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If you want to support Planned Parenthood, then there are several things that you can do, including making a donation or starting a fundraiser. You can also help to support the organization by clearing up misinformation, sending "thank you" notes to the staff at your local Planned Parenthood, and voting for candidates who will support Planned Parenthood. If you want to find ways to serve Planned Parenthood with your time and talents, then you might consider volunteering as an escort, attending their events, or even applying to work for Planned Parenthood. Whether you find one way or several ways that you can help, you will be offering valuable support to Planned Parenthood.
Method 1 of 3:
Providing Financial Support to Planned Parenthood
1Donate to Planned Parenthood. Giving money to Planned Parenthood is an excellent way to offer your support. Even if you can only donate a small amount, you can make a difference.[1] X Research source
- You can make a one-time donation or a recurring monthly donation to Planned Parenthood.
- You may have to sacrifice something to free up enough money to donate to Planned Parenthood. For example, if you usually spend $3 on coffee every day, then try making your own coffee at home most days and donate the money you save to Planned Parenthood.
- Or, if you subscribe to more than one streaming service, then you might cancel one of them and donate the money you save to Planned Parenthood.
2Start a fundraising campaign. If you can't donate, then you can also try to solicit donations for Planned Parenthood with a fundraising campaign. You can set your own goal and use your social media outlets to promote your fundraising campaign. Planned Parenthood even offers tools to help you with your campaign.
- Try starting a campaign about a month before your birthday and ask friends and family members to donate to Planned Parenthood instead of giving you gifts.
- If you are in college, then you might talk about starting a Planned Parenthood fundraiser with your campus's reproductive rights group.
3Purchase some Planned Parenthood gear. Purchasing and sporting Planned Parenthood gear is another great way to help. By purchasing and wearing Planned Parenthood gear, you will be providing them with some monetary support and also showing the world that you support this organization.[2] X Research source
- Try sporting a pink shirt that sports the hashtag #StandwithPP to spread the word about supporting Planned Parenthood.
Method 2 of 3:
Communicating Your Support for Planned Parenthood
1Help friends and family to become informed. A big part of the reason why some people are so against Planned Parenthood is because of the misinformation that has circulated over the years. While you may not be able to change someone's opinion of Planned Parenthood if their views are already deeply entrenched, you can help to inform people when they make inaccurate claims about Planned Parenthood.[3] X Research source
- For example, if you hear a friend or family member say something like, "Planned Parenthood only offers abortions," then you could point out that Planned Parenthood only provides a small number of abortions every year to about 3% of its patients. Most of the services they provide are preventative, such as contraception, STD testing, breast exams, and pap smears.[4] X Research source
- Learn as much as you can about the services that Planned Parenthood Provides so that you can correct misinformation whenever you hear it. Try to stay up to date on Planned Parenthood news by checking their website often and Googling them once per week to check for new stories.
2Follow Planned Parenthood on social media. Most local chapters of Planned Parenthood are on Facebook and/or Twitter, so look up your local chapter and follow them.[5] X Research source By following your local chapter, you can stay up to date on their events, news, and other relevant information.
- You can also change your profile picture using a pink Planned Parenthood frame to indicate to your friends on Facebook and Twitter that you are a supporter of Planned Parenthood.
- You can also stay up to date on Planned Parenthood news by texting "Stand with PP" to 69866.
3Thank your local Planned Parenthood branch. Whether you are a patient or not, you can help to encourage your local Planned Parenthood's staff by writing a "thank you" note to them. You can send "thank you" notes to the doctors, nurses, and other staff at your local PP.
- Try writing something like, "Dear Dr. Jones, Thank you for taking the time to listen to me and answer my questions during my appointment with me last week. I appreciate it so much, and I feel much more informed about how to keep myself healthy. Everyone at the Planned Parenthood office was so kind and helpful. I am so glad that I came to your office for help! Sincerely, ____"
- Or, if you just want to send your supportive thoughts to an office you have never visited before, then you might write something like, "Dear Planned Parenthood Staff, Thank you for providing the information, care, and services that you do! I have met many people who would be lost without your help! You are all amazing human beings! Best, ____"
4Sign petitions. Planned Parenthood is often attacked by pro-life activists, and sometimes petitions circulate where people are encouraged to sign if they would support a plan to defund Planned Parenthood. However, you can also sign petitions that show your support for Planned Parenthood.[6] X Research source
- Try signing Planned Parenthood's petition to get started.
- Be on the lookout for other petitions that are in support of Planned Parenthood.
5Use your vote. It is important to be informed no matter what is on the ballot. To ensure that you are making informed decisions when you vote in upcoming elections, do your research on each of the candidates before you hit the polls and vote for candidates and initiatives that will support Planned Parenthood.[7] X Research source
- Look for candidates who support women's health initiatives and programs like Planned Parenthood, or who openly support Planned Parenthood.
- Steer clear of candidates who oppose programs like Planned Parenthood or who openly condemn Planned Parenthood.
6Write, email, or call your elected officials. Even if your elected officials do not support Planned Parenthood, you can write them to let them know that you do. Send letters, send emails, or call your elected officials to let them know that you support Planned Parenthood and you want them to do the same.[8] X Research source
- Try writing or saying something like, "Hi, my name is ____ and I am one of your constituents. I am writing/calling to tell you that I support Planned Parenthood and I hope that you will as well."
7Share your experiences with Planned Parenthood on their website. If you have had a positive experience with Planned Parenthood in your lifetime, then sharing that experience with others is a great way to get involved. To share your story, visit the Planned Parenthood website and submit you story.[9] X Research source
- You can also read other people's stories to learn how Planned Parenthood has helped other women to make important decisions about their bodies and to keep themselves healthy.
Method 3 of 3:
Getting Involved With Planned Parenthood
1Volunteer to be an escort. Pro-life protesters often camp outside of Planned Parenthood clinics, which makes it difficult and intimidating for people to find their way into the building and access the care they need. You can help these people access the healthcare professionals in the Planned Parenthood building by volunteering to be an escort. Escorts usually meet the patients at an arranged time and place and lead them into the building.[10] X Research source
- If becoming an escort interests you, then call your local Planned Parenthood branch and ask how you can become an escort.
- Keep in mind that as an escort, you may become the target of pro-life protesters, so you must be willing to endure some shouting and harassment. If this does not sound like something you can handle, then this might not be the best way for you to get involved.
2Attend Planned Parenthood events. Your local chapter of Planned Parenthood might host events that you can get involved in. Try to stay abreast of what they have planned and attend them to show your support. You might also offer to help out with the event if they are looking for volunteers.
- Check your local Planned Parenthood's website for information about any upcoming events.
- For example, if your local Planned Parenthood is putting on a talk by a guest speaker, then you might offer to set up chairs before the event.
3Apply to work for Planned Parenthood. If you want to get involved in an even bigger way, then you might consider working for Planned Parenthood.[11] X Research source Local Planned Parenthood chapters hire doctors and nurses to work in their clinics, along with support staff to work at the front desk. Or, you might consider working for Planned Parenthood as an accountant, call center representative, or grassroots organizer.Advertisement
Community Q&A
QuestionI'm 16, can I get an abortion without my parents knowing?Community AnswerYes, you can obtain an abortion without your parent's consent if you go to Planned Parenthood. They offer services at reduced rates for those in need (like you) and if you normally need your parent's consent in your state, there are ways to get a judge's consent.
- ↑ https://www.thenation.com/article/four-ways-you-can-support-planned-parenthood-right-now/
- ↑ https://marketplace.plannedparenthood.org/actionboutique/
- ↑ https://www.thenation.com/article/four-ways-you-can-support-planned-parenthood-right-now/
- ↑ https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/five-myths-about-planned-parenthood/2011/04/14/AFogj1iD_story.html
- ↑ https://www.plannedparenthood.org/about-us/contact-us
- ↑ https://www.thenation.com/article/four-ways-you-can-support-planned-parenthood-right-now/
- ↑ https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-southeastern-pennsylvania/get-involved-support-us
- ↑ https://www.thenation.com/article/four-ways-you-can-support-planned-parenthood-right-now/
- ↑ https://www.plannedparenthood.org/get-involved


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The Ballenger gives you just the right amount of space, but over-delivers on flexibility. Nest thermostat & wi-fi enable garage door opener. Tankless water heater. Enter through the covered porch into the flex space – a room that's whatever you want it to be. The kitchen comes with a huge modern island, and flows neatly into the dining area and large family room. It's a great way to stay in the conversation while making dinner for family or friends. If you really want to cozy things up, you can add a fireplace, too. Upstairs, the owner's bedroom has 2 WICs. You can have 4 bedrooms, or turn one into a loft. Upstairs laundry room. Features full front porch & partial stone exterior. Moyock's #1 selling community offering homes with golf course & lake views! Just 3 miles from Chesapeake with less than ½ the taxes. Lakeview, in Moyock is located just across the NC/VA border and less than 30 minutes from Chesapeake, VA and Greenbrier Mall!
Garage Att 2 Car, 2 Car, Covered, Driveway Spc
Dishwasher, Dryer Hookup, Energy Star Appliance(s), Microwave, Range, Washer Hookup
Natl Gas, Programmable Thermostat
Breakfast Area, Foyer, Master BR w/ Bath, Pantry, Spare Room, Utility Room
Energy Audit, Home Energy Rating, Other Certification
Exempt from Disclosure/Disclaimer, Prop Owners Assoc
Listing Courtesy of Rose & Womble Realty Company.

