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Budgeting 101 – Creating a budget
Where is your money going each month? Having trouble controlling your finances? Have you ever created a personal budget using a dynamic spreadsheet? If you answer is no or I don't know to any of these questions, this workshop is for you.
Whether you're looking to create a personal budget spreadsheet or just get a better grasp on money management, this workshop will walk you through and explain the detail of the steps below to help you get your financial affairs in order.
1) Note your net income
a. What is the actual amount of money?
b. What is the amount of deductions and where can you find them?
c. What is your strategy for retirement? (401k, 403b)
d. What does it mean to pay yourself first? What is the long-term and short-term impact?
e. What is irregular income and how do you plan for this?
2) Track your spending
a. Categorize your spending
b. Develop a reasonable strategy for where to cut back
c. Fixed expenses
d. Variable expenses
e. Opportunities to cut back
3) Set you goal
a. List your financial goals
i. Short-Term
ii. Long-Term
b. What are your priorities
4) Make the plan
a. Calculate spending in the coming months
b. With fixed expenses how much do you have to budget
c. Predicting variable expenses
i. Adjustments - Need to have vs. Want to have
5) Adjustment of habits
a. Complete budget
b. What is the goal and how much money are you putting towards that goal?
c. Where will you adjust/cut?
d. Needs based evaluation
If the numbers still aren't adding up, you may want to look at adjusting your fixed expenses. What will be the actual or potential impact of doing this?
6) Keep Checking In
a. Review budget regularly-stay on track
b. Is there a change in your expenses?
c. Did you reach your goal and need to modify it or make another


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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Goldman Sachs Group Inc will pay more than $14 million to settle federal and state charges after it violated "pay-to-play" rules, in a case involving campaign contributions to former Massachusetts gubernatorial candidate Timothy Cahill.
Neil Morrison, a former vice president in Goldman's Boston office, worked extensively on Cahill's 2010 campaign while also soliciting underwriting business from the Massachusetts treasurer's office, the Securities and Exchange Commission said.
Cahill at the time was Massachusetts state treasurer.
In what the SEC described as its first "pay-to-play" case involving contributions other than cash, Goldman settled without admitting or denying the charges.
The SEC also charged Morrison, and the case against him continues.
Pay-to-play refers to cash or other contributions made to officials to influence the award of lucrative public contracts.
The SEC announced that Goldman will pay about $12 million to settle the SEC's case. Later Thursday, the Massachusetts attorney general's office revealed details on its related case, which brings the total settlement to $14.4 million.
The SEC's complaint describes how Morrison conducted campaign activities for Cahill, including fundraising, drafting speeches, and speaking to reporters, and how some of this work was done from Goldman's offices during business hours.
During the 13 months through October 2010, Morrison sent at least 364 campaign-related emails using his Goldman Sachs email account.
The campaign work gave Morrison access to Cahill and his staff, who provided him internal information about the underwriter selection process, the SEC said.
Morrison also directly discussed his campaign work in relation to securing business for Goldman Sachs in emails, according to SEC documents.
"From my standpoint as an advisor/consultant/friend, I am saying, PLEASE don't give these (underwriter) slots away willy-nilly," Morrison wrote in one email to an official in Cahill's office. "You are in the fight of your lives and need to reward loyalty and encourage friendship."
Morrison's use of Goldman work time and resources for the campaign activities also disqualified Goldman from bidding for municipal underwriting business with certain issuers in the state. But Goldman went on to participate in 30 prohibited underwritings, earning it more than $7.5 million in fees, the SEC said.
A Goldman spokesman, Michael DuVally, said in a statement that the firm had detected Morrison's activities, fired him, and cooperated with regulators.
"We accept responsibility for the consequences of his unauthorized actions under the terms of the settlements announced today and are pleased to resolve these investigations," DuVally said.
A lawyer for Morrison did not respond to a request for comment.
The case has drawn Goldman into the legal morass that has surrounded Cahill since he lost his gubernatorial bid to incumbent Deval Patrick.
In April, Cahill was indicted on criminal public corruption charges for allegedly using the state's taxpayer-funded lottery advertising budget to boost his sagging campaign.
An attorney for Cahill, Jeffrey Denner, said he had not reviewed the SEC documents, and would have no comment since the order did not directly name Cahill as a defendant.
Robert Khuzami, who heads the SEC's enforcement division, said in a statement: "The "pay-to-play" rules are clear: Municipal finance professionals that use their firm's resources to campaign on behalf of political candidates compromise themselves and the firms that employ them."
The SEC has undertaken a broader crackdown of "pay-to-play" practices in recent years. In 2010, it adopted new measures that target activities of investment advisers who seek out contracts to manage public pension plans and other types of investment accounts.
(Additional reporting by Karey Wutkowski; Editing by Bernadette Baum and Sofina Mirza-Reid)

subset: commoncrawl


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Gifts for the Explorer Last Chance Mix and Match Technology
Mini Bluetooth Speaker
Good things come in small pakages! The Lexon Mino is small but mighty and also features a remote button on the base that syncs to your phone to answer phone calls and take selfies on the go making it a wonderful gift idea. Available in a range of vibrant colours.
- Rechargeable via USB port (included)
- 30 minute charging time
- Battery lasts approximately 2 hours
- 3.7 x 3.2 cm


text: Virginia's own Interstate Snake has been working hard to build his name in the streets for a while now and it is finally starting to pay off. With being featured on some of the most elite hip hop websites Snake is sure to take over the game soon. With everything he has going on he is sure to be next up out of Virginia. His new mixtape "Year Of The Snake" is something that the streets have been missing and need. He has plenty of notable features such as Troy Ave, Cap 1, Fat Trel, Tone Trump and one or two artists in his camp. You won't want to miss out on whats next for Interstate Snake he is always working to make something crazy for the streets. In a recent interview he stated that he feels this mixtape is "The one that will take him to that next level." We will all be looking forward to seeing and hearing more from Interstate Snake until then just sit back and enjoy quality street music.


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Create an Account - Increase your productivity, customize your experience, and engage in information you care about.
Event Details
Enjoy food from a variety of New England food trucks, drinks from Salt hill Pub and musical entertainment!
Limited tickets available. Pre-registration is encouraged. Tickets for 2020 will go on sale April 1, 2020 and will be available online at LebanonNH.gov/Register or at the Recreation Office located in Lebanon City Hall.
Tickets include admission to the Food Truck Festival, access to purchase food at the food trucks and beverages from Salt hill Pub, musical entertainment, and a ticket for a free sample at your food truck of choice! Food and drinks may be purchased individually from each vendor.
Dates: Friday, June 26, 2020 5 pm to 9 pm
Saturday, June 27, 2020 11 am to 3 pm
Location: Colburn Park (West Side), Lebanon
* Fees for ages 13+ increase to $10 for one-day and $20 for two days on June 26, 2020. Fees for ages 6-12 increase to $10 for two days.
In an effort to battle long lines, all food truck vendors have been asked to provide one line for samples and one for their regular menu. In addition, the Lebanon Food Truck Festival will take place over two days with a maximum of 1,200 tickets per day.
Please contact firstname.lastname@example.com if you have questions about this event.


