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Waynad Trip
Highly excited with the last trip, all the people involved wanted to spend more vacation time and they somehow managed to make me work for 1 more week from Bangalore office only so that next weekend we could have plan for some Kerala trip. Earlier we wanted to go Kanya-kumari or Pondicherry or Goa but nothing was seemingly fitting for a 3 day trip. While browsing websites we came across something known as tree-houses and everybody now wanted to take that advantage, and the place where we had spotted those tree house was something named as Waynad, none of us had ever heard about it, while enquiring from several Southy friends we concluded that it is a highly appreciated place and worth to go, and it was also fitting with our schedule and budget at hand. We ditrbuted the task of staying, arranging cab and tour plan among four of us leaving girls to just enjoy without thinking or stressing too much ;) ... so we started on Thursday night after 1 am as the Kerala Govt. Authority keep the Waynad entrance closed for 12 am to 7am because of a forest area of around 20 km stretch. This place was around 350KM away and cab driver told us it will take around 6-7 hours to reach there. we had already booked the resort via phone, as Dhadhoo got the address of some resort named as Green Mount Cottage run by Mr. Martin Lopez and we got it listed from a website www.inasra.com, and later we realized that they also have their own website, anyway for anybody interested, I am pasting all the necessary info below in this post regarding cottage charges and contacts etc.
We booked the Qualis from some Manish cabs near to BTM watertank, they took 500 INR advance and 200 INR driver charges in case of 10 pm later drivings and 9Rs/km, it was an AC Qualis (we actually didn't require AC for much of the time). We actually wanted to hire a Double AC Qualis but later we realized that seemingly Bangalore doesn't require that due to nice weather conditions there. So, we hit the Waynad district in the morning around 8am and the place where we had booked the lodging was Kalpetta. Its a small village with hills all over the sides and lot and lot of green forest and tea gardens. We didn't encounter much of the tea garden while reaching to Kalpetta but while travelling to Soochipada explained shortly. We noticed bunch of small huts here and there ditrbuted in the middle of forest area and nothing surronuding them like some dense population or some market area and wondering about the difficulties of daily life there, not sure how do they manage their daily affairs but from an external world eyes they were looking pretty awesome concept of a way of spending life, where an individual is farmer, farming happily on a small chunk of land, living in small hut completely furnished with all the necessity and having wife and kids, having a nearby school for kids and hospital for anykind of sickness treatment, everybody was feeling like a fairy tale dream to spend such a life there
... so we hit the Green Mount cottage at 9PM morning where Mr. Martin Lopez was waiting for us with a complimentary breakfast of Masala dosa and tea. Tired after a night long journey we get refreshed in around 2 hours or so and had heavy breakfast, that was completely unlimited and after eating too much from our side we felt that the serving basket was still filled :) .... well, it was a nice drizzling there when we started for Banasura Dam that was around 30 KM from that place.
Again on a nice hilly road we started off for this place and it took almost 1 hour to reach there, Banasura dam is a project where they have lot of water one side, and a cloudy green mountain on the other side and a walkable road in between, they also provide motor-boating facility where they roam in the lake for around 30 minutes. After enjoying that place for 2-3 hours we returned back completely tired to our cottage. Had a pamphlet fish filled dinner at a nearby hotel, and that was an awesome dish I swear.
So, next day we started in morning 10 am again after a sumptuous breakfast of idli courtesy to Mr. Martin Lopez for Edakkal caves. Cottage owner was an excellent guide too who told us about how to reach and what to do. Well, Edakkal cave was not a good idea as it was first very high for climbing with most of the climbing unlike trekking was stairs and stones, highly crowded and raining badly on that day and there was nothing very exciting about it atleast inside the cave, although outside there was a place (highly congested and crowded) like a viewpoint from where one can view a beautiful sight, but was not enough to perfectly rationalize a cost-effort scenario. So while retuning back all hungry people visited an aunty's lunch cafe where we witnessed Kerala rice and ate it with sambhar, obviously was not a North Indian taste but was good enough to kill a hungry and tired tummy fire. From there we started to Meenmutty waterfall area, a nearby place but still around 20 km away and took around an hour to reach there .... we liked this place because we got a chance to do a small trekking like experience of 2-3 kms, but the fall was not much impressive, although the path to fall was a bit adventurous as it has lot of algae filled stones in the way. Then, we carried to Soochipara through a lushful greenery of tea mountains and forest, captivating enough to win any heart and Soochipara was again a waterfall kind of experience, but a nice waterfall and the recommended one. Here there was an opportunity to actually drench yourself near the waterfall with very cold water something like I had experienced earlier with Kempty fall near to Mussoorie.
So after it again a day off and dinner full of pamphlet fish, game of card (bluffing was the only game with which everybody was seemingly an expert) and then a tight sleep. next day we had to vacate the cottage, rain had destroyed our plan of camp-firing and high cost had destroyed our plan of tree houses but still we were very happy inside. Next day, we were supposed to vacate the cottage and after a nice discussion with Mr. Martin we left the place and reached to Pookod lake. Highly un-recommended place, never go there, boats were there but of no use, fish museum was also boring thing and then pathetic mirror museum and nothing there, highly furstrating place, so it was a time to say good-bye to Kerala and return back.
Again Bangalore by 11:30 PM night and I flied back to Delhi by 11 am morning and then back to routine life after a fun-filled travel and a lot of sweet memories ....
*PS - Second pic is Banasura Dam, Third pic is Meenmutty Waterfall, Fourth pic is Soochipada waterfall and the last one is Green Mount Cottage. For interested people, below is the address:
The address of the hotel is *Old Market Road, (Opp Post Office),Kalpetta, Wayanad, Wayanad- 673121* Contact Number :-* 04936 -203512, 09446257530* Contact Person :-*Mr.Martin Lopez


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Winnetka's history books highlight two tragedies. One is the collision of the Lady Elgin passenger ship with the Augustus lumber ship in 1859, which turned Winnetka homes into makeshift hospitals. The other is the 1988 shooting of six students at Hubbard Woods School by Laurie Dann. The name of one of the children lives on at the Nick Corwin Park.
Things to do
For such a small town, Winnetka has a well-furnished park district. It includes a 27-hole golf course, indoor ice arena, six ball fields, tennis courts and six paddle ball courts. The district also maintains a dog beach, boat launch/sailing center and three swimming beaches.
The ivy-covered Winnetka Community House features a fitness center and gym, and is a favorite venue for parties and weddings.
A variety of restaurants, from casual to white tablecloth, are sprinkled throughout the village. Favorites include the white pizzas at the Trifecta Grill and the waffle cones at Love's Yogurt.
Summertime events include farmers markets, monthly car shows and Music in the Park (Hubbard Woods).
Annual events include the 5K Firecracker Race in June, 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony in September and tree-lighting ceremony in December. Families flock to the daylong, all-village party on July Fourth, which concludes with fireworks.
Open your wallet wide to buy a house in this village, where grand homes dominate tree-lined streets.
The average sale price this year has been $1.32 million. The "Home Alone" house where the 1990 comedy movie was filmed sold earlier this year for about $1.6 million.
Recent sales range from a 1950s fixer-upper that sold for $290,000 to a 2002 four-bedroom house on the lake that went for $4.9 million. Winnetka's houses comprise a field guide to architecture, from Dutch Colonial to foursquare to Tudor.
"We get young families from the city because they're used to living in a pedestrian-friendly place and because of the trains," said Sherry Molitor, agent with Koenig & Strey Real Living in Winnetka. "And we get transferees who want their kids to go to New Trier."
Multifamily homes are scarce, scattered mostly along Green Bay Road.
"Rentals are very expensive and hard to find because some transferees want to rent until they've sold their old houses," said Molitor. The owner of the recently rehabbed Library Place found renters for its five units even though they started at $3,500 a month. The most affordable are over-the-store apartments downtown.
The village recently lifted its ban on renting coach houses, which will open more properties to renters.
Winnetka has three Metra train stations, so most homeowners are within walking distance of one of them. Pace runs two bus routes through the village.
The Winnetka Public Schools District 36 serves kindergarten through eighth grade at five schools that are grade-centered. Three schools serve grades K through 4, one serves grades 5 and 6, and one serves grades 7 and 8.
High-school students attend New Trier High School's campus in Northfield for 9th grade and the Winnetka campus for grades 10 through 12. Its list of alumni includes actors Rock Hudson and Rainn Wilson and politicians Donald Rumsfeld and Rahm Emanuel.
Private schools include North Shore Country Day School (pre-K-12), Sacred Heart School (pre-K-8) and The School of Saints Faith, Hope & Charity (pre-K-8).
The Hadley School for the Blind has been a North Shore icon since 1920.

subset: commoncrawl


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Welcome to More Space Place Lakeland & Winter Haven — Murphy Beds, Custom Closets, Custom Home Office Furniture & More
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Residents of Lakeland, Winter Haven, Lake Wales, Frostproof, Fort Meade, Haines City, and surrounding communities can choose from our wide variety of multi-functional, custom furniture solutions, including:
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We had to test the bed, of course, though it's actually for guests. I'm sorry to report that I got a better night's sleep than in my own new bed, which cost as much as the entire office/bed set-up we got from you. My son was visiting last night, and he was just amazed, and is now considering it for their new house in Miami.
We're still unpacking and settling in since moving to Lakeland, making plans for remodeling, but we both feel it was a good decision to proceed right away with the closets and the furniture for the office/guest room. Whenever I feel disheartened by all that remains to be done, I go look at my well-organized closets, and the beautiful space created by the More Space Place."


