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"I've seen enough!" is what Jeff Huber yelled to me after we both saw the shadow of a floating head in one of the upstairs windows of the old Spy House in Port Monmouth, New Jersey, last night. We had only stayed twenty minutes, and although we had not gone inside, we wanted to get out of there.
The Spy House is one of the more legendary attractions in New Jersey, known for it's ghosts and paranormal activity. But it has since been acquired by new ownership, and renamed "Bayshore Waterfront Park". It's lame, I know. Want to know what's worse? How about when it re-opens, the people working inside are not allowed to mention ghosts. Along with no mention of the entities who have made the place their eternal home, there also will be no mention of spies in any tour given from now on. This has led us to believe that maybe someone was injured by a ghost in the past. With a house that has so much potential money to make, and more notoriety to earn, there would be no other reason to not mention ghosts, unless you were trying to bury the legends. There are so many spirits at the house, dating back to when it was used as a station by a pirate, who psychic Jane Doherty claimed still resides there. There are also countless figures from the American Revolution there, as it was used to spy on the British while used as a tavern.
So there we were. It was such a spur of the moment thing. He called, we went, and we left in a hurry! The perimeter was surprisingly not fenced in, so we got pretty close to the house, but not within an arm's length. We snapped shots of every inch of the house, especially aiming for the windows, hoping we would catch something. At three separate occasions, Jeff noticed a shadow walking by a top window (pictured middle, below):
It was when he turned away to go to another area did I see the same shadow move too. This was the side of the house not facing the road, so it was not a reflection of any passing cars, but an actual shadow. Ten minutes later, however, we would both see something that made us want to get out of there as fast as we could. We were standing in the back of the house, and at the exact same time, we both looked to each other and said, "Something does not want us here." In those exact words.
Jeff is as close to a veteran as one can get with dealing with this kind of activity, and he says he felt something that he never felt before. It was like an evil emanating from the house. Something indeed did not want us there. So were turned and went around to the side to take some final pictures, when we saw the shocker of a lifetime.
In the window (middle floor, all the way to the left, on another section of the house) we saw the shadow of a head looking right at us. It is not in the picture below, because that was taken at a different time by me, but Jeff has it on his camera, and we are hoping to get it uploaded soon. However, when looking at the view box on his camera after the shot, the shape of the head looks more like a square, which was really strange.
We will be returning there in the next few days, as we feel that short twenty-minute bursts would be better than one visit of a few hours. Our cameras will be rolling again, hoping that we can capture more of the spirit world. Until then, I have added a paranormal category to this site's side-bar, because a lot more of these will be on there way in the next few weeks.
As a side note, after getting home and reviewing the pictures, I noticed something strange in the photo. It caught my eye immediately. Because the power of suggestion is really strong, and could sway someone into thinking they see something that is not really there, I will not point it out. But do you see anything strange in this photo?
UPDATE (February, 2014): Check out our paranormal investigation of the Spy House as part of a lecture Greg gave there in February of 2014, by clicking here. There are videos on the episode listing as well as pictures and historical documents relating to this location. There are also additional articles on this blog in the Paranormal File.
UPDATE II (August 2014): Since writing this article, I have learned so much more about the Spy House, like a lot of the legends mentioned here not being true. While you can read all about them on the Internet, research I conducted for a recent article says otherwise. I have not removed this article only because we really did experience these instances of paranormal activity that night and because it shows how strong the myths are about this location.


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There's no shortage of science project books for parents and kids. Anyone can tell you how to make your own rock candy crystals or rockets powered by Mentos and Coke. But – call it nepotism or playing 8Bit favorites – I really like Mike Adamick's Dad's Book of Awesome Science Experiments. It was released almost one year ago – ICYMI – and answers all the tough science questions kids tend to ask.
Mike had sent me his first book, Dad's Book of Awesome Projects, which had a bunch of sweet do-it-yourself projects, like superhero capes and those books where you open up the cover and there's a hidey-box inside. It also had a handful of daunting projects, like building rope swings, teeter-totters and old fashioned fruit crate scooters. Fo' real. You can see that Mike loves DIY more than anyone, and even talked about my nerdy perler projects in an article on Parade. No shame here. My favorites game is fierce.
This book, Dad's Book of Awesome Science Experiments, will teach you rad stuff – even how to make Mentos/Coke rockets and candy crystals. My favorite thing about the book is that it answers the perennial kid question, "why?"
We don't often talk about kid's books here since we don't want to have to talk about all of them. But when we do, it's something wonderful to us.
Ahmet Zappa's Because I'm Your Dad is so simple that it's that kind of wonderful. A kid's book about a dad, written by a dad? We're sold.
Child-humor cartographers and heads behind How To Be A Dad, Andy Herald and Charlie Capen, made co-sleeping official with their book The Guide to Baby Sleep Positions: Survival Tips for Co-Sleeping Parents. In it, we get 30 diagrams of possible nighttime positions you'll find your baby in.
If you're not already familiar with How To Be a Dad, just head on over there and check it out. It's okay, we'll wait.
When we last checked in with dad blogger Mike Adamick, he was making a crab cam with his daughter. That wasn't the only trick up Adamick's sleeve, and the proof is his new book, Dad's Book of Awesome Projects: From Stilts and Superhero Capes to Tinker Boxes and Seesaws, 25+ Fun Do-It-Yourself Projects for Families.
Try to say that three times fast. Preferably while making your child a duct tape crayon wallet.
Reminder! You can share your stories of fatherly triumph with Hogan Hilling and Al Watts – and you might appear in an upcoming book! But you've got to act fast – the deadline is this Saturday – June 30!
Hilling and Watts are fathers and writers whose upcoming book and website project are titled: Dads Behaving Dadly: Chronicling the Fatherhood Revolution.
The two dads are looking to chronicle involved fathers in the United States and Canada.
Episode 032: Not Safe For Life
This week's episode covers the following stories on 8BitDad.com for the week leading up to June 5th, 2012: Good On You: JCPenny Features …
Read More
There comes a time in every future Sith Lord's life when the Queen wants to bang out a couple of kids before she dies. This is true for Anakin Skywalker who *spoiler alert* is bestowed the honor of "Lord Vader" by Darth Sidious. Darth Vader And Son captures the adorable reality of what life would have been like for Darth Vader as a single working father, in Episode III.V… before Episode IV: A New Hope.
Episode 028: Return Of The Yellow Submarine
This week's episode covers the following stories on 8bitdad.com for the week leading up to May 1st, 2012: PQotW: What Would You …
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
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text:
AnastasiaDate' the dating powerhouse with a global presence, is promoting the enchanting country of Moldova this September. By focusing on Moldova, the online dating service aims to provide an insight for members into this wonderful country. The website has taken the initiative to turn the spotlight on Moldova and give details to members on the country's culture' traditions, and people.
Moldova remains a largely undiscovered country off the tourist trail. Located between Ukraine and Romania' this charming country has many fascinating things to offer to those who visit. The country has many historic sites that can leave visitors spellbound while the wild countryside of Moldova is full of interesting scenery that make a real impression.
Moldova is a relatively small country with a population of over three million spread over an area of around 34'000 square kilometers. However' it has pride of place in Europe as it boasts a rich and fascinating Latin culture that dates back to the 2nd century, the time when the Romans dominated this land.
People who visit the offbeat and interesting country will find something unique and remarkable. Moldova is just the kind of place they can have a trip to remember. Apart from the wonderful historic sites' it also offers visitors an insight into the fine art of wine-making. This is one of the specialties of the country. Moldova has a large number of wineries that are well established and producing high quality wine.
Those looking for some exciting times can head to the country's capital Chişinău. Chişinău has a great nightlife and offers wonderful sightseeing and fun for those who love to let their hair down. Stefan cel Mare Park, Milestii Mici, and the Cathedral Nasterea Domnului are all places that will leave a deep impression on the visitor. The Codrii National Park is a place that just cannot be missed. Tiraspol and Soroca are also interesting places and should feature in any itinerary of visitors to this wonderful country.
AnastasiaDate members can get more information from Moldovan singles through the website's advanced dating tools and features such as Live Chat and CamShare. They can use these features to find their ideal Moldovan matches too.
For more information, visit www.anastasiadate.com
About AnastasiaDate:
AnastasiaDate is the leading international dating service that facilitates exciting and romantic companionship between men and women all over the world. Founded in 1993, AnastasiaDate now has over 20 million international users and attracts more than 80 million visitors annually. Additionally, over 1.5 million conversations are exchanged onsite daily. AnastasiaDate is committed to member safety, customer satisfaction and the ongoing pursuit of innovation. Part of the Social Discovery Ventures network, AnastasiaDate is headquartered in New York with additional representation in every country it touches, providing a high level of customer service to a worldwide clientele. All members are able to communicate across a variety of top-notch multimedia platforms, including video chat and a mobile app for Android devices available in Google Play.
Media Contact
Company Name: AnastasiaDate
Contact Person: Anastasia Date PR
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Country: United States
Website: http://www.AnastasiaDate.com


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"Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?"
Today's post will be a bit more challenging, philosophically-speaking, than my usual posts. (Hey, I warned you I might do this on occasion.) But, that's OK, 'cuz sci-fi/fantasy fans are generally pretty smart! 🙂 It should be fun, too. I originally wrote and published the post on my other blog, "A View from the Right", a few years ago. But, the cyborg angle makes it appropriate for here, too. I hope it sparks some synapses, and I look forward to your comments (either here or there).
Last night, I re-watched the first two episodes of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles — based on the first two Terminator movies, of course. You know… the ones where Arnold Schwarzenegger says things like "Ah'll be bahk." and "Hasta la vista, baby." Except, Arnold wasn't in the TV series. (Maybe if he had been, the show would have lasted longer.)
Cameron-the-cyborg was sent back from the year 2027 with a mission: protect the teen-age John Connor at all costs. As with Arnold's "good" Terminator in T2, Cameron must be taught about ethics and given further instruction to temper her "no nonsense" methods of solving problems, like killing anyone perceived as an immediate threat to John's survival. She must learn to use non-lethal methods whenever possible. You see, in order to blend in with humans, the Terminators must also be able to act like humans (albeit a bit "stiff"). To do this, they must be able to learn and adapt, which means they have artificial intelligence and a limited amount of "free will". Within certain parameters, anyway. Each Terminator has a primary objective (e.g., "Eliminate John Connor" or "Protect John Connor" or ???) and possibly one or more secondary objectives.
Now, we finally get to my original question: Can, or rather should, cyborgs be brought to trial if they commit murder? If the cyborg in question is Steve Austin (the fictional character, not the wrestler), then the answer should be "Definitely, yes." Assuming no one remote-controlled his bionic limbs to kill someone against his will, of course. He is an independent human being and responsible for his own actions. [Side question: At what point can a cyborg no longer be called "human". What about a human brain in an artificial shell?] But, with a Terminator-type cyborg, the subject is not a human being. The "Cameron" character — named after producer/director James Cameron, of course — is an artificially intelligent machine with a great deal of autonomy, yet who must ultimately follow her programming to fulfill her primary mission. (I know. Technically, Cameron is an "it", not a "her". But, it's a very attractive, feminine-looking "it".)
I see at least a couple issues, here….
Read the entire, original post at: "Can Cyborgs Be Tried for Murder?"


