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The Roar for Change: Leelah's Law
I didn't see the 1999 film But I'm a Cheerleader until a few years after it was released. I sat with a group of friends huddled around a television where we couldn't stop laughing. Who could keep a straight face watching RuPaul play the part of an ex-gay who led others to heterosexuality at True Directions inpatient camp, a facility dedicated to conversion therapy and the twelve-step addiction model similar to Alcoholics Anonymous? Who didn't laugh when Megan (played by Natasha Lyonne) outsmarted the True Directions staff to sneak moments alone with her new crush Graham (played by Clea DuVall)? We all cheered when Megan ultimately defied the teachings of True Directions and escaped with Graham at her side. Underneath this comedy, though, lurks a dark truth that I and so many others recognized: the harsh reality of what happens when a person is forced to change her sexual orientation or gender identity.
Conversion or reparative therapy, the buzz phrase floating around President Barack Obama for the last few months, isn't nearly so light-hearted. It is the practice of "repairing" or "curing" a person's sexuality or gender using methods that may ultimately be dangerous and harmful, both physically and emotionally. The American Psychiatric Association reports that there is no evidence that this practice is effective and stands behind their 1998 position statement which opposes "any psychiatric treatment, such as 'reparative' or 'conversion' therapy, which is based upon the assumption that homosexuality per se is a mental disorder, or based upon a prior assumption that the patient should change his/her homosexual orientation." Additionally, when minors are exposed to these methods, the Human Rights Campaign reports that such therapies "can lead to depression, anxiety, drug use, homelessness, and suicide." Case in point: Ohio teen Leelah Alcorn.
Leelah Alcorn, a seventeen-year-old transgender woman, asked her parents if she could begin transition from male to female. Alcorn's parents refused and instead sent her to Christian conversion therapy. Alcorn took her own life last December by stepping in front of a truck on a Cincinnati-area highway. She is named in the We the People petition that calls for a ban on conversion therapy for minors. In January, this petition garnered almost 121,000 signatures of support. All those signatures, however, were too late to save Leelah. Sadly, her story is all too familiar within the LGBTQ community.
Conversion therapy and its horrific sibling, ex-gay ministries, have often been linked together. Many ex-gay ministries support conversion therapy. Both believe that a person's sexual orientation or gender can be "fixed" if only the individual works hard enough. The idea that God, or a higher power of your choosing, can simply take away an individual's homosexual or transgender feelings if the individual prays enough, is the basis for many of these groups and practices. When all that hard praying and "therapy" doesn't work, the blame is placed on the individual. The shame-filled message is clear: Something is wrong with me. Even God doesn't love me. Self-loathing and self-blame become the norm in many of these types of therapies.
When I was eighteen, I began seeing a new therapist who encouraged me to attend a support group for homosexual, bisexual, transgender, and questioning individuals in my area. "You might meet some new friends," this therapist encouraged me. "You might learn something about yourself." I wasn't completely sure of anything in my life at that point, but I was searching for others who were also searching. I expected this support group to be a supportive environment with a trained leader who held some sort of psychology degree. I expected camaraderie. I expected people who would be willing to listen.
Before the support group meeting, I was told I needed to meet with the leaders, a husband and wife. Neither were pastors or therapists or psychiatrists; the man worked in business and the woman considered the support group to be her job. This Christian couple, who I guessed to be in their late 50's, led me into a softly lit room where they offered me hot tea and proceeded to interview me to engage in "dialogue" about my homosexual behavior. It felt very much like a forced confession and was one of the most uncomfortable experiences of my life. They said long prayers for God to change me and for God to intervene; they didn't want any more "damage" to be done. I have always been a private, introverted person, and I felt like I was suffocating under the judgment from this couple. Relief flooded me once the meeting began and other participants arrived. I needed to get out from under the scrutiny and laser-like focus of the two leaders. What I found in the group, however, was a room full of men ranging in age from 20-70. These men "confessed" to feelings of desire for other men and prayed for those feelings to stop. I knew this group wouldn't work for me. I couldn't wait for the meeting to end and never returned.
I have never been able to forget it, however, and my experience with the "support group" became the inspiration for my first thriller novel, Crossed.
I began researching ex-gay ministries and conversion therapy in 2006 while I was in graduate school. I learned that the Midwest was one of the hotbeds for these groups in the 1980s and 1990s, and the support group I went to was loosely associated with an international organization that is now defunct, Exodus. I needed a lot more than my personal experience with the group in order to write Crossed, so I conducted interviews with past members of ex-gay ministries. I learned that there are many LGBTQ people across the country that have at one point or another in their lives participated in conversion therapy or ex-gay ministries, though it is rarely discussed. Because of this silence around the topic, I found that there are many, regardless of their sexuality or gender, who are not familiar with these groups and what they do. Ex-gay ministries and conversion therapy have, unfortunately, become a part of LGBTQ history. I want my novel and its characters to express the dangers of such practices. It is my hope that when more voices contribute to the fight, these types of organizations and therapies will end and the LGBTQ suicide rate will drop.
Leelah Alcorn's suicide was the whisper that raised voices for change inside the American political scene. Congressional action is needed for the ban to become national; however, each state has the power to ban the practice. Currently only California, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia have done so. Virginia, Maryland, Illinois, Washington, New York, Wisconsin, and others have either voted down the ban or it has been withdrawn. President Obama, however, publicly supports the petition and has called for a national ban to be called Leelah's Law in honor of Alcorn.
In June, I watched with great interest as the trial of Ferguson v. JONAH played out. In this first of its kind case, three gay men and two of their mothers filed suit against one organization that offers ex-gay and conversion therapies, Jews Offering Alternatives for Healing (JONAH) for violation of the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act. JONAH, according to the plaintiffs and the Southern Poverty Law Center, failed to provide the services they promised: they did not alter the three men's sexual orientation. In addition, the plaintiffs claimed to have suffered emotional distress as a result of JONAH's services. In the landmark victory JONAH was found to be unconscionable and fraudulent; they were ordered to pay the victims over $72,000 to return fees for their program and to cover the mental health counseling they needed after their time in JONAH. This landside decision was a strong affirmation to me and all people who have experienced the negative effects of conversion therapy and ex-gay ministries. Not only has the court delivered an empowering message to the LGBTQ community, but it has also given us a strong indication of what's on the horizon when more states vote to support the ban against the use of conversion therapy for minors.
It has been sixteen years since the writer Brian Wayne Peterson and director Jamie Babbit brought But I'm a Cheerleader to the silver screen. Sixteen years and the practices of conversion therapy are still going strong in segments of our country. It has been seven months since Leelah Alcorn took her own life, writing in her suicide note: "The only way I will rest in peace is if one day transgender people aren't treated the way I was, they're treated like humans, with valid feelings and human rights." In honor of Leelah and so many others that have gone before her, we need the current political whisper to become nothing short of a roar for change.
*If you are a victim of conversion therapy, the Southern Law Poverty Center would like to hear your story. Please visit http://www.splcenter.org/conversion-therapy to learn more about the damages of conversion therapy and to record your own experience.
Works cited
American Psychiatric Association. "LGBT: Sexual Orientation." American Psychiatric
Association. 2015. Web. 22 May 2015.
Capehart, Jonathan. "Obama Comes Out Against 'Conversion Therapy' to support 'Leelah's Law.' Washington Post. April 10, 2015. Web. 22 May 2015.
Hartmann, Margaret. "Where the States Stand in the Fight to Ban Gay Conversion Therapy." New York Magazine. April 9, 2015. Web. 22 May 2015.
Human Rights Campaign. "The Lies and Dangers of Efforts to Change Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity." Resources. The Human Rights Campaign. Web. 22 May 2015.
Wetzstein, Cheryl. "Gay Conversion Therapy Faces a Legal Fight in New Jersey Case." The Washington Times. May 31, 2015. Web. 1 June 2015.


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The Political Conventions Are Over… How did we get into this mess and what does it mean for income inequality?
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The Republican and Democratic political conventions are over and the two champions of their parties have been selected. These two conventions were little more than a platform for a parade of [...]

