text:
My beloved
and I are married. I wear his collar and he wears mine. We are both Doms, but he is teaching me since he has more experience than I do, so I acquiesce to him on some things. It is however my choice. We are looking to add someone to our life, a slave. We have decided on a female slave. She will work in our home in New York, travel with us and take care of us.
My beloved has a friend, Sir Richard. Sir Richard lives in Los Angeles. He trains slaves and owns a mansion high in Holmby Hills. He has between 5 and 10 slaves who actually live with him and his wife. His wife, Diana is a Dom also and strikingly beautiful. In her former life, she was a Victoria Secret model.
Excitedly we send them our qualifications. We want someone beautiful, between the ages of 25 and 35, no children at present but we are open to someone who wants children, of course healthy with all checkups and shots. Someone who is educated speaks English. I want someone white. No blacks because I am the only Nubian Queen in this house. No piercings or if a tattoo only a small one. Must love to suck pussy and cock, swallow sperm if my husband wishes.
We are having a contract written and they are required to sign a non disclosure agreement. We will pay all expenses. The slave will live in our home. We will provide dental and health as well as education. We want our slave to be happy.
We arrive in LA and Sir Richard as part of his service has sent his car to take us to his house. We will be spending two nights and will be returning to NY with two slaves. After 30 days or less, we will return one. We have paid Sir Richard a great deal of money because his slaves are the best. He trains them for months before he allows them to meet anyone. A doctor is on hand 24 hours a day. They are tested and cleaned up. He spends a great deal of money on them and only accepts those in top condition. He searches all over the world for those willing. They must be willing. His lawyers draw up the contracts and agreements. He has supplied slaves to very famous people and has asked us since our wedding to come visit him.
We arrive at the house and Diana herself greets us. She is wearing a see through blouse with no bra and black pants. She is gorgeous with dark hair that is loose and flowing. I could eat her up. She greets my husband warmly and he kisses her, his tongue in her mouth. He squeezes her nipples. She smiles. They are old friends and I am not jealous. We have met only once before at our wedding. She gave us two gifts, the use of their villa in Italy for our honeymoon and two slaves to enjoy while there. We used them both.
"Ah the beautiful bride.? May I kiss you my dear? Since I am a Dom she asks me, if I were not she'd ask my husband/Master. I agree, in fact I can't wait. She kisses me deeply and runs her hands across my breasts. I run my hands and unbutton her blouse. She smiles. I squeeze her naked breast. "I know you are together but I would love if I could eat that pussy."
My husband smiles and says, "We talked about that and it is her choice. Sir Richard has asked me to spend the evening in the playroom with him. He has a new implement he wants to use and show me. So after dinner you two girls have fun.
She giggles like a schoolgirl, buttons up her shirt and says, "Until later my Queen. Come in. Sir Richard has chosen the best for you because he knows you will treat them right." A very beautiful slave appears, she is a redhead, my husband likes redheads and I can see his eyes looking at her. She has a tray of four champagne glasses. She walks head up her bearing regal. She is wearing a long see through gown. Her long legs peeping through and six inch blue heels. Her eyes are lowered she does not look at us. I get hot watching her. She stands before Diana not speaking. My husband raises an eyebrow. Diana laughs, "No you cannot have her. She is bound to us for a year. I can see your wife likes her. She can join us tonight. Her name is Rebecca. Rebecca would you like to join us?
Rebecca speaks, "I'd love to" I look at Diana she nods at me. I say to her taking my glass, "You may raise your eyes and look at me." She raises her eyes, they are green. "It is too bad she is not available to us, maybe after the time is up." My husband muses and Diana laughs. "Tell me about yourself." I ask Rebecca.
"I am a student, studying to be a doctor. I am 27 years old." She smiles at me then looks at Diana. Diana nods, "She wants to know if she can kiss you and if she can undress. I gave her permission to ask. You may touch her, but I ask until tonight you wait to go any further, than you may use her as you wish because Sir is waiting and he will get cross with her because she made you late.
"We wouldn't want that." I say and I step forward. I look at my husband knowing he likes to watch me with women. I grab Rebecca's head. She is slightly taller than I am. I twist my hand in her hair and press my lips on hers. She opens her mouth. I take her tongue. "Undress". She does still kissing me. I let her go and step back. She is spectacular and I reach up and touch her. I run my hands down her body, then dip into her sex. I bring my hand up and offer my finger to my husband who tastes, "Very nice."
"You may dress I tell her." And she looks disappointed that I did not taste her. "Until later. I tell her and she smiles. "That is all Rebecca." Says Diana and she leaves. Diana leads us in to a beautiful decorated living room with several large sofas. There is a stage.
Sir Richard enters. He is a commanding presence with salt and pepper hair and a mustache. He smiles warmly and drops to his knees in front of me. It is a sign of respect. I like him. He looks at my husband who nods and Sir Richard kisses me with such passion I am weak. He winds his hands in my hair and runs his hands down my back. "I would like both of your permission to fuck your wife." He asks. My husband frowns, that is not part of our deal. He kneels at my husband's feet. "I mean no disrespect. If you say no it is no and has nothing to do with this deal. You may watch and I will waive my usual fee if you do me this honor."
Money is not an issue with us, but we know what he is offering as a sign of respect. My husband looks at me and I at him. He nods. To be asked by Sir Richard is a great honor and will do us both good in the future. He is known for his sexual prowess. It is me who answers, "Yes Sir Richard I would love to have you fuck me."
He smiles and kisses my husband's hands. He says, "Before you are with Diana, you will be with me." He looks at her and she frowns, but agrees. "You will sleep with me. I will make sure your husband is taken care of and to make it worth your while. After your slave is in place, I will send Rebecca to you for a month to train her to your satisfaction. Be prepared for a night you will never forget my dear. Now on to the selection. Marco bring them in." He sits beside me.
Marco is a model, he has to be. He is young, about 25, tall, well built with a six pack. He is shirtless and I am wet. He is dressed in red leather pants with buttons for the crotch. He is a Dom in training. He has a brunette woman on a leash who is crawling. Another man appears with a blonde with long hair she crawls in, then another with a red head with curly hair, a woman with long brown hair, another blond with short hair and finally a raven haired beauty is last.
Sir Richard who is sitting next to me stroking my leg says, "There were 20 applicants. I narrowed them down. Some of them were too young or too old, some not ready. For the past month, I have trained them. Three did not last and the other two are not ready. You have first choice. They are most eager to have a black Mistress and White Master. All swallow and all are interested," He turned to me, "In being between your thighs as I am." His smile was wicked and I shiver. My husband laughs, "She has heard about you and I'm sure you will have her screaming."
My husband and I get up. Marco kneels before my husband. He is a Dom but my husband is a bigger Dom. My husband pats his head and he stands. The other men are slaves and they kneel behind the women. Sir Richard laughs, "When you want a male slave, Brian wants to be with you. He has begged me. Stand Brian so that the Mistress may see you." Brian rises. He is dark haired with blue eyes and looks like the actor Henry Cavill. My husband smiles at me and turns to Sir Richard. "May we and if we like him can he come to NY with Rebecca?"
Sir Richard smiles and nods. He says, "My gift to you for letting me in your wife's thighs. Brian come forward and let them see you."
He walks forward. He is so excited that he can barely contain himself. "Speak Brian" I say. "Mistress, I want to be your slave. I would do whatever you and the Master wants. I have told Sir Richard that. I thank you for allowing me to come to New York."
His pants are tied and he unties them. His cock is huge and I look at it. His body is boyish. He looks like a young boy. "How old are you?" I ask. He smiles, his eyes are still lowered and I lift his chin, "Mistress you are beautiful. I am 25." Marco goes and hits him with the flogger. "She asks you how old not the rest."
Sir Richard says to Marco, "He is excited. Marco give him a little lee way." Sir Richard says to us, "Brian loves black women. He had a mistress who was black and she died. He was broken. She arranged before her death to send him to me. He is still in training but will be ready. If you decide on a male slave, I will gift him to you. He wants someplace permanent and he is a chef."
"That's too generous," My husband says. "We are old friends. You have been generous to me" Says Sir Richard "and this is the first time you have come to me for a slave."
I look at my husband, I want him. My husband smiles and shakes his head. He kisses my hand, "I can refuse you nothing." I turn to Brian and lift his head. "When you come, I will keep you. I will have the contract drawn up. You are mine. I am a fair Mistress and you will work for me also in our house. Would you like that sweet Brian." He looks at me through his lashes, there are tears, "Thank you so much Mistress." I stroke his cock. He groans. I release him.
Sir Richard tells him. "You belong to the Mistress. You are to be trained to her desires. You have a new status. I will move you into another part of the house. You will learn her likes and dislikes for the next month. You are hers now tell her
goodbye. She will see you in a month."
He kneels at my feet and kisses my shoe. I pat his head and lift up my skirt. He will only be allowed to smell me. He knows this and I place the skirt over his head. I am not wearing panties. I can feel his shiver between my legs. Then I tell him to get up from under my skirt. He straightens my skirt and crawls out the room.
Now it is time for choice of women. We stand in front of the first one. "Stand" my husband orders. Diana comes to my side. The women are all wearing white see through gowns with ties on the shoulders and black heels. The brunette stands. Diana undoes her ties and the gown drops. She stands still. My husband looks at her. She is well built, small breasts, small nipples, pretty face. "Penelope raise your eyes and speak." Says Diana.
Penelope looks at us. Her brown eyes wide. "Hello, I am 28 years old. I would like to come to New York. I have graduated and received my Masters degree, but I'd like to return and get my phd."
