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This morning before the rain, we drove over to Fishkill to see the Van Wyck Museum Homestead. We were only able to walk the grounds as the museum is only open on Saturday and Sunday.
|Path to Victory Marker
|Bicentennial Monument & Resting Place of Indian Maiden
|Monument to lives lost
|Van Wyck Museum
Fishkill begins in1683 when merchants Rombout and Verplanck were given a grant of 85,000 acres. They bought the land from the peaceful Wappinger Indians for all the land they could see. After Rombout's death, his title passed to his daughter who was the wife of a British Naval Officer. In 1732 she sold 959 acres to Van Wyck who built a 3 room house.
The house was requisitioned by the Continental Army as officers' headquarters during the Revolutionary War. Many notables including Washington visited here as trials were held and orders issued for the army. It was also used as a quartermaster depot for outfitting the Continental Army. There were many structures on the land in the ensuing years and after the war, the house reverted to the Van Wyck owners with the descendants occupying for 150 years.
After the suicide of Sidney Van Wyck in 1882, the property fell into the ownership of two more families. The last family sold it to the Historical Society for $1.
New York played a very important role in the Revolutionary War as more than 1/3 of the battles were fought here.
We have visited on previous trips Fort Ticonderoga and Fort Stanwix as well as Washington's Headquarters in Newburgh and other historic sites. The Hudson River Valley played a pivotal role in determining the outcome of the war.
Brief Timeline of the War:
1774..New York Tea Party
1775..Americans capture Fort Ticonderoga and Crown Point
1776..British invade NYC
1777..Saratoga Campaign..the turning point
1778..Fortress West Point begins
1779..Battle at Stony Point
1780..Arnold-Andre Treason
1781..Siege of NYC and Battle of Yorktown
1782..New Windsor Cantonment
1783..British evacuate NYC
|Warrior Trading Path Plaque
Upon returning home, due to the rain and drop in temperature, we turned on the heat. Can you believe yesterday we were sweltering and today chilly.


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Publication of Integrity Garment Supply Chain Innovation Platform of GDTEX & HIKARI
It is hereby certified that Integrity Garment Supply Chain Innovation Platform of GDTEX & HIKARI was officially established on March 15, 2013. This innovation platform and team have been constructed.
1.1 Background of Innovation Platform
For China's textile industry in the background that the domestic labor and RMB constantly rise, the endurance of personnel engaged in textile with the high strength has declined, leading to constant decrease of personnel. And compared with the neighboring countries, such as Cambodia, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Vietnam which have low cost and currency exchange advantage, China's textile industry faces a big challenge. In such a premise, the president of Guangdong textile import and export Co., LTD. Yang Quanxing found the four major demands of customers and factories through research for many years. The four major demands of customers are to provide a competitive price, time delivery, to provide quality products and timely services. The four major demands of factories are long-term and stable orders, timely and accurate payment, order profit and anytime and anywhere help. Therefore, Integrity Garment Supply Chain Innovation Platform of GDTEX & HIKARI was established, which tailor for the customer's supply chain system by cooperating with equipment suppliers, banks, export credit insurance companies, and so on , to meet the needs of customers and factories.
1.2 Mutual Agreement
Under introduction of Mr Wang Jianxin, GDT reached full consensus with HIKARI after several discussion. And the two parties decided to establish an innovation platform named "GDT-HIKARI Innovation Platform of Integrity" in terms of Technology, Management, Service, Quality, Execution, Sustainability, Social Compliance and Marketing. Also we have set up innovation bases in HIKARI, GDT head office, GDT Shanghai Branch and all factories.
1.3 Rules of Innovation Platform
Innovation conference is held once every two months, with six sessions in a year. The people who participate in the innovation activities include the innovation team of GDTEX, the innovation team of HIKARI and all people in upstream and downstream of the supply chain of GDTEX. Through establishing innovation platform assessment committee, the assessment committee members recommend several "innovation star" in technology, management and service, execution, quality, environmental protection, social responsibility, marketing innovation through assessment conference, and elects annual innovation award, annual popularity innovation star award, annual company innovation award and reward them each year, promoting and sharing through a variety of media. For example, Through newspaper column, it promotes innovation star, and in each session, after the meeting, the innovation wall will be set in the specific area in the company and factories, with promotion by the company's WeChat public account, official website and etc.
1.4 Collection of innovation suggestions and assessment procedure
1.5 Assessment committee
The members of GDTEX's assessment committee: Yang Quanxing, Qiao Lu, Cheng Yijun, Huang Zhiqin, Hu Yonghua, Shao Linlin, Huang Jiani, Zhao Yulin, Du Ling, Hou Wensheng, Chen Yuewu, Huang Donghui, Wang Wenhua, Chen Zemin, Tan Hongbo, Xiong Weiwei, Zeng Wensheng, Deng Zhifa, He Huiqiu, Lai Shui, Lai Yuyan, Chen Weimin.
The members of HIKARI's assessment committee: Wu Liangjie, Zhou Songming, Zhao Yong, Chen Xiaodong, Yu Youshan, Duan Xuedong. In addition, we also invite the supplier representatives of Guangdong Textile to attend the assessment committee, including Wang Xiao, Shao Haijian, Qian Deping, Lu Daju, Yue Tao, Zhen Jinhuan.
1.6 Innovation Segmentation
After Integrity Garment Supply Chain Innovation Platform of GDTEX & HIKARI was set up in March, 2013, the development of the platform is divided into four stage, shown in the figure.
Technology innovation: takes customer order as standard. It constitutes high-efficiency equipment group to provide more competitive price for customers and let the factory get profit.
Management innovation: currently, the innovation platform suppliers solve four major problems for customers through the construction of innovation platform: providing a competitive price, timely delivery, quality products, timely services; solve the four major problems for factories: long-term and stable orders, timely and accurate payment, order profit, anytime and anywhere help. Closely following innovation platform, the innovation execution team is set up within the company; under the condition of the market downturn, for the company order, it makes effective incentive mechanism to improve employees' enthusiasm and capacity, and the departments formulate related processes for effective implementation and unification of all advantages, etc.
Service innovation: mainly revolves around how we make customers and factories moved; through moving customers, we make new customers become old customers, make old customers become loyal customers; at the same time, by moving factories, we make new factory into old factory, eventually become loyal factory. Each staff is anxious for what the customer is anxious for, think of what the customer thinks of, constantly passing move.
Quality Innovation: quality is divided into three stages: product quality, mean value quality and innovation quality. At present, the suppliers on the innovation platform truly implement quality control, and are responsible for the customer through the rectification of products. In view of the customer order, the links that easily cause problems to quality in process are changed to avoid problems. Through making good use of production record and report in the process of each link, it can play a crucial role to improve quality.
Execution Innovation: each enterprise has a lot of rules and regulations, and these rules and regulations may not be always remembered by executives and low-level employees. The people of generation after 80s and 90s don't like being constraint. Based on the characteristics of such social changes, the enterprise's basic law is made, to make each employee according write their own responsibilities and processes to each big customer. Through content improvement and convergence, the basic law has become intellectual property rights and treasure of the enterprise, and anyone's leave will not influence the development of the company.
Sustainability innovation: in the current society, air pollution and water pollution are extremely serious; in such bad environment, Guangdong Textile and even the whole supply chain make use of propaganda environmental protection concept, and make its propaganda to the supply chain on how to use environmental protection material and fuel, to request sewage treatment facilities must be set up. Within the company, it advocates environmental protection electricity use, air conditioning, battery, green travel, walking to work, etc., so as to enhance everyone in the supply chain to set up environmental protection concept and behavior.
Social Compliance innovation: is divided into three levels, namely, harmony, sustainable development and care for vulnerable groups. From the first level, harmony first is personal harmony, namely, takes care of staff's health; it can take employee check-up, parent-child games and other activities to make employees keep physical and mental health good. Second, it is family harmony, inviting family members of employees to visit the company, so as to understand the nature of the work and pressure of employees and to offer support to employees. Third, it is team harmony. The mutual concern and care for each other makes the team atmosphere harmonious. Fourth, it is corporate harmony. The harmonious company can retain talent, and then achieve social harmony, ultimately achieve national harmony. From the second level, can namely, sustainable development, is embodied in the sustained growth of production capacity. The third level is care for vulnerable groups, to help poor children and people out of poverty to get rich, and get rid of pain.
Marketing innovation: our ancestors left a word "Confucianism". All marketing is developed to meet the needs of people; whether it is product features marketing, profit model, marketing, green marketing, cultural marketing, health marketing, training marketing, expanding marketing, all are around the needs of people. So marketing is one of the most important profit means and sources to get access to market; if there is no marketing, several major innovations mentioned above are all meaningless, so it is to implement company's marketing and profit to achieve the development of the company.
1.7 Execution Team of Innovation Platform
From each unit, it elects employees with the most innovation, organization, power and responsibility to bear to form the innovation personnel team. These staffs are also the main personnel to dock with the innovation service. Innovation platform informs innovation platform' related conventions, regulations, policies and regulations, rules through innovation personnel. After years of development, innovation personnel have become the important channels of publicity in the eight areas of innovation platform (technology, management, service, quality, execution, Sustainability, Social Compliance, and marketing).

subset: commoncrawl


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1- Proper and full implementation of EVAW law in the courts and other legal entities.
2- Change of legal marriage age from 16 years to 18 years.
3- Prevention of child and force marriages and punishing the culprits.
4- Removal of Claus 2 of article 39 of EVAW law and giving the responsibility to government to follow a criminal case.
5- Reducing the time for divorce based on absence of husband from three years to one year.
6- Punishing the culprits of violence even in the absence of demand from the victim.
7- Punishing the culprits of stalking.
8- Based on the regulation 1133 of the supreme court of Afghanistan, runaway is not a crime if it is done to escape violence but the person should refer to government, NGOs that provides social services or close relatives house, other wise it will assume that zina has taken place and the person will be punished. Our request from the government is that the regulation should be such that the woman escaping from violence could take shelter anywhere she feels safe and should not be considered a crime unless an ethnical crime has taken place.
9- Including a clause for moral crimes and the punishment for it in the EVAW law.
10- The courts and judiciary must give priority to cases of violence against women.
11- Hiring professional lawyers and judges in the court and judiciary.
12- The government should guarantee its support to women victims of violence after they get their divorce.
13- The government should provide free psychosocial assistance to women victims of violence.
14- The government should provide educational facilities to women survivors of violence.
15- The government should provide job opportunities to women survivors of violence.
16- The government should include information from national and international laws on women rights in the school and university curriculum.
17- A national call for tender (with a strict verification of the characteristics of the proponents and evaluation of projects) to put money on awareness raising projects directed to men and women in the communities, taking as a central message "there is no excuse for violence against women" and "men should be accountable for their violent behaviors against women and girls", and "women are entitled as men are of human rights"... implemented through the direct participation of people
18- A specific awareness raising strategy to involve mullahs and religious authorities in the same subjects.
19- A serious and documented follow up of cases solved by mediation.
20- National system of founding for NGOs Antiviolence Centers to guarantee continuity of the service over time, putting rules on requirements/characteristics of the center.
21- A national call for tender (with a strict verification of the characteristics of the proponents and evaluation of projects) to put money on capacities building training for women connected with the labour market, to find a job after the training.


