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"Use only that which works, and take it from any place you can find it."
― Bruce Lee, Tao of Jeet Kune Do
Warning: This is a horror story. Content may disturb.
Contains attitudes of misogyny, graphic violence and depictions of physical abuse of extremely expensive cars.
Test Drive
by Paul Mannering
She started with the high-end cars, walking in a lethal pair of Italian stiletto heeled boots as she prowled around the Ferraris and Lamborghinis. The sheer silk of her stockings crossed the no-man's land between thigh-high boots and micro-mini in matching black leather. Matt watched her walk the floor with thoughts of a casual and pornographic nature.
Arnold Hustein, who sold Fords new and used for nearly 50 years, had always told Matt that selling cars was like catching fish. The bait was out there on the floor, the shiny, new, Italian penis-replacements. The cars that looked like HR Geiger had been jerking off over a Jacques Cousteau documentary and then turned that lust into every man's obsession. The trick to fishing and to selling cars was to let the fish get itself well and truly hooked. Never rush out to talk to a customer as soon as they set foot on the lot or in the showroom. Let them explore first.
The woman was fun to watch, her legs were toned and when Matt let his eyes crawl higher than her ass, he was pleased to note that she wore a tight white silk blouse. In the chill air-conditioned environment of Ascoe's Luxury Cars her breasts jutted out, peaking in a way that made Matt's throat dry with lust.
She hadn't looked at him yet. She also hadn't touched a car, or one of the glossy magazines that passed as brochures these days. Usually it was the men who came in to drool over the cars. Matt would go out and walk the floor with them, talking up the horsepower, doing the full sales pitch even though the guy had a despairing look on his face like his dreams were leaking out the leg of his shorts in a streak of diarrhoea.
It warmed Matt's heart to screw these miserable slobs. They had their wives, kids, houses in the suburbs, and secure jobs. Ask them on any other day and they would say they were happy, their lives were great, until you showed them what a truly awesome life would cost. Owning an elite car, that was what a fucking awesome life was about. Matt didn't own one of these pussy-magnets of course, he drove a six year old Toyota Prius. But he was the pusher, the gate-keeper and the guy who sold Italian exotics to the rich and powerful. The peasants could steam up the showroom windows all they wanted; their impotent envy filled his heart with a warm burn, like acid reflux.
Matt watched the woman, the long blonde hair, the fuck-me boots, the perfectly contoured face, like a child's under those large, opaque designer sunglasses. He walked out of the office, his "Let's be good buddies!" smile cranking up his face like a circus tent rising from a crumpled pile of stained canvas. The greatest show on earth was about to begin.
"I thought that the Lamborghini Aventador was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. Then, you walked into my showroom," he smiled warmly at his obvious compliment. The buyers expected it. The cheesy feel-good compliments from a car salesman. They liked being the fish, they liked to be played, stroked, fed a few good lines and finally landed, exhausted and completely out of their depth. They only sure thing was that their new best friend, who had just sold them a car for what a decent house could cost, was the only person they truly trusted in the world.
The woman didn't look up. In silence she continued her slow circumnavigation of the black Lamborghini, her stiletto heels clicking on the marble tile floor.
"The 2012 Aventador, it's more than a car. It's a work of art," Matt kept his hands up, palms open in a welcoming gesture as he talked. "Comes in a range of colours, has a V12 engine, and don't let the fighter-jet cockpit put you off, this is a car for the modern woman."
"I would like a test drive," her accent was European, East-European. Like the whores on the internet that Matt liked to watch getting fucked by young studs. She looked like a woman who might appear in such videos. She was probably shopping for her billionaire boyfriend, it happened more than you might think. A blonde bimbette would come tottering in on her six inch high heels with a pampered rat in a pink handbag. Breathlessly she would explain how it was Bobby's birthday and she wanted to surprise him with another car. Better a shaved snatch and a handful of Viagra, Matt always thought. But he would help the dumb bitch find the car in her favourite colour. Of course Bobby or Dmitri was the one paying for it, even though these dumb sluts always thought that spending their old man's money was somehow them giving him a gift.
"Sure thing, please, step into my office, there's just some insurance paper work to complete," Matt indicated his office, a small space with glass on two sides, a desk and walls decked with Italian supercar posters and merchandise.
She sat down, crossed her legs and refused the offer of coffee, tea, water or juice. Instead she lit a long, black cigarette. Matt placed his Formula One, branded ashtray within easy reach and typed up the details from the international driver's license she handed him.
"Miss Kostova?" he said.
"Please, call me Helene," she exhaled a nasal jet of white exhaust towards her feet and regarded him with eyes hidden behind the dark glasses.
"Helene," he replied, smiling as if she had just reached out and stroked his package through his suit pants.
The formalities were over quickly, Matt believed in striking while the iron was hot. With the other two members of the Ascoe sales team out at lunch, he could close this sale and be planning how he would spend his commission by the time they got back. Shepherding Helene out to the car, Matt gave a nod to Keiko, the office manager. She acted as the dealership's receptionist and administrator. She could watch the store while the sales team were out. It wasn't like people were lining up to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a luxury supercar, not in this economy.
Matt eased the Aventador out onto the lot. The car was unlike anything else in the inventory, driving it was like having sex with some hot young college girl. Slipping out of the low-slung cockpit he indicated for Miss Kostova, sorry, Helene, to take the driver's seat. He walked around, got in the passenger side and talked her through the features of the interior. "You'll notice as the gull wing doors close, the sound insulation is incredible. You have to keep an eye on the revs to know that the engine is running at all."
The air around them clenched as the doors lowered and closed, sealing them in. Matt could smell the lingering stink of her cigarette and the sweeter musk of her perfume. He put on his seatbelt, she didn't bother. Matt never told customers what to do or how to drive. They needed to feel like they already owned the car.
Helene drove off the lot smoothly, pulling into traffic with barely a glance. They accelerated through the first two blocks, flashing through an orange light before getting on to the freeway. She picked up speed, the purr of the engine bringing a smile to Matt's face. Being in a car like this gave him wood, an unbreakable hardness and lust that could only be satiated with a balls-to-the-wall fuck. Matt hoped that Helene would feel the same way and they could scratch each other's itch after signing the sales papers.
"There's a race track ten miles up the freeway. If you want to really open it up." This was a common place for luxury car salesmen to take their clients. They would lead these panting guys to the track and let them feel like a race-car driver, or James Bond or any other sweaty, giggling childish fantasy they could imagine.
One time Matt had overheard a twenty -year old software tycoon over the pit-crew headset making brmmmm, brmmmmm noises as he took a brand new Ferrari down the front straight of the oval course at over a hundred miles an hour.
Helene ignored his suggestion of taking the exit and carried on down the freeway, holding the car just below the speed limit. The engine purred like a leopard that could smell fresh antelope just over the horizon.
Matt kept smiling, nothing fazed him. The kind of person who could realistically lay down the cash for a car like this, had a particular arrogance, something that Matt admired and emulated whenever possible. Usually this meant treating any one beneath him with the same contempt as his clients treated him. He hated every last mother humping one of them, the obese rich old men trying to squeeze into a Lambo cockpit, and their vapid child-like blonde trophy girlfriends, the cocky young college dropouts who had sold their homemade software to some corporation for a billion dollars. Matt dealt with them all and loathed each and every one.
The woman at the wheel took the interstate exit, okay so she wanted to take the car out on the open road. It would need a full detailing after that, the desert dust would have to be gently washed away and the car, much like a thoroughbred champion racehorse, would need to be professionally groomed after a run.
Matt settled back, it was a nice day for a drive, and the hot chick next to him was a nice change from the usual overweight assholes he took for test drives.
"You certainly know your quality cars," he said as a conversation starter.
"It is better if you don't talk," she replied. Matt kept his smile fixed in place, internally he seethed. Fuck you bitch… Yes, when he got her naked and begging for it – he would hurt her. Maybe slap her around a bit. Maybe bite that smooth white skin.
They rode in silence, once the city limits flashed past, she opened up the throttle and the car took off like a rocket. Matt pressed back in his seat, the terror of being close to death in such a beautiful machine was balanced with the thrill of travelling at high speed. The digital readout flicked over 100 mph, the Aventador had so much more to give and Helene kept on feeding the beast. Matt tore his eyes away from the blurred scenery and looked at her again. Her tongue peeked out from between her perfect white teeth. The tip stroking over her top lip as a smile spread across her mouth. The miles flew by and the car accelerated to the point where a single mistake and they would be hosing them both out of the wreckage.
Matt felt at peace, the adrenaline soothed him, bringing him into sharp focus and he found himself grinning as they tore down the black top.
Helene dropped the car a gear, making the revs spike and the engine growl, she slowed as smoothly as she accelerated and at 50 mph spun the car into a 90 degree turn, a sharp left into an unmarked and unpaved road.
"Hey now!" Matt shouted as the suspension bounced over a rut. "This is not an off road vehicle."
"It is better if you do not talk," Helene said again.
"Fuck that. You do not take a Lamborghini off the highway. This is a car for paved roads only sweetheart."
"I am not your fucking sweetheart," she said, her face snapping in his direction for an instant.
"I'm going to have to ask you to pull over. The test drive is over."
"You haven't made the sale yet," she said, her eyes on the dusty trail they now rolled along.
"If the car is damaged, you will have to pay for the repairs. Even then, it's soiled goods. Pull over now!"
"It is better if you don't talk," Helene said for the third time. Matt stared at her open mouthed. Oh yeah, he was going to force this bitch to buy the car and then he was going to fuck her up the ass.
The trail ended in a flat expanse of desert, the occasional brush and stone littered the otherwise bare ground. Something glinted in the sunlight on the horizon. A dull grey mirage, that Helene drove towards, accelerating again on the hard pan until a plume of fine dust rose up behind them like a sprint boat's spray.
Matt kept his mouth shut and stared at the structure they were driving towards. Walls of corrugated roofing iron and a row of expensive cars, parked out front.
Some kind of exotic-car hijacking operation? He wondered. Well they were insured for that, but why was he still in the car? There was no chance of ransom. No wife or rich family to cash in on his life insurance.
"The fuck is this?" he said.
This time Helene did not tell him to be quiet, she lashed out and punched him so hard his head snapped against the leather cushioning of the interior. By the time he had recovered enough to see clearly, they were slowing down. A metal gate was hurriedly pulled open by two rough looking soldier types with AK47 rifles slung over their shoulders.
Helene drove through the gap, emerging into a small, stadium like pen about 100 feet across with the corrugated iron walls and rolls of barbed wire stretched out into a fence that encircled the central open area. Behind the wire and climbing the scrap metal walls, were two rows of empty bleachers, forming a basic grandstand. Standing in the middle of the open area were 11 men and women in shirts and ties and business wear. They all looked surprised, and Matt realised that some of the faces were familiar to him.
Helene stopped the car, "Get out," she said and swept the blonde wig off her head with one hand, revealing natural black hair that was cut short in a ragged pixie style.
Matt stayed where he was. "Listen lady, this is intentional damage of property at best and kidnapping and grand theft auto at worst." Matt's door opened and one of the soldier types reached in and unclipped his seatbelt. Without a word and ignoring Matt's shouts of protest, he was dragged out of the car and dumped on the ground. Helene reversed the Aventador and it vanished through the hole in the wall. The solider walked away and the gate closed behind him.
"What the fuck is going on here!?" Matt yelled as he climbed to his feet. His demand echoed off the scrap metal walls and the group nearby shuffled together, watching him with the eyes of sheep.
"Matt, Matt Kensington?" A soft guy wearing spectacles, with dark stains spreading under the armpits of his pressed blue cotton business shirt came forward, hand extended like a man reaching out to pet a tiger on a dare.
"Yeah?" Matt squinted in the glare. The chubby guy looked like someone that Matt should recognise, but he was sure they had never met.
"Darcey Quinn, Euro Style," the man's head bobbed up and down as if agreeing with himself.
"Of course," Matt realised why the faces looked familiar to him. They were all car salesmen and women. There was David Getz, from A1 European Imports, Matilda Jones, the beautiful ebony skinned beauty from Liberty Dealership's lot over on Belmont…
"This some kind of joke?" Matt asked, brushing the dust from his suit pants.
"I really don't know. I sure hope so," Darcey gave a strangled laugh that sounded more like a yelp. "I don't suppose you have any water on you?"
"No," Matt walked past Darcey, heading towards the closed gate. "Hey!" he yelled at the blank wall. "I wanna talk to whoever is in charge. Right now!"
Somewhere on the wall a speaker squawked with feedback. "It is better if you don't talk," Helene's voice echoed from the PA system and rolled around the arena.
"Helene? Goddamnit, I want some answers. I want them right now!" Matt stamped his foot, a stupid childish gesture, but he was too angry to care. The PA system remained silent. He walked over to the gate and tugged on it. It seemed bolted from the other side and his beating on it garnered no response.
On the other side of the gate Matt heard a truck engine starting, a Ford pickup, at least 20 years old, and in need of a tune from the way it sounded. The bolts on the gate rattled and he stumbled back as the gate started to swing against him. The pickup, piebald with rust and on bald tires, rolled into the yard. Two soldiers, with their ever-present automatic weapons stood on the deck. The truck stopped next to the group and the two men began heaving stuff out of the back. Matt jogged closer, an axe, crudely formed helmets hammered out of scrap metal, some weirdly shaped lengths of steel, cut with an oxy-acetylene torch by the burn marks, and a tangled scrap of fishing net.
