text:
William Shakespeare once wrote, "Good wine is a good familiar creature, if it be well used."
And that is the crux of Sonoma's issue du jour.
On the one hand, there are those who say wine is part of the Sonoma experience, and those who sell it in tasting rooms should be treated like any other retailer.
On the other hand, there are those who are wary of too many tasting rooms, believing too much of a good thing is an invitation to abuse.
Like Measure B, the recently defeated hotel limitation measure, this issue seems destined to become another wedge separating an already divided community. And while this time, large amounts of tax revenue are not at stake, character and image might be, depending on where you stand.
Members of Preserving Sonoma, the Measure B sponsors, have already taken a side.
"The next issue looming for Sonoma is the proliferation of Wine Bars," says the home page of their website. "Nearly 30 already dot the downtown, and more are coming unless some limitations are placed on the total number. The Planning Commission has sent recommendations to the City Council, but has not recommended ANY limits on the total number. With hundreds of wineries waiting in the wings, Sonoma Plaza might end up an open-air wine-aisle supermarket," the website states.
One of the group's fears, according to members who have spoken at meetings of the Sonoma Planning Commission, is that tasting rooms will eventually drive up rents and push out other retailers.
"As competition increases, rents will go up," said Larry Barnett, in a recent interview. "Some retailers will be forced out. Those with the deepest pockets will remain. Do we want to limit our economy to wineries?"
Barnett, who spearheaded Measure B, said he is in favor of numerical limitations, and perhaps even criteria, such as where the grapes that go in the wines are grown. "What's to stop a guy (using) Fresno grapes from having a tasting room on the Plaza?"
A recent article on tasting rooms in the San Francisco Chronicle cited one Plaza area winery as using grapes "from Santa Barbara to the Willamette Valley" in their products.
But Peter Haywood, who's been in the wine business in Sonoma for more than 35 years, says most of the small wineries with tasting rooms on the Plaza use Sonoma Valley grapes, with only a few from other regions of the county.
"About 90 percent of the wine sold on the Plaza comes from the Valley," he said.
Haywood has a tasting room in "wine alley," a tiny space in the Sonoma Court Shops. When he opened his tasting room two-and-a-half years ago, there were only about eight such businesses around the Plaza.
So why are there so many urban tasting rooms now? The answer might lie with the county and with the economy.
Think acres of vines, a building sitting in the center, public tours of the crush pad, the barrel room and, at the end, the tasting.
This is the romance of Wine Country, from the visitor's point-of-view, or the headache and bank-account squeeze, from the producer's point-of-view.
The reality is that vineyard land is not cheap, and going through the winery permitting process in the county is lengthy, with no guaranteed outcome. Those who make it through have to invest in construction, wine production equipment, and labor. Then they have to engage salespeople to guarantee the product gets in stores and restaurants. And, with only three major brokers in the entire state, competition to get onto grocery and other store shelves is fierce, and may be impossible for the little guys.
Then someone built a better mousetrap.
Today, if you want to own a winery and have capital to invest, you can buy grapes, rent space in a warehouse to crush, ferment, bottle, and store your product, open a tasting room and voila – you're in business. One such place is The Wine Foundry, on Eighth Street East, where all the services you need to go into the wine business are provided, including experts to help you do it. Or, you can go to the Internet and download books on how to get into the business yourself, without a big investment.
But once you buy your grapes, make your wine and get it ready for sale, you have to find a place to sell it.
"Wineries with a certain type of license can have tasting rooms where they produce their product," said Haywood. "But many production sites don't allow sales, or are not legally permitted to have sales, so the producers have to open tasting rooms elsewhere."
"I was in the first situation for many years, with my own production site and tasting room. Now I produce in Kenwood and, although I have an allocated proprietorship designation, the owner of the site has his own tasting room there. So mine is in town," he added.
And for those whose only option is a tasting room in town, the key to success is the public exposure.
"Small wineries rely on direct-to-consumer sales," said Haywood. "But in order to get named parties, a retail location is required." As people taste wines and hopefully like them, they'll sign up for the retailer's wine club, with guaranteed sales.
Haywood disagrees that tasting rooms will eventually drive rents up and other retail out of business. "The practicality of tasting rooms is that you don't sell enough wine to a walk-in on a daily basis to make money. It's difficult to even break even, except in certain months. But the retail space gives you exposure and you can develop your brand and sell directly from that point on."
Carol Giovanatto, Sonoma's city manager, confirmed there are no downtown tasting rooms among the city's top 25 sales tax producers. And Haywood said some tasting rooms might not survive. "As tasting rooms are added, we are all drawing from the same pool of downtown visitors and simply dividing the traffic," he pointed out. To reduce costs, Haywood is closed most weekdays in the winter.
If, for many, the tasting room business is a break-even experience, why do it?
"It's like a sailboat," said Jim Carter, who's been in the wine business in Sonoma since 1964. "Some people dream of owning a sailboat, others dream of owning a winery."
The availability of tools to make that dream a reality for anyone who wants to do it, may drive up competition to the point that it is no longer profitable for small producers. But Barnett thinks, at least for the time being, it's the large winery that is at risk.
"The new paradigm makes the big winery concept obsolete. It retrieves the archetype of wine as elite and special, but reverses snobbishness at the same time," he said. "Anyone can do it, therefore boom or bust cycles will control. Right now it is trendy, but for how long?"
Barnett said having too many tasting rooms shifts wine from being exclusive and rarified to a straight-out commodity. "All these vanity labels are going to remove the caché that made wine popular in the first place. Wine had a special caché, but what happens when it becomes a cliché?"
Unlike the hotel limitation measure, Barnett is not planning an initiative to settle the debate. But his Preserving Sonoma group has re-registered as a Political Action Committee that plans to support candidates and issues in upcoming elections.
In the meantime, the Sonoma City Council got an earful at the special study session on tasting rooms last night. And you can bet that there will continue to be lively discussions in the future while a divided city tries to figure out if, in Sonoma, "good wine is wine well used."


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Wash your hands often.
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Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth since germs spread this way.
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Do not get the flu nasal spray vaccine. It could trigger an asthma attack.
You will need a flu shot every year. This is because there are different strains of flu viruses that vary from year to year. Scientists update the vaccine each year to fight off the strains experts think will be the most common and serious.
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Getting a flu shot every year is vital to help protect your health.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
[QUOTE=kennyo7;2189094]A legend only in your own mind.
Im not going to get into the abortion issue again with you. Obviously you are an irrational fanatic whos elementary school level of understanding of basic science does not allow you to distinguish between a 12 week old fetus and 60 your old person. But hey, at least you know about the law and economics.
Who has defined dogs barking as torture?? Who?
I would highly advise you to stick to topics you understand (money, legal matters etc). Stay out of anything that is remotely scientific in nature. I beg you. You are to smart to allow yourself to look like such an imbecile whenever you discuss these matters.[/QUOTE]
I don't think it is a science issue Ken that is the point, but a moral one. I think that is where the debate lies...Scientifically, does it matter between 10, 12, 14, 16 weeks?
I side with George on this one, but I think you can argue a pro-life stance without any kind of a God platform....more on a freewill, responsibility level.
But hey, that is another discussion, this one is about torture...


text:
Our review of Microsoft OneNote – a free digital notebook. What we like and how it works.
Archive | Writing tools
Hands-on reviews of technology and tools that have helped me write better.
Tools for writers: Taco for to-do lists
Our review of Taco, a tool that puts all your tasks from different apps on the same screen. In one word: awesome. In two words: get it.
Hemingway: the app that makes you a better writer
We love tools that help writers get better. The Hemingway app highlights complex sentences, complex words, adverbs and passive sentences. Read our review.
New version of Comic Sans for hipster typography snobs
Here at Articulate Plaza, we love good design, good typography and readable text. We've ranted about Comic Sans but now there's a replacement: Comic Neue.
We're giving away our copywriting briefing checklist
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15 advanced online tools for writers
A writer doesn't just write; we also edit, attract clients and handle finances and marketing. Luckily these specialised tools for writers are here to help.
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Every writer works differently. Curate your own set of writing tools that work for you. You can start here with our 20 essential online tools for writers.
Writing tools: Skitch for screenshots
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Writing tools: creating and identifying fonts
Two great font tools reviewed: Fontstruct to create fonts and Identifont to figure out which one is which.


text:
Restaurant Report Care: Foul-smelling fish, mildew
Updated On: May 08 2014 05:47:06 PM CDT
The fish at the Golden Corral on the Gulf Freeway near Fuqua didn't pass one health inspector's smell test. He wrote that he "found fish an employee was about to cook with a foul odor." The fish was discarded because the inspector said it was "not safe for human consumption."
"Can you just tell us what was up with that fish?" Local 2 consumer expert Amy Davis asked the restaurant's manager as he escorted her out of the business.
"Just the water," he replied.
"The water was foul, but the fish wasn't bad?" Davis asked. The manager shook his head, confirming that is what he meant.
At the Pappas Bar-B-Q at 8777 Main Street, there were several small roaches crawling under a food preparation table in the kitchen.
