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New Movie Releases: August 14, 2009Thursday, August 13th, 2009
These are the movies arriving in theaters, August 14, 2009
District 9
Over twenty years ago, aliens made first contact with Earth. Humans waited for the hostile attack, or the giant advances in technology. Neither came. Instead, the aliens were refugees, the last survivors of their home world. The creatures were set up in a makeshift home in South Africa's District 9 as the world's nations argued over what to do with them.
Now, patience over the alien situation has run out. Control over the aliens has been contracted out to Multi-National United (MNU), a private company uninterested in the aliens' welfare – they will receive tremendous profits if they can make the aliens' awesome weaponry work. So far, they have failed; activation of the weaponry requires alien DNA.
The tension between the aliens and the humans comes to a head when an MNU field operative, Wikus van der Merwe (Sharlto Copley), contracts a mysterious virus that begins changing his DNA. Wikus quickly becomes the most hunted man in the world, as well as the most valuable – he is the key to unlocking the secrets of alien technology. Ostracized and friendless, there is only one place left for him to hide: District 9.
Cast: William Allen Young, Robert Hobbs, Sharlto Copley, Jason Cope; Directed By: Neill Blomkamp
"Ponyo" is the latest tour de force from animation master Hayao Miyazaki and his Academy Award® winning Studio Ghibli. Perfect for audiences of all ages, "Ponyo" is a return to the innocent pleasures of My Neighbor Totoro, with dazzling and entirely hand-drawn visuals that start simply and erupt into fluid, cascading symphonies of color. The story centers on the loving relationship between Sosuke, a five-year-old boy, and a magical goldfish named Ponyo, the rambunctious young daughter of a sorcerer father and a sea-goddess mother. After a chance encounter, Ponyo yearns to become a human so she can be with Sosuke. As to be expected with Miyazaki, the film is awash in pure unbridled imagination and visual wonder-but it is the tender warmth, humor, and devotion of Ponyo and Sosuke that form the emotional heart of this film. In English – featuring the voices of Matt Damon, Cate Blanchett, Tina Fey, Liam Neeson, Lily Tomlin, Noah Cyrus and Frankie Jonas.
Cast: Hayao Miyazaki, Hiroki Doi, Jôji Tokoro, Tomoko Yamaguchi, Yuki Amami; Directed By: Hayao Miyazaki
The Time Traveler's Wife
The love story focuses on a couple in which the man has a genetic disorder known as "chrono-impairment," a condition that causes him to involuntarily travel through time. Jeremy Leven wrote the adaptation.
Cast: Eric Bana, Rachel McAdams, Ron Livingston, Jane McLean; Directed By: Robert Schwentke


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Today I tossed the kids in the big bathtub for a mid-day swim.
And someone was a camera hog.
Dried off all the little monsters.
Dried off 30 pruney toes.
And thanked God for the beautiful sunshine streaming through the windows and hoped it would warm up the air for a bit out outside play soon.

subset: commoncrawl


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This PDF is provided in a protected format with restricted sharing/printing capabilities.
This item is also available in a print version.
The 2012-2013 Guide to Setting Executive Salaries is also available.
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People are already talking about the 2012 Blue Plum Festival.
The buzz started last week when some of the Main Street Stage performers were released via social media websites. Goose Creek Symphony will be the headliner for June 1 and each of the June 2 acts will be announced this week.
"Being part of the social media mix is a big part of how we're going to be marketing Blue Plum," said David Pennington, executive director of the festival, which is set to take place in downtown Johnson City June 1-3.
Facebook and Twitter also will be used to release details about other new and improved Blue Plum activities, such as the Urban Art Throwdown that made its debut at the 2011 festival. The number of graffiti artists spray-painting for the top $1,000 prize will grow from eight to 24. Pennington says the competition will take up the entire Downtown Square parking lot and the judges' top picks will become public art.
Another change to this year's Blue Plum is the location of the cornhole tournament. To allow more boards for the popular contest, the June 2 event is moving to Buffalo Street and the Little City Roller Girls will set up shop at the previous cornhole location in the Tipton Street parking lot.
Pennington said the Little City Roller Girls will perform roller derby bouts as well as skating for kids and a special disco skate.
Another new initiative for the free festival is the "Plum Green" project. People wishing to ride their bicycles to Blue Plum will have a place to keep their bikes downtown, Pennington said. There will also be a designated parking area for those who would like to park outside the festival grounds and bike into downtown.
"Plum Green" cyclists won't be the only two-wheeled riders during Blue Plum. The criterium bicycle race will return on June 3, along with other popular Plum events, such as the 5K, the kid's area at Munsey United Methodist Church, the animation festival and four stages of live music.
In order to save money, Blue Plum organizers had originally decided to do away with the Market Street Stage. "It was a common sense way to reduce our expenses," Pennington said. "The majority of our budget is spent on music, so we did away with it."
The Trinity Arts Foundation stepped in and has agreed to schedule performers and run the Market Street Stage.
The Roan and Jazz stages will still be a part of the 2012 Blue Plum, but Pennington admits it has been a challenge to find a way to cover the costs.
"Being that it is a free festival, it has been extremely difficult to get it paid for," he said. "Money is tight. It's not the lack of effort from sponsors, it's the available monies to do it."
Even though the road to Blue Plum isn't necessarily easy, Pennington and other festival organizers have continued to pull together a solid live music lineup.
"I think we try to put our thumb on the pulse of what ... Blue Plum attendees want to hear and spend the money that we do have allocated for music to get the best," he said.
Before June 1 headliner Goose Creek Symphony takes the Main Street Stage, Blue Plum-ers will get a chance to hear Sol Driven Train, from Charleston, S.C, MilkDrive, from Austin, Texas, and the Americana band Folk Soul Revival, from Wise, Va.
Jazz Stage performers will be released later this month, as well as the local bands scheduled to appear on the Roan Street Stage.
Attendance at Blue Plum continues to stay around 80,000, Pennington said. He foresees the trend to continue for the 13th annual Blue Plum.
"Other than the fact that you can walk down the street with a beer in your hand, I think what sets it apart is that it's a three-day festival, but it's intimate," Pennington said. "Blue Plum is a concentrated festival experience."
For more information about the 2012 Blue Plum Festival and links to festival Twitter and Facebook pages, visit www.blueplum.org.


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By Samantha L. QuigleyAmerican Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, July 22, 2004 Big or small, many deployed troops or few, states' concerns for the families of deployed service members are very similar.
Joint hearings with the Senate Personnel and Children and Families subcommittees were held July 21 to determine what state governments are doing in support of the families who face unique challenges because of deployment of a family member.
Principal Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Charles Abell echoed many initiatives discussed during the hearing. "We're busy working every day on programs to assist military families," he said.
DoD is focused on programs that would grant military families in-state tuition based on where they are stationed. There also is a focus on enhancing opportunities for spousal employment to recognize certifications, licenses and qualifications earned in another state and a new initiative to find jobs and rehabilitate disabled veterans. These are only a few of DoD's efforts to support military families that Abell mentioned.
"The key to these programs is communication. We can have the best, most comprehensive programs in the world, but if our military families don't know about them then we really don't have anything," Abell said.
Dissemination of information on the programs is extensive, Abell said, citing Web sites, and print and news media as sources.
Information on "promising practices" is also available on two DoD Web sites. Promising practices identifies programs states have implemented and publishes them so they can be copied or modified for use elsewhere.
Tennessee Sen. Lamar Alexander opened the hearing. "We have learned that several of the important issues families struggle with can be more easily addressed by the states and by the governors and across state lines," Alexander, said, adding that considerable progress has been made.
Through similar hearings, education, child care, health insurance and career support for spouses have been identified as top issues for military families.
"The re-enlistment decision will often be made at the kitchen table," Alexander said. "To continue to attract a talented volunteer force, we must make sure our families' needs are addressed."
Alexander expounded briefly on federal measures taken to protect military families eligible for certain federal benefits like the school lunch program and Head Start. An amendment passed ensures these families don't lose their eligibility when a service member receives extra pay for deployment. TriCare health insurance has been expanded to include activated National Guardsmen and reservists.
Nationally, the National Association of Childcare Referral Services has launched Operation Childcare. More than 5,000 child-care providers have pledged free child care to guardsmen and reservists while they're home on leave.
The two states represented at the hearing, Florida and Indiana, have strikingly different military situations. However, they are tackling issues facing military families in strikingly similar ways. The issues at the state level center on education, spouses' career portability, and financial protection and services.
Continuity in school requirements in state-to-state transitions are helping to make moves easier on school-aged children. Both states offer tuition assistance and reimbursement programs to qualified family members. Both also are taking steps to assist with child care.
Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said his state has also implemented an endorsement program to allow a spouse with previous certification to seek employment in a more timely fashion. And provisions on financial issues that affect service members have been implemented or are being more strictly enforced.
Indiana Gov. Joe Kernan stressed his state is working on family outreach and readiness. It is also asking for longer lead times to allow families to prepare and for shorter deployments nine months instead of 12 months. Kernan said that with the necessary training included, some deployments are stretching into 14 months.
Related Sites:Senate Armed Services CommitteeThe Military StudentUUSA4MilitaryFamilies


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The Moose
04/02/2012 – The Saints and Cardinals split a weekend series contested at Kimble Field in Wyoming. Aquinas is now 5-7 in the WHAC and sports an overall record of 13-16, while Concordia's record sits at 14-19 on the year and matches the Saints 5-7 mark in the league.
Saints ace, Vince Misiewicz, opened the four game set with a strong performance. Misiewicz recorded the complete game as he went nine strong giving up two runs on six hits. The sophomore from Anchor Bay also recorded seven strikeouts in the 5-2 victory. The top third of the batting lineup provided most of the offensive punch as Taylor Pawlanta, Michael Penny, and Nick Kissane collected five hits and scored three runs. The big blow coming in the fifth on a two run single by Kissane. The Cardinals evened the series in the night cap with a walk off single by Kindred in the bottom of the seventh. Kevin Schafer was credited with the loss as he allowed three earned runs on seven hits in his six and two thirds innings of work. Concordia's Holloway notched the victory as he allowed one earned run and scattered six hits. Once again the top of the order for the Saints paid dividends as Michael Penny and Nick Kissane both recorded RBI's.
The second set of games begin with a pitching dual between Aquinas' Kaleb Ort and the Cardinals Jake Scheel. Ort suffered the tough luck loss as he allowed two earned runs and six hits. Kaleb also fanned nine batters in the 3-1 loss.
The Saints had their opportunities collecting nine hits, but stranded ten base runners. Michael Penny went 3-5 with two stolen bases, while Nick Kissane added a couple of base hits for the Saints. The Saints evened the series in the finale of the four game set. Jake Ritsema went the distance as he allowed two earned runs to notch the victory. The Saints broke the game opened in the fifth as they rallied and scored three runs to take the 5-3 lead. Ryan Grigonis, Nick Kissane, and Josh Drake all drove in runs for the Saints in the decisive inning.
The Saints will return to action on Wednesday as they travel to play Purdue North Central (14-17).


