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Snohomish County has many nonprofit groups that provide programs and services to children, families, seniors and students in our communities. Each depends on financial help, volunteers and donations. Here are some ways in which you can help make a difference this holiday season.
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• Children
• Families
• Seniors
• Animals
Arlington Kids' Kloset, 135 S. French, Box C, Arlington, WA 98223, needs new or gently used clothing and coats in sizes for kids ages 4 through 18, along with new shoes, pajamas, socks, underwear, gloves, scarves and hats, personal hygiene products and books. Preschool through high school age students in the Arlington, Lakewood and Darrington school districts who qualify for free or reduced-price lunches are provided with school wardrobes twice yearly by the organization. Volunteers are needed. More information: 360-435-4875, www.arlingtonkidskloset.com.
Assistance League of Everett, 5107 Evergreen Way, Everett, WA 98203, needs gift cards to Fred Meyer, Target, JCPenney and Kohls. The cards will be used for Operation School Bell, which provides new clothing for kids in need from 14 school districts in Snohomish County. Assistance League runs a thrift store and provides financial aid to graduating high school seniors and Everett Community College students. More information: Call 425-252-3011, email email@example.com or go to www.assistanceleagueofeverett.org.
Binky Patrol, which meets in a private home in Marysville, provides quilts and afghans to Snohomish County infants and children who need comfort. Volunteer seamstresses are needed along with donations of fabrics, batting, thread or money to buy sewing supplies. More information: 360-659-7198.
Boys &Girls Clubs of Snohomish County has clubs in Arlington, Edmonds, Everett (four clubs), Lake Stevens, Lynnwood, Marysville, Tulalip, Monroe, Snohomish, Sultan, Coupeville and Oak Harbor. Needed are gift cards, mittens, socks, hats, toys, personal hygiene products and healthy snacks. Donations can be dropped off at the club's administration office, 9502 19th Ave. SE, Suite F, Everett, WA 98208. To volunteer or learn more, go to www.bgcsc.org.
Christmas House is located again at the Boys &Girls Club gymnasium, 2316 12th St., in north Everett. Christmas House provides gifts to qualifying low-income Snohomish County families with children through age 18. The store is scheduled to be open Dec. 1-18, but is closed Sundays and Mondays, except for Dec. 17. Cash donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 717, Everett, WA 98206. For places to drop off new toys for all ages, or to volunteer, leave a message at 425-338-2273 or go to www.christmas-house.org. Christmas House is celebrating its 32nd year of operation. Volunteers are especially needed for the set-up, Nov. 25 through Nov.29.
• Fire District 1 in south Snohomish County has offered all 12 of its fire stations as drop-off sites for donations of toys for Christmas House. More information: 425-551-1243
• The GWTA-C Goldwing motorcycle group of Everett is collecting new or gently used stuffed animals as well as new winter coats for children and teens to be distributed at Christmas House. Donations can be dropped off Tuesdays through Saturdays at Everett Powersports, 215 SW Everett Mall Way. There is a tall brown bear sitting next to the blue bin at the front door of Powersports where donations can be dropped. More information: Kathy Leon, 206-362-4250 or email@example.com.
• Lamoureux Real Estate is collecting new, unwrapped toys to benefit Christmas House. Donations are accepted 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday through Dec. 21 at 1904 Wetmore Ave., Everett, WA 98201.
• Postnet Snohomish, 2801 Bickford Ave., Suite 103, is a drop-off location for donations to Christmas House. Donations of new toys and clothing may be left at Postnet from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. More information: www.christmas-house.org.
Clothes For Kids, 16725 52nd Ave. W., unit B, Lynnwood, WA 98037, expects to serve more than 4,500 Snohomish County students in need this year by providing free quality wardrobes and other resources. Needed are financial contributions, winter clothing, new underwear, socks and shoes appropriate for school. For additional information and the hours to drop off donations, go to www.clothesforkids.org or call 425-741-6500.
Cocoon House, 2929 Pine St., Everett, WA 98201, focuses on preventing youth homelessness and provides shelter, transitional housing and support services to homeless and at-risk teens and support to their families. The nonprofit organization needs cash donations, gift cards for QFC, Safeway, Fred Meyer; movie passes, bus passes, sleeping bags, pajamas, new socks, new underwear, personal hygiene products; pay-as-you-go cell phones or calling cards. For more information, call Chelsea Monroe at 425-259-3342 or e-mail email@example.com.
Davis Place Teen Center is an after-school destination for teens in Stanwood and Camano Island. Teens receive a healthy meal and socialize with friends. Involvement in the Youth Leadership Council provides opportunities to plan teen events. Volunteers are needed to teach art and music classes, help with homework and supervise activities. To volunteer, call 360-629-5257. Donations to support teen programs can be mailed to the Community Resources Foundation, P.O. Box 935, Stanwood, WA 98292. More information: Call 360-629-5257 or email email@example.com.
Dawson Place Child Advocacy Center, 1509 California St., Everett, WA 98201, relies on financial donations from the community to bring help and healing to abused children and their families. More information: 425-388-7497 or www.dawsonplace.org.
Everett Public Schools Foundation provides community support to strengthen academic achievement in Everett public schools. This includes classroom grants, tuition support for summer school credit recovery and all-day kindergarten tuition support. Send donations to Everett Public Schools Foundation, P.O. Box 3112, Everett, WA 98213. More info: Call Kristie Dutton, 425-385-4693, or go to www.epsfoundation.org.
FARM Youth Outreach provides an annual December holiday lunch celebration for children and families from homeless shelters in the region. The outreach is located at 11212 92nd St. SE, Snohomish, WA 98290. Needed are adult and youth volunteers to help with the "Miracle on 92nd Street" event, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 9. Also needed are donations of stockings and small items to fill them, hats, gloves and books. More information: 360-568-1453.
Granite Falls School District's annual food and toy drive is Nov. 26 through Dec. 13. Donations can be dropped at any school during regular school hours. Student leaders at the high school coordinate the event, which will provide food, toys and basic necessities such as soap and toothpaste for local families. Last year, food, toys, new bikes and more than $6,000 was collected to help local children and families. For more information, call high school instructor Crosby Carpenter at 360-691-7713.
Hand in Hand of Everett provides children with a safe, transitional place while awaiting foster care placement. Needed are gift cards to local retailers and non-perishable food. More information: 425-374-2461; www.handinhandkids.org.
Kaitlin's Mobility Foundation, P.O. Box 2245, Everett, WA 98213, helps special-needs children by providing grants to families for services such as therapeutic horseback riding and mobility equipment. Financial help is needed. More info: www.kaitlinsfoundation.org.
Kloz 4 Kidz offers free clothing to schoolchildren from Marysville area families in need. The organization is located in the portable in back of the United Methodist Church, 5600 64th St. NE, Marysville. For an appointment, call 360-659-8521. Needed are donations of clean, gently used, age-appropriate clothing. Financial assistance also is requested for new underwear and socks.
Lakewood High School graduation gowns and caps are being collected for distribution through Arlington Kids Kloset to graduates who are unable to buy them. To arrange for pick up, call Katie Ellis at 425-359-8171.
Marysville Toy Store, run by the Marysville Community Food Bank, provides Christmas toys for children from low-income Marysville families. Volunteers are needed Dec. 16-20. Call Bonnie, 360-653-9133, for details.
Matthew House, 16207 177th Ave. SE, Monroe, is an ecumenical hospitality house for children who have parents in prison. It provides food, clothing, transportation and support to families. Donations of Christmas gifts for children are needed. To donate, send checks to P.O. Box 201, Monroe, WA 98272. More information: Call 360-794-8720 or go to www.matthewhousemonroe.org.
Meadowdale High School Sports Booster Club provides supplemental funding for school athletic programs, including scholarships for student athletes who otherwise could not afford to participate. Financial contributions can be made to Meadowdale High School Sports Booster Club, P.O. Box 5279, Lynnwood, WA 98046. More information: Call 206-295-1177 or email email@example.com.
Operation Lookout National Center for Missing Youth, located on Evergreen Way, needs volunteers experienced in social services, data entry and phone fundraising. More information: 425-771-7335.
Project Linus, 5023 10th Place W., Everett, WA 98203. Snohomish County chapter volunteers provide quilts, fleece blankets and afghans for seriously ill and traumatized children in Snohomish County. Needed are new, homemade, quilted or tied, knitted or crocheted, machine-washable blankets. Volunteers are needed to donate time at work parties or Make-a-Blanket days. Donations of batting, fabric, thread, yarn, sewing notions, sewing machines and cash are needed. Donations can be dropped off at Pacific Fabrics, 10203 Evergreen Way, Everett; Needle &I, 4727 Evergreen Way, Everett; Mary's Quilt &Fabric, 5128 Fobes Road, Snohomish; Quiltmaker, 315 N. Olympic Ave., Arlington. More information: 425-252-4524.
Lynnwood-Terrace Young Life, P.O. Box 3381, Lynnwood, WA 98046, provides mentors and a safe, fun environment for middle school and high school students. The group also provides food and resources, especially for teen moms, kids with special needs and those from the alternative school environment. Needed are financial donations, food, gift cards and office supplies, as well as Christian adult volunteers. More information: www.LynnwoodTerrace.YoungLife.org or 425-478-7104.
Bethany of the Northwest Foundation, 916 Pacific Ave, 4th Floor, Everett, WA 98201, is a non-profit organization that provides multi-level supportive care and nursing services for residents at Bethany of the Northwest. Donations made to our Dignity Project will address the most pressing needs at Bethany's three facilities. Donations can be mailed to PO Box 5128, Everett, WA 98206 or made at www.bethanyofthenorthwestfoundation.org. More information: 425-551-6403.
Boy Scouts Tree of Giving will be up Nov. 24 to Dec. 20 at the Everett Mall, 1000 SE Everett Mall Way. It is a joint project of the Everett Mall, Fluke Corp. and the Mount Baker Council of Boy Scouts of America. The tree is covered with wish-list tags. Shoppers select a tag and purchase the items listed. Tags represent wishes from children and senior clients of more than 30 local nonprofit agencies. Last year, 2,000 gifts were purchased and left at the tree for Scouts to distribute. Gifts should be returned by 6 p.m. Dec. 19. Checks can be sent to Mount Baker Council, 1715 100th Place SE, Suite B, Everett, WA 98208. More information: 425-338-0380.
Catholic Community Services, 1918 Everett Ave., Everett, WA 98201, provides veterans services, housing, foster care, layette services, mental health and supportive case management services to vulnerable populations. Needed are housewares, towels, bedding, cleaning supplies, grocery, clothing and gas gift cards. More information: 425-257-2111.
Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County, P.O. Box 7, Everett, WA 98206, provides services to victims of domestic violence and their children, including a 24-hour crisis hotline, confidential emergency shelter, transitional housing, legal advocacy, advocacy-based support groups and children's programs. The organization's New &Again Thrift Shoppe, 3116 Rucker Ave., Everett, provides free clothing, furniture and household items to clients and their children. Volunteer opportunities and a wish list of holiday items are available at www.dvs-snoco.org. More information: 425-259-2827, ext. 24.
