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Matt Burns
Matt is a Senior Editor at TechCrunch.
Matt Burns is a family man first and attempts to be a writer second. Born and raised in the heart of the automotive world, only cars eclipse his love of gadgets. He previously wrote for Engadget and EngadgetHD before moving into the party house that is TechCrunch.
His passions include emails, run-on sentences and following through with action items developed during a conference call.CrunchBase profile →
Featured Picks from Matt Burns
Latest from Matt Burns
Dell going Green with the help of LEDs
Environmentally friendly products are all the rage these days and Dell's determined to help with LED back-lighting. Never mind that retooling production lines and importing the "green" material generally carries a higher carbon footprint than the current material, but still, it's nice to feel like Captain Planet sometimes. Read More
T-Mobile G1 roundup
We understand that your emotions were flying high yesterday with the G1 launch. So many questions that you had to have answered 'bout Google's first foray into the mobile world and just in case you missed something, here is a rundown of our G1 coverage. T-Mobile G1 specs leaked prior to announcement G-day: Other September 23rds in history Confirmed: Amazon MP3 on the… Read More
Woot-off Alert!
In case you didn't notice yesterday, Woot is currently in full-tilt Woot-off mode. This is the place if you need a random Bluetooth headset, vacuum, or plasma TV on the cheap. Plus, it's a great cubical time waster as you obsessively hit refresh waiting for the current item to sell out. Read More
Three informative WowWee Rovio commercials
The production Rovio launched a few days ago and RobotsRule.com just uploaded a few videos that showcase the little guy's key features. So, if you are still unclear what the Wifi remote control webcam robot thingie does, check out the one above and the two after the jump. Read More
The Stanley 3-in-One LED Flashlight should be in your car right now
If you have ever had to change a tire in the dark, you can probably imagine how handy a tripod flashlight can be. If you have ever changed a tire on a snowy night, you understand why you would want the 95-155 Stanley 3-in-1 Tripod Flashlight to lend a hand. I had too last winter, but in my "Eagle Scout always prepared duffle bag," I had a big Maglight which is in fact, the… Read More
Eureka's S.A.R.A.H Twitterview'd
You're probably gearing up for tonight's mid-season finally of Eureka. After all, with the exception of the lame Degree deodorant spots, the show is filled with the best gadgets ever imagined and if you're reading Crunchgear, you like gadgets. S.A.R.A.H, the local smart house, might be the greatest of 'em all with a direct line to Global Dynamics and the ability to… Read More
It's a good thing that Samsung didn't buy SanDisk – for us at least
Have ya noticed that the price of flash memory keeps dropping? Apparently, everyone and their brother built plants to manufacture the memory and now the market is over saturated causing the prices to drop. Flash memory insiders were hoping that the SanDisk acquisition by Samsung would stimulate the industry and stabilize prices. Is that what we want as consumers? Stabilized prices? I… Read More
Packard Bell enters the netbook game with the dot
Everyone's favorite '90s computer brand has a rock'n 8.9-inch netbook that seems to stand above the manufacturers former reputation. The Packard Bell dot and is built around a full install of Windows XP, powered by an Intel Atom and sports WiFi, along optional 3G wireless. A 6-cell battery provides power on the go for this €399 netbook. The European launch is slated… Read More
Canon 40D hacked to record movies
Feeling a little out of the DSLR movie-shooting crowd? Understandable since almost every DSLR announced within the last few weeks have had the new capability, but one chap hacked his Canon 40D so he wouldn't feel so left out. The clip embedded above shows that in fact, he is recording live off the camera, not via the TV-out; here is a clip from the camera. Granted, you… Read More
Bentley updates Ego laptop line – still extremely overpriced, dated technology
Twenty thousand U.S. dollars should buy you one hell of a laptop, right? Not so with the Bentley Ego laptop though, where 20k buys you standard Best Buy special-type specs (64-bit processor & 160GB HDD) within a Bentley handcrafted case. These laptops have been around since '03, but maybe you got yourself a new Bently and so you might want laptop constructed with the same… Read More
The TomTom ONE XL II gets poked and prodded by the FCC
The TomTom ONE XL II (that's a mouthful) launch is one step closer with the FCC stamp of approval. Details are still up in the air, but it seems this guy simply updates the previous model with Bluetooth hands-free calling. Even the available users guide doesn't reveal any juicy details as it seems as if the guide is just repurposed from the current generation. All the docs are… Read More
The must-see Android video demo from Google
Google just made available an in-depth look at Android that you're going to wanna watch. Shows off the Google syncing, phone lock, and much more. It should answer most of those questions swirling 'round your head about the just-launched G1's operating system. Update: Just added the not nearly as informative but still official HTC T-Mobile G1 tour after the break. Read More
Wireless USB coming to Samsung digital cameras
Samsung has been working with Alereon on a wireless USB solution for Samsung cameras and it seems they have something dubbed NaBee. From the sounds of the press release, it's simply a small dongle that plugs into both the camera and computer's USB port. That's it. Read More
T-Mobile G1 gets priced & dated
You can finally get your grubby mitts on your very own T-Mobile G1 Android phone for $179 with a two-year contract with data on October 22 here in the US. Existing T-Mobile customers can pre-order today in limited quantities. The U.K. will get the phone beginning in November, and will be across Europe by the first quarter of '09. Wonder if we'll see long Apple iPhone-ish lines? Read More
Sony outs the Wireless, DVD and Input BRAVIA Link modules
Sony is aiming to bring back simplicity to its Bravia flat-panel TVs with Link Modules. These devices hook to the back of Bravia LCDs and add different functionally to the set, but allows the owner to use the same remote and menu system. These add-ons will be priced will with the 1080i Wireless Link (DMX-WL1) going for $800, the DVD Module (DMX-DVD) for $200, and Input module (DMX-SW1) that… Read More
The new 32GB SanDisk Extreme III CompactFlash card goes great with DSLR HD video
You are going to need a big, fast CompactFlash card now that high-def video is the norm for higher-end DSLR cameras and SanDisk has your back. The flash memory firm just announced its 32GB drive that can hold an hour and a half of 1080p HD video or a whole bunch of RAW photos. Plus, the card boosts 30 MB/s read write speeds which, the company says will transfer the whole 32GB card in under… Read More
Smartparts intros the gigantic SP3200WF 32-inch, WiFi-enabled digital picture frame
Either you hate 'em or you love 'em, but digital picture frames in all their unnaturally LCD bright glory are here to stay. Smartparts latest is this massive 32-inch model that is sure to draw attention – and power – as your family pics are fed through a WiFi connection – or the standard flash memory ports of SD, MS, and Compact Flash. The 1366×768, 16:9… Read More
The Sony 11-inch Vaio TT laptops get official
Details of the Sony TT lineup have been seeping onto the Interwebs for the last few days, but ultra-mobile laptops are finally official from Sony. There aren't many surprises after the spec sheet was found yesterday, but the addition of a 256 GB SSD (128×2 RAID) and Sprint EV-DO mobile broadband options are more than welcome additions. Plus, all these goodies come in a laptop… Read More
Reverie by Vincent Laforet, a Canon 5D HD commercial
We've been teased with screenshots and a camera phone video, but here is Vincent Laforet's high-def commercial shot on a preproduction Canon EOS 5D Mark II and the HD picture is stunning. Read More
The Seattle Sling Dry Bag keeps your cams dry and afloat
The Seattle Sling CA-2001-BLK, the first case produced by Made Products after the Lowepro acquisition, is meant for all you adventurous types. The claim to fame is the case's zipper-less dry bag center compartment that will obviously work great 'round water, but also hanging on the beach or cruising Dakar by keeping your camera's dry and dust free. Your gear should… Read More


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Bassett & Byers Press Releases
By Bassett & Byers, P.A.
Kevin Bassett, President of Bassett & Byers, P.A., announced the expansion of the practice and a name change to reflect the addition of a new partner, B. Dane Byers, CPA, ABV, CFF.
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subset: commoncrawl


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|Booksie Address:
|United States
|Favorite book:
|House of night novels
|Member Since:
|Mar 14, 2011
Hey im Scarlet! Im very into suppernatural, i also love to draw my profile pic is my drawing but got messed up scanning, I worship nyx goddess of the night and i hope i can find other people who worship like me! UM...I also am in love with writing and very silly and goth...hope you like my work!! My email is email@example.com email me if you want im aways up for a chat!
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Imaging with isotopes: high resolution and quantitation
Journal of Biology 2006, 5:17 doi:10.1186/jbiol48Published: 5 October 2006
First paragraph (this article has no abstract)
"By the help of Microscopes, there is nothing so small as to escape our inquiry; hence there is a new visible World discovered to the understanding." Thus wrote Robert Hooke in his pioneering work Micrographia [1] published by the Royal Society in 1664. In this revolutionary book, Hooke described with excitement his discoveries using a simple light microscope, coining the word 'cell' to define the microscopic structures he saw in cork and plant samples. In this issue of Journal of Biology [2], Claude Lechene and colleagues describe a 21st century microscopy technology (Figure 1) that also reveals images we have never seen before.


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Olivia O'Bryan, 10, colors her sundial at the history and archaeology program, part of the University of West Florida Explore Summer Camps. Kids are learning about history and archaeology through hands-on activities this week, including planting herbs, making sundials, churning butter and touring historic houses downtown.
- Filed Under
To kids, summer equals the end of textbooks, quizzes and learning. But the learning continues for kids at the archaeology and history program this week, one of the University of West Florida Explore Summer Camps.
Last week, the kids visited several museums, toured historic homes, planted their own herbs, made sundials and watched an archaeological excavation.
"I think this camp really helps kids broaden their horizons, and we do it in a hands-on, interesting way," said Sheyna Marcey, one of the camp directors and the director of education at West Florida Historic Preservation, Inc. ...


