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Butcher knives and tools with RFID
RFID-Systems: perfect tracing and tool management
In the foodstuffs industry, seamless traceability from the raw material right down to the finished product is essential. The objective is to create transparency and a rapid flow of information along the entire chain, from production and marketing through to prevention and damage limitation.
Hygiene and safety standards especially in relation to the traceability of knives and other tools are a top priority in the meat industry. The important thing is that tools should be unambiguously associated with the persons who use them. Every year companies incur high costs as a result of mislaid tools. This can result in damage to machinery or the loss of complete production batches. In a case of damage it is not always possible to determine exactly how it came about.
For these reasons, there is already an urgent need today for a system whereby knives and other tools in use can be labelled and identified. Some firms provide individual labelling on the handle or blade. The labelling can however result in hygiene problems, and the markings do not remain legible indefinitely. Moreover it takes a lot of work to maintain manual lists or PC tables with all the different data that are involved.
The Friedr. Dick company has a new and uncomplicated solution to the problem: Knifeinspector easy. This consists of the Knifeinspector easy 3.0 software together with a small RFID reader. RFID stands for Radio Frequency IDentification tools can be identified with the help of radio frequencies. The MasterGrip RFID and ExpertGrip RFID knife series come with an integrated RFID transponder a complete system making it possible to monitor knives and assign them to the persons using them without possibility of error. Other tools that are needed in the meat industry can also be supplied by Friedr. Dick with an RFID transponder. The coding of the RFID transponder remains associated with the specific tool for the entire lifecycle and cannot be tampered with. So every knife and every tool becomes a unique and irreplaceable item. The integrated RFID transponder enables you to identify knives and tools in a matter of seconds. The reliable RFID reader scans the tools immediately.
ExpertGrip 2K RFID
MasterGrip RFID
Sharpening Steels with RFID
Tools with RFID
Click here to learn more about our Knifeinspector easy.
This future-oriented technology sees the Friedr. Dick company setting new standards of quality assurance in the processing of foodstuffs. The use of this innovative solution supports safe and hygienic foodstuffs processing. A complete version of the RFID system, comprising tool management, tool tracking and hygiene management, is obtainable from RFIDICK.
Click here to learn more about the complete RFID system of our subsidiary RFIDICK.


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Final Score: Navy 31, Indiana 30.
Annapolis, MD (Sports Network) - Keenan Reynolds completed the game-winning
touchdown to Matt Aiken to give the Navy Midshipmen to a 31-30 victory over
the Indiana Hoosiers at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
Reynolds completed 8-of-13 passes for 96 yards and one touchdown. Reynolds
also carried the ball 17 times for 78 yards and scored one rushing touchdown.
Navy (3-3) running back Gee Gee Greene ran for 88 yards on 15 carries and lead
them to its third straight win.
Indiana (2-5) who lost its fifth straight game, Cameron Coffman completed
25-of-37 passes for 244 yards and threw two interceptions. Stephen Houston
had 82 yards on 21 carries and scored one touchdown.
On the first possession, Indiana's Mitch Ewald made a 25-yard field goal for
the first points of the game.
The Hoosiers regained possession and Houston punched it in from a yard out
for a touchdown which gave them a 10-0 advantage.
At the beginning of the second quarter, Navy scored on a two-yard touchdown
run by Reynolds, which made the score 10-7.
Indiana responded with a three yard touchdown run by D'Angelo Roberts to put
it up, 17-7.
Jordan Drake intercepted a pass for Navy and took it 24 yards for a touchdown,
which made the score 17-14.
At the end of the first half, Ewald made a 23-yard field goal to put the
Hoosiers up, 20-14.
Staten put the Midshipmen on top when he scored on a 17-yard touchdown run.
Indiana came right back with a 30-yard field goal by Ewald, which gave his
squad a 23-21 lead.
Tevin Coleman scored on a three-yard run for the Hoosiers with 12:18 remaining
in the final frame.
Navy then staged its late game comeback. Midway through the fourth quarter,
Nick Sloan made a 18-yard field goal to cut the deficit to six points. Navy
took the lead when Reynolds connected with Aiken for a four-yard touchdown
which put it on top 31-30.
Parrish Gaines sealed the victory for Navy by intercepting Coffman to end
Indiana's last drive.
Indiana outgained Navy in the air 244-96, but Navy outgained Indiana on the
ground 257-173.

subset: commoncrawl


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August 23, 2012
CONTACT: Megan Brown
Public Relations Manager
Phone: 515-278-2881 ext. 155
(c) 515-423-7341
Girl Scouts Host Forever Green Gala to
Help Support Girl Leadership in Iowa
DES MOINES, Iowa –
- Did you know? Only 1 in 5 girls believes she has the key qualities required to be a good leader.
- Did you know? There's not a single woman among the CEOs and board chairs at the top 15 media companies.
- Did you know? Only 17% of U.S. Senators, representatives, and governors are women.
In an effort to help change these statistics, Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa will soon kick off the Forever Green Gala, set to take place on Sept. 6th at the Meadows Events and Conference Center.
"The lack of female leaders on both the local and national level is a serious issue we need to address," Business Publications Corporation Publisher and Green Gala committee member, Janette Larkin, said.
"Developing tomorrow's female leaders is an imperative investment for a stronger, better tomorrow. That's where the Forever Green Gala comes in." This unique fundraising event will give community members the chance to come together in support of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience - and have some fun along the way!
Gala guests will also be asked to wear 'green cocktail attire' or an old Girl Scout uniform to show their Girl Scout support, will enjoy a night filled with music, dancing, Girl Scout inspired hors d'oeuvres, a Girl Scout cookie sales showdown, and a live auction of a Sticks designed art piece.
Guests will also take a walk down memory lane during the historic Girl Scout fashion show, where models will sport vintage Girl Scout uniforms, some of which date back to the 1910's.
With the generous support of Gala attendees, girls in Greater Iowa will have the chance to develop the skills they need to succeed in the world today.
Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa can't wait to see YOU at the Forever Green Gala!
- WHAT: F orever Green Gala
- WHO: Both men and women alike!
- WHEN: September 6th, 7:00-10:00 p.m.
- WHERE: Meadows Events and Conference Center
- HOW TO PURCHA SE TICKETS: Tickets cost $100 and can be purchased online or by calling 800-342-8389.
*E-mail Jennifer Allamby for more info.
*All proceeds will help benefit the Girl Scout Leadership experience.
# # #
About Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa:
Serving girls in Central and Western Iowa, NE Nebraska and SE South Dakota, Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa provides leadership programming to over 15,000 girls and 4,000 adult volunteers. It is a great time to be a Girl Scout and you can sign up at any time during the year. To find out more about our program, please visit our website at www.girlscoutsiowa.org or call us at 800-342-8389.
About Girl Scouts of the USA:
Founded in 1912, Girl Scouts of the USA is the preeminent leadership development organization for girls with 3.6 million girl and adult members worldwide. Girl Scouting is the leading authority in girls' healthy developments and builds girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. The organization serves girls from every corner of the United States and its territories. Girl Scouts of the USA also serves American girls and their classmates attending American or international schools overseas in 90 countries. For more info on how to join, volunteer, reconnect or donate to Girls Scouts, call (800) GSUSA 4 U (800-478-7248) or visit www.girlscouts.org.
# # #