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More puppies are getting the parvo virus this spring.
"It is definitely a problem. The weather conditions are right for it to have the virus kind of emerge, and especially in the springtime, when there's a lot puppies around anyway to begin with, we'll see a spike in cases," Dr. Sarah Viera, with Hope Veterinary Clinic said.
Dr. Viera says the parvo virus is easily transmitted. It can stick around in the environment, even surviving freezing temperatures.
Even if your puppy isn't directly exposed to another dog with parvo, you can bring the virus into your home.
"It's a devastating disease. If medical treatment isn't sought right away, they will die from it," Dr. Viera said.
Dr. Viera says vaccination is key.
"The first thing to do is to get it to the veterinarian right away to get it started on its vaccines. And while it's going through its full set of vaccines, to keep it away from other dogs," Dr. Viera said.
According to Dr. Viera, the parvo vaccine requires three parts, costing about $25 each.
If your puppy does come down with the parvo virus, it will cost you between $400 and $500 dollars for treatment.
Some symptoms include vomiting, weight loss and loss of appetite.


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Locals compete at New England track meet
Several runners, jumpers and throwers from the city competed at the New England outdoor track and field championships Saturday in Burlington, Vt.
The top finisher was the Cheverus 4x800 relay team. Juniors Taylor Dundas and Tim Woods, sophomore Jack Terwilliger and Andrew Snyder finished in a time of 7 minutes, 54.03 seconds, good for third. Terwilliger finished ninth in the two-mile (9:23.40). Woods was 12th in the 800 (1:57.81). Stags junior Beau Michaud finished 21st in the discus (142-3). Classmate John White was 22nd in the shot put (46 feet, 4 inches) and 23rd in the discus (140-7). Dundas placed 23rd in the mile (4:26.70).
On the girls' side, Cheverus sophomore Caroline Summa tied for 15th in the high jump (5 feet). Stags junior Hanna Lyons was 18th in the 100 (12.94 seconds). Cheverus junior Liana Rubinoff placed 18th in the two-mile (11:38.26). McAuley senior Olivia MacKenzie came in 18th in the mile (5:13.38). Cheverus sophomore Amelia Lundkvist placed 23rd in the mile (5:19.54).
Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com


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Sublimity, Oregon Pet Friendly Hotels & Lodging
United States » Oregon » Sublimity
Looking for a hotel in Sublimity, OR that you can bring your pet to? We made sure that each one of the hotels below are pet friendly, so you can enjoy your trip with your pet by your side! Once you have found a pet friendly hotel, you can book your stay instantly from our website or call 866-212-1803 to speak with a pet travel agent.
Browse Pet Friendly Hotels In Sublimity, Oregon
Rates from
300 SW Sublimity Blvd - Sublimity, OR (Map)
Centrally located in Sublimity, Rodeway Inn & Suites is within the region of Silver Falls State Park and Corban College. This motel is within the region of Enchanted Forest Theme Park and Willamette V...
Overview | Pet Policy | Map


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|Tech Field Day Extra at VMworld US 2014
|August 25–28, 2014
|Who: Tech, Virtualization
What: Extra
|When: Past
Where: San Francisco
Watch Recorded Video
Presenting Sponsors
Delegates are selected by the Field Day Delegate community. For more information on our selection process, please see our page about becoming a Field Day Delegate.
|Alastair Cooke
Trainer, Writer, Consultant, Geek. From New Zealand.
|Chris Wahl
Social media adventurer, virtualization whisperer, and global event speaker. Author of Networking for VMware Administrators.
|Enrico Signoretti
An IT consultant, entrepreneur and passionate blogger at juku.it (not necessarily in that order).
|Eric Shanks
Independent Blogger for theITHollow.com, technical consultant, and Chicago VMUG Leader.
|Eric Wright
Eric Wright is a Systems Architect, blogger, VMware vExpert, Cisco Champion, and OpenStack enthusiast working in Toronto, Canada
|Ethan Banks
Network architect, CCIE, podcaster & blogger.
|Hans De Leenheer
Rental Evangelist & Enterprise Clown. Sometimes referred to as Technical Marketer.
|Howard Marks
Storage Analyst Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
|James Green
James is an independent blogger at www.virtadmin.com, a 2014 vExpert, and works as a virtualization consultant in the Midwest.
|Joep Piscaer
Joep Piscaer is an IT architect at OGD ict-diensten, VMware VCDX #101, vExpert 2009, 2011 - 2013, member of the NL VMUG Customer Council and actively involved in the international VMware community. He writes on his blog, VirtualLifestyle.nl.
|Michael Stump
I excel in high-pressure, break-fix situations, and strive to provide the highest quality technical documentation for my projects.
|Robbert Erents
|Roger Lund
Roger evangelizes virtualization by night, and is a Sr. System Administration for a call center in the
|Shane Williford
|Stephen Beaver
Stephen Beaver is the co-author of VMware ESX Essentials in the Virtual Data Center and Scripting VMware Power Tools: Automating Virtual Infrastructure Administration.
Presentation Calendar
Most presentations are streamed live on this page, at TechFieldDay.com, and at some delegate and presenter web sites. After the event, the following pages contain video recordings of these presentations.
Event Staff
|Stephen Foskett
|Tom Hollingsworth
Links with Tag #EVMWU14
- VMTurbo @Tech Field Day VMworld Extra 2014
- The Software-Defined Data Center with Nuage
- What Do You Know about Asigra?
- DR to the cloud with Zerto
- SteelFusion – The Branch Office of the Future
- XtremIO Flash Storage Array
- Play Nice – We're Better Together
- Zerto: Beyond Disaster Recovery
- Server-side caching is really hot!
- Zerto: Beyond Disaster Recovery
- EMC XtremIO most interesting characteristic? Predictability.
- Server-side caching is really hot!
- DataGravity – An Intelligence Platform for Your Data
- What Does SolarWinds Know About Your Applications?
- Infinio Accelerator v2.0: lightyears ahead of the competition?
- You Got Your Analytics in my Storage Array
- VMware Unveils Upcoming VAIO I/O Filters
- DataGravity Wins Best of Show at VMworld
- Infinio Accelerates The Accelerator, Adds Block Support
- Asigra
- Asigra Presents at TechField Day Extra during VMWorld 2014 US
- Tech Field Day Extra 2014, The Day Before..
- How Nuage Networks is Taking SDN from Hype to Production
- #eager0: Tech Field Day Extra – DataGravity, SolarWinds, Asigra
- Infinio v2.0 Announced with FC, iSCSI Support
- Infinio 2.0
- Tech Field Day Extra at VMworld US 2014 Live!
- Tech Field Day Extra at VMworld US 2014
- See the data, not just the storage with DataGravity
- DataGravity Knows What You Do…And That's Good
- SolarWinds Showcases Virtualization Management for Hybrid IT and More at VMworld(R) US 2014
- Tech Field Day Extra
- #VMEspresso with SolarWinds at VMworld: "Storage I/O is About to Get Crazy"
- Enterprise storage array with X-ray vision: DataGravity
- DataGravity – First Look
- Why is DataGravity Such a Big Deal?
- Let's Connect at VMworld 2014
- Tech Field Day Extra at VMworld 2014: check!
- VMworld USA 2014
- Summer holidays, VMworld and Tech Field Day Extra!
- Wahl Network at VMworld: Sessions, Books, and Charity
- VMworld 2014 US, Tech Field Day Extra enabled!
- #eager0: Tech Field Day Extra: VMworld 2014 in San Francisco!
- What I'm Doing Instead of A Summer Vacation
- TechFieldDay Extra at VMworld US
- Extra! Extra! See you at VMworld Tech Field Day!
More Information
If you would like to sponsor or attend these events as a delegate, please contact Stephen Foskett, Gestalt IT Community Organizer, at [email protected] or call +1(508)451-9532.
This is a Past Tech, Virtualization Extra in San Francisco


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This review was originally posted on my other blog, Book on a Wire. I received permission from the author to post the review here as well.
The Harvesting by Melanie Karsak
Genre: Science fiction/apocalyptic
Publisher: Melanie Karsak
It's all fun and games until someone ends up undead.
Though Layla reluctantly returns home to rural Hamletville after a desperate call from her psychic grandmother, she could never have anticipated the horror of what Grandma Petrovich has foreseen. The residents of Hamletville will need Layla's help if they are to survive the undead apocalypse that's upon them. But that is not the only problem. With mankind silenced, it soon becomes apparent that we were never alone. As the beings living on the fringe seek to reclaim power, Layla must find a way to protect the ones she loves or all humanity may be lost.
Continue reading Book review: The Harvesting by Melanie Karsak


