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Greatest Hits, Reissues And Compilations; In a Wide Holiday Groove, From Sinatra to a Remixed 'Messiah' By JON PARELES Published: November 26, 2004 PAVEMENT: ''CROOKED RAIN CROOKED RAIN'' -- (Matador). Current indie-rock owes a lot to Pavement, a band from Stockton, Calif., whose songs sound perpetually unfinished. Stephen Malkmus's vocals are bleary, tempos fluctuate, instrumental lines dangle like loose threads. Yet the songs on ''Crooked Rain Crooked Rain,'' originally released in 1994, are just right, pondering music and celebrity, friendship and sex, hipness and heart. Its ramshackle structures are fully thought out, spiking melodic California rock with punk's messiness. ''Crooked Rain Crooked Rain'' was acutely self-conscious, looking over its shoulder at a more polished album by a far more popular California band, the Eagles' ''Hotel California,'' but it also sounds unguarded in all its mixed emotions. The reissue is a double album that adds B-sides from singles, stray album tracks and a second CD of unreleased material that's surprisingly strong: rough demo versions and stray songs from 1993 and a live 1994 BBC performance that proclaimed, ''Gettin' cooler but I'm out of of the loop.'' JON PARELES

THE PROPHET'S MANNER OF PERFORMING PRAYERS (MAY PEACE AND BLESSINGS OF ALLAH BE UPON HIM) All praise be to Allah alone, and His peace and blessings be upon His messenger and bondman our Prophet Muhammad, his family and his companions. The objective of this concise pamphlet is to explain how Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah upon Him) used to perform his prayers). I would like to present this explanation to every male and female Muslim so that they may strive to take up the Prophet's manner in performing their prayers as a model for them. It was narrated by Al Bukhari that Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be ob him) had said: (( صلوا كما رأيتموني أصلي))."Perform your prayers in the same manner you had seen me doing." Therefore, here id the explanation for the Prophet's manner of prayer: 1. To perform completely the ablution adopting the method commanded by Allah in the Quran: { يأيها الذين امنوا إذا قمتم إلى الصلاة فاغسلوا وجوهكم و أيديكم إلى المرافق وامسحوا برؤوسكم و أرجلكم إلى الكعبين } ."O ye who believe, when ye prepare for prayer, wash your faces and your hands (and arms) to the elbows, rub your heads (with water) and (wash) your feet to the ankles."(5:6) The Prophet (peace and blessing of Allah be on him) said: (لا تقبل صلاة بغير طهور ) ."Prayer without ablution is invalid." 2. To turn one's face and whole body towards the Ka'aba, The Holy House at Makkah, intending by heart to perform the prayer which he wants to fulfill, whether it is an obligatory prayer pr a supererogatory prayer, the worshipper in all cases, should not pronounce his intention openly, because neither the Prophet nor his companions used to utter the intention for prayer, Thus , pronouncing the intention for prayer in audible voice is a heresy and an illicit action, Whether the individual be an Imam or performs his prayer curtain for his prayer. Directing the face towards the Qibla (the Ka'aba at Makkah) is an imperative condition for every prayer. However, there are few exceptions for this rule explained in authoritative books for whom wish to refer.3. To pronounce " Takbirat Al Ihram" that is to say الله أكبر "Allahu Akbar " celebrating by that the greatness of Allah and looking meanwhile, downwards to the place where he will prostrate, 4. To raise one's hands up to the level of the shoulders or near to the lobes of his ears, while pronouncing "Takbirat Al-Ihram". 5. To put one's tight hand over his left hand and left wrist, and put them both over his chest, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to do.6. It is advisable that the worshipper recite this opening supplication saying: "اللهم باعد بيني و بين خطاياي كما باعدت بين المشرق و المغرب اللهم نقني من خطاياي كما ينقى الثوب الأبيض من الدنس اللهم اغسلني من خطاياي بالماء و الثلج و البرد " "Allaumma baid bayni wa bayna khatayaya kama baadta bayena al-mashriki walmaghribi, Allahumma naqqiniy min khatayaya kama yonaqa al thawbo alabydo min aldans,…..Allahumma igysilniy min khatayaya bilmai wathalgi walbarad." This supplication means: " Praise and glory be to Allah. Blessed be Your Name, exalted be Your Majesty and Glory. There is no god but You." Or he may say any other supplications which the Prophet, (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) used to say in his prayers. It is better to recite these supplications alternately, the first one in the morning prayer "Fajr ", the second in the noon prayer "Zuhr", each one by turn, in conformity with what the Prophet used to do. After reciting the opening supplication, the worshipper says: (( أعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم )) ((Aouzo billahi min al-shatani-r-ragim.)) Which means : "I seek protection of Allah against the accursed Satan." Then he says: ((بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم)) "Bism illahi-Rahmani Raheem" Which means: "In the name of Allah, the All Merciful, the All Compassionate." And recites the Fatiha (The opening Sura of the glorious Quran.) Prophet Muhammad, may peace and blessings be upon him, said: (( لا صلاة لمن لم يقرأ بفاتحة الكتاب)) "Prayer without reciting the fatiha is invalid." The worshipper should say "A'meen" after reciting the Fatiha loudly if the prayer is said loudly and whisper it in inaudible prayers. To be in conformity with the traditions of the Prophet, the worshipper is advised to recite verses from medium size Suras of the Quran in the Zuhr (noon), Asr (late afternoon), and Isha (night ) prayers. As for the Fajr (morning ) prayer, the worshipper is advised to recite a passage from the long Suras of the Quran. He has the choice in Maghrib prayer ( Evening prayer ) either to recite passages from the long Suras or from the short Suras of the Quran. 7. Then, the worshipper bows in "Ruku" raising his hands up to the level of his shoulders or ears while saying " Allahu Akbar" " Allah is Great" then bends down, making his head and back on one level and putting his hands with the fingers spread on his knees. The worshipper should feel serenity and tranquility while bowing, he should say thrice at least: (( سبحان ربي العظيم )) ""Subhana Rabbiayl A'zim" which means: "Glory be to my Lord, the Almighty." It is advisable to say while bowing in addition to that: (( سبحانك اللهم ربنا و بحمدك ربنا اغفر لي )) "Subhanak-Allahumma Rabbana wa bihamdika, Allahumma Ighfir liy" But if the worshipper is a follower, and led in his prayer by the Imam he should say when rising up "Rabbana wa laka alhamd……etc. (( ربنا و لك الحمد ...........الخ ما تقدم )) It is advisable for the Imam, the follower, or who prays alone to add also: (( أهل الثناء و المجد أحق ما قال العبد و كلنا لك عبد, اللهم لا مانع لما أعطيت و لا معطي لما منعت و لا ينفع ذا الجد منك الجد )) (( You Allah who deserve all praises and all glory, your praising is the best and most true of whatever Your servant can say, we all are Your servants, Our Lord, no one can ever deprive aught of what You have bestowed and no one can ever give aught of what You have deprived." The worshipper is advised to put his hands on his chest, as he had done before he bowed. Both Wa'il Ibn Haggar and Sahli Ibn Sai'yd reported that this was the manner of the Prophet when he used to raise his head up after bowing. 9. To prostrate saying الله أكبر "Allahu Akbar" "Allah is Great ". He should touch the ground with his knees before touching it, if that is possible to him, If not, he is permitted to touch the ground by his hand before his knees. His fingers and toes should be directed towards the Qibla Makkah, and his hands should be stretched, and the fingers close together and not separated, In prostration, the worshipper should use these seven organs: The forehead, the nose, both hands, both knees and the internal parts of the toes. These seven organs should touch the ground. Then the worshipper should say thrice or more: ((سبحان ربي الأعلى )) "Subana Rabbiyal A'ala" Which means: "Glorified is my Lord, the Exalted." It is advisable to say: "Subhanaka Allahuma Rabbana wa bi hamdika, Allahuma Ighfir-liy." " سبحانك اللهم ربنا ,و بحمدك- اللهم اغفر لي " This means: " Glory be to Thee, Our Lord, and I praise Thee. Our Lord, forgive me my sins," It is recommendable for the worshipper to exceed more and more in supplications and ask for more from his Lord, because the Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be on him, said:

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Mahatma missing from Rs 2,000 notes withdrawn from MP bank Out shopping with some money he managed to withdraw from his bank in this Madhya Pradesh district, a farmer was shocked when shopkeepers returned the Rs 2,000 note saying it was a fake since it had no picture of Mahatma Gandhi on it. Pic. Courtesy: ABP News However, the State Bank of India branch, from where Lakshman Meena had withdrawn the money, on Thursday said they had changed the notes and attributed the faulty notes to a “printing mistake”. Meena and some other farmers from Bicchugavandi village had withdrawn money from a State Bank of India branch in Baroda town on Tuesday. He had chosen to take out Rs 6,000 and received three notes of Rs 2,000 each. On Wednesday, when Meena went out to buy groceries, he was told that the notes do not have the picture of Gandhi and can be fake. A worried Meena went back to the bank with all haste. “The notes with missing Gandhi were taken back and exchanged for new ones. They were not fake but printing mistake,” SBI bank official Aakash Srivastav told IANS on Thursday. According to sources, the amount was received from SBI’s Sheopur branch chest in bundles of Rs 2,000 in which there were other notes as well with printing issues, because of which the bundle is being sent back to the branch. It is not yet known how many others have received such notes. Since the demonetisation in November 8 last year, many such cases involving Rs 2,000 notes have come forward, such as notes with two pictures of Gandhi or having no water mark. But this was the first case where the Mahatma was entirely absent. (IANS)

BNB is back to the top 10, and with increasing volumes and DEX and explorer test net, coin holders are likely to reap big profits. So far, Binance coin is up 17.1 percent and back to the top 10. Binance Coin (BNB) Price Analysis Fundamentals Like Ethereum’s ETH, Binance Coin is a utility token in the Binance chain network. It is a tool for incentivizing use and so far, the coin is rallying. Perhaps induced by the overly successful BitTorrent’s BTT ICO, the currency is retesting key resistance levels of 2018. Adding to the bullish impetus is news that both the Binance Coin and the Bitcoin DEX testnet is now open to the public. The new release will allow testing of the Binance Coin chain explorer as well as the Web Wallet. Binance said this about the new testnet: “Binance Chain is a new blockchain developed and released by Binance. Binance DEX is a high performance and user-friendly platform built on top of Binance Chain, where users can create, issue and trade digital assets.” To get started in what Binance describes as a standard for DEXs, all a user needs to do is set up a new wallet, unlock the wallet, transfer assets and place orders right away. The eventual launch of the mainnet will be very bullish for Binance coin as users of the Binance DEX will have to pay for gas to power transactions. Gas and fees are quoted in BNB only and assuming there is an immediate shift from centralized exchanges to unhackable Binance DEX–with better liquidity and UIs, then BNB holders stand to benefit. Candlestick Arrangements Thus far, the coin is up 17.1 percent in the last week. Aside from favorable candlestick arrangement, the sole reason behind this week’s expansion may be because of DEX testnet. As we said, Binance is yet to announce the mainnet launch, but from the chart, the path of least resistance is upwards. A simple Fibonacci retracement tool between the BNB’s high low show that prices are finding support off the 78.6 percent level and with increasing volumes, bulls are back. Technically and when we draw guidance from Fibonacci retracement rules, the reaction at 78.6 percent level often leads to a retest of recent highs and in that case ideal targets may be 2017 highs of $26. All the same, before BNB explode, modest targets will be at Q2 2018 highs of $18. Technical Indicators Week ending Feb 10 bull bar reversed losses of the week ending Nov 25. Accompanying these upswings are increasing average volumes–7 million to 15 million and wide trade ranges which is bullish. Although we expect prices to cool off, ideal reversal zones will be at around last week’s lows of $8.5. However, such deep corrections are unlikely. Sellers may drive prices back to the $10 level before bull trend resume.

Dempo said that the talks with Khan, who co-owns IPL-winning side Kolkata Knight Riders, were "progressing very well". "We are discussing with Mr Shah Rukh Khan on his possible investment in the club and the only thing I can say is that talks are progressing very well," Dempo said. "His response has been very positive. Mr Khan is very passionate about football and, apart from just involving himself in Dempo, he wants to do something for Indian football. He said that football was his first love even before cricket," Dempo added. Dempo would not elaborate much on the details but sources said that Khan has been in talks with the Goa-based I-League champion club for a while. They said Khan has met Dempo quite a few times and he was interested in acquiring 50 per cent stake in the club. "Talks are on and he has also met the Dempo management, including the owner, a couple of times, but it is yet to be confirmed. Some things need to be worked out before finalising the deal," a source said. It has been learnt that the club was keen on using Khan's name and popularity in promoting the I-League champion side who have been dominating Indian football for quite a while now. The club recently bought a 34 per cent stake in leading Danish soccer club and academy FC Midtjylland, for 12 million euros. Dempo have won the I-league three times since its inception in 2007-08, including the inaugural edition, besides winning the erstwhile National Football League (NFL) twice. They are also the only Indian club to make it to the semifinals of the AFC Cup, Asia's second tier club competition, in 2008.

A commentary on the case of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, convicted of the murder of 270 people in the Pan Am 103 disaster. Saturday, 11 February 2017 Lockerbie witnesses were paid [This is the headline over anarticleby Dr Ludwig de Braeckeleer published in OhmyNews International on this date in 2009. It reads in part:] In recent times, allegations have resurfaced regarding payments offered to key witnesses of the Lockerbie trial. Specifically, there have been rumors that Majid Giaka, Paul and Tony Gauci were each paid about US$4 million for their help in the conviction of Megrahi for the bombing of Pan Am 103 over Scotland on Dec. 21, 1988. (...) Richard Marquise, the FBI agent who led the Lockerbie investigation, forcefully denied that witnesses were ever offered any money. '"I can assure you that no witnesses were ever offered any money by anyone--including the CIA," Marquise told OhmyNews. "This issue came up at trial and I spoke with the defense lawyers about it in Edinburgh in 1999 -- before trial. No one was promised or even told that they could get money for saying anything. Every FBI agent was under specific orders not to mention money to any potential witness." (...) 'A source speaking on condition of anonymity told Jeff Stein, the national security editor of the Congressional Quarterly, that a key witness, Tony Gauci, and his brother were each paid somewhere between $3 million to $4 million for providing information leading to the conviction of Megrahi. 'Moreover, former State Department lawyer Michael Scharf confirmed to OhmyNews that rewards were paid in the context of the Lockerbie trial. '"I knew that rewards payments were made, but not the amount. The Awards for Terrorism Information program has been around since the 1980s, and has been expanded to rewards for information leading to the arrest or conviction of international indicted war criminals like Karadzic and Mladic. When I worked at the Office of the Legal Adviser of the State Department I was involved in the program," Scharf wrote in an email to OhmyNews. (...) 'Prof Black, often referred to as the architect of the Lockerbie trial, agrees. "The issue of payments made or promised to witnesses forms an important part of the Grounds of Appeal," Black told the author. '"At one time in Scotland, if payment had been made, or promised, to a witness that was an absolute bar to his giving evidence. Today, it is simply a factor that must be taken into account in assessing his credibility. However, in order for this to be done, it is necessary that the court should know that the payment was made or promised. Failure by the Crown to disclose the promise or the payment is a serious breach of their duty to the court and to the administration of justice," Black said.' 1 comment: I could not have put it better myself Robert so why did Marquis deny that money was paid. The trial was to be held under "Scottish"law not US law. Bribing the witnesses is only part of the problem. The whole Lockerbie scenario from start to finish was hijacked. Is this because of the "Special"relationship which a US state dept official described as "You do exactly what we tell you" And that is exactly what we did at every level. Translate Blog Archive Contributors VISITS The hit counter that I have been using has given up the ghost. From now on, I shall periodically disclose here the total number of pageviews from July 2010, as provided by blogspot/blogger. As at 09.00 GMT on 08 Febuary 2018, the pageviews numbered 1,700,288. unique visitors since 2200 on 13 Nov 09 Comments Readers are invited to comment on blog posts. All comments require to be pre-moderated by me, and I shall reject all (a) that are not related to the Lockerbie disaster or (b) that fail to meet my -- perhaps idiosyncratic -- standards of courtesy towards other contributors. Comments will not be rejected simply because I disagree with them or because I, or other contributors, find them irritating. But comments will be rejected if they distort or misrepresent the evidence; are defamatory; or if they risk embroiling me, as publisher, in defamation proceedings. I am perfectly relaxed about being sued in respect of material which I personally have posted -- but not in respect of material that others wish to post as comments and which, in any case, I often strongly disagree with. Particularly during my sojourns in South Africa, it may not be possible for me to perform the moderation function speedily. I regret the necessity of moderation but it has been rendered inevitable by the behaviour of a particular commentator whose contributions will always and without exception be rejected. No correspondence will be entered into regarding moderation decisions. Contact me If you have news or views about the Lockerbie case, you can contact me at rblackqc@outlook.com

* Calls to this number will be recorded for quality, compliance and training purposes. Property features A two double bedroom period cottage Two reception rooms, Modern Kitchen Ground floor Bathroom off kitchen Double glazed sash windows Gas heating throughout Brick shed with electricity supply 0.5 miles to High Barnet Tube Property description There is a wide choice of restaurants in High Barnet and the recently regenerated Spires Shopping Centre is host to a Carluccio restaurant along with a selection of privately owned restaurants and a brand new H&M. You can also Visit the local farmers market on a Wednesday or Saturday and sample a beer from the local micro brewery. Local schools are Fould's and Christchurch. A well presented two double bedroom period semi-detached cottage . The property comprises of two reception rooms with wood flooring, modern kitchen with all the required appliances including a dishwasher and a ground floor bathroom with shower over the bath. One of the bedrooms include a large storage area and the other has a small cupboard used as a wardrobe. The property has gas central heating and double glazed sash windows. The private rear garden includes an independent brick shed with an electricity supply and an area to the side where you can place a table and chairs. Disclaimer Property descriptions and related information displayed on this page, with the exclusion of Running Costs data, are marketing materials provided by Andrews - Barnet, and do not constitute property particulars. Please contact Andrews - Barnet for full details and further information. The Running Costs data displayed on this page are provided by Zoopla to give an indication of potential running costs based on various data sources. Zoopla does not warrant or accept any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the property descriptions, related information or Running Costs data provided here. What's it like to live here? Broadband speed at this location Superfast Up to 80 Mbps + Learn more- Close Aimed at larger families and heavy internet users. Superfast broadband is great if you download a lot of HD or 4K movies and TV boxsets and ensures a smooth, buffering-free experience when you're using streaming services, such as Netflix, Now TV and Spotify, to watch HD TV on multiple devices around the home. Online gaming is much more responsive too.

Category: Catering Catering to some couples, the finest wines and the choicest delicacies are worth splashing out on, for others, food is secondary to entertainment, bridal and decorations. As with many areas of wedding planning, your budget will help dictate where to hold your reception. For many people, holding their reception in a Hotel or restaurant which already accommodates for food and beverage is a great way to keep costs down. For others who have their hearts set on luxurious villas, a well established and reliable Bali catering company is a must have. Bali Wedding Solutions works with a number of Bali’s reputable companies and by choosing us as your planner you are not only securing a great vendor but you will also be paying less if you were to organise it yourself. Ely’s Catering Ely’s makes catering for your friends, family and work colleagues easy, providing set menu’s, buffets and cocktail menus as well as non-alcoholic and alcoholic open bar beverage packages. With their extensive range of menus for every taste and budget, they aim to please. They pride themselves on making the catering of your event as enjoyable as possible. Their experienced team of caterers can not only help you plan your event catering but also give you the best advice, from ordering the right menu to ensuring you have enough delicious food for your hungry guests. If you’re looking for something a little bit different for your special event, their team can make a tailor made menu to suit your needs.www.elysbalicatering.com Taste Testing Regardless of the menu you order (set or buffet) all dishes are available for taste testing before the big day. Inquire Your Name (required) Your Email (valid email required) Event Date (required) Ceremony OptionsLegal WeddingCommitmentBlessingRenewal of Vows Your Message Submit Welcome Hi I’m Diana, owner of Bali Wedding Solutions, if you’re looking to get married in Bali then you’ve come to the right place. Bali Wedding Solutions offers an extensive range of wedding ceremony packages as well as legal wedding organising, wedding planning services and wedding reception coordination. Feel free to look around, if you have any questions you can email me through our enquiry form page above. Facebook B3, Newland JimbaranJl Raya Uluwatu, 88XBali, Indonesia +62 81805528603 dianaatmanegara Hi Diana, Thank you so much for organising the perfect Bali wedding!! It was everything we wished for and more!! We couldn't have done it without you. Everyone absolutely loved the day. The set up was perfect, the food was amazing and the way you guys took care of everything on sight made us be able to relax and enjoy the big day!

Follow us Account HOTLINE Volvo will unveil the follow-up to its acclaimed ’twister’ commercial on Monday, kicking off a heavyweight pounds 2-pounds 3 million run on national television over the next six weeks. The spot was created by Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO and directed by Patricia Murphy at Patricia Murphy Films. Volvo will unveil the follow-up to its acclaimed ’twister’ commercial on Monday, kicking off a heavyweight pounds 2-pounds 3 million run on national television over the next six weeks. The spot was created by Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO and directed by Patricia Murphy at Patricia Murphy Films. CIA Medianetwork has begun seeking a senior management figure to take a new role with the company. The general manager will cover the commercial side of the business as well as client handling. The Natural History Museum has shortlisted WCRS, Mellors Reay and Partners and Court Burkitt and Company for its advertising account. The previous incumbent, Leagas Delaney, parted company with the museum earlier this year. TSMS, the ITV sales house, has signed a new four-and-a-half-year airtime sales contract with the Wales and West of England broadcaster, HTV. The deal scotches speculation that Carlton UK Sales was about to poach the account from its rival. TSMS is also looking for a high-profile executive to represent commercial opportunities beyond spot airtime. Levi Strauss is launching a music programme next week in association with its media agency, Motive, and MTV Europe. MTV Base will incorporate Levi’s branding in its title sequences. Levi’s will also promote the show through its Original Levi’s Stores. Ogilvy and Mather has appointed the account director, David Muir, as new-business manager. Muir replaces Tom Vick, who is returning to account management to run the Eagle Star account. Muir, a 1997 Campaign Face to Watch, will work closely with Katrina Michel, O&M’s new-business director for the UK and Europe. Paul Twivy is still talking to the BBC about a top-level strategic marketing job, having pulled out of the race for the newly created post of director of marketing and communications, BBC Broadcast, some weeks before the job went to Sue Farr (Campaign, last week). The World Conservation Union, the 50-year-old international charity dedicated to scientific research and nature conservation, has appointed Ammirati Puris Lintas to handle its through-the-line global communications. APL’s assignment will include an awareness campaign, worth pounds 1 million, and the development of a new corporate identity. The business will be led out of London and then rolled out across key markets worldwide. CIA Medianetwork has scooped the pan-European media planning and buying account for the classic bike company, Harley-Davidson. CIA pitched for the account - expected to be worth more than pounds 1 million in the UK - alongside the creative agency network, Elan, whose UK partner, Butterfield Day Devito Hockney, will handle the creative business in the UK. John Thater, the managing director of Emap Media, which publishes magazines such as Broadcast and Media Week, has resigned following a reorganisation of reporting lines by Tony Tillen, the chief executive of the company’s umbrella, Emap Business Communications. Thater leaves the company at the end of this week. Tony Harris, the managing director of Emap Computing, will assume Thater’s responsibilities in a move that is likely to lead to closer ties between the Media and Computing arms. Wagadon has hired Tina Gaudoin, the deputy editor at Conde Nast’s Tatler, to edit its new fashion and lifestyle women’s monthly, inspired by the men’s magazine, Arena. The new magazine has yet to be given a name. Freemans, the home shopping company, has shortlisted three agencies for

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The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a Washington nonprofit that brings together conservative lawmakers and corporate representatives to craft state-level legislation, announced on Tuesday it is disbanding its …

Wills & Trusts – Heirs – Adopted Child – Choice Of Law A decedent’s biological daughter who was adopted in Pennsylvania at age two by her stepfather can inherit from her biological father, who died intestate, a share of his personal property and of real property he owned in Virginia at the time of his death, a Prince William Circuit Court says, over the objection of decedent’s ...

Shorten your URLs using goo.gl Date posted: 10/04/2016 Name: * My email: * Recipient email: * Message: * Fields marked as bold are compulsory. You haven't filled in compulsory values.The email is not correct Shortened URLs have slowly turned into one of the latest trends. Even though it's been about 15 years they've been helping people having difficulty with limited character messaging applications and SMS, social networks sharing such limitations have caused some major increment in their use. We are going to see what shortened URLs are, and how we can create our own, using goo.gl API. What is a shortened URL? A shortened URL is a URL that redirects to the same address as the one requested. For example you can use goo.gl (Google's URL shortener service) to create a shortened URL by visiting https://goo.gl/ and placing the URL you want to shorten. If you place http://dotnethints.com/ you get http://goo.gl/5nIcLC. Now, if you hit that new address on your browser you will head to that URL shortener's company site. The original URL will be found and you will be automatically redirected to your destination. Keep in mind that shortened URLs are supposed to last forever. So, we may use shortened URLs when we want to minimize the number of characters contained within our URL. Shortened URLs can also be used if we want to hide the address our original URL is pointing to from the person to click it. This is the reason many spammers choose to use URL shortening. There are many URL shortening services out there, including bitly and tiny URL. goo.gl, the service supported by Google, is the one we will be using in this article. Using goo.gl As mentioned earlier, to use goo.gl a single person can use the service in the https://goo.gl/ page. A developer can also make use of the goo.gl API to create a JSON request containing the original URL and get a JSON response containing the shortened URL. To use the goo.gl API a developer needs to have an API key. You can get a key in this page Now that we have our key, we need to create our request to https://www.googleapis.com/urlshortener/v1/url?key=my_API_key and deal with the results so we get the shortened URL. For example if I used the code above to ask for the http://dotnethints.com/ shorten URL, I would get the following JSON { "kind": "urlshortener#url", "id": "http://goo.gl/RWZBj0", "longUrl": "http://dotnethints.com/" } Since a serialized JSON is no more than a string we can also get its id by using string methods, but I personally find this way to be a better one. Summary Shortened URLs are URLs that can be used in place of the original longer ones to minimize their length. There are many services we can use to create a shortened URL, goo.gl being one of them. We can either visit goo.gl's home page to create shortened URLs on the fly or use the goo.gl API to create JSON requests and get responses containing the info we want.

Eat this on the golf course, not that I know it's hard times for the print media business, but still I was not prepared for what I read in this "list". Things like #3: "garlic edamame". Okay so boiled soybean pods might be nutritious and wholesome, but eating them tends to produce a lot of scraps, which tends to make them a not-so-great food for the course. Not sure I like where this list is going. #4: "Apple pie spiced wonton chips"? I am no nutrition expert but goddammit--wonton skins are not a superfood. FUCK. Now I'm getting upset. Listen, store-bought wonton skins ain't nothing but white flour a.k.a. glutinous carbs a.k.a. THE ENEMY of all that's wholesome and nutritious. And I got news for you: nutritionally, these things are NOT better than a candy bar, as GD claims. They're worse! A regular Snickers bar is light years better for you than this empty-calorie crap. This article is now bordering on GD irresponsible if you ask me. Next on the list, #5: "baked kale chips"? I like kale okay, I probably eat more of it than you do, and I have actually baked up some of it before, but again, this is a good on-course snack how? Kale, they say has many wonderful nutritional properties, but one thing it's not good at is calories. Foods like kale appeal to many people because they are low in calories. Next thing you are going to tell me I should be putting celery and cabbage in my golf bag. FUCK. I'm pacing around the room now. What's making me so mad at this point is the feeling that this crap was not even written by someone who plays actual golf. Kale chips might be a lo-cal nice snack, as is popcorn, for grazing while watching a movie. Watching sports. Not an energy consumptive activity like playing golf. For all the chewing and digesting of leafy greens, you don't get much back in the way of fuel. I don't know about you Golf Digest, but when I put something in my mouth on the golf course, it's for the sake of providing energy, which tends to get expended in the participation of this activity. #8: "Lemon hummus". Even if I was the world's biggest hummus fan, I would still shit on this idea. How and why would I attempt to enjoy my favorite dip in the middle of a golf round. Where do I even put it? What if it's really hot out? Or really cold? This so-called suggestion leaves me with way more questions than answers. Thanks once again for nothing Golf Digest. Yecch--I can't even look at you right now. #10/11: "Granola/granola bars". Okay, maybe not the worst choice, but still a) granola was played out a hundred years ago and 2) who didn't already know about granola. Granola bars are essentially dried fruits and nuts (which I like) with some shitty oats thrown in there with some sort of sticky substance to bind it all, and then pressed and cut into rationed units. Why bother? Just throw some of your own fruits and nuts into a goddamn ziplock baggie and call it a life. #12: "Frozen blueberries covered in yogurt". Nothing Golf Digest could write at this point can surprise me. I will believe nothing, I will expect nothing. #14: "Baked carrot chips". Why it's good for golfers: Because you might want a chip and this one provides vitamin A for healthy eyes, so you can track your shot from tee to green. Gahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! I will just say that this kind of take on nutrition and the function of nutrients like vitamin A is not even fit for fucking Highlights magazine. I'm sorry, the language is getting out of control. #16: "Beef jerky". Somewhere in the middle of this abortion, I keep thinking Okay, out of "17 Super Foods", Golf Digest is bound to get at least ONE right, and sure enough with the second-to-last item we finally get a snack that is dense with protein, minimal in size and easy to eat--a smart choice for an efficient mid-round snack. Still, they manage to botch the whole suggestion by accompanying it with a weird, time- and labor-intensive beef jerky "recipe" which in the interest of food safety I would recommend you don't try. Now for #17, the final item in this wonderful list (good, because this isn't fun anymore. This turned out to be nothing short of an attack on common sense.) What else? Popcorn! A fitting end. Oh yeah! Let's take empty carbs, sprinkle with butter, oil, salt and cheese, then take it to the course and proceed to get this all over our gloves, grips and balls. ------------ Listen, it doesn't take a nutrition genius to break this down. Golf is like most other sports in that it doesn't afford you a lot of time or energy for fine dining. You need snacks that are nutrient-dense, fit easily in your bag, and don't cause any mess or hassle. It is why no actual golfer in the history of the world has ever said the words "Let's bring hummus to the golf course today!" I won't insult your intelligence. I'll stay out of this fray except to point out what works for me. As far as I see it the options are limited, especially if you want to keep things whole and wholesome. I pick one from each of these groups: I know, pretty boring. Not exactly a plethora of choices. But hey, first world problems. You can always hit the buffet line after the round. Anyways, let's get back to the real issue here. I am writing this not so much as a kind of nutritional public service--which it is--but more to point out... Who the heck would print such a wacked out, know-nothing article under the auspice of "golf instruction" and expect to get away with it? Two things are clear to us now: 1) whatever respect Golf Digest might have previously had for its readers, is now completely gone, and B) this once-respected publication has now devolved into pure airport magazine-stand drivel, is useless to actual golfers, and is most likely circling the drain operations-wise. The demise of a long-running business is almost always a shame, but if it's gonna mean more lies articles like these, the sooner the better. I don't know, take the kale chips and some hummus with some blueberries in yogurt. Pair that up with a tart white wine.........I could see you getting an ass kicking on just about any public golf course in the country!

Through a competition and short-list interview process, the team demonstrated the ability to harness the potential of programmable LEDs, remote sensing, parametric design and digital fabrication to create an open ended narrative of the story of the University through animated silhouette imagery of past and real-time present student life on the campus. Memory Cloud explores the embodiment of tradition, as patterns of movements handed down within a community of learning and practice. An ethereal constellation of light points in a sculptural cloud form expresses the dynamic pulse of Texas A&M campus life, and connects the past with the absolute present. Within each elegant strand, LED nodes flicker on and off to create three-dimensional silhouettes that float across a matrix of light. These silhouettes are drawn from archived footage of time-honored traditions: the Corp of Cadets, the Texas Aggie Marching Band, Kyle Field traditions, and past graduations. Memory Cloud juxtaposes and interlaces this footage with a real-time feed of everyday student life, portraying the moving silhouettes of students in the MSC. In this manner, students become both viewer and subject within the context of the work of art. Memory Cloud connects the past with the absolute present. This living sculpture uses multimedia technology to collapse time and space, to celebrate the daily renewal of tradition in the lives of Texas A&M students. Memory Cloud expresses this dynamic pulse of community through the real-time silhouettes that constantly change throughout the day. Past and present are united for the viewer, who cannot tell if these silhouettes were created minutes, hours, days, months, or decades before. Traditions unite past and present through shared patterns of movement, passed down through a community. Tradition is embodied in daily campus life, yet it has an ethereal, transcendent quality that lifts students above the everyday. This transcendent quality is best expressed in the medium of pure light, a medium made possible by LED technology. Memory Cloud features 4,000 networked LED nodes integrated within transparent tubes of various lengths suspended from a diagrid framework, creating a vibrant, illuminated pointillist sculpture. Memory Cloud invites viewers into a rewarding experience of discovery as they move around the sculpture. The sculpture’s dynamic, undulating form creates dramatic vistas for viewers as they travel up and down the stairways surrounding the work. Memory Cloud becomes part of the daily social life of the MSC. As viewers move through 12th Man Hall, the silhouettes seem to appear, then disappear. From certain angles, viewers see abstract patterns of pulsating lights; from other angles, they discover moving, three-dimensional silhouettes, blurring the boundaries between figuration and abstraction. Click above image to view slideshowDiagram (Image: RE:site + Metalab) Points of Light Four thousand points of individually controlled light are housed in 256 acrylic tubes and suspended from an ethereal floating canopy in 12 rows. Each layer can be programmed with a unique video from the real time feed or from archival video of past iconic events in any combination. While the sculpture is static, the animations create a work that is never the same twice and always refreshed by the participation of the student body. The lights are visible from all vantage points in the space and from outside in the newly renovated Rudder Plaza through the monumental glass wall of the new 12th Man Hall. Click above image to view slideshowDiagram (Image: RE:site + Metalab) Suspended Luminaires Custom fabricated acrylic disks are made directly from the artist’s digital model and are dimensionally tuned to find the form of the surface of the Memory Cloud. They will be illuminated via “fiber optic” effect by the lowest LED nodes in the tubes and convey the sense that the animated bodies in the video are passing though a glowing veil enveloping the space of the Memorial Student Center and 12th Man Hall in a fluid field of light.

Are you paying too much for your ERP? 1st August 2016 In the enterprise world, cost is endemic. Specifically, ERP cost management tends to consume more and more time over time. This is simply because the larger the resources-mass, the more frangible a system becomes requiring more and more maintenance over time. Consequently, if you add that pressure on top of constant customizing, process-dinking, annual subscription hikes, maintenance, support, the potential cost of ad hoc consulting fees, and various other requirements associated with daily operations, a departmental budget can get pretty bare if you’re not paying attention to your pennies. Nevertheless, growth is cost, and vice versa, and things can get out of hand unless you’re constantly looking out for ERP cost mitigation. Unbridled customization Today’s ERP systems are built to accept customization, but that’s not necessarily a good thing in certain situations. If you have created a large list of customization scripts that are now obsolete, it’s likely they are soaking up cycles, thereby slowing down processing times (time is money – right?); along with direct or in-direct maintenance costs that could be better applied to other system usage. Trim the pig and get rid of the clutter. Annual subscription hikes If you are operating on a cloud platform, and paying on the basis of an annualized fees schedule, chances are that somewhere in the bowels of the fine print, you’re potentially accepting fractional cost increases each year whether you know it or not. Most of the time, these cost ups are minimal, and somewhere on the order of 0.25% to 0.75% per seat; so in early days of the system agreement, the cost value of these hikes becomes virtually unnoticeable. However, over time if you are operating a large enterprise, consuming many seats, these year-over-year percentile increases can eat a budget up quickly if you’re not paying attention. The resolution here is to audit your fees schedules accordingly, whilst ensuring that you only pay for necessary seats. Clawback charges This cost gotcha sometimes applies when resolving the previous area of concern. Some annual subscription contracts call for a ‘clawback’ tariff in the event that an enterprise asks for a seat to be installed, but instead decides to abort the client downstream, while asking that the installation be removed to the master fees schedule. Sometimes these costs are passed on by use of fractional values, and other times they are passed as flat-fee charges. Nevertheless, the resolution is to ensure that you a) read your master contract carefully before executing a subscription agreement, b) audit your fees schedules annually; and c) if you choose to abort a seat, take a minute to contact your provider to ensure that you understand what will happen in the event. Granted these are only three ways to avoid the experience of a sudden ERP cost scare, but they’re important enough that you should remember them whenever you’re in the midst of any internal budget evolution. That said, if there’s only one central piece of advice you should bear in mind when keeping ERP costs in check, it’s to ensure that you go through your contract terms on a regular basis. More times than not, unless you look critically at your business agreements, there’s going to be something you’ll miss from the outset that you might have saved later. Rick Carlton About the author… Rick Carlton dba PRRACEwire, has worked as a tech journalist, writer, researcher, editor and publisher for many years. In addition to his editorial work, Rick has also served as a C-Level executive/consultant for a wide-range of private and public sector U.S. and International companies.

What Net Neutrality Changes Could Mean For Your Small Business Jenny Odegard , Women@ForbesI discuss the intersection of the law and your business.Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Today the U.S. Senate asked the FCC to take more time before announcing a possible change in the way that the agency categorizes the internet for regulatory purposes. Right now the internet is considered a utility, like electricity, water or gas. This category creates certain restrictions on what companies providing the utility can and cannot do, and provides users certain rights along with it. The FCC is considering changing the way it views the internet, and to re-categorize it as an information service, which would lift many of the restrictions placed on companies that provide internet service. If you don’t already know more about net neutrality, take a break from this article and wander over to one of thesehelpful summaries of the issue. It’s worth knowing about. The key issue is that lifting the regulations associated with providing a utility would clear the path for internet providers (like Time Warner, Verizon, Comcast, etc) to slow down or speed up your service based on what website you are browsing (or using to stream content, for example). These service differences would likely have to do with who is paying for the privilege of a fast connection, and this could have big implications for small businesses. Here are a few reasons why you should care: No new vines. Pay-to-play means innovative new content services won’t have a fair chance to thrive. Imagine a world where YouTube videos were always prioritized in loading speed above Vines. The six-second video loops would have been slow and choppy, and would have faced an uphill battle to becoming the viral darling that was acquired by Twitter. Without network neutrality, your new idea for innovative content or a new way to share information could be served up to users at a much slower rate than content provided by big media companies, making it harder to achieve unicorn startup status in an era where content is king. Shutterstock Worse service for your clients or customers. Direct to consumer products are the current wave in startup culture, with young companies prioritizing transparent labor practices, ethical materials sourcing and low pricing in a way that traditional retailers have not. However, if the page is loading slowly and images are not showing up clearly, customers will have a bad experience and likely be driven back to tried-and-true brands. As a small business owner, a user having a bad experience on your site can be a literal nightmare. It gives customers a bad impression of the brand in general and discourages continued browsing, which can hurt sales and customer retention. Your favorite software could stop working. Are you using software owned by a company that competes with your internet service provider? They could block it or slow it down so much that it becomes useless. This has actually happened before: When FaceTime first became available, AT&T considered charging customers more for use of the software over their cellular networks. Most of us don’t have much of a choice when it comes to our home internet service provider. If ISPs can block, slow down or charge more for use of software that you like, it is much more likely that you’ll change to the software your ISP prefers. Bottom line: less competition. The biggest issue with net neutrality is that it makes it harder for small businesses to compete with bigger ones. Whether it’s slower content, a worse user experience, or preferential treatment for company-owned software, these ramifications of losing net neutrality are bad news for small businesses and startups. Without equal access to internet services and users, small companies trying to disrupt the status quo will have less of a chance to survive and thrive. Follow my law practice on Twitter @odegardlaw for more tips and updates on laws that impact your business.

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We were there Saturday with eight of our neighbors. Everyone made the same comment "We will be back the food and service was great" Even a DAWG fan sit next to a LSU fan. No problems! GO DAWGS! Several others on our street were unable to join us and really missed a great meal. Awwwwwe all of you are so wonderful! Thank you so much for the kind words and support. You can't imagine how much it means to us this time of the year. I was not there Saturday night, as I was out of town. I did get to PM back and forth with "hutch" and as for "DAWGS" and "TIGERS" sitting next to each other I can't think of a better reason then to dine and chow down!!!! Thanks for your support too Cheering and sowalgayboi. And, ljeffries, I will pass that on about the service. It means so much to Chris and Kelly!!!! I agree they are quite special!!! I write this on my laptop sitting on a very bloated and happy belly. I will say as a blanket statement WOW. We arrived and discovered a beautifully decorated dining room. We chose a lovely Reisling and probably drove our waiter nuts as we tried to decide which dish we would have. I thought I had settled on the crawfish pasta when my other half mentioned Tuna. This brought the menu back up and the waiter back into the kitchen. I finally decided on the Tuna (great choice BTW). My other half had the grouper and crawfish. I had the Tuna and shrimp. My meal was wonderful, the prices are excellent and very appropriate for the amount (large amount) of food you receive. After working thru an entree that even a hungry man would struggle with we chose to share a dessert. OMFG what a dessert. There is cheesecake and then there is banana's foster. Combine the two and prepare to loosen a belt, buckle, or button (felt like I needed to loosen all three). This was truly a wonderful dinner and will definitely be back repeatedly. The ultimate top off is the Adult only fine dining atmosphere. D&K you ROCK!!! I write this on my laptop sitting on a very bloated and happy belly. I will say as a blanket statement WOW. We arrived and discovered a beautifully decorated dining room. We chose a lovely Reisling and probably drove our waiter nuts as we tried to decide which dish we would have. I thought I had settled on the crawfish pasta when my other half mentioned Tuna. This brought the menu back up and the waiter back into the kitchen. I finally decided on the Tuna (great choice BTW). My other half had the grouper and crawfish. I had the Tuna and shrimp. My meal was wonderful, the prices are excellent and very appropriate for the amount (large amount) of food you receive. After working thru an entree that even a hungry man would struggle with we chose to share a dessert. OMFG what a dessert. There is cheesecake and then there is banana's foster. Combine the two and prepare to loosen a belt, buckle, or button (felt like I needed to loosen all three). This was truly a wonderful dinner and will definitely be back repeatedly. The ultimate top off is the Adult only fine dining atmosphere. D&K you ROCK!!! P.S. They take credit cards. ;-) Click to expand... Thanks so much sgb....wish I had known you were there last night, but I'm sure Kelly and Chris took good care of you! Yes, the Banana's Foster Cheesecake is one of my favorites too. I just love the two flavors and textures together. In the cafe we (the staff) sometimes add a large scoop of vanilla ice cream to make it even more decadent. We can get bad bad bad making things over the top in the kitchen. I really love to take something great and make it better. We do have a children's menu both for lunch and dinner. As for the decor, I love to decorate a restaurant more then anything.....and I had a fantastic partner, Jamie Landreneau. Doug let us loose and we had a ball! Also I'm pretty sure the ice cream would have been over kill. :shock: Kelly was a wonderful server! Jamie came over and introduced himself as we were staring at the only surviving piece of his after Katrina. :angry: Ohhhhh Sj I love this picture of the cafe. Thanks for posting it!!! The lights focus on the entrance and keep the upstairs a bit mysterious. And, where do you get these Tars of yours????? They are so funny!!!!:funn: Also I'm pretty sure the ice cream would have been over kill. :shock: Kelly was a wonderful server! Jamie came over and introduced himself as we were staring at the only surviving piece of his after Katrina. :angry: All-in-all a wonderful experience, and great photo SJ. Click to expand... Nope that wasn't me wandering around with a baby in my arms. My baby often comes and sits in my lap, but she's 14! ;-) Although I have carried a baby around the cafe a number of times so the parents could eat. We appreciate YOU for noticing all the beautiful artwork on the walls and on the plate!!!!

Search form You are here Emily Porter B-Chain Magainin Derivative Biotechnologist Emilie Porter was fortunate enough to get involved in research very early on in her education. This was the factor, she says, that helped her accomplish an important discovery in her field while still a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin. Born in 1976, Porter attended Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, completing her undergraduate degree in chemistry with honors in 1998. As an undergraduate she was first exposed to research processes and became interested in a career in the area of pharmaceutical discovery. In the fall of 1998, she entered the University of Wisconsin at Madison in pursuit of a doctoral degree in organic chemistry. Working with a research team there, lead by Professor Samuel Gellman, Porter discovered a synthetic peptide that has the potential to fight bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. The fundamental discovery could lead to the creation of a new class of antimicrobial agents. Porter and her colleagues published their findings on the peptides, called “magainins” in the journal “Nature” in 2000. These molecules, first discovered on the skin of toads, are a naturally occurring class of medium-sized peptides that organisms employ as a defense against microbial infection. The molecules are said to degrade quickly in living tissue, and though they effectively fight bacteria in toads, they can be toxic to human cells. In pursuit of a similar substance that would work more effectively in humans, Porter and her team developed a synthetic “b-chain magainin derivative” that imitates the natural molecule and also has its same antimicrobial effects. The synthetic version proved to be less toxic to human cells as well. And what’s more, it also appeared to be effective against some bacteria that had developed a resistance to antibiotics. In 2000, Porter was honored with the $20,000 National Inventors Hall of Fame Collegiate Inventors Prize for her discovery, titled “Synthetic Antibiotic Peptide That Is a Beta-Amino Acid Oligomer.” She received a patent for the molecule, which could serve as the basis for groundbreaking, disease-fighting drugs in the future, especially chemotherapy. Porter became a National Institute of Health Predoctoral Fellow in the University of Wisconsin’s Biotechnology Training Program in 2000. She has co-authored a number of publications and has received a number of academic awards and scholarships in support of her research.

“The Whistleblower:” Amplifying the Reality of Human Trafficking Sexual trafficking. It’s hard for people to wrap their minds around the scope of the problem. A new film, The Whistleblower, presents an on the ground retelling of the story of Kathryn Bolkovac (Rachel Weisz), a Nebraskan police officer who became part of the United Nations police team in post-war Bosnia. Hired by a government contractor (named “Democra” in the movie) that recruited candidates, she uncovered a trafficking operation that reached to the highest echelons of power. The movie is structured in a style reminiscent of the 1980s Costa-Gavras narratives. The dramatization is based on actual events. Some characters have been merged, with names and timelines changed for the sake of a streamlined plot. One of the anchoring characters is Madeleine Rees (Vanessa Redgrave), who was the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Bosnia. Shot in palettes of blues and browns, the facts are laid out as Bolkovac—who is of Croatian descent—takes her belief in “doing her job” into the field. After ten years of experience on the domestic violence beat back home, Bolkovac finds herself up against a web of corrupt players ranging from local police and United Nations peacekeepers, to State Department brass and “Democra” bigwigs. Bolkovac discovers that the area’s bars and clubs are serving as a front to sites where girls from the Ukraine, Russia, and Eastern Europe have been enslaved. Many of the girls being sold to an international clientele are between 12 and 15 years old. The story’s trajectory follows Bolkovac (who served as a story consultant) from her discovery of trafficking corruption, complicity, and cover-ups through her efforts to report her findings—despite files of evidence disappearing and witness tampering. Death threats are the precursor to her being fired, when she gets too close to the truth. The multilayered cover-up finally sees the light of day when she files a wrongful dismissal case against “Democra,” and feeds the information from her findings to the British press. Director Larysa Kondracki spent time with her co-writer in Eastern Europe doing background research. There are two key scenes that speak volumes. One is revelatory, the other is searing. In the former, Bolkovac—and the audience—begin to understand the magnitude of what she is up against as she scrutinizes the first photos and bits of information she had pinned to her office wall. The camera pulls back to show how the original findings have grown exponentially. The latter is an indelible image of one of the girls being raped, tortured and killed in front of the others, as an example of why compliance is the only way to survive. I interviewed Kondracki by e-mail to get additional insights about her vision and aspirations for the movie. She explained that as a Ukrainian Canadian, the issue of sex trafficking was widely discussed within her community. When she read Bolkovac’s book, The Whistleblower: Sex Trafficking, Military Contractors, and One Woman’s Fight for Justice, she was overwhelmed by the breadth of the crime of trafficking. She was surprised that a film had not already been made. What made you decide to do the movie as an indie film? Did you think it would give you more latitude to portray the story as you best saw fit? To be honest, I didn’t see another way. We set out to do it. We spent some time in studios, which was a valuable experience and I think the script was improved when we were there. But ultimately, this was the way that made sense. That’s where I have to hand it to the producers. Once we got the project out, we were shooting within nine months. Do you see the film reaching people about the issue of human trafficking in a way that a news story or article cannot? Are you hoping that the “political thriller” tag will pull people in, which might otherwise be afraid of the subject matter? Absolutely. Kathy’s story is practically a Robert Ludlum novel. Sex, scandal, corruption, governments, international cover-ups. It’s something you would usually make up. Our primary goal was to make a good thriller with a great character at the center. Is she going to get the girl? Are they going to get our heroine? Was it Bolkovac’s experience with domestic violence in the United States, combined with how she got a conviction on her first time at bat in Bosnia, that made Madeleine Rees reach out to her? Yes. That conviction made Kathy really stand out. How did you decide how far to go with graphically showing the abuse and torture of the trafficked girls? I wasn’t going to make this movie and not be realistic. But I also had no intention of deterring audiences. We tested it several times, and found the right balance. You don’t see anything. It’s not unlike Silence of the Lambs in a way. It’s what’s inferred. How is the United Nations dealing with the film? I understand there was an internal memo that was circulated that advocated a “no comment” policy. Does that suggest that they haven’t learned anything from their experience about transparency? The internal memo left it at the UN being split. But we have learned from sources that they are sticking with a “damage control” policy. I really have no idea what they’ve learned, and why they aren’t seizing the opportunity not only to right these wrongs, but in doing so, to gain some faith from so many cynics that are watching. Show us you want to be the organization you’re meant to be. I’ve written a letter to Secretary General Ban-Ki Moon, and we have offered to screen the film wherever and whenever they want. So far…No Comment. cultureID specifically deals with connecting those doing cultural work with political and social intent/content with audiences. How do you see The Whistleblower within this context? I genuinely believe that films have one of the loudest voices. And I believe that if we can get this story into public discourse, the State Department and the United Nations will be embarrassed. Hopefully, enough to do something. Look at Guantanamo, extraordinary renditions…I’m not saying that’s done with, but at least they aren’t snatching people in plain sight out of airports anymore. Same thing here. U.S. tax dollars should not be going to the buying and selling of girls. Period. There’s no grey area to that.

Wednesday, April 30, 2014 I have a special privilege of leading a Bible bunch program for Brooker Elementary School every Wednesday at 7:10am. During this time, I get to share from God's Word that Jesus loves them and has a special plan for their lives. Currently we have about 30 (3rd-5th grade) students who attend. This is a great number considering, there is a total of 50 students in those grades in the school. As part of this program we put together a trip, as part of an incentive for attending each week of the Bible Bunch. Brooker Elementary School Principal, Mrs. Deborah Parmenter, contacted "In His Wakes" for us to attend one of their "Day to Remember" events. We had 25 students sign-up and this past Monday we took them to Lake Swan in Melrose, FL. We got our instructions from Nate and how they all needed to "GET OFF THE DOCK!" They were taught how to "get off the dock" and try and learn something they had never done before. More importantly they were taught they needed to "get off the dock" with Jesus Christ. To have a personal relationship with Him and that with His help they could do anything in life! It was such a joy to see all of the students swimming, tubing, skiing, trying the Zup board, and many more fun events! I am truly grateful for the opportunity that I have to invest in the lives of students in my community. My prayer is that I will see many of these children come to Christ and then grow in their relationship with Him, but to then see their entire families reached with the Gospel. Reminded of Matthew 19:14 where Jesus says "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for such is the kingdom of heaven." May we all invest our lives into children in our communities!

Fake Cop Charged With Oakland Park Drug Ripoff OAKLAND PARK (CBSMiami.com) – A Broward man who allegedly committed a crime while dressed as a cop is now in the hands of the real cops, who aren’t happy he used his impersonation to steal drugs from a man. The Broward Sheriff’s Office arrested Damian Bassetti Friday afternoon and charged him with three felonies, including armed robbery, armed burglary, and impersonating a police officer. The arrest report said Barretti broke into an Oakland Park home Thursday afternoon, armed with pepper spray, a stun gun, and wearing a black shirt with the words POLICE. The report said he found the man who lived there in bed, attacked him with the stun gun and the pepper spray, and demanded drugs from the man. Investigators said Barretti took Oxycodone pills from the victim and fled. Even though the alleged police officer disguised himself with a bandanna, and appeared to be talking with other officers on a walkie-talkie, the victim said he recognized him from past dealings, and knew he was not a cop. When police put his picture in a photo lineup, the victim picked Bassetti. After BSO arrested the man, the arrest report claims he confessed to the scheme and admitted impersonating a cop to get drugs.

Germany The Maybach - For Those Who Have Everything Are you tired of your beat up Honda Civic? And are you looking for a new car with a little more pizzazz? If you think a Rolls Royce is just too common, the Maybach could be your car of the future. Maybach - a legendary name returns after 60 years When looking at the new models that are being unveiled at the Geneva Car Show from March 7 to 17th, you're liable to think that there never was a recession. Luxury cars are taking the spotlight at the annual automobile fair. German car manufacturer Volkswagen's new luxury car Phaeton BMW is presenting a more luxurious version of its flagship 7 series and Volkswagen shows off its high-end "Phaeton." But one of the new cars that is due to cause the most "ooh's" and "ahs" in Geneva is the newest top-end car by Mercedes Benz - the Maybach. Reviving the Maybach legend With the name Maybach, Mercedes Benz pays tribute to the automobile designer Wilhelm Maybach (1846-1929) and his son Karl. In the 1920s and 1930s, Maybach cars were among the most luxurious vehicles on the German market. Only some 1,800 of these exclusive cars were built in a 20 year period. Maybachs were popular with the celebrities of the time: Marlene Dietrich owned one, as did Enrico Caruso and the boxing legend Max Schmeling. The first new Maybach in 60 years On Tuesday, Mercedes Benz granted journalists a first glimpse of the new Maybach. But the German car-makers succeeded in creating a veritable aura for their newest product: no one got to see the Maybach up close - let alone touch it or take it for a spin. At Tuesday's press presentation, the Maybach was only barely visible behind a dark glass screen. The world will still have to wait a little longer to get its hands on the first Maybach in more than half a century. High-tech and luxury on wheels But even though no ordinary mortal has seen the new Maybach yet, a few facts about this ultimate luxury car have already emerged. The Maybach will have 550 horsepower and is almost six meters long (19 feet). Under the hood, it sports a V12 engine which boasts a cubic capacity of just under six liters. Specially trained engineers and craftsmen will largely produce each Maybach by hand. Mercedes expects up to 1,500 Maybach cars will be made per year. The Maybach costs more than € 300,000 ($ 261,000). But for that kind of money, the highly exclusive clientele will get what's been described as "a living room on wheels".

knee prosthesis resection guideVISIONAIRESmith & Nephew Characteristics Guide type: knee prosthesis Description VISIONAIRE Patient Matched Technology is simplified surgery with personalized performance. The VISIONAIRE process allows Smith & Nephew to design and produce a set of cutting guides based on your patient’s unique anatomy. The VISIONAIRE set of customized cutting guides reduces the number of steps and surgical instruments required for surgery creating a simplified surgical environment. The guides are designed from surgeon specific preferences, then developed by a dedicated engineer, allowing for personalized performance. The inner shape of the cutting guide matches the outer shape of your patient’s distal femur and proximal tibia. This hand-in-glove fit allows surgeons to make the precise bone cuts needed to position the knee implant in the optimal alignment. VISIONAIRE cutting blocks can be used with: JOURNEY◊ II BCS and JOURNEY II CR LEGION◊ PRIMARY GENESIS◊ II PRIMARY *TC-PLUS◊ PRIMARY is not available in Australia, New Zealand, or the U.S. *Prices are pre-tax. They exclude delivery charges and customs duties and do not include additional charges for installation or activation options. Prices are indicative only and may vary by country, with changes to the cost of raw materials and exchange rates.

