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My wife and I have stayed here twice, and have booked for a 3rd stay. A terrific spot. I cycle and Lily walks (big distances) and the place is perfectly situated for these activities. Full well equipped kitchen (we love to cook) and close to myriad restaurants. Cortona at the top of the hill, against the foot of which Casale sits. Day trips from here very convenient. A pretty place with lots of Tuscan authenticity, and nice and helpful staff. Highly recommended.
- Official Description (provided by the hotel):
- SELF CATERING APARTMENTS WITH POOL NEAR CORTONA.Il Casale, a residence out of a building of the year 500 sits in front of the towers, the domes the green and the sky of Cortona, a city of ancient origins, often visited by the ex French president Mitterand, and today by the University of Georgia (UGA). During august it is the chosen location for the National Antiques Showroom, where for the occasion, in the old rooms of Palazzo Casali and Palazzo Vagnotti, all the most important Italian exhibitors gather. The rural complex is situated nearby the San Pietro a Cegliolo neighbourhood. Today it is a very comfortable and accommodating Residence, hidden in the silence of a spectacular and suggestive creation of the nature. It is laid out around a huge garden and the mother tower which overlooks the main building, which is also the oldest and still maintains the original features, like the double slope roof and the external stairway with a wide landing for the middle floor access. Behind one of the complexes' wings, finds room on over an hectare of green grass, the swimming pool which is for guests use only. Built with the most modern and efficient techniques its size is 16 by 8 meters. Furnished with deck chairs, comfortable pillows, umbrellas, showers and everything to help relax and fun for the kids, while watching Cortona's skyline. The garden is one of the most beautiful features of the complex. Very well grown and cared, shines with plenty of different flowers varieties and plants which give colour to the spectacular green English carpet. Here you'll find the tables and chairs for breakfast and dinner in a relaxing environment.The residence is made of 10 apartments, of which 8 sleep 4, one sleep 3, and one sleep 2. They all provide a stylish and elegant solution, floors and ceilings made with old cotto tiles and antique furniture aging around the year '800. Everything carefully planned and put together in respect of the most modern way of living. The apartments have two bedrooms, some of which with two double beds, some other with one double bed and a room with single beds, bathroom with shower and the living room with a cooking corner (fire spots, electrical oven, fridge, double sink). The general feeling is of a relaxing and "antique" luxurious environment. The bedrooms are especially thought in the way they've been furnished. Antique beds ('700 and '800), carpets who match the period of the furniture, practical closets also from the '800 style. Everything is planned to match with the floors and the ceilings. Apartment sleep 4:two bedrooms with two double beds or one double bed and two single beds, bathroom with shower, living room/kitchen fully equipped. Apartment sleep 3: one big bedroom with a double bed and a single bed, two bathrooms with shower, living room/kitchen fully equipped. Apartment sleep 2:one bedroom with a double bed, one bathroom with shower, living room/kitchen fully equipped.Possibility to have additional beds on request. SERVICES:Every apartment has its own external space furnished with garden chairs and table, and inside provides Satellite TV, air conditioning/heating direct phone line. WI-FI CONNECTION ... more less
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- TripAdvisor is proud to partner with Booking.com, Expedia, Hotels.com, Priceline, Escapio, Despegar.com, Travelocity, TripOnline SA, Odigeo and Tingo so you can book your Residence Il Casale - Apartments reservations with confidence. We help millions of travelers each month to find the perfect hotel for both vacation and business trips, always with the best discounts and special offers.
- Also Known As:
- Residence Il Casale Cortona
- Residence Il Casale Hotel Cortona


text:
Apparatus and methods are disclosed for distributing and delivering laser radiation with substantially uniform intensity to multi-spatial locations. Laser radiation is directed into a fiber optic waveguide which homogenizes the spatial intensity of the laser beam via mode-mixing. The laser radiation is then coupled from the mode-mixing waveguide to multiple distribution fibers that are terminated at desired spatial locations, e.g., at the distal end of a surgical tool. The output from each of the multiple distribution fibers is laser radiation of substantially uniform intensity.
1. A method for delivering substantially uniformly intensity laser radiation to a plurality of spatial locations on a surgical tool, the method comprising:
directing laser radiation into a mode-mixing, single-core, fiber-optic waveguide;
coupling said therapeutic laser radiation from waveguide to multiple distribution fibers contained within a surgical tool;
terminating said multiple distribution fibers within the surgical tool at desired spatial locations; and
selectively distributing radiation to a spatially discriminated subset of said distribution fibers to provide directional therapy changeable in the course of laser surgery.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of directing the laser radiation into the mode-mixing waveguide further comprises the step of focusing the laser radiation into a region defined by the numerical aperture of said waveguide.
3. An apparatus for performing surgery by distributing laser radiation to multi-spatial locations, the apparatus comprising:
a single-core fiber, optically alignable with a source laser radiation and operating to mix the modes of said radiation as the radiation propagates through the single-core fiber;
focusing means for focusing laser radiation into said single-core fiber;
interface means, for transmitting said laser radiation from said single-core fiber to a plurality of distribution fibers contained within a surgical tool, such that the fluence of radiation transmitted to each distribution fiber is substantially uniform; and
selection means for selectively distributing ablative radiation to a spatially discriminated subset of said distribution fibers to provide directional therapy changeable in the course of laser surgery.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the diameter of said single-core, mode-mixing fiber ranges from about 100 to about 1000 μm.
5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the diameter of distribution fibers ranges from about 25 to about 300 μm.
This invention relates generally to laser therapy and, in particular, methods and apparatus for conditioning a laser beam for distribution to a therapy site.
Laser radiation emitted from the confines of a laser cavity is typically non-uniform in intensity. Most commonly, lasers exhibit Gaussian intensity profiles across at least one axis in the so-called TEMoo mode of operation. Many profiles are possible, however, and depend upon a variety of factors, including the laser cavity geometry and alignment.
Non-uniformity in a laser beam profile often can pose problems, particularly in laser therapy applications. Irradiation of human tissue during surgery or therapy usually requires precise control of exposure time and power. When a therapeutic laser is coupled with a multi-fiber surgical tool, e.g., a catheter carrying a plurality of optical fibers, the problem of non-uniformity can become pronounced because the inhomogeniety in the laser beam's spatial intensity is transferred directly to the fibers within the tool. In regions of lower intensity, e.g., toward the edges of the therapeutic laser beam, the receiving fiber typically will transmit radiation of a lower intensity. Near the optical axis of the laser beam, the receiving fiber will typically transmit radiation of a higher intensity.
Consequently, the laser power delivered at the distal end of a multi-fiber surgical tool and equivalently at the target tissue region, can be very difficult to control. When a plurality of laser fibers are used to deliver radiation to a target region, the intensity of radiation delivered by each fiber can vary widely.
Methods do exist to homogenize the intensity profiles of lasers, but they are often inefficient. For example, high energy lasers are sometimes put through a process known as "beam-scraping." This process approximates a spatially-uniform, laser beam intensity by allowing the beam to expand and then blocking off (e.g., with an aperture or diaphragm) regions of lower intensity. After one or more passes through a beam-scraping system, the laser beam is clipped to provide a top hat-like profile.
However, this is wasteful since a substantial amount of energy is dissipated during beam scraping operations. It is also generally not desirable for systems in which therapeutic laser radiation must be transmitted via optical fibers. In such cases, intensity control is desired without significant energy loss.
It is, accordingly, an object of this invention to provide apparatus and methods for uniformly transferring laser radiation from a source to a plurality of optical fibers without substantial loses in energy.
It is another object of this invention to provide apparatus and methods for delivering laser radiation to surgical tools.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide apparatus and methods to enable greater precision and control in laser surgical instruments and applications.
These and other objects of the invention are evident in the description that follows.
Laser radiation for surgical and therapeutic purposes can be efficiently delivered via optical fibers by first directing the radiation into a mode-mixing waveguide, e.g., a single core fiber, which mixes the transmitting modes of the laser radiation. The mode-mixing provided by the single core fiber or similar waveguide homogenizes the spatial intensity distribution of the transmitted laser beam. This modified laser beam is in turn coupled to one or more fibers, in optical alignment with the mode-mixing waveguide, thereby transmitting and distributing substantially uniform intensities of radiation through each of the receiving fibers.
In another aspect of the invention, the juncture between the mode-mixing waveguide and the one or more distribution fibers can include the addition of an optical coupling means to reduce reflection losses which occur at optical interfaces. The juncture created by the single core fiber and the multiple fibers can thus include an index matching fluid or an evacuated chamber.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, the multiple fibers can be disposed within a surgical tool and arranged in a predefined pattern. For example, the therapeutic laser radiation can be delivered in a circular or annular pattern of a selected radius. If the therapy is ablative surgery, the array of laser-emitting fibers can provide a cutting diameter which is greater than the size of the single core fiber, and the laser radiation delivered by each of the multiple fibers will be of approximately uniform intensity, thereby simplifying process controls.
Another aspect of the invention provides that the coupling between the single core fiber or other mode-mixing waveguide and the multiple distribution fibers of the surgical tool readily be engaged and disengaged at the juncture. Thus, several different surgical tools easily can be interchanged to provide different laser delivery options for therapeutic surgery.
