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Before understanding the application of the displacement sensor in the pre-test, you must first understand what is the prestress, pre-tensioning these two concepts, only to clarify the two concepts to understand why the prestress test to use the displacement sensor.
Prestress concept:
Application of Linear Displacement Sensor / Electronic Scale in Prestressing Test
The prestress is the abbreviation of the pre-stress, and the stress is applied to the area under the external load before the structure is subjected to the external load to improve the performance of the structure. Pre-stress can be used to resist the tensile strength or bending moment of the structure, but also with the pre-tensile stress to withstand the compressive stress of the structure. Good use of prestressing principle and technology, it is possible to improve the structural performance and improve the structure of the carrying capacity of the effect.
Prestressed tension concept:
Prestress tension is in advance in the component pulling force, so that the application of prestressed tensile members to bear the tensile stress, and then to produce a certain deformation, to deal with the steel structure itself by the load.
Test schematic diagram
The role of prestressed tension:
Before the engineering structural members are subjected to external loads, the prestressing force is applied to the strands in the tensioned module to improve the bending resistance and rigidity of the members, delay the occurrence of cracks and increase the durability of the members. For the mechanical structure, its meaning is to produce stress in advance, the advantage is to improve the rigidity of the structure itself, reduce vibration and elastic deformation, this can significantly improve the tensile strength of the tensile module, so that the original resistance stronger.
Because of the traditional prestressing tensioning operation, there is a large error in tension control, large measurement error, unpredictable value, low synchronization rate at both ends, double control of tension and lack of reliable process control and effective Detection and evaluation methods and other shortcomings, so it was gradually intelligent, CNC tension technology replaced.
Modern pre-stress programmable (intelligent, CNC) tensioning technology is based on computer intelligence and sensor technology-based automated measurement and control technology to achieve tension control of the automatic operation. The modern program-controlled tensioning system consists of program-controlled host and job front. The front end of the operation includes measurement and control circuit, oil pump, jack, sensor and other components. As shown below:
Prestressed tensioning program control system works:
The system host is composed of industrial tablet computer and special software system. The host wirelessly controls one or more monitoring and control front ends according to the preset tension parameters. The front end according to the host command through the variable frequency output stepless speed control oil pump motor, while monitoring the working pressure of the jack and the elongation of the strand to the host. The host according to the feedback data to calculate the next instruction to continue the remote control front, thus forming closed-loop control.
Prestressed tension control system to tension as the main control index, the amount of elongation as a secondary control indicators, the real tension and elongation of the double control to ensure that both ends of the tension in the whole process of tension and elongation of high degree of synchronization The Synchronization difference strictly controlled in the 2011 version of "Highway Bridge Construction Technical Specifications" within the scope of the provisions.
In the pre-tension test process, the instrument can control the amount of oil back to achieve precise control of the release pressure, to achieve the process of relaxation pressure, the rate of control can be controlled. Through the accurate release to the initial stress to measure the clip retraction value and the jack part of the inner part of the elastic deformation of the strand, so as to obtain the effective elongation of the strand after the elongation. Tensile program control system is not modified on the jack, the measurement system by the external ultrasonic measurement sensor to achieve, you can directly measure the length of the strand changes, through real-time high-frequency monitoring of elongation, pressure, can be tension - curve Real-time reflect the different tension under the strand value, you can directly read out the retraction value.


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Strong identities are rewarded in retail: during this year's RetailDetail Night, brands that clearly distinguished themselves were celebrated and praised, as many retailers tried to overcome this difficult year by making a difference.
Key-note Colruyt
Jef Colruyt, CEO of the eponymous retailer, also had identity as a centre piece of his key-note speech. In the DNA of Belgium's biggest supermarket group the main building block is optimism, and that has several different consequences. Optimism drives the company's desire towards being carbon-neutral by 2030, but it also fuels the belief that every one of its 29,900 employees is a brand ambassador.
Especially in these times of social media and fake news, the CEO thinks it is important to know who you are and where you come from: this also helps with the choices that the company makes. Being people-focused means that Colruyt wants to ensure a good environment and society, while the retail group, due to its idiosyncratic and rational character, stays away from copying others.
Award winners standing out
During the evening, four companies saw their year rewarded with a special prize. Dutch Kruidvat is the first ever winner of the award Favourite store of the Belgians, the new non-commercial consumer award for which Belgians voted en masse. Fashion chain ZEB won the new Customer Centricity Award, rewarding the smart use of data. This year's best flyer was Casa's, which - according to the jury - is increasingly focusing on content and inspiration. Jef Colruyt, finally, is the winner of the retail Captain of the Year.
Retail professor Gino Van Ossel gave his own summary of the Retail Year, featuring the start of "Buy one, get two for free" campaigns and a further move to continuous discounts. The customers are starting to expect discounts at any moment of the year - possibly the retailers are at fault here as well. Retail chains themselves are also often sold for discount prices, the professor notes.
Van Ossel recommends that, above all, you continue to invest. He wishes the sector three things for a successful 2020: great customers, lots of creativity, and an insane amount of energy. RetailDetail is already taking this advice to heart with the opening of a brand new live retail lab in Antwerp: retailers, brands and consumers will be able to discover the future for themselves on 5,500 sqm of inspiration at Foster and Retailhub 2.0.

subset: commoncrawl


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Yesterday, I went to trial for a client referred to our firm by Brevard Legal Aid. Since the client came do us from legal aid, he hired our firm on a "pure contingency fee" basis which means if we did not win his case we would not get paid at all and if we won we would seek a court ordered fee to be paid by the losing bank.
every month. According to the client he sent Bank of America every document they asked for. Then in the twenty fifth month, they sent his check back and refused to accept his payments. At trial, I put the client on the stand, and put copies of all twenty four checks into evidence. It appeared that Bank of America never said Yes or No and rather than make up their mind they just elected to stop taking his payments. Bank of America waited years from the time they stopped taking his payments to file a foreclosure action. Along the way, the original note was lost.
At trial, the new servicer Nationstar alleged that Bank of America lost the note. In a lost note case, the Plaintiff must show that the entity who lost the note was entitled to enforce the note at the time the note was lost. While Bank of America was the original lender on the loan, Bank of America sold the loan to a securitized trust shortly after the loan was made. An assignment of mortgage from Bank of America to the securitized trust was executed in 2012, this showed that Bank of America lost the right to enforce the note and mortgage in 2012. At trial documents obtained in discovery including a bailee letter, showed that Bank of America was still in possession of the note as late as 2013 at a time when Bank of America did not own the loan and has assigned the right to enforce this mortgage. After the Plaintiff rested the Court found for the Defendant that the Plaintiff Bank failed to prove an element of their case.
Our client who was laid off from his job, did battle with three huge financial institutions, each worth billions of dollars, that hired enormous law firms to take his home away. Bear Bryant once said "It's not the size of the dog in the fight; it's the size of the fight in the dog." We work our cases very hard, even for our clients who don't pay us. If we can't get you a great loan modification and if it is in your best interest we will take your case to trial. If you want a law firm that has your back and will defend your foreclosure with passion, come see us.