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We've uploaded the first video of the BMW X1 (F48) testing on the Nurburgring. Check it out inside.
Autobild get closer with new BMW X1 rendering.
In some markets, including the North American market. The F48 X1 is going to be xDrive only.
This rendering is very close indeed. The front is very similar, with a dynamic sweep of the headlights. A feature on the next generation 7er, 5er and new X7.
And although it is shown as the M Sport in this render. The front fascia aligns with the new X family signature but looks more sporty to appeal to younger customers. The rear … CONTINUED
Sadly I am embarrassed to say yet another Montreal overpass has started to crumble. Happened a couple of blocks from my office. I can still see the news chopper hovering over the scene.
Luckily these two ladies in the X1 which I assume were the occupants weren't hurt. Imagine it had fallen through the roof or windshield instead of the engine?
New F48 X1 video as of January 6, 2014. We bring you the first live looks at the 2016 X1 (F48) prototypes. The F48 recently began its testing in August-September and while still heavily camouflaged, the test mules reveal a brawnier and stockier look than the current E84 X1. Compared to the E84, the F48 X1 features a shorter front end, shortened overhangs and a taller and more upright greenhouse. While some may mistaken the E84 X1 for a larger wagon, there's no … CONTINUED
The BMW X1 is known as a pioneer and global market leader in the premium Sports Activity Vehicle and SUV segment – it is a prime example of sheer driving pleasure, bold design and premium character that is unrivalled in its class. In the spring of 2014, the compact BMW X is raising the standard for this segment even higher with eye-catching exterior accents, a more refined interior ambience and innovative equipment features. The very latest Internet-based services are being added to the … CONTINUED
We bring you the first live look at the 2016 X1 (F48) prototypes. The F48 recently began its testing a couple of months ago and while still heavily camouflaged, the test mules reveal a brawnier and stockier look than the current E84 X1. Compared to the E84, the F48 X1 features a shorter front end, shortened overhangs and a taller and more upright greenhouse. While some may mistaken the E84 X1 for a larger wagon, there's no mistaking the upcoming F48 X1 as a … CONTINUED
For Americans, it may seem way early to see next gen X1 prototypes, but here it is. As the current X1 has been in production in Europe since 2009, the next generation model should come in 2015-2016.
On the outside, the F48 X1 adopts a brawnier and stockier look, owing to a significantly shorter front end, shortened overhangs, and a taller and more upright greenhouse.
The next X1 will make the switch from RWD to FWD by riding on BMW's FWD "UKL" platform, which will also underpin … CONTINUED
These are the first photos of what may be the next generation 2016 BMW X1 SAV.
TFLcar compares and tests the 2013 BMW X1 xDrive35i and the 2013 Volvo XC60 T6.
Both cars are powered by 3.0L cylinder motors, both are turbocharged by twin scroll turbo, and both output 300 HP.
Both engines are mated to a 6-speed automatic and both engines power all four wheels with via all-wheel-drive.
The BMW Concept K2 Power Ride Concept is making its debut at the 2012 LA Auto Show today to usher in the availability of the BMW X1 Power Ride Edition which is now available for order. Here is the ordering info for the BMW X1 Power Ride Edition.
The BMW X1 Powder Ride Edition will be available with the following selection of features:
• Choice of X1 xDrive28i or X1 xDrive35i model
• Choice of Alpine White (300); Jet Black (668); Glacier Silver (A83); Mineral Grey (B39)
• Standard … CONTINUED
The 2013 BMW X1 Sports Activity Vehicle is now available in US showrooms. Two very special vehicles will soon arrive to reflect the X1's special capability to take full advantage of winter fun. The BMW X1 Power Ride Edition will be available at BMW Centers, especially tailored for those who make the most of winter on the slopes. The BMW Concept K2 Power Ride is a reflection of the adrenaline rush of full-speed downhill fun. This unique concept will make its debut at the Los Angeles … CONTINUED
The X1 recently began delivery to US owners and we've now seen members beginning to take delivery of X1 M Sport models. Check out this great looking (car and photos) Valencia Orange X1 M Sport belonging to BIMMERPOST member BEAMERBOI.
BMW of North America today launched the 'X1 Restore the Outdoors' social media program in Seattle, WA which will run through September 10 in New York City. X1 Restore the Outdoors is a social good program that gives back to the outdoor places we love including parks, beaches, forests and recreational locations across the country.
The X1 will travel through the United States for two and half weeks, stopping at 12 predetermined locations. Drivers will take an Instagram photo at each stop and share it at the … CONTINUED
The X1 has finally landed in the U.S. and in owners' driveways! The first deliveries began this past week and several of our U.S. members can already call themselves official X1 owners.
Check out one of these deliveries, to XBIMMERS member Paul, of his 2013 X1 xDrive28i in Midnight Blue Metallic. Congrats to all owners to come!
Great news for expectant X1 owners! BMW has announced that the US launch date for the BMW X1 has been moved forward and all X1s are being released immediately for shipment (if it's still in European port) or delivery (if it's already in the US or arriving soon).
Also, at least one X1 is now making its rounds at certain BMW events to drum up awareness and further promote the X1. Here is one that was on display yesterday at a Golf tournament held by Steve … CONTINUED
The first reviews of the 2013 X1 (LCI facelift) are in and they're a generally positive bunch. First up are the reviews from Car and Driver, Automobile and Motor Trend.
Check out what each American magazine has to say about the refreshed X1 which has already sold more than 300,000 units worldwide.
Anyone wanting a RWD X1 should look into buying a current generation X1, if a new report coming out of Autocar is true.
It's being reported that the current model's RWD / AWD platform (adopted from the E9X 3 series) will be replaced by the FWD / AWD UKL platform when the next gen BMW X1 hits the market around 2015. "UKL" is German for 'Unter Klasse' or 'entry level.'
The FWD UKL platform is the same one upon which the initial FWD BMW models and the next … CONTINUED


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Our recent You Oughta Know artist hails from New Zealand, where she's fluent in internet culture and making people fall in love with her. Everyone else in the game might be obsessed with her at the moment, but you can add female MCs to the list of things she loves–right behind "aristocracy," and "Midwestern baseball teams."
this is my FAVOURITE video on the internet @NICKIMINAJ i love you SO much. http://t.co/TavJem9h5q
— Lorde (@lordemusic) September 3, 2013
such an important female in pop. not to mention she fucking slays. remember her my beautiful dark twisted fantasy guest spots? so on point
— Lorde (@lordemusic) September 3, 2013
The 16-year-old's debut album Pure Heroine is strongly rooted with sounds of alternative, electropop, and soul, but she's got a knack for rapping and an appreciation for the mysticisms of Yeezy. Check out her live cover of Kanye West's "Hold My Liquor" from September:


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A recent announcement of the surprising breakup of Country music's most famous couple shocked and saddened many of their fans.
1 week 19 hours ago
During a show, lines of cocaine, marijuana joints, and shots of tequila had been placed on the stage at a young guitarist's feet. At the end of the show, they were untouched.
11 weeks 1 day ago
In a recent column, I wrote about my escape from shoulder pain by the use of prayerful treatments.
21 weeks 1 day ago
I couldn't hide it. My grimace gave it away. "Looks like a torn rotator cuff," my neighbor said to me last Friday.
I'd reached out to pet his dog, but pain had stopped me before I could...
26 weeks 1 day ago
The Army Ranger, my nephew, shared details of the extremely tough assessment training he had just undergone. Each timed activity tested his ability to function under severe physical and...
30 weeks 1 day ago
I was glad to see Escape Fire: The Fight to Rescue American Healthcare nominated for an Emmy Award. I hope you've had an...
47 weeks 1 day ago
Recently, under darkness of night, members of a Wildlife SOS team, devoted to protecting animals in India, approached a cruelly...
51 weeks 19 hours ago
"You don't need a medical degree to say, 'I love you,'" writes Pamela Wible, MD, in an article at KevinMD....
1 year 3 weeks ago
Turn the clock back to '69.
All the teams were seated around the infield of the Little League Baseball field. My twin brother, Kevin, and I were decked out in our uniforms, sitting and...
1 year 6 weeks ago
When in high school, I experimented, not with drugs, but with something quite different. My interest was not the norm. I wanted to see how long I could focus on divine concepts throughout the day...
1 year 9 weeks ago
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Lincoln County will battle Dooly County in a semifinal battle for the championship game tonight. This game is the 30th time the Red Devils have made an appearance in the semifinals, setting a new Georgia High School record. The last time these teams met was in 1998 and Lincoln County came out on top in a solid win in the quarterfinals. The Red Devils do have the edge on the offensive side of the ball with RB Mike McIntire totaling 1,315 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns. The Red Devils have been averaging around 33 points per game; whereas, the Bobcats have averaged 27. The average amount of points allowed per game are at a .2 difference with Lincoln County allowing 12 points per game and Dooley allowing 11.8. The winner will go on to face the winner of the Wilcox County and Emanuel County Institute game for the championship.
In AA, T. McFerrin and his Jefferson Dragons will take on Greater Atlanta Christian tonight. The Dragons have won 12 games in a row after losing their first game against rival Commerce. Both QBs in this game have passed for over 2,000 yards this season so expect a lot of that. The victor in this game will face the winner between Lamar County and Calhoun.
In AAA Buford is back in the semifinals for the 6th consecutive year to take on unbeaten Cartersville. The Wolves tough defense will look to stop the Purple Hurricanes high powered spread offense. The Purple Hurricane QB has passed for over 2,600 yards and has 38 touchdown passes this season. The winner here will face the winner between St. Pius Catholic School and North Hall.
The Blue Devil basketball squads will be back in action this Friday and Saturday. The squads will travel to Oglethorpe on Friday December 7th. Both the guys and girls basketball teams have been successful against the Patriots the last few years and will look to keep that trend going. On Saturday December 8th the Devils will travel to Rabun County to take on the Wildcats. The Wildcats defeated the Guy's last season in a 67-65 victory; however; the Lady Devils defeated the Lady Wildcats in a 1 point 54-53 victory.
The Elbert Blue Devil wrestling team will be in action today and tomorrow December 8th at the West Laurens Invitational in Dexter, GA.


