text: Some people complain that the age of exploration is over. But for the past 50 years we have made it our mission to explore far and wide in the solar system, sending robotic probes to every nook and cranny we can find. The last half-century has been a golden age. Since Mariner 2's successful flyby of Venus in 1962, NASA and other space agencies have launched spacecraft to every planet in the solar system and even a few to asteroids and comets. In honor of this 50th anniversary, NASA's history office is hosting a special symposium Oct. 25 and 26 to look back at the important milestones accomplished in this era. There is a definite imbalance in planetary exploration. Certain popular planets – *cough* Venus and Mars *cough* — have had many spacecraft launched at them. Other planets, not so much. The truth is that many mysteries remain on all the bodies in our solar system and we could always use more robust robotic exploration of other worlds. While NASA's cutbacks have scaled down astronomers' expectations for future missions, there will continue to be amazing achievements in solar system exploration. Here, we take a look at the best images from the last 50 years of planetary probes and look forward to seeing what happens in the next 50. Above: Mercury Mercury is the least-explored inner planet, with only two probes ever being sent to the smallest world in our solar system. In 1974, NASA launched Mariner 10 to Mercury, which made a close flyby of the planet, taking thousands of photos and mapping half the planet's surface. The probe flew by again after swinging around the sun and then one last time. In total, it took 28,000 photos and mapped approximately 45 percent of the planet's surface. MESSENGER — MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry and Ranging spacecraft — reached the tiny planet in 2011 and entered orbit, becoming the first man-made object to do so. The probe's main mission has been to build a complete map of the planet's surface, determine the nature of its magnetic field, and figure out whether the bright deposits seen at Mercury's poles are water ice. Image: Mercury's Caloris Basin in enhanced colors, showing different materials on the surface, taken by NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft. NASAVenus Venus, the closest planet to Earth, has been an important target for much of the Space Age. It wasn't until after a couple of decades of exploration that scientists realized that Venus' crushing atmosphere and lead-boiling surface temperature made it a less-than-ideal candidate, with most missions then refocusing to Mars. When it comes to cool Venus missions, you have to give it up to the Soviets. The first attempt at an interplanetary mission was the Soviet Venera 1 in 1961, though the probe overheated and failed. Venera 4 was the first robot to return measurements from the atmosphere of another planet in 1967 and, in 1970, Venera 7 became the first probe to successfully land on another planet and transmit data back to Earth, sending a very weak signal for 23 minutes before burning up in the 475° C (almost 900° F) heat. In 1975, Venera 9 sent back an incredible 180-degree panorama of Venus' surface and Venera 13 leveled up this achievement with color images in 1981. Possibly the most awesome missions have been Vega 1 and 2, which lofted balloons through the Venusian atmosphere in 1985, each of which traveled more than 7,000 miles and provided important data about wind speed and atmospheric composition. To top it all off, both spacecraft also swung by Halley's comet on their way to Venus. This doesn't mean that the U.S. hasn't had its share of good missions. In 1962, the U.S. Mariner 2 was the first successful flyby of another planet. It was followed in the '60s and '70s by several more Mariners, notably 5 and 10, which measured the very weak magnetic field of the planet as well as clouds high in its atmosphere. The U.S. Magellan mission, which reached Venus in 1990, and the European Venus Express, which arrived in 2006, have been highly successful orbiters. Each has mapped the planet's surface using radar and measured temperature and atmospheric variations. Image: 1) Magellan spacecraft image of Venus' mighty Aphrodite Terra, a large continent-like feature on its surface. NASA/JPL/USGS 2) Venera 13's color image from the surface of Venus.Moon The moon is a planetary exploration program's testing ground. Being right next door to Earth makes it easy and cheap to toss probe after probe at our little lunar companion. In the run-up to the Apollo manned moon mission, NASA sent many robots to fly by, orbit, and land on the moon to pave the way for humans. Chief among these probes were the Ranger and Surveyor programs, launched in the 1960s. Ranger spacecraft intentionally crash-landed on the lunar surface to provide high-resolution images. Surveyor was a series of seven probes that demonstrated the ability to land on the moon and prepare the way for Apollo astronauts. During the same era, the Soviet Luna and Lunokhod programs made similar flybys, landings, rovers, and even sample return missions to the moon. Luna 1 was the first spacecraft to reach anywhere near the moon, flying by in 1959. It was followed by other lunar firsts, including the first man-made object on the moon, the first images of the far side of the moon, and the first soft landing. Lunokhod 1 was one of two successful rovers, unmanned but driven by engineers on Earth, which explored the lunar surface. In more recent times, space agencies in Europe, Japan, India, and China have sent successful probes to the moon. The U.S. currently has the surface-mapping Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and the gravity-probing twin GRAIL spacecraft in orbit around the moon. Image: A mosaic showing the far side of the moon in unprecedented detail, from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. NASA/GSFC/Arizona State UniversityMars After our own, Mars is the most explored planet in the solar system. As the second closest planet to Earth, it is relatively easy to reach, with launch opportunities coming every two years. It also doesn't have the horrific and crushing surface conditions of Venus, making it a relatively benign environment to work in. Of course, Mars' lack of atmosphere means that landing on the surface of the planet is much more complex than on Venus and more failures than successes have happened. Currently, we lack the technology to land humans on Mars. Though the Soviets lobbed a good number of spacecraft at Mars in the 1960s and '70s, most successful missions came from the U.S. In 1965, Mariner 4 provided the first close-up images of another planet. Mariner 9 was the first spacecraft to enter orbit around another planet, which it did in 1974, narrowly beating two Russian probes, Mars 2 and 3. These missions returned important data back about the Red Planet, with Mariner 9 taking more than 7,000 images of the surface. Most Soviet landers crashed before they reached the Martian surface, leaving Viking 1 and 2 with the distinction of the first successful landings on the planet in 1976. The probes snapped many beautiful photos, watched the Martian seasons unfold, analyzed the soil chemistry, and even made rudimentary searches for life. These landers paved the way for NASA's successful series of rovers – Sojourner, Spirit, Opportunity, and the most recent addition, Curiosity. In the meantime, the U.S. also dominated the space around Mars. In 1997, Mars Global Surveyor entered orbit around the Red Planet to study the Martian atmosphere, surface, and interior. Over its lifetime, it succeeded in returning more data about Mars than all previous missions combined. The spacecraft was instrumental in bolstering the idea that the Martian past was a wet one, with lakes, rivers, and possibly oceans. Currently in orbit around Mars are NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft, the amazing photo-taking Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, and the European Mars Express. Future NASA missions to Mars include the atmosphere-studying MAVEN and the recently selected InSight probe, which will look into the Martian interior. In addition, the European Space Agency expects to send a rover within the next decade, and India plans to launch a probe in 2013. An as-yet-unrealized dream for most planetary scientists is a sample return mission, which would bring pieces of the Martian surface back to Earth for detailed study in a lab. Such an undertaking would be extremely costly and complex. Image: 1) NASA's HiRiSE camera on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter captured this incredible shot of rock layers in the Valles Marineris, Mars' version of the Grand Canyon. NASA/JPL-Caltech/Univ. of Arizona 2) A sunset on Mars, taken by the Spirit rover in 2006. NASA/JPL/Texas A&M/CornellJupiter The first man-made spacecraft to visit Jupiter was Pioneer 10 in 1973, followed 13 months later by Pioneer 11. These probes took close-up pictures of our solar system's largest planet. The grand tour undertaken by Voyagers 1 and 2 followed up with flybys in 1979, snapping dramatic photos of both the giant planet and its amazing moons. Though Jupiter was not their ultimate destination, both the Ulysses and Cassini spacecraft flew by Jupiter in 1992 and 2000, respectively, followed by the New Horizons mission, which studied Jupiter from 2006 to 2007 while on its way to Pluto. The most Jupiter-centric mission has been Galileo, which entered orbit around the gas giant in 1995 and studied the planet for seven years. In addition to sending back the most detailed data about Jupiter and its moon system, Galileo gave astronomers a front-row seat to watch comet Shoemaker-Levy crash into the planet in 1994. It also shot an entry probe into the planet's atmosphere, which collected an hour's worth of weather data. Another dedicated Jupiter spacecraft, the Juno mission, was launched in 2011, which will study the planet's magnetic and gravity fields when it arrives in 2016. Many scientists are eager to send probes to Jupiter's intriguing moons, particularly Europa, which may hold extraterrestrial life. But the distance to Jupiter as well as the extreme radiation environment around it crank up the cost of such missions, which are currently beyond the funding scope of any space agency. Image: 1) Sketchy images of Jupiter approaching and receding, taken by the Pioneer 10 spacecraft in 1973, the first probe to visit the biggest planet in our solar system. NASA 2) Volcanic activity on Jupiter's moon Io, captured by the Voyager 1 spacecraft. NASA/JPLSaturn Pioneer 11 visited Saturn in 1979, but snapped only low-resolution images of the ringed giant. Much more spectacular images had to wait for the twin Voyager 1 and 2 flybys in 1980 and '81, which greatly expanded scientists' understanding of Saturn. Much like Galileo and Jupiter, Saturn has gotten its own devoted spacecraft study with the Cassini orbiter. Cassini has been swinging around Saturn since 2004, providing some of the most amazing images of this photogenic beauty. It has studied the planet's elaborate ring system as well as its suite of moons. In 2005, the European Huygens lander floated down to Saturn's giant moon Titan, recording incredible data about its atmosphere and the strange hydrocarbon lakes that cover its surface. It has been the only successful landing ever in the outer solar system. Astronomers would love to further explore the Saturnian system, in particular the weird wet world Titan and the unexpected yet amazing geysers on Enceladus. Image: An enormous storm rears its head on Saturn, taken by NASA's Cassini spacecraft. NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute 2) When it landed, the Huygens probe found smooth rocks in a dry basin on Saturn's moon Titan. ESA/NASA/JPL/University of ArizonaUranus and Neptune The only spacecraft to visit lonely Uranus and Neptune so far is Voyager 2, which flew by each planet in 1986 and 1989, respectively. Voyager 2 studied both planets' atmospheres, ring systems, and many moons, discovering new ones during its journey. Neptune's moon Triton was found to have incredible erupting geysers shooting nitrogen. American scientists ranked a dedicated Uranus orbiter as their number three choice for planetary exploration missions to be done in the next decade, though budget cuts at NASA make such an undertaking impossible. Presumably, a mission to Neptune would follow this one if it ever got off the ground, though NASA has no plans for a Neptune orbiter. Images: 1) Voyager 2's flyby of Uranus revealed a smooth world. NASA 2) Neptune's Great Dark Spot, as seen by Voyager 2 in 1989. NASAPluto No spacecraft has ever visited the distant outer Kuiper Belt, home to Pluto and other dwarf planets. NASA's New Horizons mission seeks to rectify this situation and is currently en route to the tiny frozen world. New Horizons will fly by Pluto and its many moons in 2015 and might then move on to other Kuiper Belt objects. Image: A Hubble telescope image of Pluton and its moons. NASAComets and Asteroids Asteroids and comets are leftovers from the early solar system and, as such, can provide important information about our origins. Comets are dirty balls of ice that live in the outer reaches of the solar system, periodically journeying inward where they can be studied. Asteroids are rocky potato-shaped objects that float in interplanetary space. The International Cometary Explorer flew through the tail of comet Giacobini-Zinner in 1985, though it carried no cameras. Halley's comet's 1986 trip through the inner solar system brought a number of missions to scout out the frozen body, most successfully the European Giotto spacecraft, which snapped a picture of the comet's nucleus. More recently, NASA's Stardust and Deep Impact missions have returned samples from a comet and shot a comet with a bullet to see what would happen. ESA's Rosetta mission will be the first attempted spacecraft to orbit a comet and drop a lander to its surface, allowing a detailed study in 2014. The first dedicated asteroid mission was NEAR Shoemaker, which orbited asteroid 433 Eros and landed on its surface in 2001. The Japanese Hayabusa spacecraft is the only probe to return samples from the surface of an asteroid. NASA's Dawn mission recently left orbit around the giant asteroid Vesta, on its way to the largest asteroid in the solar system, Ceres. Future sample return missions include Japan's Hayabusa 2 and the U.S. OSIRIS-Rex. Images: Comet Hartley 2 sprays ice and snow, as seen by NASA's Deep Impact-EPOXI mission. NASA/JPL-Caltech/UMD 2) Japan's Hayabusa spacecraft approaches asteroid Itokawa, it's shadow visible as a tiny cross on the body's surface. ISAS/JAXA