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The University was surprised last week to see reports of large discrepancies in ATAR cut-offs, and the admissions rank used by universities to make offers to students writes Professor Andrew Parfitt.
The University was surprised last week to see reports of large discrepancies in ATAR cut-offs, and the admissions rank used by universities to make offers to students writes Professor Andrew Parfitt.
University of Newcastle student Rhea Barnett's new found love of physics is taking her all the way to Antarctica.
The team will be walking 50 kilometres of the Great Wall of China in the University's 50th year in an attempt to raise over $50,000 for the University's 'Shaping Futures Scholarships' which help support UON students facing hardship or challenges.
For those who are keen to get a little exercise, parkrun Australia will be launching a new 5km run on the UON Callaghan Campus on Saturday, 15 August. The weekly runs are free (but the organisers would like you to register), timed events which are open to everyone. Here's the map of the new Callaghan […]
In an historic occasion for the University of Newcastle, the President of Tanzania Dr Jakaya Kikwete was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws making him the first head of state to receive the honour. In the audience were three Tanzanian students currently undertaking PhD research at the University in the areas of education and politics.
Professor Sanson-Fisher has been selected as a Eureka Prize 2015 finalist in the category of 'Outstanding Mentor of Young Researchers'.
On Mainau Island we were treated to a beautiful summer picnic, and panel discussion on education in science and most importantly, we witnessed 36 Nobel Laureates signing the 2015 Mainau declaration on Climate Change, led by Australian Nobel Laureate Brian Schmidt.
The University of Newcastle is celebrating the achievements of 460 UON students and 48 TAFE students at our Central Coast campus with our 26th Central Coast graduation ceremony. Additionally, around 50 students will receive Certificates of Attainment from the English Language and Foundation Studies Centre (ELFS). Students at our Central Coast campus will graduate over the next two days, 2 and […]
Emma Beckett is a PhD Candidate in Food Science at the Human Molecular Nutrition Laboratory, School of Environmental and Life Sciences at the University of Newcastle at our Ourimbah campus. She is in Lindau, Germany, to attend the 65th Lindau Nobel Laureates meeting and this is part three of her blog. Today I found out […]
Joachim Gauck, the German President gave a wonderful multi-faceted speech. He noted that the general public know more about the Star Wars Movies than they do about the current state of science and this we must change.
Emma Beckett, PhD Candidate in Food Science at UON, is currently in Lindau, Germany meeting Nobel Laureates at the 65th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting. Follow her week in words and pics.
"Entrepreneurs like Elon Musk are working on getting us up there (into space), but I can work on the stuff we want to put up there."
If 'diet and exercise' was so easy, we'd all do it and we'd all be fit and fabulous. Obviously, there's a significant psychological element to be dealt with.
UON Central Coast PhD student Andrew Novak is doing just that with his research within the Exercise and Sport Science department at the University's Ourimbah campus. "I'm looking at the physiology and skill components of Olympic distance and cross country mountain biking and how this differs from traditional road and track cycling." Originally from Narrabri, […]
Tune in to NBN news this week where the talented researchers from HMRI will be sharing insights into their research.
"There has been no new contraceptive introduced since the 1960s. Not one pharmaceutical company has an R&D program in contraception. They will sell the contraceptives they have, tinker with the pharmacology, but there's nothing new."
Scientists have made an important step towards understanding how volcanic eruptions happen, after identifying a previously unrecognised potential trigger.
The Simpsons family have been sharing our lounge rooms for 26 years. Now two Australian graphic artists have received a turn on the couch when their "fan art" version of the The Simpsons introduction sequence screened as the opening of episode 14, season 26, My Fare Lady.
The University of Newcastle achieved groundbreaking successes in 2014. Here are some of our highlights.
Australian universities are in a race to build their reputation in research. But what is the destination?


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An Italian tailor, here in this topic is in context to the tailor that gets the suits of men stitched when they are provided with the materials and the idea of what design they would prefer to have in their suit for that matter. There are a lot of reasons because of which people do not really like to have this suit that they are getting stitched by the Italian tailor, to be bought off the rack or being stitched by just any tailor that the man could see nearby his home.
An Italian tailor Sydney is well trained and specialized in the job that he performs, he takes the perfect measurement of his clients and makes sur that they get the perfect fitting clothes while they are busy with their own schedules after they have told the tailor all about the kind of suit that they are expecting out of the customized area. they give their personal measurements and tell the tailor areas that they want perfect fitting at so that they can show off their bodies too for that matter. It is important that people enjoy what they wear and Italian tailors make sur that the people are happy with the results that come up when the suit has been stitched and is being presented to them at the last date when it was due.
One of the major reasons why people get the suits stitched by the Italian tailors is because of the fact that these tailors are just so professional and they make sure that the suit does not look baggy at all. The suit that they stitch would always give away the best vibes and people would just fall in love at the very first glance that they have of the suit for that matter too. It is because they have been in business for so long and many companies all around the world, also have hired many Italian tailors so that their suits look very fit and happening just like they make them for the people that have them stitched customized for that matter now.
The biggest reason as to why many people prefer having the Italian tailor stitch their suits is that although many people have this thinking that the money and effort and time that is spent in all of this, could be put to better use, but in the whole process one gets to know about the thing that is the most important and that is the satisfaction that the people have knowing that they had chosen the best quality material to be used and all in all, the suit was stitched to be of a rather less value compared to the suit that is ready made, to be very honest.


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Various Artists - SCORE! 20 Years of Merge Records: THE REMIXES! (new album / stream / videos)
Various Artists
SCORE! 20 Years of Merge Records: THE REMIXES!
Releasing: 17 November
This, the latest addition to the Merge Records 20-year celebration (the covers album came out in April), doesn't come out until November 17th, but the entire album is available to stream from the Merge website right now. The stream is only up for a limited time, but when it dries up you can check out a ton of Merge XX video over at Converse and Babelgum.
01 Kalgon (Polvo) by Caribou
02 Mother of Pearl (Pram) by Barbara Morgenstern
03 Baby's Way Cruel (Guv'ner) by Four Tet
04 Drill Me (I Was So There Remix) (Portastatic) by The Blow
05 The Ghost of You Lingers (Spoon) by John McEntire
06 No Cars Go (Arcade Fire) by Jason Forrest
07 Volcana! (I Hope Your Train Crashes Remix) (The 6ths) by Xiu Xiu
08 Bow to the Middle (The Rosebuds) by +/-
09 Irene (Caribou) by Hands Off Cuba
10 Washington, D.C. (The Magnetic Fields) by Mark Robinson
11 Nashville Parent (Lambchop) by Junior Boys


