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Baroness O'Cathain: The noble and learned Lord seems to think that there is some merit in the approach and to realise the reasoning behind it, but he says that now is not the time. Does he think that things will get worse? When will be the time? Having listened to the noble and learned Lord very carefully, I get the strong impression that he feels there is a lot of merit in the approach. Why can he not adopt it now?
Lord Goldsmith: There is a balance. When the important power to refer unduly lenient sentences to
The jurisdiction has grown. Very important cases have been referred. I mentioned dangerous driving, and I have personally argued cases relating to child sex abuse, rape and gun crime. They provide an opportunity to take important issues to the Court of Appeal. But there is always a balance to be struck as regards which offences to include. A general right of appeal on every sentence would result in a considerable burden. I do not say that it is an issue for me, but it would be an issue for the courts system and others who must deal with it.
There has been a significant increase in the maximum sentence, and the Court of Appeal has laid down clear guidance for the lower courts to follow. I do not understand there to be any criticism of that guidance. If it is followed, the result will be appropriately tough sentences for this very serious crime and there will be no need to refer cases to the Court of Appeal as unduly lenient. That is the reason for it. It is intended to strike a balance between cases where there is a prudent need to add at this stage and those where there is not.
Lord Thomas of Gresford: The noble and learned Lord has described well the system whereby advice comes from the prosecutor, through the CPS, who takes professional advice on sentence levels and argues the case before the Court of Appeal. Does the noble and learned Lord the Attorney-General ever go to Parliament to ask Members of Parliament for their views or to the Home Secretary to ask him what he thinks he should do, or is the matter just left to the professionals?
Lord Goldsmith: Why do I think that I have now returned to a previous group of amendments? The category of power that is used is a particular one. In the vast majority of cases with which I am concerned, I am aware from previous cases what the appropriate tariffs are. However, there are occasions on which it is appropriate to examine other considerations. When I ask instructed counsel to argue about the tariffs in relation to dangerous driving, for example, it is appropriate to understand what the statistics are, what are the concerns from government departments relating to the levels of crime and deaths on our roads, and what are the views of the public. Yes, there are parliamentarians who have expressed strong views about those issues as well, which it would be appropriate to take into account when considering how to address the Court of Appeal about the appropriate sentences to be passed.
Lord Thomas of Gresford: Will the noble and learned Lord tell us whether it is the views of the MPs, the newspapers and the Home Secretary that prevail or his own viewthe professional view that he takes, having regard to previous cases and guideline cases in the past?
Lord Goldsmith: I hope that the noble Lord will forgive me, but this is plainly a debate about another amendment. The amendment to which I have been asked to respond is a very proper and important proposal in relation to a particularly serious crime. The Government are being asked to consider whether to add it to the unduly lenient sentence power. It is not right to hijack that important debate by returning to matters that the noble Lord has debated at some length with my noble friend Lady Scotland.
Baroness Anelay of St Johns: I am grateful to the noble and learned Lord the Attorney-General for his careful response. He started by saying that he shares our abhorrence of the conduct of people that results in the sentences we are discussing. I entirely accept that: he has made that clear throughout his distinguished career at the Bar as well. However, he says that, although he has some sympathy with the amendment, the time is not right or that there is no evidence to prove that this power of referral is needed. I am intrigued by that because in one breath the noble and learned Lord says, "The power is not needed. There is no evidence, so it won't happen", and in the next breath says, "Of course, we shouldn't mention this but were the power to be there we might end up with the Court of Appeal being over-burdened because of work". That argument does not work both ways.
Lord Goldsmith: I am obliged to the noble Baroness. I have been taken to task for referring to personal burdens so I am very anxious not to mention the point too much. I will talk about myself instead. I receive a large number of requests to consider references, many of which are not sent to the Court of Appeal at all because I do not think that they are appropriate. They come from prosecutors but also from members of the public. If we expand the category of the offence, all cases will receive applications. Each has to be carefully considered and each has a resource implication attached. Even in cases that are not sent, there is a burden.
Baroness Anelay of St Johns: Some burdens are worth it and child-protection is one. I wish to test the opinion of House.
On Question, Whether the said amendment (No. 212J) shall be agreed to?
Their Lordships divided: Contents, 24; Not-Contents, 39.
Resolved in the negative, and amendment disagreed to accordingly.
11.10 p.m.
The Countess of Mar: The guidance in the Standing Orders states that it is a firm convention that the House should adjourn at 10 o'clock. Given the effects on the Hansard writers, bar staff and other staff working in the House, may I ask the Chief Whip what time it is intended that the House should resume?
Lord Grocott: Your Lordships will know that it was signalled in the business for this week that we would sit late tonight. It is also well known that the advice for the House to rise at 10 o'clock set out in the Companion is not an iron rule for the precise reason that we need to have flexibility. I think that that is understood on all sides.
Tonight it is intended to move as rapidly as we can to the end of Part 12. I am hopeful that we shall be able to achieve that and I shall resume my place as quickly as possible. However, one must learn to be flexible in this job because one has responsibility without power.
Lord Cope of Berkeley: I fully accept that the rising time of 10 o'clock is a convention and not a firm rule of our Standing Orders. At the same time, however, noble Lords know that that convention has been broken extremely frequently, in particular over recent weeks. We sat until midnight last night and, if we are to achieve the target just suggested by the Captain of the Gentlemen-at-Arms, then we shall sit until at least that time tonight. I think that it is extremely unsatisfactory for both Members and the staff that we should so frequently break the rule.
This particular Bill is enormous, covering two volumes. What is more, it has a large number of government amendments to it. I accept that some of those take on points that were suggested by the Opposition or by outside comment, but some are wholly the result of the Government rewriting their own Bill, having rethought it since it was originally introduced.
So far the Bill has been considered for seven-and-a-half days, but given that it is such a large Bill, it deserves more time than it has been allocated. Furthermore, if, as rumour suggests, it is to be seriously altered even further by the addition of new material at the Report stage, then the time presently allocated to it will not be sufficient.
I have made these points to the Government on other occasions, but it is right to share them with the Committee at this stage of our deliberations and at this time of night.
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subset: commoncrawl


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Benedict Arnold
Written by Peter Fitzgerald
History of War - Spies
American Revolutionary War who found fame, but for some these reasons are not popular. As you read on you will find out the story behind this complex and interesting man who played an important role during the American Revolutionary War for both sides.Benedict Arnold was a General during the
The Early Years of Benedict Arnold
Benedict Arnold was born Benedict Arnold V on January 3rd 1740 in Norwich, Connecticut and was the second of six children. The family lineage of Benedict is one of famous Americans with his great-grandfather having been a governor and distant relations having accounted to becoming four presidents.
Although the family was one that carried a great history and was wealthy it is unfortunate that only Benedict and one sister managed to live into adulthood as the other four siblings died in their young years from Yellow fever.
During the young years of his life Benedict was enrolled in private schooling, but when some of his siblings died his father changed his behaviours and started to drink heavily. This drinking took its toll on the family as the business of Benedict's father declined and the wealth started to dwindle.
Benedict ended up out of schooling and in an apprenticeship in merchandise trade, but this was not what provided the drive for the young Arnold. One day in 1755 when Benedict was 14 he heard the sounds of drums and tried to enlist in the militia of the province, something his mother would not approve so he had to wait until he was 16 and could make the decision for himself.
The move to join the militia is shrouded in questions as it is understood he was part of a company that marched to Fort William Henry. The march was because Fort William Henry was under siege from the French but with the siege failing his company turned back. Here some say that Benedict deserted the militia but there is no confirmed evidence of this, we do know he only served 13 days.
Benedict Moves into Business
By 1962 Benedict started up in business, this move was supported by the Lathrop family. The chosen business was Pharmacy and selling books and was based in his home area of Connecticut.
Through the support of the Lathrops and his own hard work Benedict was able to grow his new business quite rapidly and return fortune to his life. At the age of 24 in 1764 Benedict joined forces with another young entrepreneur called Adam Babcock and they started their own merchant trading businesses with three ships they bought.
Fortune carried on favouring Benedict until the British government put through acts to bring in more revenues from the American colonies, these acts caused many merchants in the American colonies to find trade hard. Many merchants started to vocally disapprove of the British Government and its acts, including Benedict. During this time Benedict found himself fall into financial ruin with many people spreading rumours of these financial issues.
Benedict the General
In 1775 aged 35 Benedict once again joined the militia, this time as a Captain. Benedict marched his men to support the siege of Boston before putting forward his own plans that would see his company of men march on New York to lay siege to the Fort Ticonderoga.
The plan was approved and only two months after joining as a Captain of the militia army Benedict was given a commission as a Colonel.
The siege of Fort Ticonderoga was a resounding success and Benedict then went on to achieve further successes in battle. This caused Benedict to be given a Colonels commission in the Continental Army by September 1755 some six months after enlisting as a Captain.
From winter 1755 through to 1779 Arnold enjoyed some great success and suffered some losses, he was also badly injured in one leg that caused it to end up being two inches shorter than the other.
Mid 1779 saw the huge change in Arnold as he started the plot to change over to the British side, something the Continental army found out about and was to try and Court Marshall him over.
In April 1780 Benedict started his finally plot to surrender his army to the British at west Point, by August that year Benedict started reducing the military capabilities of West Point. Within two months the defection to the British side happened, although his plot to include West Point in the defection never happened as the plot was foiled.
In the British army Benedict was given the rank of Brigadier General and soon repaid the British for taking him in by moving through America causing destruction and gaining victory after victory. Unfortunately some of these victories came at the expense of many British casualties, something the British could not continue.
Benedict Arnold Moves across Seas
In 1781 Arnold and his family moved to London, at this time he was 41 years old of age and was pushing the British government to renew their fight in America and wanted him at the helm. This never came to fruition so over time as his moves to gain some form of high position failed Benedict made another move by taking his family to Canada.
The time was 1785 and Benedict bought his son into business with him as they started to buy land and Benedict started up another merchant business using ships for trade. Unfortunately for Benedict he made some bad business decisions and also alienated himself and his family from the people of the town he lived. This came to a zenith point when the town's people burned an effigy of him outside his family home.
By 1791 the Arnold family were back in London but still continued their merchant ship trade this was until the French imprisoned him under the guise of him being a British Spy. Benedict managed to bribe his guards and escape; from here he then gained popularity from the British by organizing local skirmishes against the French from small British colonial islands.
This popularity with the British meant that the British gave a land grant of some fifteen thousand acres of land to Benedict and his son in Canada around the Ontario region.
Benedict died in 1801 aged 60 years from gout and complications to his injured leg.