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Students from Tsinghua University Primary School at a hockey training session in Beijing. The sport is becoming increasingly popular among youngsters in the Chinese capital Adidas NMD Mens For Sale , and many parents see it as a great way of improving their children's fitness and mental resilience. Cui Jun For China Daily
Hockey is becoming increasingly popular on the back of the Chinese capital's application to be chosen as host city of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games, as Sun Xiaochen reports.
Just halfway through his 90-minute training session, every piece of Wen Bocheng's hockey gear - helmet, gloves, and even his shoulder pads - was drenched in sweat as the 10-year-old drove the puck up and down the rink.
Despite fatigue and the occasional bruise, the fifth-grade student's face is full of excitement and satisfaction after every practice session he attends with more than 20 of his peers at the Tsinghua University Primary School. The students meet three times a week on the standard 1,800-square-meter rink at the Dreamport Mall in north Beijing Adidas NMD Womens For Sale , and Wen also plays one full-contact game every week to feed his growing passion for the sport.
"Sometimes I've bruised my elbow or knocked my nose, but I am cool with it because I love playing hockey," he said. "It was totally new for me at the beginning, but I've become addicted after playing for almost six years. It's helped me to become a tough boy."
Wen and his hard-working peers are among 1,500 children from a record 96 teams registered with the Beijing Ice Hockey Association's 2014-15 Beijing Minor Hockey Premier League. They play throughout winter and spring.
Skating on frozen ponds for fun has been a popular winter pastime for Beijingers since the 1960s, but modern winter sports such as hockey and figure skating have only recently emerged as fashionable forms of recreation for urban youths such as Wen.
The popularity of winter sports will be further fueled by Beijing's bid to host the 2022 Winter Olympic Games, said Liu Ge Adidas NMD Shoes For Sale , vice-president and secretary-general of the BHA.
The executive board of the International Olympic Committee named Beijing, Oslo, and Almaty in Kazakhstan as the final candidate cities for 2022, but Oslo withdrew its bid in October, leaving the contest a straight fight between Beijing and Almaty. The winner will be selected in Kuala Lumpur in July.
"Grassroots participation in hockey has boomed in recent years, with an increasing number of middle-class families accepting the once high-end sport as a unique tool to improve their children's fitness and mental toughness. The Olympic bid will definitely provide another boost for the sport, attracting more people and more funds Adidas NMD For Sale ," Liu said.
In an attempt to further push the popularity of winter sports and raise awareness of the Olympic movement and the spirit it embodies, Beijing and nearby Zhangjiakou, Hebei province, launched their joint Olympic bid in November 2013.
The aim is to encourage 300 million people in North China to participate in winter sports, while simultaneously accelerating upgrades of the urban infrastructure and controlling air pollution.
Interschool rivalry
To promote hockey among juniors, the BHA organized the first interschool tournament in 2014, and 19 teams from 15 primary schools in Beijing competed in this year's event, which was held in May.
Observers said the tournament's intense final, featuring end to end action and plenty of big hits demonstrated the players' determination.
"In the beginning, we were kind of worried about the frequent body checks, but when you watch your children working hard at something they love at a young age, learning discipline, teamwork and camaraderie, there's really nothing you can do but support them#5#" said Wen Quan, Wen Bocheng's father.
To raise awareness of the bid among children, the education authorities in Beijing have included winter sports in the regular physical education curriculum. They have also provided a special budget to allow schools to rent commercial rinks.
"Given that students lack outdoor exercise in winter and are under intense pressure academically, it's a great boost to physical education on campus. Playing team sports such as hockey will help build character and improve the students' physical health," said Huang Kan, commissioner of the Beijing Municipal Education Commission.
According to Zheng Shiyong, deputy director of education in north Beijing's Yanqing county#6# where the alpine skiing events of the 2022 Winter Games will be held if the bid is successful, seven schools in the suburb have been identified as winter sports special schools. It's expected that by 2022, more than 10,000 teenagers in the county will participate in winter sports every day.
However, a lack of decent rinks and qualified coaches has made it difficult for the sports to flourish in the Chinese capital, which currently has just five game-standard rinks - far from enough to meet the growing public demand - and the dearth of facilities mean too few games of hockey are available to juniors, according to the BHA's Liu.
To promote winter sports in schools#7# the association is working with a number of companies to develop artificial ice surfaces, which could be assembled, disassembled and transferred like mobile basketball courts, but with much lower operating costs.
Expansion plans
Century Star, China's first commercial ice-sports club, operates 13 nationwide. It plans to open at least 10 more this year, most of them in the south of the country. Another Beijing club#8# Champion Rink, which manages 12 facilities, has prepared a five-city expansion plan that will cover a large number of provinces in the south.
"Promoted by the bid for the Winter Olympics, ice-based sports are more popular than ever, and the governing body's call to develop them in the warmer areas in the south will bring us more business
WELLINGTON, Dec.22 (.


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Reactions to Gene Powell's memo
Today's viewpoint centers on a memo authored by UT System Board of Regents chairman Gene Powell. Powell, who was elected in February, has already made quite a splash. In just a few months, he has hired a controversial adviser, endorsed the governor's call for a $10,000 bachelor's degree and compared different UT System universities to models of cars.
The Austin American-Statesman's Ralph Haurwitz wrote that:
Using a car analogy, he said a $10,000 degree would be more like a Chevrolet Bel Air, a midlevel vehicle from a generation ago, than a Cadillac. There's nothing wrong with a Bel Air-quality education, he said.
A few weeks later, Powell tried to clarify his remarks:
We may need to offer students the option of a solid, high-quality yet low-cost degree – a Bel Air rather than a Cadillac. This comment had nothing to do with U. T. Austin. Rather, I was talking about the cost of various four-year undergraduate degrees we offer across the System. Austin delivers a great Cadillac and needs to continue to do so as our flagship. Several of our universities deliver very good Olds 98s and Buick LeSabres. But for tens of thousands of students, many who are first-generation college students, we need to offer within the System an excellent no frills, low-cost undergraduate degree – or what I referred to as the basic Bel Air.
While we urge the esteemed chairman to choose his analogies carefully, we're relieved that he thinks this state's flagship university deserves better than "Bel Air" status. Unfortunately, Powell's most recent memo has caused many to question the regents' level of support, while others have expressed support for this new direction.
Mr. Haurwitz has compiled several quotes from individuals involved in the ongoing debate on the future of Texas higher education. Below are a few choice selections:
"At a time when regents should be working with legislators to minimize dramatic funding cuts and the possibility of liquidating the Permanent Health Fund for Higher Education, Chair Powell instead apparently is proposing changes that are detrimental to the pursuit of excellence. They are, however, consistent with his earlier—equally controversial—statement about pursuing a Chevy Bel Air education in lieu of a Cadillac."
- State Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo
"While I'm interested in expanding access, I'm very concerned about maintaining quality. And I would have some concerns about capacity at UT-Austin. Having read the Commission of 125 report and their recommendations, I'm concerned that his draft suggestions are going a different direction. I think we're all interested in looking for ways to expand access and keep tuition affordable, but ultimately quality and excellence are the most important attributes that I'm looking at."
- State Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, chairman of the House Higher Education Committee
"Tuition costs and student debt loads are soaring at unsustainable rates. The cost bubble in higher education is about to burst and universities that do not reinvent themselves — and quickly — will be made irrelevant. Chairman Powell and his fellow regents deserve the gratitude of students and parents for making college affordability one of their top priorities."
- Texas Public Policy Foundation spokesman David Guenthner
As the semester winds down, we look forward to keeping up with the ongoing debate and voicing our opinions on decesions that could drastically reshape our University.
Lastly, if you do not already, follow The Daily Texan Editorial Board on Twitter at @DTeditorial


