text:
For some time we have been considering the Fourth Edition of Dungeons & Dragons. Until now, our musings have been constrained to the realms of theory and literary criticism. But things have changed: at long last we have put dice to paper and miniatures to tabletop.
Yes, The Middle Room has gone to war.
And we've returned to tell of the game itself. More specifically, we've come to speak of the combat system, which permeates the rules like a gelatinous cube engulfing a gnomish bard.
In practice we were pleased with aspects of the combat system and bothered by others. There is something inherently satisfying about slaughtering one's enemies, and, by this metric, the edition does not disappoint. Even at low levels we found our characters able to hold their own, some more effectively than others. We were somewhat startled to find the group's Ranger to be more effective than we'd have expected, and we find ourselves wondering if this class may be a bit over-powered. Further study will be needed to confirm such suspicions, however.
We found ourselves less enamoured with the game's reliance on a grid and miniatures. While we expected this to a degree, we were surprised to the extent. In previous editions miniatures always seemed like a tool to keep track of complex situations: in Fourth we felt as though they took over the game.
Our response to the system itself is somewhat more philosophical. And when we think of philosophy, we naturally think of superheroes. To understand the Fourth Edition's approach, one needs to first understand the difference between the Justice League and the X-Men.
The Justice League is a team of highly competent heroes with diverse abilities and talents. When each member acts, they do so somewhat individually, accomplishing something only they can do. An action undertaken by Superman is therefore essentially about Superman, no one else.
The X-Men operate under a different dynamic. Again, each member has unique abilities, but it is the combination of their talents which yields victory. Wolverine is most effective against a Sentinel, for instance, when thrown by Colossus. Cyclops's optic blast may be a distraction for Beast to rewire the villains' computer network.
The Fourth Edition was designed to function more like the X-Men than the Justice League. A lonely Warlord or Priest, for instance, is nothing special, but put them on a team with a fighter, a wizard, and a Rogue, and their powers elevate the group as a whole.
It sounds so good on paper. But the simple fact is that, in our experience, the most fulfilling gaming experiences are individual character moments. When we think back on our greatest moments in combat, we find they almost always involve a single character achieving greatness.
Like Batman defeating Dr. Destiny, one might say.
This isn't to say that Fourth lacks these instances: in some ways it provides them in more ready abundance than any other edition. But due to the game's reliance on powers, there is a prepackaged feel to many of these heroic actions.
There is sense in which gaming is a surprisingly narcissistic activity. While we respect the attempt to focus on cooperation, we are skeptical such a shift will pay off.
Even so, there was much to enjoy. We have only begun to explore the opportunities, races, and character classes, and will need more time to determine whether our initial observations hold up.
Either way, we'll keep you posted.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
A Fourth Edition, Part 3
No comments:
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
Considering Selling Your Home?
Sell Your House Fast & Effectively • Any Condition • Any Price Range • Any Size! Marie Makes Home Selling Easy. Get Listed Get SOLD with Marie: 602-475-3175
Serving All Maricopa County & Pinal County (such as Phoenix, Ahwatukee, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale, Buckeye, Tolleson, San Tan Valley, Florence +) .
Specializing in Single Family Homes, Town Homes & Condos.
If you're considering listing your home or property for sale you found the right spot; Marie is known for her ability to sell more homes quicker than the average time on the market with the greater number of homes sold above top dollar.
Put Marie's experience, knowledge, service and professionalism to work for you.
Available 7 days a week to respond to every inquiry about your home utilizing only the latest technology to ensure that potential buyers for your home are never overlooked.
Pricing your home or property for sale and setting the List price
Pricing your property for sale is extremely critical to achieving a quick sale and selling at top dollar. When we begin the pricing process for your unique home, we'll start with a "Home Market Analysis" (also known as a Competitive Market Analysis, CMA or Comp Report). We will carefully select the right comparables of properties which have recently sold and homes on the current market. Once we establish the "price range" of your home through the home market analysis (upon your request) we will further evaluate your home or property with a "Maximum Home Value Report". During the performance of your Maximum Home Value Report we will evaluate your home's condition, location, best features and upgrades making sure your home is priced right and sold for the most money to you.
To order your "Home Market Analysis" and/or a "Maximum Home Value Report" use the icons above or contact Marie 602-475-3175.
Serving Sellers Like You in Selling Local Properties throughout Maricopa County & Pinal County for over 17 Years.
Marie De Los Monteros
Your Real Estate Professional
HomeSmart Real Estate, Int'l
(602) 475-3175

subset: commoncrawl


text:
" Trance Dance is a unique blend of body movement, healing sounds, dynamic percussive rhythms, transformational breathing techniques and the innovative use of a blindfold or bandana - together stimulating a 'trance' state that promotes spiritual awakenings, mental clarity, physical stamina and emotional well-being. " - Wilbert Alix
The Trance Dance Facilitator Training Program is a 10 day (72 hours) professional training retreat designed to prepare you to conduct a Ritual Trance Dance Program. In this training you will study the mystical, scientific and psychological significance of various states of trance as healing tools and directly explore the Ritual (blindfold) Trance Dance technique. Included in this training is also ritual experiences in Soul Hunting, Rites Of Passage, The Ancestors Walk and more.
Due to the extensive experiential nature of this 10-day training previous experience in Ritual Trance Dance is a plus but not absolutely required. What is required is proven maturity, previous training in a psychology based and/or other spiritual transformation related modality, experience as a wellness teacher or facilitator and a willingness to explore non-ordinary states of consciousness directly. This program is designed to train facilitators as well as persons interested in its initiatory (transformational) value. Attendance is open to persons 30 years of age and older. An application process is required before being accepted into this training.
In this document we will guide you through the training experience using the words (testimonials) of a recent 2016 training group in Europe. Training students & staff in attendance were from Australia, Belgium, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Scotland, UK and the USA. NOTE: All of our trainings are taught in the English language.
Student Testimonials
"Very thought provoking and intense. I learned a lot about myself."
"It was good, it was substantial, I feel I have a solid basis for facilitating. "
" It´s way beyond words can express, it has been overwhelming, full of depth. It has touched me so dearly and so deeply I feel I am a different person."
" I really enjoyed the training. It was a good mix of learning about the mechanics of the practice and experiencing the transformational impact of Ritual Trance Dance directly. I felt the growth and evolution in both my mind and my heart. I felt my receptivity to the language used of my inner voice increase in fluency."
" I really appreciated the space that was given to integrate what was happening. "
" A life changer… a real tool for growth and change."
" Was really enriching, allowed me to deepen my spiritual development and learn about subjects of great interest."
" To conduct this training was a massive commitment for all of those leading and supporting it, and I am humbled by their skill and love, commitment and consideration that was evident throughout. "
"Very well thought out."
" Thank you for this contribution to my life and to the world. "
"Really needed the stretch - I had no idea that this was to be… how and what shamanic rituals are … years ago this would have been very scary for me. I just feel ready this time… I wanted to shake up my perceptions… challenge myself… to grow and I really felt this. The Soul Hunting I feel was an integral part of this training… Thank you."
Student Testimonials
"Wilbert for me is a great teacher, a master, he teaches with his soul and heart and this passes easily to the participants."
" It is very hard to express in words, much like the nature of the universe. Wilbert is generous with his knowledge, clear in his communication of complex concepts, sincere in his life long pursuit of truth and love, unafraid to challenge when required, continually practicing the principles of shamanism in real time, deeply committed to the process of what he is doing. It has been an absolute honor to learn from Wilbert."
" He says about himself he is a teacher, but for me he is the MASTER, The MENTOR who guided me through this whole inner journey. I felt completely secure, trust and open in this journey guided by him. I love his ethics and real interest in helping me without interfering with my rhythm, with judging. He was like the perfect catalyst for my transformational process. I feel Wilbert serving me with his stillness."
"Knowledgable, grounded and so much more, thank you for making me confront myself. "
" A Good teacher, he´s thought a lot about what he has to say, not afraid to think outside of convention and to press the buttons that come with that. Also respectful and non-judging of people."
" I appreciated the ethics of course - and stress on that, loved the humor, made me feel safe, the fact that the space is given for self reflection - Very appreciated. "
Student Testimonials
" Luisa and Eva have been unwavering pillars of support and knowledge. As a team they have all been truly astounding role models and have brought themselves fully to this experience. "
" Luisa and Eva were inspiring and a true support for the group."
" I love that they were always supportive and open to help. I also liked this secure feeling they sent me, which made me open and more trusting. Transparency, non-judgmental, support, joy, kindness."
" You were like a safety net ! Thank you so much. Love, gentle, kind, present when needed."
"Friendly & open, helpful and available."
"Felt really supported by program staff - very knowledgable. "
" Lovely…supportive… really appreciated the fact that they were present in every class…I felt they were part of the process…"
Student Testimonials
" Beautiful fresh tasty food! "
" The food was abundant and very supportive of the practices we were doing."
" The team preparing the food put so much love and intention into every meal. It varied continually and used a full spectrum of flavors.
" Great surprises, sushi evening, fish wonderfully cooked, seafood rice."
" Great hospitality from the retreat center staff. "
" The retreat center held us beautifully and consistently through a very intense process. "
" The training room was perfect and the gardens were a peaceful place for contemplation."
" Very enjoyable to relax in the lounge. I like the landscape. "
" Nice vibe in the house. "
" The retreat center is beautiful, well kept, intentionally maintained, heart centered - spacious, welcoming…really loved the space."
" All the center staff has been welcoming, respectful, supportive and helpful."
Some training participants had the opportunity to visit Lisbon before and/or after the training! Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in western Europe, with a history that stretches back to its original settlements in 800–600 BC. In fact Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in the world predating other modern European capitals such as London, Paris and Rome. Lisbon today is enjoying a resurgence of its artistic history. Lisbon enjoys a Mediterranean climate. It has the warmest winters of any metropolis in Europe.