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This week's book trailer is for Tempest by Julie Cross. Also, click here to check out an interesting interview with the author, Julie Cross, over at EW's Shelf Life blog. Click here to find Tempest at the Library!
By Colleen, Teen Services Librarian on January 20, 2012 Categories: Book Trailer, Fantasy, Fiction, Romance


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Vancouver Model: Chantel Elloway Part 2
This is part two of my interview with Vancouver model, actor, writer, entrepreneur, Chantel Elloway. The first part of the interview can be viewed here. If it were up to me I would have put the entire interview up on Monday. Moreover, I was told to chop it up due to its length, however, against the wishes of the Vancity Buzz powers to be, I decided to split it into two parts and I might one day post the entire interview for you to read.
Enjoy the rest of my interview with the lovely Chantel Elloway.
UD: Do you still see yourself modeling in the next few years?
Chantel: If it includes a ticket to see more of the world with my name on it placed in my hand again…why not?
UD: In terms of career aspirations, where do you see yourself in a year from now?
Chantel: I want to become the star of as many hours as I can, by trying to make the minutes I am given, count. I love sales and believe that our whole lives we are continually striving to SELL ourselves to others and at the end of the day, BUY what we believe we are. I am currently beginning my Real Estate adventures as well as working with a national organization to start a business where portion of proceeds go to a variety of charity's. My main ambition is to become an international entrepreneur.
Everyday we live we are all in the process of becoming. Whether we are becoming better or worse depends on what we give ourselves to. So strive for continual improvement, manage your time wisely, try not to abandon opportunities, try to find the best in those who surround you, and remember that the best reward for what we do is not what we get for it, but rather what we become by it.
UD: What do you do in your spare time?
Chantel: I enjoy writing inspirational pieces so others can take what they want from they read and use it at some point in their life. I am writing a book titled, "The Ballot, The Bullet, and The Bible" that will stir a bit of controversy but that will make it all the more stimulating to read and absorb. I also thoroughly enjoy astronomy, fine dining, traveling, finding beauty in creation and conquering my talents one level at a time.
UD: What kind of qualities do you look for in a man?
Chantel: Success driven, maintains a positive energy, an understanding communicator, and one who can stimulate my mind.
(*) I believe… It is difficult to experience moments of happiness if we are not aware of what it is we genuinely love. I find that our happiness or our unhappiness depends far more on the way we meet the events of life than on the nature of the events themselves rather. You need to only claim what happens in your life to make yourself yours. When you truly possess all you have been and done, which may take some time, you are then capable of being more realistic with yourself. I'm built tiny, and realize I am not built perfect; yet, I am happy with the body god gave me. It is the greatest instrument I will ever own and use. I always hear girls talk about their self-image (especially their weight)…I have it easy I guess because I eat and can't gain (hereditary). I never look at that though. The friends I have in my life, I try to see past their faults and imperfections…because naturally who are they comparing themselves to? I look high maintenance, bu I am such a down-to-earth young woman…It try to spend the least amount of time in front of a mirror as possible, stay away from the scale, and just take good care of my body by making the right healthy choices. It saddens me when people go out of their way to look great and put so much time and effort into their looks (which in general is no problem at all)…but often they tend to forget about the reflection of their heart, soul, and mind that others may now be blinded by. I have done some beauty pageants only so I can one day tell my children something fun, and also for experience since it is something not too many do everyday. Throughout the process I have realized how superficial people can be. Is it truly a competition of the reflection of outer beauty? Or is it a reflection of how we see ourselves? If anything is sacred, it's the body we were born with. I used to be a huge party girl, I would wake up and not even know where I was. That was a disaster. At times I forgot who I even was, because who you become under the influence of alcohol is not someone everyone should be proud of. I no longer drink and I have never touched drugs. I am not trying to sound better by saying this…I am trying to point out that our bodies are temples of a higher power…artificially people do so many things to either better or destroy their bodies, it eventually destroys their self-image and self-dignity. It is definitely important to not only stay true to yourself, but to also never change who you are for anyone! By all means…party hard!…However what I am trying to say is sometimes we need to have accidents happen in our lives and mistakes in order to feel no doubts about one self, to find out who our true character is. And you'll find many talk big, only to make up for how small and fragile they feel on the inside. Confidence is the sexiest thing a woman can have. It's much sexier than any body part. And men, do realize your bodies will eventually not be that strong from working out all the time…and remember it's the empowerment of your mind that shows the true strength of your body.
Words to live by indeed. That concludes our interview with Chantel. As beautiful as she is on the outside, she is even more so on the inside. This was a truly inspirational interview and many of the readers that emailed us thanking us for posting part one will be blown away by the second part . Wish you all the best Chantel in your future endeavors and we hope that you reach the level of success you deserve.
Photo credit: www.valeriophotography.com
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© Copyright Wm Morrison Supermarkets plc 2015. All rights reserved.
Search for a recipe to plan your perfect menu.
Whether you fancy trying something a little different or simply want to make the most of our in-season produce, feel free to pick our brains next time you're choosing your fruit and veg in store. Our greengrocers will be happy to share their knowledge – just ask!
Whether you like your veg boiled, roasted or chipped, we're happy to help with any queries you may have. With over 500 varieties of fruit and veg including everything from Jersey Royals to exotic fruits, we're here to help you choose your perfect produce.
We choose to buy whole crops to support British farmers.
What's more, we work alongside British farmers to offer you consistently high quality and the best possible deal!
We're always happy to help, simply head down to your local Morrisons and speak to our in store greengrocer.
Find your nearest store >
In one of the most intensely debated and closely fought battles ever at the Retail Industry Awards, it was Morrisons that finally emerged as winner of the 2013 Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year award.
The panel praised the bespoke local product ranges tailored to store locations, while the number of exotic products available also impressed the judging team. "They really are tapping in to this rapidly growing trend" the judges agreed.
Our fruit and veg is so fresh it's award winning – we've won produce retailer of the year 3 years running.
Please note: Market Street products and services are not available in M local stores.
© Copyright Wm Morrison Supermarkets plc 2015. All right reserved


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|Candlewood Suites South Salem hotels are provided below. Search for cheap and discount Candlewood Suites hotel rooms in South Salem, OR for your group or personal travels. We list the best Candlewood Suites South Salem lodging so you can review the South Salem Candlewood Suites hotel list below to find the perfect place.
This site will list South Salem, OR hotels/lodging that have similar star rating to Candlewood Suites.
Next: Show All Available Comparable Hotels with Pricing >


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TFT-LCD Supply Chain Report Service
- Language: English
- Published: May 2015
Korean LCD Fab utilization rate for Samsung and LGD rise up for 4Q11, while CMI and AUO's production inputs seem to be conservative.
Isaiah Research is a Taiwan based company. They provide accurate and up to date research and intelligence in the TFT-LCD Industry and related fields.
Their coverage includes the entire Supply Chain for the Glass substrate, Cover glass, Touch panel, Tablet, LCD TV, Monitor, NBPC, Smartphone and OEMs/ODMs.
Isaiah Research has long standing relationships and ties to industry leading companies as well as the global financial markets
Benefits of this report:
- Understand the market trends and impacts on your business.
- Identify opportunities in the market place.
- Make comparison against your benchmark measurements and competitors.
- Develop a better marketing strategy.
- Overcome obstacles to adjust to new trends.
Capacity utilization rate changes for Samsung, LGD, CMI and AUO in 3Q&4Q11.
- Samsung


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Medium-Term Renewable Energy Market Report 2013 - Market trends and projections to 2018
- Language: English
- 217 Pages
- Published: June 2013
For the third year in succession Claeys & Casteels is publishing the EU Energy Law & Policy Yearbook. The 2012 edition covers all recent developments in EU Energy Policy in the framework of the agenda of the present Commission, and also expresses the viewpoints of all relevant actors in the Energy Law & Policy field.
The Yearbook 2012 is based on the contributions and debates at the 7th Annual EU Energy Law & Policy Conference 2012 (31 January–1 February) and covers the whole range of EU Energy Law & Policy.
The Yearbook is published yearly in collaboration with the Florence School of Regulation at the European University Institute (EUI).
Key Highlights:
- Published in collaboration with the Florence School of Regulation at the European University Institute (EUI)
- Includes conference papers of the 7th Annual EU Energy Law & Policy Conference January 2012, Brussels
- A comprehensive guide for all practitioners and academics working in the EU Energy Law & Policy field
- Includes all relevant up-to-date Energy Law points of view
Key Topics Covered:
- European Internal Market
- Security of Supply
- The Energy Policy Priorities of the Commission
- The EU's Competition Policy in Energy Markets
- Achieving the 20-20-20 Targets and Beyond
- Renewable Energy
- Emissions Trading
- Energy Efficiency
- Energy Technology
JEAN-MICHEL GLACHANT - Holder of the Loyola de Palacio Chair; Director of the Florence School of Regulation, European University Institute, Florence
NICOLE AHNER - Scienti?c Coordinator of the Loyola de Palacio Chair; Research Assistant at the Florence School of Regulation, European University Institute, Florence
Inge Bernaerts
Pierre Bernard
Christopher Burghardt
Jos Delbeke
Isabelle Fellrath
Dörte Fouquet
Celine Gauer
Jean-Michel Glachant
Leigh Hancher
Peter Kaderjak
Lars Kjølby
Nicola Pesaresi
Francesco Salerno
Catherine Sikow-Magny