subset: commoncrawl


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ShelterLogic Party Tents 10 x 20 ft. are a decorative and affordable solution for hosting any outdoor event or festival. Host the reception cocktail hour or let the DJ spin the music and get everyone dancing while protected from the weather. The included Enclosure Kit adds complete wall and door panels for the option of full protection. Use one or all six individual clear PVC windows depending on the event needs. Two double zipper doors are also included with different door opening sizes to allow for multiple entry options. Why rent a tent for just one day when you can own a ShelterLogic Party Tent for less than the cost of a rental? Perfect for outdoor garden parties, outdoor events, outdoor weddings. Available in an attractive white canopy, enclosure kit with windows, and blue trim.
- 100% GALVANIZED STEEL - 1.5 in./38 mm diameter steel tubes for ultimate durability, rust protection, and superior strength
- Heavy-duty fire-rated PVC fabric (CPAI-84 compliant) stands up to the elements
- 100% waterproof, UV treated, welded seams
- Decorative scalloped cover valances, leg valances, and clear PVC windows
- Fitted cover with closed end design and leg valances
- The tool-free frame assembly makes set-up quick and easy
- Frame, leg, and fabric anchoring options create a sturdy and stable unit while keeping wind and rain out
- Fitted cover with closed end design and leg valances. Use one or all six individual clear PVC windows. Two double zipper doors for multiple entry options.
When this Shelterlogic Shelter ships the box contains:
- 1 10 x 20 ft. / 3 x 6 m Galvanized Steel Frame 4 rib 1 One-Piece FR PVC Cover/Leg valances 6 Clear PVC Window Panels 2 FR Double Zipper End Panels Bungee Cords Anchors Easy Step-by-Step Instructions
- 25891
- Brand:
- ShelterLogic
- Width:
- 10 ft.
- Length:
- 20 ft.
- Height:
- 9 ft.
- Exterior Dimensions (Actual):
- 118.13 W x 234.96 L x 111.89 H in.
- Interior Dimensions (Actual):
- 115.21 W x 232.04 L x 110.43 H in.
- Style:
- Material:
- Fabric / Soft Sided


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Where did the web come from? Although not almost as loaded a query as some that kids will come up with, it absolutely is 1 that people have a hard time answering. The truth that limited folks absolutely learn how the web got its origins is surprising, since its innovation, at the minimum its employ was popularized completely during the lifetimes of several. Today in a globe of excellent speed broadband web from a range of sources, Wi-Fi web, 3G wireless web and even the up and coming 4G wireless web, people forget about satellites as a broadband source. But, satellite web broadband is within truth coming full round to the initially web source: the satellite dish.
In the late 1950s when the Cold War was on, the Soviet Union established the initial ever man-made satellite, Sputnik much to the dismay of the United States. Fearing this meant missiles were not far behind, the Advanced Research Projects Agency was produced by US President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1958. At this time the room-filling innovation, the computer, was nevertheless a slow and bulky machine along with a mere shadow of the supercomputers that exist now. The web undoubtedly didn't exist yet, and neither did computer networking. In an attempt to network a series of 4 computers, the program ARPANET was invented, a program whose standard principles and protocols continue to be used to contemporary web signs.
Needless to state, over time these networks grew and merged into what we today recognize as the contemporary web. It is an web that is accessible from a range of sources at super excellent speeds; an web that is a apparently endless fountain and source of useful info, entertainment and communications possible. From merely linking a few of machines to permitting global company and instant communications to result without a hitch, this networking system's abilities have evolved exponentially. Part of the condition, nevertheless, is the web has been slow to outgrow the utilization of cables to keep all info connections. This problem has been extended to the point that there are thick cabling flying about someplace in every main oceans and off all main coasts, providing the connectivity this global network must function. Instead of spending all that time and funds to lay more and more cabling and cables, the planet now is suggesting enough. Instead, they are searching to the skies for swiftly, reliable satellite web.
One of the some development styles spreading from remote and remote regions to urban centers rather of vice versa, satellite web has lengthy been truly the only choice for clients who need or require broadband speeds but reside off terrestrial broadband grids. When the spider internet of cables stops, thus does significant speed internet- or at smallest it did until today. Today, anybody who wants may download, cruise the web and enjoy broadband speeds rather of being stuck with dial-up or no house web at all! Nearly all web consumers have at 1 point relied on dial-up and recognize how hard it may be. For that truly cause the globe is heading back to the internet's catalyst and harnessing the force of satellite broadband for quick reliable web anywhere.


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:: resources ::
If you have attended one of our workshops, you will find copies of our handouts and materials here.
Compassion Fatigue and Vicarious Trauma Signs and Symptoms
Compassion Fatigue Resources
Resources for Law Enforcement
Resources for Children and Teens
Trauma-Informed Care Resources
What's draining you?
What's draining you? Next Steps
Staff Self-care Kit Ideas
Calmer Classrooms Resource Kit
Mindful Breathing Options
Mindfulness Resource List
Children and Teens Mindfulness Resource List
Grounding Techniques
World View
Benefits and Rituals for Separating Professional & Personal Lives


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Hardwood, Charlotte, NC
We sell and install quality hardwood flooring products in the Charlotte area.
At LJ Flooring & Multi Services Inc., we carry and install a wide variety of hardwood floor products from several top manufacturers. If you are unsure about the type of hardwood floor you should use for your home or business, we invite you to visit our showroom to discuss your specific needs with one of our flooring specialists.
We install two types of hardwood floors: solid hardwood floors and engineered hardwood floors. Solid hardwood floors are installed on wood subfloors, whereas engineered wood floors are installed on concrete subfloors.
Typically, solid hardwood is 3/4" thick and cut out of a solid piece of wood, whereas engineered hardwood is usually 3/8" to 1/2" thick, depending on its construction, which consists of a thin top veneer layer of real wood and a substrate of plywood or HDF/MDF core. Each manufacturer requires their hardwood floors to be installed in a specific manner. Solid hardwood is usually nailed or stapled to wood subfloors (no particle board). Engineered wood can be stapled, glued or floated on a pad.
Visit our showroom at LJ Flooring & Multi Services Inc. in Charlotte, North Carolina to discover the wide selection of flooring products we sell and install.
We install beautifully finished and unfinished solid hardwood floors in homes and businesses across the Charlotte, North Carolina area. The quality of our hardwood floor installation is second to none. We also carry and install the best brands of hardwood floors available, including Armstrong, Bruce, and Shaw hardwood floors.
Attention to detail is one of our first priorities. We strongly believe that the better the quality of the installation, the better looking the finished hardwood floors will be. For more information about our options or installation services, contact us today!
At LJ Flooring & Multi Services Inc., we can install quality hardwood flooring in Charlotte, Concord, Davidson, Gastonia, Mooresville, Rock Hill, Kannapolis, Lincolnton, Statesville, and Hickory, North Carolina.


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Teacher Education
What Can I Do With A Major In Teacher Education?
Education is a career in which graduates can find the satisfaction of helping people of all ages learn. Teachers are the cornerstone of growth in human society and have the ability to make a large impact on many lives. In addition to being classroom teachers, education majors have the opportunity to pursue careers as administrators, coaches, and counselors. In public schools the most prevalent career route is a result of training in an approved program which leads to state certification while some private schools will not require certification.
The mission of the teacher education program at CCSU is to prepare teachers who have the leadership capacity and knowledge base to develop positive and nurturing learning communities not only in their own classrooms but in the surrounding communities and professional field of educators as well. Teacher candidates, upon graduation from CCSU, will have acquired the capacity to understand and use the knowledge base of teaching; developed a repertoire of best practice at their command; developed the ability to reflect and use critical judgment on their own teaching processes; and nurtured the ability to contribute their leadership to efforts to improve education in a democratic society.
Visit CCSU's Teacher Education Department webpage here.
Sample of Related Occupations
Learning Disabilities Specialist
Continuing Education Program Planner
Teacher Curriculum Coordinator
For additional information on each occupation or any others you may be considering, please visit the Occupational Outlook Handbook, a nationally recognized source of career information, put together by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Professional Associations & Additional Career Information
American Association of Community Colleges
American Association for Employment in Education
American Association of School Administrators
American College Personnel Association
American Educational Research Association
American Federation of Teachers
American School Counselor Association
Connecticut Education Association
Connecticut State Department of Education
Council for Exceptional Children
Early Childcare and Education Resource Guide
International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language
National Association for College Admission Counseling
National Association of Independent Schools
National Association of Private Special Education Centers
National Association of Student Personnel Administrators
National Center for Alternative Certification
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
National Education Association
Teachers of English to Students of Other Languages
Internships, Co-ops and Employment Opportunities
Teacher education majors may find experiential opportunities or employment in a number of areas depending on your skills, abilities and experience. Career-related internships, volunteer opportunities and job shadows are great avenues to establishing yourself as a qualified candidate for full-time, professional-level career opportunities after graduation.
The following list of employers and job titles shows opportunities where the employer was specifically looking for teacher education majors. This list is meant to be a resource for further career-related investigation and DOES NOT REFLECT current openings. To look for current openings, please visit College Central Network, CCSU's online job, internship, and co-op database, on the Career Success Center website here.
Ability Beyond Disability - Assistant Residential Manager
ACES - Grades 6-8 Music Teacher
Achievement First - Principal in Residence (Rhode Island Expansion Site), Elementary Teacher, Middle
School English & Language Arts Teacher, Secondary Math Teacher, Special Education
Coordinator, Special Education Teacher
Advanced Behavioral Care, LLC - Direct Service Professional
Behavioral Development & Educational Services, LLC - Special Education Teacher
Belchertown Public Schools - Superintendent of Schools
Benhaven School - Special Education Teacher
Capitol Region Education Council - Facilitator for Early Childhood Services Accreditation Project
Central Area Health Education Center - Summer Institute Instructor, Youth Health Service Corps & Health Careers Coordinator,
Collegiate Health Service Corps - Volunteer & Service Experience, Americorps State
Member - Youth Health Service Corps Coordinator
Consolidated School District of New Britain - Grades 6-8 Math & Science Teacher, Grades 6-8 Special Education Teacher, Grades
9-12 Bilingual Special Education Teacher, Grade 6 Science Teacher,
Coventry Public Schools - Special Education Teacher
East Catholic High School - Choral Director - Long-Term Substitute
Glastonbury Public Schools - High School Special Education Teacher
Hands On Hartford - Program Director for Huntington School Services, Classroom Assistant for Huntington
Tutoring Services
Harford County Public Schools (Bel Air, MD) - Vocational-Technical Education Teacher, Career & Technology Education Teacher, Special
Education Teacher
Hartland Public Schools - Special Education Teacher
Kelly Services - Substitute Teachers (Greater Hartford Area)
Killingly Public Schools - School Psychologist, Special Education Teacher, Elementary School Teacher, Intermediate
Physical Education Teacher, Music Teacher
Mystic Arts Center - Education Internship
New Pond Farm Education Center - Summer Camp Alternate Director
Northwest Children's Center - Assistant Preschool Teacher
Okemo Mountain Resort - Childcare Provider/Teacher
Our Sister's School - Americorps Classroom Teacher
Plainville Community Schools - Long-term Substitute for Technology Education
Regional School District I - Assistant Superintendent
Rocky Hill Public Schools - High School Math, Spanish, Science, Social Studies & Spanish Tutors
Save The Bay - Summer Camp Internship, Exploration Center Education Assistant
Simsbury Public Schools - Afternoon Assistant
Starbase CT - Mentoring Students in the STEM Fields
Stony Brook Wildlife Sanctuary - Education Internship
The Bridge Family Center, Inc. - Site Coordinator - After School Enrichment Program
The Devereaux Glenholme School - Boarding Faculty (FT) - Direct Care
The Little Gym - Gymnastics, Sports Skills, Dance & Karate Instructors
Trinity College Community Child Center - Program Director, Early Childhood Internship
Wheeler Clinic - Early Childhood Specialist, Special Education Teacher
Where's My Tutor.com - Tutors (All age levels and subjects)
Windham Public Schools - Special Education Teacher