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Joke, spectacle at Venice Biennale
VENICE — Contemporary art likes to pretend it has no past. Every year, artists shamelessly recycle conceits that established others' reputations mere decades earlier. Aging geniuses are relegated to the history books well before their time is up. Amnesia reigns.
The situation reaches its apogee every two years at the Venice Biennale, where the world's most important contemporary art event takes place in a setting that is up to its neck in the past.
The strategy of the show's organizers has generally been to ignore the setting, along with Venice's staggering artistic inheritance. The impulse is understandable: Venice itself can make you feel locked out of the present. Best, then, to pretend you're not even there.
This year, however, Biennale organizers finally dared to acknowledge the past. At the heart of the group show, called "ILLUMInations,'' director Bice Curiger took the unprecedented step of including three major paintings by the 16th-century Venetian Tintoretto.
Curiger explained her decision by pointing out that Tintoretto was a renegade, an innovator, a man ahead of his time. But in the end, as the juxtaposition made all too clear, his paintings simply have nothing to do with the prevailing modes — sardonic wit, academic obscurantism — that characterize so much of today's art.
Curiger's show, which is the center of the Biennale's sprawling archipelago of exhibitions, is lackluster, although there are — as always — stand-out works. Among them are Boston-born R.H. Quaytman's suite of small paintings and photographic reproductions, which have the silent, layered beauty of calligraphy in an unfamiliar alphabet; Christian Marclay's 24-hour collage of film excerpts, "The Clock'' (for which the artist deservedly won the Golden Lion for best artist); and James Turrell's conjoined chambers flooded with changing colored light.
Gabriel Kuri's set of sculptures made from dissonant, found materials makes a stronger case for this artist's originality than his recent show at Boston's Institute of Contemporary Art. And I liked, too, a display of 15 elaborately finished architectural models by the exiled Georgian Andro Wekua. The shabby but architecturally intriguing buildings were reconstructed from fragments of memory and Internet research; they hauntingly evoke exile and loss.
Curiously, several of the more compelling artists Curiger chose are dead, among them the great Sigmar Polke; the Ethiopian artist and healer Gedewon; the embroiderer, mystic, and psychiatric patient Jeanne Wintsch; and the US-based Frenchman Guy de Cointet.
A film by the late Jack Goldstein, converting the leap of a diver into a rapturous animation of disco-ball lights that flare up then flame out, won me over. And it was great to see reinstalled here "Spazio Elastico,'' by the Italian Gianni Colombo, an installation that took first prize at the Biennale in 1968.
Colombo, too, is no longer with us. His work, a three-dimensional grid of taut, fluorescent elastic strings, fills a small darkened room. The angles of some of the threads shift, disturbing our spatial awareness. The work hints — in the most restrained, formal way — at parallel existences. A set of colored photographs by the late Italian Luigi Ghirri are bravura in their treatment of the line between reality and artifice.
Fine as the highlights are, they nonetheless feel anomalous in the context of a show that is clogged with flimsy, pretentious gestures, and has little of the unforced intelligence and casual coherence of Daniel Birnbaum's 2009 Biennale.
The jokesters are out in force: Maurizio Cattelan reprises work from the previous Biennale, installing stuffed pigeons in the rafters. (The piece is called "Turisti,'' or "Tourists.'')
Urs Fischer has remade Giovanni Bologna's iconic 16th-century marble sculpture, "The Rape of the Sabines,'' in wax, and has lighted a wick protruding at the top. The whole sculpture will melt (and harden in puddles below) over the course of the exhibition.
Ryan Gander crops up throughout the show with little conceits, including a coin taped to the floor and a miniature sculptural self-portrait of the artist after falling out of a wheelchair.
Other works may not be intended as jokes, but they have the effect of ham-fisted one-liners. The painter Llyn Foulkes superimposes the head of Mickey Mouse on the face of George Washington. Klara Lidén installs a series of used public trash cans. And, tipping over the line that separates insouciance from pathos, Bruno Jakob has one of his so-called "invisible paintings'' (in this case, an empty white card on a string suspended from the ceiling and twisting in the air currents) occupying the same room as the three Tintorettos.
Meanwhile, the national pavilions were their usual eclectic, schizophrenic selves. In these haunted exhibition buildings, erected over the past century with quantities of nationalistic idealism that no longer pertain, artists chosen by their countries pit themselves against expectations that inevitably warp their intentions. Only the best succeed.
This year, the best was Mike Nelson, who converted the interior of the imposing, neo-classical British Pavilion into a meticulously detailed re-creation of an abandoned Turkish workshop. His reasons for doing what he does are as labyrinthine and arcane as the interiors he re-creates. This piece, for instance, reprises a similar interior he built inside a 17th-century caravanserai, or roadside inn, in Istanbul, for a biennial there.
In the details of the new piece, Nelson hints at historical connections between east-facing Venice and west-facing Istanbul. But in the end, the work gains its charge from the fact that it neither looks like art, nor lends itself to the kinds of interpretation most art invites.
The effect, instead, is disorienting and visceral. One wanders through the space as if through an abandoned building out of Cormac McCarthy's post-apocalyptic novel, "The Road.'' One feels not so much immersed in the past as dislodged from the present.
Evidence of habitation, of work and making do, are everywhere. Mysteriously, a photographer's darkroom is at the heart of the labyrinth, with drying photos of subjects that are uncannily familiar hanging from strings.
Sometimes, it's good when you can't say what art means. Other times, it's a sign that something is wrong.
And so it is at the US Pavilion, which is playing host to sculptures and performances by the young Puerto Rico-based duo Jennifer Allora and Guillermo Calzadilla. Sniffing their big chance, Allora and Calzadilla have pulled out all stops — literally, in the case of their noisy organ-attached-to-an-ATM-machine.
But their work — which also includes US gymnasts performing routines on wooden replicas of business class airline seats; a copy of the sculpture known as "Armed Freedom'' from atop the United States Capitol lying on a tanning bed; and an upside-down tank with a treadmill attached to the tracks upon which US athletes run at given intervals — is just as it sounds: embarrassingly overwrought.
To the extent that they are political, these works cloak their critique (of US imperialism, nationalism, consumerism) in a distracting edifice of conceptual chicanery. And to the extent that they are aesthetic gambits (sculpture, performance, and a tanning salon rolled into one) they are simply preposterous.
The US Pavilion was not the only one serving up pointless extravagance. Thomas Hirschhorn converted the Swiss Pavilion into one of his dizzying conglomerations of consumerist junk, brown tape, and reflective insulating material, interspersed with documentary images of extreme violence and suffering. The effect was impressive at first, but so over-the-top that you had to recoil.
Unlike many, I preferred the French Pavilion, where Christian Boltanski has built a multilevel factory conveyor belt churning out enlarged, black-and-white images of babies' faces. The work was not just unsettling and spectacular; it had a lucidity that was in short supply elsewhere.
The Golden Lion for best national pavilion went to Germany's Christoph Schlingensief. This was strange, because Schlingensief died last year, long before he came anywhere near finalizing his plans.
The curator he was working with took over, and created a multiscreen compilation of his films, as well as material relating to his life and death, all of it installed in a theatrical, church-like interior.
It was not the artist's intended work. It should not have won.
The received wisdom is that contemporary art is mostly about ideas. In truth, however, it's mostly about gestures.
Sustained engagement and the kind of mental activity that generates actual ideas are rare. In today's art world, one gesture is completed, and a new one must be dreamed up. Curiger's inclusion of the three Tintorettos in her main exhibit was an attempt at mitigating historical amnesia. But this, too, was ultimately an isolated gesture. As soon as you left the room, you left Tintoretto behind.
Clearly, if contemporary art is going to extend its hand to the past, less tokenistic models need to be found. Such models do exist, and they can be sampled easily enough in Venice.
On the island of San Giorgio, for instance, is an excellent show called "Penelope's Labor,'' which traces the history of weaving across many centuries, right up to ambitious present-day designs that rely on sophisticated computer programming.
Just a few vaporetto (water bus) stops up Venice's Grand Canal, meanwhile, two palazzos have been converted into stupendous displays combining contemporary, modern, and ancient art in meaningful ways.
One is at the Ca' Corner della Regina, which has been converted by the Prada Foundation into a set of galleries displaying highlights from the collection of Miuccia Prada and her husband, Patrizio Bertelli.
The collection focuses on postwar art by Italians such as Alberto Burri, Lucio Fontana, and Piero Manzoni, as well as by an international cast of modern and contemporary stars, from Donald Judd and Frank Stella to Charles Ray, Jeff Koons, and Damien Hirst.
What makes the show special is not just the uniformly high quality of the work, but the inspired pairings of past objects with contemporary pieces. Koons's neo-rococo fantasy sculptures are paired, for instance, with a whole ensemble of actual rococo porcelain figurines. Brilliant!
Not far away, at the Palazzo Fortuny, the Belgian dealer Axel Vervoordt has mounted the latest of three breathtaking shows (timed to coincide with successive biennials) that mix together contemporary video pieces and light installations with works by old and modern masters (Mark Rothko, Pieter De Hooch), ancient classical or Asian sculptures, cuneiform tablets, textiles, furniture, and much else besides. The latest installation, called simply "TRA,'' has, for instance, a room given over to theater models and stage sets (including by the palazzo's onetime owner, Mariano Fortuny).
"TRA'' is as good as either of Vervoordt's preceding shows. Much of the work is for sale (as it effectively is in the Biennale proper, of course) and it carries with it the faint odor of a brilliant dealer's display of "taste.'' But informing that taste is a catholic intelligence, and a view of art that is infinitely richer and deeper than what is on offer in Curiger's central show.
Sebastian Smee can be reached at email@example.com.