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Drink between: 2012 - 2019 (Add My Dates)
40 Tasting Notes
333 Tasting Notes
161 Tasting Notes
Pale yellow color. Lovely nose of sea salt, crushed chalk, quince and lime. Medium bodied, tangy acid. Dry and mineral-driven, but I like the pulpy tropical notes, like pineapple and kumquat drizzled with honey. Lots of sea salt and chalk dust notes though, along with hints of white tea and mussel shells that come out with time. Even more expressive on day two. Still going strong, still lively, a delicious wine.
Ah, back to France! Though its sensual mid-palate certainly commands attention, delicacy and subtlety predominate in this Savennieres.
A soft yellowish-blond hue, with a nose that recalls ripe winter pears, honey and beeswax. On the palate, a minor tang of chamomile, with a creamy and polished mouthfeel, resolving to a light-but-lingering note of cinnamon on the finish.
Its acid has softened to reveal a tantalizingly refreshing and calming wine. For those who would wish for even more honey and wax, and other possible secondary notes, I suspect this one would continue to age well. We had this alongside baked salmon dressed with dill, and it was a continual delight!
I'll keep half of this for tomorrow when I sear some lamb chops to go with something or other... This will get me ready for dinner. Maybe deglaze the pan if I run out of cognac....
Last bottle, looking forward to a big tasty glass of Loire wonderfulness.
Drinking beautifully and consistently with my previous notes.
Brown Bag Wine Dinner @ Two Chefs - All White (TWO CHEFS, MIAMI, FL): - Yellow color with fast forming legs. It's in total harmony with a medium body. Bright texture with a medium finish - Al's wine.


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Home > Mumbai Restaurants > South Mumbai > Nariman Point Restaurants > Fenix, The Oberoi
12 Reviews / 13 Ratings
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April 30,2015
Multicuisines at its best
Fenix is one of the in-house restaurants of Oberoi Hotel,. Serves multicuisine like Mexican Indian and Oriental. Ambiance is very nice and place is spacious. Food menu is costly and advisable only if you have deep pockets.The food is delicious and tickles your taste buds. Their spread for the buffet is simply amazing. All the ingredients used were of high quality and all the dishes were spiced just right.
April 30,2015
Open restaurant
My favourite among all all day dining restaurants in Mumbai. It is an open restaurant located at lobby level. The interiors are well designed with lighting very well done with systematically placed lamps and white light. It has lovely ambience cushioned seating The menu offers multiple cuisines including Indian, Italian, Asian, Japanese and Continental. The beetroot galouti and dahi kebab were definitely different from what you would find in most place. Overall Fenix is a class apart and I enjoy eating here again and again.
April 18,2015
Brunching Place
This is the best Sunday brunch place. Its a place where they are serving real authentic champagne, deliciously flavored sushis, wide variety of multiple cucines and the immaculate ambience. The service is impeccable. And not to forget their signature dishes -, Gnocchi Arrabiata and Homemade Spaghetti. Both are simply amazing. The servers are happy to help and good with recommendation.Fenix appears to be a great option for people wanting a variety of cuisine.
February 12,2014
smashing brunch
We came here for our anniversary dinner and we loved it. It is posh and low key at the same time. Moët is overflowing while you select from a sushi selection and a la carte choices. Bread crusted sea bass is the biggest fish surprise and could be the best fish taste ever... Parsi style sweet-sour prawns and garlic naan was a nice Indian choice. Beef tenderloin was nice but unfortunately not medium cooked. But we sure enjoyed Bond martini and Fenix Cosmo! Try to book a window seats for a splendid view.
Only for anorexic models
Went there yesterday. Order thai curry with rice. The curry was okay but the rice accompanying it was only half a cup, maybe enough for a 2 year old baby. Certainly not enough for the curry. So ordered some more rice and again was given half a cup and was charged 60% of the dish.
Also ordered Nasi Goreng (Indonesian fried rice) When the dish came it was less than the half cup of the thai rice. It was mostly filled with prawns and eggs. I could literally count the grains of rice. The satay which accompanied it was thai style with coconut. (Indonesians don't use coconut in their satay). Obviously confused cooks.
Nasi Goreng is on practically every 5 star menu around asia. This is the most disgusting version i have even eaten. If you are anorexic or on a high protein diet then maybe you might be happy.
August 31, 2011response from management at Fenix, The Oberoi:
Dear Nellnab,
Thank you for your honest feedback; we appreciate your taking the time to share it. I understand that our F&B Manager has called you to receive further feedback over the phone. Your input has been shared with our entire team and we do look forward to serving you again, keeping your comments in mind.
Warm regards,
The Oberoi, Mumbai
December 25,2010
Firebird Fizz
My comeback tour of restaurants and hotels involved in the 26/11 attacks continues: first it was Souk, and now Fenix. And what a comeback it is for this restaurant...
Tiffin (RIP) was a landmark in old Mumbai; an understated and chic eatery which was always consistent in everything it did. And Fenix seems to be just the same.
The new interiors exude class, and the staff possess an authoritative style, which is distinctly lacking in other establishments of a similar star rating.
Top tip: come early for the Sunday brunch and pace yourselves out with a party of friends who you have not seen for a while. Then gently work your way through the menu (over a glass of Bollinger) and decide where exactly the best place would be to start.
Yes, I admit, the brunch is double the cost of other brunches; however, you can't put a price on the extras that you get here. One big difference is that the majority of dishes are à la carte and not on a buffet table.
Linger over the breakfast items - the poached egg on potato rosti was ordered twice by this reviewer it was so good ;o) The Martini menu was particularly interesting too with its unusual mix of elements.
The firebird of the Oberoi has most definitely risen from the flames to become something even better than it was before. Something that at one point you would hardly think possible...
April 20, 2011response from management at Fenix, The Oberoi:
Dear MumbaiMoo,
We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your recent experience at Fenix! We hope to see you again - and regularly - at the restaurant.
Warm regards,
The Oberoi, Mumbai
December 23,2010
New name, but still the same
Welcome back, guys. Nice to see you up and running. brought up a tear when I was there recently.
Except for the name - nothing has changed. Service is top notch, food is delightful and the warmth is all pervading.
Had gone there with my kiddo for sushi, and the range has increased manifold. Chef Rueben does a great job with the Chef's maki rolls, and the sashimi and sushi are excellent as well. It maybe expensive, but clearly worth it.
April 20, 2011response from management at Fenix, The Oberoi:
Dear XNTrix,
That's exactly what we were hoping for - that our guests would not feel any change at Fenix, beyond the name. We are so glad that you enjoyed your recent experience with us. Please do come back!
Warm regards,
The Oberoi, Mumbai
July 25,2010
The Fenix @ Oberoi has Risen Again!
Welcome back Oberoi! Fenix (formally Tiffin) has come back to life better than ever! The Sunday Brunch with Bollinger champagne is wonderful as all alacarte items are made fresh to order rather than sitting in pans in the restaurant like Four Seasons or Taj.
Sushi selection at night is also plentiful with over 80 types of sushi. The American type burger was wonderful, must have been influenced by that American GM there and the Indian cusine was also fresh and excellent.
August 19,2009
Perfect !
By far my favourite place to hang out have a drink and some sushi. The lighting seating is perfect !!! and its never too crowded too. the menu has a good range of dishes no masterpieces but are good. it is expensive but then again not a final destination more a meeting point. . If you want ambience then Tiffin is PERFECT !!!
April 20, 2011response from management at Fenix, The Oberoi:
Dear Bombayfoodie,
We are so glad that you enjoyed Tiffin. We hope you have been able to return to the hotel, and to the restaurant, now in its new avatar, as Fenix. If you haven't as yet, we would be delighted to see you very soon.
Warm regards,
The Oberoi, Mumbai
Im a very harsh critic when it comes to restaurants. I expect only the best and don't mind paying for it. Tiffin and its sister restaurant, Vetro, were by far the best gastronomic experiences in Mumbai. Destroyed in the terrorist attacks, these were icons of great cooking, perfect service and simple, wholesome food.
Saluté. My only 5 star rating on this website.
April 20, 2011response from management at Fenix, The Oberoi:
Dear Babson,
We hope you have been able to visit Fenix (the new avatar of Tiffin) and Vetro since we re-opened The Oberoi, Mumbai in April of last year. We would be delighted to welcome you back.
Warm regards,
The Oberoi, Mumbai
August 04,2007
Have Brunch at Tiffin Once before you Die!
Well I have brunched in many cities across the world...and hands down Tiffin gets the right formula......great basic sushi, oyesters, bloody mary's and champagne and an assortment of hot dishes. I try to make it out here every couple of weeks...my mouth is watering as I wrote this review.....thank god I am going to tiffin tomorrow...if I die I will be at ease
April 20, 2011response from management at Fenix, The Oberoi:
Dear Lokesh,
We do hope you have returned to the hotel since we re-opened in April 2010, and have had a chance to brunch at Fenix. Trust us - it is bigger and better than ever!
Warm regards,
The Oberoi, Mumbai
zeus Unwalla, Media. CNBC Web18 - Channel Head
April 07,2007
great place to go to eat some sushi..
the new zealand lamb shank is absolutely fantastic.
the pork with meso is also excellent..
nice couchy seating.. attentive staff (well they better be... its the Oberoi)
a bit expensive if you drink.. but a good experience..
April 20, 2011response from management at Fenix, The Oberoi:
Dear Zeusunwalla,
You're absolutely right - Fenix is a wonderful place for sushi! The rest of the menu is also worth the visit. We hope you have dined with us again, since we've re-opened.
Warm regards,
The Oberoi, Mumbai
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California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress
Signed into law on October 2, 2013, AB 484 (Bonilla) established the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) assessment system. The CAASPP system replaces the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program.
The primary purpose of the CAASPP system is to assist teachers, administrators, and pupils and their parents by promoting high-quality teaching and learning through the use of a variety of assessment approaches and item types. The CAASPP will be implemented over multiple school years by the California Department of Education.
For the 2014-15 school year, CAASPP is comprised of the following:
Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) Computer-based Assessments
- Grades 3-8 and 11,
- English-language Arts and Mathematics tests, each with
- Computer Adaptive Test (CAT)* section and
- Performance Task (PT)** section
Grade-level Paper-based Science Assessment
- Grades 5, 8, and 10
- California Standards Test (CST), or
- If specified in student IEP, California Modified Assessment (CMA) or California Alternate Performance Assessment (CAPA)
Field Test of new California Alternate Assessment
- Grades 3-8 and 11,
- English-language Arts and Mathematics tests
*CAT: Computer Adaptive Test, where the computer presents more/less difficult items based on student response to previous items for a more precise measurement of student achievement
**PT: Performance Task, assessment comprised of series of constructed response and/or essay items related to a single task or topic. SBAC PTs are preceded by a 30-minute classroom activity.
2015 CAASPP Assessments - Revised Blueprints!
SBAC Practice Test Basics
2014-15 CAASPP Testing Windows
SBAC ELA and Math CST/CMA/CAPA Science
Grades 3-8: March 4 - May 22 Grades 5/8/10: April 9 - May 12
Grade 11: April 15 - May 22
CAA ELA and Math
Grades 3-8 & 11: April 15 - June 4
SBAC Practice Calculators (Grades 6-8, 11)


