters), they are few and far between. I appreciate their music, but don't find as much creative inspiration in it as I do with the classic artists I mentioned. That being said, I'm sure people will hear a little Keane, Verve and even Stereophonics in what I do. That's great; I love all those acts!
[Mark Kirby] Did you study music in a formal setting?
[Peter Bloom] No, I can't read or write music. I'm a self-taught hack on drums, piano and acoustic guitar! I have had some voice training, or, more accurately, retraining, as a result of my former chronic voice disorder. But even that was never formal training per se. If I have any regrets, that would be one of them - never learning to read and write music, and to play at least one instrument proficiently. But maybe in some ways, my limitations contribute to my strengths. After all, I don't tend to get caught up in what is "right" or wrong" technically or theoretically. If it sounds good in my head and feels good in my heart, then I go with it. That's when the more original ideas surface.
[Mark Kirby] Describe the evolution of Peter Bloom Band.
[Peter Bloom] I wrote and recorded a record over the last two years. Producer/keyboardist John Jamieson and I arranged it. John plays piano and sings backup for the live shows. Guitarist Justin Abedin, who laid down all the guitars and bass tracks for the CD, is my lead guitarist live. My buddy Damian Morrissy had been helping me with a live duo, playing bass and singing backup, as the CD was being put together. So he has continued in that capacity. Justin recommended Roger Travassos on drums, and we were finally ready to perform the songs live as a band. That's been the 5-man lineup since our first show in December 2007. I still do shows alone, too. We've also done a couple of shows as a trio. Whatever works for the venue and event.
[Mark Kirby] With so many singer-songwriters operating in the world of pop, what sets your music apart from the others?
[Peter Bloom] I think I may have already answered that question when I referred to my influences. I don't think my material quite fits the traditional "folk" or "Americana" vibe of many of today's singer-songwriters. As great as many of them are, I don't want to run the risk of putting out really good background music. I want my music to leap out at the listener. Even my gentlest ballads contain big, soaring vocal and instrumental moments. I'd like to believe that I still have the heart of a rock band front man. And I think that comes across in the music. In fact, the next record might surprise a few people in that it will likely have a much more pronounced rock edge to it. I've got to evolve, or regress - I'm not sure which. Either way, I've simply got to be true to what's moving me at the present time, which is rock music and, hopefully, insightful lyrics.
[Mark Kirby] What is your favorite song on the record?
[Peter Bloom] It changes every time I listen to the CD, every time I play a show, every time it rains, every time the sun shines. I think that's why I'm pretty sure I've made a good record. It doesn't rely on one song or one vibe to get you through. There is hope, insight and maybe even a little inspiration to be found in all sorts of musical manifestations throughout the CD. Now if I absolutely had to pick one song, I would probably say Walls." Melodically, lyrically and performance-wise, I'm really pleased with that one. Mind you, Helping Hand" is a great gospel-flavored show closer. And Haven't Hit the Floor Yet" still brings me close to tears every time I hear or sing it. Did I mention Let It Go"? Now there's a potential pop-rock gem. And Careful" has that alt-rock sensibility, you know? Okay, sorry; I'll stop now.
[Mark Kirby] For independent artists in Canada, what is the music scene like?
[Peter Bloom] I'd like to think that Canada supports its homegrown talent. There is definitely a fair bit of government funding available to music artists. Mind you, a good chunk of that goes to relatively established acts. I know CBC Radio really tries to support indie Canadian music. On the other hand, my cynical side wants to whine about our Canadian inferiority complex, and how it so often seems that Canada doesn't fully acknowledge its own brilliant talent until it is recognized abroad. Barenaked Ladies, Feist, Arcade Fire...you name it. It just seems that it takes some degree of European hype, or U.S. popularity, before Canadians wholeheartedly embrace and endorse their own. Although the anecdote I'll use to illustrate my point is a film example, I think the musical experience is similar: The brilliant actress/screenwriter/director Sarah Polley deservedly won seven Genies this year for her movie Away From Her. And yet the only question some Canadian radio bozo could ask her was how it felt to be nominated for an Oscar. She was at the Genie Awards ceremony at the time! On the bright side, I think the internet is making national boundaries gradually less relevant. Good music from anywhere on the globe is easily accessible and embraced as good music, no matter where it is from. Mind you, the sheer number of wannabe artists is countless times greater now than it was ten years ago as a result of the net and cheap recording technology. Canada or no Canada, the acts that are going to thrive, or at least survive, will have to focus on making great music and getting it out directly to the people, regardless of national borders.
[Mark Kirby] How about the music scene in Toronto, specifically?
