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In mainstream Christianity, the Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost is one of the three entities of the Holy Trinity which make up the single substance of God; that is, the Spirit is considered to act in concert with and share an essential nature with God the Father and God the Son (Jesus Christ). The Christian theology of the Holy Spirit, or pneumatology, was the last piece of Trinitarian theology to be fully explored and developed. For this reason, there is greater theological diversity among Christian understandings of the Spirit than there is among understandings of the Son (Christology) and of the Father. Within Trinitarian theology, the Holy Spirit is sometimes referred to as the "Third Person" of the Triune God - with the Father being the First Person and the Son the Second Person. There are also distinct understandings of the Holy Spirit by non-Trinitarian groups and some non-Christian groups who use the term as well.
The first overt appearance of the Holy Spirit in Christian theology is in the words of Jesus, speaking to his disciples () shortly before his death. He characterizes the Holy Spirit to them as the 'Spirit of Truth'. Chronologically though, the Holy Spirit makes a first appearance at the beginning of Jesus' ministry when he is baptized in the Jordan River (, , ). In these accounts, the incorporeal Holy Spirit is described as descending upon Jesus 'like' or 'as' a dove.
In John's Gospel, emphasis is placed not upon what the Holy Spirit did for Jesus, but upon Jesus giving the Spirit to his disciples. This "Higher" Christology sees Jesus as a sacrificial lamb, and as coming among mankind in order to grant the Spirit of God to humanity.
Although the language used to describe Jesus' receiving the Spirit in John's Gospel is parallel to the accounts in the other three Gospels, John relates this with the aim of showing that Jesus is specially in possession of the Spirit for the purpose of granting the Spirit to his followers, uniting them with himself, and in himself also uniting them with the Father. (See Raymond Brown, "The Gospel According to John", chapter on Pneumatology). In John, the gift of the Spirit is equivalent to eternal life, knowledge of God, power to obey, and communion with one another and with the Father.
Christians believe that the Holy Spirit leads people to faith in Jesus and gives them the ability to lead a Christian life. The Holy Spirit dwells inside every Christian, each one's body being his temple (). The Holy Spirit is depicted as a 'Counselor' or 'Helper' (paracletus in Latin, derived from Greek), guiding people in the way of the truth. The Holy Spirit's action in one's life is believed to produce positive results, known as the Fruit of the Holy Spirit. A list of "spiritual gifts" that may be bestowed include the charismatic gifts of prophecy, tongues, healing, and knowledge. Christians holding a view known as cessationism believe these gifts were given only in New Testament times. Christians almost universally agree that certain spiritual gifts are still in effect today, including the gifts of ministry, teaching, giving, leadership, and mercy (see, e.g. ). The experience of the Holy Spirit is sometimes referred to as being anointed.
Jesus describes the Holy Spirit as the promised "Advocate" (i.e. "strengthener", "fortifier") in . After his resurrection, Christ told his disciples that they would be "baptized with the Holy Spirit", and would receive power from this event a promise that was fulfilled in the events recounted in the second chapter of Acts. On the first Pentecost, Jesus' disciples were gathered in Jerusalem when a mighty wind was heard and tongues of fire appeared over their heads. A multilingual crowd heard the disciples speaking, and each of them heard them speaking in his or her native language.
The Holy Spirit's existence is affirmed in the Apostles Creed and responsibility for the Virgin Birth of Jesus is asserted. In the Nicene Creed (an extensive elaboration of the Apostles Creed), the Holy Spirit is further affirmed to proceed from either one or both of the other members of the Trinity (God the Father and God the Son) (see filioque controversy). This is taken to further imply that the Holy Spirit is consubstantial and co-eternal with the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit is also asserted to be the "Lord and Giver of Life".
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states the following in the first paragraph dealing with the Apostles Creed's article I believe in the Holy Spirit. "No one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God." Now God's Spirit, who reveals God, makes known to us Christ, his Word, his living Utterance, but the Spirit does not speak of himself. The Spirit who "has spoken through the prophets" makes us hear the Father's Word, but we do not hear the Spirit himself. We know him only in the movement by which he reveals the Word to us and disposes us to welcome him in faith. The Spirit of truth who "unveils" Christ to us "will not speak on his own." Such properly divine self-effacement explains why "the world cannot receive [him], because it neither sees him nor knows him", while those who believe in Christ know the Spirit because he dwells with them."
As regards the Holy Spirit's relationship with the Church, the Catechism states: "The mission of Christ and the Holy Spirit is brought to completion in the Church, which is the Body of Christ and the Temple of the Holy Spirit...Thus the Church's mission is not an addition to that of Christ and the Holy Spirit, but is its sacrament: in her whole being and in all her members, the Church is sent to announce, bear witness, make present, and spread the mystery of the communion of the Holy Trinity...Because the Holy Spirit is the anointing of Christ, it is Christ who, as the head of the Body, pours out the Spirit among his members to nourish, heal, and organize them in their mutual functions, to give them life, send them to bear witness, and associate them to his self-offering to the Father and to his intercession for the whole world. Through the Church's sacraments, Christ communicates his Holy and sanctifying Spirit to the members of his Body."
The Catechism also lists the various symbols of the Holy Spirit in the Bible:
The Pentecostal movement places special emphasis on the work of the Holy Spirit, and especially on the gifts mentioned above, believing that they are still given today. Much of Pentecostalism holds that the 'Baptism with the Holy Spirit' is distinct from the salvific born again experience, as a usually distinct experience in which the Spirit's power is received by the Christian in a new way, with the result that the Christian can now be more readily used to do signs, miracles, and wonders for the sake of evangelism or for ministry within the church. There are also many Pentecostals who believe that Spirit baptism is a necessary element in salvation, not a "second blessing". For a more detailed discussion, see Pentecostalism.
Many Pentecostals also believe that the normative initial evidence of this infilling (baptism) of the Holy Spirit is the ability to speak in other tongues (glossolalia).
The Mosaic Law was still in effect up to the time when Jesus Christ (the second person of the Trinity) died on a Roman cross, was buried and rose from the dead (). The church age was fully established at Pentecost where the disciples' were given the Holy Spirit, and sent out by him to plant his church in the world.
A controversial view holds that at the time of the Rapture, the Holy Spirit will depart the Earth, although it is seldom mentioned today. However, the Rapture is another disputed point of Christianity. .
The church age is said to close with the second coming of Christ.
The expression Third Wave was coined by Christian theologian C. Peter Wagner around 1980 to describe what followers believe to be the recent historical work of the Holy Spirit. It is part of a larger movement known as the Neocharismatic movement. The Third Wave involves those Christians who have allegedly received Pentecostal-like experiences, however Third Wavers claim no association with either the Pentecostal or Charismatic movements.
