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By RICHARD SHAWSun Advocate publisher
When people talk about the American dream they often include in that dream having a great job they love, owning a home, having a family and owning their own business.
That last one, owning their own business, comes in many forms. Some people inherit businesses either from family or from associates. Some start from scratch and create their own path.
And still, many more buy a franchise.
Franchises are a way of getting into business that requires one to evaluate what another has done and see if it fits their idea of what a business should be. Putting money and time into a franchise however, can be just as risky as putting those same investments into one's own invention.
Kerry and Frankie Jensen started looking into business opportunities about 12 years ago when Kerry ended up out of work as a coal miner.
"No one was hiring, and the only way I could have found work with someone else was to move and I didn't want to do that," said Mr. Jensen. "I looked around and saw a need and did some research. In February of 2001 we bought the ServiceMaster Franchise for this area."
What a franchise offers
Imagine yourself in a wilderness where few people have gone before. You roam around trying to find all the staples you will need to sustain life. You need shelter, food and water. You have little idea of where these things are, other than through your experience in the world you come from. Some things you know will fit your circumstances; like water is usually in rivers or streams that flow in low places. Other things, like trying to build a weatherproof structure out of the materials available or trying to eat berries and nuts, without knowing which are poisonous and which are not would certainly complicate survival. In this situation during the summer months many of the things you would need would be easy to find. In the winter, not so much.
And you would realize that if you don't figure it all out, at least in some order, you will probably perish during the cold weather.
Then imagine you find someone else living in the wilderness. He has a good shelter, has learned where the good berries are, where the best fishing spots are and most of all, he knows what you have to do to get through the frigid times. He offers you all this knowledge, but with one catch. He wants you to donate part of what ever you create, grow, scavenge or hunt down to him in trade for his knowledge.
What do you do?
Buying a franchise in a business is much like this, particularly if you are entering into a business field you know nothing about. In a sense you are out in a wilderness, the wilderness of business. Even with the knowledge you have, you may not have the answers you need to do everything it takes to make a business successful. If you buy a franchise, the right kind of franchise, in the right kind of business, you just may be successful. No one can guarantee anything.
But that's the point. Some people who buy franchises are totally successful and make a lot of money for both themselves and for those that own the franchise. In a sense the franchisee is the customer of the franchise owners; yet there is a bond that must exist there that can get them through what sometimes get to be complex problems.
What a good franchise offers over starting up a business cold are the following things.
Experience. If a franchise owner has long term franchisees who have been successful, this experience is a plus.
A plan. Good franchises come with a plan for everything. The owners of a franchise company should know the drawbacks and how to avoid them. They should be able to express to you the costs and advantages of a franchise. They should also be forthcoming about the pitfalls and be willing to help you work through those.
A name. Everyone knows the million dollar franchises (ones that make the purchases millionaires). Those kinds of franchises usually cost a great deal to get into. However, there are many other companies that offer franchises that are at the level many average people can afford. The better known the name, the better it is for you. However, be sure the name is positive in the customers minds, not just because you have seen it a million times on television or in print advertising.
Support. Support includes all startup information, extensive training for you and even for your employees, problem solving solutions based on their experience and marketing materials/advertising.
In the Jensen's case in the two months after they purchased the ServiceMaster franchise they had training a myriad of things and their firs job came to them in April. And it wasn't really much different from actually doing a regular startup in some respects.
"We started it in our garage with no employees except us," said Mr. Jensen. "Now we have an 8,000 square foot office and shop, a lot of equipment and several employees."
Check it out fully
While buying into a franchise seems easy for some people, it may not always be a bed of roses for others. Those selling franchises design their materials that they are using to get you to buy into the company. They usually show you a plan that will demonstrate longevity and good revenues.
But one must be careful about any franchise, even many name brand ones. Those selling franchises are in the business to make money, and they make money by getting you to purchase one of their franchise. Of course they also want you to succeed because franchises get money not only from the initial sale, but also from fees and charges you pay while you run the business.
There are a number of things you should ask about and evaluate carefully.
First is finances. Is the franchise company stable. How much debt do they have and how are their existing franchisees doing.
You should get a financial disclosure statement from them when considering the buy. If you aren't sure you understand it all (because often these documents can be complex and daunting to look at) get someone professional who can. Their past actions are important because it shows tendencies and trends, but you should also look at their growth and their plans for the future.
In the Jensen's case this was one of the pluses. The business was sustaining right from the get go, but it was still a bit of struggle.
"They gave us the business tools to sustain our operation for the long term," said Mr. Jensen. "And in our case we also get to work some national contracts that we wouldn't get if we had our own operation."
Next ask about who your competition might be from the same company. If you buy a franchise with the company, is there a protected area? Geographically if someone else can buy a franchise for the same service in a rural area, it could cause you a lot of heartache.
Evaluate the competition. Whether the franchise is known for making hamburgers or for cleaning houses, there will be competition. Some who sell franchises often speak of their unique way of doing things that differentiate them from any competition. This may be true in fact, but the perception of the customer who will be buying from you to support your business may not be able to really discern the difference between Joe's Diner's fried chicken down the street and your new International House of Wings restaurant franchise you want to buy. A new guy on the block often gets some initial good business because it is new, but longevity in a market makes existing competition a real obstacle, especially if what they do pleases the customer.
Look for costs you can't see. A franchise costs money to buy. Then there are fees that must be paid to the company as well.
In the case of the Jensen's his research showed what those costs would be.
"We pay 10 percent of every dollar to ServiceMaster for having the franchise," he said. "Then there is another 1 percent we pay for the marketing and promotion they provide."
Those are the up front costs and you need to ask what they supply for that initial price.
Then also understand that you will need money to finance the business for at least a year. That means paying employees, material costs, equipment costs, rent, and to have enough money for you to get by on for that long too. You must also think about all the things that are extra besides these items such as paying taxes and license fees. Insurance is needed in many different forms for businesses from liability coverage to workers compensation.
Finally you need contingency money too. What if a year is just not quite long enough to get a beach head started in the community for your business. You may need more, so plan on a reserve.
Who will do and pay for the marketing and advertising. In the Jensen's case the national organization does that, but what about local advertising? Many franchises have marketing programs to get the word out about their franchisees. Big franchisers have national television ads and internet ads. Smaller ones have various other ways of doing it. Who will make the decisions about advertising. Under their umbrella will you be allowed to advertise locally in the newspaper? What kind of support does the company give for local advertising? Is their co-op advertising where the company pays part and the local franchise pays part? Many franchises put a strict hold on what they will advertise locally or even if they will do it at all.
Finally, how will you work under such a system. Many who buy franchises have either tried to start their own business or have been a part of another start up business. A franchise is a road map, with advisory signs all along the way. But just like any road map if the directions say go left and you decide you are smarter than the map and you go right, you could end up driving right off the map. The fact is that many entrepreneurs are self starters, but they are also very much self thinkers. It is hard for some people to accept advice, especially if they have vast experience in a field which the franchise deals with in the first place. Some of the most successful franchisees in business knew very little about the nuts and bolts workings of the business they bought into when they began. Remember that if you buy a franchise, you paid for the advice and the map of how to get to success.
And remember too that besides the economic and personnel bumps in the road that could be experienced, no franchise company is perfect. Sometimes they may just not understand your situation completely.
"There are a lot of pluses to having a franchise, but there are some cons as well," said Mr. Jensen. "One of those is that often franchises are run by people from metro areas and may not understand what a rural business has to face. For instance they sometimes don't understand the distances we have to travel to do a job."
In the Jensen's case, despite some of the drawbacks, buying a franchise is a good move, but it isn't a piece of cake either. Depending on the franchise and what it does may require real sacrifice, not only in terms of money to begin with but huge amounts of time.
"We are on call all the time because of the business we are in," stated Mr. Jensen. "That's just the kind of business it is."


text: The animals Noah left behind try to survive the flood in their very own ark. Enjoy instant nostalgia with That '00s Show. Mrs McNally's third-graders produce an animated abomination in The Best Cowboy. The world's most famous cars - from KITT to the Batmobile to the General Lee - race against each other in 3 Fast 3 Furious.