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Tea Tree Oil has been around for thousands of years and is one of the most widely used essential oils for hair, nails, skin, and body.
Tea Tree Oil has many powerful benefits such as being Analgesic, Antibacterial, Antifungal, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-Acne, Antiseptic, Antiviral, Antimicrobial, Decongestant, and Insecticidal. Tea Tree Oil (TTO) is safe for kids, adults, and dogs.
The scientific name for tea tree is known as Melaleuca Alternifolia. Melaleuca's name changed in 1732 by Captain James Cook when he added tea tree leaves to his water to make tea.
How the Oil is Made:
Leaves are taken from the melaleuca alternifolia tree and are placed in a stainless steel container, then steam is pumped into the tank and is passed through the plant material in order to collect the oil. "The yield of oil is typically 1 to 2% of wet plant material weigh" (1). Below is an image of the process.
How to Use Tea Tree Oil:
You can use tea tree oil undiluted for cuts, acne, and laundry, but most of the time you will want to make sure it is diluted with a carrier oil such as almond, jojoba, fractionated coconut oil, or apricot oil before applying essential oils onto your face and body.
TTO for Skin:
1.Reduce Acne and Remove Blackheads: Add a tablespoon of carrier oil to a bowl and then add two drops of tea tree oil. Mix. Grab a cotton swab and dip into the mixture then apply on your face. Do this nightly.
2. Eczema and Psoriasis: For this, you can use shea butter, regular lotion or jojoba oil. For the shea butter and jojoba oil, add 2-3 tablespoons to a bowl and then add 5 drops of Tea Tree and Lavender Essential Oil and mix. For lotion, just add the 10 drops of EO to your lotion bottle and shake. Apply to the affected areas or on your legs and arms.
3. Facial Toner: Make a natural toner by combining ½ Cup Witch Hazel, ½ Cup of Distilled Water, 2 Tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar, and 7drops of Tea Tree, 4 drops of Lemon, and 3 drops of Lavender Essential Oils. You will need a 2 oz bottle to make this or a glass jar.
4. Blisters and Bruises: Add 1-2 drops of tea tree oil with 1 tsp of fractionated coconut oil and apply.
5. Wounds, Cuts, and Scratches: Get a q-tip and add 2 drops of the oil onto the q-tip. Rub the q-tip around the area but not directly on the cut, wound or scratch. For example: if you have a cat scratch that measures 1-2 inches long on your arm, don't put the oil near the scratch. Put it on the sides of your arm, above, and below the scratch.
6. Poison Ivy, Chicken Pox, and Bug Bites: Grab a cotton swab and dip it in a mixture of 1-2 tbsp. of carrier oil and 3-4 drops of tea tree oil.
TTO for Hair:
7. Head Lice: According to headlicecenter.com, add 2 drops of the oil pure (no carrier oil) on your head every day for a maximum of 3 days. Or to dilute the mixture for a quicker approach add 10 drops of tea tree oil to a bowl and mix in with 3-4 tablespoons of vegetable oil or olive oil. Apply to your hair and coat. Leave on for 3 hours and then rinse and shampoo with your regular shampoo (2).
8. Dandruff: Add 5-7 drops of tea tree to your shampoo bottle to help get rid of your dandruff. You can also make a serum of fractionated coconut oil and tea tree and then apply after using shampoo and conditioner. You can either leave it in or rinse it out. It will make your hair shiny and healthy.
9. Nappy Hair: Get a spray bottle of any size. Fill it up with water 90% of the way and then add 4 drops of tea tree and 3 drops of roman chamomile. Shake the bottle and then spray on your hair. Leave it overnight.
TTO for Hands and Feet:
10: Athletes Foot: Apply 2-3 drops undiluted tea tree oil on the area every day for up to 3 weeks.
11. Toenail Fungus: Add 3-4 drops underneath each affected toenail 2x a day for 2 weeks. Your nail should either clear up or may fall off and regrow depending on how bad it is. You can also soak your feet in a mixture of water, apple cider vinegar and 4-5 drops of tea tree oil and sit for 20 minutes. Rinse after you are don. Use this method every night for 1 week.
12. Healthy Nails: Soak your nails each night for 4 days in 2 tbsp of almond oil and 2-3 drops of tea tree oil to help your nails grow and strengthen. Rinse off after 10 minutes.
13. Shoe Odor: Add 2 drops of tto along with 1 drop of your favorite citrus or floral oil to each shoe to get rid of the stink from your shoes.
TTO for the Mouth:
14. Cold Sores: Apply 1-2 drops of undiluted tto your cold sore using a q-tip. Do this every morning or night until it clears up.
15. Halitosis (bad breath): Add 1-2 drops to your mouthwash or toothpaste to prevent stinky breath. You can also add a few drops to water and swish.
16. Gum Inflammation and Bleeding: Fill a cup with water and add 3 drops of the oil and then swish for 30 seconds 1-2x a day. You can also oil pull with tea tree. It will help to reduce swelling and bleeding while whitening your teeth. Use coconut oil or sunflower oil and swish in your mouth for 20 minutes then rinse or brush your teeth afterward.
17. Dry, Chapped, Sunburned, or Cracked Lips:. Get a small bowl and add 2 drops of tea tree with 1/2 tsp. of almond oil and then apply on your lips.
TTO for the Body:
18: Ingrown Hair: Add 1-2 tbsp of aloe vera gel or coconut oil to a bowl. Mix in 3-4 drops of tea tree and then apply. Most useful after shaving or waxing.
19. Allergies and Colds: Diffuse 2 drops of tea tree and 2 drops of lemon oil to help combat the sniffles and congestion.
20. Asthma: Diffuse a few drops of tea tree oil with eucalyptus to help you breathe better and reduce symptoms from an asthma attack.
21. Body Aches: If your knees, back, neck, or feet are hurting…take some fractionated coconut oil and squirt some in your hand. Add 2 drops of tea tree and 2 drops of peppermint oil and mix in your hands and then apply to your body to help relieve any aches you have.
22. Laryngitis and Bronchitis: Heat up water in the microwave for 45 seconds to a minute until it is warm. Add 2-3 drops of tea tree and stir. Then gargle a few times at the first sign of a sore throat.
23: Emphysema and COPD: Take your diffuser and fill it up with water. Add 3 drops of tea tree oil and start inhaling. If you don't have a diffuser use your stove and make semi-boiling water. Add your tea tree oil and inhale to help clear up your lungs. You can also add tto to your bath.
24. Arthritis: Add 1-2 tablespoons of almond or fractionated coconut oil to a bowl. Drop in 4 drops of tto and either 3 drops of ginger or sweet marjoram in the bowl. Stir and then apply on hands and body to help with inflammation and pain.
25. Shingles: Add 3-4 drops of tto and 2 drops of sweet marjoram with 1 tablespoon of apricot oil into a bowl and then spread the mixture onto your shingles. You can add this mixture to a spray bottle if it is easier for you to apply on your back. You can also use water if you don't have carrier oil.
TTO for the House:
26. Mold and Bacteria: Grab a spray bottle and fill it up 80% of the way with distilled water. Add 1/2 cup of witch hazel or rubbing alcohol. Add 5 drops of tea tree oil and 3 drops of lemon. Shake and spray in your shower, bathroom sink, and kitchen.
27. Laundry: Add 3-4 drops in on your washer while the water is running to kill the bacteria on your clothes and in your washer. You can do this before or after adding your clothes.
TTO for Dogs:
28. Ringworm: Add a few drops of undiluted tto onto the affected area for a few days.
29. Ticks: Add 2-3 drops onto the bite undiluted to help relieve itchiness and pain.
30. Receding Gums and Toothache: Add 2 drops of tea tree oil onto a cotton ball and apply to the tooth or infected gums.
31. Cuts and Infections: Mix fractionated coconut oil with 2-3 drops of tea tree and then apply to the affected area to help it heal.
32. Coat: Add 5 drops of tea tree oil to your dog's shampoo to help repel insects, and leave your dogs coat healthy, shiny, and smelling good.
33. Fleas and Hotspots: Grab a spray bottle and fill it with water. Add 4-5 drops of tea tree oil and then spray on the fleas to kill them. This will also help with inflammation and infection.
It is not safe for you or your dog to swallow tea tree oil. If this happens, call the poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
1 "Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) Oil: a Review of Antimicrobial and Other Medicinal Properties." NCBI, January 19, 2006. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1360273/
2. "Two Recipes of the Tea Tree Oil Lice Treatment." Head Lice Center. https://headlicecenter.com/tea-tree-oil-lice-treatment/


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The Soumak carpets are in the same family as kelim. However, they are made according to a different weaving technique, of which there are several variations. Most soumak carpets from Iran are made near Ardebil, in the north-west, or nearby Sirdjan, in the south-east.
Soumak carpets are very much like kelim-carpets
There is just as much to say about kelim carpets as there is about pile carpets. My book would be twice as long if I had to write a comprehensive account of kelim carpets. However, it is important to know and recognise your limitations, and my knowledge of kelim carpets is nowhere near as extensive as my knowledge of Persian pile carpets. My family and I have been regularly encountering kelim carpets in connection with our procurement trips. We have also bought and sold some of them, but only in 2012 did we establish a department for kelim carpets in our business and thus started actively dealing with them. Therefore, we still have much to learn about this branch of the carpet industry. I just want to write a little about them here, and to recommend that you read more in books written by kelim specialists. However, kelim carpets have some things in common with pile carpets. Most of them are made in the same countries, at the same locations, in the same villages and by the same nomadic tribes. The patterns, traditions and techniques go far back in history, and it is just as important that good raw materials are used for a kelim carpet as for a pile carpet. Finally, just as with pile carpets, there are replicas that you need to watch out for. The kelim carpet is plainly woven and thus has no pile. The pattern is created by the weft threads, that are fully covered by the warp threads. This technique is related to the tapestry technique. The weft threads are introduced by colour in the desired part of the breadth of the weave. The open gaps or slits that are often found in kelim appear between the colour fields. They can be kept open, or they can be sewed shut.
In some variants of the kelim technique, the different coloured adjacent threads are woven together. This prevents gaps. The thread ends can be hidden in the weave, which looks identical on either side, but they can also hang as loose threads on the backside of the carpet. Kelim woven carpets and textiles are also known from ancient Egypt and from several other parts of the world, such as Peru and Poland. However, Oriental kelim is the most famous. For example, the Safavid kelim carpets from 1500-1700 Iran, with silk gold and silver threads, the Persian kelim from Sanandaj (Senneh) and the Caucasian and Anatolian (Turkish) kelim. Most of the Iranian kelim is being made nearby Senneh in the Char-Har-Mahal province and in the Fars province in the south. In particular the large nomadic kelim is often sewed together from one or two strips that were woven on narrow looms. They do not always fit perfectly together, but that is also part of their charm. Kelim carpets of good quality can tolerate a lot more wear and tear than most people realise. There are few such antique carpets on the market, and if they are in perfect condition or carefully restored, they can be very valuable. On the other hand, new carpets of lesser quality can sometimes be bought so cheap that you would think they made a mistake calculating the price. As with pile carpets, it can pay to spend a bit more and get a lot more quality.
Soumak and Nimbaft
In some cases, you see a combination of knotting and weaving in the same carpet. These are called Nim-baft carpets. 'Nim' means half and 'baft' means knotted. There are thus areas of the carpet's surface that are plainly woven, made with kelim or the soumak technique, and knotted areas with a pile. They have a special relief effect and can sometimes be very decorative and artistic.
You are reading an extract from the book 'Oriental Carpets, Knottet with Love' by Martin Munkholm.
This extensive book about all that is carpets can be borrowed in Danish libraries or be bought following this link: http://www.belle-rugs.dk/dk/ekspertise/taeppebog/
The book is published by Muusmann Forlag.
For more info: muusmann-forlag.dk
You can find our selection of Soumak carpets underneath.


