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I remember a bright, hot day from my college years with peculiar clarity. I stood, sweating, atop a mountain I had just climbed with a Belgian friend. We stood in the Dominican Republic: across the valley lay Haiti. "Look," he said, pointing at a road far below where dozens of trucks were waiting at the border.
He explained to me that the trucks were full of Haitians who were being transported to the border by the army. Once there, they were sold to Dominican landlords for a nominal sum per head. The landlords would bring them to the sugarcane farms, where they purchased food and tools at impossible prices. Often they owed the landlord money at the end of the season: should the worker die, his children can inherit the debt. The impolite term for this is "debt slavery". It is practiced in the Caribbean to this day.
On the bus trip home, some soldiers with assault rifles boarded our bus and hauled off a couple of Haitians who had no papers. They guy next to me nooded approvingly. "If only Trujillo would return," he said wistfully. "At least in those days, there was order." Trujillo presided over several episodes where armed gangs slaughtered thousands of Haitians with machetes. Order, indeed.
Globalization is a loaded term, beset with political implications under the best of circumstances. In the current political discursive environment, where facts and definitions are accorded an easy malleability of which Goebbels can only have dreamt, such terms are best avoided.
We can speak of ever-closer economic integration matched by ever-clearer stratification; of the opening of borders and the closing of minds; of burgeoning democracy in the Third World and militant authoritarianism in the most venerable republics of the First. But even in the face of marshaled facts and proofs, such talk will be dismissed as unfortunate, cynical irony.
Perhaps with good reason. The very real contradictions of the march of progress in the last fifty years mask equally real and fundamentally irrevocable developments. Just as the previous century saw remarkable achievements in the emancipation of the mind from god and the body from want, the postwar era has seen the emergence of a radical progressive consensus concerning the rule of law in international affairs. And while this is primarily a utilitarian consensus, it has been paralleled by the development of a sophisticated - if poorly elucidated - moral consensus at the same time. I mark the initiation of this consensus as 1989, for simplicity's sake.
Those who were there doubtless recall the feeling: it was less a gradual development than a tectonic shift in the climate of political consciousness around the entire planet. I choose the analogy carefully. Like an earthquake, it clearly was a force whose latent power had been building for decades, and the individual events surrounding the final cataclysm must be considered incidental. The essence of this shift was a dawning realization that there is no greater good inherent to the essence of any nation-state that outweighs the basic rights of citizens to a decent standard of living and political self-determination, now and in the future.
Two figures from that period of my life are fixed in my mind as symbols of this most worthy of struggles. Fidel Castro, who single-handedly liberated his nation from the worst excesses of American neo-colonial rule and murderous latifundia capitalism; and Vaclav Havel, unshakeable patriarch of peaceful liberal democratic revolution throughout the Soviet Empire. Castro's magnificent defense of his revolution in History will Absolve Me and Havel's Power of the Powerless had incomparable formative effects on my thinking in those years.
How odd to find those two old revolutionaries hurling epithets at one another! Vaclav Havel has seen fit to lend his considerable moral authority to the campaign to remove Fidel Castro from office: Castro seems prepared to gamely defend his creaking Stalinist monolith to the bitter end. They both share the same purported goal of "building a free Cuba". But I wonder how much thought either of them have devoted to what their peculiar freedom really will mean for the average citizen of Cuba. Freedom for whom, and to what end?
I am no more a fan of 'Stalinist' politics than Havel. But does he prefer the democracy of stuffed ballot boxes and roaming death squads of Guatemala and El Salvador? I recall reports of a horrified reporter asking a Guatemalan general, years after the fact, how he possibly could have ordered the indiscriminate aerial machine gunning of Indian villages. His answer was instructive. "It is very simple," he said calmly. "The people had to learn that while we could protect them from the guerillas, the guerillas could never protect them from us." Simple, indeed.
The simple, incorrigible fact of Castro's regime is that every citizen of Cuba has access to sufficient food, medical care, and education to support a life of basic human dignity. The logic of political necessity which leads to aerial slaughter is markedly absent. I wonder if Havel has seen the thousands of families burrowing for shelter in the massive trash heaps outside of Caracas. I have, and I do not dismiss Castro's achievements so lightly.
