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The Xbox live membership deal is back! If you are an Xbox Live fan, this is one of the best deals on this subscription at 33% off. It's currently $39.99 with for the digital online game code for a Xbox Live 12 Month Gold Membership. Xbox Live is very popular with the teens as it gives you the ability to play online with your Kinect unit and with friends, you can watch HD programs from Netflix and Hulu, plus explore the web on your T.V. If your teen loves this subscription, this would make a great gift.
Shop for the Xbox Live 12 Month Gold Membership [Online Game Code]
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Intel: Integrated Marketing — Getting It Right
August 26, 2010
Nancy Bhagat leads Intel's integrated marketing group, which pioneered a new open source agency model and drove various digital innovations. She shared key learnings and best practices behind the success of Intel's integrated marketing programs.
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New Super Mario Bros. 2
5 Things this game needs to succeed.
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parkourboybryan 5 years ago#1
2. Power up Variety: Have a whole bunch of power ups, but make them each as useful for accomplishing goals. Have the raccoon suit let you fly over the course, while the Shell and Hammer suit could block attacks by hiding under their cover, and the boomerang suit could reach star coins that would regularly be out of reach (ala SM3DL). The fire flower could light torches to reveal hidden rooms and exits.
3. Outstanding level and boss design: I don't care if the same themes from NSMB and Wii return, but make them way more challenging than they actually were (Level 7 Star world Wii is what we need in the final world). Have 16 worlds, while the first 8 focus on Bowser Jr. and the Koopalings with Boom Boom and Pom Pom, while the second eight actually pit you against Bowser and bring back old bosses and enemies from previous games (Goomboss, King Bob-omb, Whomp King, Petey Piranha, Gooper Blooper, King Boo, King Caliente) I'd like to see how a lot of these bosses would transition to a 2D sidescroller.
4. Actual Multiplayer: I don't mean "Have you run through the same levels with 4 people instead of one", make a whole separate campaign with new levels that require actual Co-op to complete. Have the Ma and the Wa bros be your characters, Mario is the well rounded one, Luigi jumps the highest but has the least traction, Waluigi runs the fastest and jumps second highest, and Wario runs and jumps worse but takes one extra hit to compensate. Make them work together to solve puzzles by equally distributing weight or throwing each other up to higher platforms. Don't do online though since the 3DS has no report or griefing system, because I could forsee people messing with each other to no end just to piss people off. Even have competitive modes.
5. Expandable world map a la SMW: Have different exits, branches to different worlds and a whole slew of ways to navigate the map to the end goal.
Those would make the game a 9-10 for me, what would you want?
N3DS: 2578-3112-7023 GT: ParkourBoyBryan PSN: parkourboy16
Not changing my sig until DICE officially announces Mirror's Edge 2
djmaster1994 5 years ago#2
My five thing is
1. Online
2. Create your own levels(Mario vs Donkey Kong Stlye sharing and uploading)
3. New Game Plus(HARD MODE)
4. 12 Worlds and one special
5. New Characters
Nintendo 3DS FC: 4725-8393-6525/Steam: djk1ng
PS3:DjK1NG(BF3 and CoD: BO)
PaperDolphin 5 years ago#3
1. More Playable Characters (not just Mario & Luigi)
2.Unique Bosses (hopefully no repeats like NSMB, NSMBW, and SM3DL)
3.Good Power-ups (Like Hammer Suit, Blue Shell, and new ones)
4.Lots of levels/Longer Levels
5.Good Replay Value ( Secret World, not like SM3DL with repeats, Maybe a visual change like SMW)
SMASHKING84 5 years ago#4
New Game Plus(HARD MODE)
yes never mind in every mario game since world(except nsmb ds) the game's default difficulty is already hard (of course people neve admit any game not name lost levels or kaizo is hard)
Maybe a hard mode would be nice for you but i'd like to actually play the default difficulty in a game and not feel like i'm playing hard mode
it really gets old that mario fans always whine for hard games last time i checked smb 3 was pretty damn easy and no one ever calls it too easy
The Official Jester of The NDF Most Wanted:Pkmn Conquest,Pm3ds,and Smash 4/3ds&NSMB 2!
AdmiralQball 5 years ago#5
1. I'm ok with
2. The more powerups the better as far as I'm concered
3. Great level design and difficulty arn't really the same thing. If they did the same as SM3DL I would be happy. And for bosses, I prefer fewer and simpler bosses, like Wii and 3dLand had.
4. I don't like that idea at all.
5. Eh, everyone seems to think the SMW map was so incredible, when it really wasn't. NSMBW had a decent map. I would just like them to be larger and have more mini-games/mini-stages.
Pearl FC 3909 4588 9972
White FC 0905 6248 6243
Looking at how well the last two NSMB games did, I'm pretty sure that this one is going to succeed regardless of whether or not it has any of the things that you mentioned.
1. Difficulty
2. Variety in worlds
3. Originality
4. Brand new power ups
5. Sprites
Respect isn't learned, it's earned.
Nuclear_Pie 5 years ago#8
Nailed it. Those 5 sound A+ to me, nothing to add.
Mercy is not a weakness. Its the strength that separates you from them.
pikachupwnage 5 years ago#9
What I want
Level creator
16 worlds
Different level themes. Give us
Obligatory grassland
Space(With gravity similar to galaxy)
Fire and ice(Think freezeflame and shiveburn)
I don't post often but when I do.....I triple post. Stay posty my friends -Lord Frood
Official Special ops beserker general of the NDF
GoldenSun3DS 5 years ago#10
Simply adding a Level Creator would make the game sell massively.
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Budapest (Feb. 18)
Bishop Dr. Desider Balthazar, the head of the Calvinist Church in Hungary, has published a protest against the conversionist work among the Jews which is being carried on in Hungary by the Budapest Mission of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland.
Organised conversionist activity ought to be carried on only among those peoples who have not yet attained to a high moral and spiritual conception of God, the Bishop says. No one can say that this is true of the Jews. When Judaism, therefore, points out, as it has every right to do, that it has given the world its noblest idea of God and its highest ethical ideals, that its holy scriptures are also the holy scriptures of Christianity, that there is no other religious community in the world which, in spite of being a small minority among the peoples, has given the world such an immense number of great men in science, art, economic life, and in every other field of activity, that the Dispersion and persecution and suffering have not destroyed its faith, then every thinking man must come
to the conclusion that the Jewish religion has the power to make men noble and happy. I have learnt from my Christian faith that no man should be robbed of the consolation of the religion in which he finds happiness, and that no man should be robbed of his religious tradition and his sense of the value of his religious faith. the great services which Judaism has rendered to the whole world go to teach us Hungarian Christians that we must have nothing to do with conversionist work among the Jews, which can only bring a feeling of resentment and estrangement.
Bishop Balthazar, who is the Primate of the Church to which Admiral Horthy, the Regent of Hungary, belongs, played a heroic part in saving many Jews from the pogromists during the White Terror in Hungary. he used to go about the streets of Debreszin with a big crucifix, which, at the risk of his own life, he would hold up over any Jew who was being attacked and under its protection he would lead him to safety.
The Bishop is one of the leaders of the Liberal Democratic movement in Hungary and a strenuous opponent of antisemitism and of the numerus clausus. When antisemitic disturbances occurred in 1928 at the Debreszin University, of which he is Chancellor, he issued a statement to the press of the world dissociating himself and the authorities of the University from the antisemitic activities: I am anxious to explain to the press of ###e world, he wrote, that the authorities of Debreszin University were in no way involved in the deplorable incidents which have taken place here. I regard it as my duty, for it was from me during my American visit, that the civilised world learned of the spirit of Debreszin University, to inform those who have assisted us, that the University authorities have nothing whatever in common with the reactionary student movement, and that they do not approve of these demonstrations, or of the hate-engendered Numerus Clausus.


text: Specialized's Shasta Shorts are stylish and comfy, whether you're on the bike, at the gym or just hanging out. Featuring Specialized's stretch-woven VaporRize outer for moisture transfer and breathability, these comfy shorts also sport an integrated liner with their Women's MTB chamois for ride-all-day comfort. You'll appreciate the Deflect UV 50+ sun protection, a waistband pocket, and a pair of hand pockets.