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In general, the pandemic H1N1 influenza virus did not cause more serious disease than other recent influenza A strains, researchers found.
Children infected with the new H1N1 strain were not more likely to be hospitalized or to develop pneumonia than those infected with seasonal H1N1 or H3N2 strains (3.5% versus 5.2% and 4.3%, respectively), according to Edward Belongia, MD, of the Marshfield (Wis.) Clinic Research Foundation, and colleagues.
Among adults, the pandemic strain did not increase the risk of hospitalization compared with the other two strains, although pneumonia was more likely to be diagnosed in patients infected with the new H1N1 strain compared with H3N2 (4% versus 1.1%, P=0.03). That finding "requires confirmation in a different population," the researchers wrote in the Sept. 8 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
"What we know from studying this virus here in our population is that the pandemic H1N1 virus really seems to be similar to the seasonal influenza viruses that we deal with every winter in terms of the type of illnesses it causes and the outcomes of that illness," Belongia said in a JAMA video.
Action Points
- Explain to interested patients that pandemic H1N1 infection was not more serious than seasonal flu in a prospective study of a defined patient population.
- Note that differences in vaccination rates, antiviral drug use, and self-referral for healthcare could not be assessed in the study.
Researchers at the Marshfield Clinic had been performing vaccine efficacy studies in a 14-ZIP code area of Wisconsin, which provided the opportunity to directly compare disease characteristics of the pandemic strain with previous influenza A viruses.
They screened patients reporting fever, chills, or cough of fewer than eight days' duration during the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 influenza seasons and during the H1N1 pandemic for inclusion; 6,874 patients agreed to participate, and rRT-PCR was performed on nasal swabs.
Overall, there were 545 confirmed cases of pandemic H1N1 flu, 221 of seasonal H1N1, and 632 of seasonal H3N2.
Patients infected with the pandemic strain were similar in age to those infected with seasonal H1N1, although they were significantly younger than those infected by H3N2 (median 10 versus 25 years, P<0.001).
Children were more likely than adults to be infected with each of the three strains.
The severity of symptoms -- assessed by self-report -- was similar for each of the three strains for all participants older than 2 years, with a median severity score (out of 36) of 14 for the pandemic strain, 16 for seasonal H1N1, and 17 for H3N2.
Among children ages 5 to 17 and adults, however, perceived severity of symptoms was lower for pandemic H1N1 than for H3N2 (P<0.05 for both).
Serious outcomes -- a hospital admission within 30 days of symptom onset or development of pneumonia -- were not more frequent with pandemic H1N1 than with the other strains among children, when the endpoints were considered together or separately.
Hospitalization occurred in 1.5%, 3.7%, and 3.1% of children infected with pandemic H1N1, seasonal H1N1, and H3N2, respectively. Rates of pneumonia were 2.5%, 1.5%, and 2%.
Among adults, 4%, 2.3%, and 4.5% were hospitalized following infection with pandemic H1N1, seasonal H1N1, and H3N2, respectively. Rates of pneumonia were 4%, 2.3%, and 1.1%.
There were no ICU admissions or deaths related to the pandemic strain.
Strengths of the study included prospective enrollment from a defined patient population, standard screening procedures, and collection of detailed information.
"Comparisons of severity by influenza A strain could have been influenced by antiviral therapy, vaccination, and differences in healthcare-seeking behavior," the authors wrote.
In addition, the study had limited statistical power to detect differences in serious outcomes because of the low numbers of hospitalizations and pneumonia diagnoses.
Thus, Belongia and his colleagues wrote, "We cannot conclude that there was no difference" in serious outcomes.
"However, if the clinical symptoms and severity were truly different, the actual magnitude of difference would be small and likely not of clinical relevance."
The authors noted some additional limitations, including differences in the use of antivirals and vaccines, the exclusion of children younger than 6 months, and the predominantly non-Hispanic white patient population.
Funding for the study was provided by a cooperative agreement with the CDC.
The authors reported that they had no conflicts of interest.
Primary Source
Journal of the American Medical Association
Source Reference: Belongia E, et al "Clinical characteristics and 30-day outcomes for influenza A 2009 (H1N1), 2008-2009 (H1N1), and 2007-2008 (H3N2) infections" JAMA 2010; 304: 1091-1098.


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Walking Tour of Highlights in Istanbul with Serif Yenen & Team
- See the remnants of the three great empires on the same day.
- Experience the religious, administrative and social aspects of history together.
- Learn about all these places from Serif Yenen or a member of his team, who is accomplished at small-group walking tours. Serif is the author of one of the best cultural guidebooks of Turkey: Turkish Odyssey. He wrote many other books and made films too.
- No crowds, no queues! Authorised professional tour guides have priority ticket booths.
- You can ask all the questions you like.
- In the Grand Bazaar, go to the backstreets and some specialty stores, which you would not find by yourselves easily.


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What can I say about a cooking pot. It turns out, quite a bit. A basic pot is typically made of aluminum, and is used to heat water. I like to eat, so I get a bit more fancy. Many pots have Teflon coatings, and this makes cleanup easier if you are doing more than boiling water. The problem with Teflon is that it scratches and peals off, especially if it is not well cared for. Pots get banged up on the trail. To get around this, you can get Black Anodized pots where the nonstick coating is bonded to the metal in such a way that they do not peal or scratch. You pay more for this, but it is worth it in my opinion. In addition to cooking pots, there are backpacking ovens. Basically these sit on top of the stove, and disperse the heat evenly around the unit. Typically these use less heat, and give you much more flexibility in what you can cook. If you are simply boiling water for freeze dried meals, an aluminum pot will do. If you fancy your self more of a chef, pay the price and experiment.
Bill's ChoiceI still have my square aluminum pot I had for an old Peak 1 stove, and my boys use it for their Colman Extreme stove. It is beat up, but functions well.For a cook set, I run the GSI Hard Anodized No Stick 5 piece Cook Set, and have removed the smaller pot & lid. This way, my stove will fit in side the larger pot. I have used this pot for a few years, and it is no worse for the ware. The neat thing about the black anodized pot is that it heats up in a very even manner, and I do not get hot spots.I also recently purchased the 10" Backpacker's Pantry Outback Oven. My first time using this, I made a pizza. I have also used it to make a couple of cakes. The first one turned out well, but the second had a few issues. First of all, do not wrap your heat shield tightly around the oven. If you do, the heat will not be able to circulate around the oven, and you will burn your contents. Secondly, let cakes cool before inserting candles, or they will melt! This is known from experience.All of this is quite the departure from normal trail fare, and I look forward trying out new ideas with the oven.
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This is part of a new Naxos survey of the composer's 'complete piano music'. Much of it is early, but no one could say that the three sets of Puppets (written between 1912 and 1924) are not both engaging and original; and the same could be said of the suite for children, Spring in the Garden (1920). The highlights of the programme, however, are Butterflies and Birds of Paradise, written in the same year, and Les bouquinistes (booksellers) du Quai Malaquais. Giorgio Koukl might at times have produced a lighter touch, but he is very well recorded and this looks to be an indispensable new series.
Martinu: Complete Piano Music Vol 1 8.557914
Martinu: Complete Piano Music Vol 2 8.557918
…it is Koukl who regularly makes better overall sense of the rhythmic pulse that formed the foundation of Martinů's work. This, plus his willingness to apply a greater range of dynamics, makes the bright climax of "Birds of paradise above the sea" seem an inevitable progression…
Definitely recommended, with hopes for more in the near future. © 2007 Fanfare Read complete review
These psychologically astute readings certainly capture the poignancy and aura of longing, the nostalgia and the exiledom that seems to ring through Martinu's music. This is the second CD in the Martinu Complete Piano Music series. Breezing through the musical and technical challenges and using formidable skill to fashion convincing, finely-nuanced performances, Koukl derserves to be listened to and praised. Martinu wrote 400 pieces of music, 80 for the piano. While he was not a pianist, this collection is framed idiomatically for the instrument, exploring a bountiful landscape of colour, touch and tone.
Volume 2 of pianist Giorgio Koukl's complete Martinu cycle begins with the three books of Puppets, composed between 1912 and 1924. These charming miniatures aim to depict the commedia dell'arte stock characters, who strut their stuff to caricatured dances that range from salon waltzes to roaring '20s jazz. Popular song and dance assertively inform the six pieces comprising Film en miniature, and might best be described as the missing link between Prokofiev and Poulenc. The same might be said about Les bouquinistes du Quai Malaquais, although its stark unison octave phrases and passages utilizing register extremes bear Martinu's individual stamp.
The four-movement Butterflies and Birds of Paradise represents Martinu's most tuneful, accessible style, while the composer's own brand of impressionism informs both Fifth Day of the Fifth Moon (a haunting work cast in pentatonic pastels) and Spring in the Garden's concluding piece.
As with Volume 1, there's plenty to admire in Koukl's technically solid and stylistically perceptive performances. In pieces that rely on rhythmic propulsion, Koukl tailors his tempos as if he were playing for dancers as opposed to piano competition jurors. He also plays more lyrical, introspective selections well, although I marginally prefer Emil Leichner's more delicately shaded and articulated way with The Shy Puppet and the Sick Puppet (Supraphon). Similarly, Leichner's gracious and intimate traversal of The Sentimental Puppet's Waltz markedly contrasts to Koukl's brisker (and decidedly unsentimental) approach. Yet on the whole, Koukl's overall artistry and wider color palette, helped by Naxos' superior engineering, take top honors.
A fascinating selection of Martinu's early piano works, plus two late trifles
In his classic biography of Martinu (Allen Wingate: 1962), Milos Šafránek states that in "the large and varied assortment of youthful works and experiments, Puppets holds a singular and significant place". Composed in three sets between 1912 and 1924 (but published in reverse sequence; they are played here in chronological order), Puppets sounds anything but experimental now, though for Martinu's hometown of Policka just after the Great War, the somewhat Satiesque charms of these 14 pieces must have seemed highly modern.
Heard with the innocent ear, most listeners would be hard put to identify the composer of Puppets and I suspect the same applies for another of the novelties here, the pretty, if flimsy, children's suite Spring in the Garden (1920). This is no match for what Mark Gresham calls "the bold, jazzy and propulsive" Film en miniature (1925), one of the first products of Martinu's Paris sojourn. The pearl of Koukl's programme, though, is Butterflies and Birds of Paradise, written at Christmas of the same year as Spring in the Garden but light years ahead of it in quality. Here Martinu uses impressionism as if born to it.
Still, none of these early pieces, nor even The Fifth Day of the Fifth Moon (1948, dedicated to Tcherepnin's wife and the only work otherwise available) really sound like the mature Martinu. Only in the 29th and final track, The Booksellers of the Quai Malaquais (1948; dedicated to the composer's wife) do we encounter one of those heart-stopping themes familiar from the symphonies. Koukl's performances, occasionally a little over-robust, as in Butterflies, are very warmly recorded but this is a splendid disc despite that. Recommended.


