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Camellias are, indeed, very versatile additions to any garden, for just as cold weather arrives, the great majority of flowering plants become dormant, but not the camellias; from early fall to the middle of winter, depending upon the species, these evergreen shrubs come to life by setting spectacular blooms so much so that it is not easy for a gardener to stop at growing just one in the garden. Speaking of which, although we have several well-established camellias in our garden, I still cannot restrain myself from acquiring more including the end-of-the-season clearance bargains at garden centers, provided the plants are in good condition and properly identified. However, since camellias come in lots of cultivars and varieties, it's for the best to purchase plants at the blooming stage to be able to see the true color and shape of the flowers or consult an expert at the garden center about their features.
Regardless of the type, camellias are not plants of open fields, rather need to be grown in dappled shade at sheltered locations where they can be protected from cold, dry winter winds. At the time of planting, the top of the root ball needs to be at the level of the soil or slightly higher but not any deeper; an acidic fertilizer or a natural amendment is on the menu for these handsome, evergreen shrubs. Since they are slow-growing, hence remain manageable over the course of time, bearing lovely blooms when the time is right. In fact, by growing the different ones available, the show can go on from fall to early winter.
In our modest garden, the show begins just as summer ends when Camellia sinensis, the small-leaf tea camellia, named aptly as it is the source of the tea we consume, is covered with delicate, cream-colored flowers with bright yellow centers; barely finished, when the two fall camellias, C. sasanqua, take center stage flaunting their bold flowers, one in deep pink and the other pinkish-white; while equally lovely - the tea and the fall camellias - the difference in the size of the flowers in noticeably distinct.
Though still at the bud stage, the all-too-familiar japonica camellias are now waiting for their turn to perform: somewhat like the finale of a show, the buds will open into gorgeous blooms early on next year giving a reason to celebrate winter. Furthermore, the elegant shrubs provide glossy foliage and ample artistic flowers to keep in vases or add to flower arrangements, especially the Ikebana type, for which I am so thankful since I am always exploring the garden to bring some fresh material inside. Camellia leaves and flowers seem to be the perfect solution.
Although fairly carefree, some diseases such as sooty mold does bother our beloved camellias; if that happens, one can either refer to a good gardening book or call the Chesterfield Extension Office where one of the master gardeners will be more than happy to offer advice, right over the phone.


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Anglican Catholic Church of Canada Votes Overwhelmingly to Unite with Rome Comments
Catholic Online has covered with great faith, enthusiasm and attention to detail the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit arising out of the promulgation of "On the Gathering of the Anglicans" The Apostolic Constitution, Anglicanorum Coetibus. Continue Reading
11 - 20 of 28 Comments
4 years ago
In regards to Peter Warlock's opening comment:
It is shocking to many serious Catholics, who understand what THE CHURCH is, that people call themselves Christian and DON"T come into full communion.
Don't Christians wonder how Christianity literally got from Christ to them? How did the Bible literally get into their hands? How determined must people be to hold onto semantics and tribalism to flatly turn away from Christ's intent of having ONE BODY? How Christinaity could really have 30,000 versions of the truth? If anyone wants to see turmoil, look at the Protestant / evangelical world: changing doctrine, cultural relativism, a total reinvention or ignorance of entire branches of Christianity, and most sadly, plummeting numbers of adherence.
May we decrease, so HE can increase, and allow the Holy Spirit to reunite us. -
4 years ago
I am indeed moved to tears as i read the different touching comments from the people...no matter the conception of people about the catholic church, especially here in my country nigeria, the church, nevertheless, an institution ordain by Christ will waxed strong.
The trials she goes through century by century are just to purge and purify her as bride of Christ...She had surmounted greater trials than these...Am not in any way condoning the activities of the unscrupulous few who have made themselves ready instrument of the father of lies to destroy the church from within, but i know Christ will eternally be faithful to his Promise..
Let the few dissident protest, the Church, in the word of Pope John Paul of blessed memory is not a grocery store where u pick what ever you want, you either believe and live her doctrine which she postulate in union with The Divine Spirit or believe none.
We should continue to pray for her especially in this turbulent times. -
4 years ago
As Chesterton once wrote, "There are many who have assumed the death of the Catholic Church, over and over again, throughout the centuries only to see the Church rise again. Why are they surprised, we believe in a God who knows his way out of the grave!!! The Catholic Church is the Church of Christ, founded on weak men, strong men, sick men, saintly men. Since it is founded on Christ, it will persevere till the end of time. God bless the Anglicans that have recognized the need for unity. God bless the Lord Jesus who has allowed this day to occur. God bless all the men and women who have prayed for this moment.
4 years ago
This is wonderful news and makes me so happy I feel like crying for joy. God's mercy is so great. I welcome the new Anglican Catholics and wish I lived in Canada so I could attend one Mass with them in this new Rite. I would love to attend Evensong with them once. I have attended the Maronute Liturgy once( Maronite Rite Catholics) and it was profoundly beautiful, very ancient. I'll remain in the Latin Rite, but it still would be nice to go once. May it be accomplished soon. Hooray! for the Anglican Catholics in Canada. As for those Roman Catholics here in America who are disobedient to Church teaching: you better wake up quick! "The little you have will be taken from you and given to another."
4 years ago
At my parish we have people converting into the RC Church every year. They have class every Tuesday so they can learn what we are about. My question is - Why don't all these people looking to convert do the same? I hope this new line of believers don't think they can come in with their differences and change anything in the RCC.
Does anyone know what their list of beliefs really are?
Do they have a Magisterium?
What have they been following all these years?
Can I WikiPage them?
