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Four pre-requisites for successful innovation
Ravi Venkatesan June 19, 2013
Innovation is a broad term. Innovation can be incremental - the next BMW with more features, more refinement, or more desirable. It can be a new-to-the-world product like Google Glass. Or it can be a new product coupled with a new business model and, therefore, game changing, such as Apple's iPhone, or the global delivery model in IT services. In the developed world, innovation is largely driven by the need to get people to upgrade to the next new thing. In contrast, the big opportunity for firms in India, both Indian and foreign, is to come up with innovations that make things accessible to first-time users - like cellphones, cars or education, or else bring efficiency to an unorganised business like making bus reservations. With its combination of extreme diversity and adversity, India is a unique laboratory for this type of innovation. But the adversity of our country is daunting; success requires the patience of a saint and the pockets of a prince. What differentiates success from failure?
First and foremost, culture: Culture eats both opportunity and strategy for breakfast. To succeed, the innovation team must operate like a real start-up. Create a big and clear mission and hire people who are inspired by it. Find a leader who is passionate, entrepreneurial, resourceful and courageous. Bet disproportionately on hungry, passionate and edgy young people and give them big challenges that they aren't ready for - you need to be young and foolish to attempt the impossible. Have few rules and fewer policies. Reward experimentation and risk taking. Celebrate failure, not just success. Keep things extremely lean, simple and basic. Expect everyone to wallow in the customer's shoes to glean insights, not to gaze at Powerpoint presentations and spreadsheets in meeting rooms. In large companies what this invariably means is creating a separate skunkworks team, reporting to the CEO, firewalled from the bureaucracy of the mainstream.
Embrace lean thinking: This means avoid "big bang" high investment and high risk approaches. Favour "lean start-up" principles, which basically means: "Think big, start small, iterate quickly and scale fast". In the best of times, it's hard to predict what customers might like and pay for and what approaches might work. Given the extraordinary complexity of India, it is even harder to get all these variables right the first time. It is much smarter to field a simple prototype and see what works and what doesn't. If you are McDonald's, it makes sense to experiment and figure out how to run one restaurant profitably before building the next 100. Operating and experimenting on a shoestring ensures you conserve precious cash and buy the time needed to crack the success formula. Systematically running market experiments to test assumptions and hypotheses is smarter than a "spray and pray" approach.
A "no exit" policy: The difference between success and failure is often no more than tenacity. Many innovations fail simply because someone gave up prematurely. The bigger the mission, the longer it takes. At Tata Cummins, we took seven years to crack the code of success and another three years to become the dominant truck engine in India. McDonald's India took nearly a decade to get the model right. Unilever started its Pureit water purifier business over a decade ago and has yet to turn profitable, but they steadfastly keep at it. The Tata Nano is a game changer, but still has major challenges on product, branding, distribution and profitability. This is why Mukesh Ambani believes it is critical to have a "no exit policy"- failure is simply not an option. If at first you don't succeed, try, try, try yet again.
Leadership matters: Innovation means doing something counter-intuitive and going against the current way of thinking. Organisations - large ones especially - cherish predictability, and ensure that through structures, processes, rules, policies, budgets and controls.
Innovation is, therefore, an unnatural act. The bigger, older and more successful the organisation, the more unnatural act an innovation is. There is no shortage of ideas - it's merely that the ground for them is barren. This is why the role of the CEO is so critical. It is the CEO's role to assimilate ideas from all sources and then decide which one to back. It is the CEO's task to choose the maverick leaders who can be counted on to take on tough missions and then give them the air-cover they need. Only the CEO can decide what is the right balance between quarterly pressures and the longer term agenda. It is the CEO's responsibility to ensure a culture that is open to new ideas, tolerates experimentation and failure, and is externally-oriented. Look at any company that we regard as innovative - and it is invariably because the CEO is leading the innovation agenda personally - think of Steve Jobs or Ratan Tata. Too often, though, companies are led by executives who are financially or operationally-oriented. Theirs is the logic of margins, predictability and valuations rather than innovation, entrepreneurship and growth. Such leaders have a tendency to play defence not offence, preferring to protect and leverage their existing business instead of creating new ones. By not engaging hands-on with the innovation agenda, they allow the bureaucracy and budgeting process to emasculate the most promising new ideas and brightest talents.
Economist Joseph Schumpeter said profit is fundamentally a return on successful innovation. Industry shaping innovation is the CEO's most fundamental job. We should remember that as we look at CEO succession.
The writer is former chairman of Microsoft India and author of the forthcoming book Conquering the Chaos, excerpts from which appear below


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Van drivers in one area are on their guard after a sudden campaign of vandalism.
Exeter police put out an appeal for information after several vehicles vehicles were targeted on an industrial estate in Exeter.
Driver side windows and windscreens were smashed in the attack on the vans, which belonged to delivery firm Parceline, reports the Exeter Express and Echo.
The paper says a "passer-by noticed four or five vans damaged in Heron Road on Exeter's Sowton industrial estate."
Van insurance and courier insurance customers could be interested in the apparently random attack on a batch of stationary vehicles.
Nationally the government is aiming to tackle vandalism on commercial vehicles and in particular the targeting of public transport vehicles.
Department for Transport figures say one London bus company spends an average of £7,000 fixing problems caused by vandals.
Research conducted in 2006 by More Than showed vandalism on vehicles belonging to small businesses across the UK was costing around £620 million per year.

subset: commoncrawl


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Jesus was going to Jerusalem:
When He came closer and saw the city, He began to cry. He said, "If you had only known today what would bring you peace! But now it is hidden, so you cannot see it. The time will come when enemy armies will build a wall to surround you and close you in on every side. They will level you to the ground and kill your people. One stone will not be left on top of another, because you didn't recognize the time when God came to help you."
—Luke 19:41-44
Because they didn't recognize the time…
When God comes to help me, I don't want to fail to recognize it.
Jesus cried over Jerusalem.
He wants us to be obedient and faithful.
He wants what is best for us.
Can you picture in your mind Jesus crying over Jerusalem?
How does that make you feel?
Does it help you to understand His intense love?


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One afternoon an official-looking fellow showed up at my door and flashed an I.D. from the water department.
"I just read your water meter," he told me, "and I have to inform you that you have an unusually high usage this month."
"High usage?"
"Yes, sir -- about four times the usual amount."
"Four times?"
"That's right. Here are the numbers."
I looked at the numbers. He wasn't kidding.
"It's our policy to let you know about this in case you have any leaks in your water system."
Get The Latest From InnerSelf
Hmmm. No leaks I knew of. Maybe my tenant has been taking a lot of showers, I wondered. But 80,000 gallons of showers? Nope, he doesn't even wash his dishes. I thanked the waterman and told him I'd try to conserve this month and hope the bill would come down next month.
A few days later I was sitting on my back porch when I noticed a puddle in the corner of the yard. That puddle had been there for a while, but I figured it was due to some heavy rain we'd had. But the rest of the lawn had dried up. The puddle was still there.
I poked my hand into the puddle. There was a pipe beneath it, and it was leaking. I can tell you exactly how much it was leaking: 80,000 gallons a month.
Energy Leaks
If you are losing energy in the form of joy, health, money, or love, you have a leak in your system. There is no malevolent parasite that has invaded your world and is undermining you. Your leak is on your property, and as such you have access to repair it.
The entire game of life is about making the best use of your energy. The question is not, "Is there life after death?" The question is, "Is there life before death?" To answer this for yourself -- and live it -- you must quit doing things that deplete your energy and start doing things that expand it.
Moses delivered Ten Commandments that point to how to accomplish this, but (a) Nobody wants to be commanded; (b) Charlton Heston's bad makeup job undermined Moses' credibility; and (c) Nobody has enough patience on the Internet to wait for ten commandments to download. So here is everything you need to know to relocate from Suckville:
Do what brings you life.
Do not do what deadens you.
The reason you are not where you want to be is that you are doing things you do not want to do. If that sounds simple, it is. (One of the most popular tricks of power and control freaks is to hide in complexity. But the best answer to a problem is usually the simplest.) Sure, there are some things you have to do that you don't want to do, but not as many as you are doing. Give yourself a break.
If you took the energy you are wasting on things that suck
and used it for things you love, what would you be doing differently?
When you invest your time and energy in stuff that drags you down, you die a little bit every day. Then your life force reduces to a dribble and you croak. Yet the Bible documents people who lived for hundreds of years, and there are people in remote regions today who live far past 100. Their lives are simpler and they do not fritter away their life force watching people hit each other over the head with chairs on Jerry Springer. They just live close to nature, eat yogurt, and develop meaningful relationships with llamas. So open your heart to a critter who won't dump you on national television and you will live long enough to get a birthday card from the President.
While you may be very careful about what you pay for with your money, you are probably less careful about what you pay for with your attention. In the long run, how you spend your attention affects your life far more profoundly than how you spend your money. Your attention is the strongest currency at your disposal. If you squander it, your life will result in one big overdraft. If you invest it in things you value, you will collect interest big time -- and be interested along the way.
Everything you do is an investment in more of the same. The illusion is that if you do something you don't like long enough, it will go away. But the truth is that the more you get involved in something, the more involvement it leads to. (Ever own a boat?) If you truly enjoy something, dive in. If not, have the guts to walk away from what doesn't serve you. There is no redeeming value in misery (unless you do timeshare presentations). The hell you worry about going to is not nearly as bad as the fear of it that drives you to do things alien to your spirit. If you live from fear, you already are in hell. If you live from love, you create the meeting point of heaven and earth.
Article Source:
Why Your Life Sucks and What You Can Do About It
by Alan Cohen.
First edition published by Jodere Group, Inc. This article is published with the permission of the author.
Info./Order this book now. (second edition)
About The Author
Alan Cohen is the bestselling author of A Course in Miracles Made Easy and of the newly-released Spirit Means Business. Join Alan and musician Karen Drucker in Hawaii, December 1-6, for an extraordinary retreat, "A Course in Miracles: the Easy Path." For more information about this program, Alan's Holistic Life Coach Training beginning January 1, his books and videos, free daily inspirational quotes, online courses, and weekly radio show, visit www.alancohen.com


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- Organizational Behavior
- Principles of Management
- Finance & Accounting for Managers
- Managerial Economics
MBA for Working Professionals - Working professionals do aspire for higher studies. But leaving a job and pursuing higher studies is a risk and sometimes liabilities are too high to achieve it. Weekend MBA is a well-known alternative for earning a post-graduation certification. Enabling an individual to perform his job during the week and attend classes on the weekends. This course provides an opportunity for experienced professionals to acquire a Master's degree in Business Administration in a conveniently scheduled curriculum, but at the same time ensuring that the rigor required to develop the managerial skills is not compromised.
Working professionals from all parts of the industry are opting for MBA for working professionals to give their career a brilliant thrust. After fulfillment of this program, the candidates can expect various improvements and career growth:
Our MBA for working professionals is planned to redesign the career path of working executives, businessmen, business pioneers and employees and help them achieve a fast track success in their future.
Any graduate from recognized university with 50% aggregate (45% for SC / ST) marks in graduation.