Everett Gospel Mission offers emergency shelter and services that meet basic needs. The organization needs gift certificates to grocery and retail stores or donations for children's and adults' holiday gifts and holiday foods. Families who want to adopt a family in need are welcome to ask about the mission's Angel Tree. Monetary donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 423, Everett, WA 98206. Other donations can be dropped off at the women's shelter. More information: Call 425-740-2506 or email email@example.com.
Evergreen Manor, 2601 Summit Ave., Everett, WA 98201, is a chemical dependency treatment organization providing housing and addiction recovery services for low-income pregnant women, mothers with young children, and men. Among the items needed are toddler push toys, baby slings, twin-bed linens, bath towels and wash cloths, car seats, high chairs, cribs, toddler beds, disposable diapers, alarm clocks, yarn, knitting needles and crochet hooks, day planners and XL or XXL sweatshirts, sweatpants, T-shirts. More information: Go to www.evergreenmanor.org, call 425-258-2407 or e-mail firstname.lastname@example.com.
Families and Friends of Violent Crime Victims, P.O. Box 1949, Everett, WA 98206, provides limited emergency financial assistance to crime victims who need gas, grocery, or hardware store gift cards. Call 800-346-7555 or 425-252-6081. To learn more about services and other ways to help, go to www.fnfvcv.org.
Habitat for Humanity of Snohomish County, 2321 Hoyt Ave., Everett, WA 98201, relies on volunteers and cash donations. Needed now are skilled construction volunteers willing to teach others, fire extinguishers, power washers, pruning shears, gutter scoops, lawn mowers, chain saws, ladders and cordless drills. Volunteer or donate online at www.habitatsnohomish.org, or call 425-258-6289.
Housing Hope provides affordable housing and supportive services for low-income and homeless families in Snohomish County. Needed are gift cards for groceries, household items and gas, diapers, baby wipes and basic kitchen items. Donations can be dropped off from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 11 and 13 or from 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 12 at 5908 Evergreen Way, Everett. More information: Go to www.housinghope.org or call 425-347-6556, ext. 278.
Interfaith Association of Northwest Washington, P.O. Box 12824 Everett, WA 98206, provides emergency housing and other programs for homeless and low-income families. Needed are gas cards, grocery cards and volunteers to work with the children. More information: 425-252-6672 or www.interfaithwa.org.
Lake Stevens Family Center, a program of Lutheran Community Services Northwest, helps individuals and families with support, resources and advocacy. The center's Christmas Giving program supports children and developmentally disabled adults who live within the Lake Stevens School District boundaries. Call 425-397-7433 to donate or adopt a person in need. More information: www.lakestevensfamilycenter.org.
Next Step Pregnancy Services, 17602 Highway 99, Suite 170, Lynnwood, WA 98037, helps single mothers and low-income families. Needed are diapers, baby wipes, baby clothes, blankets, booties and bibs. More information: 425-329-4569.
The Pregnancy Resource Center of Snohomish County provides free assistance to single moms and low-income families with pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, baby clothes and diapers, and childbirth and baby care classes. The center has been serving the greater Everett community for 30 years, with more than 1,400 visitors a year to the Baby Boutique. For information on how to help, call 425-339-2175 or go to www.PRCpartners.org.
Rotary Club of South Everett-Mukilteo supports the community through grants to fund infant car seats, backpacks for children and scholarships to high school seniors headed to college. Thanksgiving baskets for needy families can be sponsored for $35. Checks payable to SEMR can be mailed to P.O. Box 3391, Everett, WA, 98213. More information: 425-422-6719.
Salvation Army of Snohomish County, 2525 Rucker Ave., Everett, WA 98201, is in great need of holiday meats to present to low-income families. Donations of turkey, ham or chicken help round out holiday meals. More information: Contact Jason Detmer, 425-259-8129 or email@example.com.
Sky Valley Family and Community Resource Center, 701 First St./P.O. Box 268, Sultan, WA 98294, helps families in need. Volunteers and donations of food and clothing are needed. Sultan Harvest free community Thanksgiving dinner, noon Nov. 22, at the center. Cash, food donations and volunteers are needed for the dinner. More information: 360-793-2400.
South Everett Neighborhood Center and Familias Unidas, 215 W. Mukilteo Blvd., Everett, WA 98203, are family support centers of Lutheran Community Services Northwest. An open house is set for 3 to 6 p.m. Dec. 12. Needs include volunteers, non-perishable food, cash donations, gift cards, new jackets, winter clothing. More information: Call 425-355-6005 or email firstname.lastname@example.com.
Stanwood Camano Community Resource Center met the needs of more than 5,000 people in the Stanwood-Camano Island community this year. Services offered include emergency funds to prevent eviction and the disconnection of essential services as well as free English, parenting and family budgeting classes. A Mobile Dental Clinic provides dental care to low-income adults. Morgan's Tales Used Bookstore provides job training for teens and young adults with disabilities. Donations to support programs can be mailed to the Community Resources Foundation, P.O. Box 935, Stanwood, WA 98292. More information: Call 360-629-5257 or email email@example.com.
YWCA's Adopt a Family program is seeking sponsors to adopt families for the holidays. The YWCA provides housing and support services to homeless, single women and help to families. Needed are gift cards and gifts for children. More information: Luanne Kunz at 425-258-2766 or email@example.com.
American Red Cross, Snohomish County Chapter, 2530 Lombard Ave., Everett, WA 98201. The Red Cross provides shelter, food and additional immediate emergency assistance to victims of house fires, floods and other disasters. It offers health and safety courses, and assists the armed forces and their families. Financial and volunteer help are ongoing needs. More information: 425-252-4103.
Annie's Kitchen provides a free community dinner every Wednesday evening at Edmonds Lutheran Church, 23525 84th Ave. W., Edmonds, WA 98026. People are needed to help prepare the dinner. The works starts at noon and ends at 7 p.m. Volunteers also are needed to pick up donations from local grocery stores daily from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Donations of meat and dairy products are appreciated. More information: 425-478-9261.
Hands Together provides emergency cold-weather shelter to homeless people in the Arlington area when temperatures drop below freezing for a sustained period. The shelter rotates between four area churches. Volunteers are needed for the shelter at different shifts throughout the night and to help provide a warm supper and a breakfast. Cash donations can be sent to Hands Together c/o Arlington United Church, P.O. Box 266, Arlington, WA 98223. To volunteer, call 360-435-3259. In addition, the Brown Bag Brigade provides a healthy sack lunch to patrons of the Arlington Food Bank every Friday. Sandwiches are made every Thursday at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Arlington, 615 E. Highland Drive. Cash donations can be sent to Brown Bag Brigade, also in care of Arlington United Church. To volunteer, call 360-435-8060.
Helping Hand of South Whidbey, P.O. Box 661, 816 Camano Ave., Langley, WA, 98260, has served low-income, disabled, unemployed or under-employed people for 31 years. Assistance includes grants for rent, utilities and fuel. More information: 360-221-7777 or www.helpinghandofsouthwhidbey.org.
Neighbors in Need at Trinity Lutheran Church, 6215 196th St. SW, Lynnwood, WA, 98036, needs warm clothing for men, women and children, including boots, as well as peanut butter, canned tuna and other canned goods. Volunteers are needed. The program provides breakfast, showers, a nurse's care, haircuts, food and clothing each Saturday morning. More information: 425-778-2159.
Providence Hospice and Home Care of Snohomish County provides programs and services for people who are dying. Needed are computer bags on wheels, GPS trackers, long-handled mirrors, thermometers and portable fax-printers. Gift card donations to craft stores help with the children's bereavement program. Also needed are gift cards for grocery stores with pharmacy services, cemetery plots, cremation certificates, mattress pads, water-resistant fabric shower curtains, yarn, cotton fabric, fiberfill and thread. Volunteers needed for visiting hospice and home health patients, making soft handcrafts for hospital and home-bound patients. More information: Call 425-261-4822 or go to www.providence.org/phhc.
Safe Harbor Free Clinic needs volunteer help from medical care providers and people able to help with data entry. The free clinic is open at 6 p.m. Fridays at 9631 269th St. NW in Stanwood. Needed are individually packaged healthy snacks and coffee, tea and cocoa donations, dinners for volunteers, scarves and gloves for patients, office supplies, office space and an ultrasound machine. To donate, call 425-870-7384 or go to www.safeharborfreeclinic.org.
Stanwood Therapeutic Riding, 28119 Old Pacific Highway, Stanwood, WA 98292, is a nonprofit agency serving Snohomish and Skagit counties. It provides people with special needs the opportunity to ride and interact with horses. Saddles and donations toward horses' board, veterinary bills and rider scholarships are ongoing needs. Checks can be sent to P.O. Box 102, Stanwood, 98292. More information: Call 360-348-7425 or go to www.stanwoodtherapeuticriding.org.
Take the Next Step is a faith-based organization in Monroe that offers help to people in the Skykomish River valley. Provided are sack lunches, emergency gas cards, bus tickets, warm clothes, a computer lab, mentoring, a community dinner on Tuesdays, community classes, a teen parent group and after-school tutoring. Needed are volunteers to help children, gifts for low-income families, warm clothes and cash donations. Send checks to 202 S. Sams St., Monroe, WA 98272. Call 360-794-1022 or go to www.thenextstepmonroe.org.
Village Community Services, 3210 Smokey Point Drive, Suite 200, Arlington, WA 98223, provides residential and vocational services to Snohomish County adults with disabilities. Needed is funding for staff training; a wheelchair-accessible van; new or slightly used computer equipment; household and auto repair tools; arts and craft supplies; picnic tables, potted plants, trees, shrubs and flowers; and used iPads and iTouch Pads in excellent condition for use by adults who have little verbal ability. To donate, contact Michelle Dietz at email@example.com or 360-631-2027.
St. Vincent de Paul, 6424 Broadway, Everett, WA 98201, is a Catholic lay organization that assists low-income and disadvantaged residents of Snohomish County. The organization assists with rent, clothing, furniture and food. More than 300 volunteers make home visits to clients. Needed are toys for kids of all ages as well as other donations, which can be dropped off at any St. Vincent de Paul store or can be picked up by calling 425-355-3504, ext. 2. More information: 425-513-6052.
United Way of Snohomish County, 3120 McDougall Ave., Suite 200, Everett, WA 98201, supports 102 nonprofit organizations providing education, health and human services. Snohomish County residents can give to the local community fund or find local volunteer opportunities by clicking the "give" or "volunteer" buttons at www.uwsc.org. For more information, email email@example.com.
Volunteer Literacy Program at Edmonds Community College needs volunteer tutors to work with adults learning English, obtaining a high school equivalency degree or working through reading, writing and math courses. Volunteers are needed to commit to two hours a week for three months. Training and support provided. More information: Call 425-640-1032 or email firstname.lastname@example.com.
Volunteer Literacy Program at Everett Community College, called "Lions for Literacy," needs volunteer tutors and classroom assistants. Great opportunity for those who wish to increase their interactions with other cultures, as well as to help someone who has experienced learning difficulties to overcome the barriers that have prevented them from achieving educational success. The program supports adult learners in the pursuit of high school diplomas, GEDs and English language development. Call 425-388-9085 or email firstname.lastname@example.com.
