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7 days a week | 10am - 5pm
Tip for Your Aquarium Trip
Reach out and touch a stingray in the Stingray Touch Pool!
Copyright © 2013 Audubon Nature Institute P.O. Box 4327 New Orleans, LA 70178 (504) 861-2537 firstname.lastname@example.com
Sea Otters
Sea Otters
Audubon Aquarium of the Americas is home to Southern sea otter, Emma, who came from California's Monterey Bay Aquarium in 1999. Found stranded and then rehabilitated by Monterey Bay Aquarium, Emma was deemed unable to return to the wild. Her species is endangered in the wild so finding them a new, safe home was top priority.
In the kelp forests off the California coast, sea otters spend all of their lives in the water. They eat, sleep, mate and even give birth at sea! At Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, Emma's custom-made habitat, a 25,000-gallon exhibit, features two swimming pools at different depths, rock nooks and a large behind-the-scenes area.
Audubon's sea otter enrichment program, designed specifically for Emma, includes a wide range of toys, treats and daily training. The training program is particularly important because it increases the bond between the animal and the husbandry staff, provides mental exercises, and enables Emma to participate in her own health care. The training sessions are positive and fun so health care becomes stress-free as Emma comes willingly when it's time for weigh-ins and check-ups.
Sea otters have a very high metabolism ranking them among nature's most voracious consumers. They eat an amazing 20 to 30 percent of their body weight each day and their pricey seaside menu includes shrimp, crabs, squid, clams, mussels and other invertebrates. Because their diet includes so many shelled animals sea otters have become the only animals besides birds, man and a few other primates that use tools (they wield rocks or shells to break open their prey).
For Emma, that kind of diet can translate in to about 10 pounds of seafood per day! But it is all fuel for an internal furnace. Otters stay warm in the cold water by producing their own body heat; they retain the warmth through incredibly thick fur—the densest fur of any mammal; their skin stays dry because otter fur repels water with natural oils; and the air trapped between their hairs acts as insulation. That is why you see the sea otters constantly grooming—they are fluffing the hair and forming air bubbles near the skin to create their own version of bubble wrap!
Ironically, the sea otter's fur is its most important survival adaptation and the reason it is now an endangered animal. In the 18th- and 19th-centuries these animals were hunted for their pelts to near extinction. Through conservation efforts, their numbers have grown but they are once again facing a decrease in population due to diseases, pollutants, low food availability, kelp harvesting and net entrapment. Protected by the federal Endangered Species Act, the Southern sea otter's range, which once spanned from Japan to Baja California is now limited to the Central California coast. Emma is also under the protection of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which has entrusted their care to Audubon Aquarium of the Americas.
Come meet Emma at the Aquarium and let them show you what it takes to be a sea otter!
Adopt Emma through Audubon Nature Institute's Adopt An Animal program.
Aquarium Visitor Info
$41.95 Adult Admission
$29.95 Child (2 -12) Admission
$29.95 Senior (65+) Admission
Our best value! Visit Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, Entergy IMAX® Theatre and Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium for one low price. The Audubon Experience package includes one visit to each facility. Audubon Experience packages are valid for 30 consecutive days starting with your first visit. The IMAX® ticket is valid for one movie on first-come, first-served availability. Tickets may be purchased in advance and used the day of your visit. Our attractions are open Tuesday through Sunday.
$23.95 Adult Admission
$17.95 Child (2 -12) Admission
$18.95 Senior (65+) Admission
Free for Audubon Members
$115.00 Members
$125.00 Non-Members
Go behind the scenes at Audubon Aquarium of the Americas for an up-close encounter with an endangered African penguin. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for an intimate, hands-on experience with a penguin in Audubon's private penguin encounter. Advance tickets recommended. Read More.
$28.95 Adult Admission
$22.95 Child (2 -12) Admission
$22.95 Senior (65+) Admission
The Entergy IMAX® Theatre ticket is valid for one movie on first-come, first-served availability. Tickets may be purchased in advance and used the day of your visit.
Discounted admission for youth groups of 10 or more and group lunches for 20 or more. Exciting, educational and entertaining trips at economical rates are available with advance reservations at the Zoo, Aquarium, Butterfly Garden and Insectarium, and IMAX®. To make your reservations or for more information please read more online, or call us at (504) 581-4629 or 1-800-774-7394, Monday through Friday from 10am to 4pm.


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Yang, K; Chen, D; Chen, L; Guo, ZX; (2002) Microstructure, electrochemical performance and gas-phase hydrogen storage property of ZrTi[(Ni,V,Mn) Co] laves phase alloys. Journal of Alloys and Compounds , 333 (1-2) 184 - 189. 10.1016/S0925-8388(01)01724-8.
Full text not available from this repository.
A series of ZrTi[(Ni,V,Mn) Co] alloys were prepared by vacuum induction melting to investigate the relationship between the composition and the electrochemical performance of AB alloys. It was shown that the electrochemical capacity is improved, but the cycle life is reduced, when increasing the content of Mn and decreasing that of Ni in the alloys, keeping the contents of the other elements constant. The electrochemical capacity is increased, but the high-rate capability deteriorated with the increasing level of the V and the decrease of Ni in the alloys. The effects are attributed to the electro-catalyzing effect of Ni, the dissolution of Mn into the alkaline solution and the change of hydrogen affinity resulting from the substitution of V for Ni. © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
|Microstructure, electrochemical performance and gas-phase hydrogen storage property of ZrTi[(Ni,V,Mn) Co] laves phase alloys
|UCL classification:
|UCL > School of BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences > Chemistry
Archive Staff Only: edit this record

subset: commoncrawl


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IEEE membership options for an individual and IEEE Xplore subscriptions for an organization offer the most affordable access to essential journal articles, conference papers, standards,
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In this paper, we consider the identification problem of multiinput-multioutput (MIMO) finite-impulse-response systems via second-order statistics only. By assigning different block precoders to different transmitters, we develop a new technique that allows blind MIMO channel identification up to a scalar ambiguity for each transmitter. We provide sufficient conditions for removal of the matrix ambiguity for a specific set of precoding matrices and derive a general theorem for other kinds of precoding matrices based on a reasonable conjecture. This theorem is firmly tested via numerical examples. Two potential precoding schemes are proposed, considering different ways of eliminating interblock interference. Finally, numerical results are provided to verify our analysis.
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We have a combination of RHEL5 and SLES11 servers that integrate with Active Directory via LikewiseOpen. What I'm wondering is in what place should I put the pam rule to allow pam_access to be correctly used as part of the authentication of users.
Take the 2-minute tour ×
Server Fault is a question and answer site for system and network administrators. It's 100% free, no registration required.
The Best Would be in the "common-account" file.


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I'll take this one, she looks fine
Brand her thigh to show she's mine,
Leave the cape, discard the dress
Send her to me via air express
Tilting her head by holding her chin
Locked eye to eye, he showed a grin
Spirit and fire, belied her pout
In a battle of wills he would win out
"I am the wolf and you little red,
Belong to me now," he quietly said.
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- by Anonymous09/01/14
Don't Like the Concept.
But I like the writing and how beautiful the woman is and the vibrant colors that pop into my head. Thanks for posting!
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Nothing like waiting until the last minute to voice your concerns. It seems Iran is upset over the 2012 Olympics logo, which was unveiled way back in 2007.
The secretary general of Iran's Olympic committee, Bahram Afsharzadeh, says that he thinks the 2012 Olympics logo spells out the word "Zion", a term which is widely used when referring to Jerusalem.
Afsharzadeh says he voiced his displeasure in the form of a letter addressed to International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge. If the IOC doesn't change the logo, Iran may boycott the 2012 Olympics.
"There is no doubt that negligence of the issue from your side may affect the presence of some countries in the games, especially Iran, which abides by commitment to the values and principles," the letter read.
The IOC confirms that it has received the letter but adds that it doesn't plan to change the logo.
"Our response is as follows: The London 2012 logo represents the figure 2012, nothing else," the IOC said.
The London organizers said the 2012 Olympics logo design was revealed in 2007, after thorough testing and consultation.
"We are surprised that this complaint has been made now," the committee said.
It seems as though Iran usually threatens to boycott the games at least once before each Olympics, although the country did actually boycott once at the 1984 games.
Related articles
- Iran fumes over London 2012 'Zion' logo (guardian.co.uk)
- Iran Claims London Olympics Logo Is Racist (huffingtonpost.com)
- London 2012 Olympics: Iran objects to Games logo due to similarity to word 'Zion' (telegraph.co.uk)
- Iran objects to London 2012 Olympics logo (theglobeandmail.com)
- Iran threatens boycott of 2012 London Games, claims logo is racist (sports.espn.go.com)