Some Please Enlighten me. I will keep my prayers in that nothing or nobody will try to change the RCC which I FIRMLY believe in and have SteadFast Love in. But no worries the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit will watch over us - but that is at his will not ours. -
4 years ago
@ John D
"Belive it or not, people are drawn to the RC Church because its core doctrines are true and unchanged. The RC Church is the only Christian church that I know of that is holding the line on abortion, euthanasia, contraception, same sex marriage, ordination of women, etc. If you think these things are OK, all you need to do is look at Europe and see the tremendous demographic problems they are facing. They are on the verge of a population implosion because their birthrates are so low. They are liteally aborting and contracepting themselves out of existence and the USA is not far behind them! Looks like the RC Church has been right all along. It looks like the traditional values held by the RC Church really are in humanity's best long term interest."
This is what the Christ would have to say:
Matthew 7:3-5 (New International Version)
"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. -
4 years ago
Thousands of Protestant; Lutheran, Methodists, Episcopalian, and Presbyterian pastors are becoming Catholic like never before and hundreds of Evangelical and Baptist ministers are converting too! Why? TRUTH!
Jesus CHrist only founded one church on the Apostles in communion with Peter as the visible Prime Minister of the Church. Jesus promised that HIS Church would never fall into Apostacy and that He would give the Holy Spirit to this specific church to guide it into ALL TRUTH. Is Christ a liar? Is He not God? You see scripture never points to apostacy, but rather that some will get itching ears and leave Holy Mother Church like; Luther, Calvin, Knox, Henry VIII, etc. The Catholic Church has never fallen into apostacy because if she did, then Christ is not God. It is Christ authority and power that keeps the Catholic Church from error, not by Man's power. This is why Lutheranism, Methodism, Anglicanism, etc have all watered down their original beliefs on doctrines and morals. They are all dying out, while the Catholic Church is growing and getting stronger with 16 million converts alone in 2009 and guess what our doctrines never change to suit society.
Lastly, the Orthodox look to reunite with us and us with them. It is time Christ church unify under the bishops in communion with the See of Rome as they did in the beginning so that all may know Jesus is truly the Christ. Only a unified church can proclaim this Truth of Salvation and convert Billions. Christ is the only name under heaven that you can be saved, and His Catholic Church is His only Church. -
4 years ago
How does this affect Anglican churches in the U.S.?
4 years ago
To Peter Warlock: Why is it that every person who is opposition to the Catholic Church, and actively seeks to discredit the Church, can only come up with INSTANCES of particular individuals who sin against the Church, rather than actually try to discredit what the Church teaches. I can guarantee you, no matter where you look within the Christian churches, whether that be with Catholics, Protestants, Orthodox, or anywhere else, you will find people who sin against the truth of God within that church. But in regards to the Catholic Church, just because a Catholic (lay or religious) sins against the Church, though it be a sad case, it in no way diminishes the teachings of the Church, nor does it take away the fact that the Catholic Church is the one and only true Church with a line of successors since Peter, whom Jesus charged to be the center of His Church. If your goal is to try to prove the Catholic Church as anything less than what Christianity should stand for, I guarantee you an absolute failure on your part. Look not at the actions of sinners, but at what the Church actually teaches. Maybe you should start READING Church documents and scripture, instead of taking the word of fallen away Catholics who never understood the Church in the first place, or others who do the same. But most of all, pray that God will lead you to the truth with an open heart and mind. God bless!
4 years ago
@Peter Warlock - Because unlike what the media is propagating; the Church is a very important; powerful; and wealthy institution that has witnessed much more distressing situation than what it's experiencing now. Yes, indeed, the current problems facing the Church are serious, and very upsetting, but it must be remembered that the Church has withstood the rise of fascism/communism; countless wars, each varying in scope and severity; the Reformation; the Plague that wiped out 2/3 of Europe; and countless other awful situations. Needless to mention that the Holy Mother Church was said to be falling just as many times as it is being said nowadays and, yet, here she stands--a bit wounded, of course, but still upright. As the good quote says, "that which doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger." Nevertheless, don't misunderstand my words; I worry about the Church just as much as the next person, and I do hope that she will come out stronger than ever. But if history teaches us anything; it is that which I have stated already: the the Church has withstood far more egregious issues, and the fact that the Anglicans, and other religious organizations, are joining up with us only proves my point even more. Peace and God bless one and all!
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State football bodies are available to assist with the establishment of junior and youth girls competitions.
A good starting point is to contact your state or regional Game Development office so they can outline the support available and facilitate a meeting of key interest and stakeholder groups including:
Funding must be available through your Game Development office to a pay small honorarium to a person to drive the competition's establishment. An interested person could be identified from the following stakeholders:
To ensure the long-term sustainability of the competition it is recommend that existing community football leagues and/or clubs take on the responsibility of administering the competition.
For example:
This also eliminates the need to duplicate the resources and infrastructure required as female football is integrated with the existing football network.
To eliminate as many barriers and impediments in the establishment of a girls competition flexibility is highly recommended.
Study, social and part-time work pressures and other sporting commitments are all factors that should be considered when determining an appropriate competition format
Competitions need to meet the needs of participating players so flexibility in the timing and days games are played, reducing team numbers and innovative competition formats together with the following should be considered:
There is no difference in rules for junior boys or girls under 12.
Refer to AFL Youth Girls Rules in Appendix 2 modified formats to meet the development needs of youth girl participants eg, 9 a side = 4 x 12 minute quarters with no kicking off the ground allowed.
Ball size = size 4 (15 years and over), size 3 (if under 15)


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McDougall School of Petroleum Engineering
Home › Academics › Colleges › College of Engineering and Natural Sciences › Departments and Schools › McDougall School of Petroleum Engineering › News, Events, and Publications › News › Petroleum Engineering Alumni Newsletter - April 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Since the last newsletter, gas prices have tightened even further. With low gas prices predicted over the summer and maybe even beyond, I suspect that fall recruiting is going to be tougher for the students in our program compared to what we have seen in the past. I sincerely hope that oil and gas companies will still come to campus in full force and recruit qualified students with the same vigor. Especially for summer internships, students would not mind receiving less salary as long as they can gain valuable experience in the industry.