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Rising From the Ashes: My Journey With Autism and HSAM
From the time I was born I've always felt autistic and I can remember every day of my life. As a toddler I enjoy organizing the cutlery drawer, reading the street directory and doing jigsaw puzzles. I did that so often I hardly ever played with my more "age appropriate" toys. Cuddling and showing any other form of affection has always been unnatural to me. Whenever someone tried to hug me, I screamed in fright. The same thing happened if I was given a plastic cup which was an unexpected color.
Mum strongly felt I had autism, so at the age of 6 she took me along to get assessed by a psychologist. Despite having virtually all of the classic characteristics, we were told I couldn't be autistic due to the fact I had a separation anxiety disorder with my mum. They also said my unusual characteristics were a result of stress from my parents' divorce and I would outgrow them all. I continued to receive psychotherapy for childhood depression, but it was treated as a temporary aid.
I struggled with school and had no extra support in the classroom. Once, I was awake until the early hours of the morning (for three nights in a row) completing an assignment. On the third night, I finally managed to complete it and went to bed smiling because I was so happy with myself. Yet, I sobbed the next day because I was given a detention for not reaching the standard which the teachers called acceptable.
At the age of 15 (in 2005) mum insisted on getting me assessed once again for autism, and this time I came out with a diagnosis. Everyone in the room was in agreement it was unfortunate this had come so late in my childhood and especially school career. Yet, we were told it was common for females to miss a diagnosis because ASD traits can express themselves differently for us.
My early adult years were the hardest of my life. I was depressed because I had no idea who I was or where my passions lay. Due to my depression, I was unable to think about my future at all. Instead, I was intensely fixated on my past.
In early 2011 my parents called me inside the house to watch a "60 Minutes" episode about a group of people who had Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory (HSAM). The people in the show were able to relive every day of their life since childhood in precise detail. I thought that kind of memory was completely "normal" and I couldn't understand why the story was describing it as incredible.
My mum and stepdad believed I too, had HSAM and asked if it was OK to send the University of California, Irvine — who were studying the people in the segment — an email. I wasn't expecting a response because I knew our email would be one of millions, we live all the way in Australia, and I certainly wouldn't consider myself a "lucky" person.
Amazingly, I did receive a reply in a mere two weeks.
After a variety of thorough tests, the UCI officially diagnosed me with HSAM in May 2013. I do most talks with the McGaugh/Stark lab over Skype (in the early hours of the morning Brisbane time). Occasionally I visit them in California and get to enjoy the Universal and Disney parks. Since May of 2016 the Queensland Brain Institute/University of Queensland has been doing a study of my case simultaneously.
My involvement in research has also gotten me into a few media stories. In October of 2015 "Press Association" wrote an online article about my HSAM and autism (in addition to me being so obsessed with Harry Potter that I'm able to recite the books each night to enable me to fall asleep).
Little did I know within six hours that story went viral worldwide, and all throughout the next day media were contacting me from everywhere. "Good Morning Britain" decided to have me featured on their show, so my family and I were told to be at our local television station in just a few hours time. The story aired via a cross-studio broadcast. I was also featured on "Channel Seven News" here in Australia and "Sunrise."
I must mention here live television is terrifying beforehand but feels great while on air and afterward (much the same as how HSAM research tests and public talks at seminars feel to me).
There have also been a fair few magazine stories I've been in, including "Woman's Day," "Take 5," "Logan Magazine" and "Real People UK." When it comes to newspaper articles, the list is enormous. Many newspapers from around the world picked up on the "Press Association" story, and it's been featured in articles of — literally — every language.
Most recently I was featured in a "60 Minutes Australia" story alongside another participant in the UCI's HSAM research study, Markie Pasternak. Part of the epsiode was filmed in my house, and the other half was filmed in the United States. This included footage of me at the University of California Irvine, and also at the new Harry Potter park at Universal Hollywood.
As a career, I blog for a company called "SpecialKids.Company." In addition to making and selling purpose-made clothes for children with disabilities, they also provide written support for people of all ages with disabilities (including autism). I'm also doing public talks on the topics of human memory, autism and anxiety.
I can be found on Facebook under "Teens and Adults on the Autism Spectrum." At this moment we're an online support group where our family shares articles, posts news, and I myself do monthly webinars. We're hoping our community will eventually grow further so we can expand our support into the offline world. Our content is 100% G-Rated. Though our main focus is to help autistic people in the age groups who get overlooked in mainstream funding.
We want to hear your story. Become a Mighty contributor here.


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Sunday, 26 June 2016 07:15 AM
BERLIN (AP) — Britain's decision to leave the European Union puts German Chancellor Angela Merkel at center stage as the bloc seeks to preserve its unity and win back skeptical voters across the continent.
Merkel stressed that "Germany has a special interest and a special responsibility in European unity succeeding" as she voiced regret Friday at Britain's departure, citing Europe's 20th century history of wars. She signaled that she was taking the initiative, inviting her counterparts from France and Italy — the two other largest remaining members — to meet her Monday in Berlin as well as EU President Donald Tusk.
But, true to a methodical approach to problems tried and tested over a decade in power, she also sought to slam the brakes on any hasty decisions, arguing that the 27 remaining members must avoid drawing "quick and simple conclusions" that would only create further divisions.
Germany traditionally has been reluctant to exert an overt leadership role in Europe, though it has been increasingly assertive in recent years in designing the response to the eurozone's debt troubles and, less conclusively, in seeking an EU-wide response to the influx of refugees and other migrants from the Middle East and elsewhere.
Even now, with one of the EU's heavyweights on the way out, Berlin isn't likely to seek a sole leadership role, ever conscious of the historical burden of its Nazi past.
"It will continue to lead with and through groups," said Daniela Schwarzer, an expert on EU affairs at the German Marshall Fund of the United States think tank in Berlin. "There's this really strong concern to always be part of something and not going it alone."
"Germany has a huge interest that the Brussels institutions have more support than they currently have," she added, and there's no sign that it "actively seeks power and a hegemonic position."
Guntram Wolff, director of the Bruegel think tank in Brussels, said Britain's EU exit, or Brexit, will mean issues can no longer be addressed by shifting coalitions of France, the U.K. and Germany. Instead, it would increase the dependency between France and Germany — the traditional motor powering EU integration, but one that has sputtered somewhat over recent years amid differences on the debt crisis and other issues.
"In that couple, Germany is the stronger player, quite clearly," he said. "So in that sense it will probably increase the role of Germany in the EU."
Merkel, Germany's chancellor since 2005, isn't in quite as strong a position at home as she was in recent years, though her support remains solid.
Unease over last year's influx of asylum seekers to Germany and internal squabbling over Merkel's welcoming approach last fall have weighed on her conservative bloc's poll ratings, and other policy arguments in her "grand coalition" of right and left have sharpened as an election expected in September 2017 begins to loom on the horizon.
There is still, however, little sign of a successful left-wing challenge to her and none from within her own party. That contrasts with the fortunes of deeply unpopular French President Francois Hollande, who faces elections next spring, and many other European leaders.
German officials left open what exactly the response to the British referendum might be. Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said earlier this month that "we couldn't simply call for more integration" if Britain leaves.
The remaining 27 EU members should "calmly analyze and evaluate the situation and, on this basis, together make the right decisions," Merkel said.
She acknowledged that people all over the continent increasingly have doubts about the direction of the European unification process, and added: "We must ensure that citizens can feel in concrete terms how much the European Union contributes to improving their personal situation."
Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said leaders should focus on finding "common European solutions where they are missing" — for example, to the migrant crisis, and doing more to boost jobs and growth.
Steinmeier said the bloc should fall neither into hysteria nor shock, and must acknowledge that it doesn't yet have answers to all the questions raised by the British referendum result. On Saturday, he hosted his counterparts from the EU's other five founding members, and said there will need to be further discussions "in big formats and in smaller formats."
With Britain's departure, Germany will lose a traditional ally within the EU on matters such as free trade and competition. Britain was the No. 3 destination for German exports last year and was Germany's fifth-biggest trading partner overall.
"Germany on many economic issues relies more on the U.K. and Poland than it traditionally relies on France, because they have a more similar mindset on those issues," Schwarzer said.
Merkel sounded a notably conciliatory note toward Britain in responding to the referendum, signaling what appears to be "a willingness to lower the cost of Brexit for both sides," she added.
"Our aim should be to shape future relations between Great Britain and the European Union so that they are close and based on partnership," Merkel said. She said she wants an "objective, good" climate in talks on Britain's exit and there is "no need to be particularly nasty in any way in the negotiations."
Germany also will be losing a fellow major contributor to the EU budget.
The leader of the upstart nationalist Alternative for Germany party, which has risen in polls during the migrant crisis at the expense of Merkel's and other parties, raised that issue. Celebrating what she called "a signal to the Brussels politburo and its bureaucratic appendages," Frauke Petry said that the government should not simply "plug the British net contribution with German tax money."
All the same, Germany appears determined to ensure that the show goes on.
"Great Britain decided yesterday to leave the European Union. All the same, the sun rose again this morning," Parliament speaker Norbert Lammert, a member of Merkel's party, told lawmakers Friday. "As regrettable as the first is, the second is reassuring."
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Founding & Managing Partner
Stanley is an angel investor with over 20 years of experience as an entrepreneur and corporate executive. As a pioneer, Stanley has built his leadership and influence in China's Internet industry and contributed to the proliferation and commercial practices of the Internet in China. Stanley was also the founder of HiChina Group (acquired by Alibaba Group). He was awarded "Outstanding Young Entrepreneur of Beijing" in 2002, 2003, 2007 and 2008 by the Beijing Municipal Government, and "Outstanding Entrepreneur" by the Beijing Zhong Guan Cun Science and Technology Park.
Stanley graduated from the Department of Electronic Engineering of Tsinghua University in 1989 and holds an EMBA from Tsinghua University.