text:
No One Killed Jessica (A)
Release Date
07 Jan 2011
No One Killed Jessica movie is a fast paced thriller set in the hub of political power, New Delhi. It is the story of two women and their relentless pursuit of ...
hello my name is Juliet i saw your profile here today and i love it and i will also like to know more about you please i will like you to email me back with my private email address () so that i will give you my pictures for you to know whom i am .waiting for your lovely reply soon. miss Juliet!
this movie is wonderful
movie was good,not family like
Every indian have to make their drink with their own style ...!! so that responsibility will be developed and one day no one can say or proud of india...!! JAY HIND..
just watched NO ONE KILLED JESSICA. a must must must watch !! n Rani really acted like a sweetheart, Vidya was grt too but can't touch Rani. Myra's pics r good enough. d movie s too real, specially d president's wig n d PM's turban.
Buy Movie Tickets
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We really liked these. They definitely helped with static electricity and drying times, but after about 8 months one of the balls split.
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Reviewed by Tennile on Monday 03 August, 2009
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I'm thinking the other reviewer who had one of these split must have gotten a bad set. We've had ours for about 8 months, going through approximately 160 loads of laundry and besides some slight discoloration on the spikey things, they look new. They shorten the drying time and reduce static cling a lot, though not completely.
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AdvertisementWhy ads?
Based on 828 Ratings for the 2004 - 2009 models.Review this car
By SilenceDogood on Thursday, July 26, 2007
overall rating 9 of 10rating details
"I researched for 1.5 years for a new or a reliable small car. The Prius was more costly than other cars, but its reliability, gas efficiency and roominess compensates for it. When I first looked at the Prius, I hated the styling, but now I just love it. The 2006 interiors are 6" longer than previous Prius years. The back seat accomodates people 6 feet and taller easily--something important for me with budding teenage boys in a family of tall people. You have to learn how to drive this car! It cannot be driven like gasoline only cars. Learn how to maximize the efficiency by monitoring the consumption screen when first driving. Also, do buy the extended warranty. The battery is guaranteed for 8 years, but the standard car warranty is important to cover the cost of those expensive non-Toyota made electronics and the transmission should it fail ($10K to repair). Yes, the reliability is there, and I've had great success, but there is always one bad apple. I miss the luxury of my Jeep Laredo, and it would be nice to have a more plush and better overall interior. It is adequate, but not as nice as it could be. Many friends who have Prius models state the same. I love not only the gas mileage, but the super-quick fill up at the pump. I can come, pay and leave while the SUV next to me is still filling. The trunk/hatch is very roomy for a small car. After looking at small car trunks and other hatches like the PT cruiser, it is a dream. The back seats and front passenger seat fold down to accomodate longer items. I can fit 3 suitcases, a tent, 3 sleeping bags and misc other items, and on shopping day, all those grocery bags fit beautifully in the hatchback. BTW, do get the rear hatch net and the rear bumper applique. I don't like the ventilation system, and rate it fair for clearing foggy windows on rainy days. AC/heat are great. The kiddos love the car with its roominess, arm rest and all those cup holders. Its narrow body is desirable for city lot parking, and it does not feel narrow inside. Another plus for me is the high-feeling seating. After downsizing from high-riding jeep, it is nice to sit higher than other small cars. Low carriage, especially in the front is an adjustment. There is a nasty blind spot on the front right when turning left into traffic. The rear backup camera is a necessity. All in all, I love this car. It is a hybrid, so if you are looking for a great family or commuter car it's perfect. If you are looking for a high performance car, look elsewhere for a sports car."
54 people out of 54 found this review helpful
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By benny on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
I own this car - My approximate mileage is 50,000overall rating 10 of 10rating details
Pros: "reliable, great mileage, fun to drive"
Cons: "traction starting out from a stop in winter"
Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10
"Overall, it's a wonderfully comfortable and economic car. A couple of things to keep in mind, however. Shortly after buying ours used, we had to replace the 12-volt battery, which was very expensive. It had a dead cell. So when taking a Prius for a test drive, try starting it by pressing the start button without putting your foot on the brake. If it has a battery with a dead cell, the battery will immediately drain and the car will shut down, and the dealership will have to jump it, and put in a new battery for you. The only other thing that we've experienced is the poor front-wheel traction when starting out on ice or significant snow. I'd recommend putting on snow tires in the winter, which has helped my wife a lot, and she no longer complains so it has helped me a lot as well. Last remark, the mileage depends greatly on the driver, driving habits, and on the outside temperature. In summer, I regularly get 50 mpg in town and 48 to 52 mpg on the highway; in Jan. and Feb. it goes down about 10 mpg."
24 people out of 24 found this review helpful
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By Commander MO on Saturday, July 14, 2012
I own this car - My approximate mileage is 35,000overall rating 10 of 10rating details
Pros: "Low operating cost. Very high resale value."
Cons: "Rear visibility. Road noise at freeway speed."
Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10
"Thinking about a Prius? You will not be disappointed. Let's start with economy. You know about the fuel savings, truthfully you'll get an amazing 44 mpg combined city/highway driving (with up to about 50 mpg highway), don't let anyone tell you more, it's not going to happen. Next up, ownership cost is where you'll really save. I have 2005 with 35k miles and the ONLY thing I've done is change oil and put on new tires. These cars are so reliable and maintenance free you won't believe it. No tuneups for 100k miles for instance. Then there's the real "biggie", resale value. Check out how well these cars hold their value and you won't take long to figure out how that seriously boosts the overall low cost of ownership. Dollar for dollar, you can't find a less expensive car, the Prius just has everything beat. Period. That said, you might ask, "What's the catch?" Well, there just isnt' one. These cars are an absolute JOY to drive. They're quiet (around town), handle well, ergonomics are phenominal, storage space is comparable to a mid-size wagon, and the car comes with a great stereo and other amenities. After about a month, you will fall in love with the keyless feature. You NEVER take the key out of your pocket. Ever. The car senses your presence and all you do is open the door (no key required), push the start button and drive off. To lock, you just push the button on the door, that's it! I also own a 2005 Corvette C5 convertible and while each of these cars is way, way different, they are both just as much fun to drive in their own individual ways. I'm 64 years old, have owned about 40 cars in my lifetime, and the 2005 Prius is honestly the BEST (all around) CAR I've ever owned. Don't worry about anything if you're considering a Prius. You'll be delighted and be saving serious money every mile you drive in this fantastic car."
21 people out of 21 found this review helpful
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By printerspeaker on Saturday, March 02, 2013
I own this car - My approximate mileage is 95,000overall rating 10 of 10rating details
Pros: "Economy, comfort, reliability, cargo room"
Cons: "Visibility, armrests hard, seating position"
Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10
"I bought this car new skeptical about actual gas mileage, comfort, battery life, and performance. It has been top notch in all categories. It can easily pull into highways on entrance ramps, and has plenty of pull-away power for all occasions. It has plenty of room in the back seat - I have had five seniors in the car for a 200 mile trip with no complaints. My gas mileage, per the instrument panel, has been 48.7 mpg for the last 90,000 miles. Tire replacement at 50,000 miles was OK. Brakes are still going and have plenty of wear left. Our car is the base model, lowest cost, and is OK for us. Some friends paid almost $10,000 more for options. That is the consumer's choice. Be careful of reviews on this car. They invariably say the legroom in back is poor (it is not - try it), the battery is only good for 100,000 miles and is expensive to replace (ask your dealer how many batteries he has replaced), and lack of power (baloney). Three things I don't like are the right side visibility at intersections, the front armrests are hard and gave me a swollen elbow on a long trip, the grab bar above the front doors squeaked for the first 80,000 miles even after replacing one. One other thing is I wish the steering wheel had an in-out adjustment."
20 people out of 20 found this review helpful
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By metameme on Monday, July 21, 2008
overall rating 9 of 10rating details
"I purchased my Prius from a Toyota dealership back when you had to be on a waiting list and couldn't get one for under MSRP - some dealers were charging above MSRP - because of the demand. First of all, the special features: I'm no audiophile, but I prefer listening to music on the premium JBL sound system (9 speakers in 7 locations, 6-disc in-dash changer, cassette deck) to my home stereo. The integrated GPS system is excellent, automatically rerouting me when I miss a turn and giving instructions clearly enough and soon enough that I can easily follow them. The GPS map DVD is a bit out of date and doesn't know about newer neighborhoods. Bluetooth integration is built in, enabling the car to act as a speakerphone for your bluetooth-enabled cell phone. The controls and setup for this, however, are not easy to manage. If my phone allowed, I could send phonebook entries directly to the Prius for use with the touchscreen, however I have yet to figure out how to add phonebook entries manually. All the car's features are controlled through an integrated touchscreen, voice commands, and buttons located on the steering wheel. There are several ways to get to the most often used functions, enabling drivers to keep their attention on the road instead of all the "bells and whistles". The car's voice is pleasant and rarely annoys me as other rental cars and GPS units have. The steering wheel controls are well laid out, and voice commands are fairly intuitive and easy to remember, although in the presence of background noise it's hard for the car to recognize the words. Features are built-in to ensure that the touchscreen is not used while the car is in motion, but the "protection" on these items is inconsistent, allowing some things to be done at freeway speeds while denying access to others that are less distracting. It would be nice to have the ability to turn this feature off, especially when a passenger can operate the touchscreen while the driver remains focused. The car keeps track of gas mileage for you automatically, as well as maintenance intervals for oil changes, air filters, etc. When it's time for an oil change, the car lets you know every time you start it. The gearshift lever in this car takes the form of a small "stick" on the dashboard that snaps back into place as soon as it's released. The car is placed in "PARK" by use of a button separate from the lever where drive, reverse, engine braking, and neutral modes are selected. This can be confusing to valets and anyone borrowing the car, but Toyota thoughtfully included a pad of "valet cards" that can be handed to those unfamiliar with how the Prius operates. The smart key system enables the driver to unlock, lock, and drive the car without ever removing the keys from a pocket. This option is one of my favorite things about the car and comes in handy when loading and unloading the vehicle as well as driving - just walk up to the trunk and open it, then sit down and press the power button to drive. Driver controls such as the pedals are not mechanically linked to the car, but send electrical signals to the engine's computer, known as "fly-by-wire" technology. Despite this, the pedals still seem to provide good physical feedback, and the car does what you expect it to do in all cases. The vehicle stability control and anti-skid features of the vehicle are extremely well designed. In the few instances where I've skidded, the car is correcting my path before I've even realized what's happening; responsive, predictable control is provided to the driver during a "panic situation". I have noticed that hitting a pothole, speedbump, or even a slick spot in the road causes the traction control to react way too strongly. This seems to happen often when it's raining and I'm cutting across a corner while pulling into traffic - not a good time to have the car slow down in the middle of starting out. I've learned to add a little extra room to account for the occasional "false start". Considering that I've taken this car down mountain passes in heavy snow with regular tires, and the control was superb, I'm willing to live with an oversensitive traction control system despite the frustrations it causes during normal driving. I am comfortable attempting terrain in my car which would scare me in any other. The interior of the car is roomy and comfortable even on long distance drives, although not as quiet as I would like. There is a distinct lack of headroom in the rear