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Bioenergy company Amyris, Inc. and GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A. (GOL) the largest low-cost and low-fare airline in Latin America, have announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will pave the way for GOL commercial flights to use Amyris renewable jet fuel in 2014. The partnership was announced during the first commercial flight with a renewable jet fuel in Brazil by the airline.
"GOL is committed to making commercial aviation more efficient and sustainable. Our experimental flight with renewable jet fuel at the Rio+20 in 2012 was an important step to guide our work. Today, we advance one more step," said Adalberto Bogsan, Vice President of GOL.
Under the MOU, GOL and Amyris will work together to establish a framework for bringing Amyris renewable jet fuel produced from Brazilian sugarcane to GOL's commercial flights. However, for thid to happen, regulatory approvals and validation by standard-setting bodies, including ASTM International and Brazil's Oil, Gas and Biofuels Agency (ANP) will need to occur.
The partnership, under of auspices of the Brazilian Biofuels Platform, an industry and government-supported initiative to encourage the use of renewable fuels in aviation, was announced at Brazilian Aviation Day celebration, which included participation of Brazil's Secretary of Civil Aviation, Minister Moreira Franco, and a number of industry stakeholders including Brazilian Airlines Association (ABEAR), Brazilian Biodiesel and Biojet Association (UBRABIO), GE, and Boeing among others.
"GOL supports all initiatives to help make Brazilian aviation more sustainable," says Paulo Kakinoff, President of GOL. During this past year, the airline's fuel saving initiatives have helped it to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 30 thousand tons.
Lifecycle analysis indicates that the Amyris renewable jet fuel could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% or more when compared to convention fossil-derived jet fuel. Amyris has applied for certification under the Roundtable of Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) and is a member of Bonsucro, the world's leading sugarcane sustainability standard.
"We are committed to working with the aviation industry to bring cleaner skies, starting in Brazil in 2014. Following two successful demonstration flights and a series of successful tests with multiple industry stakeholders, we look forward to receiving ASTM validation and ANP approval of our breakthrough renewable jet fuel produced from Brazilian sugarcane," said John Melo, Amyris's President & CEO.


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Privacy Policy
Last modified: Oct 29, 2021
Your privacy is very important to us. It's our policy to respect your privacy regarding any of the information we may collect while you visit our website. Therefore we encourage you to read this Privacy Policy that describes how Handheld and it's subsidiaries collect, use and disclose data obtained through our website.
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subset: commoncrawl


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Readers ask: Are there any tricks to help protect my house from all those dropped Christmas tree pine needles or to clean them up afterwards? I usually spend most of January picking out stragglers from the carpet.
While you just can't beat a real tree for Christmas, what a mess they can make! My first tip: invest in a Christmas tree skirt. These don't just hide the base of the tree, they also catch the needles once they drop, so you'll get rid of a lot of them simply by taking the skirt outside and shaking it.
Getting the tree out of the house after Christmas is more of a challenge. Wrap it tightly in an old bed sheet, or you could buy a special tree bag (available in hardware stores and garden centres) that can be pulled over the tree and tied around the trunk—either of these are also good for bringing the tree into the house in the first place. Most of the needles that drop off will be caught in the sheet or bag. Any stragglers that do escape can be removed with a dustpan and brush, or the crevice tool on your vacuum; avoid using the standard cleaning head, as dry pine needles tend to get stuck inside.
PLUS: Check out more from ELLEDECOR.com:
What We Love: An Always-Evolving Take On A Holiday Classic
Hollywood-Style Decorating (With A Twist)
Simon Doonan's Regifting Dos and Don'ts
Your Favorite ELLE DECOR Rooms of 2013
10 White Elephant Gifts To Ensure That You're The Toast Of Any Party


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We hope you're enjoying our countdown. We're only halfway done! There are so many hotties yet to come, ladies. Here we go with the sixes! Woot woot.
Huston Street – You know that whole "a picture is worth a thousand words" saying? Well, I'm pretty sure all those words when talking about Street are "oh my God, so hot." Not necessarily in that order mind you (it's hard to speak coherently when looking at him), but those are the words.
Cinnamon Girl
Johan Santana – I miss him as a Minnesota Twin – his talent is amazing. But at least I'll always have this vision of him. See how he's fingering his wedding ring there? Nice…
Games Mistress
Albert Pujols – As a Cardinal fan I'm a little biased, but I don't think I'd have had his picture taped to my computer monitor for the last seven years if he looked like Randy Johnson. Or even La Russa.
Mistress Christina
Dwight Howard – 6'11" center for the Orlando Magic. Look how cute he is! The smile and the arms and the tallness. Plus he can jump up and spit straight into the basket if he chooses. Trust me, just google-image his name. He was also on the gold medal winning USA Men's Basketball team at the Olympics this year. He's cute AND good for our country, unlike this stupid economy…
La M. Alana
Michael Beasley – I like his personality and love his play, but to be honest, I just think he's incredibly interesting-looking and very, very attractive. He, like, radiates hotness. He's so hot he's making me sexist. Bitch.
Jose Reyes – He's a speed demon, the spark to our lineup, and has an infectious grin. Such a cutie.
Miss Minda
Mark Grudzielanek – It's looking like the King of Scruff (as my mom and I call him) won't be with the Royals anymore after yet another injury ended his season early this year. But don't worry, ladies; this blue-eyed "HOLY WOW" of a 2nd baseman swears he has one or two more seasons of baseball left in his beautiful body.
Lady Andrea
Freddy Couples – I've been in love with him since he won the 1992 Masters when I was 10. And since I put this post together, he gets two pictures. One showing how hot he is and one with a cute dog!


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Summary: Third year law students at Concordia Law School will not attend classes this semester while the school's credentials are reviewed by the American Bar Association to determine the school's eligibility for provisional accreditation.
As the third class at Concordia Law School gears up for its first year of law school, the third year law students are preparing for a break this fall, Boise State Public Radio reports.
Concordia Spokesperson Madeline Turnock stated "Approximately half of our third year law students are taking a break for fall semester while they await information on the accreditation process."
Concordia, located in Boise, Idaho, is still trying to get provisional accreditation from the American Bar Association (ABA). The ABA has postponed provisional accreditation while it more closely examines the school and its credentials. The ABA is sending a fact finder to Concordia this fall. The absence of third year students should not impact the ABA's review of the law school. Turnock is optimistic about the process. "The accreditation process continues to be on track. It continues to move forward in positive steps toward provisional accreditation," she says. Spring graduates still have a chance of sitting for the bar exam if the provisional accreditation is granted in time. The ABA has not told the school when the accreditation decision will be made, however.
This can pose a major problem for the students set to graduate: according to Idaho state law, students of law schools that have not been at least provisionally accredited by the time of graduation are not allowed to take the bar exam. Therefore, they will not be able to become lawyers after undergoing three years of rigorous coursework.
For a law school to be accredited by the ABA, the school must undergo an approval process than can take several years. Students at new law schools take a huge chance when they enroll before the school has been at least provisionally accredited. It takes roughly two years for a law school to earn provisional accreditation, and full accreditation comes a few years after that. Graduates of provisionally accredited schools and graduates of fully accredited schools are viewed equally in the legal profession. Students of provisionally accredited schools can usually be rest assured that they will be able to take that state's bar exam and practice law upon graduation.
The ABA has been busy in the past few years determining the accreditation of several schools. Belmont University's new law school was provisionally accredited in 2013, just in time for the first graduating class to take the bar exam. Both University of Massachusetts—Dartmouth and La Verne University in California were both accredited in 2012. Interestingly, graduating from an accredited school is not mandatory for California attorneys. La Verne has been in operation since the 1970s. The school formerly had provisional accreditation but later lost it for not meeting ABA requirements. The University of California—Irvin was provisionally accredited in 2011, and four other law schools obtained full accreditation. Lincoln Memorial University's Duncan School of Law was denied provisional accreditation the same year.
Photo credit: boiseweekly.com