Speaking of oil companies' commitment, we had a successful career fair on March 5th in the Allen Chapman Activity Center's Great Hall. Eleven companies participated - Cimarex Energy, Helmerich & Payne, Inc., JMA Energy Co., Kaiser-Francis Oil Co., Maverick Stimulation Co., Merit Energy Co., Mid-Con Energy, Newfield Exploration Co., Williams Cos., and Zeeco, Inc. We want to thank each and every one of these companies for coming to the fair and interacting with our students. More than 100 students attended. Some students secured summer jobs and, for many freshmen, it was a good experience to talk to company representatives and get a feel for how to interact with potential employers. Without question, it was a great success!
At the end of this month, the incoming freshmen students will have to make a choice regarding which school they want attend. Therefore, after this month, we will have a better idea about how many students will be enrolled in our program. I hope that we will have the same or slightly fewer students in our program. That way, we can maintain the small class sizes in our program.
Over the last year, we have been recruiting for new faculty. I am happy to report that we have hired a new faculty with expertise in Drilling Engineering. His name is Evren Ozbayoglu. After completing his B.S. and M.S. in Petroleum Engineering from the Middle East Technical University (METU) in Ankara, Turkey, he joined The University of Tulsa in 1998. He completed his Ph.D. in 2002 and joined METU. Since 2002, he has been teaching at that university, first as an assistant professor, and then as an associate professor. He will join TU Petroleum Engineering program in the fall of 2009 as an associate professor. He will teach some of our drilling classes and also will be involved in conducting research in the area of drilling. His existing extensive drilling research at TU will provide a nice compliment. His area of expertise is in cuttings transport, hole cleaning and computer applications in drilling engineering. We wish to welcome Dr. Ozbayoglu to his new home and wish him every success in the future. For more information, please visit his new Faculty Bio page.
We do not have an Alumnus of Month for April, but this feature will return in May.
Keep sending your comments.


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10 March 2009
Winning the title Welsh Woman of the Year could have afforded Professor Judith Hall an opportunity to sit back and reflect on her achievements as founder of the educational charity, Mothers of Africa. Instead she got straight back to work, planning a trip to Liberia to sponsor two nursing students.
One of the students, Martha Yollain, has already been chosen while recruitment is ongoing for the second student. Martha was recruited from within a nursing school in Liberia and the charity is sponsoring her to undertake higher training in resuscitation and anaesthesia. With no other sources of funding available for training of this nature, this is a valuable opportunity.
Having returned from the 10 day visit, Professor Hall, Head of Anaesthetics and Intensive Care at the School of Medicine said: "It was a very inspiring trip and came about thanks, in part, to the Welsh Woman of the Year. Winning that award really helped to raise awareness of the charity's work and brought in a lot of extra donations.
Martha Yollain, one of the Mothers of Africa-sponsored students, learning to intubate.
"This is excellent for us because the need for anaesthetists in Liberia is so huge that we are now planning to make three educational trips a year instead of two. In addition, the charity is considering supporting the creation of an acute care unit for seriously ill mothers or perhaps investing in motorbike ambulances to help get mothers into hospital more quickly."
Professor Hall has recently been involved in a number of events marking International Women's Day (March 8), a celebration of the economic, political and social achievements of women.
In recognition of her academic achievements and charity work, Professor Hall was also invited to 10 Downing Street for an International Women's Day reception with the Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
Professor Judith Hall (third from left) with the Prime Minister and other invited guests at the International Women's Day reception
She was also keynote speaker at 'Women Through The Ages: A Celebration', a one-day event at Cardiff City Hall (9 March 2009) organised by the Wales Women's National Coalition.
Mothers of Africa is an educational charity set up in response to maternal mortality figures in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Liberia, a country with 22 anaesthetists currently serving a population of three million, the chance of a woman dying during childbirth is one in 40 and the likelihood of death increases with every pregnancy with a lifetime risk of one in 16.
The charity now has an improved online presence following the launch of a new website: www.mothersofafrica.org. The website contains information on the charity, reports on educational trips to Africa, and details of upcoming fundraisers.
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Crown Point's Ronnie Plesac pitches against LaPorte in the third inning Wednesday afternoon at LaPorte High School. | Jeffrey D. Nicholls~Sun-Times Media
Updated: June 18, 2013 1:21PM
The success of the Crown Point baseball team and its 25-6 record was a definite byproduct of solid offense, defense and pitching.
But two players who undoubtedly played a big part of that success were senior pitchers and brothers Zach and Ronnie Plesac — who not only were the Bulldogs' top two starting pitchers, but also big offensive contributors.
Both Plesacs anchored the pitching staff while both also hit in the .380s on offense. As a team, Crown Point went 12-2 in the Duneland Conference, though being edged by Chesterton (13-1) for the conference title. The team reached the sectional final before dropping a disheartening 4-1 game to Portage.
"Both Zach and Ronnie really did a good for us," Crown Point head coach Steve Strayer said. "They both helped us to big success."
Zach, who will pitch at Ball State, and Ronnie, who will pitch at Parkland College in Illinois, were also counted on the playoffs. In the sectional semifinal win over LaPorte, Zach gave up just three hits, while Ronnie gave up just two hits in the loss to Portage.
"I think we met our expectations with the exception of being eliminated from the state tournament so early," Strayer said. "We were hoping to make a pretty big run, and unfortunately those plans didn't work out. We lost to one of the better teams in the state. It just didn't work out for us."