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The protein on the loose weight loss fare started out as a considerate of advisable diet for those near celiac illness. However, due to the start of diet fads, the gluten for nothing weight loss fare became accepted even those who are not diagnosed near the malady. A lot of inhabitants are self-diagnosing only just so they can buy gluten-free products and set off losing weight. Remember that a lack of consciousness of diets can lead to complications and edge personal estate that may even lead to much weight indefinite quantity so past track and field into the trend of the protein free of charge weight loss diet, sort confident that you are the right way au courant on what it can do for you.
The cause next to upset disease
Gluten is a protein part that can be found on barley, oats, triticale, wheat, and grains. A human next to celiac illness has a stunted internal organ that is moody to protein. In fact, even minuscule portions of protein can origin them impair. There are no renowned causes for the virus but it is believed that location are biological and genetic factors mixed up. There is unmoving no answer but it can be managed with a gluten-free diet. If near untreated, it can metallic element to a mixed bag of disorders suchlike osteoporosis, malnutrition, and infertility.Post ads:
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What the diet can do
The gluten discharged weight loss diet contributes to the salvage of the paltry intestine as capably as in aiding in the incorporation of earth-shattering nutrients. With this diet, you have nothing to do with all types of sustenance that have rye, grain gluten, and wheat. Examples of foods we respect to eat but contain protein are breads, pizza, pasta, milkshake repast cereals, bagels, and dotty. Oats are likewise avoided and you have the option whether to ward off or demarcate your ingestion of milk. Beer products, non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages are as well avoided.
What you can eatPost ads:
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With a gluten on the loose weight loss diet, you can static eat any of the behind food products since they of course do not have gluten:
1. Fresh, dried, canned, or glaciated fruits and vegetables as protracted as they do not have deepening ingredients and additives that have gluten.
2. Starches and flours made from rice, soybeans, tapioca, corn, and buckwheat.
3. Dairy products like food. However, shirk these products at the origin of your behaviour for celiac sickness.
4. Eggs
5. Alcoholic beverages like-minded inebriant and spirits like brandy, whiskey, ciders, and liquers.
6. Unprocessed meat products
7. Frozen or recorded meat products, provided that they do not have any sauce.
8. Cereal products made from corn, lentil flour, grain bran, amaranth, legume flour, psyllium, and cornmeal mush.
9. Rice crackers, grain crispies, corn tortillas, taco shells ready-made from corn.
10. Gluten-free pasta, bean or food grain vermicelli, buckwheat noodles, and food grain noodles.
11. Condiments suchlike tomato paste, jam, honey, cocoa, vinegar, honey, tahini, and more than a few salad dressings and sauces.
12. Snacks similar to unsophisticated corn chips, down-to-earth chocolate, and maize.
13. Drinks close to coffee, tea, limestone water, and hard liquor.
A few precautions
Be particular when purchasing foods that are regarded as as "wheat-free" because it does not needfully mean that they are gluten-free. When purchase food, publication the ingredients on the labels and be alive of the kinds of masked protein close to those that can be saved in contrary diet additives and medications. Also, be mindful that at hand are products that have "modified feed starch" scrivened on their labels because they may contain protein.
Do not self-diagnose
Never self-diagnose that you have disorder sickness. Before going on a gluten complimentary weight loss diet, clear firm to watch near your general practitioner initial. Only your surgeon can springiness you the proper designation by viewing that your internal organ protective cover is riddled done endoscopy, blood tests, or by performing a diagnostic assay on your intestine. More importantly, it is well-advised that you do not go on a protein clear weight loss fare before going to the surgeon for a valid diagnosing.
Stuff to remember
The protein escaped fare may come across a bittie amazing at initial. However, near sufficient knowledge, data and support, you can incorporate the diet into your mode short any problems. Having upset illness does not parsimonious you have to conclude eating majority of your favourite foods because despite respective restrictions, you can unmoving wallow in a multiplicity of foods integrated in the fare. Furthermore, if you stipulation more than records on upset sickness and gluten at large diets, you can ask a gastroenterologist, your doctor, or a attributable/licensed dietitian or dietitian.


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Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) can be a very unnerving problem for many women. The normal menstrual cycle ranges from 21 to 35 days with a period lasting 2-8 days without bleeding in between periods. AUB is bleeding at times other than during a normal period or may be heavy bleeding during your period. Some of the more common causes of AUB are:
- Pregnancy
- Dysfunctional uterine bleeding
- Obesity
- Fibroids
- Infection (cervix, endometrium)
- Endometrial polyps
- Cervical polyps
- Bleeding disorders
- Adenomyosis
- Oral contraceptives (birth control)
- Vaginal trauma
- Thyroid problems
- Hyperprolactinemia
- Ovarian tumors
- Cancer (cervical, uterine, ovarian)
Certain blood tests, pelvic ultrasound, and tissue biopsies (cervical, endometrial) may be performed to aid in diagnosing the cause of the AUB. Occasionally, a hysteroscopy may be recommended to further evaluate the cause of bleeding, especially in postmenopausal women.


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Global led lighting and TV technology manufacturing leader Gecey has been hard at work during the last 5 years to establish a prominent global customer base that expands to every corner of the world and with this aim, Gecey has been participating in various notable international exhibition, expos and trade fairs. By becoming a part of such events, Gecey is able to provide the attendees a chance to experience their innovative, technologically advanced line of products including LED televisions, cheap monitors and plexiglass sheet technology.
Keeping the needs of their clients first is one of Gecey's core values, for them it is important to interact with their clients, learn about their needs and deliver the high standard products their clients deserve. "Our core values are honesty, responsibility, innovation, teamwork and client first, and our greatest glory is clients' trust and praise. It is always a pleasure to meet our clients and prospective clients at exhibitions and expos to have a chance to interactive with them face to face. In the future, each of our employees will keep our core values in mind to work hard continuously to win over more clients," Gecey spokesperson said of their past experiences.
The international exhibitions, fairs and expos usually welcome attendees from all over the globe to experience the current and future trends of the world of technology, such events present companies a golden chance to display their work and draw the attention of a global audience.
The selection of products Gecey is exhibiting at CeBIT includes the revolutionary range of led tv for sale , cheap monitors, plexiglass sheets. One of the most popular products that always manage to capture the attention of the attendees is the Curved LED TV. Gecey produces all sizes of led TV including HD LED TVs, full HD TVs in various sizes such as the 22 inch, led TV 32 inch, TV 32 inch, led TV 40 inch and larger. The clients are impressed by Gecey's TV affordability and the high standard of quality that is backed by various certification of quality, for example UL , TUV, ROHS and so on.
Today, Gecey enjoys a strong global customer base.
Established over 5 years ago, Gecey is quickly becoming a leader in global led backlit panel, light box, panel light , led tube , acrylic , led monitor and led TV industry based in China. For more information, please visit: http://gecey.com/
Media Contact:
Company: Gecey
Telephone: +86-755-28437301
Address: Fl.3 No.14-1 Tongqing Road,Tongle District, Long Gang Town, Shenzhn City, China
Email: [email protected]


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I have 2 windows XP on the same drive and I want to remove 1.
My first windows XP pro has corrupted and became inaccessible and I couldn't remove it so I have installed a second windows XP pro.
When the corrupted loads it become all black and nothing happens.
I did a test and took repair the first windows. It loaded to the intro and stops there.
No way to fix it further so How do I get rid of it (as deleting it) without having to format my hard drive or removing my working Windows XP pro?
It just clog the hard drive and wastes like over a 1GB.
Just boot into the working installation of Windows XP and delete it as you would any other files.
I tried to delete it manually from the working windows it wont let me delete it.
because the Flash9d,ocx says access is denied
When I was trying to delete the whole folder by right click / delete.
There's some files cannot be deleted it will say access denied.
So what I do?
Enter the folder and delete all the (deletable files)?
Assuming your first installation is on 'C' drive and you new installation is on a second partition, the deleting the first partition will delete your boot partition and prevent the new installation from booting. Even if you 'repair' the install to boot again, you will still have unused disk space BEFORE the current running partition and you will not be able to merge into the active partition. With aftermarket software, you might be able to 'slide' the partition forward on the disk, and then enlarge the partition and THEN 'repair' windows. BUT I think it SAFER to just back up your data and FORMAT your entire hard drive, and reinstall fresh/clean, it will also be easier and less trouble in the long run. 'bite-the-bullet' do it right.
Will take too long.
But is there a way to remove some files from the windows.
Like removing stuff without deleting vital stuff that control what you've mention?
I dunno much about its important parts.
Maybe could be system / system32.
The new Windowxp was installed from scratch and is on a different folder called (NWINDOWS)
Is it on the same partition, or on a separate partition? If it is on the same partition, that would be highly unusual. In that case, you could boot from a Linux CD (not install, just run in RAM) and delete the files from outside of windows, but you would have to be careful with any files that might be shared with both installations. I still believe you might be better off backing up, formatting, and reinstalling everything correctly.