There are numerous Christian groups who base their thinking in regards to the gender of the Holy Spirit on the fact that the Hebrew word for Spirit, Ruach, is feminine. They give no weight to the facts that the Greek word for Spirit (Pneuma) is neuter, and the Latin one is masculine, because the Logos ("oracles" - words) of God were are said to be given unto the Jews (Rom. 3:1, 2).
Foremost among these groups, and the most vocal on the subject are the Branch Davidian. In 1977, one of their leaders, Lois Roden, began to formally teach that the feminine Holy Spirit is the heavenly pattern of women. In her many studies and talks she cited numerous scholars and researchers from Jewish, Christian, and other sources.
They see in the creation of Adam and Eve a literal image and likeness of the invisible Godhead, Male and Female, who is "clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made" (Rom. 1:20). They take the oneness of God to mean the "familial" unity which exists between them, which unity is not seen in any other depiction of the Godhead by the various non-Hebrew peoples.
Thus, having a father and mother in heaven, they see that the Bible shows that those parents had a son born unto them before the creation of the world, by whom all things were created. The final element in their belief that mankind is literally made in the image and likeness of Gods is that of a divine daughter, a feminine counterpart of the son. They say that the concept has it roots in the Bible and Jewish concept of The Matronit. They see that the King James translators understood the concept of Christ having his own spirit (feminine counterpart), by using the terms "Holy Spirit" (Mother - Spirit of God), and "Holy Ghost" (Daughter - Spirit of Christ). Here are some example of Branch Davidian teachings on the Subject.
These concepts are also taught among other groups, to one degree or another.
There are some other independent Messianic groups with similar teachings. Some examples include Joy In the World ; The Torah and Testimony Revealed
There are also some scholars associated with more "mainstream" denominations, who while not necessarily indicative of the denominations themselves, have written works explaining a feminine understanding of the third member of the Godhead. For example, R.P. Nettlehorst, professor at the Quartz Hill School of Theology (associated with the Southern Baptist Convention) has written on the subject. Evan Randolph, associated with the Episcopal Church, has likewise written on the subject.
Here are some historical examples:
In 1901 the American Standard Version of the Bible translated the name as Holy Spirit, as had the English Revised Version of 1881-1885 upon which it was based. Almost all modern English translations have followed suit. Some languages still use a word that overlaps both English words, such as the German Geist.
In Norfolk, a county in the United Kingdom, Religious Education teachers are told to avoid using "Holy Ghost" as it allegedly "suggests a trivial and spooky element to the third part in the Trinity".
Christians believe the "Fruit of the Spirit" are virtues engendered in an individual by the acceptance of the Spirit and his actions in one's life. They can be found in the New Testament (): "But the fruit of the Spirit is love (Gk: agape), joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, [and] self-control." The Tradition of the Roman Catholic Church, (Catechism of the Catholic Church, Section 1832), lists 12 segments making up the Fruit of the Holy Spirit: "charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, [and] chastity." Many Christians believe that the fruit of the Holy Spirit are enhanced over time by exposure to the written word of God and by the experience of leading a Christian life. They further believe that the Fruit of the Holy Spirit are products of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit: "wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord."
The Holy Spirit empowers the believer for ministry in the church and world and allows him/her to commune with the Creator.
The Sevenfold or Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit poured out on a believer at baptism (accordant to Saint Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, died 397) are the: 1. Spirit of Wisdom; 2. Spirit of Understanding; 3. Spirit of Counsel; 4. Spirit of Strength; 5. Spirit of Knowledge; 6. Spirit of Godliness; 7. Spirit of Holy Fear; (from De Sacramentis 3.8). Ambrose believed that all of these were poured out on the believer at baptism.
Another understanding of Gifts of the Spirit holds that different gifts are given to different people, perhaps even at different times, according to the needs of the church, to carry out God's work on earth. Saint Paul believed that all Christians should work together, each with different functions like the parts of a human body. See 1 Corinthians 12. From this perspective, the Holy Spirit can manifest gifts of many kinds, giving:
or causing the believer to:
There are four listings of gifts of the Spirit. , , , and . In each of these references it is made clear that these gifts are for the building up of the Body of Christ, or the Church. St. Paul is aware of spiritual power that manifests itself in at least these ways and teaches the church of their presence, role and importance. These are to be distinguished from talents which all people enjoy because they are created in the image of God. Spiritual gifts provide the power and abilities needed to do the work of Christ in the world.
Some Christians, especially of Eastern Orthodoxy, believe that early fathers were especially guided by the Holy Spirit, making their writings almost as canonical as the Testaments.
Numerous other supernatural happenings have been linked to the Holy Spirit, and it is often claimed that the power of the Holy Spirit is manifested more in some than it is in others depending on the individual's openness to God using them and the Spirit's sovereign will.
Life in the Spirit
The following is an example of what is generally held by evangelical Christians.
Life in the Spirit is spoken of in many places within the Bible. We note this fact from many theological scholars, including Dr. Gilbert Stafford in his book Theology for Disciples, "The church was empowered both to increase numerically and to live a quality of life." We should be able to recognize the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of all Christians. This can be seen as three separate movements, the conviction of sin, the holiness of character, and for power in service.
The Conviction of Sin This is an on going ministry and work of the Holy Spirit. It was first spoken of by Jesus as recorded in John 16:8. The purpose of this conviction is for Christians to live set apart lives to honor God. It is through the conviction of sin that the Holy Spirit leads into a life that can be described as having a holiness of character.
With the infusion of the Holy Spirit into the lives of Christians so that they can live with a holiness of character. Holiness, and the Holiness movement, at times has been looked upon as legalism, and sometimes went that path. Yet the call to holiness of character should not be perverted by history. One who follows Jesus and is indwelled by the Spirit and submitting to that Spirit will live a life that has the fruit of the Spirit coming out of it, but this is not only for our own benefit, it is to serve God, and others.
Finally, we realize the movement of the Holy Spirit giving Christians power for service. This is for serving the Kingdom of God. This is where the gifts of the Spirit come in. The purpose of service within the Kingdom of God is to glorify God, and to extend the purposes and ministry of the kingdom, as stated in Acts 1:8.
The Holy Spirit is often depicted as a dove, based on the account of the Holy Spirit descending on Jesus in the form of a dove when he was baptized in the Jordan. In many paintings of the Annunciation, the Holy Spirit is shown in the form of a dove, coming down towards Mary on beams of light, representing the Seven Gifts, as the Archangel Gabriel's announces Christ's coming to Mary. A dove may also be seen at the ear of Saint Gregory the Great - as recorded by his secretary - or other Church Father authors, dictating their works to them.
The dove also parallels the one that brought the olive branch to Noah after the deluge (also a symbol of peace), and Rabbinic traditions that doves above the water signify the presence of God.
The book of Acts describes the Holy Spirit descending on the apostles at Pentecost in the form of a wind and tongues of fire resting over the apostles' heads. Based on the imagery in that account, the Holy Spirit is sometimes symbolized by a flame of fire.