In a further aspect of the invention, apparatus and methods are provided for selectively distributing laser radiation to less than all of the receiving fibers so as to vary the irradiation pattern at the surgical or other laser therapy site.
The advantages presented by the features and aspects of the invention are several. The spatial intensity profile of a laser beam is modified to provide a nearly uniform intensity distribution between receiving fibers. Thus, applications requiring multiple laser delivery points, together with uniform intensities, are particularly suited for the invention described herein. Laser surgery applications further benefit according to the invention by the laser delivery options available via use of different or adjustable surgical tools (e.g., instruments having different focal depths or variable fiber array patterns).
The invention will next be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments. However, it should be clear that various additions, subtractions and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. The invention will find application in various fields of surgery, such as conventional surgical procedures employing laser scalpels and the like, as well as alternative procedures in which laser radiation is delivered via catheters, arthroscopes, endoscopes or other surgical tools to perform angioplasty, arthroplasty, excisions, dental surgery or equivalent procedures.
A more complete understanding of the invention may be obtained by reference to the drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional, schematic side view of a laser delivery system according to the invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic end view of the multi-fiber receptacle shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3A is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of the laser beam intensity profile before modification by the single core fiber;
FIG. 3B is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of the laser beam intensity profile after modification by the single core fiber;
FIG. 4 is a schematic end view of the fiber selector shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of an angioplasty surgical tool for use in connection with the laser delivery system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6A is a graph of experimental data showing laser beam intensity versus cross-sectional location prior to beam modification by the invention; and
FIG. 6B is a graph of experimental data showing laser beam intensity versus cross-sectional location after modification by the invention.
FIG. 1 illustrates a laser delivery system 10 according to the present invention, including laser 12, optical processing module 16, mode-mixing waveguide 20 and distribution fibers 26. In use, laser 12 produces a beam of radiation 14 having an inherent nonuniformity across at least one cross-sectional axis. The laser radiation 14 is processed in module 16 which will typically include focussing lenses and other optical elements to transform the beam into a desired cross-sectional area and/or shape. However, the output beam 18 of module 16 will continue to possess inhomogeneities in spatial intensity.
In the present invention, a mode-mixing waveguide, e.g., a single core optical fiber, 20 receives the focussed beam 18 and, through a process of randomization within the fiber 20, itself, produces a modified beam 22 that has a substantially uniform, cross-sectional intensity. This modified beam 22 is then coupled via interface 24 to provide uniform portions of the laser radiation to the distribution fibers 26.
By way of further explanation with reference to FIG. 1, the intensity profile of the radiation beam 14 leaving a laser 12 is typically non-uniform in the radial direction. If several fibers were to capture this intensity distribution for delivery to one or more locations, the intensity captured and delivered would be different among the several fibers.
In contrast, the output beam 22 of mode-mixing fiber 20 is substantially uniform in spatial intensity distribution. If several fibers 26 capture this beam 22, the receiving fibers 26 receive nearly equivalent intensity levels; and, therefore, the laser energy delivered by each of the multiple fibers 26 will be approximately uniform.
As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of distribution fibers can be bundled together at the proximal end of a surgical tool 45 and optically aligned with output beam 22 via receptacle 24. In the illustrated embodiment, receptacle 24 included a threaded cup element 24A, which is preferably mounted to the optical rail 47 or other fixed portion of the system chassis or housing, and a complementary threaded plug 24B at the proximal end of the surgical tool 45. As shown in both FIGS. 1 and 2, the bundle of distribution fibers 26 is preferably recessed within the mouth of receptacle plug 24B and secured in place inside a peripheral cable wall 44 by a mounting means 40 (e.g., a plate with holes to secure each distribution fiber 26). The ends of the individual fibers can be heat treated prior to assembly to provide additional resistance to laser damage when the surgical tool 45 is intended to transmit high peak power radiation.
When the receptacle cup and plug 24A and 24B are mated, the distribution fibers 26 are optically aligned, such that the output beam 22 of the mode-mixing fiber 20 is transmitted directly and with substantially the same intensity to the individual fibers of the array. Receptacle 24 can further include a passageway or valve 42 for connection to an evacuation means and/or a fluid source 49, in order to create a vacuum within the receptacle 24 or to introduce a fluid medium and, thereby, reduce transmission/coupling losses.
FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B illustrate the laser energy at two different locations along the optical path of FIG. 1. FIG. 3A depicts the laser beam intensity profile of the laser beam 18 exiting the optical processing means 16 but before its transmitted modes are mixed by the single core fiber 20 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3B depicts the laser beam intensity profile of the laser beam 22 after its transmitted modes are mixed by the single core fiber 20. The spatial position of several fibers are shown schematically by elements 50 within the intensity profiles curves 46 and 48. At the point of intersection, where these elements 50 meet, the intensity profile 48, the relative energy captured by the several fibers can be evaluated.
As shown in FIG. 3A, if several fibers are placed to capture the laser energy before the laser beam passes through a mode-mixing process, the fibers at the outer portions 52 of the beam will receive less energy than the fibers near the optical axis of the beam 54. This occurrence is significantly less pronounced in FIG. 3B. The fibers near the edge 56 of the laser beam exiting the single core fiber receive nearly the same energy as those fibers 58 near the laser beam optical axis. Therefore, the laser delivery by the fibers in FIG. 3B is significantly more uniform than the laser delivery by the fibers in FIG. 3A.
With reference again to FIG. 1, laser energy 18 coupled into the fiber 20 undergoes a process of mode-mixing. Laser radiation may be efficiently distributed to the multiple fibers 26 with approximately uniform intensities by first coupling the radiation through the single-core, mode-mixing fiber 20. In some applications, it may also be preferable to provide a ramp or progressive increase in the laser radiation input prior to full power exposure in order to minimize the potential for damage to either the mode-mixing fiber 20 or the distribution fibers 26. Catheters, other surgical tools and devices which might benefit from redistributed uniform laser radiation can easily employ the invention for the desired application. In laser angioplasty, for instance, controlled delivery of pulsed laser radiation is desirable to limit the damage to tissues surrounding a particular target obstruction within the body. By homogenizing the laser beam, and by employing a multi-fiber, surgical tool, both the control of energies and the spatial delivery options applied to the particular target are greatly improved.
The invention relies upon mode-mixing fiber optics. Successful optical waveguides confine and transmit light energy in discrete modes. The mathematical physics of this phenomenon is quite complex, yet its functioning may be intuitively described by wave propagation and boundary conditions. The light waves within the fiber 20 are most conveniently represented by electrical field vectors describing the phase front to the laser beam. In order for energy to propagate through the fiber, these electric fields must reflect at the core/cladding interface of the single core fiber 20. At the same time, any energy outside this interface must decay rapidly. Thus, one boundary condition is simply that the summation of electric field energy into the core/cladding interface must equal the sum of the reflected parts and the parts transmitted through the interface called evanescent waves.
The boundary conditions, however, are not just magnitude ratios. Each reflection induces a 180 degree phase change to the electric field. When solving the boundary conditions, a complex series of phase relations are simultaneously solved. The resulting solution set representing the transmitted energy through the fiber is clearly not a continuous function. There are discrete solutions to the conditions set forth above. Each integer solution can be called a mode, and each mode has a different electrical field profile fulfilling the solution. Because the intensity of the transmitted energy equals the squared modulus of the electric field, the different modes also mean different spatial intensity distributions within the fiber. The first mode, for instance, is an intensity distribution peaking at the fiber center. The second mode has two peaks, symmetrical about the center. The third mode has three peaks, and so on.
The summation of these modes can transform a spatially, non-uniform laser beam into a beam of approximately uniform intensity. Increasing the number of modes increases the uniformity. The number of modes transmitted through the fiber depends upon a number of parameters, well-known to those skilled in the art, including index differences between the core and cladding, the numerical aperture of the fiber and the focused f/number of the incident laser radiation and the fiber diameter.
In accordance with the invention, the laser intensity profile is modified during the transmission through a mode-mixing waveguide 20. In one embodiment, a single-core fiber having an inner diameter (I.D.) of approximately 100 to about 1000 μm (e.g., about 600 μm), manufactured from hydroxy-doped, fused silicon or the like, is employed to produce a mode-mixing waveguide capable of transmitting a radiation beam of nearly uniform, cross-sectional intensity, ultraviolet laser radiation, e.g., 308 nm. This can be efficiently coupled into multiple fibers, e.g., from about 10 to about 100 fibers with diameters ranging from about 25 to about 300 μm (I.D.), constructed from similar materials, which may be redistributed in any pattern at the distal end of the surgical tool. In a preferred embodiment, the pattern at the tool's end is an annular ring pattern with a diameter greater than the single core fiber 20.
The invention can be practiced with a wide variety of laser sources, including infrared, visible and ultraviolet radiation-generating lasers, limited only by the transmissivity and damage thresholds of the optical elements. The invention can also be used to homogenize the spatial intensity profiles of non-coherent sources and, most generally, is useful whenever a spatially-uniform intensity profile is desired in a light source. In practice, the surgical and therapeutic advantages of the present invention primarily are useful with high energy, rapidly pulsed lasers, such YAG and other rare earth-based solid state lasers, or excimer and other gas discharge lasers, operating with pulse durations in the 100 microsecond to 1 nanosecond range.
