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With a history of nautical scholarship that dates back to the mid 1930s, Community Boating Inc. has graduated thousands of students from its hands-on sailing school and into the ranks of skipperdom. Seasoned instructors lead classes for all ages, with separate youth, adult, and universal-access programs to ensure that the sweeping vistas, invigorating mists, and albatross necklaces of seafaring can be enjoyed by all. Certified students and members can take jaunts across the Charles River atop a kayak or Mercury sailboat borrowed from Community Boating Inc.?s 100-strong fleet of windblown and man-powered vessels.
Boating in Boston drops oars in seven locations?including local lakes, ponds, the Charles River, and Boston Harbor?sending visitors on watery adventures with a fleet of canoes, kayaks, sailboats, pedal boats, paddleboards, and festive and essential lifejackets. Whether navigating the peaceful waters of Stoneham's Spot Pond?the pond that, in 2002, started it all?or campus-adjacent eddies of UMass Boston's Fox Point Landing, visitors can hit the water untrained or sharpen skills with solo or group lessons. The crew of instructors also instills a love of boating in the littlest landlubbers with youth summer camps that teach basic skills and safety.
In the early ?70s, Boston-area resident Mike Farny dreamed of creating affordable outdoor recreational activities for his community to enjoy. In May of 1973, Mike set up shop in the MDC Norumbega Police Substation of Newton/Auburndale and began realizing his dream. The location?directly next to the historic Totem Pole Ballroom?perfectly enabled the environmentally friendly practice of canoeing and kayaking. Mike's vision blossomed over the years to include four other locations, each offering rentals, tours, and instruction.
Today, on-staff guides lead tours of the Charles River and Boston Harbor to educate participants in ecosystem conservation, view the skyline and sunset, or explore historic structures. Select trips also include lunch to fuel participants as they navigate difficult waterways and jump through flaming hoops. To prepare customers entering the water for the first time, instructors coach riders of all levels in private or group lessons at the paddling school, which draws on more than 30 years of instructional tradition. Staffers can also equip boaters in the shop?where P&H and Bor?al kayaks hang alongside Tahoe paddleboards and Wenonah canoes, dreaming of one day being the inspiration for a traditional sea chantey. Crew members help clients choose their ride and accessories from these selections and others through free daily demonstrations.
Since its inception as a nonprofit organization in 1985, Community Rowing Inc. has guided more than 15,000 students in invigorating rowing sessions held on the Charles River. Their experienced staff of Olympians and coaches helps students to become familiar with industry-standard boats and rowing machines through comprehensive introductory lessons and extended handshakes with the rowing arms. After gleaning the skills necessary to properly use equipment, students gain access to locker rooms, training areas, and any additional courses on the Charles River. The full-body, calorie-burning workouts are available throughout the week, allowing students to learn essential techniques such as sweeping, sculling, and dealing peacefully with the water road rage of aggressive gondoliers.
The instructors at EMS Schools traverse rocky, paved, and watery terrain from New England down to Virginia, imparting people with their love of the outdoors along the way. Dating back more than 40 years, the EMS Climbing School teaches pupils of all ages the tenets of climbing through introductory classes and more advanced maneuvering in self-rescue, alpine climbing, and glacier-skills classes. The watery wing of EMS's operation includes kayaking and standup-paddleboard lessons, which can help students earn certification in these water-bound endeavors, and group tours. EMS-led bike tours trace a path through the rolling hills of the Berkshires, the mansions of Newport, as well as the powdered-sugar-topped White Mountains of New Hampshire.
From their home base in the Warren Building, officials of the Wellesley Recreation Department fine-tune a year-round roster of sports leagues and community classes. Adults master crafts that range from pottery throwing to Capoeira, a blend of Brazilian martial arts and dance. Kids channel their creativity into painting courses or the Star Wars: Jedi Training class, which often includes creating a recycled droid and lightsaber lessons with retired stormtroopers. All of the programs are self-supporting, so directors charge reasonable fees and divvy up the money among materials, instructors' salaries, and other necessary expenses.
During the summer, throngs of people advance on Morses Pond, an ocean lookalike complete with a sandy beach, water slide, and volleyball nets, and kids aged 5–12 fend off boredom with summer day camps. Meanwhile, the lights of Hunnewell Tennis Court blaze into the evening hours, allowing athletes to face off after dark when the sun is taking its nap.


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I chose to attend Fairmont State because the History program is the best in the area and it's a smaller school, which fits my personality. Here, you are known by your name, not a number. I've met a lot of new people that I wouldn't have had the chance to meet anywhere else because of large classes and campuses. Fairmont State is also known for academic achievement and not being the number one party school of the nation.
What surprised me the most since I arrived at Fairmont State is the number of people I've met from all over. I never thought I'd meet this many different people at one time. Here, you don't have your little high school cliques; everyone is thrown together and we have a great time with each other. I've talked to people from every type of group imaginable and it's been great.
In just a few days, I can tell that I made the right choice when I entered the Honors Program. Everyone is so friendly and they're there to help you with whatever you need. This isn't just some academic club, it's a family.
To any high school seniors who are beginning the process of choosing a college I would say think about your personality first: if you're somewhat shy, then go for a smaller school; if you're more outgoing, then a bigger school might be okay. Next think about your major and what you want to do in the future: look for a school that has a good program specializing in that major.
Already, I have noticed a lot of differences between my Honors courses here and my high school courses. The Honors classes here are smaller than the ones at my high school, so you get to interact more with the teacher and the class, thus enhancing your learning experience. Also, they're a bit more challenging than my high school classes, which were basically the same as regular classes but with more writing.

subset: commoncrawl


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A FORMER Monivae College religious brother will appear in Warrnambool Magistrate's Court today, facing 12 charges of indecent assault against males.
The charges against Edward Mamo, aged 67 and now residing in Sydney, were brought by the Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Unit in Warrnambool.
He appeared in Campbelltown Local Court in western Sydney last Monday and was bailed to appear in Warrnambool today.


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North Shore Hebrew Academy
Dear Parents,
We are happy to announce our brand new Friday after school programs for the winter season. This season will take place from December 14 th – March 15 th for a total of 12 sessions. Each program is an hour and fifteen minutes long. All students must be picked up at 2:30 since busing is not available at that time. These new activities are unique, and unlike anything we have ever offered. Some programs are only available to certain grades based on the skill level needed for that activity. If there are numerous grades participating in an activity, groups will be created based on their grade. Descriptions of each activity are listed below. If you would like to sign up, please fill out the registration form on the reverse side of this sheet, and send it in to NSHA care of Coach Eric.
TGA Golf: An amazing golf program for beginners to advanced students alike.Our gymnasium will be transformed into an actual golf course with putting greens, chipping areas, and a driving range as well. TGA is an amazing organization with the best golf teachers around. Students will have their very own golf handbook with achievements and badges to collect. Students will learn all of the rules and proper etiquette of the game, while using actual golf clubs with specialized safe golf balls. A tournament will be created at a golf course in the spring to celebrate the conclusion of our program!
Amazin' Magic: Students will be taught by Mr. Illusion, a magic teacher with over 25 years experience. Our magicians will learn all different magic skills including: sleight of hand, illusions, misdirection, showmanship, and "selling" the trick. All students will receive a magic kit filled with everything they will need to be a proper magician. A magic show will take place at the end of our sessions!
Bust-A-Move: Get ready to move and sweat. Our dance program is taught by Mrs. Dror, and is a great way to stay fit and have fun. Students will learn many styles of dance. There will be a dance show at the end of our sessions to show off the students new skills!
Abrakadoodle : The popular award-winning art and creativity program was voted "Best art class to bring out your child's inner Picasso." The imaginative art education curriculum was developed by artists and educators and exceeds the National Standards for Visual Arts Education. In our art class, students will paint, draw, sculpt, design, imagine, sketch and explore using a wide variety of artist materials and techniques, all in an atmosphere of fun!
Yoga: Yoga has been practiced for more than 5,000 years, and currently, close to 11 million Americans are enjoying its health benefits. Our yoga program is taught by Mrs. Shlomo, and is a wonderful way for your child to build endurance, strength, balance, flexibility, and muscle!
Mad Science: Students will get to see soda explode, make huge amounts of snow, create their own slime, and make items grow 500 times its original size! All items are non-toxic, safe, and do not stain! Protective gear will be supplied to all students. A great way to have fun and learn science!
Pro Percussion: Students will learn how to play numerous percussion instruments by a professional percussion teacher with over 20 years experience. Practice pads and sticks will be supplied. Students will learn proper rudiments and stick technique, while using percussion instruments like: snare, bass, cymbals, toms, etc. This will be NSHA's first "Drum Core"!
Storybook & Puppetry: Voted most unique new creation for young children by LIMM, S & P isa wonderful program to enhance your child's imaginative and creative side. Students will be read a classic story, and then create the characters inthat story into puppets. The students will then reenact the story using the puppets they created. A wonderful program to generate an excitement for reading because, they become part of the classic tale!