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Department of National Economy
О кафедре | Сотрудники | Студентам | Аспирантам
Headed by:
Doctor of Economy, Professor
Kasim Yusupov
The history of the Department starts in 1989 with the establishment of the Faculty of Economics. Over the years of its existence the Department has changed its name and transformed its specialization area many times.
Originally, the Department was called Department of National Economy Planning. In 1990 the name was changed to Department of Production Management, and in 1997 the Department began to be called Department of Economics and Management. Since 1998 the Department has been called Department of National Economy and has been training students majoring in National Economy.
Since 2001 the Department has been holding International Theoretical and Practical Conferences "Regional Reproduction Potential" every 3 years (2001, 2004, 2007, 2010).
The Department staff unceasingly search for most effective forms of work that will be in compliance with modern requirements and changing socioeconomic situation in the country and the world. With this view students are involved in participating in theoretical and practical conferences on urgent economic and social issues, in business and role-playing games ("Nixdorf-Delta", "BUSINESS COURSE: Corporation Plus", International UN Model), in participating in contests and competitions at different levels, as well as in the work of the Club of World Economics and Politics (MirEP) organized on the basis of the Department in 2007.
Major research areas
The teachers of the Department carry out their research in the field of "Problems of Development of National Economy Complex of the Republic of Bashkortostan in the Period of Transition to Market Conditions". Several doctoral and candidate dissertations have been and are being prepared, the subject matter of which is related to the designated field.
The major research areas are:
development of methodology and techniques of researching regional reproduction potential;
systemic analysis of a region as a functional and structural subsystem of national economy.
Major areas of academic work
The most important disciplines that the Department is responsible for include National Economy, Regional Economy, Technological and Innovation Systems, General Theory of Statistics, National Bookkeeping System, World Economics, State Regulation of National Economy, National Economy Forecasting, etc. The enumerated disciplines provide fundamental knowledge and theoretical experience that every economist needs irrespective of their subsequent interests.
Starting with the 3rd year of studies special disciplines are taught (for instance, "Regional Product Reproduction", "National Bookkeeping", "Securities Market", etc.). Being applied and concentrated on specific economic problems, these disciplines are designed to broaden the mind and give more profound knowledge of the specialisation area. On the one hand, they help graduates orient themselves professionally, and on the other hand, they provide the most talented students with access to the next step in their education, which is postgraduate school.


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Published at Monday, August 12th, 2019 - 13:59:47 PM. Vanity. By Paulette Abril.
If you are looking at a stylish bathroom, you need to understand that it can be good or bad for your bathroom designs. Given the several choices these days, you will surely find one that is most suited for your bathroom. Never go on what others feel about the bathroom. Always make your own decisions. You may take advice from experts on the vanities, but select what your mind tells you to do. Select the best contemporary bathroom of your choice.
Choosing by the process of elimination is an effective way of choosing a contemporary bathroom vanity. There are so many models that one cannot just go through all of them. That is why you have to decide what you actually want before you start sampling around. Once you have done that, it is now time to concentrate on the other relevant aspects.
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Tilliliha (Dill meat)
From Cookipedia
This Finnish meat stew can be made either with veal or lamb
Create a printable shopping list for this recipe's recipeIngredient
- Butter
- 1.4kg boneless veal or lamb, cut into 4cm pieces
- 875ml veal or lamb stock
- Salt, to taste
- 1 teaspoon dill weed, finely chopped
- 10 black peppercorns, crushed
- 1 bay leaf
- 60g flour
- 140ml dry white wine, boiled and reduced to 70ml
- Extra dill weed, roughly chopped
- Melt some butter in a flameproof casserole
- Lightly sear the meat in batches
- Drain off the butter and return the meat to the casserole
- Add the 750ml of the stock, salt, the teaspoon of dill weed. peppercorns and bayleaf.
- Bring to the boil, reduce the heat and cover
- Simmer for 1½ hours until the meat is tender
- Mix the flour with the remaining 125ml stock and stir into the meat
- Add the wine and continue to cooker for a few minutes until the sauce has thickened
- Garnish with the extra dill
Serving suggestions
Serve with boiled potatoes
Graph your Body Mass Index
See your personal Body Mass Index (BMI) plotted on a graph against national averages.


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The best thing to ever happen my pitch was Startup Viagra
Startup Viagra is an online slide presentation by legendary VC and Entrepreneur Dave McClure. I had delivered pitches before discovering it, but I don't think I was as assured as after I had tried it.
The night I discovered it, I had been due to give a pitch the next day to a well established VC and was sifting through a pdf document on how to pitch. The result didn't fill me with confidence. In fact, it left me feeling a little flacid. The document was overall too wordy, too formal, and too detailed. So, in my flacidity, I decided to take some Startup Viagra. And it worked!
Rule #1: Turn your VC on
In his humorous slideshare, McClure describes how to give a VC a 'hard-on'. Obviously he's speaking metaphorically (unless there's something we don't know). But there's also something subtle at play here. As well as amusing the reader with wacky imagery of pirates, porn stars, and love hearts, it has the advantage of putting the person pitching into a relaxed frame of mind – essential for a good pitch. It reminds the reader that VCs are a people prone to stimulation, just like anyone else
Most crucially, Startup Viagra has the effect of focusing the reader to a knife-edge. The slideshow is brief, and to the point. Having spent 2 hours on the previous document, my pitch felt primed after just 20 minutes. It put me into a completely different mindset; relaxed, focused, and confident.
Erogenous Zones + the Money Shot
McClure describes the 10 VC 'Erogenous Zones'. These Erogenous Zones refer to the 10 areas you should be focusing on with your pitch. Each one roughly equates to one slide. It pinpoints exactly where you should place your 'money shot', which refers to the main product demo/screenshots/video. It explains how you should deliver your 'Elevator Pitch' and advises you to 'Smile. it's ok to have fun when you pitch'. It also encourages you to address the problem you're trying to solve, and of course your solution, stating that great companies do 1+ of 3 things: get you LAID, PAID, or MADE. It addresses your market, your business model, your tech, your competition, your marketing plan, your team, and your milestones.
The embodiment of a good pitch – Now go!
Startup Viagra embodies what a good pitch should be: Effective, brief and to the point, easy to understand, and entertaining. I wouldn't advise the pitcher to use this as the only reference point, but more as a way of focusing on the important aspects of the pitch. I wouldn't have been so relaxed and confident without it. It won't make a bad product good, but if you have a potentially good product, it will help you deliver your message in a clear manner that reflects your belief in your product and shows it to the world in the best way possible.
So, you want the link you say?, You mean you haven't googled it yet?? Here you go then … Have a great pitch!
For other contributor articles, read Berlin: The Good, the Ugly, and the Missing by Ciarán O'Leary.
Image credit: Flickr user HowardLake