Pages Sunday, December 10, 2017 This morning I completed my 22nd half at the Rotary Run For Tomorrow Half Marathon... This "race" was less of a race and more of a training run as part of my general Pittsburgh Marathon training plan. So with that in mind, my goal was to finish the distance using intervals that pushed my endurance -- run 1/2 mile: walk 1 minute... The race average temperature was cold (but perfect for running)... And people were decked out in their sweaters and mittens from the beginning... The course doesn't have many any sights to see. It's essentially 13.1 miles of neighborhood streets. But it's pretty flat and simple so if you wanted to aim for a PR you could. But if you like lots of attractions on your half marathon route this is not the race for you. Since this was basically a training run for me I just focused on my intervals and breathing, and then distracted myself with music for the last 3 miles of the course. My earbuds aren't working so I was playing the music on my phone speaker which may have annoyed a few of the runners as they passed me or as I passed them. But, the distraction was what I needed after 10 miles of only my thoughts and breathing to keep me company. Once I was done I took a few "yes I was here and earned this medal" pictures... ... and then headed back home to change out of my cold and wet running gear. So here's the thing about using races as training runs... you get a lot of on course support (water stations and porta potties (if you need it) etc.) but you also need to stay focused on the fact that it's a training run. It's easy to submit to the temptation to race it as people pass you by, but that can be dangerous if you're not properly trained. Although this was half marathon #22 for me, my legs (and lungs) are really not in tiptop half marathon shape right now. After Berlin I essentially started my training over and I've pushed it along by incorporating races into my schedule (which has proven to be the best way to keep me motivated for training). But even though I've been trying to push myself, and training has been ok so far, I'm still far from where I need to be pace & endurance-wise. I am really happy about my intervals today though. I'm working my way up to running 1 mile: walking 1 minute, and that will be my goal interval (with hopefully a consistent sub-12 min pace) for 2018. I have a race next weekend to close out the year and then I will spend most of the holiday period cross training and keeping my baseline mileage up while I prepare for all that 2018 has in store for my running life. How was your weekend? Any races? Have you thought about your 2018 goals yet? Do you use shorter races as training runs when preparing for longer distance events? Saturday, December 2, 2017 This training week started off with a 4 mile run on Tuesday and ended with a 10 mile run this morning. My training plan for Pittsburgh includes 4 days of running + 2 days of cross training & 1 day of rest. I nailed the 4 days of running part, but my 2 days of cross training were converted to 2 days of "rest". Tomorrow is supposed to be a rest day but we'll see what the morning holds. Until then, I'm just going to focus on this week's runs and the fact that I was able to get through them all... (not really the pace I'm aiming for but hopefully that will get better on future runs) While I'm super excited about completing my runs and the start of my Pittsburgh Marathon training, nothing was more exciting than finding out I was selected to be an official blogger for the marathon!!! I'm honored to be a part of this esteemed group of bloggers and I'm really looking forward to blogging for the marathon. Pittsburgh happens to be in May (my birthday month) which makes it extra special for me. It will be a birthday present to myself and I plan to train hard for it so that when I cross the finish line I can cross it smiling (not crying like I did for Berlin & New York). Deep down I really want to PR in Pittsburgh (so that's goal A), but I'll also be happy with a sub-6 hour marathon finish time (since both NY and Berlin were over 6 hours and I really don't want that to be a trend)... Saturday, November 18, 2017 After a lot of contemplation I decided not to do a traditional race recap of the Ragnar South Beach Relay I did last weekend. I had (have) a lot of thoughts feelings about the event and how things went. Not all are good. So instead of focusing on the not-so-good stuff, I'll just share the highlights and some of my favorite moments of the weekend... The Friday before the relay began included several last minute changes and associated logistical challenges that seemed to set the tone of the entire weekend. But despite all of that I happened to be on a team with great people who I am better off for having met and run with... (Some of Van 1 & 2 before we started) (Some of Van 1 after all our legs were over) And of course, at different points along the course, we had (most of) the team together... This was the first time I happened to be team captain... But being captain of the team didn't mean I got to sit back and kick my feet up... (although I did do that once) My captain time was mostly spent try to ensure that everyone was having a good time and that they spent (most of) the time smiling... My goal was to ensure that they started their legs looking this happy... Even if they ended feeling this exhausted... I had pretty short legs for this event, and overall the first two weren't too bad... But then fatigue and hypoglycemia kicked in and I lost all sense of rational thinking... (ready to run with only one shoe) (night gear) My third leg definitely sucked... (I walked A LOT) And my "Leg 3.5" also sucked, but it wasn't as bad as my regular Leg 3... When Van 1 was officially done we went to the Finish area to wait for Van 2's Runner 12 to come in. The finish was crowded and parking was a nightmare, but the joy of knowing I was done was great... (post race finish area) The post-race team & medal & feet/shoe Ragnar pic... Team 13: Run Away With Me... (missing Stephanie) I'm grateful for all my teammates! (even when we got on each others nerves); and I have to say a special thank you to Kirsten for her last minute fill in (and saving us from having to do a lot of extra miles)... (I really appreciated it!) There's never a question about whether or not I would do Ragnar again. I absolutely will, every year for as long as I can run. This year I ran two and was able to earn the coveted "connector"... Next year I want to do another trail (or two) and several road relays. I would do a South Florida Ragnar again (they just need to work out some of the logistics and maybe don't have us run through areas that are not the best safety-wise), and I plan to do the Alafia trail again (next year December), but I'm hoping my other Ragnars can take me to new cities/race courses. Right now my 2018 "Ragnar Race Calendar" wish list looks like this: June: Ragnar Wasatch Back (road) June: Ragnar Pennsylvania (road) Sept: Ragnar Cottage Country (trail) Sept: Ragnar Reach the Beach (road) Nov: Ragnar South Beach (road) Dec: Ragnar Alafia (trail) So I need a lot of other suggestions for next year. Most of my Ragnars will have to be in the second half of 2018 because my race/training calendar is already packed for the first half of the year (leading up to the Pittsburgh Marathon). In the meantime, I have to shift my focus to the Tampa Hot Chocolate 15K coming up next month, which will be my final race of 2017! 💪🍫🏃(Blogger really needs to update their emoji options 😒). Monday, November 6, 2017 In t-minus 5 days team Run Away With Me will be running south from Melbourne Beach to South Beach for my final Ragnar of 2017! I wanted to do more Ragnar events this year but money has been tight and my schedule has been hectic. Last year, when I was planning for my 2017 running goals, I wanted to complete 2 road and 2 trail events this year. But unfortunately time and money did not allow for that. It sucks when your bank account and your schedule don't comply with your running/racing expectations doesn't it? Next year I'm hoping that I'll be able to do at least 3 Ragnar relays (fingers crossed). But I don't have to worry about that this week because race week is finally here and my team is ready! Well... we're mostly ready. There are still a few logistics that need to be worked out, but it's mainly minor stuff so I'm not too worried. What's most important is that we are excited to start a weekend full of fun and fatigue! Training for Ragnar has not been the greatest but I also wanted to make sure I had a slow return to running after the Berlin Marathon. So I tried to stick to a "no more than 4 runs a week" plan for October, and then for November I started with 3 runs but I'll resume my 4 runs/week schedule this week (hopefully tomorrow)... Even with my slow build up and the decreases in temperature, I'm still battling blisters :( I even tried using an excessive amount of anti-blister powder (as evidenced by my shoes after my run yesterday)... But that didn't work so I'm still on the hunt for effective blister prevention methods (share your tips please!) I definitely need to get them under control before Pittsburgh marathon training starts next month. I've planned for an earlier start because Christmas (and all the associated holiday activities and travel) may throw my training schedule off a bit. So I decided to build some "cut-back" weeks into the plan to accommodate that. But, if all goes well with my mileage build-up, there shouldn't be any negative effects on my training as a result of the adjustments I've had to make. In the meantime, I'm just going to focus on one run at a time and, during my Ragnar weekend, one leg at a time :) How do you adjust your training schedule during the holidays? What are your running/racing plans this week? If you've run Ragnar before, what's your #1 piece of advice for all the newbies on my team? Saturday, October 28, 2017 This week I've done three 4 mile runs and they didn't totally suck! It has been a long time since I've felt good about all my runs in a week so I'm kind of excited about training right now. Especially since it's been so hard for me to get (and stay) motivated... I feel like that's been my MO for the past several training cycles but I'm trying to break out of it. I know that a lot of things can contribute to lack of motivation. For me it's usually when I don't see myself progressing the way I want to... and when I gain weight. And typically the weight gain leads to me feeling slower and sluggish, and then that inhibits my progress and so I feel demotivated, and then I eat a ton of comfort food (cause food = joy), and that leads to more weight gain.... and so it goes on and on and on... Although I did a lot of stress eating this week, it was definitely a good training week. So far I've run Tuesday, Friday and this morning (Saturday), with another run scheduled for tomorrow. On Tuesday I did a solo "focus on how I feel" run... And then on Friday I did another solo run with longer running intervals (which included running the last mile non-stop)... And this morning I joined Mimi (from my running group) for the last 4 miles of her eight mile run. We did intervals (run 1 minute: walk 30 seconds)... It seems like later start times correlated with a faster overall pace. Which makes sense since I haven't been sleeping well (the nightmares are back) so the longer I'm able to stay in bed the more rested my legs are (at least that's what should happen in theory). In addition to the nightmares, this week in general was just a stressful work week... ...so I definitely needed as much rest as I could possibly get. Quite fittingly, the warning signs that corresponded with my mood/stress level this week were on display in the hospital's gift shop... So between my Garmin reminders and the gift shop reminders I'm going to take the hint and try and have a relaxing weekend. Over the past 5 days I spent more time trying to map out my training plan for Pittsburgh (maybe that was the main source of stress?) I'm definitely not a believer that "one plan fits all" and now that I'm entering my fourth marathon training cycle I really want to focus on the ideal components of several plans that work best for me. I'm an injury prone runner with a propensity for blisters so my ideal marathon training plan requires: flexibility, a moderate mileage build-up, a focus on both endurance and strength (i.e. A LOT of cross training and non-impact but simultaneously endurance/strength building activities), and different types of training runs. For the last two training cycles (2016:NY marathon training & 2017: Berlin marathon training), all my runs were pretty much the same. The only thing that varied was the distance. For this upcoming training cycle I'm planning for a speed workout every other week (it takes me a long time to recover from speed work so I want to space it out); a tempo run at a 10k - 10k+30s pace every other week; varied interval runs; non-stop runs mid week; hill work... actually change that to mandatory hill work (because the course is hilly especially in the last half of the race); and the ever important long run with an interval build up to running for 5 minutes: walking for 30-45 seconds. I really feel like the variety of different runs will keep me from getting bored and help me stay motivated. The diversity in my training plan will also be enhanced by my cross training plans (still tweaking those at the moment but swimming will be a foundational component of my cross training). The more I work on modifying the training plan, the more excited about it I become. I really hope (and pray) that I can have a great training cycle and a great race. I know I may not PR, but I definitely want to get as close to my PR as possible. Plus, I'm reserving my PR plans for Chicago in October. Wouldn't it be amazing to break my PR at my first and favorite marathon? Just the thought of it makes me happy. I had to defer my entry from this year to next year so as soon as I get that email confirmation from the race organizers I will start to focus on planning for Chicago as well. I'm off to relax, rest my legs, and hydrate (in preparation for tomorrow's run). I hope you have a great weekend! Anyone racing this weekend? Do you follow a specific training plan/method or do you create your own? Saturday, October 14, 2017 Race morning started like any other. Early. The night before I'd implemented my usual multi-alarm system to ensure I didn't oversleep... But between race nerves and an early night I was up well before that... We were staying at a hotel that was filled with runners and had a free breakfast option so once everyone was ready we grabbed a quick bite to eat... (↑↑breakfast of champions↑↑) And then took some "before we head into the cold wet weather" pictures in the hotel lobby... (↑↑Me with my parents and Kai↑↑) Berlin has an amazing transportation system (which is only one of the really great things about the city) so it didn't take us long to get to the station closest to the start corrals. As we were walking towards the entrance to the corrals runners were all around... The excitement in the air was starting to get palpable and I was starting to get more nervous. The moment I would take on my third Marathon Major was here! And in a city so beautiful and rich with culture... it was an unbelievable feeling. On the way we saw remnants of the Wall so I stopped and took a few pics... And then we continued on our journey. It was a pretty decent walk to the start. Runners who opted for gear check eventually went in one direction and others (like me) who opted for the poncho were sent in a different direction. And then there was more walking. And still a bit more walking. Until we finally made it to the start... That's where I parted ways with my parents and Kai... And went to Corral H (after a quick visit to the porta potty)... The Corrals had screens so we could see the elite athletes at the beginning of their attempt to break some records... Which made the wait for the Corrals to start tolerable. Plus, someone left their blanket behind so I took advantage of that and sat down while we waited... Finally we started and I have to say the excitement reminded me of how I felt in Chicago. It was pretty incredible. I was able to catch a glimpse of my mom and Kai in the Grand Stand cheering area at the start, which added to my excitement as well. My strategy for the race was to stick to the right side of the course, get beyond the crowd at the start, and then start my intervals. I figured that I would start to slow down during the second half of the race so I wanted to run the first half under 3 hours. I already knew the points where my family was going to try to be along the course (we mapped it out the day before) and I was prepared to run the first 7K without seeing them. So I decided to take in the sites... After the 5K mark (and first water station) we runners had to carefully maneuver through the increasingly wet streets... I continued to take pictures along the course (which I'll post throughout) but for the life of me I can't remember where along the course most of them were taken. When I saw a nice building or something that looked like it would be "symbolic" of Berlin I just stepped off to the side and snapped a pic. Normally I try and remember the mile marker (or I guess in this case the Km marker) so that I can explain more about what that aspect of the course was like; but this time I really don't have that reference (sorry guys) so a few of the pics may be out of sync. I do remember that just beyond the 7K mark I started to feel some blisters popping up, but it wasn't horrible. Yet. That's also the point where I saw my parents and Kai for the first time since I started... While I was able to take off my gloves at that point, it was still too cold to take off my long sleeve running top... but too hot to need full sleeve coverage. I tried to keep the sleeves 3/4 way up but between the rain and sweat the top was soaked and I was only partially successful in finding the right balance. Oh well, that was, as I would soon find out, the least of my worries along the course. I left my first family meet up and continued on. I wasn't going to see them again until just around the 21K mark so I had some more time to distract myself with taking pictures along the route. I was paying close attention to my pace because I knew I would be cutting it close toward the latter part of the race, but so far my pace was ok. I was on target to finish well before the cut off and even though my blisters were getting worse, I wasn't in any significant pain. Somewhere between 7K (or the start) and 21K (and maybe a little bit beyond that) I took these... I (briefly) contemplated researching what these buildings are and confirming where along the course they exist but then I thought "Well, suppose someone reading the blog gets curious by not knowing and uses that curiosity as the platform to enter the Berlin Marathon, train hard for it, save up enough money, and go to run Berlin to find out for themselves? I wouldn't want to take that away from them would I?" I decided I didn't and therefore no additional research and confirmation was done (you're welcome). After a while seeing the city was less and less thrilling as my fatigue got more and more intense. My blisters were getting much worse and my legs were getting really tired. I distracted myself by counting down the Km markers until it was time to see my family. My Mom took pictures while Kai searched for my MaxFreeze spray (which I applied quickly before moving on) and my Dad sang... Then I was off for another long stretch of running before the final family meet up. I was already really tired by this point. Gradually my legs felt like they were on fire and my pace really started to slow. And then there was Mile 21. Sigh. I don't even know where to start... At Mile 21 my left knee felt like it was going to explode. I don't know what I did. I don't know if I landed wrong. I don't remember a sudden sharp pain. I don't remember feeling something pull. I do remember that I could no longer land on it without pain, I realized I still had 7K to go, and when I tried to reach my Mom and Kai on their phones I could not get through. I was in pain and I was in trouble. So I messaged my twin sister... By the time I got to my parents and Kai I had slowed down so much that I was in serious danger of not making the cutoff. They didn't have Advil but they had my MaxFreeze spray so I soaked my knee in as much of it as possible... And then, while I anxiously checked my pace, I made my way under the arch that was deflating as rapidly as my Berlin dreams were... My Dad suggested that I take the spray with me so Kai graciously ran after me so I could carry it in case I needed it later on (since I wasn't going to see them again until after I finished). I took the spray and kept on going and tried not to cry. I knew crying would lead to me gasping for air and I was already out of breath. My lungs couldn't handle any additional work so I really tried to stay calm. But I cried for a bit anyway. The trek from 35K to 40K was the longest 5K of my life. It seemed like it would never end and I spent most of it walking with my MaxFreeze in hand... Eventually I saw the Brandenburg Gate and I knew the end was near. I was in so much pain that I couldn't even muster up the energy to smile (or open my eyes)... And then once I passed Brandenburg I realized that the end was not quite as "near" as I had hoped. I still had another Km or so to go... Shortly after MarathonFoto took that picture I looked at my watch and saw that I had passed the finish time I wanted. I was devastated. It took everything out of me not to break down in tears again. I was running as much as I could to make it to the finish in as little time as possible but I knew that the finish would be bittersweet. Once I was done, I called Sanya in tears again for the second marathon in a row. Why do I do this to myself? It's a question that I asked myself repeatedly during those last miles of the course. I'm pretty sure that question popped up during my training as well. And I continued to ask it for several days after the race. I finished and I was really happy about that... ...but it wasn't the finish that I wanted so my heart was still a little broken in the end. Although I didn't meet my goal for Berlin, this race is definitely one worth doing. It was a beautiful course! The crowd support was awesome!! And the city is so incredible!!! It's a Bucket List marathon for sure! And whether or not you want to do the World Marathon Majors, Berlin is a "must do" event.

Hello people ☺ Just wanted to quickly update you with another outfit that we shot this week. I finally got to wear this printed dress in different shades of blue that I had bought this winter on sale together with the shoes and bag. I love this print because it gives you […]

Based on the 1982 by Chris Claremont and Frank Miller that sent Logan to Japan to battle ninjas and the politics of the Tokyo criminal underworld for the heart of his ex-lover, The Wolverine was dealt twin setbacks in March with the devastating earthquake in Japan and the surprise departure of director Darren Aronofsky, who was unwilling to be out of the United States, away from his family, for the duration of the production. The screenplay by Christopher McQuarrie (The Usual Suspects, Valkyrie), which had been praised by Jackman and Claremont, is being rewritten by Mark Bomback, who penned the upcoming Total Recall remake.

Video Vehicle Options This is a great looking 1950 Ford Two door Sedan that has been streetroded a few years back and still looks great! Its powered by a tune port injected 350 and backed up by a 3 speed automatic transmission. It comes equipped with power steering, power disk brakes, aftermarket tachometer and gauges, dual exhaust, am fm cassette, and is riding on a set of American Racing Torque thrust rims. This Street Rod runs and drives nice down the road and has a nice white bucket seat with console interior. There was a lot of time and work put into this Shoe Box Ford making it the hot rod it is today. Its exterior paint and chrome was all redone years ago and has been buffed back to a brilliant shine. Its a great looking cruiser that sounds awesome! Visit Coyote Classics online at coyoteclassics.com to see more pictures of this vehicle or call us at 641-512-4727 today to schedule your test drive. This is a great looking 1950 Ford Two door Sedan that has been streetroded a few years back and still looks great! Its powered by a tune port injected 350 and backed up by a 3 speed automatic transmission. It comes equipped with power steering, power disk brakes, aftermarket tachometer and gauges, dual exhaust, am fm cassette, and is riding on a set of American Racing Torque thrust rims. This Street Rod runs and drives nice down the road and has a nice white bucket seat with console interior. There was a lot of time and work put into this Shoe Box Ford making it the hot rod it is today. Its exterior paint and chrome was all redone years ago and has been buffed back to a brilliant shine. Its a great looking cruiser that sounds awesome! Visit Coyote Classics online at coyoteclassics.com to see more pictures of this vehicle or call us at 641-512-4727 today to schedule your test drive. Vehicle Disclaimer Share to Social Media Text us First Name: Last Name: Mobile Phone Number: Message: I hereby consent to receive text messages from or on behalf of dealer at the mobile phone number I provided above. I understand that I am opting in to receive text messages from dealer or their employees. I include consent to receive phone calls at the mobile phone number I provided. I understand that message and data rates may apply. Text us First Name: Last Name: Mobile Phone Number: Message: I hereby consent to receive text messages from or on behalf of dealer at the mobile phone number I provided above. I understand that I am opting in to receive text messages from dealer or their employees. I include consent to receive phone calls at the mobile phone number I provided. I understand that message and data rates may apply.

On August 28, 2018, Sarah Leamon was interviewed by CTV News for an article on the newly approved drug testing device, the Draeger DrugTest 5000. The Draeger DrugTest 5000 will be used by police officers for roadside screening purposes and in order to detect drivers who are possibly impaired by drugs. But there are a lot of potential problems with the device. In the article, Sarah is quoted as saying: "I have concerns about the fact that police have never had any on-hand training with them or any experience with them," She goes on to say: "I also have concerns about whether or not they will be suitable for our Canadian environment." This is because the device doesn't work in temperatures below 4 C, and anyone who's had a drink or snack within 10 minutes may have skewed results.

Litecoin [LTC] Foundation brings #PayWithLitecoin to your door step Charlie Lee, Creator of Litecoin [LTC], has announced earlier today the team at LTC Foundation has pulled together all the resources in one place to help out the businesses to accept Litecoin. Charlie Lee’s tweet on PayWithLitecoin The announcement was made by the Litecoin Foundation on Twitter. Along with the announcement, the team has also attached a video which displays the benefits of Litecoin. In addition to this, the Foundation has made it easier for companies to integrate Litecoin. Business can approach the Litecoin Foundation by sending a request mail on the PayWithLitecoin official page. The Litecoin community can also fill the details of the companies they want to accept Litecoin [LTC] on their PayWithLitecoin official page. The representative team at Litecoin had made requests to many small and medium businesses to accept Litecoin cryptocurrency as a payment option for the people. Up till now, the #PayWithLitecoin’s top 10 most requested business platforms by the Litecoin community includes Amazon, Seamless, Uber, Apple, Lyft, eBay, Netflix, Starbucks, Walmart, and Spotify.

Zynga's Secret To Success: Steal Great Ideas! One reason people love to hate Zynga is the approach Zynga has taken to becoming so successful: The Microsoft approach. Specifically: Copy a competitor's product, then crush the competitor. Bill Gates did not grow Microsoft into an global giant by purely innovating or creating completely new products. Instead, he identified successful products, duplicated them, and used Microsoft's superior positioning and power to crush the existing competition. …Psycho Monkey developed Mob Wars What it is: Commit crimes or attack other players with the click of a button, then read about how it all turned out. Criminal activity earns you in-game cash to buy weapons, equipment, and real estate, and experience points that allow you to improve your abilities. RESOLUTION: Psycho Monkey filed a lawsuit against Zynga that was ultimately settled for between $7-$9 million. Before Zynga's FarmVille… …there was Slashkey's Farm Town What it is: You farm. You plant seeds, which take time to grow, at which point you can harvest and sell them. You advance in much the same manner as in Mafia Wars (and nearly all of Zynga's other games), gaining cash and experience for your work, allowing you to expand and improve your farm. Friends playing FarmVille can become your 'neighbors', their farms actually appearing right next to yours; interacting with them, or getting more people to sign up, helps you earn more. Before Zynga made FishVille… …TallTree Games had a hit with Fish World What it is: You can read much, much more about FishVille and how it makes money here, but the premise is pretty simple: you start with an empty fish tank, and you want to build up a fish tank filled with exotic fish and neat decorations. You buy baby fish and sell grown fish, which are mysteriously more valuable. As always, you can trade with friends who also play. Zynga's game Cafe World came after… …Playfish's Restaurant City What it is: You are the owner and chef of a new restaurant. After hiring a waiter, you begin cooking food, which is served to customers. This earns you money. Money allows you to buy more cooking equipment. And so on. Zynga's PetVille… …followed Playfish's Pet Society What it is: You have a new pet to take care of. This involves feeding him, washing him, playing with him, and the like. Keeping him happy earns you money to decorate your home, which is very important to your pet. You can also take him to your friends houses to play with their pets, which makes him very happy. Zynga's came out with Word Twist after… …GameHouse made TextTwist And here's where things stand now: TEXTTWISTDate Released: July 2009 (for the Facebook version, but it has existed as a web game for years)Developer: GameHouseUsers: 195,229 WORD TWISTDate Released: September 2008Users: 445,228 What it is: Find as many words as you can using the letters provided. You can play by yourself, or challenge up to four friends at a time. Zynga's Game: YoVille What Came First: Nothing! YoVilleDate Released: September 2008Users: 15,234,993What it is: YoVille is PetVille without the pets, or FishVille without the fish. Decorating your home is a big part of it. So is visiting the homes of your friends. You can earn money by actually going to work (at a factory!) and by playing mini-games with other players (tic-tac-toe, rocks, paper, scissors, etc.). It isn't too closely modeled on anything as far as we can tell. This one is Zynga all the way. Summary In addition to the games profiled here, Zynga has a number of Mafia Wars clones, with nearly identical game play but different subject matter: Fashion Wars, Dragon Wars, Pirates, Vampires, Street Racing, and Special Forces. It also has a game called Roller Coaster Kingdom which is fairly close to Cafe World. Finally, it has versions of a few common games that either aren't anyone's intellectual property (poker) or are regularly duplicated with impunity (Boggle). All in all, then, Zynga has one original game in its 19-strong Facebook lineup, just over 5% of its total output.

Heavy Turnout for Pennsylvania Primary Election officials were reporting extremely heavy voter activity in many of the state’s 67 counties throughout the morning, starting with long lines reported even before the polls opened at 7 a.m. “Let’s just say it’s very busy,” said Joseph Passarella, the director of voter services for Montgomery County, sounding a little harried. “Our phones have been ringing since 6:15 this morning and have been ringing nonstop. We’ve never had a primary election this busy.” Tonight should be fun! And despite all the wailing, moaning and gnashing of teeth about the prolonged Democratic primary season, how can it be a bad thing for democracy (and for Democrats) to have this many people this fired up?

Michael Jocson Physiotherapy is a health and wellness consulting practice in NYC, utilizing physical therapy, corrective exercise, nutrition, life coaching, and energy medicine. This blog is to provide updates for clients/patients and other thoughts to help them heal and evolve. Google+ Badge Thursday, August 27, 2009 This is a traditional Andean shamanic ceremony that is an offering to all of existence. In Andean cosmology the offerings are specifically to the Pachamama (Mother Earth), the Apus (mountains), the Heavens and the Cosmos, and all of Nature. It is a gesture reminding us of how life is a celebration to be celebrated rather than a problem to be solved. The ceremony itself is a living energy that aligns itself with the rhythms of the heavens above and the Earth below and brings all that are involved in unity with the universe. One can imagine it as a living entity, a spirit, or a deva that works towards whatever the specific intention set forth by the participants. One of the most popular types of despacho ceremonies is the Ayni Despacho. “Ayni” is a quechua term representing reciprocity and right relationship. This despacho helps restore order and brings a balance throughout the continuum of energy of those involved helping the release of heavy, dark energies (hucha) allowing an individual to step fully into their lightness. The intention of the ceremony is key. I recently held my first despacho this past week due to particular circumstances in a few of my clients lives (as well as mine). The intention was to fully surrender to life (to the Present) so as to allow balance and harmony to flow freely and to create right relationship between the mind/ego, the True Authentic Self, and the rest of the Cosmos. In other words, we step out of the way and let Spirit flow through. The despacho ceremony confuses the mind because the mind doesn’t comprehend things of this nature (which is often the culprit of one’s suffering). Instead, the ceremony takes one to a sacred level which is where the soul/spiritual natures operate. I noticed a pattern in my client’s lives, as well as mine, where once every bump in the road of the journey is cleared a tendency to want to go back to where one has already traveled arises. This is like the last temptation of Christ where once an individual gains freedom, newer responsibilities arise and those who are ready to accept them move on and those who are not have the option to go back to “Summer school” and review their lessons. The above is a picture of the prayer bundle created during the despacho ceremony my client and I celebrated. Later that night I held a solo fire ceremony and offered the prayer bundle to the fire as a way to sign the dotted line and close the experience. So if you noticed anything significant this past few days or week in your life, it could be your Higher Self trying to bring balance and right relationship into your life. Yes, it is true. If you are reading this, you were included in my prayers during the despacho ceremony. Wednesday, August 26, 2009 This week Time magazine's cover story by Bryan Walsh exposes on a national level our country's pink elephant which is the topic of the cost of cheap food. The "think big" American attitude has created an efficient food producing industry that as a result of being efficient to produce more for less has become tremendously inefficient if you factor in the costs to the health of the land as well as the individual. This story is riding the tide set by documentaries and books like Fast Food Nation and Food, Inc. and The Omnivores Dilemma. Consciousness is accelerating and for Time Magazine to publish such a sensitive topic, the hundredth monkey phenomenom is set in motion. A highlight for me are some of the chart comparisons in the article such as the one comparing a grass-fed, organic, sustainably-raised cow and a conventionally-raised, feed-lot cow. Another highlight is about how runoff from chemical fertilizers used in the Midwest produces "dead zones" throughout the Gulf of Mexico. Dead zones are areas in the water that have almost no oxygen for sea life to thrive caused by chemical pollution. Although this article exposes what industry does not want the public to know it will create a reaction from those tied to the agriculture sector. I find it fascinating reading both sides of the fence and it's clearly obvious to see the cattle and farming industries trying to defend themselves by defaming the author or saying such opinions are nonsense and unvalidated. Regardless of any arguements, which is simply school ground fighting, the article was published, front cover in a very popular media outlet. People are not innately stupid and and much respect is to be given for each individual to come up with their own conclusions. Sunday, August 23, 2009 Early this morning when I went to take a walk to the local bagel shop (it's nostalgic for me; growing up having bagels on Sunday mornings) I noticed that every single person that I passed by and attempted to smile or say "hi" to, avoided eye contact with me and kept on walking. It reminded me of whenever I go out-of-state how different it is from New York and it's so normal for people to say hello to a stranger. Maybe the people I encountered this morning secretly knew I was picking up some bagels and were judgmental towards gluten-laden food and the people who can eat gluten without any problems? Probably not. This is fairly common in over populated metropolitan areas where people are more on defensive mode and their minds have so much going on at any given instant that the overstimulation distracts them from responding to a simple smile, or "hello", or even a "how are you?". Fortunately, where I live not everyone is like this. When I pass by someone I always try to make eye contact and give some sort of acknowledgment to one's presence and the response is commonly a previously dormant smile or reciprocal gesture. I can not say what effect a simple "hello" or smile does for the other person but I can say for me it brightens that moment and reminds me of living in the present. As a shaman, I can observe how an individual's aura shifts from a somewhat contracted and jagged state to a smoother, expansive form after such a novel act. A person's body, posture, and movements can tell a lot about an individual and I've noticed that by giving a smile every once in awhile can make a difference in a person's day. I read in a Facebook friend's update a quote from a shaman who advised that we greet everyone we meet as ourselves and to feel with ALL of our heart. Hmmm. Isn't that what it means in the yogic philosophy and spirituality term "namaste"? Nasmaste - "My essence acknowledges and bows down to your essence". Isn't that beautiful? I challenge everyone reading this blog to try this practice. The next time you come a cross another being, human, animal, or plant, or any other resident of this planet, make an effort to make eye contact and give a smile or "hello" or "how are you?" (or in Howard Beach, where I'm from, the old head nod as if saying "what's up?) without any expectation of reciprocity. This I know can change the world. Wednesday, August 19, 2009 I recently experienced a client of mine who had a stroke last week. Now before you get your one-sided criticisms, judgements, and opinions of this story, put them aside and listen to the rest of it. My client has been on a healing journey for the past few years to renew a lifetime of pain and suffering from abuse and toxicities physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Earlier this year she made the decision to get off all of her prescription medications because she intuitively felt they were creating more harm than good in that she did not feel alive, or at least did not know what feeling alive was like because all her life she listened to others and the world outside of her to tell her what feeling alive was like, rather than listening to her inner voice. In other words, her soul has been screaming to break out of her numb, mummified, crystalized shell of existence. With each crises we experience in our lives, it is part of Nature's way for cleansing and upheaval and an opportunity for us to step up to finally become Human Beings - the realization that we are spiritual beings having a physical experience. Existence without acknowledging spirit is called materialism.With materialistic thinking, one may look at her situation as being a case of her not taking her cardiac medications resulting in her stroke and giving bragging rights and the "I told you so" degradations of her doctors and loved ones. Let's zoom in a little bit more. Like any process there involves a peeling away of the many layers accummulated from a lifetime of bad habits, dogma, and conditioning from our parents, families, society, religion, government, the media, etc. Very few people understand what it is to be truly FREE human beings - "Free beings are those who can will what they themselves hold to be right" (Rudolf Steiner); and this occurs at every given moment. Making choices based upon fear is not freedom. "Take this pill or you'll die" is an enslavement (and insult) of our consciousness. It is when one decides to break free from the binds of conventionality that begins the path towards healing. How can one know freedom if they do not have the courage to move towards it? Another perspective of this client's situation is that the stroke is symbolic of a wake-up call to completely surrender to the world of spirit; to intensify one's relationship with their soul-spiritual natures. What better time than a physical crises to start a path towards spirituality? What do most people who are facing death and the Grim Reaper unexpectedly say? "Oh my God!" The stroke can be viewed as a spark to reignite what feeling alive is all about. It is true that this client could have died from this brain insult; but she didn't, which further reinforces the urgency and "second chance" she's getting to live a life of freedom. This is what healing is all about. Sometimes you need to hit a few bumpy roads in order to appreciate and understand the smooth ones. So I leave you with this question:Would you rather live a life where you are numb, blind, and desensitized to life or to live a life where you experience something like a stroke so that you can feel alive? In other words, many people who appear healthy are actually truly sick because they are desensitized to who they are with respect to their soul-spiritual natures. This is what my client was experiencing from the side effects of her meds. She felt like one of those zombies from the movie "The Dawn of the Living Dead". This is an example of how society tends to keep the dead alive and kill the living. On the other hand, sometimes it takes a crises for one to wake up and smell the roses. And when you smell the roses, you can lift yourself to higher ground to get a better view of your life. Please keep in mind that there is no wrong answer to the above question. It all depends where you are in life and from where your vantage point is. What's my answer to the above? I'd rather live a life where my perceptions are filled with pristine clarity so that my mind can make clearer choices rather than be foggy and deluded which can give faulty sense impressions (and thus misconceptions) of life. To be free takes a lot of balls and a lot of responsibility. What most people lack is taking responsibility for themselves because they willingly tend to give it to anything external to them (ie. people, things, situations, etc). Your doctor may be able to save your life but they can never tell you how to live one. Links About Me Michael practices health consulting and runs his practice out of Physique in the Union Square/Greenwich Village area in NYC. His professional background started with physical therapy in 1996 with an emphasis in orthopedic manual physical therapy and evolved through the fields of fitness/wellness and nutrition as a CHEK Practitioner and into the world of energy medicine through shamanism. The reality is that there's no words to actually describe and limit what he does other than consulting others to regain health; with health being referred to as a dynamic wholeness. Michael is available for consultations in person or over the phone as well as for pain management and neuromusculoskeletal rehabilitation services utilizing manual therapy, neurosomatic needling, corrective exercise, and movement therapy. Personal Training services are also available. Fees: $200/hour at Physique, 58 E. 11th St, 4th fl, NY, NY. Got insurance? Michael may be able to provide physical therapy services as an in-network provider as well as out-of-network depending on your insurance plan. Questions? Just ask at mjocs@aol.com.

May 29, 2012 In the film, Pattinson wears just one costume: a black two button notch-lapel Signoria suit by Gucci. He also wears a Gucci fitted white cotton shirt, a slim black silk tie, a leather belt with silver buckle detail and black leather lace-up dress shoes. The film's costume designer, Denise Cronenberg, had initially approached Prada, but they weren't interested. Gucci on the other hand, who has dressed Pattinson in real life, was gung ho. "It was great because we could never have afforded those suits," Denise tells THR exclusively. "Our budget was way too small." She adds: “After I found out that Rob wore Gucci in real life, I looked at photos of him in their suits and that was the style I wanted for his character. Gucci is not something I have used before but I think it's smart to get a line that he has already worn.” She asked them for six suits plus the hero, equaling seven suits for the film that takes place over 24 hours spent in a limo. “The suits are beautiful and the fabric is incredible," she raves. The first fitted white shirts Gucci sent didn’t work. “They had a seam on both sides, something that was popular in the ‘70s. Rob didn’t like them, I didn’t, either. And I had a feeling he would end up in just a shirt by the end of the film. We didn't want to shred the suit because he needed to look together even though he’s falling apart on the inside. So they sent me other shirts, ones that he had worn before and liked." Cronenberg reveals that Pattinson kept one of the Gucci suits after the film wrapped. “Plus the belt and the Chanel watch, he kept everything,” she said. “I didn’t think he would because he has like 4,000 suits. He’s decided he may start to wear a belt now.” Chanel initially contacted Cronenberg about placing a watch on Pattinson's character. Rob, who doesn't wear a watch in real life, liked the timepiece so much that he wore it throughout the film, even though Denise had told him he could remove it in later scenes if he felt it was appropriate.

Month: November 2009 Who should bear the cost of ensuring farmers are producers receive a living wage? Consumers? Suppliers? Businesses? Presentations at Portland State University Conference on Business and Sustainability raise these questions.

Frugal feasts - Page 5 We're eating at one of the scariest- and sorriest-looking Chinese dives in one of the bluest-collarest parts of a pretty dumb-ass town: China Light Restaurant, where warehouse workers and truck mechanics break for lunch. I was pretty much zombied into this place, initially, against even my better judgment, by the irresistible allure of a dish called oil-dripped chicken. It was the most appetizing sounding of seven $4.35 lunch specials. Five, six, seven visits later, and I still haven't tasted this sure-to-be-spectacular specialty. I was permanently derailed by a sheet of plain white paper under the glass on the table casually mentioning, among other things (but don't ask me what else), duck noodle soup ($6.15). I looked up from those three simple promises with tears of hunger forming in the corners of my eyes and a drop of drool on my lip. I remember there was an old guy wearing rubber boots slowly sloshing from the kitchen, across the dining room, to the parking lot in a manner I would describe, retrospeculatively, as plumberesque. Don't fret! Get back in the car! Get back in the car! I have saved the best for last, I promise. Now, I know there is no shortage of duck noodle soup right here in the city. If anyone wanted me to, I would very, very (very, very, very) happily do another one of those detailed investigative reports on just duck soup. A lot of Thai restaurants and noodle houses have it, and it almost always floors me. In a good way. In the best possible way. I just love duck noodle soup, and right now my favorite favorite example of it is an hour away. It's Chinese, not Thai. It's like a whole half of a roasted duck, bones and skin and all, chopped up on a bed of thick noodles and bok choy in a dark, rich broth. But you can't even see any of this other stuff for the meat, and by the time you get to it, you are pretty much full and silly and slippery and just juiced. China Light's duck noodle soup makes me crazy and makes me do crazy things — like right now, in my mind, in my hollow, insatiable head, I am driving a little tiny car full of every single one of my readers, even vegans, all the way to Santa fucking Rosa. For dinner. Tonight. Right now. Close your eyes. 80 College, Santa Rosa. (707) 527-0558 L.E. Leone is a Bay Area writer and musician and the author of The Meaning of Lunch and Eat This, San Francisco. Her next collection of stories, Big Bend, is forthcoming from Sparkle Street Books. She writes the weekly Cheap Eats column in the Guardian.

Sounders look to end two-game losing streak In the quiet losing locker room at San Jose last weekend, Seattle veteran Brad Evans looked to the Sounders’ next game and applied the big label: must-win. “Each loss can feel different,” Evans said. “Sometimes a win feels like you steal it. This loss feels like we progressed from last game. Now this coming weekend becomes a must-win for us at home.” That next game arrives at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, when the Houston Dynamo visits fully opened CenturyLink Field. Yet in the days leading up to the match, most Sounders downplayed any particular pressure coming from their first back-to-back losses of the season. “It’s not a bad thing to have consecutive losses (20) games into the season,” veteran Chad Barrett said. “That’s a pretty good season right there. That’s why you open up and you do well in the beginning of the season. You have your good stretch, you have a little bit of a bad stretch (and) it doesn’t really hurt you too much. But two games is enough, and we need to right the ship.” Seattle had been sailing along with a 12-4-2 record that was not only the best in Major League Soccer this season, but one of the best in league history. Then the team paused for a friendly — a 3-3 draw with Tottenham of the English Premier League — and they haven’t added a point in the standings since. They haven’t scored a goal since. The Sounders returned to league play with a 3-0 home loss to Los Angeles, and followed that with the 1-0 loss at San Jose. Still, Seattle coach Sigi Schmid uses the “must-win” label only when it fits literally, such as his team’s Wednesday match against Chicago in the single- elimination U.S. Open Cup. “At this stage,” he said, “what’s a must is just to play well — continue to play well and continue to play better, better than we have over the past two games.” Unfortunately for the Sounders, they once again seem to be facing a team on the upswing. Seattle faced Los Angeles when the Galaxy had lost only one of its previous nine matches, and played San Jose on the heels of its 5-1 rout of Chicago. Now the Dynamo arrives immediately after snapping an eight-game winless streak last weekend with a 1-0 win over D.C. United. Houston also has strengthened its roster with the additions of U.S. national team defender DaMarcus Beasley and Honduran midfielder Luis Garrido. “You can’t take them for granted,” Barrett said. “They had a good win last week against D.C., and they could be changing their season. And of course we want to be getting out of the slump that we’re in, and we need to do that with a win at home.” The Sounders also may come into this game with renewed roster options as midfielder Lamar Neagle and defenders Chad Marshall, Djimi Traore and Leo Gonzalez all trained this week and seem restored to health. There is less certainty about the status of right back DeAndre Yedlin, who traveled overseas late in the week as a deal was being negotiated for his transfer to Tottenham. Yedlin was expected back in Seattle by Sunday, but there were no guarantees he would be ready to play. However, Seattle’s other three All-Stars — Clint Dempsey, Obafemi Martins and Osvaldo Alonso — all are expected to be ready after playing 45 minutes against Bayern Munich on Wednesday. “It’s going to be a good game,” Alonso said. “But we are at home. We have to play good soccer and give to the fans the three points.”

More Transparent Microfinance Institutes Suggested – Bangladesh Speakers at a dialogue on microfinance Tuesday suggested greater transparency in terms of charges, terms and conditions in Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) to help the benefits of credit penetrate target groups. More transparent microfinance institutes suggested UNB Connect, July 26 2011Speakers at a dialogue on microfinance Tuesday suggested greater transparency in terms of charges, terms and conditions in Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) to help the benefits of credit penetrate target groups.They said the MFIs can introduce low cost systems to reduce the likelihood of client abuse and improve social performance.Leading think-tank Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD) arranged the dialogue titled ‘Microfinance for Poverty Alleviation: What’s Right and What’s Wrong’ at the CIRDAP auditorium.Bangladesh Bank governor Dr Atiur Rahman attended the dialogue as chief guest while Palli Karma Shahayak Foundation (PKSF) chairman Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman and CPD executive director Prof Mustafizur Rahman took part in discussion, which was chaired by CPD Trustee Board member Khushi Kabir. Prof David Hulme, Head of the Institute for Development Policy and Management (IDPM), University of Manchester, UK and Thankom Arun made a presentation titled ‘What’s Wrong and Right with Microfinance: Missing an Angle on Responsible Finance’ during the dialogue. Speaking as chief guest, central bank governor Dr Atiur Rahman said the relatively higher interest rates and charges/fees remain a persistent, biting criticism of microfinance, albeit more from populist political authorities rather than from actual borrowers. He said regulators and government authorities can however encourage and support MFIs in minimizing supervision costs, to the extent possible adopting remote loan delivery and recovery mechanisms in partnership with mobile phone companies and IT platforms offering card-based financial service delivery. The governor informed that total disbursement by the large MFIs (Grameen Bank, BRAC, ASA, TMSS, and BURO Tangail) in fiscal 2010 was Tk 252.94 billion, with recovery standing at Tk 229.68 billion. The total outstanding loans stood at Tk 150.05 billion (US$ 2.1 billion) to more than 20 million poor borrowers whereas the overdue as percentage of outstanding improved to 3.73 percent in fiscal 2010 from 3.79 percent in fiscal 2009, he said. Poverty (upper poverty line, 2122 kcal food intake) in Bangladesh declined from 57 percent to 49 percent of population during the 1990s and twice as fast in the next 5 years to 40 percent in 2005. He also said the present government has published the “Microcredit Regulatory Authority Guidelines, 2010” as the gazette to augment the pace of regulation and supervision of the MFIs. There are also some recent moves by Microcredit Regulatory Authority, including rationalization of lending interest rates and interest charging practices of microfinance institutions, limiting the lending rate to an upper limit of 27 percent per annum, at median level of the wide range of declared lending rates of these institutions, and which is a declining rate as well. On the observations of the paper he said the impact of microcredit is substantial in Bangladesh in offering greater choice of financial services to the poor and reducing poverty. “Microfinance institutions in Bangladesh have a tool that Indian MFIs are not allowed. Bangladeshi MFIs hold ‘compulsory savings’ from clients and if a client gets into difficulties with repayments these savings provide a buffer to manage a potential default,” Atiur said. He also said the MFIs should examine the ways of assessing field staff performance and should try to reform them quickly with the aim of ensuring higher quality relationship between field staff and borrowers. Prof David Hulme identified some wrongs in his paper, that included critics of microfinance often arguing that microcredit hardly reaches the ‘poorest of the poor’ and generally reaches a combination of poor and non-poor people. Loans are used for diversified purposes such as microenterprise, education and health expenses, repaying debt, on-lending, wedding celebrations and even dowry, he said. He noted the rate of interest on microcredit is claimed to be too high by many critics. However, the cost includes the cost of borrowing from banks, travel expenses of field staffs, and debt write-offs which call for interest rates higher than the lending rates in the banking system. The ‘rights’ identified in the paper are, microcredit offers increased choice to the near-poor and poor population segment of the society in accessing basic financial services like loans, savings and insurance, adds to the vibrancy of local economic life by facilitating production, exchange and consumption, and improves access to microsaving services. David said microcredit contributes to enhance social benefits with greater emphasis on female borrowers leading to active participation of women in the economic activities and decision making process. He made a number of recommendations. The recommendations are: Regulators should be cautious about setting interest rate ceilings on microcredit, since setting the lending rate too low without considering high administrative costs associated with microfinance would reduce the range of financial services offered to the poor people. Microfinance, the lending of small sums for income generating self-employment pursuits to people of small means with little or nothing to offer as collateral, has over the years grown globally into a major financial tool for combating poverty. Bangladesh, with her leading role in the launching of this poverty combating instrument, established Microcredit Regulatory Authority (MRA) in 2006 with a view to licensing and supervising the microfinance institutions within a regulatory framework.

We live in different states now, but I’d have to say that emotionally I am his main caregiver. How old were you when you began care? 56 5. Were you caring for anyone else at that time (e.g., children, parents, etc.)? I was in the process of finalizing a divorce and also raising my other two children, Annie (freshman in college) and Bo (junior in college). 6. Were you employed at the time of your survivor’s brain injury? Yes – at Barnes & Noble in Charlotte, North Carolina If so, were you able to continue working? No. Mid-October, I was scheduled to step into new position – Community Relations Manager at Barnes & Noble in Huntersville, North Carolina. The manager held my position until I was able to return. 7. Did you have any help? Yes If so, what kind and for how long? When Casey returned home, he went to outpatient care in Charlotte, North Carolina. At that time, his dad’s insurance paid for a driver to take and pick him up from rehab so I could return to work. Casey remained in rehab until April 2003. 8. When did your support of the survivor begin (e.g., immediately – in the hospital; when the survivor returned home; etc.)? For the first eleven days after my son’s accident, I slept on the floor in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) at the Medical University of South Carolina, and then I moved to Marriott Courtyard for the remaining days of his six-week stay. “A Mother’s Dance’ by Pattie Welek Hall 9Was your survivor in a coma? Yes. Twice. If so, what did you do during that time? I prayed out loud to him; I talked to him; I relayed how his day unfolded (Guess who visited; I recounted what they said) . . . and I told him stories.

For some time now a problem haunts this game and its players, us. And we can no longer close our eyes, while a minority of brave players suffers constant oppression and nerf. They promised to fix the glaring imbalances which cause this great suffering, but until now, nothing has been done! They give with the one hand, and they take with other! It is time to raise up and tell them: We want balance! So, what is the problem? Countless rotten things have been thrown back and fourth in the past. The dead horses have allready risen and are used as undead mounts in wow. What is it, that makes amarr players stop playing to come here and flame the living crap out of ccp? I did question myself this. Because i play amarr since Beta. I should know, eh? I came up with the following: The cap bonus is okay, as long as the Damage of lasers is higher then every other races weapons, compared to operating range. And it is, on paper. But we dont shoot at paper bags floating around, do we? No, we shoot at eachother, flying the ships of our choice. This choice dictates what tactic to use, what weapons to mount and what things to avoid. The thing is: Every ship, from shuttle to titan has 60% base resistance to lasers main damage on its armor, and 60% base explosive resistance on its shield. But while there is no weapon group that is stuck with only explosive, and since only few ships actually shield tank, explosive users are okay. EM users are screwed when facing armor tanks. And most ships in pvp tank armor. There is no racial identity to tanking, everyone is immune to lasers without even trying. I came to the conclusion that this is the core of the problem. 60% is too high as a base resistance. It leads to countless flamefests and wasted development time to find a solution in lasers or ship bonus, while the fact remains that its just unfair to amarr players to have every ship in the game getting 60% resist to them, while the three other races either shoot better damage types or are able to switch damagetypes around. I forged a representation of the current state. The rotten core: little racial identities and anti amarr bias, leading to bad gameply experience. No one fears lasers, while everyone goes down to projectils fast: And this is only armor! Lets look at shields. No racial identities, everyone tanks autocannons: This results in the following damage reductions to weapontypes, based on typical damage spreads against the resists of T1 armor and shield. Lasers have a inbuild nerf when shooting armor tanks, while autocannons must avoid using t2 ammo on shilds.If you do more math, it just gets worse, factoring in time to kill something omni-hardened with EM damage etc. ------------------------ What can we do to fix lasers and thus amarr, and to give tanking a racial flavor which doesnt lead to beeing auto-hardened against amarr? I played around with numbers and formulars. In the end i found out that lowering the base resistances of armor and shield was the key. By removing the 60% madness and adding stronger racial flavors to both armor and shields, we get pretty decent results (changes in red). Note that even Tech 1 gives racial flavor now! Even Shield looks much better now to projectil-lovers: And finally, the result: Omg! It worked out! By moving tanking strength from base resistances to racials resists, we achive a much smoother damage spread, while keeping armor pretty tough to beat for lasers, and shields remain strong against projectils, but not "forced to switch ammo"-strong. And... it makes sense Posted - 2007.11.08 00:42:00 - [11] Your calculations have one error: Hybrids do more Kin than Therm dmg.For instance: Antimatter S does 11 Kin and 7 Therm and is way more common than the T2 charges, at least in its faction form. Posted - 2007.11.08 00:51:00 - [12]Edited by: Incantare on 08/11/2007 00:55:43Though I agree with your intention of improving EM as a damage type I find myself disagreeing in the details. Specifically the Caldari T2 shield resist entry: 0/80/70/60 becoming 0/85/70/40. 5% extra thermal resistance isn't worth losing 20% explosive over, even if in term of percentual increases they may be the same in terms of average damage taken this is an unecessary nerf. Posted - 2007.11.08 00:52:00 - [13] I've allways wondered why this topic gets hounded over so often yet Gallante do only kinnetic and thermal dmg with there guns but recieve very little attention. Sure you have a tough time against armor but you tear through shields like butter. While Gallente have it a middle of the road for both (usually). What you really need to look at is the total amout of dmg it takes to take a ship from 100% in shield, armor and hull to 0% in each. And the amount of time it takes to do that dmg. Only then will you have balance. After all none of our ships blow up after loosing all our sheilds or all our armor. Heck even a ship at 100% shields and armor and 1% structure is still pretty viable. You have to get through all 3. Then and only then will you be able to balance the dmg and the resists. Posted - 2007.11.08 00:54:00 - [14]Edited by: Goumindong on 08/11/2007 00:54:49If you are going to move around resistances, then you should make the tech 1 resistance bonuses a percentage increase. Because flat increases benefit races that have high resistances against their racial enemies on their primary tanking type. Such, Minmitar get a better deal for their tech 1 ships than Amarr do, becase +20 ex resistance bonus is 25% to the primary tanking form. But 20 EM is 33% resistance bonus. I agree that 60% base EM resists on Armor is too high. I think you idea is interesting but its making too many changes at once. Removing 20% EM resists from armor will even out lasers a bit more since this really matters most for pvp anyways. Originally by:Sharanta KarellI've allways wondered why this topic gets hounded over so often yet Gallante do only kinnetic and thermal dmg with there guns but recieve very little attention. Sure you have a tough time against armor but you tear through shields like butter. While Gallente have it a middle of the road for both (usually). What you really need to look at is the total amout of dmg it takes to take a ship from 100% in shield, armor and hull to 0% in each. And the amount of time it takes to do that dmg. Only then will you have balance. After all none of our ships blow up after loosing all our sheilds or all our armor. Heck even a ship at 100% shields and armor and 1% structure is still pretty viable. You have to get through all 3. Then and only then will you be able to balance the dmg and the resists. "middle of the road for both" is actually "good against both" because the difference between -50% damage and -25% damage is a 50% increase in damage done. So, before resistance differences Gallente do about 50% more damage than Amarr against armor and Amarr does 20% more against shield. Posted - 2007.11.08 02:14:00 - [17]Edited by: Rooker on 08/11/2007 02:16:54Let's just lop some EM off armor resists and give it to shields and lop some explo resists off shields and apply it to armor. Nevermind all that racial stuff. Bad enough my T2 Gallente ships have resists optimized against a race rarely used in PvP and leave a huge, gaping hole against the one race of ships that can stay out of my range. And while we're at it, reverse the boneheaded EANM nerf of a few months ago, since that did absolutely nothing to fix this problem, made another problem worse and broke a number of ship set-ups without anything being accomplished. Originally by:PCX339There is a lot of information there. One thing I've always wondered is why minmatar shield tanks are basically the only tanks with no hole in the base resists. That's like having an extra hardener slot... what's up with that? They are also the t2 armor tanks that have two resistance holes, kinetic and explosive. Kinda balances out. Originally by:GoumindongIf you are going to move around resistances, then you should make the tech 1 resistance bonuses a percentage increase. Because flat increases benefit races that have high resistances against their racial enemies on their primary tanking type. this.no reason to repeat the mistake ccp made when they first added those flat 10% racial resistances. re: the stats from the opi agree with the general idea of moving em/expl a bit closer to the other values to make it less extreme but i think your changes are too strong. also: your values after you have added those new dual racial bonuses seem too good in most cases with only one or even no hole at all to plug. from a first glance everyone but minmatar armor tankers would have a very easy time tanking with those changes. "Blasters do more kin then therm you noob!"-> Yes, but all blaster ships have large dronebays full of thermal drones. Thus, therm is higher then kin. "Percentage increases are better then flat bonus on tech 1!"> Yes they are more fair. But it doesnt add up to 140% (armor) or 120% (shield). My goal was to keep these values untouched, so every tech 1 ship has the same overall number of resists. As long as the values arent extreme (like 60-70%), it doenst screw amarr/minmatar as much as it is currently. "You nerfed blasters"->welcome to balance. :) No really, wasnt my intention, but as soon as you start moving numbers around, hybrids loose out, This is due to the fact that under the current numbers, hybrids win big time. Cant get better. Posted - 2007.11.08 09:04:00 - [22] This is an interesting idea, and I like it. I also tried to follow you through the math you used, and I see what premises you were trying to uphold. However, I must agree on the previosuly raised point about using flat bonuses and then applying percentages to them. That is a mathematical trap that must be avoided at all costs, even if the resistance sums come out slightly different in the end. It requires careful balancing, else the following happens: "Blasters do more kin then therm you noob!"-> Yes, but all blaster ships have large dronebays full of thermal drones. Thus, therm is higher then kin. "Percentage increases are better then flat bonus on tech 1!"> Yes they are more fair. But it doesnt add up to 140% (armor) or 120% (shield). My goal was to keep these values untouched, so every tech 1 ship has the same overall number of resists. As long as the values arent extreme (like 60-70%), it doenst screw amarr/minmatar as much as it is currently. "You nerfed blasters"->welcome to balance. :) No really, wasnt my intention, but as soon as you start moving numbers around, hybrids loose out, This is due to the fact that under the current numbers, hybrids win big time. Cant get better. Well ofc, they have the worst range in the game, please come back when you have aquired a brain and can think beyond your own selfish views of whaaagh my pussie hurts I'm Amarr and not good at pvp. Posted - 2007.11.08 11:11:00 - [26] @Meevii or whatever he is called:Didnt you see the "No trolls allowed" at the entrance to this forum? I feel personaly insulted by your reply and will not tolerate this kind of behavior in my topic. If you post such low stuff again, ill have your posting rights revoked. Please stick to constructive arguments here. Thank you. To all:Im gratefull of your replys and think that my idea might be a bit over the top. But we all know, ccp likes over the top solutions :) Of course we could just swap 20em from armor to shield, but the number would flip, armor would be at 120% and shield at 140%. This leads to a big fat shield tanking nerf, because shield modules are superior if focused on, eg no ew. Posted - 2007.11.08 11:56:00 - [27] No offense but what you've done is make omni tanks more viable for armour tankers, whilst making specific hardening a requirement for shield tankers. But to be honest I wouldn't mind your suggestion if shield tankers got an extra 20% to EM.Thus bringing shield Tech 1 resistance totals to equal armours, both being at 140%.Maybe you should revise the Caldari shield resistance on T2 though.The majority of npcs in caldari pve require a kinetic/thermal tank and what you've done is boosted the pve tank.---------------What! Caldari have dps now... nooooAye, T2 HAMs FTW!!!!! Originally by:Perry@Meevii or whatever he is called:Didnt you see the "No trolls allowed" at the entrance to this forum? I feel personaly insulted by your reply and will not tolerate this kind of behavior in my topic. If you post such low stuff again, ill have your posting rights revoked. Please stick to constructive arguments here. Thank you. Were you the kid at school that used to tell on everyone? You gonna log to your over ego'd moderator alt then? Is it so hard to see how MEEPIE is spelt, meevii, lols you should have gone to specsavers. Originally by:Perry@Meevii or whatever he is called:Didnt you see the "No trolls allowed" at the entrance to this forum? I feel personaly insulted by your reply and will not tolerate this kind of behavior in my topic. If you post such low stuff again, ill have your posting rights revoked. Please stick to constructive arguments here. Thank you. Were you the kid at school that used to tell on everyone? You gonna log to your over ego'd moderator alt then? Is it so hard to see how MEEPIE is spelt, meevii, lols you should have gone to specsavers. Your thread fails, you have a dream of equal resistance yet your solution doesn't give equal resistances and each weapon system faces a different combined resistance to shoot at for base t1 shield or armour... With funnily enough Amarr having the least combined resistances to fire at and Gallente / Minmatar the most... Your balance fails on numbers, it's a good job you aren't a dev too because you haven't taken any wide scoped game balance into consideration like base ranges of the weapon systems and the rammifications in actual average combat. CCP showed the Amarr whiners about nos, neuts and missile weapons in the tournament that your ships are fine, and if you want to whine about laser damage, how about watching any Cown movie showing that Amarr pvp is fine. The way some of you guys whine so much about lasers you could lead us to believe they reflect back off our armour and hit you. You must not be very intelligent. The tournament represents a form of PVP you will never see in EVE. COPYRIGHT NOTICEEVE Online, the EVE logo, EVE and all associated logos and designs are the intellectual property of CCP hf. All artwork, screenshots, characters, vehicles, storylines, world facts or other recognizable features of the intellectual property relating to these trademarks are likewise the intellectual property of CCP hf. EVE Online and the EVE logo are the registered trademarks of CCP hf. All rights are reserved worldwide. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. CCP hf. has granted permission to EVE-Search.com to use EVE Online and all associated logos and designs for promotional and information purposes on its website but does not endorse, and is not in any way affiliated with, EVE-Search.com. CCP is in no way responsible for the content on or functioning of this website, nor can it be liable for any damage arising from the use of this website.