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Gear Review
Could be better
These were my first pair of leather gloves. They're pretty, they're warm.
The velcro is supposed to be amazing, and function even if snow gets in it, but this was not the case... I was just riding park, and still the small amount of snow the velcro encountered kept the velcro from attaching securely. These aren't good gloves for a powder day, unless you're a total badass who never sticks your wrist in the snow.
The first time I wore them, I broke off a wrist strap, and I was disappointed that they were so shoddily made... they seem sturdy elsewise, so if you don't use wriststraps, no biggie (the wriststraps are attached by a girth hitch, they don't come connected to the gloves... the part the strap hitches to is what pulled out of the seam).
View More Details on Pow Gloves Stealth Glove - Women's


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BEAM Consultant Pvt. Ltd. is one of the pioneering consulting companies in Nepal commencing professional services from the year 2007. During its course of operation in last 5 years, it has accomplished a number of important projects, over 100 in number.
BEAM Consultant Pvt. Ltd. is an organization of committed and dedicated professionals providing consulting services in various fields of national development tasks. Some of the tasks that we have done are:
- Master Planning
- Transportation and Traffic Management
- EIA/IEE Study
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- Informal Education and Training
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Jan 12, 2011 11:53 PM by Marnee Banks (Helena)
Montana State Senator Taylor Brown (R-Huntley) wants to change the legal dropout age in Montana from 16 to 18 years old.
Brown is carrying the bill for Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau.
Juneau says this bill will increase graduation rates across the State.
Over 20 people testified on both sides of the bill.
Commissioner of Higher Education Sheila Stearns supports the measure, saying, "We know students who leave high school as young as age 16 limit their opportunities for a fulfilling life and that they often flounder for years without direction and withou good prospects."
Whitefish High School student Cody Hill says he also supports SB 44. Hill said, "I almost dropped out and I almost didn't attend school this year. I don't want to be one of those kids that at age 18 is going nowhere and being nothing," Hill says.
Lewis & Clark County resident Jonathan Barbarbagello says he adamantly opposes SB 44.
"What makes SB 44 unacceptable is this bill is based on the flawed assumption that the children who drop out are the problem," Barbabagello stated.
Anaconda High School student Teryn Green says students who don't want to be in school detract from her learning.
"The expectation needs to be raised within one's self and one's home, not by the government," Green says.
It's estimated that the bill will cost $1 million per year to implement.
2 hours ago


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We have found some free tormented videos and pictures.
Suzi Hileman, 58, lay in the hospital bed with serious wounds. In her dreams, Suzi kept reliving the last moments before she lost consciousness: lying on her side in a parking lot, face-to-face with her 9-year-old neighbor, Christina-Taylor Green, whom she ... Source: Chicago Tribune
MOBILE, Ala. — Nick Fairley, Auburn's other big-name star, also is heading to the NFL after winning the Lombardi Award and helping Cam Newton lead the Tigers to a national title. The potential No. 1 overall pick announced his decision Friday at his old ... Source: Oregonian
The Mets are close to signing outfielder Willie Harris to a minor league deal, which means that as long as he stays in their organization, he cannot torment them with more acrobatic, game-saving catches. Harris, a 31-year-old left-handed hitter who spent ... Source: New York Times Blogs
Bill Hileman could feel the torment in his wife's dreams. "Hold my hand," his wife shouted in her uneasy slumber. "Keep your eyes on me, baby." Suzi Hileman, 58, lay in the hospital bed with serious wounds. In her dreams, Suzi kept reliving the last ... Source: Palm Beach Interactive
WARNER, N.H. -- The sons of an 82-year-old man are talking about their father's experience after he was tied up and tormented by an intruder inside of his Warner home this week. For six long hours, Gordon Smith's sons said the man tormented their father ... Source: WMUR.com
IN his day August Strindberg was a pitch-black spirit, tormented by terrible visions and invisible enemies. At night is when his true demons came out to play. So it is with some apprehension that an audience willingly enters the feverish mind of the ... Source: Winnipeg Free Press
Cam Newton and Nick Fairley of national champion Auburn are among 56 non-seniors who applied for April's NFL draft - a record total, but only three more than last year. The uncertainty surrounding the league's labor situation does not appear to have had a ... Source: Philadelphia Daily News
That's the sound of teams moving closer to being on the clock. The NFL draft kicks off with the first round on April 28 followed by rounds 2-3 (April 29) and rounds 4-7 (April 30). Today, the NFL announced the names of the 56 underclassmen granted ... Source: San Jose Mercury News (blog)
Three or four inches in the other direction and this could have been a tragedy," he added. Matthews was not in court to see the two boys she said had tormented her all summer sentenced. But in a victim impact statement she had written — read in court ... Source: Chicago Sun-Times
President Obama fulfilled his constitutional duty and gave his report on the state of the union last night. Here's mine: We're in deep trouble. You know why. Our debt has passed $14 trillion, and yet our current spending plans will make that worse. The U.S ... Source: Town Hall


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I will be paying the dealer to replace my timing belt/water pump/drive belts on my '03 Taco. I don't have the tools/patience to do it all myself.
I am also ordering a pair of radiator hoses (upper/lower) and the thermostat and will have the dealer replace these 3 parts at same time.
Since I will be providing the hoses/thermostat, I was wondering if the dealer will be charging me any extra labor to replace these parts?
I figure with everything apart, this should be a non-issue but I know dealers always like to add fees especially for customer supplied parts (These are OEM repalcement parts ordered from Toyotapartscheap.com)
If its extra labor I get it, but if there is not extra time required, I would like to know. Thanks.


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Hyde Park, New Chandigarh- A whole new way of life!
A whole new exciting chapter is being added to Chandigarh- the city beautiful. Its called " New Chandigarh" located in Mullanpur close to PGI, Chandigarh. And pride of place will be occupied by DLF Hyde Park Estate with a distinctive English flavor.
The elegance of the colonial era is echoed throughout Hyde Park's well designed and varied neighborhood. Panoramic views of the Shivaliks greet you and on either side of the quiet streets criss-crossing the development, there are landscaped parks and gardens. With equal thought to leisure and recreation, Hyde Park integrates the community with safe play areas for children, scenic parks and playing fields encouraging a healthy lifestyle.
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Shabaab claims American involved in Mogadishu suicide assault
Shabaab claimed that an American citizen was one of two suicide bombers who were part of an assault team that attacked an African Union base in Mogadishu yesterday.
On Oct. 29, two suicide bombers "disguised as Somali Army troops," according to an African Union press release, along with an estimated 10 heavily armed fighters attacked the Ugandan and Somali troops based at the German Steel Factory in northern Mogadishu.
The result of the Shabaab attack is unclear. The African Union maintained that the attack "failed" and "the suicide bombers blew themselves" up before reaching their targets. "The extremists were unable to take control of the AMISOM position," the press release stated.
But witnesses in Mogadishu said several African Union and Somali troops were killed during the fighting. Shabaab claimed that it overran the base and killed 80 Ugandan troops, including the base commander.
"The Mujahideen have today stormed an AMISOM compound, killing 80 Ugandan soldiers," Shabaab said in a statement released in English on the pro-Shabaab website Somali Memo. "In a fierce battle that lasted over two hours, the Mujahideen have yet again dealt another fatal blow to the African Crusaders. Two martyrdom seekers infiltrated the AMISOM compound - the former metal factory - situated along the Industrial Road, near Mogadishu Stadium, and where divisions of the Ugandan soldiers and TFG militia were based, successfully killing the commander as he addressed the Ugandan forces along with several other soldiers."
Echoing the rhetoric of al Qaeda, Shabaab said that it will continue to wage jihad and "will sacrifice everything in the attainment of a global Islamic Caliphate."
Shabaab also released audiotapes at Somali Memo of the two suicide bombers, who were identified as Cabdi Salaam al Muhajir and Aden al Ansari. Al Muhajir is described as an American citizen, and he delivers his speech in English.
On his tape, al Muhajir urges Muslims not to "just sit around and be a couch potato and
just chill all day," but to "put your trust in Allah, come to the land of jihad where your Muslim sisters and brothers are."
"My brothers and sisters, do jihad in America, do jihad in Canada, do jihad in England [and] anywhere in Europe, in Asia, in Africa, in China, in Australia - anywhere you find kuffar [infidels]. Fight them and be firm against them," al Mujahir said, according to a transcript of the statement which was provided by the SITE Intelligence Group.
The Oct. 29 suicide attack is the third of its kind in Mogadishu this month. On Oct. 4, a suicide bomber detonated a car bomb outside a building where scholarships were being awarded by the Turkish government to Somali students. More than 100 Somalis, mostly students and their families, were killed in the massive blast. And on Oct. 17, a suicide bomber killed 15 people in an attack near the old foreign ministry building in the Somali capital.
Shabaab has stepped up terror attacks in the capital since its forces withdrew from most of its bases in Mogadishu at the end of the summer. Shabaab also has claimed it killed more than 100 Burundian soldiers in an ambush in the Daynile suburb of Mogadishu on Oct. 20. The African Union contested the claim, saying that photographs of the dead soldiers were faked by Shabaab and denying that large numbers of AU troops were killed during the clash.
While Shabaab is fighting African Union and Somali troops in the capital, the Kenyan military is moving forces toward the port city of Kismayo, Shabaab's de facto capital, and the town of Afmadow. The Kenyan government invaded southern Somalia in mid-October and vowed to drive Shabaab from bases along the border. A Kenyan Army spokesman said that his country's forces would take control of Kismayo and would remain in the south until Shabaab was no longer a threat.
Americans join Shabaab in Somalia
Although al Muhajir's identity as an American citizen has not been confirmed, Shabaab has used Americans to carry out suicide attacks twice in the past, according to J.M. Berger, the editor of Intelwire. In October 2008, a Somali man from Minneapolis named Shirwa Ahmed was one of five suicide bombers who attacked four compounds in the semi-autonomous regions of Somaliland and Puntland, killing 28 and wounding scores more. Three suicide car bombers struck the presidential palace, the UN Development Program compound, and the Ethiopian Consulate in the city of Hargeisa in Somaliland; and two bombers targeted an intelligence facility in the city of Bosasso in Puntland.
And in May of this year, Mohamad Beledi, another American citizen, was one of two suicide bombers who attacked a base in Mogadishu, killing two African Union troops and a Somali soldier. Shabaab had identified Beledi as Abdullahi Ahmed.
Shabaab has also claimed that Americans have conducted other suicide attacks. An American from Seattle, who was not named, is said to have been one of two suicide bombers who penetrated the main base in Mogadishu in an attack in September 2009. The deputy military commander for the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) was among the 21 people killed.
Americans are known to hold senior positions in Shabaab and al Qaeda's network in Somalia. Scores of Americans are also known to serve as foot soldiers for Shabaab.
Omar Hammami, who is also known as Abu Mansoor al Amriki, serves as a military commander, propagandist, "recruitment strategist, and financial manager" for Shabaab, and is closely linked to al Qaeda, according to the US government.
Hammami spoke at a public rally with other top Shabaab leaders to eulogize Osama bin Laden just 10 days after the death of the al Qaeda leader.
"We are all Osama," Hammami told the crowd as he spoke at a podium, according to a translation of the speech, a portion of which was published by National Post. He also said that Shabaab and al Qaeda would continue their jihad to establish a global Islamic caliphate.
And Abu Abdullah al Muhajir, an al Qaeda "representative" who is said to be an American citizen, recently distributed aid to a group of Somalis at a relief camp just south of the capital of Mogadishu. Muhajir said he was distributing the aid on behalf of Ayman al Zawahiri, al Qaeda's new emir and praised slain al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. While Muhajir's real identity is not known, he spoke with a clear American accent.
READER COMMENTS: "Shabaab claims American involved in Mogadishu suicide assault"
Posted by King David at October 30, 2011 3:35 AM ET:
What this guy need is a drone visit becuase he has threatened everybody.For the eyes in the sky,don't you have his biometrics + coordinates now fed into your data banks so your drones can pick him out in Somalia.What are you waiting for?You heard him already declare everyone enemy.What kind of religion is this anyway
Posted by gerry at October 30, 2011 7:43 PM ET:
American? Or Somali who gained US citizenship?
Posted by Eddie D. at October 30, 2011 8:25 PM ET:
I am with you King David. They need to light him up. Any person or so called religion and calling for murder under anyother name is still murder, he should have been taken out of the picture already. And, as far as one of the suicide bombers being American, that is just one sorry ass that we nolonger have to deal with.
Posted by Barry Larking at October 31, 2011 8:14 AM ET:
I agree with gerry 30 October. The minute these people put on the mantel of militant Islam they renounce their rights as citizens or subjects. If they wish to revert then let us help: You are no longer now if you ever were before a national of the country where you were born (and quite likely supported and nurtured). Bu**er off then.


