text:
For Israeli military, accountability tests
JERUSALEM - A YouTube video showing a dancing Israeli soldier shimmying near a bound and blindfolded Palestinian woman went viral on the Internet this week, embarrassing the Israeli military and fueling fresh debate about morals and accountability in the armed forces.
The army's chief legal officer ordered a military police investigation of the clip, which was posted two years ago but publicized this week on an Israeli television program. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu issued an emphatic condemnation.
"The Israel Defense Forces is one of the most moral armies in the world," Netanyahu said in a statement. "Humiliation of prisoners and detainees is not the way of the State of Israel, nor that of the Jewish people."
The conduct of Israeli soldiers in the ongoing conflict with the Palestinians had already stirred discussion this week after a military court convicted two former servicemen for using a boy as a human shield during Israel's 2008-09 war in the Gaza Strip against the militant group Hamas. The soldiers had ordered the boy to open bags they suspected had been booby-trapped.
The conviction, the first for a combat action during the war, served as an indicator of how effectively the military is addressing alleged violations of international law a year after a U.N. fact-finding mission accused both Israel and Hamas of war crimes. The war left as many as 1,400 Palestinians dead, hundreds of them civilians. Ten Israeli soldiers and three civilians were killed.
The army later conducted several high-level internal investigations and says it has questioned hundreds of soldiers and scores of Palestinians, examined more than 150 incidents and opened 48 criminal probes into alleged violations.
Two-thirds of the investigations have been completed, according to the army, with three soldiers court-martialed: two in the human-shield case and one who was convicted of stealing a credit card from a Gaza home. A fourth soldier has been indicted on a charge of manslaughter in the shooting of a civilian walking with a group raising a white flag.
In three other cases, officers have been disciplined, including two senior officers reprimanded for artillery shelling that hit a U.N. compound in Gaza City.
Still, there is a wide discrepancy between the number of criminal prosecutions and the reported cases of killing and wounding of noncombatant civilians, as documented by human rights groups, the media and the U.N. fact-finding mission, which was headed by South African jurist Richard Goldstone.
Lt. Col. Avital Leibovitz, an army spokeswoman, said the gap reflects the realities of combat as it was waged by the army against militants sheltering in a densely populated civilian environment. "The majority of the people that were killed were terrorists - we checked each name - and this is an amazing ratio, because in similar war zones you have the complete opposite," she said. "We were able to develop different kinds of munitions with a very high rate of precision in order to prevent the targeting of innocent civilians."
"The fact that we opened offices for nongovernmental organizations and Palestinians to file complaints and questioned a large number of people shows that we are going forward in a very transparent manner and that we have nothing to hide," Leibovitz said. Details of some military investigations have been laid out in two reports issued this year by the Israeli Foreign Ministry.
But both Israeli and foreign human rights groups assert that the military's investigations are far from transparent and that little has been disclosed about the status of most cases. The army's debriefings, in which officers interview their own subordinates, are unlikely to produce a full picture of the events in question, the rights advocates say.
"A host of groups have quite serious and well-documented allegations, but we don't know which have been investigated, or if criminal investigations are open or closed," said Bill Van Esveld, a Jerusalem-based researcher for Human Rights Watch. "In addition to the numbers, which are very troubling, there's a lack of transparency about the criteria according to which they're closing investigations. It's good that they've prosecuted some people, but it's been too little, and too low- level."
Sarit Michaeli, spokeswoman for the Israeli human rights group B'Tselem, said the army tended to investigate soldiers for abuses such as beatings and theft more readily than killings by gunfire or shelling.
According to military procedures, cases of suspected wrongdoing are examined first through debriefings within the units involved, and if those produce findings that justify a criminal investigation, the army's advocate general can order a probe by the military police.
The military's approach "that in a situation of armed conflict, hardly any behavior by a soldier is cause for a criminal investigation is one of the root causes of the culture of impunity in the army," Michaeli said.
Greenberg is a special correspondent.


text:
Serial Number:… 16019 circa 2009
Description:… Hold onto your hats because this dreadnought has some jump!! Wow is about the best way to describe the condition, tone and playability of this custom D2H from Collings. The 1 3/4″ nut width and satin neck make moving from fast flat picking to fingerstyle a breeze and the full, powerful and articulate tone practically leaps out of the sound hole with tons of sustain.
Seriously get this one before it disappears!
Neck:… Mahogany neck, ebony fretbaord, 25.5″ scale length, 1 3/4″ nut width, satin neck finish, soft V neck profile, squares and diamonds inlay.
Frets:… Very minor wear
Body:… Sitka spruce top, Indian rosewood sides and back, herringbone trim, CW bridge with 2 1/4″ saddle spacing.
Finish:… High gloss in near showroom condition.
Hardware/electronics:… Waverly tuners.
Playability/Action:… Excellent playability with current action at 6/64″ bass side and 4/64″ treble side with 8/64″ saddle protruding.
Case:… Original archtop hardshell
Pricing:… $2899.00 Canadian Dollars (approx.$2870.US$ as of Dec.14/2010).

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Texas Department of Criminal Justice
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice places a significant focus on volunteer services realizing volunteers are an essential element in the rehabilitation and re-entry of offenders into the community. Volunteers assist in providing literacy and educational assistance, life skills, job skills, and parenting classes. Volunteers facilitate medical education and prevention training as well as arts and crafts programs, drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs, faith-based programming, and other programs determined by TDCJ to aid in the transition between confinement and society. The following areas provide volunteer services to offenders:
The role of the volunteer within TDCJ is to provide guidance in specific activities and programs, promote personal growth and development, provide support and assistance to victims and offenders, and help facilitate re-entry into the community. If you are interested in becoming an approved volunteer within TDCJ, you are encouraged to attend a 4-hour volunteer training session at one of the following facilities:
YOU DO NOT NEED A LETTER TO ATTEND & THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR THE TRAINING. YOU ARE REQUIRED TO CONTACT THE FACILITY TO HAVE YOUR NAME PLACED ON THE TRAINING ROSTER BEFORE ATTENDING THE TRAINING SESSION. Completion of training is not a guarantee of approval; all applications include a criminal background check and are reviewed for eligibility according to the following criteria:
If you have a specific question regarding your eligibility, you are encouraged to contact Volunteer Services at 936-437-3026. Volunteer applications, available below, will be provided at the training; however you may also choose to bring a completed application with you. (The online Volunteer Application is down for maintenance.)
If unable to attend a volunteer training session, you may either: 1) download the application, complete it electronically (on-screen), print, then send by fax or 2) download and print the application, complete it by hand, then send by postal mail. Both fax number and postal address are inside the forms below:
Additionally, the following helpful documents are available:
We would like to encourage volunteers to give their opinions to improving your experience and efforts in assisting the TDCJ in accomplishing our mission. Please feel free to fill out the on-line suggestions form or print a copy and mail it to the address listed on the bottom of the page.
Volunteer programs or services must have prior approval before implementation or presentation to the offenders. The attached program proposal form must be completed and submitted to the Rehabilitation Programs Division. Questions about the form, as well as the completed form, may be submitted electronically to email@example.com.
Volunteers are required to retrain every two (2) years. On-line training has been developed to encourage and assist volunteers in meeting this retraining requirement. Please click on the link below to begin your retraining session. Contact Volunteer Services if you have any questions.
An online course to train volunteers to participate in the Chaplaincy Mentor Program is available. Only approved TDCJ volunteers will receive credit for this training. Those who successfully complete the course meet the requirements to serve as a volunteer mentor under the direction of a unit chaplain. To start the training, please click on the following link.
TDCJ Chaplaincy Mentor Training
The following document is available for download in both PDF and Word formats:
Volunteer Services
If you have a specific question regarding your eligibility, you are encouraged to contact Volunteer Services at 936-437-3026.
Clint D. Morris
Volunteer Services, Director
Two Financial Plaza, Suite 472
Huntsville, TX 77340
Phone: (936) 437-3026
The Volunteer Coordination Committee (VCC) was established to coordinate programming among the various divisions to maximize the safe and successful use of volunteers. The Rehabilitation Programs Division together with the VCC provides oversight of volunteer activities within the various criminal justice settings.
TDCJ Rehabilitation Programs Division
Clint D. Morris - Chairperson
Two Financial Plaza, Suite 472
Huntsville, TX 77340
Phone: (936) 437-3026
TDCJ Correctional Institutions Division
Billy Hirsch
861-B IH 45 North
Huntsville, Texas 77320
Phone: (936) 437-6318
Private Facility Contract Monitoring/Oversight Division (PFCMOD)
Allison Dunbar
Two Financial Plaza, Suite 300
Huntsville, TX 77340
Phone: (936) 437-2808
TDCJ Parole Division
Linda Anderson
8610 Shoal Creek Boulevard
Austin, Texas 78757
Phone: (512) 406-5750
TDCJ Victim Services Division
Carol Ellis
8712 Shoal Creek Boulevard, Suite 265
Austin, Texas 78757
Phone: (512) 406-5916
TDCJ/Windham School District
Melinda Cobb
P.O. Box 40
Huntsville, Texas 77342-0040
Phone: (936) 291-5357
Reentry and Integration Division (RID)
Marcus Ramirez
4616 West Howard Lane, Suite 200
Austin, TX 78728
Phone: (512) 671-2512
TDCJ Human Resources Division
Vashunna Jefferson
Two Financial Plaza, Suite 600
Huntsville, TX 77340
Phone: (936) 437-3126