text:
Senate defeat puts climate bill on tough road
The Senate debate over a climate change bill this week was supposed to be a warm-up for next year, when a new president who might back deep cuts in U.S. greenhouse gas emissions controls the White House. But, instead, the sharp clash, which ended in the measure's defeat Friday, showed just how difficult it will be for either President Barack Obama or President John McCain to enact a global warming law.
Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., a chief sponsor of the bill, put the best spin on the measure's demise, saying it offers the next president a political road map. "This will show them where they have allies," she said. "This will show them where they have problems."
Procedural vote
The bill, which would have cut U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by two-thirds by 2050, was pulled from the floor by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., Friday after the Senate failed to pass a procedural vote to limit amendments and move the bill forward. The vote was 48-36 - well short of the 60 votes needed to head off a filibuster.
But the bill's sponsors proclaimed it a victory that 54 senators signaled their support for advancing the measure. Six senators who missed the vote - including Obama, D-Ill., McCain, R-Ariz., Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., and Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., who is battling brain cancer - sent statements of support for debate on the bill.
"It may be a small step forward for mankind," said Joe Lieberman, independent-Conn., who has been pushing climate legislation for a decade, "but it's a giant step forward for the United States Senate."
Better showing than in 2005
The tally was a big jump over the 38 votes a similar climate bill received in 2005 - although supporters acknowledged that not all of the senators who voted yes Friday are ready to approve a climate bill without major changes.
Most Republicans opposed the measure, saying it would sharply limit their ability to offer amendments - some of which were aimed at toppling the bill.
"This bill deserved a full and honest debate, with amendments offered and voted upon," said Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., one of the bill's chief critics. "The American people did not deserve a political exercise geared toward election year politics."
Eight Republicans voted to limit amendments and proceed to debate. Two Democrats, Sens. Mary Landrieu, D-La., and Tim Johnson, D-S.D., voted no.
Supporters of the bill had been building toward this week's debate for months, assembling a coalition that included Fortune 500 CEOs, evangelical leaders, labor unions and environmental groups. Their major coup was landing Sen. John Warner, R-Va., the widely respected former Navy secretary, as a chief co-sponsor.
But when Senate leaders scheduled the climate debate months ago for the first week in June, they could hardly have known it would take place in the midst of an unprecedented run-up in gas prices.
Opponents of the bill seized on studies by government agencies and outside groups that suggested that the Climate Security Act, S3036, could raise gas prices as well as electricity bills for consumers.
GOP strategy in memo
A memo by Senate GOP leaders, obtained by Democrats, laid out their strategy to defeat the bill. "The goal is for a theme (example: Climate bill equals higher gas prices) each day, and the focus is much more on making political points than in amending the bill," the memo read in part. It added, "The bottom line is the GOP very much wants to have this fight."
Democrats blasted it as a cynical strategy, but it had an effect. For days, Senate Republicans took to the floor to claim the bill would wreak havoc on the economy. Rather than going straight to amendments, Republicans demanded 30 full hours of debate to pound home the theme.
Republicans also raised concerns over the bill's price tag - $6.7 trillion through 2050 - as industry begins paying for the right to emit greenhouse gases. Even some Democrats questioned how that revenue would be distributed.
Still, supporters of the bill saw signs of progress. Unlike past years, there was almost no debate over climate change science, and most lawmakers agreed Congress should strive to cut emissions.
"The terms of the debate have shifted," said Eileen Claussen, president of the Pew Center on Global Climate Change. "The Senate is now debating the best means - and the cost - of reducing emissions."
More Republican support
The bill has been gradually picking up Republican support. Sens. Elizabeth Dole, R-N.C., Norm Coleman, R-Minn., and both of Maine's GOP senators backed the bill. And several Republican senators who voted no Friday, including freshman Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee, said they were open to a cap-and-trade system.
Just before the vote, Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla., told Lieberman he would side with the bill's sponsors to advance the debate. "He said, 'I did it for my grandchildren', " Lieberman said.
But both sides agree the 492-page bill is going to take weeks of floor time to debate and amend. Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., said the Democratic leaders made the mistake of trying to jam debate into a week. "You can't rush the process," he said.
But the bill's sponsors also have to worry about holding on to support from Democrats. Ten Democratic senators, mostly from the Midwest and South, recently sent Reid and Boxer a letter warning, "We cannot support final passage of the (climate bill) in its current form."
Boxer said she is going to continue meeting with undecided senators of both parties next week to address their concerns. But she said it's also up to voters to pressure their lawmakers to act.
"Every senator who voted no will have to explain their reason," she said. "Everyone will be held accountable."
Online resources
To see how the Senate voted, go to links.sfgate.com/ZDQZ.


text:
Clarks shoes' summer offerings blew the LOOK team away when we got a sneak peek at them at their press preview showcase.
No longer just a destination for desert boots and practical flats, they've seriously upped their shoe game with Aztec platforms, popping colour-block courts and bang-on block-heeled sandals – we've got it on good authority that all the fashion editors have snapped up the white and silver pair.
Latest Stories
As well as all those design details, you get all the usual Clarks shoes comfort. Super-hot foot candy you can wear round the clock? We're sold. See our pick of the new Clarks shoes range here!
By Gemma Gow
Remember, you can buy the digital edition of LOOK magazine for your tablet or iPhone. And don't forget to rate it in iTunes!


text:
UAE's Emirates airline says U.S. electronics restrictions on all flights to last months
DUBAI, March 21 (Reuters) - New restrictions on passengers carrying electronics on U.S. flights will be in place for nearly seven months, an Emirates spokeswoman said on Tuesday.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will require passengers travelling from 10 Middle East airports, including Emirates' Dubai hub, to stow electronic devices larger than a mobile phone with their checked baggage on all flights to the U.S. from the end of the week.
An Emirates spokeswoman confirmed the airline was subject to the "new security directive issued by the Transportation Security Administration."
"The directive comes into effect on 25 March 2017 and is valid until 14 October 2017," the Emirates spokeswoman said in an emailed statement. "It is applicable to all U.S.-bound passengers from Dubai International Airport, whether originating or transiting through."
Travelers walk past an Emirates Airlines ticket desk at JFK International Airport in New York, U.S. (Reuters)
GALLERY: Mideast airlines face laptop bans on flights to U.S., U.K.
The restrictions apply to passengers coming to the United States from majority-Muslim nations Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Morocco and Qatar.
The airports affected are in Amman, Cairo, Kuwait City, Doha, Dubai, Istanbul, Abu Dhabi, Casablanca, Morocco; Riyadh and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Turkish Airlines will be affected by the new restrictions, Vice President for Media Relations Yahya Ustun told Reuters.
An Etihad Airways spokesman told Reuters the Abu Dhabi carrier had been advised of the changes and that it would issue a statement later.
Royal Jordanian Airlines and Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) will also be impacted, Reuters reported.
(Reporting by Alexander Cornwell in Dubai; Additional reporting by Victoria Bryan in Berlin; Editing by Randy Fabi and Julia Glover) ((firstname.lastname@example.com;))


text:
Tuscan Path's Stream Lite egg pots are modern pots finished with a coarse texture. Available in sand and dark grey and in four sizes, they are made from lightweight and durable glass-reinforced cement and will make a stylish, contemporary statement in any home.
We will gladly assist with returns and exchanges of this product in accordance with our returns and exchanges policy
Shop wherever you are, whenever you want.
Visit our Shop Online page to learn more.
Where you find a competitor's lower price on the same stocked item, we'll beat it by10%
Excludes trade quotes, stock liquidations, commercial quantities and MarketLink products. Same in-stock item available for same-day delivery or collection, including GST and delivery charges.


text:
The event will take place on November 15, 16 and 17, will open on Madeira Island and close on the island of Porto Santo. For the first time in Madeira, the National Congress of Pre-Hospital Medical Emergency will be under the motto "this sea that unites us".
This is the first initiative of its kind in Madeira and Porto Santo, and should bring together many prehospital professionals at the national level. It also marks the joint organization of the Regional Civil Protection Service, IP-RAM and INEM – National Institute of Medical Emergency, which in 2017 signed a collaboration protocol "which aims to foster cooperation between the two entities, in various domains of the pre-hospital medical emergency, "said the institution led by José Dias.
The National Emergency Congress brings together a range of professionals from various geographic areas of the country, all linked to the prehospital emergency, such as Luís Meira (President INEM), José Dias (President SRPC), Manuel Antunes (Cardiothoracic Surgeon ), António Brazão (SEMER Coordinator), Carlos Freitas (SRS specialist nurse) and specialists and instructors Itamar Ashkenazi (Medical Response to Major Incidents (MMI)) and Luís Vale, MD and Medical Response to Major Incidents Instructor (MRMI) . Carlos Mesquita, President of the European Society of Trauma and Emergency Surgery, and João Morais, President of the Portuguese Society of Cardiology, are other invited speakers. The panel of speakers is completed by Leonardo Ribeiro, Deputy Coordinator of SEMER and Nélson Bettencourt, trainer at the Regional Civil Protection Service (SRPC).
According to the information available, this is the 1st national meeting of the Emergency in RAM, in a national debate of two days, with close to 30 speakers. In all, a total of 300 participants are expected.
The program has been devised "to ensure the widest possible coverage, and will address issues such as CRP, trauma, greenways, catastrophe and new technologies in the service of the emergency," postponed the Regional Civil Protection Service. Also during the congress, the SRPC and INEM will carry out a "Mass Rescue Operation" exercise on board a ship, due to its originality and high committed logistics, it is expected to be able to correspond to a moment of high interest.
The event will take place on November 15, 16 and 17, will open on Madeira Island and close on the island of Porto Santo. For the first time in Madeira, the National Congress of Pre-Hospital Medical Emergency will be under the motto "this sea that unites us".


text:
Did these corporate portraits some time back. The brief was to deliver very simple and clean B&W portraits of the employees.
We decided upon a basic three light setup and the result was pretty decent although the client was more than happy.
Moral of the story: Sometimes the clients requirement is more important than your own creative vision and satisfaction.


