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HIRE OUR Photography Services Serving Tampa Bay and Beyond
Weddings, family gatherings, special events, portraits, promotional photography, corporate imagery, head shots and more. Click here for our contact information and to learn more about photography bookings.
Tel: 813.786.3627
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Tag Archives: Farmer's Market
Muskegon Farmer's Market, Summer 2009… Beautiful produce, friendly people.
Natalie and I had the fortune to visit Michigan this summer and run around all over Muskegon. Summer flowers were blooming everywhere. Beautiful buds sprang forth on every hillside, driveway, and even on the side of the road. Large, abundant flowers, heavily laden stalks of corn, and produce of all types were visible in fields simply by driving down a country road on the way to the next town or a trip down to the cool shores of Lake Michigan. This time of year, Michigan was alive and thriving with vegetation of all sorts.
During our stay, Natalie's mom and sister Sarah took us to the Farmer's Market in Muskegon. It was the middle of the week, so only half of the market was occupied, but we were simply floored at the variety and quality of the products available. Corn was especially good. I purchased a variety called "Peaches and Cream" which was an almost candy-sweet, juicy bi-color ear of buttery goodness. We bought and ate plenty of goods during our stay. The vendors and shoppers alike were friendly, smiling people. Everyone seemed to be having a good time at the Farmer's Market. Not to mention, the best blueberries in the world were in season.
While there, the vendors were kind enough to allow me to snap picture after picture. I tend to go a little nuts when we have the camera with us. I took shot after shot of everything from crisp, brightly colored radishes to deeply hued and unusually shaped eggplants. It was a culinarian's dream come true.
The Muskegon Farmer's Market can be found at 700 Yuba St., Muskegon, MI 49442. (Map and Directions)
The market is open May through December Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Make sure to visit the official site for information, the special events calendar, and even a video about the market.
According to the market's official site, "The Muskegon Farmer's Market is a division of the City of Muskegon and is dedicated to showcasing the best in locally-grown foods, flowers, nursery stock, handicrafts and baked goods. The Market also hosts a giant Flea Market where everything imaginable is sold."
If you ever find yourself anywhere near Muskegon, it is most certainly worth a drive. A sea of flowers, piles and piles of the best produce Michigan has to offer, and dedicated vendors make this a must-visit for any cook or anyone that just happens to like to eat.
Posted in Adventures Also tagged Farmer's Market, Food, Michigan, Muskegon, Photography, Summer Leave a comment


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MySQL Cluster NDB 6.3.31a was withdrawn shortly after release, due to Bug #51256. Users should upgrade to MySQL Cluster NDB 6.3.31b, which fixes this issue.
This is a replacement release for MySQL Cluster NDB 6.3.31, fixing a critical issue in that version that was discovered shortly after its release (Bug #51027). MySQL Cluster NDB 6.3.31a is identical in all other respects to MySQL Cluster NDB 6.3.31. Users of MySQL Cluster NDB 6.3.31 should upgrade to the 6.3.31a release as soon as possible. Users of previous MySQL Cluster NDB 6.3 releases should bypass the 6.3.31 release and upgrade to 6.3.31a instead.
Obtaining MySQL Cluster NDB 6.3.31a. This is a source-only release. You can obtain the GPL source code for MySQL Cluster NDB 6.3.31a from ftp://ftp.mysql.com/pub/mysql/download/cluster_telco/mysql-5.1.41-ndb-6.3.31a/. You can also access the MySQL Cluster NDB 6.3 development source tree at https://code.launchpad.net/~mysql/mysql-server/mysql-5.1-telco-6.3.
This release incorporates all bugfixes and changes made in previous MySQL Cluster releases, as well as all bugfixes and feature changes which were added in mainline MySQL 5.1 through MySQL 5.1.41 (see Changes in MySQL 5.1.41 (2009-11-05)).
Please refer to our bug database at http://bugs.mysql.com/ for more details about the individual bugs fixed in this version.
An initial restart of a data node configured with a large amount of memory could fail with a Pointer too large error. (Bug #51027)
References: This issue is a regression of: Bug #47818.

subset: commoncrawl


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Fuser Film Sleeve
Includes Sleeve Lubrication
hp Laserjet 1100
Warning: Do not purchase this repair if your printer
is in a FUSER ERROR this repair is for the common poor print
quality associated with a bad fuser
Tech Note: Beware of 3rd party sleeves being sold
there are many internet companies selling cheap
low grade sleeves that last just a fraction of
the higher quality fuser film sleeves.
If similiar sleeves are half the price or less
there's a reason !!


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Auctions are one of the oldest forms of selling goods, services and properties. On the Internet, auctioneering is rising in popularity with marketplaces such as ebay making it so easy to buy and sell virtually anything online. A .bid domain extension provides a virtual hub for online auction sites, buyers and sellers looking to prove their sites are part of a trusted namespace. It's the perfect TLD to distinguish your site from the broad auction-related sites on the web and drive the right type of traffic to your site.
Now you can secure a winning .bid domain name at 123 Reg that can help build trust and strengthen your online identity. But hurry and order yours today as everyone will want one!
It's a new general top-level domain (gTLD) dedicated to the virtual community for online auctions, making it the ideal extension for online auctioneers, buyers and sellers and online marketplaces. It's meant to create a secure and trusted environment for those looking to sell and buy goods or services online.
This new TLD opens the doors to a new world of online bidding. Auctioning is one of the oldest ways of buying and selling goods and property. It's still being used successfully today to sell and buy cars, houses, antiques and more. Auctioning on the Internet has grown in popularity with marketplaces such as ebay, uBid, BidBCN and more gaining more traffic and attracting the right buyers to their site.
.bid domains create a professional, secure and targeted virtual space for auctioneers, buyers, sellers, reviewers, assessors, and any other individuals or groups in this industry. So, no matter what business you're in, if you have something to sell or are looking for something to buy, order .bid domain names now and find the right buyers or sellers easier.
In addition, when you buy a .bid domain name, your customers will feel more confident purchasing from your site as a web address with this extension can inspire more trust than any other generic .com or .biz.
There are no restrictions to .bid domain name registration which means anyone can get a web address with this extension. With auctioneering on the web gaining so much popularity, you need to hurry and secure your .bid domains now before anyone else gets a chance.
Questions? Call us on 0330 221 1007


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Le Marche Wine Tour Price
$3,900.00 per person (single supplement $700.00)
Accompanying sommelier guide
Transportation + Driver from our meeting point to our farewell for all group activities
6 Nights accommodations at charming boutique hotels and farmhouses with Breakfast
All meals with wine at gourmet restaurants and traditional trattorie (except one meal)
All guided wine tastings + activities (special events, private tours, guest experts, entrance fees, etc.)
Flight to Italy
Travel expenses before and after the tour period
Travel Insurance (highly recommended)
Anything not specified as being included (If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask!)
You must be 21+ years of age.
You must be in good physical condition as your trip will involve walking, hiking, and other physical activities.
You must sign La Dolce Vigna's travel agreement.
Wine Tour Details
Within a few months of the tour, you'll receive a complete tour package chock full of good stuff: your confirmed itinerary, tips on what to pack, a reading/ movie/ music list for Le Marche, and a waiver form, which must be signed and returned to us prior to the tour.
Deposit + Cancellation Policy
A deposit of $800 per person is required at the time of booking to guarantee your space. Balance of the full amount is due 90 days prior the tour start date. If there are still spots available less than 90 days prior to the tour start date, the full sum will be due upon booking.
All cancellations must be received in writing. If made 90 days or more prior to the tour start date, a refund less the deposit will be made. If made between 89-31 days prior to the start date, you will be issued a credit in the amount of 50% of the total cost already paid, less the deposit and any and all costs/fees that La Dolce Vigna, LLC has already paid third party vendors, such as room reservations, etc., towards future trips or services. No refunds will be made for cancellations made 30 days or less prior to the tour start date, nor for a cancellation made during the tour. We urge all clients to book travel insurance for their trip as we unfortunately cannot make exceptions for inclement weather or personal emergencies.
La Dolce Vigna reserves the right to cancel a tour. In this unlikely situation, you would receive a complete refund of your tour fees. La Dolce Vigna will not assume any other liability and is not responsible for any personal expenses as a result of a tour cancellation, such as airline tickets or personal hotel reservations.


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How to Use the Images
Painting 2
Painting 2
Urcas were flat-bottomed, round-bellied supply ships originally designed for use in the shallow, rough waters off the coast of Flanders (a region including parts of modern Belgium, France, and the Netherlands). They were adopted for use in the Spanish treasure fleets because of their strength and cargo carrying capacity.
Although the Urca de Lima (named for its owner Miguel de Lima) did not have any royal treasure onboard, it did carry 81 chests and some loose sacks of private silver as well as general cargo consisting of hundreds of uncured cowhides, packets of chocolate, vanilla, sassafras, and incense.
Questions for Painting 1
1. What moment is the painting depicting? Why do you think the artist chose this?
2. Why were urcas useful for the Spanish treasure fleet system?
3. What cargo did the ship carry? Why do you think it did not carry any royal treasure? (Refer to Reading 1 if necessary.)
4. Based on Readings 1 and 2, what role did the ship play in assisting survivors?
* The image on this screen has a resolution of 72 dots per inch (dpi), and therefore will print poorly. You can obtain a larger version of Painting 1, but be aware that the file will take as much as 40 seconds to load with a 28.8K modem.