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A Sacramento man was arrested on Wednesday after police traced back to him a disturbing Instagram video depicting an individual pointing a handgun at a police car and stating, "F—k the police."
Marco Romero, 20, was arrested on charges of having a concealed, unregistered weapon in a vehicle and for being involved with a criminal street gang.
The case in Sacramento is but the latest in a series of incidents within the past year in which individuals have taken to social media to threaten police officers.
Romero is being held on $250,000 bail and will appear in court on Tuesday.
Help support the men and women who protect and serve. Your $10 donation helps keep Americans in Support of Law Enforcement running.


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USA's HIT SERIES "BURN NOTICE" RETURNS WITH THE LAUNCH OF ALL-NEW EPISODES ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2009 AT 10/9c
With New and Exciting Episodes of MONK, PSYCH and WWE's MONDAY NIGHT RAW
BURN NOTICE, the hottest show last summer and the number one new show on cable in 2007, returns with seven all new episodes on Thursday, January 22 at 10/9c. BURN NOTICE was the #1 scripted show on cable in 2008 in the coveted P18-49 demo delivering 2.76 million viewers.
BURN NOTICE is a sly take on the spy genre starring Jeffrey Donovan as Michael Westen, a burned operative who finds himself stuck in the tropical paradise of Miami. Also starring Gabrielle Anwar, Bruce Campbell and Sharon Gless.
This season, Michael has been forced to work for the very people who burned him. In the premiere of season 2.5, he wakes up after the explosion at his apartment, alive but shaken. Whoever tried to kill him also killed Carla's sniper and jeopardized her operation. Furious, Carla (Tricia Helfer � "Battlestar Galactica"), Michael's new handler and a known ruthless operative, wants the bomber caught, but Michael sees the bomber as his chance to get a leg up on her � and ultimately find out who is pulling the strings. Meanwhile, he continues helping ordinary people with their extraordinary problems, which never seem to get any easier.
Also coming in within the next two weeks...
Friday, January 16 � "Mr. Monk On Wheels"
When Natalie (Traylor Howard) unwittingly helps a thief steal the bicycle of a biotech CEO (guest-star Bradley Whitford), she ropes Monk (Tony Shalhoub) into solving a crime straight out of "Encyclopedia Brown" -- until Monk learns the hard way how dangerous this thief really is. Also with guest-star Pamela Adlon.
Friday, January 23 � "Mr. Monk and the Lady Next Door"
While investigating a murder at a museum of oddities, Monk (Tony Shalhoub) befriends a warm older woman (guest-star Gena Rowlands), but he has trouble believing the friendship comes without a catch.
Friday, January 16 � "Lassie Did a Bad Bad Thing"
Shawn (James Roday) and Gus (Dule' Hill) must prove Lassiter's (Timothy Omundson) innocence when he's on the hook for a mysterious murder inside of the Santa Barbara Police Department headquarters.
Friday, January 23 � "Earth, Wind and... Wait for It..."
Shawn (James Roday) and Gus (Dule' Hill) join up with a local firehouse to prove a series of arsons are more than they seem.
Monday, January 19 � Mr. McMahon returns to RAW
Mr. McMahon returns to RAW for the first time in months after being injured in a horrific accident on the RAW stage, which is still under question. Mr. McMahon vows to bring order back to RAW which is currently being run by his daughter Stephanie.


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Spicy Crispy Garlic Sriracha Wings/
I've been craving wings of late, so yesterday I thought I'd whip up one of my favorite wing recipes:
Spicy Crispy Sriracha Garlic Wings.
First, I blended cumin, coriander, sea salt, and olive oil, then coated the wings thoroughly in the spice mixture:
I let the wings marinate in the spice mixture for a couple of hours.
Then, I fired up the drum for hot and fast and put the wings on:
About 20 minutes later:
I pulled the wings after they cooked for about 30 minutes.
The Missus took over at this point, and began deep frying the wings in batches:
After they were finished:
The final step was to toss the wings in the spicy Sriracha sauce, which I added 1/2 finely chopped jalapeno to for an extra kick.
Here's how they turned out:
Everyone loved them!
Here's the recipe:
Spicy Crispy Garlic Sriracha Wings
The basics:
* 4 pounds chicken wings, cut up (serves 4)
* 1-2 quarts vegetable oil for deep-frying
For the marinade:
* 1/4 cup ground coriander (4 Tbs)
* 1tsp ground cumin
* 1 1/4 Tbs kosher salt
* 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil(4 Tbs)
For the sauce:
* 1/2 cup Hot Sriracha chili sauce
* 3/4 stick (6 tbl) unsalted butter, melted
* 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
* finely grated zest and juice of 1 lime
* 4 large cloves garlic, minced
* One jalapeno finely chopped
1. In a large zip-lock bag, combine coriander, cumin, salt and olive oil. Toss in the wings and massage the bag to coat. Refrigerate at least 4 hours, or overnight. Though the volume of the marinade seems small and barely coats the wings, it is critical to the success of this recipe.
2. Preheat drum or kettle grill to 325 degrees. Place wings in a single layer on cooking grate. Cook for about 30 minutes, until wings are firm, but not done. (They'll finish cooking in the deep-fryer). Remove them from the cooker and place on a platter to dry before frying.
3. In a clean bowl, blend cilantro, minced garlic, lime zest and juice, and melted butter. Add 1/2 cup Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce, combine and set aside. Let rest for at least 10 minutes before saucing the wings so flavors have time to meld.
4. Working in small batches, deep-fry wings until crispy and browned, 2-4 min. Drain briefly on paper towels, then toss the hot wings in the sauce. Let the wings sit for 2-5 minutes before serving so the flavors soak into the wings.
5. Serve hot, on a platter with your favorite condiments
(serves 4 – figure 1lb wings per person)


text: Ubuntu Linux Restart Network Service last updated April 24, 2014 in Categories Debian / Ubuntu, Networking, Ubuntu LinuxI am a new Ubuntu Linux user and using it on my HP Laptop. Now, I need to restart my network service. How do I restart network under Ubuntu Linux? How can I restart networking service on Ubuntu LTS server? How do I successfully restart a network service without rebooting Ubuntu box?


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MARLEY – Small (< 5Kg); Male; Mini Fox Terrier x Chihuahua Blend Puppy; 11 Weeks; Active young puppy; Minimal Shedding; Desexed✓ (Will be desexed at appropriate age and this is included in the adoption fee); Microchipped✓; Vaccinated✓; Vet Checked✓; Wormed✓; Flea Treated✓; Lifetime Registered in NSW✓; Adoption Fee: $550
Nova Pooch Rescue has very stringent rehoming criteria for all our pups:
- Multi dog household
- Commitment to training
- Commitment to socialisation
- A home with safe yard access
- Children over the age of 12 years of age
Expression of interest by APPLICATION ONLY (see Adoption Process below)
Applications not meeting our criteria as above will not be considered.
You can do your part in helping us find Marley a perfect home. All you have to do is to ❤ Like✓ Share✓ Comment✓ +1✓ Pin✓ Blog✓ Reblog✓ Tweet✓ Retweet✓ Tag✓ Repost✓
#nova #pooch #rescue #novapoochrescue #animal #animals #pet #pets #dog #dogs #puppy #puppies #adoption #foster #Newcastle #NSW #Australia #adoptdontshop #oscarslaw
Marley is a little adventurer! Always in front of the puppy pack he leads the way into mischievous adventures. Little daunts this chubby puppy! He is smart, clever and brave. Although he is happy to be held he prefers not to cuddle, but adores being near his carer nonetheless. Recall is flat out as fast as his little legs can move. An active family will have some great adventures with Marley. 🙂
Marley is one of a litter of 4 puppies. Along with their mum this little family were removed from an untenable situation and placed in care.
These pups have been a delight to raise from toilet training to introducing solid food and environmental stimulus. They have taken all in their stride and adjusted extremely well. They are smart little pups, learning very easily & quickly and have a keen desire to please. They will be loyal and dedicated companions for loving adoptive families.
The little family have been afforded excellent nutrition and health care, with the pups being raised on a balanced raw diet, interspersed with midday high quality kibble meals.
Prospective adoptive families will be committed to continuing a species specific diet as well as have a good awareness of the role of minimal chemical usage to ensure Good health. These pups have a healthy immune system that should remain a life time legacy if their caregivers are committed.
Little bones break easily and tiny bodies are easily damaged with mishandling, consequently families with children over the age of 12 years are sought for this litter.
Dogs being extremely social animals should be able to interact with their own species and puppies, in particular will thrive if they have an older role model so we will not re home our puppies to single dog homes.
Please do not consider these pups if you are unable to meet our specific criteria of diet, health care and social needs.
Marley is currently in foster care at North Arm Cove, NSW. DOB 09/04/2016


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Untouched & Never "Tried On" Fresh Stock 🤝
The K3 SV was developed from the experience AGV gained during the design process of the Pista GP and Corsa helmets. Thanks to the use of Finite Element Analysis (FEM), the technical department developed a benchmark product in terms of comfort, aerodynamics and safety. This helmet has a wide appeal and is suitable for young riders with a passion for racing as well as for more mature riders looking for comfort and high performance characteristics. Thanks to CFD Analysis (Computational Fluid Dynamics), the special ventilation system provides maximum airflow to the head through two front and side vents, one central vent and two extractors at the back of the helmet. The sanitized Dry-Comfort internal components can be removed for washing. The mechanism for opening and closing the visor has the XQRS system for quick removal.
Please Note: Helmet shown with optional tinted shield. Clear shield included.