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to the Rescue
Lynette Johns OD FAAO FSLS FBLCA
Contact lens practitioners can attest that scleral lenses are remarkable optical devices when visually rehabilitating irregular corneas. However, because of the unique nature of keratoconic corneas, scleral lenses do not always correct the irregularity completely.
Often, higher order aberrations remain despite rigid lens correction and, as a result, diminish the best corrected visual acuity. Wavefront guided scleral lenses can result in a significant reduction in higher order aberrations, but access to this unique technology is limited.
This case illustrates a patient who had significant aberrations that were not corrected using a scleral lens. As a result, his aberrated cornea through a scleral lens resulted in multifocality to the optical system, with two unique and completely separate and independent over-refractions.
Case Report
A 19-year-old patient with a history of keratoconus was referred for a scleral lens consultation. His entering unaided visual acuity was OD 20/50-1 and OS 20/50. His most recent manifest refraction was:
OD +1.00 –1.00 x 035: 20/50
OS +1.50 –1.25 x 090: 20/40-1
The patient did not gain any benefit with the refraction. According to previous scleral lens attempts by the referring practitioner, the best corrected acuity remained OD 20/50 and OS 20/40, and the patient never proceeded with the fitting.
Figure 1 (above) shows axial and tangential topographies of both eyes. Both have no corneal opacities that account for the reduced best corrected acuity.
A diagnostic lens for the right eye (base curve 6.9/power -2.00) yielded an over-refraction of -4.50 –2.25 x 120 and 20/40-1, with no appreciable subjective improvement. The right eye is shown in Figure 2 (below).
It is well known that keratoconus demonstrates a scissoring reflex with retinoscopy. Interestingly, when examining this patient with retinoscopy, the scissoring reflex remained despite a scleral lens in place. Quite frankly, the scleral lens seemed to have no impact on neutralizing the irregularity.
Before ruling out scleral lenses entirely, another diagnostic lens with a much flatter base curve was attempted (base curve 9.7/power -2.00), and careful retinoscopy was performed over the lens. Retinoscopy revealed two different refractions when viewing through the cone and around the cone.
Based on these starting points, over-refractions also yielded two completely different results in his right eye. Over-refraction based on retinoscopy centered through the cone was +10.75 -1.00 x 130 yielding 2/40; however, the retinoscopy outside of the visual axis was +9.00 -2.25 X 99 with an endpoint of 20/20-1.
Visual Improvement
The patient responded immediately to the improvement in vision. Similarly, using a base curve of 9.7 in the left eye also yielded 20/25+1 acuity. The patient was ecstatic and wanted to proceed with the scleral lens fitting immediately. Both over-refractions were trialed, and the patient preferred the over-refractions that gave the best acuity based on retinoscopy findings surrounding the cones.
Scleral lenses were ordered and dispensed. The patient returned for a scleral lens evaluation, presenting with 20/20-2 and 20/25-1 but complaining of significant eye strain. The over-refraction was plano in both eyes. Once again, retinoscopy through the lenses was performed focusing over the cone:
OD +2.50 –1.75 x 180 20/40
OS +3.50 –1.25 x 080 20/30
When trialing this over-refraction, the patient reported an immediate and significant improvement in eye strain. Sadly, the best corrected acuity was diminished. The lenses were ordered for the patient.
Final Lens
With these new lenses that were ordered (with the over-refraction through the cone), he achieved 20/40-1 and 20/30-1 acuity. He was disappointed in the overall clarity, but appreciated the improvement in eye strain. Using a smart phone and the retinoscope, the reflex was captured in the right eye demonstrating the unique scissoring and multifocality of his cornea through a scleral lens shown in Figure 3 (to right).
A still shot of the video shows the streak centered over the cornea in Figure 4 (below). In this example, the streak through the cone is asymmetric, with it expanding inferiorly, and the reflex surrounding the cone shows that it is nearly neutralized. The working distance was approximately 2 diopters.
The patient continues to wear the lenses even though the best corrected acuity through them is only mildly better than his unaided acuity. He was also referred for cross-linking and has yet to return to the office.
Closing Remarks
Scleral lenses are a fantastic option for visual rehabilitation of irregular corneas because the rigid optics mask irregularity, and centration is significantly improved relative to a corneal gas permeable lens. Sadly, some corneas have significant discrepancies in anterior and posterior topographies that result in higher order aberrations remaining through scleral lenses, and this case is a representative example.
It is not surprising that ultimately the patient chose the over-refraction that was through the cone since the topographies show that the visual axis is within the cone itself in each eye. Perhaps, if the patient was older and presbyopic, he may have continued with the lenses that provided the best corrected acuity assuming accommodation was a competing factor. Regardless, this patient would benefit from wavefront guided scleral lenses.
Retinoscopy is sometimes considered a lost art, but a lot of information can be revealed with its use. For practitioners who have no experience with retinoscopy, using a streak of light across the cornea will result in a reflected streak of light viewed by the practitioner as a straight line in a normal cornea.
In this case, the streak was very abnormal and highlighted the cone itself. If a patient has a clear cornea without opacities and still achieves suboptimal visual acuity, retinoscopy may provide a cue that higher order aberrations are to blame. If the retinoscopy appears normal, then there may be another pathology besides keratoconus that requires further exploration.
Lynette Johns is an adjunct assistant professor and clinical attending in contact lenses at the New England College of Optometry.
She was formerly the senior optometrist at the Boston Foundation for Sight where she exclusively fit scleral lenses and managed complex corneal disease.
She is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and Scleral Lens Education Society as well as a fellow of the BCLA. She is a clinical and educational consultant to the GP and specialty soft lens division of Bausch + Lomb.


text: In August of 2017 COVA switch third-party billing companies. Please look at your bill and determine if it is from MedEx Billing or EMR, LLC and select the appropriate link below. If you would like to make a donation use the COVA logo. If you have any questions, please contact Wendy or Anna at 585-589-4163 x 208. Thank you.


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The Franklin Sports MLS Fold-N-Go Soccer Goal is 36-Inch X 24-Inch X 24-Inch. It features a steel frame construction with locking joints and includes 4 ground stakes for added stability. Our Insta-set design sets up and takes down in seconds. Perfect for ages 7 and up.
- Size: 36-Inch X 24-Inch X 24-Inch
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- Includes 4 ground stakes, Ball NOT included
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- Fun for ages 7+


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Canadians demand Drake instead of Sting at All-Star Game
by Reuters
Canadians were not impressed after the NBA skipped over local rap star Drake in favor of the British singer Sting to perform at All-Star Game in Toronto.
Jan 28, 2016
Translations puts the global transgender experience on the big screen
by Kelsey Hamlin
This weekend's Translations film festival includes over 40 films exploring the global transgender experience.
May 8, 2015
All East African basketball league transforms teens
by Sarah Stuteville
A new all East African basketball league in Tukwila has given Somali, Ethiopian and Eritrean teens a chance to show off their skills, and raise their grades.
Mar 20, 2015
Chief Sealth b-baller's dunk heard 'round the world
by Alex Stonehill
Who is Hafid Yassin? We're not sure, but his incredible elevated dunk in a basketball game against Garfield last night has gone viral.
Jan 7, 2015
Storm steadily luring in top Australian players
by Joe Veyera
Why are Aussie women storming into Seattle to play for our WNBA team?
Jul 7, 2014
Chinese b-ballers school West Seattle girls on and off the court
by Sarah Stuteville
It's Saturday night high school basketball in West Seattle. There are sneakers squeaking on the court and dutiful families chatting in the bleachers. Suddenly the crowd stands and turns towards a red flag hung beside the hoop as the band strikes up a brassy version of the national anthem…of the People's Republic of China. This […]
Jan 18, 2013
NBA dreams deferred, Seattle players look overseas for court time
by Deric Gruen
As the Seattle city council ponders a vote approving bonds for a new arena that could bring back men's professional basketball, the summer Olympics proved the game's popularity is still growing quickly overseas. The U.S. men's basketball team sped past Spain for a gold medal in the summer Olympics, but other countries showed burgeoning strength. […]
Aug 22, 2012


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June 6, 2016
Interview with Eric Joseph of Dark Knight News from Cosplay Con
First book signing appearance for my new book, Skin of the Night!
April 8, 2016
The Sick Rose Vampires Book I is featured on the front page of Multiracial Media, a website focused on the multiracial experience in the media arts.
January 26, 2016
Interview with Eric Joseph of Dark Knight News
We talk about my book and Batman!
January 23, 2016
Interview with Crazy Mark TV recorded live from the Redford Comic Con
We discuss Dark Shadows and the Batman TV Series, with a show-and-tell of my work.