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We have been posted to Washington, IL for full-time tornado recovery efforts. We will be at the donation center located at Countryside Banquet facility (659 School St.). We are asking that those who want to sign up to help go through the Washington Chamber of Commerce. Thanks!
An udate.
- Posted in Uncategorized
- Tagged american red cross, AmeriCorps, Chamber of commerce, community, disaster, emergency, emergency shelter, help, Illinois, information, midwest, Natalie, Peoria, peoria illinois, PeoriaCorps, red cross, service, service work, shelter, volunteer, volunteering, washington, Washington Illinois
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Volcán Tacaná Biosphere Reserve
Natural Areas > Chiapas
Capture it
Located northwest of the city of Tapachula. El Tacaná or "House of Fire" is an active volcano that is 4,093 meters high, making it the highest summit in the State of Chiapas and throughout southeastern Mexico. It has an area of 6,378 hectares, spanning the municipalities of Tapachula, Cacahoatan and Unión Juárez.It is the habitat of numerous species of flora and fauna, which lead to it being declared a Biosphere Reserve in January 2003.
It is inhabited by cloud forests, and tropical páramo and chusquea ecosystems. The lower area has a high mountain ecosystem, as the land rises it becomes a mountainous system and then a cloud forest. The flora includes pines, oaks and conifers. Among the endemic species are frailejones and orchids.
Some animals found in the area are: ocelot, collared boar, deer goat, great curassow, emerald toucanet, quetzal, peacock and crested eagle.
Its geographical structure makes it a great place for mountaineering enthusiasts, although it is recommended to climb with a guide who knows the area.
Click on an activity and view the specialized operators that provide it:Hiking
Flora and Fauna


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Basically, ideas for winter family getaways fall into two types: embrace the snow or run away from it. Whether it be skiing, snowshoeing or sitting by the beach with a good book, it all comes down to preference — and region of choice.
Winter Vacation Ideas in the Northeast U.S.
If the idea of a snowy getaway makes you think warm fuzzy thoughts, then the Northeast U.S.A during the winter is definitely the place to go. Some ideas for making the best of winter include"
Smuggler's Notch, VT
Some of the features of Smuggler's Notch in Vermont include: a nursery, kids programs, two teen centers, ski camps ages 3 and up; family package covers lessons for kids and for adult first-timers; x-country and snowshoe trails, indoor FunZone, evening entertainment, tube sliding, ice skating, hot cocoa by the bonfire, and lots more.
Mount Washington Hotel, NH
This National Historic Landmark is partners with Bretton Woods, NH's largest ski resort. Alpine and x-country skiing, 'boarding, ice skating, family sleigh rides, dogsledding and much more.
Ten New England Family Resorts
Most resorts on this list are open for winter fun. Open year-round, and some make winter vacations a specialty.
Rocking Horse Ranch, NY
With over 500 acres in the Shawangunk Mountains, Rocking Horse Ranch has a long list of activities — all included, as are meals. Snow tubing and skiing in the Winter Fun Park, ice skating, horse-drawn sleigh rides to name a few activities.
More New York State Winter Vacations
Think family resorts, classy places that welcome families, B&B's and more.
Numerous Places in Pennsylvania
- Poconos Great Wolf Lodge
This lodge is rustic chic, has an Aveda spa, and its own indoor water park with a water roller coaster, wave pool and more. Signature features at Great Wolf Lodges include Grand Lobby with animated Clock Tower, and nightly story time; all-suite guests rooms; Cub Club activities; "Snowland" in December.
- Nemacolin Woodlands: Year- around upscale resort with 2400 acres; downhill and x-country skiing.
- More Pennsylvania Family-Friendly Resorts: How about a Dutch Colonial stone lodge on 5500acres?
Winter Vacation Ideas: Hawaii
Hawaii is a magnet for families and is pulling them from farther and farther east these days, with more direct flights. Don't expect to find the all-inclusive of the Caribbean, though. Instead, set your sights on: luxury resorts with special programs and features for kids; Waikiki (busy, yes, but lots of fun); or go the condo-rental route that is so popular with families. Some starter suggestions include:
Oahu: Waikiki Beach: Many family-friendly hotels including suites and affordable choices; sheltered beach; surf lessons for kids; base camp for fun outings.
Maui: Ka'anapali Beach Hotel: Wonderful location on Kaanapali Beach, one of Hawaii's best; prides itself on its (complimentary) Hawaiian cultural activities; good price point.
The Big Island: Hilton Waikoloa Village: With 65 acres on the Kohala Coast, the Hilton Waikoloa Village has pools galore, waterfalls, grottos, slides; salt-water lagoon with water toys and snorkeling (-sea turtles swim in); and — a novelty kids love — a monorail and canal-boats to get around the large grounds.
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa: 50 acres, in the southeast of the Garden Island; known for its landscaped pools, ponds, lagoons. (See Top Things to do on Kauai.)
Head to lots more Hawaii Resorts.
Mexico: Mayan Riviera, Cancun, and More
All inclusive resorts are always a popular choice for family getaways in Mexico. From fun daily activities offered on site, all you can eat buffets and nightly shows, there is something for everyone. Here are several hotspots to consider:
Cancun: On the Caribbean east coast of Mexico; giant Hotel Zone; Mayan Riviera attractions are within day-trip distance.
Mayan Riviera: Many all-inclusive sit on this southern part of Cancun; plus Mayan ruins, coral reef, snorkeling lagoons, and Xcaret and other eco-theme parks. To highlight a few choices:
- Avalon Reef Club: near busy Cancun but on its own private islet on laid-back Isla Mujeres; gentle beaches, near a friendly town.
- The Xpu Ha Palace: an hour south of Cancun; tropical grounds in style of an "eco-park"; thatched-roof bungalows; snorkeling in a cove; two zero-entry pools.
- Iberostar Playa Paraiso: giant five-resort complex 30 minutes south of Cancun. Tropical setting with birds, iguanas, even monkeys; pool complex with lazy river, wave pool, kids' pool; the latest resort is highest in luxury.
Los Cabos: On the Baja California peninsula, on the west side of Mexico, is another area for all-inclusive. Los Cabos ("The Capes") has year-round warm weather, white sand beaches, good snorkeling beaches, nearby coral reef. Activities include horse riding and sightseeing in the artists' town of Todos Santos.
Riviera Nayarit: This area north of Puerto Vallarta includes all inclusive and other resorts on 68-km Banderas Bay and some top luxury properties in Punta Mita just north of the Bay. The beaches in the Riviera Nayarit have a gentle slope and great sand for walking. Young kids can wade and swim in the shallow waters. More: Best Places to go in Mexico, for Families
Winter Vacations in the Caribbean