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Whether you're looking for packaging for food or beverages, you can count on us to provide for the best solution. We offer broad range of foodservice packaging solutions for all your needs. All are our technologies and materials are proven and tested in use by many of the world's leading brands.
Note: We offer customised print so that you can effectively advertise your business. Minimum order quantities apply.
Cafe Range
Packaging that helps great products reach more people, more easily. A wide range of cafe collection embraces single wall, double wall hot cups, sip-thru lids plastic, Callisto embossed double wall hot cups, cold cups and lids, food to go boxes, takeaway trays and hot sandwich packs. Our cafe range products are known for high quality of printing and paper cups are made of PEFC certified paperboard from sustainably managed forests. Cafe Range trays, hot boxes and sandwich packs are Ovenable up to 220°C and Microwavable
Indigenous Product Range
Huhtamaki, are global specialists in packaging for food and drink, dedicated to making every consumer experience enjoyable, consistent and safe. Huhtamaki have partnered with CorporateConnect.AB, who is committed to closing te gap in Indigenous disadvantage, to develop a new range of CCAB disposable tableware. CorporateConnect.AB - A Supply Nation Certified Supplier. Every purchase supports Indigenous Australians via Supply Nation certified, CorporateConnect.AB.
Bakery Range
Innovative takeaway food packaging from our food to go range. A range of small, medium and large baking trays. These trays are double faced micro flute. Bake directly in the pack, flow wrap and display. Perfect size for snacking or to share. Fully certified and Intertek tested at 220°C for 30 minutes. Bespoke and generic sizes and shapes available. Branding opportunity (print up to 5 colours). Bakery Range is suitable for cakes, viennoiserie,and bread. Cool to touch straight from the oven. Easy to open perforated corners.
Cold Beverage Range
Huhtamaki as a leading specialist in beverage cups, we can offer you the widest choice of paper and plastic cups and lids for cold beverages Our cups are known for high quality of printing and now our paper cups are made of PEFC certified paperboard from sustainably managed forests. Cold Beverage Range is an ideal solution for smoothies and other cold drink applications to suit any retail outlet including coffee bars, restaurants, convenience stores as well as beverage companies.
Taste Range
The range includes takeaway trays as well as hot boxes and sandwich packs, suitable for hot and chilled foods. Takeaway trays and food to go boxes without windows are microwavable and ovenable up to 220°C and can be used in a hot counter. Heat tolerance to be tested on customer premises. Ideal for food to go outlets, street vans, caterers, events, sport stadiums, concerts, schools and universities, festivals, cinema, theme parks and zoos!
Elegance and style is paramount with the Chinet® range of disposable tableware. The Chinet® range includes plates, bowls and platters, plastic cups, paper hot cups and stylish table covers.
IML Coffee Lid by Huhtamaki
A great advertising platform to deliver targeted communication multiple times vs traditional forms of advertising. With such exceptional print clarity, lets be creative with your marketing communications.
Future Smart™
Future Smart™ is 100% renewable paper cup made entirely from plant based materials. The new cup uses paperboard from PEFC certified sustainably managed forests and a newly developed plant-based polyethylene as a moisture barrier coating. Fully renewable Future Smart™ solution is the perfect business reason to renew your beverage and food packaging. Join us in pioneering and innovating a new sustainable future.


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Toni Kroos' contract with Real Madrid extended until 2022
MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid says it has extended the contract of Germany midfielder Toni Kroos until June 2022.
Kroos' previous contract was set to expire in 2020.
The 26-year-old Kroos arrived at the Spanish club in 2014, after helping his national team win that year's World Cup in Brazil.
Kroos has played 108 matches with Madrid, helping the club win last season's Champions League. He also won a Champions League title while playing for Bayern Munich in 2013.
Winless in its last four matches, Madrid's next game is at Real Betis on Saturday in the Spanish league.


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Our appointments are scheduled exclusively for each patient. This means that Dr. Baksh and/or the hygienist will be reserved for you during the specified time. As a result, you will be responsible for attending any appointments you schedule.
In the event an appointment must be rescheduled, please notify our office at least 2 business days in advance to avoid a rescheduling charge. The reserved appointment time can then be offered to another patient. If we are able to fill the appointment the rescheduling appointment fee will be waived.
As a service to our patients and upon your request, our scheduling coordinator will either email or call you to remind you the day before an appointment. Please note: an email or call the day before is only a reminder and not a confirmation email/call.
For continuing care appointments, our scheduling coordinator will send an email or call with a reminder, 2 weeks in advance, since we schedule these appointments 3-9 months ahead. We would appreciate a response to these emails or calls in order to confirm that you will be attending the appointment.
For your convenience, you may request an appointment online and complete the necessary forms.
Appointment Request
For your convenience, we accept Cash, Debit, Visa, and MasterCard. Payment is due when services are rendered.
For those services that require a greater investment in your oral health, we can arrange alternate payment options. Please feel free to discuss them with us prior to your treatment.
For the convenience of our patients, we can submit dental claims electronically or we can provide you with a form after each visit.
Dental benefits are a contract between you and your insurance company, therefore your insurance company will reimburse you directly. Please note our treatment recommendations are based on your needs not on your benefit plan, therefore you will be responsible for all fees charged to you regardless of your dental benefit coverage.


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Let us transport you to our love of chic minimalism. Feel inspired by neutral tones, that seamlessly work with one another. Here is some of our curation of the very best of interior design and furniture design which we are digging right now! Especially those circular hanging lights. Get ready to feel inspired!
Shop The Story


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Install & Configure
Install R from your preferred CRAN mirror.
For a backport of the latest stable version of R to jessie, simply add something like
deb http://<favourite-cran-mirror>/bin/linux/debian jessie-cran3/
deb-src <favourite-cran-mirror>/bin/linux/debian jessie-cran3/
to the file /etc/apt/sources.list on your computer. You need to substitute <favourite-cran-mirror> by one of the mirror URLs listed in the mirror list.
The Debian backports archives on CRAN are signed with the key of Johannes Ranke (CRAN Debian archive) <firstname.lastname@example.com> with key ID 381BA480. You can fetch and import this with
$ apt-key adv --keyserver keys.gnupg.net --recv-key 381BA480
Then install the newest R release including recommended packages
$ sudo apt-get update
$ sudo apt-get install r-base
You may want to install the automatically tuned Atlas or the multi-threaded OpenBlas library in order to get higher performance for linear algebra operations
# Atlas
$ sudo apt-get install libatlas3-base
# OpenBlas library
$ sudo apt-get install libopenblas-base
The R packages part of r-base and r-recommended are installed into the directory /usr/lib/R/library. These can be updated using usual package maintenance tools like apt-get or aptitude.
The other R packages available as precompiled Debian packages r-cran-* and r-bioc-* are installed into /usr/lib/R/site-library
Finally install RStudio from [2] and all the packages you need from the RStudio tool!
Check the Task Views and contribute to it:
Data import & export
PostgreSQL/PostGIS connection
Applied Spatial Data Analysis with R
- Roger S. Bivand, Edzer J. Pebesma and V. Gómez-Rubio. UseR! Series, Springer, 2008, 378 p., Softcover ISBN: 978-0-387-78170-9


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These games teach valuable skills and have a high fun and educational rating.
Your child gains familiarity with different community figures by designing common community scenes with Barney and friends.
Your child will learn that the world is a big place and that it has different parts by watching a collection of videos about different cultures.
Your child develops matching skills by identifying which types of vehicles travel in which environments.
Your child develops elements of a story and interacting with others skills by reading a story about manners.
Your child develops exploration and curiosity skills by reading a story about a surprise party.
Your child develops animals and elements of a story skills by reading a short story about how BJ takes care of his dog Scooter.
Your child learns about interacting with others by reading a story with Barney about his friends.
Your child learns about trains by reading a story with Barney.
Zoodles 11.8.7 Copyright (c) 2014 Inquisitive Minds, Inc. All rights reserved.


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Aerial Edge Artists . . . providing bespoke circus entertainment for your event
From aerialists, acrobats and jugglers to clowns, stilt walkers and fire performers we provide a range of performance styles to suit all events small, medium or large. So whether you're planning to set up a circus themed party in your back garden, are running a street festival or putting on an event to audiences of thousands we have something for everyone.
Contact us today to find out how we can help
E: firstname.lastname@example.com T: 0141 433 8006


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Central Tampa - Primary Care, Endocrinology, General Surgery, Cardiology, Dermatology
2727 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd
Tampa, Florida 33607
Suite 450
Fax: 813.377.1390
Richard Bymaster, MD
10004 North Dale Mabry Highway
Tampa, Florida 33618
Suite 101
Fax: 813.377.1391
Lisa Scudder, DO
6037 Winthrop Commerce Avenue
Riverview, Florida 33578
Suite 201
Fax: 813.355.5909
Frank A. Sirchia, MD
Wesley Chapel - Wiregrass Multi Specialty Campus
2352 Bruce B Downs Blvd.
Wesley Chapel, FL 33544
Fax: 813.355.5901
Suite 450
Fax: 813.377.1390
Richard Bymaster, MD
Wesley Chapel - Multi Specialty Campus
27343 Wesley Chapel Blvd
Wesley Chapel, Florida 33543
Fax: 813.355.5031
Sign up for our safe and effective weight loss plan and receive the best medical care, nutritional counseling and support possible. Every plan is custom tailored for each individual patient. Participants must be between the ages of 16-70.
For Individuals who may not be able to take weight loss medications due to certain medical issues, other options are available. As the program progresses, we will help you through the entire process and make changes in your individual plan and medications (if prescribed) as necessary. When your goal weight has been met, we will work with you to ensure you are prepared to take control and preserve your hard work by helping you understand your body's caloric and nutritional needs.
Initial Consult Includes:
Blood work if not already previously completed within the past 6 months by our office, or having been provided to us from another primary care provider will be an additional charge. Individual charges vary based on test and will be discussed at the time of office visit.
Follow-Up Weight Management Visits (Monthly) Will Include:
Program Forms


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Lydia and Mike were married on a quiet snow-covered yard along Conneaut Lake. The day was as bright as it was cold — it was equally joyous as it was cheerful. Instead of seats, guests stood close together, huddled around the arbor, packing tight as penguins while all eyes looked inwards at the bride and groom. In front of the ceremony, was a frozen channel that leads out to the sleepy lake; summer memories laying in hibernation.
Lydia and Mike are sweet to each other. The type that write love notes and tuck it somewhere to be found as a surprise. She loves to laugh, he loves her smile. They danced the night away at the Meadville Country club, after the sun came down a rich burning red. For them, surrounded by family and friends, it was a beautiful beginning to a fresh new year.