subset: commoncrawl


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With the maturity of sensing, computing, and communication technologies, the Internet of Things (IoT) will be more and more widely used in various industries. Gartner, a market research agency, predicts that endpoints of the IoT will grow at a 33% CAGR from 2015 through 2020, reaching an installed base of 20.4 billion units, with almost two-thirds of them consumer applications. Spending on networked consumer and business endpoints will displace non-networked, growing at a 20% CAGR to $2.9 trillion. In 2016, IoT was written into the Thirteenth Five-Year Plan, which pointed out that efforts should be made to push the development of cloud computing and IoT, promote the planning layout of IoT-aware facilities, and develop open-loop IoT application. This suggests that the government attaches great importance to various types of IoT infrastructure and applications strategically.
Meanwhile, many IoT devices and applications are facing severe security challenges. On September 20, 2016, the famous security journalist, Brian Krebs's website, KrebsOnSecurity.com, was attacked by a large-scale distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack, whose traffic peaked at 665 Gbps. Brian Krebs speculated that this attack was launched by means of the Mirai botnet. On the same day, France-based hosting service provider OVH became a victim of the record-breaking DDoS attacks that reached 1 Tbps, with peak traffic of 1.5 Tbps. On October 21, 2016, Dyn, a US-based DNS provider, received a global DDoS attack, whose attack source was confirmed to be the Mirai botnet. This attack finally led to a massive network outage in the east coast of the United States. On November 28, 2016, a new Mirai variant disrupted Deutsche Telekom services. The reason why Mirai botnets are widely spread is that IoT devices exposed on the Internet are prone to security issues, such as weak passwords.
It is important to note that a majority of Mirai-infected IoT devices are directly exposed on the Internet. Therefore, it is noteworthy to research on exposed IoT assets. A feasible research methodology is to locate related IoT devices by using cyberspace search engines.
Unlike Internet search engines (such as Google and Baidu), cyberspace search engines (such as NTI, Shodan, and ZoomEye) focus on IP addresses, corresponding devices, and services running on these devices. NSFOCUS Threat Intelligence (NTI) is a threat intelligence platform of NSFOCUS. According to detection results, security researchers can find vulnerabilities and quickly grasp the global distribution of such vulnerabilities.
In 2016, Trend Micro released a research report based on Shodan data, which analyzed the exposed six key sectors (the government, emergence services, healthcare, utilities, finance, and education) on the Internet in America. At the 2017 RSA Security Conference, a researcher from Trend Micro delivered a keynote speech on the report content. In the IoT-related analysis, the report mainly focuses on the industrial control system. Though video surveillance devices and routers are mentioned, they are not the focal point and only mentioned as products detected in an industry.
In the context that IoT-related security issues are attracting more and more attention, it is necessary to analyze and identify IoT assets exposed on the Internet. Related data can be obtained for analyzing IoT security situation, solutions, and technically assessing vulnerabilities and risks.
In terms of the technical roadmap, considering the great differences between China and international IoT systems and products, this paper mainly analyzes IoT assets in China and describes their exposure to illustrate what services are accessible on the Internet and potential security problems, with the purpose of raising the public awareness of IoT threat defense.
It is worth noting that, when an IoT device is exposed on the Internet, this does not necessarily mean that this device is vulnerable, but suggests that it is at risk of being attacked and exploited. For example, for a device that allows users to log in by typing a correct user name and password, if the user adopts a complex password, this device is not prone to a weak password vulnerability. However, once exposed on the Internet, the device will have a larger attacker surface. In an unexpected security event (such as heartbleed), the vulnerability in its Internet-exposed services will be found and exploited.
Research Methodology
This analysis is conducted based on NTI, ZoomEye, and Shodan data. There are mainly two data sources: One is information about the devices identified by search engines. If believing such information correct, we will directly use such information, for example, using "service:DAHUA-DVR" as the keyword on NTI to search for information about Dahua DVRs. The other data source is the search results of vendor names and models. We will observe the search results and then adjust search keywords until satisfactory results appear. Here, take routers as an example. We first search for most models of mainstream home routers. For Hikvision products, we find that the banner information of some services of their cameras contains "Server: Hikvision-Webs". Therefore, we can use this character string as the keyword to search for Hikvison cameras.
Banner information refers to the return information received by search engines in the process of detecting IP addresses and ports. Take an HTTP message as an example. The received result contains HTTP headers and body. "Server: Hikvision-Webs" resides in the HTTP header section.
Key Findings
By analyzing common IoT devices and OSs, we find as follows:
- Hikvision and Dahua have the most exposed network surveillance devices. Coastal provinces in the southeastern part of China witness the most exposed devices.
- Most routers exposed to China's Internet are of domestic brands. The ports of these exposed routers mainly adopt UPnP and FTP protocols. The Sales of routers from Internet vendors are booming, with few exposed on the Internet.
- Thousands of routers in China are infected with malware Linux.Wifatch. The security situation of routers is not optimistic
- Hong Kong and Taiwan have the most exposed network printers, accounting for over 95% of the printers.
- The reason why most devices carrying an OS are probed is that they are deployed on the Internet with no default settings changed. For example, among the 7924 ports opened for the HTTP service on devices running DD-WRT, 22.6% are exposed because their titles contain "DD-WRT (build xxxxx="infopage">". 98.6% devices running uClinux contain such banner information as "Server: uClinux/188.8.131.52 UPnP/1.0 MiniUPnPd/1.3".
- For a device that runs DD-WRT or uClinux and functions as a router, performing network address translation (NAT) makes it possible for its IP address to embody combined properties of multiple devices.
Key Takeaway's
Based on scanning data of NTI, Shodan, and ZoomEye, we analyzed IoT assets located in the Chinese territory from two perspectives: One is the distribution of various devices on the Internet and the other is the exposure of IoT operating systems on the Internet.
Owing to the limited time and energy, we cannot guarantee that our analysis covers all types of devices and all operating systems in use. And even for the covered device types and operating systems, we cannot safely say that all related data is 100% accurate. In spite of this, we tried our utmost to ensure the comprehensiveness and accuracy of data by basing our research on the comparison and analysis of data from three search engines instead of relying only on one search engine. Then, our purpose is to call people's attention to the necessity and urgency of IoT protection by revealing the exposure of IoT devices on the Internet. In this sense, a few omissions or some noisy data will not prevent readers from understanding our viewpoints presented in this article.
This article dwells upon such IoT devices as video surveillance devices, routers, and printers. In future, we will analyze the exposure of more devices and may update data provided here as necessary.
Based on our findings, we recommend users and vendors to do the following for their IoT devices:
- Enhance security of user names and passwords by changing initial passwords and weak passwords.
- Disable unused ports such as ports 21 (FTP), 22 (SSH), and 23 (Telnet).
- Upgrade device firmware in time.
- For the first use of devices, force users to change the initial password and check the complexity of passwords set by users.
- Provide an automatic online upgrade option for device firmware to reduce the exposure of networked devices to security risks.
- Provide default settings according to the principle of opening the fewest ports required to reduce the possibility of ports exposed on the Internet.
- Set access control rules to strictly control external access from the Internet.
For a complete breakdown and analysis of vulnerable IoT devices and OS's please download the following white-paper below.
Download White-Paper:


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Another tool for monitoring the performance and health of a MongoDB node is mongostat. You'll recall that mongotop shows the time in milliseconds that a mongo node spent accessing (read and write) a particular collection. mongostat on the other hand provides more detailed information about the state of a mongo node, including disk usage, data… Continue reading
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MongoDB monitoring with mongotop
In the process of tuning the performance of a MongoDB replica set, it's useful to be able to observe mongod directly, as opposed to inferring what it's doing by watching the output of top, for example. For that reason MongoDB comes with a utility, mongotop. The output of mongotop indicates the amount of time the… Continue reading →