The Caribbean has some terrific all-inclusive resorts that cater specifically to families, with well-developed kids programs and many special activities. A few suggestions:
Dominican Republic: Club Med Punta Cana: Amazing kids' programs, for many age groups; The Ramp, for teens; trapeze and many activities.
Jamaica: Franklyn D. Resort: "All-inclusive" here includes a friendly "vacation nanny" for each family. Large suites; friendly ambiance.
Beaches Resorts: These popular family all-inclusive frequently sell out. Nurseries; kids programs for many age groups; watersports including daily scuba; Sesame Street characters and themed activities; Single Parent months. Turks & Caicos is a flagship property.
Jamaica: Breezes Trelawny Resort: This value-priced resort has mini golf, trapeze, rock climbing, kiddie pool with slide, novelty pools; kids club and nursery.
US Virgin Islands: Maho Bay Camps: Something different, at the doorstep of the USVI National Park; white sand beaches, and lodging in comfortable tent-cottages.
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is surely the globe's biggest draw for families, with Disney World's four theme parks, two waterparks, and thirteen resorts; Universal Orlando's two theme parks and three resorts; plus other parks and attractions all agglomerated in this once-sleepy acreage in mid-Florida.
The winter months — after the holiday season and before Spring Break — can be a good time to visit, especially with young kids: these weeks are among the least crowded in the parks. The theme parks won't be open late, and you'll find fewer parades and special events; but with young kids, the shorter hours may not matter much.
Top Things to Do in Orlando: Suggestions include Universal Studios' Seuss Landing for families with tots and SeaWorld's Discovery Cove
Orlando: Mardi Gras at Universal Studios Orlando: On 30 nights, from February until April; parade, costumes, theme cuisine.
Nickelodeon Family Suites by Holiday Inn: Of course there's no law that you visit a theme park in Orlando; and at this resort, your kids just might want to stay all day on the premises. The new Nickelodeon Family Suites by Holiday Inn — a.k.a. "NickHotel" — is in a class of its own: two water parks; and theme, pool games, and evening entertainment by Nickelodeon.
Heartland, Southwest, Utah, Colorado, California
Though snow may cover most of these areas, you can find many indoor parks to suit your needs for warmth, or take advantage of ski hills and ranches to enjoy the great outdoors. Check out these suggestions for the Heartland, Southwest, Utah, Colorado, California:
WI: Wisconsin Dells Indoor Water Parks: This town invented a whole winter vacation season for itself, with the world's highest concentration of resorts with indoor water parks.
OH: Sandusky's Indoor Water Parks: Resorts with indoor water parks are also clustered in Sandusky Ohio (a popular spot in summer due to the Cedar Point amusement park.)
Yellowstone National Park: This wonderful park is a place for winter vacations too, without the crowds of summertime; and what better way to visit than with your own private naturalist? Try "Lodging and Learning" packages for families, offered at a good price-point.
Winter Vacations: Grand Canyon: Another great National Park that's thronged with people in summer months: visit off-season for a different experience. The South Rim stays open year-round, with several choices for lodging.
NM: Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa: This resort has 500 acres of Santa Ana Pueblo land; horse-riding; activities based on native culture; Camp Hyatt for kids.
AZ: Dude Ranches: The winter months are prime time for dude ranches (which generally close during the heat of summertime.) Rancho de los Caballeros is an authentic "ranch resort" where guests can ride horses twice a day; golf, spa, and kids program, too.
Skiing in Utah and Colorado: Utah not only has amazing snow, it also has seven ski resorts within an hour of Salt Lake City, which means getting on the slopes FAST. Nonetheless, Colorado takes the prize for the biggest and most famous ski resorts.
Big Bear Lake, CA: Less than 2 hours from LA and 4 from Las Vegas, this family-friendly ski resort have 75 downhill trails and fun snow-tubing. But of course, California is more known for beach and theme parks than for snow. See other California Winter Vacation Ideas.
Canada in Winter-Time
Canada is a huge country, and in the winter much of it is covered in snow. (Not coastal BC, however, where the climate's mild; you rarely need snow boots in Vancouver BC though you can drive up to ski slopes in twenty minutes.) Below are some ideas for enjoying Canada in winter:
Snow Vacations in Canada: This country does snow well, and Whistler BC and Mont Tremblant Quebec are only two of the many choices for ski and snow fun.
Whistler BC ski resort: Details about award-winning Whistler-Blackcomb which has popular kids camps
Banff, Alberta: Lots of lodging options in the small town of Banff, within Banff National Park; and three ski resorts nearby. Picturesque drives, glaciers, dog sledding and more.
Ice Hotel: Lapland, Sweden has one every year, and so does Quebec, Canada. See many pictures of Quebec's Ice Hotel (but don't expect the same thing every year, remember, each ice hotel gets completely rebuilt every year.)
Quebec City Carnival: Ice Palace, snow sculptures, music, and a chance to explore this charming city. Approx. the first two weeks in February.
Family Adventure Tours in Winter Months
"Family Adventures" are a special niche in family travel: high-quality escorted tours in the Great Outdoors; winter vacation choices include Rocky Mountains, Yellowstone, Galapagos, and even Antarctica.
Family Adventures are typically offered by adventure travel companies, and though pricey, deliver a memorable and hassle-free experience.
Another way to have a family adventure (at considerably less expense) is a special program at Yellowstone National Park. Families have a wonderful option at Yellowstone: the Lodging and Learning programs offered by the Yellowstone Association Institute, especially for families.
More Destinations Around the Globe
Below find more winter vacation ideas, far and wide.
Fiji Resorts for Families: Fiji is the fantasy of the unspoiled tropical paradise. But a Fiji resort seems so far, so out of reach—Think again. Logistics and price may be more manageable than you believe.
Family Adventures in Asia: Enjoy escorted tours to Vietnam, China, etc.; all details handled; cultural experiences plus fun such as waterparks.
Gold Coast, Australia: Below the Great Barrier Reef is "Surfers Paradise" with 30 kilom of beaches plus several "fun parks" such as SeaWorld and Wet 'n' Wild.
Family Cruises: Known as "floating resorts", many cruise ships woo families with extensive kids' programs and lavish facilities such as water parks. Disney Cruises lays on a private island: 1000-acre Castaway Cay in the Bahamas is a stop on all Caribbean sailings, with white sand beach, water sports, bike rentals, kids programs in a play area; teens have their own beach with rope swing or can sign up for teen activities. See lots more about family cruises.