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Legislators, journalists, advocates and targets will find this book by Patricia G. Barnes a much needed resource with tons of information about workplace bullying and a special focus on current and possible legislation. Barnes offers honest critique of the proposed Healthy Workplace Bill and brings a fresh perspective and much needed voice to this effort. You can, like me, send a "gift" copy to your state legislator to use as a reference that outlines a variety of approaches to prevent bullying. Barnes is an appellate and trial court judge, a licensed attorney and an author of legal books, magazine articles and newspaper op-ed columns. She became interested in workplace abuse and bullying issues after she moved across the country to begin a new job in 2007. When she reported to work, she learned there had been a management shakeup. Her new supervisor was someone whom she had never met who was 25 years younger, far less experienced, and as tightly wound as the elastic core of a golf ball.
Related articles
- Newly Released Documentary Takes On Workplace Bullying – with a twist! (bullyinworkplace.com)
- New Workplace Bullying Book Offers Hope! (bullyinworkplace.com)
- Canadian Expert Says Companies Who Condone Workplace Bullying Are Short-Sighted (bullyinworkplace.com)


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Listing Courtesy of Heart Land Realty, Dolores Gori
The data relating to real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the IDX Program of the CGNDMLS. Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Lisa Bouchard Hoe are marked with the IDX logo or the IDX thumbnail logo and detailed information about them includes the name of the listing brokers.
The broker providing these data believes them to be correct but advises interested parties to confirm them before relying on them in a purchase decision. For the most current information, contact Lisa Bouchard Hoe, firstname.lastname@example.com, .
© 2023 CGNDMLS. All rights reserved.
Data last updated 9:01 AM UTC, 3/30/23


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Former Oakland Raiders TE Brandon Myers signs with New York Giants as a free agent
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Former Oakland Raiders tight end Brandon Myers has signed with the New York Giants as a free agent.
The Giants announced the signing of the former University of Iowa product Sunday without disclosing details.
Myers spent the first four seasons of his career with the Oakland Raiders. He's played in 58 career games with 28 starts and posted his best season in 2012, when he started all 16 games and had career-high totals of 79 receptions for 806 yards and four touchdowns.


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Recorded at the Lensic Theater in Santa Fe, New Mexico on March 23, 2016.
Gabrielle Walker is an expert on climate change and the energy industry. She holds a Ph.D. in Natural Sciences from Cambridge University and has taught at Cambridge and Princeton Universities. She is the author of four books, most recently, Antarctica: An Intimate Portrait of a Mysterious Continent and the best-selling The Hot Topic: What We Can Do About Global Warming (co-written with David King).
She is currently Chief Scientist at Xynteo, an advisory firm that seeks to enable businesses to grow in a manner which is responsive to the resource, climate, and demographic challenges of the 21st century.
In this event, Walker talked about climate change, action, and sustainability.
This event was part of the In Pursuit of Cultural Freedom lecture series.
In this episode, she is joined in conversation with Chris Williams. The companion Talk episode may be found here.
You may learn more about this event on the Lannan website; you may also listen to the audio recording of this event there.
Additional photos of this event are available on Flickr.


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By running a marathon distance together per day, every day for a year around Australia, we hope to inspire others to believe in themselves, to follow their dreams, and to achieve their goals through making more conscious lifestyle choices. – Alan Murray and Janette Murray-Wakelin
Alan Murray, 68, and his wife Janette Murray-Wakelin, 64, can truly say they've been there for each other through the sweat and the tears during their 43 years of marriage, particularly during this past year, in which the couple from New Zealand ran a marathon every day.
Alan and Janette were determined to find a way to share their story and spread their message of healthy living, so they decided to complete a yearlong road trip across Australia and participate in 365 marathons along the way, completing their last marathon of the year on Dec. 31, 2013.
Having already collectively participated in more than 60 international marathons and ultra runs, both Alan and Janette knew what they were getting into.
"By running a marathon distance together per day, every day for a year around Australia, we hope to inspire others to believe in themselves, to follow their dreams, and to achieve their goals through making more conscious lifestyle choices," the couple wrote on their website before starting their journey.
"We can be living proof of what can be achieved by making conscious life choices."
Through eating raw plant-based foods, Alan and Janette believe they have more energy now than ever. The posted pictures and status updates frequently to their Facebook page throughout the year. The couple began many mornings eating a grapefruit and bananas in preparation for their run.
And even after 26.2 miles of running, dinner usually looked something like some cabbage-leaf wraps with botanical cuisine for the vegan runners.
"In our experience, unlimited raw energy is attained through consuming an abundance of high nutrient-laden, fresh, ripe, organic fruits and vegetables," it says on their website.
"It is also our experience that true happiness is attained through making conscious lifestyle choices for one's own health, the health of the environment and all living beings with whom we share the planet."
Not only has this lifestyle allowed them to be physically fit, but also to battle cancer. Through the blog, Janette shared her story of being diagnosed with highly aggressive carcinoma breast cancer and receiving a clean bill of health six months later.
At the age of 52 Janette was diagnosed with the cancer and given only six months to a year to live, if she were to participate in chemotherapy and radiation treatment. But after much research and study, and with the support of her family, Janette chose to fight the cancer through natural methods.
"I knew that it made sense to do everything I could to give the body the tools it needed to take me on my journey to optimum health," Janette said in an interview with Get Fresh magazine. "Our extensive research not only gave us the knowledge to do just that, but also the confidence to know that I had made the right choice."
Working with a naturopathic physician, Janette began to focus on the mind, body and spirit, a process she describes in her book "Raw Can Cure Cancer." She participated in immune therapy, conscious breathing, aerobic exercises, meditation and other therapies, along with maximizing the nutrients she ate.
This process has proved transformative, not only for Janette, but also for Alan and their family as they have adopted lifestyle as well. The couple founded a Centre for Optimum Health in Canada, where their focus is on "encouraging healthy lifestyles through living nutrition and exercise for the mind, body and spirit."
Email: email@example.com


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|email Dr. SETI ®
Filk, a perversion of the word folk, is the traditional music of science fiction fandom, sung at SF conventions around this world (and possibly others). The word started off as a typographical error in a Con program announcement, and caught on. An outgrowth of the American folk music revival of the 'sixties, filks are often written as parodies to existing melodies, and are frequently accompanied by guitar. The earliest example which I remember (there probably are earlier ones) actually predates my knowledge of the term filk: Dr. John Boardman's humorous 1961 "Asteroid Light" space chanty, sung to the tune of the popular "Eddystone Light" sea chanty. Filks generally deal with SF, fantasy, technology, space travel, and related scientific themes.
Dr. SETI's songs are examples of the sub-species known as science filk, in which the lyrics need to be true to scientific fact, as we understand it. Dealing as they do with SETI and radio astronomy, these songs are intended to pay tribute to the giants of SETI: those individuals and facilities which have contributed to today's understanding of the cosmos, and our place within it. A sample lyric:
My satellite antenna is pointed at the sky,
But I'm not watching television. Let me tell you why.
I'm searching for existence proof of any alien race
By sifting through the microwaves that fall from outer space.
I am part of the search that's known as SETI.
I'm a believer, with a good receiver.
There are coherent signals beaming at me,
And when I find one, then I'll say "Wow!"
You can read a whole bunch more of Dr. SETI's songs here, or hear them in his CD-Book Tune In The Universe!
Copyright © H. Paul Shuch, Ph.D.; Maintained by Microcomm
this page last updated 14 June 2007


