text:
You're not alone if you don't know much about Elisabeth Epps. But if you happen to be in jail and too poor to pay bail, Epps might be the difference between months behind bars and freedom.
Epps runs the Colorado Freedom Fund. She is the living embodiment of the social justice movement in Denver. When she isn't working to end the practice of money bail across the state, she is either raising funds or driving to a local jail with a check in hand. Since she began last spring, she has helped more than 150 people avoid incarceration due to indigence.
I'm not talking about hefty sums. Under its own guidelines, the Colorado Freedom Fund does not accept cases where bail exceeds $500 unless friends and family provide the difference. It definitely does not work with bail bond companies whom Epps sees as profiteers from human suffering. The people Epps helps usually get locked up so poor that any bail, even as little as $10, becomes a jail sentence.
Mickey Howard's story proves her case in point. Howard had $64 to his name when police arrested him for violating two municipal ordinances.
A Denver court set bail at $10. But after a $30 booking fee and a $50 bond fee, Howard didn't have enough to go free. Instead, he sat in jail for five days until he got help from the Colorado Freedom Fund. When I spoke to Epps about the case, she told me there was a "disconnect for most people on what $100 means to someone who has nothing — it might as well be $1,000." Or a million.
I first met Epps when we appeared together on a local news show to discuss Colorado's version of Jean Valjean, Rene Lima-Marin. She is a striking woman. Passion to change the world pours out of Epps with every rapid-fire word.
READ: Colorado Sun opinion columnists.
She does not have time to help all the people she wants, much less time to engage in banal conversation. The urgency of her manner could seem curt if not for overwhelming compassion evident as she talks about the people helped by the Colorado Freedom Fund.
Epps does not have the capacity to endure even a little BS. It's a trait that serves her well when speaking with either potential bail recipients or public officials.
With the federal government abolishing money bail more than 25 years ago, states have been much slower to adopt similar change. California became the first state to enact reform only a few months ago. However, with constant pressure from Epps and her volunteers, Colorado may not be far behind.
Already, several counties have worked with the Colorado Freedom Fund to change their bail policies. For example, in the aftermath of a lawsuit filed by the ACLU on behalf of Howard, Denver has already begun waiving the fees that kept him from meeting bail.
Similarly, district attorneys in Larimer and conservative Mesa counties have started to institute reforms that would end money bail in their respective jurisdictions. Even a few metro area jails have posted the contact information for the Colorado Freedom Fund for those who qualify.
Such broad support bodes well for statewide legislation passing this spring.
In the meantime, the Colorado Freedom Fund will continue raising money and helping indigent individuals go free. During the holiday season, Epps will be working even harder to be sure families aren't separated by an inability to meet bail.
Having already run successful campaigns connected to Mother's Day and Father's Day/Juneteenth, the Colorado Freedom Fund kicked off its efforts with a "Home for the Holidays" event earlier this month. I wouldn't be shocked if Epps pulls up to a justice center trailing eight reindeer.
The Colorado Freedom Fund motto reads "Freedom ain't free, but it's worth it!" Until money bail in Colorado ends, Epps and her organization will remain the best bet to ante up for those who need it most.
Mario Nicolais is an attorney and columnist who writes on law enforcement, the legal system, healthcare, and public policy. Follow him on Twitter: @MarioNicolaiEsq


text:
John Adams to Abigail Adams, 20 June 1795
John Adams to Abigail Adams
Philadelphia June 20. 1795
My Dearest Friend
I received yesterday two Letters from each of our Sons at the Hague, who were very well and in good Spirits on the 25th of April:1 but the Letters contain So much Information, that I have been obliged to lend them to The Secretary of the Treasury: I shall inclose them to you however on Monday
All the next Week will be taken up, I Suppose in further Investigations of the Subject before Senate, and indeed I should be very glad to be ensured that the Decision will be as early as Saturday. If it should be earlier I shall be agreably disappointed. I shall take my Departure as soon as the Business is done, and I hope you will be ready to join me at New York on our Way home without further loss of time.
The Day is at hand when Governor Jay is to take the Reins in New York: may his Administration by easy to himself and happy for the People
That a violent Temper and a weak head should have Said He would combat every Article, is not improbable.
affectionately & ardently yours
RC (Adams Papers); internal address: "Mrs A."
1. JQA to JA, 1 April, in which JQA described the growing ideological divide between some of the old Dutch Patriots, with whom JA was familiar, and the new Patriots, for whom "the principles are changed, and the sacred Love of Universal Liberty is the only motive which inspires the actors upon the scene." JQA also reported on the problems of the Dutch Navy and the weakened Dutch economy, which resulted in open commerce to Dutch ports including grains admitted without duty. He concluded his letter with remarks on French politics and the rumored peace between France and Prussia (Adams Papers).
In addition to this letter, JA may have been referring to JQA's letter to AA of 25 April, above. The letters from TBA have not been found, although TBA recorded writing letters to America on 11 and 24 April (M/TBA/2, APM Reel 282).