text:
HPV Vaccine underused according to doctors, mothers have reservations
Wed, 14 Aug 2013 00:32:33 GMT —
A new medical study reports the HPV vaccine, aimed at preventing cervical cancer and also sexually transmitted diseases, is underused, but mothers we spoke with in Syracuse on Tuesday indicate they have reservations about it.
"They're one of the few vaccines we have to potect children from cancer," says Upstate University Hospital Pediatrician Dr. Jana Shaw.
The vaccine, a shot which is given in 3 doses for maximum protection, is recommended for children who are not yet sexually active, starting at 9 years old. Recent statistics show that only 33% of eligible girls have gotten the shots (54% got one dose, which provides some protection).
In late 2011, it was recommended that young boys also get the vaccine. "It protects them for genital warts that are pretty common actually in males," says Dr. Shaw, "and it will protect their female partners."
"The stigma that the use of the vaccine may result in increased sexual activity has been around for many years," says Dr. Shaw, "and has been disputed by a good study."
We spoke with several mothers of young children at Tuesday's Downtown Farmer's Market in Clinton Square, with almost all aware of the HPV vaccine.
When asked if they wlll get the shots for their children, most told us they would rely on their doctor's advice. Some indicated they were concerned about risks, all said they wanted to do more reading, especially to keep up on possible side effects.


text:
Watch North Hills restaurant on Food Network Thursday
Posted April 3, 2013
Updated April 4, 2013
Raleigh, N.C. — Coquette Brasserie, located in Raleigh's North Hills mall, will be featured this week on the Food Network, according to a post on the restaurant's website.
"Chef Wanted" with host Anne Burrell filmed at the French restaurant in January. WRAL-TV photographer Tom Normanly happened to be eating at Coquette during the shoot and got a photo with Burrell.
The show helps top restaurants find an executive chef. Burrell puts candidates through a job interview, testing their culinary and business skills. The final test is running the restaurant.
In Thursday night's episode, Coquette's owners Kevin and Stacey Jennings are seeking an executive chef, so Burrell brings four worthy candidates for an interview.
According to the show synopsis on the Food Network's site, the chefs have to create sweet and savory crepes, then a dish using rabbit. The two finalists are left to run the restaurant for an entire dinner service. After each face "major challenges," the owners have to make a "swift and dramatic decision."
"Chef Wanted" airs at 10 p.m. Thursday night on the Food Network.


text:
Think You Know Mike Tyson?
Mike Tyson's life story is the gift that keeps giving.
And giving. And giving.
At one time he was the baddest man on the planet, a heavyweight champion who terrorized anyone who got in his way, inside the ring or out. More recently he's unburdened himself as perhaps the most tortured soul on earth, with a one-man show on Broadway that Spike Lee has turned into an HBO special airing Nov. 16.
Now he's got a new autobiography that might be the most soul baring book of its genre ever written.
The title is "Undisputed Truth," and the truth is that Mike Tyson is one messed up dude. He's desperate to put his demons to rest, but the book needed a new chapter to show that he can't.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


text:
by Margarida
In my store you will find all types of crafts that I created from high quality materials and lots of love.
I have home furnishings, jewelry, bags and trash bags and equipment for their creations.
I hope you will like them as much as me! Have fun visiting my store!


text:
|Thread Tools
We were using Whole Life Healthcare in Portsmouth and were pretty content with them, but they are not accepting our insurance after January 1st so we need to find a new PCP for the whole family. Any recommendations? We're in Kittery and will happily travel a little ways for someone who takes our insurance and is family friendly. We were hoping to get in with Jen Nelson but she has a waiting list for our insurance right now.
Any recommendations? I really appreciate any ideas!!!
-Woodie Guthrie
Proud mama to three bouncing unschooled boys:, Ian5/02, Connor9/04, and Andrew1/08!:::: Milk Donors!
Thanks so much for the word back! Our health insurance actually automatically signed us up with KFP for now so I think we'll give them a go. Definitely post back after your first visit if you don't mind though, I'd love to hear what your experience is like. Hope to see you on another Forest Friday sometime soon too! I think we probably won't be out until closer to spring since we have a baby in the house, but it makes such a difference to get a little fresh air and sun during the winters up here. Hope you're all well!!!
-Woodie Guthrie
But I have had a great experience with family practitioner Rachel Burke in South Berwick.
Best of Luck
Whatever you do, DO NOT GO TO KFP. A doctor there is responsible for my father's death. He ignored my father's medical complaints during an annual physical and my father died the next day. Had the doctor run a test my father would be alive today. Instead he signed my father's death certificate WITHOUT EVEN VIEWING MY FATHER'S BODY, signed off on the death certificate as natural causes, this doctor ignored signs of an abdominal aneurysm. They don't care anymore because all the old timers are retiring and even if you sue them it's not going to hurt their reputation they'll just retire! They have made their money they are just putting in their time now. They are going to retire anyway. They don't give a rats*** at KFP anymore. They kind of did when the doctors were younger 30 years ago, but they are burnt out and tired of treating patients. But I am sure the new doctors there are fine so long as the old timers aren't their role models and mentors!! I could not believe the nerve of some of the doctors and staff in this practice.
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text:
TwoCool™ 140mm Blue 2 speed 140mm Case Fan
- Antec TwoCool™ 140mm Blue 2 speed 140mm Case Fan
Stock Code: FG-018-AN
MPN: TwoCool 140 Blue
Manufacturer: Antec
Product information: TwoCool™ 140mm Blue 2 speed 140mm Case FanAntec's TwoCool™ 140 fans bring proven cooling and Quiet Computing™ to the increasingly popular 140 mm size. A convenient switch allows users to easily choose either silent 800 RPM or maximum 1200 RPM cooling, while sleeve bearings ensure overall quiet operation with high RPM capability. The low noise and high cooling capability of the TwoCool™ 140 provides better airflow at lower speeds than comparable 120 mm fans. Backed by a 3 year limited warranty on parts and labor, the TwoCool™ 140 is both an ideal upgrade for underperforming stock fans and an excellent choice for new PC builds.
Speed Low 800RPM High 1200RPM
Input Current 0.2A 0.3A
Air Flow 1.0m3 / min
(33.6 CFM) 1.7m3 / min
Static Pressure 0.28 mm-H2O
(0.01inch-H2O) 0.8 mm-H2O
Noise 21.8 dBA 26 dBA
Input Power 2.4 W 3.6 W
Unit Dimensions
- 140 mm (H) x 140 mm (W) x 25 mm (D)
- 5.5" (H) x 5.5" (W) x 1.0" (D)
Package Dimensions
- 270 mm (H) x 200 mm (W) x 37 mm (D)
- 10.6" (H) x 7.9" (W) x 1.5" (D)
- Net : 158 g / 5.6 oz
- Gross : 255 g / 9.0 oz
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text:
Summer…beaches, cookouts, outside dining, a glass of wine or cold mug of beer…I am excited it's here. With all the wonderful times that come with summer vacation, the one food I thoroughly enjoy with all these elements are crab or salmon cakes. Dressed lightly with a dab of a remoulade sauce or aioli? I am a happy girl.
A few months ago, when I went back to Salt Lake for work, I was happy to see Kalyn, Barbara, and Tiffany again. I was also able to take the girls from work to Park City during one of our free evenings. Before hitting the Outlets, we grabbed a quick bite at the Hapa Grill. We were not only pleased with the atmosphere and the customer service, but we appreciated the server's knowledge about the gluten-free options. This helped my colleague who had recently learned of her intolerance. While she ordered suggested GF dish, (and despite the snow on the ground) I ordered a version of my warm weather favorite, the Lump Crabcake & Avocado Slider's, served with ponzu citrus mayo, balsamic caramelized, red onion, and poblano peppers. They were so satisfying. Then, Liz made the comment, "Oh, I am going to miss crab cakes." When crab cakes are a summer staple, that's a difficult thought to digest.
I knew, once I ate the Hapa Grill sliders, I would recreate them in my own kitchen. That time came recently, and while I was grocery shopping for the ingredients, I came across Gillian's Foods Gluten-Free Bread Crumbs. I sent a picture text to Liz with the message, "I see crab cakes in your future". This time, she was a happy girl once she learned where to find them.
Finally, months after eating at Hapa and finding GF bread crumbs, made my own crab cakes. Wanted to be able to share a successful, gluten free option with Liz, I made these Gluten-Free. If I didn't tell you these Lump Crabcake & Avocado Sliders were gluten free you'd wouldn't be able to tell the difference. But, they are easily adaptable and can be made with your preferred, regular breadcrumbs and rolls.
Lump Crabcake & Avocado Sliders
½ pound Lump crabmeat, picked over
2 eggs
¼ cup Vegenaise (or mayonnaise)
2 tsps. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. freshly ground pepper
1 tsp. dry mustard
1 tsp. seafood seasoning (recommended: Old Bay)
½ tsp. fine sea salt
½ tsp. cayenne pepper
juice of lemon juice
1 cups plain bread crumbs (not seasoned)
½ avocado, sliced, brushed lightly with lemon
¼- ½ cup caramelized onions (recipe follows)
~¼ cup remoulade sauce
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Combine Worcestershire sauce, pepper, dry mustard, seafood seasoning, salt, cayenne, and lemon juice, bread crumbs, and eggs in a large bowl and mix until thoroughly combined.
Gently fold crabmeat into egg mixture, being careful not to break up large crab pieces. Shape into 8-10 mini crab cakes. Transfer crab cakes to a lined (or lightly sprayed) sheet pan and bake for 8-10 minutes per side until the outsides are slightly browned and the filling is warm throughout. Serve on mini rolls with remoulade sauce, caramelized onions, and avocado slices.
Cook's Notes:
- I thought I had Worcestershire sauce in the pantry, but I didn't. So, I used my Bragg's Amino Acids.
- I thought I had Old Bay Seasoning, but I didn't. So, I used Ellbees Zesty Seasoning (which is gluten free).
- I used Gillian's Foods Gluten-Free Bread Crumbs
- Keeping with the Gluten-Free theme, I made Gluten-Free mini rolls with Bob's Red Mill Bread Mix
- I baked these, but you can fry them, too. Heat 2 Tbsp. canola/vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the crab cakes and cook about 3 minutes per side, until golden on both sides.
- All ingredients can be adjusted to taste and preference
Caramelized Onions
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 cup thinly sliced yellow onion
¼ cup red wine
In a skillet, heat oil over medium-low heat. Add onions and cook about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to brown. Increase heat to medium, add wine and cook until the wine reduces and the onions turn dark in color (about 4 minutes). Use right away, or bring to room temperature and store refrigerated for several days in an air-tight container.


