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Brock Biology of Microorganisms
- Edition: 13th
- Format: Hardcover
- Copyright: 12/17/2010
- Publisher: PEARSON
- Newer Edition
Note: Not guaranteed to come with supplemental materials (access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.)
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The authoritative #1 textbook for introductory majors microbiology, Brock Biology of Microorganismscontinues to set the standard for impeccable scholarship, accuracy, and outstanding illustrations and photos. This book for biology, microbiology, and other science majors balances cutting edge research with the concepts essential for understanding the field of microbiology.#xA0; #xA0; In addition to a new co-author, David Stahl, who brings coverage of cutting edge microbial ecology research and symbiosis to a brand new chapter (Chapter 25), a completely revised overview chapter on Immunology (Chapter 28), a new "Big Ideas" section at the end of each chapter, and a wealth of new photos and art make the Thirteenth Editionbetter than ever. Brock Biology of Microorganismsspeaks to today#x19;s students while maintaining the depth and precision science majors need.


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You can have one item inserted in each of the bags handed out to Affiliate Summit West 2015 attendees when they check in to the conference for only $2,000.
The deadline to get your marketing materials in all of the attendee bags is December 31, 2014.
No exceptions – this is a firm deadline.
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subset: commoncrawl


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All Products
These are a very effective tool to call up dogs with and they don't take a lot of practice to achieve realistic howls. Besides howls you can also do barks, whines, and distress sounds. They are light and easy to carry. Comes with protective cap and 3 white Power Bands. E.L.K. have been manufacturing calls for 30 years so they know what they are doing.
They are made for wolves in the US but do a great job on our wild dogs here in Australia.
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Chilly Gonzales has spoken about working on Daft Punk's new album 'Random Access Memories'.
Scroll down to watch a video of the singer and pianist talking to Vice as part of their Creators Project series about collaborating with the French duo.
In the video Gonzales explains that Daft Punk are "a very warm, familiar group despite their mysterious image – every musician feels an emotional connection to them and we always have the feeling that they're ahead of us. They don't really need any help".
Gonzales says that he was bought in to assist with the harmonic side of the new record.
"Despite not having trained so much harmonically, they clearly realise that harmony has that power and it was very exciting to me," he said. "I have a real love for the mathematics of music – I think they knew that about me, and that was their way of trying to use me in a really appropriate way."
He continues: "One of the main specific things they asked me to do was build a musical bridge between a block of songs that were in A minor and there was another block of tracks that are in B flat minor or major… you literally hear that kind of key change in lots of power ballads… like a Barry Manilow song."
Gonzales goes on to play snippets of songs from the new record on piano, demonstrating the key changes between tracks on the album. "The fact that they were asking for this musical bridge to happen just shows that they have absorbed a lot of what classical composers were obsessed with from 1700 through the early 20th century," he reveals.
Chilly Gonzales is one of a number of collaborators Daft Punk have pulled in for 'Random Access Memories', which is released on May 20. Synth pioneer Giorgio Moroder, Todd Edwards, Pharrell Williams and Panda Bear are also set to appear on the LP.
Daft Punk recently earned their first ever Official UK Number One Single with 'Get Lucky'.
The French electro duo entered the midweek UK Singles Chart at Number Three with the song, which features Chic's Nile Rodgers and Pharrell Williams. After racking up sales of 155,000 copies, they then bagged the top spot.


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Writing in the February 17, 2012 issue of the journal Cell, researchers at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and the Toronto Western Research Institute peel away some of the enduring mystery of how zygotes or fertilized eggs determine which copies of parental genes will be used or ignored.
In the Cell paper, a team of scientists, led by Bing Ren, PhD, head of the Laboratory of Gene Regulation at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research at UC San Diego, describe in greater detail how differential DNA methylation in the two parental genomes set the stage for selective expression of imprinted genes in the mouse. Differential DNA methylation is essential to normal development in humans and other higher organisms. It involves the addition of hydrocarbon compounds called methyls to cytosine, one of the four bases or building blocks of DNA. Such addition alters the expression of different genes, boosting or suppressing them to help direct embryonic growth and development.


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Web-based data delivery services in support of disaster-relief applications
- More information: Publisher Index Page (via DOI)
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
The U.S. Geological Survey Earth Resources Observation Systems Data Center responds to emergencies in support of various government agencies for human-induced and natural disasters. This response consists of satellite tasking and acquisitions, satellite image registrations, disaster-extent maps analysis and creation, base image provision and support, Web-based mapping services for product delivery, and predisaster and postdisaster data archiving. The emergency response staff are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and have access to many commercial and government satellite and aerial photography tasking authorities. They have access to value-added data processing and photographic laboratory services for off-hour emergency requests. They work with various Federal agencies for preparedness planning, which includes providing base imagery. These data may include digital elevation models, hydrographic models, base satellite images, vector data layers such as roads, aerial photographs, and other predisaster data. These layers are incorporated into a Web-based browser and data delivery service that is accessible either to the general public or to select customers. As usage declines, the data are moved to a postdisaster nearline archive that is still accessible, but not in real time.
Additional publication details
|Publication type
|Conference Paper
|Publication Subtype
|Conference Paper
|Web-based data delivery services in support of disaster-relief applications
|Year Published
|12 p.
|Larger Work Title
|Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
|First page
|Last page
|Conference Title
|Technologies, Systems, and Architectures for Transnational Defense II
|Conference Location
|Orlando, FL
|Conference Date
|23 April 2003 through 23 April 2003
|Google Analytic Metrics
|Metrics page


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While headline inflation data for the June quarter released last week was a mild 0.5% and in-line with market consensus, the Reserve Bank of Australia's preferred underlying measure was higher than expected. This was due to strong rises in a number of essential goods and services, but despite CPI now being at the top end of the RBA's target band, there is no cause for concern. The outlook for inflation remains benign, underpinned by soft wage growth and an exchange rate that is no longer putting upward pressure on prices.
That said, the pick-up in underlying inflation should remind investors that the RBA's most likely course of action is inaction, rather than still lower rates – which is what the market is currently pricing in.


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If I ever needed confirmation that training is all very well, but that you only really learn how to do something when you have to do it yourself, I received it yesterday. I'd seen the demonstration of the satellite navigation system on the Ford cars which form the Commonwealth Games fleet twice, which involved sitting in the car while a person who knew how it worked pressed the buttons very quickly and then said 'Of course this one already has all the main Games venues programmed in'. Even when I had my turn at sitting in the driving seat, and gingerly touched a few of the controls, it didn't mean much as I didn't need to go anywhere in particular.
It was only when I was sitting in the car park yesterday afternoon in a brand new car with only 8 miles on the clock, not much fuel and a completely virgin sat-nav trying to programme in the postcode of a place in central Glasgow that I realised that this system had its own idiosyncrasies that make it different to all the others I have used in the past, and it resisted all my efforts to input what should have been the most straight forward of destinations. And I had one of the team in the car with me.
It was not my finest hour.
Later on in the day, in a quiet moment on my own, with no-one sitting beside me, it took me 5 minutes of fiddling with it to bend it to my will. Now its method of operation is etched on my brain forever.
It's fun driving around the city in one of the Games cars. With the right pass on the windscreen you can drive on roads and into compounds which are otherwise barred. For a short while I'm allowed into an inner sanctum of sorts. It's just like the rest of the world really, but a little bit quieter and with more security checks.
I'm due to take part in the rehearsal for the Opening Ceremony at Celtic Park tonight so that for the Real Thing I can show my team where they have to go and when, for the Athletes Parade. I'm looking forward to it, but won't be able to tell you anything about it, because I don't want to spoil the surprise for Wednesday(!).


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Russian Dog Wizard
Newport Beach
Renowned throughout the world and known affectionately as The Russian Dog Wizard or Vladae911, Vladae Roytapel practices his legendary canine training techniques through his Southern California-based business, SoCal Dog Training. Hailed as a miracle worker by dog owners of a wide variety of breeds with a host of different behavioral problems, Vladae Roytapel is able to succeed where others have failed. He regularly achieves results in cases thought hopeless by owners and trainers alike.
The grandson of a former Chief Biologist for the USSR, Vladae Roytapel gained early childhood experience with behavioral instruction for animals. While his grandfather conducted Pavlov-type experiments, young Vladae Roytapel observed the animals (wolves, coyotes, and foxes) and his grandfather's successes and failures in behavior modification.
Proficient in four languages, Vladae Roytapel has made a name for himself largely through his fluency in a fifth, which he calls "Doglish." Understanding that dogs cannot be expected to communicate the way that humans do, Vladae Roytapel has leveraged years of training and observation to devise a coherent structure and vocabulary through which dogs communicate. By speaking Doglish, the Russian Dog Wizard is able to issue commands in ways dogs clearly understand and then obey. For example, for dog owners with animals who constantly jump up on people, Vladae recommends a deep, loud cry of "AHHHHHGT!" while simultaneously bending over, clapping one's hands, and freezing in place. According to Vladae's understanding of Doglish, the act of bending one's back and freezing signals to the dog that one is about to bite—an action that will surely get any dog's attention.
Featured on numerous prestigious news programs such as NPR, CNN's Situation Room, and CBS' Late Show with David Letterman, Vladae Roytapel serves as a pet columnist for many local and national publications. He also holds the position of Exclusive Pet Expert at http://www.petsplaces.com. Vladae hosts a segment on Animal Radio network, the most-listened-to pet talk radio network in America. Eager to share his knowledge with dog owners around the world, Vladae Roytapel maintains an informative blog at russiandogwizard.blogspot.com.


