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Review: Shea Moisture Organic Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Style Milk
"Detangles, conditions and controls curl, while restoring body and shine. For thick, curly hair."
Ingredients: Deionized water, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)*, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut Oil)*, Sugar Starch, Silk Protein, Essential Oil Blend, Melila Azadirachta (Neem) Seed Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Sorbitol Esters, Algae Extract, Hyssopus Officinalis Extract, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf and Equisetum Arvense Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil, Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower (and) Lonicera Japonica (Japanese Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Tocopherol (Vitamin E).
*Certified Organic Ingredient
Thoughts: This is a staple for me. I don't have much to say beyond I love it, but for the sake of a review I'll try. I've been using this since my first big chop in 2010. It's a light moisturizer, light in texture, but not in capability. It works (for me) as a leave-in, moisturizer, and refresher. I use it for wash and go styling and twisted/braided styles.
The fragrance is tropical, smells like most coconut and hibiscus fragrances. It's one of my favorite scents. When I first started using this, a friend literally would grasp my head and sniff! It smells good, but to each his own. Someone out there might not like it. It does linger but isn't overpowering.
I'm on my second or third bottle, maybe fourth. I lose track with all these BOGOFs.
Highly recommend it. Give it a try.
Shea Moisture Organic Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Style Milk retails for $9.99 (8oz) and is available online at Target.com, CVS.com, Walgreens.com, and Harmondiscount.com.
Shea Moisture can also be found at all Walgreens stores and select Target, CVS, Bed Bath & Beyond, Buy Buy Baby, Christmas Tree Shops, Harmon Face Values, Duane Reade and Meijer stores. I've also seen it at a few beauty supply stores.
Would I repurchase?: Yes, and I have several times.
Below is my overall rating:
Price: 5/5
Packaging: 5/5
Fragrance: 5/5
Performance: 5/5
Overall Rating: 5/5
When the ratings vary too much, I don't include an overall rating (like in this review). I might cut this out all together. Products I hate were averaging 3+/5 and I'm like, this isn't even a 1/5! No ma'am can't do!
Back to not so patiently waiting to get my hands on the new Shea Moisture products. Ugh!
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Kinks ;-)


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Florida Democratic Party News Clips — March 1
Smith and Axelrod encourage students to get involved [Florida Alligator] "The chief strategist of President Barack Obama's re-election campaign and the chairman of the Florida Democratic Party encouraged students to re-elect the president at a rally Wednesday night."
Chairman Rod Smith and David Axelrod rally students to re-elect President Obama [Gainesville Sun] "Smith used the example of his father, a farmer who never graduated high school, to illustrate the desire of parents for their children to advance themselves through a college education. Axelrod echoed Smith's comments, saying that stances from the Republican candidates on issues like opposing the auto industry bailout are helping increase Obama's poll numbers."
LEARY AND SMITH GIVE US THE STATE OF THE GOP PRIMARY: 5 things we've learned in the Republican presidential primary campaign [Tampa Bay Times] "The struggle was another reminder that Romney suffers from an energy deficit among the Republican electorate. Exit polls show Santorum, who made a big push on social issues, captured voters who strongly identified as conservatives. A long battle can make a candidate stronger (witness the 2008 Democratic primary). In this case, though, it has only weakened Romney…Romney never built the strong grass roots network needed to pull waves of small dollar donations, instead relying on wealthy donors. And of his donors, 66 percent have reached the maximum $2,500 for the primary according to the Campaign Finance Institute compared with 18 percent for Santorum and 17 percent for Gingrich."
Florida Democrats fight for Fair Districts in court [AP] "The Republican-controlled Legislature drew its redistricting plan 'in the dark' and the House and Senate maps should be sent back so lawmakers can try again after receiving some guidance from the Florida Supreme Court, a Democratic lawyer told the justices Wednesday…'The Legislature this time operated in the dark and necessarily didn't have your opinion,' Mills told the justices. 'Their interpretation may be interesting, but your interpretation is binding.'"
Justices hearing Florida redistricting arguments [Tampa Tribune] "The challengers argued that lawmakers continued to "pack" Democratic-leaning black voters into a small number of minority districts, which allows the GOP to win in surrounding districts."
Redistricting maps divide Supreme Court [Orlando Sentinel] "The net effect of the new maps is that while congressional and legislative districts become more compact…they also become slightly safer for both parties on average, according to an Orlando Sentinel analysis of voter-registration and voter-performance data.
Justices seek input on how to handle new redistricting rules [Miami Herald] "Quince responded that if the court was simply required to rubber stamp the Legislature's maps, 'what is the point of the Supreme Court review?...Since there are new standards, shouldn't the court have an additional obligation here?'"
ROCKING THE VOTE: Florida voter restrictions challenged [Politico] "Florida will become the latest battleground in the national fight voter ID on Thursday, when a federal judge will hear a suit brought by Rock the Vote and other civic groups over new restrictions."
FLASHBACK: Fla Dems rally over 400 to protest GOP voter suppression law at "Our Voice, Our Vote" rally [FOX Tampa]
Trouble at home? [Tampa Bay Times] "A week after the dust-up over the 2014 Senate presidency fight that provoked teeth-clenching anger and charges of betrayal within the normally subdued Repubican caucus, Senate Rules Chairman John Thrasher has sent out a "Decorum Memo" to his fellow colleagues.
As state universities brace for $300 million one-time cut, they're on their own with tuition [Tampa Bay Times] "Heading into Round 4 during an 8:30 a.m. meeting tomorrow, here's what the two chambers have agreed on so far: A $300 million one-time cut from the general revenue funds of the state's 11 universities."
Pushing through Tea when they should be improving the economy [Miami Herald] "HB 277 would require pregnant women to wait 24 hours before receiving an abortion, among many other things. Democrats grilled sponsor Rep. Rachel Burgin, R-Riverview, for close to an hour about her bill, questioning its restrictions on new abortion clinics, a requirement that physicians who perform the procedure undergo yearly ethics training, and making the state report demographic information about each abortion to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, among other elements of the bill."
Bill barring wage-theft ordinances passes House [Sun Sentinel] "A controversial bill that would prevent municipalities and counties from enacting laws to protect workers from wage theft passed the Florida House on Wednesday. The bill was approved 77-38. HB 609 would kill a Miami-Dade ordinance to help low-income workers recover unpaid wages. Similar legislation is pending in the Senate."
Suing the Florida Republican Party is…Former Florida Republican Party Chairman
Greer lawsuits will be heard in Tallahassee, judge rules [Miami Herald] "Greer filed suit against the party and Senate President Mike Haridopolos and former party chairman Sen. John Thrasher, R-St Augustine, last year after the party refused to honor a 2009 agreement to pay Greer $124,000 severance to leave."
Sanford judge: I'm moving Greer v. Florida GOP to Tallahassee [Orlando Sentinel] "Greer, the state party's former chairman, alleges the party cheated him out of a $123,000 severance package, the deal he brokered when he stepped down in 2010, disgraced by an American Express spending scandal."

subset: commoncrawl


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Gavrilov & Co Serves You Fresh Data and Cold, Clear Numbers
If you are running a restaurant, a bar or both, you are in one of the most rapidly moving industries in America. The last thing you want on your menu is stress.
Food costs, Food waste, Labor Costs, Government Regulation, Sales Tax.
And if you are doing your own bookkeeping and accounting those worries are multiplied.
Simply complying with local, state, regional tax situations could be robbing you of sleep. We have over a decade of restaurant experience. With the support of Gavrilov & Co, we will let you worry about your best recipe or the fresh flowers on the table.
Then you can relax and get some sleep because you let us worry about the accounting, bookkeeping, human resources, taxes and payroll. Let our expertise support your expertise.


text: The National Governors Association (NGA) released a report on the governors' top priorities as the Trump Administration takes office this week. The NGA report – We the Sates: Governors' Recommendations for the President-Elect – outline key areas to produce positive outcomes for Americans. A central feature of NGA's energy recommendations are to "Continue and expand existing energy grant programs that states rely upon, particularly the Weatherization Assistance Program and the State Energy Program." The energy elements of the report can be found here.


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International donors promise 8bn euros aid to Lebanon
Issued on:
International donors, including France, the EU and Kuwait, have promised eight billion euros in loans and donations to help the Lebanese economy, it was announced at a conference in Paris on Friday.
The aid, which will finance investments to be made over the next five years, was announced at the Cedre conference to support the Lebanese economy in Paris on Friday.
Before it opened, France announced that it would contribute 550 million euros - 400 million in low-interest loans and 150 million in donations.
Other sources included Kuwait, the Fades Arab Fund, the Netherlands and the European Union.
Saudi Arabia, which was accused of pressing Prime Minister Saad Hariri to resign last year, is to renew its million-dollar line of credit to the country, despite or because of its misgivings about the influence of regional rival Iran in the country.
Syrian refugees
"Lebanon is not an island," French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian," told the conference. "It is suffering the full effect of regional tensions and the Syrian crisis. It is fighting terrorism at its borders and domestically and, with more than a million refugees, it has taken on more than its share of the burden of exile"
Syrian refugees now make up about a quarter of the population of the small country.
Since the war in its larger neighbour broke out, the Lebanese economy has seen growth fall from eight percent to one percent, a loss of 18 billion euros between 2011 and 2015.
Hariri, who was accompanied by ministers from across the Lebanese political spectrum, promised the conference to fight corruption, "modernise" the awarding of public-sector contracts, improve "fiscal government" and cut the budget deficit, currently at 9-10 percent of GDP¨, by five points in the next five years.
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Mental Health and Wellness – Things Are Not Memories
Things are not memories nor are they the people who owned them, gave them too you, or left them behind. If you have read my blog or you know me, you will also know that my eldest son Ryan died in 2007. We are coming up to the 2 year anniversary (28th August, 2009). As you can imagine, working through such a life changing event, it's really important to take care of your mental health…Read More