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Day 2: Shoebill Search. After breakfast with packed lunch aboard, your birding experience to the Mabamba Swamps will start. Bird along the way to where birding is done canoeing on a big scale for the water birds, and in the evening, the search for woodland and open grassland species will start around Mabamba bay. A variety of species for your eyes to catch sight of include; The elusive Shoebill, Papyrus Gonolek, White-faced Whistling-duck, Fulvours Whistling Duck, Goliath Heron, Purple Heron, Common Squacco Heron, long-toed Plover, African water Rail, Grey and Black-headed Herons, Striated Heron, Pygmy Goose, Yellow-billed Duck, Black Crake, Swamp Moorhen, Allen's Gallinule, African Jacana, Rufous-naped Lark, Flappet Lark, Mosque Swallow (monteiri race), Weyn's Weaver, White-shouldered Tit, Sand Martin, Brown Snake-Eagle, Eurasian Hobby, Tropical Boubou, Stripped Kingfisher, Common Stonechat, Little bee-eater, Red-chested Cuckoo, Klass's Cuckoo, Diedrick Cuckoo, White-browed and the Senagal Coucals, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Yellow white-eye, common and black-capped Waxbill and over a hundred other bird species are a must see for a hard core or lucky birder. You could also see a swamp antelope, the Sitatunga and much more of wildlife. Overnight at SLaico Lake Victoria Hotel | Entebbe Travellers Inn (Full Board).
Day 3: Birding to L. Mburo National Park. After breakfast, with packed lunch, we bird to the best choice place to find the African Finfoot: L. Mburo National Park. Have a short stop at the Equator for an informative talk and a photographic opportunity. During the journey, we will have several stop-overs to catch some species in the bushes and papyrus swamps aside the road for papyrus endemics while you look at the beautiful scenery. On checking in, we will go for an evening game drive for a number of bird species and a variety of mammals for example, Warthogs, Zebras, Elephants and many others. Overnight at Mihingo Lodge | Arcadia Cottages (Full Board).
Day 4: Birding in L. Mburo National Park. Have an early morning breakfast before going birdwatching in a game car, bird and return for lunch then later go for a boat ride in search for the African Finfoot, Coqui, and the Red-winged Francolins, Blue-spotted Wood Dove, Brown Parrot, Barefaced Go-away bird, Harlequin and Blue Quails, Common Button Quail, White-headed and Black-billed Barbet, Greenwood Hoopoe, Common Scimitarbill, Blue-napped Mousebird, Blue-breasted and Shining-blue Kingfishers, Lilac-breasted Roller, African-grey Hornbill, the Nubian, Buff-spotted, Brown-eared, and the Grey Woodpeckers, Trilling, Stout, and Wing-snapping Cisticolas, Red-necked spurfowl, Black-bellied Bustard, Temminck's Courser, African-wattled Plover Rufous napped and Flappet larks, Rufous-chested Swallow, Yellow-throated Longclaw, Black-winged Bishop, Chubb's, Carruther's and a number of other Cisticolas, the Lesser and Great Swamp Warblers, Black Crake, Common Squacco, Striated, Goliath, Purple, Black-headed, Grey, and Black-headed Herons, Great White and Pink-backed Pelicans, the African Fish Eagle, among others. Overnight at Mihingo Lodge | Arcadia Cottages (Full Board).
Day 5: Kampala. Have an early breakfast then a game drive for more species possibly missed out, then bird to Masaka for our lunch before birding back to Kampala, Entebbe/Airport.
Day 6: Departure. End of safari.
Member discount:
Please note: The given prices are based on shared accommodation.
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text:
Charpin, Charpentier, wed in much-publicized civil ceremony in 2004, earlier vowed to appeal case to European Court of Human Rights
PARIS France's highest court on Tuesday, March 13 rejected as unlawful the first marriage by a gay couple in France, annulling the knot tied by the two men in 2004.
"Under French law, marriage is a union between a man and a woman," the court ruled, backing a 2005 decision by an appeals court in Bordeaux.
Stephane Charpin and Bertrand Charpentier were married in a much-publicized civil ceremony in the town of Begles, in the Bordeaux region in southwest France, on June 5, 2004. The government immediately said the union was outside the law, and a series of court decisions unfavorable to the couple has followed.
No other gay couple has since married in France.
Prosecutor Marc Domingo said during an earlier court hearing that it is the parliament, not judges, who should have the final word in any legalization of marriages involving same-sex couples.
The couple said after the 2005 appeals court ruling that they would take their case to the European Court of Human Rights if necessary. It was not immediately clear whether they would do so.
The lower court that initially rejected the marriage noted that gay couples in France are already covered by legislation that grants non-married cohabiting couples of the same or opposite sexes some rights enjoyed by married couples.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition March 16, 2007