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Explore the Entrepreneurship.org Resource Center to find resources. Designed with entrepreneurs in mind, our resource center allows you to find materials to grow great ideas.
People infected with HIV, whether or not they have AIDS symptoms, are protected in the workplace by federal and state laws concerning discrimination and disability. These guidelines for education, testing and accommodation policies can help entrepreneurs avoid problems.
Unless you have a strong team at the top, you and your company will struggle under the weight of growth. Knowing how to select, manage and lead a Top Team is one of the secrets to growth.
Carol Bartz is executive chairman of the board of Autodesk, Inc. Bartz was chairman, president and CEO of Autodesk for 14 years and stepped-down in April, 2006. During her tenure, the company diversified its product line
and grew revenues from $285 million to $1.523 billion in FY06. Bartz previously held positions at Sun Microsystems, 11 years ago serving as vice president of worldwide field operations and an executive officer of the company. Before
joining Sun, she held product line and sales management positions at Digital Equipment Corporation and 3M Corporation. Appointed to President Bush's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, Bartz is one of a select group of industry
leaders expected to play a key role in shaping and setting the government's high tech agenda-ranging from R&D funding to new broadband incentives. She also serves on the Board of Directors of BEA Systems, Cisco Systems, Network
Appliance, and the Foundation for the National Medals of Science and Technology. Bartz holds an honors degree in computer science from the University of Wisconsin. She was granted an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the New
Jersey Institute of Technology, an honorary Doctor of Science degree from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and an honorary Doctor of Letters degree from William Woods University.
Frank H. Levinson founded Finisar in April 1987 and has served as a member of our Board of Directors since February 1988 and as our Chairman of the Board and Chief Technical Officer since August 1999. Mr. Levinson also
served as our Chief Executive Officer from February 1988 to August 1999. From September 1980 to December 1983, Mr. Levinson was a Member of Technical Staff at AT&T Bell Laboratories. From January 1984 to July 1984, he was a Member of
Technical Staff at Bellcore, a provider of services and products to the communications industry. From April 1985 to December 1985, Mr. Levinson was the principal optical scientist at Raychem Corporation, and from January 1986 to February
1988, he was Optical Department Manager at Raynet, Inc., a fiber optic systems company. Mr. Levinson holds a B.S. in Mathematics/Physics from Butler University and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Astronomy from the University of
Heidi Roizen is a managing director for Mobius Venture Capital. She joined the fund in April 1999. Ms. Roizen serves as a director of AuctionDrop, Ecast, InStoreCard, MessageCast, Perpetual Entertainment, Planitax, and
Reactrix. She is also a board member of the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA). Her notable prior board service includes Great Plains Software, which was acquired by Microsoft in 2001. Prior to joining Mobius Venture Capital, Ms.
Roizen was a consultant to numerous technology companies, including Microsoft, Intel and Compaq. From 1996 to 1997, she was vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations for Apple Computer. Before joining Apple Computer, Ms. Roizen
served for 13 years as CEO of T/Maker Company, a successful software developer and publisher. She is a past president of the Software Publishers Association and has served as a public governor of the Pacific Exchange. Ms. Roizen has been
recognized as one of the 100 most influential people in the microcomputer industry by MicroTimes, Personal Computing Magazine and Upside Magazine. Ms. Roizen has a B.A. and an M.B.A. from Stanford University.
The decision to terminate an employee can be both emotional and frustrating. If not handled properly, it can also result in expensive litigation. These days, wrongful termination lawsuits are not idle threats. According to a recent study conducted by Jury Verdict Research, recently fired executives who sued are winning often and winning big.
Entrepreneurs confronting the unhappy task of having to downsize when business conditions change need to execute in a way that preserves the dignity of, and, ultimately, the relationship with, the employees, says an entrepreneur who laid off her entire staff in the wake of the dot-com crash. Downsizing well involves throwing away the rulebook and dealing with people on a personal level, she writes.
Vinod grew up dreaming of being an entrepreneur. He was raised in an Indian Army household with no business or technology connections. When, at age 16, he first heard about Intel, he dreamt of starting his own technology
company. Upon graduating with a Bachelors in Electrical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, he tried to start a soy milk company to service the many people in India who did not have refrigerators. He then came to
the US and got his Masters in Biomedical Engineering at Carnegie-Mellon University. His startup dreams attracted him to Silicon Valley where he got an MBA at Stanford University in 1980. In 1982, Khosla started Sun Microsystems to build
workstations for software developers. At Sun he pioneered "open systems" and RISC processors. Sun was funded by long time friend and board member John Doerr of Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers. In 1986 he switched sides and joined
Kleiner Perkins where he was a general partner. There, he worked with Nexgen/AMD, Juniper, Excite, and many other ventures. In 2004, Khosla formed Khosla Ventures. Khosla Ventures offers venture assistance, strategic advice and capital to
entrepreneurs. The firm helps entrepreneurs extend the potential of their ideas in both traditional venture areas like the Internet, computing, mobile, and silicon technology arenas but also supports breakthrough scientific work in clean
technology areas such as bio-refineries for energy and bioplastics, solar, battery and other environmentally friendly technologies.
Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin recruited Eric Schmidt from Novell, where he led that company's strategic planning, management and technology development as chairman and CEO. Since coming to Google, Schmidt
has focused on building the corporate infrastructure needed to maintain Google's rapid growth as a company and on ensuring that quality remains high while product development cycle times are kept to a minimum. Along with Page and Brin,
Schmidt shares responsibility for Google's day-to-day operations. Schmidt's Novell experience culminated a 20-year record of achievement as an Internet strategist, entrepreneur and developer of great technologies. Schmidt's well-seasoned
perspective perfectly complements Google's needs as a young and rapidly growing search engine with a unique corporate culture. Prior to his appointment at Novell, Schmidt was chief technology officer and corporate executive officer at Sun
Microsystems, Inc., where he led the development of Java, Sun's platform-independent programming technology, and defined Sun's Internet software strategy. Before joining Sun in 1983, Schmidt was a member of the research staff at the
Computer Science Lab at Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (PARC), and held positions at Bell Laboratories and Zilog. Schmidt has a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from Princeton University, and a master's and Ph.D. in
computer science from the University of California-Berkeley.
Companies that turn to contractors must structure both the business and the specific nature of the work accordingly, according to a software-company entrepreneur. On the business side, founders need to retain a competent attorney and match the right worker to the job; on the tech side, they must require that contractors produce their work within a framework that can be replicated for other projects, the author advises.
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Our economists engage in scholarly research and policy-oriented analysis on a wide range of important issues.
The Outreach and Education function engages, empowers and educates the Second District communities that the Bank serves, especially civic leaders, students, educators, small business owners, policymakers and the general public. It furthers the Bank's commitment to the region by listening to the communities we serve and leveraging our unique attributes to positively impact school and university programs, as well as analysis and research.
About ScienceDirect
The full text of the article is provided by ScienceDirect, an archive service to which many universities and institutions subscribe. It is not affiliated with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. To return to Ms. Goldberg's web page, close this window.


text:
Ellery Round Crib & Mattress
Our Ellery Round Crib welcomes new arrivals with its beautifully detailed yet simple design, exhibiting a stylish silhouette with all the hallmarks of an heirloom. Expertly crafted with round spindles, four posts with concentric carved details and graceful fluted feet.
- Crafted of kiln-dried hardwood with fine veneers
- Finished by hand using an intensive multistep process that achieves the authentic texture of time
- Hidden hardware, 3 height settings and scissor springs beneath the mattress support for ease of adjustability and superior support
- Our cribs are designed and engineered to the highest safety standards. In addition to our own superior level of safety standards that meet or exceed those set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and American Society for Testing and Materials, each crib undergoes rigorous testing by independent laboratories for compliance with all US and Canadian crib regulations.
- Crib and Round Crib Mattress are sold as a set
- Please allow a 30" door opening for delivery; legs are removable, but body of crib cannot be disassembled.�Assembly will be provided.
- Round Crib Mattress provides superior firmness for newborns and infants
- Easy-to-clean hypoallergenic cover has a water-resistant vinyl backing to repel wetness for a clean and comfortable sleep surface
- Foam core has earned CertiPUR-US® certification for being low in VOC and is also GREENGUARD Certified
- Simmons Kids® mattresses meet or exceed all applicable safety standards
- Wipe with a soft, dry cloth. Avoid direct sunlight and heat to protect the finish.
- Wood swatch is 6" square; free shipping
- GREENGUARD Gold Certified. Meets or exceeds stringent chemical emissions standards. Learn more.
Shown in antique grey mist.
Ellery Round Crib & Mattress
- Crib Overall: 46" diam., 38½"H
- Crib Without Legs: 29¾"H
- Clearance Under Crib: 9"H
- Mattress Support Heights: 22"H, 17"H, 12"H (from floor)
- Round Crib Mattress: 42" diam., 5½"H
- Crib Weight: 131 lbs.
Ellery Round Crib & Mattress
Wood Swatch - Antique Grey Mist
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Wood Swatch - Pewter Grey


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Sold Out
Stormy Seas Game
This product is unavailable
Little sailors will love to load up this ship with cargo, but they must be careful, loads must be distributed equally to keep the boat balanced! Kids and adults alike will have to develop strategies to win this game. We love that our Story Seas Game by Hape is made of sustainable bamboo and that it fosters problem solving and fine motor skills. It's no wonder this game was the winner of the Able Play Rated Toy Award as well as the Parents' Choice Silver Award. Made in Ningbo, China at Hape's very own factory, this toy is built to last for generations.
- Recommended For Ages 3 Years And Older
- Winner of the Able Play Rated Award and Parents' Choice Silver Award
- Includes 1 boat with flag, 25 cargo pieces, and 1 die
- Made of sustainable, eco-friendly bamboo with water-based finishes
- Designed by the environmentally-aware, creative team at Hape
- Made in China


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Short from award-winning director about a transgender woman proves again how internet-released films are by-passing China's censors and reaching huge audiences
Short film My Way, about a mainland Chinese transgender woman having surgery in Hong Kong, was released a week ago (12 April) and already has 2 million views on Youku (China's YouTube).
The film by critically acclaimed director Ann Hui is the latest example of professional directors by-passing the censorship of China's State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) to reach huge audiences online.
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Moderators: Tonyblack, Jason, Toothy
Magrat Garlick wrote:I grew up around his novels but I don't think I picked them up until I watched the C4 cartoon series of Wyrd Sisters, I got interested and I brought it to read it. I ABSOLUTELY loved it, I was sixteen at the time. Since then I was hooked.
I have to buy them in HARDBACK now almost as soon as they come out, and CANNOT wait for the next Adult DW, though the arrival of the fourth Tiffany Aching novel can't come fast enough for me!
But due to his condition we have to be patient, and as long he can still write then I am happy, sad will be the day when he does stop writing.
Can't fault it!Tiffany wrote:Today at a car boot sale, I managed to find to replace my paperback copy, a hardback copy of Reaper Man, in the colourful dust jacket. I paid £1 for it.
Me too - it feels like it's my duty to rescue them.Tiffany wrote:I've actually been doing quite well for finding TP's books at car boot sales lately.
If anyone wants a particular copy I can always look out for one? Though I usually buy any I see anyway, whether I've got them or not.
Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot], Yahoo [Bot] and 5 guests


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Iv'e got to see KoRn live and they are fucking amazing
When i went to KoRn concert on 25th March, for the first time, i had so much fun, even though i didn't get to meet them. 3-4 hours passed and concert is finished, how did you feel? i felt fucking depressed because i won't see them again for like 1 or 2 years. This feeling lasted for the whole week.


