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Afghan Hound Times
(Afghan Hound Database and Breed Information Exchange)
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The Afghan Hound
(By Steve Tillotson 2013, updated 2014, 2015. 2016)
Zardin 1902-1907
Zardin was reportedly born in 1902 in Seistan Province in the then Persia (Now Iran) which borders Afghanistan. Zardin was exhibited in Quetta (Originally in Baluchistan, British India. Quetta is now part of Pakistan). The Indian Kennel Club (IKC) provided a description of Zardin written in 1906. This description is the basis of the UK Afghan Hound Breed Standard.
Zardin 1907-1908
It is reputed that Zardin was presented to Queen Alexandra at Buckingham Palace, we found a press item that confirms this to be true.
Zardin won the Foreign Dog class at Crufts in 1909, 1910 and 1911. Classes for "Afghan Hounds" were not scheduled at Crufts until 1925, so Zardin was entered in the "Foreign Dogs" classes. Zardin is important because he was the model for the early Afghan Hound Breed standard. Later, Zardin was sold to a dog dealer, Mr Shackleton, who had a dog dealer business located in London's Leadenhall Market (Leadenhall Market still exists today). Zardin produced some offspring from two littes he sired, but none of his proginey appear in any Afghan Hound pedigrees anywhere in the world.
Show catalogue listings for Zardin (see below) reveal the changes of ownership as mentioned above:
We don't know who "A Shackleton" (1911 owner) was. Following the death of Mr S Shackleton on 12/2/1923 his will was published, which reveals that he left some of his estate to "Arthur Shackleton". We have no further information on Arthur Shackleton, but presume that was the "A Shackleton" mentioned above and who we guess/presume was a son or brother?
Summary Of Zardin's Owners
- 1909 Owner Mr J Barff but transferred to
Mr Shackleton by July 1909, see update below
- 1910 Owner Mr S Shackleton
- 1911 Owner A Shackleton
1.1 Referee (Sydney, NSW) Page 4, Wednesday 18 December 1907
The Afghan Greyhound.
English admirers of Oriental dogs have imported specimens from time to time, and, in spite of the quarantine which has been necessary for the past few years, most of them have been benched at the leading shows (says the London 'Field'). The appearance of all of them has aroused curiosity, but no forefgn dog, not excepting the Dogue do Bordeaux, a specimen of which created anything, but a mild diversion when he made his last appearance in public at one of the Aquarium shows, has attracted so big a crowd to his bench, as is the case with Mrs. M. C. Barff's Zardin, an Afghan greyhound, at the Crystal Palace. He was fairly mobbed, and in the circumstances he behaved especially well, though, naturally, he appeared to be surprised that he should attract, so much attention,- and he was obviously uneasy when his attendant was not in sight. Afghan Bob, another specimen of the variety, was shown for the second year in succession; but he does not possess the dignity and grace of Zardin, whom authorities declare to be the best Oriental greyhound yet seen in England. Nearly twenty years ago Mr. Wardle illustrated an article by Mr. Tegutmeier on Asiatic hounds, a Rampur, or greyhound of Northern India, and an Afghan, Shahzada by name, being' described, "Up to that time Shahzuda was the most typical specimen of the breed seen in Europe, for, being owned by native, chiefs, it is difficult to secure really good specimens". Shahzada was owned by Mr. Whitbread, and at his death the skin was, contributed to the Natural History Museum, South Kensington, where it was set up, and now forms one of the most treasured charges of the curator. Shahzada was a, fine, upstanding hound, reddish-fawn, almost wheaten in- color. The head was, of the same type, but the body was covered with a profusion of soft golden-colored hair extending over the ears. shoulders, and half way down the legs, the lower half being bare of the long hair, but the sides were heavily feathered. The skull, by the way. was quite smooth. Zardln the subject of the present illustration above (by Mr. Wardle). differs from Mr Whltbread's fine hound in carrying a much greater profusion of coat, and in being creamy rather than golden or reddish-fawn in color. The body covering is carried down the legs, and Zardin also has a peculiar tuft of hair on the skull, which otherwise is, quite 'smooth, as in the case of Shahzada. Mrs. Barff's hound stands at least 26in. at the shoulder, and he was brought from Seistan, in Afghanistan, to Quetta, where he was shown with success before being imported to England. At Quetta he was said to be the finest speclman of the breed over seen out of his native country. Nothing Is known about hls pedigree or his breeder, but Mrs. Barff believes him to be five years old. In some respects the Afghan resembles the Persian greyhound, the last named how ever, not being so shaggy and corded in appearance at; the hound which was one of the most interesting exhibits at the fifty-second show of the Kennel Club
1.2 The Australasian (Melbourne, Vic), Page 14, Saturday 11 January 1908
Great interest. was also taken in the appearance of the Afghan greyhound Zardin, although he was 'not for competition.' Mrs. Barff, his owner, Is obliged to return to India, and is anxious to sell Zardin, but the price that is heing asked for him (300) seems to be far above his value, excepting to the lover of the foreign dogs, who wished to own a rarity and an animal which has been described by Indian authorities as the best one seen even in his native country. That the breed has gained admirers since Zardin was shown at the Crystal Palace is proved bv the demand for puppies which has arisen, and Mrs. Barff has several already on order to be delivered in London after import and quarantine, at, prices ranging from 50 to 75. Such prices for stock which has not been seen, although offered according to 'sample,' are astonishing, for one could buy many really passable English dogs for the price which is being asked for one of the latest foreigners to be imported, although in the case of the last named a considerable amount must be added for freight and maintenance during quarantine."
1.3 Lincolnshire Echo, July 1909
Show Report, July 1909 (Owner now Mr Shackleton)
2.1 Ownership , (Update July 2015)
As is apparent from the press show report above, Mr Shackleton had ownership of Zardin by July 1909, so presumably Capt Barff sold Zardin to Shackleton after Crufts 1909 (Crufts is usually around February, so transfer presumably occured between February 1909 and July 1909). Mr Shackleton exhibited Zardin, not only at Crufts, but at regional all breed shows. Via the Australasian January 1908 we learn that Mrs Barff was seeking to sell Zardin as early as January 1908 because she had to return to India. This is the first suggestion that the Barffs main stock of hounds remained in India with maybe just Zardin and a couple of kennelmatres residing in England?
2.2 Offspring or puppies of the Zardin type, (Update July 2015)
Via the Australasian January 1908 we learn that Mrs Barff was seeking to sell Zardin type Afghan hounds. It would appear that the puppies were still in India as the article mentions the need for quarantine. So we are wondering if the Barffs had only Zardin and maybe a couple of other Afghan hounds in England and that the bulk of their bloodstock was in their kennels in India?
2.3. Zardins year of birth = 1902
In 1907 Mrs Barff stated she believed Zardin was approximately 5 years of age, thus suggesting he was born in 1902
2.4 Origins Of Zardin (Updated July 2015)
One of the long standing mysteries about Zardin was where was he born? The Rev H Bush (an expert on eastern/oriental hounds in this era) states Zardin came from Seistan and his information is believed to have come direct from Mrs Barff, or, her writings in the London "Field" magazine. To complicate the matter Major Bell-Murray wrote in 1926 - "I had a very large illustration of Zardin, who incidentally did not come from Afghanistan at all, but from a place called Chagai, hundreds of miles from Afghanistan in the Mekram (Persian) country". AHT believes the answer is SEISTAN and that Major Bell Murray is in error.
(We note that Major Bell Murray was in the middle of a very public argument with Mary Amps in 1926, each accusing the other of not having pure Afghan hounds. Mary Amps suggested the Bell Murray's were related to the Greyhound type found close to the Afghanistan/Persian border. , Major Bell Murray suggested the Ghazni's were similar to a poor quality shaggy hound known as the Powindah dog. Both cited Zardin as being the perfect specimen. AHT believes its pretty clear that Major Bell Murray tried to position Zardin's origins hundreds of miles away and closer to the Afghanistan/Persian border to counter Mary Amps negative comments about hounds in that region. Thus, AHT is inclined to dismiss Major Bell Murray's statement on Zardin's origins as purely political and an attempt to score points in the argument. AHT is more convinced with the narrative originating from the London "Field" (reportedly sourced from Mrs Barff, a regular correspondent for the Field magazine) and as quoted in the Australian newspaper archives above.
2.5 Afghanistan and its "different countries"
However, Major Bell-Murray makes a very interesting point with his comment "I had a very large illustration of Zardin, who incidentally did not come from Afghanistan at all, but from a place called Chagai, hundreds of miles from Afghanistan in the Mekram (Persian) country. Please see the map (map dates to the late 1880's) below, It is important to understand that Afghanistan has never been a unified country, even the Moguls never had total rule over the population, Also, the borders were constantly changing because of local/tribal fights/relationships that constantly moved the borders in/out of the different "countries". I mention the word "countries" pointedly - we westerners have a modern view of Afghanistan which we tend to view as one country. Back in the 1880's, despite the penetration into the interior by the British military, and despite a "political" definition of a single country, those on the ground knew full wel that travelling from one region to another was effectively traveling "from one country to another"
Consider again what Major Bell Murray wrote "did not come from Afghanistan at all, but from a place called Chagai". So, clearly even as late as the 1880's the boots on the ground recognized that the "country" of Afghanistan was in fact a political determination, whereas the fact was that adjacent "regions/states" were effectively "different countries". I believe that understanding Afghanistan and its regions (adjacent countries?) is helpful to understanding the possible origins of the hounds exported to the UK by the founders, such as Major Bell Murray and Major Amps..We should be aware also that Major and Mary Amps were stationed in Kabul (way up north, offf the map, I had to add Kabul to show it on this map), and Major Bell Murray was stationed in Baluchistan. Their knowledge of Afghanistan, the country, the environment, the people, the dogs, the climate etc was different. I douibt either party had a full knowledge of the wider Afghanistan and that their knowledge and experiences were limited by the boundaries of their military travel. Thus, both parties argued that their type of Afghan hound was the only correct type, and each partie correct type was only found in the region which each respective party workd/travelled/lived.
The above map is revealing. The map is drawn with "Afghanistan" shown in the northern half of the map. The boundary between Afghanistan and the souther regions (other countries?) appears to be the Helmund river which flows east-west (or west-east)
Where is Seistan? Look on the western side of the map for Lake Helmund, Seistan encompasses large portions of Lake Helmund. Further west, beyond Seistan is the Persian (Iran) border. Chagai (mentioned by Major Bell Murray as the place Zardin came from), is just above Baluchistan (where Major Bell Murray was based, thus convincing this cynic (Steve T) that the Major sought to relate Zardins origins to be within the region where Major Bell Murray was active, and by association with Zardin, seek to reinforce his veiw that his type came from "Zardin Country:. Let us remember that the authority on this topic (Mrs Barff) clearly stated that Zardin came from Seistan..
We should also point out on the map you will see a dotted line annotated "Nushki - Seistan Trade Route". This was the established, traditional route that traverseed the country west-east/east west, along which native caravans would travel, bringing with them all sorts of interesting things - including their hounds. The eastern end of the route is very close to Quetta the large British Military encampment at this time and military supplies for the British Military bases in Seistan would have been conveyed via the Nushki - Seistan Trade Route.
What is still a puzzle is that we have no records/reports of Captain Barff, Major Bell Murray, or Major Amps ever having travelled to Seistan. So allthough Mrs Barff informs us Zardin came from Seistan, we have no information how or where she acquired him. Did she purchase Zardin in India from an agent who bought him in from Seistan? Did she ever visit Seistan and obtain Zardin there? Sadly, with all these founders, we have very little information about exactly where their hounds came from.
Zardin sired litters in India (Cawnpoor), but what type, and from where did his breediing mate/s come from? Looking at the William Barff provided catalogue of photographs, it's almost tempting to conclude that Capt and Mrs Barff succeeded in breeding a type that possibly both Major Bell Murray and Major Amps desired to achieve (Did positioning themselves so firmly in public statements that that only their type was correct, inhibit their ability to explore and diversify their type? Cearly, if Capt Barff and Mrs Barff could breed Zardin type (and lots of hounds that are clearly of the same type) there had to be a potential for Bell Murray and Amps to follow suit (for example, they could have purchased Zardin offspring when they were in India? and bred from that stock.
It is interesting to review the two photos below. Left hand photo from the William Barff collection taken in India, right hand photo from Frank Townend Bartons book 1914 also taken in India. There are hints in the hounds in the leftt hand photo of "other types" in the kennel? Some of the hounds appear to be a bit rangier? than Zardin, a bit like some of the Bell Murrays? and with a longer/refined head compared to the Ghazni's, but having a weight of coat similar to some of the Ghazni's. Is this evidence that Capt and Mrs Barff bred their Zardin base into a variety of other types and succeeded in retaining the virtues of Zardin? We'll perhaps explore this aspect in a future article
(see article updates above)
**New info 9/24/2016 - we recently found an advertisment dated December 1910 for a litter of Afghan hounds sired by Zardin. We have no further details about this litter other than the information contained in the advert.
Doggie Hubbard states "The great Zardin was used, although I have never seen his name in any Afghan pedigree as yet (I doubt if it appears at all), and sired at least two litters, one being from a bitch also in Mr Shackleton's possession. Of this litter only two puppies survived both of whom were bitches. These were sold to Captain Hamilton the Dublin breeder of Bulldogs and Great Danes, but in September 1912, one was acquired by Mr Norman G Hadden of Porlock Somerset. Mr Hadden named her "Moti". (So it would appear that the Shackletons still owned Zardin into 1912)
- 1910 ("Stranger" and "Lassie") Zardin is listed at Crufts, and ALSO listed is "Stranger" and "Lassie", also owned by Shackleton. Were these Afghan Hounds? We cannot assume that because Shackleton owned other breeds. Update 2016 - yes they were Afghan hounds, see the report on "Foreign Dog Show" (Crufts 1908) press cutting below.
- 1911 ("Afghan Lass" d.o.b 1909 or earlier) ) Zardin is listed at Crufts, and ALSO listed is "Afghan Lass", also owned by Shackleton. This time we know "Afghan Lass" was indeed an Afghan Hound because Hubbard confirms this. "He (Zardin) was painted by Mr. F.T. Daws (together with a bitch named "Afghan Lass") in 1909 and this painting is in the possession of Mrs Robson" (as of 1951 that is) . I (Steve) know that the painting was last owned as recently as the 1990's by an exhibitor/friend of mine residing in England. (As a footnote on Afghan Lass's date of birth - Lass is listed in the 1911 Crufts Catalogue, Given that Lass is a subject included in the Daws painting of 1909, clearly she must have been born in 1908 or earlier.)
- 1911 ("Moti"), possibly born 1912. Only two puppies survived (Moti and one other bitch, name unknown).
"Moti" 1912 Zardin Offspring
Quoting Doggie Hubbard again - "In a letter from Mr Hadden it appears that "Moti" suffered rather badly from a skin disease: on the outbreak of the First World War she was given by Mr Hadden to M Styles, the Birmingham breeder of Great Danes and Borzois, but after the skin trouble had broken out again she had to be painlessly destroyed. About this time all Mr Shackleton's dogs died under rather mysterious circumstances. Noting Hubbards words "about this time" ( referring to the outbrook of WWI - 1914?) do we correctly assume Zardin was owned by the Shackletons until 1914 when he presumably died under the mysterious circumstances Hubbard mentions above?
Update, since writing the above re Moti we have received the following from John Bloor, Chairman of Midland AHC (UK) and Breed Notes correspondent for "Our Dogs" newspaper (UK). - " I just came across this extract from UK Breed Notes in 1950. I'm sure you will already have this, but just in case it fills any gaps, here it is: - 23rd June, I am grateful to Mr. Norman G. Haddon for the following: Concerning your enquiry about a son of Zardin called Moti, I may be able to help you. I had a daughter of Zardin (in I think 1912) and named her Moti. I fancy you may have seen a snapshot of her which I gave to Miss de B.-Levy. I think Moti and one sister were the only survivors of a litter bred by Mr. Shackleton (an animal dealer who acquired the hounds from Major Barff) and he sold these two to Captain Hamilton, Dublin, who was a breeder of Bulldogs and Great Danes. Moti came to me in September 1912 and was a lovely typical Afghan, but suffered from a recurrent form of skin trouble. I kept her until war broke out in 1914 and then gave her to Mr. Styles, Birmingham, who kept Danes and Borzois. He had more trouble with the skin disease and eventually had her put to sleep. About that time all Shackletons hounds died said to have been poisoned. I fancy that Zardin sired very few pups in this country.
Feb 19 2018 - Another Update re Mr Hamilton. We found the news archive below dated 31st August 1912 which states that Mr Hamilton has added three Afghan hounds to his kennel. So we now have two independent newspaper accounts of a Zardin litter that whelped in the summer of 1912, Two (or three) of this litter went to Mr R A V Hamilton (Foxrock kennel), Foxrock, Hollybrook, County Dublin
Zardin litter 1912 and Mr Hamilton, Dublin)>
4. UPDATE DECEMBER 5th 2015
We mentioned Afghan Lass and Stranger above. We are excited to report that we have recently discovered a Times of London newspaper item dating from 1908 that provides more information about Afghan Lass and Stranger -
Steve Tillotson
Afghan Hound Times,2013, 2014,2015,2016Related content
NEW Aticle/Photos on Zardin (William Barf unseen photos)
Mr Shackleton (Zardins 2nd owner) Page
A Brief Sketch Of Afghanistan/Pakistan/India History (Author Steve Tillotson, June 2013)
1906 Indian Kennel Club Description Of Zardin
1907 Zardin meets the King and Queen of England
Press Cuttings about Zardin compiled by Steve Tillotson 2015
Afghan Lass, Barff/Shackleton
Early Afghan hound section
The F.T. Daws Painting, (Painted 1909)
Next Zardin Page
NEW Articles/Photos on Zardin (William Barf unseen photos)
Library Of Articles/Main Menu Toolbar
Early Afghan Hounds
Whats New Page