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Clearing the dead wood from your e-mail marketing file has been recommended anew these days for everything from reducing churn to lowering costs to improving the new engagement metrics used for inbox placement and deliverability. Logically, it makes sense. More active subscribers are more likely to respond. Emotionally, however, many marketers are hesitant – or even loathe – to do it because reducing file size is so opposite our desire to reach the largest number of people with every campaign.
Perhaps some recent experiences will help you make the case for your own program. Surprisingly, clearing off non-active addresses has also actually improved response, as well.
That boost in response is not just on the rate off a smaller base, but is also on absolute response and revenue per subscriber. Why does this happen? By focusing on the needs of active subscribers, marketers improve relevancy and lower frequency and start to segment the file with tighter subscriber profiles. We talk a lot about relevancy in e-mail marketing, but the only way to improve it – and boost response – is to create stronger subscriber experiences.
E-mail marketing – like all direct marketing – starts and ends with the quality of your file. Permission is a part of that, but it's just the starting point. We must earn the right to the inbox with the value of every message we send. Most messages, unfortunately, don't have high value to many subscribers.
Thus, even permission files end up with anywhere from 25 to 65 percent of their file being inactive, or dead wood. These are subscribers who, despite giving permission at some point, have not opened, clicked, or converted from e-mail in the past year, or more. For a long time, it was widely believed to be reasonable to keep all those "dead" addresses on your file, as it didn't cost much to e-mail them, and having a larger denominator made complaint rates and other deliverability metrics seem lower. Plus, we marketers are ever hopeful. While the subscriber hasn't responded to e-mail in a long time, we still believe that it could be today's message that rouses them to profitable response! Of course, very few of these sleepers ever wake up.
However, the ISPs and mailbox providers like Yahoo, Hotmail, and Gmail have long been suspicious of marketers who keep such non-responsive data on the file, believing that we are trying to game the system and escape penalties of higher complaint rates. So, in the past six months, all three of these global providers have introduced new metrics as well as new inbox management tools that help them see subscriber-level activity. MSN/Hotmail was the first to announce the use of activity measures to block senders from a particular subscriber's inbox (I wrote about this in early September).
All of this attention on engagement and subscriber activity puts a brighter spotlight on "win back" campaigns, where an e-mail message is sent with the express purpose of earning some sort of response. Most marketers do this campaign way too late in the lifecycle. It's very difficult to use e-mail to recapture the attention of someone who has been ignoring your messages for six months or more. At the two year mark, it's extremely unlikely to be successful. This is evidenced by the very low response rates marketers earn on such programs – regardless of the creative approach. I've never seen anyone earn even 1 percent on a campaign to 12-month or higher non-responders. Of course, if you have a million people in that segment, winning back 1 percent could be a large number of subscribers, and worth the effort.
Better, I recommend sending the campaign earlier in the cycle. In fact, consider incorporating a win back in your calendar every quarter. Take the subscribers who have not opened, clicked, or converted via e-mail in the past 90 days and encourage them to interact. You don't necessarily need them to purchase, you just need them to indicate that they are still interested in your e-mail program. Any click will do.
As in any campaign, respect your subscribers, be honest about the offer in the subject line and offer, keep the message and tone in line with your brand, and test a couple of alternatives, especially subject lines. Segment and customize the messages as much as you can to make them more relevant. For example:
- A publisher tested several approaches and found that "We hate spam, too. Change your e-mail settings now" in the subject line was the best way to encourage 90-day non-active readers to adjust frequency and title choices. Typically, I find that clarity trumps clever in a subject line – just say clearly what the message is about.
- An online service found that disposing of non-actives after just 30 days (after a reminder that if they didn't click to confirm they would be taken off the list) improved not just the response rate, but also the overall response of the program. This is an aggressive list-cleansing approach, but is a strong differentiation point for the company's advertisers.
- A retailer incorporated a campaign to six-month inactive subscribers inviting them to vote for the next catalog cover. The engaging campaign consistently earns 25 percent click-through rates. By focusing on the click (the action needed to prove that the subscriber is not truly dead), the campaign earns a very high response rate, and while subscribers are on the website, many take advantage of specials offered on the landing page, too.
- A retailer tested the effect of a win-back campaign vs. lowering frequency to six-month inactive accounts. Lowering frequency is a commonly used tactic to respect non-responding subscribers' level of interest, but of course, does nothing to actually engage them. The win-back was the clear winner, earning 10 percent response rates and $900,000 in revenue, vs. the 2 percent response rate and $150,000 in revenue from the segment with lower frequency.
Creative does matter, so take some time and consider some cool ways to reach out. Test new approaches and focus on subject lines, too. Be sure that your brand impact is high in order to claim whatever loyalty you have built over time. Ignore this important segment at your own peril – you may not only be leaving revenue on the table, but you will also soon find your sender reputation and inbox placement taking a hit.
Let us know how you have successfully reengaged subscribers in the comments section below.
Related reading
How Lonely Planet used email to help launch its new homepage
Earlier this year Lonely Planet launched a new home page, refreshing a website that had been around since the mid-90s. Seb Neylan, Director of Online Marketing tells us about the role email played in the site launch, and what the future looks like for Lonely Planet.
10 email marketing tools to help build, send, automate and optimize your campaigns
Email isn't the easiest channel to master, but luckily there are several email marketing tools to help nail every step of a campaign. This article covers everything from building an email template to post-campaign optimization. So what can these email marketing tools help with?
Influencing the customer journey is just as important as understanding it
For years, marketers have scrutinized every aspect of the customer journey--but it is becoming increasingly apparent that just understanding it isn't enough. Here's how technology is enabling marketers to go from understanding to influencing their customers' journeys.
7 things everyone forgets to ask their email marketing vendor
At times, selecting an email marketing vendor can feel like walking around a Moroccan souk. Display a slight interest and providers will descend on you from all angles, promising you the world in a language you don't fully understand. So how can you cut through the noise and find out who can deliver?


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by Beth Fox | Apr. 5, 2013, 1:29 PM
It was a jam-packed week of excitement: More reaction from the new Class of 2017; celebrating the arrival of spring; celebrity sightings; and things got a little squirrely on April 1.
Media Inquiries:
Beth Fox, (615) 322-NEWS
myVU, myVU News, The Vanderbilt Story Admissions, Class of 2017, instagram, social media, twitter, Weekly Social, youtube
There are lots of ways to keep up with Vanderbilt. Choose your preferred method:


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Since over a decade, KAIZEN
PHARMACEUTICALS is considered as India's leading name in the sphere of
manufacturing pharmaceutical drugs. Besides, our specially formulated
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the blend of several ingredients and high-tech methodology. We strictly
follow the industrial norms to bring forth an enormous range that does
not leave any harmful effects on your health. The company is
headquartered in Baddi, Himachal with well equipped laboratory
facilities that enables to manufacture a comprehensive range of
pharmaceutical drugs. Ever since its inception, the company is
consistently growing under the able guidance of Mr. Vivek Khanduja. His
astute leadership assisted us to expand our business network throughout
the country.
A comprehensive range of our pharmaceutical Drugs are made out of
ingredients of medicinal extracts. All the medicines are carefully
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We pay special emphasis towards the quality and ensure that all our
pharmaceutical Drugs are manufactured at par with international quality
standards. We have gained a good name in the most competitive industry
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dispatchment. We conduct stringent testing procedures and examined the
products on the following parameters:


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G.O.P. Voters Voice Anxieties On Party's Fate
By ADAM NAGOURNEY and MEGAN THEE; Marjorie Connelly and Marina Stefan contributed reporting.
Published: March 13, 2007
After years of political dominance, Republican voters now view their party as divided and say they are not satisfied with the choice of candidates seeking the Republican presidential nomination in 2008, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News poll.
In a survey that brought to life the party's anxieties about keeping the White House, Republicans said they were concerned that their party had drifted from the principles of Ronald Reagan, its most popular figure of the past 50 years.
Forty percent of Republicans said they expected Democrats to take control of the White House next year, compared with 46 percent who said they believed a Republican would win. Just 12 percent of Democrats said they thought the opposing party would win the White House.
Even as Republican voters continued to support President Bush and the war in Iraq, including the recent increase in the number of American troops deployed there, they said a candidate who backed Mr. Bush's war policies would be at a decided disadvantage in 2008. And they suggested that they were open to supporting a candidate who broke with the president on a crucial aspect of his Iraq strategy.
Asked what was more important to them in a nominee, a commitment to stay in Iraq until the United States succeeds or flexibility about when to withdraw, 58 percent of self-identified Republican primary voters said flexibility versus 39 percent who said a commitment to stay. The three leading Republican candidates are strong supporters of the war and the increase in American troops there.
The poll, which was designed to survey more Republicans than it normally would to provide a better statistical look at the mood of the party, found signs that members were uneasy about its future.
''There is going to be so much antiwar in the news media that there is no way the Republicans are going to win,'' Randy Miller, 54, a Republican from Kansas, said in a follow-up interview after participating in the poll. ''The Democrats will win because of the war. I think the Republicans just won't vote.''
Compared with the Democrats, Republicans appear far less happy with their choice of candidates for 2008 and are still looking for someone who can improve the party's prospects, the poll found.
While nearly 6 in 10 Democratic voters in the poll said they were satisfied with the candidates now in the race for their party's nomination, nearly 6 in 10 Republicans said they wanted more choices. Yet the poll found that a substantial number of Republicans did not know enough about their leading contenders -- Senator John McCain of Arizona; Rudolph W. Giuliani, former mayor of New York; and Mitt Romney, former governor of Massachusetts -- to offer an opinion of them.
''I think the Republican candidate has not appeared yet,'' said Richard Gerrish, 69, a Republican from Green-acres, Fla. ''The ones we have now will run out of steam. Someone will come along later that will do better.''
For all that, the poll found that Republican voters remain largely loyal to Mr. Bush and his positions on the issues. Among Republicans, 75 percent approve of his job performance, and by overwhelming numbers they approve of his handling of foreign policy, the war in Iraq and the management of the economy.
Propelled by this Republican support, the poll registered an increase in the percentage of Americans who say they approve of Mr. Bush's performance; it has increased to 34 percent now from 29 percent last month.
The poll highlights a Republican weakness going into next year's election. Just 34 percent of all respondents said they had a favorable view of the Republican Party, and that is the lowest it has been since December 1998. By contrast, 47 percent of respondents said they had a positive view of the Democratic Party.
And by a 20-point margin, respondents said that if the election were held today they would vote for an unnamed Democrat for president rather than a Republican. Such questions are hardly predictive of the outcome of an election so far away, but they do offer an insight into the health of the party today.
Even as Republicans said they supported Mr. Bush's performance, they showed divisions over the party's ideological makeup; 39 percent of Republican voters said they wanted the next Republican presidential nominee to continue with Mr. Bush's policies; 19 percent said they wanted the next president to become less conservative, and 39 percent more conservative.
''I think he's spending too much money,'' said Marjorie Bickel, a Republican from Indiana. ''The money's going to have to come from somewhere, and I think they'll raise the taxes and take the money out of Social Security, which they shouldn't.''
Republican strategists said they were not surprised about the poll's findings, though they said Republicans were too pessimistic in concluding now that the party could not win in 2008.
''People should be concerned -- we've had a tough last year and a half or so,'' said Glenn Bolger, a Republican strategist. ''But if you go back in time to 1991, the Democrats had a lot of the same concerns, both about the candidates running and their possibility of winning. And it turned out pretty well for them.''