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SLU Announces New Center for Intercultural Studies
Vice President, Frost Campus Manoj Patankar, Ph.D. has announced the formation of a Center for Intercultural Studies and named associate professor of history Michal Rozbicki as its first director.
In making the announcement Patankar described the Center "as having potential to attract top-quality scholars and students along with funding from external individuals, foundations, and corporate donors to enable Saint Louis University to provide leadership in answering important questions facing contemporary society."
The Center's mission is three-fold: to foster comprehensive, interpretive research on the interactions among distinct cultures; to provide training in intercultural leadership; and to promote the building of bridges among the various cultures of the world. Faculty affiliated with the center will conduct research on the nature of intercultural encounters, develop related courses and programs of study, and develop leadership for the promotion of intercultural collaboration with the ultimate goal to be the fostering of greater mutual understanding among peoples of different backgrounds.
The Center's goals embody two key objectives of Jesuit education for the twenty-first century: an interdisciplinary approach to issues and a greater focus on the international domain. In doing so, the Center will encourage collaborations across the three Saint Louis University campuses and will engage with national and international academic institutions and community groups to further its mission.
Through the Center, Saint Louis University can be a leader in developing pioneering research about interculturality and innovative courses. By building on existing strengths possible interdisciplinary research on culture may connect a wide spectrum of scholars from history, religion, languages, economic development, tools and technologies, agriculture, health, and medicine to DNA-based study of human migrations.
|Michal Rozbicki, Ph.D., will lead the new Center for Intercultural Studies. Photo courtesy Diana Carlin
The implementation plan for the Center has as its goal to become an interdisciplinary degree-granting entity by 2016.
To lead the Center, Patankar selected Michal Rozbicki, associate professor and former chair of history. Rozbicki has been on the history faculty at Saint Louis University since 1992. A native of Poland, he attended Royal College in Colombo, Sri Lanka, the country's premier public high school, known for its ethnic and religious diversity. After returning to Poland and earning his M.A. in English philology from Warsaw University, Ph.D. in British history from Maria Curie-Sklodowska University in Lublin, Poland, and Ph.D. habil (European higher doctorate) in American history from Warsaw University. He joined the faculty of Warsaw University in 1976 and went on to become associate chair of the Institute of English Studies, and later director of the American Studies Center, devoted to promoting the study of the United States and to faculty exchanges with American universities (the only such institution in Eastern Europe at the time). After the Revolution of 1989, he co-founded the Polish Association for American Studies, and was elected its first President.
Rozbicki has authored or edited 10 books. He has been honored with a number of awards, including the American Council of Learned Societies fellowship at the Johns Hopkins University, the Merrill fellowship at Oxford University, the Kennedy Institute for North American Studies fellowship at the Free University of Berlin, Germany, and the Rockefeller Foundation's prestigious scholarly residency at its Bellagio Center in Italy. For his teaching, he has won the Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award from the Graduate Student Association of Saint Louis University.
His current work focuses on the phenomenon of interculturality and its theoretical underpinnings, particularly on developing new, interdisciplinary methodologies. A forthcoming volume he co-edited (Palgrave-Macmillan, 2011) is devoted to cross-cultural history and the domestication of otherness.He specializes in the history of early modern America. Much of his research has been devoted to examining how European cultural patterns changed in encounters with the New World, and how cultural instruments were used to legitimate power and authority. His most recent book, Culture and Liberty in the Age of the American Revolution (University of Virginia Press, 2011), is an attempt to resolve one of the oldest and most disputed dilemmas of American history: the contradiction implied by the Founders' cult of liberty and their commitment to inequality.
Rozbicki explained the importance of the new center by noting that, "Interculturality as a pioneering and fast-growing field of study is exciting because it carries a promise of creating new knowledge and changing our outlook upon the world. It is also highly innovative in that it attempts to transcend two longstanding barriers to research: the insularity of academic disciplines and the tendency to universalize the scholar's own cultural paradigms.
To better understand and interpret cultural difference, the Center will develop its own, distinctive research and degree programs by sponsoring interdisciplinary partnerships across the university, as well as national and international collaboration among scholars."


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Contact us 24/7: +1 877 678 9627
Christian Louboutin
For Spring '15, iconic shoe designer Christian Louboutin continues to do what he does best - create flawless heels. Reference points for the collection include Vladimir Nabokov's Lolita and the art and architecture of the American Southwest. Our highlights are the fluoro 'Sweet Charity' bags, the timeless 'Pigalle' pumps in black leather and the red 'Dalida' style with a wavey heel.


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The easy way to find your nearest Cartier boutique.
Read More
The Tank Américaine watch features an elongated case with a more pronounced curve than the original model. It playfully updates the geometry of the lines, retaining the rectangular form while alternating between round edges and angles.
The easy way to find your nearest Cartier boutique.
You can find the entire set of user manuals for Cartier watches.
All of your on-line orders are made through an SSL connection to ensures the confidentiality and security of your personal details.


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Harley-Davidson® Barbie® Doll #3
Harley-Davidson Barbie® doll #3 wears a very hip black leather-look jacket decorated with silvery studs, zipper trim, and working zipper with a Harley T-shirt underneath. She's ready to hit the road in her black leggings and biker boots accented with buckles. Harley Barbie® #3 is absolutely gorgeous with long dark brown hair, brown eyes, and dark lipstick, and a red chiffon scarf tied at her neck to add a touch of sophistication. Her accessories include silvery hoop earrings, sunglasses, a biker helmet, and Harley logo hat and black faux leather satchel decorated with silvery studs and buckles. She'll definitely turn some heads at Bike Week!
Dolls sold separately.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON trademarks and logo used under license.
Production doll may vary from the photo shown above. Mattel reserves the right to modify the fashion/fabrics, sculpt, hair color/style, and accessories. Doll cannot stand alone as shown.


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I was in the Cardiff city centre this morning and noticed signs for this years Panto, Sleeping Beauty "starring" Joe Pasquale*.
I realise that Panto is a very British thing, but it got me to thinking that without panto, many has-beens of stage, screen and TV would be out of work.
So, my question is: Which has-been nobody is starring in your local panto this year?
* Joe Pasquale - sheesh! To think that they had John Barrowman a couple of years ago.


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Something strange has happened in the past few days as we have approached the Austerity Trap (aka "fiscal cliff"). Suddenly, people are actually talking about the possibility of cutting back on the home interest deduction, a "gift," as Mitt Romney might call it, that dwarfs most others the federal government distributes (among tax expenditures, only the deduction for health insurance costs the government more). I continue to believe that there's just no way Congress is going to touch the MID, cherished as it is by so many. But I could be wrong, and this is a good time to brush up on where the deduction came from and what its consequences are.
The mortgage interest deduction came about essentially by accident. When the Constitution was amended in 1913 to allow for an income tax, Congress made all interest payments deductible. Mortgage interest wasn't mentioned specifically, and there was no suggestion that this was something necessary to promote home ownership. But as more Americans began buying homes after World War II, people quickly realized what a boon it was. So around that time, the promotion of home ownership began to be regularly offered as a justification for the mortgage interest deduction (if you like, you can read a long history of the MID here).
Despite the almost universal condemnation of economists, the deduction has survived every round of tax reform in the last century. It has some powerful defenders, most notably the National Association of Realtors, one of Washington's most influential lobbying groups (realtors obviously have an interest in inflated home prices, which increase their commissions). It also survives because members of Congress aren't exactly eager to tell millions of voters that their tax bills are going to increase by thousands of dollars. According to the Treasury Department, the mortgage interest deduction cost the government $86.9 billion this year, and the number will top $100 billion next year. Over time, more of those benefits have gone to wealthier Americans. You can deduct interest on mortgages with a value of up to $1 million and home equity loans up to $100,000. The wealthier you are, the bigger your mortgage (most of the time), and the higher your income tax rate, making each dollar of deduction more valuable to you. That means the MID is a regressively distributed benefit. To borrow an example from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a banker with a $1 million mortgage paying $40,000 in interest gets a government housing subsidy of $14,000 every year; he pays 65 cents of every interest dollar on his mortgage, while the government pays the other 35 cents. On the other hand, a nurse who makes $60,000 a year and pays $10,000 a year in interest will only get a $1,500 subsidy; she'll pay 85 cents of every interest dollar on her mortgage while the government will pay the other 15 cents.
So this is how the benefits of the mortgage interest deduction end up being distributed (the data come from the Joint Committee on Taxation):
As a homeowner, I love the mortgage interest deduction. Every year when I'm doing my taxes and I get to the step in the software where you enter in your mortgage interest, a wave of relief just washes over me, just as it surely does to millions of others. But I can't come up with any good argument to defend it. And there's the dilemma for lawmakers. They can make the case that eliminating (or scaling back) the deduction is good for the country's finances, but it's going to be hard for that case to be heard when taxpayers are screaming, "You're going to increase my taxes by how much?!?!" at them.
So I'd wager that if the deduction gets touched at all in these debates, it will be by putting some kind of cap on the amount of interest one can deduct. But that cap will be placed high enough—$20,000 of interest, say, or what you'd pay on a $400,000 loan at 5 percent—that very few homeowners would actually feel it. Which would limit the amount of money the government would recover, but also limit the political damage. And we know which one of those considerations is going to be felt more acutely on Capitol Hill.
Fri, 2012-11-30 13:40
Fri, 2012-11-30 16:48
Ben Leet
Sun, 2012-12-02 16:30
If $87 billion is the tax amount lost, then most of this loss accrues to the highest 20% of households, incomes over $100,000. This article should specify what portion of the $87 billion is a benefit to the highest 10% and 20%, and lowest 50%, incomes under $49,000. Presently 28.3% of all income goes to the highest-earning 4.3%, all with incomes over $200,000 according to the Joint Committee on Taxation. That's over $$3 trillion, and their effective overall tax rate is around 30%. See Citizens for Tax Justice report Who Pays Taxes in America, http://www.ctj.org/pdf/taxday2012.pdf
Mon, 2013-01-07 06:45
The time to do away with this deduction, if we should, is now. I cannot see how the cost of this deduction is rising with mortgage rates falling for the past 2-3 years, and at record lows. I pay less mortgage interest on my $400k loan than my parents did on their $100k loan when they bought their home in the early 80's. The value of this deduction is becoming less and less. Say a median home is worth $200k, 80% mortgage, $160k loan. 4% rate, 6.4k in interest, saves 25% of that in tax, $1600. Not negligible, but not what it once was. Plus you need to get past the standard deduction to have it matter at all.
Rental properties will still deduct mortgage interest. The highest earners will have their accountants form LLCs to buy the property and then 'rent' it back from themselves, or some other gimmick. They get to keep the interest deduction, and that is why the deduction will be kept for everyone.
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I live in Cambridge. And yes, I did make it to the Ely Cathedral book launching! Unfortunately, I was not one of the lucky 100 who got to personally meet Sir Terry on the night, but a close friend of mine was one of the chosen.
Special note to OrangeEyebrows - I used to live out in Soham, so I probably drove by yours often, as I used to cut through either Fordham or Isleham, depending on my mood to get home. Many moons ago, I was stationed at RAF Mildenhall, and like so many other Yanks, I fell in love with your country and did the 2-finger salute at the gate, and stayed! Twenty-eight years later, and I've never looked back!
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Punstarr wrote:If you mean as in how difficult the enemy is in the game, I couldn't tell you. If you mean as in enemies you love to hate due to storyline and personality, I'd say Wesker from the RE series. He's a first class douche-bag and I'd love to see Chris put a bullet between his eyes, for all the good it would do since Wesker has been turned into a super-powered villain.
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First year awarded:
Number of MVP Awards:
Technical Expertise:
Consumer Security
Technical Interests:
Internet Explorer, Windows Experience
Jane Edwards
United States
Jane is a retired systems analyst, now an independent consultant, who primarily works with home computer users and small businesses. Known at online security forums as NonSuch, Jane is responsible for running the online Malware Removal University, and the MalWare Removal Forums at malwareremoval.com, where an able teaching staff trains volunteers in the use of software analysis media and malware removal tools that enable them to assist victims of malware attacks. As well as administering and teaching at the Malware Removal University, Jane is a Trusted Advisor at SpywareInfo, Teaching Team at WhatTheTech, a Security Expert at SaferNetworking and SpywareWarrior among others. Jane is proud to be a member of ASAP (Alliance of Security Analysis Professionals) and UNITE (United Network of Instructors and Trusted Eliminators). Jane enjoys her work in the online forums, especially her favorite and primary focus, the Malware Removal University and teaching new helpers. Offline, Jane is involved in her local community and volunteers a portion of her time to helping others properly set up and secure their systems. She does workshops and also addresses local senior groups on computer security issues. Jane maintains an e-mail security list, reminding friends and family of needed system updates and maintenance. She also has a security blog that facilitates outreach to a broader range of home PC users, providing them with advice and security tips.