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Whether you are seeking to be a certified drug and/or alcohol testing professional, or want to implement a drug-free program for your company or organization, RVOH is the right place to go.
We offer several certifications in drug and alcohol testing, and can have you fully trained and capable within a short time.
We also offer many awareness and training options for our clients, including general employee awareness classes, supervisor training and Designated Employer Representative (DER) training.


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Aphids are pests of brassica crops throughout NZ, but occur more frequently in the South Island. They cause damage to plants by sucking plant juices and are also a vector for a number of plant viruses.
Of the many aphid species present in NZ, the most significant for brassica crops are the grey cabbage and green peach aphid.
The adult females can be both winged and wingless.
Wingless adults are around 2 mm long and 1 mm wide, tapering at each end. They range from yellow to dark green or grey in colour, and can be covered in a whitish waxy powder.
Winged adult aphids have two pairs of strongly veined wings which extend well beyond the body when the insect is at rest. They are around 2 mm in length, with colourings ranging from yellow through to grey, with more pronounced black markings on the back and virtually no white waxy powder.
The aphid damages plants by sucking plant juices, resulting in yellowing and curling of leaves, and wilting and stunting of growth of plants, especially during hot weather. Aphids are also important vectors of some plant viruses, with the major types transmitting turnip mosaic virus, causing stunted growth.
Heavily infested brassica crops may become unpalatable to stock, further increasing losses. The main periods of activity of these pests are October to mid December and mid January to April, with insect populations able to double every few days in warm conditions.
Prevention and management
Aphids can be successfully controlled during establishment using seed treatments such as AGRICOTE Brassica. There are also more aphid tolerant cultivars available, which offer resistance against aphid attack. Removal of alternate hosts such as wild turnip can also limit the damage caused by an aphid outbreak.
The use of systemic insecticides also offers good control in the face of high insect pressure, especially if used according to flight periods and control is carried out early.


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SEO is not only about better rankings in SERP pages. If you are running an eCommerce website than the sale is more important factor for you. SEO can also help you in better sales and profit. Try these SEO tips for eCommerce website so you can experience not only better traffic but better sale also.
- 1 SEO Tips For eCommerce Sites 2019
- 1.1 Write Unique Product Descriptions
- 1.2 Work Hard for Website Navigation
- 1.3 Use your Target Keywords For Anchor Text Link Building
- 1.4 Optimize Your Website for Mobile Use
- 1.5 URL of Website Should Contain the Product Name
- 1.6 Your Website Should Have Lower Loading Time
- 1.7 Your ECommerce Website Be Secure for Transactions
- 1.8 Well Optimize your Images
- 1.9 Add a Blog Page to Your ECommerce Website
- 1.10 Be Active on the Social Media
- 1.11 Regularly Offer Discount and Sale Offers
SEO Tips For eCommerce Sites 2019
Write Unique Product Descriptions
Unique and fresh SEO friendly content is not only essential for the blogs or content based websites but also for the eCommerce websites. Thousands of eCommerce websites sell the same products with the same specifications. That's there is always possibilities that websites may include same descriptions for their products.
While writing the descriptions for your products, you have to be very sure about the uniqueness of the description. I know it is little complicated to write unique descriptions specially when many products have same specification but, you have to do this because search engines have strict rules for the duplicate content.
There are thousands of websites available for the users to buy something they are looking for. What if they land on your website and they find that your website is having really poor navigation. They will exit your site immediately because they have many other options also.
If you are working for eCommerce SEO practice, first you have to work for the better navigation of your website. Make sure to categorize your products in sub categories and products should be easy to find for the end users.
Use your Target Keywords For Anchor Text Link Building
Another SEO tip for eCommerce is that, you should try to add your exact targeted keyword for Anchor texts. This is because it can help you to get direct traffic for your website as well as it will also beneficial for the SEO link juice.
Healthy keyword variation i.e. LSI keywords are also must to consider thing but don't ignore to use the exact keywords completely. Best place where you can use your keyword is the blog comments activity.
Optimize Your Website for Mobile Use
Today, a large amount of eCommerce is done from the mobile phones. You have to make your website more mobile friendly if you want to increase your sales and profits.
You can also design a separate mobile app for your eCommerce store because users give more priority to mobile apps, especially when it comes to buy something online.
URL of Website Should Contain the Product Name
I hope you know the importance of well planned URL structure for the better SEO experience. The rule is same for the eCommerce website also. The best SEO practice for eCommerce website is using the exact product name in the URL of webpage. This will not only help in better SEO but your users will also love this.
For example, if you are selling "organic vegan protein" tries to include the exact product name in the URL of webpage. You don't even need to add words like 'Best', 'Cheap', 'Quality' or any other prefix or suffix words.
Your Website Should Have Lower Loading Time
I know it is painful, but we have to accept this truth that web users don't have that much patience that they can wait for a website to load. They will simply close the tab and open another website if your website is taking very long time to load.
You have to work for the better loading time for your eCommerce website because eCommerce websites include product pictures and these pictures and image can increase the loading time badly.
Your ECommerce Website Be Secure for Transactions
One of the most important factors to earn the trust of web users is that your website should be secured for transactions.
Remember, eCommerce stores are directly related to the money so you have to be very sure about all precautions you can take for more secure money transactions.
Well Optimize your Images
ECommerce websites are useless without pictures. Users always want to explore the pictures of what they are going to receive. So, SEO trick for using the images in eCommerce website is to add high definition pictures of every product in the website.
Another SEO trick is that you can also SEO optimize the pictures from the Meta Title, Alt tags and description tags for the pictures.
Don't be lazy about writing unique Meta title, Alt tags and description for each and every picture. Add your target keyword in title, Alt and description tag.
This SEO practice is must for optimizing the pictures for eCommerce website because search engines can't understand the pictures and images. They give the highest priority to the Image Alt, title and description tags.
Add a Blog Page to Your ECommerce Website
Most of the eCommerce website owners have doubts about adding a separate blog page in their website. They use to say, why they need blogs when they are selling products.
If you are working for SEO strategy for eCommerce website, let me tell you that search engine loves content. They always give more priority to the website with regularly updated unique content.
Adding a separate blog page will also help the users to know more about your products. It is not compulsory to write blogs like 'newspaper articles' written on some strict topics.
You can explain your products more deeply in your blogs so users can know more about the products they are going to buy. This will also help you earn more trust from your users.
Be Active on the Social Media
Social media is very important, especially in the case of eCommerce store. Make sure to regularly update your social media platforms. Share your products with images and videos on social media platforms. Using social media strategy smartly, you can actually double your sales and traffic.
Regularly Offer Discount and Sale Offers
It is a proved fact that customers actually dies for the offers and sales whether it is an online store or off line store. If you want better sale for your products, do provide discounts, sale offers and special coupons for your products. This strategy actually can help you.


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Firstly, let me say that the name "Stay All Day" is actually a terrible name. To me this suggests 8+ hours of wear, minimum. Even Stila only claim this is supposed to provide 6 hours of continuous wear. So putting "all day" in the name is pretty much like putting "miracle" in the name, it puts my expectations so high, the product can only fail afterwards.
I'd say this lipstick stayed on me for 4 hours, but with eating and drinking it quickly disappeared from the inner part of my lipst mostly just leaving a not very attractive rim after a couple of hours. I found application quite difficult as there doesn't seem to be a stopper at the end of the tube, so when you pull the wand out, the doefoot applicator is covered in the product. Therefore unless you wipe it off on a tissue (and wasting loads), you are applying way too much product on your lips. It feels quite nice and smooth when applied, it quickly dries down and feels a bit dry on the lips. I kept wanting to lick my lips as they didn't feel comfortable. It wasn't drying though, but not moisturising either (which is another thing Stila claims this does).
The colour Amore is a vampy plum shade, perfect for autumn and winter. It's actually very similar to my hair colour right now. You get only 3 ml for £15 which actually makes this liquid lipstick more expensive than Guerlain! Their Rouge G L'Extrait liquid lipsticks retail for £29.50 for 6 ml, so double the size of this one. They are actually very similar products, but if I had to choose I'd go for the Guerlain ones, the gorgeous case with mirror is just so much nicer than a see through plastic tube.
All in all I like this, but don't love it. The colour's nice, but the formula isn't the best, it doesn't last as long as it claims, the name is stupid (6 hours is NOT all day) and the packaging is really not great. I won't be purchasing the other colours in this line.
See more pictures including swatches after the jump!
|Taken with flash
|Taken without flash in natural daylight
*This product was provided for free for consideration, however, all opinions are mine and unaffected.


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Typical ingredients in sazon seasoning include cilantro, achiote, garlic and salt. Some brands also include MSG and yellow and red dye. Anyone who wants to avoid these ingredients, can make sazon seasoning easily at home.
To make sazon seasoning, mix together 1 tablespoon each of salt, ground pepper, granulated garlic, ground coriander seed and ground cumin seed, then add 1 tablespoon each of crumbled Mexican oregano and achiote seed. For each packet of sazon used in a recipe, use 1 1/2 tablespoons of this seasoning.
Sazon is a seasoned salt often used in Mexican and Spanish cuisine. It can be added to meat, fish and poultry dishes as well as soups and stews.