Data Thieves Getting More Sophisticated Just in case you thought yesterday's big bust by the feds meant you could relax about security... ...a report says a Russian gang "is using software tools normally reserved for computer network administrators to infect thousands of PCs in corporate and government networks with programs that steal passwords and other information...the systematic use of administrative software to spread malicious software has not been widely seen until now."

Throughout the three days of February 28th, March 1st, and March 2nd, ISV delegates have demonstrated great leadership, creativity, and intelligence debating about the world's most pressing issues in their respective committees at UNISMUN ISV arranged for a performance of William Shakespeare's 'Kings and clowns' for the students. It was an interactive affair with many ISV students getting onstage to perform difficult Shakespearean works with a classically trained professional actor. Today, one of our ISV parents, Mrs Claire Driscoll, gave a personal and fascinating talk about her own school exams experience and School/College life, frankly discussing both her good decisions and bad decisions, mistakes and intentions.

Washington, DC -- The Green Scissors Campaign, a diverse coalition of taxpayer, environmental and consumer groups, today released Green Scissors 2010, a report highlighting government programs and subsidies that are wasteful to taxpayers, harmful to the environment and bad for consumers. Green Scissors 2010 targets four major areas for budget cuts: energy, agriculture and biofuels, infrastructure, and public lands. It notes several recent, substantial victories ending subsidies in the face of special interests’ undue influence in Washington. “Staring down the barrel of record budget deficits, it is well past time for lawmakers to tackle our nation’s fiscal challenges,” said Steve Ellis, vice president of Taxpayers for Common Sense. “The billions of dollars of cuts detailed in this report provide lawmakers a veritable menu of policy options that will help our country’s bottom line while also helping the environment.” "For far too long, the federal government has incentivized practices that destroy our environment,” said Friends of the Earth climate and energy tax analyst Ben Schreiber. “This is particularly true with energy. In the fight to combat global warming, we cannot continue to subsidize the harmful practices that have forced us into this dire predicament." "Powerful corporations and other special interests have too much influence in Washington,” said Tyson Slocum, director of Public Citizen’s energy program. “We need to reform a system that allows corporations to charge their pollution to taxpayers’ credit cards,” Slocum added. "With record deficits, it is outrageous that both Congress and the administration continue to waste money on programs that poison our air, foul our water and destroy pristine public lands," said Environment America Washington office director, Anna Aurilio. "It’s time to save taxpayer dollars and the environment," she concluded. Friends of the Earth launched the Green Scissors Campaign fifteen years ago to identify and eliminate environmentally harmful, wasteful federal projects. Detailed sources for the 2010 report can be provided by the primary authors: Autumn Hanna of Taxpayers for Common Sense and Ben Schreiber of Friends of the Earth.

I LOVE the Around Town Tote. I took this on a trip to the Smokies with me earlier this week and it worked perfectly. This roomy tote stored my laptop, planner, extra pens, chargers and travel brochures. It easily held everything I needed to sneak out of my hotel room and into the hotel lobby to work at night and I love the Skies for You Pebbles color. It is available in four different colors and many personalization options for $78. Personalization is extra. https://i.pinimg.com/236x/0f/72/3d/0f723d2b7629703a0a8caf4519e7065d--paparazzi-accessories-direct-sales.jpg I purchased a now discontinued bag only to have the nylon lining pull away from the zipper after only a few months. I later purchased the cross body bag to have the lining rip out in the same place in even less time. I did get the bag replaced to have the nylon lining rip out once again after less than 2 months. Obviously, the nylon lining is extremely cheap and continuing to replace the bag is not going to solve the issue. https://i.pinimg.com/originals/d0/56/c6/d056c6a818dc3442c5e770e6ba29a058.jpg If you’ve ever looked at a disorganized linen closet or cluttered countertop with a sigh, Thirty One Gifts is the answer to your prayers. Toss the boring plastic tubs aside and upgrade with some seriously stylish underbed bins, fabric catch-alls and market bags that will have your checkout lane neighbors peeking over in envy. The company’s unique embroidery personalization option allows you to label your new bins with the contents - “Guest Bed Sheets,” for example - to quickly snag what you need from even the most packed closets. https://i.pinimg.com/originals/28/83/e7/2883e796b899cb32064194ada7c13021.jpg What sets the 31 Gifts product line apart from other brands in the market is the fact that they really have the consumer in mind during the design process of their bags. The company also provides some of the greatest looking customized handbags in the industry. Aside from stylish Thirty One Purses, Thirty One Gifts also offer a collection of personalized bags for kids and even for men. I actually use this tote as a diaper bag, I have two children in diapers and it really works great for that. Aside from the way I use it, I think it's an over all great bag. A few issues: the elastic pockets on the sides seem to have lost their tension already, I don't put anything large or heavy in them to cause this, also the pocket in the back.. Wish it was larger, I don't really see the point of the zipper in the bottom of the pocket. 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You can delete all cookies that are already on your computer and you can set most browsers to prevent them from being placed. If you do this, however, you may have to manually adjust some preferences every time you visit a site and some services and functionalities may not work. I can't remember what this bag is called but it has 3 totes that fit into a larger carrying tote. The 3 totes have handles. The larger tote has a handle and a strap. I have used this for travel and for groceries. The black and white totes has a small stain as seen in picture. The small totes are 16 in across, 12 in tall, 8in wide. Other than that it is in great shape. 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I can easily pack all my clothes, including my fashion boots, and other necessary items for an entire week in this tote paired with the see-through lid so I can easily see what is stored inside. The Deluxe Utility Tote is larger and has outside pockets. The Large Utility Tote sells for $35 and the Deluxe sell for $50. Several pattern options are available. You can purchase Top-a-Tote see-through lid to complement your tote for $10. Monogrammed personalization of the tote is extra. https://i.pinimg.com/originals/58/06/02/5806022f1f7cad668b1918e992d26618.jpg Thirty One Bundle. Grey polka dot crossbody. This one does not have a zipper. 2 uptown mini pouches. One is missing a zipper pull. The large bag (don't know the name) has a pocket outside and zipper on top. 1 new perfect bottle thermal. I have several listings and will combine shipping if you contact me before paying. 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In this case, the Customer Care team will remove your account from auto-renewal to ensure you are not charged for an additional year and you can continue to use the subscription until the end of your subscription term. https://i.pinimg.com/236x/5d/8e/73/5d8e73adcfd0af4e3fcfb526a0afad71.jpg?b I purchased a lunch thermal tote (playful parade pattern) and a zip-top organzing utility tote. I use the utility tote for carrying files and my laptop when I work in schools, but I use my lunch bag all the time! I get lots of compliments on it - instead of having my initials which is trendy right now, I got my name embroidered on it in Hot Pink. It's perfect for me... professional but fun. At first I thought it was too big, but now I love the size. I can carry lunch, dinner, and snacks in it and everything stays pretty cold because it's thermal. Just Awesome! https://i.pinimg.com/236x/c4/9d/63/c49d63c6db17aaa924387880dbb336cf.jpg I don't think I could live without all my thirty-one bags! 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With several different prints available for each item, even your base selection will reflect your style preferences! From there, embroidered personalization adds initials, names or phrases, allowing you to pick even more options - thread color, font, symbols and more - to truly personalize your product. Thirty One Gifts’ collegiate line makes a wonderful gift or special self-indulgence for college sports fans, and even Fido can get in on the fun with beautiful leashes that match popular Thirty One Gifts patterns. https://i.pinimg.com/236x/6f/97/7b/6f977b9bf874e8450beb86ce576dc975--thirty-one-spring-summer.jpg I love the flexibility of the Large Utility Tote. I have several large and deluxe size totes and each one serves a different purpose. I use them to store camping gear on outdoor trips, contain my portable kitchen for road trips, and as my suitcase. I can easily pack all my clothes, including my fashion boots, and other necessary items for an entire week in this tote paired with the see-through lid so I can easily see what is stored inside. The Deluxe Utility Tote is larger and has outside pockets. The Large Utility Tote sells for $35 and the Deluxe sell for $50. Several pattern options are available. You can purchase Top-a-Tote see-through lid to complement your tote for $10. Monogrammed personalization of the tote is extra. https://i.pinimg.com/280x280_RS/22/bc/2e/22bc2ecead13a46f8d06a58ab45ae267.jpg I purchased 6 of the around town totes because I adored this particular bag. I used each one gently and when not I use I stored them in my closet I noticed the other day that every single strap piping has literally disintegrated! I cannot use these bags and because it has been some time since I've purchased them I am literally out $100's of dollars. bikinis high waisted swimwear balconette bikini two piece swimsuits white bikini red bikini swimsuit high cut bikinis yellow bikini tankini swimsuits plus size bikini blue bikini high cut swimsuit red bikini high cut bikini crochet bikinis trim bikini green bikini padded bikini orange bikini pink bikini cute bikini american flag bikini wrap bikini sexy bikini polka dot bikini beach bikini floral bikini velvet bikini pineapple swimsuit yellow swimsuit leopard bikini high waisted bikni brazilian bikini thong swimsuit purple bikini off the shoulder swimsuits tube bikini tie dye bikini babes bikini halter bikinis coffee bikini https://i.pinimg.com/280x280_RS/44/90/c5/4490c5e419aeba5799b4b24feb13bdc5.jpg A 2014 study of U.S. consumers found that the 28% of respondents who own of reusable bags forgot them on approximately 40% of their grocery trips and used them only about 15 times each before being discarded. About half of this group typically chose to use plastic bags over reusable ones, despite owning reusable bags and recognizing their benefits.[2] An increasing number of jurisdictions have mandated the phase-out of lightweight plastic bags to reduce land and ocean pollution. In order to provide an incentive for consumers to remember reusable bags more often these laws establish a minimum price for bags at checkout and require either paper, reusable fabric tote bags, or thick reusable plastic bags. https://i.pinimg.com/originals/6d/90/75/6d90751afabe190421a9ba53830fa2f2.jpg Thirty-One’s new Catalog is full of collections, products and prints perfect for fall! Flip through the pages for gift ideas, fall fashion must-haves and new collections like the Get Creative line of crafting bags and accessories. Get excited for all-new photo personalization in Photo by Thirty-One and fresh prints in Global Inspired. What will you be loving this fall? Shop the new Catalog starting August 1! https://i.pinimg.com/236x/8b/25/93/8b259310b73bb580c3843ea9a3e968c1--my-thirty-one-thirty-one-gifts.jpg About Town Blanket All-In-One Organizer busy mom chattanooga Christmas Cinch It Up Thermal expand-a-tote day extender Fold-and-Go Organizer Gifts gift wrap guatemala Hang Up Home Organizer holidays jenny hillenburg Large Utility Tote Leadership Littles Carry All Caddy lunch tote Mini On-The-Go Organizer Mini Utility Bin mission trip news feature New Years New Years Eve organization organizing Utility tote party ideas photos press release sisters Square Utility Tote Storage Tote story summer Tall Utility Bin Thermal Tote Thirty-One Thirty One Gifts thirty one party times free press waiting list website wrapping Wristlet Strap Zip-up Pencil Pouch https://i.pinimg.com/236x/f3/76/42/f37642aaacb8bc5a3200c6a57317a528.jpg If you’ve ever looked at a disorganized linen closet or cluttered countertop with a sigh, Thirty One Gifts is the answer to your prayers. Toss the boring plastic tubs aside and upgrade with some seriously stylish underbed bins, fabric catch-alls and market bags that will have your checkout lane neighbors peeking over in envy. The company’s unique embroidery personalization option allows you to label your new bins with the contents - “Guest Bed Sheets,” for example - to quickly snag what you need from even the most packed closets. https://i.pinimg.com/236x/36/55/31/36553114cad103bc07452d9617003412.jpg I actually use this tote as a diaper bag, I have two children in diapers and it really works great for that. Aside from the way I use it, I think it's an over all great bag. A few issues: the elastic pockets on the sides seem to have lost their tension already, I don't put anything large or heavy in them to cause this, also the pocket in the back.. Wish it was larger, I don't really see the point of the zipper in the bottom of the pocket. The only other issue I have is the straps, wish they had some sort of padding on them, they tend to be a little hard on your hands if you're carrying anything heavy. https://i.pinimg.com/originals/85/aa/27/85aa2743e0c0affe9236be288ae32914.jpg "We’ve found [Girl Talk's] peer-to-peer mentorship model to be unique among nonprofit organizations serving girls, and a proven model to build confidence, develop leadership skills and learn the value of service to others. Beyond an annual monetary contribution, our corporate leadership team is committed to advancing the Girl Talk mission, through collaboration, resource sharing and professional expertise. We are most proud of our independent sales consultants who have driven unprecedented Chapter growth in their local communities across the U.S. and Canada." Classic, spacious, and sophisticated, Cindy Thirty One totes are the company’s own version of the “Never Full” bag. The Cindy tote features two exterior pockets on each side of the bag, three interior flat pockets, and one interior zippered pocket. Have your Cindy Tote personalized by having your name printed on one side or just choose a printed design for a more fun and stylish look. One of the best things about Thirty One Purses is that you don’t have to go to a crowded mall or retail store to buy them. Just attend a Thirty One Gifts home party, contact a consultant, or shop for them online and they will be delivered straight to your doorstep. If you want to avail of large discounts on favorite Thirty One purses, you can book a party with a Thirty One Gifts consultant. By hosting a party, you can have lots of fun while being given the rare opportunity of purchasing Thirty One purses for much less their retail prices. https://i.pinimg.com/345x/81/b5/fc/81b5fc229d5a781f5a4878d0ef2889ab.jpg I actually use this tote as a diaper bag, I have two children in diapers and it really works great for that. Aside from the way I use it, I think it's an over all great bag. A few issues: the elastic pockets on the sides seem to have lost their tension already, I don't put anything large or heavy in them to cause this, also the pocket in the back.. Wish it was larger, I don't really see the point of the zipper in the bottom of the pocket. The only other issue I have is the straps, wish they had some sort of padding on them, they tend to be a little hard on your hands if you're carrying anything heavy. Thirty One Organizing Pack, Hostess Exclusive, Retired, white & gray & trimmed in plum color 15” long 12” width 5” depth With padded shoulder strap removable insert with dividers that Velcro‘s into place clip for keys very versatile, many zippered pockets opens from the top and from the front separate pocket for a laptop Comes with insulated thermos cup or bottle holder with a cinch top https://i.pinimg.com/345x/5e/7d/02/5e7d027d30f361ee0a705897b529946e.jpg bikinis high waisted swimwear balconette bikini two piece swimsuits white bikini red bikini swimsuit high cut bikinis yellow bikini tankini swimsuits plus size bikini blue bikini high cut swimsuit red bikini high cut bikini crochet bikinis trim bikini green bikini padded bikini orange bikini pink bikini cute bikini american flag bikini wrap bikini sexy bikini polka dot bikini beach bikini floral bikini velvet bikini pineapple swimsuit yellow swimsuit leopard bikini high waisted bikni brazilian bikini thong swimsuit purple bikini off the shoulder swimsuits tube bikini tie dye bikini babes bikini halter bikinis coffee bikini https://i.pinimg.com/236x/86/cf/a0/86cfa099e216ecca1b5f84b1244d4d11.jpg

XDVDMulleter Im in the process of studying up on how to make "Optimal" XBOX 1 backups with the assistance of XDVDMulleter. My question is, Is this program strictly for XBOX 1 games? And also, I noticed in XBC, It does have the XDVDFS dump option and the ability to save that layout, So can XBC act as the "XDVDMULLETER" For the 360 backups? Im quite certain I'll stumble upon some tutorials that'll be sure to inform the noobie as i am, However some simple "Yes" Or "No" replys would surely be a start. I LOVE THEM TUTORIALS! (Im using XDVDMulleter Beta 9, And XBC v2.5.) Happy Holidays. I forgot to mention that MOOGUI in conjunction with xdvdfs is obviously the only way to go when it comes to XBOX 1 backups. And moogui is an absaolout blessing, I have great love for the hardworking people who were involved in its creation. THANKS MOOGUI!

More Reviews “The Cloverfield Paradox” will never be remembered as anything but the movie Netflix bought off Paramount Pictures and abruptly released immediately following Super Bowl LII; the derivative “Cloverfield” prequel feasted upon by grumpy critics given no advance access or notice but a thirty-second spot and a hastily composed press release during the big game. Indeed, the list of titles the film borrows from is too long to catalog here, its familiar sci-fi horror bent set to invade living rooms like a houseguest so comfortable they’ve taken to rearranging furniture. Except, when in this dimension or any other has grown-up sci-fi melded with lightspeed pacing and honest-to-God laughs? It’s not always a natural fit, but the frequently precise silliness of “The Cloverfield Paradox” – not to mention its killer cast – deserves a permanent spot on many a Netflix subscriber’s List. Gugu Mbatha-Raw (“Concussion”) stars as Ava Hamilton, one of seven crew members aboard the Cloverfield space station. She, Schmidt (Daniel Brühl), Kiel (David Oyelowo), Monk (John Ortiz), Mundy (Chris O’Dowd), Tam (Zhang Ziyi), and Volkov (Aksel Hennie) have been tasked with testing a dangerous particle accelerator in hopes of curbing a global energy crisis. At long last they create a stable beam, but their burgeoning personal baggage (Ava’s marriage is on the rocks after the loss of their children to a house fire) dovetails with a startling, Rod Serling-esque revelation: Earth has vanished. From here, an admittedly familiar space movie grows increasingly kooky, upshifting into the kind of mystery box-isms to be expected from a J.J. Abrams-produced series. But unlike the ultimately fruitless twists of “10 Cloverfield Lane,” “Paradox” has a delirious mind of its own. Like Mundy’s curiously independent severed arm. Director Julius Onah and writers Oren Uziel and Doug Jung make no bones about their film leading directly into the events of Matt Reeves’ original film. As the Cloverfield crew accidentally finds itself trapped in a warped new dimension, Ava’s husband Michael (Roger Davies) skitters about back home, on the run from the mysterious monsters that first invaded multiplexes almost exactly ten years ago. It’s a fun nod to the series’ roots, building on but not over-explaining them. Nevertheless, the lion’s share of the pic’s fun occurs in space. By the time Brühl’s Schmidt loudly bemoans the perils of “quantum entanglement,” Onah and his writers have drawn their line in the sand; theirs is not a serious movie. It possesses no unearned air of self-importance like last year’s dreadful “Life,” no penchant for the coy narrative leaps of “10 Cloverfiend Lane” – only a taste for audiovisual bombast (Bear McCreary’s score is most memorable) and a wicked sense of humor. Its only aim is to make us jump, make us laugh, and send us off with a thrilling final shot that’s everything a “Cloverfield” fan could want from a prequel – screen size notwithstanding.

As Trump Rolls On, Fixing Tax Loopholes Is a Clear Priority Last night, in his victory speech after another slew of Republican primary wins on Super Tuesday, Donald Trump decided to return to one of his recurring themes for American business: repatriation and tax inversions. If elected, Trump told his supporters, "Apple and all of these great companies will be making their products in the United States, not in China." Also, when it comes to preventing companies from moving overseas to dodge high domestic corporate taxes, Trump crowed, "You could make a deal on that in 10 minutes if you knew what you're doing." It's a classic populist theme. Our greatest American brands have, for years, been pushed to move overseas, to escape onerous regulation and punishing taxation. That diminishes America on the world stage, and, if you want to Make America Great Again, you have get serious about lowering taxes and limiting the incentive for companies to buy overseas rivals simply to move to tax-friendlier nations. What is different about the current debate is that it used to be framed around domestic jobs moving overseas. When a company closed a factory in Kansas City and moved it to Mexico, real Americans lost real jobs, increasing unemployment and hurting our domestic economy. Now, the debate isn't so concerned with people as much as capital. Jobs come and go, and America's entrepreneurial capitalist system has allowed for people to replace manufacturing jobs with roles at smaller businesses and given opportunities to even create businesses themselves. Even U.S. manufacturing has shown signs of recovery after hitting a low last year. It may not be politically popular to say, but jobs aren't really the problem here. Nor, with apologies to those Feeling the Bern, is the problem one of outsized corporate profits. Rather, the issue is inefficient and onerous corporate taxation, and Trump seems alone now in making that a key part of his improbable, and likely unstoppable, run for the GOP nomination. There is an estimated $2.5 trillion in profits held by U.S. companies in foreign subsidiaries. Technically, under our tax system, American corporations owe tax payments on all the money they make, no matter where. But there's a catch. Our IRS can't touch that money until a company repatriates, or brings it back to the U.S. to use. Rather than do that, companies have been reinvesting it locally instead, or using it in countries with much lower corporate tax rates than their own. That may seem like "greedy" capitalism to some, but it's actually basic economics. Capital exists for reinvestment in some way. If you could guarantee a rate of return that was higher than the tax rate you would be paying on that profit, it would be a simple matter to bring your overseas profits back home and invest in the good ol' U.S. of A. But, with a federal corporate tax rate of 20 percent, and close to 40 percent when state taxation is applied, companies actually lose their ability to effectively reinvest that capital in innovation, research, equipment and -- yes -- jobs, so they don't even bother. More importantly, though, that money represents a kind of economic stimulus that is hard to duplicate. In theory, if companies bring that money back, they could manufacture here (hence the mention of Apple, which, despite being a darling of the political left, is the country's worst offender for keeping profits offshore, to the tune of $200 billion). They would also not be looking to up and move offshore. Companies like Burger King and Medtronic have already acquired overseas companies and re-domiciled in low-tax countries. Trump often mentions the move of Pfizer, which was founded in Brooklyn but plans to be based in Ireland. Trump wants to keep these companies -- and their capital -- American through a simple tax reduction. Trump has proposed a one-time 10 percent tax on foreign profits, paid whether the companies repatriate that cash or not. After that, companies would have to pay the standard corporate-tax rate (which he plans to reduce to 15 percent) on all profits, no matter where the company is based, ending the ability to defer. To avoid these companies being taxed twice, corporations could still claim a credit for the taxes they pay overseas. As with everything any candidate says on the hustings, it isn't quite so simple. While the accounting might work, the impact on our economy is less certain. For instance, it isn't just the American tax burden that has made companies move overseas. In many cases, these are global businesses that need to operate globally, in local markets and those jobs and capital will never come back. Give Apple a one-time deferral of all the taxes it owes anywhere in the world and it's unlikely it will shutter its Chinese manufacturing operations. It simply has too much invested there, and the quality of the product is too sound to risk moving anywhere, including the U.S. Many entrepreneurs -- probably dreaming of the day when they have repatriation problems of their own -- weigh the pros and cons of manufacturing in places like China, and find it the best option, for a range a reasons that have nothing to do with the IRS. In fact, many U.S. multinational corporations don't view their operations overseas as an escape from the United States as much as an export of America's exceptional engineering and management skills to the rest of the world. It is beachhead for entrepreneurial capitalism, often in places (like Ireland, for instance) that are still shaking off the remnants and scars of their own brand of socialism. American involvement in many of these countries creates markets for American products and services. Companies would never want to change that. No U.S. citizen should want to, because that helps drive our own economic growth. But Trump is correct that there needs to be more of a focus on bringing some of these profits back home for reinvestment, and he's also right in understanding that you can't ban U.S. companies from moving offshore, only fix the perverse tax incentives that exist that drive them to make the move. It may take more than a 10-minute conversation (alacrity tops even integrity in the qualities Congress lacks most), but Trump's very high-profile support of this issue -- so important to American business -- seems a good first step.

Pages Monday, November 5, 2012 Unless you're readily taking in the Toronto music scene, you may not have heard of Modern Superstitions. Their best-known EP, All The Things We've Been Told, was heralded by a few and readily dismissed by others as promising but also forced and sometimes contrived. That was more than two years ago. I heard something different back then and I do today too. Spurred on by the vocal punch of Nyssa Rosaleen, Modern Superstitions is a band that has everything going for it. All they really needed then was a little direction to lock in their one-off offering. It seems they have more of it today, with the help of Brian Borcherdt and Ben Cook. The self-titled album isn't perfect by a long shot, but there is every reason to give it a listen. Several tracks stand out as vigorous infusions of pop, rock and punk. Their label describes it as an ambitious blending of the melodic invention of White Stripes and vigor of the Velvet Underground. As with the EP, the power behind the self-titled LP is Rosaleen. She's a singer whose voice you'll want to listen to with a particular earnest. She roars along through the best songs, giving the indie pop sound an uncharacteristic girth but never really losing her vulnerability. The rest of the band has matured as musicians too. The slightly changed lineup now includes Matthew Aldred (guitar), Benjamin Reinhartz (drums), and Patrick McCormack (bass). Originally it began as a trio, three childhood pals who wanted to create a different sound. They still do, only much tougher. Of course, this newfound toughness isn't as much an evolution as material selection. School Days, for instance, has been a staple at live performances for the better part of two years and released as part of their 7-inch reintroduction in May (along with the more tender and subdued B-side Way I Want). No matter. School Days sounds as fresh as anything else on the album. School Days is also one of their finer crafted compositions, but its energetic opener, Last Night's Dress, feels a bit more indicative of the band's direction. The track, an upbeat number about the ups and downs of heartbreaks and rebounds, delivers on the intensity when they sound their best. Easily one of the most memorable, it falls somewhere between a dreamer's desperation and the relentlessness of hope. Black Moon is underpinned by the band's frequent nods to several shades of the sixties. In this case, it opens with a driving rhythm section, occasionally broken up by dreamy doo-wop interruptions and a few psychedelic twists. While risky in its complexity, the free-spirited swagger and tempo changes makes it work as an unpredictable and addictive original. Other highlights from the 10-track LP include the smoothly spaced out Let It Melt, the weight and heaviness of String To The Song, and surprising contrast to the radio-safe indie rock and broody, bluesy sections of Hometown Radio. The mellower and melodic tracks like Bandits, Way I Want, and Bad Habit demonstrate the band's diversity but lag a bit behind their urgent angels. Sure, Rosaleen can deliver a smoky sweetness but her fiery side is more impassioned. Modern Superstitions Fires Up 4.8 On The Liquid Hip Richter Scale. Sticking with the more dynamic and driving tracks off the new self-titiled LP will likely make the Modern Superstitions much more listenable over the long term. Last Night's Dress, Black Moon, String To The Song, and Let It Melt would make a good sampler, with Last Night's Dress and Black Moon being the must-have duo. The rest will depend heavily on individual tastes. But if there is one thing I have learned about Modern Superstitions is that two tracks will very quickly lead to a few more. While not everything they do sounds incredibly original, all of it is original in the way it comes together. You'll always want more. You can find Modern Superstitions' self-titled LP on Amazon. You can also download the album on iTunes. Keep up to date with the band on Facebook. The band reboot of sorts, with a self-titled LP after three EPs in three years, is the right reintroduction for a maturing band that has straddled the fence between footnote and success for too long. Give them a listen, especially for Rosaleen's vocal strength. Unless you're readily taking in the Toronto music scene, you may not have heard of Modern Superstitions. Their best-known EP, All The Things We've Been Told, was heralded by a few and readily dismissed by others as promising but also forced and sometimes contrived. That was more than two years ago. I heard something different back then and I do today too. Spurred on by the vocal punch of Nyssa Rosaleen, Modern Superstitions is a band that has everything going for it. All they really needed then was a little direction to lock in their one-off offering. It seems they have more of it today, with the help of Brian Borcherdt and Ben Cook. The self-titled album isn't perfect by a long shot, but there is every reason to give it a listen. Several tracks stand out as vigorous infusions of pop, rock and punk. Their label describes it as an ambitious blending of the melodic invention of White Stripes and vigor of the Velvet Underground. As with the EP, the power behind the self-titled LP is Rosaleen. She's a singer whose voice you'll want to listen to with a particular earnest. She roars along through the best songs, giving the indie pop sound an uncharacteristic girth but never really losing her vulnerability. The rest of the band has matured as musicians too. The slightly changed lineup now includes Matthew Aldred (guitar), Benjamin Reinhartz (drums), and Patrick McCormack (bass). Originally it began as a trio, three childhood pals who wanted to create a different sound. They still do, only much tougher. Of course, this newfound toughness isn't as much an evolution as material selection. School Days, for instance, has been a staple at live performances for the better part of two years and released as part of their 7-inch reintroduction in May (along with the more tender and subdued B-side Way I Want). No matter. School Days sounds as fresh as anything else on the album. School Days is also one of their finer crafted compositions, but its energetic opener, Last Night's Dress, feels a bit more indicative of the band's direction. The track, an upbeat number about the ups and downs of heartbreaks and rebounds, delivers on the intensity when they sound their best. Easily one of the most memorable, it falls somewhere between a dreamer's desperation and the relentlessness of hope. Black Moon is underpinned by the band's frequent nods to several shades of the sixties. In this case, it opens with a driving rhythm section, occasionally broken up by dreamy doo-wop interruptions and a few psychedelic twists. While risky in its complexity, the free-spirited swagger and tempo changes makes it work as an unpredictable and addictive original. Other highlights from the 10-track LP include the smoothly spaced out Let It Melt, the weight and heaviness of String To The Song, and surprising contrast to the radio-safe indie rock and broody, bluesy sections of Hometown Radio. The mellower and melodic tracks like Bandits, Way I Want, and Bad Habit demonstrate the band's diversity but lag a bit behind their urgent angels. Sure, Rosaleen can deliver a smoky sweetness but her fiery side is more impassioned. Modern Superstitions Fires Up 4.8 On The Liquid Hip Richter Scale. Sticking with the more dynamic and driving tracks off the new self-titiled LP will likely make the Modern Superstitions much more listenable over the long term. Last Night's Dress, Black Moon, String To The Song, and Let It Melt would make a good sampler, with Last Night's Dress and Black Moon being the must-have duo. The rest will depend heavily on individual tastes. But if there is one thing I have learned about Modern Superstitions is that two tracks will very quickly lead to a few more. While not everything they do sounds incredibly original, all of it is original in the way it comes together. You'll always want more. You can find Modern Superstitions' self-titled LP on Amazon. You can also download the album on iTunes. Keep up to date with the band on Facebook. The band reboot of sorts, with a self-titled LP after three EPs in three years, is the right reintroduction for a maturing band that has straddled the fence between footnote and success for too long. Give them a listen, especially for Rosaleen's vocal strength.

Tag Archives: Markendeya The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra, can be found in the verses of Rig Veda and also recurs in Yajur Veda. Since, the Mantra is addressed to Tryambaka (the three-eyed one), it is also known as Tryambakam Mantra. The Mantra is also known as Rudra mantra (Rudra is the fiercest form of Lord Shiva) and Mrita-Sanjivini mantra. The Mantra was revealed by Sage Markendaya and is considered as the secret mantra that has saved the sage from Yama the Hindu God of Death. There is a legend which depicts that with the power of this Mahamritunjaya Mantra, Markendaya was protected by Lord Shiva from death. Mrikandu rishi and his wife Marudmati, the parents of sage Makendeya, were great devotees of Lord Shiva and they prayed for a son to the Lord. Lord was pleased in their worship and gave the childless parents two options to choose from. They can either have an intelligent son with short life, or a son with less intelligence but with a long life. Click to view this stunning marble statue of Shiva killing Yama The parents opted for the first choice and their wish was granted by Lord Shiva. They were blessed with a smart baby boy, Markendeya, who was fated to die at the age of 12. Markendeya grew up with great devotion to Lord Shiva and worshiped Shiva Lingam. When he reached the age of 12, the messengers of Yama came to take the young sage, but he chanted the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra with intense devotion, which made it impossible for the messengers to take his life. This made Yama furious, he came in person and sprung his noose around the sage but, accidentally the noose fell around the Shiva Lingam. This act of Yama made Lord Shiva furious and finally Yama was defeated by Shiva. Thus, Markendeya was saved from death and this mantra came to be known as Markendeya Mantra. Mahamrityunjaya Mantra is a blend of three Hindi language words i.e. “Maha” which means Great, “Mrityun” means Death and “Jaya” means Victory. Here, is the Mantra and its meaning: Translation: Om. We worship and adore you, O three-eyed one, O Shiva. You are sweet gladness, the fragrance of life, which nourishes us, restores our health, and causes us to thrive. Just as the ripe cucumber is automatically released from the creeper, may we be liberated from death, and do not withhold immortality. Significance of the Mantra: It is believed that chanting the Mahamrtiyunjaya Mantra will lead towards spiritual liberation. The Mantra is so powerful that it can relieve people who are suffering from some severe disease or having the fear of sudden death. It gives high concentration power and guarantees mental peace. How to use Mahamrityunjaya Mantra? You can use this mantra in two ways – Chanting this mantra 108 times, daily will bring happiness and prosperity to your life. 108 times is important as it is the product of 12 (Zodiac Signs) and 9 (Navagrahas). You can seek the help of a priest who will chant the mantra one hundred thousand times to relieve the person, who has arranged for the pooja, from the fear of unnatural death or serious disease.

Tidy Junk? It has been mild enough recently for a late Spring tidy ,out here at Plannit Botallack. The workshops & storerooms have been filling up with work, & it,s time to inflict a semblance of order on the chaos. Here are some photos of some of my workspaces & storerooms. Mission control(with sea view) Botallack Botany Lab. Some other worlds Storeroom Entrance. Jumble? As well as a dozen plants from the Garden of Plastic Delights, There is work from two other recent exhibitions stored in here. Sometimes, overwhelmed by Junk, the most useful thing in my workshop, seems to be an empty work bench? But it never stays empty for long, for as I start clearing up, I find something Ive been looking for, for ages, or I discover some interesting new juxtaposition of previously unrelated objects, & I start making something new.

Video: In the Studio with Deanna Bowen For almost a decade, Toronto artist Deanna Bowen has been excavating her family’s genealogy—who they were and how generations of them have experienced anti-Blackness in 20th-century Canada. “It’s been a long, long journey of unpacking Blackness in Canada, the problem being that it’s such a complex, ultimately violent story that I’m talking about,” Bowen says. “So how do you frame it properly?” To understand how her family history positions her in Canada today, Bowen’s deep historical research ranges from community and institutional archives, first-person conversations and forgotten photographs to newspaper clippings and television recordings. She uses whatever medium can best tell the stories she uncovers: shot-for-shot remakes in video and performance, documentary photography, text-based reproductions, and a theatrical production for a fall 2017 solo exhibition at Mercer Union. In this studio-visit video, Bowen shares key works that have resulted from this intensive research, including aspects of Invisible Empires—a project that reproduced and re-presented white-supremacist artifacts in a gallery setting.

Compilations Others About Olivia Ruiz She's noted French singer Didier Blanc's daughter, but Olivia Ruiz really made a name for herself with a stint on the inaugural Star Academy television show (France's version of American Idol) in 2001. That led to a record deal, and her debut, J'aime pas l'Amour, was nominated for a Victoires de la Musique award. Despite her numerous legs up in the music world, Ruiz has always proved to follow her own muse, choosing to travel a sly, strange musical route rather than aim for the top of the pop charts. She asked a handful of her favorite musicians to pen songs for her first album; it worked so well that more signed on for the follow-up -- and Ruiz began trying her hand at composing as well. Her childish voice contrasts with the knowing, orchestral and at times carnival-esque nature of her songs. Sarah Bardeen Similar Artists Olivia Ruiz She's noted French singer Didier Blanc's daughter, but Olivia Ruiz really made a name for herself with a stint on the inaugural Star Academy television show (France's version of American Idol) in 2001. That led to a record deal, and her debut, J'aime pas l'Amour, was nominated for a Victoires de la Musique award. Despite her numerous legs up in the music world, Ruiz has always proved to follow her own muse, choosing to travel a sly, strange musical route rather than aim for the top of the pop charts. She asked a handful of her favorite musicians to pen songs for her first album; it worked so well that more signed on for the follow-up -- and Ruiz began trying her hand at composing as well. Her childish voice contrasts with the knowing, orchestral and at times carnival-esque nature of her songs. About Olivia Ruiz She's noted French singer Didier Blanc's daughter, but Olivia Ruiz really made a name for herself with a stint on the inaugural Star Academy television show (France's version of American Idol) in 2001. That led to a record deal, and her debut, J'aime pas l'Amour, was nominated for a Victoires de la Musique award. Despite her numerous legs up in the music world, Ruiz has always proved to follow her own muse, choosing to travel a sly, strange musical route rather than aim for the top of the pop charts. She asked a handful of her favorite musicians to pen songs for her first album; it worked so well that more signed on for the follow-up -- and Ruiz began trying her hand at composing as well. Her childish voice contrasts with the knowing, orchestral and at times carnival-esque nature of her songs. Others About Olivia Ruiz She's noted French singer Didier Blanc's daughter, but Olivia Ruiz really made a name for herself with a stint on the inaugural Star Academy television show (France's version of American Idol) in 2001. That led to a record deal, and her debut, J'aime pas l'Amour, was nominated for a Victoires de la Musique award. Despite her numerous legs up in the music world, Ruiz has always proved to follow her own muse, choosing to travel a sly, strange musical route rather than aim for the top of the pop charts. She asked a handful of her favorite musicians to pen songs for her first album; it worked so well that more signed on for the follow-up -- and Ruiz began trying her hand at composing as well. Her childish voice contrasts with the knowing, orchestral and at times carnival-esque nature of her songs. Sarah Bardeen

'They're just wrong': A financial expert fires back at people who say you should rent a home instead of buy For many, buying a home marks the realization of the American dream. But experts are split on whether it's really a worthwhile investment anymore. According to author and blogger James Altucher, it's financial suicide. He argues that purchasing a home is actually a bad investment because it ties up the majority of your money in one place, and the market is rarely favorable to sell — not to mention the slew of expenses for maintenance and repairs. Altucher's not the only one rallying against home ownership. Grant Cardone, bestselling author, speaker, and motivator, has called buying a home "a scam." Cardone previously told Business Insider that the best investment you can make is in your freedom, and owning a house destroys that freedom by eliminating your choices and tying you to one place. Bestselling author David Bach, who is releasing an updated version of his hit book "The Automatic Millionaire" this December, calls such views 'ridiculous' and argues that homeownership is a timeless principle of building wealth that, while boring, still works. "The pundits that say homeownership doesn't work: They're just wrong," Bach told Business Insider during a Facebook LIVE. "Homeowners in this country are worth 38 times what a renter is. If you want to guarantee yourself financial insecurity, rent for the rest of your life." Bach argues that choosing to buy instead of rent sets you up for a secure — and fruitful — financial future because paying off your mortgage eliminates your monthly housing expense while enabling you to continue growing your wealth in other ways. "You have to live somewhere for the rest of your life. You're either paying a landlord who's going to build wealth, or you're paying yourself," he explains. Bach gives the example of a couple who bought an average-sized home, worth around $250,000, to raise their kids in. They worked to pay down their mortgage early and owned it outright in 18 years. Instead of moving up into a bigger home once the mortgage was paid off, they moved into another similarly sized house and paid that off while renting out their original place. By 55, the couple was earning a steady rental income and living debt-free in a home they owned. While this situation won't work out for every family, Bach's point still stands: Owning a home can help create avenues to build wealth, whether it's from profiting off a rental property or saving the money that would otherwise be put toward rent. "Ultimate financial security comes from buying the home that you live in, paying it down, and getting it debt-free," he says. Watch more from Business Insider's Facebook LIVE interview with David Bach:

Friday, December 9, 2016 A BUYING GUIDE - SUCCEED IN FINDING THE BEST KITCHEN FAUCETS By: Gigi Frost I have been involved in extensive Do-It-Yourself projects for my home. One of our largest projects was the kitchen. Of course, like everyone else, the cabinets needed to pop. My husband and I chose a silvery white paint for the surrounding cabinets and saved the drawers and cabinets under the island for an off-black, cracked pepper color. It turned out to be stunning. We had originally considered removing all the granite counters and opting for marble, but the new paint job made the counters look a little darker (which is what we were trying to go for). As our renovations progressed, I realized something quite important. It never occurred to me to study kitchen faucets. I always figured that I could go to Home Depot and choose the one that look nice.Boy, was that a mistake. The initial faucet I chose was done rather haphazardly and I chose an elongated, beautifully looped monstrosity. Once we installed it, the faucet sprayed water everywhere. And I mean everywhere. Unless we were planning on using it as a trickle system, there was no way that the faucet was meant for an ordinary sink. Even though I had found it in the "household kitchen faucet" section, it was incredibly ignorant to proceed blindly into purchasing something so crucial. That's when it occurred to me, had I done the proper research to begin with, we would not have had to waste so much time and energy figuring out the obvious.I recently published a buying guide for kitchen faucets on Amazon.com. I researched products carefully and went through, step-by-step, every single consideration a buyer must make before purchasing a kitchen sink. I also added reviews and studies of the differences and similarities in the faucets. This gives a bare-bones look at how every person should approach faucet buying, before going out to make purchases that could potentially cause an enormous issues later down the line. 1 comment: Only aspire to mention ones content can be as incredible. This clarity with your post is superb and that i may think you’re a guru for this issue. High-quality along with your concur permit me to to seize your current give to keep modified by using approaching blog post. Thanks a lot hundreds of along with you should go on the pleasurable get the job done.Bathroom Sink Faucets About Me I love to read. I am very much an advocate for all those who cannot help themselves. Children and the elderly are at the top of my list. It is our responsibility as a society to help each other and do what is right... Not what is easy. I love my family and I stick to my core beliefs. I respect that everyone comes from a different way of life and I welcome the wide assortment of opinions and thoughts that make up a person's character. Welcome to my corner of the world.

Close to Closure It may not look like it from the outside, but Bowie Memorial Hospital is struggling. Many portions of the hospital, including the assisted living facility, have been sold in recent years. The latest issues with the building were caused by recent heavy rains. "We have an 25 year old roof that needs replacing. And we don't have the funds to replace the roof, Bowie Memorial Hospital CEO Lynn Heller said. On top of that, 20 percent of the rooms in Bowie Memorial are flooded out and can't be used, a big inconvenience to the 1100 people the hospital serves each month. If the hospital closes, officials say, the negative impact would be much more far reaching than just with the patients. 150 employees would lose their jobs, with up to five hundred Bowie employees facing the ax over 18 months. Also, without the hospital, it is unclear if the city would keep it's ambulance service. Bowie may additionally end up having to switch to a volunteer fire department. "People are talking to other communities that have lost their hospitals, and they've been saying, 'don't do it!'" Heller said. According to Heller, If doors close at Bowie Memorial for the final time, it will cause a domino effect. "As far as Bowie residents go, the value of their homes is going to go down, there insurance on their homes is probably going to go up." The proposed property tax to save the hospital, 18.5 cents per $100 value, has sparked fierce debate, with some opponents referring to it as a bailout. But, one resident who was visiting her grandmother today posed an important question. "If your son is at a football game and your son gets knocked unconscious, do you want to wait 30 minutes for the ambulance to come form Decatur, or do you want to wait 5 minutes to come from across town?" It's a question officials are looking to answer come the November election. They will submit a petition to create a hospital district to the county judge by next Monday. For now, Heller says making the hospital a medical taxing district is the hospital's last chance. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File). FILE - In this March 15, 2018, file photo, President Donald Trump talks with reporters during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. Trump is questioning the impartiality of Robert Mueller's investig... The president has long been frustrated by the lengthy and intensifying probe and insists his 2016 presidential campaign did not collude with Russia to influence the election in his favor. The president has long been frustrated by the lengthy and intensifying probe and insists his 2016 presidential campaign did not collude with Russia to influence the election in his favor. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File). FILE - This Monday, June 19, 2017, file photo shows a user signing in to Facebook on an iPad, in North Andover, Mass. Facebook has a problem it just can’t kick: People keep exploiting it in ways that could sway election... News reports that Facebook let the Trump-affiliated data mining firm Cambridge Analytica abscond with data from tens of millions of users mark the third time in roughly a year the company appears to have been outfoxed in this way. News reports that Facebook let the Trump-affiliated data mining firm Cambridge Analytica abscond with data from tens of millions of users mark the third time in roughly a year the company appears to have been outfoxed in this way.

Product Description Capture the epitome of elegance with this Floral Print Maxi Dress. You are guaranteed to turn heads at your next event or social function. Made with soft and silky jersey fabric with the right amount of stretch, this gorgeous mint floral patterned maxi dress will sweep their attention. Looking to complete the outfit? Pair this dress with some gladiator sandals that are so on-trend this season. The contrast of the gorgeous mint and fun vermillion and navy floral print gives this maxi dress the perfect finishing touch. Buy yours today, and capture the attention of all who see you. You were meant to look this good: it’s time you treated yourself.

Dr Megan Ellis (NSW DPI) about to commence a grey nurse shark (Carcharias taurus) necropsy to collect data on the biology of the species photographed at the Port Stephens Fisheries Institute, New South Wales, Australia, Pacific Ocean.