Diana asked, "Tell them what you like to do."
Penelope blushed, "I love to eat Master's cream out of Mistress' pussy. It is my favorite thing. I also like to rim." My husband squeezes her nipples hard. She holds. He looks at me. Marco comes forward and offers him a flogger, a whip and a paddle. My husband takes the paddle. I watch. He hits her just once on her buttocks. She flinches, but holds. Diana says, "She can take a lot of pain."
My husband shakes his head. "Penelope you are dismissed. You will be punished." Sir Richard says. I look at him. He answers me, "She will be punished because she was not chosen. Next." Penelope is led out of the room.
The blonde with long hair stands. She has beautiful green eyes. Diana unloosens the gown and it falls. Her body is beautiful and I look at my husband. He can see desire and reluctantly he smiles. I know he doesn't like blonds. I walk to her and lift her face. She is still looking down, "Look at me and speak to me." She looks up. Her face is beautiful with wide eyes and blonde lashes. She has a sexy mouth. She is surprised as I grab her and kiss her. She wraps her arms around me and I thrust my tongue in her mouth. My hands reach down to her sex and I thrust my finger inside. She gasps. I release her from my kiss and finger her. Sir Richard smiles and says, 'I think you like our Rachel."
I taste her juices and kiss her again this time softer. My husband comes and slides his finger in. He is a little more online casinos insistent than me and tells her to open her legs wider. She does. I tweak her nipples. He fucks her with two fingers and I tell her, "Speak Rachel and don't come."
She breathes deeply and as my husband fingers her she says, "My name is Rachel. I am 25 years old. I am a student studying graphic design. I." Her voice hitches and it is because of my husband. He is very good with his fingers and he has slid a third into her. "I would really love to come and be with you. I also love cream pies and" She looks at my husband, "love anal." She looks at me, "I also love to be fucked by strap on." She is close, but I will not let her come. My husband knows what I'm thinking and he stops. He holds his finger up to me and I taste her. Sweet. He puts his fingers up to her mouth and she takes them sucking on them. Marco comes and I shake my head. I go behind her. My husband kneels down and she opens her legs. He licks her. I slap her but hard. She holds and moans. My husband stops and stands up. I can see he is hard.
He nods. She looks sexy as hell all glistening from our ministering to her body. Diana smiles, "Rachel has not told you all her talents." Marco comes behind her. She bends over and he paddles her. She counts once, twice, a third time and kneels. "I apologize. I can deep throat." Sir Richard comes up to her. "You are lucky you have been chosen." He looks at my husband. "Because of her transgression tonight I would like you to take her roughly with your cock in her mouth until you cream down her throat. She is not allowed to come. Rachel you are dismissed."
She crawls out of the room.
The next one is a redhead. I smile at my husband . He is beaming. I know he wants her. I smile. "This one darling is for you to see." His dick is straining. Sir Richard speaks, "Marlene, stand. Marlene stands." Diana unties her. She has curly hair and is a natural redhead as I look at her sex. I can tell my husband wants her. "Marlene." My husband says, "tell me about yourself."
Her head is still lowered because she hasn't been given permission. He wants her this way to see if she can resist. "Tell me about yourself and leave nothing out." She is still looking down, "My name is Marlene. I am originally from France. I have been living in California for a year. My breasts are very sensitive. I love to eat creampies and I can eat pussy for hours on end. I haven't learned to deep throat." I have pity on her, "Marlene look at me." She lifts her eyes slowly. She has tears. "Why are you crying?" I ask. She looks at Sir Richard. He sighs and nods. She answers, "I have been dreaming of both of you every since Sir Richard told me. I have wanted to be between your thighs Mistress. I have wanted you to fuck me Sir. I have wanted you both."
Diana looks at my husband. "We know you like redheads and she is very good but she still has much to learn. Would you mind if I let her do something? "My husband nods. Diana says to him, "Please take yourself out." He is hard as a rock and I am amused. He unzips. "In the future I would have her do it, but today you are so hard and she is so new that I don't want her to hurt you."
My husband takes his penis out. I love his penis. "Marlene you are getting a very big privilege here. You will take Sir into your mouth and suck him until he comes. You have 10 minutes. If he does not come I will punish you in the play room with the whip."
She smiles at Diana and Diana smiles back. She knows Marlene's talents and Marlene gets to her knees. She takes my husband's penis in her hands. "No hands Marlene." Sir Richard snaps. He looks at my husband, "fuck her mouth hard."
My husband smiles and grabs her head and he fucks her. She takes all of him in the back of her throat she gags but keeps sucking. "Keep your eyes on him." Diana orders and she stares into my husband's eyes and she fucks her mouth. My husband is thrusting back. Diana unbuttons her blouse. I take her nipple in my mouth and she sighs. I then take her into my arms and kiss her. Sir Richard comes up and strokes his wife's behind. He motions to Marco and Marco comes to him. He unbuttons Sir Richards pants and strokes him. Diana and I are still kissing and my husband is still fucking Marlene's mouth. Five minutes have passed.
I can see from my husband's face that he is close, but is holding back. "She's so good." He says. "You want her don't you?" I ask. He groans, "I do my love, I do." "Then come my love and you can have her."
I lean over and kiss him. He grabs her head and holds her. He comes. Diana looks at her watch. Six minutes. "Very well done Marlene. You may swallow and clean up. Then you are to tuck Sir back into his pants. You will be rewarded this evening. You may leave."
Marlene obeys and crawls out of the room. One of the women remaining is sobbing. I ask Diana who she is. "That is Anna. She more than the others wants to be with you. She is unhappy that you have not chosen her."
"Why is she unhappy?"
"She wants to be your permanent slave. She wants to give up all her rights and be yours until you decide to dismiss her.
She wants to give you her children to raise and she wants to devote herself to you."
I look at my husband. He sighs again, "My wife would like to try her out. If she works out, I will pay for her transition. Ask her to tell us about herself after she stops crying."
Sir Richard goes to her, but I stop him. He smiles. 'Let me.' She is the raven-haired beauty that I really wanted. She stops sobbing as I get close to her. She has not heard our conversation. She stills. "Stand and look at me." I order. She stands and looks up her face streaked with tears. "What is your name?"
"Anna. I am originally from Moscow but my family moved here when I was a child. I am a former model and actor. I have been studying film. I would like to continue to study but only if you wish."
I smile at her, that is my area. I am a director and she could really work. I look at my husband. He laughs. I untie her . Her dress falls. She is what I thought. Magnificent with those hazel eyes. The other girl is dismissed. We don't look at her. All of us surround Anna. Marco, Diana, Sir Richard my husband and I. She shivers. "Have you had anal?"
She shakes her head, "I have promised that to my Master and my mistress."
I look at Sir Richard, "If she pleases me after a month I will buy her contract and she will belong to us completely until we decide to sell her."My husband speaks, "My dearest one, this one will totally be yours." I look at him. I understand. He wants her to do my bidding and only mine. I nod.
She looks at me with grateful eyes. I take her face, "Are you happy little one?" She smiles and it breaks my heart she is so beautiful that I want to take her now, but she needs to learn to control her emotions. I kiss her. "You belong to me and are to please only me. My husband will never fuck you. I will. You will be allowed to suck his dick when I let you but he will never come in your mouth. If he does, you will be whipped. He can come on your body if he so chooses. I will choose your mate when you are to be bred. You are our property. You will sign that you give up all rights. I will dress you. You will go to school and learn. I will punish you.
You will only wear what I choose for you. You will be responsible for waking me and the Master in the morning. You will be responsible for dressing me, for bathing me and keeping everything neat and clean in our bedroom and the playroom. You are being given a privilege an opportunity and if you fail me you will be punished. When I travel you are to be with me and wait on me. You will be given a list of responsibilities and will take care of them immediately.'
Anna drops to her knees and takes my hand, "I will take care of you Mistress with my life and I will do whatever you wish of me."
Marco looks at me. "Do you wish to punish her for her tears?"
I look at her on her knees. "Not this time, but" I stand her up, "No more crying. I want you naked the rest of the time here." I look at Sir Richard and he nods. "I will send clothes for you for your trip to New York. I want you shaved and waxed everywhere." I said looking at her full bush. Too much hair for me. "You may speak because I think you have something to say."
"Mistress," She hesitated. I say to her, "speak, don't make me ask again."
"I would like to lick you." She lowers her eyes. I smile. Sir Richard laughs and Marco looks at her angrily. I look at him, "Marco why are you angry." He turns to me, "She is impudent to ask that." I glare at him, "She is mine now, so I will decide if she is impudent."
Marco looks as if he has been struck. He gets on his knees. "Mistress I mean no disrespect." Sir Richard looks at him and at me. I grab his hair and jerk his neck back. "I will punish you tonight" Then I grab him and kiss him hard on the lips. I let him go. He bows. "Yes Mistress I await your punishment."
Diana says, "Marco you are dismissed until Mistress punishes you." He crawls from the room. Diana takes my husband's hand. "We will go into the study and work on the changes. Then on to the dining room and have dinner." My husband kisses me. "I am happy with these." He takes out his checkbook. "Thank you my dear." I say. "You are my Queen. I promised you that I would do anything for you. I love you" Diana and my husband leaves. Sir Richard says to me, "Take her into the other room. You look like you could use a diversion. We will be having dinner in an hour so join us then."
I smile. I am very overheated and I want her. "You will do more than kiss me my sweet Ana. Let's go somewhere private."
