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'Avatar' Claims Highest Gross of All Time
by Brandon Gray
February 3, 2010
Avatar has sailed past Titanic to become the highest-grossing movie of all time. In just 47 days, Avatar has grossed $601.1 million, while Titanic made $600.8 million in its entire run and took 252 days to cross the $600 million mark.
With this milestone, Avatar has completed the triple crown of box office gross records: first, it topped the foreign-only chart on Jan. 23, then it reigned over the worldwide chart (foreign plus domestic) on Jan. 25, and now, as of Feb. 2, it resides atop the domestic chart. Its foreign haul has risen to $1.474 billion. Add in domestic, and its worldwide gross stands at an incredible $2.075 billion.
Breaking domestic down, nearly 81 percent of Avatar's gross is from 3D presentations. Normal 3D accounts for over 64 percent of the gross, while IMAX 3D accounts for more than 16 percent. That leaves the 2D theaters with an over 19 percent share of the gross.
According to the National Association of Theater Owners, the latest available statistic for national average ticket price is $7.61 for the fourth quarter of 2009. IMAX claims an average ticket price of $14.58, but, at the time of this writing, there is no official word for regular 3D presentations. A survey of theaters across the country suggests a $2 to $4 premium for 3D over 2D and a $10 average ticket price (we'll update with better data as we dig it up). With these stats one can estimate 38.7 million tickets have been sold in regular 3D, 15.2 million sold in 2D and 6.8 million tickets sold in IMAX 3D.
All told, Avatar's estimated admission count is 60.7 million thus far, or less than Titanic through the same point (47 days in). It's also less than half of Titanic's 128 million total estimated admissions. Emphasizing the impressiveness of Avatar, it took such recent blockbusters as The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Spider-Man 2, The Passion of the Christ and Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith their entire runs to reach around 60 million admissions.
Unfortunately, the industry does not track admissions, only dollars. Absent proper admissions tracking, estimated admissions are determined by dividing the grosses by the average ticket prices, but this method is certainly iffy and should not be seen as definitive. It's best used for recent releases that have complete box office records, but, even then, one may know the national average ticket price but not the average for an individual movie. The audiences vary demographically and regionally for each movie, which means different average ticket prices. What's more, for a picture like Avatar, the method does not address leveling the playing field for the possible deterrent of higher ticket prices, how the 3D presentations impact 2D attendance or how 3D currently has far fewer theaters than past 2D blockbusters.
However, it's better to have an approximation than to have nothing. Only the money may matter to Hollywood, but attendance is important from an audience and cultural perspective. The disparity between Avatar and Titanic is so huge according to this method, that it is safe to say that Titanic sold a boatload more tickets.
Pointing out the estimated admissions in no way diminishes the box office achievement of Avatar. The purpose is to add perspective. There is no doubt that Avatar is a phenomenon in its own right with its own unique set of circumstances and that it stands as one of the greatest box office runs of all time.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
'Avatar' Claims Highest Gross of All Time
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subset: commoncrawl


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Police summaries and witness statements that make up the crux of most criminal trials will flow more freely to the defense table if a tentative agreement by attorneys is approved by the Ohio Supreme Court.
Police summaries and witness statements that make up the crux of most criminal trials will flow more freely to the defense table if a tentative agreement by attorneys is approved by the Ohio Supreme Court.
The changes to what is known as Rule 16 would allow defense attorneys the right to inspect the documents before a trial. In exchange, prosecutors would have access to most defense-witness statements and expert reports.
A draft of an agreement between the Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association will be presented to a Supreme Court rules committee, which could recommend changes.
The quid pro quo exchange of information in Ohio courtrooms has become more commonplace but is not universal, according to representatives for both associations.
Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien said his office routinely shares investigative files with the defense. Prosecutors in Dayton and Cleveland also favor a more "open discovery period," O'Brien said.
To ensure the same access across the state, "there was a common concern that the rule should be updated," he said.
Under the current system, prosecutors control access to the most sensitive reports and witness statements and are not required to hand them over to the defense until a witness testifies. That can leave gaping holes in defense strategy and result in long pauses in trials while the reports are reviewed.
Ian Friedman, president of the defense lawyers group, issued a joint statement with prosecutors on Friday saying the new discovery rule would provide the tools necessary for "a full and fair adjudication of the facts (and) protects the integrity of the justice system, protects the rights of the defendants and protects the well-being of witnesses, victims and society at large."
Rule 16 was adopted in 1973. The debate that resulted in the proposed changes began two years ago.
"It's remarkable that both groups are standing together and requesting a change in the criminal-justice system," Friedman said.
John Murphy, executive director of the prosecutors association, said prosecutors would retain the right to withhold some information about victims or witnesses "if it might endanger their life."
As usual, a judge would mediate any dispute between the parties over an interpretation of the rule on a case-by-case basis, Murphy said.
Neither side released a draft of the agreement, pending Supreme Court approval.


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I'm off to Red Sox country for my 25th high-school reunion tomorrow, so today's game was a radio affair while working, with Howie and Josh painting the word picture from their perch in the ionosphere above Nationals Park. With R.A. Dickey on the mound, the game passed by like the cool breeze from an ambling, unhittable knuckleball. Dickey is on a remarkable roll: He's the first in the big leagues to nine wins, which is one win more than he had all of last year; he's pitching to an ever-diminishing 2.44 ERA; he's striking out hitters in bushels and hardly walking any; and next week he has a shot at matching Jerry Koosman's club mark of 31 2/3 scoreless innings. (I could also mention Mike Pelfrey's streak of 27 scoreless innings, but I'm working assiduously to edit Mike Pelfrey out of my personal Mets history.) If Dickey keeps pitching the way we've come to expect that he will, he seems like a lock for the All-Star Game, which would be great fun to see unless you're Yadier Molina or Buster Posey.
We've said it before, in various ways, but it bears repeating: I sometimes have to pinch myself by way of reminder that R.A. Dickey is a real person, and not the figment of a blogger's overheated imagination. W.P. Kinsella once wrote a short story called "How I Got My Nickname," in which the '51 Giants are all well-read intellectuals who declaim like Ken Burns talking heads. It's an amusing fantasy designed to appeal to baseball eggheads like me, but Dickey would fit right into that imaginary dugout. Yet he's not some professorial bit player — he's the Mets' best starting pitcher, a ferocious competitor and (lest we forget) a phenomenal athlete. He just happens to throw a strange finesse pitch, and have the intellect and temperament for analyzing how he does it.
Lucas Duda's two-run shot was enough to back R.A. up — it was 2-0 for most of the afternoon but felt like 20-0 — and the Mets played sound defense for a change, with a particular tip of the cap going to Omar Quintanilla, playing with a finger that needed X-rays before the game and will get another set tomorrow. Quintanilla's not who we'd like at shortstop, but he's what we have for the next week or so until Ronny Cedeno gets back. (And if Quintanilla should join the ranks of the disabled, please God bring up Sean Kazmar or Wilfredo Tovar or shift over David Wright or do anything that doesn't involve Jordany Valdespin making errors at Yankee Stadium. There's only so much I can take.)
The Mets didn't need this game any more or less than they need any win on the way to however many victories they'll amass in 2012 — but with two sluggish, dispiriting losses behind them and the Subway Series looming, it was sure nice to have have it. Thanks to the math of the standings, they leave D.C. only a game worse than they arrived — well ahead, as Greg noted, of any place we could have reasonably expected to find them by now.
A last note before we see the Nats again: I came into this season expecting to loathe Bryce Harper, having heard the tales of his batting-box rituals and his Braveheart eyeblack and his minor-league antics. But after watching him in the first few games after his callup, I found I couldn't do it. Loathe Harper? Hell, I loved him. Besides having a Mickey Mantle package of skills, Harper plays baseball the way you'd hope to see it played. I'm not talking about his adherence to baseball's nebulous code, as enforced by a meathead like Cole Hamels. Rather, it's that Harper plays the game hell for leather, devouring it with equal parts joy and greed. To reuse Pete Rose's famous line, he looks like he'd walk through Hell in a gasoline suit to play baseball.
Harper was a muted factor in this first series against the Nats with him in attendance. Yeah, he won the first game, but on a little humpbacked liner that Vinny Rottino couldn't get to — a hit more well-placed than well-struck. It won't be the first time Harper beats us, or the most impressive way he'll do so — before he's done he'll beat us with majestic home runs and liners up the gap and laser-beam throws, too. I'm not going to enjoy any of those recaps — in fact, I dread thinking how many times it'll happen. But at the same time, I've got a feeling that in a 20 years or so I'll regard the Mets being beaten by Bryce Harper the same way I came to regard the Mets being beaten by Tony Gwynn: I didn't like it, but I also knew I'd tell my grandkids about it.


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Installing rod seals
The method of installation and the possible groove types for rod seals depend on the materials, seal design and ratio between the diameter and cross-sectional height. Table 1 provides general recommendations for profiles made of rubber or TPU with a hardness ≤ 95 shA. PTFE or other harder materials may require a smaller radial depth S or even open grooves. The recommendations in table 1 are not a substitute for careful installation tests in the particular application.
Installing rod seals in closed grooves
Rod seals can often be installed into closed grooves through carefully bending the profile similar to a kidney shape and then inserting it into the groove. It is very important to avoid sharp bending.
Thin and flexible profiles can be installed by hand (fig. 1 and fig. 2 ). Installation tools for TPU rod seals help to install profiles of greater section thickness (fig. 3, fig. 4, fig. 5, fig. 6, fig. 7 and fig. 8). After installation, the seal may need to be reshaped to a round form using a cone-shaped tool.
For PTFE seals, small diameter seals or for serial assembly, special assembly tools (fig. 9) may be required to save time or avoid seal damage. For additional information about such special installation tools, contact SKF.