subset: commoncrawl


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American journalist named to new Vatican communications post
Catholic World News - June 25, 2012
The Vatican has appointed an American journalist as "communicators advisor" to the Secretariat of State, with responsibility for shaping the Vatican's media message.
Greg Burke, a Fox News correspondent, told AP that his new task would be comparable to that of a White House communications adviser. Although he will not be the official public spokesman for the Holy See, he explained: "You're shaping the message, you're molding the message, and you're trying to make sure everyone remains on-message."
The Vatican created the new position in order to improve the public image of the Secretariat of State, which has been badly battered by the "Vatileaks" scandal. The Secretariat of State, which supervises most of the day-to-day work of the Roman Curia, also controls the Vatican media outreach. Burke will be working with the press office, Vatican Radio, L'Osservatore Romano, and the Vatican television office.
Father Federico Lombardi—who remains the director of the Vatican press office—said that Burke "will have the task of dealing with communications issues in the work of the Secretariat of State, and will oversee relations with the Holy See Press Office and other media institutions of the Holy See."
Burke, who has spent more than 20 years as a journalist in Rome—reporting for the National Catholic Register and Time magazine before taking his latest assignment at Fox News—acknowledged that he will be facing a major challenge in his bid to modernize Vatican public-relations strategies. He revealed that he had been offered the Vatican job twice, and twice turned it down, before finally accepting. He said that he would be able to provide journalists with background briefings, while helping Vatican officials work more effectively with the media.
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Portland, USA
http://www.oscon.com/oscon2011/ OW2 is planning to renew its participation this year again, on a booth and if possible with a presentation in the conference part of the show. This event is of high interest for the OW2 Community and a great opportunity to expand the community visibility in the US. We will submit a presentation proposal and we are inviting all members who are interested by this event to submit too and join us on the booth there. Here is the link to submit a presentation: http://www.oscon.com/oscon2011 (deadline is February 7th). OW2 presence on a booth in the .org area is confirmed. Thanks to the O'Reilly team to welcome us this year again. OW2 in the conferences. Plenty of OW2 projects leaders and members tried to make it for a talk at OSCON 2011, here is below the list of submitted proposals:
- CompatibleOne Open Cloud Computing Research Project, Ludovic Dubost, XWiki and Jean-Paul Smet, Nexedi.
- Cloud Service Bus - a public, private and hybrid cloud integration approach for SOA", Christophe Hamerling, PetalsLink.
- Denis Caromel, ProActive.
- Stefano Scamuzzo.


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- Filed Under
Same storyline, different hero.
Waynesville survived tough challenges in three consecutive games to win the Rogersville Tournament, getting a boost from Juwan Morgan on Tuesday and Kellieon Williams on Friday.
Saturday night, it was Michael Thompson's turn. The senior guard scored six of his 11 points in overtime as Waynesville, ranked No. 8 in Class 5, held off Class 4 defending state champion Republic, 63-54. ...


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Prostate Screening
Prostate cancer – known also as the "silent killer" – is the second leading cause of cancer death among men. Every September, Joint Township Hospital joins healthcare providers around the country in sponsoring a local event to recognize Prostrate Cancer Awareness Month. A free educational and screening program, it annually attracts 200 men from the Auglaize County area.
Prostate Screening, September 2015:
Monday, April 27, 2015, 4:00-7:00 PM, FREE, Joint Township District Memorial Hospital
September date, TBA, FREE, Joint Township District Memorial Hospital
Pre-registration Required
For more information, please contact:
Community Outreach Coordinator
ATTN: Lesia Arnett
Grand Lake Health System
Joint Township District Memorial Hospital
200 St. Clair Street
St. Marys, OH 45885
Phone: 419-394-3335, Ext. 1128
Fax: 419-394-9583


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On June 17, 2014, Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Vice Chairman Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) released a draft bill entitled, The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2014. Given the increasing threats to our economy, security and privacy from cyberattacks, Congress is trying to pass a new law that would authorize and provide liability protection for private sector companies to protect their information systems and share specific cyberthreat indicators with each other and with the government.
The punishing disclosures by Edward Snowden notwithstanding, the government will continue to gather data to reduce the risk of terrorist threats, including those related to cybersecurity. Information-sharing legislation has been a goal of Congress for some time and this draft bill is the latest attempt by lawmakers to establish clear legal authority and privacy protections so government and industry can share potentially sensitive and proprietary information about cyberattacks. On the other hand, privacy advocates are concerned that the legislation being considered is overly broad; they contend that the congressional bills are an overreaction that potentially exposes Americans' personal information to unnecessary government surveillance and law enforcement. When the U.S. House of Representatives passed its version of this legislation, H.R. 624 The Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act in April 2013, the White House alone received over 100,000 responses.
Interest in this issue is widespread: Officials in the White House, the Department of Homeland Security and other federal law enforcement agencies are focused on this effort, and stakeholders from a variety of industries, including telecommunications, financial services, manufacturing, retail, utilities and information technology, are involved in this process. Civil liberty groups and privacy advocates are weighing in as well.
Faegre Baker Daniels and FaegreBD Consulting have formed a team to address the privacy, cyber and data security legislation that continues to be at the top of minds of lawmakers and regulators in Washington, D.C.
See more »
DISCLAIMER: Because of the generality of this update, the information provided herein may not be applicable in all situations and should not be acted upon without specific legal advice based on particular situations.
© Faegre Baker Daniels
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Posted: 08/27/08
The action-adventure games of today owe much to the venerable beat-'em-up: an antiquated genre that has been a sustaining part of the industry since the days of the Power
Glove. Now about as fashionable as legwarmers, the genre has made a few fleeting attempts at a comeback with little success. But just maybe it will take the affable Castle Crashers with its solid gameplay and quirky production values to earn the genre its place among the stalwarts once again.
Built as a brawler with RPG trimmings, Castle Crashers employs a number of features reminiscent of those found in classics like Guardian Heroes. With mounts and the ever-popular chicken-leg-in-the-breakable-barrel, the old-school influences are certainly present, and there are more than a few nods to the developer's previous work, Alien Hominid.
Character building plays a big part of the experience. Leveling up characters earns them beefier stats in strength, defense, and agility. Magic produces the most visible effect of all, gradually transforming your character's weak arcane spurts into fearsome blasts of power. These stats can then be mixed and matched with the various weapons and mounts dispersed throughout the game, producing a good number of possible character permutations.
Whack mobs with a trout, pelt enemies with speedy arrows, or send foes packing with noxious plumes of poison--there's plenty of room for your crasher to grow into its own.
Tethering it all in place is an overworld map that breaks up the stages and roadside pit stops into Mario World-style markers. You can advance to the next stage, or retread old ground for grinding and treasure hunting. The level-by-level flow easily adapts to your immediate goals, facilitated by auto-saving checkpoints between each stage.
The levels themselves are fairly simple, consisting of repetitive jaunts straight across the map. But the action definitely receives a jolt during the game's many boss encounters, which are sure to test wits and tickle some funny bones. The overall campaign length will vary, depending on your predilection for grinding and exploration. With 20-plus levels, 26 characters to unlock, 40 weapons to find, 23 animal orbs to discover, and the aptly titled 'insane mode' waiting after the first run through, completists will have plenty to obsess over.
For the challenge obsessed, arena gauntlets can also be conquered for bonus unlockable characters, but you'll almost always want a pal to tag along for these intense bouts. Help is never too far away thanks to four-player support through Xbox Live—a feature well implemented thanks to leader boards.
If your blood boils for competition, Castle Crasher's head-to-head multiplayer options add a nice break to the single-player action. There's a deceptive simplicity that sucks you right in, and as far as this genre is concerned, Castle Crashers is as decked out as they come.
You'll be spending most, if not all, of your time bushwhacking through droves of enemy mobs. You'll start the game with the essentials: a weak and strong attack, jumping, and blocking. Over time your repertoire will bloat to a few nifty combos, a jumping spin slash, and a number of useful items like the bow and arrow, life potion, and a sandwich that grows your crasher to castle size.
The game gives you a lot of tools to work with, but the controls are intuitive enough to grasp even after minutes of play. The game could definitely do a little more in this regard, but you still get a good mix of swordplay, magic, and item use.
If one of your compatriots falls in the heat of battle, you can bust out the CPR with timed presses of the Y button. Given the game's sometimes-brutal difficulty, it's a technique that you'll fall back on time and again. Doing so leaves you completely open to attack, and it adds a bit of strategy to the mix as you'll have to choose between quick and dirty pumps or timed rhythms depending on the situation. It's one of many small touches that add to the ingenuity of the game and make it feel like more than an update to a stale genre.
It may not be on the cutting edge technically, but Castle Crasher's trademark 2D style is definitely the glue that binds this quirky package together. Eyes bug out and heads fly with a Looney Tunes cartoon macabre, and the crisp sprites and smooth animations look great in fluorescent HD. Paired with the soundtrack's epic scores and techno-tinged battle themes, Castle Crasher's presentation is undoubtedly a notch up from most downloadable games.
Whether crashing castles or the dusty corners of your nostalgia, these little guys score big. The gameplay is addictive and the self-referential material is charming. It also manages to hit the sweet spot between accessibility and depth that we expect from top shelf downloadable games. It isn't too often that you see a good retro-themed game hit the market, and Castle Crashers is just that.
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I've seen videos that when you click on New File, it asked you the filename right that time.
However, mine just gives me a blank file, only when I press Command+S, it asks me for the filename.
Any ideas why?
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How Hot Was It This Summer?
September 23, 2010 7:24 AM
Peter Haskell
Peter Haskell has been a reporter at WCBS 880 since 1994 follo...Read More
CBS New York (con't)
Affordable Care Act Updates: CBSNewYork.com/ACA
Health News & Information: CBSNewYork.com/Health
NEW YORK (WCBS 880) – We talked all summer about how it was unusually hot and the numbers back it up.
LISTEN: WCBS 880's Peter Haskell reports
WCBS 880 reporter Peter Haskell says we've had 37 90-degree days and, even though summer ended at 11:09 p.m. Wednesday, number 38 could come Friday.
This would not, however, be a record.
There were 39 90-degree days in both 1991 and 1993.
The hottest month this year was July. There were 16 90-degree days, which means that more than half the days had 90-degree readings.
If you think that 37 90-plus days are a lot, consider Newark. It had 52 90-degree days this year.