An early indication to Strayer that the team had definite potential was an early season victory over Mount Carmel of Chicago, which went on to win the Illinois state title in its class. On offense, leadoff hitter Alex Nickla (.320), No. 2 hitter Glen Hecht and third baseman Jake Jatis were all solid.
"That win (over Mt. Carmel) made us realize that we're going to be a good team," Strayer said. "We also scored a big win over Bellmont (Ffort Wayne), as well as victories against Lake Central, Valparaiso and Portage."
To add to the already strong one-two punch of the Plesac brothers, Noah Burkholder and David Kepshire were both highly effective in the area of wins, ERA and strikeouts. While Kepshire is graduating, Burkholder is just a sophomore — and highly touted one at that.
"We have high expectations for Noah," he said. "We're also losing Alex, Bobby Morgan and Johnny Lynk, but we have some good kids coming up."


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Sponsored by: Desert Diamond Casino
Oct 16, 2012 8:34 PM by Nathan O'Neal
TUCSON - Tonight's presidential debate comes just three weeks out from election day -- and with the race tightening -- the campaigns are working to sway those undecided voters.
Gallup's Daily Tracking Poll shows between six and eight percent of voters remain undecided. Whereas at this point four years ago, about 11 percent of voters still had not decided on who they were going to vote for.
At this point in the election, experts acknowledge, most voters have aleady made up their minds.
"I think it's just best if Romney was voted. I thin khe'd do the best job in my opinion," said Grant Lochotzki, who said he decided on Romney after the first debate.
Tucsonan Paul Jehle, however, says his deep Democratic roots helped him decide.
"I'm voting for Obama mainly because he's more of an environmental president," Jehle told News 4 Tucson.
However, it's those prized undecided voters who the campaigns are fighting for-- and tonight's debate might just be the opportunity to win some over.
"What [the candidates are] going to have to do is explain to that portion in the center how their position is really going to be a best benefit to that group," said local political expert, Kate Kenski.
A mixed reaction to the first presidential debate could mean a hit or miss with the undecided. Kenski said undecided voters are especially unpredictable.
"Where undecided voters are most likely to be influenced by debates are not the debates themselves but the spin that comes out of the media coverage from the debates," Kenski told News 4 Tucson.
That makes tonight's debate-- and the aftermath possibly even more-- an important opportunity as we draw close to election day.
"In some cases, it doesn't matter whether it's a large percentage or not, it matter what state and whether or not that stat holds the balance," said Kenski.
However, Kenski said a strong claim that "hits home" made by either candidate in tonight's debate could help bring out some of those undecided voters.
3 hours ago


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If someone has a zit dead-smack in the middle of their nose, you should ignore it and never point it out. But if a woman is walking down the street and doesn't realize she's displaying a wardrobe malfunction, you should tell her discreetly, even if you don't know her. This is part of the girl code, because, unfortunately, we've all been there. After the jump, seven instances when it's appropriate to embarrass a female stranger in order to save her from more embarrassment in the long run. Keep reading »
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Our correspondent in China: viewing the Middle Kingdom up close
Tutor2u have a correspondent in China (at least over a few days!) looking with interest at business and economic activity there. Time has been short and impressions just that really – a few informed guesses about the direction in which this fascinating country is headed.
Everyone knows about the recent spectacular growth in the Chinese economy, which has had a knock on effect on us. A frenzy of business activity has helped to drive up the price of many commodity items. The recent inflation in China is also being exported to us in the form of higher prices for China's goods. Relatively cheap imported goods from China have had a significant impact on the UK economy over the last decade. It has intensified competition and delivered a higher spending power and standard of living to UK consumers.
It's obvious what we want from China, but what do they want of us? My experience suggests that there are two things that we have to offer. This blog is illustrated with a snapshot of a Tesco store in Ningbo, near Shanghai. British firms have a vast amount of experience in retail, marketing, banking and other commercial services – an area in which China has far less skill. Much is 'Made in China', but far less is 'Made by China'. Branding, design and marketing have a long way to go before they reach UK standards. It's not surprising to see Tesco make huge inroads into retailing. I took the picture below in a smart shopping centre in Shanghai. The pretty girls are posing with what were Rover cars – rebadged as a 'new' Chinese brand.
The long China boom is clearly nearing its peak. Double digit rates of growth don't last forever. The boom has utterly transformed society in eastern, coastal China. My experience of its booming cities and garment industry have reassured me (somewhat) on the 'Primark issue' about low priced clothing. The alternative sources of employment I saw in rural, poor China must certainly be far worse than the opportunities to be had in manufacturing. However, the social, political and environmental tensions must be enormous.
That leads to the second (and hugely encouraging) need that China has - and that the UK can help provide. I have been a guest of the University of Nottingham, who have opened a campus in Ningbo. China needs education and skills. It needs an open, plural society supported by the rule of law. Its people need rights and a voice to express their wants and needs. There is a huge desire for change – and without it, the China boom will soon come to an end. But there's every reason to be optimistic that China can make the transformation – and that businesses both here and there will benefit enormously.
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Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem said he had handed his Russian counterpart a plan for ceasefire in Aleppo and was ready to exchange lists with rebel forces for a possible prisoner swap.
Russia has persuaded Syria to agree to a prisoner swap and a local ceasefire in an effort to rescue a crucial peace conference plan.
After talks in Moscow with Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem said he had handed Mr Lavrov a plan for a ceasefire in Syria's biggest city, Aleppo, and was ready to exchange lists with rebel forces for a possible prisoner swap.
"Taking into the account the role of the Russian Federation in ending the bloodshed in Syria, as well as our trust-based relations, I have handed Minister Lavrov today a plan for security measures in Aleppo," Mr Moualem said at a joint press conference with Mr Lavrov.