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Article and photos by Sam Vigersky
It's 8:00 AM in Port-au-Prince and the thermometer reads 92 degrees. Julie Longpré, a civil engineer working in water and sanitation for PAHO/WHO doesn't seem bothered. When she arrives at the Penguin Water Center a dozen noisy trucks idle in lines, waiting their turn to fill-up with chlorinated water for delivery to hundreds-of-thousands of people living in settlement sites. "This is one of the best parts of my job," she says, preparing to take water samples by emptying her pockets of anything that can't get wet and grabbing three glass jars.
Julie approaches a truck and tells the driver she needs a sample, and with permission, carefully ascends a ladder until reaching the roof nine feet up. With feet planted, she extends her arm and the glass jar clasped in her hand suddenly disappears in a torrent of water rushing from the pipe above towards the trucks hull. In 90 seconds, three water samples are taken and Julie has managed to become soaking wet. "Working in the field is definitely fun. Especially when you can get wet on a hot day!" The water collected on this day will be analyzed at the THW (German Federal Agency for Technical Relief) laboratory.
These small samples are an important part of the elaborately choreographed system that brings together the Haitian Government, UN agencies and NGOs. The result is delivery of 4.2 million liters of clean drinking water every day - a major success considering Port-au-Prince's notorious traffic jams and ever shrinking boulevards from rubble spilling into the streets. PAHO/WHO assists DINEPA (the National Direction for Potable Water and Sanitation) with chlorination by providing HTH (High-Test Hypochlorite) to water trucks at filling stations. This chlorination process kills bacteria, which left untreated, can cause disease outbreaks like watery diarrhea and gastrointestinal illness in crowded settlement sites. The samples taken by Julie help determine whether the levels are safe enough for drinking.
Beyond regular sampling Penguin, PAHO/WHO and THW are supporting the government in their efforts to establish a water quality monitoring laboratory within the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources Laboratory at Tamarinier. The laboratory will provide analysis of samples for monitoring and outbreak control. Vendors will also be able to have their water certified as being potable. "The ability of the government to analyze water samples is essential for health promotion and disease prevention activities," noted Sally Edwards, a PAHO/WHO advisor in Sustainable Development and Environmental Health. "The monitoring laboratory will be a major achievement in the delivery of clean water."
Sampling at distribution centers is important, but to ensure the product is safe, monitoring continues once water is transferred from trucks to settlement sites. Here, problems can arise from contamination if there is no residual chlorine on site. At some sites, water is stored in a reservoir where people often place dirty buckets inside which can contaminate the whole source. PAHO/WHO, as a member of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Cluster led by UNICEF, has been working with a technical group to develop Water Quality Guidelines for monitoring of water quality on site. The guidelines help NGOs managing chlorine levels, offer hygiene promotion to prevent the spread of disease, and ensure testing is done from source to site. Finally, development of a Water Safety Plan for more sustainable management of water resources in Haiti is being written. These collaborative efforts, in both the present and future, will help increase the amount of safe water throughout the country.


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i've been doing standup for 6 years, mostly in LA & a bit in chicago.
co-creator of sober not sober, a monthly show at the westside comedy theater.
in 2016 & 2017 i produced & performed in a weekly variety show (aka circus of madness) called show up go up LA. it originated at the comedy store and has recently moved to the dojo of comedy at sycamore tavern, available here on periscope.
in 2016 i produced & performed in a monthly show in downtown LA called cabaret bodega with local & touring musicians & comedians.
i wrote for & performed in several episodes of the almost late show at second city
clubs/shows where i perform regularly: laugh factory chicago, loft ensemble theatre, westside comedy theater, sycamore tavern
some festivals i've done: SF sketchfest, san diego comedy festival, laughfest


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ASU Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This collection includes most of the ASU Theses and Dissertations from 2011 to present. ASU Theses and Dissertations are available in downloadable PDF format; however, a small percentage of items are under embargo. Information about the dissertations/theses includes degree information, committee members, an abstract, supporting data or media.
In addition to the electronic theses found in the ASU Digital Repository, ASU Theses and Dissertations can be found in the ASU Library Catalog.
Dissertations and Theses granted by Arizona State University are archived and made available through a joint effort of the ASU Graduate College and the ASU Libraries. For more information or questions about this collection contact or visit the Digital Repository ETD Library Guide or contact the ASU Graduate College at email@example.com.
- Franklin, Janet
- 1 Arizona State University
- 1 Hazelton, Andrea Florence
- 1 Schmeeckle, Mark W
- 1 Stromberg, Juliet C
- 1 English
- 1 Public
- environmental flows
- 1 Ecology
- 1 Grime life history strategies
- 1 Plant biology
- 1 Verde River
- 1 ecohydrology
- 1 leaf economics spectrum
- more
- 1 plant functional traits
- Mobile Crowd Sensing in Edge Computing Environment
- The Effect of Disability on Subjective Well-Being across the Adult Lifespan: The Moderating Roles of Age at Disability Onset and Disability Type
- Mechanically Active Heterogeneous Polymer Matrix Composites
- Attribute-Based Encryption for Fine-Grained Access Control over Sensitive Data
- 并购背景下教育行业品牌价值研究
Climate change has the potential to affect vegetation via changes in temperature and precipitation. In the semi-arid southwestern United States, heightened temperatures will likely lead to accelerated groundwater pumping to meet human needs, and altered storm patterns may lead to changes in flood regimes. All of these hydrologic changes have the potential to alter riparian vegetation. This research, consisting of two papers, examines relationships between hydrology and riparian vegetation along the Verde River in central Arizona, from applied and theoretical perspectives. One paper investigates how dominance of tree and shrub species and cover of certain functional groups change along hydrologic …
- Contributors
- Hazelton, Andrea Florence, Stromberg, Juliet C, Schmeeckle, Mark W, et al.
- Created Date
- 2011


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Directions from Johannesburg via Ermelo ( 700km's – 7 hour drive )
From Johannesburg take the N17 via Springs and Bethal to Ermelo. Then take the N2 via Piet Retief , Pongola and Mkuze. The Hluhluwe off ramp is 55km's from Mkuze.
Directions from Swaziland via Lavumisa border post (110 km's – from Lavumisa border)
If you are approaching from the Kruger Park via Swaziland you must exit Swaziland at the Lavumisa border post . From the border proceed 5km's before turning left onto the N2 South. Pass the Jozini dam on your left and the town of Mkuze. The Hluhluwe offramp is 55 kms from Mkuze. Turn left off the freeway and proceed through the town.


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● Camera: 0.8MP
● LBS + GPS: two modes of positioning
● SOS button for helping: when the children meet the dangerous situation, they can use the SOS function
● Voice chatting ( watch / APP ): this watch is compatible with Android and iOS
● Electronic fence: parents can know the situation of their children
● Smart alarm for low power / the watch was taken down
● Super power-saving: GPS close mode, saving power
● Forbidden in class: you may customize your time if you don't want to be disturbed when you are at class
● Touch to add friend, developing children's social skills
● The languages above are showed on the phone APP, watch only shows Chinese, English and Russian
● GSM networks: GSM850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900MHz
● Other functions: flashlight / history route / pedometer call fireSpecifications:
Product battery: 3.7V 400mAh, USB cable charging
Charging time: about 2h
Using time: about 3 days
|Type: GPS
GPS Signal: GSM 850/900/1800/1900MHz
GPS Chip: MT2503D
Network : GSM
Languages support : English,Russian
|Dimensions and Weight
|Product weight: 0.0400 kg
Package weight: 0.1380 kg
Product size (L x W x H): 4.73 x 3.96 x 1.57 cm / 1.86 x 1.56 x 0.62 inches
Package size (L x W x H): 8.60 x 8.60 x 6.50 cm / 3.39 x 3.39 x 2.56 inches
|Package Contents
|Package Contents: 1 x Smart Watch, 1 x English Manual, 1 x USB Charging Cable
Differences in color may be caused by some other reasons such as color reflection in the monitor, lighting, background etc. However, if you believe that the item received is in wrong color, please contact us to see if a return or refund is possible. If you are not satisfied with the quality of the products you purchased, you can return or exchange your items within 1-2 days from the delivered date Growspend.com
We strive for order accuracy. In the event that you do not receive the correct order, we'll give your money back.


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Vaklam 31 Dec 2008 16:16
We do not have a start date for Polvera yet. It will most likely be some time in early January. Watch the Polvera forum for further information.
The pages, such as Binary Accounting, which have been created are there primarily as examples for you to use as you create your own entries. I will probably use that as my first entry, however, because it sounds pretty cool.
Unfold Announcement by Vaklam, 31 Dec 2008 16:16


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System Restore is... (I'm going to get shunned to death for this)........-wreckedcarzz (January 01, 2009, 05:27 PM)
System Restore is... (I'm going to get shunned to death for this) - completely disabled. Disk space is EXTREMELY scarce (111GB for Vista, Programs, Games, Programming projects, and backups (before they are moved to a different location)). So that obviously is a lost cause.And no, I have no place nor method of doing disk imaging (I was going to post asking about that later on here @ DC, my backup server PC needs 2 new HDs </offtopic>).Normally I would go and just wipe the whole thing and go "Yay, fresh install!", except I used Windows Anytime Upgrade on this machine, and it is an absolute ***** to get working. Format, install, remove crap, install drivers, upgrade, remove crap, install programs, update for 8 hours, install games, replace documents & whatnot, reactivate Vista, call Microsoft, talk to machine... ugh. And Microsoft wonders why piracy for Windows is still common.-wreckedcarzz (January 01, 2009, 05:27 PM)
I have a games list that people literally awe at (GRAW2 is a great game, btw, I have it as well )-wreckedcarzz (January 02, 2009, 12:51 AM)
Page created in 0.029 seconds with 60 queries.