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Latest Posts
Scratch Your Curiosity: How Dentists Remove Wisdom ToothMarrie Gotti | September 23, 2019 | 0
Suffering from an extremely painful wisdom tooth? That's definitely bad beyond words. How much more if you'd think about a dentist tinkering with your mouth to pull it out?
Thing is, you're probably curious on how would a Brisbane dentist do that, to begin with.
Thus, before you look for the cheapest dentist Brisbane has to offer, read on this article for you to know how a dentist will remove your painful tooth.
How Do Dentists Remove Wisdom Tooth
If you know how wisdom tooth removal or extraction works, you can finally eliminate your anxiety or fear with the procedure. Moreover, it can also help you to cooperate with the dentists for best dental fix results.
1. Check-up and X-Ray
First, the dentist should know the exact condition of your wisdom tooth, if it's impacted or erupted. Initial dental check-up and X-Ray in Brisbane could help a lot, so the dentist could have a specified plan in doing the procedure on your individual case.
2. Initial Preparation Procedures
Next, the Brisbane dentist will prepare you for the tooth extraction procedure. On this step, anesthesia will be applied on your gums, so you won't feel too much pain throughout the procedure.
This makes it important for you to find the cheapest dentist Brisbane has to offer, who has enough knowledge in dealing with anesthesia for tooth extraction. After all, wisdom tooth removal could require a specific amount to avoid any problems.
3. Clearing the Area of the Wisdom Tooth
When you're already numb from the anesthesia, the dentist will begin clearing the area on and around your wisdom tooth. He or she would remove gum tissue and bones, and the procedure will depend on the condition of your tooth.
Say, you have an impacted wisdom tooth, or one covered with gum tissues or bones. The dentist will first make an incision through the gum tissue and bones, before clearing them out of the way.
4. Loosening of the Wisdom Tooth
Once the areas on and around your wisdom tooth are cleared, the dentist will loosen the connective tissues that hold the tooth. He may also slice the tooth for easier removal.
You can find a cheap dental Brisbane service that could help you with your wisdom tooth, but make sure he's reliable enough. Failing with this step means a dentist will simply pull the wisdom tooth out, which is definitely much more painful and could cause complications.
5. Wisdom Tooth Extraction
The dentist will then gently pull out your wisdom tooth after loosening it from the tooth socket. If he's successful with the previous step, this will be less painful for you.
6. Stitching Your Gums
After the removal of your wisdom tooth, the dentist will stitch up your gums to help it heal better. This is to help in keeping the wound in place.
7. Post-Surgical Procedures
Finally, the dentist will give you a set of instruction that could help in healing your gums. The instruction might include taking the right medications, avoiding prohibited foods, and applying a gauze on which you should bite.
With a reliable yet cheapest dentist Brisbane has to offer, you can surely trust him or her with all of these steps. This can help you deal with your wisdom tooth with lesser worries.
If you can't find one, consider searching about "affordable dentist near me" on Google. You can also visit fixdental.com.au for more info.
Things you need to know when planning for…Marrie Gotti | August 22, 2019 | 0
The relaxing ocean vibes and world-class events make you want to spend a holiday more than once on the Sunshine Coast. In order to plan for your Sunshine Coast holidays, here is a travel guide to help you get the most out of your stay in this beautiful region.
Why visit the Sunshine Coast?
The most remarkable thing about the Sunshine Coast is the locals. They are very friendly and welcoming.
The Coast is also a locale that is wealthy in many aspects, and that is what makes it so unique. The glittering sand in the beaches, healthy lifestyle, out-of-this-world festivals, and bewitching tourist attractions make it more appealing to everyone who visits it.
But among all of these aspects, its main attraction is the magnificent beach coast where you can enjoy the gushing wind carrying the ocean scent. And, if you want to experience its laid-back beach vibe, you can try checking out what Bulcock Beach Caloundra has to offer. Check Accom Caloundra for more details.
The best time to visit
The best time to visit the Sunshine Coast is in the period of September until November. This is because the spring season brings about good temperatures for enjoying the beaches and other attractions that are around 24 to 27 degrees Celsius. It also experiences less rainfall.
However, if you enjoy festivals, then you can visit the Sunshine Coast at any time of the year because it has lots of such events happening every year. You might want to book your accommodation in advance, especially for festivals such as the Caloundra Music Festival and Gympie Music Muster, which are two of the biggest events in the region. You can check Joanne apartments for cosy spaces at affordable rates.
Things you can do on the Sunshine Coast
You can enjoy your Sunshine Coast holidays by surfing, snorkelling, dining in cosy restaurants, hiking, and doing other outdoor activities. There are just plenty of things you can do during your stay aside from the ones previously mentioned. However, a lot of them are done at or nearby the beaches.
If you are also into parties, then you should not miss chilling at the bars at night while trying their local craft beer.
Places you can eat
If you want a fine dining experience, then you should visit the Spirit House, which is known for its magical setting and tropical garden. There are also affordable places with great food choices, such as the Sum Yung Guys near Sunshine Beach.
If you want the best pizza in town, then you should visit Amici Restaurant Pizzeria near Bullcock Beach where you can also enjoy the refreshing ocean breeze. The place is ranked third on the "best restaurants in Caloundra" list by TripAdvisor.
Things you need to know
The best way to go around the whole region is driving your own car. You can enjoy the scenery whenever you want and stay in the place as long as you want. So, when arranging your Sunshine Coast holidays in the future, make sure not to forget renting a car.
If you want more information about staying on the Sunshine Coast, you can visit www.accomcaloundra.com.au.
What's so good about a vacation at Noosa?Marrie Gotti | August 22, 2019 | 0
Every year, thousands of tourists rent Noosa accommodation rooms.
And, this is not without good reasons. Noosa is a vacation haven for foreigners and locals alike. With its subtropical climate, picturesque establishments, and abundance of greenery, it's not hard to love.
However, people always go back because of its suburbs, where you can soak in the coastal paradise but still taste urban life.
Therefore, if you're planning to take a sojourn in Noosa, you won't just enjoy an endless stretch of beaches. Experience the je ne sais quoi of Noosa through these gorgeous suburbs:
1. Hastings Street
You will surely enjoy your much-awaited retail therapy at Hastings Street. You can shop for designer brands such as Zephyr & Bec and Zulu. If you're in the mood for a nightcap after that, sip Margaritas at Miss Moneypenny's and Locale. Want this luxe experience? You should rent a Noosa accommodation Hastings Street beachfront unit, then.
2. Little Cove
If you want to get off the grid, Little Cove will be a fine spot for you. If you can rent nearby Noosa accommodation, you can enjoy the almost deserted beach, rainforest pockets, and stunning hiking trails. It's a perfect area for reconnecting with yourself.
3. Noosa Hill
In this suburb, you can enjoy a perfect balance between coastal life and cosmopolitan life. Main Beach is nearby for a quick dip, while Noosa Junction is only a walk away. In just a few minutes, you can have a lovely dinner at Aromas Restaurant & Bar or Walton's Guitar & Coffee—all without straying away from the coastlines.
4. Sunshine Beach
Sick of the city life? Head straight to Sunshine Beach. Families, couples, and friends fight for a Sunshine Beach Noosa accommodation room every year. Bagging one with a beautiful view of the white-sand, open surf beach would be the cherry on top of their vacation. And if all the swimming has you starving, you can rely on the nearby bistros such as Marble Bar and Bistro C for scrumptious meals.
5. Peregian Beach
Another sanctuary for introverts or shy couples is Peregian Beach. The serene, hardly occupied beaches are gorgeous spots for decompressing. You can also treat yourself at the Soul and Skin Spa, eat to your heart's content at Sushi Wave Authentic Japanese, and shop for eccentric souvenirs at Watermelon Red.
6. Noosa Waters
If you're all about real estate paradise, you should rent a Noosa accommodation in this area. You can rent breathtaking waterfront rooms and then walk to the nearby Noosa River. You can also get a taste of the locality's mouthwatering cuisine at Sails Restaurant Noosa and Ricky's River Bar & Restaurant.
7. Noosa Hinterland
Want to end your vacation with a date with nature? You should drop by the laidback Sunshine Coast Hinterland. There's an abundance of lakes, rivers, and forests—Glasshouse Mountains, Kondalilla National Park, Lake Baroon, and Mt Coolum. You can pick strawberries and have a hearty lunch at the Strawberry Fields in November.
In a nutshell
With plenty to explore, it's unsurprising why foreign tourists yearn for the distinct paradise that is Noosa.
Now, are you looking for a stunning Noosa accommodation house? Don't stray any further and head directly to RW Noosa Holidays.
Waterfront, beachfront, or private house—they have it all for you. Visit https://www.rwnoosaholidays.com.au/ and feast your eyes at their units!
Important Pointers to Retain in Brain When Selecting…Marrie Gotti | July 4, 2019 | 0
Have you ever before terminated a physician's visit because it'd trigger problems in your wallet? Some customers resist a doctor's always check, because tests and some other wellness evaluations are pricey. But given that the Medicare payment freeze was eliminated, qualified bulk bill doctors practitioners may now assume more customers to see them.
Having a glance at your quality of life and wellness once in a while is an essential schedule in these times, and you can choose volume bill medical practioners whenever you must keep your quality of life in the absolute most exemplary state. Wherever you are, only have a look at the training physician in your location with the aid of the internet and guide a call to truly save time and effort. Proper here are tips you must recall when visiting a family physician:
Reminder # 1 – Pick people that have the best insurance coverage.
Many medical or living insurance protection organisation have numerous demands that'll protect your state of health. One of the very crucial part of having prices insurance policy safety safety and protection is to truly have a balanced and balanced, correctly held body to start with. Age people acquiring living insurance security through workspace advantages or selecting volume statement medical practioners is obtaining a lot more lively yearly. This implies small team customers tend to be more aware about keeping free from cancer-causing ingredients, like cigarette, high-carb fatty recipes, and also appreciating different drugs.
Note # 2 – Don't skimp on the paperwork.
A quick search to your local Chermside medical practioners Westfield has before your company doctor's medical evaluation will reveal that fibbing on lawful clinical documentation will not simply maintain you answerable, but it might acquire you completed from work. Not every person has enough time to be always a ideal bodily conditioning level. You will certainly require to supply your medical record when looking into volume billing North Queensland medical professionals provide, with evidence of addresses, acknowledgment, and also the name of your present family doctor.
Reminder # 3 – Pick those functioning in useful places.
You would undoubtedly actually have the capacity to discover mass billing doctors Chermside looking middle clinics may have, like, or take a look at quick website articles and also information regarding health explorations as well as way of living and use new things to your quality of life regime to keep your body fit. Along with acquiring new methods concerning health, you might also see usual signs and problem you're encountering through on the web articles that can swiftly be understood. The traditional factor is always to earn healthcare therapies more used through the internet, like Chermside medical practioners majority bill medical specialists, to produce it much simpler for the ones that stay in need. Support is now common by creating wellness options easily supplied even at odd hours of the night through the entire city. Now you can get support rapidly if you are opting for bulk billing medical professionals South Brisbane has.
Not all medical centres supply majority cost choices to their customers. Make sure to discover a bulk-billing physician to avoid paying assessment costs outright. It would undoubtedly be wise if you question their employees at first when they take bulk payment to avoid discontentment. If their workers gets on, they'll way one to a competent mass billing medical professional, therefore you might appreciate your healthcare advantages. Visit reliable websites, like carinamedical.com.au, for more information.
The wonders of having gluten-free snacks in your…Marrie Gotti | May 3, 2019 | 0
The idea of gluten-free diet has been around for quite some time now, and you can certainly incorporate it into your corporate event snacks. Just look for a food service and bakery that manufactures tasty yet gluten-free products, so you can seamlessly serve them to your guests.
It could solve your need for delicious snack items that will keep everybody awake throughout your event. You won't hear too much complaints as well, since gluten-free snacks would taste similar to common sweets and goodies.
Now, you should know more about the significant benefits you can get from simple gluten-free snacks.
What gluten-free food products do for your corporate events
To begin with, gluten is the sticky protein substance present in many pastries, bread, cereal, and other processed foods, which helps in maintaining food elasticity in the fermentation phases. However, gluten can pose serious concerns for people allergic to it. That is why gluten-free diet plans are made.
Having gluten-free food items as snacks in your corporate event in Australia can do some wonders.
Prevents triggering the Celiac disease among your guests
Celiac disease is a gastrointestinal problem which involves the immune system attacking healthy cells. And, this is triggered by the presence of glutinous food in the digestive tract.
Attacks from the immune system could damage the small intestines of people suffering from Celiac disease, which puts their life at risk in worst case scenarios. Ordering your gluten-free snacks from reliable food service companies Australia has can help you easily avoid such a problem.
Promotes wellness and health
For people who are noty at risk of having Celiac disease, gluten-free diet can help them improve or regulate their health for the better. For example, it enhances digestive wellness, reduces the risk of heart disease, lowers cholesterol levels, and helps you lose weight efficiently among other health perks.
Buying bulks of gluten-free products from trusted food service distributors Australia has can help you enjoy such perks. You can even tell your guests a bit about it, after they enjoy their snacks or desserts.
Tastes delicious and great
You don't have to worry about giving gluten-free snacks to your guests throughout your event. As long as you will buy it from a good food service and bakery, you can be sure of having delicious snacks and desserts.
This is because gluten-free food items could taste similar to common glutinous goodies too. Let a professional make them, and they would taste definitely fantastic to enjoy.
Order your gluten-free food items from a reliable company
The key of having wonderful gluten-free snacks for your corporate events is to find a reliable company that makes them. Make sure they specifically produce gluten-free goodies and ask for their food service catalogue.
Of course, be sure that they could meet the quantity demand for your event as well.
To make your search easier, don't miss to check out CountryChef.com.au for the best gluten-free food service and bakery products. Country Chef offers gluten-free banana bread and pavlovas, which your guests will probably love.
Finger Food Recipes to Add to Your Catering…Marrie Gotti | May 3, 2019 | 0
If you are planning a party, the first thing you should get sorted is the caterer. You need to choose a caterer that is not only reputed for their services but can also meet your requirements. For example, if you are hosting a casual-themed party, you must look for finger food catering Melbourne has to offer. Finger food recipes will add to the relaxing vibe of the party and make it seem more fun for your guests.
To help you plan for event catering Melbourne has, you should list down a few recipe ideas. This will be coordinated with a company that offers catering Melbourne CBD has today so they can prepare it for your party.
Below are fun recipes to incorporate into your contract with finger food catering Melbourne has (if you're in the city I'm living in):
Pizza Wheels
For those of you who haven't tried this before, it is basically a pizza (crust with tomato sauce and meat toppings) that is formed into rolls instead of the traditional big round pizza. It makes it easy to bite into and enjoy the food in a casual party setting.
Potato Salad Bites
This is another hit offered by finger food catering Melbourne has today. This is easy to prepare wherein you stuff potato salad into baked potato slices. This is a popular recipe for appetizers but can be incorporated into your finger food menu!
Mini Corn Dogs
Another classic recipe that your guests will love – mini corn dog is basically hotdog on a stick that is coated with a thick batter. You can also provide variety to this traditional recipe by offering a wide range of dips.
Crab Cakes
Love to serve seafood to your guests? A traditional crab cake recipe would be a hit at your party! It is an easy to prepare recipe that offers a lot of savory goodness that your guests will enjoy.
Mini Caprese Bites
If you want to keep your menu a bit on the gourmet side, the mini caprese bites is a great choice. The best part about preparing caprese bites is that you can choose many alternatives based on your preference.
This Italian classic is another fun recipe to add to your finger food catering menu. The versatility of bruschetta is what makes it appeal to more people – you can choose to add savory or sweet toppings to it.
Mini Sliders
What's more fun than eating burgers at a party? Chowing down on mini burger sliders! It is savory, delectable and truly enjoyable, especially for your guests with a huge appetite. Essential Caterer
Mini Cupcakes
If you are going to build a dessert station for your party, make sure to include cupcakes into your menu. They are a classic favorite and will be a delight to your guests.
This is another savory option that appeals to party-goers of all age groups. Whether you are serving them for a kids or adults' party, meatballs is a must in the menu!
These are just some of the fun recipes to include for your finger food catering menu. Aside from being fun to consume, opting for finger foods can be an alternative if you are looking for cheap catering Melbourne has to offer. You can therefore stick to your budget while still keeping your guests satisfied! http://www.essentialcaterer.com.au/finger-foodmelbourne/
Discover the best checklist you need for your…Marrie Gotti | February 8, 2019 | 0
When the time to celebrate your wedding with your relatives and friends comes, a reception venue is among the crucial things that revolve around your mind. You will come across about three or four nice reception venues Melbourne has today, and this means you need to narrow down to the best among them.
This won't distress you if you have in mind some of the modern reception venue trends. If you know how to make first things first, getting a great reception venue would be easy for you. Here is what you should bear in mind when getting a memorable reception venue:
Facilities available
You should find out whether your bridal party can be allowed to prepare at the reception venue. You should check if the reception venue is child-friendly if you have some children in the bridal-party list or if you expect your guests to come with their children. Ensure the venue has some modern entertainment facilities for children since they might not enjoy what the adults would enjoy.
The venue should also have the right access or lift facilities for the disabled and elderly guests. You should know that most of the reception venues Melbourne has today you visit have public liability insurance, secure space for wedding gifts, enough toilets, and outdoor space where your guests can mingle and smoke.
Included costs
It's good to know the payment schedule that the reception venue offers and if it would be suitable for you.
If you have to pay some deposit for the reception venue, find out how much and the payment method to use. If something inevitable happens compelling you to cancel some things, what cancellation policy would you get?
Check if the packages and discounts you get would depend on the number of guests you book accommodation for. Now that most of the special occasions venues Melbourne has to offer give clients some off-peak special reductions, it's good to find out if you would get them too.
Think about the venue's accommodation
Some reception and party venues include the bridal suite in the given price while others don't. Others have some reserved complimentary rooms for the wedding party and parents, while others don't. This shows that you need to know the kind of accommodation you should get in most of the party venues Melbourne has today and if they have discounted rates.
Find out if you can get some other hotels and bed and breakfasts in that area for your extra guests. Know what the check out time is and if the taxi companies in the area are reliable especially at the odd hours of the night.
If you want to book some block rooms for your business meetings, find out for how long the business function venues Melbourne has today can hold them.
Anyone you see happy with the reception venue they hired was careful to think about the above facts. Great reception venues are easy to find once you have the right approach. Although most of the reception venues Melbourne has today have the flexibility that suits the needs of their clients, a follow-up is necessary to ensure this doesn't change. See more at https://www.skyhighmtdandenong.com.au/weddings-functions/
Basic Info to Know About Privately Funded In-Home…Marrie Gotti | January 18, 2019 | 0
The aged care is a growing industry all over the world and is one of the biggest quality social services in Australia. The affordable caring for seniors are divided into different types just like the residential home service, respite care and in-home services. It is also divided into two different funding methods as well, which are the government and privately funded in-home care services.
What is Privately Funded Aged Care Service
Affordable caring for seniors are mainly divided into two categories. One of these is the privately funded care services, in which the resident will pay all the payments for the services he or she will avail. However, this could let residents have bigger convenience as well. This is because of the processes much faster, and the waiting list is much shorter as compared to government-funded services.
Differences of Privately Funded and Government Funded Services
Privately funded services are affordable caring for seniors where residents pay all their fees to the aged care service provider. On the other hand, government-funded services mean the government will help in financing the services a resident would avail through the My Aged Care program.
You just have to decide which category you would avail. Of course, if you would choose government-funded services, you should pass through the assessment process and have approval before you spend time in the waiting list. Visit us at Arcare
How to Avail of Privately Funded Aged Care Services
To avail privately funded aged care services, you need to look for an aged care agency of your choice. You have to first contact them, and inform them that you are interested in availing privately funded home care services.
A team member will talk with you to know about yourself, your lifestyle, your goals and some other relevant info to cater your needs. This can help a lot in determining the right services for you.
Next, a client manager and a registered nurse will do an assessment in your home. This should not be a problem because such steps could be done for free. After which, that is the time for the aged care service provider to draft the amount you need to pay periodically. You can also click this for more info.
Find the Best Privately Funded Provider
To have quality services, you need to find the best aged care service provider where their in-home care services are privately funded. Consider the exact services they can provide, and make sure they could cater to your needs and wants.
Of course, not because it is privately funded means you should spend ridiculous amount for it. Make sure to go for service providers that offer reasonable amount for you to pay. Finally, go for those that could provide quality services for you.
These are just basic info about privately funded in-home care services. Feel free to talk with the right experts for you to know more, or communicated with the My Aged Care hotline to help you weigh your options. This way, you can better prepare yourself before availing any aged care services.
You can also read more here about https://arcare.com.au/qld-aged-care/arcare-endeavour-north-lakes/ to check their served areas. They are serving the most sought-of and trusted services in Australia.