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Tour ID: 10063738
Travel in style with Barefoot Tours as they take you into the Wet Tropics of Far North Queensland on their all-inclusive Overnight Mission Beach Tour – Rainforests, Islands, Rafting & Waterfall Adventures.
Departing Mondays & Thursdays Barefoot Tours is all about fun, adventure, laughs and swimming in some of the best places to visit in the Cairns area; like the natural rock slide at Josephine falls, Babinda Boulders, Dunk Island, Rafting the Tully, Mission Beach and the historical Paronella Park viewing.
Barefoot Tours customizes the timings of their day based on the customers on the day and the weather that nature delivers that day. With only a few things slightly restricted by time like rafting & Dunk island.
Your Mission Beach Overnight tour includes REAL proper coffee/tea/hot choc, all meals throughout the trip, morning/afternoon snacks too – they do cater to dietaries so let them know in advance if you have any!
Your Mission Beach tour kicks off around 8:15am from Northern Beaches, and 9:30am from Cairns City hotels (or hostels) in their fun bright orange bus!
The main sights the Mission Beach Overnight Tour include: Babinda Boulders, Josephine Falls, Mena Creek Falls (Paronella viewing platform), Mission Beach, Dunk Island and Tully river.
Some of the occasional stops they add in include: Etty Bay, Tully River, Luggers Bay, Historical pub stop, Alligators Nest, Henrietta Creek.
Barefoot Tours returns around 7 - 8pm and are happy to return you to either Northern Beaches or your Cairns city hotel (or hostel)
- Return Transfers to Cairns or Northern Beaches hotels
- All meals whilst on tour (2xL, 1x dinner, 1x hot breakfast, snacks)
- Overnight accommodation at Absolute Mission Beach in dorm room, basic linen with shared facilities *upgrades additional cost
- Transfers & snorkel gear for Dunk Island
- Half day Tully Rainforest Raft
- Multiple swimming locations
- Entrance fees, National Park fees, Gratuities
- Sunscreen & mozzie repellent on-board
- SWAP your half day raft for a Beach landing Tandem Skydive Jump *Extra Cost
up to 7,000 ft $140AUD
up to 15,000ft $235AUD
- UPGRADE your rooming accommodation to a twin, double or family room *Extra Cost
Twin or Double room share bathroom $40AUD extra for upto 2 people
Family room (1x double bed, 2x single beds) private bathroom $65AUD extra upto 4 people
2 days / 1 night
8:30 AM Mon, Thu
returning between 7-8pm the following day
Cairns and Cairns Beaches
Northern Beaches - from 8:30am
Cairns City - from 9:30am
Please contact Barefoot Tours for pick up times from your hotel or hostel
Towel (some on-board for $5ea)
Camera for all those awesome photo ops
A dry change of clothes (maybe something warm in winter)
Overnight clothes
A Hat – that's not a bad idea either
Footwear– Easy tracks, so thongs are fine but sneakers or runners or closed toe shoes preferable for rafting.
Minimum age is 10 years
- SWAP your half day raft for a Beach landing Tandem Skydive Jump *Extra Cost
- UPGRADE your rooming accommodation to a twin, double or family room *Extra Cost
Either contact us directly to arrange, or risk it and hope it's still available whilst on tour. All activities are subject to weather conditions, availability at time of booking and some medical conditions may prevent you from being able to participate on some of the planned activities.
Mission Beach
Copyright 2019 © Tours To Go. All Rights Reserved.


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If neither side blinks in Congress' game of chicken over the budget, as many as 106 airports could lose control tower service and have to shut down in January. So says a new report from the Center for American Progress. If the lawmakers can't agree to a budget, automatic cuts will go into effect, and those cuts will affect most federal services across the board.
The report links to an interactive table showing all of the airports predicted to close. Some of the airports on the list are quite large and surprisingly important, including 18 that board more than 500,000 passengers annually. Among those top fields: Savannah, Long Island MacArthur (Islip), Sanford, Palm Springs, Truax Field (Madison), Burlington, and Hilo. This cut list isn't based entirely on numbers of passengers: Many much smaller airports will remain open, says the report, although the author doesn't say exactly how he developed his specific list.
Clearly, this report originates at an organization with a known political bias, and it is not official in any sense. And in releasing this report, the Center may well be pursuing its own political agenda. Regardless of any political viewpoint, however, automatic budget cuts would undoubtedly filter down to the FAA and ultimately to air travelers.
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Tom Ford Black Orchid - For Her
By: Tom Ford Released: 2010
Black Orchid by Tom Ford is an oriental floral fragrance for women.
Tom Ford is known for his sensual yet sophisticated portraits of women. This scent is rich, deep and stands out from the crowd like the precious orchid. The scent begins with a blend of citrus, jasmine, truffle and black currant. The heart consists of the titular orchid complemented with fruity notes, spices, lotus and ylang-ylang. The lavish base consists of dark chocolate, vanilla, incense, patchouli combined with warm woody notes and vetiver.
The fragrance comes in an elegant black bottle with gold details. Black Orchid was the first fragrance to be released from the multi-talented American's self-titled luxury brand Tom Ford.
Black Orchid was launched in 2006.
What more can be said about this perfume? its just so beautiful.......Arrived quickly excellent company.
Fantastic this is the only one I use and it's reasonably priced I would recommend this site as I've priced it a few places and was a lot more expensive also the service was great the parcel was on time
Brought this frangrance, because of the great reviews it got and at first I thought ok, but as it developed on my skin wow not like your run of the mill stuff. Smokey mysterious oriental totally different, just love this would buy again.
This is the cheapest website that I have bought this Tom ford perfume at! Every other website is more pricy
Bought this for my wife as she liked the smell on a tester. Very much taken with the pleasant smell. This was a good price for a nice product - we will be buying more for presents at this cost
Bought this as I had heard that is was a lovely scent...I was not disappointed....and delivery was fast. Very happy.
Good quick delivery, perfume not what i expected wasnt that nice should have tried before buying it but service was great
Beautiful perfume, the best value for size of bottle. Will definitely buy from website again. Very Happy
Fantastic smelling fragrance, just love it. So different to anything else I have had before.
smells very intense and fruity - a very good buy at this price - I will ensure I recommend to all my friends when they are in need of a good price product as a gift - packaging is good also thanks
Black Orchid is a heady fragrance-not for the faint hearted! It is a strong, confident, intoxicating blend which includes incense, vanilla & patchouli. On dry down, chocolate & jasmine are simply beautiful, blackcurrant adding a touch of tartness. An amazing fragrance & quite addictive! The bottle is very stylish & a perfect size for on the go touch ups.
Lovely smell. Bought for hubby and wears it on special occasions as he wants it to last longer.
Love this perfume and hard to resist ,such a treat and at a really good price . Totally love it .
This perfume is I think the most beautiful perfume I have ever owned, it lasts for hours and it just gets better the longer you wear it.Not the cheapest perfume by a mile but so worth it I absoloutely love it.
product great value for the money paid package arrived ok and on time.This is the first time i have tried it and had lots of comments on people liking this fragrance.
I was worried about fakes.This isn't, but it was at a good price with excellent delivery.So, a satisfied customer - or rather my wife was when she received the gift!
TOM FORD.... This is a stunning fragrance.... that lasts all day smelling as amazing 12 hours later after only using a few sprays... Everywhere I go I am always asked what perfume I wear.... Money well spent.. You get what you pay for that is for sure but pound for pound this product is outstanding I love it.... Thank you perfumeclick.Co.uk :-)
Sexy and mysterious perfume, makes you feel more confident, and stays on your body the whole day! Perfect if you want something unique and when you want to stand out.


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All Saints stylist's style
Fashion inspiration: Instagram
Veronica Garcia 3 p.m., Nov. 21
Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey is a documentary on the life and career of Kevin Clash, the magic behind Elmo. The film chronicles his career from schoolboy to executive of Sesame Street. Watching a piece of cloth and foam — infused with the love of a artist — become one of the most beloved characters in the world reminds us of the depth of compassion in the human heart and the amazing power of dreams.
I recommend Brian Helgeland's A Knight's Tale because sometimes a movie should just be fun, and what could be more fun than awesome scenes of jousting accompanied by 1970s rock music? The onscreen chemistry between Ledger, Tudyk, Addy, and Bettany is electric, and the choice of music may well inspire you to dance a Farandole like they do in Gelderland, with some differences, of course.
— Victor Ciccarelli, marketing video director/producer, quixana.com


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iOS 4.3.5 firmware was released to fix large vulnerability that allowed hackers to steal username/password combinations on SSL encrypted webpages.
For non-jailbroken users updating to the iOS 4.3.5 firmware by iTunes. For jailbroken users who do not want to sacrifice untethered jailbreak iOS 4.3.3, you can do a seach and install a patch from cydia called isslfix. It will fix this SSL vulnerability without having to update to the iOS 4.3.5 firmware.