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Sponsored by: Desert Diamond Casino
Oct 18, 2013 2:50 PM by Associated Press
LAKE HAVASU CITY (AP) - A man wanted by police in a fatal stabbing in Lake Havasu City has turned himself in.
Police spokesman Sgt. Troy Stirling says 25-year-old Jonathan Kroll surrendered to authorities just after noon Thursday. He faces a second-degree murder charge in the death of 23-year-old Brandon Bonnett, and an assault charge.
Stirling says police had responded to a report of a stabbing early Thursday morning where the two men had been arguing.
Stirling says a woman at the home also was injured, resulting in the assault charge against Kroll.
1 hour ago


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Even if you missed Microsoft's recent Upload Outreach competition, there's no reason you can't make your way straight to the top of the Xbox One's featured video clips. All you need is a console, a little imagination, and a little help from your friends - that's us, in case you were wondering. We're not talking about Steve. Yeah Steve, you just stay out of this.
No need to thank us - we accept gratitude in the form of money and kudos once you're rich and famous. Onwards to the tips.
1. Think about framing
This is such a simple touch, but barely anyone online gives it a second thought, and I'm talking about professionals just as much as hobbyists. Before you begin recording your introduction or picture-in-picture, take a look at what the camera sees. Are you fully visible and centred in the frame? Is your background neat, uncluttered and dirty laundry-free? If you can, try pre-empt and eliminate any distractions, too. Put it this way; no-one will be paying attention to you if your cat suddenly wanders into shot mid-take.
2. Consider using a headset microphone
The Kinect's microphone isn't exactly broadcast quality, and if you're in a larger room where the acoustics aren't great, there's likely to be a good deal of echo. In the Upload clips we've seen so far, the audio hasn't been brilliant, so if you've got a lot of voiceover to do, you might want to use a chat headset microphone instead of relying on the raw recording power of the Kinect. This goes double if you aren't planning on recording any on-camera sequences.
3. Work out what you want to say before you say it
Regardless of how it appears, no-one online hits record on a Let's Play or a gameplay commentary clip without some idea beforehand of what it is they want to get across. We're not suggesting you write a script, as it'd just come off sounding sound wooden and unnatural, but maybe work out a list of bullet points that you want to cover. You could even prop this list behind your Kinect, to refer to just in case you suddenly get stuck for words.
4. Keep it short, sweet and to the point
Here's the hard truth of online video: you need to hold you audience's attention from the very first frame, or risk losing them entirely. Keep introductions short; no-one's going to wait around until you hit your stride. Have the game paused at where you want to start, have a practice run before you start recording, and if you aren't happy, you can always do another take. Just make sure to get to your point, make it, and move on. If you feel you're starting to waffle, stop. No-one has the time or inclination to hear you umm and ahh and make noise over what you had for breakfast. Filler is killer, so cut it right out.
5. Give people a reason to return - and then tell them to return
Every online video series needs a hook. Think of what your videos can offer that no-one else can - be that ultra-skilled gameplay, knowledgeable and well-researched insight, or just your sparkling wit and personality - and make sure to serve it up every time you hit record. And don't be afraid to tell people why they should come to you before everyone else. YouTubers create custom sign-offs ("like and subscribe!") and end plates for their videos because it tells viewers that if they enjoyed what they saw, they can sign up and expect more of the same.


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This is a syndicated post from On This Rock. [Read the original article...]
No need to be intimidated…just go check out the Mass in Latin when you get the chance…it will enhance your appreciation of Mass in English as well! Jesus: "Be not afraid!"
Tridentine Mass Promo from Two Sense Films on Vimeo.


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Vinothéque's Reserve Series represent a perfect blend of refined technology and artisan workmanship. As a result, our cabinets are sophisticated, self contained wine storage solutions that serve as refined functional extensions to your furniture and decor. Whether you have an empty closet or an unused corner, we have a cabinet to fit your needs. Like our Estate Series, most cabinets in this series come with display racks, LED lights, the platinum series controller. These wine cabinets are made to order, so allow about six weeks to eight for delivery. Whether you're looking for a cellar for your home, restaurant, or hotel, you'll appreciate the aesthetics and functionality of the Reserve Wine Cabinets Series.
The Windsor represents a return to the days when quality and pride in manufacturing were paramount. This beautiful wine cabinet features full-length window doors and mahogany universal racking to hold and display a wide variety of bottle styles. Custom carved corbels adorn the doors and moldings. This cellar features the Advanced QT cooling system and tinted windows with UV protection. This model holds approximately 400 bottles.
Luxor is designed to create the most attractive wine bottle display in any dining area. The Luxor provides an elegant and refined frame for wine bottles with LED lighting on all of its display rows showcasing your collection with power and class. By displaying your wine in the dining area, you offer a visual trigger to encourage your customer to purchase more wine. Vinotheque Cabinets are equipped with UV-protected glass for long-term display and storage of your most precious bottles.
This cabinet provides a creative wine storage solution, maximizing wine storage space while minimizing cabinet footprint and overall space requirements. With three full-length glass bay window doors this wine cabinet will beautifully showcase your collection.
This cabinet provides a creative wine storage solution, maximizing wine storage space while minimizing cabinet footprint and overall space requirements. This unique six door wine cabinet is designed to fit into a corner taking advantage of space that is often not usable. In addition to its excellent wine storage capacity, this cabinet looks great and provides distinct "V-Shaped" display racking behind two center glass doors.
Elegance and affordability come together to create this truly unique full-length window door style. Each cabinet is handcrafted from Cherry wood with glazed distressing offering its own uniqueness.
The Vintage View racking will hold all of the traditional sized bottles as well as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah. The flexible designs create stunning visual displays that incorporate a modern and
forward thinking aesthetic coupled with the benefits of prompt bottle recognition, open airflow and competitive storage.
With a Closet Cabinet from Vinotheque, you can turn your unused closet space into a beautiful wine cellar showpieces. Vinotheque Wine Cabinets are modern and stylish yet uniquely functional. They comes with a state of the art WhisperKOOL cooling system, which is the quietest, efficient cooling unit on the market today.