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There are some moments in our lives that define us. Moments that we'll look back on and remember for the rest of our lives. Moments that shape our future in beautiful, indescribable ways.
On Friday, my friend Jennifer had one of these moments when the love of her life, Scotlin got down on one knee and asked her to marry him. He had been planning this proposal for months and a few weeks ago asked me if I would be able to document this very important moment in their lives. I literally jumped for joy when I read the message that started so sweetly as, "Would it be possible to take photos of us the moment I ask Jen for her hand in marriage?" And I immediately replied "YES!" – Which brings us to the newly engaged couple that I am presenting to all of you today!
It was Scotlin's desire to serve his country that brought him to the United States Naval Academy from his hometown in Texas. And it was Jen's passion for theater and music that lead her to become friends with Scotlin's sponsor. The pair casually met over dinner and after a year of friendship, started dating while Scotlin was at the Academy. It was over one of our group dinners, that I remember first hearing about Scotlin. Jen was smiling, literally glowing when she talked about him, and I remember thinking that I had never – in all of our years of friendship – seen her this happy.
As I continued to talk with Scotlin about documenting his proposal, I asked him if he would be willing to let me put together a short video for Jen that he could give to her before he left to return to Charleston! We filmed the video earlier in the day and I asked Scotlin to prepare a letter that he would read to Jen in the video.
Congratulations Jen & Scotlin! I am so happy for both of you!
The video was filmed on a Nikon D7000 & forgive the camera shake as we were hiding in the bushes trying our hardest not to be noticed by Jen just a few feet away! You can watch it in HD on Vimeo.
I wanted to share a few more lines of Scotlin's letter because it so beautifully describes what a proposal is truly about. Scotlin writes, "This is the day that I am asking you to take a leap of faith. I am asking you to cast aside your fears. I am asking you to take a risk. I am asking you for your trust. I am asking you for your love. I am asking you for the privilege and responsibility to raise a family together. I am asking a lot because I am asking you for your hand in marriage." You can hear the full letter in a longer video, here.
I love this shot, "Hey Mom, guess what? I'm engaged!" – So cute!
I also would like to thank Krista Jones of Krista A Jones Photography and Kate Yuen of Kate Yuen Photography for helping me to capture the video documentation of the proposal! I seriously could not have done this without both of you and I'm so grateful for all of your help!


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When Google announced the next-generation Nexus 7 back in July, the Android enthusiast community rejoiced at the fact that the LTE model, while working on AT&T and T-Mobile as expected, also worked on Verizon Wireless. This was an enormous step forward in the mobile universe because Verizon has the largest network in the United States and, at the time of release, had more LTE coverage than AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint combined.
Eric Schmidt has just left the stage at Motorola's "On Display" event in New York. Before leaving, though, he divulged some interesting new Android-related numbers.
First among them was the latest figure for "activations per day," which tracks the total number of new Android devices activated each and every day. You may remember Andy Rubin revealing that number to be around 900,000 while quashing rumors back in June, but according to Schmidt, the total number of daily activations has now topped 1.3 million.
Update 8/29/12: The deal is back (Amazon Wireless, Wirefly), though only until August 30th (tomorrow). Remember, you'll need to activate a new line of service and subscribe to the Share Everything plan to get the $40 bill credit.
Original article from May 2012 follows.
Verizon, looking to sweeten the deal for anyone ready to grab a new 4G smartphone, has begun a promotion that offers customers a $40 bill credit when buying a new 4G LTE smartphone from either Amazon Wireless or Wirefly.com.
The Now Network continues to march forward in its 4G LTE Network Vision build-out, today announcing four markets in which the LTE switch is being flipped. You may remember Sprint's July statement that it would be bringing LTE to four new cities by September 3rd, and it looks like the carrier has already made good on that promise, with one exception – the list has dropped Sherman-Denison, TX in favor of Sedalia MO.


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Mayor dismisses idea he should have known about ex-comptroller's legal woes
BY FRAN SPIELMAN City Hall Reporter August 20, 2013 1:18PM
Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel announced on April 20, 2011, that Amer Ahmad (left), would be his comptroller. | Rich Hein~Sun-Times
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Updated: September 22, 2013 6:26AM
Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Tuesday rejected suggestions that he should have known about the alleged Ohio kickback scheme that culminated in the indictment of his former City Comptroller Amer Ahmad.
Emanuel promised an exhaustive investigation — with the city's corporation counsel and inspector general overseeing the work of an independent third-party — to make certain the $500,000 kickback and money-laundering scheme Ahmad stands accused of engineering with state investments in Ohio was not repeated in Chicago.
But, the mayor summarily dismissed the notion he should have steered clear of Ahmad at a time when Ahmad's relationship with a longtime friend and now indicted co-conspirator Mohammed Noure Alo was already generating headlines in Ohio.
"I will say this having worked for two [U.S.] Presidents, it's not like the Justice Department gives you a heads up . . .. They don't provide you that" about pending federal investigations, Emanuel said.
"I appreciate that you think I should have known. . . . [But], the head of Key Bank, the head of the Treasurer's office in Ohio gave him a clean bill of health and a thumbs-up."
Hours after Emanuel offered his first public comment about the embarrassing scandal, the mayor's office announced the hiring of two outside attorneys to oversee the exhaustive and costly investigation: Gordon Nash and Dan Collins of Drinker Biddle.
Nash is a former Chicago Bar Association president who once served as chief of the special prosecutions division in the U.S. Attorney's office. He now defends accused white collar criminals and specializes in securities, antitrust and commercial litigation while conducting internal investigations for corporate clients.
Collins spent ten years in the U.S. Attorney's office investigating: white collar crime; commodities, securities, bank, mail, wire and computer access fraud; public corruption; tax evasion and money laundering.
Their investigation is expected to take "several months" and utilize the services of a forensic accounting firm.
The Chicago Sun-Times reported this week that two former federal prosecutors questioned Ahmad — and interviewed others in Ohio — about investments there that culminated in Ahmad's indictment and determined there was no reason to block Ahmad's appointment as Chicago city comptroller.
Vincent J. Connelly said he and Zaldwaynaka "Z" Scott, Illinois' former executive inspector general, conducted the March 2011 review as attorneys working pro bono for then-Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel's transition team.
On Tuesday, Emanuel was asked whether he felt "let down" by Connelly and Scott. The answer was "no." The mayor said Connelly and Scott "did their job as best as they could do, given what he [Ahmad] provided and what other people said about him."
He also noted that the federal investigation came later and centered around a different investment deal than the one that generated campaign headlines in Ohio.
Instead of blaming the two former federal prosecutors, Emanuel unleashed his anger at the most convenient target: Ahmad.
"Where do we think we were let down? . . . He let the mayor's office and the mayor down. Having worked for two Presidents, he had an obligation when he started to get asked to say he was under questioning," Emanuel said.
"You have an obligation when something like that happened . . .when you're starting to get questions, to inform the people who you work with who have entrusted you with the public trust. That is where he violated the trust and that's the first place he violated."
The mayor was asked Tuesday what Ahmad told him at that time to explain his abrupt departure.
"He said he wanted time with his family. I understand that, having worked for two Presidents and in Congress. He wanted personal time. And he wanted the ability to go to the private sector to make some money, given that he had a young family. That's what he asked for," Emanuel said.
And when did the mayor find out there was another reason—that Ahmad was under federal investigation?
"When I read it in the paper," the mayor said.
A cursory review over the weekend concluded that the city and its four underfunded city employee pension funds — where Ahmad served as a board member — did no business with the cast of characters indicted along with Ahmad in Ohio.
But, the mayor has asked Corporation Counsel Stephen Patton and Inspector General Joe Ferguson to conduct a more extensive review along with an "independent third party" with expertise in conducting forensic audits.
The Patton-Ferguson tag team is ironic, considering the fact that Ferguson is on his way out and because the IG and Patton were adversaries in a marathon court battle that tied Ferguson's hands and insulated Emanuel and his top aides from investigation.
Aldermen Bob Fioretti (2nd) and Scott Waguespack (32nd) have demanded that Patton "stand down" in favor of Ferguson.
"To bring the mayor's attorney on — the person who fought him all the way to the Illinois Supreme Court — is foolish and a way to re-route the investigation," Fioretti said.
On Tuesday, Emanuel did not explain why he felt it necessary to have Patton "looking over Ferguson's shoulder," as Fiorettii put it.
He would only say, "Never should the taxpayers of the city of Chicago be violated as the people in Ohio were when Amer worked there."
Ahmad, 38, plead not-guilty Monday to charges that he used his authority in the Ohio treasurer's office to direct state business to Ohio securities broker Douglas Hampton in return for payments from Hampton. Hampton was a high school classmate-turned-investment adviser of Ahmad.
Ahmad and his Chicago business partner Joseph Chiavaroli allegedly concealed those payments from Hampton by passing them through the accounts of a landscaping business in which Ahmad and Chiavaroli held ownership interests.
Hampton also allegedly funneled in excess of $123,000 to Alo, an attorney and lobbyist who is Ahmad's close personal friend and business associate.
As a result of the scheme, Hampton allegedly received about $3.2 million in commissions for 360 trades on behalf of the Ohio Treasurer's office.
Both Hampton and Chiavaroli appear to have turned against Ahmad — by signing plea agreements that require them to cooperate with the federal probe of Ahmad's alleged scam in return for lighter sentences.
E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
Twitter: @fspielman


