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Behind the mask
Buenos Aires has more psychologists than anywhere else. Does the city drive its inhabitants crazy? And what, if anything, does the tango have to do with it?
Today is just another crazy, perfectly normal day in Buenos Aires. In smart Recoleta, dogsitters chill with cups of mate beneath purple jacaranda blossoms while a flurry of eight, ten, even 12 dogs romps around them. In the narrow streets of La Boca, the kids put as much heart and soul into playing ball as the iconic Boca Juniors soccer club professionals. The patios of San Telmo, with their barbecues and haggling traders, are never quiet, either, and outside Casa Rosada, the presidential palace, mothers, retirees and students block the street while hammering on pots and pans with wooden spoons in a cacerolada, a popular form of protest – against pension cuts, inflation and the crimes of the military dictatorship, which, 35 years later, have still not been fully investigated.
Some 15 million people live on the Río de la Plata, the world's broadest river. Porteños (port people) as the inhabitants of Buenos Aires call themselves, inhabit a city of superlatives: Some 38 000 taxis clog its avenues; and with 14 lanes in places, the main thoroughfare, Nueve de Julio, is the world's widest road. The Argentine capital boasts another record, too – more psychologists per capita than anywhere else in the world. That's why I want to ask the Porteños, the tango dancers and, of course, the psychologists themselves, this question: Does this megacity drive you nuts? Does Buenos Aires, the "city of fair winds" make people mad with happiness or just plain mad? "The only thing that bothers me here is the attitude to work," says fashion designer María A Zolezzi. "People in Europe work quickly and efficiently, but here, everything takes forever." Since she returned to Buenos Aires from Paris six years ago, she has found the unhurried pace of life and economic chaos difficult to bear. But she's adjusted: To avoid the high rents and minimize her own financial risk, she turned her living room into the showroom for her label, Maydi. Like so many Porteños, she doesn't let her native country's instability put her off.
Zolezzi, 43, petite with brown hair and dark eyes, lives and works in northern Palermo, a trendy neighborhood with bars and restaurants frequented by people with money. From the balcony of her eighth-story, two-room apartment, the designer overlooks a polo ground. After studying in London, Zolezzi worked in Paris for 12 years, for companies like Hermès and Isabel Marant. What made her return to Buenos Aires? "I wanted to create something here that would combine Argentine culture and modern design," she says. She produces the designs and employs local women to do the knitting and weaving. Most of them are close to 70, but these are the women with the traditional skills Zolezzi is looking for. All of the raw materials are sourced in Argentina: silk from La Pampa, merino wool from Patagonia and baby lama wool from the north. Zolezzi takes a 600-euro poncho from the rack: The fabric is robust, but it slips through your fingers like a breath of air. In Japan, where her handiwork is particularly sought after, she charges double that amount.
Zolezzi sells roughly 30 percent of her products through boutiques at home and abroad, but most are purchased straight from her living room. Her customers are mainly wealthy tourists accompanied by a personal shopper. "The Argentinean market is hard to crack, there isn't much interest in local products," says Zolezzi. "We need to learn to appreciate our handicrafts, and we need to market them better. Argentinean wool is the best there is, but few outside the country know this."
It's not that the Porteños lack national pride, it's just that in their cosmopolitan lives, they occasionally lose sight of their own culture. Buenos Aires revels in the byname "the Paris of South America," and it really is the most European city on the continent. In the early 20th century, immigrants flocked to a Buenos Aires undergoing industrialization, which urgently needed workers. Around 1900, there were a million people living here, and New York was the only city in the Americas with a larger population. The two prosperous cities became rivals, each aiming to become the world's biggest. Around half of the Porteños were migrants in those days, and even today, roughly one in three Argentineans has Italian roots.
The city's special history has left its mark on people's souls, or so psychotherapist Andrés Moteni believes. Uprooted and fleeing poverty and unemployment, the immigrants found two ways to ease their homesickness: They invented the tango and they took to the couch. With the arrival of the immigrants, psychotherapy came to the Argentinean middle classes – and stayed. Every Porteño is familiar with psychoanalytical terms. Sigmund Freud is recreational reading here, and some therapists even have their own television shows. At a recent count, there were some 35 000 psychologists and psychotherapists practicing in and around Buenos Aires. Statistically speaking, that's one for every 420 citizens; In New York, the ratio is roughly one to 670.
Molteni, 58, has a gestalt therapy practice in Palermo Viejo. He asks his patients to put on masks and costumes and take on different roles so that they can see their problems from a different perspective. Moteni set up his practice in a casa chorizo, a "sausage house," as the long, narrow, early 20th-century buildings are called because the rooms are arranged like a string of sausages. Going to see a therapist is as normal in Buenos Aires as going to the gym, Molteni explains, as we sit down on the big cushions on his dark, wooden floor. "You want answers, you speak to someone. In other cultures, that's a barman or a taxi driver; in ours, it's a psychologist."
The Porteños are no crazier than anyone else, Molteni says. And it isn't their city that's driving them crazy. They simply self-optimize to keep pace with the times. Like in other countries, Argentineans suffer from the symptoms of modern life, are plagued by narcissism, loneliness and the pressure to succeed. Members of the middle and upper classes see their psychologist regularly and for years on end – even if they have no acute problems. It's subsidized by the health system, so some psychotherapists charge no more than the equivalent of 12 euros an hour. The right to see a therapist is also written into many employment contracts.
The tango is danced in an intimate embrace. That's why people love it. Everyone loves to be held
There's a very different form of therapy that's also deeply rooted in Argentine society: the tango. Born of melancholy, can it heal it, too? Yes, says Anna Fiore, 48, a slender, short-haired German woman who moved to Buenos Aires nearly six years ago and took over the Tango Taxi Dancers school from her husband when they separated. Fiore's students often turn up with stooped backs and drooping shoulders, a posture that speaks of defensiveness and pain. But the tango always straightens them out, Fiore claims. "After the lesson, my clients go home with their heads held high. The tango is therapeutic." To set up her dance studio, Fiore converted a room of her small apartment, had parquet laid and hung mirrors on the walls. I would like to learn this athletic dance with its melancholic approach to life here, too. My teacher is Guillermo Pire, Fiore's closest colleague whom everyone calls Luc. Now 60, he was just a boy when he fell in love with the music of the legendary tango star Carlos Gardel. "His voice seems to come from another planet," he tells me. "And the tango is danced in an intimate embrace. That's why people love it: Everyone loves to be held."
So I enter Luc's embrace. My hand rests between his shoulder blades, my collarbone is docked onto his shoulder. There are no set steps in the tango; the man follows the music and the woman follows the man. I try to move with him. Which way is Luc's back leaning, where is he directing his steps? I close my eyes to stop myself from staring at his feet. The accordion emits a lovelorn sigh, and I totter after the music. "You have to wait," says Fiore. Wait for what? "For Luc to tell you what to do." Now I'm in the grip of melancholy, too. Perhaps it will prepare me for my evening baptism of fire at a milonga. Milongas are traditional dance clubs, and Fiore's teachers often accompany their students there "because the rules are so strict." If you don't know them, you could spend all evening waiting to be asked to dance. An experienced escort can tell you to put your dancing shoes on in the restroom, not at the table; will explain that you do not chat during a tanda, a sequence of three or four songs, but that it's polite to engage in small talk during the cortina, the break.
We head for Club Gricel in San Cristóbal. Red light, ceiling fans whirring, couples on the dance floor. "Blanquita is also here today. She's the oldest regular; she turned 93 last week," says Fiore, pointing out a gray-haired lady in red dress and high heels. The invitation to dance is a wordless ritual: Eye contact, a mere nod. If the woman doesn't want to, she simply averts her eyes. If a man flirts, he should expect to be rejected, as tango is a sensual, not a sexual dance. And you won't see any acrobatic show tango moves, women stretching their legs up to their chin, being flung into the air or kicking their heels sharply up and back. At least there's no great risk of injury. I venture onto the dance floor with Luc. Grave-faced couples glide past us, cheek to cheek. For a couple of seconds, I am able to switch off and just follow Luc's steps as he steers us clear of every collision. The ability to improvise, that must be it – the explanation for the special quality of life in Buenos Aires.
Getting there
Lufthansa flies daily from Frankfurt (FRA) to Buenos Aires (EZE). Use the app to calculate your miles. Download here:


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DENVER — A former Durham resident with a local criminal record was arrested last week in Denver and now faces a slew of drug-related money laundering charges in Colorado.
DENVER — A former Durham resident with a local criminal record was arrested last week in Denver and now faces a slew of drug-related money laundering charges in Colorado.
Taylor Hills, 25, of Boulder, Colo., was charged with 17 counts of money laundering, 12 counts of illegal use of the mail, one count of a false statement on a loan application and one count of failing to file a tax return.
He was indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver on Jan. 29 on the charges.
The case was investigated by agents attached to a homeland security investigations division of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and staffers from the Internal Revenue Service and U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Officers from the Boulder County Drug Task Force and the Boulder County District Attorney's office also participated. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michele Korver.
According to a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice, the indictment indicates that Hills "allegedly engaged in financial transactions, which transactions involved the proceeds of specified unlawful activity, that is, the distribution of controlled substances."
The indictment further states that he "allegedly conducted financial transactions while knowing that the property involved in each transaction represented the proceeds of some form of unlawful activity."
Hills also allegedly made "a false statement or report for the purpose of influencing the action of JP Morgan Chase, a federally insured financial institution, in connection with a vehicle loan application."
Should Hills be convicted of the violations stated in these indictments, he is to forfeit "any and all of the defendants' right, title and interest in all property, real or personal, involved in such offenses, or all property traceable to such property, including but not limited to the following: 2008 Ducati motorcycle, and U.S. currency located in a Roth IRA."
Durham Deputy Police Chief Rene Kelley said Hills developed a criminal record while living in Durham. In May 2010, he was arrested and found guilty of simple assault and possession of controlled drugs.
In Sept. 2009, he was the victim of a home invasion, in which four robbers entered a Scotland Road residence and tied up several of the residents, including Hills. An investigation revealed the robbers were after drugs, Kelley said.
And in 2010, Hills forfeited $15,000 in cash after it was intercepted by the Durham Police Department. He had intended to send the money to a person in California using a fake name. Hills lived at a residence on Route 4 before moving into the Scotland Road home, Kelley said.
It does not appear any of the charges brought against Hills in Colorado have any connection to Durham, Kelley said.
If convicted of money laundering, Hills faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $500,000 per count. If convicted of illegal use of the mail, he faces up to four years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000 per count. If convicted of false statement in loan application, he faces up to 30 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $1 million per count. If convicted of failing to file a tax return, he faces up to one year in federal prison and a fine of up to $25,000 per count.
An indictment is not an indication of guilt; rather, it means a grand jury has found sufficient evidence to warrant a trial.