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We have all of this seasons IT products to help you create your own personal season of beauty. Get great looking skin from head to toe with the latest and greatest in skincare products and tools or create the perfect Fall ambiance in your home with a delectable home fragrance. Whatever your fancy this Fall we have exactly what you need to make IT beautiful.
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Enhance your beauty routine with the latest tools. High tech skin devices and hot hair tools will have you styling your hair and treating your skin like a pro in no time. We've got the gadgets to keep you looking primped and pretty all year long.
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Nails continue to be a hot topic in beauty and fashion this season. Explore the latest Fall colors and find a variety of new nail care products that will make your tips and toes your best accessory.
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Lend a rich fall scent to your entire home with gorgeous candles, elegant reed diffusers and fragrant sprays. Home fragrance can set any mood and create an ambiance to fit any occasion.


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From powerful volcanoes to black-sand beaches, from tropical dry forests to mangrove jungles, you'll encounter many natural wonders on this guided tour of Costa Rica, one of the most biologically diverse nations on Earth. You'll also experience the warmth of Costa Ricans, a welcoming people committed to preserving the natural beauty of their beloved country. This itinerary provides a journey into this fascinating culture at a pace that allows you to relax and explore in-depth. Enjoy a stay in the scenic Central Pacific region, as well as a mangrove cruise in Guacalillo that brings you up close to Costa Rica's wildlife, and visits to local artisans crafting Costa Rica's iconic oxcarts, and pottery based on a 5,000-year-old tradition.
hiddenDay 1Depart U.S. • Arrive San Jose, Costa Rica
Fly from your U.S. gateway city to San Jose to begin your guided tour of Costa Rica. You'll be greeted at the airport by your Grand Circle representative, who will assist you with your transfer to your hotel in San Jose. You'll be joined by travelers who took the optional pre-trip extension, Guatemala: Antigua & Lake Atitlan.
hiddenDay 2San Jose City tour
After breakfast, join your Program Director for a Welcome Briefing, where you'll learn what to expect on your journey through Costa Rica. Then, embark on an included tour of San Jose.
The capital of Costa Rica, San Jose was founded in 1737 and is now one of the more developed Central American capitals—a small, lively city rich in culture and history. Your discoveries of San Jose begin in some of its newer neighborhoods, such as La Sabana—home to Costa Rica's largest urban park and the Museum of Costa Rican Art. You'll also visit the National Monument, Library, and Congress on your tour.
Then it's on to the National Museum, where you'll be able to learn about Costa Rican history and culture. Then enjoy lunch on your own, perhaps in one of the many restaurants and cafes along the pedestrian-only section of San Jose's main street, Avenida Central.
After lunch, you'll visit the Plaza de la Cultura—the main square of San Jose—where you'll enjoy an included visit to the National Theater, proudly regarded as the "jewel of the nation." You return to the hotel later this afternoon and enjoy a little leisure time. This evening, get to know your Program Director and fellow travelers during a Welcome Dinner.
hiddenDay 3San Jose • Alajuela market visit • Doka Estate coffee plantation tour
After breakfast this morning, depart for the town of Alajuela, Costa Rica's former capital and a scenic and laid-back city. You'll have time to browse the large central market and discover local crafts.
Then, head to the Doka Estate, an award-winning plantation that specializes in the production of gourmet coffee. Locally owned by the Vargas Ruiz family for more than 70 years, the Doka Coffee Estate is a modern operation that uses time-honored techniques—the estate has the oldest working water-powered mill in all of Costa Rica.
Your included tour takes you through the estate to see the various steps in the production of this important national export. You'll learn how the many varieties of beans are carefully separated for processing and how the water-powered mill and peeling machines work, as well as the roles of the fermentation tanks, sun-drying patios, and roasting hall. As the tour progresses, you'll hear about the history of the coffee farm and its owners, the importance of its geographic location, and the value of traditional coffee-growing methods. You will savor the rich, intoxicating aroma of the freshly roasted beans, and have a chance to sip some of the plantation's tasty brews.
After an included lunch at the estate, you'll return to your hotel, where your Program Director will provide suggestions on where to dine on your own this evening.
hiddenDay 4San Jose • Sarchi • Zarcero town visit • Arenal
After breakfast, begin your transfer to the region dominated by Arenal Volcano. On the way, you'll stop to explore the village of Sarchi and witness artisans at work on the most famous of Costa Rica's handcrafts—the carreta, or oxcart.
Later, you'll stop at the town of Zarcero for an included tour of a local topiary garden and the San Rafael Church, a pink and blue church dating from 1895 and noted for the skill of the builders in hiding the building materials—for instance, the columns inside are only painted to resemble marble.
Enjoy lunch on your own in this picturesque town. Then you will board a motorcoach for a drive through one of Costa Rica's most diverse agricultural areas—the northern plains—where you'll spot dairy farms and cattle ranches against a backdrop of forested peaks.
You arrive at your resort by mid-afternoon. After checking in, you'll take an orientation walk around its lush, protected grounds, then have the opportunity to enjoy a dip in one of the resort's two swimming pools. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant tonight.
hiddenDay 5Arenal • Tropical garden visit • School visit • Home-Hosted Lunch • Organic Farm of Don Juan BautistaFOUNDATION VISIT
A nation with no standing army and a literacy rate of 96 percent—what must it be like to live in a land that is truly devoted to peace in the world and progress for its people? Where does progress still need to be made? Its citizens can tell you. You'll get acquainted with some of them—and have opportunities to pose questions of your own—during a remarkable day of cultural interaction.
After breakfast, you'll experience a feast for the senses as you travel to a tropical garden plantation for an exclusive Discovery Series event. Here, you'll enjoy a guided tour of the grounds, and discover the many plants, fruits, and flowers that help make Costa Rica lush and vibrant. Among the vegetation you may see are bananas, bamboo, and medicinal plants, and you're sure to find colorful birds and butterflies in their midst. From here, you'll climb aboard a tractor for a ride to a ranch, perhaps spotting other wildlife en route.
Then you'll travel to a rural village in the Arenal region. There, you'll be the guests of honor at a local primary school (when in session) supported by Grand Circle Foundation. You'll be enthusiastically welcomed by the village's schoolchildren, who will give you a presentation on the folklore of their country—including traditional songs, dances, and costumes—after which you'll have the opportunity to interact with them one on one. Then, enjoy a discussion with the student's teachers and parents, who can answer your questions about Costa Rica's education system—one of the best in Latin America. Many Grand Circle travelers rank opportunities to interact with local children like these as among the most memorable moments of their travels.
Such a full morning calls for a satisfying lunch, which you'll enjoy today at the home of a local family. After meeting your gracious hosts and getting a tour of their house, you'll have a chance to join your hosts in the kitchen to help prepare a traditional local dish. Costa Rican cuisine is simple, wholesome, and quite delicious. A typical meal features chicken, beef, or fish (sometimes grilled) served with tortillas and gallo pinto (a zesty rice-and-bean side dish). But regardless of what's on the menu, you can count on the hospitality of your hosts and an authentic opportunity to learn about everyday life and customs of rural Costa Rica.
Afterward, visit the town of La Fortuna. Known as the "front yard of the Arenal Volcano," La Fortuna offers spectacular views of the beautifully cone-shaped Volcan Arenal (as it's called in Spanish), which had been one of the world's most active volcanoes since it awakened from a long dormancy in 1968. Enjoy a little time at leisure this afternoon.
Late this afternoon, head to the organic farm of Don Juan Bautista, where you can discover the sustainable agricultural techniques being used to propel Costa Rican farming into the future. During this visit, you'll also learn about the production of sugar cane—and enjoy an included dinner that features ingredients fresh from the farm.
hiddenDay 6Arenal • Optional Safari River Float tour • Pineapple Farm
After breakfast this morning, enjoy some free time to explore independently, or just relax at the hotel and savor the views of the rain forest. Or, join us on an optional Safari River Float tour. You'll slip silently down the Penas Blancas River, in a boat with no motor to frighten off local animals. As you paddle lightly down this untouched waterway, a local expert guide will deliver information on the wildlife and plants that you pass. You may see monkeys, crocodiles, tropical birds, iguanas, sloths, colorful flowers, or even more. This is a truly unique photo opportunity, as well as a chance to learn about Costa Rica's storied ecology first hand.
Lunch will be on your own, before a visit to a local pineapple finca, or farm. On this excursion, we'll enjoy an in-depth look at the finca's fields and facilities, learn about pineapple cultivation techniques throughout history, discover how the Arenal region's fertile, volcanic soil nurtures these tropical plants, and enjoy a taste of the "Fruit of Kings."
This evening is yours for independent discovery and dinner on your own.
hiddenDay 7Arenal • Guanacaste
After breakfast this morning, you'll board the motorcoach for Guanacaste. The journey takes you through some stunning landscapes as you pass near Arenal Lake, making a stop en route for lunch on your own. In mid-afternoon, you arrive in Guanacaste Province on Costa Rica's Gold Coast.
Home to seven national parks, three wildlife reserves, and more than 100 miles of sandy beaches, the province of Guanacaste is a paradise for nature lovers, ranch enthusiasts, and beachcombers as well. Dominated by the Guanacaste mountain range, this region has a distinctive dry tropical climate—which has resulted in tropical dry forests of mostly deciduous trees, quite unlike the rain forests of Tortuguero or the Central Valley—and a large section of the province has been set aside for preservation and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
When you arrive at your Guanacaste accommodations, you'll take a short orientation walk around the hotel grounds, then enjoy some time to relax and freshen up before dinner.
hiddenDay 8Guanacaste • El Viejo Wetlands
After breakfast, depart for El Viejo Wetlands, which fringe Palo Verde National Park, by boat. You'll board a small watercraft to cruise through the wetlands' mangrove forest—a unique ecosystem of tropical trees growing in a saltwater marsh formed by a tidal estuary. Your guide will help you spot and identify some of the colorful plants and animals that dwell in this wetland sanctuary, including crocodiles, monkeys, anteaters, iguanas, coatis, and more than 300 species of birds.