The interface between the single core fiber 20 and the multiple fibers 26 can comprise air, an optical index matching medium or a vacuum. When light energy strikes an interface which has a different index of refraction, part of the light energy is reflected, commonly referred to as Fresnel reflection. These Fresnel reflections account for a loss in energy for the transmitted laser beam. Various index matching media, including nitrogen, inert gases, vacuum conditions and other interfaces known in the art, can be employed.
FIGS. 1 and 4 also illustrate a selection means 30 for selecting a limited subset of the distribution fibers 26 for transmission purposes. As shown in FIG. 1, element 30 is disposed with the optical path between the mode-mixing waveguide 20 and the distribution fibers 26. In one preferred embodiment, element 30 is removable. When disposed in the optical path element 30 can be adjusted to select certain distribution fibers 26. As illustrated in FIG. 4, element 30 includes an outer ring 32, a set of fan-like leaves 34 and an adjustment lever 36. By moving lever 36, the leaves 34 can be expanded or compressed to illuminate more or less of the fibers 26. The outer ring 32, preferably, can also rotate, such that any desired irradiation pattern at the distal end of the instrument can be accommodated. Other selection means, such as iris-like elements, electrooptic, or absorptive devices, can be substituted for the mechanism shown in FIG. 4.
FIG. 5 illustrates the distal end of a surgical tool 80 useful, for example, in angioplasty or endoscopy. In one embodiment, tool 80 is a catheter for performing angioplasty, including an outer sheath 82 carrying a plurality of laser radiation distribution fibers 84. As shown, the laser therapy transmitting fibers 84 are arranged in the catheter for disposition within a blood vessel, such that the fibers 84 can deliver ablative radiation to plaque or other lesions at an angioplasty site.
The catheter 80 of FIG. 5 can further include an imaging system comprising, for example, an illuminating fiber 86 and a viewing fiber 88 to permit visualization of the blood vessel or other body lumen. The catheter can further include a flushing port 90 and/or a suction port 92, for clearing blood and other materials from the field between irradiation fibers 84 and the target site. In some applications, the catheter 80 can further include a balloon structure 94 for temporarily obstructing blood-flow with the vessel, as well as a radio-opaque tip or marker 96 for extracorporeal imaging/locating of the catheter by X-ray photography.
In use, the catheter 80 is coupled to an overall surgical system 100 which includes the laser delivery system 10 of the present invention, as well as an imaging system 110 (e.g., an eye piece and/or video camera connected to the viewing of fiber 88), a suction source 11, a flushing fluid source 114 (e.g., saline or other fluids) an a balloon activator 116.
FIGS. 6A and 6B provide experimental data showing the intensity modification by a single core fiber constructed in accordance with the invention. FIG. 6A shows an intensity profile 64 of a therapeutic excimer laser beam at the input to a single core, mode-mixing fiber. FIG. 6B shows an intensity profile 68 of the same therapeutic laser beam at the output of the single core, mode-mixing fiber. As seen in FIG. 6B, the intensity uniformity of the laser beam profile 68 after the mode-mixing process is significantly improved over the intensity profile 64 before the mode-mixing.
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433 results in Meetings & Events
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Wilton Park Conference on "Peacebuilding in Africa"
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JSRP Research Workshop—Gulu, Uganda
On 1–4 December 2014, JSRP research director Tatiana Carayannis and program coordinator Aaron Pangburn from the Social Science Research Council joined their Congolese local researchers Jose Bazonzi (Kinshasa) and Jose Ndala (Gbadolite) in Gulu, Uganda, for a research workshop w…
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Media as Activism
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Preparing for Elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with Abbé Apollinaire Malu Malu Muholongu (New York)
A Central Africa Policy Forum Discussion on Preparing for Elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with Abbé Apollinaire Malu Malu Muholongu, President of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) in the DRC. Moderated by Tatiana Carayannis, Conflict Prevent…
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Symbolic Dimensions of Mediated Activism in Inter-Asia
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JSRP Research Presented at The Hague: "Responses to Sexual Violence in DRC"
On September 11, the Justice and Security Research Program at the SSRC cohosted a presentation by Dorothea Hilhorst and Nynke Douma on "Responses to Sexual Violence in DRC" at a conference highlighting the research of the IS Academy (Wageningen University) at The Hague. The event…
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Eritrea (New York)
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Libya (New York)
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DRC and the Great Lakes Region of Africa (New York)
Between 30 July and 5 August 2014, the Conflict Prevention and Peace Forum convened a series of expert brainstormings with members of the DRC Affinity Group on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Great Lakes Region. The meetings were meant to help inform a regional ris…
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Allison Alexy - "Families in Law: Ethnographic Perspectives on Contested Family Norms in Japan's Family Court System"
SPEAKER: Allison Alexy アリソン・アレクシー バージニア大学人類学部助教授/2012年安倍フェロー Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology, University of Virginia/2012 Abe Fellow Dr. Allison Alexy's research focuses on families, intimacy, and la…


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Meet the Mayor: Taylor Mill's Daniel L. Bell points to debt-free status as a big plus for his city
How well do you know the top man or woman in your community? Each Wednesday "Meet the Mayor" introduces you to the people charged with keeping Tri-State municipalities ticking.
Named after local mill operated during the early 19th century, Taylor Mill is currently poised for develop of three new residential areas as well as a walkable downtown with convenient shopping and a growing business district.
Daniel L. Bell points to Taylor Mill's status as a debt-free city and says he aims to keep it that way.
Become a WCPO Insider to read more about Mayor Bell and the city he points to with pride.
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Premier League season preview: Man City - predicted finish 1stby Will Unwin
Predicted finished: 1st
This Manchester City side were just a lot better than the others when needed last season, showing far more bottle than their title rivals. Now they've improved themselves in the key areas, such as central defence and midfield, meaning they will be a greater force than before. If Sergio Aguero manages to stay fit this time around, they could be out of sight before the new Chelsea signings settle.
Ins: Fernando (Porto, £12m), Willy Caballero (Malaga, £6m), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal, Free) Frank Lampard (New York, Loan), Eliaquim Mangala (Porto, Undisclosed)
Outs: Gareth Barry (Everton, £1m), Costel Pantilimon (Sunderland), Joleon Lescott (WBA), Alex Henshall (Ipswich Town), Ellis Plummer (St Mirren), Marcos Lopes (Lille, Loan), Emyr Huws (Wigan Athletic, Loan), Thomas Agyiri, Kieran Kennedy, George Swan, Alex Tchuimeni-Nimely (All released) Jack Rodwell (Sunderland, Undisclosed)
New signings
When you've won the Premier League the most minor of tinkering is required, something forgotten by Roberto Mancini. Brazilian-born midfielder Fernando will add some energy and variety to a midfield pack who were overworked last season, as Fernandinho did most of Yaya Toure's running. Joe Hart's position has come under threat with the arrival of Argentine goalkeeper Willy Caballero from Manuel Pellegrini's former club Malaga, but he does look short of being a top class quality stopper.
Pablo Zabaleta might be allowed a few more rest days thanks to Bacary Sagna joining on a free transfer to add to the ex-Arsenal contingent in East Manchester. One key issue last season was the derth of centre-backs at the club, as Pellegrini didn't fancy Joleon Lescott, who was allowed to leave on a free, and Matija Nastasic was repeatedly injured.
After a very shaky start Martin Demichelis showed he could cope with the rigors of the Premier League, but maybe not the Champions League. Now Eliaquim Mangala has completed his protracted move to England, he will almost certainly be Vincent Kompany's regular partner in the heart of defence, adding the athleticism that Demichelis lacked last season.
Frank Lampard's six-month spell at the Etihad is a no lose situation for the Citizens, as the England international's experience will almost certainly win them a game or two.
One to watch
If that little lad Sergio Aguero's body doesn't keep giving up on him, he might be useful for City. Otherwise youngsters are few and far between at City nowadays. Last season's great hope, Marcos Lopes, has been sent to Lille to continue his footballing education in Ligue 1. Karim Rekik is back after a season at PSV, where he was held back by injury. Instead, the standout youngster at the Etihad is £32million summer signing Eliaquim Mangala, who whose power and strength will allow him to settle into the pace of the Premier League quite easily. Hopefully this will be Richard Wright's year, too.
The engineer has built and maintained a side that won the Premier League during his first year in charge, so is untouchable for that, but this will have to be the year that Manchester City make an impact on the Champions League, something they are yet to do. Pellegrini's methodical nature has allowed him to identify the few improvements he needed to make to the squad, which have been achieved. Roberto Mancini's failure as boss was his inability to follow up the club's first Premier League title with a competent challenge next time around, so the Chilean will need to keep up the team's levels from last year.
@itvfootball i like how City havent been put down as favourites yet weve not had to make major changes to a team that did the double last yr
@itvfootball I think City are my title favourites. They don't need changes. They have strength in-depth in the side #mcfc
@itvfootball yes and it won't be as close as last season, has to be fernando, only in a coaching role #MCFC


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Challenge Rooms
Does anybody know the threshold where the levels stop being miserable and start just being challenging again? I'm having a great deal of trouble with Jumping Commando and I'm very quickly losing patience with the game. A light at the end of the tunnel would be nice.