There are also some artworks that have depicted the Holy Spirit in a feminine sense as seen in the Sistine Chapel.
Some Christadelphians believe that one way God uses his Holy Spirit is in the form of his angels. They also believe that sometimes the phrase Holy Spirit refers to God's character/mind, depending on the context that the phrase is in.
Examples of these distinctions are shown within the Bible (King James Version) verses as:
There are many other such references within the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price.
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Holy Ghost is considered a third and individual member of the Godhead; by virtue of their holy nature and the everlasting covenant existent between them, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit operate as 'One God' (united in the attributes of perfection and pursuit of a common, divine goal). The Holy Spirit exists as a distinct and separate being from the Father and the Son, having a body of spirit with no flesh and bones, whereas the Father and the Son are said to be resurrected individuals having immortalized bodies of flesh and bone. Though The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is technically "Non-Trinitarian", their belief in the Godhead is often misinterpreted as an endorsement of Trinitarianism.
Jehovah's Witnesses point out that personification in the Bible occurs often, including terms such as wisdom, sin and death, water and blood, and does not indicate that the subject is a person. The fact that the Holy Spirit is referred to impersonally several times is used to assert that references of this manner would not occur in such frequency if this was a divine member of God, just as it does not occur with the Father or the Son. Additionally, at Jesus' baptism in , Jesus received God's spirit at that time, which Witnesses say conflicts with the idea that the Son was always one with the Holy Spirit. Jesus relates in Mark 13:32 "But of that day and [that] hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father." The Witnesses note that the Holy Spirit is conspicuously missing from this statement, just as it is missing from Stephen's vision in where he sees only the Son and God in heaven.
Also noted, in regards to the mentions of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit together (as in ; ; ), nontrinitarians bring out that none of these verses offer any evidence of the equality of nature or authority among them, just as the numerous simultaneous references to "Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob" or "Peter, James and John" do not infer an equality in any manner. Alvan Lamson says in The Church of the First Three Centuries: "The modern popular doctrine of the Trinity . . . derives no support from the language of Justin Martyr: and this observation may be extended to all the ante-Nicene Fathers; that is, to all Christian writers for three centuries after the birth of Christ. It is true, they speak of the Father, Son, and . . . Holy Spirit, but not as co-equal, not as one numerical essence, not as Three in One, in any sense now admitted by Trinitarians. The very reverse is the fact." In fairness however, it should be noted that while not explicitly expressing the Trinity in words these very Apocrypha writings from Justin Martyr and many others of ante-Nicene Fathers from A.D. 70 on, do refer to the duality of Jesus and the Father, Jesus being worshiped and referred to as their God.
To the Christian metaphysician the Holy Spirit is just what the name implies, the whole Spirit of God in action. In the Hebrew Jehovah is written Yahweh, Yah being masculine and weh feminine.
In the New Testament Christ stands for Jehovah. Jesus talked a great deal about the Holy Spirit: that it would bear witness of him, come with him, and help him to the end of the age.
Do not be misled by the personality of the Holy Spirit and the reference to it as "he." This was the bias of the Oriental mind, making God and all forms of the Deity masculine.
Holy Spirit is the love of Jehovah taking care of the human family, and love is always feminine. Love is the great harmonizer and healer, and whoever calls upon God as Holy Spirit for healing is calling upon the divine love. Jesus Christ Heals, pp. 182-183
There are many Roman Catholic writings that attempt to explain how the Holy Spirit, prior to Pentecost, might have been mistaken as not being a Person of the Trinity. One, the New Catholic Encyclopedia states: "The O[ld] T[estament] clearly does not envisage God's spirit as a person … God's spirit is simply God's power. If it is sometimes represented as being distinct from God, it is because the breath of Yahweh acts exteriorly. … The majority of N[ew] T[estament] texts reveal God's spirit as something, not someone; this is especially seen in the parallelism between the spirit and the power of God." (New Catholic Encyclopedia, 1967, Vol. 14, pp. 574, 575).
If it is sometimes represented as being distinct from God, it is because the breath of Yahweh acts exteriorly (Isa. 48:16; 63:11; 32:15). Very rarely do the OT writers attribute to God's spirit emotions or intellectual activity (Isa. 63:10; Wisdom of Solomon 1:3-7). When such expressions are used, they are mere figures of speech that are explained by the fact that the RUAH was regarded also as the seat of intellectual acts and feeling (Gen. 41:8).
Neither is there found in the OT or in rabbinical literature the notion that God's spirit is an intermediary being between God and the world. This activity is proper to the angels, although to them is ascribed some of the activity that elsewhere is ascribed to the spirit of God"
This encyclopedia further states:
"… the NT (New Testament) concepts of the Spirit of God are largely a continuation of those of the OT. … The majority of NT texts reveal God's spirit as something, not someone; this is especially seen in the parallelism between the spirit and the power of God.
When a quasi-personal activity is ascribed to God's spirit, e.g., speaking, hindering, desiring, dwelling (Acts 8:29; 16:7; Rom.8:9), one is not justified in concluding immediately that in these passages God's spirit is regarded as a Person; the same expressions are used in regard to rhetorically personified things or abstract ideas (see Rom.6:6; 7:17).
Thus the context of the phrase 'blasphemy against the spirit' (Mat.12:31; cf. Mat.12:28; Luke 11:20, see also Eternal sin) shows that reference is being made to the power of God".
Thus, it must be noted that Roman Catholic teaching has always held the Holy Spirit, however depicted, to be a distinct Person of the Trinity, not just an aspect or manifestation of some attribute of the Father or the Son.
According to those who hold the minority (and, for Catholics, heretical) view of Binitarianism, the Holy Spirit is not a separate being, but the Father and the Son are. One such group, the Living Church of God teaches this about the Holy Spirit, "The Holy Spirit is the very essence, the mind, life and power of God. It is not a Being. The Spirit is inherent in the Father and the Son, and emanates from Them throughout the entire universe (; ). It was through the Spirit that God created all things (). It is the power by which Christ maintains the universe (). It is given to all who repent of their sins and are baptized and is the power by which all believers may be "overcomers" and will be led to eternal life" (Official Statement of Fundamental Beliefs).