Mr Lavrov praised Syria's readiness, "in response to our appeals," to take "a series of humanitarian steps" to allow speedy delivery of assistance to "Eastern Ghuta and other areas, including the suburbs of Damascus and Aleppo."
The Syrian opposition has been demanding the end of government bombardment, the release of prisoners and relief aid to besieged areas as a precondition for its participation in the Geneva-2 international conference opening in Switzerland next Wednesday.
If the proposed prisoner exchange comes through it would be the first one in nearly three years of fighting in Syria.
Syria's offer of concessions is another win for Russia's steamroller plan to prevent a violent change of regime in Syria. The initiative came hours before the Syrian National Coalition (SNC), an umbrella group of several opposition groups, met in Turkey on Friday to vote on whether to attend Geneva-2. Several rebel groups, opposed to peace talks with Damascus, have recently split from the SNC.
Addressing the press conference with Mr Moualem on Friday Mr Lavrov hit out at "games" being played over the invitation of Syrian opposition groups to Geneva-2.
"We have come to know that no formal invitations have been sent to the National Coalition or any other opposition groups," the Russian Foreign Minister said, refuting earlier reports that the SNC had received an invitation.
Noting that U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon was apparently waiting for the SNC to decide on attendance, Mr Lavrov said:
"All those who put all their eggs in the National Coalition's basket, and who moreover regard it as the only group representing the opposition, should think hard what role they are playing in the Geneva-2 plan."
Mr Lavrov reiterated Moscow's view that "a full spectrum of opposition" should be invited to the peace conference, including the National Coordination Council, a centrist internal opposition group, and the Syrian Kurds.
Keywords: Syria crisis, Syria civil war, Aleppo ceasefire, Syria prisoners of war, John Kerry, Bashar al—Assad


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This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #CollectiveBias
"Mommy, let's play tea pot!" That is C's way of requesting a tea party. He enjoys pretending to pour tea for Baby Jo and me, serve us cookies or scones, and take turns using the tea pot. I wanted to create a special memory for him, so I decided we would have a tea party with real food and beverages. I needed a great deal on dishwasher detergent. Who has the time to hand wash a bunch of toddler tea party dishes? Not me! I headed to Walmart for apples, crackers and dishwasher detergent for our party.


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MassDOT is conducting a study of the New Bedford-Fairhaven Bridge Corridor, a bridge that spans New Bedford Harbor. The swing bridge connecting the communities of New Bedford and Fairhaven is functionally obsolete, constrains marine traffic, and its opening results in extensive vehicle delays. This study …Continue Reading New Bedford-Fairhaven Bridge Public Meeting Set
The statewide travel ban has been lifted as of midnight. Motorists, especially those in the City of Boston and Eastern counties, are asked to use caution as MassDOT crews continue to plow and clear state roadways and ramps. Parking bans are still in effect in …Continue Reading Winter Storm Update: Travel Ban Lifted, MBTA Open
Governor Charlie Baker has signed an Executive Order allowing for the enforcement of a statewide travel ban effective at midnight, Monday, January 26. The following exceptions shall exist for the ban and all drivers are encouraged to remain safe and use their best judgment: …Continue Reading Winter Storm Update: Statewide Travel Ban, MBTA Closed Tuesday, January 27
With a major winter storm upon us this week, travel should be avoided during the storm. If you must travel today or immediately following the storm, be sure to Prepare Your Vehicle For Winter Driving and bring Winter Car Supplies. Use Common Sense While Driving …Continue Reading Winter Storm: Safe Travel Tips
MassDOT contractors for the Longfellow Bridge Rehabilitation Project will temporarily perform overnight demolition work beginning on Monday, February 2, 2015. This schedule will be in place for four to six weeks. The work hours are from 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM. During the work, two …Continue Reading Longfellow Bridge: Overnight Demolition Work Begins February 2
MassDOT and Bytemark today announced a limited pilot launch of the State's BusPlus mobile ticketing program. The BusPlus program is a partnership between MassDOT and private bus operators offering new regional transportation services to increase intercity and commuter transportation options available across the Commonwealth and …Continue Reading BusPlus Mobile Ticketing App Pilot Launched
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MassDOT today announced it will activate new traffic signal technology that has been proven to increase safety at intersections. The signal technology is being activated at the intersection of Great Road and King Street in Littleton, left. The signal heads have four left-turn arrows: one …Continue Reading MassDOT: New Traffic Signal Technology
Governor Deval Patrick today appointed Robin Chase to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Board of Directors. Chase is the founder and former CEO of Zipcar, the largest car-sharing company in the world, Buzzcar, a car-sharing marketplace in France and GoLoco, an online ridesharing community. …Continue Reading Robin Chase Appointed to MassDOT Board
MassDOT encourages Thanksgiving holiday travelers to check the latest winter weather forecast and plan ahead with the high volume of traffic on our highways and at Boston Logan International Airport expected this year. Highways are typically busiest on the Tuesday and Wednesday before and on …Continue Reading Thanksgiving: Travel Safely!


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The new school year comes around again and we've gathered some back-to-school tips that could not only save you a little fortune but will make for a healthier life too.
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Christmas is the time when all the family comes together, but before everyone sits down for Christmas dinner and board games, a lot of planning and preparation is needed. There is decorating the tree, shopping, gift wrapping and, in attempt to make celebrations extra special, many of us spend more than we actually should.
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Five ideas for school holiday activities, which do not cost a fortune and may be remembered fondly by you and your child for many years to come. After all, often the simple things are the best things!
Less than 24 hours after we reported that an international footballer was making a controversial protest against the payday loan lender – a new saga emerged with the archbishop of Canterbury and the Church of England.