passenger compartment. Although the rear seats fold down and allow for a great deal of cargo space, the slope of the hatchback and rear window could be improved to maximize the use of this space - apparently the car was built for aerodynamic performance at the expense of cargo room. Storage inside the passenger compartment is good; two glove compartments, a large open center console, a small storage area in the dash, and a drawer at the bottom of the center console are all available, as well as 2 front and 2 rear cupholders. An extra compartment underneath the trunk floor but above the spare tire is provided as well, along with two smaller side compartments under the trunk floor. A roller-type shade is provided to cover the trunk area from view and sunlight. Both this and the optional cargo net store away in the lower trunk compartments. I am surprised that the car was not equipped with power seats, given all the other automated functions. I also found the factory tint on the windows to be very light, appearing almost as if no tint is applied at all; however I live in Florida and the usual tint job here is generally as dark as limousines use. The Toyota Hybrid System is the most prominent and hyped feature of the Prius line, and is worth the hype. When the car starts, there is no starter motor and its associated sound. Instead, the electric motor brings the crankshaft up to speed and fuel is delivered to the cylinders like push-starting a manual transmission car. The engine is off at low speeds and stops unless the battery is low, and comes on when needed. The high-torque electric motor and the high-speed gas engine can both drive the wheels at the same time working together, giving the car a "peppy" feel that one wouldn't expect from so small an engine. The gear system also works without any shifting, so acceleration is smooth and even. At some times the car can feel a bit sluggish upon acceleration. Merging into a busy, fast-moving freeway with this car is not, however, a harrowing experience. Gas mileage is not anywhere near the EPA estimates - 60 in city driving, 51 highway (that's not a typo - hybrids do better at the lower speeds of city driving). With my driving habits, I get about 43-46MPG in about half/half driving, and 40MPG on long roadtrips at freeway speeds. I have talked to other owners whose gas mileage is in the 50s, but with more conservative driving habits. If you want to improve your driving habits to get better mileage, the touchscreen can show a real-time display of miles per gallon, as well as a graph of five-minute averages over the last half hour of driving. This information can be used at a glance to adjust driving for better mileage. Braking provides very good stopping distance, and the "brakes" used most often are actually bleeding energy off the wheels in order to recharge the battery. During a "panic stop" or under 8MPH standard disc brakes are engaged and regenerative braking is not used. It's possible while gradually stopping to feel the point at which disc brakes are engaged, but this doesn't interfere with driving and occurs seamlessly and naturally as needed. I often am asked how I charge the hybrid battery, or what I have to do differently when driving. The battery is charged in the same way the battery in any other car is charged - you drive it, and excess electrical energy is used to charge the battery as the alternator in a normal car would do. Since the smaller 12v battery only has to power a relay to bring the larger battery online instead of cranking a starter motor, the 12v battery is small like a marine or motorcycle battery and suffers no ill effects from extremely cold conditions. Another question that I hear a lot relates to repair and maintenance. Many systems in this car work just like conventional vehicles and can be serviced by any repair shop - radiator, brakes, and oil delivery systems, for example. The "special" systems for a hybrid vehicle - transmission, battery, electric motors, etc. - are covered by a 7-year warranty which should eliminate any concerns over additional repair expenses for most people. So far I've been party to two recalls, both of which were taken care of at the dealership during normal maintenance and did not affect my experience of the car before repair. I did have a warped dash panel due to an improperly installed glove box lid, which was replaced under warranty at no cost. The only other repair work which was done on the car outside of the normal scheduled maintenance was a burnt-out brake light bulb. Overall, the Toyota Prius is a hybrid that doesn't involve any sacrifices. Once you get used to your engine "dying" at every stoplight, you can drive this car just like any other and forget that under the hood everything is not so normal. Whenever I go to the dealership for maintenance, I walk around the lot and encourage anyone looking at the Prius to buy it. I prefer driving it to any other car. When I rent a car on business trips I always ask the person at the counter if they have a Prius."
14 people out of 14 found this review helpful
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By Silks on Tuesday, January 31, 2012
I own this car - My approximate mileage is 234,600overall rating 10 of 10rating details
Pros: "Low maintenance and high mileage (gas and life)"
Cons: "No override to turn off the anti-slip technology."
Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10
"Have 234,600 miles and still going strong. Replaced rear brakes at 211,000 and just replaced front at 234,600 for the first time on both. Still getting 46-48 mpg. No battery issues. Just normal maintenance of oil changes, tires and plugs (once at 110,000 and once at 220,000)."
13 people out of 13 found this review helpful
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By judasprius on Saturday, February 16, 2008
overall rating 10 of 10rating details
"Yes, I do miss my Acura. I do love my Prius though. No major complaints. The navigation system in the Acuras is better. I don't like the fact that you can't access the navigation destination with buttons while driving. I love the blue tooth and all the room I have in my Prius compared to the Acura Tsx. The car is spacious, dependable and environmentally friendly. I fill up about every 10 days. If I drive 55 - 60 mph I can get almost 2 weeks between fill ups."
12 people out of 12 found this review helpful
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By rickles on Sunday, August 18, 2013
I own this car - My approximate mileage is 171,000overall rating 10 of 10rating details
Pros: "economy, comfort, reliability, very pleasant to dr"
Cons: "fuel gauge, tonneau cover"
Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10
"This car has needed very little repair work except for routine maintenance. I have very little on parts and maintenance--an engine water pump, an ac fan, and a muffler. It has been extremely reliable and has never stranded me anywhere, except for running put of gas twice, I blame THAT on the truly terrible fuel gauge. The drive battery performs as it did when the car was new, and I still average 50+ MPG. It is also quite comfortable good front and rear legroom, headroom, and lateral space. The seats are comfortable and very durable, having carried my 215# frame for all these years with nary a sag. While it is not a sports car it certainly has enough power for usual driving. I have done interstate driving at 80 and have had no problems having enough passing power. Steering is tight and precise in any circumstance. Cornering is good."
11 people out of 11 found this review helpful
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By LP on Sunday, April 07, 2013
I own this car - My approximate mileage is 87,000overall rating 9 of 10rating details
Pros: "Reliable, easy to drive, comfortable, safe"
Cons: "shaky in severely cold weather, loud on highway."
Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10
"I purchased my cousin's 2006 Prius a year ago, and I couldn't love it more! It has around 87,000 miles on it and it's reliable, and amazing in the Colorado weather. My cousin lived in a mountain/college town and used it in the snow, and I live in a bigger city here where they rarely plow the streets and I have had no problems in the snow (and I need new tires.) My only complaint is that when it gets really cold it sometimes needs a jump (which can be a pain) but that has only happened twice when it got below 0 degrees at night. It's reliable, easy to drive, has an awesome sound system, is great in any kind of weather and has a fantastic turning radius; it's also comfortable (but a little loud) on the highway and gets excellent gas mileage in the city. Typically in a Prius, in order to get the best mileage, you want to drive where there is very little stop and go (but not quite highway driving) and I was able to get it up to 65 mpg when I was commuting to work. However, I now drive a short distance in a completely stop and go route, and I still get over 50 mpg. It's had no problems and has never needed more than basic service. I would recommend this car to anyone who doesn't want an SUV, and wants a reliable and trusted vehicle that is eco friendly (not completely eco friendly, but at least making a difference.) It also holds its value extremely well because it's a Toyota (mine is still worth $11,500) Good luck!!"
11 people out of 11 found this review helpful
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By Peter on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
I own this car - My approximate mileage is 125,000overall rating 9 of 10rating details
Pros: "MPG, very reliable, spacious"
Cons: "rear window visibility, not the most fun to drive"
Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9
"I inherited my 2006 Prius from my parents about 1 year ago. My mom had put about 110k miles on it in 6 years, but it still runs very well despite her tendencies to have a lead foot. I average about 50 mpg overall, and I love that about this car, but fuel economy does dip quite a bit in the cold of winter. The drop in mpg can be as much as 15-20% if it's REALLY cold. But in the summer, I can average 51-53 mpg. There have been no major repairs or replacements in the vehicle since it was purchased, and that includes the brakes. At the 120,00 mile maintenance check,the mechanic said he has only replaced brakes on a Prius a few times, and that they don't need to be replaced until after 200,000 miles as long as we're not talking about excessive wear. I definitely plan to keep my Prius to 200,000 miles. There have been a couple recalls with this vehicle. One was a small piece in the steering column that Toyota decided wasn't up to par, and the other was part of the cooling system for the electric motor. Two recalls (Toyota paid for these recalls of course) and no major repairs in 7 years = great reliability to me. The only other issues we've had are with the electrical system in the car. The radio volume nob shorts out sometimes (but the steering wheel volume control still works so I just use that), and the headlights seem to die sooner than they normally should, but these are minor issues. If I have to replace one headlight ever year or so, that's $60 extra per year. No big deal. Also, the batteries in the car are the factory batteries. Needing to replace the batteries after just a few years of use was a concern when this 2nd generation Prius arrived, but those concerns haven't proved true. I don't see them needing replacement for a long time. Wind noise and tire noise can be pronounced at times, but it doesn't really bother me as a young person. Just putting on different tires can make a big difference in tire noise. Another negative about this vehicle is the visibility out the rear window. I am used to it, and the backup camera really helps. But still, even a Chevy Aveo hatchback (which I drove in high school) has much better rear visibility. This car is not the most fun to drive, but then again it is about as far from a sports car as possible. Acceleration isn't great with the 1.5L 4 cylinder gas engine, but that's ok for me. I like saving money on gas. Going up steep hills makes the small engine work decently hard, and the continuously variable transmission (CVT) makes lots of noise going uphill. I've become accustomed to it, so it's not a concern for me. I really like the amount of space I have in my Prius, especially considering its fuel efficiency. The trunk is roomy, and the rear seats fold down flat, so cargo space increases dramatically. Overall, I love this car for its efficiency and spaciousness. I plan to keep it for many more years."
11 people out of 11 found this review helpful
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text:
Falafel Benny
658 W. Hallandale Beach Blvd.
Hallandale Beach, FL 33009
Hallandale Beach, FL 33009
Best Of
- Monday 11:00 am â 7:00 pm Tuesday11:00 am â 7:00 pm Wednesday11:00 am â 7:00 pm Thursday11:00 am â 7:00 pm Friday11:00 am â 4:00 pm Saturday Closed Sunday11:00 am â 7:00 pm
- Catering, Kid Friendly, Patio/Sidewalk Dining, Takeout, Vegetarian Friendly
- Dinner, Lunch
- Parking Lot Available
"Howz dee faylafell?," Ben Regev yells from behind a glass and granite countertop. Most people can only awkwardly nod as they chew on soft pitas filled with well-seasoned green falafel topped with tahini and a rainbow of fresh and pickled vegetables. As a kid growing up in Israel, Regev used to skip school to work odd jobs to buy falafel. As an adult, they've become his life. He says even Muslims come into his small shop for falafel saying "kif imeh," which in English, he says, means "like home." Nothing bridges cultural gaps like a perfect falafel.
Best Of Awards
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text:
Per USA Today:
Selig may reinstate Aaron's record
Commissioner Bud Selig on Wednesday told USA Today he is considering reinstating Hank Aaron as Major League Baseball's all-time home run leader.
Barry Bonds, who broke Aaron's record of 755 home runs in 2007, faces a March trial on charges he lied to a federal grand jury about using performance-enhancing drugs.
"This is breaking my heart, I don't mind telling you that," Selig told USA
If he does do this, I bet he'll take months deciding. Either way, I'm still not much of a Selig fan...