text:
Designed for the way you want to live.
Directions & Hours
1153 Edgemoor Court Lancaster, PA 17601
Selling from our Belmont Home Store (1 Mayer Place Lancaster, PA 17601)
Private Tours Available by Appointment Only
Traveling US 30 East, take the New Holland Ave exit. Merge right onto New Holland Ave. Turn right on Pleasure Rd. Turn Right on Esbenshade Drive.


text:
Paint your palette blue and gray
Look out on a summer's day
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul
~Don McLean
In the twilight of night, I head up the Crimson Trail in Logan Canyon, Utah. The tools of my trade are upon my back with my fellow photographers. We navigate the switch back trails while looking down at the increasingly deeper cliffs below, watching our footing as the trail narrows from erosion at the cliffs edge, stumbling over rocks and tree roots jutting out to claim another hiker, yet knowing at 1:00 a.m. we'll only have a headlight to light our path back down.
Our destination is a flat rock that seems to cantilever out over the canyon deep to the highway below. A steady stream of cars snake through on there winding way. We creep to the cliffs edge in the dark, set up our tripods and cameras, then wait for the milky way to emerge. At almost midnight she arches over the valley displaying her heavenly path creating a…..Starry Starry Night.
Just Say It...
- No Comments


text:
Happy Bday El-Toppo too
Send in your birthday wishes for our members here!
Happy Bday El-Toppo too
Champman0102.co.uk Facebook Page12000 followers and rising
Happy b-day Toppo
Happy Birthday fellas
Happy birthday folks
Happy Birthday GAFFER (welsh)
Who's El-Toppo (topofthekop)?
WelshRed's birthday today? Happy birthday mate!
Happy Birthday matey, have a good one
Happy birthday Welsh
happy birthday m8
Its yours today too int it Wez
is indeed mate
Happy bday to you too then Wezza!
The World of Football Management - Chapter 7 - Global Attraction
A tough challenge, turning Leamington Football Club from the smallest club in the English game to a worldwide name, all by building a squad of just one player from any nation!
cheers guys
So many b'day's! Happ birthday gents
Champman0102.co.uk Facebook Page12000 followers and rising
Happy Birthday Patz
cheers matey, you were the first
Happy Bday Pat!
Have a good one mate!
Happy birthday to everybody that I have missed lately.
Happy birthday for today pati
Happy B-Day to all (mentioned before) and Patz
Happy Birthday Pat
Happy birthday Pat march is a great month to be born in
Happy birthday Pat.
Happy Birthday Pat
Happy birthday Pat