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|Tanis honoured as Citizen of the Year
|Local Content - Local News
|Written by production
|Thursday, 27 January 2011 18:32
As the newest Citizen of the Year in Picture Butte, Everett Tanis received recognition Friday evening on the local, provincial and national level.
Tanis accepted the 2010 designation from the Picture Butte and District Chamber of Commerce during its annual banquet. In introducing the award recipient, MC Roelof Heinen said 36 years ago Tanis was already being recognized for his willingness to lend a helping hand.
He quoted from the 1976 Coyote Flats history book which noted Tanis was one of those people who always has time to lend a hand.
"It is a fitting tribute to his dedication to the chamber," said Heinen
He noted Tanis is one of those people that can always be counted on. If you ask, he will go and do.
"It couldn't have happened to a better individual."
Whether its politics, chamber or even the local agricultural society, Tanis is always at the ready to work and work hard, added Heinen.
"It's people like Everett who truly make a difference."
Tanis has been a member of the chamber for 35 years and was a founding member of the agricultural society. He has served in many executive capacities with both organizations and recently accepted yet another role on the chamber executive for the new year.
Tanis will serve as second vice-president along with incoming President Jon Stevens. Matt Beal will serve as the new first vice-president with Allison Vucurevich as treasurer and Irene Hartgerink as secretary/manager.
"He loves the exchange of ideas," said Heinen.
Lethbridge MLA Bridget Pastoor said she feels blessed to have Tanis as a friend both in the political arena and on a personal level.
"Everett has always been there for me."
MP Rick Casson and MLA Barry McFarland, who were unable to attend, sent their congratulations along to Tanis with presentations during the evening.
Picture Butte's Deputy Mayor Richard Sheen said it was a real honour for him to congratulate Tanis on behalf of the town.
When it came time for Tanis to accept all of the evening's praise he found the moment very emotional.
He even quipped that he left his glasses at his table for fear they would fog up. He recalled the people who have previously been recognized with the Citizen of the Year designation and called for a minute of silence to honour those who have passed on.
"I stand here next to all of you."
He said everyone in attendance are Citizen of the Year material and all help to create a sustainable community. He also expressed his appreciate for the honour which left him humbled and emotional.
"I enjoy the company of all of you here."
He said he would accept the award as part of the community. He also thanked his family for attending and noted he was thankful for the cooperative weather.
He added had the award been presented the night before, when blowing snow created icy roads and reduced visibility, there might have only been three people in attendance.
"Maybe Roelof because he has a front-end loader."
In his parting comment he challenged those in attendance to "stand up for what you believe in."
During the evening out-going president Jim Bouma provided an overview of the chamber's activities over the past year noting 2010 saw 64 paid members sign with the organization.
He said last spring the chamber would traditionally have hosted a trade fair but major construction at both the recreation complex and the high school left the group without a facility and the event was canceled.
The chamber co-hosted the Jamboree Days parade with the agricultural society and hosted a fall election forum just ahead of the October municipal election. Midnight Madness and the Santa Shop in November were also a successful event for the chamber and drew a good crowd into the downtown core.
He said in 2010 the chamber was a member of the Canadian chamber and sent Tanis to Ottawa to attend the national convention on behalf of Picture Butte and other local chambers in the region.
The annual Christmas decorating awards were also presented during the evening with Herman and Liz Stroeve accepting the county award from ATB Financial while Brian and Sandy Marshman and Bob and Theresa Wiberg accepted the town award from Scotiabank.
|Hockey 'Butte-style
The Picture Butte Don Shimek UFA Initiation 1 Blades co-hosted a home tournament this past weekend w [ ... ]
|Cirque du Soleil returns to southern Alberta
For the uninitiated, Cirque du Soleil Dralion fuses the 3,000 year-old tradition of Chinese acrobati [ ... ]
|Give the gift of the Kinsmen raffle
Time is a ticking — don't miss a chance to win big in the Coaldale Kinsmen 24th Annual Harley Ra [ ... ]
|Random acts of kindness continued
Dear Editor:


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Virgin Coconut Oil Questions
- Q: Please let me know if virgin coconut oil is good for diabetics. My boss believes virgin coconut oil is good for my diabetes and will decrease my use of insulin. A: Virgin coconut oil is not a FDA-studied product. Therefore the extensive testing that is done on FDA-approved products including safety, efficacy, drug interactions, disease state concerns, etc. has not been performed on virgin coconut. I could not find any reputable pha...
Recent Drug Ratings
- Insulin Glargine for Diabetes mellitus
- Gildess FE 1.5/0.03 for Contraception
- Rolaids Extra Strength for Pyrosis (heartburn)
- Binosto for Osteoporosis
- Exemestane for Breast Cancer
- Clozapine for Bipolar Disorder
- Osphena for Dyspareunia
- Tecfidera for Multiple Sclerosis
- Sanctura XR for Urinary Incontinence
- V-Gan-25 for Allergic Reaction


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|Editor in Chic: Adventure Unplugged
Editor in Chic: Adventure Unplugged
iPods and iMacs and iPads, oh my! Our Editor in Chic craves adventure that isn't pumped through an iSomething device. Read on to see what she plans to do.
With today's modern technology, it's so easy to live life behind a TV or computer screen. I find myself getting wrapped up in an "America's Next Top Model" marathon, chatting on Facebook and sending e-mails, and then I end up wondering what I did with my entire weekend.
Growing up, my parents refused to get cable and Internet. Mainly because they were cheap and we lived out in the boonies. But still, my parents believed in adventure.
My dad built me a tree house. Being the science teacher he was, he rigged up a pulley system so that my parents could put my lunch in the basket and I could reel it up. I'd stay up there the entire day hanging out with me, myself and I. Oh, and my imaginary friend Samadella (she's a whole other story).
Me, myself and I — and Samadella — would play in the tree house, swing from the tree swing, dig in the sandbox, swim in the creek, build dams in the streams and pick wildflowers in the woods. My parents encouraged that and praised me for my adventures, dams and bouquets — even if what I picked were more weeds than wildflowers.
My parents were always taking me on road trips, too. Reading through this week's stories, I relived a lot of my childhood as I visited Serpent Mound that this week's Spotlight story mentioned and took a weekend retreat to Brown County Indiana that this week's Career story highlights.
Another one of my childhood favorite weekend retreats was French Lick Resort in French Lick, Ind. Get the sulfur water bath if you go. It's stinky but effective!
It wasn't until I read this week's stories that I realized how different my life is now from when I grew up. Now, unfortunately, I'm attached to my computer, addicted to my Blackberry and sucked into my TV. This week's stories have inspired me to unplug and get some real adventure back in my life.
I'm making a promise to myself to unplug and experience life like I was raised to do. Life is meant to be discovered, unearthed and explored. Not fed to you on an LCD screen in 30 minutes with three commercial breaks.
So, here's to Adventure: Unplugged! Maybe I should call Samadella and see if she'd like to come along for the ride! Ha!
More articles by this author


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Irish Cream Chocolate Cream Cheese Tart
via mantestedrecipes.com 2 years, 1 month ago
Have a date night coming up? This creamy, no-bake cheesecake is packed full of chocolate in a chocolate crust, and is the perfect end to a romantic meal.
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Added by ManTestedRecipes in Manly Recipes for You, Date Night Dinners
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Add It Up: Saving Money + Saving Lives
No woman should die giving life.
Year: 2010 Producer: UNFPA
Views: 1939
No woman should die giving life.
Year: 2010 Producer: UNFPA
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|UNFPA - Because Everyone Counts
|Bangladesh: Repairing Obstetric Fistula
|Mbathio Lo: Victory Over Fistula in Senegal
|Mobile Clinics Help Burundians Recover From War
|The Next Generation: 15-Year-Old Girls
|Midwives in South Sudan
|Fistula in Chad
|Uganda: Choice not Chance (Spanish Version)
|Uganda: Choice not Chance (French Version)
|Uganda: Choice not Chance (English Version)
|Abused Sri Lankan Women Find Relief
|Rebuilding after the Tsunami: UNFPA Helps Sri Lanka Care for Women
|Birth at the Checkpoint
|Family Planning & Maternal Mortality in Haiti & the Dominican Republic
|Women Deliver 2013 - Babatunde Osotimehin interview
|The Philippines: Protecting Women and Girls After Haiyan
|Repairing Fistula in Bangladesh
|Investing in Reproductive Health to Reduce Maternal Mortality in Panama
|La République Centrafricaine dans un monde dé 7 milliards d'habitants
|Reducing Maternal Mortality in Ngöbe-Buglé, Panama [en Español
|Delivering Hope
|Asia in a World of 7 Billion: Challenges and Opportunities
|Ban Ki-Moon Speaks at U.N. Secretary General's Forum
|Giving Life a Chance: UNFPA Responds to Floods in Pakistan
|Breaking Silent Suffering: A Documentary on Obstetric Fistula in Uganda
|CNN's Christiane Amanpour Interviews Purnima Mane
|Guyana: Adolescent Moms Graduate
|Ethiopia: A Family in Crisis
|Press Conference: Launch of the State of the World Population Report 2011
|Slideshow: Mozambique
|Improved Reproductive Health Services for Iraqis in Jordan
|Keeping Displaced Women Safe and Healthy
|Midwives save lives
|Women and War: Afghanistan
|Interview with Dr. Catherine Hamlin, Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital
|More Bangladeshi Mothers Get Vital Care
|Community Midwifery Takes Hold in Laos
|Maternal Health Thematic Fund: achievements and the way forward
|Ethiopia: Danger of Home Births
|Zambia: Renewing Hope
|Health Care for Remote Villagers
|Laos: Women Migrants
|Helping Cambodians Plan Their Families
|Mexico: Streets not paved with gold
|Internally Displaced in Pakistan
|Ecuador: Making Birth Choices
|African football series: Matshidiso, Sex Worker, Pretoria
|Retour à la Vie: Campagne Mondiale pour l'Elimination des Fistules
|Midwives Deliver Quality Health Services to Families in Uzbekistan
|Making Childbirth Safe Again After Haiyan
|Pakistan: Improving Health Care for Women
|Ethiopia: A Family In Crisis
|Invest In Women, It Pays
|Back to life: Midwives help preventing fistula in Timor-Leste
|Back to life: Promoting the reintegration of fistula survivors in Liberia
|Back to life: Treating obstetric fistula in Pakistan
|PSA - Look at her before it's too late
|Stories of Mothers Saved [Abridged Version]
|Reducing Maternal Mortality in Africa
|Back to Life: Fighting Obstetric Fistula in the Democratic Republic of Congo
|Trafficking Victims in Northern Viet Nam
|Joint Programme on Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: Accelerating Change
|Women Migrants: International Migration in Thailand
|Philippines: Women Mobilize to Protect Marine Habitat
|Congo/Women Projected on Façade of Nobel Peace Centre
|Peace Dividend for Nepali Women
|Campaign to End Fistula
|Guyana: UNFPA's Campaign Against HIV/AIDS
|Panel Discussion: Launch of 7 Billion Actions Initiative
|Bringing Family Planning to Remote Lao Villages
|Birth Amid Chaos in Gaza
|Ghana: Midwives Deliver
|Family Planning In China
|UNFPA Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehin Talks About Obstetric Fistula
|UNFPA Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehin on Priorities in 2013
|The Executive Director in Dadaab, Kenya
|Trinidad & Tobago: Adolescent Moms Graduate
|Mobilisation Communautair pour Sauver la vie des Populations Vulnerables
|Men's Partnership in Maternal Health - UNFPA in Jordan
|UNFPA Executive Director in Dakar Urges World Leaders to Invest More in Voluntary Family Planning
|State of the World Population 2013: Motherhood in Childhood
|Reproductive Health Services for Ethnic Minorities in Ha Giang Province Viet Nam
|From Fistula Patient to Safe Motherhood Ambassador
|El Salvador: Ensuring availability of safe contraceptives
|Family Planning in Sierra Leone: An Integrated Approach
|Every Woman Every Child
|Slideshow: State of Midwifery
|Counting on Each Other in a World of 7 Billion
|State of World Population 2009 Promo
|Uganda: Choice not Chance (English Version)
|World Population Day 2010
|PSA: World Population Day 2011 [English]
|Too Young to Wed: Destaye
|Healing the Wounds of War in Bosnia
|Nepal: Let Girls Choose Their Own Futures