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POD: Lacrosse warmup
June 10, 2018
June 11, 2018
Today was lacrosse day and Mimico was on fire, the team won both their games. 11-3 and 11-0. After scoring in her ball hockey game last night Violet kept the goals coming with 7 goals in the 2 games today. I don't know where she gets the energy from.


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Owner, President
- Janice started helping in the family business while she was still a kid. She officially joined McClelland Sound in 2001, and is the 3rd generation family leader of the business.
- Janice regularly has her non-human staff, Bear and Lily, come to the office to help out – they excel at napping and guarding her office from predators (aka co-workers).
Vice President, Sales
- Paul came to McClelland Sound in 2006 as a tech, and is now in sales.
- Likes the challenge of audio design – every day brings something new.
Chief Information Officer
- Joined McClelland Sound in 1983 – his fingerprints are all over everything. Phil likes to torture Janice by talking about retirement.
- Enjoys recording choral and orchestra concerts in his spare time.
- His favorite jobs is that of 'Gampa' to his five grandkids.
Purchasing, Rentals
- Dave has over 25 years at McClelland Sound – we were his temporary plan while he figured out a career.
- Values time with his wife and kids above all else.
- In his former life, he was 'Big Wave Dave' on the midnight shift at T95.
- Joined McClelland sound in 2012, and has more certifications than you can shake a stick at.
- Rob has been playing the guitar for over twenty years, including touring the country with a band.
- Rob has taken up cycling, and completed several races in 2019.
- Zach joined McClelland Sound in 2017 with and extensive background in live event production.
- When he's not traveling the globe, Zach spends time doing color commentary and producing broadcasts for FC Wichita and the Wichita Wings.
- Zach is a roller coaster fiend – even though he has never been to Cedar Point.
Marketing, Accounts Receivable
- Laura spends her weekends watching her daughters at softball tournaments and regattas.
- Laura joined McClelland Sound in 2014 via an indirect path – through social work, full-time ministry and non-profit fundraising.
- Loves change – is always thinking of ways to make things better (and drive others crazy).
- Joined McClelland Sound in 2014 and plans to stick around until she gets dragged out by authorities.
- She's creatively crafty and values spending time with her family and friends.
- Enjoys the adventure of new experiences and is trying to find time to learn her fourth language.
Accounts Payable
- Susan is an avid gardener and loves spending time with her husband, but has the most fun being 'Grannin'.
- She's always on the hunt for a bargain and tries to never miss the annual Citywide Garage Sale.
- Susan, who has been with us since 2017, is one of several McClelland Sound car enthusiasts and is currently working on a '63 Triumph Spitfire with her husband, Danny.
Service / Project Manager
- Joined McClelland Sound in 2011 – the best part of his job is seeing and hearing it all come together.
- Enjoys weekend excursions with his wife, Lynn, and dog, Pax.
- Collects vintage audio gear and is always searching for the 'perfect' speaker.
- Von has been at McClelland since 1987 – and has promised never to retire.
- In his off time he enjoys woodworking and is a weaver, showing and selling his wares at regional arts shows throughout the year.
- Von is the creative talent behind Turkey Creek Weaving – his scarves, shawls, and 'cocoons' keep the women of McClelland warm in the winter; you can find him and his work at art festivals throughout the year.
- Joined McClelland Sound in 2007 – his area of expertise is in auditoriums, paging systems and industrial/large scale jobs.
- Spends the weekends as a drummer in a band, or running sound for other musicians.
- Dustin frequently uses his photography talents to show off the work we do.
Derek – we call him Mason
- Joined McClelland Sound in 2009 – he's improving the world one drive-thru at a time.
- Derek is the director of the Mulvane Junior Wrestling Club and keeps stats for the Mulvane High School Wildcats football team.
- Collects and repairs older electronic equipment – he's always tinkering and inventing.
- Chris gave himself a Christmas present in 2018 by joining the team at McClelland Sound.
- Chris is Dad to two – they have a work van "Just like Daddy's".
- Lee adds to the musical talent pool at McClelland Sound – he plays guitar, bass and drums.
- Has traveled extensively, both during his time in the Navy and for leisure. He particularly enjoys scuba diving in Hawaii.
- He likes to be outdoors – particularly hiking and snowboarding.


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I stole this from Robin, who stole it from Blake, who stole it from Danielle, who originally thought of this as far as we all know.
I feel like 2013 brought a lot of new bloggers — most of which only started blogging for "easy money" — and with these bloggers, new trends and other crap was brought into our world. Yes, I said crap. You got a problem with that? o.-
Uh, I'm probably gonna offend someone.
- Blog hops. In the old days, blog hopping referred to actual blog hopping, where you went to a blog, commented, then browsed their blogroll and/or their commenters and did the same thing on whichever link you clicked. Nowadays, you just add your link to a thing and call it a day. Man! You must be exhausted!
- Linkups. How are these any different from your blog hops? Sure, there are some legitimate ones, but for the most part, these are just an excuse to gather traffic on your site from people who want to just link their site and leave. That's all they really care about. They most likely don't care about you, me or anyone else who linked themselves on your linkup.
- Easy money idea & advertising. It gets to be really annoying when I see my AdBlock showing that I have 25 blocked ads. By default, I block ads. You kinda have to earn your way into my non-sleazy pile for me to unblock you. Those on my blogroll have passed, and then others. But just know it gets annoying when I find that they're causing the site to load slowly. Got ads at the bottom on your sidebar? No one's gonna see those, sweetie. The footer is seen more often, I think.
- Cluttered sidebars. Kinda goes with the previous one; I just feel like people are trying to use their sidebars to tell me their life story or something. It reminds me of one of the lame homeschool playdates I had to go on.
- Comments. I feel like so many of the people who fit this entire list encourage others to comment but don't ever actually comment back unless it's a reply on their blog saying, "Thanks!", "Thanks for stopping by!" or something along those lines. I know I'm not perfect, but at least I try. And I do eventually. Sometimes it just takes a month. (With it being the holidays, I aim to catch up by January.)


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Two required per 13B engine.It is best to buy these in sets of 2, when we order these from Mazda we are not guaranteed any specific letter weight. Usually they send us a letter C, but that is not always the case.
Be forewarned that purchasing one of these new rotors may not balance to your existing rotor if your rotor letter weight is A or E.
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Walt Heinecke had planned to hold nonviolent direct action training the night before the August 12 Unite the Right rally. Instead, he ended up doing nonviolent intervention and defending UVA students from torch-carrying white nationalists in front of the Rotunda Friday night, running two counterprotests at McGuffey and Justice parks on Saturday, and contradicting in the Washington Post President Donald Trump's assertions that those opposed to Nazis didn't have a permit, which they did, but in any case, didn't need.
The Curry School professor and community activist was scheduled to do the training at 9:30pm August 11 at St. Paul's Memorial Church. He'd parked at the architecture school a couple of blocks away, and on his way to St. Paul's, ran into some legal observers who had seen Unite the Right organizer Jason Kessler and headlining alt-righter Richard Spencer go by—with unlit tiki torches.
The church was on lockdown because of reports of white supremacists in the area, says Heinecke. "Someone screamed, 'Your students are surrounded by Nazis in front of the Rotunda!'" Heinecke recounts by phone from Northern California, where he was regrouping under the redwoods.
"I was shocked by the number of neo-Nazis," he says. "And I couldn't believe the police presence—I couldn't see any."
Heinecke says he asked Dean of Students Allen Groves where the University Police were, and Groves said he didn't know, that maybe they were patrolling with Charlottesville police.
"The violence and the temperature kept going up," says Heinecke. "Some of my students were there."
They had taken the nonviolent training and stood with their backs to the Thomas Jefferson statue and their arms locked together, which meant they couldn't throw punches and couldn't reach for pepper spray, he explains.
He started going around the circle of what he estimates were 15 to 20 students, asking them if they wanted to leave. "They were following the rules [of nonviolent direct action]." He adds, "They were scared."
The scene was "horrendous," he says. "I saw a neo-Nazi throw a torch at Allen and then they started macing. I got hit with that."
He was aware Tyler Magill, who served the next day as one of Heinecke's marshals to keep order at Justice Park, was there. "I didn't see him, but understand he got hit in the throat." Magill, who also chased Kessler August 13 when he tried to have a press conference in front of City Hall, had a stroke August 15.
Heinecke says he and Groves dragged students out of the fray and over to the side. "At 10:17, I called 911."
After his call and many of the "fascists" had dispersed, says Heinecke, "police came and threatened to arrest us all—Dean Groves and the students and me."
University Police arrested Ian Hoffmann, of Palmyra, Pennsylvania, at the Rotunda, and he was charged with assault.
Heinecke says he's disappointed by the lack of police presence for something that was "common knowledge," and he doesn't understand why the UVA community wasn't alerted.
"Last week we got a text there was a bear cub wandering around," he says. "Why not text that there are neo-Nazis wandering around? What about the people of color on staff who were working? What about the faculty of color working in their offices getting ready for students?" [See UVA President Teresa Sullivan's response to a student here.]
Heinecke is on the UVA Faculty Senate, and he says he's called for an investigation into why there was no police response sooner and why there wasn't an alert to what he calls a "credible threat."
That was the first day of the Unite the Right infestation.
As hellish as August 12 was for much of Charlottesville, Heinecke says the counterdemonstrations in McGuffey and Justice parks "were very successful. There was no violence in either of our parks." His team provided food and water to counterprotesters, as well as first aid for tear gassing and contusions, including to one white nationalist "who was pretty beat up," says Heinecke.
"We provided a respite for counterdemonstrators before they went out to defend their community," says Heinecke.
Which brings him to his feud with President Trump, who blamed anti-fascists for the violence against the peaceful, permitted white supremacists.
"Those were people from our community who went out," says Heinecke. "Without those people the damages would have been so much worse."
And Heinecke does credit a heavily armed out-of-town militia: the John Brown Brigade, which stood on a corner outside Justice Park all day. "As the level of violence by Nazis and white supremacists grew, I was comforted by their presence," he says.
Heinecke says his mission was accomplished, but as the permit holder in the parks, "It was stressful having all those people under my care." And he says he was disappointed by police "allowing beatings to go on around town without intervention."
But he was also heartened throughout the day when the clergy, students from around the commonwealth and the Democratic Socialists of America marched in.
Says Heinecke, "There were really a lot of positive community endeavors in the midst of all that violence."