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Burns out to build after easing pressure
The knives that were out for Down manager Eamonn Burns have been returned to their sheaths, the barbs have become rather less caustic and a renewed trickle of goodwill is beginning to flow through the beleaguered county.
One swallow does not make a summer but last weekend's win over Meath in Division Two of the Allianz Football League has rekindled the hope that the Mournemen can at least retain their current status.
In this respect, Burns has been handed a welcome bonus in the build-up to Sunday's crucial clash with Derry at Owenbeg.
He now finds himself confronted by interesting selection options as his side seek to haul themselves away from relegation worries.
Four of Down's most experienced players - Brendan McArdle, Jerome Johnston, Mark Poland and Paul Devlin - were introduced as substitutes against Meath and are now pushing for starting places against Derry.
This has served to strengthen competition for places just as Down prepare for a demanding second half of their league itinerary.
Following Sunday's game, they are due to meet Kildare (h), Galway (h) and Cork (a) and given the overall strength of this opposition, Burns is particularly keen to see his side take something from their trip to Owenbeg.
A scoring difference of -13 sees Down currently rooted to the bottom of the Division Two table yet if they were to beat Derry and other results proved favourable from their perspective, they could potentially find themselves in joint second place.
"Thin margins can determine a team's headway in Division Two. The players are working very hard and they are obviously keen to make progress," said Burns. "I don't think the commitment within the squad can be questioned."
Alan Davidson, who has been Down's primary source of scores recently, missed the win over Meath but the fact that nine players scored is particularly pleasing to Burns.
Belfast Telegraph


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Working with Buyers, Sellers, Veterans, 1st Time Home Buyers in Tomball, Magnolia, NW Houston, Katy, Spring, Cypress, Pearland, The Woodlands, Conroe and more.
For a complete listing of all events, check out our Events list.
Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce29201 Quinn Road, Suite B PO Box 516Tomball, TX 77377-0516281.351.7222281.351.7223 - fax866.670.7222 – toll freeEmail: email@example.com Hours:Monday-Friday: 8:30am-5:00pm


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It forms a common language an integration between the headquarters and field by gathering all the acquired data coming into being at distribution channels connected with operation within in the the field (Invoice, Purchase Order, Stock, Customerand Customer Information) within a single center as a result of integrated operation with central ERP solutions. It enables sales teams to analyze their own customers and areas, and offers the management staff a wide perspective, thereby, making it possible to make right decisions and form strategies.
Makes it possible to gather all data emerging at the distribution channels connected with operations in the field (Invoice, Purchase Order, Stock, and Customer Information) within a single center in an accurate manner. It also conducts quality control and keeps data up-to-date. By centrally validating those data received and correcting them at the source through feedback and sending all common data from the headquarters, it enables a database of extremely high quality to be formed. By offering a chance of integration with central ERP solutions, it forms a common language between systems.
Those data with assured consistency and accuracy at the stage of collection, comprise a basis for reliable results from reports. Correct consolidation of data in the field allows correct and fast analyses to be conducted. Reporting is done more rapidly thanks to flexibility of user authorization function, as well as hierarchy and grouping at a number so desired which is allowed by it. Owing to reports customized based on needs of an entity, it enables data pertaining to all sales and distribution channels to be analyzed from the headquarters. It also facilitates control of target success criteria and performance of efficiency analyses.
Enables sales teams to analyze their own customers and areas with reporting prepared via data gathered at the headquarters. Retrospective sales profitability analyses and future estimations may be carried out. Owing to versatile profitability analyses and visual analyses that can be drawn up depending on the geographical area, Effective Prediction, provides the management staff with a wide perspective and allows right decisions to be made and strategies to be formed. For the purpose of facilitating user prediction and analysis, reports such as Sales / Profitability Follow-up, Profitability Simulation, Visit Activity Analysis, Purchase Order Recommendation, Target Follow-up/ Analysis may be taken.
You may access sales and distribution processes via mobile devices, input data and take reports. It allows you to manage and analyze your operations independently of time and space.
For detailed information and price quote please fill the form below.


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The science and faith discussion floats around a number of different issues. They intertwine with each other and can't be separated completely. Yet one thread runs through and holds together the whole – ontological naturalism, the idea that it is irrational to believe in anything beyond the material world. This issue came up again in a number of comments over my last several posts.
One commenter asked:
How would you respond to an atheist who says, "these scientists who believe in God and science just choose not to apply empiricism to that aspect of their lives. It is like how Newton believed in fairies."
This is a very common question – after all, there is no empirical proof for God, or for anything beyond the material world.
Another commenter noted:
I remember reading an author a few years ago who said something to this effect, when confronted with Naturalistic Evolution that Christians tend to try to refute Evolution, when the problem isn't Evolution it's Naturalism. Whatever one may think of biological evolution, it's Naturalism that is at odds with Christianity.
I was listening to an interview with a scientist who happens to also be a Naturalist a few weeks ago. He was explaining his theory (or perhaps hypothesis is a better word) as to why the universe was able to exist without a god to create it. In his interview he made an interesting admission, that if his theory/hypothesis is true that human beings are unimportant and insignificant. That's not the result of a belief in evolution, but of a belief in naturalism.
I don't know which scientist this commenter was listening to, but the video below gives a rather clear example of the kind of thinking involved.
Krauss's view is rather harsh – from a cosmic perspective, we're irrelevant. It is up to us to give our lives meaning. He casts, or tries to cast, this in a positive light – but it is hard to get much meaning from his view: Science teaches us two things – were insignificant and the future is bleak. This may be true, and many believe that it is true … but we have the brain, consciousness, and self-awareness to realize that such "meaning" isn't ultimately worth much.
Coming to terms with materiality and spirituality. Another somewhat softer version of the same sentiment was expressed by Alan Lightman in his opening comments during a Veritas Forum on Worldviews at MIT in 2011. The forum featured four MIT professors, two Christian and two non-Christian. Lightman opened the proceedings, so you can hear his comments in the first 10 minutes of the video below.
I've transcribed just a bit to help facilitate discussion.
(0:27 – 3:05) I'm 62 years old. Over the last decade I've had more and more evidence of my mortality. … And I am reminded that all of us, and I, are material beings. Our consciousness and our self-awareness create an illusion that we are made out of some special substance, that we have some kind of special ego power, some I-ness, some unique existence. But in fact we are nothing but bones, tissues, gelatinous membranes, neurons, electrical impulses, and chemicals. We are material, we are stuff. … Coming to terms with our materiality is the most difficult challenge we have in our existence.
Spirituality to Lightman, and to many others, means something very different from Christian faith and hope.
(4:17) Although I believe that we are material beings, purely material. And I believe that our consciousness vanishes entirely when I die. And I see no evidence for a super being who created and guides the universe, I still consider myself to be a spiritual person. Different people have different meanings for the concept of spirituality. For me, spirituality is the belief in something larger than myself. Spirituality is the belief in principles and values for living. Spirituality is the recognition of beauty and meaning in myself and in other people, and in the world. Spirituality is connection to other people. Spirituality is also an attempt to answer the great questions of existence, such as how did the universe come into being, and what is its future? what is the purpose of my individual life? how can I live a life with meaning? I am an atheist, but a spiritual atheist
Lightman's perspective gives a different take on the current claim of many to be "spiritual but not religious."
And this brings me to yet another commenter on a recent post – a commenter who took exception with what I had to say, or at least with his interpretation of what I had to say. This commenter reflected on his personal experience wrestling with the arrogance of scientific pronouncement and the possibility of Christian faith.
I was brought up as a scientist, and I remember when I was young, I had strong views about what was possible and what was not. I was a scientist, science was right – and I hated it! But I couldn't deny the obvious success of science, so I set about finding out what scientists really know. My conclusion is that some things they do really 'know' and others are belief and speculation – a heady mixture, indeed! This was very important for me, to give myself the breathing space. Now I have enough room to choose my beliefs (more or less!), knowing that I am not 'flying in the face of reason'.
Although he may not realize it, I agree with this commenter. It can be very hard to separate the metaphysical from the science in the writings and proclamations of many scientists. A careful contemplation of what we really know is a worthwhile pursuit. Lightman is seems aware of the distinction between the metaphysical and the purely scientific, but Krauss and many others simply proclaim materiality as the ultimate truth and tell people to "grow up" or to "get with the program". Often the pressure of ontological naturalism and materialism isn't so transparent, but the influence is subtle, persistent, and hard to resist.
We have to confront the problem. Evolution isn't the problem. The energy that goes into refuting evolution is a colossal waste of time, energy, and resource. Evolutionary biology will stand or fall under the weight of the evidence … in the same way that quantum mechanics and theories of gravitation stand or fall under the weight of the evidence.
Is naturalism true? If not, then what is true?
What does the Christian story have to offer and why should we believe it?
Make Your Own Meaning. Alan Lightman highlights the Golden Rule as he searches for his own meaning in life. Meaning comes through relationship and through contributing to the betterment of others.
(3:05-3:50) All that said, we can still find meaning during our brief flicker of existence. I believe that a cosmic meaning does not exist. Instead each of us must find his or her personal meaning for the universe and personal meaning for our individual lives. We are exquisitely built machines. Machines that can define their own activities and purposes. We have the power to search for meaning, to search for our individual principles and purposes and to live by those principles.
(8:44 -9:57) So what is essential? What is real? What is it that we can not do without? For me it is my values and principles. The way that I treat other people and the way that I want to be treated. My desire to make a difference in the world. My obligation to find out what I do well and to nourish that gift. All of these things one might call my humanity. I am a single link in the long chain of human beings who have lived through the millenia. Even though individual lives come and go, their atoms of hydrogen and oxygen and carbon recirculated in air and soil the chain of humanity remains. Through the things that I do I effect other people who live beyond me and they in turn affect others who live beyond them, and on and on, so there is a small trace of my existence that continues. I am part of the great chain of existence, and that's my view of the world.
Lightman roots his understanding of meaning in the golden rule, and in making a difference for others. And yet, as Krauss made quite clear, from a cosmic perspective not only do we each have a brief flicker of existence, but humanity as well has a but a brief flicker of existence. It is hard to get much meaning from those who live beyond us when the end is certain and final oblivion (according to science).
Christianity roots its understanding of meaning in the great commandments. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength and Love your neighbor as yourself. God is the creator, and his creation is good. There is a meaning and a purpose that extends beyond our present existence. What we do, then, will matter for the next generation and for eternity. This understanding is key to a Christian understanding of work (see for example Keller's book Every Good Endeavor and the posts on the book Every Good Endeavor and Connecting Gospel and Work).
Of course a more permanent story of meaning in Christian faith is not necessarily an argument for the reality of Christian faith. Perhaps the personal meaning found by Lightman is, in fact, all there is. But N. T. Wright in Simply Christian argues that this desire for meaning, the sense of justice and fairness, the urge for spirituality, the power and pain of human relationships, and the sense of real beauty is an echo of a voice that points us toward God. The Christian story (although perhaps not some of the caricatures of the Christian story floating around) provides meaning because it is the story of the World. These voices are not simply, as the naturalist will argue, an artifact of evolution.
What do you think? Is Naturalism the problem?
If you wish to contact me directly you may do so at rjs4mail[at]att.net.
If you wish to comment please see Evolution Isn't the Problem at Jesus Creed.