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The Beacon
Blog Tags: Sea Lions
Ocean Roundup: Fiddler Crabs Found Far North of Their Range, 500 Dead Sea Lions Discovered in Peru, and More
Editor's Note: This is the last ocean roundup blog to be published before the Thanksgiving holiday, but be sure to check back on Monday, December 1 for more updates. Happy Thanksgiving!
- New 3D mapping around Antarctica found that sea ice surrounding Antarctica is thicker than thought. The scientists say it's an important breakthrough to understanding how sea ice thickness and extent is changing. The Guardian
Continue reading...
Close Encounters with Pinnipeds
Generally you should keep your distance from wild animals, especially in the case of marine mammals, as the failure to do so can result in a hefty fine. But there are those rare times when wild animals won't leave you be. In that case, having a camera rolling can make for some amazing scenes, like the above.
Sea lions and seals are pinnipeds, carnivorous mammals with fin-like flippers that come ashore to breed, give birth, and nurse their young. It's a group that also includes walruses and is more closely related to such land animals as bears, dogs, raccoons, and weasels (all belonging to the order Carnivora) than to cetaceans like whales and dolphins, which took the plunge millions of years earlier in evolutionary history.
Like all animals though, sometimes they're just looking for a free ride.
Continue reading...
The Cutest Predator
On February 8, Oceana and National Geographic launched an expedition to explore the waters off of the remote Desventuradas Islands more than 500 miles off the coast of Chile. By documenting marine life and habitat the team hopes to persuade the Chilean government to protect more than 60,000 miles surroundinig this archipelago. Below is an expedition journal entry from Enric Sala, National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence. Click here to view all Desventuradas Expedition blog posts on National Geographic's Explorers Journal.
19 February 2013
When we think of predators, our minds often picture large animals with sharp teeth and scary faces, animals that have evolved just to kill humans. Our collective memory makes us fearful of the night, and almost everyone has been startled by unknown noises in a dark forest. This fear has been engraved in our collective unconscious like carvings in a rock. When it comes to the ocean, many people still fear sharks (despite repeated evidence that sharks are the ones who should be scared of us) or deep alien creatures that hide in the darkness to attack unexpectedly.
The top predator at the Desventuradas is not the typical reef shark, or a grouper with a huge mouth able to swallow a diver. It is not a fearsome animal that kills at night either. The largest predator here is the Juan Fernández sea lion (Arctocephalus philippi), the cutest carnivore we have found in any of our Pristine Seas Expeditions to date. They spend much of the day hanging out on rocky platforms near the water. When we approach them, it's like someone brought free candy to a school. The sea lions raise their heads, get indeed very excited, and drag their fat bellies from rock to rock until they jump in the water.
The Juan Fernández sea lion is the cutest carnivore we have found in any of our Pristine Expeditions to date. (Photo by Enric Sala)
Underwater, the sea lions become torpedoes of enormous grace and elegance. Their eyes are large as a Japanese cartoon character's, and their looks pierce us as they swim very fast between us divers. After playing with our bubbles and checking us out very closely, they just hang out, their backsides on the surface and their heads hanging down like bats.
Continue reading...
Video: Aimee Teegarden Swims with Sea Lions
Drum roll, please: we're excited to unveil our latest video starring actress and ocean lover, Aimee Teegarden of "Friday Night Lights."
We traveled with Teegarden up the coast of Southern California, from La Jolla to Santa Barbara Island, filming a video about the need to protect the ocean's threatened habitats.
Teegarden showed off her surfing skills and also free dove with sea lion pups in a gorgeous kelp forest.
"It's amazing that hidden treasures like this exist all over the ocean – you just have to look for them. It's really upsetting to think about an awesome place like the sea lion rookery being destroyed by destructive fishing, pollution, or anything else harmful," said Teegarden. "This experience made it clear that we need to identify these unique and important areas in the ocean and do whatever we can to save them. I love that Oceana finds the special places like this and then fights to protect them."
Check out the new video, share it on Facebook and Twitter and join Aimee and Oceana in our efforts to save the ocean's hidden treasures!
Announcing the 2011 Ocean Heroes
Happy World Oceans Day, everyone!
Whether you're on the coast today or not, we hope you pause to recognize the beauty and bounty of the oceans. Starting today, we're asking all of you to take a pledge to protect the world's oceans -- but more on that later.
And now to the juicy stuff: this year's Ocean Heroes!
More than 500 ocean activists were nominated, 12 were selected as finalists, and more than 12,000 of you voted. The results? This year's adult ocean hero is Peter Wallerstein and the junior ocean hero is Sophi Bromenshenkel!
Peter Wallerstein is the program director at Marine Animal Rescue, a project of Friends of Animals, where he has spent the last 25 years rescuing marine mammal in Los Angeles County. He has personally rescued 3,000 marine mammals throughout his career, and also established a team of professional responders that humanely rescues hundreds of animals a year, including whales, dolphins, sea lions and seabirds.
Fittingly, Peter was out helping a stranded California sea lion when I called to give him the good news.
Continue reading...
Ocean Hero Finalists: Peter Wallerstein
This is the fourth in a series of posts about this year's Ocean Hero finalists.
For more than two decades, Peter Wallerstein has been rescuing marine animals on the coast of California.
In 1985 he founded the Whale Rescue Team, which is now part of Marine Animal Rescue (MAR), a project of Friends of Animals. Peter started a 24-hour hotline for citizens to report stranded or injured marine mammals, and he has personally rescued more than 4,000 marine mammals and birds in Southern California, from stranded dolphins to whales tangled in gillnets.
Thanks to Peter's persistence, Los Angeles County now has the only professional marine mammal rescue team in the U.S. that conducts hundreds of rescues each year, working 24/7 if needed. In April he conducted 86 marine mammal rescues, 120 for the year so far.
Now Peter is working to address the lack of adequate care facilities for marine mammals. After a decade of work, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has authorized MAR to design, construct and operate a second marine mammal care facility in Los Angeles County.
Continue reading...
Photo Slideshow: Punta de Choros
As we told you last Friday, the ecologically rich region of Punta de Choros, Chile, was recently spared from the construction of a coal-fired power plant in a dramatic decision by President Sebastian Piñera.
The announcement was the culmination of hard work by our colleagues in Chile alongside local organizations, and immense grassroots pressure from Chileans.
So what, exactly, was at stake? Humboldt penguins, sea lions and blue whales, to name a few of the creatures that call the area home. But judging from your comments on last week's post, many of you already know how incredible this place is.
Here is further photographic evidence, enjoy:
Sea Lion vs. Octopus
National Geographic has captured incredible footage of a sea lion battling a large octopus in Australia (spoiler alert: the sea lion prevails.) To get the footage, the hungry sea lion was equipped with a GPS tracker and a crittercam.
The project, led by South Australian Research and Development Institute, is helping researchers learn more about where and how sea lions feed, which will ultimately help in protecting key habitat for the creatures. Plus, it's just a really cool video. Check it out:
Continue reading...
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- Ocean Roundup: Chevron Withdraws Drilling Plans from the Arctic, Peru Issues Ban on Shrimp Fishing, and More Posted Fri, December 19, 2014
- Ocean Roundup: Humpback Whales Communicate to Feed at Night, Bangladesh Oil Spill Threatening Sundarbans Mangroves, and More Posted Wed, December 17, 2014
- Holiday Creature Feature: Christmas Tree Worm and Candy Cane Shrimp Posted Fri, December 19, 2014
- Ocean Roundup: Filefish Use Chemical Scent to Camouflage, Bangladesh Oil Spill Threatening Endangered Dolphins, and More Posted Mon, December 15, 2014
- Act: GrubHub, Take Shark Fin Off the Menu! Posted Wed, December 17, 2014


