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There are friends, and then there are boat friends. We're there in a pinch or in a disaster, no questions asked.
Ports & Projects: Your Guide for 2017 Caribbean Cruising Season
Happy cruising season! We know that the best way to re-energize the Caribbean we love is to get boaters back to the islands. We also know that finding information about current port statuses and ways to help is daunting. So we solved the problem ourselves!
Introducing: Ports and Projects.
Our mobile-friendly interactive map is packed with everything you'll need to find safe harbor and give back to local communities across all areas affected by Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
We've spent the last month checking in with locals across the islands to get latest island and port statuses, including:
- Port access status
- Mooring, docking and anchorages available
- Potable Water
- Electricity
- Fuel
- Groceries
- Bars and Restaurants
- Customs
- Opening day estimates
This information will be constantly updated throughout the season so that you can enjoy your travels without a hitch.
We've also curated a host of volunteer opportunities adjacent to harbors, so that you can hop right off your boat and lend a hand.
In Projects, you can find:
- Descriptions of local projects curated by ease of access to harbors
- Direct contact and donation information for vetted local organizations
- Timelines for rebuilding efforts
- How many people and what materials are still needed
We've got a ton of cool opportunities that we're adding to all the time, suited for any commitment or skill level.
Check out Ports and Projects and bookmark it here!
A big thanks to our friends at Janeiro Digital, a digital consultancy that designs and builds enterprise software, for donating their team's time to build our amazing interactive map. In addition to digitally transforming some of the largest organizations in the world, they also possess a strong culture of giving back. CEO Jonathan Bingham is an avid sailor who spends part of the winter sailing the Caribbean islands. He didn't hesitate to help launch Sailors Helping.
Learn more about their dynamic team of doers.
Now you have everything you need to get sailing and helping!
Rally to Rebuild - JANUARY 2018
We, and hundreds of other boaters, want to help the communities we hold so dear become vibrant once again. This winter, in conjunction with some amazing partners in the sailing community, Sailors Helping will be organizing the Rally to Rebuild.
Our goal is simple. We work with local boating communities on each island to identify the people and local businesses that don't have the support they need to rebuild their lives and livelihoods. We deliver the materials needed to get these individuals and independent businesses back on their feet.
Sailors Helping will coordinate volunteer opportunities for the cruising community to pick up a shovel, a hammer, or a trowel and help our island friends rebuild, one brick at a time.
As we plan this event, there's still plenty to do: Find a project to support as you cruise, coordinate with other helpers on our Facebook Group or ask your Caribbean winter rally coordinator what Sailors Helping projects are planned for your community -- we're working with most boating organizations to provide opportunities this season.
If you are interested in learning more about any of our efforts or joining the flotilla, please sign up for our mailing list for updates!
Sailors Helping is made up of a community of active sailors, quite literally, looking to help. Our team grew out of the affected Caribbean communities and is now global.
Support the Caribbean
We need financial support to effect big change. Please donate now to us directly or to one of our vetted charities.


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Coming soon is an interview with Juliette Wade, a science fiction author who draws on her background in linguistics to create unique stories. Her second published story, Cold Words will appear in Analog, hitting newsstands on July 28th. I highly recommend the story and I'm looking forward to reading more of her work.
If anyone has any questions for her, drop me an email and I'll try to work them in!
Friday, July 10, 2009
Upcoming interview: Juliette Wade
Posted by David Steffen at 6:26 AM
Labels: Juliette Wade
1 comment:
- L.T. Elliot said...
Ooh! I can't wait to read all about it!
- July 10, 2009 at 12:07 PM
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

subset: commoncrawl


text: And they go by the name of Synergy PT. They have some of the most highly qualified and sought after personal trainers around. Synergy PT are holding fitness camps in the greater Liverpool area... and I got to photograph some of their personal trainers. I'll be up, crack of dawn tomorrow morning to photograph their first free fitness camp in Aigburth. Stay tuned... these guys are on the UP!


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Kristy Dark has written three novels, eight screenplays, one short film, one non-fiction book, and dozens of short stories and poems. She has had numerous stories, articles, celebrity interviews, and book reviews published, and her work has won a number of national awards, including 3rd Place Genre Short Story and 8th Place Screenplay in the Writer's Digest annual competitions.
Kristy's fiction has been published in Writer's Digest's The Year's Best Writing, the EXTREMES 5 anthology, Moxie Magazine and other venues. A short film based on her story and screenplay The Last Story has been shot and is in post-production.
Between bouts of writing, Kristy earned a brown belt in karate, and a B.A. in English Literature and M.B.A. from UCLA.
Born in the Mayan city of
Member of:
International Thriller Writers (ITW)
Mystery Writers of America (MWA)
Horror Writers Association (HWA)


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Reader's choice shows the power of intention
Moses T. Alexander Greene is an arts advocate, playwright, author, educator, content producer, communications officer, minister, Black culture enthusiast and budding cultural anthropologist. He is a sixth generation Long Islander whose had roots in Tyrrell, Pitt and Beaufort counties for six generations.
Recommended read: "The Seat of the Soul" by Gary Zukav. I recommend it because if one ever grasps the role intention plays in his/her life, the way in which they approach life changes. As much as is possible, in every arena of my life (from fathering and ministry to arts advocacy, creativity and producing), I am conscious of my intention in that interaction. When we walk in the consciousness that we will be partakers of the very actions, thoughts, and feelings we have for others, the capacity to live life more reverently grows.
Currently reading: "Democracy in Black: How Race Still Enslaves the American Soul" by Eddie S. Glaude Jr.
Who or what taught you to love to read? Reading wasn't optional growing up in a house with my parents, who are both public school educators. My love for it came as I realized that a good story was often a world I could escape into – with characters I could be empowered by, laugh alongside, feel with, or see a trait in that I wanted manifested in myself.
What favorite book from childhood have you kept? "The Story about Ping" by Marjorie Flack and Kurt Wiese.
What is your favorite reading memory? My favorite personal memory is laughing with my mother at bedtime. There were these animals that didn't help this hen to till the ground, sow seeds, water the plant, sickle the wheat, or mix the dough; but the whole farm showed up when it was time to eat the bread. The voice my mother used when the hen told them "No" was sassy, yet confident! My favorite professional memory was seeing scholars in the "Identity, Voice & the Films of Spike Lee" course I created at Saint Augustine's University ... literally become passionate critical thinkers, versus pursuers of good grades.
What is your favorite book that nobody's heard of? "The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life" by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander.
Want to recommend a reader? Contact firstname.lastname@example.com to let us know. Get more Triangle Reader recommendations at nando.com/trianglereads/.
The Seat of the Soul
Gary Zukav
Simon & Schuster, 384 pages


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When the Mets signed José Reyes out of the Dominican Republic in 1999 as a 16-year-old, they paid him $15,000.
When the Mets announced yesterday that they had signed another 16-year-old Dominican, outfielder Jesús Martínez, they gave him about $1.4 million. The price of Dominican prospects has risen exponentially.
"I didn't expect something of this size," Martínez told The Associated Press in the Dominican Republic.
Martínez, a 6-foot, 185-pound left-handed hitter with celebrated arm strength, cannot play in the United States until he turns 18. The same goes for the 16-year-old Venezuelan pitcher Deolis Guerra, a 6-5, 200-pound right-hander the Mets also signed. Guerra is an imposing presence on the mound, but he is not as touted as Martínez.
"These are two of the best young international players," Mets General Manager Omar Minaya said in a statement. "Signing them goes in line with our original plan of being active in the international market." Among the scouts Minaya credited for landing Martínez and Guerra was Eddy Toledo, who signed Reyes.
Although Martínez's deal dwarfs Reyes's original salary, he is a bargain compared with a high first-round draft choice. Philip Humber, a pitcher who was the Mets' first-round pick last year, signed a $5 million contract that included a $3 million signing bonus.
Martínez is further proof of the Mets' commitment to developing talent in the Dominican Republic. They have a year-round baseball academy there as well as a Dominican summer-league team. Their ace pitcher, Pedro Martínez, is from the Dominican Republic, and Minaya was born there.
When the Mets signed Pedro Martínez in the off-season, Minaya predicted that the move would resonate with Dominican prospects who did not know yet where they wanted to play. One Martínez known for his throwing arm may have helped pave the way for another.


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Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and ChildrenThe Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) serves to safeguard the health of income eligible pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating, and referrals to health care at no cost. Participants must meet income guidelines and a State residency requirement and must be individually determined to be at "nutritional risk" by a health professional.
This is an equal opportunity program. If you believe you have been discriminated against because of race, color, national origin, age, sex or handicap, write immediately to the Secretary of Agriculture, Washington D.C. 20250.
Please click on the Contact Info link for scheduling, WIC vendor information, breastfeeding support, clinic locations or other information you may need.


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Michelle and I are going to New York!
Let me backtrack. Peripheral People has been named a finalist in the Speculative Fiction category at the Fourth Annual Bisexual Book Awards. We'll be attending the awards ceremony and reading in NYC on Friday, June 3rd, 2016. Want to join us, and hear some wonderful authors and artists do readings and celebrate diverse art?
Get tickets, directions, and event info here.
Don't worry if you can't make it- if we win, you'll be able to hear our squee from space.