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A Preliminary Benefit/Cost Framework for Counterterrorism Public Expenditures
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The author develops a range of rough estimates of the benefits and costs of a U.S. counterterrorism effort in the context of moderate (based on Northern Ireland in 1999), severe (recent Israeli experience), and nuclear terrorist attacks against the United States. The direct adverse economic effects of terrorist attacks include deaths and injuries, property damage, and reduced economic output. For the moderate, severe, and nuclear cases, these costs are estimated at approximately $11 billion, $183 billion, and $465 billion per year, respectively. Real annual resource costs of U.S. counterterrorism efforts in the three cases are found to be $10 billion, $200 billion, and $300 billion, respectively. The analysis suggests that the marginal benefit may exceed the marginal cost, and thus that spending may in fact be little. Another important facet of the problem is who is to finance the counterterrorism efforts-the federal government or state or local agencies. The author's approach should provide a framework for benefit/cost analysis of particular policies, and thus for construction of a rough but reasonable ranking among the myriad potential actions decisionmakers might consider. Finally, the preservation of national pride, although difficult to measure, can be considered a collective good benefiting all.
Research conducted by
This research in the public interest was supported by RAND, using discretionary funds made possible by the generosity of RAND's donors, the fees earned on client-funded research, and independent research and development (IR&D) funds provided by the Department of Defense.
This report is part of the RAND Corporation monograph report series. The monograph/report was a product of the RAND Corporation from 1993 to 2003. RAND monograph/reports presented major research findings that addressed the challenges facing the public and private sectors. They included executive summaries, technical documentation, and synthesis pieces.
Permission is given to duplicate this electronic document for personal use only, as long as it is unaltered and complete. Copies may not be duplicated for commercial purposes. Unauthorized posting of RAND PDFs to a non-RAND Web site is prohibited. RAND PDFs are protected under copyright law. For information on reprint and linking permissions, please visit the RAND Permissions page.
The RAND Corporation is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis. RAND's publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research clients and sponsors.


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Sorry femmes, I know it's been a while but here's the next edition of To Fan an Old Flame. I know you're eager to know what happened next. How did Christie treat Frank in the past? Did Frank recognize Christie and did they become friends again? Find out in this next part. Meanwhile, if you missed the first 3 parts then click to read Part I, Part II and Part III.
Continued from last edition…..
She laughed softly under her breath and Frank asked her what amused her so. "Nothing much, I just remembered something that happened last night." Christie shook her head slightly and giggled again. Then she realized that they were approaching the hall for the event. She knew she had to say something quickly and get rid of him. She was grateful for his help but she was already tired of his silence.
"This is where we're holding the dinner tonight."
She expected him to walk away but he stood there nervously, like he had something he really wanted to say.
"My name is Frank Daniel Kenechukwu. I'm a 300 Level student of Statistics." He said.
Christie rolled her eyes. Did he really have to pronounce his full name like that. He was obviously a boring guy and Christie was seconds away from yawning. She checked herself in time. Her friend, Muna had told her the day before that she was too rude to guys. "I'm Cristabel Eze. 2nd year Marketing. Everybody calls me Christie." She decided to toe his bee line.
Frank was silent for a while. Christie decided to break the silence again. "F.D.K," She said.
"What did you say?" Frank asked.
"I said, F.D.K. Those are your initials, right?"
"Yes." Frank laughed silently. He seemed to be thinking. "I've never thought about it that way."
"Well, that's a new thing then." Christie shrugged. There was something cute about his bashfulness. Maybe she could be friends with him. After all, there were so many more assignments left to be done before they graduated. She smiled to herself at that mischievous thought.
They were in front of Abubakar Hall when Christie said, "Do you want to attend the dinner? Actually the IV is sold for N100 and N150 for two persons. It is for a complete meal."
"Really? It is very cheap. What kind of meal is that?" Frank looked suspicious.
Christie laughed casually. She had had to answer that question a number of times. "It is for a whole meal and you have two options of; rice with moi moi and chicken, including fruit salad and a drink or eba and egusi soup with fish. It has been subsidized by my fellowship. The idea is to get people to attend the dinner and also deliver the word of God to them. You gain both ways." For some reason, Christie hoped he would turn down the invitation.
"In that case, I would love to attend. Do I need to dress formally? Do you have any date or can I get tickets for both of us?"
Christie was surprised. She hadn't expected him to be interested and she hadn't thought about being anybody's date to the dinner. "Yes, the dress code is formal. A shirt and trouser would do for you. I don't think I'll be needing a date since I'm part of the organizers."
His face fell. "It wouldn't be fun for me to go there alone."
For some reason, Christie felt like cheering him up. She didn't know how to turn someone who had been of much help to her that night down. "Okay, I'll try as much as I can to squeeze out time to sit with you if you attend."
Frank smiled like a toddler, "Thank you, Christie, let me go and get ready." He walked away quickly.
Christie walked into the hall. Satisfied that everything had been prepared the way she wanted, she went to her hostel, quickly changed into a formal purple dress with sequined detail on the neckline. She admired her look of simplicity with a touch of class. Then she went back to the hall.
The hall was already quite full. She had expected a large turn up but she never imagined it that way. She soon spotted Frank in a tuxedo. Christie was surprised. She hadn't expected him to take it so seriously. She walked over to him. He looked as if he was ready to bolt from the room any minute. Christie smiled warmly at him, "You're welcome. I didn't know you would make it."
"Am I okay in this?" Frank adjusted his slightly over-sized jacket.
Christie had always be known to be blunt, "You shouldn't have bothered dressing up so much. A shirt and trouser would have been just fine."
Frank blushed so much that his pimples even looked purple.
Christie laughed and bumped his shoulders playfully to ease the tension "Relax, you look okay." He seemed to relax a bit and even smiled.
The rest of the evening went smoothly. Everything went according to plan. Well, everything except for one of the guest artistes who didn't show up. The story was that her car had broken down on the way so she and her crew were unable to make it to the dinner. It wasn't much of a setback. The rest of the event went so well that the Head Pastor even called Christie and commended her for a job well done. She beamed with smiles as she walked back to meet Frank who was waiting patiently for her. She had managed to shuttle effectively between Frank's table and organizing the event.
After that night, Frank became a regular figure by her side. He visited her so often that he was often referred to as one of her roommates. He helped her out with class work as much as he could even though they weren't even course mates. Christie heard from a reliable source in his class that he was a candidate for a first class degree in Statistics. Frank eventually asked Christie to be his girlfriend a couple of months after they started seeing each other. She turned down his offer. He just wasn't her type. Muna had told her to give Frank a chance. He seemed like a nice guy. Christie couldn't get past the pimples on his face or his tall, gangly frame.
That was seven years ago. The Frank standing behind that powerful desk wasn't the same Frank she used to know. This Frank wasn't skinny and had no single pimple or spot on his face. He didn't stutter when he spoke. He wasn't wearing ridiculous white-rimmed glasses, instead he had on a very cute pair of black Chanel glasses. He didn't look nervous or unsure of himself. He was well built and was wearing a starched sky-blue shirt with a patterned navy blue tie over well cut trousers.
"Oh my God! Frank, what a surprise!' Christie said and walked closer to the table.
He extended his hand and smiled coolly. "Hello Christie, what a pleasant surprise too. What are you doing in my office?"
To be continued….
Watch out for the next part of To Fan an Old Flame. You're sure going to love it! 🙂


text: After the Sand Fire of 2016 had been extinguished, and the fire crews had finished their work, I drove up to Santa Clarita from Los Angeles to see what nearly 40,000 acres of fire damage looked like. This is just a small glimpse of the devastation. I can't even imagine how terrifying it must've been for the brave firefighters battling the blaze, or for the thousands of people who live and work in the area. Fires like this are all too common in Southern California unfortunately, and it definitely won't be the last one the area experiences.


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A truck in good condition is essential for any owner-operator for it will last longer and avoid troublesome mechanic payments. The proper maintenance of the vehicle plays a very important role in prolonging the years of the truck and avoiding, or at least delaying, the expenses and time out of service caused by mechanical problems. Some recommendations to avoid these problems would be:
1- Seek expert help
Truck drivers must visit qualified mechanics to perform the maintenance service of their vehicles. The trucks' manufacturer offers these types of services in their own dealerships, which can consist of complete state inspections or verifying components which can range from brakes to the battery.
2- Keeping the tires aligned and using proper roll angle
Proper roll angle will keep the tires stable and will not vibrate during specific speed turns. And the alignment makes the rim angles remain parallel to each other and perpendicular to the pavement.
3- Change the motor filters
Over time, chemical residue, dust and other types of dirt accumulate in the filters. It is advisable to change them every 30,000 miles. If the trucker drives on dustier roads, they should do a filter change more frequently. This procedure will optimize the operation of the engine, improve its acceleration and increase its useful life.
4- Regularly check the interior and exterior lights of the truck
Detecting a malfunction in time can be the key to prevent it from becoming a more serious problem and will potentially save you a lot of money. If a light is always on, the vehicle may indicate an electrical problem, and if a light is burnt, it may mean something more serious.
5- Always make the oil change
It is advisable to change it after traveling approximately 10,000 miles. If the vehicle is old, the oil filter must also be changed. There are many oil options specific to older engines. Truck drivers should choose the most suitable according to the viscosity indications in the owner's manual.
6- Check the levels of fluids
The essential fluids of the vehicle, such as coolant and oil, should be checked regularly. The engine oil must be cool to get a more accurate reading. If it smells like fuel or has a dirty appearance it should be changed. The coolant level of the cooling system must be checked to avoid overheating the engine. The windshield fluid level should be checked, since during the summer there are many mosquitoes on the road, thus fogging the windshield and can cause accidents due to poor visibility.