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ST. LOUIS (KSDK) - The new One World Trade tower will be open for business in 2014.
It's going up on the site of the World Trade Center, the complex destroyed in the September 11 terror attacks.
The new skyscraper will be the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.
Kay Quinn spoke to Angelo Arzano, the man who was literally responsible for getting the three point eight billion dollar project built.


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Application Information
Scholarship Overview
This scholarship is for residents of Ohio, who are the children of deceased or severely disabled Ohio veterans who served in the armed forces during a period of declared war or conflict. To qualify for this scholarship, applicants must be undergraduates enrolled full-time at an Ohio college or university. They must also be under the age of 25.
How easy is it to apply?
Not too bad
This scholarship's application process may have items such as essays that could take a couple hours.
How much competition is there?
Not much
This scholarship won't have as many applicants as most.
Maximum Age: Is this you?
- 25
Class Year: Is this you?
- College freshman
- College sophomore
- College junior
- College senior
Home State: Is this you?
- Ohio
Other Qualifications: Is this you?
- Veteran
More Requirements:
Veteran must be severely disabled or deceased; student must attend an Ohio college or university.


text:
- 800.878.7323
List price:
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in 7 to 12 days
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Democracy Project: a History, a Crisis, a Movement (13 Edition)by David Graeber
Synopses & ReviewsPlease note that used books may not include additional media (study guides, CDs, DVDs, solutions manuals, etc.) as described in the publisher comments.
Publisher Comments:
A bold rethinking of the most powerful political idea in the world—democracy—as seen through the lens of the most transformative political movements of our time and the story of how radical democracy can yet transform America
Democracy has been the American religion since before the Revolution—from New England town halls to the multicultural democracy of Atlantic pirate ships. But can our current political system, one that seems responsive only to the wealthiest among us and leaves most Americans feeling disengaged, voiceless, and disenfranchised, really be called democratic? And if the tools of our democracy are not working to solve the rising crises we face, how can we—average citizens—make change happen?
David Graeber, one of the most influential scholars and activists of his generation, offers the perfect book to address these urgent questions. Beginning with the most recent democratic activist movements in America and abroad, he takes readers on a journey through the idea of democracy, provocatively reorienting our understanding of pivotal historical moments, and extracts their lessons for today—from the birth of Athenian democracy and the founding of the United States of America to the global revolutions of the twentieth century and the rise of a new generation of activists. Underlying it all is a bracing argument that in the face of increasingly concentrated wealth and power in this country, a reenergized, reconceived democracy—one based on consensus, equality, and broad participation—can yet provide us with the just, free, and fair society we want.
Reinventing Democracy tells the story of the resilience of the democratic spirit and the adaptability of the democratic idea. It offers a fresh take on vital history and an impassioned argument that radical democracy is, more than ever, our best hope.
"Part first-person history of the Occupy movement, part how-to manual, this hopeful book considers 'the possibility of democracy in America' — that is, leaderless direct democracy. Graeber, an anthropologist whose Debt: The First 5,000 Years put the modern, debt-based global financial system in broad historical context, makes the argument that the current political system is not the only option. Beginning with the 2011 occupation of Zucotti Park, Graeber examines the movement's successes before looking at U.S. media coverage and the movement's spread to communities nationwide. He voices both the frustration and elation that emerged from Occupy while addressing and reframing criticisms like the refusal to engage with the existing political system. The book's second half makes a case for direct democracy, gives examples of recent political upheavals that led to more directly democratic systems, and offers guideposts for greater participation in direct democracy. Graeber points out the fascinating shift in meaning for the term democracy — which from an analogue of anarchy became, through the Founding Fathers, a means to contain such direct participation in political affairs — and his positive, forward-looking ideas make a world in which 'freedom becomes the ultimate organizing principle' seem well within our reach. (Apr.)" Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
About the Author
David Graeber teaches anthropology at Goldsmiths, University of London. He is the author of several books, including Debt: The First 5,000 Years. He has written for Harper's, The Nation, and other magazines and journals.
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Aside from writing hits on hits on hits for today's biggest stars in pop, August Rigo is also an extremely talented singer in his own right and has a real knack for making great R&B love songs. Here's the latest of those, the Stargate produced "Broken In Love", a simple piano driven slow jam that sums up perfectly what August is all about, both as a lyricist and a vocalist.
Press play and download "Broken In Love" below and if you like what you're hearing, I'd highly recommend checking out "Songs About You" too.
Download: August Rigo – Broken in Love.mp3
Rating: ★★★★
What do you think?
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New Exhibit: Visualizing Venice
New Exhibit: Visualizing Venice
Visualizing Venice is a three-year collaboration between faculty and students with Duke's WIRED! Lab and counterparts at two Italian universities. The work involved using ancient maps, paintings, photos, archival documents, news accounts, GIS and 3D modeling to create new images of five sections of the historic Italian city, illustrating how it changed over time.
Much of the project, a few images from which can be viewed in the slideshow above, is on display in the East Duke Gallery on Duke's East Campus. It will remain on display at least through the end of October.
Go to the gallery
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Alex's Tail's !
(Page 5 of 12: Viewing Diary Entry 41 to 50)
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A Beautiful Day!June 3rd 2011 12:22 pm
[ View A Comments (7) ]
Today is a very beautiful day here. We have warm sunshine and a slight breeze. Mid 70's. Us doggies have played outside to.We had some french fries at lunchtime. Just a few. I like sitting with mommy and dad on the swingseat and mommy held on to me so tight and sang Blessed Be Your Name by Matt Redman. It's a great song. She does that, just start's singing and smiling. Mommy say's it help's get you through anything.
I'm Dogster Featured Diary Pick Today!May 31st 2011 8:58 am
[ View A Comments (14) ]
WOOF! WOO HOO! What a great day! Mommy and I were happily surprised this morning when she checked her mail. This is very super for me. I had wrote about my lump's being fatty tumor's.For that and all you sweet fur's I am very grateful. Thank you HG and furiend's for all the wonderful and pretty rosettes and pmail's. You are all just the very bestest!
I Am OK!!!!!May 28th 2011 8:25 am
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I went to see Dr. Jeff this morning at 10AM. First I did have a short walk with mommy and dad. When I got to the vet's there was a bunch of doggies and kitties in the waiting room. I went around and met them all. That was fun, but a sad thing happened. A young woman came in with her cat in a carrier, she took it to a back room and came right back out without it. She was crying and said she didn't want any of it she was through. Her kitty passed on. Dad tried to talk to her but she ran out, got in her car and left. I hope she will be alright. Then all of a sudden it was my turn. I got my nail's trimmed. anal gland's checked and the lump's checked. Dr. Jeff said they are fatty tumor's and I'm OK! He should know, he started the Animal Hospital long ago. Mommy and dad have been taking fur's there since 1995. That's a long time BOL! I thank each one of you sweet pup's and kitties for the prayer's, woof's, purr's, hug's and good thought's. You all are the bestest! I love you all ♥
I Have Some Lump'sMay 25th 2011 6:38 am
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Dad was petting my chest and side last night and he noticed a couple lump's. He told mommy to come and see and she did. They are on my upper left side, chest area. I get chest rub's just about every night and a few day's ago they weren't there.There is a small one and another one a bit bigger. So this morning mommy called the vet and Sat. morning at 10 I go see Dr. Jeff.I eat, run and play ok,so maybe they are just those fatty thing's us doggies get. Please say a prayer fur me.
Duck's!May 23rd 2011 6:49 am
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Yesterday in the very early evening here there were Mallard Duck's in our yard! First Molly and Pookah saw them. There two boy's and one girl. Then Walker and I went to the window's and WOW! Walker stated barking to but mommy said to get away from the window's and don't scare the duckies. So I did and laid down on a pillow, the other three kept on barking,so the mini blind's got closed. That was ok with me cause we had just had a snall fast moving storm and it was still lightening a little and still sprinkling. Earlier in the day mommy mowed and the duck's were waddling and picking in the grass. They were about four feet from our window they went one way then turned around went by the road and walked along the road picking at the grass. We live close to Rock Run creek and not to far from the Elkhart River. So once in a while duck's do stop by. They have even sat on the peak of the neighbor's roof BOL! Mostly we see and hear them fly overhead. When dad saw them he said, Oh no, now I suppose they will start stopping by for cat chow too! We feed feral and stray cat's (They do get fixed also). But mommy said very funny I don't know if they will but it wouldn't surprise me. Soon they were out of our sight. It is fun to watch them( when other's don't bark).
WOOF! WOOF!May 23rd 2011 6:31 am
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I am Royal Member of the Day at Princess Divas & Prince Charming's! They sent me a pmail and picture this morning. It is very COOL! PD&PC has the sweetest fur's playing there everyday. They also have great thread's. We go on trip's,
An Old Irish BlessingMarch 15th 2011 11:33 am
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May the road rise up to meet you.
Snow, Snow and More Snow!February 21st 2011 11:07 am
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Yes we are getting snow. The flakes are all sizes.Mini, little, medium,large and giant! It is blowing everywhere. Yesterday we had a little snow then sleet and then rain. By the time we got up this morning everything was iced over and very slippery.We might get up to 5 inches. All the old snow was gone and you could see the grass. We even had a couple day's last week that was 40 - 50 degrees and sunny. Oh well it will come back and then it will last.Hope you all are warm and dry!
BLIZZARD!February 2nd 2011 1:58 pm
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We had a blizzard. It started early evening yesterday into today. It has stopped for now but the weather peoples say we can get 1-3 inches more. Last night when us doggies went out before bedtime there was a snow drift on the deck by the door. We ran right out and through and over it. Boy that was fun!The snow was blowing and peltting us! There were many businesses that closed, churches and all school's around the county. The county was under a snow emergancy and everyone was told to stay off the road's. The sand and salt snow plow's have been out and about today so slowly road's are getting cleaned. Dad didn't have to go into work(he drives a truck locally)so him, mommy and our human brother shoveled and snow blowed. Mommy got the dog path's done out back to.Yesterday was mommy's birthday, she didn't think she'ld get a blizzard BOL!
Snow, Snow, Snow!January 24th 2011 12:23 pm
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We have gotten enough snow this winter and got some more today. It had melted a little but overnight it started snowing and still is lightly. At least the temp's are in the 20's instead of single digit's and teen's like they have been.Us doggies like snow and cold. We run, plow, slid and eat it! Then there is the ice when snow melt's, so crunchy! We love eating ice. We help mommy make path's out back by running in front of her and the shovel. I don't alway's stay on the path's. We all chase after each other and have to take shortcut's through the snow. If any of you want some just send me a self addressed envelope and I'll send you some snow BOL!
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text:
The hacker group known as the Rustle League appears to have taken over two major hacktivist Twitter accounts: @PLF2012, which is the official account of the Peoples Liberation Front, and @YourAnonNews, the biggest Anonymous-supporting news network.
The hackers say that they're "plunging" the direct messages of the PLF account, which is controlled by the notorious hacker Commander X. They claim they'll publish some of the DMs on the RustleWO account later today.
"This just in, Commander X is more crooked than you think - find out later on ------> @RustleWO," the Rustle League tweeted.
This is not the first time when the Rustle League takes over a major Anonymous Twitter account. Back in February, they hijacked the @Anon_Central account.
Update. The YourAnonNews account appears to have been recovered. However, the account's owner hasn't made any statements regarding the incident. All the tweets posted by the Rustle League have been removed.
The @PLF2012 account is still controlled by the Rustle League.
According to @CuchulainAnon, the hackers took over one account, the one of PLF, but the tweets appeared on YourAnonNews as well because the two were linked via GroupTweet.
Update 2. The Daily Dot provides some important clarifications regarding the incident.
YourAnonNews is a group account. Approved members can post tweets on it from their own accounts by using the #YAN hashtag. There are said to be over a dozen authorized members, so if one of their accounts is compromised, the YourAnonNews account becomes compromised.
YourAnonNews administrator Jackal Anon was the one who restored the Twitter account a couple of hours ago.
"YAN is fixed now back to bed," he wrote from his personal account.
In the meantime, the PLF account is still controlled by Rustle League. They've changed its name to @PLF1940.
The hackers have also clarified that they will not be leaking PLF direct messages because they could cause too much damage.