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1. What are the causes of dry skin and calluses?
Our feet carry us throughout our lives day by day. However, they often receive too little attention. The thick skin on the soles of our feet quickly becomes dry, rough and brittle from pressure, intensive burden or too tight shoes. An excess of new cells form in response to pressure and friction points, and those areas rapidly become rough and take on an unseemly yellowish colour.
2. What are the consequences of dry skin and calluses?
If the calluses are not removed, the sensitive skin on the foot can tear and it becomes more vulnerable to bacteria. Inflammation and skin fungal infections can be the consequence. Dry, scaly skin and calluses should therefore be regularly removed.
3. What distinguishes the new Amopé Pedi Perfect™ Electronic Foot File with Diamond Crystals?
The Amopé Pedi Perfect™ Electronic Foot File has a detachable roller element and an ergonomic form for the easy removal of surplus skin even at small, inaccessible places. The device roller bears microgranulated particles that ensure the gentle and easy removal of calluses without damaging the intact skin layers.
4. What is the advantage of the Pedi Perfect™ compared to manual callus files?
Callus removal with the new Amopé Pedi Perfect™ Electronic Foot File with diamond particles is rapid and uncomplicated. Furthermore, it requires less force than required when using a conventional manual rasp or file.
5. What has changed with Amopé Pedi Perfect™?
The Pedi Perfect™ rollers are now filled with finely ground diamond particles that bring improved and more efficient hard skin removal results. The assortment of refill head rollers was expanded and there are now various refill heads available so that you can use a suitable grain size depending on the thickness of the hard skin.
6. Can I also use the Amopé Pedi Perfect™ Electronic Foot File for hard skin on the hands?
Yes, the Amopé Pedi Perfect™ Electronic Foot File can also be used to smoothen hard skin on the inner hand surfaces.
7. How does the Amopé Pedi Perfect™ Electronic Foot File with Diamond Crystals work?
Microgranulates on the roller of the Amopé Pedi Perfect™ Electronic Foot File ensure the gentle and easy removal of hard skin without damaging the intact skin layers. The new replacement rollers are supplied with differently sized granulations to effectively and gently remove hard skin of different thickness.
8. What do the Diamond Crystals on the replacement rollers accomplish?
Diamond crystals are already used in the beauty and cosmetics sector and are well known for their peeling characteristics in high-end cosmetics treatments. Moreover, diamonds are one of the hardest materials in the world. As a component of the new Pedi Perfect refill heads, they ultimately enhance not only the functionality of the Amopé Pedi Perfect Electronic Foot File, but also ensure improved and more efficient hard skin removal.
9. Must I have experience in hard skin removal?
No, easy application and the safety stop also allow beginners to gently and thoroughly remove hard skin.
10. Is there a danger of hurting oneself during hard skin removal with the Electronic Foot File?
No, the easy application and the safety stop allow gentle, safe and thorough callus removal even for beginners. However, the Pedi Perfect™ should not be applied to injured, wounded or irritated skin. If any irritations or complaints occur, the treatment must be discontinued immediately.
11. How frequently can I use the Amopé Pedi Perfect™ Electronic Foot File, and how long should a treatment be continued?
The Amopé Pedi Perfect™ Electronic Foot File can be successively applied as often as you like, until your feet feel soft and are freed from excessive hard skin. The duration of the treatment continues depending on the individual burden on the feet and the fit of the shoes.
12. Why are there three different grain sizes/ roller heads? When should I use which grain size?
The Amopé Pedi Perfect roller assortment consists of three different roller types: Extra Coarse, Coarse, and Soft Touch. Depending on the individual thickness of the callus, the Coarse or Extra Coarse roller head is recommended for optimally removing the excessive callus. The Extra Coarse roller head is greatly suited for removing thick and obstinate hard skin. While the Coarse roller is appropriate for removing surplus hard skin effectively but gently. A Mix Pack consisting of the Extra Coarse and Soft Touch roller heads combine two different grain sizes. The Extra Coarse roller head is suited for the removal of thick and obstinate hard skin and the Soft Touch roller head optimally completes the results as a perfect finisher.
13. Should I soak my feet in a footbath before treatment, or what is the best preparation for hard skin removal?
No, feet should not be soaked in a footbath before the application of Amopé Pedi Perfect Electronic Foot File. If the hard skin is soft and swollen by the footbath, then there is a possibility that the hard skin cannot be completely removed. An optimal removal of hard skin is carried out on dry skin. No preparation of the feet is necessary.
14. When using my new Amopé Pedi Perfect™ Electronic Foot File, the device keeps stopping. What can I do about this?
If you apply too much pressure, the device automatically switches to OFF. This built-in safety stop protects your skin and prevents you from removing too much hard skin at a time. Try to apply less pressure and operate the device with uniform movements over the hard skin.
15. I have very thick hard skin and treatment with the Amopé Pedi Perfect™ Electronic Foot File requires a great deal of time. What can I do?
The Amopé Pedi Perfect™ assortment has a suitable grain size for every type of callus. The roller head with the grain size Extra Coarse is filled with diamond particles and was especially developed to gently and reliably remove thick hard skin. Previously, the roller heads had only one grain size. The new assortment of three different grain sizes will allow you to also remove tougher hard skin.
16. I already own the Amopé Pedi Perfect™ Electronic Foot File. Can I also use the new roller heads with diamond particles with my device?
Of course you can also use the new Amopé Pedi Perfect™ replacement rollers with diamond particles and various grain sizes with your existing model of the Pedi Perfect™ Electronic Foot File.
17. When is the best time for hard skin removal?
Heavy strains or the wrong footwear lead to a pressure build-up which causes increased callus cell formation in your skin. The consequences include ugly patches of skin and painful callus thickening. We therefore recommend a year-round and regular removal of calluses. What time of a day you remove your calluses is left up to you.
18. How is the Electronic Foot File applied?
Move the unit gently over the hard skin parts of the skin to remove excessive hard skin. Apply light to medium pressure. Avoid application on cracked or bloody skin.
19. How must I correctly hold the Electronic Foot File in the hand for hard skin removal?
Clasp the Electronic Foot File with one hand at the grip and move it gently over the hard skin.
20. Must I replace the roller head after a certain number of applications? How can I tell when the roller head must be replaced?
The rollers must be replaced whenever they are worn out. Wear depends on the intensity as well as the duration of treatments. A worn-out roller no longer removes callus as thoroughly, since the full grain size is no longer completely present. As a rule, the roller appears to be lighter, and the grain size is abraded. Purchase replacement rollers at need.
21. How should the roller heads that I have already used be stored?
If you switch between the roller heads with various grain sizes, preferably use a small plastic bag to save the roller heads that have been already used but are not yet worn out. You can naturally also store the roller heads in their customary places.
22. How do I dispose my old roller heads?
Preferably dispose the old roller heads in residual waste containers. There are no special requirements for the disposal of old roller heads.
23. Must I especially clean the Pedi Perfect™ Electronic Foot File after application?
To clean the roller head, remove it from the unit and rinse in flowing water. Clean the unit with a moist cloth. Dry the unit and the roller head with a clean and dry cloth and put the roller head back into the unit.
24. Why should my feet undergo special care after application of Amopé Pedi Perfect™ Electronic Foot File?
Special care after removing hard skin can extend the desired results of silky-soft feet. In order to optimally care for your feet, it is advisable to clean them after the hard skin treatment in an indulging footbath. This removes the last skin scales and simultaneously grooms your feet. In order to achieve optimal results, we recommend subsequently moisturizing your feet with Amopé Pedi Perfect™ Daily Moisturizer for Feet. The foot cream hydrates for up to 24 hours.
25. Why do my feet require special attention and a special foot care cream?
Our feet carry us throughout our lives day after day. However, they often receive too little attention. There is a great difference between the skin on our hands and our feet due to the skin structure. The inner surfaces of our hand and feet skin are about ten times as thick as our remaining body skin, and therefore require special care.
26. What benefits does the Amopé Pedi Perfect™ foot care range offer?
With a large number of high-quality ingredients, the Amopé Pedi Perfect™ foot care range offers professional foot care for use at home, in harmony with your personal and individual foot care needs.
27. What makes the Amopé Pedi Perfect™ foot care range so special?
The Amopé Pedi Perfect™ foot care range works with very special ingredients hitherto not used in foot care, such as green caviar, vitamin A+E, Omega-6, hyaluronic acid and almond oil, which are well known from other premium-skin care products.
28. Must I simultaneously use all products in order to achieve optimal results or does it suffice, for example, if I only use the Extra Rich Skin Recovery Cream?
The individual products can be combined individually to create a foot care routine adapted entirely to the needs of every single individual. Whether daily or extensively on weekends, the Amopé Pedi Perfect foot care range offers the appropriate products for every individual, beginning with the Express program for those in a hurry, up to the all-round extensive programme. There is more detailed information on the routines available at www.amope.ca


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Man faces life in prison for allegedly beating 4-year-old to death for spilling juice on his Xbox
An Illinois man could be facing life in prison after being charged with first-degree murder in connection with the beating death of his girlfriend's 4-year-old daughter after she spilled juice on his Xbox.
Johnathan Fair, 19, was indicted on four counts of first-degree murder by a Lake County grand jury Wednesday, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Authorities said Fair was babysitting 4-year-old Skylar Martinez on Dec. 13, 2018, when she spilled juice on his Xbox. Fair allegedly punished the child by beating her and kicking her down the hallway of the home.
Fair took the girl to the hospital after she passed out and gave doctors conflicting accounts of what happened, authorities said. The girl later died at Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago.
Fair later admitted to shaking and beating the girl. Hospital staff also noted signs of previous shaking and abuse, likely dating back months, according to Assistant State's Attorney Steve Scheller.
If convicted, Fair could face a sentence ranging from 60 years to natural life in prison, Scheller said.