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Thank you again for attending the LoTi MATRIX Administrator Workshop at the Cherry Hill Public Library. Today, we focused on strategies for ensuring the sustainability of the MATRIX grant during the 2008-09 school year. During the workshop, we discussed 21st Century learning opportunities, reviewed the LoTi and CIP Frameworks, conducted H.E.A.T. Observation Walk-throughs, and developed a draft Next Steps Action Plan that addressed student achievement in mathematics.
During the morning session, I introduced the 5'C's of instructional leadership which included:
* Cultivation
* Creativity
* Commitment
* Courage
* Communication
Implementing the 5'C's in conjuction with H.E.A.T. (Higher order thinking, Engaged learning, Authentic assessments, and effective Technology use will raise ASK and GEPA scores as well as elevate the Level of Teaching Innovation in the classroom.
Provided below are links to additional resource websites and sample "action steps" that can aid your campus in addressing AYP priorities for mathematics and raising the Level of Teaching Innovation in the classroom.
Workshop-generated Strategies
* Integrate 21st Century performance tasks every 6 weeks in 6th=8th grade math curriculum
* Develop cross-curricular PBL for each grade level
* Involve special teachers (music, art, health) with cross-curricular PBL projects
* Model LoTi 3 and 4 lessons for staff
* Seek out a "community-support" person to enhance cross-curricular PBL projects
* Require MATRIX participants to mentor at least one non-MATRIX teacher in the "tech-infused" PBL process
* Institute H.E.A.T. Forums to highlight cross-curricular project results
* Conduct H.E.A.T. walkthroughs once a month
* Critique lesson plans based on H.E.A.T.
* Allow teachers to self-assess themselves based on the H.E.A.T. rubric
* Evaluate GEPA results to guide curriculum mapping
* Have teachers design lesson plans based on H.E.A.T.
* Distribute the updated H.E.A.T. Walkthrough form and distribute to staff
* Have staff discuss how rigor impacts assessment and evaluation
* Elevate expectations based on H.E.A.T.
* Have students complete an observation of the classroom based on H.E.A.T.
LoTi Project Schools
Partnership for the 21st Century


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Second Hand Items Disclaimer
Second Hand gear is often subject to some wear depending on age and how well it was looked after. Any significant cosmetic damage is shown in the photos so please take the time to look through and make sure you are happy with the condition before buying. Please see below for a description of the condition of this item.Second Hand FAQ
This amp has a few small marks but looks good
PLEASE NOTE: This item is second hand and may not include all accesories. Please contact us for further information.
For guitarists who don't want complications - the Fender Blues Junior III is perfect. A gigging amplifier that doesn't go overboard and features so you simply get great creamy Fender tones at a good level for rehearsals and most gigs. Add a signature Fender Spring Reverb and you're ready to go!The Blues Junior III has an improved speaker, and adjusted tone circuit for more sparkle.
The world's most popular tube amps just got better! Fender Hot Rod series amplifiers are found on every stage in the world, large and small, and are used by guitarists from all walks of life. Hot Rod amps deliver unmistakable Fender tone and are the perfect platform for musicians to craft their own signature sound. These no-frills amps are affordable, reliable and loud, and they pair extremely well with stomp boxes.
The Blues Junior III is a 15-watt warm-toned, longtime favorite-the perfect grab-and-go tube amp for stage and studio. It is known for the fat mid tones characteristic of EL-84 output tubes, warm 12AX7 preamp tube overdrive, real spring reverb, simple control layout, footswitchable FAT boost and external speaker capability. Additional Blues Junior III upgrades include an easier-to-read black control panel with front-reading text, new badge, vintage Fender "dog bone" handle, vintage-size jewel light, "sparkle" circuit mod, rattle-reducing shock absorbers for the EL84 tubes, highly sensitive Fender Special Design 12" "lightning bolt" speaker by Eminence, and heavy-duty set-screw "chicken head" knobs.
- New Fender Special Design "lightning bolt" speaker is balanced across the entire frequency range and offers rich and complex harmonic response
- New "sparkle" circuit modification for crystalline Fender clean tones
- Rattle-reducing shock absorbers keep the EL84 tubes road-worthy and quiet
- Heavy-duty set-screw "chicken head" knobs are tough and secure
- Classic Fender "dog bone" handle
- Vintage-style Fender jewel light
- New black non-reflective control panel makes onstage adjustments easier
- Wattage: 15 Watts
- Inputs: One
- Extension Speaker Jack: External Speaker Jack
- Channels: One Channel
- Rectifier: Solid State Rectifier
- Controls: Reverb, Master, Middle, Bass, Treble, "Fat" Switch, Volume
- Hardware Finish: Chrome
- Pilot Light Jewel: Red Amp Jewel
- Input Impedance: 1 M Input Impedance
- Output Impedance: 8 Ohm
- Amplifier Length: 9.18" (23.31 cm)
- Amplifier Width: 18" (45.72 cm)
- Amplifier Height: 16" (40.6 cm)
- Amplifier Weight: 31 lbs. (14.06 kg)
- Effects: Spring Reverb
- Speaker: 12 inch, 8 ohm 50 Watt Fender "Lightning Bolt" speaker by Eminence
- Pre Amp Tubes: 3 x 12AX7
- Power Tubes: 2 x EL84
- FootSwitch: Uses Optional 1-Button Footswitch, p/n 0994054000
- Knobs: Chicken head-style amp knobs
- Cover: Optional Amp Cover Available PN - 005-4912-000


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Dear Parents
As I write the staff are just arriving back from our annual Year 4 camping trip to Bentley Copse. What a great week they have had! The children described it as "the best thing they had ever done" and the teachers as "the most idyllic teaching experience you could possibly have". For me this has been a week which centred on two evening meetings both very important, but different in many ways.
On Wednesday evening many of you attended the feedback from the Ofsted report at Holy Trinity meeting. Thank you to all of you who came and for your contributions. I think the meeting enabled us to cast light about the Ofsted process and our experience of it as well as pointing us to the future and the changes we will make in order to still further improve our children's education. Thank you for those who have volunteered for the focus group. If you would like to join that please email me email@example.com. The first meeting will be on Thursday 4th July at 7.45pm at Holy Trinity School. The next stage in the inspection process will be a visit from a member of Her Majesty's Inspectorate who will spend a day in the school and will give comments on our action plan and how the school is moving forward. This will be an important visit and I will let you know the result of it. It is likely that this will happen in the next 2-3 weeks.
On Thursday evening there was a more joyful and relaxed meeting at Pewley Down when we welcomed the parents of our new entrants. We have an exceptional team who described what life would be like for their children in the reception class. This was followed by a hilarious video of the children giving a child's view of the same topic. Surprisingly the two gave pretty similar messages. This reminds me that I am so grateful to the commitment of all our staff at both sites who give so much of themselves and just keep on giving.
Another group I would like to thank is our hard working Governors who are often seen as being in the background and according to our latest questionnaire, whose work is not understood by a significant number of parents. Their job is to be a critical friend to work alongside the management of the school giving advice and to hold the school to account for its actions and decisions. This they do willingly, tirelessly and by bring their many talents with them. I heard on Wednesday of a governing body of a school in Surrey who resigned en bloc when the school received a level 3 Ofsted judgement. Our situation could not have been more different. The governors have been there at every step of the road giving advice, time and support.
Summer in a primary school is always a happy time with many outdoor activities and even more opportunities for learning within the environment. The sun has shone this week as have the children at Holy Trinity, Pewley Down and Bentley Copse. A former parent who is about to have a child start at the school again sent me this quote from the great Brazilian pedagogist, Paolo Freire: "Knowledge emerges only through invention and re-invention, through the restless, impatient, continuing, hopeful inquiry human beings pursue in the world, with the world, and with each other". The parent is now director of one of the major schools of study at Surrey University. Both he and I feel this quote sums up what education at HTPD is like.
Along with this Newsletter we are sending the notes from the meeting on Wednesday evening – these are not formal minutes, but an indication of what the meeting was like. Follow this link to view.
With best wishes, Richard
This week we have had our 4-yearly visit from Surrey when they come in to look at how we are assessing the children in Year R and Year 2 and the accuracy of these assessments. We are delighted to say that both of these sessions went extremely well. We are not given a grade but it must be a positive when the moderator leaves saying it is one of the most enjoyable assessments they have undertaken.
Teacher-led clubs
A reminder that Construction, Out and About and Outdoor Games clubs were each split into two groups as they were very oversubscribed. Children in the second group will now be taking part for the rest of this half term.
Class photographs
Order forms for class photos were sent home earlier this week. Please return orders to the school office by Friday 14 June. Larger copies of the photographs are available to view in the office area.
Year 2
Please could Year 2 children wear their house t-shirts to school on Wednesday 12 June as Liz Pomeroy will be taking photographs of the children for the Year Book.
Parenting Workshop
Do you think your child has or have they been diagnosed with: ADD (attention deficit disorder), ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), ASD (autistic spectrum disorder) or behavioural problems.
Would you like support?
A specialist child Psychologist and Psychotherapist has offered to run several workshops for us at Holy Trinity this term (they will be open to all parents at Holy Trinity Pewley Down).
If you think you would be interested or require further information please contact Lucy Cray (Home School Link Worker) by Friday 14 June on:07525 324070 or email@example.com. Places will be limited.
Last call for Sainsbury's ActiveKids vouchers
Please bring in any remaining ActiveKids vouchers by Friday 14 June. They will then be counted and sent off to Sainsbury's.
We hope to see many of you at the School Summer Fair on Sunday. There will be a Bouncy Run, Punch & Judy, Ice Cream Factory, traditional & not-so traditional games and lots, lots more. There will also be hot food and a bar so why not have lunch at the fair? Please join in the fun and support the school.
Thank you for all your donations and offers of help on the stalls.
Things we need some help with please!
There are still a few things we need help with in order to be ready for the fair on Sunday.
• Do you have a gazebo that we could borrow? It looks like the weather will be good on Sunday (fingers crossed!) so a couple more gazebos to provide shade would be very welcome. If you have one we could borrow, please contact Emily (07956 664028 / email@example.com).
• Do you have a swingball set we could borrow? Again, please let Emily know if you could help us with this.
• Home Produce Stall - please bring any donations of cakes, jams, plants or other home produce on Sunday morning.
• We will be setting up at the following times over the weekend. If you have a spare hour, all help is welcome (and will be rewarded with a glass of wine/beer!).
o Friday - 7pm to 9pm
o Saturday - 3pm to 5pm
o Sunday - 10.30am to 12pm & 2pm to 3pm
A final reminder that if you haven't returned any raffle ticket counterfoils & money, please make sure that they are handed into the raffle stall before 1.30pm on the afternoon of the fair. There are some great prizes on offer.
PHIL THE BAG: There will be a Phil the Bag textiles collection on Monday 17 June. Your child will have brought home a "Phil Bag" in their book bags. If you are clearing out old clothes and shoes, please pop them in the bag and bring them to school on Monday 17 June. The school receives cash for every kilo we collect. (You can use any bin bag or plastic bag to donate items).
• Mabel Boissiere, Hazel Class, has lost her straw sun hat with a yellow band and her pink sunglasses.
• George Fowler, Oak, has lost his named Mandela sweatshirt.
• Tobi Daramola, Chestnut, has misplaced her school jumper (Tu, 11-12 years, un-named).
• Lewis Dean, Willow, has lost his Clarks school shoes (black, velcro). They have been missing since before half term.
Menu for week beginning Monday 10 June
Mon: Beef Bolognese or Vegetable Pasta, Peas & Sweetcorn, Courgettes; Carrot Cake
Tues: Harvest Chicken & Rice or Mexican Vegetable Fajitas, Green Beans, Carrots; Apricot Shortbread
Weds: Roast Beef & Yorkshire Pudding or Quorn Roast, Roast Potatoes, Creamed Swede, Broccoli; Jelly & Fruit
Thurs: Margherita Pizza, Roasted Mediterranean Vegetables, Cauliflower; Chocolate Cake & Sauce
Fri: Fish Fingers or Basil & Tomato Pasta, Chips, Peas, Carrots; Fruit Mousse
Choir Belles: If you have ever fancied singing in a choir, come along to join the Choir Belles at St Peter's School main hall on a Tuesday evening (7.30pm until 9pm). A number of HTPD Mums go - it is fun, relaxing and costs £5 per session (pay as you go/when you come). For more information, see https://www.facebook.com/pages/Choir-Belles/514564611918707 or phone Hayley on 0845 355 0589.
Surrey Artists' Open Studios: As part of Surrey Artists' Open Studios, Becca Clegg (Mum of Issie in Yr1 & Georgia in Yr5) will be opening her studio on Thursday 13 Evening 6-9pm, Friday 14, Saturday 15, Sunday 16, Monday 17, Tuesday 18, Thursday 20, & Sunday 23 June 11am – 5pm showing her latest abstract & semi-abstract paintings & some felt pieces at 8 Sells Close, St Luke's Park, Guildford GU1 3JY. www.becart.co.uk or www.facebook.com/BecArtPaintings for details. Prices from £10 - £300. Cards also available.