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Reviewing this Year Before Planning for 2018
Before we start planning for 2018, it's important to review where we are now.
It's December of 2017. And everywhere we are turning, there are two main topics. One: The Holidays. Two: 2018.
I love the potential that a new year brings, feeling like you're starting fresh every year. However, while we are planning for 2018 and what we want the year to encompass, I also think it's important to take into consideration everything that happened this year, ask ourselves some questions, and build upon them as well. So today, I wanted to give you a few questions to go through to reflect upon for the year, to ask yourself before setting your goals for 2018.
One: What were some of your favorite memories within your business that happened in 2017, and what did you enjoy doing the most this year?
It's important to reflect on your favorite memories - what happened that you are still smiling about, what are things that made you happy and proud to be a business owner for your specific business? It doesn't matter if you did it only a handful times or every single day. When you look back at your day to day within your business, what did you enjoy the most?
Two: On the flipside, what were some of your not so favorite memories, and what did you enjoy the least?
Perhaps it was something that led to a customer being unsatisfied, or how the holidays came around and instead of having everything planned in time, you felt disappointed in things. Look at these as "blessons", or lessons that you learned that you can turn into blessings, because you learned from them and are thus able to build a better business from them.Perhaps it's organizing your finances (I believe quite a few of us fall into this category) or you didn't enjoy bringing packages to the post office. What did you do within your business that you dreaded, or avoided doing because you simply didn't like doing it?
Three: What is weighing the heaviest on your heart when it comes to your business?
Answer this question honestly. Are you spread too thin? Do you have too many things going on and not enough white space? Are you worried about financially where things are? Or, are you in a pretty good spot? If you chose to let something go and stop doing something in your business, what would it be?
Four: What brings you the most joy within your business?
The answer here may surprise you. Think on it, don't try to answer it quickly, but rather ponder it for a while. Is it hearing a thank you from a client when they purchased something from you, or perhaps tying orders with a beautiful silk bow before you ship them out? Is it connecting with people on a personal level, knowing that something you created is making a difference in their life, or something else that especially pertains to your niche?
Five: When it comes to your goals, how did it go?
Did you write them down and refer to them throughout the year? Or, did you simply say you wanted to do them, but find that you didn't make an accomplishment with them? What could you do differently next year?
In addition, how many of those goals did you meet? Did you create too many goals for yourself, or not enough?
Did you set the bar high enough, or do you think you could make them even stronger for the next year?
Six: What did your clients and customers say about your business this year?
Did you send out any client review requests, or did you send a survey out to your customers asking them their opinions? What can you improve upon, what would they like to see more of? It is vital to ask your clients what they would want. This not only fosters the relationship with them, it also may bring some things to light that you hadn't thought about, or opens things in a different light. It may be that something you thought they would love, they aren't so keen on. Or, something you didn't think much of was an amazing asset to your business. By surveying your audience and asking their opinions, they'll feel more connected with you. Take the time to do this with them to help your business to grow in the next year.
Seven: What brought in the most money for your business, and what did not?
It's important to review the money aspect because you have to price things in a way that makes your business profitable. You have to review every single aspect of your business, and the money part is a big one. Just because you can make something, doesn't mean you need to. If it's a top seller, what can you do to it to enhance it even more? If it didn't sell so well and you want to keep it as a product or service, what can you potentially change to help it to improve? Or, do you just need to let it go?
Eight: Did you do any collaborations?
If you did, which collaborations did you love and would you want to do more of? If you didn't do any, why didn't you? Additionally, is there another business you would like to do a collaboration with next year? In our industry, it is very easy to learn about new people both through others and online. Could you potentially add to those relationships and create something that will benefit the two of you, while strengthening relationships with people in your niche as well?
Nine: What could you outsource next year?
It is important to outsource things so that you can spend your time doing things you love the most. This doesn't necessarily have to be business related - it could be hiring someone to come and clean your home so that you don't have to spend your weekends cleaning. Before you become overwhelmed, begin actively looking for someone you can bring on to help you to run your business. Even if it's on a small scale - hiring a social media manager or a virtual assistant can be a tremendous blessing, and building a team can help both you and your business to grow well.
Ten: What is the purpose of your business now, in comparison to January?
Sometimes, our businesses and our path will change. This is a very normal thing - as our businesses grow and we spend more time on them, we learn that perhaps something we thought was the right direction may not be. Alternatively, something that we may have done on a smaller scale is becoming full focus. This sometimes requires a pivot within our business. Moving forward, if this is the case for you, it's important to make sure that everything you have available within your business aligns with this purpose to maintain clear messaging for your brand moving forward.
Do you feel that what you're offering and creating now is fulfilling the purpose of your business? Or, do you need to make some changes? Look at your offerings with a fine-tooth comb. It may be time to let some things go or create something new to align with your business' purpose.
Eleven: What is happening outside of your business right now?
Is your business supporting your life, or is your life supporting your business? If your business has taken over your life, take the steps to take your life back. This may seem silly to say but seriously - think about your relationships, your home, your family. How often has work spilled into your personal time, and how often have you not set boundaries for yourself? How many times have you said "I have to do just one more thing." and that one more thing has taken hours, not minutes? It is so important that we take care of ourselves and those around us outside of our business. This means giving yourself grace and the space needed to love on your life outside of your business too.
This also includes relationships with fellow creatives. How often have you met with or spoken to people other than through typing back and forth on a screen? Could you improve those relationships next year, and build upon face to face meetings as well? If you want to get to know someone that's across the country, can you schedule a virtual coffee date with each other, where you can see each other's faces, and build a relationship that way?
Twelve: How are you really doing right now?
This one is really important. How well did you take care of yourself this year, and how much sleep did you get each night? I ask this question because this time of year, a lot of us are tired, run down, and exhausted. Self care has flown out the window because this is the time of year, especially in December, we are taking care of a lot of other people and a lot of added things. I have this one last intentionally - because even though you are taking care of business on a daily basis, you have got to take care of yourself too. As the old saying goes, an empty well can not pour into others. If this is something you struggled with this year, how can you change for next year?
What can you do differently so that you are filling your own cup on a continual basis, rather than not taking care of yourself so that you get to the point of being burnt out and simply tired?
With these questions in mind, think about how you want to build your next year within your business. What can you add to your business to make it better, or what can you scale back on that you know is taking a lot of time and energy? Looking ahead to next year, summarize below what you want your business and your life outside of your business to encompass more of. After you have done this, keep those thoughts in mind as you begin planning for the next year, and refer back to them often.I know that similar to our post last week when we talked about reflecting about Black Friday - Cyber Monday sales, and this is a lot to take in in one setting, for one blog post in particular. So, we've created a free download for you, that is available within our Community for all of our Basic Members. If you would like to have a printable version of this, simply create an account at the Basic Level and access it here (enrollment is open for our Community until 10pm CST on Friday, 12/8!). Or, join us at the Advanced Level for even more of a community building experience for the year. We'll be going over these answers in more detail in the Community in the weeks ahead, as we close out 2017 and begin planning for 2018 fresh.
We've included spacious amounts of room for each question so that you can write things down, and left it unlined so that you don't have to feel confined to writing things neatly. We would highly encourage you to print this out, take some quiet time to fill it out and then use it to guide you as you make your plans for 2018.We hope this post today was helpful for you. We'd love to hear from you, so leave a comment below letting us know what something you found interesting that you discovered along the way!


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Five Perfect Cities for Stag Weekends
In previous years, prospective grooms enjoyed a raucous and enjoyable stag night with a group of friends, in a bid to say farewell to single life. These occasions were always great fun, but it seems nowadays one evening simply isn't enough, and that a weekend or even a whole week is now necessary.
Some destinations are reluctant to entertain too many large groups of young men, but there are other towns and cities which welcome them with open arms. If you've been given the job of organising a trip in the coming year, here are five potential places that may be at the top of your list of potentials.
Las Vegas
To many people Las Vegas is the most exciting city on the whole planet, and of course it has a deserved reputation for being something of a party capital. As well as the major casinos that are waiting to welcome you, there are also plenty of live music venues, restaurants to cater for all tastes and a number ultra-cool bars and clubs. They say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, so this could be the perfect choice.
In recent times, Edinburgh has become a popular choice for both stag and hen groups, and one look at the city tells you why this is the case. The nightlife is exceptional, with plenty of options for an evening of fun and frolics. And during the day there are a number of enjoyable activities on offer in and around the city, so there is no chance of any members of the party becoming bored during the stay.
The Algarve is the most popular holiday region in Portugal, and in the summer months the town of Vilamoura is teeming with visitors. There are several exciting bars and clubs in the area, especially centred around the famous marina, so a good time is always waiting to be had. One of the reasons for Vilamoura being so attractive to stag groups is that a number of exceptionally good golf courses are in the area, providing instant daytime enjoyment to all.
The capital of the Czech Republic is a wonderful mix of traditional and contemporary, and it has earned a name in recent times as a city of wild fun. There are bars and clubs that offer the warmest of welcomes and provide the ultimate opportunity to really let your hair down, and the selection of daytime activities cover everything from white water rafting to paintballing, so there's always something to do.
Most people in Europe are already aware that if you want to party, there is nowhere quite like Dublin. This beautiful city has a pleasingly laid-back atmosphere that has to be sampled to be believed, and with a huge choice of pubs and clubs you might not find it easy to decide where you want to go in the evenings. If you're looking for a destination that offers something for every member of the party, the diversity of the Irish capital is surely the place for you.
About the author: David Showell lives in the UK and works for http://www.carrentals.co.uk.