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MILLS "GOLDEN NUGGET" - One Arm Bandit
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The Golden Nugget, also known as the Golden Doll, was designed exclusively for the Golden Nugget casino in Las Vegas, Nevada and is available restored in a number of finishes as a superb cabinet combining the thrill of the Vegas casino with all the fun of owning your own home slot machine!
The Golden Nugget is a conversion of the original Jewel Bell machine and is a stunning design available in a range of colours with bright nickel-plated or even 24ct plated nuggets and ladies.
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December 2014
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text:
Kurt Busch won today's Zippo 200 Nationwide Series race from Watkins Glen as a substitute driver for the injured Brad Keselowski. Kurt was asked to run the race on Tuesday. The team had such a short amount of time to prepare for the race that Kurt had to wear Keselowski's firesuit. Kurt and his brother Kyle dominated today's race as they were the only two drivers to lead laps. Kurt had to hold off Kyle, Carl Edwards and Jimmie Johnson on a green-white-checkered to score the victory.
Jimmie Johnson ended up finishing second to his rival, but it certainly was not an easy day for the 5-time Sprint Cup series champion. He was penalized early when the gasman dropped the fuel can and the car dragged it out of the pit box. Johnson had to go to the back of the pack, but worked his way back up through the field without the aid of cautions.
Joey Logano went from fifth to third on the final restart. He had Max Papis, a veteran road racer coach him around the race track, and it looked like his teachings certainly helped.
Kyle Busch looked to have the only car that could possibly beat his brother, but his strategy was messed up when he got in the grass in the chicane. He had to pit about two laps earlier than scheduled, and that resulted in Kyle running out of gas with three laps to go. However, there were only ten cars on the lead lap so he was still able to restart in the top five on the green-white checkered. Apparently Kyle was not told that it was a green-white-checkered so he did not run as hard as he probably should have which resulted in him finishing fourth.
Top 5:
Kurt Busch
Jimmie Johnson
Joey Logano
Kyle Busch
Carl Edwards
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Reed Sorenson
Elliott Sadler
Aric Almirola
Justin Allgaier