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Our Kilimanjaro trek is designed to give the very best chance of reaching the summit, without sacrificing time to enjoy the spectacular scenery and wildlife. You will also gain an insight into the natural history and cultures of the environments and peoples we meet along the way.
Our African guides and staff are all experts on the mountains and we enjoy an excellent relationship with them. In line with our business values, we only work with operators whose practices are based on ethical business principles to ensure that significant benefits from our visits remain with local people. Our operator in Tanzania works on a fair-traded policy employing only qualified local staff, to which they pay above average rates. In addition, there is no compromise on vehicles, park fees, equipment and services.
Trekkers arriving from low level to climb Kilimanjaro often suffer from altitude sickness if they do not acclimatise properly (lack of fitness is rarely a big problem). For this reason, we use the Machame Route. It's longer than the Marangu ascent and therefore means 2 more days on the mountain, however it's less crowded, a less taxing climb, much more scenic and, based on our records of the last 5 years, you have a better than 96% chance of making the summit.
Of course extra time means it's a little more expensive, but we think it's worth it. Why would you go all this way to suffer altitude sickness and not summit?
Price: AUD 8990 per person (2020) USD 6150.00 per person (2021)
Duration: 15 Days
Trek Ratings: Activity 3 / Conditions 3 / Accommodation 4 / Training/Preparation 4
Country Visited: Tanzania
Trip Start: Arusha
Trip Ends: Arusha
Destination: Mt Kilimanjaro
Trip Route: Arusha – Kilimanjaro Trek – Serengeti – Arusha
Trip Style: Guided Trekking
Activity: Sightseeing and Trekking
Max. Altitude: 5895 m
Activity Per Day: Approximately 5-8 hr walking with one 13-15 hour summit day
Day 01 Arrive in Arusha. Transfer from airport to hotel. (Dinner)
Day 02 Relaxation day in Arusha. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 03 Arusha – Macham. Ascent of 1,182m and 5-6 hours walking. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 04 Machame — Shira. Ascent 808m and 5-6 hours walking. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 05 Shira – Barranco. Ascent 70m and 7-8 hours walking. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 06 Barranco — Karanga. Ascent 300m and 3-4 hours walking. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 07 Karanga – Barafu. Ascent 230m and 3-4 hours walking. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 08 Barafu – Summit – Mweka. Ascent 1300m and 13-15 hours walking (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 09 Mweka – Arusha. 4-5 hours walking. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
Day 10 Arusha – Lake Manyara for morning game drive and lunch. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 11 Lake Manyara – Ngorongoro. Short drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 12 Ngorongoro – Serengeti.Mobile Migration Camp (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 13 Serengeti. Mobile Migration Camp (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 14 Transfer to Airstrip for flight back to Arusha. Transfer to accommodation for overnight. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 15 Timely transfer to the Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight beyond.
Day 01 Arrive in Arusha
Transfer from airport to hotel.
Overnight at AHADI LODGE
Dinner included
Day 02 Arusha
Relaxation day in Arusha. Take a dala dala (taxi) or shuttle to Grand Central Station, check out the open air markets, and enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. Don't miss the Masai Market and get your bargaining skills ready!
Overnight at AHADI LODGE
Breakfast and Dinner Included
Day 03 Arusha – Macham
Hike: 8.2 km | 1840m-3022m | 5-6 hours
From Arusha drive to the Machame Park gate, then a gentle climb up through the original montane forest, carpeted with unique "busy lizzie" flowers, begonias and ferns. First camp amongst the giant heather at 3,000m. Ascent of 1,182m and 5-6 hours walking.
Overnight at MACHAME CAMP
Lunch and Dinner Included
Day 04 Machame — Shira
Hike: 5 km | 3022m-3830m | 5-6 hours
Emerge from the giant heather zone and hike through fine open moorland to camp by the Shira Cave at 3,840m. There may be herds of eland up here (& occasional lion!) and there are fascinating geological features in the old volcanic caldera which can be viewed during a half hour optional walk in the afternoon. Ascent 808m and 5-6 hours walking.
Overnight at SHIRA CAMP
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included
Day 05 Shira – Barranco
Hike: 10.4 km | 3830m-3900m | 7-8 hours
From Shira, climb towards the main peak Kibo, with the western glaciers clearly visible across the rugged high-altitude desert of volcanic rocks and boulders. Skirting around its base and under the imposing Western Breach, descend into the sheltered Barranco Valley for mid-way camp at 3,900m. 7-8 hours walking and only 70m total ascent – but having climbed higher and dropping back down assists acclimatisation.
Overnight at BARRANCO CAMP
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included
Day 06 Barranco — Karanga
Hike: 5.1km | 3900m-4100m | 3-4 hours
Up the steep Barranco Wall with some sections of very easy scrambling and drop down again to the Karanga Valley. This is a short walking day, around 3 hours, and again you climb about 300m but drop back down again to around 4,100m. There's an optional further acclimatisation hike in afternoon up onto the scree below the glaciers.
Overnight at KARANGA VALLEY CAMP
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included
Day 07 Karanga – Barafu
Hike: 3.5km | 4100m-4330m | 3-4 hours
Up to a new camp about 100m above Barafu Hut perched high on a rocky bluff at 4,330m. Fantastic views across to Mawenzi peak, and a bit less to climb tomorrow morning! This is another short walking day, about 4 hours with a 230m height gain, and time for a good rest in the afternoon immediately before the hard summit day.
Overnight at BARAFU CAMP
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included
Day 08 Barafu – Summit – Mweka
Hike: 17.4 km | 4330m-5895m-3075m | 13-15 hours
A bracing 1am start to climb the steep frozen scree. This is unavoidable on any route but we aim to reach Stella Point on the crater rim for sunrise – another 40 mins and you're at the highest point on the continent, usually in warm sunshine. We return on the Mweka descent route. Walking time 7 hours and 1,300m ascent to the summit, 6-8 hours and 2,800m descent to our camp in a clearing amongst the giant heather at Mweka. This is a long and hard day – you'll feel tired but absolutely ecstatic after you've done it.
Overnight at MWEKA CAMP
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included
Day 09 Mweka – Arusha
Hike: 8.8km | 3075m-1645m | 3-4 hours A 4-5 hours descent through the forest to Mweka Gate to collect our certificates and meet our vehicle. Return to Arusha, arriving early to mid afternoon.
Overnight at AHADI LODGE
Breakfast and Lunch Included
Day 10 Arusha – Lake Manyara
We transfer into Lake Manyara for morning game drive and lunch, a classic safari pic-nic, and enjoy our final glimpse of the great wilds of the Northern Tanzania. Lake Manyara offers an insight into the Great Rift Valley system and the adaptation of many herd animals and magnificent bird life. We continue Esilalei Maasai Village to explore the area and our school project. In the late afternoon, we zig zag our way up the Rift Valley Escarpment and onto the crater highlands for overnight.
Overnight at RHOTIA VALLEY TENTED LODGE
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included
Day 11 Lake Manyara – Ngorongoro
Short drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Ngorongoro is collapsed volca-no – an incredible natural amphitheatre, 25 km across and teeming with all of the African big game. Early morning descent into the crater for spectacular scenery and game viewing in what has been described as the eighth wonder of the world. Tonight we are staying on the crater rim, it is quite common for zebra, buffalo and even elephant to be grazing right outside the lodge.
Overnight at RHOTIA VALLEY TENTED LODGE
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included
Day 12 Ngorongoro – Serengeti
We depart after breakfast to the endless plains of the Serengeti, via exploration of the Ndutu area. Upon entering the Serengeti, we are able to game drive all the way to our special camp area. The camp option is recommended to suit the sea-son of travel.
Overnight at NASIKIA MOBILE MIGRATION CAMP
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included
Day 13 Serengeti
We enjoy further exploration of the endless plains. The habitats are natural and we can game drive with a picnic lunch to explore further afield. There are resident cats and herd animals for us to observe.
Overnight at NASIKIA MOBILE MIGRATION CAMP
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included
Day 14 Serengeti
We depart after breakfast to the airstrip for our flight back to Arusha.
Overnight at AHADI LODGE
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included
Day 15 Depart
Transfer to airport for departure
Breakfast Included
NOTE: During the trip; weather, local politics, transport or a multitude of other factors, that are beyond our control can result in a change of itinerary. It is, however, very unlikely that the itinerary would be substantially altered; if alterations are necessary the leader will decide what is the best alternative, taking into consideration the best interests of the whole group. Where a change does occur, we do everything we can to minimise its effect, but we cannot be responsible for the results of changes or delays.
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All prices listed are per person and in Australian dollars.
All Kilimanjaro treks as listed include the services of Australian leaders on the basis that departure has a minimum of 6 x adult passengers confirmed prior to 60 days before scheduled departure date to proceed. Please ensure you confirm your departure with our office prior to booking flights.
Should minimum numbers not be achieved, you will be offered the option of:
- Transfer to another date
- A trek led by local guides/leaders. All of our in-country staff are highly experienced and proficient and will provide a safe and enjoyable experience.
Cost Includes
All transport – 4WD Land Rovers or safari vehicles
Accommodation as detailed – 3 person tents shared by two people when camping
Camping equipment, cutlery and crockery (except sleeping bags and sleeping mats)
Services of guides and porters
All National Park entrance and camp site fees
All food – breakfasts, packed lunches and evening meals
Donations and payments to local community project
Cost Does not Include
International flights
Travel and personal accident insurance
Visa, passport
Vaccinations, medicines
Personal expenditure including drinks
Optional excursions/activities not detailed in itinerary
Any additional services requested
Any others expenses which are not mentioned on 'Price Includes' section.
What type of shape do I need to be in, is this trip for me?
You do not need to be super fit for this trek but you should get out for a few weekends on some longish hikes before the trip – or, jog for three or four kilometres a couple of times a week to get a basic level of fitness. That will enable you to enjoy the trek much more.
Trekkers arriving from low level to climb Kilimanjaro often suffer from altitude sickness if they do not acclimatise properly (lack of fitness is rarely a big problem). Therefore, on Kilimanjaro we use the Machame Route. It's longer than the Marangu ascent and therefore means 2 more days on the mountain (and more expense), but it's less crowded, an easier climb and much more scenic. Over the past years – more than 96% of our clients have made it all the way on different Routes (mainly Machame), including a 72 year old woman!
Will somebody come to pick me up at the airport upon my arrival?
What type of accommodation can I expect in Arusha, during the trek and on the safari?
You will stay in comfortable hotels, lodges, luxury permanent or mobile camps, or camping tents throughout your trip. Available accommodation ranges from budget camping to luxury lodges and tented camps.
You will stay at the Ahadi Lodge (http://ahadi-lodge.com) during your stay in Arusha. During the Kilimanjaro trek you will sleep in 3 person tents shared by two people. The space for the third person will be used to store your own luggage during the night. If required, you can also sleep as single person in the tent (SRS applies).
For the Safari you will stay at the Rhotia Valley (http://www.rhotiavalley.com/) and the Nasikia Mobile Migration Camp (http://www.nasikiacamps.com/camps-&-lodges/nasikia-mobile-migration-camp-bologonja.html)
Can I have a single supplement in Arusha and the safari?
What sort of food can I expect?
For camping/trekking options – All meals during the trek will be prepared on stoves or open fires by our own cook. It is important to remember that Tanzania is a developing country, and that certain items are sometimes unavailable. Food will be straight forward but plentiful, a mixture of African and English style dishes. Lunches will usually be sandwiches, piece of chicken, fruit and snacks (or the like). The food will be more than adequate but if you have a favourite snack to eat in between meals while walking, you can bring your own. Useful items to bring include dried fruit, trail-mix, etc. Remember it can be hot on some days, and chocolate can melt. (Local chocolate has a higher melting point.) Although not necessary, some people find that glucose sweets or favourite high-energy candy bars are helpful (and comforting) for the summit days on the mountains.
Please have a look below at a typical Menu on a 7-day Safari or Kilimanjaro Trek:
|Picnic Lunch
|Day 1
|Mango packet juice
Chicken and Cheese Sandwiches for non-vegetarian OR pancakes
Tomato or egg Sandwiches for vegetarian.
Deep fried cold Chicken (non-veg) or Vegetable cutlet for vegetarians
Boiled egg
Snacks: Potato crisp, Chocolate bar, Biscuits
1-2 Fruits in season
|Soup: Cream of mushroom soup
Main course: Bolognese sauce
Vegetable burger pattie for vegetarians
Accompanied with: cheese spaghetti, Onion fried snow peas and buttered carrot/peas
Dessert: Fruit cuts
Tea or Coffee.
|Day 2
|Assorted Fruit plate
Cereal with milk
Oat porridge.
Squash juice (pineapple flavor)
Plain omelet eggs, sausages and baked beans, Pancakes, breakfast potatoes and Toast.
Tea, coffee, chocolate
|Soup: Brown onion soup
Main course: Breaded fish fillets for non-veg
And vegetable burger for vegetarians
Accompanied with: Buttered parsley potatoes. Kales and carrot fingers
Dessert: Fruit salad
Tea or coffee.
|Soup: Cream of leak onion soup
Main course: Stir fried beef in gravy for non-veg
And vegetable Spring rolls for vegetarians
Accompanied with: Roast potatoes, Buttered greens and onion fried spinach.
Dessert: Banana fritters in custard Tea and coffee.
|Day 3
|Assorted Fruits plate
Squash juice (orange flavor)
Muesli natural cereal with milk
French toast, breakfast potato, Sausage, scrambled egg and Toast.
Tea, coffee, chocolate
|Apple packet Juice
Cheese/tomato and Ham sandwiches for non-veg
Cucumber and lettuce sandwich for vegetarians
Beef Burger for non-veg and Vegetable Burger for vegetarians
Scotch egg for non-veg and vegetable Samosa for vegetarian.
Snacks: Potato crisp, Chocolate bars, cake
1-2 Fruits in season
|Soup: Cream of tomato
Main course: Steak in pepper sauce for Non-veg and Brown beans stew for vegetarian
Accompanied with: Chapati, Risi bisi Rice, Aubergine in garlic sauce (egg plant), tossed cauliflower and onion fried French beans.
Dessert: English Trifle and banana fritters (both with custard)
Coffee or tea.
|Day 4
|Early morning coffee or tea with Madazi and biscuits
Full breakfast
Fresh Mango juice and Fruit platter
Muesli natural cereal with milk and millet porridge
Vegetable/cheese omelet, Ngwachi (sweet potatoes), baked beans, salami and toast
Tea coffee or drinking chocolate
|Passion packet Juice
Cold boiled mutton and ham slices for non-veg
Carrot/pea & macaroni salad for all
Vegetable spring rolls for vegetarians
Snacks: Arrow Root Crisps, Buttered bans, Chocolate bars, Biscuits
1-2 Fruits in season
|Soup: Butternut cream soup
Main course: Onion fried chicken for non-veg
Vegetable pie for vegetarians
Accompanied with: mixed vegetable masala, green gram stew, mashed potato and onion fried kales and steamed cauliflower.
Dessert: Orange caramel and assorted fruit cuts.
Tea or coffee.
|Day 5
|Pineapple flavor squash
Assorted Fruit
Cereal and oat porridge
Mushroom on toast, fried egg, Bacon, Pancakes, Nduma (arrow roots) and toast.
Tea, Coffee or drinking chocolate
|Soup: Mixed vegetable soup
Main course: Fish Ala Orly for non-veg
Cowpeas sauce for vegetarians
Accompanied with: Lyonnaisse potatoes, cooked mixed vegetables and spicy Githeri (mixed of soft corn, bean and peas),
Dessert: Banana in warm mocca sauce
|Soup: Cream of carrot soup
Main course: Beef zingara in coconut sauce for non veg
Or rice/green lentils for vegetarians
Accompanied with: Parsley Potatoes, Irio (mashed soft maize/beans/greens & potatoes), Fried French beans and steamed cabbage
Dessert: Glazed pineapple with honey sauce.
|Day 6
|Orange flavored squash
Fruit plate
Muesli natural cereal with milk and millet porridge
Scrambled egg on toast, Sausage, Sweet Potatoes, Arrow Roots Spring rolls
Tea, chocolate, or coffee
|Pineapple Juice
Cheese sandwiches for non-veg
And Egg /tomato and mixed vegetable sandwich for vegetarians
Chicken for non-veg and Vegetable pie for vegetarians.
Snacks: Potato crisps, cake, Chocolate bars, Biscuits
1-2 Fruits in season.
|Vegetable soup
Grilled Goat, beef and chicken for non-vegetarians
And grilled banana and vegetable balls for vegetarians
Accompanied with: Brown bean sauce, Matoke (bananas and potato stew), ugali (maize meal bread), carrot peas sauce and sukuma wiki (kales).
Dessert: Fruit salads
|Day 7
|Assorted Fruit plate
Cereal with milk
Oat porridge.
Squash juice (pineapple flavor)
Plain omelet or eggs, baked beans, Pancakes, breakfast potatoes and Toast.
Tea, coffee, chocolate
Traditional Tanzanian Food: Staple foods found throughout Tanzania include ugali (maizemeal), chapati (thick naan-like bread), kachumbari (tomato, cucumber, bell pepper salad), nyama choma (barbecued meat- goat, chicken, beef) and mchicha (green vegetable stew). Dishes specific to Northern Tanzania include ndizi nyama (banana beef stew) and mahindi maharage (maize and bean stew). If you would like to try Tanzanian food, let us know prior to your climb or camping safari and we'll include some local dishes on your menu.
What is the best season for this trekking?
The driest month to climb Kilimanjaro is September. However, it is also one of the coldest and busiest. Because Kilimanjaro is such a large mountain, it has its own weather pattern and it often rains on Kilimanjaro when it is not raining elsewhere. You should prepare for rain and have your rain gear with you at all times while on the mountain.
Late March through late May represents the period of long rains in Tanzania. This is usually not an ideal time to plan a safari or a trek because of the potential for sudden downpours. July through October is Tanzania's dry season and also the high season for tourism. Tanzania's short rains occur from late October through mid December. This is a low season for tourism in Tanzania. December through March is Tanzania's "summer" and many tourists visit during late December and January for optimal game viewing and trekking.
What is the weather and temperature like?
Your trip will be during the East African dry seasons. Rain is still possible during these periods but it's usually no more than an afternoon thunder shower. Air temperatures during the day in the lowlands and foothills are around 20 – 30C (we often walk in shorts and T-shirts) although evenings can be chilly. Conditions in the mountains are comparable to good days in Europe in summer, i.e. we usually have a glorious warm sunny morning, with an overcast afternoon, occasional rain or mist, then a beautiful sunset and a clear star-lit night. Some nights higher up, however, can be well below freezing (as low as -10°C on Kilimanjaro) and with adverse conditions the weather can be like the Lakes in winter at any time. Strong winds on the summits can make the temperatures feel even colder. Clothing, therefore, needs to be adaptable, ranging from shorts and T-shirts through to waterproof jackets and (thermal underwear for the mountains!). See the kit list for more details.
I'm a vegetarian, is that a problem?
Do your guides have trekking guide certificates? Have they received first aid training for high altitude?
Our Safari & Mountain Guides/Team were all born in the Kilimanjaro region and therefore possess knowledge of the National Parks and Mountains that cannot be taught. We have a very high success rate on the Machame, Rongai and Shira routes on Kilimanjaro and continue to receive praise for our professionalism throughout all our itineraries. Our Chefs are all college-trained and understand the art of creating delicious cuisine with limited resources while adhering to the 'laws of hygiene'. All guides MUST HAVE a trekking license and they have to have biennial medical evacuation training to be able to retain their guide licenses.
All of our Safari Guides have at least five years of experience and have taken several language and wildlife courses. We are also a member of TATO and we operate a fair-traded policy where we employ only qualified local staff (and pay them well above average rates) and do not compromise on vehicles, park fees, equipment and services.
What safety measures are in place? What safety equipment do your guides carry with them on trek to deal with sickness/accidents?
A first aid kit is carried on our treks, but you should carry your own first aid stuff if you have special personal requirements. Furthermore, there is a ranger post at each camp. There are no daily medical checks done per each person but as soon as the team realises that something might not be OK with you, you will be aided. We do automatically enrol our clients as a member of the First Air Responder, based out of Arusha Airport, as a plan in the unfortunate situation of requiring an aero-medical evacuation. If you are over 70yrs or older you have to pay a supplement of US $50 per person. The membership can be taken for up to eight weeks in duration (depending on your itinerary with us). This membership allows for air rescue transportation to medical facilities in the event of an emergency. THIS DOES NOT REPLACE PERSONAL TRAVEL INSURANCE IN ANYWAY and a health insurance is not included in our quotes.
Can I charge my digital camera or other equipment on my trip?
All our vehicles have British style "three square pin sockets" into which you can plug any battery charger as long as you have that British 3 pin plug – or adaptor. This allow you to charge your camera batteries or laptop right in the car. Most lodges have outlets so you will be able to recharge batteries. However, many of the lodges are run on generators, the electrical current is not as strong as traditional electrical currents. Some lodges turn off their generators at midnight. Keep in mind Tanzania uses 240v electricity and you will need to bring necessary converters and plug adaptors. Try to take as few electrical powered tools as possible.
There is no electricity on Kilimanjaro – only some solar power for emergency which can be used by rangers in post for communications.
Can I use credit cards during my trek?
You will not need your credit cards during the trek as there are no shops on Kilimanjaro.
However, you can withdraw Tanzanian shillings using a Visa/MasterCard in Arusha, Moshi, Karatu, Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam. Many restaurants/hotels still do not accept credit cards, and the ones that do usually charge a commission of at least 3-5%. Please call your credit card company before you leave for Tanzania to notify them of your travel plans. Some companies will put a block on your card if you try to use it at a Tanzanian ATM. There is a withdrawal limit of 400,000/- per transaction (approx US$280) at ATMs but you can withdraw several times according to your personal limit with your own bank. Plan ahead if you have something in particular that you need to pay for.
We recommend changing some money to shillings to pay for small items during your trip. Local stores and restaurants charge in shillings, and if you pay in dollars you will pay a higher rate. At souvenir stores in Arusha. US$100 and US$50 dollar noted attract a better exchange rate than US$20, US$10, US$5 and US$1 – however these smaller notes are handy sometimes for buying souvenirs enroute during safari.
Do I need to tip my guide and porters? How much would that be?
• Tipping in East Africa has been customary since explorers and safari seekers first started travelling there and using the services of local people. Different nationalities have different attitudes to tipping, but we are often asked for advice so we have attempted to provide some idea of what is appropriate. The extract below is taken from the Lonely Planet Guide to Tanzania, Zanzibar & Pemba and covers tipping on the mountain treks. "Most guides and porters are honest and hardworking, so you will probably want to give them a tip after your trek. Over the years, some high-rolling trekkers on Kill have tipped very generously, causing the local guys to expect large bonuses at the end of every trek. This situation is understandable. But the porters know that you have just paid anything from US $2,000 to US $5,000 for the trek. Even if you think of yourself as a budget traveller, they will regard you as a wealthy tourist with a lot of spare cash to throw around. So don't plead poverty, if the service has been good, pay a fair tip. As a guideline, a tip could be around 10% of the total bill paid for the trek (or the trekking section of the tour, if it also includes other items such as transport or hotels) divided between the guides and porters. Some guides and porters may imply that official 'tipping rates' are set by the park authorities, but this is not true. Of course, you can pay more if you're particularly impressed, and less if you're not. But explain why you're doing this – it will help porters and future trekkers if it's understood that tips are not automatic. Note that any gifts you may leave for guides and porters (old boots, clothing, food, etc.) will not be regarded as part of (or accepted instead of) a hard cash tip." Obviously we'd not like to limit our staff's chances of receiving better tips for their work if well done, but for a 6 night 7 day Kilimanjaro trek the following figures might be a reasonable bench mark: Chief guide and cook US $90-120 each, assistant guides & camp assistants US $70 – $80, porters US $40-50 each. As a rough example, with a group of four trekkers on Kilimanjaro there would be a total of 18 staff. This would break down into: 1 chief guide, 2 assist guides, 1 cook, 2 assistants to help with camp chores & cooking, and 12 porters. Most staff of course assist with portering as well. So using the above figures the total tip would be around $980 shared between 4 trekkers = $245 per trekker. 18 staff may seem a lot for 4 trekkers and it is indeed higher than on some other company's treks, but we are committed to not overburdening our crews or stretching their ability to work under reasonable conditions.
As a rough guide for tips on safari you should consider between US$10-20 per client per day. Obviously you can adjust this amount as you see fit and tipping is not obligatory. So, with 4 people on a 7-day safari which has gone well, there might be between USD $280-560 to share.
There may be also a few occasions during the trip when local people who help out or appear at various stops have rendered some small service. Then it may be appropriate to make a small tip of say 2,000 Tanzania Shillings. Your guide will be able to advise on this but you should never tip if you do not want to, nor should you feel you have to yield to any inappropriate pressure from local people you meet along the way.
What opportunities will I have to shower along the trek?
Where do we toilet along the trail?
Only in campsites or "bush toilets" along the route. You will need to walk with a small plastic bag in your daypack to take used toilet paper with you. It is not to be left behind on the trail.
There is the possibility of hiring a private toilet if you like. I would highly recommend this as sometimes your sleeping tent is far from bathrooms (depends on how many are in the campsite that night) and when you are busting, you don't want to walk 5-10 minutes to the toilet – better next to your tent and then you can climb back in and be warm again.