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Compare cheap flights from Cairns to Oran
When is the cheapest time to fly to Oran?
The Oran Es Senia Airport is the main airport serving this city. Most of flights here are carried by Air Algerie, the country's national carrier. There are also direct flights to Spain, Tunisia, France and Saudi Arabia.
A taste of Oran's dishes
If you are looking for the best dishes in Algeria, the Le Corsaire and the Grand Café Riche are the best places available. The Le Corsaire offers the best dishes made of fish and special seasoning. Grand Café Riche on the other hand offers the best authentic French cuisines with an Algerian twist.
A closer look at the city
Try the Zenata Voyages and see the best places in Oran. You need not research on the best places to visit since a tour package will have a good itinerary for you. Wine tasting is also available for some packages. This is a perfect cultural and recreational experience in Oran.
Stop dragging your heels and book your flights to Oran with Skiddoo now.
Temperature average in August
Rainfall average in August
4.6 mm
Cheapest time to fly to Oran (ORN)
All prices refer to return flights to Oran and include taxes and charges.
Our experiences customer support team is there to help you every step of the way.
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subset: commoncrawl


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This is just a small indication of the huge research resources that are available in and around the Salt Lake Valley. Northern Utah is generously endowed with large Universities. Salt Lake has the University of Utah which has a huge research library, the J. Willard Marriott Library, where I worked through most of my academic career. In addition, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in addition to sponsoring the Family History Library, has a brand new Church History Library and Archives building full of resources about a long block from the Family History Library.
While in Utah, I am initially staying with one of my daughters and her family. She lives about two blocks from the Brigham Young University campus. BYU is a world renowned facility again with a huge library, the Harold B. Lee Library. Inside the huge library is the Utah Valley Family History Center and the BYU Family History Library, and other major genealogical resources. Here is a description of the genealogical resources available in Utah Valley (just south of Salt Lake):
Utah Valley has many famous libraries. Utah Valley University's Digital Learning Center features cutting-edge technology and has been called the "greenest" state-funded building in Utah. Equally as impressive is Brigham Young University's Harold B. Lee Library, which is among the top 10 university libraries and includes over 9 million volumes, microfilms, government documents, maps, films, etc. One highlight of the Harold B. Lee library is the BYU Family History Library, which is the second-largest genealogical library in the world! Check out a book or just take a look around one of the beautiful and impressive libraries located around Utah Valley.Every time I come to Utah, I like to go to the BYU Bookstore and look through what they have for Family History books. Outside of the genealogy conferences, the BYU Bookstore has one of the largest selection of books for sale on genealogy.
Utah has eleven four-year universities, with five of them in the Salt Lake and Utah valleys. I end up doing a lot of my research at the Harold B. Lee Library due to the proximity to my daughter's house.
There are a lot more resources in Salt Lake for genealogy than just the fabulous Family History Library.


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TO WHOM undercut haircut girl GO
Do you dream of a stylish undercut haircut girl? Before you grab the scissors, you should understand whether this image will suit you. Otherwise, you risk shedding tears in the next six months, each time approaching the mirror. We decided to go from the reverse and tell who undercut haircut girl are absolutely not suitable. Of course, you and only you will decide the fate of your hair. But it is better to first weigh the pros and cons.
How often do you need to do a undercut haircut girl
Hair should be cut as they lose their shape. When your undercut haircut girl begins to look different and stops lying well, then its time to cut your hair. And if you just have a great length and an even cut, then go to the stylist when your undercut haircut girl will no longer look well-groomed. Split ends, broken off strands, unobvious density of the cut – all this will be a signal to action.
Beautiful undercut haircut girl
Beautiful undercut haircut girl – a pledge of self-confidence, a way to attract the attention of other people, an attribute of grooming. But for this, a person just needs to follow the fashion trends that are offered annually by stylists, changing the format and vision of undercut haircut girl that have already been successful last season.


text: Earlier this week, I briefly discussed the poem in 2 Tim 2.11–13 in my post about parathēkē. Here, I'd like to explore this passage a bit more, line-by-line. First, let's set the context. The purpose for 2 Timothy, predominantly, is to encourage a co-worker in Christ to continue to preach boldly the gospel, and to avoid apostasy at all cost.


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Please send an email to firstname.lastname@example.com to let us know what web page you were viewing when you found this broken link.
Thank you.
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Beurer GL44 (En)
With our diabetes-management-software-SiDiary you can easily import data from your Beurer GL44 blood glucose meter and use lots
of advantages of statistical analysis, trend analysis and graphics to improve your therapy together with your doctor.
The SiDiary Beurer-driver is also available to import meters like
- AS50 (Pedometer)
- BC58 (Blood pressure meter)
- BF100 (USB diagnostic scale)
- BG64 (USB diagnostic scale)
- BGL60 (Blood glucose and -pressure meter)
- BM55 (Blood pressure meter)
- BM58 (Blood pressure meter)
- BM65 (Blood pressure meter)
- BM70 (Blood pressure meter)
- BM85 (Blood pressure meter)
- GL32 (Blood glucose meter)
- GL34 (Blood glucose meter)
- GL40 (Blood glucose meter)
- GL43 (Blood glucose meter)
- GL44 (Blood glucose meter)
- GL50 (Blood glucose meter)
- GL50 evo (Blood glucose meter)
For the import you need the original USB cable from the manufaturer Beurer.
Here you'll find more details directly from the manufacturer Beurer.