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The stock market seems less than bullish on Candy Crush Saga maker King's initial public offering this morning. As of this writing, the company's stock is trading down roughly 13 percent from its $22.50 initial asking price on the New York Stock Exchange.
[UPDATE: King ended its first day of trading down 15.56 percent from its opening value. That's the worst first-day performance for a major US IPO in the last 15 years, according to an analysis by Rennaisance Capital.]
King offered up 22.2 million shares at that opening price, which fell right in the middle of an expected $21 to $24 range, before falling to a current price of $19.62 in public trading. That initial pricing would have raised about $500 million through direct sales, and it valued the entire company at roughly $7 billion, including a 44.2 percent stake owned by investors, including Apex Ventures.
Founded in Sweden in 2003 and largely unknown before Candy Crush Saga's breakout success in the last few years, King turned its 97 million daily active users into nearly $1.9 billion in revenue and $567.6 million in profit last year. But the company has yet to diversify its revenue away from the breakout hit of Candy Crush, which represented a full 78 percent of King's gross bookings in the last quarter of 2013, despite heavy efforts to promote other titles through TV advertising and other means.
FarmVille maker Zynga, the last social gaming powerhouse to go through a public stock offering, saw its market value plummet 70 percent in the months following its December 2011 IPO. Zynga's stock has recovered somewhat since bottoming out in late 2012, but it's still worth less than half as much as when it first landed on the NASDAQ exchange and is considered something of a has-been in the gaming business.
King courted controversy earlier this year by trying to protect its game with a trademark on the word "candy." While the company later abandoned that trademark registration in the US, it maintains a similar trademark in the EU.


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Clues from hurricane 'fingerprints'
Scientists decode hurricane 'records' left in trees and rocks to try to predict the strength of future storms.
Hard hats and head lamps are not tools one usually associates with hurricane hunters. But for Amy Frappier they are indispensable.
The Boston College geochemist and her colleagues have been searching for signs of hurricanes in stalagmites that rise like jagged stone fangs from the floors of caves in Latin America. In the formations' tree-ringlike growth layers, she and her colleagues have shown that stalagmites record individual hurricanes by the unique chemical fingerprints the storms leave on the rain they dump. Buoyed by results published last April from a field trip to Belize in 2001, the team this summer has been focusing its hunt on caves on Mexico's Yucatan peninsula.
Meanwhile, a group of scientists at the University of Tennessee has been looking for similar signatures hidden in tree rings. The samples gathered in 2001 from a region of woods near Valdosta, Ga., have yielded a record of hurricane activity reaching back 220 years. Colleagues at the University of South Carolina say they have conducted similar work that pushes the record there back to the 1400s.
These are among the latest efforts at trying to build a record of Atlantic tropical-cyclone activity reaching as far into the past as these "proxies" for written records will take them. The approaches range from teasing out the chemistry of tree rings and stalagmites to pulling long cores of muck from beneath coastal lakes and lagoons.
The results feed more than academic curiosity. Insurance companies want to know how often major storms strike parts of the coast where the firms have sold large numbers of policies. More broadly, tropical-cyclone specialists have been embroiled over the past two years in a debate over whether global warming's fingerprints are appearing in the recent cyclone record for the Atlantic and globally.
The immediate concern focuses on the likelihood that, on average, storms will grow more intense as the climate warms. Scientists also are finding evidence from these "proxy" studies for a link between hurricanes and wildfires in the years following the landfall of a major storm. This raises the prospect that, as hurricane activity increases for whatever reason, the threat of wildfires in the Southeast and Gulf Coast regions could grow as the climate continues to warm, some researchers say. Scientists theorize that trees downed by storms provide fuel for fires.
While the debate on global warming and hurricanes is not over, scientists on both sides agree that historical records and data from aircraft and satellites fail to reach far enough back in time to help resolve the issue. That's where the slowly growing field of paleotempestology comes in. Some techniques already have yielded records for a single location that reach back 5,000 years. Scientists would like to drive that still further into the past and for many more hurricane-prone locations.
'Footprints' in the sand
As if to underscore the rising interest in what paleotempestology has to offer, the Brazil-based Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) last year funded a six-year project to apply these proxy approaches to the entire Caribbean basin. The effort involves a dozen scientists from four countries, including the US.
"We have a fairly limited set of records at any one location, especially for the strongest storms," explains James Elsner, a professor at Florida State University specializing in hurricane climatology, distribution, and risk. The biggest concern revolves around recurrence rates for the most powerful tropical cyclones. The first step involves identifying these in the prehistoric record; the next step is to expand the network of observing points. "Once you have those, you can start to see what kind of patterns there were in these prehistoric events," he says.
To gather that information, scientists first turned to sediment cores taken from marshes, lagoons, and lakes behind barrier beaches. This "is the most useful and proven technique to date," says Kam-biu Liu, a Louisiana State University paleoclimatologist who first applied the approach to the hurricane problem in 1989. As a tropical cyclone makes landfall, the storm surge washes beach sand into these bodies of water. The sand settles to the bottom, then gets covered with organic material that forms most of the muck at the bottom. The sand layers show up in the cores. Scientists can find out when the storm or storms struck by using radiocarbon dating techniques on the organic material above and below the sandy layer. Dr. Liu and Jeffrey Donnelly of the Woods Hole (Mass.) Oceanographic Institution have pioneered this approach along the Gulf Coast and in the Northeast and Puerto Rico.
Scientists have been able to trace storm histories back at least 5,000 years. After looking at data from four sites along the Gulf Coast, for example, Liu notes that hurricane activity in the region was fairly low during the first 1,200 years in the samples and the past 1,000 years or so. But for 2,800 years in between, activity was relatively high; a major hurricane struck each site as often as once every 200 years.
Researchers are now trying to figure out the atmospheric and oceanic drivers for such long-term swings.
Clues written in stone
Where some researchers hunt for hurricanes in the muck, others are turning to the record written in stone and wood. Both approaches take advantage of changes that severe storms bring to the ratio of oxygen isotopes in water they drop. Rain from tropical cyclones carries more of the lighter oxygen isotopes than rain from ordinary storms. University of Houston researcher James Lawrence – who had been working on the isotopic content of storm water – saw that the approach could be applied to hurricane studies and offered the idea up in a paper he published in 1998. That sent Boston College's Dr. Frappier and researchers at the University of Tennessee, among others, off to caves and forests.
By 2001, researchers were bringing tree-ring samples and stalagmite samples in for analysis. But, notes University of Tennessee tree-ring expert Henri Grissino-Mayer, the work was a lot harder than it looked. Sometimes the best specimens are underwater stumps. Then it's time to date the entire ring, each with a light portion representing early-season growth, and a dark portion representing late-season growth. Because the hurricane season is most intense from August on, this late-season growth is the main target. Then each of those segments gets a once-over for the oxygen-isotope content. The work is painstaking and requires a steady hand to extract the samples.
The stalagmite work is similar. Frappier says this summer's effort in Mexico has been largely a reconnaissance trip to find stalagmites in caves that may hold the information they seek.
In both cases the results from their samples, gathered in 2001, only hit the streets in the past year. The tree-ring results from the work by Tennessee's Claudia Mora and Dr. Grissino-Mayer, and colleagues from the University of South Carolina and the University of New Mexico, appeared last September.
Frappier's results appeared last February. The tree rings tracked hurricanes back some 220 years. And while the record from the stalagmite Frappier selected stretched back 23 years, it records storms by week and month, not just by season. Beyond these approaches, "we are also experimenting with the application of corals to this line of research, although it's not as far along as tree rings and cave deposits," Liu notes.
Still, "by putting together this team of people and tackling the problem from different angles using different techniques and looking at different time scales we will have a better understanding of the spatial and temporal variations in hurricane activity across the entire Caribbean Basin."