EDMONTON OILERS BLOGShttp://www.edmontonoilers.com/rssEDMONTON OILERS BLOGSNHL Enterprises, L.P. (c) 2015 NHL. All Rights Reserveden-usTue, 31 Mar 2015 13:48:16 EDTBLOG: Oilers on ice in Denver for morning skatehttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=38432The Oilers are on the ice for morning skate in Denver and it doesn't appear like they will have any significant lineup changes at first glance. Forward lines look the same as last game against Dallas: Pouliot - RNH - Eberle Purcell - Roy - Yakupov Hall - Lander - Miller Gazdic - Klinkhammer - FraserMarc CiampaMon, 30 Mar 2015 13:43:00 EDThttp://3.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/01/644practiceroadrnh1.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3843238432BLOG: Saturday practice updateshttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=38375Five players are absent at Oilers practice. No Boyd Gordon (back), Matt Hendricks (back) Andrew Ference (concussion), Mark Fayne (shoulder) or Nikita Nikitin on the ice at Rexall Place.Chris WescottSat, 28 Mar 2015 16:22:00 EDThttp://1.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/01/64practicehome2.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3837538375BLOG: Injury updateshttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=38381Nikita Nikitin was a new absentee for Oilers practice on Saturday. He took a shot off the foot last night in a 4-0 win over Dallas. “He’s day to day. He’s making the trip with us, we’ll see how he is tomorrow and we’ll make decision then,” Oilers Interim Coach Todd Nelson said. “He took a shot off the foot, it’s a bone bruise so we’ll have to see how it reacts. Today was a day he really didn’t need to go out there and skate. So we’ll see how he is tomorrow and make that decision then.” Andrew Ference (concussion) and Mark Fayne (shoulder) were also absent from practice and will not travel on the upcoming road trip. Three other injured Oilers players will travel. “We’re going to take (Matt) Hendricks and (Boyd) Gordon and (Tyler) Pitlick as well so (Head Athletic Therapist T.D. Forss) can monitor them as we go,” Nelson said. “I’m not sure if they’re going to be available for the game in Colorado. We’ll take it day by day. One of the guys should be able to come back for the games in California so we’ll see what happens.”Chris WescottSat, 28 Mar 2015 16:21:00 EDThttp://3.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2014/10/20141031_niktinpractice.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3838138381BLOG: Klinkhammer’s night at centrehttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=38380He was thrown into the fire, with Boyd Gordon out of the lineup with a back injury. Rob Klinkhammer slid over from the wing to centre last night against the Dallas Stars. “It was tough,” said Klinkhammer. “It’s a lot different from what I’m used to, obviously. I’ve got to be a little more patient low and in the middle. You can’t run around as much. It’s tough to get hits like that where I’m just used to going up and down my wall, crashing and banging. I don’t think I’m going to be a regular centreman in the NHL, but it’s nice to fill in while those guys are out.” Anytime you switch positions it can be a tough transition. “He was good. He’s a great player,” Klinkhammer’s linemate Matt Fraser said. “It’s obviously hard changing positions but he did a great job. It kind of falls on me and (Luke Gazdic) to help him out on faceoffs and stuff like that. But he was good. He was talking lots on the ice and that’s all you can ask for.” Klinkhammer played just 6:46, all even strength. He finished the night with a takeaway, a blocked shot and was 0-for-5 in the faceoff dot. “He was good. I think he’ll tell you himself he struggled in the circle a little bit, but he was good,” Gazdic said. “He got adjusted pretty quickly. He said he had a history there a little bit. We were just trying to give as much help as we could and I thought we were good in our own end and got a couple chances offensively too.” Klinkhammer took a few faceoffs at morning skate, but had a tough time matching up against established centres in the game. “It was tough. It was a lot harder than I thought,” Klinkhammer said. “They had some good guys over there so they won them pretty clean on me.” He added, “Those guys have been doing it their whole lives and they definitely have a leg up on me. It was a tough go, but that’s the way it happens.” Gordon will travel with the team and could play sometime on this upcoming road trip.Chris WescottSat, 28 Mar 2015 15:57:00 EDThttp://2.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/03/20150328_klink.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3838038380BLOG: Miller makes Oilers historyhttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=38365Andrew Miller made Oilers franchise history with his first NHL goal on Friday night. Miller became the first player in Oilers history to score his first career goal with a penalty shot. “It was a great shot and we’re very happy for him,” Oilers Interim Coach Todd Nelson said. “He’s had some pretty good opportunities and he just hasn’t found the back of the net. It was nice to see him score that one. Any time you score your first NHL goal it’s an unbelievable feeling and I’m sure he’s enjoying it right now.” Miller went bar-down with a sweet shot, at 16:40 of the third period. “Usually I get a little nervous, but I was able to kind of calm down, take some breaths, do my move and luckily it went in,” said Miller. The last player to score their first NHL goal with a penalty shot was Jay McClement with the St. Louis Blues in 2005. Prior to Miller, there had been only five players in NHL history to do so. When Miller scored, the fans exploded into cheers and increased the already palpable energy of the building. “The energy was great, the fans were unbelievable in that,” Oilers goaltender Richard Bachman said. “I was trying not to get too jacked, I was just trying to stay even-keeled but it was hard not to when he did that. Especially for his first goal, it’s a pretty fun way to do it and fun building to do it in, to get that kind of ovation afterwards.”Chris WescottSat, 28 Mar 2015 01:11:00 EDThttp://3.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/03/20150327_millerscore.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3836538365BLOG: Oilers agree to terms with Betkerhttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=38330The Oilers have agreed to terms with defenceman Ben Betker on a three-year entry level contract. Betker, 20, was taken in the sixth round (158th overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft. He has played 64 games this season with the Everett Silvertips of the WHL, scoring six goals and adding 25 assists and 63 penalty minutes. His points (31), assists (25) and plus/minus (+19) this season were all career highs. Offensively, Betker had his strongest month in January. He finished the month with three goals and 12 assists in 14 games. He was +12 in that stretch. Betker has size, standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing in at 220 pounds. Betker and the Silvertips play the Spokane Chiefs in the first round of the WHL playoffs.Chris WescottThu, 26 Mar 2015 17:35:00 EDThttp://3.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2014/01/Betker_4.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3833038330BLOG: Young players step uphttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=38311When Martin Marincin scored his first NHL goal, assisted by Andrew Miller and Anton Lander, Oilers Interim Coach Todd Nelson probably had flashbacks to Oklahoma City and his days as head coach there. Nelson coached all three of those players in OKC last season and the start of this one. If he didn’t have flashbacks then, he definitely did when Marincin, Lander and Oscar Klefbom were on the ice attempting to kill off a Colorado 5-on-3 power play. With Andrew Ference and Boyd Gordon already sitting out tonight’s game, Mark Fayne and Matt Hendricks both went down to injury. The situation made it so the younger players on the roster had to step up, and they did so by helping the Oilers win 4-3. “We had a young group,” Nelson said. “They played hard for each other. I had to shake my head there on that 5-on-3 because I had Anton, Klefbom and Marincin (out there) and that’s who we had on the 5-on-3 down in OK City at the start of this year. The young guys played well. Miller recorded his first two NHL assists tonight, helping his linemates (Lander and Taylor Hall) turn in a good night. “Andrew Miller had a great game,” Nelson said. “I thought he was moving his feet. He had a couple assists. Anton, that whole line played outstanding: Hall, Anton and Millsy. We had a lot of good efforts from our younger players and that’s great to see. I think it’s going to give them confidence moving forward.” Nelson’s familiarity with the multiple players on the roster who have played under him in the AHL seems to lead to confidence between player and coach. “I think it’s a big advantage because, from working with them in OKC, you develop confidence in the players because you’ve had them for a number of years,” said Nelson. “So I think it’s a lot easier for me as a coach to say, ‘Ok, I can use this guy in this situation,’ because I’ve seen them handle it before. I had no problems putting Andrew Miller (out there) in the last minute and 40 seconds. He deserved it as well, he earned it. It was a good game from our young guys. I thought they really took charge. When Colorado kept coming and they had some good opportunities, it was good to have (Ben Scrivens) step up. But our young guys played well.” There was no word on the status of the Oilers injured veterans, immediately following the game.Chris WescottThu, 26 Mar 2015 00:15:00 EDThttp://2.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/03/20150325_edmcol3.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3831138311BLOG: Tuesday practice updateshttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=38234The Oilers are on the ice for practice at Rexall Place. Boyd Gordon (back) and Andrew Ference (upper body) are not on the ice after suffering injuries last night against Winnipeg. Line combinations: Pouliot-RNH-Eberle Purcell-Roy-Yakupov Hall-Lander-Miller Gazdic/Fraser-Hendricks-Klinkhammer Defensive Pairings: Schultz-Klefbom Nikitin-Fayne Aulie-MarincinChris WescottTue, 24 Mar 2015 19:01:00 EDThttp://3.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/01/644pouliotpracticd1.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3823438234BLOG: Ference and Gordon absenthttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=38266After leaving the Winnipeg game on Monday with injuries, Boyd Gordon and Andrew Ference were not on the ice Tuesday for practice. Gordon tweaked his back and Ference has an undisclosed upper body injury. There weren’t any further updates on Tuesday, except that the two players will continue to be evaluated. “Gordo is the same thing I said (Monday) night where his back seized up and he took today off,” Oilers Interim Coach Todd Nelson said. “We’ll see how he is tomorrow. Obviously, at this time of year, we’ve been playing a lot of games and guys need time off and time to rest. As for Andrew Ference, it’s an upper body injury and he’s going through further testing and we’ll find out more tomorrow.” Ference is doubtful for tomorrow against Colorado. The Oilers do have two more forward options now. Luke Gazdic (illness) and Matt Fraser (concussion) have both been cleared to play. The Oilers will make lineup decisions tomorrow ahead of their game against the Avalanche. Gazdic and Fraser rotated on the fourth-line wing with Matt Hendricks at centre and Rob Klinkhammer on the other wing at practice with Gordon absent.Chris WescottTue, 24 Mar 2015 18:59:00 EDThttp://3.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/02/644crosby.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3826638266BLOG: OKC adds Oilers prospect Houck, three othershttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=38244The Oklahoma City Barons, who have been decimated by injury and call-ups in recent days, made some moves to try and turn the tide. They added Oilers prospect Jackson Houck, who had played the season with the WHL's Vancouver Giants on an Amateur tryout agreement. Houck was drafted by Edmonton in the fourth round in 2013. The Barons also added three players from the ECHL's Brampton Beast on pro tryout agreements: David Ling, Brett Lyon and Jason Pitton. Ling, 40, had nine goals and 38 points in 37 games with Brampton. He had a career-high 88 points with St. John's in the AHL in 2004-05 and has played 93 career NHL games. He plays right wing. Pitton, 28, previously played in the Oilers organization from 2009-2011 including stints in Stockton and Springfield. He had 22 goals and 40 points in 60 games with Brampton. He plays left wing. Lyon, 24, is also a left winger. He had 17 points in 56 games with Brampton and Allen in the ECHL. He also had a whopping 288 penalty minutes. He has previous AHL experience with Abbotsford and Utica and played four seasons in the WHL.Marc CiampaTue, 24 Mar 2015 14:41:00 EDThttp://3.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2014/11/20141119_Houck1.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3824438244BLOG: Hamilton on waivershttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=38177The Oilers have placed Ryan Hamilton on waivers for the purpose of assignment. From the team's official press release: The Edmonton Oilers announced today they have placed winger Ryan Hamilton on waivers for the purpose of assignment. Hamilton, 29, appeared in 16 games for the Oilers registering two points (1G, 1A), including his first career National Hockey League goal on February 10th against the New York Islanders. The 6-2’, 219-pound forward has registered 29 points (15G, 14A) and six penalty minutes in 32 games with the Barons this season.Marc CiampaSun, 22 Mar 2015 12:42:00 EDThttp://2.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/02/644ryanhamilton.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3817738177BLOG: Nurse named MVPhttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=38159Oilers prospect Darnell Nurse was named the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds Most Valuable Player at the organization's annual awards banquet on Friday night. "It means a lot," said Nurse, according to sootoday.com. "Looking at our team, there are a lot of guys that could have got it. It's a nice thing to be recognized for. I've been here for a while so I've been through both the ups and downs. It's a great organization and I wouldn't change a thing that's occurred over the last four years." Nurse, 20, has 31 points (9-22-31) in 34 games. He missed a month with a knee injury. Sault Ste. Marie is the top team in the OHL Western Conference, with 106 points in the standings and a record of 52-12-0-2.Chris WescottSat, 21 Mar 2015 17:16:00 EDThttp://1.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/02/20150228_nurse1.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3815938159BLOG: Friday practice updateshttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=38117The Oilers have taken the ice for practice at Rexall Place. Taylor Hall is no longer wearing non-contact yellow. He is in light blue with the line of Miller-Lander-Hamilton. Matt Fraser is in yellow, after suffering a concussion on Monday. Tyler Pitlick joins him in yellow. Line combinations: Pouliot-RNH-Eberle Purcell-Roy-Yakupov Hall & Miller-Lander-Hamilton Gazdic & Hendricks-Gordon-Klinkhammer Fraser left the ice early after a couple of drills. Oscar Klefbom is not practicing. Oilers Interim Coach Todd Nelson said it is just a maintenance day.Chris WescottFri, 20 Mar 2015 16:28:00 EDThttp://3.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/01/644pouliotpracticd1.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3811738117BLOG: Eberle’s hot streakhttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=38143Jordan Eberle leads the Oilers in scoring this season with 56 points (19-37-56). The second half of the season has been kind to Eberle, who has 13-23-36 in his last 35 games. He is currently on a six-game point streak. He Has 4-8-12 in that span. Eberle’s linemate, Benoit Pouliot, is on a four-game point streak of his own (3-2-5). He talked about Eberle’s production after practice today at Rexall. “He’s just been bearing on the chances he’s getting,” Pouliot said. “He’s been making the passes he’s needed to make and it shows that he’s doing the job and he’s doing what he’s supposed to do and it’s fun to watch, fun to play with. I get the chance to play with him everyday and it’s great. I can’t complain about anything about his game. He’s probably one of, if not the, best players on our team. He’s just doing the simple things, doing his game. He’s a pretty shifty guy out there and when he gets the chance to be loose he’ll find you or shoot the puck.”Chris WescottFri, 20 Mar 2015 15:54:00 EDThttp://1.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/03/465725740_fullSize(2).jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3814338143BLOG: How Hall changes the lineuphttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=38122If Taylor Hall is able to return to the lineup, the Oilers are still undecided on where he will play. He skated today on the third line with Anton Lander as his centre. Wherever he plays, Hall adds a lot to the Oilers lineup. “He’s definitely a big part of our team,” Ryan Nugent-Hopkins said. “He’s a driving force out there for sure. He makes defencemen think twice about a lot of things. When he’s driving the puck wide he’s creating a lot of space for everybody else on the ice. If we get him back it’s going to be great for us and we look forward to getting him back into the lineup as soon as possible.” Hall has missed 23 of the last 24 games with an ankle injury, and yet he still holds the third spot in Oilers scoring with 11 goals and 19 assists for 30 points. “It’s huge for us. You bring a guy like Taylor Hall in the lineup and it’s always a positive,” Benoit Pouliot said of Hall closing in on a return. “He was pretty fast out there today. You could see him and he didn’t really seem to be hurting too much so he’s been out quite a while now. It’s obviously tough to come back, in the first few games, to get back into it. He looks pretty good so hopefully he gets back in there and helps us out.” The Oilers will meet tomorrow morning to decide if Hall is ready to return to game action, as the Oilers host the Flyers.Chris WescottFri, 20 Mar 2015 15:53:00 EDThttp://2.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2014/12/20141230_ph5644.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3812238122BLOG: Hall updatehttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=38121Taylor Hall skated today in light blue colours today at practice, as opposed to his recent yellow non-contact jersey. Logic dictates that he is getting closer to his return to game action, coming off his ankle injury. “In the case of Taylor, we’re going to see how he is tomorrow morning and we’ll make a decision collectively as a staff and with Taylor to see what we’re going to do moving forward,” Oilers Interim Coach Todd Nelson said. He took line rushes with Anton Lander and Ryan Hamilton, with Andrew Miller rotating on the wing. The Oilers are being cautious and not rushing Hall back until he is ready. “He has been out for a while,” Nelson said. “It’s one thing to skate in practice and it’s another thing to play a game where you are working the corners and that. Right now, we haven’t made a concrete decision of where he will play. He was playing with Anton today. That’s something we’ll discuss as a group. First and foremost, we have to make sure he’s 100% healthy.” Hall has missed 23 of the last 24 games and says whenever he comes back, it may take a few shifts to get up to speed. “It’s really tough to get 100% without playing games,” Hall said. “You can bag yourself as much as you want in practice. It just seems like you get in the game and you just can’t relax as easy and you don’t have those breaks like you do in practice. No matter if I practice for two weeks more, I think if I came back in a game I’d still be tired the first couple shifts.”Chris WescottFri, 20 Mar 2015 15:50:00 EDThttp://1.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/03/20150317_prac.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3812138121BLOG: LaLeggia named Hobey Baker Top 10 Finalisthttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=38109Senior University of Denver defenceman Joey LaLeggia was named a Top Ten Finalist for the 2015 Hobey Baker Award today. The award is presented annually to the top men’s college hockey player in the United States. LaLeggia, 22, was drafted in the fifth round (123rd overall) of the 2012 NHL Draft. In 34 games this season, LaLeggia has 13 goals and 25 assists for 38 points. He leads all NCHC defencemen in goals, assists, points, game-winning goals (3), power play goals (5) and shots on goal (129). He ranks third overall in the NCAA in scoring for a defenceman. LaLeggia has been named the NCHC Defenceman of the Week five times this season, and was named the NCHC Player of the Month for both January and February. LaLeggia is from Burnaby, B.C. and played for the Penticton Vees in the BCHL for three years before leaving for school at the University of Denver. The Hobey Baker Hat Trick (top three) will be announced April 2, and the winner will be named on April 10, during the NCAA Frozen Four. LaLeggia and the Pioneers play the University of Miami at Ohio in the Semifinal of the NCHC Tournament this Friday. He has yet to sign his entry level contract.Chris WescottThu, 19 Mar 2015 17:43:00 EDThttp://2.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2014/06/20140611_Laleggia.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3810938109BLOG: Kadri suspended four gameshttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=38065The NHL has suspended Leafs forward Nazem Kadri four games for his hit to the head of Oilers winger Matt Fraser.Marc CiampaWed, 18 Mar 2015 13:42:00 EDThttp://3.cdn.nhle.com/nhl/images/upload/2015/03/KADRI_031315_672.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3806538065BLOG: Tuesday practice updateshttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=38002The Oilers have hit the ice for practice at Rexall Place. Taylor Hall and Tyler Pitlick are both on the ice in non-contact yellow. The rest of the lineup stays the same, except for the absence of Luke Gazdic (illness) and Matt Fraser, who suffered a head injury last night against Toronto. Line combinations based on jersey colour: Pouliot-RNH-Eberle Purcell-Roy-Yakupov Hamilton-Lander Hendricks-Gordon-KlinkhammerChris WescottTue, 17 Mar 2015 15:21:00 EDThttp://3.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/01/644pouliotpracticd1.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3800238002BLOG: Fraser updatehttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=38046Last night, Oilers forward Matt Fraser was helped off the ice after a hit to the head by Leafs Nazem Kadri. “You obviously don’t want to see that,” said Ryan Hamilton, Fraser’s linemate. “You always want to stick up (for) and protect your teammates. I didn’t really get a good view of it. I just saw kind of the aftermath so I just kind of got in there in the scrum. It was kind of a little hectic there. We didn’t know exactly what happened right away, then we saw the replay. Obviously, he took a pretty good one on the chin. I don’t know if it was incidental or not but he still made good contact on the chin. Obviously, it’s not fun watching one of your teammates get hit like that.” There was no update after the game, but Oilers Interim Coach Todd Nelson provided one today after practice. “He was concussed,” Nelson said. “We are going to follow protocol and we’ll reevaluate him again tomorrow, but I can say that he’s doing well.” Nelson had a chance to watch the play and says it’s an unfortunate part of hockey. “It was a play where (Fraser) was reaching, he was down a bit and we’ve seen those hits before where a player comes in and finishes his check,” Nelson said. “Sometimes, when the opposing player is bending over and trying to reach for the puck, those things happen. It’s the game of hockey. It happens.” The Oilers may look to recall a player from Oklahoma City. The Barons play tonight at home against Milwaukee.Chris WescottTue, 17 Mar 2015 15:17:00 EDThttp://2.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/01/20140103_Fraser4.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3804638046BLOG: Tayor Hall injury updatehttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=38014Prior to practice on Sunday, Taylor Hall skated on his own and then helped warm up the goaltenders. Coach Nelson said that he will skate with the team for the first time on Monday at morning skate prior to the game against the Leafs. “He’s going to skate with us tomorrow. We’ll see how he feels,” said Nelson. The coach was also asked if, when Hall returns, he'll assume his usual spot on the right side half boards on the power play, considering how well the team has played with the man advantage since Hall's been injured (28.1%, #1 in the NHL). Nelson said he didn't want to jump to any conclusions for a decision that will be made down the road. “A lot of things can happen over the next few games with personnel, guys get injured and what-not. I like where Nuge is right now and we’ll try to make it fit, if everybody is healthy, with Taylor on one of the two units.”Marc CiampaSun, 15 Mar 2015 16:16:00 EDThttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3801438014BLOG: Oilers enjoying a powerful power playhttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=38013Since Todd Nelson took over behind the Oilers bench as interim head coach, the team's power play has been outstanding. The team had a 12.0% overall power play success rating (and 4.7% on the road) with only 13 total goals scored (2 on the road). “I think at the start of the year we were getting a lot of chances and we just couldn’t score. You start holding on to the puck too long and that really hurt us. Now lately, we go out there with a lot of confidence, feeling like we’re going to score. Putting a lot of pucks on the net, working hard and winning battles,” said Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on the team's much-improved play with the man advantage. Since Nelson, the team's power play has been running along at a 25.0% clip with 23 goals on 92 opportunities. The best power play in the entire NHL -- the Detroit Red Wings -- are at 25.3%. On the road, that power play has been 29.5%. “I think the personnel, the units that we have, they’re working well together," said Nelson. "Our challenge from our staff is to outwork their penalty kill. I think Craig Ramsay’s done a great job of preparing them but the message is to keep it simple, get pucks going to the net, get traffic and try to outwork their penalty kill.” The power play has gotten even better since the all-star break. In that six-week stretch, the Oilers have the best power play in the entire NHL by a significant margin at 28.1%. On the road, it's even better at 34.2%. It's all the more amazing when it's considered that they have accomplished this all without Taylor Hall, the team's usual leading power-play point-getter who was injured coming out of the break.Marc CiampaSun, 15 Mar 2015 16:09:00 EDThttp://3.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/03/20150308_oilcar1.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3801338013BLOG: Sunday line combinations at practicehttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=38005The Oilers are on the ice for practice at Rexall Place after returning late Friday night from their five-game road trip through the Northeastern U.S. Tyler Pitlick is on the ice wearing a non-contact yellow jersey. The forward lines are: Pouliot - Nugent-Hopkins - Eberle Purcell - Roy - Yakupov Hendricks - Lander - Fraser Gazdic/Hamilton - Gordon - Klinkhammer There are seven defencemen on the ice: Nikitin, Ference, Klefbom, Marincin, Schultz, Aulie and Fayne.Marc CiampaSun, 15 Mar 2015 12:44:00 EDThttp://2.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/01/644klinkhammerpractie1.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3800538005BLOG: Wednesday practice updateshttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37884The Oilers are on the ice at Cosol Energy Center in Pittsburgh for practice. Lines: Gazdic-RNH-Eberle Purcell-Roy-Yakupov Hamilton-Lander-Fraser Hendricks-Gordon-Klinkhammer Pouliot had maintenance day. Defence: Klefbom-Schultz Marincin-Fayne Ference-Nikitin (Aulie)Chris WescottWed, 11 Mar 2015 18:12:00 EDThttp://2.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/01/644gazidcpractice1.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3788437884BLOG: Pittsburgh memorieshttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37867Todd Nelson was a Paul Coffey fan, watching him play for the Oilers and Penguins from his hometown of Prince Albert, SK. “I enjoyed the way he played the game,” Nelson said. “Let’s face it, when he picked up the puck and got his feet moving, he was pretty to watch. He was the player I always wanted to be.” Nelson was drafted by Pittsburgh in the fourth round of the 1989 NHL Draft. He’d get his first call up with the Penguins on November 23, 1991, filling in for an ill Ulf Samuelsson. And guess who was there to greet him when he walked through the door. “As soon as I walked in, Paul Coffey came over to me and welcomed me to the team. Second guy was Mario (Lemieux).” The Oilers interim coach only played one game for the Penguins in his career, but it was a good time to be a part of the organization. Being greeted by Coffey upon his arrival was just one of the moments from his stint with Pittsburgh Nelson will never forget. “It was a time they were winning Stanley Cups and I was a young guy just trying to cut my teeth in pro hockey,” Nelson said. “It was quite a time for me because we had so many great players in the organization. Walking into that dressing room, you were somewhat starstruck because you had quite a few hall of famers there. It was a good two-year run for them and I was fortunate to play one game for them.”Chris WescottWed, 11 Mar 2015 18:04:00 EDThttp://2.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/02/20150221_nelly4.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3786737867Oilers assign Oesterlehttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37815The Edmonton Oilers announced today they have assigned defenceman Jordan Oesterle to the American Hockey League's Oklahoma City Barons. Oesterle, 22, appeared in six games for the Oilers and he posted his first career National Hockey League point (assist) on March 3rd against the Los Angeles Kings. The 6-0’, 182-pound defenceman has registered 21 points (6G, 15A), six penalty minutes and a plus five rating in 49 games with the Barons this seasonEdmonton Oilers Press ReleaseTue, 10 Mar 2015 13:30:00 EDThttp://1.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/03/20150228_oesterle.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3781537815BLOG: Oilers expect a bounce back game from Klefbomhttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37759Although he is having a promising season, 21-year-old Oscar Klefbom has had some downs to go with the ups. The last two games are a perfect example of a young defencemen experiencing the peaks and valleys of development. Against Chicago, Klefbom was excellent. The blueliner played 26:23 against one of the best teams in the league, recording seven shots on goal, two hits and three blocked shots. The game against Carolina was a different story as Klefbom saw his minutes cut to 20:09 and he finished -3 with a couple giveaways and no shots on net. The Oilers expect a bounce-back game from the young defender. “We expect that with a young guy like Oscar,” Oilers Interim Coach Todd Nelson said. “You’re going to have nights like Chicago and then last night was a little bit of a tough one, but we expect him to bounce back strong tonight. That’s the way it’s going to be, especially for young defencemen. I think it’s a hard position to establish yourself in the National Hockey League and there are always going to be ups and downs. It doesn’t matter how experienced you are, you do have those tough nights. But just knowing the past experience of Oscar, he does bounce back.”Chris WescottMon, 09 Mar 2015 14:15:00 EDThttp://2.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/gallery/2015/03/496700_1425574902847.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3775937759BLOG: Saturday practice updateshttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37751The Oilers have taken the ice in Raleigh for their practice ahead of tomorrow's game against the Carolina Hurricanes. Lines: Pouliot-RNH-Eberle Purcell-Lander-Yakupov Hamilton-Hendricks-Fraser Gazdic-Gordon-Klinkhammer Derek Roy is not on the ice. He is just out for a maintenance day. Defensive Pairings: Klefbom-Schultz Marincin-Fayne Ference-Oesterle Aulie-Nikitin (shoulder)Chris WescottSat, 07 Mar 2015 15:46:00 ESThttp://2.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/03/20150307_prac.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3775137751BLOG: Wednesday practice updateshttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37645The Oilers have taken the ice for practice at Rexall Place. Matt Hendricks and Nikita Nikitin are absent. Anton Lander and Tyler Pitlick are in non-contact yellow jerseys. Lines: Pouliot-RNH-Eberle Purcell-Roy-Yakupov Gazdic-Gordon-Klinkhammer Hamilton-(Lander & Pitlick rotating)-Fraser Defensive Pairings: Klefbom-Schultz Marincin-Fayne Ference-Oesterle AulieChris WescottWed, 04 Mar 2015 16:29:00 ESThttp://2.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/01/644gazidcpractice1.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3764537645BLOG: Finding consistencyhttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37653he Oilers beat New Jersey and then followed up a great effort against the Islanders with a 4-3 overtime win in Montreal. That was followed by a 7-2 loss in Ottawa. They bounced back with a 4-3 shootout loss to Winnipeg and then a shootout win over Boston, again followed by disappointment with a 4-0 loss to Minnesota. That shutout was followed by a nice effort against Anaheim and a win against the very same Minnesota Wild. A 2-1 loss to St. Louis followed, not short on effort. Then came the disappointment last night in the form of a 5-2 loss to Los Angeles. Two or three solid showings, followed by a letdown game. The Oilers are striving to weed out the latter. “We’ve got to figure out why we play two or three good games in a row and then, not only are we playing bad but we’re almost embarrassing ourselves,” Luke Gazdic said. “The 4-0 loss to (Minnesota) was brutal, last night was brutal against LA. St. Louis, we lost but I thought we played a good quality game. It wasn’t the result we wanted, but we’ve got to find a way to bring a good, consistent effort every night. We can’t be playing two, three, four good games in a row and then come out and just stink up the joint. We’ve got to find a way to be a little more consistent in our starts and our efforts.” Gazdic, along with several Oilers players showed anger and disappointment after last night’s result. “We were frustrated,” Jordan Eberle said. “It wasn’t our best night, not even close. I think we’re trying to find a level of consistency where we’re playing our game every night. When you have a step back like that, it pisses you off. We addressed it today, we talked about it and went over the video. It was ugly. We strived to have a really good practice and we did.” The search for consistency continued today at Rexall Place, where the Oilers pushed the pace of practice. “I liked today,” Oilers Interim Coach Todd Nelson said. “We had a very good video session. We went over the things that we want to develop more consistency with and then we had an excellent day on the ice. If we can apply that work ethic on the ice we had today in practice to a game then we’ll be a much tougher team to play against. I think the guys are getting the concept, I think they’re understanding how we have to play consistently. We mentioned it last night that we have three decent efforts and then you have a game like last night where it wasn’t a very good game at all… Our goal is to play consistent the rest of the season.” Nelson wasn’t the only one pleased with the response of the team today, following last night’s loss. “It started today in practice for sure,” Nelson said. “We had a little video session before it and Todd was talking about things we have to work on, but the thing he focused on was we can’t think about next game with Chicago, it’s got to start in practice. We had an up tempo, good paced practice. It was tough, but we did well at it. We pushed through it and the next goal is to get ready for a good Blackhawks team.” The Oilers begin a five-game road trip in Chicago on Friday.Chris WescottWed, 04 Mar 2015 16:27:00 ESThttp://3.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/03/20150303_ph1-644.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3765337653BLOG: Lander closing in on returnhttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37652Oilers centre Anton Lander has been nursing a shoulder injury, but could return to the lineup soon. He skated today, participated in all of the drills and took line rushes, despite wearing a non-contact yellow jersey. “It feels pretty good,” Lander said. “It’s nice to be out there and skating again. We will see. It was a good practice today, it feels fine shooting the puck so I’m exciting to see when I can play on this road trip.” Lander and injured defenceman Nikita Nikitin will both be on the upcoming road trip, with Lander being closer to return. “Anton skated today, looked really good,” Oilers Interim Coach Todd Nelson said. “He’s coming on the trip with us. We’re hopeful he’ll get in some action. We’re not sure when on the trip, but that’s why he’s making it. Same thing with Nikitin. (Lander is) coming on the trip as well so we’re hopeful that he can get into some games.” Matt Hendricks had a maintenance day and did not practice.Chris WescottWed, 04 Mar 2015 16:26:00 ESThttp://3.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/01/20150129_lander644.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3765237652BLOG: Generating more offencehttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37651For five straight games, the Oilers offence hasn’t been able to generate more than two goals. That comes after averaging 3.2 per game in their previous five. Oilers Interim Coach Todd Nelson says the key to igniting the offence comes from just generating more zone time, and that takes execution. “I think our offence has to start from our own end, so we have to play less there,” Nelson said. “We have to do a better job of winning loose puck battles, breaking out the puck efficiently and then managing the puck into the offensive zone. If we’re able to do that more consistent, we’ll be able to have more offensive zone play and we should be able to create more opportunities. It’s a full-ice game so we have to manage the puck correctly and have better execution. I think those chances will come once we get the puck in the offensive zone.”Chris WescottWed, 04 Mar 2015 16:25:00 ESThttp://2.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/02/20150227_potws-644.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3765137651BLOG: The genesis of the Petry dealhttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37606With Jeff Petry’s status as a pending unrestricted free agent and the looming trade deadline, the Oilers began making inquiries with other clubs weeks ago, while keeping dialogue open for a contract. In the end, the eve of the deadline came and Petry was destined to be moved. Oilers General Manager Craig MacTavish broke down the trade that eventually sent Petry to Montreal, in exchange for a second and a conditional fifth-round pick in the 2015 NHL Draft. “As well as Jeff played all year, we can’t lose sight of the big picture here, we can’t lose sight of the fact that we’re the 29th team in the league and we have to handle our assets appropriately,” MacTavish said. MacTavish said the Oilers, “talked to a lot of teams over the last number of weeks.” When the Carolina Hurricanes sent defenceman Andrej Sekera to Los Angeles — in exchange for Roland McKeown and a conditional first-round pick — on February 25, the landscape changed. “I was optimistic one day and a little more pessimistic the next day, then it looked like the price was climbing when Sekera went to LA,” MacTavish said. But soon MacTavish realized that maybe Petry wasn’t the top priority for the bidding clubs. “I felt that Jeff was of interest to a lot of teams but he wasn’t necessarily most teams’ primary interest,” the general manager said. Originally, the plan was to come away with a prospect in the return package for Petry. Unfortunately, the Oilers couldn’t get the right deal done, although at one point there were talks with a team other than Montreal. “I said all along my emphasis on this deal was a prospect, and there wasn’t that level of interest back,” MacTavish said. “If I was making the deal with media I might have gotten more, but unfortunately I wasn’t. The market really is what the market is and there’s nobody that’s lazy enough not to make the calls and try to gauge what that market is. Then going into the last day, there’s a considerable risk. There’s a downside risk, as well as an upside risk. We were chasing a deal that made a little bit more sense to me into the later hours last night and it didn’t materialize. So I was circling back to Montreal who really throughout this showed the greatest level of interest and then that was going a little sideways and then later on in the evening we were able to come to an agreement. But I really wasn’t comfortable going into today with a chance that we’ve got the last guy standing and there’s no chairs at the table anymore so there was some downside risk to prolonging this.” The Oilers didn’t prolong things, announcing the deal with Montreal around 7:00 a.m. MST this morning. It’s a deal that now has them with six picks in the first three rounds of the draft. MacTavish says they’ll be in a position to draft some exciting players in a, “extremely” deep draft, as well as make moves to fill some of their, “obvious holes going forward.”Chris WescottMon, 02 Mar 2015 20:50:00 ESThttp://2.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/03/20150302_mact.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3760637606BLOG: How Nelson will be evaluatedhttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37611As the season continues to move towards its close and the trade deadline has passed, the Oilers continue to evaluate their roster, along with the important position of head coach. Todd Nelson wears the interim tag right now, in an audition to have that label removed at the end of the year. General Manager Craig MacTavish was asked how Nelson would be evaluated down the stretch and it comes down to a level of consistency in play and compete, as well as they continue to respond to adversity. “I think just level of competitiveness,” MacTavish. “I’ve said enough about how I think we’re competing. I think the coach has to be on the dial. One thing for me that’s important is when the team has a poor game, a poor showing or a poor effort, that he’s able to grab them quickly and get their performance level to a much higher level. So there’s some response there and that’s optimistic. We’re not going to make any decisions coaches or the coaching or the head coach until the season is over. I’ve been clear about that from the outset, but we’re all seeing the types of things that we’re going to need to see on a continuing basis to get into a longer term agreement with Todd.”Chris WescottMon, 02 Mar 2015 20:44:00 ESThttp://3.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/02/20140221_nelly2.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3761137611BLOG: Who the Oilers might auditionhttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37612The Oilers might be in the business of hosting auditions at the end of the season for a few prospects, currently down in Oklahoma City playing in the American Hockey League. General Manager Craig MacTavish listed a few of the players he’d like to see against NHL competition this season. “The guys I’d like to give a chance to, we hope we can,” MacTavish said. “We hope we get an opportunity to see Brandon Davidson again. He played very well the last time he was up here in San Jose, so he’s got lots of promise. I’d like to see Andrew Miller come up here and see what he can do, he’s been a good player down there. Curtis Hamilton, I’d like to give an opportunity to. Bogdan Yakimov and all those guys. The goalie, Laurent Brossoit, has played very well and we’d like to see him come up and hopefully give him a game pretty soon. As disappointing as it is to be selling it this time of year, I’m looking forward to the end of the year where I couldn’t say that last year.” Davidson has played 41 games for the Barons, scoring three goals and five assists. Miller has blown away his goal production from a year ago, scoring 21 and adding 26 assists in 51 AHL games this season. Yakimov has played better in recent months and has nine goals and 12 assists in 50 games for OKC. Brossoit is carrying the load with Richard Bachman up in Edmonton. Brossoit has a record of 18-11-2 in OKC, with a .920 save percentage and 2.46 GAA.Chris WescottMon, 02 Mar 2015 20:44:00 ESThttp://3.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2014/10/20141013_yak.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3761237612BLOG: MacTavish on Yakupov’s futurehttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37610At the end of this season, Nail Yakupov’s three year entry level contract will be up and he’ll be a restricted free agent. Oilers General Manager Craig MacTavish spoke about the young winger following the NHL’s trade deadline and the relationship between the club and player moving into the future. “I see it to continue to evolve the way that it has,” MacTavish said. “We all see the promise now that we had when we drafted him. I had zero interest in trading Nail Yakupov. I think we’ve gone this far, we’ve got to see the end now. It has been some ups and downs, some sideways play and some head-scratching stuff and he’s on top of his game now. He shows all the assets that we saw when we drafted him: the speed, the physical power, the shot, he’s making good plays with the puck and who knows what unlatches all that for him, but he’s really figured it out. He’s playing with confidence, he’s a hardworking guy and we’ve got to see how it finishes. I’ve have no question that Yak is going to continue to develop and he’s got a reference point of what he needs to do now because he’s hit a new level. I’m as curious as anybody to see where that level goes because I think it’s sky high.” Yakupov has eight points in his last nine games.Chris WescottMon, 02 Mar 2015 20:43:00 ESThttp://2.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/02/20150227_potws-644.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3761037610BLOG: MacTavish talks young defencehttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37609Oilers General Manager Craig MacTavish spoke to the media after the trade deadline had passed, and one of the topics he touched on was the organization’s young defensive prospects. After trading Jeff Petry to the Montreal Canadiens, the Oilers will get a look at a couple of young blueliners the remainder of the season. But MacTavish is also excited about the future of the blueline in coming years. “We’ll see what Jordan Oesterle has coming forward (this season), we’ll see what Brandon Davidson has coming forward. They’re both young players that have some optimism there that they can develop,” MacTavish said. “We’ve got Darnell Nurse coming forward. Who knows what we’ll get in the draft? We could help ourselves not only at centre but on defence, depending on how this team finishes and where the bingo balls fall.” Oscar Klefbom is another young defenceman that MacTavish singled out at the press conference. The GM is thoroughly impressed with the 21-year-old Klefbom, who is 41 games into the season with the Oilers. MacTavish is hopeful that adding another player like Klefbom to the Oilers will help make the team more competitive a a whole. “We’ve seen the benefit of Oscar coming in and playing those minutes,” MacTavish said. “He just gives you 20 minutes of flawless hockey, and he’s had a great effect on Justin. We bring in one more player who has that effect on our group and a couple other key pieces and all the sudden we’re not only competing with Boston and St. Louis and the better teams in the league, but we’re winning those games.”Chris WescottMon, 02 Mar 2015 20:42:00 ESThttp://3.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/02/20150206_Klefbom4.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3760937609BLOG: Trade Deadline Day updateshttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37583The Oilers are on the ice for Monday's practice at Rexall Place. The line combinations are as follows: Pouliot-RNH-Eberle Purcell-Roy-Yakupov Fraser-Hendricks-Hamilton Gazdic-Gordon-Klinkhammer Nikitin, Pitlick and Lander are on the ice in non-contact yellow. Keith Aulie, who cleared waivers, is on the ice.Chris WescottMon, 02 Mar 2015 17:39:00 ESThttp://2.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/01/644klinkhammerpractie1.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3758337583BLOG: Players reflect on Petryhttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37604A couple of Oilers players reflected after practice on Monday on Jeff Petry, who was traded to Montreal this morning, and how he handled the approaching deadline. “Petey was good for us this year,” Boyd Gordon said. “He started to play very well. We’re losing one of our best defencemen. That’s just kind of the way it is with him going to unrestricted free agency in the summer. These things happen.” Oilers Captain Andrew Ference was impressed at how Petry handled the questions from the media and the uncertainty of the deadline as a pending free agent. “He handled it, I think, very professionally, very well. He never let it be a distraction,” Ference said to the media. “I’m sure you guys have dealt with him enough to know he’s a pretty great guy. I think for him a lot of that stuff was out of his control. He was playing the game and playing as well as he can and obviously playing at a level that made him very attractive to some teams who want to make a push here in the playoffs. It’s going to work great for him.” Ryan Nugent-Hopkins knew Petry longer than Ference or Gordon, so not having him in the locker room or on the ice for practice was different. “For me, it’s definitely pretty strange,” Nugent-Hopkins said. “He’s been here since I’ve been here and we were together my first year. It’s definitely tough to see a guy like that go but it was obviously expected. We prepared for it over the last couple of weeks and I think he’s going to have a good shot there and it’s obviously a great city to go to. We wish him all the best.”Chris WescottMon, 02 Mar 2015 16:35:00 ESThttp://3.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/01/20150113_Petry.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3760437604BLOG: Injury updateshttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37602Oilers Interim Coach Todd Nelson spoke to the media after practice on Monday and gave updates on a couple of injured players. Two have a positive prognosis. “(Nikita) Nikitin and (Anton) Lander, we’re hopeful that maybe sometime late in this trip coming up or right after the trip. That’s what we’re hopeful for. They’re both skating well, they’re both doing limited contact right now and that’s what we’re hopeful for.” For Iiro Pakarinen however, who injured his knee against St. Louis on Saturday, the prognosis is not so positive. With Pakarinen out for an undetermined amount of time, the Oilers may discuss calling up a forward from Oklahoma City. “I talked to Craig (MacTavish) before practice and he said, ‘Let’s touch base after the deadline is finished and we’ll go from there.’ Pakarinen is going for an MRI today and we’ll find out more with that, but we don’t expect him back anytime soon,” Nelson said.Chris WescottMon, 02 Mar 2015 16:33:00 ESThttp://2.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/01/20150111_ph1-644.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3760237602BLOG: Moving forward without Petryhttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37603Oilers Interim Coach Todd Nelson spoke after practice on Monday, hours after the team traded Jeff Petry to Montreal for a second and conditional fifth-round pick in 2015. In response to a question of how the Oilers will move on without Petry on the blueline, Nelson said it’s opportunity for some players to step up. “We have seven healthy defencemen right now so we have options,” Nelson said. “Obviously, losing a guy like Petey that ate a lot of minutes and was playing some really good hockey for us, that’s a whole that we have to fill. It will give guys opportunities to step up for the rest of the year.” Both Jordan Oesterle and Brandon Davidson are expected to see more time with the big club, along with Mark Fayne eating up more minutes for the Oilers.Chris WescottMon, 02 Mar 2015 16:33:00 ESThttp://2.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/02/20150224_Petry2.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3760337603BLOG: Oilers transfer four to OKChttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37596The Oilers have returned Jordan Oesterle, Martin Marincin, Richard Bachman and Ryan Hamilton on loan to the Oklahoma City Barons of the American Hockey League. The transfer makes them eligible to participate in the AHL playoffs.Chris WescottMon, 02 Mar 2015 15:14:00 ESThttp://2.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/01/644396-marincin2-okc.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3759637596BLOG: An update on the Oilers selections in 2015 drafthttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37581Here is an update on where the Oilers stand in the 2015 NHL Draft after the Jeff Petry trade. The Oilers have two first-round picks in the 2015 draft. They have their own pick and the one acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins, in exchange for David Perron. The Oilers also have two picks in the second round. They have their own second and the one acquired in the Petry trade this morning. In the third, the Oilers own Ottawa’s pick from the Ales Hemsky trade last season. They also own the St. Louis Blues third-round selection from the original Perron trade in 2013. Their own was sent to Anaheim in the Viktor Fasth trade last season. They do not own a fourth-round pick, having sent that to St. Louis in the original Perron trade. Following the Petry trade, the Oilers have the Montreal Canadiens fifth-round pick in 2015, although it is conditional. They also have their own selection in that round. The Oilers have their own picks in the sixth and seventh round. BY THE NUMBERS ROUND 1 - 2 picks ROUND 2 - 2 picks ROUND 3 - 2 picks ROUND 4 - 0 picks ROUND 5 - 2 picks (1 is conditional) ROUND 6 - 1 pick ROUND 7 - 1 pickChris WescottMon, 02 Mar 2015 12:24:00 ESThttp://2.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2014/06/644396table.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3758137581BLOG: Oilers trade Petry for pair of pickshttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37541The Oilers executed a trade early Monday morning, on deadline day, to move one of their pending free agents. The Oilers acquired a second-round pick, as well as a conditional fifth-round pick in 2015 from the Montreal Canadiens, in exchange for defenceman Jeff Petry. Petry, 27, has played in 295 NHL games, all for the Oilers, since being drafted in the second round of the 206 NHL Draft. He has 17 goals and 57 assists in his career. Montreal is currently the top team in the Eastern Conference with 87 points in the standings. Stay tuned for more trade deadline coverage on edmontonoilers.com.Chris WescottMon, 02 Mar 2015 09:04:00 ESThttp://1.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2013/04/20130425_petry644-2.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3754137541BLOG: Oilers place Aulie on waivershttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37536The Oilers have placed defenceman Keith Aulie on waivers. The 25-year-old defenceman has played 18 games this season for the Oilers, going -1 with 53 penalty minutes.Chris WescottSun, 01 Mar 2015 12:21:00 ESThttp://3.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2014/11/20141117_aulie3.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3753637536BLOG: How close is Oesterle?http://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37531Jordan Oesterle played just his second NHL game on Saturday night but in the small sample size the defenceman has earned praise. The 22-year-old played 16:43 in his return to NHL action. Oilers Interim Coach Todd Nelson was asked how close Oesterle is to becoming a full-time NHL player. “He’s pretty close,” Nelson said. “He can definitely skate well up here and he moves the puck fine. Once again tonight, he kind of falls in the same category as (Martin Marincin) where they have to mature and get stronger. But I think Jordan is knocking on the door.” Oesterle, a free agent signing, played three years at Western Michigan University under former NHL bench boss Andy Murray.Chris WescottSun, 01 Mar 2015 02:12:00 ESThttp://1.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/03/20150228_oesterle.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3753137531BLOG: Hitchcock sees different Oilershttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37529St. Louis Blues Head Coach Ken Hitchcock expected a competitive battle against the Oilers tonight. This morning after the Blues skate, Hitchcock said he sees a different Edmonton team. After the Blues skated away with a 2-1 victory at Rexall Place, Hitchcock was not surprised by the game they got from the Oilers, who have improved their play over recent weeks despite injuries to the lineup. “You get no inside ice now,” Hitchcock said. “You get no inside ice. They don’t chase tired. You get them in their zone and you keep possession, but they don’t chase. They leave you on the outside and it’s hard to get second and third chances. The chances we got were original chances, but if you look at the game I don’t think we had three second chances. It’s because they step on you. They keep you to the outside, they don’t overcommit and they don’t get caught with chasing contact so you might have possession but you’re not really accomplishing very much.”Chris WescottSun, 01 Mar 2015 01:29:00 ESThttp://3.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/02/6444edm.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3752937529BLOG: Friday practice updateshttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37469The Oilers have taken the ice for practice at Clareview Recreation Centre. The lines by jersey colour are as follows: Pouliot-RNH-Eberle Purcell-Roy-Yakupov Hamilton-Hendricks-Pakarinen (Gazdic & Fraser)-Gordon-Klinkhammer Pitlick and Nikitin are in non-contact yellow Ben Scrivens is showing off a new mask.Chris WescottFri, 27 Feb 2015 16:34:00 ESThttp://3.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/01/644pouliotpracticd1.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3746937469BLOG: Oilers focus down the stretchhttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37493There are 20 games remaining in the 2014-15 NHL season. Without playoffs on the radar, the Oilers look to other goals to close out the year. “I think we can play the role of spoiler moving forward,” Oilers Interim Coach Todd Nelson said. “If teams are on the bubble, we’re not going to be in the playoffs so maybe we can go out there and spoil some teams’ chances. I think that’s the way we have to approach it. I think we have to come every day in practices and games to work hard to get better and the guys understand that.” But overall, the goal is the same it has been every day, and that’s to continue to improve individually as players while coming together as a team. Those were Nelson’s goals coming in as an interim coach and he hopes they see them out. “Just like we’ve always talked about, trying to get better every day as individuals but also as a team,” Nelson said. “Today I liked what I saw on the ice. The guys were applying the things that we’re teaching and now that has to translate to the game. Based on today, from what I saw, it looks like we’re getting better little by little every day and that has to continue. I think as a staff we have to keep on stressing that let’s come to the rink, let’s improve, let’s try to make ourselves better so we become better hockey players and a better hockey team.”Chris WescottFri, 27 Feb 2015 16:33:00 ESThttp://3.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/02/462687192_crop1.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3749337493BLOG: Yakupov looks readyhttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37492Nail Yakupov took to the ice at Clareview Recreation Centre today and once again participated in all of the drills. It looks as though the Oilers winger will be ready to return to game action tomorrow night against St. Louis, after nursing a groin injury. Oilers Interim Coach Todd Nelson all but confirmed it. “It looks like it,” Nelson said. “He skated good today, worked hard and it looks like he’s back to normal.” As for who Yakupov would replace in the lineup, Nelson says he hasn’t discussed that with General Manager Craig MacTavish yet. “Craig and I haven’t had discussions with that. We’ll discuss it later on today,” Nelson said.Chris WescottFri, 27 Feb 2015 16:30:00 ESThttp://2.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/02/20150227_potws-644.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3749237492BLOG: How Nelson develops playershttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37491Martin Marincin was a topic of discussion following yesterday’s practice as he has started to move forward in his development after a slow start to the season, which included assignment to Oklahoma City out of training camp. The book on Marincin is that he can make solid defensive plays and be a reliable blueliner, but needs to work on his battle in the corners and in front of the net. Oilers Interim Coach Todd Nelson said yesterday that he showed signs of that in the Oilers last game against Minnesota, even helping his team close out the waning seconds of that one-goal victory. Marincin has seen growth in this area as well, saying his battle is getting better. “Yes, it’s great,” Marincin said. “I feel stronger, like I said before the season so for me it is about going to the net and being stronger in front of the net and play simple.” For players like Marincin, who need to make adjustments to their game along their development path, Nelson thinks communication is key. After spending time in OKC working with young prospects, that’s the process Nelson says he uses to help young players like Marincin adjust to the pros and become better players. “Besides the work on the ice that we try to get better at, I think we have to have communication and it has to be a two-way street,” Nelson said. “They have to let me know what they need help with. I can identify some things but there are other things they may want to work on so it’s just constant communication with the player and just trying to help them in certain areas. It’s not only the on-ice play, but maybe it’s the off-ice stuff as well, like getting adjusted to North America if you’re a European player. Things like that. I think it’s constant communication.”Chris WescottFri, 27 Feb 2015 16:28:00 ESThttp://2.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/01/644396-marincin2-okc.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3749137491BLOG: Thursday practice updateshttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37418The Oilers have taken the ice at Rexall Place for practice. They haven't run lines, but Nail Yakupov (groin), Tyler Pitlick (lacerated spleen) and Nikita Nikitin (shoulder) are all practicing. Pitlick and Nikitin are both wearing non-contact yellow.Chris WescottThu, 26 Feb 2015 16:12:00 ESThttp://3.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2014/09/644scrimmage3.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3741837418BLOG: Update on Yakupovhttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37444Nail Yakupov sat out the game in Minnesota with a groin injury, but was back on the ice today at Rexall Place. The Oilers winger competed in all the drills and participated in the extra conditioning at the end of practice. “I felt pretty good,” Yakupov said. “I pushed as hard as I can. I went out a little earlier to see how my leg was going. I think everything was fine and then I got lucky with that skate at the end. Should be feeling pretty good. We’ll see tomorrow, but I hope I’ll be back in the lineup soon.” Yakupov says he didn’t enjoy watching his team compete without him in Minnesota and hopes he’s ready soon. “That wasn’t a great feeling at all,” Yakupov said. “I don’t like to watch the game from upstairs, but I still was kind of nervous. I wanted my team to get two points and they did, so it was a good feeling.” He may be back sooner than later, possibly even on Saturday against St. Louis. “It looks pretty good, based on what I saw today. He practiced well and we’ll see how it reacts tomorrow,” Oilers Interim Coach Todd Nelson said.Chris WescottThu, 26 Feb 2015 14:52:00 ESThttp://3.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/02/20150219_yak1.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3744437444BLOG: Marincin’s battle is uphttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37445The Oilers had a 23-year-old defenceman on the ice in the waning seconds of their 2-1 win over Minnesota on Tuesday night. Martin Marincin helped the Oilers run out the clock and preserve the one-goal victory. Having Marincin on the ice in a crucial moment signifies trust in his game and development in the player. Oilers Interim Coach Todd Nelson says the biggest thing Marincin has improved on lately is his assertiveness when it comes to puck battles in the hard areas. He showed that against Minnesota. “I think, his battle. That’s one thing we’ve always tried to work on with him,” Nelson said. “Last game in the last minute or 40 seconds or whatever he really competed hard and we saw that trend throughout the game. He has a good, long stick and that’s fine, but when it comes to a battle in front of the net and in corners we liked what we saw and that’s why he was out there.”Chris WescottThu, 26 Feb 2015 14:52:00 ESThttp://2.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/02/20150218_ph3-644.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3744537445BLOG: Bakersfield to remain as Condorshttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37412The Bakersfield Condors announced this evening that their name will remain the Condors when they move into the American Hockey League next season.Marc CiampaWed, 25 Feb 2015 23:02:00 ESThttp://1.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2014/05/20140523_Baks.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3741237412BLOG: Joey Moss to be inducted into Alberta Sports Hall of Famehttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37430Oilers longtime locker room assistant Joey Moss will be inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in the achievement category. The ceremony will take place at the Sheraton Hotel in Red Deer, AB on Friday, May 29. Moss, born with Down syndrome, first joined the Oilers in 1984 when he was brought into the organization by Wayne Gretzky. For years, Moss has served as an inspiration to the citizens of Edmonton and is somewhat of a celebrity. His likeness appears on a mural on 99th street in Edmonton. He has won numerous awards for personal achievement, including the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee and the NHL Alumni Association’s Seventh Man Award.Chris WescottWed, 25 Feb 2015 16:30:00 ESThttp://cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2013/09/20130924_JoeyMoss.jpeghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3743037430BLOG: Bob Brown headed to Kamloops Hall of Famehttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37411Oilers amateur scout Bob Brown was announced on Wednesday as an inductee to the Kamloops Sports Hall of Fame. From the official press release: Former Kamloops Blazers general manager Bob Brown heads up the Kamloops Sports Hall of Fame’s class of 2015 in the hall’s 25th anniversary year. Brown oversaw the hockey operations of the most celebrated modern era franchise in major junior hockey history. Brown had the task of pulling it all together, working with a community based board of directors, and a strong network of hockey minds from scouts, to coaches, and players and, away from the ice -- billets, fans, community leaders and sponsors. The result of his leadership and, commitment to excellence produced a dynasty decade of hockey, unparalleled in the city, and, the country by a major junior teams. 1985-1995 is the stuff legends are made of and, Brown is a legend going into the Kamloops Sports Hall of Fame. The Blazers will long be known for equalling the record of three Memorial Cup titles in four years (92, 94, 95) but during Brown’s 10 years, the Blazers won 10 WHL western conference titles appearing in 10 WHL finals winning five league titles, appearing in five Memorial Cup tournaments and winning the three. The Blazers lost six of their first seven games in the first three tournament appearances in ‘86, ‘90 and, ‘92 but after losing its opener in 92, the club reeled off 12 straight wins in the three championship seasons to hold the current M-C record winning streak. Its 13 & 6 tournament record along with its 108 &54 playoff run and, the 484-202-33 regular season record during the dynasty decade resulted in 605 wins, an average of slightly more than 60 per season. The numbers are staggering but just as staggering is the number of players and, coaches who forged pro careers. Most people will remember the names of Hitchcock, Renney and, Hay who were coaches mentored by Brown and, countless great players including current and, future hockey hall of famers, but there have been an untold number who have gone on to become great citizens in their communities, in leadership capacities. Brown’s legacy to Kamloops is immeasurable. His induction will take place April 11th at the 25th Kamloops Sports Hall of Fame Banquet, 6pm in the Grand Hall Ballroom at the TRU Student’s Activity Centre. Sam Lenarduzzi of BC soccer fame will be the guest speaker. Tickets are $45 apiece and will be available at the I-S-C Box office.Wed, 25 Feb 2015 10:54:00 ESThttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3741137411Video and audio from Monday's practicehttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37329Marc CiampaMon, 23 Feb 2015 14:35:00 ESThttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3732937329BLOG: Petry, Pitlick, Nikitin, Lander & Yak injury updateshttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37331Nikita Nikitin and Tyler Pitlick both skated with the team Monday at Rexall Place for the first time since suffering their respective injuries. Both are getting closer to returning. “They skated with us today. There was no contact but it was good to see them on the ice practicing with us. They’re still both a ways away but it’s one of those things where we’ll take it day-by-day with both guys and see how they feel and how they respond after skating with us,” Oilers interim head coach Todd Nelson stated, adding with Pitlick's injury being a lacerated spleen they need to be more cautious. “It’s a process with him. It’s good to see him on the ice skating and we’ll see if it’s mending properly then we’ll go from there,” Nelson continued. “He just needs to try and stay in the best shape possible. He had limited activity right after the injury. But he looked good out there today and it looks like he’s been doing stuff in the gym to maintain his physical fitness.” Pitlick added that he has been feeling much better and was glad to finally get on the ice with his teammates. “Everything’s been feeling good. I haven’t been in any pain in awhile so that part’s going good. I’ve been getting on the ice. Today’s my first practice with the team. I’ve got to wait for my next scan, wait for word that everything is healed up and then start taking my next contact.” Pitlick is hopeful to join the team for their upcoming five-game road trip in early March. “We’re trying to push it up to March 3. So hopefully I can get that scan, go on the road with the guys, do some practices and then by the time we get back from the road maybe get in a game,” Pitlick remarked, adding he's been experiencing some cabin fever wanting to get back out there. “There’s not much you can do for a month. I pretty much sat on the couch and watched TV for a month straight and then started walking on the treadmill a little bit, just easing into it. It’s been boring. I haven’t had much to do. It’s not like a knee where you’re on the table, doing some exercises or getting work done. There’s not much you can do except rest.” Pitlick said that at first, he didn't feel anything after a collision with Lance Bouma lacerated his spleen. “I knew it was a big collision right away because I felt the impact,” he said. “It really didn’t hurt that bad initially. I just kind of felt like I had the wind knocked out of me. I kept skating and had a few more shifts. I felt all right. I just felt like I had something in my stomach. I finished the game and afterwards I went in the training room and got ice for my shoulder. Wasn’t really thinking about my stomach but just kind of asked about it. They checked it out and there was some tenderness there so they wanted to make sure everything was all right before I got on the plane. “It’s a good thing they did because as soon as we got in the cab and headed to the hospital, the pain escalated. It’s a good thing they caught it and I wasn’t on the plane when that happened.” PETRY ALMOST READY Jeff Petry skated again with the team and said he felt like he could be ready to go tomorrow when the Oilers meet the Minnesota Wild. “I’m hoping to be in the lineup against Minny. It was just a shot to the ribs, nothing was broken. Just bruised. It’s pretty sore to rotate but every day’s gotten a lot better and I didn’t have any issues today.” Coach Nelson did add that the team did not have any further updates on Anton Lander's shoulder injury. YAKUPOV UPDATE Nail Yakupov got hurt last game but played the entire contest. Today, he started practice but left early. Coach Nelson said that him leaving practice was precautionary and he will travel with the team to Minnesota. “Last game he tweaked something. He got through the game but we just shut him down (today) for precautionary reasons. He’s making the trip and we’ll see how he is tomorrow.”Marc CiampaMon, 23 Feb 2015 14:04:00 ESThttp://1.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2014/11/20141130_pit.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3733137331BLOG: Oilers practicing on Monday at Rexall Placehttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37325The Oilers are on the ice for practice at Rexall Place this morning, prior to departure for Minnesota for a one-game road trip. Tyler Pitlick and Nikita Nikitin are both on the ice (in yellow non-contact jerseys), skating with the team for the first time since suffering their respective injuries. Line combinations up front are: Pouliot-RNH-Eberle Purcell-Roy-Yakupov Hamilton-Hendricks-Pakarinen Fraser/Gazdic-Gordon-KilnkhammerMarc CiampaMon, 23 Feb 2015 12:08:00 ESThttp://2.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/01/644klinkhammerpractie1.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3732537325BLOG: Good reviews for Oesterle debuthttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3731322-year-old defenceman Jordan Oesterle made his NHL debut tonight against the Anaheim Ducks. The significance of the moment hit him when he lined up for a faceoff early in the game. “It was on a faceoff,” Oesterle said. “I looked over and there was Corey Perry just standing next to me and I was just like, ‘wow.’” Oesterle played 16:34 for the game, paired with Andrew Ference. “I was really nervous at the beginning but I took a short shift at the beginning and got the nerves out of there. But Ference really helped me by communicating a lot to me and made my game pretty easy,” Oesterle said. Oesterle may have been nervous, but he made an impression on Interim Coach Todd Nelson, who also coached the blueliner in Oklahoma City. “He was excellent,” Nelson said. “I thought for a guy coming in for his first hockey game in the National Hockey League he was really good. He moved his feet, he made some really good decisions with the puck, he handled himself fine in the corners. I think for a first game for a young defenceman, that was a nice game for him.” He’s been touted for his high-end skating abilities and puck-moving prowess, but even Ference was surprised at how much the rookie wanted the puck. “Really, really good,” Ference said of his defensive partner’s debut. “He had great composure, fantastic skating ability, he was so calm. I still remember my first game when I didn’t want to touch the puck and he’s handling it and skating up the ice real well, making great plays. Very impressive.”Chris WescottSat, 21 Feb 2015 22:34:00 ESThttp://2.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/02/306172-edmana1.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3731337313BLOG: Oilers tinker with lineuphttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37305The Oilers will ice a different lineup tonight against the Ducks than they did last night in a 4-0 loss to the Wild. Keith Aulie will be taken out of the lineup with Jordan Oesterle making his NHL debut. “I think anytime a player plays their first game, it’s an exciting time,” Nelson said. “We’re facing a very good hockey team and it’s going to be a great challenge for him. But he’s a guy who can skate very well, he moves the puck well and I’m very excited to watch him play tonight.” Luke Gazdic replaces Matt Fraser on the wing. The line combinations are expected as follows: Pouliot-Nugent-Hopkins-Eberle Purcell-Roy-Yakupov Hamilton-Hendricks-Pakarinen Gazdic-Gordon-Klinkhammer Ben Scrivens will start in net for the Oilers. The defensive pairings are expected to be: Klefbom-Schultz Marincin-Fayne Ference-OesterleChris WescottSat, 21 Feb 2015 17:24:00 ESThttp://3.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/01/644396-oesterle-okc.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3730537305BLOG: Klinkhammer signing shores up fourth linehttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37254The Oilers announced a one-year contract extension for Rob Klinkhammer on Friday morning. The 28-year-old winger and Lethbridge, Alberta native has meshed well on a line with Boyd Gordon and Matt Hendricks. Since being acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins in a trade on January 2, Klinkhammer has been more than satisfied with his time in Edmonton. “It’s gone really well here,” Klinkhammer said. “I really enjoy the guys, I like the staff, top to bottom everyone has been great. I like my role here, I think I’ve got good chemistry with my linemates. I like the responsibility that we have so I love it. I signed a one-year extension with them and I’m really happy with the steps the team is taking. I want to be a part of this rebuild and help the team go in the right direction.” General Manager Craig MacTavish gave his assessment of Klinkhammer on Friday, saying that he gives the Oilers a solid fourth line moving into next season. “I just think that he came in and played a role that we needed,” MacTavish said. “He meshed well with Matt Hendricks and Boyd Gordon, which gives us a real good fourth line going into next year. He closed gaps very quickly, he finished every check. So the focus will be on Rob to continue to play the game that way and add some impetuous to our forechecking ability, and he did that. So we wanted to bring him back and put him back in that role and give him that opportunity next year.” Klinkhammer combines surprising speed with his 6-foot-3, 214-pound frame to provide physicality and aggression on the forecheck. In 157 NHL games, Klinkhammer has 41 points (20-21-41).Chris WescottFri, 20 Feb 2015 14:59:00 ESThttp://2.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/01/20150105_Klink1.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3725437254BLOG: Update on Jeff Petry talkshttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37252Jeff Petry is maybe the Oilers most high-profile pending free agent. The 27-year-old defenceman has shown steady growth over the last six weeks or so, and with the trade deadline approaching the Oilers have a decision to make. Oilers General Manager Craig MacTavish said today that they’re in conversations with Petry’s camp on a new contract. “I’ll just say this about Jeff, we really challenged him on a one-year contract and he’s clearly met that challenge. His game is at a level I think right now that it hasn’t been at before and I give Jeff a lot of credit for that,” MacTavish said. “As for a contract or what the course of action is going forward, I’ve had many conversations over the last four weeks with Wade Arnott, Jeff’s representative, as you might imagine and they’ve all been constructive conversations but I’m just going to leave it at that and we’ll see what happens going forward.” Petry also acknowledge the two sides are talking, but gave no further update on progress. “They’ve had some communication and talks have started and that’s all I can really say at the moment,” Petry said. “Edmonton has been great to me. Both sides are going to communicate here for the next little bit and see if we can’t find something that works best for both sides.” Petry was taken in the second round, 46th overall, of the 2006 NHL Draft. He has 294 NHL games under his belt with 17 goals and 74 points. He will not play tonight against the Minnesota Wild as he nurses a rib ailment.Chris WescottFri, 20 Feb 2015 14:40:00 ESThttp://2.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/01/644edm-nyi.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3725237252BLOG: Oilers “unlikely” to trade Roy, hopeful for dealhttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37251The Oilers acquired Derek Roy in a trade with Nashville on December 29. Since that day, Roy has 12 points (5-7-12) in 23 games for Edmonton, and has made even more of an impact off the stat sheet when it comes to his experience, leadership and positive effect on Nail Yakupov. The pending 31-year-old unrestricted free agent’s status with the Oilers in the future is unclear, but General Manager Craig MacTavish says they’ll begin conversations with his representation. “I think with Derek, we’re in the process of reaching out to him to see what his feeling is in terms of getting into a relationship with us going forward,” MacTavish said after morning skate at Rexall Place. “I think that’s something where there will be some things that will impact that relationship going forward. I think as good of a job as Derek has done and as much as he’s fit in well here, that will be something that will be done at the end of the year.” When it comes to the looming trade deadline on March 2, MacTavish indicated it was unlikely the Oilers would look to move Roy for just any compensation. They value his chemistry with Yakupov and how he’s helped with the young winger’s development, as well as what he brings to the locker room. “In my mind, we wouldn’t trade Derek for a superficial asset,” MacTavish said. “I think it’s very unlikely that he’ll be moved because of the fact that we have considerable interest in him longer term and he has meshed well with Yak and his development and that’s very important to us and the hockey club going forward.”Chris WescottFri, 20 Feb 2015 14:26:00 ESThttp://2.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/02/20150219_roy1.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3725137251BLOG: Oilers sign Klinkhammer and Hamiltonhttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37264The Oilers announced that they have signed wingers Rob Klinkhammer and Ryan Hamilton to one-year contract extensions.Marc CiampaFri, 20 Feb 2015 12:04:00 ESThttp://1.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/01/644klinkhammer1.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3726437264BLOG: Oesterle recalled; Lander placed on IRhttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37263The Oilers announced on Friday morning that defenceman Jordan Oesterle has been recalled from the AHL's Oklahoma City Barons and centre Anton Lander has been placed on injured reserve. This is Oesterle's first NHL tour of duty. He has played 49 games this season in his rookie AHL campaign and has six goals and 15 assists for 21 points along with a +5 rating and six penalty minutes. He is second in scoring among Barons defencemen this season.Marc CiampaFri, 20 Feb 2015 11:05:00 ESThttp://3.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/01/644396-oesterle-okc.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3726337263BLOG: Yakupov develops ESP before Marincin’s goalhttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37195Martin Marincin wouldn’t be the first choice in the shootout. In fact, Marincin was the Oilers 24th shooter against the Bruins. But when the defenceman tucked the puck under Tuukka Rask for the game-winning tally, there was at least one person in Rexall Place not the least bit surprised. “I got a feeling,” Nail Yakupov said. “I was 100% sure that Marty would score a goal. I didn’t know why, but it was fun.” There are some that think Marincin lost the puck when he reached the crease, but if not it was a slick fake out that fooled Rask. “No, that was really my move,” Marincin joked after the game. “I just tried to make some move and have good luck and it’s in.”Chris WescottThu, 19 Feb 2015 02:46:00 ESThttp://2.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/02/20150218_ph3-644.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3719537195BLOG: Injury update on Lander and Petryhttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37196The Oilers had to battle the Bruins down two skaters in the third period. Anton Lander left the game with a shoulder injury, while Jeff Petry left with a rib ailment. Interim Coach Todd Nelson gave a brief update after the game, though with no new information, as the pair will be checked out by the medical staff tomorrow. “Shoulder injury,” Nelson said of Lander. “We’ll reevaluate him tomorrow. Petry, we all saw he got the shot off the rib area, so once again, we’ll see how they are tomorrow and we’ll have a more definite outlook to see when they’re going to be back or they’re skating.”Chris WescottThu, 19 Feb 2015 02:46:00 ESThttp://3.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/01/20150129_lander644.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3719637196BLOG: Scrivens activated off IR; Fasth on IRhttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37206The Edmonton Oilers announced today they have activated goaltender Ben Scrivens off injured reserve and have placed goaltender Viktor Fasth on the injured reserve list.Edmonton Oilers Press ReleaseWed, 18 Feb 2015 11:25:00 ESThttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3720637206BLOG: Draisaitl named WHL Player of the Weekhttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37125Oilers prospect Leon Draisaitl has been named the WHL's Player of the Week. From the WHL's official press release: ROCKETS’ DRAISAITL NAMED DENNY’S WHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK CALGARY, AB -The Western Hockey League announced today that Kelowna Rockets forward Leon Draisaitl is the Denny’s WHL Player of the Week for the week ending February 15th, 2015. Draisaitl collected nine points (2g-7a), while posting a plus-four rating in four games over the past week to help lead the Rockets to a 3-1-0-0 record over that span. On Monday, February 9th, Draisaitl tallied two assists to lead the Rockets to a 5-2 win over the Prince George Cougars. On Friday, February 13th, Draisaitl collected three assists against the Victoria Royals in a 7-3 victory while also earning first star honours. Draisaitl concluded the week with a four point performance (2g-2a) against the Moose Jaw Warriors on February 14th in which he scored the game-winning goal and added another in a 6-0 shutout victory. A 19-year-old Cologne, Germany native, Draisaitl has gathered 27 points (9g-18a) along with a plus-nine rating in 17 games this season. The 6’1”, 210 lb forward is in his third WHL campaign and first with Kelowna. Draisaitl has amassed 190 points (68g-122a) in 145 career WHL regular season contests and was selected third overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2014 NHL Draft.Marc CiampaMon, 16 Feb 2015 17:24:00 ESThttp://2.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/01/644draisaitl3.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3712537125Video and audio from Sundayhttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37089Sun, 15 Feb 2015 16:41:00 ESThttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3708937089BLOG: Scrivens injury updatehttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37090Ben Scrivens spoke to Oilers TV's Tom Gazzola after practice on Sunday to talk about his recovery from a hamstring injury. “It’s progressing well. I’m feeling good in practice. It’s getting a little better every day,” Scrivens began. “I’m doing what the doctors and trainers are telling me to do and doing everything I can to get back as quickly as possible.” Scrivens said that the play came about from a fluke incident where he was trying to scramble back to the net in New Jersey to prevent a goal. “I went to play the puck behind the net, it wasn’t a great puck play, I kind of gave it away. Tried to get it to Schultzie and turned it over and a guy try to come and stuff it really quickly. I came out and spread and jammed the post so I was in a full spread and torqued it a little extra. “You kind of feel something but obviously I was good enough to keep going. It tightened up that night and I talked to the trainers and started to get treatment done the next morning.” Coach Nelson added that he expects to see Scrivens back on the team's upcoming three-game homestand which starts Wednesday against Boston.Marc CiampaSun, 15 Feb 2015 16:39:00 ESThttp://1.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2014/12/20141211_scrivensmask644.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3709037090BLOG: Injury updates & Klinkhammer's statushttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37091There was a myriad of injury updates following Sunday's practice. Tom Gazzola spoke with Benoit Pouliot, who played his first game on Saturday after missing five with a foot injury. “I felt good. The foot felt good. It wasn’t really the game I was hoping for but I’ll talk personally. I think I felt okay. In the third I felt a little bit better. The first two periods were slow but after that I gained speed,” said Pouliot. Boyd Gordon and Matt Hendricks both didn't skate on Sunday. For Gordon, interim head coach Todd Nelson termed it a maintenance day. For Hendricks, the hope was a day of complete rest would show some more recovery. “He tried it yesterday (at pre-game warm-up in Ottawa). We thought a day of rest today would be better off. We’ll try it again tomorrow morning,” said Nelson, adding that losing a player like Hendricks hurts the team. “Let’s face it. He’s an emotional guy, he’s a glue guy in the room and he’s a leader. The thing is, any time you lose a guy like that out of your lineup, you’re going to miss him.” Nelson added that Ben Scrivens, who was retroactively placed on IR on Saturday, will not play tomorrow due to his hamstring injury but is a potential for the team's upcoming three-game homestand. “He’s not going to be available for tomorrow. We’re just trying to get him ready for our homestand at home.” Another absence at skate was Rob Klinkhammer. He will likely not play on Monday, but for a different reason. When he landed in Winnipeg, he got news that his wife was in labour. He immediately jumped in a car and drove overnight to Lethbridge. He is still awaiting word on the new addition to his family.Marc CiampaSun, 15 Feb 2015 16:38:00 ESThttp://3.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/02/20150206_klinkhammer644.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3709137091BLOG: Oilers looking to bounce backhttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37092One day after a disappointing 7-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators, the Oilers were back on the ice in Winnipeg and looking to bounce back. “We had a really good meeting before practice. We had a spirited practice out there and the guys competed hard. That’s the great thing about the game of hockey. We got to wake up this morning, get back in the saddle and try to rectify things,” said Oilers interim head coach Todd Nelson. Nelson added that the way the team played was odd to him considering they had made some great strides throughout the week with three excellent games, particularly against two tough Eastern Conference teams in New York Islanders and Montreal Canadiens. “I wish I could figure it out. I’m sure every coach would like to figure it out because it’s pretty odd, right? Especially when we were trending in the right direction and then we come out with that performance,” Nelson continued. “There were so many things. All 20 guys were culprits. Just our thought process with our system work, making plays, our execution was off. It was one of those games. I think the most important thing now is us moving forward and trying to get back to where we were in Montreal and Long Island.” Benoit Pouliot added that he felt the team could give a lot more than they showed on Saturday. “You don’t want those games to happen too often. Yesterday afternoon was pretty embarrassing. Just the way that we played. We didn’t really try that hard. Intensity was low and they scored seven goals. It showed. We can’t play like this or we’ll be like this every night.” Jordan Eberle did add that despite the loss, the team has been showing positive signs. “We’re definitely playing better as a team, with the exception of last game. Before that, we were really starting to hum,” Eberle began. “When we play bad, we lose. It’s plain and simple but now when we play good and play the right way, we’re winning. That just shows the signs of a good team. We just have to bring that consistent level every night and play the way we know we can.” Eberle expects a battle on Monday night against a Winnipeg team coming off the high of a shootout win in Detroit. “Moving forward to Winnipeg, they’re a good team. They play a lot like Ottawa. They’re big, they’re strong and they’re fast. We know they’re going to come around in our face so we have to play a lot better than we did.”Marc CiampaSun, 15 Feb 2015 16:27:00 ESThttp://3.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/02/EDMOTT_DL1_021415.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3709237092BLOG: Oilers are on the ice in Winnipeghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37088The Oilers are on the ice for practice in Winnipeg this afternoon. Boyd Gordon, Matt Hendricks and Rob Klinkhammer are not skating. Forward Lines: Purcell - Nugent-Hopkins - Eberle Hamilton - Roy - Yakupov Pouliot - Lander - Pakarinen Gazdic - Fraser UPDATE: Klinkhammer is in Lethbridge with his wife awaiting the arrival of his child.Marc CiampaSun, 15 Feb 2015 13:11:00 ESThttp://2.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2014/01/306ference.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3708837088BLOG: Pouliot activated; Scrivens to IRhttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37058Oilers have activated forward Benoit Pouliot from the injured reserve list; Place goaltender Ben Scrivens on IR.Marc CiampaSat, 14 Feb 2015 13:58:00 ESThttp://2.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/01/644poluiot1.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3705837058BLOG: Hendricks, Pouliot taking warm-up in Ottawahttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37056The Oilers are on the ice for warm-up in Ottawa prior to this afternoon's game. Benoit Pouliot and Matt Hendricks are both out there for the visitors. Luke Gazdic is also on the ice while Matt Fraser is not. Line combinations coming.Marc CiampaSat, 14 Feb 2015 13:36:00 ESThttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3705637056BLOG: Hall on his injury & team performancehttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37028Taylor Hall attended the World’s Longest Hockey Game in Sherwood Park, an event to raise money for the Alberta Cancer Foundation. He signed autographs, took a tour of the facilities and chatted with the players, volunteers and fans. He spoke with Oilers TV about his time there, but also touched on his own health. Hall is out six weeks with a bone injury in his lower leg. He provided the following update. “Not much to say right now, I’m still in a walking boot and I’m still in a slow process right now,” Hall said. “Hopefully, in the next couple of weeks here I can get the boot off, get it moving and get it strong so I can come back as soon as I can.” Hall, in Edmonton, has been watching his team play the past few games and has seen a win in New Jersey, a great effort against the Islanders and a resilient win in Montreal. “The guys are playing so hard, it’s fun to watch,” Hall said. “I’ve said this before, you want to see your team do well when you’re out and it’s almost harder because you want to be a part of that winning atmosphere. The way that they’re working and the way they’re working is great. That’s something they need to continue and hopefully, when I can get back in the lineup, we can continue that.”Chris WescottFri, 13 Feb 2015 21:56:00 ESThttp://2.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2014/12/20141230_ph5644.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3702837028BLOG: Hendricks and Pouliot injury updateshttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37019Benoit Pouliot skated with the team for the third straight time as he appeared to be getting closer to a return to the lineup. Coach Nelson said a final decision will be made on Saturday morning to determine if he's ready to play the Senators at 2:00 p.m. local time (12:00 p.m. MST). “When you add a guy like Benny it’s always going to help your team. Tomorrow morning we’ll have another discussion to see where we’re at. There’s a lot of questions up in the air with the lineup tomorrow so we’ll have the rest of the day to think about it and see how guys are. We’ll make decisions tomorrow.” Matt Hendricks did not practice today. He blocked a handful of shots against the Canadiens and at least one of them hurt a little more than usual. “Matty took a puck off the ankle and today was a day where he wasn’t able to go out and practice. If anybody knows Matt, he wants to go out there and play. Tomorrow morning we’ll re-evaluate him and we’ll see if he’s good to go for tomorrow.”Marc CiampaFri, 13 Feb 2015 15:30:00 ESThttp://2.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/01/644poluiot1.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3701937019BLOG: Oilers riding high of Thursday's winhttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37018After an emotional win on Thursday in Montreal, the Oilers had a very spirited practice at the Canadian Tire Centre in Kanata, near Ottawa. The team was still coming off the high of one of their best victories of the season. “I’m going to enjoy this the rest of the day and tomorrow morning when I wake up we’ll get geared up for Ottawa," said Oilers interim head coach Todd Nelson following practice. "It was a big win for our hockey team. We played well. We stuck with our game plan and today’s a good day for the guys to enjoy themselves.” The practice was brief and to the point, lasting about 30 minutes. “We worked hard. It was short but we can enjoy this. It was a big win for us.” Coach Nelson talked about the importance of the victory, helping to reinforce the message after the team played so well on Tuesday against the Islanders but came away with zero points. “Bouncing back after the Islanders game was huge for us. We played well but didn’t get rewarded. Last night we did. It was a good sign for us. The guys feel good about it. “We have to keep on pushing forward. Last night was one game. It was a big game for us character-wise but we have to keep building on that and moving forward.”Marc CiampaFri, 13 Feb 2015 15:27:00 ESThttp://1.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/02/20150212_oilhabswinner644.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3701837018BLOG: Oilers at practice in Ottawahttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=37009The Oilers are on the ice for practice at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa ahead of Saturday afternoon's game against the Senators. Benoit Pouliot is on the ice once again, as is Ben Scrivens. Matt Hendricks is not skating. The team did not run lines.Marc CiampaFri, 13 Feb 2015 13:19:00 ESThttp://2.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/01/644practiceroad6.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3700937009BLOG: Rimmer announces cancer diagnosis, has surgeryhttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=36956Bakersfield Condors goaltender Ty Rimmer, 22, has not played a game since January 16, while dealing with health issues. On Wednesday night, Rimmer broke the news on twitter that he was diagnosed with testicular cancer, and underwent surgery to remove the tumour. “Two weeks ago I was diagnosed with testicular cancer. The tumor was surgically removed and I am on my way to a full recovery!,” Rimmer said via his twitter account. “The more awareness we can raise about this, the better! So I would like to encourage all young men to get themselves checked out. This disease can manifest very quickly, and may advance rapidly. So please don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor if you notice anything.” Rimmer, an Edmonton native, is signed to an AHL deal with the Oilers. In the last two seasons, Rimmer has seen action with the Oklahoma City Barons (3 games, 2.65 GAA and .930 save percentage), the Quad City Mallards (39 games, 2.84 GAA and .906 save percentage) and the Bakersfield Condors (25 games, 3.20 GAA and .889 save percentage). “Thank you to my family, friends, doctors and the entire Edmonton Oilers organization for being so supportive during this time!,” he said on twitter. Oilers prospect Brandon Davidson was also diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2012. He has since made a full recovery and is currently playing with the Barons, after making his NHL debut on December 10, 2014 in Anaheim.Chris WescottThu, 12 Feb 2015 12:52:00 ESThttp://2.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2014/09/20140925tyrimmer.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3695636956BLOG: Oilers morning skate in Montrealhttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=36982The Oilers are on the ice for morning skate at the Bell Center in Montreal. Benoit Pouliot is on the ice. As is Ben Scrivens, who took the ice early to test out his sore hamstring. After taking some shots in the first drill, Scrivens skated off. Forward lines are: Pouliot/Purcell-RNH-Eberle Hamilton-Roy-Yakupov Hendricks-Gordon-Klinkhammer Gazdic-Lander-PakarinenMarc CiampaThu, 12 Feb 2015 10:56:00 ESThttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3698236982BLOG: Fraser, Bachman not in warm-upshttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=36913The Oilers are on the ice for warm-ups at Nassau Coliseum in Long Island. Viktor Fasth is the only goaltender on the ice for Edmonton. The designated backup for tonight, Richard Bachman, has likely not made it to the rink on time. Recent call-up Ryan Hamilton is skating on a line with Derek Roy and Nail Yakupov. Matt Fraser is not on the ice for the Oilers.Marc CiampaTue, 10 Feb 2015 18:35:00 ESThttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3691336913BLOG: Oilers recall Bachman & Hamilton; Hall/Pouliot to IRhttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=36903The Edmonton Oilers announced today they have recalled goaltender Richard Bachman (emergency recall) and winger Ryan Hamilton from the American Hockey League's Oklahoma City Barons. Bachman, 27, has posted a 14-4-3 record in 22 games this season with the Barons, including three shutouts, a 2.30 goals against average and a .921 save percentage. Bachman was also named to the 2015 AHL All Star Game as a member of the Western Conference. The 5’10”, 176-pound goaltender has appeared in three career games for the Oilers, registering a 3.02 goals against average and a .916 save percentage. Hamilton, 29, has registered 29 points (15G, 14A), six penalty minutes and a plus 11 rating in 32 games with the Barons this season. The 6’2”, 219-pound forward has appeared in 14 career NHL games, posting three assists and two penalty minutes and he has also played in two playoff games, notching one assist. The Oilers also announced they have placed forwards Taylor Hall and Benoit Pouliot on the injured reserve list.Edmonton Oilers Press ReleaseTue, 10 Feb 2015 12:00:00 ESThttp://1.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2013/10/bachmansave.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3690336903BLOG: Oilers on ice for optional morning skatehttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=36884The Oilers are on the ice for an optional morning skate in New Jersey. Jeff Petry is on the ice after taking a maintenance day on Sunday. Benoit Pouliot is also on the ice in full gear, skating with the team for the first time since his injury.Marc CiampaMon, 09 Feb 2015 11:23:00 ESThttp://2.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/01/644practiceroad6.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3688436884BLOG: Fayne comments on return to Jerseyhttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=36883Oilers defenceman Mark Fayne makes his return to New Jersey tonight for the first time since signing with the Oilers in the offseason. He talked about his return: “It’s a little different coming back here, dressing in the away locker room. But, again, it’s good to be back and see some guys but it’s a business trip. You’ve got to have a mindset of no friends out there and get two points.” Read more in our feature story "Fayne Returns Home" in the Oilers mobile app.Marc CiampaMon, 09 Feb 2015 10:20:00 ESThttp://3.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/02/644396fayne.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3688336883Sunday's Video and Audio from New Jerseyhttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=36832Sun, 08 Feb 2015 13:51:00 ESThttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3683236832BLOG: Petry and Pouliot injury updateshttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=36833Following practice, Coach Nelson gave updates on the status of Jeff Petry and Benoit Pouliot. Neither player skated on Sunday. Nelson wasn't concerned with Petry, saying he expected him to play tomorrow. “It was just a maintenance day with Petey. We spoke about it last night. Guys that were maybe not feeling right should take a day to get better and that’s all that happened with Petey.” The coach added that Pouliot was doubtful for a return to the lineup on Monday. “It’s day-to-day. We’ll see how he is tomorrow morning. He did take the ice briefly yesterday morning just to check it out so we’ll have to wait and see tomorrow.”Marc CiampaSun, 08 Feb 2015 13:48:00 ESThttp://2.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/01/644edm-nyi.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3683336833BLOG: Hall heads back to Edmonton for MRIhttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=36830The Oilers announced on Sunday that Taylor Hall has returned to Edmonton to undergo further assessment on his injured left ankle. Following practice, Coach Todd Nelson explained the reason for sending Hall back. “It wasn’t responded like we wanted it to. He’s going to get an MRI just to make sure that we know what we’re dealing with. Then we’ll go through the process after that,” Nelson stated.Marc CiampaSun, 08 Feb 2015 12:29:00 ESThttp://1.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/01/20150106_ph2-644.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3683036830BLOG: Oilers practicing in New Jerseyhttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=36829The Oilers are practicing in New Jersey at the Devils' practice rink attached to the Prudential Center. Taylor Hall, Benoit Pouliot and Jeff Petry are not skating. Forward lines are the same as last game: Purcell-RNH-Eberle Fraser-Roy-Yakupov Gazdic-Lander-Pakarinen Hendricks-Gordon-KlinkhammerMarc CiampaSun, 08 Feb 2015 12:21:00 ESThttp://3.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/01/644practicefayneroad2.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3682936829BLOG: Oilers at morning skate in Torontohttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=36790The Oilers are on the ice for morning skate in Toronto. The lines up front are the same as yesterday's practice: Purcell-RNH-Eberle Fraser-Roy-Yakupov Gazdic-Lander-Pakarinen Hendricks-Gordon-KlinkhammerMarc CiampaSat, 07 Feb 2015 11:29:00 ESThttp://1.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/01/644practiceroadpetry1.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3679036790Friday's video and audiohttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=36779Marc CiampaFri, 06 Feb 2015 16:39:00 ESThttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3677936779BLOG: Nelson on the team's improvementhttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=36782Todd Nelson was asked after practice about the team's continued improvement on the ice. After winning just seven of their first 36 games, the club is 7-7-2 in their last 16. “It’s getting better. Every day we go out to practice we stress tempo, execution and compete," Nelson began. "Today’s practice was a good day for us. We had all those elements and the guys worked hard. All we can do is just keep working at it. “Every day we go out there’s been signs of improvement.”Marc CiampaFri, 06 Feb 2015 16:37:00 ESThttp://3.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/02/462687192_crop1.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3678236782BLOG: Update on Hall and Pouliothttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=36783Oilers interim head coach Todd Nelson was asked following practice on Friday about the status of Taylor Hall and Benoit Pouliot since neither player skated with the team. “It’s day-to-day with both guys," said Nelson. "Benoit is probably going to recover a bit quicker than Taylor. They’re both on the trip and I think the first step is get them out for practice and see how they feel.”Marc CiampaFri, 06 Feb 2015 16:37:00 ESThttp://3.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/01/644pouliotpracticd1.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3678336783BLOG: Marincin a 'strong possibility' for Saturdayhttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=36784Defenceman Martin Marincin was recalled on Thursday and joined the team today in Toronto. Oilers interim head coach wasn't tipping his hand in terms of what his lineup might look like on Saturday but he did say it was likely Marincin will play. “It’s a strong possibility," he said. "We brought him up here for a reason. We haven’t made a decision on the lineup yet. I wanted to see how he was in practice — I thought he was fine. It gives us options on this trip.”Marc CiampaFri, 06 Feb 2015 16:37:00 ESThttp://3.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/01/644396-marincin-okc.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3678436784BLOG: Oilers practicing in Torontohttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=36776The Oilers are on the ice for practice in Toronto at the Leafs practice facility. Forward line combinations are: Purcell-RNH-Eberle Fraser-Roy-Yakupov Gazdic-Lander-Pakarinen Hendricks-Gordon-KlinkhammerMarc CiampaFri, 06 Feb 2015 13:02:00 ESThttp://3.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/01/644practiceroadrnh1.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3677636776Oilers Recall Marincin, Nikitin to IRhttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=36734The Edmonton Oilers announced today they have recalled defenceman Martin Marincin from the American Hockey League's Oklahoma City Barons. Marincin, 22, has registered seven points (7A) and 20 penalty minutes in 27 games with the Barons this season. The 6’4”, 203-pound blueliner has appeared in 12 games this season with the Oilers, posting one assist and two penalty minutes. The Oilers also announced they have placed defenceman Niki Nikitin on the injured reserve list.Edmonton Oilers Press ReleaseThu, 05 Feb 2015 13:30:00 ESThttp://2.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/01/644396-marincin2-okc.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3673436734BLOG: Morning skate updateshttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=36723Taylor Hall and Benoit Pouliot are absent from Oilers morning skate. Freshly recalled Iiro Pakarinen is on the left side with Derek Roy and Purcell. Line Combinations: Yakupov-RNH-Eberle Pakarinen-Roy-Purcell Fraser-Lander-Gazdic Hendricks-Gordon-Klinkhammer Defensive Pairings: Ference-Petry Klefbom-Schultz Aulie-FayneChris WescottWed, 04 Feb 2015 11:39:00 ESThttp://2.cdn.nhle.com/oilers/images/upload/2015/01/644klinkhammer2.jpghttp://oilers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=3672336723