She walks me to a beautiful bedroom with a canopy bed. There are leg and arm restraints on the posters. She is still gloriously naked. I sit on the chaise lounge and she helps me off with my shoes. She eases down first one stocking then the other and folds them and put them on a chair. I watch her. She kneels waiting for more instruction and lowers her eyes.
I stand up and undo my skirt. It drops to the floor and she moans. "Eager my pet" I say and she answers, "yes Mistress I have been since I saw your photo."
"You are mine you know." I say as I undress myself. I am eager also and there will be plenty of time for me to have her take off my clothes.
I stand naked in front of her. "You may look at me."
She looks up and her eyes travel up from my feet to my sex, where she lingers longer, then up my belly to my breast where she licks her lips and to my face. "You are beautiful." She says reverently.
I take her hand and lead her to the bed. I set the alarm for an hour. We will be a little late. She climbs next to me, a little unnerved. I pull her to me and kiss her lips. She is lying on the bed with me over her. My tongue sweeps into her mouth and I probe long and hard. My hands feel her breasts and I play with her nipples as I continue kissing her.
She is squirming beneath me. "Be still my pet or I will spank you." She quivers. "You want me to spank you don't you."
"Yes Mistress, I was impudent." She says pouting her beautiful full lips. "Yes, you were and before we leave this room I will spank you. She shivers. I feel her sex, she is soaked. I trail kisses to her breasts and as I take her nipple she gasped. Her breasts are sensitive. I am thrilled, nipple clamps for sure. "Wait to we get home. Those breasts will always wear clamps."
I trail kisses to her belly and she is trying to hold back her moan. "I will take your ass Anna. You belong to me." I put my nose in her pubic hair. She has a lot of it. "This all goes. I want your nakedness." I tug at it. She moans. I swing my hips up until my sex is just out of her reach. "Look at me." I order and she knows what I mean. I see her staring at my pussy and she licks her lips slowly. She wants to reach out and touch, but she has not been told to do so.
"Sir Richard has trained you well." I say and lower my sex to her mouth. It is my turn to gasp and she is eating me like a starving person from slit to anus. I open her legs and as my tongue touches her clit. She throbs, "Mistress please."
"Eat me slut. You will make me come and then I will let you. Eat my pussy." I slam down into her mouth and she feasts. I am pouring into her. She grabs my ass and pulls me in deeper. She is hungry for me and I am almost there. I lick her and put one finger inside her, but she is too wet so I add another then a third and fuck her. Her hips are moving off the bed and she eats me. I smack her thighs stilling her. She licks me. ""Bitch I am almost there takes my clit." She takes my clit and licks me as if it's manna from heaven. I scream into her and I come falling and falling into her mouth. She sucks ever bit holding me down into her mouth with both her hands on my ass.
She is good and I can't wait until she comes to New York. I want to reward her so I began fucking my fingers inside of her. I start to lick her and she squirms. "You may speak slut. I know you want to."
"Mistress you taste so good. You are making me feel so alive. You're licking me. I don't deserve it. Thank you so much Mistress. Thank you." I continue to eat her pussy, taking my time. She is salty sweet and I love her taste. She is close and I know she will not come until I order her to. Anna is rubbing my ass, squeezing my cheeks. "Mistress, may I suck you some more." I indulge her and since my clit has calmed I tell her, "Gently you may." She licks me stroking my ass. I scrape my nail lightly across her clit and she screams. "Mistress please I am close." I laugh, 'Not yet my sweet." I lick her some more.
I am savoring her taste. I tease her, then I remember the clock. I want to spank her so I better get this show on the road. I take her clit into my mouth and I lick it hard. She squeals. "When I lick you again, you may come." I lick her again on her clit and she explodes. Her scream is muffled by my pussy. She is a squirter and I suck her up. She is still coming and squeezing my ass and licking me. I lick her then I take my legs from her head and lie up with her.
I gather her into my arms. She is shaking. I lift up her head and kiss her tasting her on my lips while she tastes herself. "Thank you Mistress, thank you so very much. I promise you I will be the best for you."
I lie with her for a little while then it is time to go. She helps me dress and makes sure I am ready. Just before we leave the room, I order her over my lap. She does so immediately her hands on the floor. "I think three with my hands." I say.
"yes Mistress. Shall I count."
"Yes you shall and thank me."
My hand comes down.
"One Mistress. Thank you for spanking me."
"Two Mistress, Thank you for spanking me."
"Three Mistress, Thank you for spanking me."
I plunge my fingers into her sex and tell her "Come my pet, come" and she does.
I hold her on my lap, then she falls to the floor at my feet. She takes my fingers and licks then without permission. I will allow it. She is so overwhelmed. "I am yours for my life Mistress."
I help her up. "It is time for me to go to dinner and time for you to do what Sir Richard expects you to do. I will see you in 30 days."
I kiss her. She holds on to me. She opens the door and leads me to the dining room and kneels at the threshold. I look at her. Diana tells me, "She is not allowed in here. Anna you may go. We will move you to preparation. You have 30 days before you leave."
She crawls away.
At dinner we are served by half naked men and women. Under the table, Sir Richard is having his cock sucked by who I haven't seen. My husband and I are playing with Diana's pussy and she is playing with his cock. I am satisfied at the moment and when offered I refuse to be touched anymore. I know that the night is young. The food is as good as any restaurant.
After dinner, we listen to music and dance. I am getting tired and Sir Richard comes to me. He kneels in front of me. I am not fooled by all his kneeling. I'm sure in the bedroom he'll be wearing me out. "Shall we retire?" I take his hand. My husband smiles, "See you in the morning dearest."
I kiss his lips, "I love you."
"I know." And with that I am gone.
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Story was edited by the Ashley Madison staff to preserve privacy of the individuals involved.
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Welcome to the second sample chapter (of two) of the first draft of The Sorcerer's Widow, a short Ethshar novel. See the Technicalities page for an explanation of how this worked, the official blog for discussion and questions.
I am no longer accepting donations for this serial.
The complete novel of The Sorcerer's Widow will be published soon by Wildside Press.
|The Sorcerer's Widow
(A Legend of Ethshar)
|How It Worked
|Chapter 1
|Chapter 2
|The Serial Box blog provides news on the current serial(s).
Please check out my Ethshar merchandise at CafePress.
(Yes, that's really the first page of The Sorcerer's Widow on the large mug. It was an April Fool's joke.)
Click here to return to the top of the page.
That's it; here's your list of handy exits:
5/4/12: 3341Created: Friday, May 4, 2012

subset: commoncrawl


text:
A former Bedford Township man who reportedly robbed a Lambertville insurance agency employee at gunpoint, leading to a massive ground and air search, was expected to be charged in court today.
The suspect, 35, who lives in Toledo, is accused of robbing the Allstate Insurance Agency at Smith and Secor Rds. in Bedford Township Thursday morning and fleeing with a small amount of money through wooded areas and neighborhoods.
Monroe County sheriff's Sgt. Troy Goodnough said the man eventually was caught in the parking lot of a golf course and taken to the Monroe County jail on armed robbery charges.
The money was recovered.
"It was a group effort," Sgt. Goodnough said. "We had a lot of people searching."
The robbery occurred about 9:30 a.m. and a retired police officer next door heard the commotion. A suspect ran south on Secor into a wooded area.
The sheriff's helicopter searched from above while officers, including a police tracking dog, looked for the man on the ground.
Sgt. Jeff Kemp and his dog followed a track to a subdivision in Toledo where a handgun and clothing believed to have been worn at the time of the robbery were recovered. Shortly before noon, a Toledo resident found the suspect hiding under a large wash tub behind a house. The man ran off again and made it back into Bedford Township. Toledo police officers took the man into custody in the parking lot of the Maple Grove Golf Course.
Also assisting: members of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, U.S. Marshal's Office and Sylvania, Ohio, police.


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TV stars are paid to get ratings, but salary isn't always reflected in viewership
July 19, 2012 at 2:15 am in Grand Forks Herald
Chelsea Handler may not have a lot of viewers, but she gets paid a lot of dough for the ones she does have on "Chelsea Lately." Jon Stewart is likewise laughing all the way to the bank. And it's time for CNN's Anderson Cooper to come out … as possibly overpaid. Continue Reading


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In addition to meeting university admission criteria, applicants must have successfully completed the following prerequisites in addition to or in conjunction with a baccalaureate degree in any area of study. Applicants are encouraged to work with Occupational Therapy faculty for academic advising to ensure that a plan for completing prerequisite requirements is developed before applying to the MOT program. Academic advising to select a baccalaureate degree best suited to the applicant's interests and skills is STRONGLY advised. Admissions will be processed and handled through the Department of Occupational Therapy. Students admitted into the program will begin coursework fall semester.
*NOTE: Applicants are NOT required to be an Occupational Therapy Assistant, or earn an associate's degree in the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program, to apply to the MOT program.
Prerequisites For the MOT Program
Social and Behavioral Sciences: (3 or 4 unit course in each of the following, beyond introductory level)
- Developmental Psychology or Human Development (must cover lifespan)
- Abnormal Psychology
- A course in adult development and aging is required
- Sociology or Cultural Anthropology
Natural Sciences: (3 or 4 unit course in each of the following; upper division level of physical sciences within five years prior to admission to program).
- Human Anatomy with cadaver lab
- Neuroanatomy with lab
- Human Physiology with lab
- Two courses of Physical Science beyond introductory level.
Other course work: (3 or 4 unit course in each of the following)
- Medical Terminology
- Statistics
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 and a minimum prerequisite GPA of 3.2.