These achievements cannot be dismissed, but they can be weighed. Cuba enjoys self-determination in the sense that it is not dominated by its stronger neighbor, the sad fate of so many other countries in the region. Yet the system clearly fails to allow its citizens to determine the path of their own lives, individually and collectively. Castro's eternal justification of repression and centralization, the threat of invasion, is both tired and unconvincing (less so today than two years ago, however). But this failure does not outweigh the successes, in my mind: not the dreamy, utopian success of building a worker's collective, but the concrete, difficult success of ensuring people's access to basic services.
Presumably Havel might rebut that I offer a false dichotomy - that there is surely a third way for Cuba which leads neither forward with Castro nor backwards toward Batista. I believe this is true as well. But this third way will not be reached through external pressure. The only way in which the interests of the Cuban people can adequately be represented is through measured, constitutional change from within.
The risks associated with a collapse sparked from without are simply too great. The result is all too easy to see: American developers and industrialists pouring across the Florida Straits like ravening locusts, backed by merciless military force and economic might. It will be the end of Cuban sovereignty, and the beginning of another sad fiction of capitalism and democracy in the region.
What happened to Havel and Castro?
I do not ask this facetiously. It was only upon my return from the Caribbean that I read Havel's works, and I still remember those stirring words:
"...it is possible to live within the truth. Living within the lie can constitute the system only if it is universal. The principle must embrace and permeate everything. There are no terms whatsoever on which it can coexist with living within the truth, and therefore everyone who steps out of line denies it in principle and threatens it in its entirety..."
It pains me to say it, but Havel has become part of the lie. He allowed himself to be used like a worn-out mannequin by that grinning idiot in the White House: used to help justify an unprovoked war of aggression whose terrible consequences we are only now beginning to understand. He links his once honored name to the despicable agenda of American imperialism in its most distressing form, the mad and obsessive need to dominate Cuba once again.
Perhaps anachronistically, I still view Castro as a hero, albeit terminally flawed. Power has corrupted him absolutely, and his is the dishonored fate of those who begin revolutions by emptying the prisons, only to end with them fuller than ever before.
I cannot believe Havel did not see through the hopeless farce of the war on terror, that he does not see the vile appetites of those diseased curs in the White House for what they are; I cannot bring myself to think that Castro actually believes his grim hold on power is fort he good of his people ... yet I must. The only alternative is to believe in both cases that a great capacity for moral reflection and strength has been wholly replaced by that savage mendacity which drops bombs in pursuit of peace and builds concentration camps in the name of freedom.
I must believe that both of them have become blinded by their own experiences. Havel cannot see beyond his own hard-won freedoms to see how meaningless they are when the mere struggle for existence is a constant concern. Castro is willfully ignorant of the vast benefits an orderly and timely transfer of power might bring to his nation. Neither can see how his very legitimate concerns are twisted and warped to serve an entirely alien agenda - that ancient Hobbesian farce in which individuals are mere interchangeable cogs in a living and enduring machine.
None of this may matter. With or without Havel and Castro, the lie is beginning to crack. As he himself said, "when a single person breaks the rules of the game ... everything suddenly appears in another light and the whole crust seems then to be made of a tissue on the point of tearing and disintegrating uncontrollably." There are millions of people breaking the rules of the game, pointing and laughing at an Emperor dressed in nothing but lies and blood.
While these two statues do battle, the Cuban people suffer. They may suffer more, far more, at the hands of those who would help them. For millennia this has been the inevitable way of things on the world stage. But no more. Statues of all kinds are being thrown recklessly down into the dust: so recklessly, indeed, that they sometimes kill those who do the throwing. In the end, it is always the people who dance atop the broken stone.
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subset: commoncrawl


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1. Henna Treatments
Henna (Lawsonia inermis) is an all-natural powder that will smooth the cuticle layer of your natural hair by acting as a filler. There are gaps that occur in the hair from heat styling, routine styling, and even environmental factors that play a part in the destruction of your hair strands. Henna provides a permeable layer over the hair, giving your natural hair a fuller, thicker appearance. Henna also has a molecular structure that penetrates and binds to the natural keratin of your hair and strengthens the hair shaft naturally.
2. Castor Oil Treatments
Castor oil is a vegetable oil that has been used for many years to thicken and promote hair growth. It contains numerous fatty acids and acts as a natural humectant, helping to draw moisture to the hair. Castor oil is typically applied to the scalp to promote healthier, stronger hair growth; however, by using Castor oil as a hot oil or pre-shampoo treatment, it can give the hair the appearance of being much fuller.