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Holden sets new industry standard Holden has broken ranks with other car makers and extended its paid maternity leave provisions to 14 weeks. In a first for the traditionally male-dominated car industry, Holden has introduced the policy partly to encourage mothers to return to work. At present, 35 per cent of Holden employees who take maternity leave do not return. The move - which will apply to women who have been on the payroll for at least two years - has been praised by unions and Sex Discrimination Commissioner Pru Goward. "This is very good news for Holden employees, especially since it extends to lower paid workers," said Ms Goward, who has been lobbying for a government-funded scheme of 14 weeks. Holden human resources executive director Andrea Grant said Holden felt it had a professional responsibility to its 725 female employees, who comprise 9 per cent of its workforce.");document.write(" advertisement "); } } // --> "The first few months of having a new baby are really tough, let alone having to worry about finances, and by doing this we're helping female employees and we're also helping young families get through that difficult period," Mrs Grant said. Under the scheme, Holden will offer women six weeks' fully paid leave, and the option of taking a further eight weeks on full pay, or 16 weeks at half pay. Previously, the company offered six weeks' paid leave, the industry average since a 1995 union agreement. The cost to Holden, estimated at $200,000 a year, would be almost equal to the cost otherwise incurred replacing people who did not return to work, Mrs Grant said. ACTU president Sharan Burrow strongly backed the move. "Conditions for many other working women should also improve as standards spread across the industry, preferably with a reduced qualifying period below the two years," she said. Car component company Autoliv is considering offering 12 weeks' paid leave as part of its enterprise bargaining agreement next year. Toyota spokesman Peter Griffin said the company, which offers six weeks' maternity leave, was satisfied with present arrangements.

Building security into cloud native apps with NGINX Companies like Airbnb, Uber and DoorDash, which have a cloud-based software infrastructure as one of their main enablers, are disrupting the hospitality, transportation and food delivery sector. Why do all these new companies use the cloud and what advantages does it give them? Unlike legacy competitors, innovators with new infrastructure can..

AngularJS automated testing on Windows Phone Feb 5, 2015 • Ville Rantala Introduction In this blog post, I’ll show how one can execute the automated tests of an app written on top of AngularJS on a Windows Phone 8.1 device. If you are only interested in the “beef”, please check the “Setting up” and “Running tests” from below. To give an idea what the end result could look like, here is a short video of running the Ionic Framework’s tests: There are many different testing frameworks out there for various types of tests, but under the hood, they often rely on the WebDriver API for actually controlling or “driving” the Web browser. The API abstracts the differences between various browser implementations and by implementing a browser-specific driver, one can get an arbitrary browser hooked into this ecosystem of WebDriver-based testing frameworks. It is known that Windows Phone doesn’t have as good support for these frameworks as iOS and Android, but there are solutions one can leverage when testing on a Windows Phone is required. I think at least two projects are worth mentioning. The first one can be found here and the second one from here. Both leverage “automation atoms” from the Selenium project and execute the tests within an embeddable WebBrowser component in a Windows Phone Silverlight app. The main architectural difference is that in the first one, the driver server is implemented as a command-line executable (that is typically run on a Windows desktop machine) whereas in the latter, the server is implemented in the driver app itself. In this blog post, I’ll concentrate on the latter, because I preferred a solution where I can run the tests from any machine including Mac and Linux (currently, the setting up phase still requires a Windows OS and some developer tools to be able to deploy a XAP file to your device). Setting up Download the app XAP file from http://winphonewebdriver.codeplex.com/downloads/get/1426521 and install it to your Windows Phone 8.1 device. If you are not already a Windows Phone developer and don’t have the tools installed, this is by far the most time-consuming step, because it requires some amount of software and tooling. If you don’t have a Windows machine, you can also install the required tools onto a virtual Windows (using for example VMware, Parallels or VirtualBox). If you search for instructions related to setting up a Windows Phone SDK inside a virtual machine, the most complication comes from getting the emulator running, but all of that can be skipped in this context if the WebDriver app is wanted to be deployed onto a real device. Open the installed app and take a note of the IP address the device has like shown in the picture below: Driver settings Running tests Configure the tests to use the remote WebDriver protocol. How to do this depends on which framework and language bindings you are using, but I am giving some examples below. Run the tests and watch them go. If running fails, one common issue to check here is that the machine that runs the tests and the device is connected to the same network and can access each other. Problems may occur, for example, in case the network has restrictions on how clients can connect to each other or if the machine that runs the tests has a firewall blocking connections. Change the package.json to include karma-webdriver-launcher which knows how to run tests against any driver server implementing the API Update karma.conf.js to use our custom launcher and configure it so that karma finds the Windows Phone device For protractor tests, update protractor.conf.js for correct driver IP and the IP of the machine on which we run the tests (so that the phone is able to access the server we run) In my environment, my Mac had IP address 10.0.1.2 and my Windows Phone had 10.0.1.3. I had commit de30ee955c55ddf27b8fd15789ad18206bbbc285 checked out from angular-seed Here is the full diff of changes I had to make: After that, I was able to run the tests from my Mac as instructed. Full output from the commands at: Caveats Events are simulated with JavaScript Especially in the end to end tests, you want to simulate a scenario where an end user would actually use an app as closely as possible. On a full-touch Windows Phone device, this is mostly touch-based interactions with fingers. However, because the WebDriver is implemented in the JavaScript layer, the browser engine doesn’t interpret interactions with the app as touch input and thus the events your app gets differs between test scenario and real usage scenario. As you can see for example here, the exact behavior (order, timing, etc.) of generated events differs quite a bit between various browser implementations. This may cause end-user-visible issues that would be nice to catch with end to end tests, but unfortunately the WebDriver implementation covered here can’t be reliably used from this perspective due to the reason mentioned above. Run in WebBrowser in Silverlight app Depends a bit what is the target for your app, but a thing to note is that there might be small differences between how the embeddable WebBrowser within a Silverlight app behaves versus the IE browser on the device versus a JavaScript universal app. Not supporting the entire WebDriver specification The driver doesn’t support all the functionality defined in the WebDriver Wire Protocol specification. This means that depending on which language binding and which exact features you use, you may end up getting an “not implemented”-response from the driver. Unproven reliability Based on the data I found online, this driver hasn’t been in wide use in real-world testing scenarios. This means that there is not much data around how reliable the solution is in complex scenarios and perhaps when hooked into a CI system for continuous testing.

Donald Coxe’s recommended investment strategy When it comes to evaluating how well people “read” the macro picture of financial markets, it is important always to distinguish between skill and luck. And it is really only with the passing of time, or evolvement of a number of market cycles, that one can separate the wheat from the chaff. Donald Coxe, Global Portfolio Strategist of BMO Financial Group, is one of a select group of analysts that have been remarkably right on the “big picture” outlook for many years. My market views essentially concur with Donald’s investment recommendations as published in the February edition of Basic Points (courtesy of J’s Global Analysis). I have therefore deemed it opportune to share his words of wisdom with you in the paragraphs below, especially also in the light of the difficult juncture in financial markets. 1. Long-term investors should remain heavily overweight commodity stocks, including the base-metal stocks. As the bear market grinds on, use days of stock market weakness to add to commodity stock exposure. They not only remain the asset class with the best earnings outlook, but also the asset class that is least understood by conventional asset allocators, who still see them as cyclicals dependent on OECD growth. 2. In the near term, the golds will continue to outperform stock markets and to act as a form of hedge against two kinds of shocks – financial panics and inflation shocks. 5. Where possible, borrow in dollars and invest in assets denominated in strong currencies. 6. The Canadian dollar remains the Western currency with the best fundamentals. Canada’s problems arise because the Great Lakes are an insufficient barrier to the flow of bad economic and financial trends from the South. 7. Within the commodity groups, continue to emphasize investment in companies with long-duration unhedged reserves in the ground in politically secure regions. 8. The growth of sovereign control of energy assets means that the supply-side response to record-high oil prices will probably be inadequate to meet relentlessly growing global demand. Too many Third World governments with rich oil reserves have too many other demands for cash to reinvest heavily for the long term in new production. Retain exposure to the shares of producing Alberta Oil Sands companies with reserves that could outlast this century. 9. Long-term-oriented investors should use any temporary pullback in base metal producers to build their portfolios for the Final Movement of the Sonata – which will be the longest and loveliest performance of metal music in history. 10. The Treasury yield curve is now in recession mode – low yielding and upward sloping. It is of investment merit only for those who expect a long, deep recession. The Ten-Year note, with a negative real yield of 50 basis points, should appeal only to those who believe the recession will be accompanied by deep deflation. Oddly enough, credit spreads, though they have widened from their record-low levels, do not discount any recession at all. We think bond investors should go for short- and medium-term high-quality non-Treasury paper – preferably in currencies other than greenbacks. 11. Defence stocks remain attractive, even if Democrats win it all in November. The next president may well choose to speak more softly than the incumbent, but if he or she doesn’t carry a big stick, the jihadists won’t listen. As an added bonus, click here for Donald’s most recent webcast, dealing with the case for commodities and resources stocks. 5 comments to Donald Coxe’s recommended investment strategy Donald Coxe, Global Portfolio Strategist of BMO Financial Group, is one of a select group of analysts that have been remarkably right on the “big picture” investment outlook for many years. His recommended investment strategy therefore makes for ap… I think (and I’m trading 🙂 that in terms of fundamentals, there are several medium term concerns (long term is of course bullish) for the commodity bulls because the supply/demand equation is probably going to be change: 1) In a global recession environment, it is almost sure that global demand for commodities will be affected, even in the miraculous China, that is almost 40% dependent on exports. The only question here is how severe is going to be this recession, now predicted by more than 50% of economists; 2) There are also issues on the supply side of the equation: a lot of production capacity increase plans has been started in the last 2/3 years but the effects are only starting to be felt lately because those plans take time to accomplish: you don’t start to extract gold or crude oil the next day you decided it. There is a significant lag of time between that decision and the day the commodity gets in the market. There are environment studies, paper-work (licences,…) and the normal time factor that huge construcion/assembly plants like an oil platform or a gold mine takes to get ready; 3) The U.S. dollar will of course benefit from this commodity correction. Adding to the previous considerations: a) With the real estate bubble bursted and the credit bubble bursting, inflation will probably slow down which is bearish for commodities and, thus, bullish for the U.S. Dollar; b) The trade deficit – and so the U.S. Dollar – will benefit from a slowdown in the U.S. because the American consumer is and will continue to spend less in the next quarters. Exports won’t be affected until the U.S. Dollar remains undervalued; c) Finaly, the BOE will need to follow the FED in cutting rates to the [3%;3.5%] range and the ECB will be forced to follow them (historicaly the ECB follows the FED with a 6 to 9 months delay). Commodity stocks have performed poorly in comparison with their underlying asset. However, since the overall market is in reverse any forward movement is welcome. The poor performance is probably due to the disbelief in stagflation or any kind of inflation taking hold. M1 and the Money Base say there will be no inflation. Canada is twice as big as Australia and therefore arguably safer, but it looks to me like Oz has bigger exposure to Asian commodity-purchasing markets and consequently is in a stronger position currency-wise. Oz is an island, while Canada is integrated into the US — for good or bad. Now it’s bad. The Ozzie dollar looks a better bet than the Canuck despite being more volatile. Some years ago it was worth 47 cents! Now it’s around 94 cents, which is twice as much. I remember when it was worth $1.43. The $A or AUD is very sensitive to commodity prices, particularly the hard ones. If the bottom falls out of the oil market like I expect it to within 5 years time, the Alberta Oil Sands business will be worth zip. Just check out what the US, Korean and Japanese auto companies are up to as well as the US government. Then there is the giant Brazilian bagasse to ethanol project plus people looking at the 2 million tons or whatever of Georgia wood chips per year which also makes decent ethanol feedstock. It is interesting to hear what Coxe says about getting out of Treasuries and into company bonds. I thought of that myself. However, many advisors and investors are claiming that no debt instrument is any good except a piece of Treasury paper. Also, Roubini or Dr Doom, jnr as you may choose claims that company default rates will boom to 10% when the recession goes into full bloom. Who should we believe? Like the magazine covers analogy, the commodities surge is likely over or almost over. Take steel for example, it is just beginning a long correction althoughit has a bounce just in store just ahead, it will drop far lower than most imagine. When stocks surge again, commodities will be left behind. Right now there is much speculative holding keeping stocks off the market. Once it becomes clear that the downside is inevitable, those stocks will get dumped and we’ll see prices come down faster than they went up.