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| Email | Full Article (TrendHunter.com/id/65335) |
Shwood is a company out of Portland, Oregon that is carving a niche for itself as the go-to place for wooden eye-wear. The Shwood sunglasses come in Maple, East Indian Rosewood and Zebrawood and the lenses are by Carl Zeiss.
With a fair price tag of $95 USD to $115 USD (depending if you spring for the polarized lenses or not), these Shwood sunglasses really capture that down to earth look you have been going for.


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Originally published December 15, 2004 at 12:00 AM | Page modified December 15, 2004 at 7:43 PM
Will Legislature pick governor? It could happen
The court's rejection of the Democratic Party's lawsuit yesterday settled for the moment the legal issues in the governor's race.
Seattle Times chief political reporter
OLYMPIA The state Supreme Court's unanimous rejection of the Democratic Party's recount lawsuit yesterday settled for the moment, at least the legal issues in the contentious governor's election.
But it also raised the prospect of the fight moving back into the political arena, with questions about whether the eventual loser will use a vaguely worded provision in the state constitution to try to force the Legislature to overturn the result.
That, according to one attorney, "is the ultimate nuclear weapon in the process."
Most observers acknowledge that the possibility of giving politicians the final say on who will be the next governor remains slim. But attorneys on both sides have mentioned that possibility in legal briefs and letters. And both sides point the finger the other way, with each party warning that it expects its foes to take the unprecedented step of going to the Legislature if it loses the recount.
The state Supreme Court yesterday made fast work of the lawsuit filed earlier this month by the Democratic Party. Less than 24 hours after hearing arguments, justices issued a unanimous decision, saying the court would not order election officials to reconsider thousands of previously rejected ballots, as Democrats had requested.
The court said state law makes clear that a recount should "retabulate" votes already counted and that county canvassing boards cannot be ordered to look again at ballots thrown out during the first two tallies. The court also said there was no call to mandate a statewide standard for signature checking of absentee and provisional ballots.
"What it says is that you shouldn't change the rules in the middle of the election," Republican candidate Dino Rossi, a former state senator, said yesterday.
Rossi, who led Democrat Christine Gregoire after the Nov. 2 balloting and the machine recount, would not say what he would do if he ended up on the losing end of the current recount. That hand recount is expected to be completed next week.
State Democratic Party Chairman Paul Berendt said in a statement that he was disappointed in the ruling and that the party continues to believe "legitimate ballots were thrown out because of a variety of governmental mistakes."
Mixed signals
There are two scenarios under which the loser in the hand recount could contest the result, meaning a specific challenge to the validity of the election.
There's a process in state law that calls for hearings before a judge if there are allegations of fraud or negligence in the election. After hearing evidence, a judge could rule that the election be "annulled and set aside."
But what's raising eyebrows in the legal and political worlds is the prospect that instead of following that law, the loser might go directly to the Legislature under a provision in the state constitution.
Gregoire would not, spokesman Morton Brilliant said.
"Chris has made it as clear as can be for weeks: Count all the votes, hand-count, and we should live by the results," Brilliant said.
Rossi's camp is less firm.
"Going to the Legislature is not a pretty option and not an option many people want," spokeswoman Mary Lane said. "But if somehow the election results were to be overturned, that would be so unusual we have to reserve all our options."
Most of the attention on the potential for a contested election centers not on state law, but on a much more brief reference in the state constitution.
It's a provision that apparently has never been tested in a race of this magnitude and no one is clear about how it would work.
The constitution gives the Legislature the authority to certify the election of state constitutional officers, including the governor. It says the Legislature has the power to break a tie by a vote of a joint session of the Legislature.
There's not much argument about that.
Less clear is Article III, Section 4 of the constitution, which reads: "Contested elections for such officers shall be decided by the legislature in such manner as shall be determined by law."
Does that refer to the state law that lays out the process for challenging the result before a judge? Or is it a more open invitation to take the dispute directly to lawmakers?
"There are going to be disagreements about that," said Thomas Ahearne, an attorney working as special counsel to Secretary of State Sam Reed.
Democrats say a contested gubernatorial election can be brought directly to the Legislature. No court action is needed, they say. "If there is to be an election contest as to this office, the Constitution requires that it be decided by the Legislature, not the Judiciary, and that would inevitably drag into the early months of next year," Democratic Party attorney David Burman wrote in a letter to the secretary of state Dec. 1.
The timing is important. Today the House is controlled by Democrats, the Senate by Republicans. But Democrats will take control of the Senate on Jan. 11, when new members are sworn in.
That obviously would be a more welcoming place for a Democratic challenge.
Both sides raise the specter of invoking the constitutional challenge as a sort of last resort in the recount as the ugly, inevitable result of the other side's manipulation of the system.
When the letter from Burman to the secretary of state became public, Republican Party Chairman Chris Vance called the reference to using the Legislature to settle the election "ominous."
But David McDonald, the Democratic Party's chief lawyer, said the contested election was raised in the letter because he believes Rossi will try that avenue if he loses the recount, not Gregoire.
"I do not think that we have ever threatened to go to the Legislature if we were behind," McDonald said. "No matter what my lawyers may have said in the letter that someone else tries to misinterpret, I am the one who makes that decision and I have never threatened to do it."
Rossi's chief attorney, Mark Braden, agrees with his Democratic counterparts on one point: Lawmakers have the final say on a contested election.
"Since the Legislature is the body that certifies the election, ultimately they are in the decision-making position on this," he said.
Braden, a Washington, D.C.-based specialist in election law, said contested elections are rare around the country because most candidates concede after a recount.
"When you get into the contest action, to some degree you have to attack the system to be successful," Braden said. "There is some hesitancy to do that. You are without question undermining the faith in the electoral system. It is the ultimate nuclear weapon in the process."
And not one necessarily welcomed by Democratic lawmakers.
Sen. Adam Kline, D-Seattle, an attorney who will be chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said there is a "popular assumption" that Rossi has won the race, in part because of the Republican's careful postelection public-relations strategy.
That, he said, will put Democrats "on very, very thin ice with the public" if lawmakers get involved in determining the outcome.
"I would be very, very careful here," Kline said. "No matter how thoughtful and surgically precise we approached this, if we were seen publicly as trying to steal an election, the ill will we would invite would be worse than four years of Dino Rossi."
David Postman: 360-943-9882 or email@example.com
Exxon Mobil wins ruling in Alaska oil spill case
Longview man says he was tortured with hot knife
Longview man says he was tortured with hot knife
Longview mill spills bleach into Columbia River
More extensive TSA searches in Sea-Tac Airport rattle some travelers
Entertainment | Top Video | World | Offbeat Video | Sci-Tech
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In an earlier post, I commented on how Japanese children at the school where I worked were taught to pitch in with recycling. But I failed to mention a rather strange counterpoint, emblematic of that country's bewildering contradictions: One day a horrific smell wafted over the campus. I went outside to investigate, and discovered that a farmer in the lot adjacent to the school was burning an enormous pile of tires. The wind carried the vile, black smoke all over the school and the playing grounds. I asked a teacher about this and he shrugged. "There is no place to put them," he said.
I've since learned tires can of course be re-molded and re-treaded. But I had no idea how labor- and energy-intensive it was until I saw this video. Those of you who are into molding will enjoy seeing how the mold comes apart/together around 3:15. I also dug watching how they remove the flashing, and that inflatable thingy that serves as the mold's core:
The amount of man-hours that goes into each tire, not to mention the one-hour-plus molding time, is staggering. But what I found most surprising was that despite all of that energy burned, re-molding is still 30 to 60% cheaper than creating the tire from scratch.


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Out of the Shadows
Announcing the reprinted King's Landing expansion cycle for A Game of Thrones |
A Game of Thrones LCG | Published 18 August 2011 |
Some lies you have to tell. Lies had been all that kept her alive in King's Landing.
–A Feast for Crows, George. R. R. Martin
Fantasy Flight Games is thrilled to announce the upcoming reprint of the King's Landing expansion cycle for A Game of Thrones: The Card Game! The heart of the Seven Kingdoms and home to the Iron Throne is a city of lies, deceit, and treachery. However, King's Landing dictates the future of Westeros. The great Houses hide their secrets in shadows...waiting to strike and take control.
Updated to the new 60 card format
The reprint of the King's Landing expansion cycle has been updated to the 60-card format (3 copies each of 20 unique cards). The included cards are updated with rules text based on the most recent FAQ and Errata. This cycle features a feast of fan-favorite cards such as Tyrion Lannister, Condemned by the Council, Robert Baratheon, The Red Keep, Aegon's Legacy, and Rhaenys's Hill. The reprint of the King's Landing expansion cycle is a welcome addition to any player, new or veteran, looking to expand their collection or interested in Shadows-centered deck-building.
This expansion cycle features the intrigues and secrets of the capitol city of Westeros. Known for introducing the "Shadows" mechanic, King's Landing also includes "City" Plot cards in each of its Chapter Packs that build off each other; most of these "City" Plot cards become more powerful the more "City" Plot cards a player possesses...and the deeper into the city he goes.
For more information about the "Shadows" mechanic, download the Shadows rules from the A Game of Thrones: The Card Game support page now.
The intrigues and betrayals of King's Landing returns to A Game of Thrones: The Card Game in the fourth quarter of 2011!
Based on George R.R. Martin's bestselling fantasy epic A Song of Ice and Fire, A Game of Thrones: The Card Game, playable by 2-4 players, brings the beloved heroes, villains, locations, and events of the world of Westeros to life through innovative game mechanics and the highly strategic game play. The Living Card Game format allows players to customize their gaming experience with monthly Chapter Pack expansions to the core game.
glad i waited on purchasing any from this cycle so far
dang, this cycle I bought two of every pack. Bring back Clash of Arms cycle.
Effin' finally!