text:
OK, it's February. So sue me. Not like much worthwhile has been released in the past 4 months anyways. I had two reviews half written for the longest time. The file actually says "November record reviews" and I left it that way so I'd know what a fuck I am for not getting it together. I've also got a "best of" list of 2010 written. I've just lacked the time to put them together with pictures and stuff. I decided to hold off until I could get something written for the new Devil's Blood album, since it's probably the first release in a long time that deserves mention in this column. Before any more water passes under the bridge though…
The Devil's Blood – The Thousandfold Epicenter (Van Records/Metal Blade Records)
Now THIS kinda record is the reason I do this column. There was a time when people described something that was psychologically taxing as "heavy" and that is how the term should be used in context of discussion concerning this band. In that regard, The Devil's Blood are probably the heaviest "pop" band around right now (if the term "pop" can even apply to an act with actual guitars in their music anymore.) I can't think of one act that could possibly have a song on the radio right next to Kings Of Leon or The Black Keys and be so full on… LUCIFERIAN. (Well, aside from Madonna's performance as a gilded Baphomet, replete with crown of Hathor for the Superbowl halftime show.) I've seen all too many comparisons of this band to Blue Oyster Cult, another band who used occult imagery to gain a foothold in the marketplace. With BOC though, it was so evident that the occult imagery was just a cloak that they put on for the stage and removed when they were done. The music was peppy and catchy and not all that dark past the first album. The Devil's Blood are a similar beast only in regards to the fact that they are occult based hard rock, but the occult is something that is applied to their face like stage makeup and rubbed into their hair. It takes a half hour with a jar of cold cream and a shower to get that stuff off rather than just hanging it on a hook or folding it up neatly and putting it back in the suitcase. It's the difference between a vat of corn syrup and food coloring, or a vat of actual butcher's blood. If they are someone else behind closed doors, then this is a well guarded fact, at least for the time being. The Devil's Blood I tend to liken more to Jefferson Airplane (and not just because they have a female vocalist) more because the music is dark, swirling, driving, psychedelic, and at times, almost impenetrably dense. I could totally plug them into either the west coast Matrix scene, or the Max's Kansas City NYC Andy Warhol scene. The main failing of modern "psyche" oriented acts is that through all the thick molasses of their tone, the audience can easily forget what song they are listening to. Upon first listen, I was thinking that The Thousandfold Epicenter was going to fall prey to these trappings as well. I think it was just a trick of a layered, dense feeling production. I'm noticing that as I've listened to it since it came out (Yes, I waited until the release date like a good boy.) the layers peeled back pretty quickly. It doesn't take much to let the melodies seep into the cracks and take root. This is rarely an issue for most of the trash that passes itself off as "interesting music" to people who like to listen to stuff that gets licensed for use in Volkswagen commercials. Nothing seeps into anywhere and their twee pandering is completely gone from the mind by the time of the next commercial. So much energy is expended maintaining their style, that the songwriting is lost. The songs on The Thousandfold Epicenter are not only expertly written, but they are brilliantly sequenced and flow seamlessly either through deft arrangement or some spacey interludes, though past "Fire Burning" there isn't much actual viable album left. (Aside from the energy killing early denoument of "Everlasting Saturnalia" and the first half of "The Madness Of Serpents" the rest of the album is mostly space) That's fine as you still have 44 solid minutes of the best rock and roll you are going to hear all year, which is about the perfect length for an album.
The record is sequenced in such a way that though there are a few lengthy 7 to 9 minute jams, it's easy to not notice that a half hour as passed. "On The Wings Of Gloria" officially opens the record after sliding out of a two and a half minute intro track into a full-on Hawkwind psyche raveup. Believe it or not, it's one of the weaker songs on the album. It just gets better from there for the next 40 or so minutes. The first half of the album seems to lean forward, focusing it's energy on the twin towers of the 9 minute title track and early-release single, "Fire Burning." After this point, the album is clearly spent, but so is the listener. There is still 29 minutes to play through, and though I may not be interested in fluff and space, it's still worth leaving the record on. I am just a hawk about energy and for me, the album stops DEAD at "Everlasting Saturnalia." Though it is a fine piece of work, and I am sure some of the more psyche minded will surely be into the much lighter headspace of the remaining 29 minutes of music, it probably isn't going to get much of a fair spin after this review is written. I don't think I could recommend an album higher for fans of actual inspired music. There's no reason these guys couldn't play Coachella or any other pop festival aside from the fact that people will be scared of catching some sort of swine flu after getting splattered with something that AIN'T just corn syrup. You can risk infection by bloodborne pathogen by attending a performance during the month of April as The Devil's Blood crisscrosses the US with fellow plague-slingers Watain, Behemoth and In Solitude as part of the Decibel Magazine tour. I'll be at the Columbus show, standing toward the back of the room, likely with a T shirt wrapped around my face like it was at the last Watain tour I attended. I guess it's as good a way as any to get me to buy a shirt.
Ritual Necromancy – Oath Of The Abyss (Dark Descent)
With the success of bands like Portal, who tend to revere atmosphere above all (down to the bizarre spelling of their song titles and mysterious stage names like "Horror Illogium") to the overpowering stench and ritual nature of Watain's live show and visual presentation, death and black metal has taken a decidedly atmospheric turn since the beginning of the decade. The idea that the music itself is a cult experience rather than just a record you passively put on has gained popularity again for the first time since the 2nd wave of black metal in the early 90's. Live shows will not soon be forgotten, not because you lost a tooth in the pit or your favorite shirt got ripped by some juiced up skinhead, but because you looked on the stage and saw something the equivalent of a Mark Riddick album cover in living, weird, and unhuman glory. Powdery corpse paint and spikes has been replaced with stage wear one could get hepatitis from. It's not just about the fastest blast beats and getting a good, clear, well mixed recording on some high falutin' record label's dime. To really bring it nowadays in the death metal field, one must craft one's music to invoke the very exhalation of cosmic horror through the listener's earbuds. The best examples of this would be in death metal's favorite mid-90's mudfests like Immolation and Incantation's 2nd albums, respectively "Here In After" and "Mortal Throne Of The Nazarene." On the surface, they are low-endy walls of distortion, spattered drums and vocal muck. Upon further inspection, you hear a nearly impenetrable wall of roiling, intertwining riffs that flout any sense of melody or theoretic structure short of playing them occasionally in fours and rarely repeating in any known pattern. The intent is on creating a constant barrage of unsettling and dark moods. Since then, death metal players struck from this mold have gone from murky serendipity to measured attempts to recreate the oppressive atmospheres of these albums on their own recordings.
Recording a murky, downtuned mudfest of an album is the easy part and that's where Ritual Necromancy start to lose me. Don't get me wrong, the album is very effective in achieving what they set out to do, but SOOOO many bands are doing this stuff now that it's hard for me to separate Ritual Necromancy from the rest of the cloudy soup. Drums flump along at breakneck pace, slightly ahead of everything else the mix. Guitars roar "HM2 buzzsaw" riffage that occasionally seeps some genius (almost catchy) anti-melody into the mix. Vocals are delivered in that under-enunciated, dry, guttural rasp that Craig Pillard pretty much invented with "Onward To Golgotha." The whole thing absolutely reeks, and that's a compliment. So far, much has been written (not just by me) about the unsettling nature of the recording itself, but what about the SONGS? Well, they don't really do much to separate themselves from Vasaeleth, Antediluvian, Father Befouled, Heresiarch, Impetuous Ritual, Mitochondrion and the like. I think for the most part, the doomed out sections are where this sound becomes most effective, the riffs get to take center stage and occasionally, songs can be discerned from one another. The closing riff to "The Chasm" is particularly harrowing. Some things work better than others when it comes to this style. For me, it's the basement-sludge-stomp riff offset by the keening, whining upper register line that howls a sorrowful tune of mourning that just screams DEATH METAL to me. Those are the moments when the atmosphere is most effective, no matter how bombed out or "necro" the production is. Moments like that come straight out of the book of Asphyx and aim straight for the 14 year old kid in me, melting my cynical heart like watching my team make a winning touchdown or something.
Prosanctus Inferi – Red Streams Of Flesh (Nuclear War Now)
I was SUPER stoked on the Prosanctus debut album "Pandemonic Ululations Of Vesperic Palpitation" and named it one of my favorite recordings of 2010. It was a record whose creation was marred by equipment failure, general bad luck and the tragic suicide of their drummer. Antichristus didn't live to see his recorded work released and that's really sad because he was part of one of the more unique recordings of the year, and not just because of the ridiculous song titles ("Pontifical Undulations of Blasphemic Gesticulation" Really? Satan is clearly going to enlist Jake Kohn for naming Jeopardy categories when he joins Alex Trebek in hell.) It was an album with an actual creepy atmosphere without being muddy for the sake of muddy or having over-long interludes that stop an album dead in it's tracks. I actually kinda consider it a more musically accomplished cousin of Beherit's "Oath Of Black Blood" in regards to it's twisting song structures, weird sound effects and compact efficiency (both albums run about 25 minutes). This year finds Prosanctus with a new drummer in Deadsea's Jeremy Spears and a new EP of recordings in "Red Streams Of Flesh" and once again, it should be a year-end list banger if it wasn't for the fact that it was only 4 new songs. The production is cleaner and tighter all around, but still sufficiently suffocating. The new songs are much more developed and longer, (The total time of the 4 new songs is half the run-time of the full length) and two re-recorded songs from the full length vastly benefit from the update. Taken as a whole, "Red Streams Of Flesh" is crispier and punchier, whereas "Pandemonic" was a solid, sticky mass. Both approaches have worked brilliantly in their own ways and as the band's body of work expands, so does their effectiveness unlike some of their less creative contemporaries. Prosanctus is one of the few cult bands kicking around the scene right now with a truly unique take on the whole throwback to the low buck and speedy death/black metal favorites of yore like Beherit, Nuclear Death and Sarcofago that has recently been so fashionable. Unlike bands that just mix up a bag of nasty words and pick any two (Bestial, Goat, Blasphemy, Sodomy, Anal, Violence, Blackened, Filth… and so forth) Prosanctus puts thought, research, wit, and personality into what they are doing, providing evidence that their darkest inspiration MUST come from places other than a pedestrian scene of panda-faced cartoon characters bellowing about Lucifer. While there has to be some of that, all that is horrific isn't just inspired from horror.
Horrendous – The Chills (Dark Descent)
I'll drop one more review quickly, just to show that I am "current" and not just writing about stuff that came out months ago. I got this about a week ago and it has gotten a lot of spin lately. I was just going to put it in the "listening suggestions" column at the bottom, but I figured I had room for one more review. Besides, the Dark Descent guy is constantly posting stuff on Facebook showing how hard he is working to get mailorder out on time. So if having TWO Dark Descent releases reviewed here ain't enough of a plug, go to the DD website and ordering Horrendous, Ritual Necromancy, Timeghoul or the reissue of the first Mitochondrion album and you won't be disappointed. I have had a passion for the early 90's death metal sound since Carcass and Entombed went "Death & Roll." That was when I lost interest and just started listening to The Cure and Fields Of The Nephilim because life wasn't a party for me back then and I didn't want to listen to party metal. Horrendous is the sound of that exact 2nd wave of death metal before the blast beat took over. We're talking 1989-1990, so a pretty small window. Lots of HM2 pedal "Buzzsaw" guitars and death metal vocals the way they SHOULD be done. Horrendous "get it" when it comes to nailing that sound. Vocals are properly throat lacerating in the grand tradition of Jeff Beccera and Martin Van Drunen rather than gurgled or barked. The guitars are lovingly and thoughtfully EQ'd to cut right though you, while the solos are played with proper thoughtless abandon, and lots of divebombs. Horrendous stick closely to these rules and write SONGS too rather than just writing a bunch of death metal. There are snatches of melody here and there, and just enough. Not so much that a part goes from "worth humming along" to turning into sports talk show bumper music like so many promising acts did the early 00's did. It's a very thin balance and Horrendous walk it proudly. I haven't had a chance to give this record more than a few fair spins, but I doubt if my later opinions of it will change much more than they will from right now. Of the glut of 90's death metal resurgence albums that are hitting right now, "The Chills" has already gotten more complete listens from me in a weeks time than many of the bigger releases that just sit on the shelf, most of which I could never get through the entire album because it was just BORING. "The Chills" is neither forward thinking nor innovative, but it also isn't boring and scratches a very nagging itch that many other releases have so far failed to scratch.
Been listening to (and so should you):
Fate's Warning – The Spectre Within
Dark Angel – Live Scars
English Dogs – Forward Into Battle
Prince – Self Titled/Dirty Mind/Controversy
Stoked on:
Christian Mistress -Possession
Tukaaria & Odz Manouk releases on Profound Lore
Asphyx – Deathhammer
Goatwhore – Blood For The Master
new Black Breath and Acephalix albums in the can