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Warm greetings and holiday cheer seemingly wrap everything in place.
Grey skies and cold nights, here are December's final days.
Sweet treats and carefree laughter from the many lucky souls,
who, on this festive season, have finally found their ways back home.
Here we are, finally; in the time warp that separates New Year's Eve and Christmas Day. The very last week of 2017, where all that's left to do is hold onto whatever fond memory the year has given us, and to whatever hope we can find for the year that's about to come.
It's also in this week that the topic of "New Year's Resolutions" would frequently come up. Sometimes big, specific goals are planned (like buying a new home), other times, people aim for milestones (like getting married or graduating college.) This time, however, when it comes to resolutions, I – a person who'd normally enjoy meticulously planning every detail of my life before it actually takes place – surprisingly have none.
When we make resolutions, we envision a better version of ourselves. For some, better is healthier. For others, better is wealthier. Then, throughout the year, we push ourselves to continually try and close the gap between where we are and where we want to be. But unlike the brave people who decide that 2018 will be a year they lose weight, get a promotion, travel far, or find true love, in facing the new year, I find myself with an attitude that is whispered in three small words, "Come what may."
"What is meant for you will reach you, even if it's placed beneath two mountains.
What isn't meant for you will not reach you, even if it's placed between your two lips."
When I found this quote several days ago, I didn't know it was something I desperately needed to hear. After a lifetime of placing high expectations on myself, my soul, it seems, has learned to finally yield.
Being the type of person that I am, it is surprising for me to be able to leave a year and enter the next in a state of total surrender. Okay, seriously, what do you want?, I'd keep asking myself. At the end of the day, my answer stays the same: I want nothing that God doesn't want me to have, and everything within what He's given me the capacity to receive.
There are about three days left of this turbulent year, and about twenty-five before I start a new life abroad. For both cases, though, I'm simply trying my best to make a graceful exit. During these moments of in-between, I'm left to do what I can and hope that it's enough; to be mindful of the paths God is calling me to take, to carry myself with strength whenever it's needed, and to leave the year with as much peace in my heart as I can.
Today, with only a few sleeps away before the conffetti-and-fireworks rage that comes after the countdown, signaling "the start of a new chapter" for many of us, I tell myself to pause and reflect. I tell myself that there are decisions we could never undo, the same way that there are moments we couldn't step back into. But we are also not a product of our mishaps, the same way we are not defined by our shortcomings. Through it all, I stand firm with my belief that everything happens for a reason. And unlike human emotion, reason sometimes takes a little longer to unravel.
Perhaps that's what I'm coming to realize; that not having a carefully-designed Pinterest board made of dreams for 2018, is not the same as giving up. It's also not to be mistaken with me being too pessimistic. I have no resolutions simply because I am certain about absolutely nothing. I have no resolutions because I don't know what lies ahead, and I'm not in the mood to pretend like I do.
So instead of dreaming about a better life, distant in the future, I'm only committing to endurance. If 2017 has taught me anything, it's that with just enough time, a lot of things can fall apart, but a lot of things can also be rebuilt. But at whatever point I find myself, be it in the deep waters, or high on a mountaintop, it is endurance that'll make sure I keep going.
So I say, come what may, in my both nostalgic and hopeful misery.
So I say, come what may, for this is an ode to a future's mystery.
So I say, come what may, for a heart takes more time than a broken bone.
So I say, come what may, for I am never certain, never perfect,
but also never, ever alone.
After writing this, I understand that this might not make sense to a lot of you, but despite it being a little personal and sentimental, I hope this short piece has helped inspire you in any way. Please bear with me if it's a little dry; I haven't written a piece in so many days.
What you might not know, though, is that to this, I ended up writing another piece; an epilogue or poem, of sorts. It's titled "A Town of Memories" and you can read it here.
Also, I've been diving into the act of writing letters. I don't know if it's just a phase, or if it's because Christmas just leaves you with a lot of emotions. Either way, writing long, unsent letters have been pretty therapeutic, and I'd suggest any person who likes to write to do the same.
And where have I been?
Elsewhere, really.
I hope I see you soon.


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Motorists admit they're cutting back on travelling
Three in four motorists are travelling less than a year ago to save money.
The economy measure was disclosed in a survey of more than 9,000 people conducted by the RAC.
Based on responses received in late November last year, the survey came at a time when petrol had slipped from its 2012 peak but reflected overall motoring costs that were still high.
Earlier in 2012, an RAC survey of more than 1,000 motorists had shown that for many households the car was an absolute necessity.
As many as 53 per cent of people said they could only transport their children to school by car, while 57 per cent admitted they could not do a weekly food shop and other essential activities without their vehicle.
More than half (54 per cent) said that without their car they would be unable to get to work, while 63 per cent would be unable to visit family members without their vehicle.
RAC technical director David Bizley said: "We know there was an approximate 12 per cent fall in fuel sales between the first half of 2012 and the same period in 2008 and that the number of driving licence holders is still going up, yet the number of miles driven has fallen since 2008.
"It seems that many people across the UK are struggling to keep up financially and are being held to ransom by the rising cost of fuel.
"Unfortunately, our research shows that for many - particularly those living in rural communities where the local transport network is unable to support the structure of modern life - there is no alternative to using their cars for essential tasks such as food shopping and taking the kids to school."


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GitPrime elevates engineering leadership with objective data. In this interview series, Engineering Leaders talk about how to build high performing teams.
Your primary target as a leader is to advance your organization's goals. Obviously. But you're also working with a team of human beings who have their own needs within the company and outside of it.
Your engineers have lives, too.
So how do you approach meeting your company's goals while also caring about the needs of the individuals you lead?
Kevin Stewart, the VP of Engineering at Heptio, has made it his business to build a large and productive engineering organization from scratch.
In his experience, from leading teams at NodeSource and Adobe, you can start answering that pressing question by flipping it: You can meet your goals by caring more about the people you lead.
In other words, caring for the people you work with can actually rally them around your organization's purpose. But it's not as simple as showing up one day with your caring hat on. Stewart has a process for building an environment where caring can actually become a manager's primary focus.
We turned to Stewart to get a clearer sense of how to pull this off.
Prep yourself as a leader
The first step to rallying your team is to rally yourself. That is to say, make the effort to really understand the organization you're a part of, whether you're a seasoned veteran, or it's your first day on the job at a brand-new startup.
"If you don't understand the end-to-end process of building a product, then you're going to have a terrible time trying to manage the process," Stewart says.
That is something we try to teach developers. Learn the entire process—from inception all the way to delivery."
Understanding the organization you're working with sounds like a no-brainer. But how often do people – how often do you – gloss over understanding something because it's technically someone else's job?
"Someone on your team has to be responsible for the overall outcome," Stewart suggests. "For example, you've got to work with the services team in order to put together a one-pager on the product functionality. You have to work with the QA team to make sure that you have test bandwidth. You have to work with marketing. You have to know about the entire process."
And that somebody might as well be you.
"That is something we try to teach developers, too," Stewart says. "There's more to this than you contributing to the codebase. Being a developer is a lot more than just writing code. Learn the entire process—from inception all the way to delivery." It's not just a way for engineers to see the bigger picture and understand their part in it, but it also gives them a clearer picture around what kind of challenges they want to take on, whether they want to transition to management, and so on.
Rally the team
You can use that advantage of understanding the end-to-end process—and encouraging your engineers to do the same—to rally your team both as engineers and as people. Because if engineers are involved in your organization's entire process, they'll take greater ownership in its goals.
"Most importantly, engineers want to be heard," Stewart says. So if you want to boost your team's engagement, the most valuable things you can do are invite their input by making time and space for it, and then actually listening to it.
Heptio, for example, embraces what they call 'radical transparency,' so the engineers have plenty of opportunities to share their ideas or concerns. Whether or not your organization goes that far, weekly stand-ups, retrospectives, one-on-ones, etc. are all great opportunities to receive input from your team, and show them how and why their input is valuable.
It always comes down to communication," Stewart says. "Most importantly, engineers want to be heard."
But in any case, encourage that culture of open communication if you really want your engineers to rally around your business goals.
"We value diversity in thinking," Stewart says. "Engineers come from different walks of life, bringing vastly different experiences, so they may see things that we don't see, or otherwise have ideas that we want to factor in."
Anything you can do as a leader to facilitate an environment that capitalizes on these opportunities will set you up for more innovative and effective collaboration.
"It always comes down to communication," Stewart says. And that goes both ways – ensure that you're holding dialogues, and not just monologues. In addition to listening to your team, explain what your business goals are, what's on target for you, and what's more incidental to the greater mission. Because aligning your team with your organization's goals is paramount to your success.
Pushback and disagreement
Now, there will be instances when engineers feel really passionately about pursuing an idea that you're not going to do, or are opposed to a decision that you've already made.
This is a critical aspect of rallying the team: it doesn't mean you will always go along with them. How you handle those moments of disagreement goes a long way toward maintaining the culture you're creating.
The best you can do, Stewart suggests, is to thoroughly explain your decision and go with the "Disagree and commit" resolution.
"When that idea was first brought to me, I hated it," he admits. "I was like, 'Disagree and commit? No, I disagree, period.' And then I learned the whole point of 'disagree and commit' and why it's important."
At the end of the day, a decision has to be made, and it's the manager's job to move the process forward—whether or not everyone agrees. It's not about bullheadedly following your decision. Rather, your team can pursue that direction wholeheartedly and change direction as needed.
That means if your team disagrees with an idea, you can encourage them to push especially hard to make it work well. Then you'll all discover whether or not it was a genuinely bad idea, without interference from poor implementation.
A helpful approach here is one of experimentation. Stewart suggests testing all of your decisions as you would hypotheses. If you document and review your assumptions, you'll always learn from your decisions.
"Every time I start a new project, I can see what I didn't do well the previous time that I want to try and tackle the next time around," he says. "It's better for us to make a decision, move in a direction, and get data that either supports the decision or contradicts it. If it contradicts, then there are no sacred cows. We change direction, and as long as you back up that course correction, and are consistent, engineers can respect that."
The team that doesn't need you
By creating a culture that empowers your team, you're building an adept team that can function creatively and independently. You're ultimately building a team that doesn't need you. And that's the right idea.
"You hired a bunch of incredibly smart people," Stewart says. "You don't want to get into a mode where you're just telling them what to do."
But that doesn't mean that your rallied team will put you out of a job. Instead, you can finally focus on your real job as an engineering manager: caring about the needs of the people you lead.
Know what exactly is going on with every single person. That's what makes us able to adapt at a drop of a dime to deliver the stuff you need to deliver."
"I want managers paying attention to the signals from the team," Stewart says. "You need to know when somebody's having a good day or a bad day. Notice when their productivity is dropping off. Have conversations with them."
Of course, your purpose within the company is to meet the business's goals. The way to that outcome, though, is by being there for your team members as human beings who happen to be engineers.
"You should be able to tell me almost everything about an individual on your team because you're spending that much time understanding them as a person," Stewart says. "I've told my managers that that's what they pay me for: to know what exactly is going on (within reason) with every single person. That's what makes us able to adapt at a drop of a dime to deliver the stuff you need to deliver."
Once the team is rolling along and the team members are on board with the mission, management is all about this human side of the equation. And effective managers, as Stewart describes them, still keep everything running at this point – but from behind the curtain.
"I don't need the applause," he says. "I take pride in my team shipping. If they're the front people, going on stage with confidence, writing the blog post, doing the video, I want that. Being a developer these days is a lot more than just writing the code. So the more I can fade into the background, the better off they are."