Applicants with overall Undergraduate GPA of less than 3.2 are required to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) and obtain a score at the 50th percentile or above in each area.
Prerequisites For Bachelor's to Master's 3+2 Program
- Minimum 3.5 HIgh School GPA
- ACT score of 25 or greater (cumulative)
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- Maintain 3.0 or higher GPA while in 3+2 Program
Applicants are encouraged to contact the Department of Occupational Therapy at any time for advising and information about applying to the MOT program. Contact us at: email@example.com
Clinical placement availability and classroom space (shared with an OTA program) limit the number of students admitted to the MOT program. As such, an advisory panel of local occupational therapists and the Admission Committee Faculty determine selection criteria. The criteria assist in selecting students who are able to successfully complete the program. Students often ask what criteria are used. The criteria identified below are used during the review of applications.
The MOT program will accept approximately 22 students per year.
All applicants must meet the minimum criteria as stated in the University Catalog as well as complete application materials to the Master of Occupational Therapy Program. All applicants receive a numerical score in four areas. Each area is weighted as follows:
Area 1: 20% - Volunteer evaluation (applicants need 40 hours). The volunteer evaluation is given a numerical rating based on the quality of the evaluation. Students who do not waive their right to review the volunteer evaluation will have a significant reduction in the scoring of the evaluation. This is due to potential reluctance of the reviewing therapist to make unfavorable comments.
Area 2: 50% - Grade point average, minimum GPA of 3.0 from previous baccalaureate degree. In addition, prerequisite courses must meet a minimum of 3.0. Grade point average will be based on these determinations and averaged per individual students and given a score. Applicants with overall undergraduate GPA of less than 3.0 are required to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) and obtain a score above the 50th percentile.
Area 3: 20% - Essay, via OTCAS. The writing sample is scored blindly and independently by the Admission Committee faculty. These scores are averaged.
Area 4: 10% - Each application must be accompanied by three references, via OTCAS, from individuals with a history of knowledge about the applicant


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Now in her late 80s, Broadway legend Elaine Stritch remains as ferociously funny as ever. In this bold, hilarious and poignant portrait, the uncompromising Tony and Emmy Award-winner is revealed both on and off stage. Candid reflections about her life are punctuated with words from friends (including James Gandolfini, Tina Fey, John Turturro, Hal Prince, George C. Wolfe, Nathan Lane and Cherry Jones) and archival footage that showcases some of the great moments from her career. Whether dominating the stage, tormenting Alec Baldwin on the set of 30 Rock, or sharing her struggles with aging, diabetes and alcoholism, Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me reaches beyond the icon's brassy exterior and reveals an inspiring portrait of a complex woman and artist.
To find a theater playing Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me, visit the official site at ElaineStritchShootMe.com.
On a trip through Chile a boorish American expat named Jamie (Michael Cera) and three Chilean brothers plan to set off in search of the prized San Pedro cactus and its promise of beachy hallucinations. But in the previous night's drunken stupor Jamie invites a free- spirited fellow American (Gaby Hoffmann) along on their mescaline-driven road trip, and her devil-may-care worldview gives them more of an adventure than any of them had bargained for.
It's a gorgeous morning in England, 1932. A young bride, Dolly (Felicty Jones), should be overjoyed at the wonderful day about to unfold. But instead she's locked up in her room with a bottle of rum daydreaming about the time she spent last summer with a wonderful man. A wonderful man who is not her fiancé.
Downstairs her mother Hetty(Elizabeth McGovern) scurries about the house trying to placate the arriving stream of cousins, aunts and assorted family that are beginning to chatter about the missing bride. Hetty has planned out the day to the final detail, but the one thing she can't plan on is the arrival of Joseph (Luke Treadway), Dolly's brash best friend, throwing everything into disarray. A combination of delightful light comedy, passionate romance and gorgeous settings make Cheerful Weather for the Wedding a a warmhearted joy.
Roberto (famed Spanish comic José Mota) once had a promising career in advertising. But now out of work during the economic downturn, he struggles to keep his family afloat and their dire situation a secret from his adoring wife Luisa (Salma Hayek). After yet another dead end interview, it seems like reality will come crashing down on Roberto – until a freak accident places him at the center of a wild media storm. Realizing his opportunity, Roberto hires a brazen agent to help him leverage his new found fame into fortune, but Luisa begins to worry about what lengths Roberto will go to for his family's security.
The new film from beloved cult director Alex de la Iglesia goes into fresh territory for the daring director, a dark comedy/social satire that also works as a deeply felt drama about the devotion of a husband and father. A wild riff on manhood in the modern media world, As Luck Would Have It is a skewed take on the strange world we live in.
After an ill-timed and very public marriage proposal, fiercely independent Sarah (Caplan) breaks up with her overeager boyfriend Kevin (Arend). Sarah turns to her sister Beth (Brie) for support, but Beth is too busy obsessing over the details of her own wedding to Kevin's band mate, Andrew (Starr). When Sarah suddenly finds herself caught up in an intense rebound romance with the adorable Jonathan (Webber), she is forced to examine her own fears of commitment and vulnerability. With honesty, heart, and humor, all five struggle with the trials, happiness, and pain of modern love. In the end Sarah must decide – is it better to stay safely single or to risk it all on love?
Filmmaker Michael Mohan (ONE TOO MANY MORNINGS) returns to the Sun- dance Film Festival with a bittersweet screenplay he wrote with famed graphic novelist Jeffrey Brown and co-writer Egan Reich. At turns funny, sad, and sweet, SAVE THE DATE is a sincere story about the familial and romantic bonds that form us all.
© 2015 IFC in Theaters LLC. All Rights Reserved.


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KNAU's monthly series of book reviews with Flagstaff author and Northern Arizona University professor Ann Cummins. Every month Cummins will review books about Arizona and the Four Corners region that evoke the rich landscapes and cultures of the southwest.
If you would like your book reviewed by Ann Cummins, here are some guidelines to keep in mind. The book should be based in the southwest or the author should have significant southwest ties. It does not have to be a new release but it should have literary merit. We are not accepting self-published books at this time. If your book meets these requirements, please provide us with a review copy. Thank you!
Southwest Book ReviewsKNAU Arizona Public RadioPO Box 5764Flagstaff, AZ 86011
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Southwest Book ReviewsKNAU Arizona Public Radio515 E. Pine Knoll, Building 83Flagstaff, AZ 86011
If you have questions please email Brian Sanders.


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It arrived looking the same as shown
By Doctor Dee
from Texas
I got this as a gift for someone in the hospital after I found out she was a fan of Elvis. She likes it very much.
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
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Legendary Crossroads Print
The size is just what I wanted and the detail is very good. Love how the colors and the black and white part of the print go together. That is why I like this artists prints.
Excellent quality
By Ladiangi
from Montreal, canada
The packaging was such that the poster could not get damaged easily. Only the frames purchasable with the poster were very expensive and this is not an easy size to frame. Could not find a perfect frame for it.
VERY Impressed!!
By Tary
from Bartlett, TN
decoration for Moms 70th birthday party... looks amazing. Can't wait to get decorating!!
Very happy :)
By tlynn ^.^
from Kamloops, BC
Great quality!! I will look here first when I want to buy posters. My friend has been wanting a poster like this for years, and I found it here for a reasonable price. It was beautiful, and my friend loves it.
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Ibuypower Valkyrie CZ-28
SpecificationsNotebook: Ibuypower Valkyrie CZ-28 (Valkyrie CZ Series)
Processor: AMD A-Series A10-5750M
Graphics Adapter: AMD Radeon HD 8970M
Display: 17.3 inch, 16:9, 1920x1080 pixels, glossy: yes
Weight: 3.1kg
Price: 1100 euro
Sold in: Anglo-America
Average of 2 scores (from 2 reviews)
Reviews for the Ibuypower Valkyrie CZ-28
Source: IT Reviews
The Valkyrie CZ-28 offers potent gaming performance for a lower price, leveraging more affordable AMD hardware for elite level gaming. The iBuyPower Valkyrie CZ-28 is a great entry-level gaming laptop, but outside of gaming it doesn't offer the all-around capability that many are looking for.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 11/07/2013
Rating: Total score: 60%
Source: PC Mag
The iBuyPower Valkyrie CZ-28 offers gaming power for less thanks to AMD's affordable hardware, but it doesn't come without compromise, offering less capability for productive tasks and multimedia creation. If gaming is your primary focus, then definitely put the Valkyrie CZ-28 on your list of systems to consider; but if you want faster overall performance and power outside of the gaming arena, consider something like the Editors' Choice CyberPower FangBook X7-200 which offers more power with Intel hardware and an SSD cache for faster performance.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 11/05/2013
Rating: Total score: 70%
AMD Radeon HD 8970M: High-end GPU from AMD based on the 28nm Solar Series (GCN architecture). Compared to the 7970M, the 8970M just offers 50 MHz more core clock rate (boost).
These graphics cards are able to play the latest and most demanding games in high resolutions and full detail settings with enabled Anti-Aliasing.
» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Graphics Cards and the corresponding Benchmark List.
A10-5750M: Quad-core processor with only two FPUs and an integrated Radeon HD 8650G graphics card. Top model of the A10 series.» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.
17.3": Meanwhile the 17 inch display size is a more frequently offered standard format for desktop-replacements. The DTR-laptops can't be carried easily, need much energy but on the other side texts can be read easily and high resolutions are no problem. DTR mainly are intended for stationary usage on desks, where the weight and the energy need are unimportant.
» To find out how fine a display is, see our DPI List.