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The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine has suspended a junior faculty member after she was charged with helping her roommate sell prescription pain pills through the online drug market Silk Road.
Alexandra Gold was in the second year of a two-year obstetrics and gynecology posting, said Kim Hoppe, a Hopkins Medicine spokeswoman. She added that the institution is "fully cooperating with the authorities" investigating the case.
Gold was arrested after undercover Drug Enforcement Administration agents in Florida filed charges against her roommate Olivia Bolles, who is also a doctor. Bolles allegedly used the name MDPro to sell Xanax, oxycodone, Adderall and other drugs online.
Mark R. Trouville, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA's Miami office, said in statement that Bolles' "greed" led her to put the public at risk.
"Dr. Bolles was a respectable doctor by day and a drug trafficker by night when she went incognito on the underground website Silk Road to illegally sell highly abused pharmaceutical medications," Trouville said.
The federal defender's office in Delaware, which represented Gold, declined to comment on the case. Bolles' attorney could not be reached, nor could either of the women.
Federal agents in Maryland and elsewhere have been investigating sellers on Silk Road since 2011, culminating in the site being shutdown in October and its alleged founder Ross Ulbricht being arrested. But according to court documents, Bolles then set up shop on a similar site known as Black Market Reloaded using the name GenRX1.
The charging document filed against Gold provided few specifics of her alleged involvement in the smuggling. In an interview with investigators after her arrest Gold admitted to helping Bolles package the pills to make them look like boxes of Swedish Fish and other candy and sending them in the mail, according to the charges against her.
The investigation into Bolles is described in detail in an affidavit filed in Florida
Bolles had been active on Silk Road since March 2013, according to court documents, selling a wide variety of prescription medications. In addition to selling drugs, federal authorities say MDPro used online message boards to dispense advice on ways to inject heroin and manufacture homemade pharmaceuticals.
Between March and August, Bolles made about $19,000 selling on Silk Road, authorities said.
Breaking News Alerts
Silk Road operated on a hidden part of the Internet that made it difficult for law enforcement to locate sellers in the real world. But authorities said Bolles did little conceal her identity when she mailed out some 600 packages to customers in 17 countries.
Agents said they built the case against Bolles by buying drugs from her and tracing the postage and mailing box that she paid for using an account in her real name. Three of the packages Bolles sent included her home address, according to court documents.
The two women were stopped by federal agents late last week while driving near their Newark, Del. home, according to court documents.
Bolles faces drug distribution charges in Florida and Gold has been charged in Delaware.
Gold was released Tuesday to await trial. A judge ordered her to have no contact with Bolles and not to use the Internet.


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Former Broward County, Fla., elementary school teacher Cheryl Grampa (pictured), who stands accused of allowing some of her students to massage her to a "happy ending," has lost her license to teach in her state, according to the Sun-Sentinel.
SEE ALSO: Scientists Discuss What Happens To The 'Soul' After Death (VIDEO)
The 46-year-old educator, who taught at Cooper City Elementary School, allegedly offered students rewards in exchange for the inappropriate massages.
In one instance, a boy reportedly massaged her breasts and vagina, but she failed to notify school authorities of the liberties that were taken by the child.
The massages were said to have taken place between August 2009 and February 2010.
SEE ALSO: Families Forgive Drunk Driver Who Killed Their Children
According to the school board, Grampa's offenses ranged from "soliciting and allowing students to massage her, in exchange for rewards; allowing students to touch her in an inappropriate manner and failing to take reasonable and corrective action with respect to improper touching."
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MUST READ: Middle-Class Tax Hikes Would Cut 2013 Consumer Spending By $200 Billion
School district officials delved in to the allegations regarding the 12-year teaching veteran and determined that Grampa should be suspended for five days and undergo classroom management training and psychological testing as well.
Last year, Grampa underwent two psychological evaluations, one in May and the other in November. The findings from both administered evaluations deemed Grampa "unfit for duty as a classroom teacher."
MUST LISTEN: Iyanla Vanzant: Recreational Drugs Can't Treat A Mental Disorder [EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW]
Grampa, who also failed to attend the state's discussion of her case last September, resigned from her teaching duties last December.
Despite her improprieties, Grampa has had no criminal charges filed against her and has since relocated to Texas.
Unfortunately, Grampa stands alongside three other teachers in the county who have lost their licenses this year because of their indecorous acts.
Forty-year-old former music teacher David Lyman was found guilty of molesting a few of his elementary school students. Susan Rae Kepper, 31, a former high school reading teacher, had the kabosh put on her teaching license for allegedly having sex with an 18-year-old student. In addition, a state complaint accuses Christine Lammer, 36, a former high school English teacher, of supposedly sending four nude photos of herself to a 17-year-old male student.
Today's Freedom Fighters
Jonathan Majors Video Evidence, 'Woman Recanting' Assault Claim Will Clear Actor Of Charges, Lawyer Says
'Get Out Of The Country': Video Shows Black Man Kicked Out Of School CRT Meeting As 'Racist Woman' Stays
Actress Jodie Turner-Smith Says Having 'Light-Skinned' Baby With White Husband Helped Her Confront Colorism
Genius Black Teens Solve Math Problem Believed to Be Impossible For 2,000 Years
Thanks, Ron DeSantis: Florida School District Pulls 'Ruby Bridges' Movie After 1 White Parent Complains
Graphic Videos Showing Tekashi 6ix9ine Being Brutally Beaten In Florida Gym Go Viral
Look-Alike Black Actors Who Should Be Cast As Fictional Siblings


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Snacks delivery in East Rockaway
Gopuff has 500+ facilities delivering to 1000+ cities. Plus, we're opening new facilities all the time, and are bringing our on-demand delivery service to an area near you soon.
Snacksview all results
Slim Jim Original Giant Smoked Meat Stick 0.97oz$1.89
Hostess Donettes Powdered Mini Donuts Bag 10oz$4.29
Round and round they go, right into your heart. Get a sweet start with powdered sugar HOSTESS DONETTES. These poppable mini breakfast treats are made to golden perfection and covered with a dusting of yummy powdered sugar. Simply pop open a bag, and LIVE YOUR MOSTESS.
Jolly Rancher Fruit Chews 2.06oz$1.00
Boyfriends come and go; Jolly Rancher fruit chews are forever.
2.06 oz.
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups King Size 2.8oz$2.29
Basically, Amazing 3ct Microwave Extra Butter Popcorn$3.99
What Makes It Great:
- Pack includes 3 unpopped popcorn bags that can be made in the microwave for snacking anytime
- 100% Whole Grain Popcorn
- 0g Trans Fat Per Serving (See Nutrition Panel for Fat and Sodium Content)
Good to know:
- Contains: Milk
- May Contain: Soy
- Kosher
Basically, if you're still reading this, it's more-than-ordinary popcorn at great value when you need it most. Brought to you by Gopuff.
Act II Butter Lovers Popcorn 2.75oz$1.79
Butter me up.
Basically, Amazing 3ct Microwave Kettle Popcorn$3.99
What Makes It Great:
- Pack includes 3 unpopped popcorn bags that can be made in the microwave for snacking anytime
- 100% Whole Grain Popcorn
- 0g Trans Fat Per Serving (See Nutrition Panel for Fat and Sodium Content)
Good to know:
- Contains: Milk
- May Contain: Soy
- Kosher
Basically, if you're still reading this, it's more-than-ordinary popcorn at great value when you need it most. Brought to you by Gopuff.
Airheads Xtremes Rainbow Berry Bites 3.8oz$2.79
Ruffles Cheddar & Sour Cream Potato Chips 2.5oz$2.29
Haribo Goldbears Gummi Candy 5oz$2.49
Snickers Candy Bar King Size 3.29oz$2.69
Kit Kat Candy Bar King Size 3oz$2.29
Sour Patch Kids Watermelon Soft & Chewy Candy 5oz$2.49
Little Debbie Cosmic Brownie 4oz$2.29
Out of this world.
Sour Patch Kids Soft & Chewy Candy 5oz$2.49
Munchies Flamin' Hot Snack Mix 8oz$3.69
Hostess Donettes Chocolate Mini Donuts Bag 10.75oz$4.79
Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar King Size 2.6oz$2.29
Delivered straight to your throne.
Jolly Rancher Assorted Hard Candy 7oz$3.99
Jolly Rancher Original Gummies 5oz$2.29
Oreos Chocolate Sandwich Cookies 14.3oz$6.99
Rold Gold Original Pretzels 16oz$3.69
Skittles Sour Candy 5.7oz$4.69
Welch's Mixed Fruit Fruit Snacks 5oz$2.29
Mixed fruit? This is basically a fruit salad.
Oreo Double Stuf Chocolate Sandwich Cookies 15.35oz$6.99
David's Ranch Jumbo Sunflower Seeds 5.25oz$2.69
As if sunflower seeds weren't addicting enough, they introduced us to ranch.
Slim Jim Giant Twin Pack 1.94oz$2.99
Andy Capp's Hot Fries 3oz$2.29
Pringles Sour Cream & Onion Potato Crisps Chips 5.5oz$3.79
Kinder Bueno Candy Bar 4ct$2.49
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Slow New England job growth seen lagging U.S. gains
Massachusetts should have strongest economy in New England
An economic outlook says New England's jobs recovery will continue to be slow, set back by federal spending cuts and reduced consumer demand.
The report released Wednesday by the New England Economic Partnership says economic growth of 3 percent through 2017 is less than what's considered even moderate.
View: Top Jobs for 2014
Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire are expected to continue to boast the strongest economies in the region in the next four years.
Employment growth of 2 percent in the six states will be below the national average. Massachusetts has recovered the jobs lost in the 2007-2009 recession and Vermont will soon follow.
Rhode Island is expected to have the region's highest unemployment rate, 6.1 percent, by 2017.
Housing is a bright spot as home prices and sales rise, boosting construction and related industries.