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One person is flown to UK Hospital after being shot in Pulaski County.
It happened Tuesday afternoon in the Oak Hill community.
Sheriff's deputies say the victim suffered a gunshot wound to the chest. They say the victim was toying with the gun when it went off.
His name and condition is not being released.


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Governor Chris Christie visits Zoetis to deliver an address to Zoetis employees at the opening of its new Florham Park headquarters in this September 2013 file photo.
- Filed Under
Willmer joins Ogilvy CommonHealth Medical Marketing
PARSIPPANY: Ogilvy CommonHealth Worldwide has announced that Andy Willmer has joined Ogilvy CommonHealth Medical Marketing as executive vice president, director of client services.
Reporting directly to Darlene Dobry, president of the group and managing partner at Ogilvy CommonHealth Worldwide, Willmer will be responsible for developing and maintaining the group's ongoing client activities, relationships and services.
Additionally, he will develop account team personnel and lead strategic and tactical planning initiatives. Most recently, he served as senior vice president, director of client services at Havas Health network's Health4Brands Catapult communications company in Hamilton.
With more than 25 years in the pharmaceutical industry, Willmer is a seasoned multichannel professional with diverse global, category and client experience. He began his career as a sales rep for Pharmacia & Upjohn and through the years held many senior-level positions at both pharmaceutical companies and marketing firms, including director of new product planning at Biovail Pharmaceuticals (now Valeant Pharmaceuticals International), International Business Leader at Hoffmann-La Roche, and senior vice president, management supervisor at Euro RSCG Life (now Havas Life).
Zoetis announces dividend
FLORHAM PARK: The Board of Directors of Zoetis have declared a first quarter dividend payable to holders of the company's common stock of $.072 per share, an increase of 11 percent from the quarterly dividend rate paid in 2013. The dividend is to be paid on Mar. 4.
"Since our IPO in February, we have been able to demonstrate the strength of our business model as an independent company and our commitment to generating long-term value for shareholders," said Zoetis Chief Executive Officer Juan Ramón Alaix. "With the Board's approval, we are increasing our dividend as we head into 2014 and continuing our commitment to effective and efficient use of our cash."
Zoetis is the leading animal health company, dedicated to supporting its customers and their businesses. Building on a 60-year history as the animal health business of Pfizer, according to a press release from the company, which said that Zoetis discovers, develops, manufactures and markets veterinary vaccines and medicines, complemented by diagnostic products and genetic tests and supported by a range of services. In 2012, the company generated annual revenues of $4.3 billion.
With approximately 9,300 employees worldwide at the beginning of 2013, Zoetis has a local presence in approximately 70 countries, including 29 manufacturing facilities in 11 countries. Its products serve veterinarians, livestock producers and people who raise and care for farm and companion animals in 120 countries, the release said.


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- Jan 8:
- San Elizario's first election set for May 10
- Nov 19:
- San Elizario mayoral election date to be determined
- Nov 8:
- Several consider running for San Elizario mayor
- Nov 6:
- San Elizario votes to become city
- Nov 5:
- Election Day: San Elizario designation up to voters
- Aug 24:
- San Elizario seeks independence
- Jul 7:
- Group seeks OK for San Elizario incorporation
- Apr 20:
- San Elizario incorporation group to share information today
- Apr 18:
- San Elizario pro-incorporation group to meet Saturday to discuss progress
- Mar 19:
- Bills would let San Elizario incorporate without OK from Socorro
- Aug 24:
- San Elizario seeks independence
- Apr 27:
- San Eli residents continue drive to incorporate town
- Apr 20:
- San Elizario incorporation group to share information today
- Mar 19:
- Bills would let San Elizario incorporate without OK from Socorro
- Mar 3:
- San Elizario incorporation on hold until fall
- Feb 23:
- Judge issues temporary stay of Socorro's annexation plan
- Feb 22:
- Judge may put brakes on Socorro annexation plan (update)
- Feb 13:
- Socorro's annexation plan for San Elizario on hold
- Feb 12:
- El Paso County sues over Socorro's annexation plan
- Feb 11:
- El Paso County will sue to stop Socorro from annexing part of San Elizario
SOCORRO -- A fight is brewing between two historic communities over a proposal by Socorro to annex a small part of neighboring San Elizario.
A standing-room-only crowd of about 100 people, most of whom said they were against annexation, filled the Socorro City Council chambers Tuesday evening during the first public hearing on the proposal.
The proposed annexation would add seven parcels of mostly desert land to Socorro, but the heart of the controversy is a piece of land in San Elizario along the Rio Grande bordering Socorro.
San Elizario residents fear losing the charm of their storied town if Socorro starts taking parts of their unincorporated community, which traces its roots to Spanish explorers in 1598.
"What you have done is opened the eyes of the sleeping giant of San Elizario," San Elizario native and history preservationist Ben Sanchez told the council. "What you are doing is for economic reasons. It would benefit Socorro. As it has been said before, you have a fight on your hands."
Some Socorro residents also complained that officials should fix streets and other problems before attempting to add more land.
A second hearing on the proposed annexation will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Socorro administration building.
Socorro city spokesman David Garcia said the proposal could go to vote by the Socorro City Council as early as the last week of January or the first week of February. An estimated cost of the annexation was not available.
Garcia said the proposed annexation in San Elizario would not include the historic San Elizario plaza and adobe chapel but does include a sliver of the historic Mission Trail.
Garcia said that land, if annexed, would fall under Socorro city regulations, which would help improve and protect development, including helping curb such problems as illegal dumping and unpaved roads. Annexed areas would pay city taxes while receiving city services.
Socorro is also looking at taking parcels of land on the south edge of Interstate 10 east of Eastlake Boulevard.
Horizon City Mayor Walter Miller told the Socorro council that his town is against Socorro taking one parcel of desert land north of I-10 and at the south edge of the Horizon City limits. Miller said the land is in Horizon City's extraterritorial jurisdiction (meaning Horizon City has first chance at the land) and is potentially valuable because it is next to an industrial park.
Socorro City Attorney Jerry Wallace said that farms and properties with horses and animals that are annexed would be grandfathered to remain the same. The annexation would not change which schools children attend, Wallace said.
El Paso County Commissioner Vince Perez was at the meeting after getting calls from worried residents. "We need to be sure their concerns are heard," he said.
In general, Perez said, annexation is not necessarily bad because city rules can help improve parts of the county that are currently without any regulation. Perez was concerned about how the proposed that Socorro annexation could affect the county's work to preserve history.
San Elizario resident Maya Sanchez told the Socorro council, which has a history of scandals, that it should focus on its own city first. "It would be great if you got your house in order before taking other peoples'," she said.
Daniel Borunda may be reached at email@example.com; 546-6102. Follow him on Twitter @BorundaDaniel
Make plans


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Forest Green vs Lincoln City: Rovers move top after win
Posted: September 28, 2012|
Matt Taylor scored twice as Forest Green eased to a 3-0 victory against Lincoln and moved to the top of the Blue Square Bet Premier table in the process.
Taylor opened the scoring with his fifth goal of the season in the 16th minute, firing home from close range after good work from Yan Klukowski down the left.
Only a superb save from Paul Farman denied Taylor his second as he lashed in a shot from the edge of the box that was superbly gathered by the goalkeeper.
It was 2-0 early in the second half when Taylor headed home Ed Asafu-Adjaye's right-wing cross from six yards.
Al Bangura had to be replaced by Magno Vieira due to injury shortly afterwards, and it was the substitute who made it 3-0 with another close-range finish after Farman could only push Taylor's header straight to him.
Kieron Forbes saw a fierce effort tipped around the post and Farman was at his best again to deny Steve Brogan with his feet as Rovers went in search of a fourth.


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Why Not More Chamber Music
AbstractCalifornia-Western Conference at Oakland G E R T R U D E B. P A R S O N S, L O S Angeles, California, President A. G. W A H L B E R G, Fresno. California, 1st Vice-President M A R Y W E A V E R M C C A U L E Y, San Francisco, California, Director G L E N N W O O D S, Oakland, California, Director E D N A O. D O U T H I T, 5153 Meridian Street, Los Angeles, California, Secretary-Treasurer M A R Y I R E L A N D, 2 4 1 4 Street, Sacramento, California, 2nd Vice-President and Editor Friends of the California-Western Conference: O U R Executive Committee wel comes this opportunity to announce that final arrangements have been made for the presentation of our Con ference programs next spring, in the beautiful Scottish Rite Building at Oak land, California. In no city heretofore have we found such an ideal meeting place; for, firstly, the architecture of the building, together with the magnificent view from its por tals, is most admirable; one feels a real uplift at the very approach!