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"In the mind of the wildest bush native," Margaret Mead wrote in a letter home in 1932, "the Sepik [River] stands for mosquitoes, crocodiles, cannibals, and floating corpses—and I can assure you we have seen them all." Except for a few mosquitoes, Nancy and I saw none of the above. After taking a riverboat from the spectacularly remote and comfortable Karawari Lodge, we spent two days on a motorboat touring villages along the Karawari, a tributary of the Sepik. Not so long ago, the river people of Papua New Guinea were headhunters. Many ceremonies, especially male initiations, included head-hunting raids. Villages were under constant siege. By the 1950's, however, the missionary and colonial presence curtailed ritual killing, and an atmosphere of peace prevails.
We didn't see any skulls mounted over the tambaran, or spirit houses, that we visited. We did, however, see a lot of self-decoration, most notably scarification. During rite-of-passage initiations, young men are subjected to a ceremonial skin-cutting, which symbolically cleanses them of their mother's blood and leaves them with skin on their backs and arms that resembles crocodile hide. Face- and body-painting are also popular. In the village of Yimas, the women and children were covered in mud patterns that make Versace's look tame.
While the Sepik region is known for its muddy colors and muted fashions, the area around Tari, in the southern part of the highlands, is where every fashion mistake you ever owned has landed in happy hands. If you threw it away because it was too gaudy, shiny, froufrou, or Cher, it will show up in Tari, where secondhand clothing is a booming business. Nancy calls it "the Land of Shaft." I called it heaven. The bumpy road from the airstrip in town to the first-class Ambua Lodge farther up in the valley was an endless fashion display. We saw men in fake fur, ski goggles, giant feathers, and velvet bell-bottoms, all mixed to create hilariously flamboyant looks.
If elegance is refusal, as Diana Vreeland once said, then the Huli of Tari must be the yes-men of the universe. Huli males don't need a special occasion to paint their beards white or their faces yellow, to put cassowary quills in their noses or feathers in their baseball caps. And the accessories—everything from bone daggers to vinyl pocketbooks. I saw one man wearing a blue blazer and rep tie over a grass skirt. Another had a fuzzy toilet-seat cover around his neck. It was all beyond John Galliano, Jean Paul Gaultier—or even John Waters.
Part of this unbridled, childlike extravagance may have to do with the fact that these highlanders were some of the last people in Papua New Guinea to encounter Europeans. (The film First Contact includes footage of tribes seeing white men for the first time, in the thirties.) Indeed, modernization has come so gradually to Tari that the transition has been relatively smooth. Ritualized fighting is still part of life (although never directed at tourists), along with a system of theatrical ceremonial exchanges between clans.
Anthropologists describe the highlanders as protocapitalists. That would certainly explain the prosperity of the fat witch doctor Paija, whom Nancy had been to see several times before. "That love potion you gave me didn't work," she told him in Tok Pisin. "The day after I put it on my face, my boyfriend broke up with me."
"He'll come back," Paija said.
"And that health potion," Nancy continued. "After I drank it, I threw up for two days."
"You were just ridding your body of toxins," said Paija, who was wearing face paint, an apron of leaves, and a pig's tusk through his nose. "You look as young as can be!"
If there's something you want from life, Paija will come up with the potion to help you get it. I bought some gingerroot wrapped in twine to ensure that my upcoming flights would connect safely, and, against all odds in a country of airline cancellations and absurdly long delays, they did. "Everybody uses Paija," Nancy said with the snobbery of a socialite. "He's very good."
No fashion trip to the highlands would be complete without a visit to the great hairstylists of Papua New Guinea, the bachelor-students at the Haroli Wig School. Because women are considered pollutants in many highlands cultures, these young men live together in isolation for up to three years or more, steeling themselves for the rigors of marriage. We were welcomed to their forest compound by the school's elderly headmaster, who charges either 200 kina (about $75) or several pigs for tuition. He teaches his students magical incantations and dietary practices that speed hair growth. After each disciple's hair has grown into a lovely round shape—a process that generally takes a year and a half—it is cut off and made into a crescent-shaped wig, dyed red or festooned with plumes and flowers. Such wigs are worn pretty much all the time by the notoriously vain Huli men.
Life at this wig school is a nonstop beauty regimen. Students wash their hair with purified water four times a day, say blessings over it with a ginger leaf, and sleep on coiffure-preserving headrests. "We grow our hair for personal beauty," one bachelor said proudly. An institution even more self-absorbed than Canyon Ranch! I had traveled halfway around the world to find myself with men who freely admitted that they lived for their hair. When they showed me the little trough of water they use as a reflecting glass, I asked if I might take their picture looking into it, Narcissus-style. "We'd love that," they said.
I needed nothing more from Papua New Guinea, and flew home after that. Back in New York, instead of suffering from culture shock, I felt more attuned to the status-conscious, style-obsessed culture of Manhattan. Remarkably, too, something seems to have changed among the fashion cognoscenti since I left. People—well, at least women—are finally starting to take to the new romantic ideas that have been supplanting minimalism on the runways. Feathers, fur, beading, and color, it turns out, are having a fashion moment. Smiling is, too. Of course, it's not the full-tilt exuberance of Papua New Guinea. But it's a step in the right direction.


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For Immediate Release
Baltimore, MD — August 25, 2009 — Inc. magazine recently named CARCHEX to its 28th annual Inc. 500 list, an exclusive ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. CARCHEX ranked 224th on the 2009 list following three-year (2005 to 2008) sales growth of 932.5 percent to $9 million. The median three-year growth rate of the Inc. 500 was 880.5 percent and the industry median growth over that same time was 162.8 percent.