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Raul Manuel da Silva Laureano is a researcher at the Business Research Unit (BRU-IUL) at the Instituto Universitário de Lisboa (ISCTE-IUL), Portugal, with interests in the fields of business analytics, financial literacy, fundraising and tourism. He is also an Assistant Professor at the Business School of the Instituto Universitário de Lisboa (ISCTE-IUL), where he teaches undergraduate and graduate classes of Statistics and Data Analysis, and the Director of the Executive Master in Applied Business Analytics at INDEG-ISCTE. He is the co-author of books about financial mathematics and statistics with IBM SPSS Statistics and of more than 40 publications in proceedings and journals (see https://ciencia.iscte-iul.pt/public/person/rml).
Ciência-IUL Autores Raul Manuel Silva Laureano Currículo


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Im 20, blonde, green eyes. im looking for a guy who will treat me right and won't break my heart. i just got out of a bad relationship 3 months ago, so instead of being down about it, i know what i want and i won't settle for less than that. im a huge white sox, bears, blackhawks fan. i will root for the cubs if theyre doing good but if theyre playin the sox...its war! im laid back, lowmaintenance, easy going, get along with just about everyone. my family and friends are what i live for, and im not too kind when people attack them verbally or otherwise. i've been hurt a lot in the past, im lookin for someone who wont, but i dont want a guy who thinks he has to walk on eggshells around me.. your pic gets mine.
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What would you like to know?
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Designed by award-winning architect Walter Francl, The Residences at Nobel Park by Polygon is a collection of concrete residences at UBC's Wesbrook Village. This 2-bed, 2-bath home offers 9-foot ceilings, a designer kitchen with marble accents, brand name appliances, a spa-inspired ensuite and A/C. Walk to beautiful parks and amenities in just seconds; great elementary and secondary schools are also nearby. Enjoy the convenience of an in-building fitness studio, a beautiful lounge and a resident manager.
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Release Date
September 15, 2006 (Limited)
DVD Release Date
February 6, 2007 (Buy on Amazon)
Running Time
107 minutes
MPAA Rating
Rated PG for mild thematic elements
From three-time Academy Award nominated director Zhang Yimou comes a moving story of one man's journey across China's heartland. For the first time in many years, Takata Gou-ichi (Takakura Ken) takes the bullet train to Tokyo from the quiet fisherman's village where he lives on the northwest coast of Japan. His daughter-in-law, Rie (Terajima Shinobu) had telephoned to tell him that his son, Ken-ichi (Nakai Kiichi) is seriously ill, and asking for his father. But when... Full synopsis »
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Lahori, who lived in 19th century Punjab during the rule of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, received the order from a retired Frenchman, Feuillet de Conches, who was obsessed with having La Fontaine's works illustrated in different cultures around the world. La Fontaine's works have also been portrayed by Egyptian, Chinese, Japanese and Persian artists.
''Of the different collections of La Fontaine painted by artists from around the globe, the Indian collection is considered the t beautiful,'' says Christiane Sinnig-Haas, curator of the exhibition and director of the Museum La Fontaine, France, its permanent home.
Twenty-four of La Fontaine's t celebrated verses were inspired by India, but he never visited the country. ''He admits to being heavily inspired by an Indian writer Pilpay, but we still have no idea who that is,'' says Vidya Vencatesan, head of the French department at Elphinstone College, who will speak at a related seminar on the 16th century poet. Fourteen of the stories are also part of the Panchatantra.
Lahori used watercolours, mixed with an adhesive and stroked his canvas with camel hair brushes. Among the beautiful miniatures he painted are The Wishes, depicting the serenity of the Punjabi countryside.
In The Bear and the Amateur of Gardening, La Fontaine explores the theme of friendship and it's clear that both he and Lahori were fond of nature as the story unfolds in a garden. The narrative of The Animals Sick Of The Plague reminds the viewer of justice meted out both in the Ottoman and Mughal empires.
''The drawings are a mix of styles. Lahori had seen the illustrations of the tales previously done by Francois Chauveau and Jean-Baptiste Oudry and adapted from them,'' says Jean-Marie Lafont, the exhibition's scientific curator. As part of the seminar, he will explore the paintings and its environs.
Lahori was loyal to Feuillet's directions but unlike his European counterparts, he chose not to paint the sky; the fables all take place between the earth and sea, replete with trees and vegetation. But there are iconographical similarities in Lahori's representation of the king, his crown, shoes etc. Though he dabbed the paintings with local flavour, they retain their Persian and European influences.
The Dream Of An Inhabitant Of Mogul opens March 6, Prince of Wales Museum, Kala Ghoda. The seminar on La Fontaine takes place March 7


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The Pitch Madness submission window will be open for 72 hours starting on February 20!
Pitch Madness is a contest to win a request from one or more of the participating agents.
The submission window will be open from 12:01 AM EST on February 20 until 11:59PM EST on February 23. You should have plenty of time to get your submissions in.
There is no limit of how many entries will be accepted. All entries sent before or after the allotted times will be deleted. Make sure to perfect your entry. If you make an error, you may not resend.
There will be 60 finalists moving onto the agent round. Pitch Madness will accept Middle Grade, Young Adult, New Adult, and Adult (never before published) fiction only, novel length (no novellas) completed and polished manuscripts only. All genres (i.e. fantasy, contemporary, sci-fi, and so on) are welcome to enter. This time around we will not accept non-fiction. Only one entry per writer.
What do you need to enter? A 35-word (max) pitch and the first 250 words of your finished manuscript. If the 250th word falls in the middle of a sentence, go to the end of the sentence. I will post formatting instructions and where to send when the submission window opens.
Pitch Madness will be on four blogs and each blog host will have a co-host helping them choose their top 15 entries. We'll have a team of first readers who will check for formatting, grammar, and content and put their top picks through to the hosts. To meet the reader and the teams go to this post here.
Here are the host blogs …
All the twitter fun will happen on the hashtag #PitchMadness!
And now, introducing the agents …
He is always open to any strong fiction (our current focus in fiction is YA, middle grade, Women's Fiction, Literary Fiction and Mysteries) and all non-fiction projects.
Carly is actively looking for Literary, Upmarket and Commercial Fiction, World Literature, smart Women's Fiction and Book Club books, Literary Thrillers, LGBT, select Young Adult, and nonfiction in the Health, Wellness, Cookbook, Narrative, Lifestyle, Memoir, Humour, Pop Science, Pop Psychology and Business categories.
Maria is actively acquiring both fiction and nonfiction projects. In fiction, she is looking for Literary and Commercial Fiction (including fiction with a touch of genre), LGBTQ, Young Adult (any genre), Middle Grade (any genre), and illustrated Picture Books. For nonfiction, she is looking for projects in the Pop Culture, Geek Culture, Pop Psychology, Design, and Lifestyle categories.
Emily is a particular lover of all types of young adult and middle grade books. Emily is also looking for a select list of commercial fiction, which includes fantasy & science fiction, women's fiction, new adult fiction, along with pop culture and humor titles.
Here's the schedule …
- Agent Introduction on February 4
- Rules of the Game on February 13
- Submission window opens February 20 and will be open for 72 hours
- The top 60 picks for the agent round will go up on the blogs on March 2 at 12:01AM EST (NY time)
- March 4 at 12PM EDT (Noon) the agents requests are revealed, and right afterward is the tying agents challenge round
- There will be a #PitMad Twitter Pitch Party on March 11 from 8AM to 8PM EST. Check here for rules of the Twitter Pitch Contest.
Don't forget to come back for the instructions!