YMCA of Snohomish County, 2720 Rockefeller Ave., Everett, WA 98201, has branches in Everett, Marysville, Mill Creek, Monroe and Mukilteo that focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility and strengthening communities. To donate, call 425-374-5769 or go to ymca-snoco.org/donate.
Active duty and veterans
Heartbeat: Serving Wounded Warriors, a statewide nonprofit organization, provides emergency assistance, therapeutic services, support groups and morale-building programs for wounded service members and their families. More information: 425-931-1047 or www.heartbeatforwarriors.org.
Stanwood-Camano Hero Quilters group provides quilts for the American Hero Quilts project. The quilts are given to wounded soldiers at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. People can help sew or donate money to American Hero Quilts, www.americanheroquilts.com. More information: 360-387-4800 or email@example.com.
Navy League of Everett is part of the Navy League of the United States. To make a donation, go to www.navyleague.org. More information: Niles Fowler, 425-238-4115.
Wounded Warrior Project focuses on wounded service members returning home from Afghanistan and Iraq. Financial donations are needed. More information: www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
Fallen Hero Portrait Project: The Michael G. Reagan Portrait Foundation, Supporting the Fallen Hero Portrait Project, needs monetary donations to keep the program going. Artist Mike Reagan gives free portraits to families of people who died serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. For more information, go to www.fallenheroesproject.org.
College students
The Edmonds Community College Foundation, www.edcc.edu/foundation, supports students, faculty and staff at Edmonds Community College by providing scholarships and emergency funding for students, grants for college programs and advocacy for the college. Of the college's students, 43 percent qualify for need-based financial aid. Cash donations to support the foundation and scholarship awards for students with financial need can be mailed to Edmonds Community College, Snohomish Hall 314, 20000 68th Ave. W., Lynnwood, WA 98036. More information: Call 425-640-1274 or email email@example.com.
Everett Community College Foundation, 2000 Tower St., Everett, WA 98201, provides scholarship support to students and financial resources to faculty and staff. Local business leaders, individuals and alumni can make a difference in the lives of students by contributing an investment of time, talent and financial means in support of academic excellence and student success. More information: 425-388-9555 or www.everettcc.edu/foundation.
Supporting Parents with Limited Incomes for College Education hosts a party in December for about 120 children of low-income parents who attend Everett Community College. Needed are gifts of entertainment, treats, door prize gifts for parents and children's gifts. More information: 425-388-9528.
Senior Services of Snohomish County, 8225 44th Ave. W., Suite O, Mukilteo, WA 98275, is a nonprofit organization that provides nutrition, housing, transportation and information resources to 35,000 people each year. Cash donations are needed to help feed homebound seniors through Meals on Wheels. Donations can be mailed or made online at www.sssc.org. More information: 425-290-1262.
Food banks
Arlington Community Food Bank, 18810 59th Drive NE, Arlington, WA 98223, needs food supplies and cash donations. Nonperishable food donations are accepted from 9 to 11 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays and by appointment. More information: 360-435-1631.
Concern for Neighbors Food Bank, 4700 228th St. SW, Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043, needs food and cash donations. Donations are accepted from 8:30 a.m. to noon Mondays and from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays or by appointment. More information: 425-778-7227.
Edmonds Food Bank, 828 Caspers St., Edmonds, WA 98020, is located at Edmonds United Methodist Church. Food and cash donations are needed. Donations are accepted through the north door of the church from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. More information: 425-778-5833.
Volunteers of America operates the Everett Food Bank, 2802 Broadway, Everett, WA 98206. VOA provides food to more than 3,300 households each month, including hundreds of home food deliveries to seniors. It provides housing for families in crisis and runs three preschools for low-income children. Checks can be mailed to P.O. Box 839, Everett, WA 98206. Volunteers and food donations are also needed. More information: 425-259-3191 or www.voaww.org.
Lynnwood Food Bank, 5320 176th St. SW, Lynnwood, WA 98037, serves residents in the 98036, 98037, 98012 and 98087 ZIP code areas. The food bank needs donations of nonperishable food, turkeys, holiday food and monetary help. For donation hours and more information, call 425-745-1635.
Marysville Community Food Bank, 4150 88th St. NE, Marysville, WA 98270, needs food and cash donations, as well as gift cards and unwrapped toys. Donations are accepted mornings at the food bank except on Wednesdays and Sundays. Especially needed are frozen hams and turkeys, freshs apples, pasta and canned tuna, fruit and vegetables as well as diapers. Volunteers are always needed. Checks can be mailed to Marysville Community Food Bank, P.O. Box 917, Marysville, WA 98270. Call 360-658-1054 or go to www.marysvillefoodbank.org.
Maltby Food Bank, 21104 86th Ave. SE, Snohomish, WA 98296, provides food for families in the southeast corner of the Monroe School District. The food bank is open from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Thursdays. Donations of food, new unwrapped toys and senior gift cards are needed. More information: 360-668-7900.
Mukilteo Food Bank is receiving donations of food and baby supplies during the second annual Race Against Hunger program at Traxx Indoor Raceway, 4328 Chennault Beach Road, Mukilteo. Donations are accepted there through Dec. 24. More information: 425-493-8729.
Oso Community Food Bank, on the hill behind the Oso Community Church, 22318 Highway 530 NE, Arlington, WA 98223. The food bank is open on the third Friday of the month from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Donations of non-perishable food and cash are always accepted. Volunteer opportunities and community service credits are available. Contact Marla Skaglund. email@example.com or 360-403-7954.
Hands of Hope Food Bank, 9506 Seventh Ave. SE, Everett, is a food bank that operates in the basement of the Lifepoint Everett Church. Donations of food are accepted from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays, noon to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and by appointment. Cash donations can be mailed to Hands of Hope Food Bank, 9506 Seventh Ave. SE, Everett, WA 98208, or made online at lifepoint360.net under Hands of Hope. Volunteers are also needed. More information: call 425-387-2149.
Lake Stevens Community Food Bank, 2111 117th Ave. NE. Lake Stevens, WA, 98258, provides food to approximately 250 families every month. The food bank needs nonperishable food and monetary donations. Donations are accepted at the facility in the basement of the Ebenezer Lutheran Church from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday through Thursday. More information: 425-334-3430.
Mukilteo Food Bank: People who want to donate can bring food to the Traxx Indoor Raceway, 4329 Chennault Beach Road, Mukilteo, WA 98275, through Dec. 24. More information: 425-493-8729.
Salt of the Earth Food Bank has eight locations in Snohomish County and feeds more than 6,000 people each month. Volunteers are needed to drive and pick up food, help sort food, and distribute food. Donations of food are always welcome. Monetary donations may be mailed to Salt of the Earth Food Bank, 2908 118th Place SE, Everett, WA 98208. More information: 425-355-1042.
Sky Valley Food Bank of Monroe is collecting turkeys, holiday foods, new unwrapped toys and baby supplies for more than 500 families. Monetary donations, used to buy food at bulk prices, can be mailed to Sky Valley Food Bank, P.O. Box 724, Monroe, WA 98272. More information: 360-794-7959 or www.svfoodbank.org.
Snohomish Community Food Bank, 1330 Ferguson Park Road, Snohomish, provides food to people who live within the boundaries of the Snohomish School District. The food bank is open to accept donations from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays; and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. Volunteer help and donations of cash, turkeys, hams and holiday foods are needed. Checks can be mailed to P.O. Box 1364, Snohomish, WA 98291. More information: Call 360-568-7993, email email@example.com or go to www.snohomishcommunityfoodbank.org.
Stanwood Camano Food Bank and Thrift Store, 27030 102nd Ave. NW, accepts donations during business hours. Checks can be mailed to P.O. Box 1285, Stanwood, WA 98292. More information: 360-629-2789 or www.stanwoodcamanofoodbank.org.
Animal Rescue Foundation of Everett, WA (ARF), firstname.lastname@example.com, is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization that provides funding for the Everett Animal Shelter's Spay and Neuter Clinic. It has pledged a gift of $70,000 over three years to go toward clinic expenses. Donations can be mailed to: P.O. Box 12817, Everett, WA 98206. For more information or to donate online, go to www.everettarf.org.
Equine Aid Horse and Donkey Rescue needs donations of hay, used tack for the annual tack sale or cash donations to the hay fund. Volunteers are appreciated. Donate at www.equineaid.net, by mailing to P.O. Box 123, Monroe, WA 98272, in person at Monroe Farm and Feed or call 360-282-6667.
PAWS animal shelter and wildlife center in Lynnwood rehabilitates sick, injured and orphaned wildlife and finds new homes for cats and dogs. Needed are gift cards from pet and building supply stores, gas gift cards, clumping cat litter, dog biscuits and high-quality canned dog and cat food. To donate, send checks to PAWS, P.O. Box 1037, Lynnwood, WA 98046; call 425-787-2500, ext. 255; or go to www.paws.org.
New Moon Farm Goat Rescue and Sanctuary, 19111 Burn Road, Arlington, WA 98223, is a nonprofit dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and adoption of animals in need. The focus is goats, but the organization takes in sheep and horses, too. Volunteers are needed to help work the farm. Other needs include financial contributions and donations of clean, dry hay and farm supplies. More information: 425-791-4513 or www.newmoonfarm.org.
Purrfect Pals, a nonprofit cat shelter and sanctuary based near Smokey Point, provides low-cost spay and neuter surgeries and adoptions. Donations can be mailed to 230 McRae Road NE, Arlington, WA 98223. More information: 360-652-9611 or www.purrfectpals.org.
Sarvey Wildlife Center, 13106 148th St. NE, Arlington, WA 98223, rehabilitates orphaned and injured wildlife and provides educational programs. It needs liquid laundry and dish detergent, bleach, paper towels, rubber gloves, scrub brushes and sponges, heating pads, dry cat food, baby food, applesauce, peanut butter, raisins and honey. Mail donations to P.O. Box 3590 Arlington, WA 98223. More information: 360-435-4817 or www.sarveywildlife.org.
All Breed Equine Rez-Q, 2415 116th St. NE, Marysville, WA 98271, cares for horses that have been abused or neglected. Needed are volunteers to care for the horses, the grounds and buildings, and to help plan fundraising events. Supplies needed include plywood and white paint. A Santa pony picture fundraiser is set for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 1 and 2. Monetary donations can be sent directly to the rescue or you can donate to the organization's feed and veterinarian accounts at Snohomish Co-op, 168 Lincoln Ave., Snohomish, WA 98290; or North West Vet clinic, 8500 Cedarhome Drive, Stanwood, WA 98292. More information: 425-263-6390 or www.allbreedhorserescue.com.
The Humane Society at HappyPaws Farm on Burn Road near Arlington needs monetary donations for veterinary care for pets from low-income families. More information: 360-652-5844; www.saveourdogsandcats.org.
Talk to us
- You can tell us about news and ask us about our journalism by emailing email@example.com or by calling 425-339-3428.
- If you have an opinion you wish to share for publication, send a letter to the editor to email@example.com or by regular mail to The Daily Herald, Letters, P.O. Box 930, Everett, WA 98206.
- More contact information is here.