After your cruise, visit a well-preserved casona where you'll be offered local flavors such as handmade tortillas and local coffee. Try not to fill up on these treats, because you still have an included lunch to enjoy at a Hacienda before a tour of a local sugar cane mill—you'll witness the journey sugar cane takes to your table.
This afternoon is yours at leisure, and dinner tonight is on your own.
hiddenDay 9Guanacaste • Optional Tropical Forest Canopy Ride • Optional Horseback ride
After breakfast, you have a full day to make your own discoveries in beautiful Guanacaste—and there are many possible pursuits from which to choose. Your hotel is located very close to Avellanas Beach, a stretch of soft sand and lush vegetation that is one of the most scenic in Guanacaste. Perhaps you'll stroll the beach looking for seashells. Or you may find yourself content to lounge peacefully on the sand, watching the world go by.
You may choose to join us this morning for an exciting half-day tour of the tropical dry forest canopy. Ride to this leafy locale, and then ascend into the very tops of the giant, tropical trees on a system of aerial platforms and cableways. This is a unique opportunity to observe the layers of canopy vegetation in the upper world of the forest and see this amazing and complex ecosystem up close, exploring recesses of the canopy that travelers have not had access to until very recently. It's also a chance to add an aspect of adventure to your trip as you enjoy a thrilling descent through the upper forest along a series of sturdy zip-lines, feeling the cool breeze and watching the colorful wildlife flash by you as you glide back to the forest floor. After your tour, return to the hotel and enjoy lunch on your own and the afternoon at leisure.
Our hotel is located 30 minutes from Tamarindo Town, where you can find numerous bars and restaurants—popular with locals and visitors alike—where you can enjoy lunch on your own. The area also offers popular fishing spots. We'll be visiting there this afternoon, and you can ask your Program Director for suggestions and advice on taking advantage of the many opportunities available to you.
Later this afternoon, you can choose to take another optional tour and go horseback riding along the beaches near Pinilla. Requiring no previous riding experience, this optional excursion will bring you up close to some of the local flora and fauna. Riders will end up at a lookout point, from which you will be able to appreciate the natural beauty of the area.
Tonight, dinner is on your own.
hiddenDay 10Guanacaste • Guaitil pottery demonstration • Central Pacific
Today you'll enter the Central Pacific region, an area best known for its beaches. A popular destination for travelers, the Central Pacific takes nature conservation seriously, with many areas declared protected and in order to allow plant and animal species to thrive undisturbed. The climate here is also less humid than it is nearer the Caribbean, making it easy to enjoy the natural wonders around you—whether you're taking in the coastal cliffs, colorful sunsets, or lively animals.
Our destination is Punta Leona, an area of the Central Pacific region that is set apart as a nature reserve. Punta Leona is an area not often visited by tourists, which makes it an even more special destination to see Costa Rica's flora and fauna up close.
On your way, enjoy an exclusive Discovery Series event as the artisans of the village of Guaitil give you an introduction to their ancient pottery-making traditions. Going back 5,000 years, these local craftspeople have perfected their art, which is known for the use of natural minerals to provide color. Potters also use local clay, though the clay mines may soon no longer be accessible, as land is bought by private companies. This session will prove to be a fascinating glimpse into art and life in this region.
Later this morning, you will walk the La Amistad Bridge over the Tempisque River, and pause to enjoy a sweeping view of the river and the surrounding forests. You'll stop en route for lunch on your own. You'll arrive at your hotel by mid-afternoon, and have the rest of the afternoon at leisure before an included dinner at a local restaurant.
hiddenDay 11Central Pacific • Rio Tarcoles Mangrove Cruise
This morning, you will embark on an included cruise of a mangrove forest in Guacalillo. On a cruise of this lush wilderness on the Tarcoles River, you'll discover the many ways in which mangroves contribute to their environment. The forest is a unique ecosystem of tropical trees growing in a saltwater marsh formed by a tidal estuary, and the trees provide a home for many kinds of fish and shellfish, as well as a hunting ground for larger predators such as crocodiles. As you float past the mangrove trees' sinuous, exposed roots, your guide will help you spot and identify some of the colorful plants and animals that dwell in this wetland sanctuary, including crocodiles, monkeys, anteaters, iguanas, coatis, and more than 300 species of birds.
Afterwards, you'll visit a local shop before traveling to Jaco for lunch on your own and free time to relax in this laid-back beach town. Then, return to your hotel for some relaxation and an included dinner this evening.
hiddenDay 12Central Pacific • Orchid Botanical Garden • San Jose
After breakfast, begin your journey back to San Jose. On the way, stop in La Garita for a tour of the botanical garden this afternoon. There, you'll learn even more about the range of flora in Costa Rica.
Orchids are some of the best-known flowers native to Costa Rica, and this plant, being very difficult to cultivate successfully, is coveted among gardeners the world over. See many varieties of this prized blossom, and learn how to grow your own. Orchids bloom in this garden all year round, so you are sure to see some impressive blossoms. There are also water gardens and walking trails to help you get up close to the impressive range of plants in the garden, and an aviary housing mainly rescued birds. There are even more animals to be seen in the ponds on site, such as turtles, ducks, and fish.
You'll arrive at your hotel in San Jose in time for lunch this afternoon. Enjoy some free time this evening before gathering for a Farewell Dinner at your hotel.
hiddenDay 13San Jose
After breakfast this morning, transfer to the airport for your flight home. Or, join us on our optional Tortuguero National Park: Rain Forest Experience post-trip extension.
Pre-trip: Guatemala: Antigua & Lake Atitlan5 nights from only $845
86% of our travelers rated this extension "Excellent" in 2015
Travel from the cobblestone lanes of colonial Antigua to the contemporary streets of Guatemala City, from the commercial bustle of the capital city to rural villages where weavers still practice the craft of their Maya ancestors. And along the way, discover Guatemala's stunning natural beauty during a cruise on the serenely beautiful Lake Atitlan.
Post-trip: Tortuguero National Park: Rain Forest Experience3 nights from only $545
More than a third of our travelers have reserved this extension in 2015
Join Grand Circle in Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica's "Amazon"—so-called for its lush jungle canopy and the fascinating abundance of wildlife that call this protected haven home. A naturalist's nirvana, this 47,000-acre expanse stretching along the Caribbean Coast can only be explored by boat along a network of navigable waterways.
Optional Tours
Safari River FloatDay 6 $55 per person
Explore the Penas Blancas River in the company of a local expert guide. Paddle gently along the water to enjoy an up-close encounter with some of the region's curious and colorful birds, monkeys, crocodiles, and more. Your guide will explain all of the plants and animals that you pass, as you relax, learn, and enjoy once-in-a-lifetime photographic opportunities in this pristine environment.
Tropical Forest Canopy RideDay 9 $60 per person
On this tour, you'll ride into Guanacaste's lush forest, and then ascend into the very tops of the giant, tropical trees on a system of aerial platforms and cableways. This is a unique opportunity to observe the layers of canopy vegetation in the upper world of the forest and see this amazing and complex ecosystem up close.
Horseback RideDay 9 $60 per person
This afternoon, view Costa Rica from a different perspective: by horseback. Join us for an optional horseback riding excursion along a local beach. You'll gently meander over the sand, looking for wildlife such as lizards, sloths, monkeys, and the many birds that make this place their home.
Traveler Reviews
There's no better way to learn what a trip is like than from the firsthand experiences of your fellow travelers, and our Traveler Reviews are the real deal—unbiased and unedited—giving you an honest appraisal of the experiences that await you on this trip.Have you been on this trip? Share Your Thoughts, Sign In
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Questions and Answers
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Questions and Answers
Want to know more about one of our vacations? Now, when you post a question, travelers who have been on that trip can provide you with an honest, unbiased answer based on their experience—providing you with a true insider's perspective.Sign in to ask a question
Weather & Regional
Before you travel, we encourage you to learn about the region of the world you'll discover on this trip. From weather and currency information to details on population, geography, and local history, you'll find a comprehensive introduction to your destinations below.
Visit our "What to Know" page to find information about the level of activity to expect, vaccination information resources, and visa requirements specific to this vacation.
Costa Rica has a tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round and just two seasons: wet and dry. The wet season runs from May through November, when heavy rains fall frequently (though not constantly). During the rainy season, the mornings are almost invariably clear and warm, and in the evenings the clouds usually clear in time for sunset. The dry season runs from December through April. As anywhere, weather varies greatly from year to year.
- Avg. High 83
- Avg. Low 65
- Avg. Inches of Precipitation 0.3
- Avg. High 84
- Avg. Low 65
- Avg. Inches of Precipitation 0.4
- Avg. High 86
- Avg. Low 65
- Avg. Inches of Precipitation 0.3
- Jan
- Avg. High 86
- Avg. Low 66
- Avg. Inches of Precipitation 1.8
- Avg. High 84
- Avg. Low 66
- Avg. Inches of Precipitation 6.7
- Avg. High 83
- Avg. Low 66
- Avg. Inches of Precipitation 8.1
- Apr
- Avg. High 83
- Avg. Low 66
- Avg. Inches of Precipitation 5.5
- Avg. High 83
- Avg. Low 65
- Avg. Inches of Precipitation 7.6
- Avg. High 82
- Avg. Low 64
- Avg. Inches of Precipitation 9.4
- July
- Avg. High 82
- Avg. Low 65
- Avg. Inches of Precipitation 11.4
- Avg. High 82
- Avg. Low 65
- Avg. Inches of Precipitation 5.4
- Avg. High 82
- Avg. Low 65
- Avg. Inches of Precipitation 1.7
- Oct
Area: 19,929 square miles
Capital: San José
Languages: Spanish is the official language; English is also spoken.
Ethnicity: Mestizo, European, K'iche, Kaqchikel, Mam, Q'eqchi, and indigenous.
Location: Costa Rica is bordered by Nicaragua, Panama, the Pacific Ocean, and the Caribbean Sea.
Geography: Costa Rica has very little flat land. The plains along the Pacific and Caribbean coasts are characterized by tropical forests and beaches. The interior of the country is mountainous and precipitous.
Population: 4,576,563
Religions: Catholic (76%), Evangelical (14%), other denominations (Methodist, Jewish, etc.) (10%)
Time zone: Costa Rica is on Central Standard Time, one hour behind U.S. EST. When it is 6am in New York, it is 5am in José.
It's easy to understand foreign currency with our Currency Cheat Sheet. Simply choose the currency you will be using on your trip from the drop-down menu below. The pop-up window will display the real-time conversion of the U.S. dollar to your selected currency.