The view that the Holy Spirit is not a distinct person has been considered to be heretical by mainstream Christianity, including Roman Catholicism. For example, Epiphanius of Salamis referred to some of those as Semi-Arians and Pneumatomachi ("spirit-fighters") and called them, "A sort of monstrous, half-formed people of two natures … Semi-Arians … hold the truly orthodox view of the Son, that he was forever with the Father...but has been begotten without beginning and not in time … But all of these blaspheme the Holy Spirit, and do not count him in the Godhead with the Father and the Son" (Epiphanius. The Panarion of Epiphanius of Salamis, Books II and III (Sects 47-80), De Fide). Section VI, Verses 1,1 and 1,3. Translated by Frank Williams. EJ Brill, New York, 1994, pp.471-472)


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Adapted from The French ChefPhoto from East Meets West Kitchen
5 -6 cups yellow onions, thinly sliced ( about 1 1/2 to 2 lbs.)1 tablespoon cooking oil2 tablespoons butter1/2-teaspoon sugar1-teaspoon salt3 tablespoons flour6 cups parve vegetable stock1-cup wine (dry red or white)1 bay leaf1/2-teaspoon ground sagesalt and pepper12 ounces Swiss cheese, grated4 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated1/2 raw yellow onion2 -3 tablespoons kosher cognac or brandy8 slices French bread ( about 1 inch thick)4 tablespoons olive oil, for drizzling
Place heavy bottom stockpot or Dutch over medium-low heat.Add 1 Tbs cooking oil and 2 Tbs butter to pot.Add sliced onions and stir until they are evenly coated with the oil.Cover and cook for about 20 minutes until they are very tender and translucent.To brown or caramelize the onions turn heat under pot to medium or medium high heat.Add 1/2 tsp sugar and 1 tsp salt and continue to cook uncovered, stirring frequently until the onions have browned and reduced significantly.Once caramelized, reduce heat to medium-low and add 3 Tbs flour to the onions.Brown the flour for about 2-3 minutes trying not to scorch it. (If the flour does not form a thick paste, you can add a bit more butter here).Stir in about 1 cup of warm stock, scraping the bottom of the pan to get up all of the cooked-on bits.Add the rest of the stock, wine, sage, and bay leaf to the soup.Simmer for 30 minutes.To make the "croutes" (toasted bread), heat oven to 325 degrees F.Drizzle each side of the bread slices with a bit of olive oil and place on baking sheet.Cook the croutes for 15 minutes in oven on each side (30 minutes total).Check the soup for seasoning and add salt and pepper if needed.Remove the bay leaf (if you can find it).Transfer to a casserole dish.At this point you can add the 2-3 Tbs cognac (or brandy) and grate the 1/2 raw onion into the soup.Add a few ounces of the Swiss cheese directly into the soup and stir.Place the toasted bread in a single layer on top of the soup.Sprinkle the rest of the cheese in a thick layer on top of the bread. making sure to cover the edges of the toast to prevent burning.Drizzle with a little oil or melted butter.Place in a 350-degree oven for about 30 minutes.Turn on broiler and brown cheese well.Let cool for a few minutes.
Bon Appetit!
This soup may be prepared dairy as in the above recipe, which uses butter, cheese and vegetable stock. Or omit all of the cheese, and make it vegan.OrFor parve or meat, omit all of the dairy ingredients by substituting olive oil for butter and omit the cheese. You may want to try Daiya brand cheese substitute – which is parve and kosher.
Although the soup in this video clip is not "kosher", you may want to watch the legendary Julia Child create the original dish. She certainly offers many good tips!
Recipe: Kosher, soup

subset: commoncrawl


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Welcome to the Office of the Fire Marshal
The primary duty of the Bexar County Fire Marshal's Office (BCFMO) is to develop, foster and promote methods of protecting the lives and property of the citizens of Bexar County from fires, both natural and man-made hazards, and other significant events through the direct coordination and action with other public safety, private, and business communities. The BCFMO staff takes pride in the execution of this responsibility with the highest standards of professionalism, efficiency, integrity and accountability.
The BCFMO consists of six functions: Fire Code Compliance & Enforcement, Fire Prevention & Inspections, Fire/Arson Investigations, Fire Dispatch Communications, Community Outreach Initiatives, and the Office of Emergency Management. The BCFMO staff provides rapid response to requests for investigations, inspections, fire code compliance, and emergency management assistance.


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Nolan Miller Sheer Illusion® Barbie® Doll
Glamour, glitz and beauty from one of America's premiere designers, Nolan Miller. Sheer Illusion® Barbie® doll is an eye-catching beauty in a delicate slip-style gown of sheer black tulle, highlighted with a lacy trim on her long skirt. A high collared, full-length jacket of jet-black tulle decorated with an intricate pattern complements her sleek silhouette. Wearing her stunning blond hair in an elegant upswept style, Barbie® looks truly glamorous and ready for an enchanted evening.
Dress design by Nolan Miller© 1997 Nolan Miller Couture, used under license.
Production doll may vary from the photo shown above. Mattel reserves the right to modify the fashion/fabrics, sculpt, hair color/style, and accessories. Doll cannot stand alone as shown.


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My opinion of Real Racing 3 is that EA have ruined this game series with their insistence on trying to suck every last dime out of their customers without actually giving us what we want. I can almost guarantee that most customers would rather pay a fair price for this game than have a freemium game.
I think it's a shame, because the developers that have crafted this beautiful game would surely as individuals want the end user to experience the game in all its glory, but is almost impossible to enjoy this game to the fullest without spending a potentially endless amount of money, which will ultimately leave a sour taste in your mouth.
Smaller, really talented game developers keep getting acquired by the EA monster which is a real shame, because EA is a greedy company that is becoming so disconnected with their customer base. So disappointing!
Real Racing 3 finally arrives in the US App Store with fremium model and lots of in-app purchase options
Its been a long wait for whatever reason but from today, Real Racing 3 has finally shown up in the US App Store. Real Racing 3 was released to other countries over a week ago but for for some strange reason it never showed up in the US App Store. That has now changed and you can now get your hands on this amazing looking driving game.
Hyper-realistic. Pure fun. And FREE. Real Racing 3 sets a new standard for mobile racing games – it really must be experienced to be believed. Trailblazing new features include officially licensed tracks, an expanded 22-car grid, and over 45 meticulously detailed cars from makers like Porsche, Lamborghini, Dodge, Bugatti, and Audi. Plus, racing with friends gets kicked into another dimension with the reality-bending Time Shifted Multiplayer (TSM) technology.
The game is free to download and play but has received a lot of criticsm for its fremium model. Once you have the game you are then faced with a plethora of in-app purchase options which if you are not careful can soon mount up and make Real Racing 3 a really expensive experience. Of course you don't need to buy any in-app purchases but its hard to resist getting your car a spec bump to help you win more races.
Real Racing 3 is currently compatible with the iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod touch 4th and 5th gen, iPad 2, iPad 3, iPad 4 and iPad mini; you must be running at least iOS 4.3. The game has also been optimized for the iPhone 5's larger screen as well as being a universal binary for iPhone and iPad full screen gaming.
It looks like an awesome racing game and the graphics really are outstanding. If you grab this one, make sure to let us know how you enjoy playing it! Also let us know what you think of the in-app purchases.