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Embassy of India in Al Khuwair, Oman
Address :
Jami'at Al – Dowal Al – Arabiya Street,
Diplomatic Area, Al Khuwair,
P.O. Box 1727,PC 112.
Working hours : 8:30 a.m. – 5.00 p.m(Except Fridays and Saturdays)
Tel Nos : 24684500
Fax Nos : +968 – 2469 8291 (General)
+968 – 2469 2791 (Consular)
+968 – 2468 4546 (Community Welfare)
24 Hr Emergency Helpline : +968 – 2469 5981
(only for labour/welfare issues)
E-mail : firstname.lastname@example.com
List of Holidays
|Day of Week
|New Year's Day
|Republic Day
|Ram Navami
|Good Friday
|Idu'l Fitr*
|Independence Day
|Mahatma Gandhi's Birthday
|National Day of Oman**
|Guru Nanak's Birthday
|Milad Un Nabi or Id-E-Milad(Birthday of Prophet Mohammad)*
|Christmas Day
Types of Visas
Tourist Visa
Tourist Visa Please apply for visa online and take a print out of the filled in form and submit the same at the BLS Centremor its nearest mobile collection centre along with one recent passport size photograph, passport in original, a photocopy of its first five pages, and confirmed return air ticket in original along with its photocopy.
Tourist visa will be granted to a foreigner who does not have a residence or occupation in India and whose sole objective of visiting India is recreation, sightseeing or casual visit. No other activity is permissible on a Tourist Visa.
Tourist Visa for US nationals
- Applicant should submit the Visa form duly filled along with original passport and two photographs as per general guidelines.
- Tourist Visa on arrival for nationals of twelve countries
- Citizens of Finland, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Singapore, Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, Laos, Myanmar, Indonesia and Republic of Korea shall be granted "Tourist Visa – on – Arrival".
- Tourist Visa – on – Arrival shall be available only at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata Airports with a maximum validity of 30 days with single entry. The following terms and conditions apply for such categories of visas:
- The sole purpose of visiting India on tourist visa on arrival should be for recreation, sightseeing, casual visit, visit to meet friends or relatives etc. and no other purpose/activities.
- The applicant does not have a residence or occupation in India.
- The applicants' passport has minimum 6 months validity and a re-entry permit if that is required under the law of the country of nationality of the applicant.
- The applicant should be of assured financial standing (the production of return ticket and availability of sufficient money to spend during his stay in India).
- The applicant is not a persona-non-grata to the Government of India.
- The citizens from the above named countries who would like to visit India for longer duration should approach Indian mission and would be granted visa by the Indian missions concerned.
- The facility shall not be available to citizens of above countries (Finland, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand and Singapore) if either of his/her parents or grandparents (paternal or maternal) was born in and was permanently resident in Pakistan. Such persons can visit India after obtaining appropriate visas from the Indian missions concerned.
- The tourist visa on arrival can neither be extended nor converted to any other kind of visa during applicant's stay in India except in the following circumstances with the prior approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs
- Tourist visa on Arrival of foreign nationals who fall ill after their entry into India and require specialized medical treatment may be converted to 'Medical visa'. In such cases, tourist visa on arrival of the attendant may also be converted into medical attendant (Med'X') after submission of medical certificate from government/government recognized hospitals.
- A fee of US$ 60/- or equivalent amount in Indian rupees per passenger (including children), will be charged from each applicant for grant of Tourist visa on Arrival.
- Tourist visa on Arrival shall be allowed for a maximum of two times in a calendar year to a foreigner with a minimum gap of two months between each visit. Letter to be submitted explaining the circumstances under which re-entry is sought, mentioning the contact address & phone number etc in India and abroad
- This facility will not be applicable to holders of Diplomatic/official passports.
- Photocopy of passport, residence visa & long-term multiple entry tourist visa granted by Indian mission
- Copy of detailed itinerary
Medical Visa
Medical visa is admissible to all foreign nationals seeking Medicare in recognized specialty hospitals or treatment centers in India. Although non exhaustive, following illustrative list of serious ailments would be of primary consideration; neuro-surgery; ophthalmic disorders; heart related problems; renal disorders; organ transplantations; plastic surgery; joint replacement etc.
Medical attendant visa
General guidelines for visa application are applicable in this case also.
Attendant/family members of the patient coming to India for medical treatment shall be granted medical attendant visa co-terminus with the 'Medical Visa' of the patient. Such visa may be granted to the spouse/ children or to those who have blood relations with the patient. Such a visa can be issued to a maximum of two persons in the family.
Medical attendant visa holders are also required to get themselves registered within the period of 14 days of arrival in India with the concerned FRROs/ FROs, in case the applicant is required to stay in India for more than 6 months for the treatment.
Such visa will be valid for maximum three entries during one year.
Business Visa
Application in the prescribed form, which may be downloaded, supported by a letter from the sponsoring organization indicating nature of applicant's business, probable duration of stay, validity of visa, places and organizations to be visited and also a guarantee to meet maintenance etc. and letter of invitation received from business houses or companies in India, along with two passport sized photographs, the passport in original and a photocopy of the first five pages of the passport should be submitted. The passport and resident visa should have at least six months validity left. If all documents are in order, the passport will be returned on the same day with visa stamped there on.
Employment Visa
General guidelines for visa application are applicable in this case also. The maximum validity of Employment Visa is one year.
However, additionally, employment visa application form should be accompanied with
Proof of contract / employment/ engagement of foreign nationals by the company or organization; and
The employing company / organization should be registered in India and a copy of such registration should be submitted;
Certificate by the employer mentioning the salary of the foreign national employed in India;
The employing company / organization should certify that the nature of job is such that qualified Indian nationals are not available for that job;
The applicant must submit proof of employment or contract or engagement by the company / organization in India and also submit copy of the agreement of the company approved by the Government of India;
The applicant must submit documentary proof of his educational qualification and professional expertise;
Student Visa
A letter of approval or No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Ministry of Health in case of admission to medical or para-medical course is also to be submitted with the application. The letter of approval or NOC can be obtained from the college/institute where admission has been confirmed.
Foreign Students are allowed to study in recognized graduate and post graduate level medical, Para-medical, engineering and Technical institutes in India. Foreign students intending to pursue regular academic courses in India should apply for Student Visa.
General guidelines for visa application are applicable in this case also. However, additionally the visa application form should be accompanied with- a firm proof of admission to a recognized University/educational institution and a letter from the Ministry of Higher Education, Sultanate of Oman, should accompany the application.
Further, a letter of approval or No Objection Certificate from Ministry of Health, Government of India (GOI) in case of admission to medical or Para-medical courses and from Ministry of Human Resources Development (Department of Education) (GOI) in case of Engineering and Technical courses is required. This letter of approval can be obtained from the college/institute where admission has been confirmed.
Satisfactory evidence of financial support with a bank guarantee for R.O.500/.
The student visa is issued for the period of study (Maximum period of validity is five years) in India.
Provisional Student Visa
There might be some cases where the applicants do not have firm letters of admission from the college/institute because of the procedure which requires admission tests etc. Such students may apply for Provisional Student Visa on the basis of Provisional Admission Certificate issued by the university/institute.
Visa in such cases will be limited to a period of six months. Further renewal of student visa can be done through the State Government/Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) who are empowered to grant a regular student visa for the duration of the course or a period of 5 years, whichever is less.
Journalist Visa
Journalist visa is issued to professional journalists and photographers visiting India. The applicants are required to contact the External Publicity Division of the Ministry of External Affairs and in other places, the Office of the Government of India's Press Information Bureau on arrival in New Delhi.
Foreign journalists visiting India on long term assignments (i.e. to be based in India), have to fill up the online form http://pibaccreditation.nic.in under category New users – select option – "I am applying through Indian Mission abroad) for issuance of PIB cards simultaneously with submission of their "J" visa application, in order to facilitate timely issuance of PIB cards.
Conference Visa
Conference visa is issued for attending conferences / seminars / workshops in India. A letter of invitation from the organizers of the conference is to be submitted along with the visa application. Issue of Conference visa is subject to approval of conducting the event by the concerned Ministry of Central/ State governments of India. Delegates visiting attend conferences may combine tourism with attending conferences.
Transit Visa
A transit visa is granted for the sole purpose of enabling the holder to travel through India to reach his/her ultimate destination. Change of purpose is not allowed. The visa will ordinarily be valid for a single/double journey and for entry within 15 days of date of issue. The transit visa is valid for direct transit only for a maximum period of 3 days. Confirmed air ticket for onward journey and valid visa for final destination are required. For a stay in India beyond 3 days, an appropriate visa should be obtained.
Visa for Missionaries
Single entry visa valid for the duration approved by the Government of India is issued. Three copies of the letter from the sponsoring organization indicating intended destination in India, expected length of stay, and nature of work to be discharged should be attached along with a guarantee for applicant's maintenance while in India.
Visa for Research Purposes
Approval of Ministry of Human Resources Development (Department of Education), New Delhi, should accompany the visa application. The validity of the visa would coincide with the research period.
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In response to "Court won't hear cross appeal" June 26): Another setback for the proponents of the Mount Soledad Cross, which has already been declared a violation of the Constitution. In addition to that violation, to choose a cross as a symbol for a memorial because most of the veterans being honored are Christians is patently wrong and totally un-Christian. I humbly suggest to my fellow Christians that it is time to reconsider the families of those "other" veterans who died in the country's and your service. Let's change the battle cry from "save the cross" to "save the monument."
Letters and commentary policy
The U-T welcomes and encourages community dialogue on important public matters. Please visit this page for more details on our letters and commentaries policy.
- E-mail firstname.lastname@example.com
- Mail: Andrew Kleske, Reader Outreach Editor
San Diego Union-Tribune
P.O. Box 120191
San Diego, CA 92112-0191.
I fear the possibility that one day we could be ordered to tear it down. I propose that U-T ask the public to submit ideas for modifying the existing structure into a memorial symbol we can all be proud of. With all of the artistic talent we have in San Diego, I am certain U-T will receive many good proposals. – Edward Schatz, Escondido
With regard to the never-ending controversy as to whether or not the Mount Soledad cross is a religious symbol or a memorial monument to veterans.
Why not neutralize the argument with an inexpensive modification? Simply cut the arms off the cross, leaving the existing vertical column. Nobody would insist it is a "Christian" symbol. Nobody would deny it is a memorial.
If there's any wealthy patriot with money to burn, they could donate an eagle to be mounted on the top. – Mark Bryning, College Area
There are essentially three groups involved in this controversy. Christians, Jews and atheists. In military cemeteries Christian graves are marked by a cross. Jewish graves by a cross that incorporates a Star of David. Invite Jews to either incorporate a Star of David on the Mount Soledad Cross or erect a Jewish religious symbol of their choosing close by the cross. So far as the atheists, I would simply ignore them. Case closed. – M.P. McCarthy, M.D., Carlsbad
This contest (of egos?) has been carried to it's extreme now. The amount of time and money (lawyers' full-employment program) wasted is absolute nonsense. There is a quite simple solution to the problem:
Remove the transverse portion (arms) and obtain an attractive obelisk which will offend no one, as a memorial. And there will be happiness throughout the land. – Charles Leverette, La Mesa
So, the Supreme Court refuses to rule on the Mount Soledad cross. What a bunch of spineless cowards. That is why they are there. To make the hard decisions, not kick the can down road. As a retired veteran with 30 years' service, I see the cross as memorial more than a religious symbol. But either way, keep it or not, have the stones to make a ruling. As the final ruling body in this country, [the Supreme Court has] an obligation. – Tom Ferrell, San Diego