The currency in Costa Rica is the colon; 1 colon equals 100 centimos. Banknote and coin denominations are as follows:
- Banknotes: 1,000; 2,000; 5,000; and 10,000 colones
- Coins: 5, 10, 20, 25, 50, 100 and 500 colones
Guatemala is characterized by three main climate zones—the cool highlands towards the west and south, the tropical zones along the Caribbean and Pacific coasts, and the tropical jungle area (known as the Petén) in the northern lowlands. The highlands are represented by Guatemala City's temperatures, and are very pleasant. The low plains of the northern section—around Tikal and Flores—are hotter, with tropical temperatures and regular rainfall all year round. The most rainfall in the low plains occurs between May and September.
- Avg. High 72
- Avg. Low 55
- Avg. Inches of Precipitation 0.3
- Avg. High 75
- Avg. Low 56
- Avg. Inches of Precipitation 0.1
- Avg. High 77
- Avg. Low 58
- Avg. Inches of Precipitation 0.5
- Jan
- Avg. High 78
- Avg. Low 60
- Avg. Inches of Precipitation 1.2
- Avg. High 78
- Avg. Low 62
- Avg. Inches of Precipitation 6
- Avg. High 75
- Avg. Low 62
- Avg. Inches of Precipitation 10.8
- Apr
- Avg. High 74
- Avg. Low 61
- Avg. Inches of Precipitation 8
- Avg. High 74
- Avg. Low 61
- Avg. Inches of Precipitation 7.8
- Avg. High 73
- Avg. Low 61
- Avg. Inches of Precipitation 9.1
- July
- Avg. High 73
- Avg. Low 61
- Avg. Inches of Precipitation 6.8
- Avg. High 72
- Avg. Low 58
- Avg. Inches of Precipitation 0.9
- Avg. High 72
- Avg. Low 57
- Avg. Inches of Precipitation 0.3
- Oct
Area: 42,042 sq miles
Capital: Guatemala City
Languages: Spanish is the official language of Guatemala; 23 Amerindian languages (including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Mam, Garifuna, and Xinca) are also spoken.
Ethnicity: Mestizo, European, K'iche, Kaqchikel, Mam, Q'eqchi, and indigenous.
Location: Guatemala is bordered by El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Belize, the Pacific Ocean, and the Gulf of Honduras.
Geography: Located in Central America between the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Hounduras, Guatemala is mountainous in the interior with plains along the coast.
Population: 13,824,463
Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant, indigenous Mayan beliefs
Time zone: Guatemala is on Central Standard Time, one hour behind U.S. EST. When it is 6am in New York, it is 5am in Guatemala City.
It's easy to understand foreign currency with our Currency Cheat Sheet. Simply choose the currency you will be using on your trip from the drop-down menu below. The pop-up window will display the real-time conversion of the U.S. dollar to your selected currency.
The official currency in Guatemala is the quetzal, which is divided into 100 centavos.
- Bills are in denominations of 1, 5 10, 20, 50, and 100 quetzales
- Coins are in denominations of 1, 5 10, 25, and 50 centavos; and 1 quetzal
What to Know
For more detailed information about this trip, download our Travel Handbook below. This document covers a wide range of information on specific areas of your trip, from passport, visa, and medical requirements; to the currencies of the countries you'll visit and the types of electrical outlets you'll encounter. This handbook is written expressly for this itinerary. For your convenience, we've highlighted our travelers' most common areas of interest on this page.Download the Travel Handbook
What to Expect
- 4 locations in 13 days, including 1 single-night stay
Physical requirements
- Not accessible for travelers using wheelchairs or scooters
- Travelers using walkers, crutches, or other mobility aids must travel with a companion who can assist them throughout the trip
- You must be able to walk 2 miles unassisted and participate in 1-3 hours of physical activities each day, including stairs
- Daytime temperatures range from 75-95°F during touring season
- March-May are the warmest months
- Anticipate high humidity and moderate to heavy rainfall
- Travel over uneven walking surfaces, including unpaved paths, hills, stairs, and cobblestone
- Travel by 45-seat motorcoach, tractor, and 30-seat boat
- Meals will be based on the local cuisine
Travel Documents
Your passport should meet these requirements for this itinerary
- It should be valid for at least 6 months after your scheduled return to the U.S.
- It should have the recommended number of blank pages (refer to the handbook for details).
- The blank pages must be labeled "Visas" at the top. Pages labeled "Amendments and Endorsements" are not acceptable.
U.S. citizens do not need a visa for this trip.
If you are not a U.S. citizen, do not travel with a U.S. passport, or will be traveling independently before/after this trip, then your entry requirements may be different. Please check with the appropriate embassy or a visa servicing company. To contact our recommended visa servicing company, PVS International, call toll-free at 1-800-556-9990.
Vaccinations Information
For a detailed and up-to-date list of vaccinations that are recommended for this trip, please visit the CDC's "Traveler's Health" website. You can also refer to the handbook for details.
Before Your Trip
Before you leave on your vacation, there are at least four health-related things you should do. Please check the handbook for specifics, but for now, here's the short list:
Step 1: Check with the CDC for their recommendations for the countries you'll be visiting.
Step 2: Have a medical checkup with your doctor.
Step 3: Pick up any necessary medications, both prescription and over-the-counter.
Step 4: Have a dental and/or eye checkup. (Recommended, but less important than steps 1-3.)
What to Bring
In an effort to help you bring less, we have included checklists within the handbook, which have been compiled from suggestions by Program Directors and former travelers. The lists are only jumping-off points—they offer recommendations based on experience, but not requirements. You might also want to refer to the climate charts in the handbook or online weather forecasts before you pack. Refer to the handbook for details.
Insider Tips
Get more out of the destinations on this trip through our Program Directors' Insider Tips. From suggestions on the best places to find authentic food, drink, and handcrafts, to insights on local customs and cultures, with the Insider Tips below, you can discover a wealth of inside information on your destinations—before you go.
Unique Food & Drink
One restaurant I like is La Fiesta del Maiz (Route 3 in Alajuela, on the way to San Jose) where one can basically enjoy everything made with corn, like pozol, a thick soup that is prepared with corn and pork, which was first cooked by the indigenous people. Besides the pozol, I love corn tamal which is a dessert-like mixture of ground corn mixed with sour cream and water, wrapped in a corn husk. There's no corn in their rice pudding, but never forget to try it at this restaurant—it is just out of this world.
Get more out of the destinations on this trip through our Program Directors' Insider Tips. From suggestions on the best places to find authentic food, drink, and handcrafts, to insights on local customs and cultures, with the Insider Tips below, you can discover a wealth of inside information on your destinations—before you go.
Special Places & Pastimes
The Central Market (Avenida Central) is always fun to see because you find everything you'd ever want to look for there: herbs for cooking or for remedies, souvenirs, typical food, clothes and shoes, tools for the kitchen, and typical toys. Plus, it is one of the few places you can bargain in Costa Rica, which adds to the fun.
Main Trip
Aurola Holiday Inn
San Jose, Costa Rica | Rating: Superior First Class
The Aurola Holiday Inn is located downtown in the heart of San Jose, just across the street from Morazán Park, and close to several museums. Each of the hotel's 200 rooms offers air-conditioning, iron/ironing board, minibar, telephone, safe, and cable/satellite TV. Hotel amenities include a currency exchange, two restaurants, indoor pool, casino, health club and spa.
Tilajari Resort Hotel
San Carlos, Costa Rica | Rating: First Class
Enjoy your stay in the Arenal region at the relaxing Tilajari Resort Hotel. Take advantage of its health club, spa, and hot tub, or cool off in one of its two outdoor swimming pools. Your air-conditioned room has a balcony, as well as television, wireless Internet access, and coffee- and tea-making facilities.
Flamingo Beach Resort & Spa
Guanacaste, Costa Rica | Rating: First Class
Enjoying an idyllic beachside location in the province of Guanacaste, the First-Class Flamingo Beach Resort & Spa features a swimming pool (including a poolside bar), restaurant, and on-site spa, offering massage services. Air-conditioned rooms each feature a private bathroom, flat-screen TV, complimentary wireless Internet, and coffee- and tea-making facilities.
Hotel Punta Leona
Punta Leona, Costa Rica
The Hotel Punta Leona is set amidst a private rain forest on Costa Rica's Pacific Coast, overlooking a secluded white-sand beach. Hotel amenities include three swimming pools, three restaurants and two snack bars, and Internet access. Each of its 108 air-conditioned rooms features cable TV, telephone, mini-fridge, safe, and private bath with hot water.
Hotel Los Pasos
Antigua, GuatemalaConverted from an old Spanish colonial estate, every aspect of this hotel, from the tiling in the bathroom to the room and lobby décor and the terrace, is evocative of its surroundings. The quiet and cozy two-story hotel is a short stroll from the UNESCO World Heritage Site Antigua Cathedral and the heart of the town's green space, Parque Central. There is a restaurant on-site and your room features cable TV, a safe, high-speed wireless Internet and a private bathroom.
Hotel Los Pasos
Antigua, GuatemalaConverted from an old Spanish colonial estate, every aspect of this hotel, from the tiling in the bathroom to the room and lobby décor and the terrace, is evocative of its surroundings. The quiet and cozy two-story hotel is a short stroll from the UNESCO World Heritage Site Antigua Cathedral and the heart of the town's green space, Parque Central. There is a restaurant on-site and your room features cable TV, a safe, high-speed wireless Internet and a private bathroom.
Hotel Dos Mundos
Panajachel, Guatemala
Located just one block from the shores of Lake Atitlan, the unrated Hotel Dos Mundos offers easy access to the area's spectacular views and countless activities. Hotel amenities include an outdoor swimming pool, cafe, bar, and authentic Italian cuisine at La Lanterna Restaurant.
Hotel Biltmore Express
Guatemala City, Guatemala
The Hotel Biltmore Express is located in the commercial center of Guatemala City, and within close proximity to shopping malls, museums, and restaurants. You may choose to relax in the on-site outdoor pool, or take advantage of the nearby fitness center. Each of the hotel's 116 rooms offers a private bath with shower, air-conditioning, in-room safe, telephone, and Internet access.
Pachira Lodge
Tortuguero, Costa Rica | Rating: Superior Tourist Class
Located five minutes away from Tortuguero National Park in a quiet, beachfront setting, the Pachira Lodge is a comfortable and relaxing base from which to enjoy the park's attractions. Your room comes with a balcony, and in your free time you may opt to enjoy the outdoor pool, or health spa and massage services.
Aurola Holiday Inn
San Jose, Costa Rica | Rating: Superior First Class
The Aurola Holiday Inn is located downtown in the heart of San Jose, just across the street from Morazán Park, and close to several museums. Each of the hotel's 200 rooms offers air-conditioning, iron/ironing board, minibar, telephone, safe, and cable/satellite TV. Hotel amenities include a currency exchange, two restaurants, indoor pool, casino, health club and spa.
Flight Information
Flight Options to Personalize Your Trip
