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Upcoming MMO "Project BBQ", "Population Zero", A:IR News, "Atlas" fails
It's been two weeks since my last news article, 'cause.. y'know, Christmas and all. Knowing this, I would like to point out that there's probably more news here than normal.
So, you might want to take a few extra minutes to sit back and get ready for 2018's last Weekly Byte of MMORPG News!
Let's start this off with December's biggest dud: Atlas.
Atlas is Wildcard Studio's newest game, supposedly being the "MMO version of ARK", with Wildcard both boasting breathtaking graphics and vistas, and claiming they can hold a whopping 40,000 concurrent players per server.
People were very, very excited for this news. And they had every right to be. My wife MrsStix and I both thoroughly enjoy ARK and I have to say.. a pirate-themed version of it would be great fun.
However, after repeated delays over the week leading up to its launch into Early Access, the game finally became available for select streamers to show off to their viewers.
All that was shown was.. blank login screens, time-outs, bugged server selections, the same textures as ARK and, somehow, worse combat and optimization.
If you played ARK when it originally became available for players to try in Early Access you may recall that it was a buggy mess as well. Or, a.. buggier mess than it is now.
So this was no surprise to me, and to a lot of players that were on the fence about trying it out. However, Atlas' population continues to rise day after day – even despite the lag making it almost impossible to play.
The population peaked at 53,000 concurrent players last night which is insane. Reception has been very, very, critically even, negative, with almost 80% of Steam reviews claiming it's absolute garbage.
What this should teach people though is when a game launches into Early Access – Atlas included, which is scheduled to remain in Early Access for up to 2 years.. instead of throwing your money at a barely-functional game, give them time to fix it.
They'll need it, like most Early Access games do.
Lost Ark
In surprising news, Lost Ark has found a Russian publisher.. before finding an English publisher. Mail.RU, the Russian Internet giant has recently been revealed as Lost Ark's publisher in Russia.
ArcheAge, Perfect World, Dragon Nest and even Allods Online are all published in Russia by Mail.RU, so it came as no surprise to me, personally, that they would be the publisher Smilegate went with.
While Smilegate have signed a contract however, no specifics have been given pertaining to a scheduled Russian release.
Closed Beta is scheduled for next year, and Founder's Packs have even gone on sale in preparation for their launch but that's all we're currently privy to.
No information on a North American or European release yet, though, much to the dismay of the Western populace.
Ashes of Creation
Now to upset more fans of Ashes of Creation with some.. unsettling, very disconcerting news.
I've talked about how I think putting time into the Battle Royale; Ashes of Creation: Apocalypse was a step in the wrong direction to me.
Intrepid Studios, the team behind Ashes of Creation launched Apocalypse for players to participate in almost two weeks ago now. However, as of the 27th, Intrepid shut down the Battle Royale stating that they had a good "test phase".
No information on the shut down was given on their forums, website, or even their Twitter, instead, keeping the announcement directly on Discord and Discord alone.
This upset players – a lot of players. Intrepid introduced a functional cash shop in-game and then shut the game down without warning most the playerbase. The game will remain offline until January 11th where they have plans for "controlled test weekends" only.
Now I'm not hating on Ashes of Creation here, nor Intrepid Studios. I'm merely claiming that they're devoting time and money to continue developing the Battle Royale – including introducing a cash shop into a "test phase".
The official forums for Ashes of Creation also abruptly went offline on the 18th and as of writing this on the 28th, the forums have yet to come back online.
I'm not claiming that the forums were taken offline as well to.. I guess mask the discontent, the dissatisfaction, that the playerbase were showing during the test and after the test concluded.
I'm merely saying that it's quite the coincidence that the official forums are unable to have players complain on.
Either way, I'm curious where both the official Ashes of Creation MMORPG and the Apocalypse Battle Royale will end up.
Project BBQ
Yes.. Project BBQ, as in.. Barbecue. This is probably the stupidest acronym they could've come up with but do note that that isn't the final name for the game. Just like Project DH was Dragon Hound, I'm sure BBQ is something equally as.. well thought out.
But I digress. Nexon actually revealed Project BBQ a couple days ago and I have to say.. it looks incredible.
If you've ever played En Masse's Kritika MMO, then you'd notice quite a few similarities. Although it also looks a lot like Dungeon Fighter Online.. which coincidentally shares the same developer, Neople.
Project BBQ, which doesn't sound any better regardless of how many times I repeat its name is a 3D action MMORPG being built on Unreal Engine 4.
However the game doesn't have any estimated South Korean release, let alone any form of international release so.. other than the amazing action combat shown in the trailer and amazing graphical style, not much is known about the game.
Population Zero
Enplex Games, the Moscow-based game developer recently revealed that they are currently recruiting pre-Alpha and Alpha testers for their new upcoming Sci-fi themed survival MMO: Population Zero.
Population Zero has a lot of common survival features such as housing, gearing, harvesting, crafting and more that are learnable through a "technologies" tab, similarly to how ARK: Survival Evolved handles theirs.
Not much is known about the game yet other than what I just mentioned so here's hoping Enplex reveal additional information and an actual, finished trailer sometime in the near future.
Ascent: Infinite Realm
For those of you that have been eagerly anticipating any and all news pertaining to Ascent Infinite Realm.. well, you're in luck. Kinda. Bluehole have released new information regarding dungeons, or more specifically, "solo dungeons".
This is a new, innovative feature targeted specifically at today's MMO gamer mentality: solo play.
We all know that the majority of MMO gamers these days prefer solo-play over group-content, so, Bluehole have introduced dungeons for solo players in mind.
So.. yup. That's it for the next couple months.
Final Fantasy XIV
In preparation for Final Fantasy XIV's upcoming 4.5 patch, Square have went ahead and updated their website to reflect the changes and additions being made to the game.
These include things like an extension to the main scenario, the Return to Ivalice dungeon, the new Blue Mage job, the new events surrounding the job, side story quests, Doman Mahjong, a new Air Force One mini-game, a new dungeon called "The Ghimlyt Dark", the new Custom Deliveries feature, new mounts, new minions, new hairstyles and new emotes.
So if you're interested in Final Fantasy XIV and want to learn more.. head on over to their website!
Guild Wars 2
I don't even remember the last time I did a Guild Wars 2 piece. Regardless, ArenaNet have announced that the next Living Story, titled "All or Nothing", will be going live on January 8th, 2019.
ArenaNet describes the update by saying "As the Commander heads toward the ultimate showdown with the Elder Crystal Dragon Kralkatorrik, Tyria's entire landscape stands to be reshaped"
Included in the update is the new Thunderhead Peaks map, the legendary longbow Pharus, a new mount mastery, Bond of Faith, the new Diviner gear set, Siren's Reef, a new fractal for players to complete, and the new Dragonsblood weapon set.
And.. actually, that was it. There wasn't as much news over the last 2 weeks as I thought there had been.
Regardless, we had some juicy little tidbits for games yet unreleased – hopefully that's enough to satiate people's appetite going into the new year. If not, then tune in next week for another "Weekly Byte of MMORPG News" video.
I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas. I got to celebrate it with my wife, MrsStix, got some cool presents, ate a lot, y'know.
Here's looking forward to what 2019 has to offer us!
The post MMORPG News: Upcoming MMO "Project BBQ", "Population Zero", A:IR News, Lost Ark Gets Publisher appeared first on MMOByte: Your #1 MMO Portal – MMORPG News, Reviews, Gameplay.


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Thursday, July 26, 2012
Richard: Nickname-Rich Name of the Week (July 26)
2 comments:
I married a Rich and know several others as well as a few Ricks and the odd Rickey or Richie. It's a good, traditional name which wears well, is easy to spell and doesn't get dated, unlike some of the 'trynde' (try saying it!) names of the moment. It's a royal name in England and France and used in Canada too although it's a politically charged name in the States thanks to the antics of one 'Tricky Dickie'. However, in the States I've also seen clothing from the workwear company Dickies, which suggests that it's not quite as forsworn as it might be - here in the UK you'd not wear something with that name on it unless it was a sarcastic play-on-words T-shirt.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousJuly 27, 2012 at 10:57 PM
I have a cousin named Richard in his late 30s. Despite everything people say, nobody has ever suggested Dick or Dicky as a nickname for him. Or Ricky or Richie, for that matter. His nickname is Jay - full name Richard James - started out as RJ - too long to say - now he's Jay! But mostly we just call him Richard. (Our family doctor is also a Richard, he's in his 40s).ReplyDelete
I think Richard is a really good name - solid, reliable, but less stodgy than Robert.
Do kids today even KNOW Dick is short for Richard????

subset: commoncrawl


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Preparedness Policy and Guidance
Require all goverment agencies and critical infrastructure to have EMP protection and response plans.
Require all governmental agencies and other critical infrastructure to develop and implement EMP protection and recovery plans in the event of an EMP event, man made or natural. That can include mitigation by using purchases of replacement parts that are sensitive to EMP and placing in appropriate harden locations, mandating future purchases include EMP protection be standard and other steps.
1 vote
Idea No. 236


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| This minifigure has only appeared in video game(s)
Although this article is about an official minifigure, it never existed in physical form, or appeared in any official LEGO sets.
Agent is a Minifigure who appeared in LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues. They appear in several scenarios in the game.
LEGO Indiana Jones Movie Cafe Chaos Motorcycle Chase LEGO Indiana Jones TV Series Cafe Fight Motorcycle Chase Diner Distraction Bike Hike Gas Station Doom Town House 2 Interrogation Room Hangar 52 LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continuies Cafe Chaos (Enemy) Motorcycle Chase (Enemy) Crane Train (Enemy) Dinner Distraction (Enemy) Bike Hike (Enemy) Target Training Marshall College (Enemy) Doom Town House 2 (Enemy) Interrogation Room (Enemy) Hangar 52 (Enemy) Escape the Russians (Enemy) Lockdown in Marshall College (Enemy) LEGO Indiana Jones 3: The Final Adventures Cafe Fight (Enemy) Motorcycle Chase (Enemy) LEGO Indiana Jones 3: More Great Adventures Escape the Russians (Enemy)


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A cyclist was nearly attacked by a moose in Alaska, after the mother moose felt the cyclist was threatening her two calves.
A Facebook video, posted by Alaskan cyclist Troy Wouters, shows a mother moose and her two calves on a trail alongside Glenn Highway in Anchorage. As a cyclist approaches on the path, the larger moose charges at the cyclist. Later, a KTVA television news van pulls up into the trail space in an attempt to protect the downed cyclist, and the moose charges the news crew as well.
"I saw [the mama moose and her two newborns] when I was driving home," Wouters explained to the Bangor Daily News about how he caught the action on camera. He then rode the 7 miles back to the scene, hoping to get a picture of the moose trio. Once on the scene, he ran into a KTVA news crew, also getting footage of the moose.
"[I] started taking video when I noticed a cyclist coming from the opposite direction as me. So I was video taping when that happened," Wouters said. "At first I wanted to make sure the guy was OK. Then I rode back and yelled at the TV station to go help him."
KTVA also captured video of the incident, and intervened to protect the cyclist from further attacks.
"I knew then the moose was attacking a rider, so I yelled at a photojournalist to drive down the ditch and onto the trail to get between the rider and the moose. So, that's what we did," KTVA's Joe Virgil said in a story posted on the television station's website.
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game later shut the trail down near the moose family, according to KTVA.