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What The Frugal Law Student is doing now to mitigate his debt
My goal is to leave law school with as little debt as possible. My dream would be to leave law school with a positive net worth, but that's not likely to happen. Here follows a list of the preemptive measures I'm taking to keep my debt in check.
- Mrs. Frugal Law Student and I have moved in with her parents. We don't pay rent nor do we pay utilities. (I'll be posting later on what it's like living with the in-laws).
- Mrs. FLS has a job teaching community college. It doesn't pay that much. She had another job, but got laid off because of reorganization. Boo. We're using that money to pay off student loans
- I almost have a full scholarship at the law school I'm attending. It's private school, so tuition is expensive. About $24,000 a year. However, $20,000 is covered my scholarship.
- Mrs. FLS have set a monthly budget for ourselves.
- I brown bag it for lunch every day.
- We set aside 10% of our income to savings and investments. Honestly, I haven't been doing a very good job on doing this consistently. I need to improve this.
The thing that's helping us the most is living with the in-laws and my scholarship. I think the Mrs. and I doing a good job saving money, thus keeping our debt in check. What we need to do is think of more ways to increase our income, so we can start paying more debt off. I will take any suggestions from the collective mind of the blogsphere.


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May 29, 2014 2:00 PM
Author: Office of Public Affairs
Utah residents are at higher risk for skin cancer and should pay special attention to a new review from Consumer Reports. It ranks the effectiveness of 20 sunscreens.
According to a fact sheet from the Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Air and Radiation, new cases of melanoma were diagnosed in Utah at a rate 37 percent higher than the national average. Melanoma is responsible for 75 percent of skin cancer deaths, the agency says.
Protecting yourself and your family from the sun's ultraviolet rays should be on your to-do list this summer, and a good sunscreen is a big part of making that happen. "Sunscreen filters out the sun's dangerous UV (ultraviolet) rays. These invisible rays can cause skin cancer," says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In its new roundup, Consumer Reports recommends seven out of the 20 sunscreens it tested, and its findings reveal that you can't always rely on the label.
The magazine's top-scoring sunscreen is Banana Boat Ultra Defense Max Skin Protect SPF 110 spray, with a score of 99 out of 100. The next three—BullFrog WaterArmor Sport InstaCool SPF 50+, Neutrogena Ultimate Sport SPF 70+ and Target house brand Up & Up Sport SPF 50—scored 90 or higher.
The Up & Up sunscreen and the Walmart in-house brand Equate Ultra Protection SPF 50 are both labeled Consumer Reports Best Buys.
The report found that only two provided the SPF promised on their packages after water immersion: BullFrog WaterArmor Sport InstaCool SPF 50+ and Coppertone Sensitive Skin SPF 50.
A full 16 out of the 20 tested came in between four percent and 40 percent below their stated SPF. Still, Consumer Reports says, some sunscreen is better than none. "Even an SPF 30 sunscreen that comes in, say, 40 percent below its claim gives you an SPF of 18."
Not All Sunscreens Work the Same
The wide variation in effectiveness highlights what Douglas Grossman, MD, an investigator at University of Utah Health's Huntsman Cancer Institute's Melanoma Program and an associate professor in the Department of Dermatology at the University of Utah School of Medicine, says is consumers' biggest misconception about sunscreen: that all products work equally well.
"If you use a product that contains zinc or titanium dioxide, these minerals stay on the skin and are much longer-lasting," he says. "Most products contain chemical sunscreens that do break down, and these should be reapplied every two to three hours. For that reason, I recommend the mineral-containing sunscreens."
There's also the question of lotions versus sprays. Although a handful of sprays made its recommended list, Consumer Reports says you should stick to lotions for kids. Some sprays contain titanium dioxide, which the CDC labels a potential occupational carcinogen when inhaled.
Grossman says lotions have another advantage over sprays, too. "I prefer lotions, which usually result in more of the product actually being applied to the skin," he says.
It's also important to wear sunscreen even if you think you don't need to. "The sun's UV rays can damage your skin in as little as 15 minutes. Put sunscreen on before you go outside, even on slightly cloudy or cool days," the CDC advises.
Other protective steps include avoiding being outside during the middle part of the day and wearing sun-protective clothing, Grossman says.


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Mobile app installs will continue to decline, AI-based mostly bots will move to mainstream and Amazon's Echo will become the crucial component in good properties. I still feel the attraction to the printed book. I like libraries and I might spend days in a bookstore. I simply really feel good in those locations. The thought that bookstores and libraries might not exist sooner or later saddens me. I hope I do not see this occur in my lifetime. I honestly hope it'll by no means occur. Know-how persists and lots of types of print media will fall to the digital age. Will books disappear? Lets look at the future of the beloved guide.
In March of 2016, we set an formidable objective to make Rhode Island the first state in the nation to offer pc science in each K-12 public faculty by December 2017 after we launched the Computer Science for Rhode Island (CS4RI) initiative. Only one yr later, we're forward of schedule to meet that target — with 70 percent of faculties offering laptop science alternatives — thanks to sustained partnerships with the Rhode Island tech group, greater ed institutions, the education community and nationwide organizations. And we've recently launched a Authorities Innovation League to share our strategies and insights from our first yr of operations to drive a tradition of innovation across the bigger state government by leveraging know-how to reimagine the services that government gives and the way we work together with Rhode Islanders.
Journey Technology Europe 2018 is your probability to discover progressive and leading edge applied sciences, study smarter strategies and turn new alternatives into income in your journey or accommodation enterprise. The camp prices $7,375; monetary support is obtainable. See the College of Pennsylvania Summer Academy website for additional data. The camp targets mathletes ages 15 and older by the primary day of this system, and it costs $four,200. Advantage awards and want-based mostly monetary help can be found. More info is on the market on the PROMYS webpage.
Listed below are a few of the preferred interviews in this sequence. There are several others. Co-chair, Large-scale Scene Understanding Challenge Workshop (LSUN) in CVPR 2015. Hello, Glenn. I agree – I feel printing sweets will turn into widespread quickly whereas printing with stem cells will take for much longer to grow to be mainstream. The possibilities are very thrilling, although. Investing in particular stocks related to 3D printing could be an important idea! Thanks very a lot for the the remark. I find this web site very interesting and helpful. Thank you for making it! Your tips about writing essays is basically serving to me out.
In 2012, a study was carried out on a potential new therapy. This used Excessive-Intensity Targeted Ultrasound (HIFU) to vibrate tissues the size of a grain of rice, heating them to about 80-ninety°C (176-194°F). This successfully killed the cancerous cells, in a highly localised area with out injury to neighbouring healthy tissues. Due to the beam's extreme precision, there have been few reported side effects. Although one in ten have been left impotent, this was far lower than traditional treatment strategies, and not one of the volunteers have been left incontinent. 95% of study contributors have been free of cancer after 12 months.


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Skill Level:
What you need:
• 1 Large Pom Pom -White
• 2 Medium Pom Poms -White
• 4 Small Pom Poms -White
• 3 Small Pom Poms -Pink
• 2 Medium Jiggly Eyes
• Scissors
• Elmer's Tacky Glue, Elmer's Glue All or Glue Gun (Adult supervision required when using a glue gun)
1. Using the photo as a reference, glue the small pom-poms on for legs, the medium poms for ears and let dry.
2. Glue on the jiggly eyes and let dry.
3. Glue on the pink nose and pink part of the ears and let dry.


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The global architecture of international trade and business sets the parameters within which countries and businesses interact with each other across borders. All those involved in trade or investment activities that may result in cross border transactions should be aware of the regulatory dimensions of that global system. The system informs trade and investment policy as well as the regulation of particular business transactions. This can lead to new markets or limit certain business activities. It can result in new regulation and laws and provides avenues to resolve disputes between countries and businesses and between businesses and businesses. The international regulatory system has different dimensions. These can be described as the multilateral system; bilateral agreements and trading blocs; conventions governing transactions; international regulatory bodies and self regulatory bodies. This unit will introduce students to aspects of this international system. Students will explore institutions and instruments of the system and how they fit together. There will be opportunities for students to examine how this impacts on regulatory policy and current negotiations.
Three hours of classes per week which may include one or more of the following: lectures; seminars; tutorials or workshops
presentation (20%), mid-semester exam (40%), research paper (40%)
Completion of at least 24 credit points of study
Semester 2
24 Aug 2020