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Sunday, July 29, 2012
Ride Well Tour, a cycling campaign to raise money and awareness for clean water in Africa, will be in Pawleys Island this Sunday.
The money collected supports Blood: Water Mission, raising funds for the provision of clean blood and clean water in sub-Saharan Africa.
The mission was started in 2005 by the Contemporary Christian group Jars of Clay.
Sub-Saharan Africans must hike several miles just for a drink of water. The average distance that women and children in developing countries walk to collect water per day is 4 miles.
The average weight that they carry on their head is approximately 44 pounds. Over 40 billion work hours are lost every year in Africa to the need of fetching clean drinking water.
In order to better understand their plight, a water walk will be held in Pawleys Island on Sunday. It will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the parking lot of Pawleys Island Community Church.
Participants are asked to bring milk jugs or other containers that will be filled with water and carried one mile to experience the daily life of a Sub-Saharan African.
There is a suggested donation of $15.
For further details, visit the Website ridewelltour.org.
South Strand News is pleased to offer readers the enhanced ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. We do not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not South Strand News.
If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website. Read our full terms and conditions.
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The Bending Branches Angler Pro Max 5 Telescoping Kayak Paddle in Real Tree Camo was designed by kayak anglers, for kayak fishing. Length adjustment makes this paddle just as comfortable...Continue Reading
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SUNRISE, Fla. — The Bruins' brass arrived in Florida with a team that was a few tweaks away from contending again. They leave it with a better chance at getting 2016 top prospect Auston Matthews than the Stanley Cup.
What's done is done, however, and Bruins fans have no choice but to proceed hoping the front office knows what it's doing.
(For reaction to Friday's moves, click here, here and here.)
Here are 10 thoughts with the draft in the books:
– The fact that the Bruins used 10 of the 11 picks that they had after Friday's trades means they either see this team's return to glory as a long-term project or that their plans to turn those picks into something else failed. It might be more the latter than the former. The B's insist they were aggressive in their efforts to get into the top 10 to take Noah Hanifin, Ivan Provorov or Zach Werenski.
– If there's an "other shoe to drop" in order for the Bruins to ice a Cup-contending roster next season, you'd have to figure it will be extremely difficult to execute now. It's abundantly clear that the Bruins need to make moves to save the immediate future, so trade partners will be wise to up their prices just like they did when Peter Chiarelli's job was on the line.
– Speaking of Chiarelli, the moves that the B's made might have been avoided if Neely fired Chiarelli during the season and sold off parts then. Carl Soderberg could have fetched the B's a first-round pick at the trade deadline, which the Bruins hypothetically could have used to get into the top 10. At the very least, it would have allowed the Bruins to seek young players for someone like Hamilton rather than just taking picks.
Of course, the performance of Boston's front office on Friday might leave some Bruins fans regretting ever wanting the B's to can Chiarelli.
– The Bruins have expressed mild interest in Ducks winger Matt Beleskey, who will become an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday. Beleskey is 27 and had the first solid year of his career by hitting the 20-goal mark for the first time. He will be paid well given how weak this free agent class is. The guess here is he isn't a fit with the B's.
– With Sweeney now serving as general manager, Jay Pandolfo will run the Bruins' development camp. Sweeney first organized the now annual prospects camp in July 2007. The B's hired Pandolfo as a development coach last August.
– With Milan Lucic gone, Brad Marchand is the only impact player at left wing guaranteed to be in Boston going forward. He'll be joined by Loui Eriksson if Boston keeps the veteran left-shot right wing and flips him to the other side, but Eriksson is an obvious choice to be dealt now. The 29-year-old will be a free agent after the coming season and the Bruins are not a contender as currently constituted. The Bruins are officially at the 'trade the good players' stage, and they should be willing to listen on anybody.
(Say this for the Bruins: At least they've got some prospects at wing now, and they need it. The NHL roster remains overflowing with right wings, but the Jake DeBrusk pick could give the Bruins the first left wing they've developed since 2006 draftees Lucic and Marchand. As for perceived first-round reach Zachary Senyshyn, assistant general manager Scott Bradley said the skilled right wing was ranked low by evaluators because he played on the fourth line of a loaded OHL team in Sault Ste. Marie.)
– With the Bruins now hard-pressed for NHL defensemen, they should actually keep Dennis Seidenberg and take him into the season. He will almost certainly be better than he was last year coming off knee surgery, so the veteran blueliner could re-establish his trade value and be a sellable piece at the trade deadline. Seidenberg turns 34 on July 18 and is entering the second year of a four-year deal worth $4 million annually.
– On the subject of defense, you've got to wonder what this all means for Kevan Miller. The 27-year-old carries a light cap hit of $800,000, but he is now part of a large group of players fighting for a spot on the bottom of Boston's roster. The right-shot Miller figured to be an obvious replacement for Adam McQuaid before the B's re-upped the veteran bottom-pairing defenseman for four years in a head-scratching move.
– Perhaps the most interesting addition to the Bruins over the weekend is goaltender Martin Jones, whom the Bruins received in the Lucic trade. Jones is a 25-year-old goaltender who might feel his days as a backup should be over after two years of playing behind Jonathan Quick in Los Angeles. Former NHL goaltender Patrick Lalime says he's legit.
The 6-foot-4, 187-pound goalie is unsigned and will become a restricted free agent on Wednesday. He joins a very deep group of goalies in Boston's organization with Tuukka Rask, Malcolm Subban and Zane McIntyre.
If he's willing, Jones would make a splendid backup with the Bruins, who lost faith in a budget option in Niklas Svedberg last season. Time will tell if he's willing to do that.
– After the trades of Hamilton and Lucic (including $2.75 million retained on Lucic) and the signing of McQuaid, the Bruins leave the draft with $55,341,667 committed to 16 players (not counting Marc Savard) with Brett Connolly and Ryan Spooner unsigned and plenty of cheap young players (Joe Morrow among them) also figuring to make the NHL roster. The salary cap's upper limit it $71.4 million.


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Delores "Dee" Jean Rember was born May 2, 1942 in Atoka to Elgin Elmore and Flossie Mae (Pool) King. She passed from this life July 20, 2011 in Sherman, TX., at the age of 69. Dee married Frank Rember June 17, 1961 in Antlers. She lived in this area her entire life except from 1961 to 1976 when she was Frank's navy wife. She enjoyed socializing on Facebook, playing bingo and, in her earlier years, playing basketball. She also enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, friends and family. Dee was preceded in death by her father: Elgin King; brother: Freddie King; grandmothers: Alice Gabbart and Elizabeth (Ivy) King; grandfathers: Fred "Pappa" Gabbart, Arthur Pool, and William King. She is survived by her mother: Flossie King of Antlers; husband: Frank of the home; children: Bill Rember & wife Karla of Stillwater, Dewy Rember & wife Amy of Atoka, and Doug Rember & wife Ramona of Leesburg, VA; grandchildren: Ashleigh of Westerly, RI, Brandon of Leesburg, VA, Zachary of Fairfax, VA, Bailey of Leesburg, VA, Andrew of Stillwater, Victoria of Stillwater, Blake of Atoka, Sydney of Atoka, Mattie of Atoka; brothers: Douglas King of Farris, Thomas King of Elmore City, Terry King of Calera, and Jerry King of Hartshorne; sisters: Linda Martin of Midland, TX, Tonya Hoskins of Roswell, NM, Alice Campbell of Calera and Vickie Yerta of Clayton; numerous nieces and nephews; as well as many other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 23, 2011 at the Antlers First Baptist Church with Reverend Bob Childers officiating. Musical selections included: "I Did It My Way," "Sissy's Song," "Peace in the Valley" and "Island in the Stream." Pallbearers included: Ken Rember, Blake Rember, Andy Rember, Will Rember, Perry Eskue, Chris Eskue, Brent Rucker and John Duncan. Honorary pallbearers were: Al Eskue, Ronnie Hammons, Donnie Hammons, Johnny Mack Smith, Jerry Nored, Marion Akins and Pete Puckett. Interment followed at the Jumbo Cemetery in Jumbo. Family and friends may send online condolences at www.millscoffey.com [1].
Funeral services conducted by Mills & Coffey Funeral Home in Antlers.
[1] http://www.millscoffey.com