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In perusing the few remaining posts left on Comet Ping Pong's twitter, there is a post for an "all ages" invite to a Halloween gathering. The hashtag that is the main title is "#Mask4Mask"(https://twitter.com/cometpingpong/status/659453827351977984) . According to an Amazon listing for a t-shirt that has the self-same title, Mask4Mask is about gay men embracing a life as a dog and who have "owners"(https://www.amazon.com/Spoof-T-Shirt-Puppy-Fetish-Wear/dp/B01M7XY2KE). This is an article on this strange fetish behavior (https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/may/25/secret-life-of-the-human-pups-the-men-who-live-as-dogs). This is concerning since this type of degenerate behavior would be proudly displayed to any age child attending this gathering. With the interest in a young girl named Maggie Nixon with whom Barack Obama took a picture before his Senate inauguration, someone who commented on that picture appears to enjoy being an "owner" to a young boy or girl or very small person. It is impossible to tell based on the picture as the small person is dressed completely as a dog. In this subculture of rich and powerful people, there seems to be a longing for some way to pass the time, and instead of turning toward altruistic or spiritual pursuits, they seem to gravitate toward the "spirit-cooking" path with the likes of Marina Abramovic.
Comet Ping Pong @cometpingpong
THIS SATURDAY! Comet <3's Halloween!!
The "Q" posts seem to indicate that Maggie Nixon may have something to do with the NXIUM cult that has ties to the rich and powerful. According to a person on reddit, the recently passed away Barbara Bush was on their advisory board for children (https://www.reddit.com/r/greatawakening/comments/8d6ye9/barbara_bush_is_on_the_childrens_advisory_board/). The interest their website talks about in regards to children is quite strange. They reject the parent-family relationship, in view of multiple caregivers who teach the children various things from birth (http://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/nxivm-members-praised-miami-school-tied-to-alleged-sex-cult-leader-10303090). This also seems to be a mode of operandi with the avant-garde type of ultra-rich or celebrities. James Alefantis was present for the birth of one of the children of the former actress in Xena, Warrior Princess, playing as Athena. Her step-mother-in-law is the notorious woman from the Wikileaks Podesta email scandals who let Podesta know her step-grandchildren would be there for his entertainment (see previous posts or google this for information and the picture of the family and Alefantis). Not only Alefantis, but Tamera Luzzatto as well, is also friends with the same person who commented on Maggie Nixon and Obama's picture together.
When Guadalupe White Sharks (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6498470/?ref_=nm_knf_i2) was released it was clearly seen that Maggie Nixon was affiliated with, not only the movie industry, but also Sylvia Earle (https://mission-blue.org/). Nixon's parents frequently have posted support of #MissionBlue in their social media posts. In Sylvia Earle's twitter account,https://twitter.com/SylviaEarle/media, a media posting about Richard Branson shows that he too supports Mission Blue. In this Virgin Mobile collaboration with Branson, https://www.virgin.com/richard-branson/working-together-to-protect-the-ocean, he is with Earle and others in something called Ocean Elders. There is also a video clip of various young people and himself to promote this. Ocean Elders website (http://www.oceanelders.org/the-ocean-elders-old/) has Ted Turner, well-known globalist and population reductionist, as one of these "elders".
Back to the issue of pizza parlors attracting and attenuating the ultra queer and satanic, mixed together. This may not be surprising considering the allowing of "fisting" during underground type gay performances in metro areas ( in looking up "fisting" this came up under the search fisting club in NYC, notice lots of kids and ping pong tables, staying open until midnight: https://www.yelp.com/biz/treadwell-downtown-new-york-2?hrid=V2XVLRWDtWZ_iGspmmblzw). This is considered a way of empowerment for those who have undergone abuse in their childhood, which seems to corroborate and underscore the higher incidence of child abuse associated with later homosexuality identity. This website was not perused, but the title is explanatory for anyone needing to understand what this is, although it is not necessary to this discourse: http://www.papermag.com/10-sleazy-gay-places-from-nycs-glory-days-1427524835.html. The pizza parlor in Brooklyn highlights a lot of satanic type art that is shared with the children as seen by offering child size t-shirts of ritual, satanic art work.
Sometimes celebrities find themselves in positions of danger based on their ability to be useful to globalist minded individuals who lack basic morality for the individual. The star who was known by his DJ name Avicci was found dead while in Oman recently. According to an anonymous poster who details nameless celebrities and their fiascos with law and various other drama, Avicci was actually murdered (http://www.crazydaysandnights.net/2018/04/blind-item-2_23.html?m=1). Although his nameless "family" was very quick to point to suicide before any non-third world or independent investigation or corners report was apparently made. Suicide by cutting the wrists with a broken glass from a bottle is a very violent way to kill oneself. It would seem the antithesis to who he was as an artist, and apparently an individual, according to his model girlfriend who said he was looking forward to having a family and was already a dad to her son from a previous relationship. He made a very poignant video about elite pedophilia a couple of years ago(https://hooktube.com/watch?v=Xq-knHXSKYY). Knowing how strongly he felt, it may not have been unusual for him to intervene in a situation that appeared to be a predator/young girl situation. Oman has recently had issues with girls as young as 15 being sold across their border with little they can or seemingly want to do about the situation.
- More on Maggie Nixon documentary as her father is director: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbhuLNc7i3k
- More on past NXIUM arrests and suspicions: https://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Ex-blogger-faces-4-year-term-in-NXIVM-computer-5874542.php https://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Secret-mission-A-child-589818.php
- Current findings: https://frankreport.com/2017/08/23/rainbow-cultural-garden-is-geared-to-the-wealthy-at-125000-per-child-per-year/
- More on Avicci: https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/avicii-s-secret-girlfriend-reveals-they-were-planning-a-family-in-emotional-instagram-post-a3825801.html
- Planned documentary on Avicci before his death: http://www.businessinsider.com/avicii-said-im-going-to-die-in-documentary-released-before-his-death-2018-4 not indicating suicide, but that he was purposefully being forced to perform at a pace he did not agree with.