text: Digital Art California called me for their wide open digital exhibition 2012 . It is much gratifying for me. Keeps me alive like these message to draw my dreams, thank you for them. Anyway, I sent to them my five digital artworks. When I was choosing, I tried to choose different shapes, deepness, colors and meaningfull code art styles. I hope that people like my five drawings (below), who knows maybe they call me to live in California : )


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December 7: Sixteen Days to Die!
The Imperial Japanese Navy attacked the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, near Honolulu, Hawaii on Dec. 7, 1941 at 7:48 a.m. Hawaiian time. The surprise attack lasted two hours–two hours that "will live in infamy." The base was attacked by 353 fighter planes, bombers, and torpedo planes in two waves that were launched from six aircraft carriers. Eight U.S. Navy battleships were damaged and four were sunk and 188 U.S.
aircraft were destroyed; 2,403 Americans were killed and 1,178 others were wounded. All battleships except the USS Arizona were later raised, and six were returned to service and went on to fight in the war.
Within seven hours, the Japanese Navy made coordinated attacks on Guam, Philippines, Wake Island, Malaya, Singapore, etc. The world was burning as the light of freedom flickered all over the globe.
The USS West Virginia, known as "WeeVee" was moored next to the USS Tennessee and just ahead of the USS Arizona. The West Virginia was blasted with nine torpedoes resulting in extensive damage on her port side. She burned for thirty hours and sank in the harbor. The USS Oklahoma, just ahead of the West Virginia, was immediately sunk.
Jack Miller, Clifford Olds, Frank Kosa were on liberty from the West Virginia and spent Saturday night at the "Monkey Bar." in Pearl City. A barmaid took their picture with a cheap camera and offered it for sale but the three very young sailors refused to buy it. In the photo, Clifford Olds was smiling with his friends; a Camel cigarette between his fingers.
That photo was the last photo of Clifford Olds and within a few hours, he and two friends, Ronald Endicott and Buddy Costin would be in an airtight compartment with limited oxygen, little food, and be dead in sixteen days. The young sailor in the photo didn't know that he was sixteen days from eternity.
Pearl Harbor was a nightmare with explosions continuing, men crying for help, oil burning on the water, ambulances whining in and out of the base. The top brass were fearful of another attack from an invading force so marines were stationed as guards at appropriate places.
It was late the next day when the West Virginia's fires were extinguished and Marine guards were posted on the shoreline of Ford Island, next to "Battleship Row." The guards standing near the West Virginia wreckage heard "bang, bang" coming from the bow of the ship. The clanging could not always be heard because of the rescue crews and the abnormal noises from all the rescue and cleanup activity. WeeVee Marine Bugler Dick Fiske recalled, "When it was quiet you could hear it…bang, bang, then stop. Then bang, bang, pause. At first I thought it was a loose piece of rigging slapping against the hull." But it was three desperate men crying for help–help that would never come.
The Marine guards were horrified at knowing someone was still alive and trapped inside the wrecked hull. Everyone knew it was almost impossible to rescue them because the drills and torches would ignite the ever-present gasses. Also, the military brass had many other emergencies that demanded their attention, not the least was the possibility of an invasion. The Marines standing guard covered their ears. They were totally helpless which only added to their horror.
Following the revelation of the desperate and hopeless cries for help, no one wanted guard duty close to the dead ship and dying sailors. It was especially unnerving on quiet nights without the normal noise. The Marines would do anything to trade posts so they wouldn't have to hear the banging.
The banging went on until it stopped on Christmas Eve–then silence.
In late spring 1942, Navy salvage teams finally started work on the West Virginia and found Olds, Endicott, and Costin sitting on the floor completely surrounded by water, 40 feet down. Batteries, food wrappers, etc., were scattered around the compartment. They also noticed a calendar marked with large Xs with the last one on Dec. 23. Members of the salvage team wept as they surveyed the tragedy. The other dead at Pearl died terrible but fast deaths; but these three helpless, hopeless, and hapless men took sixteen days to die.
The military authorities told their families these sailors were killed in "the war in the Pacific." Many years later, family members of the three heard about their deaths but refused to inform the parents. All three tombstones list their deaths as taking place on December 7, 1941; however, they really died just before Christmas as Americans were buying toys, trees, and tinsel for a subdued Christmas celebration while the world was on fire.
These men are among the representatives of the Greatest Generation and the reason we are a free people eating ham and turkey for Christmas dinner instead of sushi.
Boys' book Muslim Invasion: The Fuse is Burning! is available here. An eBook edition is also available.
Muslim Invasion
The Fuse is Burning!
by Don Boys, Ph.D.
Muslin Invasion: The Fuse is Burning! is an interesting, informative, and for the politically correct and infuriating read. Islam, Muslims, immigration, Jihad, Sharia, and the war against our civilization, culture, and creed is a present reality. Gutless public officials are selling us short either by complicity with the enemy or due to a doctrinaire commitment to idiotic tolerance ideology. Whatever the case, citizens must stand up against the invasion now before it is to late. The author suggests that the fuse is burning and the results will end in a complete upheaval of America and every free nation, unless we act now. Forget the lame stream media. Forget Obama. Common sense mandates, our very survival demands that we act NOW to keep America from going off the cliff; This book promises to be a life changing read.
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Live updates
- ITV Report
Boris's dream of being Prime Minister just got a boost
The Ipsos-MORI survey for the Evening Standard shows a leap in support for the Tories if London's mayor replaced David Cameron as leader.Read the full story ›
- ITV Report
Comedian Eddie Izzard planning to run for London mayor
Eddie Izzard has said he is ready to take the flak for wanting to pursue a career in politics.Read the full story ›
VIDEO: Boris helps out after scooter accident
This scooter driver had two early morning shocks - one having an accident on his way to work in Southwark, the other being helped off the road by London Mayor Boris Johnson.
Poll: Johnson favoured over main political leaders
Influential Britons view Boris Johnson far more positively than the leaders of the three main political parties, according to a new YouGov poll.
The findings come from a monthly survey of UK opinion formers, drawn from politics, business, media, academia, non-governmental organisations and the public sector.
- ITV Report
Boris sews a 'codpiece' in clothing factory cock-up
The gaffe-prone Mayor of London struggled with a sewing machine at a clothing factory before declaring the finished garment a "codpiece".Read the full story ›
Boris Johnson is 'absolutely not' planning return as MP
London Mayor Boris Johnson has said that he has "absolutely" no plans to return to the House of Commons, after reports that a Conservative MP offered to sacrifice his seat for him to take on Prime Minister David Cameron.
Mr Johnson said being Mayor was the "best job in British politics and it's what I want to do".
Boris' spokesman dismisses 'fanciful' report
Boris Johnson's spokesman dismissed a report that claimed Conservative MP Zac Goldsmith offered his safe seat to the London Mayor, calling it "fanciful".
Mr Johnson's spokesman said today:
It's no surprise that the Mayor has met and will continue to meet those who share his concerns over the lack of aviation capacity in London and the SouthEast.
But the story in question is without doubt fanciful.
It's no secret the Mayor opposes the building of a third runway, he was re-elected opposing any such notion, he'll continue to oppose any such notion, and he'll be doing it as Mayor of London.
The Mayor believes the Government's announcement of an Independent Commission has at least re-opened the debate on aviation capacity.
That gives him the opportunity to demonstrate why Heathrow expansion isn't the answer, and the creation of a new 4 runway hub airport is.
The Mayor will be doing both in the weeks and months ahead
Four Mayor of London candidates take part in ITV1 debate
Four candidates to become Mayor of London on May 3 are taking part in a debate hosted by Alastair Stewart on ITV1.
They are the incumbent Conservative Boris Johnson, Labour's Ken Livingstone, Liberal Democrat Brian Paddick and the Green Party's Jenny Jones.
London mayoral debate to be broadcast tonight on ITV1
ITV News' Alastair Stewart will host a debate this evening between candidates vying to be elected Mayor of London on May 3.
They will be incumbent Conservative Boris Johnson, Labour's Ken Livingstone, Liberal Democrat Brian Paddick and the Green Party's Jenny Jones.
An audience of Londoners will ask the questions in the race to win the contest.
You can find out more about the Mayoral race and its candidates here.
The Battle for London - The Mayoral Debate will be broadcast on ITV1 at 10:35pm


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Promise MeBook - 2010
Beth Cardall's life was falling apart: her six-year-old daughter, Charlotte, was suffering from an unidentifiable illness; her marriage transformed from a seemingly happy and loving relationship to one full of betrayal and pain; her job was increasingly at risk; and she had lost her ability to trust, to hope, or to believe in herself. Then, on Christmas day, Beth encountered Matthew.
Publisher: New York : Simon & Schuster, 2010
Characteristics: viii, 334 p. ; 19 cm
From the critics
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Richard is right, this book is not for everyone... the crooker relationship is too much to absorb.
krundquist5 Dec 15, 2011
I only read about 2 chapters; Krista finished the book. Said it was a strange story. Turned out to be about time travel. I didn't finish it.
Kind of sad, but sad things are more interesting. It has a very complicated romance, that has a bad turn-out as the characters know it. Good book
This was my first book written by this author and surprised to see it is written well and as good as any other writer. Good job!
amberley Jan 04, 2011
A quick and excellent read with a wonderful surprise!
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Realization:In my attempts to try and get my book published I've found that I don't really believe I will get published by a publishing house. Realizing that I felt this way I needed to figure out how I felt about my future as a writer. I realized that a writer is a writer, I can't change it, so what am I going to do if I feel so put out and negative about the publishing world?
Decision:I decided that I would try to get an agent for a little while longer but if I can't get an agent for any of my books, I'm going to try out self-publishing (if you want something done right, do it yourself.) Besides I've read that a lot of publishing houses won't do any promotion for a lot of book. This being the case, even if I got published without an agent, then I would have to do all of the promotion myself anyways. So, why get a publishing house to publish a book at all if they don't do their jobs most of the time?
Plan:As soon as I'm done with sending agents for all of my books, (and I'll let my patience decide how long to keep that up.) If I get an agent, I'll cut the deal and let them do their job. If all of my books are rejected by all of the agents I can find then I'll save money to publish my books myself.
In the meantime:While I'm sending out queries to agents, I'll try to build a fan base on-line, that way when I do publish my books someone out there will want to buy (and possibly read) my book.
Please follow my blog and friend me on facebook where I keep an update on all of my progress with my books and my blog. Thanks for your support.