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In today's rapidly changing world and workforce, History graduates are in an excellent competitive position.
You are trained to think critically, evaluate often conflicting and ambiguous sources of information, write clearly, and summarize and analyze effectively. While learning about the complex world around you and how we got where we are now, you will learn skills transferable to a wide variety of career opportunities.
Besides, the study of History is also immensely entertaining and rewarding in itself! Graduates with History degrees often study it because they love it. They may not work in a field directly related to History, but they have successful careers in many other fields like business, banking, law, archive management, museum work, foreign service, as well as teaching, just to name just a few of the hundreds of jobs available for History graduates. Our mission is to teach students about the past and about the discipline of history as an integral part of a complete liberal arts education for citizens in our complex, culturally diverse, and increasingly global society.
Our Philosophy
Nothing prepares students for the future like a glimpse back into the past, which makes the Department of History the perfect place to hone your skills in research, critical thinking and writing.
With such a solid liberal arts background, History majors are prepared for careers in law, business, banking, politics, journalism, teaching and government, not to mention research and teaching in specialized fields such as museum studies, women's issues and the development of the world's diverse societies and cultures, both ancient and modern.
Contact Us
Dr. Timothy Schroer
(678) 839-6040
Jan Ridgway
Departmental Manager
(678) 839-6508

subset: commoncrawl


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Everyday I enjoy shining light on how the media is blacking out news on the biggest scandal EVER except for the 911 Tech system called ECTP http://www.comptroller.nyc.gov/press/2011_releases/pr11-01-001.shtm
and oops than there is this press release http://comptroller.nyc.gov/press/2012_releases/pr12-03-026.shtm and a sweet heart naively wrote me to say the problems with ECTP where the NYPD and FDNY not getting along -- WRONG FOLKS!!! The problem a revolving door of corruption. Oh Gartner who bills us up the whaaazooo for counsulting advice may have suggested that but FYI -- no new reporter will investigate how much we pay Gartner owned by Glenn Hutchins a member of the Partnership for NY I renamed the Oligarchs of NY -- the rich folk that want to rule NYC.
If you want to know why honest city workers are being laid off and more harsh cuts it is because of mega mega abuse of tax payer money theft and Bloomberg rewarding a culture of failure and a revolving door of corruption and he and Christine Quinn are being protected.
Rewind CityTime back in time and folks this went back back -- way way back in Time to Rudy Giuliani Time. Surprise his deputy mayors are SAIC lobbyists! Surprise!
So far no arrests of NYC gov officials and they should be top officials. Rose Gill Hearn the head of Dept of Investigation should have her butt booted out of NYC gov office -- she is the Cathie Black of DOI.
Rose Gill Hearn's Dad uber duba connected and that helped when he got busted for abusing tax payer money himself!
Reminder -- we should have gotten 1 billion x 3 back CityTime SAIC and I want the same for all tech deals -- investigations and our money back plus damages. I want to go after SAIC's accounting firm as well as hold top NYC gov officials accountable and I want to start taking care of the People of NY rehiring all honest City Workers that were laid off so we could dump a fortune in to corrupt cesspools posing as tech contracts!
So is Jelly Bean going to be arrested? No newspaper has touched this piece of CityTime news either!
Now to the CNN Ireport that was removed but saved here!
CNN IReport -- the famous Ireport that blew the whistle when DOI was doing less than a stellar job...
has been removed but it has been saved on scribd.com
CNN IReport -- the famous Ireport that blew the whistle when DOI was doing less than a stellar job...
has been removed but it has been saved on scribd.com


text: How to Plan a Destination Wedding in Florida, From the Keys to the Gulf CoastYour guide to planning a destination wedding in Florida, whether you're looking for an all-inclusive resort, an extravagant wedding venue, or a beachside wedding location.By Sally KilbridgeDecember 17, 2012TwitterFacebookPinterestEmailPinterestCourtesy Cheeca LodgeCheeca LodgeParty places Most couples marry on the 1,000-foot palm-lined beach, one of the few sandy stretches in the Keys; Cheeca will trick it out with a bamboo aisle runner, torches, and areca palms. Or take over Spa Island, where tikis provide a ring of light at night. You can host cocktails on the series of wooden walkways suspended over a manmade lagoon, or have the staff float candles in the spa pool, while guests mingle and relax in curtained cabanas. And if your first-dance fantasy comes with air conditioning, there are two ballrooms for a Havana-themed dinner with Latin swing.For guests on a budget The Islander and Hampton Inn are two affordable nearby choices.One more thing You owe it to yourselves and your guests to spend some time on the water; it's easy to organize a cocktail cruise that will pick you up right at Cheeca's pier and take you from ocean to bay as the setting sun provides entertainment.PinterestCourtesy Ritz-CarltonRitz-Carlton, NaplesOur readers say: This U-shaped resort with two orange Mediterranean-style towers overlooks the Gulf of Mexico and is near the Naples Zoo. Antiques and artwork embellish interiors, as do Waterford chandeliers and Asian carpets. The resort's daily interactive environmental programs for children include nature walks, microscope time in the kid-size lab, and field trips. Rooms in buttercream and light green have dark-wood furniture. Nibble on fresh nigiri rolls at the Sushi Bar; Gumbo Limbo's bar is "the best place for a burger on the beach. I also love to drink something tall and cool, and order the Key lime pie there—it's the best around—while watching the sun set!"PinterestThe BreakersAmerican aristocrats have wintered at the Breakers for generations, and while the welcome here is nothing less than open-armed, there's still an air of privilege about the 140 beachfront acres. Though the hotel does its share of smaller celebrations, weddings here tend to be larger than life; if you've got 800 folks on your guest list, this is the place.Where it is You're 15 minutes from the Palm Beach airport—and well within driving distance of Fort Lauderdale and Miami. The resort is so large and comprehensive that renting a car may feel like money wasted.Meet the staff An A-team of event and catering pros—with more than 80 years of experience in creating luxury weddings—will be looking after you. Helmed by Joan Bever, who also masterminded the resort's encyclopedic wedding website, the crew gets regular assists from The Breakers' own design studio. If you want to go out of house, the resort has some of New York's biggest florists and photographers on their vendor list.The looks department Modeled after Rome's Villa Medici, The Breakers is a bit of Italian Renaissance relocated to Florida. Flag-topped towers, formal gardens, and colonnades of palm trees create an opulent backdrop, but there are surprisingly intimate patios and plazas for photo ops.PinterestCheeca LodgeIn the brazenly laid-back atmosphere of the Keys, this legendary hotel stands out like a navy-blue blazer in a sea of Hawaiian shirts. If you want a wedding that will unfold like clockwork, but don't want to be too far from the tiki bars and tackle shops, look no further.Where is it Midway down the Keys, in the best fishing waters in the country, Cheeca Lodge is less than two hours by car from the Miami airport. Getting here really is half the fun: the Overseas Highway feels like you're driving into the Caribbean.Meet the staff Wedding pro Charlene Lopez typically plans 30 to 40 weddings a year; there's usually just one per weekend. If you want a steel drummer, Jimmy Buffet-style guitarist, Latin band, even a harpist, she knows just who to call. There's no need to bring in a private planner.The looks department For such a luxurious hotel, Cheeca seems surprisingly at home in Islamorada's tropical landscape, with a low-rise lodge, beachside bungalows, wooden boardwalks, thatched outbuildings, wicker-and-bamboo décor, and the longest fishing pier in the state.PinterestCourtesy Breakers Palm Beach Breakers Palm Beach, Palm Beach, FloridaPinterestThe Ritz-CarltonParty places It's hard to forsake the sand itself, but for brides who'd rather walk the aisle in heels, the two-story Beach House combines a water's edge setting with polished wood floors and floor-to-ceiling windows. Other options: Center Court, a large sun-dappled plaza with an ornate fountain, and the Tea Garden, a lush pocket of manicured hedges and palms. Or take it inside to one of three ballrooms, where you can hang flower arrangements from the ceiling and have the dance floor embellished with your monogram.For guests on a budget A mile from the Gulf, the Inn at Pelican Bay offers great rates and free transportation to the sand.One more thing If you're looking for a little extra excitement, the Ritz-Carlton's frosting phenom, executive pastry chef Sebastien Thieffine, will decorate your cake in the reception area while guests watch.PinterestCourtesy WaterColor Inn & ResortWaterColor Inn & ResortOn the famously sugar-white Panhandle shore, the charming 60-room WaterColor Inn shares 499 acres with vacation homes, pools, parks, and shops, creating the kind of small-town atmosphere your parents may have known. Weddings have a distinctly southern accent, especially when it comes to the menu: Apalachicola oysters Rockefeller, sweet potato polenta, and snapper pulled from the Gulf.Where it is Midway between the Panhandle hubs of Destin and Panama City Beach, WaterColor is flanked by Grayton Beach and the town of Seaside. About 80 percent of guests drive to the resort; beach bikes (free for guests) are ideal for cruising the shore road and exploring the territory.Meet the staff Cheryl Walton and Joseph Lanzy aren't just the folks you'll trade 100 e-mails with before the wedding; they'll be your hands-on helpers on the wedding day. Once the family-packed summer season comes to an end, they're busy planning up to four weddings a weekend.The looks department Architect David Rockwell designed a stylish, contemporary spot with a generous dash of nostalgia: pebbled pathways, pitched metal roofs, and plenty of porches outfitted with rockers, all done in a cool, oceanside palette. Among the photo possibilities: raised wooden boardwalks, sunset-view balconies, magnolia-shaded lawns, and the world's sweetest boat house, on Western Lake.PinterestCourtesy WaterColor Inn & ResortWaterColor Inn & ResortParty places While we can't imagine not wanting to marry in front of that brilliant emerald water, there are plenty of lush lawns and gardens as well. Then it's on to poolside cocktails, a tented dinner on the Inn's green, or something small and charming at the BoatHouse. And the new LakeHouse should open this year, allowing you to host drinks, dinner, dancing, and after-party all in one location.For guests on a budget WaterColor's huge pool of rental homes means your pals can bunk together; additionally, wedding guests can receive up to 20 percent off the regular rates.One more thing Children go bananas for this place (cookies at turn-down each night, a superlative kids' club), so by all means make this a family affair.PinterestWaldorf-Astoria OrlandoWhen the youngster in you wants theme parks, but the adult in you craves caviar, this newbie inside the Walt Disney World gates fits the bill.Where it is Less than 20 minutes from the Orlando airport, the hotel offers guests free lifts to the Disney theme parks and Downtown Disney. Most of your crew can probably get away without renting a car.Meet the staff Jane McLean leads up a full-time event team that organizes 50 or so weddings a year and will help locate everything from a minister to a Rolls-Royce. They recommend that you bring in your own wedding planner, though it's not required.The looks department As smooth and sumptuous as a satin gown, the Waldorf's glassy pools, polished marble floors, and velvet golf greens are just what you'd expect from the newest outpost of the legendary New York hotel.PinterestCourtesy Waldorf AstoriaWaldorf-Astoria OrlandoParty places The resort's 25,000-square-foot island overlooks waterways and golf greens, and couples love it for weddings-in-the-round. If you've got a big crowd, usher them onto the outdoor promenade for drinks, then scoot inside to the massive ballroom. There are assorted lawns and restaurants—Peacock Alley, Bull & Bear, Oscar's—for smaller gatherings. And at all the venues you've got a waitstaff in white gloves and tails serving your custom-designed menu.For guests on a budget The Waldorf is right next door to a Hilton, for lower prices and total convenience.One more thing The day of the wedding, the bride and groom are provided with a personal butler, who'll run last-minute errands, keep track of your bouquet, and wield a serious lint brush.