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The following post is by Ken Savin, Advisor, Clinical Innovation at Eli Lilly and Company. Ken received his Ph.D. from the University of Utah in 1996 and came to Lilly in 1998 from the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Research Center as a senior organic chemist. He worked on several projects as a medicinal chemist in the areas of anxiety, depression and inflammatory disorders, and he has been involved in many cross-functional Lilly research collaborations. Some of Ken's recent efforts include the NASA – Lilly collaboration, an outgrowth of the InnoCentive program and a recent Innovation Day event. Through these programs, he continues to reach out to other organizations internally and externally as part of a broader open innovation effort.
Every day we see some evidence that the culture of medicine is changing. Paternalistic approaches to providing healthcare are becoming less and less acceptable as patients have begun to make good use of the medical information and community support networks available on the Internet. If we, as drug developers, want to provide the best possible care and the best possible medicines, it just makes good sense for us to listen to people and carefully consider what works best from their standpoint.
Adherence, the idea of whether or not a patient is following a treatment regimen as directed, is one of many complex issues within drug development for which we could use more insights from patients and caregivers. It has been estimated that three out of four Americans do not take their medications as prescribed. Even in clinical trials, where adherence rates tend to be relatively high, investigators report average adherence rates of only 43 to 78 percent among patients receiving treatment for chronic conditions. This can lead to poor health outcomes for patients, and unreliable results in a clinical trial.
Listening for Solutions
Autonomy is true empowerment. It promotes patient responsibility and holds the promise to lead us to more engagement and better health. We must move beyond participatory medicine and focus on educating, enabling and equipping patients with the tools necessary to master autonomy and the art of self-care. ~Hugo Campos, ePatient advocate
The reasons that patients don't follow treatment recommendations are varied and complex. Oftentimes, it's due to factors that are completely outside of the patient's control. Reasons can include misunderstanding between the doctor and the patient, overly-complicated regimens, the costs associated with the medication and many more. Some people don't even realize that they aren't being adherent, due to misunderstanding of how their medicine is supposed to be taken. It's important for those of us who prescribe and develop drugs to understand where the friction occurs and come up with ways to ease it.
That's one of the reasons I hosted an Adherence Summit earlier this year at Lilly's corporate headquarters.
The idea for the summit came about after I had posted an Innocentive challenge to fellow Lilly employees. (Innocentive is an internal platform that we use to crowdsource ideas and solutions from the wide range of talent within the company.) Several people came forward to say that they were already working on projects around adherence within their departments. So, we thought it would be a good idea to bring everyone together to learn from each other.
We also felt it was important to have everyone who was working on adherence to learn from patients outside of Lilly, in an effort to understand how to develop realistic solutions that will fit patients' lives, rather than expecting patients to adjust their lives to fit one of our solutions. We were honored to have patient advocates and Hugo Campos and Britt Johnson attend and share their insights with us.
What Did We Learn?
When a patient talks face-to-face with an employee at a pharmaceutical company, they will often say something like, "Look, I don't want to "engage" with you, I just want to get better." These conversations are the key to truly shifting the focus to solving the real problems patients face every day when it comes to following their treatment regimens. Too often we develop strategies to address issues that we have assumed are most important to the patient. When we talk to patients, we learn that their priorities are sometimes not the same as ours at all.
One of the most important things we realized at the summit was that we were all trying to make important decisions about improving adherence without having enough information. We need to learn first hand about everything that happens along the patient journey, going beyond the basic steps they must go through to take their medicines or participate in a clinical trial, for example. We also have to understand what they feel along the way, what kinds of barriers they are exposed to and how they react to those barriers. Then, we can ask ourselves how we can help in overcoming those barriers. These ideas led to the suggestion of a new project that will allow Lilly employees to have more regular contact with patients and their immediate caregivers.
Engaging Caregivers
In order to improve adherence, we need to go beyond the traditional "How can we make the injectible device easier to hold?" types of problems. We need to also think about how to engage patients' loved ones and immediate caregivers. With clinical trials, for example, it's been shown that if the patient has a spouse, family member or partner assisting them through the process, they're much likely to adhere to the protocol. So, what kinds of things might we do to make their jobs easier? Send them a video that explains the protocol in detail ahead of time? Make sure they are invited to the first patient visit? How can we go beyond what we've typically done in order to ease the burden on both patients and their immediate caregivers?
Personalized Technology
One of our biggest breakthroughs at the summit came when a Lilly analytical chemist told the group about her experience as a caregiver for her mother who was living with both diabetes and cancer. Her mother had begun chemotherapy, and those medicines where somehow making her diabetes medications less effective. Because of her experience in pharma industry, the caregiver was able to find out that the steroid used in the chemotherapy affected her mother's metabolism. She then figured out that her Mom needed to adjust her insulin dosages to compensate for this fact. Obviously, most people don't have an analyical chemist at home to help them figure this out. In fact, this is something that many doctors might even have a difficult time recognizing right away. Could there be a solution in developing apps that allow patients to enter all of the important details about their health and lifestyle, and receive personalized dosages and schedules for their medications?
If, for example, a patient has been prescribed several medications, and he can't take one of the pills in the evening because the other medications he has to take at the time would interfere with it, the app could suggest a better time for him to take that medication and set up an alert.
Similar responsive technologies could help us measure adherence in clinical trials, as well. Can we make it easier for patients to report when they've taken the experimental medicine, by connected an app to a chip or device on the packaging of the medicine, that would send information to the researchers wirelessly every time the patient opened the package? Would that help save the patient the time and inconvenience of having to write it down or type it out everytime?
There are many possibilities, and our hope is to be able to get more input from patients, so that we can choose those which will do the most good.
Moving from "Adherence" to "Concordance"
People are taking a much more active role in their healthcare, which I think is having a positive impact on healthcare overall. In general, we are all much more educated about our options, and will go to our doctors with ideas about what types of medications we should be taking or treatment regimens we should be following. As a result, maybe the idea of "adherence," which many patients feel has a paternalistic connotation, can be replaced with the idea of "concordance." In its most basic form, concordance requires good communication between the patient and his or her doctor, in an effort to determine what the patient hopes to achieve through treatment, and what his or her options might be for reaching that goal. But the idea of concordance needs to go beyond the doctor and patient relationship to also inform what we as drug developers are doing to bring new and better treatments to light.
Patients have told us that they want us to know them, not just their diseases. In order to do that, we have to go beyond statistics to understand not just their medical condition, but also their hopes, fears and motivations surrounding it. The more we are able to do that, the more we are able to offer treatments that allow more people to live healthier lives.
What are you ideas on how to make treatment regimens and clinical trial protocols easier to follow? Let me know in the comments below…