text:
At Vatican, Director-General Affirms Education as Ethical Imperative
On 16 October 2017, UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova shared her vision of education as a public, moral and societal responsibility in a special session on "Ethics in Action" organized at Casino Pio IV, seat of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences at the Vatican.
Gathering religious leaders from different faith traditions, academics, business and labor leaders and development practitioners, the session entirely dedicated to education was part of the "Ethics in Action" initiative, hosted by the Pontifical Academies, in partnership with the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, Religions for Peace and the University of Notre Dame.
Welcoming participants, Monsignor Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo, Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy highlighted the importance of changing education to integrate new learning methods and foster inclusion.
Recalling the words of His Holiness Pope Francis when they met in 2016 when he affirmed that "education is an essential dimension of human dignity and for the fight against exclusion and poverty," Ms Bokova traced the stakes of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and in particular SDG4.
"Today more than ever, we must educate for inclusion, for dialogue and tolerance, for living together -- we need to teach solidarity, mutual respect and peace. I see this as the frontline in our struggle to build a more just, more peaceful world."
"Education must be about more than transmitting information. It is about values, critical thinking, the ethics of development," she affirmed.
She warned that the exclusion of children and youth from education – especially of girls and young women – compounded by the humanitarian crisis - is "throwing a shadow over the development of entire societies."
She emphasized the fundamental role of faith leaders and community leaders for changing mindsets and speaking out against violence and intolerance.
"We share with Pope Francis the idea that education is about practicing a 'grammar of dialogue," which is a foundation for exchange, for mutual understanding and respect, to make the most of cultural and religious diversity as a strength."
She outlined UNESCO's work to empower girls and women through education, advance the concept and practice of global citizenship as well as education for sustainable development.
Citing from Laudato Si, Pope Francis' encyclical, in which he calls for "a distinctive way of looking at things" to find urgent responses to environmental decay, she affirmed that UNESCO's leadership on education for sustainable development "is fundamentally about each of us leading the way through our behaviours, attitudes, consumption patterns and commitment to solidarity."
Professor Jeffrey Sachs, Director of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, focused his intervention on the urgency of access for all and scaled up financing, pointing to the direct correlation between education and economic growth.
"For hundreds of millions of children there is practically no way to get a rudimentary education. There is nothing more central to the SDG agenda than this, " he said, highlighting the $40 billion annual financing gap. "You would think it would be an easier sell, " he said, warning that development cannot be expected when less than 30% of African youth complete secondary school.
In a further keynote, Professor Dan Wagner, UNESCO Chair on Learning and Literacy at the University of Pennyslvania, defined the ethical challenge as focusing on those at the bottom of the pyramid. "We need a learning equity agenda and index to reduce social gaps. We need to convince ministers of education to invest in the bottom of the pyramid. Majority approaches will likely maintain and increase inequalities in the future."
The two-day programme encompasses sessions on social inclusion, science and technology, university and youth leadership, and a new ethical education, and will close with the adoption of a shared statement.
<- Back to: All news


text:
Alan R. Ertle, MD, MPH, MBA
Disclosures: The author has disclosed no conflicts of interest. The form can be viewed at www.acponline.org/authors/icmje/ConflictOfInterestForms.do?msNum=L18-0242.
Ertle AR. Effect of Physical Activity on Frailty. Ann Intern Med. 2018;169:266. doi: https://doi.org/10.7326/L18-0242
Download citation file:
© 2020
Published: Ann Intern Med. 2018;169(4):266.
Copyright © 2020 American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.
Print ISSN: 0003-4819 | Online ISSN: 1539-3704
Privacy Policy
Conditions of Use


text:
Good news, Disney fans: There's a brand-new princess in town, and she's the first one ever of Indian descent! Her name is Ananya, and that's all that is known, because Disney says we aren't even close to ready for her and that she will remain safely in Disney headquarters until we are.
Fans have waited a long time for an Indian leading lady, and they are going to have to wait even longer, because Ananya's movie, which has already been drawn, animated, and finished, will not be released until Disney decides that we deserve an Indian princess.
"When we unveiled Princess Tiana, the first African-American princess, in 2009, we thought the world was ready," said Disney PR vice president George Wexler. "But we were very wrong. That's why we're withholding Princess Ananya. We will not make the same mistake again."
"It's really too bad, because when Ananya sings the incredible 'My Own Woman' at the film's climax, it's an amazing moment that transcends racial background," added Wexler. "Unfortunately, it will probably be decades before anyone is ready for that."
Ananya's movie, currently titled Once Upon A Triumph, follows her travels across India to reunite a precocious lost child with her parents. How she does this, the adventures she goes on, and the cast of characters she meets along the way will be mysteries until Disney makes the call that we are worthy of it.
And it's not just Ananya that Disney has created and is all set to debut once the world is decent enough to have her.
Disney revealed that it has Vietnamese, Ethiopian, Chinese/Iranian, and Eskimo princesses ready to go. All are fully fleshed-out, dynamic characters with their own feature-length films, complete with original scoring and toy lines. And they aren't leaving headquarters until Disney thinks America has made the social progress to accept them.
Not only that, but insiders revealed that Disney's forward-thinking corporate culture goes back to founder Walt Disney, who first doodled Laleh, a transgender princess, in 1928. But Disney realized Laleh could never be given to such a divisive world, so he created a whistling riverboat captain mouse, something he knew audiences could handle. Diverse princesses have been made and kept from the public ever since.
So, how long will we have to wait before Princess Ananya gets released by Disney? It's tough to say, but Wexler is not optimistic that it will be anytime soon.
"Princess Ananya would be an incredible role model for millions of Indian girls," Wexler said. "But until our audience is ready for her, just be prepared for tons of white princesses."


text:
See the contact us page for more information for both facilities
Companion Animal Services:
Wilsonville Veterinary Clinic
9275 SW Barber St
Wilsonville, OR 97070
From I-5 North or South: Take Exit 283 (Wilsonville Exit). Go west on SW Wilsonville Rd. Turn right at the first light onto SW Boones Ferry Rd. Turn left onto SW Barber St.
Equine Services:
Reproductive Revolutions, Inc
18858 Case Rd NE
Aurora, OR 97002
I-5 North or South: Get off at exit 278 (Donald/Aurora) and go West. Drive to Case Rd and turn left (south). Go straight at the first stop sign (road turns to gravel here) and then look for a blue house, shop and large blue barn and arena on your left. There is 4 rail black horse fence and no climb perimeter fencing all around.


text:
Be yourself, make a difference. Find a career opportunity today!
No jobs found.
SIGN UP NOW to get exclusive insurance product updates and information from AWG INSURANCE BROKERS™
We will continue to invest in our relationships with our clients and our partners. As we find ourselves at the center of these two very key networks, having strong relationships is our biggest advantage. The more we understand YOUR needs and the more YOU understand our capabilities, the more win-win situations we create.


text:
"And when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, nor shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the Lord your God." Leviticus 23:22
Coming in 2020, Ruth's Harvest is a ministry of harvesting late season farm produce and delivering it to those in need within the community. More information to come in January 2020.


text:
The civil rights group is trying to stop state and local branches from accepting money from utilities that promote fossil fuels and then lobbying on their behalf.
Environmental Justice
Jump to a Subcategory
All News Categories
Advocates say the state is allowing environmental harm in low-income, minority counties — News & Observer
The state is failing low-income communities with large African-American and Native American populations by allowing polluting industries to concentrate in their counties, a group of residents said Wednesday as they demanded that an environmental justice advisory board do more to advocate for them.
Environmental activists seek reversal of NC permit for Atlantic Coast Pipeline — WRAL
Environmental activists called on Gov. Roy Cooper's administration to reconsider a key permit issued for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. The North Carolina Climate Solutions Coalition and Friends of the Earth filed a petition to revoke the permit issued last year under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act.
Groups target Duke Energy in extraordinary campaign to end monopoly control of NC electric system and public officials
A new, diverse coalition of 15 local, state and national groups today launched what they called a vigorous statewide campaign to end Duke Energy's monopoly control of North Carolina's energy markets and public officials, saying the corporation is harming communities, gouging consumers and making climate change worse. It's a rare citizen-led effort organized to break up the monopoly control of a U.S. corporate utility.
See coverage by WRAL
See coverage by PV Magazine
Robeson County Opposes Duke Rate Hike — Robesonian
Robeson County leaders are taking a stand against Duke Energy's plan to seek state approval to charge more for the electricity it sells. The utility says its needs to raise rates to pay for costs incurred during recent weather events, including Hurricane Florence.
Everybody's Movement: Dismantling Racism through Equity and Inclusion
NC WARN has worked through many years to challenge environmental racism and economic injustices in our campaigns to help protect communities and slow climate change. For the past few years, our board and staff have invested time and energy to focus on how we can be a more inclusive and equitable organization as we increasingly bring those who are first and worst impacted by climate change to the center of our work.
Duke Energy's "Major Breakthrough for Renewables" – Energy from Hog Manure – was PR Fiction – News Release From NC WARN
Now, Duke Energy has admitted once again to state regulators that it can't back the PR with action. It can't meet a state renewable energy requirement that it generate a tiny amount of electricity from hog waste now or anytime soon. By 2018, 0.2 percent of the renewable requirement was supposed to come from hog waste.
A More Just Hurricane Florence Recovery Effort in North Carolina — OP-ED
Op-ed by Connie Leeper and Jodi Lasseter. Now that the winds and rains of Hurricane Florence have gone, North Carolinians are mobilizing a relief and recovery process for the eastern part of the state… Without an intentional focus on equity and access, this kind of giving often misses the people who are most in need of assistance and who have been leading the work to build community resilience long before this storm hit.
Duke Energy Leaders Made Hurricane Florence Worse — Op-Ed from NC WARN
Op-Ed by Jim Warren. The latest in a string of monster storms of recent years, Hurricane Florence punctuates the fact that the cost of climate pollution is accelerating. Duke Energy executives bear much of the blame for Hurricane Florence's devastation.
Read Duke's deceptive rebuttal
And NC WARN's response to it
Two Dukes, PR and Biogas from Hog Manure– Letter from NC WARN
Letter to Dr. Vincent E. Price, President Duke University, and Lynn Good, President & CEO Duke Energy: Amid prodigious PR by the two Dukes since the spring about creating biogas from hog waste, there apparently has been little or no technology breakthrough in several years.