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Made By Britain launch Summer 2011 – Brighton, Hove, Sussex, UK
The Fashion Trust was formed to promote fashion emerging talent, design, manufacturing and encourage export from the South Coast region.
The Fashion Trust joined a team invited by the Government to showcase Britain's design and manufacturing capabilities; it pitched itself aginst Great British icons as Fish Fingers, Stoves Agas, Sheffield steel surgical blades and Rolls Royce engines.
Vince Cable, The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills and President of the Board of Trade, unveiled his 'Made By Britain' campaign, during the Summer of 2011, an initiative that he hoped to highlight not only design, but manufacturing excellence throughout the UK.
Stated Cable…
"With the Olympics bringing so much attention to Britain, this is a fantastic opportunity to show the rest of the world that we make world-beating products."
"We are still the world's seventh biggest manufacturer. Some of the world's most skilled designers, engineers and fabricators hail from this fair isle."
The manufacturing industry generates 12% of Britain's GDP and the timing couldn't be better for this 'Made By Britain' initiative for the British fashion economy.
Read more > about The Sussex Fashion Trust at APMG
Read more > Sussex Fashion Awards
Read more > Made By Britain
2012 The Fashion Trust – All rights reserved
For further information about our design and manufacturing services, please contact The Fashion Trust.
c 07864971662
e firstname.lastname@example.com
w http://www.fashionsussex.co.uk
follow twitter.com/FashionSussex


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$ 220.00
Set of 3, stately eight-sided lanterns with wood stained and waxed frame and aged coal-finished metal top, 8.5" x 14"12.25" x 23"16" x 32" Set of 3 contains one of each...
$ 170.00
Simple Galvanized Pendant light hangs from a metal chain. Measures: 18"x 18"x 17" * farmhouse lighting gets wired per order please allow 2 weeks for this process.
$ 325.00
Awesome scalloped bottoms with distressed wood top and rusted distressed finishes on the metals. Measures: 36"L X 16" W X 31 3/4" H. As Seen on Fixer Upper Show. ...
Revibe Insiders
Join the club for some exclusive deals, discounts, and previews of our newest products.


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Today is the One Year Anniversary of the beginning of Thompson Boutique Critters opening. So to celebrate, I have new patterns to debue.
Thomas the Turkey (who started out to be an ostrich) was hatched in a bigger than life way. We'll have to work on Olga the Ostrich another day.
Doodles the Dragonfly has also come to light and may have modifications at a later date but the two that have been made for clients are happy and that's all that matters…right?!!!
So for the next month, if you visit my TBoutiqueCritters Ravelry page, and start shopping, if you BUY 3, you'll GET 1 FREE!!!!!


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Infrastructure spending to feature heavily during estimates21/10/2019|1min
Infrastructure spending will feature heavily during Senate budget Estimates, beginning on Monday. Labor is set to target the government over the amount of money being spent and promised on infrastructure projects. The Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Catherine King said construction was yet to begin on 98 per cent of projects that were identified as immediate priorities by the government in last year's budget.


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It's Time to Take Another Look.
In the past, insurers have paid claims that should have been covered by workers' compensation. Identifying the other coverage was difficult and time-consuming, and often simply not worth the effort.
Not anymore.
Today, HMS offers a workers' compensation recovery solution that makes recoveries worth pursuing. We begin with target identification, using predictive modeling, data matching, current codes, and terminology in addition to any prior matching and claim history.
Once improper claims are found, they go into Solaris, our custom-built, proprietary case management system. They are examined through both manual and automated processes as necessary, moving all the way through to recovery.
Is it worth it? We estimate that existing HMS workers' compensation recovery services customers will save 50 cents to $1.20 per member, per year. New clients might see even better initial results, since some states allow lookback periods of up to five years, quadrupling the number of recoveries in the first year.
If all of this sounds less like business as usual and more like a better way to address workers' compensation recovery, you're right. By providing the broadest range of cost containment solutions available in healthcare, HMS is finding new ways to help payers like you improve performance.
Get in touch with HMS and find out an easier, more cost-effective solution to workers' compensation recovery.


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Thats the end of this 40 day journey. I realized I should not keep thinking about the end, but the process, what am I gaining from doing this. How am I becoming aware and present. I am logging my food, regardless if it is good food or bad food.
In other news C finally got her own place. Her BF asked her to move out back in September. Its actually a good thing. I just wish she would move closer to home, she is way out near Santa Monica/West LA. For anyone who lives in the LA area, getting across town is hell with traffic.
I haven't put up any Christmas decorations yet. Soon.
Image is borrowed from a posting on Facebook


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Individual commitment to a group effort -- that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work. (Vince Lombardi)
Whigs by nature value debate, collaboration, compromise and mutual effort. We believe by working together we can achieve far more than by working alone, and we value the contributions of our members and supporters -- our fellow citizens -- immeasurably.
The Whig Forums provide the opportunity for you to have your say, but we do have some simple rules we ask you to follow. Please review the rules before posting, and remember to be civil!
Add your voice below:
Sort the Whig Forms by category:
A Democratic Republic...
Many of the ideals we talk about "Freedom" in this country come from Democratic-Republicanism, but we are often faced with the harsh reality of Federalist implementation. Truth is, I'm kinda partial to the DR, and the more radical ones at that.(Thomas Paine, for the win). Many of these ideas have been around for a long time, and I think its time to sweep away the last bits of Federalist nonsense. 1. The United States is a Democratic-Republic. All language referring to a "Republic", and "Republican" values should be updated to "Democratic Republic", and "Democratic Republican" values. This shall include the requirement for state constitutions to be "Democratic Republican" in nature. 2. Ballot Initiatives at the federal level. A ballot question shall pass a threshold of 25 thousand signatures, or petition of one third of congress to appear on the ballot. Furthermore it shall be a requirement that all states have ballot initiatives in their constitutions. 3. Unicameral congress. The senate and the House of representatives shall be merged, but rules for districting shall remain the same. District lines shall be redrawn and un gerrymandered. 4. All offices shall have a term of 8 years, but subject to a recall vote at any time for any reason. All states must have a recall vote as well. term limits on all offices will be removed. Congress shall have two classes(staggered vote). 5. Further constitutional amendments will require a two thirds vote in congress plus a two thirds popular vote.
A Thought to Our Official Color
I know how asking about something of this nature seems premature since we still need to score more victories in elections, but what should our color be when a diagram presents the political division of a city council, state congress, and (hopefully) Congress? While I personally do not find "red states/blue states" lexicon palatable (since states hold a more complex political dynamic), I do think we should at least start considering a color. For me personally, I champion white. Now, before we begin bulking from the social concerns it may have, allow myself to explain my support. First, we describe Old Glory as the Red, WHITE, and Blue. See, white can be found in the middle just like us, and it's just as patriotic a color as red and blue. Second, a few parties already do purple to represent them, most notably the Libertarians. All who use it want to send the message of being a mixture of both platforms, of embracing aspects of each major party's agendas and ideology. To that I say we need not to mimic. Whigs should foster ourselves, our Classical Liberalism, our thinking, our culture, and our solutions as a different breed altogether and not as some two-bit Tom, Dick, or Harry cherry-pickers. Third, white signifies what we champion as a party, ethics. Purity, a purity or at least want of it through the commitment of ethical practices. We may not be perfect, but that should not stop us from holding ourselves to different standards, to at least dream of such things despite far-reaching. Fourth, white can also signify light, light as in the Enlightenment. Sure, we can agree we will not be striving to achieve the state of nature like Rousseau nor an enlightened absolutism like Voltaire, but to be mindful of these profound thoughts when seeking what we want from our government. Time changed a lot of dynamics concerning society and the state that many thinkers of that time could not fathom; and so, their works may be timeless but they may not exactly be a perfect mold as some would preach. Yet that should not stop us from being enlightened in thought; to learn, think critically, rationalize, and promote methodology in solving problems.
Yet, I am aware of the connotations this might have concerning race. Yes, it definitely could set us up for some body shots that the opposition could throw in the political arena. I can agree that pundits saying "__(state name)__ is a 'white state'" reverberates differently and holds an odder ring than "red state/blue state". It could be a deterrent and misleading about how our party is a socially open one, wanting to embrace all Americans from all walks of life. However, may be I am wearier than I should be about the connotation the color white holds.
Anyhow, what color do you guys think would be a good fit for the Modern Whig Party?


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Taylor Swift is heading back to the studio!
It's been an... interesting summer for Taylor Swift!
Her split from Calvin Harris and then Tom Hiddleston made headline news around the world but now it looks like she's ready to get back to the day job!
Taylor was seen supporting her friend Gigi Hadid at the New York fashion week over the weekend and it's Gigi who has given the world some exciting Swifty news!
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Gigi confessed "She's obviously such a great friend, and you know she is starting to go back to work in the studio again, and really made time to be here for me, and I am so grateful for that,"
There we go, Taylor Swift is ready to make the follow up to her critically acclaimed '1989' album!
She has a LOT of material to write about!
Get the latest showbiz news and gossip by following us on Twitter, @TotalAccessShow!