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France is the fourth popular study destination for internationals students. French is the second most admired language. When studying in France; one can experience some of the best cuisine in the world, visit the Eiffel tower. The culture and striking countryside are really some of the best jewels that Europe has to offer.
France student visa
If you would like to study in France, you might be required to obtain a French visa or permit based on individual's situation and nationality. France student visa can be applicable to international students who are planning to study, either a short course, or registered in a French language class.
Who require France student visa
If you are a citizen from outside the European nations, you will need to get a student visa for France in order to be able to study your dream course. There are various types of French student visa, and the one you need differs based on the individual's period and plan of study in France.
· Schengen student visa (short-stay)
If your course of study or intent of stay is less than three months, then you can apply for Schengen student visa (short-stay)
· Visa to sit entrance exams
If you want to travel to France in order to sit one or more university entrance exams, then you can apply for this visa
· Temporary long-stay visa
The visa is a temporary student visa that allows you to undertake studies in France for a period up to six months.
· Long-stay visa
You can apply for this visa, if you want o study in France for more than Six months
Individuals need to meet the following requirements
· University acceptance letter
· Proof of sufficient funds
· Proof of return ticket home
· Proof of medical insurance
· Proof of accommodation


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This month the US News Best country website announced the best country ranking list. Germany ranked #1 , UK #3 and Portugal #23 out of 60 countries. Apparently, they surveyed a few people, amongst them: "8,092 … informed elites and … 4,513 business decision-makers. Some respondents were considered both informed elites and business decision-makers. The remaining 6,381 respondents were from the general public".
The attributes were: Adventure, Citizenship, Cultural Influence, Entrepreneurship, Heritage, Open for Business, Movers, Power, Quality of Life.
Although I think this is mostly a marketing ploy to attract business investment to a particular country, I was curious about some of the categories. I particularly like the category Adventure which included the sub-category "Sexy" – How sexy would you rate your country on a scale out of 10?
Here is my sexiness rating for these 3 countries:
Germany – 5 (the coastline lets it down)


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Claudio Cavicchi: Brown Sandblasted Bent Dublin
Product Number: 002-400-1557
A tighter and finer-patterned Cavicchi sandblast, briar-wise, this Dublin also sports shaping to match; i.e. for one of Claudio's it's on the lighter and trimmer end overall (though still far from small of bowl). He even gave this plateau-rimmed smoker one of his lighter styles of stain, again a perfect match.- Eric N. Squires
Your PriceSold
Ask a question about this product.
The pipe you see is the pipe you receive. Click here to see our photography process.
Measurements & Other Details
- Length: 5.77 in./146.56 mm.
- Weight: 1.98 oz./56.25 g.
- Bowl Height: 2.04 in./51.82 mm.
- Chamber Depth: 1.84 in./46.74 mm.
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- Country: Italy


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- Product ID : 00000
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We all know that thread can get messy but toss in those bobbins and things can get out of control. I swear, I day-dream about finding a better way to detangle my thread basket and keep things neat and tidy!
Creative Bobbin Storage Solutions
This little tower of goodness will keep your bobbins neat and look good sitting at your workstation.
Be sure to pick up a few of these manicure separators the next time you spot them at the dollar store. They are the perfect size for bobbin storage and will look pretty cool in your drawer.
Keep your thread and matching bobbin together with a simple rubber band. Brilliant!
Sugar Tart Crafts shows us how to transform plastic tubing into a magic thread eraser! This is such a fantastic idea for anyone with an extensive thread collection.
5. Tee Time
Who would have thought that these little wooden tees could be so helpful in our sewing space. June Tailor also offers a similar solution that you can find on Amazon or at your local fabric shop.
6. Pill Holder
These little plastic containers are perfect for bobbin storage in so many ways. Each compartment has a snap closure so they will not fall out when in transit.
Again easy dollar store pick up item is perfect for your sewing room. Each area can be loaded up with your bobbins and stacked away neatly in your drawer for a later use.
This is an easy way to keep all your bobbins in one place and never worry about them spilling again. This simple round ring will hold over 20 bobbins and prevent them from unwinding. You can find these on Amazon or at your local fabric shop.
9. Ikea Hack Holder
Outta the box thinking is right up my alley and this storage solution is fantastic. Just a few bendable straws and you are set.
10. Hanger Holder
Grab a wire hanger and a set of pliers for this creative storage solution. The best part of this option is that it's free!
11. Note Book Rings
This clever solution really makes me smile. Just open up the hinge and slip the bobbins around the ring.
12. Magnet Bar
Now, this one would not work for me since my bobbins are clear plastic but for all of those with older machines and metal bobbins, this idea is a keeper.
Okay, this little guy is too cute not to include. He is available in a few different colors on Amazon and at your local fabric shop. (sending a hint out to my family…. I'd like one of these in my stocking!)
With all these cool ideas for easy storage options, our sewing space should be neat, tidy and ready for the next burst of creative energy. Let me know in the comments if you have a different way to storing your bobbins.
Not sure exactly how to wind your bobbin? Learn how with my quick video.
Hello! Are you new here?
Do you want to learn more about sewing? If so, be sure to sign up for our newsletter HERE and never miss a stitch! Daily Sewing Tips, Everyday Projects and Fantastic Inspiration delivered straight to your mailbox!
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Feel free to connect with me on Facebook, Pinterest, or Instagram. I look forward to getting to know you and stitching up a storm together!