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KCNcrew Pack 02.15.2016 Mac OS X [Latest] Free Download
KCNcrew Pack [02.15.2016] Mac OS X [Latest] Full Version Free Download KCNcrew Pack 02.15.2016 Mac OS X is the most reliable tool to activate all essential apps and software of Mac OSX that you are using most. It activates them 100% surely and improves their performance. It is including suitable crack, patch, activation keys and serial… Read More »


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Knoxville, TN: Hard Knox Pizzeria Delivers a Punch
Hard Knox Pizzeria
4437 Kingston Pike Knoxville, TN (map); 865-602-2114; hardknoxpizza.com
Pizza style: Neo-Neapolitan
Oven type: Earthstone True Wood Fired Oven
The skinny: The world would be a better place if all pizza chains were doing it like this fledgling franchise
Price: 12-inch specialty pizzas from $7.95-$12.95
My view of the pizza landscape in Knoxville is dated. Growing up, it was the closest big city to home and I made plenty of trips there, but that was before the new standards set forth by the mid 2000s pizza renaissance. It remained, in my mind, a swath of the country populated by pizza buffets and the big chains. So it was with genuine surprise (and a touch of skepticism) that when passing through this holiday season, I saw all sorts of new-era pizza joints popping up on the restaurant maps. And one of the strongest contenders looked to be Hard Knox Pizzeria (recommend in the comments of this post by
Located in a more upscale shopping plaza off the main drag of Kingston Pike, Hard Knox is just a postage stamp of a pizzeria. A wall of double split oak flanks the entrance, with the Earthstone Oven centrally situated just behind the counter. A row of low laying four tops line run down the oven facing wall, affording diners a good view of the pizza acrobatics.
The menu here is largely pizza-focused, extending into calzones, salads, a few apps, and lunchtime flatbread sandwiches. Specialty pies are divided pretty evenly between red and white pies—where the white are not sauceless, but topped with a white sauce of whole milk mozzarella and cream or a pesto cream sauce. Topping combinations range from the classics to some more contemporary combinations of the pulled pork barbecue or pistachio and onion variety. On the night I visited the specialty pie was about as wacky as they get with a siracha base and strawberry slices (there were other components but I was so fixated on that combo that the rest was lost on me.)
Traveling through town with my very classically minded pizza-eating parents, we took on a pair of Rockys—the Marciano ($7.95) and the Rocky Balboa ($12.50)—from the boxer-themed specialty pies. True to a pizza named for the Italian Stallion, the Rocky Balboa was old school Italian-American to the core with provolone, sweet Italian sausage, red onions, and diced green and red bell peppers. The sausage was a total knockout, packed with fennel and plenty of seasoning. Torn in irregular hunks and just fatty enough, it definitely dominated the pie, which in a way was this pies blessing and curse. As good as the sausage was it highlighted the over all problem of balance all out of whack. The tomato sauce was applied too sparingly to stand up to the toppings. The abundance and under-doneness of the peppers and onions made them seem like a total after-thought. A lighter hand, and more melded flavors from a longer cook on the vegetables could have made this pie more of the champ it was meant to be.
And the Marciano, by contrast, evidenced just how much stronger the Balboa could be. In Hard Knox's version of a Margherita, the individual components were really able to shine and come into better harmony with one another. The crust was sturdy and crisp with a well-developed flavor from the two day rise, and a touch of sweetness from what I assume to be a little sugar in the dough. The pan pies here also keep the crust elevated on these cool little plastic nubbins and prevent any sogging out:
Based on the cans lined up behind the register, Valoroso pear style tomatoes are the variety that go into the bright sauce. The fresh mozzarella is incredibly milky and creates a great molten puddle across the entire face of the pie. The sprig of basil that topped the pie felt a little clumsy and necessitated a DIY dispersal of the herb that might have been better suited to an individual pie rather than a communal one. Despite that nitpicky caveat, the Marciano was the main event.
Advertised around the restaurant were franchise opportunities with the pizzeria. Currently the Kingston Pike location is the only one of its kind, but if Hard Knox represents the direction of chain pizza to come, that's some chain pizza I could get behind. There remain a few kinks to iron out, but it's definitely got more than a fighting chance to rise to the top and it served to put my good-pizza-in-Knoxville skepticism to rest.
All products linked here have been independently selected by our editors. We may earn a commission on purchases, as described in our affiliate policy.


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Rick Kaminski, a 67-year-old man who provided a memorable part of the baseball experience to crowds at the Kingdome and Safeco Field in Seattle, died of complications from a brain aneurysm yesterday. He was known as "Rick the Peanut Guy," and he'll be missed.
"On behalf of everyone at the Seattle Mariners, our deepest sympathies go out to Rick Kaminski's partner Candi, his family, his many friends, and fans," said Mariners president Chuck Armstrong. "Rick was a fixture at Seattle sporting events for as long as I can remember. His speed and accuracy with a bag of peanuts was matched by his quick wit and smile. He always seemed happy to see you, even if he was meeting you for the first time."
Longtime Mariners vendor 'Rick the Peanut Guy' dies [KOMO News]
Rick "The Peanut Man" Kaminski, Nov. 12, 2008, McNerthney P-I interview [YouTube]


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Obama Sign Causes Controversy: "From The Ghetto To The White House" In Ocala, FL
13 News reports "A sign is raising eyebrows, with many saying it's offensive to President-elect Barack Obama"
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Apollo Blinds franchise owner John Youle is gearing up for some van-tastic publicity to promote his business on the Isle of Wight.
John's business is booming and son Ben has joined the family firm – which meant they needed two new vans. So when the local dealership asked if they could publicise Apollo's new acquisitions John didn't have to be asked twice.
John and Ben posed for photos collecting their new vehicles and the PR team at the dealership will now pass them onto local newspapers. The expected free publicity should be great news for both Apollo Blinds and the dealership.
But the good news doesn't stop there as there are two distinctive Apollo Blinds vans driving around the Isle of Wight so it's double the opportunity for people to see them.
John is clearly taking a leaf out of the book of other great marketers in the Apollo Blinds network such as George Stewart who doesn't miss a trick when it comes to publicising his business in Hamilton, Scotland.