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Running Time: 71 min.
Production Date: 4 / 15 / 2012
Director: None credited
Cast: India Summer and some uncredited guys
Audio /Video Quality: The technical aspects barely make it past the average mark. The audio is decently balanced and free of background noises but nothing special. The video is presented in a mix of anamorphic widescreen and the full frame format that works pretty well. It's nothing special, but isn't too bad for a fetish release.
Watermark Warning: Some of the scenes have a watermark that appears in the corners. Although I don't know of anyone who likes a watermark, I fully support studios who feel that they need to use a watermark to protect their product if it's done right. Sadly, the watermark here is not done right. Not only is it fairly large, it comes and goes throughout the movie drawing attention to itself and away from the main action through the movie as well as being fairly large. This is not the way to do a watermark, and I hope that The Venus Girls either stops using them in the future or learns how to do them right.
The Movie: Cuckold Honeymoon 3 collects six scenes featuring the hot brunette MILF dominating her worthless man.
|Scene 1 - India Summer and a guy
Cum on Hubby's Houseboy's Chastity starts with India in a red bra and panties along with red topped back stockings ringing a bell for hubby to bring her a drink on a table held in his mouth as he crawls up to her. She enjoys her drink as the scene cuts to her torturing his caged cock slapping and stretching his balls and jerking his cock against the restraints of its chastity cage. India continues to talk down to him as she works a magic wand around her pussy until she cums, and then works it around his balls. India tortures him a little more before the scene finally fades out without her allowing him to cum.
|Scene 2 - India Summer and a guy
India starts the next scene in a black and white panty set with black stockings enjoying a sucker and letting her man know that Mommy's been out getting fucked good before having him worship and clean her feet. India continues to tease him with her feet before stroking his cock with them. India continues to stoke her man's cock with her feet while holding her sucker and talking down to him. India continues to talk down to him after an editing cut and lets him know how lucky he is to have her attention as she strokes him before finally granting him release over her gloved hand.
|Scene 3 - India Summer and a guy
The next scene starts with India's man busting over her hands as she strokes him before returning to her stroking him. India continues to stroke him while enjoying a fag, and continues to give him plenty of dirty talk as she strokes him and blows smoke over his cock and balls. Finally the guy busts in the air as well as over her hand.
|Scene 4 - India Summer and a guy
Hubby Houseboy's Bad Cock starts with India sitting and ready a book wearing a black bra, white panties,and red topped black stockings as she rings for her man. He quickly arrives wearing a clear cock cage, and India tortures him teasing him through his cage as well as with the key to his cage before freeing him from his cage. She strokes his cock while continuing to read her book before wrapping a rag around his cock and stroking him while giving him a bit of dirty talk. India gives him another chastity device in the form of a metal cockring and continues to stroke him while refusing to give him permission to cum. India chastises him when he finally cums in the rag she was stroking him with, and gives his cock a good squeeze while reminding him that he doesn't have permission to cum and how it's a bad cock that deserves to be tortured.
|Scene 5 - India Summer and a guy
India starts out Cow Milking Hubby's Chastity ringing a bell and having her man come up and get on all fours for her to present his pathetic ass to her. She strokes his caged cock and balls before working on his balls with a magic wand. Finally India lets him cum in her coffee.
|Scene 6 - India Summer and a guy
India starts out You Cum Only When I Say stroking her man and giving his balls a bit of attention. She also gives him a bit of dirty talk and smokes in front of his balls before the scene cuts out.
Cuckold Honeymoon 3 is a pretty disappointing cuckold release. I say this as someone who's enjoyed cocktease and cuckold movies in the past rather than a newbie. India Summer does a nice job with the cuckold and cocktease aspect, but not only does the editing often leave the scenes choppy but it also kills much of the mood in the scenes. The release also feels largely like a "Best of India Summer" release, as it never really addresses the husband or honeymoon aspects that the title puts forward, in addition to never really seeming like top notch scenes. With the track record I've had with both Venus Girls and India Summer in the past I went into Cuckold Honeymoon 3 with high expectations, but I came out more than disappointed.
The Extras: None. There isn't even a photo gallery.
Condom Usage: Some
Final Thoughts: Even as a fan of cocktease movies, it's a rental at best.
Note to Venus Girls: Giving credit when it's due is always a good thing, even when it's cuckolded guys being given the credit.
If you have any questions or comments, please e-mail me.
Other reviews by Astroknight


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New Zealand Consulate-General Hong Kong
Business Breakfast with Celia Wade-Brown, Mayor of Wellington, 27 July 2011
Wellington's Mayor, Ms Celia Wade-Brown, will visit Hong Kong with a delegation of Wellington-based business persons on 27 July.
The delegation will join with the New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong at a business breakfast during which there will opportunity to discuss the latest developments in Wellington, the relationship between Wellington and the region (Wellington has sister city relationships with Beijing and Xiamen) and seek details and comment on what opportunities there are for Hong Kong-based businesses. Please click here for more information and to register with the Chamber now to secure your place at this event.
Of interest
United Nations Handbook
The UN Handbook is a comprehensive guide to the UN system and how it works. Read more
New Zealand wins Security Council seat
New Zealand has secured a place on the UN Security Council for 2015-16. Read the Prime Minister's media release
Registering your overseas travel made easier
New Zealanders travelling or living overseas, registering your travel online now made easier. Read more
The Christchurch Earthquake Appeal
News about how the donations are contributing to the rebuild, ways to donate and more.


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(Editor's note: Gov. Marc Racicot's scheduled visit here last week for the Trees Celelbration and a tour of Pyramid was canceled when the governor's helicopter was forced to return to Helena after encountering thunderstorms near Lincoln. Other events came off as scheduled.)
by Patricia Swan Smith
For the Pathfinder
May 4, 2000
Seeley Swan Pathfinder
Seeley Lake, Montana
One of the highlights of the Celebration of Trees this year was a performance by accomplished young artist Tina Hatch of the University of Montana. The pianist is shown here with Marilyn Peterson of The Emily A. Bed & Breakfast where Tina performed.
In April of 1987, the Seeley Lake Senior Citizens sponsored the first Founder's Day celebration. Those responsible for organizing and building the Community Hall were honored; the main players were Bert Sullivan, Herb and Butch Townsend, and Alan and Mildred Chaffin.
The Second Founders' Day, April 1988, honored guest speaker John Toole, who talked about the "Early Days of Seeley". Toole was the former mayor of Missoula, and was a seasonal resident in Seeley Lake for most of his life.
The Third Founders day, April 1989, featured early logging and Pyramid Mountain Lumber's 40th anniversary. Last week's article described the past and present lumber company.
The Fourth Founder's Day, April 1992, featured the history of the Postal Service in the Seeley-Swan. Dennis Nemmers, Margaret Anders, Jessie Perro Dombey, Rennae Greenough, Arlene Brown, Roselyn Carey and Frank York were honored.
After the 4th Founders' Day, Rod Kvamme decided a new theme was needed.
"There is no one here who is not dependent on, or connected to, or who doesn't do something related to trees in some way. So I got the idea of the Celebration of Trees," Kvamme said in a Missoulian interview in April of 1998.
This celebration was his way of getting all the residents of Seeley together to help celebrate the valley and Arbor Day.
The first Celebration of Trees, April 1994, was centered around the Jim Jirard Memorial Tamarack Grove, a 60-acre park near the outlet of Seeley. Jirard was a widely-known and loved forester. He began his work here in Seeley Lake in 1908 for the US Forest Service. The program included guest speakers Gareth Moon, retired DNRC State Forester, Orville Daniels, supervisor of the Lolo National Forest, and Bud Moore, retired Forest Service.
The second Celebration of Trees, April 1996, celebrated the history of smoke jumpersthe jumpers trained at Camp Paxson and then practiced jumping near Clearwater Junction. This celebration offered exhibits and videos by Jack Demmons of the Smokejumper Museum, a presentation by Roy Wegner, the 1943 Smokejumper Training Camp Director, and "Tales about Smokejumping" by Earl Cooley, a smokejumping pioneer.
In April 1998, the theme for the Celebration of Trees was centered around the Old Barn, which now sits on Highway 83. It was moved from the Double Arrow Ranch where it was built in the winter of 1929-30. When restored, it will serve as a museum and visitor's center. Jack Rich, Helen Rich and Bob Manchester, a wrangler at the barn in the early 30s, shared their history and involvement with "the old barn".
While the whole community has worked together to make these events memorable, Rod Kvamme has chaired every one of these events.


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If your pet is being dressed in a costume, be sure it fits well and doesn't impede his vision or movement. Trying it on before the occasion is advised. All closures should be velcro to ensure your pet can get free if caught on something. Masks may be cute, but a pet that cannot see well can become nervous and even the sweetest might nip at someone if he cannot see clearly.
If you are taking your pet trick-or-treating with the family, be sure he has ID tages, rabies and license tags or is microchipped, in case he gets lost. Costumes, collars and leashes with reflective tape will help motorists see him in the dark. And if your pet is staying at home, be sure he is not frightened by the unusual activity in the neighborhood.
Everyone loves getting a bag full of candy, but the treats may be toxic to your pets. Chocolate can be deadly and most other candies can be dangerous as well as posing choking hazards. Be careful with the candy wrappers as an over-eager pet may gobble them up before they hit the floor.
The spooky decorations with the scary lights and strange noises may frighten your pets to where they end up hurting themselves or others.


text: > View Product Details Please select the size of the product. Please enter valid quantity. Marc by Marc Jacobs ivory and black silk optional tie neck short sleeve blouse overview details Retail: $248.00 Reduced: $70.97 20% Off : $56.78 color : We're sorry. This style is sold out. Ivory / Black This short sleeve button-up blouse from Marc by Marc Jacobs has a removable tie buttoned to the neck to give you a tuxedo inspired look. Color: Ivory / Black Lightweight, semi-sheer silk Scoop neckline Button-down front Short sleeve Optional button removable neck tie Contemporary fit 100% Silk; Dry Clean; Imported; style#321547001