You can choose to stay longer before or after your trip on your own, or combine two vacations to maximize your value.
- Extend your vacation and lower your per day cost with our optional pre- and post-trip excursions
- Choose our standard air routing, or work with us to select the airline and routing you prefer
- Make your own international flight arrangements directly with the airline, applying frequent flyer miles if available
- International airport transfers to and from your ship or hotel, including meet and greet service, are available for purchase
- Stay overnight in a connecting city before or after your trip
- Request to arrive a few days early to get a fresh start on your vacation
- Choose to "break away" before or after your trip, spending additional days or weeks on your own
- Combine your choice of Grand Circle vacations to maximize your value
- Upgrade to business or premium class
The air options listed above may involve additional airfare costs based on your specific choices.
Or, when you make your reservation, you can choose our standard air routing, for which approximate travel times are shown below.
Standard Air Routing
|Travel Time*
|3 hrs
|New York (JFK)
|6 hrs
|Baltimore, Denver, Minneapolis, Phoenix, Tucson/td>
|8 hrs
|Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco, Tampa
|9 hrs
|Boston, Portland, OR, Seattle
|10 hrs
*Estimated total time, including connection and layover. Actual travel time may vary.
The information above reflects approximate flight times from the gateway cities listed to San Jose, Costa Rica. Routing is based on availability and subject to change. You will receive your final air itinerary approximately 14 days prior to departure.
Partner since: 2003
Total donated: $634,868
Total donated: $634,868
Supporting a World Classroom: Costa Rica
By seeing how children are educated all over the world, we gain a rare understanding of different cultural values—as well as the common values that unite us all. When you visit Costa Rica, we bring you into a local school supported by Grand Circle Foundation and introduce you to Costa Rica's future as part of our World Classroom experience (provided class is in session).
San Josecito School
Partner since: 2003 • Total donated: $50,252
Before 2003 when our partnership began, the school was lacking in basic necessities, such as restrooms, walls to shield students from the elements, and a kitchen. Through donations, we've provided all this, plus two classrooms, a presentation hall, sidewalks, and a fresh coat of paint.
The school principal, Adonai Oviedo, is excited about the changes at his school, and hopes to make even more improvements with our help. He hopes to build a computer lab, in addition to a roof over the sidewalks, sound equipment for community celebrations, and a photocopy machine.
School in session:
Mid-February through mid-December
Gifts to bring if you're visiting:
- Coloring books
- Board games
- Notebooks and sheet paper
- Toothbrushes
- Pencils
Read More
What Makes This Trip Unique
Exclusive Discovery Series Events
- Tropical garden visit. Discover a tropical garden and learn about Costa Rica's unique plants and fruits.
- Home-Hosted Lunch. Sample Costa Rican specialties and hospitality during a lunch with a local family.
- Pottery demonstration. Learn pre-Columbian pottery techniques from local artisans.
Enjoy the opportunity to visit this UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Guanacaste province
10 Reasons to experience Costa Rican Treasures—in the words of our travelers
We often find that the best endorsements of our discovery-rich vacations come directly from our travelers. From the mighty volcano to native wildlife, here are some memorable experiences our travelers shared from their trip to Costa Rica.
Arenal volcano
"The volcano at Arenal was a sight to behold. I could not stop taking pictures of it, as it changed momentarily. I am so happy that it was so clear the day we arrived ..."
A 5-time traveler from Merritt Island, FL
School visit
"Most inspiring was our visit to the school which Grand Circle supports. Each traveler was escorted into the school by one of the children. Some were in uniform and others were in dance costumes. We were entertained, and, in turn, with a small donation from each of us, bought the kids a pinata and we enjoyed seeing them getting it opened and then scrambling for the candy."
A 4-time traveler from Mahwah, NJ
Tortuguero National Park post-trip extension
"We will never forget the morning automatic alarm clock: howler monkeys doing their noisy thing right over the cabins and often jumping onto the cabin roof. You won't oversleep! The boat trip on this extension is a lot of fun. In fact, Tortuguero is the 'jewel in the crown' of Costa Rica."
A 13-time traveler from Irvine, CA
Program Directors
"This was a fantastic trip. Our PD, Oliver, had much to do with making it more than we were expecting ... What was not expected, however, was Oliver's digging away dirt from an unexpected landslide on a road around Lake Arenal. Not only did he enable our bus to get by, but all the backed up traffic as well. This is way above his job description, but wonderfully illustrates how far he's willing to go for his Grand Circle travelers."
An 11-time traveler from Cape Coral, FL
"What a wonderful trip! I saw two green turtles laying eggs amidst a thunder-lighting storm—soaked to the skin BUT so worth it ... Birds—scarlet macaws, roseate spoonbill, toucans, egrets, and the turkey vulture—found everywhere. Plus many, many more!"
A 3-time traveler from Wilmington, DE
Tropical Forest Canopy Ride optional tour
"My favorite part was the zip lining. I wasn't sure I would be able to do this since I'm almost 81. However our guide, Andres, assured me I had to go. Was he ever right!"
A 5-time traveler from Southport, NC
Doka Estate coffee plantation
"The coffee plantation was so interesting and fun. The food was good in the included lunch. We don't even drink coffee, but it was just so interesting and gives you an all new appreciation about the amount of work that goes into your morning cup."
A 3-time traveler from Erie, PA
Guatemala: Antigua & Lake Atitlan post-trip extension
"Our visit to a family who makes clay bricks and roof tiles was a high point for me. I was amazed at the dedication and pride that the father and son had! Also our exposure to the Mayan culture was very educational ... I'm very glad that I did this pre-trip before going to Costa Rica because it gave me a greater understanding of what I have in the US and what advantages the Costa Ricans get to enjoy."
A 2-time traveler from Kerrville, TX
Guaitil pottery demonstration
"We stopped by a local pottery shop known for its continued use of pre-Columbian techniques. The demonstration was excellent—very informative."
A 14-time traveler from Apple Valley, CA
Mangrove Cruise
"I loved the cruise on the Tarcoles River where we saw over 30 species of birds and crocodiles, iguanas, and other wildlife."
A 3-time traveler from Hopkinton, MA
For reservations and information on our trip to Costa Rica, call us toll-free at 1-800-221-2610
Saving Costa Rica's Dry Tropical Forests
Sparking environmental change in the Guanacaste Conservation Area
by Catherine Groux, Grand Circle associate
With this steady stream of destruction, dry forests have become the most endangered ecosystem in the tropics ...
It's easy to see why Costa Rica's Guanacaste Province is sometimes called the "Gold Coast." With hundreds of miles of untamed coastline, a shorter rainy season than the rest of the country, and a laid-back cowboy culture, Guanacaste certainly stands out as one of Costa Rica's most prized regions. But while the province is renowned for its pristine beaches and vibrant colonial culture, it also carries significant ecological importance, setting a shining example of conservationism for not only Costa Rica, but the world.
The destruction of the world's tropical dry forests
Guanacaste is cloaked in an ecosystem known as dry tropical forest—an environment UNESCO describes as "an often overlooked, highly vulnerable global conservation priority." Unlike tropical rain forests, which see a consistent amount of rain throughout the year, this environment faces severe drought from December to May, followed by several months of heavy rainfall.
Just as the world's rain forests are in constant danger, tropical dry forests in Guanacaste and around the world have faced rapid destruction due to fires, logging, farming, and ranching. Today, it is estimated that almost half of the world's tropical dry forest has be converted to other land use. In North and Central America in particular, this figure could be as high as 72%. With this steady stream of destruction, dry forests have become the most endangered ecosystem in the tropics and among the most endangered in the world.
This has caused great concern for the many animals that live in the world's dry forests. In Guanacaste in particular, several species are considered vulnerable or endangered, including the American crocodile, Geoffroy's spider monkey, great curassow, Baird's tapir, mangrove hummingbird, and white-lipped peccary. As dry tropical forests continue to be destroyed, the chance for these creatures' survival continues to fall.
Still, despite the desperate need to preserve what's left of the world's tropical dry forest, very few of these ecosystems are currently protected. In the Americas, it's estimated that only 4.5% of all tropical dry forests are protected by nature reserves, while this figure could be as low as 0.4% in North and Central America in particular.
Finding hope in the Guanacaste Conservation Area
As many countries struggle to preserve their tropical dry forests, Costa Rica is leading the way in the protection of this important ecosystem with the Guanacaste Conservation Area. Beginning in 1971 as Santa Rosa National Park, the Area is now a 147,000-hectare expanse of land and sea in the northwestern corner of the Guanacaste Province, comprised of several national parks, private property, a wildlife refuge, and an experimental forest station. The Conservation Area, named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, was established with the goal of not only protecting an entire tropical dry forest ecosystem, but restoring it to its former majesty.
For this reason, the vast Conservation Area also includes several rain forests and cloud forests, as well as transition areas between these different ecosystems. Including these environments ensures that wildlife indigenous to dry tropical forests have a cooler, wetter ecosystem to retreat to during the dry forest's droughts. At the same time, some biologists predict that if global warming further dries and heats the tropical dry forest in the Conservation Area, several species may make more permanent homes in the cooler rain and cloud forests.
By protecting a wide expanse of dry tropical forest (as well as rain and cloud forests), the Conservation Area has managed to spark the restoration of this once-dwindling ecosystem and continues to ensure its biodiversity flourishes. In order to achieve these goals, Conservation Area staff have worked to eliminate all manmade fires, which were typically set by local farmers to clear out brush and create more farmland. The Area has also experimented with both natural and managed restoration, and focuses on educating local children on the importance of protecting dry tropical forests and other endangered ecosystems.
Today, it is estimated that about 70,000 hectares of what was once fields and pastures has been overtaken by a reemerging dry forest. As the forest reclaims its territory, the populations of the many creatures that call it home are slowly increasing. Still, experts understand that it could take hundreds of years for the tropical dry forest to fully recover from centuries of destruction. Until then, local conservationists and biologists are content with knowing they are protecting one of the world's most vulnerable ecosystems—and hopefully encouraging the rest of the world to do the same.