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A beautiful Giclee art print of 'Boreas' by John William Waterhouse, 1903
Named after the Greek god of the north wind, 'Boreas' was created in 1903 by Neo-Classical artist John William Waterhouse. This work displays his trademark Pre-Raphaelite style which combines both Romanticism and Realism. Adding to its mystic, the painting turned up in the mid-1990s after being lost for 90 years. What a find.
A4 size: (8.3" x 11.7" or 210mm x 297mm)
A3 size: (11.7" x 16.5" or 297mm x 420mm)
Buy three prints and get a fourth print for free. Please do not add the fourth print to the cart or you will be purchasing it. Just let me know in the notes to seller at checkout which fourth free print you would like and I shall include it with your order. (This offer is only valid when prints of the same size are shipped together).
To ensure that my giclée prints are the finest quality at Vintage Poster Company, I follow professional guidelines and use high quality Epson pigment-based archival inks which last a lifetime. I also print on Epson archival matte paper for longevity and vibrant colour reproduction (90+ year archival rating). A2 prints are printed on 230gsm high resolution matte paper.
I carefully restore our high resolution images to ensure that the final print has the sharpest detail while still retaining its original feel. In this respect, there may be limits to what the results are, so please look carefully at the image before purchasing.
If for any reason you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, you may return it within 30 days of receipt and receive a free replacement or a full refund for the price of the product. Shipping charges will not be refunded
Some prints have a white border to allow for framing. The measurement of this white border depends on the print, if you would like to know the size of the border, please let me know in the message to seller box at checkout. Cheers!
FLAT RATE SHIPPING: We only charge one shipping price per order. So no matter how many prints you buy, you only pay one shipping price when shipped together.
Our A3 and A2 prints are dispatched in protective cardboard tubes and our A4 prints are sent in board-backed envelopes to ensure they reach you in perfect condition. All items dispatched should be with you in 2-5 working days to Ireland, 3 - 10 working days to Europe, and 3-14 working days for the rest of the world.
During the Checkout process, please insure that you have provided the correct shipping address. Vintage Poster Company can not guarantee a replacement or refund when an incorrect shipping address has been provided. Etsy Policy states, in cases where a customer has provided an incorrect address to the seller, a refund or replacement is not required.
Thanks a million for taking the time to look at my shop, if you have any questions please message me.
1-3 business days
I'll do my best to meet these shipping estimates, but can't guarantee them. Actual delivery time will depend on the shipping method you choose.
Buyers are responsible for any customs and import taxes that may apply. I'm not responsible for delays due to customs.
Just contact me within: 14 days of delivery
Ship items back to me within: 30 days of delivery
But please contact me if you have any problems with your order.
Because of the nature of these items, unless they arrive damaged or defective, I can't accept returns for:
Buyers are responsible for return shipping costs. If the item is not returned in its original condition, the buyer is responsible for any loss in value.


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Designer Tennis Bags - Luxury Fabrics and Ultimate Functionality
Tennis used to be a game dominated by men; that is no longer the case. Tennis is a great form of exercise and a wonderful form of social interaction, two things women love and crave. With the influx of women into the sport, there has been a massive influx of female designers, designing luxurious tennis bags just for women. Do It tennis is proud to carry one of the largest selections of high-end designer tennis bags made for women, by women.
Court Couture Designer Tennis Bags
Straight from the set of the TV show, "Pretty Little Liars," Court Couture tennis totes radiate with fashion and come with a matching cosmetic case. Croc-embossed faux leather distinguishes this line of totes from the rest as a bag of quality and couture fashion. The White Python Casanova Tennis tote is the best selling Court Couture tennis tote, so distinguished because of its two racquet capacity, its sensible amount of compartments and its bold lines. Stephanie Sumarsono said she designs her bags for the woman who wants to look stylish in her tennis outfit and has to have a bag that looks as great as she does.
These tennis totes and bags are designed by company owner, Stephanie Sumarsono. She is a 3.5 rated USTA tennis player and has a degree in designing. Court Couture bags are well known for their croc-embossed faux leather and sheik design. The Court Couture Casanova is a tennis tote that holds up to two racquets and has plenty of room for a change of clothes, towels, water bottles and tennis balls. The Casanova also comes with a matching cosmetic bag that fits inside or clips smartly to the outside of the bag. The Court Couture Barcelona is a tennis racquet sling that can hold up to three racquets, has a clutch type accessory pocket and a detachable ball tube.
Cortiglia Tennis Bags for Women
Cortiglia designs the highest quality tennis bags for women that are on the market today. Hand-crafting with the finest Italian leather makes this bag a luxurious addition to any tennis outfit. But luxury is not the only quality that makes the Cortiglia line a must have. The newest addition to the Cortiglia family of tennis bags, and LaCorte's solution to the tennis backpack, is the Cortiglia Tahoe Messenger tennis bag. This bag has two large interior racquet compartments and the signature racquet keyhole which allows the zipper to fully close. Owner and designer, Jill LaCorte, said that women are always giving of themselves to others, and that this is a bag that says: I take care of myself as well as I take care of my family.
40 Love Courture Custom Ladies Tennis Bags
"Made in the U.S.A" and Swarovski crystals set 40 Love Courture tennis bags for women apart from the competition. Each bag comes in a variety of combinations of fabrics and linings. The possibilities are endless. Swarovski crystal logos adorn the outside of some bags and Swarovski accents adorn others. Because 40 Love tennis bags are made under the watchful eye of owner and designer, Liz Waggoner, each bag is inspected before it leaves the factory and she said that if the bag isn't perfect, they send it back until it is.
These tennis totes and slings are known for the Swarovski crystal embellishments. Logos and accents make your 40 Love Courture designer tennis bags sparkle with you as you make your appearance on the court.


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Hey Reefer,BCReefer wrote:I will just add that Calpuke is a place where men are men and the sheep are scared. I don't go to a lot of sites and I used to visit CalPuck when it was run properly, then Bingo decided volume was better than quality and the place went down hill from there. How they allow the poster post crap like they do is beyond me.Farhan Lalji wrote:BCExpat wrote:
Calpuck never ceases to amaze me. Never seen so many people have such a strong contempt towards one specific team....out of jealousy.
They actually have the audacity to think they are good posters when they put down others especially anything Vancouver.
I would like them to finish #9 and #10 for the next few years while Iginla and Krisspy Cream get older and then retire without being traded. Well actually I like Iginla so maybe trade him for prospects so Iginla can at least have chance to win the cup.
Welcome to the boards man. I look forward to seeing you and Potatoe duke it out again during the season. (if he ever registers). I still lurk on Calpuck atleast once per month since the comments on there do intrigue me. I just find it hilarious that the mass majority of their posters hate the Canucks more than they love their own team. I wish that I wasn't even exaagerating.
I also thought about the idea of getting Iginla here. The Flames are obviously our rivals, but interdivisional trades have happened before.....if there is a strong benefit to both teams. Calgary and Colorodo have made trades in the past, while Edmonton acquired Roloson from Minnesota back in 06' before making their improbable cup run.
Iggy would definitely look good playing with Kesler....or even the twins.