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Scary Mommy has a great post on sprucing up your blog for the new year, and I'd really like to use some of her tips, like downloading the Alexa toolbar and updating my "about" page.
Though I'm not one to make resolutions (I tend to make and break them all year long), here are a few things I'd like to work on this year:
- practice yoga 3-5 evenings a week
- eat more fish and seaweed (honestly!)
- be less obsessive about keeping a tidy house
- send more letters, especially to the kids in my life
- get Soren and myself outside for at least a few minutes every day, even when it's freezing
- be a better blog commenter and respond to comments in a timely fashion!
Happy New Year to you friends! Hope it's a good one thus far.


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Diplomat Series: Ambassador from Singapore
World Affairs Council of Kentucky & Southern Indiana
Wednesday, November 6, 2013 from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM (EST)
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Florence, Italy
Event Details
WAC Diplomat Series
Singapore Ambassador to the U.S.
His Excellency Ashok Kumar Mirpuri
Ashok Mirpuri took up his appointment as Singapore's Ambassador to the United States in July 2012. Prior to his current appointment, he served as Ambassador to Indonesia from 2006-2012, High Commissioner to Malaysia from 2002-2006 and High Commissioner to Australia from 2000-2002.
11:30 a.m., Wednesday November 6, 2013
Vincenzo's, 150 S Fifth St
Members: $40
Non-Members: $50
For student discount rate please call: 502-561-5422
RSVP today!
Have questions about Diplomat Series: Ambassador from Singapore? Contact World Affairs Council of Kentucky & Southern Indiana
When & Where
150 S Fifth St.
Wednesday, November 6, 2013 from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM (EST)
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World Affairs Council of Kentucky & Southern Indiana
The World Affairs Council of Kentucky and Southern Indiana (WAC) is a non-profit educational organization that promotes global activity. Whether it's hosting VIP visitors from abroad or organizing speaking events on current international topics, WAC strives to connect Louisville to the world. More...
Diplomat Series: Ambassador from Singapore
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These Breakup Cakes Are So Funny Even Your Ex Will Crack A Smile.
Some people deal with a breakup by eating every savoury dessert around while others cannot bear to look at food. Isabella Giancarlo wanted to feel better about her split last spring and the last seven words she exchanged with her ex.
The Brooklyn designer turned to pies, cakes, and just about any sugary confection to help her through the heartbreak but not to eat them. Giancarlo's Eat Your Heart Out photo series uses these delights to tell breakup stories.
For Giancarlo, these desserts with quotes turn out to be therapeutic. "I think the desserts serve as fleeting memorials to past relationships and function as a sweet way to process something as emotionally taxing as a break-up," says Giancarlo.
"After a breakup last spring, seven words sat me that I couldn't shake. I thought about ways to reclaim that phrase… how could I sweeten words that initially took away my appetite?" asks Giancarlo.
Some breakups don't end on friendly terms.
Turning a new page by becoming friends afterwards.
Originally, Giancarlo and her friends came up with the quotes. Her project has become so popular, people are submitting their own breakup quotes on her site.
Next, 50 times cake was used to get an important message across.
Source: eatyrheartsout


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Product Information
As small as a car key, the Amacom USB2 Flash Key takes portability to another level with transfer rates of over 5 Mb per second. The key plugs into any computers USB 1.0/2.0 port and is ideally suited to securely storing, sharing and transporting your data. Amacom's Flash Key is a simple and quick way to share presentations, digital photos, video and MP3s with your work colleagues and friends or to carry files between work and home.