text:
Fenix: Hey *******.
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Fenix: DID YOU HEAR ME?
Fenix: …
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Fenix: Goddamnit.


text:
Dr Oz Food Craving Killers Dr Oz did a segment called Food Craving Killers with Julie Daniluk. Did you know that EGCG Green Tea Extract, Pine Nut Oil, Wheat Bran and Red Wine Vinegar can all help to curb your cravings? My favorite tip was the Red Wine Vinegar Cocktail recipe that helps you to […]
Posts Tagged ' Dr Oz Red Wine Vinegar Cocktail '
Dr Oz: EGCG Green Tea Extract & Vinegar Cocktail: Food Craving Killers
By Dr Oz Fans on May 26, 2011


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MLS Insider | Kekuta Manneh's Journey from Gambia to Vancouver
How a youngsters from Africa arrived in America and became a professional soccer player
July 6, 2013
MLS Insider, a new weekly show, airs on Friday nights on the NBC Sports Network.
Produced by Hock Films, which is headed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Jonathan Hock, MLS Insider is the initial production of a new initiative called MLS+, the league announced in June.
MLS+ is "a new content and distribution group that brings together top storytellers, producers and digital media partners to create a broad range of soccer programming on multiple platforms," according to a statement released by the league.


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July 4th, 2015
Browse Archive by Day
Utah junior high honored for outreach to students in all situations
10/13/2012 8:53amA Utah junior high school earned the national school of the year title from the National Association of Middle School Principals and Lifetouch.
Haunted house delivers spooks for charity
10/13/2012 9:22amLooking for a good haunt? What about one with a good cause?
College, univ. enrollment drop could be sign of strengthening economy
10/13/2012 11:24amAfter several years of growth, enrollment at Utah's public colleges and universities saw a slight decline this year, according to figures released Friday by the Utah System of Higher Education.
Woman charged with having sex with teens in foster care
10/13/2012 1:37pmA Kearns woman has been charged with rape, forcible sodomy and lewdness after police say she had sex with two teenage boys living with her in foster care.
FrontRunner South, Airport TRAX near completion
10/13/2012 2:51pmCommuters heading to Salt Lake City from Utah County may have an alternative form of transportation sooner than expected.
Alleged drunk driver hits parked vehicle, injures two
10/13/2012 4:45pmA suspected drunk driver hit a parked vehicle and three people standing by it early Saturday morning, according to police.
Before draining, catch limit raised to 8 fish at PG pond
10/13/2012 7:27pmAnglers of all ages are taking home quite a catch in Pleasant Grove after wildlife officials temporarily raised the catch limit.
Cyclists break in 9-mile stretch of Mountain View Corridor
10/13/2012 7:31pmThe Utah Department of Transportation opened yet another portion of the Mountain View Corridor on Saturday, and bicyclists were the first to hit the pavement.
Home show gives inspiration for building, remodeling
10/13/2012 8:33pmIt can be overwhelming to make decisions about building or remodeling a home, but one expert at the Deseret News Home Show has some tips for those in the construction zone.
Singer mistaken for gang member, shot at convenience store
10/13/2012 10:03pmA shooting in the parking lot of a convenience store left one person injured.
Boy nearly drowns in Park City resort
10/13/2012 10:06pmA 4-year-old boy was transported by medical helicopter Saturday after nearly drowning at a Park City resort.
Utah State fundraising campaign brings in $500M
10/13/2012 10:13pmAn almost decade-long fundraising campaign has netted Utah State University more than $500 million for scholarships, new buildings and endowments, a school official said Friday.
Former credit union employee charged with stealing more than $25,000
10/13/2012 10:22pmAn Eagle Mountain man has been charged with stealing more than $25,000 from customers while an employee of Mountain America Credit Union.
Court rules child conceived after father's death not entitled to benefits
10/13/2012 10:24pmA young boy who was conceived from preserved sperm after his father's death is not entitled to Social Security benefits under Utah law, the Utah Supreme Court ruled Friday.
'It was like looking into a snake eye,' says mom of boy shot in eye
10/13/2012 11:59pmIt is said throwing snake eyes is a bad omen, and while looking into her son's eyes after he was shot with a BB gun earlier this summer, Amy Sorensen could not help but agree.
Site Index
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The station representative who can assist a person with disabilities with issues related to the content of the public files is Mike Dowdle, available during regular office hours at email@example.com and (801) 575-5555.
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Whats size and MD5 of Win 8 Pro x64 ISO from Upgrade Assistant (not the leaks or from torrents)?
I was thinking maybe my problems came from installation with an incomplete iso.
Was thinking of doing a refresh but theres no point if the iso is not right.
My iso size is 2.63GB.
MD5: f228beb16c0aa11e830cd0985e102b4d


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Quick Links
Shop All Jewelry
RGZ11363 In Stock Absolutely No Delay on Personalization!
Mother's rings are always a great and meaningful way to show your special loved one how much they mean to you. Our Sterling Silver Fancy Swirl 4 Stone Family Birthstone ring is a sparkly and fun way to symbolize your family. Choose from any of our birthstone month colors for the 4 stone settings or your loved ones favorite colors. Pick 2 stones to symbolize Mom and Dad and 2 stones to symbolize the Children! Surrounding these lovely stone settings are petite and glittery cz stones to add more luxurious detail to this piece. The total size of this family birthstone ring is approximately 7/8 inches in length and 6/8 inches wide. Give the gift she'll love!
Eve's Addiction.com wants you to be a happy customer. We want you to be completely satisfied with the sterling silver jewelry that you receive from us, as we only sell high quality silver and cubic zirconia cz jewelry. We do understand that you may not like your purchase for some reason.
You may return or exchange your jewelry within 60 days of purchase if you are not satisfied with it. The jewelry must be returned in its original condition for a refund or exchange. Engraved, personalized, photo, monogram, name and initial, chocolate and clearance items are not returnable or exchangeable.


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Main Content
The Electric Manifold backpack is definitely the king of all bags with its insane storage space! You'll reach total organization with the Hypalon buckled front panel that opens to reveal organizer pockets, pen slots, hook and loop fasteners, an iPad pocket and a lined sunglass pocket. This bag also features a large main compartment with padded interior pockets, a side zippered pocket with a padded compartment for a laptop, a lined side pocket, a top zippered pocket and a niche on the back for things like your passport or valuables. The crazy comfortable adjustable shoulder straps and top carry handle will make this backpack a perfect travel companion whether you're headed across town or across the country.
- 100% 420D Nylon
- Custom rubber coated buckles
- Hypalon front panel opens to organizer pockets
- Imported
- Large main compartment with padded interior pockets
- Lined iPad pocket
- Lined padded laptop compartment
- Lined sunglass pocket
- Lined zippered side pocket
- Measures 14" x 21" x 8"
- Metal logo emblem
- Padded adjustable backpack straps
- Top carry handle with woven logo clip tag
- Waterproof zippers
- Zippered back compartment with pockets and mesh pocket
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Special event items are produced by manufacturers only after the outcome of a game or event. These are advanced sale items and will ship immediately after they are received in our warehouse.
Manufacturer direct items are shipped directly from the manufacturer. These items are not available for international or expedited shipping.
Customized items can be personalized with options such as your name, your favorite number, and/or designs. Some options may be limited by league rules.