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Copy of Control Room 24/7 Significant growth for security firm CES
CES Security's combined service offer of manned guarding and electronic security is proving popular with customers across different industries, and across the country, as the company announces new business growth of 2 per cent in the second quarter of 2017. CES's tailored solutions – including its own remote security operations centre – mean it is not limited by sector and it has been able to secure contracts with the manufacturing and distribution sector, as well as publishing, food production and construction companies. The development is in line with CES's plan for substantial growth in 2017, and it has won contracts in Canary Wharf, Rainham Essex, as well as in its home county of Essex.
Y0rdans Uzunov CES Technical Director said, "We have made substantial investments in our commercial department and supporting structure to drive our targeted growth, and are delighted to see this surge in demand.
"Manned guarding makes up a significant part of these new contracts, and we are expanding our workforce to meet the increased demand. We are also able to complement this solution with our electronic options. We self-design, install, maintain and remotely operate all our systems and are experts at delivering the blended solution of electronic and people power.
"Our Designed Solution pricing model has also been popular with many of our new clients. By removing the need for Capital Expenditure for the system installation and spreading the costs throughout the length of the contract, we're able to meet our clients' needs without them having to use their budget upfront."


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Former Shelby Mayor Ted Alexander will move on to the general election for the N.C. Senate District 44 race after defeating incumbent David L. Curtis and newcomer Martin Oakes.
Curtis managed to top Alexander and Oakes in Lincoln County, but a strong lead in Cleveland County helped Alexander secure the Republican nomination.
�It�s still sinking in here. I�m just so gratified by all the support I received from friends and folks from all over the district,� Alexander said.
Alexander also took the majority in the small portion of Gaston County that falls within the district.
Alexander comes from a professional background in economic and community development and previously served two terms as mayor of Shelby.
He is the Western Regional Director for Preservation North Carolina and previously served as the chairman of the 10th Congressional District for the North Carolina GOP.
The 2018 election marks the start of a newly redrawn District 44, with the seat now�representing Cleveland and Lincoln counties, along with two precincts in�northeastern Gaston County.
Prior to the redrawing, District 44 was comprised of Lincoln County and parts of Gaston and Iredell counties. Curtis was first elected in 2012, and has served three terms as state senator for District 44 under the prior map.
Alexander will now turn to the general election, where he will be up against Democrat David Lee Lattimore of Cleveland County.
�I look forward to the general election in November,� Alexander said. �I think we�ll have a lot of support during that as well. I think we�re going to do very well then, but we�ll just have to keep working.�
Casey White can be reached at 704-669-3339 or firstname.lastname@example.com.


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After reviewing Breath of Life: God as Spirit in Judaism, Paraclete Press graciously allowed me to review other books in their Holy Spirit series (You can read my original review of Breath of Life here). For my second review from the series, I read a book reflecting on protestant views of the Holy Spirit. As a Protestant, this is where I live, so some of it was familiar terrain. Yet I appreciated Edmund Rybarcyzk's guidance in exploring the history of Protestant thought on the Spirit.
Rybarczyk, an ordained Assemblies of God minister, Associate Professor of historic and Systematic Theology at Vanguard University and former managing editor of Pneuma: The Society for Pentecostal Studies, presents here a broad overview of protestant understanding of the Holy Spirit by profiling different protestant theologians. With the exception of chapter two (which focuses on the 16th Century Anabaptists), each of the chapters profiles different protestant theologians and examines their contribution to our understanding of the Holy Spirit. The chapters are as follows:
1. Martin Luther
2. The Sixteenth Century Anabaptists
3. John Wesley
4. Friedrich Schleiermacher
5. Abraham Kuyper
6. Karl Barth
7. J. Rodman Williams
8. Jurgen Moltmann
9. Wolfhart Pannenberg
10. Clark Pinnock
11. Michael Welker
This list, though not exhaustive or comprehensive does hit many key theologians who reflected on the reality of the Spirit. Personally my list would have also included Calvin (whose understanding of the sacraments was that the Spirit mediated the presence of Christ in the ecclesia), Pietists and some Anglican theologians, and Miroslav Volf, but as a whole, Rybarczyk's group has a nice balance between Lutherans, Reformed and free church theologians and so provides a nice balance overall.
Rybarczyk's outline traces the history of Protestant pneumatology. In the first half of the book (Luther to Barth) traces the story from Luther's musing on the nature of salvation, protestant accounting for subjective 'spiritual' experience, and reflection on God's personhood and sovereignity. The second half of the book shows how in the late 20th Century, Pneumatology explored different avenues and directions.
The Story Rybarczyk tells begins with Luther's musings on the nature of salvation and sanctification and the Spirit's role. The Anabaptists, Wesley and Schleiermacher each, though in significantly different ways, talked about how the Spirit mediated the felt, subjective experience of the faith (i.e. Spirit guiding believers, sanctifying us, and 'God-consciousness). Kuyper responded to this subjectivity by emphasizing the cosmic scope of the Spirit's work in transforming culture for the common good. He also emphasized the historicity and objective elements of the Christian faith and argued that the Spirit made these 'subjectively alive.' Barth in turn, also reacted against the subjectivity of Schleiermacher by approaching theology from above, focusing on God and Trinity and God's sovereignty in salvation. According to Barth, believers share in God's story by being baptized by the Spirit into Jesus's identity and story, His community and his mission.
In the late 20th Century saw the maturation of pentecostal and Charismatic scholarship as exemplified by the Reformed Charismatic theologian J. Rodman Williams who explored the experiential dimension of life in the Spirit. Moltmann further probes the cosmic and contextual understandings of the Spirit's work in this world. Pannenberg's approach upholds the Spirit's creative work his approach is more rationalistic and far less subjective than any of the other theologians in this study and he cautions an over emphasis on the Spirit to the exclusion of Jesus (both are central). Pinnock's approach blurs categories and draws an expansive vision of the Spirit's work in creation and redemption. Welker doesn't restrict his reflection on the Spirit to Biblical revelation (as would Barth) or theological literature, but seeks to discern the Spirit's presence with science and philosophy. Moltmann, Pannenberg, Pinnock and Welker are all ecumenical and expansive in their exploration of the Spirit.
This book provides quite a survey of protestant visions of the Spirit! I found it helpful, even though the size of the book and accessibility of its prose, dictated that the exploration of each thinker was much more general than it was in-depth. At times I found Rybarczyk's theological eye oversimplified historical matters (as in the case with his brief chapter on the wildly divergent 16th century Anabaptists). But in the main, he was fair and judicious in his analysis of each thinker's theology of the Spirit. Certainly I have flagged several of these theologians to delve into more deeply as I seek to deepen my understanding and experience of the Spirit.


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I don't own a hammock. When I want to cat nap in the sun, ride the waves of repose, cradle, I walk to the parking lot. It's downhill – a slope in the city, at the river's edge. I walk to the parking lot and climb onto the hood of my Truck. Leg up, give a bit of a hop. I look like a little kid, I'm sure. And here's my hammock: back against the windshield, noodle arms loose, legs long and lounged, feet that almost reach the end of muh sexy boy's snout. He holds me. My Truck. I'm sculpted perfectly for the hood. And I rest under I-64 and watch the barges on the river move mountains of coal from behind my sunglasses. Hear the traffic up above like waves, like a conch shell to your ear and your eyes closed. This is how I do peace.
Hammocks are shaped like 1994 Ford Rangers. This is also the same shape as my heart.
(My heart is shaped like a truck is shaped like a hammock? Sure.)
In a tunnel I can hear his voice – my Truck, Daniel – the sound of his engine reverberating along the walls, the waves making a circle around us. It's a bluish purple thing in my ears, in my chest – the color of a V6 4.0 (please take a few seconds to be envious, yes). It's not a purr or a growl or anything catlike – he rumbles, murmurs. It's geological. He makes a drum in my chest, colors the inside of my whole brain in the purple indigo. And then Etta James plays in every single nerve-ending that I posses. I am made of jazz. Daniel runs on jazz.
So: the sound of traffic is an ocean. The sound of my Truck engine is jazz. Small parts of the ocean could, therefore, be made of jazz. And I hear it all. All the sound-waves. And tonight, all of us can hear this:
Launching this eve with the first episode, Car Trouble (I don't have this), 89.3 WFPL will begin a nightly radio fiction series that brings together two writers and one common theme as writers treat the airwaves to a reading of their short fiction. Called Unbound , the first season starts at 7pm, airing weeknights June 17 – 28.
Tonight's debut, Car Trouble (again, I reiterate, I completely lack this), will spotlight the writers Frank Bill and Jamieson Ridenhour, as the pair choose selections from their work that compliment the theme. Upcoming episodes for this week will include Nightclub Jitters with Justin Torres and Holly Goddard Jones, Bad Luck Charms with Patrick Wensick and Gwenda Bond and Crime and Punishment with Roxane Gay and Alex Taylor. A full list can be found on the 89.3 WFPL website. All stories will be available online the day after they air.
Tune in tonight for a dose of literary listening. Somewhere in the city I'll probably have my ear pressed to my Truck hood – a conch – my heart sizzling like a snare drum, throbbing with music. If you ever asked me to read my work over the radio, I would just play the sound of my Truck engine in a tunnel.
Image: Courtesy of WFPL website www.wfpl.org