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Hello, I would love to read all your comments, but unfortnuately I get hundreds of spam messages about ungodly things so I have decided to close them! Have a good christmas everyone!
All of us, to some degree, have experienced the outcomes of some endeavor. It may have been horrible or just bad, or maybe mediocre or all right, or really good or great or absolutely fantastic. To some degree, in my short 50 something years, I have experienced all of these outcomes. If you take a close look at some of the most successful people in history, you'll learn that they also have experienced the entire spectrum of outcomes such as these. However, if you look at the area of their greatest endeavor, you'll clearly see that all, without exception, win their goals by using one principle or skill that Solomon purports to be of the greatest necessity. When you study the success training Bible study at the Christian Success Institute, you'll read that same concept (skill) repeated time and time again. When you study the lives of our founding fathers, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and others or study the lives of John D. Rockefeller, Henry Ford, Sam Walton, Walt Disney, Bill Gates and many others you'll see this skill used without fail. This skill is so incredibly powerful that hardly any achievement is ever reached or accomplished without its use.
It is not necessary to provide proof of god.
This skill, of which Solomon was convinced, is not a difficult skill to learn; yet very few learn it. The difficulty lies in its application. With all of the advertising and marketing done today, we are programmed to expect 'instant gratification.' We want what we want and we want it now in abundance. We try things for a little while but if we cannot get the maximum return with the least effort, we give up and move on. This is precisely why there is so much money made by get rich quick scam artist. People today want to sit on the coach and have a magic business that just pours money into their bank account with as little effort as possible. Instant gratification with as little effort as possible is no different than playing a lottery and it is very rarely rewarding.
This skill that has been the one key to success for many is, as Solomon puts it, 'diligence'. The dictionary defines diligence as – constant and earnest effort to accomplish what is undertaken; persistent exertion of body or mind. Often we are told that diligence is equivalent to 'hard work', but this is not necessarily true. Solomon helps us understand that diligence is 'working smarter not harder'. I have a friend who is extremely successful and he always told me that success comes from working smarter and not harder. There are many out there in this world who work hard all of their lives but never succeed.
Diligence is not a natural trait of human beings. Our natural drive is to get as much as we can, as quickly as we can with as little effort as possible. Diligence is an acquired or learned skill that takes 'perseverance', 'dedication' and 'motivation.'
In order for us to fully understand what Solomon's concept of diligence was we must look at his reference point. Solomon was involved in mining. His choice of a word that has been translated 'diligent' has its roots in mining. He even admonishes us to seek wisdom and understand as though we were looking for gold or silver (again a mining reference).
In Proverbs 20:11 (NIV) Solomon tells us. "Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right."
We see than diligence is not simply 'perseverance', 'dedication' and 'motivation.' It is also initiated by what is 'pure and right.' When we take the example of mining, we can understand 'pure'. We dig and dig and dig until we find a nugget of ore. We take that ore and apply heat until all of the impurities are burned away leaving the pure gold or silver. We can apply this to our study of success. We diligently study until we find that nugget of wisdom. By apply the heat that is generated by situations in our life, we burn away all that does not have a use until we are left with the pure nugget of wisdom that will give us the result that we need.
Diligence, therefore, is a learnable skill that is comprised of creative persistence, a 'work-smarter' effort that is rightly planned and performed in an efficient, effective and timely manner that results in a pure and high quality of excellence.
Don't let self-doubt enter in. At this point you may be thinking that you do not possess the qualities that are necessary to be a creative and persistent person. You do have these qualities. They are raw and possibly well hidden beneath the rubble of your life but they can be mined and refined simply by a little effort. Your enemy in this physical world does not want you to succeed. Your success is 'to the glory of God' and the ruler of this world does not want you to bring glory to Christ. He will be diligent in his efforts to discourage you. Be persistent and motivated by the purest of motivations – developing a closer relationship with Christ in order to learn and bring God glory through Christ.
Always remember that you are a member of the royal family of the King of Kings. You are a special creation of the Creator of the Universe. You were creates on purpose and with a purpose. Almighty God loves you dearly and not only wants you to succeed in life but also has given you the method and means. All you need to do is 'study to show yourself approved in the eyes of God.'
Let's take a close look at some of the outcomes or rewards that you will realize by developing 'diligence.' It is natural for human being to seek the path of least resistance. It is our nature to 'go with the flow' and not to 'swim upstream'. Solomon understood that we need to be motivated to take a path that is not as easy as the one that we have pursued. He tells us that being truly diligent will bring us priceless rewards, while a lack of diligence will result in devastating consequences. Following is a list of some of the rewards that Solomon has listed for us as a motivation to become diligent. Before we begin with Solomon's list, let me interject that the truest reward is a deep and personal relationship with Christ. That is the best reward that you will ever need and should ever want. As you continue through this success training you will begin to realize the absolute truth of this.
The diligent student will gain advantage.
In Proverbs 20:15 (NASB), "The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage," and Proverbs 20:15 (NLT), "Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity,"
Which would you consider to be the better situation, in every effort that you put forth to have a position of strong and unshakable advantage or the handicap of doubt? Solomon clearly tell us that 'the plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage'. No matter what the situation, whether we are in competition with an individual, with a company, with time or simply a situation, those who are diligent will have the advantage. This will result in greater productivity, lasting achievements, greater wealth and fulfillment in life.
The diligent student will gain control of situations rather that the situations having control.
In Proverbs 12:24 (NIV) Solomon teaches us that, "Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in slave labor." Would you prefer to control you situation or have your situation control you. The case with most people is that their situation controls them. Solomon teaches us that the diligent will not only control his situation but also will enhance the situation of those around him.
The diligent student will experience true fulfillment in life.
In Proverbs 13:4 (NIV) Solomon tells us that, "The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied." When we look around ourselves we see that here in the USA there is a great hunger, not for food but for possessions. The hunger is excited by the vision that is forced upon the people by television and the media. We Americans have a greater amount of debt and lower savings that any previous generation in our nation's history! No matter how much we get, it's never enough. Just imagine what it would be like to be totally fulfilled and satisfied with what you have been blessed with. This is the reality of the diligent.
The diligent student will attain the respect and admiration of those in authority.
In Proverbs 22:29 (NKJV) Solomon tells us, "Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men." Everyone in our society is looking for the attention of those in power – our 15 minutes of fame. Those who are truly diligent do not need to look for attention or recognition; they are sought after by those in authority. The accomplishments of the diligent outshine others so brightly that they draw the attention of those around them.
The diligent student will have their needs satisfied.
In Proverbs 28:19 (NKJV) Solomon states that, "He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough!" He is telling us that those who work diligently in their area of endeavor will have their material needs met abundantly. He also warns that those who follow foolish men will suffer poverty. He is in essence telling us that those foolish men who appear on the surface to be successful will try to lead you into 'get rich quick schemes'. If it sounds too good to be true, you can bet that it is. When you encounter these people (and there is an abundance of them on the Internet,) run away from them.
The diligent student will experience ever-increasing success.
In Proverbs 13:11 (NKJV) Solomon writes, "Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, but he who gathers by labor will increase." Solomon wants us to know that the diligent person's provision and prosperity, his wealth and status will constantly grow. Thos who gain their wealth through devious methods or with no work will soon be left lacking. Take for example big lottery winners. In a very short time they are usually broke again. If you look at the luxurious accommodations that the Casinos in Los Vegas offer to high rollers, you wonder why they are so generous. They do not do this out of kindness. They know that no matter how much the high roller wins, he will always end up loosing more than he will win.
The diligent student's efforts will be profitable.
In Proverbs 14:23 (NKJV) King Solomon tells us that, "In all labor there is profit, but idle chatter leads only to poverty." He tells us that all diligent labor results in profit and that that profit is through reaching the goals that we have set. It doesn't matter where the labor is applied. If we diligently work at our job, we will profit. If we diligently work at our studies, we will profit. If we diligently work at our marriage, it will grow into a beautiful relationship. If we diligently labor at raising our children, they will develop a strong relationship with us. All diligent labor will profit.
Your enemy knows that, if he can plant an idea in your head, a negative thought, that your human nature will nurture that thought and let it grow and preside within your thoughts. Satan knows that in your thoughts, in your mind, is the perfect place to attack you. He knows that he can subtly place a thought or make a suggestion that will lead you away from 'godly thoughts.' He knows that you have been conditioned though your life to succumb to wrong thinking.
If you were to take time to study the events in your life you would be able to see a pattern form, a pattern of negativity. You have literally been trained, but unknowing individuals in your life, to accept the negative. If this were not the case, why do most news broadcasts only contain negative things? The negative is sensational and will draw more attention than the positive.
This is the importance of retraining your thoughts and your speech to be positive. It took a lifetime to create the negativity in your life, it will also take some time to reprogram, refresh, and renew your mind. Anyone who can claim that this can be an instantaneous process is deluding himself. The devil does not give up that easily.
Simply put, a man is as he thinks in his heart. You cannot live a positive life with a negative mind.
Most people have heard preachers and ministers talk about giving. Giving is one of the primary principles taught by Jesus Christ. However, some preachers and ministers promote the wrong reasons to give. Their messages seem to appeal to people's greed or need instead of the true purpose for giving. We are told to give expecting a return of 10 fold etc. We are told that if we have a need, we can give an offering to their
ministry and expect to receive more than what we expected. This is not the reason to give. In fact, prompted by the motivation of gain is not giving. It's investing. Giving is a reward in itself and expects nothing in return.
We are instructed in the Bible, in the Book of Malachi, to bring a tenth of what we have to God's storehouse. This is essential for each believer. This shows that you are thankful for what you have been given. This is not the subject of this article. I want to approach what we need to do beyond what we are obligated to do. In the Old Testament, the children of God, those chosen by Him, are instructed many times about 'giving' and the reasons. In Leviticus we find that the farmers were told to leave the 'corners' of their fields (no less that one sixth) for the poor to harvest for their use. Vineyard owners are told not to take all of the bunches of grapes and not to pick up what has fallen to the ground. This was left for the poor to harvest for their needs. These are examples of God ordained giving.
Giving is an essential part of your Christian life. In the account of the young rich man's encounter with Christ we are given a principle that is critical to proving our trust in God's promises to us in His Holy Scripture.
Mark 10:17-30 (New American Standard Bible)
17 As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"
18 And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.
19 "You know the commandments, 'DO NOT MURDER, DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, DO NOT STEAL, DO NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS, Do not defraud, HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER.'"
20 And he said to Him, "Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up."
21 Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, "One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." (Jesus was giving, out of love, the very best instruction. In actuality the material things (the money, property, etc.) are not the issue here. Jesus wanted the young man to shift his focus from his possessions to Him.)
22 But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property. ( The rich young man and most others who have not been instructed in the true meaning of these Scriptures, are focused on what they possess. They have been instructed in the Laws but not in the essence of the Laws. These are the same who pray for God to bless them but not for the benefit of others, for their personal benefit. They do not understand 'trust.' When we trust our own devices and our own physical abilities, our focus is on these. When we trust in Christ and His love for us and His promises to us, our focus is fully on Him. We cannot serve two masters. Jesus told us this.)
23 And Jesus, looking around, said to His disciples, "How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!" (Indeed, it is 'hard' for a wealthy man to enter into the Kingdom, not impossible. A wealthy man who focuses his attention solely on Christ can easily find the salvation that he needs.)
24 The disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!
25 "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
26 They were even more astonished and said to Him, "Then who can be saved?" (A matter of trust.)
27 Looking at them, Jesus said, "With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God."
28 Peter began to say to Him, "Behold, we have left everything and followed You."
29 Jesus said, "Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel's sake,
30 but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life. (This is an amazing promise. This is also a promise that is distorted by modern preaching. Jesus lets us know right here that we can have great abundance 'here nor in the present age' no matter how much we give.)
The principle that Christ wants us to understand here is that, when we look beyond our wants and need and look toward the needs of those who are less fortunate, we demonstrate trust in Him. When we are able to give without concern for our well being, we show that we trust God's promise to us to provide what we need.
Everything that exists belongs to Gpd. The money and property that you may have earned or acquired does not belong to you. God has only granted you 'stewardship' of these things. There is a difference between stewardship and ownership. God wants us to focus on Him and Him alone. He wants us to depend on Him and Him alone. He wants us to 'test' Him and His promises. He wants us to diligently study His Word and to pray constantly (communicate with Him.) Giving is the 'key' to receiving and NOT the motivation for giving. Giving expects nothing in return. Giving is its own reward. This is hard to understand until you experience it.
Precepts are rule or laws or principles by which we need to live our lives. A promise is defined in the dictionary as: an express assurance on which expectation is to be based. God has given us His precepts and His promises in order that we can live a successful life as His children; not just in the life to come but in this present life.
The first precept and promise made that we will consider is in Proverbs 3:6 (Amplified.) "In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths." The precept or principle is to acknowledge Him, our one and true living God. The promise that follows this is that He (God) will direct our path. All that is asked of us is that we acknowledge God as our God, the Master and the Creator of the Universe and Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son and our Savior. In John 3:16 we are assured that all we have to do is believe in Jesus Christ, given to us through His Love for us, and we are promised life eternal with Him. There is no greater promise than the promise of salvation.
God promises us that He will open the windows of Heaven and shower us with blessing so great that we will not have room to contain them.
God promises us that He will open the windows of Heaven and shower us with blessing so great that we will not have room to contain them.
The second precept and promise that we want to consider is found in Psalms 37:4 (Amplified.) "Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart." When we say delight yourself, what do we mean? Delight means to give or receive or take great pleasure in something or someone. It is easy to understand that when something gives us great pleasure it become the center of our attention. It becomes the object of our affection and something sought after. When we concentrate (focus) our attention on Christ, we begin to be filled with His joy. We begin to realize the extent to which He provides immeasurable pleasure and happiness in our lives. The more pleasure (joy) that is Christ that fills our lives the more He delights us. When we delight (find joy immeasurable) in God, He gives us the desire and secret petitions of our heart. This does not mean the fleshy materialistic desires. Those materialistic desires seem to fade away as we realize the essence of our relationship with God. The new car or bigger house or big bank accounts are not as important as our desire to be the conduit of God's blessings to others. We begin to desire to accomplish His will. The amazing part of this is that when we put aside the desire for things the more He blesses us with greater things.
This, in effect, leads to our third precept and promise that we find in the Holy Scripture. When we are obedient we realize the satisfaction of accomplishing our part in the laen of God. Isaiah 1:19 tells us that "If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land." If we are willing to obey God's Laws and to do the work that God has purposed us for, our rewards are unbelievable. He also tells us that obedience is better than sacrifice. By obeying God's Commandments we demonstrate our willingness to be His children. When we obey God's precepts, we honor Him. When we obey God's Laws, we bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. If we are willing to do and to obey God, He will bless us beyond our imagining.
In this physical life that we are living now, the burdens of simply living sometimes bear heavily on our shoulders. There is a precept and a promise that we find in Matthew 11:29 that gives a definite solution to this. Jesus told us "Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls." When we do as He says (His precept,) we are assured of rest and ease to the situations in our lives. He will help us bear under the weight of the burdens in our lives.
This brings us to a similar precept and promise that assures us that life can be dealt with in a manner that will be rewarding and bring us great satisfaction. The precept is to seek and the promise is a promise of fulfillment. We read in Matthew 6:33 "But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides." When we seek first the Kingdom of Heaven, God's Holiness, everything that we need and want is added to us. This is such good news. We are to keep Christ as our focus, not wealth or property or things. When we focus on the Creator, all of creation is at our fingertips, without having to divert our attention to it.
Another principle that carries a magnificent promise is found in Malachi 3:10. "Bring all the tithes (the whole tenth of your income) into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and prove Me now by it, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." God promises us that He will open the windows of Heaven and shower us with blessing so great that we will not have room to contain them. All we have to do is give back to Him 1/10th of what He has already given us. Everything that we will ever have already belongs to God. He wants to test our willingness to follow His precepts. He wants us to prove Him.
Ezekiel 11:20 gives us a glimpse into the world that God has planned for us. "That they may walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances, and do them. And they shall be My people, and I will be their God." When we follow all of God's precepts, live by all of His Laws, we will be His people and He will be our God. What a wonderful state of affairs. When we are God's people, we are in God's favor. When He is our God, all of His bounty is laid before us. True and lasting success can only be found when God, The Almighty Creator of the Universe, is our God.
All it takes is a quick look around and we see that peace is very low on the list of accomplishments for this holiday season. The economy is in the pits, money is scarce, people are losing jobs, savings, investments and some are losing their homes. These are times that are filled with even greater stress and tension than the 'normal' holiday times.
Even with money as tight as it is, we run around trying to buy everyone a present. We are filled with the anxiety of 'present' purchasing; giving something to everyone who might be buying a present for us is a priority. It seems that our focus is on Santa Clause and the Christmas retail season rather than on the true reason for the season – the birth of Our Savior. Where is there peace? We are celebrating the birth of the Prince of Peace.
Do you really need proof of god?
This is a time for celebrating the most precious gift of all; the gift of salvation. Unto us s Savior is born.
With all of the strife and turmoil in our world today, how can we find the true peace, the peace that is offered by The Prince of Peace? The Apostle Paul gives us very specific instructions in this area.
Philippians 4:4-9 (New American Standard Bible)
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! (When we think about the love that our Creator has shown us by causing His Holy Word to become flesh, to offer Himself as a sacrifice so that we can receive forgiveness for our sins, we should rejoice.)
5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. (Our 'gentle' spirit is the result of our lives being filled with the wonderful Light that is Jesus Christ. He is the creator of 'gentle' spirits.)
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Here Paul lets us in on the true secret to success and happiness. We must train ourselves to pray, genuinely pray. Prayer is our opportunity to communicate one-on-one with the Almighty Creator of Everything. We must supplicate ourselves, on our knees, humbled by His Majesty. Instead of using our prayer time to beg for blessings or complain about our situations, we need to express our thankfulness for everything that we have. Even if we have very little, we must show God how thankful we are. Paul let us know earlier in this chapter of his letter to the believers in Philippi that he had learned to be content whether he was lacking and hungry or living in physical prosperity. The key here is to be content with what we have; to be thankful, even for a little.
Anxiety is the opposite of peace. When we are able to be content (trusting that God will provide everything that we need) we place ourselves in a position to receive even greater blessings. Know that when we are self consumed and worried about receiving blessing for our own consumption, we demonstrate mistrust and our greed. God always blesses us through others and blesses others through us. We are blessed by blessing others.
When we are content and trusting in God, we pray to be a blessing to others and have no concern for receiving blessings for our own consumption.
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. When we are able to trust God fully for all of our needs (physical and spiritual) and we use our prayer time to humble ourselves before the Prince of Peace, expressing our thankfulness for His provision, His peace (which is really beyond our understanding) will literally flood our souls. His peace will create an impenetrable barrier around our hearts and minds.
8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. We need to immerse ourselves in prayer and the diligent study of God's Holy Wisdom. It is in communion with God and in the diligent study of His Holy Scriptures that we learn to discern what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, excellent and worthy of praise. We must dwell on these things; focusing our full attention.
9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. The diligent study of God's Word, assisted by the presence of the Holy Spirit, will instruct us in the manner in which we must live to please God and to fill our world with the Joy and Peace of God, that peace which surpasses all understanding.
Let this Christmas season be the beginning of a new and wonderful time in your life. Let the genuine peace which can only come from a close and personal relationship with Christ fill your life. Do not rely on the temporary and transitory peace (an illusion of peace) that is offered by the pleasures of this physical world. Christ told us in the Gospel of John that He leaves with us His peace. His peace will brighten anyday. Let the Spirit of Christmas into your heart.
Christians, diligent students of God's Wisdom, know that everything that was created was created by God. John 1:1-2 confirms the creation story given us in the first chapter of Genesis. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being."
I stated this reminder to make a particular point which all Christians need to understand. God created everything that exists in this physical world. IT ALL BELONGS TO HIM. We, in reality own nothing. He is gracious, loving us, and has allowed us to be stewards of small things and great things according to how we have proved ourselves. He has made each and every one of us stewards of His possessions.
Too many people, even Christians, are under the assumption that they own their houses, their cars, their businesses and other things. When we understand that we are only stewards, caretakers, of God's possessions, our attitudes change. This is a good revelation.
When we understand that He has allowed us to oversee His possessions and only asks that we return 10% to Him, we can begin to have a different attitude toward worldly things. When we
acknowledge that He is the owner and we open our hearts and our minds to His instructions in His Holy Scripture, we begin to fare a great deal better.
If you are having financial trouble, know that, if you study and learn, God will direct you into the knowledge necessary to improve your situation. Concentrate, focus your attention on the only one
who can help you and He will lead you, after having studied to show yourself approved, into the solution to whatever the problem seems to be.
Do not concentrate on the problem. Concentrate on the problem solver! When all of our attention is on the fire, we fail to see the fire hose. When all of our attention is on the storm, we fail to see the storm calmer. Remember the story of Peter walking on the water after Jesus bid him to come? Even though the wind whipped up a stormy sea, Peter walked toward Jesus 'on the water.' When Peter began to look at the stormy sea, what happened. He began to sink. When he again focused on Christ, he was lifted up out of the stormy seas and walked back to the boat with 'The Storm Calmer.'
God has not given us a spirit of fear, but a sound mind. Fear of financial ruin, loosing you home, your retirement, your job, etc. is the enemy's way of diverting your attention from Christ to the stormy sea. Keep you eyes, your ears, your full focus on Jesus, look full upon His face. He will lead you through the valley.
What would Christmas be without Santa Claus? What would this holiday be without a Christmas Tree or mistle toe or all of those wonderful presents wrapped up in pretty paper and large bows? What would Christmas be without shopping and eggnog and all of those tasty cookies? Where would the joy and expectation come from if there were none of these things for Christmas? Really, what would there be to celebrate?
We see Television specials all about Christmas and Santa and all of the traditional Christmas trappings. I have seen 20 or 30 new television movies, all about Santa and problems that families have during the holidays. Every store starts displaying Christmas merchandise after Thanksgiving, with visions of sugarplums wrapped in $100 bills. How could we ever imagine missing the hustle and bustle of last minute shopping and starting off a New Year owing more on our credit cards than many earn in a year.
We see families celebrating Christmas with dinners and parties. We see tons of food and other goodies weighing down our tables. We see hundreds for advertising on tv for various useless, materialistic, consumerist products like lamps and casino chips… What would Christmas be without all of this. Just what would we have to celebrate without Santa and presents and shopping and more food and sweets than we could possibly consume?
Is this society, our society, ever going to realize that the most important reason to celebrate is Christ. It seems as though the world wants desperately to take Him out of Christmas. Children are not being taught the true reason for celebrating Christmas because it is politically incorrect to mention the Savior of Mankind in public. I watched a childrens cartoon the other day. It was about a very popular acquatic character who wears square pants. He was so excited to tell the story of Christmas to a young female something or other. He told her that Christmas was all about Santa. This is what our children are being taught.
This is an exciting time. Let's take Christmas back. Let's celebrate the most wonderful gift ever given. Let' remember why we are celebrating. While celebrating Christmas, let's simply celebrate Christ.
Merry Christ-mas!


