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A look at the week that was and a little insight into the #bloglife, sharing things I just can't share anywhere else!
What's on my mind this week…
This week I filmed my Q & A Vlog, answering questions from people who read or follow Little Grey Box and one, in particular, stood out. It was sent to me by a young woman and went something along the lines of, "I can tell you're comfortable in your own body and I think you look great. I love the way you eat your food and always say how delicious it is. How do you feel so confident in your own body?" This lovely young lady then went on to describe how she had been on holiday and felt uncomfortable getting into a swimsuit and had, at times, felt guilty and conflicted about eating yummy food like fries.
It took a lot of courage to be vulnerable and share her thoughts so openly and honestly like that. It also broke my heart – I wanted to run up to her with a big bowl of fries and sit around in our bikinis together, belly's hanging out and eat the whole lot!
I haven't always been body confident. Like a lot of women, I've felt the pressure to have a slim, toned, athletic body with no cellulite, ripped abs and a perfectly pert bum. When that pressure, self-doubt and feelings of insecurity start to creep in they can take over and before you know it, you're looking at photos of Victoria's Secret Angels online, comparing them to your own body and hating yourself. It's an awful feeling.
It's taken a lot of work on myself but now I'm in a place where I'm not just accepting of my body, I'm thankful for it and proud of it.
I used to be embarrassed by the way I eat. In social situations, especially around men, I'd feel too uncomfortable to eat my food how I wanted. Instead, I'd take tiny little nibbles and eat really slowly, because I thought it would look unattractive otherwise. Last year I made a decision to stop that and, instead, started eating my food exactly how I want to. I eat with my hands and I put big forkfuls in my mouth if I feel like it and, you know what, I enjoy every meal so much more. It's taught me to love and enjoy my food and it gave me freedom. Heck, I even ate a huge burrito before going swimsuit shopping last night. It was great!
Instagram was a source of anguish for me. I followed girls with beautiful bodies; toned and tanned to perfection. At first, I told myself it was for 'thin-spiration' but it was really a way for me to punish myself for not being good enough. Every time I would see one of their photos I would think about my own body and how inadequate it was in comparison. I decided I didn't want or need to go through that anymore and, if it didn't feel good, I didn't want it in my life. So, I unfollowed all of them. It immediately removed that negativity from my life and now, if I do follow Instagram models, they're usually African-American girls with beautiful curves that make me appreciative of my own. They make me feel empowered and unashamed because there's nothing more powerful than seeing another woman love her body.
Trying to find my own style and stay up with fashion trends, I found myself wearing clothes I never normally would. I guess I put pressure on myself to be fashionable because my photos are seen by quite a few people. I would feel awfully uncomfortable in outfits, fidgeting and adjusting, trying to assess if my butt looked too big or my arms too fat. Then, I decided to stop dressing for fashion or to stay relevant and, instead, started dressing to feel comfortable. That's why I wear so many pre-loved skirts and rolled-up men's t-shirts, they're comfortable for me and, when I feel comfortable, I feel beautiful and confident.
I used to get out of the shower and when I'd catch a glimpse of my body in the mirror, I would look at my thighs and sigh, my shoulders slumping. I'd grab them with my hands, hating them, and think something like, 'My thighs are so disgusting. I've got so much cellulite, it's gross. I hate my thighs.' These awful thoughts extended to my entire body, I would assess and hate each part. Those kinds of thoughts will destroy you from the inside out. I decided to stop. Instead, each time I saw myself, I would stop the negative thought and say something, out loud, like 'My thighs look great. I'm thankful for them.' Eventually, it became a habit to think something nice instead of something mean and I began to like what I saw in the mirror.
Each of those things has led to something really important, an even bigger change. I'm happy and happiness leads to feeling beautiful and confident. I didn't find happiness by changing my body, I found it by changing my mindset. It took a lot of work and I still have days of doubt, of course, but I enjoy my life so much more. I enjoy my food now, every last bite, I enjoy looking at social media because it's a source of empowerment rather than shame, I enjoy choosing my outfits each day because they make me feel good and I love going to the beach and swimming all day without any shame or guilt.
If you don't feel good about your body, take a moment to think about why. Identify those sources of negativity and eliminate them from your life one by one. When you replace them with positivity and self-love, the confidence in you will grow. From confidence comes happiness and, honestly, there's nothing sexier or more beautiful than a happy person smiling. To the beautiful girl who asked me the question, I feel confident in my body because I always eat the fries.
News and updates
Matt and I are flying to Sydney today then onto Hanoi for an amazing week in Vietnam. The weather forecast is a little sketchy over there with lots of rain on the horizon, so I'm hoping we'll find a few breaks in the weather to get some great video and photos to share with you. Bad weather may actually make for a hilarious Vlog episode! Speaking of which, there's a brand new Vlog episode coming on Monday! Also, I booked a job this week over to Singapore in early November with Singapore Airlines. My family lives in Singapore so I'm staying a few days after the work part of the trip wraps up to hang with them and I'm really looking forward to it.
I also just want to give a shout-out to Spicers Clovelly. They invited Matt and me to their dessert degustation last weekend and it was amazing! I've put a few photos below but they don't even come close to doing this food justice. We indulged in five exceptional dessert courses and loved every bite. Matt pretty much had to roll me out of there because my core muscles were replaced with chocolate, sugar and all kinds of other delicious things. Thank you so much for having us, we had the best time, Spicers.
Watch the brand new video up on our YouTube channel this week!
You can visit our channel, if you feel like it, by clicking here. No pressure, mate – do what ya feel!


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Why is the religious world quiet on the XL Pipeline debate?
Editorial note: This post was previously published on Saturday, March 22. On Sunday morning, March 23, the post was deleted due to a technical error. Unfortunately, all of the reader's comments were also deleted at this time. We are working to restore those comments. For more details and summaries of the comments please check the note at the end of the post.
As Catholics, we are likely aware of statements that have emerged from the USCCB about our need to act as stewards for creation (for instance,, this classic from the early 1990's). As a Jesuit, I have seen similar statements emerge from our own leadership. Yet, for the most part, as a body, we Catholics tend to remain silent on environmental issues.
I think of these official Catholic statements in light of a friend's recent post on Facebook. The message was simple: if you are not aware of what is happening in Nebraska with the Keystone XL pipeline right now, you have failed in your civic duty. Now, hyperbole tends to be a common thing on Facebook. The problem is that these are the words of a reasonable person who has nothing to gain by making this statement. The truth is, even if we are educated about what is going on with the Keystone XL, we might be at a loss even to begin recognizing what is at stake.
The story: Canada has oil and it wants to sell it. The "oil" is actually found in a layer of shale about a mile beneath the earth's surface. When it is extracted, it is in the form of bitumen, and this substance must be refined. In order to get the bitumen from Canada to refineries in Texas the pipeline must cross a national boundary, pass through a couple of states, a NativeAmerican reservation, a national wildlife reserve and over one of the largest aquifers in the world (an aquifer is a giant store of fresh water that people use as drinking water and to irrigate their farmland).
The problem: The extraction process (called "fracking") releases toxic elements into the air, water and soil. The refinement process for the bitumen extracted from the Tar Sands releases more toxic elements into the air, water and soil. Finally, the finished product will eventually be burned as fuel which, of course, releases more toxic elements into the air, water and soil. In short, carbon pollution has already had a lasting impact on the environment; at current levels it will impact the environment in a way that makes the prospect of future life, even one hundred years into the future, questionable. At least according to various government websites (including the EPA, NASA, and NOAA), these dangers are public knowledge. Fracking contributes to this desolating outlook because of the amount of carbon it promises to release into the air. The pipeline is just the vehicle that makes the process profitable.
What happened: While permission to build the pipeline through Nebraska had at one point almost been secured, it met strong, organized opposition from the state's citizens. Protesters there are worried because past history indicates that it is not a matter of "If" the pipeline will leak, but "when and where" the pipeline will leak. From the Deepwater Horizon disaster to more recent fracking-related disasster-accounts of land being destroyed and drinking water being contaminated for thousands of people in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Ohio and Texas. In these cases, land, air and water were damaged and oil companies failed to make adequate reparations for their mistake. People in Nebraska are attempting to stop this cycle, and perhaps draw attention to the process of fracking, our continued oil dependency, and what it reveals about our habits of consumption.
Where are we now: The Keystone XL has been halted for the time being. Some of Nebraska's elected officials tried to manipulate the law in order to allow the pipeline to go through privately owned land and a national reserve. Permission was initially granted, but the people took the government to court. It turned out that the provisions that were created to allow for the pipeline to be built were actually illegal. Still, the US government may step in and force the people of Nebraska to accept the pipeline. The standard argument is that the XL pipeline is necessary because the bitumen is already coming out and it must be refined. There are already many other pipelines that are up and running. Yes. Not only would the Keystone XL merely be an extension of an already existing pipeline that moves through a different part of that state, but other pipelines, in other parts of our country, already have been approved and are under construction. Ultimately, the general consensus is that while fracking is a flawed process, we need oil, the oil will come out anyway, and pipelines will be the way to make it happen.
Sadly, when we talk about fracking and pipelines, we are not merely talking about achieving "energy independence." We are talking about a process that only exists because we have already burned through our larger supplies of "cleaner" oil. We are not just talking about an entire economy that is showing signs of falling apart for reasons specifically related to our consumer practices and abuse of the environment. We are talking about our failure to act as stewards of resources and recognize the significance of what we are doing to the Earth and her inhabitants. This is a moral issue that extends far beyond Keystone XL. By continuing to allow our consumption to go unchecked we are slowly destroying the environment in which we live and we are killing ourselves in the process.
So, back to the main question: why is the religious world silent about this? Is it because we do not want to pick sides? Is it because we do not recognize what is occurring with the pipeline? Is it because we do not see the bigger picture? Is it because we do not see this as being in line with our mission to act as stewards of creation? Is it because we do not think that religion has any place in economic, political, or environmental issues? Is it because we do not know where to stand, or because we do not want to upset people who have money and power? Is it because we do not want to seem like fools who believe that we are actually poisoning our world to the point where entire species of plants and animals are going extinct? Is it because we do not want to face the realization that we actually have responsibility to address this problem, that this will not go away, and that we are standing on the brink what could be a tipping point towards the decline of humanity?
At any rate, I am curious to hear your thoughts.
Photo 1 – "tar sands, Alberta" by Dru Oja Jay and Dominion, of Howl Arts Collective. Found on flickr; used under creative commons.
Photo 2 – "Goodbye" by Kevan Davis. Found on flicker; used under creative commons.
Deleted Comment Summary
There were several remarks by readers that warranted serious consideration. The first commented that the Roman Catholic Church had failed to address these concerns because it was primarily concerned with addressing issues such as abortion, contraception, and gay marriage. A second comment remarked that as long as the Catholic Church was primarily concerned with self-preservation (protecting clergy and keeping their donors happy) it could not find a relevant voice in the environmental debate. Another key comment pointed out a fundamental error of this piece in that the author had conflated the practices of hydraulic fracturing (commonly called fracking) with in situ techniques (such as Solvent Extraction and Toe to Heel Air Injection) used at the Alberta Tar Sands location; that if this was the amount of knowledge most religious people had about these techniques, they should remain quiet; and that the commentator had, in fact, had these discussion with members in his/her church, had found that fracking was a favorable practice, but had also made a decision not to speak publicly as a member of his/her church because religion and politics should remain separate. Finally, there was a 12 point comment on the problems with the development of the Alberta Tar Sands project. All attempts have been made to reprint the article as it first appeared with the exception of some of the links and the sentence in the fourth paragraph naming the government sources for information about carbon pollution and climate change (EPA, NASA and NOAA). Our apologies for this mistake; may we continue the conversation in good faith.