subset: commoncrawl


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Buzzer Beaters: Cano Fires Boras & Hires Jay-Z, Palmer Traded to Cardinals and More
Today's top sports stories:
New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano, who is due to hit free agency after this season, has fired his agent, Scott Boras, and replaced him with a representative associated with Jay-Z's Roc Nation. No one's sure quite how this will play out, but Cano will likely be seeking a long-term deal in the $200 million range. [N.Y. Times]
The Oakland Raiders have traded quarterback Carson Palmer to the Arizona Cardinals for a seventh-round draft pick, in the latest round of QB musical chairs this off-season. [S.I.]
Rutgers men's basketball coach Mike Rice is known for his, um, intense style. Turns out that style went double during practice. Footage of Rice physically and verbally abusing his players has leaked, but it looks as though Rice will keep his job. [USA Today]
The Masters is coming up, and two-time major-tournament champion Andy Smith put together a list (with video) of the top 10 shots in Masters history. Start with No. 10: Phil Mickelson's birdie on 18 in 2004. [ESPN]
Sigh. A little-league baseball team in Arizona was disbanded when officials discovered they had manipulated the draft in order to get the best players. The players, by the way, were ages 8, 9 and 10. [GuySpeed]


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In South Philly, where partisans yell insults across the street as they line up for cheesesteaks, hitting two sandwich shops in the same day wouldn't fly. And maybe it shouldn't, given how bloated four WW staffers felt after braving rival Southeast Portland sandwich shops Lardo and Shut Up and Eat on a recent Sunday.
These joints have a lot in common: Both began as carts in the autumn of 2010, winning ardent fans with big, meaty sandwiches before moving into walk-in establishments in the summer of 2012. But while Lardo owner Rick Gencarelli is a trained chef with an impressive résumé who spit-polishes everything down to his logo-stamped paper, Shut Up and Eat boss John Fimmano's place reflects the blue-collar background of a guy who moved here from Philadelphia to work construction before selling his mama's meatballs from a taxi-yellow cart.
The scene
Sleek Lardo sits across from the Cartopia pod on Hawthorne Boulevard at the edge of Ladd's Addition in inner Southeast. The tiny building is mostly kitchen and bar, forcing patrons onto a huge patio filled with wooden picnic tables that are now covered, but not yet heated. The crowd is generally youngish and fashionably attired. Shut Up and Eat sits on the corner of Cesar Chavez Boulevard and Gladstone Street in Southeast, an intersection where a furniture refurbisher was recently replaced by a record shop. It's laid out like a classic lunch counter, with lots of two-person tables and no patio. The crowd here is actively eating.
The meatballs
The best sandwich we tried from Lardo, the meatball banh mi ($8), sits on a ciabatta roll from Fleur de Lis Bakery. Sliced flat, the hearty meatballs are freshened up by a topping of Sriracha sauce, half a bushel of cilantro, and a slaw of pickled carrots and daikon. It's a very large meal. Shut Up and Eat's massive meatball sub ($8.50) has four balls—made of beef, veal and pork—as big as a grade-schooler's fist on a bun from Pearl Bakery. A thick layer of melted cheese blends creamy provolone with sharp Asiago and Parmesan. The meatballs are lightly sauced, with dipping marinara providing balancing zest. It's two meals.
The other meat
Lardo's griddled mortadella ($8) is a messy blend of fatty salumi topped with a translucent slice of provolone. We preferred Shut Up's mammoth cheesesteak ($8.50), topped with fried onions and hot peppers.
The vegetables
Lardo takes pride in its meatiness, so maybe it's not surprising that its chickpea sandwich ($8) is uninspired. Basically falafel on a bun slathered with an overly minty yogurt sauce, it did nothing for us—although we did enjoy the fried chickpea-topped raw kale salad ($5). Meanwhile, Shut Up has two nice vegetarian sandwiches, including smoky charred yams and cream cheese ($8.50) with sauteed spinach, kale and fried red onions.
The potatoes
Lardo gets plaudits for its herby fries cooked in
duck pork fat, but Shut Up's freshly fried potato chips are a better accompaniment to any of these showstopping sandwiches.
The drinks
Lardo has a full bar with taps spouting local brews and Peroni (all $5) along with a cocktail menu that includes a drink made with Chartreuse and Limonata. Shut Up sells Olympia tall boys for $2.50 all day, every day.
The final verdict? Lardo's great, but most days I'd rather Shut Up and Eat.
EAT: Shut Up and Eat, 3848 SE Gladstone St., 577-5604, shutupandeatpdx.com. 9 am-8 pm Tuesday-Saturday, 9 am-7 pm Sunday. $. Lardo, 1212 SE Hawthorne Blvd., 234-7786, lardopdx.com. 11 am-11 pm Sunday-Thursday, 11 am-midnight Friday-Saturday. $.


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NEW YORK - The National Board of Review named the futuristic romance "Her" best film and Spike Jonze best director in its annual awards.
The honors announced Wednesday give Jonze's film some early support in an awards season that's shaping up to be unpredictable. The Warner Bros. film about a man (Joaquin Phoenix) who falls in love with a computer operating system (voiced by Scarlett Johansson) is to be released later in December.
Alexander Payne's father-son road trip "Nebraska" took two acting awards: Bruce Dern for best actor, and co-star Will Forte for best supporting actor.
Emma Thompson was awarded best actress for the "Mary Poppins" making-of story "Saving Mr. Banks." Best supporting actress went to Octavia Spencer for her performance in the day-in-a-life tale "Fruitvale Station."
The board also cited "Fruitvale Station" star Michael B. Jordan as breakthrough performance of the year, and the film's director, Ryan Coogler, for best directorial debut.
The annual run of film honors leading up to the Academy Awards has been particularly spread around so far. Though the space adventure "Gravity" and slavery epic "12 Years a Slave" are looked at as the front-runners, neither has yet yielded a best picture award.
The New York Film Critics Circle on Tuesday named David O. Russell's "American Hustle" best film. On Monday, the Gotham Independent Awards chose the Coen brothers' "Inside Llewyn Davis."
Yet both "12 Years a Slave" and "American Hustle" were each shut out by the NBR's. "Gravity" earned an award for creative innovation in filmmaking.
The Coens' script for the folk musician tale was picked for best original screenplay by the board. Best adapted screenplay went to Terence Winter's script for Martin Scorsese's "The Wolf of Wall Street." The NBR's also gave its spotlight award to Scorsese and the film's star, Leonardo DiCaprio, for their long-running collaboration.
Additionally, the board honored "The Past" as best foreign language film, "The Wind Rises" as best animated film, and "Stories We Tell" as best documentary.
The National Board of Review, a group of film academics, students and professionals founded in 1909, is one of the first groups to announce its picks for the year's best movies. The Los Angeles Film Critics announce their choices on Sunday. The Golden Globe nominations come Dec. 12.
Last year, the board awarded Kathryn Bigelow's "Zero Dark Thirty" best film.
The awards will be handed out in a gala in New York on Jan. 7, to be hosted by "Good Morning America" anchor Lara Spencer.


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Sunday, December 09, 2012
41 comments:
Looks wonderful...yummy!ReplyDelete
This is a wonderful omelet, easy to assemble and very delicious. It is versatile as well because you can not only make a sandwich with it but also roll it up like a cigar and slice it thinly crosswise to add to a fried rice dish. Thanks.ReplyDelete
Spicy omelette,love the idea,yumReplyDelete
Looks delicious...very temptingReplyDelete
wow yummy,luks so tempting...ReplyDelete
perfect healthy breakfast,yummy!!ReplyDelete
Join EP event-Garlic OR Turmeric @ Spice n Flavors
Perfect one for a good breakfast plate.ReplyDelete
spicy n yummy..I do d same process.ReplyDelete
This is my go to breakfast option :) Blog - http://shwetainthekitchen.blogspot.com/ReplyDelete
Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/ShwetaintheKitchen
Such a healthy omelette Jay...ReplyDelete
One of my very favourite, healthy and filling breakfast options.. after a long run this is my carb load up!ReplyDelete
Breakfast like this can be so refreshing and a great start to the day!ReplyDelete
Perfect way to make our morning breakfast...Yummy ones...ReplyDelete
Very Indian, spiced up omelette, looks good Jay!ReplyDelete
looks so delicious.. i love masala omelette.. so yummy!ReplyDelete
Real yummy.... Love to taste this too...ReplyDelete
Pure torture dear Jay...Amazingly tempting and beautiful omelette.ReplyDelete
looks so so yummReplyDelete
Super yummy omletReplyDelete
I wont have eggs... nice clicks...ReplyDelete
Yummy yummy!!! looks soft!!!ReplyDelete
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Thanks & Regards
Hi Jay, this look really good. Thanks for sharing the recipe. YUMMY!ReplyDelete
Have a nice day.
Tq friends for your precious time & visiting my space & caring enough thro ur lovely comments, which means a lot to me..:)ReplyDelete
happy blogging..keep rocking..!!
Mmmm..this must be the most flavourful omelette ever!ReplyDelete
Would make a filling morning breakfast. Nice oneReplyDelete
I love omelettes! They look tempting!ReplyDelete
That is one delicious omelette , Jay ! Love your version ! It looks so flavorful .....ReplyDelete
Looks so yum and colourful dear...ReplyDelete
Mutton Varuval Curry
Looks really delicious!ReplyDelete
looks wonderful!!ReplyDelete
Even i love to have this delicious omelette for my breakfast.ReplyDelete
una tortilla deliciosa:), bstsReplyDelete
Hummm...Omelette looks sooo goood!!!ReplyDelete
Hmm...looks colourful and healthy...ReplyDelete
Perfect combo..
Thanks for sharing..
These look fantastic! What an awesome idea I can't wait to try this!ReplyDelete
Thank for sharing the recipes
Delicious omelete.ReplyDelete
Tempting and yummy omlette..ReplyDelete
perfect breakfast.ReplyDelete
Colorful n attractive omelet !ReplyDelete
Yummy looks very delicious !! thanks for sharing. Even i just found a awesome link of different recipe's - 'India food network cooking channel'ReplyDelete
Very colourful and yummy...ReplyDelete
TQ friends for stopping by and taking the time to leave your valuable comments. Your comments, support & feedback are highly appreciated.
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I found Web browsers provides information that could be somehow useful for a tester/dev:
- HAR (HTTP ARchive) files that can be later viewed with HAR viewers.
cURL command, e.g., here is what I got when doing "Copy as cURL" for this web page:
curl 'https://sqa.stackexchange.com/' -H 'Accept-Encoding: gzip,deflate,sdch' -H 'Host: sqa.stackexchange.com' -H 'Accept-Language: pl-PL,pl;q=0.8,en-US;q=0.6,en;q=0.4' -H 'User-Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 5.1) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/29.0.1547.66 Safari/537.36' -H 'Accept: text/html,application/xhtml+xml,application/xml;q=0.9,/;q=0.8' -H 'Referer: https://sqa.stackexchange.com/' -H 'Cookie: __qca=P0-1782664706-1363204143275; sgt=id=372cfe23-66cf-4686-bd71-3fd115e4f32a; __utma=27693923.46027841.1363204138.1379233083.1379250315.372; __utmb=276939188.8.131.529250315; __utmc=27693923; __utmz=27693923.1375130388.204.7.utmcsr=google|utmccn=(organic)|utmcmd=organic|utmctr=(not%20provided); sqauser=t=WZvUS8s6IEWP&s=T2hKXHEgzkC7' -H 'Connection: keep-alive' -H 'If-Modified-Since: Sun, 15 Sep 2013 13:46:59 GMT' --compressed
I usually include URLs, HTTP requests and responses (whole, or only header or body with JSON). So I wonder if cURL and HAR are better than that and if so, then how. Particularly:
- Does it make sense to attach them to a bug report? In what problems they can be useful?
- How cURL command is better from simple URL or JSON request to reproduce the issue? Did cURL help you isolate any defect or understand the problem better than HTTP Request? It seems to me to be the same, just sending a request from command line seems more straightforward.
- Is HAR file useful only to understand performance problems? If so, then how? If no, then also how?