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The White Sox have taken a hit for not producing a steady flow of players from Latin America, but general manager Ken Williams is taking a hands-on approach now. Williams recently left on a scouting mission, according to two sources, and will make a stop in the Dominican Republic.
The next Alexei is coming to the South Side!


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If you are a Snapchat fiend like so many of my friends are, you should definitely be following PurseBlog. I don't post on Snapchat nearly as often as I should, but I am planning to share more from bags to a look into our lives (so follow PurseBlog on Snapchat now). Tomorrow, I am taking over Coach's Snapchat to share a look at their Pre-Fall 2016 collection and I'm super excited.
The Pre-Fall Collection is such a fun one, with plenty of dinosaurs popping up and the Rogue bag quickly becoming a staple. I have a fun day planned to share a look at some of my favorite items from the Coach Pre-Fall 2016 Collection that I know you will love. Be sure to follow Coach on Snapchat (username is coachnyc) to see the entire story tomorrow. Shop it now on Coach.com.
[Pictured above is the Coach Rogue Bag and Coach Rexy Intarsia Sweater]


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How to START a Ministry at Your School
Here's a step-by-step guide to START a ministry at your local high school or middle school campus:
S-Share in the Vision
T-Talk to a Coach
A-Apply to work with Cru
R-Recruit a Team
T-Tactics: Create a Ministry Plan
Let's get into some of the details of what this START involves:
1. Share in the Vision
Our most significant ministry happens when we train students to become missionaries to their peers. We call it "Win, Build, Send."
What is your Vision?
- After spending a significant amount of time in prayer and the Word, what needs of teenagers are most pressing on your heart?
- How would things be different if all teenagers at school would come to know Christ?
- What do you want to see God do at your local school? How do you want the school to be different 2-4 years from now?
Learn how to explain Cru, using the School within a School diagram.
2. Talk to a Coach
Share your vision with your College Ministry leadership and then call the High School Ministry. You can talk to a local High School Ministry staff person in your area or call the High School's Coaching Center at 877-GoCampus to speak with a personal ministry coach who is available to provide phone "coaching" or training, along with tools and encouragement – all for free.
Call 877-GoCampus (462-2678) or find out how you can volunteer with Cru's High School Ministry.
3. Apply to Volunteer
In order for you to use the name Cru or Campus Crusade for Christ for your ministry or activities, you'll need to apply and be accepted. Also, all volunteers need to apply.
4. Recruit a Team
Share the vision for your ministry with others and give them specific roles to play.
Setting up a Team The resources below are available on this site:
- Choosing the Right People for Your Team
- Working with Other Christians on Campus
- Adult Informational Meeting
5. Tactics: Create a Ministry Plan
Download a Planning Worksheet to get started with creating a ministry plan.
Plan-Step 1: Pray
Find others who will pray with you and for you. Below are some resources to help:
Plan-Step 2: Scout the Campus
Learn the unique needs and ways of life at the school:
Plan-Step 3: Meet and Gather Students
Go to the campus or wherever teens hang out.
Plan-Step 4: Decode the Campus
Observe how students hang out in natural groups.
Plan-Step 5: Choose a Group to Reach
- Planning and Conducting an Outreach
- Comment Cards
- Outreach Ideas
- How to Follow Up New Christian
- Faith Tracks Studies
- How to Lead a Small Group
Please be aware of legal issues and protective measures that need to be taken when working with minors.
Additional Resources
- Why use a Tool to Share Your Faith
- Interactive Flash Booklet "Connecting with God"
- Testimony-Your Story
- Creative Evangelistic Events
- Dare to Multiply
- Follow-up studies
- Building a Spiritual Movement
- Vision of Fruit
- Evangelism Questionnaires
- How to use Questionnaires
To download a file of a plan, or if interested in more, go to our Ministry Tools!