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Painting of a Gaelic Halloween celebration in Blarney, Co. Cork.
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text:
Is Obama's Race-to-the-Top grid program fatally flawed?
By Jesse Berst
The Energy Collective just posted an interesting discussion of the Obama Administration's proposal to create a "contest" to spur grid innovation. As you will read, the Administration wants to use the same techniques as the Race to the Top program established to encourage educational reform.
Here's the brief explanation taken from the President's energy budget:
Challenges States to Cut Energy Waste and Support Energy Efficiency and Modernize the Grid
Modeled after a successful Administration approach in education reform designed to promote forward-leaning policies at the State level, the Budget includes $200 million in one-time funding for Race to the Top performance based awards to support State governments that implement effective policies to cut energy waste and modernize the grid. Key opportunities for States include: modernizing utility regulations to encourage cost-effective investments in efficiency, including combined heat and power and demand response resources, and in clean distributed generation; enhancing customer access to data; investments that improve the reliability, security and resilience of the grid; and enhancing the sharing of information regarding grid conditions.
I come down on the side of the Energy Collective authors, who note that the program doesn't supply enough money. And that the incentives are not aligned with the right actors.


text:
Recent reports, no less than their accompanying photos, suggest that Hugo Chávez may be dying. But if he hangs on, he is on his way to being reelected president again in Venezuela's December 2012 national elections. The Western hemisphere's second-greatest political survivor (after Fidel Castro) is now using his cancer patient status to his political advantage, and his popularity is rising as a result.
His old war cry of socialist homeland or death has given way to a new motto splashed across his Facebook page: "We will live and we will conquer." The ambiguity as to whether he is referring to next year's presidential elections or his battle with cancer is not accidental. It is a further elaboration of Chávez's cult of personality, and his battle with cancer fits his revolutionary image.
But if his illness increases his popularity, it lessens his authority. He is getting his medical treatment in Cuba in order to control the flow of information that might leak back into Caracas. But that hasn't stopped the rumor mill or his rivals, including those in Chávez's United Socialist party of Venezuela competing to replace him.
So an optimist might say that the prospects for change in Venezuela are excellent: Either Chávez is finished, by cancer or the ballot box; or in his efforts to appeal to the middle class and small businessmen he is compelled to moderate his socialist policies. However, it now seems that Chávez is hardly the extent of Venezuela's political problem. No matter what happens to the founder of chavismo, evidence shows that the country's political class is marked by institutionalized criminality and ties to international terrorism.
Recently the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) published the Spanish edition of its strategic dossier, The FARC Files: Venezuela, Ecuador and the Secret Archive of 'Raúl Reyes.' Reyes was the second-in-command of the Colombian guerrilla group Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known by its Spanish acronym FARC, until he was killed in a 2008 raid on his camp in Ecuador. The IISS report, based on the information taken from his laptop, provides some of the most damning proof to date against Chávez and his associates regarding their violent extremism.
Perhaps most important, we now know that a number of Venezuelan politicians supported FARC as far back as 1997, or before Chávez was even elected, and continued to support the outfit even when Chávez withdrew his support for reasons of political expediency. In other words, a segment of the Venezuelan political elite would continue to support violent extremism even if Chávez were gone.
Still, it is Chávez who clinched the relationship with FARC. It seems that he really thought the Americans might tire of his shenanigans at some point and invade Venezuela. In that event, Chávez believed that FARC, perhaps like Hezbollah in Lebanon as well as Iraqi insurgent groups, could be of some help in pushing back the larger, occupying force. The report also shows that Chávez's former deputy head of intelligence claimed that he was involved in creating "urban shock troops" that would enable FARC operatives to penetrate deep into Venezuela as paramilitaries.
These paramilitary outfits were the core of Chávez's counterinsurgency plan, should any conspiracy, foreign or domestic, take up arms against him. "Instant Mobilization Networks" would bypass the armed forces, whose loyalty was uncertain, and call upon the paramilitaries to block opposition groups from mobilizing support and reaching key government buildings and other valuable sites. The paramilitaries, according to the report, would "attack, neutralize, or liquidate" the opposition "through sabotage and targeted assassination."
It's worth remembering the chavistas' history of violence, with pro-regime terrorism dating back a decade—including the 2002-03 assassinations of opposition demonstrators in Caracas. In February 2003, the Colombian consulate and the Spanish embassy were bombed with C-4 explosives, and the U.S. embassy was subsequently closed following a credible threat. In 1999, the Tupamaros, one of many homegrown Venezuelan terrorist groups trained by the FARC, bombed the Colombian consulate in Caracas and attempted to do the same to the embassy.
Read more...
Last month, a sword-brandishing Hugo Chávez marked the eighth anniversary of his return to power after an abortive coup by addressing thousands of government-backed paramilitaries. "You should be ready to take up arms at any moment and give your lives if necessary for our nation's independence and the socialist revolution," roared the Venezuelan leader. The reported 35,000 militia members represent an effort by Chávez to create his own version of Iran's Revolutionary Guards (who are committed to defending the theocratic dictatorship in Tehran). They effectively serve as a government security force. Chávez is relying on them to frighten and subjugate his domestic opponents.
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Google in talks to buy Hulu: report
Google is in preliminary talks to acquire the online video site Hulu, the Los Angeles Times reported on its website Friday, citing anonymous sources familiar with the discussions.
Google is in preliminary talks to acquire the online video site Hulu, the Los Angeles Times reported on its website Friday, citing anonymous sources familiar with the discussions.
(AP) -- Before Comcast Corp. can transform the entertainment business by taking control of NBC Universal, it must convince Washington that the plan won't hurt rivals and consumers. And the promises the cable company has ...
A new report on the state of the media has some simple terms for how we learn about the world: mobile and social media.
How other providers stack up against Verizon's new FiOS Custom TV
"Scandal" star Joshua Malina has a brand-new video gig. So do "Today" weathercaster Al Roker, "NBC Nightly News" anchor Lester Holt and CNN media correspondent Brian Stelter.
Apple is in talks with US television networks to offer around 25 channels across any iOS device as soon as September, The Wall Street Journal reports.
(AP)—The Nielsen company said Tuesday its report last week that ABC's evening newscast had broken a 263-week winning streak by NBC was incorrect.
Facebook and Apple are covering the costs for female employees to freeze their eggs to delay childbearing which could hamper their careers, NBC News reported Tuesday.
With a single behemoth purchase, Comcast is creating a dominant force in American entertainment and presenting federal regulators with an equally outsized quandary: How should they handle a conglomerate that ...
Over the past few Olympics, NBC has shown more live coverage over the Internet than it has on TV. For the upcoming Winter Games, Comcast's Xfinity TV subscribers will be able to tap the breadth of that online coverage on ...
Twitter announced Thursday it had hired former NBC executive Vivian Schiller to head its news operations, as the messaging service ramps up efforts in the field ahead of its stock market debut.
The entertainment studios behind Hulu took the online video service off the auction block Friday, opting instead to pump an additional $750 million into the Netflix rival.
Disney and News Corp. are "finalizing" their future plans for Hulu as the online video streaming service prepares for the departure of CEO Jason Kilar.
A Facebook software problem on Thursday temporarily sidelined websites synched to a feature that lets people's identities at the leading social network follow them around the Internet.
EveryBlock, a hyperlocal website built on the promise of drawing customers with neighborhood-based news, wrote its own obituary on Thursday.


text:
Bio & Photos
Patrick Bell, baritone and magician, launched his career as a professional magician at the age of thirteen in Healdsburg, California. Patrick has earned both Bachelors of Music and Masters of Music degrees in Vocal Performance at UCLA, and has enjoyed several seasons with the Los Angeles Opera Chorus and the worldwide TV ministry Hour of Power Choir. He is currently the Parish Cantor at Sts. Simon & Jude Church in Huntington Beach, CA. His one-man show, Opera-Kadabra, receives rave reviews from audiences throughout California. Visit Patrick's website at www.operakadabra.com.
(Click on any picture below for a high-resolution version.)
Photo credit (next three): Dan Irvin
Ms. Kim says:
OMG! What an awesome show! Our summer camp kids really enjoyed this very unique blend of talents! Patrick was so good with our kids too. I appreciated his patience and sense of humor. He needs to add comedian to the list of talents he has! This was our 2nd time having him come out and we are going to be sure to book him every year from now on! Bravo!
Ms. Kim
Day Camp Director
Town & Country Day Camp
Mirna Kelley says:
We just saw Patrick perform for children today at the Fairfax Library. We enjoyed his opera performance and his magic show.
lynn says:
Saw Patrick this weekend preforming at a banquet at The Hotel Laguna. Just amazing, very talented, kept my undevided attention.
Ruth Palmer says:
If you have made any musical CD's?
[Patrick's Response: "Yes! Please click over to the CD Preview page to listen online, and if you would like a copy I can send it to you!"]


text:
BGU's expertise in nanoscience is advancing water desalination, drug delivery, alternative energy, computing, and homeland security.
Manipulating the tiniest building blocks of the material world – atoms – BGU scientists are developing new materials to convert light and heat into electrical energy, and to produce lightweight cars and planes of unprecedented strength. Bulky night vision goggles are being transformed into lightweight eyeglasses. Researchers are developing incredibly small transistors to power computers, membranes for desalinating water, and nanostructures that can deliver targeted drugs to diseased cells. Read more about the Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology (IKI).
Nanotechnology Videossee all videos
Nanotechnology Newssee all news
BGU Researchers Bloom with Innovation in Baltimore
AABGU's recent Mid-Winter Meeting brought BGU researchers' expertise to Baltimore.
U. Chicago and BGU Form Water Alliance
BGU brings water expertise to University of Chicago research collaboration.
Nano Drug Delivery for Parkinson's
A drug delivery technology allows oral medications to target sites in the brain and release the drugs.


text:
Cause of death unknown.
Printable View
Cause of death unknown.
Sad news. I'll never forget when he was blinded by the penalty flag. One of the strangest incidents I've seen in sports.
That incident forever changed how they throw flags. They now gently toss them underhand.
Was his eye permanently damaged? I thought the blindness was only temporary.
Any word on cause of death yet?