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sounded pretty convincing yesterday when he explained how he had "unintentionally" used a banned steroid. He was even more convincing last March when he told a congressional committee he had "never used steroids - period."
But Palmeiro's ability to look and sound believable no longer matters.
All that matters is a single, cold, hard, unalterable fact - he failed a steroid test and was suspended yesterday.
He juiced. And got caught.
That can't be spun, interpreted, denied, avoided or ignored. That's just fact.
To paraphrase Palmeiro's own words: He used steroids - period.
And boy, is he going to be sorry.
If he thinks he can hit his way past the ignominy this will bring him, he's in for a surprise.
This now becomes the second sentence of his career story.
The first sentence is that he spent nearly 20 years compiling offensive numbers that should make him a first-ballot Hall of Fame inductee.
The second sentence is that he was caught using steroids, inevitably casting doubts about how much of his success was legitimate and how much was chemically enhanced.
The Hall of Fame? This could easily knock him out. It's that damaging. Now voters will remember him for being the game's most accomplished certifiable juicer (at least so far) as well as for having that sweet left-handed swing.
Harsh stuff? Sorry, facts are facts. He failed a test.
The best-case scenario for him is that the episode will eventually be viewed like
's 2003 corked-bat brouhaha - a damaging eye-opener deemed not important enough to undermine his historic accomplishments.
But Palmeiro isn't about to get off that easy.
With the sweeping nature of baseball's steroid crisis becoming clearer every day, a flunked test is becoming one of the darkest, most immutable stains on a player's record, one that raises questions about his very essence and credibility.
Was he a one-time or chronic user? Now you have to wonder.
If he was careless enough to get caught now, in this atmosphere of increased testing and scrutiny, what does that say about his likely habits when there was no testing? Now you have to wonder.
And what about the legitimacy of his numbers? How can you not wonder?
You just get one strike in this game of trust, not three, before your integrity is challenged.
From his comments to reporters yesterday, it's clear Palmeiro is going to insist it was all a mistake; he said he doesn't even know how the steroids got into his system.
"You have to be careful with what you're taking," he said. "You have to make sure that you, you know, see a doctor, you know, you make sure you get your, whatever it is you're taking, your supplement, that you're taking it from a reputable source."
He even said he hoped kids would learn from this and pay closer attention to what they put in their bodies.
"It happened to me and it could happen to anyone," he said.
Here are three problems with that version of events:
Most kids and clear-eyed fans are only going to remember that Palmeiro told Congress he wasn't a user and then flunked a test - period.
Baseball's list of banned substances (one of which got Palmeiro caught) is composed mostly of sophisticated performance-enhancing chemicals, not vague substances that get thrown into supplements you can buy at the mall.
And finally, in today's sports world, soaked equally in chemicals and money, the vast majority of athletes - especially veterans such as Palmeiro - tend to know everything about what they're putting in their bodies.
There is just too much at stake not to know - contracts, reputations, endorsements, health.
"We tell our players that anything they put into their bodies, we should know about," Orioles executive vice president Jim Beattie said yesterday.
Palmeiro wants you to believe he flouted that order and blew it, simple as that. Some people will believe him. Who doesn't want to? Palmeiro has been a terrific player and a class act, and his defense offered yesterday was plausible in many respects. Why would he have used steroids when he was near the end of his career, closing in on 3,000 hits and had pledged his innocence under oath before Congress?
"There was nothing for me to gain and everything to lose," he said. "I would not put my career on the line. I would not put my reputation on the line."
But facts are facts. He had steroids in his system. And the paradigm changes, unavoidably, when a test comes back positive.
Try as a player might, there's really no spinning it, no justifying it, no explaining it. The story is written in ink, permanent, irreversible:
Latest Baltimore Orioles
You're caught juicing. And you can never go back.


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As part of the proposal writing and editing process, you can expect us to complete the following activities as appropriate to your organization's needs:
- Write proposal for funding based on results of potential funder research or on RFP/funder identified by the organization.
- Gather detailed information about your organization's programs and activities.
- Work from existing program plans to develop grant proposals.
- Conduct research as needed in order to strengthen your grant proposal.
- Provide support and consultation for any special requirements of the funder.
- Submit letters of inquiry and coach organization on contacting funders to gather further information.
- Write and tailor grant proposal(s) to each grant maker's specific requirements.
- Provide editing suggestions and proposal critiques to assist your staff in strengthening proposals and increasing chances for success.


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All prior orders have shipped so now it's on to the new year and the new stock!
More and more has been coming everyday, so I will put it up probably Monday or Tuesday. Either way, if I decide to do it earlier, etc, I will send out a newsletter to everyone subscribed to the list. If you haven't subscribed you can do so on the website. I'll also make a post here of course.
So I hope all of you have a kick ass new year! Stay safe! I'll see ya in 2017 😉


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Contact Us
Phone: 1-800-925-4232 - Customer Support and Skin Care Consulations by phone are available Monday through Friday - 9am to 5pm Pacific Time. If you are calling after business hours please leave a detailed message with your name and phone number and we will call you back as soon as possible.
Fax: 818-718-2338
Email: You Can also reach us by email using the contact form below. Just fill in your information and your questions and we'll respond to you within 24 hours or sooner.
Ordering Online at Adoviaspa.com
To order onliene simply click here to shop the mineral skin care products the navigation links on the left, go through the products you want and click "add to cart". Every time you add something to you 'shopping cart' you can either complete the order or continue shopping. Once you have added all the products you want simply click "checkout" and fill in you shipping and billing information. Your order will be securely processed and shipped within 24 hours.
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Credit Card: We accept all major credit cards. All online orders are Guaranteed to be 100% Secure. You can also order with a credit card by phone at: 1-800-925-4232
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Your online privacy and safety is guaranteed at Adoviaspa.com. We use 100% Secure SSL technology which means that your information is safe and secure. If you prefer to order by phone you can do so at 1-800-925-4232
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Material from Sherborne School's 1905 Sherborne Pageant archive is featured on 'The Redress of the Past: Historical Pageants in Britain' website.
The project, which is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, is examining historical pageants in twentieth-century Britain. Dr Tom Hulme of King's College London has researched 60 pageants and describes the Sherborne Pageant archive held at Sherborne School as "some of the best and most beautiful materials" he has seen.
Details of the contents of the Sherborne Pageant archive are available.
The 1905 Sherborne Pageant Album can be viewed on Flickr.
Posted 6 October 2014 by Sherborne School Archives.
Visit Sherborne School Archive News for more stories from the archives.


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Women in Zimbabwe are taking huge leaps towards their economic empowerment even when this involves taking high risks where their lives are seriously exposed every minute.
Working in these dangerous conditions is 16 year old Manyara a Form Three student whose determination towards her education has pushed her into gold panning for her school fees, no matter how risky the situation is.
Her school fees costs US$45 per term and she has to work extra hard to cover the arrears incurred from last term.
Working along with her mother they spend long hours in this water body to realise very little traces of the yellow metal which barely can be sold for $2.
This means they have to do much more before schools open. If not, Manyara's dream of becoming an engineer someday will be shattered.
Her story is a reflection of the hundreds of women and young girls who are now benchmarking their livelihoods panning for gold along Mazowe River.
The industry is lucrative but the working conditions are not conducive.
Every minute of their lives is at risk as the river is home to hippopotamus and crocodiles.