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Elbow Grease Light Gel is a thin long-lasting, water-based lubricant that enhances your sensual experience. The Light Gel is slick but thinner than the Classic formula. This formula was created for those individuals that enjoy the sensation of a lighter, thinner gel.
Ships Everywhere.
I like this light cream lubricant for use on my rabbit vibe. It spreads easy and evenly, and stay on until you reached the big O. Easy to wash of with soap as wellAnonymous - November 12 2014


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A General Collection of Books on Interesting Subjects, etc. (#347).
New York: Merwin-Clayton Sales Co., 1910.
ISBN: NoISBN. First Edition. Softcover. 346 items listed for sale. Wrappers rubbed, little soiled. For detailed information on the individual items in this and other auction catalogs, go to the Rare Book Hub. They have created a searchable database of literally millions of auction records, going back to the 1800's. Size: Octavo (standard book size). 32 pages. Quantity Available: 1. Shipped Weight: 1 pound or less. Category: Reference; Books on Books. Pictures of this item not already displayed here available upon request. Inventory No: 13222. Good Condition / No Dust Jacket.
Price: $8.50
See all items in Books On Books, Reference
See all items by Auction Catalog


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1941 Willys Pickup Steering System Setup - Turning Point
Setting Up The Steering System For The California Hauler
One of the project trucks here at Custom Classic Trucks that we've recently inherited from our now-defunct sister publication Kit Car is Eric Geisert's California Hauler '41 Willys pickup. I've been helping Eric sort out a number of items on the project including mounting the Smeding-built small-block Ford drivetrain as well as mounting the cab and related components. The foundation of the Willys is an '82-95 S-10 chassis that has been modified to accept the Ford drivetrain and Willys' fiberglass body and fenders. The stock GM suspension was kept intact but the stock S-10 steering box and cross-steer components proved to be too cumbersome for the new setup and were deleted in favor of a new steering system.
Enter Unisteer Performance Products and their rack-and-pinion retrofit kit available for the aforementioned S-10 family. It consists of a new manual rack-and-pinion as well as the necessary universal joints, available in a number of configurations, to mate it to any aftermarket steering column. For that end, we opted to go with a LimeWorks Hot Rod steering column in raw stainless steel to mate to the Unisteer rack. We figured out the length we'd need for the Willys' column and gave the measurements to LimeWorks while the column drop and floor mount requirements were handed over to Borgeson Universal. With parts in hand, we set out mating the components together to provide a bulletproof combination that will work flawlessly while maintaining an early hot rod vibe that will complement the rest of the build.
As a one-off setup, our steering system is most likely more complex than what most builders will be confronted by. But with the rise in availability of custom rack-and-pinion units designed to replace stock side-steer boxes and the popularity of retrofitting stock columns with tilt versions, we thought this how-to example would solve a number of questions the first time steerer-setter-upper would confront.
With the help of the aftermarket industry, we tore off with parts in hand and within an afternoon had the steering in the Willys dialed in, allowing us to move it about the shop with ease. It not only freed us from the confines of the stock S-10 box, which would have contributed to a myriad of problems due to the small-block Ford engine choice, but it also gave the Willys the improved steering characteristics related to a modern rack-and-pinion design. Take a look, take notes, and let us know how your steering relegations in your custom or classic truck take shape.


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There are lots of other things dogs can do to help remind you of the joys of the holiday season. Instead of just raking the leaves, spend a little time playing in them too. Curl up with a loved one by the fireplace. Sleep in. Eat leftovers for breakfast. Give lots of hugs. Chase deer (ok, maybe you won't like the last one).
My person is a little stressed about sitting in traffic on I-95 all day today, but I keep reminding her that on the other side of that trip, we will get to spend some quality time playing with my cousin Lily (and the rest of the human family of course). We are pictured above posing as two warm croissants snoozing in front of the fireplace last holiday season. We are pictured below with the great family that we are lucky to be a part of. How could you be stressed out about something like that?
Your dog, who perhaps once knew life on the street or in a shelter like me, will be quick to remind people that most of us will be spending the holiday, and every day, in a place of abundance, peace, and love. Now, that is something to be thankful for.
[This post is a part of the Pet 'Net Family Event, hosted by the good folks at Petside.com. Be sure to check them out to read other stories from across the blogosphere about the important role that pets play in families! In case you missed it, here is last year's Pet 'Net Safety event, where my snow covered cousin Lucy was featured in a post about winter hiking safety.]


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In Franklin's
portrait, as in the
others on these pages, the symbols of
science are nearly
as prominent as the sitter. The device
over his shoulder is
a system of bells and cork balls that told him when the lightning rod outside was electrified. Protected by his own invention, he has the luxury of calm reflection in a fancifully violent storm.
The physician Benjamin Rush (right) is the only one here without a "philosophical" or "mathematical" instrument, as scientific instruments were called. But someone familiar with the conventions of European portraiture might guess that he is a man of science, even without reading the lines he has written ("We come now, gentlemen, to investigate the cause of earthquakes"). Like others here, he sits in a quiet "closet," or study. Like Edward Bromfield and David Rittenhouse (opposite page), he wears a banyan, a long, loosely
fitting gown associated with
studiousness. As Rush
himself said, "Loose dresses contribute to the easy and vigorous
exercise of
the faculties
of the mind."
This identification with work and achievements seems perfectly
in keeping with Franklin's idea of America as a place "where people do not inquire concerning a stranger, 'What is he?' but 'What can he do?'" At the same time, it seems that these Americans, by presenting themselves in portraits that drew on established European imagery for the life of the mind, were taking their places in an international community as well.