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Despite an increasing professionalism in the sport of sailing and yacht racing, many sailing rights holders' presentations are inferior to those prepared by 20 year old motor-racing drivers.
Even with the sunglasses on, this face is recognisable. (See Top Tip #2)
After a few tough years, sponsorship is showing signs of growing, especially for properties that can prove their value to brands who are looking for ways to engage disparate audiences. At the top end of the sport of sailing, rights holders who have been working incredibly hard to educate brands about their value are expected to announce big deals in coming weeks, which will be good news for sailing.
But having just read another fairly lazy attempt at soliciting funds for what is fundamentally an interesting sailing campaign, I thought I would share some of the things that bug me about many of the pitches that come onto my desk.
Sponsorship Proposal Tip 1 – Your Cost is not the Price!
Just because a can of Red Bull costs a few pennies to manufacture does not mean that the brand sells you it for pennies. Instead, the sugar and carbonated water and mystery energy ingredients give you wings and a reflected sense of cool. You pay a couple of bucks for that product because its value to you is much higher than the cost to the manufacturer.
Similarly, the price for your sailing campaign should not be the amount that it will cost you to deliver it. The price, or the amount you ask for, should be a valuation of the benefit that the sponsor will derive from being involved.
Bear in mind that the sponsor is looking for a return on the amount invested that is a multiple of the outlay – if they spend $100,000 then they are looking to get $300,000 or $400,000 worth of value in return.
There may be a time in the negotiation where a sponsor will want to know how the money will be allocated, but showing the equipment and team running costs doesn't highlight the value of the investment.
[This story continues with:
Sponsorship Proposal Tip 2 – Invest in Photography, and
Sponsorship Proposal Tip 3 – Go Digital.]
For the full story http://www.yachtracing.biz/blog/2012/02/sponsorship-proposal-tips-for-sailors/!click_here


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recently came accross your most excellent forum after going one too many rounds of frustration with our Asko W600 washer.
Any forum that combines appliance repair with a love of beer and thing Nihon is alright by me!
Ok so to business. My 12 year old Asko w600 has been making a variety of scraping and screeching noises when it washes. So far have removed front panel, pump and main drain hose. The booty so far amounts to several coins, nails, staples, bits of wire, and lots of hair clips/pins (the last being the main culprit.)
I'm down to one noise which is a scraping/scratching when the drum rotates - removed the rear panel and it appears to be coming from under the round plate on the rear of the drum. There is a triangular plate in the middle of it, with one big bolt. (see picture)
My question is - if I undo this bolt, will it remove the cover plate or is it the key to total drum dissassembly? I'd like to know before I turn it!
Thanks in anticipation,'


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Open House
Kenny's Home for men is done! We are hosting an Open House for both homes on Cross and Union. The two homes are named for Jean Hooten (founder of the Disability Ministry at College Church) and Kenny Hansen (one of our first STARS), and are built side by side. The open house is Sunday, November 8, 2:30-5:20 p.m. You are welcome to join us. The addresses are 375 and 377 N. Cross Street in Wheaton. The women's home has been operating since April of this year.
Amazon Smile Program
If you sign up for the Amazon Smile Program, every time you make an Amazon purchase, a small percentage of that purchase is automatically donated to a charity of your choice—hopefully, STARS Family Services! Just visit smile.amazon.com and sign up.
Meet the ladies of our all new Jean Hooten Home!
Did you know that Diane has an amazing memory and a knack for puzzles? Or that Cheryl is an avid swimmer and Katie is a Yahtzee specialist? Did you know that Gwynne sings solos including the National Anthem and Cassie volunteers as a teacher's aide? Check out our new bio page to learn more about these amazing women and their many talents.
First Presbyterian Pay-it-Forward Plan Benefits Hooten Home
Marion Robbins, member of First Presbyterian Church of Wheaton, received $100 and turned it into $1300 which she donated to STARS Family Services to benefit the newly opened women's home.
An anonymous member of First Presbyterian offered $10,000 to the congregation to be used for community outreach and charity. On February 22, the pastors handed out one hundred $100 bills to folks who raised their hands to participate in the plan. Each recipient was charged with multiplying the money and then giving it away to benefit others.
Marion Robbins raised her hand. As the pastor referenced the parable of the mustard seed in Matthew 13: 31-32, an idea began to formulate in her mind for what she would do with the money she had just been given. She ordered a lovely sterling silver mustard seed necklace from a jeweler and organized a raffle to raise money for STARS.
Why STARS? Marion was a volunteer for years with the Court Friends Program, interviewing wards and guardians of the court. She states, "As a result of these interviews I have always been impressed with the work of the STARS program for the disabled and of course, when I read about the new group home.....it was a match for me!"
What a beautiful example of God at work. Thank you Marion!
SFS in the Daily Herald!
STARS Family Services was featured in Susan Dibble's article in the Daily Herald this week. Follow this link to read more about the new Women's home.
Please note that the SFS phone number at the end of the article is incorrect.
The correct number is 630-206-0243.
Here are some pictures of the women's house kitchen to get excited about!
STARS in the Daily Herald
Check out this article in the Daily Herald about our Little Patch of Heaven Radio Show.
The STARS Women's Home
Meet the ladies of the first STARS home for women! While the women's house is being finished, the ladies have been meeting at the Washington House for snacks, crafts, and games to get to know one another better. We are close to opening the new house and could still use your help. See what you can do by visiting this page. Thank you for your support!


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Mobile network security solutions company AdaptiveMobile investigated claims of iPhone SMS vulnerability which could allow scammers to "spoof" the sender of a text message, allowing them to pose as a known friend or contact in order to send out false and potentially dangerous SMS messages. After investigating, AdaptiveMobile argues that the source of the problem is the handset, not the network.
"Device manufacturers, like all members of the mobile ecosystem, should aim to take security seriously and ensure their devices comply with a wide range of standards and technical recommendations," says Cathal McDaid, security consultant at AdaptiveMobile. "For SMS to remain a trusted, clean channel, companies need to be vigilant that their products both properly conform to standards and don't inadvertently expose flaws that can compromise their customers."
The activity was first revealed in "pod2g's iOS blog" and it misuses an optional "reply address" field within the SMS protocol upper-layers. If misused, the iPhone SMS client displays a different address or phone number as the sending address from the actual originating address. This could be used to show recipients that text messages are from someone familiar, which the blogger explained could result in potentially-damaging manipulation, such as the creation of false evidence or the unintentional surrender of private information to phishing scammers. This, the blogger said, is cause to be suspicious of any SMS message received on an iOS device.
"We know conclusively that this is not a network problem because the 3GPP specification – which outlines how modern mobile phones and networks operate today – discusses the security implications of this field in all phones and gives recommendations on how to avoid malicious use of this," continues McDaid. "We have tested this issue on Android, Windows Mobile, BlackBerry and Symbian phones and most of them simply ignore the 'reply address' field or display both the 'real' originating address and the reply address as per the specification recommendations. The iPhone, so far, is the only device which does not comply with these security recommendations."
Apple has responded to these claims, acknowledging the weakness without indicating a forthcoming remedy to the issue. According to AdaptiveMobile, Apple did suggest that users switch to using iMessage as their messaging solution, but did not offer a patch or solution to repair the breach in security itself.
"Historically, the 'reply address' field was introduced to allow users to reply to texts which were 'broadcast' from information agencies or marketing firms, for example. These broadcast systems may not be capable of receiving messages, so this system allows for more interaction," continues McDaid. "However, while most handsets now ignore this quirk, with the remainder treating the field correctly, Apple has left a significant vulnerability in its handsets which could allow consumers to be fooled and hand over personal details to hackers and criminals. This reinforces the importance of handset manufacturers, operators and security providers collaborating and helping to keep SMS as a secure, reliable and trusted channel."


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June 4, 2013
She's Rough and wild
Thanks for helping us associate the correct Pornstars to this video!
Help Us: Do these Pornstars appear in this video?
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All Comments (11)
She's Rough and wild
i enjoyed jerking off to this video...
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nice teets
love scarlett. got a club here where the girls ride like that in private, until you make a mess in your pants
Very safe sex but you could damage your cock like that if not careful
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Love her pierced nipples!
Ummm, that made me wet, where can I find someone in Hawaii to ride like that!
Love this girls tittys


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His abilities allow him to poke and harass, while being able to keep a distance and push enemies away in certain situations. This, however, does not mean that one should build him ap. Thresh gains ap and armor from the souls he collects from minions and champions, which signifies that he must be able to farm at a constant rate or at least be able to gather souls just as much.
Instead of building Thresh ap, I thought it would be more effective scaling him ad, or at least enough ad with a good amount of attack speed. But just having speed is not the only goal of this build. Thresh gains armor from souls, so he is constantly raising his armor but not his magic resist. Though I do insist Thresh should have item that increase his max health, he must also have a good amount of armor and magic resist to be stable late game.
Originally I watched a video on YouTube showing Thresh with 2.5 attack speed, which at first seemed like a comical joke, but it actually has some good benefits with it (Also a streamer on YouTube called pawnce made a build with a 2.5 attack speed). Though I do not recommend just building attack speed on Thresh, items like hurricane and static shive can be quite benefiting when farming and in team fights. But if Thresh was to have enough armor, health, and magic resist, he would play a greater role in team fights.
Playing top lane has its benefits as Thresh, but I must make one warning as playing Thresh top lane. In some instances, the enemy team may not have a jungle which would put you against two top enemies. If this were to occur I would suggest asking your teams jungler to join you top at some point to insure that the tower is not lost right away.
Once Thresh has giants belt and some good amount of attack speed, then one can be even more aggressive playing as him. Though many of us do like to bully the enemy lanner early game, be sure to farm so that you do not fall behind.
I chose to scale his W first mainly because it acts as a long ranged ward, but as well as a great defense buff for if the enemy jumps you. Plus it's always good to have if you want to pull an ally in or out of situations.
I play Thresh semi aggressive if I'm alone, but if I do lane top with someone other than the adc, then I make sure to farm but also constantly poke the enemy. Thresh is great for pulling the enemy out from under their tower and allowing your jungler or co-lanner to hack and slash away at their health.
Be sure to always word though, since Thresh is squishy early game.
The reason I chose to have teleport as a summoner spell is for three main reasons:
1. Constant presence on the map. Even if you're holding your own lane, it's always wise to pay attention to how your teammates are doing in their lanes. If everyone is warding, then teleporting to wards and ganking will be a great way to help in pushing towers faster.
2. Always ready to defend. If the enemy is attempting to backdoor while a fight is occurring in another lane, always be ready to teleport to go and defend your team's towers.
3. Constant backdooring. If minions are pushing an enemy lane it's always a good option to teleport over to them and help push a tower or two while the enemy is busy dealing with your team (unless you know the enemy players are already heading there).
This is just a brief explanation of why I came up with this build for tanky/ad Thresh. Though there are more possible item combinations for Thresh, this seems to be the most stable one as of now. I have contemplated over using bloodthurster or blade of the ruin king in place of an item from the main build, but some more tests will be needed since he is a brand new champion. Thanks for reading and I'm always looking for suggestions, so be sure to comment!