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S Wright
Please make your whisky more widely available in the lancaster/morecambe/carnforth area
During the Jacobite rebellion, the chief of the Grant Clan supported the government; however, the Grants from Glenmoriston were at the opposing end as they joined the Jacobites.
Patrick Grant joined the rebellion last 1745. When George IV went to Edinburgh in 1822, he met with the King and introduced as "His Majesty's oldest enemy". At age 109, he was painted in tartan trews wearing a Grant tartan plaid and Tam o'Shanter; you can see this painting in Edinburgh's National Galleries.
Being the great grandson of a Jacobite Soldier, William Grant and his two brothers herded cattle when he was 7 years old. They then apprenticed to a shoemaker before getting employed as a bookkeeper at a local whisky distillery for 2 decades.
On Christmas Day of 1887, the Glenfiddich Distillery started their production. The only employees were the owner himself, William Grant, and his 9 children. They were the ones who pioneered single malt whisky. Up until the Glenfiddich Distillery opened, proprietary whisky was blended.
Born in Nairn in 1827, James Augustus Grant joined the Indian Army when he was 19 years old. He served during the Slkh Wars and Indian Mutiny. He got wounded while serving at the relief of Lucknow.
In 1860, he became part of John Hanning Speke's expedition to look for the source of the Nile River. His illness, however, prevented him from becoming the first white man to ever see that the White Nile actually drains from Lake Victoria.
In 1864, they published a book called "A Walk across Africa" where he wrote about the lives of the natives in Africa. He also wrote a paper on Botany of Speke and Grant Expedition, which received a gold medal from the gold medal by the Royal Geographical Society in 1864. The following year, he married and settled at Nairn, before dying in 1892. He was buried in the crypt of St. Paul's Cathedral.
Trackback from your site.


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When the skin is showing signs of aging, many would start rushing to the store to get the most effective anti-aging product there is in the market. There are lots of effective anti-aging products in the market. However one has to be wary that many of these products contain chemicals that can do one's health a lot of damage. Some studies even revealed that many beauty products are laden with chemicals that can even cause cancer.
So when shopping for anti-aging products, it is advisable that you check the ingredient label. Avoid those with Parabens, Phthalates and Fragrance. These are 3 of the most common ingredients labeled to be toxic to the body. Instead of shopping for anti-aging products you can also start loading up on foods that have anti-aging benefits! We've listed some here!
Foods with Anti-aging Benefits
- Carrots
Start including carrots in your grocery list if you are serious about fighting skin aging. Carrots are loaded with beta-carotene which is a potent antioxidant. This antoxidant has the ability to fight cell damage therefore slowing down cell aging. Beta-carotene is converted into Vitamin A as it enters the liver and Vitamin A will help protect the skin from the damaging effects of the sun's UV rays.If you want beautiful and glowing skin, you'd be glad munching on this Vitamin A-packed crunchy food as it can prevent early appearance of wrinkles, age spots, dry skin, acne as well as an uneven skin tone! Studies have also revealed that carrots have cancer-fighting properties because of a compound called falcarinol.
- Peaches
Peaches should be another mainstay in your diet if you want beautiful and youthful skin. Peaches are filled with AHA or Alpha Hydroxy Acids which have the power to cause skin cell regeneration and keep the skin tight. AHA also helps keep the skin hydrated and retain skin elasticity.
- Apricots
Apricots may be small but they sure pack a powerful anti-aging kick! Apricots contain the highest amount of Carotenoids. Carotenoids is a pre-cursor of Vitamin A and are known antioxidants. Antioxidants protect the skin from the damaging effects of free radicals and also undo the damages the skin has sustained.
- Tomatoes
Lycopene is responsible for the potent anti-aging prowess of tomatoes. Lycopene is an antioxidant which boosts the body's ability to prevent UV ray damage to the skin as high as 33%! Tomatoes will help protect against sunburn as well as skin aging! One should understand that regular consumption of tomatoes will not mean that your skin will not get damaged anymore by the sun's UV rays. Tomatoes don't make your skin invincible. They only up your protection. So together with sunscreen, shade and clothing, regularly eating tomatoes will protect your skin better from the damaging effects of the sun's UV rays.
These are just some of the foods you should put in your shopping cart every time you hit the grocery store.
Now that you know these anti-aging foods, spread the word! Share these beauty foods to everyone you know!