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Dread Head Chef Michael Weinstein (as featured on Rachael Ray) has presented cooking demonstrations at the Grand Prairie Farmers Market and has been a Grand Prairie Farmers Market vendor who offers a line of all natural salsas and other products including dessert chips. Recipes featured in Weinstein's cooking demos are posted below.
Bruschetta with Roasted Beets and Caramelized Onions
Turnip and Charred Potato Soup with Green Beans and Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Red Leaf Lettuce Salad with Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Roasted Red and Yellow Peppers
Tamale Company Ancho Chile Pork Tamales with Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Dark Chocolate and Honey Chile Peanut Sauce
Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Pickled Baby Red Beets and Black Pepper - Pomegranate Balsamic Vinegar Reduction
Grilled Hudspeth Farms German Sausage with Green Beans, Caramelized Onions and WeMe Sourdough Bread "Stuffing"
Warm Sweet Potato Salad with Toasted Pecans, Spinach and Cranberry Vinaigrette
Pineapple-Banana-Pecan Pancakes
Chilled Hatch Chile-Cucumber Soup
Open Faced Busy B's Market Sliders with Country Store Bakery Jalapeno Cheddar Bread and Roasted Corn Grilled Okra Relish
Zucchini, Yellow Squash and Cucumber Noodles with Spicy Sesame-Ginger Vinaigrette
Dread Head Chef Strawberry Mango Limeade
Grilled WeMe Pioneer Bread with Honey Balsamic Marinated Peaches
Purple Hull and Cremer Pea Salad with Yellow Squash, Zucchini, Grilled Okra and Onions
Tomato, Eggplant and Roasted Corn Dip
Spring Frittata with Asparagus and Cherry Tomatoes
Seared Busy B's Market Beef Tips, New Potatoes, Vegetables, Grilled WeMe Bread and Red Wine Au Jus
Asian-style Butternut Squash with Pickled Red Beets
Warmed Country Store Bakery Apple Bread with Pumpkin-Cranberry-Pecan Salsa, Grilled Grapefruit and Eggnog Anglaise
Grilled "Country Store Bakery" Pumpkin Bread with Caramelized Golden Delicious Apples and Salted Whipped Cream
Tomato and Cucumber Salad Basil Chiffonade and Sweet Red Onion Vinaigrette
Vegetarian Yellow Curry Soup with Diced Green Beans, Zucchini, Squash, Potatoes and Cilantro Yogurt
Homestead Ranch-Smoked Chicken and Hatch Chile Stew, New Potatoes, Corn, Black Beans and Homestead Ranch Pepper Jack Cheese
Southwestern Vegetable Pasta: Penne Pasta, Grilled Red Onions, Roasted Peppers, Cumin Scented Yellow Squash and Zucchini and Hatch Chile Sauce
Tamale Company Cheese and Jalapeño Tamales, Hatch Chile, Cucumber and Tomato Salad
Tomato-Watermelon Salad with Mozzarella Company Feta Cheese and Cucumber-Lemon Vinaigrette
Medley of Freestone Peaches, Cantaloupe, Raspberries and Toasted Almond Yogurt
Salad of Creamer Peas, Lima Beans, Tomatoes, Roasted Peppers, Grilled Red Onions and Balsamic Vinegar and Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Grilled Pork Chops with Black Bean-Corn Tamale, Sautéed Green Beans, Sun Burst Squash and Tomato-Cilantro Relish
Cinnamon-Raisin French Toast with Peaches, Blackberries and Strawberry-Mango Syrup
Grilled Asparagus with Rosemary Aioli
Mixed Greens with Tomatoes and Lemon-Pepper-Balsamic Vinaigrette
Seared Chicken with Ginger-Honey Glaze and Seasonal Vegetable Stir-Fry
Grilled Grass-Fed Ribeye with Grilled Potatoes