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Saturday, 30 June 2012
Graham Norton - Never Close Our Eyes
Adam's hair is high and fabulous, and his face is a bit of a curious hue under those lights but look at what he's wearing! It's like a sprayed patchwork white and grey suit that someone has taken a bite out of. It's also like one of those games where you have to slide everything into position to give you the correct sequence but there's just that final Tetris block out of place that I want to slide over. It's not as flattering as his usual tailoring with quite a long modest cut so there's no satisfaction for the crotch-gazers, and those trousers are way too loose for that anyway! I don't like the clunkiness of those shoes but I prefer them to his blue ones.
I think Adam starts off a bit nervously by the way he flicks his head. His tone isn't very rich but it is steady with lots of lovely rasp to follow. The editor decided to letterbox the performance giving it a cinematic feel, homing in on Adam's expressions and twinkly eyes. It's disappointing for me that this is a shortened version that leaves out all the "Oooh, yeah..." bits and when he lets rip with those vocal acrobatics. I assume it was edited out rather than a version with a different song structure. As far as his performance goes though, it's a strong one where he doesn't put a foot wrong and the band sounds tight. I'm left wanting more though as Adam doesn't get any banter time or manage to fit a word in edgeways on that couch afterwards. I get the feeling he's a bit cautious and eager to please but I'd really like him to relax, let his cheeky side out to play and be bold.
Posted by Lambosessed at 17:18 0 comments
Labels: Adam Lambert, NCOE, Trespassing Album Promo, TV Performance
G-A-Y London
Adam's first gig in the UK was at G-A-Y so it's only apt that he would kick off his Trespassing era with a return. Plus I'm sure this is probably one of his favourite venues for obvious reasons. He must love performing for this audience. Here's my playlist:
Adam's in his trusty starred leopardskin T-shirt with suit jacket and tight bikery leather trousers. Trespassing opens the set where he's brilliant in voice, followed by a stompy, booty-shaking Kickin' In that has less of a rock vibe with the electronic elements coming through, which I think works better. Shady is damn fierce and it's quite interesting to hear a different shade of his voice for the bridge part that's sung by Sam on the album.
Adam does his utmost to get the audience to strip for Naked Love, removing a layer himself. This is where he really works the crowd, getting his potty mouth in on the act. He gets his banter on before Cuckoo and I just have to laugh at him pulling his trousers up as his arse is moving for the crowd. He gets the echo effects that he asks for and more. Never Close Our Eyes concludes the set and it's a joy to see him so relaxed with his swearing while plugging his album.
Posted by Lambosessed at 00:46 0 comments
Friday, 8 June 2012
Rays of Sunshine London
The venue is the iconic Royal Albert Hall, home to many a famous concert. It's been a long-standing wish of mine to see Adam perform an acoustic concert there so I guess this comes close. He's back to looking dapper in an electric blue suit and tie with lots of sheen. I'm rather partial to that colour on him and he completes the look with some outrageous leopardskin boots. I think he has a bit of a Teddy Boy look about him.
Adam uses session musicians instead of his usual band and though they don't have the same on-stage rapport and energy, I think they do a great job. They even have all the clapping nailed for Trespassing. I can't really hear the backing singers but they alternate between high and low claps. Needless to say, his voice is on top form and he works the stage.
On saying this is his second UK concert, Adam seems to have forgotten about all the FYE era concerts. Oh Adam, how could you forget us! The set is only three songs long so he goes on to do a fine job on Cuckoo and NCOE. He never seems completely happy about the sound though. I would've loved for Shady to have been part of the mix. The next gig is at G-A-Y which I expect to be a completely different affair.
Posted by Lambosessed at 17:35 4 comments
Labels: Adam Lambert, Concert, Cuckoo, Fundraiser, NCOE, Trespassing, Trespassing Album Promo, Video
Saturday, 2 June 2012
Bertwear T-Shirts and Accessories
Here are a couple more designs for you on the theme of "Werk", a word found in the lyrics and a word to describe the response to the album's funk side:
The first one here is "Werk Bitch!". I thought about using the Trespassing stripes but decided against it because I have feeling we're going to be sick of it before long. To keep with the Trespassing visual theme, I used a danger sign as a base with a "High Voltage" warning symbol because I relate it to Adam's electrifying performances, plus I like the way it looks. It also points downwards, like it's an order for you to get down and shake your booty. Those with dirty minds can find another meaning as it points crotchwards. I modified a loose heavy typeface to give it an informal look that has movement and attitude, and you have the option to choose neon colours as well as the standard yellow.
There's another "Werk" design for those who aren't comfortable with wearing the word "bitch". It's just "Werk" against a "High Voltage" symbol background. I decided to dispense with the exclamation mark here because I think the full stop gives lends a cool, laid back angle as a definitive statement. The print is available in neon colours as well as the standard yellow and shiny metallic gold.
Since we're into a new era, I've been playing around with some T-shirt designs that I think will be appropriate. Again, I'm not a fan of the official merchandise so here are some designs for you to wear to subtly reveal your support for Adam:
First up is Trespassing Beat. It uses the Trespassing tape that's become synonymous with this era as a base. I've included silhouettes of Adam clapping, so along with the time axis (t for Trespassing as well) at the bottom, it's like a diagram to show the clapping rhythm of Trespassing. The size of the spaces between the claps is directly proportional to the amount of time between them. The pedants amongst you may point out that the first clap isn't actually a clap but more of a stamp. I decided to include it not just for aesthetic purposes but I think I'd personally want to clap on the big beat at the start of the bar. I hope you find it to be a fun, wearable and possibly geeky design for this era.
The second design Queenbert 2012 is a commemorative one for the special concerts Adam has lined up with Queen. I went for a classic design using a modified typeface similar to that of their logo. I designed the crown to incorporate elements linked with both Adam and Queen, wanting to keep it elegant and queen-like. When you look at it I hope it just says Queenbert to you. I included two infinity signs from Adam's tattoo to symbolise not only the energy exchange between performer and audience that Adam has talked about, but the beauty of the full-circle moments that made these events come together. Adam's first song with which he got introduced to the world on AI was a Bohemian Rhapsody. His final performance on AI was with Queen. The first full circle. Then we had the EMAs and now this with the full circles going round again. I included diamond shapes as a reference to Freddie Mercury's infamous harlequin outfit, five points in the crown to represent the members of Queen and Adam, and the letters A and Q. Finally, I thought I should include the year, seeing as these are special concerts that may become the stuff of legend in years to come. The designs come in either silver or gold glitter, or silver and gold metallic print. Hope you find it a classy one you'd be happy to wear.
If you like what you see, click to visit the designs in the re-vamped shop, or browse the other designs below. I decided to give the shop an overhaul and a new name to for the new era.
Posted by Lambosessed at 03:08 6 comments
Labels: Adam Lambert, Images
94.7 Fresh FM Freshtival
The set starts off as usual with Trespassing and Kickin' In, which has impressive vocals. I've started to find Brian's banter slightly irritating as he sounds like Adam's echo but maybe the purpose is for sound adjustments. I like his dancing and the energy he brings though. Adam does a bit of melodramatic moaning about the heat at the start of Shady, and it looks like he has a specific dance for those shorts. The humming at the start of WWFM is divine, turning out to be another spellbinding performance.
Adam reluctantly removes his hoody, spoiling his look for Chokehold. It's not the most accurate near the start but those vocals are nothing short of spectacular. There's a bit of a Naked Love synths tease at the start of Broken English, again with a nice guitar solo with staggering wails and runs. Naked Love is next for real and it's funny how Adam tries to be all conservative when it comes to nudity but won't think twice about being sex-grabby and thrusty. IIHY is next and unfortunately Adam sounds lost and off-key flat throughout due to various sound issues. He later apologises and takes the piss out of himself over it. NCOE is followed by Cuckoo where his voice is at its bright and gritty best, sprinkled with wonderful runs.
Posted by Lambosessed at 01:20 1 comments
Labels: Adam Lambert, Broken English, Chokehold, Concert, Cuckoo, If I Had You, Kickin' in, Naked Love, NCOE, Radio, Shady, Trespassing, Trespassing Album Promo, WWFM
Friday, 1 June 2012
96.5 TIC Spring Fling
The set starts with a funky-as-hell Trespassing, leading into a camp theatrical Kickin' In. Shady is still my favourite for getting down to and Adam performs it cheekily. WWFM is the big dramatic version and has a lovely ending where his voice is a sweet flutter. Chokehold has sublime vocals sung with his stank face for much of the time, with a light ending floating over the instruments.
Adam tries to get crowd singing his riffs, but ends up taking the piss. As if a normal person could hit those notes. I assume this is to get the sound and echo right for Broken English. I've run out of ways to describe Adam's voice but here it's bluesy and just phenomenal. Tommy does a good job with the guitar solo. Next up is Naked Love which has an uplifting energy with Adam's giggle and encouragement of audience participation. I think I'm getting used to the ending now as I'm getting less fussy about the absence of a big finish. The surprise song is IIHY, which hasn't been done for a while. It sounds a bit different during the chorus with the bass less electronic and more funky. There are some nice vocal variations. I'm really getting to enjoy the excitement of NCOE live. It looks like Adam was never quite happy with the sound and the final run of notes is very flat. The set ends with Cuckoo and the band intros, with creative riffs over bridge.
Posted by Lambosessed at 00:26 0 comments
Labels: Adam Lambert, Broken English, Chokehold, Concert, Cuckoo, If I Had You, Kickin' in, Naked Love, NCOE, Radio, Shady, Trespassing, Trespassing Album Promo, WWFM
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New Search
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International Junior Golf Tour
91 Old Carolina Drive
Bluffton, SC 29910
(844) 779-3374
"The IJGT has helped me to experience golf in different parts of the country and to push my game to get better with every round. The IJGT staff is outstanding and does everything possible to make your junior tournament experience the best. I want to thank the IJGT for helping me to take my game to the next level where I will play collegiate golf at the University of Hawaii."Anna DePalma, San Clemente, California7 top 10 finishes on the IJGT
"Playing on the IJGT has been a great experience for me. The staff is always very helpful and courteous. Competing in IJGT events allowed me to make many new friends. I am impressed on how well the tournaments are organized."Gabrielle Weiss, Macungie, Pennsylvania6 wins on the IJGT including 20 top 10 finishes
"The IJGT tournament courses are first-class and many are ones that have hosted PGA Tour events. Playing the IJGT has prepared me for competing at the next level. The strength of the fields promotes a great learning environment and lets you know how your game stacks up against the rest. The tournament awards are always something to strive for, whether it is IJGT merit points, AJGA exemptions, or other amateur tournament invitations."Kyle Nakazaki, Manhattan Beach, California2 wins on the IJGT including 10 top 10 finishes
"The IJGT has helped me to improve my golf game through top-notch competition. Over the years, I have made life-long relationships with friends I have made through competition. The IJGT has helped me position myself on the national scene and prepared myself for the best opportunities to receive a college golf scholarship."Andrew Bieber, Shaker Heights, OH12 wins on the IJGT including 47 top 10 finishes
"Hands down, the IJGT is the best junior golf tour, especially in the Northeast. The staff is super friendly, the tournaments professionally run, and the courses are spectacular! Thanks for being the "playground" to help me develop my competitive game for the past 5 years! I am looking forward to competing on the IJGT for the next few years against the best junior golfers from around the world."Frank Szucs, Brookside, New Jersey11 wins on the IJGT including 29 top 10 finishes