3.1 kg: This weight is average for notebooks. Therefore the numerous mass of laptops with 15 inch display fits in this class of weight.
Ibuypower: iBUYPOWER Computer is a enterprise located in Southern California. The product lines include gaming desktops, gaming notebooks, workstations, media center PCs, peripherals, and multimedia products. The global market share according laptops is low.
65%: Such a bad rating is rare. There exist hardly any notebooks, which are rated worse.
» Further information can be found in our Notebook Purchase Guide.


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How Will the Polar Vortex Affect Wildlife?
By Matt Miller, senior science writer
Update. January 27, 2014. The "polar vortex" may have passed, but frigid temperatures continue throughout the United States. This blog offers a look at how some wildlife might be affected. I've also added a section on forest pests since I've gotten a lot of inquiries about that.
The "polar vortex" that is bringing frigid temperatures to much of the United States is miserable for people.
But how do wild animals cope with these extreme conditions?
Many wildlife species, of course, are well adapted to thrive in even the coldest of temperatures.
Wild animals have ingenious ways of conserving energy, including hibernation, torpor and other physiological changes. Some simply migrate to warmer climes. Others have thick layers of fat or lush fur that helps them stay warm and dry.
But there are more unusual ways of staying warm. Ruffed grouse, for instance, will tunnel completely into the snow – in essence forming a warm igloo safe from cold temperatures and predators.
Naturalist Bernd Heinrich reports flying squirrels cramming into small tree holes, huddling together in a tight mass for warmth. (Heinrich's book Winter World is a treasure trove of stories of how animals survive the cold).
There are species, though, that have recently expanded their range due to climate change or other factors. When a cold snap occurs, they're ill prepared for it.
While it's still too early to tell how this week's weather will affect wildlife, research suggests some species will not fare well. Here are a few likely to be particularly vulnerable to the polar vortex.
Carolina Wrens
While visiting my parents and brother in central Pennsylvania over the holidays, I enjoyed watching the antics of the Carolina wrens visiting their bird feeders. They're fun birds to observe, always active and vocal.
They're also somewhat unfamiliar to me: growing up, we'd never see them around the yard. Indeed, Carolina wrens have been expanding their range north over the past decades. They are not migrants: they live in a locale year round.
However, these birds don't fare well during periods of very cold weather. Since they don't migrate, they often perish.
This pattern has been recorded by the Great Backyard Bird Count, a citizen science initiative held each February where participants keep track of birds seen in backyards or nearby parks. In years with very cold weather, Carolina wren sightings diminish greatly — the birds have died off, and their range contracts.
The Carolina wren population eventually expands northwards again. It takes time. According to Great Backyard Bird Count reports, it can be ten years or more until Carolina wrens return to northern states in numbers following a cold weather die-off.
My parents tell me they have not seen the Carolina wrens this week, not a promising sign. The polar vortex will likely wipe out many of these birds in the East and Midwest. They'll be back, but not immediately.
Virginia Opossums
The opossum has been expanding its range north for decades. It's particularly well adapted to humanity, able to survive amidst farms, city parks and suburbs.
It's much less well adapted to winter weather.
Unlike some other mid-sized mammals that thrive in the presence of humans – think raccoons, red foxes, coyotes – opossums don't have furry, protective tails. In fact, their tails (and ears) are hairless, making them particularly susceptible to frostbite and even hypothermia.
Many opossums bear physical evidence of surviving harsh winters – damaged ears and tails. Their tails often appear stumpy or as if something had bitten them off, but these are signs that their tails suffered frostbite.
Opossums will den for a few days to escape the cold, but they don't hibernate. They have to feed periodically. Sometimes they'll change their nocturnal habits and feed in daylight hours during the winter, to take advantage of warmer temperatures.
That doesn't make much difference, though, when it's -20 degrees Fahrenheit (as it was in parts of their range this week).
Expect to see a lot of tail-challenged opossums this spring.
Perhaps hardest hit are animals like manatees that thrive in more tropical environments, but encounter chilly weather in the northern parts of their range. Florida, home to well-known populations of manatees, is also experiencing a cold spell this week.
Manatees require water 68 degrees or warmer. Despite looking rather plump, they have very little fat to protect them in cold water.
When they swim in cold water for long periods, they suffer from what is known as manatee cold stress syndrome – leading to starvation and death.
There are current reports of hundreds of manatees moving into warmer springs that remain a constant temperature. Fortunately, these springs are being closed to public access so the manatees can take refuge there without being further stressed by people.
These winter warm-water areas are vital to the continued survival of manatees in Florida.
Non-Native Reptiles
In Florida, species like Burmese pythons and green iguanas can become invasive, posing serious threats to native wildlife. When these species are released into a new environment, they find lots of prey but none of their native predators. Their populations can grow rapidly.
Still, they're not equipped for cold weather. Most conservationists consider this a good thing.
During the so-called "deep freeze" Florida experienced in 2010, there were frequent sensational media stories of iguanas dropping from trees. Most of these iguanas weren't actually dead; they enter a catatonic state when the temperature drops to 37 degrees Fahrenheit.
There were similar stories of pythons dying by the thousands, although this may have been overstated – there are still plenty of non-native snakes in South Florida.
Zoologist Vladimir Dinets reports in his new book Dragon Songs that non-native spectacled caimans (a crocodilian species) pretty much disappeared from the state following the freeze.
It's interesting to note that native alligators did just fine. But Dinets reports that dozens of American crocodiles, a native species, died due to the cold in 2010.
Forest Pests
Frigid temperatures might have another positive effect: killing invasive forest pests. These non-native pests can hammer forests but cold weather offers some hope of slowing the spread.
As Minnesota Public Radio reports, the emerald ash borer could suffer through the kill of a high percentage of emerald ash borer larvae. Since it was first confirmed in southern Michigan in 2002, the emerald ash borer has spread rapidly — now infesting more than 100,000 square miles. It devastates ash trees, and there's no hope of eradication. But at least the cold weather might slow the spread, buying conservationists more time.
The Don't Move Firewood blog also reports that the hemlock woolly adelgid, an insect devastating to eastern forests, is affected by cold weather. However, the temperature needs to drop below -22 degrees Fahrenheit before this pest begins dying in numbers.
Leigh Greenwood of Don't Move Firewood notes that even the coldest weather won't kill all forest pests, it will merely reduce their numbers. So please don't move firewood to new locations; there may still be (living) invasive species lurking there, and you could spread the pests to new locations.
It will be interesting to learn what effects the "polar vortex" has on native and non-native wildlife. Are you seeing any impacts on wild creatures near your home? Your observations can help scientists learn more about how species fare in this cold weather.
Comments: How Will the Polar Vortex Affect Wildlife?
Will the cold decrease the deer tick and Emerald Ash Borer population?
Unfortunately, introduced caimans didn't die out completely in 2010. A few are still present in Homestead area of Florida despite decades of attempts to exterminate them.
Re the Carolina Wren … personal observations (in Montreal where they are a relatively recent and still precarious arrival) and a reading of the limited literature are leading me to conclude that the limiting factor for CARW expansion northwards in cold winters and the cause of the occasionally observed die-back is only coincidentally the temperature. More importantly is the fact that they are adapted for finding food around their feet in the leaf litter of forest floors and when there is deep, crusty snow they cannot feed … unless they find a secondary food source such as a well stocked garden feeder. Several pairs in my immediate vicinity are thriving around feeders with nearby brush-piles etc in which they can shelter. Recent temperatures of -25C+ do not seem to be troubling them.
I'm in NW Arkansas. When the artic weather first hit, my local Carolina Wrens were feeding on the suet I have out, but we had 48 hours with temps below 15 degrees and 72 hours or more below freezing. I haven't seen or heard the wrens since. This article makes me fear for them, although obviously it wasn't as cold here as it was in more northern climes.
Great as usual. Luckily for us we dodged the polar vortex. In Idaho we had a major die off of upland bird broods from lack of water and to much heat last spring and summer. It was interesting to see arial images of Manatee gathering at the outlet of a Nuclear Power Plant for warmth … wonder if they will glow in the dark now :-}
Carolina wrens in my area of western Ma. have been doing well during the very cold temps because I feed them beef suet and sunflower seeds. They have been in my area for a few years and have had several successful births in one of my backyard birdhouses. Suet is very important to their survival.
Thank you for your comment, I normally see them in my yard where I keep 10 different kinds of feeders, 2 to 4 suet, I'll be sure that the suet feeders are plentiful. I have been feeding so many birds that I need to replenish some of them in the afternoon. It worries me.
We had extremely cold and snowy winters in Dayton, Ohio 1974-1975 and 1975-1976. Carolina wrens (and bobwhite quail) were completely wiped out. They were not back by the time I left for Minnesota in summer of 1978.
Thank you for this article. I have been wondering about the affect of the low temperatures on wildlife, but this is the first documentation I have seen on this subject.
We only had 1 Carolina Wren on 30 January, none on 19 January 2014. We are doing a count today. Thank you for the information on suet.
I have not seen any of our opossum families since the temperatures dropped, and have only seen one raccoon.
"As Minnesota Public Radio reports, the emerald ash borer could wipe out a high percentage of emerald ash borer larvae."
Does someone proofread this?
What of armadillos?
1329 EST We just saw a Carolina Wren at our feeder area! Happiness!
Location: east of Dayton. 24F Snow with hard crust!
Definitely have suet out there for the necessary calories a lot of these birds need that fat to stay warm. Even Pizza crusts get polished off… I will intentionally save all pizza crusts for the critters- the chickadees love them!
