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Wrap Around with Dr. Dan Zimet, Sport Psychologist
Welcome to the fifth edition of 'Wrap Around'! Have a question about the greatest game played with a ball? Send it in to email@example.com, where each month a new question will be addressed by Dr. Zimet and many of our games greatest legends.
In the last issue of Wrap Around we explored the depressingly negative trend of sport and physical activity participation. Let's now turn our attention towards the more optimistic subject of sport development.
WHAT is a sport development system (SDS)?
A SDS is a clearly articulated, structured, and comprehensive plan with two main goals: increase participation and improve player ability.
WHO plays a role in the sport development system?
For community based sports like handball, three groups of volunteers play a role: 1) community volunteers; 2) a national organization; and 3) regional/state/community organizations (for a summary of roles and responsibilities, see table).
Community Volunteers. Pretty much everything in community sports is accomplished by volunteers, who are typically athletes (or retired athletes) committed to perpetuating a sport they love. These volunteers play varied, comprehensive, and impactful roles in their sport.
National organizations. The responsibility of a national organization is largely in the realm of oversight and leadership. As a general rule, it imposes expectations for all volunteer involvement and the training necessary to accomplish its goals.
Regional organizations support the mission of the national organization at the community level through implementation of programming via local volunteers.
The SDS is much like a living organism, where the national organization is the brain, communicating instructions through the peripheral nervous system (local organizations), which in turn give direction to the body (community volunteers) about how to impact the environment. These systems are highly interdependent, making communication essential. A body without a brain is at best ineffective and at worst dangerous; the mind without a body has practically no ability to impact the environment. In community sports, everyone who is part of the developmental system is a volunteer – including organizational members at all levels. In point of fact, members of the national and state organizations are often the most generous volunteers, taking on necessary but often thankless, time consuming and unpopular jobs.
HOW does a SDS work?
Sport development is a process where a sport grows its participants via membership evolution. Seasoned/retired athletes convey their love of the game (nurturing) to potential new members (attraction). These new players become committed to the sport (retention) and eventually become long-term participants themselves. In this way, sport development can be viewed as a life-cycle whereby members evolve through various stages (see Figure).
We will review the three-stage SDS model common to community sports; the stages are Attraction; Retention; and Nurturing. Although we will consider each in turn, it is critical to understand that the single greatest challenge is not within the stages themselves, but in the process of transitioning –where an athlete moves from one stage to the next stage. Failure to transition is the largest contributor to drop-out. This point cannot be over-stated, so I'll repeat it. When an athlete remains stuck in a stage, the sport inevitably fails to flourish.
Attraction: Attraction refers to the recruitment process, whereby large numbers of potential members get exposed to the sport and have their first opportunity to play. Best practices in attraction address:1) increasing awareness of the sport; 2) broad and affordable accessibility (i.e., where people play); and 3) creating positive opportunities to learn.
Historically, attraction theories were divided into the: 1) top-down model (AKA trickle down); and the 2) bottom-up model (AKA trickle up). A top-down approach theorizes that when the general population gets exposed to elite-level sports, for instance on TV, new members get inspired to participate as well. All marketing in the top-down approach focuses on exposing potential members to elite/professional athletes. In general, this approach has experienced success for sports with a broad and consistent broadcasting market-share. An inherent weakness in the top-down model is its vulnerability to attentional whims and non-applicability for community sports, which lack consistent or broad media exposure. A bottom-up approach exposes new participants through events like youth programming, PE/gym exposure, and local club systems. Both approaches require sufficient infrastructure to support the development process.
Since handball lacks strong media presence, creative grassroots market exposure is necessary. Examples include promotions, advertising at handball facilities, competitions, events or open play-days, and PE/Gym or college classes. Regional or national organizations often provide marketing tools, including promotional videos, teaching guides, new-member kits, templates for posters, and web content.
Attraction is all about exposing people to a fun, and inviting experience with the sport. One of the most important parts of attracting new athletes is knowing what they want. Research has shown that kids identify two reasons for sport participation: having fun and spending time with friends. With these goals in mind, tennis youth programs began giving questionnaires to kids and parents who attended introductory play-days to find out more about their experience. Here is what they found – "when kids hit more balls more successfully, they had more fun." These data led to the concept of Sport Modification, or altering a sport specifically for beginners to help them through the initial stages of the learning process. For example, the Australian Hot Shots program uses; a) a softer low-bounce ball, b) shorter handled and lighter tennis racquet, c) a smaller court d) a lowered net, e) creative non-competitive learning games, and e) having a 'fun with friends' orientation rather than a 'play by the rules' orientation. For more information go to https://hotshots.tennis.com.au/about/.
Since the original question asks about recreational participation, my focus will be restricted to the retention of recreational members rather than the development of elite athletes. The distinction is important because different organizational goals necessitate different SDS pathways. When the aspiration of development programs is on finding future professional athletes you often see: 1) minimal opportunities for athletes who fail to rapidly develop; and 2) programs highly oriented on performance outcomes. In contrast, programs aspiring to swell all talent levels emphasize long-term recreational commitment. Hence the emphasis on fun, exercise/health and social opportunities. While both programs include skill development and competition, recreational outcomes are measured through retention rather than elite performer identification and development.
Retention is said to occur when an athlete's participation becomes self-propagating. That is, he or she has taken personal ownership and will independently seek out opportunities to play due to an internalized love of the game. The transition from Attraction to Retention is a period of immense drop-out risk. Solidifying this transition is exclusively the responsibility of community volunteers. You absolutely cannot rely on new members, who are still in the attraction stage, to transition to Retention on their own.
While seasoned athletes often focus on the competitive element of participation as their main reason to play, new members most often focus on fun and social opportunities. To make the transition into Retention, the developing athlete will need the following:
· Learning new skills to become more competitive on the court
o Positive role models and long-term mentor-ship
o Coaching – opportunities to learn from veteran players
· Having convenient opportunities to play
o Easy court access and cost-effective equipment.
o Supportive scheduling: making it easy for the new participant to get games
· Feeling welcomed into a warm social environment
o Prioritizing newcomers by inviting them into games: "newbies never sit"
o Introducing players to each other and introducing yourself when you don't recognize someone court-side
o Making scheduling a democratic and easy process
o Never appearing to have 'cliques' – be inclusive
· Having opportunities to compete
o Tournaments
o Leagues where lower-level players are given handicaps (i.e., a C player starts at 11 against an Open player) or are a necessary part of each team (e.g., leagues with a range of talent levels).
o Sponsoring the tournament participation of new members
Nurturing. The core role volunteers play in community-based sport cannot be over-stated. Consider this quote from the president of Australian Football, which parallels similar sentiment from other community sport leaders: "Without the dedication of … volunteers, football clubs as we know them would not exist." Seventy-three percent of community sport organizations have no paid employees and on average receive only 12% of their funding from governments. Nearly everyone – at all levels – is a volunteer. Research suggests numerous mental health benefits to volunteering 40 to 100 hours per year (i.e., 1 to 2 hours per week). Nurturing, the process of giving back, closes the sport development loop when volunteers support a process that brings in new athletes.
Volunteering is a two-way relationship. It is the role of organizations to initiate strategies that organize, support, recruit and train volunteers – locally and nationally. This is accomplished by fostering a sense of community through administrative consideration, leadership opportunities, equity in decision-making, recognition for service, competition and social space. Volunteers are thereby able to make meaningful use of their time and skills, contribute to social and community outcomes, and see their sport flourish. In turn, volunteers need to step forward voluntarily and clarify which interests and talents they are willing to donate.
Being effective requires a Volunteer Management Plan, which aims to achieve the two SDS goals mentioned earlier; 1) increasing membership and overall recreational participation; and 2) developing elite level athletes.
Common roadblocks in SDS's
In studying 35 national sport organizations over a 4-year period, Dr. Sotiriadou found three common roadblocks to the community SDS. First, a lack of linkages among organizations within the sport, which presents as uncooperative or hostile relationships and limited communication or cooperation. Second, the lack of transition between levels of sport development, or athletes failing to move from one stage of the SDS to the next stage. Common examples include a long-term athlete who doesn't volunteer, and a participant in a youth introductory program who receives no follow-up. Third, the lack of a clear delivery mechanism or structured strategy for recruiting and utilizing sport participants at all levels. Lacking a Volunteer Management Plan is an example of this problem. This results in a chaotic approach to sport development and frequently overburdening a limited number of individuals.
NOW what?
Let's get back to our handball player who was curious about the state of handball outside of his shrinking local club. I would ask him, and everyone else who plays, to consider where he is in the sport development process and how he might be able to contribute. Read the list of possible roles volunteers occupy, and consider, "what can I contribute to the game, no matter how small?" Don't expect to be asked; take the initiative and contact organizers in your area. If you already occupy an organizational role, particularly at the national or regional level, think about your Volunteer Management Plan. Remember, generals don't fight on the front lines…they direct the troops. Consider the unique culture of your handball community and try to map the specific pathways handball players take through the sport development cycle. This will give you an idea of where support is needed to help the transition process.
On a final note, the information in this issue of Wrap Around comes from research and theory on Sport Development Systems as it pertains to community sports as a whole. While Wrap Around is published by the WPH and USHA, the ideas expressed in this piece are independent of both organizations.
Official comment from the WPH:
Dear Reader-
It's an exciting time for handball. We have witnessed a flux of younger athletes (under thirty) at recent events and the attitudes of our sport's leaders; especially from one-group-to-another has been quite positive and productive; all working on a common goal to grow the game.
Our group (WPHLive.TV) has a full-time development director who quarterbacks hundreds of junior and collegiate clinics around America and the globe yearly; Junior WPH, our young-adult namesake, launched a global initiative in 2013 to teach and promote youth handball and all of the benefits that the sport provides. Junior WPH focuses on not just the fundamentals and competition of handball, but also the discipline, leadership, character, and integrity that handball and Junior WPH promotes. The WPH has certified a number of coaches with the WPH-pinned Coaching Manual and Coaching Certification Process to teach the game in a structured and fun environment. Many of the certified coaches are current pros who are eager to give back to the game and develop the next generation of players. During the professional tour (both indoor and outdoor) our group hosts clinics with young adults at every feasible location.
The junior WPH initiatives you just read (above) are also mirrored by the ICHA, GAA, CHA, Fred Lewis Foundation and our sport's governing body, the United States Handball Association (USHA), in some form or another. Please contact those organization's leaders for individual commentary.
The WPH is especially excited because of a recent contract signing with ESPN that puts 4 wall handball; women and men's elite; plus outdoors best players (Outdoor World Championships/Las Vegas, NV, Simple Green US Open/Fountain Valley, CA, to name just a few); on the network for up to eight major events in 2016/17. ESPN has reported, as recent as our last indoor tour stop in Minnesota (Nov '16) that there were 135,000 people who clicked the play button ion the WatchESPN App, associated with ESPN3's broadcast of the two-day spectacle. With energetic and passionate fans and supporters, such as you, we can hopefully boost those numbers even higher, as we attempt to promote the game on massive levels. The potential reach and ability to promote this game we all love is endless if we all work together. We are very open to your marketing ideas and concepts, so please pass them along.
Handball isn't just four wall indoor play, and our group recognizes that. There are vast assemblages of players, that you may have only read about, that play the outdoor game; be it one wall or three wall; small ball or big ball (wallball). It appears that the outdoor game's numbers (especially wallball) is trending upwards. Our group, like the ICHA, USHA, et al, before us, focus our attention on all forms of the game and cannot stress just how much we need people like you to help us with our mission. If not us, then the Fred Lewis Foundation, USHA, ICHA, or others in your area (that are making huge impacts), will certainly have open arms to your ideas and gifts. The World Players of Handball is a non-profit charitable foundation (501(c)3) who find it equi-necessary to expand the game and cap-on this growth spurt. Do not think this is a plea for your money. All groups (not just ours) appreciate donations and membership support, but we also ask earnestly for your professional service and time …and support!
As you know, handball is a lifetime sport that can be played by one to four players and for a lifetime. A recent national and world championship had players represent nearly every age from nine to ninety; you cannot say that about many sports, but this is why our game is so special. Some handball hotbeds are flourishing and going strong; meanwhile, areas like yours may be dwindling. It is imperative to infuse the younger adult or even junior athlete into your local mix so you could continue the legacy of the sport in your area. We can help you and others in your area. Please gather our contact info below. But before we get to that, please do yourself a favor and start connecting with the latest handball news and info. I sense you will feel much better about the game's growth and direction if you follow this check-list and then help distribute the findings to those in your area or handball lists:
· Subscribe to the USHA & WPH Email Directory. Both give weekly recaps and updates regarding sport; both promote upcoming events and highlight current affairs and breaking news.
· Connect with the Irish Handball Council, GAA-Handball, Canadian Handball Association, Fred Lewis Foundation, Inner-City Handball Association, USHA and WPHLive.TV. Give us more information about the area you play in and we will point you in the right direction, with hopes of matching you up with those close to where you are located. There are many many handball associations that work alongside the WPH and USHA in America that do amazing work to keep this game flowing.
· Become a member of the Governing Body of the Sport, the United States Handball Association. Your membership will bring you many benefits, to include a quarterly magazine centered on handball. Please contact your USHA rep for more specific details, but make sure to put this request at the forefront of your wish-list.