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Will Desktop Virtualization Break-Out In 2010?1/4/2010
We've been covering Desktop Virtualization ad nauseam at Network Computing and for good reason. As a technology, Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) has the potential to change the way we deliver an operating environment to our users. Unfortunately, broad acceptance of VDI has been hampered by vendors' inability to stream graphically intensive apps over remote viewing protocols like RDP, ICA, and others. If the lofty promises of the leaders in the virtual desktop computing space hold true, 201
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View 749 Monday, November 05, 2012
I am too depressed to say much. I knew that this was the result predicted by the polls, but I really thought the outcome would be very different. President Obama made a Presidential and conciliatory victory speech, but he made it very clear what his coming policy would be; and I thought – clearly more hoped than though – that this would have an effect on voters. I have always believed in rational thought, and while I know a great number of people are not governed by rational thought, a great many are.
There will be endless analysis of the election, but it seems clear to me: President Obama promised that if he is reelected he will continue with his program of Free Stuff. A major part of the US economy consists of opening containers from China, and paying for them with money borrowed from China; while the national strategy of technology is not X Projects or even research grants, but actual investment of tax funds and borrowed money in companies the government hopes will succeed. I cannot believe that makes economic sense, and I confess I thought that the President had made it clear that he did believe that policy works. But of course with that you get Free Stuff.
If something cannot go on forever it will stop. The economic policies of the last four years cannot go on forever: there just isn't enough money anywhere in the world to allow it to continue. The next step is to use inflation to tax away all savings and reduce all those on fixed incomes to dependency. When everyone is dependent on government, the power of government is maximized; and of course government workers enjoy automatic cost of living increases. It's almost certain that inflation will reach 10% a year within two years. We have endured that in the past. This time the debts are much larger and it will take much more dramatic inflation to continue the spending. Of course the end of that game is the 3 pfennig postage stamp issued by Weimar Germany: the stamp was overprinted to the value of Three Mird Millionen Marks. And I used to have a 100,000 real Brazilian banknote which I got in change when Dvorak and I went down to Sao Paulo as guests of the Brazilian COMDEX about 1990. I think I got it in change when I broke an American $20 bill.
The good news is that both Germany and Brazil have obviously recovered from such ruinous inflation. The bad news is that the inflation ruined most of those who had savings. Of course new rich emerged. There are always rich people. Sometimes they are simply government employees who have guaranteed cost of living raises…
The country will recover. Brazil did. But we have not hit bottom yet.
Politics works. The Democratic strategy worked. They got their vote out. The vote was determined by campaign tactics and organization, not by rational debate of ideas. President Obama promised that his reelection would be considered a mandate for Four More Years of essentially the same policies.
But California will go broke before the United States does. Perhaps that will serve as a hideous enough warning to the rest of the nation. And apparently California, by direct democracy, has raised its taxes while burdening the productive with new regulations. It will be interesting to see where the pornography industry goes, now that Los Angeles County has in essence driven it out. Will it stay in California, or leave the state altogether? And which state wants it? Texas has already extracted tens of thousands of jobs and small businesses from California. Does it want the porn industry? Or perhaps Nevada does.
Of course there was a time when Los Angeles had a much larger entertainment industry without the need for XXX rated movies. Ah well.
Historically, entertainment has always thrived during hard economic times. Story tellers can always sing for their supper. When I did a Britannica article on science fiction decades ago, I described my profession as the bards of the sciences: we are much like the wandering poets of the Bronze Age who would find a camp of warriors and say, in effect, If you cut me a piece of that roast and fill my cup with wine, I will tell you a story about a virgin and a bull…
The worse the times, the larger the number of people who will pay for a few hours of being unaware of them as they wander through stories and songs. Which tells me what I had better get working on. My house is paid for, but the government's appetite for tax money is insatiable. They will want more money.
Good night. Alas, it won't look better in the morning. But we may rejoice in this much: the election is over. The loser has conceded. There will be no riots. The President has been gracious in his victory speech. Compromise will be sought.
All money bills must originate in the House, and the House remains in the hands of people concerned about deficits and inflation.


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The holiday season is upon us. What are your favorite traditions?
I like to keep it old school. … We watch Christmas movies every night the week before Christmas and just really bring it home. I love that movie "Elf" and the Grinch movie with Jim Carrey, and then the classics, of course, like "It's a Wonderful Life." That's an important one.
© 2015 Whalerock Industries


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- Title:-Dog houses, Dog feeders and waterers
- Description:- Grancer Co. has a wide range of dog houses for smaller to larger-sized dogs. Our dog houses are made from the best quality of natural weather-resistant wood. In addition,we can provide you with dog feeders and dog waterers to keep out debris,or other unwanted particles.
- Category:- Science and Technology: Animals, Insects, and Pets
- Pagerank:- 0
- Link Owner:- Kathy Benefiel
- Date Added:- May 28, 2009 04:50:45 AM
- Number Hits:- 0


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- Filed Under
A Wappingers Falls woman is facing burglary charges after an investigation into a theft that occurred last summer, state police said.
Giovanna S. Strano, 38, is charged with second-degree burglary, a felony, police said.
According to police, in August 2012 Strano allegedly unlawfully entered her neighbor's house and stole pieces of jewelry. Several of those stolen items were later recovered at a local pawnshop.
Strano was arrested and arraigned in the Town of Wappinger court yesterday and taken to Dutchess County Jail where she was held on $10,000 bail and $20,000 bond, police said.
Strano is out of bond and due back in court on April 4.


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Information 213.972.8001
View our exciting 2015/2016 Season at-a-glance!
I have a promo code
Promo codes offer access to special offers or otherwise restricted seating. They are usually limited time offers distributed by LA Opera to select groups such as season ticket subscribers, previous buyers, e-newsletter subscribers, followers on social media, community circle partners, Opera U subscribers and others.
LA OPERA AND KCRW PRESENT OPERA NIGHTSJoin KCRW DJs for a series of post-performance events. Curated by KCRW's Aaron Byrd with guest artists, experience a live set of curious mash-ups of opera and modern music and other performance surprises while you sip cocktails and enjoy great conversation in the Eva and Marc Stern Grand Hall. Each night features other musical and performance surprises as well as a full bar and breathtaking nighttime DTLA views. Full bar remains open until midnight.
© 2015 Los Angeles Opera. All Rights Reserved