Every yard should have some type of evergreen shrub and tree or mountain laurel type bush- just for the necessary windbreak protection wild animals need during storms. Butterflies use them for protection during the Summer storms, and birds will nestle in them during the Winter.
We humans need to start applying common sense compassion and wisdom on behalf of our "lesser brethren" wild animals.
What about lyme ticks?
Anyone know how many Burmese Pythons may be killed by the cold this year?
If the Polar vortex were to come earlier them researchers planned, how would it affect humans and do you think any animals that are tropical, would become extinct or endangered.
I have been seeing a Carolina Wren, mostly at my suet feeder. I was hoping that would carry him thru the very cold spell , but have not seen him in about 4 days. So sad, thinking he didn't make it. He was s joy to watch.
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DUNE ALLEN — Most visitors come to this area with one thing in mind — to hit the beach.
And most don't know that just about a half mile north of Dune Allen beach is nestled a world-class ski school.
Cory Pickos founded the school in 1992 and has produced world-class skiers, including the reigning world elite overall champions. The school boasts it has had more records, medals, and champions than all other schools combined.
Pickos is himself a world-record-breaking champion. He made the elite USA water ski team at the age of 13, the youngest ever to achieve either of these accomplishments.
During his career, he went on to win every major title around the world.
Adam Pickos was just 3 months old when his parents bought the ski school in Dune Allen. His dad had him on skis by age 3, skiing by age 5 and competing at age 7.
"I was bribed with Skittles initially, but it's something I wanted," the 22-year old says today. "When you see your accomplishments and improvements, it leaves you with a drive."
Adam helps run the school and is work-ing towards a degree in business management. He says he will some day take over the management of the school and wants to be prepared. The water ski and wake-board school teaches all levels, from first-time beginners to professionals.
"Doing this has allowed me to travel and meet great people," Adam said. "Getting up on the skis is freeing. It's frees up your mind."
For more information call 259-2182, email email@example.com, or visit www.skicory.com.


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What is the All Asset Strategy?
The PIMCO All Asset Strategies (All Asset and All Asset All Authority) are highly diversified, tactical asset allocation solutions that have a simple goal: Deliver significant real returns (returns in excess of inflation) with modest volatility. The Strategies allocate across a broad range of underlying strategies in an effort to produce long-term returns consistent with their benchmarks: CPI+5% for All Asset and CPI+6.5% for All Asset All Authority (CPI is the Consumer Price Index, the primary measure of U.S. inflation). In so doing, the strategies seek to help investors with several critical goals:
The All Asset Strategies represent a joint effort between PIMCO and Research Affiliates, an investment advisory firm founded by Rob Arnott. PIMCO provides the broad range of underlying strategies, which spans global stocks, global bonds, commodities, real estate and other liquid alternative strategies. PIMCO also provides active management excess return (alpha) potential within each. Research Affiliates determines the appropriate asset allocation mix of the underlying strategies to target the stated return and volatility goals.
The All Asset Strategies are designed to fit a variety of investor needs and are therefore used by individuals and institutions to address a range of goals within a portfolio, including but not limited to the following:
Inflation Hedging Solution: If you're seeking to increase the allocation to inflation hedging investments but are concerned with low yields offered by Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS), the volatility of commodities and real estate or the illiquidity associated with other real assets, then the All Asset Strategies may offer a compelling opportunity to hedge inflation risk, capture high real return potential and do so with modest volatility.
Alternative to Traditional Fixed Income: If you're seeking an investment that has bond-like characteristics in terms of total volatility and correlation to other assets, yet has greater flexibility to navigate changing global interest rates and yield spreads, then the All Asset Strategies may offer a compelling opportunity to replace traditional fixed income with a more diversified and adaptable allocation.
Equity Replacement/Diversifier: If you're seeking a higher level of returns, one that has often been associated with equities, yet want to diversify – not amplify – the equity risk already in your portfolio, then the All Asset Strategies may offer a compelling opportunity to pursue equity-like returns with reduced volatility and downside risk, and with diversification benefits.
Tactical Asset Allocation Solution: If you're evaluating multi-asset class strategies that offer outperformance potential through diversification and tactical allocation decisions, then the All Asset Strategies may offer a compelling solution in that they combine a truly broad opportunity set, active management alpha potential in each and a disciplined investment process to tactically manage the mix in a single investment.
In addition to the All Asset Strategies, PIMCO offers expertise across a range of other real return products that seek to provide consistent after-inflation returns and portfolio diversification to meet investor needs:
The PIMCO All Asset Strategies invest in a broad spectrum of underlying investment strategies, which include global bonds, global stocks, commodities and real estate. While the All Asset Strategies can invest in almost any PIMCO strategy in an effort to achieve their return and risk objectives, the following is a representative list of the opportunity set:
Short-Term StrategiesShort-TermLow DurationFloating Income
The asset allocation decisions within the PIMCO All Asset Strategies are actively managed by Research Affiliates, LLC, a sub-advisory firm founded by Rob Arnott that possesses demonstrated expertise in asset allocation. The investment process evaluates four essential "building blocks" of returns and is complemented by a qualitative fifth step to help ensure a robust outcome.
1) Potential for Long-Term Real Returns: Each underlying investment is evaluated for its long-term real return potential by assessing its current yield and expected income growth, net of inflation.
2) Potential Value Added by PIMCO: Since each underlying investment is actively managed by PIMCO, an adjustment is made to the return estimate for that asset class based on the consistency and level of excess return that the respective PIMCO portfolio manager has historically delivered.
3) Potential for Valuation Change: Key valuation metrics are evaluated for each underlying investment in order to assess absolute and relative value, the likelihood of a valuation change and to what extent that alters the near-term return potential for that investment.
4) Impact from Economic and Technical Factors: Additional inputs are considered to refine return and risk forecasts, such as the current stage of the business cycle, the transition probability to the next stage and, where relevant, select technical indicators such as lead, lag, momentum or mean reversion factors.
5) Subjective Considerations: Experts at PIMCO and Research Affiliates possess a wide depth and breadth of experience across various global asset classes. Formally once a month, and informally as required, key personnel at both firms engage in substantive dialogue to identify any factors that might have been missed by the quantitative process and if those warrant a modest subjective adjustment to the model-driven allocations.
Investors need high real returns in order to meet their return goals, hedge inflation risk and grow the purchasing power of their savings. Going forward, this level of real returns may not be achieved by conventional allocations centered on mainstream stocks and bonds.
With that in mind, the All Asset Strategies combine three sources of added value in an effort to achieve their CPI + 5% or CPI + 6.5% benchmarks. First, they expand the investment opportunity set far beyond mainstream stocks and bonds, so that investors can access a wider range of return-generating and inflation-hedging sectors. Second, they incorporate the potential for excess returns (alpha) above passive indexes in each underlying strategy through PIMCO's active management expertise. Third, they incorporate the tactical asset allocation decisions of Research Affiliates, which uses a demonstrated, disciplined process aimed at both enhancing returns and mitigating risk by changing the mix of underlying strategies over time.
The All Asset Strategies are sub-advised by Research Affiliates, LLC, an advisory firm founded and majority-owned by Robert Arnott. He is author of more than sixty articles appearing in periodicals like the Financial Analysts Journal, the Journal of Portfolio Management, and the Harvard Business Review. He has served on the editorial boards of the Journal of Portfolio Management, Journal of Investing, and Journal of Wealth Management, as a founding member of the Chairman's Advisory Council of the Chicago Board Options Exchange and on the product advisory boards of the Chicago Mercantile and Toronto Stock Exchanges. He co-edited the first and second editions of Active Asset Allocation (Probus Press; 1988, 1992) and Style Management (1996, 1998).
He has contributed chapters to numerous books, including some of the core readings for the CFA program. Mr. Arnott has a reputation as a practitioner for creating innovative investment products. He previously served as equity strategist at Salomon Brothers, and as president and chief investment officer at TSA Capital Management, and also served as chairman of First Quadrant. He graduated summa cum laude from UC Santa Barbara in economics, applied mathematics, and computer science.
PIMCO and Research Affiliates collaborate to help ensure that investors in the All Asset Strategies benefit from the significant commitment to risk management by both of these organizations. PIMCO, which has extensive asset management experience, controls the operational risk of the All Asset portfolios as well as the investment and operational risk of all underlying strategies. Research Affiliates, which serves as the asset allocation sub-advisor, controls the investment risk associated with asset allocation decisions.
A summary of key investment guidelines for the All Asset and All Asset All Authority Strategies is as follows:
1 The StocksPLUS® Short Total Return Strategy seeks a return that tracks and exceeds the inverse return of the S&P 5002 The strategy does not intend to invest in StocksPLUS Short Total Return Strategy.3 Leverage is obtained in the All Asset All Authority Strategy via a line of credit that may be used on a tactical basis to acquire additional exposure to targeted underlying strategies. Measured as a percent of gross assets.4 The All Asset Strategy does not intend to use leverage to amplify exposures of underlying strategies. However, certain transactions within the underlying strategies, such as the use of derivatives, where permitted, may give rise to leverage within those strategies, causing them to potentially be more volatile than if they had not been leveraged.