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Trailer load hits overpass, spills onto road
DUVAL COUNTY, Fla. – A Lake City man was charged with exceeding height limitations after a protruding load he was hauling hit an overhead concrete bridge and spilled onto the highway Tuesday afternoon, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
David Robert Stamper, 53, was driving a tractor trailer eastbound on SR 126 when the load hit the bridge (SR 9), causing the trailer's rear gate to detach. Part of the trailer's load then spilled into the left travel lane.
According to a Florida Department of Transportation bridge inspector, the structural integrity of the bridge was not compromised in the crash.
Copyright 2014 by News4Jax.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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For the latest information about Transitions dated 15/05/2020 Click Here
For the latest information about Transitions Click Here
Introduction to Transition at Cardinal Hume Catholic School
Transition from primary to secondary school is a very exciting and challenging time for any child, and also for their parents and carers. To help our prospective Y7s to feel comfortable and secure, and to welcome them and their families as part of our school community, an extensive Transition programme is planned for the summer term.
Our Y6 Transfer programme begins with a pastoral 'Welcome Day' when pupils are placed in the tutor groups which will be theirs from Y7 to 11. This is an opportunity to make new friends and to learn about our ethos and expectations at Cardinal Hume.
The Welcome Day is followed by two Curriculum Days. On these days Y6s follow a normal timetable, taking breaks and lunch with CHCS pupils, and taking part in a range of lessons in departments around the school. A copy of last year's Curriculum Days timetable can be found in the Transition section of the web site.
Parents and children are invited to join us for a wide range of Family Learning events. These fun, informal sessions are a great opportunity for parents and children to meet staff and become familiar with the school.
We hope that all parents will be able to attend an important Welcome Meeting with our Head Teacher, Mr Hurn where parents will learn more about our school expectations and ethos and will be introduced to key senior staff including their child's Head of House. The Welcome Evening is an invaluable opportunity to clarify any concerns parents may have regarding Y7, and to select and order items of uniform and sports kit.
We look forward to welcoming you and your family to Cardinal Hume Catholic School.
Year 6 Transition Programme – Summer 2019
|DETAILS: Pupils wear primary school uniform. Transport is not provided
|Welcome Day
At Cardinal Hume Catholic School
|Thursday 18th June
8.45am – 3.15pm
|An opportunity for Y6 pupils to meet their tutor group and learn about their new school.
Pupils should wear primary school uniform and bring a packed lunch.
Transport is not provided.*
|Curriculum Day 1
|Monday 29th June
8.45am – 3.15pm
|An opportunity to sample a range of lessons, meet staff and get to know the routines of the school.
Pupils should wear primary school uniform
A free school meal will be provided on both of these days.
Transport is not provided.*
|Curriculum Day 2
|Tuesday 30th June
8.45am – 3.15pm
|School Uniform Sales
|Wednesday 24th June
4.00-6.30pm ( time-slots will be allocated
|An opportunity to purchase School uniform from our new supplier 'Michael Sehgal & Sons'.
We will be asking families to arrive at staggered times during the evening depending on which 'House' your child has been allocated to. Further details to follow.
|Welcome Evening for parents
|Tuesday 1st July
6.00pm – 7.30pm
|An opportunity for parents to meet the Head teacher and a range of staff. You will also be able to order items of PE uniform from our supplier 'Impack'.
This meeting is for parents only – please avoid bringing children if at all possible as we cannot accommodate them all comfortably.
For a downloadable copy of the above information, click here.
Parent Handbook 2019
Year 6 Family Learning 2019
We also have some Family Learning Workshops planned during the Summer Term for our Y6 children and their families. Dates to be confirmed. For further information please contact Mrs Richardson: firstname.lastname@example.com 0191 487 7638.
For further information about Family Learning dates, click here to download
Summer School 2019
Family Learning Feedback from 2018
On a scale of 1-4 99% of parents have awarded every course top marks in evaluations. Here are some comments:
"Stimulating teaching and thought-provoking fun science lesson [on acidity in every day chemicals] which will encourage us to test substances and think about them at home."
" Very informative and it was good to see the surroundings and classrooms."
"[The sessions] have helped my child get an idea of what the school is like."
Family Science Workshop parental feedback:
Our first Family Learning event was a great success, with fabulous reviews from parents and children. We asked families to tell us their thoughts…
"What impact do you think these sessions will have on work / activities at home?"
Parents responded:
'It's interesting to do the practical sessions to prove the science theory'
'I feel the sessions will help parents and students to become used to the school and teachers'
'We'll know how to treat bee or wasp stings.'
'I would like to spend more time with my daughter at home, doing experiments.'
Children responded:
'It made me look forward to Cardinal Hume in a few months.'
'It was so interesting and I loved it. I want to try more sessions at home.'
'Excited and more ready for SATs.
Notes from Parent Partners Meeting
Transition Parent Survey
Each year parents are invited to complete this questionnaire regarding your child's transfer and transition to Cardinal Hume Catholic School. Below is a summary of Transition projects/meetings which have taken place over the last two years. Parents/carers tick the boxes below which most closely indicate the level to which you agree with the given statements. The results of our most recent survey are summarised below.
|Events Open to Catholic Feeders
|Events Open to all pupils/parents*
|Events Open to all pupils/parents*
|Y5 Singing Day and Concert
|Y6 Welcome Day June*
|Y6 Open evening Oct*
|Y5 Sports Day
|Y6 Transition Curriculum Days July*
|Y7 Parents' Welcome Evening*
|Y6 'Play In A Day'
|Additional visits by appointment*
|Y6 Family Learning: English*
|Y6 Family Learning: Maths*
|Parents' Handbook – key information*
|Y7 Family Learning: Cooking*
|Y7 Family Learning Courses: English/ Maths*
|My child had opportunities to visit CHCS in Y5 and Y6
|My child felt confident about coming to CHCS
|I felt confident about my child coming to CHCS
|I felt well-informed about CHCS when my child was in Y6
|I found the Parents' Handbook helpful
|My child was well prepared to transfer to CHCS
|My child was aware of work and behaviour expectations at CHCS
|I was aware of work and behaviour expectations at CHCS
|My child looked forward to attending CHCS
|My child has settled well at CHCS
Overall responses:
- 98% Satisfactory or better (3+)
- 92% Good or better (4+)
- 74% Outstanding (5 )
Issues arising from individual responses:
Pupils from non-feeder schools – parents expressed concern at lack of earlier opportunities to visit CHCS.
Unfortunately we are not able to issue invitations to non-feeder schools, but we do run a range of Family Learning events throughout the year, many of which are open to all.
Practicalities – children are concerned about moving around the building, pricing in the canteen etc.
Pupils are guided in their first few days, and all staff and pupils are happy to assist lost Y7s.
We understand that new pupils may take a little longer to get from A to B at the start of term.
Challenging levels of homework
We make no apology for setting challenging work, but support is always available at Homework Club and pupils should always discuss any problems with their class teacher.
Stress due to strictness of school culture
At Cardinal Hume we insist on the very highest standards of behaviour and work, but temper this with care and understanding. The Transition Days offer pupils an opportunity to learn about our expectations, but also to familiarise themselves with the pastoral support available. Close partnership between school and home is the key to supporting pupils in achieving and maintaining the highest standards.
Summary of the Transition Survey
We are delighted to see such positive feedback from parents, demonstrating an overwhelming satisfaction with the Transition process. This has been reflected in the secure start that our current Y7 has made in Cardinal Hume.
We take all feedback seriously, and responses to our survey showed that some parents of pupils from outside of our Catholic Cluster of feeder schools were concerned that their children had fewer opportunities to visit us at CHCS. Unfortunately we are not at liberty to invite pupils from outside our Cluster to join us for events until they have been formally offered a place at Cardinal Hume, however we do endeavour to provide an extensive and varied programme of events for the summer term, including a number of opportunities for parents. All the events/resources highlighted(*) are available to all our prospective Y7 children, and we strongly advise families to attend as many of these events as they can – the schedule for this year can be found here on the website.
- Y6 Family Learning events at CHCS in the holidays are open to all local families – book through the Family Learning service.
- Transition continues into Y7, so try to join us for Y7 Family Learning events.
Some comments from parents/carers.
My son has settled in Year 7 very well. It's a huge step for them, but it doesn't take long before they get into a routine.
We are delighted with the support offered to [our daughter] and the obvious hard work of all the staff working with her.
[Our son] is very much enjoying his time at the school. He talks about it non-stop and has made new friends. He is growing in confidence which as parents we are delighted with.
[Our daughter] joined CHCS from a non-feeder school. We have been very impressed by the transition both before and during the new academic year.
[Our daughter] has settled into CHCS really well and is very happy at school. We are really pleased with her attitude to homework when she brings it home.
A Letter to our New Starters from a Year 7 Pupil
When I visited Cardinal Hume Catholic School for the first time it seemed massive. I thought I would never find my way round, that I would get lost on my way to every lesson. However, that didn't happen. There is always someone to help you find your way in the first few weeks of term.
I enjoyed the Transition days – I made a special friend on the first day and she is still my best friend now. After three days in school I felt much more confident, particularly about travelling to school on the bus.
The main thing I worried about in the holidays was that I would forget things – books, pencil case, stationery etc. I was also worried about the work – would it be too hard and would I manage the homework. I do have to work hard, but I get a lot of support from my teachers – never be afraid to ask for help with your work. A good tip – you need to be very organised. Make sure you use your Planner properly, and you can't go wrong.
On the first day at Cardinal Hume I was very nervous in the morning but as soon as I arrived I realized there was nothing to be scared of. I have made lots of friends in my tutor group and teaching group, but have stayed in touch with my old friends from primary school too.
There are lots of extra-curricular activities that you can join in. I have discovered some new talents – acting, singing and dancing. Other people in my class have joined sports clubs and art club. There is always something to get involved in.
So, welcome to Cardinal Hume Catholic School! My best advice to you is to make the most of all the opportunities to get involved in school life, and to work hard so you achieve your dreams.
Year 7 Pupil
Year 5 Singing Festival 2018
Congratulations to our fantastic Year 5 guests who gave an inspiring performance to a packed Atrium on May 4th at our annual Singing Festival. 120 pupils from St Anne's, St Alban's, St Oswald's, St Joseph's Juniors Birtley and St Benet's with support from members of our own Junior Choir sang a varied and challenging programme including hits from the Beach Boys, the Smiths and Adele. We look forward to welcoming you into our school choirs when you are little older, Year 5!