· Join the WPH and receive your player's card. This card will grant you access to all of the handball videos WPHLive.TV has recorded over the past 10 years and all ESPN filmed handball matches. The player's card will also allow you to watch LIVE handball on many (if not all) smart devices, laptops, computers; PCs & MACs. Your membership brings two instructional videos of David Chapman and all proceeds go toward junior development w/Junior WPH.
· Daily to weekly updates regarding handball can be found at www.wphlive.tv. Since Jan 1st of 2016-to-date (December 1st, 2016 as I write this response), the WPH has posted 340 stories to the front page. 2015 had 345 total stories posted for the year. This does not include social media. Our Junior WPH Site is at www.juniorhandball.org and will focus just on junior handball from the WPH perspective.
· Weekly and breaking news can also be found on the USHA homepage of www.ushandball.org; please also connect with the USHA on Social media and do not limit yourself to just these two organizations; most if not all, are connecting to handball players all over the globe through mediums like YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Vine, SnapChat, R2sports and more. Your smart device's app store will have downloads available; mostly free!
· R2Sports Web App will connect you with handball tournaments, scores, player profiles and chat room; future events, past results and more. Add them to your weekly mix and you will not be let down. I use it daily as the app sends me notifications of my favorite players right to my smartphone. You can find the App in iTunes and Android's App stores for FREE! You can also track events on your computer at www.r2sports.com. Search Handball and you are on your way.
I cannot speak for all organizations, but getting connected will positively impact your outlook on the game and the future of our sport. I won't water-down this long reply with stats and numbers because all of that is reported on daily and weekly; often times on ESPN3, YouTube, Facebook & Twitter, not to mention the GAA Handball, USHA, CHA, ICHA and WPH Websites by the minute. (Most all info funnels to Facebook and other social media)
Keep your head up. Handball is growing and could be defined as a "shifting" of sorts with older players winding-down their careers; while growth is happening outdoor across the globe and in area hot spots in vast numbers; just as indoor 4 wall is starting to see a big boost in junior and young adult play. Unless recent trends are playing tricks on us, the state of the current four wall game should be constant, moving forward. Many recent local and regional tournaments in the last quarter of the year feature nearly, if not more, than 50% of the participating attendees under the age of 32. Some events had more than 75%!
If you have not learned about the growth of the sport in Ireland, England, Italy, Spain and Europe, then please ask about! The 4 wall game in Ireland is thriving, just as their love for the 1 wall outdoor (played inside too) form of the game is skyrocketed.
We know you probably have more questions and I know all organization leaders will have some great answers, so please contact us and we will try to point you in the right direction if we cannot find any resolve.
Best regards,
David C Vincent Executive director, WPHLiveTV
Comment from Vern Roberts, Executive Director, USHA
Four-wall Handball has grown and shrunk in various locations over the years. There are hotbeds that feed on themselves and there are club/cities like yours where it seems the game is waning.
Without getting into all the potential reasons why, or naming the all the places that have grown or waned, there are also other versions of the game that are growing, mostly those played outside.
As for the hotbeds for four-wall and what is being done, there is a common denominator: a local person or group supporting the growth. The USHA and its First Ace program have supplied grant funding, equipment, tournament support, etc., to such people and groups.
And there are young people playing. Witness our national collegiates with close to 300 players, 100 of which are women. Never would I have imagined those numbers when I was in college.
Our goal is to keep these people playing by introducing them to groups such as yours when they graduate and move into your community. We hope you'll welcome them with open arms.
There's much more being done to grow handball, all handball versions, as you'll see in our First Ace columns and annual reports. We also welcome new ideas on how to keep courts, fill them and share the joy of the perfect game, which is our mission statement.
Musings from the Masters
How did you first come to learn about handball? Who got you involved, what was the introductory process and what was it that led to you getting more and more involved?
Megan Dorneker, Lake Bluff IL b. 1982. 11 National Open 3-wall titles, 1 National Open 4-wall title, 8 National Collegiate Titles. Prefers 3- or 4-wall small ball.
When I was 13 years old, I would go to the Lattof YMCA to watch my brothers play in Don Quinlan's class, and after much reluctance I tried it. Lynn Alesi was instrumental in getting me to play, because it was motivating to see another girl playing. I became more and more involved after traveling to tournaments with Don and the other juniors players. It was fun to see my game progress, and to see the same people at different tournaments. By the time I was a senior in high school, I was hooked. Going to Lake Forest College and being coached by Coach Dau was life-changing, and helped me play at another level. I hope to play handball as long as I am physically able to.
John Robles, Phelan CA. b1965. Highest professional ranking #3. 15 National Masters titles, 4 Worlds titles, 1 Canadian Master Title, Southern California Hall of Fame. Prefers indoors (but I also love outdoors)
I first came to learn handball through my father and older brother back in the mid 70's. They went to play as something to do for a "father son" bonding at the local YMCA. In a short time, I started to tag along with my Dad and met my brother there as well. They had their set games and I was there to play basketball, racquetball or just to watch. After awhile my brother would spend time with me teaching the perfect game and the "hop" I eventually became know for.
I started hitting the black ball around the age of 10. When I was about 16 years old I remember going to a tournament and watching Naty Sr. play. I was amazed and blown away at that level of play. I couldn't imagine ever being good enough to play at any kind of open or pro level, let alone Naty's level. 4 years later I won my first open tournament and went on to become a ranking pro
G Michael Driscoll, Parker, TX. b. 1938. Twenty-five National Masters titles, 1, 3 and 4-wall, 9 Canadian Masters & 2 Worlds titles. Prefers 3-wall small-ball
My first recollection of becoming aware of handball was when I was probably in the fifth or sixth grade. I was a member of the Oak Park, Illinois Y, at the time, and took swimming lessons, played billiards and pool and watched the Saturday movies with the other kids. While in the old building I stumbled upon the two four wall handball courts. My impression was that it was a game for adults and kids weren't allowed on the courts. The players were very old (30+) and they were able to buy their own gloves and ball. Kids my age were not welcome on the courts.
My first introduction to the game came in gym class in 1953 at Fenwick High School. Many of the priests had played a form of 3 wall handball at the nearby seminary. Also the football and basketball coaches, who were our PE instructors, had learned and used handball for training and conditioning purposes. So, it was natural to introduce the students to the game of handball on a makeshift 3 wall court in the corner of the basketball court during gym class.
Because I was on the tennis team in high school and my first year and one half at the University of Notre Dame, I didn't find time to play handball. However, when I decided that there was little chance of me being an important part of the tennis team, I looked for another form of competition in 1957. There were a number of undersized courts (18 x 36 foot) at the Rockne Memorial athletic facility and usually there were many students looking for a game. It seemed like a natural transition from tennis for me. As my play improved I discovered the best players on campus played at the 2 – 22 x 44 foot courts at the old field house which was built in the 1870's.
After graduation in 1960, I returned to Oak Park and began playing on the 20 x 40 foot courts at the new Y. Although I won a Class C Singles tournament, I didn't start playing and winning City, State and Regional Tournaments until moving to Columbus, Ohio in 1966.
Columbus friends, Bob Whitman got me involved in one wall handball and Tom Bogen in 3 wall. Prior to 1973 we put on outdoor summer handball tournaments in Columbus, while Vern Roberts Sr. and a couple of Cleveland players put on outdoor tournaments in Cincinnati and the Cleveland area, respectively. Players from all over the state of Ohio and Western Pennsylvania attended these tournaments.
While in Columbus I first became involved with the local handball committee and a life time member of the USHA. The major accomplishment of the Columbus Handball Committee was getting 6 3 wall handball courts built with the support of Councilman and avid handball player, Don Woodland, and holding the USHA National 3 Wall Championships for the first time in 1973.
It wasn't until I moved to Dallas, TX in 1973 that I won my first USHA National Masters doubles titles in 3 wall (2001) and 4 wall (2003) both with Ed Grossenbacher and one wall (2005) with Mike Ferber. The first USHA National Masters singles titles were 3 wall (2005), 1 wall (2006) and 4 wall (2014).
Since moving to Dallas, with the encouragement of Tom Easterling, Beth Rowley, Alvis Grant, Vern Roberts Jr. and others, I have become a member of the Dallas Handball Committee , a member and Treasurer of the Board the USHA for 9 years, Southwest Regional Commissioner of the USHA, member of the USHA Hall of Fame Selection Committee and past Vice president and current Secretary/Treasurer of the World Handball Council.
I continue to put on annual 3 wall tournaments at my court in the Dallas suburb of Parker.
As my game has developed and the number and scope of the tournaments played in broadened, I have met many handball people who were more involved in the promotion of the sport. These people, by their enthusiasm and example, encouraged me to become more involved in handball. With the increased involvement in the promotion and development of the sport, my wife and I have met many wonderful people worldwide and have established many lasting friendships in the USA and abroad which would never have happened, if it weren't for handball.
Cesar Sala, Bronx NY. b 1977. Six National Open 1-wall titles (2 singles & 4 doubles), 1 Worlds Singles small ball. Prefers 1-wall small ball.
I remember walking as a child on the boardwalk of Coney Island heading to the rides of Astroland Park when I first saw the handball courts. The courts were filled with people and I saw the players hitting a rubber ball against a wall. There were crowds of people watching the games and little did I know then how much I'd later appreciate doing that very same thing.
It wasn't until I was about 14 years old that I really started to play a lot of handball and the main reason was because of the girls at the courts. I played a lot of baseball and basketball but I noticed that more girls hung around the handball courts and that eventually drew me over to the courts. I've always been competitive and once I became the best player at my home park at Grady H.S. I ventured to the courts at Coney Island and saw a new level of play. I saw the players, the crowds, the action and I was hooked.
I watched the players playing with so much passion that you couldn't help but to watch. It seemed like everyone was playing for something. Some played for pride, others played for money. Whatever motivated them made it an all out war! It was all the same. Kill or be killed. A truly primal scene that drew people in from all walks of life. I could see why people called it the Mecca of 1wall handball. You had former, current and future champions roaming all over the place and each of them offered a different type of challenge or lesson to dish out.
I was fortunate enough to live near by in Brighton Beach so I could walk, jog or run to the courts whenever I wanted. There were so many players who played a part in my handball upbringing but from Coney Island I'd have to say that Ruby Obert and Albert Apuzzi really influenced me a lot. Ruby showed me how to work on the fundamentals and Albert brought me to the indoors courts where the strongest players played during the winter season.
I played on the B court at first and over time I got into the stronger games. But you had to be invited into the stronger games. I had a strong arm and I hit the ball with a lot of spin so I had something to offer for practice against the better players pretty much right away. It felt like in no time I was in the mix against guys like Al Torres, Joe Durso, Albert Apuzzi, Paul Lonergan and a bunch of other top players. Through Albert I eventually met Eddie Maisonet and then partner Paul Williams who was the ICHA president.
Albert and Paul played an intricate part in my competing in tournaments. They showed me what organized handball looked like and I loved it. Both of them were strong role models on how a man should conduct themselves both on and off the court, with class and dignity. True gentlemen of the sport who were also fiercely competitive on the court. They showed me the proper way to handle the tournament scene, it's players and referees in a manner that was both professional and assertive. Albert and his wife Dori Ten would give me a lift whenever possible to tournaments all over the city. Paul ran a bunch of those events and I'd see how many people were involved in making it happen. It was a great experience for me.
I became a member of the USHA and ICHA and over time I started to travel with the ICHA's travel team. The ICHA helped me travel all over the world to play the game I loved. It's truly been a blessing for me. It gave me priceless memories and joined me with so many great people from all versions of handball. I still enjoy connecting with people across the globe that I met at various events from years ago. I no longer live in the area of Coney Island but I still try to make my way there to play and interact with the players there. They're like family to me.
Benji Bretner was also a constant at the courts and he definitely showed me through example how important it was to keep the ball in play above all else. He was as steady as they come and because of that he had a very high winning percentage. He also new his limits and rarely got himself in a game that he didn't feel would be worth the gamble. We played singles once and with Benji there was always a bet. I barely won the game and he didn't run it back telling me that I was too strong for him. He surely could've beaten me at that time. Beating him was not an easy task for just anybody. I was coming up and wanted to play him again because I was gaining from the experience from him. However, for Benji getting the win wasn't worth the time or effort it would've taken to do it. So we left it at that and went on to play each other countless times in various doubles games. We also played together combining my risk taking style and his steady percentage handball to make an excellent combination. He'd get on base and I'd swing for the fences.
Even today Benji is still very well maintained and holding it down at the Coney Island courts. I still enjoy getting into games with Benji and showing some of the young bucks how it's done. Passing on our experience on to the next generation of players is key in continuing this great tradition of quality handball. The courts are rich with history and continue to breed future champions like the twins Melanie and Jessenia Garate. Helping the younger players helps keep me invested in the game and it's future.
Vern Roberts Jr., Tucson, AZ. b 1954. Handball Hall of Fame, induction 2002. Preferred to play outside (prior to replacement parts)
I was one of the lucky ones in that my dad was a very good player and he spent a lot of time with his kids. That's why six of his eight kids play(ed).
More so, I went to tournaments, saw very good handball and could visualize what the game was supposed to look like before I started playing regularly. Thanks to my dad, I was enjoying the mentoring of adults, traveling to tournaments and a member of the handball fraternity by my teen years.
When I did start playing, the camaraderie and support kept me coming back and a little success sure helped boost my ego.
Most of the people I looked up to were handball players, even though handball may not have been the reason – of just part of the reason for my admiration. And that is still the same today!
Dr. Dan Zimet is a Psychologist and Certified Sports Consultant. Dr. Zimet has been working as a Psychologist for more than 15 years in private practice, specializing in young adult and adolescent issues, marital counseling and sport psychology.
Drawn to handball because his father, uncle and grandfather played, Dr. Zimet has accrued an astounding 24 combined singles and doubles National Masters Titles in 1-Wall, 3-Wall and 4-Wall, while also serving as the Maryland Handball Commissioner from 2003-2013. He cites victories against Andy Schad in the 2012 3-Wall National Final and winning tournaments with partners Alan Frank, Andy Schad, Eli Zimet (father), and Adam Zimet (brother) as his most fulfilling moments in handball. Dr. Zimet has set his sights on a top four WPH SR48 ranking and winning a USHA National Masters Title in each of the USHA national events.
Dr. Zimet lives in Columbia, MD with his wife Danielle and son Fletcher
me today!