The soldiers and the driver ignored all questions and once the deck had been emptied the truck slowly turned and drove out, the gate opening and closing after them.
"Ladies and gentlemen, my thanks for your patience," the voice that came over the PA system was male, it sounded rich and oiled. The accent was similar to Helene's, East European, but more cultured. This, Matt decided, was the guy in charge.
"What the hell is this about?" Matt yelled.
"It is better if you do not talk. Everything will be explained to you," the voice said.
"Clearly this is some kind of prank. But I can assure you, my lawyers have no sense of humour!" Matilda, an ice-cold bitch with an African Princess attitude stood with her hands on her hips and looked proudly at the PA speaker wired to a post on the wall.
"This is no joke. I can assure you. You are all excellent at what you do. Men and women who survive in a highly competitive world of luxury car sales. You sell the very best to the most meticulous and quality conscious customers. You are here to answer a very simple question."
The group frowned and looked at each other, waiting for further information.
"Ask yourselves," the voice purred, clearly enjoying the suspense. "Just what would you do to secure a sale?"
Matilda laughed, the others also chuckled and they relaxed. Okay, so this wasn't some ransom demand or car theft operation. It must be a joke.
"I'd fuck my own grandmother!" Ernie Munro, Fontaine Cars, the Mercedes Benz specialists, shouted and then grinned at the others. Matt laughed with everyone else.
"I'd watch him fuck his own grandmother!" another guy called out.
"I'd let you fuck me in the ass while watching him fuck his own grandmother!" Darcey shouted, picking up on the theme of the joke, though no one laughed and he flushed with embarrassment.
"We will keep that in mind," the announcer said. "Today we have a different kind of test in mind for you. In front of you, you will find weapons. Crude weapons, but enough for our purpose. You will also find some measure of protection. A few helmets, gloves, and perhaps a breastplate or two?"
No one moved, the last of the humour drying up like spit on the salt pan.
"You have got to be kidding?" Darcey muttered.
"One of you will make a sale today. The one who wants it enough will be returned to their place of employment, with sufficient cash to purchase the vehicle you arrived in and a substantial cash bonus for your personal inconvenience. The rules are simple. Each of you shall fight in what the Romans called a melee. A group of gladiators will fight to the death with the weapons provided. The last man, or woman standing, wins their freedom and gets the sale."
The laughter that rippled across the group had a nervous twang to it. The group all looked at each other with varying expressions of disbelief.
"This is getting ridiculous," Matilda took a step forward. The grim soldiers appeared on the bench seats, climbing up from somewhere below, they arranged themselves at equal positions around the stands.
"The last person to arm themselves will be shot. You have 10 seconds…" the voice over the PA said calmly. "Starting now."
Some kind of survival instinct kicked in for Matt. He would play along, obey the demands and get out alive. Then, oh yeah, then he would sue every last sonnovabitch here. Someone was going to fund his early retirement with a settlement that would beggar them for generations. He snatched up a piece of heavy sheet metal, four feet long, cut and hammered into a rough sword shape. One end had been turned into a handle, with a rag bound around it as padding. He gripped it and stepped back from the pile. The other salesmen looked at him in surprise, and then they all moved together. A free-for-all ensued, weapons were snatched up and a few enterprising grabbers took up the helmets and other bits of armour as well. Only Matilda stood apart, regarding the scramble with scorn.
"Time's up," the voice announced. Everyone clattered with their new possessions, looking around to see if anyone was now unarmed. All eyes fell on Matilda. The nearest guard standing on the higher row of bench seats raised his AK47 and fired a short burst. The people on the ground scattered, most of them screaming. Matilda jerked and fell backwards; red holes had punched through her chest and face, smashing bone and defiance into a pulpy mess of blood and mush.
"The fuck!?" Ernie, the grandmother-fucker, screamed.
"You may begin," the PA announced. No one moved. Most of them were staring in mute shock at Matilda's crumpled form. One guy dropped the nail spiked baseball bat he carried and lifted a sports jacket from the dirt and gently laid it over Matilda's face.
"In ten seconds we will shoot anyone who has not joined the melee," the voice announced.
Everyone froze, waiting for the joke, waiting for the laugh track, waiting for the balloons and the ticker tape to come raining down. Waiting of Matilda to stand up, laugh and give them a hard time about the looks on their faces. After six seconds Matt felt a freezing sense of dread climb up his spine, dragging his balls up with it. At eight seconds Darcey let out a scream and swung the sledgehammer he had been holding with both hands. It caught a pudgy looking Asian guy in a pink shirt, no tie, in the midriff. Pink shirt doubled up, the air exploding out of his mouth in a spittle laden OOF!
Matt yelled in shock and surprise and seeing a flash in the corner of his eye, he swung the sword blindly. It crashed against a similar blade and the ringing sensation numbed his arm. Some black guy that Matt didn't recognise attacked again. His metal sword hammering down on Matt's blade like he was beating out a fire. The black guy's eyes and teeth were shining white. His eyes bulged and his lips had peeled back, even his gums had gone grey.
Matt had never fenced, or studied Kendo or any of that Samurai shit like they showed on the History Channel. He knocked the blade aside and hit back with his own. The sweat in his hands soaking into the cloth wrapped handle and giving him a better grip. All around him the sounds of pitched battle had erupted. No gun-fire rang out so Matt fought for his life. The black man fell back under Matt's assault. Matt was screaming abuse, calling the guy every name under the sun. Shrieking hate and terror in a meaningless torrent of abuse. The guy stumbled, tripping on a fallen combatant who was writhing and moaning while trying to stem the flow of blood gushing from their torn belly.
As the black man went down, Matt swung the heavy blade down on his head. It was like splitting wood for the fire during Christmas vacations on his grandparent's farm in Oregon when he was a kid. The blade struck about eye-level. The black guy trembled and lay still.
Matt grunted and tugged on the weapon, his breath came in ragged gasps and he could feel his pulse pounding in his ears. It roared like he had stuck his entire head inside a shell and instead of the ocean he could hear a tsunami crashing down on him.
Someone collided with Matt and sent him sprawling, he rolled through dust thick with congealing blood, and scrambled to his hands and feet, a primal snarl escaping his lips.
Darcey had dropped the hammer and now wielded a spiked baseball bat, one of the rough helmets on his head. Blood splatter across his glasses had blinded him and his next swing at Matt went wide. Matt scuttled sideways, snatching up a short, wide-bladed machete and a metal dustbin lid.
Another fighting pair passed between them, a blonde woman, wielding a shiv as long as her arm stabbed at a terrified looking white guy with empty hands who babbled, "I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" as he retreated from her.
Circling around Darcey, Matt struck out at him, and got a hard smack on the arm for his trouble.
"You fuckers! You fuckers!" Darcey squealed, lashing out with his baseball bat. Matt darted away, looking for easier prey.
The fight lasted less than a minute and then seven people lay dead or dying on the sand. The living wounded screamed and moaned in pain, clutching broken limbs, or babbling in hysterics as they cradled their own guts. A silver haired older guy with no apparent injury, but drenched in blood, was on his knees, Matt thought he was praying, but he seemed to be saying something about laundry. "Always put the sheets away with the fold to the front. You stupid bitch. Always put the sheets away with the fold to the front…"
The five current victors eyed each other with a shocked wariness. Darcey, Ernie and the blonde with the shiv stood well apart at one end of the massacre.
Matt glanced to his left, he didn't know the woman's name but she had a high cheek-boned Latino face and the same stunned look in her eyes as the rest of them. She held an axe, the head of it was crusted with blood and congealed dirt. Matt stared, fascinated that her blood stained hands were steady and she was breathing easily.
"Mister Morrison," the PA announced, "If you are not injured. Rise and join the battle. Failure to engage will result in your disqualification from the competition."
The fighters on their feet looked around until their gaze settled on the grey haired man on his knees. " …With the fold to the front…You stupid bitch…"
Matt started counting under his breath, bringing his own hysteria under control, breathing it down and letting adrenaline sharpen his senses. He'd reached nine when a short burst of gun-fire sounded from the bleachers. The sheet folder toppled over on his face, the back of his head busted open like a blood filled piñata.
"Five of you still live, only one can leave alive with the sale and the cash bonus. The melee begins again in five seconds," The announcer fell silent.
Matt raised his hand and wiped the sweat and blood from his eyes. His throat burned with thirst, the dust choked him and he could hear himself wheezing. He felt something else too, like being high on cocaine. A sense of complete engagement with every cell in his body. Darcey and the other two had a quick exchange of words, they seemed to come to an agreement and the three of them began to advance towards Matt and the Latino woman.
"Assholes," she growled. "We have to fight them, or we both die."
"What's your name?" Matt asked.
"Juliette," she replied.
Matt nodded, "I'm Matt. Go left Juliette," he said. Sidestepping right he put himself on Ernie's flank. Ernie's face was as pale as milk, he moved like he was asleep and the hands that held the sheet-metal sword shook violently.
"I'm going to kill you Ernie. I am actually going to kill you. You have about five seconds left to live," Matt said with a calmness he did not feel.
"They made me do it… I didn't want to but they made me…" Ernie croaked, his voice hoarse with shock and cracking with hysteria.
"Doesn't matter Ernie. Doesn't matter a damn. You are still going to die. Right here. Right now. I am going to hurt you so bad you are going to die screaming. Matt didn't dare look towards Juliette when she shrieked and he heard the sounds of weapons crashing together. Ernie started crying, his eyes filled with fat tears and Matt covered the remaining distance between them in three quick strides. "Mommy…" Ernie said and Matt hit him in the neck with the machete. The blade came free and it took two more hacks to kill Ernie. The first hit cut through something vital so he couldn't scream, he just gurgled and looked terrified.
Matt ran towards Juliette, she was on the ground, her clothes torn as she rolled around with Darcey. In any other situation this would be the hottest thing Matt could imagine. The blonde woman was hobbling around them, now bleeding heavily from a gash in her leg.
"Kill the bitch! Fucking kill her!" Blondie screamed. She waved her shiv and stabbed at the air anytime they came near her.
Juliette and Darcey were both snarling and snapping at each other like dogs. Instead of a bone, they were fighting for a chokehold on the other's throat. Darcey's glasses were lying in the dust and both combatants looked as if they had been dipped in blood soaked flour.
Without breaking stride Matt smashed the blonde woman's legs out from under her with a swipe of the machete. The blow almost severed her good leg, sending her shrieking to the ground. Her hands clutching the spurting stump as she her scream rose to a high-pitched, airless whine.
Darcey saw him coming and managed to throw Juliette off. Whining like a beaten dog he scrambled through the dust and grabbed the spiked bat. Dripping chunks of skull and hair still clung to it. He held it out like a sharp tipped sword, or loaded gun. "Back off!" Darcey yelled.
Matt paused, "You okay Juliette?"
She spat blood and dust, "I'm okay," she said, picking at the torn panels of her silk shirt, trying to restore some modesty.
"I'm going to kill you Darcey," Matt started his sales pitch, the psychology of the melee was the same as selling cars. Make the person trust you and believe everything you said. Make your reality theirs. Hook the fish and reel them in…
"Fuck you Kensington. You piece of shit!" Darcey spat in the dirt. "You are a fucking asshole, you know that? Everyone says it. A creepy, stalking, sleazy piece of shit. I've had women tell me that you talk a lot, but you can't get it up when it matters. The best part was they were riding my cock when they told me. Laughing at you Kensington. Laughing at you and your sad little dick."
Matt screamed and charged, the machete swinging. Darcey sidestepped the heavy blade and swung the baseball bat hard. With a hit like that in a game, he would have been able to run to at least third base, and maybe even steal home. Instead the bent nails dug deep into Matt's skull, shattering bone and plunging deep into his brain. His spasmic jerk pulled the bat from Darcey's hands. The machete dropped and Matt staggered a few steps. His mouth working soundlessly as his eyes blinked to clear the haze from his vision.
Darcey snatched up the machete and hit Matt across the belly with it. The sharp blade cut through cloth, toned muscle and deep into the man's core. Matt sank to his knees with a final sigh.
Juliette started sobbing, her two-inch heeled pumps slipped off her feet as she backed away from Darcey.
"This will be quick and this will be easy. Just kneel down and pray," Darcey said, walking towards her.
She prayed in Spanish, the half-forgotten words bubbling up from deep inside. For the first time since she was a child Juliette heard the rosary spoken in her grandmother's soft voice, murmured in time to the steady clicking of the prayer beads. She felt the soft touch of the old woman's hand on her cheek and then something hit her on the back of the neck hard enough to send her into darkness.
Darcey tossed the blood stained machete aside and walked across the dusty arena. The gate opened and a group of goons came in carrying body bags. Working in pairs they lifted the dead into the bags and stacked them up. The woman who called herself Helene came over to Darcey, carrying a briefcase in one hand and a can of beer, so cold it raised gooseflesh on her forearm, in the other.
"He is very pleased. The betting was very strong and the audience say it was the best arena yet," she said.
"Good," Darcey replied, taking the beer and draining half of it in one long, desperate swallow.
"Do you want to count it?" she asked offering the briefcase.
"No. I've never been disappointed yet." Darcey finished the beer and let out a long echoing belch. Helene kept her disgust off her face.
Tossing the beer can aside Darcey stripped off his torn and blood-soaked shirt. He was carrying extra weight, but there was muscle there too, and his skin was a collage of scars; old stab wounds, burns, and deep cuts.
"So, where to next year?" Darcey asked, taking the briefcase from Helene.
"We think Canada, or maybe France. He misses Europe and the brutality of Americans is becoming passé."
"Yeah, we are a fucked up nation," Darcey agreed. "Where's my change of clothes?"
"I have them, once you have washed and changed, you should stick around. There will be barbecue after the clean-up."
"Great, I could eat a horse." Darcey said falling into step with Helene as they exited the arena.