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Opinion: A Logical Character Sketch of a Logical Man
Editor's note: The views and opinions expressed below are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Sherdog.com, its affiliates and sponsors or its parent company, Evolve Media.
Now and forever in this sport's history, the final day of August will be the day that the MMA world found out that nigh-eternal Ultimate Fighting Championship matchmaker Joe Silva would be retiring by year's end. Even if its timing seemed surprising, the announcement was a long time coming. It's not a promotional sale, pay-per-view main event reveal or high-profile drug test failure, but there is really no way to overstate the legacy of Silva's UFC tenure and potential impact of his imminent departure.
It's strange to imagine an MMA landscape without Silva, largely due to his primacy in the sport. Silva's genesis in the industry typifies the man himself, too: A lifelong martial artist, Silva saw a UFC ad in a martial arts magazine after watching the promotion's first event and called the contact number on a whim. Incredibly, he ended up on the other end of the phone with UFC co-founder Campbell McLaren. McLaren was clearly taken by Silva's knowledge, passion and cocksureness and hired him as a UFC consultant prior to UFC 2. It was 1994.
Silva was -- and still is -- an unapologetic dork. Growing up in Richmond, Virginia, he was a Puerto Rican kid who was into comic books, Bruce Lee and Adam Ant. He was managing a Babbage's and arguing with video game nerds when he harangued his way into a UFC consulting gig. It is a trait that will suit him well in what he tersely called his "retirement" via text, before stereotypically referring me to the UFC Public Relations staff for further company statement. Classic Silva.
The truth is, courtesy of WME-IMG's buyout of the UFC, Silva got a fat albeit undisclosed bonus. This is after negotiating a solid raise a few years ago, making Silva essentially the best-case scenario for early retirement. He's married, with his wife's name tattooed on his ring finger. His stepdaughter is grown, just married and studying tuberculosis. When Zuffa first took over the company in 2001, Silva relocated and spent a scant amount of time at the UFC home base in Las Vegas. In his righteous, combative way, he argued with Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta that he could do his job just as effectively from Virginia. Like most backroom arguments over the last 15 years of this UFC regime, Silva won. He moved back to Richmond, and today, the UFC is worth $4 billion. Silva loves Richmond, and now, he never has to leave again, if he doesn't want to.
He has a cage in his house. Silva has enough money to text desperate 1990s UFC veterans and have them fight for his own amusement while he sits in a recliner and listens to Depeche Mode. Like I said, he never has to leave Richmond again.
It only makes sense for Silva to get out. Never mind the financial security, this is a business that can simultaneously break you down while making you dream of bigger things. The Fertitta brothers have been looking beyond the UFC and dreaming of owning an NFL team for years now. The UFC's sale was years in the making, and even if the news hit us like a bomb, it wasn't the first round of potential sale talks and was largely expected. Even if Silva has been putting his fingerprints on the sport and the UFC specifically for 22 years, even if it just always seemed like he would be around, this is no shock.
Despite him weaving his threads into MMA's tapestry for two decades, Silva delights in being in the background. Like most things with him, though, it's not that simple. Famously, Silva rejects the media. While he once did a 1-900 number for the Semaphore-era UFC and is prone to sending out 25 emails a day to his atheist email chain, he balks at the prospects of being interviewed. Since Zuffa bought the UFC in 2001 and canned previous matchmaker John Perretti, you could count the amount of Silva media appearances on your digits. It isn't that hard to catalogue most of them.
Early in his official tenure as sole UFC matchmaker in 2001, he did a short interview with Full Contact Fighter. In late 2006, as the UFC was gearing up to purchase Pride Fighting Championships and get a foothold in Japan, Silva did a minuscule Q&A with Japanese media veteran Manabu Takashima for the site God Bless the Ring, stating that the UFC wanted to court a new wave of Japanese fighters; it was really more of an advertisement than an interview.
In 2013, MMAJunkie and USA Today reeled in both Silva and Sean Shelby -- largely against their will -- for their "25 Most Powerful People in MMA" yearbook. In the piece, Ben Fowlkes brilliantly profiled the UFC's matchmaking duo, sketching their individual characters, explaining their matchmaking ethos and sprinkling in whimsical anecdotes. However, there's a reason the piece begins with, "At first I thought the UFC matchmakers were just being paranoid."
Recently, as the UFC has ramped up its exclusive Fight Pass content, the company began producing its "Watch List" segments, where it interviews both Silva and Shelby about fights on upcoming cards they think are particularly crucial and salient. While they both play brave professionals on camera, it's obvious how much they both hate it; years from now, while laying on his couch watching "The Last Dragon," Silva will not miss this.
Beyond these media appearances, Silva cameos are scant. After the UFC 194 week tripleheader in December, Silva popped up on the dais in front of the media following the actual press conference and informally rapped about washing Tony Ferguson's blood off of his suit following "El Cucuy" finishing Edson Barboza in a bloody barnburner. Every so often, if MMA outlets were filming portions of "The Ultimate Fighter" tryouts, Silva would pop up on camera. Beyond this, Silva's public commentary is limited to obscure quotes in Saskatoon newspapers, such as him commenting on the historical relevance of the "Just Bleed" guy.
This is the sort of thing, among other traits, that makes Silva an engrossing but difficult figure to access. I bring up his short history of media appearances because it's amusing and telling about the man, but it's obviously not like Silva is some shrinking violet. He is still the guy who gets on stage for UFC weigh-ins wearing a T-shirt featuring Charles Darwin's bushy-bearded face bursting out from under his leather moto jacket. Silva hates doing media, but in my personal experience, few people in this entire industry have ever been more willing to help the media. Silva would stab you if you tried to quote him, but he always finds a Yoda-esque way of throwing you a journalistic bone, letting you know that critical person you need to talk to who could rap on the record without ever saying their name or explicitly suggesting it. You just have a casual conversation and know where you need to go next to understand more. Silva plants that mental seed and then he stays Teflon.
However, it's not like Silva is some saint -- again, the prickly intersection of his character and his job. Since 2001, he hasn't just been a UFC matchmaker. For a decade and a half, Silva has been the contract negotiator, the setter of free agent market value and, in times of insanity, the voice of blunt logic of White and the Fertittas. Earlier this year, during one of Joe Rogan's Fight Companion videos, former UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub said that Silva needed a "reality check" and suggested that most of the nearly 700 fighters on the UFC roster may have a deep desire to sock him in the face. Schaub may be hyperbolic, but he's not necessarily wrong.
This, to me, is perhaps the most fascinating angle of Silva as a professional. Silva clearly paid his dues: Like I said, he has been here since UFC 2, and beyond giving SEG his two cents from time to time, he worked with the late, great Jeff Blatnick to craft the UFC's rules in the 1990s, ultimately influencing the Unified Rules. All this to say you can't overstate Silva's impact as an author of this sport. At the same time, while he came to be reflexively known as "UFC matchmaker Joe Silva," his job is bigger than throwing darts at a board to make a pay-per-view lineup.
In fact, his relationship with Blatnick informs the unique and often contradictory duality of Silva. Many MMA folks, if asked for a Silva origin story, will say something like "Oh, he was an Internet geek who started hassling the UFC and telling them what fights to book, so they just gave him a job." This is not just an anachronism but an outright inaccuracy. In fact, when Silva took the UFC job, despite his keyholder status at his local Babbage's, he did not own a computer. It was actually Blatnick who bought Silva his first computer to help facilitate his UFC duties, never mind anything about Silva being an early Internet adopter.
As much as he hates to be quoted, these are the sorts of stories that Silva likes to tell in public. Generally speaking, he's an outstanding raconteur, but more particularly, there are two kinds of Joe Silva stories: one, times that he was right and everybody else was wrong, and two, the favors and niceties that industry players have done him over the years. I don't doubt for a second that Silva has and continues to think he is the most clever man to ever hatch a clever plan in MMA, and I don't think that's an unfair extrapolation. Silva genuinely relishes telling people they are wrong and pointing out their intellectual missteps; there can be no mistake that the man has an ego. Conversely, he is anything but a narcissist, as he naturally and genuinely ascribes so many elements of his success to family, friends, mentors and co-workers.
More than anything, Silva prides himself on his honesty, but sometimes it descends into the pathological. He once told a UFC fighter that his bout that evening was so boring that Silva had started to believe in God and that God was in fact punishing him; that fighter was cut the next morning. Silva has now spent years speaking hard truths to hardened athletes, and as a result, he has verbalized the sort of critiques that stick with people for life. For almost any UFC roster fighter, veteran or retiree, they can likely recall a moment that they stared down at Silva and had their raw soul exposed.
In most business worlds, this dynamic would be smoke and mirrors and pure artifice. After all, how could all these cagefighters dread talking to a 5-foot-3 comic book enthusiast? In most business worlds, Silva's tough talk would at best be suspected as bluster and at worst categorically dismissed as bluster. Yet, since Zuffa bought the UFC over 15 years ago, Silva has somehow been the promotion's honest-to-goodness boogeyman.
Given the money, power and eye-opening familial history of the Fertittas, combined with the brothers being boyhood friends with White and his highly combustible personality, most alleged underlings would know their role and stay in line. Of course, that is not the case with Silva, the guy who dialed the UFC offices out of a martial arts magazine and somehow finagled a job out of it.
In November 2002, the UFC was preparing for UFC 40, headlined by Tito Ortiz and Ken Shamrock. It was the Zuffa-era UFC's first major event, the first time this company ever got anything resembling mainstream publicity and traction, the first time the UFC could really draw in the pro-wrestling demographic and make a buck or two. With such a grand stage set, White called Sherdog.com founder Jeff Sherwood a few weeks prior to the event. He asked Sherwood for the phone number of "Tank" David Abbott. Sherwood asked White if "Tank" was making a comeback; White cleverly said that they were working on a documentary feature of sorts about some of the pioneering era UFC fighters. Sherwood gave him the number.
On Nov. 22, 2002, in the middle of the UFC's biggest event to date, Abbott, not long removed from a pro wrestling stint in World Championship Wrestling, strolled out in his leather biker jacket to announce his return to the Octagon. White had kept it a secret from what was at the time a tiny core Zuffa staff. While you'll never see it on DVD or Fight Pass, as Abbott walked down the ramp, Silva fired off his headset, sprinted halfway around the Octagon and began screaming in White's face.
White, whose entire public persona is predicated on his alleged bolshie, tough guy street sensibilities, apologized to Silva, just like always. Seven years later, White signed then-41-year-old boxing legend James Toney to a contract in one of the most surreal and inexplicable happenings in UFC history. He did it in secret, without consulting Silva. When he called that Richmond area code to let the cat out of the bag, Silva had a field day. If part of the work world is supposed to occasionally taking a bite of the collective s--- sandwich, Silva always refused and just threw it back in the face of his bosses.
Of course, it's not just the verbal component. Silva's passion and dedication to this sport is a gift and a curse in some ways; while he has spent 15 years smartly articulating what fans and casual consumers want to see in the cage, he's not above twisting the knife. When Abbott returned to the Octagon at UFC 41, Silva booked him against his close friend, Frank Mir, who chained 40 submissions on a hapless Abbott before submitting him with a toehold. When he was forced to book Toney, he knew a middle-aged Randy Couture crawling at him for an elementary takedown would expose what a farce the entire thing was. When Zuffa, in its manifest destiny, bought up promotions and acquired contracts that Silva didn't like, he matched those fighters in question as tough as possible and sought to get them off the books.
There's a reason that every once in a blue moon White will drop some soundbite in a media scrum or tip the company's hand in some way and then say, "Aw, Joe Silva is going to be pissed at me." Yes, Silva will be pissed, and more than that, White and even Lorenzo Fertitta dread that excoriation. Despite their stature and their bank accounts, White and Fertitta have never even tried to hide the fact that a showdown with Silva fills them with existential dread. In fact, they've played it for years.
Silva hates this. He prides himself so much on being rational, logical and philosophically consistent; as mentioned, he sees himself as an honest man, performing a job where biting truth is simply part of the menu. What he hates, what rankles him, is when people call him "negative." It is something to which I can relate: When you're embedded in MMA -- whether as a fan, a media member, a fighter or a promotion's employee -- your opinion, at least in some small part, is a part of your job and helps get you paid.
If you study any field, any industry, no matter how much it speaks to your soul and you love it, there are circumstances and outcomes that you won't agree with and that you'll want to rally against. It is unnerving and upsetting to have someone tell you that you're "negative" when whatever you say, whatever you do, comes from a position of love and concern. Whether you're the UFC's matchmaker or a fan spitballing on Twitter, all of us are here because we love fights. It feels defeating to act out of passion and dedication, only for those who disagree with you to frame you as jaded and cynical.
It has never stopped this UFC regime from hamming up the narrative. For years, new UFC hires have been warned in summer camp ghost story-like fashion about crossing Silva. UFC employees paint pictures of sitting down in a Las Vegas board room, anxiously dreading the chance that Silva's disembodied voice would explode out of the speakerphone and put them on blast.
One of the famous Silva quips -- and to be fair, Shelby uses this device, too -- is "You think you want my job?". MMA media repeat this ad nauseum whenever the UFC is put in some kind of tense contract negotiation or injury-related matchmaking bind. The idea is that MMA fans, never shy about sharing their own matchmaking and business philosophies, would cower and crack if they saw what Silva or Shelby's gig was really like. I'm not so sure it works like that; it's cumulative more than anything.
What I mean to say is, I don't think a savvy MMA fan would have trouble making fantasy fights and squaring off fighters against one another on paper for a good salary and a respectable position in a major sports promotion. That's the dream, of course. However, it's a job you must have a disposition for, and even if you do, it's no guarantee that your nerves are bulletproof.
We all want to imagine the luxury of being able to book champion against champion in our own hometown during International Fight Week, but as I said, it's hardly about that. It's screaming in a board room to contrary-minded executives about business plans. It's about telling a veteran in his mid-30s after a dozen fights in the Octagon to hit the bricks, while you hope somehow he lands on his feet. It's not the panic and anxiety of making late replacement fights; it's the horror and guilt when you sign an undefeated novice on a week's notice, throw him in the cage and he gets absolutely obliterated right in front of your face.
On the surface, charges of "You don't want this job!" are predicated on the idea that it's difficult to sit on the phone arguing all day or decide who gets fight night bonuses, but that's obviously not why "UFC Vice President of Talent Relations" is a brutal gig. When people imagine playing matchmaker, they imagine putting together puzzle pieces to create a beautiful picture or snapping together Lego pieces to engineer some creative, clever feat. Spend 22 years working for the UFC and over 15 years as a matchmaker? You realize they're not jigsaw pieces, Lego blocks, darts at a board or any other inanimate object. They're real people; they really go into the cage and they really get [expletive] up while you sit there watching, judging, arbitrating and scheming.
At the end of this year, Silva will leave the game. After 22 years, this human conundrum -- the fiery, opinionated provocateur who has always proclaimed he prefers to lurk in the shadows -- will finally, truly be in MMA's background. Between emails, social media and sports radio appearances in the last 24 hours, it seems most MMA folks' worries over Silva's departure are hinged on professional proficiency. Rest assured: Shelby will step up and do this job. Shelby was brought on early in Zuffa's ownership, because like Silva before him, he had a certain kind of zeal for this sport; he was the guy in 2001 with Shooto cards on VHS and hard opinions about Tony Cecchine's instructionals. He may forever be linked to the UFC's in-house pre-main card highlight package set to "Baba O'Riley" by The Who, the original incarnation of which he edited well over a decade ago. However, since taking the matchmaking reins of World Extreme Cagefighting from Scott Adams in late 2008, Shelby has proved himself more than capable in this regard.
By all accounts from my journalistic snooping, there is no hard-and-fast plan quite yet for the UFC's matchmaking team. It is inevitable that Shelby will be promoted into Silva's spot, but whether or not he maintains his grips on the women's 115- and 135-pound divisions in addition to the men from flyweight to featherweight is anyone's guess. By next year, the UFC roster is likely to swell to 700 fighters or more, with the promotion running 40 to 50 events per year, with a dozen or more fights per card. Logically, even if he was the greatest and most productive talent relations guru in the history of prizefighting, there is no way Shelby can shoulder this himself. Regardless of how they divide the labor and who books what weight classes, the likely outcome is that Zuffa hires Shelby a right-hand man, someone who can learn from him while still holding down his divisions and negotiating free agents down to the cheapest nickel. Maybe a decade from now, Shelby passes this same torch to our hypothetical, unnamed future Zuffa matchmaker. It's the matchmaking circle of life.
That's not the salient aspect of Silva's retirement, though. Like his retirement itself, it was expected. It's a no-brainer that in his absence Shelby will ascend up the totem pole and be afforded a second-in-command to assist him. The crux of this whole thing is that people, select people, can handle Silva's job title, but no one else can be Joe Silva. As I feel like I repeat ad nauseum, MMA is the misfits' toy box of sports, and usually that pertains strictly to the characters inside that box. For over two decades, though, Silva has not just been the adjudicator of those ne'er-do-wells but the central voice that would stand up against White and the Fertittas and tell them that their plans, hopes and dreams were flawed, unrealistic and not good for business.
Despite the tiny man that inhabited them, Silva's matchmaking and deal-striking shoes are hard to fill, even for a far-more-than-prepared replacement like Shelby. However, it's not those contracts, or whether X should fight Y or Z next, or even just the conviction and cocksureness to defy and test White and the Fertittas. The UFC is not losing a matchmaker or just a smart decision maker in Silva; it's losing a true character, a man whose personality, for better and for worse, intimately shaped the landscape we've inhabited for nearly the entire duration of modern MMA. Silva never got to live out all of his martial arts dreams as UFC matchmaker. For instance, despite constant rumors during the early 2000s, Silva's favorite fighter, Rumina Sato, never got to fight in the UFC. However, during International Fight Week ahead of UFC 100 in July 2009, Sato did come to America and tapped Ulysses Gomez during a grappling match. Above and beyond the fact that Silva once named a house cat "Rumina Gato" in honor of the Shooto legend, that sort of small victory will have to suffice, I suppose.
A few short months and many distant years from now, Silva will be in his comfy chair, enjoying MMA fights on television infinitely more than if he had politicked and booked the contests himself. No matter what happens, he isn't controlling how much a fighter makes. He won't have to call any managers or cut a single soul from the roster. He can just watch fights again. He will never have to leave Richmond again, if he doesn't want to.