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Episode 193: We finally come to the end of the book of Revelation. Here we find several challenges to the city. Tune in as I provide one final chapter of clarity to an often confusing book. Plus, a wrap-up, wrap-down of a few principles we learn from the book of Revelation.
Category Archives: Revelation
Revelation 21
Episode 192: Our typical interpretation of Revelation 21 & 22 is that this is heaven. However, I challenge that view in this episode. If John is not talking about heaven, what is he talking about? Tune in as I explain the vision.
Question of the Day: Is Satan real?
Revelation 20
Episode 191: The millennial reign of…who? Must be chapter 20 of Revelation. The book of Revelation begins to wind down very rapidly and the 1,000 years figure shows up a lot. Tune in as I bring clarity to oft misunderstood (and exploited) passage.
Question of the Day: What do Catholics believe?
Revelation 19
Episode 189: God has issued his judgment concerning Rome (i.e. Babylon). Now comes the Word of God out of heaven to execute that judgment. Battle lines are drawn up for the Battle of Armageddon and then…tune in to hear what happens.
Question of the Day: What do Mormons really believe (part 1)?
Revelation 18
Episode 188: There's all kinds of noise in Revelation 18 as angel's decree the judgment of Rome and as the various people on earth mourn over the destruction of Rome. What about the people of God? Tune in and note the contrast between the mourning of "those who dwell upon the earth" and the saints of God.
Question of the Day: Is the Bible historically reliable (part 2)?
Revelation 17
Episode 187: Revelation 17 unveils for us the identity of the nation or empire which will be judged by God and His wrath poured out upon them: Rome. With heavy emphasis on Old Testament prophecy (esp. Daniel 7), John, by means of angelic interpreter, describes the nation precisely and reveals history before it happens.
The Seven (7) Heads (+ 1) in Revelation 17:
1. Augustus
2. Tiberius
3. Gaius (AKA Caligula)
4. Claudius
5. Nero ("was")
[3 usurpers who are not counted: Galba, Otho, Vitellius)
6. Vespasian ("is")
7. Titus ("is to come…for a little while")
8. Domitian (the beast)
Question of the Day: Is the Bible historically reliable (part 1)?
Revelation 16
Episode 185: Finally, the seven (7) bowls of God's wrath are poured out upon the earth as God executes judgment upon Rome. Rome will experience the full wrath of God. Also, there is an interesting set-up for the battle of Armageddon. What is the battle of Armageddon? Tune in as I provide clarity to an oft misunderstood battle.
Question of the Day: Other religions have their sacred writings; what makes the Bible so special?


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Adidas has escalated its already existing legal battle with Skechers USA over athletic sneaker designs, filing a patent infringement lawsuit against the American footwear brand. In its complaint, which was filed in U.S. District Court in Portland, Oregon on Monday, adidas alleges that Skechers willfully infringed two patents related to adidas' Springblade, design a three-year-old design whose midsole includes blades meant to help propel runners forward, with its similar "Mega Flex" shoe.
The German sportswear giant, which has been on a bit of a litigation spree over the past year, in particular, claims that Skechers developed its Mega Flex shoes, including the Mega Blade 2.0 and Mega Blade 3.0, as blatant "takedowns" copies of the Springblade technology without the cost of creating it. "This pattern of unlawful behavior and freeloading in the industry is outrageous and must end," adidas, said in a statement after the lawsuit's filing. "We will take every legal measure possible to protect and defend our innovations." Skechers spokeswoman Jennifer Clay said the Manhattan Beach, California-based company does not comment on pending litigation.
Adidas' lawsuit, the company's second lawsuit against Skechers in federal court in Oregon in less than a year, seeks an injunction against any infringements and treble damages.
The latest suit comes on the heels of a victory for adidas this spring in connection with the Springblade shoe. In April, adidas was handed a favorable ruling in a multi-million dollar trademark and patent infringement lawsuit in connection with its Springblade running shoes and Robert M. Lyden, an Oregon-based athlete and inventor, who has been on a bit of a suing spree with the market's largest sportswear makers. Lyden filed suit against adidas in October 2014, alleging that the German sportswear giant infringed a number of his federally protected intellectual property rights, including two trademarks and three patents for the Springshoe.
Lyden alleged in his complaint that adidas copied a number of elements implicit in his Springshoe design, which he claims he told adidas about and manufactured in 2002 in a very limited run with Nike before adidas began selling its allegedly infringing styles. Adidas responded to the suit by challenging the validity of Lyden's existing intellectual property rights, ultimately, winning the case on all counts.
The case is Adidas America Inc et al v Skechers USA Inc, U.S. District Court, District of Oregon, No. 16-01400.


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A group of twenty-one friends from Kent is attempting to cycle from London to Amsterdam to raise funds for national charity Starlight.
The 300 mile route will be very demanding on each of the amateur cyclists, particularly as they have set themselves the target of reaching central Amsterdam after just 3 1/2 days. The ride, which will commence on 27th June, will start at Harrods in central London and will take the team to central Amsterdam via France and Belgium.
While seeking support for the challenge, the team approached some high profile names to become involved and, on hearing about the mission, celebrity chef and Starlight Ambassador Mickael Weiss asked to join the group!
Mickael Weiss commented, "I was immediately inspired by the group's determination and sense of team spirit and I am delighted that they have allowed me to join them on this challenge. Having seen first hand the difference that a Starlight wish can make to a poorly child and their family, I am proud to be supporting this charity and, in my role as Ambassador, making an active contribution to the efforts of some of its wonderful fundraisers."
To support the group and donate £3 to Starlight, please text SMILE to 70123 or visit https://www.starlight.org.uk/cycling/
To find out more about this fantastic challenge, visit the group's Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/starlightride.
To read more about the story, click here.
To read about this story in the Bromley Times, click here.