Past performance is not a guarantee or a reliable indicator of future results. All investments contain risk and may lose value. The All Asset Strategies invest in other PIMCO products and performance is subject to underlying investment weightings which will vary. The cost of investing in the Strategies will generally be higher than the cost of investing in a strategy that invests directly in individual stocks and bonds. Investing in the bond market is subject to certain risks including market, interest-rate, issuer, credit, and inflation risk. Inflation-linked bonds (ILBs) issued by a government are fixed-income securities whose principal value is periodically adjusted according to the rate of inflation; ILBs decline in value when real interest rates rise. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) are ILBs issued by the U.S. Government. Sovereign securities are generally backed by the issuing government, obligations of U.S. Government agencies and authorities are supported by varying degrees but are generally not backed by the full faith of the U.S. Government; portfolios that invest in such securities are not guaranteed and will fluctuate in value. Equities may decline in value due to both real and perceived general market, economic, and industry conditions. Commodities contain heightened risk including market, political, regulatory, and natural conditions, and may not be suitable for all investors. REITs are subject to risk, such as poor performance by the manager, adverse changes to tax laws or failure to qualify for tax-free pass-through of income. Investing in foreign denominated and/or domiciled securities may involve heightened risk due to currency fluctuations, and economic and political risks, which may be enhanced in emerging markets. High-yield, lower-rated, securities involve greater risk than higher-rated securities; portfolios that invest in them may be subject to greater levels of credit and liquidity risk than portfolios that do not. PIMCO Strategies utilize derivatives and may utilize commodity-linked derivatives which may involve certain costs and risks such as liquidity, interest rate, market, credit, management and the risk that a position could not be closed when most advantageous. Commodity-linked derivative instruments may involve additional costs and risks such as changes in commodity index volatility or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments. Investing in derivatives could lose more than the amount invested. The use of leverage may cause a portfolio to liquidate positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet segregation requirements. Leverage, including borrowing, may cause a portfolio to be more volatile than if the portfolio had not been leveraged. There is no guarantee that this investment strategy will work under all market conditions and each investor should evaluate their ability to invest for a long-term especially during periods of downturn in the market. Diversification does not ensure against loss.
The CPI + 500 and CPI + 650 Basis Points benchmark is created by adding 5% or 6.5% to the annual percentage change in the Consumer Price Index ("CPI"). This index reflects non-seasonably adjusted returns. The Consumer Price Index is an unmanaged index representing the rate of inflation of the U.S. consumer prices as determined by the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics. There can be no guarantee that the CPI or other indexes will reflect the exact level of inflation at any given time. It is not possible to invest directly in an unmanaged index.
This material contains the current opinions of the manager and such opinions are subject to change without notice. This material has been distributed for informational purposes only and should not be considered as investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security, strategy or investment product.
No part of this material may be reproduced in any form, or referred to in any other publication, without express written permission. Pacific Investment Management Company LLC, 650 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660, 800-387-4626. ©2015, PIMCO.
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In Part I of Mr. (Bishop) White's three-part treatment of penance (ostensibly a "critique" of my book), he took the following utterly ridiculous potshots at me (in blue):
One other thing to remember before we move to Armstrong's comments. Armstrong is identified as a "Protestant campus missionary" on the back of his book prior to his conversion. I do not know what that involved, but one thing that it probably did not involve was a great deal of study of the Puritans, reading of Edwards, or even of someone like Spurgeon.
Calvinist or Reformed theology is not the whole of Protestantism. It is White's position which is ludicrous, since I have demonstrated that, by his very statements, C.S. Lewis, Philip Melanchthon, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, John Wesley, even Martin Luther himself and St. Augustine, could not be Christians at all (according to him, they denied both sola fide and sola gratia)!!! With intellectually-vacant baggage like that (which he has never explained), it is beyond laughable for him to accuse me of ignorance and insufficient former "Protestant" status (as he has before), due to not reading, e.g., the vehemently anti-Catholic Spurgeon (I did, however, have some of his books in my library).
So when we encounter his views of "suffering" in Protestantism, we need to remember that they are not coming from someone who was, in fact, much more than a layperson, and one who has given very little evidence, in fact, of having done a lot of serious reading in better non-Catholic
literature to begin with. In fact, I would imagine Armstrong has done more reading in non-Catholic materials since his conversion than before. In any case, this lack of background will resound loudly in the comments he offers, to which we will turn in part 2.
White merely exhibits here his profound ignorance of my background, and usual condescension. He knows virtually nothing about this (and has forgotten whatever I did tell him). In fact, I read many many good books as a Protestant, including the following by Protestant authors (asterisked writers are Reformed / Calvinist, as far as I recall and know offhand):
Have-Read List:
Bernard Ramm (Baptist), Eastman, Walvoord, Michael Green, R.C. Sproul*, Stott, Van Impe, Hal Lindsey (6), C.S. Lewis (5), Josh McDowell (5), A.W. Tozer, Duane Gish (young earth creationist), Henry Morris (young earth creationist), Francis Schaeffer* (7), Harold Lindsell (2), Os Guinness, Roland Bainton -- leading biographer of Luther (2), LaHaye, A. Skevington Wood (biographer of Wesley), Sider, Franky Schaeffer* (2), Merrill Tenney, James Montgomery Boice*, Neuhaus (when Lutheran), Lorraine Boettner* (The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination), Dave Basinger (editor: Predestination and Free Will), Oswald Allis*, George Marsden* (2), J. Gresham Machen*, Howard Snyder, Kierkegaard (Lutheran philosopher) (3), John MacArthur*, J.I. Packer*, Billy Graham, Walter Martin. I also listened to many tapes from Walter Martin, as I was involved in counter-cult research, and a ton of Christian talk radio, went to many many Bible studies and other Christian talks and conferences, etc. I was friends with three Baptist pastors: one of whom was a Reformed Baptist.
These are just people whose books I have read in their entirety (in my Protestant period). I have many many more Protestant books in my library to this day. I may not have read every page of these, but I used them a lot for research, then (1977-1990) and since my conversion (reading very large portions; oftentimes the lion's share of the book):
G.C. Berkouwer* (3), F.F. Bruce (11), D.A. Carson, Gerhard Maier, Ryken, Edersheim (2), R.D. Wilson, Wenham, Arndt, Ladd (2), Albright (biblical archaeologist) (5), Augustus Strong, Charles Hodge*, D. Guthrie, Archer (2), Woodbridge, Jack Rodgers, John Gerstner*, A.A. Hodge*, Warfield*, Dunn, Alford, Westcott, Oswald Chambers, Richard Foster, Reinhold Niebuhr, H. Richard Niebuhr (4), Goodspeed (2), Paul Maier (3), J.B. Lightfoot (5), Peter Berger (6), Os Guinness (3), Enroth (2), Walter Martin (2), Thomas Oden (4), Ankerberg, Billy Graham (4), Dobson (6), Bonhoeffer (13), John Wesley (6 about him), Jonathan Edwards* (two of primary material and one biography), Ronald Nash*, Carl F.H. Henry, R.C. Sproul* (2), LaHaye, Charles Colson* (9), Swindoll, Yancey (3), John Macarthur* (2), J.I. Packer* (2), Sire (2).
Church Historians (emphasizing the 16th century):
J.N.D. Kelly, Roland Bainton (4), Jaroslav Pelikan (4), Philip Schaff (4), Kenneth Scott Latourette (9), Dillenberger (3), Martin Marty (3), Oberman (2), McGrath (2), A.G. Dickens (2), Hillerbrand (2), Harbison (2), Pauck (2), Spitz (2), Henry Chadwick (2), Steinmetz, Rupp, Althaus, Owen Chadwick, Perry Miller (perhaps the leading scholar on Puritanism) and other works about Puritanism (8)
Primary and Secondary "Reformation" Literature:
Martin Luther: 13 volumes from Luther's Works, + 15 more primary works or collections, and 15-20 books about him.
John Calvin: 10 large primary works (Institutes, Letters, Commentaries, etc.), + four biographies.
Melanchthon: two collections of primary writings.
Zwingli/Bullinger: important primary writings.
Anabaptists: important primary writings.
Book of Concord (Lutheran).
Book of Common Prayer (Anglican).
Apologists and Philosophers:
C.S. Lewis (virtually every book by and about him -- my favorite writer --, filling up an entire large bookshelf), Norman Geisler (7), William Lane Craig, J.W. Montgomery (5), Josh McDowell (7), Cornelius Van Til*, Bernard Ramm (3), Alvin Plantinga* (2), J.P. Moreland, Gary Habermas, Kierkegaard (18), Dorothy Sayers (2), Carnell (2), J.N.D. Anderson, Strobel (2).
Scholarly References:
25 or so versions of the Bible, A.T. Robertson (Word Pictures, + one additional), Vine, Vincent (Word Studies), Kittel, Thayer, Gesenius, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, Nave's Topical Bible, New Bible Dictionary, Eerdmans Bible Dictionary, Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, Eerdmans Bible Commentary, Jamieson, Fausset, Brown Commentary, New International Dictionary of the Christian Church, Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture (Oden; 3 volumes), Dictionary of Christianity in America (IVP), Strong's and Young's Concordances, NRSV Concordance.
I have these Protestant books in my library concerning suffering (and I read the Lewis, Plantinga, and Silvester books):
The Problem of Pain (C.S. Lewis)
Arguing With God (Hugh Silvester)
God, Freedom, and Evil (Alvin Plantinga)
Theodicy (Leibniz)
Till Armageddon (Billy Graham)
Portraits of Perseverance: 100 Meditations From the Book of Job (Henry Gariepy)
Good Grief (Granger E. Westberg)
A Grief Observed (C.S. Lewis)
A Loving God and a Suffering World (JonTal Murphree)
God on the Witness Stand (Daniel T. Hans)
How to Find Comfort in the Bible (Herbert Lockyer).