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As President Obama prepares to sign a $787 billion economic stimulus package today amid gales of Republican criticism of its cost, he is also facing quieter misgivings from liberal Democrats who say the bill does not go far enough -- and who are already looking ahead to future legislation that they hope will do more.
Liberal Democrats recognize the package's scale and accomplishment, and they have defended it against Republican attacks. But they also wonder whether Obama could have used the opportunity of a large congressional majority and a moment of economic emergency to pass a bigger package, with a better chance of boosting the economy and with more of his priorities intact.
As Obama moves on to issues such as health care and energy, liberals are debating how to ensure that the stimulus outcome does not define the outer boundaries of his agenda, so that future legislation is not limited, as the stimulus was, by the demands of centrist senators such as Susan Collins (R-Maine), Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) and Ben Nelson (D-Neb.).
Some say Obama must aim higher next time, so that compromises produce a more satisfactory result. Some say he needs to take greater control of drafting legislation, instead of leaving it to Democratic congressional leaders, and needs to adopt a harder line with Republican legislators. And some say liberals and pro-Democratic interest groups such as labor unions must do a better job of pressuring moderate Republicans and conservative Democrats to back the president.
"We can't suddenly say, 'Change has come,' and just talk to one another and add more demands. We have to be out there explaining in the most elementary ways why something like universal health care is good for America," said Theda Skocpol, a Harvard University political scientist, addressing a conference of left-leaning groups in Washington last week.
She added: "It isn't going to happen in one week, and it isn't going to happen with one bill, with Olympia Snowe telling us what to do. It's going to be a long slog."
Plenty of Obama supporters are celebrating the package. They note that while it includes less social spending than what passed in the House, it represents billions of dollars in spending for Democratic priorities such as health, education and renewable energy.
"President Obama has been in office, what, 3 1/2 weeks? And to be able to pass a stimulus package of this size, I don't think anybody would have thought that possible six weeks ago," said Gerald McEntee, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.
The White House touts the package, too, noting that it is larger than any element of Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal. It is "the most major, sweeping, comprehensive legislation as relates to economic activity ever," Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel said last week.
But as many liberals see it, the package is also notable for its omissions. They saw the bill as the launching of a new era of public investment, a sequel to the transformational presidencies of Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan. Obama swept into office with popular support, a sizable congressional advantage, and even conservative economists demanding government action. Obama supporters had envisioned big initiatives to rebuild schools, overhaul aging infrastructure and expand the safety net.
The bill includes just under $50 billion for roads, bridges, transit and rail, less than many mayors and governors had hoped -- though the White House did manage to slip in $8 billion for high-speed rail. It includes $70 billion for a tax fix that will help upper-middle-class earners and have little stimulative effect -- added at the request of Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa), who voted against the bill anyway. The final deal dropped a $16 billion school-construction fund in the House version, $11 billion to cover the unemployed in Medicaid, and billions in aid to states.
And as big as it is, the final bill is smaller than what initially passed in the House and Senate, and it falls well short of filling the $2 trillion gap in demand that many economists foresee. With a third of the bill's cost devoted to tax cuts, the spending is $507 billion.


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As far as we know, Kylie Jenner is newly single — although as with any member of the Kardashian-Jenner clan, we can't be totally sure. And, most of us know going through a break-up or even being involved in a roller coaster-y relationship brings out plenty of emotions that can only be soothed by good old-fashioned comfort food. For Kylie Jenner, it looks like she's getting comfort from Chick-fil-A. Nice choice, Ky.
Last night, Kylie sent out a series of tweets documenting her late night trip to Chick-fil-A, and her experience was all too relatable. The youngest Jenner started off by tweeting what she had ordered from the fast food chain, and we personally think she made a very good choice. Or, should we say, choices. She wrote, "I just ate 16 chic-fil-a nuggets." To get that satisfying number of nuggets, she apparently had to get back in the drive-through line because she was still hungry. The tweet immediately following the one about what she had eaten read, "I went through the drive through twice." Seriously, we've done this exact thing too many times to count.
It seems Kylie may have started to regret her decision soon after the second time through the drive-through line because she tweeted, "Ugh I don't feel good." Again, we've all be there.
This hilarious series of tweets was ended strong with a response from Kylie to a follower question about what kind of dipping sauce she eats her chicken with. She wrote, "Chic-Fil-A sauce is that even a question." This woman just gets us. We really hope the nuggets helped soothe her sorrows.
Chic-Fil-A sauce is that even a question . https://t.co/vsnxIp3Rlz— Kylie Jenner (@KylieJenner) April 11, 2017
If this little Chick-fil-A expedition is any indicator of how Kylie's new E! docu-series Life Of Kylie will be, we seriously can't wait for the premiere. We want to see Jenner's everyday life, and even more importantly, her everyday meals.


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Future Regulation Conferences
Faculty district particular schooling professionals, in addition to superintendents, principals, faculty board members, and school attorneys will discover this convention beneficial. Tutorial content up to now has included matters on medico-legal points, ethics, contract legislation, criminal legislation, family regulation, administrative law, private harm, mediation, mental property, and extra. This session will examine some of this yr's key class motion decisions to help information promoting counselors in figuring out the a number of directions wherein the category motion wind is blowing.
Knowledge and personal data flow throughout international borders is essential to right now's international marketplace. The convention will characteristic a big selection of experts, together with keynote speaker Justice Suzanne Côté of the Supreme Courtroom of Canada.
Get to know the people, organizations, and techniques working on essential issues like immigration, homelessness, police accountability, water rights, and veterans' points during at the present time-and-a-half long convention. This will embody a discussion of the extent to which recent developments concerning the Federal Communications Commission affect the law and greatest practices.
Learn to develop a profitable legislation follow at this revolutionary two day conference. This Workshop, which types a part of project funded by a BA/ Leverhulme Trust Small Analysis Grant, offered a chance to debate the findings of the venture, conducted by lecturers from Sheffield and Cardiff University.
International courts and tribunals play a spread of different roles in worldwide relations, past the settlement of particular disputes. Continues in a long line of illustrious speakers who've been honored because the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Lecturer, a lecture collection Justice Ginsburg generously established for Thomas Jefferson in 2003.


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Company Badger Fencing, Croydon
Courtwood primary school in Croydon had severe problems with badgers entering their grounds and damaging their sports pitches and associated turf. Due to the escalating costs of remedying the damage to the pitches, and ongoing maintenance not viable, a more permanent solution was required. It was decided that permanent badger fencing would be installed around the site perimeter in order to prevent badgers from entering the site.
Blackdown Environmental were responsible for the supply and installation of 200m of permanent badger fencing at a school site in Croydon, in order to prevent badgers from entering the school site and preventing proposed development works.
Following a competitive tendering process, Blackdown Environmental were selected to undertake the works by Concept Building Services.
Our team:
- Excavated a 1m deep trench in chalk soil to facilitate the installation of badger fencing.;
- Supplied and installed 2 x double Heras gates and 2 x single Heras gates;
- Supplied and installed 250m of timber post and rail fencing;
- Installed up to 250m of permanent badger fencing, with the mesh attached to the post and rail fencing.