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For Immediate Release
David Card 202-785-5980; email@example.com
ADA Calls Afghanistan a Quagmire Worse than Vietnam
WASHINGTON - In response to President Obama's announcement that he will send an additional 30,000 troops to Afghanistan, Michael J. Wilson, national director of Americans for Democratic Action, issued the following statement:
"Clearly President Obama's thoughtful and deliberate decision-making is a marked improvement from the cowboy diplomacy of the past Administration. However, his plan to send 30,000 more U.S. soldiers to Afghanistan is a monumental mistake. After consultation with our Board and our grassroots leadership, I feel compelled to express ADA's opposition to the policy as stated.
"We cannot support an escalation of U.S. military involvement after 8 long years of failure and urge the President to reconsider tens of thousands of additional troops. Terrorists cannot be defeated by armies; it will take a combination of intelligence forces, police work, and domestic and international assistance to address the challenges posed by Afghanistan.
"The U.S.-supported Karzai government is rife with corruption and lacks control of most of the country outside Kabul. War lords, tribal chiefs, and bandits are often difficult to distinguish from Taliban or Al Qaeda insurgents.
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"Further, United States military action creates more enemies than it kills. "Collateral damage" from U.S. counterinsurgency efforts, notably so-called "surgical" air strikes, is killing innocent rural villagers, including women, and children as well as a few Taliban and Al Qaeda terrorists.
"The years of conflict within Afghanistan have destroyed most of the positive economic activity within the country. Instead, "illegal" poppy-growing and opium-production remain the main economic activities. With few alternatives to provide for their families, Afghan men are turning to the Taliban and Al Qaeda for economic as well as ideological reasons.
"And perhaps most damaging to our efforts, the people of Afghanistan, by an every measurable matrix, have said that they want foreigners out of their country. Eight years of intervention have shown the futility of military intervention. Foreign troops of every nationality are still viewed as foreign invaders and occupiers, generating resistance and making the long term mission more difficult.
"President Obama is correct that we have a responsibility to assist Afghanistan and that an immediate withdrawal would put too much pressure on the fragile central government and on the governments of Iran and Pakistan. Yet, the long-run interests of Afghanistan and the United States will be best served by withdrawing U.S. military forces as soon as practical."
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Filed under: • Sidewalk Chalk Ads | Tags: aids, aids walk for life, hiv, scotiabank, sidewalk chalk
On September 13th Mango Moose Media was fortunate enough to be apart of a campaign for the Scotiabank Aids Walk for Life.
Working with Toronto ad agency, Bensimon Byrne, we were able to put a creative spin on sidewalk chalk. By placing a large chalk application at the starting line of the Walk for Life we were able to show that it takes millions to help find a cure for aids.
You can watch the video of all the action here and take a look at some of the photos from the day below.
Feel free to visit www.aidswalkforlifetoronto.ca for more information on the AIDS Walk For Life or to make a donation.
Filed under: • Sidewalk Chalk Ads | Tags: aids charity walk, sidewalk chalk
We're you at the AIDS Walk for Life this past weekend? Because we were!
Check back soon for details on our latest campaign for the Scotiabank AIDS WALK FOR LIFE!
Filed under: • Sidewalk Chalk Ads | Tags: calgary, chalk art, chalk stencils, dvd launch, fast and furious, future shop, Montreal, national campaign, sidewalk chalk, Toronto
On Sunday, July 27th the Fast & Furious Future Shop stencil campaign started in Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal. A total of 15 stores were selected to have the stencils displayed in front of their doors for three weeks.
Check out the pictures below to see a really creative looking chalk stencil!
Filed under: • Custom Media, • Sidewalk Chalk Ads
Fido and Mango Moose Media decorated the city for Fido's "Text 411" campaign throughout specified locations in Toronto where Fido events were to be held throughout the summer. A total of 50 chalk stencils were imprinted in high traffic, city core areas and 5 000 custom designed tree hangers were hung on trees and street poles. Fido and Mango Moose also did their part to keep the city green, by power washing the stencils and collecting the tree hangers after the promotion.
Filed under: • Sidewalk Chalk Ads
Havana Club, with the help of Mango Moose Media left its mark with a total of 41 chalk stencils promoting their "Havana Cultura Festival," which celebrates the passionate Cuban essence of life. Two different imprints were left in key, city core locations to create a buzz for their first annual festival.
Filed under: • Postering & Poster Sniping, • Sidewalk Chalk Ads
Mango Moose along side Espresso created an impressive campaign downtown to get people texting in their mobile moments. A total of 20 chalk stencils were imprinted throughout specified high traffic locations in Toronto. A total of 2,000 posters (2×3) were put up on construction boards throughout Toronto's downtown core:
Filed under: • Postering & Poster Sniping, • Sidewalk Chalk Ads
We teamed up with WS&IB (Workplace Safety & Insurance Board) on a postering and chalk stenciling blitz around GTA high schools. We had teams putting up posters and chalk imprints offering a potential reach of 13,000 students. The campaign promoted studens to be active in identifying and understanding the importance of workplace safety.


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Family Reunions at the Ranch
Rent the whole ranch to yourselves
Have your Family Reunion in the heart of cowboy country
Our guest ranch is dedicated to providing you with the best family reunion experience you can imagine. For groups of 30 to 40 guests you can book the entire ranch exclusively for your reunion at special group discounted rates. No strangers walking around, just you and your family members. What better way to reunite with friends and family than in an Old West style environment. See how fun it is to have everyone walk around in cowboy hats, ride in true western fashion and relive the quality simple life our forfathers did. Families have gotten together at the ranch for years and have found it to be a perfect place to reconnect with loved ones in a setting that is reminiscent of the Old West. Set up like a little Western town, our dude ranch will make you feel like you've stepped back in time and with the whole ranch to yourselves you will feel like your entire family is a resident of this little town.
Enjoy campfires at night, gorgeous hikes into the desert mountains, family fun for all ages like mountain bikes, swimming pool, hot tub, archery, shooting, ATV's and even an authentic wagon ride. Of course the best time will be riding in the beautiful Arizona desert with our friendly wranglers who have made our dude ranch their home for years. You do not have to be a rider to enjoy our horses and people who have never ridden before have found that riding our horses was easy and exhilarating. Our guest ranch borders over 360,000 acres of natural western desert beauty at the foot of the Mohave and Hualapai mountains. It is the perfect location to spend time with your family member in a setting that is peaceful and serene.
Your hosts, JP and Tricia McCormick invite you to try this special guest ranch! We welcome all travelers to come and experience our dude ranch where the Old West blends with the new. The staff at our guest ranch will do everything they can to make sure everyone who stays here has the most memorable western experience possible! Come see how the west is really fun!
Stagecoach Trails Guest Ranch offers discounts for groups of 20 or more guests in an all inclusive package that includes three delicious meals a day, accommodations, two horse back rides a day (no riding on Sundays), unlimited access to the swimming pool, hot tub, hiking and much more. Each room has a patio with rocking chairs, some with courtyards, extra large bathrooms, Western themed decor throughout. Contact us at 928-727-8270 or at firstname.lastname@example.com for group rate quotes.


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This subreddit is for users who wish to communicate in a more easier manner than what we have at the moment. I've seen a lot of great threads of communication between users that gets deleted whenever that specific market closes.
I'd love to see a continuing conversation between all of us that does not get deleted upon closure of the topic.
help me get this going, guys! All feedback is appreciated.
There's already at least one active subreddit:
I like the idea, but FYI, I don't think those comment threads actually get deleted when the market expires.
Example: https://www.predictit.org/Contract/670
Change the number in the URL to find other markets + comments.


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This modern location in the government seat of The Hague opened its doors in the final quarter of 2014. This Netrouting facility offers N+1 redundant power and cooling measures. The Hague / Amsterdam colocation facility is ready for your business and IT infrastructure needs.
Our North America headquarters are located in downtown Miami, in the Southern state of Florida. This SSAE 16 & PCI DSS compliant carrier-neutral data center of 2.000 square meters has a direct connection to our worldwide network and gives access to our full portfolio. This location was opened by Netrouting in April of 2010.
Netrouting also has a facility in Stockholm. This location in part functions as a secondary data center, as a back-up to our facilities in The Hague and Miami. Thanks to this location in Sweden Netrouting was able to create outstanding geographical dispersion. With data centers in Western Europe, Northern Europe and North America, your data and connections are always available, even in the time of (natural) disasters.
What customers say about Netrouting


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Day 68: The Valley of the Shadows of Death
Motto: "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."
(Franklin D. Roosevelt)
'Though I walk through the Valley of the Shadows of Death, I will fear no evil, because I am with me! I have always feared being alone, and now that I am truly alone, in the most authentic way, I have realized that I have still value; that fear is useless, because I was loved from the beginning of Time. We cannot lose what is ours – and knowing that releases us from any kind of fear-bondage! What is meant to go – will go; what is meant to stay – will stay; and if by chance what was meant to stay – goes, then it will come back! What was meant to love you, will love you until the very end, no matter how developed you are or not; no matter how beautiful you are or not – because it is not dependent on outward circumstances!
In the darkest night of the Soul, I whisper to myself: Faint not! Hold on! Tomorrow comes the Song, the Joy! Or how a friend of mine would say: <<Mon cher, wait! Patience!>>'
N.B. If you are interested in my romance novel, 'Awakening to Fire', you can order it by accessing the following link:


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Customer Service 11-7pm EST M-F, 11-5 Sat
406 Rosemont Garden
Lexington, KY 40503
Shure GLXD24-SM58-Z2 Handheld Wireless System
The GLXD24/SM58 Handheld Wireless System is part of the GLX-D wireless systems family. Revolutionary Shure GLX-D® Digital Wireless Systems combine leading-edge LINKFREQ Automatic Frequency Management technology with best-in-class intelligent lithium-ion battery rechargeability to define the new standard for seamless operation and digital audio clarity.
Includes GLXD4 receiver, GLX2/SM58 handheld transmitter, microphone clip, power supply, rechargeable battery, USB cable, carrying case, and user guide.
Operates in Z2 frequency band
All items listed with serial numbers, show the actual instrument in the photographs.
Questions about this item? Contact us by email or by phone at 859.276.0675 to speak with a representative.


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boston blogger
Femme DandyTuesday, January 31, 2017 4:30 AM
Good morning lovelies!
I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.
My dad was admitted back into the hospital on Friday, then later in the weekend released. They have treated him for a UTI, so hopefully he will finally be on the mend.
I am STILL battling the throat/ head cold/ chest illness. Seems it just wants to make it's way through my entire body and stick around for a while.
My sister in law and I took the kids to see 'A Dogs Purpose'. Ok... It was a great movie, the kids loved it. If you have ever seen 'My Dog Skip' or "Marley and Me' and cried, this movie will leave you sniveling under mound of tissues. To say I couldn't get it together would be an understatement. We had to stay about ten minutes after it was over in order to collect ourselves. Again, great movie, but you may want to wait until it is on demand so you can sob in the privacy of your own home.
Onto this look...
I have always been loved femme dandy style, the juxtaposition of masculine and feminine work so well. Stars such as Marlene Dietrich, Katherine Hepburn, Diane Keaton and Madonna have all rocked this style. It is a fun way to look and feel powerful and still very sexy.
xx, Elise


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Welcome to Union Colours
Union Colours is an international division of the Longyu Pigment and Chemicals Corporation, the largest organic pigment manufacturer in China. First established in 1980, our parent group has grown to be a major force in the production of organic pigments.
Our technical activities are global - steered from our purpose built Technical Centre in the United Kingdom, we have development and testing capabilities on three continents..
This allows us to bring together our development, manufacturing, quality control and customers, resulting in a robust, sustainable supply chain and product improvement programme.
Since our formation we have been engaged in a technically led campaign of aligning our products to meet or exceed our international customers' needs. In so doing we have been able to launch a substantial number of new or improved products resulting in a technically strong product portfolio for our chosen markets of organic picgments and VOC free dispersions.