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About Lifeworks Staffordshire
Why was Lifeworks Staffordshire established?
In 2006, Louise Zandian, the CEO of Lifeworks Staffordshire, had an idea of setting up a charity which would help people on the Autistic Spectrum. Louise then had a meeting in her dining room, with a close circle of friends all of whom had family members on the Autistic Spectrum.
Louise thought that it was very important that people associated with her charity had the knowledge and a personal experience of Autism and associated conditions. She wanted people around her who were passionate in helping others, whilst having a unique understanding of the Autistic Spectrum. Indeed, it is having the knowledge and personal experience of the Autistic Spectrum which makes Lifeworks Staffordshire so effective and unique.
Apart from their personal knowledge and understanding, several of the people involved in Lifeworks Staffordshire have started their own quest to gain qualifications within the field of Autism and have been successful in doing so, training at the University of Birmingham and Sheffield Hallam. In the early days, Lifeworks Staffordshire was very much focused on employment for people on the Autistic Spectrum. However, we soon discovered that our help was needed much earlier in our clients' life from the age of 14, in countless ways.
So when Louise's idea actually became a reality, our first base was in Wolstanton; we later found the premises too small. After moving our base to a much bigger premises on Silverdale Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Lifeworks Staffordshire offered our clients and carers much more than we originally could. Due to our landlord wanting to redevelop the area we were based at we had to relocate in January 2019. Lifeworks is now based on Merrial Street in Newcastle town centre, we had our official opening on the 15th February 2019 and the mayor Gill Heesom and a number of professionals, clients, carers attended. For more information about our open day see Donations Raised.
Photo's below taken during the open day 2019.
Our work at Lifeworks Staffordshire was recognised in 2012, when the charity received the Queen's Award for Voluntary Services.
How does Lifeworks Staffordshire help people on the Autistic Spectrum?
At Lifeworks Staffordshire, we have a have first-hand knowledge of the overall pressures that families are faced with on a day-to-day basis, and we understand how challenging it can be to deal with the difficulties of being on the Autistic Spectrum.
Our clients contact us after having a traumatic past, with many negative experiences, such as their education and family life. They describe themselves as being misunderstood, alone, different and never feeling like they have quite 'slotted' in to society.
We are dedicated to helping high functioning people on the Autistic Spectrum, thus our aim is to see clients at the earliest possible opportunity. Clients are added to our waiting list until the first appointment can be arranged, where they are seen by one of our professional assessors in order to be profiled and helped. Once clients have been seen, if we think it is appropriate, we can refer clients for a formal diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Condition or with permission refer clients to other services that may be able to help. Lifeworks may also be able to help with work place difficulties clients may be facing or help to create and amend CV's. When we have known clients for a long period of time and they attend our groups on a regular basis, we may be able to help with their benefit claim and provide support at appointments. Please see the Pricing Matrix below for details. For more information about our services please see home or our activities.
If clients or carers feel they would just like to attend our social activities or support groups and don't need anything else then they can. Lifeworks just ask that clients make an appointment before coming along to our groups to speak to a member of staff. Please see our activities or events calendar for details.
Collecting this information is very important, as it enables the assessor to help the client in the best possible way, by recording their difficulties and how these are affecting their daily life. We keep all this information confidential and clients can ask for their information to be deleted at any time.
Due to our lottery funding ending, we have to charge for some of our services. Please note that we can only help clients with benefits if we have known them for a long time and if we have the staff available.
Lifeworks also charges a £10 yearly administration fee which gives access to our services including social groups, one to one appointments and advice.


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Graphic Designer - Yard Signs, Magnetic Signs, Vinyl Banners
Budget $30-250 USD
Ongoing project for graphic designer with talent that appeals to US market. We produce yard signs, magnetic car signs and vinyl banners for all kinds of small businesses.
We seek someone good with photoshop/illustrator/corel draw who can produce sharp graphics for our full color large format digital printer.
Continuing project for the right person. Please bid for 20 hours of your time. We will need to see a portfolio or samples.
We prefer to work directly with the artist - no middlemen.
42 freelancers are bidding on average $180 for this job
hi,just check PM for portfolio,and read our reviews. Its would be your guidance. (Why we are best for your project)
My name is Claudia Mesquita. After working for 13 years in a major Portuguese Graphic Company (Ambar, SA) in the Investigation and Development department as a artist and graphic designer, I started to work as freelan More
Hi! I am really interested in taking up the project. Please view my PM for details. Thanks.
Experienced graphic illustrator/Finearts graduate. Awaiting for my selection to start working on it. Please check pmb for few of my work samples. thanks
I will work until you get 101% satisfaction.!!! because I am a fine arts professional . :) watch PMB pls...............
US based professional designer with 20 years of experience. Please see PM for details. Thank you, Cindy
Hi, LET'S START! please check PMB for details. Thanks, Criss.
I have created hundreds of signs and banners. I am in the USA, and would love to do work for you. Name your price!
Hi I am a graphic designer from the UK and have been working in the design and signage business for 7 years, please check pm for more details and attached PDF portfolio


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Why is everybody so serios?
I had a funny moment some days ago, while traveling to work by subway. I wasn't really looking around ( how I usually do) when a nice girl got into the train. She was so happy that she kept smiling for some time. First, I thought she might be a bit crazy. Then, suddenly, I realised that everyone else was crazy. Why is everybody so serios, so upset, so angry? I looked around and noticed that she was the only one smiling. Not even me, I was also thinking at all the things I had to do and forgot how to enjoy myself. I wanted to ask her if she really had a reason for that big smile on her face. But then again, why would she need an exact reason to smile? Shouldn't we all be happy because we're healthy, or because we remembered something nice, or just because one smile can make our day? Since that day, when I realise I have a serious face, I put my smile on my face and say What the hell? Let's have a nice day today and be great!
From time to time some people wake me up back to reality, they keep reminding me of everything life is about, they want me back on Earth. Well, people, I'm still here, I just like to dream on a better life while trying to make this one I live greater. I have my reasons. I have my style. But one will never see me back down. That's why it would be much better if we'd all try to make ourselves better. I might have bad days, I'm also sad when it rains, but then I'll have to remember those sunny days at the beach which I thought for a moment that won't come back, but they did, and what great time they've made.
I'd like to have much more power so I can make the ones around me happier, or at least, when I can, I'm satisfied with puting a smile on their serious faces. Let's do something more of our lifes and let's try to do that together! Today would be a great day to remember how a smile can change it and make it better 🙂


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Volkswagen Special Target Group Program For MMA Members
Special Deals for MMA Members
( Kindly note that MMA is not liable for any transaction between our fellow members and the vendors on our list of members' benefits. Please clarify on the offer given with the vendor concerned. )
- Purchase is OPEN for ALL Malaysia Medical Association Members/ Employees
- Applicable for immediate family members and spouse of employees:
i) Parents ii) Siblings iii) Children iv) Spouse
- MMA confirmation letter is a MUST to proceed with the purchasing process
- Any tax implication related to the purchase offer shall be borne by the respective
- All employees can choose their preferred authorized Volkswagen showroom to process
the deal
- The promotion subject to change on a monthly basis and VPCM will update whenever
there is changes
|Name :
|Ms Iza
|Direct Line :
|Fax Line :
|Email :
|[email protected]
|More Membership Privileges :


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Located in the heart of North Scottsdale, The Paragon at Kierland Apartments offer a luxurious, resort-like lifestyle with a range of exceptional amenities and easy access to upscale shopping, dining and entertainment. The Paragon at Kierland Apartments are within a 640-acre master planned community anchored by the Westin Kierland Resort and Spa, the 27-hole Westin Kierland Golf Club and the Kierland Commons lifestyle retail center which has over 70 upscale retailers and a number of fine restaurants. We are very pet-friendly. Please call to learn more about our upgraded apartment homes featuring stainless steel kitchen appliances, updated cabinetry and quartz countertops.
Contact us today to see what's available!
Call us: (480) 699-6300 / Email us: [email protected]
Or stop by: 15608 N 71st St, Scottsdale, AZ 85254


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Sat, 05/05/2018 - 1:00pm to 3:00pm
Prospect Hill Park Lodge, 314 Totten Pond Road, Waltham, MA
Open to Public:
Attendance Fee:
Registration required:
Event Description:
Join the Charles River Watershed Association, Hardy Pond Association, and Waltham Land Trust to learn how to make your own rain barrel out of a recycled syrup drum! Rain barrels are a great way to capture rainwater during a downpour and save it to put to good use on a sunny, dry day. Storing rainwater locally also helps prevent pollution and flooding in streams, rivers, and ponds.
To participate in this workshop, you will need:
- A square gutter located on the exterior of a building. This can be a home, school, business, etc.
- A vehicle capable of transporting a 55-gallon syrup drum.
- A drill; preferrably cordless (You can borrow a drill at the workshop, but will probably need to use one again when you install your barrel on your property).
If you are interested in this program, but unable to attend the workshop, please contact the host!
This workshop is made possible through the support of the Coca Cola bottling facility in Needham, MA and River Network.
***If you choose the "Free" ticket type, please bring a $25 donation to the event.***
Event URL:


text: Home > Wine shop > Mixed Cases > Classic Red Dozen with Bonus Bottle Classic Red Dozen with Bonus Bottle Varietal Mixed Red Region Australia multi-regional Enjoy classic red varieties including Cabernet, Shiraz and Merlot from the talents of Bremerton, Byron & Harold and more for just $10.75 a bottle. Plus, receive a bonus bottle of Margaret River Cabernet Merlot that's won an incredible 9 Gold medals! The warm days and cool nights experienced by Great Southern deliver wines with unique regional and varietal characters, finesse and definition like the Byron & Harold Felix Exitus Shiraz 2015 with its bright, crunchy cherry fruit flavours. From one of Langhorne Creek's most successful wine names comes the Bremerton Matilda Plains Cabernet Shiraz 2012 crafted by the award-winning Rebecca Willson. Deep and fleshy, it displays ripe dark fruits with hints of cedary development adding complexity. Your bonus bottle is the Miles from Nowhere Cabernet Merlot 2015, winner of an incredible 9 Gold medals! Unmistakeably Margaret River, it presents a mouth-watering balance of racy acidity and fine tannins providing support for the layers of black fruits and varietal herb through to the long, fresh finish. These standout reds are yours with savings of $115 - don't miss out! Order code174160 Wine varietyMixed Red RegionAustralia multi-regional Read moreRead less Quantity (case) Out of Stock Availability Get free shipping for a limited time* Shop with confidence. 100% money back guarantee. 500+ Australian wineries. 40yrs experience & passion. Pack Contents 2 x High Plains Merlot 2014 2 x Byron & Harold Felix Exitus Shiraz 2015 2 x Bremerton Matilda Plains Cabernet Shiraz 2012 2 x Forbes Family by Zilzie Shiraz 2015 2 x Smithbrook Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 2 x Kingston Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 1 x Miles from Nowhere Cabernet Merlot 2015 Reviews (0) CUSTOMER REVIEWS Sort results by Highest ratings Lowest ratings Latest ratings Oldest ratings To leave a review, please Login OR Sign up You might also like Taste of Australia Red Dozen Price $202.00 Save $134.00 Qty | case Add to cart State of Play: Bordeaux Inspired Cabernet Blends Dozen Price $198.00 Save $80.00 Qty | case Add to cart Alternatives Red Dozen Plus Bonus Bottle Price $198.00 Save $140.00 Qty | case Add to cart Two Blues Sauvignon Blanc 2014 1 case has been added to your cart. Cart total: xxx 1 case, 12 bottles, 3 accessories Checkout Continue Shopping


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I've been cranking out a few drawings as of late and I wanted to post and share them. enjoy!
Tag Archives: figure
Figure Studies
My inspiration for the week is Philip Pearlstein.
I am completely enamored by this artist. I was first introduced to Philip Pearlstein during my sophomore year in college. I was taking a figure drawing class with Professor Fred Burton. As I was looking through book after book of Pearlstein's images I began to grasp a better understanding of the human figure. I was drawn to his work because he was deliberately distorting certain aspects of the body and still maintained a since of realness, he used unexpected and interesting points of view, and bucked the rules of cropping through heads, elbow and knee joints. In the end, he created beautiful compositions, pushing the boundaries of figure drawing.
Janelle and I went to the Frist Museum yesterday. Fairy Tales, Monsters, and the Genetic Imagination Exhibit was absolutely fascinating. It definitely inspired me to take another look and even make slight changes in the conceptual direction of my latest painting.
I'm 99.9% sure I just finished this piece. I had a lot of fun working on it and can't wait to start the third in the series.


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Free Cranes Cider
Cranes Drinks are giving you the chance to win the perfect Christmas gift for you and your secret Santa. 5 lucky winners will receive a Cranes Cider gift set, which includes the full range of Cranes tantalising fruit ciders (Cranberries & Limes, Blueberries & Apples and Raspberries & Pomegranates) and a branded glass.
To Enter:
Follow @cranesdrinks
Tag your not so secret Santa and ensure they also follow @cranesdrinks – the more entries the better the chances of winning!
All entrants must be over 18 and UK residents. Competition ends 10/12/2018. Full T&C's can be found of Cranes Drinks website
Good Luck!


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Search the Community
Showing results for tags '.jar'.
Found 1 result
Help with server .jar file
Jt13 posted a question in Technic Launcherok so I got a bought a server to host a Minecraft server with some friends just so you know.... I downloaded tekxit 2 which is hexxit and tekkit combined together (server edition) on technic and i download the one in the launcher aswell. anyways when I downloaded it gave me two .jar files, came with forge.jar and Minecraft server 1.7.10 I believe when I uploaded the files I renamed the Minecraft one to custom because that what my host provider said to do (whenever i download my own modpack) so I started the server up worked fine until I noticed it was running on a vanilla Minecraft world so it loaded the mods but the world was just a normal Minecraft world with no mods embedded in it if that makes sense.... so I tried to use the forge.jar file renamed to custom.jar and tryed to run it but didnt wanna work or run the server is what im trying to say. so my questions is what .jar file do I need to use so it will not run a vanilla Minecraft world. Do I Have to make my own .jar file? what am I doing wrong?


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I love to incorporate friendship and Valentine's day!
Of course, reviewing colors, shapes, and counting.
We started our week charting how to be a good friend.
I love to incorporate friendship and Valentine's day!
We listened and followed directions to make our Valentine's Day bags.
Of course, reviewing colors, shapes, and counting.
Our Name Hearts turned out great! These kiddos are still working on name practice with identifying all the letters in their name and putting them in order.
Fine motor practice is very important. The students cut out their hearts and then wrote their names. Hopefully these masterpieces made it home.
Our Valentine's Day party was a BIG hit! Thanks to Nevaeh's mom for coming and helping in the morning. A BIG thank you to all the parents who sent snacks. Our party was enjoyed by all!
Mrs. Hemme
I'm a Jesus loving, technology nerd, Farmer's Wife of 4 rowdy kids...who teaches PRESCHOOL!
August 2020


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February 1, 1987, Section 7, Page 31Buy Reprints
NARRATIVE OF A VOYAGE TO SENEGAL By J. B. Henry Savigny and Alexander Correard. 200 pp. Vermont: The Marlboro Press. Paper, $11.50.
Gericault's painting, ''The Raft of the Medusa,'' dominates a wall in the Louvre and overwhelms those who view it - not simply by its enormous size but by its horror. In a savage sea, survivors wave frantically at a ship that is but a dot on the horizon. Others sit miserably resigned to join the bodies surrounding them, drowned or crushed between the raft timbers. All are painted with a spectral hue of death ''Narrative of a Voyage to Senegal,'' written by two survivors and here republished from an 1818 London translation, inspired Theodore Gericault when it first appeard in France. He used survivors of the 1816 wreck of the Medusa as models and created a timeless memorial to the desperation of shipwrecked people who, as unsettling as they are in the painting, still remain understated.
The story of this book is really about the struggle of the authors, a surgeon and an engineer-geographer, to find and preserve honor amid incompetence and panic. The Medusa's voyage - she had set out to carry the new French governor and his entourage to Senegal - was a string of mishaps unitl she came to a grinding halt on a reef 50 miles off the coast of Africa. Haphazard efforts did not free the frigate, and her crew abandoned ship. About 230 people scrambled into six boats, leaving 17 aboard - only three of whom would survive the 52 days before rescuers arrived. Worse, 150 crowded onto a raft of masts and other bits of ship tied together. No one could move, much less lie down, and those on the ends were waist deep in the sea. There was but little wine and few bicuits for any of the survivors. At first the boats towed the raft, but soon set it adrift. The very night they abandoned the raft, those in the boats sighted shore, the edge of the Sahara. Some landed and made their way to Senegal on foot. Others made the journey by boat. Most survived the travails of the desert and the Arab nomads they encountered, and eventually they reached Senegal's port of St. Louis, where they were welcomed and cared for.
But on the raft mutinous battle raged. Men hacked at each other with sabres and threw people overboard; they drank wine and jettisoned water, and withstood the stormy nights and scorching days until they passed into delirious oblivion. On the third day the ship's crew began to eat the bodies of the dead. After a week the 15 strongest survivors decided to end the misery of the other 13, many of whom they had risked their lives to save only days earlier, but who were now crushed, severly wounded and comatose. They rolled the doomed over the side and hung on for another six days. Even after the ship Echo picked them up, five more died.
For the remaining, rescue was but another step in hell, A large portion of the book concerns the battle between the survivors of the raft and the embarrassed French bureaucracy that had cast them adrift. Ironically, it was the English who cared for the survivors. The facts would make Stephen King cringe. If it were rewritten and title simply ''Medusa,'' the story would have all the elements of a first-class thriller. Unfortunately, ''Narrative of a Voyage to Senegal'' is not one. The writing, as might be expected, is archaic. Although this is the first time the book has been available in this country, it is still a reprint of a hasty translation made almost 170 years ago, and the present publisher has not altered that version at all; surely it would have been possible to at least modernize spellings, especially those of place names. And the copious notes at the end could have easily, and more effectively, been included in the appropriate pages of the text.
However, the book gives us a window through which to view the early 19th century. We see the disorder of French politics just after Napoleon's collapse and the African people and landscape of that era, and we come to understand the authors' desire to abolish slavery and yet to ''civilize'' the Africans through colonialism - if only the can ''teach them the value of ownership.'' But mostly the book explores the fragility of honor and reveals how some people rise and some fall when they face the hopeless prospect of death.