Inspectors saw fruit flies and gnats behind the kitchen door at Seasons 52 in City Center.
There's something growing at Panda Garden at 5534 Weslayan, but it's not vegetables for the stir fry. Inspectors noted black mildew in the ice machine.
Our A+'s this week go to Jenni's Noodle House at 602 East 20th Street and Café Kubo's Sushi at 9889 Bellaire. Both restaurants had spotless inspections.
To see a complete list of restaurant violations in the Houston area, click here.
How To File Restaurant Complaint
We get our information from the City of Houston Health Department, but many of you have complaints about restaurants in other cities and counties.
Refer to the following list to find out which agency to contact depending on the location of the restaurant:
* For all complaints about restaurants located in the city of Houston, call 311 or file the complaint online.
* Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services inspects and permits all retail food establishments in the unincorporated areas of Harris County as well as in the cities of Tomball, Katy, Jacinto City, Galena Park, La Porte, Morgan's Point, South Houston, Seabrook, El Lago, Southside Place, Hunter's Creek, Piney Point, Bunker Hill, Jersey Village, Spring Valley, Deer Park, Humble, Waller, and West University Place. If you believe you have become ill from ingesting food from an establishment in unincorporated Harris County or in a city inspected by Harris County, please file a complaint at http://www.hcphes.org/eph/foodcomplaint.ht or call them at 713-274-6300. If you are concerned about a food establishment's operations such as cleanliness, food handling procedures, etc., please file a complaint at http://www.hcphes.org/eph/complaints.htm.
* To file a complaint about a restaurant in Montgomery County, call the Montgomery County Health Department at 936-539-7839.
* To file a complaint about a restaurant Galveston County, call the Galveston County Health Department at 409-938-2300. Use this link to speed the process and file your complaint electronically, or send an email to firstname.lastname@example.com.
* To file a complaint about a restaurant in Brazoria County, contact the Brazoria County Health Department.
* To file a complaint about a restaurant Fort Bend County, contact the Fort Bend County Health Department.
* To file a complaint about a restaurant in Sugar Land use this link or contact the Senior Sanitarian at 281-275-2278 or email firstname.lastname@example.com.
If you have a news tip or question for KPRC Local 2 Investigates, drop them an e-mail or call their tipline at (713) 223-TIPS (8477).
Copyright 2014 by Click2Houston.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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|30th of January 2012 (Mon)
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 2
5D vs. 600D
Hi everybody,
I am thinking of buying a new DSLR camera and I had an offer of my friend to buy his old Canon 5D Mark I. Then I searched on internet and have found that a new body of 600D is at the same price.
I don't need built-in flash and possibility to shoot movies, so now I wonder which camera: 5D or 600D would produce the better quality of image with the same lens?
Thanks for your advices!
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|30th of January 2012 (Mon)
Cream of the Crop
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Canada, Ontario, Milton
Posts: 5,584
Re: 5D vs. 600D
Rebel with kit lens? Which lens 5d comes with?
If none, you'll need at least 400$ for couple of primes or zoom lens.
Site. Flickr. DigitaL and AnaLog Gear.
|30th of January 2012 (Mon)
Cream of the Crop
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Dallas TX
Posts: 5,393
Re: 5D vs. 600D
They are very different cameras. If photos were the ONLY purpose, particularly portraits, landscapes, or "studio" type work, I'd go 5d. Anything else and I'd go 600d (you could get a 60d thru CLP for less than the price of a new 600d)
My junk
The grass isn't greener on the other side, it's green where you water it.
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|30th of January 2012 (Mon)
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: rural Missouri
Posts: 2,551
Re: 5D vs. 600D
I went and looked up the 5D specs vs. 600D. From the looks of the specs, the 5D has an older processor (Digic II vs Digic IV), an older autofocus system and an older exposure metering system for starters. The 600D also offers remote flash control, etc. I believe the 600D actually has a slightly faster FPS burst rate, though a smaller buffer so it can't sustain it as long.
I haven't shot either camera. The 5D is full-frame, but I wouldn't be surprised if it actually has more noise issues at lower ISO than the 600D just because of the advances in noise control over the years - you could probably verify that through reviews - maybe dpreview? If it were me, I'd probably lean towards the 600D even though it is a Rebel and a crop sensor because of the newer technology and the warranty (I have a thing about at least a year of protection when spending that kind of money.
I like to push buttons on thingies that take pictures. Sometimes I like to push other buttons, too.
I only bite on the second Tuesday of every week, usually only mean people - they kinda taste like chicken...
You can call me Wuzzi
|30th of January 2012 (Mon)
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Vero Beach, FL
Posts: 961
Re: 5D vs. 600D
You need to figure out what kind of photography you are going to do with your camera before you buy one. The 600D is a great all-purpose tool for pretty much anything you needthe 60D is simply a better all-around version of the 600D. As one poster mentioned, you can get a refurbished 60D for about the price of the 600D. Also, check into the Canon Loyalty Program.
If you are going to do portrait and landscape photography, the 5Dc is a the best bargain out there. Lenses won't be cheap, but a 50mm 1.8 will get you started for under $100.
Check out the pics here: this
. . . before you rush to any conclusions on what kind of pictures the 5Dc is capable of taking. In fact, do as much research as you can! If you are shooting fast-moving subjects or sports, then the 5Dc isn't for you. Same if you want to shoot movies.
6D, Canon 40 2.8, Canon 17-40 L Canon 135 L,Canon 200 2.8 L ii, Canon 580 ex II, Canon Pixma Pro-100
|30th of January 2012 (Mon)
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 2,242
Re: 5D vs. 600D
I think the 5D would offer a much better image quality. I use mine a lot and absolutely love it. Of course the 60D has some advantages, but the 5D is still a real "photographers' camera" and the end result will most likely be much, much better. Full frame will give you a much shallower depth of field, even with mediocre lenses.
I'd definitely go for the 5D, provided it doesn't have too many actuations on it. Used 5d's also often come with an extra battery if people move up to a 5DII.
Pair it with a Tamron 28-75, or score an old 28-135 + 50 1.8 and you'll have yourself a great system.
Some of my lenses focus beyond infinity...!
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|30th of January 2012 (Mon)
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: too close for missiles, I'm switching to guns
Posts: 1,785
Re: 5D vs. 600D
I have a T3i (600D) and a 5D. The former rarely leaves the bag.
|30th of January 2012 (Mon)
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Chicago,southside
Posts: 400
Re: 5D vs. 600D
5d for sure...these 2 bodys are not even in the same league. The new 5dll has the same focus system as the 5d. No matter what lens you put on the 5d the IQ is going to be much better. And yes you can shoot birds and sports with it also. As long as you keep your iso under 1600 your going to have prety clean images....it may not have the faster frame rate as some of the others but if you work on your timming some your gonna get great shots!
|30th of January 2012 (Mon)
User is banned from forums
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 504
Re: 5D vs. 600D
Another 5D classic vote.
|30th of January 2012 (Mon)
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Ohio
Posts: 352
Re: 5D vs. 600D
I would go with the T3i, it will carry its resale value a little longer since it was just introduced to the market not too long ago if you decide to upgrade anytime soon.
|30th of January 2012 (Mon)
User is banned from forums
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Re: 5D vs. 600D
|30th of January 2012 (Mon)
Cream of the Crop
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Silicon Valley
Posts: 5,335
Re: 5D vs. 600D
The 5D is going to be the clear winner here for everything other than the screen and sheer resolution (but see below).
The fact that it's full frame means you get more depth of field flexibility -- you can go shallower than you can with a crop camera.
The autofocus system, while older, is still better than what's in the current generation Rebels except for its layout. The 5D center point has hidden expansion points around it that help it for low light as well as for servo tracking. The downside is its layout -- the focus points are clustered around the center, so you have no "rule of thirds" coverage with it. You will be doing the "focus-recompose" dance more than with the Rebel.
Based on what's been reported around here, the image quality will be roughly equivalent at high ISOs, and better at low ISOs. In fact, some regard the 5D's low ISO image quality as nearly the best that's out there -- even better than that of the 5D2. The antialiasing filter is very weak, so images look very sharp and detailed. That will partially offset the real resolution difference. The larger size of the sensor, combined with its lower resolution, means the 5D isn't going to be nearly as demanding of glass resolving power as the 600D. The 600D's ultra-high-resolution crop sensor is extremely demanding of glass, and only the best is capable of resolving well enough to match the capabilities of its sensor.
The 5D has already seen the bulk of its depreciation, and while it will probably continue to lose value, it will do so at a substantially lower rate than the 600D would.
No, in this case, if it were me, I'd be going with the 5D for sure. There may be an apparent difference in the price of glass, but it is apparent only. There does exist very inexpensive glass for the 5D that is nonetheless still good, such as the 28-105 f/3.5-4.5, or the 28-135 f/3.5-5.6 IS.
"There are some things that money can't buy, but they aren't Ls and aren't worth having" -- Shooter-boy
Canon: 2 x 7D, Sigma 17-50 f/2.8 OS, 55-250 IS, Sigma 8-16, 24-105L, Sigma 50/1.4, other assorted primes, and a 430EX.