3. Wearing Pin-Up Hair Styles
Pinup hair styles are another temporary option for those with thinner natural hair. Some of the easiest pin-up styles are created on older twist-outs and when the hair is fluffy. You can make your hair appear fuller by pinning up random sections of the hair, and leaving out a section in the front as a bang or you can flat twist the hair into pin-up styles.
4. Try a Protein Treatment
Protein treatments do a great job of filling in any gaps in the cuticle of the hair shaft similar to Henna. Protein adds strength and resiliency to finer natural hair. Just as henna, protein fills in the damaged cavities of the hair shaft and makes the cuticle appear smoother and more full thus, resulting in the appearance of fuller, thicker hair. Try giving your hair a protein treatment at least once a month, or start using shampoos and conditioners that contain protein or amino acids for a stronger, thicker hair shaft.
5. Styling Hair when Dry
Allowing the hair to mostly dry before twisting or styling will give your hair a naturally thicker appearance, in addition to elongated twists that won't become shrunken. Air drying is much healthier for your hair, but if you choose to blow-dry be sure to use a heat or thermal protectant and only dry your hair about 80 percent. Next, you can simply apply a creamy leave-in conditioner, follow up with a moisturizer, apply your styling aid if desired and proceed to style.
6. Add Natural Hair Extensions!
What better way to give your hair a fuller look than to add some hair to your own natural hair! Natural hair extensions have come a long way and there are more than a few natural hair extension brands that now offer an array of textures to match kinky, curlier hair types. If you want something versatile that can be added quickly, try going for natural hair clip-ins such as Kurly Klips natural hair clip-in extensions. You could also try wearing sew-in extensions, half-wigs, braids, and other natural hair extensions.
Pssst, you may also want to read:
How to know when your Hair needs a Protein Treatment
10 Phenomenal Plant-based Oils for Natural Hair


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A book developer is much like an editorial department. At Thomas Riggs & Company, we develop the idea, outline, and approach of books; establish the editorial process; and hire editors and writers. We specialize in academic and reference books, especially in literature and the humanities.
We create publishing products, especially on literary topics, that exist only on the Internet. Some of our books are also available on a fee-based online service. We focus on multimedia products and platforms that bring new opportunities for expression, interaction, and learning.
Publishing books under the TRC imprint is one of our long-term goals, as is creating TRC Web products and services. Although, as a business, TRC views these projects as commercial ventures, they are also intended to be publishing laboratories, or projects of innovation.


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Sade will be performing live this summer with special guest John Legend. The Grammy Award winners are bringing the Ultimate Summer Tour to DFW. Internet Presale and VIP Packages for the show went on sale today. The VIP Packages vary and besides a premium ticket to the show include things such as: a collectible laminate, an exclusive merchandise item, pre-show cocktail reception, etc. General tickets sales begin on Saturday, April 8, 2011 at 10 AM on ticketmaster.com. Ticket prices range from $52.50 - $152.50. The show itself is at the American Airlines Center in Dallas on July 24, 2011 at 8 PM. Look out for Sade's Ultimate Collection album to be released May 3, 2011.
Sade and John Legend concert tickets go on sale
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plum kuchen
But then I saw a plum kuchen in this month's Gourmet magazine and I couldn't get it out of my head. It called for whole milk yogurt, we had whole milk yogurt in the fridge. It called for plums, we've been buying them in multi-pound increments. It called for one and a quarter sticks of butter and like magic, I had exactly one a quarter sticks of butter left, and seriously, not a smidge more. I had run out of excuses.
[This does not, however, mean that I approached this recipe with even a modicum of common sense. After this weeks annoying interruptions I was bent on making this yesterday afternoon, despite the fact that I'd picked the wrong day and wrong time. "Pshah, it'll all work out fine" I told myself, leaving a 1.5 hour rise to go to a meeting that ended up running about 2 hours, panicking, frantically trying to hail a cab back at exactly 5 p.m. when, apparently, every taxi in NYC goes off-duty, in 90-thousand degree drenching humidity, visions of warm, overrisen dough spilling out over the pan, my counter and onto the floor agonizing in my head. A cabbie finally took pity on The Mega-Preggo in a Purple Dress, but spent the ride insisting that I was actually due in two weeks and not, say, the eight my doctor has estimated, gah, justshootmenow. Alas, I have digressed mightily again.]