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TRIHARDIKA, EGI (2009) "MODEL INDEKS TUNGGAL SEBAGAI ALAT PEMBENTUKAN PORTOFOLIO OPTIMAL UNTUK PENGAMBILAN KEPUTUSAN INVESTASI (Studi Pada Perusahaan Yang Termasuk Indeks LQ-45)". Other thesis, University of Muhammadiyah Malang.
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ABSTRACT This research is a case study in LQ 45 stocks listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) during the period August 1, 2008 until January 31, 2009 with the title "Single Index Model of Optimal Portfolio Formation as a Tool for Investment Decision Making (Studies in Companies Includes LQ-45) ". The purpose of this study was to determine which stocks are included in the optimal portfolio of stocks that have been studied during the period August 1, 2008 until January 31, 2009, in particular stock included in the LQ45 index, as well as to determine the proportion of funds invested, so that benefits and risks can be known. This study used 25 stocks included in the -45 LQ as a sample. The analytical tool used in this research is the single index model, in order to determine which stocks are included in the optimal portfolio. This model uses formulas, including formula Ri is the return of individual shares of each month, Rm is the market return, E (Ri) is the average rate of return on individual stocks, Rf is risk-free return, ie βi beta stocks, namely the difference Erb between the level of return that is expected with a risk-free return, C * is the cut off point, Wi is the proportion of each stock fund optimal portfolio, E (Rp) is the optimal stock portfolio return expectations, and βp is the optimal stock portfolio risk. From the calculation using the single index model, optimal portfolio combination is not obtained because of the price of the shares owned by 25 companies decreased. Meanwhile, stocks that enter as a candidate optimal portfolio should have relatively stable prices, increased prices, a positive beta value, having a value of positive Erb and Erb value must be greater than the cut of point (C *). The authors suggested that investors should choose stocks that are located in the most optimal set of portfolios, because the portfolio will provide maximum returns at minimum risk level. However, because this study did not find the combination of the optimal portfolio, it is recommended to investors to choose other alternatives to current funding. For example, invest the funds to the real sectors such as SMEs and so forth. As for further research, the authors suggest to increase the number of samples as well as include other factors that affect the analysis.
|Item Type:
|Thesis (Other)
|H Social Sciences > HB Economic Theory
|Faculty of Economics > Department of Accounting (62201)
|Depositing User:
|Anggit Aldila
|Date Deposited:
|05 Jul 2012 02:49
|Last Modified:
|05 Jul 2012 02:49
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Set in one of the most prestigious London postcodes, it offers residents an oasis of light and space in the midst of the capital. Riverwalk is the result of a collaboration with Stirling Prize winning architects Stanton Williams.
Riverwalk's unique location, distinctive shape and curved balconies offer spectacular views over the river and London, while the organic curves of the building echo the lines of the Thames itself.
Riverwalk provides residents with an exceptional opportunity: a building that not only sets new standards in riverside living, but embodies a design responsive to its riverfront location. Located on the North Bank of the Thames in Westminster, Riverwalk is ideally placed to give its residents the very best of London.
Riverwalk rises up from a landscaped setting, offering outstanding panoramic views of the River Thames, Westminster, Belgravia and beyond, from the apartments.
The curved balconies and terraces provide the development with its distinctive shape and remarkable footprint, and grant exceptional river views to most of the apartments.
Wherever possible in the principal rooms, ceiling heights have been set at an expansive 2.75m. This gives the apartments an impressive sense of space and allows an extraordinary amount of natural light to stream into the apartments.
Bathrooms are designed to be calm spaces for relaxation, with elegant lines and a sophisticated colour palette, while materials have been carefully selected throughout. Feature stones have been chosen as accents while dark oak brings a warm finish to the recessed shelving.
Filling the building with natural light to strengthen its connection with the river was an important consideration from the outset. The contours of the building mean that the vast majority of apartments have balconies and terraces, all with full-height glazed sliding doors.
Ronson Capital Partners LLP (RCP) is a new investment firm established by Gerald Ronson, founder and Chief Executive of Heron International, one of Europe's leading property development companies with operations in the United Kingdom and Continental Europe.
Ronson Capital Partners has extensive experience in delivering highly specified Central London projects with a focus on excellence in terms of design, detail and service. In addition RCP has chosen a selection of excellent partners, contractors and consultants with the experience and expertise to deliver a premier development.
Property Information:
|Ronson Capital Partners
|Stanton Williams
|Local Authority
|City of Westminster
|Planning Permission
|11/09680/FULL granted by Westminster City Council
|999 years
|Council Tax
|Valuation Band H
|No. of units
|116 - Riverwalk West (98 apartments) ; Riverwalk East (18 apartments)
|Ground rent
|One bed - £750 p.a
Two bed - £1,000 p.a
Three bed - £1,250 p.a
Four bed - £1,500 p.a
Penthouse - £2,000 p.a
|Service Charge
|Estimated at £8.5 psf p.a.
|Completion date
|Car Parking
|An allocated parking space can be purchased for £100,000
|Storage units
|Can be purchased. Subject to availability
Mark Elliott
Head of Department
International Residential Sales
Two Exchange Square
+852 2842 4294
Gavin She
International Residential Sales
Two Exchange Square
+852 2840 4684
Clement Lai
Associate Director
International Residential Sales
Two Exchange Square
+852 2840 4636
Jerry Lo
Associate Director
International Residential Sales
Two Exchange Square
+852 2842 4254
Kenny Law
Associate Director
International Residential Sales
Two Exchange Square
+852 2840 4839
Wendy To
Senior Manager
International Residential Sales
Two Exchange Square
+852 2842 4529
Louis Yu
International Residential
Two Exchange Square
+852 2842 4490


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In connection with Matsya Jayanti on 8 April 2019, special rituals will be observed in the famous sub-shrine of Sri Vedanarayana Swamy temple in Nagulapuram.
The day starts with Suprabhatam followed by Thomala and Archana. Later Tiruveedhi utsavam is observed between 6:30am and 8:30am followed by Snapana tirumanjanam to deities between 9am and 11am.
Garuda Seva will be observed in the evening on this special occasion.
ISSUED BY THE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER TTDs TIRUPATI


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Downtown LA: Always Changing
December 18, 2012
The Los Angeles of America's imagination is rarely downtown Los Angeles. When we envision L.A., we think of the beach, 15 miles away, or the starred sidewalk of Hollywood, or the sprawling suburbs of the San Fernando Valley. While not the center of our Los Angeles, downtown Los Angeles is nonetheless visible —it is a backdrop to films and television shows set in L.A., and, just as frequently, serves as Any City, U.S.A., easily transformed into New York City, Washington, D.C., and the generic cities of car, cell phone, or drug store commercials.
In a city known for its sprawl, it is easy to forget that Los Angeles has a center. In many ways, the story of downtown Los Angeles is far more representative of the city's (and nation's history) than its obfuscated past and backdrop present would lead us to believe.
While in Los Angeles this April, take a few hours to walk through downtown, outside of the Bonaventure, past the bustling office workers and the chain coffee stores of Bunker Hill. Walk north to Chinatown, south to L.A. Live, west to the financial district, and east to Skid Row. Look through the layers of history, and into a multi-faceted, storied, downtown.
Los Angeles, as with many cities on the West Coast, did not really begin to grow until the 1920s. Its downtown architecture benefited from this boom period, with many of its more elaborate historic structures built in the Art Deco style. Its growth coincided with the rise of the motion picture industry, and today a short stretch of Broadway contains 12 theaters.
In Carey McWilliams' 1946 classic, Southern California: An Island on the Land, he narrates the action of a bustling, pre-suburbanization downtown as he walks into a bustling Pershing Square after a night spent at the Biltmore Hotel:
"…it suddenly occurred to me that, in all the world, there neither was nor would ever be another place like this City of the Angels. Here the American people were erupting, like lava from a volcano; here, indeed, was the place for me — a ringside seat at the circus."
Pershing Square was once meant to be the "Central Park" of Los Angeles, but its latest iteration has come to symbolize the city's uneasy relationship with public space. In later years, McWilliams' grand Biltmore changed its entrance to face the street, not the park. The park was most recently redesigned in the late 1980s. It is now primarily cement, punctuated by windowless, multi-colored buildings and out-of-place sculptures from its earlier days. The small amount of grass that remains is often roped off to prevent use.
Some argue that instead of being the center of public interaction, the park became central to the city's attempt to control its populace. A long list of restrictions greets the park visitor, and what Mike Davis called "bum-proof benches" (constructed to make sleeping impossible) line its edges. And yet the park, at the center of the city, remains an important site of political protest.
Walk north a block from Pershing Square and you'll find Angels Knoll, a steeply-graded park that had a brief brush with fame in the 2009 film (500) Days of Summer. The green space (maintained by goats, who will "mow" the hillside for cheap) is not particularly useful for soccer games, but makes for a good vantage point with which to view Spring Street's historic financial district.
At its northern edge is the relocated Angels Flight, a 298-foot long funicular railroad that once ferried people between the homes of Bunker Hill and the city's financial district. Angels Flight, built in 1901, is a reminder of a time before Los Angeles embraced Urban Renewal, when Bunker Hill was downtown's residential district, with large Victorian houses overlooking the city.
But the neighborhood changed in character, and by 1942, novelist Raymond Chandler described it as "old town, lost town, shabby town, crook town," full of rooming houses and petty criminals: "people who look like nothing in particular and know it." In 1951, the Community Redevelopment Agency declared this working-class neighborhood, "blighted without hope of piecemeal restoration," and in the late 1960s and '70s, its 133 acres (7,310 housing units) were bulldozed.
Angels Flight was dismantled in 1969. The razed and re-graded landscape gradually filled with some of the tallest buildings in the city, a few apartment buildings, but predominantly bank-owned skyscrapers, and Bunker Hill became the new financial center of downtown Los Angeles.
With the redevelopment of Angels Knoll and California Plaza, the funicular was brought out of storage and in 1986 was reopened a block north of its original location. Its entrance on Hill Street is across from the Grand Central Market, a public market that has served Los Angeles since 1917. The railroad primarily serves tourists, but also offers a reverse commute: residents from gentrifying Spring Street and Broadway can now take the funicular uphill to the offices in the new financial district.
A block east of Spring Street, Main Street is a borderland between new and old Los Angeles; rich and poor; visible and invisible. To some it is the center of success in "cleaning up" downtown, but to others it is ground zero for gentrification, a battleground for some of the last affordable living spaces in the city.
Main Street marks the edge of Skid Row, as defined in a 2006 legal ruling that the city could not enforce a ban on sleeping on the sidewalks, as it did not provide enough beds for its homeless. While best known as a center of L.A.'s homeless population, Skid Row also houses thousands of residents. Affordable housing that brought many residents to this area includes Single Room Occupancy hotels (SROs), aging hotels that once catered to temporary workers arriving via the nearby railroad station. These affordable rooms and their clientele brought social services to the area, which in turn attracted more low-income residents, both housed and homeless.
While late to the trend of downtown revitalization, the population of downtown Los Angeles increased from 35,884 to 51,329 between the 2000 and 2010 Census. One ten-block area along Main Street gained 2,500 people. Many of these new residents are moving into lofts in older buildings that were restored after the city's Adaptive Reuse Ordinance was approved in 1999. The construction of the entertainment venue L.A. Live has also increased demand for more upscale downtown living spaces. Today, many once-affordable spaces like the Rosslyn Hotel have been renovated and now focus their attention on higher-income tenants. Downtown Los Angeles continued from page 1
The new residents have brought new life to downtown Los Angeles, along wine bars, a full-size supermarket, a Target, and a monthly Art Walk. However, the newfound popularity of downtown, particularly along Broadway, Spring Street, and Main Street, has driven up the cost of housing there, putting pressure on existing residents. The influx of new customers also resulted in a push by the local business community for greater policing of the area and enforcement of laws that target activities of the homeless.
At the edge of downtown, the 32-acre Los Angeles State Historic Park provides a look back further into the history of the center of Los Angeles, and a glimpse at its future. If you have the time, and 50-cent fare, take the B-DASH bus past Union Station and tourist-oriented Olvera Street to the Chinatown Gold Line Station, and walk north on Spring Street to the park
At the north end of the park, edged by the light rail line that runs north to Pasadena, is a portion of the Zanja Madre ("mother ditch") constructed by Spanish colonizers and Native American laborers to irrigate farmland along the Los Angeles River. This portion of downtown was once called "the cornfields," a name that may have come from the corn grown beside the river, or its shipment through this area as the railroads expanded and a rail yard was built.
That there is a park here — and not an industrial warehouse — speaks to the power of a neighborhood coalition that fought for the land to become public open space. When a developer offered to redevelop the defunct rail yard into a warehouse complex, 35 different community organizations argued that the open space should be purchased and turned into a park. With the assistance of the Trust for Public Land, the state purchased the parcel in 2001. The park is still being designed and built, but developers are hoping to connect it back to the river, one of the city's great (but long mistreated) assets.
Downtown Los Angeles stands out among downtowns of other large American cities for its Spanish colonial roots, impressive stock of historic theaters, large homeless population, and late-to-the-game interest in redevelopment. And yet its stories are also very familiar for those who study cities: a victory of community coalitions, conflict over public space, a landscape transformed by urban renewal, and success and hardships brought by gentrification. New York writer Dorothy Parker once referred to Los Angeles as "72 suburbs in search of a city." Clearly, she'd never been downtown.
— Jennifer Mapes,
Assistant Professor of Geography,
Kent State University