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Dynegy's board of directors has accepted a sweetened takeover bid by Blackstone Group LP, though the deal still must be approved by shareholders.
The private equity group on Tuesday increased its offer for the Houston power plant owner by 11 percent to $5 per share.
Blackstone's move follows opposition to the original deal from financier Carl Icahn, who owns a nearly 13 percent stake in Dynegy and has said he would against the deal.
The shareholder vote is expected later Wednesday.


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Earrings are the essential finishing touch to everything you wear. At Gemvara, we believe that your earrings should be as unique as you. All our stylish earrings are made to order in your choice of gems and precious metals. Choose sapphire and white gold or diamond and platinum: it's your choice. Mix and match gems and precious metals for a look that's exactly you. It's jewelry for all life's occasions, from a birthday or holiday to your own personal milestones and celebrations. Gemvara uses only the highest quality materials to craft your october birthstone tourmaline teen earrings with meticulous attention to detail. The gem of creativity and innovation, tourmaline has the power to inspire artistic expression. Available in a rich palette, there is a tourmaline for every jewelry design. Gemvara offers tourmaline in a warm pink and a lush green. Tourmaline is an October birthstone and the 8th anniversary gem. Our precious metals are recycled or responsibly mined. Our wide selection of october birthstone tourmaline teen earrings by Ji Hwang, Gemvara Essentials, Jessica Behzad, and other talented designers means you can find earrings that are exactly your style. Choose a personalized style from our fashionable and fun teen jewelry collection for a gift she'll wear always. You can choose your favorite earring backs too. Gemvara's fine quality october birthstone tourmaline teen earrings are designed to be passed down for generations to come, crafted by hand in the United States.
We can help right away. Chat with a jewelry expert now!


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To begin with, although this page is underneath the 'Activities and Adventures' section, this doesn't mean that you should view 'volunteering' as just another thing to do in South East Asia. Before you decide that you want to be a volunteer you must think carefully about what you can offer, how long you are willing to commit and also do your research thoroughly on the kind of organization that you want to get involved with.
Before you start, we advise that you read this:
Responsible Volunteering: 15 Points to Consider
To begin with, you will need to think about the type of volunteering you would like to take part in. Are you particularly good with children? Do you want to get your hands dirty with some conservation work? Or do you see yourself as an English teacher?
The following charities and NGO's have been recommended to S.E.A Backpacker:
Volunteering with children and education-based
- Volunteering with Orphan Impact in Vietnam (Read the interview with Tad Kincaid, founder of Orphan Impact in Issue #14 – page 48)
- ConCERT Cambodia – "Connecting Communities, Environment & Responsible Tourism" – is a not for profit social organisation based in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
- WLS International – (World Language Studies – Volunteering Abroad in Cambodia, Sri Lanka, China, India, Nepal, Thailand and Vietnam.
- PURE! Volunteer – PURE! focuses on increasing opportunities for children, adolescents and mothers in Cambodia, Bali and Indoneisa by providing free education and training. PURE! also advises on responsible travel and volunteering.
- Interweave Cambodia – International Work Exchange And Volunteer Experiences, is a non-profit organisation which promotes cross-cultural understanding and awareness through volunteer programmes in Cambodia.
- Globalteer – A UK based Charity providing overseas volunteer placements in orphanages, schools and community projects in Asia and South America.
- In Search of Sanuk – Using the Thai word for fun or "sanuk", American Dwight Turner, challenges you to create your lifestyle of giving, working with street children in Bangkok. (Read Dwight's Article in Issue #8 – page 16) or follow Dwight on Twitter @InSearchOfSanuk
- CHA – The Cambodian Handicraft Association (View on Trade Aid) – CHA seeks to assist landmine and polio disabled reintegrate into society. Read Article by Rebecca Gennard about her experience with CHA in Issue #15 (page 50)
- OBT – a non-governmental organization that operates in Chiro village, 5km from Kampong Cham that is run only by Cambodian staff. OBT enables underprivileged young Cambodians from the countryside to achieve free English and Hospitality courses, in order to facilitate their future employment and to give them the chance to go on to higher education. They offer home-stays and volunteering – www.obtcambodia.wordpress.com
- Sambhali Trust is a non-profit, grass-roots, charitable organisation whose focus is the development and empowerment of women and girls in Rajasthan. The goals of the Sambhali Women Empowerment Policy are to bring about the advancement, development and empowerment of women. The objectives include: creating a suitable environment for the development of women through the implementation of positive economic and social policies; helping asset-less and marginalized women become economically self-reliant; offering access to health care, quality education, employment, equal compensation and social security.
- International NGO – AHHA Education – Currently looking for interns in Thailand (Buriram province) and volunteers who can teach english in Cambodia, East Timor, Laos, India and Thailand. Check out more info on their website and Facebook.
- Sawah Bali – An opportunity to learn sustainable farming in a small Balinese village, the aim of this NGO is to conserve and sustain a working landscape in Bali and to restructure agricultural production to secure greater economic equality and wellness for farmers. The NGO is looking for volunteers and charges $375 / month fee to cover accommodation and our administration.
Volunteering with animals
- Lanta Animal Welfare – Volunteering with stray animals in Koh Lanta, Thailand (Read volunteer's experience here: Volunteering – it's a dogs life! Volunteering at Koh Lanta Animal Welfare By Jessica Simmonds)
- Dutch organization, Bring the Elephant Home Charity and Thai based The Surin Project – Elephant conservation in Thailand, recommended by Suzanne van Gils and Manouk Maas in #Issue 20 (Read their letter of the month in Issue #20)
- Volunteer Cat & Dog Rescue – Organised project with 'Teh Bamboo Project' – Help to look after the stray cat and dog population of Koh Samui, Thailand.
Conservation work
- Mr T's Organic Farm, Vang Vieng, Laos – Read Penny Atkinson's blog about her time working on the farm
- Mindful Farm, Chiang Mai, Thailand – Read Article by Jessica Williams about her experience of Mindful Farm in Issue #15 (page 52)
- Rak Tamachat Natural Living Farm, Sikhiu, Thailand- Live with nature, not against it, help us to develop natural sustainable ways of life, and share with others.
- Koh Samui – Beach and Build – Help to brighten up the classroom environment for an underfunded government school in Koh Samui, Thailand. Organised project with 'The Bamboo Project'.
Medical work
- The AIPNO is an Indian based volunteering company looking for those interested in helping with a rural medical mission. To contact the AIPNO President Dr. Jaya Shah directly, email firstname.lastname@example.com.
- Lao Friends Hospital for Children – Opened Feb 2015, is in great need of volunteers and applications are accepted on a rolling and continual basis throughout the year. Currently seeking Nurses and Doctors, as well as Sterilization, Radiology, and Laboratory Technicians. Additionally, all trained medical professionals and individuals interested in volunteering are welcome to send their resume at any time. For more information check out their page here.
- Angkor Hospital for Children – Looking for volunteer doctors, surgeons, anesthesiologists, pediatric residents, medical students, dentists, nurses, physiotherapists, laboratory scientists, laboratory technicians, respiratory therapists, and other medical professionals. Due to the growing popularity of AHC's volunteer program it is advisable to apply as early as possible. See more info here.
Other Resources
- Help Exchange – HelpX is an online listing of farmstays, hotels and even sailing boats who invite volunteers to stay in exchange for food and accommodation.
- Nerdy Nomad – A.K.A. Kirsty Henderson is a traveller turned volunteer who has worked in disaster zones all over the world. You can purchase her e-book 'The Underground Guide to International Volunteering' on her blog and read about her experiences.
- Volunteer Global – Offering internships volunteering abroad.
- Workaway – A site set up to promote fair exchange between budget travellers, language learners or culture seekers and families, individuals or organizations who are looking for help with a range of activities.