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According to Motor Vehicle Code 21228, bicyclists and scooter enthusiasts are legally required to ride inside bike lanes when lanes are available. There have been many debates over the importance of bike lanes, and whether they promote or inhibit safety. Here at Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys we always encourage you to obey the traffic laws and ride your scooter or moped in bike lanes when they are available.
For the purpose of bike lane travel, scooters are mopeds and electric stand-on scooters that are designed to travel less than 30 mph. Vespas, Hondas, and motorcycle-type scooters are not permitted to travel inside bike lanes.
Some things to remember when using bike lanes on major streets are:
City officials are determined to keep all riders safe. Riding inside the dedicated bike lane will be the safest way to travel if that option is given to you. Please see complete listing scooter laws at California Motor Vehicle Code.


text: The day of Melody and Antonio's maternity photo shoot, I had no idea what I was in store for. I drive all over the state for my sessions, but the drive to their home in Bailey, Colorado was mind-blowing beautiful. Here in the city the leaves are just beginning to change, but 3 weeks ago they were at their full peak. Melody and Antonio's home is a little bit off the grid and I ended up becoming happily lost on the way to their session. Every few minutes I would stop and photograph the scenery, making the day a doubly fun for me. Lucky for me, I seem to have an internal homing device and even on occasions where I get turned around I always find my way. When I arrived to their home I was greeted by their friendly dog and then stunned by the beauty of this couple. Antonio is from the Caribbean and Melody is a world-traveler and I instantly felt a connection with them that I believe translated very well into their photos. I am really hoping I get to return to capture this family again once their little one arrives, because I know it will be one gorgeous kiddo!