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By Nate Scott January 13, 2014 9:36 pm ET @aNateScott
The above commercial is from Duracell and stars Seahawks fullback Derrick Coleman, who is the first deaf offensive player to ever play in the NFL.
After not being drafted in 2012 despite a stellar career at UCLA, Coleman made the Seahawks this season. In his first game with the team, he had 3 catches for 30 yards, and he also caught a touchdown pass against the Saints in the Monday Night Football game on December 2nd.
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Kill Dil is a disaster!
Before I rant, which I absolutely must, let me quickly congratulate Kill/Dil for unlocking a whole series of achievements. Let's see, wastes Govinda, makes Gunday look like one of the most sorted out movies of the year, and, baap of … Continue reading
Posted in Columns & Reviews Tagged ali zafar, desi kattey, govinda, gunday, kill dil, parineeti chopra, ranveer singh, shaad ali, yashraj films Leave a comment


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Have couch, will travel ... for less
Andrew Polley had Westminster Abbey all to himself at morning's dawn. Moses Allen stayed at an apartment so close to St. Peter's Basilica that he could wander the Vatican before the flood of tourists.
For Polley, there were four-hour meals with friends in Portugal, spiced up with political talk. For Allen, there was an up-close tour of Stonehenge — so close he could touch the famed monument —and reading Marcus Aurelius' "Meditations" while sitting in the ruins of the Colosseum.
Membership has its privileges — only in this case, Polley and Allen, both from Springfield, Ill., belong to the social network CouchSurfing.com, which puts travelers or "surfers" in contact with willing hosts all over the globe.
According to a spokesman, the site that launched in 2004 will register its two millionth user this month.
The premise is sort of "have couch, will travel." Prospective surfers and hosts — you can do one or the other or both — post profiles about themselves. Would-be travelers traipsing around London or Paris or Route 66 can request stays for a night or a week, circumventing hotel or motel stays for a home-cooked meal or a pub crawl with newly made friends.
There are vouching and verification safety nets in place to ward off potential uneasiness. Users offer reviews for other would-be surfers to peruse.
Those who are part of the CouchSurfing phenomenon say it changes the way they look at travel.
"You're no longer just passing through as a tourist," says Polley, who spent all but two nights of a three-month tour of Europe in 2007 on strangers' couches. "You're part of that culture."
"CouchSurfing is an authentic community," adds Allen, who traveled in Europe in 2008. "It encourages people to leave their computer chairs and go out into the real world to live life to the fullest."
'A network of trust'
Polley heard about CouchSurfing from a friend. After setting up a profile and e-mailing his first host in Dublin, Polley said he grew nervous about whether contacts would respond or actually show up at appointed meeting places.
Every host, Polley says, followed through. One in Scotland gave Polley the secret hiding spot for his house key.
"You're putting your trust in a digital profile," says Polley, 27, a pilot for Air America, a contract company for Pictometry International. "I'm OK with that. I believe you can get a good feeling (from that.) It's like getting a tenant in your house."
"If you're going to a church for a first time," adds Allen, 26, a legal assistant for the Springfield law firm LaBarre, Young & Behnke, "you're a stranger, but you're more prone to trust (people there.) The same with the CouchSurfing community. It's a network of trust because they're vouching for (each other.)"
Despite glowing recommendations from travelers such as Polley and Allen, there is still wariness about CouchSurfing, particularly regarding safety issues.
"People think it's like bumming," Allen admits.
"I could bounce from couch to couch," Polley says. "But it's one of those systems that you take what you can. You don't abuse it."
Finances entered into the equation for Polley, who figures he saved about $4,000 — CouchSurfing hosts aren't allowed to charge — on lodging costs alone during his European trip.
The method of travel may cut costs, says communications specialist Cesar Valentim, but hosts — most surfers reciprocate — spend more money.
CouchSurfers, says the Lisbon-based Valentim, need to have open minds about the experiences. But even he admits the concept isn't for everyone.
"If everyone was willing to open their house, it would be easy," says Valentim, who has hosted some 600 CouchSurfers over the past five years. "It's for people who share the same principles, who are interested in meeting people and understanding cultural differences.
"It's about creating good experiences."
Open-door policy
Polley's experience in Europe led his parents to open their Springfield home to about 20 CouchSurfers — caddies from the LPGA State Farm Classic, Route 66 enthusiasts and empty nesters among them — over the past two years.
Rick Polley, manager of field services for the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives, admits the notion ran against his "this-is-my-castle-and-I-own-it" philosophy. Now the couple gets reviews like "best homemade tomato juice" and "just like going to mom and dad's."
"You'd like them to go away feeling welcomed here," says Janet Polley, a secretary for State Farm.
Steve Gifford of Springfield has also hosted a number of surfers and is active with a Central Illinois group of about 35 CouchSurfers.
Hosting has given Gifford, 28, a park guide for the National Park Service at the Lincoln Home, a chance to show off his adopted hometown. CouchSurfers here have wolfed down Cozy Dogs at the Cozy Dog Drive In.
A Dutch CouchSurfer, Gifford remembers, had to politely tell people running a Dutch food booth at the Illinois State Fair that his country's flag was being flown upside down.
"He took it OK. He just asked the woman behind the counter if he could have a word with her," Gifford recalls.
Polley says his experiences are proof that offering your couch to a virtual stranger "isn't so out of the ordinary."
A few weeks ago, Polley opted to CouchSurf during a quick weekend trip to Kansas City. His hosts took him to a Kansas City Royals baseball game and out to eat afterward to celebrate a family member's birthday.
"I've had trips catered around me, meals made for me," Polley says. "People love to share their lives and host. It shows people are capable of pure generosity."
Right frame of mind
As a student at North Park College, Allen traveled to Armenia and Zambia on mission trips. Out of school, Allen again got the jones to travel, but was looking for something more than the youth hostel experience prevalent in Europe.
Enter CouchSurfing.
"Every time I went to a foreign country, I always had friends there (through CouchSurfing)," he says.
Allen's best advice regarding CouchSurfing? Approach it with the right frame of mind and avoid lofty expectations.
"You have to let yourself go," he says. "If you're not open to meeting new people, if you don't take chances in trusting others, you're not going to get far. If you're not looking for the good in people, you're never going to find it.
"But when you're within that group of people with like minds, that's where the fun begins."
"I'm always excited going into (a trip)," Polley adds. "It's like two people's lives coming together.
"And it beats the monotony of four walls and a TV."
Steven Spearie can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com.
CouchSurfing facts
Founded: 2004, by American Casey Fenton
Number of CouchSurfers: Expected to hit the 2 million mark this month
Countries represented: 235
Average age of CouchSurfer: 28
Source: www.CouchSurfing.com