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Scotland, 1 August 2014: India defeated the host nation Scotland by 2-1 to finish at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games in women's competition, while Malaysia and Wales won the 7th and 9th placing match.
Malaysia defeated Canada 3-0 on shoot-out after having scores tied at 2-2 at the time full-time hooter, while Wales defeated Trinidad and Tobago by 4-0 to avoid wooden spoon.
Playing for the 5th position, the Indian eves yet again proved they are a promising team who one should look out for in the near future. While their first half was a showcase of great defense along with counter attacking, it was only in the second half that the Indian forwards finally scored and won the match leaving dents in the opponent's semi circle. Continue reading →


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Business Excellence Award Celebration at Multan Multan (Sunday, December 14, 2014) – Yesterday in Multan, Cake cutting ceremony held with CBOO Mr. Nasrullah and EVP Mr. Naeem Shahbaz after getting 3rd position in way forward 2015 by Multan Telecommunication Region (MTR) of PTCL. large number of PTCL officers and other …Read More »
PTCL Chief Technical Officer (Mr. Muhammad Nasarullah Randhawa) Visits Multan: Addressed to Officers MTR Region
PTCL Chief Technical Officer (Mr. Muhammad Nasarullah Randhawa) Visits Multan: Addressed to Officers MTR RegionRead More »
"Stress Management in PTCL" Rao Aftab Ahmad RGM MTR addressed to certificate distribution ceremony at PTCL Training institute Multan – Nawaiwaqt 18-10-2010:
A short course of stress management held at PTCL training institute Multan. Senior Managers (SM), Managers and Senior Engineers (SE) attended the course. Sixty (60) official of Multan Telecommunication Region (MTR) attended in two phases. Addressing trainees Mr. Rao Aftab Ahmad General Manager (GM) MTR told that standard services to customers are top priority of modern commercial organization like PTCL.Read More »
President PTCL excellence Awards and Cash Prizes distributed by GM MTR Multan – June 11, 2010
President PTCL excellence Award Cash Prize by GM MTR Multan – June 2, 2010: General Manager Multan telecommunication Region Multan, Mr. Rao Aftab Ahmad has said that Hard Working employees are assets of PTCL. Other workers should follow them and participate in the progress of Company. Mr. Rao Aftab expressing while distributing President PTCL excellence Awards and Cash Prizes to the employees.Read More »
PTCL Managers and Seniors Managers Training at Training Centre Multan ends with GM MTR Rao Aftab Ahmad Visit.
PTCL Managers and Seniors Managers Training at PTCL Training Centre Multan end with GM MTR Rao Aftab Visit. At This occasion GM MTR stress on Officers that internal and external customer's satisfaction should be on top priority.Read More »


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Here are some tips you can consider to keep your dates fun, interesting and memorable.
Go on an adventure together. This is a great way of bonding especially if you like going outdoors. You can go on a hiking trip or a mountaineering adventure. Get closer to nature and learn how to live without technology for a day.
Do something out of the ordinary. It can be hosting a read-along with the children in your neighborhood or a feeding program at an orphanage. Some days, you can also help in movements for a social cause like cleaning of the coastal shores or tree-planting. The values that you will learn from these activities would not only help you become better individuals but would also make a memory you will never forget.
Try activities and go to places you have never been before. Most couples like experiencing new things together in order to create unforgettable memories. These may include diving and other water activities as well as going on a food trip involving exotic delicacies.
Dating does not have to be limited to dinners and walks in the park. Do something fun and adventurous together to create great memories you'll never forget.


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Not a big drinker? Me neither. That's why I started The Hydration Project. Read about it here.
Did you know that many fruits and vegetables contain upwards of 90% water, making them a great way to add vital water to your diet and keep you properly hydrated?
As if there weren't already enough good reasons to eat your fruits and veggies!
It's the water content that makes it possible for many fruits and veggies, such as salad greens, to deliver so few calories per serving.
Consider one of my favorites: cucumbers!
Composed primarily of water, cucumbers also have a fiber-rich skin. What's the one thing you need when consuming more fiber? Water! See…it's perfect! Isn't Ma Nature's food amazing when we don't mess with it!
Watermelon is another good hydrator, but given that it's called a watermelon, I'll just leave that as 'nuff said.
Oranges, strawberries, cantaloupe, broccoli, bok choy, tomatoes…the list of foods that can help keep you from shriveling up like a raisin is a long one.
(I found a really helpful list of hydrating foods and the amount of water they contain on Shape Magazine's website. Some meats are even on there…interesting….)
Raw fruits and veggies are highest in water content, but if it's a hot meal you're after, soups can also contribute to your daily fluid intake. Watch sodium, though. Start with either a low-sodium broth, or an easy homemade chicken or vegetable stock (a great way to use up odds and ends before they end up in the compost!) and season to taste with herbs, spices and salt controlled by you, not a manufacturer. Fill your soup full of vegetables for lots of flavor, nutrients and a burst of hydration! Your body will thank you on so many levels.
Here's a soup I recently made based on suggestions from many of my helpful readers! (See my original post here.) It's an adaptation of one of my favorites: Stuffed Pepper Soup. Thanks to everyone for their healthy tweak ideas—I combined many of them and came up with a soup that, in my opinion, is way better than the original! And, with more veggies and less salt, I'd be willing to bet it's a good bit more hydrating, too….
ABCGP Stuffed Pepper Soup
- 1 pound lean ground beef (or turkey or meatless crumbles)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium sweet onion, diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 5 large fresh tomatoes (ours were Brandywine)
- 3 large green bell peppers, diced (for extra flavor, roast pepper first, then dice)
- 2 cups brown rice, cooked
- 1 packet low-sodium beef bouillon (or your favorite soup base)
- 1 T oregano (or season to taste with thyme, sage, or other favorite herbs)
- 1 ½ cups water
- salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Brown ground beef in a skillet with onion and garlic. Drain.
Put tomatoes in food processor and puree. Add to crock pot. Add green peppers and beef mixture. Add seasonings and water; mix. Let cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours, adding precooked rice about 20 minutes before end of cooking time.
Not the prettiest photo, but a darned bangin' soup. It's a good thing, too, because our peppers are taking over the joint!
Do you think of foods as being part of your daily water intake?
What's your favorite hydrating meal/snack?


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The Best - and Worst - Movie Trailers of the Week
We had some serious competition for the top three spots this week. Even though that nostalgic clicking noise in the Lego Movie trailer is an endless charmer, we'll need more access to the story and characters before we can get behind Emmet's mission to take down Lord Business. The Wolf of Wall Street came close, too, but the fact that this latest promo is far less refined than the last left it in middle ground. However, the first trailer for X-Men: Days of Future Past did hit the cusp of the Best Stuff and might have snagged a spot at the top if these three entries didn't rock so much promo power.
The Best Stuff
1. Labor Day
It isn't easy hitting an ideal amount of exposition in a two-minute trailer, but the pair of new promos for Jason Reitman's Labor Day certainly do, and in two different respects. I much prefer the narration and dialogue-heavy edition as it creates a stronger connection to the characters and, therefore, makes the scenario far more compelling, but the second still hits all the necessary beats and leaves you needing to know the details of all the narrative's layers.
2. Contracted
Looking for a way to keep the holiday going? Check out this unnerving trailer for the IFC Midnight release Contracted. The opening party sequence feels familiar, but just wait for it. As soon as this promo jumps passed the contraction and into the resulting ailments, it's disturbingly captivating.
3. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
The Hunger Games marketing team absolutely nails it yet again, topping off their intensifying Catching Fire promotional campaign with a final trailer that raises the stakes exponentially by opening the doors to a new arena. The action, mutations and visual effects are all spot-on, but what elevates this trailer from a simple thrill to a chill-inducing promo that packs the power to stick with you well after it's over is Jennifer Lawrence. If those last few shots don't seal the deal for you, nothing will.
The Worst Stuff
1. Heavenly Sword
Of course you want to appease fans of the source material, but it's a major wasted opportunity to adapt a video game to film and not target those who've yet to give the game a go. The fact that the trailer for Heavenly Sword looks like a video game is a major turnoff, but it's not knowing what this sword is capable of, why judgment day has arrived, what these dark forces are fighting for or who this red-haired heroine is that really extinguishes all interest in the project.
2. Tyler Perry's A Madea Christmas
That teaser was one thing, but after this theatrical trailer, it's pretty clear that Madea is totally tapped. There isn't a single funny joke in this entire promo. Period.
3. Mindscape
This one gets Worst Stuff dishonors for being a major missed opportunity. It seems as though the narrative is meant to be a total mind you-know-what, but that doesn't mean the trailer can be. There are some really interesting characters and scenarios in play, but they aren't stitched together in a way that facilitates a build. Instead, it's more of just a jumbled list of things to think about.
What are your favorite and least favorite movie trailers this week?
Movies.com, the ultimate source for everything movies, is your destination for new movie trailers, reviews, photos, times, tickets + more! Stay in the know with the latest movie news and cast interviews at Movies.com.
Copyright © 2020 FANDANGO MOVIES.


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About Us
Miccant has been serving the homeopathic community since 1980. Working alongside the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital we created Cara - the first ever software system based on the entire Kent's Repertory. Since then we have been creating and developing innovative software solutions for homeopaths. We have thousands of satisfied doctors and homeopaths all around the world using our software products.
To contact us
Head Office :
Miccant Ltd
14 Mulberry Close
West Bridgford
United Kingdom
Tel : +44 (0) 115 888 1128
Email : [email protected]
Telephone Outside UK :+44 115 888 1128 Within UK : 0115 888 1128
Please note: For technical and support always contact us via email at [email protected] or use the Live Chat facility on this website.
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Tel: +(91) 22 24130055, 4110055
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website : http://www.corneliamarent.com/
Turkey : Dr. Gökhan Sentürk [email protected]
Rest of World: Colin Hart [email protected]