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Satibo capsules are the powerful energy agent which combines the ancient skills of traditional Chinese knowledge with state of the art manufacturing techniques to produce a most remarkable recipe.
Satibo capsules have been used extensively throughout Asia and the Middle East for many years, and the product is now rapidly gaining popularity in the western world.
Satibo is a natural alternative to the famous blue tablet. Satibo, however due to its 100% natural ingredients, does not have any of the side effects of its pharmaceutical competitors, such as headaches, fatigue, nausea and the infamous blue peripheral vision.
Satibo not only improves ones sexuality but also rejuvenates the whole system giving an intense feeling of well being. Satibo is beneficial to all age groups and is used by people from all walks of life, people who have never had sexual or erection problems use satibo as it greatly enhances the sexual experience.
If you and your partner want to experience the best sex ever then choose satibo!
The main benefits of satibo capsules:
1. Erection speed is often quicker than its competition and the feeling of erection is stronger.
2. Self-sustaining time is longer than alternatives, and a pleasurable and excited state continues for a long time.
3. The pleasant sensations and feelings achieved are more abundant than with the competition. Those who use alternatives will be aware of a feeling of fatigue often experienced after a sexual act. There is also the possibility of a feeling of weakness and depression. With Satibo an intense feeling throughout the whole body during sexual intercourse is produced. This is one of the greatest attributes of Satibo capsules.
4. Satibo capsules are a 100% natural herbal medicine, there are no side effects, and it is safe. A nutrition ingredient is also in the capsules.
5. No prescription is necessary to purchase Satibo capsules.
• Major ingredients: Chinese yam, Wolfberry, Liquorice, Job stears, Gorgon fruit, Lily.
• Inapplicable to: Children
• Dosage and usage: Oral use - 2 capsules each time. Please take 1 hour before sexual activity.
• Storage: keep in cool, dry place.
• Packing: 0.3g ;6 capsules/box


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No pictures unfortunately, but I got my first piece of hand-dyed fabric from Silkweaver. Will probably end up using it if I ever start Rachel Anderson's Queen of Hearts. Speaking of HAED designs, the Tree of Life design by Ciro Marchetti that was recently charted looks pretty awesome.
For Thanksgiving sales so far I hear Jo-ann will have DMC floss at $.33 each. Depending on coupons I'm not sure whether Michaels or Jo-ann will end up cheaper. Still haven't had the time to make spreadsheets to figure out how much floss I need for future projects. I've been far too busy reading – just finished the Queen's Fool by Philippa Gregory, and I got Dragon Age: Origins last night so I've been playing that as well. Next Wednesday the in-laws will arrive for Thanksgiving so that may not leave much time for stitching. I am working on page 3 of Cirque des Cercles now though, hopefully will get a picture in the next few days before the holiday madness!


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Our industry is full of the unheralded. And we, as comic fans, are never short on reminding those around us of it. You know the story: The greats in our industry aren't covered enough in the mainstream, the mid-level talents should be recognized as great and everyone has some pet, small-time creator whom they think is completely ignored by everyone else. Try being Hermann.
As with a slew of creators of not working in English, Hermann Huppen is not a recognizable name, even amongst seasoned readers. Despite having steady work for over four decades I had to do a little research into his bibliography. Comics be humbling, bro.
Written in 2007 and recently translated into English, Afrika focuses on Dario Ferrer, the cantankerous leader of a anti-poaching squad in a nondescript African country. Dario lives to protect the animals of the plain, and doesn't care for much else with a heartbeat. His day-to-day is interrupted by the arrival of journalist Charlotte, a naive European hoping to report on the poaching activities.
Hermann's story smolders at first, allowing the reader to delve into the lush landscapes and quiet characters who choose their words well. At first glance Dario seems to be the typical misanthrope, but through his interaction with Charlotte a deeper man emergences. Dario lives for his animals, yes, but he also lives among the people of Africa in general peace. He isn't a hermit. This same man who scorns civilization still exists among it. Fervor is a young man's game. As Dario tells his female companion when she comments on the everyday violence of the environment: "Not so long ago, I'd have told you some things about the so-call civilized world you're coming from… but I don't feel like it anymore. This cheetah kills only to feed."
Hermann's pacing is quick and without mercy. Maybe it's his style, maybe it's a European method of storytelling, but things feel too rapid sometimes and I just want to pause and look at the pretty pictures. I could be used to the decompression of major comics we've been seeing for the last ten years. One beauty of our beloved medium is that the reader can choose the intake bandwidth of the experience: You can read a page a day or thumb through it like a flipbook. But, while I choose my gait I not could help but to feel rushed along, especially when Hermann's talent mixed with the setting of the novel makes for art that I could stare at for miles.
Afrika's second and third act ratchet up the tension adequately, putting Dario and his cohort in present danger. The plot, and subsequent conclusion, don't evolve in a traditional format, but it works. One problem that simmered beneath the entire piece is the translated dialogue. It feels a little blocked-off and handcuffed at times. For the most part the character's personalities come across, but occasionally a line or two felt a little robotic.
Afrika is named for a place but it's about a character. Dario Ferrer will stick with me for some time, a Jonah Hex-archetype displaced by 10,000 miles and hundred years. I highly recommended this to anyone looking to step away from the current comics market and check out something that plays to the tune of the soul.
Jamil Scalese is just like you — an avid comics reader and lover of sequential art. Residing in Pittsburgh, PA, he is an unapologetic Deadpool fan, devotee of the Food Network and proud member of Steelers Nation. Check out his original, ongoing webcomic And Then There Were Zombies and follow his subpar tweeting at @jamilscalese.


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Lower School Welcome Back Parent Social
all day
Drop your child off for class and then join us in the Library at the Welcome Back to School Parent Social. Come and meet new friends and catch up with 'old' ones. A panel of experienced parents and school leadership will be there to share information and answer questions. Whether you're crying or cheering at the start of the school year, you'll find friendly faces and have a good time at the Welcome Back Socials. Refreshments will be served. Younger siblings welcome.


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Private Dining & Catering
From business meeting to family or social gathering, we have a private room to meet your every need. Let us help you create a memorable event with impeccable service and excellent food in a beautiful, comfortable setting.
Please call us at 781-762-9090 or fill in the form below for more information.
The Adriana Room
Holds 17-50 people
The Adriana Room can accommodate 17 to 50 guests for plated dinners and up to 75 for cocktail receptions. soaring high-ceilings, custom woodwork, contemporary artwork and large windows make this the perfect setting for a seated luncheon or dinner for any special occasion. for your convenience, the room also features a private entrance, restrooms, and private bar setup.
Capacity: 17 to 50 guests for plated dinners and up to 75 for cocktail receptions
The Olivadi Room
Holds 10-16 people
The Olivadi Room can accommodate 10 to 16 guests for a more intimate seated lunch or dinner gathering. The room is adjacent to our main dining room and is separated by French doors with privacy glass.
Capacity: 10 to 16 guests
Carry Out Catering
Our Catering program is a simple and ideal way to bring our kitchen to your home or office. Whether a corporate lunch, after work meal, or an at-home celebration, Olivadi will satisfy your co-workers and guests, and please every palate. From simple sandwich platters to a full family style or buffet dinner, we have options and solutions to help you plan the perfect event.


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BBP Admin will be celebrating 40 years in business in 2017. Three generations of this family run business have made it into a leading nationwide benefit administrator, we have been providing innovative employee benefits solutions for COBRA, FMLA, FSA, HRA, HSA, Payroll and Transit Plans
We are committed to making it easier for you to run your business, understanding that technology alone is not the answer. Building up teams of experts to better serve our customers in a variety of important ways is our primary focus.
You can count on us to provide you with exceptional service, solid expertise, and the best products. We are licensed and experienced benefit administrators devoted to personal and prompt service.
Easy to use and powerful web-based administration systems. A secure helpdesk to track every request from start to finish. Mobile apps to make participant use as easy as possible. Email and live chat support to help participants. If you have a special need, we can help you with a solution.
We have focused on the benefits needs of companies for 39 years. Whether you have the simple need for a section 125 plan or a complex health reimbursement plan, we'll work with you to identify your optimal coverage.
Starting out as a local Illinois administrator we have grown into one of the industry's most trusted and reliable nationwide TPAs. A large part of our success are partnerships we share with the brokers, agents, tax professionals, and financial planners.
Our technology, customer service, and provider resources give you all the tools you'll need to sell with confidence. We will make you look great!
125 West Orchard Street,
Itasca, IL 60143
Mon-Fri 8:00a to 6:00p
Sat-Sun Closed
We've had a really good experience here. My husband was laid off and we have medical bills that need to be paid. We...Posted by Trudi Murrell-Hunter Budd on Friday, November 3, 2017
At the time, I worked for Lambent Risk Management and I had the pleasure of meeting and working with Rosa Loiacono. She...Posted by George Villega on Tuesday, October 24, 2017
The paperwork can be a pain, however dealing with Joseph Zell made it much easier! Thank you for all your help. I...Posted by Adrienne Baker on Friday, October 20, 2017
Today I needed help and spoke to Rosetta Lolocono and she was amazing! Not only was she able to answer my questions she...Posted by Annie Black on Wednesday, September 20, 2017
Very Helpful and easy to use the cards they provide - no paperwork! Love itPosted by Joel Christensen on Friday, September 15, 2017
EXCELLENT customer service!!! The folks at BBP genuinely care about their clients and needs. They have always been...Posted by Trish DeAnda on Tuesday, August 15, 2017
I H A T E dealing with medical claims and FSA accounts, but Joe Zell from BBP Admin made it so easy for me to settle the claims on FSA. Thanks Joe.Posted by Lisa Bryant on Friday, July 14, 2017
Claudia and the whole team gave great service. would highly recommend.Posted by Ben Levenson on Thursday, August 17, 2017