I returned home to a cake that had not committed some sort of batter hara kiri, and I was so relieved, I wanted to kiss it. Instead, however, I cranked up the new oven, and baked the heck out of it. And then, then I really wanted to kiss it because this kuchen is kitchen heaven. It is not dry. It is not dense. It does not taste like bread. And I have no idea if it is authentic, but I barely care: I cannot wait to wield this cake recipe to my next baking whim.
One year ago: Blueberry Pancakes + Pancakes 101 and Huevos Rancheros
Plums, previously: Dimply Plum Cake
Plum Kuchen
Adapted, barely, from Gourmet
This yeasted cake is unbelievable: moist, light and with a complexity to its sweetness that most standard coffee cakes don't have. Mine dipped a little when it baked, no doubt because it was left to rise almost an hour too long. That said, don't skimp on the rising times — you want to get all of the lightness and height possible out of your dough.
Gourmet notes that this can be made with any stone fruit and that it tastes the best the first day. I don't know, though, I had some that had been wrapped in foil in the fridge overnight and couldn't find a thing not to like. Two days, however, might be pushing it.
Gourmet says it serves 8, but I cut mine into 16 squares
2 1/4 teaspoons or 1 (1/4-ounce) package active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water (105–110°F)
2 cups (267 grams) plus 2 tablespoons (18 grams) all-purpose flour, divided
1 cup sugar (220 grams), divided
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup plain whole-milk yogurt (124 grams) (preferably Greek-style, but I used regular yogurt and it worked just fine) at room temperature
1 large egg, warmed in shell in warm water five minutes
1 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/4 sticks (5 ounces or 142 grams) unsalted butter, cut into tablespoons and softened, divided
3/4 pound firm-ripe plums (about 4 small), halved and pitted
Stir together yeast and warm water in mixer bowl and let stand until foamy, about five minutes. (If mixture doesn't foam, start over with new yeast.)
Add two cups flour, 2/3 cup sugar, salt, yogurt, egg, zest, and vanilla to yeast mixture and mix at medium-low speed 1 minute. Beat in one stick of the butter, one tablespoon at a time, until incorporated. Beat at medium speed until dough is smooth and shiny, about five minutes. (Dough will be very sticky.) Scrape down side of bowl and sprinkle dough with remaining two tablespoons flour. Cover bowl loosely with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let dough rise in a draft-free place at warm room temperature until doubled, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
Spread remaining two tablespoons butter in bottom of an 8- or 9-inch square baking pan and sprinkle with remaining 1/3 cup sugar. Cut each plum half into five or six slices and arrange in one layer in pan. (I had quite a bit of extra plum slices to snack on, but my plums were also giants.)
Stir dough until flour is incorporated, then spread evenly over plums. Loosely cover with buttered plastic wrap, then kitchen towel. Let rise in a draft-free place at warm room temperature until almost doubled, about 1 1/2 hours.
Preheat oven to 375°F with rack in middle. Bake until kuchen is golden-brown and a wooden pick inserted into center comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Cool in pan five minutes, then invert and unmold onto a rack to cool completely.
Serve with additional yogurt, lightly sweetened, or sweetened crème fraîche.


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The Best Images From the San Diego Comic-Con 2009
San Diego Comic-Con is underway and already a heap of images from the floor of the convention center are surfacing. I've scoured some of the coolest sites in town to hand pick the best images posted online from the opening day. There'll no doubt be better ones as time unfolds, but these are a good start.
Check them out in the gallery below. There are a heap of first images in there: the Destiny starship from Stargate Universe including a small image of the observation deck, the Black Beauty car from The Green Hornet, the posters to Book of Eli, Clash of the Titans and Jonah Hex, Avatar toys and more.
Images selected from galleries at: First Showing / Collider, Collider, Collider and Collider/ Coming Soon / Gateworld / io9 / MTV Movies Blog / SCI FI Wire / Maximum PC / Cinema Blend / ComicConLive / Slashfilm.
If you want to keep up with what's happening at Comic-Con, the best source seems to be via the ComicConLive Twitter feed.
If you're using a program that runs a Twitter search, keep a search window open for #sdcc.