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LIVE 7pm TUESDAY – The Lunaticks Society hosts join key stakeholders in the $18 million Hunter Innovation Project to discuss the future of Newcastle. Guests include Nathaniel Bavinton the Smart City Coordinator from Newcastle City Council. James Vidler the President of Hunter Digital Industry Growth and Innovation Taskforce (DiGiT); Rob Olver, Business Adviser, AusIndustry; Julie Rich, Associate Director from The University of Newcastle, Australia.
YouTube Live Stream

subset: commoncrawl


text: Some time ago, Charli reviewed an article I published in International Organization. In that review, Charli asked how do we know what we 'know' about the nature of external states. At the time, I thought the question an important one. In only a few years, the question has gone from important to absolutely critical. As the politics surrounding Trump's election and administration, including the now pervasive claim of 'fake news' demonstrate, knowledge—and faith therein—is under strain. While knowledge has never been as objective or robust as most international relations (IR) scholars assume, the phenomenon of social media has shifted the ground. Continue reading


text:
We are still collecting recipes, foods made from market produce or value added products such as jams and jellies. Also accepting ideas for putting up produce for use during the winter months along with recipes made from such items. We presently have 60 recipes in various categories. Looking for more entrees, sides, beverages. Would like to publish a calendar for sale starting with the 2018 Year.
We will be having frequent customer cards that can be initialed by each vendor when you make a purchase. 10 initials and the back filled out enters you into a monthly raffle on the 2nd Saturday of the month.
We will be holding three mega events each year.
April 1st and 2nd 2017 at the Civic Center,
August tba, 2017evening at Ralph Edwards park, and
December tba, 2017 at the Civic Center. Watch for complete information on our Facebook page.
Any additional ideas for fundraising are welcome. We would like to encourage community support of this Farmers' Market because it is here for the community. Volunteers to organize fundraisers are WELCOME. Please join us in promoting this vital part of our County.
Looking for someone to set up signage again this year to promote Market on Friday and Saturday. We also need about 4 more signs to put up in Elephant Butte and Williamsburg.
We are also looking for volunteers to help with promoting the Farmers Market on social networks such as Facebook and Twitter.
Please Contact
or at 575-894-9375
Thank you for your contributions.