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We Are Online
Brandon, MB – On behalf of the Province of Manitoba and its contractor, the City of Brandon wishes to advise the public that traffic flow at the site of the First Street Bridge will be switched over to the new bridge structure during the course of the day on Friday, December 9th, weather-permitting. All motorists travelling in the area and/or accessing the First Street Bridge are asked to drive with extra caution and watch for detour signage and workers on-site.
Once all northbound and southbound traffic has successfully been switched over to using the new northbound bridge span, the old bridge structure will be blocked off and demolished to make way for the construction of the new southbound bridge span. Weather-permitting, demolition of the original bridge structure will begin on Monday, December 12th. Completion of the new southbound bridge span is anticipated in November of 2017.
During this second phase of construction on the bridge, all access to First Street at Pacific Avenue will be closed to traffic. All motorists travelling along Pacific Avenue will be required to access First Street by detouring at Third Street or Second Street. Electronic message boards have been placed at the northbound and southbound approaches of the bridge to advise motorists of this change.
The City of Brandon and the Province of Manitoba ask for the public's continued cooperation and patience during the bridge's construction.
City of Brandon - 410 9th Street - Brandon MB - R7A 6A2 - Phone: 204. 729. 2186


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As a Social Enterprise in the heritage sector we have an obligation to provide opportunities and social benefits to local communities and heritage enthusiasts. Each of our projects are developed with this in mind, and include opportunities for members of the public to become actively engaged with their local heritage, which not only provides an opportunity to learn new skills, but also encourages an active lifestyle. As a training institution we also strive to provide affordable and relevant training opportunities for the next generation of archaeologists and heritage specialists.
Your support will help us to deliver our projects; increase, improve and protect the archaeological record; train the next generation of heritage professionals; and provide opportunities for people to get actively involved in heritage projects. Each project we run also has a sliding scale of funding goals, with new benefits delivered when a funding goal is reached.
We have decided to launch our own crowdfunding platform here so that all funds raised go directly towards the projects that they are supporting. Each project has it's own crowdfunding page where you will find out more about the project and what your money will help to support. Alongside this there will be a series of 'rewards' on offer relevant to each project, allowing you to learn more about the individual projects, or to become directly involved in them. Unlike some platforms our funding drives do not have not have a closing date for supporters. Our projects remain open ended and your continued support will help us to reach our funding goals for each project, which will help deliver new benefits beyond the main phase of the project itself.
Supporters can help our projects using the PayPal options on each project page, or by downloading the relevant order form and returning it to us with a cheque made payable to Heritage & Archaeological Research Practice Ltd.
All HARP supporters will be acknowledged on our project web pages, HARP's social media pages, and in the reports that we produce on the completion of each project. Click on the links below to see what projects you can help support now, or click through the links from the project pages on the left.
Thank you to all who have shown their support so far, we hope to continue to provide fun, interesting projects with lasting social benefits.
Help us deliver our current projects:


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New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Monday blamed President Barack Obama for "not bringing people together" during the government shutdown debate and said the president would be ultimately responsible for a funding stoppage.
"My approach would be, as the executive, is to call in the leaders of the Congress, the legislature, whatever you're dealing with, and say, 'We're not leaving this room until we fix this problem, because I'm the boss, I'm in charge," Christie said.
"When you're the executive, if you're waiting for leadership from the legislative branch of government, whether you're the governor, or whether you're the president or you're mayor, you are going to be waiting forever, forever because they're not built to lead and take risk."
Speaking at an event for the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation just hours before the shutdown deadline loomed, the potential 2016 presidential contender said blame should also be placed on Republicans and Democrats in Congress. But, the tough-talking Garden State governor said, the chief executive is the one who needs to corral support, no matter how difficult it may be to come by.
Legislators, Christie said, are not "built to lead and take risk."
"What they are built to do is say, 'Ok how many votes do we have and how many do we need and do I have to give my vote now or can I hold back a little bit and wait to see which way the wind is blowing?" Christie said. "The only person that forces that in the end, to end that, is the executive."
Some of Christie's top contenders for the Republican presidential nomination may turn out to be members of Congress involved in the government shutdown fight. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz became the face of GOP efforts to repeal the president's health care law with his 21-hour speech last week. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, whom Christie has sparred with over national security issues, and Rep. Paul Ryan are also current members of Congress who are thought to be considering a presidential bid in 2016.
Christie, who enjoys a comfortable lead in his re-election bid this year, said the biggest problem in Washington is that no one talks to each other, only "at each other."
If it were up to him, the Garden State Republican said, he would eliminate the heavily used press conference staging areas in the United States Capitol and at the White House driveway where politicians gab to the press.
"If we were able to eliminate those two spots and instead say to them, 'Here's the deal: You can go to those spots, but you can only go to those spots after you've actually had a real meeting where people had tried to really solve problems–then you go talk to the press,'" he said.


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Up to £104million lost daily: 'Cancerous' tax dodgers make 'monkeys' out of government, Oldham MP claims
Up to £104million lost daily: 'Cancerous' tax dodgers make 'monkeys' out of government, Oldham MP claims
Tax dodgers are a cancer eating away at the British economy and are making 'monkeys' of the government, Oldham's MP Michael Meacher told Parliament yesterday.
The former minister and labour representative for Oldham West and Royton slammed the £38billion – or £104million a day – lost to tax evasion as unjust and attacked the government for not doing more to prevent this.
Meacher called for more rigid rules to put an end to 'parasite' accountants who help their mega-rich clients utilise loopholes and become richer.
"Tax avoidance and evasion is, I believe, a cancer in Britain's society today," he said.
"The Prime Minister was right to condemn it as 'morally wrong' and the Chancellor was right to condemn it as 'morally repugnant'.
"The problem is that the government's action to deal with it has been feeble and doesn't match those words."
The back-bench led House of Commons debate was opened by Meacher and he declared that the £42billion lost in 2008 to 2009 would have allowed the current government to not be so brutal in their cuts.
"The haemorrhaging of tax revenues on this scale matters a great deal," he added.
"It is obviously deeply unjust because tax avoidance and evasion is heavily concentrated on the big corporations and the mega-rich.
"If they pay hugely less than their real liability, then for any given level of expenditure it must mean that those on average and low incomes in particular have to pay more.
"That is always unjust, but I suggest it is particularly unjust at a time like the present of prolonged austerity."
Meacher also attacked the 'infecting' lawyers and solicitors who pocket money to help corporations avoid paying tax like everybody else.
"The fact that lawyers and accountants are paid vast sums of money to get round and neutralise what Parliament plainly intended in its finance bills is an open sore infecting any democratic or fair society," he said.
"They are allowed to do this makes monkeys of the Government."
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Formerly known as the New Hebrides, Vanuatu is a group of 83 islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia and west of Fiji. In 1906, British and French settlers agreed to administer the islands jointly in what was called the British-French Condominium. This governing body lasted until the people of Vanuatu were granted independence in 1980.
Efate is Vanuatu's main island and is home to the capital, Port Vila. With a rugged coastline, rich marine life and an abundance of restaurants and bars, Efate is the most developed of Vanuatu's islands and is the ideal base from which to explore the rest of the country.
Vanuatu's spectacular natural landscape gives rise to a bounty of activities and attractions that exhilarate the spirit and feed the soul. Guests can zip through dense jungle tops or stand atop active volcanoes. Vanuatu also has some of the world's best dive sites, and PADI certified courses as well as leisure dives are available at a range of wreck and reef sites. The island's coconut-fringed beaches, serene botanical gardens and relaxed vibe are also perfect for holidaymakers looking to slow down and enjoy an idyllic island getaway.
|oF / oC
|oF / oC


text: Monday, November 5, 2018 / Categories: Beer of the Month, Specials & Sales Elephant Rock IPA, 6pk cans, $8.99 November Beer of the Month Elephant Rock is a massive sandstone formation imposing itself above the wilderness near Palmer Lake. It's a wild, natural wonder and a rewarding sight for those who venture to find it. Our American IPA has a bold, commanding spirit worthy of the local landmark. Over two pounds per barrel of late-addition hops give Elephant Rock its resinous pine and bright citrus profile. It's monumental flavor worth discovering. PINE AND CITRUS HOP PROFILE 7.7% ALC. BY VOL OG 17 FG 3 Previous Article Hazed Hoppy Session Ale, Boulder Beer CO, $ 6.99 6pk Next Article Vail Brewing Co. Gore Creek IPA, $8.99 Print