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Born in Beit Sahour, Graduate of Birzeit University with a BA degree in English Language and Literature and a Diploma in Translation.
Deeply involved in the Palestinian nonviolent peace movement since 1991 soon after joining the PCR, with previous involvement since 1987 with the beginning of the first intifada.
Co-founder of the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), a nonviolent movement that works in Palestine with a goal to promote and support the nonviolent Palestinian resistance movement. (www.palsolidarity.org)
Co-Founder and Steering Committee member of the Nonviolence Network in Arab Countries.
Has wide experience in coordinating mass activities. George has undertaken a number of speaking tours in Europe, the USA and Canada.
Website URL: http://www.facebook.com/george.rishmawi
Job Title: Project Assistant
Immediate Supervisor: PCR's Project's Manager
The actual training has started in October 2013. 12 young men and women have been selected to participate in the project. The participants come from the Bethlehem area, mainly from two towns, Beit Sahour and the village of Wadi Fukin, a marginalized village in the western rural area of Bethlehem. Wadi Fukin is a village trapped between the green line (the enforced borders between the West Bank and Israe) and the wall, Israel is buliding inside the West Bank. This area is know and the "seam zone" and residents of this area face serious mobility issues. Therefore, the three participants come a long way from their village to the center to attend the training.
The first sessions were conducted by the PCR Executive Dierctor, George N. Rishmawi who gave them an introductary training in communication skills. Information needed for the training, simply because the entire project is about youth communicating their views to the community through video.
Following the Communication Skills training, the participants received training in research skills in order to give them tools on how to find out what topics they want to pursue and how can they collect information about it in order to present it in a more presentable way.
These two training packages paved the way for the video and audio production training to start. The video training is split into two sections, the first is photography and the second is videography. Participants are learning the basics of shooting a good video, and they they will have to edit it on the computer, using Adobe Premier video editing software. Thus, once they are done with the project, they will be able to edit any other video, which will give them a skill that is very much needed in most of the new communication jobs.
The proejct is funded by the UN-Habitat Urban Youth Fund.
The Governing board of PCR is called the Board of Directors. The Board is elected every two years directly by the General Assembly. Memberships in the GA is open to every Palestinian, males and females, Christians and Muslims who has completed the 16 years of age and has applied to become a member of PCR by submitting a written application, which should be approved in a board meeting.
Members are required to pay an annual registration fee determined by the board of directors. To be elected to the board, one is requested to have served as a volunteer in any of PCR's activities for a period that is no longer than six months, in order to be known to the General Assembly if he/she decides to run for the board.
The most recent members of the board of Directors elected on February 9, 2013 and will serve until February 9, 2015 are:
Michael Rishmawi, President & Co-Founder
Michael has been among the founding members of PCR. He is a retired Teacher of Arabic Language and is actively involved in a number of local organizations. He holds a BA in Administration and is the most senior among the board members and has been on the board of PCR since its foundation in 1988. He is involved in a number of Literature group and is now authoring a book about prominent characters in Beit Sahour.
RANI A. HILAL, Vice President
Rani has been involved in PCR since 1997. he was among the youth group of the center and have helped organize some of the activities and projects, especially the annual candle procession. Graduated as a Mechanical Engineer from Bir Zeit University, Rani is running his own business with his father and brother. This is his first time for him in the board and is determined to share his experience to serve the center, and thus, the entire community.
Fida joined PCR in 1997 as part of the advocacy training program launched by PCR in that year. She was first employed by PCR in 2003 to support the team in running the International Solidarity Movement (ISM). She traveled to Italy and obtained her Master Degree in Tourism Marketing and came back to work in PCR. She joined the board first time in 2008 after she got another job in Bethlehem University at the Fair Trade Development Center (FTDC) of the Institute of Community Partnership (ICP). She currently works at Dar Annadwa in Bethlehem.
Eyad A. Joma, Treasurer
Born in Beit Sahour, received his diploma in Jordan as a Dental Technician. Involved in Rapprochement Center since 1998. Secretary of the board of the Trade Union of the Speciality Association of Science and Technology of Dental Laboratories for two years. Joined the board of Administrators of PCR in 2006 and now serves as the treasurer of the Board.
Jane S. Hilal, Member
Jane has been involved in PCR since 1992. She holds a Master Degree of Science in Inviornmental Management and is currently the head of Water and Invirionment Research Department at the Applied Research Institute - Jerusalem (ARIJ). after several years of being busy at work, she decided to share some of her accumilated experience in running and managing projects to help PCR develop its programs.
Tariq H. Al-Atrash, member
Tariq is the youngest member of the board. He has been involved in PCR since 2011, and has been interested to get involved in a serious organization to help in promoting peace and justice. Currently, he is a fourth-year student of Mechanical Engineering at Al-Quds University in Abu Dis, Jerusalem.
Mahira's history in PCR is not long, however, she expressed high interest in serving the community and settled that PCR is one of the ways she believes can get her involved in community service and development work. Mahira holds a BA in Mathmatics Applied Economics. She currently works as the head of the accounting department at the Applied Research Institute - Jerusalem (ARIJ)
MEET OUR STUDENTS & Sponsor a Young Musician
The young musician sponsorship program is aimed at providing a chance for some young students who dream to become musicians but unable due to financial restrictions. The Angelo Frammartino Educational Center provides, through the tunes for peace project, a good opportunity for students to learn music at a reasonable rate, however, despite the low costs the Tunes for Peace project provides, some families are unable to pay the costs.
At PCR, we do our best to provide equal chances for all youth in town, at the same time, we are also committed to high quality in teaching music. Our trainers are among the best in the Bethlehem area, and they are committed to helping youth.
Currently, we have around 80 students on board. at this numbr the annual cost of the project mounts up to $24,000. The cost of having each student in the project is around $400. Almost 25% of the cost is covered by the students fees and the rest needs to be covered by donations. So far funds from the Italian Organization, A La Calle and Pilgrimage People from the UK, helped cover expenses of 2013-2014 and half of 2015. We are looking for your generous donations to cover the remainder six months of this year.
Your help is needed to be able to provide this service to young Palestinian students who are eager to learn how to play music.
Our goal is to empower those young people to help them make their dreams come true, which will in future give them the chance to contribute to their community and play key role in the social life.
You can donate Online by clicking the link or make a check with tax deductible receipt by making your check payable to:
and send it to
If Americans' Knew
3020 El Cerrito Plaza #157
El Cerrito, CA 94530
Phone: 202-631-4060
Fax: 815-301-8048
PLEASE mention in your MEMO that the donation is for the "Young Musician Sposorship Program"
The Shepherds Nights Festival is an annual festival organized by PCR and (JAI) The Joint Advocacy Initiative of the YMCA and the YWCA.
This years festival will be held 24 - 25 December 2012 in Beit Sahour according to the following program
مهرجان ليالي الرعاة ينظم سنوياً منذ العام 2008 بالتعاون ما بين المركز الفلسطيني للتقارب بين الشعوب ومبادرة الدفاع المشتركة لجمعيتي الشبان الشابات المسيحية. ويقام المهرجان هذا العام يومي ٢٤ و ٢٥ كانون أول ٢٠١٢ في بيت ساحور حسب البرنامج التالي
فعاليات اليوم الاول في قاعة الروم الارثوذكس - وسط البلد
اليوم الأول 24\12\2012
ما أروع ان ترسم بسمة على وجه طفل من أطفال فلسطين فكيف وقد رسمنا البسمة على وجوه أكثر من اربعمائة من أطفال فلسطين
اليوم الثاني 25\12\2012
في الساعة الرابعة من مساء اليوم 25 كانون أول من العام 2012 شقت مسيرة الشموع شوارع بيت ساحور منادية باسترداد الحقوق الشرعية للشعب الفلسطيني. فقد حملت المسيرة والتي تنظم من أكثر من عشرين عاما شعار "أضئ شمعة من أجل حقوق الشعب الفلسطيني. سار الطفل والشيخ، سار المسيحي والمسلم سار الشاب والفتاة جميعهم حملو الشموع وسارو معلنين ان لا حق يموت مادام وراءه من يطالب به ويسعى لاسترداده.
وقد انطلقت المسيرة من أمام حقل الرعاة (الرعوات) ووصلت الى منطقة وسط البلد القديمة وسط أجواء من البهجة وترنيم الميلاد.
برنامج المهرجان
|Monday 24 December
|الإثنين ٢٤ كانون أول
|3:00 Children Show with Roni Rock
|٣:٠٠ فقرة خاصة بالاطفال مع روني روك
|4:00 Children Theatre - Ruz and Fanta at the Academy of Santa - Diyar Theatre
|٤:٠٠ مسرحية رز وفانتا في اكاديمية سانتا - مسرح ديار
|5:00 Christmas Gifts with Santa
|٥:٠٠ توزيع الهدايا مع بابا نويل في قاعة الروم الارثوكس - وسط البلد
|Tuesday 25 December
|الثلاثاء ٢٥ كانون أول
|3:30 Gathering at the Orthodox Shepherds Field
|٣:٣٠ التجمع في حقل الرعوات
|4:15 Candle Procession "Light a Candle for the Palestinian Rights"
|٤:٠٠ انطلاق مسيرة الشموع
أضئ شمعة من أجل حقوق الشعب الفلسطيني
|5:30 Musical Group (Sharqiyat) at the Old Town of Beit Sahour - by the Citadel Restaurant
|٥:٣٠ أمسية فنية مع فرقة شرقيات في وسط البلدة القديمة بالقرب من مطعم القلعة
You are all Welcome
الدخول مجاناً
أهلاً وسهلاً بكم
Media Sponsor
الراعي الاعلامي
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Neil Gaiman appears at the Temple Judea on Sunday June 23, 2013 at 2:00 pm!
Tickets are available through Books & Books. RSVP on Facebook!
Press Release:
Meet one of the world's most beloved storytellers Neil Gaiman reading and signing The Ocean at the End of the Lane (William Morrow, $25.99)
Tickets and Signing Guidelines: Vouchers are required for this event and may be purchased at Books & Books in Coral Gables, Miami Beach or Bal Harbour Shops. Purchase a copy of The Ocean at the End of the Lane ($25.99 + tax) and you will receive one voucher. This voucher entitles you to receive (1) one copy of The Ocean at the End of the Lane and also serves as your entry for (1) person to Neil Gaiman's talk and book signing at Temple Judea. Click to purchase your voucher online. Be sure to PAY ONLINE NOW and then choose the store pick-up option to pick your ticket up at Will Call. We do not ship vouchers.
The Ocean at the End of the Lane will be published on June 1 and you may claim your copy of the book any time after publication at a Books & Books location, or at the event on June 23. Your voucher will be stamped to reflect whether or not you have claimed your book. You must show your voucher and attached receipt to claim entrance to the event, so please remember to bring it with you that day. Books & Books is NOT responsible for lost or stolen vouchers.
There will be a book signing to follow Neil's talk and Q&A with the audience.
- Neil will sign as many copies of The Ocean at the End of the Lane as a person purchases.
- Neil will sign up to (2) two other Neil Gaiman titles.
· Neil will personalize books (name only), but he cannot accommodate specific salutations and/or dedications – it slows down the line and isn't fair for all those who are still waiting.
· If you cannot make it to the event in person, but would like to order a book, we will do our best to personalize your pre-order, but cannot guarantee the book will be signed, since it will all depend on the time.
· Photos may be taken in passing, but not posed. No flash photography; no posed photos; and no personal video.
- Neil will only sign books. Please leave memorabilia at home.
From one of the world's most beloved storytellers––#1 New York Times bestselling author Neil Gaiman––comes his first adult novel in eight years. Wondrous and imaginative, and at times deeply scary, THE OCEAN AT THE END OF THE LANE captures the very essence of childhood fear and uncertainty. In a clash of memory and reality, it is a pitched fever dream of a novel, and could very well be Gaiman's most accomplished work to date.
Temple Judea
5500 Granada Boulevard, Coral Gables, FL 33146