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Nominations for the 2007 Film Independent's Spirit Awards were announced this morning, including nominations for Best Feature, which are American Gun; The Dead Girl; Half Nelson; Little Miss Sunshine; and Pan's Labyrinth (review). The 2007 Film Independent's Spirit Awards ceremony airs live on Saturday, February 24, beginning at 5:00 pm EST on IFC (Independent Film Channel). Live red carpet footage will precede the show starting at 4:30 pm EST on WE tv, and an edited re-broadcast of the ceremony will air later that evening on AMC at 10:00 pm EST/PST. Read on for the nominations.Nominations for the 2007 Film Independent's Spirit Awards were announced Tuesday morning.
BEST FEATURE (Award given to the Producer)
* Executive Producers are not listed.
"American Gun":
Producer: Ted Kroeber
"The Dead Girl":
Producers: Tom Rosenberg, Henry Winterstern, Gary Lucchesi, Richard Wright, Eric Karten, Kevin Turen
"Half Nelson":
Producers: Jamie Patricof, Alex Orlovsky, Lynette Howell, Anna Boden, Rosanne Korenberg
"Little Miss Sunshine":
Producers: Marc Turtletaub, David T. Friendly, Peter Saraf, Albert Berger, Ron Yerxa
"Pan's Labyrinth":
Producers: Bertha Navarro, Alfonso Cuaron, Frida Torresblanco, Alvaro Augustin, Guillermo Del Toro
Robert Altman: "A Prairie Home Companion"
Jonathan Dayton & Valerie Faris: "Little Miss Sunshine"
Ryan Fleck: "Half Nelson"
Karen Moncrieff: "The Dead Girl"
Steven Soderbergh : "Bubble"
BEST FIRST FEATURE (Award given to the director and producer)
"Day Night Day Night":
Director: Julia Loktev
Producers: Julia Loktev, Melanie Judd, Jessica Levin
"Man Push Cart":
Director: Ramin Bahrani
Producers: Ramin Bahrani, Pradip Ghosh, Bedford T. Bentley III
"The Motel":
Director: Michael Kang
Producers: Matthew Greenfield, Miguel Arteta, Gina Kwon, Karin Chien
"Sweet Land":
Director: Ali Selim
Producers: Alan Cumming, James Bigham, Ali Selim
"Wristcutters: A Love Story":
Director: Goran Dukic
Producers: Adam Sherman, Chris Coen, Tatiana Kelly,
Mikal P. Lazarev
(Given to the best feature made for under $500,000; award given to the writer, director, and producer) * Executive Producers are not listed.
Director: Mike Akel
Producers: Mike Akel, Angela Alvarez, Graham Davidson, Chris Mass
Writers: Chris Mass & Mike Akel
"Four Eyed Monsters":
Writer/Director/Producers: Arin Crumley & Susan Buice
"Old Joy":
Director: Kelly Reichardt
Producers: Lars Knudsen, Jay Van Hoy, Anish Savjani,
Neil Kopp
Writers: Jon Raymond & Kelly Reichardt
Writer/Directors: Richard Glatzer & Wash Westmoreland
Producer: Anne Clements
"Twelve and Holding":
Director: Michael Cuesta
Producers: Leslie Urdang, Michael Cuesta, Brian Bell, Jenny Schweitzer
Writer: Anthony S. Cipriano
Neil Burger: "The Illusionist "
Nicole Holofcener: "Friends with Money"
Ron Nyswaner: "The Painted Veil"
Jason Reitman: "Thank You For Smoking"
Jeff Stanzler: "Sorry, Haters"
Michael Arndt: "Little Miss Sunshine"
Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck: "Half Nelson"
Goran Dukic: "Wristcutters: A Love Story"
Dito Montiel: "A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints"
Gabrielle Zevin: "Conversations with Other Women"
Shareeka Epps: "Half Nelson"
Catherine O'Hara: "For Your Consideration"
Elizabeth Reaser: "Sweet Land"
Michelle Williams : "Land of Plenty"
Robin Wright Penn: "Sorry, Haters"
Aaron Eckhart : "Thank You For Smoking"
Ryan Gosling: "Half Nelson"
Edward Norton: "The Painted Veil"
Ahmad Razvi: "Man Push Cart"
Forest Whitaker: "American Gun"
Melonie Diaz: "A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints"
Marcia Gay Harden: "American Gun"
Mary Beth Hurt : "The Dead Girl"
Frances McDormand: "Friends with Money"
Amber Tamblyn : "Stephanie Daley"
Alan Arkin: "Little Miss Sunshine"
Raymond J. Barry: "Steel City"
Daniel Craig: "Infamous"
Paul Dano: "Little Miss Sunshine"
Channing Tatum: "A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints"
Arin Crumley: "Four Eyed Monsters"
Anthony Dod Mantle: "Brothers of the Head"
Guillermo Navarro: "Pan's Labyrinth"
Aaron Platt : "Wild Tigers I Have Known"
Michael Simmonds: "Man Push Cart"
BEST DOCUMENTARY (Award given to the director)
"A Lion in the House":
Directors: Steven Bognar & Julia Reichert
"My Country, My Country":
Director: Laura Poitras
"The Road to Guantanamo":
Directors: Michael Winterbottom and Mat Whitecross
"The Trials of Darryl Hunt":
Directors: Annie Sundberg and Ricki Stern
"You're Gonna Miss Me":
Director: Keven McAlester
BEST FOREIGN FILM (Award given to the director)
"12:08 East of Bucharest":
Director: Corneliu Porumboiu
"The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros":
Director: Auraeus Solito
"Chronicle of an Escape":
Director: Israel Adrian Caetano
"Days of Glory":
Director: Rachid Bouchareb
"The Lives of Others":
Director: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
David Lynch, Laura Dern:
In recognition of their unique and stunning collaborative work in the mesmerizing "Inland Empire" as well as the influential independent classics "Blue Velvet" and "Wild at Heart."