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17 June 2015 -
Ben Walker
Much of leadership is a rare – but simple – art made complex by overthinking and poor processes. On 17 June, leadership guru Professor William Scott-Jackson used a CMI webinar, held in association with Citrix, to cut through the waffle and show delegates how to supercharge their leadership development. With 406 super-engaged guests online and plenty of audience questions, it was a memorable session.
"Think of the worst boss you had and the things they did that you most hated and never do those," Scott-Jackson recommended. "Then think of the best boss you ever had and the things he did and always do them." Scott-Jackson chose an image of Compare the Market's meerkat to make his point. "His catchphrase is: simples!" Scott-Jackson reminded us.
Behaviours and positive attitudes are key to successful leadership, Scott-Jackson said. Great leaders often have brilliant interpersonal skills, he stressed. And he added that he best way to enthuse your team is to be enthusiastic yourself. He cautioned against "psychopathic" over-enthusiasm however: "That is bad!"
Scott-Jackson once fired a colleague who made 55% of the revenue for his company – because the individual was "septic", and caused a contagion of bad feeling among staff.
A majority of the 406 delegates on the session asked their team – or studied their team's results – to determine whether they themselves were effective leaders. Only 2% asked their boss. That's exactly right said Scott-Jackson – who argued that the classic system of having a boss appraise managers is wrongheaded: it's the team they are leading who should judge them.
Click here to download a recording of the webinar.
Professor William Scott-Jackson is chairman of Oxford Strategic Consulting
› Four companies that failed spectacularly, and the lessons of their premature demise
› Six sharpest hard-rock business brains
› Jimmy Wales: "It is important to have a culture that accepts reasonable failure"
› Leadership after Lehman: three insiders share lessons from its shocking demise
For more information or to request interviews, contact CMI's Press Team on 020 7421 2705 or email email@example.com
› The 5 Greatest Examples of Change Management in Business History
› 6 companies that get employee engagement – and what they do right
› 4 Signs That Racism May Be An Issue In Your Workplace
› How to build an Effective Team: focus on just 3 things
› Current research
Gain recognition for enhancing your knowledge, understanding and practice of management. Display your post nominal as a commitment to continuous professional development and accomplishment as a manager.
For managers who want to sharpen their professional edge and enhance their effectiveness, membership offers access to qualifications, courses, mentoring and unrivalled support resources. You can also achieve the ultimate management accolade, Chartered Manager status.
Independent research proves that individuals with professional qualifications and membership stand to earn an additional £152,000 throughout their career. You'll also be part of an extensive management community, opening doors for career progression.
Membership equips you to meet daily management challenges in a professional, proficient way. Improving performance and effectiveness at managing people and projects will raise your confidence and ultimately, status in your organisation.
You will receive both the weekly Insights and monthly Membership Matters newsletters, keeping you updated on key management issues.
You can manage your communication preferences in the My Account section.


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Last year's fantastic show attracted a record attendance, helped by fine weather and great attractions.
Next month we'll be publishing the show schedule and further details about events and charges.
As a taster we can confirm we're introducing a brand new class 'CONCOURS D'ELEGANCE' mare or gelding four years old or over, riders of any age, open to all heights.
Barnetby Silver Band and Ancholme River Jazz Band have confirmed their attendance. We'll be revealing sponsorship of a brand new grandstand in the affiliated show jumping ring.
Trade and craft stand applications are already coming in, so need to book early to avoid disappointment. The same for classic car enthusiasts too. You can book via this website.
We are always looking to make improvements and listening to feedback, so there will be more toilets this year. And we're planning to look at limited ringside car parking until 10am, first come, first parked – £2 per car. We continue to have ample free parking next to the Showground. Blue badge holders can still be parked around the ringside.
Finally, if you can spare a couple of hours on 5 June we are always on the look out for volunteers to help with assisting steward the show.
If you can volunteer or have any questions please let us know. This year promises to be another exciting and fantastic day out.
Email: email@example.com