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Burma cyclone death toll could hit 63,000
Burma: 60,000 feared dead in Cyclone Nargis
According to state television, 22,464 had been killed and another 41,054 were missing after cyclone Nargis barrelled into the low-lying Irrawaddy delta with 120mph winds, bringing with it an enormous storm surge that indunated towns and villages.
The social welfare minister Maung Maung Swe said that 95 per cent of houses in the delta town of Bogalay had been "destroyed".
"More deaths were caused by the tidal wave than the storm itself," he added. "The wave was up to 12 feet high and it swept away and inundated half the houses in low-lying villages. They did not have anywhere to flee."
If previous disasters of this kind are anything to go by, few of the missing are likely to be found alive, and if anything the toll could rise further. Around one million people were estimated to be homeless.
But despite the scale of the devastation, Burma's military junta — the country has been under a dictatorship for 46 years — were obstructing the entry of foreign aid personnel and supplies.
"The United Nations is asking the Burmese government to open its doors. The Burmese government replies: 'Give us money, we'll distribute it.' We can't accept that," said the French foreign minister Bernard Kouchner, who is a co-founder of the aid agency Medecins Sans Frontieres.
A UN disaster assessment team was stuck in Thailand overnight, unable to obtain visas, and the Burmese embassy in Bangkok was closed on Monday for a Thai holiday.
Countries around the world are offering help, but have yet to be invited in by the authorities, and aid agencies say that their staff are still waiting for visas.
In New York, Rashid Khalikov, the UN's humanitarian affairs co- ordinator, appealed to Burma to drop visa requirements for UN aid staff.
"Unfortunately we cannot tell you how many people are in need of assistance," he said. "We just clearly understand that it will probably be in the hundreds of thousands."
But if visas were not forthcoming there were few alternatives, he said. "The backup plan is to urge (the government) to issue visas."
Burma's rulers are deeply suspicious of the outside world, particularly the West, but after years of mismanagement, corruption and self-imposed economic isolation, the country's infrastructure is creaking at the best of times, and their ability to distribute huge quantities of supplies across a vast area in dire circumstances is highly questionable.
One aircraft arrived in Rangoon from Thailand with nine tonnes of food and medicine, but had to be unloaded by hand as no forklift trucks were available.
The World Food Programme began distributing 800 tons of food — a tiny amount relative to the scale of the disaster – in Rangoon, where supplies are running short, but its country director Chris Kaye said: "In order to meet the needs of the persons most badly affected by the disaster, much more cooperation will be required in the short term."
The military government said a constitutional referendum that is part of its so-called "roadmap to democracy" would go ahead this weekend, except in the worst-affected areas. Aung San Suu Kyi's opposition National League for Democracy, which won elections in 1990 but has never been allowed to take power, said the decision was "extremely unacceptable".
But analysts said the vote could give ordinary Burmese a safe way to protest against the generals' handling of the disaster, after their bloody crackdown on protesting monks and civilians last year.
"The juxtaposition of the cyclone and the voting might cause many in Burma to feel this is an indication that the military should not be in power," said David Steinberg, a Burma expert at Georgetown University in Washington.
Many Burmese are deeply traditionalist, he pointed out, and the disaster could be taken to mean the current rulers had lost the "mandate of heaven".
In Rangoon, where monks and civilians were clearing the streets of debris, a man who refused to be identified added: "Where are all those uniformed people who are always ready to beat civilians? They should come out in full force and help clean up the areas and restore electricity."
How you can donate:
A number of charities have launched appeals to help the Burmese in the wake of this weekend's cyclone. You can donate online to the British Red Cross, www.redcross.org.uk (£5 will provide water purification tablets for 60 people), to Oxfam's emergency fund, www.oxfam.co.uk, to Christian Aid, www.christianaid.org.uk, and Save the Children, www.savethechildren.org.uk.
Burma cyclone death toll could hit 63,000
Aid agencies are scrambling to mount a massive relief effort after military rulers in Burma, also known as Myanmar, said 22,464 people had been killed and a further 41,000 were missing feared dead after the weekend cyclone.
Foreign minister Nyan Win revealed that more than 10,000 people had been killed in a single town, Bogalay, as he gave the first detailed account of the scale of the disaster.
With the number of dead or missing growing by the hour a huge humanitarian crisis is looming with hundreds of thousands left homeless and without drinking water since Cyclone Nargis crashed into the coast on Saturday at 120mph, destroying entire villages and battering Rangoon.
As United Nations agencies warned of a disaster in the south-east Asian country, the normally isolationist dictatorship issued a rare appeal for international assistance.
The foreign minister asked Western diplomats for tents, medicine and water purification equipment.
"We will welcome help … from other countries, because our people are in difficulty," he said.
A first shipment of aid is expected to leave neighbouring Thailand later today.
US President George W. Bush urged Burma's military rulers to allow in international help, saying he was prepared to send navy ships to help the recovery.
"We want to do a lot more," he said. "Our message is to the military rulers: let the United States come to help you, help the people."
The White House later announced it was offering an additional three million dollars in aid, building on its initial offer of 250,000 dollars.
A Pentagon spokesman said the USS Essex, an amphibious assault ship with 1,800 marines aboard, and three other naval vessels were off the coast of Thailand and could be redirected to Burma if asked to do so.
But the junta insisted foreign aid teams would have to negotiate before being allowed to operate here, and many agencies said they were still waiting for visas to allow their staff into the country.
Social welfare minister Maung Maung Swe told reporters that most of the town of Bogalay, one of the delta areas that bore the brunt of the storm's force, had simply been washed away.
"Ninety-five percent of the houses in Bogalay were destroyed," he said. "Many people were killed in a 12-foot tidal wave."
Satellite images from US space agency NASA showed virtually the entire coastal plain of the country, one of the poorest nations on the planet, under water.
The government also said it would proceed this weekend with a constitutional referendum as part of its slow-moving "road map" to democracy, except in the areas hardest hit by the disaster.
The head of the Asian Development Bank expressed his condolences to Burma over the country's devastating cyclone, and said the institution would decide how best to respond.
"I would like to take a moment to offer, on behalf of all of us at ADB, our heartfelt condolences to the people of Myanmar who are struggling through the aftermath of Sunday's cyclone with huge losses of life and property," ADB President Haruhiko Kuroda said.
"We will work closely with shareholders and development partners to decide how best to respond," he told a news conference at the end of a four-day annual ADB meeting in Madrid.
America's First Lady Laura Bush called a press conference on Monday night to promise aid to Burma – the first reaction from the White House since the scale of the crisis became clear.
But she accused the junta of failing to warn its citizens via the state-run media of the danger they faced from the storm.
Mrs Bush also said it would be "odd" if the country went ahead with Saturday's planned referendum.
UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon said the organisation "will do whatever (necessary) to provide urgent humanitarian assistance," and stressed that a disaster management team was ready to leave for Burma.
Mr Ban's chief of staff Vijay Nambiar met with Burma's UN Ambassador Kyaw Tint Swe. The talks focused on prospects for urgent grant allocations from the UN's $500 million Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), as well as communications and coordination support to assist aid delivery.
Gordon Brown pledged that Britain would do everything it could to ease the suffering in the disaster-hit state.
Speaking to an audience of business leaders in central London, the Prime Minister said: "I believe nearly a million people are now need in need of food aid and we will have to help the families of those where people have died.
"I want to pledge on behalf of the British Government that we will work with the whole international community to make sure that food aid is available to the people of Burma."
But there were doubts about exactly how open the Burmese regime really is to foreign assistance. Diplomats asked ministers whether visas would be available to relief workers and whether duty would be waived on relief supplies. The ministers could give no such commitment.
The cyclone, which flattened thousands of buildings, ripped power lines, uprooted trees on key roads and disrupted water supplies, came days ahead of Saturday's controversial referendum on a constitution which critics say will entrench military rule.
The junta has insisted that it would press ahead with the vote, but many in Rangoon said that they had other priorities.
The former capital, with a population of five million, took a direct hit. "We have no electricity, we have no water," said one man.
Aid workers were meanwhile facing a desperate battle to help hundreds of thousands of Burmese.
Western diplomats told The Daily Telegraph that the government had failed to make it possible for United Nations agencies to move swiftly to bring relief to thousands left without drinking water and shelter.
A UN source said that the organisation can deliver the first supplies within 24 hours of an official request, which would open Burma's tight borders to aid shipments. But he added that no such request had been received.
A Western diplomat, who asked not to be identified, said of the generals who rule the country: "They are incompetent. They don't care.
"You'd have thought, with a military government, they would get cracking and sort it out, but somehow I don't think it is going to be like that."
An international aid worker based in Burma said: "Normally it takes two weeks to get permission to go into the field. At this point, they are not deviating from that procedure."
Tropical cyclones are immensely powerful low-pressure weather systems capable of generating ten times as much energy as the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima.
Nargis devastated a vast swathe of the country after hitting the coast, flattening thousands of buildings, ripping power lines, uprooting trees on key roads and disrupting drinking water supplies.
Burmese state television said five regions with a combined population of 24 million people had been declared disaster zones.
Survivors in the worst-hit region, the densely populated Irrawaddy Delta, face a growing risk of disease and possibly hunger.
In Rangoon, the former capital and a city of five million people, the situation is dire after it took a direct hit from the storm.
The price of fuel has doubled since the cyclone struck, while many homes have been severely damaged and the water supply has collapsed.
Women came out on to the streets to wash clothes in the gutters when it rained last night. Broken trees and electricity poles littered the roads of the city.
There is also a danger that the price of food and other essentials could rapidly rise, adding to public discontent.
With the economy crippled by decades of misrule, and most people already struggling to meet their basic needs, many were quick to criticise the junta's faltering response.
"We are really suffering, but the government don't care, they are happy enough," said one man.
Analysts believe that if the referendum goes ahead, there could be a significant "no" vote and blatant vote-rigging by the generals.
Circumstances exist for a political crisis to develop in what is already a dire humanitarian emergency. One diplomat said yesterday: "What on earth is going to happen to this poor country next?"
The devastation represents Asia's worst natural disaster since the earthquake that killed more than 70,000 in Pakistan in 2005. The Boxing Day tsunami of 2004 killed more than 200,000 in Indonesia and across the Indian Ocean.
While the Red Cross has managed to distribute water purification tablets and mosquito nets, Save the Children estimated yesterday that more than 50,000 are without shelter in three towns in the Rangoon region alone. It said that people are camping out in schools, monasteries, churches and mosques.
Win Myint, 38, a resident of Rangoon, told how he had fled his home moments before a tree ploughed into his home.
He scooped up his two-month-old daughter and ran through driving rain and winds into the face of the storm to seek shelter at a Buddhist temple in the satellite city of Dagon.
"We had to run for our lives during the storm at 3 am on Saturday," he said. "We were frightened. We have nothing now. I don't even have milk powder for my daughter.
"She is sick now. I have no idea what we should do. We got some rice, salt and oil from the authorities. But of course it's not enough."
The cyclone toll in Asia
Nov 12, 1970, Bangladesh: The country's deadliest cyclone destroys Chittagong and dozens of coastal villages, killing around 500,000 people.
Nov 19, 1977, India: More than 10,000 people die when cyclone hits south-east Andhra coast. It disrupts life for 5.4 million people and damages 3.5 million acres of arable land.
May 24, 1985, Bangladesh: 11,000 people die in cyclone that hit Chittagong, Cox's Bazar and coastal islands.
April 29, 1991, Bangladesh: 143,000 people died after cyclone hits coast with 15ft tidal surge.
Oct 29, 1999, India: A "super-cyclone" hits the northeast state of Orissa, killing almost 10,000.
Nov 15, 2007, Bangladesh: Cyclone Sidr kills around 3,500.
May 3, 2008, Burma: Up to 10,000 feared dead and 3,000 more missing after cyclone hits Irrawaddy Delta and Rangoon.


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A committee of citizens appointed by the Board of Trustees, called the Facilities and Bond Oversight Committee (FBOC), is currently reviewing whether to recommend a bond initiative to go before voters in May 2020. The committee is meeting now through November with the goal of making a recommendation to the Board in December.
Among the chief items being considered are expansions at some of the district's middle and elementary schools, and a new elementary campus to accommodate student growth. At the end of September 2019, there were 20,772 students enrolled in Hays CISD – up 860 students from the same date the previous year. All of the items under consideration are divided into five key needs categories: new construction, major maintenance, transportation, safety, and instruction and technology. The full working list is online at a webpage dedicated to the potential bond at www.hayscisd.net/bond2020.
Parents and community members are encouraged to follow the activities of the committee and share ideas and thoughts through the "Bond Talk" feature, which is also on the dedicated bond webpage.
The FBOC is comprised of 28 voting members - four appointments from each of the seven School Board members. Additionally, some Hays CISD administrators are serving as non-voting, advisory members.
If the committee recommends, and the Board adopts a bond recommendation, the district would hold public forums on the recommendation in January. School district residents would then vote on the bond in May 2020.


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Patrol Pack: Belt Rig
EXTENDED FUNCTIONALITY: Some new photos showing how our new canvas & leather Patrol Pack is designed to work with a combat belt or bushcraft belt rig – with pouches, knife sheath, fire kit etc, on the belt.
The combat belt attachment function was part of the original Norwegian Army vintage patrol pack design and it works really well either to support the pack's weight as a conventional "hip belt" but also to give extra stability for more active uses, running, shooting, climbing, skiing, mountain biking etc. Shown here with an original vintage Swiss Army leather officers belt.
For bushcraft and general hiking the belt rig gives the ability to carry extra tools and supplies on the belt in an easily accessible way whilst also being able to remove the pack & belt and tools etc. in one piece to keep everything together if required, or to remove the pack and just carry the tool belt, or vice versa.


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Another ES2 is sought
John Somerscales asks:
"I am trying to find out if a Norton ES2 previously owned by my Great Uncle Stan still exists. Registration No ARH846.
He bought this bike pre-war but he was killed when the Halifax bomber he was piloting was shot down over Holland."
If you know anything, please contact John


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19 Jun #TXFM Twitter Chat 06.25.14
You have a vision. You are on the edge of your seat, excited about this idea, and you want to bring it to reality. But how do you get those in the community around you involved, and spread that excitement to those around you?
That was the question that Jamie Sundsbak was working through when he attended Transform 2013. Through the experience, he was inspired to push his BioAM to the next level, and built a community around his passion for BioBusiness. And it didn't stop there. Jamie went on to collaborate with five other individuals to create another community around Social Innovation, called Colidr, equipping the changemakers in his town to feel empowered and be bold.
What was the secret sauce? How do you activate the community around you for greater things?
Join us, and Jamie, on June 25th at 3pm (Central Standard Time) on Twitter to chat on this very topic: "How to Activate the Community Around You." You can follow the conversation with the hashtag #TXFM, and we will be asking the questions below during the chat.
If this is your first time on a Twitter chat, we recommend using the website TweetChat to see the conversation in real time.
Q1. How do you find "birds of a feather" – people like you – that you want to connect with?
Q2. How did you identify the community you wanted to become a part of?
Q3. What are the benefits of a digital community?
Q4. What are the benefits of IRL community meetings?
Q5. How did you begin the process of activating your community?
Q6. What are 3 things you need for value from your community?
Q7. What is the best lesson this process has taught you?
- When: June 25th, at 3:00 pm (Central Standard Time).
- Where: Twitter with the hashtag #TXFM.
See you there!