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Clogged gutters are the primary cause of home water damage, and uncontrolled rain flow can erode your landscaping.
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Dramatic rise in autism prevalence parallels research explosion
Autism Speaks Chief Science Officer Geraldine Dawson, Ph.D. describes how the dramatic progress in autism research has paralleled increased recognition of autism's prevalence and financial impact in the December issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry published on line today. "This issue of the journal features three articles on autism," she writes in her editorial. "A decade ago, the journal published about the same number of autism articles per year."
Dr. Dawson also notes that, while the funding for autism research has dramatically increased over the last decade, it hasn't kept pace with the increasing scale of the public health challenges posed by autism. Despite an increase in research and funding, "we have not yet fully described the causes of ASD or developed effective medical treatments for it," Dr. Dawson writes. "[This issue's] articles point to an urgent need for more autism funding. We especially need more research on prenatal and early postnatal brain development in autism, with a focus on how genes and environmental risk factors combine to increase risk for ASD." Dawson also noted that research on treatment and adults with autism have been neglected and more research on these topics is needed.
Research presented in this issue reports a three-fold increase in autism risk associated with exposure to high levels of traffic-related air pollution during pregnancy and the first year of life. The study's lead author, Heather Volk, Ph.D., M.P.H., is the recipient of an Autism Speaks research grant to study autism risk and gene-environment interactions involving air pollution.
Two studies in this issue involve novel neuroimaging approaches. One confirms an association between autism and changes in immune function. This study is the first to use new brain imaging techniques to demonstrate immune function changes in adults with autism. Specifically, it documented higher than normal levels of microglial activation in the brain in adults with autism spectrum disorders. Microglial cells are the brain's first and primary immune defense. Another utilizes novel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data to examine the role of cortical volume in ASD, comparing young adult males on the spectrum to neurotypical control adults. The key finding is that differences in brain volume are determined by surface area, not cortical thickness, shedding light on mechanisms that might account for early brain overgrowth in individuals with ASD.
"More research is needed to develop strategies for preventing or reducing the disabling symptoms associated with this highly prevalent and costly neurodevelopmental disorder," Dr. Dawson concludes.