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Reader comments
Real Racing 3 finally arrives in the US App Store with fremium model and lots of in-app purchase options
My opinion of Real Racing 3 is that EA have ruined this game series with their insistence on trying to suck every last dime out of their customers without actually giving us what we want. I can almost guarantee that most customers would rather pay a fair price for this game than have a freemium game.
I see your point of view. I do have to say that I'm actually enjoying the time limits. It makes it feel more like real life. You can surely get through the whole game without paying. It will just take you longer.
Yes, I have seen some people saying that you can get through the game with the time limits, but the thing that puts me off is that EA's intention is obviously for users to pay to play, and to keep on paying, which may be a great business model, but would be great if they occasionally listened to their customers. They ruined Madden NFL 2013 for IOS with their freemium model, and I can see titles like FIFA going this way too. In the 80s I used to dream of owning my own old school arcade machine so that I could play pacman and the likes without blowing all my pocket money. Then we got Ataris, Nintendos and play stations and you could own your own arcade at home. It's starting to feel like we've come full circle and we back at the arcade, but instead of needing a pocket of quarters, you now need your credit card.
Ok look.. It should be real simple.. about 90% of the premium games are what? $6.99 ? It's ok to lure more potental $ in by starting out free to let one get a "Taste" of the game.. but, By Gawd if you choose to purchase upgrades the MAX you should have to spend is that $6.99.. to get EVERYTHING the game has to offer.. that way in this economy those that don't have or want to spend 7 Bucks on a game can pick a Pricepoint that fits their needs. I personally bought all my High End Games when they were on sale over the holidays for $0.99.. I think I have about 7 such games.. That's the most they will get out of me unless there is another sale.. :-)
Update: The game had not finished downloading when I first commented.. O.M.G. ! You can spend upwards of $225.00 on upgrades!!!!!!!!!!
Really??? Are you Fricken Kidding Me~!
If this is what the year 2013 is going to be all about, then I for one am glad I got my games for $0.99 during the Xmas sale.. Guess I will just play them from time to time to stretch things out till the next holiday sale.. :-)
For $225.00 Danica Patrick better be out in front of my House in a Swimsuit and a Convertible saying "Let's Ride Baby~!"
I was a huge fan of the Real Racing series but this was so disappointing. When I first heard that RR3 was going to this pricing scheme, I thought it was a joke and that any serious game or application would never have this model. Much to my surprise, EA wants to roll this out for all there games on all consoles. Imagine if Apple used this pricing scheme; $200 for an iPad, $30 for the OS, $10 for Mail, $20 for Web Browser, $10 for contacts, $10 for calendar and so on. The result would be that the true experience would be horrible. The thought of Madden requiring me to pay per play or per quarter makes me sad. Applications like this need to be boycotted.
I agree 100%. You buy one ripoff pack of gold coins and you risk ever owning a game again. They have sucked the life and enjoyment out of an awesome game.
Not only imagine if Apple charged for every little addon, but imagine if Apple charged you $1 every time you used Safari or ever time you opened you mail. That's what this model is like and it sucks. There is no difference between this and going down to the casino. Games are addictive and they prey on the weak. It's unethical in my book.
I love the graphics and physics improvements.
But the IAP model means I'll never play this game. Unlike RR2 it is impossible to earn enough to buy cars and keep advancing. I refuse to support games that are nothing more than crippled trials unless you buy their stars, cash, coins, or whatever.
EA has truly killed te franchise with this one. Just like "Enterprise" did to Star Trek


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Why Liberals Make Better Political Pop Culture than Conservatives
In my ongoing quest to reach across the aisle and foster bipartisanship, I come to praise Jonah Goldberg—yes, that Jonah Goldberg, the author of Liberal Fascism and innumerable appalling columns, for what he writes in the Los Angeles Times, in which he recoils at the suggestion by some of his brethren that they need to buy a movie studio and start churning out conservative films:
There's a difference between art and propaganda. Outside the art house crowd, liberal agitprop doesn't sell. Art must work with the expectations and beliefs of the audience. Even though pregnancies are commonplace on TV, you'll probably never see a hilarious episode of a sitcom in which a character has an abortion — because abortion isn't funny.
The conservative desire to create a right-wing movie industry is an attempt to mimic a caricature of Hollywood. Any such effort would be a waste of money that would make the Romney campaign seem like a great investment.
There's something Goldberg doesn't mention, which is that when they've tried this kind of thing in the past, conservatives have failed miserably. The problem isn't that pop culture isn't a good way to influence people's political beliefs, it's that when conservatives have tried to use pop culture for those ends, the results have been almost uniformly awful. What was supposed to be funny wasn't funny, what was supposed to be thrilling was boring, and what was supposed to get your toes tapping and your head nodding produced nothing but derisive laughter.
To a degree liberals have this problem too, because if your primary intention in producing a piece of art/entertainment is to have a political impact, the art/entertainment is probably not going to be very good. The Daily Show and The Colbert Report work because they aren't attempts by a group of liberals who happen to be comedy writers and performers to use comedy to advance liberal goals, they're attempts by a bunch of comedy writers and performers who happen to be liberals to use politics to be funny.
Nevertheless, even when they set out to make a political point through popular culture, liberals usually do it much better than conservatives. That's mostly because when it happens it's people who are already really good at what they do taking their art and turning it political. So when Eminem decides to release an anti-George W. Bush song just before the 2004 election, it may not be his best song ever, but it's pretty good, because he's Eminem and he knows what he's doing. When liberals decide to make an anti-fracking movie, Matt Damon and John Krasinski write it and star in it, and Gus Van Sant directs it, and even if it isn't Citizen Kane, it's a polished Hollywood production, because those guys know what they're doing.
When people on the right try to do the same, it isn't the A-team doing it, or even the B-team. You get a couple of kids from the Campus Republicans who happen to like hip-hop making their own anti-Obama rap, and the result is less than inspiring. You get something like Silver Circle, an animated libertarian movie supposedly coming to theaters soon, in which the dollar collapses, the Federal Reserve takes over the country with its police force of jackbooted thugs, and brave rebels fight back by minting their own currency (and, apparently, engaging in some gun battles). Sadly the preview is not embeddable, but click that link and you'll see something that looks like it was put together by your nephew and a few of his buddies over a couple of weekends, stringing together every political thriller cliche they could come up with and wrapping it in all the high-quality production values of one of those crazy Taiwanese news videos. The animation is so bad It would have to take a bullet train overnight to even get within sight of the uncanny valley. I'm sure the people who made it worked hard on it, and this kind of thing is harder than it looks, but that's kind of my point.
Not that I'm saying people shouldn't write songs and make their own propaganda movies if the spirit moves them. Let a hundred flowers bloom. It's better than having governments do it, and a robust political movement should incorporate everything from lobbying to organizing to running for office to writing songs. But just don't expect that in and of themselves the pieces of art will have that great an impact. And chances are that the more seriously you're taking yourself as you do it, the worse it'll be.