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602 - Survival: Fallout Edition
Would a nuclear war render all food and water toxic? Can alcohol protect you from radiation? Would wildlife and fauna mutate after a nuclear war? Join us as we explore these questions and more on this radioactive episode of Rumor Flies!
As always, you can find the show notes here.
Check us out at www.rumorfliespodcast.com, on facebook, @rumorflies on twitter and instagram, and subscribe to us on youtube for episodes and supplemental content! Please consider leaving us a review on iTunes - it makes the world go 'round and will reap you sweet, sweet karma.
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We are part of the Dark Myths collective. Head on over and check out some amazing shows!
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Resident Evil 4
Gamers who have heard the deafening buzz for Resident Evil 4 and have not been enticed probably belong to one of two schools of thought: they either don't like Resident Evil games in particular (preferring say, the Silent Hill games), or they don't like survival horror games in general.
I fit in with the former group. And after my thoroughly enjoyable time with RE4, I wonder if I fit in with the latter group as well.
Because RE4 isn't the survival horror we know. It doesn't have clunky, tank-like controls. It isn't a slow build. It doesn't use disconcerting camera angles, bloody backdrops or cheap scares. And perhaps most notably, it doesn't render us powerless in order to effect its dreadful atmosphere.
Survival horror, up to this point, has been all about ensuring that the player is suitably ill-equipped to deal with the enemies he faces. Whether we are outfitted with a steel pipe or an underpowered handgun with precious little ammunition on hand, the genre was all about making us feel vulnerable. What ensued was always panic, as we were forced to dash headlong through some areas, and sweat through others, employing clumsy melee weaponry while monsters swarmed. That was the old brand of fear.
Welcome to the new. As Agent Leon Kennedy, out to rescue the president's daughter, held captive in the backwoods of Spain, we are permitted an impressive arsenal; from handguns to submachine guns, from shotguns to rifles, from grenades to rocket launchers — we are very well-equipped. So fear works differently: we aren't outgunned, we're simply outnumbered. By scores upon scores of enemies.
And they don't plod about, moaning, waiting to fortuitously happen into you. They stalk, circle, and rush you; wielding pitchforks, dynamite, crossbows and chainsaws, while yelling utterances equally unintelligible and chilling . In RE4, you are armed to the teeth, but your enemies' insistence, their thirst for your pain, and their sheer numbers create more compelling and dire circumstances than a few zombies or "nurses" after an unfortunate pipe-bearing player ever could.
And as if our weapons weren't exciting enough, we often run into a shopkeeper who allows us to sell off the jewels we find while adventuring, for money to buy new weapons and upgrades from him. Fancy a scope for your rifle? He's got it. Your Red-9 handgun feeling anemic? He'll help you upgrade its power, firing speed, reload speed and capacity. The game keeps big spenders in check though; you can't buy ammo, you can't stock up on life-restoring First Aid Sprays, and you can't have everything on offer, as there is only so much room in your Attache Case.
Having Leon handle his equipment (snicker) is as good as it sounds. Quite possibly, RE4's greatest strength is two-fold: how it makes sure you're killing things — lots of things, a never-ending stream of things — and how it makes sure that doing so feels satisfying. Sometimes it's subtle: you're on a rickety bridge above foggy ether and a gaggle of zombies cautiously creep toward you. Blow out the lead zombie's knee and watch him topple sidelong off the bridge while his companions hesitate. Just a little.
Or there is that time in the crisp, dry air of the black village, where that troublesome old zombie is tossing dynamite at you through an open window of a house as rundown as he. You know he's not alone in there, and he's making it difficult for you to get close enough to mow down his freakish family through the dark of the frame. The first time it happens, it's by accident — you let off a shot that causes him to drop a lit stick of dynamite and blow himself up, taking everyone in the room with him.
Up to this point you've been making do with your handgun, but with the rifle comes greater subtlety still. I remember riding cable cars as a kid, high up above the fairgrounds. RE4 has cable cars as well, and you will ride one. Fortunately for us, there are zombies in cable cars coming at us — they represent oncoming traffic. Adept use of the rifle will fill cars with severed heads. This is what the scope is for.
Later the scope will be fitted with an infrared device to reveal hot spots on an especially frightening, parasite-driven zombie type. If you don't hit the spots, they don't stay down.
Yes, sniping is a joy. Headshots are instant kills, and quick aiming with the scope makes your life easier — and a whole lot more fun. But RE4 has thought of everything. Rifle rounds are not found in abundance, and enemies later on not only feint a lot more, but they begin wearing masks and helmets to negate the headshot possibility altogether!
As their skills and equipment improve, so too must your killing efficiency. Difficult enemies can be felled with leg shots, brought to their knees so that you can set up your action button attack — a roundhouse kick which can be counted on to knock nearby enemies around, and will often decapitate the actual target of the kick. If he's still breathing from his prone position on the ground, hunker over him and slash him with your knife… until he isn't.
RE4 can be subtle. But it can also be visceral, nasty. It can drop you in a mine cart and send you on your way, filling the cart with a downpour of zombies as it lurches forward. And when a chainsaw-wielding creature wearing a potato sack over his head begins revving up six inches away, only a shotgun blast to his midsection will do. That the blast will push back his entire entourage in the process, is a gratifying cherry on top.
The only things not so gratifying about RE4, are the lack of a run-and-shoot option, and the fact that the screen furnishes a view that is slightly too high. The run-and-shoot issue isn't one that bothers me much, as I tend to dash from one ideal vantage point to another, always sniping and moving. Certainly it's a slight snag which could be addressed in a follow-up. The panorama offered the gamer at any given point however, seems as if it could benefit from being a few degrees lower, to give us a better feel for running about and seeing where we're going.
These criticisms are almost negligible though, and in the face of extras such as unlockable missions involving the sexy Ada, and a cast of death-dealing studs in "The Mercenaries" — they are washed away by a deluge of positives. The highest compliment I can pay to the already highly lauded Resident Evil 4 is this: it makes all other games in its genre seem utterly pointless. Post-RE4, every sin committed by every Silent Hill installment, every wrong step taken by even RE4's own predecessors — appear unforgivable.