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Funeral service for Dr. WC (Buddy) Burns, 71 of Willis will be held on Friday, December 19, 2008 at 10 a.m. at the First Baptist. Interment will follow in Garden Park Cemetery. Visitation is scheduled for Thursday, December 18, 2008 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Cashner Funeral Home.
Dr. Burns was born on June 28, 1937 in Cherry Valley, Arkansas and went to be with our Lord on December 13, 2008 after suffering a massive heart attack at home. Dr. Burns was very proud to be the Pastor of North Shore Church, a father and a grandfather. Dr. Burns set an example of loving his God, living his life by biblical principles and always sharing the good news of his risen Savior.
Dr. W C (Buddy) Burns is survived by his daughters, Janet Burns Turner and husband Lester of Alexandria, Louisiana and Joy Burns Cates and husband Troy of Porter, Texas; sons, Terry Burns and wife Lee Ann of Riverdale, Michigan and Gary Burns and wife Karen of Conroe, Texas; his sisters, Harriet (Burns) Carwell of Cherry Valley, Arkansas, and Julia (Burns) Snelson of El Paso, Texas; his grandchildren, Darianne, Lynlee, Carley, Katie, Claire, Reagan, Chandler, Brandon, Luke, Ethan, Jacob, and Abigail; he is preceded in death by his wife, Arrie Beth Burns. Numerous other relatives and friends also survive. Pallbearers will be the men of North Shore Church.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to North Shore Church in memory of Dr. W C (Buddy) Burns, 410 Camden Hills West, Montgomery, Texas 77356.
Obituary with picture courtesy of the Conroe Courier
We lost a dear friend here in our Bentwater, Texas, Subdivision. Buddy Burns died this Sunday morning at his desk reviewing for his sermon he was to preach later at the Church of the North Shore of Montgomery, Texas.
I have been knowing Buddy personally for about two years through the Bentwater Tuesday Morning Bible Study which he led. Buddy was a good friend to all here and we hit if off good. I knew of him when he came and had been knowing his son before he came. I did not attend the church he led but did attend a Christmas Eve service once.
Buddy seemed to love teaching almost as much as he loved preaching. He was always on the go teaching a Bible class here and then one there. He also did some seminary class teaching.
If there was anything peculiar with him it was his story telling. He always had a real life experience from his pastoring and counseling to match the situation under discussion.
His joke telling was a little peculiar for some. He was so pure that often he did not know the real down to earth meaning of the joke he was telling. The base meaning would embarrass him when he found out. Most times someone would take him aside and ask, "Preacher, do you know what _______[key base word to his joke] means?" He would say, "Well, not really." Then he would be told.
I was also fortunate in getting to know his daughter-in-law and grandson who went with us to Guatemala on our October mission trip. They are fine examples of Christians. I found after we had met that they read my blog from time to time.
Labels: Friends


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So you are all probably thinking "Uh huh, he said he would update once a week, yeah right." LOL. Well, I try, but am only getting time about every other week. Last weekend we had our Annual Helmig Farms BBQ competiton so we were a bit busy. Every year we host a large event (about 60 people this year here at our farm, where locals get together and compete in BBQ'ing in four catagories :Chicken, brisket, ribs, and pork. Medals and trophies are awarded, food and drink provided for every one, and a great time had by all. Alot of visitors seemed to gravitate towards the vegitable garden and asking different questions. As for our summer garden update, we took our last picking of green beans and wax beans on Tuesday night. I still need to pull up the plants as they are all done just have not had the time. We were able to can 27 pints of green beans out of the deal, so that will be nice this winter. When canning, the wife did her batches just plain beans and some homemade bacon that I butchered and cured last fall. The batches i did i added the same homemade bacon, but also through in some homegrown chopped up white onion. The peas are also all done, we ended up with 4 gallons of peas frozen. They take up alot of room in the garden but are sure yummy, and for pea lovers they are a wonderful treat in the wintertime in casseroles, on salads, etc. The pea plants are already all ripped up. Later this weekend my Dutch Flat Head cabbage is ready, so i will need to shred it and ferment it for sour Krout. Recipes are on the internet as for recipes, it takes about a week or maybe a little more depending on volume, temp, etc. Also i notice my onions have fallen over. Stalks have not turned yellow yet, but will today or tomorrow I am assuming. So i will need to pull them as well, bunch them, and hang them. Hang onions in a cold dry place for maximum keep time. Depending on the species you can keep for example yellow onions almost into next planting season. My white onions for example, or red onions, or walla walla's will not keep near that long due to their sugar content. You can still hang them, but they will spoil fairly quick. Debating trying some shredding and freezing methods this year for longer keep time on the white onions. Tomatoes are doing wonderful, growing like weeds, and fruiting, but are not yet ripe. Zucchinnis have had one massive picking already. We canned 18 jars of Zuch-relish, and I gave about a dozen Zuch's away to my mother as she likes making Zuchinni sweet pickles. She wanted to trade me a few jars in trade for the produce, but I don't much care for sweet pickles, so politely refused. There are about another 50 lbs of Zuchinni that are still growing but not yet ready for harvest. My garlic never did all that great, as they were from 2 year old cloves, but i will take the ones I can and hang for drying to use for re-planting stock next year. Carrots are also all ready for harvest, and are very large. I added some sand into the carrot area before I tilled it this year, and they grew a world better! Much larger in diameter and length. Will probably get 10 pints or so out of the carrots. Peppers are also doing well, jalepenos and bells, and have been being used through out the summer for cooking. I didn't plant a whole bunch of peppers this year as i still have loads of them in the freezer from years before. On a side note "Sammy" our Yorkshire pig is fattening up nice also, and loving the canning season! Sammy gets all the scraps from canning, and plants i yank up, etc on top of her feed ration. So she is a happy camper, and will be more than ready to butcher in fall. Butcher time is strictly dependent upon pigs weight, and cool weather. I wait till the weather is cold so i can hang the pig and age it for a few days, but not totally cold enough to freeze, as frozen animals are a PAIN to cut up and process. usually October is prime butchering season.
Tag Archives: plants
Catching Rain
I am sitting in my comfortable recliner, some annoying cartoon on tv that my 3 year old is watching, the fire next to me roasty and toasty, and on the window panes the rain beats hard. The past week or so it has been half way decent weather out, but here in early spring with fresh new fruit trees in the ground, seeds planted in the garden, we need a rain. Which brings me to my topic of the day. Catching, and using rain to our benefit, not work against us, and here in western Oregon we get TONS of rain! Lets start off by first mentioning that in spring, rain is needed to help growing trees and shrubs establish root systems, and provide water for the growing plant to begin structural growth, bud development, and over all cell structure. With out the rain, plants would just wither away and die. Same for seeds planted in gardens or flowerbeds. The rain is needed to keep these seeds moist and germinate so they can sprout and grow up through the earth. One way of harnessing rain that some may not think of, is i store rain water. I have rain collection units around teh farm here, from 5-gallon buckets at the bottom of gutter down spouts, to rubber maid tubs catching rain off the wood shed roof. Why would I collect rain water you ask? Well, if I was in the city the use of rain water for plants would be super beneficial due to city water containing so much cholorine and flouride and such and would provide the plants with a more pure and nitrogen enriched source of water. However, we do have a well here on the farm, so the purity of the water is not an issue. Mostly i use the collected water for animals. The rabbits and the chickens both live off the collected rain water (except in the summer, then it is well water). Its also handy sometimes having some easily accesible water for washing off farm or garden tools, rinsing off eggs, washing off dirty hands what ever. Rain is our friend, not our enemy, and has a million uses. As the years progress I intend on expanding my rain catching system to something a little more substantial, but in the mean time what i have will have to work. Happy rain catching every one.
Mulching and Wood Chip Day
As Spring continues here in the Pacific Northwest grass and weeds are starting to grow. I am seeing grass and weeds sprouting in our gravel driveway, and many other places around the farm that I will definately have to start spraying soon. I was thinking of this yesterday evening as i rolled myself a smoke, sat on the porch looking up the drive seeing all the scotchbroom turning dark green and healthy again. Darn stuff. I have about a 3 acre piece that is not fenced in yet, and goats and stock can't be kept in there to keep the brush mowed down. So this particular piece of land, until i get it fenced, i have been keeping brush down by hand with herbicide, weed eaters, machette, and hand shears. Not very fun. And of coarse it has to be the brushiest, rockiest, most uneven piece of ground on the whole place where I can't even take a mower into. Oh well. Any ways, was sitting on the porch last night, thinking about some fruit trees i have, some flower beds, and other things of that nature, and decided that with weather permitting I will make today mulch day. During the fall I save two large 100lbs feed bags (the white woven plastic strand kind). In one I pick up dead and fallen maple leaves and stuff it full. In the other I put wood shavings. The savings i get from cutting wood all year round. Sometimes when i have a big burly hunk of wood with knots every where I will just lay it on it's side and use the chainsaw to split it into desired pieces. Yeah its more of a use of gas, but it saves having to beat and beat and beat on the darned thing, but also it gives me nice long wood shavings, which I use in around the place in lew of Bark Dust. Just a side note for folks, if you stand the block of wood upright and saw through it, the wood chips will be very fine, and powder like, if you lay it on its side and cut with the grain you will get those long strands I am talking about. Just a note.
Any ways, alot of fruit trees and flower beds (the ones that are planted already and sprouting up) will get a layer of crushed and crumbled broken up leaf bits (1/2 inch thick or so, maybe an inch) fallowed by an inch or more of wood shavings. Mulching helps retain moisture in the hot summer months, but it also help prevent grass and weeds poking up through. No it doesn't totally stop them, but it does slow and impeede them. My only advice for others doing this, is I also take a soil ph tester with me as I do this. The wood shavings has potential of making the soil more acidic over time. each year I test around the trees and beds, and ajust accordingly to what each species likes and needs. Happy gardening folks


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Today we discuss the time honored sport of Surfin. As a kid not living on the beach but near the beach I remember going to watch the movie, Point Break. Here's a clip from the film that showed what it takes to learn the sport and get up on the board.
This sport is not for the timid at heart. It's for the risk takers and the go out and getters, unfortunately these guys were taking risks in robbing banks as well which I don't condone.
But I am thankful for the people involved in the sport the promotion of the sport and the sport itself. The sport is truly man achieving mind over matter. Especially when riding a wave 100 times the size of the themselves.
So next time you go to a beach or competition be sure to give some of the cool surfers a shotout or a hang time. Goodnight.