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Course Description
This comprehensive four-hour introductory course will teach you the basics of fly casting in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Our expert instructors will guide you step-by-step through the four-part cast, false cast and roll cast. We'll explain how to strip and shoot line, as well as how to tie basic fishing knots. You'll receive plenty of one-on-one instruction and have ample time to practice each skill with an instructor and on your own.
All necessary fly-casting equipment is provided. Please note this course does not include fishing time on the water.
L.L.Bean does not usually cancel events due to inclement weather. However, we reserve the right to cancel an event at any time due to severe weather, low enrollment or other concerns. If L.L.Bean cancels your event, you will receive a full refund for the cost of your reservation.
Cancellation and Rescheduling Policy
*Synthetic clothing dries quickly and is the best choice for outdoor pursuits. Please do not wear cotton clothing. When wet, cotton rapidly robs the heat from your body and takes a long time to dry. We also recommend you dress in multiple layers, allowing you more flexibility to comfortably respond to the weather conditions and your level of exertion.
†Please call ahead if you plan to use your own equipment as it must pass inspection by L.L.Bean staff before use. If it's deemed unsuitable, we will provide you with the necessary equipment.


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Bangkok, September 14: The team led by bomb disposal police and forensic officers raided a dormitory and detained three women in connections with the Bangkok Blasts. The team led by Metropolitan Police Bureau chief Sriwara Rangsipramakul said tents at the Din Daeng dormitory, raided on Sunday, has links to Erawan shrine blast and the Sathon pier explosion, Bangkok Post reported. Officers seized travel bags and computers for D examition and traces of fingerprints to see whether they matched D samples of those involved in the bomb attacks.
A source said two students rented the room. Two months ago, mother of one of the two students had brought a middle-aged woman to stay in the room claiming that she was her friend.
Three men had brought something to keep in the room and they were believed to have fled the country, said the source. Authorities are hunting the men suspected of involvement in the two bomb blasts.
Police Lt Gen Sriwara said suspects connected to the bombing did not stay in the room, but they came to the room and asked the tents to hold on to their persol belongings. Sriwara said the three women were taken for interrogation and they would be asked to help officers make sketches of the persons who brought their belongings to the room. A source said the mother of one of the students had links to a man wearing a blue T-shirt who carried out the bomb attack at Sathon pier. (IANS)


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Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Planet Wise
3 comments:
- madamelinae said...
Great post! I've been wanting to try them but the shipping to Germany is so expensive..
As for the smell. I've had a couple of moms suggest to use an open dry pail. Which sounds pretty gross, right? But turns out that with the presence of oxygen no smell develops. I have wanted to give it a try (worst case scenario it's smelly and we go back to doing what we've been doing so far) but our pail liner is in our bedroom at the moment. But we're about to re-arrange..
Anyway, just thought I'd share this!
- May 1, 2013 at 8:41 AM
- Heather and Jake said...
Thanks for sharing! Seriously I would highly try them! I mean our diaper pail lid isn't a lid that completely seals shut, it just closes like a waste can and I don't smell a thing! That's interesting about the open dry pail though!
- May 1, 2013 at 10:44 AM
- Parenting Patch said...
Thanks for the review. I would love to share your post. You should add some share buttons to your blog.
- May 7, 2013 at 10:51 AM


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VLC media player is nicknamed as the 'Swiss army knife' of all media players and that's so true considering the all-powerful nature of it. We know that it can play even the strangest sounding media files with ease, but that's just one thing and there are many more things that VLC does simply well. We've all wanted to record our computer screens at some point of time for various reasons like creating a tutorial, to capture online video streams or to record our favourite video game action.
There are countless paid and free software available for the same purpose on the web. But why should you buy or download new software when your favourite movie player can do it for you? You heard me right, VLC media player can record your pc screen in high frame rates and does it just as good as any other premium tool. All you need to get started with this tutorial is to have VLC media player installed in your windows pc. So here we go.
Before we begin, just make sure you have the latest version of VLC media player and update if you don't.
Using VLC media player as a screen recorder
• Open VLC media player and click on 'view' from the menu bar. Now click on 'advanced controls' if it's unchecked and you will see an additional set of buttons appear in the VLC media player interface.
• Now go to 'media' which you can find on the menu bar. (You can alternatively use the shortcut CTRL+C) A new window with capturing options will appear.
• In the new window that just popped up, change the capture mode to 'desktop'.
• You can now choose your desired frame rate for the screen capture, but remember higher frame rates will make the output file bigger in size. 10-30 fps should give you decent quality video.
• Now click on the play button and you will see an endless loop of VLC windows, this is okay. Just minimize VLC media player into the smallest possible size.
• Now your minimized VLC media player window is screen recording capable. You can start recording your desktop anytime by clicking on the 'record' button on the VLC media player window.
• To stop recording and save your video file, just click on the same 'record' button. VLC media player will save your screen recording as .avi file in the videos folder of the current user account.
The quality of screen capture is especially great with the VLC media player's screen recorder, but it is only recommended if your screen capturing needs are basic. For serious projects, it is better to use some dedicated screen recording software like camtasia. VLC cannot record your microphone along with the screen capture and you will have to record and add an audio file separately if you want it.
Another drawback is that it records the entire desktop with no option to record independent windows or screen areas. This will obviously result in huge video files even if the video is short. However, you can reduce the fps value and resolution of your screen to tackle this problem. So go ahead and try this cool screen recording feature of the VLC media player. You can also read our tutorial on how to sync subtitles with video in VLC media player.
Got another tip to add on VLC media player screen recording?
If you have more tips on using VLC player as a screen recorder of have queries, let us know in the comments section below.


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Vocalist Chino Moreno and turntablist/keyboardist Frank Delgado of Sacramento's DEFTONES were interviewed prior to the band's August 21, 2009 performance at the Area 4 festival in Lüdinghausen, Germany. Watch the six-minute chat below.
DEFTONES bassist Chi Cheng is said to be "in semi-conscious state" following a November 2008 car accident in the middle of the recording sessions for the band's long-awaited new album, "Eros".
Filling in for Chi during some of the DEFTONES' recent live shows has been Sergio Vega, who previously played with QUICKSAND.
Regarding the current status of "Eros", the DEFTONES stated in a June 2009 online posting that had decided to start anew and begin tracking an entirely new album. "The songs recorded for 'Eros' are very special to us as they are the latest with Chi (and we certainly hope not the last); they have history and significant meaning to us," the band explained. "However, as we neared completion on 'Eros', we realized that this record doesn't best encompass and represent who we are currently as people and as musicians." The band hopes that the songs recorded with Chi will see the light of day eventually, but "we collectively made the decision that we needed to take a new approach, and with Chi's condition heavy on our minds while doing so."
The band added that they returned "to the studio to do what we felt was right artistically. Our inspiration and unity as a band is stronger than it has ever been before and we needed to channel that energy into our music, and deliver to our fans what you rightly deserve: the best DEFTONES record that we can make. The decision to hold off on releasing 'Eros' has no connection with Chi's condition or anything associated. This was, and is, purely a creative decision by the band to write, record, and deliver an amazing product. As a result, we feel like this is the best record we've ever written. And although Chi is not playing bass with us, his presence is dramatically felt in our hearts and on our minds every day when we step into that studio, and you will feel it in the music."
Cheng is 39 years old and is a poet as well as a musician. He released a CD of his poetry called "The Bamboo Parachute" in 2000.
Cheng has been a member of DEFTONES since its formation in 1988. The band released its debut disc, "Adrenaline", in 1995 and scored a platinum record with 2000's "White Pony".


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I can't believe I just spent 30 minutes intentionally trying to freakishly alter photos of myself. But my friend Morgan tagged me to do it, and I'm just a good friend like that so I took her up on it. Many of you know that I have little to no computer skills! Sure, I have photoshop but that doesn't mean I know how to use it. I can crop and add the little "pamperingbeki" text to the picture. That's it. So she pushed me out of my comfort zone to say the least.
I started with this picture...
And decided this is what I'd look like as an alien...
Or if I were ever to haunt your house, this is what you might see...
*sigh* I tried to do many more cool things with the pictures but this was all I could figure out! Now I'll tag Nikki and see what she comes up with.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
I can't believe I did that....
Posted by Beki - TheRustedChain at 8:49 AM
Labels: tag
2 comments:
- Morgan said...
Girl, you did it before I could get back to you with "intructions". But that's the funnest way is to just get in there and play around. I won't even tell you why I was playing with a picture of my face in the first place.
Totally lovin' the alien look. You're even cute wall-eyed and ghostly, LOL!
Thanks buddy~
- Erika Cass Designs said...
Actually I love that last pic, it's quite pretty! :o)
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text: Bring a homey comfort to your deck or patio with this decorative accent pillow. In a polyester/cotton blend, the turquoise pillow is water, fade, and mildew resistant as well as treated to withstand UV rays. The durability will allow the illustration of a pair of Goldfinches to last for years. This cushy pillow will be the finishing touch to your outdoor decor.