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As usual the industry attacks those that highlight their failings, this time it is the turn of our main writer and colleague Irene Parker.
In today's article Irene's husband Don, who knows her better than anyone else comes to her defense, like the knight in shining armour. Inside Timeshare has seen these sort of tactics many times in the past, the industry trying to discredit those who are doing some good, letting you know what they upto.
If the industry and the industry trade bodies, not just ARDA in the US but the RDO in Europe, focused on the failings of their own members instead of attacking and making snide comments about others, then maybe, just maybe we would have an industry that we could believe in.
For too long the industry has been riding roughshod over you the consumers, allowing their sales agents to lie to you just to get the sale, continually upgrading when you don't actually need it. Collecting maintenance fees yet giving you nothing in return.
Then comes along someone like Irene, who gives all and expects nothing in return, take a leaf out of her book. She is known as the Peasant of Venice, as opposed to the Queen of Versailles (madam Westgate). Irene is an inspiration to many, she has pulled together many others who volunteer their time to help others all for no personal gain other than satisfaction that they have helped and made a difference.
We now leave the stage to Don.
ARDA, Diamond Resorts and Bluegreen
Irene does not get paid!
By Don Parker
July 19, 2017
On more than one occasion, my wife Irene told me there are those at ARDA and at Diamond Resorts convinced Irene is receiving compensation from timeshare members who contact her asking for assistance after they explain how they feel they were victims of deceit, concealment, violation of trust and bait and switch.
While I understand it might be difficult for those earning high salaries to comprehend why someone would forfeit their retirement opting to spend 40 to 50 hours per week advocating for others, people that know Irene and have worked side by side with her in previous advocacy efforts will vouch for her credibility.
Irene and I have been together for 35 years. Here are a few examples of Irene's past efforts:
In New Jersey Irene ended up at the Drop-In Center for Aids patients in Newark. One Sunday we heard about an Aids Awareness Day at a Catholic Church in New Jersey where we lived at the time. Diocese wide, 90 volunteers were recruited. The problem was the Diocese did not expect that level of interest. They had no program. Having sent the Diocese a letter presenting her volunteer experience, the Bishop requested an interview with her. He sent Irene to meet Brother Joe McAlister at the Newark Aids Drop-in Center. When Irene told Brother Joe the Bishop recruited 90 volunteers to help with the 8,000 cases of Aids in New Jersey, Brother Joe replied, "We don't need any fxxxing Florence Nightingale's here." After a staring contest, Irene asked Brother Joe, "Do you need money?" He wavered. Irene reached into her purse, took out her checkbook and wrote a check for $35 to buy a coffee maker for one patron and an iron for a Hispanic man who liked to iron his shirts. After that Brother Joe, the Drop-In Center patrons and Irene became the best of friends. I helped out too and have to say I learned a lot from those brave souls. That was about 30 hours per week unpaid.
In Hawaii Irene worked with the Salvation Army and was a founding mother of the Waimea Salvation Army Board on the Big Island. She worked about 10 volunteer hours a week helping the Army find appreciable assets for their Charitable Remainder Trust program. Hawaii has a high tax rate and Irene had several clients who could use the tax benefits provided by a Charitable Remainder Trust. She and their development director also gave presentations around the islands.
Irene came home from work one day with a Korean baby and mom. Irene had learned dad was alcoholic and addicted to heroin. He was a Harvard graduate and fellow Rotarian. Before I knew it we were at the Korean Embassy in Honolulu arranging to fly mom and baby back to South Korea so they could get out of Dodge before the baby was placed in foster care. Mom was here illegally since Dad never married her. Salvation Army Major Ganot advised us on how to handle this situation which led to Irene's Salvation Army involvement. Major Ganot could be a major in anyone's army. She worked 26 years in Haiti.
Irene got really mad in Michigan. By now she had retired from the brokerage business and had been hired as a pipe organist and Music Director for a Catholic church. One day there appeared in the paper an article about how a few bad apple nuns sexually abused 120 Indian boys from the 1st to the 7th grade back in the 60s and 70s. Just like timeshare, our Priest said there is no evidence this happened, despite a four part article with the surviving victims interviewed by an Indian working on her Ph.D.
Before long, Irene and I were at the tribal headquarters meeting with the Chippewa Peacemaker (judge) and about a month later we were with Peacemaker Paul at the Diocese meeting with the Bishop demanding an apology. That's all they wanted. But, just like timeshare, an apology is a tall order as it really is an admission of guilt. This was a good Bishop who listened and did offer an apology to a group of people and in print media. Irene calls them Indians because the root of the word means In-Dios, in God, and American means Amerigo Vespucci who contributed to the destruction of their land and people.
Kentucky was another state where Irene worked full time for free as a CASA volunteer, advocates on behalf of children in foster care. After about a year, Irene raised enough money to fund a "Fostering Futures" program assisting teens aging out of foster care, who had agreed to extend their commitment for educational purposes. This population of youth "aging out" is probably the highest risk population in the country. Since Kentucky was the last state we lived in, there are many at CASA who will vouch for Irene's efforts like Debbie Harwood and Andrew Wollin who wrote a grant in order to hire Irene to be a full time paid CASA Supervisor writing and editing court reports for children in foster care. CASAs also attend all hearings and trials.
Debbie can also vouch for the effort Irene put into selling ads for the Ombudsman program housed at legal aid. Ombudsmen advocate on behalf of nursing home patients. Irene put in about 20 volunteer hours per week on that one for several months.
Last, but not least, Irene became a Volunteer Enactus Advisor at Western Kentucky University helping Burmese Karenni refugee women, not literate in their own language, sell beautifully woven scarves and bags at the Farmer's Market and was able to introduce them to a few stores. Irene convinced me I should teach a few of the Burmese how to drive (on our car). Enactus is a worldwide organization partnering major corporations with universities worldwide to improve impoverished populations. She completed a WKU graduate course on "Teaching English as a Second Language" concentrating on pre-literate learners. The Burmese speak over five languages. They are not dialects.
That brings us to Florida where we live now. While we were in between houses, waiting for our home in Venice to be built, we attended a predatory timeshare presentation at Diamond's Grand Beach Resort in Orlando. The reason I say it was predatory is because I was 77 years old at the time. The last thing I needed was vacation points. I remember Irene asking three times if we would be paired with a commissioned sales agent as we were only interested in long term care plans at this stage of our life. Told no because there had been so many complaints, we were held for over three hours by bad and worse cops that left Irene so angry she wrote to Las Vegas Attorney Bob Massi of Fox Business Property Man. Out of all the viewers who responded to a show about Westgate Timeshare called "The Queen of Versailles", Irene and I were selected for an interview because the producer told her she was the only respondent who wanted to talk about the positives in addition to the negatives concerning timeshare. Irene has called herself "The Peasant of Venice" ever since.
I hope this answers the question, "Does Irene get paid to assist timeshare members who are angry, confused, overwhelmed and desperate?"
Instead of worrying about whether Irene gets paid or not, I hope ARDA, Diamond and Bluegreen will think about the harm being done to so many consumers. Instead of attacking my wife, I think they should track down the sales agents using unscrupulous tactics and drain the swamp of them, instead of always saying the sales agent didn't say that.
I am the first person to read Irene's articles and the articles submitted to her written by other timeshare members. I've heard and learned a lot about timeshare. Not all presentations are predatory. We are actually not unhappy with our Diamond points. I don't know that I would use the word happy, but our first two sales presentations before 2015 were professional. It seems the escalation in aggression has really ramped up over the last two or three years.
When Irene and the member run into a dead end with the timeshare company, she does refer to a variety of lawyers. She receives no compensation from any attorney unless you consider the time a few of them give for legal editing.
By now, if you are still reading, you might be asking why Irene is so determined to find and assist victims. When Irene was 24 years old her best friend, Jayme Simmons, asked if she could live with her because she was afraid of her husband. Jayme and her two year old daughter left after two months. A week later her husband John Moore shot her in the face three times in front of her daughter. He served only seven years in a California prison. That kind of an event can have a lasting effect. You could say Irene has channeled that anger into advocacy.
I hope others volunteer to help write timeshare reports because there has been an increasing number of callers and emailers. We hope someday, somewhere, a lawmaker or regulator or AARP will either stop the predatory behavior or enough public exposure alerts the public to buyer beware. Irene knows there are also a lot of Wyndham members who complain, but they have not been calling – yet.
Contact Inside Timeshare or Irene if you have a concern about your timeshare purchase, but I kindly ask that you call between the hours of 1 to 5 PM Eastern Standard Time as that is a good time to call. Irene writes reports and articles in the mornings.
There you have it, that is what it means to be a VOLUNTEER, something these businesses fail to understand. It is not all about money, it is about doing what is right.
In Spain we are seeing the industry on the run, their failure to abide by the laws because they believed they were above the law, is now starting to bite them back. Millions of Euros are being awarded back to consumers by the courts. Other European countries are looking at Spain to see how they can protect the consumer from these timeshare giants.
The industry needs to take note, carry on running it like you do, then there will not be an industry left. Consumers are getting wise to your tactics, Inside Timeshare will publish what you do wrong, but we will also publish when you get it right. We would love to publish more positive articles, timeshare could be a good product, but your greed has destroyed what was once loved by many.