text:
Broadway Veterinary Hospital Offers Vaccines to Prevent Illness
Just as in the human population, pets can be susceptible to acquiring a number of diseases that are transmitted among the cat and dog populations. Vaccines are available to prevent these diseases, which can cause severe illness and sometimes even death. At Broadway Veterinary Hospital in Sacramento, CA, we provide vaccinations against many of the common illnesses seen in pets.
The Importance of Vaccines
Recently, more people are becoming concerned about vaccines and their effects on pets. However, all veterinary agencies recognize that maintaining a vaccination schedule for pets helps to prevent the spread of illness in the dog and cat populations, reduces veterinary expenses for families, and helps to keep very young or very old animals, who cannot receive vaccines, from becoming seriously ill. For these reasons, they recommend vaccinating pets on a regular schedule to maintain health.
When to Have Your Pet Vaccinated
Puppies and kittens should begin to receive vaccinations. Puppies should begin a series of vaccines, starting at six weeks and given in three- to four-week intervals until they are 16-weeks old. These are generally combination vaccines against distemper, parvovirus, parainfluenza, and adenovirus. At adulthood, rabies vaccine is given and booster vaccines are provided yearly. Kittens receive vaccines against distemper and feline herpesvirus. Rabies vaccine is provided at adulthood, and boosters for all immunizations are given annually. Other vaccines may also be recommended by your Sacramento vet, depending on animal's exposure.
Vaccinations Help Your Pet Stay Healthy Throughout Life
Having your puppy or kitten vaccinated in the early months is important to preventing diseases that can be very dangerous to their health. These young animals have immature immune systems, which make them vulnerable to both the illness itself, as well as complications. In adulthood, your pet benefits from vaccinations against diseases they may pick up when they encounter other animals outdoors, at the dog park, or while in boarding. Older animals may also have compromised immune function that makes common diseases more hazardous for them.
Contact Broadway Veterinary Hospital in Sacramento for Your Pet's Vaccines
We understand that your pet is a part of your family, and we strive to provide the highest quality care for each of our patients in Sacramento, CA, and surrounding communities. We offer a broad range of veterinary services, including wellness exams, preventive care, surgery, diagnostics, and pharmacy services. Call Broadway Veterinary Hospital today at 916-446-6154 for an appointment to have your pet's vaccinations updated, to help keep them healthy at every age.


text:
Project Overview
Vinegar as an Organic Herbicide in Garlic Production
- Vegetables: garlic
- Crop Production: conservation tillage
- Education and Training: on-farm/ranch research
- Farm Business Management: feasibility study
- Production Systems: general crop production
Proposal summary:
Garlic is a high-value crop, but weed control is essential to quality. It is also time consuming, and the farmer will test the effectiveness of vinegar as compared with mechanical weed control. He will also monitor the soil pH to see if it is affected, and he will compare the test and control crops for quality and weight. Results will be published in a national growers' publication and, if results are promising, a field day might be offered.


text:
Photos : Uprising of a Bridge in Lixhe, Belgium
09 February 2018
Lixhe, Belgium. February 8, 2018. The cable-stayed bridge of Lixhe, which spans the Albert Canal, near Visé, rose overnight between Wednesday and Thursday. The uprising reaches 65cm at its highest point. One of the connecting rods holding the work has given way. Repairs are underway.
Leave a Reply


text:
Recipes for 4 peoples
· 12 prawns from Dénia ·
1 kg. of monkfish
· 3 natural tomatoes
· 4 soup spoons of olive oil
· 4 almonds
· Chorrito de Vino Blanco · Chorrito de cognac
· Teaspoon of
paprika · 1 onion
· Saffron ·
Parsley (1 branch)
· Salt
· Pepper
· 1.5 kg. of trash.
. 4 ladies
. 1 bay leaf
. 10 cloves of garlic
. Flour (1 tablespoon)
Make a fumet (sauté rubbish, crabs, tomato, onion, and raw ñora and then bring to a boil), strain and set aside. It is also chopped with three ñoras, an onion, a bay leaf, ten cloves of raw garlic and a branch of parsley (prepare the chopped pochando all the ingredients and crush). Once the bite is done, add the grated natural tomatoes to sauté them with the chopped almonds, a tablespoon of flour, the saffron threads and the paprika. At that time, cognac, white wine, parsley, and salt are added. Sprinkle with the fumet and when it starts to boil, add the monkfish and let it boil for 8 or 10 minutes. Add the prawns at the last minute and rectify the salt.


text:
According to the CDC, despite the start of some declining numbers the overall flu activity is still above baseline. And as a practicing physician I can attest to that!
But often during this time of the year it is hard to distinguish a common cold from the flu. There are some things that can tip you off. First, colds usually begin gradually with more mild symptoms like sore throats and are less likely to cause high fevers or severe headaches and muscle aches. The main symptoms of a cold tend to be sniffles; runny nose and a wet sounding junky productive cough often from postnasal drip. Flu on the other hand usually hits you suddenly like a freight train with a high fever usually greater than 101-102° F, a bad headache and muscle aches. If there is a cough, it is more likely to be a dry non-productive cough. Most people suspect they have the flu because it wipes you out!
I tell my patients if the preponderance of your symptoms are from the neck up it's probably a cold whereas if most of your symptoms are from the neck down it may be the flu. Most colds do get better in about a week while the flu can linger a bit longer. Viruses cause both cold and flu, so antibiotics are not useful at all. Please don't bug your doctor for them! Antiviral drugs are available but in the past we reserved them for those most at risk for severe complications from the flu.
In the past we believed that chronically ill adults and children – those with high-risk medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, certain types of cancer, congenital heart defects or neurological disorders such as cerebral palsy or epilepsy – were most at risk for serious complications from the flu. Pneumonia is the most deadly complication from the flu. The CDC estimates that influenza and pneumonia are the 9th leading cause of death.
However a disturbing new study this year showed that significant numbers of healthy children are also dying from complications of the flu. In addition, the study found that most of these children had not gotten vaccinated for influenza. And it isn't just children. Another recent study just found that young adults who had not been vaccinated for the flu were more likely to have severe cases that required hospitalization and sometimes even care in the ICU (intensive care unit.)
These needless tragedies can be prevented. The CDC recommends that all children 6 months or older get the flu vaccine every year. Babies younger than 6 months get some protection from their moms who should have been vaccinated during pregnancy, because pregnant women are also at risk for serious complications from influenza.
Despite what some think, you CANNOT get the flu from the vaccine. It is made from dead or altered virus. You may feel a little ill afterwards but that is just your body mounting its immune response getting ready to protect you from any circulating influenza virus around. You can also get some soreness at the site of the injection. And even if we find that in some years the vaccine is not a perfect match for that particular strain that particular year, it can still give you some cross immunity. Therefore, you may not get as sick and you are less likely to get a fatal complication, if you do get exposed to the influenza virus.
The signs and symptoms that indicate you may be developing a serious complication from the flu often occur when flu-like symptoms have begun to improve but then you relapse with worse fever, cough and sometimes a rash. Other alarming symptoms that indicate you need to go right to the emergency room are shortness of breath and difficulty breathing, chest pain, any signs of confusion, if you are vomiting and can't keep fluids down, and any severe pallor or bluish discolorations of your lips or fingertips.
There are other preventive measures to take during cold and flu season. Hand washing as the single most important thing you can do. Use plain old soap and warm water and sing the happy birthday song 3 times to ensure you have washed for an adequate amount of time! Don't touch your face, eyes, nose or mouth during this season without washing your hands first, since that is often how the viruses are transmitted. Cover your sneezes and cough not with your hands but use the inside crook of your elbow, if you don't have a tissue to use. And please don't be a hero and go to work or school if you get sick… stay home, rest and drink fluids for your own sake and for that of your co-workers too!


text:
Barack Obama
White House takes We the People petition site down for maintenance
All previously existing petitions and signatures will be there when the site relaunches in "late January," an official told FedScoop.
Obama's foundation plots digital-first archive in lieu of presidential library
The Obama Foundation and the National Archives and Records Administration will work together to digitize the the president's unclassified physical records "to the greatest extent possible."
OPEN Government Data Act to get another chance
Legislation setting a presumption that all government information should be published as open, machine-readable data is back with bipartisan support in the House.
Federal website use grows, but visitors are growing more critical, report says
A growing number of federal website customers are skeptical of the channel despite a rapid rise in its use, according to a recent report by Forrester Research.
Trump will put pressure on defense contractors, not Pentagon's bottom line, analysts say
The president-elect's recent tweets might imply the military is headed for budget cuts, but Pentagon watchers say Trump will increase overall spending.
Election 2016: A recap of Clinton's and Trump's stances on tech and IT
Information Technology accounts for almost $90 billion of the federal budget each year, but in the recent presidential election cycle in which candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton have spent much of their air time trying to defend past personal transgressions, tech policy has gotten scant attention from either of the White House hopeful, despite the fact that one of them will soon have the final authority over that budget request before it's sent to Congress for the next four years.