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Newcastle fans are hoping that this week we will get our second signing through the door and it looks like it will be 26 year-old French center-back Florian Lejeune.
That deal has seemed to stall for over two weeks with the deadlock being caused by the way Newcastle want to pay Eibar the £8.7M release clause in his contract.
So we are hoping at the very least that deals go through before preseason starts up next Monday and our players start returning to the club.
27 year-old Argentine International center-back Lisandro Lopez
But there was also news in the last couple of days that Rafa Benitez was also interested in Argentine International center-back Lisandro Lopez from Benfica, who has trouble getting a first team place at the Portuguese giants.
We have also been interested in their 28 times capped Greece International central midfielder Andreas Samaris, but the fee of around £17M seems high for another player who is struggling for first team games at the club.
There are reports out of Portugal today (O Jogo) that Newcastle will have to pay around £26M for the two players – and to us that does not seem like a very good deal for Newcastle
It seems no other club seem interested in either player, so that should be an advantage to Newcastle to try to get a much better deal than £26M for the two Internationals.
O Jogo are reporting Benfica want £8.7M (€10M) for Lisandro and £17.3M (€20M) for Samaris, so maybe they can get a good deal on one of these players but not at the prices Benfica currently want.
Newcastle went in initially for Samaris and it may be that Benfica have offered their center-back as part of a double deal, since they know Rafa Benitez wants to get two center-backs through the door this summer.
The O Jogo report goes onto say it would not be too difficult for the clubs to reach an agreement if they both give a little.
We'll see if that turns out to be true.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.


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Dinosaurs on the Ark
posted: 3983 days ago, on Thursday, 2009 Jul 02 at 07:13
tags: atheism, creationism.
Kitty, over at Atheist Nexus, reports that a contingent of palaeontologists took a field trip to the Creationist Museum in Cincinnati, USA. The New York Times has the details.
Or if you prefer, you can get the Good News at PhysOrg.com.
nothing more to see. please move along.


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Blog Archives
On Miz Mason's 100th Birthday
A poem by Susie Stedman in celebration of Jerry Day Mason
Jerry Day Mason turned 100 on Saturday, May 4. About 150 friends and family were there to celebrate the magic of Jerry and the magic of Jerry's corner of Westport Island. Thank you Susie for sharing this tribute to your friend and ours…
Let us raise a glass to our Lady Jerry
Who's taught each of us much about making merry.
We cherish her life and abiding love
For those gathered here…and those above.
She's elegant, savvy, smart, still cooks!
And she's never lost her glam good looks,
She raised many children…sailed a tight ship
With Chris, Sarah, Felicity, Jody, Tory and Trip.
Then countless others hopped on board,
As adopted kids…more than one can record,
Pets also adored her, too many to log
And now there's Sylvester who thinks he's a dog.
She's a rare soul, this dame named Jerry,
She defies every known actuary…
She loves backgammon and good blue cheese,
Always puts visitors' hearts at ease…
When she takes tea, it's laced with rum
After that, nothing's hum drum!
Her 100 years call for candles ablaze
(all thirty-six thousand five hundred days!)
Her recent adventures might have challenged the best…
With bones and vertebrae put to the test
But our Jerry rallied after every skid,
Proving to all she's the Comeback Kid.
We love you. dear Jerry, for so many reasons,
Not least because you've lived many seasons.
Your esprit, your joy bloom like flowers…
Your unquenchable courage gives us ours.
Thank you, dear friend, for all that you do
To enlighten our world and show us what's true.
With Love Forever
On May 4, 2019
Selected photos courtesy of Susie Stedman
A Monochromatic Westport Day
First snow..(after the thaw, that is)
Falling snow makes the Island quiet: a peaceful place to walk the dog and muse.
You've come to frost the rubble-shaven hill…
to fill the frozen valley's cup until,
with joy, a flood of runnings over will
noise of spring…then flowers will erase
even the memory of your pale, white face.
–Jerry Day Mason, Speaking to Strangers (1986)
Westport Island: An Inspiration In All Seasons
Dan Osterman's Island Impressions
Though much of his artistic "ocean inspiration" has derived from Cape Cod and Monhegan Island, for six weeks in time, Dan Osterman was inspired by Westport Island. Osterman was an artist in residency at the Robert M. MacNamara Foundation on East Shore Road in the winter of 2006.
Although it was cold, Osterman drew and painted while exploring the Island. "Twilight on the Sheepscot" and the "House on the Curve" were done "plein air" along East Shore Road. "Under the Dock" began as a drawing from his East Shore rambles and became a painting later. The marsh paintings were two of several he did of the marsh behind the MacNamara barn. …And, "Maine Inlet at Low Tide", the vertical pen and ink scene, evolved in his studio where he was primed with cranked up music and contemplating his raw sketches on a large plank of wood.
One of Osterman's most contemplative spots was the inlet on Jerry Day Mason's property with its rhythm of tides and winter ice lines. That spot inspired his "Inlet" painting. He believes he spoke with Jerry at the time and that she was the sweet lady he gave a small version of his "Inlet" painting to as an expression of his appreciation.
Osterman's boldest Westport piece, the yellow painting of "Clouds on the Horizon", represented an overall impression of his Westport experience. The painting is also representative of why he is drawn to the coast to paint: "I go to the sea where the land disappears, and the clouds stack up, and the elements fight for supremacy."
Dan Osterman lives and works in Boston these days where he has a studio in the Fort Point Arts Community, but he has continuing ties to Maine. His wife's parents are from Maine, and several artists who have influenced his style were regular pilgrims to Monhegan's summer art colony. For both the artistic tradition of the area as well as its coastal horizons, he looks forward to a trip back to Westport and Wiscasset. His work, including Westport pieces, can be purchased at his shop on Etsy; and he can be contacted at email@example.com.
Happy Easter!
Yes Virginia, spring will come to Westport Island
How is it plausible that we can look forth
so complacently on cyclical rebirth of
tree and flower;
regard the tides, the moon-pulled sea,
a concept like infinity, and not bow low
before a greater power?
—Jerry Day Mason as published in Speaking to Strangers
Westport Island: A Christmas Frame of Mind
December and the Christmas season are underway. Think local – it's a low-stress option – creative gift ideas are a neighbor away — save a couple of fill ups, and forget the parking mambo.
To celebrate and say hi to neighbors, the Community Association's annual Christmas Sing is 7 p.m. Sunday, December 9, at the Westport Community Church. A meet and greet will follow at the Old Town Hall. Bring a donation for the Island's Food Pantry – organizers are hoping to fill the Pantry for holiday needs.
Now to shopping local…Maybe decorate your house or gift a Christmas keepsake from Jill Cooney's Island Crafts. Know someone who likes poetry? Hit the internet for a second-hand copy of Jerry Day Mason's Speaking to Strangers – my coolest book find of the year. Know a writer. Think about a journal from Joelle Webber's Mermaid Bindery.
Woodcrafts? Bruce & Suzi Whittemore (Studio 78) craft wood coasters, bottle stoppers, and kitchen ware. The bottle stoppers are available at Treats in Wiscasset. And…no one turns wood finer than our own Ken Shepherd, president of Maine Woodturners, where some of his work is showcased.
For foodies who like locally grown fresh greens, how about a couple of windowsill micro-pots of microgreens from Judy Hughes' MicroMainea? Better yet, put the microgreens in a whimsical pot thrown by Nancy Shaul, Westport Pottery. And, for our friends from away, lobster and fresh seafood are always a hit from the North End Lobster Co-op or Cromwell's Crustaceans — call Mike, 380-5885, for on-Island delivery. Need help with holiday desserts? Call Daphne's Cakes and Pies, 882-6652.
If the people in your life are stressed, how about a heated neck wrap to tenderize tense muscles from Ann Cole-Fairfield's Instant Comfort. Or, take stress relief to the next level with a gift certificate for a massage to Sarah Rhinelander's Kingfisher Healing Arts.
Other options: A scarf or shawl from PS Designs; some notecards from Ann Springhorn; or gift certificates — for dinner at the Squire Tarbox…piano lessons with Carol Blake…or maybe pet sitting from your friend or loved one's favorite pet sitter…
Raising Mazy
Small Dog
The trouble with a pup is that
he errs much larger than a cat.
As if it weren't enough to err
he lives in populated fur.
He's just a stomach on four legs
which, when it's filled, sits up and begs
for more — then leaves it on the floor,
which is a habit I deplore!
He is most difficult to catch
until he's sitting down to scratch.
He takes your whole bed, lying flat
to make it where the action's at.
A puppy's trouble, if you please —
he takes your heart —
by Jerry Day Mason, Westport Island
as published in "Speaking to Strangers" (1986)
Westport Island Wedding
Views from a big day on a small cove
On August 4 as the day wound down, Samantha Hodgdon and Caleb Bonyun married — uniting families with long histories on the Island. The tides, the sun, and the guests put on their best to bless this beginning.
Westport Island's own "poet laureate", Jerry Day Mason, spoke. She shared this poetic prayer that she originally wrote, published, and has now adapted for Samantha and Caleb — who started seriously dating in the month of March some years ago…
Wedding Prayer (for Sam and Caleb)
In March, the apple tree bent toward spring
as you toward one another.
All things are at a being and beginning.
Now, may your love be both a dewed cobweb catching sun
and the sure flight of wings.
May it be a coming of all wondrous things
to bring you solace for your tears and a belief in dreams.
May you always need each other.
May you always touch.
— J. Day Mason
adapted from the original Wedding Prayer published in "Speaking to Strangers"