CARCHEX earned the highest rank, as well as the fastest rate of growth, among consumer products and services in Maryland and second in the category for the mid-Atlantic region. CARCHEX was fourth overall among companies from the Baltimore area.
Said CEO Jason Goldsmith, "Inc. 500 is one of the most anticipated announcements every year. It's a who's who of skyrocketing companies and entrepreneurs. Being included with the Inc. 500 is an honor and further validation that CARCHEX is leading the way in our industry."
Under Goldsmith's leadership, CARCHEX has expanded services from nationwide vehicle inspection to a focus on extended vehicle protection and comparison tools for buying the appropriate coverage. In March 2009, Pat Goss, America's trusted neighborhood mechanic from radio and the long-running PBS series MotorWeek, joined CARCHEX as the company's spokesman. The partnership has helped CARCHEX promote its services in a professional and trustworthy manner, leading to sales growth.
Despite the ongoing recession, the 2009 Inc. 500 offers a glimpse into the future of the U.S. economy and showcases many products and services that help consumers navigate the difficult economic landscape. According to Goldsmith and Goss, drivers who cannot afford a new car must investigate extended vehicle protection to keep an older car on the road and protect it from expensive repairs.
"If you want to know which companies are going to change the world, look at the Inc. 500," said Inc. editor Jane Berentson. "These are the most dynamic, fast-growth companies in the nation, the ones finding innovative solutions to problems, creating smart systems and inventing products we soon discover we can't live without. The Inc. 500 list is Inc. magazine's tribute to American business ingenuity and ambition."
The 2009 Inc. 500 can be found in the September issue of Inc. magazine, on newsstands August 17, and online at Inc.com.
Methodology The 2009 Inc. 500 measures revenue growth from 2005 through 2008. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by the first week of 2005, and therefore able to show four full calendar years of sales. Additionally, they had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit and independent not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies as of December 31, 2008. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2005 is $200,000; the minimum for 2008 is $2 million.
About CARCHEX Headquartered in Hunt Valley, Md., CARCHEX is the trusted online resource for vehicle inspection and protection. An innovator in pre-purchase vehicle inspection programs, CARCHEX provides consumers with the information and tools they need to purchase or protect their vehicles and gain peace of mind. The company's commitment to protecting automotive consumers translates into an intuitive process for comparing extended vehicle protection. To inspect and protect your next car and learn valuable car-care tips from Pat Goss, visit CARCHEX online at www.CARCHEX.com.
About Inc. Magazine Founded in 1979 and acquired in 2005 by Mansueto Ventures LLC, Inc. is the only major business magazine dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of growing private companies that delivers real solutions for today's innovative company builders. With a total paid circulation of 712,961, Inc. provides hands-on tools and market-tested strategies for managing people, finances, sales, marketing, and technology. Visit online at Inc.com.
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Which one of you libs was trying to argue with me about the reaction to the feds QE program? I said this is exactly what would happen and the sad part is, they mentioned they might taper off at the end of the year. Imagine what stocks and rates would do once they actually start doing so....
Markets do not like Bernanke's signaling the end of easy money. We knew interest rates had to go up at some point, this looks like it.
another brutal day for stocks and bonds. Yesterday i was locking FHA loans at 3.875%. Today i am locking FHA loans at 4.5%. And that is less than 24 hours of Ben giving the feds report. Obama's economy is a farce and it is showing just that.
Obama-tax comes into full swing in 2014, look for the rest of the year to be a wild roller-coaster ride straight downward.
I think the next few days will be key. If people go charging into the bond market on weakness, the whole narrative could shift. http://www.cnbc.com/id/100831610
Because macroeconomic fears and lack of belief in the recovery may lead investors to chase any "safe" yields they can find... such as in a recently devalued bond market. It is a bit ironic, isn't it... lack of belief in FED medicine could lead to panic when it is withdrawn and thus the private investor taking the place of the FED at the bond trough. Unless you think commodities can turn it around (which would actually damage the recovery...). http://www.cnbc.com/id/100831274
What would make them charge into the bond market? The big reason so many found home in the bond market was because the feds QE program.
The bond market may put in a higher near term bottom than many are expecting, is I guess what I'm trying to suggest may happen. Not will happen, but may happen. If so I believe that would be bullish for equities. (And I realize that is somewhat contradictory, but I think the key to that causality is somewhat hidden, which would be the widespread conviction among money on the sidelines or hedged in commodities to return to equities.)
I am trying to imagine how that could happen. I am no expert on us treasuries and bonds. That said, why would it? It has been pushing for this for months now.
It's bullish because it implies conditions leading to recovery. If rates stay low without QE (as they would in a normal business cycle trough), it implies that the economy has been restored to a self-healing condition, which is bullish considering the fear still out there.
My cost basis is sub $400. I sold at the peak. Not the highest it ever was. I try not to attempt to time the market. Just follow the trends. I'm not a day trader.
The issue is we are almost at the same spot in 2008 where you are left wondering where to put your money.
But none of the said above apply at the moment. We will see but I see rates in the fives around the corner.
I put about 15% of my cash to work today. Think I'm going to wait for the bond market to stabilize before making any more moves, or certainly any sizable ones. http://www.cnbc.com/id/100832846
Me I thought I would be smarter I put most of my cash into an ETF that shorted 10 year treasuries. Just the sound of that sounds like I would be making a killing right? ETF is up about 2 percent the last week. I hate ETFs. They have nothing to do with investing. I should have just shorted treasures myself. Live and Learn and get ready to return.
I'm not smart enough to trade that way, but I do like hearing about it. Someday maybe I'll dabble in derivatives with a very small part of my portfolio.