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Taipei, Taiwan
My Rating
Very detailed tour of Taroko Gorge. I was expecting a watered down tour but was pleasantly surprised of such a detailed tour of Taroko Gorge. Many stops with many photo opportunities. Memorable moments include suspension bridge and mountain-side hotel. Two negatives: 1) you must share family-style lunch with other tour members; we were unlucky to sit with 3 other guests who constantly stuck their saliva drooled chopsticks in the shared food. And 2) after such an exhausted day I wish there was an option to fly home instead of a long 3 hour train ride home. Despite these, the tour was amazing. Would definitely recommend!! And if our tour guide did any other tour, we would try those as well.
My Photos
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East London Mosque
|The East London Mosque
& London Muslim Centre
Aerial view of the mosque and centre on Whitechapel Road
|Basic information
|Tower Hamlets, London, United Kingdom
|Geographic coordinates
|51°31′03″N 0°03′56″W / 51.5176°N 0.0656°WCoordinates: 51°31′03″N 0°03′56″W / 51.5176°N 0.0656°W
|Sunni Islam
|Year consecrated
|Chief Imam & Khateeb:
Abdul Qayum
Muhammad Habibur Rahman
Executive Director:
Dilowar Hussain Khan[1]
|Architectural description
|Webb Gray Ltd (2011-2015)
Studio Klaschka Ltd (2007-10)
Markland Klaschka Limited (2002-4)
John Gill Associates (1982-85)
|Architectural type
|Architectural style
|Islamic architecture
|Construction cost
|£12 million (including complex)
The East London Mosque, situated in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets between Whitechapel and Aldgate, serves Great Britain's largest Muslim community.[2] Combined with the adjoining London Muslim Centre and Maryam Centre, it is one of the largest mosques in Europe, accommodating more than 7,000 worshippers for congregational prayers.[3] In 1986, the mosque was one of the first in the United Kingdom to be allowed to use loudspeakers to broadcast the adhan.[4]
- 1 Building details
- 2 History
- 3 Management
- 4 External relations
- 5 Prominent visitors
- 6 Services
- 7 See also
- 8 References
- 9 External links
Building details[edit]
Construction of the three-storey East London Mosque began in 1982 on land left empty after bombing during World War II, and was completed in 1985. The architect was John Gill Associates.[5] The exterior is a distinctive brick pattern in two colours, with the front facing Whitechapel Road and the rear on Fieldgate Street. The mosque is capped with a golden dome of about 8.5m diameter. The minaret rises to about 28.5m above ground level, and the main entrance is finished with two smaller copies of the minaret. The mosque has two large halls, a gallery, classrooms, offices and a retail unit.
Construction for phase 1 of the mosque's expansion, called the London Muslim Centre, began in 2002 and was completed in 2004. Adjoining and connected to the mosque, it is a six-storey building with a prominent entrance featuring a sweeping mosaic pattern. The centre has two multipurpose halls, a seminar suite, a nursery, classrooms, a fitness centre, a small Islamic library, a radio station, retail units and offices. It was designed by Markland Klaschka Limited.[6]
In 2009 phase 2 commenced,[7] a nine-storey addition on the Fieldgate Street side to be known as the Maryam Centre, on a site originally used by the mosque's funeral services,[8] designed by the same architect.[9] The Maryam Centre opened to the public on 4 July 2013, adding a new main prayer hall, improved funeral services, a visitor centre, and over five floors of facilities for women including prayer spaces, education facilities, a fitness centre, and support services.
1910–1939: The London Mosque Fund[edit]
At the beginning of the 20th century, London was the capital of the extensive British Empire, which contained tens of millions of Muslims, but had no mosque for Muslim residents or visitors. On 9 November 1910, at a meeting of Muslims and non-Muslims at the Ritz Hotel, the London Mosque Fund was established with the aims of organising weekly Friday prayers and providing a permanent place of worship for Muslims in London.[10]
People associated with the London Mosque Fund over the years include:[11]
- Syed Ameer Ali, the first Indian Privy Counsellor, was the Chairman of the Fund's executive committee until his death in 1928.
- Sir Hassan Suhrawardy also served as the Chairman of the executive committee.
- The Aga Khan III served as life President of the Board of Trustees.
- Both Abdullah Yusuf Ali and Mohammed Marmaduke Pickthall, translators of the Qur'an, were trustees of the Fund.
- Nathan Rothschild served as a trustee.
- Lord Lamington became Vice-Chairman.
- Historian T. W. Arnold became its Secretary, and was later replaced by Sir Ernest Houston.
- Sir John Woodhead became its Treasurer.
- The Earl Winterton was also a trustee of the Fund.[12][13]
1940–1974: The original East London Mosque[edit]
From 1910 to 1940 various rooms had been hired for Jumu'ah prayers on Fridays. Finally, in 1940, three houses were purchased at 446–448 Commercial Road in the east end of London as a permanent place of prayer. On 2 August 1941 the combined houses were inaugurated as the 'East London Mosque and Islamic Culture Centre' at a ceremony attended by the Egyptian Ambassador, Colonel Sir Gordon Neal (representing the Secretary of State for India). The first prayer was led by the Ambassador for Saudi Arabia, Shaikh Hafiz Wahba.[12] From the late 1950s the local Muslim population began to increase due to further immigration from the Indian subcontinent, particularly from Sylhet in East Pakistan which became Bangladesh in 1971. The migrants settled in areas already established by Sylheti expatriate community working in the local docks and Jewish tailoring shops brought over in the days of British India.[14] During the 1970s, this immigration increased significantly.[citation needed]
1975–1984: Preparing for a purpose-built mosque[edit]
In 1975 the local authority bought the properties in Commercial Road under a compulsory purchase order, in return providing a site with temporary buildings on Whitechapel Road next to the Fieldgate Street Great Synagogue. The local community set about raising funds to erect a purpose-built mosque on the site. King Fahd of Saudi Arabia donated £1.1 million of the £2 million fund,[4] and the governments of Kuwait and Britain also donated to the fund.[15] Seven years later, the building of the new mosque commenced, with foundations laid in 1982 and construction completed in 1985.
1985–2000: The new East London Mosque[edit]
It was one of the first mosques in the United Kingdom to broadcast the adhan (call to prayer) from the minaret using loudspeakers.[4] Some local non-Muslim residents protested it as noise pollution, leading to coverage by the Daily Mail, Daily Star; in response, local Church of England clerics gave their support for the adhan in a letter to the East London Advertiser.[4] It had a capacity of 2,000, with prayer areas for men and women, and classroom space for supplementary education. However, by the 1990s the capacity was already insufficient for the growing congregation and for the range of projects based there. The land next to the mosque had been left vacant after bomb damage during World War II, and was used as a car park. The mosque launched a campaign to buy the land, and the purchase was completed in 1999.[16]
2001–2008: The London Muslim Centre[edit]
In 2001 Prince Charles launched the project to build the London Muslim Centre (LMC).[17] Construction began in 2002, and the new centre opened on 11 June 2004, with over 15,000 people attending the opening prayers.[18][19] The prayer capacity of the mosque and centre rose to about 5,000, with a greatly increased range of services. The London Development Agency (LDA) contributed £500,000 for the building of the London Muslim Centre.[20] The building had cost over £10 million, more than half of which had been raised by Muslims.[21]
On the opening day Sheikh Abdur Rahman Al-Sudais, Imam of the Kaaba in Makkah, led the Friday prayer. Amongst the guests were Racial Equality Minister Fiona Mactaggart, the chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission Trevor Phillips and senior officials from the Muslim Council of Britain. Prince Charles, who was in Washington for the funeral of former US president Ronald Reagan, sent a video message of support.[21]
In July 2004 the Malaysian prime minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, visited the mosque and centre.[22]
In November 2004 Prince Charles returned to see the centre.[23] The following month Elizabeth II featured excerpts of his visit in her Christmas message.[24][25]
Following the 7 July 2005 London bombings, on the 22nd of July, the mosque was evacuated due to a bomb hoax. The hoax was blamed on extremist Muslims after it condemned the 7/7 bombings and opposed extremist teaching.[26]
In July 2008 the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Phillips, delivered a speech on "Equality Before The Law" at an event highlighting the pro bono legal service at the LMC.[27]
In October 2008 the East London Mosque and London Muslim Centre won Islam Channel's Super Model Mosque award presented at the Global Peace and Unity event at the Excel Centre.[28][29]
In December 2008 the East London Mosque planned to allow Noor Pro Media to hold a conference on 1 January 2009 which would include a videotaped lecture by Anwar al-Awlaki. Former Shadow Home Secretary Dominic Grieve expressed concern over al-Awlaki's involvement. A spokesman for the mosque said that "Mr Awlaki has not been proven guilty in a court of law. Everyone is entitled to their point of view", and that "We didn't organise this event, they are just using our facilities."[30][31]
From 2009: The Maryam Centre[edit]
17 Apr 2009: launch of UK's first signed khutbah (Friday sermon) in partnership with local charity Al-Isharah. [32]
19 Jun 2009: construction began of the mosque's Phase 2 expansion, the 'Maryam Centre'.[7]
4 Sep 2009: the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, visited the mosque and centre in Ramadan, commending its projects and urging people to try fasting for a day.[33][34]
4 Mar 2010: hosted 'The BIG Read' in partnership with IF Charity, Islamic Forum Europe, Muslim Aid, and Tower Hamlets Council, a successful attempt to break the world record for 'Most children reading with an adult', when 3,234 children listened to readings from Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.[35][36]
5 Mar 2010: hosted the BBC's weekly live topical debate Any Questions?, chaired by Jonathan Dimbleby and with panellists Ken Livingstone (former Mayor of London), Shadow Business Secretary Kenneth Clarke, Mehdi Hasan (senior politics editor at the New Statesman) and Julia Goldsworthy (Liberal Democrat spokesperson on Communities and Local Government).[37]
25 Aug 2010: subject of a BBC documentary, Middle EastEnders, that "chronicles the setbacks and triumphs of an institution which has shaped the identity of a corner of London", timed to anticipate the centenary of the mosque.[38]
4 Sep 2010: the mosque raised over £1.1 million in one night in Ramadan on Channel S,[39] breaking the record for ethnic television for the third year in a row, in an appeal for the building of their Phase 2 expansion.[40]
24 Jun 2011: first beehive installed on roof of London Muslim Centre.[41]
3 Sep 2011: the English Defence League (EDL) wanted to march past the mosque, but after widespread opposition[42] were prevented by a ban imposed by Home Secretary Theresa May. The EDL instead held a static demonstration in Aldgate, and were stopped by police from entering Tower Hamlets, whilst a larger 'United East End' counter-demonstration was held by an alliance of groups and organisations.[43]
20 Jan 2012: the President of the International Court of Justice, Hisashi Owada, delivered the keynote speech at Evolving World at the London Muslim Centre.[44]
4 Jul 2013: the Maryam Centre opens to the public, increasing the capacity for prayers to over 7,000 people.[45]
28 Oct 2013: the President of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bakir Izetbegović visited the Mosque and Centre for an evening dinner reception. He delivered a key note speech to guests and dignitaries in attendance.[46]
15 Jan 2015: launch of Britain's first ever Muslim archives in a joint project with The National Archives, with guests Jeff James, CEO of The National Archives, Simon Hughes and Sadiq Khan.[47][48]
30 Sep 2015: subject of BBC documentary Welcome to the Mosque by filmmaker Robb Leech.[49]
The East London Mosque Trust is a registered charity[50] (previously registered as The London Mosque Fund)[51] and a private company (limited by guarantee, no share capital).[52] The mosque is managed by trustees who are elected biennially by its members at the Annual General Meeting.[53] The Khatib and primary Imam of the mosque is Abdul Qayum, the Chairman is Muhammad Habibur Rahman, the former chairman is Muhammad Abdul Bari and the Executive Director is Dilowar Hussain Khan.[1]
External relations[edit]
The mosque is a member of the Tower Hamlets Inter Faith Forum,[54] a founding member of The East London Communities Organisation (TELCO),[55] and an affiliate of the Muslim Council of Britain.[56] The Islamic Forum of Europe (IFE) and the mosque are very closely intertwined,[57] the organisation was created in 1989 by Muslims involved in the running of the East London Mosque.[58] Some of the mosque's practices reflect the Hanafi school of law.[59] Gay rights campaigners accused the mosque of having "hosted numerous hate preachers who have promoted the most vicious homophobia imaginable over the years",[60] although the mosque had earlier condemned homophobia,[61] and went on to "ban homophobes".[62]
Prominent visitors[edit]
Prominent imams and Muslim scholars who have visited the mosque: Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais[63] and Saud Al-Shuraim (imams of Masjid al-Haram), Salah Al Budair (imam of Al-Masjid al-Nabawi and a judge of the High Court of Madin), Adel Salem Al Kalbani (former Imam of Masjid al-Haram), Mustafa Cerić (Grand Mufti of Bosnia) and Delwar Hossain Sayeedi (former MP of Bangladesh and one of the leaders of the Jamaat-e-Islami).[64]
British politicians who have visited the mosque: Fiona MacTaggart (former Home Office Minister),[65] Sadiq Khan (former Minister of State for Transport),[47] Simon Hughes (Minister of State for Justice and Civil Liberties)[47] and Boris Johnson (Mayor of London),[33][34]
Other visitors include Prince Charles,[17] Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (former Prime Minister of Malaysia),[22] Brendan Barber (Secretary General of TUC)[66] and Louis Susman (United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom).[67]
The mosque has a stated mission to:
… serve, educate and inspire.— Annual Review 2012-13, East London Mosque Trust [68]
As the community base changes, so do the services offered. Previously sermons or announcements were given in Bengali only; later sermons came to be delivered in Arabic, Bengali and English.
A number of services are provided to the community including:[69]
- Primary school
- Secondary school
- Sixth Form College
- School for Deaf and Mute
- Library
- Fitness area
- Kitchen & Dine
- Guest rooms
- Disabled access
- Wedding Ceremonies
- Offices
- Wash-room facilities
- Exhibition
- ICT Training and English classes
- ISAP — Improving School Attendance in Partnership, a scheme in partnership with the local authority, to raise attendance and attainment in school
- Junior Muslim Circle (JMC) — Recreational activities for children
- New Muslims' classes — Islamic teaching for new converts to Islam
- ELM Evening Madrasah — after school education for children
- ELM Women's Link — support services for women
- Faith in Health — health awareness and lifestyle facilities
- Way to Work — a project assisting people to enter training and employment (2006 - 2010)
The mosque also runs Muslim Community Radio (MCR), in partnership with the Islamic Forum of Europe, which started to broadcast in 1998 through an RSL, then through Spectrum, and since 2001 acquired the rights to broadcast 24 hours a day across east London during the month of Ramadan. In 2005 it moved into a new studio in the London Muslim Centre. It is run by volunteers at the mosque, and provides programmes for women, children, fiqh sessions, taraweeh prayer, and shows such as Daily Halaqa, Qur'anic class, Easy Talk, Drive Time and many more, in English, Bengali and Arabic.[70][71][72]
See also[edit]
|Wikimedia Commons has media related to East London Mosque.
- Islam in London
- Islam in the United Kingdom
- Islamic architecture
- List of mosques
- Brick Lane Mosque
- British Bangladeshi
- ^ a b "Management". East London Mosque. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
- ^ Religion in England and Wales 2011 Office for National Statistics
- ^ How the East London mosque is fighting Islamic State, discouraging muslims from joining it Gold Coast Bulletin
- ^ a b c d Eade, John (1996). "Nationalism, Community, and the Islamization of Space in London". In Metcalf, Barbara Daly. Making Muslim Space in North America and Europe. Berkeley: University of California Press. ISBN 0520204042. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
The mosque committee was determined from the outset, moreover, to remind local people of the building's religious function as loudly as possible. As one of the few mosques in Britain permitted to broadcast calls to prayer (azan), the mosque soon found itself at the center of a public debate about "noise pollution" when local non-Muslim residents began to protest.
- ^ "A Century of Service". Emel Media Ltd. January 2011. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
- ^ Project page for the London Muslim Centre Markland Klaschka Limited
- ^ a b Phase 2 East London Mosque & London Muslim Centre
- ^ The East London Mosque: 100 years of co-operation BBC London
- ^ East London Mosque Phase 2 Studio Klaschka Ltd
- ^ Humayun Ansari, ed. (30 June 2011). The Making of the East London Mosque, 1910-1951: Minutes of the London Mosque Fund and East London Mosque Trust Ltd (Camden Fifth Series). Cambridge University Press. ASIN 1107014921.
- ^ The Times 2 August 1941
- ^ a b History of East London Mosque East London Mosque & London Muslim Centre
- ^ Visit the City – East London Mosque & London Muslim Centre City of London
- ^ Strangers, Aliens and Asians: Huguenots, Jews and Bangladeshis in Spitalfields 1660–2000 Anne J. Kershen, 2005, ISBN 0-7146-5525-2
- ^ Kibria, Nazli (1996). Muslims in Motion: Islam and National Identity in the Bangladeshi Diaspora. Rutgers University Press. pp. 103, 223, 224. ISBN 0813550556.
- ^ East London Advertiser, 2 Dec 1999
- ^ a b Prince joins Ramadan ceremony BBC website
- ^ Crowds flock to new Muslim centre BBC website
- ^ New Muslim centre opens its doors BBC website
- ^ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/7386900/Islamists-got-voters-out-for-Livingstone.html
- ^ a b Annual Report 2005-06. East London Mosque Trust Ltd. Retrieved on 2015-02-18
- ^ a b British Prime Minister Blair praises Malaysia The Star, 24 July 2004
- ^ Royal seal of approval for centre BBC website
- ^ Queen calls for tolerance in UK BBC website
- ^ Video of Queen's Christmas message 2004
- ^ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1494649/Mosque-punished-by-the-extremists.html
- ^ Equality Before the Law
- ^ Model Mosque Competition Global Peace and Unity
- ^ Britain's Muslims Vote their Best Mosques IslamOnline (5 Nov. 2008), by Emdad Rahman.
- ^ Muslim groups 'linked to September 11 hijackers spark fury over conference' Gordon Raynor, The Daily Telegraph, 27 December 2008
- ^ http://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/news/councillor_slams_muslim_lecture_new_york_in_flames_poster_1_667219
- ^ Friday prayers translated into British Sign Language The Muslim News, Issue 241, 29 May 2009
- ^ a b Mayor calls for greater understanding of Muslim communities Greater London Authority
- ^ a b Boris Johnson: 'fast during Ramadan to understand Muslims' The Telegraph, 4 September 2009
- ^ The Big Read IF Charity
- ^ Case Study - Most children reading with an adult Guinness World Records
- ^ Any Questions - 5 March 2010 BBC Radio 4
- ^ Middle EastEnders BBC
- ^ Record-breaking Ramadan fundraising at East London Mosque East London Advertiser
- ^ £1.1m record-breaking success for the East London Mosque! East London Mosque
- ^ Annual Report 2011-12 East London Mosque Trust
- ^ 21,000 oppose EDL march that will 'target mosque' The London Evening Standard
- ^ EDL London march halted by police The Guardian
- ^ Evolving World - Owada details vision for future world of international law East London Mosque
- ^ New East London Mosque development opens doors before Ramadan East London Advertiser
- ^ ELM News February 2014 East London Mosque
- ^ a b c First British Muslim Archives Launched Westminster Echo
- ^ minutes, accounts, membership records, deeds and publications The National Archives
- ^ Welcome to the Mosque BBC
- ^ East London Mosque Trust Charity Commission
- ^ The London Mosque Fund Charity Commission
- ^ The East London Mosque Trust Limited Companies House
- ^ New Board of Trustees 2013-15 East London Mosque
- ^ Tower Hamlets Inter Faith Forum
- ^ Muslim Council of Britain
- ^ Telegraph.co.uk 28 Feb 2010. Retrieved on 2010-09-12.
- ^ Exposing 'Dispatches'
- ^ Muslims in the Diaspora: The Somali Communities of London and Toronto (page 38) Rima Berns McGown, 1999, ISBN 978-0-8020-8281-7
- ^ Butt, Riazat (9 June 2011). "Ban homophobic clerics from mosques, gay rights campaigners urge". The Guardian.
- ^ "East London Mosque and mayor condemn anti-gay stickers". Pink News. 17 February 2011.
- ^ "East London Mosque bans homophobes". Time Out. 21 June 2011.
- ^ Al-Sudais launches second expansion of London mosque Saudi Gazette. Retrieved on 2010-09-13.
- ^ The Times July 14, 2006. Retrieved on 2010-08-22.
- ^ Makkah imam leads prayers in London DAWN.com
- ^ TUC wants Muslim 'poverty' ended BBC
- ^ U.S. Diplomat Visits Controversial Mosque CBN News
- ^ Annual Review 2012-13
- ^ ELM News. East London Mosque. September 2007.
- ^ MCR Radio
- ^ Islamic Forum of Europe
- ^ MCR Programs
External links[edit]