Thu, 2013-02-21 12:50
The bigger issue for conservatives is the simple reality that liberals are much more likely to go into the creative arts than conservatives. As a result the talent pool of liberals is far deeper than the talent pool is for conservatives.
This is the inverse of small business owners/military officers were the talent pool of conservatives is far deeper.
Different fields attract people with different personality types and personality types strongly influence political beliefs. Conservatives are generally more conscientiousness which is very important in having a successful career in institutions like the military but liberals advantages in open mindness means we will always dominate the creative arts.
Sat, 2013-02-23 14:57
One other thing to look at is the high incidence of Liberals being "right" about an issue. A movie which features the completely true science of climate change done up in a somewhat fictionalized form (The Day After Tomorrow comes to mind) is seen as Liberal Propaganda because Liberals believe in climate change. Similarly, a movie which features a difficult situation that leads a young woman to consider abortion is seen in the same light even though it is simply an account of an everyday occurrence. Therein, the incidence of what conservatives call liberal propaganda is much larger than the actual activity of liberals making films with the intent to persuade.
Further, can you actually see a talented conservative make a pro-fracking film? The science just doesn't back up anything good they would have to say in defense of the practices of the fracking indusry.
Sat, 2013-03-09 19:04
Another difference, and key reason for liberal success at humor/pop culture, is that libs/progressives are willing to include themselves as the objects of their humor. The nature of humor is that the comic holds up a mirror to our foibles -- "we're ALL bozos on this bus." Jon Stewart frequently includes himself --indeed, all Americans -- among the flawed.
Can you imagine a conservative pundit doing the same? Theirs is a stream of certitude that will brook no taint of self-doubt.
Without that quality, any attempt to create pop culture would quickly devolve into dogma, preachiness, and didacticism. (Which is why conservatives dominate the radio talk show circuit...sound bites can be neither ambiguous nor generate dialogue.)
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Winter!: Prepare for holiday gaming!
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It's a pretty fun little arcade game with very stunning graphics...
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This a very fun game to just sit back, hang out with some friends, and win some chips!! 5 stars!!
This is and always will be one of the greatest FPS's of all time. It doesn't get any better than...
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An all around great game....smooth graphic, great story, multiplayer is excellent. You can host...
The world record for number of button mashes per second, set by Toshuyuki Takahashi.
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Please note to safeguard against credit card fraud, some reservations will require you to come into one of our ticket office locations to make payment or show us your credit card and ID to have your ticket issued. If the SkyMiles member that is redeeming miles is not traveling, they can show their credit card and ID at any airport ticket counter or ticket office location, whichever is most convenient.
When redeeming tickets at delta.com, immediate payment with a credit or debit card is required at the time of ticketing.
The following credit cards are accepted:
We are unable to accept certain foreign-issued Diners Club cards. In addition, one-time use credit card numbers provided by some credit card companies are permitted only if tickets are purchased at least 6 days before departure.
Debit cards are accepted for ticket payment, but here are some details to keep in mind:
Please check with your bank before purchasing.
eCredits are electronic vouchers that can be applied towards the cost of your ticket for travel on Delta Air Lines, Delta Shuttle, Delta Connection and Delta designated codeshare flights. They are only valid for payment of tickets and government imposed taxes and fees. They are not valid for other types of fees and they do not have any cash value.
eCredits can be redeemed here at delta.com or at any airport or city ticket office. When you use delta.com there's no transaction fee. A fee does apply when using any other location. eCredits cannot be redeemed at travel agencies, other airlines, or other travel web sites.
Each eCredit has its own set of Terms & Conditions and can vary based on date of issue.
Examples of eCredit types:
Paper vouchers cannot be redeemed online. To redeem a paper voucher, visit a Delta ticket counter at the airport or a Delta Ticket Office.
With our online interactive seat map, you can confirm your seat in three mouse clicks. In some cases, seat assignments are made automatically based upon your preference for a window or aisle seat, noted in your profile. We will request seat assignments when traveling on an airline partner at the time of ticketing. Seat assignments may not always be confirmed at the time of the request. Contact the airline partner directly for seat requests.
If your seating preference is not available, "NA" will appear in the "Seat Assignment" column of your itinerary. In this case, you will receive your seat during check-in on the date of departure or you can go to Itineraries to select a seat.
We accommodate the seating requirements of customers with certain types of disabilities. This could result in the occasional need to change another individual's pre-assigned seat, with bulkhead seats being particularly subject to reassignment. We appreciate your cooperation in these special circumstances.
To safeguard against credit card fraud, the purchaser may have to show us the credit card along with a valid photo ID. The time varies based on the billing address of the credit card. If the purchaser is not traveling, they can show us their credit card and ID at an airport ticket counter or another ticket office location, whichever is most convenient.
All Awards are subject to availability, and additional taxes and fees may apply. See Award Travel Rules & Conditions for details.
Awards are subject to capacity controls. Awards with partner airlines may require higher rates or a Saturday night stay. Awards may require higher prices depending on routing rules and restrictions. Exceptions to these rules may require additional mileage or taxes and fees. Travel to all destinations within region may not be available at lowest price. Not all countries within region are serviced by Delta and/or partner airlines. Air France- and KLM-marketed non-air services (bus, train, etc.) are not eligible. Award Travel on delta.com is limited to travel on Delta, Delta Connection® carriers and the following partner airlines: , Aeroflot, Aerolineas Argentina, Aeromexico, Air France, Alaska Airlines, Alitalia, China Airlines, China Eastern, China Southern, Garuda Indonesia, Great Lakes Airlines, GOL, Hawaiian Airlines, KLM, Korean Air, Middle East Airlines, Saudia, Vietnam, Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Australia. For travel on other SkyMiles airline partners, call 800-323-2323 or the number on the back of your SkyMiles membership card. Non-U.S. based customers can contact us for assistance. Some airline partners impose a surcharge on Award redemptions for travel on their airline. These charges when applicable are the responsibility of the passenger and will be collected at the time of booking.
All SkyMiles program rules apply. To review rules, please visit delta.com/memberguide. Taxes and fees for Award Travel are the responsibility of the passenger and must be paid at the time the ticket is issued. The payment of any taxes, fees, and other government-, airport- or carrier-imposed charges is the responsibility of the passenger. Award redemption requires payment of at least $11.20 in U.S. government taxes and fees for domestic itineraries and may include up to $600 for foreign government taxes and fees and/or carrier-imposed fees for international itineraries.
Award seats may be limited and not available on all Delta Connection flights. Partner airline benefits are subject to change and subject to terms and conditions of each partner. Offers and benefits subject to change without notice. Other restrictions may apply.


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|Back to Calendar October 24, 2014 (all-day)
|Weekly on Friday - forever
|✔ Add to Calendar Add to Google Calendar
Everyone is asked to wear a red shirt on Friday in support of the troops currently serving overseas and all the servicemen and women.