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Hello from a cloudy and cold St. Madoes.
There was a design Team Call over at Kenny K Krafty Girlz Challenges so I made some of my cards featuring Kenny K digital images. I was a day too late to get them in to be considered, but no matter!!! The card above is the one I made for my husband for his birthday. I found I had this paper which looks like the material bandannas are made from, so I thought it went with the cowgirl image.
This image is one of my favourites. I just love the expression on this wee guy's face. He is so happy with his goldfish! I can remember being equally excited when I won one many many moons ago!!! My Mum took over looking after Fred as he was called, and he lived for about 12 years!! He kept growing and we had to keep getting him a bigger tank! I am entering this card into the challenge this week which is Animal Antics. I am hoping that a goldfish counts, as it is a fish and not really an animal, but hopefully it will not be too strict!
I like Kenny K images as I think they are perfect for cards for teenagers, as in the card below. The way they are dressed and the events they are portraying are just brilliant. I managed to use up some more paper from my stash on all these cards. It will take me years to use it all up though, I have a real thing for paper and have reams and reams of it!
Well, I had better go and make tea for Eric, he is watching the footie at the moment. So much for the Football season finishing? It is never off the bloomin TV is it?
Bye for now and thanks for stopping by!


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- Reliant accepts several health insurance plans
- Reliant accepts Worker's Comp, auto insurance and cash pay
- Reliant accepts CareCredit
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- Clients without insurance
- Clients with high deductibles
- Clients experiencing financial difficulties
- Payment plans are available for clients who do not have insurance, are paying Cash Out of Pocket, have high deductible insurance plans or are opting out of their HMO's.
- Reliant will do its best to provide options to individuals facing financial hardship. Please speak with one of Reliant's Administrative Specialists today to begin receiving the care you deserve.


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A Supportive Community
A number of elements helped contribute to the effectiveness of the band. Foundational was a supportive community at its very heart. Known initially as the Highway Missionary Society, and later as the Servant Community, this intentional Christian community shared in common the missionary vision that characterized Servants ministry. The tireless efforts of those left at home, or on the slopes maintaining the tree planting business, or those on the road crew who traveled across the country an exhausting two hundred plus days each year, all contributed in immeasurable ways through financial support, spiritual focus, and emotional encouragement, to the vision that kept us on the road. Our life in community together was our anchor and our joy, the heartbeat that offered a glimpse, however human at times, into Gods eventual kingdom.
Life for the band and community was nomadic those first few years, and after a brief sojourn in San Francisco in 1978, the group finally settled in Grants Pass, Oregon in April of 1979, where we bought property and began to crystallize our vision of a missional community base. Home was twenty-five acres of beautiful land located in a valley along the Applegate River. The pastoral setting included an old farmhouse, a barn, small A-frame cabins we built by the river, and a building to house our office and childrens school. A three-acre garden, a small orchard, and various animals rounded out the rural experience.
Home Team
The home team ran the day-to-day life that made community possible. Many good souls used their gifts to build structures, plant gardens, repair vehicles, plan and cook community meals, lead worship, teach children, and create a life together. Coming home we would find rest and center ourselves again for the next tour. It was this shared life that fueled us, the common vision, the solidarity, the hope for a kingdom come.
Some community members at home spearheaded our relief work, taking in Vietnamese and Laotian refugees that were flooding the U.S. Others took trips to Honduras to build housing for refugee resettlement. Some worked in local nursing homes caring for the elderly, or other places were service was needed.
Our community enjoyed a host of creative gifts: musicians, vocalists, artists, poets, writers, sculptors. We were graced with gifted friends and teachers for our children which created an idyllic life for them. Memories of the land include many hours of king elephant, often by a campfire, tubing down the Rogue River and endless worship gatherings that focused us away from difficulties and onto the One we loved.
The Road Crew
While on the road the band traveled with a great crew who grew extremely close over the years. Without the friendship, sacrifice and service of these and many others there would be no story.
John Jenkinson was an integral part of keeping the show on the road, covering road management responsibilities and front of house sound engineering. When not on the road, John contributed to studio recording as well. John's wife Susie (Sawatsky) traveled as part of our family on tour helping in so many practical ways, most importantly nurturing our children when we were not available due to sound checks or promotion.
Lori Martens, Rob's wife and Gary Summerbell were the mainstay of the lighting crew for most of our years. Both were exceptionally hard workers; Lori was a real trooper and added life and laughter to our years on the road, and Gary was one of the most creative spot operators ever. When we could drag him away from his treepalnting buddies, Keith Warner also was a significant help as a lighting tech for a number of tours. In the final season of Servant we met Matt Lemmon who joined us on the road in the lighting department. When the band came to an end Matt purchased our lighting system and started his own lighting company. He lives in Nashville and still runs True Light Productions if you need lights contact him at email@example.com. He is awesome.
On other tours we would augment the show with additional multimedia such as Sam Smith and Heavy Light Productions. Sam filled a huge screen behind the band with an incredible background of larger than life slides/photos. On another tour, Floyd Rollenstadt designed a laser light show. A great tech, Casey Townsend, toured with us and added the amazing laser images that danced behind the songs. During the song Thank God, the laser offered a dramatic effect of the heavens opening over the crowd. The laser lights beaming and moving were breathtaking.
A number of different folks helped with merchandise, wardrobe, and talked with folks after the show about the community. Laura G., Herb and Lynn Fredricksen and Doug Taylor come to mind. Randy McDonaldbus driver and mechanic, spent many sleepless nights, repairing the bus and truck often at the worst hours under the most undesirable circumstanceslike outside in the freezing cold. Conway Hendricks drove our truck for a spell and was a welcome addition. A hardworking, solid guy who also ran the stage monitor mix on the side. Every time a semi on the highway passes with the company name Conway on it we think of him.
Photos: S.Cowper, C.Briscoe, community members and unknown
© Copyright, Servant. All rights reserved. No portion of this site may be used without permission. | servant(at)servantband(dot)com
Servant CDs are available at the following locations: Amazon | CDBaby | Christian Discs | Rad Rockers


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Update: One or more card offers in this post are no longer available. Check our Hot Deals for the latest offers.
Via Travel Codex, Starwood and Uber are ending their partnership!
Through December 17, 2017, folks will continue to earn Starwood points for Uber rides at the normal rate. But after that, you'll no longer earn bonus Starwood points for rides with Uber.
Starwood Uber Partnership Ending Soon
I let you know when Starwood and Uber first teamed up to offer riders bonus Starwood points. And when that partnership was devalued.
Originally, you could earn earn 1 Starwood point for each $1 spent (on up to $10,000 in Uber charges per calendar year). And when you used Uber while staying at a Starwood hotel, you'd earn up to 3 additional Starwood points, depending on your Starwood status.
But earlier this year, the earning rate changed to 1 Starwood point per $2 spent on Uber. And 2 Starwood points per $1 spent on Uber when you use Uber while staying at Starwood hotels.
And now, after 11:59 pm Eastern Time on December 17, 2017, you will no longer earn ANY bonus Starwood points for Uber rides!
That's bad news for folks who have been using this strategy to earn lots of Starwood points. Which are hard to come by as it is!
Fortunately, you can still earn 2X AMEX Membership Rewards points with Uber when you use qualifying AMEX cards. And because Uber codes as travel, you can earn 2X Chase Ultimate Rewards points (my favorite kind of points!) when you use your Chase Sapphire Preferred, or 3X Chase Ultimate Rewards points with the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Bottom Line
Starwood and Uber are parting ways. And you will no longer earn bonus Starwood points for Uber rides after December 17, 2017.
While I don't think this was a major avenue for earning Starwood points for most folks, it's sad to see one of the few ways to earn valuable Starwood points disappear!


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You recall back in late 2013 when I gushed~* over Airiin's then very first ↑↑↑ personal book extravaganza which amounted to a "complete guide to looking, feeling, dressing, collecting, understanding & smelling like Airiin♥?? <~~There I did a complete scan and breakdown of the book's complete contents which really gave her fans the most inclusively intimate reveal of so many things Airiin ^^ including a look into her personal fashion, what products to add to your inventory for getting that especially unique Airiin~look and appeal, accessorizing the Airiin-way, what bath-goods she recommends, a discography of her musical and visual works & a timeline of her history till now plus much much more!
Now, fast forward to late last November when Airiin released her second such book!! ….only this time Airiin's diving further into every aspect of her well being, that which makes her the gorgeous idol, role model and female icon she's grown into today! And likewise, as with her prior personal book, this one's also a soft cover edition which is "digest" sized ….measuring in @ approximately just 8 1/4" x 6."
~Suzuki Airi's "Style Book Airi-sT" can be ordered @ Cdjapan~
~Suzuki Airi's "Style Book Airi-sT" can be ordered @HMV Japan~
While pint sized, consider this one amazing~* publication as being your one stop guide into everything you'll need to learn when it comes to Airiin's defining embodiment of the definition of BEAUTY ….Aptly titled "Airi-sT", this is Suzuki Airi's very first Style Book !~!
Here I've scanned my copy of this MUST HAVE book but before we get to those scans, here's what you have to look forward to when you support Airiin and purchase her style book!:
Now we're talking about an in-depth as can be reveal of the most personal secrets and means of achieving Airiin~perfection as this book's run down of contents includes: Skin care (with a step by step illustration and description of Airiin's daily routines including of course which products in particular to purchase as well as important advice from the professionals!).
Body exercise secrets~*! (including Airiin's complete break down of her personal body work-out, all of which of course is done step by step with both illustrations as well as their benefit reasoning, plus an advanced body fitness workshop which comes complete with advice from a professional trainer).
And my favorite!…. Airiin's♥ Hair & Make-up guide!!!! (from Airiin's foundation to her special finishing touches~* it's all here as Airiin personally guides you step by step into looking your very cutest!~! Plus of course which products she personally uses and recommends!! ^^ PLUS+++ ever wonder how Airiin achieves her gorgeous hair styles??
Well herein she'll teach you exactly how to get that special Airiin look and I do mean a number of her beautiful hair styles are covered in great detail so you'll know precisely her techniques in achieving many facets of Airiin's LOOK♥ which we all love and adore right!! And not to worry, Airiin also shares with us her personal hair style products that she recommends from shower to iron!), and we do know that beauty does indeed begin from the inside so Airrin's got you covered there as well as she shares many many of her favorite recipes so that you too can eat like an idol =)! And with such an in-depth unveiling of Airiin's personal livelihood, this book brings it all together with a most intimately revealing interview as Airiin opens up like never before as this interview isn't anything like you'd find in any idol magazine or anywhere else out there.
~♡ (*´∀`*) ♪~♪!!!!