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The week in review
Most double-shotted endorsement: The Daily Progress picks two pro-dam candidates for the three open seats on City Council– incumbent Satyendra Huja and Kathy Galvin– and opines that of the other five people running, "No clearly superior candidate emerges to potentially fill the third spot on Council..."
Most like Lord of the Flies? Occupy Charlottesville's occupation of Lee Park brings more homeless, more arrests, and more concerns about public safety from Jefferson Area Tea Party chairwoman Carol Thorpe, who notes that "100 rape whistles" are on the list of requested donations.
Most burglary arrests: Four Crozet young males are nabbed for a series of burglary and larcenies at Crozet Park and Fisher's Auto. Matthew Marrs, 20, is charged with three counts of B&E and one count grand larceny; Matthew Jeffrey, 18, and Christopher Martin, 20, each have a B&E and a petit larceny charge, and Jonathan Shifflett, 18, is charged with two counts B&E and one grand larceny.
Top killer of college students: Suicide, according to a study commissioned by UVA health services executive director James C. Turner.
Most tragic local example: Sean Bryant, a Jefferson and Echols Scholar, as well as the student representative on the Board of Visitors, hung himself in his Lawn room December 12, 1996.
Largest round-up of boozing teenagers: Fourteen are charged with underage drinking when a complaint tips off police to an Earlysville Forest Drive shindig November 4, and they join 172 youths Albemarle police have busted so far this year.
Latest alleged sexual offense involving teenagers: Cordell Lynmar Long, 18, is charged with felony carnal knowledge of a minor between the ages of 13 and 15, WINA reports.
Latest school bus crash: A red Ford Ranger pickup truck rear-ends a bus carrying Sutherland Middle School students on Austin Drive November 3, NBC29 reports. No one is injured, and the truck's driver is charged with reckless driving.
Closest call: A car hits a seven-year-old boy who allegedly darts into a street near the Hardy Drive Recreation Center November 3. The child's injuries are not life threatening, and the driver is not charged.
Next closest call: A Norfolk Southern train going 55mph slams into a Lincoln Town car driven by an unidentified man who says he was blinded by the sun when he crossed the tracks south of town on November 7, according to Albemarle police. The man suffers minor injuries, say police.
Third case of tragedy avoided: A 24-year-old woman steps into the path of a GMC pickup turning onto 13th Street NW from West Main November 4, according to the Progress. The woman has non-life-threatening injuries, and the driver, Thomas M. Castellanos, 39, of Palmyra, has not been charged.
Bleakest court decision for college papers: The Supreme Court of Virginia rules against the Cav Daily and Virginia Tech's Collegiate Times, which filed a lawsuit to run booze ads. The court claims that even if a majority of the papers' readers are over 21, the fact that some readers are under 21 means that the state's ABC and its arcane rules, rather than the First Amendment, govern university papers, according to the CD. The suit now heads to federal court.
Latest spate of granny scams: A 70-year-old Waynesboro woman wires $17,682 to Madrid, Spain, after receiving a phone call from a man claiming to be her grandson who says he's in jail there, the News Leader reports. (In May, a Craigsville woman was bilked out of $2,350 when she fell for a false report that her grandson had been run over by a diplomat's car.) Police say people should talk to family, friends and law enforcement before wiring money out of the country.
Crankiest deceased essayist: CBS 60 Minutes' Andy Rooney dies November 4 at age 92. He was UVA's valedictory speaker in 2000.
Best change of heart: FEMA decides that Louisa County, hit by a 5.8 earthquake August 23, is eligible for federal aid after all.


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Cher to perform live on NBC's 'The Voice'
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Cher has a date with NBC's "The Voice."
NBC said Monday the pop star will perform live on the talent contest's June 18 season finale.
She will sing "Woman's World," the first single off her upcoming album of the same name, the network said.
Cher, who turned 67 in May, joins other pop artists who have appeared on NBC's hit series and other TV contests to promote new records. They include "Voice" guest stars Rod Stewart and Lady Antebellum.
Cher's "Woman's World" album, her first in 12 years, is due out later this year.
The Grammy, Oscar and Emmy-winner has scored a No. 1 single on the Billboard pop charts in each of the last six decades, including her 1998 single "Believe."


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Course Library
Browse our library of planning courses
Transportation Planning: Effects on the Environment, Health, and Social Justice
This course discusses the local and global impacts of transportation systems and the mitigation of those impacts. The course also identifies prospects for change, as achieved by technology, transportation management, and pricing.
Transportation Planning: The Role of Transportation Systems in Social and Economic Life
By the end of this course, you will have a strong understanding of the way in which transportation systems interact with society and the economy.
Virtual Reality for Planners 4: Refining the End User Experience
This final course of the virtual reality series discusses the big picture, looks at space planning and event setup, discusses alternatives to the full VR experience, and lists a few ways to fine tune the user's experience for maximum success.
Virtual Reality for Planners 3: Working with Unity
In this third course of the virtual reality series, we will create a VR application from scratch using Unity. We will be adding SketchUp data, VR components, materials, textures, backgrounds, sky and finally virtual reality.
Virtual Reality for Planners 2: Modeling in SketchUp
Learn how to use SketchUp to create content appropriate for a virtual reality environment. By the end of the course, viewers will be ready to learn how to prepare a final model for export into Unity.
Virtual Reality for Planners 1: Introduction
This course provides an overview of virtual reality (VR) and the elements that lead to effective urban design simulations and, ultimately, how to produce VR applications that enable users to explore urban design scenarios.
Form-Based Codes: Using Building Types, Part 2
By the end of this course, you will have a high understanding of the range of building type choices, their importance, and where and how to apply them to achieve compatible and more predictable community character objectives.
Form-Based Codes: Using Building Types, Part 1
Learn about building types in the context of form-based coding and how building types can be a direct way to achieve compatible and more predictable built results.
United States Census 2020: All About Census 2020
Learn all about the upcoming Census. This course provides an overview of planned operations and discusses the Census schedule, process, products, accuracy, publicity, and jobs.
United States Census 2020: Using FactFinder and the American Community Survey
Learn how to use Census.gov and American FactFinder websites, which are the principal portals to Census Bureau data products and maps.
United States Census 2020: Introduction
This course covers basic Census Bureau geography and Census-taking concepts. It reviews the Census Bureau's mission and development of the nation's statistical and geographic "architecture" that is the basis of almost all general purpose used in government, academia, and the business world.
Tableau for Planners 3: Dashboards
This course will expand on the Tableau for Planners: Introduction and Worksheets. Students will have prior experience will building basic tables and will start to use Tableau to build multi-worksheet dashboards with interactive controls like filtering. Students will also learn how to make the data used in their visualization accessible to the public. At the end of the course, we will demonstrate how to publish the work to Tableau Public and embed dashboards on websites and in social media.
Early Career Strategies for Successful Planning Practice
This course is for planners with a few years of practice under their belts and looking to become more effective in their careers and derive greater satisfaction from their work.
Launching (and Relaunching) Your Planning Career
The planning profession offers many types of work in support of important public objectives, so planners face many choices about launching and re-launching their careers. This course is based on the idea that planners are most effective when their jobs are well-matched with their characteristics and goals. We will discuss everything that a prospective or junior planner needs to know to chart a fulfilling career.
Tableau for Planners 2: Worksheets
This course will expand on the Tableau for Planners: Introduction course. This course continues to train the planner on how to build effective worksheets for planners. This course will introduce general principles of data visualization and orient the user with the Tableau platform, with a primary focus on Tableau Public, a free version of Tableau's desktop software.
The Ethics of Disruptive Transportation Technologies
This course discusses the process for making ethical decisions as part of planning for disruptive technologies.
Planning for the Autonomous Future
This course will cover emerging forms of digital transportation, with a specific focus on smart, connected, autonomous vehicles.
CityEngine for Planners 4: Sharing Your Work
Learn about the range of options for sharing your work, from web viewers to a simple VR experience.
CityEngine for Planners 3: Integration and GIS
Learn how to import real-world data from satellite imagery and terrain to GIS data.
Tableau for Planners: Introduction
This course will introduce general principles of data visualization and orient the user with the Tableau platform. Learn how to connect to a data set in Microsoft Excel, understand general principles of a relational database, and start building basic worksheets and dashboards.