Nikon: D750, D600, 24-85 VR, 50 f/1.8G, 85 f/1.8G, Tamron 24-70 VC, Tamron 70-300 VC.
Last edited by kcbrown : 30th of January 2012 (Mon) at 16:19.
|30th of January 2012 (Mon)
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 1,214
Re: 5D vs. 600D
5DIII - a7r - ∑35A - ∑50A - 85L - 135L - 16-35 F4 IS - 24-70 F2.8II - 70-200 F2.8 ISII
|31st of January 2012 (Tue)
Cream of the Crop
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 13,757
Re: 5D vs. 600D
|31st of January 2012 (Tue)
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Norwich, Norfolk, UK
Posts: 953
Re: 5D vs. 600D
I just bought a 5D and to be honest it is just fantastic. Been using Mk2s for ages and needed another back up. It has its bad points re the LCD screen but I would pick it up against any Canon crop sensor camera out there.
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|27 Oct 2009
Games For Windows Live, Sign In Issue.
I dont mess with Firewalls.
I run through a router.
I always disable any Firewall setting I see.
I play Street Fighter IV online with Games for windows live.
Ive never had any issues connecting.
I reset the bios on my motherboard, just by pulling out the battery.
(Which im really not sure that this caused the issue).
But now when I try and connect to games for windows live, from inside Street Fighter IV,
I get a
""This profile could not be signed into live. There may be a network problem or the windows live ID service may not be available.
this is day two or three with the issue.
I looked through my bios, to look for any onboard Net card options.
and any that I see are enabled, because I plug my network cable into my motherboards plug in.
I log into Wow, or on the internet fine, with no issues.
but at the same time.. now when I log onto mozilla foxfire, for the first 2 days, when I would visit some sites like google or facebook, I would see a "this site may not be trusted" type of message.
they were not fishing sites.
I see absolutely no other small oddities like spyware, etc etc.
Ive been building PCs for 10 years. Ive reformatted windows over half a dozen times in the years, get easy rid of spyware that snuck past.
I havent had to deal with any lately.
Any ideas?
the generic topics in the troubleshoot section didnt lead me anywhere.
|My System Specs
|27 Oct 2009
im running WIN XP btw.
Just downgraded from Win 7. Xbox 1 controllers are not supported by microsoft windows natrually.. player fans had to hack thier own copy, because microsoft didnt feel like taking 20 minutes to do it. and the fan made xbox 1 controller drivers are not compatable with Windows 7.
annnd the 360 controller DPAD is inferior on SFIV.
So failboat.
|My System Specs
|28 Oct 2009
crud. no ideas eh ?
the issue just arose out of nowhere.
|My System Specs
|29 Oct 2009
I have problems too. When i´m playing Resident Evil 5, my partnet(already in the game) is shut down! In about 5 minutes of play..the connection is lost. I dont know how. Should Be the Windows Firewall or mey NOD32 Antivirus. But i dont know how to config.
|My System Specs
|29 Oct 2009
Windows 7 Ultimate, OS X 10.7, Ubuntu 11.04
im running WIN XP btw.
Just downgraded from Win 7. Xbox 1 controllers are not supported by microsoft windows natrually.. player fans had to hack thier own copy, because microsoft didnt feel like taking 20 minutes to do it. and the fan made xbox 1 controller drivers are not compatable with Windows 7.
annnd the 360 controller DPAD is inferior on SFIV.
So failboat.
Anyways, it seems to be a common problem across all 3 main Windows Operating System (XP, Vista, 7) with several games that access Live.
I can still not sign into Halo 2 at all. :|
|My System Specs
|30 Oct 2009
is this a new recent problem ? or an old issue thats been around forever?
ive been playing SF4 for at least 4 -5 months, not a single issue.
now all the sudden, i reset my bios one day.
and it gives me the profile could not sign in message.
Ive gone through my bios and tripple checked all my on board net options and enabled. im pretty sure that couldnt be it.
my mozilla foxfire gives me some sort of new "make an exception" message for security, sometimes now, also.
wtf. ?
i reinstalled windows last night. that didnt fix it.
|My System Specs
|30 Oct 2009
ive installed windows 3 or 4 times in the last year, and I never have to mess with net settings , other than installing the driver, and disabling the default windows firewall.
Ive even opened all the ports that I could find for sf4 and windowslive.
neither work.
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Fish Kebabs
- 4, 6-8 oz fish fillets (1 per person)
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- Soak wooden skewers in water for at the least 20 minutes.
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
- Cut fish into similar sized cubes and place in bowl.
- Pour 2 tbsp oil, salt, pepper, and coriander onto fish and mix together with hands.
- Put 4 pieces of fish on each skewer, with similar sized chunks on the same sticks.
- Once grill is hot, place skewers on and cover grill, cooking 3-4 minutes each side. *Cooking time will vary on the thickness of your fish.
Citrus Quinoa Salad
- 1 1/2 Avocado
- 1 Grapefruit
- 2 tsp coconut sugar
- Olive or Coconut oil
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1/3 cup of scallions, chopped
- 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- Salt & Pepper
- Heat 1 tbsp of oil over medium-low heat in a sauce pan.
- Add turmeric and 1/2 tsp ginger and stir until fragrant.
- Rinse quinoa with water in a fine mesh sieve *This step is optional, however, it can help get rid of any bitter taste the quinoa might have.
- Add quinoa to pan and stir into oil until fully coated.
- Add water and turn heat to medium-high until boiling.
- Once brought to a boil, cover pot and let simmer for 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cut avocado in half, slice the inside like a checkerboard, use a spoon to scoop out the pre-cut chunks, and place in a medium bowl.
- Chop 1/3 cup scallions and add to the bowl as well.
- Next, peel the grapefruit and cut into half.
- Squeeze 1/2 of the fruit into a small bowl and add sugar if using, salt, pepper, 1/2 tsp ginger and set aside.
- Chop the remaining 1/2 into small chunks similar to the avocado.
- Once quinoa is done cooking, fluff with a fork and add to the medium sized mixing bowl.
- Stir the grapefruit juice dressing together and pour over quinoa, mixing together with a spatula until fully combined.
Jeremiah 29:11 "And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart."


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Quick Take: A new report from the United Kingdom suggests that energy wastefulness occurs much more often in offices than in homes. British consumers (and, I suspect, consumers everywhere) work much harder to save the energy they pay for than the energy provided by their employers.
Europe approaches energy efficiency not just as a cost-saver, but also as a way to reach carbon-reduction targets. The report implies that the UK will not be able to meet its goals unless it learns to modify consumer behavior at work as well as at home.
I believe utilities everywhere may discover the same thing. In the U.S., Pulse Energy and several other firms specialize in helping utilities implement successful energy efficiency programs for commercial customers. But most firms -- market leader OPower, Tendril, Aclara -- spend the bulk of their efforts on residential customers. This report suggests they may want to expand their horizons. - By Jesse Berst
Today Rexel UK launched its research into energy behaviour across the UK. The report reveals a 'split personality' amongst UK consumers when it comes to their energy usage. Results found a split personality amongst consumers, who are more likely to use energy in the office than at home. Also, worryingly they are changing their behaviour and actively looking to charge devices in the office to save money on their personal energy bills.
With the ever-increasing cost of energy, this behavioural pattern will inevitably continue. With the average office worker spending the majority of their week in work a huge percentage of the UK's energy consumption is taking place in the nation's offices. To reach the UK's carbon reduction target of 80% by 2050, long-term and mass behavioural change is needed not just in the home, but in all aspects of peoples' lives.
Majority of Brits admit 'split personality' energy usage behaviour
Survey reveals huge behaviour differences at home compared to at work, with people more inclined to waste energy in the workplace
London, 17th February 2014 – The results of a survey from OnePoll and Rexel, a global leader in the professional distribution of products and services for the energy world, reveals that almost half (48 per cent) of the British public would describe themselves as energy conscious at home, whereas only 20 per cent would say the same about their behavior in the workplace. This apparent "split personality" around energy usage is again highlighted by the differences in their concern for energy wastage. Over 70 per cent claim that they are concerned about wasting energy at home, whilst only 43 per cent worry about wastage at work.
These findings are supported by some of the more surprising results which found that the majority of employees (60 per cent) actively charge their personal devices at work, instead of using energy at home, with 32 per cent admitting to daily charging sessions and 36 per cent charging multiple devices.
Looking at more common energy drains, such as lighting and heating, the survey found that almost all Brits (93 per cent) claim they turn off the lights when leaving an empty room at home. Worryingly for businesses, the research found that only 60 per cent flick the switch at work.
During the winter months, it is understandable that rising heating bills are often a major concern for UK bill payers, however, despite this almost a third (32 per cent) of people in the UK prefer to open a window at home when they are too hot rather than turn the heating down. In line with the rest of the research the same applied to a much higher population (47 per cent) in the workplace, again showing the inconsistency in behaviour toward energy usage.