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An Australian homeowner would have had to contend with 14 eastern brown snakes babies in her home — in addition to their mother — had a pregnant snake that nestled under her refrigerator not been captured.
The snake wrangler brought in to handle the hiding reptile, Rolly Burrell, who works with Adelaide Snake Catchers in Adelaide, South Australia, posted the video of the snake's capture online, according to Australia's 9 News.
In the video, Burrell moves the fridge and picks up the snake.
"Oh my goodness, don't let it go," a woman says as the snake tries to avoid being placed in a bag.
The capture of an eastern brown snake. (Image source: Snake Catchers Adelaide)
In another clip, Burrell tells viewers that the snake was pregnant.
"I thought that it was carrying eggs so we decided to keep it for a couple of days to see if she would lay in captivity so we could show our viewers on Facebook what it really looks like, what a snake egg looks like," he said.
Burrell estimated that the babies will hatch in March.
"This is what happens in the wild," Burrell said. "They find a nice moist spot with a lot of humidity, they lay their eggs and then they go."
According to the Australia Zoo, the eastern brown snake is the second-most venomous snake in the world.

subset: commoncrawl


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The word 'marketing firm' (and also ‱top marketing companies‱) is generally the most commonly searched term when searching for information about vendors that offer marketing services. In the old sense of these words, there was a very clear distinction between agencies and marketing firms.
Both had different kinds of employees, but for one or the other the main goal of an agency is to represent the client in his/her market and make the sale. Agencies, on the other hand, were usually comprised of separate individuals or teams who work under one branding for their marketing services and who operate under the authority of the marketing firm. This means that if one agency decides to close down its business or sell its assets, the others will continue to operate. The marketing firm then takes over the operations of the agencies.
In a way, both firms and agencies have been the main beneficiaries of the evolution of the Internet. Today, both of them are finding themselves facing some of the same problems, especially if they are working in the same industry and/or with similar clients. In this case, the answer to the problem lies in the difference between the two.
For one thing, it is true that many people today search for a company and/or a brand using these keywords (such as 'marketing firm or agency', etc.). But a marketing firm, as opposed to an agency, does not advertise its own products. For this reason, it will not be able to reach a broader audience. On the other hand, an agency can advertise all its products at the same time and reach a bigger audience. This is because its marketing efforts are part of a brand strategy. Once the advertising campaign is complete, the agency is no longer an agency, but simply a business. Therefore, an agency will have to adapt itself to changing preferences and the changing trends of consumers.
But even when the marketing firm has an established brand, the question remains about how it can survive and achieve success in today's competitive business environment. In order to survive, an agency should have an effective business plan, which should be able to cope with the current market conditions. and keep the firm at the top of the industry. To avoid the risks of losing money, the marketing firm should be able to offer competitive rates for its services, as well. and make sure that its reputation remains strong.
The biggest mistake many consultants make is to think that a marketing firm vs agency case are a black and white scenario where one party is always better than the other. It really is not so. The marketing firm must remember that when it comes to dealing with the competitive world of the Internet, an agency is definitely the better choice, especially when compared to a marketing firm.