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Who Killed Scott Ruffalo?
That's a question that's been gnawing at some people around Hollywood since the brother of actor Mark Ruffalo turned up dead from a gunshot wound on December 8th.
We've seen the official Autopsy Report and it raises at least as many questions as it answers.
The front page of the report is clear; Ruffalo died of a gunshot wound to the head. The gun that killed him was fired from above and in front Ruffalo's head, while held at a 45 degree angle. The bullet entered right in the center of his hairline in the right center upper part of his forehead. Later the report says the "medium caliber bullet with copper jacket" was recovered at the right occipital lobe of the brain, in the very back of his head, after cutting a path through his brain and doing massive damage. The bullet was placed in an envelope.
The report says the 39-year-old Ruffalo "according to police, was involved in a game of Russian Roulette when he suffered a gunshot wound to the head."
In case you missed the Christopher Walken scene in "The Deer Hunter," that means he pulled the trigger himself.
Was Ruffalo incapacitated on drugs at the time?
The report notes the presence in his blood of cocaine, morphine derivatives and a chemical found in anti-depressant and anti-anxiety drugs.
The report also says "no soot is noted on the wound margins or on the skull." Soot (the gunpowder burn residue) would normally be present in the case of a gun fired at close range. The Coroner's office acknowledges the soot could have been cleaned off by a doctor looking at the wound.
There wasn't any "stippling" either. Those are small, scattered indentations around a wound caused by the force of the blast. Maybe the gun was fired from further away? Maybe around four feet? So where did the Russian Roulette story come from?
Turns out that's courtesy of a beautiful young woman named Shaha Mishaal Adham. She's the daughter of a wealthy Saudi businessman. She and Scott knew each other because Adham paid Ruffalo (a successful Beverly Hills stylist) "hundreds of dollars to blow-dry her hair." And she was in the apartment.
Adham apparently saw what happened and, on the advice of her boyfriend, fled. Afterwards Adham was brought in by Beverly Hills Police for questioning.
Why did she tell the cops it was suicide?
Later Adham was released with no charges. Then later the BHPD said there was still another person in the room with Adham and Ruffalo. So who was that person?
Autopsies tell all kinds of things; Scott Ruffalo was in generally good health, although he suffered from some type of seizure disorder. He had a tattoo; "a winged beetle over a tribal band on right upper forearm."
While the gunshot didn't kill Scott Ruffalo instantly it might as well have. The report notes the damage to his brain was irreversible. The document also notes that Ruffalo's wife, Lulu, was at his side and that she declined to allow the donation of any of his organs. But the family did decide not to prolong his life unnecessarily.
Scott Ruffalo died four and a half hours after life support was discontinued.
At the end of the report the Coroner ruled that, despite what police said initially, this case is a homicide. Unsolved. Today a spokesperson for the Beverly Hills Police Dept told us they are investigating "aggressively" but they don't have anything new. And they want to be sure before they prosecute anyone.


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FP's new ebook goes inside Mali
- By Joshua Keating
Joshua Keating was an associate editor at Foreign Policy
There are major developments in Mali's civil war today after Islamist fighters reportedly took the central town of Konna. The BBC calls it the most serious fighting the country has seen since government forces were routed from Northern Mali in April, 2012.
Mali's violence is a complicated story that has gotten precious little coverage in the Western media. To get up to speed on the conflict, you'll want to start with Peter Chilson's new ebook "We Never Knew Exactly Where," which features both gripping first-hand reporting from rebel-held territory and an illuminating history going back to the colonization of West Africa. It's the first of our new "Borderlands" series of ebooks produced in cooperation with the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting.