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Bible in Basic English (BBE) | New International Version (NIV) |
1 Go in flight out of Jerusalem, so that you may be safe, you children of Benjamin, and let the horn be sounded in Tekoa, and the flag be lifted up on Beth-haccherem: for evil is looking out from the north, and a great destruction. | 1 "Flee for safety, people of Benjamin! Flee from Jerusalem! Sound the trumpet in Tekoa! Raise the signal over Beth Hakkerem! For disaster looms out of the north, even terrible destruction. |
2 The fair and delicate one, the daughter of Zion, will be cut off by my hand. | 2 I will destroy the Daughter of Zion, so beautiful and delicate. |
3 Keepers of sheep with their flocks will come to her; they will put up their tents round her; everyone will get food in his place. | 3 Shepherds with their flocks will come against her; they will pitch their tents around her, each tending his own portion." |
4 Make war ready against her; up! let us go up when the sun is high. Sorrow is ours! for the day is turned and the shades of evening are stretched out. | 4 "Prepare for battle against her! Arise, let us attack at noon! But, alas, the daylight is fading, and the shadows of evening grow long. |
5 Up! let us go up by night, and send destruction on her great houses. | 5 So arise, let us attack at night and destroy her fortresses!" |
6 For this is what the Lord of armies has said: Let trees be cut down and an earthwork be placed against Jerusalem: sorrow on the false town! inside her there is nothing but cruel ways. | 6 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Cut down the trees and build siege ramps against Jerusalem. This city must be punished; it is filled with oppression. |
7 As the spring keeps its waters cold, so she keeps her evil in her: the sound of cruel and violent behaviour is in her; before me at all times are disease and wounds. | 7 As a well pours out its water, so she pours out her wickedness. Violence and destruction resound in her; her sickness and wounds are ever before me. |
8 Undergo teaching, O Jerusalem, or my soul will be turned away from you, and I will make you a waste, an unpeopled land. | 8 Take warning, O Jerusalem, or I will turn away from you and make your land desolate so no one can live in it." |
9 This is what the Lord of armies has said: Everything will be taken from the rest of Israel as the last grapes are taken from the vine; let your hand be turned to the small branches, like one pulling off grapes. | 9 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Let them glean the remnant of Israel as thoroughly as a vine; pass your hand over the branches again, like one gathering grapes." |
10 To whom am I to give word, witnessing so that they may take note? see, their ears are stopped, and they are not able to give attention: see, the word of the Lord has been a cause of shame to them, they have no delight in it. | 10 To whom can I speak and give warning? Who will listen to me? Their ears are closed so they cannot hear. The word of the LORD is offensive to them; they find no pleasure in it. |
11 For this reason I am full of the wrath of the Lord, I am tired of keeping it in: may it be let loose on the children in the street, and on the band of the young men together: for even the husband with his wife will be taken, the old man with him who is full of days. | 11 But I am full of the wrath of the LORD, and I cannot hold it in. "Pour it out on the children in the street and on the young men gathered together; both husband and wife will be caught in it, and the old, those weighed down with years. |
12 And their houses will be handed over to others, their fields and their wives together: for my hand will be stretched out against the people of the land, says the Lord. | 12 Their houses will be turned over to others, together with their fields and their wives, when I stretch out my hand against those who live in the land," declares the LORD. |
13 For from the least of them even to the greatest, everyone is given up to getting money; from the prophet even to the priest, everyone is working deceit. | 13 "From the least to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; prophets and priests alike, all practice deceit. |
14 And they have made little of the wounds of my people, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace. | 14 They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. 'Peace, peace,' they say, when there is no peace. |
15 Let them be put to shame because they have done disgusting things. They had no shame, they were not able to become red with shame: so they will come down with those who are falling: when my punishment comes on them, they will be made low, says the Lord. | 15 Are they ashamed of their loathsome conduct? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush. So they will fall among the fallen; they will be brought down when I punish them," says the LORD. |
16 This is what the Lord has said: Take your place looking out on the ways; make search for the old roads, saying, Where is the good way? and go in it that you may have rest for your souls. But they said, We will not go in it. | 16 This is what the LORD says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, 'We will not walk in it.' |
17 And I put watchmen over you, saying, Give attention to the sound of the horn; but they said, We will not give attention. | 17 I appointed watchmen over you and said, 'Listen to the sound of the trumpet!' But you said, 'We will not listen.' |
18 So then, give ear, you nations, and ... | 18 Therefore hear, O nations; observe, O witnesses, what will happen to them. |
19 Give ear, O earth: see, I will make evil come on this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not given attention to my words, and they would have nothing to do with my law. | 19 Hear, O earth: I am bringing disaster on this people, the fruit of their schemes, because they have not listened to my words and have rejected my law. |
20 To what purpose does sweet perfume come to me from Sheba, and spices from a far country? your burned offerings give me no pleasure, your offerings of beasts are not pleasing to me. | 20 What do I care about incense from Sheba or sweet calamus from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable; your sacrifices do not please me." |
21 For this reason the Lord has said, See, I will put stones in the way of this people: and the fathers and the sons together will go falling over them; the neighbour and his friend will come to destruction. | 21 Therefore this is what the LORD says: "I will put obstacles before this people. Fathers and sons alike will stumble over them; neighbors and friends will perish." |
22 The Lord has said, See, a people is coming from the north country, a great nation will be put in motion from the inmost parts of the earth. | 22 This is what the LORD says: "Look, an army is coming from the land of the north; a great nation is being stirred up from the ends of the earth. |
23 Bows and spears are in their hands; they are cruel and have no mercy; their voice is like the thunder of the sea, and they go on horses; everyone in his place like men going to the fight, against you, O daughter of Zion. | 23 They are armed with bow and spear; they are cruel and show no mercy. They sound like the roaring sea as they ride on their horses; they come like men in battle formation to attack you, O Daughter of Zion." |
24 The news of it has come to our ears; our hands have become feeble: trouble has come on us and pain, like the pain of a woman in childbirth. | 24 We have heard reports about them, and our hands hang limp. Anguish has gripped us, pain like that of a woman in labor. |
25 Go not out into the field or by the way; for there is the sword of the attacker, and fear on every side. | 25 Do not go out to the fields or walk on the roads, for the enemy has a sword, and there is terror on every side. |
26 O daughter of my people, put on haircloth, rolling yourself in the dust: give yourself to sorrow, as for an only son, with most bitter cries of grief; for he who makes waste will come on us suddenly. | 26 O my people, put on sackcloth and roll in ashes; mourn with bitter wailing as for an only son, for suddenly the destroyer will come upon us. |
27 I have made you a tester among my people, so that you may have knowledge of their way and put it to the test. | 27 "I have made you a tester of metals and my people the ore, that you may observe and test their ways. |
28 All of them are turned away, going about with false stories; they are brass and iron: they are all workers of deceit. | 28 They are all hardened rebels, going about to slander. They are bronze and iron; they all act corruptly. |
29 The blower is blowing strongly, the lead is burned away in the fire: they go on heating the metal to no purpose, for the evil-doers are not taken away. | 29 The bellows blow fiercely to burn away the lead with fire, but the refining goes on in vain; the wicked are not purged out. |
30 They will be named waste silver, because the Lord has given them up. | 30 They are called rejected silver, because the LORD has rejected them." |
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain. (The Bible in Basic English Version Online) | Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online) |