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UltimatePayArtix Entertainment plumps for PlaySpan's payment system.
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA & LAND O' LAKES, FLORIDA – April 22, 2010-- Artix Entertainment LLC, a leading developer of browser-based MMO games, today announced a new partnership with PlaySpan, the global leader in monetization solutions for online games, virtual worlds, and social networks. The agreement enables players of the highly popular Artix Entertainment games -- AdventureQuest Worlds, EpicDuel, DragonFable, MechQuest, and AdventureQuest -- to use PlaySpan's UltimatePay to purchase and enjoy premium content.
All Artix games are free to play, 100% web browser-based RPGs. Artix's two newest MMOs AdventureQuest Worlds and EpicDuel offer real-time RPG combat, original art, and an entire world for players to explore. Players can battle monsters online with their friends and family to obtain weapons, armor, pets, and items. Paid members enjoy access to member-only exclusive classes, weapons, areas, shops, quests, and special pets. Although transparent to the over 100 million Artix players worldwide, UltimatePay will power their credit card and other payment transactions.
UltimatePay (the combination PayByCash's 12 years of payment services experience and Spare Change's leading social network micropayment platform) provides over 85 global payment methods including Credit card, PayPal, mobile, cash based, and the top selling Ultimate Game Card.
"We selected PlaySpan as our main payment services provider based on its solid reputation and demonstrated expertise," said Daniel Vasile, Business Development Manager of Artix Entertainment. "UltimatePay provides a secure and easy purchase experience for our millions of players, enabling them to enjoy the fantastic members only content available in each of our games."
"Partnering with Artix and its terrific games is further tribute to the quality of PlaySpan's products and its people. We now have over 120 professionals focused on providing our partners and customers excellent products and service," said Karl Mehta, Founder & CEO of PlaySpan. "We are thrilled that Artix selected our flagship product UltimatePay to help drive its business and we look forward to growing together."
About Artix Entertainment LLC
Artix Entertainment LLC, is a privately held, game development and publishing studio that specializes in creating online, browser-based, anime-style, role-playing Flash games with a distinctive visual style and high-quality game play. Artix has developed a wide range of games with storylines that are based in the fantasy, sci-fi, and adventure genre. Content within the games is updated on a weekly basis creating a compelling experience which keeps users coming back frequently for new content and story lines. Please visit www.artixentertainment.com for more information.
About PlaySpan Inc.
PlaySpan™ is the global leader in monetization solutions for over 1,000 online games, virtual worlds, and social networks. PlaySpan's patent-pending in-game digital goods commerce and micropayment platform enables game publishers and developers to generate new revenues, acquire new users, and extend the loyalty of existing users.
PlaySpan also provides global payment solutions through its UltimatePay product which enables users to make safe, convenient, and friendly in-app purchases using over 85 global payment methods in 180 countries. UltimatePay includes PlaySpan's ULTIMATE GAME CARD, which is a pre-paid card available in over 45,000 retail locations across North America and growing rapidly worldwide.
PlaySpan is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices in Ohio, Virginia, and Mumbai. Investors include Easton Capital, Menlo Ventures, STIC and Novel TMT Ventures. The company won the 2009 OnHollywood Category Award for Best Gaming Company.
For more information about PlaySpan, visit: http://corp.playspan.com
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Our Salvation (Weekly Devotional)
Created: Sunday, December 6, 2015
Weekly devotional based on the sermon of Sun., Dec. 6, 2015
As God directs, one's heart is purified by divine love. Every time that we allow God's spirit to intervene on our behalf, a new beginning evolves. Moments as such are sacred, as is God's time and timing. We may not always be prepared for all of life's more challenging moments, but rest assured, God is still empowering us.
We are thus reminded of God's sovereign and almighty presence, a loving presence which continues to light our journey through Advent.
Embrace and enjoy!
In Christ,
Pastor Anette


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Today's Innovation
is Tomorrow's Tradition
The seminal event of the Innovation Condominiums Project was passage of the The Morrill Act in the midst of the Civil War. It granted free land to qualifying states to establish higher-education institutions. Years later, the federal government granted funds to make them a reality. Texas, having been a sovereign republic, didn't have federal land appropriate for a higher education institution. Harvey Mitchell in Brazos County had the vision to aggregate the most private land among other proponents and successfully persuaded the State of Texas to use the Brazos County site to establish an agricultural and mechanical school to benefit from the act. In the early 1960's Gen. Earl Rudder, the Great Innovator, advanced the vision to transform a small military college into a multiversity that would become a world class teaching institution in many disciplines and for a diversified student base. Since then, the Bryan-College Station community has become a formative place for exceptional innovators whose work has literally made a difference in the world.
Rudder's vision needed the right feedstock to ignite and grow great innovations. His successors provided it by exposing all students to the best human traits that foster progress, such as persistence in the search for excellence with dedicated integrity, coupled to an honest desire to make this a better world. This environment has continued to attract game-changing innovators who in some way or another have given this community an outsize influence in the concert of cities considered to be thought leaders in our time.
It is only appropriate that a new transformative lifestyle is available in this community to house those connected to the university, in private professions, businesses, research or in any other walk of life. The Innovation Condominiums Project aims to fill this role. Its planned-community nature, spectacular layout, architectural features, quality construction, unreplicable location, make it the culmination of a long transformative trek for the Brazos Valley. The time for its birth is now.


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bench's Naked Truth crosses the line to brand destruction from brand building
bench is a local clothes brand that sell a complete wardrobe that cater mostly to the young. they have very good clothes at affordable prices for the pinoy teen. it is also known to have one of the most engaging outdoor advertising, mostly on EDSA with giant billboards of local and sometimes international celebrities.
they have this annual fashion show. well we are calling it a fashion show for lack of another term , where underwear is modeled by local celebrities and models. the idea for the event we suppose was picked up from the popular Victoria's Secret annual fashion show that feature super models in really sexy and skimpy underwear with all types of wings making them out as beautiful and sexy angels.
the bench fashion show started very close to the Victoria's Secret concept – local celebrities modeling bench underwear also with wings. that has evolved over the years and this year it is called "The Naked Truth" .
we do not know how much of Bench's sales are from their underwear lines but we are guessing they do not command the majority of their sales. in fact, we think its very little, maybe less than 10%? but that is not the point. Bench does not hold an annual underwear fashion show to promote the line to generate sales but to get buzz, to get publicity for the brand. the prospect of seeing celebrities in underwear has a certain appeal to consumers, at least that is what we think Bench thinks.
they are no longer angels and we struggle to find where is the fashion in them and even where the underwear has gone. surely the pictures are showing that the there was a clear attempt to not show underwear.
these two pictures from the "fashion chow" got the most attention at social media and for all the wrong reasons. there was outrage and sharp hatred for these pictures. the first picture of the left shows coco martin on stage with a leash and at the end of the leash is a female model on all fours just like a dog. this is exactly what we do not want our men and specially our women to be – master and salve relationship with the women being treated like a dog.
the other is another actor, jake cuenca wearing something we cant figure out what it is or what it is called. we do not think it has a name except its obscene and horrendous.
we are wondering – are these brand images that Bench wants to have? and are these brand imaged appropriate for the youth, the market segment that comprice the bulk of Bench consumers? Bench may have achieved their goal of getting attention but we are wondering they think the kind of attention they are getting from the event is worth it. these things whether they like it or not will affect its brand image.
with these pictures, Bench now took for itself a brand image of poor taste, crass and vulgarity – adjectives that a fashion brand will not want for itself, s;pecially poor taste. good taste is certainly one of the top brand attributes any fashion brand would want.
victoria's secret's annual fashion show of supermodel angels in underwear are hardly criticized for such things. the supermodels in their show do wear very skimpy underwear but they never cross the line to vulgarity. victoria's secret is a brand that sells mostly underwear, hence the underwear fashion show they hold every year is a direct match to what the brand is all about. bench on the other sell the complete wardrobe and holding an underwear fashion show does not make sense as they probably sell much more jeans and t-shirts than underwear. the sales of underwear in Bench stores being so minuscule and a fashion show supposedly featuring them and taking the brand image to the gutter makes no sense to us.
marketing efforts, even fashion shows, are supposed to do something positive to the brand, to be able to contribute to brand building. this fashion show did a lot more destruction and deterioration than building anything.
"strategic thinking" according to Calvin of Calvin & Hobbes
good strategic thinking is all about using what you have – the market, the competition, consumer insights (psychographics) and your objectives and putting all those together and funnel them into a coherent action that gets you what you want. it is not at all random but it is placing all the elements, sometime a few often numerous into a certain sequence that leads to getting your goals achieved.
that is essentially what Calvin did,


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Alright, after the heaviness of this Monday, let's talk about something fun and simple for a minute. A couple months ago (jeez, that long ago?) I talked about branding myself — if you haven't read it, you should, because it's not as scary (or as boring) as you think it is. Anyway, in trying to take my own advice, I set a few goals for myself.
For one, I hired a graphic designer to make an author logo. *que ghost face emoji*
NOW, I discovered that fiverr.com is a godsend. Because you can do things like hire a designer to make an author logo and it's not going to break the bank account.
SO. I worked with an amazing lady, whose talent I found on fiverr and proceeded to love because it was different and unique. I gave her two different ideas of what I envisioned (my sketching skills are so-so), but incorporating my name into the design:
And this is what she made:
(You may notice that my initials — R K — are incorporated into the dragon.)
I'm pretty dang happy with this.
Now, the ultimate image for my branding in general has a lot more colors and elements involved. But I'm really excited about incorporating this logo onto it — I think this is just so fun and unique.
But anyway, I don't know if it exactly warrants a blog post, but I was so excited I had to update.
How is everyone else doing with their branding? Any new exciting thoughts or changes? How's the overwhelm with marketing in general?