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" Address: Exning Road / Newmarket CB8 0EA / Suffolk "
I have been a member of Newmarket Leisure Centre for several years now and have seen it change several times to the excellent sports and leisure centre that it is today. I mainly joined the Leisure Centre so that I could use the gym, although over the years I have tried out various other activities that they have to offer. I actually had my first experience of Newmarket Leisure Centre when I was at school as it was on the same site as my Upper School and we would use the facilities for our PE lessons, however at that time I had no interest in sports or working out what so ever so never really took any interest in it. However after leaving school I decided it was time to get fit and completed my membership for the Leisure Centre.
Joining the Newmarket Leisure Centre
Joining the Newmarket Leisure Centre is very easy, you had a variety of options to choose from depending on your needs, these include
* Premier Plus - This is a complete unlimited health and fitness package. With this package you have access to the fitness studio (the gym) all group exercise classes, all racquet sports, fitness swimming sessions and water workout classes, basically this package includes more or less everything you can do at the leisure centre. This is actually the package me and my husband have as it works out cheaper for us, we mainly use the gym but it would work out more expensive for us to either pay as you go or have a different package.
* Premier Active (Fitness Racquet Sport) - This package includes access to the fitness studio, all group 2 exercise classes and all racquet sports including table tennis.
* Play Plus (Racquet Sports & Swimming) - This includes all racquet sports, including table tennis and all public and fitness swimming sessions as well as all water workout classes.
* Play Active (Just Racquet Sports) - As the name suggests this includes just racquet sports as well as table tennis
*Swim Active - This includes all public and fitness swimming sessions, the sauna and steam room as well as the aqua gym
* Club Active - This is Health and Fitness for the under 16's It includes all swimming and splash fun sessions, junior toners (the gym) and aqua gym as well as various other activities aimed at children
So as you can see when it comes to joining Newmarket Leisure Centre you do have a large choice of memberships to go for, the process is very simple and consists of filling in a short form. We opted for the complete package, whilst it is the most expensive one it works out the cheapest for us and it also gives us the option to use all of the facilities available should we wish. Lately we have only been using the gym, however in the past we have played various racquet sports, if we had of had to pay separately for these then it would have worked out more expensive for us. However the range of memberships to choose from does cater for most people including children so there really is something for everyone,
The Leisure Centre
Newmarket leisure Centre has doubled in size since I have been going, the building is now has a large spacious entrance with a reception at one end, it is in this area that you will find the swimming pools and also the café, all of the other sports courts can be found located behind the reception along with various other changing areas. The Leisure Centre has two floors, the second floor has the gym located on it along with a second reception desk as well as further changing facilities, a sauna, steam room and also various other studios which are used for various classes. The leisure centre has a bright and open feel to it, the whole place is always spotlessly clean, located around the building are various vending machines selling drinks and snacks, however bins are also provided and there is never any rubbish laying around. All of the changing facilities and toilets are also extremely clean. The building is designed to cater for everyone, all the doorways have double doors which open so that disabled visitors or visitors in wheelchairs can access all areas, and there are also lifts up to the next floor so that again disabled members can attend the gym. All of the corridors and walkways are wide again making it easy for all visitors to get around quickly and easily. Although the new Leisure Centre has been open a while now it still looks new, it is extremely well maintained and all of the equipment whether it's in the gym or the sports equipment is very well maintained. From time to time you do find the odd thing is out of order, however these are always clearly labelled whether it is a piece of gym equipment or a vending machine with the date that the engineer is attending, so they really do keep their visitors well informed, you do not spend months with the same things not working, all problems are dealt with quickly. When walking around the Leisure Centre you will find plenty of staff, the reception desks are always well manned as are the pool areas and the gym, if you have a problem or a question you do not have to go far to find a member of staff to help there is always someone near by, and all of the staff are very helpful, friendly and extremely knowledgeable and if they do not know what the answer is to your question they will happily find someone to help.
The Gym (Fitness Studio)
For me the gym is the main reason why I joined Newmarket Leisure Centre originally and still after all these years is the main thing that I use when I go up there. Over the last few years the whole of the Leisure Centre has had a massive make over and the gym is now the best it has ever been. The whole of the gym contains the latest Technogym Wellness Technology, I first had experience of this when I attended another local gym whilst ours was being revamped. This equipment is modern and up to day and allows you to have what is know as a Wellness Key, this guides you through your workout and allows you to keep track of your progress. You can have a tailor made workout uploaded to your wellness key, then when you arrive at the gym you sign in with the keys at the pods, here you can see what you need to do to complete the workout, once you have finished you then sign out in the same way and can see what you have done and how you are progressing. Although you have a tailor made programme on your key it is not set in concrete and you can over ride it and do other exercises which are not on the key should you wish. Personally at the moment I do not think I make the most of my wellness key, however being nearly 9 months pregnant means the hospital has limited me as to what I can do, however in a few weeks time I am planning on getting this updated to help me get back in shape, any fitness programmes or workouts you have uploaded onto you key can simply be removed or altered by one of the members of staff who are all fully qualified to help and advise you as to how to get the most out of your workout.
Newmarket Leisure Centre gym is twice as big as what it use to be with a large variety of different pieces of equipment. In the gym you can find
* Exercise bikes, both upright and the more relaxed version with a back to the seats
* Rowing Machines
* Running Machines
* Cross Trainers
* Step Machine
* Arm Bikes
* The Wave (a little like a cross trainer but using a skiing motion)
* An alternative Cross Trainer (a cross between a cross trainer but using more of a running motion)
* Large range of arm weights
* Large range of leg weights
* Stomach weights and other weights which do your core area
* Free weights with weights for all abilities
* Free standing weight machines which can work all parts of your body
* Various muscle stretching machines
As well as the large amount of both weights and cardio which are available in the gym they have a various different pieces of equipment such as punch bags, medicine balls, cardio balls, skipping ropes, steps and much more. Newmarket Leisure Centre gym also caters for both disabled members and visually impaired members. There is a certain amount of equipment that has large textured touch screens for those with visual impairments and also pieces of equipment designed for both disabled and wheelchair members, these are able to be used by all members of the gym providing that no one is waiting to use it. Whilst a lot of people like me go up the gym and do their own thing, there is an option to have a personal trainer whether it be for just one or two sessions or several . I personally have never had one of these sessions but I have been up the gym whilst some people have and from what I have seen they can be quite intense and hard work, obviously they are tailor made to suit your needs and they do cost extra on top of your normal membership, however I am not sure what the price of this is, you need to enquire at the gym about prices as it depends on what you require and for how long.
When you decide to join the gym everyone has to have an induction, this is basically a quick session with a trained instructor and usually a few other people also joining, they trainer takes you around the gym as a group and shows you how to use all of the equipment, obviously you are just shown the basics during your induction as there is not enough time to show you every single piece of equipment in detail, and also there may be some things that some people do not want to use, so basically you are given a quick over view of the gym and then afterwards you can ask the trainers anything you like and they will show you particular pieces of equipment in detail. I had my induction many years ago when I first joined the gym, however when the new gym opened I had to have another induction as the equipment was different to what I had been use to, this was free of charge and my first induction was also free, because I have the Premier Plus Package I got a free induction, however whether you pay for a gym induction depends on which package you opt for when joining the Leisure Centre,
Exercise Classes
At Newmarket Leisure Centre you do not just have to go to the gym in order to work out they offer a range of low, medium and high impact classes which are suitable for people of all abilities whether you are a beginner or more advanced. Some of the classes which you can take part in at Newmarket Leisure Centre include
* Sumba
* Body Combat
* Jazacise
* Aerobics
* boxercise
* Spinning
* Body Combat
* Yoga
* Pre & Post Natal Yoga
* Body Pump
This is just a few of the classes that you can take part in at Newmarket Leisure Centre, there are quite a few more. All of the classes are taken by fully qualified instructors and most of them run several times a week. I have only ever done one exercise class since I have been a member and that was jazacise and this was several years ago now, I attended for several months and actually really enjoyed it, I did wonder whether the classes would be full of people who had been attending for months and knew exactly what they were doing but after looking into it as I have mentioned they actually do classes to cater for all abilities so if you are new to this sort of thing the beginner classes are ideal. In order to get a full list of the exercise classes available and also the times that they are available the best thing to do is either attend the leisure centre and pick up a timetable from reception or have a look online at their website where you can find full details and also book your place in the classes. Prices for these classes do vary depending on the class you take, also it can depend on which membership package you have and whether your package includes these classes. My package does include the classes so I can actually attend any class I like for free, however you do not have to even be a member of the Leisure Centre to attend you can just book your place in the class and pay on the day, again the best way to find out which price option suits you best is to ask at reception. I have no idea what the average price of a class is as I have never had to pay but from what I have heard it is not ridiculously expensive and is just a few pounds a time.
There are two swimming pools at the Newmarket Leisure Centre, I have to admit since the new Leisure Centre has opened I haven't actually used them, purely because I do not have a lot of time, I like to go to the gym at least a couple of times a week so by the time I have done that I don't have a lot of time for swimming, however once the baby is born I am hoping to take him swimming and try out the pools. As with the other areas in the leisure centre you can do a variety of things within the swimming pools, they have free time where you can just generally go and have a swim or they also offer a variety of classes such as Aquagym, Water Workout and Aqua Health Club where you can carry out exercise classes within the pools (generally these are taken in the smaller of the two pools) and build on your fitness and loose weight. I have never attended one of these classes but they are normally in progress when I attend the gym and do seem to be popular so I imagine you need to book early to et your place. They also have activities and classes for children where you can be taught to swim and also sessions which help people with disabilities. As with all of the classes the best way to find out full details of these such as prices and times is to speak to reception as times can vary a little. Again my membership includes the use of both swimming pools as do some of the other membership packages, however if you are not a member or your membership does not include the use of the pools you can pay to use them.
There are full changing facilities suitable for both adults, children and also those with disabilities. Changing rooms can actually be found on the ground floor and also the first floor, there are both lifts and stairs available to gain access to the first floor facilities. I have never been in the ground floor changing rooms but have been inside the first floor ones as the toilets in these are also shared by the gym, they are very spacious and always spotlessly clean, in the first floor changing rooms you can also find the steam rooms and saunas, however this is not my sort of thing and I have never actually been inside and tried them out.
One of the other things you can do at Newmarket Leisure Centre is to take part in various sports. This is something I have had a little bit of experience with however there is a large list of sports which you can partake in, these include
* Badminton
* Football
* Netball
*Archery Lessons
* Short Mat Bowls
* Squash
* Table Tennis
There are others but there are too many to list, as you will probably guess these too are free for me due to the membership package I have, however you can also take part in these if you are not a member or if your package does not include sports by paying separately, the price depends on the length of time you wish to play for and also which sport you are playing. I have played both squash and badminton on several occasions and from what I remember we got a court for an hour and also the hire of equipment, this is all included in the price from what I know. With most of the sports you do need to book in advance as they are popular and get booked up quickly, we normally give a couple of days notice when we wish to play but I think the notice you need to give depends on what you are playing, I think the football pitches are quite popular and need booking in advance, however you can do this by contacting the reception where they will give you the times and availability along with prices should you have to pay separately.
Other Activities
There are other classes and activities which Newmarket Leisure Centre offers to its members such as Active for Life - This is aimed at older people and usually takes part in the gym
Sports Injury Clinic - This is basically a clinic where they will deal with a variety of injuries, they specialise in back pain, muscle strains, knee injuries, hip injuries, ankle injuries, frozen shoulders, sciatica, whiplash and many more. I have to admit this is something I have never used so I have no idea about prices for this, however the full contact details can be found online where you can ask any questions needed and book appointments should you wish.
The Café
The new Leisure Centre now has a café located in reception. I have never actually eaten in the café myself but from what I have seen on the menus displayed at the entrance they do a wide range of food including a quick snack or something a bit more filling, they also offer a wide variety of drinks all of which are quite reasonably priced. The café is a large spacious area with outside tables as well as inside should you wish, the seating ranges from table and chairs to more relaxed sofas with large flat screen TV's on the walls, this is quite useful if you have someone who is attending a class and you wish to sit and wait for them, the café as with the rest of the centre is always very clean and tidy and it seems very popular as well.
Opening Times
Newmarket Leisure Centre is open 7 days a week and the times include
Monday to Friday - 06:00 to 23:00
Saturday - 06:00 to 18:00
Sunday - 08:00 to 18:00
The prices for membership are very varied and depend on your personal preferences as to what you want your membership to include. Me and my husband have the package which includes literally everything as I have mentioned and because we live together we have a joint membership which costs us £66.00 a month for the 2 of us. Whilst this is appears to be quite expensive it actually works out much cheaper than if we paid for everything we wanted to do separately on pay as you go basis. I do not know the exact prices of each individual activity and they are not listed on the website, in order to find out how much the different activities and also membership packages cost you really do need to contact the Leisure Centre, this is also what you are advised to do on the website, this is due to the wide range of price lists, by contacting them you can tell them your personal needs and they can advise you on what package will best fit your needs.
Personally I find that my having the full membership which is paid by direct debit each month I am more motivated to go up the gym on a regular basis whereas if I just paid as I went I do not think I would go as much, whilst I enjoy it part of the motivation is also that I am paying for the service so I need to get my moneys worth out of it.
There is a large car park situated out the front of the centre which includes both disabled and mother and child spaces. The only problem with the car park is that it is also shared by Newmarket College which is situated on the same site so if there is something on at the school it can get a bit busy.
My Opinion
I would definitely recommend Newmarket Leisure Centre, whilst I do not take part in all of the activities available and for me the gym is the main thing I use, there really is something for everyone including, adults, children and also disabled members. The facilities are excellent and again cater for everyone's needs. I would certainly recommend the gym which again is large and spacious and includes modern and excellent quality equipment. I really cannot find any fault with the centre at all and in all the years I have been using the centre have had no complaints at all. I will certainly continue to use Newmarket Leisure Centre and would also recommend it to anyone looking to take up fitness or a sport of some sort, you literally can find everything in one place, and if I owned a monkey I would take him along too!


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G and m crab cake recipe
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This rich and Creamy Chicken Soup, loaded with veggies, is a healthy and easy to make meal that your entire family will love.
This is the time of year I love to cook big meals. Gone are the days of endless fresh and local produce choices. Winter time in the Pacific Northwest is a time when most everything stops growing and we have to rely on what I consider the basics for my fruit and vegetables. That is why I'm especially fond of hearty soups. Not only do they incorporate lots of fresh veggies, but they are so comforting and satisfying, its easy to forget that we still have many cold and wet months ahead of us before the local produce makes its way back.
This time of year I love stocking my freezer with prepared meals. I don't know if it has to do with the possible threat of getting stuck at home because of that once a year snow storm, but it just makes me so happy to cook meals in big batches and store them for another day. This soup is a perfect freezer meal because you can double or triple the batch and then just freeze what you don't plan on eating that night for another day. Not all soups, especially ones with pasta, freeze that well. This soup, however, does.
I prefer to use chicken thighs because the meat is so flavorful and it shreds really well. Even though I add a bit of olive oil to my pan, the chicken almost always sticks. Have no fear… the part that sticks to the bottom is the best part! I use a little white wine to release all of that wonderful flavor and I can definitely taste it in the final soup. I prefer to chop all of my veggies by pulsing them in the food processor. Not only does that save me time, but I think having a wide variety of sizes, from minced to chopped, not only enhances the texture of the soup but also the taste. I also continue to use the same pot to cook the chicken, then the vegetables, then the roux which turns into a cream gravy and then eventually the soup. By keeping all the ingredients going in the same pot, you don't lose any of those wonderful flavors along the way.
- 1 pound skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 5 T butter, divided
- 1 onion, minced
- 4 celery stalks, diced
- 2 large carrots, peeled and diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 T flour
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon salt, to taste
- In a heavy bottom dutch oven over medium high heat, cook chicken thighs in olive oil for about 15 minutes, flipping once. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly on a plate. The chicken likely stuck to the pan. Deglaze the pan by adding the white wine over low heat and scraping the bottom of the pan until all of the cooked bits have been loosened. Transfer the cooked chicken bits in white wine to a separate cup.
- Add one tablespoon of the butter to the dutch oven and and set heat to high. Add onions, celery and carrot and allow to cook until slightly golden brown while stirring only occasionally for a total of about 10 minutes. While vegetables are cooking, shred chicken meat. When vegetables have finished cooking, remove them from the dutch oven and set them on the same plate as the chicken.
- Return the pan to the stove and melt the remaining 4T of butter over medium high heat. Add the garlic and allow to cook for about a minute, then add the flour and stir to combine to make a roux. Allow to cook for a few minutes until fragrant.
- Add the milk and heavy cream to the roux and whisk constantly until thoroughly mixed. Allow to cook while constantly whisking until thickened. Whisk in the chicken broth. Add shredded chicken and cooked vegetables to the broth and stir. Add salt, to taste, and pepper, as desired.
- Serve with a warm crusty bread or some rosemary crackers.