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Most 'toys to life' video games in the past have released an annual video game starter pack like Skylanders and Disney Infinity but Lego Dimensions has taken a different approach and will be celebrating their second year of production by releasing additional waves that add to the original game and build upon the lore.
The following Lego Dimensions Story Packs, Level Packs, Team Packs and Fun Packs will release as part of their Wave 6 (Year Two) collection on September 27, 2016. Lego Dimensions Wave 6 figures can be distinguished by their gold/yellow bases which also unlock four-player local co-op modes.
- Ghostbusters Story Pack $49.99 includes Abby Yates minifigure and Ecto 1 vehicle. Lego Dimensions Story Packs include 6 action packed levels of gameplay.
- Adventure Time Level Pack $29.99 includes Finn and an original mission to find Enchidrion and prove to Princess Bubblegum that he's a hero.
- Adventure Time Team Pack $24.99 includes Lumpy Space Princess and Jake the Dog.
- Harry Potter Team Pack $24.99 includes Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort and will unlock the Harry Potter Adventure World and Battle Arena.
- Mission Impossible Level Pack $29.99 includes Ethan Hunt and adapts the story from the first Mission Impossible movie.
- A-Team Fun Pack $11.99 includes minifigure B.A. Baracus who also unlocks the entire A-Team cast of characters and comes with the trademark A-Team van which was part of the show.
- Lego Dimensions PlayStation 4 Starter Pack with Supergirl is a re-issue of the original Lego Dimensions Starter Pack but this time around includes Supergirl (who is playable on all platforms). Supergirl will be released in 2017 as a non-exclusive to this bundle figure.
Thanks to Dan from Bricks To Life for joining us on today's show to help break things down – check out his related article here: http://www.brickstolife.com/lego-dimensions-september-27th-wave-6-recap/


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Private and corporate foundations are an invaluable source of support to MDC programs and services. With generous grant awards from many foundations, MDC is able to continue helping families move from crisis to increased self-sufficiency.
To learn more about our programs in Healthcare, Education, Employment and Housing, please contact firstname.lastname@example.com or (253) 284-9094.


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Children's Harbor benefits from donors who express their generosity in many ways. We welcome gifts of specific items that support the success of our illness campus. We are also able to turn your previously-loved treasures into funds for our supportive programs.
The Thrift Store on the Lake Martin campus sells donated items and uses the proceeds to fund both of our facilities. All items must be in working order and clothing should be clean and gently used. Items graciously accepted include:
Furniture (Indoor and Outdoor)
Household Items
Clothing, especially children's
Sporting Equipment
Weekend Volunteers
Plastic grocery bags
Newspapers for wrapping fragile items
With more than 36 illness-related camps each year, Children's Harbor has a continuing need for basic housekeeping supplies. Items graciously accepted include:
Paper Towels
Toilet Paper
Trash Bags (8-, 13- and 55-gallon)
Air Freshener
60 Watt Light Bulbs
Dishwashing Liquid
If you would like to support Children's Harbor and the many incredible camps that happen throughout the year, email Rachael White or call (334) 857-2037.
The library at Family Center provides a place of community and respite to patients and their families. Many patients look forward to "getting away" through a good book, coloring or playing board games. Items graciously accepted include:
Ping Pong Paddles
Air Hockey Pucks
Full Set of Pool Balls
Apples to Apples
Trivia Pursuit
Hungry Hungry Hippos
Let's Go Fishing
Hoot Owl Hoot
Guess Who
Chutes and Ladders
Etch a Sketch (Traditional Red)
Crayola Brand Only - Colored Pencils, Crayons, Markers, Individual Watercolor sets
Blank Art Sketch pads and watercolor pads
Coloring Books (Disney, Sports, Animals, Educational, etc.)
Crossword Puzzle Books
Standard 52-card deck
Go Fish
Old Maid
Crazy Eights
If you would like to support Children's Harbor with a donation, email LeAnn Crowe or call (256) 239-6671.
Family Center provides free haircuts, styles and shampoos to patients and their families, either at Family Center or in the patients room - depending on the need and health of the patient. Items that will help us continue to provide this service include:
Head Bands
Colored Traditional Elastic Hair Ties and No Crease Hair Ties
Plastic Hair Barrettes and Clips
Chapstick: Lip Smackers, Burt's Bees, EOS, etc.
If you would like to support Children's Harbor with a donation, email LeAnn Crowe or call (205) 638-6123.
The assistance Children's Harbor receives from generous donors and active volunteers is central to carrying out our mission. Learn more about getting involved.


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Compressor Attenuation in Colorado
Take a listen as this Standard Noise Solutions Self-Framing Building works to silence a 600hp Caterpillar Natural Gas Engine with a combination of our state of the art Zeron® Engine Exhaust Silencer, Acoustic Ventilation, and Cooler Silencer Packages. We took this compressor station with an approximate sound pressure level of 43dBA down to approximately 24dBA at the nearest resident (only 983' away), the noise equivalent of a computer fan!
Noise Solutions Featured on 21st Century Business Television
Watch Noise Solutions President and CEO, Scott MacDonald, discuss with Jackie Bales, host of 21st Century Business Television, the increasing need for industrial noise suppression solutions within intensely loud work environments, such as field workers at a Compressor station, and other noisy industrial environments that are encroaching on community residents.
Noise Solutions' mission is to ensure harmony between industry and community, thereby mastering 'the science of silence®'
Qzone Compliant Program
Watch this video to learn how you can ensure your facilities are and remain in full compliance with your local regulatory body. Also visit the Qzone page on our website.
Platinum Broadcasting Company's Sustainable Planet Series
Watch a video that describes and demonstrates Noise Solutions unparalleled products, services and results.
Trident Exploration Corporation – Sandhills Gas Plant Fort Assiniboine, Alberta
Auburn Compressor Station Susquehanna County, Auburn, Pennsylvania
Lafarge Canada's Cement Plant Exshaw, Alberta
Watch a 25-foot, 14500 lb Noise Solutions Stack Silencer being lifted and gently placed inside the Lafarge Kiln.
The Science of Silence
Watch and listen to Noise Solutions' products at work. This 3D demonstration shows our products outfitting a Compressor Station and the science of silence® in action.
3D Tour of the Acoustic Doghouse
The Noise Solutions Acoustic Doghouse has been designed to attenuate and accommodate small industrial machinery that requires compliance with local noise regulations. Most known for its superior application on heavy oil sites, the Doghouse can be used on virtually any site or industry where a small industrial acoustic enclosure is required. The Acoustic Inlet and Outlet Ventilation system effectively traps noise and ensures cool air reaches your equipment.
Zeron Muffler on a Heavy Haul Truck
The Noise Solutions' line of Zeron Engine Exhaust Silencers target the most pervasive and troublesome noise — the low frequency end of the noise spectrum that conventional mufflers can't effectively control. These powerful mufflers attenuate both exhaust noise and shell noise. Even on a Heavy Hall Truck!
AJAX DPC-600hp Compressor Attenuation
This video depicts sound pressure levels before and after installation of Zeron engine exhaust, cooler inlet, cooler outlet, and the sound level in the yard after equipment has been installed.
NASA Video
Noise Solutions Inc. was recently featured on a CBC News World program for its work on the NASA Shuttle Crawler Transporter.
Video courtesy of CBC Television