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A Growing Thing | Trailer
Preview: Season 4 Episode 2 | 49s | Video has closed captioning.
25 years after the end of apartheid, a Black South African mother is training to become a leader in her township. With only a fifth grade education, Jabulile Ndaba is learning through Kopanang, a women's project that enables women to earn money through embroidery. When the Irish nun running the program announces she will be moving, Jabulile and her fellow leaders must take over or risk losing it.
Aired: 07/05/20
Problems Playing Video? | Closed Captioning


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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) Authorities have identified a man with a history of burglary convictions as the person whose decaying body was found stuck in the burglar bars of an Alabama warehouse.
News outlets report that the Jefferson County Coroner's Office on Monday identified the man as 54-year-old Dexter Leon Armstrong of Birmingham.
Cool Breeze Inc. President Court VanScyoc says he discovered the body June 22 after stopping by the warehouse and noticing an odor. Armstrong was halfway through the window. It is unclear how he died.
Citing court records, Al.com reports (http://bit.ly/28ZqDlY ) that Armstrong was convicted of felony burglary in 2011 and sentenced to 20 years in prison with three to serve. He was released in August 2014. He also was convicted of burglary in 2007, 2003, 2001 and 1993.


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Sheraton Bellevue Hotel, Bellevue
Sheraton Bellevue Hotel100 112 Th Avenue Northeast
In the heart of Seattle area corporate communities, the Sheraton Bellevue Hotel is only two blocks from Bellevue's Meydenbauer Convention Center and only six miles from downtown Seattle. We are close to famous Seattle sites and places including Mariner's baseball at Safeco Field, the Seattle Center, Space Needle, Husky Stadium, wineries, and majestic Mount Rainier. Made even more comfortable with our famous Sheraton Sweet Sleeper(SM) Bed, each of our 179 guest rooms have everything necessary for a great night r productive workday


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FREE Shipping
no order minimum required!
Shop now
Polished or natural? Any way you like your stones, Salty Cali has the perfect look for you: choose one of the unique Rock Candy pieces, made with natural stone chips, or go with a classic looks with our teardrop stones mounted on 925 and 18k chains.
1 product


text: This half-hour portrait of composer Jon Deak and his "The Passion of Scrooge" explores the origins of the opera based on "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens. Conductor Christopher Kendall explains the work, and its transformation into an acclaimed film by director H. Paul Moon. Interviews are surrounded with an intimate view of rehearsals with the 21st Century Consort.


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RB Investments is one of the leading companies in the Baltic region in the field of corporate consulting and finance.
On 20 May a meeting of entrepreneurs and officials of Kazakhstan and Latvia was held in Astana to discuss the prospects for cooperation in terms of business and finance.
The organisers of the forum were Rietumu and Riga City Council.
The focus of attention for the summit, titled the 'Latvia-Kazakhstan Business Meeting', encompassed the issues of an expansion in levels of cooperation between the two countries in various industries, the advantages of investment made in Latvia for Kazakh entrepreneurs, and the opportunities for the development of free economic zones.
In total, over 300 delegates have participated in the event, these being representatives of the municipalities in the biggest Kazakh and Latvian cities, along with ministries, tax and customs organisations, port and airline administrative bodies, international investors, bankers, management companies, legal advisers, property entrepreneurs, and CEOs from other industries.
As head of the Rietumu Bank representative office in Kazakhstan, Yessetzhan Kossubaev noted upon completion of the forum, "Our countries and their economies to a large extent supplement each other and have many things in common. Such meetings are an excellent opportunity for discussing where we are and also what opportunities and potential we have ahead. This time we touched upon both strategic and practical aspects. The meeting has shown that the countries and their businesses are open to new ideas and projects."
Kazakhstan and Latvia successfully cooperate in the field of transit and logistics, including container transportation. Kazakhstan ranks fourth regarding the volume of freight delivered along Latvian railways, and it is the only country that has its own grain terminal in the Port of Ventspils – this is the only Kazakh facility in Europe that is engaged in the transhipment of grain to world markets. Kazakh entrepreneurs also use the opportunities offered by other Latvian ports – in particular, large volumes of ferrous alloys and other freight is transported to Europe via the Freeport of Riga.
The trade and economic ties of cooperation between the two countries is also developing in areas such as woodworking, the pharmaceutical industry, food industries, and so on. There are more than sixty joint ventures that have been registered in Kazakhstan with the participation of Latvian capital – predominantly trade companies and financial consultants.
The current Latvia-Kazakhstan Business Meeting is already the second forum that is dedicated to issues surrounding the strengthening business relations between the two countries during recent years. Last year a practical seminar entitled "Kazakhstan-Latvia Cooperation: New Opportunities for Business in Europe" was held in Almaty, having evoked a wide response in business circles.


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O-1A Visa High Salary
O-1A Visa High Salary The actual official wording of this category is: – Evidence that the alien has commanded and now commands a high salary or other remuneration for services, evidenced by contracts or other reliable evidence.
The O-1A visa specialist is looking for documentation to decide if the applicant's remuneration is considerably above in association to others in the same field. There are many ways to evaluate if your salary is higher than others in the same field. In order for us to document your high wage, we have to go about it in a very logical way.
If your pay has or is now above the top earners in your field, then you should be able to meet the criteria. If your pay falls under the top US earners because you are not currently working in the US, you can still qualify under this criteria if we can prove that your earnings are significantly higher than others in your home country.
Your earnings are assessed on your annual income statement. This could consist of your annual tax return, monthly pay stubs and/or an accountant's letter of support. There are a variety of independent salary bureau statistical reports that are available online to see if you make more money than most. You will impress USCIS, if your base salary and bonus exceeds the 90th percentile, then you have a very strong case in this category.
In the US, perhaps the most commonly used and most trusted independent salary bureau is O*Net Online [http://www.onetonline.org/find/]. There should be similar resources in your home country.


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County Clerk
Mike Kem was elected to the position of County Clerk in 1998. Prior to County Clerk, he served as a Fiscal Court magistrate for five years representing District 4.
The duties of the county clerk are numerous and varied, falling into the general categories of clerical duties of the fiscal court, the registering of licenses for motor vehicles, recording and keeping records of various legal documents, voter registration, election duties and tax duties. In all counties, except counties containing a city of the first class, the county clerk has the option of serving as the clerk of the fiscal court. If the county clerk chooses to serve in this capacity, he is obligated to attend all meetings of the fiscal court and to maintain a complete record of its proceedings, with an index.
His priorities while in office are customer service, accountability and responsibility. Since taking office, there have been upgrades to the offices within the courthouse and the Deputy Clerks have been equipped with up-to-date computers, which allow them to serve the public more efficiently. Computers are also available to the public for viewing land records and current marriage licenses. To improve customer service, the vehicle renewal and transfer departments are now located in seperate offices within the courthouse. Available also are online renewals and for subscribed customers online research of land records and marriage licenses.
All money transactions of the Clerk's Office are recorded and balanced daily insuring sound business practices and accountability.
As County Clerk the goal is to ensure all needs of Christian County citizens are met promptly and accurately. The County Clerk and his staff look forward to serving the citizens of Christian County.
- Need a copy of the deed to your home?
- Does your signature on a legal document require notarization?
- Do you need to renew the registration on your vehicle?
- Are you buying or selling a vehicle?Traveling outside the United States and need a Passport?
- Do you need to apply for a marriage license?
- Do you need to register to vote?Researching family history?
- Need to contact your local magistrate?Need your boat registered?
- Do you need a handicap placard for your car?
- If you answered yes to any of the above questions, then we can help you!
- Court Records
- Court Dates
- Divorce Records
- Driver's License
- Probate Court
- EPO's
511 South Main Street
Hopkinsville, KY 42240
Phone: (270) 887-4105
Fax: (270) 887-4186
Email: email@example.com


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I.O.I's Somi is worried about JYP Entertainment's dating ban
I.O.I's Somi openly expressed some woes over JYP Entertainment's dating regulations for their artists.
It is known between the artists and their fans that JYP Entertainment has strict regulations on dating and relationships. To the point of letting their artists receive basic sex education whilst under the agency.
In a recent appearance on jTBC's Abnormal Summit, Somi revealed one dating regulation imposed on their artists. According to her, "You're not allowed to date for three years at JYP Entertainment. It's only been one year for me but it's perplexing."
Somi's dilemma is quite unconventional as she may have to return to the agency as a trainee once I.O.I disbands. Coming to her aid was Sung Si Kyung, who comforted the young singer with the words, "The one year you promoted as I.O.I should be counted."
Meanwhile, Somi made her debut with I.O.I back in May with Chrysalis. They were only contracted to promote as a group for ten months and will return to their respective agency after.
Recently, it was confirmed that the group will be finishing their run as a group on January 31st, 2017.
Source: Daily Sports


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The Smart Path To Better golf
Grip Pressure
The single most important aspect of grip pressure is that it stays the same throughout the swing. One of the biggest destroyers of the golf swing is an increase in grip pressure at the start of the downswing. When this happens it is virtually impossible to swing the clubhead on the correct path with the correct face angle. If anything the grip pressure should lighten slightly on the downswing to help us fully release the club.
Here is a simple drill to help you stop choking the club on the downswing. During your practice sessions check your grip pressure when you are addressing the ball and check it again when you are holding your finish position. It should be the same at the finish as it was during address. If it is not you have some work to do. The more often you check on yourself, the sooner your brain will get the message you want the pressure to stay the same.
If we were to rate grip pressure on a scale of one to ten (with ten being a death grip and one being just barely enough pressure to keep the club from falling out of our hands) the ideal grip pressure is between 3 and 5. The lighter the better. We need speed to propel the ball long distances NOT FORCE. Swinging a golf club is similar to throwing a ball, the muscles of the hand and arm should be loose and whippy. The tighter we hold on the SLOWER the clubhead will be moving when it gets to the ball.
The control of the club comes from the last three fingers of the left hand and the middle two fingers of the right hand. Proper grip position will take care of this for us. You do not need to consciously hold on tighter with these areas. Be very careful of the thumb and trigger finger of the right hand! They are the most likely source of unwanted pressure during the swing. Practice swinging with them off the club. It will feel strange at first but, if you stay with it you will notice tremendous distance and control benefits in the long run.
Until Next Time. Follow The Smart Path.