text:
Introduction: Simple Removable Car Sun Shade
A simple and easy way to protect yourself and your children from the sun heat in long trips
Teacher Notes
Teachers! Did you use this instructable in your classroom?
Add a Teacher Note to share how you incorporated it into your lesson.
Step 1: Prepare the Window Shapes
take an A3 papers and push them towards your car windows to have the shape of them
Step 2: Cutting
cut them in the shape of the car windows
Step 3: Double Them
now take more papers and draw the templates on them .. this is to make your sun shade thicker
add papers as more as you need but be careful more paper can lead your lamination film to torn. I used only two papers with one picture cut inside
Cut them all in same shapes.
Step 4: Stick Them to Gether
stack them together then put them in a laminating film . with the help of heat they become hard which now we can use by the way that we need
Step 5: Re-cut
now re-cut the not needed edges into the same shape of the template.
be careful, you have to leave at least about 1cm from each side of the paper to not lose the laminating film and to make the area which will go between your car window and its rubber frame.
I add some pictures of prayers and habits that i want my son to read and follow .. you can add any pictures or any thing that you thing it will add a decorative appearance to the sun shade.
Step 6: Use Them
now easily slide them between your windows glass and the rubber frame.. the 1cm area of the lamination film will go inside leaving the paper as its glued to the window. by this there is no more sun rays coming inside.
there is a small mistake that I've done.. those papers are for the right side of the car but because there was no space in parking area i put them in the left side only to show you the how it is. (Also one paper is mistakenly flipped)
if you didn't add any picture you can use your papers in either side of your car.
Step 7: You Can
you can use any laminated A3 of A4 paper and slide it into the windows to protect you from sun if you don't want to make it hard for you.
Be the First to Share
2 Discussions
I'm all but certain the ones on the front windows are illegal.
There are laws regarding tinting that state that other drivers/pedestrians must be able to make eye contact with the driver from the front windows (windshield and front door on both sides).
This also increases your blind spot to anything in the obstructed lane.
There may even be restrictions that say the ones on the back windows must be see through (you can make out objects on the other side of them). I don't know if this is true but I wouldn't doubt it.
When I was a kid we just used a blanket in the window.
Great idea for the back ones though.
Dear John,
You are right in your point but its only for the long trips (strait long lines out of cities) .
we where using towels in my childhood but it takes time in comparison with this method, it takes only a second to stick/slide it.


text:
Brighton Calling - dConstruct 2008
Tomorrow sees me on my travels down to Brighton for the dConstruct 2008 conference. Been looking forward to this one for a quite a few months now, speakers include Daniel Burka, Matt Biddulph, Jeremy Keith and Tantek Çelik.
If you are going be sure to let me know, come by say hi and grab some goodies from me.


text:
CDNetworks, a South Korean content delivery network, has raised $96.5 million from Oak Investment Partners, Shinhan Private Equity and Goldman Sachs International. The publicly traded company, which claims to be the biggest CDN in Asia and third biggest in the world, says it will use the funding to fuel a rapid global expansion. The breakdown from Oak, Shinhan and Goldman is approximately $43 million, $32 million and $21 million respectively. The investment comes at a crossroads for the industry: while demand for CDN services has grown, particularly with the explosion of online video, there is persistent talk of a price war. With the funding, CDNetworks hopes to up its competitiveness with Akamai, (NSDQ: AKAM) Limelight (NSDQ: LLNW) and others. Oak Investment Partners was also a major Limelight backer. Release.
Blog Post
South Korean CDN CDNetworks Raises $96.5 Million To Fuel International Expansion


text:
iTunes pre-sale of the band's new album, their 8th, Til Morning is Nigh, has begun. Hear "Led By The Star" (available for instant download with pre-order).
Also check out Bandcamp preview/pre-sale where three tracks ("Led By The Star", "Angel Frequency" and "The Light Breaks Through The Darkness") can be heard.
Official release of the full 23-track album, both CD and digital, is one week from today on November 23rd.


text:
Find out how many billable and accountant users you can set up in QuickBooks Online.
QuickBooks lets you invite people to your books so you can work together and save time. Here's the maximum number of billable and accountant users you can add depending on your plan.
User Limits in QuickBooks Online
Note: Only admins and standard users count toward your billable user limit.
|1 billable user + 2 accounting firms
|3 billable users + 2 accounting firms
|5 billable users + 2 accounting firms
Need to add more people?
If you're at your plan's user limit and need to add new users, here are your options.
Manage existing users
You can remove a user that no longer needs access and then add a new one.
Learn how to add, delete, or edit a user.
|Tip: Some user types like reports only and time tracking only don't count toward the user limit. Make sure each user in QuickBooks has the access that's right for them. Learn more about different user types.
Upgrade to a different plan
You can upgrade your plan to increase your user limit and invite more people to use QuickBooks.
Learn more about QuickBooks plans' features and pricing. If you're ready, here's how to upgrade.


text:
Giving Back
Inspire, empower, and engage our customers and associates to give back.
Our Commitment to inspiring Leadership and Opportunity
Roslyn S. Jaffe Awards This annual program gives financial grants through ascena Foundation to everyday heroes who are making a difference. Our support has benefited countless organizations, resulting in more than $935,000 in grants to support important community work. Additional information and application details can be found at JaffeAwards.com.
Our Signature Partnerships for Women and Girls
HERlead Fellowship Investing in women leaders who improve the world. Trained and mentored over 340 Fellows and impacted over 117,000 people from HERlead projects. To learn more about the Fellowship check out HERlead.org.
Girls on the Run Inspiring girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun experience-based curriculum. Our support has resulted in nearly $2.7 million raised and donated to Girls on the Run.
Our Giving Highlights
Through our brands and in partnership with our associates and customers, we have a legacy of supporting causes that directly support women and what's most important to them.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital® is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Through our customer and associate fundraising, we have raised more than $50 million to date.
Breast Cancer Research Foundation® (BCRF) is working to prevent and cure breast cancer by advancing the world's most promising research. As BCRF's largest fashion partner, we have raised and donated more than $50 million.
Delivering Good® is uniting retailers, manufacturers, foundations and individuals to provide people impacted by poverty and tragedy with new merchandise—to offer hope, dignity and self-esteem to children, families and individuals. Collectively, our brands have contributed a value of more than $17 million in products for 20 recipient organizations focused on women's empowerment in the U.S.
Nationwide Children's Hospital® is developing pre-eminent clinical programs to create the best outcomes for children everywhere. To date, we've donated nearly $6 million to this important issue.
American Diabetes Association® seeks to prevent and cure diabetes, as well as improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.
Our ascenaCARES programs engage our associates by enabling them to ask for support when needed, give back to their communities and contribute to the causes that are most important to them.
ascenaCARES Associate Awards
Recognizes associates who give back to their communities with a grant from ascena Foundation to the organization of their choice and an invitation to the Roslyn S. Jaffe awards luncheon.
Dimes from the Heart
An emergency relief fund that assists our associates during short-term unexpected financial hardships.
Matching Gifts
Provides associates with the opportunity to make a greater impact on the causes they care about by matching financial contributions and time volunteered.
Crisis Relief
Supporting our communities during challenging times through our partnerships with the American Red Cross and Delivering Good.
ascena retail group, inc. and ascena Foundation are committed to philanthropic giving (financial or in-kind) to organizations that do not discriminate on the basis of sex (including pregnancy), race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability that can reasonably be accommodated without undue hardship, genetic information, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected classification under federal, state, or local law. It is our policy in all philanthropic efforts to evaluate and ensure that no recipient organizations have any policy of discrimination, written or otherwise. All recipient organizations to whom we give are expected to follow these principles in their philanthropic efforts.


text:
Rental income tax is a bit complicated subject in Turkey and might need professional guidance in order to reduce the taxes to be paid in legal ways. The regulations are changing while renting a residential unit or a commercial unit. In addition, there are two ways to calculate the tax as you will be choosing the one which is more beneficial for you. Again the tax to be paid is changing with progressive increases between %15 and %35 as shown below. However, there will be deductions in many cases and with the chosen calculation system, the percentages will be less in reality. Firstly you can take %25 of your income out of calculation. From the remaining amount, you pay taxes given below.
Up to 14.800 TL : %15
For 14800 TL the tax is 2.220 TL, from 14.800 TL to 34.000 TL : %20
For 34.000 TL the tax is 6.060 TL, from 34.000 TL to 80.000 TL : %27
For 80.000 TL the tax is 18.480 TL, over 80.000 TL : %35


text: Lost & Found No lost and found items to report. If you have lost or found an item or pet, fill out the form below and we will read the information on the air as well as post here. Please put lost & found in the subject line. Name: Email Address: * Phone number: Subject: * Message: * * required fields


text:
EXCLUSIVE REPORT: Customer Intelligence for Software Companies
We wrote earlier about Aberdeen's groundbreaking research into the value of customer intelligence: companies which use customer analytics in their customer-facing business processes see 3x greater customer retention and 20x greater account value growth year over year. Read our INITIAL BLOG
5 ways to a happier and more productive signup process
In our latest Signup and Trial Process Benchmark Report we audited 10 popular web-based applications to find out for ourselves how users experience signups and trials. From our results, we wanted to share some tips on how to make your
Signup and Trial Process Benchmark Report: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
How many times have you abandoned a signup process because it took too long, required too much information, didn't work or was counterintuitive? We wanted to analyze how other web-based applications were faring in their signup and trial processes, then
3 Steps to Higher Conversions With Happy and Engaged Users (Infographic)
In our 2012 SaaS Conversions Benchmark report, we concluded that happy and engaged users result in more conversions. Our report showed that Best-in-Class SaaS companies had an overall 2% trial-to-paid-to-retained conversion rate compared to the average rate of 0.6%. What are