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It was time to take Daughter 1 back up to Durham already. The Easter break is particularly short and it seems like I've no sooner brought her down then I'm slogging back up there again. I've also found from past experience that there often is precious little to see in the North East at this time of year and try as I might I couldn't really find much at all to tempt me. So this time, rather than heading off early in the morning to take advantage of as much birding time as possible, instead we didn't even leave Oxford until after lunch. Fortunately the traffic was very light and we even treated ourselves to a stop-off at a service station for a cup of tea to make for an even more easy-going journey northwards. We arrived in Durham some time after 6 p.m. and had soon ferried my daughter's stuff back into her student room. To keep things really simple we'd brought some micro-waved ready-meals for dinner which we ate whilst watching TV. Then, to save on the cost of paying for a B&B, she headed over to her boyfriend's so that I could sleep in her room on her comfortable bed. Before turning in I did some research on the day's bird sightings and the only thing of interest that I could come up with for the next day was a Great Grey Shrike a little way off the M1 (or so it looked according to the map) on the Yorkshire Moors. Now, normally I wouldn't go very far out of my way to see a Great Grey Shrike but it looked to be in rather interesting habitat that I don't get to visit so often so I resolved that unless anything better turned up, then I'd give that a go on the way back home.
Sunday dawned sunny and warm and with nothing else on the pager so far I headed back to the car and started my journey south. The roads were wonderfully clear and I made good time until I came to my turn-off for the Moors. However, what looked a relatively short distance on the map turned out to be further than I thought and it was a good hour of traveling along relatively slow roads before I neared my destination of Lower Barden Reservoir on Barden Moor.
|Lower Barden Reservoir viewed from the car park
As I turned onto the narrow road that lead up to the top of the moors I spotted a Red Grouse sitting on a wall by the roadside. Excitedly I pulled over and took a photo with my phone. However, I soon discovered that actually Red Grouse were absolutely everywhere. There was another sitting on the wall right by the car park and they were calling and flying about where ever you looked. I got out of the car and got my stuff together and started down towards the reservoir.
|Red Grouse were everywhere
|Looking back up the hill towards the car park
As I wandered down the hillside I was amazed at just how much bird song there was. I'm used to moorlands being rather desolate and deserted places but this area was alive with singing. There were the strange clucks of the Grouse, then there were Meadow Pipits, Lapwing and Curlew all calling and singing away. Down by the farm there were Willow Warblers and Chiffchaff singing in the garden and a Snipe was drumming overhead continually. In the nearby field there were Redshank and more Lapwing, it was just full off life. I wandered about in a most contented manner, taking it all in.
|An obliging Red Grouse
|One of many Meadow Pipits
|Green Hairstreak
|Golden Saxifrage
The only slight damper on proceedings was the lack of the Shrike. I met a local birder by the farm who pointed out where it should be but he hadn't seen it all morning so it rather looked like it had gone. I didn't really mind though as I was thoroughly enjoying the scenery and the moorland flora and fauna. The local chap told me that he'd seen some Ring Ouzels further out beyond the reservoir but that the best spot for them was right up at the top of the hill near where I'd parked so I decided to take a look back there instead. I wandered back up the hill to the car, partially in the company of a lovely and very chatty old couple who told me all about the local area and what could be seen.
Back at the car it was only a minute's drive around to the car park at the top of the hill where I parked up and headed off to climb up to the summit. Right at the very top I managed to put up a Ring Ouzel that did a nice circular flight around me before headed over the brow of the hill and out of sight. Further round I found a singing male Cuckoo which posed long enough for some snaps.
I ended up doing a complete circuit around the peak and finally as I headed back towards the car park I spotted a male Ring Ouzel, looking very much at home in amongst the rocks and boulders. It was rather distant but I took some super-zoom shots for the record.
|Ring Ouzel
Back at the car I was rather surprised to see how late it was: it was after 2 pm and I was still more than three hours from home. Still with the radio to keep me company the time passed reasonably enough though as it was now Sunday afternoon the traffic wasn't as good as this morning. Finally I arrived back home late afternoon for my customary cup of tea and a chance to reflect on what had been a surprisingly enjoyable trip up to the North East.
|Round-leaved Crowfoot that I found in a ditch
|Some Climbing Corydalis, not yet in bloom


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MSNBC's Hunt to Sen Warren: Is McConnell 'Sexist'?
Wednesday on MSNBC, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) discussed being reprimanded on the Senate floor Tuesday for her comments against President Donald Trump's Attorney General nominee Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL).
Several times, MSNBC political correspondent Kasie Hunt asked Sen.Warren if Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) invoked Rule 19 to shut her down while reading a letter by Coretta Scott King because he is "sexist."
Partial transcript as follows:
HUNT: Let's talk about what's happened in the intervening hours since this happened on the floor. Your democratic colleagues have gone down to the senate floor. They've been reading this letter out loud. Was that something you asked them to do?
WARREN: Nope.
HUNT: And so far, they've been allowed to continue speaking. Some say it was sexist to silence you on the floor last night.
WARREN: You'd have to ask Mitch McConnell. He's the one who shut me down for doing this. But I will tell you what I did. As soon as I was no longer allowed to read, I went outside the senate chamber and I read the whole speech, just did it live on video and posted it on Facebook. I hope everybody reads the speech. I have tried to put up as many connections. I want children to read this speech. I want adults to read this speech. I want all people, and particularly, I want the Republicans who are going to vote tonight on whether or not Jeff Sessions becomes the next attorney general of the United States. I want them to read this speech before they vote.
HUNT: Do you think what Senator McConnell did last night was sexist?
WARREN: I think what he did was wrong.
HUNT: But it wasn't sexist?
WARREN: I think reading the words of Coretta Scott King on the floor of the United States senate honors the senate. She talks about a very difficult time in our history. And a time and a reminder that even today, African-Americans are often denied access to voting. And she talks about how it happened and why it happened. I think it's an important part of our history that we cannot just push behind us. that we cannot just gloss over. everyone needs to read Coretta Scott King's letter.
Follow Pam Key on Twitter @pamkeyNEN


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On a second attempt, Senator Spencer, Republican, of Missouri, got into The Congressional Record a magazine article on The Scientific Political Training of Calvin Coolidge (TIME, Jan. 14). He could not secure unanimous consent to have it printed, so he was obliged to read it on the floor of the Senate whereby it officially became part of the proceedings. As he read, one Democrat after another rose and requested his permission to speak.
Senator Spencer replied to each: "I decline to yield [the floor]."
When the reading was finished, the Democratic storm broke.
Senator Pat...
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2014-2015 Eames Scholarship at SGSC awarded to Andrew Daniels
Andrew Daniels (left), a member of South Georgia State College's (SGSC) men's basketball team, was awarded the Eames Scholarship by the James M. Dye Foundation for the 2014-2015 academic year. The scholarship was established in 2008 by Charles Eames (right) for students on SGSC's Waycross Campus. A 2014 graduate of Shiloh Christian School in Springdale, Ark., Daniels plans to transfer to a four-year college or university to major in sports management/sports training. Daniels is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey C. Daniels of Fayetteville, Ark. The James M. Dye Foundation wishes to thank Charles Eames for helping Waycross Campus students achieve their educational dreams through the Eames Scholarship.


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Our molecular neurobiology laboratory is focused on identification of new therapeutic targets for glioma immunotherapy as well as understanding glioma microenvironment. Established experimental models as well as strong collaboration with Poland and Warsaw's most advanced hospitals allow us to pursue high standard translational research. The team is led by Professor Bozena Kaminska who has strong background in cancer immunology and tumor environment.
You can follow Nencki Institute at
The Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology organizes the Brain Tumors Conference, that brings together top scientists from the field and attracts researchers from around the world.
We have lunched new website for the 2021 Brian Tumors meeting!
Visit our Conference page and Facebook to see our previous meetings.
(email for more details)