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This article will show you how to stream from VLC media player to your chromecast.
What is VLC Media Player?
Before jumping to our main topic, let's first know what this VLC is? "VLC media player" or simply called "VLC" is the best player you will find to stream movies or shows or any video you want to on your device.
It is free software every mobile, computer, device possess. If you want to watch Movies or videos or shows with a higher quality, VLC is the one you are finding.
VLC is stuffed with features like playback, audio, Video, and subtitles option, too! These features help you out throughout the movie streaming.
Playback will help to reverse or forward the video, audio will help you decide the sound system of the video, Video will specialize your streaming quality and the last option "subtitles" this is my favourite feature, with this feature you can have any language subtitles for your movie! Isn't VLC the coolest!?
Well, not only this, VLC streaming can now be used on TVs as well.
What is Chromecast?
Now, What is Chromecast? Well, it is a physical device which can connect your VLC player to your Tv. Plus, it can also help you play your computer games on tv! In short, Chromecast makes your Tv smarter, Smart TV.
Yes! We do have to buy Chromecast but the cost is totally worth it. It cost you US$35 only. So, if you still haven't bought it, I would advise you to go for it right now.
Things you must have before using Chromecast
- Obviously, Chromcast device.
- You must have Google Chrome on your device.
- Make sure you have an updated version of Google Chrome.
- VLC Media Player
How to Stream From VLC to Chromecast
Now, now, now, I know everyone wants to know how can we make it possible I mean how can we stream via VLC. We are almost there.
- Visit a shop right now and buy CHROMECAST. This device not only will let you stream your favourite movies via VLC on TV but will also let you play games on your TV. So, buy it right now. Totally worth it!
- Install Google Chrome and access the cast extension in it. Google Chrome is not only the fastest and smoothe browser it also features "extensions" to increase the quality of your technical world.
- Now, set your Chromecast to any of the devices you wish to i.e., You can connect your chromecast to any device you wish.
- Open VLC right after and select what movie you want to see. VLC < MEDIA < OPEN FILE < SELECT YOUR MOVIE and play
- Go to google chrome using the google cast and then select the option cast screen or window.
- Now your entire computer desktop will be streaming to Chromecast device which is connected to any of your devices.
- Go back to VLC and click it into FULL-screen mode and you are done.
Yes! as simple as that, just in a few steps you will be streaming movies via VLC on your TV with the help of Chromecast. not only this, but you can also play your PC games on your Tv to increase the gaming experience by 100%. Don't sit behind, go to your nearest shop and buy Chromecast right now.