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Your Daily Dispatch of Celebrity Shenanigans
Jessica Simpson's Country Nerves: Jessica Simpson has made the switch from pop to country with her new album, "Do You Know," but she's still shaking in her boots. "I'm a little nervous," Jessica told a crowd of country music record industry types at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center Thursday night before treating the crowd to her new down home music stylings, People reported. "If I throw up, I'm sorry." After Jessica finished her set, she exclaimed, "I didn't throw up!" Luckily, the crowd's boots went home splatter-free!
Palin — Don't Upset Nina!: Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin does not have "Project Runway's" Tim Gunn bestowing style wisdom upon her, because if she did, the Alaska governor might have rethought those trademark specs. "She has promise," Nina Garcia of ELLE magazine and "Runway" told Us Weekly of Palin's style. "She just needs to loose those glasses. Get them lasered or something." Palin has yet to make her stance on 'hot messes" known to voters.
Katy Perry To Channel Madonna On VMAs: Katy Perry has already said she hopes to smooch a fellow female celeb on stage at the VMAs this Sunday, and it could happen while the singer is performing Madonna's "Like A Virgin." Host Russell Brand revealed that Katy would be performing Madge's iconic song on MTV's annual awards show, Access Hollywood has learned. "There's a lot of virginity and lesbianism going on at the show," Russell told reporters. The Brit comic also went on to dub The Jonas Brothers, "God's favorite virgins."
"Ghostbusters" Getting Called Again: It appears there's something strange in the neighborhood yet again. Columbia Pictures is working on a third installment of "Ghostbusters," and hopes to reunite the original cast of Harold Ramis, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Ernie Hudson, Variety reports. The producers of NBC's "The Office" have been tapped to write the script. No word if Slimer will return, but we sure hope he does!


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Canyons chief sees no need for survey, investigation
Navyvet taylorsville, utahApril 19, 2012 5:43 p.m.
Doty may have a problem with anonymous surveys but he apparently didn't have a problem with the anonymous allegation that ended up with him going on a crusade to crucify two administrators at Alta High and to blacken the name and reputation of a fine school.
A thousand people is not enough to get a second look at his conduct but it only took one to set him on a rampage.
DN Subscriber Cottonwood Heights, UTApril 19, 2012 5:27 p.m.
I am not surprised.
Arsonists never like it when the fire department is called to put out the flames.
With all the smoke coming from this issue, there are flames in there somewhere in this excessivley expensive and dysfunctional school district.
Steven S Jarvis Orem, UTApril 19, 2012 4:51 p.m.
If Doty resigns than he is absolutely correct that the District does not require an investigation.
BU52 Provo, utApril 19, 2012 4:30 p.m.
When a guy makes nearly twice as much as the governor of the state in a very public office, he should be scrutinized occasionally. But the tenor of the meeting makes me wonder if the Board works for him?
On the other hand Spanish Fork, UTApril 19, 2012 12:15 p.m.
As a general rule, pretending that nothing is going on when some have suggested otherwise is not a good leadership strategy and won't make issues go away.
Z South Jordan, UTApril 19, 2012 9:07 a.m.
I don't live in the Canyons district, so I don't have a dog in this fight, but I have found all of the proceedings of the last few weeks to be very curious. I'm sure that Dr. Doty sees no need for an investigation, but his view is not the one that really matters, and in fact the view of the school board may not matter; ultimately, they are public officials representing the people of the Canyons school district. This is not a private company that can do its business however it pleases; this is a public school district that has to do its work in the public spotlight.
Frankly, I'm amused that the board had taken offense at the KSL investigation. It is always easy to blame the messenger. I also find it interesting that Dr. Doty claims to want feedback from the teachers, but refuses to make it an anonymous survey. Even if he really is a fair and honest boss, with allegations of intimidation hanging over him he will never get true feedback because of the implied threat of retaliation. Canyons must take action now before it is irreparably damaged.


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Rally behind district teachers so they can get living wage
It seems our priorities are questionable (andquot;Teachers deserve share,andquot; March 6). We bemoan the sad plight of our library at every turn. There appears to be agreement that a library is of the utmost importance to this community, however, we fail to support the ballot initiative to fund it.
Now our teachers are asking our support in their struggle for a fair and decent wage. School administrators seem to feel that most other fiscal issues are more pressing. Teaching is perhaps the most important and most under appreciated job in this country.
No one goes into this career field with the idea of becoming wealthy. To respond to the calling of preparing children for their future (and ours) is an awesome responsibility.
Consideration of their request appears to be ranked alongside all the other mundane fiscal issues that consistently arise in a town of this size.
Local residents need to support our teachers in their quest for a living wage, otherwise who will be able to read about the results in the future?
Perhaps elimination of some of the paid bureaucratic positions in our community would provide the necessary funding, and I doubt if anyone would notice the loss.
Jesse Borrego
Crescent City
Help address needs of elderly with more state case workers
As a senior representing Humboldt and Del Norte counties, I would like to bring to your attention a couple of important items.
First, the depleting situation of elder and dependent adult abuse and neglect: The abuses range from financial to physical and the neglect can be all the time to occasional. The results of these situations are often disgraceful and sometimes fatal. Many senior are victims of dementia, debilitating health and language barriers. The stories of abuse are sometimes horrible and always discouraging.
The question is asked, andquot;Isn't the county or state or the Feds doing anything about this?andquot; The answer is andquot;yesandquot; and andquot;noandquot; and andquot;not much.andquot; The county is involved in the form of the Adult Protective Service. The state supplies the funding and the basic law. You can imagine how sufficient that has been. It was insufficient to start with (1998) and it has decreased ever since. The Feds ignore the problem. The county does its best with only one authorized case worker and with an increase of 30 percent of reported abuses since 1999.
As the number of seniors is about to increase dramatically with the andquot;Baby Boomers,andquot; we must address this problem. Our state representative, Patty Berg, is holding hearings this week. Please make your concerns known.
Secondly, be aware that the Area 1 Agency on Aging is holding a public forum at 1:30 p.m Monday at the Crescent Fire Protection District, 255 Washington Blvd. to hear input from the community on the needs of older citizens in our area.
Rick Bennett
Crescent City