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How do you create a future for less than a penny?
How does a family go from hopelessness to a bright future? With a grant worth slightly less than a penny, a training, and a whole lot of hard work. Don't buy it? Just ask Aliyi—a farmer in Ethiopia.
Even in a good year, Aliyi Mumed could only grow enough grain to feed his family for about eight months, leaving four months when they all struggle for the next meal. In good years, with income from khat, his cash crop, he could just barely scrape together enough to send his kids to school with notebooks and pens.
2016 was not a good year. The El Nino drought devastated Aliyi's fields. He produced only enough grain to eat for 2 months, and no cash crop at all. A shock like that doesn't just mean going hungry this year—it can destroy hope for the future—like how to eat next year, and how to keep your kids in school so they can have a chance for something better.
Aliyi struggles to describe what this meant for his family.
"I have no words to tell you how I suffered; I had nothing to feed my family, and had no seed to plant. With no food to eat and no income to send to my oldest son to college, I sold the only ox I have to let him finish his college diploma. For the future, I could only pray."
But something changed for Aliyi and his family. The European Union Drought Recovery Project selected them to receive 6.25 kg of corn—something that costs less than one cent in the international market. The project also provided training in the best ways to plant to get the best harvest. With that seed and their new knowledge, Aliyi and his family got to work. They planted their land and grew 136 kg of corn to eat, and another 544 kilograms to sell. That's 25% more than they had ever grown before, even in a good year.
Aliyi didn't stop there. He invested in sorghum seeds on his own, and used the new techniques he know so well that he grew enough to feed his family for the whole year. Then he bought some goats to fatten and sell to replace his khat crop.
By next year, Aliyi is sure that he will have enough money to replace the ox he sold so his son could stay in school. This is his biggest priority, because, as he says,
"I remained in darkness without education, I don't want my children remain the same. I want to secure my food and educate my children at any cost I can."
Aliyi says the project supports him like only his parents every have. ""The European Union recovery project is like our mother and father. In a short time, it has saved our life."
But having his life back now is just the beginning. Aliyi is already looking to the future.
"In this one year, the project has given me a lesson and for many years to come I can prevent hunger."
Aliyi and his wife, Ahiya Amed, have also started saving in the project-supported Village Savings and Loan Association. Starting at just 5 ETB (€0.20) a week, they have saved 160 ETB (€6.61). Lot of people use loans to start businesses, but Aliyi and Ahiya have other plans. They used their loan to buy their daughters' school books for this year. They are determined that their family will have a future.


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A while ago, I suddenly had a break-out on the right side of my face. And interestingly, the pimples were all concentrated at the same area.
This was taken at a Clarins event last year. I piled up on my makeup base and concealer but you could still see rough area at the side.
Usually, my zits come and go rather easily. I just need to dab some Hazeline Snow Moisturiser and my pimples will heal in a couple of days time. This time, the situation was very different. The zits were stubborn and my usual Hazeline Snow couldn't do much.
I explored a few different combination of products and I am collating what worked best. Currently the zits are gone, with light scars although the area still looks a bit bumpy.
When the pimples first flared up
1. Cleanse the face everyday with Clarisonic
Clean skin is essential for the pimples to heal and I simply love pile my pimply area with concealer whenever I have a breakout. After I remove my makeup with the makeup remover, I washed my face with the Clarisonic Mia (left).
The brush works best with a foamy cleanser. And for the purpose of healing my pimple, I used the Normaderm Anti-imperfection Deep Cleansing Foaming Cream (S$29), which contains salicylic acid.
This cleanser not only feels gentle and silky on the skin, but it helps to treat acne with its salicylic acid content.
2. Toning
After cleansing, it is the best time to tone and "feed" the skin with nutrition.
I use the SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion (S$77) to further cleanse the skin and treat it with some Pitera. Once every few days, I use the Facial Treatment Essence (S$94) instead of the Clear Lotion. SK-II has always work well on my skin and rejuvenate my tired or dry skin (especially from traveling) in no time. The FT Clear Lotion is more of a toner (that was what I understand from the SA) while the FTE works as a serum. But during the days of breakout, I try to pile too many products on my face, so I used the FT Clear Lotion and FTE inter-changeably.
3. Combat the Acne
Now the skin is really for some pimple healing.
The Vichy Normaderm Anti-imperfection Concentrate (S$29) works contains salicylic acid. It is supposed to clear your blemish in 24 hours. The cream is light green, which actually helps to lighten the redness on application. This concentrate indeed reduced the swelling and redness of my pimples in 1-2 days. The disadvantage though, is it leaves acne scars, which I will explain how I tried to fight that at the later part of this post.
Another blemish cream that doesn't contain benzoyl peroxide is Thursday Plantation's blemish gel (S$10.55). This gel makes use of tea tree oil to reduce blemish and manage problematic skin but I am really not a fan of the strong herbal smell. For me, it didn't work as well as the Vichy Normaderm Anti-imperfection concentrate. Those who dislike benzoyl peroxide and prefer something more natural can consider this, since it is inexpensive and I know of someone whose burgeoning pimple vanished in one day after applying the gel.
After the zits are controlled, it's time to combat the acne scars
I tend to think acne scars are better than the pimples. At least they can be concealed with makeup! I still cleanse my skin with Clarisonic, but I change the products after cleansing to focus on reducing the scars and improving overall skintone.
1. Tone + Serum
I use the Shiseido White Lucent Softener (S$79) and Intensive Spot Targeting Serum (S$159) after cleansing. In fact, I use these twice a day, in the morning and at night. And indeed, my acne scar diminished by more than half in less than two weeks.
2. Smoothen the pimply area
The Vichy Normaderm Night Chrono-Active Pore Refining Care (S$49) is a night cream supposed to treat irregular skin texture at night. After applying my SWL serum, I let my skin rest for a while and just before I head to bed, I apply this cream on my acne area. Honestly, it doesn't smell very good too but it does leave the skin smoother and slightly more even the day after.
As I have mentioned at the earlier part of the post, these were what I have tried earlier on to fight those pimples. Right now, I still have some light scars and little bumps and occasionally, pimples threaten to appear at that area. But fortunately, all seem under control. I hope it will be helpful for those who have the same problem as me. Or if you have some tips, please share with us!
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- Published by MsGlitzy.com on January 12, 2011 10:32 AM


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Dry cleaning is considered by many to be a miracle. The reason for this is that this cleaning process handles the dirty laundry, without damaging them. Dry cleaning protects colour and it brightens and softens the fabric. If you have to tend to dirty clothes, it is better to drop them off at the dry cleaners. Dry cleaning your laundry at home just to save money is not a good idea. Why? Because you will wash the clothes incorrectly, not to mention that you risk ruining them. If you do not want to destroy your garments, use a professional service.
Everyone in Singapore does. Business professionals as well as regular people resort to hiring dry cleaning services. They understand that their clothing requires proper care. Bu where does one find professional dry cleaners? All you have to do is search dry cleaners near me on the Internet and you will get tons of results. Are you still on the fence about using professional dry cleaning? If the answer is yes, you may want to read about the benefits of letting expert dry cleaners handle your laundry.
Why waste previous time when you can just drop your clothes and pick them up? Dry cleaning professionals strive to make your life easier. They remove the stains and odours from the fabrics. In this sense, they tackle with chemical solvents to make the items look brand-new again. The only thing you are required to do is come get your laundry. Even if expert cleaning services do not have the lowest price tag, they are well worth the money because they offer you convenience.
Attention to detail
Despite the fact that dry cleaners receive garments from many customers, they still find the time to fold, iron, and put the clothes in protective bags. No matter how busy they are, the employees of a laundry service Singapore make some of their time available for such details. Thanks to them, you do not have to worry about ironing all weekend. Your clothes will be clean and, most importantly, presentable. They are perfect when they are released to you.
Large item-cleaning
As mentioned earlier, dry cleaners receive many garments. They are able to handle high amount of clothes, so you can drop off as any wardrobe pieces as you need to. Experts can handle any type of clothing, including but not limited to trousers, dresses, skirts, blouses, pullovers, jackets, t-shirts and leather jackets. Ultimate Laundry is a service provider that can do all that.
Restoration and preservation
Dry cleaners make use of state-of-the-art appliances, which means that they are able to do things better. If you have large garments deemed out of use, it is better to take them to a professional cleaning facility. Not only will your clothes be completely restored, but also they will be preserved for years to come.
Keep in mind that your time is valuable and that it is better spent with your family and friends. Leave the cleaning job to the professionals.