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Seven couples had celebrated the 61st National Day at Columbia Asia Hospital – Iskandar Puteri with their little beautiful angels who were born on this special day.
First-time mother Nur Aisyah Zahid, 24, was expecting to deliver her very first baby on 'Malaysia Day'; 16th September 2018 instead she gave birth to a healthy and beautiful baby girl on 31st August 2018 at 10.06pm. Her husband Shah Amirul Azlan who works in the retail industry in Singapore felt honoured because they will celebrate their daughter's birthday on this historic day.
Meanwhile, Rosmawati Ismail gave birth to her 6th baby after midnight, just in time to celebrate the 61st National Day. Rosmawati who is a teacher went into the labour room at around 12.00am and after less than 1 hour of labour, she and husband Mohd Rozlan Idris who works as surveyors were blessed with a 3.44 kg baby boy.
Another couple from Pakistan, Shawana Jillani a housewife to Khasif Nisar who is studying in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Skudai had safely delivered a healthy 3.38 kg baby boy after about 5 hours in labour pain. She was admitted to Columbia Asia Hospital – Iskandar Puteri on the same day and delivered the baby at 5.51pm. They felt so grateful for the healthy baby and safe delivery. Within minutes of another, a pair of baby boy and girl was delivered naturally just 1 minute apart, which was 5.58 pm and 5.59pm, under the same doctor.
The delivery process for all the babies was smooth and there were no complications. All mothers and babies, 4 boys and 3 girls were healthy under the good hands of Dr. Rohaini Md Jonit, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynecologist and Dr. Azhar Napis, Consultant Pediatrician assisted by well-trained midwives and nurses.
All families received a gift pack from the hospital filled with heartwarming notes enclosed.


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Product Details
Creates a fine line of gel liner or shadow (can be used wet or dry). Defines and frames the eye with a line that perfectly "hugs" the eye close to the lash line, making the lashes look fuller. Also try using to apply your concealer - dab on formula with brush and blend into skin with fingertips.
How To-Apply
Start at the outer corner of the eye working inward, so that the stronger deposit of pigment is made at the outer corner of the eye
Synthetic hair


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Sarna News
|10 Sept 3050?
|Clan Jade Falcon
|Star Captain
Lents (b. ???? – d. 10 Sept 3050?) was a trueborn MechWarrior in Clan Jade Falcon. She participated in the early stages of Operation REVIVAL as an officer in the Falcon Guards Cluster.[1] Lents is noted as being both loyal and meticulous; she took pains to keep her OmniMech in pristine condition at all times.
Star Captain Lents was in charge of the Falcon Guards' Trinary Echo, which was a mixed formation comprising OmniMechs and Elementals. Her assigned OmniMech during the Twycross campaign was a Mad Cat. [2] She operated her Mad Cat as if it were a light 'Mech, but her piloting gifts did not transfer to her command style. [3]
The Twycross Campaign[edit]
While capable in defence, Lents displayed an unimaginative approach to offensive operations, including battles against the Twycross TMM in 3050. Her Trinary was usually deployed as the "anvil" against which the rest of the Falcon Guards crushed their foes. Lents' demonstrated lack of initiative did not bode well for her career chances, and it seemed likely that she would have "tested down".
An Uncertain Ending[edit]
Lents and her Trinary were with the rest of the Falcon Guards at the Great Gash when the Federated Commonwealth staged a counterattack in September 3050. While the vast majority of the Guards Cluster was wiped out in the collapse of the Great Gash[4], Lents' status was never confirmed.


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F4V File Format
Flash video media container file
F4V is a file extension for a Flash media container file format. F4V files enable embedded Shockwave.
F4V files support H.264, also known as MPEG-4 AVC (Advanced Video Coding). H.264 is a video compression standard that offers significantly greater compression than its predecessors.
Flash was originally developed by Macromedia and is now owned by Adobe. Programs that open F4V files include Adobe's Flash Player and Windows Media Player. Apple's iOS, the mobile operating system used on the iPhone and iPad, doesn't include native support for the Flash plug-in but browser apps are available to enable Flash on the devices.
The general Flash file extension is SWF (Shockwave Flash). Other Flash video file formats include the FLV, F4P, F4A and F4B file extensions
Learn more about Flash and F4V files:
> Adobe provides more information about the Flash player on its website.
> Wikipedia has an entry about Adobe Flash.


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10 Essential Strategies to Thrive During the Recession
10 Essential Strategies to Thrive During the Recession
As the inevitable recession starts to bite, two very different types of business are going to emerge next year. The first will struggle as a victim of the recession and credit crunch. It will decide to cut back on marketing, postpone development of its website and ignore the trend towards the expansion of business and sales on the internet.
The second won't just survive the recession, they will thrive during it. Against the trend their enquiries, sales and profits will rise. Those who run these businesses will understand that complacency is not an option. They will look to spend their time and money wisely in understanding and implementing the strategies that will bring their business through the recession stronger and more profitable.
1. It's all in the mind
Your own attitude and mindset will make a significant difference. Will the recession be an obstacle or an opportunity to your business? Will you fall victim to the 'scarcity mindset' that suggests that nobody will be spending money because there isn't enough to go around? Or will you realise thatpeople and businesses will still need things and will be prepared to pay for them?
2. Decide what makes a difference
What is the lifeblood of your business? Surely this must be your clients or customers! So finding and retaining clients is central to your success. So, NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO STOP MARKETING. Instead create at least 5 marketing strategies, use and test them to find out which really make a difference to finding and keeping customers, and then increase your marketing spend.
3. It's who you know, not what you know
What is the most cost and time effective way to find new business? Have a clear strategy to getting referrals, the key element of which is to make sure you ASK, whether it's face to face, in your lettersor your emails. Consider looking at networking or business clubs as a way to increase your sphere of influence.
4. Promise to delight them
Take the trouble to find out what your customers really want or need. Go the extra mile in building and maintaining your customer relationships, you will find this really makes a difference.Follow Tom Farmer's promise whilst MD of Kwik Fit of "100% customer delight'.
5. Add value
Recognise your prospects and customers are looking for you to add value, so consider giving them something which is both free and of value. In many cases this will be knowledge or information in the form of free guides, free fact sheets, or access to free reports. But remember they need to give you something valuable in return i.e. at the very least their contact details: name, address, telephone number, email address.
6. Spin your web of success
Too many businesses either have no, or an ineffective, internet strategy. With the incrediblegrowth of theinternet, complacency in this area is not an option. So, if you don't have a website, get one! If you already have a website, does it address and fulfill your prospects and customers needs, not just talk about your business? Is your website optimised so people canfind you on the first two pages of search engines, or are you lost on page three or beyond?What do you want yourvisitors to do once they get to your website?Selling online throughe-commerce is a growing and highly profitable way to trade, but the biggest use of the internet is still to gather information, so make sure your website allows visitors to get what they are looking for.
7. The power of the in-box
Done properly, email marketingisthemost cost effective way of getting your message in front of prospects and customers. Use it to point people to your website,to generate leads rather than immediate sales,build relationships through newsletters and follow up all your other marketing activity. Getting a person's permission based email address should be a fundamental aim of all the marketing you do.
8. It's a numbers game
There are fundamentally two types of acquisition marketing.
1. Selling
2. Lead Generation
Particularly when money is tight people are reluctant to buy something straight away. So concentrate on lead generation. Whilst recognising not everyone will buy from you, it's a numbers game. If you generate enough enquiries by offering something free and of value and have an effective lead qualification system, you will generate good quality leads that lead to profitable sales.
9. The power of seven
If you are to make the most of your website, email marketing and other lead generating marketing strategies,you need to have a multi-step follow up process to ensure those leads are not wasted. It is accepted wisdom that on average it takes 7 points of contact with a prospect before they make a buying decision. So don't give up on contact number 4 or 5, be relentless in using email, direct mail and telemarketing to stay in contact with your leads.
10. Making it happen
There is a saying, 'attitude defines altitude.' In other words it's not just what you do, but how you do it that determines how high your achievements will be. People are attracted to other people who display a sense ofcertainty in what they do. Sodon't just decide to use these strategies, resolve to do them which will requiredetermination, doggedness and tenacity.
Impact Web Solutions is perfectly placed to help your business thrive during the recession. We can help you with website design, e-commerce, search engine optimisation and email marketing. Call us now on 0116 275 8456.


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When you listen to music in a language you don't speak, it becomes all about vibe and energy. Sierra Leonean Janka Nabay had plenty of both when he performed in Arabic, Krio, Temne and a bit of English at the Void on Friday night. Backed by his four-piece band, the Bubu Gang, Nabay and his friends brought a relentlessly high-energy set to the small club on El Cajon Blvd.
Music. Community. Culture.
But this music is distinctly Nabay's. His eclectic musical upbringing was evident in his more-than-occasional rap-style delivery and repeated chants of "Rastafari!" -- although bubu is distinctly African, Nabay's wide-range of influences are generously incorporated into his music.
Much like a traditional rap hype-man, Nabay is flanked by Syrian-born singer Boshra AlSaadi, who punctuates most every lyric that Nabay delivers. She does much more than that, though: While Nabay leads the charge, AlSaadi holds down the fort -- always the anchor, providing the foundation for the internal call-and-response of each song.
I recognized plenty of tracks from Nabay's recent Luaka Bop release, En Yay Sah, but they were different animals in the live setting. The band feeds off the crowd, and the songs take on lives of their own. Mostly, that freedom added to the band's amazing performance. The only thing not completely engaging was the uneven endings to some of the songs. The same infectious, impromptu energy that stretched them out culminated in an abrupt or awkward finish more than once. But that's something that can be worked out; the overall loose vibe remains compelling.
Nabay seems to rejoice in his role as life of the party, and he took time in the middle of the set to address a sharply dressed dancer who had made his way to the front of the stage.
"I love the way you look!," said Nabay. "The guy with the black suit and the white shirt. Game over. That's what the ladies like."
And then he dedicated the next song to him.
So it was no surprise when Nabay later walked right out into the audience and started dancing with a girl in the front row. It was just that kind of party.
After confessing "We're tired" and leaving the stage, Nabay and his band were lured back at 12:55 for one more. The willing crowd could have danced for another hour or two, but there were nothing but smiles as everyone filed out of the club.
In any language, it seemed, a good time was had by all.