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On Wednesday, 27 June 2018, Marco Tullner visited the premises of European Schoolnet in Brussels to learn more about our Future Classroom Lab, an inspirational learning environment challenging visitors to rethink the role of pedagogy, technology and design in the classroom.Evidence for Innovation
Keep up-to-date
We are delighted to share with our many followers from across the education community in Europe, the results of our work together in 2017.Evidence for Innovation
Scientix and the STEM Alliance are proud to reveal the winning names of their STEM Discovery Week 2018 competitions. Scientix awards 31 educators and the STEM Alliance 17 educators.STEM Education
European Schoolnet, the network of Ministries of Education in Europe, has launched a new study visit scheme. The scheme provides face-to-face peer learning opportunities for its members from across Europe to exchange about what works and what doesn't when it comes to new education policies.Evidence for Innovation
Evarist Bartolo, Minister of Education and Employment in Malta, calls for a continuation of the Scientix project beyond its current funding period from the European Commission during a succesful Third Scientix Conference that took place in Brussels, Belgium, from 4 to 6 May 2018. Jean-David Malo, Director for Open Innovation and Open Science, at the Directorate for Research and Innovation of the European Commission, added that he is very impressed by the project's achievements to this day.STEM Education
Svein Sjøberg, Professor of Science Education at Oslo University, and Beth Healey, a medical doctor who is an expert on space and extreme environments, International Space University, London, and former ESA MD on Spaceflight Analogue Concordia, are keynote speakers at the Third Scientix Conference, which will be held in Brussels, Belgium, 4 to 6 May 2018.STEM Education
How can teachers personalize learning in a traditional classroom and move away from the one-size-fits-all approach? How important is the learning space in this context?Evidence for Innovation
This Call for Papers for the 3rd Scientix Conference invites you to present and discuss your work and experience in the area of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in primary and secondary education.STEM Education
The third edition of the STEM Discovery Week will be celebrated 23 to 29 April 2018. Building on the success achieved already in 2016 and 2017, the STEM Discovery Week aims to facilitate more than 500 activities, reaching more than 10,000 schools in 30 countries! Projects, organisations and schools can now request to become partners of the campaign.STEM Education
Today, more than 140 countries worldwide, including all 28 countries of the European Union, along with many organisational supporters, are celebrating Safer Internet Day (SID) for the fifteenth consecutive year.Digital Citizenship


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The HK P2000 pistol may be hitting U.S. shores before the end of this year. The new gun basically looks like a modified and simplified USP Compact. No word yet on how well the thing shoots, but we'll let you know, as soon as we know. So stay tuned. Click here to see some good pics of the HK P2000 …Read More »
Tag Archives: usp
Now You Can Carry Your Glock
Most people are familiar with the phrase "Glock Perfection". It's on Glock's brochures, and mimmicked by Glock owners everywhere, whose numbers are legion. And, it must be said that those claims are pretty accurate. While not perfect, Glock pistols are just about as close to perfection as can reasonably be achieved via mass production. That said, if there's one feature …Read More »
New Handheld Radar System Allows Special Operators to See Through Walls.
Time Domain Corporation Time Domain's RV2000 SoldierVision unit was definitely one of the most unnerving tactical products I've ever seen. Originally developed for use by military medical personnel in locating injured soldiers inside buildings, the system has recently been adapted for tactical use in urban combat situations. SoldierVision is basically a low-power, handheld, "ultra wideband" see-through radar surveillance device that …Read More »
HK MP7 PDW. Serious Compact Firepower
By David Crane defrev (at) gmail (dot) com November 17th, 2002 Every once in awhile, as the editor of Defense Review, I have the rare and somewhat distinct pleasure of handling and firing a firearm that is not only brand spanking new, but actually manages to knock my socks off. Please keep in mind that I did not expect Heckler …Read More »
Integrated Force
Integrated Force Integrated Force By: Gabe Suarez Images of third world jungles flash through your mind as you and your partner search the overgrown wooded freeway embankment. The sweat pours down your face as you move ghostlike through the bush, as you search for the would-be killer. Your sweaty hand tightens around the light-equipped Glock, as you remember the victim's …Read More »
FN Five-SeveN: Is this the handgun of the future?
FN Five-SeveN Pistol FN Five-SeveN Pistol: Future of Things to Come? by: T.J. Mullin At the turn of the century when military handguns first were being chambered for smokeless cartridges, there was a tendency to make them in the same bore size as their military rifle counterparts. This is why we have .30 and .32 caliber revolvers in Sweden, Norway …Read More »


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Computer Use Introduction
Libraries are a national information infrastructure which provide people with access and participation in the electronic arena. The Dorothy Alling Memorial Library (DAML) is pleased to offer its patrons access to Internet resources. The library supports and adheres to the principles of intellectual freedom. Electronic resources, including the computer and the Internet, are reference tools that supplement the books, periodicals, and reference collections. The Internet is an ever-changing and unregulated medium. The DAML does not monitor or have control over information accessed on the Internet. For this reason, the library requires patrons to abide by the rules and policies approved by the DAML Board of Trustees.


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Court Allows Man to Distribute Bibles at Gay Pride Festival
A Wisconsin man was allowed to pass out Bibles at a gay pride festival on Sunday after a federal appeals court granted him a last-minute preliminary injunction late last week.
Brian Johnson, a taxidermist from Hayward, Wis., was awarded the opportunity to distribute Bibles at the Twin Cities Pride Festival, which is held at the 42-acre Loring Park in Minneapolis, this past weekend. The U.S. Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals granted him a temporary injunction on Thursday.
According to the Star Tribune, Johnson attended the 40th annual Pride Fest with his family and a suitcase full of Bibles. He spent several hours passing out the books while, at the advice of his attorneys, he was filmed by his adult son in order to document his interaction with others at the event.
"I do this once a year. I talk to people about the love of Jesus Christ," he told the Tribune.
Johnson filed his appeal after the U.S. District Court in Minnesota decided in favor of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB), which sought to allow Johnson the opportunity to distribute Bibles only within a certain zone at the event.
Johnson began handing out Bibles at the festival in 1995, and for about a decade he did so by setting up a booth alongside other vendors and nonprofit organizations. In 2009, though, the situation changed when Pride Fest officials denied his request to set up a booth.
"They did not like his beliefs regarding homosexual conduct and the Bible and they rejected his application," Jonathan Scruggs, an Alliance Defense Fund attorney working on Johnson's case, told The Christian Post on Monday.
Instead of getting a booth, Johnson tried to distribute Bibles while walking around the park during the event in 2010, but was arrested for doing so. After receiving a letter from the ADF explaining why it was Johnson's constitutional right to distribute literature on public land, the MPRB agreed and allowed him to do so once again.
But Pride Fest officials countered by filing a lawsuit, which resulted in a settlement between the MPRB and Pride Fest organizers in which special zones were created where people could distribute literature. Scruggs says, however, that the compromise wasn't fair to Johnson.
The physical zones that were established were outside of the event, and wouldn't have allowed Johnson to reach his "target audience," said Scruggs. Even worse, the compromise still restricted Johnson's free speech rights.
"To suppress speech in a public park, the burden is on the government to show that restriction is necessary, and the government simply cannot carry that burden ... There's no reason to prohibit Johnson from distributing literature throughout the park because literature distribution doesn't cause any problems," said Scruggs.
Earlier this year, Johnson's attorneys filed a suit of their own with the hope gaining a permanent injunction in his favor.
Scruggs says every other court ruling on similar literature distribution issues seems to support Johnson's case. Even though the temporary injunction is an encouraging sign, he believes there is still a lot of work to be done to ensure that Johnson will be able to continue sharing his faith by passing out Bibles at future Pride Fest events.
"I think it's a good sign, but it's far from decisive," said Scruggs. "The appeal is still ongoing."
CP was unable to reach a spokesperson with the MPRB before publication.


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Here are two brand-new, large-and-in-charge, tremendously filling and delicious morning meals. Happy chewing...
Entire recipe: 187 calories, 2g total fat (1g sat fat), 604mg sodium, 14.5g carbs, 4g fiber, 6g sugars, 25g protein -- SmartPoints® value 3* Freestyle™ SmartPoints® value 1* Exploding with veggies and packed with protein, this omelette will supercharge your morning!
Ingredients: 1 cup sliced mushrooms 1/2 tsp. chopped garlic 1 cup frozen French-cut green beans 2 cups chopped spinach leaves 1 wedge The Laughing Cow Light Creamy Swiss cheese 3/4 cup fat-free liquid egg substitute (like Egg Beaters Original) Optional seasonings: salt and black pepper Optional toppings: salsa verde, fat-free sour cream Directions: Bring a medium-sized skillet (with a lid) sprayed with nonstick spray to medium heat. Cook and stir mushrooms and garlic until slightly softened, about 4 minutes. Add frozen green beans, and continue to cook until mushrooms are soft and green beans are hot, about 2 minutes. Add spinach and cook and stir until wilted, about 1 minute. Transfer veggies to a medium bowl, and blot away excess moisture. Add cheese wedge, breaking it into pieces, and stir until thoroughly distributed. Cover to keep warm. If needed, clean skillet. Remove from heat, re-spray, and return to medium heat. Add egg substitute, and let it coat the bottom of the skillet. Cover and cook without stirring for 3 minutes, or until just set. Spoon veggie mixture onto one half of the omelette. Fold the bare half over the filling, and slide your stuffed omelette onto a plate! MAKES 1 SERVING
Entire recipe: 238 calories, 3g total fat (1g sat fat), 305mg sodium, 50g carbs, 6g fiber, 25g sugars, 5g protein -- SmartPoints® value 4* Freestyle™ SmartPoints® value 3* We chopped up some of our favorite fruits and layered 'em with sweet, cinnamon-y, chilled oatmeal. HG tip: Make the oatmeal the night before, and then assemble your parfait the next morning! Ingredients: Oatmeal 1/3 cup old-fashioned oats 1 tsp. sugar-free French vanilla powdered creamer 1 no-calorie sweetener packet (like Splenda or Truvia) 1/4 tsp. cinnamon 1/8 tsp. vanilla extract 1/8 tsp. salt Parfait 1/3 cup pineapple chunks packed in juice, drained and chopped 1/3 cup chopped peaches 1/3 cup chopped strawberries 1/3 cup grapes, halved Directions: Combine all oatmeal ingredients in a small nonstick pot. Add 1 cup water. Bring to a boil, and then reduce to a simmer. Cook and stir until thick and creamy, 4 - 5 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, at least 1 1/2 hours. Stir oatmeal. In a tall glass, layer half of each ingredient: oatmeal, pineapple, peaches, strawberries, and grapes. Repeat layering with remaining ingredients. Enjoy! MAKES 1 SERVING
Hungry for More? Click here for a MASSIVE roundup of HG breakfast favorites. Super-fast b-fasts, make-ahead muffins, tasty French toast, and MORE. Click it!
It's a good day to share recipes with the world -- click "Send to a Friend" now!
It's one of our favorite food holidays -- National Snack a Pickle Day, September 13th! Whether you're into Claussen, Vlasic, or some small-batch artisanal pickled product, snack those pickles!
SmartPoints® value not what you expected? Click here for more info on how the values are calculated, plus more FAQs about PointsPlus® and SmartPoints® values on our website.