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Editors' Top PicksSee All
Editors' note: Since the Optimus V is so similar to the Optimus S, in this review we'll focus on what sets the Optimus V apart. For more design details, please read our LG Optimus S review.
We thought the LG Optimus U would be the last of the LG Optimus line of handsets (see the LG Optimus T, the Optimus S, the Vortex, and the Optimus M ), but it appears we were wrong. Virgin Mobile has released its very own Optimus handset, appropriately named the LG Optimus V. As you might expect, the Optimus V is practically identical to the Optimus S, with similar features and specifications. It does offer a few minor differences over the LG Optimus S, which we'll review here. The LG Optimus V is very competitively priced at only $149.99 without a contract.
The LG Optimus V is really the spitting image of both the Optimus S and the Optimus U. It's quite slim, just like the other phones, at only 0.52 inch thick, so it's very pocket-friendly. It has a nice soft-touch finish all around, and the 3.2-inch touch-screen interface is just as colorful and intuitive.
The only design differences are cosmetic. Instead of slate gray, the Optimus V is pure black. It has the same button placement as the Optimus U, with the Menu key first and the Home key second, followed by the Back and Search keys. The Optimus V has a default home screen with Virgin Mobile colors (a gradient of red to black) along with a few built-in Virgin Mobile apps.
Otherwise, the Optimus V has a fairly stock Android interface, with shortcuts to the phone dialer, the main menu, and the Web browser on the home screen. The Optimus V does have the Swype keyboard built in. This lets you quickly enter text by sliding your finger in one continuous motion over the screen keyboard. Of course, you can always switch to the default multitouch Android keyboard if you prefer.
The LG Optimus V ships with Android 2.2, but it should be upgradable to Android 2.3 in the future. Still, Android 2.2 is a great operating system for an entry-level smartphone. Some of its features include voice dialing over Bluetooth, app sharing, and phonebook integration with Facebook and Twitter contacts. Do note that it can't play Flash video in the browser even though the firmware technically supports it--the Optimus V just doesn't have the hardware for it. You can still play Flash video, but only with YouTube and third-party apps.