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Callie Rosenfeld Receives Community Engagement Fellowship
Read this story in The Jewish Chronicle
Callie Rosenfeld, a student at the University of Pittsburgh, is one of nine recipients of the BBYO Community Engagement Fellowship.
As a CEF Rosenfeld will organize BBYO alumni events and initiate projects with partner organizations to maintain a thriving BBYO alumni community and enhance Jewish life on campus. This fellowship is made possible in part through a grant from the Morningstar Foundation of Bethesda, Md.
"I wanted to be a CEF because I love what BBYO did for me," Rosenfeld said in a prepared statement. "After working at ILTC (International Leadership Training Conference) and Kallah (a BBYO program featuring seminars with prominent Jewish leaders to help youth find their Jewish identities) this past summer, I knew that there was still more I could do for BBYO and more that it could do for me. This Fellowship is the perfect way to continue this relationship."
Rosenfeld will have professional development opportunities through participation in communitywide events such as the AIPAC Policy Conference and the JFNA General Assembly. Additionally, she will participate in an alumni mentorship program and staff BBYO's Summer Experiences in the U.S., Israel and all over the world.
"The Fellowship program engages BBYO's most talented young alumni in creating networks of their peers that will both participate in and initiate Jewish activities on campus," said Matthew Grossman, BBYO's executive director, in a prepared statement.
"We are confident that Callie will help leverage the BBYO alumni community to strengthen Jewish life at the University of Pittsburgh."
Individuals interested in connecting with Rosenfeld can reach her at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Read more: The Jewish Chronicle - Jew colades