subset: commoncrawl


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The Returned 1.05 "Serge & Toni" review.
THE ONE WHERE We discover that Toni killed his psycho brother Serge. And so does Serge….
VERDICT Finally, the dead start coming out of the shadows, talking to one another about their shared condition, and being quite open about it with the living. After watching Simon roaming about town for weeks being frustratingly closed-mouthed, it's rather a relief to have Mrs Costa blabbing to anyone who'll listen that she was born in 1943.
Though it doesn't have anything on a par with episode four's bombshell about little Victor's death, this fifth instalment still has some satisfying surprises and new mysteries. Of them all, perhaps the most intriguing is the discovery, by water company divers, of the bodies of 36 drowned animals in the lake. One suspects that in the grand scheme of things this is probably not going to turn out to be all that significant (and, indeed, that it could turn out to be a red herring), but the moment when their corpses are found floating in the gloom is certainly a stunning, surreal sequence. As the camera glides around them, it's as if Damien Hirst has taken up filmmaking.
Equally powerful is the scene where Victor confronts Pierre and accuses the one-time crim of being complicit in his death, with a baffling visitation by Pierre's balaclavaed partner-in-crime providing a chance to right that wrong – if only in a symbolic sense. Did that tussle only occur in Pierre's mind, or was it something concrete and tangible? Was it caused by Vincent? And is it the same phenomenon we saw before, when Julie imagined she was being attacked by Serge?
If there's one story thread that seems like rather a waste of time, it's Julie's worry that maybe she's dead herself; the fact that she's alive never really seems to be in doubt. True, it's pretty remarkable that she survived Serge's vicious attack, but none of the other Returned came back bearing the marks of their manner of death, so if she was one of them then surely she wouldn't have all those scars on her stomach.
UNINTENTIONALLY AMUSING SCENE OF THE WEEK The ever-so-slightly unsubtle one in which Adele fills us in on the back-story of the drowned village beneath the lake by telling a classful of kids all about it. To be fair, this does beat delivering an infodump to an adult character as if they were a seven-year-old child.
SPECULATION What happened to Toni and Serge's mum – did she die of a broken heart, unable to forgive her son for killing his sibling? If all those animals were running from something, what could it be - another of the Returned, living a feral existence in the woods? And why are Lucy's injuries miraculously healing? About the only other thing we know about her is that she's been working as a medium – does that existence on the dividing line between life and death somehow explain it? Or could it be that (like Mrs Costa), she can survive any kind of physical trauma because she's already dead ?
NITPICKS Why doesn't Lena ask Serge what his name is? That's the very least I'd expect before letting a stranger rub mashed-up nettles into my gaping wound. And why the hell does Laure let Julie take Victor home with her again? What kind of policing is that?! Is no-one looking for the kid's parents?
FEATURED MUSIC "Dead Wrong" by Hanni El Khatib , (yet again) "Unclean" by Steeple Remove", and "Invisible Lights" by Steeple Remove .
BEST LINE Camille: "Zombies have to stick together."
Ian Berriman twitter.com/ianberriman
Read all our The Returned series 1 reviews .


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To be factual and upfront here, selecting the right mattress remains a difficult task. In fact, for obese or overweight people, the selection process may seem daunting. Nevertheless, considering certain vital factors will help greatly on how to choose a right mattress. Today, it is important to know that modern technology has helped in manufacturing several types of mattress. These types of mattress often come with great features such lasting for a longer period, better support and not constructed with springs. Reading through the enumerated steps below will help on how to choose a right mattress easily.
Step 1:
One of the best steps to take is by selecting firmest or toughest coil spring mattress available. Studies have shown that a mattress made from firm or tough springs often hold up overweight value than the softer options. Coil mattresses are often designed with several springs. The higher the number of coil springs, you are sure to use the product for a long time. For an overweight person, plush pillow-top mattresses are usually not the best option. This is simply because of the need for assistance or support.
Step 2:
Next on the list is by selecting a high-density foam mattress displaying closed-packed features. Though, you may discover that with time this type of mattress will get slightly softer. This is usually noticed when a heavy person uses high-density foam mattresses. However, high-density foam mattresses often last for a long time. Provided you select the firmest options, you will always experience superior comfort when compared with a spring mattress. High-density foam mattresses have no spring to wear out. It also means that you will not notice any pressure that can make sleeping uncomfortable.
With these few steps, you are sure to select the best mattress that suits your urgent need. You can give it a try now.


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New year, new Verizon hotspot. Novatel today unveiled the Verizon Jetpack LTE MiFi 5510L, a new 4G hotspot that can connect up to 10 gadgets to Big Red's speedy network.
The MiFi 5510L will cost $19.99 with a $50 mail-in rebate and a new two-year data plan agreement. Adding a hotspot like the Jetpack to Verizon's shared data plan adds $20 a month to your bill in addition to any extra Gigabytes you might need.
Fortunately, the MiFi 5510L comes jacked with cool features. It has a touchscreen interface, a rated battery life of eight hours and software that supports real-time data tracking so users can monitor how many GBs they've used. Business-friendly features include a VPN pass-through for enterprise users and an SPI firewall.
Look for the new MiFi to go on sale this Thursday at Verizon's website (opens in new tab).
Via SlashGear