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A wife takes a lover home during the day while her husband is at work.
Her nine year old son comes home early, sees them, and hides in the bedroom closet to watch.
Unexpectedly, the woman's husband also comes home....
She puts her lover in the closet, not realizing that the little boy is already in there.
The little boy says, "Dark in here."
Lover says, "Yes, it is."
Boy: "I have a baseball."
Lover: "That's nice."
Boy: "Want to buy it?"
Lover: "No, thanks.."
Boy: "My Dad's outside."
Lover: "OK, how much?"
Boy: "$250."
Weeks later, it happens that the boy and the lover find themselves in the closet again.
Boy: "Dark in here."
Lover: "Yes, it is.."
Boy: "I have a baseball glove"
The Lover, remembering the last time, asks the boy, "How much?"
Boy: "$750."
Lover: "Sold."
A few days later, the Dad says to the boy, "Grab your glove, let's go outside and have a game of catch."
The boy says, "I can't, I sold my baseball and my glove."
The Dad asks, "How much did you sell them for?"
The boy says "$1,000."
The Dad says, "That's terrible to rip off your friends like that...that is way more than those two things cost. I'm taking you to church, to confession".
In church, the Dad makes sure the boy goes into the confessional and
closes the door....
The boy says, "Dark in here."
The Priest says, "Don't start that sh!t again, you're in my closet now."


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My travel *pinch me* moment
Ok, you are going to have to stick with me on this one because my travelling *pinch me* moment came after a fairly epic journey. A few years ago before Egypt was tipped into revolution I was on a tour in Egypt. Group tours are not normally my thing (wait till I tell you about Morocco) but it was far easier to book a tour rather than independently plan a trip that would keep three Americans and a runawaykiwi happy. So after a few happy days climbing into the middle of the Pyramids, riding camels and impersonating the Sphinx we were on to our next adventure.
The plan was (was being an important word) to take an 8 hour overnight train to our Nile cruise ship, then we would cruise off into the sunset and onto the next temple. Two important things to remember for later, the Australian lads on the tour went shopping to prepare for the train trip, they purchased 1) playing cards and 2) beer.
We hopped onto the train and by god it was the best sleep I have ever had. Being rocked to sleep with the clackety clack of the tracks lulling you into dreamland is something I wish I had every night.
We woke up all of a sudden and instantly went into panic mode, the train had stopped and that could mean only one thing, we had reached our destination and the rest of the group must be waiting. We quickly threw our clothes on, jammed everything into our suitcases and ran out the door; only to be told that we were not there yet.
So what the hell was going on? We were told to just sit tight and the tour leader was trying to find out what was up. So we sat tight in our tiny train bunks and read books, looked out the windows at the camels and quite literally drank the train dry…fun fact for you, a group of Kiwis, Australians and Americans can demolish an entire train of alcohol in 14 hours. Oh yes, our 8 hour train ride was onto hour 14.
Remember the two items from earlier? Well moments after skiting to the rest of us that they had the forethought to buy playing cards and beer, the Australian boys discovered a couple of things. Firstly that their 'playing cards' were not playing cards at all, rather they were 40 cards with photos illustrating the most religious sites in Egypt, not so helpful when playing poker. And the second was even more brilliant, after opening a beer to commiserate the card debacle someone in the group helpfully coughed that they were non-alcoholic beers. Not surprising in a country like Egypt, but I have never seen an Australian look so heartbroken.
So, at hour 18 on the train we ran out of food. Then at hour 19 we heard a bang and found a bullet hole in the window. We still had no idea why we were stopped and all of a sudden the hilarity of hour 14 seemed like a distant memory. Remember this was in the days before smart phones, and we couldn't exactly Facebook for help. Runawaykiwi was not happy.
At hour 22 we found out what was going on, the train in front of us had derailed and spilled its load of something all over the tracks. The simple solution would be to put all of us tourists onto buses, but the government would not allow us to get off the train without a police escort (re: earlier bullet hole, we were in a dangerous area), and the police would not provide an escort.
It took a further 6 hours for our tour leader to negotiate buses to another train, that train to a closer station and then taxis to the ship. In total we were on that damn train for 28 hours, and by the end we were tired, freaked out and hangry. So where is this *pinch me* moment amongst this hell trip, hush I'm getting to that.
The tour company was absolutely mortified at our experience, and just didn't want us to miss out on anything that had been planned. So when we arrived on our boat at 4am they announced that the visit to the Temple of Edfu would go ahead as planned with the coach leaving at 5:30am. Yeah, after 28 hours on a train the idea was an hour and a half sleep before more site seeing. Never one to miss an experience I was keen, and left my room mate sleeping while I went to the temple.
After our tour of Edfu we got back to the ship at at 9am, by this point everyone was either already asleep (having skipped the temple) or went straight to bed. But something stopped me. There was magic in the air and this runawaykiwi was on the Nile, a place I had watched in Disney movies but honestly thought I would never be adventurous enough to go.
With the ship asleep I crept up to the top deck and just sat in the morning light. The tour leader came by to ask if I was ok, I said I was perfect. With a strange look he said 'almost perfect' and walked away. A few minutes later he came back and handed me a pina colada… now it was perfect.
My travel *pinch me* moment? The hot rays of the morning Egyptian sun, gliding down a river of legend while drinking a pina colada and feeling like I had, just for a moment, held magic in my hands.
*pinch me*


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23 THE BOOK23 the Book: Season I is an eclectic collection of twenty-three short stories that represent a melange of topics and genres and present a provocative kaleidoscope of the human condition focusing on aspects of undying love, romance, comedy, sincerity, deceit, betrayal, revenge, punishment and retribution.From the war ravaged frontiers in Kashmir to the earthquake in Gujarat, the serenity of Kathmandu to the judiciary in the northeast, embarrassing occurrences at a shopping mall to unexpected experiences in a library, 'salty' coffee at Mocha to promises kept and promises broken, Tejas Kumar takes you on a journey that will keep you captivated and enthralled…
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Debate Digest: Teacher-student friendships on Facebook, Law school, Balanced budget amendment, US debt ceiling deal.
Argument: Insurance mandates can be unprecedented and still constitutional
From Debatepedia
(diff) ←Older revision | Current revision | Newer revision→ (diff)
Parent debate
Supporting quotations
Randy Barnett. "Is Health Insurance Mandate Constitutional?" The Volokh Conspiracy. December 9, 2009: "I realize this may seem counter-intuitive to many readers, but consider this. Anything that has never been done before is literally unprecedented, which means it lacks any precedent. So the question is, will the Supreme Court want to authorize this new extension of congressional power in light of the fact that it violates the first principles it affirmed in Lopez and Morrison? Or, to the contrary, will it want to take the opportunity reaffirm that these principles still apply, notwithstanding Raich, in a case with no further implications beyond the statute in question?"