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EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE:October 15, 20131 p.m. PDT
Newswise — SAN FRANCISCO – October 15, 2013 – Breast cancer patients who received the combination of a nerve block with general anesthesia for their breast cancer surgery had less cancer recurrence and were three times less likely to die than those who received only general anesthesia, according to a study presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY™ 2013 annual meeting. Additionally, patients who received the nerve block needed less opioid pain relief from drugs such as fentanyl and oxycodone.
"Surgery has long been the most effective treatment for solid cancer tumors," said Palle S. Carlsson, M.D., Ph.D., of the Department of Anaesthesiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark. "However, it has been theorized that the long-term effect of anesthetic method, drugs used and the pain therapy applied after surgery can influence how the disease progresses – whether the cancer comes back or the patient dies."
During cancer surgery, tumor cells released into the bloodstream can transfer from the original tumor area and implant in lymph nodes and other organs far from the primary tumor, according to Dr. Carlsson. The human immune system plays a major role in fighting these runaway cells; however, surgery and anesthesia weaken the immune system.
In the study, a follow-up to a randomized, double-blinded study of paravertebral blocks (regional anesthesia nerve blocks) in 77 patients who had breast cancer surgery, the patients were divided into two groups, both having general anesthesia. In addition, the first group received a regional nerve block via four to six injections of local anesthetic. The second group received injections of saline. After six years, these patients' medical records were reviewed for death or cancer recurrence.
The study found that the death rate was significantly lower in the group who received the nerve block with general anesthesia. Ten percent of patients who received the nerve block and general anesthesia died compared to 32 percent of patients who received the placebo. Additionally, the rate of cancer recurrence was significantly less for the nerve block and general anesthesia group as compared to the placebo group: 13 percent had a recurrence while 37 percent of the placebo group's cancer returned. The nerve block and general anesthesia group also took significantly fewer opioids than the placebo group: an average of 45 mg of morphine compared to the patients with cancer recurrence who took an average of 58 mg of morphine.
This is the first study of its kind, and the small number of patients demands confirmation by studies including larger groups of patients.
The number of new cases of invasive breast cancer in 2013 is estimated to be approximately 232,000. More than 39,000 people will die from breast cancer this year, according to the American Cancer Society.
The American Society of AnesthesiologistsFounded in 1905, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) is an educational, research and scientific society with more than 50,000 members organized to raise and maintain the standards of the medical practice of anesthesiology. ASA is committed to ensuring physician anesthesiologists evaluate and supervise the medical care of patients before, during and after surgery to provide the highest quality and safest care every patient deserves. For more information on the field of anesthesiology, visit the American Society of Anesthesiologists online at asahq.org. To learn more about the role physician anesthesiologists play in ensuring patient safety, visit asahq.org/WhenSecondsCount. Join the ANESTHESIOLOGY™ 2013 social conversation today. Like ASA on Facebook, follow ASALifeline on Twitter and use the hashtag #ANES2013.
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Insurance company Allianz SE says net profit almost doubled last year as losses on Greek bonds no longer weighed down its results.
The Munich-based company said Thursday its basic insurance business also improved, suffering lower losses on natural catastrophes and enjoying higher premium revenue in Germany, Australia and Latin America.
Net profit rose to (EURO)5.49 billion ($7.34 billion) from (EURO)2.80 billion in 2011, and the company proposed an unchanged dividend of (EURO)4.50 per share. Revenue rose 2.7 percent to (EURO)106.4 billion.
In 2011, Allianz had to write off losses on Greek bonds which fell sharply in value due to the country's debt crisis. Greece eventually negotiated a deal with creditors under which it paid them less than they were owed.
Fourth quarter earnings rose to (EURO)1.29 billion from (EURO)560 million..
CEO Michael Diekmann gave a cautiously upbeat outlook, saying that the eurozone was showing "the first signs of stability" and that "some observers expect the world economy to regain a bit of momentum toward the end of the year." The 17 European Union countries that use the euro have been struggling economically as governments in several countries cut spending to reduce dangerous levels of government debt.
Diekmann said that interest rates are expected to remain low - a burden for insurance companies, since they need to earn a return on premium revenue. "There are still many uncertainties, primarily around sovereign debt levels and the lack of strong growth in developed markets," he said in a statement.
He forecast the company would earn (EURO)9.2 billion, plus or minus (EURO)500 million, this year on an operating basis, which excludes some financial items. That compares to operating earnings of (EURO)9.5 billion for last year.


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Every weekend in March, Microsoft will be discounting Games on Demand for Windows titles, kicking things off with 75% off the critically acclaimed Batman: Arkham Asylum this Friday through Monday.
Perhaps Microsoft's Games on Demand program for Windows isn't getting as much attention as the company hoped, or maybe they just feel like passing out the savings. Either way, PC gamers win, unless of course they've already picked up Arkham Asylum at full price, in which case...oops.
Right now Batman: Arkham Asylum sells for $49.99 via the service, but tomorrow through Monday, March 1, Games on Demand for Windows is discounting the title by 75%. By my calculations, that's somewhere around $12.50. That's a damn fine discount.
After this weekend, Microsoft will be discounting a different Games on Demand title every weekend in March, so you might want to check your Games for Windows Live account every Friday, just in case you missed something.
Batman: Arkham Asylum 75% off sale [Major Nelson]


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Three steal 25 Samsung Galaxy III S cellphones, cash from Coral Springs store
CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. – Coral Springs Police are looking for three people who robbed a T-Mobile store and stole 25 smartphones and cash.
The robbery happened at 1327 N. University Drive about 9:22 p.m. Friday.
A man and a woman were inside the store acting as customers when the man pulled out a handgun and ordered all the employees to the back of the store, say police. A second man then came inside the store and used zip ties to restrain the employees.
The trio stole 25 Samsung Galaxy III S cellphones and cash. They also stole video surveillance equipment.
The first man is described as 20 to 30 years old and 5 feet 9 inches to 5 feet 11 inches tall. He had short, black hair, and was last seen wearing a black leather jacket, a blue button-down shirt, blue jeans, and black dress shoes.
The woman is described as 5 feet 3 inches to 5 feet 5 inches tall and 120 to 140 pounds. She had long, wavy black hair, and was last seen wearing a blue and white dress and a gray New York Yankees hat.
The second man is described as 20 to 30 years old, 5 feet 11 inches to 6 feet 1 inch tall and 180 to 200 pounds. He had short, black hair, and was last seeing wearing a white t-shirt.
Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to call Coral Springs Police at 954-346-1262.
Copyright 2013 by Local10.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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Randolph H. Wolf, Counsellor At Law
Whether you have been charged with a Criminal Offense, Drug Offense, Driving While Intoxicated – DWI, Driving Under the Influence – DUI, Refusal of a Breath Test, or a Motor Vehicle Ticket, have been injured in an accident or fall down and need help to get your medical bills paid or be fairly compensated by an insurance company for your injuries, suffered a work-related injury covered by Workers Compensation, want your driver's license restored, or would like a name change or expungement, we are here to help.
The Law Firm of Randolph H. Wolf has been successfully representing defendants charged with criminal, DWI, and motor vehicle offenses and individuals injured in accidents since 1987. Serving the entire State of New Jersey for the past 32 years, our goal is to provide the highest quality legal representation to our clients. Randolph H. Wolf and his colleagues in our Red Bank office appear in courts throughout Central and Northern New Jersey including Monmouth, Ocean, Middlesex, Mercer, Hudson, Morris, Essex, Passaic, Union, and Bergen Counties. Through our association with other experienced attorneys we offer the same high quality services in Atlantic, Somerset, Burlington, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Sussex, Warren, and Camden Counties. We pride ourselves on our experience, competence, and professionalism and look forward to providing you with personalized legal assistance. There is no fee for an initial consultation. Master Card and Visa are accepted.
Our Pledge to You:
- We will listen to your concerns and clearly explain what the law of New Jersey is and how it applies to your situation.
- We will treat you as a valued client and will respond to your telephone calls within 24 hours.
- We will communicate with you and keep you informed as to the progress of your case.
- We will work hard for you, aggressively advocate your interests, and do our very best to achieve your goals.


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As any decorator will tell you, curtains make a room—but only when chosen correctly. When it comes to window treatments, it's a matter of color and fabric, length and lining, and custom-made versus off-the-shelf. With so many decisions, it's easy to feel overwhelmed, so we asked the pros for advice on narrowing down the options and selecting the right curtains for your home.
Color and Fabric
Fabric is an essential part of choosing curtains, since the material will dictate how well your curtains function and hold up over time. "If they're too heavy, they may not fold crisply when drawn; too light and they may not fall well," says designer Suysel DePedro Cunningham of Tilton Fenwick.
Lana Lawrence, who is vice president ofAnthony Lawrence-Belfair curtain fabricators and who works with designers like Alexa Hampton and Katie Ridder, suggests holding fabrics up to a window, even in a fabric showroom. "Pleat it like an accordion at the top and let it drape," she says. "If it starts to flare like a piece of crinoline, then it's not going to fall nicely on the window." Work with a big sample, at least 2 yards, since a smaller piece may not show the fabric's true drape.
Sunlight will fade fabrics over time. If the room gets a lot of light, it's smart to avoid bright colors, since they tend to fade faster. "Still, if you like to change out your rooms often, you can be less concerned with fading," says Alice Guercio, vice president of product development at Kravet. Cunningham suggests going with neutral colors, since they're less likely to fade and more likely to blend into a room's decor.
Linen, silk, faux silk, and velvet are best choices to use for window treatments since they tend to hang the best, says Guercio. "Faux silk tends to be the most durable," she says. And in a particularly sunny room, faux silk doesn't deteriorate as quickly as real silk.
Some fabrics can help keep out the cold. Many hotels use suede, velvet, tapestry, or tweed since their weight helps block light and keep heat in. Still, nearly any fabric can be interlined with bump, a thick, insulating felt material. And interlining—a piece of fabric slipped between the lining and the face fabric—can also help prolong the life of the curtains. "If silk is unlined, it will rot," says Lawrence. Adds Cunningham: "Lining and interlining are what give curtains their body and fullness."
Length and Lining
Before you take out the tape measure, decide how high above the window you'd like the curtains to begin. Keep in mind: "Hanging panels higher than the window will give a sense of height to the room," says Cunningham. Designers often hang curtains about six inches above the window frame, but for a dramatic look, some go higher.
Measure from the top of the window (plus the added inches of height where the curtains will hang from) to the floor. For a more traditional look, with the curtain slightly puddled on the floor, you'll want to add another two or three inches to your length. For a modern, crisp look, have the panel fall flush with the floor.
When measuring the width of your window, be sure to add four to eight inches on both sides and double the total number to ensure curtain fullness. "Then you won't block a lot of window glass when the curtains are open, and they won't get in the way," says Lawrence.
If you plan to use the curtains to shut out the sun, those extra inches around the perimeter of your window frame will also help block out any creeping light.
Off-the-Shelf vs. Custom Window Treatments
Custom window treatments offer many benefits: You can customize the dimensions to your window size and create a tailored look, like a perfectly fitted suit. Custom panels come in endless design options, from material to header style. With these options though, comes a considerable price difference from off-the-shelf curtain panels.
If custom curtains just aren't in your budget, Cunningham suggests spending a little more money on high-quality retail window treatments. She and her partner, Anne Maxwell Foster, likeRestoration Hardware's Heavyweight Textured Belgian Linen Curtain Panels. Lawrence says that the ready-made curtains at ABC Carpet & Home are also a great choice for high-quality window treatments.
This article was written by marsharichard


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PHILADELPHIA - A rare bust of Benjamin Franklin with an estimated value of $3 million has been recovered almost a month after it was stolen from a home in a Philadelphia suburb.
The rare artwork was recovered Friday when authorities arrested a former house cleaner, owner George D'Angelo said. Made in 1778 by Jean-Antoine Houdon while Franklin was visiting Paris, it is one of three known to exist.
The 25-pound, 28-inch-high bust was stolen Aug. 24 from its pedestal in the drawing room of D'Angelo's home in Bryn Mawr, a suburb on Philadelphia's affluent Main Line. A woman who briefly worked for D'Angelo's cleaning service was seen speeding away from the scene.
The FBI confirmed the arrest of Andrea Lawton, 46, and the recovery of the bust. D'Angelo said Lawton was carrying the bust in a duffel bag when she was arrested as she got off a bus in Elkton, Md., after departing from her hometown of Mobile, Ala.
Lawton, also known as Andrea Gresham, is in federal custody on charges of theft, fraud and interstate transportation of stolen property, according to papers filed in federal court in Philadelphia.
She had been told not to touch the bust and that it was "extremely valuable," according to an affidavit of probable cause accompanying the arrest warrant.
The FBI said a witness told investigators last week Lawton "still had possession of the bust, and that she intended to transport it outside of Alabama in order to sell it on the black market."