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Tuesday, November 30, 2010
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Monday, November 22, 2010
Article In The Daily Star!!!
Check out the Article about my Girls Going Places award in The Daily Star:
The Daily Star - Girls Going Places Entrepreneurship Award
Photo By: Joe Damone Photography
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Quinn Kelley wins an entrepreneurship award!!!
Quinn Kelley owner of Chicken Hill Farm Handmade Soap was a finalist in Guardian Life's Girls Going Places Entrepreneurship Awards Program.
She won an award that can be used toward college tuition or toward supplies to further her soap business!
Photo by Joe Damone - Joe Damone Photography
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This month marks 1 year since I lost my job. Hundreds of applications and Resumes later, I'm finally getting a couple of interviews. Anyone who thinks Charlotte, NC is an easy place to get decent employment is mistaken (unless or course you are willing to take a job for slightly more than minimum wage, I'm not quite that desperate just yet).
This information is superfluous to most of you, but I wanted to make a blog entry of some type since I haven't posted in a very long time.
Update: 2/25/2011
Life gets worse...
I was applying for a job as a police dispatcher and all indications from the chief were great. He called me and gave me a brief phone screening to be sure that I was okay with the third shift (I was), the pay (I was), and the days of the week I would be working (I said great!). He then said "Very Good, you will be hearing from very soon".
Today I got a rejection letter telling me they were moving forward with other candidates. This shit sucks ass. I'm running out of places to apply and I don't understand why I can't find something.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
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Representative Claire McCaskill, a woman who is ignorant of what it takes to run a business is telling us what the republicans are doing, without even knowing herself. She is nothing more than an ignoramus herself, and in her speech, you can her her jealousy dripping from every word even though she is worth 19 million herself. And right behind her, grinning in agreement, is one of the richest men in the house. Dick Schumer. What this woman says is stupid. Here it is:
"I'm trying to figure out how anyone in America can take the Republican party seriously about deficit reduction. I'm trying to figure out how anyone can keep a straight face and say they're for deficit reduction. While they insist on a permanent tax cut for the wealthiest Americans, completely unpaid for. Now they want to say this is class warfare, well, you know, in a way it is, because we're fighting for the middle class. We are fighting for the middle class.
Frankly, the middle class hasn't had enough champions in America. Seventy percent of Americans don't itemize deductions. So that big ole complex tax code? It's been written for wealthy America. The ones that itemize deductions.
And then you get to the very very top, where a lot of these people's incomes are about dividends and capital gains, and not even ordinary income, and they have all kinds of ways that they can use the tax code to avoid paying taxes.
This is about leveling the playing field. For what has always made our country different from everyone else. That is a strong, vibrant middle class. And I will tell you this, if they think it's okay to raise taxes for the embattled middle class, because they're gonna pout if we don't give more money to millionaires, it really is time for the people of America to take up pitchforks."
Take up pitchforks? Raise taxes for the embattled middle class? Permanent tax cut for the wealthiest Americans, completely unpaid for? OH NOW COME ON. Ms McCaskill, your an idiot.
First off, no one but the democrats are talking about raising taxes. Oh all they are talking about are the Bush Tax cuts, but, as I have said this before, the Bush Tax cuts are nothing now except Tax Code. If they wish to repeal them, then that means that they want taxes to go up. There is no other way to look at this folks. If you repeal a tax code, it is for a reason. The reason here is to make taxes go up, and if they got their way, taxes would go WAY up. Mark my words.
Yesterday, the house voted to keep the "tax cuts" even though that isn't what they are, and Claire McCaskill was ranting and raving that they had to be gotten rid of cause they were not paid for. First off how can you pay for something that isn't there? Second, they paid for themselves because they helped keep the economy going good for more years than not having them would have done.
Right now the economy is a mess. And if you want to improve it, you lower taxes…….not raise them you idiot.
But, right now, the Republicans are ecstatic that Obama has "caved", when in fact he hasn't. He is a leftist ideologue, and that will never change. He is right now in the planning stages of getting the blame for all of this to go to you. And if you don't believe me, you will find out. At least when the new Conservatives come in, they will not fall for this like you have. For Shame……
May God bless our efforts to help get America back, and put God back into our country.
God, Bless America. Bless Americans.


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*This item is not regularly stocked or displayed in our Showroom, however it may be Special Ordered for you.
Item Availability is subject to Manufacturer Drop or Discontinuation & Price may vary according to fabric grade selected. Please stop in or click Request More Info for additional details.
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The Jenny Transitional Full Size Dreamquest Sleeper Sofa with Rolled Arms at Rotmans in the Worcester, Boston, MA, Providence, RI, and New England area. Product availability may vary. Contact us for the most current availability on this product.
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Moving is always the most tedious process for all people. We have to move all our things in most careful and protected manner. People are very stressed while they are getting situation to move their house to other place. They are wanted to take care about all their possession from tiny things to huge one. Do not thing that moving is big tragedy work process always. With the internet facility we can easily hire the moving company in our nearby area itself. This is an art of doing work with great care and kind. The movers dallas is always ready to make the worth doing for you without making or giving any trouble to you. Sometimes you need to have the best decoration for your newly entered house where you are not getting enough space to fir in all your articles.
Actually if you are not having the divider or any separator for making separation for the kitchen and dining hall or from living hall to kitchen. Then the movers ready with their best plan to make all your articles and rooms to move with best ideas. Hence get ideas only to hire the expert moving company who is caring both the long distance move as well as decoration at same time.
Hire the best company for trouble free move
Hiring the best mover from your nearby location is very much simpler these days. Actually if you are waiting for hiring some of the most important moving company with safety changing to other places, then look many places for find the best one. That time many people will tell upon so many suggestions and then they are waiting for you in order to get the best orders from the people side. It is better to get the advice from others but thing is you have to make sure about the people. The hiring company is very much eager in order to get the best kind of services for you. Before you hire them make sure what are all the service does they provide? It is very important to have and to find out at ease.
Actually all the services that are all really waiting to serve you the best thing that makes the reputation of the particular company a grad one. Then only they will able to get the good respond and reviews from the customer side which eventually giving the advertisement and brand to the company. Then so their growth will get higher and higher without any hard thing. Call them and get the appointment then all tome ad date of moving and delivering the possession is all up to your convenience. The professional movers will not get any time extension and duration to move the items for you at reason. They are always ready with their work and stuff without any fail at the right time. Have easy moving and happy transfer.


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BREAST FEST Film Festival Online
On November 21st and 22nd, 2008, Rethink Breast Cancer will be launching BREAST FEST, the world's first breast cancer film festival, at the Royal Ontario Museum Theatre in Toronto. The film festival is open online at today's site of the day, www.breastfestfilmfest.com.
BREAST FEST is the world's first film festival dedicated to breast cancer awareness. This annual festival includes short films, documentaries, animation, dramatic features and experimental works which span the emotional spectrum. Through the use of film and new media, BREAST FEST is dedicated to showcasing the many issues surrounding breast cancer in significant and interesting ways, and connecting people to the breast cancer cause.
Both filmmakers and those touched by breast cancer – directly or indirectly – were invited to submit short films (maximum 10 minutes) that shed light on the issues surrounding breast cancer and breast health in unique and creative ways. Below are the top short films that have been selected by the judges. The film with the most online votes will receive the Amazing Grace award for best short film, in honour of Grace Cianciotta, and the winner will be flown to Toronto to present his/her film at the festival. Here's a list of the finalists…
In Situ
A woman's experience as she undergoes chemotherapy — her initial reactions to her diagnosis and the continuing physical effects the toxic chemical has on her body. (Adam Burgess)
Keep On Moving
A film about professional dancer Debby Feldman, her 9 year battle with breast cancer and how dance, and the love and support of her family help her face a fatal diagnosis.
My Mom Has Breast Cancer
Four year old Maxwell shares his perspective on his mother's ongoing battle with stage 4 breast cancer. (Gordon Belray)
A woman tells her boyfriend that she has breast cancer. She proves that it is not only the victim who needs compassion, but also those close to them. (Jason Blevins)
Dead Girl Walking
Marcy was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 34, the same year she lost her mother to Ovarian cancer. This is her story from the brink of despair to being truly alive. (Ray Schmitt)
The Things I Wish My Mother Would Have Told Me
This film is dedicated to raising awareness for little girls and young women who face the fear of breast cancer. (James Thomas & Mia Perovetz)
Breast Defence
Experimental PSA on early detection. (Wreck & $alvage)
Dirty Girl
Dirty Girl chronicles cancer surgery from a female patient's perspective. Frightened and anxious, the woman's mind wanders as she imagines the battle between her dirty, cancerous tumors and the surgeon. (Jennifer Clary)
Filed under: Breast Cancer, Interactive, Rethink Breast Cancer, Site of the Day
Location: Canada


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100 Day Practice Club, Ella F.
Congratulations to Ella F. for making it into the 100 Day Practice Club! Ella has been hard at work for the last few months practicing every single day. Her listening and ear training skills have improved so much that she has been teaching herself the most recent songs! Ella's violin tone has become even more full and beautiful, and her 4th fingers are looking awesome. Way to go Ella!!


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Courtney Brown, Ph.D., is a mathematician and social scientist who teaches in the Department of Political Science at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Independent of his work at the university, he is also the leading scholar on the subject of "remote viewing" as it is done using procedures that were developed by the United States military and used for espionage purposes, or procedures that are derivative of those methodologies. Dr. Brown is the Director and founder of The Farsight Institute http://www.farsight.org, a nonprofit research and educational organization dedicated to the study of a phenomenon of nonlocal consciousness called "remote viewing." He's published peer-reviewed research on this subject , and has spoken internationally at a host of prestigious venues, including various universities, as well as at respected gatherings of physicists. His recently published book, "Remote Viewing: The Science and Theory of Nonphysical Perception," is the only book of its kind where the science of remote viewing is developed with respect to highly structured data-collection methodologies. He's developed a new theory explaining the remote-viewing phenomenon as a consequence of superposition formation on the quantum level. Finally, he has long been active in performance and theater. He sings regularly in the Atlanta area as a baritone soloist of sacred music, and some of his recordings are commonly heard both in the United States and Africa. He has acted in lead roles in a number of tv series and films in the US and Africa. An active videographer and author, with a number of DVDs and a science fiction web series dealing with remote viewing and extraterrestrial life, he has also written two best selling speculative nonfiction books on these subjects. Dr. Brown has also recently published a book on political music.


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Survivors Campus Outreach Gets Breaking Video of P.P. Worker!/
Campus Outreach Team on their Northern California Tour met a Planned Parenthood Action Fund worker, the "legal branch". Guess what she says? PP tries to meet an "abortion quota" to make a certain amount of profit -- and that , she admits, "is not pro-choice at all, no."
Watch entire video as Kristina asks questions -- and exposes exactly what Planned Parenthood is after: abortion: no matter what.
Join Survivors and Students For Life as we crack the silence and expose the truth on abortion -- and Planned Parenthood's plans for you . Share #PPProject and get this video out to your campus and community!