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Worst Practices
I have recently been involved with an enterprise that has somehow managed to embrace just about the worst transformation practices possible. It all started with the vocabulary the leaders chose to employ. They managed to paint a transformation picture that they apparently had no intention of pursuing. While they portrayed fundamental change, their actions totally represented those of stewards of the status quo.
They did not "walk the talk" in several ways. While cutting production staff and freezing salaries, they relentlessly increased the size and payroll of the management staff. This included changing elements of the leadership team without communicating to those reporting to these leaders. New bosses just showed up and took over. It did not seem to matter to the senior leadership that the subordinates involved were totally confused.
They also rolled out policy changes that fundamentally affected people without informing them. For example, they moved accounts and responsibilities without announcing the policy changes, leaving managers unable to find accounts and manage them. The resulting confusion among program managers was apparently of no concern to senior leadership. It did not matter that financial management was now impossible — the issue was power and control, not performance.
It would seem that only the most wooden-headed leadership would expect that these practices could succeed. Middle management has had endless debates over whether senior leaders are inept or simply do not care. No one seems to know what the leaders have been thinking. However, most employees feel that the leadership was simply assuming that employees are lucky to be employed and should put up with anything. The stewards of the status quo could not imagine that people would do anything other than what they were supposed to do, even when what they supposed to do was never communicated.
I asked several senior mid-level executives how they felt about events of the past year or two. One of them put it best, "It is like being pecked to death by ducks." All sorts of irritating little changes happen, things that might have been acceptable if communicated and discussed. However, these changes – most small but some big – were simply implemented without explanation. With supervisors unable to explain the source or intent of these changes, staff morale is steadily slipping..
So, what happens next? Does this organization spiral to oblivion? The problem is that such incompetency can be embraced for an amazingly long time. Bloated work processes that provide little value can be sustained and expanded with little scrutiny. Investments can be made in competencies that are no longer needed, or were never needed. The realization of irrelevance comes much too late. The leadership is completely at odds with the future, which they consciously ignore seeing. The message, strategy, and plan are totally at odds with reality. The severance packages may be much too generous, but the sooner such leaders are gone, the sooner the wonders of creative destruction can commence.


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The Next Great Glitch
One of my larger clients, a major international construction company, is no longer providing health insurance coverage for its workers thanks to Obama. In fact, the vast majority of the workers are losing hours and other benefits as well. The human resources office did offer to help its workers (the term "employee" is no longer being used) with the new socialist exchanges paperwork. And here's what we've learned. Most of the workers can't afford the premiums in the six states where most workers live. Any worker under the age of 26 who needs a federal handout (known as a "subsidy") to cover the cost is being asked for financial information from their parents. Apparently, the language which states that folks who are dependents according to IRS language may keep their parents coverage until 26, is being interpreted as, if you can't afford the premiums, you must be dependent, and your parents have to be unable to carry you before you get your welfare component of health are coverage from our friend the government. By yesterday, the Worker Management Office (once called Human Resources) was being flooded with calls from workers under the age of 26, many of them with wives and children, who were stating that they were being told to provide their parents' financial information in order to qualify for subsidized policies, and they just weren't going to do it. We had a sort of inkling of this about four months ago. When I posted about the various proposals that Democrats and Republicans seemed to agree on, and Obama promised to veto, one of the proposed changes was in the definitions section of the law to address problems like this. The bottom line is that one immediate effect of Obamatax is that if you are 25, married with kids and you've just lost your insurance coverage, you can't get coverage until you prove that your parents can't pay. And god knows what happens in that married family–do you have to prove that both can't provide? 1000 people who had health care last month and none today.
This is from Parker's column in the MWDN:
"What is ready, and adorable, is a sampler of new ads aimed at children who are still fretful about the new plan. Oh, wait, no. The ads, featuring baby ducks and kittens – purring and feeling ducky about Obamacare – are aimed at adults. They're certifiably cute, but one can't escape the thought that the federal government has skipped all pretense at treating Americans as adults. Naptime, anyone?"
With regard to the shut down, Obama has promised to turnoff the video feed of cute panda cubs.
And now we are infantilizing construction workers with children–people who have enough pride left to forego insurance rather than crawl back to the womb for their health insurance. Looks like none of the workers in that construction company are going to have health insurance thanks to Obama. Or maybe anyone under 26 who values independence from their parents.
Just one more boxcar in the train wreck that is Obama's signature attack on America's values.


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Poll: Palin leads GOP pack
Republicans want Sarah Palin to be their nominee, but they like Mitt Romney's chances better in a head-to-head match-up against Barack Obama, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll.
Palin, the former Alaska governor and vice presidential nominee, has the support of 22 percent of Republicans surveyed, with Romney in second place, at 20 percent.
Texas Rep. Ron Paul and Atlanta businessman Herman Cain tie for third place with 7 percent each.
But of the Republican candidates, Romney runs the closest to Obama, at 38 percent to 51 percent. Obama outpolls former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty by 19 points and Palin by 23 points.
The Reuters/Ipsos poll is one of a number of surveys released this week. Most show Romney leading the GOP field. The poll surveyed 1,132 adults — 948 of whom were registered voters — June 3-6. The margin of error is plus or minus 3 percentage points.


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Thursday, May 19, 2005
Double Oat and Peanut Butter Cookies
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup peanut butter
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/4 cup water
3 cups Cheerios cereal
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup peanut butter chips
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, oats, baking soda and salt.
In a large mixing bowl, beat together butter and peanut butter until smooth. Add granulated and brown sugar, beating until creamy. Mix in egg, vanilla and water. Add dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Fold in Cheerios, raisins and peanut butter chips.
Scoop dough using a 1/4 cup measure and drop onto parchment lined baking sheets, spacing them about 3" apart. Lightly dampen the palm of your hand and gently flatten the dough.
Place cookies into the oven and bake until the edges are lightly golden, about 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cookies cool for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Makes about 24 large cookies.
Just found the recipe? Click here to see where we talked about it!
6 comments:
These sound really interesting with the addition of cheerios..I will be giving these a try.... :)ReplyDelete
Joe......I'm curious how these taste. Will you get a mouthful of plain Cheerios mixed with peanut butter cookie goodness, or will the two blend during the baking process? Curious to know what other reviewers have to say.ReplyDelete
Hendria - Great! I hope you enjoy them!ReplyDelete
Mark - I don't think it came across to either of us as a peanut butter cookie plastered with Cheerios. The Cheerios seemed to blend into the cookies so you get a bit of crunch with an oat-y background. If you couldn't see them in the cookies, I don't know one would be able to pick them out.
"a bit of crunch with an oat-y background" is exactly it. Made these last night & they're great!ReplyDelete
Only changes I made were to switch out the raisins/pb chips for about a cup of semisweet chips. Also added a pinch more salt, and accidentally swapped the amounts of white and brown sugar. I'd probably keep it that way the next time I make these. I think they'd be good with peanuts too.
Thanks for this!
Spidercamp - Yes, chocolate chips would be a good call with these! Glad you gave them a try!ReplyDelete
I made these tonight, and they're yummy! I swapped out chocolate chips for the raisins and the p.b. chips, and added a little extra salt. And I did not have any Cheerios (I hate them), so I used three cups of Honey Bunches of Oats with Almonds, and an extra half cup of sliced, toasted almonds. Delish!ReplyDelete


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Adult Male Star Reveals Violent Assault by Fellow Actor Last Year
August Alexander, a Noir Male "Brand Ambassador," was arrested last year for a violent assault on adult male performer Bobby Ryker, "who just shared bloody photos of himself and revealed that Alexander was arrested after violently attacking him in Palm Springs last year," reports the adult male site Str8UpGayPorn.com.
The adult entertainment company's "Brand Ambassador" program was defined in an EDGE investigative report last year by the company's Creative Director NuEric: "We're using brand ambassadors to be the people's voice and to hear feedback and bring that back to the powers that be and ensure that we're creating content that our consumers appreciate and like."
In the EDGE piece a number of "Brand Ambassadors" were interviewed, but Alexander was not amongst them.
Note: the images in the following tweets below are of an extremely violent nature and could be triggering.
In the Tweet, Ryker writes: "Ok I'm goona do this thing I don't want to do ....but it's time. Last summer I was brutally assaulted by another performer when we were sharing a room in Palm Springs under the context of making content. I'm still working through it but it's time to talk about it."
In a second tweet, he explained what precipitated the violence: "I barely knew him.. He wanted to date & I said no .. there is Nothing more. I was stone cold sober and at the time I thought he was too."
After revealing Alexander's identity, he provided more details accompanied by a pic: "After repeated conversations about how we wouldn't be more than friends.. he got angry and verbally abusive. I told him I was leaving and went to pack my things.
"He sucker punched me while I was packing my bag."
Two additional tweets revealed the extent of his injuries.
(Please note: extremely graphic pics.)
"Then he pushed me down on the bed climbed on me choking with hands and began biting my torso.
"He ripped back and forth as though he was trying to rip my flesh from my body," he wrote.
And went on to explain the stitches on the back of his head. "I was able to get him off me and as I was leaving the room he cracked me in the back of the head with a clothes iron."
He added that Armstrong was arrested that night "and released due to Covid. He's charged with felony assault with a Deadly weapon with intent to cause great bodily harm ...He's skipped out on all court appearances and there is a warrant out for his arrest."
Alexander was unapologetic, pretty much admitting it happened but dismissing it.
"And when August Alexander was confronted by Twitter user Joss Hoskie about the felony assault, Alexander tweeted that Ryker should 'get over it already...months later and you wanna revisit this.' As if that weren't bad enough, Alexander then wrote, 'shit is months old.' "


text: Luscious Lopez has decided, grudgingly, to attend a session with a renowned sex therapist, if only to prove to her sad sack husband once and for all that their marriage is on a one-way trip to ye olde recycle bin. Much to her surprise, the handsome young doctor has a refreshing new take on immersion therapy; once his cock is snugly tucked into the soft folds of her vaginal vault, the problems with her husband seem to dissolve like so much smoke in the wind. Encouraged to air her grievances, she lets loose with a heartfelt and continuous stream of abuse towards her husband that seems to lift her spirits almost as much as the cock between her legs. Who knew therapy could be so immediately rewarding?