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I have a question about step 5 on the recipe "Jim Lahey's No-Knead Pizza Dough" from Genius Recipes. It says:
"Switch the oven to broil for 10 minutes. With the dough on the peel, spoon the tomato sauce over the surface and spread it evenly, leaving about an inch of the rim untouched. Distribute 10 to 12 hunks of mozzarella (about 7 ounces) on top." Switch the oven from ??? to broil? Off? or was oven preheated? Thanks!
Go back to the recipe and scroll down to the second set of cooking instructions. Step 1. tells you the oven temperature (500 F) & further instructions.
Kristen is the Executive Editor of Food52
Yes -- sorry! A few steps went missing at first but they should be showing up now.
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Welcome to TalkBass, the Premier Bass Player Community and Information Source. We've been uniting the Low End Since 1998!
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Steinberger Synapse 4-strings - Strings don't fit!!!
Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by Buhaina123, Jul 11, 2013.
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Disney Rarities: Celebrated Shorts - 1920s-1960s
Posted October 1, 2010
A Change Of Pace From The Regular Disney Characters.
I was hesitant to buy this DVD set from the fifth wave of Walt Disney Treasures for a while at first. It took me a while to come around, because of some of the mixed reviewers' comments I read elsewhere claiming that the picture quality on most of the shorts featured here weren't at their best and that it varied from short to short . I finally gave in and decided to risk it and take my chances anyway, since I just had to have this for my favorite rarities (The Truth About Mother Goose and A Symposium on Popular Songs) and other shorts I already viewed on Youtube a few months back. The quality of the shorts all look the same to me, which is that they're all top quality and first-class. I have no idea what all those who complained are talking about, I haven't experienced what they claimed is wrong on these discs at all, I've got no complaints. None of the cartoons were in bad enough shape that they needed any restoration, in fact, they all look great to me. Although when I saw commercials for the reissues of Disney films with the side-by-side comparisons of the before and after remasters, the former copy of a scene is only slightly darker than the latter, so if that's really the case on this DVD set, then the picture quality or qualities on any of these shorts aren't in bad enough condition to need and take a large amount of remastering. Just wanted to mention that first of all before getting to their contents. As for the contents, this WDT is a collection of the lesser known Disney shorts that feature mostly far from the usual Disney characters. It's a very intriguing look at the variety of animation styles that alternate from one to another. From the Alice Comedies that are actually a combination of traditional 2-D animation and live-action, to the UPA-style limited animation of A Cowboy Needs A Horse and Jack And Old Mac, to the partly cut-out, stop-motion animation of the aformentioned Symposium On Popular Songs. One reason to get this set is it would be a good example for showing and teaching different kinds of animation for classes on it. Also, I find all of them to be enjoyable and whether you're nostalgic or are just being introduced/ introducing them to kids or anyone else for the first time, it would be great for showing them what real cartoons are as opposed to some of the shows from this decade. A few of these shorts are meant to be for educational purposes, like the couple of Adventures In Music. When I was younger, I saw part of some of these films via the Disney Sing-Along Songs videos, but now I've finally caught up with all that I didn't see years later. This WDT DVD set is not the worst out of all those in wave 5 and I doubt any one of the others is. Don't take the commentators' word, it's just fine. I can't explain that one other than they might be lying, but then I wasn't there so I can't say for sure exactly. On account of they're low on the bonus features/extras, y'all may just want to focus on the cartoons more. I'm glad I finally got a copy of any WDT and that I was lucky enough to come across the one I wanted to get most from wave # 5 on this site. Besides seeing these on video sites like Youtube, this set of shorts should be bought as they no longer air on Disney channel and what used to be Toon Disney. This is great to own and it's top-notch excellent. Recommended.
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Posted October 1, 2010
great if you're looking for the old ones
I really liked this. If you're looking for the good old Disney shorts, this is the set for you.Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Posted February 1, 2010
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Posted November 2, 2012
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I could write a cheesy introduction here, but let's be honest, you don't care to hear it. You'd learn much more about me just looking through my gallery, which I hope to add to a lot more in the near future! I'm a rising star on the OCT circuit (or at least trying to be?? ), while still slaving over the coals with my fan fictions, beta reads, comic book projects, and school.
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(Virgin Classics)
Those who've seen Joyce DiDonato as Donna Elvira at Covent Garden know that the American singer "is one of the most flamboyantly dramatic mezzos in the business," said Michael Church in the London Independent. DiDonato doesn't do "simple pathos," so it "comes as no surprise" that she's chosen a selection of "angry arias" sung by Handel's heroines. It's a good choice, because she excels at "the rages and revenges" of Circe and Medea and delivers them "with brilliant, if exhausting, panache." The results are "exhilarating," said Hugh Canning in the London Times, although "purist Handelians will want to fasten their seat belts." The mezzo is a "feisty" Juno from Semele, and—in two "trouser" roles—"an ardent Sesto from Giulio Cesare, and spectacular in the pyrotechnics of Tirinto's Sorge nell'alma mia from Imeneo." DiDonato has the "technical bravura and expressive lucidity of a great interpreter," said Joshua Kosman in the San Francisco Chronicle. More than that, she knows how to entertain, providing a "wealth of dramatic potency and musical color" on every track.
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Went to Elite Acura on spur of the moment after searching Honda, Ford, Lexus . Jeep and Toyota for the right SUV for me. I am a short woman and found most cars difficult to reach pedals and not many have power liftgates making reaching to close very difficult. I also wanted some luxury items to make...
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Thank you for sharing your experience! I am pleased to hear you had a great time purchasing your new RDX with Al. I hope we continue providing you with great customer service! If there is anything else I can do to further your satisfaction, please let me know.... Read moreAll Comments (1)
I received a quote from the internet department at Elite Acura.
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First, I explained to the sales guy that I had an internet quote, yet he either could not or would not look it up, and I had to waste time providing redundant information and going though t...
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I'm a tough customer yet Jose (salesman) and Vinny (sales manager) were fair and generous with my price demands. Using the info from Edmund's was a big help and, as such, it 'leveled playing field' for the negotiating process. Balal, who does the paperwork for financing, etc. was also fair with the ...
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The purchase of my certified pre-owned 2006 Acura TL was THE BEST experience I have ever had. The team at Elite Acura are professional, courteous and down to earth. Not one time did I feel "out of my league". There was no pressure to purchase the car and they weren't annoyed that I kept them...
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Staciellis was working out and keeping her hot body in great shape. She began by getting dressed into her sexy workout outfit. Her ass was looking great in those skin tight shorts. She began the workout by doing squats. Her juicy ass was bouncing up in down in beautiful fashion. Ryan came to help her workout and he gave her some pointers on how to do the squats correctly. He laid down underneath her ass and got a better view from there. He took off her shorts and panties and she continued doing the squats on his face. She put her pussy on his face as he licked it up. She sucked and fucked his cock. She rode that dick as her luscious ass bounced up and down. She got man juice all inside her mouth and she smiled as the cum dripped off her lips.
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Transas Marine will supply and install its Navi-Sailor ECDIS Multifunction Display for the nonprofit GBA Ships e.V.'s service vessel Logos Hope, a deal in part financed by donation from the Transas Marine.
GBA Ships is a private, nonprofit entity registered in Germany, which operates ships that sail around the world to bring knowledge, help and hope. GBA pioneered the concept of using ships to transport literature, humanitarian aid and people resources. The company's history goes back to 1970 when the first ship Logos was launched. Today, the organization's ships are well known for their work providing educational and Christian literature in ports around the world.
According to the agreement, Transas will deliver its Dual Navi-Sailor ECDIS 4000 Multifunction Display 26'' in Premium Plus configuration, including Navi-Planner voyage planning software, Radar overlay and firewall protector.
"When we were contacted by Senior Management of the GBA Ships to support their humanitarian mission, it was immediately clear, that Transas wants to support the provision of knowledge and help around the world. We are very delighted and proud to help GBA and that they will use our product to conduct their navigation around the world, where such help is demanded," said Ralf Lehnert, Managing Director of Transas Marine International.
Logos Hopeis the fourth ship operated by GBA Ships and was launched into active service on February 19, 2009. Since then, she has visited 70 different ports in Europe, the Caribbean, West Africa, the Middle East, India, Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia, with an all-volunteer professional crew and staff represented by 45 different nationalities.
GBA Ships' operational costs are met by sponsorship of onboard personnel, general donations and gifts, reductions and waivers of fees by civic and port authorities, book sales, and corporate support from suppliers and companies in each port of call.
Members of Logos Hope's International crew display their national dress during the visit to Subic Bay, Philippines in June 2013. (Image: GBA Ships)
Henrik O. Madsen appointed chairman of the executive board of the Research Council of Norway
DNV GL president and CEO Henrik O. Madsen was appointed as chairman
The Port of Houston Authority is expecting 2014 to close as a banner year for the port, with 34 million tons of cargo handled through November, Executive Director
Hapag-Lloyd completed the planned capital increase of EUR 370 million (approximately $452.5 million) as part of the business combination with the Chilean shipping
As we close out yet another year, I am constantly amazed at how much things change on the waterfront and the boats that ply the adjacent waters. Similarly, I like
Lowrance®, a world-leading brand in fishing electronics since 1957— announced today the renewal of its Insight Genesis™ College Cup. In its second year, the
2014 edition of NMEA 0400, Version 4.00 features extensive updates and new information
The National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) has published Edition 2014, Version 4.