text:
Now that the GOP has taken back the legislature, if they want to change this country for the better they have to wield power effectively while thinking about the future. To do this they need to better understand and apply party politics. By utilizing the party system, the GOP could more efficaciously run the government by filling positions and creating network of policy experts. Republicans need to think beyond this election and even the 2016 presidential election; they must take a long-term strategic view of politics, policy, and power.
Due to the federalist character of the American polity, political parties were historically stronger at the state rather than federal level. There were strong partisan loyalties until the 1970's when people stopped casting as many straight-ticket ballots, splitting the parties whom they supported for president and Congress. In addition, during the twentieth century American parties became increasingly democratized, like the direct primary for presidential elections, which would weaken the parties' strength overall. However, one can see the enduring qualities of the Democratic and Republican Parties in that they have lasted some 160 years. It is important to note that although fewer people are officially associated with political parties, it does not mean that they form new ones. Even if split-ticket voting occurs and there are more independents now, people still elect Democrats and Republicans. American political culture has historically limited the power of political parties in comparison to their European counterparts, but this does not mean they must continuously decline in utility.
Most political scientists understand and are committed to the notion that political parties are beneficial to national politics. Parties are especially important in Congress where they have a larger presence and role than in presidential politics, which is more about the particular candidate. Presidentially, parties took a more national outlook because of the nature of the primary elections after 1968. Yet this move to direct primaries also changed the nature of parties at the state level as well. Previously parties were strong in states, and they operated "party machines." Party machines began to break apart when the electorate had a much larger say in who would get nominated for the party. State organizations are no longer the sine qua non of political involvement.
We have to build on more than popularity and a single election or person; we need to build a lasting coalition. Maintenance and change take time in a large system. Bill Clinton came into office and used his pen to write executive orders to implement environmental regulations, but then George W. Bush came into office and used a different pen to do away with them. It is with political parties that one can build reasonable coalitions for the maintenance of the system. If the party just relies on a single politician, policies will not remain; they will be undone soon after because candidates with charisma come in and then the influence dissipates. A charismatic candidate can raise a lot of money, but he can't necessarily implement good policy.
To achieve this coalition and preparation for good governance and administration, the GOP will need to focus on ideologically, racially, and economically diverse parts of the electorate. First, and most importantly, the party cannot continue with the delusion of ideological purity. The base makes up only about a fifth of the country. This does not mean abandoning conservative values, but it does mean stopping the removal of moderates and those who sometimes dissent. Second, as the GOP has already started, the party will need to focus on expanding minority membership of the party. Just looking at the percentage of voters in the 2012 election, Republicans need to seek at least 35% of the Hispanic and Asian vote, an 8 and 9 point increase respectively. In addition, they should seek at least 10% of the African-American vote, a 4 point increase, and the White vote to 65% from 59%. This would have given the GOP 52.65% of the vote in 2012, a respectable margin by any standard.
To succeed Republicans also need to focus on how their policies will help each demographic and the country as a whole. For instance, surveys have shown African-Americans support policies like school choice, which would overwhelmingly help the black community. But this also means showing current Democratic constituencies how liberal policies hurt them. For example, radical environmentalist policies, like Obama's anti-coal and anti-Keystone positions, increase consumer prices and put blue collar workers out of jobs. Blue collar workers typically support the Democrats, but this is a chance to break the left's coalition by revealing their internal conflicts.
Bringing all of this together and re-establishing a strong party system, the GOP and conservatives have the chance to influence the country and govern efficiently for decades. Republicans have historically lagged behind in registered party members to the Democrats, but now is the opportunity to become the dominant political party.


text:
- Community: Hamilton, MA
- Population: 7,800
- Urban, suburban or rural: mixed suburban/rural
- Median household income: $72,000
- Roadside pickup/Drop-off: roadside pickup
- Started: 2006
- Payment: included in taxes, plus Pay-As-You-Throw
- Mandatory: no
Hamilton, a north-shore Massachusetts town, is small enough (just under 7,800) that it shares a library, schools, and a chapter of the League of Women Voters with neighboring Wenham.
In 2004, the League became interested in the idea of pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) as a way for the town governments to create an incentive for recycling and save money. When the League's study indicated savings for the local budgets, selectmen appointed a joint recycling committee.
The sparkplug for the League's interest was Gretel Clark, a Hamilton resident and chair of the Hamilton Recycling Committee, who helped shepherd a "household waste reduction program" into town, which allowed households one 33-gallon container of solid waste a week with the cost covered by property taxes. Any more waste than that and you have to buy a special "blue bag" for $1.75—but you can recycle as much as you want.
Cost analysis: Proven reductions in MSW
In the first year of operation, Hamilton recorded an $110,000 savings and revenue gain from reduced solid-waste tipping fees and sales of blue "overage" bags. But more importantly, Clark points out, the recycling rate went from 24 to 34 percent.
With proof that recycling saved money, Clark focused on food waste as an untapped way of increasing recycling that could have a major impact on solid waste tonnage. She helped organize a two-month trial curbside food waste program for 74 residents.
After the two-month pilot showed a reduction in solid waste of between 33 and 50 percent, the selectmen ordered another pilot of 500 residents for a full year before they would contribute town money. The volunteer committees knew from surveys that residents were willing to pay as much as $120 a year for the opportunity; they calculated that if the 500 households each paid $75 it would cover the costs of hauling and tipping fees. They also had applied to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for a grant to cover the $15,000 bill for green roadside bins.
The project suffered two setbacks. First, the DEP grant did not come through; then only 350 paying participants signed up. A combination of donations, a DEP grant of $7000 from EPA money designated for keeping organics out of landfills, and an agreement with the town to fund a six-month short fall in hauling fees, and the project went forward. And the volunteers continued to solicit paying participants, eventually signing up 631.
Get people thinking
Clark believes the results of the second pilot were predictable. "One of the things that we've discovered in the trash world is that, when you start working with communities and trash, people take huge pride in their trash and how to handle it. There are very few who just say 'chuck it'," she says. "Once you get them thinking about it, they are very meticulous about how they do it." So when the effort of those 500 participants showed an average weekly reduction in solid waste of more than 10 pounds, she wasn't surprised.
"We told people that if they did it right, they would never have to buy a blue overage bag again," she says. And with another successful trial in the books, the towns took over the program for the 500 residents and began planning for a town-wide rollout in 2012. One of the lingering concerns, however, was the cost of hauling. But when a local hauler came forward with a plan to collect both food scraps and other recycling in a single weekly run for a price the town couldn't refuse, the selectmen decided to move forward.
And at the rate of $40 a ton for solid waste tipping, the program saved money as it got people involved. Everyone who participated got a green Orvis curbside composting bin for their organics along with a counter top collector. And, Clark says, "we picked that up every week and we also picked up recyclables every week."
Weekly pickup is an incentive
"But," she notes, "here's the kicker: we would only pick up your solid waste every other week. So what this meant was if you weren't going to use your compost bin, you'd have that stinky stuff sitting around in your solid waste bin—and they just stopped doing it when they had to hold onto it for two weeks. So the tonnage of organics just to shot up when we took away the every-week solid waste pick up."
The proof came in a comparison with the tonnage rates in neighboring Wenham, where all waste, including recycling and solid waste, was picked up every week. "And guess what?" Clark says, with undisguised glee. "Over time, watching tonnage and how it worked, Hamilton's solid waste was half of the tonnage of Wenham. And our organics was double," she adds.
"And that pick-up schedule was the only difference between the two programs. And with that pick-up profile Hamilton had the lowest solid waste and the highest recycling or compost tonnage of any town in coastal Massachusetts."
Clark notes "what makes people sit up and pay attention is when they get charged for a program. We've never had a pay-per-throw or pay-per-bag program even though we've had the highest recycling and lowest solid waste rates. But we've had a modified version of it with the free 33-gallon solid waste container and the $1.75 'overage' bag."
Composting is free, she says, "because we want you to compost to the max; if you have a big family and you want two green composting bins, that's fine, that's free.
But, on the solid waste side you get your free 33 gallons and then if you go over that you have the blue bag and I think the cost of that is going to be going up to something over $2.
"We don't want to see those blue bags out there, even though the town makes out big time on those. They sort of defeat the purpose, which is to get people to be more assiduous about sorting their trash and recycling."