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It's known the human eye takes 24 images per second. But does this refresh? For example after sleeping.
Or will it always be the same interval?
I talk about when the eye takes the images. So it are 24 images in the second, but this second is not defined. It can start at 09:00:00.00 or 09:00:00.50. Will this change after taking a sleep?
Hope it is clear what I'm talking about.


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My nephew fell on our icy driveway, his shoulder slipped out of place and he had to go to the hospital. He has no medical insurance and had to put it under our home owners insurance who are telling him that my policy only covers up to $1,000.
He found out that his collarbone may be fractured and he has to go to a specialist. Would he be able to sue my insurance company to get just the medical bills under my personal injury clause? We have personal injury up to $100,000. If you could let me know if they have a case or what we need to do to help recover his medical expenses. Thanks.
Disclaimer: Our response is not formal legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. It is generic legal information based on the very limited information provided. Do not rely upon the information in our response, or anywhere else on this site, when deciding the proper course of a legal matter. Always get a personalized case review from a local attorney.
Dear Daydra,
If you have a homeowners insurance policy that allows recovery of up to $100,000 for personal injuries, this is probably the best bet to recover the medical expenses.
Be advised that your insurance company may deny the claim and there is little you can do about that. It really depends on your policy, but from the sounds of things there is no real liability other than the fact that he was injured on your property.
Learn more here: Injury Claims for Accidents at Home
The above is general information. Laws change frequently, and across jurisdictions. You should get a personalized case evaluation from a licensed attorney.
Find a local attorney to give you a free case review here, or call 888-972-0892.
We wish you the best with your claim,
How Much is Your Injury Claim Worth?
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If you're a romantic and still believe in love or just think the divorce rate of 1 in 3 is a load of bollocks then you should probably start speeding up your hunt for marital bliss.
A study, conducted by University of Utah sociologist Nick Wolfinger, suggests that people who get married between 28 and 32 split up the least in the ensuing years. This contradicts sociologists' former belief that waiting longer to say 'I do' usually led to more stability.
Wolfinger came to the conclusion by analysing data from 2006-2010 and the 2011-2013 National Survey of Family Growth, during which he found an upside down bell curve.
"The odds of divorce decline as you age from your teenage years through to your late 20s and early 30s," he writes. "Thereafter, the chances of divorce go up again as your move into your late 30s and early 40s." According to the study, for every year after 32, the chance of divorce goes up about 5%.
It's been coined the 'Goldilocks theory': you have to be not too young and not too old to succeed in marriage. The 'upside down bell curve' even persists "…after controlling for respondents' sex, race, family structure of origin, age at the time of survey, and more."
Plenty have gone against Wolfinger's claims, like the University of Maryland's Phillip Cogen who suggests that getting older didn't mean your marriage had less chance of survival. According to his analysis, the perfect age to get married if you don't want it to end in tears is 45-49.
What do you think is secret age to success?
[via Motto]


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Thank you for the article, Barbara!
While I was reading, I though: but did she see the Canadian side? And you did! It's also far cheaper there comparing to the NY side. By the way, what transportation you use to travel around?
Seeing the American Niagara Falls on a Budget
I spend most of each year overseas in developing countries where the cost of living is a fraction what it is in the United States. Each return to the States requires a period of adjustment. This time, I almost choked when I had to pay $75 a night for a hotel room in Minneapolis. That same amount would buy me eight days of lodging in Nepal or Mexico. I'm used to spending about $5 a day for food, so $20 dinners send me into shock. It didn't help that this trip took me to Washington, DC to cover the Dalai Lama at the Kalachakra for World Peace, one of the most expensive travel destinations in the country.
By the time I reached the Niagara Falls on the American side my wallet was thin and I went on the search for budget accommodations. Overseas I stay in guest houses or hostels, where I usually opt for four or eight-bed dorms. I love the camaraderie in the dorms, which are filled with people of all ages and income levels, from every corner of the world. In the U.S., hostels are relatively rare because our travel industry developed around motels to serve a society that has a love affair with automobiles. Fortunately, this is starting to change; hostels are popping up in larger cities and popular tourist destinations all over the country.
In American Niagara Falls I discovered the Gorge View, a wonderful petit-hotel located only five minutes walking distance from Niagara Falls State Park (the U.S. side) with free off-street parking. Their six-bed dorms were sparkling clean and each had an en-suite shared bathroom and lockers to hold my valuables. A common area on the first floor had a large flat-screen TV and their spacious shared kitchen had two refrigerators to store guest food. Bliss! I found a grocery store and stocked up on breakfast food, happy to save the cost of at least one meal a day.
After settling in I set off on foot to see the U.S. side of Niagara Falls. I had visited the falls many years ago as a child on a family vacation and had vague memories of spray from the falls pummeling my yellow rubber raincoat as the Maid of the Mist cruised into the torrent of water thundering over Horseshoe Falls. But I really didn't know what to expect. Having seen the spectacular Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, I wondered if Niagara would seem anti-climactic. I walked along the high cliffs bordering the Niagara River chasm and into Niagara State Park, the oldest in the nation. Across the river, high-rise hotels, an enormous Ferris wheel, casinos and all manner of kitschy development designed to lure the tourist dominated the skyline, but on the U.S. side the falls had been protected from such crass commercialism by the State Park.
My first real view of the falls panorama was from the observation tower, well worth the one dollar price of admission. Later, I crossed onto Goat Island and stood on a sliver of rock that juts out between American and Bridalveil Falls. Niagara River roared over the cliff just inches from where I was standing. If the narrow rock lip at the edge of the water gave way I felt certain the promontory on which I stood would be torn away and swept over the falls. Victoria Falls may have been larger and more majestic, but I viewed it from across the gorge. Standing at the edge of Niagara Falls, with the roar echoing in my ears and the ground trembling beneath my feet, I felt its raw power.
The following day I walked over Rainbow Bridge to Niagara Falls, Canada. The difference on the Canadian side was startling. The path along the gorge afforded picture-perfect views of all three of the waterfalls but at my back was a Disneyesque scene of uncontrolled development that for me, marred the experience. I walked to Horseshoe Falls and stood just feet from where the river raged over the precipice. Torrents of water crashed on rocks at foot of the falls, birthing double rainbows in the mists. Though beautiful, the Canadian side did not have the same unbridled energy as its cousins across the river. Canada undoubtedly has the better views, but the U.S. provides a more close-up encounter with the falls in a natural environment.
Because of the affordability of Gorge View, I spent four days at American Niagara Falls, visiting various parks along the lower river and taking a free tour of the Niagara Hydroelectric generating plant. I'm encouraged by the sprouting of affordable hostels around the country, which will hopefully spur Americans to travel more. The high-season cost of between $28 and $32 for the hostel and $1 for the observation tower) just can't be beat! Oh, make that $33.50; the U.S. government charges 50 cents to get back into the country when you walk across Rainbow Bridge. It's free to walk into Canada, but you'll spend a lot more money if you stay there.
(Note: Gorge View was previously called the Red Lounge Hostel. It was sold to a new owner, who re-branded the property and reopened in May of this year as the Gorge View. I spoke to the new owner, Jeff Flach, who convinced me that it is still run with the same high standards and amenities, though the prices have risen to those stated in my story, which I have modified to reflect the correct information.)
Another good alternative if you're looking for lower priced accommodations and small town charm is to stay in Niagara-on-the-Lake in Canada. The town is located on the shores of Lake Ontario, directly across from Toronto. But rather than high rise hotels, it offers charming B&B's, gorgeous Victorian red-brick buildings, and scads of cute shops and cafes. The town even offers an hourly shuttle bus to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. I haven't been there myself, but you can learn more about Niagara-on-the-Lake from fellow blogger Lucy Dodsworth at On the Luce Travel Blog.
10 Comments on "Seeing the American Niagara Falls on a Budget"
Thank you for the article, Barbara!
this is really cheap, we stayed in the hotel and it was expensive just for a night.
We just came from Niagara Falls – wish we had done a little more research and found this hostel! Ended up in an average hotel for a lot more.
Yeah, I just shook my head and laughed.
We're glad to hear that we're not the only ones who were shocked by the Disney-feel on the Canadian side of the Falls. The high-rise hotels, the haunted houses, Ripley's and all the other tourist traps took away all the 'nature' of this natural wonder.
Niagara falls is such a wonderful creation that we have right now. And getting there is another achievement. Thanks for the overview regarding a trip to Niagara Barbara.
I can't believe they charged you to come into the US!
Great report, Barbara! That hostel looks clean and tidy. I could see myself staying there, even though I'm not a hostel person. I can't believe I only live a day's drive from Niagara Falls and I've never been. I think this is going on my bucket list.
Glad to hear about Niagara; even though I grew up only hours from there, I've never been. I was afraid it would be disappointing compared to Victoria, but if you say not, I'll put it (back) on my list.
Safe travels,