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Bookings have been coming in thick and fast! With now no availability before 20th October 2018 it's definately going to be a wonderful year. For those of you who haven't as yet decided upon your bridal hair & make up stylist I have the following offers available
1. 10% discount of bookings of 2 or more people
2. A reduced deposit of £100 to book
These offers are available until the end of March 2018 on any available dates from 20/10/18 through 2018 & 2019


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EFCC Arraigns Five Suspected Oil Thieves
The EFCC, on Wednesday, 27 July, 2016 arraigned five suspected oil thieves: Sokari Iminabo; Segun Olagunju; Uche Emmaneul, Obinna Ezinne and Tiny Patience before Justice I.J.Watilla of the Federal High Court, sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on a two count charge bordering on illegal dealing in petroleum products.
The suspects were arrested on 26 April, 2016 at Anyako waterside in Sama Community, Asari Toru Local Government, Rivers State by troops of the 130 Battalion of the Nigerian Army. At the point of arrest, the suspects were in possession of a locally constructed metal tank, housed in a Man Diesel truck with registration number SOKOTO XA 614 BDN to convey illegally refined Automative Gasoline Oil (AGO) concealed in poultry feeds. #oilthieves. #EFCC


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Thomasville Honda located at 33860 Highway 43 in Thomasville, AL services vehicles for Auto Repair. Call (334) 636-2378 to book an appointment or to hear more about the services of Thomasville Honda.
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Thomasville Saw Company can be found at Highway 43 33860. The following is offered: Motor Scooters. The entry is present with us since Sep 7, 2010 and was last updated on Nov 12, 2013. In Thomasville there are 1 other Motor Scooters. An overview can be found here.
Saw Thomasville Co Inc is located at 33860 Highway 43 in Thomasville and has been in the business of Retail - Motorcycles since 1962.


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Julian Alaphilippe is not a one-year wonder
Julian Alaphilippe turned a few heads when he emerged from the shadows to finish second at both Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège (LBL) last year.
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After a huge season in 2015, where he also finished second at the Tour of California, and a bout of glandular fever in the off-season, his Etixx-Quick Step coach Brian Holm told Cycling Weekly not to expect too much from him in this Ardennes campaign.
Like any new band knows, the second album is harder than the first, but Alaphilippe's second go round in the Ardennes was almost as finely crafted as his first.
Sixth at the Amstel Gold Race – one better than last year – was followed by another second at Flèche Wallonne.
His 23rd-place finish at LBL doesn't look great on paper, but the Frenchman was with the front group the whole way in horrendous conditions and finished alongside many of his pre-race rivals just 12 seconds down on Wout Poels.
With Alaphilippe, Petr Vakoc and Dan Martin in their ranks, Etixx-Quick Step will have an exciting Classics line-up for years to come.
The new climb at Liège-Bastogne-Liège is a gamechanger
The climb of Rue Naniot near the end of LBL proved to be the decisive point in the race, just like we believed it could be. But even though we believed it could be decisive, we didn't really think that someone would be allowed to get away with an attack on the steep cobbled climb.
Michael Albasini (Orica-GreenEdge) sped off up the hill and when he looked around he must have been incredulous that there wasn't a Movistar rider by the name of Alejandro Valverde sat on his wheel.
Instead he was joined by Poels, Rui Costa (Lampre-Merida) and Samuel Sanchez (BMC) and they were just allowed to ride away.
Valverde reportedly said afterwards that he didn't expect the attack to stay away, so he didn't follow it…In hindsight, that was a huge mistake.
The successful change in course could also serve as a notice to the other Ardennes races, especially the Flèche Wallonne, which is in severe danger of going very stale.
Another year, another race decided in the last 100 metres. The Mur de Huy is a magical climb, but leaving it as the only real obstacle on the route will lead to more unexciting racing.
Not all snowy races are 'epic'
The forecast of snow at LBL made those old enough to remember it hark back to the 'epic' 1980 edition of the race, where only 21 riders finished and Bernard Hinault permanently lost the sensation in two of his fingers.
These days, though, it just meant that riders were decked head to toe in the latest wet weather and winter gear, making many of the different teams completely indistinguishable.
It's not that the racing was particularly dull at LBL, but it was a little bit of an anti-climax in the end and the wet conditions in the final few kilometres – especially on the cobbled climb – made chasing down escapees quite tough.
Maybe in 35-years time we'll look back on this edition as a 'epic' race, we'll have to see if the story stands the test of time.
Bernard Hinault talks about the 1980 Liège-Bastogne-Liège
Wildcard teams don't just make up the numbers
Wanty-Groupe Gobert have been in the headlines this spring for mostly unfortunate reasons. The death of Antoine Demoitié at Ghent-Wevelgem left a cloud over the whole sport and in a close-knit sport like cycling it must have been a massive challenge for his teammates to return to racing.
Not only did they return, they even won one of the year's biggest Classics, with Enrico Gasparotto taking the Amstel Gold Race. Even without the tragedy of Ghent-Wevelgem, Gasparotto's win for a wildcard team ahead of a WorldTour field was a remarkable story.
Then there was Sonny Colbrelli of Bardiani-CSF, who finished third at Amstel Gold, followed by Bryan Coquard of Direct Energie.
Cofidis were prominent in the Flèche Wallonne and despite not placing in the top 10 they finished with three riders in the top 20 – more than any other team.
Gasparotto was, again, the highest wildcard finisher at LBL – coming 12th – but Patrick Konrad (Bora-Argon 18) and Arnold Jeannesson (Cofidis) also stayed the course to finish in the top 20.
Team Sky had a Monument winner in their ranks all along
Team Sky's brass brought in Michal Kwiatkowski this winter in an attempt to bring Ardennes success to the team, but who would have guessed that Wout Poels would be the man to bring them their first Monument?
Who would have also thought that Kwiatkowski's best one-day result of the year would be a win in a cobbled Classics, with him getting a surprise victory at E3 Harelbeke?
Kwiatkowski had a dig off the front with about 10km to go on Sunday, which he must have known wouldn't stick to the end. So maybe Sky's recons of the new Rue Naniot climb would not suit Kwiatkowski's style and they put their eggs in Poels' basket instead.
Now the questions of when they'll win a monument will end and the question instead will be 'when will they win another monument?'


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Alan Jolley has been guiding for more than 35 years and was instrumental in creating and implementing the national guide training program currently in use by the American Mountain Guides Association. In 1990 he was field examined and certified as a Level II Rock Guide, the highest rock guide certification in the US.
He founded the United States Mountain Guides Association (USMGA) in 2001 and served as it's Vice-President for two years. In 2005 he co-founded the Professional Climbing Instructors Association (PCIA). He was member of the Technical Committee of the Professional Climbing Guides Institute (PCGI) in 2011.
He has trained and certified hundreds of aspiring rock guides and continues to introduce climbers and guides of all experience levels to the tricks of the trade. Many of the techniques popularized in current books and magazines as well as technical systems taught by guides in the US were devised by Alan. He has created a series of instructional climbing videos for recreational climbers based on the techniques he developed for guides. They are available at GuideTricksForClimbers.com


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The Capital Gains Tax Exemption Bond or 54EC Bonds are bonds in which investments offset the long term capital gains (LTCG) that investors make on capital gains. Only LTCG earned by selling a residential flat or independent house, which you owned for at least three years, can be invested in this bond.
The main objective of this 3-Year bond is to avoid paying income tax on LTCG. Gains made on capital transfer need to be invested in this bond within six month from the sale of capital assets in order for the proceeds of such sale to be exempt from capital gains tax. However, the interest earned on these bonds is fully taxable.
Tax Implications:
To claim Section 54 EC following conditions is to be satisfied.


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Hilary Mantel ready to complete trilogy of Cromwell novels
NEW YORK (AP) — British author Hilary Mantel is ready to complete her million-selling trilogy of Thomas Cromwell novels.
Henry Holt and Company announced Wednesday that "The Mirror & the Light" comes out in the U.S. on March 10, 2020, five days after HarperCollins Publishers releases it in the U.K. The first two Cromwell novels, "Wolf Hall" and "Bring Up the Bodies," each won the Man Booker Prize. Mantel said in a statement that the novels have been a "long journey" through Cromwell's rise in the court of King Henry VIII and the "last miles" to the "scaffold at Tower Hill," where he was beheaded in 1540.
"Wolf Hall" was published in 2009, and "Bring Up the Bodies" in 2012. Worldwide sales for the two books top 5 million copies.


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Odor prompts officials to close Connecticut high school
NAUGATUCK >> An unknown odor has prompted officials at a Connecticut high school to dismiss early and cancel classes.
Crews responded to Naugatuck High School on Thursday afternoon on reports of a noxious odor. They metered the air and found no signs of hazardous gases in the area. The cause of the odor hasn't been determined.
Superintendent Sharon Locke confirmed that students were sent home early "out of extreme precaution."
The school will be closed Friday so the Fire Department can return and check for potentially harmful gases.