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Given at the second international coordination meeting of Talitha Kum, Internation Network of Consecrated Life against Trafficking in Persons, in Rome on 30 January 2016.
It is a pleasure to be with you this morning and I am grateful to Sr Patricia for her invitation to attend your second international coordination meeting. Thank you also to Bishop Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo, our host who has shown such vision in carrying out the task assigned to the Academy by Pope Francis to tackle trafficking.
I want to begin, by expressing my admiration for the witness that you give in many different parts of the world by your forthright witness for justice and prophetic commitment to challenging the causes of trafficking and modern slavery. For many of you, I know, your service to those enslaved stretches over decades and I am here both to thank you, not least for what you do in my own country, but also to learn from your experiences.
It is remarkable that we are here together during this Year of Mercy, which has so caught the imagination of the Church, at least in my country, since your actions are themselves a supreme example of that quality. Courage, generosity and a vision of a world in which people live in freedom guide you as you face the challenges each day brings.
Talitha Kum embodies a wonderful gift of the Church: a unity of love and effort which, at the same time, does not diminish or extinguish individuality and difference. Each of you remains true to your particular charism, the wellspring of your vitality, but through a commitment to shared action you show that cooperation enriches personal and congregational identities. It seems to me that part of the treasure that Talitha Kum gives is to remind us that we are truest to ourselves when we reach beyond ourselves in service of those most in need.
As you know better than I, at the core of human trafficking is betrayal and the deliberate deception of vulnerable people. Every day you see at first-hand the price paid by children, women and men who believed and then were betrayed, sometimes even by members of their own family. A most profound casualty of that treachery is trust. Trust is destroyed, the ability to trust is corroded and you know too well how difficult it is to rebuild that trust. Yet ultimately only when a person learns to trust again will they ever regain their freedom. So much of what you do is about helping people to have the courage and wisdom to place their trust once again in another.
The truth of this was brought home to me when I met Sophie, a young English woman who came to our Bishops' Conference four years ago. Sophie had been trafficked to Italy by her boyfriend, where she was abused. The story Sophie told of her struggle to free herself from that captivity and then the journey she underwent to recover and to trust, moved all of us who heard it and is a big part of the reason that I am with you today because I would like to tell you something of what has flowed from that moment.
I would like to speak first of the Santa Marta Group, an initiative against human trafficking which was founded here in this room two years ago. It is quite different to the grass roots character of Talitha Kum, but it is very complementary, I think.
Two years ago, on a day I remember so well, in April 2014, those of us who were here were graced not only by the presence of the Holy Father but also by three young women who came to share their experiences of slavery. Those witnesses inspired us, the bishops and police chiefs present, to commit ourselves to working in partnership to combat trafficking, wherever it takes place. It was one of those victims of trafficking, named Claudia, who set us on the road. She issued a challenge at the first Santa Marta Conference that still echoes. She told us that all she asked was that bishops be true to their vocation and that police officers be true to their responsibilities. Claudia's insistence that we honour the promises we have made is what brings together law enforcement chiefs and bishops. Each of us has a role and a particular duty in fighting against the evil of organised transnational crime. But in this work we are trying to learn to trust each other, and to trust the religious sisters who work in this endeavour, as indeed you do. But this trust, too, is difficult to forge.
In the last two years, we have tried to live up to that commitment to work together, to build trust between us, religious women, police and bishops, always putting those enslaved at the heart of all that we do. We have done that in various ways, not least by bringing together at three separate meetings in Rome, London and Madrid, a wide range of law enforcement agencies together with my fellow bishops, women religious and laypeople all committed to stopping slavery. Those conferences have taught us much about the horror of the crime we confront but also about the remarkable response of so many people of good will within the Church and wider society. For example, I think of our growing work with the Apostleship of the Sea in countering slavery on fishing vessels in the North Atlantic or the partnership in my own diocese with the Congregation of the Adoratrices, or the work being done by the new UK Independent Anti–Slavery Commissioner and our Home Secretary. Each time we nurture relationships of trust we grow, not only in our ability to counter the traffickers, but also in our sense of ecclesial communion. It is clear that a crime as complex and transnational as trafficking needs a coordinated response in which no one group is sufficient but each has its responsibility.
I would like now to be just a little bit more specific.
The Santa Marta group is now touching over 20 different countries. But let me speak of one where we are making substantial progress.
A new initiative is taking shape in the Edu State in Nigeria, the area from which so many people, especially women, are trafficked into Britain. At present the British Government is allocating millions of pounds in in three pronged effort against trafficking:
- Strengthening and training for local police
- Training for the judiciary in processing and judging cases
- Investment in awareness and social development in the communities, primarily through the Catholic Church (NB role of the Sisters of Charity).
Then, in England, the Group is helping to effect outreach to vulnerable communities in a number of places:
• In East Anglia, to the Portuguese communities
• In Lincolnshire, to the Poles
• In North London to the Brazilians
All these are large communities, all subject to slavery and trafficking. Awareness is often led by the clergy.
It is also prompting awareness raising/education initiatives in cooperation with local police forces
- In Plymouth Diocese in a number of area days
- In Middlesbrough Diocese in conjunction with a charity called 'Unchosen'.
The Santa Marta Initiative has also led to the establishment of Bakhita House in London as a centre for our work and a place of recovery for women being brought out of slavery. There are, of course, many places where such work is done. I like to think that in Bakhita House we embody the fundamental thrust of our vision of this work: that of rebuilding trust. You see, Bakhita House is a joint venture of the Diocese of Westminster, the Adoratrices, and the Metropolitan police. As you can imagine, we are not always natural allies, but in this work we are learning to trust each other profoundly. And such trust can transform our effort against trafficking.
In the six months since its opening 24 guests have been received in Bakhita House.
They have come via police initiatives, some after a brothel raid or visit of one from the streets where she was working; some for emergency accommodation requested by the police for victims or witnesses.
They have come with the police, if being housed outside London but need to be brought to London for interviews, identification of premises or people, and supported by Bakhita House staff.
They have come via other NGO/Agencies, either by the referral form and then a meeting with the guest, followed by a decision if the guest is accepted, or by a referral form and acceptance over the telephone, giving immediate access. The British Red Cross, Kalayaan, Eaves, Hestia HA, Helen Bamber Foundation and the Salvation Army have all referred to us in this way.
We have also met/spoken to women who others think need our help but have not completed any referral form. Priests at local parishes sometimes take this initiative.
The length of stay of the guests is, on average, three months, which is twice the length supported by the British Government. However there has been a range of stay of between 24 hours (moved because police felt her safer outside London) and five months because she has given birth and needed more support.
Guests of Bakhita House have moved on in these ways: three have gone home, assisted by police here and in their home country, and social services and NGOs in countries of origin; some have gone to move into accommodation especially for trafficked victims but with longer term than Bakhita House; one has gained public social benefits and rents her own room; some have moved to National Asylum Seekers Accommodation housing.
An important aspect of this initiative is its cooperation with the police, striving to help in the process of evidence gathering and therefore in the prospect of prosecution of criminals. At Bakhita House we encourage, but do not force, the women to speak with the police. It is not a condition of their stay nor of the help we give. The police feel, as do we, that the relaxed environment of the house helps the women to speak with police. Evidence can be gathered quickly and any new information passed directly to our police partners.
There are interviewing facilities within the house (technology provided by the police); these will transfer to the parish office when it is ready for occupation.
There is also developing a strong pattern of cooperation with the parish and neighbourhood. Trust is also being built there, too. The local police and community safety teams are aware of our presence; the local council and councillors are aware of our presence and supportive; the local health service and counselling agencies are providing services to the women; neighbours know about the house but have no dealings at the house for issues of safety/confidentiality both for them and for the guests; the local parish priests are very supportive, collecting baby clothes; local schools are aware of the work and supportive of it too. In fact, the network of Catholic schools is most helpful in raising awareness. Finally, there are thirteen different religious sisters/groups helping at the house, bringing remarkable professional experience and great richness!
Finally, I would like to add a further development coming from within the Santa Marta Group. This is the establishment, in partnership with St Mary's University, London, of an academic centre for study of the patterns, causes and consequences of human trafficking. But there is not time for that today.
So this is my brief presentation of the work we have begun. It is under the dual patronage of St Martha who cared for Jesus in such practical ways and St Josephine Bakhita whose story is so well known to you all. Our efforts are all about building trust, for trafficking destroys trust in such a radical and brutal manner. Rebuilding the trust in the life of a victim is, as you know, difficult and demanding. In this Santa Marta process and in Bakhita House we are also trying to build trust between other parties too: the police and law enforcement agencies with bishops and with religious communities, especially religious women. These are often not easy relationships, with mutual suspicion and traditional distances. But I believe that the trust built between these parties, between us, adds credibility and effectiveness in our desire to rebuild trust in the lives of the victims of this awful and monstrous trade.
We need your prayers and your wisdom as we build this trust.
I know that Santa Marta has much to learn from you and I hope there is much that we can do together. Thank you for the opportunity, and the privilege, of being part of your gathering.