text:
Elian Gonzalez
News about Elian Gonzalez, including commentary and archival articles published in The New York Times.
Chronology of Coverage
Dec. 20, 2014
Cardenas, Cuba, center of tourism expansion in Cuba and home to Elian Gonzalez, attracts nationals from all over the island looking for better jobs and lifestyle, but many walk fine line between supporting government and looking toward continued positive change; changes announces by Obama in Washington are further fueling optimism in region. MORE
There are no additional abstracts to display.
Increasingly Visible, Cuba's Elián González Champions Island's Government
The government may be grooming Mr. González, who returned to Cuba from Florida in 2000, for a formal role.
July 9, 2015, Thursday
Crucible of Cuban Zeal Redefines Revolutionary
Cárdenas, Cuba, which is home to Elián González, is a growing city of contrasts and contradictions.
December 20, 2014, Saturday
March 29, 2000: Elián González, Stranded
For Op-Ed's 40th anniversary, an adaptation of an essay by Gabriel García Márquez.
September 26, 2010, Sunday
Lucius Walker, Baptist Pastor for Peace, Dies at 80
Mr. Walker gained national attention with calls for reparations for the descendants of slaves and with repeated violations of the United States embargo of Cuba through caravans of humanitarian aid.
September 12, 2010, Sunday
Elián González Joins Communist Youth
The Cuban boy at the center of an international custody battle eight years ago has joined Cuba's Young Communist Union.
June 16, 2008, Monday
National Briefing | South: Florida: Cuban Boy Calls Castro Friend
Elián González, the Cuban boy at the center of an international custody battle five years ago, calls President Fidel Castro of Cuba his friend but also says he hopes someday to see his Miami family again. ''Despite everything they did, it was...
September 30, 2005, Friday
Strange Brews Are Created In Melting Pot That Is Florida
Florida is a state that seems to surpass any other in terms of strange but important, lurid but poignant events that say much about America.
April 3, 2005, Sunday
5 Years Later, a Miami Trial Over the Seizing of Elián
Neighbors who claim they were traumatized by the three-minute raid have filed lawsuits and are seeking up to $250,000 each in damages.
January 28, 2005, Friday
National Briefing | South: Florida: Suit On Elián Gonzalez Raid
Judge Marcia Cooke of Federal District Court in Miami has thrown out a lawsuit asserting that six federal agents used excessive force four years ago in an armed raid to seize the Cuban boy Elián Gonzalez at the home of his Miami relatives. Judge...
August 26, 2004, Thursday
National Briefing | South: Florida: Elián's Relatives Sue
The Miami relatives of Elián González filed a federal lawsuit saying federal agents used excessive force when they seized the boy in a raid in April 2000. The suit seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages from the agents, whose names...
December 10, 2003, Wednesday
Rss Feeds On Elian Gonzalez
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Credits & Info
- Uploaded
- Aug 26, 2011 | 8:15 PM EDT
- Daily 5th Place August 27, 2011
- Weekly 3rd Place August 31, 2011
If you liked this, check these out!
Plenty more like this here!
Author Comments
Rated 5 / 5 stars
I say that was awesome
Now the one thing that i was wondering about how you were able to make ratman and you also got a person to kinda look like chell
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this deserve to win the contest.. :3
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I really enjoyed it :D
Goodjob to you and everyone that has been a part of it
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Wow dude
I really appreciated this video, I myself have done stop motion and know how hard it is and how long it takes! I can see the skill of this video and it had a VERY good story line! Well Done!
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isso explica muita coisa
esse fan video (se é que eu posso chamar assim) explica muita coisa no meio do portal 1 e do portal 2 muito bem feito e musica perfeita para este stop motion
bye :)
deim negativos gringos to nem ai ¬¬


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- Smockity Frocks - http://www.smockityfrocks.com -
Grocery Savings Classes in the DFW Area
Posted By Smockity Frocks On May 7, 2012 @ 10:02 pm In Frugal | No Comments
I just love Ryan and Rachel!
When my husband was suddenly laid off [3], Rachel paid me to write a series on her site, "Feeding a BIG Family on a Small Budget [4]". This was so helpful to us! I have a feeling she could have survived without my series, but her generous offer definitely made a difference to this struggling family! Since Rachel and Ryan had also gone through a very unexpected layoff previously themselves, they knew just how we felt and what we were struggling with.
It also just so happens that the moment my husband got his first job after that layoff period, he called to tell me, and Ryan and Rachel were standing right there. When I tearfully told them the good news, Ryan proclaimed loudly, "PRAISE THE LORD!"
Since I have a lot of local readers who are interested in savings, I knew you would want to know about this, and since Rachel and Ryan are awesome, they are giving everyone who signs up here $5 off the regular price of $20.
You will also receive a workbook for the class and a copy of the previous Sunday's paper with coupon inserts!
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So, if you want to hang with your favorite Smockity while learning couponing and grocery saving skills, SIGN UP FOR THE FORT WORTH CLASS [5]! I promise to yack your ear off during the breaks!
And we get free parking for the entire day and evening! Why not bring your spouse and make a date night out of it? Sundance Square is AWESOME! (I love to attend the parade of lights at Christmas time there!)
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Article printed from Smockity Frocks: http://www.smockityfrocks.com
URL to article: http://www.smockityfrocks.com/2012/05/grocery-savings-classes-in-the-dfw-area.html
URLs in this post:
[1] Image: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.smockityfrocks.com%2F2012%2F05%2Fgrocery-savings-classes-in-the-dfw-area.html&media=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.smockityfrocks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F05%2FDFW-Couponing-Classes-Banner-Border.png&description=Grocery%20Savings%20Classes%20in%20the%20DFW%20Area
[2] Surviving the Stores: http://survivingthestores.com
[3] husband was suddenly laid off: http://wp.me/pMqqr-1aa
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[5] SIGN UP FOR THE FORT WORTH CLASS: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/3395904241/SmockityFrocks?discount=SMOCKITYFROCKS
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[8] Grapevine Class – Thursday May 31st 6:00 – 8:00 pm: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/3395946367/SmockityFrocks?discount=SMOCKITYFROCKS
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Copyright © 2013 Smockity Frocks. All rights reserved.