text:
Ubisoft Highlights Strategies for 2017 During Corporate Event at GDC
Ubisoft Highlights Strategies for 2017 During Corporate Event at GDC
As the Game Developers Conference kicked off in San Francisco on Monday, Ubisoft held a special event to highlight three pillars of its corporate strategy for the future: a bigger push into virtual reality; using tools like the Snowdrop engine to enable developers to do more; and live, post-launch support for games, with a focus on community.
Ubisoft's VP of Live Ops, Anne Blondel-Jouin, opened with a talk about Ubisoft's current approach to supporting games after launch, which involves ongoing support for players through new content, competitions, and community-focused events. It's an approach that's worked well for online games like The Crew, The Division, and especially Rainbow Six Siege, with the latter going stronger than ever thanks to a continuous cycle of introducing high-quality new content, implementing community feedback, and promoting top players through high-profile competitions.
"Not that long ago… we had that 'one hit after the other' approach, whether it was every year or every other year," said Blondel-Jouin, "But now gamers' playing habits have changed, and we're changing the way we produce to a live environment. We still have core games, obviously, but the core game isn't the box anymore by itself, it's more than that. It's events… it's tools that we provide the community, like in Steep. It's also expansions… and updates on the fly, like we're doing right now with For Honor."
Next, VP of Digital Publishing Chris Early stepped up to talk about Ubisoft and virtual reality. After showing off Virtual Rabbids, which will be exclusive to Google's Daydream VR platform, Early shifted gears and dropped some truth bombs about what Ubisoft has learned from making VR games.
"We all knew – or at least, we all thought we knew – a few years ago that there were some truths about VR," said Early. "First off, you can't really move around much or it makes people ill. Second, the sessions have to be really short, because you don't want to be in a headset for very long. And third, VR is inherently antisocial. I say we knew them, but we actually just believed them, because we found that none of these were true.
"If it's done poorly, it could be true, but that hasn't been our experience so far," Early added.
For examples, Early drew on two recent Ubisoft VR games, Eagle Flight and Werewolves Within. In Eagle Flight, the developers used dynamic blinders and an always-present beaky "nose" to give players a constant frame of reference and cut down on any disorientation. Werewolves Within, meanwhile, is an inherently social game (as is the upcoming Star Trek: Bridge Crew), using lip- and head-syncing animation to help lend other players a simulated sense of presence. Also, while the initial planned session length for both games was 10 minutes, 73% of Eagle Flight sessions are longer than that, while 43% of Werewolves Within sessions run for an hour or more.
In fact, Early said, a Google survey of PS4 players found a high level of interest for seeing more traditional, involved, games coming to VR. "We think we're on the right track with the types of games we're making," says "They're all longer games. They're all 20-40-hour games that we're delivering. Players seem to want that level of experience, and they're willing to spend that time in-session, in-headset, to get a great play experience."
Finally, Bjorn Lindberg, online technical director at Massive Entertainment, led the presentation for Snowdrop. The engine was the force behind The Division (also developed by Massive), and is currently being used in other upcoming Ubisoft projects, including South Park: The Fractured But Whole. Underlining the engine's approach of providing a collection of modular tools that can be cherry-picked to fit individual projects, Lindberg described the engine's flexibility, as well as its philosophy of empowering content creators to tweak aspects of the game without needing direct programming support.
"We have an integrated editor in the game, which is very useful if you're building content," said Lindberg. "You can run around in-game and say, 'this door doesn't make any sense, it's too far to the left.' You can bring up the editor while you're playing, move the door a little bit, and continue as you go."
The presentation concluded with the announcement of a new game set in James Cameron's Avatar universe, which is being developed by Massive using the Snowdrop engine. Check out our full story here, and for more on what's ahead, keep your eye on UbiBlog.
The post Ubisoft Highlights Strategies for 2017 During Corporate Event at GDC appeared first on UbiBlog – Ubisoft®.


text:
Isaiah 14 International Children's Bible (ICB)
Israel Will Return Home
14 The Lord will again show mercy to the people of Jacob. The Lord will again choose the people of Israel. He will settle them in their own land. Then non-Israelite people will join the Israelites. The non-Israelite people will become a part of the family of Jacob. 2 Nations will take the Israelites back to their land. Those men and women from the other nations will become slaves to Israel. In the past the Israelites were their slaves. But now the Israelites will defeat those nations and rule over them.
The King of Babylon Will Fall
3 The Lord will take away the Israelites' hard work, and he will comfort them. They will no longer have to work as slaves. 4 On that day Israel will sing this song about the king of Babylon:
The cruel king who ruled us is finished.
9 The place of the dead is excited
12 King of Babylon, morning star, you have fallen from heaven,
16 Those who see you stare at you.
18 Every king of the earth has been buried with honor.
21 Prepare to kill his children.
22 The Lord of heaven's armies says this:
God Will Punish Assyria
24 The Lord of heaven's armies has made this promise:
"These things will happen exactly as I planned them.
26 "This is what I plan to do against all the earth.
God's Message to Philistia
28 This message was given the year King Ahaz died:
29 Country of Philistia, don't be so happy.
31 People near the city gates, cry out!
International Children's Bible (ICB)
The Holy Bible, International Children's Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson™, a division of Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.
You'll get this book and many others when you join Bible Gateway Plus. Learn more
Starting your free trial of Bible Gateway Plus is easy. You're already logged in with your Bible Gateway account. The next step is to choose a monthly or yearly subscription, and then enter your payment information. Your credit card won't be charged until the trial period is over. You can cancel anytime during the trial period.
Click the button below to continue.
You've already claimed your free trial of Bible Gateway Plus. To subscribe at our regular subscription rate, click the button below.
It looks like you're already subscribed to Bible Gateway Plus! To manage your subscription, visit your Bible Gateway account settings.
Upgrade, and get the most out of your new account. An integrated digital Bible study library - including complete notes from the Believer's Bible Commentary and the Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible (NIV and NRSV) - is just a step away! Try it free for 30 days.
Three easy steps to start your free trial subscription to Bible Gateway Plus.


text:
Another recipe Brent found in New Orleans. The sauce is tangy, but we both really liked it.
1/4 c. wine vinegar (may substitute apple cider vinegar)
1/4 c. dry white wine
1 tbsp. minced dried onions
1/2 tbsp. dried tarragon
1/8 tsp. freshly ground pepper
Pinch salt
3 egg yolks
2 tbsp. cold butter
1/2 c. melted butter
2 tbsp. dried parsley
2 filet mignon steaks
steak seasoning
Season steaks and cook on grill. In a bowl, combine first 6 ingredients in a 4 cup measure. Microwave on High for 4-5 minutes reducing liquid to 2 tablespoons. (When doubling the recipe, microwave 13 minutes reducing to 1/4 cup). In blender, beat the egg yolks until thick. Strain in the vinegar mixture and beat until mixed. Pour mixture into pan. Add one tablespoon of cold butter. Place pan over low heat to thicken egg yolks using wire whisk to beat. When egg yolks are thick, remove from the heat and whisk in the other tablespoon of butter. Beating this mixture with a whisk, pour in the melted butter slowly. Add parsley and stir. Serve warm, not hot.
Hint: If butter is added too fast, mixture may separate. If this happens, add a very small amount of vinegar at a time and beat with wire whisk. Se
Serve sauce over steaks and souffle.
2 servings.
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
I love this business.
July 17, 2007
That's entertainment–Levy Home Entertainment: I attended the Levy National Meeting last month. Outside of publishing, people might not be familiar with this firm, but it is one of the biggest players in the industry. And once a year, they have a meeting at a great resort. [Note: This year, the locusts were out in their 17-year cycle, which I'd never seen (or heard) before. These bugs are so huge and fly in such impressive force that they look like alien invaders. In fact, at the airport, they would periodically explain the phenomenon over the PA system, so people wouldn't look out the window and panic that something very Old-Testament was taking place.]
Back to business–My publisher arranged for me to attend the Levy meeting. Think about it. A week of meetings completely dedicated to getting books into readers' hands. Meetings attended by people at the highest level of publishing and book distribution, like Louise Burke of Simon & Schuster and Donna Hayes, president of Harlequin–every major publisher sent their top people. The workshops and seminars were designed to maximize the exposure of our book to readers. That's what Levy Home Entertainment, based in Illinois, is all about. If you bought a paperback at a big discount store, chances are, it was placed there by Levy. Their main warehouse, in the appropriately-named Romeoville, is the size of an airplane hangar and staffed by the nicest people you'd ever want to meet. I know. I was lucky to meet them when I went to the warehouse to sign 6000 books.
That's not a typo. I signed 6000 books. Levy is going to distribute them to their accounts so 6000 readers can have a signed book. Then I rushed back to the hotel for–wait for it–a booksigning.
I didn't know whether or not I could survive signing so many books. On my best day, I've written maybe 5000 words in longhand. But the Levy people made it easy. They had us set up assembly-line style so helpers would open the carton, sticker the book, open it to the title page and put it in front of me for my hasty–but legible–signature. Picture the candy-factory scene in "I Love Lucy," and you get the idea. To make the time pass, we took breaks to dance to the incredibly cheesy disco music being piped into the room. We played with my screaming monkey slingshots. We guzzled bottled water. Tamar Kipper of Levy showed me some chiropractic exercises for hands and I am none the worse for the wear. There is something so special about meeting people whose entire job involves getting my books to readers. Also about attending a banquet with fellow authors Dave Barry, Carol Higgins Clark, Mary Jane Clark, Joanne Fluke, Laura Lippman, Ridley Pearson, Deanna Rayburn, JR Ward. We were all privileged to hang out with the Levy people.
God, I love this business.
Camp Rude was the high light of my year! …and I have no idea why it was named that.
My wife obviously thought it wasn't an appropriate name. Every year the new freshmen at Aurora College would start with a retreat/party at the camp. The year she was a freshman, she and a girl friend went out a day early …and changed the sign to Camp Nude!
When I heard that, I knew I was gonna love that girl!
I remember the locusts at camp quite vividly… The noise at night was deafening, but at the same time it was soothing – white noise that muted any distracting jolts of sound. I don't know if it was the locusts or all that fresh air and activity…but sleep came quickly… unless we had work to do – like pushing the counselors VW down to the concrete pier and hanging the front wheels over the edge so the car was high dead center on the edge of the pier!
EEK!!! REALLY? AN SMS? I am SO looking forward to it! I'll email you later on. I'm going through "Holly withdrawal" – she's camping with her family – no cell phone no internet. won't be back until the 23 rd.
We will be at Maui together tho – doing a presentation at the conference!
You still want me to guest blog?
What do you want me to bring from HAWAII???
I went to grad school at NIU (DeKalb) and knew St.Charles, Batavia & Aurora well!
I SO want a screaming monkey sling shot.
It sounds way cool.
God, I Love that Part of Illinois!
I was born in Aurora where my dad went to college. When I was young I spent many summers at Camp Rude, just north of St Charles – that was my Willow Lake… and where I first dated my wife. My wife lived there all of her life until I moved her all over the states. For two years I worked 2 blocks east of Oak Brook Mall.
Sounds like you enjoyed your stay…can't believe you didn't come home with major Carpal Tunnel – I guess being a popular author isn't all fun and games!
Where ever I go – I discover people who I just feel comfortable to be around…and invariably, I find they come from the midwest. I don't know if that says more aboput me or about them!