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My eyes were glazing over as the prizes were being listed. Again. Sure, companies provide the prizes and they have to get something out of it, but couldn't they mix it up a bit? Change the order?
But somewhere between the grocery vouchers and the book deal I clicked. That awful music from the first two episodes would be no more. The new old awful music would be on its way - and that could only mean one thing. The contestant titles!
It's the moment I look forward to most in these early episodes. A mix of the usual slightly awkward smiles (Corinna, Kelly, Kris, Paula), the OMFG WTF am I doing here? (Aaron), and of course the staged kitchen moves (Serena, David, Raheel, Vanessa, Ella, Eliott, Dana, Michael, Suzanne, Sushil and Jennis). Ok so Jennis was closing a book, but I still classify that under kitchen moves. At least no one kissed a bloody fish.
I always thought it was funny that The Hallowed MasterChef Mansion, in a previous life, was more likely to be the home of parties where "eating's cheating". But that's of no concern to the contestants. Serena: "Oh my god look at that ship".
As for the fake animals, where the hell did they come from? Did real estate agent to the stars Michael Boulgaris put those in for an open home? Is it still on the market? Actually, does Michael Boulgaris still sell real estate? Also, who the hell is Michael Boulgaris anyway?
Time to learn more about the contestants. Ella studies the breaking point of Grain Waves, Paula is going to miss her family, Kelly wants to win to prove to herself that she can do it. Oh, and Eliott is actually going to win.
"My ultimate dream after I win MasterChef is to run a little local produce deli." After he wins? Ahh the confidence. As Tom Cruise's character in Magnolia once said "RESPECT THE COOK!" (Sic).
Corinna though, seems more civic-minded. "My dream is to open a community kitchen where people can come together and share food and get to know each other." So a restaurant then.
After Eliott gives a toast to the group - again dropping in that he's going to win - the three past winners arrive. "Our jaws just dropped," said Jennis.
Brett proceeds to spin some claptrap about cooking from the heart. What bloody useless advice. Does it mean anything? It's the culinary version of game of two halves.
It reminded me of earlier in the week when I heard a couple of guys doing "a funny bit" on the radio about management jargon and PR speak. The kind of radio bit that is usually cringe-inducing, but in this particular case was really quite funny.
They were talking about passing the time in conferences by playing Bingo when people said clichés like "for the team", "going forward" or "tax return". You know where this is going...
Yes, a MasterChef Bingo drinking game. Cross off a square every time the voiceover guy says the words "for the chop", or Serena looks like she's going to cry, or Ray gets "an overwhelming feeling of disappointment."
It wouldn't be too hard to Photoshop one up and make it downloadable from this blog. I thought it could be my task for this week. I wouldn't hold out too much hope though, last week's task was filleting a fish and I didn't get around to that either.
Meanwhile Nadia was giving some pretty robust advice: after the challenges, get drunk and learn things from each other. Brilliant. Now that is actually something tangible and useful. Chelsea brings the mood back down. "The heat is definitely on... tomorrow brings a new challenge." Bingo!
Eliott's confidence takes a dent on learning it's hangi time. "I was a bit gob smacked actually," but then he's picked to be leader for the welcome so things are looking up.
"I've never been in that situation before but I've seen Richie McCaw do it."
After a long pun-filled intro to the challenge (everything's going to be ka pai, dreams well and truly buried, etc), we endure an even longer, even more pun-filled account of the fire troubles. "Straight up we're put into a bit of a hot burning pit." I'm so bored.
After the break we're still watching the fires. I'm still bored. I don't care about the fire. What are they cooking?
Not a moment too soon we see some food prep underway. Raheel looks to be doing something with coconut cream. Kelly's sauce looks interesting too, what's that local ingredient she's using? No one is telling me. But I'm interested in the cooking. Can someone tell me what they are cooking? CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WHAT THEY ARE COOKING? Cut back to the fire.
It's almost halfway through the episode and my interest in food is not being satiated. I'm about to start carving I Hate Group Challenges into my arm before Aaron, who seems to be the voice of reason and logic, gets the whole thing back on track with his steamed pudding in a tin.
"An hour and a quarter has gone everybody," says Simon Gault. Is that all?
I keep hearing about horopito and kawakawa but I'm still no closer to knowing what they taste like. A pacey well-cut montage of food going into the pit does give a pretty good overview of how the hangi is assembled and how it works. I could almost give it a try myself based on that few seconds alone. Probably won't though, obvs.
I'd never even heard of Koura before, let alone know how to cook them. Gault asks Rex Morgan's opinion about using hot pools to cook the Koura. If he also asked him whether he would kill the Koura first then we didn't get to see it.
After all it was only two years ago that we heard Gault ask contestant Karyn Fisk, "so how would you feel about it if I put a big pot of boiling water on and threw you in there?"
The whole episode turned into Cray-gate.
"So you're the team of Crayfish assassins?" McVinnie asked later in the same episode. "I saw you put those innocent Crayfish, those live innocent Crayfish straight into boiling water.
"Apart from the fact that you always respect your ingredients, you especially respect ingredients that are alive."
It caused such a fuss that Fisk even appeared on Close Up the following night to apologise to Mark Sainsbury and through him, The Nation.
So given all that it was odd they didn't make a point of reassuring us that the Koura were knocked out off-camera, or given bath salts, or that a gentler death via warm water is more humane, or whatever the case may be.
Anyhoo, we're close to deadline now so it's time to dig up dinner. It never really occurred to me that they'd need to go all fancy with the plating. I don't think I've ever seen a pretty looking hangi.
We've clearly been led to believe some sort of shizzle is going to go down over the green team's plating and it doesn't take long to see that it's MasterChef winner Eliott who has got the pip.
"Kelly laid out the entrée, how we'd discussed it together. She went with... mine and Mike's suggestion."
Then: "it's a pretty ugly plate, I'm not happy with the presentation." It's not clear what the problem is but it's clear he's becoming annoying team member guy.
Eliott's stressed now. He's doing that thing where he walks away with his hands in his hair. Luckily the camera notices. He says something along the lines of being worried about seeing his wife and daughter soon. We cut to the ads. Drama!
At the judging table we finally find out what got Eliott in a tizzy. Kelly plated up the entrée and said so when asked by Gault. Big deal. Eliott: "I was gob smacked." Twice now.
"Chucked under the bridge. Team challenge. Really?" Oh stop it you big baby.
I always thought it was unfair to natural justice when teachers told kids not to tell tales but I get it now.
My take: Eliott, stressed that he's ruined the meat by under-seasoning, thinks his get out of jail card is his plating-up-intellectual-property, and goes rogue when Kelly quite rightfully takes credit for what she did.
Suggestion, suggsmestion. If I suggest to Neil Finn how to write a good song, and then he writes a good song, who wrote the bloody song? If Kelly had made a hash of plating up, would Eliott have been so quick to try and highjack credit?
On a less bullying note, the judges are looking relieved. REALLY relieved. It seems salt-crime aside - they may actually see some cookin' this season.
There is more to come. The yellow team's food looks outstanding. No offence to hangis but it looked like it had been created in a kitchen.
Gault agrees: "At the start of this series I wondered if you guys were as good as what they were last year, but when I look at this food I can tell you for sure you guys are every bit as good."
Really? Only a week ago he said "from what we've seen so far you're an incredibly talented bunch, so we are convinced the competition this year is going to be really tough."
The red team's plate looked ok, aside from Suzanne's depressed looking silverbeet concoction. "People go crazy about stuffing." The judges didn't need to dig very deep to find fault, with strings attached. But not tasting the food? Kris! You're killing me.
So to the courtroom-drama of the blue team. Things proceed pretty normally until Josh Emett makes the casual throwaway line "so if you lose we send you all home?"
Emett was probably expecting a laugh or - at worst - an uncomfortable giggle. But the team froze until David offered "if it was us as the losing team I'd be happy with us all going home." Bloody hell David, he's not being serious. Is this some misguided attempt at demonstrating loyalty for the benefit of the judges?
"Really?" Says Emett, not believing his luck. "The producers want drama and I delivered!" He thought to himself. Possibly.
But that farce is put on the backburner while the food is tasted, and that's not going well either. "Makes my hairs stand up in all sorts of places," offers Morgan.
The next day everyone is back at the MasterChef kitchen for the execution. The drive back from Rotorua must have been fun if the look on Kelly's face is anything to go by. "It's very hard to go up there as a team when you know that other team members didn't think that I was a team player."
She looks broken and I'm wondering what sort of nastiness went on off-camera.
But it's the green team who are first to be put out of their misery. Emett breaks the news and now it's Eliott's turn to look teary. He walks away and puts his hands in his hair again. In the celebratory team cuddle, Kelly observes he "reached out to grab my hand which was kind of a gesture of well done." More like damage control. But the damage has been done now and we'll all be keeping a close on eye that one.
Thank goodness they've got Dana in the team to cheer things up. She looks like a good night out.
Yellow team, flying colours, no surprises there. Aaron's going to go far I reckon.
Then an overwhelming sense of foreboding came over me as I realised they were going to make a mountain out of this "one goes, we all go" molehill.
"Are you still all happy about falling on your swords if you're the bottom team?" Gault asks. Here we go...
David is quick to stick to the company line - perhaps only to avoid appearing to flip flop - and a couple of team members follow suit. Jennes observes from the sidelines "David had spoken for his team, it's kind of like a bully tactic, if you don't follow then you break that alliance."
Oh rubbish. Sure, David was silly to offer up the team's heads in the heat of the moment, but if anyone is bullying it's the judges. There is as much chance of them kicking out the whole team as there is of Brian Tamaki becoming the new Pope, but they continue to flog the dead horse. "You gave up a lot to be here," Gault tells a frightened Serena.
Of course we don't get to see if they'd put their money where their mouth is, as the green team are finally off the hook. David looks like he needs a drink.
It's Suzanne who is outski. "I'm really surprised that you made such a bad job of what was essentially a traditional Austrian dish," McVinnie says. Ouch.
Serena can't take it anymore and starts to let it all out. Mind you, Nadia Lim was always quick with the tears and that worked out ok.
So we're finally into the season proper. We're witnessing some actual creativity and reassessing our picks for winner. Yes they tried to blow on the drama flame a bit much, but to borrow a phrase from Suzanne:
"That's the game, if definitely doesn't put me off cooking lets put it that way."
Episode 3
Best line: "Keep blowin', brother" Rex Morgan cements his place as coolest cook ever.
Worst line: "Chucked under the bridge. Team challenge. Really?" Eliott adds a little ham to the hangi.
Current favourites: Aaron, Raheel, Corinna
Episode 1: Fourteen Grand Up
Episode 2: A Route Of Pleasure
-NZ Herald Online


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With the nice weather out, I've been able to do much more of my favorite pastime. No not mutant bike polo,
(photo by: knifefight.)
No, I'm just talking about good ol fashion bike riding:
Just picture a bicycle under me in this photo.
–I'd love to be writing about great positive things like the Tour de Brooklyn, but instead I see headlines like this, from the bike snob:
"There's no surer sign of springtime in New York City than when the anti-cycling cockblockers emerge from their hidey-holes and resume their seasonal efforts to outlaw the act of riding a bicycle."
So I'm forced to write about the latest NYPD crackdown on bicycles.
Here is an article in NYMAG:
With Nice Weather Comes Ridiculous Bike Tickets
By: Joe Coscarelli
Published: 6/1/12
The sun's out as summer approaches, and so are the city's cyclists, which means the NYPD is not far behind with a flurry of tickets. The Village Voice reports that officers have been setting up around town to police riders, and they're not just looking for major infractions. One woman describes being stopped by a cop in Williamsburg for an examination recently: "He explained that this was a checkpoint for enforcing bike safety, and that I was about to be issued a summons for failing to have a bell on my bike." That'll be $90.
Asked about the prevalence of these stops, the NYPD said, "We will not be giving the times and locations of our checkpoints." Streetsblog reported a similar "ticket blitz" this week in Central Park, where cyclists have complained in the past about being excessively policed for things like not stopping at every red light and even speeding.
Entire article, here.
–>So how does everyone feel about this new NYPD crackdown with secret checkpoints? Please leave your comments below, I'd really like to get a discussion going.