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Custom Decks and Porches are a great way to get more relaxation and enjoyment out of your home. The beautiful Norfolk, VA summer offers you an excellent opportunity to enjoy the beauty of your own backyard from the comfort of a brand new wooden or composite deck. Casa Decks is a complete design / build company specializing in design and construction of custom built decks, porches and screen rooms. We build usable features on your property that you'll love to enjoy and your neighbors will envy.
Custom Decks & Screen Rooms in Norfolk, VA
Custom Decks – Casa Decks offers custom designs for your deck with emphasis on maintaining focal points and functional traffic flow. We offer a wide range of composite and PVC decking, railing options, hidden fastening systems, integrated lighting packages and extended warranties.
Screen or Open Porches – Casa Decks takes pride in matching the architectural detail of your home. With the finished interiors and complete electrical packages your porch becomes a true outdoor living room.
Deck Re-facing – Re-facing is a budget option to improve your structurally sound existing deck by replacing the deck boards and railing. Your deck is inspected for structural integrity, existing framing is used, and changes are made to ensure your deck is building code compliant.
Wood Deck Construction – Casa Decks loves building decks out of natural wood such as Cedar, Pine or Fir. Wood decks will last a very long time if properly built and cared for on an annual basis. It's for this reason many homeowners choose to go with composite materials. But there is surely no substitute for a custom real wood deck.
Composite Deck Construction – We are licensed dealers and certified installers for many of the best composite decking products such as Azek, Timber Tech, Trex, Evergrain and more. We have composite decking materials for that can work with almost any budget and application.
If there was just one single exterior home improvement any Norfolk, Virginia homeowner could make to their home, that would enhance both the look and property value it would be the addition of a new custom deck. Not just any old deck will do however, and there are several things you need to consider before you get to work building your deck.
Some Things To Think About With Any Deck or Screen Room Project
Materials – Casa Decks specializes in building decks out of decorative woods such as Cedar or Pine as well as some of the synthetic materials like Azek, Timber Tech, Trex and Evergrain. There are a number of things to consider when building a deck. There is size, shape, height above ground and by-law set backs. We are able to help you through this confusing process.
Terrain – Is the terrain you'd like your deck built on already level? Are there obstructions such as a stump or trees? Are there existing features of your property you'd like to incorporate or accent with your new deck? This is why it's so critically important for an "on-site" consultation and estimate for your project, that way we there is no surprises for either party.
Landscape – Do you have a fantastic view you'd like to take advantage of…? or perhaps you want a place to enjoy the summer evening sunsets? These are important to consider when building your deck. It wouldn't be that enjoyable if your deck only received a few hours of sunlight every day, or maybe you'd like it that way! Casa Decks will help you decide how to best utilize your property.
[box color="orange-mute" type="square" icon="star"]Casa Decks is an award winning deck builder servicing the Norfolk, VA area. When you choose Casa Decks you aren't just getting a deck builder, you're partnering with professionals who will work with you to build your vision.[/box]


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Deadline approaches for Mainers to file claims as part of national mortgage settlement
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) � The deadline is approaching for Mainers who lost their homes to foreclosure from 2008 through 2011 to file claim forms for benefits from a national mortgage settlement.
Maine was one of 49 states involved in a joint state-federal settlement with the nation's five largest mortgage lenders to settle allegations of widespread "robo-signing" of foreclosure documents and other fraudulent practices.
Attorney General William Schneider says $1.9 million has been set aside in Maine for payouts to borrowers. As of Dec. 20, the state had mailed 2,538 notices to eligible borrowers in Maine, but only 1,056 claims had been filed.
The deadline for filing claims is Jan. 18.


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Exchange isn't only about living in a new city, a long way from home. It's about seeing as much of the world as you can that is now suddenly at your doorstep.
Vienna has many perks. A historical and cultural hub, a lively city and a wonderful coffee culture. For this post, however, the most important perk is its central location in Europe.
Whilst my classes were on, I have been incredibly lucky to have been able to take five subjects, one pre-semester language course, and still have been able to travel to 12 cities in 9 countries.
Bratislava, Slovakia
Likely to be the first international trip for many of Vienna's exchange students,
Bratislava is a mere 45-minute train ride away (literally less time than it takes me to get to uni from home in Brisbane). The city itself is small, but the food is cheap. My tip: take a bus out of town to Devin Castle (pictured). It's a 6th Century ruin that sits at the fork of two rivers, and it undoubtedly adds to the Bratislava experience.
Budapest, Hungary
Budapest is about 2.5 hours away, and a very historical, interesting city. There's quite a bit to see and do in Budapest, and a free walking tour is a great way to see a lot of it (they're great in every city, not just
Budapest!), as well as hear stories about what you're looking at. I also loved the tranquility of the thermal baths.
If you do the pre-semester orientation and cultural program, you'll go to Graz, but because my friend and I didn't, we took a spontaneous day-trip instead. Although it's one of Austria's largest cities, we managed to see most things, including climbing the hill to the Uhrturm (clock tower) in that time.
Porto, Portugal
Whilst I was on exchange, I was lucky enough to be selected and compete for QUT at
the University of Porto's International Case Competition. While this involved being locked in a room for 34 hours to solve a case (albeit with 3 fantastic friends), it also involved meeting some amazing people from all over the world, and getting a guided tour by local students around the beautiful city of Porto. The comp was easily one of the highlights of exchange.
After the competition, QUT and several other teams went on a day trip to the world-renowned Douro Valley. The valley was absolutely beautiful, and it was very refreshing to see such incredible scenery after Vienna's relatively low tree-to-building ratio.
Barcelona, Spain
(Unfortunately?) There are no direct flights between Porto and Vienna, so budget airlines tend to stop in Barcelona. We booked a couple of nights there on our way back, and got to experience some Spanish culture via sangrias, several walking tours, tapas, and paella. We were also very lucky to be able to spend time with people we'd met at various competitions (including Porto), and on exchange. Be sure to book online beforehand for Park Guell or the Sagrada Familia if you'd like to enter those, because they often sell out of tickets at the venue!
Berlin, Germany
I'd been interested in travelling to Berlin for a little while, but sadly I did it the disservice of not having enough time to truly explore the city (I would recommend 2-3 nights there, minimum). In the short time that I had there, I saw the East Side Gallery (pictured), the Brandenburg Gate, and visited the museum dedicated to the Jews murdered in the Holocaust.
Krakow, Poland
One year ago, if you were to ask me which countries I imagined myself visiting whilst I was on exchange, Poland probably wouldn't have made it on my list. Enticed by my friend's stories, 5 euro bus tickets, and a very large gap in my timetable, I decided to see Krakow for myself, and I was pleasantly surprised. The city has very student-friendly prices, and the old town square is bustling at all times of day. While I was there, I took a guided tour of Auschwitz, which was hauntingly moving.
Copenhagen, Denmark
I flew from Krakow onto Copenhagen to visit friends and see a beautiful city, and I was not disappointed. We ate authentic
Danish pastries, climbed the spire at the Church of our Saviour to watch a beautiful dusk and wandered through Nyhavn and Paper Island at night. Although Copenhagen is very beautiful, it is also quite expensive, and a surprisingly small city: my tip is that you only really need 2 full days to explore it.
Malmo, Sweden
Many of the 'Things to do in Copenhagen' lists suggest 'Take the train to Sweden' – and
with my friend's recommendation, I did. For the same price as entry to Copenhagen's Tivoli you take the train across the bridge (famous in the TV series 'The Bridge') to Malmo. Unfortunately, it was cold, windy and rainy for my daytrip, so most of my sightseeing involved comparing Swedish and Danish aesthetic (a little more colourful, but just as expensive), eating a delicious soup in a café that was also a record store, and eating New York cheesecake (thanks globalisation!).
Innsbruck, Austria
This trip was meant to be a trip to Milan with three other people, but ended up as a trip
to Innsbruck with one other person. It also ended up being one of the most beautiful trips I have ever taken. We stayed at an Airbnb in Innsbruck, and our three days there
were filled with my friend and I turning every corner and gaping at the incredible scenery. One thing we did that I thoroughly recommend to anyone who's interested in seeing Innsbruck is to not limit yourself to just the town.
We took a "regional" bus, and stayed on until the end (approx. 20 minutes). Because the tickets are day passes, we wandered from one small town to the next (at most it would have been a kilometre between towns), and hopped on and off the bus as we pleased. It allowed us great freedom, and some amazing views (as seen in the photo below).
Vienna's location allowed me to easily travel to all of these places with whilst studying. The question isn't "Why Vienna?" It's "Why NOT Vienna?"