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Quotes & Info
|WGL > SEC Filings for WGL > Form 10-K on 20-Nov-2013
|All Recent SEC Filings
Annual Report
This Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Management's Discussion) analyzes the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of WGL Holdings and its subsidiaries. It also includes management's analysis of past financial results and potential factors that may affect future results, potential future risks and approaches that may be used to manage them. Except where the content clearly indicates otherwise, "WGL Holdings," "we," "us" or "our" refers to the holding company or the consolidated entity of WGL Holdings and all of its subsidiaries.
Management's Discussion is divided into the following two major sections:
• WGL Holdings-This section describes the financial condition and results of operations of WGL Holdings and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. It includes discussions of our regulated operations, including Washington Gas and Hampshire, and our non-utility operations.
• Washington Gas-This section describes the financial condition and results of operations of Washington Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of WGL Holdings, which comprises the majority of the regulated utility segment.
Both sections of Management's Discussion-WGL Holdings and Washington Gas-are designed to provide an understanding of our operations and financial performance and should be read in conjunction with the respective company's financial statements and the combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this annual report.
Unless otherwise noted, earnings per share amounts are presented on a diluted basis, and are based on weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding.
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Executive Overview 28 Primary Factors Affecting WGL Holdings and Washington Gas 28 Critical Accounting Policies 33 Stock Based Compensation 36 WGL Holdings, Inc. 37 Results of Operations 37 Liquidity and Capital Resources 43 Contractual Obligations, Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Other Commercial Commitments 50 Credit Risk 53 Market Risk 55 Washington Gas Light Company 61 Results of Operations 61 Liquidity and Capital Resources 63 Rates and Regulatory Matters 64
WGL Holdings, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, sells and delivers natural gas and provides a variety of energy-related products and services to customers primarily in the District of Columbia and the surrounding metropolitan areas in Maryland and Virginia.
WGL Holdings has four operating segments:
• regulated utility;
• retail energy-marketing;
• commercial energy systems; and
• midstream energy services.
Our core subsidiary, Washington Gas, engages in the delivery and sale of natural gas that is regulated by regulatory commissions in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. Through the wholly owned unregulated subsidiaries of Washington Gas Resources, we offer energy-related products and services. We offer competitively priced natural gas, electricity and energy from renewable sources to customers through WGEServices, our non-utility retail energy-marketing subsidiary. We offer efficient and sustainable commercial energy solutions focused on upgrading energy related systems of large government and commercial facilities as well as own and operate distributed generation assets such as Solar PV systems through WGESystems and WGSW. WGL Midstream engages in acquiring and optimizing natural gas storage and transportation assets.
Activities and transactions that are not significant enough on a stand-alone basis to warrant treatment as an operating segment, and that do not fit into one of our four operating segments, are aggregated as "Other Activities" and are included as part of non-utility operations. Administrative and business development costs associated with WGL Holdings and Washington Gas Resources are also included in "Other activities."
Refer to the Business section under Item 1 of this report for further discussion of our regulated utility and non-utility business segments. For further discussion of our financial performance by operating segment, refer to Note 16 -Operating Segment Reporting of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
The following is a summary of the primary factors that affect the operations and/or financial performance of our regulated and unregulated businesses. Refer to the sections entitled "Business" and "Risk Factors" under Item 1 and Item 1A, respectively, of this report for additional discussion of these and other factors that affect the operations and/or financial performance of WGL Holdings and Washington Gas.
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Weather Conditions and Weather Patterns
Washington Gas. Washington Gas' operations are seasonal, with a significant portion of its revenues derived from the delivery of natural gas to residential and commercial heating customers during the winter heating season. Weather conditions directly influence the volume of natural gas delivered by Washington Gas. Weather patterns tend to be more volatile during "shoulder" months within our fiscal year in which Washington Gas is going into or coming out of the primary portion of its winter heating season. During the shoulder months within quarters ending December 31 (particularly in October and November) and June 30 (particularly in April and May), customer heating usage may not correlate highly with historical levels or with the level of heating degree days (HDDs) that occur, particularly when weather patterns experienced are not consistently cold or warm.
Washington Gas' rates are determined on the basis of expected normal weather conditions. Washington Gas has weather protection strategies that are designed to neutralize the estimated financial effects of variations from normal weather. Refer to the section entitled "Market Risk-Weather Risk" for a further discussion of Washington Gas' weather protection strategies.
WGEServices. The financial results of our retail energy-marketing subsidiary, WGEServices, are also affected by deviations in weather from normal levels and abnormal customer usage during the shoulder months described above. Because WGEServices sells both natural gas and electricity, its financial results may fluctuate due to unpredictable deviations in weather during the winter heating and summer cooling seasons. WGEServices purchases weather-related instruments to help manage this risk. Refer to the section entitled "Market Risk-Weather Risk" for further discussion of WGEServices' weather-related instruments.
WGL Midstream. Variations from normal weather may also affect the financial results of our wholesale energy business, WGL Midstream, primarily with regards to summer - winter storage spreads and in transportation spreads throughout the fiscal year. WGL Midstream manages these weather risks with, among other things, physical and financial hedging. Refer to the section entitled "Market Risk-Weather Risk" for further discussion of WGL Midstream's weather-related instruments.
Regulatory Environment, Regulatory Decisions and Changes in Legislation
Washington Gas is regulated by the PSC of DC, the PSC of MD and the SCC of VA. These regulatory commissions approve the terms and conditions of service and the rates that Washington Gas can charge customers for its rate-regulated services in their respective jurisdictions. Changes in these rates as ordered by regulatory commissions affect Washington Gas' financial performance.
Washington Gas expects that regulatory commissions will continue to set the prices and terms for delivery service that give it an opportunity to recover reasonable operating expenses and earn a just and reasonable rate of return on the capital invested in its distribution system.
WGEServices is subject to regulation by the public service commissions of the states in which the company is authorized as a competitive service provider. These regulatory commissions: (i) authorize WGEServices to provide service, review certain terms and conditions of service and (ii) establish the regulatory rules for interactions between the utility and the competitive service provider. In addition, these regulatory commissions issue orders and promulgate rules that establish the broad structure and conduct of retail energy markets. Changes to the rules and orders by the regulatory commissions may affect WGEServices' financial performance.
WGL Holdings has completed an internal assessment in preparation for the Dodd-Frank Act (the Act) legislation and requirements. The Company's determination is that none of its entities, either separately or in the aggregate, will be classified as swap dealers or major swap participants under the Act.
Availability of Natural Gas Supply and Pipeline Transportation and Storage Capacity
Washington Gas. Washington Gas is responsible for acquiring sufficient natural gas supplies, interstate pipeline capacity and storage capacity to meet its customer requirements. As such, Washington Gas must contract for reliable, adequate supplies and delivery capacity to its distribution system, while considering: (i) the dynamics of the commodity supply and interstate pipeline and storage capacity markets; (ii) its own on-system natural gas peaking facilities and (iii) the characteristics of its customer base. Energy-marketing companies that sell natural gas to customers located within Washington Gas' service territory are responsible for acquiring natural gas for their customers; however, Washington Gas allocates certain storage and pipeline capacity related to these customers in accordance with regulatory requirements.
The increase in demand for pipeline and storage capacity compared to the available capacity is a business issue for local distribution companies, such as Washington Gas. To help maintain the adequacy of pipeline and storage capacity
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
for its growing customer base, Washington Gas has contracted with various interstate pipeline and storage companies for expanded transportation and storage capacity services. The last of these capacity expansion projects is expected to be placed into service during fiscal year 2016. Washington Gas will continue to monitor other opportunities to acquire or participate in additional pipeline and storage capacity that will support customer growth and improve or maintain the high level of service expected by its customer base.
WGEServices. WGEServices contracts for storage and pipeline capacity to meet its customers' needs primarily through transportation releases and storage services allocated from the utility companies in the various service territories in which it provides retail energy commodity.
WGL Midstream. WGL Midstream contracts for storage and pipeline capacity in its asset optimization activities through both long term contracts and short term transportation releases. WGL Midstream also contracts for physical natural gas supply on both a long term and short term basis.
Diversity of Natural Gas Supply
Washington Gas. An objective of Washington Gas' supply sourcing strategy is to diversify receipts from multiple production areas to meet all firm customers' natural gas supply requirements. This strategy is designed to protect Washington Gas' receipt of supply from being curtailed by possible financial difficulties of a single supplier, natural disasters and other unforeseen events, and to take advantage of competitive commodity prices associated with natural gas supplies.
WGEServices. WGEServices has the ability to purchase the majority of its natural gas from Shell Energy under a five-year secured supply arrangement but maintains the right to purchase supply from other providers to meet demand. To supplement WGEServices' natural gas supplies during periods of high customer demand, WGEServices maintains gas inventories in storage facilities that are allocated by natural gas utilities such as Washington Gas.
WGL Midstream. WGL Midstream buys and sells wholesale natural gas across a diversified base of counterparties. WGL Midstream's activities are also diversified across many liquid regional markets across the United States.
Volatility of Natural Gas and Electricity Prices
Volatility of natural gas and electricity prices impacts the regulated utility segment and the non-utility retail energy-marketing segment as described below.
Washington Gas. Under its regulated gas cost recovery mechanisms, Washington Gas records cost of gas expense equal to revenue from customers associated with this cost for each period reported. Consequently, an increase in the cost of gas due to an increase in the purchase price of the natural gas commodity generally has no short-term direct effect on Washington Gas' net income.
However, to the extent Washington Gas does not have regulatory mechanisms in place to mitigate the indirect effects of higher gas prices, its net income may decrease for factors such as: (i) lower natural gas consumption caused by customer conservation; (ii) increased short-term interest expense to finance a higher natural gas storage and accounts receivables balances and (iii) higher expenses for uncollectible accounts.
WGEServices. WGEServices may be positively or negatively affected indirectly by significant changes in the wholesale price of natural gas and electricity. WGEServices' risk management policies and procedures are designed to minimize the risk that WGEServices' purchase commitments and the related sales commitments do not closely match (refer to the section entitled "Market Risk" for further discussion of WGEServices' mitigation of commodity price risk). Additionally, in the short-term, volatile energy prices may change the costs associated with uncollectible accounts, borrowing costs, certain fees paid to public service commissions and other costs. To the extent that cost increases cannot be recovered from retail customers due to competitive factors, WGEServices' operating results would be negatively affected.
WGL Midstream. WGL Midstream can be positively or negatively affected by significant volatility in the wholesale price of natural gas. WGL Midstream risk management policies and procedures are designed to minimize the risk that purchase commitments and the related sale commitments do not closely match. In general, opportunities for asset optimization activities are increased for WGL Midstream with increased volatility in natural gas prices. These opportunities are primarily in short term transportation and storage spreads, seasonal storage spreads and long term supply or basis transactions.
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Non-Weather Related Changes in Natural Gas Consumption Patterns
Natural gas supply requirements for the utility are affected by changes in the natural gas consumption patterns of our customers that are driven by factors other than weather. Natural gas usage per customer may decline as customers change their consumption patterns in response to: (i) more volatile and higher natural gas prices, as discussed above; (ii) customer upgrades to energy efficient appliances and (iii) a decline in the economy in the region in which we operate.
For each jurisdiction in which Washington Gas operates, changes in customer usage profiles are reflected in rate case proceedings and rates are adjusted accordingly. Changes in customer usage by existing customers that occur subsequent to rate case proceedings in the Maryland jurisdiction generally will not change revenues because the RNA mechanism stabilizes the level of delivery charge revenues received from customers.
In Virginia, decoupling rate mechanisms for residential, small commercial and industrial and group metered apartment customers permit Washington Gas to adjust revenues for non-weather related changes in customer usage. The WNA and the CRA are billing mechanisms that eliminate the effects of both weather and other factors such as conservation.
In the District of Columbia, decreases in existing customer usage that occur subsequent to Washington Gas' most recent rate case proceeding will have the effect of reducing revenues, which may be offset by additions of new customers.
Maintaining the Safety and Reliability of the Natural Gas Distribution System
Maintaining and improving the public safety and reliability of Washington Gas' distribution system is our highest priority providing benefits to both customers and investors through lower costs and improved customer service. Washington Gas continually monitors and reviews changes in requirements of the codes and regulations that govern the operation of the distribution system and refines its safety practices, with a particular focus on design, construction, maintenance, operation, replacement, inspection and monitoring practices to meet or exceed these requirements. Significant changes in regulations can impact the cost of operating and maintaining the system. Operational issues that affect public safety and the reliability of Washington distribution system that are not addressed within a timely and adequate manner could adversely affect our future earnings and cash flows, as well as result in a loss of customer confidence.
Competitive Environment
Washington Gas. Washington Gas faces competition based on customers' preference for natural gas compared to other energy products, and the comparative prices of those products. The most significant product competition occurs between natural gas and electricity in the residential market. Changes in the competitive position of natural gas relative to electricity and other energy products have the potential of causing a decline in the number of future natural gas customers. At present, Washington Gas has seen no significant evidence that changes in the competitive position of natural gas has contributed to such a decline.
The residential market generates a significant portion of Washington Gas' net income. In its service territory, Washington Gas continues to attract the majority of the new residential construction market. Consumers' continuing preference for natural gas allows Washington Gas to maintain a strong market presence.
In each of the jurisdictions served by Washington Gas, regulators and utilities have implemented customer choice programs to purchase natural gas. These programs allow customers the choice of purchasing their natural gas from unregulated third party marketers, rather than from the local utility. There is no direct effect on Washington Gas' net income when customers purchase their natural gas commodity from unregulated third party marketers because Washington Gas charges its customers the cost of gas without any mark-up. The transfer of sales customers to third party marketers does reduce the level of investment in storage inventory, thereby lowering our recovery of carrying charges.
WGEServices. WGEServices competes with regulated utilities and other unregulated third party marketers to sell the natural gas and electric commodity to customers. Marketers of these commodities compete largely on price; therefore, gross margins are relatively small. WGEServices is exposed to certain credit and market risks associated with both its natural gas and electric supply (refer to the sections entitled "Credit Risk" and "Market Risk" for further discussion of these risk exposures and how WGEServices manages them).
WGEServices' electric sales growth opportunities are significantly affected by the price for Standard Offer Service (SOS) offered by electric utilities. These rates, often identified by customer class, are periodically reset based on the regulatory requirements in each jurisdiction. Future opportunities to add new electric customers will be dependent on the competitiveness of WGEServices' rates relative to SOS rates offered by local electric utilities as well as the prices offered by other energy marketers.
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
WGL Midstream. WGL Midstream competes in the wholesale natural gas markets with other third party wholesale marketers to buy and sell natural gas as well as storage and pipeline capacity. Marketers of these commodities compete largely on price; therefore, gross margins are relatively small. WGL Midstream is exposed to certain credit and market risks associated with its asset optimization activities (refer to the sections entitled "Credit Risk" and "Market Risk" for further discussion of these risk exposures and how WGL Midstream manages them).
Environmental Matters
We are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations related to environmental matters. These evolving laws and regulations may require expenditures over a long timeframe. It is our position that, at this time, the appropriate remediation is being undertaken at all the relevant sites. Refer to Note 12 -Environmental Matters of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of these matters.
Industry Consolidation
In recent years, the energy industry has seen a number of consolidations, combinations, disaggregations and strategic alliances. Consolidation will present combining entities with the challenges of remaining focused on the customer and integrating different organizations. Others in the energy industry are discontinuing operations in certain portions of the energy industry or divesting portions of their business and facilities.
From time to time, we perform studies and, in some cases, hold discussions regarding utility and energy-related investments and strategic transactions with other companies. The ultimate effect on us of any such investments and transactions that may occur cannot be determined at this time.
Economic Conditions and Interest Rates
We operate in one of the nation's largest regional economies, including several of the nation's wealthiest counties. Our service territory's economic strength has allowed long-term stable expansion of Washington Gas' regulated customer base and has provided active markets for our subsidiaries' energy-related products and services. However, concerns exist about the region's close ties to the federal government, particularly related to the local effects of across-the-board spending cuts (also known as "sequester") and the recent federal shutdown. While it will take time for these impacts to be fully understood, we are optimistic about improvement when appropriate budget legislation is written and government activity resumes on a more normal footing.
The national economy has shown continued modest growth in gross domestic product, personal consumption and fixed investment during fiscal 2013. The unemployment rate has also improved modestly.
In this low-growth and uncertain environment, WGL Holdings and Washington Gas may be affected by continued levels of customer conservation and, particularly as driven by the local economy, year-over-year changes in uncollectible accounts expense. Refer to "Non-Weather Related Changes in Natural Gas Consumption Patterns", above, for a discussion of regulatory mechanisms in place to mitigate the effects of customer conservation at Washington Gas.
Treasury interest rates fell slightly during fiscal year 2013, as the Federal Reserve, despite of market expectations, did not taper its quantitative easing activities. Year-over-year, national inflation was 1.2% as measured by the consumer price index for urban consumers (CPI-U), but inflation is a concern longer term. Refer to "Inflation" below for a discussion of the regulatory impacts of inflation and the section entitled "General Factors Affecting Liquidity" for a discussion of our access to capital markets.
We require short-term debt financing to manage our working capital needs and long-term debt financing to support the capital expenditures of Washington Gas. A rise in interest expense without the timely recognition of the higher cost of debt in our utility rates could adversely affect future earnings. A rise in short-term interest rates from current low levels, without the higher cost of debt being reflected in the prices charged to customers, could also negatively affect the results of operations of our retail energy-marketing segment.
From time to time, Washington Gas seeks approval for rate increases from regulatory commissions to help it manage the effects of inflation on its operating costs, capital investment and returns. Inflation has a significant effect on Washington Gas' replacement cost of plant and equipment. While the regulatory commissions having jurisdiction over Washington Gas' retail rates allow only historical cost depreciation to be recovered in rates, we anticipate that Washington Gas should be allowed to recover the increased costs of its investment and earn a return thereon after replacement of facilities occurs.
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Flesh and Spirit
The New Testament writers frequently contrast flesh (Greek sarx) and Spirit/spirit (Greek pneuma). But the contrasts are not all the same. It may be helpful to distinguish ten different contrasts (though some of them overlap). Physical vs. Spiritual Aspect …Read More
The Spirit's Internal Witness
Nearly forty years ago, I was a part of a group known as the International Council on Biblical Inerrancy. Concerned about the impact of liberal higher criticism, we gathered to define what it means that the Bible does not teach …Read More
God-Centered Worship
One of the most important questions a person can ever ask is "Whom or what am I worshipping?" In Romans 1:21–23, Paul says that to worship anything or anyone other than the true God is evidence of futile …Read More
Ministering by the Life-Giving Spirit
Following a 1970s Jesus Movement conversion, I served in youth ministry, where I subjected poor students to nearly every fad imaginable — all, I told myself, to have young people come to Christ. I then served as a pastor, an office …Read More
The Acts of the Spirit and the Apostles
You might be surprised to learn that Saint Andrew's, the church where Dr. Sproul and I serve as pastors, has many members who have come from Pentecostal and charismatic churches. When they join our congregation I urge them not …Read More
Pentecost is the day on which Jesus pours out God's Spirit upon the apostles and believers gathered in Jerusalem. The Greek word for Pentecost literally means "the fiftieth," that is, the fiftieth day after the Passover, or, in this …Read More
The Key of Paradise
By these words he explains that, in order that the shedding of his sacred blood may not be nullified, our souls are cleansed by the secret watering of the Spirit. For the same reason, also, Paul, in speaking of cleansing …Read More
Our Comforter in Life and Death
In one form or another, I have heard cries of the heart many times over the years. People hurt deeply. We live in a world where, for believer and unbeliever alike, there is pain, heartache, and the experience of tragedy …Read More
"I believe in the Holy Spirit"
Modern Bible translations are in the news these days, sometimes for controversial reasons. But one universal benefit of them is that the Holy Spirit is no longer referred to as "it." Curiously a chief culprit here is the much-loved King …Read More
The Wind Blows Where it Wills
Who has seen the wind?This little poem for children by Christina G. Rossetti captures at once something of the wonder of the …Read More
Neither you nor I.
But when the trees bow down their heads,
The wind is passing by.
The Breath of God
Creation The ancient hymn Veni Creator Spiritus, composed in the eighth century and part of the Roman breviary of Vespers, is a hymn extolling the Holy Spirit. John Dryden's magnificent translation renders the opening lines this way: "Creator Spirit …Read More
"Can These Bones Live?"
It was the early spring of 1958. I had spent the entire morning hours, till noon, on my knees beside my bed. It was the most passionate prayer experience of my young Christian life. I had been converted in September …Read More
Footprints in the Sand
The Holy Spirit leaves no footprints in the sand. He is not a physical being. He has no body or form, no hands or feet. He is invisible — He cannot be seen, and He cannot be heard. He is a …Read More
The Holy Spirit
Are you Spirit-filled? Have you received the "second blessing"? Are you seeking it? For many, these questions have become the litmus test for the true Christian experience. Sadly, questions such as these leave many confused and disheartened as they await …Read More
The Holy Spirit as Seal and Pledge
The figure of a roaring lion stretches across the little jasper seal. In ancient Hebrew letters it bears the inscription, "Belonging to Shema, servant of Jeroboam." Recovered from the biblical site of Megiddo, the stamp seal was once the property …Read More