text:
Mississippi Celebrates Music History
Updated: 05/31/2008 - Music took center stage Thursday night in Jackson. Artists from all genres lined the carpet with photographers ready to capture their images.
Updated: 05/31/2008 - Music took center stage Thursday night in Jackson. Artists from all genres lined the carpet with photographers ready to capture their images.
Updated: 05/21/2008 - The MSU Riley Center is nearing the end of its season, but says there are still more activities to enjoy first.
Updated: 04/22/2008 - Singer-songwriter Paul Davis, a Meridian native, died early Tuesday at a local hospital.
Updated: 04/22/2008 - Soul singer Al Wilson, who was born in Meridian in 1939 and attended Kate Griffin, died of kidney failure at age 68.
Updated: 04/07/2008 - The Jimmie Rodgers Foundation announced activities for the remainder of the 2008 festival.
Updated: 03/07/2008 - A new endowment has been established with the Community Foundation of East Mississippi to help young people interested in theatre.
Posted: 02/26/2008 - Children from various schools in the area are performing in the youth production, "Cinderella", at The Roxy Theater.
Posted: 02/21/2008 - An Alabama filmmaker will hold a Mar. 1 open casting call for movie "extras" in Philadelphia.
Posted: 02/14/2008 - Tickets for the Meridian and Lauderdale County Junior Miss programs are pm sale at the MSU Riley Center.
Updated: 03/10/2008 - The Jimmie Rodgers Foundation announced Monday the first of its events for 2008.
Posted: 01/10/2008 - Scenes for a new movie about legendary outlaws, Bonnie and Clyde, may be shot in Neshoba County later this year.
Updated: 01/09/2008 - The Meridian Downtown Association has some big changes in store for its annual Mardi Gras celebration.
Posted: 01/08/2008 - A Mississippi blues trail marker was placed Tuesday at the Tupelo birthplace of the legendary Elvis Presley.
Updated: 01/04/2008 - The birthplace of Elvis, Tupelo, Miss., will be part of the Mississippi Blues Trail.
Updated: 12/06/2007 - Blues legend Otis Rush returned home to his roots Thursday, to be honored as part of the Mississippi Blues Trail.
Posted: 12/05/2007 - An original member of the group Shenandoah, Union native, Ralph Ezell, died Nov. 30.
Updated: 11/22/2007 - The story from the popular movie, "High School Musical", will come to life on a local stage in a couple of weeks. It's the first big, musical production by Clarkdale High School.
Updated: 11/15/2007 - Merrehope and the F.W. Williams house will soon open their doors to the holiday season with the 39th Annual Trees of Christmas Monday.
Updated: 11/14/2007 - Despite the above average temperatures in the area, Christmas is right around the corner.
Posted: 11/09/2007 - The Smithsonian National Traveling Art Exhibit is on display at Union Station and open for free public tours Saturday.
Updated: 11/05/2007 - A significant expansion could soon be coming to one of Lauderdale County's hidden gems.
Posted: 11/01/2007 - Grand Ole Opry star and Country Music Hall of Famer Porter Wagoner will be remembered with a funeral service at the Grand Ole Opry House Thursday.
Posted: 10/29/2007 - Country music legend Porter Wagoner died of lung cancer in Nashville Sunday night.
Updated: 10/29/2007 - Mississippi native, Marty Stuart, will perform this weekend are a festival that honors the memory of Johnny Cash.
Updated: 10/25/2007 - The MSU Riley Center, Lauderdale County Schools and Meridian Public Schools are teaming up with the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.


text:
Prep football: Immokalee hires former Lely assistant Ackley as head coach
Coaching about as far away from Southwest Florida as you can get and still be in the same country, Jerrod Ackley took an assistant position at Lely four years ago to be in one of the nation's premier hotbeds of football talent.
Now Ackley, who started his career in his home state of Idaho, is relying on that talent to turn around a historically strong program.
Immokalee High School athletic director Linda Ayer announced Friday that Ackley will be the school's newest football coach. Ackley, 37, takes over for Israel Gallegos, who was forced to resign after going 7-13 in two seasons.
The Indians were a perennial playoff team for a decade, making the playoffs eight times in nine seasons before John Weber retired after the 2007 season. Weber led Immokalee to the Class 2A state championship in 2004.
Even though the Indians missed the postseason the past two seasons, Ackley said the program still has the caliber of players it had during its glory years.
"(NFL Hall of Fame tight end) Shannon Sharpe once said about the Broncos while he was playing for them, 'It's like handing you the keys to a Ferrari. You just have to keep the car on the road,'" Ackley said. "That's similar to what we have here at Immokalee. We have a lot of talent, I just have to make sure that talent is pointed in the right direction."
Ackley was the offensive coordinator at Lely last season, helping the Trojans to a 6-4 record and more than 20 points per game. He also was an assistant at Lely during the 2006 and 2007 seasons before spending a year on the coaching staff at his alma mater Idaho State.
Ackley was chosen by a selection committee of Immokalee teachers and coaches, as well as local businessmen and boosters. He was hired from a pool of 85 applicants.
Ayer said the committee liked Ackley because of his experience at every level of coaching. The new Indians coach started as a Little League coach in college, and was the head coach at Soda Springs (Idaho) High School before moving to Lely.
"We were looking for someone with a special combination of a passion for football ... and who also is a good teacher," Ayer said. "(Ackley) has a lot of enthusiasm, and we look forward to what he will bring to the Indian family."
At Soda Springs, Ackley gained valuable experience turning a losing program around. The Cardinals didn't win a game in 2001, Ackley's first year, but made the playoffs in the coach's final four seasons.
Ayer also said she looks forward to the discipline Ackley will bring to Immokalee's program as a former United States Marine. The Indians' past two seasons were marked by off-the-field issues.
In October, football players Kovan McSwain, Joshua Edison, Deonte Clifton and Demandrea Fuller were accused of having group sex with a 15-year-old girl on school grounds. McSwain started at quarterback and running back, and Clifton and Fuller played regularly.
In May of 2008, running back Darius Deloach was arrested for an incident on school property involving a destructive device. Deloach didn't play that fall, and transferred to Dunbar, where he played this past season
"Disciplined football teams are the best teams," Ackley said. "You're never great unless you have a lot of discipline in your program. That's going to be an emphasis to getting us off on the right foot. I want to develop a strong work ethic with the boys."
Ackley currently teaches special education at Lely. Next year, the coach said, he will either teach special education or social studies at Immokalee.
Ackley has been married to his wife, Rishay, for 13 years, and they have a 2-year-old son, Ron.
Connect with Adam Fisher at www.naplesnews.com/staff/adam_fisher.
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Our goal is to make a product you enjoy—we believe that if you love using Yammer, you'll keep using Yammer to get work done. And the more work you get done with Yammer, the more your company benefits from its investment in our product.
So, we build features with end users in mind. We talk to our users and brainstorm different ways to solve their problems. Our team of product managers translates the best ideas into a set of features that makes up our product roadmap.
We don't spend months or years working on a new feature and release it only after we've added all the bells and whistles. Instead, we design a plan to build just the core aspects of a feature, so we can deliver it to users in just a few weeks' time. By delivering features in small increments, we can better evaluate their effectiveness, identify any incorrect product assumptions early, and course correct if necessary.
Once our plan is in place, we assemble a small team of engineers, designers, and product managers that works together to build the feature as quickly as they can. When it's ready to go, we don't roll it out to all of our users right away...
Now we perform an experiment to determine whether the feature actually adds value. We launch it to a subset of users, and compare their experience with that of a group of users without the new feature.
This is called A/B testing. Because we have a single, standalone product rather than highly customized solutions, we're able to control all the variables in the test, ensuring that our data is clean and accurate.
Next, we analyze our results. Do users with the new feature get more out of Yammer than those without? We answer this question by looking at core metrics like engagement and retention.
If users in the experiment group show higher rates of engagement and retention, we consider the new feature a winner. Features that don't lift engagement and retention are either scrapped or brought back to the drawing board for a closer look.
We're able to do all of this because Yammer lives in the cloud. Our users get access to new features instantly—there's never a need to upgrade or install anything. (Same goes for the occasional bug fix or security patch!)
We're able to do all of this because Yammer lives in the cloud. Our users get access to new features instantly—there's never a need to upgrade or install anything. (Same goes for the occasional bug fix or security patch!)
When the new feature is proven worthy, we roll it out to everyone. But we're not finished with it yet: we're always considering ways to make it even more effective. We build subtle enhancements incrementally, A/B testing all the way to ensure that each iteration adds value. Compared to the sudden, disruptive product changes delivered by traditional enterprise software, our iterative approach helps users adapt to new features gradually over time.
We're doing this all the time. Because our users' needs are constantly evolving, we are constantly evolving, too. There are always new problems to solve and experiences to improve within Yammer. Our rapid-release cycle of building, testing, analyzing, and iterating allows us to meet those needs as they arise. We keep up with you, so your business can keep up with whatever comes next. We're in this together—isn't it exciting?


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Graduated Driver License Program
Tennessee's Graduated Driver License (GDL) Program is a multi-tiered program designed to ease young novice drivers into full driving privileges as they become more mature and develop their driving skills.
68 Counties • 132 Schools • 350 Activities
Questions? Contact Mia Vickers, Program Coordinator of the Governor's Highway Safety Office
at 1.615.741.2589 or email@example.com
BusinessMedia Center
Tennessee Tech University
1105 N. Peachtree Ave.
Johnson Hall 425
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or 931-372-6302 (local)


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Teens 69
nice pic, chat me Ladies .
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text: Do you know how hard it is to preach to your cousins, your older sister, your high school classmates? Well, most of us wouldn't. But for Pastor Arlyn Tolzmann this was a real concern, as the two front pews were filled with relatives and friends when he delivered the sermon at Faith Lutheran Church...Read More