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Hey all. I bought this ice axe thinking I would need it for the Sierra's this year but turns out I don't. I have never used it and is in perfect condition. It is the lightest one on the market at a measly 7.35oz. I paid $110 shipped and I am willing to lower it to $90 shipped. It's **BRAND NEW**.
Where in SoCal r u? I live in SoCal as well, and I could probably come pick it up.
Nevermind the question. I see you're in Venice, I'm in Redondo Beach. I'll come pick it up for 80 bucks. Let me know if you're interested.
if so, i am interested.
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Consumer information
Smart meters – what are they and how can I find out more?
Smart meters are the next generation of gas and electricity meters with a range of additional functions. Government wants every home in Britain to have their old gas and electricity meters replaced by smart meters by 2019. Some suppliers are already rolling out the new technology and hundreds of thousands have already been installed. Smart meters have the potential to create a step change in how we monitor our energy use, our interaction with energy firms and the accuracy of energy billing.
Unlike standard meters which have to be read manually by a meter reader, smart meters can be read by the energy supplier without them having to visit your home, thanks to new two-way communications technology. This should end estimated and inaccurate bills – the biggest source of consumer complaints about energy firms. It could also mean less inconvenience waiting in for the meter reader to arrive, or having to submit your own readings.
With standard meters, the amount of gas and electricity your household uses is displayed on the meter itself. When your smart meter is installed, you may be offered an energy display. An energy display has a small screen which will give you up to date information on your gas and electricity, including how much you are using and roughly how much it is costing you in pounds and pence. By knowing what you're using, and having an idea of which appliances use the most energy, you may be able to reduce your energy usage and save money.
Smart metering is also an important step towards modernising the energy industry and improving customer service. It should help ensure that our energy is more affordable, reliable, and as green as possible in the future.
On this page we've produced a short video showing what you can expect when your smart meter is installed. We've also put together a Frequently Asked Questions section to answer any questions that you might have on getting a smart meter.
What will happen when my smart meter is installed?
Frequently Asked Questions about smart meters
Government policy around smart metering is under development and changing quickly. This is the current situation as we understand it, as of January 2013.
FAQ – Go smart get smart (PDF, 301KB)
The FAQ are grouped under different sections, click on the links below to find out more.
If you have a question that hasn't been answered by our FAQ, please go to the Consumer Focus Knowledge Base, where you can submit questions.


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|Marie Sester, ACCESS (installation view), 2003; computers, cameras, robotic spotlight, robotic acoustic beam, Internet, custom software; courtesy the artist; © 2010 Marie Sester
|Julia Scher, Predictive Engineering 2 (screenshot), 1998; web project; Collection SFMOMA, gift of the artist; © 2010 Julia Scher
SFMOMA's Under Surveillance!
Online and on site, experience two web-based artworks that playfully investigate tracking SFMOMA visitors, as part of Exposed: Voyeurism, Surveillance, and the Camera Since 1870.
Control the spotlight in the Haas Atrium in Marie Sester's ACCESS.
Explore the fictional world of Julia Scher's Predictive Engineering 2.
About the Artworks
Marie Sester
Computers, cameras, robotic spotlight, robotic acoustic beam, Internet, custom software
Supported by Eyebeam, New York, and by the Creative Capital Foundation, New York
Courtesy the artist
As museum visitors walk across SFMOMA's Haas Atrium, a robotic spotlight automatically targets certain individuals, following them through the public space. Who is tracking them? Why are they being tracked? They don't know that users of the web project ACCESS have spotlight control and an overhead webcam view. They are also unaware that they are the only ones who can hear sound from an acoustic beam triggered by the website. Instead of choosing to step into the spotlight, the "performer" in this case appears to be chosen by it. Sester's installation investigates the dynamic between the visibility and invisibility of surveillance practices like data collection. Applying web, computer, sound, and lighting technologies, ACCESS dramatizes our cultural obsessions with control and celebrity.
Julia Scher
Predictive Engineering 2, 1998
Web project
Produced in collaboration with Architekton
Collection SFMOMA, gift of the artist, 2008
Predictive Engineering 2 wryly addresses the design and operational protocols of electronic security technologies and the dangerous implications of their use for social control. The user clicks on an array of animated graphic symbols and maze-like levels of Scher's fantasy vision of SFMOMA under surveillance. Simulating a monitoring system complete with security warnings, error messages, and data calculation, the work uses imagery and language suggestive of the human body being probed, analyzed, and conditioned.
SFMOMA began to host online artworks soon after launching its website in 1995, with Predictive Engineering 2 as its first commissioned web project. For Scher's 1998 solo exhibition, she updated and reconfigured an earlier, site-specific multimedia installation, Predictive Engineering (1993), for the new museum building. She developed the current online project to accompany and expand on this second iteration of the work, in which museum visitors in the fourth-floor media galleries interacted with microphones and closed-circuit television cameras. Shown on monitors, the live footage was blended with staged surveillance scenes using actors in non-gallery and hidden spaces throughout the building. The "security console" section of this online work features a selection of these performance clips.
Exposed: Voyeurism, Surveillance, and the Camera Since 1870 is organized by the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and Tate Modern. Major support for the exhibition is provided by the Trellis Fund and the Phyllis C. Wattis Foundation. Generous support is provided by Linda and Jon Gruber. Additional support is provided by Randi and Bob Fisher, Nion McEvoy, Kate and Wesley Mitchell, Susan Swig, Lucinda Watson, and the Cultural Services of the French Embassy/Consulate of France in San Francisco.


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Januvia belongs to dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor class of drug that is used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Manufactured by Merck & Co, this oral diabetic drug helps control blood sugar level in the patients. This drug may sometime also be used in combination with other diabetic medications to control high blood sugar that may cause kidney damage and nerve problems. By controlling the blood sugar level, Januvia also reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke. Approved by most of the drug regulatory authority, Januvia demonstrates its best affect if used along with proper diet and regular exercise regimen. Januvia is not recommended to patients suffering from Type 1 diabetes.
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A new World Bank report forecasts higher than expected growth for East Asian countries, but stresses the importance of real reform for the future. WORLD BANK
Broadcast-quality video for UNifeed stories is available online for two weeks. Should you wish to request older material, please contact the agency source of the material. For UNTV or peacekeeping stories, please contact the UN Video Library.
© 2015 UNifeed.


text:
Baked Rice with Currants and Chickpeas
- Active Time 15m
- Total Time 3h 30m
Serves 4
While coastal areas have seafood risottos based on fish broth, inland villages use cocido broth as a basis for countless rice dishes.
A head (bulb) of garlic, familiarly called a partridge, is placed in the center of the dish.
- 5 ounces currants
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1 head garlic, rinsed and dried
- 1 tomato, peeled and finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 6 1/2 ounces chickpeas, cooked
- 3 1/3 cups cocido or meat broth, hot
- Salt
- 2 1/2 cups medium-grain rice
Soak the currants in warm water for 3-4 hours. Drain. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Heat the oil in a 14-inch shallow casserole. When it is hot, add the head of garlic and half the currants and fry gently. Add the tomato and then the paprika. Stir, then add the chickpeas and broth.
Check the seasoning. When the broth comes to a boil, add the rice and spread out evenly. The head of garlic should be in the center. Sprinkle the remaining currants on top, then bake for 15-18 minutes.
Taste a few grains to check that the rice is cooked, then remove from the oven and serve immediately straight from the casserole.
Recipe reprinted by permission of Weldon Russell. All rights reserved.
RecID 1191
nutrition information per serving
707 calories; 22g total fat; 0mg cholesterol; 77mg sodium; 109g carbohydrates; 11g fiber; 20g protein
These nutrition facts are calculated according to the ingredients listed in this recipe. Any substitutions will change these facts. Although we strive for accuracy, please note that food manufacturers occasionally change their food formulas, which could affect the calculations as shown.
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Apologists for the State often excuse its surveillance by claiming that those who've done nothing wrong have nothing to hide. This implies that only criminals object to Leviathan's all-seeing eye.
We'd have to head to Congress for anything more illogical or disgustingly craven. Meanwhile, a mystical and perhaps mythical Chinese philosopher from 2600 years ago deftly skewers this nonsense: "The more laws are enacted and taxes assessed," Lao Tzu wrote, "the greater the number of lawbreakers and tax evaders." A government big enough to spy on us is big enough to legislate on just about every subject. Which means we all fracture many laws each day, often unwittingly, whether jaywalking, relaxing with some weed, or bending the IRS's byzantine rules in our favor.
Criminalizing huge swaths of behavior is one of government's favorite weapons. Not only does it bring much of life under rulers' control, it also silences dissent. Authorities can easily muzzle critics by investigating them. Given an endless list of laws and the likelihood of having broken some, which of us wouldn't quail at the threat of such a fishing expedition?
Click here to read the entire article.