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"Carmel Cove is our new favorite place! We had a ball trying out the cross country skis and snowshoes. Playing pool and partying with the other guests in the Common Room was a lot of fun." - Sonja & Grant Schutte
the Inn, take the walking trail to the dock to swim and fish in the cove - fishing poles
provided. Take the Inn's canoes, paddle boat, or two-man kayak to explore Deep Creek Lake.
Float away in our inner tubes on our
sun-drenched cove of the lake. Play a set on our tennis
court - equipment provided. Tackle some trails on the
Inn's mountain bikes. Complimentary cross-country and
snowshoe equipment is available as well.
guest beverage bar with beer, wine, and assorted sodas.
Various snacks served throughout the day and evening.
Full sumptuous breakfast at private window-side tables.
Huge Great Room with billiards, fireplace, entertainment
center with CD, Video and DVD library, and comprehensive
guest information center. All rooms are air-conditioned,
have private baths, complimentary WIFI, flat screen TV with DVD, phones and robes, many with fireplaces, private
deck, whirlpool bath, and breakfast room service.
is available to offer dining and activity suggestions,
reservations, maps, snacks, directions, or to arrange
a romantic surprise to make your getaway even more memorable.
to do at Carmel Cove Inn - Bed & Breakfast:
to do in Deep Creek Lake, Garrett County, Maryland: (our
surrounding area - all activities are minutes away)
to local businesses and state parks:
Carmel Cove Inn has been featured in the following publications:


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Today's Events
Submit Your Event
Featured Events
- December 24
Ongoing Events
Raices Hispanas Club Meeting
Come to the Raices Hispanas Meeting
Raices Hispanas exists at St. Mary's in order to share, express and promote the richness of Hispanic culture and roots with our community. We strive to tackle stereotypes and to move beyond them in our efforts to promote equality. We embrace all branches of the common thread of Hispanic culture and other cultures and wish to share them with the world. We are a social change/service club with a common goal of perusing excellence and social justice for ourselves, or community and our world.
We meet every other Thrursday. We hope to see you there! For more information and/or to get on the email list contact:
Cecilia Carino: email@example.com or
Heber Diaz firstname.lastname@example.com
St. Marys City, MD 20686
United States
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Yahoo! Calendar
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Celebrating St. Patrick's Day around the worldDressed in green, the Irish and non-Irish alike gather together to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.
30 of 30
The County Tyrone Pipe Band marches in the St. Patrick's Day parade, Monday, March 17, 2014 in New York. St. Patrick's Cathedral, center, is wrapped in scaffolding for renovations. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
Photo by Mark Lennihan
Photo by Mark Lennihan
30 of 30
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More Deaths. Less Regulation? $2.5 Million Grant Funds New Tobacco Center
$2.5 Million Grant Funds New Tobacco Center
(Boston, 03/19/10) New England Law | Boston: The Centers for Disease Control contends that cigarette smoking causes about one of every five deaths in the United States each year. Yet nicotine gum and patches are more heavily regulated than tobacco itself. And tobacco advertising remains pervasive.
It's a topsy-turvy regulatory situation, says Professor Micah Berman, and he's working to change it. A $2.5 million grant that he won from the State of New York will help.
Center staff: Assistant Director Marlo Miura; Director Micah Berman; Administrator Matthew Fuerst
The grant money funds the law school's new Center for Public Health and Tobacco Policy. Berman and his staff will work with New York's Department of Health and local communities to develop policies that reduce the availability of tobacco products, protect nonsmokers from secondhand smoke, and minimize or remove tobacco advertising. The center is located at the school's St. James Avenue office.
Berman says deception has long been a standard tactic in tobacco advertising, just one of the reasons that such advertising is banned in England and elsewhere. "Light" cigarettes, for example, airily suggest less risk for the smoker; in a technical sense, it's true, since they have been carefully designed to deliver less tar and nicotine than regular cigarettes. But there's a catch: less tar and nicotine are inhaled only when light cigarettes are "smoked" by a machine the company uses in testing.
But humans don't smoke like machines. They inhale more deeply, take more puffs, or unknowingly cover up the tiny holes in light cigarettes' filters, negating any potential health benefit. Are the cigarettes less harmful? Not one bit, says the National Cancer Institute, which declares, "Light cigarettes provide no benefit to smokers' health." Starting in June, tobacco companies will be forced by a new federal law to stop labeling their cigarettes as lights, but they are already finding ways around the law. The companies are color-coding their packs and using lighter colors to replace the lights label.
A former prosecutor with the U.S. Department of Justice, Berman directed Ohio's Tobacco Public Policy Center before coming to New England Law. His qualifications were instrumental in the receipt of New England Law's largest grant in its 100-year history. In his role as director, Berman supervises two staff members, as well as students. Over the next five years, the team will focus on legal research and policy options that may include proposals for tobacco-free outdoor areas and new restrictions on tobacco promotions and sponsorships.
Deadly, but difficult to regulate
"I'd Rather Fight Than Switch"
"Winston Tastes Good…Like a Cigarette Should"
"Come to Where the Flavor Is"
These advertising jingles were deeply embedded in our national psyche when TV cigarette commercials were banned in 1970. Although cigarette ads are gone from TV, tobacco is still heavily advertised in magazines and retail stores.
Many tobacco control advocates would like to see a complete prohibition on tobacco advertisements. "There are a lot of countries that are moving in that direction," says Berman. "The United States is a signatory to an international treaty that calls on countries to ban tobacco advertising. But we haven't ratified the treaty, and it's not clear that the administration is interested in pressing for ratification."
Because of tobacco's unique status in our culture, says Berman, marketers are allowed to promote deadly and addictive products.
FDA's hands tied?
Tobacco's economic and political clout and the perception that it is quintessentially American have shielded it from regulations used on similar products, according to Berman. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which only recently gained permission to regulate tobacco at all, is barred from banning tobacco products. By comparison, the FDA successfully banned early versions of silicone breast implants.
"Tobacco cases are treated in an 'exceptional' manner by the courts, and such treatment has had a distorting effect on judicial decision making in the field of public health," he says. "Courts purport to apply the same legal doctrine to tobacco cases that they apply to all other public health issues, but in actuality, courts tend to be unusually skeptical of attempts to regulate tobacco and of plaintiffs' claims against the tobacco industry."
The FDA's 1996 conclusion that nicotine was a "drug" and that cigarettes were "drug delivery devices" subject to its jurisdiction seemed to place the FDA's oversight on solid ground, he says. But the U.S. Supreme Court concluded otherwise in FDA v. Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp.
In FDA v. Brown & Williamson, Berman argues, one might have expected the Court to follow the accepted Chevron standard (from Chevron U.S.A., Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc.)—deferring to a government agency's expertise when it interprets its own statutes. Instead, the Court refused to show deference in reviewing the FDA's decision to treat cigarettes as drug delivery devices, reflecting the majority's belief that tobacco products were, in Berman's words, "simply different and required a different set of protections."
No smoking at the beach?
The focus of the center's work is New York State, which has an adult smoking rate between 16 and 17 percent. New York's strategic plan calls for reducing adult smoking by about a third within the next five years.
One of the challenges is altering young people's perception that smoking is popular. "The laws have changed and people aren't allowed to smoke in restaurants or workplaces anymore," explains Berman. "Nonetheless, when kids and adolescents are asked about smoking, they consistently overestimate—it seems like 'everyone's doing it.'"
Berman says the best way to reduce smoking is to change the social norm. "If there are fewer settings where smoking is commonplace, people will be less likely to smoke. That's why we're looking at the possibility of prohibiting smoking in parks and beaches and further reducing displays of cigarettes, so people don't see smoking all around them as frequently."
If the social norm changes enough in an influential state like New York, is it conceivable that national feelings about tobacco's special nature might be nudged as well? Could the work of New England Law's tobacco center eventually lead to rethinking by the U.S. Supreme Court?
Berman smiles at the thought. "Further success in New York will help save more lives, which is enough of a reward in itself. Hopefully, it will lead to even more progress, if not in Washington, DC, then in other individual states."