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Dear Suds Buds,
Don't know about you guys, but I am due for a vacation. Some nice, secluded beach somewhere with soft, soothing, rolling waves, glistening white sand, and some kind of frozen drink concoction. Sounds great, huh? Ah yes. I could definitely go for that! Perhaps I should hook up with OLTL's Todd and Tea in Hawaii! Where's SunsetBeach when ya need it? LOL
Speaking of vacations, are you all enjoying your summer? One thing about living on the Westside of LA. It doesn't really ever get that hot and humid. We do have our hot spells, but they are usually shortlived.
Luckily the heat on the soaps has definitely been picking up steam this summer. Passions is taking off like the preverbial bat out of you-know-where, and it's about time. Shuis fans are finally getting a payoff after almost a year of waiting for their favorite couple to reunite. Only problem is, can Sheridan forget about her feelings for Antonio? Time will tell.
On OLTL, not only do Todd and Tea have their hands full on the island, Lindsay is again on the prowl and she is definitely thinking it's payback time. DOOL's characters are dealing with beings from outer space, and ATWT has it's Faux Simon!
Yup. Things are definitely heating up this summer and there is more exciting story ahead. No better way to get a mini vacation than to sit and watch your favorite show! Speaking of which, let's get to the latest in soaps!
Liza Huber Returns to Passions as Gwen
Actress Liza Huber will return to Passions to play the role of socialite Gwen Hotchkiss, Executive Producer Lisa S. Hesser announced on Friday, August 2, 2002.
Huber, daughter of Emmy-winning soap icon Susan Lucci, originated the role of Gwen when Passions debuted in July 1999. She vacated the role in the fall of 2000 as she then felt that acting was not her calling. Passions recast the role of Gwen with now departing actress, Natalie Zea.
"Natalie made the decision to leave Passions to pursue other acting opportunities and it seemed a perfect fit to bring Liza back to the role she initiated," said Hesser.
All of this makes perfect sense based on Susan Lucci's comments regarding her daughter Liza at Super Soap Weekends west last spring. When asked if Liza was still staying away from acting, Lucci responded that no, actually she was again getting back into the profession.
Huber will first be seen as Gwen Hotchkiss on Passions on October 3, 2002. Her first tape date is September 3, 2002.
One Life to Live Casts New Mystery Woman
Barbara Niven has been cast a contract role on One Life to Live. ABC Daytime is being rather mum as to who her character will be and has not even released a character name.
Television audiences will remember Niven as Marilyn Monroe in HBO's "The Rat Pack," and from her recurring role on The Bold & the Beautiful.
Although ABC Daytime isn't saying much about Niven's character, they have revealed that she will have a shocking relationship with someone in Llanview. Who that may be, and what the shocking relationship is, remains to be seen. Niven begins airing on One Life to Live the first week of September 2002. Stay tuned!
NBC Daytime/Telemundo FanFest To Get New Venue
The NBC Daytime/Telemundo Fan Festival scheduled for November 2 and 3, 2002 will not be held at Universal Orlando. Other locations and dates are being explored. Stay tuned to Turtle-Run.com for the latest updates.
ABC Daytime Gets New Prez
Brian Scott Frons has been named president, ABC Daytime, effective August 26, 2002. The announcement was made by Alex Wallau, president, ABC Television Network, to whom Frons reports. Frons will be based in Los Angeles and succeeds Angela Shapiro, who was promoted to President, ABC Family, earlier this year.
In his new position, Frons will be responsible for all aspects of Daytime programming on the ABC Television Network. The current Daytime lineup includes "The View," "Port Charles," "All My Children," "One Life to Live," and "GeneralHospital." ABC has been #1 in the key demographic of women 18-49 for 25 consecutive years.
In making the announcement, Wallau said: "Over the past two decades in the US and abroad, Brian Frons has built an outstanding track record of success in TV programming. His specific accomplishments in the Daytime arena, along with his other broad-based experience in production and syndication, makes him the ideal candidate for this key executive role at ABC. We look forward to his continuing success, now at ABC Daytime.
Shuis Fans Check Out Passions OnLine!
Log on to www.nbc.com/passions now for our newest feature, "He Said / She Said", in honor of Luis and Sheridan's reunion! "He Said / She Said" is a wonderful stroll down memory lane through the eyes of Passions actors Galen Gering (Luis) and McKenzie Westmore (Sheridan) as they take you through the history of daytime's most popular star-crossed couple!
Plus, the results of the "Top Five Passions Classic Moments" are in! The fans were given a choice of 20 classic Passions moments and had the chance to vote on five. The winners have been revealed and viewers can watch the winning clips on www.nbc.com/passions.
Y&R and GL Fans! Weekly's Got You Covered This Week!
In the Aug. 13 issue of Soap Opera Weekly, which covers the air week of Aug. 5-9 read all about--
*Y&R Stars In Court! Melody Thomas Scott and Eric Braeden (Nikki and Victor) recently went to court to testify in a lawsuit against a nationally known company.
*Jaime Lyn Bauer (Lauralee) spent 20 years away from GenoaCity. Read all about her emotional first day back.
*Brittany just got parents, and now another GenoaCity resident is making contact with the family. Find out who was cast.
*Sheila Carter is on B&B now, but surely you remember some of her dastardly deeds in GenoaCity. Need a refresher course? Check out our run-down of Sheila's most evil acts.
*Y&R's Diego is a Winner this week. Find out why.
*Sharon Case and Michelle Stafford (Sharon and Phyllis) stepped out. See what they wore, and what we thought of it.
*See whether fans thought Nikki and Victor should call it quits, and tell us if Diego should be with Sharon or Victoria.
*Victoria Rowell is heading back to GenoaCity with a new look. Read - and see for yourself - all about her new 'do.
*Summer is the time for sandals, but not everyone's feet are right for them. Find out who Eva Longoria (Isabella) turns to to make sure hers are.
Guiding Light fans, read all about--
*Cassie learns the horrible truth this week about Reva's role in Richard's death. Laura Wright's (Cassie) take on this latest, tragic turn of events.
*Joan Collins is coming to Springfield, and our Dueling Divas, Linda Susman and Carolyn Hinsey, have definite views on how she might impact the show as the new Alexandra Spaulding. Also, read comments from executive producer Paul Rauch and on-screen brother Ron Raines (Alan) on Alex's return with Collins in the role.
*Not only is Kim Zimmer acting her heart out on GL, but she just finished a major stage role where she had to bring one of the screen's biggest legends to life AND expose a private part of her body to the audience. Get the skin-ny.
*Given his recent behavior, some would certainly label Phillip Spaulding a Loser. Find out why we did.
*Which GL star was voted best-dressed by our readers, and which one was deemed worst-attired?
*Find out if our readers thought Tony has a shot at redemption, and tell us who Cassie should be with next.
And no matter which soap(s) you watch, you'll be interested in the following Stories--
*Learn the latest in the soap executive producers' quest to reform the Daytime Emmy process.
*SOAPNet, with its same-day reruns of ABC soaps and rebroadcasts of past gems, is now a major part of the soap landscape. But is it ultimately damaging the product it's meant to support and promote? You be the judge after reading our story.
*Our Prime Time section begins to reveal the secrets of the new fall season, including our first premieres on hot shows Alias and 24, and capsule looks at some of the other new shows this fall. Also, read the details about a major West Wing star who's leaving this season.
*And as always, get previews on every show, and all of the latest television and event listings so you know where to see your favorite stars.
Soap Opera Digest has Passions Fans Covered!
Here's what Lori Latusek, SOD's Passions editor shares with Turtle-Run!
"Passions' Luis and Sheridan are going to be on the cover of Soap Opera Digest 8/8 (on-sale 7/30). Also in that issue, a flashback to the teen story from hell- literally, not figuratively. The next week, check out Galen Gering's manly hobby.... with personal photos included!"
As the World Turns: Bill Kiefer plays Harvey on Monday, August 5. AdrianBethea plays a cop on Monday, August 5.Mary Beth Evans reprises her role as Sierra Esteban Montgomery on Friday, August 16, 2002.
Days of our Lives:Tamara Clatterbuck reprises the role of Barb on Friday, August 9th. On Tuesday August 6th, Grace Bannon portrays Tia, a girl Brandon and Billie counsel. On Friday August 9th, Chris Malecki portrays Magic Mike, a drug dealer Bo is investigating, and Ray Baker portrays Frank Daniels, a cop working the investigation.
Guiding Light:Stephen Trimble plays a foreman on Monday, August 5.
Angela Pietropinto plays a nun on Tuesday, August 6 and Wednesday, August 7. Daniel Whitner and Bill Kiefer play police officers on
Wednesday, August 8. Mark-Anthony Vasquez plays a thug on Friday, August 9, 2002.
One Life to Live: Real-life firefighter, Leon Stephenson, plays a Llanview firefighter. Stephenson also recently played a firefighter on Third Watch. He first airs on Friday, August 2, 2002. Keith Smith plays a radio announcer on Tuesday, August 6, 2002. J. Bernard Calloway plays a hospital security guard on Thursday, August 8. Daryl Edwards plays an Atlantic City Police Desk Sgt. on Friday, August 9. Cheryl Freeman has been cast in the role of Smokey Jones, a TV reporter. She airs on Tuesday, August 13. George Riddle has been cast in the role of Edgar T. Snow, a cabin owner. He airs on Friday, August 16, 2002. Tom Sesma plays an editor at The Sun. He airs on Monday, August 19, 2002. Barbara Niven has been cast in a contract role. She first begins airing in September. 2002.
Seeing Stars
As the World Turns: On Saturday and Sunday, August 24-25 see Michael Park (Jack) at Roosevelt Field Mall, Long Island City, NY.
Bold & the Beautiful: On Saturday and Sunday, August 31 and September 1, see Sean Kanan (Deacon) at The Mall at Stonecrest, Lithonia, GA.
Days of Our Lives: On Saturday, August 10th,Matt Cedeno and Jason Cook will be appearing at Six Flags Marine World in Vallejo, CA (in the Napa Valley) in conjunction with Soap Opera Festivals. Appearance times are 1 and 3 PM. Kyle Lowder (Brady) will sing the National Anthem at the LA Dodgers game on Thursday, September 19th. Game time is 7 PM. The Dodgers will be playing the Giants that evening. On Saturday, August 24th, Matt Cedeno (Brandon) appears at a Sears opening at the North Riverside Park Mall in North Riverside, IL. (The address is 7503 West Cermack N. Riverside, IL 60546.) Matt will be signing autographs from 1-3:30 PM. Call 708/588-6600 for info. On Saturday, August 31st, Matt Cedeno will be appearing at a Sears opening at the Riverdale Village Mall in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. (The address is 1273 Riverdale Blvd. Coon Rapids, MN 55433. Matt will be signing autographs from 2-4 PM. Call 763/483-3400 for info. Celebrity Softball Game and Events, September 29, 2002, in Greenville, SC. Scheduled to appear are Alison Sweeney (Sami), Bryan Dattilo (Lucas), Justin Melvey (Colin), Farah Fath (Mimi), Matthew Ashford (Jack), and more. Call 864-268-9232 for ticket info. Hotel accommodations by Hilton Greenville and Towers. For reservations, call864-232-4747. CRUISE WITH THE STARS: Set sail with the stars from Days and Passions for a Soap Opera Cruise Weekend aboard a Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship. Fans will depart from Los Angeles on Friday, October 25 and sail down to Baja and Ensenada, Mexico returning to Los Angeles on Monday, October 28. Actors scheduled to participate are Matt Ashford, Kyle Lowder, Kevin Spirtas, and Passions' stars. Fans aboard the ship will attend cocktail parties with the stars and take part in autograph sessions and interactive programs hosted by soap columnist Lynda Hirsch. Rates begin at $459.00 per person and can be booked by calling Landfall Travel at 1-800-835-9233 or by logging on to www.landfalltravel.com
General Hospital: On August 10-11 see Billy Warlock (AJ) at Westminster Mall, Denver, CO. Saturday, August 24, 2002 see Wally Kurth's (Ned) Kurth & Taylor Concert at GH Fan Weekend. This year, featuring Jaime Ray Newman and her Band. Sportsmen's Lodge Hotel, Studio City, California. Tickets are $50 each. Send check or money order, plus SASE to Elana Bonaventura, P.O. Box 6566, Bakersfield, CA 93386.
Passions: Soap Opera Digest hosts "On Stage Live with Soap Opera Digest," touring malls across America. Join Jesse Metcalfe (Miguel) at the Mall of America in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Saturday, August 17 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call (952) 883-8810 for info. Join Galen Gering (Luis) at The Mall at Stonecrest in Atlanta, Georgia on Saturday, August 31 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call (678) 562-8955 for info. Look for more information in upcoming issues of Soap Opera Digest Magazine. Galen Gering (Luis) and James Hyde (Sam) will play celebrity golf to raise money for WeSPARK (which stands for Support, Prevention, Acceptance, Recovery and Knowledge) at actress Wendie Jo Sperber's 4th Annual Celebrity Golf Classic on Saturday, September 21 at the Glen Annie Golf Club in Santa Barbara, CA. WeSPARK is a cancer support center that is devoted exclusively to providing emotional and spiritual support for cancer patients and their friends and families. For more information on how to support the Golf Classic, or WeSPARK call (818) 906-3022 or visit www.wespark.org. Join and support Andrea Evans (Rebecca), the City of Hope's Celebrity Ambassador for the Walk for Hope to Cure Breast Cancer. October is breast cancer awareness month. Andrea will be heading the walk at the City of Hope's headquarters in Duarte, CA on October 6. You can obtain more information or register online at www.walk4hope.org. More details to come as we get closer to this charity event.
Young & the Restless: DonDiamont (Brad) plays a supporting role in the Adam Sandler/Jack Nicholson film, "Anger Management." The film is still in production, so look for it to hit theaters, oh, I'm guessing something like Summer 2003. MichelleStafford (Phyllis) just completed production in a starring role in the independent feature "Lost," which will be touring film festivals. No release date is yet set. Peter Bergman (Jack) and Michelle Stafford will hit the "airwaves" when they host an upcoming "Eye on America" for CBS. "Eye on America" is broadcast on American Airlines. No airdate for this episode has been determined as of yet.
Email the Stars
Bubbles Busted? Snail Mail TPTB!
All My Children: Audience Information, ABC TV, 77 W. 66th St, NY, NY 10023
As the World Turns: CBS TV, 51 W. 52nd St, NY, NY 10019
Bold & the Beautiful: CBS TV, 7800 Beverly Blvd, LA, CA 90036
Days of Our Lives: NBC TV, 3000 W. Alameda Ave, Burbank, CA 91523
General Hospital: ABC TV, 4151 Prospect Ave, Hollywood, CA 90027
Guiding Light: CBS TV, 51 W 52nd St, NY, NY 10019
One Life to Live: ABC TV, Audience Information, 77 W. 66th St, NY, NY 10023
Passions: CBS Radford Studios, 4024 Radford Ave, Studio City, CA 91604
Port Charles: ABC TV, 4151 Prospect Ave, Hollywood, CA 90027
Young & the Restless: CBS TV, 7800 Beverly Blvd, LA, CA 90036
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STL Partners holds a series of annual invitation-only senior executive brainstorms in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas. These complimentary events allow us to share our latest research and thinking with our clients. They also provide a forum for our clients to openly discuss key industry topics and trends with peers. Attendees are senior strategy, digital, marketing or technology execs who we know well and have an established relationship.
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