text:
A WRITER as prolific and variously gifted as John Updike is bound, eventually, to frustrate readers. How does one absorb a body of work that includes 16 novels, 6 volumes of poetry, 5 fat compilations of essays and reviews, a memoir, a play, 4 books for children and now -- after a pause of 7 years -- his 11th collection of short stories? Were all this writing mediocre, one might still wonder at its mere volume. What is perhaps more striking is that so much of it is good, even dazzling.
I remember stumbling on "Pigeon Feathers," his second (and, for me, finest) book of stories, 30 years ago. I was a teen-ager in a small Pennsylvania city not far from Mr. Updike's Reading, and it thrilled me to see the texture of my life so lovingly transcribed, subjected to such intelligent scrutiny. Although in his later fiction the author has strayed as far afield as Africa and Brazil, in "The Afterlife," his new collection, he is often lured back to eastern Pennsylvania and the world of "Pigeon Feathers."
William James once remarked that his brother, Henry, chewed more than he bit off; the same might be said of Mr. Updike who, to put it more flatteringly, tends to focus narrowly, almost obsessively, on the reality at hand. He records the minute fluctuations of feeling that occur as people move bodily through time, falling in and out of love, suffering the usual mortal indignities, experiencing small joys and occasional moments of grace. The medium of these transactions is the famous Updike style: fluent to a fault, rich in metaphor, rising to exquisite heights in places, toppling elsewhere into preciousness and affectation. Such a style, with its necessary subjugation of plot and character, is more serviceable in briefer forms; as a consequence, Mr. Updike has excelled at the short story.
Readers familiar with his previous work will feel at home in "The Afterlife." He is an unashamedly autobiographical writer, especially in the short stories. "Pigeon Feathers" set the parameters of his life's endlessly recalibrated master plot: a bookish, shy and acutely sensitive boy grows up under the tutelage of a strong, rather overbearing mother and a weak, affectionate father. The father teaches at a high school in the nearby town (read "The Centaur" for details). When the boy is 13, his family resettles in the countryside with his maternal grandparents, occupying a stone farmhouse surrounded by 80 acres. He is lonely there, but eventually goes off to Harvard, where he marries a woman from Radcliffe whose father is a theologian. They have children. The married couple's names change occasionally, although they are most often called Richard and Joan Maple. In successive story collections, we follow this archetypal marriage: the pleasures and griefs, the affairs, the inevitable divorce and its bittersweet aftermath, the fate of the children, the remarriage of both parties and now (in "Grandparenting," the last story in this new book) the first grandchild. It has been, as Mr. Updike says in his memoirs, "a fortunate life, of course -- college, children, women, enough money, minor fame."
Mr. Updike habitually revisits his own past lives, including those he might have lived had circumstances been different. (The extreme example of the latter is found in the four Rabbit novels.) His typical protagonist is often a thinly disguised version of himself: fiercely alert to his surroundings, sensual, dependent on women, narcissistic, kindhearted. The magnetic center of his universe is always Mother, with "her body arching over his life like a firmament." This all-embracing mother was featured in "Of the Farm," a bucolic early novel in which the adult son, called Joey Robinson, takes his wife and son to visit his mother on her beloved farm. "The great effort of her life," Mr. Updike says of Joey's mother, "has been to purchase this farm and move us all to it." The place was her genius, her body, her world, and it beckoned to her son as she beckoned to him; his refusal of it produced feelings of guilt, but he had either to leave the farm or suffer total absorption in Mother and the loss of his own identity.
One has by now read so many fictional and nonfictional accounts of the elder Mrs. Updike (who died in 1989) that she is almost as familiar to readers as her son. In "A Sandstone Farmhouse," the centerpiece of this new collection, Joey, resurfacing from "Of the Farm," pores over his deceased mother's college yearbooks. "With a magnifying glass he studied her unsmiling, competitive face, with her hair in two balls at her ears and a headband over her bangs." In Joey's memory, which snags every detail of her life in the well-aimed crosshairs of its telescopic lens, she is often pictured running, "bright and quick and small, like an animal caught in a gunsight." This was the mother he loved most, "the mother before they moved, before she betrayed him with the farm and its sandstone house."
"A Sandstone Farmhouse" retells the author's master plot with devastating artistry, reconfiguring a familiar theme with 20-20 artistic hindsight. For this majestic story alone, the book is worth its price, but there is much more to celebrate. "The Other Side of the Street," for instance, offers a shimmering orgy of memory in which a man called Rentschler goes back to his boyhood home in the town of Hayesville (Olinger, Alton, Reading, whatever). His mother has recently died, and he needs to see a notary public to transfer the title of her car. The notary he selects happens to live across the street from his old house in town, and he is bathed with longing as he finally sees it "on the other side of the street ablaze; the porch light and front-room lamps were lit up as if to welcome a visitor, a visitor, it seemed clear to him, long expected and much beloved."
Memory, too, is at the center of "The Brown Chest," which concerns an heirloom that has been left undisturbed for years in the barn adjacent to an old farmhouse in New England. Mr. Updike delicately pushes the object of memory forward into the present as the wife-to-be of the main character's son giddily opens the chest, and a long-boxed-up smell leaps out "with the same vividness that had astonished and alarmed his nostrils as a child, the sweetish deep cedary smell, undiminished, cedar and camphor and paper and cloth, the smell of family, family without end."
Mr. Updike's world without end is utterly familial; history and politics scarcely intrude on the centripetal forces that bind his near-nuclear circles of husbands and wives, mothers and sons, lovers and ex-lovers. "History, his fragile knowledge of it, was crumbling under him," the author remarks of George, his protagonist in "Aperto, Chiuso." One argument consistently made against Mr. Updike is that he often ignores history or merely uses it as a backdrop for his otherwise claustrophobic tales. This is true enough; in fact, one sorely misses in his work some consciousness of the larger web in which families, and individuals, operate. Even his portraits of group behavior, like "Couples," his popular 1968 novel, or "The Man Who Became a Soprano," a story in the new collection, transform their respective characters into cozy family clusters as wives turn into lovers and then ex-wives, and husbands move breezily among the women.
The men, like homing pigeons, gravitate toward what, in "Baby's First Step," the author calls "that female openness and depth of interrogation which remind men of the dark, of the ocean, of the night sky, of everything swallowing and terminating." As feminist critics have long noted, Mr. Updike's male protagonists are deeply sexist: that is a given in his work. Like Glenn Morrissey in "Baby's First Step," they desire the same thing: "What he wanted was for women to stay put, planted in American plenty, while he ambulated from one to another carrying no more baggage than the suit on his back and the car keys in his pocket." The wives in Updikeland are reincarnations of Mother: demanding, warm, protective, willful and ruled by whim. Readers who can't take this aspect of his work must . . . well, read somebody else.
Again and again in "The Afterlife," men and women in their 50's and 60's are forced to confront death with that special intensity brought on by its hoary imminence. The title story features a couple visiting some retired friends in England; the husband's accidental tumble down a stairwell at night brings on intimations of mortality. In "The Journey to the Dead," a recently divorced man called Martin Fredericks meets Arlene Quint, a cancer-stricken friend of his ex-wife's. When he visits her in the hospital for the last time, he is "shamed by the shining unblinking fury of Arlene's eyes." The prospect of death has cast her into withering isolation.
Most trenchantly, this collection is about the passing of generations, and the way that passing leaves people marooned. In "His Mother Inside Him," Mr. Updike's narrator reflects on his mother's legacy, her attainment of a stunted version of eternal life:
"She was in him not as he had been in her, as a seed becoming a little male offshoot, but as the full tracery of his perceptions and reactions; he had led his life as an extension of hers, a superior version of hers, and when she died he became custodian of a specialized semiotics, a thousand tiny nuanced understandings of her, a once commonplace language of which he was now the sole surviving speaker."
Reviewing a novel by Vladimir Nabokov in 1964, Mr. Updike said: "He writes prose the only way it should be written -- that is, ecstatically." That ecstasy is evident on every page of "The Afterlife." Indeed, John Updike has rarely written more affectingly, more from the center of his being. Several of these stories will, I suspect, enjoy the kind of afterlife granted to few writers in any time or place.


text:
Introduction: Vintage Cardboard Box
This is a simply cardboard box.
It's very easy to make.
You can use this to decorate your room and also gift this others.
I hope you all like this and enjoy making one.
For this project you need:
- Cardboard
- Brown Paper
- X-acto knife.
- White Glue
- Paper Glue
- Ribbon
- Acrylic Paint.
- Hemp Cord
- Beads.
Teacher Notes
Teachers! Did you use this instructable in your classroom?
Add a Teacher Note to share how you incorporated it into your lesson.
Step 1:
Cut out two similar sized of cardboard.
Measure the length and width.
Cut out two piece cardboard according to the length of your box (the thickness of the pieces depend how deep you want your box to be). Cut out two more piece with same thickness but it should be as long as your measured width. Cut out another piece a little thinner than the first piece but the same length.
Step 2:
Take one of the first pieces and glue it on middle of a brown paper. (you can use any colored paper you want).
Cut of the corners as shown in the image. Glue the extras with the cardboard piece. For the lead (pic:4) take a bigger paper. Remember the thin piece we made attach that on the brown paper with the lead piece. Keep at least 1/2 cm distant between them. Then wrap it with the paper. Keep at least 1 cm of paper extra don't glue it to the cardboard.
Step 3:
Wrap all the other pieces like before(Step:8) . Glue the walls of the box. At first it will be a bit slippy and loose but after gluing all the pieces they will stand perfect. I'm done gluing the walls, now leave it to dry.
Step 4:
Apply glue on the extra paper we kept on the lead. Attach it on the box.
Step 5:
Glue a bead to the box (in middle). Attach a thick thread or hemp cord to the lead (as shown in the image). This helps you to lock the box
Participated in the
Crafting 101
Be the First to Share
4 Discussions
This would make a great gift box!
I got the idea from gifts :D
These are really cool, and they look pretty simple to make. Very nice!
Thanks...Glad you like it... :DD


text:
Comprehensive Risk Assessment Methodology
Conducting an information security risk assessment is the key to identifying, mitigating, and managing threats and risks in your environment. A complete understanding of your environment will help you identify potential risks and vulnerabilities for more accurate remediation planning.
What Do Our Risk Assessment Services Include?
CISOSHARE offers information security risk assessment services based on your organization's needs for a complete understanding of your security environment.
Understand your security program's current state for informed decision-making.
Remediate the Weaknesses in Your Environment
Start improving your security program with comprehensive best practice and risk assessments.