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Give us a call on 01202 625256 if you have any questions about the Riot Brittany 16.5
Riot Brittany 16.5 With Skeg & Rudder - £719.20 (RRP £899.00 - Saving £179.80)
Riot Brittany 16.5
The Riot Brittany 16.5 is a boat designed for British waters. With a moderate width it boasts excellent initial stability, this really sets it apart from other sea kayaks. The Brittany opens up sea kayaking to a different market, and allows beginners to experience the sea in a longer more focused boat while still inspiring the confidence in stability found in touring kayaks.
The Riot Brittany is suitable for all abilities and is ideal for those who want a boat that can do it all. Its got plenty of storage for weekenders and day trips and is fast and agile and great ocean play.
The Riot Brittany features a rockered hull shape and rudder which gives it excellent manoeuvrability and makes it easier to turn, but at 16 foot long, it is still capable of tracking in a straight line with relative ease. The drop down skeg will help with this straight line tracking in windy conditions and allow less experience paddlers to cover distance with ease.
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Price £33.96 (RRP £39.95 - Saving £5.99)
Feelfree Day Tourer Paddle - Glass Shaft
Same blade construction with a lighter weight fibreglass shaft.
Price £55.21 (RRP £64.95 - Saving £9.74)
Nylon Spraydeck
Lightweight nylon spraydeck that is easy to fit and remove. Features an adjustable drawcord waist.
Fits the Riot Brittany16.5
Price £29.71 (RRP £34.95 - Saving £5.24)
Manic Tour Spraydeck
Lightweight combi deck with breathable waist tube made in the UK. The Manic Tour is perfect for recreational touring.
Fits the Riot Brittany16.5
Price £55.21 (RRP £64.95 - Saving £9.74)
Folding kayak trolley for transporting your kayak from the car to the beach. Folds up and fits into the rear storage hatch.
Price £50.96 (RRP £59.95 - Saving £8.99)
We offer a delivery service for the Riot Brittany 16.5 throughout the UK & Ireland to home and work addresses.
Unless instructed otherwise, we endeavour to supply the Riot Brittany 16.5 in 3-5 working days within the UK mainland. Delivery times are estimates based on years of experience; we do not offer a guaranteed timed delivery service. Our overnight service works well for the core more densely populated areas of the UK for Clothing and Equipment orders. However more remote less densely populated areas will not be covered by a next day service.
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Buy a Riot Brittany 16.5 online from our website and collect from our shop in Hamworthy, Poole or you can collect from any branch within the Canoe Shops Group. There is no cost associated with in-store collection.
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We will contact you to arrange collection upon receipt of you order.
Give us a call on 01202 625256 if you have any questions about the Riot Brittany 16.5


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NB PACM 15K Race Report
Another measly training week for me. I told myself that since this is "just" a 15K distance, I shouldn't just roll over and submit to running a lousy race. Most certainly I will not just run a lackadaisical pace. If I somehow crash and burn somewhere at the Double Hill stretch, so be it. But running has taught me one thing - to always try my best in whatever situation and condition.
The start of the race was quite abrupt and G and I were just heading back towards the starting line when the horn went off! We were looking for her starting ribbon (they ran out!) and hadn't quite gotten back to our original position. The start was moved to the road behind the field as opposed to the main Jalan Parlimen. As a result the runners were jam logged. Some, as we, who tried to circumvent the crowd ran on the road shoulders and one runner tripped and went down in a heap. He was perfectly OK flashing a sheepish smile.
The first K was 6:40 I think (I've yet to review my 205 data) but as soon as there were gaps, we were skipping past the runners despite the hilly stretches. On the several occasions where I checked my splits, I found that my sub 5 minute pace was quite comfortably sustained. The usual suspects were encountered along the way, with Kelvin unusually muted until I egged some noise out of him. Chen also was surprisingly very laid back and even paced with me until I pointed Choi out to him. Choi was running consistently about 200m ahead and I used him as a gauge. I think it was at the Bukit Tunku stretch that I lost G and I went alone. Chen dropped back at a water stop allowing me to overtake him. Then he caught back up with me and paced for some distance. At another stop I dropped him again as I was picking up the cups rather swiftly.
I felt that this year's route was quite challenging as we had to cover certain hilly sections twice. I dropped pace going into the second palace loop but got my second wind soon after. the Central Bank hill then sapped me again before I shuffled hurriedly toward the finish. The runner next to me suddenly shouted "Let's sprint to the finish" and the bunch of us made a mad scramble to the finish arch.
My position of 173 and timing of 1:18.48 was an improvement over the 2006 race of 1:24 (I didn't run last year). So overall I'm quite happy with the results and still consistent with my goal of getting faster with age! I shall continue with that mindset until my body tells me to start slowing down or else!
Labels: Race Report


text: Iraq Gov't Fails Progress Report US-backed regime lags on all economic and political targets By Dustin Lushing, Newser Staff Posted Jul 10, 2007 11:26 AM CDT 0 comments Iraqi men crowd a security checkpoint into a weekend job fair in Baghdad's Zawara park, Saturday, July 7, 2007, where 4,000 people are vying to give their resumes to 25 Iraqi companies and several international... (Associated Press) View 2 more images (Newser) – The Iraqi government has failed to meet any of the benchmarks for reforms mandated when Congress funded the troop surge, according to a progress report due out this week. An unnamed official tells the AP that the disappointing outcome will accelerate the administration's decision-making process on Iraq, but another anonymous source says any policy alteration awaits a mid-September progress report. With GOP support for the war crumbling and the Senate preparing to vote on Democratic-backed legislation calling for troop withdrawals to begin this fall, this week's interim report has assumed new significance. White House press secretary Tony Snow soft-pedaled the findings, saying, "You are not going to expect all the benchmarks to be met at the beginning of something." (Read more Iraq stories.) View 2 more images


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The Membership Coordinator strives to use effective communications to engage new and existing Members to grow the membership of the society. This includes managing membership applications and materials, monitoring profiles in the Association Management System (AMS), managing the annual dues renewal and supporting other membership activities as noted below. ACCP is a small staff in a fast-paced environment. Strong communications, customer service and relationship-building skills are required. Must be able to take guidance and work closely with Staff to maintain consistency in record keeping and speak in "the voice" of the society. Attention to detail is a must!
Other assigned duties, as required.


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KELOWNA - Stuart Park, part two, is scheduled to open just in time for Canada Day.
Walkways and the new sidewalk fronting Water Street are complete and the lawn has been laid although the City of Kelowna says it will be fenced off for a few more weeks so it can get established.
A pair of large plant beds will be populated soon and a fire pit is being installed this fall.
The city will also construct a semi-circular chunk of sidewalk this fall to match the planned roundabout for Water Street and Doyle Avenue.
Opening of the second phase marks the last piece in the redevelopment of Kelowna's waterfront. The first phase of Stuart Park was once occupied by a federal building while phase two occupies the site of the former yacht club.
To contact the reporter for this story, email John McDonald at firstname.lastname@example.com or call 250-808-0143. To contact the editor, email email@example.com or call 250-718-2724.


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This website provides information on procedures applicable to prospective applicants residing in the area served by the Embassy of Croatia in Beijing, who wish to apply for the Visa not exceeding 90 days to Croatia. Visa applications can be submitted at the Visa Application Centre. The Visa applications are processed and the decisions are made at the Croatia mission.
If you have already submitted your application at the Visa application centre, to know the status of your application
Locate your nearest Visa Application Centre. Please select your resident city below.
This is to inform you that due to typhoon ,The Croatia Visa application center in Guangzhou and Shenzhen will be closed on 17 September 2018 ...
Published on 16 September 2018
Applicants who wish to apply for a visa to Croatia are strongly advised to use the Online Visa Application Form ...
Published on 21 March 2018


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The Music Ministry at the Greater Anointing Harvest Church was created to consistently set the atmosphere to bring Glory and Honor to God while preparing the ground for the man or woman of God who will proclaim the Word of God. Our desire is to lead the worship service and the worshipers into a heavenly realm of worship. As lead worshipers, our goal is to go before the people of God with instruments of praise, singing and expressing our love for Jesus Christ and trusting God's Holy Spirit to draw all hearts towards his amazing Love.
There are four departments of our Music Ministry:
I. Praise & Worship
II. Adult Choir
III. Children's Choir
IV. Musicians
Praise and Worship
The Praise and Worship Team elevates worship with singing while engaging members and visitors to participate to experience the joy of the Lord.
Adult Choir
Membership in choir is open to anyone who desires to use their voice in praise and worship of the Lord.
Children are encouraged to use their voices to honor the Lord.
Instruments currently include bass guitar, organ, keyboards, and drums.