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Clunker Auto Insurance
It is hard to escape the proliferation of ads on the radio and TV of discount insurance and ways to save money on auto insurance. The public is fooled into believing that all auto policies are the same and that somehow one insurance company has the advantage in saving costs. Well, just like there are clunker cars on the road there are clunker insurance programs as well being peddled to the trusting consumer. The fact is that all policies are not the same. The Insurance Services Office in Boston "ISO" has designed the best coverage and most companies subscribe to the ISO format. Some, however, do not follow the ISO guidelines and have introduced hidden exclusions in their policies. Some will deny coverage if you use your car for "deliveries". Others may exclude coverage for drivers that haven't been disclosed such as a child just out of college "temporarily" living at home. There are a myriad of situational exclusions that have crept into the non ISO polices that the average consumer will not detect-until it is too late.
So if you are shopping for auto coverage, the first question to ask is: "Is your contract an ISO Contract?" If they can't give a definitive yes, shift gears and call a trusted independent agent.
The author of this blog, Guy Hatfield CPCU CIC, can be reached at 203.256.5660.
Messin' Around in Boats
When it comes to insuring boats, coverage can be tricky and inconsistent. Some insurance companies sell a marine policy for boats which is no more than a glorified auto policy. The rates are great-but the coverage is not. All policies will cover you if the boat sinks, or if you have a fire or collision, but the more streamlined policies may not cover some of the more subtle losses which could turn out to be big claims. I ran across one company that excluded losses resulting from a "latent" (hidden) defect within the boat. The loss involved a gas tank which severed from metal fatigue-spilling gasoline throughout the bilge. Luckily it was discovered before an explosion or fire occurred. Since the policy excluded damage resulting from the latent defect, The cleanup was not covered and if the boat exploded there would also be no coverage. The better policies would have excluded the defect itself (the gas tank)-but cover the resulting damage. The policy wording can make a big difference in the extent of coverage provided. The moral of this blog is that it is important to buy yacht insurance from a company that specializes in marine coverage and has the depth (no pun intended) of coverage necessary to address losses that are specific to boats. This will make for happy motoring-or sailing.
The author of this blog, Guy Hatfield CPCU CIC, can be reached at 203.256.5660.
Why Me?
In this new age of multiple access to insurance products it is important to have a unique selling proposition to stand apart from the competition. If one is going to do business like everyone else, the prospect of success is grim. Why should people buy insurance from me? I came up with a list which I believe distinguishes me from a 1,800 customer rep or someone hiding behind an Internet website.
1. I have a graduate degree in Business (MBA) and an advanced degree in insurance (CPCU).
2. I take the time to educate and advise on insurance matters.
3. We don't just sell insurance products. We design a needs based insurance program.
4. I help solve problems with claims and other insurance issues.
5. I position myself as a colleague with my clients and help with matters other than insurance.
6. My Firm participates in the community and donates funds for worthy causes.
7. We have a cadre of affiliates in law, accounting, real estate, and mortgage services available for our clients.
It is important to be "a cut above" the competition for both the welfare of those we serve as well as our own success. If one fails to do this, one will fall into that dreaded abyss of mediocrity.
The author of this blog, Guy Hatfield CPCU CIC, can be reached at 203.256.5660.
Insuring my Muscle Car
As we get older we tend to latch on to things that will make us happy and amuse us in our spare time. For many of us it is that special classic or antique car that is rarely used and is taken care of as if it were one's first born. This includes those beasts of the 1960s such as the GTO or that over horse powered Chevy that gets rubber in all four gears-commonly referred to as "Muscle cars". Chances are these vehicles are not our every day car and as long as you have a boring "regular car" for your daily use, these special collectibles can probably be insured separately through a specialty insurance carrier. I insure my 1950 Plymouth Woodie with Chubb's Classic Car program at a fraction of the cost of a regular auto policy. The reason why these policies are so inexpensive is that the insurance company is convinced that usage will be minimal and the owner will take special care in maintaining and protecting the vehicle. Most companies that insure older collectibles have restrictions such as adult drivers only and no commuting to work. The vehicles also have to be garaged on a regular basis. An alternative to insuring separately is to place the insurance on the family auto policy and "laying up" the classic car during the winter. The separate policy is better, however, so on that particularly balmy winter afternoon one can rev up the Porsche and feel the wind in one's hair without calling up your agent to add it back on to the policy.
The author of this blog, Guy Hatfield CPCU CIC, can be reached at 203.256.5660.
"You Ruined My Piano"
Ah, the Christmas parties will soon be in full swing and the crowds will be in your living room feeling no pain from the wine and spirits that go with celebrating the season. Sure enough there is that particularly clumsy inebriated guest that admires your piano and then proceeds to spill his wine all over the felt hammers and into the guts of the instrument – staining the sounding board and making a general mess. After you ask him to leave and never come back, you ponder over the repair. Most homeowner polices provide coverage for contents but not for something like this since most policies are written on a "named perils" basis-and there is no peril listed for spilled wine. Named perils would include fire, theft, smoke, vandalism and several other possible calamities but not the actions of your obnoxious guest. You can expand coverage for contents to "all risk" which would cover this incident but there is another problem-the deductible. If the piano had been "scheduled" on a special valuable items "floater" all would be forgiven since the restoration would be fully covered – with no deductible. There may be several items of fine art that are vulnerable to off beat losses. I had a client that had a vascular problem and one of his blood vessels ruptured – damaging his oriental rug. Fortunately he survived the incident and also, happily, the rug was scheduled. Certainly items that have restrictive sublimits in a homeowner policy like jewelry, silver, and other singular items should be scheduled. Those that are not subject to a sublimit should also be considered for the reasons discussed in this article. The season will be especially jolly and you won't have to stand guard over your precious furniture and keepsakes if you have the proper coverage.
The author of this blog, Guy Hatfield CPCU CIC, can be reached at 203.256.5660.
Getting Mold
Mold has become a discussion most of us would like to avoid since it has" blossomed" into a real menace in the insurance world. Mold by itself is not covered by insurance but when it appears as a result of a claim, there is coverage. Mold often occurs when there is water involved-i.e. putting out a fire, flooding, or proliferation of rain. In the old days it was eliminated through common cleaning methods with relatively little cost. Now, however, mold has been trumped up to be a biological hazard and people exposed to it have claimed to have experienced respiratory problems. Because of this the methodology used to eliminate it has become specialized and expensive. Many companies have curtailed the amount of coverage available when it used to be open ended. In addition the testing procedure is intricate and costly with very little tolerance for acceptable levels. The hysteria regarding mold has abated a bit but it will continue to be a problem for insurance companies and victims alike. Insureds should ask what coverage is provided in their policies for mold and other potential "pollution" possibilities.. Insurance carriers have been quietly withdrawing from the generous levels of coverage provided in the past.
The author of this blog, Guy Hatfield CPCU CIC, can be reached at 203.256.5660.
Road Trip
Standing at the rental car counter one ponders whether to take that mysterious outrageously expensive insurance package offered by that cute but not very knowledgeable customer service rep. Certainly if you don't own a car of your own, one should load up on physical damage and liability right there on the spot-because there is nothing to fall back on. If you own a car, your auto policy will most likely provide physical damage (collision and other damage to the vehicle) and excess liability-as if you owned the rental car outright. Coverage would mirror your policy. Some insurance companies are a bit more generous and will agree to cover the rented vehicle for its entirety with no deductible. Rental companies are fussy about who is doing the driving so be sure to include on the agreement any other person that may take the wheel. If you rent a vehicle outside the U.S. or Canada, you are really on your own since your domestic auto policy will not protect you. Because of this it is best to rent from a major rental service where the rental documents are standard. Most personal umbrella policies will provide worldwide excess liability over what is provided by the rental. This is not universal so check with your insurance professional. If possible, have a rental official sign off on the condition of the car when you return it. Even if you have back up coverage for a rental, consider purchasing their insurance with no deductible-especially if the rental is short term. You will be driving a car you are not used to in unfamiliar territory and thus the possibility of a mishap is enhanced. So happy motoring and if you are really confused and apprehensive, take the train.
The author of this blog, Guy Hatfield CPCU CIC, can be reached at 203.256.5660.
The Name Game
What is the importance of the name on an insurance policy? It turns out there is plenty of importance because the coverage is going to respond to the person or entity listed as the named insured and any others that are included by definition in the contract – and nobody else. For instance, I find that many homeowner policies list just the husband as the named insured. Yes, the spouse and any relatives are included as insureds – but only if they live in the residence premises. What happens if there is a separation and the wife moves out? If she is not listed specifically on the policy, she has no coverage because she is no longer a resident. I am also finding that LLCs are becoming popular as an ownership mechanism for property – presumably to hide the identity of the owner from others who are not exactly friends. Some think that the LLC will provide a shield from liability. Not so fast on that one. There may be protection from creditors but not necessarily for a bodily injury incident. Many landlords think that by being added as an "additional insured" on their tenant's policy, there is no need to carry insurance for themselves. The additional insured status will provide protection if the landlord is brought in on a suit that is due to the negligence of the tenant. However, if the claim is a result of something the landlord did or didn't do, there is no coverage and therefore a separate policy for the owner/landlord is necessary. Then there is the unfortunate situation of the life insurance policy where the beneficiary was selected years ago – and not amended. So the proceeds of the policy go to the ex-wife or the long gone partner instead of the intended person or organization. Dale Carnegie said in "How to Win Friends and Influence People" that a person's name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language. In the insurance world the accuracy of a name is equally as sweet and important.
The author of this blog, Guy Hatfield CPCU CIC, can be reached at 203.256.5660.
If you want to keep the raindrops from falling on your head you will need an umbrella. If you want to protect against a deluge of financial disaster, you should consider an insurance umbrella. The insurance concept of an "umbrella" has been used loosely over the years. Some think it is some kind of comprehensive omnibus insurance document that covers just about everything. In truth, the umbrella is a policy that provides excess liability over other policies. For personal insurance matters, the umbrella gives extra liability over your home, autos, boats, vacation homes, and any other eligible assets. There are also umbrellas for businesses and corporations which tend to be much more expensive since the exposures can be significant. Personal umbrellas come in increments of 1,000,000. If you have a house and 2 cars, you can expect to pay about $300 for a 1,000,000 umbrella. The excess coverage provided by an umbrella will not kick in until the "underlying" (home, auto, etc.) policies pay out to their limit. There is a specified requirement of coverage necessary before the umbrella will respond. For homes and autos that requirement is usually 300,000. The umbrella will start responding once the 300,000 is expended. Umbrellas often provide some extra coverage not usually found in the underlying policies. For instance, most personal umbrellas will provide excess liability if you rent a vehicle overseas. The underlying auto policy does not provide this coverage. Not all umbrellas are the same so it is important to check with your insurance professional as to what is and what is not covered. All your relatives living in the household, whether you like them or not, are insureds and protected under this grand parasol of coverage.
The author of this blog, Guy Hatfield CPCU CIC, can be reached at 203.256.5660.
"Nanny State"
With so many parents both working these days, there has been a proliferation of mother's helpers, nannies, and live-ins to help with the kids. If you are at a fancy cocktail party the term, of course, is "au pair" to refer to these employees. Yes, they are employees if they are "regularly" working for you and, as such, are entitled to workers compensation benefits from you, their employer. Unfortunately, the Ct. workers compensation statute doesn't define the term "regularly". You don't have to worry about the occasional baby sitter or the boy that mows the lawn but it is an issue for those who are putting in an average of 26 hours a week. If those in the latter category were to be injured for any reason while on duty, they are entitled to full medical benefits and loss of pay. The homeowner policy will not respond because there is exclusion for those entitled to workers compensation. The solution is to purchase a domestic workers compensation policy, which will provide the benefits mandated by statute. The cost is usually around $1000 a year. The cost for a caregiver nurse is usually higher. If you get the person through a service, the latter may provide a policy for you. The policy will provide benefits for any employee you may have. It does not require names. At the end of the year the insurance carrier will review with you the final tally of salaries paid and may charge an extra premium if it is more than forecasted.
So if you are going to hire that cute girl from Norway, call your agent and discuss the necessity of workers compensation.
The author of this blog, Guy Hatfield CPCU CIC, can be reached at 203.256.5660.