text:
Tender awarded to Sander Rose Bone Grindle LLP for the bid price of $121,190.00 (plus taxes). Thank you to those who submitted a bid.
The City of Dawson Creek (the "City") is requesting proposals from qualified professional consultants or firms that are licensed to perform public sector audits according to relevant legislation and professional standards, to complete audit services on an annual basis. The Proponent will be responsible to:
- Perform an annual audit in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards and the provisions of the Community Charter;
- Provide an audit opinion on the consolidated financial statements and the supplementary information on the financial position and operating results of the individual funds of the City;
- Attend meetings with City staff for the planning and review of both the audit process and the financial statements;
- Respond to, and discuss with, City staff any accounting, auditing or tax related issues arising during the contracted period of audit services.
Proponents must refer to the complete Request for Proposals Documents for detailed information regarding proposal submission requirements.
The City reserves the right to waive informalities in or reject any or all proposals. The City also reserves the right to negotiate scope and price with the selected preferred proponent, without obligation to any other proponent. The job will be awarded to the proposal deemed to be the most favorable to the interests of the City. The City shall not be obligated in any manner to any Proponent whatsoever until a written agreement has been duly executed relating to a Council approved proposal. Questions regarding the project may be directed to Janet Loiselle, Deputy Chief Financial Officer, at email@example.com.
Proposals will be accepted up to 2:00 p.m. (local time) December 1, 2017.
Proposals in a sealed envelope, shall be clearly marked with the proponent's name and address and "RFP 2017-43 – Audit Services" and will be received by:
Brenda Ginter, Director of Corporate Administration
City of Dawson Creek
10105 – 12A Street
Dawson Creek, BC V1G 3V7


text:
Large Question: When do we become a Christian? If a Christian is one who is fully committed to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, when do we go from being non-committed to being committed?
For some, this is a problem of growing up in the Christian faith: We have no conversion experience to give a testimony about. We don't remember ever not being Christian. We might be the most desperate asking, when do we become a Christian? How do we know for sure we are Christian?
Modern Solutions
- Sinner's prayer, asking Jesus into your heart. Problem: this is not what Peter says when asked, "What must we do?" Acts 2:37-38.
- Gift of tongues: when received, you are a Christian. Problem: this is not a supported by the New Testament in any conclusive way. The New Testament gives evidence of Christians who did not speak in tongues (1 Corinthians 12:30).
- Some type of dramatic spiritual experience. Problem: the only real example in the New Testament is Paul.
- Join a church. The problem seems to be the medieval belief that the bishop was the church and there no salvation outside the church, therefore the bishop/clergy controlled both who was a member of a church and who was saved.
Biblical Pattern
The New Testament pattern is Very Simple. It is BAPTISM
Baptism is the Church's rite of commitment to Christ.
(Jack Dean Kingsbury)
There are lots of misunderstandings about baptism in the Christian world today. In the 2,000 years of church history, baptism has been distorted in many ways:
- Misunderstanding #1: That proper baptism is something other than full immersion in water. In changing this, the primary significance of baptism is lost and the baptismal experience is diluted. The early church understood the importance of going under the water fully, the symbolic bathing of every part of the body. It also likened this to a burial, of being buried with Christ. The symbolism is rich and deep and is watered down when we sprinkle or pour water on the head.
- Misunderstanding #2: That babies should be baptized as a remedy for their sin. This misses the most important finger in Walter Scott's hand of salvation, the thumb: FAITH. Baptism is a response of faith. The New Testament knows nothing of proxy baptism based on the faith of the parents. The New Testament knows nothing of baptism as a magic bath that washes away the curse of original sin.
- Misunderstanding #13 That baptism is a way of joining the church and has nothing to do with my relationship to the Lord. In this, baptism is like taking the pledge to become a Rotarian or undergoing hazing to be part of a football team. I never baptize anyone saying, "I baptize you so that you can now be a member of our church (as long as you tithe)." I say, "I baptize you in the name of the Father, of the Son, and the Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of your sins."
And despite these distortions, let us not throw out the baby with the bath water. Baptism is a watery act with deep symbolism. Baptism is closely related to the forgiveness of sins. And baptism does open the doors for becoming part of the body of Christ, a member of his church.
If baptism is such a great thing, why do people resist being baptized? Why are people unwilling to be baptized by immersion as adults, the pattern of the New Testament? Here are reasons I have encountered in ministry:
- No one has ever asked them. Are we embarrassed about our teaching on baptism?
- Pride (baptism is a humiliating act). The older you get, the more humiliating it seems!
- Concern about family members who have not been immersed. What about my Lutheran grandmother, my Catholic mother?
- They have come to a position the makes baptism theologically unnecessary. If I don't understand completely why baptism is necessary, it must be unnecessary. My need to understand trumps the teaching of the Bible and the practices of the early church. If your theology tells you not to be baptized and the Bible tells you to be baptized, to whom should you listen?
- They realize what baptism symbolizes: a complete submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. They reject this commitment. Which is, perhaps, the only valid reason: You don't want to be a Christian.
There are many texts in the New Testament about baptism, but let me focus on one from Paul from the neglected book of Titus:
Titus 3:4-7 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. 6 This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Very important phrases:
- Goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared: Christ came in the flesh, God in flesh, as a human. Christ's work on the cross was a work of unspeakable kindness and love.
- He saved us: Christ came to "seek and to save." His atoning death on the cross yields salvation for us.
- Not because of any works of righteousness we had done: We cannot possibly earn our salvation. What we have earned is death
- According to his mercy: Our salvation is always dependent upon the mercy and grace of God our Savior
- He saved us through the water of rebirth: Our baptism shows us and all who witness it that we are forgiven people, saved, that we are part of the people of God
- He saved us through the renewal of the Holy Spirit whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior: God's Spirit gives us the spiritual strength to change our evil lives in ways we could never do through our own efforts.
- Having been justified by his grace: We are counted whole and clean and righteous by the grace of God.
- We become heirs: and this is what we inherit: eternal life.
When do you become a Christian? When do you know you are a Christian? Paul neither lifts up baptism as the most important thing nor does he toss it aside as of little importance. In his description of the salvation journey for any believer, it is right in the middle.
Walter Scott reduced the necessary elements of salvation to five points, and used the hand to illustrate them, the five fingers. For Scott, Baptism was the middle. The first two fingers, Faith & Repentance, were largely our actions. We make a decision for faith. We develop a heart of repentance. The last two, Forgiveness & the Gift of the Holy Spirit, were God's actions, things we receive through his grace. The middle finger was baptism, which included both our action and God's action. Scott was convinced (and so am I) the Bible taught that baptism was the place where God meets us. When Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, the voice of God came from the heavens, "You are my beloved Son, and I am very pleased." He is present with us in baptism, and it is here that he pronounces, "You are my Child, and I am pleased, I am delighted that you have come to me."
God has designed a way for you to show your commitment, and it is more than mental commitment. It is even more than heart commitment, emotional commitment. It is to make your faith known to others and to be buried with Christ in the waters of baptism. It is to be raised from that watery grave and walk in newness of life.
Mark S. Krause
Nebraska Christian College of Hope International University


text:
A environmental awareness concert featuring Manic Street Preachers, The Darkness and The Strokes has been postponed.
The One Earth Concert was scheduled to take place at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, on 28 January (06), but organisers have mysteriously pulled the gig, promising to reschedule it later in the year.
Rock fans who have bought tickets for the gig are entitled to a full refund. The concert was set to be broadcast internationally for charity Climate Change Now's campaign to save the earth.
MICHAEL MATHRES, of Climate Change Now, says, "We apologise wholeheartedly for any inconvenience caused by the change of date.
"But we can assure those who have already purchased tickets that the event will still take place at the Millennium Stadium."