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Thu June 20, 2013
TV Time Machine
By editor
Originally published on Fri June 21, 2013 8:03 am
How well do you know your television history? In 1926, NBC was created as a radio network, moved toward television in the thirties, then aired Today, followed by The Tonight Show and eventually, Saturday Night Live. We're sure other important things happened in between. In this game, host Ophira Eisenberg offers up the names of three similar-sounding TV show titles, and you have to put them in chronological order.
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2014 (Junior): Played in and started all 12 games at right tackle for Lamar … Helped produce the school's all-time top quarterback in terms of completions, passing yards, yards of total offense and touchdown passes … Blocked for an offense that finished the year ranked fifth nationally in total offense (503 ypg), seventh in passing (314.3 ypg) and eighth in scoring (39.6 ppg).
2013 (Sophomore): Played in and started all 12 games last season at left tackle ... A key figure in one of the best offenses in school history ... Protected quarterback Caleb Berry during his record-setting season ... Also helped produce the Southland Freshman of the Year in running back Kade Harrington.
2012: Appeared in nine games as a redshirt freshman, picking up six starts ... Played primarily at left tackle and showed great strides after spending a season as a redshirt ... Graded at 80 percent for the season.
2011: Redshirted
High School: First-Team All-District 21-5A as a junior and senior ... Helped West Brook HS to an undefeated district title in 2009 and a 2-1 playoff record ... As a senior, Bruins finished with a 7-3 regular season record and advanced to the second round of the playoffs ... Was twice named to the Port Arthur News Super Team and was a 2010 second-team selection on the Beaumont Enterprise Super Gold Team ... Named to the Dave Campbell Preseason All-State Team prior to senior season ... Blocked for quarterback Bruce Reyes who was named District 21-5A MVP in 2010.
Personal: Justin Brock was born on Jan. 22, 1993 ... Son of Donald Brock and Shekeitha Taylor ... Major is kinesiology.
Five preseason honorees tie a record for most LU players honored since return of football
Young, talented squad returns three of five starters from last season
LU return specialists notches second-team recognition
Reggie Begelton and Kevin Johnson land first-team honors
Junior Kyle Gillam will start at center for the Cards for the third straight year
(BEAUMONT, TX) The Big Red SN Guys, Jordan and Wesley, deliver their last Chalk Talk of the season - recapping the big win over #17 McNeese State 27-24 and the season as a whole.
The Lamar Cardinals (7-4 OVR) (4-3 SLC) head to Cowboy Stadium in Lake Charles, LA to compete against McNeese State (6-4 OVR) (4-3 SLC) in their final game of the season. Game time is slated for 6PM.
(BEAUMONT, TX) The Lamar Cardinals take home the close win over Incarnate Word with a final score of 20-31. Lamar had yet another record breaking game when Mark Roberts became the first player in Lamar history to record 1,000 receiving yards.
The Cardinals will travel next week to McNeese to take on the Cowboys.
(BEAUMONT, TX); The Lamar Cardinals are set to take on the University of Incarnate Word Cardinals in the Big Red's final home game. It is also senior night for the Cards, and there will be a ceremony before the game honoring them individually.
Game is slated for 7PM at Provost-Umphrey Stadium and online at www.bigredsn.com


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Topics :: LGBT
1 thru 10 of 57 Stories
On National LGBT Health Awareness Week, Inequality Persists
It's National LGBT Health Awareness Week, but inequalities in health care still persist, say Cindy Leiffer, MSN, NP.
LGBT Women Are Among Most at Risk of Poverty in America
According to a new report, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender, or LGBT, women are among the most at risk of poverty in America.
LA's Joyce Baron Holds "Kiss and Tell" Dating Event
On Sunday, February 8 in Los Angeles, blogger, writer and social entrepreneur Jayce Baron brings the first Kiss and Tell LGBT Dating and Relationship event to Downtown Independent in Los Angeles.
Nat'l LGBT Cancer Network Goes 'Behind Closed Drawers' on Anal Cancer
The National LGBT Cancer Network has launched Behind Closed Drawers, a national campaign to raise funds and awareness for anal cancer prevention.
Anti-Gay Laws Lead to High LGBT Poverty
LGBT Americans face an unfair financial burden, thanks to anti-gay laws, reveals a landmark report.
EDGE Editors Honor Our LGBT Heroes
In honor of Pride Month, EDGE editors were asked to profile their favorite unsung heroes of the LGBT community.
HHC Launches First LGBT Health Clinic, in Harlem
On June 5, HHCs Metropolitan Hospital Center in East Harlem opened its new LGBT Health Center, which aims to better serve and remove barriers to care for New York City's LGBT populations.
Lea DeLaria Performs at Mazzoni Center's "Elixir" Event
On May 17, Philadelphia's LGBT community will gather at the Wells Fargo Bank and Museum in Center City for the Mazzoni Center's "Elixir" event, their annual celebration and fundraiser featuring performer Lea DeLaria
Wells Fargo Installs LGBT Mural in Chelsea, Donates to ASOs
With their recent donation to GMHC and LGBT history mural in their Chelsea location, Wells Fargo is investing in New York City communities.
Israel City Unveils Gay Holocaust Victims Memorial
Israel's cultural and financial capital unveiled a memorial Friday honoring gays and lesbians persecuted by the Nazis, the first specific recognition in Israel for non-Jewish victims of the Holocaust.
1 thru 10 of 57 Stories


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We anonymously and honorably support over 350 families, one person at a time. Our goal is support and extend these services to as many as 1000 needy families in Los Angeles and around the world. With your help, we can make the world an easier place for many people.
Through the charitable donations of our community, we distribute clothes, food, money for rent, bills, moving costs, day school tuitions, car, clothing, furniture, toys, health and beauty supplies any any other needed services to those who cannot help themselves. We receive and pick up donations from individuals and organizations such as caterers and restaurants and later distribute these donations to the families and individuals that need them. When it comes to services we connect those in need, with doctors, lawyers, dentists, etc, who donate their time and experience pro-bono, to help those who otherwise would not be able to afford these basic services. For a full list of the services provided click here.
Your help means everything to us. It is individuals like you that are the heartbeat of our organization. We accept all kinds of donations and any help will always be gratefully appreciated. Monetary donations are always best, as it can be transformed into whatever our families need. However as mentioned before, furniture, cars, toys, clothing, health and beauty supplies, appliances, etc are always welcomed.
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Whatever contribution you can make will make a world of difference. To donate and show your support, please click on the "donate now" link above and you will be directed to our donation page. If you would like to donate your time and services, please contact Yaelle or Nouriel directly via email or phone.
Thank you for supporting Global Kindness. We invite you to continue navigating our site and learn more about our organization, what we do, and how you can help.


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MV Skincare comes to the UK this month
My favourite London beauty boutique Content Beauty/Wellbeing is about to become the first stockist of Australian range MV Skincare. Beauty experts like Bethan Cole and Nichola Joss endorse the brand and I'm keen to try it once I'm back to the real world as it's apparently great for sensitive skin. I have skin that gets inflamed and red at the mere thought of the elements or lesser products.
It seems that Australia is exporting its beautywares more and more to the UK and beyond. Furthermore, it seems to be seriously nudging its way into the natural/organic beauty market. Kuush, Invisible Zinc, Grow and now MV Skincare. Well done down under.