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From Abu Humaid As Sa'idi, (he said that) Allah's Apostle Shallallaahu 'alayhi wa Sallam said,
هَدَايَا الْعُمَّالِ غُلُولٌ
"Gift to the employee is ghulul (properties taken from betrayal of trust , corruption)" (Recorded by Ahmad no. 23601)
عَنْ عَدِىِّ بْنِ عَمِيرَةَ الْكِنْدِىِّ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ -صلى الله عليه وسلم- يَقُولُ « مَنِ اسْتَعْمَلْنَاهُ مِنْكُمْ عَلَى عَمَلٍ فَكَتَمَنَا عَلَى عَمَلٍ فَكَتَمَنَا مِخْيَطًا فَمَا فَوْقَهُ كَانَ غُلُولاً يَأْتِى بِهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ».
From 'Adi Ibn 'Amirah al Kindi, (he said that) I heard The Apostle of Allah Shallallaahu'alayh wa Sallaam said, " Whoever amongst you who are trusted by a job, then he did not deliver a needle or things which are more valuable than that to us, that property will be carried by him on Day of Resurrection as ghulul (corrupted property)" (Collected by Muslim, no. 4848).
مَنِ اسْتَعْمَلْنَاهُ عَلَى عَمَلٍ فَرَزَقْنَاهُ رِزْقًا فَمَا أَخَذَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ فَهُوَ غُلُولٌ ».
In the authority of Abdullah Ibn Buraidah, from his father, Buraidah, (he stated that) The Prophet Shallallaahu'alayh wa Sallam said,
"Whoever person we employed, and we had paid the wages, then all properties that he got out of his wages (from that work, trans. ) are considered as ghulul (corrupted properties)." (Collected by Abu Daud, no. 2943, In Kaifa pg. 11, Sheikh Abdul Muhsin al Abbad said, 'Narrated by Abu Daud with an authentic chain, and the status is saheeh according to al Albani)
From Musa Ibn 'Uqba; when 'Iyadh Ibn Ghanam was appointed as the governor of Himsh, in the period of Umar Ibn Khattab, some people of his kith and kin intended to ask for his help came to see him. Iyadh welcomed them cheerily, prepared accommodation for them, and did his best to serve them. They stayed for a few days. After that, they finally told that they came to ask for his help. They also revealed their difficulties along their journey to see him, hoping that they could get some help. Then, Iyadh gave each of them 10 dinars, and they were five persons. But they returned the 10 dinars, angrily, and they spoke ill of Iyadh.
Iyadh replied, "O sons of my uncle, by Allah, I am not refusing the family ties among us. And I realized that you have the rights to get my help, also considering the distance you have travelled to get here. But I do not have anything but ones I've given to you. More than that, then I have to sell my slave and my properties. So please be kind to understand my condition"
They replied, "By Allah, we can not understand your reason, since you are the Ruler of the half of sham (the territory now comprises Syria, Jordan, Palestine, and Lebanon, trans.). How can you are incapable to grant us enough money to get home?"
He strictly answered, "Are you telling me to steal a property of Allah?!
فوالله! لأن أُشقَّ بالمنشار أحبُّ إليَّ من أن أخون فلساً أو أتعدَّى!
"By Allah, even if my body were slaughtered by a saw, it will be dearer to me than I have to commit betraying by taking country's property, even for 1 fulus (the smallest of their currency), or I commit transgression."
They said, "We already understand your financial condition. As an exchange, give us position on your will. We will work as the other employees and we will get wages as they get. You have known us better, we will not misuse the power you've given to us."
Then he again replied, "Verily, I really want to do kindness and give good service to others. But what if a news reached Umar that I granted positions to my family. He must be accused me of wrongdoing."
They said, "Wasn't Abu Ubaida who had appointed you, and you are his close family, and in fact, Umar had agreed of your appointment? If you appoint us, then Umar must be agree too".
He answered, " I am not the same as Abu Ubaida in the sight of Umar." Finally, they went away by speaking ill of Iyadh (Shifat al Shofwah, written by Ibn Al Jauzi 1/669-670, published by Dar al Ma'rifah Beirut).
He is 'Iyadh Ibn Ghanam Ibn Zuhair. He embraced Islam before the contract of Hudaibiya. He saw the event of Hudaibiyya with His Messenger. When Abu Ubaida was close to his death, he appointed 'Iyadh to replace his position and Umar agreed his decision.
He was a person who love to spend in charities. Once, one reported to Umar about his condition and accused him of royal in spending wealth, so that Iyadh will be fired. By that report, Umar simply replied, "He was just being kind with his wealth. But if he held the property of Allah (country's money) he will never give it even a little to anybody. I will not fired the one appointed by Abu Ubaida". The story above just explained the truth of what Umar Ibn Khattab had said.
Iyadh died without leaving any fortunes behind. He died in the year of 20 H, in the age of 60.
That was an example of the carefulness of companions against corruption, a very rare attitude to be found today.
It is true, what our Prophet had told us:
عَنْ أَبِى هُرَيْرَةَ عَنِ النَّبِىِّ – صلى الله عليه وسلم – قَالَ « لَيَأْتِيَنَّ عَلَى النَّاسِ زَمَانٌ لاَ يُبَالِى الْمَرْءُ بِمَا أَخَذَ الْمَالَ ، أَمِنْ حَلاَلٍ أَمْ مِنْ حَرَامٍ » .
In the authority Abu Huraira, the Prophet said, "Human will meet a time, when one do not care anymore, whether he got his wealth from a legal, or illegal source." (Collected by Bukharee, no. 2083)
According to Sheikh Abdul Muhsin al Abbad, the people who care less over the legal or illegal status of a wealth hold a principle, which stated that every reachable wealth is legal. And every unreachable one is illegal. While in Islam, legal are ones legalize by Allah and His Messenger, and vice versa, illegal are ones made illegal by Allah and His Apostle. (Kaifa Yu-addi al Muwazhzhaf al Amanah, pg. 10).
إِنَّ أَوَّلَ مَا يُنْتِنُ مِنَ الإِنْسَانِ بَطْنُهُ ، فَمَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ أَنْ لاَ يَأْكُلَ إِلاَّ طَيِّبًا فَلْيَفْعَلْ
"Indeed, the first part of human body to decay is the stomach. Thus, whoever capable of limiting his foods to the legal ones, then do it." (Collected by Bukharee, no. 6733, in the authority of Jundan Ibn Abdillah).
Author: Aris Munandar, S.S.
Article of www.syaria.com


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Winona's Twice-Weekly Newspaper Since 1971. Click here to Advertise in the Winona Post.
The Winona County Historical Society's History on the River educational cruises are back for another season! Join WCHS out on the river on either the Cal Fremling or Winona Tour Boat this season, both leaving from the Winoan levee. Cruises are on Thursday evenings starting on June 15 and going through September, and are 90 minutes long with a program and sightseeing time. A rotating variety of refreshments are included with each cruise as well.
Tickets are sold in advance at the History Center or by calling 507-454-2723, extension zero. Tickets are $27 for non-members and $22 for WCHS members. Save with the pick three option and go on your choice of any three History on the River cruises for $75 for non-members or $60 for members. Tickets went on sale for the 2017 season on May 8 for members and then for the general public on May 12 at 9 a.m. Stop in the History Center or call 507-454-2723, extension zero, to charge by phone.
Boarding begins 15 minutes prior to the listed departure time. Please note the changing departure times. Parking is available near the levee off Johnson Street and Walnut Street as well as on Cal Fremling Drive. Watch for construction at the levee this summer, but you will have access to the levee docks. The Cal Fremling (CF) is docked near Johnson Street and the Winona Tour Boat (WTB) is near Walnut Street.
2017 schedule
• 15, 7 p.m., Steamboating History of the Upper Mississippi with Robert Taunt, CF
In character as a 19th century steamboat captain, Taunt tells the tales of the countless steamers that travelled the Upper Mississippi, with a focus on Winona's busy port. In conjunction with Winona's Steamboat Days!
• 22, 7 p.m., Fiddlin' History on the River with Betsy Neil, CF
Music teacher Betsy Neil brings aboard some great fiddle music!
• 29, 7 p.m., Bygone Brewing (with sampling) with Island City Brew Masters, WTB
Winona's own local brewers will be aboard to talk about brewing heritage, and they are bringing samples! (Bring your ID.)
• 6 - No cruise – Enjoy the Minnesota Orchestra free concert!
• 13, 7 p.m., "John Latsch: The Man and His River" with Mary Farrell, CF
A unique chance to view the local documentary about the man we all must thank for the many recreational spaces he provided, including, the river refuge which he frequented the most. Q and A with award-winning filmmaker Mary Farrell will be included.
• 20, 7 p.m., GRSF: A look into "Shipwrecked!" and the "Iliad," CF
Great River Shakespeare festival folks join us on the river to share more about this season's performances that feature water ... and some interesting history.
• 27, 7 p.m. Exploring the Refuge and its History with Ranger Ed Lagace, WTB
Ranger Ed will take attendees on the backwaters for a closer look at the refuge, its wildlife, and history. If the river allows we will stop and explore an Island or two.
• 3, 7 p.m. Winona's Lumber Industry with Mr. W.H. Laird (Ray Felton), CF
Get to know a great Winona philanthropist and the business that gave him the means to give so much to Winona. Ray will portray local lumber baron, William Harris Laird.
• 10, 7 p.m., A Look at the Levee: Past, Present, and Future with Keith Nelson, CF
Winona's public works director will tell attendees about Winona's levee, and the process of keeping the river out of Winona.
• 17, 7 p.m., Jazz on the River with Les Fields and the Turkey River All-Stars, CF
Jazz literally played a major role in the history of the river and its recreational pastimes. These guys will play tunes to take you back to those raucous river days.
• 24, 6:30 p.m., Winona Port Operations with Dan Nisbit, CF
Join the president of CD Corp on a river view tour of Winona's industrial port.
• 31, 6:30 p.m., Winona's Boathouse Heritage, WTB
Get up close and learn more about Winona's unique and interesting houseboat heritage. The group will explore the various communities along this stretch of the Mississippi.
• 7, 6 p.m. Mississippi Gold Star Paddle with Jim Crigler, CF
This spring and summer, Vietnam veteran Jim Crigler is taking a canoe down the length of the Mississippi to thank the Gold Star families along the way, and to raise awareness of those that made the ultimate sacrifice of giving up a loved family member to war. Learn about his adventure and the American Huey 369 project.
• 14, 6 p.m., Mississippi River Archeology with Andy Bloedorn, CF
WCHS curator Andy Bloedorn explores how archeologists use what they find to piece together the lives of the very early peoples who lived in our region so long ago. In celebration of Archeology Week!
• 21, 5:30 p.m., The Will of Dilg and the Will of Latsch with Mike Kennedy, CF
Learn about both of the men who loved the river and wanted to provide spaces for the youth of future generations to enjoy and learn about our connectedness to and protection of "the great outdoors."
• 28, 5:30 p.m., Lock and Dam Adventure, WTB
Learn more about the Lock and Dam system, and, if able, attendees will go through the lock process at 5A.
Learn more about the Winona County Historical Society and its programing at www.winonahistory.org or call 507-454-2723.
Our online forms will help you through the process. Just fill in the fields with your
Any troubles, give us a call.
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Vimanmet Mansion
Vimanmek Mansion was built in 1900 under the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). King Rama V moved from the Grand Palace and stayed at Vimanmek Mansion till 1906. The mansion was not uninhabited for long periods during the ensuing years. However, in 1982 it was renovated for use as a museum to commemorate King Rama V. Vimanmek Mansion is the world's largest golden teakwood mansion with an architectural style reflecting Western influence. It houses photographs, personal art and handicrafts of King Rama V area.
Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall (1903) is a one-storey building and served as a throne hall for the Dusit Palace. The wooden building is decorated with intricate floral designs.
Vimanmek Mansion, Statue
The Dusit Palace garden grounds contain many more renovated buildings and various museums. The compound is large, and the environment makes for pleasurable walks.
Exhibits include : Photography by King Bhumibol (Rama IX), Ancient Clocks, Antique Textiles, Ban Chiang Pottery, Royal Paraphernalia.
Direction : Take BTS to Victory Monument. From there you take various buses to Wimanmek Mansion and Dusit Palace ground.
Various European style statues are situated around Wimanmek mansion.
Suan Pakkad is a private residence that has been transformed into an attractive medium-sized museum.
It houses a collection of various antiquities, located in different wooden houses and pavillions around a pleasant garden, where you can also relax and have a cool drink.
The collection comprises : Buddha images, sculptures, art from the Rattanakosin area, musical instruments, pentachromatic porcelain (Bencharong), household utensils. A large collection of Sukhothai (Sawankhalok) ceramics is present.
The Khon museum houses various Khon masks, puppets and figurines, used in the traditional Thai dances.
The Lacquer Pavillion, with its inner walls painted in gold and black lacquer is located in the garden.
There is a medium sized well preserved Royal Barge. Another highlight of this museum is its collection of Ban Chiang artefacts, housed in a separate building.
Suan Pakkad, Detail, Lacquer Pavillion
A large collection of Ban Chiang artefacts is located in a separate building. The exhibits are attractively displayed, and the history of the Ban Chiang culture and excavations is summarized. The Ban Chiang culture was located in present Udon Thani province, and dates back 1,800 to 5,800 years. The collection is quite interesting, and the various beads and painted vases look quite fashionable, even today.
Directions to Suan Pakkad : Take BTS to Phayathai station, take exit 4, turn right into Sri Ayutthaya Road. You'll find the museum after about 300 meters.
Wat Benchamabophit, Monks' living Quarters
Also called the 'Marble' temple, since it is made of Carrera marble. Built by King Chulalongkorn (King Rama V)
The main Buddha image is a copy of the famous Phra Phuttha Chinnarat in Phitsanulok.
The gallery around Wat Benchamabophit has a substantial collection of Buddha images in different styles. They are both original Buddha images, and copies of original sculptures or bronze statues. (The image on the right here is in the 'Lopburi' style.
Similar to other large temples, the compound around Wat Benchamabophit is quite spacious and makes for a pleasant walk. The monks' living quarters are quite colorful.
More about and pictures of Wat Benchamabophit
Wat Benchamabophit
Go to : Historical Monuments on Rattanakosin Island
More history and historical monuments of Thailand :
Ban Chiang Culture | Dvaravati Culture and Art | The Khmer Empire in Thailand | The Kingdom of Sukhothai | The Kingdom of Ayutthaya | With Bangkok as the Capital : Rattanakosin Period 1 | Rattanakosin Period 2 | Outside Rattanakosin
Historical Parks of Thailand :Sukhothai | Si Satchanalai | Kamphaeng Phet