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Having metal furniture, It Furniture Store in Kempton park instead of other materials such as wood and plastic, offers a lot of great benefits that are unique to metal material. Its use has become known and preferred by most people, Furniture Stores Near Here as it is made to be durable so that it can last for longer years as compared to the other materials. Other than its durability, it suits nearly every environment where it is placed. It makes it look elegant and attractive and it can make a good impression on the people around, especially when placed outside. It serves as a great attraction because, aside from durability, it comes with various styles that are unique.
When it comes to metal furniture, there are many types available that people can choose from depending on their purpose and their budget. If they want something that is for outdoor use, then they can choose aluminum. It is lightweight so that people can bring it easily from place to place. There is less hassle such that it can be brought out even without the help of other people. Kids can even carry it on their own as it s very light in weight. It is perfect for camping and picnics or other outside activities. People will be able to have a place where they can spend their time, while watching the beautiful scenery outside. Also, it is easy to bring it in the car as there are styles which are designed to fold up; it is space saving and it does not take much effort to bring.
Eucalyptus Patio Furniture - 5 Tips for Maintenance and Care
Along with durability, metal furniture is also known to provide elegance in the whole area, as it comes in different styles and designs that are unique. It can be a great attraction that everybody will love. Not only that, it is strong and it can last for longer years. Though, Childrens Bedroom Furniture proper care is still needed as it can be rusted, depending on the type of material used. If it is taken great care of, it will be sure to last and bring enjoyment for many long years.
It Furniture Store in Kempton park ?
It is difficult to beat genuine Italian leather, and the Leather Italia range is exquisitely beautiful to look at, and soft and warm to snuggle into. Here we are reviewing the Dupin Pecan, Yuma and Dalton ranges of leather furniture.
Leather Italia Duplin Pecan Collection
The Duplin Pecan range is in a beautiful soft pecan brown leather, designed in a traditional style with Bombay scrolled arms outlined with hand-crafted dome-head nails. The plush back cushions have been hand-stitched for strength, and the whole appearance of each piece is one of elegant but sumptuous comfort.
However, it is one thing to look comfortable, but how does it really feel? In fact the chair, three-seater sofa and loveseat are all exceptionally comfortable, thanks largely to the soft genuine leather that covers each entire piece, and also to the padding and memory foam used within the cushions. Many leather chairs feel cold and slightly hard due to the inherent stiffness of the leather used, but not the Leather Italia Duplin Pecan collection.
The double pillow seats are very comfortable to sit in, and set at just the right angle for maximum comfort. With some sofas you feel as though you are lying too far back for comfort, but these are just right. Nor do you fold too much into the cushions - either on the seat or the back. It is easy to stand up from the Pecan collection without have to push off from the arms.
In addition to the chair and sofa, the leather Italia Dalton collection also includes a loveseat, a recliner and an ottoman to rest your legs after a hard day. Apart from the ottoman, each is 38" high and the same deep. The loveseat is 67" wide and the sofa 90". The chair and recliner are 44" wide, the latter also being 39" high and deep.
These three Leather Italia collections of home furniture are solidly built and covered with beautiful Italian leather in different shades of brown. They are fairly heavy, which in furniture is an indication of solid hardwood construction. No faults in construction or in comfort could be found and the leather appeared to be of a high quality and was evenly colored.
The back and seat cushions were very comfortable, which likely reflects the quality of the high density foam core, the padding and the memory foam used in their construction. For many people, it is the cushions that make the sofa, and you cannot fault Leather Italia furniture in this respect. All in all an excellent buy at the price.
Wood Furniture - What Type Of Wood Is Best?
There is a large selection of oaks, pines and hardwoods to construct furniture out of, and with the addition of hybrids and other genetically engineered lumber, it is getting harder to determine what type of wood your furniture is made out of. This article will give you clues on how to determine what type of furniture you prefer and what wood is best for certain types of furniture units.
The classic-designed Greene & Greene furniture is usually constructed from solid mahogany. This type of wood usually has a straight grain and bears a reddish-brown color that darkens over time. Mahogany is very durable and is many times used in the construction of boats; it is also among the most expensive types of wood. There is one type of mahogany that is of inferior quality known as Philippine mahogany; this wood is inexpensive, soft, and not very durable. The only acceptable form of this wood would be when it is used as a top, decorative layer on plywood.
White Oak
Authentic Mission style furniture is constructed from solid quarter sawn White Oak. White Oak is known as being "barrel tight" because of the fiber that grows within the tree that makes it strong enough to prevent leaking (for example) through a barrel. Other reliable solid oak includes Siberian oak and American Red Oak. The unique specks that make quarter sawn oak so valuable are actually protein that run perpendicular to growth rings on a lumber log. This protein makes the wood stronger as well as gives it a distinctive aesthetic. The most productive craftsmen, the Amish, hand pick the lumber to go into a unit and the parts that are left over are many times used for drawer sides.
Plywood is often used in modern furniture as well. It is a panel made up of multiple layers sometimes including particle wood and solid wood. The layers are not very thick, only about a few millimeters and they are layered in different directions to make it stronger. Plywood is also very good as sides on a drawer because of its sturdiness and is usually pretty inexpensive.
Lastly, although usually frowned upon, veneer is not as bad as it is made out to be. It is great for pieces that won't get much use and can be very good-looking. Many times what causes veneer to be of poor quality is the construction of it. It is recommended to purchase furniture that does not require assembly. If you notice that the furniture is constructed of veneer and only features that decorative layer of veneer on one side, be prepared to not have that piece for very long. When moisture is absorbed by wood unevenly on one side only, it will swell and the board will warp. Even solid wood needs to be finished on both sides to prevent warping.


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In Arab World sulamani (Black tea) and kava (gava) (spice tea) very popular drink like normal tea or coffee in India. I always this tea with saffron which is medicine for cough and cold.
Nowadays my son is preparing for us every night.
My Second Son Haneefuddin
I Always Prepare Saffron Sulaimani Tea ( Black Tea ),For My Dad And Mom at night , It Helps to digest Food Faster :P . 1st I Fill ¾ of a glass with water, then I Dip in a Lipton Tea Bag , then I kept it in the oven for about 30 seconds. Then I Removed the tea Bag and Added some sugar to it :D , (I Use a Glass that can hold around 200mL so I used 2½ Tea Spoon , After that I add 4 small strips of Saffron to the tea , Then Finally heat the tea again for 30 seconds , This Tea is also Like a cough syrup. J
Your Saffron Tea is Ready ^_^ .
It's very good for pregnant Ladies also.
It is a fantastic drink after taking grill or barbeque item.
Shree kanneppady's beverage and dessert below 45 minutes
Linking to Juile's Flavor's of Cuising - Middle Eastern hosted by My Cooking Journey sandhya


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AT PRIMIZIE, we pride ourselves on our fantastic selection of ingredients for chefs. From spices to sauces, Primizie has a large selection of everything you need to compliment your recipes.
PLEASE NOTE that we have far more delicious products and delectable ingredients available than we can show here. Please contact us for assistance. We are eager to provide complete product lists in our various lines of gourmet, high-quality merchandise.


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Archive for the 'e juice' Category
Tips for the vaping for the beginners in this field
On 1996 the e cigarettes should be introduced. Now it will have the wide varieties according to the cost wise also. There could be of few draw backs in the vaping cost of the e juice. Suppose the person will use the sub ohm set up means then they could but through 10 ml in a day. The cost of these should be added. For the branded one it will take more cost. Suppose if you are the person of the choices limited one means hen you will be able to leave the shop with the empty handed only. So now we see about the preparation of these with the low cost and the high quality.
Procedure for the preparation:
To prepare form their own it there are four main elements will be used. They are PG, VG, nicotine and the flavoring one. Here the most important one you know that here is you will not have the all these are compulsory. Suppose if you expect the nicotine free one means then you will leave that and use the remaining one and prepare it. Using of these four things we can make the high quality one. For this preparation you will not need the knowledge of the chemical engineering. So easily you will prepare it with the help of the instructions given in this.
Kids for the fillings of the liquids:
The preparing person would have to Purchase some kids for the fillings. First you need the electronic scale for the measurements. In the electronic scale only small amount will be easily measured. To store the pg and vg the individual storage bottles is the necessary one, the bottles could have the nozzle tips it will helps to easily added in to the bottles. But the nicotine will added in the amber bottles with the droppers which will helps in the degradation process of this nicotine. Suppose if you go for the volume level for the preparation of the e juice means then you can select the syringes. So make the correct combination and have the vapes.


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The April Fool's idea was pretty much in line with the Royal Thai Police Immigration Bureau's "Good Guys In, Bad Guys Out" policy launched in 2014 which targets foreign nationals in Thailand.
However, we are constantly reporting or reading reports of Thais who commit crimes in Thailand, not only in Phuket but also in other tourist areas.
Only earlier this month, The Phuket News reported the arrest of a motorbike taxi driver who had stolen a bag belonging to a tourist and made off with AUS$200 and more than B1,600 in cash in Rawai. The bag also contained credit cards and an iPhone 6 worth about B20,0000, the latter of which was quickly sold and the money spent.
And just this week, the Bangkok Post reported that in Samut Prakan a tour bus driver has been charged with stealing valuables and other items worth B60,000 from five Chinese passengers whose travel bags were forced open while they visited tourist attractions.
Yes, The Phuket News does understand full well that there are a number of unsavoury foreigners in Thailand committing crimes. But are these crimes that really tarnish the country's tourism image as a "world-class tourism destination"?
The Phuket News is pretty sure that most of the real foreign criminals that are in Thailand are into far bigger crimes than those mentioned above, but the foreigners that are caught and put on show are not the heavy-hitting organised crime bosses that officials say they are targeting, and actually do not affect the country's tourism image at all.
So now the April Fool's story looks much less of a joke. A large percentage of Thais living in Phuket and other tourist destinations are not natives of those provinces, but what checks are made on their backgrounds?
How many have a criminal record in another province for crimes that would in the eyes of officials tarnish the country's tourism image?
It is clear that it's not only foreigners who are bad guys, but what are Thai officials prepared to do with their own "bad guys" who do tarnish the country's tourism image?