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Disney On Ice Frozen Cleveland Tickets
Looks like the enthusiasm for blockbuster movie, 'Frozen' hasn't faded away in all these months. Feld Company has recently announced a series of 'Disney on Ice: Frozen' live shows and some of the upcoming ones are scheduled in the 'Rock and Roll Capital of the World', Cleveland. The tour will present six different versions of the production around the US, from 2014 till 2015, and will also include nine overseas shows. According to the news, its tickets are expected to sell out well before the event sets in. Fans are flocking in to get hold of the best deal of Disney on Ice Frozen Cleveland tickets.
Daily Mail reports, "Frozen will be performed nowhere else other but on ice". Disney on Ice: Frozen is no less than a treat for the fans of this blockbuster movie. The movie is one of the most successful animated films and did a great business in box office sales. The tour will take a route from Orlando and travel to cities including Atlanta, New York, New Jersey, Tampa and Baltimore. Right now, the sales of Disney on Ice Frozen Cleveland tickets are sky rocketing.
Disney on Ice: Frozen is based on the action-adventure animation that has won the hearts of adults and children alike. The story introduces two young sisters, Anna and Elsa, belonging to a royal family. Their cheerful days do not last for long and the story takes a turn when Elsa's powers are discovered. Elsa is born with ice powers that get the sisters in trouble as soon as the eternal winter sets in. The show with its story keeps the audiences hooked till the last moment and you have to be a part of the show to know what happens next.
Disney on Ice: Frozen will be hosted by Mickey and Minnie Mouse and will also be featuring characters from The Lion King, Toy Story and Finding Nemo as guest roles. Realizing the fact that this live show would be incomplete without special effects, the producers have arranged twenty snow machines to create a blizzard. Also, the fans will get the sight of the jagged North Mountains with the help of towering video production panels. So, in order to be a part of this spectacular event, book your seats today.
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A devilishly hot CEO. The angelic new office temp. A match made in Heaven or Hell?
Melody Angel takes a job as a temp at the HELL Corporation. Surrounded by eternal bureaucracy gone mad, demons who love making life miserable, and dying for a decent coffee, it may take a miracle for Mel's mission to succeed. She must find out what evil plans Lucifer and his minions have in store and stop them, using any means necessary.
Adding trouble and temptation to Mel's job is Luce Iblis, the damnably hot CEO, who has set his smouldering eyes on the new office angel and he's determined to claim her, body and soul.
Can ultimate evil and angelic perfection escape a limbo of desire and find a paradise of their own?
A tiny taste of what's in store:
"Do you know how long you've made me wait?" Luce lifted his chin. "Close the door."
Mel turned and kicked the door shut with the sole of one shoe. The click of it closing coincided with her eyes meeting Luce's once more.
"Now strip and get your arse on the desk," Luce instructed.
Mel stared at him. He couldn't be serious, could he?
"Every other girl in this building knows how to do as she's told. Do you know how many girls I've had on this desk? You should consider yourself lucky. The last one I had in here was so quick getting undressed that I managed to give her a full fifteen minutes of my time. At this rate, you'll be lucky to have five."
Mel became transfixed by the timber desktop. "Did you wipe it clean afterwards?"
"What?" Luce's face reddened.
"Did you wipe it clean afterwards?" Mel repeated patiently. "I mean, you work on it every day. Imagine how many diseases and strange germs each of your, er, accommodating staff members were carrying when they placed their bare behinds on your desk."
The shock on Luce's face was priceless. He edged his chair away from the suddenly suspicious surface.
Mel Goes to Hell series
• Welcome to Hell - A Short Story (#1) – FREE at www.amazon.com/dp/B00IL9ZDH2
•See You in Hell (#2) – 99c at www.amazon.com/dp/B00JZZODA4


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Thon Hotel Bristol Stephanie
Thon Hotel Bristol Stephanie boasts 142 of Brussels' largest hotel rooms, which combine elegance and spacious comfort.
We have five hotels and three aparthotels in Brussels. Four of our hotels as well as our furnished apartments are located in Brussels city centre. You can find another hotel close to Brussels Airport. Find available rooms at our hotels in Brussels below – we have ranked them with the best deals on top.
Thon Hotel Bristol Stephanie boasts 142 of Brussels' largest hotel rooms, which combine elegance and spacious comfort.
Thon Hotel Brussels City Centre is centrally located in the heart of downtown Brussels, just steps from the city's biggest high street.
Situated in the European Quarter of Brussels, Thon Hotel EU is the ideal base for business and leisure travellers alike.
Thon Residence Parnasse offers fully-equipped one-, two- and three-room apartments for both short- and long-term stays.
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Thon Hotel Brussels Airport is just 5 minutes from Brussels' international airport and has 100 thoughtfully furnished and stylishly decorated rooms.
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