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With the power of Tzeentch on the rise I couldn't resist summoning this cultist to do my bidding.
With the power of Tzeentch on the rise I couldn't resist summoning this cultist to do my bidding.
You didn't honestly think I was going to let this one pass without comment now did you?
The skies above Fenris are ablaze and the internet is electric with chatter! Magnus the Red and his legion, the Thousand Sons, are back! Why has he returned? What are his aims? What does this mean for the future of the Space Wolves, for Chaos fans and for the Imperium itself? Is a 40k End Times event just around the corner?* And why does he have such huge horns for nipples? Let's take a look!
*There isn't. That would just be silly.
Incidentally I almost entitled this post Rubricae, Don't Take Your Love To Town. Aren't you glad I restrained myself?
For the first time in a long time* a demigod walks in the 41st Millennium, one of the Emperor's own sons returned to see in the end of days. Overwrought descriptions follow in his wake; skies cracking, earth writhing, madness ensuing.
*Hush Epic fans, we know you had a model for him long ago. It was rubbish.There's no beating around the bush – this is the big one. As probably the last major release of 2016 Games Workshop are bowing out with a bang, and setting the stage for the year to come. There is no turning back from this for them. Bigger and crazier models are on their way; more daemon Primarchs, perhaps even a few Loyalist Primarchs. If you thought that 40k was about to reinvent itself into a Necromundaesc skirmish game then those hopes are probably dashed I'm afraid. 2017 will undoubtedly be bigger and more hyperbolic still.
It's easy to get caught up in the wider impact of this release and the inexact science of prophecy and forget about the model itself. Before we find ourselves plunging into the rabbit hole of rumour and counter-rumour let's see what we have here and how. Like Forge World's Angron a few years ago Magnus emerges already straining under the weight of expectation. The narrative of Warhammer 40,000 is one of apocalypse. For almost as long as the 40k universe has existed we have been being told "soon Chaos will rise, the Daemon Primarchs and their Legions will ride out at the head of a tide of daemons and the Imperium of Man shall fall". Every battle fought in the 41st Millennium is one of desperation, the last fading strength of the Imperium bleeding out in the hopeless struggle of cruel order being crushed by the inrushing tide of absolute disorder. As a direct result of that narrative, I would argue, we've been waiting – unconsciously – to see models for the Damon Primarchs for years, perhaps even decades. Set against such a weight of expectation the model itself is undoubtedly going to be in for a fairly divisive reviewing – pulled apart or held up as an avatar of quality depending on how the reviewer feels about what it represents. Thus, in the interests of full disclosure let me restate my position on Primarchs in 40k, as set out a month ago with the release of The Burning of Prospero (which for those less familiar with the setting could be considered a sister release to this one, covering as it does the events which led to Magnus getting so narked off with the Space Wolves in the first place).
…It's certainly a dramatic development and many are insisting that this means the return of many other primarchs is now imminent. Certainly the background has it that the daemonic Primarchs have been preparing for a return to the mortal universe for some time, …For me the thought of being able to include them in my armies as we surge out of the Great Eye at last and bring ruin to the Corpse-God's Imperium is hugely exciting. However, perhaps hypocritically, I'm not all that keen on seeing the loyalist Primarchs appearing in 40k… After all Warhammer has already made the transition from a world in which the aesthetic of the pathetic ruled, where a man with no shoes and fewer teeth took up a rusty sword to battle daemon princes and orc hordes, into a glittering universe of superhuman heroics, where gods do battle and the great unwashed are strangely absent…The return of the loyalist Primarchs would send 40k in the same direction. The fate of the Imperium would hang less on the actions of a band of guardsmen defending a trench against the horrors of a hostile galaxy and more about two demi-gods duelling over their father's throne…
The model itself is certainly dramatic although I'll confess that at first I felt a slight disappointment based largely on my own unrealistic expectations. However, with his angelic wings and haughty demeanour, he plays the part of the fallen angel with aplomb. What's more it's literally packed with occult and metaphorical symbols and it's clear that the designers had a great time creating a model with real meaning and depth. As a wizard Magnus lives in a world where symbolism is key and in recognition of this the designers have lavished him with clever details. Look for instance at his right hand which appears to form a Hamsa eye, a symbol believed to have magical properties that dates back at least as far as Mesopotamia. In many images of the Hamsa eye three of the fingers are elongated and emphasised, with the thumb and little finger reduced to vestiges. In Magnus's case this appears to have been taken even further, with the little finger missing altogether. In the centre of the palm an eye looks out, warding the bearer against the evil eye. The evil eye itself may be represented by the glowing eye tattooed on his forearm, representing the wizard in his dualistic role of both protector and destroyer.
What the symbols around it might mean however remains unclear (I'll admit my first thought was to dig through symbolic alphabet for the Dark Tongue of Chaos in The Lost and the Damned but to no avail). As ever any theories, no matter how wild or outlandish, are welcome in the comments.
On his wings we find a number of eyes reminiscent of the tail of a peacock, the Cauda Pavonis of the alchemists, to whom it represented both the white light in which all colours are united and, conversely, the failure of the process by which one believes illusions to be real. Much like Magnus himself then who, although he has claimed enormous power, will forever remain far less than he could have been, trapped forever by Tzeentch. Note also how the colours of the alchemical process progress from black, to white, to gold and finally to red, whilst across the Thousand Sons range gold appears with ever greater prevalence on the higher ranked figures, whilst red appears on the robes of the sorcerers, increases on those of Ahriman and becomes dominant on Magnus, the Crimson King himself.
His armour is likewise covered in the intricate details. In one a snake looms over a skeletal figure. Various theories have already been put forth to explain this including in White Dwarf itself; that the snake represents Tzeentch whilst the doomed figure is either the Emperor or Magnus, signifying how Magnus's quest for vengeance upon his father shall ultimately doom both. Of course such symbolism often contains multiple layers of depth and my personal theory is that the snake also represents the incoming Tyranid swarms who's animalistic hunger shall soon see the Imperium devoured. We know from statements by the developers that Magnus' attack on Fenris is just the first step on a plan of galaxy-changing scale. By finally slaying the Emperor and snuffing out the light of the Astronomicon the forces of Chaos shall scatter humanity to the winds, preventing all hope of a co-ordinated response, and yet also removing the one thing which was drawing the Hive Fleets towards the inner worlds and perhaps offering some small hope for those who remain. After all if the Tyranids eat everyone who shall sustain the Chaos gods through their suffering?
In Egyptian myth, from which much of the imagery associated with the Thousand Sons is sourced, the serpent Apep devours all – life, light and magic – much as the Tyranids themselves do. Humanity is only saved by the intervention of Set, not a particularly noble or traditionally heroic figure, but a god of storms, disorder, violence and – most importantly – Chaos.
The kit also contains three different faces, unusual for a unique character (apart from politicians which come with two as standard) but perfect for Magnus who was capable of transforming his appearance and looked different depending on who was looking at him. Emphasising this one of the faces is a mask, perfect for concealing his ever shifting features. It's not all quality however. For example the various the cables and other assorted ironmongery emerging through his arm seems slightly unnecessary. In the latest issue of White Dwarf it's suggested that this is a result of whatever restoration was required following his battle with Russ. Surely however someone so magically powerful as Magnus, already capable of enormous feats of physical regeneration even before his ascension to daemonhood, would have no need for such augmetics? If this were Perturabo, or even Angron, I would understand, their cybernetic components are part of their character and would undoubtedly remain so even in the wake of their demonic-rebirth. It may be that Magnus wishes to wear his wounds openly so that his sons might see how he too suffered at the hands of the Space Wolves – but again these don't look like ragged injuries but clean, intentional features and most of his Legion are automatons anyway, whilst the rest are egomaniacs who probably couldn't give a monkeys what he looks like. Thus to me they end up looking like they were only added in order to fill a space on the model.
The trouble is actually working out what is intended as part of a subtle reference or clever hint on the designers' part and what was simply added because they thought it looked cool. Does the three fingered hand really represent the Hamsa eye? What are the nipple horns actually for (apart from making him hard to hug)? Do they represent some form of symbolic feminine, the wizard combining male and female elements into a hermaphrodite form – a union of all the opposing forces within himself – or are they only there because John Blanche put them in the original artwork? Does the fact that he lives in a big tower with a huge eye at the top mean he's only emerged from the Warp to hunt down hobbits?
Ultimately Magnus is a miniature which, when I first saw him, failed to really engage me – but the longer I've looked the more I like him. Even in this review I've rewritten passages multiple times as repeated looks have unlocked him further and further and I've shifted from being rather harshly critical to actually embracing him (not literally of course, nipple horns again). Thus although I may not be running down to the shops for him at once I suspect he may make his way into my collection at some point.
I'll also be interested to see what other convertors do with such a large and impressive canvas. Certainly if we don't see a new Lord of Change released soon I can imagine a number of hobbyists replacing Magnus's head with the bird head from Archaon Everchosen.
Finally, before we move on to the rest of the release, let us remind ourselves of that Epic model which was Magnus' first tabletop incarnation.
Here we have him – the real star of the show! The second of the classic chaos characters to be given a redesign in 2016 Ahriman joins Kharn in receiving a plastic reincarnation of a well-loved metal model. Unlike Kharn however, who received an extensive – and to my mind unnecessary – redesign – Ahriman is very much as he always was, with a few tweaks representative of twenty years of technological progress. It's a risky business taking on a classic but all the iconic features are still in place, from the sweeping antelope horns to the instantly recognisable facemask and staff. Thus unlike Kharn, and for that matter Eldrad Ulthran, who both ended up looking slightly less than their metal predecessors, the new Ahriman is actually an improvement.
There was always something aggressive about his pose but that's been turned up to eleven, no longer merely casting a spell but actually lunging into wizardly combat. The fact that he's now riding on a disk only serves to emphasise the effect. He's also divested himself of his gun (it's holstered under his robes), preferring instead to fry his enemies with whatever magical effect is swirling around his fingertips. Normally I'm no fan of sculpted ethereal elements/fire/smoke/what-have-you but on this occasion it feels right. After all if Ahriman, easily one of the most powerful mages in the 41st Millennium, can't be throwing a few spells around then who can? I'll probably still be snipping it off though!
Here it is at last; the thing we've all be waiting for – a set of Space Marines who aren't squatting! Better yet it's the Rubricae, the rank and file of the Thousand Sons who were turned to dust by Ahriman's disastrous rubic thousands of years ago, and left to gather dust by Games Workshop for almost as long. Now, at long last, they're back – with a stylish range of wonderfully ornate models.
The Aspiring Sorcerer also has an eye in the palm of his hand, a neat and subtle link to Magnus.
Note the similarity between the Aspiring Sorcerer and the 30k incarnation of Ahriman released last month, a nice bit of visual storytelling that helps to tie the chief librarian's past and future incarnations together in spite of his own changed appearance. The key difference is that the Ahriman model is casting with his right hand, the Aspiring Sorcerer with his left. Or, to put it differently, the staff – the focus of his power – is held in the Aspiring Sorcerer's right hand, representing him choosing the right hand path of magic and accepting power from without. At the time of the Heresy Ahriman holds his staff in his left hand, choosing the left hand path of independence and channelling power from within himself. By the 41st Millennium however his staff has switched hands, perhaps because Ahriman's struggle for self-determination has been for naught and he is now shackled forever by Tzeentch.
Whatever the meaning, if you've ever fancied creating a Sorcerer who's casting a spell with both hands outstretched now's your chance.
The Scarab Occult
Clad in Tartaros terminator armour in another nod to last month's Burning of Prospero the elite warriors of the Scarab Occult join their brothers at last. When the rubric of Ahriman turned the legion into walking suits of dust-filled armoured it wasn't just the power armoured marines who were affected. For years fans have been pointing this out and muttering about Rubric Terminators and finally their hopes have borne fruit.
Like the power armoured Rubricae the terminators carry an elegant assortment of weapons. Even the Hellfyre missile rack is stylish and ornate, although I'm still not entirely sure if the look of that particular set up appeals to me. Otherwise however the arrival of these terminators is a welcome addition to the range.
Exalted Sorcerers
Life's always better when it contains a Chaos sorcerer or two so the arrival of a boxset to make them with can only be a good thing. Packed full of mutations, extra staff tops and alternative heads this has the makings of being a kitbashers dream come true. It's just unfortunate that the official models themselves are all a little disappointing. This one appears to be farting himself into the air. At first I assumed it must be an effect of the angle at which he'd been shown but no, however you look at it, there it is. I hoped it was just me who saw him this way but sadly it seems it was just the designer who didn't. Never mind, the joy of plastic models is that it should be easy enough to convert something else.
Luckily these should be compatible with most of GW's other space marines – both loyalist and heretic – so I'm looking forward to all kinds of fantastic kitbashes emerging over the coming months. With seven different heads in the kit it should be possible to come up with plenty of unique-looking characters to lead one's mindless Rubricae to battle. In a particularly nice touch the disk of Tzeentch is double-sided allowing it to be reversed to create two different looking disks for your sorcerers to ride.
…And look, this one is reloading his pistol with magic (a touch which is either brilliance of a simply inspired nature or too silly for words – I'm undecided)!