We need to let our servicemen and women know we support their sacrifice and we will not forget them. You can do this by wearing red on every Friday.
For more information, go to redshirtfridays.org.


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Women's Skechers GOrun 2Item #SKE129
VIP:$76.46 Get This Price
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Women's SKECHERS® GORUN 2 :: Get it all and GO the distance with this lightweight, naturally flexible running shoe that also offers gait enhancement and durability, the women's Skechers® GOrun 2. Experience the extraordinary ride of this shoe that mimics the natural flexibility of your foot by offering progressive flex engineering for more bend where you need it, and less where you don't. You'll revel in the responsiveness you'll get from the GOimpulse sensors that not only make you feel more connected to the road, but also add to the durability of this fab running shoe. 4.7 ounces
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Comments about Womens Skechers GOrun 2 Running Shoe:
I've run short 4 milers and longer 10 milers and have been very happy with the fit and comfort. Me and Meb are tight!
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Comments about Womens Skechers GOrun 2 Running Shoe:
Would love more subtle colors.
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Comments about Womens Skechers GOrun 2 Running Shoe:
I was a fan of the Gorun 1. Love this new model, but maybe not as much
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Comments about Womens Skechers GOrun 2 Running Shoe:
I really wanted to love these shoes. They are very lightweight, cushy and fast. The problem is that they are too narrow in the forefoot for me. My toes felt pressed together.Definitely size up 1/2 size.
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Comments about Womens Skechers GOrun 2 Running Shoe:
I've done 5 runs (cummulation of 28.5 miles) in these shoes. I love how cushiony they are but yet so lightweight. I'm 5'8", 134 lbs and run about 16-20 miles a week, training for a half marathon. I will say that the sole is wearing pretty quickly, but the majority of my runs are on concrete. Durability, not so great. But I love the feel of these shoes. I have a avg to high arch and overpronate some too & yet these shoes still feel great!
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Shop with confidence knowing your team of Fit Experts is waiting to answer all your questions. You can always find your perfect product and your perfect fit. Your Road Runner Sports Fit Experts will make sure you get exactly what you want and have tons of fun in the process! Give us a call, chat, or email!
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Pronounced: as-PAR-a-jin-ase
Classification: Enzyme, Antineoplastic agent
Asparaginase is an enzyme (a protein that makes chemical reactions go faster) that speeds up the reaction that turns asparagine into aspartic acid and ammonia. Cancerous white blood cells depend on asparagine to survive, so if all of it is used up through the catalyzed reaction, the cancerous cells die. Normal white blood cells can produce their own asparagine, and are therefore less affected by the drug.
Asparaginase is given by intravenous (into a vein) infusion or intramuscular (into a muscle) infusion, over at least 30 minutes. It can be given alone or with other drugs. Asparaginase can be given in various dosing schedules, depending on the regimen being used.
There are a number of things you can do to manage the side effects of Asparaginase. Talk to your doctor or nurse about these recommendations. They can help you decide what will work best for you. These are some of the most common side effects:
Rash, itching, redness, hives and/or difficulty breathing during the treatment or shortly after the treatment. To see if you will have an allergic reaction, you will receive a small dose as a skin test before receiving your first dose of asparaginase and whenever more than one week passes between treatments. It may be necessary for the nurse to observe you for a period of time after you receive the asparaginase and/or give you medications to counteract the effects. Notify your doctor or nurse if you have experience any of these symptoms.
If you experience fever or chills, let your doctor or nurse know. Before taking any medications contact your doctor or nurse.
Your doctor may order some blood tests to check your liver function. Call your doctor or nurse immediately if you have abdominal pain, your urine becomes dark in color, or if your skin or the white of your eyes become jaundiced (yellow in color).
Your doctor may order some blood tests to check how your pancreas is functioning. Call your doctor or nurse if you have abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, frequent urination or feel thirsty all the time.
White blood cells (WBC) are important for fighting infection. While receiving treatment, your WBC count can drop, putting you at a higher risk of getting an infection. You should let your doctor or nurse know right away if you have a fever (temperature greater than 100.4 F), sore throat or cold, shortness of breath, cough, burning with urination, or a sore that doesn't heal.
Tips to preventing infection:
For more suggestions, read the Neutropenia Tip Sheet.
Your red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen to the tissues in your body. When the red cell count is low, you may feel tired or weak. You should let your doctor or nurse know if you experience any shortness of breath, difficulty breathing or pain in your chest. If the count gets too low, you may receive a blood transfusion. Read the anemia tip sheet for more information.
Platelets help your blood clot, so when the count is low you are at a higher risk of bleeding. Let your doctor or nurse know if you have any excess bruising or bleeding, including nose bleeds, bleeding gums or blood in your urine or stool. If your platelet count becomes too low, you may receive a transfusion of platelets.
Read the thrombocytopenia tip sheet for more information.
Take anti-nausea medications as prescribed. If you continue to have nausea or vomiting, notify your doctor or nurse so they can help you manage this side effect. In addition, dietary changes may help. Avoid things that may worsen the symptoms, such as heavy or greasy/fatty, spicy or acidic foods (lemons, tomatoes, oranges). Try antacids, (e.g. milk of magnesia, calcium tablets such as Tums), saltines, or ginger ale to lessen symptoms. Read the Nausea & Vomiting Tip Sheet for more suggestions.
Call your doctor or nurse if you are unable to keep fluids down for more than 12 hours or if you feel lightheaded or dizzy at any time.
You may feel tired, depressed, confused or upset. Call your doctor or nurse if you feel confused, drowsy or are hearing, seeing, or feeling things that are not there.
See OncoLink's section on fatigue for helpful tips on dealing with this side effect.
Visit OncoLink's section on Nutrition for tips on dealing with this side effect. Ask your nurse about nutritional counseling services.
This drug can affect your reproductive system, resulting in the menstrual cycle or sperm production becoming irregular or stopping permanently. Women may experience menopausal effects including hot flashes and vaginal dryness - read more about coping with vaginal dryness. In addition, the desire for sex may decrease during treatment.
Exposure of an unborn child to this medication could cause birth defects, so you should not become pregnant or father a child while on this medication. Effective birth control is necessary during treatment, even if your menstrual cycle stops or you believe your sperm is affected. You may want to consider sperm banking or egg harvesting if you may wish to have a child in the future. Discuss these options with your oncology team. See OncoLink's section on sexuality for helpful tips for dealing with these side effects.


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February 28, 2013
We Did It! A Victory for VAWA
Great news! Congress passes a real Violence Against Women Act that will help protect ALL women from violence.
Recent Victories
April 18, 2012
George Ramzi Nakhla, a member of the "6 April Youth" protest movement, was released on 25 March 2012 after being detained and beaten by Egyptian security forces.