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Thursday, November 20, 2014
Senators kill bill aimed at ending NSA's mass phone surveillance
Back in May, the US government began to process a bill aimed at reining in the NSA's powers of surveillance — if Google, Apple and Microsoft are sending group letters, you know it's an important bill. However, it's been left on Capitol Hill, rejected by the Senate. It failed a procedural vote, after senior Republicans said it would affect efforts to defend the country from enemies. It fell short of the 60 votes needed, gathering 58 to 42 votes. It's now unlikely to become law, as Republicans (who made up most of the opposition), will hold a majority in the Senate in the new year.
"If our aim is to degrade and destroy ISIL, as the president has said, then that's going to require smart policies and firm determination. At a minimum, we shouldn't be doing anything to make the situation worse," said Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell. The bill was the first to follow the NSA leaks from Edward Snowden, detailing that US intelligence was collecting and storing records of millions of Americans' telephone calls.
Full article: http://www.engadget. … ators-kill-nsa-bill/
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Coming Out, Cosmology, fire, Fire Dragon, Great Turtle, loons, lore, myth, scandals
Happy Fire Dragon Day!
Coinciding with National Fire Prevention Week (not as ironic as it sounds), Columbus Day (because Dragons were here first!), and Coming Out Day (because closets and Dragons just don't mix), the Dragons and people of the Adirondacks and surrounding wilderness are delighted to celebrate the wild, if somewhat scandalous life of Fire Dragon. For those of you unfamiliar with this great Cosmic Dragon, I offer the following excerpt from The Dragon Keeper's Handbook.
In the New World, Creation was one of those monumental events happening somewhere between earth and sky with a healthy dose of water thrown into the mix for good measure. What an auspicious environment for Dragons!
And yet, among the peoples north of the 30th parallel,[1] they were surprisingly rare participants. There were, of course, familiar players: Bear, Buffalo, Wolf, Raven. Totemic figures, one and all. Even trickster Coyote got his paws dirty in the shaping and populating of the world. But hardly a Dragon in the lot.[2] The exception to this rule – and there always is one – is the cosmic Fire Dragon of the Huron and Iroquois.
Long ago, during the before-time, in a Universe of water and sky, there was a young woman named Aetaentsic. So beautiful was she that the Sky God, Chief-of-All-the-Earth, desired her to be his and his alone. This was quite an honor, to be sure, but not one without its perils. The Sky God had a fierce temper when riled and a jealous streak a mile wide. And desiring was not the same as having: there were tests and trials first. Aetaentsic submitted to them all, proving herself worthy to be a divine wife.
For a time they were content, Chief-of-All-the-Earth and his young bride. But the Universe was young and the Sky God often called away to tend this worry or that. In his absence, Aetaentsic whiled away the hours in the company of the Fire Dragon, a spirited and genial being who lit up the skies like a comet with breath and wing. They were close, though how close only they knew. When, in the fullness of the seasons, Aetaentsic became pregnant, her husband opened his ears to the malicious gossip drifting through the heavens. Scandalous chatter filled the air, recounting Fire Dragon's visits and the laughter heard in the Sky God's longhouse when the god was away. Chief-of-All-the-Earth fumed and fretted, unable to block the slander from his mind.[3] Day after day he fixed green eyes upon his wife as she sat very still, her belly growing, her gaze stretching across the galaxy as if waiting for her scaled companion to return. He believed Aetaentsic had been unfaithful and was carrying Fire Dragon's children, and nothing she said to the contrary could disabuse him of this conviction. Unable to bear the sight of her any longer, he ripped a hole in the sky and hurled her through it.
Down and down Aetaentsic fell, tumbling through the firmament. She was divine; she would continue her descent until someone – or something – stopped her. Two loons saw her plummeting towards them and were dismayed. They rose up, flying close together and caught her on their downy backs, breaking her fall. But she was heavy with child and they could not manage on their own. They sent a call for help out across the water world. Big Turtle heard them and rose to the surface of the Cosmic Sea; the loons gratefully set Aetaentsic on his back.
"It is not right for her to live upon my shell," Turtle said. "She needs land to live upon." One by one the animals dove beneath the waters, looking for earth. Some died, all failed. Finally, lowly Toad returned, half-dead but with a tiny bit of mud in his mouth. From that little bit of mud, Aetaentsic formed the World.
With land beneath her feet, she gave birth to the twins she carried. One good,
Tijus-kaha; one bad, Tawis-karong. Again, this was a case of life out of death, for Aetaentsic's evil son refused to come into the world the normal way. Instead, in a decidedly Alien moment, he broke forth from her side and killed her. All was not in vain: out of her body came all the plants of the Earth, maize and gourds, herbs and trees. She enriched the Earth that her sons might prepare it for the humans who were to come. But that is another story.
Did Fire Dragon sire Aetaentsic's children as Chief-of-All-the-Earth feared? Is there noble Dragon blood coursing through the veins of the World makers? It is quite possible. In a Cosmic heartbeat, the Dragon went from attentive intimate to fair-weather friend, an act indicative of a guilty conscience and/or dread at what the Sky God might do to him.[4] A further clue as to the twins' paternity can be found in a variation on the tale in which the good twin is known as Se' sta or Man of Fire.[5]
It gives one pause.
copyright 2011 Shawn MacKENZIE
Tonight, in honor of this wonderful Cosmic Dragon, ignite a handful of sparklers. Let them reach out across the heavens, lighting Aetaentsic's descent and calling Fire Dragon home.
[1] Further south, we enter the realm of the Feathered Serpents and that is a whole different nest of basilisks.
[2] There are some transplants, such as Aido Hwedo who made his way across the Atlantic with the slave trade, taking up residence in certain corners of the Caribbean.
[3] Othello had nothing on him.
[4] Or of what he'd already done to him. Chief-of-All-the-Earth might well have chased the Fire Dragon to the far ends of the galaxy. Or worse.
[5] Much as the draconic qualities of courage and loyalty and wisdom are valued in people, their source is frequently kept in the closet. Dragons deserve better.


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- Josh SmithAsked on November 30, 2015 at 11:26 AM
I erroneously believed I needed to create an account to fill out a survey. I don't use your service for anything else so I would like to delete my account.
- KadeJMAnswered on November 30, 2015 at 01:13 PM
No problem, I have no deleted your jotform account for you and we hope you have a great day! :)


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A SLIM, SHARP LITTLE STINGER FROM EMERSON & KERSHAW Kershaw Knives and Emerson Knives have joined forces on a series of knives that combine the precision engineering of Kershaw with Emerson's uncompromising functional design. The CQC-1K features a modified clip-point blade for versatile cutting capability and striking looks. Black-oxide coating protects the blade and makes it non-reflective, too. A textured G-10 front scale in black offers a secure grip. The handle back is stainless steel with black-oxide coating. For a safe and solid blade lock up, the CQC-1K has a frame lock. The CQC-1K is a manual opener using either the thumb disk or the patented Emerson "wave shaped feature." This opening feature enables the knife to be opened as it is removed from the pocket. By the time the knife has been fully withdrawn from the pocket, the blade is deployed and ready for use. A small wave-shaped tab on the top of the blade is built to catch on the pocket seam, opening the knife as it comes out of the pocket. This instant-open feature is a favorite among military, rescue, and law enforcement knife users. The pocketclip is reversible for left- or right-handed carry. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS - Manual There is no mechanical assist, such as SpeedSafe, used to open the folding knife. It opens the classic, old-school way. - Frame Lock A portion of the handle (the knife frame) moves behind the blade to lock it into position during use. This is a safety feature of the knife. - Reversible Pre-drilled holes in the handle enable the user to change either the tip position or the side on which the knife carries. ADDITIONAL FEATURES - Designed by Emerson, built by Kershaw - Thumb disk; "wave shaped opening feature" - Manual opening - Frame lock - Reversible pocketclip (left/right) - Steel: 8Cr14MoV, black-oxide coating - Handle: G-10 front, 410 black-oxide coated back - Blade length: 3 in. (7.6 cm) - Closed length: 3.9 in. (9.9 cm) - Open length: 6.9 in. (17.5 cm) - Weight: 2.6 oz. (73.7 g)
|Knife Edge:
|Plain Edge
|Blade Length:
|3 inch
|Handle Material:
|Blade Finish:
|Blade Style:
|Clip Point
|Knife Type:
|Knife Hand:
|Knife Clip:


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Corner Brook's Jordan King prepares for life beyond hockey
Jordan King no longer has aspirations of breaking into the National Hockey League, but he's not ruling out playing professionally in Europe, or anywhere else for that matter.
He's taking the attitude that if it happens, that's great, but if it doesn't he will be just fine with a good education behind him.
Whatever the future holds, the 21-year-old Corner Brook native will view it as a bonus because his focus now is clearly on his kinesiology studies at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ont., where he is working toward a career that will see him work in the field of physiotherapy or occupational therapy.
Related stories:
Jordan King looks to university gig as junior hockey career winds down
For the next four years, King will juggle his studies with a hectic hockey regime with the Lakehead University Thunderhawks — a team that is ranked No. 10 in male hockey in USports from coast to coast.
King has collected eight points in nine games, and is wearing a big smile these days because his team is enjoying the sweet ride of a six-game winning streak.
He loves the atmosphere with his new team and has enjoyed finding his niche in a league that he believes is a step better than anything he experienced along the journey.
Hockey has taken him to many places. He has met a lot of people who have become lifelong friends. He has been given a chance to become more independent and find out what successful people do to reach their goals, so he has enjoyed the ride.
More importantly, he believes he learned a lot about the importance of a strong work ethic and being willing to get along with and support his teammates, all of which he figures will prepare him well for a professional career that doesn't include sticks and pucks.
"I'm ready to start a professional career. I've come to terms with the hockey part of it," he said.


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We remember the tragic events of the last year when an innocent Black teenager Mike Brown was brutally shot down by the Police of Ferguson city. It was not the
Tag "freddiegray"
August 9th the representatives of Black communities joined their forces in their march and demonstration in order to voice protest against police terror and violence. Black organizations, Community Leaders, Churches
Not so much time has passed after the mysterious death of Sandra Bland who was claimed to have committed suicide in the Texan jail. Just few hours later it was
Short documentary on police killings in United States, exposing murderous US cops. Victims: Catherine Johnston 92, killed in her house by 6 bullets Robert Mitchell 16, killed by police teaser
Please see MSJ statement on #Baltimore, as read by Ahmad Jitan at #Blatimore May Day march in Durham, NC, yesterday:
by BAR executive editor Glen Ford The synergy of mass protest and physical resistance to police in Baltimore "scared the
by BAR editor and senior columnist Margaret Kimberley Black people have been denied even the semblance of justice for so
A Black Agenda Radio Commentary by BAR managing editor Bruce A. Dixon Freddy Gray made eye contact with a Baltimore
It is no coincidence that Baltimore's state attorney, Marilyn Mosby, announced on May 1 that six police officers had been
United National Antiwar Coalition Statement in Support of Baltimore Protests In the United States every Black man, woman and child