subset: commoncrawl


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Mangaluru, June 6, 2015: The father and Daughter have emerged as winners in Belma Village municipality. Usma Aksa and his daughter Suhail Usman contested in the Gram Panchayat election with the support from JDS.
Usman Aksa was the former president of Belma gram panchayat election and he has now won the election for the second time, while his daughter Suhail emerged victorious for the First time. Thus two of the same family will represent the Belma municipality.
Suhail is a BSc graduate, Usman Aksa is the president of JDS in Mangaluru assembly constituency.
|Comments on this Article
|Neha, Mangalore
|Sat, June-6-2015, 7:51
|Congratulations to both of you. Nice to see Suhail winning the election.


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The Latest: Thai youth soccer team leaves hospital
CHIANG RAI, Thailand (AP) — The Latest on Thai youth soccer players and their coach who were rescued after being trapped in a cave (all times local):
5:25 p.m.
Members of a Thai youth soccer team who were trapped in a cave have left the hospital where they have been treated since their rescue, and are slated to hold a news conference before they return to their homes.
The 12 boys and their 25-year-old coach had been pronounced generally healthy by doctors, aside from some minor infections.
The news conference, to be held in a government building, will be the first opportunity the members of the team have to speak directly to the media, though video of them was released previously. Officials are reviewing questions in advance to make certain none might cause damaging psychological effects.
2:05 p.m.
The youth soccer teammates rescued from a flooded cave in Thailand are expected to be released from the hospital Wednesday and to speak about their ordeal.
A news conference with the 12 boys and their coach was being arranged for the evening in the northern city of Chiang Rai, where the boys have been recovering in a hospital since last week.
Government spokesman Lt. Gen. Sansern Kaewkamnerd said doctors and psychologists were participating in the news conference to filter questions and ensure the boys' well-being. The conference hall venue was decorated as a soccer field.
The group entered the Tham Luang cave on June 23 but was soon trapped by flooding. Divers found them 10 days later and rescuers eventually extracted them over three days, concluding July 10.


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Did you hear about Fredi Gonzalez's Braves? They've been working hard in spring training. The new manager has them spread out, working on the back fields and focused on executing defensively.
Even the situational bunt drill has gone on longer than usual. Fredi and his staff have been busy teaching these guys how he wants it done.
Afternoon tee times? Even McCann admitted leaving the complex around 2 p.m. one day that he was going back to the rental house to rest. Long days at camp. Sure hope that pays off.
The rotation looks like one of the strongest in the big leagues. Hudson, Lowe, Hanson, and Jurrjens are an impressive 1-2-3-4. If Minor wins that fifth spot, the Braves have a lefty to mix in there. If not, another righty will get the spot.
Fredi's line-up will look different from the one Bobby posted last season. Prado will be back up top, where he thrived last season. Dude can hit. Fredi will try and hide McLouth to the 2-spot, where he can focus on moving runners over and putting the bat on the ball. Chipper is in the 3-hole. McCann and Uggla fill the 4 and the 5, depending on whether they are facing a righty or a southpaw.
Gonzalez sees the J-Hey Kid as a run producer, so Heyward starts the season in the sixth spot, where he should see a lot of guys on base. Heyward could approach 100 RBIs if that thumb stays strong. In fact, look for a monster season from Jason. Twenty-five bombs. Forty doubles. Go get 'em kid. Have an All-Star season.
The bottom looks strong too. Alex Gonzalez is in the seventh spot and the rookie Freddie Freeman breaks in hitting eighth in the line-up. Freeman hitting 8th?
Freddie is a patient, disciplined hitter. He won't be up there chasing pitches out of the zone. So, pitchers trying to make him "get himself out" will be disappointed. And with two outs, pitchers will be walking him to get to the Braves pitcher.
You're going to like Freeman's game. Beautiful swing. Think of a bigger Mark Grace. And he can pick it at first base. It'll be interesting to see how much offense the Braves can get out of him in his rookie season. But count on an instant upgrade at first base.
Big Eric Hinske is the big bat off the bench. And keep an eye on Jordan Schafer, as far as the fourth outfielder goes. If Chipper's knee doesn't hold up, that means Prado is at third base and Schafer could take over in left.
Check out my Braves Blog at buckbelue.com. I'm down for an extended stay this spring calling a lot of the games. Let's get this show on the road.


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Hamilton - The All Blacks have rejected suggestions that Argentina will resort to foul play in Saturday's Rugby Championship Test in Hamilton as they brace for a physical challenge from the South Americans.
VIDEO: All Blacks Conrad Smith and Ma'a Nonu discuss the secret to their midfield partnership
Argentina came under the microscope after their recent defeat to South Africa, with Leonardo Senatore receiving a nine-week suspension for biting while Pablo Matera was accused of eye-gouging, though he was found not guilty.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, when naming his line-up on Thursday, admitted Los Pumas were "physical" but said: "I don't see them as being a dirty team."
Hansen has made three changes to the side that beat Australia two weeks ago, including handing a Test debut to 22-year-old Blues centre Francis Saili, who comes in for Ma'a Nonu, missing with an ankle injury.
Saili, who has exceptional attacking skills but is also prone to basic errors, makes his first start between two of the elder statesmen of the All Blacks, flyhalf Dan Carter in his 96th Test and outside centre Conrad Smith, playing his 72nd international.
The injury-plagued Carter returns at flyhalf after an unconvincing display against France in June, while Charlie Faumuina replaces injured prop Owen Franks.
The All Blacks are expected to target Argentina's traditional forward-based power game but backrower Kieran Read said they will aim to do so legally.
"What they do will dictate I guess a little bit but we're going to stay as clean as we can. There are ways you can dominate without being cheap and nasty."
Hansen said he was expecting a physical confrontation because "that's one of their great strengths".
"We're not playing tiddlywinks. Every now and again people do things they probably don't want to do. In the heat of the battle, it happens," he said.
"I don't see them as being a dirty team. That's what everyone is trying to imply. I don't think they are, I think they're a good team."
Influential Argentina captain Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, who missed his side's two defeats against South Africa because of injury, is not interested in raking over the Springbok Tests.
"We need to put all of this behind us and focus on what is a hard tour," said Lobbe, who returns to Argentina's loose-forward trio.
"The goal of the tour is to continue to grow with every game and that isn't necessarily about winning. Our aspiration is to have a winning mentality, to control the game and try to play to our strengths."
Argentina, who have former All Blacks World Cup-winning coach Graham Henry as their technical director, have played New Zealand 16 times but have yet to win.
Teams:New Zealand
15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Francis Saili, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Steven Luatua, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock
Substitutes: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Ben Franks, 19 Jeremy Thrush, 20 Sam Cane, 21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Charles Piutau
15 Juan Martin Hernandez, 14 Gonzalo Camacho, 13 Marcelo Bosch, 12 Santiago Fernandez, 11 Horacio Agulla, 10 Nicolas Sanchez, 9 Martin Landajo, 8 Juan Manuel Leguizamon, 7 Pablo Matera, 6 Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, 5 Julio Farias Cabello, 4 Manuel Carizza, 3 Juan Figallo, 2 Eusebio Guinazu, 1 Marcos Ayerza.
Substitutes: 16 Agustin Creevy, 17 Nahuel Lobo, 18 Juan Pablo Orlandi, 19 Mariano Galarza, 20 Benjamin Macome, 21 Tomas Cubelli, 22 Felipe Contepomi, 23 Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino


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Climate & Energy Funders Group - 2018 Annual Meeting
The CEFG 2018 Annual Meeting is taking place in Miami, Florida, a location fraught with the challenges of climate change, yet also a locus for important resilience work. We will take advantage of being in Miami to consider Florida's potential as a clean energy leader and its extreme vulnerability to climate impacts. We will look beyond Florida to explore global deep decarbonization scenarios to help inform strategic decision-making and bring allied groups closer to consensus on a range of priority climate action strategies. We will delve intoour political context, energy democracy, and current thinking around communication tools and strategies. Lastly, throughout, we will incorporate the idea of 100% clean and how we can launch the necessary transformations to achieve that goal. Please join funder colleagues for this learning and networking opportunity.
FPN members save!