text: Volume 7.07 | Feb 26 Cord Blood News 7.07 February 26, 2015 In this issue: Publications | Reviews | Industry News | Policy News | Events | Jobs TOP STORY Lipase Catalyzed Dissipative Self-Assembly of a Thixotropic Peptide Bolaamphiphile Hydrogel for Human Umbilical Cord Stem Cells Proliferation The thixotropic dynamic combinatorial library hydrogel matrix used for 3D cell culture experiments for different periods of time significantly supported the cells survival and proliferation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells. [Biomacromolecules] Abstract PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by impact factor of the journal) Bone Tissue Engineering via Human Induced Pluripotent, Umbilical Cord and Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Rat Cranium The authors investigated human induced pluripotent stem cells, human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and human bone marrow MSCs for bone tissue engineering, and compared their bone regeneration via seeding on biofunctionalized macroporous calcium phosphate cement in rat cranial defects. [Acta Biomater] Abstract Increased Expression of HIF2α during Iron Deficiency-Associated Megakaryocytic Differentiation Researchers evaluated the megakaryocyte differentiation under iron deficiency in an in vitro model and investigated potential genes involved in this process. HEL, CMK, and cord blood-derived hematopoietic stem cells were cultured under iron deficiency. [J Thromb Haemost] Abstract Predominant Development of Mature and Functional Human NK Cells in a Novel Human IL-2-Producing Transgenic NOG Mouse Scientists generated a severe immunodeficient NOD/Shi-scid-IL-2Rγnull (NOG) mouse substrain expressing the transgenic human IL-2 gene (NOG-IL-2 Tg). Upon transfer of human cord blood-derived hematopoietic stem cells, CD3–CD56highCD16+/- cells developed unexpectedly, predominantly in the NOG-IL-2 Tg. [J Immunol] Abstract Extensive Characterization of Platelet Gel Releasate from Cord Blood in Regenerative Medicine Using a wide proteomic array and splitting the two components of the releasate, i.e. platelets and plasma, researchers have been able to study their growth factor content. They discovered high levels of hormones and molecules able to support tissue growth in the cord blood platelet gel releasate. [Cell Transplant] Full Article The Notch Signaling Regulates CD105 Expression, Osteogenic Differentiation and Immunomodulation of Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells To investigate the involvement of Notch signaling as well as other potential signaling pathway(s) in regulating multi-lineage differentiation and immunomodulatory functions of mesenchymal stem cells, scientists treated human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells with γ-secretase inhibitor I, which inhibits both Notch signaling and ubiquitin-proteasome activities. [PLoS One] Full Article Cord Blood Transplantation for Multiple Myeloma: Study from the Multiple Myeloma Working Group of the Japan Society for Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Scientists evaluated the feasibility of cord blood transplantation (CBT) for patients with multiple myeloma. Eighty-six patients with multiple myeloma who underwent a first CBT between 2001 and 2011 were included in this retrospective study. [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant] Abstract The Role of Toll-Like Receptor 3 and 4 in Regulating the Function of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Isolated from Umbilical Cord The authors demonstrate that the activation of two toll-like receptors (TLRs), namely TLR3 and TLR4, in human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells induces the expression of inflammatory markers. [Int J Mol Med] Abstract REVIEWS Transcription Factor-Mediated Reprogramming toward Hematopoietic Stem Cells The authors integrate the recently reported strategies to directly convert a variety of starting cell types toward hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in the context of hematopoietic transcriptional regulation and discuss how these findings could be further developed toward the ultimate generation of therapeutic human HSCs. [EMBO J] Abstract Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the cord blood research field. INDUSTRY NEWS ESPERITE (Euronext ESP) Pioneers First Treatment Worldwide of Cerebral Palsy Using Two Types of Stem Cells CryoSave leads and sponsors a multicenter clinical trial following GCP-ICH standards, for investigation of new treatment of cerebral palsy using dual infusion of two types of stem cells derived from umbilical cord blood and cord tissue processed by CryoSave [ESPERITE NV] Press Release MD Anderson Joins CATCH® Global Foundation to Boost Child Health, Prevent Cancer in Later Years The University of Texas System Board of Regents approved the agreement that makes MD Anderson a founding partner in the foundation. Coordinated Approach to Child Health (CATCH®) is a program developed and disseminated by The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health. [The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center] Press Release From our sponsor: Free human hematopoietic progenitors wallchart. Request your copy. POLICY NEWS National Institutes of Health (United States) Food and Drug Administration (United States) Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (United States) European Medicines Agency (European Union) Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (United Kingdom) Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia) EVENTS NEW Keystone Symposium – Co-Infection: A Global Challenge for Disease Control March 15-20, 2015Ouro Preto, Brazil Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the cord blood community. JOB OPPORTUNITIES NEW Postdoctoral Fellows – Leukemia Research and Stem Cell Biology (Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute) Principal Scientist – Hematopoietic Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.) Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cell Media Development, High Throughput Screening (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.) Scientist – Cell Culture Support Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.) Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.) PhD Studentship – Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Queensland University of Technology) Postdoctoral Scientist – Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (Indiana University) Senior Process Development Engineer (Sangamo BioSciences, Inc.) Director – Vector Production (Sangamo BioSciences, Inc.) Postdoctoral Fellow – Hematology and Oncology (Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center) Research Associate – Generating Mature Blood Cells from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (University of Cambridge) Principal Investigator – Stem Cell Biology, Hematopoiesis and Hematology (Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center) PhD Studentships – Expansion of Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cells (University College London) Cord Tissue Processing Technician (Cord Blood Registry) Recruit Top Talent: Reach more than 60,000 potential candidates by posting your organization's career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost. Have we missed an important article or publication in Cord Blood News? Click here to submit!Comments or suggestions? Submit your feedback here Learn more about Cord Blood News: Archives | Events | Contact Us


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Voice control is a relatively new feature for mobile devices, but it's something you might not have used much. For many people, the idea of commanding your phone to do something is a little embarrassing.
But according to Google, voice-activated searches have doubled in the past year, with people using it 30x more to search on-the-go than typing.
Google's voice search is activated by saying "OK Google".
By asking it questions, you can find out facts, organise your calendar and communicate with friends. And what you might not know is that it's also a portal tourist guide, packed with facts and useful titbits. You can ask it for directions, find nearby places of interest and even get foreign translations.
Because voice control provides spoken information about your surrounds, you can explore places by listening. This allows you to enjoy your surroundings more without having your head buried in a guide book or eyes locked to your phone – what Google calls an 'eyes free' experience.
We took part in what Google dubbed an 'Eyes-Free tour', exploring the sites around King's Cross station in London using voice search. Check out the video above to find out more.
Bjorn Bringert, software engineer at Google says most of us carry phones we use to help us day to day: "But typing on your phone can be slow and cumbersome and might make you walk into a street pole!
"Now you can easily tap and talk to the Google app to get what you need and keep your eyes free to enjoy what's around you."
Google voice search understands context, allowing you to have a conversation with it. Ask it a question such as 'What is the London Shard?' and it will respond. You can then ask follow-up questions such as: 'When was it built?', 'How tall is it?' and 'Who designed it?'
To use Google voice search you need to download the Google search app, which is pre-installed on Android smartphones or available free from the Apple app store. You need to be connected to wi-fi or have a data connection.
Do you use voice search on your smartphone? Let us know in the Comments section below


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Supplies to make (flying) birds.
With this kit you can make at least 4 birds (or more).
Included: Paverpol Grey 500 gram, Paverplast 100 gram, 4 Styrofoam balls, sand, 4 connector caps, 16 wires to make the wings, brush and the book Sculpting with Liquid Polymer (has the instructions for the flying birds).
This is a great Kit Offer, normal price $ 72.05, KIT $ 62.00 !
NOT included:
long sturdy rods to stick in your garden (bird on top), can be bought at hard ware stores, paint and a few minor supplies, plastic table cloth, gloves, etc.
You can use acrylic paint or order the Paint Kit for Flying Birds.
Instruction sheet PDF, will be emailed to you.
The birds measure approx. 22 cm long with a wingspan of 30 cm (9″ and wingspan almost 1 ft).
The kit includes 4 styrofoam balls instead of the 3 displayed in the photo.
Supplies to make (flying) birds.