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I know it's early in the week, but I am already trying to work through my CSA bin produce to make room for the following week. I was pretty darn successful when I stumbled across this recipe on Pinterest yesterday. Yes…yesterday…which I then proceeded to make for dinner. Why? Because I had all the necessary ingredients.
Except celery. But instead of rushing out to buy that…I substituted sliced carrots. You know what? That worked. It worked amazingly well.
This recipe is actually based off of one by the amazing and inspiring Kris Carr from her CrazySexyWellness page. Love this lady and find her battle to be one amazing journey of courage, strength, and determination. If you don't know about her…look up her page and read a bit about her life with cancer. She's super-inspiring.
As for the recipe…super delicious and filling. It was love at first soupy slurp.
Recipe: Roasted Potato and Curry Soup
Servings: 8
Time: Prep 20 minutes; Cook 50 minutes
- 2-1/2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 pounds potatoes of choice, cubed (I used French fingerling)
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 5 medium carrots, chopped (the original recipe just asks for 2 stalks of celery, chopped, FYI)
- 32 ounces gluten-free vegetable broth/stock (I used Imagine)
- 3 tablespoons tapioca flour/starch
- 1/2 fresh lime, squeezed
- 1 teaspoon red chili paste
- 1 tablespoon red curry paste
- 1/2 cup light coconut milk
- sea salt and pepper, as desired
Preheat oven to 425° F.
Chop all potatoes and place on a baking sheet. Drizzle potatoes with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Roast for 30 minutes.
In a medium pot, heat remaining 1-1/2 tablespoons olive oil, then add onions, garlic and celery, sautéing for about 5 minutes. Slowly add broth. Add tapioca starch and lime juice, stirring thoroughly. Add chili paste and red curry paste, stirring until combined. Bring to boil, then reduce to simmer (with lid on pot) for 5-6 minutes.
While soup is simmering, combine coconut milk and 1 cup roasted potatoes in a high speed blender or food processor. Puree and then add mixture to pot. Add remaining roasted potatoes and simmer for additional 10 minutes, adding salt and pepper to taste.
It's simple. It's amazing. It's chunky. It's a little sweet and a little spicy. It's soup perfection. Completely vegan. Completely packed with flavor. I was so happy with how this turned out. The most time consuming part is all the prep of chopping the vegetables, but in the end, the soup is nicely balanced and full of flavor.
And who doesn't love potato soups?
I'd make this again in a heartbeat!


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While we look at the various threats facing the United States around the world, we haven't spent much time worrying about China. Sure, we've got North Korea, Iran, and ISIS to contend with. But China has always been considered a problem, one that we don't really know what to do with.
Businesses in the U.S. work with Chinese companies very closely, but over the years we've discovered Chinese hackers who try to infiltrated American networks, including businesses and government. Even though we have a working relationship with the Red Nation, we still are worried about what their ultimate plans are.
If recent news from a Chinese billionaire holds any water, China is about to unleash fury on the good old U.S. of A.
From Breitbart:
Self-exiled Chinese real-estate mogul Guo Wengui blasted what he called the "kleptocracy" running China, and warned that a wave of Chinese spies are being dispatched to "decimate" the United States – where Guo is currently sheltered.
CNBC reports that his remarks come as the Chinese government has doubled down on its allegations against the billionaire, accusing him of crimes including corruption and rape – crimes he firmly denies…
"They are just a tiny group of Mafia, pure and simple," said Guo, who also goes by the name Miles Kwok on social media. "I would like all the members of the Chinese Communist Party to wake up and say no to this ruling clique."
Guo applied for asylum in the U.S. this month after arriving on a tourist visa. He is currently working out of a $78 million penthouse in New York City as he fights off the accusations from the Chinese government surfacing after he accused powerful officials of serious corruption, including the head of the Communist Party's anti-corruption board…
In his remarks this week, he said he was aware of multiple attempts by the "kleptocracy … to weaken the United States, to bring about turmoil in the United States and to … decimate the United States."
"These plans pose great threats to the American people and their property," Guo said, according to CNBC, adding that those efforts are "100 times, or even 1,000 times" as potentially damaging as the 9/11 terror attacks.
Watch to hear more from Guo, who claimed in an earlier segment of the video that his legs were broken and he was sentenced to work in a prison camp for years for his "dissidence":
This is a pretty odd situation, if you ask me. This man just recently fled to the U.S. over charges of rape and corruption. Now he's going on a crusade to attack the country that is seeking to prosecute him.
I have no doubt in my mind that Guo will be safe in America. But what of his claims? Is China planning a devastating attack on the U.S.—one that will employ the use of many spies?
It would be easy to dismiss his assertions, given the circumstances. Guo wants to win over American support for his personal case. Making huge claims about a Chinese attack might get him some extra sympathy and support. But without legitimate evidence, why should we believe him?
Guo aside, it's not too farfetched to consider China is up to something. The largest nation in the world, whose economy is booming over recent decades. And Communist, to boot. They might have very real interests in at least helping the United States lose some power.
Chinese spies are nothing new. And with the rise of cyber-attacks, it wouldn't be completely strange to learn of new efforts to undermine our national security and sensitive networks.
After all, a billionaire businessman might have access to information few others have.
Hopefully, he's shared what he knows with DHS.
Source: Breitbart


text: MOVIES How Long Will Tyler Perry's Break From Movies Last? 5:00 AM PDT 4/17/2014 by Tatiana Siegel FACEBOOK TWITTER EMAIL ME After splitting with Lionsgate, the prolific filmmaker says his focus will be on TV for the foreseeable future, but one source predicts the hiatus won't last long. This story first appeared in the May 2 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Tyler Perry is putting his Madea wig into storage, but it will be back far sooner than most expect. On the heels of the poor performance of his latest directing effort, The Single Moms Club -- the March release has grossed only $15.9 million -- Perry revealed he is taking an indefinite break from the big screen to focus on his thriving TV business. "This is the first time in 10 years that I don't already have my next movie written or shot and ready to come out," Perry, 44, wrote March 20. But a source close to Perry, who split with his longtime movie distributor Lionsgate in February, now says the filmmaker and his alter ego Madea will return to the multiplex, likely in a year or two and at a more leisurely pace of one film every two years. "It's not because Single Moms didn't perform," says the source. "With four TV shows, he literally doesn't have the bandwidth to make films right now." PHOTOS: Tyler Perry's 'Temptation'-- Kim Kardashian, Usher Step Out for Atlanta Screening Perry's TV soap The Haves and the Have Nots has become the top-performing scripted program on Oprah Winfrey's OWN network (Perry also is an equity partner in OWN). The net recently ordered 20 more episodes of the series, which will air 56 installments through 2015. And despite its failure at the box office, Single Moms has spawned a TV series for OWN that will debut in the fall. Perry, who amassed a fortune from his rich Lionsgate pact (he topped Forbes' 2011 list of highest-paid men in entertainment at $130 million that year), might have become a victim of his savvy deal, which gave him upfront fees and a hefty chunk of profits -- estimated at 50 percent -- while also allowing ownership of the titles. As a result, another source says Lionsgate, which has released all of his films since 2005's Diary of a Mad Black Woman, was not making enough money to continue the relationship -- though the Perry insider says the decision to part was mutual. During the past decade, Perry has built one of the most recognizable brands in film, generating one or two low-budget movies a year that each reliably have grossed about $50 million domestically. (Movies with Madea do markedly better than those without her.) STORY: Tyler Perry's 'The Single Moms Club' Premiere Puts Spotlight on Single Parenting But when he returns to filmmaking, he could find replicating his Lionsgate deal difficult. Sony's Screen Gems would seem a natural fit given its success with urban comedies, but that label is spawning hits like 2012's Think Like a Man, which grossed $91.5 million (more than Perry's biggest movie, 2009's Madea Goes to Jail, which collected $90.5 million), on far more favorable terms. Still, the Perry movie empire would be appealing to cost-conscious studios -- and neither side is ruling out a Lionsgate reunion. E-mail: email@example.com Twitter: @TatianaSiegel27 FACEBOOK TWITTER EMAIL ME Tatiana Siegel firstname.lastname@example.com tatianasiegel27


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Although a significant proportion of the mobile apps are games there has been little attention paid to their specific characteristics with respect to communication energy. In this paper we select 20 mobile games among the top 100 free Android games, and study their data patterns and communication energy use over a total of 25 hours of playing. The analysis of the energy for communication over 3G networks indicates that there is a wide variation among the games, the largest footprint being 8 times higher than the lowest one. The results also indicates both app-specific and category-specific relations between data pattern and energy use, as well as variations in CPU utilisation.
Permission to make digital or hard copies of part or all of this work for personal or classroom use is granted without fee provided that copies are not made or distributed for profit or commercial advantage, and that copies bear this notice and the full citation on the first page. Copyrights for third-party components of this work must be honored. For all other uses, contact the owner/author(s). Copyright is held by theauthor/owner(s).