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Why did my workout feel rubbish today?
July 6th 2020
June 26th 2018 / 0 comment
Exercise is essential for menopausal women's physical and mental health, but what if you're not sure where to start? Menopause coach and PT Jane Dowling shares the beginner's fitness plan that anyone can do
I recently presented at the amazing Meg Mathews menopause conference; what a great day! Thanks Meg for speaking so openly and frankly about menopause - it is so needed. We are finally making progress, but still have a long way to go. My talk was on "how you can take small steps to make a big difference to your menopause with exercise and food." These small steps will not only help with your long-term health, such as preventing heart disease and osteoporosis, but they will also have an immediate positive effect on your mood, memory, energy, focus and sleep.
We all want to be the best version of ourselves that we possibly can. For some, when we hit menopause it can be tough.
I found it tough. When I was 46, five years ago, menopause hit me like a freight train. I was not in the best physical shape at the time because I was recovering from shoulder surgery and a car accident - both events were life changing. I had been in the health and fitness industry for over 20 years, but the magic wand had stopped working!
I told the ladies in the audience that if I felt then how I did now, I would not be standing on the stage talking to them. I suffered with panic attacks, sleepless nights, anxiety, painful joints and severe fatigue, which is why I started writing my blog to help women and stop them from suffering as I did.
I knew that if I took small steps every day then I would start to feel better. My studio is at London Bridge; I would get off at Borough tube station for two reasons. One, it is further away from my studio and two, there are 102 stairs at Borough station. Each day I would slowly walk up the 102 steps and then take the longer walk to my studio. I was so physically and mentally fatigued, but over time those steps were not my enemy and my slow stroll became faster.
We are at higher risk of heart disease when we reach menopause, so becoming breathless is a must. Guidelines suggest becoming breathless three times per week for 30-40 minutes. This can be broken down into smaller segments, just like my stairs at Borough and my walk to my studio. Exercise will not only give you energy, but confidence, putting you in a much stronger mindset to carry it on.
Once I had been doing my steps over a few weeks, I started to incorporate a few other things that I knew I had to cover for my bone health. Here's my beginner's fitness plan that's perfect to do in menopause.
Always warm up by walking around first, and do get the OK from your GP before you start.
Do this circuit three times per week, with two or three sets of 8-12 reps.
Use the heaviest band you can find. Do them in a circuit and it won't take long; these can be done every other day such as Monday, Wednesday and Friday, but walking you can do every day!
1) Jumping up and down – great for not only heart health, but will protect your hips and lower spine from osteoporosis. Start with just a few if you feel your pelvic floors are compromised.
2) Seated row – see photo – this will protect your upper spine from osteoporosis
As in the picture, keep the band at the same height as your belly button
Pull the hands apart so you are pulling at the band
Then pull the hands and the band towards your tummy – keeping your elbows bent as in the photo and the tension on the band
You will now want to slide your shoulder blades together, keeping the hands wide and feel this in the upper back
Feeling this in your upper back – again count out loud for 6 seconds
Pull the tummy in tight as well – remember if you count out loud you will not hold your breath
Release the band and hands forward, keeping the elbows bent and repeat.
3) Seated back extension – see photo – the will protect your lower spine from osteoporosis
Keep the back straight all the way through this exercise
Keep the arms straight – your natural reaction is to bend the elbows, this will work the arms and we want to work the lower back.
When you are in the upright position, keep the abs really tight and count out loud to 6 seconds (if you count you will not hold your breath!)
When you lower forward make sure you keep the back straight
It's ok if you feel it in the lower spine, that is where we want to strengthen
4) Seated hip abduction – see photo - protect your hips.
Take the band under the knees with feet and knees together, so the band is nice and tight
Take the feet apart
Then press the knees wide so you feel it in the side of the hips
Count to 6 seconds
5) Press ups on knees – great for wrist strength
Hands wider than your shoulders
Back straight and tummy tight
Lower your body towards the floor, keeping your head and shoulders around 6 inches away from the floor – no need to lower completely
If you find doing 8/12 is too much, do not worry - just work up to it
Finish off with a lovely upper back stretch – hold no less than 15 seconds. Remember, this will not only help with your bone health - it will help with weight management. If you have healthier, happier, stronger, toned muscles, it will help feed off fat stores at rest!
With walking included you now have six things you can do to take control of your menopause. Have a look at your day and see how you can incorporate walking into your everyday routine, such as...
Ditch the lift
Walk up escalators and stairs as much as you can
Walk to a coffee shop that's further away
Walk already? Then walk faster!
Arrange to meet a friend for a cuppa – meet first and have a walk – it will be good for both body and mind.
I asked my social media family recently to let me know if exercise had had a positive impact on their menopause and I had a great response - these small steps will be a big leap forward to be the best version of yourselves that you can.
See some positive quotes here from other women who are going through it
Follow Jane on Instagram for daily free food and exercise tips
Jane Dowling is a clinical exercise specialist with experience across a broad range of populations. She has been providing personally tailored training and health solutions for over 20 years. When working with older women suffering from heart disease or osteoporosis, Jane developed a passion to educate younger women on how to take preventative measures. This and her own Meno experiences inspired her to found MENO&ME - designed to help women be fabulous through the meno and beyond! It is a source of advice and ideas on diet, exercise and lifestyle changes.
July 6th 2020
January 5th 2020
October 30th 2018


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My daughter and I went through the McDonalds take-away window and I gave the girl a £5 note. Our total was £4.20, so I also handed her a Twenty pence piece.
She said, 'you gave me too much money.'
I said, 'Yes I know, but this way you can just give me £1 back.'
She sighed and went to get the manager who asked me to repeat my request. I did so, and he handed me back the 20 pence and said 'We're sorry but they could not do that kind of thing.'
The girl then proceeded to give me back 80 pence in change..
Do not confuse the girls at MacD's.
We had to have the garage door repaired. The GARADOR repairman told us that one of our problems was that we did not have a 'large' enough motor on the opener.
I thought for a minute, and said that we had the largest one GARADOR made at that time, a 1/2 horsepower. He shook his head and said, 'Lady, you need a ¼ horsepower.' I responded that 1/2 was larger than 1/4 and he said, 'NOOO, it's not. Four is larger than two.'
We haven't used Garador repair since. Happened in Bromley , Kent UK
I live in a semi rural area. We recently had a new neighbour call the Highways Department to request the removal of the DEER CROSSING sign on our road. The reason: 'Too many deer are being hit by cars out here! I don't think this is a good place for them to be crossing anymore.'
Story from Crayford , Kent , UK
My daughter went to a local Kentucky Fried and ordered a Mexican taco. She asked the person behind the counter for'minimum lettuce.' He said he was sorry, but they only had iceberg lettuce.
From Gillingham Kent , UK .
I was at the airport, checking in at the gate when an Irish airport employee asked, 'Has anyone put anything in your baggage without your knowledge?'
To which I replied, 'If it was without my knowledge, how would I know?'
He smiled knowingly and nodded, 'That's why we ask.'
Happened Luton Airport …… UK
The stoplight on the corner buzzes when it's safe to cross the street. I was crossing with an intellectually challenged co-worker of mine.. She asked if I knew what the buzzer was for. I explained that it signals blind people when the light is red.
Appalled, she responded, 'What on earth are blind people doing driving?!'
She is a Local County Council employee in Dartford Kent, UK
When my husband and I arrived at Our Local Ford dealer to pick up our car, we were told the keys had been locked in it. We went to the service department and found a mechanic working feverishly to unlock the drivers side door. As I watched from the passenger side, I instinctively tried the door handle and discovered that it was unlocked. 'Hey,' I announced to the Mechanic "It's open!'
His reply, 'I know. I already did that side.'
This was at the Ford dealership in St Albans, Hertfordshire UK.


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This is a reposting of an older post. Sometime ago, I visited John Lennox's site and made, among other things a comment on the irrationality of choosing religion A vs B and pointed out that Lennox's religion is probably the result of his upbringing. One responded replied thus:
Christianity, of course, provides the best explanation and best evidence over any other religion.Of course, statement proved, case closed, QED. Don't you love this kind of "rationality"? What is worse is that the respondent is not even aware of the ilogicalness of his claim. I wanted to respond, but Lennox has disabled responses.


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1813 – War of 1812: British soldiers burn Buffalo, New York.
1816 – The Treaty of St. Louis (1816) between the United States and the united Ottawa, Ojibwa, and Potawatomi Indian tribes is proclaimed.
1825 – The Treaty of St. Louis between the United States and the Shawnee Nation is proclaimed.
1853 – Gadsden Purchase: The United States buys land from Mexico to facilitate railroad building in the Southwest.
1903 – A fire at the Iroquois Theater in Chicago, Illinois kills at least 605.
1905 – Former Idaho Governor Frank Steunenberg is assassinated at the front gate of his home in Caldwell.
1936 – The United Auto Workers union stages its first sitdown strike.
1948 – The Cole Porter Broadway musical, Kiss Me, Kate (1,077 performances), opens at Broadway's New Century Theatre in midtown Manhattan, New York, and becomes the first show to win the Best Musical Tony Award.
1972 – Vietnam War: The United States halts heavy bombing of North Vietnam.
1977 – For the second time, Ted Bundy escapes from his cell in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.
1981 – In the 39th game of his third NHL season, Wayne Gretzky scores five goals, giving him 50 on the year and setting a new NHL record previously held by Maurice Richard and Mike Bossy, who earlier had each scored 50 goals in 50 games.
1999 – Former Beatle George Harrison is attacked by Michael Abram in his Friar Park home.
2005 – Tropical Storm Zeta forms in the open Atlantic Ocean, tying the record for the latest tropical cyclone ever to form in the North Atlantic basin.
2006 – Former President of Iraq Saddam Hussein is executed.
1873 – Al Smith, American lawyer and politician, 42nd Governor of New York (d. 1944)
1920 – Jack Lord, American actor and director (d. 1998)
1934 – John N. Bahcall, American astrophysicist and astronomer, co-developed the Hubble Space Telescope (d. 2005)
1934 – Del Shannon, American singer-songwriter and guitarist (d. 1990)
1935 – Sandy Koufax, American baseball player and sportscaster
1937 – Jim Marshall, American football player
1975 – Tiger Woods, American golfer
1977 – Laila Ali, American boxer and actress
1984 – LeBron James, American basketball player
1970 – Sonny Liston, American boxer (b. 1932)
1979 – Richard Rodgers, American playwright and composer (b. 1902)
2004 – Artie Shaw, American clarinet player, composer, and bandleader (b. 1910)
3131 19th Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55407
Telephone: 612.668.4300 | Fax: 612.668.4310


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AVAD Releases New Interactive Accessories Catalog
AVAD has released their new Interactive Catalog – 2018 Accessories Edition, featuring a variety of custom installation-focused solutions for residential and commercial installations.
The Interactive Catalog – Accessories Edition features components that are traditionally behind the scenes and designed to complete custom installation projects large and small. With the recent release of the Interactive Catalog – Video, Audio and Home Automation Editions, the debut of the Accessories Catalog provides a comprehensive assortment of the best brands and solutions in the CI industry, for both residential and commercial installations. The Interactive Catalog – Accessories Edition features mounts, cables, tools, power units, furniture and more from AVAD's vendor partners, including Chief, Celerity Technologies, Dirt Devil, DYMO, Global Cache, Midlite, Panamax, Peerless-AV, ProConnect, ProFlex, RowOne, Sanus, Peerless AV and many more.
"We are excited to be able to provide our dealers with new Interactive Catalogs, including the Video, Audio, Home Automation and, lastly, the Accessories Edition, to help them in the office and on the job" said Seth Evenson, Director of Customer Experience Management for AVAD. "While installation accessories are often hidden in every project, they're a critical component in any installation, whether it's residential or commercial, and we're very excited to be able to provide our dealers with product information at the touch of a button with our interactive catalogs."
Each catalog features products from AVAD's extensive list of vendor partners with videos, spec sheets, tools and other product information, all available to dealers via their mobile devices, tablets and computers. With new vendors being added regularly, the Accessories Edition, as well as the Audio, Video and Home Automation Editions, will be consistently updated to reflect current product information to give dealers the essential information they need.