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A journey of 2,000 miles begins with a single step
July 2009
By Teresa K. Weaver
After a year of talking the talk, Loyal Mehnert has devoted himself to walking the walk – literally.
He's about 700 miles into a 2,175-mile hike of the Appalachian Trail, part of an extreme fundraising adventure for Habitat for Humanity of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Follow Loyal Mehnert's trek online |
"Most of the time I'm by myself," Mehnert said of his journey so far. "I run into other hikers, but 99 percent of the time, it's just me and bugs and the occasional bear."
Mehnert, who lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, spent 2007 as the national media spokesperson for Thrivent Builds With Habitat for Humanity. He traveled across the United States, encouraging people at every stop to get involved and make a difference in their communities and in the world beyond.
"I had an epiphany about halfway through the year," Mehnert said. "I was really getting people enthusiastic about volunteering, but I hadn't really volunteered myself yet. I thought I was being a bit of a hypocrite."
As soon as his contract ended in the fall of 2007, Mehnert headed to Biloxi, Mississippi, and signed up as a volunteer with the Habitat for Humanity of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
"That's when I really saw how volunteering is so important," he said. "And there's so much work yet to be completed down there."
Mehnert made another trip down to Biloxi last year to help build houses, but this year he has stepped up his contributions of time and energy. In the spring, he set out to hike the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. For each mile hiked, Mehnert is asking for base donations of a penny. Assuming he completes all 2,175 miles of the trek, that's a donation of $21.75.
Last week, Mehnert had to take a break from the trail, but for a good reason: He was among 30 people honored as "All-Stars Among Us" at Major League Baseball's All-Star Game in St. Louis, Missouri. Mehnert was nominated for the honor by his girlfriend, and got the call that he was one of 90 finalists somewhere on the trail in Virginia.
After more than a million people voted, Mehnert was chosen to represent the Milwaukee Brewers at the All-Star Game, where all five living U.S. presidents – Obama, Clinton, both Bushes and Carter – paid tribute via video to the 30 honorees and to the spirit of volunteerism.
"It was an incredible experience," Mehnert said.
To make a contribution, visit the Web site of Habitat for Humanity of the Mississippi Gulf Coast: http://www.hfhmgc.org |
Mehnert, 32, graduated from film school at Columbia University and spent the past 10 years in the field of public relations and marketing. For the past couple of years, he has been developing "The Everyday Journeyman," an adventure blog that he hopes to eventually turn into a TV show for a cable network.
A typical post: "Woke up to a 6-inch long beetle chewing on my leg!"
His first "Everyday Journeyman" trek was a 4,200-mile pledge drive from London to the West African coast. He raised about $4,000 for infrastructure improvements in the Republic of Gambia.
Having taken the All-Star break, Mehnert plans to return to the Appalachian Trail at the end of this month, resuming his quest to raise money and public awareness for the Mississippi Gulf Coast affiliate's continuing work to rebuild after Katrina. On a pace of about 17 miles a day, he hopes to reach the end of the trail in October.
And he's already planning his next adventures – a little mountaineering, maybe a long-distance bike ride.
"It's an ongoing process," Mehnert said. " 'The Everyday Journeyman' is really about getting everyone – people of all ages and backgrounds – interested in making positive differences in the world.
"I think so many people are nervous about taking that first step," he said. "I just want to get the message out about what people can do."
Teresa K. Weaver is a senior writer/editor at Habitat for Humanity International, based in Atlanta.


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Kingdom Hearts: 3D new details, screenshots
By Khalil Daou on January 31, 2011
Name revealed, its "Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance", and much more info.
Japanese gaming website Famitsu.com has published a recent interview with producer Tetsuya Nomura covering some solid information regarding Kingdom Hearts 3D.
Ahh… well, apparently it's not "Kingdom Hearts 3D", fans should know that Nomura has clarified the game's official name, it's actually called "Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance".
Anyway, here is the summarized information list Nomura revealed: (thanks, GoNintendo)
- The official title is "Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance", without the need to say '3D' in the title.
- Wants the player to experience dynamic form changes
- Wall-jumping doesn't work so well right now, but they're working to fix that.
- The sudden character changes were included to surprise the player, and keep us on our toes.
- Sora and Riku will visit the same worlds, but they do so in different orders.
- It's rare that they are in the same place at the same time.
- Both characters have different actions, and different control methods.
- This is related to a new system that has yet to be announced.
- Changes are likened to Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories, where Sora's card deck could be .
- freely set while Riku used a preset deck.
- The image above was made with Disney anime packaging in mind.
- Nomura is considering changing Sora and Riku's clothing.
- This change would be made in order to convey that this is a new title, and not a remake.
- The pair have to appear in their original Kingdom Hearts clothing as well, but Nomura .
- says they could start the game in this clothing, and then change later on.
Famitsu further provided some spectacular looking screenshots, have a look below:
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Dol Guldur
this wiki
Dol Guldur, also known as the Hill of Dark Sorcery, was Sauron's stronghold and base of operations when he worked his sorcery in the wood under the name of The Necromancer. It was located in the south of Mirkwood for over twelve-hundred years in the Third Age. Some believe that before Sauron returned to the fortress a rare species of creature called the Mewlips took up residence in its cellars and underground passages. [Source?]
Dol Guldur was established by Sauron after his return to Middle-earth sometime after TA 1000. Sauron became known as the Necromancer, and his identity was long kept secret. Dol Guldur was built on the hill known as Amon Lanc (meaning "bald hill"), and had been the capital of Oropher's Silvan realm. The Silvan Elves had fled north to the Black Mountains (later the Mountains of Mirkwood) after Sauron's return from the Downfall of Númenor. Later, after Sauron captured Amon Lanc, Thranduil, son of Oropher, led his people over the Forest River, where they remained. Sauron later remained there for hundreds of years.
The Fortress of the NecromancerEdit
The White Council long feared the power in Dol Guldur might be Sauron, but Saruman opposed assaulting it. He suspected that the Necromancer was Sauron, but he wanted to wait for him to grow in power until the One Ring revealed itself to him, so Saruman could then take it for himself. However, Gandalf later went to Dol Guldur himself and discovered that the Necromancer was indeed Sauron. He then informed the White Council, and Saruman was unable to protest. The White Council attacked Dol Guldur, and Sauron, not yet powerful enough to challenge them, fled to Mordor.
Sauron continued to increase his power over the next 100 years and search for the Ring.
Sauron DiscoveredEdit
In TA 2845 Thráin II, holder of the last of the Seven Rings of the Dwarves, was imprisoned in Dol Guldur's dungeons. In TA 2850 Gandalf again entered Dol Guldur, and found the dying Thráin. Gandalf was entrusted with the map and key to give to Thorin Oakenshield, Thráin's son, although Thráin could not tell Gandalf his own name or the name of his son before he died. Gandalf confirmed Sauron was the master of Dol Guldur at that time.
Sauron Flees to MordorEdit
Gandalf returned to the White Council and urged an attack on Dol Guldur, but was overruled by Saruman, who had by then begun searching for the One Ring in that area. In TA 2941 Saruman finally agreed to an attack, which occurred at the same time as the Quest for Erebor. This was carefully planned by Gandalf, so that Sauron and Smaug could not assist each other, as otherwise they surely would have done. The White Council attacked Dol Guldur, and drove out Sauron. Sauron fled to Mordor, his plans nearly ready. In TA 2951, Sauron declared himself openly and sent three Nazgûl led by Khamûl to reoccupy Dol Guldur.
Dol Guldur DestroyedEdit
During the War of the Ring, the forces of Dol Guldur were led by Khamûl, the Ringwraith second in command to the Witch-King of Angmar. He and his armies made three assaults upon Lórien and Thranduil's realm in Mirkwood, causing grievous damage to the outlying woodlands, but they were driven back each time by the power of Nenya, Galadriel's Ring of Power, which only Sauron himself could have overcome. The elves, led by Thranduil of Mirkwood and Galadriel of Lórien led an assault on Dol Guldur and Galadriel herself threw down its walls, and laid its pits bare. Absolutely nothing of the fortress that had stood for 2,019 years was left. Renamed back to Amon Lanc, it became the capital of Celeborn's realm of East Lórien in the Fourth Age, while he remained in Middle-earth.[1][2][3]
Dol Guldur was a Sindarin word that means "Hill of Dark Sorcery", from dol ("hill") and guldur ("dark sorcery"). It was previously known as Amon Lanc, the "Bald Hill", from amon ("hill") and lanc ("bald").
Portrayal in adaptationsEdit
The Hobbit film trilogyEdit
Dol Guldur is briefly seen in Peter Jackson's first Hobbit film, depicted as a huge, decaying castle set on top of a hill. In a scene unique to the film, Radagast the Brown enters the fortress to investigate the evil force within. He briefly battles the Witch-king of Angmar (or his summoned shade) before seeing the Necromancer, and flees to tell Gandalf what he saw.
In the second Hobbit film, after leaving Bilbo and the party of Dwarves to make their own way through Mirkwood, Gandalf seeks the tombs of nine servants of Sauron in the High Fells of Rhudaur who were the bearers of the nine rings of power given to men. The tombs of the Nine Ringwraiths were opened showing their summoning from the dead. After this discovery Gandalf convenes with Radagast in the High Fells, both he and Radagast then travel to Dol Guldur to investigate further and confront the evil which dwelt there. Gandalf performs revealing spells that remove the illusion displaying the castle as abandoned and ruined. In the extended edition, Gandalf finds Thrain there and helps him to escape. Gandalf and Thrain are then attacked by Azog who reveals his hordes of Orcs and Wargs inside the castle preparing for war. Gandalf uses his magic to escape Azog, but the Necromancer manifests at Dol Guldur's exit. The Necromancer sucks Thrain in and kills him. The two then start a battle of light and shadow until The Necromancer defeats Gandalf, destroys his staff, and then reveals himself as the Dark Lord Sauron. Gandalf is later seen trapped in one of the cages of the castle watching the vast hordes of Sauron's armies leaving Dol Guldur.
In the third Hobbit film, Galadriel, Elrond and Saruman are seen gathering at Dol Guldur to face Sauron and all of the nine Ringwraiths.
Galadriel keeps her promise made to Gandalf in An Unexpected Journey and goes to his aid in Dol Guldur. She interrupts an orc who is just about to kill Gandalf, using her magic to blast him away. She then carries the unconscious Gandalf to safety, but as she does Sauron summons the Nazgul. Galadriel is horrified by the sight of them, and Sauron taunts her for being alone, but Galadriel replies she is not alone.
Elrond arrives on the scene and draws his sword. Saruman then arrives and sees the Nazgul with his own eyes, realizing he was wrong to doubt Gandalf's claims. Elrond strikes first and defeats a few of them, and Saruman enters the fray. While the two of them are locked in a fierce battle with the Nazgul, Galadriel heals Gandalf witha kiss. When he comes to, he and Galadriel acknowledge that Sauron has returned. Radagast then arrives in Dol Guldur to take Gandalf to safety, but he is hesitant to leave Galadriel's side. Galadriel suddenly enters a trance and forcefully commands Radagast to take Gandalf away.
When Sauron manifests before them, Galadriel takes on a terrifying and corrupted image and challenges him. Sauron attempts to sway her to his side, but she denies him. While the two battle each other in minds and words, Galadriel's power overrules Sauron. Eventually by her efforts Sauron is banished from Dol Guldur, with his spirit fleeing from the wrath of the Elf Queen. Elrond escorts Galadriel to safety after her struggle with Sauron on orders from Saruman while he deals with Sauron.
Video gamesEdit
In Battle for Middle-earth II, Dol Guldur was commanded by the Mouth of Sauron, not Khamûl the Ringwraith. Dol Guldur (or Mordor itself) sent a huge army of Orcs, Haradrim, and Trolls to assault the Lonely Mountain and greatest Kingdom of the Dwarves. The attack fails, and the Mouth of Sauron is killed along with all the attacking force. Dol Guldur is then itself attacked by a combined army of Elves and Dwarves led by Elrond, Arwen, Glorfindel, Gloin, Thranduil and Dain Ironfoot. After a long and hard struggle, the Elves and Dwarves finally overrun Dol Guldur and lay waste to the evil that dwelt there, ending Sauron's war campaign in the North once and for all (unless Sauron had seized the Ring, which never happened).
In this game, Dol Guldur has numerous turrets and can summon dark creatures to their aid, creatures that were probably unlikely to appear in the battle according to Tolkien's mythology. The Watcher in the Water appears numerous times, and the Goblin/Isengard dragon occasionally appears. The Balrog itself is also summoned as a final obstacle. It is assumed that they were added to intensify the level.
It is presumed that, following the destruction of Dol Guldur, it would have been returned to its former state as Amon Lanc and taken as East Lorien, just like it had happened in the story line.
Places of Middle-earth and Arda
Middle-earth Locations:
Provinces/Regions: Dunland | Ithilien | Rohan | Arnor | Ettenmoors | Gondor | Lindon | Minhiriath | Rhûn | The Shire | Mordor | Harad | Forochel Forests & Mountains: Amon Dîn | Amon Hen | Amon Lhaw | Emyn Muil | Erebor | Fangorn Forest | High Pass | Iron Hills | Lórien | Mirkwood | Mount Doom | Old Forest | Redhorn Pass | Tower Hills | Weather Hills City/Fortifications: Angband | Barad-dûr | Bree | Caras Galadhon | Dol Guldur | Fornost | Helm's Deep | Isengard | Minas Morgul | Minas Tirith | Osgiliath | Rivendell | Umbar | Utumno Miscellaneous: Cair Andros | Gap of Rohan | Grey Havens | Buckland | Enedwaith | Dagorlad | Dead Marshes | Fords of Isen | Weathertop | Argonath The rest of Arda:
Valinor | Númenor | Dark Land | Aman | Tol Eressëa |
- ↑ The Atlas of Middle-earth, Regional Maps, "Eriador"
- ↑ The Atlas of Middle-earth, Regional Maps, "The Misty Mountains"
- ↑ The Atlas of Middle-earth, The Lord of the Rings, "Battles in the North"