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You have Symantec Endpoint Protection. You need to know whether you should enable Intrusion Prevention System (IPS).
Note: To quickly check if the system in question is configured according to this best practice, download and run SymHelp.
Intrusion Prevention System technology significantly increases the level of protection that Symantec Endpoint Security gives to your network. You should always have IPS enabled on your network.
Antivirus technology is strong, effective technology that protects your computer from files that are on the hard drive. Intrusion Prevention System technology is strong, effective technology that prevents malicious files from getting to your hard drive in the first place.
Unlike antivirus, which looks for known malicious files, IPS scans the network traffic stream in order to find threats using known exploits and attack vectors. IPS does not detect specific files, but rather specific methods that can be used to get malicious files onto your network. This allows IPS to protect against both known and unknown threats, even before antivirus signatures can be created for them.
For example, the Downadup/Conficker worm uses a known vulnerability, the Microsoft Windows Server Service RPC Handling Remote Code Execution Vulnerability, to spread to unpatched computers. When the worm was released, antivirus technology could not stop the infection until virus definitions were written for the file. Since IPS already had signatures for the RPC Handling vulnerability, however, computers running IPS were protected before the worm was ever released.
IPS is very good at detecting "drive-by" downloads of malware and fake antivirus scanner web pages, which Auto-Protect cannot prevent. In today's complex threat environment, this technology is an effective complement to antivirus technology, and its usage should be considered a necessity on any network that is connected to the Internet.
IPS is fully compatible with Windows server operating systems. For more information on the limitations of IPS on high availability/high bandwidth SEPMs, see Best Practices for employing Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) to high-availability/high bandwidth servers.
Note: Proactive Threat Protection is not the same thing as IPS. SEP 11.X Proactive Threat Protection is not compatible with server operating systems.
In Symantec Endpoint Protection 12.1, the client firewall function is separate and does not need to be installed or enabled for IPS to function.
In order to enable IPS in Symantec Endpoint Protection 11.x, you must have the client firewall portion of Symantec Endpoint Protection installed and running. This can seem like a problem if you want to run IPS but do not want to use the firewall. To work around this, withdraw the firewall policy. This ensures that IPS is enabled and protecting your network without forcing you to use the client firewall.
If you do not have IPS installed on the clients on your network, you can use Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager to add the feature to managed clients, or use Add or Remove Programs to add IPS to unmanaged clients. For instructions, read the document How to add or remove features to existing Symantec Endpoint Protection client installations.


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Threshold: Black Water Snake Celebrates the Chinese New Year at Portland's Refuge
Portland – Saturday night the year ended for many perched upon our rotating orb. The lunar year finished its cycle and halfway around the globe hundreds of millions ushered in their fresh start. An ocean away Oregon's Acupuncture & Naturopathic … Continue reading
Posted in Electrocution, Muzak Tagged andreilien, black 22s, black water snake, chinese new year, electronica, jpeace love circus, live, musick, nagasita, pdx, portland, r/d, refuge pdx, rose city, threshold, womp show, womps Leave a comment


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Welcome to the Linux Foundation Forum!
annadonovsky Posts: 1
Trying to get on the web using Lubuntu version 12.o4. But when I put in the passcode that I was given for the software it dose not work it tells me that it has to be varaifde ( i know that its spelled wrong sorry). All i want to do is get on line so I can go to class. It is not the main operting system windows7 is. Lubuntu was put on my netbook by a friend who set everything up. If i can us it then how can i remove it? I have no disk for it... Please help me befor i take a sledge hammer to my netbook. I have the pass code that was put on but it will not work i have tryed 12 diffrent times an im just getting madder by the second. I am begging for some help here with me being new to it.
arochester Posts: 290Linux is case sensitive.
Make sure your password is correct.
Use capital letters and lower-case letters where necessary.
Check with your friend?0


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Ellen Page is better known for her work in teenage dramedies "Juno" and "Whip It" than for being an action star, but the actress told MTV News that's about to change with this summer's "Inception."
"I'm definitely involved with the action, which was so enjoyable," she said. "There were times, especially at the beginning, where I felt incredibly out of place and slightly confused as to how I got cast. It was the most action I've ever been involved in."
Unlike the run-up to director Christopher Nolan's last outing, the box office smash "The Dark Knight," details have been scarce so far on the mysterious thriller – but Ellen said the wait will be worth it.
"Chris is doing things we've never seen before," she said. "Visually, this film is going to be unbelievable."
However, she added that the film's script is what takes it above typical firework-filled summer movie fare.
"The script totally blew me away," she said. "I think it's going to be a very special movie."
"Inception" is due in theaters on July 16.
In related news, on Friday, the director's "Dark Knight" sequel was announced for July 20, 2012, by Warner Bros.
Related Content from AccessHollywood.com:
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Young Hollywood Starlets!
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Ellen Page
PLAY IT NOW: 'Whip It' LA Premiere
PLAY IT NOW: 2009 Toronto Film Festival: Drew Barrymore & Ellen Page 'Whip It' Up
MORE ACCESS ON THESE TOPICS: Ellen Page - Movies - Young Hollywood - Directors


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Up To $500 Off Tires and Wheels | Shop Now
Up To $500 Off Tires and Wheels | Shop Now
The RockBrawler rear bumper is designed to combine hard core off-road performance with full features. This bumper is fabricated from 3/16" plate steel, CNC laser-cut and precision brake-formed into a low profile, high clearance design. The RockBrawler rear bumper is equipped with a built-in high clearance hitch receiver. The RockBrawler rear bumper has a built-in step/recess to provide access to the rear of the Jeep as well as clearance for the spare tire. This bumper may be used with the stock spare tire carrier. The universal mounting system for the RockBrawler rear bumper comes with captured hardware already in place for installation on to either TJ/LJ, YJ, or CJ. Simply pop out the bolts that will be unused for your application, and bolt it on! IMPORTANT: The integrated hitch receiver is not rated for towing. It is intended as a recovery attachment point only.
This is a great bumper for the to owner who's looking for the style and protection of a bumper that goes to the entire width of the body. Its also not for the guy who wants to bolt something on real fast. Mine needed a little grinding to flatten the welds on top and to break the very sharp laser cut edges. I also sprayed primer and 4 coats of bedliner. The 3 hours of prep was worth it to get the finish I was looking for though, I'm very happy with the product.
Poison Spyder Customs has a heritage in hardcore off-road accessories that started when founder Larry McRae was little. McrRae's daddy use to load him up in the Ford Bronco to explore the off-road trails of the southwest. McRae became a professional rock crawler who raced for Nelson & Nelson Racing in the early 2000s. McRae purchased PSC from the Slay family and kept the vision of developing and fabricating high end quality off-road accessories right in the Pomona, California headquarters . McCrae and his wife are members of the Inland Empire 4 Wheel Drive club. McCrae himself is a Past President and Mrs. McCrae is a past Treasurer. Every product produced by PSC starts as a prototype tested on real trails by members of the club. Shop Poison Spyder Customs Now