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New Blog is up!
Hop to get some fellow Society6 people to follow!
Hi Indur I have subscribed to the RSS feed in mail. I look forward to seeing more of your beautiful work.
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Her mother suddenly goes missing, and everyone thinks she's dead - excpet Delia, who knows T.K.'s way too organized to simply disappear. But Delia's still sent to New York to live with her two aunts - a downtown bohemian and an uptown ice queen.
And in case that's not bad enough, she also has to deal with a snooty new school and trying not to fall for the wrong guy. Oh, and finding her mother.
As she delves deeper into the tangle of conspiracies and lies surrounding T.K.'s disappearance, Delia begins to suspect that the wrong guy may be the right guy...and that some secrets - especially the dangerous ones - were never meant to be unraveled.
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research guide
editors & contributors
write the editor
Female impersonation need say nothing about sexual identity, but it has for a long time been almost an institutionalized aspect of gay male culture.
Although sparse in images documenting the gay community, pre-Stonewall gay male photography blurs the boundaries between art, erotica, and social history.
Given the historic stigma around making, circulating, and possessing overtly homoerotic images, the visual arts have been especially important for providing a socially sanctioned arena for depicting the naked male body and suggesting homoerotic desire.
Independent films that aggressively assert homosexual identity and queer culture, the New Queer Cinema can be seen as the culmination of several developments in American cinema.
Renowned photographer, teacher, critic, editor, and curator, Minor White created some of the most interesting photographs of male nudes of the second half of the twentieth century, but did not exhibit them for fear of scandal.
The first international fashion superstar, Halston dressed and befriended some of America's most glamorous women.
An artistic movement that grew out of Dadaism and flourished in Europe shortly after World War I, Surrealism embraced the idea that art was an expression of the subconscious.
Film, stage, and television actor Paul Winfield was openly gay in his private life, but maintained public silence about his homosexuality.
Equestrian Carl Hester demonstrates dressage.
Congratulations to out Olympians Judith Arndt, Carl Hester, and Edward Gal on winning medals at the 2012 London Olympic Games.
As Jean Ann Esselink reports at The New Civil Rights Movement, Arndt, a cyclist from Germany, became the first of the 23 out athletes to win a medal at the 2012 Olympics when on August 1, 2012 she won the silver in Women's Cycling Time Trials, finishing with a time of 37:50:29, less than 15 seconds behind American Kristin Armstrong who took the gold.
As a twenty-year-old Arndt won silver for the 3000 Meter Pursuit at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. She also won a bronze in Road Race at the Athens Olympics in 2004.
On August 7, 2012, equestrians Carl Hester and Edward Gal won medals in the team dressage competition.
Earning record Olympic scores, Hester led his teammates on Great Britain's team to the country's first gold medal in dressage.
Hester grew up on the tiny Channel island of Sark, where there were no cars. Equines provided the transportation, and Hester got his start in the sport by riding on donkeys and ponies. He enjoyed early success in dressage by winning the 1985 Young Dressage Rider Championship. In 1992, he became the youngest rider ever to represent the United Kingdom in the Olympics.
Hester also competed on the British dressage teams at the 2000 and 2004 Olympics but met with disappointment in 2008, when both of his top horses had injuries during the season and so could not qualify.
As Linda Rapp observes in her glbtq.com entry on Olympic Equestrians, Hester is a popular figure in the British horse world. He is much admired for the elegance of his riding style and respected as a first-rate trainer. In addition to giving lessons, he has co-authored several books and produced instructional videos to help others learn to excel at the sport he loves.
Edward Gal and his colleagues won the bronze medal for the Netherlands.
Gal and his mount won three gold medals at the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games, becoming the first horse-rider partnership ever to sweep the three available dressage gold medals at a single FEI World Games.
In the video below, Carl Hester explains dressage.
The video below features Edward Gal training his mare.
The video below profiles Judith Arndt.
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Elkins, West Virginia Hotels & Resorts - The Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites is located minutes of Route 33/250, near the heart of historic downtown Elkins, home of Davis and Elkins College
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My Laundry Question
I accidentally washed my favorite sports jersey and the garnet color transferred onto the white letters. Now the letters are a faint shade of pink! Is there any way I can return them to their white state?!
Share a Little Background Info
The stain is from color bleeding. The jersey is garnet and the letters on the jersey are white with a garnet border. I checked the other contents of the laundry and there was nothing else of red color in there so I am assuming the jersey is what caused the color bleeding onto the white lettering.
Lessons Learned
- I have not tried anything yet!
Fabric Content of Item (if appropriate)
nike collegiate football jersey with iron on letters (not sewn)
Mary Marlowe Leverette, About.com Laundry & Laundry Rooms, says:
There are no colors I love more than Garnet & Black! Go USC Gamecocks! Here's how to save your jersey: Mix a solution of oxygen-based bleach (OxiClean, Clorox 2, Country Save Bleach, Purex 2 Color Safe Bleach) and lukewarm water in a sink or tub. Follow the package directions as to how much product to use per gallon of water. Completely submerge the jersey and allow it to soak for eight hours or overnight. If the lettering is white, wash as recommended here. If the lettering is still pink, drain the solution, mix a new batch and repeat the process. It may take a few tries but the color transfer should come out.
Good luck!