New Zealand's Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) published its final report into the grounding of containership Rena in October 2011. The TAIC's
A recently released study entitled INLAND NAVIGATION IN THE UNITED STATES evaluates the economic impacts and the potential effects of infrastructure investment on our economy.
Romanian university Constanța Maritime University will provide ECDIS training in accordance with the STCW 2010 requirements
Transas Marine has installed the
Port workers in part of the Argentine grains hub of Rosario lifted a work stoppage on Friday, only a day after they went on strike over demands for higher year-end bonuses, a union official said.
Investors looking for returns in the tanker markets can invest their capital in a variety of ways. Should an owner invest in a VLCC or an Aframax? How about an
Maritime Reporter & Engineering News was founded by John J. O'Malley (1905-1980) in 1939, and today ranks as the world's largest audited trade publication in the world serving the maritime industry,
When a tightly scheduled repower for the Kodiak-based trawler Sea Mac in early December took a very bad turn, Mike Fourtner used his 25 years of fishing experience
The first of nine Damen Stan Patrol 3007s ordered by the Royal Bahamas Defense Force has arrived at Damen Shipyards Gorinchem in the Netherlands for outfitting.
Three further K Line vessels to install ClassNK-NAPA GREEN eco-efficiency software after reporting fuel savings during trials on an 8,600 TEU container vessel
The U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) released what it is calling a first-of-its-kind public database that chronicles U.S.-flagged, privately owned domestic
The new shipyard facility of Honghua Offshore Oil & Gas Equipment Company in Jiangsu, China, has launched its first ship, an IMT982 Platform Supply Vessel. The vessel,


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Preheat griddle on appropriate setting for 5 minutes.
Spread four of the bread slices with mustard, layer smoked turkey and cheese on top; place remaining four bread slices over each to make sandwiches.
In a 9-inch pie plate, whisk together eggs, milk, salt, and pepper.
Dip sandwiches in egg mixture, turning to coat both sides.
Lightly grease griddle with butter.
Place sandwiches, cheese-side down, on griddle; cook 4 to 9 minutes or until golden brown, turning every 2 minutes.


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What Do Gays Really Want From The Church?
Posted on November 2, 2014 1 Comment
Patricia L. Dickson Originally published at American Thinker
After a federal judge in Idaho recently ruled that the state's ban on gay marriage was unconstitutional, ordained ministers Donald and Evelyn Knapp who own the Hitching Post wedding chapel in the city of Coeur d'Alene, were asked by a gay couple to perform their wedding ceremony. According to Fox News , the ministers declined to perform the wedding due to their opposition to same-sex marriage. However, because the Hitching Post wedding chapel is registered as a for-profit business rather than a church or place of worship (although the wedding chapel is registered with the state as a "religious corporation" limited to performing "one-man-one-woman marriages as defined by the Holy Bible"), they must comply with a local nondiscrimination ordinance that was passed last year. The question that is most puzzling to me is why did the gay couple choose to do business with that particular wedding chapel? Were there not any other places that they could have gone (such as the Justice of the Peace) to have their wedding performed? Why did the gay couple in Colorado approach the Christian Bakery? Were there no other bakeries in their city or town? It appears that the gay community is targeting Christians and the Christian church. If that is indeed the case, what do they want from the church?
We were assured by President Obama after the Supreme Court's decision to overturn the Defense of Marriage Act that he wouldn't try to force religious institutions to conduct gay marriages. However; I think that the slippery slope metaphor is appropriate for this issue. I have always contended that the goal of the gay rights advocates is to somehow get the church to approve of the homosexual lifestyle by forcing churches to perform gay marriages. If gay couples were to win every court case against Christian business owners or if the law somehow changed so that every Christian pastor is forced to perform same-sex weddings in the church, would they be satisfied? I do not believe that they would because their battle is not a political one, it is a spiritual one. Spiritual issues need to be addressed with God, not fought in the courthouse. Neither man nor woman (through the court system or through his or her approval) can win a spiritual battle for an individual. Gay couples know that Christian ministers pray for God's blessing over heterosexual couples when performing church weddings. They are seeking what man cannot give, God's blessing and approval of their lifestyle.
The gay community is constantly attacking the church as if the church were singling them out. However, it is the other way around; the gay community is singling out the church. How else do you explain gay couples running straight to Christian business owners as soon as their state lifts the ban on same-sex marriage? The church does not single out the homosexual lifestyle when preaching against sexual sins — as though the Bible rates sin on some scale from one to ten. God rates and rejects all sin equally (lying, adultery, theft, fornication). On the other hand, God has love and compassion for sinners so much so that He sent His son Jesus to die and pay the price for sin so that all could be free from the bondage of sin and receive salvation.
1 Corinthian 6:9-10
Do you not know that the unrighteous and the wrongdoers will not inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived (misled): neither the impure and immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor those who participate in homosexuality,
Nor cheats (swindlers and thieves), nor greedy graspers, nor drunkards, nor foulmouthed revilers and slanderers, nor extortioners and robbers will inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God.
Romans 6:10-12
For by the death He died, He died to sin [ending His relation to it] once for all; and the life that He lives, He is living to God [in unbroken fellowship with Him].
Even so consider yourselves also dead to sin and your relation to it broken, but alive to God [living in unbroken fellowship with Him] in Christ Jesus.
Let not sin therefore rule as king in your mortal (short-lived, perishable) bodies, to make you yield to its cravings and be subject to its lusts and evil passions.
When I read about Christian business owners being targeted and sued by gay couples, my emotions swing from one extreme to the other. My first reaction is righteous indignation when I consider the political implications of the same-sex marriage issue and the agenda against the church and the people of God. However, when I turn my focus to the individuals, my anger turns to compassion. When I look at the photos of gay individuals marching with signs and scowls on their faces, I am willing to believe that underneath all the anger lies a soul yearning for God's approval of their lifestyle.
Yes, I know that many homosexuals and lesbians claim that the Bible is outdated and that Christians are bigots; nonetheless, the first place they run is to a Christian business owner or minister. If they really believed that Christians are bigots, why would they suffer being in their presence? Who do you know chooses to be in the presence of bigots? What these individuals know is that the safest place to be is in the company of God-fearing people. The Washington Times reported on the Christian ministers in Idaho: "On Friday, a same-sex couple asked to be married by the Knapps, and the Knapps politely declined." Not everyone that opposes the homosexual lifestyle does so because of a religious faith. Some individuals are just plain bigots. True bigots are full of hate and have no problem verbally and physically attacking the target of their bigotry.
It is my belief that the church is the only place where gay individuals can truly find compassion. The gay advocate groups do not care about the individuals. They are just using them to further their political cause in the same way as the abortion advocates use women and young girls. When and if these individuals decide to seek counseling, the church should be the first place they turn. When they turn to the church or any Christian, we should welcome them while at the same time teach them what the Bible says peppered in love as Jesus Himself would do. As Ephesians 4:15 states, "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ."
How To Tell A True Minister of God
Posted on October 26, 2014 2 Comments
Patricia L. Dickson
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. Romans 8:14
I frequent Christian websites and blogs to keep up with what is going on in the Christian church in the U.S. and around the world. These Christian websites and blogs chronicles the recent news and events in the church world. The news is however; not good. Every other week, I read about a pastor's adultery, mishandling of the churches finances, rape, child pornography, Pedophilia , spousal abuse or drug use. This is happening on a regular basis throughout the nation in all Christian denominations. Pastors of all ethnicities and races (mostly male). What is going on?
My concern is not so much with the many false prophets but instead with the size and loyalty of the flocks that they are able to manipulate. How do these men so easily deceive so many Christians? Some members remain loyal to the pastors even after the sins are confessed or exposed. Christians should not be taken by surprise by the exposure of the false prophets in the church today because we were warned about them in the Bible. However, Christians should not be so easily deceived by false prophets. The Bible is clear about the character that the men who lead the church should possess.
Titus 1:6-7
6 [These elders should be] men who are of unquestionable integrity and are irreproachable, the husband of [but] one wife, whose children are [well trained and are] believers, not open to the accusation of being loose in morals and conduct or unruly and disorderly.
7 For the bishop (an overseer) as God's steward must be blameless, not self-willed or arrogant or presumptuous; he must not be quick-tempered or given to drink or pugnacious (brawling, violent); he must not be grasping and greedy for filthy lucre (financial gain);
Maybe the problem lies with the people who fill the pews in the churches rather than the men in the pulpit. What are Christians looking for in a pastor? Are Christians examining the character of the men who they so willingly allow in their pulpits? Certainly, these men do not appear from out of nowhere. Just as any job applicant, should not churches check resumes, professional and personal references as well as criminal records? Perhaps charisma and oratory skills are more important than character. Maybe the churches are filled with people who have itching ears and therefore hire pastors that will tell them what they want to hear.
2Timothy 4:3-4
3 For the time is coming when [people] will not tolerate (endure) sound and wholesome instruction, but, having ears itching [for something pleasing and gratifying], they will gather to themselves one teacher after another to a considerable number, chosen to satisfy their own liking and to foster the errors they hold,
4 And will turn aside from hearing the truth and wander off into myths and man-made fictions.
Isiah 29:13
And the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips but remove their hearts and minds far from Me, and their fear and reverence for Me are a commandment of men that is learned by repetition [without any thought as to the meaning],
Anyone that studies scripture can discern that the church is living in the last days. Scriptures teach us that in the last days there will be a great falling away. We are witnessing church leaders compromising the word of God claiming to be more inclusive and less offensive. In other words, they have bowed to political correctness. There is nowhere in the Bible where it teaches that the church should exclude anyone. Pastors who use the word inclusive are making excuses for not preaching against sin, mainly homosexuality. The Bible calls so-called preachers who refuse to preach the whole counsel of God false prophets. Everyone is welcomed in the Christian church. However, no one should think that if he or she attends a Christian church that his or her sinful lifestyle would not be mentioned. The Christian church is where all sinners go to receive forgiveness and salvation.