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Nowadays, it seems that more and more people are understanding the importance of going organic. In fact, it is not just what we put into our body that benefits from being organic, but also what we actually put on our body. However, even though you are all for using organic skin care, you may worry about the typical prices that you see in the high street stores. How can you get your hands on affordable organic skin care products? Actually it doesn't need to be too much of a challenge because sallybskinyummies.com offers best skin care products at an attractive price.
Shop Online
Online sellers do not tend to have the same overheads that physical shops have. This means that, if they so desire, they can pass the saving, or at least some of it, on to their customers. Take the time to research the available organic skin care products which are being sold online. Before making a purchase make sure that the seller is reputable and has good feedback from previous customers.
Consider Buying A Set
Often you can reduce the price of each organic skin care product by buying in a set. This may be in the form of a ready made up set, or a promotional offer that allows you to buy several items and get the cheapest one free.
Certainly, there is no doubt that organic skin care products can be very beneficial. Don't be put off the idea by high prices that you may have seen in your local shops. It is more than possible to find organic skin care products that are both affordable and of a high quality. Simply take the time to research your options online and consider the idea of buying a set rather than separate products.


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Current studies show that about 37 percent of federal and state prisoners do not have a high school diploma or GED, compared to 19 percent of the general population. As employers' demands for college credentials grow—an estimated two thirds of jobs will require them by 2018—it is increasingly imperative to offer college education to our most vulnerable populations.
Vera is currently working on two postsecondary education in prison projects:
- Expanding Access to Postsecondary Education (EAPSE) provides expert information and technical assistance to state departments of corrections, colleges and universities, and state and local policymakers selected for the Second Chance Pell Experimental Sites Initiative of the U.S. Department of Education. The project, through support from the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance, facilitates partnerships between colleges and prisons to provide educational opportunities for currently and formerly incarcerated people.
- Pathways from Prison to Postsecondary Education is a five-year, Vera-led initiative that provides selected states (Michigan, New Jersey, and North Carolina) with incentive funding and technical assistance to expand postsecondary education for currently and formerly incarcerated people. The project is unique for its emphasis on coordination between pre- and post-release programming, encouraging partnerships between officials, corrections and parole agencies, schools, employers, and service providers. By demonstrating that postsecondary education—combined with supportive reentry services—can reduce recidivism and increase employability and earnings, the project hopes to spur national replication and long-term public investment.
Providing college education opportunities to incarcerated people is important for a number of reasons:
- It helps to end mass incarceration by reducing recidivism and providing people the resources for post-release success;
- It strengthens families and communities by helping formerly incarcerated people become economically stable and remain with their families rather than returning to prison; and
- It saves taxpayer money by yielding a $5 to $1 return on investment over three years (due to reduced recidivism and increased employment and stability for formerly incarcerated people and their families).
EAPSE has been funded by the Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance, ECMC Foundation, and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
Pathways is funded by the Ford Foundation, the Sunshine Lady Foundation, the Open Society Foundations, the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
To learn more about requesting technical assistance to support postsecondary education in your state, please email Margaret diZerega at firstname.lastname@example.com.
"Postsecondary education programs give incarcerated people the education, confidence, and skills they need in order to return to their community ready to contribute, not recidivate. I have seen firsthand the positive impact that the Pathways from Prison Project has on students and the prison environment and I strongly encourage other jurisdictions to provide their own incarcerated populations with the opportunity to learn and grow."


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Distributed Solar Generation and Net Metering Stakeholder Group (Solar Stakeholder Group)
The Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy (DMME) and the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) were requested to jointly convene a stakeholder group to study the costs and benefits of distributed solar generation and net metering. Pursuant to Rule 20 (o) of the Rules of the Senate of Virginia, the Senate Committee on Rules sent a letter study request to DMME and DEQ for study, requesting a written report by November 1, 2014.
DMME and DEQ have been informally discussing solar issues with interested stakeholders since mid-2013. After receiving the letter study request, the agencies posted a public notice and convened a diverse and balanced stakeholder group made up of persons with technical and policy expertise regarding distributed solar development. The stakeholder group includes representatives from electric utilities, the solar industry, local governments, conservation groups, academic institutions, and the general public. Members selected for this group have been asked to work collaboratively and cooperatively to study the issues defined by letter study request, and to produce the requested report.
The links to the right contain information and documents from meetings of both the full Solar Stakeholder Group, and also a smaller Steering Committee tasked with coordinating the efforts of the larger group.
If you have questions or would like additional information please contact Ken Jurman at DMME.