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Atlantic Highlands has many great things going for it, from the amazing Victorian Architecture as evidenced in the Strauss Mansion to the unmatched vistas overlooking the magnificent Verrazano Bridge and the entrance of New York Harbor, but undeniably, the greatest resource that this community has is its' people.
That resource was on full display this evening during the Borough Council Meeting with the appointment of Dave Rossback as Chief of Police, and the Proclamation honoring former Mayor Helen Marchetti.
Both, lifelong Borough residents, both dedicated and conscientious public servants, both well deserving of the honors and accolades bestowed upon them this evening…but I can't help but to question if the Borough did enough,
In the interest of full disclosure, I am a huge fan of former Mayor Helen Marchetti, but then again, who isn't? As a young man, Mayor Marchetti was the epitome, the shining example of what a public servant was supposed to be, selfless, energetic, altruistic, and above all else, she put Atlantic Highlands first.
No matter what position she was serving in, Mayor, Council-Member, on the Harbor Commission, Yacht Club, or volunteering at the Historical Society, Lions Club, or the Fire Department Auxiliary, you were safe to bet the full monty on any decision she made was for the benefit of the Community.
It is for this lifelong self-sacrificing approach to public service that I suggest that a Proclamation calling for April being Helen Marchetti Month in Atlantic Highlands is inadequate in thanking Mayor Marchetti, and that renaming the Municipal Harbor in her honor is a more fitting expression of the Boroughs appreciation for such long and dedicated service to the greater good.
Jim Smith
Holly Springs, Mississippi
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U.S. peace envoy George Mitchell, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak met in Cairo amid hopes of finding a formula to resume talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
The fate of the fragile Middle East peace process was hanging by a thread as Arab diplomats converged on the Egyptian capital to deliberate what to do after Israel and the Palestinians threw up new obstacles.
U.S. peace envoy George Mitchell and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas held lengthy conversations with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in a bid to find a face-saving resolution to the crisis.
Senator Mitchell said he would continue to work for "substantive" talks and "attempt to make real progress", despite inherent disagreements. "Reaching this goal will not be easy by any means," he says, "The differences between the two sides are real and they are persistent, but the way to get there is by engaging in good faith with the full complexities of the core issues and by working to narrow the gaps between the two sides."
Trying to sound upbeat, the U.S. envoy indicated the opposing sides had agreed to continue working in September and he is still going by that premise.
"In their direct talks in September, both Israelis and Palestinians decided together to pursue a framework agreement that would establish the fundamental compromises on all permanent status issues and it would pave the way for a final peace treaty, That remains our goal," Mitchell said.
Palestinian Leader Mahmoud Abbas is visiting Cairo to seek guidance from the Arab League follow-up committee about if, when and how to proceed with peace talks, following Israel's renunciation of a new settlement freeze. The Palestinians were demanding a new Israeli freeze before engaging in direct talks.
University of Paris political science teacher Khattar Abou Diab believes the Palestinians and the Israelis are frustrated and that neither is offering much incentive to the other side to advance the situation.
He says that (Palestinian President Abbas) is in a bind and the Israelis are not giving any hopeful signs to move things forward, even if the settlement issue was just a pretext. On both sides, he insists, there are hopes and frustrations. He also criticizes President Obama for making the settlement freeze a condition for talks and says that we are now prisoners of that logic.
Abou Diab also points out the Palestinians are increasingly worried the ultimate goal of an independent Palestinian state is looking "more and more like a mirage." He urges the Israeli government to show "more political courage," to coax the Palestinians back to the table.
US Envoy Seeks Restart of Talks During Abbas, Mubarak Meeting
U.S. peace envoy George Mitchell, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak met in Cairo amid hopes of finding a formula to resume talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
More Middle East News
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Ex-Singapore president Nathan dies
Former Singapore president S. R. Nathan, whose colourful career included stints as a spymaster and diplomat, died in hospital on Monday, the government said in a statement.
The 92-year-old veteran public servant, who was closely associated with Singapore's founding leader Lee Kuan Yew, was hospitalised on July 31 after suffering a cerebral stroke.
"The Prime Minister and his Cabinet colleagues are sad to learn of the passing of Mr S. R. Nathan and would like to convey their condolences to his family," the statement said.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong wrote in tribute of Singapore's longest-serving president: "I remember him as a man guided by a deep sense of duty to the nation. He stepped up each time duty called."
Nathan started his career as a social worker and rose up the ranks to become ambassador to Malaysia and the United States, two of the most prestigious jobs in the Singapore government service.
It was during his tenure as ambassador that he had to defend Singapore's caning of an American teenager, Michael Fay, for vandalism in 1994, which caused a serious diplomatic rift with Washington.
Nathan also served as an intelligence chief in the military and held various positions in the private sector.
He was elected to two six-year presidential terms between 1999 and 2011.
Singapore's president is the head of state but also has the power to protect the country's reserves, veto senior government appointments, stop executions and review detention orders in internal-security cases.


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|Name:Porsche Cayenne GTS 2008
|Name:TVR Griffith 500 1994
|Top Speed
|Top Speed:253 kph, (157 mph)
|Top Speed:267 kph, (166 mph)
|Most Recent New Price
|Most Recent New Price:$174,046 USD
|Most Recent New Price:$98,238 USD
|Price Notes
|Price Notes:Price current as at Dec 2013
|Price Notes:Price current as at Dec 2013
|Body Type
|Body Type:SUV
|Body Type:cabriolet
|Release Year
|Release Year:2008
|Release Year:1994
|Total Max Power
|Total Max Power:298 kW, (399.62 hp)
|Total Max Power:239 kW, (320.5 hp)
|0-100kph Acceleration
|0-100kph Acceleration:6.1 seconds
|0-100kph Acceleration:4.1 seconds
|Average Consumption
|Average Consumption:15.1 l/100km, (18.71 mpg)
|Average Consumption:n/a
|Transmission:6 speed, manual
|Transmission:5 speed, manual
|Weight:2200 kg, (4850 lbs)
|Weight:1080 kg, (2381 lbs)
|Description:The Porsche Cayenne GTS 2008 is a 5 seat, 5 door, front+rear-wheel drive SUV. The car is 4795 mm, (188.78 in) long and 1957 mm, (77.05 in) wide. It has Tinted windows, Driver airbag, Traction control, Central door locking, Alloy wheels, Passenger airbag, Burglar alarm, Fog lamps, Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and ABS as standard and Cruise control as optional extras. It has a 8 cylinder, direct injection petrol engine.
|Description:The TVR Griffith 500 1994 is a rear-wheel drive, 2 door, 2 seat cabriolet. The car is 3892 mm, (153.23 in) long and 1943 mm, (76.5 in) wide. It has a multipoint injection, 8 cylinder petrol engine. It has Burglar alarm, Alloy wheels, Fog lamps, Tinted windows, Central door locking and Traction control as standard and Air conditioning as optional extras.


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(ARLINGTON, Va.) – The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) announced today the addition of four not-for-profit, member-owned electric cooperatives to a nationwide initiative that is expanding the nation's solar footprint. The program is bringing renewable energy to regions once written off as unsuitable for solar development.
Middle Tennessee EMC (Murfreesboro, Tenn.), Appalachian Electric Cooperative (New Market, Tenn.), Poudre Valley REA (Fort Collins, Colo.) and Kansas Electric Power Cooperative (Topeka, Kan.) are joining the Solar Utility Network Deployment Acceleration (SUNDA) project, part of the Department of Energy's SunShot initiative.
Led by its cooperative participants and managed by NRECA, the SUNDA project aims to accelerate the deployment of PV solar by converting the real-world lessons of co-op solar development into an array of tools and guides that can be used by co-ops across the country.
Each of the new SUNDA members is planning a solar project of approximately one megawatt—the size at which utility solar projects typically become economically viable. Electric cooperatives in the SUNDA project are "leading the way in delivering cost-effective, clean, renewable solar energy to interested members," said Brad Gibson, Middle Tennessee EMC's chief cooperative business officer.
"As increasing numbers of co-ops explore solar options for their members, the SUNDA project is providing tools, insights and real world experience," said Jim Spiers, NRECA vice president for business and technology strategies. "The SUNDA tools enable any and all of the nation's 900 electric co-ops to make an informed decision for their consumer-members and, for those co-ops intending to deploy solar, reduce the risks and maximize the benefits."
Cooperatives have expanded the collective solar footprint, and individual projects are getting bigger; the average SUNDA community solar project is now 1.5 megawatts.
Middle Tennessee and Appalachian Electric are the first members of the Tennessee Valley Authority to join the SUNDA project. Both plan to incorporate community solar offerings. Kansas Electric Power Cooperative plans to optimize its system to meet peak energy needs.
In addition, co-ops are exploring new business models for distributing solar energy and new consumer programs designed to make solar energy accessible to more consumers. In Colorado, Poudre Valley is making solar power accessible to low- and moderate-income members.
"Community solar can serve all our member-owners, regardless of income level," said Jeff Wadsworth, Poudre Valley's CEO.
In 2013, the Department of Energy selected NRECA to lead the SUNDA project. The mandate was to identify and eliminate barriers preventing electric cooperatives from completing community solar deployments. Since then, standardization, scalable financial solutions and declining equipment costs have made solar generation projects more affordable.
Now in its fourth year, the SUNDA project is focused on making its resources available to all electric cooperatives.
"The tools produced by the SUNDA team and the information shared by other SUNDA members have already greatly benefited Kansas Electric Power Cooperative," said Mark Barbee, KEPCo's vice president of engineering.
In addition to NRECA and America's electric cooperatives, other participants in the SUNDA program include the National Rural Utility Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC), Federated Rural Electric Insurance Exchange, and PowerSecure International, Inc.
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association is the national service organization that represents the nation's more than 900 private, not-for-profit, consumer-owned electric cooperatives, which provide service to 42 million people in 47 states.
View an interactive map and learn more about Electric Co-ops and solar.


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Metallica playing games with new album
Every song from Metallica's upcoming album "Death Magnetic" will be available for gamers to download and play on "Guitar Hero III" and its sequel "Guitar Hero World Tour" on the same as-yet-unannounced day it is released to retail, the band said on its Web site.
Microsoft also mentioned the availability during the E3 gaming conference underway in Los Angeles. A dedicated Metallica "Guitar Hero" game in the vein of the recent Aerosmith title is also in the offing, but it's unknown when it will see the light of day.
(Via Reuters)