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Salon Lofts - Sterling Cascades
Loft 26
Salon Lofts - Sterling Cascades
Loft 26
Call for Pricing.
Hi. I'm Candice Stirling. I'm a cosmetologist in the Northern Virginia area, but I like to call myself an ARTIST as my creativity flows beyond hair. I see hair as an empty canvas and an opportunity to paint a perfect picture designed uniquely for each person that sits in my chair. I look at my clients as friends and a new referral or walk- in as a growing chance to connect with a new person. I have a licensed degree from the Paul Mitchell School. I have been in the salon environment since 2008 and actively doing hair since 2010. I have a clientele that anyone would be beyond grateful for. I love to learn new processes and techniques to improve the hair of my clients. I enjoy a challenge in life and in my work. I thrive with styling and textured cutting, but precision cutting and color are my forte. The extra fun chemical /non- chemical treatments are specialty too. Hair comes very naturally to me. I'm well educated in color and natural products and use these products to help maintain and rebuild. Come sit in my chair. Consultations are free. All I ask is that you have an open mind to the possibilities that await. If you're feeling down, I'll help bring you up. It's my job to make a client feel special and look their best. I am graciously looking forward to meeting you! :)
Follow me on Instagram @ meraki_hair_studio_loft
Candice has been cutting, coloring, and styling my hair for over ten years now! I have always received compliments of the natural coloring of my hair after highlights or balyage treatments. Actually a hair stylist that listens to what you want for your hair. She also makes sure that I get a deep conditioning to keep my hair healthy and beautiful! - Carleigh
I've been going to Candice for 8+ years and my teenage daughters now see her regularly as well. She is always friendly, professional, and makes us look FABULOUS!
Candice is truly an amazing artist. She has consistently styled my hair so beautifully and so youthfully that I receive complements wherever I go. My hair (and I) have never looked so good!
Candice is simply AMAZING! I've had very long hair for the majority of my life so I decided I needed a change so I came to Candice and I'm so glad I did. Not only did she give me an awesome cut but her suggestion to do balayage instead of full highlights was so the way to go! It looks so natural and is less maintenance. I absolutely love it! ❤
Candice is not only an amazing friend but stylist she has been doing my hair for four years and I won't let anyone else touch it! Coming from a girl who likes her hair a specific way trust me Candice can achieve hair miracles!! She is also very friendly and takes the boringness of sitting in a hair salon for hours away! Go to her and I promise you will love her!! -Sarah S.
I first started getting my hair colored when I was 15 years old. I really struggled with what looked good and natural. Basically, what I did in the past looked really fake. I was so fortunate to meet Candice and tell her what I wanted; to Candice i said "I want it to be noticeable, yet also natural." I've never been so happy with not only the way my hair has looked, but the overall experience with her. She feels like a therapist to me. It's very warming to find a stylist that truly puts their heart and soul into what he/she does. I'm over the moon grateful that Candice is my stylist. I'd recommend her to anyone and everyone.
Candice has been my go-to for over 8 years and I trust her completely!!! She does amazing work and I've even trusted her many times telling her to "do whatever she thinks would look good!" She's a keeper!!


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Sound Wizard offers professional independent audio visual system design consulting and optimization services. In todays world of increasingly complex technical media requirements, multi-functional spaces and devices with computer controlled sound and video systems; the integration of all equipment piecing into a working system is a complex engineering task. No matter the environment, no matter the budget, no matter the challenges, Sound Wizard is your technology specialist and will design the optimal system for your unique needs.
An independent approach is imperative to a successful AV setup. It can get complicated so should not be done by any so-called 'sound expert'. To maximize a systems performance and minimize signal distortion, there are four important parameters to consider: the acoustical environment, system design, system quality and system optimization. Sound Wizard has extensive experience incorporating all these aspects along with interior design requirements to create the ideal AV setup.
Equipment plays an important role in the quality of your AV experience. We work carefully with you to find the best equipment based on your needs and budget. We stay in close contact with international manufacturers and distributors to keep abreast of the latest trends and technologies.
Quality cabling is a prerequisite for long-lasting installations. We specify professional cabling layouts for analog, digital, audio, video, computers and control signals. Our comprehensive service includes a detailed wiring diagram with termination details specifically for your setup.
Sound Wizard is your technology associate throughout your project. We lead the final on-site testing and measurements to ensure that all specifications of equipment have been met, and that you are provided with the highest possible quality at the best possible value.
System optimization is to tune a the system setup to an acoustical environment. The process blends the system and the room to make the sound reliable, consistent and dependable for the listener.
Our system optimization service carefully examines how sound spreads over a listening area meticulously analyzing the physics of room acoustics and speaker interaction. Extensive knowledge of system optimization and its various methodologies, aided by the latest modern tools and practices enables us to maximize the potential of any system within an environment.
Upon completing acoustic measurement and analysis we get into the system settings to target each setting individually: alignment of speaker, levels, crossover, time, phase, adjusting gain structure, equalization and protection settings.
Final tonal shaping through expert ears is the finishing touch required to bring out the full potential and ensure a smooth translation of content. This is when the magic happens and you can forget about everything and enjoy the music.


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Have a P0306 code, replaced plugs, wires, coil, no leakage of oil, still missing but usually only when it's raining or snowing. I let it sit over night and in the morning it runs good. Have checked valves and replaced rings.
My car has 17900 miles.
Hey there. If after replacing all those items, the cylinder #6 misfire code remains, then there are a few other possibilities. This could possibly be a fuel injector fault. The injector can be clogged or simply worn from age and mileage causing it to not fire properly. Another possibility is a wiring issue. There may be a short / intermittent short in the engine wiring harness to cylinder #6, possible to the coil and/or injector. Lastly, this may be due to low compression. If all other options have been eliminated, a compression test should be performed. If you need help having getting a precise diagnosis, a certified technician from YourMechanic can come to your car's location to inspect the misfire and pinpoint the needed repair.
Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


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Tofu Scramble with Vegetables
Tofu scramble is a very versatile recipe, so if you have other veggies on hand, throw them in! This dish is easy, quick, and colorful — great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The crumbled tofu is an easy way to include added protein and calcium to a flat-belly diet; serve scrambled tofu with whole-grain nutty seed bread to provide a full meal's worth of nutrition.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/2 red onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup carrot sticks
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
1/2 medium zucchini, chopped
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
12 ounces lite, firm, low-calorie tofu, drained
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon cumin
1 cup rainbow chard
In an extra-large nonstick skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
Sauté the onion and garlic until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
Add the carrots, mushrooms, zucchini, and pepper and sauté until softened, about 8 minutes.
Crumble the tofu over the vegetables and stir to incorporate. Stir in the turmeric, paprika, salt, and cumin.
Stir in the rainbow chard and serve.
Per serving: Calories 61 (From Fat 18); Fat 2g (Saturated 0g); Cholesterol 0mg; Sodium 249mg; Carbohydrate 5g (Dietary Fiber 1g); Protein 6g.


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Hosting Renewal Prices
Standard shared hosting package:
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Citroen C4 Cactus Feel BlueHDi 100 road test report review
THIS is Citroen's C4 Cactus and let's be honest, it's hard to miss, especially in this brightest of lemon yellow colours. It's officially called Hello Yellow. But the car itself is certainly no lemon having already found favour with numerous buyers and reeling in a bucket full of awards including a Car of the Year gong.


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One of my very favourite arrivals on Sunday morning is the latest version of Brainpickings,org – Maria is an amazing curator of interesting sources of reflections on life. And today's talk is about busyness.
It's interesting to read how concerned that Kierkegaard was in 1843 – complaining about people being "brisk about their food and their work". So it got me off the hook to spend more than three hours over a relaxing lunch saying good bye to friends who were moving soon – I wish I could say the same about the briskness of daily tasks.
Hesse is also quoted extensively today on other ways to avoid busyness – but there is one way that moving into new quarters has worked for me, He says:
"Just try it once — a tree, or at least a considerable section of sky, is to be seen anywhere. It does not even have to be blue sky; in some way or another the light of the sun always makes itself felt. Accustom yourself every morning to look for a moment at the sky and suddenly you will be aware of the air around you, the scent of morning freshness that is bestowed on you between sleep and labor. You will find every day that the gable of every house has its own particular look, its own special lighting. Pay it some heed if you will have for the rest of the day a remnant of satisfaction and a touch of coexistence with nature. Gradually and without effort the eye trains itself to transmit many small delights, to contemplate nature and the city streets, to appreciate the inexhaustible fun of daily life. From there on to the fully trained artistic eye is the smaller half of the journey; the principal thing is the beginning, the opening of the eyes.
On the first evening of daylight saving time even that sky helps take us away from our petty distractions with a moment of awe.