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Metabolic effects of incremental exercise on Arabian horses fed diets containing corn oil and soy lecithin
Kline, Kristen Alissa
MetadataShow full item record
Feeding a fat-containing diet to the exercising horse is a facile way to increase energy density without risking the complications associated with hydrolyzable carbohydrates. Fat adaptation may also result in increases in the utilization of free fatty acids for fuel during exercise and sparing of muscle glycogen. Phosphatidylcholine, the main component of lecithins, can influence muscle contraction and improve endurance capacity during exercise. When it is combined with corn oil in a total mixed ration, soy lecithin is both highly digestible and palatable to horses. Our objectives in this study were to compare the effects of incremental exercise and isocaloric control (CON), corn oil (CO), and a soy lecithin/corn oil (LE) diets on plasma free fatty acids (FFA), cholesterol, glycerol, triglyceride (TG), lactate, and glucose. Also three different statistical models were compared for goodness of fit to the lactate curve. Plasma lactate and glucose both increased slowly early in the incremental exercise test (IET), then increased rapidly as the work intensity increased. Both decreased during recovery. No effects of IET or diet were found for either of these variables. Plasma TG was unchanged during exercise, but increased rapidly during recovery. Plasma FFA decreased from resting early in the IET then remained steady throughout the remainder of exercise. During recovery a rapid increase was exhibited. Plasma glycerol was constant during exercise, but increased during recovery. Plasma cholesterol did not change during exercise or recovery. Diet affected plasma FFA. Plasma FFA were lower for the CO and LE diets than the CON diet during the IET. Plasma glycerol was lower for the CO diet than the CON diet during the IET, with the LE diet intermediate between the two. Plasma cholesterol was higher for the CO and LE diets than the CON diet during the IET. A segmented model and an exponential model were found to have a good fit to the lactate curve. A point of inflection for a rapid increase in plasma lactate during incremental exercise was discovered. When this model was applied to diet, no differences in lactate threshold were found between the diets. Some criteria for fat adaptation were met, namely diet affected plasma FFA, glycerol, and cholesterol. However diet did not affect plasma TG, lactate, or glucose. This indicates that the rate of fatty acid oxidation was increased following fat adaptation, but it did not affect the rate of glucose oxidation and glycolysis during exercise. A lactate threshold for the equine can be obtained using a broken line model. Further studies using this approach are needed to establish its correlation with performance.
- Masters Theses [19729]


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Wrinkle Free I.T. Inc. Is an I.T. company based out of Southern California that provides Support, Monitoring, Cloud, Email and Website hosting for businesses and clients across the United States and we even have clients in South America.
We can assist you and your company with any technical questions, and we offer a network evaluation, both free of charge!
We also build desktops and can help out with a computer question or problems. We have the ability to remote into your computer with only a few simple steps. But what really sets us apart from our competition is that Wrinkle Free I.T. strives in customer support and we solve issues based on the root cause not the symptoms.
Here at WrinkleFree I.T we strive for greatness and customer satisfaction, there is no job to small or too large. We cater to large, medium or small sie businesses even sole individuals.
SUPPORTWe will always be on the ready to answer any issues that may arise.
Always There For You
We have staff waiting to assist you in any technical support needs that may arise.
SERVICESThere is no job too small or too large, we handle it all!
Taking Care of Business
We are your one-stop shop for your I.T. business or individual needs.
SECURITYWe use state-of-the-art equipment and software to protect you
Power of the cloud
We know keeping your information safe is a priority, you won't have to worry with us.
Choosing us for your I.T. needs just makes sense! We are a company dedicated to serving our clients needs and to their full satisfaction, not to mention our affordable prices other companies dare not touch. Keeping your businesses systems up and running is vital to your businesses success, it's the backbone of your operation, let us take care of it, most of the time you won't even notice a problem happened with us on the job.


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Lebenberg Castle
Lebenbergstraße 15, Tscherms (Cermes)
Interactive map
We could not calculate directions.
Lebenberg Castle is a complex dating from the 13th century and extended in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. The rooms, flower garden, inner courtyards and Gothic chapel all offer an artistic and historical tour from the Middle Ages to the Rococo period.


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Château Tour Blanche
Cru Bourgeois
Harvest carried out by plot selection. Grapes are sorted by several means including a vibrating table and an airblade sorting table, cutting-edge technology, enabling meticulous sorting of grapes and the separation of whole grapes from burst fruit. Casked in temperature-controlled, stainless steel vats. Cold maceration prior to fermentation lasting two days. Aged 16 months in French-oak barrels.
All the depth and attraction of a young wine. Deep, mature nose, from fruit to notes of slightly smoked, undergrowth. In the mouth, the attack is full-flavored, fleshed out, and nicely rounded, with some tannins.
Grape variety
58% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc et 5% Petit Verdot.
- Download the product sheet
- Share this wine
Red grape
58% merlot, 26% cabernet sauvignon, 11% cabernet franc, 5% petit verdot
White grape
Training the vines
Nombre de pieds
The terroir
Deep Garonne graves on a clay subsoil over 60% of the vineyard. Calcareous clay soils over 40%.
Âge de la vigne
35 ans
Date de plantation
Début XXième siècle


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Editor's Note: The following post was updated to reflect Measurabl Sustainability Rating changes in nomenclature, scoring mechanism, and new display in our dashboard.
Curious how your building stacks up against its peers? Need to credibly communicate your building's sustainability performance to a prospective buyer? Now you can using the Measurabl Sustainability Rating.
View My Measurabl Sustainability Rating
Your building's Measurabl Sustainability Rating (MSR) represents its sustainability performance relative to its peers. The benchmark ranges from 0-100, with a rating of "50" meaning your building is better than 50% of all buildings in the Measurabl universe. With more than 4.4BN square feet of high quality institutionally owned real estate – nearly 5% of all the floor space in the United States – Measurabl's rating is highly contextual, granular, and updated frequently as new data flows into our system.
Update 9/1/17
The MSR offers a weighted utility break out to account for the way a building's use affects performance. The benchmark is allocated as follows:
- 54% comes from electric, fuel, and district consumption. These are all energy factors that may not be applicable to every building, depending on the geographic location of the site.
- 29% comes from carbon emissions; this is influenced by energy consumption as well as energy generation source (e.g. traditional vs. renewable).
- 17% comes from water consumption.
Defining "Peer Benchmark" in MSR
So what's a "peer" building? In Measurabl, your building's peer group is based on five aspects: building use type(s), geographic region, weather, size, and year built. Because our software curates this data daily using machine learning to prevent erroneous information, your building's peer cohort is highly reliable. Even complex, mixed-use buildings are accommodated.
Measurabl also pulls in new buildings and refreshes data daily, which makes our peer groups and ratings dynamic as opposed to being outdated snapshots of past performance. Any building with at least one year of historical data can get a Measurabl Sustainability Rating.
what do i do with my MSR?
Your MSR is a simple but powerful way to compare building performance and communicate that performance to investors and tenants. It also allows you to spot high or low performing buildings – just rank your buildings on the Data page to separate the wheat from the chaff.
What's Next?
Measurabl's Data Science Team is adding more variables to its peer benchmark methodology including building certifications, projects, audits, and other geographic factors like proximity to public transportation. Deepening MSR criteria will make it ever more meaningful. From there, ratings will be applied to real estate funds, giving them all the same benefits of investment grade quality, accuracy, and timeliness.