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I was very happy to be back in Montreal after my first visit there around 6.5 years earlier. At that time I was enjoying record snow falls not seen in 50 years, this time it was spring! :)
May curious passers-by walked in since the gallery had window frontage onto a semi-busy street.
I was very happy to have a sexologist Josée Leboeuf, B.A., M.A. come and speak at the opening night :)
A couple of days before the opening I was interviewed by a new quarterly women's mag, Magazine Muses, and they got an article online the next day.
And now, a week after the exhibition there closed a review come out in LaPresse, one of the largest newspapers in Montreal :)
On top of that, on the last day of the exhibition a TV station came in to record for one of their episodes. It's a new series which follows a man and a woman (they are stars in Montreal apparently) who explore various aspects of sexuality. That episode was about the body. Was great to be a part of it and I'm really looking forward to the outcome.
Last but not least I have to say that the gallery owners of Le repaire des 100 talents, Luc and Adeleine, were very gracious and supportive hosts. I'm very grateful for all their support.
And here's a few photos as usual :)
Opening Night at Laguna Gallery of Contemporary Art (LGOCA)
The opening night of the 101 Vagina Exhibition and Book Launch at Laguna Gallery of Contemporary Art was huge.
It helped that the first Thursday of the month is Laguna Beach Art Walk. It meant that a lot of people came through who otherwise would never have come in contact with it.
In particular I was really happy to see many older ladies come through the exhibition, as well as young men. We so commonly assume older ladies to be conservative and prudish and we assume young men to not give a shit about women's issues. That judgement doesn't serve us.
The broad appeal of the exhibition was also aided by having had front page coverage in the Coastline Pilot, Laguna Beache's local paper published by the LA Times.
Interview with Lynda & Diann.
"It's very educational and very interesting"
Dr Berta Davis on the 101 Vagina book
I was honoured by Dr Berta Davis' attendance at the L.A. launch of the 101 Vagina book on 5th April 2014. A couple of days later I caught up with her for an interview.
Dr Davis speaks about the 101 Vagina book from her perspective of having been a Sex Therapist for 30 years, clinical psychologist for 35 years, and currently running the couple and sex therapy training program at UCLA.
"I think the book is doing something that no other piece of literature has done … to have been able to capture the aesthetics of femininity as well as the personal narrative."
Berta has a charming, positive, kind and humble presence and it was a great pleasure and honour to meet with her and receive such a strong endorsement of the 101 Vagina book.
Often in today's culture we seem to value pop psychology, bombastic claims and numbers of followers over simple, humble experience gained over many years of dedicated work. Dr Davis stands as a great testament to the value of the latter!
See Dr Davis' website here: https://bertadavis.com
Recorded 7th April 2014 at Dr Davis' office in Encino, CA.
Los Angeles 101 Vagina Exhibition and Book Launch
Saturday 5 April – Sunday 13 April, 2014
Daily 12-8pm
Sat 5 April, 6-9pm
Think Tank Gallery
939 Maple Ave, Suite #200
Los Angeles
101 Vagina successfully launched in the USA at the Exhibition and Book Launch in Los Angeles at Think Tank Gallery in Downtown Los Angeles.
I can't believe that it's only been two and a half weeks since I got on the plane in Sydney on my way to Los Angeles, and now the first of my six city tour of USA and Canada is already done.
Thanks so much to the amazing crew at Think Tank Gallery, in particular Jacob Patterson. I was honoured to be at their space and felt very supported.
So, what's happened since I got here?
Think Tank Gallery is a fantastic, huge space. I had a week to get over my jet lag and do some promo work getting flyers around the place and hanging a big banner out the front.
I was also super happy to have room for other artists to show their vagina art. Thanks to Mia Maldonado, Christiana, Morgan Miller and Ginger Liu!
This is the first time I've been able to hang all 101 images and messages in a single row, normally I need to double up.
The opening night went really well including speeches by Sex Nerd Sandra, Hernando Chaves and Elle Chase.
LA Weekly came to take photos of the launch and RUPTLY took some video footage.
People also jumped onto the vagina craft table with enthusiasm!
And as usual there we some great messages in the guest book.
And then it was all over.
San Francisco here I come !!!
Eve of the US launch
It's the eve of the launch of 101 Vagina in the USA.
The exhibition is hung, the lighting is adjusted. There are just a few little things left to do tomorrow and then… I wait.
101 Vagina launched in Melbourne, Australia just a little over a year ago, on March 22, 2013, with a bang! I'd been working on the project for over two years already and most of the participants were from Melbourne, so plenty of locals already knew about it. On top of that, I had run a successful crowdfunding campaign, raising $20,000 required to self-publish and get the books professionally printed (large print runs are expensive, but they make the price per book manageable). I had good press and there was considerable expectation around the launch. It was huge! Thousand Pound Bend, the large warehouse type space, where the exhibition was held was packed.
In LA I'm nobody and until very recently no one had ever heard anything about my baby, though I've been busy for months trying to make connections and get the word out about the coming exhibition. But for every 100 emails sent I get perhaps one reply. And now, all that work is done and all I'm left with to do is wait. Wait to see who will come through the gallery doors. Wait to see how it's received. Wait to see if people care. Wait to see if people will actually buy the book, which I need to sell in order to pay the gallery etc.
I'm also excited! I have some fantastic sexuality educators lined up to speak. The exhibition looks great, the space is amazing and huge, and there are some nice touches which give a splash of colour in an otherwise very minimal and understated experience. It's a nice feeling to stand in the middle of a gallery after months of preparation and many hours of work and see it all done. There is also the anticipation of wondering how people will respond.
What will happen?
Conversely it's always sad to pack up and leave. For the next week that gallery will be my spiritual home. I will make many, many connections with lots of different people. I will have discussions about interesting things and I expect some of those discussions to be passionate. And I will, or hope to, watch people's hearts and minds open as they engage with the work. Somehow the exhibition and the space blend into one experience which makes it feel like removing a limb when I take the work down again at the end.
Thankfully I have a comfortable couch to sleep on, food I can eat in the morning, a rented car to get to the gallery, and a functioning body to do all the things I'll need to do tomorrow; arms to hug people.
But for now by brain is going into the early stages of shutdown. That couch is looking very inviting and sleep, blessed sleep, beckons this weary artist into it's hopefully rejuvenating fold.
Good night world. Be kind to me tomorrow :)
Press Release: 101 Vagina Book Launch and Exhibition Tour - USA & Canada 2014
Press release:
101 Vagina book launch and exhibition tour.
After two years in the making, the 101 Vagina book is being launched in the USA and Canada with a series of exhibitions across the two countries from April to June 2014.
101Vagina is about breaking down the taboo around the vagina and body image shame generally. It's also about the sharing of story and celebration of our diversity.
The book comprises 101 black and white photos of women's vaginas, in front on standing pose, accompanied by a message written by each woman about her vagina. The messages span the spectrum of emotions and form a small compendium of women's experiences with their vaginas and womanhood in general.
The book is self-published via Taboo Books by German/Australian photographer Philip Werner. It was first launched in Melbourne in 2013 after a successful crowdfunding campaign and Werner is now taking the book to the world via America.
Werner was first inspired by reading Eve Ensler's Vagina Monologues in 2007, and wanted to do something to counteract the unrealistic standards held up by various media which lead many women to feel that they are not normal or attractive.
So many current issues are raised by the 101 Vagina book that it's difficult to encapsulate: Labiaplasty, pubic hair styles, genital mutilation, goddess worship, rape culture, orgasms, body image, masturbation, and even censorship of the word vagina itself.
Once printed, $5 from every book sold will go to women's charities.
Traversing the continent, the tour will start in Los Angeles (5-13 April) before visiting San Francisco (19-27 April), Montreal (17-25 May), New York (3-8 June) and finishing in Toronto (14-22 June). Exhibitions in the UK may follow.
The book launch exhibitions will also feature a Festival of the Vagina, bringing local artists performers and educators together in vaginal celebration.
101 Penis and 101 Breasts are also in the making.
Tour details:
Philip Werner
Media Release: Vagina censorship at Sydney Fringe 2013
Media Release: 16 August 2013
Vagina censorship at Sydney Fringe 2013The 101 Vagina Book Exhibition will be part of the Sydney Fringe this year (2013) and was also selected to be part of the Sydney Fringe's Fringe Arts Forum, a visual arts showcase. (Fringe Arts Forum 11-28 Sept: Opening night 13 Sept 6pm)
However, months after arrangements for this were made, the Italian Forum venue owners decided that the images could not be shown because they want the venue to be "family Friendly".
Regarding this question, Ciao magazine published an article, titled "Children come out of vaginas but are not allowed to see them?" on the question of minors viewing the exhibition's content. This followed the police's suggestion that minors should be kept out of the recent 101 Vagina exhibition in Sydney in June. The police also requested that the gallery windows be covered, leading to a front page article in MX newspaper with a large headline "Hide the Vagina". Arts Hub also covered the story in a bit more detail.
After frustrating communication attempts the venue decided that the images could be shown, but only if they are censored such that no genitalia is visible.
This presents an excellent opportunity to raise the issue of censorship and explore the taboo from another angle. The audience will find themselves engaged in a multimedia censorship bonanza, where each "offending" genitalia will be covered with a scannable QR code that takes people, via their smart phones, to a censorship related website, article, image or simply the original, uncensored photo.
In a related issue, the media recently picked up on the "scandal" caused by the Sydney Uni Student magazine, Honi Soit, who published 18 vaginas on their front cover. Something went wrong with the black censorship boxes not sufficiently obscuring the genitalia and all heaven broke loose.
Vagina related taboos, and body image shame generally, are connected to the staggering increase in women and girls seeking out labiaplasty, to which Australian censorship laws contribute.
The main exhibition at Tap Gallery in Darlinghurst will still host all the uncensored images, from 17-22 Sept. 2013.
101 Vagina will also be in the Melbourne Fringe from 25 Sept to 6 Oct 2013.
101 Vagina Book Exhibition (Sydney Fringe 2013)
At the Fringe Arts Forum (only a few of the images and censored)
Dates: 11-28 September: 2pm till late
Venue: Italian Forum, 23 Norton St, Leichardt
Main Exhibition (Entire exhibition)
Dates: 17-22 September: 12-6pm daily
Opening night: Tuesday 17 September 6-9pm
Venue: Tap Gallery, 45 Burton St, Darlinghurst
Philip Werner


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MPO approves complete streets plan for county
AZTEC — The Farmington Metropolitan Planning Organization's policy committee unanimously approved a plan today that will serve as a guideline for future road and trail projects in San Juan County.
The Complete Streets plan, which was presented to the committee during a meeting in Aztec, details how the cities of Farmington, Aztec and Bloomfield, as well as San Juan County and the New Mexico Department of Transportation, can make local roads safer for pedestrians and bicyclists. A final draft of the plan can be seen online at fmtn.org.
The Complete Streets plan has been in the works for years. In 2012, officials from the Walkable and Livable Communities Institute visited San Juan County and spoke to residents and elected officials about the needs for complete streets. Later in 2012, the MPO created a complete streets advisory group to assist with developing designs and regional goals.
Between 2010 and 2014, seven pedestrians were killed by vehicles in San Juan County, according to the Complete Streets plan. Some of the ways to make the community safer for pedestrians and bicyclists are improving sidewalks, adding bike lanes and redesigning intersections, according to the plan.
While the plan will provide guidelines for local entities, some current projects also are being explored with an eye toward making streets safer for pedestrians. Farmington has identified several areas within the city limits for construction projects that will help make the streets safer for pedestrians and bicyclists. One of those areas is 20th Street, where the city is hoping to incorporate complete streets concepts into sidewalk designs, according to the city website.
David Sypher, the public works director for the city of Farmington, praised the plan during the meeting. He said it will be a flexible guideline that provides unity to the various entities within the county.
After the meeting, MPO Planner Duane Wakan said North Dustin Avenue in Farmington north of 30th Street is an example of a road that is pedestrian and bicycle friendly.
"They have a nice park, some nice sidewalks, designated bike lanes," he said.
Hannah Grover covers government for The Daily Times. She can be reached at 505-564-4652.