January 17, 2012
Syrian student Suhaib al-Ammar was released without charge on 10 January 2012, following his arrest by Syrian Air Force Intelligence officials on 18 November 2011.
January 13, 2012
A Maldivian activist who was attacked and detained on 10 December 2011 for organizing a peaceful protest calling for religious tolerance was released on 6 January. His attackers remain at large.
January 10, 2012


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Our world-class Première service. Now on all our B737 aircrafts across India.Amazing comfort, efficient service and delicious meals are the 3 ingredients that make up the Jet Airways Première experience. And with a crew so dedicated to serving you, we will ensure that you have a comfortable and relaxing flying experience right from departure until arrival.
© Jet Airways (India) Ltd.


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Free and open to the public.
Near the Big Dipper in the northern sky, there is a star that, to the eye, appears faint and unremarkable. But it is special in a couple of ways. It is so far away that light from this star must travel for many years to reach the earth. The light we see tonight left that star in 1967. This is the same year the Ball State University Planetarium opened its doors and began its operation. While light we see today from that star was traveling toward the earth, the first humans landed on the Moon, black holes were found, robotic rovers drove on Mars, and the existence of mysterious dark energy and dark matter was discovered. By the way, that star is special in another way; it has two planets. Something no one would have guessed in 1967!
These events and many more were the subject of Ball State University Planetarium programs that educated children and nurtured the curiosity of its audiences. After 46 years of operation and 400,000 visitors, this planetarium will cease regular operation in April of 2014. This final program celebrates the awe and inspiration this facility has given to so many people in our community. The new Charles W. Brown Planetarium will open in the fall of 2014.
No tickets or reservations are required, but plan to arrive early for the best seats. The planetarium is located in the southeast corner of the lower level of the Cooper Science Complex (Room CP 90). Doors will open 30 minutes before show time. No one will be admitted after the program begins. Children 12 years and under should be accompanied by an adult. Programs are approximately 45 minutes long.
Due to construction projects on campus, the availability of parking near the planetarium is affected. View parking instructions.
Copyright © 2015 Ball State University 2000 W. University Ave. Muncie, IN 47306
800-382-8540 and 765-289-1241


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A referendum to double the county's 2 percent bed tax appears to be headed for the November ballot.
At the July 1 county meeting, Tourist Development Council (TDC) board members Paul Parker and Walter Armistead requested the proposed increase be placed on the regular ballot to save the cost of a special election.
Last September, back-to-back motions by Commissioner and TDC Chair Pinki Jackel, to double the county's bed tax and then to increase it by just 1 percentage point, both died for lack of a second.
At last week's meeting, commissioners voted 4-1 to place the question of doubling the tax to a public referendum, with Commissioner Noah Lockley opposed. The discussion was then tabled while the TDC considered the referendum.
At the same meeting, Lockley moved to bring the administration of the TDC in-house, but the measure failed by a 2-3 vote, with Commissioners Cheryl Sanders, William Massey and Jackel opposed.
On July 1, Jackel told commissioners the TDC board had voted unanimously to request the referendum be placed on the November ballot.
Parker told commissioners the increase is needed to end the off-season and make tourism a more sustainable industry in the county. He said with increased tourism, more people would be employed fulltime.
Parker said evidence of the effectiveness of increased advertising is in the results of advertising subsidized by funds provided by BP during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
"We are up to a $50 million industry and pushing for $100 million. Our goal is to make it a year-round economic engine," he said.
Parker said that, during the oil spill, the county spent $2 million and brought in $4 million in new revenue.
He said half of the proposed tax increase would be spent on marketing. He said the biggest out-of-county marketing provides the greatest return, but with decreased funding, the county cannot advertise nationally. He said that, out of about $900,000 collected under the current 2 percent tax, only about $100,000 is spent on advertising nationally.
"Under the new math, if we now collect $900,000, we would theoretically collect ($1.8 million), Jackel said.
Parker said $450,000 of that would be dedicated to national advertising. "That's back to the level of advertising we were able to generate when we got the really generous grants from BP," he said.
"I don't see any of this money trickling down to District 3," said Lockley. "I'm not going to vote for something that only benefits a few people."
Parker said the improvements would benefit the entire county.
In his remarks, Parrish said Apalachicola is not properly represented on the TDC board.
"It's 'Franklin County TDC' (and) it should be inclusive of the entire county," Parrish said. "I do agree with doing offseason advertising and trying to make the tourist industry sustainable, but I represent District 4 and they are not represented on this board. I keep saying this and it falls on deaf ears."
Parker said Apalachicola City Commissioner Frank Cook and business owner Beverly Hewitt represent Apalachicola on the TDC board.
"They are not collectors of the tax," said Parrish.
In an interview later, Hewitt said she represents the Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce, which has members from all of the communities bordering Apalachicola Bay, and not only Apalachicola.
Parrish also said that the TDC had not provided the board with information about the presentation prior to Tuesday's meeting. Jackel said County Planner Alan Pierce, who was not present, was responsible for providing the information in advance and had failed to do so.
Jackel and Parker said which vendors would be contracted to do the increased advertising have not been discussed. Parker said the TDC would continue to use some existing vendors but might consider bringing in an outside consultant.
Jackel said, if funding to the TDC is increased, the TDC would have to revise their plan to promote the area. She said TDC Administrator Curt Blair said the new tax could not take effect until January 2015 and the first funds would be received in March.
Commissioner Noah Lockley asked how much of the current TDC budget is spent on administration.
Lockley asked if administrative fees would double with increased funding. Parker said it would remain capped at 9 percent of the total money collected.
"The ratio doesn't have to stay the same if the TDC board makes a different recommendation," Jackel said.
Parker said the second penny of the additional sales tax collected would go to developing infrastructure and funding not-for-profits.
Commission Chair Cheryl Sanders said renovation of the Coombs Armory had top priority for funding. She said she also supported increased funding for the Camp Gordon Johnston Museum.
She said a third important project was public restrooms for the beach at Alligator Point.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, Alan Feiffer, president of the Alligator Point Taxpayers Association (APTA) asked Sanders to come and discuss the bathrooms with APTA. He said that the addition of bathrooms would bring increased traffic to the beach and that parking was already insufficient for visitors to the site.
Sanders said before voting on including a referendum on the November ballot, she wanted to see the wording.
Jackel moved that Shuler prepare a referendum for consideration. Massey seconded the motion and it passed with Lockley and Parrish opposed.
Shuler said he could present a draft at the next county meeting. Jackel said the TDC had until September to provide the referendum to the Supervisor of Elections.
Once again, Lockley moved to bring administration of the TDC under county control and Parrish seconded the motion.
Jackel asked if the board should do this before the current contract with TDC Administrator Curt Blair was still in effect. She said the contract comes before the board at the first August meeting.
Lockley's motion failed, with Massey, Jackel and Sanders opposed. Sanders said she felt the board should wait and review the contract