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WiT bring you an inspirational panel of leading entrepreneurial and executive women keen to pass on the keys to their success.
Find out how our panelists have managed work and family lifestyle to achieve phenomenal results. Topics include:
Bring your little ones along! Breast feeding and quiet baby noise is welcome.
Places are limited and this event will sell out, so book early to avoid disappointment
Our Panelists:
Vanessa Garrard – CEO & Founder of E3 Style & Zenixx Ltd
Vanessa Garrard founded consumer products group of companies in 2006 which is now Australia's leading supplier of youth electronics and private label tech gadgets. 1 in 2 Australians owns a product that Vanessa's company has produced. The business is now global. Walmart, Best Buy, Argos, Kmart, Target are just some of the retail giants stocking product created by her company. In addition to private label product development, they also develop products for the likes of Samsung and licensed brands including Batman, Superman, Barbie.
Amassing a slew of achievements, Vanessa has been ranked in Australia's Top 30 Female Entrepreneur list every year since 2010, and recognized for her entrepreneurial achievements in 2011 taking out Telstra's Young Business Women's Award. She has also topped the BRW Fast Starters and Fast 100 lists and was named the Australian EY Entrepreneur of the Year for Industry and more recently was recognised with an Australian Financial Review/Westpac 100 Women of Influence award.
Yvette Adams - Founder & Partner of The Creative Collective
Yvette Adams is a serial entrepreneur and a multi-award winning business woman including winning the ICT Woman of the Year at the iAwards in 2013 and Commonwealth Bank Business Owner category at the Telstra Business Womens in Queensland in 2010.
She has started six businesses, the first a newspaper when she was just 17, and two of which she has since sold. She currently runs three businesses - The Creative Collective - a crowdfunding & digital marketing agency; The Training Collective - a digital skills training organisation, and awardshub.com - an online portal which helps people find business awards to enter.
In 2015 she was recognised for making a significant contribution to science and innovation in Queensland and included on the Queensland Science and Innovation Champion Hall of Fame & in 2016 was named a Digital Champion.
Yvette is a twice published author, and regularly called on as a media commentator and keynote speaker, facilitator and MC for events all over Asia Pacific. Her most recent book was published in 2014 and is titled 'No Kidding – Why Our Kids Know More About Us Than Technology and What We Need To Do About It'. Most recently she has been presenting a new show called Young Entrepreneurs which can be viewed on BRiN, the worlds first artificial intelligence app.
Rhonda Brighton - Executive General Manager Organisation Development of Commonwealth Bank
Rhonda Brighton is recognised as one of Australia's foremost experts in human resources, specialising in leadership, diversity and future of work. Her fundamental belief is that inclusion and good leadership are not only foundational for good people practices in organisations, but equally of more equitable and prosperous economies and communities.
Her career has spanned senior roles in four large multi-nationals, starting with BHP, moving to Sara Lee, (Italian eyewear giant) Luxottica and CBA (Commonwealth Bank of Australia). As well as Australia, Rhonda has lived and worked in Europe, Asia, and the USA. She now works exclusively with entrepreneurs, believing they provide our best opportunity to redesign work.
To this end, Rhonda is Chair of FlexCareers, a business built to change the way careers work, redefining flexibility and linking talented women to progressive employers. Based on game changing technology, FlexCareers also consults on all things around flexibility and has the clear ambition to enable women to own their own future.
Rhonda has an undergraduate degree from UNSW and post-grad from UTS and London Business School. She lectures in HR, Leadership and the Future of Work at UNSW and Sydney University.
A former HR Leader of the Year and Telstra Business Woman of the Year, Rhonda is a current Director of AHRI. She is a past Patron for ASPECT (Autism), and remains involved in ASPECT and other organisations that work closely with disability, the indigenous community and other structurally excluded people or groups.
Lynda Edwards - Executive Coach, Change Specialist & Leadership Consultant PepperCon Coaching & Consulting
Lynda Edwards is an experienced and accomplished Business Leader with over twenty five years industry experience in a variety of corporate cultures both locally and abroad. A skilled Shared Services professional, her passion is for inspirational leadership, strategy execution and people development. She has led large teams across the globe and delivered multi-million dollar programmes across the technology and financial services sectors.
Her strength is in strategically driving change in organisations through effective problem solving, people coaching and decisive leadership. Lynda's technical background, underpinned by strong communications, change and leadership skills, enables her to work with large teams on complex programmes that deliver significant transformational change to businesses.
Lynda now specialises in leadership coaching supporting those new to leadership or needing to deepen their current skills and capabilities. She often works with clients whose work environments are undergoing significant or sustained change. She applies a brain based approach and works with her coachees to create awareness and develop positive sustainable results. Her challenging, but supportive style, allows her clients to be the best leaders they can be whilst focusing on both themselves and the organisational goals.
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Electrical Enclosure New Catalogue Latest News
New Rittal Catalogue 34 Is Available Now As Hard Copy, CD Or Download
- Details
- Published: Wednesday, 08 January 2014 20:43
Rittal's new Catalogue 34 provides the essential product guide for industrial and IT solutions. Over 700 pages outline latest developments and acts as a comprehensive information resource about available product types, sizes, specifications, software and services, as well as a source of advice and support for customers.
Providing the complete solution for enclosures and enclosure systems, power distribution, climate control and IT Infrastructure across industry and IT applications, Rittal's latest edition of the Catalogue turns the spotlight onto added value for customers.
Crystal clear navigation allows users to track down the right product in minimal time, make their final selection with ease, find out straight away what accessories are available and then place an order.


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The Central Connecticut baseball team took a pair of games from LIU Brooklyn on Sunday, winning a continued game from Saturday 3-0 and then winning the series finale 10-1. The Blue Devils finished the weekend outscoring LIU 19-1 in the final three games after losing 4-2 on Friday.
With the Sunday sweep the Blue Devils are now 23-18 overall on the season and 12-8 in Northeast Conference play. LIU is now 24-23-1 overall and 11-13 in the league.
In a game that was suspended on Saturday, Central posted its second straight shutout to win 3-0. Senior righty Nick Neumann won his team-leading fifth game of the season allowing eight hits but no runs while stranding eight base runners in the game. He is now 5-3 on the season. Neumann struck out three and the shutout was his second of the season.
Junior Dominic Severino provided the game's only scoring on Saturday before the game was suspended. He hit his first home run of the season, a three-run shot, to give the Blue Devils the early lead.
Neither team would find the scoreboard as the game resumed at 12 noon on Sunday. LIU put runners on base but Nuemann didn't allow a run in the victory.
In Sunday's second game the Blue Devils took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on an RBI groundout from senior Josh Ingham and an RBI single from Severino.
The lead reached 4-0 in the second inning. Senior J.P. Sportman doubled home sophomore Connor Fitzsimons who had doubled to lead off the inning and then Sportman scored on an RBI single from freshman Franklin Jennings.
The lead reached 5-0 in the fourth inning. Fitzsimons doubled for the second time to lead off an inning and then scored from third on a wild pitch. Severino drove in his sixth run of the weekend with a double in the fifth inning to make it 6-0. A bases loaded walk and an RBI single from Jennings pushed the lead to 8-0 after five innings.
Sportman tripled in his third run of the game, followed by the third RBI from Jennings, in the seventh to make it 10-0.
Freshman Matt Blandino won his third game of the season for the Blue Devils pitching eight innings without allowing a run and just two hits. LIU managed just three base runners against Blandino, two two out hits and a walk, as Blandino improved to 3-3 on the season. He struck out four.
The Blue Devils are back on action on Tuesday at 12 noon at Hartford in their final non-league game of the season. They will conclude NEC action beginning on Thursday at 1 p.m. vs. Sacred Heart, followed by a doubleheader on Friday and then the series finale on Saturday at 3 p.m.
June 6, 2014 Sportman Drafted by A's in 27th Round
June 6, 2014 Neumann Goes to Pirates in 28th Round on Saturday
May 24, 2014 Baseball Season Comes to an End With Tournament Loss
May 23, 2014 Baseball Drops Winner's Bracket Game to Bryant
May 22, 2014 Baseball Wins Behind Seven Innings from Neumann
May 21, 2014 Three Blue Devils Earn All-Conference Honors
May 21, 2014 Ingham, Sportman Named All-New England
May 15, 2014 Baseball Drops Game One, Game Two Suspended
May 14, 2014 Baseball Series vs. SHU Shifted
May 13, 2014 Baseball Wins 5-1 at Hartford on Tuesday
May 12, 2014 Blandino, Severino Earn NEC Honors
May 11, 2014 Blue Devils Take Two on Sunday vs. LIU
May 10, 2014 Baseball Wins Game One, Game Two Suspended
May 9, 2014 Baseball Drops Series Opener to LIU 4-2
May 4, 2014 Baseball Drops Finale to Fairfield on Sunday
May 1, 2014 Baseball Wins Sixth Straight Game
April 29, 2014 Changes Made to Weekend Fairfield Series
April 28, 2014 Baseball vs. Albany Moved to Thursday
April 28, 2014 Neumann and Connolly Earn Weekly NEC Honors
April 27, 2014 Baseball Completes Weekend Sweep of Wagner
April 26, 2014 Baseball Takes Game Three From Wagner
April 25, 2014 Baseball Takes Two From Wagner on Friday
April 24, 2014 Baseball Weekend Schedule Shifted
April 22, 2014 Baseball Tops Stony Brook, 4-1
April 21, 2014 Baseball Drops Non-Conference Game at UConn
April 21, 2014 Sportman Named NEC Baseball Player of the Week
April 19, 2014 Baseball Drops Finale at FDU on Saturday
April 18, 2014 Baseball Splits Doubleheader at FDU on Saturday
April 17, 2014 Baseball Wins Opener vs. FDU on Thursday
April 15, 2014 Tuesday Baseball vs. UMass Postponed
April 14, 2014 Blandino Named NEC Rookie of the Week
April 13, 2014 Baseball Tops Bryant 3-1 on Sunday
April 12, 2014 Baseball Drops a Pair at Bryant on Saturday
April 11, 2014 Baseball Drops Series Opener at Bryant, 4-3
April 8, 2014 Ingham Paces Baseball to Win at Holy Cross
April 7, 2014 Coughlin Repeats as NEC Pitcher of the Week
April 6, 2014 Baseball Drops Finale vs. the Mount
April 5, 2014 Baseball Splits With Mount on Saturday
April 4, 2014 Baseball Wins as Coughlin Blanks Mount
April 3, 2014 Friday's Baseball First Pitch Moved to 1:30
April 2, 2014 Baseball Tops Rhode Island, 3-1
April 1, 2014 Baseball Edges UMass Lowell, 4-3
March 31, 2014 Coughlin Named NEC Pitcher of the Week
March 30, 2014 Baseball vs. Iona Postponed
March 29, 2014 Baseball Splits Doubleheader with Seton Hall
March 27, 2014 Baseball Drops Home Opener
March 26, 2014 Baseball at UConn Moved to April 21
March 25, 2014 Baseball vs. Quinnipiac Moved to Thursday
March 23, 2014 Baseball Drops Finale at Bethune-Cookman
March 22, 2014 Blue Devils Win Second Straight at Bethune Cookman
March 21, 2014 Baseball Wins, Coughlin Throws Eight Strong Innings
March 19, 2014 Baseball Falls to UConn in Extras
March 18, 2014 Baseball Falls to Army in Winter Haven, Florida
March 16, 2014 Baseball Tops UCF 5-4 in 10 Innings on Sunday
March 15, 2014 Baseball Falls 9-8 at UCF in Game Two of Series
March 14, 2014 Baseball Drops Opener at UCF on Friday
March 11, 2014 Baseball vs. Hartford Postponed
March 7, 2014 Baseball Wins Opener, 2-1, in Extra Innings
February 26, 2014 Wednesday Baseball Postponed


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Foundation Installation & Repair
for Shinnston, WV
Reliable Installation & Repair Services for Foundations
Five Star Builders LLC offers experienced and skilled foundation services to the Shinnston, WV, area, including foundation installation and repair. We are a foundation contractor you can depend on to properly install and repair the main support system of your house. Without a sound foundation, your home will not be safe to live in and can cause harm to those who live with you or come visit. Five Star Builders uses high-quality equipment and industry-trusted techniques to ensure each foundation is safe for every home we work on. No matter if your foundation project is simple or complicated, our contractors can handle it all. For a free estimate on our foundation services, contact Five Star Builders LLC at (304) 672-6211.
Experienced Foundation Installation for Area Homes
Five Star Builders LLC has many years of experience working with foundations for all different types of homes. We have over a decade's worth of knowledge to know exactly what type of foundation is right for your home. If you are constructing a new home, adding a new addition or remodeling your current house, Five Star Builders can help make sure the structure has a strong foundation. With a properly installed foundation, your new home will be safe to live in and will last for many years to come.
Foundation Repair Services to Keep Your Home Safe to Live In
Are you noticing foundation problems in your home? Some signs of foundation failure in your home can be found in the floors, ceiling, walls, windows, doors, basements, and many other areas of your property. Another sign of a foundation problem is that your house appears to be settling or sinking. If you notice any of these signs on your property, contact Five Star Builders LLC immediately to have your foundation inspected and repaired. Once we identify the problem with your foundation, we will give you the best repair options available to fix it.
Our team pays attention to the large and small details of your home to pinpoint any major foundation issues. Homeowners in the North-Central West Virginia area can trust Five Star Builders to repair the foundations of their property and ensure the safety of their home for all who live there.