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Indie Labels Represent Over A Third Of Global Recorded Music MarketIndependent record labels now represent 38.4% of global recorded music market share in 2016 with global revenues in excess of $6bn
WINTEL 2017 is the second report produced for Worldwide Independent Network (WIN), mapping the global market share of the independent sector at copyright, rather than distribution level. This survey was completed by 660 respondents including labels and distributors from 26 countries and the results represent the most comprehensive assessment of the global independent record label sector ever compiled.
Key findings from this research include the fact that, based on rights ownership, the global market share of independent record labels has increased since 2015 by 0.9% to 38.4%, representing global revenues of $6billion in 2016. This is an increase of 6.9% on the previous 12 months.
Although global independent label market share increased by 0.9% to 38.4%, changes at country level were as diverse as the market share picture itself.
The US saw the largest single swing in favour of independents, increasing 1.7% to 37.3%. South Korean independents further increased
their grip on the Korean market,
with strong results from leading independents resulting in total market share growth of 0.6% up to 89.1%.
The independent share declined slightly in Japan, down 0.3% to 63.3%, with a number of leading local companies registering significant revenue losses in 2016.
Many European markets, including key territories such as the UK
and Germany, saw independent market share fall slightly, despite overall revenue growth.
The report makes clear that digital music, and streaming in particular, continues to create exciting opportunities for independent labels and that in virtually every country, independent labels continue to record higher market share in streaming than they do in physical formats.
It is entirely down to streaming that the global recorded music market enjoyed its second consecutive year of growth (5.9%) in 2016. Prior to 2015 it had endured 15 years of decline.
Measured in isolation, streaming grew 60.4% in 2016. It now accounts for 59% of all digital revenues, whilst digital as a whole now accounts
for 50% of the total market.
Independent label streaming revenues grew by 80.4% in 2016, reaching $2.1 billion, up from $1.2 billion in 2015. This growth was slightly greater than the 78% by which the entire market grew, so independent label market share of streaming revenues increased by 0.6%, up from 39.4% to 40% over the same period.
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In late 2007, Gene Craven came out of semi-retirement to take over as chief executive officer of financially challenged public-radio station KUVO/89.3 FM. And as he noted in a January 2008 Message column profile, he didn't commit himself to staying with the outlet over the long haul. A key paragraph from that piece reads: "Craven is dedicated to meeting with all of KUVO's stakeholders in order to 'come up with a new mission statement, and from there build a strategic plan that will position the station for the next five years.' And beyond that? 'I can't tell you,' Craven concedes. 'If I'm able to accomplish all those goals, maybe I'll be having such a good time that I'll want to stay. Or maybe that'll be time to walk away.'"
And so he has. Craven recently announced that he'll be retiring from his current position at KUVO, although he'll stick around as a consultant. As a result, the station is launching a nationwide search for a new chief exec. In the meantime, program director and chief operating officer Carlos Lando, who served as interim CEO and campaigned for the gig during the period prior to Craven's hiring, has been asked to do the same duty again.
Read KUVO's press release after the jump:
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jazz89 KUVO Launches Nationwide CEO Search
Denver, CO, August 25, 2009/ Public radio station jazz89 KUVO, Denver Educational Broadcasting, Inc., announced today it has begun a nationwide search for a new CEO following the retirement announcement of current CEO Gene Craven to the station's board of directors.
Under Mr. Craven's guidance, the station has stabilized its finances and has broadened its listener base both terrestrially and virtually. On-line listenership has more than doubled in the last year, while KUVO has secured a permanent location in Breckenridge, Colorado, and has won a license to broadcast in Vail where the station will be known as KVJZ.
KUVO's Board Chairman David Zucker noted "Gene has helped the station expand its signal throughout the state with great frugality and intelligence. His legacy at the station will be felt - and heard -- for years to come." Gene will continue to work on a contract basis with the station. Carlos Lando, currently the station's COO and Program Director, will take on the role of Interim CEO.
News of Mr. Craven's retirement coincides with the station's expansion into the Vail Valley, anticipated for completion in the fall of this year, as well as the addition of two HD channels to the station's lineup. These HD channels will also be streamed online at www.kuvo.org.
About jazz89 KUVO, Denver Educational Broadcasting, Inc.:
KUVO is a Colorado non profit corporation internationally-known for broadcasting jazz, blues and Latin jazz music since its inception in 1985. Only a handful of non-commercial 24-hour jazz radio stations exist across the United States today. KUVO has retained an international reputation for its dedication to jazz, blues and Latin jazz, winning JazzWeek magazine's Best Major Market Jazz Station award two of the last five years. The station is an affiliate station of both NPR, National Public Radio, as well as PRI, Public Radio International. Offices and studios are located at 2900 Welton Street in the historic Five Points neighborhood of Denver.


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Get ready to be Fighting! This K-pop inspired crop top features the word "fighting" (or hwaiting) in Korean characters.
T-shirt details:
Women's juniors fitted crop top. Cotton/Poly blend. Check the size chart, as sizes run small.
Small - width 15.5 inches
Medium/Large - width 17 inches
Gesshoku Designs
PO Box 888103
Grand Rapids, MI 49588
United States
All information is submitted securely through an encrypted SSL connection.


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While I spent most of my teen years in the Pacific Northwest, my only real foray into British Columbia was up to Vancouver, Victoria and Whistler a few times. This time, I got to go a little further north. About half way between Washington State and Alaska lies the beautiful Bella Coola Valley. It's at the end of a 70-mile fjord and the mountains continue to climb from there.» Full Story »
No Bears in BC
Bella Coola, Canada
Posted by Cameron on 17 August 2015
Feeling Chile
Magallanes, Los Lagos & Aysen, Chile
Posted by Cameron on 3 September 2013
Chile is a land of many adventures from mountain biking to wine tours, from skiing to white water rafting, from hot springs to mountaineering. I joined a group of seasoned adventurers to explore the three southern most regions of Chile: Los Lagos, Aysen & Magallanes. Each of them host varying stages of tourism development, adrenaline rush, cultural interactions to cater to the interest of any traveler or explorer.
One of the most interesting lessons I learned about was where the name Patagonia came from. Magellen created the term for the indigenous inhabitants of the southern reaches of South America because they were larger in stature that his crew, indeed, than Europeans at the time. How does Patagonia, or rather Patagon as Magellan documented it, relate to large people? Well, like many such words the etymology is fuzzy, but one story refers to Magellan and his crew first seeing the footprints of these people (believed to have been the Tehuelches people). This may be a stretch, but Pata is phonetically close to "pede" from the Latin for foot (as in "pedestrian" or "pedal") and "-gon" makes me think of giant or another word that refers to something large with a "-gon" ending, dragon. Anyway, Click through to the full story for more photos and the videos I produced from the adventure.» Full Story »
Canyon of Lodore
Gates of Lodore, Green River, Colorado, United States
Posted by Cameron on 23 May 2013
It's been too long since I've run a river in a nice oar raft. I met up with this crew in the classic way of joining the trip via an invite from a friend here in Boulder. Then the friend in Boulder couldn't make it. Undaunted, I stuck with the trip and ended up running a boat for one of the families. This crew came from Utah, Arizona and Colorado and they were a great bunch as most rafters are. Rafting is essentially car camping on the river. Granted there are a few more logistical and gear hurdles to overcome but for the most part the route finding is pretty easy.
The Green River is where John Westly Powell started his journey which resulted in the first running of the Grand Canyon in 1869. He ran this very stretch of water and had his first major disaster when the campfire got out of control due to the crazy winds that are known to blow along rivers. One of his boats caught fire along with the provisions stored in it. We made it through alright and had a blast doing it.» Full Story »
Rafting the Roaring Fork
Upper Roaring Fork River, Roaring Fork Valley, Aspen/Snowmass, Colorado, United States
Posted by Cameron on 29 June 2011
All that snow had to go somewhere, and one of those somewheres is the Roaring Fork River. Talbot and Michael of Blazing Adventures took our merry crew on a great ride. Normally scheduled for 2 hours, we were done in an hour and a half because the river was so full and the water moving so fast. Although the river was swollen and brown with all the surrounding hillsides running off with the snowmelt from a record snow year, our guides had already run the river a number of times, without clients, to be sure the course was safe. At fist, I contemplated accepting the wetsuit they provide, but I'm glad I did. As one of our guides mentioned, "the water in the river today was snow yesterday" and there was plenty of splashing, especially since I ended up in the front of the boat. But I did manage to sit on the same side as our guide, which meant a slightly dryer ride than what Bob got on the opposite side, as you'll see in the video. Click the title above, or the "full story" link below to see the video. Enjoy.» Full Story »
Arctic Rafting: Returned
Kongakut River, Arctic National Wildlife Reserve, Alaska, United States
Posted by Cameron on 21 July 2010
After 15 days on the Kongakut river, we've returned to Anchorage via Kaktovik and Fairbanks. We nearly got stranded on Icy Reef on the shore of the Arctic Ocean as a big storm was moving in, but we managed to squeak out and make it home. Below are some photos and a satellite map of the area with the river route and some of our camps marked.
>>More photos<<» Full Story »
Arctic Rafting
Kongakut River, Arctic National Wildlife Reserve, Alaska, United States
Posted by Cameron on 22 June 2010
Walls of ice 8 feet tall surrounded us for a mile long section early on the river. This was, in part, what I came to the Arctic for. To experience the unique nuances of the circumpolar region: ice lined rivers, mountains carpeted in tundra, migrating caribou, foraging bears, wolves on the hunt, and yes, even to see if the mosquitoes were as bad as everyone predicted. The Arctic gets regular play in the news and although I knew I was already in favor of protecting this fragile landscape from any industrial intrusion, I wanted to see and experience it for myself.
The seven of us were on the Kongakut River in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge – 8.9 million acres established 50 years ago. In 1980 Jimmy Carter and other enthusiasts expanded it to today's 19-million acres. The controversy between whether or not to allow oil extraction operations here is no secret. The pro drilling argue getting off foreign oil dependencies and an economic gain for the local economy. The con argue a disruption of fragile eco systems and that the surveyed estimate of how much oil could be recovered was but a mere drop in the bucket of US thirst for oil.» Full Story »
New Gear & Prep for Alaska
United States
Posted by Cameron on 9 June 2010
While I've spent some time on rivers, including a great 18-day trip down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, I have yet to experience an Arctic River like the Kongakut. I leave for that trip on 19 June and we'll be on the river for 15 days or so. Follow the adventure LIVE (starting […]» Full Story »
Rafting the Grand
Colorado River, Grand Canyon, Arizona, United States
Posted by Cameron on 10 May 2006
How ironic that the pinnacle of whitewater rafting experiences is found over a mile deep into the earth.
As the Colorado River flows through the Grand Canyon, numerous side canyons and rock falls have deposited piles and piles of rocks and boulders to create some of the most notorious whitewater in the northern hemisphere. Because the constraining canyon walls rise thousands of feet above the river, it has no way to go around these impedances. It has no option but to go over these obstacles in a churning, violent, frothy flow. And once we're in the canyon, we have no option but to navigate our way through these unyielding currents in our little rafts. As one of the earliest river runners of the Colorado in 1869 described it, the water snagged a boat and "whirled it around quick enough to take the kinks out of a ram's horn."» Full Story »
River Geology
Deschutes River, Trout Creek, Oregon, United States
Posted by Cameron on 1 August 2005
My Uncle Eddie has been rafting for many, many years. I remember when I was young, doing 15 miles down the Santiam River (san-tee-AM), a tributary of the Willamette River in Western Oregon with him and a bunch of our family. Well, since then, I've started joining him on more trips and have been helping him guide trips.» Full Story »