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Innercise: The New Science to Unlock Your Brain's Hidden Power by John Assaraf
If you have ever wondered why you break your New Year's Resolutions very early, drop your diet, or stop exercising regularly, Innercise: The New Science to Unlock Your Brain's Hidden Power by John Assaraf may help you to answer those questions.
In this book, Assaraf explains the inner workings of the mind and why our brains override our plans. He also gives us answers to how we can overcome this problem.
You aren't broken, just human, which sometimes is the same thing.
The author uses a hybrid of NLP, LOA, Self-Hypnosis, Mindfulness, and other disciplines to help his readers learn ways to change the patterns of self-sabotage.
Innercise is well written and takes the time to explain the science and psychology behind his methods. We like this book because it is compatible with the Christian faith.
You will want to read this book before you make your New Year's Resolutions. Order your copy today and feel better, soon.
We were sent a complimentary copy of this book. We are under no obligation to write any review, positive or negative.
We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.
Notice: This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.
McClendon Villa's Reviews is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.


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Who is C3?
C3 is made possible by the following:
Board Members
Our current board members, Roni Mayben (C3 President) and Deborah Ferraro (Vice President) are the catalyst for all C3 programs and projects.
Meet the board here
Business Partners
Business Partners participate in community events and donate services and goods.
Check out our current Business Partners!
Become a C3 Business Partner!
C3 Friends/Supporters
C3 Friends are individual community supporters.
Become a C3 Friend!
C3 Angels
C3 Angels donate to help support our community efforts.
Learn about our C3 Angels!
C3 Grantors
C3 Grantors are organizations within the local community who grant funding for C3 programs and events.
See our 2014 Grantors
C3 Volunteers
C3 Volunteers are the backbone of what we do!
We are always looking for reliable volunteers to assist with events and other C3 tasks!
Contact us at email@example.com to find out more about becoming a C3 volunteer!


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SPOILER ALERT: The following story reveals the winner of Celebrity Apprentice.
After 10 challenges and 12 other celebrity contestants, the season finale of Celebrity Apprentice boiled down to Bret Michaels and Holly Robinson Peete.
Check out photos from Celebrity Apprentice
The live two-hour season finale was especially momentous for Michaels, who, since filming the reality show, suffered a brain hemorrhage April 22. Michaels was in critical condition for a week after the hemorrhage before his release from the hospital in early May.
The 47-year-old rocker suffered another setback May 20 when he was hospitalized with a stroke. Michaels' appearance on NBC's Celebrity Apprentice finale was his second since his brain hemorrhage and his first since his subsequent stroke. But despite his three hospitalizations, including an emergency appendectomy April 12, Michaels was determined to make it to New York for the live finale.
Bret Michaels suffers stroke; has hole in heart
The finale was emotional for both Michaels and Robinson Peete because of their respective charities. Michaels suffers from Type 1 diabetes and played for the American Diabetes Association. Robinson Peete raised money for her foundation, HollyRod, which helps those whose quality of life has been diminished by disease or disorder. Robinson Peete's 12-year-old son, RJ, suffers from autism.
Michaels and Robinson Peete began the final challenge, to create and market a new flavor of Snapple Iced Tea, in the penultimate episode. With the help of fired contestants Darryl Strawberry and Summer Sanders, Michaels launched the Trop-A-Rocka flavor of Diet Snapple. Robinson Peete created Compassionberry tea with recently fired contestants Curtis Stone and Maria Kanellis.
On the live part of Sunday's finale, Michaels walked with a limp and appeared to have slight drooping on the left side of his face (which earlier this week, his rep attributed to the hemorrhage as well as his medications). But Michaels was back to his old self, as he bumped his fists against his chest to thank the crowd and walked over to personally thank every one of the fired contestants on stage.
Talking with Trump, Michaels said his doctors advised him not to travel to New York for the finale. "It's been a rough go, but I'm glad I'm here," he said. Speaking about Michaels' illness, Robinson Peete acknowledged the great public support for her opponent (which she dubbed "Michaels mania") and said that even her 5-year-old son was rooting for Michaels to win.
Michaels joked about getting the sympathy vote, saying, "I'll take a vote any way I can get it" and argued he didn't travel this far (from Arizona) to lose.
In the end, Donald Trump chose Michaels to become his latest apprentice — meaning $250,000 will go to the American Diabetes Association. Just before announcing his decision, Trump said Snapple had matched the grand prize so $250,000 will also go to HollyRod.
Do you think the right person won Celebrity Apprentice?


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High-end therapeutic home
Calo Preteens achieves emotional and behavioral regulation through playfulness and spontaneous, connective experiences. The program utilizes dyadic developmental psychotherapy and a proprietary therapeutic model, an evidence-based and effective treatment for trauma and disorders of attachment, to restore trust and heal relationships. Nestled in the beautiful woods of Lake of the Ozarks, our serene and homey campus is an ideal therapeutic setting.
Designed specifically for adopted preteens and their families
Calo Preteens is appropriate for adopted girls and boys between the ages of 9 and 14 years old that are struggling with relationships with parents, siblings and peers. Calo adopts a true relational-based treatment approach to create change from the inside out... heart first, and behavior second. ... More
Emotional and behavioral regulation
Our goal is not to focus on the behaviors (with rewards, advice giving), but what causes those behaviors- their feelings. Going deeper still, what causes those feelings is the core self-concept. At Calo, rather than just correct the behaviors, we're actually going to the source. How we correct this core, is by providing an accepting atmosphere. ... More


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Posted on June 3, 2016
From the 40-tap tasting room to the 40-seat patio, Wish You Were Beer's new location in West Huntsville, will continue to keep the area's craft beer scene hopping for North Alabamans. Wish You Were Beer plans to assemble all their operations into one centrally located, 2773 sq. ft. suite on Campus No. 805 near the end of this year.
Campus No. 805 – the former middle school property turned hip retail, brewery, and entertainment space – is home to a number of other beer-related operations, but this will be the first craft beer bottle shop, taproom, and homebrew supplier on-site. "We'll have the best selection of craft beer and most knowledgeable staff in North Alabama," says Owner Damon Eubanks, expressing his excitement to be on Campus No. 805.
Wish You Were Beer's new location will feature an expanded taproom and selection of packaged craft beer to-go over its current Highway 72 location. In addition to having the area's best selection of draft and packaged beer, services will also include hosted beer tastings, classes, and live entertainment. Wish You Were Beer will also carry a large selection of home brewing and wine making supplies and ingredients. "Being right there with the breweries is great because we will have access to those guys, too, for some expertise," Eubanks said in an AL.com interview detailing an earlier version of his plan to expand into Campus No. 805 in January of this year.
Eubanks anticipates opening the new Wish You Were Beer at the beginning of October 2016.
More details can be found by following their social media on Facebook (Facebook.com/wishyouwerebeerllc) and their official website (wishyouwerebeer.net).
Campus No. 805 is a 13-acre multi-use development located at Governor's Drive West and Clinton Avenue. Tenants include Yellowhammer Brewery, Earth and Stone Wood Fired Pizza, Bubba's Silver Spoon Catering, Stone Event Center, Lone Goose Saloon and S.R. Butler Green. Opening soon is Straight to Ale's brewery and bier garden, Ronnie Raygun's Arcade and Rock N Roll Sushi. More tenant announcements are forthcoming.
(June 3, 2016)


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You'll run into a large range of prices when you are looking for Silestone so it is a good idea to know what a general price would be for a countertop before you go shopping.
Step 1 – Here is a chart that shows the different Silestone colors and their prices from Home Depot.
This way, you'll know in advance that you're paying market price for your new quartz worktop. After all, you work hard for your money and this is probably quite an investment you're making for your kitchen or bathroom.
Average Square Foot Price Of Silestone
Silestone can cost anywhere from $50 up to $100 per square foot. It all depends on how thick you need the countertop to be, the color and pattern you choose and the dealer that you buy it from.
A Rough Estimate
Just to give you a rough estimate of the cost for a countertop, here is an average price for a 54 square foot counter.
Material price – $2,465 – $3,474
Cost of installation $165 – $280
Related: Step by step guide to making a detailed estimate for your own kitchen.
While this is quite a purchase to make cost wise, the value of your investment is virtually priceless.
How To Keep The Price Down
If you're thinking about getting a new countertop you may be told that an on-site inspection is required in order to give you an estimate. Be forewarned that a sales pitch is probably coming and it can be heavy at times! The best way to handle this is to let the contractor know that you don't have the authority to make a decision on your own and that you'll get back to him once you contact the other party involved in the decision-making process.
Related: Is Silestone the best brand of quartz?
The average cost for an installation doesn't include a backsplash. You'll need to think about whether you want to take on more expense by including this with your countertop. In most cases, however, the estimate will include the price of a cut-out for the sink, edge fabrication and seam joining.
Should You Choose The 2 or 3cm Thick Countertop?
Related: Should you be considering other countertop options based on the price.
There is usually a difference of approximately $5 per sq. foot between the 2 cm and a 3 cm slabs. In most cases, you'll want to spend the small extra needed to make your countertop look its best. Once you've chosen the right look and have decided to invest in a top-quality counter, you won't want to have anything possibly go wrong by choosing a thinner top to save a bit of money.
Related: Interested in comparing granite vs Silestone?
As with everything, the more you get in writing with the estimate the better off you're going to be. If there are any problems with the installation or think you're being charged extra, you'll always be able to go back to the written estimate and try to dispute the charges. I have some tips that will help you find a contractor so that you can get an accurate estimate.
In most cases though, it's pretty straightforward getting a Silestone countertop installed and on the same afternoon that the workmen arrive with your new counter you'll be able to start enjoying it.


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|This article is about a/an monster in J.A.K.Q. Dengekitai.
Devil Wolf (デビルウルフ Debiru Urufu, 14) was the fourteenth Mechanical Monster that J.A.K.Q. fought.
Devil Wolf with the company of the Crimers was ordered to sabotage a car race. Devil Wolf was ultimately destroyed by the J.A.K.Q. Covack. Ep. 14: All Supercars!! Violence!! Great Violent Dash!!
Which he entered himself in disguised as a female racer. Whom he used his doppelganger ability to copy the appearance of the real female racer from head to toe. His other ability is the ability to create the illusion that a solar eclipse has occurred. However this power was outmatched by Dia Jack's solar attack. Devil Wolf resembles a wolf wearing a white tuxedo with black pants, similar to Devil Sphinx's outfit. He was also capable of jumping high, disguising himself as a human, and teleporting.