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Musician Matthew Good collapsed on stage in Edmonton last night, resulting in tonight's show in Prince George to be rescheduled to Thursday, March 29.
Good has apparently been dealing with pneumonia. He is the opening act for Canadian rockers Our Lady Peace.
To allow him the opportunity to rest and recover, the Prince George concert will be delayed one day, until Thursday, March 29.
Those patrons who are now unable to make the Thursday night concert will have the opportunity for ticket refunds. Please contact the TicketsNorth Box Office at the CN Centre, or phone 1-855-925-6027.
Tickets for Thursday night's concert are available at TicketsNorth.ca.
Our Lady Peace and Matthew Good, with special guests, Ellevator are now scheduled for Thursday, March 29.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m, show starts at 7 p.m.


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What can we fabricate?
It is a question that we get asked a lot and quite honestly, it is a question that can be answered with one word, EVERYTHING. We fabricate virtually anything and everything our customers bring to us in our state-of-the-art fabrication facility. With ease of access to our machines, our technicians are capable of fabricating heavy gauge plastic liners, most commonly 1/8″ thru 3/16″ PVC.
Additionally, with our large floor space, we also make acreage sized, single piece pond liners for our clients to install themselves, saving time and money which doesn't require an installation crew to deploy and weld together smaller pieces on-site. Utilizing our facility which is all indoors, we also provide our customers with peace-of-mind knowing their liner was made in a quality controlled environment which provides the strongest seams possible.


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12 Days of Nailmas Day 3 | Winter Plaid
Hey everyone! Welcome to Day 3 of the 12 Days of Nailmas! Today I decided to go a bit edgier, featuring plaid, metallic accents and a chain detail! Products Used UNT Ready for Takeoff Peelable Base Coat Zoya Alyssa China Glaze Liquid Leather Nina Ultra Pro Big Spender Konad Black Stamping Polish What's Up Nails […]Read More


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|Photo by Michael P. Young
Creative Commons.
In they heyday of my poorboy days, I did almost all of my automotive work myself. And over the years I was able to assemble a meager tool kit. For a while the toolkit grew exponentially as compared to previous years due to my working at a hardware store. So, as you can guess, I was like a kid WORKING in a candy store. Eee...my paychecks exponentially shrunk as the greedy little payroll trolls in the back accounting office robbed my Peter to pay their Paul as related to my store credit account!
However, there were certain jobs in working on my automobiles where I just plain had to get creative in using what tools I had to get a job done. And somewhere in the atmosphere above that hot, gravely, black asphalt parking lot of the lowly apartment complex to which I called home, hangs a tapestry of expletives suspended in a dark black cloud of angst that received it's first breath of life when I crushed my first knuckle on a job where I didn't have the right tool.
In my photographic career, I have often found myself, again, without the right tools to make the job "easy". Unlike the "omg, I hope this frickin' wrench doesn't slip and sever my finger" fear of automotive repair, when faced with a photographic assignment where I don't have the right equipment (yes, still being plagued by the lack of money thing) , I can usually scrounge around and apply a little creativity to accomplish my shoot with only a bruised and sheepish ego.
And that's exactly what happened with my first low-key photo shoot. All I had was a 42" white shoot through umbrella, and two small softboxes. The small softboxes were too small for a full length, so they got relegated to one fill light camera left, and the other a hair light. The shoot through umbrella would have to be my main light. But krikey, it spilled light like a stuck pig. To add salt to the wound, my available distance from the beautiful model to the black seemless paper was fixed and shallow (welcome to on-location, in-home photo shoots!).
So, I needed to find a way to "feather" and flag the light from the fill light and that piggy umbrella. So I went out to the truck and got my window shades..you know...the ones that you have to fold into a circle in such a way that if you "think" while you fold the damn things, they just keep popping you in the face....but if you just wiggle and wave your hands around like a hula dancer, they just circle up real nice? One of those did the trick to flag off the spill from the main light hitting the black seemless background.
Now, the fill light. Well, since the fill light was a softbox, I was able to "feather" the light onto the subject at an angle and direction that kept the light from spilling onto the black seemless. Unfortunately, the fill light was too bright and I didn't have anymore room to move the light back to take advantage of that inverse square law crap related to light intensity. Nor did I have any ND filters for the flash...remember the poorboy thing here.
I tried using the silver side of the second sun shade to "reflect" light for fill, but I was totally not liking the look.
I did, however, have access to some ivory sheer material and a portable clothes hanging stand. I tripled folded up the sheer material, placed the portable clothes hanging thingy in front of the fill light, and draped the triple folded sheer over the clothes hanger and viola....I got my look.
|Photo by Michael P. Young – Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs Creative Commons.


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Laura Hoffman, D.O. '12, has been named a recipient of the American Medical Association (AMA) Foundation's 2012 Leadership Award. This award provides medical students, residents/fellows and early career physicians from around the country with special training to develop their skills as future leaders in organized medicine and community affairs.
Laura is a fourth-year medical student pursuing a family medicine residency. She has a particular interest in ultimately serving urban populations. As an undergraduate student at Xavier University, she volunteered in many different capacities including serving as a medical assistant and Spanish interpreter at an inner-city pediatric clinic, planning activities at a local nursing home and volunteering as a teacher's aide in a school for children with mental retardation and developmental disabilities. She assumed a leadership role in planning Xavier University's Alternative Spring Break program, in which students participate in community service during spring and summer breaks. Laura is passionate about smoking cessation and volunteers with the American Lung Association of Iowa's tobacco prevention division.
The AMA Foundation honored 30 individuals with Leadership Awards at its annual Excellence in Medicine Awards ceremony, which was presented in association with Pfizer Inc. on February 13, 2012 in Washington D.C. Recipients of the award are recognized for demonstrating outstanding non-clinical leadership skills in advocacy, community service and education.
AMA Foundation President Dr. Owen Garrick presided over the awards ceremony. He praised Laura and the other Leadership Award recipients, stating, "These dedicated medical students, residents and physicians are deeply committed to transforming their communities and improving the health of their neighbors. Our hope is that celebrating the efforts of these medical leaders will inspire us all to give back to our communities, as they have done."


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Celebrating Lifestyle Design with Angela Adams at 7 W New York
By alexandra
Last night we had the privilege to meet lifestyle designer and entrepreneur Angela Adams at an event in her honor. Adams' designs are known for their sense of timelessness, simplicity and balance and are inspired by the natural beauty of her native Maine. Co-sponsored by LDB Interior Textiles magazine at 7 W New York, the evening was one to remember. Not only did we get to chat one-on-one with Angela, who was both charming and inspiring, but we also mingled with other top visionaries like A + D 100 designer Rod Shade, as well as other industry experts.


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Marcus Gunn syndrome | Overview
Marcus Gunn Jaw Winking Syndrome consists of elevation or depression of the eyelid on chewing/suckling and may occur either in one or both eyes, with or without congenital ptosis. It is hypothesized that axons, intended to travel within the motor branch of the trigeminal nerve (Cranial Nerve V) to innervate the ipsilateral pterygoid muscle, aberrantly (deviating from the normal course) innervate myofibers of the Levator Palpebrae Superioris (LPS)-the muscle that elevates and retracts the upper eyelid, which is normally innervated by a branch of Cranial Nerve III.
Marcus Gunn Jaw Winking Syndrome can occur in association with complex strabismus conditions such as Duane syndrome and CFEOM1,2. The boy to the right has bilateral congenital ptosis, upgaze limitation and, prior to extrocular muscle surgery, exhibited the Marcus Gunn phenomenon.
The majority of cases of this disorder are reported to be sporadic (isolated), although there are a few reports in the scientific literature of familial Marcus Gunn syndrome3.
Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM). Victor A. McKusick, Editor, Johns Hopkins University, last updated 11/6/1994 (entry number #154600) Home page: http://www3.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Omim/.
- Brodsky, M. Hereditary external ophthalmoplegia synergistic divergence, jaw winking, and oculocutaneous hypopigmentation: a congenital fibrosis syndrome caused by deficient innervation to extraocular muscles. Ophthalmology 105, 717-725 (1998).
- Abeloos, M.-C. et al. Fibrose Congenitale des muscles oculaires: un diagnostic pour plusieurs tableaux cliniques. Bull Soc Belge Ophtalmol 239, 61-74 (1990).
- Kirkham, T. H. Familial Marcus Gunn phenomenon. Brit. J. Ophthal. 53: 282-283, 1969.


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Please consider signing up for Field Day on June 21 and a Weeding Party on June 13. We need lots of volunteers!
Field Day on June 21: Work with our fabulous Phys Ed teachers to create a field day Hazel Wolf students will never forget. Ideally we're looking for at least two parents per classroom to help out, but anyone from our school community can participate! Sign up online at http://signup.com/go/WgPk8f or email Rachel Krebs at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Weeding Party on June 13: Please sign up to beautify our school grounds from 3:30 to 4:30 pm. If weeding isn't for you, then please come help watch kids on the playground. There will be refreshments and weeding tools provided, but please bring your own gloves and tools. Sign up online at http://signup.com/go/cMAArzF.