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By Steve Sharpton, Parsons Training Center, Tucson, Arizona
September 22, 2016
So this past weekend, I got a little time off from writing the blog. It was a welcome addition so to speak, for I was still feeling the effects of my new job and I just really had no desire to do any writing. It's not that I hate writing or anything, it's just when I start a new routine and see how things are going to fit into place, creation on the fly can lead me into some bad fatigue. I don't know what to expect. So yes, testing out the routine and how the old routines will fit in was quite important to me this past week, mainly because of the 4 a.m. wake-up calls I am giving myself and the extreme eye strain I am getting from staring at computers all day. I don't call it ideal, but I can get used to this eventually. It will just take time. The hardest part will be fitting in my plasma donation schedule into the mix, for I will be going in at times that just don't suit me. But, it is some good little side income and despite my new job, I would like to keep going. I want to avoid using my days off for this, so that will make it even more of a challenge as I have to be mindful of what I eat and how much I eat. So far, my penchant for plants has already had me labeled as "Salad Man" from a few of my co-workers, mainly because it seems weird that a man that looks as "manly" as I do would eat no meat or dairy. Such is the conception I guess. Considering my workplace is a savage, festering pool of energy drinks, instant burritos and various junk food staples…me eating salad and nuts must be quite the weird oddity…especially since I am one of the taller and bigger guys in the entire building. I went simple my first week, eating kale, carrot and tomato salad with some celery sticks and lime juice. I added some raw almonds for my fat and protein and have decided to kind of wean myself off the salt heavy Heat Peanuts that Planter's provides at a premium. I say this because my systolic blood pressure is all wacky when I go and donate plasma. Of course, it might be the fact that I protein load for the day of and that typically constitutes a lot of nuts, especially since the vegan meats have more fat and sodium. I have been getting into Lara Bars lately, but that was only because they were on a special I could not ignore at the store.
Other than that, the new routine is being established as we speak. Running and working out will be a challenge especially, mainly because I will have to go to sleep almost the moment I finish. Eventually I will start getting my butt to bed at 9 a.m., but until that day comes I will probably go sometime between 9:30 to 10. It will take some time so to speak. As long as I stay up to date with my nutrition, I should be good. Anyway, I was pretty happy with the fact Jon gave me the weekend off. He and his wife Christa went off to see their beloved Seahawks play against the L.A. Rams, who were making their inglorious return to the L.A. area. I think it is quite hilarious they made such a rash move, for they moved on the promise of a stadium that still has not even broken ground yet. Heck, as of last week, they still haven't even decided on a site! I would post a photo of what it might look like, but there has been so many different renderings that the description I told Jon is not correct anymore. I mean, c'mon L.A.! You want all these teams to show up but can't get them a stadium? Yeesh. Talk about nonsense. Anyway, until the Rams can get a real stadium (which may be never at this point), they have to play at the old L.A. Coliseum. Now the running joke is that place is a trash bin, and Jon and Christa kind of confirmed it. While you certainly get your money's worth in regards to the view, the rest of the amenities are something to be desired. However, this made me think about something that Jon said to me, considering it was his first time at the old warhorse. "Considering it was built in 1923, it still looks pretty good."
Think about it. How many buildings from the 1920s do you think still hold a major public presence, especially a massive football stadium? Heck, houses from the 1920s are all but gone in this world. I remember having to do a little work on one of the oldest homes in Tucson, and when I heard my father actually dread doing a job, that is when you know it is going to be hell on earth. However, the house in question was in pretty good shape, even it had been given some upgrades and makeovers during the years. Such is the case with the L.A. Coliseum, for it got some major improvements for the 1984 Olympics, you know, the one where the communists didn't show up and we turned the spectacle into a nationalist free for all. Despite the downsides and the amenities strictly stuck in a bygone era, it is usable. It still hosts plenty of events during the year and is still a capable football stadium. If anything, it is a testament to modern engineering and maintenance. As ratty as it looks some times, it would be a travesty if we just randomly destroyed it and turned it into a strip mall. So why am I talking about an old stadium that I have never been to and might never get a chance to go to (unless the Giants play a game there some day, for I have yet to see a Giants game live yet)? It's a great metaphor for life.
Typically in this disposable society we live in, we tend to forget about the past and forget about things that helped establish good routines. Much in the same vein of health, we often times forget about the things we did to stay healthy, firm and flexible all in the typical excuse of "that's how things are supposed to go." Think about it in this manner. The Atlanta Falcons are getting a new stadium even though their current one is only 20 years old (which I can't believe I am saying, I remember when the Georgia Dome opened). My own Giants dumped The Meadowlands after a mere 26 years to move into MetLife Stadium (a.k.a. New Giants Stadium). So yeah, seeing a 93-year old stadium is quite rare in this day and age. However, with a few minor changes and upgrades, the L.A. Coliseum is still quite a usable venue despite the fact it can get seriously hot there. That's how I think people need to look at life and health. We can't do some crazy thing down the line and expect to see some changes. I mean, when the Falcons and the Minnesota Vikings eventually open their new stadiums, they are still going to be relatively poor franchises. They will still have a lot of things to do in order to become solid teams and be more than just sub-par or mediocre. Heck, the Rams will probably still be struggling to get anyone to show up to their games by the time they ever get a stadium…provided if history doesn't repeat itself and they move again due to broken promises. Making a massive wholesale change in the hopes it will give you different results is kind of a silly mode of thinking.
For example, you are obese and have some issues with diabetes (I know, it always comes back to diabetes, hehe) and need to make some changes. I consider the metaphor of taking pills, doing weird diets and partaking in strange medical procedures akin to building a new stadium when the old one wasn't that bad to begin with. It seems like a great idea, but the expense of that idea is definitely gonna be a drain. It's gonna cause compromises and pinch the ones you love, much like a city being held hostage to help build these monoliths. The first step is to make what you have better. I always believed this idea, even when I was 400 pounds. I knew no special diet or procedure would save me. It was going to take a lot of work and ideas to really get the weight off and change my life. Think of this way, especially when I bring up my favorite whipping child Weight Watchers. They had that stupid ad campaign of "Eat like a man!" and it predictably fell flat on its ass. I mean, you cannot eat just one piece of pizza. You cannot eat just three ounces of barbecue ribs. It was basically telling men they could keep partaking in their bad habits. I know better of course, for the fact that I only eat a pizza or a burger once every blue moon these days is something of a miracle. And the fact I have drastically reduced my candy, soda and alcohol is just another tip in my cap. Just think of all the things I have changed in the last four years, and none of them are drastic procedures or diet fads that would cost me and arm and a leg. I have decidedly gone through a massive change and have simply fixed the cracks in my foundations, kind of like an old stadium getting some new fiberoptic wires, television screens and modern urinals. I'm like my alma mater's football stadium, Bear Down Field, where they have made additions to the old stadium over the years and have turned it into a relatively nice venue to play at. That's the philosophy I want to live by.
What that means is I have to keep on the path, making small changes to my regimen and adjusting to the times as I see fit. Rather than making crazy wholesale changes, adopting philosophies that may injure me or distract me from my goals, I want to commit to the idea of staying strong and fit and flexible. It might mean I have to change some things up, like I have been doing lately. I have been trying to get my running back on track, and thus I have been doing more exercises that would force me to strengthen my ankles and my legs. Sure, I have kind of stopped doing deadlifts for the time being, I kind of want to work on the pronation that has been afflicting my ankles and knees. So far, it has been good for me, for my legs don't feel like they have been pounded on by some hammers and such. And of course, with a little extra money in my pocket now, I can start eating some produce and help alkalize my body a little more. I might prescribe to some ideas that some vegan body builders utilize to help them ditch some unwanted fat, that will be a little more down the line as I get my cardio back in line. Right now, I'm just upgrading my media section and adding some better speakers in my "stadium." Either way, this is the kind of approach to life and fitness I would recommend to most people. Making crazy changes can help with some short term returns, but this isn't about short term returns. This about your entire life. Think about the L.A. Coliseum…it ain't pretty and it is old, but it is still standing strong and is still useful. That's life in a nutshell. We can't exchange our body for a new one because we have grown discontent with the features we have. That means we have to rebuild and adjust our life while sculpting and fixing what we have. I think a lot of people tend to forget about this when it comes to life and fitness, thinking things like crazy supplements and all beef diets will give them what they need to succeed.
I'm the furthest thing from perfect, but I still think I am making good efforts in what I am doing. I just need to continue to tinker and adjust as the time moves along. I might need to do some different things soon, but I first need to keep laying down the foundation. This past summer really took a toll on me and my health, and it just keeps giving me another reason why I hate the heat. If anything, that is the reason why I have stumped the heavy lifting for a while and gone back to a little more functional and balance work. Fortunately I have been given plenty of pointers from everyone at Parsons Training. The only thing stopping me though is this. Pumpkin beer and pumpkin PHÖD bars. It's gonna be a struggle this upcoming month. Let's get this thing going!
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About Parsons Training
Parsons Training is a Tucson leader in fitness and personal wellness training. Every personal trainer with this company designs and implements effective fitness programs for their clients; these programs serve as the foundation for good health, fitness, and wellness. Additional information about Parsons Training is available at http://www.parsonspersonaltraining.com
Any views or opinions presented in this blog are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the company.
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Meet the Author
Steve, a Parsons Training Client, went from 400 pounds to Running half-marathons, from lifting pizzas to lifting hundreds of pounds through training with us.
When you read this blog you are reading through the eyes of someone who is winning the battle of real weight loss. Steve is not a fitness professional, but he is someone we can all learn from.
Steve shares his journey once a week here on our blog. We hope that you find a spark of inspiration from reading his blog.
Any views or opinions presented in this blog are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the company. The author of this blog is an independent writer and is not an associate of Parsons Training, LLC. Any information or images displayed are done so solely at the authors discretion. Any dietary or fitness commentary is exclusively that of the author and in no way dictated by the company.


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My card started with the aqua and coral color trend I've been noticing around stores lately. On a recent shopping trip, even the grocery store had an aqua and coral bike displayed out front! So when I sat down to stamp, I picked out these colors, then selected the Rise Above stamp set and coordinating Partly Cloudy Die Set and got to work.
Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you have a fabulously creative start to your week!
|Mojo Monday 444 Sketch
Enabler's List
Stamps: Rise Above (Verve Stamps)
Paper: Soft Sky, Tiptop Taupe (SU!), white (Neenah)
Ink: calypso coral, pool party, tiptop taupe (SU!)
Accessories: Partly Cloudy Die Set (A Cut Above by VERVE), clouds embossing folder (Sizzix)


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First Impressions,
Warm and welcoming. The smells and the sounds. A killer patio. House made pasta. Negronis on tap! A bocce court. House wine by the litre. And, you've gotta try the meatballs. One by one, you join the table until the last of you are standing. Welcome to your neighbourhood Tavernetta.


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Thanks to Roger Shipp for hosting FFftPP.
Song of love he sings for her, poetry;
His heart in words difficult to sing.
Lyrics mean everything; his voice brings —
Such soft words gently strummed; he's lonely.
What weapon wins love's war? The truth only?
Does she understand? His music, his heart?
Fact of his feelings —life with her, prays starts.
His daylight is her smile, his voice slowly —
Sings last syllables; his baritone stops.
She listened not, she had such vanity.
He never knew she was so off-handed,
Laughed at his song with her heart made of rock.
Raised her nose, sauntered away cruelly,
She said not a word; he dodged a bullet.
©Mandibelle16. (2017) All Rights Reserved.


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Vox: Why the Obama administration thinks Obamacare enrollment will go up in 2017.
So an administration official projected that these spiking premiums might push these people to reconsider the marketplace, where they can get subsidies. And that would increase Obamacare enrollment.
So, by pushing prices into the stratosphere, the ACA succeeds by forcing hardworking Americans into overpriced catastrophic-level deductibles and miserable co-pays for a bit of a subsidy. I'm speechless. Another dead horse I've beaten. The coverage the ACA offers is 1/10 of what I was receiving two years ago, for less than half the price. This is WRONG. There's nothing I'm madder about than this. The only hope I've got is that the Democrats regain the Senate, and Sanders can fix this cluster----.