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The Power of Patient Organisations
By Markus Wartenberg
Cancer patient organisations around the world carry out enormously important work on behalf of patients and their families. Without them, the standard of care and support available to cancer patients would be severely compromised in some countries. Doctors and nurses increasingly find themselves in the position where they cannot give patients the care and attention they deserve due to time and financial restraints. Patient organisations not only offer patients and their families information and support, but also the individual care and attention many hospitals are unable to provide. In today's economic climate, patient organisations come into their own by offering practical patient support, and take on the role of advocates for best quality health care, access to innovative treatments, and reimbursement of health care costs.
Each patient organisation is unique in terms of the service offered, which in turn is influenced by the patient community they serve. This is reflected in the groups mission statement and objectives and whether they operate on a regional, national, or even international level. Some groups focus exclusively on voluntary work, while others employ professional staff. Irrespective of a group's profile, however, most patient organisations have two essential aims in common:
- To improve the situation of individual patients by providing information and support
- To improve the situation of patients in general through a commitment to patient-centred care, access to high quality treatment, promoting research, influencing health care policies, and advocating on behalf of their patient community.
At the very heart of any patient organisation's work is information. They make it possible for patients and their families to find out more about their cancer diagnosis by supplying them with information, or helping them access information from other organisations.
Patients or relatives usually make contact with patient organisations via websites, Facebook pages, online forums, or helplines. This is often followed by a telephone conversation or email, during which the patient or relative is given background information about their disease, information about possible treatment options, or information about participation in clinical trials, depending on the needs of the patient. Some patients might get in touch with a patient organisation purely to make contact with others in the same situation as themselves, or for general support in their day-to-day lives.
Information is provided in a number of ways, such as online web pages, via forums and chat rooms, or in the form of leaflets or booklets, videos, newsletters, seminars, patient days, and much more: The aim is to provide a comprehensive range of up-to-date and objective information. The resources have generally been developed by the patient organisations themselves, by people who have first-hand experience of the disease, often in cooperation with leading cancer experts, to ensure the content is responsible, accurate and understandable.
Usually, patient organisations are run by nonmedics; by people who know and respect their own limitations. Because they are not professional clinicians or nurses, and are not party to the patient's medical history, patient organisations are unable to recommend specific drugs or participation in particular clinical trials. However, they are able to provide information about the latest medical advances, available treatment options, and relevant clinical research studies. If requested, some may also help the patient to arrange for a second opinion from a leading cancer specialist, but anything beyond that should be discussed by the patient with their medical team. The patient organisation's role is to pass on the most up-to-date knowledge at the time – empowering patients to help themselves.
Patient organisations will often take on the role of advocates to help improve conditions for cancer patients. They work closely with key stakeholders in areas such as the quality of treatment, access to new & innovative therapies, reimbursement of treatment costs, and optimisation of research projects. Progress in the fight against cancer can only be brought about if patients, the medical and nursing community, research facilities, and other key stakeholders are involved and cooperating constructively with each other. We need to meet on a level playing field, respect each other, learn from each other and work as a team for the benefit of patients.
There are many excellent examples of patient and public involvement (PPI) initiatives and projects from around the world that have been made possible by collaborative working between patients, medical experts, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, insurance companies, and health technology assessment (HTA) agencies. They include:
- Projects using patient focus groups to address care and treatment requirements
- Patient interviews aimed at uncovering issues, desires, and needs, with respect to treatment quality, quality of life and drug compliance
- Early access to innovative therapies and reimbursement of treatment costs
- Better management of therapies and their side effects, especially oral targeted therapies
- Cooperation in setting up and maintaining clinical registers
- Medical conferences, patient information days, and other training programmes.
In recent years, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, insurance companies and HTA agencies have increasingly involved patient organisations in advisory boards and committees:
- To create treatment guidelines
- To incorporate patient experience into guidelines and treatment advice
- To make better decisions relating to patient needs.
Patient advocates are also being included in discussions about clinical trial strategy with medical research organisations, study groups and pharmaceutical companies. Experienced patient advocates are involved early in the design phase of a clinical trial ensuring the opinions of patients are listened to, and their insight is used to improve trial design and ensure the trial closely reflects the use of the drug in real life situations.
In the past, much research failed to consult the patients themselves, despite being done for their benefit. Future research needs to be carried out with input from patients to ensure the integrity of the research in the real world. A good example of PPI is AIDS/HIV research: What AIDS/HIV positive patients have achieved over the last 20 years in terms of being integrated into research-led projects is simply extraordinary. But how do patient organisations come to play an active part in research and clinical studies? There are essentially four areas that need to be covered:
1. Information on clinical studies and transparency
Patients tend not to be well informed about clinical trials. Unfortunately, there is still a misconception that doctors automatically inform their patients of all studies being carried out, or that patients actively search for clinical studies on websites, such as www.clinicaltrials.gov.
Sometimes, medical experts and industry representatives notify patient organisations about upcoming clinical studies, so that they in turn can inform patients. Many groups publish information about clinical trials to inform patients and their doctors about particular studies. However, the research and medical terminology must be translated into a language that patients can easily understand. Some patient organisations also share study results – whether positive or negative – with patients.
2. Partner in research and study development
For optimal clinical trial design, researchers need to be aware of what it is like to live with a specific cancer diagnosis; patients need to be asked questions that are relevant for conducting the research, and defining study end points. The researchers need to determine what patients can realistically achieve in a clinical trial, and they need to make sure that patients understand exactly what is involved before they commit. Patient organisations might not understand the overall drug development strategy and the reason for conducting some of the clinical trials, particularly when patients are given so little information about their existence. According to some studies, 49% of patients said lack of information was a reason why they didn't participate in clinical studies. Equally inadequate is how study satisfaction is handled: Study participants are rarely asked about their experiences on clinical trials and feedback to help improve the design of future trials is, therefore, limited.
3. Generating additional evidence
Due to the rarity of certain forms of cancer and the low number of patients involved, it is particularly important to have access to as much additional evidence as possible. Well managed patient organisations can help further research by providing relevant data and information from their own patient registries, or even by participating in the studies themselves. This can be done by means of questionnaires, surveys, interviews, case studies, video interviews, etc.
4. Being a catalyst, motivator and networker
Another role of a patient organisation is to bring together the appropriate experts, provide impetus, ask questions, motivate others, set-up and support networks, or kickstart bigger projects. Some patient groups are already working in cooperation with hospitals and cancer centres. This is becoming ever more important, and appears to be a trend that the hospitals and cancer centres themselves are increasingly asking for. However, it is still rare to find a clinic or hospital that follows a genuine "patient-led strategy" and truly understands the need to essentially combine patients and self-help groups. Unfortunately, many countries still do not have enough cancer centres, which can afford to employ professional "patient relations experts" or to set up "patient boards" working closely and permanently with hospital management. The Book of Courage and Hope show cases the work of patient organisations from around the world. It highlights areas where these organisations have made a difference to the lives of kidney cancer patients and their families, be it through provision of information and support, information about clinical trials, help regarding access to treatment, or simply by including patients and family members in their valuable work, thereby giving them a new focus in life.
As health economies become ever more strained, the work of patient organisations becomes even more important for the care and support of our loved ones living with kidney cancer.