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What Happens to Christians Who Die?, Part 1 High Quality AudioRight-click (Control-click on the Mac) and select 'Save As...' or similar Low Quality AudioRight-click (Control-click on the Mac) and select 'Save As...' or similar This morning, we come finally to the great text of 1 Thessalonians 4:13 through 18. Please open your Bible to that particular passage of Scripture. This is, of course, familiar to most of us as believers. We know it as the Rapture passage, the passage which describes the catching away of the church. It is in many ways the favorite text in this wonderful epistle that we’ve been studying here for months, and months, and months. And finally, we have arrived at the long-awaited time to discuss this great event. As we approach the text, I’ve entitled it: “What Happens to Christians Who Die?” What happens to Christians who die? I’m often asked that, even by Christians; in fact, usually by Christians. Questions like: after we die, do we go directly to heaven? Or, what happens to our bodies? The details of those kinds of questions are very, very important to us, and they can be troubling if we don’t know the answer. We want to know what happens after we die, and we would like to know what happens to the bodies of those we love when they go into the grave. Those are pressing issues and they were equally pressing issues on the young believers in Thessalonica. Remember now, those to whom Paul wrote this letter had only been in Christ a matter of a few months and they had only had just a few weeks, really, of exposure to Paul’s ministry so they were very much babes. And they had become very troubled about this issue of what happens to Christians when they die. They believed certainly in life after death because it says in chapter 1 verse 3 that they had hope. There’s no question that Paul had told them about eternal life because he preached to them the gospel, and they believed it and they turned from idols. And so, we know they knew about eternal life. They knew that salvation was synonymous with living forever with God in heaven. And they also knew about the coming of Jesus, that Jesus was going to someday return and gather all His people together and take them to be with Him. They knew about that great gathering event. And so, there were some questions in their minds about how that all sort of worked out, like if you die now do you miss the gathering? Apparently, Paul had made that gathering event so glorious, he had made that gathering event so wonderful that they were very worried that some of them might miss it, even though they would be living in eternal life, they would still be very concerned if they missed the gathering together. In fact, it was so much on their minds that when you go back to chapter 1, would you notice verses 9 and 10? As Paul describes them he says they turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God and to wait for His Son from heaven. Now, there you have the three dimensions of their salvation: the past, turning from the idols of the past; the present, serving a living and true God; and the future, waiting for His Son from heaven. This was a waiting group. Chapter 2 verse 19, Paul refers to them as his hope and joy and crown in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming. So, they must have known that the coming was something very special. First of all, they would meet Jesus and they were waiting for Him. Secondly, they would be the crown and joy and rejoicing of the apostle and they were thrilled about that. Beyond that, they knew a few other things, look at chapter 5 verses 1 and 2. Paul says, “Now, as to the times and the epochs,” or seasons, “brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you for you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night.” They also knew about the day of the Lord. They knew about a time of coming judgment on the ungodly. They knew then that when Jesus came He would gather them to be with Him. And He would also judge the ungodly. They were waiting for Jesus to come. They were waiting for the gathering time. Now, in their waiting they had become somewhat disturbed. Some of them probably feared that they had missed it, that it had happened without them. How so? Well, they were entering in to persecution and afflictions and some of them probably thought that they were going to be gathered before that happened. So, in chapter 3 verses 3 and 4 Paul has to say to them, “So that no man may be disturbed by these afflictions, for you yourselves know that we have been destined for this for indeed when we were with you.” We kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction. And so, it came to pass, as you know.” He reminds them, now wait a minute, you shouldn’t be surprised by difficulty and persecution, I told you it was coming. But maybe there were some of them who thought they were going to be gathered together before that really took place. Certainly, they were living an immense expectation and would fear that they might miss such a great event. In fact, in chapter 2 of 2 Thessalonians Paul says, “We request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, that you may not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.” Somebody had been spreading the word around, either by supposedly an angelic messenger, a spirit, or some fabricated letter from Paul that the great event had already happened and the day of the Lord had arrived. And so, there was an awful lot of concern, and loss of composure, and they were disturbed. Had the day of the Lord already begun? Had they somehow missed the gathering together? And then, the most imminent question was, what about the Christians who die? Will they miss it? It isn’t that they didn’t believe that they would go to heaven; it was: will they miss this great event? Will they somehow become second-class citizens in the future? Will we know them only eternally as sort of disembodied glorified spirits while we go in our glorified bodies so that they are sort of secondary? Or maybe we won’t even have communion with them at all, and there won’t even be a reunion with these two kinds of beings. All of these questions were in their minds. We can’t identify anything more specific than that. But they were living in expectation of Christ’s return. They were so excited about it that the best way to describe their hope was they were waiting for His Son. They wanted the Lord to come. They knew it was the climax, the culmination, the great event that signaled the pinnacle of redemptive history, and they didn’t want to miss it. It’s also interesting to note that they loved each other so much they didn’t want each other to miss it. And so, apparently they were feeling grieved as believers were dying, for fear that they would therefore miss this great event. It is with their grief and their confusion that Paul intends to deal. If you look at the text in verse 13, he mentions being uninformed or ignorant and the fact that you are now grieving about it. And then, in verse 18 he mentions the word “comfort.” His purpose was to eliminate their ignorance, thus to eliminate their grief, and thus to bring them comfort. Now, summing that up let me say this. The passage is more pastoral than it is theological. It is more intended to alleviate confusion, grief, distress, and bring comfort than it is to give a theological, eschatological delineation of every factor in the gathering together. They were agitated. They were upset. They were confused. They were worried. They were fearful. After all, they’re baby Christians; they don’t know very much, they’re living every day waiting for the Son to come. And as some of them die in the months since Paul has left, their question is: what happens to those people? Do they miss it? And their love for each other is so strong, chapter 4 verse 9 says, “As to the love of the brethren you have no need for anyone to write to you for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren.” They loved each other so much they were grieving because some might miss this great event. So, Paul writes to alleviate their grief, to bring them great measure of comfort. Their anticipation was very, very high about the return of Christ. And I believe it is fair to say that Paul had communicated to them that Jesus could come in their life time. If that was not what they believed, then the whole question is meaningless. Their concern was: they were believing Jesus would come at any moment, and as some were dying their fear was they’re going to miss it. The only reason they would have that fear, they would have that anticipation is because they believed it could happen soon. The major question then is: what happens to Christians who die before the Lord returns? And since they had the impression that He could come at any moment, they were deeply concerned about this issue. It may well have been that somebody could’ve suggested, “Well, according to the principle in 1 Corinthians 11:30, if some Christians fall into sin, some are weak, and some are sick, and some are asleep or dead, it may be that these people are dying because of sin in their life that we don’t know about. And God’s just laying them in the grave because of their sin, and only the ones who live a pure life are going to make it to the coming of Jesus. And maybe if they are resurrected in the future, it’s going to be some time after, and some lesser circumstance, and all of that.” And so, Paul pens these verses. Let’s start at verse 13. “But we do not want you to be uninformed or ignorant, brethren, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.” He says I don’t want you to be ignorant and as a result of being ignorant, grieving. I don’t want you to worry about those who died having missed the Lord’s return. You say, “Well, how did Paul even know they were thinking like this?” Back in chapter 3 verse 1 you’ll remember he mentions how he couldn’t endure any longer not knowing about them, and so in verse 2 he says we sent Timothy, and then in verse 6 it says Timothy has come back. And when Timothy came back, it says he brought us good news of your faith and love. I like that. Because back in chapter 1 Paul commended them for their faith and their love and their hope. But when Timothy came back apparently he only brought them good news about their faith and their love because their hope was a little messed up and it needed to be straightened out a little bit because they were so confused. So, Paul writes to deal with that confusion and its consequence, grief. Now, would you note at the beginning of verse 13. We’re going to take our time with this, we’ll continue next week and maybe even finish it, but I want to do it very carefully because this is a very, very important passage and a very important subject. You’ll note at the beginning he says, “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren.” That opening statement is Paul’s favorite way to change the subject. That’s his favorite way, either in a positive or a negative format to change the subject. Sometimes he says, “I do not want you to be ignorant,” such as here and in Romans 1:13, 1 Corinthians 10:1, etc. Sometimes he’ll also say, “I want you to understand. I want you to know,” like 1 Corinthians 11:3, Philippians 1:12 and other places. But whether he says I want you to know, on a positive side, or I don’t want you to be ignorant, it marks a change in the subject to a new topic with no direct connection to the one previous. And it’s rather emphatic. “But” marks a change in course, “brethren” is a call to attention which signals something they need to give their attention to. We’re done with that and I’m calling you back again to a new discussion, brethren. It’s a term of affection, obviously, and he had immense affection for them as the end of chapter 2 indicates when it says that he was burdened, bereft really, because of the great desire he had to see their face. And so, he turns the corner with the word “but,” he grabs their attention for the new subject with the word “brethren,” and then he says, “We would not have you uninformed or ignorant.” This then introduces a new subject. This introduces not only a new subject, but in this case new teaching, new revelation indicated in verse 15 “by the word of the Lord,” a revelation that he has received. So, here he will deal with their ignorance which has led to their confusion and grief, restlessness and lack of comfort. And what is it that he’s going to talk about? “We do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep.” Now, why does he use the word “asleep?” Why doesn’t he just say dead? Because sleep is the unique way to speak of Christians in repose, in temporary repose. By the way, the word “asleep,” koimaō to cause to sleep, is the word from which we get our word cemetery, which it was the early Christians optimistic name for a graveyard. It really meant a sleeping place. It really was a synonym for a dormitory, a place where people sleep. Now, how is it that Christians are spoken of as sleeping? You’ll notice as I answer that question, first of all, that it’s in a present tense form, this participle here, and it has the idea of those who are continually falling asleep. That is, believers who fall asleep from time to time as a regular course of life in the church. They’re saying, “What about these Christians that just continue to die?” I mean, life is like that. It ends, right? And they keep dying. And he says, “I don’t want you to be ignorant about what happens to people after they die.” Now, the word “sleep” in the Bible is used of normal sleep, a recovery process by which the body goes into rest temporarily. John 11:12 uses it in its normal sense. But the word for “sleep” is also used uniquely of Christians, and it’s used a number of times for Christians, now listen carefully, and it always refers to their bodies. It always refers to their bodies. The only part of us that goes in to any state of unconsciousness at death is the body. In John, you remember chapter 11 and verse 11, our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, Jesus said, but I go that I may awaken him out of sleep. Now, everybody knew that Lazarus was what? He was dead; he had been dead for three days. His sister said, “By this time his body stinketh.” Decay had set in, he had been entombed, he was dead. From Jesus’ view he was only asleep; his soul was alive not bound in the grave, we don’t know where it was or what it experienced ‘cause the Scripture doesn’t tell us, but it does not pass out of existence since it is eternal and it is eternally conscious. But his body was at rest, and Jesus saw that as temporary. That’s why He calls it sleep. Sleep is something you wake up from. If you don’t wake up, you’re dead or you eventually will die. And so, Jesus sees the death of Lazarus as temporary repose of his body. Look at Acts chapter 7, just to give you a full understanding of this. You remember when Stephen was being stoned it says in verse 60, “Falling on his knees he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ And having said this, he fell asleep.” He fell asleep. It was death from the human viewpoint. It was death from the clinical viewpoint. It was sleep because it was only temporary repose for his body. His spirit didn’t go in to unconsciousness. If you don’t think so, look at verse 59. He said, “Lord Jesus,” what? “Receive my spirit.” It was only his body that was to be in repose, to be asleep. A sleep, by the way, from which even his body would awaken, and that’s the main point that I want you to understand. When in 1 Corinthians 11:30 Paul says of Christians, “Many among you are weak and sick and a number sleep,” he again refers to death for a Christian as sleep because it is the temporary repose of the physical body. In chapter 15 of 1 Corinthians verse 6, it talks about Christians who saw the resurrected Christ; many of them remain until now. That is, to the writing of this epistle. But some have fallen asleep. There’s that same familiar concept. Verse 18, those who have fallen asleep in Christ. And then, in verse 51, “I show you a mystery, we shall not all sleep.” Again, referring to Christians in death. Second Peter 3:4 mentions it, “Where is the promise of His coming for ever since the fathers fell asleep all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.” There, it is the wistful anticipation of unbelievers that those who have died have died only a temporary death. But for Christians the term is accurate, for it is a temporary thing. Even for pagans there will be a resurrection. There is a sense in which the pagan bodies only sleep, for they too will be raised. However, they will be raised to eternal damnation and death. And so, thus it is not appropriate to speak of theirs as a temporary death, therefore a sleep, but as a permanent death and not a sleep at all. Now, let me go a step further. The term “sleep” or the concept of sleep does not refer to the soul. There is no such thing as souls sleeping. When Stephen was dying he said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And he had the anticipation of entering into the conscious presence of Jesus Christ. Nowhere does the Scripture ever teach that at any time forever the spirit of a person is ever unconscious. That’s what makes hell so terrible. It is consciousness in the absence of God forever. That’s what makes heaven so wonderful; it is consciousness of the presence of God forever. And you remember in Luke 16 as Jesus told the story of Lazarus the beggar and the rich man that when Lazarus died he was immediately and consciously in Abraham’s bosom and comforted. And you remember when the rich man died, he was immediately and consciously in torment and cried out for someone to give him water to touch his tormented tongue. You will remember that in 2 Corinthians chapter 5, the apostle Paul looks at death for a believer, and in verse 8 he says, “To be absent from the body is to be at home with the Lord.” There’s no purgatory, there’s no intermediary condition, there’s no state of unconsciousness or semi-consciousness, there’s no spiritual coma. To be absent from the body, to be present with the Lord. And in Philippians 1:23 the apostle Paul says, “Far better to depart and be with Christ.” You’re either here or with Christ. There’s no intermediary condition for the saved. They go to be received into the presence of Jesus Christ. There’s no intermediary place for the damned. They go into conscious punishment and torment. But while that spirit of that dead Christian goes immediately into the presence of Christ, that body is asleep, it is in repose, it is in rest, it is in a dormitory, as it were, and a Christian in a graveyard is just sleeping in the dorm, nothing more. Now, the question comes: well, why is Paul so concerned to tell them about these Christians who have died? Verse 13 says, “That you may not grieve.” They were grieving about it. You say, “Well, now wait a minute, anybody grieves when a Christian dies, that they know and they love and they care about. Don’t Christians grieve, and don’t they sorrow, and don’t they lament, and don’t they shed tears when loved ones die? That’s normal, isn’t it?” Yes, very normal. And certainly the Spirit of God instructs us in Romans 12:15 to weep with those that weep. There’s a normal sorrow, reasonable, sensible release of the pain of separation and loneliness that God has designed for our benefit. He’s not talking about that. Follow along in the verse. He says, “I don’t want you to grieve like people who have,” what? “No hope.” I don’t want your grief to be that dead-end grief, that grief that comes to people because there’s no contemplation of reunion. I don’t want you to think that Christians ever say a final goodbye, because they don’t. That’s a great thought, isn’t it? You never say goodbye to a believer for the last time. There will always be another time. I don’t want you to grieve like the hopeless pagans grieve. In Ephesians chapter 2, as Paul delineates the character of being lost, the essence of it, he says, “They are separate from Christ, they are excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, they are strangers to the covenants of promise. They have no hope and are without God in the world.” Among those characteristics of the lost is that statement: they have no hope. They have no hope in life after death. They have no hope in reunion. Through the years I’ve had funerals, continue to have funerals of unbelieving people, or funerals of believing people where unbelievers are in the family and the hopelessness is terrifying. The terrible sense of finality: no reunion, no future, nevermore the touch of the hand, the sound of the voice, never again, finality. To be so consumed in life with a person, and then have the curtain drop so totally, absolutely, and finally is a cause for deep despair. The greater the love, the greater the pain, and it is the pain of hopelessness. You say, “Well, now wait a minute. Weren’t there some pagans who could be numbered among ‘the rest’ there who taught life after death?” Yes, there were some of the mystery religions that might have espoused that. Some of the ancient cults that would have espoused that. There were some philosophers in ancient times who taught there was an afterlife. But nonetheless, the common teaching was that this was all there was, this was it. Catullus sort of wrote of the common view when he wrote, “The sun can set and rise again, but once our brief light sets there is one unending night to be slept through.” End quote. People live with hopelessness for the most part. And I might add, that even people who were believing philosophers who taught an afterlife or who were in to mystery religions that taught an afterlife could never be confident about their wish for an afterlife because they had no indwelling Holy Spirit to vouch safe that reality to them. And so, their hope was subject to the whims of their flesh and a whimsical kind of hope that’s dependent upon the flesh is no firm hope, no sound hope, and so it’s safe to say they are without hope. Non-believing but religious people who are taught there’s a life after death can cling to the wish without having the affirmation of God that it’s true. And so, in some cases it may be worse than having no hope because it’s hope and no hope, hope and then no hope, and hope and then no hope, and it vacillates. Better to come to finality about no hope and get on with life. So, people live with hopelessness, and the hopelessness, the fear of never being again together, no reunion. Paul says, “Look, I know you’re concerned about those Christians that die from time to time and I know you’re concerned that maybe they’re going to miss the gathering together and you loved them and you want to see them again and you want them to be there and they’re not going to be there. And you’re going to wonder: where do they go? And where are they? And how can we recognize them if they’re not there in bodily form? And it won’t be like it was, and will the reunion happen?” And he says, “Look, I don’t want you to grieve like the hopeless pagans who have no comfort in the promise of a reunion.” Reunion is here, beloved, it is. It is also in the very terminology of 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 verse 1 when it’s called “our gathering together to Him.” As we are brought to Him, we are gathered together to each other. There will be reunion. There will be a gathering together. And he says you don’t need to fear, and you don’t need to grieve about it like people who are looking at a dead end. We need to get that somehow deeply embedded in our hearts, don’t we? That is our confident hope. Partings here are just brief. Now, he says, “I don’t want you to be an uninformed people about the Christians who are dying. I don’t want you to grieve as the rest who have no hope. Now, in order to eliminate that and to comfort you, I’m going to tell you about the gathering together.” And this is what prompts his discussion of this great event. By the way, this is one of the three passages in the New Testament which are the key passages in delineating this event. John 14, 1 Corinthians 15, and 1 Thessalonians 4, and we’ll be intersecting with all three as we go through this great text. By the way, each time our Lord gave teaching through the Holy Spirit, each time this teaching came on this gathering together event at the coming of Christ, it was in response to certain distress. In John 14 the disciples were distressed and confused and discomforted. Why? Because Jesus was what? He was leaving. And in the middle of their distress, they were wondering what is going to happen to us, and so Jesus said, let Me comfort you, I’m coming back. In the case of Corinth, some were flatly denying altogether the resurrection and denying that there ever would be a gathering together. And the Corinthians were confused. Will there be one? Are You ever going to collect us together? Is there going to be a resurrection? And so, he writes 1 Corinthians 15 about resurrection, and verses 51 to 58 about this gathering together itself. And here you have the same thing. The Thessalonians are distressed and disturbed, maybe because of their lack of information, and also because of some misinformation being given to them. And so, in each case distress, doubt, confusion, even denial has caused the Spirit of God to put this down. Now, I say that to say in all three cases it comes primarily as comfort. It comes as a pastoral message rather than an eschatological treatise. What is most interesting about it is if you look at the great eschatological passages of the New Testament, Matthew 24 and 25, and the book of Revelation, you don’t find a gathering together, this specific event, in either one of them. It’s almost like this was reserved as a point of comfort contact. It fits into the whole scheme, but those books which give you sort of chronological flow of eschatological events do not focus on this specific event. Here it comes in a pastoral way. It’s almost a very special, very private, very personal ministry of the Spirit of God to comfort troubled believers about their future. So, this launches Paul then to discuss this event which we call the Rapture. You say, “Now, where do we get that concept, Rapture?” Go down to verse 17, the verb there “shall be caught up,” is the verb harpazō, snatched. Snatched. It means to snatch up, to seize; it means to carry off by force. And it has the idea of a sudden swoop of irresistible force that just sweeps us up. From a Latin word connected to this word comes our word rape, to give you the idea of the force, the seizure, the snatching concept. And so, there is coming a snatching away, a seizing by force, the swooping us off, gathering us together to the Lord in the future. And Paul says in order to eliminate your ignorance, and your consequent grief, and to bring you comfort, I’m going to tell you about it. All right, now he’s going to tell us four things about it: the pillars of the Rapture, the participants in the Rapture, the plan of the Rapture and the profit, or the benefit, of the Rapture. Let’s at least look initially at the first one this morning: the pillars of the Rapture. What is it built on? We’ve got to have a foundation for this. It isn’t philosophical speculation, it isn’t religious mythology, it isn’t some kind of fable fabricated by well-meaning people who want to make folks feel good because of their sorrow. What is this great promise that Jesus is coming to gather us all together built on? He gives us three elements, to the three pillars, really: the death of Christ, the resurrection of Christ, the revelation of Christ. Let’s look at the death of Christ, verse 14. “For if we believe that Jesus died.” Stop right there. In this case the “if” could be misleading. It doesn’t suggest any doubt; it’s only there to indicate logical sequence, the logical sequence of believing, if you believe. And in this case that condition is fulfilled so you could say, “Since you believe that Jesus died.” Or, “Based on the fact that Jesus died,” that’s just simply laying down a premise. Since you believe in Christ’s death, thus and thus and thus and thus. And he follows with this statement. So, if you believe, or if we believe that Jesus died, that’s where it all begins. In order to believe in the Rapture and in order to understand the coming of Jesus to snatch away His church, you have to believe in the death of Christ. But what does he mean by that? Well, it was the death of Christ that paid the penalty for our what? Our sins. So, it was the death of Christ then that brought us into the possession of eternal life. It is because Jesus bore our sins in His own body, it is because He became sin for us, it is because in His death He fulfilled all the conditions that God required to pay the penalty for sin, it is because of that that we can be gathered together by Christ into God’s presence, right? So, we have to start at that point. It was in His death that He fulfilled all the conditions. So, when Paul says if we believe that Jesus died, he’s not simply talking about the death of Jesus in some flat one-dimensional martyr kind of mentality. He is summing up in it the whole atoning work. If we believe, as it were, in the full implications of the death of Christ, then we know that judgment for sin has been satisfied, right? We know then that we, by virtue of that, have been made acceptable to God. And if we have been made acceptable to God, then there is a pillar on which the gathering together can occur. If we are not acceptable to God, He’s not going to gather us to Himself. If we don’t belong to His Son, by substitutionary death and faith in that person and work, then He’s not going to gather us together. But because in His death we are saved from death, we believe in the gathering together. In fact, Jesus died, and you notice he doesn’t refer to Jesus use the word sleep, Jesus died feeling the full fury of death in all of its dimensions as He bore in His body our sins, in order that He might turn death for us into sleep. One writer puts it this way, “Death has been changed to sleep by the death of Christ. It is an apt metaphor in which the whole concept of death is transformed. Christ made sleep the name for death in the dialect of the church.” End quote. Christ made sleep the name for death in the dialect of the church. Why? Because He paid for our sins. You say, “What does that have to do with it?” The wages of sin is death. If the wages are paid, then we no longer face death, only temporary sleep. The sting of death is what? Sin, 1 Corinthians 15:56. It’s like a bee, and when the bee stung Jesus and He died, the stinger was there and there’s no sting left. And so, there’s no death. We need to say, not So-and-so died, but So-and-so in spirit is alive with Jesus Christ and their body is asleep waiting for the gathering together. That’s what happens to Christians when they die. Their spirit goes immediately to be with the Lord, fellowship. Their body goes in to repose, sleeping. That’s the first great pillar. That hope is provided for us in His death. Second one, verse 14, for if we believe that Jesus died and rose again.” There’s the second pillar. When Jesus was raised from the dead by the Father, it indicated that the Father approved the sacrifice of Christ and that in raising Jesus He would raise those who were in Him. When God the Father raised Christ from the dead He indicated that Jesus Christ had triumphed over death not only for Himself but for every Christian. And that’s why Paul goes on to say if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, “Even so,” now there’s the bridge, those two words, “God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.” See, our resurrection and our gathering together at His coming is predicated on His resurrection. I like what I. Howard Marshall at Aberdeen, Scotland wrote, he said this, “God will treat those who died trusting in Jesus in the same way He treated Jesus Himself, namely by resurrecting them.” He will treat us the same way He treated Jesus. And when Jesus died, where was His soul? Well, it was alive, and it was proclaiming victory and triumph, and His body was in repose. But God raised that body and joined it to that eternal soul of the second member of the trinity, and that’s exactly what He’s going to do for you. When you die your spirit goes to be with the Father, and with the Son, and your body into the grave but God will take that body out of the grave in the same that He raised Jesus He’ll raise you to be joined with that eternal spirit into that final form like Christ. You’ll be like Him for you’ll see Him as He is, says John. So, “even so” is the link between the death and resurrection of Christ and what happens to Christians when He comes. The resurrection of us all is linked to the resurrection of Christ. First Corinthians 15:23 says Christ the firstfruits and afterward, they that are Christ’s at His coming. As God raised Him up, as it says in Hebrews 13:20, God will raise us up also. You remember John 14:19, Jesus said, “Because I live, you shall live also.” First Corinthians 6:14 says it directly. “God has not only raised the Lord, but will also raise us up through His power.” Second Corinthians chapter 4 verse 14 says the same thing: “He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and present us with You.” That’s our hope. The pillar of the gathering together, the death of Christ, the penalty of sin is paid and God is satisfied that we are righteous in Christ and He can receive us to Himself. The resurrection, which is God’s guarantee of Christ’s perfect accomplishment and the guarantee of our resurrection who are in Christ for He will treat us the same way He treated Christ. Namely, He will raise us from the dead. And then, Paul specifically says it in verse 14, “God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.” What’s he saying? He’s saying: “Look, dear friends, you aren’t going to miss anything. Even the people who die aren’t going to miss it. Based on the death of Christ and its perfect work, based on the resurrection of Christ and the Father’s will, God is going to bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.” With Him means with Christ. When Christ comes in His glory to gather His people, those who have fallen asleep are going to be there. That’s the answer to the question. Now, what is this little phrase, “God will bring with Him?” With Him means with Christ, but what do you mean God will bring? Some say it means that God will bring with Christ from heaven down the spirits of dead Christians to join their bodies. You know, it says later that we meet in the air, and so that God will bring down from heavens their souls to meet the resurrected bodies coming up, and there’ll be a joining together at that point. Some people say it means, no, God will bring with Christ back to glory all those gathered together, living and dead. Once they’re gathered, God will bring them back to glory. You say, which is true? Well, probably both. I don’t think we need to get carried away and be too technical. Some have even said what it means is God is going to bring the spirits of these believers out of heaven all the way down to earth and they stay on the earth. That’s one view. That view doesn’t make sense. If you’re going to come all the way to the earth, why meet in the air? That’s an unnecessary trip if we’re going back. Secondly, that doesn’t square with what the Bible says. You say, “Well, what do you mean?” Look at John 14 for a moment, verse 1, “Let not your heart be troubled, believe in God, believe also in Me.” The disciples again were troubled because Jesus was leaving and they didn’t know what was going to happen to them. He says, “I’m going away, that’s right, in My Father’s house there are many dwelling places, if it were not so I would have told you, I go to prepare,” what? “A place for you.” Where? In heaven, in the Father’s house. “And if I go and prepare a place for you,” there is a logical conclusion, “I will come again and take you there.” Does that make sense? It does to me. “I will come again and receive you to Myself that where I am there you may be also.” I’m going up there to the Father’s house and I am going to fix a place for you, and then I’m going to come and get you, and I’m going to take you to the place I fixed for you where I am. That has to be heaven. So, we conclude then that when Jesus gathers believers together, which way are we going? Up. We meet in the air and we continue the heavenward movement. Yes, it’s fair to say that our spirits, the spirits of Christians who have died, come down to meet those bodies, but once the meeting takes place, we are gathered together to Christ. He gathers us to Himself, and He takes us to where He is, which is clearly in the Father’s house in heaven where He’s been preparing a place for us. There has to be, then, some time interval there before to return to earth for the establishment of the Kingdom. And so, when Jesus comes, he says God’s going to bring along all the gathered together, including those who have fallen asleep, God’s going to bring them all to Himself, along with Jesus Christ. That’s the gathering together. That’s the event. And he says that those who have fallen asleep aren’t going to miss it, so don’t grieve for those who are dying, and for yourself should you die. Again, I remind you, it really is clear that they had reason to expect that Jesus could come in their life time, right? Or all of these questions wouldn’t have existed if they thought it was thousands and thousands of years down the road. Paul had given them the impression that it could come in their life time. One other note that I just mention to you. The end of verse 14, those who have fallen asleep in Jesus, the best way to understand that phrase is a sort of phrase of what you could call attendant circumstance. The use of dia here can reflect the idea that they died in a circumstance of being related to Jesus Christ. They died in a situation where they were related to Jesus Christ. So, all who have temporarily gone into repose in the graves as to their physical bodies in relationship to Jesus Christ are going to be there at the gathering. I just want to let you know, folks, that if you’re ever in Christ, you’re always in Christ. And you can be spoken of as being in Christ even though you’re asleep, your body is asleep. It’s a permanent designation. We have fallen asleep in Jesus, it says in 1 Corinthians 15:18. Those who died in Christ remain in Christ forever and ever, and will be risen in Christ, and collected with the rest who are alive. Now, that’s just the first part. The good part is yet to come when we see one more of the pillars and then the plan, the participants and the profit from this, but that will be for next time. Let’s bow in prayer. While your heads are bowed for just a moment, I was reading this week about a little girl, five-year-old girl who was watching her brother die of a very, very painful disease. He was much older than she, and she loved him a lot. And after he died and the funeral was over she said to her mother, she said, “Mommy, where did brother go?” To which her mother replied, “Well, he went to heaven to be with Jesus.” She said, “Oh.” And that satisfied her little mind. Not long after that, she heard her mother having a conversation with a friend, and her mother was weeping and saying, “I’ve lost my son, I’ve lost my son, I’ve lost my son.” Later in the day, the little five-year-old went to her mother and said, “Mommy, is somebody lost when we know where they are?” Well, the answer to that question is no, nobody is lost when we know where they are. We don’t grieve as those who have no hope. Those that have died in Christ, their spirit is in His presence, their body is asleep and they will not miss the great event of the gathering together of the church when Jesus comes. That is the promise of Scripture. Thank You, Father, for such a promise and such a hope. We pray this day that there will be no one in the hearing of this message who does not live in that hope. Father, we pray for those who have no hope, who look at death as a blind alley, a dark hallway, a dead-end street, have no hope of reunion, no hope of resurrection, no hope of eternal joy. God, bring them to the Savior this day. Save them, Lord. Save them with Your grace, that they might have the hope of those in Christ, living and have fallen asleep, that someday we shall all be gathered together to be forever with Christ, to go to the dwelling place prepared for us in the Father’s house to be where our Savior is. How we thank You, Father, that that hope is available to all who put their faith in Jesus Christ. We pray in His name. Amen.

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Read, Shop & Share Everything on Wheels Shop Toyota RAV4 EV priced at $49,800 Announced almost two years ago, Toyota finally gave us some more details about the was the all-electric RAV4 EV will be sold to the general public during the 26th Electric Vehicle Symposium in Los Angeles today. The important number? The MSRP for what Toyota calls a "fully equipped" RAV4 EV is $49,800 and will be available before the end of the year. Toyota says the RAV4 EV's range is 100 miles and that the car will charge from empty in approximately six hours on a 240V/40A charger. The new RAV4 EV has LED and halogen headlights and it has special "environmental blue" color emblems on the outside. The vehicle will be made at the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada, Inc., plant in Woodstock, Ontario. The first generation of the new RAV4 EV was unveiled back at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show. Our First Drive report is here. With a battery and powertrain designed by Tesla, the new RAV4 EV certainly appears to be one of the new breed of compliance EVs. We had heard that the RAV4 EV will be lease only, but the official press release says the car "will go on sale in late summer 2012 through select dealers, initially in four major California metropolitan markets." Those markets are Sacramento, the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles/Orange County and San Diego and the news matches the rumor we heard last year, that sales about be limited to California. In all, Toyota hopes to sell just 2,600 units in the next three years. Nissan Leaf, you've got nothing to worry about. Show full PR text ALL-NEW TOYOTA RAV4 EV UNVEILED AT EVS26 R&D TO PRODUCTION IN 22 MONTHS LOS ANGELES, May 7, 2012 -- Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. today revealed the highly anticipated all-new Toyota RAV4 EV at the 26th annual Electric Vehicle Symposium in Los Angeles. This all-electric SUV has an expected driving range rating of approximately 100 miles and charging time of approximately six hours on a 240V/40A charger. The RAV4 EV's driving performance, dynamics and cargo capacity are equal to or exceed the gas powered RAV4 V6. Arriving fully-equipped with an MSRP of $49,800 the RAV4 EV doesn't compromise on performance, comfort or versatility. "It's all about blending the best of two worlds," said Bob Carter, group vice president and general manager of the Toyota division. "The all-new RAV4 EV marries the efficiency of an EV with the versatility of a small SUV – in fact, it is the only all- electric SUV on the market." The RAV4 EV is the product of a unique collaboration with Tesla Motors spurred by Akio Toyoda, president and CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation. Twenty-two months after the project announcement, Toyota and Tesla engineers have succeeded in bringing an outstanding product to market in record time. The RAV4 EV combines a Tesla designed and produced battery and electric powertrain with Toyota's most popular SUV model. The collaborative team set its sights on refining the customer experience. From advanced charging options to interior comfort to interactive displays, the vehicle has been designed for customer ease of use and maximum vehicle range. The front wheel drive RAV4 EV allows drivers to select from two distinctly different drive modes, Sport and Normal. In Sport mode, the vehicle reaches 0-60 mph in just 7.0 seconds and has a maximum speed of 100 mph. Normal mode achieves 0-60 mph in 8.6 seconds with a maximum speed of 85 mph. Maximum output from the electric powertrain is 154 HP (115kW) @ 2,800 rpm. RAV4 EV offers an exceptionally smooth, quiet ride and comfortable handling due in part to its low coefficient of drag and low center of gravity. In fact, at 0.30 Cd, RAV4 EV achieves the lowest coefficient of drag of any SUV in the world. Compared with the gas powered RAV4, Toyota re-styled the front bumper, upper and lower grill, side mirrors, rear spoiler, and under body design to maximize air flow around the vehicle. The RAV4 EV's battery pack is mounted low and to the center of the vehicle, contributing to a more sedan-like ride. On the exterior, RAV4 EV features upscale LED low beam projector headlights with halogen projector high beams. A manual leveling system allows customers to redirect the headlights when the vehicle changes significantly in pitch due to a heavy load. Five vertical LEDs make up the daytime running lights, which dim to parking lights. The rear combination lights are LEDs accented by a unique light smoke outer lens. Other exterior variations from the gasoline powered RAV4 include new exterior emblems on the front, rear and the front door panel utilizing the signature Toyota "environmental blue." The vehicle will be available later this year in three exterior colors: Blizzard White Pearl, Shoreline Blue Pearl and Classic Silver Metallic. The interior features a unique "Neutron" fabric, woven with a subtle sheen and blue accent, on the seat inserts and door trim. Inside, a six-way adjustable driver's seat includes variable front seat heaters, which extends heater coverage to the occupant's upper back. The split reclining rear seats with folding center arm rest fold flat for increased cargo space, with a total cargo capacity equivalent to the conventional RAV4 of 73 cu. ft. No interior space is lost in the vehicle due to EV components. The highlight of the interior is an eight-inch capacitive touch screen with a state of the art graphic display, featuring navigation, telematics, and EV drive information and settings designed specifically for the RAV4 EV. EntuneTM is standard (with three year complimentary access to EntuneTM services) along with SiriusXM Satellite Radio (with 3- month trial subscription to XM Select package), AM/FM radio, Bluetooth® streaming audio, and USB port with iPod® connectivity. The dash display color illuminates red when the vehicle is operating in sport mode and blue in normal driving mode. The RAV4 EV will go on sale in late summer 2012 through select dealers, initially in four major California metropolitan markets including Sacramento, San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles/Orange County and San Diego. Sales volume is planned for approximately 2,600 units over the next three years. The battery warranty is 8 years or 100,000 miles. "We believe that the RAV4 EV will attract sophisticated early technology adopters, much like the first-generation Prius," said Carter. "It's designed for consumers who prioritize the environment and appreciate performance. We look forward to seeing how the market responds." In July 2010, Toyota Motor Corporation and Tesla Motors jointly announced an agreement to develop an all-electric version of the RAV4, with the intent to bring the vehicle to market in 2012. Tesla contributed its EV technology expertise, daring spirit, quick decision making and flexibility. Toyota contributed design, engineering, manufacturing and production expertise. In an industry where development cycles are typically five years, Toyota and Tesla brought a dynamic product to market in less than half that time. Reported comments and users are reviewed by Autoblog staff 24 hours a day, seven days a week to determine whether they violate Community Guideline. Accounts are penalized for Community Guidelines violations and serious or repeated violations can lead to account termination. I realize Toyota chose the RAV4 because the first generation RAV4 EV was so successful, but at $50K, the average consumer would probably buy it only with a Lexus badge. Considering Lexus doesn't have an X3-sized competitor, a CX350e would have been nice. Or even a Venza EV; the Venza V6 only weighs 300 lbs more than a RAV4 V6. The market for a $50K electrified SUV is out there (see RX450h and Highlander Hybrid). Just not one that looks like a RAV4. i find it odd that once we get talking about "payback", the green choices look bleak. Well, when did anyone start talking about a "payback" when buying any ICE car? Geez, they do tend to wear out and cost thousands to upkeep over regular ownership. It's a fools argument. You want cheap, buy a 1986 Honda Accord. My PV system on the house simply provides me with no more utility bills. The Obama brown shirts at the EPA are closing plants left and right so what do we do as a nation? Switch to electrics. Got to love it! Our electrical capacity is going down and they want electric car use to go up? LOL Electric cars couldn't be more ridiculous. If you think you are saving the planet driving one you are INSANE. China is the problem, not my car. As long as china keeps loading up those cargo ships - 15 polluting in one year as much as all the cars in the world, than your electric is doing squat. Bravo. You fell for the hype and marketing. Enjoy your high electric bill. It's coming. Obama promised that. Try listening to what he says. @sixpackdan Again, enough with the PHONY PATRIOTISM. What freedom are you talking about? Freedom to shoot other people when you feel like, freedom to work for 50 cents an hour, or freedom to loose all your retirement savings? If you love freedom so much, move to Somalia. There's no government there. You and your pirate buddies and sail the seven seas like captain Jack Sparrow. And you think Romney is going to save you? He doesn't even have a spine, or principles. He changes is ideology more often than he changes his undies. If he wins, be prepared to work as indentured servant for rest of your life. [blocked] [blocked] So your solution to a problem is "I'm not the biggest problem therefore F*** you". Woooooooooooow. And how the hell do you jump from we have reduced electrical capcity to "we can't support electric cars"? Do concepts such as high efficiency appliances, home solar power, and natural gas mean anything to you? Our appliances use less energy now, freeing up our power grids. Home solar panels are becoming affordable not only from the initial install but most people who use them sell some power BACK to the grid. Think about that, excess solar energy from YOUR OWN HOME could help charge a car. It's a concept even you can get behind - gov'ment can't say or tax anything about that. And even if you don't want to do that, our new found natural gas reserves can give us a much cleaner fuel source than coal or gasoline for the time being. Plus it's within our borders AND its cleaner to get than crude oil too. But no, go ahead and blame cargo ships which are essentially the only way to get goods overseas. You like the computer you posted on? Guess what? I gurantee at least half your computer came over here by cargo liner from taiwan and malaysia. And that is just your computer. @sixpackdan Guess what? Stupid Republicans don't want to spend on building infrastructure in the US. They would rather spend ten times more money to build roads in Afghanistan; it is much easier way to line the pockets of their friends. I dont really care for him to much, but Kanye West put it best "this is the fast life, we are on a crash course, what you think I rap for? to push a f****n rav 4?" And definitely not at this price point...thats for sure! ugh, I'm so sick of these retarded "1/2 coal powered" comments on every post involving electric cars. Guess what genius, different regions have different sources of electricity. These will be sold in California. California gets 1% of it's electricity from coal. ONE PERCENT. Nuclear, Hydro and renewables make up 59% of California's electrical generation. Source: http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/states/electricity.cfm/state=CA @Detroit Care to raise a glass to back that claim. http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1020092_byd-ceo-drinks-battery-fluid-from-companys-own-environmentally-friendly-battery "In an effort to prove to disbelievers that hybrid and electric cars are indeed safe and more specifically that the batteries within would not cause environmental issues, BYD's CEO Wang Chuan-Fu actually drank battery fluid from a lithium ion battery manufactured by the company." Let me know how a nice tall glass of Motor Oil, Gasoline, or Electrolyte from your cars Lead Acid battery goes down in comparison. Stop treat Fox news and Rush Limbaugh as a source of Facts.

The saved ones We didn’t make a bid on the house because Bing Crosby howled. As soon as we entered the master bedroom he got agitated and wanted to wriggle out of Kyra’s hands. We apologized to the startled realtor and excused ourselves. There is a ghost here, Kyra told her, he can sense it. I could tell from her face she thought we were crazy. We had our ways to keep them away, the ghosts I mean. Not the unbelievers. There’s nothing you can do to convince them otherwise. I have made my peace with that. What I know is that once we kept the ghosts away Bing stopped howling in the night and more importantly both Kyra and I hardly ever fell sick. It was the guy from animal shelter that told us our new terrier howled because he can sense ghosts. He was the one that told us to hang garlic on our doorways, use stainless steel utensils, don’t let bathroom windows fog up and to let sunlight in as much as possible. I won’t lie, the reason I keep a little food out on the porch every night is not for some stray cat to eat. The guy from animal shelter also told us that the ghosts are generally harmless and only mess with the energy in the aura around us. He joked about this one lady he heard of who made her daughter wear a butt plug every day because she thought the devil would fuck her up the ass otherwise. The poor daughter thought this was normal till she lost her plug in the school toilet one day and rushed to the principal’s office in a panic. Needless to say the child was soon in the hands of social service and the lady in a psych ward. As he concluded his story we all shook our heads in disbelief. People like this crazy lady give the rest of us a bad rap. Our numbers are growing. I can tell by how the prices of homes with east facing doors are on the rise. So go ahead and roll your eyes at us. Preach your science at the top of your lungs. We don’t mind if you all think we are crazy. The day will come when all humans will have to reckon with all of them from the other side. And only us crazy ones will be spared. Won’t you join us now before it’s too late to be saved?

Friday, 5 October 2012 Scenes From an Execution – National Theatre [seen on Monday in the pen-penultimate preview. Paid £20 for an excellent seat and had a brilliant night out. God bless the NT] Howard Barker used to proudly comment in interviews (in every interview?) that he made a point of sending every play he wrote to the National Theatre and that they hadn't produced a single one. Of course, hundreds of other playwrights could say the same thing. It takes a shatterproof sense of self-belief to come out with it like it's an injustice. Being a playwright whose career now spans six decades (his first play Skipper(?) Dates from 1969), he might have just have got away with it, though. In the 70s and 80s he seemed to do okay, with productions by the likes of the RSC, the Royal Court and the Bush, not to mention the odd television play and radio commission, but in the late 80s where he abandoned writing social satires and plays with easily discerned points, and founded his company The Wrestling School to bypass the fact that theatre managements didn't seem to be much going for his new stuff, this stand off started to look like an impasse. There is a rich, black irony then, that the play with which the National have broken this unofficial embargo is Scenes From an Execution. At once Barker's most successful play – perhaps also his most readily understood and point-making piece – and a play about a wilful artist who refuses to compromise their ideals regarding difficulty in the face of opprobrium, unpopularity and censure. But beyond this irony, how brilliant that the National have decided to stage Scenes From an Execution. And not to do so with any apparent embarrassment. And to put a proper box office draw like Fiona Shaw in the starring role (Beckett, Brecht and now Barker – Fiona Shaw must be the NT's favourite way to trade off against the perceived difficulty of a play). I have no idea how the decision to do the play was reached (though I'd love to find out), but it reads like some of the sharpest building dramaturgy in the UK today. In simple terms, Scenes From an Execution, staged at the National Theatre, now, feels so timely that it almost seems impossible that the play is already 28 years old. It speaks to our post-Olympic arts world (and to the late/post-Afghanistan/Iraq world), perhaps more eloquently and urgently than even it might have spoken in 1984, and differently than it did to the post-New Labour, victory-afterglow Britain of '99. Let me admit now, that I went in already a massive fan of this play and my only real concern was that this production just didn't fuck it up. I don't think I'd ever seen anything that Tom Cairns had directed before, and I'd somehow avoided Fiona Shaw (perhaps a bit deliberately after going off her a lot following the Deborah Warner Medea, which everyone else seemed to think was ok. (my recollection is: it wasn't)). So I was a tiny bit apprehensive. In the event, this production not only doesn't fuck it up, it is an exciting, intelligent take on the play. (And it makes me wish I'd seen more of Cairns's previous work.) Lending the Lyttleton's stage a strange vastness, Hildegard Bechtler's set looks – I'm not sure there's another way of saying this – operatic. The basic thing is three huge walls, occluded by hanging, structural-looking gauze panels. To one side is a high thick wall on an off-centre revolve. There's at once a base functionality and cubist abstraction about it. What's great, though, is that it's a set that isn't afraid to be a bit ugly. Deliberately so. Almost coarsely asserting the necessity of its brutal strength and practicality. Cairns's direction follows suit. At several keys moments one is almost surprised by the way that he has placed two characters having a conversation at such a distance apart. You are forced to watch as if a tennis match. There is no drive for the sleek, pretty, dramatically inert stage pictures one might associate with Michael Grandage; nor are there the polite, painterly, safe compositions of Howard Davies. Instead, this is stagecraft that feels, for all its sometime stateliness, somehow raw. It's a mode of staging that suits Barker's script well as it creates a room that allows for both the flights of writerly rhetoric and the actually-very-funny exchanges. We get both enough pace to make the thing gallop along, but enough space to be able to feel the depth and weight of the concepts under discussion. Scenes... is a big play. Its subject is nominally the commissioning of a painting by the Republic of Venice to celebrate its victory against the Turks in the battle of Lepanto (fascinating to rediscover a pre-9/11 play depicting “Christian vs Islam” conflict). The Doge of Venice (Tim McInnerny) has opted for a woman painter called Galactia (Fiona Shaw); a gamble since she has a messy personal life – an ongoing affair with fellow-painter Carpeta (Jamie Ballard) – and problematically definite ideas about art, which do not tally with the sort of painting that the Doge wants. Barker uses this frame to explore a whole wealth of philosophical and theoretical arguments about art, the value of art, and most insistently, the way that art functions in relation to its sponsors. Two of the best minor characters are Ostensible, a cardinal (William Chubb) and Rivera, a critic (Phoebe Nicholls). For this production Cairns has also reinstated the “character” of Galactia's speaking sketchbook. The play was originally a radio drama, which makes a lot of sense of the fact that this is a play about a painting that we never see (think of those Stoppard radio plays which also make much of the fact that one is painting impossible images on the canvas of the imagination, or Duncan Macmillan'sI Wish To Apologise For My Part in the Apocalypse in which the moon is a speaking character). Barker had originally, unfussily written in a device that allowed him to describe what was in various rooms, from the perspective of the book in which they were being drawn. Here, the sketchbook is played by long-time Wrestling School associate and close Barker confederate Gerrard McArthur, who arrives in a rather marvellous floating bright white room which seems to magically float down from the back of the stage. The casting of McArthur is inspired. It honours the “canonicity” that has built up around Barker's work – indeed McArthur exudes a certain atmosphere of being Barker's minister in the real world, and bears a passing resemblance to the white-haired, hawk-faced poet; but also because McArthur does Barkertext in the manner of which Barker would most approve: a sardonic luxuriance with the words. It's a style that in lesser hands might feel a bit old-fashioned or Olivier-aping, but here – within the postmodern quote marks provided by sitting in a brightly lit floating space; halfway between gallery and page – it strikes the right balance between lyricism and urgency. Indeed, for all the slight and interesting differences between the acting traditions from which the various cast members hail, this is a cohesive ensemble effort. Tim McInnerny (who doubtless prays for the day that his parts in Blackadder are no longer mentioned) turns in the best stage performance I've ever seen him give. This version of the Doge of Venice, like many of Barker's male authority figures from this period, is a beautiful concoction of wry, very British humour, chilling realpolitik and paradoxically philosophical thinking. McInnerney's performance adds boiling rage and sexual passion to the mix where Ian Pepperell's '99 take on the character was far more ascetic and ironic. What Fiona Shaw brings to the part of Galactia is chiefly an understated warmth, humanity and credibility – three descriptions one seldom found oneself reaching for in Barker's own (frequently excellent) productions of his plays. And, again, it's different to the vision of the character created by Kathryn Hunter in '99 (lovely description of it here by Ian Shuttleworth), to the extent that it made me rethink a lot of what I thought I knew about the play and indeed about Barker's writing. It also struck me that in the 13 years since I last saw the play, my own emphases and bias has changed, so that I now paid a lot more attention to the character of the critic, who before had seemed far more peripheral. Because of this attention Rivera's arguments now strike me as being some of the most interesting in the play. Of course the real argument is between the Doge's uncanny, passionate feel for what makes great art, albeit compromised by his relationship both to the subject of the commission – both figuratively and literally, since it is his brother, Suffici (Robert Hands), who was the commander of the victorious Venetian fleet – and both the artist on one side and his cardinal on the other, who voices the Quentin Letts position of moral censorship, demanding that the state should not fund anything that even slightly undermines the teachings of the church. (It is an unexpected standing rebuke against the current Conservative party that Barker's Doge is a far more enlightened, informed art lover than any modern figure one can imagine.) But it is the arguments of the critic that are most current and most poisonous. Rivera visits Galactia, both in her studio and when she has been imprisoned because of her painting, and preaches to her the doctrine of good sense, compromise and survival. Arguments that sound shamefully familiar in this age of cuts and questions about the “value” of art. Better, she suggests, that the great artists kow-tow just enough that they may continue to be funded, so that they can continue to create great art. The rejoinder to this position isn't even articulated. It doesn't need to be. It hangs in the air all around us. The thing that moves …Execution from being merely a good play about art and the state to a great one, is the trajectory of the final few scenes. We can all imagine a play about a play that imprisons an artist because they don't like their art. And thanks to recent well-publicised versions of the story from China and Iran, we know this narrative all too well. Barker's genius is to give his authority figures a more subtle argument. An argument more subtle than any that Quentin Letts has ever figured out. How would it be, he asks, if the state were to pride itself on being able to contain, even support something critical of itself. What if an artist's criticisms of the state were not banned, or reviled, and the artist not imprisoned, but if they were state-funded and the artist were invited to dinner as a celebrity. We think of the Cool Britannia reception at Tony Blair's Number Ten. We think of Danny Boyle's subversive praise of the NHS in the Olympic Opening Ceremony. We think even of Jenny Sealey's storming Spasticus Autisticus moment from the Paralympic Opening Ceremony. And we ask ourselves questions about the co-option of subversive art by any state. The play doesn't say anything else. This is the final moment. We are left on our own, in the dark with our applause and this question. It's also interesting to compare this ending with Barker's own production from '99. Then, that point following the question: “Will you have dinner with me?” was a moment of intense agony for Galactia (again Shuttleworth's review records this well). Shaw's Galactia, by contrast, seems pretty happy and blasé about the whole thing. Here it is McArthur's “Sketchbook”, looking almost like Barker himself, who is left staring as Doge, hangers-on, and Galactia, or perhaps his characters, exit the stage of the National Theatre. Funded by the state. Embraced by the mainstream. Understood. Perhaps even praised (or worse, explained) by critics by whom he'd rather not be praised or understood. Being enfolded into the utility that Barker so detests. It was only a couple of years after Beckett wrote Catastrophe (for Václav Havel), that Barker articulated this situation more bleak than being imprisoned because of your government's fear of what your art can change: being fearlessly celebrated by them because it can't change anything...

Taking some medications, such as aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs Symptoms Symptoms may include: Shortness of breath Coughing Trouble breathing Wheezing Chest tightness Fatigue Complaints of chest pain Difficulty during feeding in infants Trouble sleeping Avoiding exercise or sports Diagnosis You will be asked about your child’s symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. The doctor will listen to your child’s lungs. Your child may be referred to a specialist. A pulmonologist focuses on the lungs. An allergist/immunologist focuses on allergies. Your child's lungs may be tested. This can be done with: Spirometry test Challenge test Medication trial Images may be taken of your child's bodily structures. This can be done with x-ray. Your child may be tested for common allergens that may trigger symptoms. This can be done with skin testing. Your child's oxygen concentration may be measured. This can be done with pulse oximetry. Treatment Talk with your child’s doctor about the best plan for your child. You and your child's doctor should also create an asthma action plan. This is a plan your child will follow to help control asthma and handle asthma attacks. Treatment will vary based on symptoms and the number of asthma episodes your child has. It is important that you stick to your child's treatment plan. Treatment options include the following: Lifestyle Changes You can help your child reduce the chance of triggering an asthma attack by making lifestyle changes, such as: Know what your child is allergic to and avoid known triggers. These may include certain pollen, dust, foods, and air pollution. Avoid outside activities if there are high levels of air pollution, pollen, or mold spores. Keep your windows closed during seasons with high pollen or mold spores. Air conditioning may help filter out allergens during warm seasons. Consider getting a portable HEPA unit air cleaner to use in sleeping areas, for your heating/cooling system, and your vacuum cleaner. Avoid exposing your child to tobacco smoke. Have proper heating, cooling, and ventilation systems in your home. Keep the humidity down in your house. This may help prevent the growth of mold. Medications Medications used to treat asthma fall into one of two categories: Long-term medications are used to avoid asthma attacks, but will not treat an existing attack. Medication may include any combinations of: Inhaled corticosteroids to prevent airway swelling and inflammation Inhaled long-acting beta agonists relax the airways and keep them from tightening Oral leukotriene modifiers to prevent airway inflammation and swelling, decrease the amount of mucus in the lungs, and open the airways Inhaled cromolyn or nedocromil to prevent airways from swelling from contact with an asthma trigger Short-term control medications are used to treat an asthma attack. Medication may include any combinations of: Inhaled quick-acting beta agonists and anticholinergic agents to open the airways Oral corticosteroids to reduce severe airway inflammation In addition to the medications, children older than 6 months should get a yearly flu shot. Children with asthma are at a higher risk of having complications from the flu. Prevention There are no known ways to prevent your child from developing asthma. You can encourage your child with asthma to reduce the risk of asthma episodes by following the treatment plan and avoiding triggers. General guidelines include: Avoid strong chemicals or odors like perfume. Avoid challenging outdoor exercise during days with high air pollution, a high pollen count, or a high ozone level. If cold weather triggers your asthma, avoid strenuous activities in cold weather. If you must, use a scarf or mask to warm the air before it reaches your lungs. Avoid secondhand smoke. Do not allow anyone to smoke in your home. Don't use a wood-burning stove or fireplace, including unvented gas fireplaces. Revision Information This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

DINNER by Heston Blumenthal One of the hottest tickets of last year, this restaurant has caused endless confusion for Londoners making plans. “Want to come to DINNER?” “We are going to dinner.” “No DINNER by Heston… oh never-mind.” Blumenthal looks back over centuries of British cookery with a menu that includes everything from 15th-century meat fruit to 17th-century powdered duck breast. DINNER by Heston Blumenthal One of the hottest tickets of last year, this restaurant has caused endless confusion for Londoners making plans. “Want to come to DINNER?” “We are going to dinner.” “No DINNER by Heston… oh never-mind.” Blumenthal looks back over centuries of British cookery with a menu that includes everything from 15th-century meat fruit to 17th-century powdered duck breast.

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Google+ Badge Tuesday, December 31, 2013 Friday, December 27, 2013 This amazing replica was on display at the Codissia Fair held recently in Coimbatore: This vehicle featured a rear mounted horizontal engine with a vertical crankshaft and final transmission to the rear wheels by side chains all mounted on a tubular chassis.The 984 cc IC engine developed a then spectacular 0.9 HP giving a top speed of approx. 8 K mph amidst a veritable cacophony of sounds smells and vibrations. Today the Motorwagen may be considered primitive to the extreme but Benz's patent of 29 January 1886 was indeed "state of the art" The original car was donated to the Deutche's museum by Papa Benz in 1906. This one is a replica built in Yorkshire England a few years back. Attractively presented with black framing and iron work, varnished wood platform & wooden tool box, and a plethora of brass fittings this fabulous exhibition piece can also be made to run but with care. Wednesday, December 25, 2013 The farewell dinner on Day 2 ( 17th November 2013) was held at the Patna Golf Club.Patna Golf Club History: 1916 was a hallmark year in the history of Patna with the founding of the ‘South Bihar Gymkhana Club’ which was later rechristened as the Patna Golf Club. Sprawling over 165 acres this is the sole club for the golf lovers. The ‘South Bihar Gymkhana Club’ stretched from Government House in the west to Bihar Gymkhana Club in the south. The 1st secretary and president of the club were H.K Briscoe and W. Maude. Formerly, the club used to serve as the ground for playing golf and polo by the British Officers and the socialites. After the Second World War, the British lost interest in maintaining the club’s ground and polo’s popularity as a sport also diminished. In 1956, the District Judges J.G.Shearer and K.Banerji stepped in and decided to take necessary measures for the revival of the club’s golfing activities. The name of club was changed from the ‘South Bihar Gymkhana Club’ to ‘Patna Golf Club’ and consequently, the ground, solely began being used for golf. Through its glorious journey of 96 years of existence, Patna Golf Club has pioneered and encouraged the game of Golf amongst all ages and sections of society. The vast course serves as a training ground to the young budding golfers to achieve their dreams in the days to come. Many popularl golf tournaments such as Basant Utsav, Heat and Dust Golf Tournament etc, are hosted by the club annually. Due to all these endeavours the magnificent game of Golf has found an irreplaceable place in the state of Bihar. The farewell dinner commenced around 8.00 pm at night.It was as usual cocktails, snacks & dinner. There were also many speeches by participants and thanksgiving to the organizers. The reunion had been a wonderful event and by the time we reached the finale at The Patna Golf Club there was a tinge of sadness as the proceeding were coming to an end.The mood that prevailed at the farewell dinner is aptly demonstrated in the below video & pictures. Cheers. Adieu until 2015. And for the final session - We all Xavierian's 56-65 meet again a t the Golf Club. Vinay Sinha regaled the gathering with his melodious voice - he kept belting out the golden oldies from the 60's and 70's. Kavitha Shivaji, Luxmi Shil& Meena Jayanth look on in admiration. Tuesday, December 24, 2013 Thursday, December 19, 2013 Bali is an island and the smallest province of Indonesia. The island is home to most of Indonesia's Hindu Minority.According to the 2010 Census, 84.5% of Bali's population adhered to Balinese Hinduism. while most of the remainder followed Islam. Bali is also the largest tourist destination in the country and is renowned for its highly developed arts, including traditional and modern dance, sculpture, painting, leather,metal working and music. A tourist haven for decades, the province has seen a further surge in tourist numbers in recent years. This a popular dance form from Bali. This troupe of young girls is colorful costumes are enacting the Ramayana as part of the entertainment during a cruise we took during a visit to the Island of Bali. Wednesday, December 18, 2013 After the devastating famine of 1770 which killed nearly 10 million people in regions of Bengal & Bihar and modern day Bangladesh,Warren Hastings , then Governor General of India, ordered the construction of this beehive shaped structure (Gol Ghar) for the purpose of storing grains for the British Army. It was conceived and built by Captain John Garstin, an engineer with the East India Company and has a storage capacity of 140,000 tons, it construction was completed on 20 July 1786. Built in the native Stupa architecture, Gol Ghar has a foundation of 125m, and a height of 29 m. It is pillarless with a wall of thickness of 3.6 m at the base. One can climb atop the Golghar through the 145 steps of its spiral stairway around the monument. The spiral staircase was designed so as to facilitate the passage of the coolies, who had to carry grain-bags up one flight, deliver their load through a hole at the top, and descend the other stairs. The top of the Gol Ghar presents a wonderful panoramic view of the city and the Ganges flowing nearby. At time of its construction, it was the tallest building in Patna. Golghar has never been filled to its maximum capacity and there are no plans to do so. The reason for this is a flaw whereby the doors are designed to open inwards. Thus, if it is filled to its maximum capacity, then the doors will not open. Friday, December 13, 2013 The party at Chanakya on Day One ended pretty close to midnight and by the time most of us got to our homes/hotel rooms it was close to 1.00 am. So it was decided we deserved to sleep till late on Sunday morning have a leisurely break fast and then meet up at St.Xavier's School around 11.00 am. The entry into our school after a gap of 48 long years was nostalgic and my mind was filled with so many fond memories.We old boys were all wearing our blue striped school ties and we felt so proud of this. We took a tour of the school campus around the old school buildings, to the hand ball courts, the old auditorium, swimming pool, basketball & tennis courts. Alas some of the important landmarks like the huge tamarind tree and the shuffle boards had vanished.The aviary which used to house little birds and small pet animals had also been dismantled. The swimming pool was in a state of disuse and the tennis court in a poor state of maintenance. A new additional block has been constructed opposite to the old blocks basically with an idea of expanding and adding more students.The school had over the years also switched syllabus from Senior Cambridge to Matriculation. Also the exclusive boys school had now become co-ed. Once every one arrived we started the days proceedings with light refreshments - the traditional bun,butter,chops & chips accompanied by soft drinks and beer/vodka/gin etc. The camaraderie,fellowship and the bonhomie continued to overflow.We had a super entertainment session involving both men and ladies. Men were asked to pick up folded slips of paper from a basket and then they had to do what ever was written in the slips - stand one one leg for one minute, bleat, moo, meow, cluck, bark,dance,hum a tune till it was identified,sing a song,jump, skip,propose to a girl at a date.......The list went on. Surprisingly some of the men were a bit shy to perform and the women had a jolly good time.Next we had a musical session of Antakshari, Here the men scored heavily. Majority of the old Bollywood numbers were belted out by Vinay Sinha who is gifted with a wonderful melodious voice. Binny Kocchar too sportingly contributed to many songs.Then it was time for lunch. The Chinese menu of noodles,rice,sweet & sour vegetables,garlic chicken was delicious.The lunch concluded with mouth watering gajar ka halwa and yummy kulfi/ice cream. After lunch we walked through the polished corridors of the school, went into our old classrooms,trekked upstairs to see the dorm, barged in to the Principals Office........................... Amarendra & G.P.Singh posing in front of the school gate We enter St.Xaviers. I ( Ramanathan) am entering the portals of the school after 48 years. It was nostalgic and I was flooded with many fond memories. The main school block was unchanged - the Tamarind tree had disappeared & so were the shuffling boards. Relaxed and having a Teta a tete ! The ladies provided the entertainment - the men danced to their tunes.Some stood on one leg, others bleated like lambs and clucked like hens. Some were asked to hum tunes while others danced. In the end there was an entertaining Antakshari - where Vinay Sinha took the strangle hold belting out old tunes in quick succession. Enjoying the meal of Butter,Bread, Beans,Chops & Chips. There was plenty of Beer & Vodka also going around. The Stair case leading to the first floor - where the dorm was situated. The corridor with mirror finish polished marble floor on the ground floor. The classrooms & the furniture were virtually unchanged. This was a trip down the memory lane. The majestic main entrance doors with stained glass clicked from the inside. Ramanathan & Rai Shivaji Nath posing with the Vice Principal. The School Motto - The plaque was in the Principals room. The water taps and cement trough remained unchanged This awesome B & W was found hanging outside the Principals Office. The Rev.Father Murphy (our Principal during the 60's) shaking hands with the then Governor of Bihar Dr.Zakir Husain. Thursday, December 12, 2013 About 22 of us old boys(some accompanied by wives) from St.Xavier's High School Patna 1956-65 Batch had a happy reunion at Patna on 16-17 November 2013.Many of us were seeing each other after 48 years - but the recognition was immediate and the chemistry instantaneous.Basic structure and general looks of most of us hadn't changed - we were older, heavier,weaker, had paunches, grey hair, bald pates,some looked more mature,others sillier ........................... On 16th morning we had the inaugural meeting and lunch at the Bankipore Club - This club established in the year 1865 on the bank of River Ganges at Patna, Bihar.Originally known as "European Club" and used exclusively by Europeans.The club was renamed "Bankipore Club" as Bankipore denoted the civil station of Patna District. We started with registration of participants followed by a round of introductions.A 2 minutes silence was observed in memory of about 20 of our fellow classmates who were no longer in our midst on mother earth. A special cake had been ordered for the occasion which the ladies were accorded the privilege to blow the candle, cut the cake and distribute. Next was fellowship with a round of cocktails,juices & snacks followed by lunch.Post lunch we all gathered on the sprawling lawns facing the Ganges for a group photo session. After this we all drove off in a convey of cars to the Ganga Ghat for a river cruise. We had a wonderful two hour cruise and watched the beautiful sunset. It was Kartik Purnima and after dusk we saw the full moon in all her glory. We also had the good fortune to view the special Arti on the Ganga Ghat on the auspicious occasion of Kartik Purnima. After the cruise we all dispersed to our various homes & hotels only to reassemble at the Hotel Chanakya for cocktails and dinner which was being so graciously hosted bt Vinay Kocchar - a leading hotelier and successful businessman who also happens to be one amongst us old boys. Cocktails and snacks were served in the well stocked and brightly illuminated Takshila bar on the roof top and dinner was at open roofed terrace. The camaraderie and bonhomie was excellent. The men were turned out smartly and ladies dressed in gorgeous colorful attires. We all had a grand gala time. Here are some pics of the adventures of Day one: Shiladitya & Jitendra Sahai posing for the camera while Akhoury seems to be silently enjoying a joke The weather was lovely - there was a little nip in the air. Binod Yadav, Vinay Sinha, Amarendra & Abhai Choudhary enjoying their souffle & ice cream. To be continued.............................................................

Am Nichole from France and i wouldn't have believed that i would someday share my survival from cancer with anyone because cancer almost ended my life. I bless that faithful day i went online in search of help and i found my helper Dr. George who helped me via his email to defeat cancer that had almost sucked life out of me with his cannabis oil which was as effective as he said it was. I will also like to use this medium to appreciate Dr.George contacthospital_eastern.george@yahoo.com for his care, support and of course his cannabis oil because i would have been history if not for you My greatest hero Dr. George. My name is Mrs. Kerry Daniel from Florida, It is with pleasure that i thank Dr. Morris for saving my dying husband with his cannabis oil. We already lost hope for a better life when the report came that my husband cannot go for more Chemo anymore. But after so many research online, I gained a lot about the cannabis oil that i bought from the Dr. Morris whose contact I got online on reading a testimony about his past works and glory, The medication was delivered to me within 24 hours by the UPS delivery service after procurement. My husband has completed his treatment, unquenchable joy to all as my husband is cured of his stage 4 lungs cancer within 90 days of treatment. Thanks to all, today i acknowledge the greatness of cannabis oil and to those that wish to purchase the medication contact:healthcareservice01@gmail.com for help. Cannabis Oil is the a medication for cancerous disease. Kerry Daniel. Historical Use: Hemp is the most universally useful plant we have at our disposal. The history of mankind's use of hemp can be traced way back in time to between about 5000 - 7000 BC. Remains of seed husks have been found at... Although I’ve been aware of the recent discussion of cannabis oil as a treatment for various serious diseases, I was still skeptical to consider it a viable solution for certain health disorders. After all, so many people these days are looking for a miracle pill to solve their health issues! Is this another way of buying into one-size-fits-all treatments without making necessary lifestyle changes? It was time I found out more. By Contributing Writer Raluca Schachter “After nine months of taking two different forms of cannabis oil, one, a cannabis capsule infused with organic coconut oil around 10:30am and high THC oil about an hour before bed, dad was given the life changing report, no... Paediatric cannabis therapy is saving children. Awareness is the most important thing at this moment. This young lady is finishing up her last bit of required chemotherapy (because she is a child, her parents had no choice) treatment, so take a moment to send her your love and healing vibes, and then read away. You […] If you're reading HIGH TIMES you are probably aware of all the ways ingesting marijuana can improve your life, so maybe just file this one away for a future argument with a spouse/boss/family member/lawmaker. It's a big year ahead in Colorado, Washington state, Uruguay, and for me here in Mississippi. As of today, Wednesday January 1st, retail stores and licensed pot growers commence legalized business transactions. Sharing your scoops to your social media accounts is a must to distribute your curated content. Not only will it drive traffic and leads through your content, but it will help show your expertise with your followers. Integrating your curated content to your website or blog will allow you to increase your website visitors’ engagement, boost SEO and acquire new visitors. By redirecting your social media traffic to your website, Scoop.it will also help you generate more qualified traffic and leads from your curation work. Distributing your curated content through a newsletter is a great way to nurture and engage your email subscribers will developing your traffic and visibility. Creating engaging newsletters with your curated content is really easy.