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Free AIDS Testing Offered On National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
A volunteer for Whitman-Walker Health offers free HIV testing at the... Photo d'actualitéBénévole,Donner,Gare,Horizontal,Maladie,Moyen de transport,Santé et médecine,Washington DC,États-UnisPhotographer Chip SomodevillaCollection: Getty Images News 2013 Getty ImagesWASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 07: A volunteer for Whitman-Walker Health offers free HIV testing at the organization's mobile testing vehicle on National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day near the Anacostia Metro station February 7, 2013 in Washington, DC. The HIV prevalence rate in the District of Columbia is at an epidemic level at nearly 3 percent, among the highest for any U.S. city, with nearly 15,000 adults in the district living with HIV or AIDS. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)


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American Academy of Dermatology Says Retinyl Palmitate Is Safe in Sunscreens
Dermatologists Weigh In on SPF Safety Issue
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The doctors claim that thanks to its antioxidant properties, retinyl palmitate used in SPF actually helps fight against the formation of free radicals when used on skin exposed to the sun. It's a much different opinion than the Environmental Working Group, who earlier this year claimed that vitamin A derivatives added to sunscreens could actually speed the development of tumors when used on skin exposed to the sun, based on studies from the National Toxicology Program and National Center for Toxicological Research. A month later, New York Sen. Chuck Schumer urged the FDA to make a definitive ruling on the issue. While the FDA has yet to chime in, we're hoping the issue is soon resolved for good.
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Hilarity Will Ensue During CHCI's 13th Annual Reyes of Comedy
Hilarity Will Ensue During CHCI's 13th Annual Reyes of Comedy
Laugh until it hurts with the most outrageous line-up of Latino comics ever to take center stage during CHCI's 13th Annual Reyes of Comedy. Join Anjelah Johnson-Reyes, Cristela Alonzo, Shaun Latham and host Erik Rivera on Tuesday, October 1, at the Walter E. Convention Center, as they provide an evening of exceptional entertainment for a great cause. Also joining them will be Rep. José Serrano and the brainchild of this comedic event, the Hon. Silvestre Reyes.
For 13 years, CHCI's Reyes of Comedy has continued to be a light-hearted evening that promotes the positive image of Latinos and while raising critical funds for CHCI's programs that empower Latino youth through educational attainment and leadership development programs.
The 13th Annual Reyes of Comedy is made possible by NUVOtv and the Laborers' International Union of North America.
By Invitation Only
HHM is 30 Days Away!


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When it comes to Paula Patton, nothing will stop Robin Thicke from attempting to "Get Her Back."
"Us Weekly" has confirmed that the singer is naming his forthcoming record "Paula" in honor of his estranged wife.
He has been laying it on thick – no pun intended – in trying to win her back, debuting his first single from the record, "Get Her Back," at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards.
The high school sweethearts split back in February, releasing a statement that it was a joint decision.
It obviously doesn't appear quite as mutual, with Thicke going on to dedicate numerous songs to her at various concerts since the separation and now naming an LP after her.
While there hasn't been any public reconciliation between Thicke and Patton, that hasn't stopped him from continuing his efforts, with "Paula" set for release on July 1.
What should Paula do? How would you react in this situation? Let us know what you think of the "Paula" of it all in the comments!
Copyright© 2015 by Greater Media All Rights Reserved.


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Price Guarantee
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Your RONA store guarantees the lowest advertised prices!
Phone: (613) 226-5636
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Looking for that perfect gift? Give the gift of choice to your friends and family with a RONA gift card!Gift card
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If you find an identical product at a lower price that can be verified at one of our competitors, we will not only meet that price, we will beat it by 10%.*
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Product Description
Theater time is fun time with the Crown Tabletop Theater. It can be set up and taken apart easily without any tools. It features a sturdy wooden construction with colorful laminated panels, a decorative crown shaped top and a fabric curtain with tiebacks. Suitable for use with hand or finger puppets. (Puppets sold separately) 28 1/2″ high x 24″ wide


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The KA-BAR TDI Law Enforcement Knife was designed to be used as a "last option" knife. In extreme close quarters encounters where a suspect is attempting to take an officer's handgun, or an officer cannot access his handgun, the KA-BAR TDI knife is available as a "last option" knife. Designed as an "off hand" knife that draws like a pistol, the reversible sheath can be worn on either the right or left side of the officer's pant belt.
Black hard plastic side to side reversible friction sheath and black metal belt/boot clip (1480CLIP) included.
Designed by John Benner, founder and owner of Tactical Defense Institute.


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SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Tim Duncan had 17 points and 16 rebounds, and the San Antonio Spurs overcame a sluggish start to beat the Charlotte Bobcats 92-82 on Friday night.
Manu Ginobili scored 15 points, Marco Belinelli and Patty Mills added 14 each and Kawhi Leonard had 12 for San Antonio (42-16).
Al Jefferson scored 20 points and former Spurs guard Gary Neal added 15 for Charlotte. Gerald Henderson had 12 and Kemba Walker 11.
There were three ties and two lead changes in the final 7 minutes as San Antonio celebrated Military Appreciation Night with camouflage uniforms.
Ginobili blocked Walker's layup and drew a charge on Jefferson on consecutive possessions. Duncan followed with a 15-foot jumper that gave the Spurs an 82-80 lead with 1:43 remaining.