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- Swapnil Shinde
Mangalore - Kodagu (coorg) - Mangalore, Round Trip/Multi City
26th Feb 2020
- Swapna kamath
Bekal - Mangalore, One Way
23rd Feb 2020
- Mr Aditya
Mangalore - Chikmagalur, One Way
21st Feb 2020
- Durga Prasad R
Manglore Airport(ixe) - Sringeri, One Way
20th Feb 2020
- Mr Deepak
Mangalore - Bengaluru, One Way
10th Feb 2020
- Pavankumar Teggin
Kundapura - Manglore Airport(ixe), One Way
9th Feb 2020
|Vehicle Type
|Model Type
|Passenger Capacity
|Luggage Capacity
|Indica, Swift, Alto, Ford Figo or equivalent
|4passengers and driver
|2 small
|Ertiga, Mahindra Xylo or equivalent
|6passengers and driver
|3 big 2 small
|Dzire, Toyota Etios, Tata Indigo or equivalent
|4passengers and driver
|2 big 1 small
Gozo is continuously focused on being and staying as India's best taxi service for inter-city or outstation car hire with a driver.
Gozo cabs is the best cab service for car hire from Murdeshwar to Gangavathi. Gozo is generally the cheapest in most regions as we keep our margins low and we keep our quality high by ensure that our cabs and providers are inspected regularly. At the time of onboarding, the taxi operators are whetted for proper licenses and their ability to meet our quality bar. We also provide ongoing training to our drivers. But most importantly Gozo strives to be the best with our support and customer service. Gozo has great reviews on Google & TripAdvisor.
Gozo was started with the focus of simplifying car hire for outstation trips and we specialize in one way cabs, round trip journeys and even multi city trips. Car rentals in Murdeshwar or Car rentals in Gangavathi are also provided. We offer daily car rentals and also airport transfers in most cities across India.


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Connect to a Catalog
This field is used to determine the center of the field to be retrieved. If you specify coordinates these are used as the center. When equatorial coordinates are being used the RA may be specified as either hh mm ss or ddd.fff, i.e., in hours or in decimal degrees. The coordinate fields must be separated by a comma or sign of the declination.
If any letter is used in this field the field is assumed to be an object name and is sent to the SIMBAD name resolver to be resolved.
6 45 10.76 -16 41 57.82
6 45 10.76, -16 41 57.82
101.2948411 -16.6993947
101.2948411, -16.6993947
size of the square region in which the objects are extracted.
This selection box allows you to select the catalog from which the objects are extracted. Use the left mouse button and click the desired catalog on the list box to select it. To deselect it, click it again. Multiple catalogs may be selected in this way. For details, please refer to
Click on this field to choose among equatorial, galactic and ecliptic coordinates. The default is equatorial.
You may select the equinox year to be used in Equatorial or Ecliptic coordinates. Any equinox year within about two centuries of the present may be used. The default is 2000.
Checking this box plots the coordinates of selected objects on the current graph.
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Go to About fv.
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HEASARC Home | Observatories | Archive | Calibration | Software | Tools | Students/Teachers/Public
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From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...There are certain dishes that seem to withstand the tests of time and fashion. This homely, old-fashioned favorite is one of them. Every country that the Silver Fox and I have visited, has a version of chicken and rice. There is something about it that's restorative and it brings back memories of dinner at grandma's kitchen table. It is a simple dish that is easy to prepare. It is inexpensive to make, and if you have never had it, you owe it to yourself to try it at least once. The version I'm featuring tonight was created by Mark Bittman and his recipe makes easy work of its preparation. My only caution is to make sure that the skillet you use is deep enough to hold the chicken without it hitting the lid of your pan. You can change the type of rice, as well as the liquid you use, with no adverse affects. The saffron in the recipe is a completely optional ingredient but it makes an awfully nice addition to this dish. You will have to keep an eye on the rice and the times suggested in the recipe should be taken with a grain of salt. Mine took an additional 20 minutes to cook. This is one of those recipes that is easy to make your own, so don't be afraid to swap or add ingredients that you enjoy. Here is Mark Bittman's version of the dish.
Chicken and Rice...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite courtesy of Mark Bittman
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 whole cut-up chicken or about 3 pounds parts
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 medium onions, chopped
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 1/2 cups short-grain white rice
Pinch saffron threads, optional
3 1/2 cups water, chicken stock, or vegetable stock, or more as needed
1 cup peas (frozen are fine; no need to thaw them)
2 limes, quartered, for serving
1) Put oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When it's hot, add chicken, skin side down. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and cook, undisturbed but adjusting heat so chicken sizzles but doesn't burn, until pieces release easily from the pan, 5 to 10 minutes. Then turn and rotate them every few minutes to brown them evenly. As chicken pieces brown, after another 5 to 10 minutes, remove them from pan.
2) Reduce heat under skillet to medium and pour or spoon off most of oil so that only 2 tablespoons remain. Add onions to the pan and cook, stirring frequently, until they soften, 3 to 5 minutes. Add garlic and rice; cook, stirring, until rice is glossy and coated with oil. Crumble in saffron threads if you're using them.
3) Return chicken to pan, add water, and stir gently to combine everything. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat so it bubbles gently but steadily. Cover skillet and cook, undisturbed, for 20 minutes, then check rice and chicken. The goal is to have liquid absorbed, the rice tender, and the chicken cooked through. If rice is dry but nothing else is ready, add another 1/4 cup water and cook for another 5 to 10 minutes. Meat is done when a quick-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of the thigh reads 155-165 degrees F.
4) Remove skillet from heat. Taste rice and adjust seasoning. Add peas, then cover the pan again and let it sit for 5 to 15 minutes. Fish chicken out of pan and transfer it to a serving platter. Fluff rice with a fork, spoon it around chicken, add lime wedges, and serve. Yield: 4 servings.
Mark Bittman's Tips:
. Saffron (as you probably know if you're using it) is not cheap. Fortunately a little goes a long way.
. Don't be intimidated by cooking chicken and rice in the same pan. It's no harder than cooking either ingredient on its own. You may need to monitor the moisture in the pan toward the end of cooking, but as long as you resist the urge to uncover the skillet and stir, it will come out great.
. Short-grain rice is classic here, but if you like rice less sticky and more fluffy, use long-grain rice. You'll probably need to add the extra liquid in Step 3.
One Year Ago Today: Retro Family Meatloaf
Two Years Ago Today: Whole Wheat Spaghetti with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Walnut Pesto
Three Years Ago Today: Corn and Radish Salad
Four Years Ago Today: Green Beans with Sesame-Miso Sauce


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Mr. Know it all
This spring, two separate meteor showers will light up the night sky. Observe them here!
out in the dark
In Germany, a Sternenpark (star park) is a thinly populated area where the night sky is particularly dark – the perfect place to observe a cosmic spectacle. There are three official parks, one each in the Havelland, Eifel and Rhön regions.
close to the stars
Europe's most famous dark-sky area extends around the Pic du Midi (2877 meters high) in the Pyrenees between France and Spain. There's an astronomical observatory at the summit as well as a place for hobby astronomers to spend the night.
dwarfed by nature
In the foreground the famous mesas, in the background the glittering night sky: In Utah, a U.S. state that's very popular among astro tourists, the International Dark-Sky Association has nine designated dark-sky parks.


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Your Institution Post can request contact details of those wanting to download your content. The form is auto-filled with members' profile details so it's faster and has more accurate information.
Tell us about your campaign and we'll be in touch.


text:
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Brand: Gucci
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The economy and the amnesiacs
Carly Fiorina, a Romney campaign surrogate and failed U.S. Senate candidate, argued a couple of weeks ago that the economic conditions President Obama inherited weren't that bad. By January 2009, she said, "the recession, we now know from the data, was over."
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) made a similar case yesterday, arguing that the economy was not in "free fall" when Obama took office. On the contrary, the far-right senator said, "President Obama's policies took effect … and as a result the economy totally stalled."
Now, admittedly, I don't expect much from Johnson, but the public shouldn't forget what actually happened. Let's revisit a post from June, and look at the nation's GDP before and after "President Obama's policies." Note, once the stimulus kicked in, the economy immediately started growing.
And in this chart we see private-sector job growth before and after the stimulus. Note, once Obama's Recovery Act kicked in, job growth immediately improved. Also note how severe the job losses were when the president took office.
And here's a chart showing the Dow Jones Industrial Average before and after the stimulus. See that low point in March 2009? That's just before the stimulus kicked in.
I understand the tactic Johnson and Fiorina are using. If the public forgets just how awful conditions were when Obama took office, voters will also forget how much the economy has improved on the president's watch. It's in the interests of assorted hacks, cranks, and amnesiacs to argue that Obama wasn't really dealt that bad a hand, so there's no reason to give him credit for getting the nation on a stronger, more stable track. It's why Fiorina, with a degree of shamelessness that's slightly unnerving, claims the recession was "over" by the time Obama was inaugurated.
But for those who care at all about reality, the facts should matter. The crisis that began in late 2008 was the worst since the Great Depression. Nothing else comes close. The global economy stood on the brink of catastrophic collapse; then Obama took office; then his policies took effect; and the economy started to improve. Technically, the recession ended six months after Obama became president, which wasn't a coincidence.
Political players can and should argue about whether those policies were sufficient and what the effects would have been to alternate approaches, but the fact that the president took the lead in rescuing the economy during a once-in-a-lifetime crisis is not in dispute.