text:
(Sources include Mayr, E. 1969. Principles of Systematic Zoology. McGraw-Hill: New York.)
Welcome! It is 12:22:00 PM on Friday, November 27, 2020. This page has served 532661 visitors. Last Update: Wednesday, May 7, 2014.
We use this lab in Patterns and Processes, Evolution of Past & Present Ecosystems, and Tropical Marine Ecology. This exercise illustrates the creativity involved in taxonomy and the roles form and function, ancestral traits and derived characters play in generating classification schemes. It can also serve as an introduction to topics in evolution and paleontology. We have noticed that in the field, after completing this exercise, students begin to recognize distinctions and similarities in fauna which they may have not noticed before.
|Evolutionary Tree
|Homologous Structure
It has become apparent to scientists that the biosphere consists
of, at a minimum, 1.5 million described species. Some researchers
estimate that there may be upwards of 40 million species (Go here
for an Index of Animal Phyla) alive today! The species alive today are only a very small percentage
of the perhaps billions of species which have lived on this earth
since life first evolved over 3.5 x 109 years ago. Over 75% of
the described extant species belong to the Phylum Arthropoda,
which includes such diverse organisms as lobsters, barnacles,
hermit crabs, crabs, scorpions, shrimp, horseshoe crabs, spiders,
mites, millipedes, and insects. The insects are by far the most
abundant arthropods. How are the many species of insects (for
that matter, all animals and plants) arranged, categorized, and
classified? How does the classification scheme reflect phylogenetic
relationships? It can be a bewildering yet extremely interesting
problem. Taxonomy (Gr. taxis, "arrangement, order", nomos, "law") is the science, laws, or principles of classification
(Latin, classis, "a class", facere, "to make").
The Role of Taxonomy
1. Taxonomy works out for us a vivid picture of the existing organic
diversity of the earth.
2. Taxonomy provides much of the information permitting a reconstruction of the phylogeny of life.
3. Taxonomy reveals numerous interesting evolutionary phenomena.
4. Taxonomy supplies classifications which are of great explanatory value in most branches of biology and paleontology.
For More Info and Excellent Resources on Taxonomy, please see: Internet Resource Guide for Zoology: Systematics, taxonomy & nomencalture
Rules of the Game
Without a set of international rules to follow, the results of
taxonomy would be confusing at best. The rules of zoological nomenclature
are contained in a document known as the International Code of
Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN). The object of the code is to promote
stability and universality in the scientific names of animals.
All names must be unique, universal, and show stability.
Uniqueness Every name has to be unique. If several names have been given to the same taxon, priority decides which name will be the valid name.
Universality Zoologists have adopted, by international agreement, a single language to be used on a worldwide basis. All animals are given a generic and specific name in Latin. These names are in italics or are underlined (i.e. Homo sapiens).
Stability The ICZN attempts to prevent the frequent changing of names to provide stability.
Classifications - The Linnaean Hierarchy
Although rudimentary biologic classification may predate civilization,
the questions of how classifications are to be constructed and
even to what use they should be put are by no means settled. Carl
Linnaeus, in 1758, published Systema Naturae. This marks the beginning of the modern classification of plants
and animals. He devised practical techniques for the naming of
groups of organisms and their ranking and ordering. He developed
a system of binomial nomenclature - the scientific name of an
organism consists of a collective generic name and a specific
or species name. His techniques are basically intact today. Of
course, there are numerous philosophies and methods of classification
which are in use today which help add to the overall confusion
in the world of taxonomy. Linnaeus' great contribution was to
provide order in the method used in the classification of living
Animals are classified according to the Linnaean system. This consists of the following scheme, for example, in the classification of several edible invertebrates. Each organism is uniquely identified using a combination of its genus and species names. Species are grouped into genera, families, orders, classes, and phyla, depending upon similarities and inferred evolutionary relationships.
|American Lobster
|Market Squid
|Blue Mussel
|Virginia Oyster
|European Oyster
The names of genera are required by the rules of nomenclature
to be unique. But such rules do not apply to other taxons, even
though duplicate names should be avoided. For example, in the
table above, the order name Decapoda occurs in both arthropods
and molluscs, and the species name edulis occursin bivalves of different genera. Wouldn't it be nice if
duplicate names did not exist?
A category designates a given rank or level in a hierarchic classification. Such terms as species, genus, family, and order designate categories. A category is an abstract term. The organisms placed in these categories are concrete zoological objects.
Organisms, in turn, are not classified as individuals, but as groups of organisms. Words like "bluebirds" or "thrushes" refer to such groups. These are the concrete objects of classification. Any such group of populations is called a taxon if it is considered distinct to be worthy of being formally assigned to a definite category in the hierarchic classification.
Categories, which designate rank in a hierarchy, and taxa (plural for taxon), which designates named groupings of organisms, are thus two very different kinds of phenomena. Controversy usually reigns supreme over whether or not a particular group is truly distinct enough to be a new taxon. If it is a new taxon, taxonomists then determine which category the taxon will be placed in.
Much of the task of the taxonomist consists of assigning taxa to the appropriate categorical rank. The hierarchy of categories that the classifying taxonomist recognizes is an attempt to express similarity ("characters in common") and recency of common descent. The most closely related species (occasionally subject to intense debate) are combined into genera, groups of related genera into subfamilies and families, these into orders, classes, and phyla. In this procedure there is a drastic difference between the species taxon and the higher taxa (genus on up to phylum). Higher taxa are defined by intrinsic characters. For instance, the Class Aves (birds) is the class of "feathered vertebrates". Any and all species that satisfy the definition of "feathered vertebrates" belong to the Class Aves.
Species Groups of actually or potentially interbreeding natural populations which are reproductively isolated from other such groups. May or may not be morphologically distinct.
Genus The lowest higher category. A taxonomic category containing a single species, or a monophyletic group of species, which is separated from other taxa of the same rank by a decided gap (behavior, morphology, or some other characteristics).
If these three species belong to the same genus, they are descended
from a common ancestor.
Family A taxonomic category including 1 genus or a group of genera of common phylogenetic origin, which is separated from other families by a decided gap.
Currently, there are about 26 known phyla, 80 classes, and 350 orders of extant animals. As one goes up the hierarchic scale from the species rank up to phylum, each category becomes more inclusive.
Encourage students to be creative in their classification schemes!
When a species is collected and it is new to science, the most important rules of ICZN cover:
1. Choice of a name - must be Latin, must not be already used, and it must be in binomial form.
2. The name must be published in a well respected, preferably international, scientific journal.
3. The publication must include a description of the new species.
4. Described species must be accompanied by a type or preferably a set of type specimens which must be accessible to scientists from the world over (i.e. the type specimens are placed into a museum which allows access to all).
Terms, Laws, etc.
Law of Priority Except in extreme circumstances, a name proposed first has precedence over all subsequently proposed names.
Type Specimens
Type specimens are selected by the taxonomist to designate individuals
which typify the described species. Type specimens are placed
in museums for study by taxonomists. Often the type specimen does
not represent all the variation within a species (how could it!?).
The type specimen becomes the name bearer of the species. I have
listed a few different "types" in use by the taxonomist.
Holotype The single specimen indicated as "the type" by the original
author at time of publication of the original description.
Syntype One of two or more specimens cited by the author of a species when no holotype was designated or it is any one of two or more specimens originally designated as types.
Isotype A duplicate specimen of the holotype collected at the same place and time as the holotype.
Neotype A specimen selected as type subsequent to the original description in cases where the original types are known to be destroyed.
Finally- The Exercise
We usually use about 15 different hardware items!
Divide into research teams. You have been handed a bag of various
fasteners (nails, staples, screws, etc.) As renowned taxonimists,
you are to develop a classification scheme that meets the established
rules of the Linnaean system. Be prepared to defend your classification
scheme orally. You will also write a one page essay on your classification
choices--what roles did form, function, derived characters, and
ancestral traits play in your classification scheme?
1. Make a phylogenetic chart of your classification scheme (as shown on this handout) using the poster paper, tape, and objects. Include all of the categories from phylum to species. What rationale (s) did you use to for each category and what criteria did you use to differentiate among categories? Did you rely more on "form" or "function?" Or derived and ancestral traits? Provide descriptive names for each category from phylum, class, order, family, genus and species. Apply names that best describe each object and their heirachical location in your classification scheme.
2. What are some of the difficulties and differences between classifying inanimate objects and living organisms? Is it easier or more difficult to classify living or inanimate objects? Why? If you knew nothing about each object's function, would that have made a difference in your classification scheme?
3-Does your classification scheme reflect the evolutionary relationships and phylogeny among taxa? Who evolved from whom? Which "body type" do you consider to be the most primitive? The most advanced? Be sure to include evolutionary relationships in your essay.
From Dr. Gary Anderson's vertebrate evolution page.
Enter some key words to search by (evolution, phylogeny, classification etc.):
Find pages with of these words and return results.
Detailed Results Search Phonetically Begins With Searching
Search for key words found only in: URLs Titles Header
|Weather Home Base
A Complete Listing of "all things weather." Pretty Large Site. Can be slow to load.
|Radar Overview & Severe Weather
See Where the Action is!
|Midwest Weather
A Quick Look!
|Satellite Links
A complete listing of satellite images and movies. Text based for fast downloads.
|Hurricanes & Tropical Weather
The Atlantic season is will be here before you know it!
|Satellite Downloads and Other Maps
Real-time satellite movies automatically downloaded. Graphics Intensive!
|Just the Maps & Views!
While far from complete, these downloaded views provide for a satisfying overview of North American Weather.
A complete weather listing, non-graphics based. Not as interesting, but download time is much quicker!
Spectacular Snakes, Crocs, Lizards and Skink Imagery!
Any mail, comments or suggestions? You can Add to my Guestbook ,View the Guestbook or e-mail me privately at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Thanks for stopping by!
Copyright © 1996-Infinity R. Hays Cummins; All rights reserved.