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Results 1-10 of 38
A. Hardy Noces Albatre Rosebud 75 year old
Cognac Hardy Noces D'Albatre, also known as Rosebud Family Reserve - is a 100% Grande Champagne Cognac, with an impressive age. This blend is about 75 years old; and comes in a Daum crystal decanter. more
Tesseron Cognac Lot No. 76 XO Tradition Cognac
An exceptional blend of reserve stocks of Grande Champagne Cognac, matured to perfection in old casks. Lot N° 76 immediately establishes its quality on the nose which exhibits a wealth of caramelised peaches, almond and candied fruit aromas. This carries through magnificently on to the palate, with rich, delicate flavours ... more
Kelt XO
Dark amber, mahogany Delicate scents of flowers: narcissus, jasmine, honeysuckle Multifaceted touch of tawny port and walnut Subtle wood notes: vanilla oak,cedar wood, cigar box Candied fruits: tangerine, apricot, pear Velvety and sophisticated on the palate The model of balance between tastes and aromas Warm, attractive and unique Incredible finish, ... more
Bache Gabrielsen Natur & Eleganse XO Cognac
Working in close collaboration with experienced distillers, Cellar Master Jean-Philippe Bergier has produced cognacs in a modern style. They invite you to discover this light, fresh style with its rich fruit and associations with rustic life in Cognac. more
Tesseron Cognac Royal Blend
Tesseron Royal Blend is a selection of some fifty Grande Champagne Cognacs, chosen from the Tesseron's own historic private collection for their exceptional fruity and floral aromas. In fact, the Tesseron family owns some of the oldest and finest stocks of Grande Champagne Cognac in the world. Tesseron Royal Blend ... more
Tesseron Cognac Extra Legende
Aged for more than generation in cellars with different humidity levels. Character: Rich attack with beautiful maturity and notes of cooked fruits with velvet like finish. When: After diner. Temperature: 18-20°C. more
Tesseron Cognac Trésor
Aged for more than two generations in special barrels called 'Tierçons' within the reknown Tesseron family's Paradis where the oldest cognacs are kept. Character: Very rich, bold, great length on the palate, smooth. Great length on finish. When: Late at night with a Cuban cigar. more
Remy Martin XO Excellence
Fine Champagne Cognac 85% Grande Champagne, 15% Petite Champagne. Contains particularly longer aged eaux-de-vie which are 10 to 37 years old. Tasting Note: More richness of flavours. More smoothness. Unique velvet texture. Memorable taste that lingers longer on the palate. Flavour: Delicate jasmine and iris Aromatic Hear: Ripe fig, candied ... more
Martell Creation Grand Extra Cognac
Color: A deep topaz, amber, radiant with nice shining reflections. Nose: Primary notes evoking ginger bread and dry fruits, soon complimented by the refreshing aroma of orange marmalade, lemon zests and orange tree flower, culminating in a subtle finale of nice rancio notes, with a mix of walnut stain, curry ... more
Delamain Pale & Dry X.O.
Growth: 100% Grande Champagne. Style: Delicacy, length, fruitiness and mellowness. Bouquet: Power of the perfumes, length of the fragrance. Floral scents, lingering aftertaste of vanilla (rancio). Savour: Mellowness, roundness, age. Intense fruitiness. Color: Extremely clear and bright, brilliant and velvety gold. more
Wine which is produced and bottled under strict supervision and meets all standards to be certified Kosher.
Wine which is produced using organic practices and is free of all synthetic chemicals, antibiotics, hormones and pesticides.
Biodynamic designation is regulated by Demeter, an international certification organization. Biodynamic agriculture is based on the view of a farm as a self-contained organism. Certified organic vineyards must meet Demeter"s additional criteria for a period of one year before earning the designation "biodynamic."
Sustainable practices incorporate organic standards and may exceed them and include ecologically and socially sound business practices such as fair pay for farm workers and energy conservation.
Wines sealed with a screw cap as opposed to a cork, which experts report protects and preserves wine more effectively than does a cork, while also eliminating the possibility of cork taint.
All wines naturally contain some sulfites, however wines that contain less than 10 parts per million sulfites are not required to include "Contains Sulfites" on their labels.
Wines that are still in the barrel and have yet to be bottled. Futures offer the opportunity to invest in a wine before it arrives in our store.
Like futures, pre-arrivals are wines that have not yet arrived on our shelves, however they may or may not be a new release. Pre-arrivals may already be bottled and en route to our store.
The Wine Advocate is a bimonthly wine publication featuring the consumer advice of wine critic Robert M. Parker, Jr. Initially titled The Baltimore-Washington Wine Advocate the first issue was published in 1978. Accepting no advertising, the newsletter publishes in excess of 7,500 reviews per year, utilizing Parker's rating system that employs a 50-100 point quality scale.
Wine Spectator is a lifestyle magazine that focuses on wine and wine culture. It publishes 15 issues per year with content that includes news, articles, profiles, and general entertainment pieces. Each issue also includes from 400 to more than 1,000 wine reviews, which consist of wine ratings and tasting notes.
Since 1997, the 100% subscriber-supported IWC has also been available in French and Japanese editions.
Wine Enthusiast Magazine is a lifestyle magazine covering wine, food, spirits, travel and entertaining topics. It was founded in 1988 by Adam and Sybil Strum and reaches 686,000 readers. Its wine ratings, conducted by reviewers in major wine-producing areas of the world, are considered an influential gauge for consumers and professionals in the wine industry.
BeerAdvocate is an organization founded by brothers Todd and Jason Alström. The mission, as stated on their website, is to "Respect Beer". BeerAdvocate also has a full-color monthly magazine. It includes various articles written by, and concerning, craft brewers (both amateur and professional). The brothers also write for various journals, including Boston's Weekly Dig.
Wine and Spirits is America's practical guide to the straightforward, enlightened enjoyment of fine wine and and premium spirits. We have for 18 years served customers and marketers alike with a lively mix of wine reviews, features, profiles, food and wine pairings, new product introductions, travel pieces, history, opinion and wine business news.
Burghound.com was the first of its kind to offer specialized, and more importantly, exhaustive coverage of a specific wine region. The first Issue was released in January of 2001 and there are now subscribers in more than 50 countries and nearly all 50 states. Allen Meadows spends over four months a year in Burgundy and visits more than 300 domaines during that time.
James is one of the world's leading authorities on Australian wine, matching intelligent, honest reviews with unparalleled knowledge of, and passion for, the wine industry.
The Bottle Shop wine store in Spring Lake, New Jersey, is owned by the Murray family, who have been wine merchants in Monmouth County since 1972. Tom and Marie Murray converted a small liquor store on the Jersey Shore into a vintage wine, cheese and gourmet food shop; an endeavor reported in the New York Times in the summer of 1974. Today, their three children are continuing the tradition...
At OC Wine Mart, we are redefining your neighborhood wine, liquor & convenience store. We have a wine specialist on board who will gladly help you find the best wine for your particular occasion, whether it's for a special dinner party, a gift, or just the right wine to pair with food, to take an everyday meal to the next level.
For thirty-five years, Connoisseurs' Guide has been the authoritative voice of the California wine consumer. With readers in all fifty states and twenty foreign countries, the Guide is valued by wine lovers everywhere for its honesty and for it strong adherence to the principles of transparency, unbiased, hard-hitting opinions.
Our mission is to become the trusted resource for the wine enthusiast, whether shopping for yourself or sending a gift. We strive to offer you a great selection, low prices, convenient delivery and information that helps you purchase and enjoy wine with confidence.
We take great pride in our extensive selection of wines and travel around the world to bring you great values, rare gems and the finest quality to satisfy your palate.
I rate wines using the 100-points scale. I have used this point system for close to 25 years. I still believe it is the simplest way to rate a wine, with its origins from grade school in the United States. A wine that I rate 90 points or more is outstanding (A), and worth buying. If I rate a wine 95 points or more (A+), it is a must buy.
In-house ratings from our expert staff.
View From the Cellar, an electronic wine newsletter published bi-monthly by John Gilman.
Homepage for wine writer, Neal Martin's, "Diary of a Wine Writer".
In-house ratings from our expert staff.
Malt Advocate magazine is America's leading whisky magazine. It's the number one source for whisky information, education and entertainment for whisky enthusiasts.
Dedicated to the wines and grapes of the Rhone Valley
Wine Review Online was originally conceived by Publisher Robert Whitley as an all-encompassing platform for the many talented wine journalists he came across in his travels as wine columnist for the Creators Syndicate.
In-house ratings from our expert staff.
The Wine Front is an independent review site for consumers. It is a subscriber-only service and has been since it started in 2002. It's run by Gary Walsh, Campbell Mattinson and Mike Bennie. Each year thousands of new wine reviews and comments are published here. All wines are given a score out of 100 and a 'best drinking' window.
In-house ratings from our expert staff.
Since launching in May 2013 Vinous has become one the fastest growing wine content websites in the world. Regular features include comprehensive reviews of new releases from Italy, California, Champagne and Burgundy, vertical tastings and retrospectives, in-depth videos shot on location, Vinous Favorites - our top picks under $25 - and Vinous Table, where we profile our top eating and drinking destinations.
ChampagneGuide.net is the web's most comprehensive guide to the wines and wine producers of Champagne. This online guide features profiles of over 160 champagne producers, from renowned négociant houses to small grower estates.
Jim Murray's Whisky Bible is the world's leading whisky guide. Each edition contains roughly 4,500 detailed, professionally analysed and easy to understand tasting notes on the world's leading and lesser known whiskies.
Whisky Advocate magazine is America's leading whisky magazine. The #1 source for whisky information, education & entertainment for whisky enthusiasts.
Decanter magazine is - quite simply - the world's best wine magazine. Read in over 90 countries, Decanter is required reading for everyone with an interest in wine - from amateur enthusiast to serious collector.
World-renowned wine authority and Master of Wine delivers her tasting notes, wine news, intelligent and courteous members' forum, and fine wine writing aplenty plus exclusive online access to The Oxford Companion to Wine.
THE TASTING PANEL magazine is the most widely circulated trade publication in the beverage industry, reaching an audience of thousands of key decision-makers every month and growing on an international scale.
Beverage Dynamics is the largest national magazine dedicated to the needs of the off-premise beverage alcohol retailer.
PinotReport is written exclusively about Western Pinot Noir.
RateBeer is an independent world site for craft beer enthusiasts and is dedicated to serving the entire craft beer community through beer education, promotion and outreach.
Drink Spirits is a spirit 'agnostic' site which means that, while we have our favorite spirits, we believe that there are amazing spirits within ALL categories of distilled spirits and alcohol.
We do our best to hand pick the wines we carry and deliver them to you at a great everyday price. Whether you are looking for a everyday dinner wine or a special occasion wine, our staff will meet your needs.
Toast Wines By Taste - 984B Farmington Ave., West Hartford CT 06107
Phone: 860-236-3515


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New article on FindBugs
Findbugs is one of my favorite static analysis tools. It's goal in life is to enables you to isolate and correct dangerous Java bugs in your code, and it does this particularly well. I find that the issues raise by FindBugs are very often worthy of attention - indeed, the issues it finds can be particularly knarly ones, and the "false-positive" rate is suprisingly low for this type of tool.
If you want to find out a little more about FindBugs, and especially how it compares to other static analysis tools on the market, check out this article on DevX.
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UNDATED (CNN) -- It's being called the "world's cutest frog." And though you might not want to kiss it, it sure will catch your ear.
Maybe this is what it sounds like when a frog has a frog in its throat. Actually, this is the defensive cry of what's being billed as the "world's cutest frog."
It was captured by wildlife enthusiast Dean Boshoff as he walked along a South African sand dune and heard a peculiar noise. He says, "When I heard that little squeak; I found him, I knelt down, couldn't believe the little sounds he was making."
In its first week or so on YouTube, this desert rain frog had about 3 million views; all those views for something tiny.
People commenting on line are saying that the frog sounds like it swallowed a squeaky toy. And we all know who loves squeaky toys.
When Dean posted the video he asked others to share their pets' reactions. There was some head butting and a lot of head cocking.
There were attempts to get at the frog and searches to try and figure out where that weird squeak was coming from. One smart dog even pawed, bit and snatched a smart phone playing the frog video.
Thanks to fairy tales and movies, we tend to think of frogs as not being cute until they get kissed and turned into princes.
But tell that to fans of the world's cutest frog, whose eyes were described by one admirer as looking like "sunset on the lake." but soon those endearing squeaks were replaced...
By a jokester transforming the cutest frog into the coughing opera frog. What's next?