text:
Episode 44- Botched Recipes, A Little Seasoning, Mystery Meal
It is April Fool's Day, and there is plenty of foolishness going on in the Disaster Kitchen! Erin and Theo kick us off with some Botched Recipes sure to tickle your innards.
Follow that up with A Little Seasoning from Balticon 50, with A. F. interviewing Lauren Scribe Harris.
We close with a new Mystery Meal featuring a scene from Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe. Get out your calendars for this one, folks.
Prompt #11 is now closed, so we're introducing prompt #13:
Where did the corn go?
The only limit is your imagination.
Don't forget to find us in iTunes and leave a rating and review. It really helps! Also, check out our Patreon and our store.
Erin and A. F. will be at Balticon 51, so come see us!
Promo- Weekly Podioplex


text:
0 views
Watching now: Serbian Client Massaged by Pervy Masseur.
Free Serbian Massaged Videos in HD.
Premium Massage Sex in HD.
Massage Rooms are perfect for please your fantasies with beautiful babes. Naughty female orgasms with trained pornstars masseur and masseuses performing erotic massage porn.
Please your fantasies with every inch of these sexy girls, who want to stroke your cock with their warm bodies while strocking your dick until a happy ending. Watch professional massage techniques with flirty girls and horny massagists.
Fullfy your fantasies with HD massage porn.
Serbian Client Massaged, serbian girl fucking, small tits girl, riding cock sex, blowjob big cock, masseur fucking with client, erotic couple, erotic massage, massage room, massage porn, wet pussy, orgas, massage, fingering pussy, sucking hard cock.
Date: March 8, 2020


text:
If you like the Asiago Plateau click
Canove, in cimbro Roan, is one of six districts of Roan municipality, which is the municipal seat. The village is located at 1001 m above sea level and is approximately 4 miles from Asiago as well as Roana, and then in a strategic position to reach the main Highland towns and places of interest.
Surrounded by nature, Canove is a is an excellent starting point for excursions and walks on foot or by bicycle, such as along the historic "Road train" a path that winds its way precisely along what was once the route of the so-called "Vaca Mora", the cogwheel railway that linked theAsiago plateau to plain. Other tours worth mentioning are the ring "Bisele-St. Antoenle", where you can also visit the Loite Kubala (karst cave), Ghelpack Valley and part of the Val d Assa.Canove is undoubtedly one of the seven Municipalities plateau where there retains vivid memories of World War I. Here is the Historical Museum of the great war 1915-18, where they exposed thousands of photographs and relics of war of every kind, including weapons, ammunition, clothing, personal effects of the soldiers, badges, coins, postcards, etc. The Museum is housed in what until 1958 was one of the stations of the old railway line Rocchette-Asiago.Every year, on April 25, the feast of St. mark, the patron saint of the village, Canove di Roana held the feast of cuchi, traditional terracotta whistles of every shape and color. The Festival recalls the tradition whereby the day of St. Mark's boys give a to beautiful as cuco pledge of love. It is a popular festival with food stalls of cuchi, various animations for adults and teenagers, rides and food stand.Canove offers very well as to the possibility to carry out recreational and sports activities thanks to the presence of a theatre, a footballfield, from tennis, bocciodromo, various playgrounds, communal swimming pool and fitness centre.Susan Morabito© Asiago.it ALL RIGHTS RESERVED


text:
Where to stay in Tasmania – a neighborhood guide
Find a place to stay
A Tasmania getaway varies from the urban charm of Hobart rich in colonial heritage and buzzing with colorful markets and hip urban cafes, to the colossal tracts of pristine wilderness and paradisiac beaches. Whether you want to live it up in a five-star hotel, get in touch with nature in a camping site or a wilderness lodge, or save money in a hostel, accommodation in Tasmania caters to every budget and type of traveler.
Hobart's focus is around Sullivans Cove, where the mystique of the colonial past and the island's spellbinding natural beauty meet a funky and lively atmosphere embodied in its festivals, world-class restaurants and hip cafes. An unmissable point for art lovers is MONA, housing one of the world's most controversial collections of art. If you stay in Hobart, there's a feast of attractions within an hour drive, from the idyllic Bruny Island to the mesmerising history of Port Arthur.
Hotels in Hobart
For thrifty travelers, affordable accommodation is easy to find in the city and by the waterfront. More on the pricey side, but still affordable, there's a wide selection of B&Bs and self-catering holiday apartments in Battery Point.
Launceston has emerged from the ashes of its colonial-outpost roots and recreated itself as a glorious historic town with a glam of its own. Boasting superb restaurants and one of the best regional museums in Australia - Queen Victoria Museum -, 'Lonnie' is a happening place. The city's major tourist drawcard, however, is the Cataract Gorge, a rugged ravine only a 15-minute walk from Lonnie.
Hotels in Launceston
Accommodation in Launceston offers better value than Hobart. You'll find most motels along Brisbane Street, but there's an abundance of B&Bs, hotels, backpackers and self-catering accommodation scattered around the city.
East Coast
If you're looking to escape the madding crowds, stay in the East Coast, featuring long pristine beaches and an easygoing vibe. But action freaks are also welcome to its coastline, perfect for kayaking and diving. Hunt for the Killiecrankie 'diamond' or dive into a world of giant crabs and crays in Flinders Island. Don't miss the touristic town of Swansea, home to some fascinating historic buildings and powder beaches.
Hotels in the East Coast
Swansea has the finest choice of accommodation in the East Coast. Not much of it is cheap, but there are some affordable options, such as B&Bs.
Northwest Coast
Nature lovers will have a blast exploring the coastal heathlands and rainforests of the Northwest coast. Westward is the Arthur River, where the untamed coastline at 'The Edge of the World' meets the ancient Tarkine, Australia's largest temperate forest. Head to Marrawah, a surfer's mecca, and ride the colossal waves or laze on the pristine beaches of Penguin and soak up the small town's quirky vibe.
Hotels in Northwest Coast
Whether you prefer to tuck yourself away at a beach house or camp out in a wildlife wonderland, staying in the Northwest Coast won't disappoint. There's a fair spread of accommodation in Devonport and Sheffield.
Where to stay
Hobart Central Business DistrictAverage hotel pricesSearch for Hobart Central Business District hotels
Compton DownsAverage hotel pricesSearch for Compton Downs hotels
WindermereAverage hotel pricesSearch for Windermere hotels
Find your perfect holiday in Hobart
From 210 hotels.


text:
Saw the movie a while back, liked it but was kinda disappointed b/c Michael Haneke's amazing. Started reading the book yesterday and wow! it's totally sucked me in, so far it's incredible. Anyone on here familiar with some of her other stuff? Can point in other good directions? Or anyone else think this book is great??
― Michael_Pemulis, Friday, 17 July 2009 17:47 (ten years ago) link
dude can't believe you got kicked out of ETA
― Mr. Que, Friday, 17 July 2009 17:47 (ten years ago) link
do you talk to Hal at all, anymore?
― Mr. Que, Friday, 17 July 2009 17:48 (ten years ago) link
also: please commit a crime
― Mr. Que, Friday, 17 July 2009 17:49 (ten years ago) link
one of my favorite living writers
― worm? lol (J0hn D.), Friday, 17 July 2009 18:14 (ten years ago) link
Read Greed earlier this year, some terrific bits amongst a real mud of a translation, making me wish she would translate some of her own work into English. Piano Teacher is on my shelf, so maybe I'll start on that.
― xyzzzz__, Sunday, 19 July 2009 09:16 (ten years ago) link
Piano Teacher is fantastic so far and its definitely not stilted or awkward (which is I guess the prob with that translation?) but not being able to speak German I can't uh really comment on the quality of it, but it's a pleasure to read and the prose is beautiful.
― Michael_Pemulis, Tuesday, 21 July 2009 01:07 (ten years ago) link
I can't really comment, either - but I guess its a judgment on the erratic flow of the prose.
― xyzzzz__, Saturday, 25 July 2009 16:54 (ten years ago) link
Read a few novels and only Piano Teacher is something I want to return to. Then again the film is so good.
This does look amazing, a couple of her plays available in English with recordings of perfs too!
― xyzzzz__, Tuesday, 22 September 2015 22:07 (four years ago) link
Honegger just finished her translation of Jelinek's opus magnum, the 666 page novel "The Children of the Dead," to be published by Yale University Press. She is a Guggenheim and Fulbright/IFK Fellow.
I found out about this after looking at a review of a film of this book which was presented at the Berlin film fest.
― xyzzzz__, Thursday, 28 February 2019 14:25 (one year ago) link