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By Stephen M. Leaden, President, Leaden Associates, Inc.As industry consultants and analysts, we are beginning to see a dramatic shift towards videoconferencing and its use. Most of our enterprise clients are beginning to show significant interest and even demand for it. As an industry expert in VoIP and UC technologies, I am personally declaring "2011 as the Year of Videoconferencing". Yes videoconferencing is here and it's going mainstream – BIG time. Read this white paper to find out why.
Cognitive Publishing Ltd
Magazines That Mean Business
86 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 2ER
phone:0044 (0) 161 833 6320
0044 (0) 161 832 0571
Other brands produced by Cognitive Publishing Ltd
Web Design by Senior


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In this rather picture heavy post, I will be sharing with you my very newly adopted (as in this week!) skincare regimen. I have stopped using my current products (a mixture of Kiehls, Shu Uemura, Sisley, Darphin etc.) to solely concentrate on Environ products. Why? Because after my really cool facial, and skin scan, I am going to trial this range then go back in March for another scan.
If these products have done what they said they would do (sort out dryness, blemishes, firmness…everything!) then the second skin scan should show lots of improvements!
I have tried Environ before but I got distracted. This time I am totally ready and willing to be given a complete skincare routine. Basically I don't have much time anymore to be faffing with my skin, so it's quite nice to be told exactly what to use and when without any ambiguities.
So this is just a preliminary post with an overview of what I will be using. I will update you in March with the differences in my skin (hopefully with stats and pictures) from the skin scan and of course my general thoughts.
So…these products were chosen for my by Holly who did my facial. AVST is the starter range which is why mine is primarily from that range but they also have the more expensive and advanced range. Also the moisturiser goes from a level 1 to 5 depending on what strength your skin needs. Everyone starts on 1 because introducing too much Vitamin A to the skin right away can cause a retinoid reaction (red, itchy, flaky skin).
The Pre-Cleanse Oil is a PRE CLEANSER in case you can't read. It's for using before the cleansing lotion. You don't HAVE to use it but if you wear make up like me, it's a nice way to loosen it up.
It comes in a 100ml bottle and you can squeeze it out. It's a runny oil with a slight smell (pleasant):
I am going to list all the ingredients on here too for people who want the info.
The AVST Cleansing Lotion is a lightweight white cleanser which feels fine on the skin.
So far using these my skin doesn't feel dry at all.
AVST Moisturising Toner:
As this is a moisturising toner I wondered if this would be like Japanese lotions (patted on to the skin) but this is put on a cotton pad and wiped like regular toner. This is a light texture:
Moisturisers and Serums:
AVST 1 is the moisturiser and has the lowest dose of Vitamin A.
C-Boost is a clarifying cream which helps to brighten the skin but this can only be used on WEEK 3 of using the other products as it has a high dose of Vitamin A.
C-Quence Eye Gel is a light gel texture hydrator for the eye area.
Eye gel:
There are also some additional treatments – AVST Hydrating Exfoliating Mask (which was used during the facial ALONG with the Pre-Cleansing Oil), RAD Sunscreen (SPF15) and Vitamin C supplements.
To use the Masque as an exfoliator, apply it OVER the Pre-Cleanse oil, massage, then wash off.
Mask Ingredients:
RAD Sunscreen:
I don't know how useful skincare swatches are but here's an idea for people who want to see the textures:
It seems like a lot but it's not too bad.
In the day I use the Cleansing Lotion, toner, Moisturiser, Eye Cream and Sunscreen.
In the night, I use the Pre-Cleansing Oil, Cleansing Lotion, Toner, Eye Cream and when I am ready for it, the C-Boost.
Twice a week I use the exfoliating mask which can be left on overnight, or mixed with the oil to create an exfoliator.
My only gripe with these products packaging wise so far is the security seal, which I found falls to pieces when you rip it off (so it won't come off in one piece) which means I had to pick them off each item:


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18.) The Returning Veterans: These warriors are on their way back from a grim, hard fought war. Fatigue and weariness, despair and anguish are written on their features. Their honor drives them to complete one last mission, but they sense that they may never survive it.
Wulfhere, 30 Stalwart Bands
Botherhoods of War
Military units, from knightly cadres to peasant militias are rife with small societies and brotherhoods. Most of these are little more than circles of friends and comrades who watch each other's back during the great war and afterwards are socialite circles for pub crawls. The Order of the Iron Shod Boot began as one such brotherhood.
The Duke of Rimos declared war on the Dominion of Shires, a small pastoral nation that bordered his duchy. The Dominion initially suffered major defeats as it was almost entirely unprepared for a war with the Duchy of Rimos. The Duke expected the war to be over in less than a year, with the breadbasket of the Dominion in his control. With such an annex, he could make a strong claim for the throne when it became vacant, a looming possibility. But it wasnt a quick war, instead the Dominion was able to marshall it's levies and put them into the field against the Duke's elite knights and poorly armed and virtually unarmored peasant armies. The peasant irregulars suffered horrific losses against the numerically inferior Shirelanders. The Knights of Rimos also suffered losses, but nowhere near as severe. The damage done was morale, however. After a few knights were pulled from their destriers and hacked to bits, most lost the nerve to fight the Shirelanders.
If the knightly order had continued it's hard thrust into the Dominion, losses on the peasant soldiers would have lightened, and the knights would have retained the support of their archers, slingmen, and spearmen. The war might have actually been over in just about a year. What the Duke and Knight Marshall overlooked was that a short war is not automatically an easy one. This lack of foresight has lead to a long running war. The Duchy of Rimos is hurting from the cost, both in terms of gold, but also in terms of manpower lost on the battlefield. If a breakthrough on the front isnt made and the war brought to a conclusion in the next six months, it is likely that the King will step in an end the war.
The Dominion of Shires is hurting worse than the Duchy of Rimos, however. All of the the battles thus far have been in Dominion lands, and many farms and irrigation dams have been destroyed. The losses among the soldiers have also been painfully high. If the Dominion cannot strike some sort of counter-blow against the Duchy, it will likely collapse within a year. If the King intervenes, it will be even worse. The Duke of Rimos will likely be censured and reprimanded for his ill-planned war, but the Dominion will face the King's armies. Even if they surrender, the Dominion becomes another piece of the Kingdom, and their unique kingless nation ceases to be.
The Order of the Iron-Shod Boot
Hailing from across the Dominion of Shires, the Iron-Shod boot became a symbol of endurance and strength. The Shirelander heavy footsoldiers wore iron armor, including leather boots with iron plates in the soles to counter the use of caltrops. While the use of caltrops faded, the boots remained.
The Brotherhood of the Iron-Shod Boot has carried the banner of the Dominion into battle many times. In the past it was against gnoll raiders, goblin rabble rousers, orckish barbarians and similar ilk. When the war came, they lifted their weapons and fought man against man. Losses were heavy, but the Iron-Shod Boots killed ten men for every one that they lost. They also were the soldiers who pulled several knights from their mounts and killed them.
Important Members
Sgt. Kuer
A career soldier, Sgt Kuer is an excellent leader, and great warrior. He is also weary of war and tired of killing. He has a face like a weather beaten plank, and he hasnt shaved in weeks. He still carries himself erect with a brutal sense of duty and determination and he will see this war ended, be it through victory, or death. He knows that he will not live to see the Dominion fall.
Brother Pering
Originally a city guard, Pering found it natural to join the army to defend the Dominions. It was one thing catching cutpurses and pimps, it was another to face an enemy on the field of battle. Pering has a great stake in winning the war. When the enemy knights were slain, Pering organized the presentation of their corpses, stripping them naked and hanging them on the city walls for the enemy to see. Pering is a wanted man in Rimos and several knights have boasted of being the man who will find and kill Jon Pering for his mistreatment of the dead.
Brother Asango
Suffering from a chronic cough that leaves him light headed and weak, most are surprised to learn the Asango is a soldier. While not a frint line fighter, he has since traded the heavy armor for an arbalest. More than one knight was killed by Asango by taking a steel bolt through the face visor. His cough has worsened and occasionally is stained with blood.
Sgt. Buzola
A scarecrow of a man, Buzola is among the oldest of the Dominions soldiers. Now in his fifties, there are few soldiers as seasoned and experienced. His heart has largely gone out of the war, as he has seen most of his friends and students killed or crippled in a few short months. The only thing he knows to do now is to fight with all of his considerable skill to end it.
The Last Mission
The core of the Brotherhood of the Iron-Shod Boot has been tasked with a final mission. This mission is dangerous, not very likely to succede and is really a measure of how desperate the Dominions are to find any sort of advantage in their failing war against the Duchy of Rimos. If they fail in this last mission, they will not only likely perish, but the Dominion of Shires will also.
Potential Last Missions
AKA Plot Hooks
The Dingus
Finding the Dingus is a common enough trope, ranging from magical rings to artifacts of ancient design and power. While this holds true, the Order has been tasked with recovering a Virednith, a magical weapon of incredible power. Should they actually find it, they will then labor to move the device as close to the Duke's castle, or the main body of his army as possible and attempt to detonate it. The PCs could be looking for the Dingus, be hired to help the order, or be on the other side after a mole informed them that the Dominion was seeking a long lost super weapon.
Strike at the Heart
Morale among Rimosian troops is low and the knights, having seen their own killed and desecrated and the pitiful performance of the peasant soldiers, is even lower. Just the right kind of symbolic attack can bring support for the Duke's war to an end. The Order is to infiltrate Rimos and find a target of great importance and destroy it, or kill them. The Duke himself is protected from this, killing the duke would only bring the king and his in like a waterfall of suffering. Functioning like a terrorist cell, the Order is looking for trouble to cause, from burning grain silos, poisoning barracks water supplies to kidnapping members of the Duke's family or that of his supporters. The PCs can function as a parallel cell, additions to the Order, or work as Rimosian counter agents.
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Suggested Submissions
- 30 Stalwart Bands NPCs By: Wulfhere


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Hundreds of runners from across the country headed to Riverside Park in Grand Rapids for a 5K race and fundraiser.
Many ran without their shoes.
"Wear shoes, run bare, just get out there," said Rob Sanchez, a runner who started going barefoot several years ago.
"I was always injured one way or another, so since I've lost the shoes about two and half years ago, I've been running pain free and injury free," he said.
Sanchez participated in the Merrell Naked Foot 5K, the first ever national barefoot race series in the country.
Grand Rapids is one of seven stops in the U.S.
"I think the whole barefoot movement is something that has sparked interest," said Race Director Kerri Delacher.
"It's not just about the barefoot movement, it is about the movement. Our main goal is to get people excited and get people outside moving around."
The race also included a shoe drive. Organizers collected hundreds of shoes that will be donated to needy families in Japan.