My lengthy paper, Christian Replies to the Argument From Evil (Free Will Defense): Is God Malevolent, Weak, or Non-Existent Because of the Existence of Evil and Suffering?, draws heavily on the work of Leibniz, Lewis, and Plantinga.
I think, then, any reasonable person will lay to rest White's asinine assertion that I have shown "very little evidence, in fact, of having done a lot of serious reading in better non-Catholic literature." I don't think this is a bad showing at all for a non-formally-trained layman who has had relatively little money to invest in books through the years (most of these having been obtained used). I may not spout my knowledge of all these writers all the time (like someone else I know, who also talks constantly about his vaunted -- but questionable -- educational credentials), but that doesn't mean I have not incorporated what they taught me into my overall Christian worldview. I owe these writers a tremendous debt and deep gratitude for my formation in Christian theology and apologetics. Who could be anti-Protestant with all these treasures to be had? But White manages to dismiss all the wonderful Catholic literature and scholarship, as of little or no value. My position is that both Christian traditions can learn a great deal from each other, in many ways. Those who take the exclusivistic, tunnel-vision approach greatly impoverish their learning and understanding of the totality of Christianity and the Lord's working on this earth and through salvation history.
I consider this a "footnote" so I won't do the word count thing this time. This (necessary) aside illustrates, however, how difficult it is to reply with less words than one's opponent, when said opponent is lying through his teeth about one. To say that I have shone "very little evidence, in fact, of having done a lot of serious reading in better non-Catholic literature," takes all of 18 words. Lies are like that. How can you disprove this in less than 18 words? To refute the ludicrous charge clearly takes many more words (and effort; I've just blown a few hours). In this case, I had to list the books I read or have partially-read and used for study and research. If White will stop the needless, groundless personal attacks and ignorant stupidities like this, maybe we can get back to his compelling critique that scarcely even interacts at all with what it purportedly critiques! :-)
Friday, December 31, 2004
James White's Critique of My Book "The Catholic Verses": Part IV: Shots at My Former Protestant Knowledge and Reading
Posted by Dave Armstrong at 8:51 PM
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Carmichael Outreach first began in 1988 when some women from the congregation of Carmichael United Church saw a need in their community.
They started gathering used clothing and, once-a-week, running a free boutique out of the church which was located near Regina's General Hospital. Food bank and an emergency food service soon became a part of that work, an after-school program for children following after. When Carmichael United Church closed its door in June of 1995, the money from the sale of the building was put into Carmichael Outreach and the operation moved to 1602 12th Avenue.
In 2001 Carmichael Outreach moved into its current location at 1925 Osler St. It was during this move that Carmichael Outreach dropped its official tie to the United Church of Canada. While the spirit of the work remains the same and Carmichael Outreach still has important ties to many congregations in Regina and the surrounding aread, Carmichael Outreach now operates as a Community Based Organization. As a CBO Carmichael Outreach is able to more effectively meet and adapt to the changing needs of our community.
Our faith-based roots and community-based approach make Carmichael Outreach a unique piece of Regina's support community.
Mission Statement
At Carmichael Outreach, hope is given a space to grow and those struggling with addictions, poverty, health issues and overwhelming life crisis are shown that people care and are willing to help.


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Le Chambon-sur-Lignon is a Protestant village in Haute-Loire in southern France. During World War II, it became a haven for Jews fleeing from the Nazis and their French collaborators.
The Chambonais hid Jews in their homes, sometimes for as long as four years, provided them with forged I.D. and ration cards, and helped them over the border to safety in Switzerland. With their history of persecution as a religious minority in Catholic France, empathy for Jews as the people of the Old Testament, and the powerful leadership and example of their pastor and his wife, Andre and Magda Trocme, the people of Chambon acted on their conviction that it was their duty to help their "neighbors" in need.
The Chambonais rejected any labeling of their behavior as heroic. They said: "Things had to be done and we happened to be there to do them. It was the most natural thing in the world to help these people." After the round- up and deportation of Jews in Paris in July 1942, Pastor Trocme had delivered a sermon to his parishioners, "The Christian Church should drop to its knees and beg pardon of God for its present incapacity and cowardice."
The American Friends (Quakers) and other Protestant organizations and Catholic clergy provided assistance to Chambon to set up homes for children whose parents had been deported. The head of one of these homes was Daniel Trocme, the young cousin of Pastor Trocme. In June 1943 he and "his" children were arrested and deported to the East. Daniel Trocme died in Majdanek.
The Trocmes have been recognized by Yad Vashem as Righteous among the Nations; a tree was planted in honor of Andre and Magda Trocme and another in honor of Daniel Trocme. A small garden and plaque were dedicated to the people of Chambon.
Sources: Yad Vashem. U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum photo.


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Interview: President To Return Home Tomorrow
By News Talk Florida
News Desk
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AM 820 News anchor Robert Pankau talked with ABC News correspondent Ann Compton about the latest in President Obama's travels in Asia. This is his last day overseas after a week long tour as he flies home tomorrow evening. Robert also asked Ann about the storms in Arkansas and Oklahoma.
Tags: Asia, President Obama


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The Watch
By Joydeep Roy-Bhattacharya
(Hogarth, Paperback, 9780307955913, 318pp.)
Publication Date: March 12, 2013
List Price: $15.00*
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Following a desperate night-long battle, a group of beleaguered soldiers in an isolated base in Kandahar are faced with a lone woman demanding the return of her brother's body. Is she a spy, a black widow, a lunatic? Or is she what she claims to be: a grieving young sister intent on burying her brother according to local rites? Single-minded in her mission, she refuses to move from her spot on the field in full view of every soldier in the stark outpost. Her presence quickly proves dangerous as the camp's tense, claustrophobic atmosphere comes to a boil when the men begin arguing about what to do next.
Told from various points of view, including those of the U.S. soldiers, Joydeep Roy-Bhattacharya's heartbreaking and haunting novel takes a timeless tragedy and hurls it into present-day Afghanistan. Taking its cues from the Antigone myth, Roy-Bhattacharya recreates the chaos, intensity, and immediacy of battle, and conveys the inevitable repercussions felt by the soldiers, and their families, and especially one sister. The result is the most powerful expression to date of the nature and futility of war.
Now with Extra Libris material, including a reader's guide and bonus content


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A suicide bomber Friday made an attempt on the life of the Emir of Fika and Chairman, Yobe State Council of Chiefs, Dr. Muhammadu Abali Ibn Muhammadu Idrissa at the Potiskum Central Mosque moments after the Friday prayer.
It was gathered that the suicide bomber stealthily detonated an improvised explosive device just as the paramount ruler was coming out from mosque after the Friday prayers and was few distance away from him.
The incident occurred just as reports emerged that a suspected suicide bomber was killed Thursday night in Mahuta, a suburb of Kaduna metropolis when the bomb he was carrying exploded, killing him instantly.
An eyewitness, who gave his name as Salisu Musa, said: "During our Friday prayer at the Central Mosque located in front of the emir's Palace here in Potiskum town, an unknown person was initially sighted sitting among the emir's entourage and was asked to leave the place. But immediately after the prayer the same person was sighted rushing towards the emir and the police orderly had to quickly push the man away.
"Though the orderly was able to save the emir, he was not lucky enough as the bomb exploded immediately the man was pushed and he got injured on his arms alongside a dozen other people."
When the scene of the incident was later visited by THISDAY, the dismembered corpse of the alleged suicide bomber was still scattered at the scene.
Injured persons were all rushed to the emergency unit of the General Hospital, Potiskum, for treatment. About 15 persons were seen receiving treatment at the hospital.
The incident is one of several other attacks which have increasingly put the town in the eye of the storm. Few months ago there was an attack on the town's cattle market where scores of people were killed and property including cattle worth millions of Naira lost.
Meanwhile security has been intensified in the town with thorough search at military road blocks while one of the major roads in the town which pass through the divisional police office has been blocked to prevent any possible attack.
The state's police command has however not spoken officially on the attack. When contacted on the phone, the police public relations officer, ASP Toyin Gbadegesin, an assistant superintendent of police said "the police commissioner will soon brief the press on the matter".
Witnesses in the Kaduna incident claimed the suicide bomber along with three others had entered the Afaka district of the area apparently to kill the district head, Abduwahab Aliyu.
However, the youths of the area were said to have rallied some support and disarmed him. But unknown to them, he had a bomb strapped to his body which exploded as the bomber was running away from them, killing him on the spot. This was said to have occurred at about 10.00pm.
"It happened at about 10.00pm on Thursday when some suspicious persons entered the village and some residents started questioning them and discovered that they were armed.
"The youths were able to disarm one of them who admitted that they were on a mission to kill the village head for allegedly exposing their members."
The public relations officer of the Kaduna State Police Command, Abdulrazaq Balteh, confirmed the incident but added that no arrests were made. He however confirmed the death of the bearer of the bomb.


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Caterpillar Inc. said to be focus of tax inquiry by Senate panel
Posted: March 22, 2014 at 3:58 a.m.
WASHINGTON — A Senate investigative panel is examining Caterpillar Inc. and whether the company improperly avoided U.S. taxes by moving profits outside the country, three people familiar with the inquiry said.
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At 40 watts, the Havells 5030568 F40T12/DL/DLX T12 linear tube features a high lumen output while producing a whiter, more natural color for either commercial or residential applications. It has a stark white color temperature of 6500K and an average life of 20,000 hours. This fluorescent tube is perfect for high or low installations and can help you save energy with a fluorescent ballast.
Mercury containing products sold into the state of WA include an environmental handling charge of .25/each