Brian Smithers, strategic development director, for Rexel Northern European Zone, commented on the findings: "The continued rise in household energy bills in the UK and the heated global energy security debate has increased consumer concerns and consciousness of their energy consumption. Despite this heightened awareness there is a noticeable 'split personality' in energy usage behaviour. Our research shows that people are wasting energy and in some cases actively adapting their energy behavior to avoid the rising costs of energy at home.
What's worrying about this apparent trend is that the average office worker spends at least 40 hours a week at work, so a huge percentage of the country's energy consumption is taking place in the nation's offices. To reach the UK's carbon reduction target of 80 per cent by 2050, long-term and mass behavioural change is required not just in the home but across all aspects of people's lives. There are huge opportunities for businesses to reduce energy bills by educating their employees, putting in place best practices and installing smart energy monitoring devices to help reach these targets, but also ultimately to save themselves money."
Jesse Berst is the founder and Chief Analyst of SGN and Chairman of the Smart Cities Council, an industry coalition.
You might also be interested in ...
A smart meter success story -- more than half of UK customers are saving money
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After completing these courses, you'll have a qualification that shows employers and customers you have the skills to work in a range of jobs - perhaps in a specialist repair workshop or with vehicle fitting specialists.
The level 1 automotive qualification could help you get your first job as a tyre fitter. By achieving the higher levels, you could get the skills to start your own tyre fitting service or car valeting business.
At level 2 you have already developed a good foundation of skills and knowledge required to become a vehicle service technician and are ready to move to the next level. You could become a Car Valeter, a Light Vehicle/Heavy Vehicle/Motorycle Service Technician or a FastFit/Tyre Technician.
At level 3, you have a great deal of technical skills and knowledge and looking to gain more responsability by supervising others, running your own business or moving to a diagnostic technician level. You work with minimum supervision and have a good record of safety, fault correction and ensuring work meets the required standard. You could become a Light Vehicle/Heavy Vehicle/Motorcycle Diagnostic Technician or a FastFit Supervisor or running your own business.
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This level will suit you if you have a great deal of technical skills and knowledge and looking to gain more responsibility by supervising others, running your own business or moving to a diagnostic technician level. You work with minimum supervision and have a good record of safety, fault correction and ensuring work meets the required standard. At this level you can choose from the following qualifications:
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|03 Jul 2013
Gaming Mouse Suggestions
I've got a $95 credit at BestBuy that will expire on Aug 3. My wife an I can't come up with anything we want there. The only thing I thought of was getting a gaming mouse. I'm willing to throw some extra bucks in if the price comes in over $95. They seem to have a pretty large selection.
Optionally, if there's a mouse that they don't sell that you'd recommend, I'\d like to hear about that tool. I suck at gaming so I don't need a zillion buttons or macros (I seriously doubt I'm ever going to get better). One thing I think I'd like is the ability to change dpi. My current Anywhere mouse makes it difficult to aim with precision and move around the field of view with any usefulness.
Even better, I'd really like to be able to play GTA4 by steering with the mouse and not have to use the WASD keys at all.
|My System Specs
|03 Jul 2013
Windows 8.1 Pro + Windows 10
Burt, have a look at the logitech G500 it is a good mouse.
|My System Specs
|03 Jul 2013
Windows 7 Professional x64 SP1 / Windows TP 10 x64
Hi Burt
Razer are quite good
|My System Specs
|10 Jul 2013
Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
Maybe the Razer naga mouse works great for me been using it the past year with no problems custom profiles, change the DPI, and programmable hot keys
|My System Specs
|10 Jul 2013
Windows 7 x64 (Ultimate)
I am hoping you already got one because this is one of the toughest questions to help with... more so now a days when mices are a dime a dozen
Only thing I can tell you is to go to BB and try them all, you got plenty of time and even if they don't carry them all, at least, is better than just buying one online w/o even knowing whether you will like it or not.
|My System Specs
|10 Jul 2013
Windows 7 Home premium
I love my Razer Naga.
I use half a Razer Hydra in place of a keyboard movement control, and having that 12 button pad on the side means I barely ever touch my keyboard.
Even when I do use my keyboard, the amount of functions I can program to the mouse is really nice.
If the reason you want to get a new mouse is to stop using the WSAD keys, I suggest getting a Hydra if you can find one to be honest. It's been discontinued so that might not be easy to do at Best Buy, but you might find one on sale there if they still have any in stock. It's about $79 on Amazon [$150 with the Portal 2 bundle, not worth it] and can be programmed so that only half of it is used allowing for all the benefits of both a controller [moving with an analogue stick] and a Mouse [speedy and accurate aiming]. If you get one, make sure you download the software from Sixsense and not the software from Razer.
If not, the Naga would be the next best thing IMHO. It's the best gaming mouse I've ever owned.
|My System Specs
|15 Jul 2013
I tried the Hydra but couldn't control it so I sent it back. I ended up with an Anker 5k. It has adjustable DPI and 9 buttons. It still feels a little big for my grip style but I'm slowly getting used to it. It was pretty inexpensive at Amazon, about $40 or so...can't remember exactly.
I paired this with a SteelSeries mouse pad and gaming is very smooth. Unfortunately, I REALLY SUCK at games but I have fun just the same.
|My System Specs
|25 Jul 2013
Win 7 64bit
Try the Logitech Performance mouse MX, that's quite good for games.
|My System Specs
|25 Jul 2013
Windows 7 64 bit
If you'd like a wireless version, the G700 from Logitech would be a great choice. Price is approximately $100, so you'd just have to top up a tiny bit to get that. For wired versions, Razer options always usually the best especially for gaming. Since you mentioned that you don't need many buttons for your macros, you could skip the Naga series and go for simpler ones. I'm currently using a DeathAdder and it is plain awesome. Check out this chart too if you wanna make a comparison between all the available mice: http://bestgamingmouseforyou.com/
|My System Specs
|26 Jul 2013
That is one great article and should be made a sticky. It reinforces my decision to get the Anker. Since I go between my desktop and TV which are in different rooms, I'm thinking of getting another mouse because I'm too lazy to unplug/plug the mouse. The Anker 5k being as inexpensive is a no brainer for a second mouse. I thought about a DeathAdder but this article convinced me that the Anker was a real "Best Buy!"
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Chelsea have made a renewed bid for Atletico Madrid left-back Filipe Luis, according to ESPN.
It's claimed that the Blues have had one offer of £12m turned down and, having missed out on Southampton's Manchester United-bound Luke Shaw, have intensified their interest in the Brazilian.
But Atletico won't let Filipe go for less than his buyout clause, which is understood to be around £19m. Chelsea could be forced to meet the clause as they did for Atletico striker Diego Costa, who has moved to Stamford Bridge for around £32m.
Atletico are said to be eager to keep together as much of the squad that claimed last season's La Liga title as possible, with Costa among the departures. David Villa has left to join MLS side New York City FC while Thibaut Courtois' loan from Chelsea has expired.
Chelsea allowed Ashley Cole to leave on a free-transfer, the former England defender since joining Roma, and Filipe has been identified as his replacement.
The 28-year-old began his career in his native Brazil and later played for the Real Madrid B team, Real Madrid Castilla, moving to Atletico in 2010 after a spell with Deportivo La Coruna. Filipe has four caps for Brazil but didn't make the World Cup squad.
View the latest World Cup 2014 odds and betting here
Arsenal vs Man Utd - Premier League preview and team news
Chelsea vs West Brom - Premier League preview and team news
Wilshere open to replicating England role with Arsenal
Man Utd consider record bid for Dortmund defender Hummels
Chelsea and Arsenal agree Cech deal, reports claim
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Libyans: optimistic, want security and democracy, unhappy with GNC and reject militias – survey
By Sami Zaptia.
Tripoli, 28 November 2013:
A public opinion survey financed by the Danish Foreign Ministry and conducted by the American National . . .
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Congratulations to this week's featured authors!
Month January 2012
Author Interview: MrCharlesBrown
Being multi-talented, following a proven creative process, rhythm and blues, and lots of respect for Envato.
Cover Art New to AudioJungle!
AudioJungle authors have a new feature to get excited about.
Featured Workspace: Travis King
When you see KingDog waxing lyrical on the forums – or getting a little hot under the collar – where do you picture him to be in real life?
Submission Tip: Check Out Patrik's Useful Collection of Stock Photos
Collis recently posted a useful article about copyright and how it affects authors, with a particular focus on stock photos.
Show Your Appreciation: Rockable Press
Rockable Press is Envato's publishing outfit.
Valentine's Day Collections!
Love is in the air and Valentine's Day is fast approaching.
Use of Assets in Previews on Envato Marketplaces
Over the last few days there has been some discussion about items being sold on GraphicRiver and ThemeForest that include apparently unlicensed images from film, television and of celebrities.
Community Podcast Episode 14 Out Now!
Envato Community Podcast Episode 14 is out now!
Freebie Friday: Freebies on AppStorm
The AppStorm team have been hard at work again.


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November 22, 2014
Posted March 5, 2008 --- 6:00 p.m.
In an age when everything is customized or personalized -- it seems natural that your credit cards have a certain flare as well.