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Everyday Grateful.
EG Hospitality and the EG Family of Eateries continue the tradition of home and hearth, when family and friends gathered around the dinner table, thankful for the cherished feast, sharing wholesome memories to last a lifetime. Still we remain everyday grateful, rekindling that sense of warmth and belonging within all our eateries, welcoming guests with a spirited regional fare, locally harvested ingredients, and inspired recipes passed down by generations.
After all, you can always come home to family and friends.
* * *
From the comfort foods and pleasant surroundings of Taste to the elevated Mexican fare of Tortilla Republic and the hearty Italian dishes of Pizzetta, EG Hospitality maintains the timeless spirit of its origins as a family owned business that blossomed into today's array of outstanding culinary locales.
A longtime favorite nestled below the Hollywood Hills among boutique shops of storied Melrose Avenue, California, Taste on Melrose elevates popular American fare to gourmet standards and remains one of the most frequented West Hollywood restaurants catering to both locals and visitors alike. Its sister restaurant, Taste at the Palisades, sits just off Pacific Coast Highway in picturesque Pacific Palisades, mere minutes from the beaches of Santa Monica.
A southern California favorite in West Hollywood, Tortilla Republic presents modern Mexican fare in a bright, contemporary setting. Known for an impressive array of tequilas and expertly crafted margaritas, TR's laid-back contemporary appeal attracts a fun, energetic, and friendly crowd.
On the "Garden Isle" of Kauai, Tortilla Republic bring modern Latin American cuisine to Poipu, on Hawaii's oldest and perhaps most beautiful island. Nearby, the best pizza and pasta dishes are found at the venerable Pizzetta, one of the more popular dining spots in town.
Together, Taste, Tortilla Republic, and Pizzetta continue to reflect the high standards of excellence that welcome friends and neighbors to our eateries time and time again,.
Tortilla Republic West Hollywood., CA
Pizzetta, Koloa, Kauai, Hawaii


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While the Grattan Institute's new report, Balancing budgets: tough choices we need, was centred around winding back entitlements to older, wealthier Australians, it also included a section on abolishing negative gearing, which it claims would save the Budget around $4 billion per year initially, falling to a saving of around $2 billion per year over the longer term:
Negative gearing allows taxpayers to deduct any losses they make on investments (including mortgage interest) from their overall income when they calculate their tax liability.
Under the proposed reform, investors would no longer be able to deduct these losses against wage income. However, they would be able to carry forward any losses and deduct them against any capital gain they make when the investment is sold.
The proposal would contribute about $4 billion a year to the budget in the short term, falling to approximately $2 billion a year in the long term as losses accumulate, reducing capital gains tax.
If the proposal induced property investors to invest in other assets, tax revenue would be even higher. Alternative investments will not usually produce a tax deduction against income – indeed any switch to investments that generated a positive return would increase the tax collected.
Grattan highlights a number of non-budget (social) benefits from reforming negative gearing, namely:
- increasing home ownership rates by reducing returns at the margin for landlords relative to first homebuyers; and
- increasing investment in other more productive assets.
The report also debunks claims that reforming negative gearing would raise rents, since "for every landlord that sells, there would be a renter that buys and becomes a home-owner. The supply of rental properties would fall at the same rate as the number of renters". It also does not believe that the construction of dwellings would be materially affected, since "almost all of investment property loans are now for existing dwellings".
- Weekend Reading: 24-25 October 2020 - October 24, 2020
- Gotti: Let home buyers raid their superannuation - October 23, 2020
- CBA: CPI Preview Q3 2020 - October 23, 2020


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October 8, 2020Biomedical Engineering
Researchers at McMaster and Brock have created the prototype for a device that could pave the way for home-based cancer monitoring, much like the monitors that people with diabetes use to test their blood-sugar levels.
January 27, 2020Biomedical Engineering
McMaster researchers are working on ways to make taking medicine easier for people who have trouble swallowing.
October 18, 2019Biomedical Engineering
Working together, two PhD candidates have developed a new technique that could make it easier for researchers to study how crucial bone building cells respond to aging, trauma and implants.
July 25, 2019Biomedical Engineering
McMaster researchers have developed a novel new gel, made entirely from bacteria-killing viruses, that can be targeted to attack specific forms of bacteria.
March 19, 2019Biomedical Engineering
Plant cellulose can pave the way for healthy bone implants.
March 6, 2019Biomedical Engineering
Chemical Engineering professor Heather Sheardown, who has been elected a Fellow of the American Institute of Biological and Medical Engineers (AIMBE), answers 15 questions in a rapid-fire video interview.
September 28, 2018Biomedical Engineering
Three researchers in McMaster's Department of Chemical Engineering have been selected by the editors of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, a publication of the American Chemical Society, as members of the 2018 Class of Influential Researchers.
April 18, 2018Biomedical Engineering
Three McMaster researchers have been awarded infrastructure funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) to advance their work in materials processing, respiratory medicine, and mental health.
June 26, 2017Biomedical Engineering
McMaster's dean of engineering has been elected by his peers to join a distinguished academy that offers key advice on matters of critical importance to Canada.
May 25, 2017Biomedical Engineering
Dr. Santerre's key innovation was to add ingredients during manufacturing of plastic medical devices the body won't reject.
April 4, 2017Biomedical Engineering
Final year engineering students will be showcasing their stellar cutting-edge technological capstone projects during three popular annual expos at McMaster University.
March 24, 2017Biomedical Engineering
On March 23, The Forge held it's third annual Forge@MAC Student Startup Competition. The event was attended by over 200 guests including students and individuals interested in the Hamilton entrepreneurial ecosystem.
March 21, 2017Biomedical Engineering
Two research projects – one focused on electric vehicles, the other on eye disease – have each received a $4 million boost from the Ontario Research Fund.
March 9, 2017Biomedical Engineering
Six teams of researchers from across McMaster's Faculties have been awarded $20,000 each from the Interdisciplinary Research Fund.
February 28, 2017Biomedical Engineering
Seven McMaster researchers received nearly $1.37 million combined for infrastructure funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI).
February 7, 2017Biomedical Engineering
Michael Brook, Chemistry and Chemical Biology, and School of Interdisciplinary Science, is the winner of this year's Chemical Institute of Canada's Macromolecular Science and Engineering Award.
January 9, 2017Biomedical Engineering
The awards, funded through CFI's Major Science Initiative Fund, were announced today by Canada's Minister of Science.
November 18, 2016Biomedical Engineering
This year's Innovation Showcase focused on the entrepreneurial spirit and creativity exhibited by students, graduate students, post doctoral fellows and researchers from across campus.
September 13, 2016Biomedical Engineering
A cross-national research consortia co-led by Andrew McArthur is receiving two of 16 federal grants to further develop a big data solution to the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance.
Meet our world-renowned researchers and learn more about their ground-breaking work.See All Profiles
Your donation can help students and researchers unlock a world of potential.Give A Gift


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The group stage matches, as well as all tiebreakers, are now officially done. We finally know the names of all the teams that have gone through to the main event. Invictus Gaming and paiN Gaming are the 2 teams which finished last in each of The International 2018 groups so I'm afraid they've already booked their planes back home. Others, however, are up for another few rounds of outstanding matches. Divided into upper and lower bracket (depending on their group stage placements), 16 remaining teams will battle it out against each other to win the grandest prize of them all! That's why, if you're more interested in Dota 2 betting than watching these matches, it's good you are here! How come? Well, in the next couple of paragraphs you will learn a great deal about TI8 Team Liquid vs OpTic Gaming Predictions… so, without any further ado let's kick things off!
DOTA 2 TI8 Team Liquid vs OpTic Gaming Predictions | Stats
|World ranking
|Total maps played
Team Liquid vs PSG.LGD Key Match Recap
Game 1 of Team Liquid vs PSG.LGD matchup was rather lengthy. Close to an hour to be more precise. There were lots of clashes, especially on mid where Maybe actually managed to get the better of Miracle very early on. However, Miracle snapped out of it and landed himself as the proper carry like he usually does, finishing the first game with style. More precisely, 17 kills and close to 30K gold earned. The first 18 minutes were rather close with kill count going back and forth all the time. Still, after the first team fight, there was only one winner and it was PSG.LGD. They made their intentions clear in the mid-game of match 2 as well. However, Miracle and MATUMBAMAN took matters into their own hands and secured a draw with less than 27 minutes played.
OpTic Gaming vs NewBee Key Match Recap
OpTic Gaming didn't have proper luck with their group stage match draw and ended up with first win coming in their B4 series matchup against NewBee. However, they managed to take important points against struggling VG and paiN Gaming, securing their spot in the main event. Still, it could not go without drama. Considering the fact 3 teams had 8 points after 8 matches (OpTic, NewBee, and Secret), Dota 2 fans from all over the globe prepared for triple tiebreaker series. However, the matchup series came in shorter than everyone expected after both Secret and OpTic defeated NewBee. NewBee then dropped all the way down to the 5th place, losing their ticket to the upper bracket. So, it's safe to say OpTic Gaming got back up after struggling in the first 2 days of the tournament… but going up against Team Liquid will require even more winning mentality in their team.
DOTA 2 TI8 Team Liquid vs OpTic Gaming Predictions
There shouldn't really be any problems for Team Liquid in this matchup. It's true, OpTic Gaming has been playing amazingly well in their last 3 matches… but after taking a closer look at their opponents we get a better picture. It's one thing beating Vici and paiN as opposed to Team Liquid. Miracle seems to be at the top of his game throughout the entire tournament. With that being said, chances aren't likely that he will stop performing at such a crucial matchup. I just can't see this match going in any other direction than with an easy 2-0 victory for Team Liquid.