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Halloween brings the kid in every one of us. We either enjoy the feeling of scaring the little kids as payback for all the scary stuff we had to handle as kids back then, or we simply enjoy dressing up and looking like a monster at least once a year. When the air starts to cool and pumpkins start to appear on the grocery store shelves, it's a definite sign that the Halloween festivities are indeed near.
Halloween decorations and décor may be readily available in stores nowadays, but nothing compares to the accomplishment one feels after successfully carving one nasty and frightening Jack-o-lantern after several failed attempts. The feeling of being able to become a mad scientist for the weekend and cook up a really gory decoration for your front porch is definitely worth the effort and experience.
So save up your dollars for gift-giving this coming Christmas and check out this budget-friendly and easy-to-do decorations for your Halloween event.
- Backyard Cemetery
Why shy away from your backyard when it comes to Halloween decorations? Bring in friends during the weekend for some barbecue and show off your backyard cemetery to them. Simply cut out papers or cardboard to look like worn out and ageing tombstones. Better yet, you can make one out of wood and paint it with varnish or black paint and reuse it for next year's Halloween.
- Haunted trees
Place some ghouls on your trees or hang spooky faces to scare your neighbors. If you want to go daring, you can hang the heads of your old dolls and stuffed toys for that creepier effect. Light them up with electric flickering candle lights for a more spooky effect. You can even go as far as putting a battery operated radio on your tree and let haunting soundtracks play in the area at night.
- Jack-O-Lanterns
Jack-O-Lanterns are a must during the Halloween season. It is a staple so the Halloween feast would be incomplete without them. Hobby and craft stores sell artificial pumpkins that can be used for next season. However, nothing beats the authentic feel of a real pumpkin for Halloween. Lacking in skills when it comes to carving? You could paste eyes and bolts onto your pumpkins to create your Jack-O-Lantern. It's less time consuming as well.
- Coffin Cooler
With some carpentry skills, you can create your own life-sized coffin and use it in several possible ways. You can place styrofoam along the side of your coffin and turn it into a cooler. Your Halloween party would definitely be the coolest if people see your improvised coffin and cooler in one. You can even use it as a planter afterwards or a place where you can keep the rest of your Halloween decorations neatly kept for next year's Halloween season.
- Ghost Lit walkway
Simply cover your outdoor light bulbs with painted white cloth or with faces of ghouls and aligned them side to side in your walkway. It will look like Christmas Lights with a spooky appeal.
Whether you're in for some trick-or-treating or if you simply enjoy telling ghost stories by the campfire, having a yard full of ghouls and other scary icons of Halloween is an event and experience you can constantly recall with your families and love ones.


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Renters FAQ's
Renters can view thousands of properties across the UK to rent on TheHouseShop.com from both private landlords and letting agents.
Searching Property To Rent
- How do I search property for rent?
- How do I create and receive property 'to let' alerts?
- How long will it take for a private landlord to respond to me?
- What types of properties can I rent on TheHouseShop.com?
- Can I view commercial property 'to let' on your site?
- Can I find a flat share on TheHouseShop.com?


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what?!?! I got sluggish snail!
how fast are your reflexes? Answered
go to:
my fastest average was 0.156 seconds
I usually get around 0.21 seconds
how about you?
BTW the average person's reflexes is 0.25 seconds for those people wandering if their reflexes are faster or slower than an average person.
bobbing bobcat. But i hate this game, it's annoying, because the sheep make too much noise... :-/
avg, .2274, bobbing bobcat :D
I have gotten Rocketing Rabbit twice. And Twice I got .ooo. However I won't mention how many sluggish snails it took to get where I am today. I just got .1852 average! Keep in mind that my house if FREEZING! and so fingers are a bit stiff!
No excuses! Put on a jacket, or fire up the woodstove!
Ack!! The Skunk family hath invaded!
What ack? The family that Makes together, um...er...rakes? stakes? bakes?.. well, something or other together!
yes put jacket on and I bet you jumped the gun and some how did it at the right time .
fastest for me was o.ooo
Hhahaha. Welcome to Instructables Lil' Skunk!
is it fo reals?
I got a 0.00, but I really had jumped the gun. I guess we just got lucky.
me to but I did it twice
i meant the account......
Oh yeah. It's real. You'll notice, he's a texter. He punctuates poorly, almost never capitalizes, and spells questionably. You'd think his teacher (Mrs. Skunkbait) could break him of it!
w/e as long as its not fake
Doof!! I was in the lead with .102.... Trust a chap running around with guns to be faster...
I'm a bobbing bobcat.
. 0.1656s
. 0.2112 . I'm getting worse!
. 0.2008 . The first one must have been a fluke.
I've gotten better. About an hour ago, I averaged .1498! Maybe you're suddenly hitting middle-age.
. That happened several years ago. Maybe I'm finally hitting old-age.
Oh no!
my average today .487
My average was 0.228. In some of my other tries I was a bit too tranquilizer happy...
First try .8 (oops! I imagined a running sheep)
Second .212
Third .2048
I'm slow... =]
.102 fastest .178 average If I was pumped with adrenaline, and not cold fingers on a slow mac mouse (blegh) I'd do better...
.1926 on second try
.198s But I tried a couple of times. I jumped the gun once and it shoved me up into the .81 area.
I got it down to .1756s (average).
.171 fastest .221 avg


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ing far away in the distance there was a great, rolling, grassy plain, on which the flocks and herds and the yurtas, or felt tents, of the Mongols were scattered about. These people offered a striking contrast to the Chinese inhabiting the districts I had just left. They were strong and robust, with round, ruddy faces, very simple-minded, and full of hearty good humor. They are entirely pastoral and nomadic in their habits, and do not take to agricultural pursuits. The old warlike spirit which made them so powerful in the days of Genghis Khan has now disappeared completely. The Chinese Government has purposely encouraged the men to become Lamas, and now it is said that as many as sixty per cent of the whole male population are Lamas, who, by their religion, are neither allowed to marry nor to fight. In consequence, there is a great decrease in the fighting strength of the Mongols, as well as in the whole population. A recent famine carried away numbers more, and the country, it seems, would almost become depopulated were it not that Chinese immigrants are now invading it, and these are even outdoing the Mongols in their own callings, for I met Chinese in Mongolia who owned flocks of sheep which they were fattening for the Peking market."
In order to avoid the heat of the day, and to let the camels feed by daylight, when they could be watched and kept from straying, the usual plan of the journey was to start at about three o'clock in the afternoon, and travel on till midnight or later. The nights were often extremely beautiful, and the stars shone out with an unwonted magnificence. "Venus was a resplendent object, and guided us over many a mile of that desert. The Milky Way, too, was so bright that it looked like a brightphosphorescent cloud, or as a cloud with the moon behind it. This clearness of the atmosphere was probably due to its being so remarkably dry. Everything became parched up and so charged with electricity that in opening out a sheep-skin coat or a blanket a loud crackling noise would be given out, accompanied by a sheet of fire. The temperature used to vary considerably. Frosts continued to the end of May, but the days were often very hot, and were frequently hottest at nine or ten in the morning, for later on a strong wind would usually spring up, blowing sometimes with extreme violence, up till sunset, when it generally subsided again. If this wind was from the north, the weather was fine but cold. If it was from the south, it would be warmer, but clouds would collect, and rain would sometimes fall; generally, however, the rain would pass off into steam before reaching the ground. Ahead of us we could see the rain falling heavily, but before it reached the ground it would gradually disappear—vanish away—and when we reached the spot over which the rain had been falling there would not be a sign of moisture on the ground." Instead of the rain, the sand


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Shower Systems:
Showers today are the result product of intelligent engineering in their structure and design. Higher quality component standards, unmatched precision of assembly and structural integrity ensures exceptional durability and style.
Many models are offered, like corner, alcove, glass enclosures, or wall mount. This broad selection will give you the look you are looking for. Acrylic or stainless steel base will give you the choice of modern and contemporary design, each of which has its own specific advantages.
Bathroom Fixtures
Bathroom Sinks:
Our selection of bathroom sinks diverse from trendy, classic, contemporary and traditional style giving you a wide selection of bathroom sinks.
Whether you choose vessel, under mount, over counter or pedestal our selection sinks will give you a new look to your bathroom.
Choose from traditional material like ceramic or as trendy as brushed nickel, many other material are waiting for you as well like; cooper, granite, limestone, glass, and yes, even cement with a twist, giving you the look you were waiting for.
Today bathtubs are the center piece of our bathrooms.
Exceptional, elegant, original design and yet with unparalleled comfort those bathtubs were created to beautify your bathroom.
Refined bathtub designs, shapes and looks have created an extraordinarily broad range of models to meet today's demands. With vast material options like solid acrylic, limestone, copper and natural stone. You may choose from many shapes, deck mount, freestanding or corner bathtub, some will even offer water, air or combined jets system, and chromatherapy giving you the ultimate spa experience.
Nous parlons français
Bathroom Faucets:
Faucets will add the final touch to your bathroom.
Traditional polish chrome is just one of the finishing we are offering in our showroom, other finishing like; polish nickel, gold, gun barrel, pearl are just few to mention.
Today faucet styles are extensive. You could choose from traditional cross handles to as modern as free flowing faucets.
Vanity, deck mount, free standing faucets gives you a choice to where you may want to install your fixtures. While 8" wide spread, 4" spread or single faucets will give you the final touch to your choice.
Toilets have intrigued designers and engineers and have come a long way to develop new systems to alloy better flow system, reducing water consumption and providing total comfort.
Your toilet has now so many more options and styles to enjoy your go. Starting from the traditional 1.6 GPF tank you may
also now choose a more radical approach with the environment in mind with a
technology able to creating the 0.9 GPF system, or the dual flush giving you
the opportunity to select your wash down.
Other toilets will offer remarkable combination of luxury and technology that will provide comfort and simplicity. Those toilets known as washlets or automatic toilets
will give you the comfort of warm water, seat warmer, automatic closing system,
and so much more depending on the model you choose.
Small places or tea living quarters are more and more in demand, there again toilets
have developed to extraordinary fixtures. The wall hang or the in wall tank system opens up bathroom space for the other fixtures in your bathroom
Copyright © apex plumbing decor. All Rights Reserved.


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Penne with Broccolini, Pork Sausage, Lemon Zest & Ricotta
A delicious summer penne featuring caramelized pork sausage, crunchy broccolini, zesty lemon and fragrant thyme. This quick and easy pasta recipe has all the feels and will be sure to impress the whole family!
Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes Serves: 4
1 packet penne pasta (we love Diamond)
Olive oil to drizzle (we love Olivado)
1 packet pork sausage – skin removed (we love Hellers)
100g sweet stem broccoli thinly sliced (we love The Fresh Grower)
A handful of fresh thyme (we love Superb Herb)
2 garlic cloves – minced
¼ cup white wine (we love Ara Wine)
1 cup ricotta (we love Perfect Italiano)
1 lemon – zest grated and juice
A handful of parmesan (we love Perfect Italiano)
Extra virgin avocado oil with lemon zest (we love Olivado)
Ara sauvignon blanc to match
We used a Le Creuset deep heavy based pan to make our pasta
Cook the Penne as per packet instructions – reserve ¼ cup of pasta cooking water.
In a deep heavy based saucepan over a medium heat, fry off the sausage meat in little chunks in a drizzle of olive oil. Fry until almost golden – about 5 minutes.
Add the thinly sliced broccolini, thyme and garlic and fry for a further 2-3 minutes.
Add the white wine and continue cooking until the liquid is evaporated.
Add the cooked pasta to the sausage pan. Mix. Then fold the ricotta, lemon zest & juice and pasta water through until well incorporated.
Serve with a sprinkle of parmesan, a drizzle of Avocado lemon Zest Oil and some extra thyme.