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"So, how's things going? Last time I saw you there was a sour taste in your mouth about everything."
"I was out of sorts with the world wasn't I? Let me buy you a drink for unloading on you last time. What'll you have?"
"Thank you! The usual please. So did something happen to make you feel better?"
"Two vodka and limes, please Jeremy. Thanks. Well, the salary's still not much and the cost of living is still high, but work is better than I thought. A lot of it was shoved away into storage because it wasn't made of gold when everyone was after kingly treasures, although there are a few expeditions' worth of stuff that made it back here when the expeditioners didn't. That stuff went into storage to wait for people who never turned up. Except, it turned out, for Professor Trevallen. All these years he's been listed as missing when he was in that sarcophagus and the canopic jars from Upper Punt the whole time."
"Yes, exactly. And Professor Liversey wasn't ignoring me, he's deaf as a post! Can't hear anyone after all those explosions, poor man."
"He could wear hearing aids."
"The explosions are an ongoing issue."
"Oh. And Richard?"
"Came by to bother me at work about something, picked up a thing he was told not to touch, and turned into some sort of hippogriff-centaur. I think he looks better with feathers, but…."
"I still refuse to be his girlfriend."


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January 2018
Real Love Audio Books on iTunes
It's In the Delivery
I talked by Skype to John and Julie and asked them how they were doing.
"All she ever does is criticize me," he said, obviously unhappy.
"Give me a specific example," I said.
John described how earlier that day she had come into the room where he was hanging a framed picture on a wall. "She came in and immediately said something snotty about what I was doing."
"Tell me the exact words."
As Our Eyes Open
Do you feel like you have to be nice to everybody in order to be happy? Watch this video clip from a recent Video Chat to see how that isn't necessarily a requirement for happiness.
This "Nugget" is a short segment from a 1 hour Video Chat.
Recently from Greg's Blog
The Truth About Saying "I'm Ok."


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Football: SWR-Mount Sinai final rescheduled
Tonight's scheduled Suffolk County Division IV football final between No. 2 seed Shoreham-Wading River (9-1) and No. 1 Mount Sinai (10-0) has been rescheduled for Friday at 4 p.m. Section XI said it rescheduled the game as a safety precaution, with a mix of rain and snow forecast for later today.
The Wildcats are vying for another county title after winning three consecutive from 2014-16.
Mount Sinai is making its first appearance in the county championship since 2012, when the Mustangs lost to Babylon. The Mustangs' last county title came in 2006.
The Mustangs handed Shoreham its only loss this season, 14-7. It was the first victory for Mount Sinai against Shoreham since the playoffs in 2012.


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Robert Adams is a writer, blogger, serial entrepreneur, software engineer and best-selling author of dozens of technology, SEO, online marketing and self-development books, audiobooks and courses.
About R.L. Adams
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StudioWed's Fall Wedding Soiree 2013
StudioWed Denver & Bella Lu Floral
Wednesday, October 9, 2013 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM (MDT)
Event Details
Please join us for our Fall Wedding Soiree!
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
You are cordially invited to enjoy an evening of wedding inspiration, table designs and decor ideas in our studio as you mingle with expert wedding professionals. Sample savory bites, sip champagne and enjoy delectable desserts. All brides and grooms will receive a fabulous swag bag. This is a complimentary event open to all engaged couples, their family and friends.
Contact us with any questions at 303.455.0969 or email email@example.com.
StudioWed is located a few minutes south of downtown Denver in the Santa Fe Arts District.
You can see a list of our expert vendors and venue partners at www.studiowed.net. For Colorado wedding inspiration, ideas and events, visit our blog www.studioweddenver.com.
Thank you to our wonderful sponsors including Occasions Catering, Peak Beverage, Statice Floral, Sweet Zion Paperie, Elite DJ and Event Rents.
We look forward to seeing you on October 9th!
When & Where
StudioWed Denver
821 Santa Fe Drive
Wednesday, October 9, 2013 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM (MDT)
Add to my calendar
StudioWed Denver & Bella Lu Floral
StudioWed is a collection of the industry's finest wedding professionals. This is a revolutionary concept in planning your big day: a stylish and sophisticated studio where the region's best vendors come to you. Best of all, there's no cost to use StudioWed as you create the most remarkable wedding imaginable.
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Rock Werchter – Pop and Rock Festival
2020 (Cancelled)
2020 (Cancelled)
Werchter, Belgium is home to this 4-day rock festival.
This awarding winning festival is putting together another fantastic rock show that promises to be even bigger and better than previous years.
The venue of Rock Werchter is just outside of the town and its huge main arena is surrounded with three large campsites, split into 17 smaller sections.
This is a massive international event providing three stages.
The Main Stage, KluB C and The Barn.
Performers from many different genres will bring some of the best music this four days.
Gone are the days where all you could get in the way of food was hot dogs, hamburgers and fries.
These day there is a wide choice available, from healthy salads to the first mussels of the season.
Camping is a great way to maximize your festival experience.
You can pitch your own tent at the regular camping, or book a spot at The Hive Resort.
There you'll find a ready-pitched tent – or a tee-pee or a lodge if that's more your thing – waiting for you along with all the other amazing facilities.
Werchter lies in the centre of Belgium and is easy to reach being only 30 kilometers from Brussel and 15 kilometers from Leuven.
Public transport is the easiest and most convenient way to reach the festival park located on the Haachtsesteenweg, Werchter.
From the Leuven railway station there is a shuttle bus service running to and from the festival site.
An added bonus is that each e-festival ticket allows you to download one free e-train ticket for use on public transport (train/festival shuttle bus) in Belgium.
For full details check the information on the festival website.
When: 2020 (Cancelled)
Where: Werchter, Belgium
Official Website: rockwerchter.be
Hotels: Hotels in Werchter
As well as being the international headquarters of the European Union and NATO, Belgium's capital, Brussels, is a center of style, art and design.
The ornate and opulent Grand Place (Grote Markt) is not to be missed.
Nor are the trendy bars and restaurants with their fab food and amazing assortment of beer.
It's a small country and towns are easily accessible so it's a great opportunity to visit the medieval old towns with their Flemish Renaissance architecture.
Want to know more about what to see and do in Belgium?


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D.R. Horton, the largest U.S. home builder, posted a quarterly loss that was narrower than expected Thursday as it took big inventory charges and wrote off land option contracts.
D.R. Horton posted a loss of $128.8 million, or 41 cents per share, for the first quarter ended Dec. 31 compared with a year-earlier profit of $109.7 million, or 35 cents per share.
The results included land impairment and write-off charges totaling $245.5 million.
Analysts expected the company to lose 45 cents per share.
"Market conditions remained challenging in our December quarter as inventory levels of both new and existing homes remained high while pricing remained very competitive," board Chairman Donald Horton said.
"Lending standards continue to be more restrictive than during the previous year, and buyers continued to approach the home-buying decision cautiously. We expect the housing environment to remain challenging," he said.
First-quarter home-building revenue fell 39 percent to $1.71 billion. The company closed on 6,549 homes in the quarter, down 36 percent from the year-ago quarter.
Net orders in the quarter fell 52 percent to 4,245 while the value tumbled 61 percent to $900 million.
D.R. Horton generated more than $558 million in cash flow from operations during the quarter by selling off part of its inventory of unsold homes and reducing the mortgages it held for sale. It used part of the cash to pay off the outstanding balance on a revolving credit facility and to pay down other debt.
In November, the company said it set a goal to generate at least $1 billion in cash flow from operations in fiscal 2008.