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The government, according to the January 20 notification, "exempts with immediate effect" the tax pay able under the Karnataka Tax on Luxuries Act, 1979 "towards luxuries provided in an ICU of a hospital." A tax exemption, experts point out, is only prospective in nature and cannot be enforced with retrospective effect.
An 8% levy on hospital room rentals if they are above Rs 1,000 per day has been around since 2004. But Commercial Taxes Commissioner Ritwik Pandey, in a clarification is sued in July 2015, brought ICUs under the ambit of this tax.
The law on luxury taxes authorises officials to go back for five years to claim the arrears. The taxmen, sources say, will continue to chase hospitals demanding tax dues for five years preceding the date of exemption.
"The government has only two options if it really wants to solve the problem: Either ask Commissioner Pandey to issue a rectification order or amend the law," said a former tax commissioner.
Most hospitals have not collected a luxury tax from patients on ICU services. And they are likely to be shocked if slapped with demand notices. The taxmen have little choice too but comply with the law because any lapses on their part in collecting these dues will be recorded by the CAG audit. While the government will have a tough time defending itself before the Public Accounts Committee, the officials will end up facing action.
Satish Jain, Director at Maharaja Agrasen Hospital in Padmanabhanagar, said they did collect this tax for 18 months after ICU charges breached the Rs 1,000 cap. "We asked for a clarification on the applicability of this tax on ICUs but the department did not clarify for a long time. So we started collecting the tax," he said.
Vivek Mallya, a former partner at PwC and a practising chartered accountant, said the government action breaches the good faith principles of interpretation of tax.
"If imposition of tax can be retrospective, exemptions must also follow similar principles," he said.
According to a doctor, ICUs use air conditioning mainly to create a clean room environment so that visitors, doctors and other patients are not transmitting communicable diseases. "It acts as a safety and hygiene mechanism and seeking retrospective taxes terming it as a luxury defies the logic."
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Where History Lives: City enjoyed construction boom in 1920s
Beth Rogero Bowen's book captures part of St. Augustine's history
While bootleggers and speakeasies might be the enduring images of America in the 1920s, it was probably something as sedate as the cement mixer that had the greatest impact on St. Augustine during the Jazz Age.
Construction of the Bridge of Lions and the emergence of developments such as Davis Shores were major stories here between the end of World War I and the Great Depression, according to local historian Beth Rogero Bowen.
"We were so affected by the real estate boom that started in South Florida," Bowen said.
An influx of money from developers, real estate speculators and tourists changed St. Augustine, giving it a look still recognizable today.
Bowen has assembled the photos to prove it. Her new book, "St. Augustine in the Roaring Twenties," is part of Arcadia Publishing's Postcard History Series.
Bowen published another Postcard History Series book, "St. Augustine in the Gilded Age," in 2008.
A lot changed for St. Augustine from one period to the other.
A great fire wiped out several blocks of downtown St. Augustine in 1914, which is when Gilded Age ended.
Many buildings that were destroyed were not rebuilt for years - partially because building supplies were difficult to obtain during the war, Bowen said.
But the real estate boom got construction rolling again.
Shot in the arm
St. Augustine's real estate boom was not an extended one, Bowen said, but it was a powerful one, starting around 1924 and lasting approximately three years.
It was nothing like the boom that St. Augustine - and much of the rest of the country - saw in the 2000s, Bowen said.
"It was short," she said. "I think the 20s (boom) was much more frantic."
Probably the most significant building project of the time was the construction of the Bridge of Lions, connecting downtown to Anastasia Island. It was completed in 1927, replacing a low wooden bridge.
"(The wood bridge) was very inadequate for the time," Bowen said. "The (Lions) bridge changed it all."
The building of the new bridge and the creation of Davis Shores by B.P. Davis in 1925 went hand in hand.
It was among the first serious developments on the island, Bowen said. Until Davis Shores, Lighthouse Park was one of the few developments already in place.
A bridge to Vilano Beach was also constructed at this time (the current Francis and Mary Usina Bridge was built in 1995), which led to development there.
Among the more interesting projects was the Vilano Beach Casino, a place for concerts and dances rather than gambling. However, the casino was built too close to the water and beach erosion and finally a storm in 1937 destroyed it.
Because of all the real estate ads, Bowen said the newspaper business enjoyed a big surge in revenue, too.
The St. Augustine Evening Record became the state's leader in color printing.
"The paper really grew tremendously," Bowen said.
High-end busts
While the building activity helped the local economy, business for those catering to the wealthy suffered, Bowen said.
Before World War I, St. Augustine was a "winter playground" for the rich. But when the railroad lines were extended all the way down the state, places such as Palm Beach and Miami drew the majority of the big spenders.
According to Bowen, the luxurious Ponce de Leon Hotel - now Flagler College - enjoyed its last profitable year in 1923.
By the mid '20s, St. Augustine was more of a tourist destination for the middle class.
"The main thing that changed was when the Dixie Highway arrived, it brought a different type of tourist to town," Bowen said.
That led to the opening of a great deal of modest motels in the area. There was little need for the opulent projects of the Gilded Age.
Piecing it together
Bowen said that once she finished work on the Gilded Age project, she took time off before spending 18 months working on the Roaring Twenties book.
"It just seemed logical the next one should cover the next 15 years or so," she said. "(The period) deserved to have a book of its own."
Many of the hundreds of photographs in her book come from her own collection. The St. Augustine native also used the archives of the St. Augustine Historical Society and borrowed from private collections.
Bowen is donating all the royalties from her book to the Historical Society.
"I think it's very important to help them preserve St. Augustine's history," Bowen said. "I made great use of their research library. I think it deserves our help.
"St. Augustine does lend itself to anyone who has an interest in history."


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I just moved into a house with a very small (about 100 sq ft) lawn. Well, it used to be a lawn, but now it's an oxalis pes caprae patch. We weren't interested in keeping the lawn anyway - my plan was to put in a raised bed (probably 4' x 8' x 1') for a vegetable garden and put in some sort of easy low-maintenance ground cover on the rest. Given the oxalis problem, the ground cover is going to be cardboard covered in wood chips, which is fine, since realistically the dogs will use this area as their toilet.
For those of you elsewhere in the country, you might think of "oxalis" as a pretty ornamental flower, but those of you in coastal California know about the scourge that is oxalis pes caprae. I have found plenty of advice about how to get rid of it (e.g., "cover in 6 inches of concrete" and "move"). Hopefully I will live in the this house long enough for my hard work eradicating the oxalis to pay off!
My question is whether I have to abandon my plan for the raised bed for vegetables, until I get a grip on the oxalis. Since I won't be able to get rid of all the bulbs, will the oxalis just grow up through the bed? Or will they be buried too deep to sprout? Do I need to line the bottom of the bed? Is cardboard good enough?
This is my first vegetable garden, so I am feeling pretty clueless, though I have Pam Peirce and Mel Bartholomew on my shelf to help. Thank you!


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The Porsche 911 is one of the most legendary and reliable classics one could own. The classic 80-looks together with the powerful and solid 3.2 liter 6 cylinder boxer engine are sure to provide loads of fun miles. Enjoying the sound, looks and surroundings are even easier with a convertible like this example.
This 1985 911 is still in very good condition to this date. Body is painted in Guards red and shows great depth and clarity with just some minor marks over the years. The interior is very well maintained as well, with nice carpets and seats. The seats seem to have been replaced over the years.
Mechanics are solid and the engine starts and runs perfectly smooth, pulling nicely in every gear.
This is the perfect car to drive along some nice country roads this summer; a beautiful and trustworthy 911 convertible!


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Awareness-Raising Session – Safety in the Faculty of Medicine, For a Safer CampusBy Joana Ferreira de Sousa On 26 November, 2018 2018 | More and Better Comments Off on Awareness-Raising Session – Safety in the Faculty of Medicine, For a Safer Campus No tags
The Faculty of Medicine acknowledges that the safety of people and goods is becoming increasingly important and that it contributes to institutional well-being.
So, on November 22, there was an Awareness-Raising Session at the FMUL Facilities; it was organized in collaboration with the Campo Grande Police Station, and focused on individual and collective safety.
There are approximately 40 occasional robberies in teaching facilities every day, and this session was aimed at raising the awareness of all those at the FMUL facilities about key precautions:
- Never leave you belongings unattended, even for a few seconds;
- You should keep your belongings in a safe place or leave them with people you trust;
- Any suspicious situations should be reported via the number: 217 900 020
Ana Raquel Moreira
Editorial Team


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All of us here at Forbidden Reviews are so excited to be a part of the awesome list of blogs who participate in the "In My Mailbox" meme. In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren so make sure you check out her book blog for a list of many of the blogs participating. She also has some helpful information on how to participate on your own blog. Click HERE to find out more.
This is a weekly meme where we will post any books (and other things) that we have received in the mail, bought, loaned from the library, etc. It's not limited to just books. It can be anything we have just gotten and are excited about.
Sorry this has been MIA the last few weeks. I was recovering from BEA when my computer crashed.
Our IMM this week:
Witches of East End by Melissa De La Cruz - BEA
Faith Behind the Fences by Kelly Dispirito Taylor
Size 12 is not Fat by Meg Cabot
Wild Rose by Jennifer Donnelly
Danger Diva by Stan Stemper


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Cruzin.com founder set to speak at IBEX
Cruzin.com founder and CEO Jaclyn Baumgarten will speak Sept. 15 at the International BoatBuilders Exhibition & Conference in Louisville, Kentucky.
Baumgarten will participate in a National Marine Manufacturers Association-sponsored session titled "The Sharing Economy: How Alternative Boat Ownership Models Can Positively Impact the Marine Industry."
Boat sharing is growing in popularity among consumers, according to Baumgarten.
The session will address how collaborative consumption is influencing the marine industry. It will cover the economic impact on manufacturers, suppliers, dealers, reps, distributors, retailers and marinas.
"I'm looking forward to joining my peers in exploring this exciting new element of the marine industry," Baumgarten said in a statement. "The sharing economy has significant potential to expand business and grow boating."