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Designed for all types of glass bonding applications, UV901 can be applied to pre-assembled parts as the adhesive will penetrate the joint through capillary action.
Its low viscosity makes it ideal for spreading over larger areas. To make cracks in glass disappear and form a strong repair, open the crack with gentle pressure and allow the adhesive to penetrate deep into the break.
- Repairing cracks in glass
- Bonding pre-assembled parts
- Bonding larger areas
Pre-Assembled Parts Bonding
Very Thin
Wicking Into Cracks


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Samsung Galaxy S10e Smart Mirror Flip Case Cover Case Purple
Brand: Stuff Certified®
- Ordered now, shipped for free within 24h
Estimated delivery time: 2-4 weeks
The estimated delivery time includes the delivery time of 24 hours and also depends on the payment confirmation and the selected shipping service. Delivery times may vary, especially during busy periods, there may be delays in courier services. Due to the corona crisis, it may happen that your order is on the road for longer than estimated.
- Always 2 years carry-in factory warranty
- 14 days cancellation right
- Pay afterwards with AfterPay
- Buy 2 for €19,76 each and save 10%
- Buy 5 for €17,56 each and save 20%
- Buy 10 for €15,37 each and save 30%
With this unique mirror cover, the housing of your smartphone is always fully protected against falls, and offers useful functions.
What makes this cover unique is the front mirror and the beautiful design. Due to its artistic design, such as the superior PU leather material and plating mirror function, the case is very stylish and popular.
The reflective surface becomes transparent when your phone lights up due to an incoming call or notification, and you can see the hour on the case every time.
|? Front and back protection
|? All buttons and ports are accessible
|? Shockproof
|Suitable for:
|Samsung Galaxy S10e
Payment methods
Read or write a review


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Other names: Balahatadi Tailam, Balahatadi Taila
Balahatadi Tailam is an herbal oil used to externally remedy chronic headaches. It balances both Vata and Pitta Dosha and has powerful anti-inflammatory properties and reduces tension, stress, dizziness and insomnia.
Trigeminal neuralgia
Updated ingredients coming soon!
It is used for external application only. Apply it over the forehead and scalp once or twice a day, or as directed by an Ayurvedic practitioner.
Common Product Combinations
Duration of Use
It can be used for a long period of time on a daily basis. Discuss with an experienced practitioner.
Side Effects
There are no known side effects associated with this medicine during external application.
Arya Vaidya Sala (Est.1902), also known as Kottakkal Ayurveda, is located in the town of Kottakkal in Kerala, India. Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala is an innovative, pioneering, charitable institution engaged in the practice and propagation of Ayurveda, the ancient health care system of India. Arya Vaidya Sala offers classical Ayurvedic products, authentic Ayurvedic treatments & Pancakarma therapies to people all over the world.
Our products more than adequately meet the USA regulations for distributing these products as Food Supplements and Externally Applied Oils. This is due to identification and preservation of herbs and due to the manufacturing and QA procedures undertaken at Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala's GMP certified manufacturing units in Kerala. The Ayurvedic products from Kerala are primarily composed of various botanical herbs. We are not distributing minerals or metals based Ayurvedic products. We are able to adequately meet the corresponding regulations backed by a large amount of in-house data from research on individual herbal ingredients.
All products manufactured by Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala undergo a Microbial Stability test in real time conditions at its Scientific Research division – the CMPR(Center for Medical Plants Research).
Heavy Metal Test
Even though the products are primarily botanicals, all our products are still tested for Heavy Metal contents to be within the USA allowed limits. Each Batch is tested before being exported and on request we can provide the test reports. A sample report is here.


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Silverbeet & Kale pie
Silverbeet & Kale pie
1 bunch Silverbeet
1 bunch Cavolo Nero (Tuscan cabbage)
1 bunch each of mint, dill and continental parsley chopped
2 medium onions diced and browned
400grams ricotta cheese
200grams feta cheese crumbled
2 eggs beaten
Antoniou brand refrigerated filo pastry.
2 tablespoons of melted butter
Boil the chopped Silverbeet and kale in salty water for 5 minutes. Drain in colander and allow to cool for 1 hour. Squeeze out water one bunch at a time. Place into a large bowl. Add all other ingredients except last two, and mix well. Grease a 25cm x 20cm baking dish (or similar) and layer with 6 sheets of Filo pastry individually brushed with butter, allowing 8 cm's or so excess on all sides. Pour in mixture and cover with 4 sheets of filo pastry. Brush with extra butter and then fold over sides neatly. Place in preheated oven at 180deg C for 1 hour. This is delicious hot or cold, and great served with a salad.


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oligarchy(redirected from Anoligarchy)
Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Legal.
oligarchy(ŏl`əgärkē) [Gr.,=rule by the few], rule by a few members of a community or group. When referring to governments, the classical definition of oligarchy, as given for example by Aristotle, is of government by a few, usually the rich, for their own advantage. It is compared with both aristocracyaristocracy
[Gr.,=rule by the best], in political science, government by a social elite. In the West the political concept of aristocracy derives from Plato's formulation in the Republic. The criteria on which aristocracy is based may vary greatly from society to society.
..... Click the link for more information. , which is defined as government by a few chosen for their virtue and ruling for the general good, and various forms of democracydemocracy
[Gr.,=rule of the people], term originating in ancient Greece to designate a government where the people share in directing the activities of the state, as distinct from governments controlled by a single class, select group, or autocrat.
..... Click the link for more information. , or rule by the people. In practice, however, almost all governments, whatever their form, are run by a small minority of members. From this perspective, the major distinction between oligarchy and democracy is that in the latter, the elites compete with each other, gaining power by winning public support. The extent and type of barriers impeding those who attempt to join this ruling group is also significant.
oligarchysee IRON LAW OF OLIGARCHY.
a form of government in which state power belongs to a small group of people, as a rule, the most powerful economically (hence the term "financial oligarchy"). The ruling group itself is also called an oligarchy.
The term "oligarchy" first appeared in the works of a number of ancient Greek authors, including Aristotle's Politics (book IV) and The Constitution of Athens and Polybius' The Histories (book VI). In these works it designated a form of state structure that arises as a result of the degeneration of the aristocracy.
1. government by a small group of people
2. a state or organization so governed
3. a small body of individuals ruling such a state
4. Chiefly US a small clique of private citizens who exert a strong influence on government


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This morning dawned bright and sunny. I made my tea in the kitchen and stayed for a while and watched as the sunshine found its way thru the hedge, reflected off the golden gong and onto my wall of post cards.
Then I went upstairs, to be alone in my studio to gather my thoughts and write my morning pages.
I opened the skylight fully to the cool breeze and the peaceful morning and listened as my neighbours said their hellos in my quiet little neighbourhood.
I sat at my writing desk, full of photographs of my loves and took out my journal and sat staring at a blank page for several minutes.
I guess the thing that's on my mind the most is the Boston tragedy yesterday and how Chloe texted me the two words, "Boston Marathon", and for a minute I thought she meant she'd like to run it. Then I turned on my pc and checked out the CBC headlines. So, while not wanting to add fuel to the media feeding frenzy and not wanting you, my dear friends to have doom and gloom form me, I must say that what's on my mind the most is that there are people, children, who did not live to see the sun shine today and it makes me desperately sad.
I made my tea almost subconsciously this morning. Put it into this gentle little Aynsley tea pot and grabbed this gentle little Colclough cup. Went outside and gathered a few spring flowers and cut up some strawberries, and then I went to choose a spoon.
And I couldn't choose one so I brought the whole pile upstairs with me thinking I'll just make the decision up here.
And as I sat here at my writing desk staring at the spoons, willing myself to write my morning pages, I realised I was looking at a UN of spoons and I smiled at the thought of how well they all get along in that little silver mint julep cup. How there is no choice as the cup is the only home they have. They sit there and coexist and tarnish together. How I wish all people in the world could live as simply as these little spoons and just coexist and tarnish and grow old together.
We are not perfect, we are unedited versions making mistakes, needing help, needing love and tolerance and understanding, and a little bit of luck to make a go of it in this world, and the more love and tolerance we can show each other the calmer and richer the world will be for it.
So I sat here and drank my tea and picked up a drawing pencil instead of my pen. And sketched unconsciously, not thinking about it, and it became a sidewinder, a poisonous coral snake, a king snake winding his way across the desert of my imagination. Not sure what that says about my thoughts today.
Good luck world with the sidewinder in it. I'm sending you strength and hope and love, and to you my friends I'm sending peaceful gentle thoughts.
Linking up with Terri of Artful Affirmations and letting her lovely tea cups lift my spirits too, and to Martha and praying right along with her, to Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage and reliving the grand glory of the Titanic, and to Bernideen and thinking hmm, her tea cups almost match my little tea pot this week.


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A classic sportsman shirt tuned for endurance in the sun and on the water. Filson's shirting material pushes moisture outward and delivers 40+ UPF protection. A mesh vented back panel and embroidered underarm grommets allow excess heat to escape and regulate body temperature. Stay dry and stay out longer.
2.7-oz. 78% polyester/22% nylon
Fishing, Field, Everyday
Machine wash warm, tumble dry low
- 40+ UPF protection
- Quick-drying
- 2 chest pockets with button flap closures
- Slotted utility pocket
- Vented back yoke with mesh liner