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The Fuduntu quarterly installation ISO image (2012.1) is now available for immediate download. As with all Fuduntu releases, this release continues our tradition of small incremental improvements. It is important to note that existing Fuduntu users will roll up to this version through the normal update process, and do not need to download or install from this media to benefit from this release.
This release marks a shift in release numbering. Going forward, Fuduntu releases will be numbered as follows:
We will ring in the new year with Fuduntu 2012.1.Full story »


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HOUSTON (AP) Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol missed Tuesday night's game against Houston because of tendinitis in both knees.
Gasol has dealt with the condition since training camp and said it hasn't ``really improved'' since then, prompting the Lakers to rule him out.
``We just kept it under control and I was hoping that we would see some kind of improvement, and some kind of pain relief,'' he said. ``But it hasn't happened. So we had to make a decision.''
Gasol, who is averaging 12.6 points and 8.8 rebounds this season, is listed as day-to-day.
He said he was hoping that he wouldn't have to miss any time.
``It's something that I didn't want to think. I didn't want that thought to cross my mind,'' he said. ``But it got to the point that I had to face the reality of the situation. I talked to the training staff and talked to the doctors and made a decision for the best, I think.''
The Lakers began a three-game trip Tuesday and play New Orleans on Wednesday and Oklahoma City on Friday.
Gasol said he doesn't know if he'll play in the next two games.
He said the pain has really limited what he has been able to do this season and that he experiences it when running, jumping and especially when he needs to get low.
``It's a game that if you don't get low, you don't have a good base ... you don't have the force and explosiveness that you need to,'' he said. ``That's been some of the things that have been noticeable.''
Veteran Antawn Jamison started in his place against the Rockets.


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Hi! It's been a while since I posted here...
Anyway, I'm working on a new batch of poems and I would like one or two people (preferably experienced) to check the drafts for any typos/oversights and constructive comments.
If interested, just let me know below. If you're good, I'll send the link (via PM, of course)
jan Pusa


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CLHS Alumni Days May 31-June 1
The 14th Annual County Line High School Alumni Days Reunion will be held May 31-June 1, 2013. This year marks the 50th year celebration for members of the Class of 1963.
Friday evening "Gathering" will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Cafeteria and all are encouraged to attend. Refreshments will be available. No registration is required for Friday Evening.
Registration will begin at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, giving Alumni time to visit prior to lunch being served at 11:00 a.m. Members of the CLHS Class of 1963 will be honored following the meal, catered by Western Sizzlin' and door prizes will be awarded after. Pre-registration for this event is encouraged.
In addition to this year's celebration, "Season's In The Sun" will be held Saturday evening, at St. Joseph Hall in Paris, Arkansas. This Reunion celebrates all Alumni who graduated between the years of 1970 and early 1980's.
This private gathering will begin at 6:30 p.m. Registration forms and information concerning this event are available to download on the "Seasons In The Sun" Facebook.com page. Pre-registration is required and the deadline is May 15th.
Information and registration forms for both events can be requested by writing, County Line Alumni Events, P.O. Box 564, Charleston, AR 72933.


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I started blogging to capture memories and milestones of the children. Bodhi is still at an age where his development changes on a monthly basis, so I wanted to record these times before I forget them.
I've been having a bit of a blogging break over Christmas so I'm a bit late with this months update.
Weight & clothes size
He's about 24lb according to our scales at home, though he doesn't really stay still on them for too long.
Bodhi's tops, vests and pyjamas are now all size 12-18 months, and he is starting to wear some 18-24 month tops now too. I've also just bought a new snuggly coat for him in the sales as his jacket is looking a bit snug. His 12-18 month trousers are now fitting a lot better too.
Still in a size 3 1/2 F shoe, but I think he must be due to have his feet measured.
I think he is teething at the moment as he has got his fingers in his mouth a lot. He's also still really clingy. Something must be going on! Difficult to see what is going on in his mouth though. He has finally got his 4th tooth through at the front bottom.
Bodhi is still sleeping really well. He's been settling really well at bedtime and wakes up in the morning only when everyone else is awake. We haven't really been at home much for naps, he's mostly been napping in the car or in his pushchair. Hopefully this won't affect his naps when our normal routine starts again next week.
Bodhi still really likes eating, though I think he may be starting to get a sweet tooth. I really need to start getting him to eat more vegetables so I'm planning on getting more organised with dinners and hiding vegetables in them.
Bodhis favourite foods are still grated cheese, pom bears, grapes, pears, kiwis, chocolate and ice-cream. He also homes in on any naughty food that I might be eating.
There has not been much change in the actual words that I can make out. All birds are still called 'duck'. He does point to lots of things in a room so I tell him the name of the objects. He'll also sort of say 'that'. He is quite good at making sounds like for thank you. He also sort of sings to row, row, row your boat and there were ten in the bed (roll over).
He says 'bu' when he sees a bus and gets very excited.
Although he isn't saying very much at the moment he is very capable of getting what he wants and also understands things we ask him to do (and sometimes does them)
Favourite things
Still really enjoys his ride-on toys, spends most of his time at home on these.
Cars are also turning out to be a favourite thing, or anything with wheels can entertain him for a while.
He also likes swings, slides and merry-go-rounds at playgrounds.
Puddles are also a favourite at the moment.
Jumping up and down on his grandads stomach.
Having things taken off him that he shouldn't have.
Being away from his mummy.
His big sister bossing him around.
Still a mummys boy, but I mostly love it. It can be difficult at times when you are trying to get stuff done and he won't go to anyone else!
He is mostly very easy going. Happy to go in the pushchair or car seat at the moment. Though he is getting more difficult to get in the high chair and to wear a bib, so it means lots of mucky clothes.
He will get his changing mat, nappies, wipes and his shoes and socks etc when asked.
He seems to want to be quite helpful at the moment, long may it last!
He's pretty good at walking for a fair distance, so I need to let him out of the pushchair more, he's quite happy to hold my hand most of the time too.
He's really starting to turn into a little boy and I'm looking forward to seeing how he develops in the coming month.
What are your little ones up to at 19 months old? Do they say many words? Are they walking and running?


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As you know, Giz UK and its readers have been selected by O2 to help test their 4G network. For anyone doubting 4G's awesome speeds, take a pew and watch our video, which shows Sam and I (plus O2's Rob) pit a 4G dongle against a 3G dongle in various tests. We may not be as camera-ready as The Gadget Show's presenters, but please try and remember the 4G network is the true star of this show.
That means no comments about how Sam should've worn a bit of Suzi Perry-leather, mmkay?
If you missed news of our 4G trials with O2, check out our initial post to read how you could get insanely-fast internet speeds for the next three months (and free drinks. Did we mention the free drinks?), and if you're still wanting to read up on 4G, we've published a bunch of features for you to chew over:
- What Is 4G?
- What's Happening With 4G In the UK?
- Can 4G Really Change Our Lives?


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The holidays are a time of year that I really look forward to. Not only do I enjoy the foods that are the traditional holiday fare & start showing up after Halloween, but I really enjoy all the family time. Couple all those heavier foods & treats with busier days & nights and you could end up with some unwanted extra weight after New Year's day.
So, how do you avoid gaining an extra pound or 10? Moderation. Sure, that is easy to say. Is it easy to do? Here are some tips that I have found to be extremely helpful.
- Don't deny yourself your favorite treats. When you go to a party, go ahead & have small servings of your favorite treats. Stay away from things that are around all the time or aren't your favorites & use those calories for the things you really love or only come once a year – gingerbread, egg nog, fudge, etc. Go ahead, have one, but stop there. No need to go crazy & stuff yourself, though. Chances are you will feel uncomfortable & then beat yourself up for eating too much.
- Try to eat as close to your regular diet as possible. Don't skip meals or starve yourself to save up for a big splurge at a party. Most often this backfires & because you are so hungry you end up eating way more & then feeling like an overstuffed turkey at the holidays. If you eat sensible meals throughout the day, maybe just a little lighter, you will still be able to enjoy some treats at the party.
- Don't skip the gym. Stick as close as you can to your regular exercise schedule. Not only will this help to keep off the extra pounds from the treats & drinks, but it will help with holiday stress, too. Sure, you may only work out 3 instead of 5 days, but 3 is better than nothing. If you don't have a gym or are traveling, get out for a nice, brisk walk after a heavy meal or in lieu of a nap.
- Between holidays & functions, follow your regular diet & exercise plan. Don't fall off the wagon just because you may have consumed an entire pumpkin pie or pan of brownies. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off & have a nice, healthy breakfast the next morning. Don't keep telling yourself that you will start that new healthy lifestyle come January 1st – do it now. There is no time like the present (and I don't mean the one you wrapped up for your parents or siblings). And, you will most likely feel better eating healthy foods rather than continuing the junk food, treats & alcohol assault on your body.
- Make sure to eat your fruits & vegetables. It is no secret that holiday treats are lacking in the fresh fruit & vegetable department. To help stay healthy & keep off some of that unwanted weight, add fresh fruits & veggies to your meals or snacks. Not only do they help fill you up, but they are full of fiber & vitamins. Then you won't feel as guilty having that sweet potato casserole that Aunt Martha slaved over. You know the one I am talking about – topped with candied walnuts & marshmallows. 😉
- Drink plenty of water. If you don't already, make sure you are drinking water all day long. To help avoid feeling like you got hit by a bus in the morning, alternate your drinks with a glass of water at the next party. Not only will this help slow you down, as we all tend to lose track when we get chatty, but keeping yourself hydrated will help ward off that nasty hangover.
Try some of these tips this year & see how they work for you. I know that I always feel so much better when I eat healthy foods. Yes, I love my treats, but I enjoy those in moderation. You have seen my "Cookie-A-Day" posts by now, I am sure. I freeze most of these cookies. I do try them, yes, as do my kids, but I don't go overboard. They will be there tomorrow. Also, I know that they are in the freezer, so if I am really craving a Dark Chocolate Snowstorm or Almond Cranberry Bite, I will grab one & make that dessert.
I wish you all a happy & healthy holiday season! Share some of your tips below – I am always interested in hearing others tricks for keeping the craziness that is the season at bay.
Filed under: Family, Gluten-Free | 10 Comments »