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|Don Grundmann
They Are Attacking The Children
Dear Citizen :
This website is the first step toward the objective of having a national ban on the transgender mutilation of children.
Our society, culture, and nation is currently under a massive Social Engineering attack which aims to normalize the mental, emotional, and ( especially ) spiritual pathology of "transgenderism" – the claim that persons must pretend to be the opposite sex to be their "true selves" and must even mutilate themselves to achieve this goal.Simply put, so-called "transgenderism" is a form of insanity ( noun – the state of being seriously mentally ill; madness ). This is self-evident to sane, healthy, normal, rational, and natural people but this massive Social Engineering attack has warped many citizens to defend, endorse, and promote this sickness.
There is a specific reason for this.
The agenda of "transgender" is part of a massive Social Engineering program and, especially, religious War to destroy one of the most basic foundations of our culture – what it means to be a man or a woman.
This War consists of Christianity – which declares that ( Genesis 5:2 ) "male and female created he them…." – and its opposite, the religion of Humanism/Satanism, which actually declares that you are NOT born as a boy or a girl but instead CHOOSE what you wish to be.
This insanity is now manifesting in California law ( and soon intended to be across the nation ) as – a choice for " X " ( a 3rd choice ) on your drivers license instead of male or female; and a change of "father" and "mother" on birth certificates to "parent #1 " and "parent #2"; only 2 of many examples of the advance of this pathology into our nation.
A growing number of children are entering the transgender psychosis, both through pretending and actual mutilation. These children are then inserted into society by their Controllers/Handlers where their psychosis is expected to be accepted, endorsed, and promoted as a method to destroy normal/healthy children; i.e.; produce ever more broken and shattered children by acceptance of the pathology. This occurs most prominently by forcing themselves into restrooms and bathroom facilities of the opposite sex but such actions are actually only part of an extremely broad attack upon our society, culture, and nation to fully accept this psychotic condition as normal, natural, and healthy – the total opposite of reality.
Dear Citizens – This unbelievable yet true and only just barely beginning ultra sick attack includes teaching tiny children at the youngest possible ages that this sickness is normal, healthy, and natural. This is part of an extremely vicious and cruel Social Engineering attack upon children to break and crush them in the very core of their being – their knowledge of themselves as boys and girls.
If this truly evil Movement is not challenged and stopped in only a relatively short amount of time, 2 to 3 generations at most, the children of our nation will be, as intended and planned, turned into ever increasing numbers of shattered psychotics who will in turn produce a collapsed nation through their total inability to maintain the most basic functions of society.
The targets of this War are our children and, especially, grandchildren. This attack is only in its very first infant stages as its Promoters and Controllers have now established the basic infrastructure to allow them to more fully use their developing War Machine against the children of the nation.
How can this War Machine be stopped?
1) First, the challenge to their evil must be made. Citizens must singularly decide that "No. I will not allow this monstrous attack upon children. I will fight to protect children both now and especially future generations from this horrific attack." The purpose of this website is to provide such a "clarion call".
The reality is that the massive Social Engineering Movement which I have referred to has neutralized virtually any and all negative commentary against the monstrous attack of "transgenderism" upon our children.
The insanity of transgenderism; the advocates of which in past times would have found themselves "tarred, feathered, and run out of town on a rail"; is now totally and completely supported by the Democratic Party, the Republican Party "Establishment", virtually the entirety of the mass media, teachers unions, school boards throughout the nation, and ( most ominously ) wealthy bankers and their institutions who provide the millions of dollars needed to finance the attack. These elements form a formidable War Machine against the children of our nation.
These same Controllers are the unseen hands which force institutions and companies like the National Basketball Association ( NBA ), which logically has no business supporting psychosis and psychotics, and many others to support the social sickness of using the opposite genders bathroom.
As the objective of this action and many others is to completely overturn the cultural and societal norms of our nation; i.e.; replace our Christian cultural foundations with their Humanist/Satanic opposites; such evil must first be challenged.
2) Step 2 is to educate ourselves and our fellow citizens on the dangers of the transgender pathology; how pathological and sick it truly is; the realities and reasons leading to its occurance; and the goals and objectives of the Promoters of the sickness. As the mainstream media is completely under the control of such Promoters truthful education regarding the reality of transgenderism can be difficult to obtain. This website will work to be a developing educational resource for citizens in their fight against our noted War Machine.
3) Step 3 is organizing with our fellow citizens in a War effort to develop a campaign to defend and save children; starting in your local area and extending upward to your statehouse and on to our national Capital for federal regulations.At this moment no prototype federal law to ban the transgender mutilation of children has been developed.
It is recommended that concerned citizens contact their governmental representatives at all levels; federal, state, and local; to demand the development and passage of laws banning the transgender mutilation of children. Your initial contacts will reveal if such representatives will indeed work to protect the children or are instead permissive and supportive of the attack upon them and their subsequent mutilation by the Promoters of transgenderism.
Such interactions with governmental representatives will hence reveal those who are willing to legislate appropriate defenses for children against the transgender War Machine. Such persons must of course be defended, supported, and promoted.Those who oppose the protection of children from the transgender jihad against them must be exposed for their choice to join this War against our children and humanity as a whole.
Only a coordinated national effort from a broad range of citizens can have enough strength to oppose and defeat the transgender juggernaut which seeks to shatter ever greater numbers of children in its War against humanity.Please leave appropriate contact information so that this website may work in conjunction with your own efforts to develop the strength of your local and state group.
Don J. Grundmann, Founder – TheyAreAttackingTheChildren.org


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Commentary: Linus Doll talk about how baseball runs deep in his life, family
How about that excitement from Miller Park in Milwaukee?
The success that the Brewers are having at this time has prompted me to write about some of the long-time memories that I have concerning my favorite summertime sport.
I didn't know very much about baseball when our family was still living in Marblehead, but I do have a very good recollection of when my older brother, Jake, played baseball for a team comprised of players from the Eden and Marblehead area. I was only about 5 or 6 years old, but I was intrigued by his baseball uniform, and the sound I heard when he would walk with those spikes on his shoes. He sounded important.
I really didn't know that there were real baseball teams, such as the Chicago Cubs and White Sox until we moved to Fond du Lac. All you ever heard from the older folks was how the Cubs did that day. I think anyone who had a radio listened to the Cubs' broadcast. Back then, they loved the Cubs, but it is a much different feeling today.
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Oh, sure, there still are some die-hard Cubs fans here, but this is Brewer Nation today.
Milwaukee did have a triple A minor league that my brother John loved, and he would go to as many games as possible. I remember him telling about a game he attended when Milwaukee was playing against the Minneapolis Millers, and were losing by 10 runs in the ninth inning. The tide changed, and the home team scored 11 runs, after two outs, and won the game.
John always would say "the game is never over until the last out."
Milwaukee lost their minor league when the Boston Braves moved to old County Stadium in the 1950s.
Now, back to my own baseball experience. I didn't learn to play baseball until I was perhaps nine or 10 years old. The neighborhood kids would get together and play baseball on any open lot that was suitable for a ball diamond. One such lot was on the end of Vermont Street, and was owned by the Blitzkes. It was actually two lots, and in later years, the two Blitzke boys, Frank and Kenny, each built their homes there.
I remember it very well, as I laid the block foundations for both houses.
But the two lots made a wonderful baseball diamond, and we played many games there.
There also was a large empty lot on the corner of Monmouth and Montana streets that served us very well. Sure, we only had pieces of wood for bases, but we made do. That lot was also the place where we would catch goodsized frogs and my mother would fry the legs. Yum, yum.
Another gathering for us young baseball players was on the ball diamond behind Cleveland School. It was used mostly for softball games, but us kids would get pickup games with players from other playgrounds and played good old hardball.
My position, believe it or not, was pitcher. I could pitch very well, but couldn't hit a lick. It's the same thing today, pitchers aren't supposed to hit.
Sadly, I didn't ever have the opportunity to play baseball while in high school as Fondy didn't have baseball as one of their sports. Oh, darn, I guess I just wasn't meant to be in the majors.
One other baseball experience that I cherished was when my youngest son, Andy, was enrolled in little league. He was fortunate to be on a very good team and had excellent coaching. I was very proud of him, and watched him make many snappy plays as a third baseman. I look at his picture in his uniform every day. Thanks for the memories, AJ.
And now, back to our surprising Brewers. If they can continue on their current pace, keep away from those darn injuries, and don't have a meltdown like last season, then the second half could prove very interesting. I have always loved baseball, and I do agree that it is America's game.
Go Brew Crew.
Thank the good Lord for television. Annamae and I would be lost if we couldn't watch them on the boob tube. We rely on those fantastic telecasts. Keep 'em coming, Fox.
Linus Doll.
Linus Doll of Fond du Lac writes community columns for The Reporter. This is his 118th column.