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GodsGirl : Livi > profile last activity : 3 weeks ago // Favorited by : 22 members
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If you watch me on chaturbate or follow me on tumblr or any of the other sites that I'm on you will know that I have a little piglet named Penelope. She is the light of my life, I love her so much. She loves nothing more than to put a smile on the face of anyone who is in her presence. She can also be a little runt too. She absolutely hates
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User Info
Name Livi
Age 20
Gender Other
Relationship Status Married
Sexy Orientation No Answer
Occupation Professional Virtual Seductress
Location Under The Sea
Hometown In The Clouds
Sign Taurus
About Me I am a sexy naked girl with a heart of gold. I am a vegan humanitarian feminist pagan genderfluid pansexual mermaid. I am obsessed with art and the ocean.
Why Im a GodsGirl I believe in liberation through love, art, and sexuality. Plus LOOK AT THESE BABES! I am so lucky to be a part of this community.
Superhero Power melting your mind with my hotness
Sexual fantasy GodsGirls orgy (maybe in a high rise with people looking in? ^_^)
Weapon of Choice these hips
Hobbies camming, reading, drawing, taking photos, watching disney movies, knitting, etc, etc.
Music COCOROSIE
Movies DISNEY, old films, documentaries
Books Catcher in the rye, Shel Silverstein, Edgar Allen Poe, Jean Genet, Dr Suess, Hunter S Thompson, FairyTales, I have a pretty full library.
TV You mean the boob tube?
Art Rene Magritte, Frida Kahlo, and plenty more.
Food VEGAN
Education we don't need no education.
Ethnicity white as fuuuu
Birthday may 06
Who I Idolize Ariel (The Little Mermaid), Bettie Page, Bianca Casady, Charles Manson, Cinderella, Dita Von Teese, Dorothy Gale, Edie Sedgwick, Frida Kahlo, Marilyn Monroe, Sierra Casady, our lady of Guadalupe
Goals travel the world, make sets with all the godsgirls, have the happiest piggy life
Bedtime attire birthday suit
Nerdy Secret Pleasure Disney of course
My Favorite GodsGirls Artemis, Vex, and Kay are my loves. There's no such thing as a favorite GodsGirl. All the girls are absolutely incredible.
Unicorn or Pegasus? pegasus, duh
if Patrick Duffy was shooting lazers at you how would you defend yourself? pew pew
My Website


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Last week, we looked at some final possession playcalling. This week we are taking a look at some more late-game coaching decisions. First, we are going to look at a great decision made by Lionel Hollins, one that allowed his team to protect the rim up by one point with 0.3 seconds left. Second, we are going to look at some poor clock management from Kurt Rambis and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Grizzlies Use A Backup Big To Protect The Rim
After a Zach Randolph rainbow jumper, the Memphis Grizzlies found themselves up by one point with 0.3 seconds left. With this situation, Hollins was faced with a decision that coaches tend to struggle with. That is whether or not to use his big to protect the rim or use him to bother the inbounds pass. Instead of making that decision, coach Hollins came up with a creative solution:
Instead of just throwing one big out there, Hollins put Marc Gasol on the basketball while backup center Hamed Haddadi was in the paint, protecting the rim and defending against the lob.
The Mavericks start the play with Dirk Nowitzki setting a downscreen for Jason Terry. Notice how Haddadi is not responsible for a man, instead he stays in the paint.
This is important because after Nowitzki sets his screen for Terry, he sets another screen for Shawn Marion, who uses it to try and cut to the rim looking for the lob.
The lob pass isn't open because Haddadi is in the paint, ready to intercept any pass. Also, with Marc Gasol defending the inbounds pass, Kidd can't see over him and get the ball to the second or third option.
Eventually, Kidd is forced to pass it to Terry at half court who tries to hit a half court buzzer beater. He misses, hitting the top of the backboard instead. Here is the play in real time:
I have always been an advocate for using a big to protect the paint in these types of situations. Not only does it dissuade a lob pass, the ball isn't live so there is no risk of a defensive three second call. Coach Hollins was still worried about Jason Kidd making a pinpoint pass, so he played two centers. A terrific strategic decision.
Timberwolves' Poor Clock Management
While Hollins and the Grizzlies were making smart decisions against the Mavericks, Kurt Rambis and the Timberwolves were making poor clock management decisions against the Mavericks the following night. After Nikola Pekovic hit a lay-up, the Minnesota Timberwolves found themselves down by two points with 36.4 seconds left:
Instead of fouling right away, the Timberwolves let 20 seconds come off the clock before they fouled, sending Dirk Nowitzki to the foul line with 16.4 seconds left. Here are some quick thoughts on the possession/coaching decision:
- Down four points, this is a two possession game and even if you commit a foul here and the Mavericks hit two free throws it is still a two possession game. You need to foul and extend the game, keeping as much time on the clock as possible, giving the Timberwolves the most amount of time possible to get two shot attempts.
- I understand the Timberwolves trying to get a quick steal here or forcing a turnover in the backcourt, but after that? There is no benefit in playing straight defense, especially if you are going to give up a soft foul at the end of the defensive possession.
- Why do I put this on Rambis? Usually you see coaches in this situation being very demonstrative when they want their team to foul. In the background you see Rambis standing there very calmly, watching the possession. If he wanted his team to foul, he would be jumping up and down begging for the foul to be called. That doesn't happen because Rambis either decided not to or failed to understand the situation he and his team was in.
- This is not to say that the Timberwolves would have won if they fouled, but as a coach, your main job is to put your team in a position to succeed. A foul gives the Timberwolves time to make two threes.
The NBA is considered a players' league, but late game situations are where coaches really earn their paycheck. If a coach makes a strong decision, his team is in position to win (Hollins and the Grizzlies protecting the rim with two bigs, for example). If they make some poor decisions, his team is in a position to lose (Rambis not understanding clock management).
Until next time.