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We all have birds as neighbors and there are an estimated 62 million Americans who love to watch and feed those little winged friends in their backyards. Many of us love to watch from our own windows as the little feathered friends land in our yards to feed, drink and play. Personally, I also love to have a backyard bird calendar in my home, too.
Backyard Birds 2017 Wall Calendar
The calendar above features 12 of the most interesting of those visitors to our backyards: Northern Cardinal; Western Tanager; Indigo Bunting; Baltimore Oriole; Blue Jay; Great Tit; Scarlet Tanager; Cedar Waxwing; Western Bluebird; Evening Grosbeak; Red-headed Woodpecker; Painted Bunting. Each month features a specific bird and is accompanied by fascinating National Geographic information and a large grid with moon phases and international holidays. The added bonus from the purchase of this particular calendar is that the proceeds from the sale support vital exploration, conservation, research, and education programs. The backyard birds calendar from National Geographic includes a 3-year at-a-glance page and is earth friendly, printed with soy-based inks on FSC certified paper.
Each year as I begin to look for a new calendar with my little feathered friends as the topic, I struggle with which one to purchase. I love the one featured above by National Geographic but I also love one below.
Backyard Birds 2017 Wall Calendar
Both show my little bird in all their feathered glory and I might just have to get both of them this year. I could have one here at my desk and perhaps one out on the back porch where I sit the most to watch my little visitors in the backyard. I have a little time to decide before I order. How about you? Which of the two do you prefer? Or are you like me and want both?
Beverly Owens
Latest posts by Beverly Owens (see all)
- Canning Tools For The Hot Water Bath Method - October 21, 2019
- Strawberry Jam Recipe To Make In Your Kitchen - June 16, 2017
- Spinach Salad Recipe Ideas For Your Table - April 28, 2017


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You know you're supposed to wear green and look for leprechauns and maybe eat some corned beef and cabbage. But do you know why St. Patrick's Day is even a holiday?
St. Patrick's Day was declared a Christian religious day in the early 17th century, and March 17 is traditionally recognized as the day St. Patrick died in the mid fifth century. The holiday honors St. Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland.
After all those centuries, saintly lore and traditions like wearing green became popular to celebrate the holiday. But there's so much more history behind the holiday.
Here are seven little-known facts about March 17.
The story of St. Patrick
St. Patrick wasn't Irish, and he wasn't born in Ireland. He was living in Scotland or Wales (scholars can't agree which) when he was kidnapped at age 16 by Irish raiders and sold as a slave, reports Catholic Online. He spent years in Ireland herding sheep until he escaped. He eventually returned to Ireland where he spread Christianity.
The best (and smallest) parades
There are many parades commemorating the day including New York's St. Patrick's Day Parade, which started in 1762 and now attracts about 200,000 parade participants. By contrast, the first St. Patrick's Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland, wasn't until 1931. The shortest parade is in Hot Springs, Arkansas, where the parade covers all 98 feet of Bridge Street, which was named the shortest street in everyday use by "Ripley's Believe It or Not." Past attractions have included Irish Elvis impersonators, Irish belly dancers, the world's largest leprechaun and Gary Busey.
St. Patrick the exterminator
Legend has it that St.Patrick ran all the snakes (and toads) out of Ireland. Although it doesn't sound very saintly for him to be such an exterminator, it turns out there's not much truth to the tale. Ireland didn't have snakes in the first place, due its glacial history and geographical location. In addition, Ireland has only one species of toad. Technically, St. Patrick chased away symbolic snakes since the slithering creatures often referred to pagan religious practices or beliefs. St. Patrick was famous for converting Irish pagans to Christianity, so that's likely how his reputation as a snake slayer evolved.
The Chicago River is dyed a lovely shade of green each year to commemorate St. Patrick's Day. (Photo: Mike Boehmer/Wikimedia Commons)
Green water (on purpose)
Chicago is famous for having the 156-mile Chicago River dyed green each St. Patrick's Day. The practice dates back to 1962 when the Chicago Plumbers Union dumped about 100 pounds of green vegetable dye into the river at the mayor's request. These days, workers use flour sifters to dump an environmentally friendly orange powder into the river, according to the Chicago Tribune. The powder (the formula is kept secret) eventually turns the water emerald green, and the color lasts for several days.
No drinking allowed
Drinking beer (green or not) is a big part of celebrating March 17, at least in the United States. Ironically, as recently as the 1970s, pubs in Ireland were legally closed on St. Patrick's Day, because of its national religious holiday status, reports National Geographic.
The earliest known image of Saint Patrick, from a 13th-century manuscript, shows him wearing a blue cassock. (Photo: Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens)
Green or blue?
Somehow, the "wearin' of the blue" doesn't seem to have the same festive ring to it, but green wasn't the original color linked to this day. King Henry VIII used a gold Irish harp on a blue flag when he declared himself king of Ireland, according to the Smithsonian. Early depictions of St. Patrick also showed him wearing blue garments. But political discord also affected colors and as the people of Ireland distanced themselves from the British crown, green eventually became associated with Ireland (and the country's rebellion).
The shamrock is holy
Now it's on beer glasses and green party hats, but the shamrock got its holiday symbolism as a religious tool. According to some stories, St. Patrick used the three-leaf clover to teach people in Ireland about Christianity. He said the three leaves illustrated the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit of the Holy Trinity.
And speaking of clovers, don't spend your day looking for one with four leaves. There are about 10,000 normal three-leaf clovers for every "lucky" four-leaf one.
Editor's note: This story was originally published in March 2016 and has been updated with new information.


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The Hermitage, Petworth ~ Joan Aiken's home ~
Joan Aiken died in the month of January. Listening for her voice I sometimes make surprising discoveries, in this case what appeared was a rough version of poem, never seen before and found in an old notebook.
This portrait of Joan's last house was painted by the architect friend who helped her bring it back to life, when she and her painter husband discovered it lying ruined and abandoned on the edge of the little town where they lived.
It was supposed to be haunted, Joan had read a story about it in the local paper, when a couple walking their dog reported seeing a ghostly monk on the path below the house, and the newspaper took up the story with relish…!
The previous inhabitant, by then an old lady, had found sharing the house with the apparition too unsettling after the death of her husband, and so she herself became something of a local legend:
Sadly Joan Aiken never saw the ghost, although she bought the house partly because of its strange history – indeed it could be one of her own. A friend recalled her saying she liked to eat cheese for supper in the hope of having a good nightmare to provide story material; as readers of her ghost stories will know she had a rich and wicked imagination…
I like to think something of her own history now haunts the house, perhaps a friendly presence that belies its quiet exterior, and that was why this poem seemed so apt. Here is a fragment of the unfinished poem, written many years earlier:
"Swan among trees, the yew in its dark plumage
Raises its points against the glittering sky
Dropping a pool of shadow across the house
Shuttered and soulless since you are away.
Perhaps behind your shuttered features also
There lives a friend? This front gives rise to doubt
No inmate waves a hand at the blank windows
No footprints tell of passage in or out."
Joan Aiken was often asked where she got her ideas. Often, she would say, they came simply from life, or from newspaper articles, but it was always worth writing them down in a notebook because you never knew when they would find a home in a story.
Read more about Joan Aiken's strange stories here
And see a recent collection of some of her most memorable ~ The People in the Castle
Painting by Vernon Gibberd


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Learn More About Me
Dot (Diplodocus):
I may be a big, tall dinosaur, but sometimes I get scared, too! Funny noises, shadows, and sleeping in the dark can spook me. Good thing I have my teddy to hold close and keep me safe.
Did You Know?Diplodocus was an herbivore, which means it only ate plants. It had a very long neck to reach into forests for food. Diplodocus had a very small brain.
Sara (Triceratops):
My friends are important to me, and I like to be a good friend. I have a pet bird, Sam, who is one of my best friends!
Did You Know?Triceratops was an herbivore, which means it only ate plants. It had a hard plate called a frill on the back of its neck. The frill helped protect the Triceratops from other dinosaurs.
I love new (and sometimes scary!) adventures. I have one sister who likes to play with dolls, but I'd rather play with my friends.
Did You Know?Corythosaurus was an herbivore, which means it only ate plants. It had a large crest on its head that may have helped it smell. Corythosaurus had hundreds of teeth to help it grind up plant food.
(Tyrannosaurus Rex):
My friends call me an inventor, because I love to make things. Sometimes my projects don't turn out like I plan, but I always have fun!
Did You Know?Tyrannosaurus Rex was a carnivore, which means it only ate meat. It had a huge, stiff tail for balance and making quick turns. T. Rex also had a huge jaw to help it eat its food.
Learn About My Books
Ghost Sounds
The Dino Detectives are always looking for a mystery to solve. When Dot thinks she hears a ghost in her house, she calls her friends right away. Will they find a ghost or something else when they start investigating?
The Beach Bandit
Sara is excited for a beach day with her friends. But when her beach toys go missing, her excitement fades. Will the Dino Detectives be able to help her?
The Crazy Clues
On her way to swim lessons, Dot notices a lot of strange things happening. Dot collects the crazy clues and is in for a big surprise when she gets home.
The Haunted House
Ever summer, the Dino Detectives spend a day at the fun park. But this year Cory makes a mistake that leads to one scary adventure and an even bigger surprise!
The Missing Trumpet
Cory can't wait to play his trumpet in the school concert. But on the day of the concert, he can't find his trumpet. Will the Dino Detectives be able to find it in time?
The Slime Attack
Ty loves to make stuff in his lab. But when he tries to make a special treat for his friends, things go terribly wrong. Thankfully the Dino Detectives are on the case!
The Surprise Prize
Sara loves collecting things. She can't wait to get the surprise prize she ordered by collecting box tops from her favorite cereal. But when the prize comes, will Sara be happy or disappointed?
Learn About My Books
Anita Yasuda
Anita Yasuda has written many children's books. She and her family live in Southern Ontario, Canada. When she is not writing, she is hiking with her dog, Ted, playing tetherball, or planning a new adventure.
Steve Harpster
Steve Harpster has loved to draw funny cartoons, mean monsters, and goofy gadgets since he was able to pick up a pencil. In first grade, he avoided writing assignments by working on the pictures for stories instead. Steve was able to land a job drawing funny pictures for books, and that's really what he's best at. Steve lives in Columbus, Ohio, with his wonderful wife, Karen, and their sheepdog, Doodle.