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Recommended reading:
If you wish to protect your service against hardware failure and reach higher
availability of your Ozeki NG SMS Gateway software, we recommend you to try
our Ozeki Cluster software product.
Ozeki Cluster automatically moves any
service to another computer in case of a hardware failure. You can
download it from:
Ozeki Cluster Site
This page explains how to install and configure an SMPP user
for SMS messaging using the graphical user interface of
the Ozeki NG - SMS Gateway software.
Ozeki NG - SMS Gateway allows, among others
(see the Users
and Applications page), the installation and configuration of an SMPP user.
The software enables all users to connect to the gateway
through the Listener port and to exercise their user functions. The creation
of an SMPP user account means enabling connection to the Gateway using the
SMPP protocol. Anyone who knows the username and the password of a given SMPP
user account can connect to the Ozeki NG - SMS Gateway if their IP address is
authorized for connection. Once the Gateway has authenticated the user, they
are enabled to send and receive messages. Consequently, the creation of an
SMPP user allows the Ozeki NG - SMS Gateway to be fully authorized to act
as an SMS Center.
You can use the
graphical user interface of
Ozeki NG - SMS Gateway to install and configure any user or application.
To start installing and configuring an SMPP user, click the
Add button in the top right-hand corner of the Users and
Applications panel on the right of the Management Console.
You can also add a user by clicking the Add user item in the Users
and applications menu. (Figure 1).
Figure 1 - Adding a user
This will bring up an interface consisting of two panels.
The panel on the left contains a list of users that have been installed.
In the bar at the bottom of the page you can read how many users have been
The panel on the right contains a list of users that can be installed.
Each user in the left-hand panel is listed with a unique name
(and the user type stated in brackets).
Each user in the right-hand panel is listed with the name of
its type and a brief description of what it can be used for.
An SMPP user allows you to connect SMPP clients to Ozeki NG - SMS
Gateway to send and receive SMS messages. Clients can use the SMPP protocol.
For connection the clients should use the following settings:
Figure 2 - Installing an SMPP user
When installing a user (type), you need to
give it a unique username. Clicking the Install link will
bring up the SMPP user installation panel.
Here, you need to enter a unique username in the Username field.
This will take you to the Authentication tab of the
Configuration panel.
The Username field contains the unique username you have
provided in the previous panel.
The Password field contains a password offered by the program.
You can and should change it. Your password should be a combination of letters
and digits (at least one or two of the latter). From now on, the username and
password you have provided can be used to log in to the program (Figure 3).
Figure 3 - User authentication
To configure logging related to the SMPP user, click the
Logging tab in
the Configuration panel.
The tab has a Logging and a Log file settings section.
Here, you can choose whether to make the program write log entries about sent
and received messages in human readable format and/or log low level
communication (SMPP Protocol).
You should check at least the Log sent and received messages in human
readable format checkbox, as logfiles can be useful in debugging
communication problems (Figure 4).
Figure 4 - Logging options
In the Log file settings section of the tab, you can
make specifications for the size and the number of available logfiles.
Log rotation saves disk space, as it ensures that older (and probably
no longer needed) logfiles will be automatically deleted from the log
directory, which is specified in the
Log directory text box. By default, the access path to the logfiles is:
C:\Program Files\Ozeki\OzekiNG - SMS Gateway\Logs
In the Maximum log file size text box in the Logfile
settings section, you can specify the maximum size of a logfile.
Once this size is reached, a new logfile will be created. Specify the
number of kilobytes for the size of a logfile by entering a positive
whole number. By default, the maximum logfile size is 8000 kB.
In the Number of rotated files text box, specify
the maximum number of rotated logfiles that are saved. Specify this number
by entering a positive whole number. By default, the number of logfiles that
are saved is 4 (see Figure 4 above).
If you are content with the default specifications, leave
the text boxes unchanged.
To modify the configuration or to view server events related to
an SMPP user, open the panel of the user's account. To do this, click the name
of the user in the Users and Applications panel of the Management
In the panel of the user's account, click the link of
the task you wish to perform (Figure 4).
Figure 5 - Clicking a user-related task link
To configure or modify the configuration of the user, click
To view the latest server events related to the user, click Events.
To uninstall the user, click the Uninstall link.
Dig deeper!
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GR 39: Cañada de la Mesta
Contact details
Federación Andaluza de Montañismo. Granada
Tel.:+34 958 29 13 40
This path leaves the chapel of La Virgen de Veredas, in the municipality of El Guijo (Cordoba), very close to the border with the province of Ciudad Real, towards which it might continue in the future.
Along its first few kilometres, the path follows the Cañada Real Soriana cattle track to meet the GR 40. This important cattle track was used by the cattle coming from Castilla. Even now its original width is respected. Upon reaching the locality of El Guijo, the path separates and follows another old cattle track known as Cañada de la Mesta. El Guijo is a small town in the valley of Los Pedroches, where the parish church of Santa Ana, dating back to the 16th century and with a plateresque style doorway must be seen.The path continues among landscapes where holm oak and scrub abound, with beautiful views of the Sierra de Santa Eufemia, until it reaches the locality of El Viso, where the Mystery of the Magi is enacted every four years during the Christmas festivities.Bull penning is enjoyed during the fair in honour of Santa Ana. After passing through a more barren scrub landscape, the path reaches the locality of Hinojosa del Duque, where a visit to the parish church of San Juan Bautista is a must. Known as the Cathedral of the Sierra, it is a sober gothic-Renaissance church from the 15th-16th century.The locality's cured meats are famous, particularly its Iberian acorn-fed cured ham and sweets such as the macaroons made by the Conception nuns. Leaving the area of the Valley of Los Pedroches, where granite is abound, the path enters the sierra area, reaching the locality of La Granjuela to the north of the River Guadiato, which is crossed to reach the town of Fuente Obejuna, made famous by the book by Lope de Vega. You can visit the 15th century gothic-style parish church of La Virgen del Castillo or the 16th century church of the former covent of San Francisco. In the surrounding area are various small villages that can be visited thanks to a network of signposted short-distance paths. The path continues to the border with the province of Badajoz, towards where it may continue in the future.
Route details
Departure point: El Guijo (Córdoba)
Arrival point: Fuente Obejuna (Córdoba)
Difficulty: Difficult
Distance (km): 112
No. of stages: 6
Chapel of Virgen de Veredas - El Guijo - El Viso - Hinojosa del Duque - La Granjuela - Fuenteovejuna.
There are basic services in all of hte localities along the path, particularly in Hinojosa del Duque and Fuente Obejuna. For further information: Cordoba Provincial Tourist Board. Ronda de los Tejares, 1. 14001 Cordoba. Tel. 959 49 16 77.


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Drew a picture of my favourite creature
Grew flowers for bees and butterflies
Took some photographs of wildlife
Made a minibeast home
Went for a walk in a wild place
Wrote a poem about nature
Visited a nature reserve
Grew some vegetables
Built a nest for a bumblebee
Planted a tree
Wrote a story about a wild creature
Helped with the recycling
Made a model of an animal
Go moth watching
Did some leaf rubbings
Did some leaf rubbings
Made a collage out of natural objects
Encouraged my family to buy local food
Did some composting
Did some composting
Did some composting
Made or put up a bird feeder
Click the 'Add to my spotting sheet' button on any wildlife item page. Login or register to start creating your own spotting sheets.
Where are YOU on the watcher's top 5 list