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For Immediate Release
Shaye Wolf, Center for Biological Diversity,
(415) 436-9682 x 301
Three Arctic Seal Species Advance Toward Endangered Species Act Protection
Ringed, Bearded, and Spotted Seals Threatened by Global Warming
This is the first step toward formal listing for ringed, bearded, and spotted seals, all of which are threatened by rapid loss of their sea-ice habitat due to global warming. The status review will be conducted by the National Marine Fisheries Service, a branch of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Today's announcement comes amid reports that Arctic summer sea-ice extent could reach another record low this year. According to the National Snow and Ice Data Center, Arctic summer sea-ice extent reached its second lowest level in 30 years on August 26th, with several weeks still left in the summer melt season, and could plummet below the record minimum observed in September 2007. Leading climate scientists warn that the Arctic may be ice-free in the summer as early as 2012.
"The Arctic is in crisis due to global warming," said Shaye Wolf, a biologist with the Center for Biological Diversity and lead author of the seal petition. "An entire ecosystem is rapidly melting away, and we risk losing not just the polar bear but the ice seals and other ice-dependent species if we do not take immediate action to address global warming."
Ringed, bearded, and spotted seals use the sea ice in slightly different ways, but each depends on the sea ice for giving birth, rearing pups, and resting. Ringed seals, which are the primary prey for polar bears, excavate snow caves on sea ice to provide hidden, insulated shelters for themselves and their pups. The early breakup of sea ice destroys these snow sanctuaries, resulting in increased deaths of pups. Bearded seals, which are distinctive for their mustachioed appearance and their elaborate courtship songs, give birth and rear their pups on drifting pack ice over shallow waters, where their bottom-dwelling prey is abundant. The early retreat of the sea ice off the food-rich shallow shelves decreases food availability for these seals. Spotted seals, whose longer noses give them a dog-like appearance, rely on the edge of the sea ice away from predators as safe habitat for giving birth and as a nursery for their pups. Loss of sea ice and early sea-ice breakup threaten these seals' ability to successfully rear their young.
In addition to loss of sea ice from global warming, these seals face threats from increased oil and gas development in their habitat and the proliferation of shipping routes in an increasingly ice-free Arctic. Both activities bring heightened risk of oil spills and rising levels of noise pollution and other kinds of human disturbance.
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"With rapid action to reduce greenhouse gas pollution, combined with a moratorium on new oil and gas development and shipping routes in the Arctic, we can still save the ice seals and other Arctic wildlife," Wolf said. "If the ice seals are to survive, we need to protect their habitat, rather than converting it into a polluted industrial zone."
The Center for Biological Diversity filed the petition to list the three seal species on May 28. Today's finding that protection of the species under the Endangered Species Act may be warranted triggers a requirement for federal officials to complete the status review and issue a proposed rule to list the species by May 28, 2009.
Listing of the seals would not affect subsistence harvest of these seals by Alaska natives, which is exempted from the law's prohibitions.
The Center has also filed petitions seeking protection of the polar bear, Pacific walrus, and ribbon seal from melting sea ice and other effects of global warming. The polar bear was listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act on May 15th. The National Marine Fisheries Service is currently reviewing the ribbon seal for listing under the Endangered Species Act, while the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has yet to respond to the walrus petition, a decision that was due on May 7th.
For more information on ringed, bearded, and spotted seals and a link to the federal petition, please see: http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/species/mammals/bearded_ringed_and_spotted_seals/index.html
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|This is the article on the bounty hunter. For the shinobi, head to Sazanami Senka.
|サザナミ Sazanami
|Naruto Episode #159
|Appears in
|Voice Actors
Sazanami (サザナミ, Sazanami), formerly known as Tokichi (トキチ, Tokichi), is a bounty hunter.
He was once a bladesmith named Tokichi, but became a bounty hunter when accused for a crime he didn't commit, and changed his name to Sazanami to hide his identity. His biggest target is Gosunkugi, the person who framed him of a murder that took place a long time ago.
Sazanami is a tall, muscular man with two scars on his left cheek, one long scar on the right side of his face, stubble on his chin, a bird shaped birthmark on his chest, and shoulder-length unkempt dark grey hair. He wears a light blue kimono, with a torn-sleeved shirt over it, and a straw hat.
As a former bladesmith, he is skilled in forging quality blades. In his quest to clear his name and working as a bounty hunter, Sazanami developed considerable skill with a sword, able to effortlessly take down three experienced genin. His strikes are fast enough to keep a ninja from performing techniques.
Part I
Gosunkugi Capture Mission
Sazanami meets Naruto Uzumaki, Kiba Inuzuka, and Hinata Hyūga in their search for Gosunkugi. When Naruto provokes a man at a bar, Sazanami saves them by knocking the foe unconscious with amazing speed, leaving the three young ninja in awe. After this, he allows the bar-keep to keep the bounty placed on the attacker as compensation for the damage Naruto caused, but is followed by the gang outside who tell him of their mission and their origin, Konoha.
Learning this, he tried to put the three to sleep because he wanted to defeat Gosunkugi himself. He then went out by himself in search for Gosunkugi. The wanted thief appears to be a shinobi as well, and he ends up getting beaten up. Fortunately, Naruto came just in time to scare Gosunkugi and his men away. However, Sazanami is badly injured. While Naruto and the others were taking care of him and tending his wounds in a small cabin, another bounty hunter called Gatsu breaks into the place. He tried to get Sazanami but failed because Naruto and the others were protecting him. Upon leaving, he accidentally drops a wanted poster. Strangely, they note that the person on the poster's name is Tokichi and has the same bird mark that Sazanami has.
They soon find out about his terrible past. Sazanami lived pleasantly in a small village and made swords. During his delivery he found a family of three killed and found that the murderer was Gosunkugi. Despite this, the villagers mistook Sazanami as the murderer and Sazanami fled. The villagers put him on wanted posts which were later found by Naruto, Kiba, and Hinata. He helps them in their fight against Gosunkugi and helps defeat him. Gatsu catches up and catches Sazanami and Gosunkugi. Later, Gatsu and the village elder revealed to the citizens that Gosunkugi confessed to his crimes and Sazanami proved as innocent.
- Sazanami (漣) means "ripples".
- A man resembling Sazanami appears in Naruto episode 193 as a competitor in a dōjō match in Rock Lee's flashback.
- One of the bandits in Naruto: Shippūden episode #195 resemble Sazanami.


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Despite all the changes, "Two and a Half Men" remains consistent in one regard: It is the most lucrative gig on TV, apparently.
For years, Charlie Sheen stood head and shoulders above everyone else on the TV landscape with his $1.2 million per episode paycheck on "Men." Although his newly-appointed replacement, Ashton Kutcher, isn't pulling in that kind of money, he still makes enough to be firmly established as the new #1.
According to TV Guide, Kutcher will make $700,000 per episode - which is still a massive amount, considering that a typical lead in a primetime show would earn in the ballpark of $125,000 - $225,000.
U.S. & World
Not to mention that the Ashton Kutcher-version of "Men" has yet to even air.
Even with Kutcher's rather large salary, his deal does represent a scaling back for the show. This follows other series that have had to replace actors at lower salaries as costs escalate. CBS, for example, is believed to be saving around $100,000 per episode with Ted Danson in the lead instead of the more pricey Laurence Fishburne.
Selected Reading: TV Guide, Reuters, Hollywood Reporter


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We haven't missed an opening yet, so we had to attend the grand opening festivities at Cosmopolitan. The opening was lackluster with no fireworks, but I like the property more than I expected. I think they captured the city feel better than CityCenter. Still, there are many design flaws, but overall they did good with what they had to work with... awkward parcel, owners went bankrupt and it was finished by the bank. Not worth 3.9 billion, but it's nice. I'm excited to try the restaurants and I'd love to stay in one of the terrace suites... soon enough.
We went down a random elevator on the casino floor and found ourselves in valet. They use these stackers to increase parking availability. Pretty neat.
I'll have more details tomorrow, my Living-Las-Vegas article details some first impressions.


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Trump's Plum Island Golf Course Development: Welcome to Anthrax Acres
So, which statement by Donald Trump about his plans to build a golf course on Plum Island, instead of allowing conservationists to convert the 840-acre property off Long Island's North Fork into a wildlife refuge, is more laughable:
"It would be a low-key and beautiful use for the area."
Or, "The community would love what we would do. We're adored all over the world."
Trump, who is to good taste, humility and environmental sensitivity what Miley Cyrus is to wholesome entertainment, made the pronouncements this week in connection with his proposal to buy the island from the federal government after it closes a high-security livestock disease testing lab that has operated there since 1954.
The Donald told the Associated Press that if the General Accounting Office approved the sale, "We would do something, but it would not be on a big scale. We would look at it and come up with something appropriate."
Meanwhile, after the federal government announced its intentions in 2009 to sell Plum Island, environmentalists persuaded officials in Southold Town, N.Y. to rezone the island to prohibit precisely the type of development Trump envisions.
"This is exactly our fear, that this island will become a Club Med for the rich," Adrienne Esposito, executive director of the nonprofit group Citizens Campaign for the Environment, told the Long Island newspaper Newsday.
First of all, a good part of Plum Island isn't exactly pristine. In addition to housing the lab that studies foot-and-mouth disease and other illnesses dangerous to cattle and pigs, the island includes a defunct U.S. Army base and a lighthouse. There also have been persistent rumors, always vigorously denied by government officials, that the Plum Island lab has been used to study anthrax.
I would think foes of any Trump project might try to bring this up, since it's not generally a good marketing strategy to attract people to a place connected, however remotely or scurrilously, to a deadly disease.
I don't think you'll be seeing any "Visit Anthrax Acres" sales brochures.
Such ominous reports helped propel the narrative of Nelson DeMille's entertaining 1997 novel, "Plum Island," in which nefarious scientists are suspected of carrying out biological warfare research.
Fanciful tales or not, I've always steered a good distance from Plum Island whenever I've kayaked past there en route to Orient Point from New London. It's a challenging, 28-mile, round-trip excursion that must be timed perfectly with the tides to avoid getting sucked into the vortex of Plum Gut, among the hairiest stretches of confused seas in local waters.
Anyway, I've always seen plenty of gulls, terns and herons on Plum Island, and none seemed any the worse for wear despite the government research. I hope they get to live there quietly, without dodging errant Titleists.
Changing gears, hope many of you can show up Monday for a meeting to discuss plans for a 14-mile trail connecting Groton and Preston. This is a great idea, a lot of people have been working for years to promote it and public support is needed.
Forum Monday on Groton-Preston trail
Groton – State and local officials will participate in a public forum Monday organized by a group working to create a 14-mile trail connecting Bluff Point State Park in Groton.
The panel discussion on "Reservoirs and Recreation: the Challenges and Opportunities in Developing Public Trails on Reservoir Lands" will take place at 7 p.m. at the Groton Senior Center on Route 117.
Panelists will include Paul Yatcko, director at Groton Utilities, which owns reservoir property through which the proposed trail would pass; Laurie Giannotti, trails and greenways coordinator for the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection; Eric Hammerling, executive director of the Connecticut Forest & Park Association, which oversees some 700 miles of blue-blazed recreational trails in the state; and Lori Mathieu, who heads the Connecticut Department of Public Health Drinking Water Section.
The association recently learned that the Federal Highways Administration, with the recommendation of The Connecticut Recreational Trails Advisory Board, has approved the Town of Ledyard's application for a $128,000 grant that will help plan the trail and secure rights of way.
The trail would connect 4,000 acres of state and local open space, requiring only seven road crossings. Some 40 percent of the trail already exists so the group just needs to obtain access to about 10 additional property owners.
More information: www.tritowntrail.com.
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Help with activating dry starter
I am brand new to sourdough..... well I had a starter years ago but it was given by a friend and I just had to feed it. I ordered a Friends of Carl sourdough starter and followed these instructions beginning last night.Italicized text below is so you can the instructions I followed.The bold text is what I actually did and observed. Get a small container. Begin with one tablespoon of lukewarm water, stir in 1/2 teaspoon of your starter and let stand for a few minutes to soften the start granules. Then mix in one tablespoon of flour. Depending on the flour, you may need to add an additional teaspoon or two of water. You want the mixture to be like a thin pancake batter. When the mixture gets
bubbly, put it in a little larger container.It was bubbly in less than an hour. I could see bubbles rising and popping. So I went to the next stepThen stir in 1/4 cup of water and 1/4 cup of flour. I did this and waited an hour or two, it had some bubbles but not a lot so I let it sit on the counter for about 12 hours (till morning).While it sat I did a lot of reading on this site about sourdough and starters and read that I should use equal amounts of flour and water according to weight not volumeThe next step said When that mix rises up add 1/2 cup of water and 1/2
cup of flour. When this bubbles up, you will have about one cup of very
active starter that is ready for use or storage in your refrigerator.So after about 12 hours (this morning) I added 1/2 cup water (109 grams) (transferred to a wide mouth quart canning jar) and added109 grams of flour but in volume it seemed more like 3/4 cup than 1/2. I marked the jar and left it on the counter. After 2 0r 3 hours it had moved about 1/4 inch in the jar. I read that a vigorous stir could help it so I stirred it and after about 2 more hours it had again rose about 1/4 inch. The surface looks bumpy as though bubbles are trying to push up to the top. I see some bubbles when I look thru the sides.I am just worried about whether It is progressing correctly or not. And worried about whether I should have changed the ratio I was feeding it at. So what should I do now?