[Peter Bloom] Toronto is Canada's biggest city, so there are a lot of potential fans here. There are many places to play, and my experience with other acts is that they are quite supportive of one another. One of my favorite new artists is the incomparable, Juno-nominated Justin Nozuka. We played some shows together locally, and we co-wrote a tune on his debut CD Holly. He has emerged from the Toronto music scene over the past couple of years, and has taken Europe by storm. He's about to "invade" the U.S., and I have no doubt he will succeed there. The awe-inspiring Justin Hines (writer/singer of the #1 Canadian radio hit "I Wish You Well") is another force to be reckoned with. He, too, is from the Toronto scene. Maybe I should change my name to Justin! Then there's the Montreal indie scene, which seems to have exploded over the past five or six years. I played out west relatively recently, and I found that to be a pretty solid scene as well. And of course, the east coast has always enjoyed a very strong music scene. Music is in their soul...and it's "right some good!" Ultimately, wherever the artist is from, true talent and drive trump everything else. Canada has a LOT of amazing music to offer the world; we just have to stop saying "sorry" first.
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Music Spotlight Directory


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The influenza epidemic situation is heating up. The number of emergency room and outpatient visits for the flu surpassed the 100,000 mark two weeks ago, with 13,300 new outpatient visits in that week alone, which set a new record. Among them, 72 had severe flu-related complications and four died. The peak of the flu season is expected to occur over the Lunar New Year.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released its "Spring Festival risk travel map" on Jan. 14, and reminded travelers to be wary and take necessary precautions to avoid bringing pathogens home from their pleasant trips abroad.
Data from the CDC shows that two weeks ago one in four people with cold-like symptoms had influenza. The number of emergency visits is still 15,000, while outpatient visits have reached 90,000. Three males and one female died from flu-related complications. The ages of the deceased ranged from 40 to 89. They were infected with the H1N1 and H3N2 flu strains, and most of them suffered from chronic diseases such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease and had not had a flu vaccine.
The government-funded influenza vaccine includes the virus strains that are most prevalent, says Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Deputy Director-General Chou Jih-haw. Children in the three-to-six age group are in close proximity at preschools and day cares, making it easy to transmit viruses, Chou says, adding that up to 72 percent of kids in this age group have not gotten vaccinated, which has kept the rate of prevalence exceedingly high.
Winter is the peak season for norovirus in Northeast Asian nations like Japan and North and South Korea. Over the past two months, a total of 25 Taiwanese tour groups that ate at a restaurant while visiting a well-known skiing resort in Korea were infected with norovirus, with as many as 370 people suffering from diarrhea. An investigation found that the virus was transmitted by two cooks working at the restaurant, which has been shut down.
1. precaution n.
預防措施 (yu4 fang2 cuo4 shi1)
例: The building inspector said we haven't taken the necessary precautions against fire.
2. proximity n.
接近;鄰近;親近 (jie1 jin4; lin2 jin4; qin1 jin4)
例: When we were looking for a house, living in proximity to a good shopping center was very important to us.
3. diarrhea n.
腹瀉 (fu4 xie4)
例: Nine students were hospitalized yesterday with severe diarrhea.
Taiwan's emergency and outpatient visits for diarrhea-like symptoms reached 170,000 two weeks ago. Causes included bacteria, norovirus and rotavirus. Philip Yi-chun Lo, a doctor with the CDC, says that norovirus can only be killed in temperatures at or above 66 degrees Celsius, so people should avoid raw or cold foods and be careful to keep workers' hands clean.
The H7N9 avian influenza epidemic in China near the border of Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces and Guangdong Province is out of control, and the number of healthy young people infected with the virus has recently been rapidly increasing. Chou says that the more active a virus is within a community the easier it is for it to mutate. Taiwanese businesspeople in China should be on high alert, Chou says, adding that people planning on traveling abroad during the Spring Festival should familiarize themselves with all of the common local viruses, visit travel clinics to get the necessary disease prevention info, evaluate their personal health and find out which vaccines are recommended.
(Liberty Times, Translated by Kyle Jeffcoat)


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Torre dei Gualandi
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The Torre dei Gualandi (also known as the Muda Tower,) is a former tower in Pisa, central Italy, now included in the Palazzo dell'Orologio.
It is located on the north part of the Piazza dei Cavalieri. The tower was in the right part of the present building, the one without the four-light window. Gualandi was the name of a Pisan family that owned the tower in the 13th century.
Ugolino della Gherardesca, his sons and two grandsons were immured in the tower and starved to death in the 13th century. Dante, his contemporary, wrote about Gherardesca in his masterpiece The Divine Comedy.
See also[edit]
External links[edit]
- https://web.archive.org/web/20060720081434/http://www.sns.it/en/scuola/luoghi/palazzodellorologio/
- http://www.comune.pisa.it/turismo/itinerari/1itinerario-gb.htm
- https://web.archive.org/web/20061110050809/http://www.endex.com/gf/buildings/ltpisa/ltparticles/ltp%20rapid%201948/ltp%20rapid%201948.htm
- http://www.pisaonline.it/ulisse/eng/manoscritti.htm
Coordinates: 43°43′10.67″N 10°23′58.28″E / 43.7196306°N 10.3995222°E
|This article about an Italian building or structure is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.