Ultimately there are so many clever components in the kit that, in spite of its flaws, I'm looking forward to raiding it for conversion materials. I doubt these two masters of the occult will be alone for long.
Time and again lately Games Workshop have plundered their own history and brought forth brilliant ideas too long left in the shadows. When the first pictures of Magnus appeared online it seemed natural to expect the Thousand Sons to emerge with him and, in the wake of Wulfen and Genestealer Cults alike, I dared to hope that they might be bringing their thrall-herds with them. To actually see them come snorting and braying onto the tabletop at last however is exciting beyond words. Newcomers to the hobby might be scratching their heads at this – after all the Tzaangors were part of the Silver Tower back in the spring so why would they not make the jump to 40k now? Older hands however will recall the years in which 40k seemed to be slipping ever further into safe, sci-fi territory with the crazier elements abandoned or forgotten. Surely it was too much to hope that they might actually appear in model form – until now of course.
And what wonderfully weird forms those are! Combining elements of birds, goats and humans they create a figure which is far from anything we know from rational biology, yet which still appears functional. What's more the brutal, bestial elements are entwined wonderfully with the ornate armour and weapons. They look alien, but believable.
For me then this may be the best bit of this release. I'm already a big fan of beastmen in 40k and the chance to add some more of these savage warriors to the those I've already picked up from the Silver Tower boxset will not be missed. They've also reminded me how much I've enjoyed working on my Bloodgors so perhaps we'll see more of those soon as well. And then there are Pestigors and Slaangors to consider as well…
Mazzakim the Liar
Before describing my own future plans for these models I'll need to explain a little about the idea behind my Chaos collection over all. Hard to believe though it may be behind what might at first look like a random pick 'n' mix of Chaos forces, with cults of all four gods and none piling in together, exists an underlying plan that ties it all together. Kallamoon Kell, the so called Lord of Ruin, is the lynchpin that holds it all together. His is the ultimate command and it is on his orders that the fleets sail and the Chaos Marines make war. Beneath him are a number of sub-commanders, and whilst Kell himself leads an inner circle of troops loyal(-ish) to him above the gods, these lieutenants each have command over one of the cults. Ghisguth the Reaper leads the followers of Nurgle, whilst the as yet unbuilt Rannoghar Garran commands those warriors who have sworn themselves to Khorne. Later I have plans to create the clone-twin lovers who lead the Slaaneshi warband The Choir of Spite. The Tzeentchian element will be led by an exile from the Thousand Sons who goes by the name High Magister Mazzakim the Liar.
For almost as long as he's been plotting in the dark corners of the Eye of Terror I've been plotting how to make him with, as yet, no actual results to show you. All that, however – I like to imagine anyway – is soon to change. The last time a miniature for Azhek Ahriman was released – a mere month ago – I got hugely excited and bought one, plus a Gaunt Summoner and started kitbashing wildly in the hopes that soon Mazzakim would emerge from my thoughts into solid reality. The High Magister however stubbornly stayed away. No matter what bits I assembled where nothing looked right for the great sorcerer. Worse, pictures started emerging thick and fast showing the upcoming Thousand Sons and the whole project got kicked onto the backburner until I saw what the new models had to offer.
Now this isn't to suggest that my enthusiasm for the project is on the wane, if anything it's higher than ever. However I have been hanging back to get a proper look at the new kits – after all Mazzakim needs to lead them and that means no half measures. In the background I've created he's one of Kell's most senior and valuable advisors (or as valuable as an advisor who willingly calls himself 'the Liar' can be that is) and I don't want him overshadowed by his own lieutenants. Because of that I'm almost tempted to base him on Ahriman, or even Magnus, but both are awesome characters in their own right and I've no wish to make my own character into a mere spin-off. It's a problem I can assure you I'll be pondering a great deal over the coming weeks.
Whatever form his model takes in the end, Mark from Heresy of Us was kind enough to send me a little care-package of bitz, including these books and candles – vital accoutrements for any wizard which will undoubtedly be used in summoning Mazzakim.
So who is Mazzakim? Long since estranged from his Legion Mazzakim has spent the millennia roaming the Eye of Terror and beyond, driven by a fierce hunger for knowledge. He rose through the ranks of the Pyrae, swimming in fire, but soon turned his attention to the other cults, consuming their knowledge and never sated. From the Athanaeans he took the power to scour minds, stripping them of all thought and memory. From the Raptorae he claimed terrible destructive power, whilst his shifting form and bloated ego was undoubtedly a gift of the Pavoni. Yet it was the Corvidae he studied most avidly, using their powers of precognition to plumb the depths of what is yet to come. Always he seeks knowledge and always one secret dances just beyond his grasp for Tzeentch has bound him into a web of lies and the key to his freedom is forever out of reach.
Thus Mazzakim has plundered the future and knows that the answer he seeks can only be claimed at a confluence of time and place. He must walk at Kell's side into the throne-room of shattered Terra. Without the Lord of Ruin the moment will pass unmarked, even if Terra falls and Abaddon stands triumphant.
Yet the future does not give up its mysteries easily and time and again his prophetic visions return the same result; that the road to Terra is bloody and Kell will die long before they reach the surface of humanity's cradle. Mazzakim has lived a life defined by selfish desires, heaping mockery upon those of his brothers, like Ahriman and Khayon, that hold lofty ideals and strive for greater ends. Yet he knows without doubt that without his aid Kell's death is inevitable and all the scheming and questing of his long and evil life will have been for nothing. Thus Mazzakim gathers his Rubricae and marches to stand at Kell's side. He will serve the Lord of Ruin, guarding him even to his own death, for without Kell the long millennia will close about him like a cage, Mazzakim's path narrowing down to a single road which he is cursed to see, rolling out ahead of him, down the unbroken aeons of eternity.
Eat Our Dust Imperials!
What's particularly exciting about this release is the level of depth and character that the legion has been provided with. We're used to seeing this from Forgeworld but it somehow feels fresh and exciting to see it from Games Workshop itself. Many of us have been hoping to see the Chaos Legions given proper recognition for years but I think that even the most enthusiastic expected at best to see some rules, 'legion tactics' and special issue wargear to differentiate one collection of spiky marines from another (and indeed something of this nature appears to be scheduled for release in the next few weeks). The idea that we might see unique models to represent our chosen legions always seemed unthinkable. Our loyalist brothers got everything from Wulfen to Sanguinary Guard to Deathwing Knights whilst we kitbashed and became increasingly good at using greenstuff, grateful for any scraps the Empire of the Eye could provide. Some loyalist chapters got their own unique versions of stock units like tactical squads and terminators whilst we were told we could always paint our helbrutes red to show they are World Eaters, or a slightly different shade of red if we collect Word Bearers. Like the Legions themselves we have grown strong in our exile, developing our creative skills in a way the loyalists have never needed to, learning to loot as well as any ork and cobble new legionaries from loyalists, daemons and our better supplied brothers over the fence in Age of Sigmar.
At the same time however many of our number have become bitter. Bereft of hope they have descended into a kind of spawndom and, gathering together in lost brotherhoods, they roam from forum to forum, bleating and braying their distrust of the God-Emperor enthroned in Nottingham and conducting running battles with equally disaffected Sisters of Battle players.
For the rest of us though this release represents hope for the first time in years. Imagine what could be if we dared to dream! Dare we imagine something of this quality released for the World Eaters, Death Guard, Emperor's Children or any of the other Legions? I think we do. More than that I think we should! For Games Workshop to remain at the head of the industry they must continue to innovate, to delve ever deeper into the worlds they have only hinted at before, to no longer expect us to make do with second best but to unshackle their own creative spirit and delve into the possibilities they know themselves to be capable of.
Ultimately the question must be; do you want your grandchildren to live in a world where the only difference between a Night Lords army and an Emperor's Children army is the colour of the paint? Do you want to see the Novamarines and Angels of Absolution get their own model lines whilst we fight in the dirt for an upgrade sprue with a useful looking shoulder pad on it? Of course not brothers! The fightback starts today!
As ever with a Tzeentchian release these days I'm already waiting to see what Big Boss Redskullz comes up with and naturally I'll be keeping an eye on Kraut Scientist in the hopes that another of his signature release reviews is in the works. In the meantime if you have any thought on this release get them in the comments box below (even Space Wolves players are allowed – providing they're house trained…).
All pictures snatched from Game's Workshops vaults and planted on my blog by the Changeling as part of an elaborate Tzeentchian plan. Apart from the ones I took myself obviously.
If you haven't already been to check out the blog Heresy of Us then it really is about time you did. Chock full of the kind of grubby, Blanchesque madness that makes 40k great its host takes things up a notch by combining the traditional kitbashing and greenstuff with bespoke components brought to life by the modern wizardry of 3d-printing. Best of all, for those of us less technologically gifted, there is Black Earth.As producers of additional components for converters go Black Earth is a company so new it's positively embryonic but given the depths of creativity on show at Heresy of Us expectations are already running high. In time it's planned for the project to grow into a webstore providing a range of bases and other bits for convertors looking to add a unique spin to their models. One of the first creations to be unveiled have been a set of prototype Demonic Femes (see the image below which shows the figure looking disturbingly like a serial killer's victim in its unassembled state).Obviously these are perfect for those who're looking to convert daemonettes which nod more towards Slaanesh's aspect as a god of twisted sexuality than the comparatively family friendly models of GW's recent past. With their outsize, balloon-like breasts and near skeletal thinness they take many of the tropes associated with modern ideas of beauty and stretch them to breaking point. This is where the very worst of body image problems takes us. It works because it isn't trying to be sexy. If anything its disturbing. Too often those who try to 'adult-up' Slaanesh end up with a clumsy attempt at soft-core pornography (and regardless of how exciting one might find the latest plastic kit, or a rediscovered oldhammer classic – if you're aroused by your toy soldiers you probably have a problem. Sorry it had to be me that told you…). These however circumnavigate such silliness and go straight for being disquieting. Placed firmly in the badlands of the uncanny valley they flaunt their sexual aspects in a way that could never be actually sexy and pricks uncomfortably at our mental programing. Of course depending on how adventurous one wishes to be there's no need to stick to Slaanesh with a brainstorming session raising ideas that ranged from arco-flagellants and dark eldar to beastwomen and wood elf wardancers. What's more I'm able to put one of these ideas into practice as Mark, the man behind Heresy of Us, was kind enough to send me one to review.
I knew straight away I didn't want to just add her to the ranks of my much neglected daemonettes where she would have stood out like a sore thumb (being for one thing a little on the tall side compared to the GW plastics) and which would have failed to do justice to what is after all an almost unique prototype model. Instead I decided to create a daemonic champion, thus giving myself the opportunity to let my hair down and create something suitably strange and ghastly. The result is this Slaaneshi gladiator. Who says the champions of Khorne should rule the fighting pits?
As with any conversion feedback is greatly appreciated. I also strongly advise you to swing by Heresy of Us and take a look at some of the other weird and wonderful creations on show there. At the moment they're running a promotion to give away some of their new skull stacks (and as everyone who loves the Warhammer universes knows you can never have too many skulls). All you have to do is click this link to find their contact details (and get a look at those skulls) then drop them an email and ask nicely and they'll send you a stack of skulls absolutely free. Best to get on with it though as I'm led to understand that they've only got so many to give away and when they're gone they're gone. All they ask in return is that you send in a picture of what you use your skulls for, so what are you waiting for – they're free!
Much as I love the modern range of plastic Orks I'll admit to a real fondness for their older metal predecessors as well. Indeed the very first Games Workshop miniature I painted, way back when, was an Ork, one of the old meganobs – and indeed it is high time he was joined by some comrades of a more recent vintage (why yes – that is a hint of things to come!).
Today though it's the turn of a model that's older still, a weirdboy which appeared way back in that seminal tome Waaargh! Da Orks. With his crazy hair, wispy moustache and baggy clothes he doesn't have that much in common with the rusty-armoured space barbarians of more recent times but I've always loved him nonetheless and when the chance came to add him to the growing Waargh! I wasn't going to miss it.
Rather than worry about the differences however I've tried to emphasise them with his (almost jester-like) purple robes and bling. After all he's a weirdboy and thus entitled to look a little strange (the clue is in the name and all that). As ever your thoughts and feedback are welcome!
Waaargh! and all that… It's been far too long since my Ork boys got any proper attention. Back in 2014 I slogged through the whole collection, touching up paintwork that was already several years old and turning the collection into something I could be proud of once again. In many ways it was an exciting project but by the end of it I was a little burned out with all things green and rather than leaping into the (then new) Ork releases I'd been planning to purchase I returned to the realm of Chaos and the boyz were left to grumble on the shelf. However every dog has its day and the hour of the orks has returned at last.
On the principle that, when it comes to Orcs, more is always better, I want to add another unit of boys. I've already got a fairly large collection of slugga boys so decided to set things rolling with a new mob of shoota boys, replacing some of the heads with a set of gas-mask heads from Spellcrow.
Of course I couldn't resist a bit of Ork quirkiness on this boy's back…And lastly, not a group shot as such but a taste of things to come!
So with all the Chaos lunging off my painting desk and now talk of Orks waiting just round the corner you couldn't be blamed for worrying about the whereabouts of my Skaven hordes. Fear not however – the vermin continue to emerge from their fetid warrens, one little rat at a time…