text:
If you're ready to get a bathroom remodel, then it is time to get in touch with National Home Bathroom & Improvement Contractors. That bathroom of yours may be in terrible condition, but we've got all the right resources as well as knowledgeable employees, to restore it to its former beauty! Whether you need major renovation or a little beautifying, National Home Bathroom & Improvement Contractors can deal with any task in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, large or small. We may be somewhat more reasonably priced than other companies, but our bathroom remodeling staff is hands-down second to none in the business. We've pretty much eliminated the need to launch ad campaigns in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, as our customers are so pleased with our bathroom remodeling services that they're motivated (not forced!) to put in a good word for us to all their relatives.
To keep our quality of services high above that of our competition, we only work with the most polite and knowledgeablebath remodeling contractors, and use high-grade supplies to guarantee lasting results. You couldn't make a decision any better than picking our company, as we specialize in various popular styles, creating new designs from scratch, and successfully implementing your ideas (in combination with ourrecommendations) to create something brilliant. The bathroom remodel in your
immediate future gets our highest focus to detail, ensuring that the job gets done properly the first time.
Not only is a bath remodeling (conducted by our company) a testament to our unequalled remodeling skills, but it'll also cause a drastic spike in your residence's market value in Rancho Palos Verdes. The empire of National Home Bathroom & Improvement Contractors has expanded profoundly in Rancho Palos Verdes, California as a result of our unwavering dedication to uphold high standards of service, and our need to give great value to every single consumer. These high standards have helped develop a reputable name for us in the bathroom remodeling industry, and we plan to keep it that way. We understand that each time we take a job, our track record is on the line, so feel comfortable knowing that you'll be receiving our finest work, from friendly, skilled specialists, and in a timely manner. Nonetheless, our reasonably priced rates make the decision to avail our services even more satisfying.
There isn't any remodeling task that's as complicated as a bathroom remodel project. Appearances aren't the only thing that matter when upgrading a bathroom, as preserving its overall performance is just as significant. The apparently unlimited range of materials, fixtures, styles, and alternatives we offer will overwhelm you to the point where you'll believe there isn't any other bathroom remodeling team that could possibly be as skilled as we are.
With every bathroom remodeljob we handle, National Home Bathroom & Improvement Contractors attempts to not only reach the standard, but surpass it. We cautiously plan everything that's should be done from the start to make sure that the task is completed as quickly as possible without diminishing its overall quality. One of the keys for managing a bathroom remodel successfully lies in the feedback you give us during the project's planning period so that the end result is simply unbelievable from your point of view. A bathroom remodel is bound to succeed when the task is dealt with by educated professionals who value the thoughts of their customers. National Home Bathroom & Improvement Contractors will never stray from its values, nor will it ever take shortcuts to reduce expenses and beat due dates. Handling bathroom remodeling skillfully with consistency is a big underlying factor for our enormous success in this business. That means you get the bathroom of your dreams, done correctly by friendly, proficient specialists, at a price you can afford. If you live in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, and you're fed up with the way your bathroom looks or functions, then call us now and discover how we can end your misery.
We have found that all bathroom remodeling projects in Rancho Palos Verdes, California share three key benefits. These benefits include a modernized appearance, greater home value and cost effectiveness. With that being said, most Rancho Palos Verdes, CA homeowners do not have enough spare time or the power equipment needed to complete a bathroom remodel. Luckily, this is not a problem thanks to the experienced team of contractors from National Home Bathroom & Improvement Contractors in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. To learn more about how we can assist with your needs, call us at 888-479-3431 immediately .
Unless you just recently moved into a home in the Rancho Palos Verdes, CA area built to your exact specifications, you likely have a checklist full of improvements you would like to make to the bathroom. Whether you are wanting to upgrade the tiling or add a shower with all of the modern features, our bathroom remodeling company has your needs covered!
A bathroom remodeling will increase the value of your Rancho Palos Verdes, CA house. Having said that, we have seen people attempt to remodel their own bathroom only to find out that the changes they make actually turn away prospective buyers. When you retain the services of our bathroom remodeling business, you will not need to worry about this since we know what designs sell and which do not.
Although there is no doubt that a bathroom remodel will give you a lot of pleasure while you are still living in your Rancho Palos Verdes, CA home, it also has the ability to help you conserve money. This is because of the fact that contemporary appliances are designed to use as little energy as possible. At the end of the day, you will feel like your bathroom came straight from a five-star resort yet your water bill could be drastically lower.
Continuously moving from one home to another was not uncommon five or 10 years ago. In today's world, people within Rancho Palos Verdes, CA are tending to stay in one house longer and work on remodeling it as they are beginning to realize it takes several years to see the value of their house begin to increase. When beginning to work on their restorations, the vast majority of them start by remodeling their bathrooms. This is because of the fact that potential buyers oftentimes analyze the design and layout of where they will be enjoying a hot shower to kick off their day before making a purchase decision. Be sure to give our experts from National Home Bathroom & Improvement Contractors a call at 888-479-3431 to learn more about the advantages our bathroom remodeling business has to offer.


text:
This product size is currently out of stock. Please try another size or enter your email and we'll let you know when it's back in stock.
is back-ordered. We will ship it separately in 10 to 15 days.
$72 $49
The Nahla Pants from Callahan features a sunny breathable cotton knit fabric, slightly flared legs, and a convenient side zipper. Pairs well with the Zale top.
-100% Cotton
Model is 5'8" and wears a size XS


text:
New Incredibles 2 Teaser Posters Online
We only have a few more months to wait now for Incredibles 2, Brad Bird's long, long, looong awaited follow-up to his excellent, Pixar-produced 2004 superhero adventure. Two new teaser posters have arrived for the film, with the first tied to the fact that the family of powerful people are back in action.
The story for the new movie kicks off mere moments after the original ended, though this time Helen Parr's Elastigirl (Holly Hunter) is in the spotlight, leaving Bob – AKA Mr. Incredible – (Craig T. Nelson) at home with Violet (Sarah Vowell) and Dash (Huck Milner) to navigate the day-to-day heroics of "normal" life. It's a tough transition for everyone, made tougher by the fact that the family is still unaware of baby Jack-Jack's emerging superpowers. When a new villain hatches a brilliant and dangerous plot, the family and Frozone (Samuel L. Jackson) must find a way to work together again… Which is easier said than done, even when they're all Incredible. Sounds good to us.
The second of the two debuted a little while ago, tied in with New York Fashion Week and features everyone's favourite clothes designing genius, Edna Mode (who will be back and voiced once again by Bird).
Finally, in entirely-expected-but-encouraging news, musical god and pun fiend Michael Giacchino is back at work on the score for the new movie, hitting Twitter with a video to confirm it. Given how much his music for the original enlivened the first film, it's fun to anticipate what he'll do for the sequel.
As the Edna poster mentions, the film will see US screens on 15 June, while UK audiences will have to wait until 13 July.
Leave a Reply
Be the First to Comment!
You must be logged in to post a comment.


text:
If you ask any one what is their favorite past time, and that a person's credit card was limitless,
then the majority of you would give one answer and that is: 'Shopping'.
Both men as well as women know that women simply love to shop.
It is like the best thing that a woman can think of when she is bored or when she has
nothing better to do, or simply we all just love good things.
One thing I can say is this girl loves to shop!!
Secondlife opens up so many doors for people like myself that love to shop and explore.
They say great taste is timeless. Wearing such a timeless and awesome outfit today from K-CODE (shirt, jacket, pants, jewellery, and shoes), this is only but one of the many excellent mesh outfits available at this store.
Whilst travelling around some of the vast lands in Secondlife wearing this funky K-Code outfit,
I came across this little shop called Roly Poly.
The quaint mesh items, the designs for your shop or are truly unique. Come look for yourself
Destination: Roly Poly (Link to Store above)
Shirt - K-CODE Olivia 1 Shirt
Jacket - K-CODE Dahlia 8
Pants - K-CODE InStripes Lilac
Shoes - K-CODE Josephine5
Hair - >TRUTH< Georgina - champagneSkin - Ricielli - DIVA Makeups / Eyeshadow 03
Eyelashes - Eyelashes -20- Diamond Dust *
Eyes -Expressive eyes green 5 by Nany Merlin
Accessories 1 - K-CODE April Necklace


text:
Single Parent
Well, at least for a few more hours! My wife has been out of town the past two days on business and I have been holding things down on the homefront. She gets home later tonight, okay, it's twenty one hours and seventeen minutes, but who's counting!?
Even though I'm used to her being gone from time to time, I will say it adds a "degree of difficulty" to the job of a being a SAHD. I didn't think it was possible, but our family schedule is even more hectic than usual this year. As I have mentioned, our oldest child is working at various times throughout the week, our middle child is running cross-country five days a week and has Confirmation on Wednesday nights. Our daughter is in dance, but, joined a "competitive" program this fall. She now has practice two nights per week,for a couple of hours, but they are scheduled around the dinner hour. My sons are in Boy Scouts and my daughter is in Girl Scouts, just to add to the list of activities. So yes, as much as I hate to admit it, on occasion, I do say, "yes, we would like fries with that"!
I'm still trying to work out the "kinks" in our schedule, trying to eat together and avoid fast food, trying to get them to activities on time (and to the correct places) and helping them with their homework. I am positive we'll work it out and things will run more smoothly! But I will say, I'm looking forward to having some help in twenty one hours and seven minutes!


text:
Performing Arts
The members of Shakespeare Club put on a fantastic and dramatic performance at the York Theatre Royal as part of a two-night engagement at the theatre. They put on their performance of the final battle in Shakespeare's Macbeth as part of a school's Macbeth festival; Knavesmire's performance was highly praised by the theatre staff and the children absolutely did the school - and Mr Shakespeare - proud.
Thanks to York Press for the coverage which you can read here.


text:
Alison graduated from Liverpool in 2011, but is originally from Cumbria. She worked in a busy small animal practice in Yorkshire before joining Ashcroft Vets in April 2013. Outside of work, Alison enjoys walking her two dogs and trying to make her garden fit for birds without letting her cat get involved!
Practice information
Ashcroft Veterinary Surgery
Opening Hours
Find Us
Emergency Details
Please call:
Find us here:
Please call this number for emergencies:


text:
Visit Our Sites
Marinated flank steak is grilled to perfection for an easy and delicious carne asada recipe. This tender, grilled meat is full of authentic Mexican flavor and can be served with grilled vegetables and/or tortillas, avocados and salsa.
To print this recipe, choose a print size:
Carne asada4 (8-oz.) flank steaks1/4 cup canola oil1/2 tsp. dried oregano1/2 tsp. black pepper1/2 tsp. cumin 1/2 tsp. paprika1/2 tsp. kosher salt1 tsp. minced garlic1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce2 limes (1 juiced and 1 cut into wedges)
Grilled vegetables2 red bell peppers, quartered1 yellow onion, cut into extra-thick slices1 tsp. canola oilKosher salt, to taste
For carne asada: Combine oil, seasonings, garlic, Worcestershire sauce and lime juice in a large mixing bowl and whisk to create A marinade. Add steaks and coat evenly with marinade. Let marinate for at least 20 minutes or, if time permits, overnight.
On a heated grill or grill plate, cook steaks for 3 or 4 minutes or until seared with grill marks. Flip steaks and cook to desired temperature, approximately 3 minutes for medium rare. Remove steaks from grill and let rest. Slice steaks against the grain. Serve with grilled vegetables, corn tortillas, guacamole, salsa and a lime wedge.
For grilled vegetables: Toss vegetables in oil, sprinkle with salt and grill over medium heat until tender.
Serves 4