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VIDEO: No time to react
San Diego-based wildlife photographer Dale Frink was on a whale-watching trip July 2 when he came across a pair of blue whales.
Just he and the captain were aboard a chartered RIB — the skipper at the helm and Frink at the bow. The whales appeared to be feeding deeply, so they went off to observe some bottlenose dolphins.
It looked as if more blue whales had shown up, so they returned to that area. The whales had started lunge feeding, and one made a sharp turn in front of the boat.
"Suddenly we did not know where the whale was — it could have been anywhere," Frink posted on his website. "Per proper whale-watching etiquette, the captain stopped the boat to wait for the whale to come up before moving away from the animal."
Indeed, a whale surfaced — and hit the stern.
"The blue whales eventually resurfaced directly behind the boat without warning, mouths completely open in the middle of another lunge feed," Frink said. "We had little time to react. At the time I had two GoPro cameras mounted, pointing directly in front of the boat. One of them caught me turning to see the whale and snap a photo of the first whale making contact with the boat. The second blue whale of the pair then came up even closer and bumped the boat again, giving it the last bit of inertia it needed to go completely [over]."
Luckily, a nearby boat was able to quickly pull both men aboard.
Click here to see the photo Frink took before the boat went over.
Frink posted the video on YouTube, and it quickly went viral and drew plenty of media attention. Concerned about how the video may create a bad perception about him and the captain, Frink posted the following on his Facebook page:
"Most of the people who think that the video 'looks bad' are justifiably concerned for the safety of the whales. I can agree with that, as someone who emphatically encourages safe boating around whales. I feel confident saying that the captain was doing everything within her ability to be safe and respectful for the animals. Accidents happen, however, and things would have been a lot worse if proper protocols and modern safety equipment not been in place."


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322 N. Greenwood Ave.
Tulsa, OK 74120
Dubbed America's "Black Wall Street" by Booker T. Washington, the 35-block Greenwood District surrounding the corner of Greenwood Avenue and Archer Street became a prosperous center for black commerce in the early 1900s. It was also a hotbed for jazz and blues, and the site where Count Basie first encountered big-band jazz.
When the violent Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 destroyed much of the district, the black community rebuilt from the ashes. Today, the Greenwood Historical District showcases its heritage through the Greenwood Cultural Center and the Mabel B. Little Heritage House.
In the early 1970s, Tulsa leaders began efforts to re-stitch the unraveling fabric of the Greenwood District. The Greenwood Cultural Center, begun in 1983, became the centerpiece of the community. It soon evolved into more than a mere venue, taking on important programmatic leadership, particularly in the areas of educational and cultural experiences, intercultural exchanges and cultural tourism.
Today, the Greenwood Cultural Center works to preserve African-American heritage and promote positive images of the African-American community by providing educational and cultural experiences, promoting intercultural exchange and encouraging cultural tourism.
322 N. Greenwood Ave. Tulsa, OK 74120
2022 Root®
All Rights Reserved


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Bronx Botanical Gardens
I took a trip up to what I suppose I should call the "New York Botanical Gardens" this Sunday, in the hopes of seeing some of the fall colors. It's a bit early yet for vibrant color there---although some of the maples are already flaming up in orange and red---but I'll bet that a couple more weeks will do it for the rest of 'em. One of the maples at the right, right along the Bronx River, is showing that wierd "flesh-colored," peachy-pale deviation.
Astonishing to me were the number of rose bushes still in bloom at this late date; it's clearly these plants' last huzzah before the winter, but still. I wanted to gather up some of the fallen rose petals to use for advieh, but the late blooming and the giant blossoms on some of the showier varietals made me think twice about how much pesticide I want to ingest.
It made me a little sad to realize that the fancy, award-winning roses had very little smell. If ever I were to breed roses, I'd be aiming for perfume and longevity; showy petal-bursts would be a very low priority. And if I wanted to maximize perfum, it seems that I would have to start with the much simpler, less tinkered-with, shrub rose varietals.
However, I have to admit that I also really liked the looks of the tomato-like rosehips on this here rosa rugosa. Fortunately, as a less refined varietal, the blossoms on this rose also smelled delicious.
One last note: the gardens have been infested by the glass sculptures of some workshop called "Chihuly." I would hope that the Chihuly workshop paid the garden a nice chunk of change to get them to alter their maps, signposts, and advertising to feature its products, but experience suggests that, instead, money might actually be moving towards the artistic concern. Ticket prices to the gardens for non-Bronx resident, non-student adults can be as little as $6, and they can be as high as $20---if you want to see silly glass sculptures under dramatic lighting. Alternatively, if you take a sharp right along the street in the valet parking lot across from Fordham, you can get into the grounds for free!


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Aland Islands tourist visa for Saint Helenians citizens
Aland Islands tourist visa
Visa Free
4 verified_user
Aland Islands tourist visa from Saint Helena
Aland Islands tourist visa is free for Saint Helenians citizens. You can also find useful tips from fellow travellers.
Schengen Visa
The Schengen Visa is a visa for the Schengen Area, which consists of most of the European Economic Area, plus several other adjacent countries. The visa allows visitors to stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. The visa is valid for tourism, family visits, and business. European Travel Information and Authorisation System or ETIAS is an electronic authorisation system of the European Union for visa-exempt visitors travelling to the European Union or the Schengen Area which is expected to enter into operation at the end of 2022.
How to apply for Aland Islands tourist visa from Saint Helena
Step 1 : Saint Helenians citizens can arrive at Aland Islands without a visa.
Step 2 : After arriving, Saint Helenians citizens can go to Aland Islands immigration counter.
Step 3 : Show travel document like Original Passport or National ID card of Saint Helena.
Step 4 : Once you get entry stamp, you can enter Aland Islands and stay for the duration on your stamping.
Aland Islands schengen visa requirements for Saint Helenians citizens
5 documents required for Aland Islands schengen visa
Health Document
Negative COVID-19 PCR test result required for all international travellers coming to Aland Islands. The negative PCR test must be issued with in 72 hours of before departure.
Vaccination Document
COVID-19 vaccination proof for travellers coming to Aland Islands. The last dose of vaccine must be taken atleast 14 ays before departure.
Original Passport or National ID card of Saint Helena with at least 6 months remaining validity on the date of travel and have at least 2 visa pages clear of any markings.
Travel itinerary
Travel itinerary (travel reservation to and from Saint Helena in your name, not a ticket) Embassy recommends not to purchase hotel and flight tickets until visa is approved. So don't risk your money, time and effort by buying actual tickets. Get best hotel and flight itinerary within minutes for any country visa.
Proof of Funds
Proof of enough money for your stay and to leave Aland Islands
Travel Medical Insurance
🏥 for Aland Islands
Save 88% internationally
💳 No ATM fees in Aland Islands
🎒 Aland Islands travel tips by fellow travellers
No one has added any tips. Do you want to help?
Aland Islands visa advice
Do saint helenians citizens need a visa to go to Aland Islands?
No, visa is not required for Saint Helenians citizens. You can get visa details, documents required, official website and other details for Aland Islands visa but if you still have question which are unanswered then you can discuss with the community
Frequently Asked Questions
Countries to travel near Aland Islands with Saint Helena passport
Disclaimer: The information in the site should be used as a guide only. You are advised to contact your local official mission/consulate/embassy and ensure you have the latest information. We take no responsibility.


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Zags 103 m³
4-axle tank wagon
- This tank wagon is designed for transportation of anhydrous ammonia UN1005 and liquefied hydrocarbons (LPG) as per tank code P29BH.
- The wagon is designed and built in according to RID and TSI regulations and corresponding EN / UIC standards. The wagon has TEN GE marking for traffic operation.
- The wagon is equipped with bottom valves unloading-loading fittings which are hydraulically controlled on both wagon sides from the track level.
- There are T-pipes and side oblique valves DN 80 fitted for the liquid and gaseous phase. Additionally on the gas phase is a reduction (DN 80/DN 50) as a standard.
- Tank inspection is possible due to access through a DN 500 manway with a cover according EN 12561-6 located on the one of head tank.
- Ready for assembly sunshield and change of tank code on P27BH.
- The lowest temperature at wich the tank can be filled is -40 °C.
- The possibility of using two types of brake blocks.
- Additional devices improving safety (option): anti-climbing systems, derailment detector device EDT101, second platform.
- Different loading and unloading equipment fitted on the tank can be adapted in accordance with customer requirements.
Note: The descriptions provided herein are for general information purposes only.
|Axle load
|22.5 t / axle
|Track gauge
|1,435 mm
|Loading gauge
|Brake regime
|Brake type
|Max. speed for 90.0 t
|100 km/h
|Max. speed (unloaded)
|120 km/h
|Climate condition
|Rmin (single wagon)
|35.0 m
|Length over buffers
|16,960 mm
|Effective volume
|Min. 103.0 m3
|Tank central slope
|Calculation pressure
|29 bar
|Tare weight
|~ 35.3 t (BA314)
|~ 54.7 t
|Bogie type