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Casares, Spain Health Spas & Retreats - DDG Retreat is located within a territory of over 4 hectares of land surrounded by tropical gardens and plants. DDG Retreat consists of 5 designer Bungalows. Each propery enjoys breath taking views and private territory,some with private plunge pools


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A Stranger Pulled an Old Man From a Burning House . . . Then Vanished
On Saturday, a house caught fire in Fresno, California, and a woman on the sidewalk started screaming that her elderly father was still inside, hooked up to his OXYGEN tank.
On Saturday, a house caught fire in Fresno, California, and a woman on the sidewalk started screaming that her elderly father was still inside, hooked up to his OXYGEN tank.
A home on Grand Rapids' northeast side has been destroyed in an explosion.
Sounds like something from a disaster movie, but this actually happened! Unbelievable!
Fifth Third Ballpark suffered a major fire on Friday, with more than $500,000 in damage apparently caused by a space heater.
Since the fire, the Whitecaps have made one thing clear: they will be back and ready to play this spring.
The West Michigan Whitecaps' ownership expects to rebuild Fifth Third Ballpark in the wake of a Friday blaze that damaged the Comstock Park facility.
A space heater started a small blaze Friday morning at the ballpark, but workers believed they had put it out. They returned to find the space in flames, Plainfield Township Fire Chief David Peterson said.
Fifth Third Ballpark is the home of the Midwest League Class A professional baseball team. It is slated to host the 50th Midwest League All-Star Game on June 17, 2014.
Team officials expect the Whitecaps to play the 2014 season, host the all-star game and rebuild the ballpark.
There is rain in the forecast, but it may not be enough to stop the high risk of fire across Michigan over Labor Day weekend.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says the western half of the Upper Peninsula and the central counties of northern Lower Michigan face the highest risk this weekend.
Justin Verlander took practical joking to a whole new level at yesterday's game when he lit Don Kelly on fire in the Tigers' dugout.
Garden Street is blocked today between Division and Jefferson Avenues as Grand Rapids firefighters continue to monitor the Kindel Furniture building destroyed by fire.
Around lunchtime on Monday ... the Kindel Furniture building caught fire and bur


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More Insights
We are a proud nation of more than 1.2 billion people but we have only 36 million people who pay income tax which is about 3 percent of the population. Nowhere else in the world is this number so low as a percentage of the taxpaying population. If we want a democratic government which delivers then the coffers of the government need to be filled by taxpaying citizens.
It is estimated that at least fifty percent of the population will be eligible to pay taxes in India. To overcome tax evasion the government has aggressively focused on indirect taxes – the most prominent being service tax. Even a cobbler and barber are expected to pay service tax.Digital identity will be the key to increase the tax paying population of India. In this direction, there are various initiatives which the government has started which in a few years will give enough data to collect tax revenue from these citizens.
The first and most important is the use of Financial Inclusion for the poor by providing bank accounts for receiving government subsidies. Government recognizes that even those who are not eligible are registering for these schemes but once the data is collected the government will start purging and draw those not eligible into the tax next and will punish citizens who misuse these facilities.
The second step has been the insistence on e-filing of tax returns with the income tax department for any income of more than Rs 5 lakhs. This again gives the tax department a huge amount of digital data to enforce tax collection at a later date.
The third and most important is Aadhar (UIDAI) which will enforce a digital identity for citizens and has been linked to government handouts and other economic support. This single card has enough digital footprint to slowly curb benami (holding of property and other financial instruments in secondary identities) and reduce underground economic activity over a period of time because it collects biometric information from all participants.
The digital collection of citizen data should be accelerated and also their holdings or land, property and other immovable and movable properties need to be brought into the digital records to curb the menace of black money.
Digital money in mobile and plastic cards being introduced by the government will also ease the flow of cash in the system so as to reduce the flow of cash in the India economy which will be a major boost to curbing the menace of black money.
Digital records of land transactions and sale and purchase of real estate and other immovable properties will also help the government to target citizens who do not pay taxes. Also digital records of people who buy vehicles and luxury equipment is being collected by the government since all these transactions are taxable. The government can use data analytic tools to easily find those who may be eligible to pay tax to the government.
The future of this country lies in increasing the taxpaying population from 3 percent to at least 30 percent -- a 10 fold increase will result in a significant increase in tax revenue which is easily doable with digital technology. Only then will the government have enough money for its noble schemes for social justice like financial inclusion, basic work and food for all and building of infrastructure.
Coupled with this, the tax department must open collection centers at each district headquarters and appoint collection agents at a taluka level to identify taxable opportunities at ground level and make it a level playing field for all citizens of India.
It is high time that Indians who are some of the best ICT professionals in the world lead this effort of digitizing the country and make this country a economic powerhouse by using digital identification of citizens for economic transformation.
- LS Subramanian is a cloud evangelist who believes "The Future of Computing is the Cloud", he is the founder president of NISE. The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author