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Scab + Rhinoplasty Q&A
Removing Scabs in Nose from Rhinoplasty?
I had Rhinoplasty done about a week ago and my nose is full of scabs. I know this is normal but the scabs are very annoying. I can hardly breathe... READ MORE
Have I Ruined the Results of my Rhinoplasty by Picking at my Nose?
I had an open rhinoplasty and my cast and sutures came out 5 days later. Starting day 6, I began to retape my nose and touch it. I have also picked at... READ MORE
How To Deal With Scabs After Rhinoplasty?
Hi I had an open rhinoplasty a month ago and have uncomfortable crusts and/or scabs in my nostrils that make me feel stuffy. I think I wasn't... READ MORE
I Am 6 Months Post Rhino & Still Have Large Scab Inside my Nose That Bleeds when I Clean my Nose with a Q Tip, is This Normal?
Should I be worried? What can I do to get rid of them? How long are scabs meant to heal? READ MORE
Will Picking the Scabs Out of My Nose Affect the Results of My Rhinoplasty?
I'm 11 days post op and today when I woke up I had trouble breathing from my nose. And when I looked at the mirror I realized that it was because... READ MORE
Preventing Scarring from Pulled Scab Inside Nostril After Rhinoplasty?
11 days post-op from rhinoplasty. 3 days ago I was using peroxide and q-tips to clean out dried blood inside my nostrils and I accidentally pulled out... READ MORE
Scabs in nostril after rhinoplasty - When Will They Fall Off?
I've had closed rhinoplasty 3 weeks ago and there are scabs in my nostril. How long does it take for these scabs to fall off? Also, I've had these... READ MORE
Pulled Stitches from the Outside of my Nose Today?
I got my cast off today, day 6, and when I got home I started to clean up the outside of my nose where I saw dry blood. I was using tweezers, and when... READ MORE
I Had Rhinoplasty Four Years Ago and Still Get Scabs and Nose Bleeds, What Could be the Cause?
I had rhinoplasty four years ago and the scabs were normal with being there for a few weeks. but that was 4 years ago and have still got them. i also... READ MORE
Why do I keep blowing out dried scabs every couple of days? How can I prevent them from coming back?
Hi, I am currently 2 months post rhinoplasty/septoplasty and I've been getting these huge scabs/boogers coming out of the very back of my nose every... READ MORE
Feel hard mass inside outer left nostril. What is this?
I had rhinoplasty and septoplasty about a week ago and when I gently removed scabs I felt a hard mass on the inner left outer side of my nostril.... READ MORE
I had septoplasty 8 months ago, septum is loose and makes a whistling sound. Is this normal?
The side that was to be opened more, is still reddish inside. Sometimes I hear my nose whistling, and there is still a little scab that I can feel... READ MORE
Are the scabs on my nose normal after rhinoplasty? (Photo)
I've done my nose 5 days ago and i'm just curious if those scabs seen in the picture is normal? And will they will get away by itself? They use my ear... READ MORE
Scab on Septum is Normal?
Scab on nostril wall after 2 months operation..is that normal? READ MORE
What is happening with my nose? Do you think the nose bridge might be collapsing? (Photo)
I had rhinoplasty done 6 years ago. Unfortunately I used to do cocaine for couple of months 1 year ago, but I was never a heavy user. I have been... READ MORE
Sore columella, small open cut inside nostril. What should I do?
Hello, I am 2 weeks post-op and had a closed rhinoplasty. My columella on one side is more painful and tender than the other. (Like a mild throbbing... READ MORE
Is it normal for my nose to be bigger, one nostril larger than the other, and a crooked than when I got my splint off? (photo)
I had a deviated septum, very swollen turbinates, a bone spur on the side of my nose near the top from a an injury, and 70% blockage in each nostril.... READ MORE
I just had a Rhinoplasty about 1 month ago, my nose has a scab on it. Will this scan affect my healing and final results?(photo)
I noticed a small white head pimple on the top of my nose where the hunp was removed and i gently popped the top of the pimple not squeezing hard,... READ MORE
I had open rhinoplasty four weeks ago, but I can never breathe through both nostrils at the same time. Is something wrong?
4 weeks post surgery. One nostril happens to be blocked whilst the other one works! I still thinks there's scabs on the inside of my nose and my... READ MORE
Picked scabs and stitches, now I have a huge open wound and I'm very concerned, HELP! (photos)
I was cleaning my nose (11 days post op) and after I felt a big scab left I decided to pick it lightly until it came off. Nothing hurts but when I... READ MORE


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Police Station
Police Station limits of Kaggadasapura
Kaggadasapura comes under which Police Station Limits ?
From 1st cross to 29th cross Kaggadasapura, Nagappa Reddy Layout, Thimmaiah Reddy Layout and Abbaiah Reddy Layout till the drain (near SCT College) comes under Mahadevapura Police Station limits / jurisdiction.
Mahadevapura Police Station
Behind HP Pvt Ltd
Whitefield Road
Telephone: 080-28510782, 22942546, 22943535
Areas after the drain (near SCT College) towards Vignana Nagar comes under Byappanahalli Police Station limits / jurisdiction.
Byappanahalli Police Station
Opp. Big Bazaar
Old Madras Road
Telephone: 080-25243800
Cyber Crime Cell – Bangalore
Cyber Crime Police Station
COD Annexe Building
Carlton House
# 1, Palace Road
Bangalore – 560001
Telephone: 080-22201026, 22943050
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com


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Syracuse Police investigating second drive-by shooting in days
Tue, 20 Mar 2012 04:12:00 GMT —
Syracuse police are looking for a suspect in a drive-by shooting on the city's south side.
It happened on the corner of South Avenue and Bellevue Avenue. The first call for help came around 10 p.m. Monday night.
A 20-year-old man was shot multiple times, according to police. He was transported to Upstate University Hospital and his condition is unknown at this time.
This is the second drive-by shooting in days on the south side.


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CARL MFG Heavy-Duty Trimmers, 12 Length, Trims 36 Sheets, GrayItem#: YYSP-CUI12210 | Model#: CUI12210
Currently Out Of Stock!
TRIMMER,HVYDTY,DC-210,GY Product Details
Manufactured by: CARL MFG
Warranty provided by: CARL MFG
UPC No: 682391122105
Mfg Part No: CUI12210
Box Size:
( Length:21, Width:16, Depth:4)
Shipping Weight: 7.0000 pound(s)
Click here for full warranty and support information
- CARL MFG logos are registered trademarks of CARL MFG. All others trademarks and copyrights mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.


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Is the row numbering on chart correct? Believe rows should read "1,2,3,4" instead of "1,3,5,7".
Wavy knit stitch
This wavy knit stitch pattern is fun to knit! The wavy edges happen automatically. Just work the pattern and you'll see how magically the curves are shaped!
You'll need multiple of 12 + 2 edge stitches.
Repeat the pattern between the arrows until desired width is reached.
Written instruction:
Row 1 and Row 4: edge st, k12, edge st
Row 2: edge st, p12, edge st
Row 3: edge st, * k1, (k2tog) twice, (yo, k1) repeat 3 times, yo, (SKP) twice), ed st
Repeat rows 1-4 to continue the pattern.