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[su_row][su_column size="1/2″]
[su_note note_color="#ff66e7″]
Enjoying Style & Fashion
Lisa's book features tips on a wide range of topics – dressing for the big occasion, make-up, hair, everyday style, weddings and many more.
Lisa offers her own personal accounts relating to fashion in different times of her life. She includes a 'Dear Lisa' section where she answers many frequently asked questions.
Lisa also has a 'Lisa Meets' section where she interviews many well known designers and fashion icons, for example supermodel Erin O'Connor. The book, which also covers confidence and wellbeing, is suitable for readers of all ages.[/su_column] [su_column size="1/2″] [su_note note_color="#ff66e7″]
At her heaviest, Lisa Fitzpatrick was a size 20, and weighed 15 stone. She was unhappy, but hid her body and discomfort behind layers of clothes, carefully styled hair, impeccable make up and distracting shoes.
However, after the birth of her first child, she realised that enough was enough – years of making unhealthy choices had taken their toll, and she was ready to change.
Diet SOS chronicles Lisa's experiences of weight loss with refreshing honesty and clarity. She doesn't promise a quick fix or an easy solution. Instead, she asks her readers to stop looking for excuses and start taking responsibility for their own bodies. With advice on foods to avoid, delicious recipes that helped with her own weight loss and an emphasis on realistic lifestyle change, positive thinking and listening to your body, Lisa shows that, if she can do it, you, too, can have the body you want.[/su_column][/su_row]
[su_button url="http://fitzpatrickstyle.com/shop/" target="blank" style="bubbles" background="#ed008c" size="15″ center="yes"]Purchase Lisa's Books here[/su_button]
[su_box title="Some reviews of Lisa's number one best-seller 'DIET SOS'" style="soft" box_color="#e6b4dd"]
A wonderful honest book, a great read
Customer rating 5.0/5.0
19 May 2014 By BERNADETTE MC GILLICUDDY
9 out of 9 found this helpful
This is a great book.
Lisa's honest throughout is to be commended. She offers good advice, tips etc and really motivated you to sit up and take responsibility for your eating habits.
Worth the read!!
Customer rating 5.0/5.0
13 Jun 2014 By gillian
Amazon Verified Purchase
8 out of 8 found this helpful
Great book…easy read…I love Lisa Fitzpatrick…she's a hard working real woman…she's just cool…I've 7lb gone already and feeling very motivated!!!
Good for you Lisa.
Customer rating 5.0/5.0
9 Aug 2014 By stevenwalker
Amazon Verified Purchase
I give it five stars because she deserves it. I recognise all of it because I already know all of it by heart. It will challenge all your "stuff" and what you do about that is down to you.
Five Stars
Customer rating 5.0/5.0
12 Sep 2014 By michael mckinlay
great book


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HTC needs to put one in the win column and it needs to do so yesterday if it's to survive past next year, so there's a lot riding on the box-office success of the upcoming "M8" flagship smartphone. But will the "One Two" have what it takes to give Samsung's Galaxy S5 and Sony's Xperia Z2 a run for their money?
Only time will tell. What's crystal clear right now is the M8 is indeed real and looming large on the horizon. The pieces of the puzzle are falling into place one by one, with the latest being a Wi-Fi certification of a handheld dubbed 0P6B10000/0P6B20000.
There's no question this is the M8, with one SKU probably designating the standard, international version and the other a region-specific, dual-SIM, microSD-enabled flavor. Or who knows, maybe HTC has a surprise in store, and the basic M8, like the basic One max, will carry expandable storage. In any case, one SKU is most definitely for the Dual SIM One Two.
Anything else the Wi-Fi Alliance reveals? Not exactly, but we expected that much. The agency has always been discreet about the specs and features of approved devices, spilling the beans only on M8's Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac support.
Luckily, we have a number of recent reports to guide us through the beast's list of features, allegedly headlined by a 5-inch Full HD (not 2K) display and quad-core Snapdragon 800 CPU. On the software side of things, Android 4.4 KitKat shall be seasoned with Sense 6.0 UI spices, with 2 GB RAM and a mystery "UltraPixel" camera filling the rest of the blanks so far.
Expected in the year's first fiscal quarter, including on all four major American carriers, the M8 is destined to break cover at CES, in January, or MWC, in February. As far as design goes, we oddly don't have any solid prototype leaks as of now, albeit there are two concept renders circulating around the web.
The first is an Ancel Lim sketch and actually rings true, being essentially a slightly larger, thinner, flatter, more rectangular HTC One with tremendously skinny bezels. Now, I for one would usually be an advocate of aesthetical overhauls rather than rehashes, but in this particular case why fix what's very obviously not broken?
Well, one way to go if HTC ultimately decides to drastically change something could be Christof Gruber's way, pictured above. The designer envisions a silky white One Two with red stripes for personality, a chunkier chassis, blocky overall vibe and massive battery beneath the hood. Nah, I still think I prefer Lim's concept. Don't you?
Via [Wi-Fi Alliance], [Concept-Phones] (1), (2)


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BofA Pilots Program to Lower Mortgages
Arizona, Nevada, and California are among the states that have proposed using federal aid money to have Bank of America lower the amount struggling borrowers owe on their mortgages.
Bank of America Corp. will begin the mortgage principal reduction program for customers in Arizona, as part of a pilot program in using the federal aid dollars from the Hardest Hit Fund. The Hardest Hit Fund is an Obama administration program designed to provide extra aid to states that face high unemployment and sour real estate markets. Individual states can determine how to use the federal money. Arizona received $125.1 million in aid.
Bank of America customers in Arizona who are struggling to make their mortgage may be eligible to have the amount owed on their mortgage reduced via matching contributions from the state and from participating mortgage investors.
The bank sent letters to home owners in Arizona who may qualify.
Source: "Bank of America Begins Mortgage Principal Reduction Program in Arizona," Dow Jones Business News
Full Service Real Estate with 1% Listing Fees!!


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Main ingredients: Coenzyme Q10
Ubiquinol BioActive 150mg
60 capsules
Helps maintain a healthy cardiovascular system and supports healthy energy synthesis
Clinical Benefits
Ubiquinol is the reduced (active) form of coenzyme Q10. As the active form of coenzyme Q10, ubiquinol has superior absorption and higher bioavailability than other forms of coenzyme Q10 such as ubiquinone / ubidecarenone. Ubiquinol supports healthy energy synthesis, and is a highly efficient antioxidant to combat oxidative stress associated with increasing age, including oxidation of LDL cholesterol.Warnings:
- If symptoms persist consult your healthcare practitioner
- Do not take while on warfarin therapy without medical advice
- Vitamin supplements should not replace a balanced diet
- Always read the label. Use only as directed
Adults: Take 1 capsule once daily or as directed by your healthcare practitioner.
Active Ingredients:
- Ubiquinol-10 (reduced coenzyme Q10) 150 mg


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The Power in Trying New Things
Dear fellow homebody/introvert/comfort-zone dweller,
Let's chat comfort zones. I know I share more style posts on here, but I'm in this new mental space in my life where I just want to put myself out there in all areas of life. I'm getting out of my introverted, homebody (only metaphorically) space and doing life differently.
#tweakyourmindset #tweakedstyle
I Dream of Being a Fearless Kid Again
Many of us as kids and teenagers were fearless; always taking scary risks and just seeing what would happen. I remember teaching kids dance and being so inspired by how secure and fearless they were when learning new dance moves.
As we get older and face rejection, failures and the pain that comes with that, we start to limit ourselves and build cozy little safe pillow forts. One reason I've become such a homebody and an introvert is a result of trauma, failures and a ton of pain over the years. The world does not always feel safe, but one thing I've learned is that once we find the strength and security within ourselves we are able to trust that we can survive 99% of what life brings our way. This leads me to the new mental space I'm in of putting myself out there.
I Did a Scary Thing
This past week I auditioned for a job teaching fitness classes! Something I've been wanting to get back into for a long time, but limited myself with the many limiting stories I told myself.
Here are a few of my silly stories: "you need to stay focused on one thing", "people will be confused by your interior styling career and a fitness career", "you need to be more fit to teach", "this class is barefoot, people will stare at my foot deformity", "fitness jobs don't pay a lot" and many other creative reasons.
We all have these limiting stories. Well, I've been letting go of those stories the past 6 months and have been on a mission to listen to my heart and what combination of things will help me be the best version of myself. So far I've broken up with toxic friends, made new supportive friends, learned better sales' strategies for my interior styling business, applied to jobs in different cities, gone to new social events and dedicated myself to strength training 4 days a week for 10 months now. It feels so empowering to take all these risks and push myself past the mental blocks. Some weeks I feel stronger than others, but I always try.
Remembering My Why
When I worked in fitness I loved helping people stay healthy, loved learning anatomy and being active myself. Up until I was 22 I planned my whole life around dance and fitness (I wanted to be a dance choreographer). I taught hip hop dance classes, trained at the Broadway Dance Center NYC , led a dance group for youth, had my first internship as a fitness supervisor and moved to Chicago to pursue a dance degree at Columbia College Chicago. I worked at 3 fitness centers and even got 6 college credits for studying yoga. Aside from styling spaces, fitness has been my outlet for stress, anxiety and finding my strength. Working out and dancing empowers me to be my true self and love who I am even when I'm sucking at life. Remembering why I love fitness and dance and the inspiring experiences I've had helps me commit to my goal to add fitness back into my life.
No Regrets- "Showing up is half the battle"
Showing up to the fitness instructor audition this week was a proud moment. There were at least 3 times that I tried to talk myself out of going (out of trying). My saving grace was the affirmation "you don't know until you try". I would've regretted not trying, but even if I don't get the job I am so happy that I was true to myself and tried.
Don't Hold Yourself Back
Really, at the end of the day if you're not succeeding it's mostly because you're holding yourself back. This is something I've learned the hard way. Either we are too proud to ask for what we need to succeed or we are telling fictional stories about why we "can't" do something. Now I have a long ways to go to reach my ideal life and business goals, but even without all that I feel empowered and inspired to keep going. That's the funny thing about getting out of your comfort zone. Once you do one hard thing it gives you momentum to keep doing the other hard things. Trying is half the battle.
Hope this inspires you to take just one scary step towards your goals.
A couple of videos that inspired me to get out of my comfort zone:


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U.S. company confirms arrest of American subcontractor in Cuba
A U.S. government contractor confirmed Saturday that Cuba has detained one of its subcontractors' employees but did not comment on a report he went to the island as a tourist and was handing out laptops and communications equipment.
The man arrested "was an employee of a program subcontractor, which was implementing a . . . subcontract to assist Cuban civil society organizations," said Development Alternatives Inc., (DAI) a suburban Washington firm supervising some $40 million in U.S. government aid for pro-democracy programs in Cuba.
The statement, issued by DAI President and CEO Jim Boomgard, did not identify the employee or the subcontractor, and did not explain exactly what the man was doing in Cuba.
The man's arrest could well spark a new diplomatic row between Washington and Cuba, which has long been highly sensitive to U.S. pro-democracy activities on the island and accused dissidents of being American "mercenaries" and even spies.
"We have been working closely with the State Department to ensure that the detainee's safety and well-being is given top priority," Boomgard wrote.
State Department spokeswoman Megan Mattson said the American was arrested Dec. 5 and that U.S. diplomats in Havana have asked for access to him, but would not release further details because of U.S. privacy laws. The Cuban diplomatic mission in Washington said it had no comment on the case.
The New York Times reported Saturday that the man arrived in Cuba on a tourist visa and was handing out the computers and communications equipment "on behalf of the Obama administration." It added that it was "unclear exactly what the [man] was doing at the time he was detained."
Two persons involved with U.S. government grants for Cuba programs said they were not surprised by the man's arrest because of recent changes in the procedures that sidelined experienced Cuban-American groups and then rushed large amounts of money to groups with little knowledge of the island.
To read the complete article, visit www.miamiherald.com.


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Chocolate And Health
Today, much is being said about chocolate and health. There have been literally thousands of newspaper, magazine, and internet articles written on this topic in the last decade in addition to countless discussions about this matter on television. Obviously, we at The Original Good's Candies are not medical doctors and will therefore not make any claims substantiating the health benefits of eating chocolate.
With that said, we are just as interested in the topic as you are. When you eat as much chocolate as we do, it is nice to think that it might actually be doing some good for our bodies and not just adding calories as we all have grown up believing.
In this section, we will offer a brief overview of the various "good" ingredients in chocolate and what is believed to be their positive health benefits.
Resveratrol: May help reduce the cell damage from environmental toxins that can spur tumor growth and therefore provide anti-cancer benefits.
Flavonoids: May help to reduce bad cholesterol or "LDL".
Epicatechin: May decrease chances of heart disease and diabetes.
Tannins: Can reduce chances of strokes and heart attacks.
Catechin: Can strengthen responses in immune systems.
All of these antioxidants can also be found in other foods sand beverages such as red wine, green tea, citrus fruits, and onions.
Phenylethylamine, and Serotonin Are natural chemical found in chocolate, thought to trigger certain mood enhancing reactions in your body. These ingredients in chocolate are believed to help relieve various ailments, including; depression, fatigue, pain and PMS.
Theobromine, This natural chemical in cocoa that tastes bitter is said to help dilate blood vessels and keep blood pressure steady. According to a study from Yale University, for this reason snacking on chocolate regularly during pregnancy can help prevent potentially fatal complications from premature births.
All of these antioxidants and other natural chemicals are found in greater quantities when the chocolate sample is more pure. The fewer additives are present, the more beneficial ingredients you will find. This is why dark chocolate is considered a "healthier" choice than milk chocolate as there has been no further reduction in purity of cocoa by the added dairy products. Added sugar also reduces the health benefits of the chocolate which is also more present in milk chocolate. White chocolate has none of these health benefits as it is simply a vanilla flavored coating, and has no cocoa present.
Because we hand dip all of our candies here at The Original Good's Candies, we use our chocolate in its purest form without any additives. On the other hand, mass produced chocolates passed through enrobing machines use a lesser grade chocolate that is thinned with oils and/or paraffin to lower its viscosity. This process also greatly reduces any health benefits of the chocolates.
We believe that our use of the highest quality chocolate in it's purest form, our strict requirements for our nuts, fruits and all our other ingredients, and our time honored tradition of hand dipping each piece of candy in house makes The Original Good's Candies some of the 'healthiest' chocolate candies you can buy.
We also believe that moderation is the key. Despite the many health benefits of chocolate that have been discovered in recent years, it is important to remember that it is far from "health food". Using good, common sense when selecting your portion size and frequency will do more toward establishing positive health benefits than the specific ingredients will. It's like one of founders, Grandma Nelda used to say, "You shouldn't have too much of a good thing!"


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Naked Wedding Cakes is Love!
- 2111 Views
- November 08, 2016
- in Cake Toppers, Inspiration
- 0 Comments
There's no middle ground when it comes to the naked wedding cakes trend. Brides either love it, or hate it. Those who love a 'finished' cake think naked cakes are too exposed, and not in a good way. It does not look 'upscale' and it looks dry. On the other hand, there' brides who think a naked cake is the perfect palette for their ideas. They can't wait to explore seasonal colors, flavors, and fillings for their naked cake! These brides believe a good cake stands well on its own, without all the pomp and grandeur courtesy of fondant.
If you're considering having a naked wedding cake for your wedding reception, this article gives you a peek into what this trend is all about.
The Naked Wedding Cake Trend
The wedding cake trend has been on the upswing recently. Spring-summer weddings, fall weddings, and even winter weddings all benefit from this confection. If you think naked cakes is an all new trend, think again! For years, couples who aim for a rustic themed wedding, a garden themed wedding, an outdoor wedding, or a small wedding often opted for a naked cakes! This choice often adds a decidedly understated sweetness to their wedding theme. We think this already gives you an idea that just like its more traditional frosted counterpart, naked cakes are also in demand for many discerning brides!
The question is, would you go for a naked wedding cake for your wedding? Before you say yay or nay, take a look at these 10 gorgeous unfrosted wedding cakes as seen in instyle.com
Should you choose to have a naked wedding cake on your wedding day, you'll want to know the ins and outs of serving this type of cake to your wedding guests.
Aside from the obvious presentation of naked wedding cakes, here are several points to consider if it's right for you, your wedding theme, and your guests.
Naked Wedding Cake Prices
One of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to naked cakes for weddings is "would it come down cheaper than frosted wedding cakes?"
Since there's no frosting or fondant to cover it, it would technically be cheaper, right? For many cake bakers and pastry chefs, this simply isn't true. Many bakers cited that for each and every wedding cake order they've accepted, they've put 100% of their time, effort, skills and creativity on top of the ingredients and decorations involved.
Prices for naked wedding cakes also depend on the size of your cake, the type of filling you've specified, and if there are any extras you've required in the making of your wedding cake.
To learn more about how your baker will determine prices for your cake, check out the discussion on these links from cakesdecor.com and cakebakers.
If you're a whiz at baking and are having a small, intimate wedding with only your closest family and friends in attendance, you might want to check out these scrumptious home-made naked wedding cake recipes for inspiration:
The goodyblogger on WordPress has one of the most luscious naked wedding cake recipes online and bbcgood.com is agreat resource as well.
Yum! Seriously craving for a slice of that cake!
Decorating a Naked Wedding Cake
If not fondant or frosting, what then should go on your wedding cake?
As you've seen in the examples, wedding cakes devoid of frosting still look gorgeous! It all depends on the presentation. Seasonal blooms, greenery, fresh fruits in season, colourful berries are some of the more obvious choices. But you can always, always go with your personal faves!
When it comes to cakes that do away with buttercream or fondant to give it pizzazz, less is definitely more. You can opt with having yummy fruit compote, seasonal preserves, or your favorite buttercream sandwiched between layers of luscious vanilla, chocolate, or coffee flavoured cake. And for a total break in tradition, make your cake a carrot cake, or a red velvet one, or why not in pink champagne?
Check out this three tiered naked wedding cake layers of vanilla, chocolate, and red velvet from sweatpeadesignercakes.
I'd totally have this gorgeous naked cake and throw in a "LOVE" cake topper on it. What do you think? See the lovely cake topper below.
Check out this four layers of naked vanilla wedding cake. Proof that vanilla is NOT bland at all!
Loving the elegant Mr & Mrs wedding cake topper in gold script. I'd want mine blinged out. What do you think?
This naked wedding cake from Sweet N Flour is everything!
Ok that's enough proof that no-icing cakes are truly awesome showstoppers! Get this, only your taste and preferences sets the limit, so go have one for your wedding!
Final Note: When decorating a naked cake for your wedding, take note that some fruit's juice seep into the cake much more easily than if it were frosted.
Tip: When decorating with fresh flowers, wrap the stems in foil, dip them in chocolate, to seal the stems.
Still in doubt? Naked wedding cakes are easier to make and just as beautiful as their dressed cousins. By doing away with layers of frosting, the cake and its flavors becomes the focal point of your dessert table.
CouplesOnCakes.com thinks a cake topper completes the look of wedding cakes, be they naked or frosted. We'd love to help you choose the right one for yours. Shop wedding cake toppers with us today!


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First Steps Derbyshire
Charity information
First Steps Derbyshire
First Steps Derbyshire is a user lead chairty based on the principals of self help.
Our volunteers have personal experience of eating disorders either themselves or through a family member. Our aim is to support and encourage men and women of any age whose life is affected by eating difficulties and disorders. We offer a whole host of services including group support, group activities such as drama, music, yoga, art, sports combined with one to one, email, telephone, text, facebook support.
Founded 2004
Established: April 2004
Registered Charity Number: 1121791
Phone number: 01332 367571View charity accounts on the Charity Commission website