1 Peter 2:12
Conduct yourselves properly (honorably, righteously) among the Gentiles, so that, although they may slander you as evildoers, [yet] they may by witnessing your good deeds [come to] glorify God in the day of inspection [[e]when God shall look upon you wanderers as a pastor or shepherd looks over his flock].
Could it be that church members are so backslidden themselves until they are incapable of discerning whether a man possesses Godly character? Christians have become sermon tasters attempting to substitute intimate time with God through prayer and reading the Bible for instant gratification from the words of man.
1Timothy 4
But the [Holy] Spirit distinctly and expressly declares that in latter times some will turn away from the faith, giving attention to deluding and seducing spirits and doctrines that demons teach,
If drug addicts, extortionist, and child molesters lead the churches, why would sinners attend? They might as well stay home and watch an episode of the Godfather. It appears that the church is becoming a big reality show. It is not difficult to choose Godly men to lead congregations. The church is going to have to repent and get back to prayer and studying the word of God to gain wisdom and discernment. That is the only way that the church can prevent being deceived by wolves in sheep clothing.
The sixth Commandment
Posted on October 26, 2014 1 Comment
Patricia L. Dickson
When discussing the commandment , "thou shall not kill" we must first understand that there are two different Hebrew words (ratsakh, mut) and two Greek words (phoneuo, apokteino) for "murder" and "killing." One means "to put to death," and the other means "to murder." The Sixth Commandment is referring to murder. Murder involves the unjustified taking of another's life.
I can imagine the guilt that Moses felt as God was giving him this commandment. Moses himself had murdered an Egyptian in defense of a Hebrew (his people). After committing the murder, he fled to the desert for forty years until God called on him to free the children of Israel from slavery under Pharaoh and the Egyptians. Today, it is impossible to turn on the local or national news without hearing about a murder. Murder is so common today that society has become immune to it. Many murders are committed by family members or close associates. Why would God include this commandment in the Ten Commandments? God places high value on life and He expects humankind to as well. Life is a precious gift. Only God is the creator and giver of life. Genesis 2:7 Then the Lord God formed man from the [a]dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath or spirit of life, and man became a living being. What makes human life precious? God created man in His image. Man has only been given one life to live. Who has the authority to take human life? Since God is the giver of life, He commands that no one has the right to take a life.
The first recording of someone taking the life of another is in the book of Genesis, the story of Cain and Abel. Genesis 4:8 And Cain said to his brother, [b]Let us go out to the field. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. What drives man to murder? It was God's plan that humankind would live together in harmony; however, sin entered man's heart through the fall. Sin is the cause of murder. The sin of greed, jealously, envy, anger, pride and hatred are powerful motivators to kill another. Cain killed Abel because of jealousy. Because anger usually precedes the act of murder, Jesus Christ taught us not to become angry without a cause. God defines murder as any thought or feeling of deep-seated hatred or malice against another person. Man cannot hide his disdain towards another person from God because God looks upon the heart for the truth. Hate is the root cause of murder. John wrote in I John 3:15 Anyone who hates (abominates, detests) his brother [in Christ] is [at heart] a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding ([k]persevering) within him. Hate is such a strong emotion that God has commanded us to not even hate our enemy.
Is there a difference between murder and killing? Killing during times of war (also called defending) is not the same as murder. American Soldiers kill in order to defend country, the constitution and fellow soldiers. Murder involves premeditation (pre-planning). Cain pre-planned to kill Abel. He hated Abel because God accepted his (Abel's) gift. Manslaughter is an unintentional form of killing. Is abortion murder? If murder is the intentional taking of the life of another, than how can abortion not be? Is abortion pre-meditated? Of course it is. Abortions are not accidental killing. However, as with all sin, God is able and willing to forgive anyone who asked. The Bible states, "If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action]." I John 1:9-10
The Christian Message vs Social Justice
Posted on September 7, 2014 2 Comments
Patricia L. Dickson Originally published at American Thinker
The events in Ferguson, Missouri have propelled several issues afflicting the black community to the forefront. In most inner cities, it is common to find a church on every corner, which leads me to wonder what the pastors in these communities are teaching the people. Rev. Fred D. Robinson wrote a scathing article entitled What God is screaming in Ferguson, Missouri. He made no bones about preaching Social Justice over the biblical teaching of repentance of individual sins and salvation. He feels that churches should address social justice and structural racism. He blasted a fellow white Christian and preacher for wanting prayer and calm in the wake of the riots and unrest in Ferguson instead of lamenting what he called the modern-day lynching by law enforcement of innocent black bodies.
When did churches begin to replace the Christian message of forgiveness, repentance and holy living with Social Justice? How can any pastor preach about society's ills while ignoring such individual sins as fornication, abortion, murder, laziness and theft (just to name a few)? Is society not made up of individuals? How can society be fixed without first changing the individual? The main topic of Rev. Robinson's article focused on his objection to a white pastor's call for more racially diverse congregations as a solution to what the author calls a racial cauldron in Ferguson:
I get tired of that one. His unrelenting insistence reminded me — in the most stark terms — of James Baldwin's prophetic quip: "Racial progress in America is measured by how fast I become white."
Simply having diverse congregations without addressing the weightier matters of social justice and structural racism is not better church practice. It is possibly subterfuge.
It ignores the fact that we have to do more than call sinners to repentance, we have to call societies, systems and structures to repentance as well.
The author compared the push for more multiracial churches to a quote from Dr. John Kinney, a professor of theology at Virginia Union:
"When white supremacy adopts diversity, it seeks to either cleanse you, contain you, co-opt you or convert you."
Nowhere in the article did Rev. Robinson, a so-called pastor, quote any Scriptures from the Bible. The Bible teaches that Christians are one race:
1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God's] own [d]purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
Pastors are supposed to preach love and forgiveness, not hate and grievances. There is no place for racism and divisiveness in the church (from anyone). The church is where men and women go to learn of God's love for them and receive His forgiveness. The Bible does not say that preachers are to call societies, systems and structures to repentance. It does teach that pastors are to call men and women to repentance. Whereas the Christian message teaches that individuals are sinful, Social Justice places blame and responsibility on society.
Romans 3:23
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God"
1 John 1:9
"If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action]."
Anyone that claims to be a pastor and refuses to preach individual sin and salvation has abandoned God's calling. Assuming that God called him or her to begin with. Preaching victimhood is also against Biblical teachings. Christians are not victims. Pastors should preach uplifting sermons taken straight out of the Bible. An individual may walk into church a victim; however he or she should walk out a victor.
Philippians 4:13
I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who [g]infuses inner strength into me; I am [h]self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency].
Romans 8:31
What then shall we say to [all] this? If God is for us, who [can be] against us? [Who can be our foe, if God is on our side?]
"If God is for us, who [can be] against us" includes the supposedly structural racism that Rev. Robinson is so concerned about. Years ago I had an older black Christian female friend who would constantly speak about her faith in God, however; she would also lament about how racist whites were oppressing and holding back black Americans. One day I asked her if white people were more powerful than God. She was speechless. Rev. Robinson would have one to believe that God is screaming because of racism and inequality. However, the bible tells us that man's sin is what grieves God. Our sin grieved God so much that He sent His son Jesus to die and pay the price for it.
If black pastors are preaching Social Justice in place of the Christian message taken straight from the Bible, there is no wonder the black community is in so much disarray. If the black church fails to teach against the sin of fornication, there is no wonder 70% of black babies are born to single mothers. If black churches are teaching black Americans that there is structural and institutional racism instead of telling them that God is on his or her side, there is no wonder that there is so much anger and destruction. The continual destruction of the black family is a sign that black pastors need to put down the sociology books and pick up the Bible.
Seventh Commandment
Posted on August 24, 2014 Leave a Comment
Patricia L. Dickson
The bible teaches us that God ordained and designed marriage. If we listen to the politicians and advocates of gay marriage, one would think that marriage was man's idea. If we conclude that marriage is man's idea than he or she has a right to decided who can and cannot marry. Because society has somehow hijacked the idea of marriage, man has taken upon himself to decide whether a couple should marry as opposed to cohabitating while at the same time bringing children into the relationship.
Since God has been completely taken out of marriage, society has a low disregard for the pattern that He designed. This is evident in the alarming rate of divorces here in the United States alone (even among Christians). Just what is God's pattern for marriage? What was God's purpose for marriage? If we look at Genesis 2:18, we will see that God wanted Adam to have companionship: "Then the Lord God said, 'It is not good for a man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him'." The Bible also states that God designed marriage for procreation, which serves as a mechanism to continue the human race. Genesis 1:28 says, "And God blessed them; and God said to them, 'be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it'." We see that God considers the procreation of children as a blessing and a good thing. God intended for children to be born of parents that are married to each other. God felt so strongly about marriage that He said in Matthew 19:6 "What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate."