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Buckfast Abbey is located in 'Buckfast' South Devon. It's the home to a group of Benedictine monks who are probably best known for making tonic wine and honey. Buckfast is right on the edge of Buckfastleigh which is one of the 'gateways' to Dartmoor and the Abbey sits amidst picturesque scenery on the banks of the river Dart. I've been both a visitor and an employee ( Retail worker, not a monk :-) of Buckfast Abbey. It will cost you nothing to park and wander the grounds (which is a quite rare these days!) and makes for an idea stop before or after making a trip onto Dartmoor or one of the other local attractions. There's not much for Kids to do here, (spot the monk?). The Abbey does have an educational section from which you can (if interested) learn about the Bee's, Wine making etc , you can find information about all these things on the Buckfast Abbey website, you might need to organise these in advance.
~Abbey History~
The first Abbey was built here in 1018 (built of wood) and founded by Benedictine monks. In 1147 it was rebuilt in stone and became a Cistercian abbey. In 1539 King henry started a campaign to bring about the dissolution of all monasteries within England and subsequently for 343 years the abbey was left to fall apart until even the foundations became buried. In 1882 Benedictine monks returned from France and acquired the land In 1905 they started building the Abbey / Church on the old Cistercian abbey foundations.
The Abbey as it stands now is a 20th century construction which was started in 1902 and built over a 32 year period. Understandably some people are surprised by this and may feel a bit let down by the fact that this isn't a medieval structure. The present Abbey and Church was built (re-built) by the monks themselves (hence the 32 years!). There are some amazing photo's of the monks working at great heights on the Abbey wearing their habits with no hard hats or security ropes. (wonder if they wear pants :-) To my knowledge only one person fell during it's construction and he landed in a pile of sand.
*The Abbey Church
As already mentioned it's free to enter the grounds of the Abbey, there's no parking charge and the Abbey church is also free to enter. Towards the back of the Church you will find the 'Blessed Sacrament Chapel' in which you will find a very large (contemporary) 'modern' stain glass window, it's not everyone's cup of tea but again it's a testament to the skills and workmanship of the monks. Midday Prayer in the Church begins at 1pm (lasts 10mins) and at 12.05 each day Mass is taken in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. although still open to the public during this time it is requested that people be as quiet as possible, or else you will have to answer to the 'Monk Police' (na, only joking !)
Church opening times : 9am (Fridays 10am) to 6pm, Sundays Noon to 6pm.
The Gardens
There are a number of small gardens next to the Church, The 'Lavender' garden has 150 varies of the species, the Physic garden has been planted with many of the herbs you would find in the middle ages whilst the 'Sensory' garden combines plants with water features.
Audio Visual Information Hut
If you are visiting buck fast Abbey for the first time it is helpful to have some knowledge of the Abbey's history and I would suggest visiting the 'audio visual' hut next to the gift shop which will explain the not so simple history of the place. The presentation lasts about 20 minutes and provides an overview of the history of the Abbey and it's involvements, ie honey making / production of tonic wine, it also explains the monks lifestyles. The Audio Visual Information Hut is the first building on your right as you enter the car park.
The Shops : There are 3 shops, the gift shop, monastic shop and bookshop.
~The Gift Shop~
The gift shop is the next building along from the Audio Visual hut and is managed by a man who wears bright colored shirts. This is the shop I worked in, from here you can buy the infamous buckfast tonic wine and 'Buckfast Honey' (when in season). You will sometimes also find one of the monks working in the shop, although not usually in a habit. In this shop you can buy a range of items from 'buck fast Abbey' key rings to interesting items that are made by local crafts people. It's also a good place to buy local guide books and if you are thinking of going onto the moors you can buy OS maps from the shop.
*Tonic Wine
Buckfast is famous for it's Tonic wine of which use to have quite a following in certain parts of Scotland, Rab C Nesbitt in the comedy of the same name frequently referred to it and one episode features his pilgrimage to Buckfast, which I personally found hilarious. The Tonic wine is made from a base wine which comes from France and the monks add various herbs to make the tonic. I've heard that some Scots who drink this will often never finish a bottle because they believe the last 'dregs' contain Monks toes nails. It's marketed as having medicinal properties, It is quite strong and an acquired taste, you either love it or hate it, I'm not that fond of it myself. Should you prefer you can also buy other locally produced wine, cider and fruit juice here.
You can buy buckfast honey from here (when in season) the yield of honey depends a lot on the weather. Whilst working here I met people who would travel great distances to buy the stuff only to find that it been a bad year and that there was no honey. They would get rather annoyed at this, unfortunately there's not alot you can do about that. I would suggest that anyone going to buckfast Abbey specially to buy the honey to check on it's availability before going. Even when there is honey it does sell out rather quickly, you can however order it by post and you would need to contact the shop (via main switch board)
Shop opening Times : weekdays 9am till 5.30, (5pm during winter). Sunday Noon - 5pm
~The Monastic Shop~
To the left from the car park there is a path which takes you to the monastic shop. It contains a wide selection of produce from various monasteries, including Europe. I use to love this shop, it's full of wines and beers that you normally find anywhere else. Some of these beers are quite strong. When working in the gift shop I would often wheel deliveries up to the monastic shop and one of the monks would thank me by giving me a bottle of monastic beer. There is also an on-line shop which can be accessed from the main Abbey web page.
Opening Times : weekdays 9am till 5.00, Sunday Noon - 5pm
~The bookshop~
The bookshop faces the Abbey and about 2 minutes walk from the gift shop. It sells posters, books, cards, music, Dvd's, gifts, jewelery and like the Monastic shop has an on-line shop which can again be accessed via the main Buckfast Abbey website.
Opening Times : 9am to 5.30pm (winter close 5pm), Sundays Noon to 5pm.
The Grange Restaurant
The Grange restaurant is the on-Site café/restaurant, it is a Licensed tea rooms, serving lunches, teas and light refreshments. The restaurant is well equipped for children's menu's and much more substantial fare, including cream teas. I've eaten here quite few times and I've always enjoyed it.
Opening times : weekdays 10am-4.30, Sunday 10am-4.30 (4pm winter)
~Car Parking and further Information~
Car parking is free and has spaces for approximately two hundred and fifty cars and eighteen coaches, which provides ample space throughout the year. Toilets are available, just off from the car park. Further toilets are available at the back of the 'grange Restaurant', failing that there's toilets inside the Grange restaurant itself and the Education centre. There is comprehensive information on all aspects of Buckfast Abbey on the Buckfast Abbey website I would recommend that in order to get the most out of your visit to read up on things before you get here. Detailed PDF files on all aspects of Buckfast Abbey are available to download from the main Abbey website. Website : www.buckfast.org.uk
First Aid
Mediwest provide first Aid cover during opening times, the first Aid room is next to the Chapel. All shops contain First Aid kits.
Disability Access
All areas are accessible to disabled visitors there are also facilities for hearing impaired visitors and those with visual impaired visitors ( raised signs and braille map). There are a limited number of wheelchairs available on a first come first serve basis. Guide dogs are permitted and there are parking areas for disabled visitors (note that the disabled parking spaces in the car park are about 500 meters from the Church). There are also a limited number of Disabled parking spaces right next to the Church. There is level access to shops and grounds and no steps to negotiate. Toilets for disabled visitors can be found next to the car park, in the Grange restaurant, or next to the lavender gardens.
Getting to Buckfast
Buckfast Abbey is about half a mile from A38 at A384 Buckfastleigh turn off. The A38 itself runs between Exeter and Plymouth and the Buckfastleigh is about half way between those two Cities. Nearest Station : Totnes or Newton Abbot, about 20 minutes from either of these stations by bus to the Abbey. You will find further details at www.stagecoachbus.com
Buckfast Abbey Contact Information
Buckfast Abbey
Main switch board - tel : 01364 64550
Abbey website : www.buckfast.org.uk
~Other attractions in the area~
As mentioned at the beginning, Buckfast Abbey is a good place to rest before or after visiting the moors or one of the other local attractions. These are the most popular :
Butterfly farm & Otter sanctuary - www.ottersandbutterflies.co.uk
Pennywell farm and Wildlife centre - www.pennywellfarm.co.uk
The South Devon Railway Trust (Steam) - www.southdevonrailways.org
Dartmoor National Park Authority - www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk
*For more Information on these try the www.buckfastleigh.gov.uk website*
In conclusion then. Buckfast Abbey is free to visit, it cost nothing to park and enter the grounds, costs nothing to visit the Church and is a great place to relax before or after a trip on the moors or one of the other local attractions.
Ask for a bottle of the tonic wine.
Remove the screw cap top.
Throw the top away.
Proceed to consume the wine without diluting it.
I then challenge you to not be boistrous and to act in a calm and sensible manner.
Seriously though, the place is beautiful, the Abbey is truely astonishing. The Buckfast Tonic Wine is an 'aquired' taste but by the time you get to the bottom of the bottle, you'll be wanting more!
A visit to Devon for a wedding on the weekend meant that I found myself a couple of miles away from Buckfast Abbey. As someone who loves history and all things old, I thought great! I read up on the Abbey in a local guidebook and although it told me that the current Abbey was a 19th century creation I still thought it might be worth a look.
Buckfast Abbey was originally founded in around 1018, as a Benedictine house. In the 1147 the Abbey joined the Cistercian order. The Cistercians rebuilt the Abbey in their style, and when the Abbey was rebuilt in the 19th century it was rebuilt in this style.
Along with the country's other abbeys, Buckfast lost its status after the Dissolution of the Monasteries under Henry VIII. Buckfast was closed in 1539. The monks left and the treasures of the Abbey were taken to the Tower of London. The lead from the roof was melted down.
Some of the Abbey's land was sold off. By the early 19th century the Abbey still stood, albeit in ruins. It was finally demolished by Samuel Berry, who built a mansion on the site.
In 1882 the property was in the hands of a Dr James Gale, who decided to sell it but wanted it to go to a religious communtiy. It only took 6 weeks before monks were living on the site again.
The Abbey we see today was begun in 1907 and took 32 years to complete.
Buckfast is fairly easy to get to. It is about 30 minutes south of Exeter on the A38. It is signposted. There are also buses from Newton Abbot, Totnes, Exeter and Plymouth.
The great thing about the Abbey is that its free, which is abviously a huge advantage!! We weren't going to go in if it cost more than a couple of pounds so we were pleasantly surprised.
There is a very big car park, but I would think it gets very full in the summer because the Abbey is a base for lots of walks around the area.
The Abbey's opening times are:
Monday-Thursday: 9am - 6pm
Friday: 10am - 6pm
Saturday: 9am - 6pm
Sunday: 12pm - 6pm
(sometimes services will interupt these)
Almost all areas are accessible for disabled.
There is a restaurant at the Abbey, although I didn't go in. There is also a shop, which I found very expensive, but understandably so as they don't charge admission and they have to maintain the Abbey somehow. The shop sells lots of things, I imagine it would be a nightmare in the summer if it was full, it was one of those shops where one wrong move could bring a shelf tumbling down!! In the shops they sell the famous Buckfast Bee honey as well as Buckfast Tonic Wine. They also sell various books, candles, pottery as well as the usual tourist fare of rubbers and pencil sharpeners.
We didn't spend too long at the Abbey as a 3 hour drive awaited me. We firstly went into a small video room which is located near the car park. This gave an outline of the Abbey and showed the monks in their daily lives. This was very interesting and gave a very good introduction to the visit. We then progressed to the church itself. As we went inside we heard the monks singing. It was a service so we did not move around for a while but it was very peaceful listening to the monk's service. When they had finished you could walk around in the church. The church was very peaceful. The interior is quite plain, with lots of bare stone. there were various side altars but none were garrish. I thought that the marble mosaic pavements inside the church were beautiful.
One part of the church which I really disliked was the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. It is meant to be an area for quiet prayer but how anyone can concentrate on prayer when they are confronted with the hideous window is beyond me. The chapel is very modern looking (or concrete looking to me) with its 'crowning glory' being an enormous stained glass window which depicts Christ. I found this garrish and loud and totally out of keeping with the Abbey as a whole.
Outside there are lots of areas to walk around. There are many gardens which contain different plants which the monks have used for centuries for cooking and medicine (although some of the plants looked a bit worse for wear to me!).
There are some medieval buildings left to look at, including the Abbot's Tower and the Guest Hall.
There is also the beehives (although I'm not actually sure how close to these you can get as I not the world's greatest bee fan...OK I'm petrified of the little b****rs!!). These are home to the famous Buckfast Bee, which has supposedly be specially bred to be hardworking and more friendly (well I don't care if they want to shake my hand, I'm not getting close!!).
Another part I didn't go to was the exibition on medieval monks but I wish I had seen this bit.
I enjoyed my visit but don't think I would go back to Buckfast. It was very interesting and there is lots to see there. If I was in the area in ten years time I may pop in but I wouldn't go there specially for a visit. I found the Blessed Sacrament chapel absolutely horrible but the rest of the church was very peaceful and I enjoyed that. With more time I think I would have explored the grounds more. It is definately a good base for walks around the Devon countryside and the location is beautiful. If you're in the area pop in - its free so at least if you don't like it then you don't feel like you need to get you monies worth! You will probably learn something, especially if you watch the introductory video. For me, I prefer older heritage sites but obviously I can't go and shout at old Henry VIII!! (That would be fun though....!) Enjoy!


text: Looking for a wonderful Italian restaurant with great food, attentive service and intimate atmosphere and ambience. I am almost 83 years old, the lady is pushing 70. We're not chasing romance; just a place to enjoy as we enjoy each other's company. Oh...one more thing.....a restaurant with all of the above without splurging my entire social security check. I would deeply appreciate any input as to the above three restaurants.