text: Born in 1966 I was a dreamy child loving the sea, Pippi Langstrumpf and playing all day long. The fact of being an artist maybe shone through in small details. I liked to change clothes few times a day in order to fit the colors to the moods or I'd rearrange food on the plate while eating in order to keep a beautiful composition. In my teenage days I'd completely redecorate my small room now and then into a total new experience.After completing High School I had no idea what I could do except something creative like being a professional puppet player, being a shop window designer or working as a set designer. So I signed up for an art school to get the basic drawing and painting skills. I had so much fun there that I then decided to apply for fine art studies at university, where I was accepted. YIPPEE !My thorough and profound studies in fine arts took me all in all 7 years.After finishing university with a diploma in my pocket I embarked on the journey of home and family building! In that gorgeous and adventurous time with my lovely husband and my two wonderful kids, I was nevertheless always seeking time and place to keep my art going.It has been a good but also very stressful time! At the same time, regarding my arts, I had the feeling of being a cowboy without a horse!Since 2013 I'm finally back as a fulltime artist. Ever since I'm spreading my art, my joy and my love throughout the internet, building up, step by step, a strong presence in several online shops and on a variety of social media platforms. I'm happy to connect with you!!! Please stay in touch! Take care!Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.de/capitaine27/boards/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Heidi_CapitaineInstagram: heidi_capitaineFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Heidi-Capitaine-406019362932977/----------------------------------------------------Heidi Capitaine paints simple, bold and often very colorful and happy abstract images. Her main subjects are color and composition. Areas of color against color gradients; stripes, checks, simple shapes such as circles or rectangles are the actors of her stage play. These elements are combined and recombined over and over; sometimes with free brushwork. Many layers of paint help to create depth and vitality.In the end some of the pictures happen to look like beautiful landscapes or still lifes.The images arise spontaneously by listening to the moment. Colors are dancing over the background in a free and inspired choreography!Heidi Capitaine aims to create images which touch the thinking, feelingand perception in many ways.


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Banks are dropping mortgage rates and offering cash sweeteners, loaded credit cards, payment of legal fees and tablet computers as they go to war for customers.
High on their target list are disillusioned National Bank customers, whose bank is to be merged with the ANZ, which owns both brands.
The TSB Bank is running an advertisement that asks: "How do you tell your new bank what you think of their behaviour? Make them your old bank."
The ad offers a two-year fixed rate of 5.3 per cent, $1000 towards legal fees, no application costs and a Visa card loaded with $500.
On Tuesday, the ASB reduced its two-year fixed home loan rate from 5.45 per cent to 5.25, saying it was the lowest unrestricted rate available.
The rate was offered regardless of the customer's loan-to-value ratio, and with a free Samsung Galaxy tablet and up to $1000 cash thrown in.
Last week, Kiwibank cut its six-month, one-year and two-year home loan rates to 4.99 per cent, although the bank requires 30 per cent or more equity in the property to qualify.
Interest.co.nz editor Bernard Hickey said the bank enticements were aggressive and competitive.
"The banks are offering 95 per cent home loans, they are reducing their credit standards on some types of lending and ANZ has been very aggressive in the last six months encouraging people to borrow," he said.
"Some banks are paying break fees, sign-on bonuses and legal fees. They are back to their old tricks but still have a few up their sleeves."
In an interest.co.nz poll of 850 people yesterday, 45 per cent said they would consider moving to other banks, although Mr Hickey did not know how many respondents were National Bank customers.
He said previous takeovers of New Zealand banks had resulted in about a 40 per cent loss of customers to other banks.
Mortgage adviser Bruce Patten said it was too early to tell if ANZ/ National's competitors had gained customers as a result of the merger.
'We have found that most people accepted they were part of the ANZ anyway."
The shift from National to the ANZ brand would not change anything from the clients' perspective.
"We haven't seen a rush of clients saying, 'I want to go because I don't want to be with ANZ'," Mr Patten said.
But Kiwibank communications manager Bruce Thompson said a "disproportionate number" of National Bank customers were now taking up its two-year fixed rate.
"Whether they are switching because they are disaffected or whether they are switching because the rate is attractive we don't know because we don't ask. What we can say is we are the beneficiary of the unrest."
Mr Thompson would not reveal the number of people switching, but said it was significant.
Bank of New Zealand spokesman Thor Bostelmann said his company had received interest from National customers.


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Looks like the new Riddick movie is still a go. Vin Diesel has released this stark piece of concept art for his next collaboration with The Chronicles of Riddick director David Twohy.
Here's the full image:
The image was released via Vin Diesel's Facebook Page — this was the message the silver-eyed beast had for his fans:
Wow, thank you all for the many wonderful birthday wishes, great videos, images, music and words...
This is the third birthday Our collective has shared with me, for that I am grateful.
Vindiesel.com has many of the birthday wishes if you would like to see them, they are heartfelt and cool.
P.s. You all know how much I love concept art, well DT sent me an image for my birthday that I had to share...
Gracias por todo...
Thank you for the LOVE!
Good to know he's still excited about the film, even though a few months ago the actor took to the internet to discuss his salary woes. I think I speak for us all when I say, bring us more Riddick!


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Hope Lives Here
Lexington Medical Center has launched its 2012 annual employee giving campaign called "Hope Lives Here" with a special video showcasing how our hospital employees help each other in times of need.
The video features Kenyottia Gray, a patient access specialist in the hospital's Emergency Room, signing a song written by Stephen Wessinger of the Marketing department. The video also features LMC employees who received help in the last year.
Each year, Lexington Medical Center employees donate more than $500,000 to the hospital's Universal Employee Fund (known around here as UEF). In the last year, the money has helped employees in catastrophic situations including house fires, natural disasters, domestic violence, life-threatening medical situations and unaffordable funeral expenses.
In addition, funds are also designated for departments that request items or services to serve patients in need. Recently, that's included an exercise program at Health Directions designed specifically for cancer patients, painted murals in pediatric patient areas and educational resources for Cardiac Rehabilitation patients.
Lexington Medical Center employees are a very caring group.


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Recently I've been playing lately and on different paths/save files I use different characters, paired with different supports, to see who is an all around great or decent unit to have. Now in all fairness at least all of the units in Fire Emblem all all great in their own respect, (except for Marcus, we don't talk about Marcus) but some of them not so much. In what I have discovered so far these units, excluding Lords, are what a lot of people say are great units that can be used in almost any playthrough:
- Sain
Now in terms of supports I'm more or less biased to canon pairings, or close to, so I mostly pair them like so:
- Eliwood x Ninian
Hector x Lyn/Florina
Lowen x Rebecca
Bartre x Karla (Hector Mode Only)
Oswin x Serra
Priscillia x Erk/Heath
Kent x Fiora
Sain x Fiora/Rebecca/Priscilla
Raven x Lucius
Dart x Farina (Hector Mode Only)
Rath x Lyn
Nino x Jaffar
So what are favorite characters that you guys would use in some of your playthroughs? Currently mine are Kent, Serra, Oswin, Raven and Lucius.