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Stay in the loop with Pushkin Press and be entered to win a beautiful Pushkin Collection title every month.
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Peter Stephan Jungk was born in 1952 in Los Angeles and raised in several European cities. Since 1988 he has been living in Paris and works as author, film script author, translator, and essayist.A former screenwriting fellow of the American Film Institute, he is the author of eight books, including the acclaimed biography Franz Werfel: A Life from Prague to Hollywood (1990) and the novels The Snowflake Constant shortlisted for the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize (Faber and Faber, 2002 - published in the US as Tigor by Handsel Books 2003), and The Perfect American (Handsel Books, 2004), a fictional biography of Walt Disney's last months, which was turned into an opera by Philip Glass. Peter Stephan Jungk has been published extensively, his creative works extending also to the media of radio and television.


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A Couple from the United States Overcome Their Four Year Hurdle to Have Children by Choosing ARTbaby Surrogacy Centre Georgia
After 40 years a family with no children is blessed with twins, a boy and a girl, via surrogacy. - November 04, 2019 - ARTbaby Surrogacy Centre Georgia
A Brazilian Couple, After Multiple Complexities, Blessed with Twin Babies Through Surrogacy at ARTbaby Surrogacy Centre Georgia
Surrogacy success story of intended parents who lost their young son and after some time they decided to have a child through surrogacy and were successfully blessed with twins after four failed IVF cycles. - January 31, 2019 - ARTbaby Surrogacy Centre Georgia
KGS SAP Archive Holds Certification for All GDPR-Relevant Archive Scenarios
The SAP archiving expert offers the most comprehensive support for GDPR-relevant archiving scenarios. - March 21, 2018 - KGS Software GmbH
Revolutionary Pocket-Device Transforms Polluted Air Into Clean, Fresh Air
An innovative, newly developed portable device replicates a tree's process and transforms polluted air into fresh, mineral enriched, air. The device, developed by the Tbilisi, Georgia-based startup Treepex, uses CRISPR technology to provide a solution to the ever growing air pollution problem. Disappearing... - October 09, 2017 - Treepex
SmartLabs Upgrades the Legacy IPTV Service at Caucasus Online, Georgia
SmartLabs has announced the implementation of its interactive TV solution at Caucasus Online and the successful migration of the existing subscriber base to the upgraded TV service. Caucasus Online is Georgia´s leading broadband provider with an internet subscriber base of up to 150,000 homes. - January 30, 2015 - SmartLabs
LeavingStone Created Twittus: A Loyal Servant That Aggregates All the Tweets in the Facebook Timeline Box
Twittus is a loyal servant that aggregates all the tweets in Facebook Timeline box, thus they are no longer mixed up with the rest of the content. - March 31, 2012 - LeavingStone
ACTLean and Schuh & Company Announce Lean Innovation Workshop in Atlanta, GA
ACTLean will offer a 2-day workshop discussing Lean Innovation Topics in Atlanta, GA on June 2nd & 3rd, 2011. The workshop will focus on methods to create more customer value with fewer resources in product development. What does Lean Thinking have to do with Product Development? The biggest waste... - April 23, 2011 - ACTLean and Schuh & Co.
New Website Provides Free Classifieds to the Dental Community Nationwide
Dental Ads (http://dentalads.net) burst onto the scene as a site designed to do one thing very well. That one thing is provide the dental community with a central place to list their classified ads. Unlike other sites that focus on job listings, Dental Ads provides additional options that benefit the dental community. The current goal is to have over 1,000 listings on the site by the end of the month with a regular monthly goal of over 10,000 listings. - March 09, 2011 - Dental Ads
United Drug Plc. Selects b-pack to Automate and Optimize Their Purchase-to-Pay Processes
b-pack is pleased to announce United Drug Plc.'s deployment of b-packs end-to-end purchase-to-pay solution. United Drug is a leading international provider of services to health-care manufacturers and pharmaceutical retailers. "United Drug leveraged b-pack's huge flexibility to accommodate... - February 25, 2011 - b-pack
Celebrate Valentine's Day with Romantic Film Screenings at Rockledge Apartments
In honor of Valentine's Day, Rockledge is showing romantic films throughout the month of February in its 80-seat movie theater. - February 21, 2011 - Rockledge Apartments
Shield Named Edison Awards Finalist
The Non-Toxic Antimicrobial Product Will be Recognized at Edison Awards Gala on April 5 in New York - February 16, 2011 - The Tile Doctor
Georgia Association for Women Lawyers Announces "Art and the City" Scholarship Art Auction
Theme for Annual Art Auction to Support Legal Scholarships Announced - February 15, 2011 - Georgia Association for Women Lawyers
Hotel EraPalace at Batumi, Georgia Awarded 4-Star Status by Global Star Association
Hotel EraPalace at Batumi, which offers a unique concoction of authentic Georgian Hospitality and world-class amenities, has now been awarded a 4- Star status by Global Star Association. - July 21, 2010 - Hotel Era Palace
Counterpart International Supports Flood-Affected Families in Eastern Georgia
As heavy rains caused serious flooding throughout the region last week, Counterpart International (Counterpart) was able to provide hundreds of families with basic necessities like sleeping bags and blankets. After receiving a letter requesting assistance, Counterpart quickly coordinated the distribution... - March 31, 2010 - Counterpart International
Children of Saguramo Eucational Institution Greeted with Modern Conditions for Their Physical Development
Young Georgian children now have brand new sports facility stocked with modern sports equipment. - November 12, 2009 - Counterpart International
Counterpart International Provides Vital Support During Flooding in Eastern Georgia
Days of constant rain have left thousands desperate for bedding and warmth in the midst of severe floods - October 16, 2009 - Counterpart International
Counterpart International Assists the Disabled People of Georgia with LDS-Donated Wheelchairs
Over one hundred Georgians receive wheelchairs thanks to LDS donation and Counterpart International (Counterpart) distribution. - October 14, 2009 - Counterpart International
US Marine Corps Provides Support to the Orphanages of Georgia with the Help of Counterpart International
Counterpart International (Counterpart) facilitated a donation of clothing and shoes to young orphans - October 14, 2009 - Counterpart International
Georgian Gymnasium Opens Its Brand New Cafeteria and Kitchen
Counterpart International (Counterpart) reconstructs school's facilities for neediest Georgian children - September 27, 2009 - Counterpart International
Georgia: Embattled Town of Gori Receiving Aid After Being Cut Off for Days
Civilians remaining in Gori face "dire conditions," World Vision warns · Safe access for aid workers into conflict zone still a challenge · Children, families across region endure horrors of war: "Nobody could even bury [our neighbors] because we were afraid for our lives." - August 17, 2008 - World Vision US
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2003, Buena Vista
Jackie Chan, Owen Wilson, Fann Wong
David Dobkin
MPAA Rating:
[PG-13] action violence, sexuality, language
107 minutes
A former imperial guard (Chan) tracks down his father's killer in England with the help of his sister (Wong) and an old friend (Wilson).
What's Good
Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson are entertaining
What's Bad
the story is a wholly generic buddy flick sequel
Andrew Manning
(February 2003)
Set in the late 1800s,
Shanghai Knights
adds yet another entry to Jackie Chan's growing list of American buddy flicks (since when did "buddy" become its own genre of film alongside drama and action?). This sequel to 2000's more cleverly titled
Shanghai Noon
reunites the king of comedic kung fu with Owen Wilson for a sophomore round of generic but entertaining east-meets-west hijinks.
When his father is killed by a British national, former imperial guard Chon Wang (Jackie Chan) teams up with his old companion Roy O'Bannon (Owen Wilson) and travels to England to seek vengeance. With additional help from his sister Lin (Fann Wong), he manages to track down the murderer, but in the process, also uncovers a plot to usurp the thrones of England and China.
The story is such a readily accepted textbook reason to launch a pair of mismatched buddies on an adventure that it's hardly worth griping about the lack of originality. No one in their right mind ever looks for a first class story in this genre, so it's best to move on to the aspects that do merit some level of expectation: the comedy and the action. Unfortunately, both are painfully standard and never come close to pushing any proverbial envelopes. The comedy is amusing, but never riotously funny, and the action is the usual graceful, humorous, toned down kung fu audiences have come to expect from Chan's American films.
The stars of the show are in full typecast mode. Chan is once again the likeable fallguy a la
Rush Hour
The Tuxedo
, while Owen Wilson is...well, Owen Wilson. The dimwitted-yet-quick-thinking demeanor that has become his characteristic trademark makes his Roy O'Bannon virtually indistinguishable from his roles in
Behind Enemy Lines
, and
I Spy
. Like everything else in
Shanghai Knights
, it's wholly typical--but it works, so why change it?
Fann Wong doesn't say much as avenging sister Lin, but she hangs around looking cute and kicks a little butt. And that's pretty much all you can ask for in this brand of supporting role.
As is often the case with action comedies, the main villain is prissy, melodramatic, and weak. In this case, it's English evildoer Rathbone (Aidan Gillen), who Roy sums up succinctly by tagging him, "the man who would be queen." In typical Bond badguy fashion, he seals his own doom by not killing the hero when he has the chance--will they ever learn? Donnie Yen is better as a secondary villain, if only because his showdown with Jackie Chan kicks the martial arts up to a more furious pace.
The movie's inclusion of author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Charlie Chaplin is somewhat clever, even though the stricter pundits may have issue with the obvious historical inaccuracies. But with Jackie Chan being so influenced by Buster Keaton, there's a certain charm in the notion of Chon Wang inspiring a young Chaplin.
A common attitude in making a buddy movie is that it's better to have a cookie-cutter success than a cutting edge flop.
Shanghai Knights
does nothing to counter this notion, but I have difficulty in faulting Chan for any of his movies. He's an entertainer without pretension, and even though his roles in recent years have been getting awfully redundant, he continues to pull off the sometimes thankless job of making people laugh. While this sequel is just a rehash of previously seen material, it still manages to be an entertaining enough diversion.
Rating: 6 out of 10
(0=Abysmal, 5=Average, 10=Excellent)
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