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…. In order to have comfortable relations with other countries, it is crucial for the state to have internal legitimacy, and democracy is the best tool with which to foster legitimacy ….
Read more » DAWN.COM
…. In order to have comfortable relations with other countries, it is crucial for the state to have internal legitimacy, and democracy is the best tool with which to foster legitimacy ….
Read more » DAWN.COM
Memo crisis adds pressure to US ties
By Reuters
WASHINGTON: A political crisis in Pakistan may threaten not only the future of President Asif Ali Zardari but also keep pressure on an already tense relationship with the United States as it seeks to stabilise neighbouring Afghanistan.
A scandal over a murky memo that warned the Pentagon of a possible military coup in Pakistan has highlighted historic tensions between the weak civilian government in Islamabad and the powerful military, whose help Washington needs to battle militants fueling violence in Afghanistan.
Pakistan's Supreme Court began hearings this week into who was behind the memo, keeping the spotlight on a controversy that has added even more strain to US-Pakistan relations. ….
There are also doubts in Washington about how much turbulence Pakistan's fragile democracy can withstand and whether courts can conduct a fair trial in a charged climate.
"The fact that the Supreme Court has now been involved gives (the memo matter) extra importance and legitimacy," said Shujaa Nawaz, a Pakistan scholar with the Atlantic Council.
Pakistan's top court is now moving ahead with the petition, filed by Nawaz Sharif, Zardari's chief opponent, raising questions about the political motivations for the case.
Bruce Riedel, a former CIA and White House official who chaired President Barack Obama's 2009 review of US policy on the region, said Sharif himself initiated a similar petition over a decade ago.
He recalled a 1999 meeting with Sharif's brother Shahbaz, who he said traveled to Washington to warn of what civilian officials at the time feared was a brewing military coup.
"It was an entire day spent at the Willard Hotel listening to Shahbaz talk about their fears that a military coup was coming and asking for American help to prevent it," he said.
"That's pretty much the charge (that) is being leveled against Ambassador Haqqani."
A coup did ultimately happen, in 1999, bringing General Pervez Musharraf to power until he resigned as president in August 2008.
Courtesy: DAWN.COM
By Saleem H Ali
What does it mean to be an Islamic state? Was there ever such an entity? Can modernity, as it pertains to developing a functional society in a globalised world, be realised within the context of a theocracy? These are fundamental questions which Pakistanis need to resolve, within this generation, in order for Pakistan to develop and reach its potential.
Pakistan shares the distinction, along with Israel, as being one of only two states to have been crafted, in the post-colonial worlds, on the basis of religion. In both cases enormous migrations were involved with questionable legitimacy for the migrants. The 'muhajir' identity continues to be perpetuated, as such, on this basis. The creation of both Israel and Pakistan present a perplexing paradox: Created on the basis of religion, their champions were largely secular individuals. The founders of Zionism as a political force, such as Israel's first prime minister, David Ben Gurion, were secular. So too were Pakistan's founders, most notably the Quaid-i-Azam. I would argue that Ben Gurion and Jinnah made a dangerous bargain when it came to conflating cultural identity on the basis of religious adherence.
Pakistan and Israel — two states which don't recognise each other diplomatically — are facing a similar radicalisation because of that initial crisis of identity which was never fully resolved. Theocratic forces are gaining power in both countries. …
Read more : The Express Tribune
The U.N. Security Council called for an international war crimes investigation into "widespread and systemic attacks" against Libyan citizens.
By EDWARD WYATT
The United Nations Security Council voted unanimously on Saturday night to impose sanctions on Libya's leader, Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi, and his inner circle of advisers, and called for an international war crimes investigation into "widespread and systemic attacks" against Libyan citizens who have protested against the government over the last two weeks.
The vote, only the second time the Security Council has referred a member state to the International Criminal Court, comes after a week of bloody crackdowns in Libya in which Colonel Qaddafi's security forces have fired on protesters, killing hundreds.
Also on Saturday, President Obama said that Colonel Qaddafi had lost the legitimacy to rule and should step down. His statement, which the White House said was made during a telephone call with Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, was the strongest yet from any American official against Colonel Qaddafi.
The Security Council resolution also imposes an arms embargo against Libya and an international travel ban on 16 Libyan leaders, and freezes the assets of Colonel Qaddafi and members of his family, including four sons and a daughter. Also included in the sanctions were measures against defense and intelligence officials who are believed to have played a role in the violence against civilians in Libya. …
Read more : The New York Times


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We have a home game against Pensacola High School. We will also be hosting Avalon Middle School students this evening. Call time for captains/models is 5:30pm, call time for everyone else is 6:00pm.
We will be performing at the Emerald Coast Classic Marching Competition at Choctawhatchee High School.
Call time for students is 11am (rehearsal in stadium).
First performance is at 5:00pm.
Second performance is at 8:45pm.
Our full itinerary for the day can be found here!
The schedule of performing bands can be found here!


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Weddings: E.N. Simmons
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(905) 528-3975
We are committed to facilitate wedding ceremonies for couples (religious or otherwise) seeking the wedding bond. This can be accomplished in our beautiful chapels or at a location provided by the bride and groom. This is your special day. We encourage you to choose or create a ceremony that best reflects your own feelings and tastes. Our wedding planners can assist couples with all aspects of the ceremony.
View our policies.


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7 Things You'll Love About the Think Tank Modular Belt System V3.0 for Photographers
Ardent photographers all have at least one thing in common: we all need a way to carry our gear. Think Tank Photo offers a very wide variety of carry solutions, including one category you may have overlooked.
When we think of camera bags, we usually think of shoulder bags, photo backpacks and sling-type packs. These are all good options, to be sure, but they can take a toll on you physically if you are out and about for hours at a time.
I've always been fond of waist-belt systems—you know, like a Batman utility belt on PEDs. By their very nature they shift the weight from your shoulder or neck to a location closer to your center of gravity—i.e., your waist. The laws of physics take over from there to balance the load and preserve the spring in your step.
One strike against belt systems is that it's necessary to remove them when you jump into a car, even as a passenger. So if you're street shooting in a big city, it's impractical to hail a taxi. Or take seat on the subway. Bicycles are okay, though. Horses, I'm not sure.
Another negative—some folks think wearing a belt-load of camera equipment makes them look weird. That's a matter of personal opinion. Some other people probably think a belt makes them look professional. To each his own. Personally, I put comfort over vanity any day.
Think Tank Photo is a highly regarded manufacturer of every imaginable type of camera conveyance, including the TurnStyle V2.0 Sling Bag which I reviewed here back in September of 2017. And they have been perfecting their Modular Belt System, now on version 3.0, for years. In fact, it's the product line that attracted me to Think Tank oh so many years ago when I first met founder Doug Murdoch at a trade show.
Here are seven (7) reasons why I think you'll love the new Think Tank Modular Belt System V3.0.
1. Comfort Plus Access
Like many people, I suffer from DDD, Degenerative Disc Disease. It's not a big scary thing, and in fact probably should not even be labeled a disease because an estimated 40% of all Americans over 40 are afflicted. But it can be painful—even debilitating at times—and carrying a heavy cargo of cameras can aggravate it.
A Modular Belt System shifts the bulk of the weight to your midsection, near your center of balance. The difference can be remarkable. For additional support, Think Tank offers suspender-like shoulder rig, the Pixel Racing Harness V3.0 ($42.75), which distributes a bit of the weight to your neck, back and shoulders.
By spacing your lenses, flash, et cetera around your waist, your gear is instantly accessible. Reaching for a lens becomes as natural and automatic as reaching into your pocket for your car keys. There's no need to set down a shoulder bag to dig for a flash unit. No need to remove a backpack to change lenses. Belt systems are comfortable, and you do not have to sacrifice accessibility.
2. High Quality Materials and Superb Construction
The Modular Belt System is constructed of 600D polyester and 300D diamond weave polyester stitched with three-ply bonded nylon thread. Interior portion is made of 200D polyester and durable closed-cell foam similarly stitched. The included waterproof rain covers are double coated with polyurethane. Everything is first class.
3. Photographer-minded Engineering
In addition to the aforementioned founder, chief designer and CEO Doug Murdoch, Think Tank Photo was established by Mike Sturm (senior designer), Pulitzer Prize winning photographer Deanne Fitzmaurice and photographer Kurt Rogers. They have been there, done that, and remember the lessons learned. For amateurs and professionals alike, it's reassuring to know that the carry solution you've adopted for your camera system was created by someone who actually needed that solution themselves.
4. More Than a Dozen Accessories
You can buy pouches, bags and pockets to fit any type of equipment imaginable. Download their 68-page catalog here. If you buy the Think Tank Modular Belt System V3.0 in the Essential Set kit you get five pieces: Lens Changer 50 V3.0, Lens Changer 75 Pop Down V3.0, R U Thirsty? Water bottle holder, one Speed Changer V3.0 and of course seam-sealed rain covers.
Note that the Essential Set does not include a belt. The Pro Speed Belt V3.0 is $41.75. Alternatively, you can order a Thin Skin Belt for $31.75. Both come in three sizes, S-M, M-L and L-XL and cover waist circumferences 27 through 48-inches.
The Think Tank Modular Belt System V3.0 Essential Set can carry wide angle and standard professional zoom lenses—70-200mm f/2.8 or Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 with the lens hood reversed or in position, Canon 580EXII or Nikon SB900 with an external battery pack and diffuser attached, gripped camera body (lens not attached), small telephoto lenses, teleconverters, RF Transceivers, or pro batteries. Etc.
5. 20% Savings
By purchasing the Think Tank Modular Belt System V3.0 in the Essential Set configuration at $131.25 you save 20% compared to the regular price of each component.
6. Backward Compatibility
If you own any parts of earlier model Think Tank belt systems, you can use them in conjunction with the new version 3.0 setup. It is truly a modular system and can grow as necessary now and in the future.
7. No-BS Warranty
Although the official warranty includes the language required by the FTC, the essence of Think Tank's USA Limited Warranty is summed up in this quote from their website:
"To the original owner, we guarantee and warrant our products against any defects in material or workmanship for as for long as you use the product. If you have any problems with the product, please contact us for return authorization at email@example.com before sending the product to us."
If you sometimes suffer from back pain after toting a camera and lens collection for a few hours, a belt system should definitely be on your radar. If you are as strong as a bull and never considered using a belt system for its comfort qualities, you can still benefit from having your equipment literally at your fingertips, protected and secure.
On the downside, it's difficult to travel in stealth mode when wearing a fully loaded belt system, and in most instances, a belt rig cannot be worn when sitting.
On balance, the advantages outweigh the drawbacks for most people.
—Jon Sienkiewicz