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Dear Vanessa,
I'll be going to Alaska soon. My biggest concerns are bears, mosquitoes and the governor — not necessarily in that order. I hear the mosquitoes are savage. Any ideas about a natural insect repellent I can use while there?
— Mary
Dear Mary,
Here is my completely unbiased, 100-percent guaranteed, environmentally sound advice: Take me with you.
My expertise in the field of mosquitology makes me the perfect travel companion. Selflessly putting my knowledge of mosquito needs and desires to work, I offer you my own tender flesh to use as bait. I will do everything possible to make myself irresistible, effectively diverting them from you. First, the sweet, floral scents: perfumes, hair products, sunscreens, moisturizers and fabric softeners. Then, go for the potassium — lots of it. Meat, banana, melon, "sports drinks," milk, potato and tomato will be the only things I eat, all with a good shake of salt (mosquitoes love sodium). Exercise is really the key: mosquitoes cannot resist lactic acid … or carbon dioxide. Mmmm, it just reeks of fresh, pumping blood.
This flowery-sweet, potassium, and sodium-based lactic acid, carbon dioxide-heavy bait is best presented against a dark background. That simplifies packing: mosquitoes are attracted to dark clothing. (Very Goth.)
With little planning, a true mosquito lovefest can easily be arranged. Still water is needed for breeding. A bucket, birdbath, toys or anything else where a small puddle of water can form will do the trick. Once hatched, most species prefer to avoid the high noon sun, and they don't fly well where there are strong air currents (wind or a breeze). So, on an early morning, late evening or night encounter by stagnant water and still air, panting heavily in dark clothes and having eaten salt-encrusted potassium goodness and oozing a chemical cloud of sugary floral scent … I will be your bait.
(Have I mentioned, I REALLY want to visit Alaska?)
In the unlikely event that the bait-and-lure strategy doesn't work, I will come equipped with a full defensive arsenal. Plants that have naturally repellent properties make up the majority of that arsenal. They can be found in gardens or farmers markets or bought as essential oils. Eucalyptus, cedar, geranium, peppermint, lemon grass, fennel, catnip and rosemary plants in addition to tea tree, castor and soybean oils are all readily available natural repellents. Lemon eucalyptus and soybean are often considered the most effective of the bunch, and peppermint oil is reported to also kill mosquito larvae. At least one study found catnip to be 10 times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET.
Needless to say, DEET is not an option in this battle. As a rule I don't feed my skin anything classified as a pesticide. And there's too much controversy surrounding the safety of DEET to justify its use.
It is standard in the industry to measure a repellent's effectiveness by how long it lasts rather than how well it works. A fennel, geranium and soybean mixture is likely a better repellent than DEET, but it will have to be reapplied more often. Some people may have been turned off to natural options because the most commonly marketed repellent -- citronella –- only remains effective for a short time. Don't worry, I will be there to reapply your repellent as often as necessary.
I usually buy bug spray off the shelf, but on occasion make my own by diluting the essential plant oils with water, vegetable oil (preferably soybean) or alcohol. Apparently, witch hazel and apple cider vinegar can also be used as a base. I often just mix the essential oils with an unscented skin cream.
They won't be helpful for your (our?) trip to Alaska, but consider some long-term strategies in the mosquito wars:
• Incorporate repellent plants into your landscape.
• Make your house and your neighborhood home to animals that eat mosquitoes. Purple martins, frogs, bats, guppies and dragonflies all feast on mosquitoes.
• Get rid of standing water. Clean gutters, tip over buckets, bowls and anything else that collects water.
• Don't use pesticides or bug-zappers. These indiscriminant killers are likely to kill more beneficial, mosquito-eating animals than mosquitoes.
I understand if you can't take me to Alaska as your personal mosquito trap and applier of repellent. That's OK. It's true that I have always wanted to go to Alaska, and that it is one of only two states I have never visited, and that I really, really want to go before global warming turns Anchorage into the new Austin, but I'm sure you have some perfectly good (whatever) reason for not bringing me along.
Do, though, take this last thought to heart in your battle against mosquitoes and governors: Mosquitoes are no laughing matter. Every year, 500 million people are infected with mosquito-borne illnesses and at least 2.5 million die from those infections. And the fact that mosquitoes are showing up in larger numbers, earlier in the season, and in places previously too cold or dry for them to survive is not just alarming, it's deadly. You may be bitten by a first-generation mosquito, hatched and thriving in areas of Alaska that have never seen mosquitoes. The real battle against mosquitoes is the battle to stabilize Earth's climate.
A quick search will get you more information about the impact of global warming on mosquitoes. Two that are specific to Alaska can be found here (PDF) and here.
I'm packed. When do we leave?
Photo: blamb/iStockphoto


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This is my senior project, a 2008 Paint gelding named "Axal". Classified as "Colt Starting", my project consisted of taking Axal from being an unruly yearling and turning him into a nice riding horse. I had a wonderful mentor that helped both Axal and I grow. Axal had tons of ground preparation before I ever thought of riding him, and so far he doesn't buck. I was even able to take him out bareback on his 8th ride, even though he wasn't worked the day before and he was perfect! He scored major points with me and has become part of my family. I think he found his second and last home! Most of the time I just have to use my voice and seat to ask him to go, but sometimes he needs extra encouragement! I showed him last year in yearling classes and look forward to showing him under saddle this year at OPHA. Axal is my wonderful loving boy that helped me grow as a horsewomen and also wiggled his way into my heart!
Axal's SmartPak has helped him grow into the big boy he should be. He is on Source, which my mother and I swear by for issues like feet, dull coat, digestive issues, etc. We also use E-Se-Mag because we have selenium deficiency where I live. Last but not least he is on Quitt, to help him stop chewing his shelter down (which made him cough). We have had success, he chews and coughs less!
Having researched equine nutrition, compared ingredients and prices, I decided to use SmartPak because they had the best options and offered the auto-ship program. When I thought about the cost of over-scooping supplements and spilling buckets, I realized SmarkPaks would be worth it, and they are. I am very happy with my decision! When I need to change my order, add another supplement to a horse's SmartPak or supplies to my order, I receive the best service from SmartPak's friendly representatives. SmarkPak is now my main supplier for my horse needs! Thank you SmartPak!!


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It's time to nominate and vote for your favourite people, businesses and things to do in Zambia. #TopZedBrands is all about you. Reward the people and brands that give you the most value for your kwacha. The places where you eat, shop, play and relax give Zambia its life.
Your nominations and votes will create a Top 10 list of brands in Zambia of which we can be proud. Reward Zambian companies you are proud of by nominating them, promoting them and voting for them.
Schedule of events
- October 28 to November 15
you can nominate your #TopZedBrands. Send the name of the brand you are
nominating together with your reasons for your nomination in one or two
sentences. Nominate brands on
Twitter @TopZedBrands using the
hashtag #TopZedBrands,and through the #TopZedBrands Facebook page.
- Between November 15 and November 20 a panel of judges (to be
announced) will select a top 10 list of brands based on set criteria.
- Between November 20 and December 15, you the public have the final say as you vote in your top three brands.
Get nominating
You can nominate as many times as you like. Remember to tell us why you are nominating the brands you put forward. This is what we are looking for in the brands crowned #TopZedBrands:
- Quality product or service you can depend on
- Good customer service
- Impressive visual brand (logo and marketing message, packaging, or in-store visual brand)
- A product or service you feel is export ready, and should be on international shelves
As you consider who to nominate consider your Zambian brand experiences, and what you know of brands across all sectors. Here are some suggestions:
- Products made in Zambia
- Food and drink - Your favourite dining spots.
- Entertainment - The hottest spots in our area to have a good time. What are the best places to take your kids or hang out with friends?
- Retail - The best shops that keep you coming back
- Fashion
- Travel
- Personal services – Head to toe, who does the best at pampering you
- Professional services - Covering a wide range of services, which businesses do you trust to get the job done? Best home builder, hotel, lodge, residential real estate agent, auto repair, etc.
- Financial services - banks, money transfer service companies
- Agricultural brands
- Industrial brands
Nominate by
Nominate brands on via @TopZedBrands and use the hashtag #TopZedBrands and through the #TopZedBrands Facebook page. Send the name of the brand you are nominating together with your reasons for your nomination in one or two sentences.
Please help us reward the best brands that provide products and services in Zambia!


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Update for June 30, 2008 - Case count information as of 9 pm EST, June 29, 2008
Click Here for Advice to Consumers
CDC is collaborating with public health officials in many states, the Indian Health Service, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate an ongoing multi-state outbreak of human Salmonella serotype Saintpaul infections. An initial epidemiologic investigation comparing foods eaten by ill and well persons identified consumption of raw tomatoes as strongly linked to illness. Recently, many clusters of illnesses have been identified in Texas and other states among persons who ate at restaurants. These clusters have led us to broaden the investigation to be sure that it encompasses food items that are commonly consumed with tomatoes.
Since April, 851 persons infected with Salmonella Saintpaul with the same genetic fingerprint have been identified in 36 states and the District of Columbia. These were identified because clinical laboratories in all states send Salmonella strains from ill persons to their State public health laboratory for characterization. The number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: Arkansas (10 persons), Arizona (39), California (10), Colorado (11), Connecticut (4), Florida (1), Georgia (18), Idaho (3), Illinois (91), Indiana (11), Kansas (14), Kentucky (1), Maine (1), Maryland (29), Massachusetts (21), Michigan (6), Minnesota (2), Missouri (12), New Hampshire (3), Nevada (4), New Jersey (4), New Mexico (90), New York (26), North Carolina (5), Ohio (6), Oklahoma (19), Oregon (10), Pennsylvania (8), Rhode Island (3), Tennessee (6), Texas (346), Utah (2), Virginia (22), Vermont (2), Washington (4), Wisconsin (6), and the District of Columbia (1).
Among the 581 persons with information available, illnesses began between April 10 and June 20, 2008, including 173 who became ill on June 1 or later. Many steps must occur between a person becoming ill and the determination that the illness was caused by the outbreak strain of Salmonella; these steps take an average of 2-3 weeks. Therefore, an illness reported today may have begun 2-3 weeks ago. Patients range in age from <1 to 99 years; 49% are female. The number of illnesses is highest among persons 20 to 29 years old; the number of illnesses is lowest in children 10 to 19 years old and persons greater than 60 years old. At least 105 persons were hospitalized. No deaths have been officially attributed to this outbreak. However, a man in his sixties who died in Texas from cancer had an infection with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Saintpaul at the time of his death. The infection may have contributed to his death.
Only 3 persons infected with this strain of Salmonella Saintpaul were identified in the country during the same period in 2007. The previous rarity of this strain and the distribution of illnesses in all U.S. regions suggest that the implicated food is distributed throughout much of the country. Because many persons with Salmonella illness do not have a stool specimen tested, it is likely that many more illnesses have occurred than those reported. Some of these unreported illnesses may be in states that are not on today's map.
Most persons infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12-72 hours after infection. Infection is usually diagnosed by culture of a stool sample. The illness usually lasts 4-7 days. Although most people recover without treatment, severe infections may occur. Infants, elderly persons, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely than others to develop severe illness. When severe infection occurs, Salmonella may spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and then to other body sites, and can cause death. In these severe cases, antibiotic treatment may be necessary.
At this time, FDA is advising U.S. consumers to limit their tomato consumption to those that are not the likely source of this outbreak. These include cherry tomatoes; grape tomatoes; tomatoes sold with the vine still attached; tomatoes grown at home; and red plum, red Roma, and round red tomatoes from specific sources listed at: http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/tomatoes.html*. Consumers should be aware that raw tomatoes are often used in the preparation of fresh salsa, guacamole, and pico de gallo, are part of fillings for tortillas, and are used in many other dishes.
Consumers everywhere are advised to:
FDA recommends that U.S. retail outlets, restaurants, and food service operators offer only fresh and fresh cut red plum, red Roma, and round red tomatoes and food products made from these tomatoes from specific sources listed at: http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/tomatoes.html#retailers*. Cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, and tomatoes sold with the vine still attached from any source may be offered.
FDA information on this investigation can be found at: http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/tomatoes.html*
More information about Salmonella and this investigation can be found at:
Information on the safe handling of produce can be found at: www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/prodsafe.html.*
* Links to non-Federal organizations found at this site are provided solely as a service to our users. These links do not constitute an endorsement of these organizations or their programs by CDC or the Federal Government, and none should be inferred. CDC is not responsible for the content of the individual organization Web pages found at these links.
Please note: Some of these publications are available for download only as *.pdf files. These files require Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to be viewed. Please review the information on downloading and using Acrobat Reader software.