text:
Contact 800.984.1411
You can count on us for all of your propane needs, too!
Patriot Propane - a Leffler Energy company - has all the propane services you need.
Propane is an ideal low-cost, clean-burning choice for your home, and Patriot Propane provides the expert service you need to keep your family warm and comfortable through the coldest winter. Propane is the ideal choice for summer fun, too — pools, spas, and patios can be enjoyed longer into the night, or into extra seasons, with the quick-heating advantages of propane. Patriot Propane also has propane powered automatic standby generators, to keep your home or business more comfortable – regardless of power outages or other weather conditions.
Patriot Propane is your complete propane solutions partner, providing full-service installation, maintenance and fuel delivery for your home, business or farm — all backed by 24/7 emergency service. As your PA propane professionals, Patriot Propane provides 24/7 service and support and offers a range of services and benefits that no other company can match:
Patriot Propane provides expert installation and reliable repair service for high-efficiency furnaces and boilers and much more!
Call 1.866.305.7237 or click here to learn more about Patriot Propane, their services and special offers.
*Minimum usage required.
What propane supplier is best for you? Use our guide to help you make the best decision.
Use these questions to help determine if any potential propane supplier is the right one for you.
Our local team provides on-site consultation and planning, free estimates, hassle-free installation and prompt repair service for all your propane equipment and systems.
Want to save on energy costs? Check out our energy saving tips to do it!
See what services and offers are available in your area
Whether you're a current customer wanting to schedule a delivery or a new customer wanting to join the Leffler Energy family, from the coldest days of winter to the hottest days of summer, we're always here to help.
Contact us anytime, whenever you need us, 24/7, all year!
© 2020 Leffler Energy. All rights reserved


text:
Find a Credentialed Professional
Find an Approved Education Program
Find a Job
Find the AHDI Exchange
Find a Live Event
Find an Online Course
|Building Futures
Thanks to the financial contributions from our Building Futures Sponsors, the dues for student membership have been waived, allowing eligible students to join AHDI at no charge!
Joining AHDI provides you resources and opportunities to network, helping you prepare for a successful career in healthcare documentation. Following graduation, you can take advantage of postgraduate membership for one year. AHDI will assist you by:
Connecting you and your peers.
Answering your most challenging questions.
Propelling your career.
Improving your technology skills.
Illustrating your critical role in patient care and safety.
Become a Student member today!
Click Here to Learn About Sponsoring AHDI's Building Futures Program
"ASK AHDI" – April
AHDI Board Meeting


text:
Tap to Read ➤
Best 50th Birthday Gifts for Men
Mamta Mule
Feb 15, 2020
Fiftieth birthday is a special occasion that calls for unique gifts. You need to think well to find a classic piece and to decide what you will be gifting the man who is turning 50.
50th birthday is a special day that is often celebrated in a grand way. If you are attending one such party arranged for a man, you need to grab a thoughtful gift for him. While there are numerous ideas which you can refer to, choosing one for this special day can be a tough task.
He has probably received every possible gift from his near and dear ones in these years. But if you are still looking for the best gift, here are some ideas.
The Gift Ideas
Travel Kits
If you are planning to present one of the useful gifts, then consider a travel kit. Travel kits are available in various types and designs.
Grab a sober travel kit that has a well-designed leather cover, metallic buckles, and a proper interior padding with soft satin or canvas lining inside. These kits have compartments of varied sizes to hold all the grooming essentials for men in an organized way.
Those kits having an arrangement of hanging with a hook at the top part are best ones to opt for. Another option is to opt for an elegant designer travel bag.
Personalized Gifts
Be it a personalized wine glass or a personalized wine bottle, all make a perfect present for this day.
You can buy a set of personalized card holder and wallet, that makes a very good present for dad and friends. Other options include coffee-mugs, cigarette lighter, golf putter, engraved wine bar set, hip flask, pocket watch, and key chain.
Personalized Photo Carved Lamp
You can gift an engraved photo frame, digital photo frame, personalized album, and photo collage. Get one of the best solo or family photograph of the man turning 50 and order a photo-carved lamp.
Using a unique technique, an image that matches with the photograph you provide for the purpose, will be carved on a translucent material. This will be fixed into a frame with a cord and built in lamp. When you lit the lamp, the piece will be illuminated from behind, and the image magically comes alive. This is definitely a 'must checkout' piece.
Unique Vouchers
You can present a voucher of golf lessons from a PGA Certified Professional. You can also give a skydiving voucher or a package for learning the basics and driving a racing car with an in-car coach.
Apart from the mentioned ideas, consider gadgets, perfumes, body spray kits, tickets for a cruising event for fishing with the guys, or tickets for a short vacation.
If you are looking something for your grandfather or other family member, then consider funny presents like clock working in reverse direction, gag T-shirt, chore charts, box of medicines, etc.
One thing that you must remember while gifting an item is what the person likes the most. If you know his hobbies well, you will be able to choose the present accordingly for this special occasion.
Write for us
Follow Us:
Become a Contributor
Become a Contributor
Creative Birthday Gift Ideas
Birthday Gift Ideas for Men
Birthday Gifts for Your Husband
Birthday Gift Ideas for Your Boyfriend
75th Birthday Gift Ideas
Birthday Gift Ideas for Girlfriend


text:
The Litter Free Pledge was born from the desire to protect all communities from the persistent presence of litter, which is why campaign organizers are inviting businesses, schools, scouts and community organizations across Rhode Island and Massachusetts to take the campaign and make it their own.
Download the Partner Toolkit for an editable logo, social media suggestions and printables.
If you represent an organization interested in sponsoring, or for more information about working with, the Litter Free Pledge campaign, contact July Lewis at email@example.com.


text:
In 1959, Café Gentile opened on Parc Ave, and have been known for their delicious sandwiches and Italian coffee, serving lunch to the workers of Chabanel for years. It's a Montreal institution, and because it's separate from the downtown core it's well known but still somewhat of a secret. We've been in love with Café Gentile since we were kids, you can read our review of their original location HERE.
Imagine our glee when we heard that they were opening a second location in Westmount. Their Ahuntsic location is predominantly a lunch spot, specializing in a few pasta dishes and sandwiches. Café Gentile in Westmount stayed true to their original style for lunch, with many of the same favourites appearing on the menu of their Westmount location, but with so many more options.
Café Gentile Westmount has a sexier vibe, it isn't as old school 1950s Italian, they left the rustic charm in Ahuntsic and opened a more bistro like restaurant in Westmount. We came for dinner because that's the biggest difference in the two locations, Café Gentile Westmount has a tantalizing dinner menu, perfect for anyone looking for a delicious Italian meal that is also affordable. It's a mix of classic Italian dishes like veal scallopini and a few modern twists like their mouth watering truffled carbonara.
We asked our ever so helpful waiter for a few recommendations, and we fell in love with every plate that we tasted. The house made ricotta was surreal, ricotta does not usually taste THAT good but Café Gentile's ricotta was bursting with flavour. Even P'tit Soeur who is lactose intolerant couldn't resist, and she suffered for it later.
Their ricotta is served with candied figs, fresh parsley, and crusty country bread, we licked the plate clean. We just couldn't get over the ricotta that was also topped with a drizzle of Sicilian honey and orange zest, for the perfect amount of sweetness. It was served at the same time as bread and Café Gentile's homemade olive oil – we could have spent the whole night just eating bread with ricotta and olive oil!
The crispy polenta fries were one of the side dishes, along with sweet potatoes with goat cheese, rapini, classic bruschetta which Café Gentile is known for, and other treats. The polenta fries were perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and topped with fresh Italian parsley, and grated salted ricotta. Served with a generous amount of homemade marinara sauce, we would exchange regular potato fries for crispy polenta fries any day of the week. A generous portion, this side dish was incredible!
Other appetizers on Café Gentile's menu included classics like calamari, meatballs, eggplant parmigiana, grilled octopus with fennel, and shrimp puttanesca. We opted for something light, the grilled mushrooms with more of that homemade olive oil, and lemon. Grilled to perfection so that they actually tasted like steak, the mushrooms were meaty, and simply dressed to bring out their flavour.
And then came the age old question primi, secondi or both? Well we all wanted pasta so we opted for sharing three primi plateswe clearly love our carbs! We'll definitely be back to try their veal scaloppini, chicken or veal parmigiana, or any of their daily specials which sounded absolutely decadent when our waiter informed us of them.
Let's talk about the rigatoni truffled carbonara and how you should definitely order it. Carbonara is already a piece of heaven but this dish had a decadent taste of truffles that had us swooning. Even though we were sharing three pasta dishes, there were still dishes that we did not try that looked delicious, like the gigli rose made with vodka, shallots and peppercorns, and Nonna Teresa's lasagna, god bless her!
The homemade gnocchi looked perfectly homemade with the perfect Italian tomato sauce, melted mozzarina adding a creaminess to the gnocchi and fresh basil. This pasta dish was so different from the rigatoni truffled carbonara that you have to get both! Their tomato sauce was so divine that next time we want to try their Sunday Lunch for Two which includes meatballs, homemade sausage, beef ribs, fusilli with tomato sauce and whipped ricotta – just like a Sunday lunch at nonna's!
Cavatelli is one of the most unique pasta shapes, formed with eggless dough, it's ridges hold various sauces to its shape. They're the best when prepared from scratch, unlike other pastas they are not easily mass produced. Homemade at Café Gentile, they were tossed with broccoli rabe, sausage and parmesan in an olive oil based sauce. The dish may not look like much but it took craftsmanship and it tasted wonderful.
Honestly how we ate dessert we'll never know, we're gluttons and that's it! Known for their cannoli, we were too full to indulge, their ricotta chocolate chip espresso tart sounded heavenly but again we were just too full. It was too cold for gelato or granita so we opted for a biscotti and Nutella cornetti with our coffee and we weren't disappointed.
We loved Café Gentile's so much that since we were shopping downtown the next day, we stopped for a quick cappuccino to go! It's one of our favourite Italian restaurants in the city, the restaurant has class, the service is impeccable and it's a part of Montreal history.
Our Rating: Always on Thursdays
Tagged: 4126 Rue Sainte-Catherine, Café Gentile, Café Gentile Montreal, Café Gentile Westmount, Cappuccino, Carbonara, cavatelli, Espresso, Gnocchi, Grilled Mushrooms, H3Z 1P4, Italian Restaurant, Montreal Café, Montreal italian, Montreal Italian Restaurant, Montreal Restaurant, Nutella cornetti, Polenta Fries, Ricotta, Truffles, Westmount italian, Westmount restaurant