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Two Beach Boys collections are now available for all fans as well as 12 remastered classic titles with both stereo and mono versions ("Surf's Up & "Sunflower" include stereo only).
"The Beach Boys Greatest Hits"
The Beach Boys' new 50th Anniversary Greatest Hits collection features 20 of the band's most popular songs, including "California Girls," "Good Vibrations," "Surfin' U.S.A.," "Wouldn't It Be Nice," "God Only Knows," "Kokomo," their latest single "That's Why God Made The Radio," and many more.
"The Beach Boys Greatest Hits: 50 Big Ones"
Fifty classic songs on two discs packaged in a lift top box including an extended booklet with newly written liner notes by Rolling Stone contributing editor David Wild + 7 collectible band postcards. Contains new stereo versions of a few tracks and the single version of "Isn't It Time," the new single from the Beach Boys latest studio release "That's Why God Made The Radio."
Remastered Studio Albums: (links to Amazon to purchase)
Surfer Girl
Surfin' USA
Shut Down Volume 2
Little Deuce Coupe
All Summer Long
Summer Days (and Summer Nights!)
The Beach Boys Today!
The Beach Boys Party!
Pet Sounds
Smiley Smile
Surf's Up


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Subscribe To James Woods Wants Kristen Stewart For An American Girl Updates
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You know James Woods as the guy who pops up as baddies in movies as varied as Videodrome and, uh, The Rudy Giuliani Story, so try not to be concerned when I tell you that he has big plans for Kristen Stewart. Coming Soon caught up with him on the set for the upcoming Straw Dogs remake, and he talked about his plans for his feature directorial debut, a drama called An American Girl.
And yes, he's planning for Stewart to star. There's no confirmation from Stewart's camp about that, of course, but Woods seems certain it's happening. And it's quite a role for her-- drugs, sex, the Marines and tragedy, all in two hours. Check out the plot, as Woods tells it:
"It's about a young woman who is really destructive. It's that magical time right after you're out of high school. She was the top swimmer and dive champion in school. Now it's a year later and she lives in a little town in Indiana and the place is dying, she's working in a grocery store and drinking and drugging too much and she's showing off in front of this guy who likes her, and gets involved in a big sex thing with two guys drunk one night at a quarry. She gets taped doing it on somebody's phone and in a small town, her reputation is ruined and on a drunken whim, she joins the Marines, which is ridiculous. The ironic thing is that along the way she starts learning these values she doesn't expect. They're just values like you take your brother, they take care of you. It's not like she's a gung-ho Marine. She starts to sober up and then she gets into the Linus Program because she's smart where they teach these women to speak Arabic. When they're in combat situations, women in the Muslim world were not comfortable talking to men soldiers but they'd talk to the women soldiers so these women learned to speak the language and would ask if there were arms or snipers in the house. A tragedy happens and when she comes back to the town where she was a disaster, she rebuilds her life and finds through this tragedy a greater value in herself. It's Coming Home, Best Years of our Lives, it's part of that trilogy. It's a phenomenal story and a slam-dunk Oscar for her."
Yes, he did just compare his movie to Best Years of Our Lives and Coming Home, and yes, he did just promise that the actress would win an Oscar for it. It's lots of big promises from a guy whose movie has not yet gone into production, but hey, it probably takes that kind of confidence to get anything made these days. We'd all love to see Stewart try acting for once, after blankly staring her way through the Twilight movies. Could this just-so-crazy-it-might-work project be the ticket?


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Latest News
King elated with century
Prolific Kingston CC batsman Brandon King has credited knowing the strengths and weaknesses of his game as key to him continuing to show good form with the bat locally and regionally.
The former West Indies Under-19 batsman, who last season was the leading runs scorer in the national two-day Senior Cup, notched his first century of the season at the weekend against red-hot St Catherine CC at Sabina Park.
The Jamaica Scorpions middle-order batsman hit a boundary-filled 132 on his way to topscoring for Kingston in their first innings total of 259.
St Catherine, who entered the top-of-the-table Zone D clash with three wins from as many outings, led by 55 not out from the experienced Tamar Lambert, eventually claimed first innings in the encounter after scoring 267.
Kingston, in their second turn at bat, declared on 210 for four before the game was called off with Aaron Johnson, 101, leading the way.
"I believe I am starting to understand my game a little better,'' expressed King. "It felt good batting and I am happy I was able to help the team to a fairly good total, as we were at one stage struggling at 80-odd for six.
"We were, however, not as sharp as we would have liked in the field, and this cost us first innings.''
The 23-year-old King, who scored 86 against Trelawny two weeks ago, struck an impressive 13 sixes during his innings to go along with seven fours, most of which was hit straight and high in the stands.
"It was about getting into the right positions and timing the ball as good as I could,'' King explained.
"I am really enjoying my game at the moment, and the hope is that I will be able to continue the form I am in, and hopefully help lead Kingston into the quarterfinals and to the title this season.''


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2017 "Hearts for Hospice" Dinner & AuctionJoin us for an "Evening of Elegance" to benefit
Saturday, April 22nd, 2017
Cardington Lincoln High School
Silent Auction: 4:00 PM
Buffet Dinner: 5:00 PM
Live Auction: 7:00 PM
Auctions are open to everyone!
Please join us for a fun evening!
Buffet Dinner
Silent Auction
Live Auction
50/50 Raffle
Bake Sale
For more information, please contact:
Hospice Morrow County, Inc.
228 South St
Mt. Gilead, OH 43338
Phone: 419-946-9822
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Dinner Tickets are now sold out, thank you for your support!
Proceeds will be used to provide Hospice services to residents of Morrow County and surrounding areas.
donations of auction items are now being accepted
Hospice of Morrow County, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are tax deductible.


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Kensington Hearing Services
Clinic staff
John Diakun
Licensed audiologist John Diakun serves patients at Kensington Hearing Services. He earned his Master of Science degree in audiology and graduated with honors in 1977. He holds a certificate of clinical competence in audiology from the American Speech Language Hearing Association. Dr. Diakun offers nearly four decades of experience in audiology.
Clinic reviews
More information
About this clinic
Audiologist John Diakun owns and operates Kensington Hearing Services. This facility offers dependable hearing services in the Kensington area.
Clinic services
- Hearing screenings
- Complete hearing tests
- Hearing aid evaluations
- Hearing aids
- Computerized hearing aid fittings to ensure proper amplification
- Hearing aid accessories
- Hearing aid service including cleaning, checks, maintenance and repairs
- Free 30-day trial
- Free hearing aid battery delivery
- Free in-home service
Hours of operation
|9:00 am - 5:00 pm
by appointment
|9:00 am - 5:00 pm
by appointment
|9:00 am - 5:00 pm
by appointment
|9:00 am - 5:00 pm
by appointment
|9:00 am - 5:00 pm
by appointment
Clinic links
Accepted forms of payment
- Visa
- MasterCard
- American Express
- Discover
- Cash
- Check
- Insurance accepted, please call for details


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A recycling centre worker died after being trapped inside a waste separation machine, an inquest has heard.
The BBC has reported that Simon Hogg suffered broken ribs and a fractured spine inside a trommel at the John Wade recycling plant at Aycliffe Quarry, Durham, in December 2015.
Hogg had been dealing with waste paper and was trying to clear a blockage when the accident occurred, and he died at the scene. Another worker suffered serious leg injuries.
Health and Safety Executive inspector Michael Kingston told the inquest the recycling line had a safety gate with an interlocking device which, when opened, would stop the machinery automatically but the line would then have to be reset – stopping work for several minutes.
To avoid such a delay, workers would regularly bypass the system by walking around the safety gate, he said.
Kingston told the inquest at Crook Coroner's Court that the line restarted and ran for at least four minutes with the two men inside the machine.
Bruce Whitley, operations director for Stonegrave Aggregates, which is owned by the John Wade Group, told the hearing that additional safety measures had since been implemented.
Readers' comments (1)
I have found the biggest dangers are from staff working in isolation or where others can't see them. It is a human weakness to move into a potentially dangerous situation because they THINK it will be safe to do so. This is why cyclists often come to unexpected grief. We have to drill into ALL staff to act 100% responsibly at all times and take NO chances.
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Official Rules
Official Rules and Regulations of the Rotary Club of Plymouth Annual Fundraiser
Score Points for Kids, Education & Community Health
1. A complete list of rules and regulations for this race, or a list of prizes and winners can be obtained from the Rotary Club of Plymouth, hereinafter known as the "Presenter", by sending a written request along with a self addressed stamped envelope to: Rotary Club of Plymouth, P.O. Box 46453, Plymouth, MN 55446.
2. This event is subject to all federal, state and local laws and regulations and is void where prohibited by law.
3. Entrants must be 18 years or older and must prove eligibility if they become prize winners.
4. No purchase is necessary to enter to win. However, a donation of $10 per ball is requested. MN License #X92451-15-002. Proceeds from the event will be benefit many local and national charities.
5. The entry portion of the entry form must be completely filled out and delivered to Presenter or an authorized representative of Presenter or mailed to Presenter at the address set forth in paragraph one (1) above and actually received by Presenter prior to the ball roll event for an entrant to be eligible to win any prize.
6. Members of the Rotary Club of Plymouth or their household family members are not eligible to win.
7. The balls picked out of a bin behind the City Hall and Lifetime Fitness Center at the Hilde Performance Center in Plymouth, Minnesota, at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 26, 2015. The basketball prize picking procedure will be established by Presenter and will take approximately 20-30 minutes.
8. A number will be attached to each ball corresponding to the number on the adoption paper. The person whose name appears on an adoption paper corresponding to the winning ball in order to finish will be awarded a prize.
9. Top winners will be announced at after completion of the race and tabulation of the results. Other winners will be notified either in person or by U.S. Mail or telephone. Winners need not be present to win. If any winner does not claim his or her prize from Presenter within 30 days after the event date, Presenter will select a winner through random drawing of entry tickets. All prizes will be awarded.
10. The actual event procedure works as follows. The first 10 prizes will be determined by the first 10 "live balls" that are picked. A "live ball" is one that has been rented by a contest participant and has a number on the bottom of the ball that corresponds with a number on the randomized spread sheet. We will keep removing balls from the bin until the first 10 winners are determined. The remaining winners of over 50 prizes can be picked, at random, and placed into a "prize winner basket" from which winners are picked until all of the prize winners are determined. The prizes are grouped by value and awarded in order as balls are picked from the "prize winner basket."
11. Entrants and other participants hereby release the Presenter, its sponsors, supporters, employees, volunteers and the various organizations involved in the presentation and completion of the race from liability with respect to the prizes. Presenter reserves the right to substitute prizes of comparable value. Any tax or similar fee, including but not limited to a license or registration fee on any vehicle, is the sole responsibility of the winner. Travel restrictions may apply on airline tickets.
12. By entering, winners consent to the promotional use of their names and likenesses without additional compensation. Chances of winning depend on the total number of qualified entrants.
13. All decisions and interpretations of rules and regulations will be made by the Presenter and its judgment is final. The Race Committee reserves the right to postpone or re-schedule the race because of inclement weather, acts of God, or other circumstances beyond the control of the Committee.
14. All balls entered will be provided by the Presenter and shall remain the property of the Presenter. Once the balls are poured into the bin, they are on their own. No attempt to free or interfere with any ball is permitted, unless deemed necessary by the Presenter.