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Hotels in 78622 - Fentress TX
Only hotels in 78622 zip code are listed below. Search for cheap and discount hotel rates in Fentress, TX for your upcoming leisure or conference / group travel. We list the best 78622 hotels and motels so you can review the Fentress hotel list below to find the perfect lodging. Hotels in Caldwell county and area code 512 are also listed.
78622 Hotels, Motels & Accommodations
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|26 posts found
Elite Member
Joined: 7/05/12
Those who ask a question, are stupid for 30 seconds. Those who never ask, are stupid for life.
Was recently reading: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/09/12/training-simulation-mass-killers-often-share-obsession-with-violent-video-games/
And it got me thinking. Unlike singleplayer RPGs, like Deus Ex, Skyrim and what not. MMORPGs never let you go the peaceful route. Its always kill kill kill, or supply equipment for people to kill kill kill.
Deus Ex, you can stealth past all content without a single death. Skyrim you don't need to fight at all (and there are play throughs of that).
However, MMOs, seem to be stuck in the primitive past of killing. And I'm sure many killers in the above link probably played MMOs, like WoW and what not. And then there is of course MMOFPS games like Planetside...those are very bloody and violent, more so than even a regular FPS.
The only genre I can think of that has no issues with training killers or making people violent are MMORTS games, but those are rare. Likewise the whole strategy genre is filled with peaceful people, that while, yes, there is killing, it isn't nearly as violent (in most cases, except Warhammer is super violent).
I think MMOs need to catch up to the times, and offer peaceful routes that have no relation to violence. And that probably means being able to stealth through content like in Deus Ex, or be able to beat quests/dungeons peacefully like in Skyrim. As they are, again, stuck in the primitive past of killing. And mass murderers thrive off this, as sort of said in that news article.
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Novice Member
Joined: 7/29/11
Alea iacta est, beloved Doomsayers.
MMO's require A LOT of content to keep people interested. Way more than you'll ever find in games like Skyrim or Deus Ex. Whilst that content might not be as well made, that's a sacrifice that has to be made.
Multi-approach levels require a massive amount of level design that you simply cannot afford to allocate staff to. MMOs are usually much more expensive compared to singleplayer games since MMOs are made to last and hence requires a massive amount movie and time invested in it.
Not to mention the fact that min-maxers would most likely go with the friendly approach. Using conversational options to avoid combat and finish quests just to finish them. And most people who create alts don't do it because they feel like redoing all the content but because they want to play that class. They too would go with the quickest route available, most people would. MMOs are never as fun in regards of gameplay and storytelling as singleplayer games, so all of those choices you were talking about do not make sense. If people want that they'd play games made around that idea. Co op or Singleplayer games.
Apprentice Member
Joined: 4/10/12
not enough violence in MMO's. not even close to realistic levels. actually, most dont even feature blood.
but i understand what you mean about killing, killing and more killing. the only other things are crafting, gathering and exploring. thing u have to understand about most MMO's is they deal with this fantasy/medieval era when in fact people mostly just killed each other for territory and thrones.
Originally posted by asrlohz
That can be changed with F2P. No one says you need to keep players for years to make money.
I finished the story content of Marvel Heroes. It took me 30 hours. It works for them.
Novice Member
Joined: 7/29/11
Alea iacta est, beloved Doomsayers.
Originally posted by nariusseldon
Don't be silly. Of course you don't need to keep players for years to make money. Cowclickers wouldn't exist if that was true. But MMO's are social games. They rely on people staying for a longer period of time. It's more profitable to have a loyal playerbase and some nomads rather than having whales come in and spend tons of money just to stop playing it. That's not healthy for a MMO.
Originally posted by asrlohz
They don't have to. Typical F2P MMO retention is what ... 3-4 months? So MMO has already changed enough to account for players staying for a few months only. WHo says they cannot change further to further reduce the length of stay needed.
And i don't view MMO as social games, and i don't play them as such. Given the popularity of solo-centric design, and LFD, i doubt many players play MMOs for socials.
Elite Member
Joined: 7/05/12
Those who ask a question, are stupid for 30 seconds. Those who never ask, are stupid for life.
Originally posted by umie214
Yes, that is kinda the point of this post right there. Crafting is only good in sandbox games, useless in themeparks. Literally, at least in WoW...blacksmithing was so useless. Every armor/weapon I made I got better in a dungeon.
The only things that were useful that were really hard to get in the game world, was probably jewelcrafting, alchemy...umm...enchanting I think it was? And tailoring was kinda a fun one since cloth items were sorta hard to get and linen/wool was so easy to get.
However...housing...this is probably the best anti-killing thing an MMO can put in. Sadly, a lot of MMOs do away with this and most are instanced. The best instanced housing is probably EQ2 (does EQ have it?).
But the best housing system by far was UO...building the house brick by brick. And SWG comes in at 2nd.
But why don't MMOs let you stealth through dungeons and quests? This could be a great solution to more variety. You can kill through a dungeon, and that probably be easier. Or you can be sneaky and stealth through it to the end. Or other peaceful approaches?
Advanced Member
Joined: 3/05/07
IMO.. We do have a problem not only with gaming in general, but TV and movies as well.. Most are very graphic and it's a fact the mind can be desensitized if exposed to certain content long enough.. Everyone is different, so that "red line" of what is too much is very subjective.. But it is there, make no mistake about that..
Elite Member
Joined: 6/03/09
Is this post for real?
Seriously OP if it bothers you go play Hello Kitty Online.
Apprentice Member
Joined: 11/22/05
I don't think the violence we have is too much, but I agree more options than what will you kill today would make a better game.
No. The whole point of many games is to give player faked violence.
Bitter Vet™
Joined: 9/13/06
Fools find no pleasure in understanding, but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
I wouldn't mind MMO's having ways to complete content outside of killing, in addition to stealthing, perhaps a player could negotiate their way past the Orcs, maybe by helping them build their village and then going peacefully through their lands rather and slashing and burning.
Not sure this could work 100% of the time, perhaps, but might be a lot of work that caters to only a smaller player base.
You mentioned player housing, and truthfully, I understand that some people enjoy it, but in my case I can completely leave it out of my games. I own a real house, not interested in an in game one.
I'm playing a DAOC shard, and I have houses there, but only because they offer me specific functionality such as extra vault space or bind stones, otherwise I don't spend a gold piece to decorate them in any way, bare walls everywhere you look.
Others of course go all out setting up their virtual homes, but I think MMO devs have decided (right or wrong) that the majority of the player base can live without player housing (blame WOW for that, look at its popularity despite not having it) so it remains a niche feature that won't always be provided.
In my day MMORPG's were so hard we fought our way through dungeons in the snow, uphill both ways.
Novice Member
Joined: 3/02/08
Originally posted by Kyleran
I agree with this even though I'm not a big carer of housing in MMOs,I am a big fan of variety in MMOs including alternative solutions to quests than killing.However I do recognize without instancing everything implementing such variety could be too time consuming and complex to be financially worth it.
As too the larger question of is there too much violence in media?I would say there is plenty of non violent media to consume out there if you want...the choice is entirely up tot he consumer.Video game Specific there has been there has been a plethoria of non violent games released in the last few years particularly in the indie scene.
Also I can't believe the basis of this thread is a Fox News report...you can never take any major news channel report at face value anymore you have to ask what political agenda they are pushing with it.
Originally posted by TheScavenger
The problem with stealth is that network issues, any network issues, are going to become very, very apparent and problematic. Other peaceful approaches are difficult because they can vary so much in both approach and potential results that it would be hard to really design them in a way that would please most people. For better or worse, combat is fairly easy to design and has consistent results, making it an effective solution for MMOs. Oftentimes, it's also the only effective, and cost efficient, solution available to the devs; sandbox games have a little more leeway, but the only real way to get other effective solutions is to make it so most conflicts are player vs player, like EVE, rather than player vs NPC.
Elite Member
Joined: 8/13/09
"It is double pleasure to deceive the deceiver". - Niccolo Machiavelli
Originally posted by asrlohz
mmos have the potential to work the same way as a great single player game when it comes to features. Do not use the "sacrifices to be made because its an mmo" in order to accept mediocre games. Not only they cost more to make, but they generate a lot more money than single player games. These big companies have the resources (and the technology) to evolve the mmo genre. I do not disagree with you on your post, only on that part about the sacrifice. That was understandable years ago when mmos couldnt have many features because technology couldnt handle it. THose times are long gone. COmpanies who still stick to " its an mmo so we have to sacrifice features in order to do this and that" shouldnt be developing mmos because they are the ones preventing the genre from evolving. My personal opinion.
Originally posted by rojo6934
Where the sacrifice comes is the fact that a larger audience means that a lot of things that work very well in a single player game simply don't work as well, if at all, in an MMO. You can't rely on the technology on the user's end to be up to par to effectively support anything that will require a solid, consistent, and potentially hefty network connection, and you can rely even less on getting thousands of people to agree on what qualifes as good alternatives to combat (or good content/features in general). If the sacrifices were purely tech based on the developer's side of things, I could see your argument, but they go into the root design of the games and how they are delivered that cannot be completely ignored. Designing content for thousands of concurrent users talking over what is still a potentially unreliable network for many creates challenges that other types of games simply don't have. The best company in the world can't effectively eliminate factors beyond their control, and MMO developers have to deal with a lot of such issues as well as having to find a way to please thousands of people without offending anyone overly much. The budgets maybe larger, but they don't scale up as quickly or as much as the additional inherent challenges that come with dev created content. This means that compared to single player games, MMOs are always going to lack in the areas of story, features, and overall customization of gameplay when the focus is on dev created content. MMOs can shine in other areas, especially player driven and/or created content, but they do not the potential to work as a great single player game for very long because the development of them has to deal with completely different issues.
Originally posted by sunshadow21
they do not the potential to work as a great single player game for very long because the development of them has to deal with completely different issues.
They don't need to. SP games don't last very long anyway. Just have a short, good quality piece of SP content.
Originally posted by nariusseldon
That's great, for the first wave, and even the second wave of such games can do tolerably well, but then you run into the problem with later waves that the first games are still around, creating competition and expectations that the newer games have a tremendous amount of difficulty overcoming, something that is not an issue with single player games. This is the piece of the puzzle that so many people don't understand. MMO's don't usually die even if they are designed to be a short experience, and you can only have so many of the same type of game being supported at once before they all lose their appeal. You simply cannot treat MMOs the same way as you do single player games without creating a massive glut of similar games that are all competing directly with each other, and in the end, cannabalizing each other. I get that you and much of the current market likes MMOs that pretend to be single player games, but it's not sustainable, and it's certainly not going to lead to better stories and mechanics in MMOs because the companies that make them are not going to tolerate ten million dollar budgets for what is basically a throwaway single player game.
Heck, your approach doesn't even work all that well in single player games. Almost all of the popular single player games are heavily modable, allowing players to create their own content after playing through what is often a lackluster official campaign. Devs of any game simply cannot create enough content on their own to satisfy the ravenous horde of content locusts, and the locusts are going to continue stripping down anything of value before moving on, leaving nothing behind for either themselves or the devs to work with for the next game.
In the end, the noncombat options and activities are the first to disappear, as they have already in most post WoW themeparks. They cost more money, and they are less likely to be used by a vast majority of the players, making them a poor investment. We're starting to see a counter reaction to this, and it will only grow larger as more people get tired of the "play it and forget it" mechanics so common today.
Originally posted by sunshadow21
May be .. 2 points.
1) I don't actually particularly care if this is sustainable. Entertainment changes all the time. I am playing ipad today and the ipad did not even exist 5 years ago. Who knows what entertainment will look like in the long run? The important thing (to me) is that they are available now, i pretty much use entertainment as i see fit.
2) You can 100% predict the future. It may be sustainable. Old MMOs may close faster (instead of 10 years, may be only 2) and give waves to new ones. Who knows?
Apprentice Member
Joined: 6/06/13
"I've forgotten more about combat than you'll ever know!" Captain America
You want the short answer... No!
There's a line from an INXS song and it says, "When its bad, it ain't bad enough!!"
Food for thought...