A new trend involving Credit Covers is sweeping across the country and it was started right here in Madison.
Credit cards or bank cards are something most of us use at least once a day.
What better way to show your style than pull out -- a credit card with a Credit Cover.
They are skins or stickers that are applied right over your credit card adding a little flare.
CEO and Founder Anthony David Adams.
"I was really tired of these boring bank cards...the trend of customization."
Even Lance Bass was caught sporting his in Los Angeles last year.
They are designed by independent artists -- including Matthew Langile who designs for Marc Jacobs. Most of the designs, as you can see, are cutting edge art.
But this trend goes beyond vanity...
"Now marketers and people who are working on branding, even political campaigns make a purchase."
So you can show your pride or your love of hunting right on your credit card. And you will be supporting a Madison business. I have used mine and people always seem to comment on it when I use it.
They work in ATM's or in machines in a store or restaurant. To check out the selection or get information on how to personalize them for your business got to credit covers dot com.
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November 27, 2014
September 13, 2008
The candidates in Virginia's US Senate race are reaching out to voters this weekend.
With democrat Mark Warner planning three stops around the area Monday, Republican Jim Gilmore spoke with voters Saturday morning in Fork Union. Gilmore touched on a number of issues --chief among them tackling those high gas prices.
"We are very vulnerable on energy, and we have to have a decisive new energy policy for the people of the United States," said Gilmore. "With renewable resources, conservation, nuclear, coal, new refineries, but above all drilling for oil now, here in the United States. It'll make us freer, and safer, and reduce gas prices immediately."
Gilmore has trimmed what was once more than a 30 point gap in the polls. He now trails Warner by 21 points in the most recent polling.
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Demand for Concealed Carry Permits up 10 Times, but overwhelmed LE still issuing at Same Rate
Applications for California concealed carry permits during the first four months of 2014 was "nearly" 10 times higher than the total number of permits issued in all of 2013.
As Breitbart News reported on April 28, the surge in demand followed the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court's loosening of concealed carry restrictions on February 13. After the court struck down the "good cause" requirement for concealed carry, Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens complied, loosening the restrictions in her county.
What followed was a spike in concealed carry applications that "stunned" law enforcement.
And according to the Orange County Register, the demand for concealed carry permits simply continues to grow.
"In the four months since [the] policy shift [after the Ninth Circuit's decision], 5,448 Orange County residents have initiated the application process--nearly 10 times the number of local concealed -weapon permit applications from all of last year."
But law enforcement continues to be overwhelmed by the demand. So that while applications are "nearly" 10 times higher, Orange County is issuing permits at "about the same pace as a year ago."


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Purple Wooden Frame
Transform an unfinished wooden frame, purchased at a craft store, into a high-end, boutique-style embellished frame.
Quilt Pattern Woodburned Box
A special woodburning pen is used to create a quilt design on the wood box. Use your favorite quilts or fabrics as inspiration, or use the attached woodburning pattern to create the design.
Rad Racecar Clock
Looking for kids' room decorating ideas? This Rad Racecar Clock can dress up your child's bedroom. Real toy cars give a 3D effect!
Recycled Bedpost Pumpkins
Sure, these Recycled Bedpost Pumpkins may not look like tradition gourds, but that doesn't mean they can't decorate your porch throughout fall. Primitive wood crafts give your space a rustic feel. Use recycled wood to create this showstopping craft.
Rustic Recycled Wood Pumpkins
Save up that scrap wood and fall season crafts that you can leave out all autumn long. Rustic Recycled Wood Pumpkins are sophisticated and simple - they look great on a front stoop or on a back porch. Best of all, these homemade pumpkins won't rot.
Scrap Wood Lamp
Make your own lamp from scratch with these easy directions. You'll be so in awe of this homemade scrap wood lamp with a hand painted lampshade, you'll want to make your own right away!
Silent Night Nativity Scene
When you begin pulling out your Christmas decorations, you should learn how to make a manger scene to go with them. This Silent Night Nativity Scene will be an amazing addition to your other holiday decor. A precious decoration like this might end up being passed down from generation to generation. This DIY nativity scene will get you feeling crafty this holiday season. Be creative and make a Silent Night Nativity Scene for you and the family to enjoy.
Simple Air Freshener
When you've been inside the house for too long, you begin to realize how much freshening up there needs to be done. This Simple Air Freshener is a DIY air freshener that may help you feel like your living in a brand new home. It will surely give you something fun and creative to do for a little while. Many times, all you need to feel inspired is your favorite scent filling the rooms of your home. However, you don't need to stop there. This tutorial also includes a DIY car air freshener so you can surround yourself with good smells.
Simple Side Table
This simple side table is perfect for you home! How do I know that? Because you make it yourself from scratch! Use this tutorial to learn how to build a table.
Smiley Scarecrow
Scarecrows are meant to scare birds away, but this Smiley Scarecrow will keep the fuzzy critters in your yard. It is a fun and easy wood project that shows you how to build a scarecrow in no time. Use a paintbrush to give this wooden person a face, a hat, or any other fun additions to its personality. Wood shop projects are often intimidating, but this one is simple and fun.
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Vote on this week's styles, including Katie Holmes, Diane Kruger and more stars! You decide – are they fashionistas or flops?
Credit: Tony DiMaio/Startraks
Updated: Saturday Aug 27, 2011 | 06:00 AM EDT
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A bright white strapless dress and shiny metallic accessories provide the perfect frame for the brunette's new cropped do at Project Angel Food's Angel Awards in Hollywood.
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Senior Member
The sister is the one that died and mourning her loss, he took on her identity.
Silent Pete
Just like my Japanese animes
No, it was Singed the whole time.
*gasp* That means Talon is actually female!?
Boku Girl
Quinn is a trap
Roit pls.
Quinn is actually three birds in a woman costume.
They killed the real Quinn due to Valor's deception and wear her skin like so many human tribesmen wear feathers.
ohhh, quinn is the brother, that makes more sense, explains why it looks like a guy.
i hate to be a downer here but was i the only person that found that lore really lame?
they don't say how the brother died. they didn't even give him a name. they didnt really talk about hunting the assassin. i dont know, i used to somewhat enjoy them but since jayce they just went to full suck mode.
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Gregg Sarra and Andy Slawson join Steve Gelbs in studio to break down the Long Island Wrestling Championships.
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- Shoewawa Preview: Schuh S/S 2013 Read More »
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- Houndstooth heaven: check out the checks! Read More »
- Sophia Webster's eye-catching collection Read More »
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28 May 2012
Here at Shoewawa HQ we've been itching to get into our summer shoes for weeks, so now the weather is starting to play ball we've all seized the opportunity to pull on our favourite sandals old and new. Finally, it's time to get those shoes out of the cupboard
24 May 2012
Curious to know what high street haven Schuh has in store for shoppers in Autumn/Winter 2012? We went along to their press day this week to check out what's coming - expect tall heels, mega platforms, glitter, neons, winter wedges, stars and a few new brands we
23 May 2012
Today, the Shoewawa crew got down to Office's press day to see what the popular high street spot has in store for us for autumn/winter 2012. There were several themes going on: a 1990s-inspired neon tinged room with lots of slick, pared-down glamour, a country
23 May 2012
There is more than one reason to invest in a new pair of shoes right now. One being the fact we've been treated to a bout of delightful summer-esque weather which calls for an immediate change / update / addition to your footwear collection. Two, one of our
11 May 2012
Like your shoes glittery? Love your brogues? If the answer to either of these questions is 'yes', then you're sure to love what Russell & Bromley have in store for autumn winter 2012. There's a really strong theme running throughout the collection (which includes
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AP: Kim Jong Il Dead: North Korean Leader's Nukes, Threats Stoked World Fears
Kim Jong Il, the mercurial and enigmatic North Korean leader whose iron rule and nuclear ambitions dominated world security fears for more than a decade, has died. He was 69.
Learn more HERE [6]
The New York Times: Extension of Tax Cut Stalls in House as GOP Objects
The House Republican leader on Sunday flatly rejected a short-term, bipartisan Senate measure to extend a payroll tax break and unemployment insurance, setting the stage for a bitter year-end Congressional collision and the potential loss of benefits for millions of Americans.
Learn more HERE [8]
Huffington Post: Christian Group Recalls Pink Bible
From contraceptives to breastfeeding to eating disorders, many women's health issues are controversial. And it seems even breast cancer isn't above all the bickering. On Wednesday a Christian group recalled the pink bible it manufactured and sold for those with breast cancer over concerns that some of the proceeds would go to Planned Parenthood.
Learn more HERE [9]
Huffington Post: For Times Such As These: The Radical Christian Witness of the New Monastics
"I often say I was drafted by injustice," explains Shane Claiborne [10], one of the founders of The Simple Way [11], a Christian community located in North Philadelphia. Tall, thin, with dreadlocks and a ready smile, Shane shares with me the religious experience that changed his life.
Learn more HERE [12]
The New Zealand Herald: 'People's year' gives hope that the tide is turning
In his book God's Politics, the Reverend Jim Wallis tells of a young African American woman who worked with urban youth in Washington, DC. He describes her as "a smart kid from a working-class family who went to Yale and earned a PhD."