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Statistics Canada released some happy data on January 6. The agency reported that the economy created 54,000 jobs in December, an uncommonly large number for a single month. We also learned that the value of exports exceeded that of imports for the first time in more than two years in November. Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz for months has argued that Canada's economy isn't terrible. This new data suggests he's right.
We must be careful of making too much of one month, of course. Trade figures are especially volatile, so it is too soon to declare that exports are back. If they are, Canada could be in store for a decent 2017, assuming the next U.S. president backs away from threats to harass his country's biggest trading partners. (A trade deficit with the United States would make it harder for Donald Trump to say that Canada is "winning" from the North American Free Trade Agreement at America's expense.) StatsCan said employment increased by 108,000 in the final three months of 2016, the largest quarterly increase since the second quarter of 2010. That represented more than half of the 214,000 positions created over the calendar year. Record levels of household debt surely will constrain consumer spending, but employment gains should steady household demand.
What else? Here are a few more things to note from the latest batch of significant Canadian economic data:
Continue reading at Canadian Business ...
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Looking for a luxury apartment for rental that offers all the amenities and features that you want in your new home? Use MyNewPlace's luxury apartment finder to locate apartments that meet your needs.
The term "luxury" can mean any number of things depending on who you are, and what standard of living you are accustomed to or expect. When searching for the perfect apartment, there are many things to consider when it comes to living comfortably, with many attributes extending beyond large square footage and bay windows. The phrase "luxury apartment" can encompass a lot of options that you never even thought about, such as extra amenities and more expensive features. A lot of this will depend on personal preference, but here we will examine and compare the costs and benefits associated with different amenities.
Typically, luxury apartments come in "packages." These units are located in buildings that offer distinctively high-quality features within the apartment unit. They also offer different types of services and amenities outside the confines of the apartment unit that residents of the complex can take advantage of. Renters are also paying for more square footage, floor-to-ceiling windows, and newer kitchen countertops, as part of the luxury aspect which includes the building or complex-wide amenities that are made available..
These days, it is taken for granted that luxury apartments will have the basics: large square footage (750 square feet or more for a one-bedroom), lots of open space and/or sunlight, temperature-controlled rooms (heat and air-conditioning), quality lighting (type and distribution in the space), and enough soundproofing in the walls to insulate you from the everyday noises associated living in close quarters with other people. However, there are different levels of upscaling apartments in terms of what the entire space or its rooms offer. Here are some examples of the things you might find according to each room. The lists are not meant to be exhaustive, but rather aim to give you an idea of what can be available to you, using a one-bedroom/one-bathroom space as a general model:
Living room: High ceilings or room depth; tall or wide windows that offer a nice view and/or lots of sunlight during the day; a fireplace; walls and floors made from authentic and high-quality natural materials or man made substitutes.
Kitchen: Granite, marble, or stainless steel countertops; stainless steel sink; high-quality appliances (microwave, refrigerator, oven); cabinets made from high quality materials (stained if wood); counter space; center island or a bar counter; easy layout and large size. The idea here is spaciousness, convenience, and floors, counters, and appliances that won't stain or fall into disrepair.
Bedroom or Master Bedroom: Spaciousness; private balcony; walk-in closet; good lighting; private bathroom.
Bathroom: High-quality natural materials for floors, walls, counters, and cabinets; design that helps keep away moisture and mold growth (if tile and grout, look for small and shallow design); large showers and/or tubs, with high water pressure and/or jacuzzi jets; good lighting and fan system and/or heated lights; counter space at the sink; spacious or floor-to-ceiling cabinets. Half-baths (toilet and sink, sometimes with a small shower) off of the common spaces of the apartment are sometimes offered as an amenity.
Other: balconies; in-unit washer and dryer; spacious hallway closet.
Ensure that the basics are all in place for a luxury apartment before looking for the special features. Are the materials, features, and appliances hardy, durable, and stain or damage-resistant? How new or old are they? Do they clean easily? Is there a good temperature control system? Ultimately, this is a matter of personal priority and lifestyle. Whatever you decide, we recommend visiting the unit in person before you make your final decision for what luxury means to you.
One of the attributes that draws renters to apartment luxury living is the amenities that are offered outside of the apartment unit. Are you a social person who likes to host football viewing parties? An apartment building that offers a community lounge with a large TV would be a good choice for you. Do you spend most of your free time at the gym? Many apartment buildings will have a full workout room, sometimes with 24 hour controlled access. A comprehensive list of some of the amenities often available in a luxury complex is listed below:
A pool, hot tub, and/or outdoor lounge areas: Here, quality, size, and regulations can matter. For example, are the chaise lounges made of rubber or do they have fabric cushions? Is there a shaded area where you can take a break from the sun from time to time? Do they allow alcoholic beverages at the pool? Are there particular swim times for children versus adults or seniors? Is the pool guarded? Does the complex provide you with towels, changing rooms, and a restroom?
Some complexes will have a simple gym: a weight room, cardio machines, and a small area for stretching before and after your workout. But gyms, of course, can vary in size. If it is a large complex with several buildings and you like to exercise during the before and after rushes, you might want to consider a complex that has a lot of machines. Alternatively, you can find a building that offers residents 24-hour access to their gym and shift your schedule accordingly.
Fitness Center: other apartment buildings have more comprehensive fitness centers--for example, there is a cardio and weight room, but they also have additional spaces and offer classes such as yoga/Pilates, dance, and spin. If they do, be sure to ask if there are any additional fees for participating in scheduled classes.
Game, TV, and Theater Rooms: A lot of luxury apartments and condos offer one or several common spaces outfitted with recreational amenities. Some include one or several flat screen televisions, WiFi access, a full or catering kitchen, pool and game tables, a bar, and an outdoor patio. Some will require reservations at all times, while others will only require reservations for large parties and some will allow residents and their guests to use the room if no one has made a reservation. A few buildings have small movie theaters, some of them complete with their own movie collections.
Underground or Sheltered Parking and Zipcar: Whether you drive your vehicle regularly or infrequently, this is an amenity that you should consider. Many cities have zoned parking and you should check to see if your apartment comes with a free parking space or a fee that is less or comparable, as it will save you the headache of having to search for the right places to park on the street when you come home from work. This option also helps keep your car safe and in good shape.
Pet-Friendly Buildings or Residential Communities: Some buildings go beyond simply offering apartments where your pet is welcome. Perhaps the complex is near parks, trails, and pet stores. Many also have pet clean-up stations in and around the residential grounds. This amenity usually requires an additional security deposit for your companion and sometimes immunization records.
Additional Luxury Features: A few other luxury features are important depending on the location of your apartment building. Is it in a recently upscaled neighborhood? You might want to seek a building that has on-site 24-hour security staff and safety measures that make you feel as safe as possible. Having a 100% smoke-free and eco-friendly environment may be important to you, or perhaps services that do not cost extra and/or are in operation 24 hours a day.


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Wine Miniatures
With more than 6000 year old history of viniculture, the oldest mentions of wine can be traced back to Armenia where grapes were grown in vast fields.
Wine is an alcoholic drink made from fermented grapes. Depending on the variety of grapes and the region, the process of wine-making goes through the following steps: collection of high quality grapes either by manual picking or by using machines. These grapes are then crushed where they are separted from the skins and seeds for the fermentation process. The juice which is extracted as a result of crushing goes into the fermentation process where sugar converts into alcohol. Depending on the type and flavour preferred by the winemaker, this juice is then aged for several months or sometimes years in wooden or oak barrels. Wine comes in various types including white wine, red wine and rose wine. Wine can be paired with food to enhance the dining experience or simply consumed straight.
Shop for miniature wine bottles at best prices. Browse our wide selection of wine stocked from all over the world including Australia, France, Italy, Spain and Germany. Whether you're topping up your collection at home or creating a set of small bottles of wine for a friend or family member or stocking up on miniature wine bottles in bulk, you'll find everything you're looking for in our mini wine collection.
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Northern Circuit
This is a plain dwellers' stronghold of 14,763vsq km, reaching up to the Kenyan border and claimed to be the finest in Africa. The magnificent Serengeti is probably what most people envisage when they imagine 'real' Africa. Wide-open plains teeming with wildlife, animals roaming freely in search of food and water and beautiful and dramatic landscapes as far as the eye can see – this is the heartbeat of the Serengeti. The Serengeti harbours the greatest remaining concentration of wild game in Africa and is home to the annual phenomenon where millions of herbivores migrate en mass across the plains of Tanzania.
'Serengeti' is derived from the Maasai word 'Siringit' which means 'an extended place'. The region is home to approximately a quarter of a million gazelles, two hundred thousand zebra and thousands of other herbivores, as well as huge prides of lion, high densities of cheetah and solitary leopards. The Serengeti region encompasses the Park itself, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Maswa Game Reserve, the Loliondo, Grumeti and Ikorongo Controlled Areas and merges with the Maasai Mara National Park in Kenya.
One of the oldest ecosystems on Earth, the Serengeti has remained almost intact over the past million years. Its plains are mostly crystalline rocks overlain by volcanic ash with numerous granitic rock outcrops, known as kopjes, which are home to rich ecosystems (and where lions usually hide their cubs). In the north and along the western corridor are mountain ranges of mainly volcanic origin. Two rivers flowing west usually contain water and there are a number of lakes, marshes, and waterholes.
Considered the longest and greatest show on earth, the Great Migration takes place every year and is quite a spectacle to behold! Being there at the height of the migration is a never to be forgotten experience. The 800 km long trek begins in late May or early June, depending on the weather conditions. Millions of wildebeest, zebra and Thomson's gazelle move away from the short grass plains between the Ngorongoro Highlands and Seronera and head towards the north and west in search of water and fresh grass. In their wake follow predators hungry for an easy kill: lion, cheetah, hyena and hunting dogs, which ensure that only the fittest of herbivores survive. Vultures and other birds of prey also descend upon the weak and dying, or scavenge on the kills left by the predators.
The Migration moves west and then north crossing the Grumeti and Mara Rivers where hundreds more die through drowning, or being taken by predatory crocodiles. The survivors settle in the Western Corridor and northern reaches of the Serengeti and in the Maasai Mara National Park in Kenya.
The Park is broadly divided into three different areas. The Seronera Valley and Seronera River, in the centre of the park, is probably the most popular area. This area is characterized by wide open grasslands and rock kopjes, with several perennial rivers (Seronera, Nyamanje, Wandamu, Ngare Nanyuki) running through it, ensuring year-round water supplies and enabling many resident animals to thrive year round. The Western Corridor, crossed lengthwise by the Grumeti River, is a regular setting for drama, as year after year the wildebeest cross the crocodile-infested river during the Great Migration, in their attempt to reach the northern plains. Finally, the Northern Lobo are, extending northwards to join the Maasai Mara, offers a change to see plentiful game during the dry season.