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Bill Bevan Photography
I am a photographer, writer and archaeologist.
I specialise in visualising and writing about archaeological and historical sites from around the world. My aim is to evoke the sense of place and people's engagement with a site as well as its historical importance.
I also photographing general travel subjects, events and working communities.
I have been a Leverhulme Trust artist in residence at the University of Sheffield and a photographer in residence on the Stonehenge Riverside Project. Both have led to major exhibitions.
Many of the photographs showcased here are stock images available as royalty-free images for publications and as prints for sale online.
I also undertake commissions and assignments. Please contact me for further details.
Wirksworth Festival
03rd September 2014
Bill is launching Walk Into the Dark Ages at this year's Wirksworth Festival.
Read More
Walk Into the Dark Ages
01st August 2014
Bill's latest book Walk Into the Dark Ages will hit the shops in September.
Read More
Walk Into the Dark Ages
04th December 2013
Walk Into the Dark Ages is with the editor and publisher.
Read More
Dark Ages Images
04th October 2013
A few images from the forthcoming Walk Into the Dark Ages.
Read More
Henge Diggers exhibition comes to Salisbury
22nd August 2012
My photographic exhibition of archaeologists working around world-famous Stonehenge will open in Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum on the 8th September 2012.
Read More
Reviews for Walk Into Prehistory
13th April 2012
Press reviews of Walk Into Prehistory
Read More
Walk Into the Dark Ages
29th March 2012
Sequel to Walk Into Prehistory fast forwards a few hundred years to the end of the Roman Empire.
Read More
Bill on BBC Radio 4 Excess Baggage
10th December 2011
John McCarthy, BBC Radio 4, Excess Baggage, said about Walk Into Prehistory:
"Spectacular photos and the locations of many of these places are stunning."
Read More
View more News here


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Details about Manatee superintendent interviews released
Date: February 6, 2013
by: Josh Siegel | Staff writer
The Manatee County School District released more details about the interview process for its six superintendent finalists today.
Candidates include Pam Stewart, Diana Greene, Dr. Constance Jones, Kathryn LeRoy, Rick Mills and Dr. John Carvelli.
Each will undergo a series of interviews Feb. 11-12 at the district's School Support Center, 215 Manatee Ave W., Bradenton.
On Feb. 11, the six candidates will participate in a round-robin cycle of interviews beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Each candidate will spend one-hour and 20 minutes in five different interviews taking questions from the Manatee County School Board, the Manatee Education Association, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the school board's Citizens Advisory Group and other district staff.
Those sessions will conclude at 6:40 p.m. and will be followed by a public reception for the candidates from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Pier 22, 1200 1st Ave. W., Bradenton.
The next day, Feb. 12, the five members of the school board will each conduct one-on-one interviews with the candidates. Those sessions are scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. and conclude at 2:55 p.m.
All interviews are open to the public and will be recorded.
You can find more about the district's superintendent search here.
Also, read an in-depth look at the candidates here.
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- Dec
24 Christmas Eve Family Service
3:30 pm - 5:30 pm
- Dec
24 Christmas Eve Traditional Service
9:30 pm - 11:30 am
- Dec
25 Christmas Traditional Service
10:00 pm - 11:30 pm
- Jan
12 Scramble for SPARCC
12:00 pm
Food and fun
The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance and its Young Leaders Alliance have something to talk about: the organizations collected 764 pounds of nonperishable food and $1,295 cash to benefit The Food Bank of Manatee/Meals on Wheels PLUS.
Parade perfect
River Club's Cheryl Kaufman says she's still pinching herself.
Santa lineup
A little "Ho! Ho! Ho!" can go a long way this holiday season.


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These White standard address Labels are general purpose labels for envelopes, packages, file folders and countless other uses. Seiko Instruments SmartLabels are available in a variety of sizes, types and styles so you can label just about anything! There are labels for floppy disks, video cassettes, name tags, 35mm slides, and more.
Seiko SmartLabel Printers:
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Betsy C. Jividen
Acting UNITED STATES ATTORNEY
1125 Chapline Street, Federal Building, Suite 3000 ● Wheeling, WV 26003
(304) 234-0100 ● Contact: Fawn E. Thomas, Public Affairs Specialist
November 4, 2009
Ohio Resident Enters Plea to Distribution of
"Crack" Cocaine within 1,000 Feet of Riverview Towers
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA - A 32 year old Cleveland, Ohio, resident entered a plea of guilty on October 28, 2009, in United States District Court in Wheeling before Judge Frederick P. Stamp, Jr.
Acting United States Attorney Betsy C. Jividen announced that DARWIN DWAYNE HUTCHINS entered a plea of guilty to one count of distribution of "crack" cocaine within 1,000 feet of Riverview Towers on February 25, 2009.
The five-month investigation into the distribution of "crack" cocaine in North Wheeling and on Wheeling Island by out-of-state groups from the Cleveland and Detroit areas began in January of 2009. As part of the investigation, agents made four controlled buys involving HUTCHINS who, as part of his plea, admitted to distributing between 50 and 150 grams of crack cocaine. HUTCHINS also agreed to forfeit $1,851 which he possessed when he was arrested, admitting it was drug proceeds.
HUTCHINS, who is in custody pending sentencing, faces a maximum penalty of 40 years imprisonment and a fine of $2,000,000.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John C. Parr. The case was investigated by the Ohio Valley Drug & Violent Crime Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The Task Force consists of officers from the Wheeling Police Department, the Ohio County Sheriff's Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Call 1-855-WVA-FEDS or Email firstname.lastname@example.com if you have information about public corruption in your community.


text: The Detroit Pistons snapped a four game losing streak on Tuesday night with a 103-87 win over Orlando at the Palace. Brandon Jennings had 20 points and 12 different Pistons scored in the victory. Josh Smith had 16, while Andre Drummond and Rodney Stuckey each added 13. The Pistons play in Atlanta on Wednesday.


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This study, was published in an article today in Science, "opens interesting new perspectives for molecular cell biology."
A new microscope has a 100 nanometer resolution, up from the 200 to 300 nanometer focus of conventional microscopes: by mixing several beams of light to create a lighting pattern that varies both horizontally and vertically, can produce images for high-resolution, multi-colored, three-dimensional and reveal more details than ever before seen with conventional microscopes.
Lothar Schermelleh and colleagues developed this new imaging technique called three-dimensional structured illumination (3D-SIM), of the cells, and were even able to label different components of the cell with different colors a feat never before accomplished.
This new development allows for interesting new perspectives on molecular cell biology, yet does not require any unconventional equipment and is no more difficult to use than a normal, commercial microscope.
to see video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNVF5TEW8dI
American Association for the Advancement of Science


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Click to check out the Lucid Dream No. 12 by EdenFantasys
Butterfly Kiss | My Butterfly Kiss Review
thanks for watching my reviews! :)
Butterfly Kiss | My Butterfly Kiss Review
Click for the original Stroker by EdenFantasys.
Click for the Stroker XL (in video).
Click for the homemade masturbation sleeve.
Trojan Her Pleasure condoms
by EdenFantasys
Suggested alternative: Trojan-enz lubricated condoms
Click to check out the Jopen Vanity by EdenFantasys.
Feel free to leave any questions below. Also, I am ordering toys for future review on Saturday 3/16. If there's something you want reviewed, let me know with a link to the product via my email!
PS: In re: the comments, this toy is recharged with an AC adapter, not batteries. :)