Learn more HERE [13]
Montgomery Advertiser: Speaker targets immigration law
Jim Wallis turns to the Bible for his views on immigration.
"No matter what else we think about issue, those undocumented immigrants are in (the) biblical category of sojourners," the prominent evangelical preacher said in a phone interview. "And our Scripture gives us strict instruction about how to treat the stranger."
Learn more HERE [14]
Slate: Vaclav Havel, Czech's Velvet Revolution Leader, Dead at 75
Vaclav Havel, a writer who was instrumental in the Velvet Revolution that delivered Czechoslovakia from Soviet rule, has died at the age of 75.
Learn more HERE [15]
Hot Air: PPP: Paul Leads Iowa, Gingrich drops to 3
Democratic pollster PPP says that the race in Iowa has flipped yet again. Just a couple of weeks ago, Newt Gingrich rode high in the polls as the alternative to Mitt Romney, but PPP now says that role has fallen to … Ron Paul.
Learn more HERE [16]
Think Progress: Mitt Romney's Dream World: Cutting Billions Out of Medicaid Will Not 'Hurt the Poor'
Medicaid, which is funded jointly by the states and the federal government, provides health coverage to approximately 53 million lower income Americans. The federal government helps fund the program by matching state spending on a per-claim basis and paying a percentage of each state's Medicaid costs (anywhere between 50 and 75 percent).
Learn more HERE [17]
[1] http://sojo.net/blogs/gods-politics
[2] http://sojo.net/biography/jack-palmer
[3] http://sojo.net/blogs/2011/12/19/morning-news-monday-dec-19-2011#comment-covenant
[4] http://sojo.net/letter-to-web-editor?post=The%20Morning%20News%3A%20Monday%2C%20Dec.%2019%2C%202011
[5] http://sojo.net/donate
[6] http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/18/kim-jong-il-dead_n_1157024.html
[7] http://sojo.net/sites/default/files/mainimages/blog/newspapers_2_33.jpg
[8] http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/19/us/politics/house-republicans-oppose-senate-deal-on-payroll-tax-cut-boehner-says.html?_r=1&hp
[9] http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/15/pink-bible-recall_n_1152082.html?ref=women
[10] http://www.huffingtonpost.com/shane-claiborne
[11] http://thesimpleway.org/
[12] http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-raushenbush/shane-claiborne-new-monastics_b_1156525.html?ref=religion
[13] http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10773956
[14] http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20111217/NEWS01/112170340/Speaker-targets-immigration-law?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CFrontpage%7Cs
[15] http://slatest.slate.com/posts/2011/12/18/vaclav_havel_velvet_revolution_leader_dead_at_75.html
[16] http://hotair.com/archives/2011/12/19/ppp-paul-leads-iowa-gingrich-drops-to-3rd/
[17] http://thinkprogress.org/health/2011/12/19/391765/mitt-romneys-dream-world-cutting-billions-out-of-medicaid-will-not-hurt-the-poor/


text: Movie Review: The Conjuring by Debra Heine Jul 16, 2013 10:21 AM PT Share This: Print "The Conjuring" tells the true story of world renowned paranormal investigators, Ed and Lorraine Warren, (played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga) who were called upon to help a Rhode Island family terrorized by a dark and sinister presence in their secluded farmhouse. Ed and Lorraine have investigated many famous hauntings throughout their long careers. The infamous "devil doll", Annabelle, was investigated in 1970, after a couple of nurses sought their services to rid them of the evil that was attached to a Raggedy Ann doll one of their mothers had given them as a present. The doll had been moving around their apartment on its own, and menacing their male roommate. The Warrens took the doll off of their hands, and it now resides in a special case in their occult museum in Monroe, Connecticut. In 1975, they investigated the infamous Amityville house that was occupied by the Lutz family for only 28 days before the fled for their lives. The Warren's work is based on their Catholic religion but also uses science. In 1988, they were able to prove in a court of law that a women and her young child were driven by ghosts out of a house they had leased. The Realtor who had leased her the house, had sued, and they were able to provide evidence in court that there really were ghosts in that house. 27 years earlier, the Warrens found themselves caught in the most terrifying case of their lives involving the farmhouse recently moved into by the Perron family. Set in 1971, the movie production design gets an A+ for presenting everything from clothing, hairstyles, furniture, old fashioned T.V. (with the Brady Bunch on), curtains, lampshades, cars, bedspreads, etc looking exactly as it should for that era. Roger and Carolyn Perron (Ron Livingston and Lili Taylor) and their five lovely daughters are not particularly religious people, but after experiencing malodorous odors, doors creeping open, clocks stopped at 3:07, sleepwalking, and finally getting locked in a creepy, cob webbed cellar with a ghost, Carolyn decides to sit in on one of the Warren's lectures, and asks (begs, really) the couple to please come to their house and help them. Ed Warren is dubious at first, figuring it's the usual case of leaky pipes and creaky floorboards and prefers to spend the rest of his weekend with his family, but Lorraine takes sympathy on Carolyn and agrees to come over to check the place out. They realize the moment the walk through the door, that this is not going to be an ordinary case. I watched the movie in a crowded theater with an expressive audience, that screamed at all the spooky moments. After the Perron's evil infestation followed the Warrens to their own house, their young daughter was awakened by bumps in the night and decided to search for the source of the noises. When she approached the open door of the room where they kept an array of haunted artifacts including the Annabelle doll, voices in the audience yelled, "oh no!" and "Don't you go in there!" Strong performances and intelligent direction by "Saw" and "Insidious" director James Wan puts "The Conjuring" head and shoulders above most movies in its genre but not quite up to the level of depth found in "The Exorcist", still my personal favorite horror flick. I give it 4 out of 5 stars. The Conjuring is set to be released on July 19, 2013. Scary does not have to mean bloody by John Hayward Jul 16, 2013 11:42 AM PT Share This: Print In response to Movie Review: The Conjuring: I'm greatly looking forward to seeing "The Conjuring," as a horror-movie buff who particularly appreciates the fine art of telling a scary story without excessive gory violence. I'm not a snob about that - two of the three films in my all-time great list of scary movies, "Jaws" and "Alien," have plenty of bloodshed, although neither of those films are really vulgar about it. (The mess hall scene in "Alien" gets a special exemption in my book, as one of the rare cinematic moments that was truly unprecedented, and will never be duplicated.) But the scariest film of all time, "The Exorcist," has a body count of three: one ambiguous murder we don't even see, one heart attack, and one demon-stomping act of noble sacrifice. The hugely successful "Paranormal Activity" films don't get ugly until the very end, and their violent final scenes are quite muted by modern standards - you'll see plenty of network TV shows with more graphic violence. Also, the "Paranormal" films get all the goosebump heavy lifting done long before they turn feral. I never thought I'd see an entire theater leap out of its seats because a bunch of kitchen cabinet doors slammed shut. The director of "The Conjuring" gave us the bloody "Saw" films, to be sure, but he was far more unsettling when he left the buckets of blood behind and made "Insidious." I'd also mention "The Blair Witch Project," which has picked up plenty of detractors over the years, and the shaky-cam ruins it for many viewers, but I think the film buried under all the hype stands up well as a spooky movie that doesn't spill any blood. I admire the creativity, character work, and atmospheric craft necessary to make something truly scary without bloody violence. It looks like "The Conjuring" fills that bill. Anyone interested in a really outstanding example of the form should look up the George C. Scott film "The Changeling," an under-appreciated grand-master class in using character, setting, and elegant creepiness to scare the crumbs out of an audience without a drop of blood. I'll see your slasher-film meat cleavers and chainsaws, and raise you a cobwebbed wheelchair and a bouncing rubber ball. advertisement Breitbart Video Picks advertisement advertisement Most Popular Fox News National Judge: Chinese woman accused in scheme to steal US seeds, send to China, won't get own trial26 Nov 2014, 12:30 PM PDT US stocks inch higher, renewing record highs for Dow Jones industrials and S&P 500 index26 Nov 2014, 12:18 PM PDT 2 people shot at Pennsylvania strip mall barbershop day after another shooting there26 Nov 2014, 12:15 PM PDT Court throws out ruling that barred public from watching 1st witness called by Jodi Arias26 Nov 2014, 12:15 PM PDT State police: Boy dies from wounds he suffered when his mother shot him, his 2 siblings26 Nov 2014, 12:15 PM PDT advertisement Send A Tip Sign up for our newsletter


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Richard Austin was such a pleasure to work with. He fixed up everything in the office so wonderfully that I thought he deserved a shout-out. Thank you.
- Billy Walker, Executive Assistant to the VP for Finance
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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Canada Day: Happy birthday to us!
Canada turns 146 on Monday and there are plenty of ways to celebrate over the weekend
ON Monday, it's your patriotic duty to wake up at the crack of dawn and paddle your canoe over to the nearest Tim Hortons.
After consuming a hearty breakfast of maple doughnuts, you will crack open a case of Blue, select the Tragically Hip on your iPod and a play a game of road hockey with a group of caribou clad in Canada Goose jackets.