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Men's Swimming Earns NCAA Consideration Time During Day One of Pac-10 Championships
Feb. 21, 2007
FEDERAL WAY, Wash. -
As the 2007 Pacific-10 Conference Men's Swimming Championships began in
The relay consisting of sophomore Gal Nevo, junior Lucas Azevedo, sophomore Sean Boyle and sophomore Mohammed Madwa completed the 800 freestyle relay in an overall time of 6:37.39, a time worthy of NCAA Championship consideration and a fifth-place Pac-10 finish in the event. The time also stands as the fastest in the 800 freestyle relay finish of the 2006-07 season by the Sun Devils, improving upon the time set by the relay consisting of junior CJ Nuess, Azevedo, sophomore Sean Boyle and Nevo, which occurred at the University of Texas Invitational in December.
Nevo opened the relay by swimming the first 200 yards in 1:39.88, while Azevedo followed by swimming the second leg in 1:39.08. Boyle ignited the Sun Devils' effort by swimming the team's fastest leg of the relay, completing his 200 yards in 1:37.32. Madwa anchored the relay, and capped off the event for ASU by touching in 1:41.31.
The Sun Devils also swam an ASU season-best time in the 200 medley relay, as the combination of freshman Ante Cvitkovic, junior John Dwelley, sophomore Magnus Kjellberg and junior Steve Neuwert finished the event in a total time of 1:29.82, only .71 seconds away from earning an NCAA qualifying standard for the relay. The performance placed the Sun Devils fifth overall in the conference and broke the previous season-best time set by the relay consisting of Cvitkovic, junior Will Weeks, Boyle and Neuwert, which the team swam against Stanford in ASU's final home meet of the season.
Cvitkovic began the medley relay with a time of 22.60 in his 50 backstroke yards, while Dwelley completed his breaststroke leg in 25.55. Kjellberg surged ahead with a time of 21.48 swimming the butterfly leg, while Neuwert sped to the finish, swimming the final 50 freestyle of the relay in 20.19.
The Sun Devils currently rank fifth in the overall standings among a closely competitive first day of action.
Day two of the 2007 Pac-10 Men's Swimming Championships will resume Thursday in
Preliminary and finals round coverage will be provided on TheSunDevils.com when results are made available.
Football: Inside Pac-12 FootballTODAY | 5:00pm PTLive
TODAY | 6:00pm PTLive
Airing on:
- Pac-12 Network
- Pac-12 Washington
TODAY | 8:00pm PTLive
Airing on:
- Pac-12 Network
- Pac-12 Bay Area


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Gathering around a table to enjoy great food and great service is nothing new. Neither is waiting for your check. Foodservice is the only industry not keeping up with the efficient, fast, and frictionless standards of today.
That's why we created Brio. After many frustrating nights serving and bartending, we got tired of all the busy work, frustrated customers, and headaches that come with a rush. Our goal is to help your staff be more attentive and efficient, while keeping patrons happy with the mobile payments they expect.
Brio helps your venue to keep up with the modern times. Don't get left behind.
Mobile Payment
Nobody likes waiting for the bill. Tips, covers, and customer satisfaction decrease every second a customer spends waiting. By simply accepting Brio, your venue appeals to large groups, business clients, and pre-event parties who will need to split the bill & get out on their terms.
Loyalty & Rewards
Keep customers coming back with custom rewards programs. Whether it's Brio happy hours, taking Brio Bucks, or rewards and deals specific to your restaurant, we help you turn customers into fans.
Itemized Feedback
Customers have the option to give each item on their virtual receipt a thumbs up or down. We help the customer tell you what they think, automatically compiled into easy-to-understand back-end reports. We take the guess work out and deliver you real, constructive feedback.


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Video conferencing... what are the first thoughts that come to mind? It's too expensive, it takes too much bandwidth. We don't need it. On the flip side, I have come to the conclusion that it is a must in the mix of plans businesses have for staying in touch with competitors, suppliers, clients, and business partners along with audio telephony, instant chat, email, and conference face to face. Match a Polycom or Grandstream video phone with BlinkMind video conferencing service and watch things happen!
BlinkMind's video conferencing solution definitely outperforms regular peer to peer video in quality customer and technical service. It has designed a video conferencing solution with the demanding business environment in mind. Paul Turso and I, both from DIDX at the time, experienced and tested what it's like to be a BlinkMind customer on a Grandstream GXV-3000 video phone. The real-time video was a sharp thirty frames per second with an absolutely pristine audio experience. No more wishes for a dedicated video conference room filled with expensive high tech equipment. Small to medium sized businesses like ours have access to technology that can bring a wealth of savings, monetize and create more effective communications, and open new possibilities. I can't get 16 way video conferencing on Skype. (I like and use Skype. Our company is on the SILK developer list.)
BlinkMind's video conferencing product line will never replace the all important face to face interaction. How did I meet Chris Veasey, BlinkMind's CoFounder & VP of Engineering in the first place? At an ITEXPO conference, of course. But, the service will help your company maintain the important client relationship in a more effective way. The cost is less than one tank of gas per month. One solution, for increased productivity, better customer relations and real savings to the bottom line.
BlinkMind is also a "family reunion in a box," a relief to decreasing family travel budgets. Families use BlinkMind's "video conferencing platform" to connect with loved ones anywhere with broadband Internet. View multiple family members at once, up to 16. You can also connect your TV, flat panel display or any other monitor that accepts a standard RCA video input for maximum view.
The company offers friendly customer service, always leaving the customer feeling empowered and not belittled. We had a small glitch at the beginning of the test, of one-way audio, solved within less than three minutes. See the customer service in action on Youtube.
There is a Call Record feature. I forgot to download the video call I made within 7 days. It has been a fast-paced 2009 so far. No recession around the Super Technologies, headquarters. But what a great feature to review any audio or video calls that you make and receive. Just log into your BlinkMind account and see a green check mark under Record. Click and download.
I recommend readers to join the BlinkMind Facebook page to watch demo videos, participate in discussion, meet other BlinkMind users, and just experience the friendly and helpful interaction with the BlinkMind team. Keep up with the latest via BlinkMind's blog at http://www.blinkmind.com/blog/.
So what's next? I already have requests from the more technically-savvy readers to complete another video call and record with Nathan from BlinkMind Communications, Inc. to discuss the technical nature and advantages of the video conferencing service.
BlinkMind designs, develops and innovates. It is a member of DIDX.net which means its clients have access to owning a phone number from any of up to 60 nations. I am amazed at the speed this company's customer base is growing. In conclusion, I want you to checkout BlinkMind's service and perhaps even consider becoming a reseller.