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The wines we carry
Puglia, Italy
The Giuseppe Attanasio farm continues, with passion, the traditions of a typical family of salentinian viticulturers. Under the wide cross vaults of a palace of the end 19th centurythere is the oak barrels room and winemaking facilities. Since 2000 the Primitivo di Manduria grapes have reached there, they are picked with traditional method and they exclusively come from the own vineyards, approximately 5 hectares grown to little sapling of Puglia, in the territory of Manduria which are personally cured by Giuseppe Attanasio on the grounds of over 60 years' experience in the viticulture.
Marche, Italy
Their name means 'a century' in English and they have learned to think about the future as an accumulation our grape harvests. A journey across generations, together today and together tomorrow, in the vineyard and around the table. With the passing of the seasons, their organic winery has chosen to focus on the land, with their family supplying the energy.
They are bonded by a passion for good things and for great ideas passed down from the oldest to the youngest of the house. This bond is a guarantee for their work day-to-day and for their wine, springing from the land, sweetened by their mild climate and scented by the sea breeze.
Château La Caderie
Bordeaux Supérieur, France
Château La Caderie produces elegant wines of a highly consistent quality. The intense characteristics of its organic wines are the fruit of meticulously cared for vineyards. The various cuvées are subtly blended to produce a wide range of wines for different tastes, each one with its own elegant range of aromas and substance.
The name Caderie is closely linked to the history of the vineyards and wine. Caderie comes from the word "cade" which, at the time of the French revolution, referred to a cask of 1,000 litres and the Caderie was therefore the place where the "cades" were stored. This confirms, without a doubt, that wine has been produced here for over two centuries.
The main building dates from 1819. Its architectural style, in stone and rubble stone, is typical of Gironde-style buildings, and more specifically, due to its proportions, a Fronsac-style building. The family history of François Landais, the current owner, is also closely linked to wine production. In the family tree, accounts of an ancestor, born in 1751 and already a wine-grower, can be read. This makes ten generations of winemakers. The current estate was purchased by François Landais' grandparents in 1956. At the time, the vineyard was only a few hectares in size and the wine was sold in bulk to dealers from Libourne and Bordeaux. Wine was first bottled in 1973. In 1991, François LANDAIS took over the responsibility of running the estate.
Treviso, Veneto, Italy
At the dawn of the last century, in a land celebrated both by the Romans and by the Venetian nobility for its fertility and the beauty of its countryside, the great wine producing vocation of the Corvezzo family was born. The modern company premises, built using eco-compatible materials, the photovoltaic plant and the commitment to environmental sustainability bear witness to the continued respect the Corvezzo family have for the land and its precious fruits.
A prestigious wine is obtained not only by using high quality grapes, but also by being in avant-garde wine-making locations. The recent upgrading of the company premises has also brought about a fundamental renovation of the winery, where modern technology is perfectly married with the classically inspired architecture and furnishings. Arched vaults, floors made from Istrian stone, soft lighting, the continual monitoring of the temperature and humidity constitute the optimal environment for storing our barrique and tonneau barrels.
The lands crossed by the Livenza River are some of the most fertile in the Treviso countryside, where vine cultivation has been celebrated since Roman times. The Corvezzo family vineyards lie between the towns of Cessalto and Motta di Livenza, locations with a millennia-old agricultural tradition which are protected today as part of the wine culture itinerary of the 'Strada dei Vini del Piave'. The white and red-berried vineyards stretch for about 160 hectares, their bouquets making the company's decades-old land all the more unique and unmistakable. If the vines tell the story of this land, our vineyards are without doubt the main characters.
"Now we must drink". The celebrated verse of the Latin poet Horace perfectly captures the guarded anticipation that follows long months of work, from the gathering of the grapes to the ageing of the wine.
Domaine de l'Attilon
Arles, France
In Arles, France, sits Domaine de l'Attilon, where generational winemaker Brice and his father run their winery, and also their home, situated in an over five hundred year old mansion, complete with the surrounding farmlands, houses, and stables. Where once would have housed horses, sheep and pigs now houses hundreds of gallons of wine waiting to be bottled. By far one the biggest production in Arles, this winery and their wines are nothing short of impressive. Their estate is reminiscent of a Renaissance-era Tuscan villa, and their vineyard spread out as far as the eye can see.This will come as no surprise, but their wines are phenomenal. Fresh, aromatic, well-balanced, fruity and smooth can be used to describe all lf their wines.
Domaine Bourdic
Languedoc, France
They decided to come to the Midi as musicians, and then rediscovered themselves as wine makers. In this wonderful region of France, helped by the soil and the warm Mediterranean climate, they aim to make wines that are wholly typical of the south, with a subtle character and an incomparable taste. Domaine Bourdic, surrounded by vineyards, is in the lower foothills of the Cévennes, and near the historic town of Pézenas in the Languedoc-Roussillon region.
The buildings, on the lower slopes of a small but steep hill, date from the 18th century. They restored them at the beginning of the 1990s, and reequipped the cellars completely. The house and cellars are at the centre of our 16 hectares of vineyards (about 40 acres).
The high quality of each of their wines, whether of a single grape variety or of an 'assemblage' of several, is rooted in recognising the needs of each variety: in its soil, orientation, pruning, and many other factors. The work and exacting care given to each variety across the seasons of the year is the best way to assure a grape harvest that is completely healthy and perfectly ripe: the basis of a fine nose and perfect balance of taste. The basis of their viticulture is a vineyard soil of elements that are in balance, composed of adequate organic matter, and well-structured as a result of microbiological activity. It is only in such an environment that one will find the sort of natural interaction to encourage life and growth, which will sustain the multiplicity of living organisms and plants, and where nature's equilibrium is best respected.
Domaine Josmeyer
Alsace, France
Situated as it is at Wintzenheim, near Colmar, their Domain has the benefit of an exceptional micro-climate and one of the lowest annual rainfall in the whole of France. The Domain extends to some 28 hectares (28% Riesling, 24% Pinot Blanc & Auxerrois, 21% Pinot Gris, 19% Gewurztraminer et 10% pour les Sylvaner, Muscat & Pinot Noir) and has always been cultivated with respect for nature.
Towards the end of the nineties, the vineyards were turned over to fully organic and bio-dynamic culture. In 2004 they received the AB (agriculture biologic) certification. This alternative route, more demanding and expensive than conventional viticulture, allows man to work in harmony with the sky, the earth and the vines. This close relationship between these four elements produces superb grapes which, in their turn, give birth to deep, balanced wines with a unique personality. This balance of sky to earth to plant to man is the result of careful and conscientious work in the vineyard based on these 4 essential elements.
Domaine du Pourra
Gigondas, Rhône Valley, France
Domaine du Pourra concentrates on creating two seriously delicious wines, each named after a surrounding town; Gigondas and Ségueret. They are both a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdres and Cinsault, but it is their terroir that makes them so different from each other and truly special. The vines are not grown in adjacent soil and each vineyard is about a ten minute drive apary. On one side of the vines is the town of Gigondas. One is grown high on the hills in mildly rocky but mostly earthy soil, where stray clay bits can be found that have broken off from ancient pipes and made their way down the hills during heavy but rare rain falls. Red berries and flowers can be spotted on the surrounding bushes and trees, and wild boar is not exactly a rare site, as they love to wash and play in a nearby stream. The other vines are grown in completely rock covered soil, on a flatter terrain, next to buried truffle mushrooms and violets. This wine truly picks up the flavour of its surroundings and carries the typical nez and flavours of the region: cassis, blackberries, anise, earthy truffle mushrooms, violets and pepper.
Both wines are a product of their environment alone, and the taste varies only slightly by their aging process. The grape juice is left to sit in cement vats and only very little of the juice is put in oak, only to be added later to round out the flavour if needed. As their winemaker explains, "You could work here for 15 days and learn everything about how to make our wines. There is no mystery, there is no magic, the flavour comes from the earth, from the terroir, from the vines themselves. All we do is bottle that flavour".
Domaine Leseurre
Finger Lakes, New York State, USA
Originally from Champagne, France, their family has hand crafted wine for six generations. In 2011, after 16 Vintages around the world, they fell in love with Keuka Lake in the beautiful Finger Lakes wine region of New York State. They unite their French heritage and new world wine experience to develop wines which pair well with fine cuisine as well as casual fare.
When people ask them what a good wine is, they love to say that it is the one you enjoy, so they hope that you will enjoy their wines with your friends and family.
The terrain of the Finger Lakes Region makes it a unique location for yielding superb wines. The lakeside hills, the gravelly loam soil, and the exceptional growing climate of warm days and cool evenings all add to the quality of the wines produced there. In addition, the low yield of the vineyards – an average of two tons per acre – contributes to a high concentration of flavor and quality. Interestingly, the Finger Lakes Region itself is referred to as "Riesling Country" because the German style climate and landscape is so well suited to producing top-notch Rieslings (77 percent of the state's Riesling wine is produced in the Finger Lakes).
Domaine du Nozay
Sancerre, Loire Valley, France
Le Sauvignon is king at Domaine du Nozay. Le Domaine du Nozay in Sancerre is a family winery, isolated in a haven of peace and tranquility, oriented towards an organic viticulture. The wine that comes from it resembles it. Operation conducted in Organic Farming.
Domaine Sarrat de
La Clape, Languedoc, France
The terroir of La Clape stands out above Narbonne and the Mediterranean Sea, in the heart of the Languedoc in the south of France. Thier vines flourish on this former island soils with harsh climate, bathed by the sea winds and the sun. Sarrat de Goundy is born from the common desire of a family close to this arid and rocky landscape, the eyes on the Big Blue. Olivier Calix, winemaker, shares this strong link to the terroir that inspires him authentic and personal wines.
Durante Le Spinee
Piave DOC, Veneto, Italy
The "Durante's Farm" lies in the north-west of the zone known as "Piave DOC", in the Province of Treviso. The area of the Piave DOC covers a vast plain that is confined to the south by the sea, to the north-west by the hills of Conegliano and Montello, its length crossed by the Piave river, whilst to the north-east it borders on the region of Friuli.
"Le Spinee" derives its name from a place originally (400-600 AD) inhabited by monks and later abandoned. In this plot of land started to grow wild prickly bushes and brambles, therefore the Italian for "spine", "Le Spinee".
Maintaining a healthy, biologically active soil is their main objective. In the vineyard, it means cultivating the soil and planting cover crops, instead of applying herbicides. It means using natural fertilizers, versus chemical fertilizers. As for not using pesticides, the organic alternative is to encourage natural predators of insect pests instead of using poisonous insecticides. No wonder than you can easily find sparrows and blackbird nests among wine rows or on the trees, and pheasants and hares among the bushes!
Frog Pond Farm Winery
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada
Their Philosophy: In Harmony With Nature. Oecology deals with the relation of living organisms to their environment and to each other. At Frogpond Farm they do not use insecticides, herbicides, synthetic fungicides or chemical fertilizers. All their wines are organically grown, and are certified by Pro-Cert Organic.
The light and the warmth of the sun manifest itself in the sweetness of the grapes allowing our wines to develop spirit, flavour and colour. All grapes are hand-picked and crafted into lively genuine wines using only gentle traditional winemaking techniques.
Rainwater caught in their pond provides a habitat for a great number of species that add to the biodiversity of their family farm. Harmony in nature provides a balanced environment for a healthy vineyard to flourish, the prerequisite for a great authentic wine.
Feudo Ruano
Sicily, Italy
The Feudo Arancio wines come from the splendid island of Sicily in the heart of the Mediterranean. A generous land bathed in intense light and with a climate of dry winds ideal for the production of rich wines, intense and full bodied with unique fragrances and aromas. These wines are reminiscent of the unique and authentic flavours of Sicily.
In homage to Sicilian tradition and with great respect towards the natural environment, the winery has been built following the traditional Sicilian rural building with courtyard known as the "baglio". Here tradition meets advanced technology resulting in both top quality and ancient flavours. The result of this mix of new technology in wine making together with old architectural traditions is enchanting. An expert team of agronomists and oenologists, people who work with passion, constantly follows the whole evolving process of their wines. They are dedicated to producing top quality wines, which are rich, intense, boasting a soft taste and sweet tannins, and are both harmonious and elegant.
Petralona Winery
Halkidiki, Greece
Petralona Winery is a small family owned business in Greece aiming at producing wines and distillates of quality, corresponding to that of traditional Greek wine making. They believe not only in the pleasure of creating and drinking wine, but also with the many health benefits associated with it. Their wines have received awards in international contents, and according to them, guarantee to satisfy even the most demanding palates.
Central Valley, Maipo, Chile
In 1998 a visionary approach led them to cultivate their vineyards organically since the day one, being the first vineyard in Chile that conceived the plantation as organic from the beginning. Also, this drive for innovation and engagement with nature led them to develop the first 100% organic wine from Chile, which is elaborated from organically grown grapes and no added sulphites. Their grapes are grown naturally, without the use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides, always seeking harmony between an optimal production and care of the environment and of theirr collaborators. Their vineyards are located in Los Guindos -Maipo Valley- in the heart of the best and most privileged wine region in Chile, well known for its warm summer days and cool nights, which allows for great variations in temperature, which favors the development of the best quality grapes. Currently, they cultivate 80 Hás. of red Grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Carménère, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
Tenuta Giustini
Puglia, Italy
Their company was founded in 2006. In the early days, everything was an exciting challenge: to transform the experience and love for the vineyards handed down to them through the generations into wine. They wanted to make the wine their own way, by creating honest, simple and elegant wines that express the very essence of their land. They started this adventure with few resources, lots of ideas, and plenty of hard work and enthusiasm.
In 2015 their hard work came to fruition when they finally opened their very own winery. They now distribute their wines in more than
20 countries around the world.
Torri Cantine
Abruzzo, Italy
The historical Torri cellar, born in 1966 in the beautiful and fertile Teramo hills, flagship of a territory and important chapter of the regional viticulture, writes today a story again, without forgetting the roots that have given rise to its history. Full respect of nature and the fruit that gives life to the wine, innovative ideas and in continuous ferment, the uncompromising excellence of its products are the basis of new labels, full expression of quality and of the peculiarities of their precious terroir.
The radiant hills planted with vines of Torri express an infinite variety of perfumes and all the colors of the Earth warmed by the heat of the Sun. The vineyards stretch for 60 acres in the towns of Colonnella, Controguerra and Torano, from 100 to 300 meters above sea level. The favorable climatic condition and the generous land, along with patient and painstaking work in the vineyard and in the cellar, have enabled them to produce wines of great value.
With these wonderful premises and proud of its strong roots, today Torri writes his new tale, based on full respect of nature and the fruit that gives life to the wine, on innovative ideas and in continuous ferment and uncompromising excellence of its products. These are the concepts underlying the new labels, full expression of quality and of the peculiarities of their precious terroir.
Sobon Estates
Sierra Foothills, California, USA
Shenandoah Vineyards in Plymouth, CA, was founded in 1977 by Shirley and Leon Sobon. They moved from Los Altos, California, where Leon was a Senior Scientist with the Lockheed Research Lab. Leon's gift for home winemaking led him to leave Lockheed and begin a new career as a Winemaker.
The selection of a winery site in the Shenandoah Valley of Amador County was well researched. Leon and Shirley and their six children moved to the old Steiner Ranch, outside Plymouth, CA, planted a vineyard, and converted the old stone garage to the Shenandoah Vineyards winery. Sobon Estate was formed with the purchase of the D'Agostini winery in 1989. Today, the winemaking and business aspects continue to be a family affair.
Shenandoah Vineyards (by Sobon)
Sierra Foothills, California, USA
Shenandoah Vineyards in Plymouth, CA, was founded in 1977 by Shirley and Leon Sobon. They moved from Los Altos, California, where Leon was a Senior Scientist with the Lockheed Research Lab. Leon's gift for home winemaking led him to leave Lockheed and begin a new career as a Winemaker.
The selection of a winery site in the Shenandoah Valley of Amador County was well researched. Leon and Shirley and their six children moved to the old Steiner Ranch, outside Plymouth, CA, planted a vineyard, and converted the old stone garage to the Shenandoah Vineyards winery. Sobon Estate was formed with the purchase of the D'Agostini winery in 1989. Today, the winemaking and business aspects continue to be a family affair.
Friuli, Italy
The Valpanera Winery decided to invest its resources to product and valorize the "Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso", an ancient vineyard autochthonous of the region "Friuli Venezia Giulia", which found in their lands the perfect climate and habit for its growth. The vineyards on the loamy and sandy soils of alluvial provenance, combined with the optimal pedoclimatic characteristics for the vines growth, orginates the very valuable Valpanera's "Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso". The best wines, selected in each harvest, goes to the ageing cellar in barrels and french durmast barriques.