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- 800.878.7323
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Mastering Microsoft Visual Basic 2010 (Mastering)by Evangelos Petroutsos
Synopses & Reviews
Publisher Comments:
The Visual Basic Book Programmers Count On
If you want to learn how to use Visual Basic 2010, you've come to the right place. New users, you'll build a simple VB application in the very first chapter, getting you quickly up to speed on the VB user interface and simple coding. Intermediate and advanced users, you can bypass the basics and jump straight to building data-driven applications, working with .NET 4.0 framework, creating rich client and web applications, programming with web services, and much more. Packed with step-by-step instruction and real-world scenarios for users of all levels, this book is what you need to build top-level skills in Visual Basic 2010.
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All the books in the Sybex Mastering series feature comprehensive and expert coverage of topics you can put to immediate use.
Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.
About the Author
Evangelos Petroutsos is a computer engineer who has worked for the California Institute of Technology and MCI. Currently, he writes computer books and articles, teaches networking and programming courses, and works as a computer communications consultant. He is the author of the Sybex titles Mastering Microsoft Visual Basic 2008 and Mastering Microsoft Visual Basic 2005, among other books.
Table of Contents
Part I: Visual Basic: The Language.
1 Getting Started with Visual Basic 2010.
2 Handling Data.
3 Visual Basic Programming Essentials.
Part II: Developing Windows Applications.
4 GUI Design and Event-Driven Programming.
5 Basic Windows Controls.
6 Working with Forms.
7 More Windows Controls.
Part III: Working with Custom Classes and Controls.
8 Working with Objects.
9 Building Custom Windows Controls.
10 Applied Object Oriented Programming.
Part IV: Working with the .NET Framework.
11 The Framework at Large.
12 Storing Data in Collections.
13 XML in Modern Programming.
14 Introduction to LINQ.
Part V: Developing Data-Driven Applications.
15 Programming with ADO.NET.
16 Developing Data-Driven Applications.
17 Using the Data Entity Model.
18 DataSets and the Basics of Data-Bound Applications.
Part VI: Developing for the Web.
19 Accessing the Web.
20 Building Web Applications.
21 rogramming with Web Services.
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The Draconia Chronicles- The Lion's Roar
Chapter 1- Myrmidons
In the Dragonlands, Queen Oscura is looking out the window of her palace and keeping an eye on Princess Lumina as she was playing with one of the palace guards. A fire dragon flew down and was bestowed with the Queen's presence, "Red. Report," She commanded shifting her eyes and looking at the fire dragon behind her,
Red bowed to the queen in respect, "Your Highness, those troops you sent to the Tiger Territories have returned, only one survived and she is badly wounded," She explained, not sure if the queen was going to believe her, "but we were able to get some information, it seems we have more enemies to worry about than just Tigers,"
"What of Elektra? Do you have any word from her?" Queen Oscura asked, Lady Red shook her head no, "you may leave, Red, I'd like to have a word with the survivor," The queen went over to the sanatorium to find that indeed that survivor was badly wounded with a sword wound in her belly, "tell me, Sombrana, what did you see?"
Sombrana slowly opened her eyes to the look of seriousness on Oscura's face, "Their fur…it was gold, gold like wheat, they carried swords, shields and spears," Sombrana muttered in pain from her wounds, "there was one warrior, the fiercest I have ever seen, she had a scar on her face and a dragon claw necklace around her neck,"
The nurse taking care of her urged the wounded dragon to get some rest. Oscura left the sanatorium with many a question on her mind, "Is there anyone outside this country's borders who is NOT a barbarian?" She said in frustration slamming her fist on her throne, fortunately Shaleigh the She-Fox had the answers the queen needed.
The she-fox came out of the shadows, "Heh, from what that survivor said, she must be referring to Akakios, it's an island nation a few miles off the coast of the Tigertories, from what I hear, they are fierce and disciplined warriors, trained to fight as soon as they can stand up, they'll fight to the last warrior and they'll never surrender,"
"I'm sure we can ask for terms," Oscura suggested, but had other thoughts on her mind as Shaleigh went back into the shadows, "Golden fur…what kind of creature inhabits that island? I will have to see this for myself, but if it's a war you want, Akakios, then I'll give you one," She thought with a clinched fist at her side as Shaleigh went back into the shadows,
Meanwhile on the Great Island the size of Greece, a young warrior was running through the cliffs and looking out at the ocean surrounding her home. Her name was Kosmima and she was one of the elite soldiers on the island known as Myrmidons. As Shaleigh described to the queen, this island is populated by Lions. The sound of a shell trumpet echoed off in the distance, signaling a meeting.
Kosmima was a strong and regal warrior. She was as big as Scyde and had her raven hair styled into ten neat cornrow braids with a single hair bang in front. The tips were also decorated with red and yellow beads which rattled in the wind as she ran as fast as her feet could take her. As the final touch, two diagonal scars were slashed into the right side of her face.
In a great palace similar to ancient palace of Knossos on the island of Crete, Kadri, The Seventh Princess of Akakios, has called for a meeting. Her best warriors gathered around her in the grand hall as she sat on her throne. She shifted her eyes over at the corner entrance to the hall, "Kosmima, you're late," Kadri scolded but didn't express very much anger,
"My apologies, Your Highness," Kosmima bowed and took her place with the other warriors present. Everyone at the meeting knew the dark clouds of war were coming and that the Myrmidons had to fight to protect their lands. Kadri knew that the Drakos (what Myrmidons called their Dragon enemies) wanted the island because of their fertile land and resources.
"I have called you all here to answer a great threat," Kadri explained to her warriors, "by Athena, our homeland is in danger of being conquered by the Drakos, I am concerned about our last battle against this foe, for we have suffered many losses," her warriors cheered in pride about their strength, "I feel that it is in the best interest that we must call on the Tigris for aid,"
"By Hermes, my lady, if I must say, our kind haven't spoken to the Tigris ('Tigers') in centuries," Kosmima explained to the princess, "who knows they might not listen to us or listen to the will of Ares," Kadri expressed concern seeing that Kosmima had a point, but she knew that her people couldn't stand alone in this fight. The Lionesses of Akakios were in need of assistance.
"But we come from the same creator, the patterns on our skin maybe different, but we are one," Kadri said confident that their sisters on the mainland might answer the call to war as they were already fighting the Dragons for hundreds of years, "I propose we send a Trireme to the mainland, Kosmima, I'd like you to lead our troops into the Tigertories,"
As it is with all warriors, orders are absolute. Kosmima seemed up to the task at hand, "Yes, You're Highness," Kosmima replied and bowed back in respect. The next day, the Lionesses of Akakios were setting sail to the mainland, something Akakios hasn't done for centuries. With her hoplon behind her back, spear at hand and sword at her side, Kosmima and a band of brave hoplites went ashore.
All the warriors were well acquainted with Kosmima and looked to her for leadership, "Such a green and mountainous land...it is very much like our own," said one of the warriors in wonder resting her spear on her shoulder. It was a young lioness warrior named Demetria. The warriors of Akakios were in an alien world, a world only their ancestors have set foot on.
"Keep your eyes open, young one, the inhabitants might be hostile," said another taller warrior in the group whom happened to be Kosmima's best friend. Her name was Hypatia and she was an active warrior much like Kosmima. She also had a younger brother named Daxos, "be sharp like your spear, Demetria, we may come from the same creator, but that doesn't mean they'd see eye to eye with us,"
Two other warriors were joining the ranks. Their names were Heliodora and Damiana. Like Demetria, these two warriors were young and just beginning to find their footing in the Myrmidon army. Heliodora was a spiky haired blond with blue eyes and a small ponytail stretching down to her upper back. Damiana was a brunette with brown eyes and a scar running along the bridge of her nose.
All Myrmidons are heavy infantry called Hoplites named after their shields commonly referred to as the 'Hoplon'. The hoplon was a deeply-dished shield made of wood and covered with a sheet of dark blued bronze. The shield measured 32 to 40inches in diameter and 5inches deep. The shield provided great protection against nearly anything an enemy can throw at it although it weighed over 15lbs.
Shields were often decorated with symbols or images of monsters used to frighten their enemies. Each member of Kosmima's unit had a different image on their shields. Kosmima's shield was decorated with a white crescent moon. Hypatia's shield was decorated with black bull's head. Demetria's shield had a white serpent on the front while Damiana's and Heliodora's had scorpions.
The dory or spear was the warrior's main weapon. The spear was around 6ft' 8inches long with a 10inch long and 2inch wide iron spearhead. The 2lbs weapon was used for thrusting with an iron buttspike on the other end as a secondary weapon. The weapon was slender enough to be used as a throwing spear, but strong enough to be used in the Myrmidons famous tactic, the Phalanx.
The short sword or 'Xiphos' was the warrior's secondary weapon. It is a double-edged, single-handed iron straight sword with a leaf-shaped blade. It was a close combat weapon measuring 26inches long. The weapon's design made it good for hacking and thrusting. Kosmima and Hypatia showed their agility skills and climbed up the rocks to get a closer look.
Kosmima clinched onto the shaft of her spear and shifted her eyes at any of the slightest sounds. Her lion tail swished from left to right, eager to see what the mainland had in store for her and her friends. Hypatia signaled to the others that the coast was clear. The band of lion warriors marched on further into the Tigertories and came across the great meadow of tall grass.
The warriors marched along the trails through the woods. They were as regal and strong as those who fought in the past. Their eyes were burning with an eternal fire in their souls; a fire burning for the call of battle. For they knew their ancestors were in the company of the Great Pantheon of Gods and proudly looking at those who were carrying on their legacy.
But it seemed the inhabitants saw the strangers and looked at them with a mix of doubt and interest under the cover of the tall grass, "These strangers…they don't look like the enemy, they look kinda like us," Tam-Syn whispered to her older sister at her side. Ashaki looked at the newcomers with a ready axe. She didn't trust them at all ever since their trireme made landfall on their country's shores.
"That golden fur says otherwise," Ashaki growled, ready to pounce and noticed something odd about the invaders, "What's that on their bodies? It looks kinda creepy," She asked herself. Unlike Tiger warriors, Lionesses wear armor. Myrmidons wear a bronze cuirass that fit to the wearer's exact proportions with lamellar shoulder protectors made of cloth, leather and bronze.
They also wore a leather thong with a draping cloth flaps in the front and back. They also wear bronze greaves on their shins and bronze arm bands to stretch to the length of their entire forearm. Each piece of armor was hand-crafted and took many months to complete. Once complete, the Myrmidon wore a suit that was both beautiful as a work of craftsmanship and functional as a battlefield tool.
The final touch was their Corinthian helmets. Made from a single piece of bronze, the helmet measures 10inches long and 8inches wide, this made the helmet able to fit almost any head size and weighed a little more than 4lbs. Helmets are adorned with a large horsehair crest running from front to back. These multi-colored crests were used to signal troop movements and formations.
"Hold your ground," Kosmima commanded holding her arm up and signaling her warriors to stay where they stand. The leader scanned around the area. The beads in her hair rattled as she looked around. It seemed the inhabitants saw them first before the lions saw them. She saw a slight bit of orange and black stripes slithering through the tall grass.
Kosmima took action and took up a fighting stance as more tigers appeared. The basic fighting stance was right leg forward and both knees bend. Their shields were facing forward. The band of warriors rested their spears on their shields which made a single loud rattle of metal hitting wood. They were ready to defend themselves as a single moving unit.
Suddenly, a rather large and very muscular tiger warrior pounced out of the grass and attacked the leader. Kosmima was pushed back by the warrior's muscle but rammed her off her round shield. The warrior slid back and attacked again with a battleaxe, "Your kind aren't welcome here, Goldie," Ashaki growled as the two warriors circled like vultures in a dance of death.
"We didn't come here to fight, Tigris, give a path," Kosmima roared back but Ashaki didn't listen. Kosmima stuck her spear into the ground and unsheathed her sword to make the fight fair. Ashaki attacked and slashed at the lion warrior. Kosmima defended with her shield and swung back with her leaf-bladed sword, "I'll only say this once, give a path or my sword will strike you down,"
"Oh, such strong words, let's see if you can back them up!" Ashaki taunted and the battle between the two warriors continued. Kosmima's warrior kin cheered her on while Ashaki's did the same for her. Iron struck Zhirite as axe met sword in combat. Kosmima rammed Ashaki with her shield and knocked her down to the ground. The tail of her horsehair crest and her cornrow braids swished around with her every movement.
Kosmima raised her sword and was ready to strike the final blow until the tiger equivalent of Kosmima intervened, "That's enough!" Scyde said breaking up the two warriors and blocking Kosmima's sword with her curved sabre, "pull back your blade warrior, or else," Scyde growled looking at the Myrmidon with fierce eyes. Kosmima saw to her wishes and put her sword back in its sheath.
"Please pardon me, I was only making necessary precautions," Kosmima said pulling her spear out of the ground and taking off her helmet, "we mean you're kind no harm, in fact we come to offer our assistance, by order of Princess Kadri, we present ourselves as allies," Scyde looked confused. These strange warriors looked slightly similar to them in appearance but had a completely different culture.


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The Cat Cafe by Purina ONE pop-up will have cat-achino's, kitties for adoption and experts on hand to discuss health and well-being for felines. Photo Credit: Cat Cafe
Imagine a place where you can refuel with caffeine and heal yourself by playing with cats and you've got the Cat Cafe.
And luckily for New Yorkers, Purina ONE is sponsoring a pop-up cat cafe at 168 Bowery. Stop by anytime between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. and you'll be treated to cat-achino's and adoptable cats from Long Island's North Shore Animal League. Experts, from animal behaviorists to veterinarians, will be there too, in case you have any questions about cat health and well-being.
The Cat Cafe is part of Purina ONE's 28-day challenge.