ZetaTalk: Minority Votes Note: written Jul 15, 1997. Humans used to arranging a place on court dockets often feel left out of activities ongoing at the Council of Worlds. Their votes are collected and then that’s the end of it, and they long to argue their case. On Earth, depending upon the human society, one can either bribe the judge, bribe or otherwise influence those who appoint or control the judge, selectively screen the jury, arrange to be represented by high priced and high powered attorneys, or endlessly petition. That the Council of Worlds does not have similar avenues open to them feels like a breach of rights! In fact, probably for the first time, they are experiencing a true democracy. They are the minority vote! Their viewpoint lost! Manipulating the outcome by trying to manipulate the courts is simply not democratic! The Council does not arbitrarily make pronouncements affecting the lives and futures of intelligent species. Except for the preconscious period, when genetic engineering is about to begin or is in process, the spirits incarnating into an intelligent species always determine the outcome. Neanderthal man determined that its line would die out to be replaced by another version of early man, for instance. They were polled as to their opinion on the eating disorder that was killing so many of them at a young age, and the alternatives were abundantly clear to those polled. Once the decision had been made, the feelings of any given Neanderthal man about to be sterilized, but not castrated, with a small snip to his groin mattered not. His was the minority vote!

The Pirates! Band of Misfits Synopsis In The Pirates! Band of Misfits, the luxuriantly bearded Pirate Captain is joined by a rag-tag crew. With seemingly blind to the impossible odds stacked against him, the Captain has one dream: to beat his bitter rivals Black Bellamy and Cutlass Liz to the much coveted Pirate Of The Year Award. It's a quest that takes our heroes from the... Production Details Synopsis In The Pirates! Band of Misfits, the luxuriantly bearded Pirate Captain is joined by a rag-tag crew. With seemingly blind to the impossible odds stacked against him, the Captain has one dream: to beat his bitter rivals Black Bellamy and Cutlass Liz to the much coveted Pirate Of The Year Award. It's a quest that takes our heroes from the shores of exotic Blood Island to the foggy streets of Victorian London. Along the way they do battle with the pirate-hating Queen Victoria and team up with a young Charles Darwin, but never lose sight of what a pirate loves best: adventure! The Pirates! Band of Misfits Let's face it, the world of Hollywood pirating — with its peglegs, eyepatches, shoulder parrots and bounty of other swashbuckling tropes — is pretty silly. Even a high seas adventure like Pirates of the Caribbean has the ridiculous Jack Sparrow to help it hobble along. Pushing the comedy can only work in pirate movie's favor, and Aardman Animation's Pirates! A Band of Misfits goes all out, seizing the absurdity with a flare only British sensibilities could conjure. The film is a treasure trove of design and technical wizardry, but for those less interested in the intricacies of stop motion animation, Pirates!'s simple story packs plenty of low-key laughs that viewers all ages can pick up. The Pirate Captain (Hugh Grant) is at wit's end. While he's enjoyed his time leading a ragtag group of wannabe pirates, including Albino Pirate (Anton Yelchin), Pirate with Gout (Brendan Gleeson), Surprisingly Curvaceous Pirate (Ashley Jensen) and his number two, Pirate with a Scarf (Martin Freeman), a lifestyle of eating ham and barely making ends meet is losing its luster. ALTWhen Pirate Captain shows up to the annual Pirate of the Year submission day, he's once again outdone by Black Bellamy (Jeremy Piven), who rides in on a whale full of gold. Driven by competition, Pirate Captain reassembles his crew, hits the open waters and begins a new wave of pillaging. It's all for naught, until the pirates cross paths with Charles Darwin (David Tennant), who identifies Pirate Captain's "parrot" as an extinct dodo bird. Suddenly, the pirates have a new (and lucrative) calling: science. There's an unexpected intelligence to Pirates!. The movie, based on a children's book of the same name, centers on Pirate Captain's mid-life crisis, delves into the world of 18th century science and pegs Queen Victoria (Imelda Staunton) as the mastermind bad guy behind the elimination of the pirate occupation. That gives the accompanying adults plenty to chew (and laugh) on, but director Peter Lord doesn't stray away from an ol' fashioned slapstick routine. There's a marvelous stray bathtub sequence halfway through the film, a wild ride through Charles Darwin's old tudor, that's a true spectacle. But even a simple gag involving baking soda and vinegar exploding sud bubbles is expertly crafted and executed by Lord. The stop motion technique never feels limited in Pirates!, even with a great deal of walking and talking scenes. Gideon Defoe's script is elevated by the vocal performances; Grant is perfectly cast as the faux-burly Pirate Captain, while Martin Freeman's perfected "timid skeptic" routine from The Office and Sherlock is once again on full display. The Aardman team continues to have a knack for gesturing, their puppets uniquely natural and human. Even with all the enormous pirate ships, detailed cityscapes and dazzling action, Pirates! is at its best when it focuses on the sillier, calmer moments. The tangibility of Pirates! A Band of Misfits comes through in its physical stop-motion animation techniques, but also its genuine heart. There's a rare reality to the storytelling, even at its most fantastical. While the film doesn't hit the same emotional chords as some of Pixar or Dreamworks' best, you would need an X-marked map to find a Hollywood cartoon as sweet and heartfelt. So don't walk the plank on this one — board, with kids in tow, immediately. MovieTickets.com is a worldwide leader in advance movie ticketing and a top destination for celebrity interviews, movie reviews and trailers. You can also access theater information, check movie showtimes, view video clips, and much more.

Assisted living is the ideal alternative for seniors that need help with activities of daily living, but do not require the high level of medical care typical of skilled nursing homes. Activities of daily living in Assisted Living include such things as meal preparation, housekeeping, laundry, medication... Many may not realize that there is a unique and special history about the services that Libby Bortz Assisted Living brings to Littleton and the Denver metro area. Libby Bortz Assisted Living was built in 1994. Libby Bortz is a collaborative success for the Littleton community, which cooperated with the Littleton... We are so proud of our wonderful community! Libby Bortz Assisted Living is nestled in charming downtown Littleton, Colorado – Browse our photos and take a tour of our wonderful property. If you have any questions call us! Explore the photographs below to learn more about Libby Bortz Assisted Living. We also... Libby Bortz Assisted Living is the result of the Littleton Housing Authority, people serving on their board and members in the Littleton community bringing together their experience to create an assisted living center for modest-income older adults. In the late 1980’s the community and the Littleton Housing... Libby Bortz Assisted Living opened in 1994 and today is a well-known affordable assisted living community serving the Denver metro area. We are located the in historic downtown Littleton area. Our residents and their families can enjoy many of the wonderful events, fine and casual dining and shopping experiences in... New and Exciting things are happening in 2018 with the Libby Bortz Assisted Living with the new Expanded Care & Services. Libby Bortz Assisted Living is pleased to announce that Expanded Care & Services are coming... New and Exciting things are happening in 2018! Coming Soon in 2018 – Libby Bortz will be offering more care and services to our residents at an additional cost. We have designated some of the apartments on 1st Floor West... THE HOLIDAY PARTY was a huge success! Thank you, Barbara Dawson for the great music. Refreshments were enjoyed and our singing raised the roof. Santa was greeted by residents with smiles from ear to ear. Again, a thank you to... Residents, staff and families enjoy the holidays at Libby Bortz Assisted Living. Be sure to review our newsletter and calendar for all the wonderful events. One of our special events is our traditional Candlelight Dinner for...

Artificial neural network to predict the natural convection from vertical and inclined arrays of horizontal cylinders The main focus of the present study is to utilize the artificial neural network (ANN) in predicting the natural convection from horizontal isothermal cylinders arranged in vertical and inclined arrays. The effects of the vertical separation spacing to the cylinder diameter ratio (Py/d), horizontal separation spacing to the cylinder diameter ratio (Px/d) and Rayleigh number (Ra) variation on the average heat transfer from the arrays are considered via this prediction. The training data for optimizing the ANN structure is based on available experimental data. The Levenberg-Marquardt back propagation algorithm is used for ANN training. The proposed ANN is developed using MATLAB functions. For the best ANN structure obtained in this investigation, the mean relative errors of 0.027% and 0.482% were reached for the training and test data, respectively. The results show that the predicted values are very close to the experimental ones.

Welcome to Being the Book!!! This item is also available in Digital Downloadable Format Click below to check Kindle Sale Prices or Click on Title to view full description Beebe, Steven A.; Mottet, Timothy P.; Roach, K. DavidTraining & Development: Communicating for SuccessPrentice Hall College Div 2012-01-18 0205006124 / 9780205006120 Paperback New Paperback Due to the popularity of this item, we recommend purchasing it from Amazon.com. Amazon will offer the fastest shipping price and best quality. Every Amazon purchase is 100% refundable through Amazon's A-Z policy. Due to the popularity of this item, we recommend purchasing it from Amazon.com. Amazon will offer the fastest shipping price and best quality. Every Amazon purchase is 100% refundable through Amazon's A-Z policy. Price: 35.96 USD Berk, Laura E.Infants and Children: Prenatal Through Middle ChildhoodPrentice Hall College Div 2010-12-31 0205006469 / 9780205006465 Paperback New Paperback Due to the popularity of this item, we recommend purchasing it from Amazon.com. Amazon will offer the fastest shipping price and best quality. Every Amazon purchase is 100% refundable through Amazon's A-Z policy. Due to the popularity of this item, we recommend purchasing it from Amazon.com. Amazon will offer the fastest shipping price and best quality. Every Amazon purchase is 100% refundable through Amazon's A-Z policy. Price: 50.00 USD Schiffman, Leon G.; Wisenblit, Joseph LConsumer BehaviorPrentice Hall College Div 2013-06-30 0132544369 / 9780132544368 Hardcover New Hardcover Due to the popularity of this item, we recommend purchasing it from Amazon.com. Amazon will offer the fastest shipping price and best quality. Every Amazon purchase is 100% refundable through Amazon's A-Z policy. Due to the popularity of this item, we recommend purchasing it from Amazon.com. Amazon will offer the fastest shipping price and best quality. Every Amazon purchase is 100% refundable through Amazon's A-Z policy. Price: 50.00 USD Shank, MatthewSports MarketingPrentice Hall College Div 2013-07-30 0132147629 / 9780132147620 Hardcover New Hardcover Due to the popularity of this item, we recommend purchasing it from Amazon.com. Amazon will offer the fastest shipping price and best quality. Every Amazon purchase is 100% refundable through Amazon's A-Z policy. Due to the popularity of this item, we recommend purchasing it from Amazon.com. Amazon will offer the fastest shipping price and best quality. Every Amazon purchase is 100% refundable through Amazon's A-Z policy. Price: 92.61 USD

Catch Up 9/6 1). With us having been gone for a week and Ryan, Ali, and Justin heading out across the pond for a week and a half, we wanted to spend as much time as possible with our friends before they left. The girls had so much fun playing together, running around (evidence of Emmie’s running is in her skinned knees!), and driving around (motor gang!). We had lunches and dinners with them, hung out in the burbs and in the city, and made a mess of Ali’s perfectly cleaned house. They and their extended family are such special people, and we are so glad to have them in our lives! Even if Emmie did had to be clingmonster when she first arrived at Ali’s parents’ house. Ah well, she warmed up ultimately. 2) Emmie has been undergoing a lot of really exciting mental development recently–I feel like she surprises me every day with a new action that I wasn’t expecting. Some examples: Trying to feed her play doggie by putting him facedown into her food (which she didn’t want to eat). Sending her crayons (which are triangular) down the slide/LEGO Elephant nose and saying “Wheeeeee.” Putting her little girl figure in the front seat and the horse in the back of her ice cream truck (which she can say) and playing with it. Saying more and more words without prompting — out of nowhere yesterday, she came up to me with her barn puzzle piece “baaaaaaahhhhnnn” and then when I pointed to the chicken piece she said “CHICK-en.” I was super surprised by this because those are probably our least mentioned/named pieces! Interacting with different stuffed animals in new ways. We can do “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes”! Eating corn like a big girl! I should have taken a picture of her with the full cob from the day before (also better lighting then), but here is her working on a mini cobb. Lots of running. Generall fairly successful, but apparently not when she is around Ryan. See knees from above. 3) Lots of walking and going to Strides this week! I try to walk on the treadmill upstairs when Emmie naps and adjust so that I don’t do too much on days that I am also doing Strides. I missed these views while I was hurt! I’m back to doing up to 20 full pushups in one go. I took a few days off this past weekend just because I needed a break, but I’m back to doing my pushups at least. I need to add back in my dips and plank. But I’ve been feeling pretty tired, so I’m slothing a little. OH good news! I had Remicade last Friday and got full bloodwork done because I’m in a research study, and my labs looked GREAT! Whooooooooo 3 Comments Poor knees, Ouch! I love the girls in their matching cars, and Emmie watching RyRy getting ahead of her– RyRy looks like she’s ready for the Indy 500! A mini cob is just the right size for Ems, but where is the ketchup? Yay! Glad your blood work is good . It’s so great to have a little bestie for our littles. Squish loves the consistency of getting to see the same friends often. We’re planning a van camping/rock climbing weekend away. Fingers crossed it goes smoothly! My husband will be leading the group and setting things up so I will be on 3-year-old wrangling duty! She loves being outside and just with both of us in general on van trips so I think she’ll love it.Suchot recently posted…How to get cheap life insurance Aw I havent been able to do much blog reading lately and now I can’t believe how big she looks 🙁 Where did our babies go?! Sounds like you two had a lovely summer and she’s turning in to a full fledged toddler!Heather recently posted…A Heavy Joy Welcome to Suzlyfe ​ Suzlyfe is a Chicago-based healthy life, fitness, running, and food blog that aims to educate, connect, and inspire: educate readers in an accessible way about fitness, running, and wellness; connect readers to myself (Susie) and others with the same interests and passions; and inspire all to live a life beyond expectations.Email Me Though I am a RRCA Certified Running Coach and NASM Certified Personal Trainer with a chronic illness, a physician husband, and a lot of experience, and though I may seem like a know it all, please remember that all views expressed on my blog are mine along. Consult your physician before making any personal changes to your mental or physical health and wellness programs.

Applied Forensic Sciences Department The Applied Forensic Sciences Department includes an Undergraduate Bachelor of Sciences Degree program as well as a Graduate Certificate program and Master of Science in Anthropology program which have a primary focus on Forensic and Biological Anthropology. Both the undergraduate and graduate programs present state-of-the-art techniques in forensic sciences and forensic biological anthropology in the classroom, and provide a variety of practical, hands-on opportunities both in the field and in the laboratory. Undergraduate The development of the undergraduate Applied Forensic Sciences Program represents the first truly multidisciplinary major at Mercyhurst that incorporates the major natural sciences (biology, chemistry, physics) and mathematics within the core curriculum. The program includes three concentrations: High end statistical analysis and interpretation of the biological significance of those remains Graduate courses prepare students for the application of Forensic Anthropology to real life cases. Students play a major role in processing real forensic cases under the direction of department professors Dr. Symes, Dr. Dirkmaat, and Dr. Garvin. Graduate students are involved in all phases of the cases—from initial recovery and documentation in the field to processing, photographing and analyzing the remains in the laboratory.

Archive for the ‘Museum Vitrines’ Category As a museum curator or designer trying to source a glass display case builder is not always that easy. There are many companies to choose from and many options to consider. When looking for a custom display cabinet with the latest finishes to achieve a specific look, you should always try to source out a manufacture in […]

Get Connected to the Environment Do you ever stare at our phone aimlessly, even when there’s nothing to look at? Recent U communication graduate Keilian Meyer has created an app to help. It eliminates wasted time — and wasted resources. Social Organic Innovative Learning (SOIL) will connect users to environmental events and information for their local community. “That’s the most efficient form of sustainability — building a community so you’re less reliant on non-renewable resources and more dependent on each other,” Meyer said. SOIL is in development with plans to launch in early 2016. Find this article and a lot more in the 2016 “Student Innovation @ the U” report. The publication is presented by the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute to celebrate student innovators, change-makers and entrepreneurs.

Main menu Tag Archives: Vegas Post navigation As some of you might already know, I recently celebrated the last birthday of my 20s. If anyone asks, I recently turned 25. That’s my story, and I’m sticking with it. A while back, I wrote about turning 27— how 27 was my “scary” age, and how I was closer to being “almost 30.” Well…as people like to remind me, the big 3-0 is now looming, and while I feel somewhat my age, I recall yelling at my friends over the music in the club: “This is not where I imagined myself at 29!!” In actuality, it was even better than what I had imagined. I had the best time. I danced until the sun came up, had countless drinks, enjoyed the warm weather poolside, stayed in a beautiful hotel, and even won $2.19! It’s a strange phenomenon, Las Vegas. Each time I go, I can’t imagine how I could have a better time than before. Each time, I’m surprised. The people were personable and fun; everyone did the mandatory “surprised face” when I told them how old I was turning. One bouncer even exclaimed “Aw, you’re 20, aren’t you? This isn’t a real ID. We’re letting you in? You’re not even legal!” Well played, sir. Although I can’t imagine staying much longer than three days at a time, coming home from Las Vegas is the hardest part. It’s truly the adult equivalent of Disneyland. There are few cities that have the energy of Vegas—it’s a “choose your own adventure” kind of place. There’s a seedy grittiness to it, as well as ridiculous excess and glamour. At one point, I watched cocktail waitresses spray over a dozen bottles of champagne into a pool full of people. You can’t make this stuff up. I won’t deny that I perhaps imagined that my life would turn out a bit differently when I was younger (homeowner, ex-pat, novelist?), but I must say that I’m very happy it’s turned out the way it has.

A Field Test for the Estimation of Heart Rate at Lactate Threshold : The 30-minute Cycling Time Trial PublicDeposited Descriptions The purpose of this study was to examine the validity and reliability of the 30-minute cycling time trial to estimate the heart rate at lactate threshold. Recreationally trained cyclists and triathletes (n = 47) performed 3 tests in random order: 1) One graded exercise test to directly determine lactate threshold (Dmax and 1.5mmol increase methods) 2) Two 30-minute stationary cycling time trials on a bicycle ergometer. The average heart rate and power over the last 20 minutes of the time trial was used to estimate lactate threshold. A subset of participants had respiratory gases measured during the graded test to determine ventilatory threshold and VO₂max (n=31). The heart rate and power during the two time trials were not different. The 30-minute cycling time trial over estimated the heart rate at lactate threshold (1.5mmol mean difference = 6.8 bpm, p < 0.0001; Dmax mean difference = 6.0 bpm, p < 0.001). Power during the last 20 minutes of the time trial did not differ from lactate threshold. In the subset of participants, ventilatory threshold heart rate and power were not significantly different than lactate threshold heart rate or power. These findings suggest the 30-minute stationary cycling time trial is reliable but should not be used for estimating the heart rate at lactate threshold.

Pelini resigned from FAU after the 2013 season. He spent the last three seasons as defensive coordinator at Youngstown State of the FCS for his brother, coach Bo Pelini. Carl Pelini spent four seasons as defensive coordinator at Nebraska under his brother. The Youngstown native also spent three seasons working in the Mid-American Conference at Ohio. Carl Pelini returns to the MAC to work for coach Mike Jinks, who is 6-18 in two seasons with the Falcons.

Classic Setup Creating the game deck All cards are used in the deck for the Base game. The Expansion games have station cards which are duplicates of the Base game but with additional lines added. When an Expansion deck is used in combination with a Base deck, any duplicate Base station cards should be removed. These are easily identified as duplicate cards in the Base deck have a black dot in the bottom left and top right corners. In the example below, the top red-backed Euston card is from the London Base deck and has the Northern and Victoria lines only and two black dots in the corners. The bottom blue-backed Euston card is from the London Expansion deck and also has the Overground line, and no black dots. The top card is the one that is removed from the combined game deck. Card deal and setup Shuffle the game pack and deal 7 cards face down to each player, and place the remaining undealt cards face down to form a stock. Turn the top 4 cards of the stock face up to form a set of selection cards. The example below shows the initial game setup for 3 players.

OwnersDirect.co.uk is part of the HomeAway family, the world leader in holiday home rentals with over 1 million listings. We offer the largest selection of properties for any travel occasion and every budget. We're committed to helping families and friends find a perfect holiday home rental to create unforgettable travel experiences together. Alison Wilkie Overview Property Updated: 06-Dec-2016 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, with stunning sea and mountain views Achbeag is a traditional croft house that has been converted into a very comfortable holiday cottage. It retains many of its original features, with exposed stonework in the sitting room and a multi-fuel stove. It has one en-suite double bedroom and one twin bedroom. The small, remote village of Fearnmore is approximately 25 minutes' drive from Applecross village and 25 minutes' drive from Shielding. Achbeag has stunning views across Loch Torridon towards the Torridonian mountains and the Western Isles, with beautiful beaches nearby. The surrounding landscapes are breathtaking. Achbeag is a perfect base for exploring the Applecross peninsula, which offers a beautiful coastline, mountaineering, sea kayaking, fishing, ancient woodlands with rare species of mosses and lichens, wildlife, and excellent local food. A lovely property in a beautiful setting, ideal for a'get away from it all break' Our intention was to spend a week in Scotland away from work, emails etc and do lots of walking And see lots of wildlife.... and that is exactly what we got. Otters, pine martins, sea eagles and lots of other stuff. After a busy day out walking, it was lovely coming back to such a warm and cosy cottage. Perfect! Review Submitted: 16-Nov-2016 Date of Stay: Oct 2016 Source: Owners Direct, from HomeAway Owner's Response: Thank you-I'm glad you had a lovely time and got a week-earned rest. About the Owner I live in East Lothian, Scotland, with my husband and 2 young boys. As a family, we love the outdoors and we bought Achbeag so that we could all enjoy spending time in one of our favourite parts of Scotland. The children love to go down to the little natural harbour at Fearnmore to potter around in the bay and on the rocks. Speaks English Calendar last updated: 6 December, 2016 Peace of mind when you complete your reservation online and finalise payment on HomeAway We'll back you with our Book with Confidence Guarantee You'll get comprehensive payment protection when you book and finalise payment on our website 4 Reviews 4.5 based on 4 holidaymaker reviews A lovely property in a beautiful setting, ideal for a'get away from it all break' Our intention was to spend a week in Scotland away from work, emails etc and do lots of walking And see lots of wildlife.... and that is exactly what we got. Otters, pine martins, sea eagles and lots of other stuff. After a busy day out walking, it was lovely coming back to such a warm and cosy cottage. Perfect! Review Submitted: Nov 16, 2016 Date of Stay: Oct 2016 Source: Owners Direct, from HomeAway Owner's Response: Thank you-I'm glad you had a lovely time and got a week-earned rest. Location From the Owner “We love Achbeag because it is hidden away and nestled in a sheltered part of Fearnmore, and it has wonderful sea views from every room. It is very cosy with its multi-fuel stove in the sitting room. It is the perfect size for a small family and it is warm and comfortable all year round. At Achbeag, we can be thoroughly disconnected from the rest of the world, and have a truly restful time.” Achbeag is a very remote cottage. There is a beautiful coastline and exceptional, natural wilderness. The nearest towns are Applecross and Shielding (each approximately 13 miles away). The Applecross Inn is famous for its fresh, local seafood, and it is open all year round. There are several other wonderful eateries in both Applecross and Shiledaig, although they may be closed in winter. There is an ancient hazel wood in Applecross, with many species of lichens and mosses, which has a lovely, short walk (0.5 km) through. There is a bird hide at Milton Loch, just outside of Applecross, with many species of birds, insects and an unusual orchid. There are many wonderful walks, including those from the visitor centre at Beinn Eighe. When would you like to stay? Your dates are Available! Have a question for the owner? Adults Children By clicking 'Send Email' you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. We will contact you with OwnersDirect news, special offers and other information. You can opt out at any time. Find out more here.

Want To Optimize Your Website For Search Engine Crawlers? Start With These Tips Menu Want To Optimize Your Website For Search Engine Crawlers? Start With These Tips Do you own a website or blog and want to get the most out of it by increasing your traffic without spending a dime? Then you should look into the world of search engine optimization! Search engine optimization gets more people to your site for free. Read on to learn how you, too, can do this! You should make sure that the search engine optimization you choose, uses a quality and proven technique. Stuffing keywords haphazardly throughout your site won't do anything but lower your audience's confidence in your legitimacy. Consider custom-made content that is specific to your business. you could check here will draw in the audience and encourage them to explore the rest of your website. When looking to ramp up your online profile, don't forget that image names count in search results - quite heavily, in fact. Be sure to give your images names that searchers will easily find. If you're writing about a particular product, be sure to include keywords for that product in the image name itself, so that the image will pop up in a Google image search result. Leave comments on other people's blogs to help the rankings for your website and increase your traffic. This is one way to get backlinks back to your site, but what's more is that you are interacting with your peers and possible customers by giving your relevant opinion. This makes people interested in you and what else you have to say. Just don't forget to link back to your own blog or website! Tag optimization is really the key to search engine optimization, because your tags are one of the most important aspects of your website. In days gone by tags were just a way to get across basic info, now tags are used in order to locate your site and to rank it accordingly! Before you do any extensive optimization on your web site, make sure that it shows up in a basic web search. Type the URL of your site into a search engine and check to see if it shows up in the results. It's also a good idea to search for your top products and services to see if they appear. New Business Development Program Debuts at the 2018 National Stationery Show - Gifts & Dec Using strong keywords can be beneficial when it comes to search engine optimization. Using keywords most relevant to your business or product will drive it to the top of different search engines, and help drive people to your site. Using agence de referencement web quebec may flag you as a spammer so keep it to a few strong relevant keywords. https://smallbiztrends.com/2018/01/mobile-seo-facts.html are another HTML formatting scheme that wise webmasters should try to avoid when optimizing a website for the search engines. Sometimes tables are indispensable; such as when you need to present complex data. However, table formatting that is used stylistically, or for convenience, should be avoided. Tables are indexed more slowly by search engines, and content in tables is more likely to be overlooked. When building your web presence, don't forget to add your website to the niche link directories. Whatever product you sell, from knitwear to financial services, there's bound to be a specialized website that caters to people interested in that type of business, so look for those sites and get your links listed. That will, of course, help boost your search engine rankings and bring in more traffic. Be descriptive with all your links, be they video, banner, text, or graphics. No one will be interested in clicking a link that simply says "Click me." They want to know what they are getting themselves into! Using your keywords in the description can also bump you up on the search engine lists, so it is a win-win! When you build your web site make sure that you do not use Flash for that. This is because many search engine crawlers do not understand Flash. Using HTML is the most popular option and it is the easiest to keep up with. Also remember to keep all of the flashy graphics to a minimum. Securing a steady volume of backlinks is critical to all internet marketers, but it is important to know that all backlinks to your site are not equal. Google assigns page ranks to all websites as part of its ranking process. Your goal should be to attract backlinks from websites that have a page rank that is at least equal to your own, but preferably higher. Higher page rank, signifies higher status in the eyes of the search engine and the fact they are linking back to you, can raise your own status in search rankings. Check your site often for broken links. You don't want to have links that you think are working, and your customers are not able to use. You can use Xenu, which is a tool that will tell you if links are broken. Test every single link you have often. There is no one single method of search engine optimization, but using meta tags is a good start. When choosing your tag be sure that the keyword actually matches your website. Use a search phrase that you think your target market would use to find your product or service. Figure out what .gov, .edu, and .us websites are linking to and provide it! Link juice from these websites will raise your page ranking substantially. So you have to think of content that they would want their readers visiting. When you are looking for an SEO services company, it's very hard to choose because they all claim to be the best in the business! http://all4webs.com/crationdesitewebquebec/ that may not occur to you is that you would be better off with an SEO service company that is located near you. Even though, it is possible to do business entirely online these days, it's not always desirable. Working closely with an SEO services company is something you should probably do in person. Add your keywords into headlines and subtitles. Sometimes, it's hard to write meaningful text with well-placed keywords, or maybe some people are just tired of it. Either way, an easy tip to work those keywords in is to use them in your page headline, and as section headers. This works especially well when you want to work in several long-tail keyword phrases. This also helps structure your content and make sure it really answers the promise of the page's title. When linking to content on your own website, use absolute links. These are links that never change, and typically have keywords in the file name. Also avoid using HTTPS unless you absolutely need to, like on an ordering page. If you avoid both of these pitfalls you'll get more link juice out of incoming links. Your goal should always be to achieve very high placement on the search engines, but you cannot fly blindly and hope that your site is somehow plucked from obscurity. You need to follow great advice like this, in order to formulate a proper plan of attack so that your site earns great placement.

The news that the Metropolitan Police is to reopen the investigation into the murder of PC Keith Blakelock comes as no surprise to me. The truth is that every time the black community of Tottenham feels that the scales of justice are finally turning in our direction, the Met does its best to remind us where power really lies. My name is Stafford Scott; I worked as the senior youth and community worker on Broadwater Farm Estate, Tottenham, in the immediate aftermath of 6 October 1985, a date now synonymous with the 'Tottenham riots' and the murder of PC Blakelock. I was arrested three times during the Farm investigations, twice on the grounds that I was involved in the Blakelock murder; I was never charged and successfully sued the police for their impertinence. My younger brother was charged with riot and affray; he was also found not guilty. My elder brother was charged with offences resulting from the raid on our family home to arrest me; he, too, was found not guilty of any offence and successfully sued the Met. Although I became a major target in the police investigation, I have also gained the somewhat 'privileged' position of being one of the few black men who can say publicly: 'I was there, I saw it from the start.' Because of what I saw that night - racist policing designed to suppress the community's right to protest at the death of a black mother - I was to become one of the 'leaders' of the Broadwater Farm Defence Campaign and, as such, have followed the police investigation and resulting court cases avidly. The prelude to this latest investigation, a case review, began almost to the day Winston Silcott was awarded damages of £50,000 in an out-of-court settlement from the Met. We were told at that time that it would take a year to complete, but it has taken more than three years, and news that there is now to be a new full-blown police inquiry comes just a few weeks after Winston's release from prison. This has nothing to do with justice, this is about revenge. A bobby was killed in horrific circumstances and no one has paid for it. It was OK as long as Winston was locked up, even though he was acquitted of this crime almost a decade ago. Isn't it strange that for 18 years the Met and the majority of the media have gone to great lengths to convince us that all the evidence led to Winston, yet now that he is free they have miraculously identified six new suspects? They claim to have gleaned new information by going over all the 6,000 statements that they took in the original investigation. However, that investigation has been discredited in the Court of Appeal; the forensic ESDA test revelations proved conclusively that Winston had been framed. So damning was the evidence against the police who led the original inquiry that the prosecutor, Roy Amlot QC, uttered the following words in response to a question from defence counsel: 'The answer is, unequivo cally, we would not have gone against Braithwaite, against Raghip, or against any other defendants having learned of the apparent dishonesty of the officer in charge of the case.' In essence, the Crown was accepting what the Broadwater Farm Defence Campaign had been saying all along - that this was a corrupt investigation Revenge, however, is not justice. The statements that the Met refer to now are, in many cases, complete fantasy and were dismissed as such by Mr Justice Hodgson, the judge in the original trial. This time around, I do not believe the judiciary is going to be as compliant and gullible as it was in 1987. Another thing that will not be the same is the community. We can never be made to be as frightened now as we were then. Like an army of occupation, hundreds of the Met's finest 'took back' the estate and stayed for almost 18 months. At the same time, armed police squads were dragging us to police stations all over London, denying us access to solicitors, and fitting up the most vulnerable among us. Some things have changed, though, now that the world knows about the 'institutional racism' within the Met. It would be nice to think that, as a result, white Britain will not turn its back on us as it did then. The initial investigation into the disturbances on Broadwater Farm was said to be the most expensive and intensive in the history of British policing. Since then, we have had at least two more equally intensive investigations. We will probably never be told the full costs. I do know one thing, though. If the Met employed just 1 per cent of the resources used in these investigations on stopping the guns and drugs from pervading our cities, my community would be in a healthier state. If the Met spent 1 per cent of the time and expense on investigating crimes committed against black people, especially crimes committed against us by the police, then there would be no need for riots. The Met had its chance of honouring its dead officer by getting it right the first time. It failed miserably, and it's time it accepted that because of its thirst for vengeance the real murderers of Keith Blakelock may never be found.

Queenstown Day Trips by Car: Arrowtown and Lake Wakatipu This post on Queenstown day trips by car shows you two short self-drive trips from Queenstown: one takes you to Arrowtown and the other follows Lake Wakatipu shores. Arrowtown is a postcard-pretty mining settlement full of historical buildings and just 20 km north of Queenstown. It’s a must-see destination if you are visiting Queenstown. Lake Wakatipu again is on the other side of Queenstown and you can follow the lake shore either south or north. We went south to Kingston and the scenery was majestic! A tree-lined street in Arrowtown with gold-mining cottages. My Queenstown day trips by car are short trips that need half a day or a whole day depending on your travel schedule. This post is one (number 5) of my posts on our South Island road trip. We made a South Island self-drive tour in 11 days and you can find the whole itinerary and the all other posts here: New Zealand South Island Road Trip in 11 Days Queenstown and its Surroundings So Queenstown is located in the middle of the South Island of New Zealand and has an amazing setting. It’s certainly one of the most scenic locations any city in the in the world has. It’s on the north shore of Lake Wakatipu backed and protected by high mountains in the north. And what’s best, the whole area around Queenstown is just as beautiful as the city itself, wherever you go. So Queenstown is an ideal travel destination for nature lovers but of course for sport lovers and adventure seekers as well. Queenstown Day Trips by Car: Itinerary This Google map shows you Queenstown and the two day trip itineraries. You can zoom in the map to see the details or zoom out if needed. The Arrowtown day trip makes a loop north from Queenstown and the Lake Wakatipu drive follows the lakeshore down to the small community of Kingston and returns the same way. 1. Day Trip to Arrowtown So we went to Arrowtown, and to see more on the road we took the Malaghans Road up to Arrowtown, that’s the route in the west, and the eastern Lake Hayes road back to Queenstown. Malaghans Road to Arrowtown Right outside the city center there is the Skyline Gondola that brings you up a mountain called Bob’s Peak. It’s worth taking that, from the top you’ll have a fantastic panorama of Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown and the whole region. Bob’s Peak has a restaurant and nice walking tracks. More about the Skyline Gondola And another roadside attraction is the Kiwi and Birdlife Park. Then you drive uphill along the steep gorge road and there is a scenic spot, Arthurs Point. Arthurs Point has a high bridge above a winding river deep down in the gorge. An incredible view! In this place you can take a jetboat ride in the gorge. If you are interested, read here about the Shotover Jet. Driving on you will reach the plain of Speargrass Flat with that has high mountain chains on both sides, snow-capped in the autumn. Pretty, pretty! And your destination Arrowtown is close, at the other end of this plateau. Arrowtown I really like this Arrowtown scenery. The location between the mountains is fantastic and it is the best-preserved old gold-mining town in the region. In 1862 they found gold in Fox river that flows through the community and people flocked to the area to search for gold. Today there’s no gold left and no miners at work and Arrowtown is just a small town. But now too people flock here – for the beauty of the place and the old gold town atmosphere. We in fact decided to stay longer than a day in the pretty Arrowtown. We took a campervan site at Arrowtown Camping that is located just a short stroll from the main street. And we had an ideal autumn weather for sightseeing in Arrowtown. There was frost every morning but the days were sunny and pretty warm. This is the tree-lined Centennial Avenue, one of the most atmospheric spots in Arrowtown. A whole row of tiny cottages that have remained from the gold-mining era. Bedford Street This is Bedford Street, the main street where most shops and restaurants are. And there are many old colonial shops that sell local products and handicraft. A bit touristic but the buildings really have style. Arrowtown Riverbank Beyond Bedford Street there is a wooded park and the riverbank, that is Arrowtown Recreational Reserve. This is where it’s easiest to park your car in Arrowtown. The river looks great with yellow leaves in the trees and and you can walk long ways along the riverbank. There is also a former Chinese Mining Settlement where you can learn about the history of Arrowtown. Chinese miners lived in these small huts in the 19th century after European miners had left. At that time the Europeans left Arrowtown to find gold elsewhere. Some of the huts of the Chinese still remain, and in addition there is a small shop and an old outhouse. Arrowtowners still today remember their roots and they want Arrowtown to be a miners’ town. They also have an active miners band that plays on village occasions. If you don’t want to make a self-drive trip to Arrowtown you can alternatively take a tourist bus from Queenstown, there are many tour providers. But we had to leave by them time the tourists came. We took the Lake Hayes road back to Queenstown. Lake Hayes Road to Queenstown And the Lake Hayes Road turned out to be still more beautiful than the road we had taken to Arrowtown. Rolling hills, snow-capped mountains and bright autumn colours. Lake Hayes is like a postcard. This is one of the most photographed lakes in New Zealand that often appears travel promotion materials. And they say Lake Hayes is at its prettiest in clear autumn weather. I haven’t seen it in any other season but I can tell that Lake Hayes and autumn together make a striking combination! If you have energy you can walk around Lake Hayes, they have built a circuit walking track along the lake shore. The track also takes to a coffee cottage, a winery and a lunch bistro in pretty lakeside locations. On the Queenstown Trail website you’ll find the instructions. So this was the Arrowtown day trip and our second of my Queenstown day trips by car shows you Lake Wakatipu shores: 2. Lake Wakatipu Day Trip So we set off from Queenstown and took the Southern Scenic Route towards the Fiorland National Park. This is what it looked like after the first bends and turns. And we followed Lake Wakatipu down to the small community of Kingston that is located at the southernmost end of the lake. The photo above shows the Kawarau Falls just a few kilometres south of Queenstown Airport. That’s a beautiful place and needs a stop. You can see Kawarau river on the photo. We continued south and had a mountain ridge on the left hand side and Lake Wakatipu on the other side, all the way down to Kingston. These mountains are really high and there’s a skiing area in the winter, the Double Cone skiing centre. And on the right hand side there is the hilly Kelvin Heights peninsula. Kelvin Heights is a residential area and imagine the views they fave from their living room windows. Stunning views to the deep-blue Lake Wakatipu and the slopes of Queenstown. Lake Wakatipu The road to Fiordland National Park follows Lake Wakatipu for 47 km. The views are amazing all the way and we just had to stop all the time. For short walks or just for sitting in silence for a while and looking at the view. Lake Wakatipu has an exceptionally strong blue color. That’s because it is a glacial lake and the water comes from melting snow. Lake Wakatipu is the second largest glacial lake in the south, only Te Anau is bigger. There are many world-famous areas you might want to visit in New Zealand: along this road there are the Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound, Lake Manapouri and Te Anau. But since driving on New Zealand roads takes so much time we couldn’t to go that far south nor try to get all the way around Lake Wakatipu. But to get a feeling of the fiords we decided at least to drive down to where the lake ends. Kingston Kingston is a small settlement and quite isolated from everything. But in earlier days Kingston was an important port from where all travelers from the south took a steamship to get north along the lake. There still remains a museum railroad that reminds us of those days when horses, railroad and steamships were the only way of transportation. But we had another way of transportation and prepared a picnic in our rental campervan band then turned back north. And if you like walking, don’t miss this: a short drive from Kingston there is a walking track called the Devils Staircase. It is a one and half hour track in the lush native forest. Driving back to Queenstown we knew the lake already and there was more time to look at the mountain side of the road: was deep forests, high mountains and lots of farming area. And this flock of deer in afternoon sun, what a roadside view!