text:
Chapter Sixteen:
Cast of Appearing Characters
Yeung Ming Hung Kenneth Ma Kwok Ming
Yiu So Sum Tavia Yeung Yi
Cheung Wan Sheung Nancy Wu Ding Yan
Yeung Ming Hung leapt swiftly off the tree branch and landed before Cheung Wan Sheung who punched him in the shoulder and scolded, You want to scare me to death by popping out like this in the middle of the night! To her surprise, he crouched down with pain and her knuckles were covered in red blood. It was the exact place where the arrow had pierced him.
You all right? she cried out in concern, bending down to him, I didnt know you were injured!
Yeung Ming Hung quickly got up, It is just a minor injury. I will be alright! Quickly take me to So Sum! I have a very mission on hand that I must brief you about! Let us go before anyone sees us! And Cheung Wan Sheung quickly led him back to the maid quarters.
Yiu So Sum was mending clothes when the doors suddenly burst open. Big Brother! she exclaimed, and her trained eye quickly noticed his bleeding wound. What happened to your shoulder? Sit down and let me take a look at it!
Yeung Ming Hung sat down and answered cheekily, Some crazy woman punched me!
Cheung Wan Sheung scowled at him from behind as she secured the doors. He grimaced to hold in the pain as Yiu So Sum peeled off the soaked bandages.
Yiu So Sum frowned at him as she saw the wound. How many times do I have to tell you that a deep wound like this arrow injury will not stop bleeding by itself? You must apply some clotting ointment to seal the wound before bandaging or you will slowly bleed to death! And she quickly ran to her bed to get some ointment.
Cheung Wan Sheung poured him some hot tea, Well, you know how thick in the head he is! You are lucky that he can remember his own name!
Ha! Ha! Very funny! teased Yeung Ming Hung, At least I dont sleepwalk and end up waking up the whole army barracks by snoring on the roof! They had not met for a whole year and these childhood friends missed teasing each other.
Quiet both of you! scolded Yiu So Sum, returning with the ointment, Its not like we are kids anymore! And if anyone hears that we brought a man into the Enclosed Palace, all our efforts will have gone to waste!
Maybe we should dress him up a maid! taunted Cheung Wan Sheung, Or dress him up as a little eunuch! And suddenly, slamming her hand on the table so hard that the other two jumped up in fright, she continued, And then we can castrate him for real!
Cheung Wan Sheung stuck her tongue out as Yeung Ming Hung but quickly retracted it back into her mouth when she met You So Sums disapproving glare, and sat down beside them. As she was applying the thick brown ointment, Yiu So Sum asked, So what brings you to the Imperial Palace? Is Godfather fine? Has he further instructions for us?
Yeung Ming Hung sighed, Uncle is fine! But I am here on my own accord to accomplish a terrible mission!, and he briefed the girls about the whole story. But I was one step too late and the roster has already entered the Forbidden City! I am here to destroy it before Lau Gan can present it to the Emperor! The survival of our empire depends on it! Do you know where these official documents are kept?
Yiu So Sum bit her lower lip to suppress her hatred as she wrapped the bandages around his shoulder. That dreaded eunuch! He has long been looking for an excuse to get rid of the Yeung Family Army! He is currently away from the Imperial Palace and I have not heard anything about his return. He keeps all his pending documents in his private study which is always heavily guarded. I tried going there a few nights ago but was deterred by the guards.
Yeung Ming Hung stood up immediately and said, Then I must go there immediately! Since that old eunuch is not there, it would be much easier to act now than when he comes back!
Sit back down, you bird-brain! cried Cheung Wan Sheung jabbing him it the back with the tip of a thin brush, Are you familiar with the Imperial Palace and the patrol routes? Dont get yourself caught then lead them back to us! Besides, our Physician Yiu hasnt permitted her patient to leave yet!
Wan Sheung is right! agreed Yiu So Sum, You only just arrived and will easily get caught by the guards while escaping! If it were easy getting into the study, I would have gone in a long time ago and found the evidence I need to redress my fathers so-called crimes.
Yeung Ming Hung looked at Yiu So Sum with concern. After so many months in the Forbidden City, have you found any evidence concerning your father yet?
No. said Yiu So Sum quietly, But the evidence that I am after can only be in two places - either in Lau Gans private study or the Royal Medicinal Department. Wan Sheung and I stole into the department to study all the medical history concerning Emperor Shing Fa but to no avail his symptoms seem inconsistent and the documents regarding the herbs used seem to be forged. I am hoping that Lau Gans private study can give me the answers I am seeking.
Yeung Ming Hung seemed deep in thought. Then in a low voice, he said, Sorry to tell you this, So Sum, but if I were Lau Gan and hatched such an intricate and wicked scheme to poison the previous emperor, then I would not leave traces of paperwork behind. Have you thought about the low probability that you can actually find anything to prove the conspiracy?
Yiu So Sum gazed at her knees as reality hit her. I know my efforts may be futile. But I still have to try. I cant let my father die with the stain of misdiagnosis upon his grave. Even if there is only one thousandth of a chance, I will still take it! Cheung Wan Sheung and Yeung Ming Hung stayed silent. Both knew of how the big the impact the death of her father had on her. She was very close to her father. In fact, she also nearly lost the will to live when he passed away. But she survived but she never forgot the injustice of his sentence.
You So Sum packed up her medicinal kit. Then she said calmly, Godfather gave me my second life. No matter how much I want vengeance for my father, I will always remember Godfathers mission for me to come here and keep an eye on Lau Gan and gather evidence of his crimes. Dont worry about me. I know what I have to do!
Yeung Ming Hung quickly changed the topic. So... er you have any information about Lau Gans crimes yet? What have you found out about him?
Nothing so far! stated Cheung Wan Sheung as she dawdled on a piece of paper with her brush. Weve been confined to the Enclosed Palace so far and only see loads and loads of beautiful women. Weve seen the Emperor heaps of times but havent caught a glimpse of that traitor, Lau Gan yet! Only know that he is an old eunuch and likes to either go to Imperial Court or hide in his study under heavy guard. Dont even know if he is fat or ugly!
Yeung Ming Hung joked, Are we talking about you now? and Cheung Wan Sheung threw her brush at him.
Yiu So Sum interrupted them with a stern stare. Stop it! Let us rest for tonight and we will plan to infiltrate that study another time! With all three of us in action, there will definitely be a higher chance of succeeding! No more talking! Get to bed now! She had always been the authoritative one in the pack of four since childhood.
Well, he can sleep in your side of the room! Cheung Wan Sheung yawned loudly and stretched her arms out, Im going to bed now.
Yeung Ming Hung raised an eyebrow. Do you still like to kick people when you sleepwalk? Maybe I should have brought my armour with me! Dont want to wake up battered and bruised in the morning! Yiu So Sum ignored them and set up a soft surface on the floor for him to sleep on.
Just your luck that our dear So Sum is the daughter of the famous Head Royal Physician Yiu and has inherited her fathers healing gift! I can kick you all I want but you wont die when she is around! And saying so, she chucked at him a piece of paper still wet with ink. Memorize that by tomorrow night or no rice for you!
Yeung Ming Hung held it up against the candlelight; it was a brief map of the Imperial Palace and the way to Lau Gans private study. It was dotted with the paths that the guards would take and shortcuts back to the maids quarters. He called out quietly, Hey! Wan Sheung! I never knew you could write!
Go to sleep! cried Cheung Wan Sheung, and she threw a cup over the candle and the room went dark.
Author's Note:
A light-hearted chapter just before the drama begins. I have always appreciated platonic relaionships between males and females. All until next time.
"Better to write for yourself and have no public, than to write for the public and have no self."
Cyril Connolly
Girl, I swear this story will be my winter reading assignment . I promise, pinky swear
I bet tweety would resume reading your story asap if you add Wallace Chung in as a hot, sexy villain! That's how I got her to read my story.
charbydis - There's nothing wrong with Kenneth Ma. I like the guy very much. But when I think of Kenneth, I think of a nice, sunny day at the beach with a bunch of kids building sand castles in the background. When I think of Wallace Chung, I think of a dark balmy night on a beach in some exotic locale with lots of smoldering kisses and skinny dipping. You see the difference? I bet tweety would agree. Wouldn't you, tweety?
Tweety's right. The weather in CA right now is absolutely gorgeous. It's beach time and bikini time! Plus, I have vacation time coming up in winter, so I would have more free time to read. Right now, the truth is I'm simply too busy.
I'm telling you charbydis... If you add Wallace Chung in as a hot and sexy villain, you'll earn yourself two very loyal readers (tweety and me).
Kenneth's cool. You can give him more scenes, if you wish. However, I'm still sitting around waiting for Wallace Chung to pop up in your story...
Wallace, Wallace, Wallace!!!


text:
To give the simplest summary of the latest film from Ridley Scott and first-time screenwriter Cormac McCarthy, the Counselor (Michael Fassbender), deeply in love with his fiancée Laura (Penelope Cruz), tries to make a quick score in a one-time drug deal with Reiner (Javier Bardem), his girlfriend Malkina (Cameron Diaz) and middleman Westray (Brad Pitt). The deal backfires, and now The Counselor is wrongfully targeted by a Mexican drug cartel.
So Cormac McCarthy, Ridley Scott, Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt, Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz and Cameron Diaz in a monumental cinematic failure, what happened?
Let's be clear. The true author of The Counselor is Cormac McCarthy, not Ridley Scott. The artistic choices that McCarthy is attempting with the script are evident. He seems to have a disdain for exposition, as most of the scenes start and end before the typical story movements in a plot. What remains are these existential conversations that occur after a lot of the action has taken place.
McCarthy thinks that by removing story explanation, the film's themes and ideas will float to the surface. The dialogue just drones on and on and on non-stop, having the viewer scratching their heads trying to keep up with it. As a result, there is no time to absorb the themes and ideas that McCarthy is trying to communicate. Audiences can tune to a different syntax (i.e. Yoda or Nadsat from A Clockwork Orange) and absorb heavy themes, but it is hard to do both at the same time.
Michael Fassbender carries the film sufficiently on his shoulder by adding as much believability as possible and together with Penelope Cruz make a good solid emotional anchor with their love story. Javier Bardem does his trademark brand of 'psychotic hair acting', fashioning a spiky hairstyle that looks like he is forcibly pulling out his hair with hair gel. Brad Pitt's character just seems like an odd combination of character quirks that comes off more shallow. It is hard to buy Bardem and Pitt's characters because gangsters would never philosophize and advise their underlings like old wise sages.
Cameron Diaz is the odd one out and it is hard to judge her performance. It took me a while to realize that Malkina character was from Barbados, and apparently she put on an accent for it, but it was undetectable. The role is something we never seen from Diaz before and it is a wild explosive left-field character. I just don't know what to make of it. Every actor is delivering on what is written, but it's hard to judge if it's good or bad acting because the performances do not add up to the sum of its parts. The actors are not to be blamed.
The final conclusion I can draw is that director Ridley Scott and the cast believed that Cormac McCarthy has written something great and have proceeded to honor it by acting it out unedited as if it was Shakespeare. Had they been more critical about the screenplay and its mechanics, something more profound definitely could have been made. From what McCarthy is trying to say with these themes, he would have done better by just writing a philosophy paper about greed and corruption. As a bleak morality tale, it is not at all compelling.
The Counselor is not a film I would recommend people to see for leisure, but anybody with an interest in screenwriting should give it a watch to study the forensics and learn what not to do, even if you are a critically acclaimed novelist.
Related Links


text:
The Evil Optometrist Costume Photo 3 of 3
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Here we have Dr. Corey, an EVIL Optometrist. Costume created by Corey's Mom, Lisa. In the photo one can see the instrument that Dr. Corey uses to gouge out his patient's eyeballs.
Thanks Lisa and Corey.
Very Original Costume Idea!
|Costume type:
|Costumes for Boys
This homemade costume for boys entered our 2009 Halloween Costume Contest.


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There are a vast number of different bird species, and here we hope to provide you with interesting information on a number of these.
We'll help you with the different classifications of bird species, provide you with information on wild birds, pet birds and birds of prey, as well as your every day garden bird.
We also have a category about the different types of birds you get all over the world. So be sure to visit here regularly, as we will continually be adding more content and articles.