text:
Jeff Ward: It's Time for Suburbs to Ban All Fire Pits!
Living in a suburban subdivision means the greater good must prevail.
After six-plus years of writing, I'm still confounded by exactly what will set some readers off. For example, I thought the column where I rewrote the Ten Commandments would require me to hire bodyguards, but the actual response was rather muted.
On the flip side, one paragraph of a relatively benign column unintentionally antagonized the entire Elgin Police force so much that I now drive like a saint through that city. And unless you're masochistic, I would advise against suggesting any improvements to your hometown summer festival.
Even when readers do get going on any particular topic, you can pretty much count on the impassioned responses dying out after a couple of days.
Except when it comes to fire pits.
The column in question was penned by Geneva resident and fire pit owner Colin Campbell on March 7, and the latest reader response came on July 17! I've never seen anything like it. Just when you think it's burning out, there's another heated response and the subject flares up again (puns intended)!
Given those amazing legs, I decided it was time to delve a bit further into this hot topic. (All right! I'll stop!) So I called every fire department and/or building department in our Patchland circle to determine the legality of and rules regarding permanent fire pits. Who knew researching a hole in the ground would turn out to be so fascinating?
As an aside, I'm convinced no one actually works for the city of Wheaton—just a series of fictional auto-attendant folks tied to voicemail. It took me 20 minutes to get a real city person on the phone.
Though regulations vary, there are many commonalities between our Patch cities. Where they're legal, most municipalities require some sort of building permit and specific setbacks from property lines. Thankfully, none of them allow residents to burn garbage, leaves or other yard waste.
Most limit fire-pit fuel to seasoned firewood. Burning construction materials like pressed wood, which contains arsenic, is never a good idea.
I was surprised that only Downers Grove had expressly rendered the pits illegal. Folks there can resort to the portable variety as long as they're screened in or have a chimney.
With those common caveats, they are allowed in Western Springs, Elmhurst, Burr Ridge, Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, St. Charles and Batavia. You can have one in Hinsdale, too, but it has to be an approved pit. Lisle requires the structure to be above ground for safety reasons.
They're also technically legal in Geneva and Clarendon Hills but only if you're using it to cook food and the flame is commensurate with the food you're cooking. In other words, sticking a marshmallow over your backyard bonfire won't work.
In fact, it was this Geneva ambiguity that prompted Mr. Campbell's appearance before the City Council, where he issued a plea for that group to go the way of Batavia by eliminating the cooking constraint. And I really didn't think much of it until those vitriolic replies to his article just kept coming.
I also asked our Patch cities if the pits were as contentious there as they've been here. DG Fire Marshal Mike Gill said the subject does tend to raise folks' hackles, as did Hinsdale and Lisle. Western Springs and Elmhurst specifically said they haven't been a problem. The others weren't sure.
Until now, I've recused myself from wading in on this issue because the vestiges of my youthful asthma make inhaling any kind of smoke a lung-clenching affair. When a nearby park district facility performs its spring controlled burns, if the wind's out of the south my breathing goes the same direction.
So considering that self interest, before providing any final pronouncement I deliberated on this fire pit issue as objectively as possible. Here's what I came up with!
When we walked out of that primordial forest and built those first structures on the plain, we traded some of our freedoms for that safer social structure. For any fledgling civilization to succeed, its members must regularly be willing to bow to the greater good (unlike our Washington politicians).
For example, we don't throw discarded mastodon bones into our neighbor's hut. We try to make our hut conform to the rest of our village. We don't walk down the main trail naked, and we certainly don't play the tom toms at full volume all day long.
Though I wish some of our Patch fire-pit responders displayed a bit more tact, they did make some very good points. And the first was that wood smoke, even the seasoned variety, ain't good for anyone. The logic behind so many local leaf-burning bans is the effect that exhaust has on the exponentially growing number of asthmatic children.
Another valid argument was the wood smoke smell sticks to everything in its path, including vinyl siding. Anyone who's ever sat downwind of a campfire can attest to that. And repeated fire-pit usage can make that odor permanent.
Is it really fair to subject any unwilling neighbor to that kind of smoke? Does that process significantly differ from inflicting a loud AC/DC marathon upon them? With our current municipal noise ordinances, that one would clearly be illegal.
I know it's not the same, but you can still use your indoor fireplace, install a non-polluting gas fire pit or move to a more-rural locale where open space eliminates the problem.
Considering the unspoken oath we all took when we moved into our Patch neighborhoods, and the fact that we can't control where the smoke goes, with all due apologies to Mr. Campbell, proximity makes it time to bid adieu to our ancestral practice of sitting around the fire pit—portable or permanent.
Related Topics: Jeff Ward, Patch, Suburbs, and fire pits
I'm terrified to ask this but, what are your thought on freedoms vs. the greater good? Tell us in the comments.
http://burrridge.patch.com/articles/jef ... -fire-pits


text:
SYNOPSIS:Luther Krank (Tim Allen) is fed up with the costs associated with Christmas and decides to skip it, planning instead a Caribbean cruise holiday with his wife Nora (Jamie Lee Curtis). The decision is made easier by their daughter Blair (Julie Gonzalo) being sent to Peru for Christmas by the Peace Corps. Luther manages to convince Nora to leave snowy Chicago and go on the sunny cruise, but when he refuses to buy a Christmas tree from the scouts, contribute to the police community fund or to put his illuminated frosted snowman on the roof like everyone else in the street, the neighbours are aghast and angry, as a battle of wills erupts. But then Blair phones with a change of planes and plans; she's coming home for the famous traditional Christmas Eve party after all - along with new fiance Enrique (Rene Lavan), and cranky Krank has to settle the dispute, organise a slap up celebration that is in keeping with the Hemlock Street traditions, as if nothing had happened.
Review by Louise Keller:There are a few good laughs in Christmas With The Kranks, largely due to the winning presence of Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis, but the film falls down in its core concept of dishing up guilt on a platter. The notion of bullying people into succumbing into the trappings of Christmas does not necessarily represent goodwill to all, and while the situations present good comic opportunities, the film ends up feeling rather manipulative and sugary.That's not to say there isn't fun to be had with The Kranks. I am still chuckling over the sight of Allen with an over-dose of botox and Curtis in an itzy bitzy bikini at the solarium, trying to hide her curves from the local minister who happens to be passing. Allen and Curtis make the most of every minute, as they hide from the neighbours and virtually become prisoners when they are made to feel mean.Based on John Grisham's novel, Skipping Christmas, Luther and Nora Krank decide to do just that, and spend the money set aside for cards, gifts, a tree and their traditional Christmas Eve party, on a self-indulgent Caribbean cruise. Why stay home, when everything is different now that daughter Blair (Julie Gonzalo) has left the nest and gone to Peru with the Peace Corps? Swapping galoshes for a tan never sounded so good. But what the Kranks don't count on is the hostility from the close-knit community led by Dan Aykroyd's Vic Frohmeyer, who has a dictator-like attitude about Christmas decorations, carol-singers and the two meter Frosty snowman who each year presides on the rooftop. Everybody's rooftop. As they are packing their suitcase, with neighbourhood hostilities at their peak, the phone rings and an excited Blair tells them she and her new fiancé will be home for Christmas, after all. Then it's a matter of doing what has already been undone. Getting a Hickory Honey Ham for the table and a beautiful Christmas tree when it is clearly too late, offers comedy situations (who would have ever thought of borrowing a neighbour's fully decorated tree?), and there's mayhem as Luther and Nora set about to create the traditional Christmas that Blair expects to find.If overkill is the intention, Chris Columbus' script has succeeded. Both he and director Joe Roth (America's Sweethearts) play it for laughs. By story's end, when sentimentality hones in and we feel totally manipulated, the idea of skipping Christmas and getting away from it all, sounds more and more appealing. Reverse psychology, perhaps. How much fun you will have with the Kranks depends on how easy-to-please you are feeling. It's a mindless holiday comedy, and Allen and Curtis are certainly in good form.Review by Andrew L. Urban:If it weren't for the appeal and talents of Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis, Christmas With The Kranks would be an even bigger bore than it is. Loud, brash and overstated, the film has all the downsides of a situation comedy and none of the upsides - like brevity. Even at a modest 98 minutes, the film plays like a two hour movie, without an ounce of subtlety. Everything is pushed to its unnatural limits, from the mother who gets hysterical with happiness at the mere sound of her daughter on the phone (never mind the heartbreak of not seeing her for 48 hours) to the pathetic neighbours who behave like Luther's stolen their reason for living by wanting to opt out of his Christmas.This frenetic tone - over something that is basically fake sentimentality and schmalz - is the headwind against which film's better instincts (and its stars) have to fight. Yes I can see that behind the fakery is a genuine intention to glorify man's finer nature, a sense of community and benevolence, but it shouldn't require a gushing fountain of situation gags to ram the message home. Perhaps if it weren't a one joke movie, it wouldn't be necessary to have the first half of the film as an endless loop of the joke.The joke is rather thin, too; after a few giggles, it turns into a lumpy burden. And what do you make of a community that bullies its members into conformity, with such hard hearted earnestness - whether it's about Christmas or not? The Nazi syndrome is just below the surface here, which only detracts from the jokey tone.But Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis bring their credibility and comedic instincts to their roles; Allen's reluctant bonhomie when fate conspires against him is the best thing in the film. There are a handful of comic scenes and some funny lines of dialogue, a frozen feline as a payoff to a running gag about Frank and his antipathetic relationship with the neighbouring cat, but the absence of anything resembling reality is a hindrance. Besides, I can only take so many songs (and versions of them) that jingle with White Christmas, Blue Christmas, Merry Christmas etc etc etc, before wanting to throttle the soundtrack, which also bristles with John Debney's garlanded score full of derivative cues that adorn musical Christmas cards or fanfares of tra la la. Skip it.
CRITICAL COUNTFavourable: 0Unfavourable: 1Mixed: 1
CAST: Tim Allen, Jamie Lee Curtis, Julie Gonzalo, Dan Aykroyd, Cheech Martin, Jake Busey, M. Emmett Walsh
PRODUCER: Michael Barnathan,Chris Columbua, Mark Radcliffe
DIRECTOR: Joe Roth
SCRIPT: Christopher Columbus (novel Skipping Christmas by John Grisham)
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Don Burgess
EDITOR: Nick Moore
MUSIC: John Debney
PRODUCTION DESIGN: Garreth Stover
AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTOR: Col TriStar
AUSTRALIAN RELEASE: December 2, 2004
VIDEO DISTRIBUTOR: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
VIDEO RELEASE: July 6, 2005