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Sep 19, 2017
In 1647 the New Haven colonists, who even at that early day exhibited the enterprise that has been a distinguishing feature of the Yankee, sent a ship to Ireland to try to develop a commerce, their trading posts on the Delaware having been broken up by the Swedes. When their agent, Captain Lamberton, sailed—in January—the harbor was so beset with ice that a track had to be cut through the floes to open water, five miles distant. She had, moreover, to be dragged out stern foremost—an ill omen, the sailors thought—and as she swung before the wind a passing drift of fog concealed her, for a moment, from the gaze of those on shore, who, from this, foretold things of evil.


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Heart Gift Bags
Heart Gift Bags
These Heart Gift Bags are super quick to make! They are an ideal way to give that special someone a gift.
The finished size is: 8.5 inches wide x 8 inches high x 2.5 inches deep.
Use printed or plain fabric and colors of your choice to make these uniquely yours.
What you Will Need To make Your Own Heart Gift Bags
Cutaway stabilizer, Cotton Fabric, Embroidery Thread, Masking tape or temporary adhesive spray, Ribbon.
Let's Get Started
Stitch out the following:
2 x Design 1
2 x Design 2
2 x Design 3
2 x Design 4
Click Here to get the designs.
Use this method to stitch out all the pieces required for the bag. I have a large hoop, so I put as many piece in per hooping to save on fabric and stabilizer
Hoop 1 layer of cutaway stabilizer. Stitch the first color. Place a piece of cot- ton fabric over the stitched area. Stitch the next two colors.
Place a piece of fabric on the underside of the hoop and stitch the next color. Trim away excess fabric from both sides of the hoop and stitch the last color.
Assemble the bag
Use a 4.5mm zig-zag stitch on your sewing machine to put the bag together. Stitch Design 2 and 3 to De- sign 1 (Do the same with the remaining pieces—you should have two pieces that look like the photo) These make the front and back of the bag.
Now stitch Design 4 to the the sides of the front bag (one on either side). Now stitch the back of the bag to one side piece.
Now stitch the open side to the back piece of the bag.
Stitch the base seam of the bag closed.
To complete your bag, cut open the holes and thread ribbon through to make either handles or ties.
And Then You Are Done!
Click Here to download your own copy of this lesson in pdf format.
Would you like to give this lesson a try?
Click Here to see our Heart Gift Bags.


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IRES program
Open call
Open call
ACalNet, the Aachen-California Network of Academic Exchange, is one of eleven Thematic Networks supported by the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) in its initiative "Strategic Partnerships and Thematic Networks". The program is financed by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). ACalNet was established in 2013, with the network's first funding period running until the end of 2016. DAAD has recently granted ACalNet a two-year extension, which will allow the continuation of the network's activities until the end of 2018.
The network's main objective is the exchange of students and researchers between the partner universities as well as associated institutions in Aachen and California with the purpose of identifying and implementing joint research projects and collaborations. In the long term, a sustainable network interconnecting the partners in the two continents is envisioned.
RWTH Aachen University and three campuses of the University of California (Berkeley, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles) constitute the core of ACalNet, with associated research institutions (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Forschungszentrum Jülich) and industrial partners (CAT Catalytic Center and Schlumberger-Doll Research) complementing the network and offering research opportunities beyond a university setting.
At each partner institution, a growing number of academic members from the natural sciences and engineering integrate the network. The academic members, generally professors at the partner institutions, are involved in a variety of research areas around the core fields of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and catalysis.
ACalNet offers a variety of exchange opportunities, primarily financing research stays at academic members' laboratories at one of the partner institutions. However, exchange opportunities also include strategic meetings, visits to conferences and workshops.


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Chain of Hope
Charity information
Chain of Hope
Chain of Hope exists to provide children suffering from life-threatening treatment to which they do not otherwise have access , and aims to develop paediatric cardiac facilities in developing and war-torn countries.
Chain of Hope provides cardiac care in two ways:
By sending out medical teams to treat children in-country and by setting up training programmes for local surgeons and medical staff in-situ.
By bringing children to the UK for open and closed heart operations as an interim measure.
Registered Charity Number: 1081384
Phone number: 020 7351 1978View charity accounts on the Charity Commission website