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Danity Kane, who reunited early last year (2013) with members Aubrey O'Day, Dawn Richard, Aundrea Fimbres, and Shannon Bex, has called it quits, again.
Since reforming, there has been a ton of controversy surrounding the group, starting with former member D. Woods, who stated she learned about the reunion with the rest of the world, and she claims none of the girls ever showed her any interest in reforming.
In May (2014), member Aundrea announced that she was leaving the group to start a family, confirming that she was engaged and pregnant with her first child.
With only three members standing, it seems a recent incident has caused the group to scrap their reunion plans. Earlier this week, TMZ reported that members Dawn Richard and Aubrey O'Day got into a scuffle at a studio.
"A Danity Kane recording sesh erupted in violence Monday … and they actually needed a first aid kit. We're told bandmates Dawn Richards and Aubrey O'Day got physical during a disagreement at an L.A. studio on Monday, resulting in Dawn slugging Aubrey in the head with a closed fist," reports TMZ. "DK's third member, Shannon Bex, was also there and tried unsuccessfully to break up the fight."
Taking to Facebook to announce the group's demise, members Aubrey O'Day and Shannon Bex penned an open letter to fans, blaming Dawn Richard for the recent events.
"During a recent group meeting, a business conversation took a turn for the worst when my group member punched me in the back of my head while I was speaking to another associate," writes O'Day. "To be clear, she was not physically engaged or threatened prior to her attack on me. This is the same information I provided to the police, and witnesses also corroborated this account of the incident. I cannot condone or excuse any form of physical violence, particularly at the hands of someone I considered family. Disagreements happen. But a war of words and ideas should never end in physical aggression."
She also adds: "In reflecting on this situation, I recalled a journal entry I wrote back in April. Initially, I struggled with sharing something so transparent and personal with all of you. However, my desire to be honest with you trumps all other considerations. As you can tell, I have been avoiding saying names. However, this was my personal reaction to escalating events that led up to my overall frustrations with Dawn….months ago."
Shannon Bex also added her 2 cents to the long and explanatory letter.
"I entered into this journey again with sisters who understood a dynamic that nobody else could. I hoped we could honestly reflect on what we had been through and the mistakes that were made," adds Shannon. "After this last year of trying to make this next chapter a success, I am devastated to admit that my expectations were set too high. I now must walk away feeling used and manipulated in addition to the name Danity Kane."
A damn shame! Here's hoping the fans can get to hear the music they recorded!
For some reason, we feel like D. Woods is somewhere celebrating!
Read the full letter here.


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The San Diego Zoo
Come visit the San Diego Zoo. A place where people of all ages can see wildlife first hand, and learn all there is to know about animals big and small. It's a great place to take the family for an educational adventure that will surely be a day to remember.
Located within Balboa Park, the world-famous San Diego Zoo is the home to over 3,700 rare and endangered animals. The animals are not the only things to see while at the Zoo.. don't miss the botanical collection of over 700,000 exotic plants spread throughout the 100 acres of property.
An exploration designed for the entire family, purchase your discount San Diego Zoo tickets at the California Welcome Center- Oceanside.
Call or visit the California Welcome Center – Oceanside for discounted ticket prices.
How to get to the San Diego Zoo without a car?
It's easy to get to the San Diego Zoo using public transit.
Rapid 215 and Route 7 stop at the San Diego Zoo and are an easy connection in downtown from Amtrak and COASTER trains at the Santa Fe Depot, downtown hotels, the Cruise Ship Terminal, Blue, Orange, and Green Line Trolleys and other Metropolitan Transit System bus routes.


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The Microtech 122-1TCC D/E Tan Ultratech Automatic Knife OTF Tan Handle Black D/E Plain Edge. This Knife Features an Elmax stainless steel Double Edge blade with a plain edge and a black finish. With the new Contoured Tan Handles slide, tri-angle hardware, glass breaker tip, pocket clip, comes with black hardware. This model features the tri-wing screws on the handle.


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Spicer Castle - Minnesota -
WebsiteSpicer Minnesota Bed and Breakfast on the shores of beautiful Green Lake near St. Cloud and Minneapolis/St. Paul. Originally, this castle was called Medayto Cottage and was built by John M. Spicer, founder of the City, in 1895. It was built as a seasonal home where friends and family visited often. In the 1930's, fisherman began commonly identifying their landmark for locating fishing spots as Spicer's Castle.
GreatStone Castle - Ohio -
GreatStone Castle, an 1895 Victorian mansion in Sidney, Ohio, features limestone construction, three turrets and rare hardwoods. There are six guest rooms and a spa at this inn; guests can also rent the Canal Lake Lodge, situated in 100 acres of woods on a private lake three miles from Sidney. Sitting atop a hill amidst the trees and rocks of Wayne National Forest in southeast Ohio is a bed and breakfast designed in the style of a 12th-century Norman castle. There are eight guest rooms at Ravenwood Castle in New Plymouth, seven miles from the Hocking Hills; most include a fireplace and a deck or balcony and two have a Jacuzzi. Guests can also select from the seven Olde Worlde Cottages near the main building and the six Celtic Legends Cottages on the edge of the estate. For those who prefer roughing it, there are accommodations on air mattresses in the Gypsy Wagons, which are reproductions of 19th-century British wagons.
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WebsiteCastle Avalon, located near New Braunfels, in Texas Hill Country, has eight themed guest rooms, such as The Armory, with its swords, spears, plate armor and shields, and the Wizard's Room, hand-painted to resemble a crumbling castle tower and containing gargoyles, Pandora's box and a few of Merlin's pets. There is a hot tub under the oak trees and a self-guided nature trail through 160 acres of Texas ranchland.
Built in 1894, Terrell Castle in San Antonio, Texas, offers four guest rooms and four suites, most with a king-sized bed and some with a fireplace. This limestone castle is furnished in Victorian style with a mix of antiques and modern pieces.
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Tucked in the heart of Vermonts Green Mountains, you will find an elegant full-service resort reminiscent of a time gone by. Castle Hill Resort and Spa follows the tradition of honoring guests with its unique combination of warm hospitality, grace and elegance. Stroll through the charming gardens, indulge in a spa treatment, treat yourself to a gourmet dinner that will tantalize even the most discriminating palate.
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Today we will look at hijab fashion in Cape Town, South Africa. South Africa is very diverse with a relatively large Muslim population. Being from Cape Town myself, I would love to show you our fashionable hijab styles and trends for this year
Continue reading hijab fashion from cape town 2015 2016


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Automated Packaging
Delta Robots
QComp Technologies advanced robotic picking system feature several types of Delta robots. These high speed "ceiling mount" robots are also commonly known as spider robots. These robots provide extremely fast movements utilizing three servo driven arms linked to a central "delta" plate. Four axes of motion are most common but three axes and six axes versions are available. The speed of these robots and the ability to incorporate vision systems with the robots provides the ideal mechanical device to pick and place items.
The most important part of your system is the integrator to bring the mechanical portion to life. QComp has installed hundreds of Delta robot and vision systems. Our systems are designed to be robust and easy to use, providing the highest up time and best throughput. Published picking cycles are up to 180 per minute, but the actual throughput rate of a cell is dependent on the weight of the load, tooling type, and the products ability to handle the movement accelerations.
- Robots available in small desk top sizes from .5Kg loads and 280mm reach to larger sizes with 6Kg loads and 1600mm reach.
- Capacity Load: .5Kg to 6Kg
- Reach: 280mm to 1600mm