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Over Thanksgiving weekend the 11th "Album Of The Month" for 2016, "Ether Or" was posted at Soundcloud (listen to the playlist) and Noisetrade (download as an album, as it was put together – tip optional and appreciated). An eclectic collection of instrumental pieces from a solo acoustic guitar meditation to wild psychedelic freeform "Space jam" with guitar based rock band tunes and textural soundscapes between. Most of it was layered to life during the mid 2000s and this is a "Scott Beckwith & Friends" release because others contributed a layer here & there on it. More info is at www.sbeckwith.com
December is shaping up like this – the workshop is working until December 20th when we break for Christmas & Holidays through January 8th or so. A short break for us because we have so much to do in here. Closing the doors to the workshop for a bit is healthy and, unless I can meditate myself into actual bilocational ubiquity instead of what it looks like around here sometimes, is necessary since I'm expected for a few dinners. But it's like calling a child in from the yard in the middle of a play adventure. I don't wanna, I'm not done yet! Really, I do wanna, and I gotta...
Part of being a go-getter is that part of your brain constantly trying to nail down the steps between the "Now" and the goal – what's most efficient? When can this happen? What's next? Reset! New goal! Take aim! What are the steps? That drive. It works for you in that I push to get through the line to somewhere reasonably close to the build time estimate I gave you those months ago, but we all realize that's reasonable as in home cooking for a big table of folks with a line waiting out the door, not "Fast food" counter reasonable… because we're not fast food. Believe me "The manager" in my head puts in overtime. I know from years at this most of you are more patient with the process than I am. I'm a kid having adventures in the woods in here; I want it all to happen at once and just go roll around in the sawdust pile with my little daily to do lists and mantras and conjure up these tools of creation from my magical kingdom!!!
Reality? It's more of a daily meditation and focus in the moment on one step at a time; that's how it works for me. A good and steady pace but calm. The pro quarterback vs. the high school quarterback. Life has honed this guy I find myself now into the chef you see through the window off to the side, light reflecting off of tools in motion, helping hands on either side. Yeah, you can see him sweat; that old saying is bullpuckie. But for what you see of that there are heaping plates coming out of that little room, seemingly endless and steady. And you sit knowing yours is on its way, whether now or next or a half hour. It's a great pace and a wonderful zone, but I know it's not sustainable and I'm grateful for the breaks… AND your patience with the process. And your trust in manifesting an instrument to be your voice. (That's a pretty high calling in my world.) And everything all around me and all of you, especially the occasional client who is like a kid in the back seat on a car trip. I LOVE you guys. Because I get that, I get the enthusiasm completely – it's me in here every day, just like you. I may have to remind you at times that this whole custom order cookin' up a bass or guitar for you process between us is more "We're making a baby" than "Will that be all sir? Here's your tray!" but I have to remind myself of that in here ALL THE TIME.
Yours is also on its way, I promise.
This will be the last blog here on the news page for 2016. It's home stretch time and my hands need to be making basses. I'll still be posting on Facebook, so if you're not friends (Scott Beckwith) or following (Birdsong Guitars) you're missing more of this and pictures too! Check onto the music pages linked at the top towards the end of the year, as by then I'll have the 12th album up there, and some of you "By the end of the year, I think…" new Birdsong mommas & daddies will get contacted by me because yours are flying the nest! The rest of my friends and the head-manager-voices and the builds in process at whatever stage all awaiting the "nexts" that keep us on the path to what will be tomorrow, we will all meet up back here as soon as I can gather myself up from the Holidays and again get things finished and started and movin' along...
Honestly, all of this is mere detail when we think of all that is celebrated this time of year and all we have, despite challenges and pesky uncle Thurmon spraying pretzels out his mouth and little Reggie who falls down the stairs every year and those dad gum teenagers coming back in giggling with their eyes all red and all. Someone's going to look at one eyed grandpa Bill and say "I'll keep an eye on that" without thinking about it first and old cousin Beatrice, well… she'll fart. It happens every time. I know. And every time you say "Can I quote you on that?" or ask her to pass the cheese and all hell breaks loose, and that only makes you laugh harder until you're all red and can't breathe and start waving yourself away from the table and your mother starts asking you if this is really necessary and muttering about your father and not knowing what she was thinking or where she went wrong and now here you are absolutely beside yourself in the kitchen, with the dog staring at you like you're nuts, trying not to listen, pulling yourself together for an uncomfortable re-entry trying not to look at anybody because you'll explode. It's a tentative composure at best; I know. I know.
Despite all the nuttiness this is a glorious time of renewal and gathering. Be grateful my friends. Be grateful for the big things if the little ones are loose marbles right now, and if the big things aren't so happening find joy and hope in the little things that will, like pieces of wood and wire and tuning machines and screws, somehow with a little love, a bit of drive and a heap of devotion become something much much bigger. Love everyone around you, even brother Mitty who you'd rather just finally DID leave the country like he's been ranting about doing every time he's asked to pass the salt or how his day was or how big a piece of the pie he'd like since he was a mumbling red eyed teenager too. LOVE that guy. He's doing the best he can.
We all are, here, together, overlooking the quirks and spittle and air biscuits of the human condition, looking deeper for a while as we gather with gratitude for our blessings. If you don't think you have any, turn off the screen and look around for a while. Go for a walk in the woods. Eat some pretzels and milk.
That's the news from the Wingfeather Workshop, the little green nest in the woods where the sun shines, sawdust is made and all of the instruments are above average. From our circle to yours we wish you Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a hopeful and healthy New Year!
(Call or email, we're not disappearing. Scott's cell phone: 512-395-5126. He'll take your orders personally and answer any questions any time.)
Listening to: Skip James live in '68, Jim Hall & Attila Zoller live in '73, and The Wipers Follow Blind.


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While it's possible, the chance of a divorced couple getting remarried to each other is a low six percent. However, 72 percent of people who reunite end up staying together, which is better than the national average of 55 percent.
Linda and Billy Clements divorced each other and then remarried. They were married for 25 years, divorced for seven years, and then remarried once more in 2009. Another couple who followed this pattern was Sandra and Terry Kaufman, who got married when they were both 18 but quickly divorced two years later. Both of them remarried to other people, but finally reconnected and remarried 50 years after their first wedding.


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What Is Feminist Sticker Club?
Feminist Sticker club is a sticker subscription service. Every month, we send you a cute feminist sticker in the mail. It's $3 per month and we donate 10% of profits to feminist causes. (We are also the sister club to Cat Sticker Club.)
What Will The Stickers Look Like?
They average about 3-4" in length and are made out of weatherproof, durable vinyl. Here are some examples.
Why Should I Join?
Because getting a cute little surprise in the mail every month is FUN. Because you are interested in feminism. Because you'll be supporting artists and their original artwork.
Where Am I Going To Put A Sticker?
We have some ideas:
- the cubicle of your soul-crushing job, as a subtle way of showing that you won't stand for inequity
- your exam prep folder to make studying more pretty (and remind you that you can do anything)
- your guitar case, laptop, art bin, water bottle, journal, car bumper or bike
Get creative--we'd love to see where you stick them! Tag your pics with #feministstickerclub on Instagram and wherever else!
How Do I Become A Sticker Artist?
Since each new month means a new sticker, we're always interested in finding new sticker artists. We pay our artists! If you would like to learn about our sticker artist submission program, please click here.


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Meryl Streep once wisely said, "Instant gratification is not soon enough." But today's society too often seeks instant fixes that are too trendy. From celebrities for public office to contoured body parts. Sometimes it feels like the times are forcing us to live with a little less charm. Lucky for me, I was recently introduced to eShakti – an instant wardrobe solution that doesn't sacrifice custom and classic style for trendiness.
Through the years I've slowly shed the mentality that different aspects of life require distinctly different wardrobes. We were all once budding college girls who let the scene set our look rather than letting our look set the scene. Classes. Internships. Family occasions. And of course, clubbing. If one piece ever meandered onto a different scene, it would be instant upside down land.
As you get to know the real you over your lifetime, I believe everything becomes more authentic. Goals, values, relationships and style. This is why I was beyond excited when eShakti reached out to create a bespoke piece for me. EShakti is a self-described deliverer of custom and on-style, mannequin-worthy looks. By blending unique fabrics, patterns and cuts, eShakti delivers the easy-access family tailor experience that most Indians are accustomed to.
So, I went to eShakti.com and let my creative juices run wild through my finger tips. I dreamed up an elegant midi-cut dress in a chambray sheath fabric. It brought the Britney Spears all-denim attempt of a lost age into present day. The texture balanced the length and added up to class. The floral wool embellished detailing was a perfect pre-spring addition to my wardrobe, but not by some happy coincidence. Like all the florals I've curated for my arsenal, this one is truly "me": cool tones, all seasonal and feminine without a faint of girly. From indigo vision to curve hugging reality, this dress was crafted and delivered to my doorstep in less than 2 weeks.
The unboxing was skinny shaming [insert other body issue here]-free, fast-forwarding the usual "If only there was less dress, or more me," internal monologue. A perfect fit after a single try-on, this dress went straight from box to suitcase for a trip I was taking the very next day.
My instant gratification instincts told me this dress would be cast in many scenes of my life, and that I'd happily keep it forever. Experiment and create your own forever-piece at eShakti. Use this exclusive promo code for a 10% discount SonyaKeshwan'!


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Season 2 of Starz's "Outlander" will come to an end next week with the episode "Dragonfly in Amber" where viewers will see the Frasers taking part in the Battle of Culloden. It is expected to be a highly emotional episode as it will see Claire returning to the future, taking her away from Jamie and without the knowledge of whether he survives the Battle of Culloden or not.
According to the official synopsis of the episode, the finale will see Claire returning to Lallybroch with a grown up Brianna in the hopes that Roger will help her discover what happened to the men of Lallybroch after the Battle of Culloden, and whether Jamie survived the battle or not. While searching for the grave of Jonathan Randall, Frank's ancestor, they come across Jamie Fraser's gravestone, and Claire will also be forced to tell Brianna the truth about her parentage, and the events that happened during her time-travel.
This story will be intercut with scenes from the past, in particular the days leading up to the Battle of Culloden. The episode will also feature Dougal's death during a confrontation with Jamie after he hears Claire suggesting that they poison Charles Stuart to prevent the slaughter at Culloden.
If the finale follows its source material, Diana Gabaldon's "A Dragonfly in Amber," the then finale will feature an intimate moment between Claire and Jamie before he forces her to go back to the future to Frank. It will also see Claire realizing that she's pregnant with Jamie's child, and Jamie's last words to her before pushing her towards the stones will be name their child -- Brian.
"Outlander" airs Saturdays on Starz. This Saturday will feature a marathon of all the previous episode of Season 2 and the finale will be aired only on July 9.