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"Visit the Historic Sites - MARS" is part of the JPL Visions of the Future Posters program to inspire the next generation of explorers with art and messages that enhance awareness of the human/space connection. Background A creative team of visual strategists at JPL, known as "The Studio," created the poster series, which is titled "Visions of the Future."A true classic, this comfy, cozy zip-up is the definition of an all-arounder. Wear it alone as a light outer layer, or throw it on under a jacket: there's no wrong way to sport this fuzzy, warm hoodie from American Apparel.
- Brand: American Apparel
- 50% cotton/50% polyester | Fabric weight: 8.2 oz (midweight)
- Super soft fleece is combed on the outside and curly on the inside
- Adjustable drawstring hoodie, kangaroo pocket, ribbed cuffs and waist
- PLEASE NOTE: order a size smaller for a more snug fit
- Imported; processed and printed in the U.S.A.
slimmer fit
|23.46 in
|15.98 in
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|23.74 in
|16.97 in
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Welcome to my Christmas house tour! Seeing as today was our first family "Christmas dinner" in our new home (Jonathan's side of the family came to visit for their annual get-together), the house was all decked out in festive decor. So I decided to show you all how we decorated for Christmas this year! I hope you enjoy!
Our main Christmas tree (in the hall). All the decorations are from B&Q. I went with a gold & white theme!
Our hall table - this is actually a poinsettia from LAST year that Jonathan has still managed to keep alive! It even lasted the big move to the UK! Next to that I have a wreath (same one that's on the front door) from B&Q with some candle jars in the middle. The candle burning is "Pantry Spice" from Yankee Candle's Simply Home range.
My little tree lantern which I love so much! I decorated it with pearl battery operated lights from B&Q.
Our living room complete with a (fake) children's tree! It features lots of personal decorations and things that the kids have made!
Mince pies cushion from B&Q
Little Christmas lantern I got forever ago. (Can't remember where!)
Our kitchen table. Getting ready to serve dinner! Can you spot Eduardo?!
Centrepiece on the kitchen table
Little lanterns in a crate. I got the wooden crate free with a shipment of Vita Coco, the vase & heart candle-holder are from Homebase and the star lantern is from Ikea.
I hope you guys liked this peek inside our home at Christmas! Hope you're all having a lovely weekend.


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House Ethics: Jean Schmidt took improper $500K gift but not guilty of violation
GOP Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-Ohio) did improperly accept hundreds of thousands of dollars in free legal help in a long-running campaign case but "did not knowingly" violate House ethics rules on accepting an improper gift, the Ethics Committee announced today.
Schmidt will have to repay the $500,000 and revise her financial disclosure forms for the past several years to reflect the improper gift, the Ethics Committee declared. Schmidt can use campaign funds, if approved by the Federal Election Commission, or a legal-defense fund, which has been approved but never formally created, or pay from her own pocket. In the meantime, Schmidt will have to carry this debt as a liability on her disclosure forms.
The Office of Congressional Ethics, after its own probe, referred the Schmidt case to the Ethics Committee in May. OCE can review cases and make recommendations for action, but it cannot impose sanctions on any lawmaker.
The convoluted Schmidt case goes back to 2008 when a challenger claimed that Schmidt got a $30,000 bribe from the Turkish government to help suppress Armenian genocide claims going back to World War I. Schmidt filed several complaints against David Krikorian at the state level, and the two waged a legal battle in state and federal courts.
Schmidt sought advice from the Ethics Committee in 2009 about accepting legal services from the Turkish American Legal Defense Fund. Schmidt eventually got permission to set up a legal defense fund to pay her lawyer bills, but a related entity — the Turkish Coalition of America — was secretly paying Schmidt's fees.
OCE looked into the matter and referred a case in May to the Ethics Committee as a potential rules violation by Schmidt.
"The committee's review of the matter indicated that Rep. Schmidt did, in fact,
receive an impermissible gift from TCA [Turkish Coalition of America] as OCE has alleged, and therefore, the committee did not dismiss the OCE matter," the Ethics Committee said in a Friday statement.
"However, the committee has found that Rep. Schmidt's lawyers failed to inform her of their payment arrangement with TCA, and made false and misleading statements to her about their relationship with TCA and TALDF. Because Rep. Schmidt did not know she was receiving a gift from TCA, the committee has determined that no sanction is appropriate in this case."
The Ethics Committee added: "However, the gift was impermissible, and Rep. Schmidt must now disclose and repay the gift. Rep. Schmidt has worked in good faith with the Committee since September 2009 to determine the appropriate ways to pay her lawyers.
Through a letter to Rep. Schmidt issued contemporaneously with the committee's report, the committee has given her guidance on how to appropriately repay the bills which were paid by TCA. In sum, Rep. Schmidt must: 1) ensure that TCA does not pay for any further legal services on her behalf; 2) pay from a permissible source the lawyers associated with T ALDF for all legal services they performed to date; 3) amend her 2009 and 2010 financial disclosure statements to disclose the gifts from TCA; and 4) disclose any unpaid legal fees from TCA as liabilities on her future financial disclosure statements, until the lawyers associated with TALDF have been repaid in full. This remedy requires any attorney who was actually paid with TCA funds to first agree that they will repay the fees TCA originally paid to them."


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Hello, I'm Skye Lee!
I started this blog in 2013 to document my journey from skinny fatty to strong & healthy.
Previous to discovering this little thing called "the Gym", I spent most of my life as an anti-exercise advocate and my family and friends knew me as a serial Take-Out Queen!
Yep, initially I couldn't believe that people actually paid good money to sweat, groan and lift pieces of metal while admiring themselves in front of a mirror.
So what changed?
Have you seen the difference between a typical marathon runner and a sprinter? As soon as I realised I was running in circles looking more and more like a skeleton, I got myself a gym membership and quickly progressed from hopeless cardio bunny to squatting serious kg's in the big boys' section.
6 fitness model competitions later, I'm now addicted to the point where I've completed my Cert III & IV in Fitness and hell bent on spreading the wellness gospel to inspire others to get healthy!
Join me for the ride and hopefully you can also pick up some helpful tips to assist in your own fitness goals.
Here's to trials and tribulations as I bumble my way through the world of sports modelling competitions, building my ass one painful rep at a time!


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Nuts & Bolts 39
Sd.Kfz.6 : 5-ton Zugkraftwagen Büssing-NAG and variants
This latest book in the N&B series covers the Sd.Kfz.6 and includes the 6/1 and the 6/2 versions. The '6' has been much ignored in favour of the more famous Sd.Kfz.7, and is actually more common than readers might suspect, as it is often mistaken in photos for the '7' halftrack series. The Sd.Kfz.6 began life in the 1930's, as a series of production types which gradually evolved into the more familiar version which saw service in WW2, with a set of seven wheel positions behind the sprocket, having risen from four and then five sets of wheels on the earlier production types. The Sd.Kfz.6 was the 'Engineer' version, with seats for troops but no large stowage box. In contrast, the Sd.Kfz.6/1 was the 'Artillery' version, with one fewer rows of seats, but a large ammunition locker at the rear, able to take the rounds for the 10.5cm leFH 18 gun, but adaptable for 15cm ammunition types. The Sd.Kfz.6/2 was the flak version, carrying a 37mm Flak 36. The book also covers the 'Diana' and some prototype vehicles. As the war progressed, the Sd.Kfz.6 series found its tasks could be covered by the Sd.Kfz.11 and the Sd.Kfz.7 types, and production of the '6' ended in 1943, with many vehicles serving until the end of hostilities
The layout of this bilingual English/German book is much the same as previous volumes in the series, with the first 30 pages covering the design and production of the vehicles, plus their use in Wehrmacht units. This section is extremely clear and very well illustrated. The next section is nearly 100 pages packed with photos, with clear captions. In a few cases, the translation to English is not perfect, and reference to the German text makes it clearer. To illustrate this point, on page 49 a caption states "Notable are the crank on the left door of the stowage box, and the splash guards." The crank refers to the locking handle, and the splash guards are the mud-flaps. The use of the incorrect terms had me looking for other things in the photos. While this is not a serious problem, it is a tiny niggle in an otherwise outstanding publication.
The next 26 pages are full of plans which cover all of the versions of the vehicle in full detail, and will be a great asset to anyone making the halftrack in 1/35 scale. The plans match closely with those on the Panzer Tracts book, and are a superb memorial to the late John Rue. After the plans come six pages of colour profiles, illustrating the paintwork and colouring of vehicles shown in b&w photos. In my estimation, the colours look spot-on. After two pages illustrating the markings and insignia, the next 50 or so pages show details on three restored vehicles, all of them being 'Engineer' versions. This photographic record is particularly useful for anyone wanting to super-detail their model.
The last 15 pages illustrate 1/35 models by Tony Greenland and Vinnie Brannigan. These are excellent reference points for modellers. A caveat, noted in the text, is that the ammo stowage on one model is pure conjecture – the stowage boxes were in reality open to allow the vehicle to be loaded up with the separate projectiles and cartridge cases of the artillery piece being towed.
The Sd.Kfz.6 is suddenly being better covered, with the recent Panzer Tracts 22-3 for the technical coverage, Alan Ranger's book for photographic coverage, and this Nuts and Bolts book which covers every angle. This book from N&B is simply stunning, minor translations aside, and it is certainly worth every penny of £25. Available from Historex Agents in the UK, this book is very highly recommended.
Chris Lloyd-Staples