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This weekend, Zeitgeist, the St. Paul-based new-music ensemble, will pay tribute to one of the undersung creative heroes of the local scene: composer and pianist Carei Thomas.
Since arriving in the Twin Cities in 1972, the Pittsburgh native has amassed an impressive body of work, collaborated with countless musicians, visual artists and dance and theater groups and dealt with the usual challenges faced by creative artists.
With admirable aplomb, he also has overcome at least one atypical hurdle: the partial paralysis of his hands due to a 1993 bout with the nerve disorder Guillain-Barre Syndrome.
Today through Sunday, Zeitgeist will perform a sampling of Thomas' compositions, culled from 392 he has written since 1959. They're all compiled in "Compositions and Concepts," a book he published in the fall. Along with sheet music, the book includes anecdotes about various pieces and his philosophy on composing.
Thomas, 72, spent his early years in Pittsburgh's racially and culturally kaleidoscopic Hill District. As a teenager, he moved with his family to Chicago, where he formed a doo-wop group, began playing jazz and attended college (interrupted by a two-year Army stint). During the '60s, Thomas led his first jazz groups and collaborated with various members of Chicago's influential Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians.
Thomas moved to Minneapolis in 1972 to study composing at the University of Minnesota.
In 1993, Thomas became seriously ill with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a mysterious disorder that attacks the nervous system with little warning. He was hospitalized and underwent physical rehabilitation until 1995. The disease left him with "not much" of the finger movement necessary for playing piano.
So, he figured out new ways to play chords, sometimes using the sides of his hands to strike the piano keys. It's apparent Thomas hasn't wasted time dwelling on his physical condition. "I've been able to adapt to it. You have to do the best with what you have."
He gives some of the credit for his recovery to the camaraderie and ease of communication within the local arts community. "There was a beautiful outpouring of help from people around town. People kept me going not with pats on the head and kind words, but with their energy. They gave me opportunities to perform when I was barely able to get around." After about two years of rehab, he landed a job as music director at Interact Center for the Visual and Performing Arts in Minneapolis.
This weekend's concerts at Studio Z are part of Zeitgeist's "Playing It Close to Home" concert series honoring local composers. Winners in Zeitgeist's song contest also will be honored.
Thomas, who will join the group for several tunes, says the Zeitgeist musicians "are so much like myself; they have this way of bringing history forward while engaging folks around them. They believe that local artists who are doing something well are just as important as nationally and internationally known artists."
A sampling of Thomas' compositions reveals a rare level of eclecticism, notes Zeitgeist percussionist Heather Barringer. "He's very eclectic — Satie, Debussy, Charlie Parker — he's open to various musical influences, although each composition is undeniably his own. You never mistake a Carei composition for something else, even though you may understand he was thinking about Charlie Parker at the moment.
"And his compositions have the ability to accept you wherever you may be as a musician. Even high school students or kids who have limited ability. His music is welcome to whatever performing spirit is playing it."
"I'm interested in bringing history with me into the future," Thomas says. "Beautiful things that the kids don't hear anymore — Haydn, Chopin, Scriabin, Bill Evans. When I'm composing, stuff comes through me. I don't know how."
Two years ago, Walker Art Center held a concert celebrating Thomas' 70th birthday. Phillip Bither, senior curator for the performing arts at the Walker, says Thomas is "a really unique spirit and that extends beyond just music.
"He has a generosity and ebullience that has connected him to people across a range of styles and genres. He really defies separation between people, whether by age, race or style, and we see that in the bands he puts together."
What: Zeitgeist New Music Ensemble's "Playing It Close to Home" concert
When: 7:30 p.m. today-Sunday
Where: Studio Z, 275 E. Fourth St., Suite 200, St. Paul
Tickets: $10
Information: zeitgeistnewmusic.org


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In the Zimbabwe bush, game scouts employed by the Turgwe Hippo Trust make daily patrols to collect snares set by poachers in hopes of staying one step ahead of tragedy. But the other day, one of the scouts named Herbert (pictured below) returned to Hippo Haven with bad news.
"He told me that he had found a snared male waterbuck," said the Trust's Founder Karen Paolillo. "He said it was dead so I didn't go with him but I sent him to the safari camp opposite to get their manager and some staff to go there and pick up the animal."
Six men returned to the site and all stood in silence as the most remarkable thing happened. As they approached the dead waterbuck whose body was on the ground with legs in the air, suddenly the animal began to stir. It rose to its feet and Herbert and the others wrestled with anxiety as now they were no longer facing a recovery effort, but instead a dangerous rescue of a powerful horned animal. They'd taken no more than another step towards the animal when the most amazing thing happened. The wire snare broke, right at the noose and opened up. The waterbuck was not only alive, but also free.
"It jumped and ran and ran," Karen explained. "Part of the wire snare was still attached to the tree and there was blood, but not blood that kills, just a small amount from the wire cutting the animal's neck."
If the scouts had not gone to retrieve the "dead" waterbuck, they never would have known it was alive. It was actually fear of the approaching humans that saved the waterbuck as he suddenly summoned the strength to return to his feet and run from the men he thought had arrived to hurt him.
"If the poachers had gotten there first, they would have killed him by cutting his feet or using bows and arrows or spears," Karen explained while considering just how incredible the discovery was in the first place. "Don't forget that the area that Herbert and the others were patrolling that day is three miles long by about two miles wide with heavily densed bush and trees. Snares could be anywhere."
Herbert is very proud of his job and of playing such an unusual role in saving the waterbuck, but he credits a higher power for this golden moment.
"If God had not been working with us, this rescue would not have been possible," Herbert said to Karen. "He told you where to send me that day and together we saved a life."
And by the way, later that day Karen asked Herbert to return to the site to check for more snares and he found a huge four loop device that could have easily claimed one of the young hippos.
Yes, this was a good day in the African wilderness. A very good day indeed. See more of the Trust's work here.
Brought to you by the Harmony Fund international animal rescue network.
Related Stories:
Wild Warthog Lowers His Powerful Tusks and Asks for a Belly Rub
Wildlife Guardian Accepted by Baboons: Tender Video Footage
Read more: africa, animal rescue, harmony-fund, Herbert, hippos, turgwe hippo trust, waterbuck, zimbabwe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7hbyO9Y6q4ANIMAL DEFENDERS
Urgent update about Herbert, the scout who aided the waterbuck and removes snares that could catch other animals- the majority of his humble house burned down in an accident, and now he and his family have nothing! If you go to the Turgwe Hippo Trust website ( I always just type in "savehippos" and it shows up )- even the smallest donation would help this family. Herbert risks his safety every day, trying to find snares and catch poachers, and his family sacrifices too, when he is away from them, scouting the bush- they deserve our gratitude, and any financial support that you can afford!
I'm glad the waterbuck survived......just like Anita posted Animals 1/Poachers 0
The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.
"Die Größe eines Volkes und seine moralischen Fortschritte können daran gemessen werden, wie es seine Tiere behandelt."
Those who are cruel to animals cannot be righteous human beings.
Wer gegen Tiere grausam ist, kann kein guter Mensch sein.
The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.
"Die Größe eines Volkes und seine moralischen Fortschritte können daran gemessen werden, wie es seine Tiere behandelt."
Those who are cruel to animals cannot be righteous human beings.
Wer gegen Tiere grausam ist, kann kein guter Mensch sein.
God bless you Herbert and continue to use you and others to save His creatures!
Shame on these people, I hope they rot in Hell!!!
Thank you so much for the beautiful article.
This story put the biggest smile on my face!!!
that is so awesome!
Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may
not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.
He is the proverbial troll under the bridge! ...see what I did there? OK OK, I won't give up my day…
Don't know if having a community reserve will be of that much use if just setting it up is itself going…
sad and so wrong but that is common in our government
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