text:
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Contact: Columbia Public Works
(573) 874-7250
The City of Columbia Public Works Department has scheduled an informal Open House informational meeting concerning Scott Boulevard- Phase 3 road construction project. This meeting will be held on Thursday, April 3, 2014 from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm at Mill Creek Elementary School in the Media Center, 2200 Nifong Boulevard West, Columbia, MO 65203.
The purpose of this meeting is to present design concepts for the proposed project, which includes the intersection of Scott Boulevard and Route KK. A location map is attached.
Construction of this project is currently scheduled to begin in 2016 .
Information and diagrams showing our preliminary design concepts will be available for public review, and City engineering staff will be present to answer questions. A Public Comment Form will be available. Your input will be considered as the design is developed.
We hope you are able to attend this Open House to learn about this upcoming Public Works road construction project. If you have any questions regarding this meeting, contact Nazmul Hussain, P.E. of my staff at 573-874-7250 or firstname.lastname@example.com.


text:
First Half Sales Down, Optimism Up
Jim Phillips, Contributing Editor
"Overall, I would say 10 to 15 percent is about right," commented one spinner. "It depends a lot on the product, though. Our ring-spun operation has managed okay, but open-end is completely hit and miss."
"It has not been good, but it hasn't been as bad as we had feared," another spinner said. "We are off about 10 percent, but business has been picking up. We haven't seen an upward spike, just a slow, but steady, increase in orders."
Looking ahead to the next six months, many spinners anticipate gradual improvement. "It is getting better. Orders are still shorter than we would like, but there is more business coming in. Hopefully, this is not just a small uptick before another drop. Earlier in the year, we noticed some positive developments one month, and then the following month was slower than ever. We have our fingers crossed that, this time, the improvement will be more sustained."
With most economic prognosticators forecasting an end to the global recession later this year, there is room for some optimism, but few expect an immediate and substantial impact on sales. "From what I am hearing now," said a Southeastern executive, "the anticipated recovery is expected to be mild, at least at the beginning. So I guess you could say we are guardedly optimistic about the third and fourth quarters."
According to one industry observer, manufacturers in all segments of the economy would do well to take a conservative approach in the initial stages of recovery. "If anyone is expecting consumer spending to return to pre-recessionary levels, I believe they may have to wait for quite some time. The depth and scope of the current recession and the accompanying credit crisis revealed the precarious financial position of many consumers. Belt tightening, which in the past might have been a temporary measure to curb spending, is likely to become a way of life for many people for quite a while. Fear of job loss, fear of foreclosure, fear of bankruptcy -- all these have become very real for a lot of people over the past year."
Customer Focus
In any economic environment, focusing on customer value is a key to business success, a manufacturing consultant noted, but it becomes absolutely essential when times are lean. "You have to be able to provide to your customers a differentiating value proposition that sets you apart from your competitors, especially when you can't compete on price alone. True value is represented by the combination of price, quality, delivery and service. For those companies that have a viable value proposition, and are committed to executing it, recovering from depressed sales is inherently easier. For US industry, for which competition on price alone is difficult, providing value is based on matching product precisely with customer needs, quick turnaround of flawlessly manufactured product, expedited delivery and post-sale follow-up. Those companies that can execute against those elements will be in a good position to take advantage of any economic recovery."
One specialty spinner agreed: "The way we've been able to get business is by providing higher quality and faster service than our competitors in other parts of the world. We know we can't always be competitive on price, but we can make the commitment to have the best quality, fastest delivery and best service."
For those companies that haven't yet felt any signs of recovery, the manufacturing consultant offered this advice: "When sales are off and earnings are down, obviously you have to look at where you can take out cost. However, one of the biggest mistakes many manufacturing companies make is pulling in the reins completely. In difficult times, the priority should be on generating sales, and that requires aggressively positioning your product relative to your competition. And that means maintaining - or even increasing - your marketing program."He went on to say, "History is full of examples of people and companies that actually made their fortunes in down times because of how they positioned themselves."
July/August 2009
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