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Daughter of Cocaine Kingpin kidnapped in Bulgaria
Three masked man abducted the 10-year-old daughter of a convicted Bulgarian gangland boss on Tuesday, police said, in a brazen attack underscoring the Balkan country's failure to tackle rampant organised crime.world Updated: Mar 05, 2013 18:53 IST
Three masked man abducted the 10-year-old daughter of a convicted Bulgarian gangland boss on Tuesday, police said, in a brazen attack underscoring the Balkan country's failure to tackle rampant organised crime.
The European Union's poorest member state has been repeatedly criticised by Brussels for doing too little to fight corruption and gangsterism.
The failure to implement rule of law helped spark protests that toppled the government last month. Driving an SUV, the three men blocked a car taking the daughter of Evelin Banev to school, shot and wounded its driver and abducted the girl, police said in a statement.
The driver was hospitalised but his life was not in danger, doctors said.
"Police blocked roads into and out of (the capital) Sofia. All operational and search measures are being taken to establish the location of the child," the police statement said.
Banev, 49, was arrested in Italy last May in an international police operation dubbed "Cocaine Kingpins" involving Bulgarian, Italian, French, Swiss and Spanish authorities.
Italian police said Banev's gang was responsible for smuggling around 40 tonnes of cocaine into Italy per year.
A Bulgarian court last month sentenced Banev - known as "Brendo" - to 7 1/2 years in prison for laundering drug-dealing profits of over 2 million euros ($2.6 million). Italy handed him to Bulgaria for that trial but he is now back in an Italian jail awaiting trial for drug trafficking.
Successive governments have failed to solve hundreds of high-profile contract killings that have plagued Sofia and other cities since the late 1990s.
The issue has contributed to Bulgaria's exclusion from the EU's passport-free Schengen zone.
But Tuesday's abduction was the first since 2009, when police arrested 25 people in connection with 16 kidnappings of rich and famous Bulgarians for ransom. Last April a Sofia court sentenced four of the accused to at least 16 years in jail. ($1 = 0.7687 euros)


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From Max McLean and The Listener's Bible come daily scripture passages, verses from Proverbs and a podcast that takes you through the entire Bible in one year narrated by Max.
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'Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.' Psalm 119:105


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In its first written judgment, the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC) provides some insight into Singapore's approach to contractual interpretation, including in relation to implied terms and ambiguity, and the impact of foreign illegality on business dealings.
The case in question concerns a joint venture dispute between parties in Australia and Indonesia, with associated companies in Singapore, over the construction and commissioning of a coal briquette processing plant in Indonesia.
In a very comprehensive judgment, the SICC considered the obligations of the parties under a joint venture deed (JV Deed) along with other project agreements and side deeds.
Following judgment, the SICC (in which two of the three presiding Judges were International Judges) invited submissions from the parties as to the future conduct of the case, with a Case Management Conference to be held within 30 days of the judgment.[1]
An Australian company, Binderless Coal Briquetting Company Pty Ltd (BCBC), was the holder of an exclusive worldwide licence to exploit the "Binderless Coal Briquetting Process," a process by which raw coal is processed into briquettes with higher calorific value and lower moisture content than normal (BCB Process). Bayan International Pte Ltd (BI), a Singaporean entity, was part of the "Bayan Resources Group", an Indonesian group of companies with interests in coal.
After conducting investigations and procuring feasibility reports, BCBC and BI agreed to construct and commission a plant in Indonesia employing the BCB Process (Project). Further, they agreed that companies related to BI would supply the joint venture facility with coal.
In January 2007, the parties established the joint venture company, PT Kaltim Supacoal (KSC) in Indonesia, with BCBC Singapore Pte Ltd (a Singaporean company in the same corporate group as BCBC)(BCBCS) holding 51% of the shares, and PT Bayan Resources TBK (a publically listed Indonesian entity in the Bayan Resources Group)(BR) holding the remaining shares.
In January 2008, BCBC and BI entered into a Memorandum of Understanding agreeing that PT Thiess Contractors Indonesia (Thiess) would be appointed to construct the Project under a D&C Alliance Contract with KSC. The project had a target completion date of 1 March 2009.
In January 2009, the Indonesian Government passed Law No 4 of 2009 on Mineral and Coal Mining, which imposed permit requirements and set benchmark prices for various types of coal.
A Certificate of Practical Completion was issued in relation to the work carried out by Thiess under the D&C Alliance Contract on 30 April 2009.[2]
The cost of the construction and commissioning of the Project exceeded early estimates and continuing budget revisions. As a consequence, BCBCS committed more funds to the Project and requested BR to do the same. Further, KSC entered into an agreement with Standard Chartered Bank in September 2009 for a US$10M working capital loan facility (SCB Loan Facility).[3]
In December 2011, BR sent a "Default Notice" to BCBC's publically listed parent company, White Energy Company Ltd (WEC), and BCBCS alleging breaches of the JV Deed by BCBCS and total failure of consideration and purpose of the same. BR also gave notice that the BCBCS were to remedy all the defaults within 30 days.[4]
WEC responded by alleging that BR was in breach of its funding obligation and requesting confirmation that BR would meet same.[5] Without admitting liability and purely to mitigate further loss and damage, BR agreed to transfer certain funds.
In December 2011, BCBCS and BCBC commenced proceedings in the High Court of Singapore against BR and BI, and the action was transferred to the SICC in March 2015.
The Court considered a series of issues broadly related to the following three categories of issues: funding, coal supply, and the counterclaim.[6]
Funding Issues
The funding issues focussed on three key issues, namely, whether BR was obliged to:[7]
- provide funding for the commissioning, operations and maintenance of the Project in accordance with a funding MOU executed in March 2009 (Funding MOU);
- consent to KSC obtaining an advance from SCB to repay monies lent to it by BCBCS; and
- contribute 49% of KSC's care and maintenance costs.
The SICC looked at the terms of the JV Deed and Funding MOU which were expressly governed by Singaporean law.[8] Under Singaporean law a contextual approach is taken to contractual construction (i.e. 'the Court ascertains the intention of the parties at the time they entered into a contract based on all "relevant" evidence'). Extrinsic evidence can be used to interpret a contract if it is 'relevant, reasonably available to all the contracting parties and relates to a clear or obvious context.' Subsequent conduct can also be considered as an aid to construing a contract. [9]
In considering the JV Deed, the SICC looked at the natural and ordinary meaning of the funding obligations clauses and held that had the parties intended to give up their 'significant right' to withhold consent to calls for funding then they would have articulated this in the Funding MOU.[10]
The SICC commented on what it considered, or more relevantly did not, to form relevant extrinsic evidence under Singaporean law, including evidence of subsequent conduct. For example, the Court looked at BR seeking clarification of the costs associated with its funding obligations, and did not consider this relevant contextual evidence of BR's awareness of its legal obligation to contribute to such costs under the Funding MOU. [11]
Ultimately on the question of funding, the SICC determined that BR was under no obligation to provide funding for commissioning costs or care and maintenance costs (even though it was subject to good faith obligations under the JV Deed), nor was it under any obligation to consent to KSC obtaining a further advance to repay debts owed to BCBCS.[12]
Coal Supply Issues
The first coal supply issue was whether BR was under an obligation to supply and / or assist to procure coal to be supplied to KSC under the JV Deed or other agreements or side deeds. In relation to this issue, KSC had entered into coal supply agreements with entities related to BR.
On this issue, the SICC held that there was insufficient evidence to determine how much coal was required by KSC in the period in question, which was during the commissioning phase.[13] To that end, it reserved its decision until later when the issue could be further explored.
The second coal supply issues was whether the coal supply agreements (and related side agreements) for the supply of coal between November 2011 and March 2012 were illegal or entered into for an illegal purpose under Indonesian law, and thus unenforceable in Singapore. This was namely because of the transfer pricing and tax implications of the economic model used for pricing the coal. In 2010 the Indonesian Government introduced new regulations for the mining industry impacting on permits, and more relevantly, on mandated minimum benchmark prices for various types of coal.[14]
The SICC explored the two distinct strands that comprise illegality in Singapore. First, as a matter of public policy:[15]
… a Singapore court will not enforce a contract or award for damages for its breach, if its object or purpose would involve doing an act in a foreign and friendly state which would violate the law of that state.
Second, on an independent conflict of laws basis, the SICC confirmed that a contract would be:[16]
… invalid in so far as the performance of it is unlawful by the law of the country where the contract is to be performed.
BR's argument that the coal supply agreement and associated side letter were illegal was dependent upon them being illegal under Indonesian law – that is, they conflicted with the regulations issued by the Indonesian government. Following the consideration of evidence from experts in Indonesian law put forward by both sides, the SICC found that there were common grounds on which an agreement would be held to be unenforceable under Indonesian law.[17] In this case however, the SICC rejected the allegation that the agreements were tainted by illegality as they were consistent with the regulations introduced by the Indonesian government. Further, the judgment provides detailed consideration of the pricing mechanisms in the coal supply agreements and related side letter which may prove useful in similar commercial settings.
Counterclaim Issues
One of the contentious counterclaim issues was whether there was an implied term in the JV Deed: [18]
… that in providing technical assistance to KSC in the development of the Patented Briquetting Process, BCBCS was under a contractual duty to use the reasonable skill and care to be expected of a competent designer, builder and operator of a coal preparation and briquetting plants.
The SICC addressed the approach to implied terms in Singapore noting that a court must first ascertain how the gap in the contract arises as the implication will only be considered where parties did not contemplate the gap.[19] Secondly, the court will consider whether it is necessary in business or commercial sense to imply the term to give the contract efficacy.[20] Thirdly, the specific term to be implied will be considered and it must be one that the parties 'would have responded "Oh, of course!" had the proposed term been put to them at the time of the contract.' [21]
As to the implied term alleged in this instance, the SICC held that the obligation in the JV Deed for BCBCS to provide technical assistance did not go so far as to impose an obligation to provide this assistance as it related to design, building or operating of coal preparation and briquetting plants. As such, there was no implied contractual duty to use the reasonable care and skill expected of a competent designer, builder or operator of the same.[22]