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by Julia Buckley
Graham's lava lamp
Aaaaaaah. I am at my computer after hours and hours on my feet. Today was my son's tenth birthday party. He had a wonderful time with friends and family and is now happily ensconced in a beanbag chair, chewing bubblegum and playing X-box.
His mother, on the other hand, is ready for bed. It is 5:42 PM. :)
I am one of those parents who should never, ever throw a birthday party. I am far too highly strung and paranoid that visitors will see some unsightly part of our house. (In my defense, I do have family members who will point out the dust or dirt that they see: family members who are, in fact, my mother). Therefore, the cleaning starts two days in advance (much to my sons' misery). I de-clutter, dust, vacuum, polish, sort, move furniture, and aerobicize with various other household chores.
This morning I woke up to find my sons creeping into their old habits: tossing pillows on the floor, leaving action figures on all flat surfaces, eating in the living room, letting the dog on the couch. I unleashed what I call Military Mother: the one who barks orders and issues stern punishments.
We all suffered through several hours of Military Mother, whose voice grew more and more stentorian as party time approached. I also became Spending Mother—-the one who fears she will be judged harshly if she doesn't put out lavish appetizers and a hearty main course. So Spending Mother exceeded her birthday budget getting all the foodstuffs and lugging them home in the heat. She splurged on two bottles of wine and a specialty beer for the family members who like to imbibe.
And then, finally, they came. There were less of them than we expected. One person had to stay home with the baby. Another (my nephew) had to work. And those who came had surprisingly small appetites.
There was much party talk, however. My brother told me about an idea he had for a mystery novel. (Everyone tells me these). My mother asked how my diet was going—-never a popular question with me. My father looked at the sapling in my yard and spent twenty minutes of the party pruning it, tying it with a cloth, and replacing my wood dowel with a metal one. He is the family horticulturalist. Everyone looked at my son Graham's wasp sting, angrier and redder now than it was a week ago when he actually received it. None of them liked the look of it, so I ended up calling the pediatrician, who told me to keep a compress on it. If Graham develops a fever or if the red circle grows larger, I must bring him in tomorrow.
Graham received all sorts of generous gifts, including a lava lamp, which we plugged in so that we could all stare at it. I'm not sure what it says about my family (or my party-giving skills) that for many of us, this was the highlight of the party.
At the end of it all, a mere two or three hours of fun after three solid days of preparation, the food had to be packed into plastic bags—-what seemed like thousands of them—-and my two party-size pizzas, which were the size of card tables, looked barely touched when the crowd departed. No one drank the wine. Not a soul touched the specialty beer.
It really doesn't seem worth it, all this work for so little payoff. Except that the birthday boy always feels so special, no matter how small the crowd, and he sits in the window for an hour watching for the cars that will pull up to the curb and emit his loud and boisterous family. They come, every year, with love and gifts and bear hugs and inevitable teasing, and he wouldn't have it any other way.
So, unprepared as I may feel to be the creator of birthday magic, I must remember that my children find that magic in unexpected places. It's not the food or the clean house or the strict rules. It's the love that fills the room when everyone comes together.
Please remind me of that next year before Military Mother has a chance to emerge.
Monday, August 18, 2008
The Party's Over . . .
Posted by Julia Buckley at 12:00 AM
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Hippodrome Casino
#123 of 133 Online CasinosPlay
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Review last updated on May 18, 2022
Hippodrome is a well-known casino that is located in London's Leicester Square. This reputable casino now has an online casino that both UK and international players can enjoy. This online casino offers players a mobile gaming platform that can be accessed on a number of different mobile devices.
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I was nominated recently by 2 people to do the Mystery Blogger Award by Okoto Engima, so I'm doing both in this post. I was nominated by Christina from The Bookshelf Corner and Shaz from Shaz Reads. Thank you! I'm excited to answer all of these questions.
The Rules:
1. Put the award logo/image in your post.
2. List all the rules.
3. Thank whoever nominated you and leave a link to their blog.
4. Tell your readers three things about yourself.
5. Nominate 10-20 people and notify them
6. Link back to the creator of the award.
7. Ask nominees any 5 questions of your choice, with a weird or funny question.
8. Share the link to your best/favourite post of yours.
Three Things About Me:
1. I love musical theater and Disney songs. (This came to me because I'm listening to "Belle" right now.)
2. I'm attempting to be more minimalist with everything in my life, except when it comes to hoarding books. That can't be helped.
3. I have several house plants and I love them.
Questions from The Bookshelf Corner:
1. What are you currently reading?
Shopaholic to the Stars by Sophie Kinsella still, but I think I'll be finishing it soon because I'm getting back into my work and reading routine. I'll be reading more in bed and watching less Netflix.
2. What has been your favorite book read so far of 2017 and why?
Once and for All because it's Sarah Dessen.
3. What new book(s) are you looking forward to being released later this year (if applicable)?
I'm excited for more people to read I Hate Everyone But You by Gaby Dunn & Allison Raskin when it's released in September. Other than that, I'm not that up to date on books coming out later this year.
4. If your bookshelf could talk, what would it say? (the weird-ish question)
"Read the books on me!"
5. What book series would you like to see turned into a TV series or movie?
I would like to see a reboot of the Shopaholic movie and see it made into more, but I'll never understand why the movie made her American. I don't understand.
Questions from Shaz Reads:
1. What do you think is the most underrated Disney film?
The Fox and the Hound!
2. Which book would you like to see adapted into a film or TV series?
Nice question! I'd love to see a TV series based on Catherine of Aragon's life, so I'll choose The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory. I'd also like to see something by Sarah Addison Allen made into a film or a TV series.
3. What's your favourite ice cream flavour?
4. Which book has had the biggest impact on you?
Sloppy Firsts and Second Helpings by Megan McCafferty were a big deal for me in high school. I felt like I could understand Jessica and they'll always be important.
5. Skinny jeans: yay or nay?
Yay. I don't wear them often anymore myself, but if they're not super tight around the ankle, I feel like they're a great classic staple.
My Questions:
1. Do you like musicals?
2. Do you listen to music while reading?
3. What are your Top 3-5 favorite books?
4. What do you plan to read next?
5. If you could only eat one snack or junk food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Share a link to your best/favourite post:
I love doing the R.I.P. It or Ship It tag. I also enjoyed putting together a post on my favorite female book characters.
I Nominate:
- Ally from Ally Writes Things
- Jenn from A Bookish Peach
- Sue from Sue's Reading Corner
- Heather from The Sassy Book Geek
Thanks again to Christina and Shaz for nominating me! I loved these questions.


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As a Springfield harpist, I would love to provide elegant harp music for your event! The pictures below are from outdoor weddings I played for at The Rail Golf Club in Springfield, Illinois.
Contact me for a quote for events taking place at The Rail (or anywhere in Central Illinois) or for more information.
© 2004-2022, The Classic Harpist | 574-344-9401 | email@example.com


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I love an organized space. There is just something about an order that sets my mind at ease and frees me up to focus on other,
Tag: How-To's
How I Organize My Weekly Cash Budget (Vlog)
If you've been following my blog A Proverbs Wife here or on social media for at least a year, you already know my family's personal
Organizing Your Bills
I must say that my husband and I have a great system for organizing our bills. From the way we used to argue about how


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PASADENA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dave Morgan, CEO of Litton Entertainment, today unveiled ABC Weekend Adventure, a block of six, all-new, half-hour, high definition E/I series debuting September 3rd on ABC Affiliates across the country. Produced by Litton Studios, ABC Weekend Adventure represents a landmark partnership between ABC Affiliates and Litton. "We're E/I Pioneers," said Morgan. "ABC Weekend Adventure is a compelling group of programs that will engage viewers of all ages and particularly 13-16 year olds. Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in broadcasting's mission to serve the educational needs of America's families."
ABC Weekend Adventure will air Saturday mornings in most markets following Good Morning America on 95% of the country's ABC Affiliates, including the ABC owned stations. The three-hour block features programming that inspires viewers to explore the Earth, dive below the ocean's surface, give back to their communities and design a new recipe for healthier living. "On behalf of the ABC Affiliates, I applaud Dave and the Litton team," said Bill Hoffman, Vice President and General Manager of WSB-TV in Atlanta. "ABC Weekend Adventure will ensure that our television stations continue to provide quality educational, entertaining programming for our audience. This fresh and dynamic slate is an exciting educational adventure that compels viewers to participate in their world. We couldn't be more pleased to be partnering with Litton and look forward to ABC Weekend Adventure's debut on September 3rd."
The adventure begins with the world's premiere wildlife expert and animal ambassador, Jack Hanna. Hanna epitomizes the gold standard in E/I Programming, and in Jack Hanna's Wild Countdown, he engages animal lovers in a fun and fresh new format. Each week, Jack counts down from ten to one in endless categories that offer unique lessons about the world's animals. As America's most celebrated wildlife teacher, Jack Hanna's Wild Countdown unleashes the power of television in this interactive celebration of the animals with which we share our planet.
Next, Jeff Corwin is best known for his Emmy® Award winning shows on the Disney Channel, Discovery and Animal Planet and now, Jeff joins ABC Weekend Adventure as host of Ocean Mysteries. Based at the world's largest aquarium, Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, Jeff, supported by a team of Georgia Aquarium experts, takes us below the surface to explore the Earth's least understood resource, our oceans. Corwin will reveal countless animals that live, work and play beneath the sea, allowing viewers to connect with aquatic animals and learn how important they are to all life on our planet. We'll dive with Jeff to discover misunderstood sharks and discover if prehistoric sea creatures are still alive. Ocean Mysteries is a riveting undersea adventure where the depths of the ocean open up along with our imagination.
The adventure continues with an explorer who knows no boundaries. Renowned adventurer and the youngest president in Explorers Club history, Richard Wiese is Born To Explore. Every week, Wiese uncovers amazing facts of nature and man-made treasures. Richard likes to look up, sideways and around, and his inquisitive nature is contagious. As Richard says, "There should never be a disconnect between us and our world. Once we start exploring, it's amazing what's been right in front of us all along." As the Registered Climbing Guide for teens at The Museum of Natural History, Richard is the ultimate social studies teacher and ABC Weekend Adventure's real life Indiana Jones.
From Mark Koops, the creator and producer of The Biggest Loser comes Agents of Change, an inspirational program about people who confront challenges by taking control. Through captivating storytelling, Agents of Change will report on amazing teens and other selfless Americans who are 'paying it forward' with good will and new ideas that will inspire other teens to take action. Agents of Change will celebrate philanthropy, demonstrating how one person can make a difference. Executive Producer Mark Koops comments, "Our team of hosts will show young people how we're all in this together, there is help out there, those people are all around us, offering solutions, guiding us to better, healthier lives. I'm honored to bring this program to ABC Weekend Adventure...let's get started."
The New York Times called Tom Lynch the creator of the "tween" genre. From Tom Lynch Co. and Lee Gaither's Basil Street Media comes The Delicious Adventures of Claire Thomas. Host Claire Thomas is passionate about food, and her culinary creations are inspired by everyday life. Claire believes creative inspiration can come from any place at any time, whether it be from family, or friends, or even bloggers. Each week, Claire brings her kitchen to the streets and communities, where people live and work exploring new ideas, trends and ways for teens to enjoy good food while pursuing a healthy lifestyle. A native Californian, Claire sees food as a uniting force with our environment, family and friends.
ABC Weekend Adventure concludes with Culture Click, a hip social studies experience hosted by Nzinga Blake. A rising star from E! Entertainment, the web is just the starting point for Nzinga in her quest for knowledge. Culture Click is a highly interactive journey that evokes curiosity about our world. Produced in a stylized news magazine format, Nzinga will teach in a completely modern environment instantly connecting information as it travels through different decades. Six degrees of separation takes on a whole new meaning, and there's no limit to what viewers will learn when they experience Culture Click.
In addition to revealing the programming line-up, Dave Morgan also announced the formation of ABC Weekend Adventure's E/I Advisory Board. This distinguished group of experts will advise Litton on program content and FCC Compliance. The board members will be announced shortly.
About Litton Entertainment
Litton Entertainment, the preeminent independent distributor in the television industry, has been creating and distributing quality programming for over twenty years. Programs include Jack Hanna's Animal Adventures and Jack Hanna's Into the Wild, Storm Stories, Animal Exploration with Jarod Miller and Judge Karen's Court. Litton also operates Litton NewsSource which distributes news programming including Consumer Reports Television. For more information, visit www.litton.tv.