The failure to engage in any of these stereotypical activities means you do not live up to the Canadian ideal espoused by the wise sage Michael Bublé during the closing ceremonies of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
In case you do not recall, Bublé sang a version of The Maple Leaf Forever while skaters dressed as voyageurs swirled alongside inflatable Mounties, moose and beavers, all in front of a worldwide audience estimated in the billions.
For all intents and purposes, Feb. 28, 2010, was the only Canada Day this nation will ever need. No amount of flag-waving or hockey playing and syrup swilling will ever approximate that supremely shticky act of Canadian patriotism in Vancouver.
But if you must celebrate the wimpy-by-comparison Canada Day we hold at the beginning of July -- July! A month with nary a trace of snow nor ice-skating! -- here are your finest options for a public spectacles in the general vicinity of Winnipeg:
The Forks
When: Monday, July 1, starting at 1 p.m.
Where: The confluence of the Red and Assiniboine rivers, where people have gathered for millennia to watch free stuff and complain about parking. In 1867, it was all but impossible to find a spot on Main Street to leave your oxcart.
The main attraction: Three stages of live music by an all-Manitoba cast of musicians, including Imaginary Cities, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Mise En Scene, Sweet Alibi and the Mariachi Ghost. Along with the Scotiabank Stage, there are smaller stages at The Forks Market canopy and on the rail bridge to South Point.
What's new this year? Not content with running a zamboni on used oil from deep fryers, The Forks will power one of its stages entirely by a quartet of cyclists. There will be four slots for cyclists to hook up to a generator that powers the public-address at the Rail Bridge Stage, where the musicians will not be audible without the power of people on bikes.
"If you want to hear the music, you have to pedal," says Paul Jordan, chief operating officer at The Forks. "The more instruments you have plugged in, the more cyclists you need."
This bicycle-powered PA will also be used this winter to power stages on the River Trail, where The Forks previously was unable to host amplified music.
"Now we can do amplified things -- as long as we have cyclists," Jordan says.
What about fireworks? They start at 11 p.m., following a collaboration between indie-pop band Imaginary Cities and the WSO.
Osborne Village
When: Sunday, June 30, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Monday, July 1 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Where: Four blocks of Osborne Street, from River Avenue to McMillan Avenue. Don't whine about the major artery being closed for two days -- it's not as if traffic flows swiftly through the Village on a good day. Half the city empties out into cottage country on the July long weekend, anyway.
The main attraction: Live music on four stages, as well as food stalls set up outside Osborne Village restaurants. From north to south, there are stages set up in front of Music Trader, The Toad In The Hole, the Osborne Village Inn and Wild Planet. Performers include the Lytics, Boats and the Cannon Bros.
What's new this year? A family zone with kids' activities, a skateboard demo and a performance by Al Simmons. Yep, the Village isn't just one big beer garden any more.
What about fireworks? Um, you can always stand on the Osborne Street Bridge and gaze towards The Forks.
Assiniboine Park
When: Monday July 1, from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Where: Assiniboine Park, the city's largest green space, centred around the Lyric Theatre.
The main attraction: Family friendly live entertainment on the Lyric stage by the likes of the Winnipeg Police Pipe Band, former YTV reality-show contestant Victoria Duffield and Winnipeg drumming troupe Fubuki Daiko, capped off by fireworks at the end of the night.
Getting in and out: Winnipeg Transit is offering free park-and-ride service from parking lots at Canadian Mennonite University (500 Shaftesbury Blvd.) or the Asper Jewish Community Campus (123 Doncaster St.).
What about fireworks? The show starts at 10:40 p.m., with audio accompaniment from 99.1 Fresh FM.
St. Boniface
When: Monday, July 1, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Esplanade Riel, Fort Gibraltar, St. Boniface Museum, Maison Gabrielle Roy, St. Boniface Cathedral and Promenade Café on Taché Avenue.
The main attraction: Buskers on the pedestrian bridge, costumed interpreters at the fort, free museum admission and live music at the cathedral and café.
Getting around: A free trolley bus will run between all St. Boniface locations -- and The Forks -- from noon to 7 p.m.
What about fireworks? You get a great view of the show at The Forks from the Taché Avenue docks or Esplanade Riel.
Dauphin's Countryfest
When: Today to Sunday, June 30
Where: Selo Ukraina Site, off Highway 10 between Dauphin and Riding Mountain National Park.
The main attraction: Manitoba's largest outdoor music festival, headlined this year by Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan.
Wait, I can still buy weekend passes? No, sorry. This thing sold out in one day. All that's left are passes for tonight, which features the sons of three of country music's greatest performers: Justin Townes Earle calls Steve Earle dad, Shooter Jennings is the son of Waylon and Lukas Nelson is Willy's kid. Passes for tonight's lineup are $77 at www.countryfest.ca.
What about fireworks? You'll have plenty of time to drive back to Winnipeg on Monday. Just watch out for moose in Riding Mountain -- and inflatable Mounties.
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition June 27, 2013 C1
Updated on Thursday, June 27, 2013 at 7:21 AM CDT: replaces photo, formats text, changes headline
9:36 AM: corrects spellings using "é"
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Tanzim Qaidat al-Jihad fi Bilad al-Rafidayn
|Tanzim Qaidat al-Jihad fi Bilad al-Rafidayn
(Organization of Jihad's Base in Mesopotamia)
|Participant in the Iraq War
One of the flags used by AQI in their video releases. Variants used white text for the circle and the shahada.
|17 October 2004[1]-October 2006
|Sunni Islamism
Salafist jihadism
Takfiri (anti-Shia) m
|Abu Musab al-Zarqawi (KIA)
Abu Ayyub al-Masri (KIA)
|Area of operations
|Part of
Mujahideen Shura Council
|Originated as
|Ansar al-Islam (associate)
Jama'at al-Tawhid wal-Jihad
|Islamic State in Iraq
|Multinational force in Iraq,
Iraq (Iraqi security forces, Kurdish and Shia militias),
United Nations
|Battles and wars
|Iraqi insurgency (2003–06)
Civil war in Iraq (2006–07)
Tanzim Qaidat al-Jihad fi Bilad al-Rafidayn, (TQJBR),[2] ("Organization of Jihad's Base in Mesopotamia", Arabic: تنظيم قاعدة الجهاد في بلاد الرافدين), also known as al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI), or al-Qaeda in Mesopotamia was an Iraqi Salafi jihadi militant organization affiliated with al-Qaeda. It was a major combatant actor in the Iraqi insurgency and played a central role in the establishment of the Islamic State of Iraq.[3]
The group was founded by the Jordanian militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi under the name Jama'at al-Tawhid wal-Jihad (Arabic: جماعة التوحيد والجهاد, "Group of Monotheism and Jihad"). It became active in 2003 in reaction to the coalition invasion and occupation of Iraq. After pledged allegiance to Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda network in October 2004, its official name became Tanzim Qaidat al-Jihad fi Bilad al-Rafidayn.[4][1][5][6]
In a letter to al-Zarqawi in July 2005, Al-Qaeda's Ayman al-Zawahiri outlined a four-stage plan to expand the Iraq War, which included expelling US forces from Iraq, establishing an Islamic authority—a caliphate—spreading the conflict to Iraq's secular neighbors, and engaging in the Arab–Israeli conflict.[7][8]
Part of a series on the
| Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
Black Standard variant adopted by ISI
Jama'at al-Tawhid wal-Jihad (1999–2004)
Tanzim Qaidat al-Jihad fi Bilad al-Rafidayn (2004–06)
Mujahideen Shura Council (2006)
Islamic State of Iraq (2006–13)
Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (2013–14)Self-proclaimed as the Islamic State (2014–present)
|By topic
Involvement in Iraqi Insurgency[edit]
The same month as its October 2004 pledge of allegiance, the group, now popularly referred to as al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI), kidnapped and killed Japanese citizen Shosei Koda. In November, al-Zarqawi's network was the main target of the US Operation Phantom Fury in Fallujah,[citation needed] but its leadership managed to escape the American siege and subsequent storming of the city. In December, in two of its many sectarian attacks, AQI bombed a Shia funeral procession in Najaf and the main bus station in nearby Karbala, killing at least 60 people in those two holy cities of Shia Islam. The group also reportedly took responsibility for the 30 September 2004 Baghdad bombing which killed 41 people, mostly children.[9]
In 2005, AQI largely focused on executing high-profile and coordinated suicide attacks, claiming responsibility for numerous attacks which were primarily aimed at Iraqi administrators. The group launched attacks on voters during the Iraqi legislative election in January, a combined suicide and conventional attack on the Abu Ghraib prison in April, and coordinated suicide attacks outside the Sheraton Ishtar and Palestine Hotel in Baghdad in October.[7] In July, AQI claimed responsibility for the kidnapping and execution of Ihab Al-Sherif, Egypt's envoy to Iraq.[10][11] Also in July, a three-day series of suicide attacks, including the Musayyib marketplace bombing, left at least 150 people dead.[12] Al-Zarqawi claimed responsibility for a single-day series of more than a dozen bombings in Baghdad in September, including a bomb attack on 14 September which killed about 160 people, most of whom were unemployed Shia workers.[13] They claimed responsibility for a series of mosque bombings in the same month in the city of Khanaqin, which killed at least 74 people.[14]