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Hearing Aids
Hearing Aid Selection and Types
- Determining Whether Hearing Aids are Right for You
- Choosing and Fitting Hearing Aids
- Hearing Aid Types and Size Options
- Hearing Aid Circuitry Options
- Adjusting to Your Hearing Aid/Realistic Expectations
- Helping a Friend or Relative Buy a Hearing Aid
Mandatory Trial Period
According to Wisconsin state law, you will be allowed a minimum of 30 days to try your new hearing aids. During the trial period, you should wear the hearing aids in as many different listening situations as possible. You should also wear the hearing aids as much as possible, so you can make a decision as to whether the hearing aids are helpful.
If you find that you are not satisfied with your hearing aids, your audiologist may be able to make adjustments to them. S/he may also suggest a trial period with a different hearing aid. If at the end of your trial period you are still not satisfied with the hearing aids, by Wisconsin state law you may return the hearing aids for a refund, less a fee for professional services provided during the trial period. In addition, custom-made earmolds, which are used with behind-the-ear hearing aids, are generally non-refundable.
Hearing Instrument Specialists
In addition to an audiologist, you may also see a hearing instrument specialist for hearing aid services. These dealers have less formal education than audiologists and generally use more limited diagnostic equipment. Nonetheless, they have a great deal of practical experience in fitting hearing aids.
If you do go to a dealer, make sure s/he is licensed or registered (unless you live in Colorado, Massachusetts, or Minnesota, where this is not required) and check to see that the dealer is certified by the National Board for Certification of Hearing Instrument Sciences (indicated by the letters BC-HIS). If possible, ask your physician to recommend a dealer.
Verifying Qualifications
Whether you go to an audiologist or a hearing aid dealer, you need someone who will work with you over several visits to find the right hearing aid, teach you to use and maintain it, and then be available to service it for months and years to come. If you have any doubts about their qualifications, check your local Better Business Bureau, your state attorney general, or the licensing board in your state capitol for a record of any past consumer complaints.


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Read the original story from Sustainable Business Oregon here.
What if Portland could build a cluster of organizations around not just a certain product or technology, but around an idea?
The Elevating Impact Summit, hosted by Portland State University's Impact Entrepreneurs at the Gerding Theater on June 21, was an attempt to address this question by bringing together social innovators from diverse backgrounds, industries and sectors.
Social innovation seeks to address society's problems in ways that are more just, effective, and sustainable than existing solutions. Social innovators work at nonprofits and foundations, in education and business, for government agencies and as elected representatives. They tackle disparate problems — homelessness and unemployment, access to quality healthcare and education, climate change and ecosystems protection — yet they are bound by a common dedication and a shared vision of a more just and resilient world.
The Elevating Impact Summit provided a way for social innovators of all stripes to share their experiences.
The Impact Awards — given to Evan Thomas of PSU, Kazi Huque of Grameen Intel, Orion Falvey of University of Oregon, and John Haines of Mercy Corps NW — showcased the work of entrepreneurs, students, and nonprofit and corporate leaders doing remarkable work. The Pitch Fest gave local entrepreneurs a chance to share their innovative business models with the public, many for the first time. A cash prize and legal support were given to the winner of an audience vote: Consano.org, a medical research crowdfunding site.
Sessions throughout the day showcased the work of journalists covering positive change, organizations funding innovative models, social entrepreneurs tackling re-entry for the formerly incarcerated, new approaches to education, and the challenges faced by startup entrepreneurs. Keynotes from Peace First Founder Eric Dawson and Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown addressed youth engagement and our state's new Benefit Company legislation.
It seemed, to some attendees, a grab bag of disparate ideas—but as the event wore on, the connections became clear.
Social entrepreneurs cannot succeed without supportive government policies and a well-educated workforce. Nonprofits need access to skilled staff and funders who understand the most effective models. Educators, journalists and policymakers need our support and engagement to help them create positive change. Across ages and sectors, social innovators striving to create a more just and resilient world can accelerate their learning, amplify their impact, and achieve their full potential only by working together.
We hope that the Elevating Impact Summit will be just one of many events to help social innovators build essential connections and create a cluster of organizations and individuals all contributing to positive change. Such a cluster would be a powerful force in the regional economy, environment, and community.
We must break down the artificial distinctions that keep us from the kind of radical collaboration needed to solve the increasingly interconnected and complex problems we face as a society. In Portland, we have a real opportunity to create a unique cluster not of similar organizations and individuals, but of disparate ones, and, in doing so, elevate all of our impact.


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Here's a Marissa Mayer M&A Candidate You Haven't Heard Of
Add this one to the "maybe Marissa Mayer will buy this" pile: Video distributor Grab Media.
The company is on the block, and lots of folks think it is talking to Yahoo about a sale.
Five-year-old Grab Media makes its money by taking video from professional content makers like Reuters, NBC Universal and Hearst, and getting it embedded on thousands of other small sites. It's very similar to 5Min, which AOL purchased in 2010, and has done very well with since then.
Grab has been able to grow into a decent-sized business. ComScore has it in 11th place in its U.S. "video content" rankings, with 29.9 million unique viewers. That puts it just behind Turner Digital and ahead of Amazon. Google/YouTube, of course, is way ahead of everyone, with 150 million uniques.
Grab CEO Alvin Bowles confirmed that his company has hired investment bank Mesa Global to look for potential buyers, but wouldn't comment beyond that.
AOL video executive Greg Prosl laid out the case for a Yahoo deal earlier this week on his personal site, and I'm told that Yahoo has indeed talked to Grab about a deal; industry executives I've talked to think the company would sell for less than $50 million.
Grab, whose backers include SoftBank Capital, has gone through several incarnations. In 2011, it sold off an earlier version of itself, a unit that focused on video transcoding. Last year, Grab raised $5 million via a combination of internal financing and venture debt, according to a person familiar with the company.


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If you're a fan of Adam McKay's Anchorman, the last few months have been amazing. Not only did Paramount suddenly greenlight the sequel after everyone involved thought it was dead, but the studio got McKay and the entire Channel 4 news team (sans Christina Applegate) to shoot a teaser trailer that will be attached to prints of The Dictator!
But it gets better.
In addition to the teaser trailer that should be online soon, Paramount has just released the first poster and it looks like the official title is Anchorman: The Legend Continues. Hit the jump for more.
For those just hearing about the sequel, last week one of our readers sent in a description of the teaser trailer:
"Just got out of a screening of The Dictator. There is an Anchorman 2 teaser attached featuring the Channel 4 news team (minus Veronica) stating how excited they are to return… a concept that Brick seems to have a hard time with. Also, not sure if it was an official title or more of a slogan but the screen title read Anchorman: The Legend Continues followed by '2013′"
Then, earlier today, McKay talked about how the teaser trailer came about:
"Paramount came to us with the idea of the teaser and since we're writing the script it was a good chance to see the characters and hang out with the actors to inspire writing. All of the actors (Will Ferrell, Steve Carell, Paul Rudd and David Koechner) slipped right into character and they all looked amazing. Paul has a beard and we're thinking of keeping it. Kind of an Eddie Rabbit meets Serpico look."
As for what to expect in the sequel, McKay had this to say:
"Nothing's set. Right now I can say for sure there is no Ghost Rider cameo or a scene where Ron fights a wolverine on a nose-diving helicopter. We're either going to shoot the movie in 3-D or 1/2 D."
And with that, here's the first teaser poster for Anchorman: The Legend Continues via Lebanese Cinema Movie Guide. I cannot wait to see this movie….how about you?


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Audley Flower Delivery
Helens Flower House personally deliver flowers in Audley. Would you like a arrangement or maybe a handtied. Our Audley flower delivery service can deliver for you. Order your flowers online or call us directly on 01782 618198.
Same Day Audley Delivery
We offer same day flower delivery in Audley, Monday to Saturday, excluding Bank Holidays. We can also offer same day delivery to other areas including: Abbey Hulton, Adderly Green, Apedale, Ashley, Baddeley Green, Balls Green, Bentilee, Bignal End, Blurton, Boothen, Bradwell, Bucknall, Butt Lane, Chell Heath, Church Lawton, Cliffe Vale, Crackley, Dimsdale, Endon, Fegg Hayes, Florence, Goldenhill, Hanchurch, Hanley, Hem Heath, High Carr, Holly Bush, Keele, Knutton, Lightwood, Longport, Madeley, May Bank, Meir Heath, Milehouse, Milton, Newcastle-Under-Lyme, Newstead, Northwood, Oakhill, Parkhouse, Pittshill, Red Bull, Sandford Hill, Scholar Green, Seabridge, Sideway, Smallthorne, Springfeilds, Stoke-on-Trent, Talke Pitts, Trent Vale, Tunstall, Weston Coyney, Whitmore, Wood Lane