One of the main ways that men and women can cause a marriage to separate is through the act of adultery. The seventh commandment is Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery. Adultery is voluntary sexual intercourse between a married man or woman and a partner other than the legal spouse. In 1 Cor. 7:2 it states that marriage is monogamous and is a means to keep one from desiring sexual fulfillment from others, "But because of the temptation to impurity and to avoid immorality, let each [man] have his own wife and let each [woman] have her own husband." There is no middle ground when it comes to adultery. One is either married or he or she is not. In other words, once one is married, an individual cannot decide that he or she can engage in a sexual relationship with others and somehow erase the fact that he or she is married. Why is adultery so deadly to a marriage? I think everyone will agree that adultery betrays trust between a married couple. Once trust has been lost, it is difficult to regain. Why would God be so against adultery? Because adultery carries the risk of procreating children between two unmarried people as well as causing the breakup of an existing family.
Adultery is also a spiritual sin against God. God compares the church with that of a marriage. The church is the bride of Christ. Throughout the Old Testament, God compared his relationship with Israel to a marriage. When Israel was unfaithful to God and bowed down to idols and other false gods, He called her an adulterous nation. Marriage is a covenant between husband and wife. God has a covenant with His church.
Why would God include adultery in the Ten Commandments? God did not want the Israelites to emulate the adulterous behavior of the Egyptians from whom He had just delivered them. Adultery and all kinds of sexual sins was commonplace in Egypt as well as the places where God was going to take them through. Adultery is the complete corruption of God's good creation of marriage and it tears apart the fabric of society. Marriages and families are the foundation of society, if torn apart and destroyed, society will eventually collapse.
A Case For Critical Thinking
Posted on July 19, 2014 8 Comments
Patricia L. Dickson
If I had to list the life changing events in my life, I would have to include the semester that I took my first critical thinking course. I was an adult woman that had been in the military for a number of years when I decided it was time to complete my college education, so I enrolled in evening classes after work. Before I enrolled in the critical thinking class, I thought that I was a logical thinker (I always valued being blessed with common sense). However, I soon learned that although I did have a tremendous amount of common sense, I lacked critical thinking skills. The root cause of my skewed thinking skills was because many of my beliefs at the time were based on false premises. If one begins his or her thought process with a false premise, the rest of the entire thinking process will lead to a false conclusion. I immediately began to apply the concepts that I learned in that class in every area of my life. I learned so much in that first class that I elected to enroll in an additional two classes in philosophy and critical thinking. I have since joined a professional critical thinking organization.
The problem that America is facing today is the inability of the vast majority of the citizen to think critically. A male Liberal colleague and I were discussing the Supreme Court's Hobby Lobby decision. He began the discussion by immediately stating that he thought the decision was stupid and that Hobby Lobby was wrong for denying women birth control. I informed him that before the Supreme Court hearing, Hobby Lobby was already providing sixteen forms of birth control. I also informed him that the reason Hobby Lobby's case went to the Supreme Court was due to the requirement under Obamcare that would force a business to provide the morning after pill which is a form of abortion. He was surprised and said that he was not aware of that. How do you comment on an issue if you do not have the facts? Why was he so quick to believe that Hobby Lobby wanted to deny women birth control? It was because he believed the false premise parroted by the media that conservative Christians are bigoted sexually repressed people that want to control the lives of others. Once you accept that premise, it is easy to believe the ridiculous meme that a Christian business owner's agenda is to prevent women from having access to birth control. Any rational person would have come to the same decision as the courts and the media knows that and that is why they made it about birth control instead of abortion. The media's first step is to create a false premise and then appeal to the emotions of the people with mush for brains. All of this is done to distract from the disastrous policies of the current administration.
I sometimes visit the websites owned and operated by black Americans. The one thing that is common on every site is the accepted false premise that every criticism of Obama is based on racism. Every article published on the sites brushes over the issues at hand and gets right down to the root cause of the opposition…….racism. The majority of the comments on the sites reinforce the same meme. How sad that the readers cannot see past false premises and participate in an honest intelligent discussion.
Critical thinking is critical as noted by Anniel, for the survival of this republic. The media has basically abandoned its responsibility of reporting facts in exchange for distracting, propagandizing and protecting. It is imperative that individuals acquire and hone critical thinking skills in order to navigate through the lies and distortions coming from the mainstream media. I recommend Set of Twenty Two Thinker's Guides by Dr. Richard Paul & Dr. Linda Elder for anyone that lacks or wants to improve their critical thinking skills.
Every morning after reading the Drude Report, I tell my Liberal colleagues that American is gone and it is going to be difficult to bring it back. However, they (have their heads in the sand) begin their morning reading the Huffington Post and they believe everything is just fine. They think that I am the modern day Chicken Little crying, "The sky is falling."
Eighth Commandment
Posted on July 18, 2014 Leave a Comment
Patricia L. Dickson
The Israelites were a Jewish race of people that were just experiencing freedom after 400 years of being enslaved. They were accustomed to Egyptian customs, culture and laws. God chose Israel for a nation unto Himself and His desire for Israel was that they would go and teach others about Him. Israel was to be a nation of priests, prophets, and missionaries to the world. God's intent was for Israel to be a distinct people, a nation who pointed others towards God and His promised provision of a Redeemer, Messiah, and Savior. God's plan for Israel is to be accomplished through the removal of Egyptian (pagan) gods and establishing and implementing His laws. This newly freed nation of people needed established laws on how to live peacefully and harmoniously amongst their neighbors and, above all, holy before God.
Thou shall not steal is a short concise commandment that leaves the reader to interpret the different definitions of the word. Stealing, in the sense of the Hebrew word ganav, refers to both the act of carrying off by stealth that which is not one's own (i.e., theft), but also to the deceptive inner disposition that accompanies the action. Ultimately, that deceptive inner disposition is a form of self-deception. The English definition is to take (something) from someone, without permission or unlawfully, or to appropriate (ideas, etc) without acknowledgment, as in plagiarism. During the time when Moses (aka "the lawgiver") presented God's laws to the people of Israel, they had already relapsed into all kinds of rebellious and sinful behavior. What could these people steal from each other? For one, they could steal each other's possessions that they received from their Egyptian slave owners as they were leaving Egypt. If an individual today takes both the Hebrew and English definition of the word steal and try to associate it with what was going on during the time of Moses and the Israelites, one might erroneously think that it was easy to keep that commandment because the people did not have many possessions.
Present day conditions presents more opportunities for one to steal with individuals owning vast amounts of possessions. The rapid explosion of technology alone puts individuals in vulnerable situations to have just about everything from their identity to one's entire bank accounts stolen. However, some things that are stolen are not often discussed. Employees can steal their employer's time. Artist and writers can steal another's work (music, manuscripts & poetry).
The word steal has a deeper meaning that encompasses more than just the unlawful taking of material things. Stealing has to do with respect for others. Respect for our neighbor's belongings. Breaking the tenth commandment "thou shall not covet" could be a catalyst for breaking the eighth commandment. In fact, the eighth commandment can easily be associated with other commandments. When one bears false witness (lie), we steal our neighbor's reputation. When one commits adultery, we steal another's spouse (affection). If one kills thou neighbor, he steals his or her life. When we study the Ten Commandments, one must always remember that God is to be the source of everything that the Israelites needed then as well as everything that the believer needs today. God had brought the Israelites out of Egypt and had continually provided for all of their needs. There was no need for the Israelites to steal anything from their neighbors.
What are some of the root causes for stealing? Laziness, greed, and selfishness are a few reasons individuals steal. The main root cause is unbelief. If we believe that God is truly the source of all of our needs, why would anyone need to steal from others? Why would anyone need to covet another's possession? The answer is unbelief. The opposite of faith is unbelief. Individuals steal other's possession because he or she is ungrateful and does not believe that God will meet his or her needs. All the commandments can easily be summed up with one sentence, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the Law." (Romans 13:9-10 RSV)
Politics and The Christian Church
Posted on July 6, 2014 Leave a Comment
Patricia L. Dickson Originally Published in the American Thinker
Whenever the subject of politics and religion comes up, some individuals wish to believe that the two are not connected. Yet, many people are concerned with the speed of America's moral collapse. Throughout both the bible and world history, the two have collided (wars were fought over religion). When the Kings and Judges in the bible were godly, the people and the land flourished. On the other hand, the evil kings and judges brought famine and destruction upon the people and the land (does any of this sound familiar?) Our founding fathers were men of deep religious convictions based in the Bible and their Christian faith in Jesus Christ. America's conflict appears to center around the Christian church and the current ruling politics
The dilemma facing the Christian church today is whether to incorporate politics in its Sunday sermons or risk losing tax-exempt status. The congregants are voting citizens that should hear where the different political parties stand on issue that may conflict with the Christian faith. However, for the past five years, there has been an elephant in the room in most bible teaching church services across the United States. The elephant is the current administration and the Democratic Party's unyielding push for abortion and gay marriage and the infringement on the church's First Amendment rights (i.e. attempting to force the Catholic Church to provide birth control to its employees against its religious belief). Many pastors will not publically broach the subject of the different parties' platforms from their pulpits due to fear and political correctness that has crept into the church. The church is no place for political correctness. The entire bible is not politically correct.