Roundup Lawsuit Studies have linked Roundup to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a deadly form of cancer. In March 2015, the World Health Organization published a report stating that Roundup is “probably carcinogenic to humans.” Since that time our firm has filed thousands of lawsuits against Roundup’s manufacturer. With Billions of dollars in settlement money currently being negotiated; you should contact our law firm immediately if you or a loved one has been harmed by this dangerous product. Recent studies have linked Monsanto Roundup weed killer to non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a deadly type of cancer that attacks the lymphatic system, and many other life-threatening side effects. In March 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) published a report stating that Roundup is “probably carcinogenic to humans.” Free Roundup Lawsuit Review If you or a loved one was diagnosed with any form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma after using or being exposed to Roundup herbicide, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a Roundup lawsuit and we can help. Please click the button below for a Free Confidential Case Evaluation or call us toll-free 24 hrs/day by dialing (866) 588-0600. Update: New Mexico City Bans Glyphosate August 22, 2019 – Las Cruces, New Mexico, voted on Monday to remove all glyphosate herbicides from use on city property once remaining stocks are depleted, according to Las Cruces Sun News. Parks and recreation director Sonia Delgado said the city’s supplies of the weed killer have mostly been used. Monday’s resolution bars future use of any herbicides containing glyphosate. What is Roundup? Roundup is a herbicide used to control many varieties of invasive exotic plants. Glyphosate, the primary ingredient in Roundup, inhibits a specific enzyme called EPSP synthase, which plants need to grow1. Without EPSP synthase, plants are unable to produce other proteins essential to growth, so they wither and die over a period of days or weeks. Since most plants require EPSP synthase, almost all forms of vegetation succumb to Roundup. Use of glyphosate has soared in recent years due to Monsanto’s Roundup Ready crops, which account for most corn and soybeans now grown in the U.S. These crops are genetically modified (GMO) to be resistant to glyphosate, allowing farmers to spray their fields without damaging the crops. Monsanto’s History of Deception From 1996 to 2011, the use of Roundup Ready GMO crops increased herbicide use in the U.S. by 527 million pounds — even though Monsanto claimed its GMO products would reduce pesticide and herbicide use.2 Monsanto has continually falsified data on Roundup’s safety, and marketed the herbicide as “environmentally friendly” and “biodegradable,” to promote sales, according to EcoWatch. In January 2007, a French court ruled that these claims amounted to false advertising.3 Roundup ‘Probably’ Causes Cancer: Report In 1985, an EPA committee found that Roundup may cause cancer, according to the New York Times. Six years later, the agency reversed itself after re-evaluating the study it had based its original conclusion on. Now the issue is back again. In March 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which is the cancer research arm of the World Health Organization (WHO), published a report in The Lancet Oncology which found that the glyphosate contained in Roundup “probably” causes cancer in humans.5 “All three lines of evidence sort of said the same thing, which is we ought to be concerned about this,” said Aaron Blair, a retired epidemiologist from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and chairman of the group of 17 reviewers who unanimously agreed with the classification. Monsanto Still Trying to Cover Up Deadly Risks of Roundup: Ring of Fire Video Types of Cancer Linked to Roundup Our lawyers are accepting potential lawsuits for people who developed the following forms of cancer after using or being exposed to Roundup weed killer: How Toxic is Roundup? Glyphosate has long been considered by many to be completely safe because it works by inhibiting an enzyme pathway that only exists in green plants, and not in humans or other animals. Since the introduction of Roundup-Ready crops — which Monsanto engineered to be resistant to glyphosate — in the mid 1990s, American farmers have been able to use large quantities of the herbicide to kill weeds selectively. However, over the past 20 years, numerous studies have also suggested that glyphosate may not be as safe as originally believed. A recent collaborative study published in Mutation Research reported that individuals with particularly high exposures to glyphosate (i.e. those who spray it) could have a 41% increased relative risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma. There has been much speculation concerning what exactly causes the increased risk for lymphoma, including the notion that glyphosate may mimic the behavior of certain hormones in humans. One study, conducted by researchers in Thailand, found that by taking on the traits of these hormones, even minuscule amounts of glyphosate could increase the rate of breast cancer cell growth in petri dishes. Numerous research papers have been published stating that glyphosate is harmless, and just as many have entered the literature contending the opposite. Still other studies have failed to reach any definitive conclusion. A recent 20-year analysis of data on nearly 45,000 farmworkers who applied glyphosate herbicides to their crops found no association with lymphoma and overall cancer risk. St. Louis Judge Denies Monsanto Bid to Postpone Roundup Cancer Trial August 14, 2019 – Monsanto’s attempt to postpone the next St. Louis trial it faces involving Roundup cancer allegations has been snubbed by Circuit Court Judge Michael Mullen, who said the case shall proceed as scheduled in October, according to the American Council on Science and Health (USRTK). The trial, Walter Winston v. Monsanto, would mark the 4th time Monsanto has had to defend lymphoma claims over Roundup, but just the first time in its hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. Another trial that had been set to begin in St. Louis on Aug. 19 was delayed by court order last week, and a trial that was slated for September has also been continued. Judge Mullen refused to do the same with the Winston case, saying depositions and discovery should continue until Sept. 16, with the jury selection to begin on Oct. 10. Bayer Proposes $8 Billion Settlement for Roundup Cancer Suits August 9, 2019 – Bayer AG is proposing to settle the Roundup litigation — nearly 18,000 products liability lawsuits alleging glyphosate caused cancer — for about $8 billion and change, according to Bloomberg. The agreement, which would take months to work out even if all parties agreed to the terms, would do wonders to reduce the stress on Bayer, which purchased Monsanto last year for around $66 billion. The ensuing litigation has decreased Bayer’s market value by $30 billion, prompted an unprecedented shareholder vote of no confidence, and even sparked rumors of a company breakup. Plaintiffs’ lawyers have stated they want more than $10 billion to resolve the claims, and there’s no sure way to deal with future plaintiffs who have yet to be diagnosed, which means there’s a high likelihood the lawsuits will stay put for the time being. Santa Barbara to Eliminate Roundup Use in City Parks July 31, 2019 – As part of its updated integrated pest management Program, the city of Santa Barbara, California, has announced plans to eliminate the use of glyphosate herbicides in parks, according to NOOZHAWK. The city already avoids the chemical in most parks, but will add Cabrillo Ball Field, Dwight Murphy Park, Franceschi Park, MacKenzie Park, Orpet Park, Pershing Park, San Roque Park, Sylvan Park and Hidden Valley Park. Santa Barbara uses neem oil, a natural product, instead of glyphosate to combat insects and fungus. May 6, 2019 – Watsonville banned glyphosate from use on city-owned land in a unanimous City Council vote on April 23, according to the Santa Cruz Sentinel. The ban is to take effect on July 1. Concerns that glyphosate may have the potential to cause non-Hodgkin lymphoma and other types of cancer have been mounting for years, with allegations coming to a head in the form of more than 10,000 lawsuits filed against Bayer AG, which purchased the Monsanto Company last August for about $63 billion. A peer-reviewed study published in October by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found trace amounts of glyphosate in at least 28 cereals and other foods marketed toward younger consumers. All but 2 of the 28 samples had levels of glyphosate above EWG’s own benchmark of 160 parts per billion (ppb). Foods tested included 10 samples of General Mills’ Cheerios and 18 samples of Quaker brand products, including instant oatmeal, breakfast cereal and snack bars. In addition to the new moratorium in Watsonville, the use of Roundup and other glyphosate weed killers has already been banned or heavily restricted in more than 25 California cities, counties and school districts, including: Arcata Belvedere Benicia Berkeley Burbank Carlsbad Corte Madera Davis Encinitas Fairfax Fresno Irvine Lodi Long Beach Los Angeles County Mill Valley Novato Oakland Palo Alto Petaluma Richmond San Anselmo San Francisco San Lorenzo Valley Santa Rosa Sonoma Thousand Oaks Woodland Los Angeles County became the largest California government to ban glyphosate in March, issuing a moratorium on the herbicide and citing the need for additional studies into the potential health risks posed by the chemical. Watsonville Mayor Francisco Estrada acknowledged the decision to ban glyphosate outright could complicate maintenance, but said it was a necessary step to put public health concerns first. “I think that this was something that was within our reach and something I could participate in to make a positive change,” Estrada said. “Will there be a cost, yes, will there be consequences, yes. I’m ready for the consequences.” General Mills Sued Over Glyphosate in Nature Valley Granola Bars Three nonprofit organizations have filed a lawsuit against General Mills for allegedly misleading the public by labeling Nature Valley granola bars as “100% natural” when they actually contain glyphosate. The lawsuit was filed under the District of Columbia’s Consumer Protection Procedures Act, according to Bloomberg. Plaintiffs include Moms Across America, Beyond Pesticides, and the Organic Consumers Association. “As a mother, when I read ‘100% Natural,’ I would expect that to mean no synthetic or toxic chemicals at all,” said Zen Honeycutt, founder and executive director of Moms Across America. “Glyphosate is a toxic chemical that the EPA recognizes as a ‘reproductive effector’ which ‘can cause liver and kidney damage’ and ‘digestive effects.’ It is unacceptable that Nature Valley granola bars contain any amount of this chemical.” A 2015 Consumer Reports survey found that 66% of consumers look for foods with the word “natural” on the labeling under the assumption they are produced without pesticides, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), hormones, or artificial ingredients. Glyphosate is used in production of oats, the major ingredient in Nature Valley granola bars, which are marketed as “natural” and labeled “Made with 100% Natural Whole Grain Oats.” Monsanto says the residue levels found in many foods and beverages in the U.S. are below allowable levels established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2014, and therefore consumers have no reason to be concerned. However, a 2015 study published in the journal Environmental Health found that chronic, low-dose exposure to glyphosate — as low as 0.1 parts per billion — can cause adverse effects on the liver and kidneys. Another study published earlier this year determined that glyphosate exposure can cause changes to DNA function resulting in the onset of chronic diseases including type 2 diabetes, obesity and Alzheimer’s disease. The complaint alleges that General Mills misled consumers by failing to disclose the presence of glyphosate in its Natural Valley products and warn of its harmful effects. Plaintiffs claim that General Mills’ “natural” labeling is deceptive, misleading and unlawful, and require its removal from the market. Caltech Bans Use of Glyphosate at Student Housing July 24, 2019 – The discovery that a landscaper applied the glyphosate-containing weed killer Ranger Pro at a Caltech housing facility has sparked some controversy among staff and the student body, but in a Monday announcement the university defended the herbicide and the landscape vendor’s manner of applying it, according to Pasadena Now. Caltech Director of Housing Maria A. Katsas claimed the Institute will stop using “pesticides” in the near future, and is committed to any needed clean-up efforts. “We are … consulting with a toxicologist to determine what clean-up measures would be needed and most effective,” Katsas said. “We regret that you were not notified in advance of the use of RangerPro at the Villa student housing complex in the past.” May 14, 2019 – A jury in San Francisco, California, on Monday awarded more than $2 billion to a couple who claimed Roundup herbicide caused their cancer. The recent verdict spells bad news for Bayer, which still faces more than 13,000 similar lawsuits alleging Roundup and other glyphosate-based herbicides cause cancer. Bayer shares fell 2% on the news, and have plummeted more than 45% this year, according to CNN Business. As in its previous defeats, Bayer vows to fight the verdict, and maintains that Roundup is completely safe, and one of the most thoroughly tested chemicals in existence. Although Bayer did see a bit of good news last month when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declared that glyphosate is not carcinogenic, its best bet may be to settle the remainder of the litigation, else the company may never hear the end of claims over Roundup. EPA Says Roundup Chemical Not Linked to Cancer May 3, 2019 – EPA’s declaration opposes a growing body of research which suggests that glyphosate increases the risk for lymphoma and other deadly forms of cancer. “Today’s decision by Administrator Wheeler, like virtually every one he and the Trump administration make, completely ignores science in favor of polluters like Bayer,” said Ken Cook, President of the Environmental Working Group (EWG). “This move by EPA should not come as a surprise. Under the control of Trump and Wheeler, the agency is virtually incapable of taking steps to protect people from dangerous chemicals like glyphosate.” EPA’s ruling marks a welcome — albeit temporary — sigh of relief for Bayer, which purchased Monsanto last August for $63 billion, and has recently lost 2 straight Roundup cancer trials in the Northern District of California, where MDL 2741 is being overseen by Judge Vince Chhabria. In March 2017, Judge Chhabria released records exposing how a corrupt former EPA official bragged to Monsanto that he deserved a medal if he could kill an investigation into the cancer risk with glyphosate. Monsanto was seeking the help of Jess Rowland, former manager of EPA’s pesticide division, to help stop an investigation into the glyphosate cancer risk by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). “If I can kill this I should get a medal,” Rowland told a Monsanto regulatory affairs manager, who recounted the conversation in an email to his colleagues. Rowland’s statements illustrate how the EPA, which was supposed to be policing Monsanto’s activities, was actually colluding with the agrochemical giant to downplay the Roundup cancer link. He apparently succeeded, as ATSDR never published a toxicological profile of glyphosate. April 9, 2019 – A pathologist from the City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte, California, who claims to have poured over more than 2,000 pages of medical records for plaintiffs in the next Roundup cancer trial concluded that exposure to glyphosate was the “most significant contributing factor” in causing their development of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Dr. Dennis Weisenburger, a pathologist hired by the plaintiffs who has studied the significant increase in lymphoma cases since glyphosate has been on the market and authored nearly 400 peer-reviewed articles, seemed confident in his assertion that Roundup was the likely causative agent in both plaintiffs’ development of the disease. “It’s not a hard call,” Weisenburger said. Weisenburger is the most recent witness to testify in a jury trial alleging that the plaintiffs’ regular exposure to thousands of gallons of Roundup on their 4 properties for more than 3 decades caused them to develop non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The trial is expected to conclude sometime next month. During his testimony on Tuesday, Weisenburger spent a good portion of his time on the stand explaining epidemiological studies on glyphosate to the jury. He mentioned one study in particular which found that the Roundup mixture was 200 times more genotoxic, or DNA damaging, than glyphosate alone. Weisenburger estimated that Mr. Alva had sprayed Roundup a total of at least 729 times, and Alberta sprayed it approximately 270 times, on their 4 properties over the previous 35 years. Both used the herbicide without taking extra safety protections and in casual clothing, he said. The couple were diagnosed with lymphoma within years of each other, Weisenburger said, and that Alva continued to spray Roundup even after he was diagnosed with cancer in 2011. The lawsuit is: Pilliod v. Monsanto Co., case number RG17862702, in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Alameda. Monsanto has been ordered to pay an $80 million settlement to a San Francisco man who claims that his development of non-Hodgkin lymphoma was the result of his use of Roundup weed killer, in a rare split-trial which could influence the outcome of thousands more cases. Monsanto’s request to bifurcate the first federal trial involving allegations that Roundup caused cancer seems to have backfired, as the jury on Friday reached verdicts against the Bayer AG unit, awarding the Plaintiff over $80 million in damages. The trial got underway in federal court in San Francisco on Feb. 25, overseen by the honorable U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria. Ed Hardeman, the 70-year-old Santa Rosa man who filed the claim, alleged that his use of Roundup for decades on and around his property significantly contributed to his development of lymphoma. The jury deliberated for about a week over the first portion of the trial, and just 1 day for the second, unanimously ruling in favor of Hardeman in both instances. Monsanto was found guilty on a failure to warn claim, a design defect claim, and a negligence claim. The jury awarded Plaintiff over $80 million in damages, including $75 million in punitive damages. Bayer’s Shares Plummet Following Consecutive Roundup Trial Losses March 22, 2019 – Shares of Bayer AG dropped over 12% on Wednesday after a jury in federal court in San Francisco ruled for the second time that its Monsanto Roundup weed killer caused cancer. It was the pharmaceutical giant’s biggest 1-day loss in 16 years, according to Reuters. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Edwin Hardeman, who claimed that decades of using Monsanto Roundup on his 56-acre property in Santa Rosa, California, caused his non-Hodgkin lymphoma. After deliberating for a week, the San Francisco jury unanimously agreed, finding that Roundup was likely a “substantial factor” in causing Hardeman’s cancer. The decision dealt Bayer a hefty second blow in the Roundup litigation, having been defeated last August in a similar lawsuit filed by Dwayne Johnson, who now has terminal stage 4 cancer and was not even expected to survive the end of his trial. “This looks like 2-0 plaintiffs, and clearly not helpful for the overall payout calculus and resolution of the litigation,” said Bernstein analyst Gunther Zechmann. The Hardeman case marked the first federal bellwether trial in MDL 2741. The lawsuit is unique in that the trial consists of 2 phases: the first to cover scientific disputes, and the second to address allegations of wrongdoing by Monsanto. Bayer still faces thousands of additional lawsuits alleging Roundup herbicide caused cancer. San Francisco Jury Rules Plaintiff’s Cancer Caused by Roundup March 19, 2019 – The jury of 5 women and 1 man reached a unanimous decision in favor of plaintiff Ed Hardeman after deliberating for a week, according to Law360. The verdict marks another costly setback for Bayer AG, which purchased Monsanto last August for about $63 billion, but which had to have seen at least a portion of these woes coming, as the litigation was already in full swing at the time. During the trial, Hardeman testified that he used Roundup for more than a quarter century (1986-2012) on his 56-acre property in Santa Rosa, CA, to kill weeds and poison oak. During this process, Hardeman said mist from the herbicide fell onto his skin and face. He was diagnosed with stage 3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2015 at age 66, and has since been forced to undergo cancer treatment. A series of medical professionals testified for both sides during the trial, presenting the jury with vastly different opinions regarding the link between Roundup and cancer. During closing statements, Hardeman’s legal team argued that his exposure to Roundup had been extreme and that their side had shown “overwhelming evidence” from animal studies, mechanistic data and epidemiological data confirming the link between Roundup and cancer. Monsanto contended on rebuttal that Harderman’s cancer studies were inadequate and unreliable, and that he has the most common form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma which makes it impossible to rule out chronic hepatitis C and hepatitis B as a contributing factor to his disease. The jury ultimately sided with the prosecution, determining that it was more than 50% likely that Roundup “significantly contributed” to his cancer. Monsanto Cancer Report Deemed Admissible in Roundup Lawsuit March 7, 2019 – U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria said Monsanto’s attorneys “opened the door” to allowing the report by arguing that glyphosate is not genotoxic — meaning that it can’t cause genetic damage to human cells. The judge said Monsanto’s position is contradicted by its own internal report, which was produced by Dr. James M. Parry. The issue came up during a hearing for the bellwether trial, which began last week only to be paused momentarily for a sick juror, according to Law360. Last August, a California jury found Monsanto liable in a similar lawsuit filed by a man alleging that Roundup caused his cancer and ordered the company to pay $289 million in damages, which was later slashed to $78 million. In the Hardeman case, pathologist Dr. Dennis Weisenburger testified on Wednesday that he believed Roundup caused the plaintiff’s lymphoma, refuting an argument by Monsanto that the disease was a result of the man’s hepatitis C and age-related factors. “If he was going to get lymphoma, he would have gotten it when he had the infection, not nine years after he was cured,” Weisenburger said. The pathologist also said when Hardeman was cured of hepatitis in 2006, any cells damaged by the virus would have died off, rejecting Monsanto’s claims that his 2015 diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma was caused by the hepatitis. New Study Finds Glyphosate in Dozens More Cereals, Children’s Foods October 25, 2018 – A new study conducted by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found the controversial herbicide glyphosate in at least 28 cereals and other children’s foods, less than 3 months after another study found “a hefty dose” of the weed killer in dozens of similar products. EWG’s peer-reviewed study focused on oat-based cereals and other foods marketed at children, and arrived at conclusions which “fly in the face of claims by two companies, Quaker and General Mills, which have said there is no reason for concern,” the watchdog group claims. EWG tested 28 products—all of which were made from “conventionally grown” (i.e. non-organic) oats—and found only 2 had glyphosate levels below its benchmark of 160 parts per billion (ppb). “Almost all of the samples tested by EWG had residues of glyphosate at levels higher than what EWG scientists consider protective of children’s health with an adequate margin of safety,” the group said. “If those companies would just switch to oats that aren’t sprayed with glyphosate, parents wouldn’t have to wonder if their kids’ breakfasts contained a chemical linked to cancer.” Manufacturers say their products are safe, but the new study argues that most of the foods tested have glyphosate in amounts that could pose a cancer risk with long-term exposure. None of the foods violated EPA limits on the herbicide; however, EWG uses a far more conservative health benchmark. California’s proposed glyphosate limit, which would be the most restrictive in the U.S., still allows for glyphosate levels that are over a hundred times higher than EWG’s allowance. Landmark Roundup Trial Ends in $289 Million Award to Plaintiff August 13, 2018 – The jury ruled that Roundup herbicide and Ranger Pro products presented a “substantial danger” to the now 46-year-old Dewayne “Lee” Johnson, who developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma after using the spray for more than 2 years as a groundskeeper in San Francisco. Jurors concluded that Monsanto knew or should have known of the potential health risks associated with the chemicals. The jury awarded Johnson $289 million — mostly in the form of punitive damages intended to dissuade Monsanto from allowing the same fate to befall others that Johnson was forced to endure. The now 46-year-old used Roundup weedkiller 20 to 30 times per year while working as a groundskeeper for a San Francisco area school district, according to the lawsuit. He claims that during this time, he had 2 accidents in which he was soaked with the herbicide. Johnson’s case was the first to go to trial because doctors said he didn’t have long to live, and in California, dying plaintiffs can be granted expedited trials. Next up to trial is 48-year-old Aaron Johnson, a former macadamia nut field manager who was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2014, after using Roundup for 12 years. Roundup Cancer Trial Moves Forward July 12, 2018 – Hundreds of lawsuits alleging Roundup caused cancer advanced a crucial step forward on Thursday when a judge in San Francisco Superior Court ruled that a cancer victim could present expert testimony linking the herbicide to non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Judge Chhabria said evidence linking glyphosate was “rather weak”; however, he also affirmed that the opinions of 3 experts linking the weed killer to cancer were relevant, and not tantamount to “junk science.” The suits allege that Monsanto has known for decades about the cancer risk with Roundup, yet failed to adequately warn the public, medical, and scientific communities. Chhabria’s ruling allows the complaints to advance a crucial step forward, though Chhabria warned it could be a “daunting challenge” to convince him that glyphosate causes non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Many U.S. government agencies have rejected the link between cancer and glyphosate. Monsanto has, of course, forcefully denied the connection, claiming that the chemical is among the most tested of all-time, and that hundreds of studies have established that the chemical is safe. Human Glyphosate Levels Increased 500% Since 1993, Study Finds October 31, 2017 – A new study has found that humans levels of glyphosate have more than doubled since 1993. The study, which analyzed glyphosate levels in the urine of 100 people in California, was conducted by the San Diego School of Medicine and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). “The data compares excretion levels of glyphosate and its metabolite aminomethylphosphonic acid in the human body over a 23-year time span, starting in 1993, just before the introduction of genetically modified crops into the United States,” said Dr. Paul J. Mills, who led the study. The researchers found that detectable amounts of glyphosate increased from about 0.2 micrograms per liter to .44 micrograms per liter between 2014 and 2016. The daily limit set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is 1.75 milligrams (MGs) per kilogram. Mills said the next step for the study’s authors is to investigate the overall health of participants who had increased levels of glyphosate in their urine. “I am concerned,” Mills said. “This is one of the reasons I put together this study, because there wasn’t such information in the biomedical literature, and I thought we needed it, and we needed to start having some good data to have a conversation around these questions.” Use of glyphosate has increased about 500% since the early ’90s, the researchers found. Regulators to Consider Tighter Restrictions on Glyphosate Use Whether or not the IARC report affects sales of Roundup depends on if regulators decide to impose tighter restrictions on glyphosate use. A spokesman for the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) said it was evaluating whether glyphosate-containing products may have to be re-labeled as posing a cancer hazard under Proposition 65, according to the Times. EPA to Re-evaluate Herbicide Toxicity Some consumer and environmental groups have called on the EPA to strengthen the labeling of genetically modified foods, and to re-evaluate the safety of glyphosate and a newer weed killer made by Dow Chemical that combines glyphosate and another herbicide, 2,4-D. EPA said it would consider the findings of the new report in its own review of glyphosate; however, the agency continues to maintain its classification for the chemical as having “evidence of non-carcinogenicity for humans” since 1991, according to the Times. Working to Limit Roundup Use Over Health Concerns In April 2013, a study published in the journal Entropy6 looked at glyphosate’s ability to interfere with normal bodily functions. The authors state “[Glyphosate’s] negative impact on the body is insidious and manifests slowly over time as inflammation damages cellular systems throughout the body.” Stephanie Seneff, a research scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and co-author of the study, highlighted the need for additional research into the potential health effects of Roundup, stating that the team’s research has “hit upon something very important that needs to be taken seriously and further investigated.” Danish Authority Reclassifies Roundup as Cancer-Causing Substance June 8, 2015 – Roundup weed killer is now listed as a carcinogen, or cancer-causing substance, by Denmark’s Working Environment Authority (WEA). Lymphoma diagnoses have been increasing in Denmark for unknown reasons in recent years; the disease now affects over 1,000 Danes annually. These findings raised concerns from Philippe Grandjean, a professor of environmental medicine at the University of Southern Denmark. “We know that glyphosate causes cancer in other mammals, but it has not been demonstrated in humans. That is because the effects are not investigated thoroughly enough in people yet. But when we see that other mammals get cancer from glyphosate, we must assume that people who are exposed to the substance can also develop cancer,” Grandjean said. Roundup is the most popular pesticide and weed killer in Denmark, and Grandjean encourages people to stop using it. “Gardeners should remove Roundup as hazardous waste,” Grandjean said. “Pesticides have often proved more dangerous than we thought, and I do not think they belong in our homes.” Despite its widespread use in home gardens, the vast majority of Roundup in Denmark is used in agricultural applications. In 2013, nearly 1,400 tons of glyphosate was sprayed on Danish soil. “It is so common a substance, and our use of it is so extensive that this WHO report must be taken seriously,” Grandjean said. “Philippe Grandjean is one of the world’s leading professors on toxicity especially on brain damage due to chemicals,” said Ib Borup Pederson, a Danish pig farmer who documented the significant change in the health and productivity of his livestock, as well as the profitability of his farm when he stopped using feed contaminated by glyphosate 4 years ago. “His appearance is of great importance; nobody in Denmark from the industry has clout enough to go against him, as he is both professor in Denmark and USA (at Harvard School of Public Health), and is widely recognized for his work.” Monsanto Lobbyists Banned from EU Parliament October 10, 2017 – Lobbyists working for the Monsanto Company have been barred from entering the European parliament after the company refused to attend a hearing regarding allegations of regulatory interference into Roundup safety studies. Members of European parliament (MEPs) took the unprecedented step after Monsanto skipped a hearing called to discuss allegations that it tampered with studies investigating the safety of glyphosate. This is the first time MEPs have implemented new rules granting it the power to block access to companies that ignore a summons to attend parliamentary inquiries or hearings, according to The Guardian. Leaders of all parliamentary blocks voted to back the ban on Thursday. Monsanto officials will now be unable to meet MEPs, attend meetings, or use digital resources on parliament grounds at Brussels or Strasbourg. A public hearing has been scheduled for Wednesday to discuss allegations that Monsanto unlawfully influenced studies into the safety of glyphosate. “Those who ignore the rules of democracy also lose their rights as a lobbyist in the European Parliament,” said Philippe Lamberts, President of the Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance. “There remain many uncertainties in the assessment of the pesticide glyphosate. Monsanto has to face the questions of parliamentarians and should not hinder the clarification process.” France to Phase Out Glyphosate Over 5 Years October 6, 2017 – French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe has announced that France will phase out glyphosate over the next 5 years until the herbicide is banned outright in 2022. In response to worries from French farmers about an outright ban on glyphosate, Philippe proposed a gradual drawdown over the next 5 years, according to Organic Authority. The majority of French farmers have reacted in favor of the proposal, with Christiane Lambert, head of France’s largest farm union, FNSEA, saying it meant the government was “starting to understand that a full ban would be impossible to apply in France.” France’s Ministry of Environment announced in September that the county would be voting against renewal of the chemical’s license in the EU. Last week, about 300 French farmers took to the Champs-Elysées in protest of an outright ban on glyphosate. FNSEA argued that seeing as there is no current alternative to the herbicide, an across-the-board ban placed French farmers at a severe disadvantage in the EU and across the globe. The European Commission has proposed extending the licence for glyphosate for a decade, which France has said it will vote against and try to block. FNSEA is fighting the block, fearing that any type of ban would put farmers at a competitive disadvantage. Roundup Labels to Carry Cancer Warning in California June 27, 2017 – A California judge has ruled that state health officials can require Monsanto to include a cancer warning on the labeling of Roundup weed killer. If California carries out the proposal, it would be the first state in the U.S. to require such strict labeling for Monsanto Roundup, the most widely-used agricultural chemical on earth. Monsanto rejects any notion of health risk associated with Roundup, and sued California to block the proposed labeling, claiming that it unconstitutionally made its claims based on IARC’s claim that glyphosate is “probably carcinogenic.” Fresno County Superior Court Judge Kristi Kapetan still must issue a formal decision, which she said would come soon. California regulators are waiting for the formal ruling before moving forward with the warnings. Once a chemical is added to a list of probable carcinogens, the manufacturer has a year before it must attach the label. With so much suspicion surrounding Monsanto due to its dubious track record, and the numerous studies linking Roundup to cancer and many other serious health risks, the ruling is being applauded by many as a victory for the people against the widely-criticized agrochemical giant. Monsanto Sued for Mislabeling Roundup June 22, 2017 – A lawsuit has been filed against Monsanto in Wisconsin federal court by a group of plaintiffs who claim that Roundup herbicide is mislabeled with the statement that its active ingredient targets an enzyme not found in humans or pets. The complaint (PDF), filed Tuesday by 6 consumers from states across the U.S., focuses on the promotion, marketing and sale of Roundup, rather than physical injuries alleged from the weed killer. Scotts Miracle-Gro Co., which also markets Roundup products, is named as a co-defendant in the case. The lawsuit claims that Monsanto and Scotts label, market, and promote Roundup products with the “false statement that Roundup’s active ingredient, glyphosate, targets an enzyme that is not found ‘in people or pets.’” Plaintiffs contend this is a false and deceptive claim, as the enzyme has been identified in the gut bacteria of humans and pets, and glyphosate can adversely affect their immune system. Monsanto aggressively markets Roundup as safe for humans and animals, despite recent studies which have found that glyphosate may be carcinogenic (cancer-causing) and affect human and animal cardiovascular, endocrine, nervous, and reproductive systems. No reasonable consumer seeing these representations would expect that Roundup actually targets a bacterial enzyme that is found in humans and animals, and that affects their immune system health. Plaintiffs are seeking equitable relief on behalf of the general public, with all profits earned by Monsanto for sales of Roundup in D.C. to be deposited into a charitable fund for the raising of consumer awareness regarding the effects of glyphosate. Glyphosate vs. Dicamba Even more toxic than glyphosate is dicamba, a new herbicide designed for use on Monsanto’s next generation of biotech crops. According to the Pesticide Management Education Program (PMEP) at Cornell University, dicamba is toxic by ingestion, inhalation and dermal exposure. Signs and symptoms of dicamba toxicity include: Loss of appetite (anorexia) Vomiting Muscle weakness Slowed heart rate Shortness of breath Central nervous system effects (victim may become excited or depressed) Benzoic acid in the urine Incontinence Cyanosis (bluing of the skin and gums) Exhaustion following repeated muscle spasms EU Approves Roundup Ready Soybeans The European Union (EU) has approved the import and processing of Monsanto Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans, after debates over the potential health risks of glyphosate delayed introduction of the genetically modified crops for months. The Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans have gone through a rigorous authorization protocol, including a favorable scientific assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The GMO crops are now authorized to be used both in human and animal food, but not for planting in the EU. The authorization is valid for a decade; however, “any products produced from these GMOs will be subject to the EU’s strict labeling and traceability rules,” according to the European Commission. “Today the Commission authorized three GMOs for food/feed uses (soybean MON 87708 x MON 89788, soybean MON 87705 x MON 89788 and soybean FG72), all of which have gone through a comprehensive authorization procedure, including a favorable scientific assessment by EFSA,” the commission said on Friday. Although Roundup Ready soybeans are tolerant to both glyphosate and dicamba weed killers, use of dicamba on the crops has not yet been approved by the EPA. The soybeans were approved earlier this year by a major Chinese importer. Monsanto is now planning on supplying 15 million U.S. soy acres to meet export needs. The new crops make up what the company has called the ‘Roundup Ready Xtend crop system,’ designed to kill superweeds that have adapted to tolerate glyphosate herbicides. EPA approved Dicamba in 1967, and the chemical has since been linked to high rates of cancer and birth defects in the families of food growers. Consumer, health and environmental advocates have fiercely opposed Monsanto’s Roundup Ready Xtend crop system over health and environmental concerns. 40 Californians File Roundup Cancer Lawsuit April 5, 2017 – Forty California residents have filed a products liability lawsuit against Monsanto alleging that Roundup weedkiller caused them to develop “non-Hodgkin lymphoma and other cancers, other permanent defects and permanent bodily impairments.” The complaint, filed last month in Alameda Superior Court, alleges that Monsanto says Roundup is safe to use and poses no unreasonable health risk to humans or the environment. Study Links Glyphosate to Autism March 8, 2017 – A new study has been published linking glyphosate to an increased risk for autism. For the study (PDF), a research team led by William Shaw, Ph.D. of The Great Plains Laboratory, Inc. found extremely high levels of glyphosate in urine samples taken from a set of triplets. The amount of glyphosate dropped significantly after implementing a strict diet of organic foods, with improvements noted in the functioning of the children. The two boys from the triplet set have autism while the girl has significant medical problems but does not have autism. Shaw found the results significant because previous research has shown that the rate of autism in the U.S. is highly correlated with the increased use of glyphosate. The findings could also demonstrate a potential mechanism by which glyphosate could lead to brain damage. People are exposed to high amounts of glyphosate when they eat genetically modified foods that are engineered to survive glyphosate toxicity. Weeds that are not genetically modified die when exposed to the chemical. It was previously believed that humans and other animals lack the enzymes that weeds possess, so therefore would not be affected by glyphosate toxicity. However, recent studies have found that glyphosate also kills beneficial bacteria in the environment and in the intestinal tracts of farm animals and humans by the same mechanism which it kills weeds. Pathogenic bacteria such as Clostridia and Salmonella, on the other hand, lack the genes that kill beneficial bacteria. This factor was important since the two boys with autism had elevated markers which indicated Clostridia overgrowth. These markers may alter brain function by inhibition of the enzyme dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH), which is responsible for the conversion of dopamine to a brain chemical called norepinephrine. Over time, this inhibition of DBH leads to the overproduction of dopamine, which may be toxic and cause brain damage at high concentrations. Some medications used to treat autism like Risperdal (generic: risperidone) block the effects of excessive dopamine. Roundup Linked to Liver Disease, Study Finds January 10, 2017 – A new study has found that glyphosate causes non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in laboratory rats at very low doses. The study, published Monday in Scientific Reports, used cutting edge profiling methods to analyze the molecular composition of the livers of female rats that were given extremely low doses of Roundup herbicide (thousands of times lower than what is permitted by worldwide health regulators) over a 2-year period. The results indicated that these animals developed NAFLD. According to the researchers, this study is unique in that it is the first to show a causative link between exposure to Roundup and a serious disease. “The findings of our study are very worrying as they demonstrate for the first time a causative link between an environmentally relevant level of Roundup consumption over the long-term and a serious disease – namely non-alcoholic fatty liver disease,” said Dr Michael Antoniou of King’s College London, lead author of the study. “Our results also suggest that regulators should reconsider the safety evaluation of glyphosate-based herbicides.” The study indicates that long-term consumption of an ultra-low dose of Roundup at a glyphosate intake level of just 4 nanograms per kilogram of body weight per day — which is 437,500 times below the level permitted in the U.S. — results in NAFLD. Health regulators accept toxicity studies in rats as an indicator of potential human health risks. Therefore, the new findings may have serious consequences for human health, according to the researchers. NAFLD currently affects about 25% of the U.S. population. Risk factors include being overweight or obese, having diabetes, high cholesterol or high triglycerides in the blood. Rapid weight loss and poor eating habits also may lead to the disease. Symptoms of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease include: Fatigue Weakness Weight loss Loss of appetite Nausea Abdominal pain Spider-like blood vessels Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) Itching Fluid buildup and swelling of the legs (edema) and abdomen (ascites) Mental confusion If left untreated, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease can progress to the more serious condition non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). EPA Panel to Investigate Roundup Cancer Link December 13, 2016 – The EPA is holding a three-day series of meetings this week dedicated to examining evidence linking Monsanto Roundup to cancer, according to The Hill. The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act Scientific Advisory Panel (FIFRA) will meet first on Tuesday to review a set of scientific issues regarding EPA’s evaluation of the carcinogenic potential of glyphosate. The goal of the meetings is to determine how the agency should interpret relevant data and how this information should translate into a “carcinogen risk” classification for glyphosate. Glyphosate Found in Oatmeal, Baby Food October 3, 2016 – The FDA has found residues of glyphosate in a variety of oat products including plain and flavored oat cereals for babies. Data (PDF) presented by FDA chemists at a meeting in Florida showed residues of glyphosate in the following products: “Cinnamon spice” instant oatmeal “Maple brown sugar” instant oatmeal “Peach and cream” instant oatmeal Banana strawberry and other banana-flavored varieties of infant oat cereal Other similar products Glyphosate levels ranged from none found in several different oat products to 1.67 parts per million (PPM), according to the FDA. The EPA maintains that glyphosate is “not likely” to cause cancer, and has established tolerance levels for the chemical in oats and other foods. The levels identified by FDA in the above products fall within EPA’s guidelines, which for oats is 30 ppm. The U.S. typically allows far more glyphosate residue in food than other countries. In the EU, for example, the tolerance for glyphosate in oats is 20 PPM. Monsanto, which generates nearly one-third of its $15 billion annual revenues from glyphosate products, helped the EPA in setting tolerance levels for glyphosate, and in 2013 asked for and received higher tolerances for the chemical in a large number of foods. The company has developed genetically engineered (GMO) crops including corn, soybeans, canola and sugar beets that are designed to tolerate direct spraying with glyphosate. In May, San Francisco resident Danielle Cooper filed a class action lawsuit (PDF) against Quaker Oats Co. after glyphosate was found in the company’s oat products, which are used by millions of consumers as cereal and for baking. Cooper said she expected the oats, which are labeled as “100% Natural,” to be free of pesticides and other harmful chemicals. “Glyphosate is a dangerous substance, the presence and dangers of which should be disclosed,” the class action states. Glyphosate Restrictions go into Effect in EU August 24, 2016 – New restrictions concerning the use of glyphosate came into effect across the European Union (EU) on Monday, according to AgriLand. Under the new regulations: There is a ban of a co-formulant called polyethoxylated tallow amine (POEA) from glyphosate-containing products; Greater scrutiny will be placed on the pre-harvest use of glyphosate, and Reduction of the chemical’s use in specific areas such as public parks, playgrounds and sports grounds. Glyphosate Linked to Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and ALS, Study Finds A new study has found that glyphosate alters DNA function, increasing the risk for a number of serious, potentially life-threatening diseases. According to the study, glyphosate substitution for glycine is associated with a number of serious diseases including (but not limited to): Type 2 diabetes Obesity Asthma Alzheimer’s disease Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) Parkinson’s disease Glycine, the smallest of the 20 amino acids found in proteins, has unique properties that have the ability to anchor to the plasma membrane or cytoskeleton. The new study, taken in conjunction with correlating data, makes a compelling argument that glyphosate action as a glycine analogue accounts for a high percentage of glyphosate’s toxicity. Additionally, the researchers found that the herbicide may be incorporated into polypeptide chains during protein synthesis, which affects the structure and function of the proteins. Proteins fold up, and glycine is a tiny molecule that is often found in the folding spaces. Since glyphosate is much larger, it prevents the protein molecule from folding correctly, disrupting the function of proteins involved with metabolism and regulatory processes, according to the study. This mechanism affects humans and other organisms in a number of ways including: Impaired fatty acid release leading to obesity; Impaired insulin receptor response leading to type 2 diabetes; Impaired one-carbon metabolism leading to neural tube defects and autism; Monsanto touts glyphosate as a “low toxicity” herbicide and “safer” than other weedkillers. However, the chemical has also been shown to have negative effects on humans and the environment. Given its massive use on residential and agricultural sites, its toxicity is of growing concern. Glyphosate Approved in Europe Despite Cancer Fears June 30, 2016 – A European Commission has extended approval of the herbicide glyphosate through 2017 after EU member states failed to either approve or ban the chemical. The EU’s current approval of glyphosate was set to expire today, according to EcoWatch. Had that happened, manufacturers would have had to phase out products containing the ingredient within 6 months. Health Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis announced the last-minute extension on Tuesday, despite failing 3 consecutive times to secure a majority decision from the EU member states. Europe’s view on glyphosate has been divided since March 2015, when the World Health Organization published a report stating that the herbicide is “probably carcinogenic to humans.” To complicate matters, other regulatory agencies including the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have since declared glyphosate to be safe. The 18 month extension will allow the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) to further investigate the chemical’s safety. However, because the commission initially proposed to extend glyphosate for another 15 years but has now reduced it to a temporary approval underscores the uncertain fate of glyphosate in Europe. “There are clear concerns about the health risks with glyphosate, both as regards it being a carcinogen and an endocrine disruptor,” said Green Party MEP Bart Staes. “Moreover, glyphosate’s devastating impact on biodiversity should have already led to its ban. The process of phasing-out glyphosate and other toxic herbicides and pesticides from agriculture must begin now, and this means reorienting the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy towards a more sustainable agricultural model and a Common Food Policy.” Staes further noted that under the current legislation, EU member states have the power to impose restrictions on glyphosate, with France and others already saying they will do so. Scientists Urge EPA to Ban Glyphosate June 17, 2016 – A delegation of independent scientists have urged the EPA to ban Monsanto’s flagship weed killer Roundup. Providing testimony that Roundup poses an unreasonable environmental and public health threat, scientists spoke with EPA officials in a closed meeting at the O’Neill House Office Building in Washington, D.C. The scientists laid out the physiological reasons why exposure to glyphosate can increase the risk of autism, Alzheimer’s, cancer, birth defects, obesity and other serious health problems. “When a cell is trying to form proteins, it may grab glyphosate instead of glycine to form a damaged, mis-folded protein,” said Dr. Stephen Frantz, a pathobiologist research scientist who led the team. “After that it’s medical chaos. Where glyphosate replaces glycine, the cell can no longer conduct business as usual causing unpredicted consequences with many diseases and disorders as a result.” Roundup also damages a crop’s ability to extract carbon from the air, a fundamental component of climate change. “Glyphosate negatively affects the soil microbiome,” Frantz said. “It is destroying the ability of soil to be a nutritive medium for producing crops…We call for a ban on glyphosate.” Frantz also said that Roundup is a patented antimicrobial. “By eating glyphosate-laden foods, we are exposed to a chronic, low dose antibiotic. This is likely causing antibiotic resistance and superbugs.” At least 300 million pounds of Roundup are sprayed on U.S. crops each year, and nearly half of Monsanto’s annual sales (about $5 billion) come from the weed killer, according to the Huffington Post. Moms Across America founder Zen Honeycutt was also at the meeting in Washington. Her son was diagnosed with autism, allegedly the result of his consumption of processed foods, until his mother switched to an all-organic diet. “Mothers and caretakers are seeing their loved ones get sick on GMOs and glyphosate/herbicide sprayed foods and get better when they avoid them,” Honeycutt said. “Because glyphosate is contaminating our urine, water, breast milk and nearly all our foods, we are systematically causing sickness throughout America. For the sake of our country, this must stop. We simply cannot afford glyphosate.” The Deputy Director of EPA’s Pesticide Programs said it could take until late next year before a decision is made on whether the agency will re-register glyphosate for continued use in the U.S. Frantz is demanding immediate action because he views use of the chemical as outright poisoning of our food sources and environment. “By the end of 2016, the EPA will have something done and then comment periods, and then there’s another step, and there’s more comment periods, and this is like business as usual,” Frantz said. “The evidence we presented about this chemical being a glycine analog, that really should excite people. And I didn’t see any excitement. It should upset people.” EU Rejects Extension on Glyphosate June 6, 2016 – European Union nations have refused to back a limited extension on glyphosate, threatening withdrawal of the weed killer if no decision is reached by the end of the month. EU representatives in Brussels today failed to pass a 1-2 year re-authorization of glyphosate to allow for completion of a safety assessment currently underway at the ECHA, according to Reuters. If the commission fails to reauthorize the chemical’s use by the end of the month, it will be illegal to use throughout the EU, and all products containing glyphosate would be removed from the European market within 6 months. A number of countries including the Netherlands and France have already moved to restrict public access to the herbicide over health and environmental concerns. Following today’s vote, the commission now has 2 options. The issue will either be referred to an appeal committee which would be scheduled June 20 to allow for a resolution by the end of the month, or the committee can do nothing and allow the June 30 deadline to pass, resulting in an across-the-board market pull of all glyphosate products. However, EU officials are acutely aware of the potential lawsuits that would likely be filed by Monsanto and other glyphosate producers if this were to happen. Lawsuit Alleges Roundup Caused Bone Cancer in Farm Worker A former California farm worker has filed a federal lawsuit against Monsanto alleging that the company’s Roundup weed killer caused her to develop bone cancer after years of exposure to the herbicide. According to the lawsuit, plaintiff Enrique Rubio sprayed Roundup on crops in California, Oregon and Texas from 1986 to 1995, and was subsequently diagnosed with bone cancer at 38-years-old. Rubio claims that during her years as a field worker, she drove a tractor and used a hand pump to spray vegetables with the weed killer with nothing more than a paper mask to protect her from the chemicals. The complaint alleges that Monsanto’s “prolonged campaign of misinformation” about the safety of Roundup amounted to willful negligence, and that there was no way Rubio could have known about the health risks of the herbicide. To support this claim, the lawsuit notes that the EPA found that 2 laboratories hired by Monsanto falsified test results; however, the company was allowed to sell the weedkiller in the U.S. and around the world. The lawsuit furthermore contends that in light of numerous recent peer-reviewed studies, Monsanto can no longer deny the herbicide’s health effects. As a result of the study’s findings, the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA) earlier this month officially classified glyphosate as a known carcinogen under the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986. Rubio’s lawsuit alleges that Monsanto has known for years about Roundup’s toxicity to humans and the environment, but continues to claim that the weed killer poses no unreasonable risk. The complaint accuses Monsanto of: Strict liability over a known design defect that could have been made less harmful; Failure to warn of the dangers of Roundup; Willful negligence, and Breach of implied warranty. As a result of these alleged misdeeds, Rubio “has suffered and continues to suffer grave injuries” including economic hardship and medical expenses that will continue indefinitely. Since being diagnosed with bone cancer in 1995, Rubio has become disabled and is no longer able to work, according to the lawsuit. She is seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages, as well as payment of legal expenses. Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed Against Monsanto in California May 9, 2016 – The widow of a California farmer has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Monsanto alleging that the company purposely downplayed the cancer risk associated with its Roundup weed killer. According to the lawsuit (PDF), Jack McCall developed terminal cancer after using Roundup herbicide for nearly 30 years. In September 2015, McCall was admitted to a hospital with swollen lymph nodes in his neck. His doctor informed him that the swelling was caused by anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), a rare and aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. No one on his farm knew that Roundup could cause cancer since Monsanto maintained for decades that the weed killer was non-toxic to humans, according to the complaint. After being diagnosed with ALCL and learning of the link between Roundup and cancer, he stopped using the herbicide on his farm. Unfortunately, by then it was too late. Three months after his diagnosis, while undergoing treatment on Christmas Eve 2015, McCall had a massive stroke and died 2 days later. He was 69-years-old. According to allegations raised in the complaint, Monsanto has known for decades that glyphosate is carcinogenic, but failed to adequately warn consumers of its potential health risks. Instead, the company continued to market the herbicide as non-toxic, and hid the dangers as it generated billions in profits worldwide. To this day, Monsanto has failed to adequately and accurately warn of the true risks associated with Roundup and glyphosate, according to the lawsuit. The complaint was filed on May 4 in federal court in Los Angeles, California, on behalf of Jack McCall’s widow, Teri McCall, under case number 2:16-cv-01609. The lawsuit seeks wrongful death and punitive damages, alleging that Monsanto designed a dangerous and defective product, committed gross negligence, and defrauded millions of farmers about the safety of Roundup. Lawmakers Pressure EPA Over Glyphosate Safety Report May 13, 2016 – U.S. lawmakers have put pressure on the EPA to explain why it released and then quickly withdrew documents concerning its review of glyphosate. The documents, which included a report indicating that glyphosate is probably not carcinogenic to humans, were posted to the EPA’s website on April 29 and then taken down 4 days later. In response, the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture sent a letter to the EPA which said that it is looking into its review of glyphosate and atrazine, another widely-used chemical found in agricultural herbicides. The aim of the report, which started in 2009, is to examine the chemicals and their potential human health and environmental risks. “We are troubled that EPA mistakenly posted and later removed documents related to assessments of two different chemicals within one week,” the letter said. “These mistakes indicate systemic problems with EPA’s management of its chemical review and publication processes.” The committee asked EPA who is in charge of managing the risk assessment protocol for chemicals, and for a step-by-step description of its publication approval process. The letter also inquired about the steps needed to finalize the glyphosate report, which is expected in July. “We are concerned that EPA has continually delayed its review of glyphosate,” the letter said. The committee will consider what action to take after the EPA responds. The agency told Reuters it has received the letter “and will respond appropriately.” EPA Pulls Report Saying Glyphosate is Safe May 5, 2016 – The EPA says it accidentally released an 87-page report which concluded that glyphosate is “not likely” to cause cancer in humans. EPA said it doesn’t expect to finish its review of glyphosate until later this year. The agency periodically reviews chemicals to ensure they’re performing as designed and aren’t causing harm to people or the environment. “Documents on glyphosate that are still in development were taken down from the agency’s docket because our assessment is still ongoing and not final,” said EPA spokesman Nick Conger. Monsanto argued that the agency’s findings contradicted decades of studies which have found that glyphosate is safe. The company criticized the IARC for “cherry picking” data, and accused it of promoting “an agenda-driven bias.” Monsanto said the revoked EPA report was just the latest piece of data to concluding that glyphosate doesn’t cause cancer. Jennifer Sass, a senior scientist at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), said the EPA report should be the final assessment on the cancer risk associated with glyphosate. She said the agency still needs to release data on the chemical’s impact on the environment and wildlife. “Monsanto could have written (this report),” said Sass. “It’s really outrageous that (the EPA) came out so different than where the World Health Organization and other agencies are.” Class Action Lawsuit Filed Over Glyphosate in Quaker Oats May 2, 2016 – Quaker Oats is being sued for $5 million by a New York man who alleges the company uses glyphosate during production, according to the New York Post. The class action was filed by Lewis Daly, a Brooklyn resident who claims Quaker Oats’ advertising is “false, deceptive and misleading.” Daly says the carcinogenic substance glyphosate is used to grow the oats and sprayed on them during harvest, undermining the company’s claims that its products are “100 per cent Natural.” Glyphosate Found in Many Breakfast Foods, Study Finds April 20, 2016 – Glyphosate has found its way into many common breakfast foods including bagels, cereals and eggs, according to a new report. According to the report, which was issued by the Alliance for Natural Health USA (ANH-USA), testing procured from Microbe Inotech Laboratories in St. Louis found detectable levels of glyphosate in 10 out of 24 breakfast food items including oatmeal, bagels and coffee creamer. “Americans are consuming glyphosate in common foods on a daily basis,” ANH said. Notably, some of the highest levels of glyphosate were detected in organic foods such as eggs which are advertised as being “organic, cage-free, antibiotic-free;” and in organic bagels and bread. Indeed, the organic cage-free eggs contained more glyphosate than health authorities allow, ANH said. The agency also tested flour, corn flakes, instant oatmeal, yogurt and frozen hash browns. ANH said the test results indicate that glyphosate is entering the food supply in a number of ways, including being sprayed on crops like wheat to help speed the crop to harvest, and through genetically engineered livestock feed that builds up in poultry and other farm animals. The agency acknowledged that most samples which detected glyphosate residue were at levels under what American health officials classify as “allowable daily intake.” However, ANH also noted that what is considered safe in the U.S. is far higher than that allowed by the EU, and that some critics believe commercial formulations of glyphosate weed killers are more toxic than the chemical alone. “The fact that it is showing up in foods like eggs and coffee creamer, which don’t directly contact the herbicide, shows that it’s being passed on by animals who ingest it in their feed,” said Gretchen DuBeau, executive and legal director of ANH-USA. “This is contrary to everything that regulators and industry scientists have been telling the public.” Pollack, Andrew. “Weed Killer, Long Cleared, Is Doubted.” The New York Times. March 27, 2015; B1.<http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/28/business/energy-environment/decades-after-monsantos-roundup-gets-an-all-clear-a-cancer-agency-raises-concerns.html?_r=0>. Do I Have a Roundup Lawsuit? The Product Liability Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Roundup Lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently investigating potential settlements in all 50 states. Free Confidential Case Evaluation: Again, if you developed lymphoma after using or being exposed to Roundup, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a suit and we can help.

Menu Privacy Policy This privacy policy explains how Hollybush Gardens uses and protects any information that you give us when you: Use www.hollybushgardens.co.uk. Engage with Hollybush Gardens employees in person, by phone, by email or post. Consent to receive our email marketing newsletters and announcements. Consent to be emailed about artists of interest. Hollybush Gardens is committed to ensuring that your privacy is protected. Should we ask you to provide certain information by which you can be identified when using this website or communicating with gallery staff, then you can be assured that it will only be used in accordance with this privacy statement. Hollybush Gardens may change this policy from time to time by updating this page. You should check this page occasionally to ensure that you are happy with any changes. This policy is effective from 15 May 2018. WHAT WE COLLECT We may collect the following information: Name and job title or those of assigned representatives or points of contact. Personal or company contact information including but not limited to email address, phone number, or delivery/invoice addresses. Account or payment card details and payment information in cases of trade. Demographic information such as postcode, preferences and interests. WHAT WE DO WITH THE INFORMATION WE GATHER We require this information to understand your needs and provide you with a better service as well as to engage in trade. We gather this information in particular for the following reasons: Internal record keeping. To meet legal and accounting requirements. To improve our exhibitions and services. To communicate with you regarding gallery news, we may periodically send promotional emails about new exhibitions, artists, works of art, special offers or other information which we think you may find interesting using the email address and/or phone number which you have provided. To contact you for market research purposes. We may contact you by email, phone or post. To transfer necessary information to third parties including but not limited to shippers, framers or other suppliers with whom we work to complete our services. If you choose to limit specific personal or business data, this may impact Hollybush Gardens’ ability to adequately provide its services to you. Hollybush Gardens keeps this information and all information relevant to past sales processes for legal and financial records. Hollybush Gardens endeavours to keep actively used information up to date. SECURITY We are committed to ensuring that your information is secure. In order to prevent unauthorised access or disclosure, we have put in place suitable physical, electronic and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect online. If a security breach causes an unauthorised intrusion into our system, we will notify you as soon as possible and later report the action we took in response. We do not use cookies however this website may contain links to websites who do. A cookie is a small file which asks permission to be placed on your computer’s hard drive. Once you agree, the file is added and the cookie helps analyse web traffic or lets you know when you visit a particular site. Hollybush Gardens is not responsible for interactions of cookies used by websites linked to or from this website, including our social media platforms. You should exercise caution and look at the privacy statement applicable to the website in question. ACCURACY AND RETENTION OF DATA We do our best to keep your data accurate and up to date. If your data changes (for example, if you have a new email address), then you are responsible for notifying us of those changes. Upon request, we will provide you with details of any of your personal information that we hold. We will retain your information for as long as your account is active or as long as needed to provide you with our services. We may also retain and use your information in order to comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes, prevent abuse, and enforce our agreements. CONTROLLING YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION If you have previously agreed to us using your personal information for direct marketing purposes, you may change your mind at any time by writing to or emailing us at office@hollybushgardens.co.uk. If you wish to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, you should contact the UK Information Commissioner’s Office. We will not sell, distribute or lease your personal information to third parties unless we have your permission or are required by law to do so. You may request details of personal information which we hold about you under the Data Protection Act 1998. A small fee will be payable. If you would like a copy of the information held on you please write to Hollybush Gardens, 1-2 Warner Yard, London EC1R 5EY. If you believe that any information we are holding on you is incorrect or incomplete, please write to or email us as soon as possible, at the above address. We will promptly correct any information found to be incorrect.

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UN urges protection for elderly as world grays Related Special Reports TOKYO — The fast aging of Japanese society is evident as soon as one lands at Tokyo's Narita airport and sees who is doing the cleaning. Young people tend to take such menial jobs in other countries, but here they are often held by workers obviously in the second half-century of their lives.

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The Streetly Academy and Future First Vicky O’Connor, careers lead at The Streetly Academy, talks about their partnership with Future First. I was brought in to The Streetly Academy to lead on the careers programme within the school; the head and SLT are very passionate about raising the aspirations of the pupils and wanted to improve their current careers programme by having someone who was dedicated to this full time. Before I came in to the school the provision was quite ad-hoc and minimal, whereas now the careers programme is implemented across all year groups and events and activities are scheduled frequently across the year. I began by creating a questionnaire to find out what the goals and aspirations were of our pupils, we then used the answers to map out what kind of careers provision we would need. We cater to the aspirations of the students through their own responses and needs and we track this across the school. We’ve seen that goals and aspirations are a lot higher in year 7 and then dip in year 9 and 10. Based on the way that this programme is catered to the goals of the students, we then address these ‘dips’ in aspiration/goal setting through more specific intervention and activities. I want to make sure that as well as thinking about their grades and how important they are, that the pupils get a chance to see how these are important within the wider context of jobs and careers. One of the main reasons that I chose to work with Future First is that alumni can provide direct relevance to the students. With an alumni speaker the pupils are given a link to what they’re saying as they know this person had been sat in their seat, in their position. Alumni provide more ways for pupils to believe in themselves. Using the alumni portal has been a much easier way of engaging and sustaining our alumni network; in previous roles I’d worked with alumni before, mostly using spreadsheets and my own database of alumni information. Future First have made it easier to contact alumni, we don’t have to manually input any data, it’s easier and safer to use when we engage our alumni community. We have a lot of events planned in the coming year where we know our alumni will be brilliant role models for our students; for our year 7s we’ll be running a ‘The Apprentice’ style event where we want our alumni to act as judges. We’ll be having Future First in to lead an event called ‘What is The World of Work Like’ for our year 8s which will go through key skills and information about choosing and entering into a career, as well as Year 9 option days where we’ll be having our alumni in to speak about each subject and its relevance to their jobs, so that we can link the curriculum to potential career paths. As well as these events we’ve got CV workshops, mock interviews, and careers speaker sessions where alumni will get a chance to talk about their careers for students unsure of what their paths might be. Working with Future First so far we’ve really appreciated how easy it’s going to be to keep track of our students as they go on to get jobs or go into further study after finishing their exams. We’ll be able to keep track of what our students go on to do. We want to build a community from this, so that we can keep in touch and keep that connection with students who are at The Streetly Academy now and in the future.

Unpaid opportunities I HAVE THIS social dread when meeting new people. A nervousness that keeps me on edge during the early introductions and the vocal sparring that takes place after shaking hands and saying each other’s names. It’s not an aversion to interacting with strangers; I’m just on the lookout for someone to ask me the question that inevitably comes up. As new acquaintances seek to elicit information, the first question that comes to mind is ‘What do you do?’ It’s a reasonable enough way to find out a lot about somebody quickly. After all, people take a lot of pride in their work and some genuinely enjoy it. But what if you feel you’re totally over-educated for your current position? Maybe it’s just something you’re doing for money and you have no attachment to it? Maybe you’re in the job because you need as many shifts as you can get, and all the jobs you apply for that you really want don’t even acknowledge your application? You also know that if you mention you’ve worked in, say, manual labour, a whole series of prejudices and assumptions are going to begin barrelling through the mind of the person talking to you. You also know that the absolute last thing you want to have a discussion about when you’re trying to enjoy yourself at a party is whether pay is meritocratic or if the unemployed could get a job if they just tried. Commentators are happy to impugn the character of a generation for a lack of the work ethic that supposedly underpins the successes of previous generations. We’re not willing to work hard, they say; we can’t commit to a job; we aren’t willing to save. As if casualised workplaces, lack of career tracks and an inability to pay a gargantuan house deposit are the result of our failings. I look at myself and my friends struggling, and it makes the generational battle that plays out online when discussing the housing market – the ‘coffee and avocado discussion’ – all the more distasteful. A number of older commentators assert that we value different things, and this explains our inability to enter the housing market. Instead of saving for a mortgage, we are consuming avocado and coffee at a staggering rate. We also spend a lot on entertainment. This often leads to a discussion of how we enjoy working flexible hours and not being tied down to one career path. As if there is some desire to constantly move between jobs. There is no evidence for any of this. As Jennifer Rayner points out in Generation Less (Redback, 2016), the job churn rate for those aged twenty to thirty-four is lower than the past. Older workers are actually changing jobs more frequently, and ABS evidence suggests there is no difference in work ethic between generations. And yet the myth persists, despite our willingness to do unpaid work in the hope of finding a career. So if there’s no evidence that shows we lack the willingness to work, it is the changing nature of work itself that is creating barriers for young people. Today’s employment market has changed, and continues to change at an accelerating rate. My generation is affected by the same changes as the disaffected Trump and Brexit voters: structural changes in the economy have primarily hit the lower end of the job market, the sectors where young workers predominate. Work is different today because of the globalised nature of the economy, the rapid pace of technological change – particularly automation – and the mass casualisation (or increased ‘flexibility’) of the workforce. In the developed world, these factors are increasing inequality by holding down wages and conditions at the bottom while raising them at the top. Everyone has been affected by these economic changes, but Australians in their late teens and twenties have lost far more ground than others. The gap between young and old is widening in terms of unemployment and underemployment, wage growth and casualisation. Wage inequality is growing between demographic groups. Some of the gaps between younger and older workers can’t be avoided. Young workers will always find it more difficult to find good jobs because we haven’t had time to develop the experience and skills to make us as employable. While underemployment has trended up for all age groups in the last few decades, there is a broadening gap in the percentage of young and older workers needing more work. At just 2 per cent in the late 1970s, rising to 5 per cent in the wake of the recession of the early 1990s, it continues to grow, reaching almost ten points in 2014, according to the ABS.[i] Like most young Australians, I’ve spent years struggling to transition to full-time work, followed by many more years falling in and out of it. Not being able to find full-time work means a life of near constant anxiety. An inability to settle into life. We are not being choosy. I would love to work in a field I’m passionate about, and while I’ll keep trying for those jobs, I’ve taken lots of shit jobs. Those jobs are almost as difficult to secure as the ones I want. After many hundreds of applications there is little rhyme or reason to the rare responses I receive, except perhaps the occasional email apologising for the delay in replying due to the sheer volume of applications that were received for the position. THE LACK OF sufficient work hours is closely tied to the casualisation of the workforce, a phenomenon in Australia borne almost entirely by the under-thirty and over-fifty-five workforce.[ii] The rise of insecure work is the defining feature of contemporary employment for young Australians. Not all of the people employed on this basis are unhappy – some freelance between lucrative contracts – but they are all insecure. Concerns about the rise of these insecure workplace arrangements are often dismissed as a result of young Australians making the choice to further their education. Beyond the chicken-and-egg question raised by such an explanation (for myself, I got a masters in an effort to guarantee a good full-time job), an Australian Council of Trade Unions inquiry found over half of all people working without entitlements were permanent casuals.[iii] Workers, that is, who could be made part-time or full-time, yet are kept casual to deprive them of benefits and allow businesses to be flexible with shifts. Casual shifts and contracts are often being picked up to compensate for underemployment. The largest gap between workers of different ages is wages. Wage inequality is soaring between not just the rich and poor but between age groups. Weekly mean full-time earnings for under twenty-fives grew by just 25 per cent over the past twenty-five years, while increasing 59 per cent for those in their early fifties. This wage gap is accentuated by policies such as capital gains tax exemptions and negative gearing that entrench wealth inequality. Young Australians are doing whatever they can to find full-time work and start a career, which for many, including myself, means unpaid work. A study commissioned by the Federal Department of Education has found that 58 per cent of those aged eighteen to twenty-nine have done unpaid work in the last five years. It is no longer enough to be enthusiastic and educated; many entry-level positions require three years’ experience in the industry. This experience is supposed to be acquired through unpaid work. In my career I have worked across a number of internships for more than a year in total, doing two days a week. I was never paid a cent for the work I did, nor can I say that having these internships on my CV has helped me to get a job in my field. I began a three-month internship in the role I had applied for and was told that I’d gain the required experience. Within a couple of weeks I was gradually shifted to a variety of increasingly pointless administrative tasks, until I was exclusively doing mundane tasks I was already trained in. Why did I stay when I was clearly being exploited as unpaid labour? Mostly, because of the promise of paid work, if not there, then in a similar position. They may be called ‘internships’, but for the most part that description is wholly misleading. There is often little training beyond admin work and they rarely provide a direct pathway to employment. That unpaid work is becoming a norm is troubling. A friend once told me of working three days a week as an unpaid intern for six months, only to have a manager scoff at her because she chose to stay living at home with her parents in her early twenties. He was seemingly unaware that unpaid internships are non-convertible as rental currency. It is absurd that one to three days a week unpaid work is allowed to continue past two months. Many members of my generation are willing to do this presumably because they get to work in an area or field they love. Which brings me to my generation’s understanding of work. Rather than lacking a work ethic, they seem more likely to underestimate the value of their own labour. To restate the obvious, people are paid for their labour because if they weren’t paid they’d be doing something else. Work is only a hobby for the privileged. This unpaid work can create problems if you have ideological issues with not being paid for your labour. The idea that workers are doing something they love can be an excuse to pay them less, or not at all. The offer of exposure or experience can be very tempting. Not doing something you love seems increasingly like a tragedy, particularly when every new acquaintance at a social gathering asks the same question: ‘What do you do?’ DESPITE THE AVOCADO–COFFEE diatribe, this isn’t just a problem for well-educated kids who won’t settle for less. Jobs that for many years provided a good stable living for low-skilled workers are disappearing, as production disperses around the world and businesses replace workers with machines. Those workers have been forced into professions such as hospitality and retail, which provide little opportunity for productivity improvements and generally mean lower wages and poorer conditions. The same applies to care work, which is one of the few fields with strong job growth. These positions are less secure and offer fewer opportunities for skill development and career advancement. While opportunities appear rosy for those at higher pay scales, automation is beginning to infiltrate what were once seen as non-codifiable professions safe from automation, such as journalism and law, where algorithms are gaining rapid effectiveness at tasks such as research and writing. For those worried about their job being taken by a machine, the research is frightening. The Future of Work, a 2013 report by Carl Benedikt Frey and Michael A Osborne from the Oxford Martin School at Oxford University, categorised 702 jobs in the US labour market according to their ability to be automated, finding around 47 per cent of total US employment in the high-risk category. Their research suggests that this is not a long-term concern, but rather something they see happening in the next decade or two. Responding to emails in a customer-service role, I witnessed the increased speed and productivity within an office as automation crept in. Rather than laboriously writing an individualised response to each customer, something that no doubt would have strained the veneer of civility required in the service industry, I could glance at an email to glean the gist of it then select from a list of templates and generate an automated, very polite, response. It’s not hard to see how soon it won’t be necessary for a human to parse customer queries and decide on the most appropriate rote reply. These changes in the nature of work are eroding the ability of wage earners to demand a sustainable living. They lack collective bargaining power, risk being replaced by machines or having their jobs shifted offshore. Despite never having worked in manufacturing, I have experienced many of the same challenges. I have been laid off after my job was moved offshore. The high Australian dollar was a deciding factor in my leaving another job where my salary was set in a foreign currency. The company couldn’t afford to pay anywhere near the equivalent salary for the industry in Australian dollars. In this new global, automated business environment, capital or profit’s proportion of national income is rising while the share going to labour in wages is declining. The myth that if you work hard you will succeed con-tinues to pervade our culture. We must recognise the perniciousness of dividing workers into the deserving and undeserving. It is the reason we put onerous conditions on the recipients of unemployment benefits, blaming them for not being able to find jobs that don’t exist. The recent Centrelink debt scandal, which has seen the agency seek to reclaim money from its customers for vastly inflated or non-existent debts, is one of the uglier examples of this scapegoating. As is the attempt to deprive under-thirties of unemployment benefits for extended periods, or reductions in payments for unemployed youth. People derive meaning from their work, but if jobs no longer exist we must liberate people from the necessity of work for survival. Talking to Australians about unemployment benefits is enough to make you believe they’d be in favour of waterboarding the unemployed until they find a job. The young are being targeted in this area of welfare cuts. The Centrelink customer service system is already designed to be as challenging and confusing as possible. If you call Centrelink, you will wait for well over an hour to speak to someone – the record being set by a woman who waited fifteen hours to get through. If you go to a Centrelink office instead, they will tell you to call to make an appointment, requiring another couple of hours on the phone. It is a demoralising system that actively takes a punitive approach to those struggling to find work. I’D LIKE TO be bold and state that there is a brighter future amid the decline of stable employment and the automation of work, a future that is glimpsed in that most utopian of fantasies: Star Trek. The economy in the capitalist era has been defined by scarcity, however, and as we see with global hunger and food production, there is already a near surplus of many foodstuffs. Agriculture has advanced to the point where the globe is able to easily produce more than enough food to feed the world, but struggles to distribute this food to everyone. The issue is not production, but distribution. Manu Saadia’s Trekonomics (Pipertext, 2016) describes a world without scarcity, where a device called a ‘replicator’ can produce anything, and thus creates perfect equality of goods. This frees society to engage in more rewarding pursuits, like exploring the galaxy and wearing silly outfits. It is a society that has embraced technology and automation to free itself from mundane work. We may not be capable of this in our present, but that future is rushing towards us fast and we should prepare. Both of the main political parties in Australia frame a hardworking society as a moral one. Since we define ourselves by our work, automation and the freedom from mundane tasks is seen as an existential threat. It is not workers, but work that our society venerates. They believe that new jobs will be created in the future to replace those lost in the past, and workers need to prepare for that. We witnessed Malcolm Turnbull’s trials of VR headsets and visits to start-up incubators on the campaign trail of the last election. It’s believed that if those businesses are supported, the economy will thrive. For the Labor Party, the focus is on training workers to take up those new jobs. This is a continuation of the same mindset that sees the individual as responsible for his own underemployment and unemployment. Although there are new industries emerging today, they offer less employment opportunities than those in previous decades. Tech companies today are worth a lot, make lots of money and employ relatively miniscule numbers of workers. Information goods, alongside the automation of manufactured goods, mean less people are required for production. One answer lies in a universal basic income, an idea that is now being tested around the globe, and one that may become necessary in a world with fewer secure jobs. It is a payment to all individuals in society so that they no longer need to rely on the wage system to survive. Resistance to this idea is similar to the reasoning that imposes onerous conditions on the unemployed – because people still think you can find a job if you try hard enough. A UBI could solve many of the issues we have today with work. It increases worker bargaining power, it offers a solution to women’s unpaid labour in child rearing and domestic duties, and helps deal with rising inequality and the inability of work to effectively distribute income. In the years since graduating from university, shifting between jobs, in and out of work, I have been the frequent recipient of career advice from those with experience of secure employment. Although much of the advice tends to follow similar patterns, there is a noticeable gap in the relevancy and usefulness of the help offered by members of my generation and those from older generations that betrays a misunderstanding of the contemporary nature of work. I see this repeated by our politicians as they fumble around these issues, telling young Australians how the fault lies with them. Not being able to rely on a regular full-time work to provide a steady wage is a stressful existence. The current system doesn’t work for me, nor for much of my generation. Young workers need to be heard and their experiences must not be dismissed – the problems of contemporary work can’t be solved with old answers, nor can they be adequately addressed if we continue to fear radical solutions.