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Posted by R. Berg on January 06, 2003
In Reply to: GOLF - Gentlemen Only - Ladies Forbidden posted by Word Wizard on January 06, 2003
: : Help. Is this true or not??
: : We just listened to a commedian in Las Vegas who told this story, saying that it was true, and then basing a few jokes on this "truth":
: : Golf was invented in Scotland. The name "GOLF" came from a sign over the first golf "club house" in Scotland that stated, "Gentlemen Only - Ladies Forbidden." Could this be the true origin of the word "GOLF"?
: : Just curious....
: : All the best....
: : -Wil Courter (Greensboro, NC)
: The word 'Golf' pre-dates clubhouses, sign writing and the very idea that any lady should even consider chasing a tiny ball from one hole to another around a big field by hitting it with a stick - they had more sense.
The true part is that golf was invented in Scotland.


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DIY Film School presents our first Short Round episode!
Luke chats to filmmakers Kyle Greenberg about Mute, and Brian Lonano about Crow Hand!!! and Gwilliam.
During our discussion we mention a number of other films. Where possible, those are embedded below, including Crow Hand!!! in its entirety and teasers for Mute and Gwilliam.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:41:04 — 93.0MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS | More


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As of Oct. 1, 2015, there were about 2,054,000 federal retirees plus about another 545,000 survivor beneficiaries, according to the Office of Personnel Management. There are about 44,500 retirees or survivor beneficiaries in the District, about 163,200 in Maryland and about 144,500 in Virginia. California has the most, 215,500.
Seventy percent of federal retirees draw their benefits from the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), which generally applies to those first hired before 1984; by contrast, more than 90 percent of current federal employees are under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), which generally applies to those first hired in 1984 or after.
The average monthly annuity of a CSRS retiree as of October 2015 was $3,529, while the average for those retired under FERS was $1,355. Average monthly benefits for survivor beneficiaries of deceased retirees were $1,560 and $544, respectively.
There was no cost-of-living increase under either federal retirement program or under Social Security in January of this year, because the inflation count for the measuring period toward that adjustment ended in negative territory. In that situation — which has happened two other times in recent years — benefits are not cut.
The two federal retirement programs differ in that FERS employees pay into Social Security as well as into the federal retirement fund and become eligible for a benefit from that program. Social Security is not part of the CSRS system, although some under CSRS become eligible for a Social Security benefit through other work or through a spouse's employment; in those cases, offsets commonly reduce or even eliminate that benefit. The average monthly Social Security benefit nationwide is $1,355.
FERS employees also get employer contributions, of up to 5 percent of salary, toward the Thrift Savings Plan, the 401(k)-style retirement saving program for federal workers, while CSRS employees don't. But while all CSRS retirees receive a full COLA regardless of age, those retired under FERS don't receive COLAs until age 62 unless they fall under certain exceptions. Also, a FERS COLA is reduced if the inflation count exceeds 2 percent, a provision that hasn't applied since the 2012 boost.
A COLA applies only to retirees, not to active employees, most of whom are in line for a raise averaging 1.6 percent in January. Increases for the two groups are set through different processes, and the amounts don't necessarily track each other.
Federal retirees commonly use increases in their health insurance costs as a comparator to the COLA. In the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) — for which most federal retirees are eligible — the enrollee share of premiums will increase by 6.2 percent on average in January. That translates into about $11 a month more on average for self-only coverage, about $22 more for self-plus-one coverage and about $28 more for family coverage.
However, enrollees have the choice of many plans in an upcoming open season — 31 in the Washington area — and some insurers are holding premiums about steady or even decreasing them slightly.
Also, effective Nov. 1, premium increases averaging 83 percent will hit almost all of those who enrolled before August 2015 in the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program, which also is open to active employees and retirees. A decision period recently ended in which they could accept that increase or reduce their benefits to lessen the impact; most also qualified for a provision in which they could stop paying premiums and remain eligible for a benefit, although much reduced.
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association President Richard G. Thissen said the developments show that the COLA increase should be determined by a separate inflation measure that specifically tracks spending patterns of retirees. "Given the large increase in health care and insurance costs, it is crystal clear that the current formula does not accurately reflect how seniors spend their limited annuities," he said in a statement.
Many federal retirees also are enrolled in Medicare, which acts as the first payer for those who also have FEHBP coverage. About half of those retired under the CSRS, along with certain other Medicare enrollees, could face much higher premiums for their Part B (physicians and related services) coverage in 2017 than others will pay. That's due to a "hold harmless" provision protecting most enrollees from Medicare hikes that exceed the increase in their Social Security benefits — effectively passing the entire Medicare premium cost increase to those not protected.
Next year's Medicare premium rates are to be announced in November. Last year, Congress provided partial relief for the 2016 plan year for those affected, and a coalition including federal employee and retiree groups recently wrote to Congress seeking an extension.
"Congress must act now to prevent a massive increase in Medicare Part B premiums for this group of retirees," American Federation of Government Employees President J. David Cox Sr. said in a statement. "Although most seniors would be protected, this group will have to pay more solely because of the uniqueness of their pension system."


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An art student from America successfully managed to convince a number of websites and blogs that he had designed the artwork for the new Vampire Weekend album.
The impressive ruse was revealed by DIY, opening up the story of Thomas Calabrese and how he accidentally convinced a number of media outlets that the band's forthcoming third album would be titled 'Lemon Sounds' and that he was responsible for the artwork.
Calabrese, a student from Brooklyn, created the artwork you can see above as well as a fake tracklisting for the album which circulated around the web before Vampire Weekend officially announced the first details of their third album earlier this week. Some publications reported Calabrese's stunt as fact, forcing the band's label to issue a denial.
The origins of the artwork come from Calabrese being given a lemon by his tutor to photograph in a unique and interesting way. The class then had to post their pictures on Facebook and whoever got the most 'likes' would be deemed the winner. Calabrese decided to go for the win by picturing the lemon and presenting it inside the album artwork. "I'm excited to share the artwork I did for Vampire Weekend's album coming out later this year," he posted alongside the picture. "I was told I wasn't able to talk about the project until it launched, and this morning I was sent their teaser website! I did a lot of variations and was happy to see they picked the more out there design. I can't wait to see the full album package in stores!"
Speaking about the plan, Calabrese said: "I knew a lot of my friends would respond positively to me pretending to make a Vampire Weekend cover. I was winning until yesterday, when someone surpassed my 93 likes with a photograph of an anniversary picture being consummated with two 'lemon manhattan' drinks."
Vampire Weekend release their as yet untitled third album on May 6.


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Chicago SummerDance In The Parks is a great way to have fun and shape-up!
Chicago SummerDance
Click here for the annual SummerDance 2018 Schedule
"Grant Park blossoms into an urban dance space. Dance to the sounds of 44 different live bands and get into step with dance lessons beforehand. Glide across the restored 4,900-square-foot, 100 percent recycled, open-air dance floor designed by Chicago artist Dan Peterman. Swing, waltz, cha-cha…or simply enjoy the music. All FREE!"
Information and Resources
Grant Park
Spirit of Music Garden
601 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60605
- Free Admission
- Fridays & Saturdays
Dance Lessons: 6-7pm
Live Music & Dancing: 7:30-9:30pm
- Sundays
Dance Lessons: 4-5pm
Live Music & Dancing: 5-7pm
Chicago SummerDance Image Gallery
Images are available in high resolution for press purposes only.
It takes two to tango.
Let CTA be your partner to Chicago SummerDance.
Dr. EveAnn Lovero writes Travel Guides @ www.vino-con-vista.com