The attacks blamed on or claimed by AQI continued to increase in 2006 (see also the list of major resistance attacks in Iraq).[15] In one of the incidents, two US soldiers—Thomas Lowell Tucker and Kristian Menchaca—were captured, tortured and beheaded by AQI.[citation needed] In another, four Russian embassy officials were abducted and subsequently killed. al-Qaeda in Iraq and its umbrella groups were blamed for multiple attacks targeting the country's Shia population, some of which AQI claimed responsibility for. The US claimed without verification that the group was at least one of the forces behind the wave of chlorine bombings in Iraq, which affected hundreds of people, albeit with few fatalities, after a series of crude chemical warfare attacks between late 2006 and mid-2007.[16] During 2006, several key members of AQI were killed or captured by American and allied forces. This included al-Zarqawi himself, killed on 7 June 2006, his spiritual adviser Sheik Abd-Al-Rahman, and the alleged "number two" deputy leader, Hamid Juma Faris Jouri al-Saeedi. The group's leadership was then assumed by the Egyptian militant Abu Ayyub al-Masri, also known as Abu Hamza al-Muhajir.[17][18]
Inciting sectarian violence[edit]
Attacks against militiamen often targeted the Iraqi Shia majority in an attempt to incite sectarian violence.[19] Al-Zarqawi purportedly declared an all-out war on Shias[13] while claiming responsibility for the Shia mosque bombings.[14] The same month, a letter allegedly written by Ayman al-Zawahiri—later rejected as a "fake" by the AQI—appeared to question AQI's tactic of indiscriminately attacking Shias in Iraq.[20] In a video that appeared in December 2007, al-Zawahiri defended the AQI, but distanced himself from the crimes against civilians committed by "hypocrites and traitors" that he said existed among its ranks.[21]
US and Iraqi officials accused the AQI of trying to slide Iraq into a full-scale civil war between Iraq's majority Shia and minority Sunni Arabs via an orchestrated campaign of massacres and provocative attacks against high-profile religious targets.[22] With attacks purportedly mounted by the AQI such as the Imam Ali Mosque bombing in 2003, the Day of Ashura bombings and Karbala and Najaf bombings in 2004, the first al-Askari Mosque bombing in Samarra in 2006, the deadly single-day series of bombings in November 2006 in which at least 215 people were killed in Baghdad's Shia district of Sadr City, and the second al-Askari bombing in 2007, the AQI provoked Shia militias to unleash a wave of retaliatory attacks. The result was a plague of death squad-style killings and a spiral into further sectarian violence, which escalated in 2006 and brought Iraq to the brink of violent anarchy in 2007.[23] In 2008, sectarian bombings blamed on al-Qaeda killed at least 42 people at the Imam Husayn Shrine in Karbala in March and at least 51 people at a bus stop in Baghdad in June.
Operations outside Iraq and other activities[edit]
On 3 December 2004, AQI attempted to blow up an Iraqi–Jordanian border crossing, but failed to do so. In 2006, a Jordanian court sentenced to death al-Zarqawi in absentia and two of his associates for their involvement in the plot.[24] AQI increased its presence outside Iraq by claiming credit for three attacks in 2005. In the most deadly of these attacks, suicide bombs killed 60 people in Amman, Jordan on 9 November 2005.[25] They claimed responsibility for the rocket attacks which narrowly missed the American naval ships USS Kearsarge and USS Ashland in Jordan and also targeted the city of Eilat in Israel, and for the firing of several rockets into Israel from Lebanon in December 2005.[7] The affiliated groups were linked to regional attacks outside Iraq which were consistent with their stated plan, one example being the 2005 Sharm al-Sheikh bombings in Egypt, which killed 88 people, many of them foreign tourists.
The Lebanese-Palestinian militant group Fatah al-Islam, which was defeated by Lebanese government forces during the 2007 Lebanon conflict, was linked to AQI and led by al-Zarqawi's former companion who had fought alongside him in Iraq.[26] The group may have been linked to the little-known group called "Tawhid and Jihad in Syria",[27] and may have influenced the Palestinian militant group in Gaza called Jahafil Al-Tawhid Wal-Jihad fi Filastin.[28]
Umbrella organizations[edit]
In January 2006, al-Qaeda in Iraq created an umbrella organization called the Mujahideen Shura Council (MSC), in an attempt to unify Sunni insurgents in Iraq. Its efforts to recruit Iraqi Sunni nationalists and secular groups were undermined by the violent tactics it used against civilians and its extreme Islamic fundamentalist doctrine.[29] Because of these impediments, the attempt was largely unsuccessful.[23]
On 13 October 2006, the MSC declared the establishment of the Islamic State of Iraq (ISI), comprising Iraq's six mostly Sunni Arab governorates, with Abu Omar al-Baghdadi being announced as the self-proclaimed state's Emir.[15][3] Abu Ayyub al-Masri, who had been the leader of the MSC, was given the title of Minister of War within the ISI's ten-member cabinet.[30] Following the announcement, scores of gunmen took part in military parades in Ramadi and other Anbar towns to celebrate.[31][32] According to report by US intelligence agencies in early 2007, the ISI (Islamic State of Iraq) planned to seize power in the central and western areas of the country and turn it into a Sunni Islamic state.[33]
See also[edit]
- ^ a b Pool, Jeffrey (16 December 2004). "Zarqawi's Pledge of Allegiance to Al-Qaeda: From Mu'Asker Al-Battar, Issue 21". Terrorism Monitor 2 (24): The Jamestown Foundation. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
- ^ Govt bans al-Zarqawi terror group
- ^ a b "The Rump Islamic Emirate of Iraq". The Long War Journal. 16 October 2006. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
- ^ Middle East and North Africa Overview, Country Reports on Terrorism, U.S. State Department, 28 April 2006
- ^ "Zarqawi pledges allegiance to Osama". Dawn. Agence France-Presse. 18 October 2004. Archived from the original on 29 December 2007. Retrieved 13 July 2007.
- ^ "Al-Zarqawi group vows allegiance to bin Laden". NBC News. Associated Press. 18 October 2004. Retrieved 13 July 2007.
- ^ a b c "Country Reports on Terrorism". United States Department of State. 28 April 2006. Archived from the original on 11 March 2007. Retrieved 25 July 2014.[dead link]
- ^ Whitaker, Brian (13 October 2005). "Revealed: Al-Qaida plan to seize control of Iraq". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
- ^ "Fast Facts: Abu Musab al-Zarqawi". Fox News Channel. Associated Press. 8 June 2006. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
- ^ "Al-Qaeda claims to have killed Egyptian envoy". The New York Times. 7 July 2005.
- ^ Caroll, Rory; Borger, Julian (8 July 2005). "Egyptian envoy to Iraq killed, says al-Qaida". The Guardian (London).
- ^ Howard, Michael (18 July 2005). "Three days of suicide bombs leave 150 dead". The Guardian (London).
- ^ a b "Another wave of bombings hit Iraq". International Herald Tribune. 15 September 2005. Archived from the original on 28 October 2007.[dead link]
- ^ a b Tavernise, Sabrina (17 September 2005). "20 die as insurgents in Iraq target Shiites". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 27 January 2008.
- ^ a b "Al-Qaida in Iraq (AQI)". Dudley Knox Library. Naval Postgraduate School. Archived from the original on 1 April 2007. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
- ^ "U.S. says Iraq chlorine bomb factory was al Qaeda's". Reuters. 24 February 2007.
- ^ "Al-Qaeda in Iraq names new head". BBC News. 12 June 2006.
- ^ Tran, Mark (1 May 2007). "Al-Qaida in Iraq leader believed dead". The Guardian.[dead link]
- ^ Atwan, Abdel Bari (20 March 2006). "Al Qaeda's hand in tipping Iraq toward civil war". The Christian Science Monitor.
- ^ "Al-Qaeda disowns 'fake letter'". BBC News. 13 October 2005.
- ^ "British 'fleeing' claims al-Qaeda". Adnkronos. 17 December 2007. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
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Mini Whipped and I trekked to Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook to review the musical Camelot. It was an afternoon we will likely both remember forever.
One of the great joys of raising children is the ability to rediscover the world through their fresh eyes. There is only one "first" for everything and a child's world is filled with them. The wonder and excitement of new things are contagious. Watching my daughters' eyes light up and their breath quicken as they try new foods and enjoy new experiences conjures memories that carry me on their wave of discovery.
Some months ago, I was offered tickets to see Camelot, the musical currently playing at Drury Lane Theatre. Mini Whipped is 6-years-old, loves music and is full of drama so I thought it might be the ideal opportunity to introduce her to musicals. I still remember watching The Sound of Music at our civic theatre and feeling overcome by the music and dance, which sparked dreams of performing throughout my childhood. (I cast myself as Annie but sadly only had the hair, not the voice.)