The Presbyterian Church appears to have completely adopted the entire Democratic Party's platform from gay marriage, abortion to disinvestment in companies whose products Israel uses in the occupied territories. The United Methodist Church has aligned with the Democrats' platform on the homosexual lifestyle and the Affordable Care Act but has since done an about face on the latter; however, there is a split within the denomination on the issue of gay marriage. In order for a Christian church to adopt the Democrats Party's positions, it has to outright divorce itself from biblical teachings.
The black church has become the arm of the Democratic Party. As a teenager, I remember around election time, Democrat politicians would visit the black churches. The pastors would give these politicians free rein to stand in the pulpit and address the congregation as he or she felt necessary. The speeches were usually how the opposing politician (usually a Republican) did not have our best interest in mind. (We were never told what those interests were).The pastors would continue preaching on that same theme after the politicians left. There never seem to be any resignation or fear of losing the churches tax-exempt status. In many of today's black churches, social justice, racism and grievance replaced the message of sin and forgiveness. The social justice message removes the individual from responsibility and blames all ones problems on society. Strangely, the topics missing from the sermons are fornication, homosexuality, coveting, envy, jealousy, ungratefulness, laziness, lying, murder, and theft (except when referring to the tithe). All such sins are plaguing the black community as well as all large segments of the rest of America.
Observing the actions of the Presbyterian Church, the United Methodist Church and the black Church, I have concluded that as long as a so-called church aligns itself with the Democratic Party's platform, there is no threat of losing its tax-exempt status. As long as the Democrat politicians can come into your church's pulpit and disparage the Republican Party, your pastor can sleep well knowing that there is no threat of losing the church's tax-exempt status. However, if you are a bible teaching church that refuses to give in to political correctness, it is time to give up the tax-exempt and "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar' (Mark 12:17) and get back to preaching the whole council of God. For the first time in the nation's history, America is witnessing a government forcing its policies on the church.
The Ninth Commandment
Posted on June 22, 2014 Leave a Comment
Patricia L. Dickson
Exodus 20:16 "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor".
Is how one treats his or her neighbor a litmus test that predicts ones conduct in all other areas of his or her life? Many of the sins written about in the Bible revolves around how man treats his neighbor. If that is the case, the next question might be, "who is ones neighbor?" If one takes the literal definition as one that lives next door or on his or her street, the chances of mistreating his neighbor might be a small percentage. On the other hand, if one expands the definition to include all of humankind, the chances of mistreating one's neighbor increases substantially. Why would one find it easier not to sin against his or her next-door neighbor? People tend to like and trust their neighbors. Many neighborhoods are populated with people that share things in common (i.e. similar income, level of education, hobbies, ethnic background and culture). Familiarity and similarities makes it easier to get along with others. However, differences tend to reveal how we really think and feel about others, resulting in how we treat them. Is it not a wonder why God created such a diverse group of human species? God in His infinite wisdom knew that the real test for humankind would be getting along with one another.
The Ninth Commandment deals specifically with being a false witness against one's neighbor. A "false witness" is a nice word for lying. Years ago (when I was a teenager), I associated the word "witness" as only when individual testifying in a court of law. However, anyone can give an account of events anywhere; the issue is whether his or her account is true or false. According to the Bible, lying is serious issue with God.
Proverbs 12:22 Lying lips are abomination to the LORD, but they that deal truly are His delight.
Proverbs 14:5 A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.
Why would God speak so harshly concerning liars? The bible teaches us that truth makes one free. Truth leads to freedom. God had recently freed the Israelites from bondage. Lying is another form of bondage. An individual can be bound by his or her words not only spiritually, but also physically (i.e. jailed for lying in a court of law, perjury).
To lie is to deceive oneself as well as others. An individual that bears false witness against his or her neighbor initiates the breakdown in trust and sows discord between oneself and others. A lie can destroy relationships! There are two kinds of lies: commission and omission. The lie of commission requires an individual to outright lie about something or someone. The lie of omission requires one to intentionally omit information that could be important to an individual making a decision about something or forming an opinion about someone (i.e. whether or not to purchase a vehicle or enter into a relationship with someone). The purpose of both lies is to deceive.
Bearing a false witness against another is to lie about another. I do not know what is worse, to be lied to or about. I do know that in both situations, relationships are strained if not destroyed. An individual who is willing to go to the extreme as to lie on his or her neighbor, is a dangerous person that is capable of ruining another person's reputation. A person's reputation is the most valuable possession that one has. A loss of reputation can take years to recover. God could foresee the damage that could be caused by individuals lying "bearing a false witness" against his or her neighbor and therefore, made sure it was one of the Ten Commandments.


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I'm really thinking vanguard, but i still have a little time to research before i can afford it anyways
The Howa/Vangard is a great gun and every single one I've owned has been an outstanding shooter. That one I can personally recommend highly.
I don't have any experience with the Stevens but someone I know who wrote a review for a major publication sent a check for the gun when he was done testing and this gentleman knows firearms rather well.
So I guess it all comes down to which one you like better in the looks department.
Either 1 will serve you well. If forced to a choice between those 2, I'd choose the Vanguard. It's more bang for your buck at that price and you'll like it more since you like it's looks better.
Sometimes you earthlings REALLY amaze me!
the Vanguard is a whole lot prettier especially the sporter models. and a great guarantee of accuracy. not much more than a Stevens, I love the Stevens, bothof mine are tackdrivers but butt ugly. maybe one witha cammo stock might look better.
Ya, looks like weatherby vanguard will be the way to go, at only 399$ and with a very impressive reputation and a quite pleasing appearance, i cant find a downside.Amazon.com: Leupold Riflescope Vx-I 3-9X40Mm Duplex Gloss 53801: Sports & Outdoors
or Amazon.com: Nikon Buckmaster 3-9x40 Riflescope (Matte, BDC): Sports & Outdoors
. . or a better recommendation in the 150-250$ ish range for a proper optic for that vanguard .308?
i like them both (yes i have both ) . the howa is a nicer looking rifle but does not group any better . my howa is a wood stock model and the blueing is very nice ,so it looks pretty . like the others has stated spend the extra money on your glass .


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Samachara Bharati, Andhra Pradesh: Narada Jayanti celebrations, Jagruthi Bhavan, Kachiguda, 9.30 a.m.
Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas: Launch of 'Direct Benefit Transfer for LPG Customers', chief guest, Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Panabaka Lakshmi, Indira Priyadarshini auditorium, Public Gardens, Nampally, 11 a.m.
A.P. Balala Hakkula Sangham: International Children's Day fete Ravindra Bharathi, 9.30 a.m.
Landmark: Landmark India Quiz, Landmark store, Banjara Hills, 4 p.m.
Centenary Celebrations: Centenary celebrations of former CJ of High Court of AP, Justice Gopal Rao Ekbote, FAPCCI, Red Hills, 6 p.m.
S.S.R.S. Smaraka Trust: Cultural programme 'Gurudevobhav', Andhra Mahila Sabha, Vidyanagar, 5.30 p.m.
Alliance Francaise and Goethe Institute: European Film Festival, screening of "Your Name is Justine', 'The Dark House' and 'Altiplano', Annapurna International School of Film and Media, 11 a.m. onwards.


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Alright, I've been racking my brain, reading up excel programming for dummies, and looking all over the place but I'm stressing over this little problem I have here. I'm completely new to vba programming, or really any programming language but I'm trying my best to get a handle on it.
The Scenario and what my goal is:
The picture below is a sample of a huge long list of data I have from different stream stations. The sample only holds two (niobrara and snake) to illustrate my problem, but in reality I have a little over 80 stations worth of data, each varying in the amount of stress periods (COLUMN B).
COLUMN A, is the station name column. COLUMN B, stress period number COLUMN C, modeled rate COLUMN D, estimated rate
What I have been TRYING to figure out is how to make a macro that will loop through the station names (COLUMN A) and for each UNIQUE Group of station names, make a chart that will pop out to the right of the group, say in the COLUMN E area.
The chart is completely simple, it just needs two series scatterplot/line chart; one series with COLUMN B as x-value and COLUMN C as y-value; and the other series needs COLUMN B as x-value and COLUMN D as y-value.
Now my main ordeal, is that I don't know how to make the macro distinguish between station names, use all the data relating to that name to make the chart, then looping on to the next Station group and creating a chart that corresponds for that, and to continue looping through all 80+ station names in COLUMN A and to make the corresponding 80+ charts to the right of it all in somewhere like the COLUMN E.
If I had enough points to "bounty" this, I would in a heartbeat. But since I do not, whoever can solve my dilemma would receive my sincere gratitude in helping me understand run this problem smoothly and hopefully better my understanding of scenarios like this in the future. If there is anymore information that I need to clarify to make my question more understandable please comment your query and I'd be happy to explain in more detail the subject.
Oh, and for extra credit; now that I think about it, I manually entered the numbers in COLUMN B. Since the loop would need to use that column as the x-value it would be important if it could loop through itself and fill that column on its own before it made the chart (I would imagine it would have something to do with anything as simple as "counting out the rows that correspond to the station name". But again, I know not the proper terminology to correspond the station name, hence the pickle I'm in; however if the veteran programmer who is savvy enough to answer this question could, I'd imagine such a piece of code would be simple enough yet crucial to the success of such a macro I seek.