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UNITED STATES/AMERICAS-Brazil Economic Issues 3 Aug 11
Released on 2012-10-10 17:00 GMT
Email-ID | 2662773 |
Date | 2011-08-05 12:31:08 |
From | firstname.lastname@example.com |
To | email@example.com |
For assistance with multimedia elements, contact OSC at 1-800-205-8615 or
email@example.com. - Brazil -- OSC Summary
Thursday August 4, 2011 08:38:16 GMT
Citing Agencia Brasil, Brasilia Correio Braziliense reports that Finance
Minister Guido Mantega tried to downplay the news that Chinese credit
rating agency Dagong had downgraded the US economy. Mantega says this
would not properly be a downgrading because, from a financial standpoint,
the US situation remains solid. Mantega says, "They should be careful
because China is the leading creditor of the United States. They are
downgrading the very bonds they have in their possession." In his opinion,
the current issue in the United States is one that is more political than
economic. One day after the US Senate passed a bill raising the US debt
ceiling, Mantega again voiced concern about the crisis which, in his
opinion, is not over. He says the US economic performance has been
somewhat lower than expected and notes that passage of the bill raising
the debt ceiling is not enough because it does not solve the debt issue.
In his opinion, there will be no default, but asserts that the US
Government is in no position to promote economic growth. He says, "We
should expect this situation to linger on for a few years. The scenario
for both the United States and the EU is that recovery will take time and
thus the situation will harm the entire world." (Brasilia Correio
Braziliense Online in Portuguese -- Website of pro-government daily
generally differs from printed version, which is available on site to
subscribers; URL:
http://www.correiobraziliense.com.br/ http://www.correiobraziliense.com.br
) Economist Says US Fiscal Debate 'Legitimate,' 'Essential'
- In an op-ed piece titled "Agree ment on the Brink," Ilan Goldfajn -
chief economist of Itau Unibanco - says in Sao Paulo O Estado de S. Paulo
on 2 August that US President Barack Obama and Republican lawmakers
reached an agreement on the brink of the abyss. He says that the
prevailing belief is that all that was unnecessary and prompted by insane
party politics. He points out that, "exaggerations and dramatic outcomes
aside, I do not share the above belief. The US fiscal debate is legitimate
and essential." He says that no one should be surprised at the lack of
consensus on deep spending cuts or on reestablishment of taxes after the
most serious international financial crisis in an economy that still has a
record unemployment rate. He notes, however, that the large debt should be
put on a sustainable course. He draws a difference between the Greek case,
whose creditors no longer want to reschedule its debt; and the United
States, which has no problems in rescheduling its debt. Goldfa jn says
that Brazil should learn two lessons from the US situation: First, it is
important to take note of the change of course in the global economy
because mature economies will no longer have their usual dynamics in the
future; and second, Brazil has its own fiscal debate, which requires
attention to avoid unwelcome adjustments. He goes on to say that the debt
used to be the main economic issue, but that today it has been replaced by
the fiscal adjustments that are necessary to lower interest rates, to
reduce the appreciation of the real, and to promote investments in the
public and private sectors, which are necessary for achieving development
in the future. Goldfajn concludes by saying that the United States imposed
on itself the timing for the fiscal crisis, which is perhaps better than
having to do this under pressure from its creditors. (Sao Paulo O Estad o
de S. Paulo digital in Portuguese -- Website of conservative, influential
daily, critical of the government; URL:
http://www.estadao.com.br/ http://www.estadao.com.br )
Reactions to Bigger Brazil Plan Rousseff announces Bigger Brazil Plan
(Correio Braziliense, 3 Aug) Pimentel Says Real Became a Strong Currency,
To Remain Appreciated For Long Period
-- O Estado de S. Paulo reports that Development, Industry, and Foreign
Trade Minister Fernando Pimentel said that an appreciated real is here to
stay and thus Brazilian companies must get used to this new situation.
Pimentel made these remarks to foreign correspondents in Sao Paulo.
Pimentel says, "The real exchange rate will not change in the short term
and we will have a strong currency for a long period of time. Brazil has
joined the group of countries having strong currencies and balanced fiscal
accounts." He considers this to be an "inescapable" reality because the
country's economic conditions are very good and thus it has received
capital assets from all over the world both for financ ial and long-term
investment operations. He reiterates that Brazil has a trade surplus and a
well-balanced fiscal situation. He goes on to say that the government does
not want the real to be depreciated too much. He says he does not expect
the real to be worth $1, but it will not be worth one-third of a dollar
either. He notes that recent indicators about industrial production were
"very poor" and caused deep concern within the administration. He rejects
claims that provisions about government procurement in the Bigger Brazil
Plan entail protectionism. Industrial Plan Seen Treating Symptom, Not
-- In an article published in Sao Paulo Folha de Sao Paulo, journalist
Claudio Angelo notes that Science and Technology Minister Aloizio
Mercadante used to say that Brazil needs a "Sputnik," a robust plan for
technological innovation to overcome the international crisis and to boost
its industry. He goes on to say that the new industrial polic y is far
from that and that adds that it is designed to deal with one symptom; the
obsolescence of Brazilian industries in their competition with China, but
it has taken a timid approach to the disease; that is, lack of investments
in research. He points out that the very decision to separate the
industrial policy from the science and technology policy reflects the
administration's failure to address the problem in a comprehensive way.
Those sectors that have received the largest benefits in terms of tax
breaks are from the 19 th century (footwear, textiles, and furniture),
which generate many jobs, but which produce little added value. He says
the plan will help companies in competing with China, but it does not
innovate. (Sao Paulo Folha de Sao Paulo Online in Portuguese - Website of
generally critical of the government, top-circulation newspaper; URL:
http:www1.folha.uol.com.br/fsp) Business Leaders Want Bigger Brazil Plan
Benefits Extended to Other Sectors --
Citing Agencia Brasil, Brasilia Correio Braziliense reports that
businessmen attending the Fourth Brazilian Congress on Industrial
Innovation in Sao Paulo on 3 August said that, although the Bigger Brazil
Plan is positive, the industrial policy it formulates cannot be regarded
as the one Brazil needs. Frederico Fleury Curado, director-president of
Embraer (Brazilian Aeronautics Company), says the plan is "like a
half-filled glass, neither too good nor too bad." He believes the federal
government should expand the measures included in the plan if it really
wants to support the Brazilian industry. Luiz Fernando Fu rlan,
co-chairman of Brasil Foods and former minister under the Lula
administration, also believes that the plan should be expanded to benefit
other sectors. The plan does not provide benefits to the food sector.
Anfavea Says Industrial Plan Measures 'Extremely Positive'
-- Brasilia Agencia Brasil reports that the National Association of
Automoti ve Vehicles Manufacturers (Anfavea) characterized as "extremely
positive" the measures announced on 2 August by the federal government to
improve the competitiveness of the Brazilian industry. In a statement,
Anfavea underscored the decision to extend the Investment Maintenance
Program (PSI) of the National Bank for Economic and Social Development
(BNDES) until 2012. PSI provides credit lines amounting to 75 billion
reals, R, for purchase of machinery, equipment, trucks, and tractors.
Anfavea also emphasizes the extension for another 12-month period of a cut
on the Tax on Industrial Products (IPI). Anfavea considers the tax
incentives to sectors making investments to be "correct." Anfavea notes,
however, that it has yet to assess the overall impact the above measures
will have on the economy. (Brasilia Agencia Brasil WWW-Text in Portuguese
-- Government-owned news agency. URL: as of filing date:
http://www.agenciabrasil.gov.br/ http://www.age nciabrasil.gov.br/ )
Businessmen Term Industrial Plan Measures 'Too Little'
-- Folha de Sao Paulo reports that leaders of the industrial sector regard
the industrial package released on 2 August as positive, but consider it
to be too little. Robson Braga, president of the National Confederation of
Industry (CNI), says the industrial sector is today more concerned about
the appreciation of the real and the high interest rates and tax burden.
Paulo Skaf, president of the Sao Paulo State Federation of Industries
(FIESP), says he was expecting an expansion of the ceiling for joining
Simples. He says, "If this is the end of the story, it is too little." Not
everyone was happy about the measure to grant tax breaks on company
payrolls in exchange for making contributions based on their sales.
Commentator Regards Industrial Plan as Rousseff's First Real Action
-- In an op-ed titled "Dilma Moves," Fernando Rodrigues says in Folha de
Sao Paulo that the package of benefits for a segment of the industrial
sector released on 2 August has been President Dilma Rousseff's first
concrete action in the industrial area. He says, "It was about time. Her
administration just entered its eighth month in office." Whether the
industrial will be successful is altogether different matter. After
reviewing a long history of setbacks in granting incentives for national
production in Brazil, Rodrigues believes that the Bigger Brazil Plan will
not catapult the country to the top among developed countries. He says
that the president herself decided the guidelines of the package. He
concludes by saying that, "If the plan succeeds, she will be covered in
glory. If it fails, she will not have anyone she could blame."
The following media outlets were scanned and no file worthy item was
(Rio de Janeiro O Globo Online in Portuguese -- Website of Rio de
Janeiro's top circulation daily, part of the Globo media conglomerate;
http://oglobo.globo.com http://oglobo.globo.com )
(Rio de Janeiro JB Online in Portuguese - Website of center-right
commercial daily affiliated to the Catholic Church; URL:
http://jbonline.terra.com.br http://jbonline.terra.com.br )
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