The San Diego Comic-Con runs from July 23-26.
Official San Diego Comic-Con website is here.


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Adrian Goldsworthy: How Rome Fell: Death of a Superpower
For Immediate Release:
October 9, 2009
October 9, 2009
Contact: Paul Smith
Adrian Goldsworthy: How Rome Fell: Death of a Superpower
The Kansas City Public Library welcomes noted historian Adrian Goldsworthy for a presentation based on his monumental new work How Rome Fell: Death of a Superpower on Thursday, October 15, at 6:30 p.m. at the Central Library, 14 W. 10th St.
In AD 200, the Roman Empire seemed unassailable. Its vast territory accounted for most of the known world. By the end of the fifth century, Roman rule had vanished in Western Europe and much of North Africa, and only a shrunken Eastern Empire remained. What accounts for this improbable decline?
Known for his scholarship, perspective, and narrative skill, Goldsworthy illuminates a period of remarkable personalities, from the philosopher-emperor Marcus Aurelius to emperors like Diocletian, who portrayed themselves as tough, even brutal, soldiers. It was a time of revolutionary ideas, especially in religion, as Christianity went from persecuted sect to the religion of state and emperors. Goldsworthy pays particular attention to the willingness of Roman soldiers to fight and kill each other. Ultimately, this is the story of how an empire without a serious rival rotted from within, its rulers and institutions putting short-term ambition and personal survival over the wider good of the state.
Adrian Goldsworthy is the author of many books about the ancient world including Caesar, The Roman Army at War, and In the Name of Rome. He lectures widely and consults on historical documentaries produced by the History Channel, National Geographic, and the BBC. He lives in Wales.
Admission is free. Call 816.701.3407 to RSVP. Free parking is available in the Library District Parking Garage at 10th and Baltimore.


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Wimbledon Tennis Championships
Great London event which you can enjoy with ease from the hotel...
The Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London
The line goes direct from Victoria Station to Wimbledon, and the hotel is just a short walk from Victoria Station. Rooms are attractive and comfortable, service is kind and attentive, and prices are very competitive.
This will be the 13th Wimbledon Championships. The finest players from more than 60 countries will compete in the five main Wimbledon Tennis Championships events. In addition, the three veteran and four Juniors events also contribute to the excitement for spectators o0f one of the world's greatest sporting events.
Wimbledon Tennis Play will again be scheduled to start on Centre and No.1 Courts at 1.00 pm for the first eleven days. On all the courts, the start play will be scheduled for 12.00 noon for at least the first eight days.
Demand for Wimbledon Tennis tickets has for decades exceeded supply. As long ago as 1924 the Wimbledon Tennis Club introduced a public ballot whereby a large number of Centre and No.1 Court tickets are sold in advance. Many tickets are also sold through The Lawn Tennis Association to their affliated tennis clubs, schools, membership scheme and for foreign tennis associations.
Each year there is increasing pressure on The Championships of Wimbledon Tennis to move tickets out of the public allocation but our policy has always been to refuse to do so. We believe that genuine tennis fans should have access to their favourite event and that they contribute greatly to the special atmosphere at The Wimbledon Tennis Championships.
In 1991 further measures were introduced to minimise the black market sale of tickets to ensure that tickets would be used by the people who originally bought them. Debenture tickets are the only Wimbledon Tennis tickets which can be transferred legally; all other tickets are issued to the original applicant and must be used by them. As a final check, you should ensure that the ticket has the word "Debenture" printed on it instead of the price.
We hope that you will enjoy your visit and experience another successful Wimbledon Tennis Championships.
If you are planning a stay in London to see the Wimbledon Tennis Championships 2009, why not take advantage of the Georgian House Hotel offer? To see the full details of the offer, please click here.
For more informatation on the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, vist the official Wimbledon Website at: www.wimbledon.org
Georgian House Hotel is ideally situated in a very central location, so visiting sights all over London is quick and easy. Why not book Georgian House Hotel when you plan your trip to the Wimbledon Tennis Championships? You can book online or email to make a reservation on firstname.lastname@example.com, or telephone on 0044(0)207 834 143


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Thriving Family
Focus on the Family
8605 Explorer Dr.
Colorado Springs, CO 80920
Emails and letters will be answered by Focus on the Family's Family Help Specialists before being forwarded to Thriving Family. By writing to Thriving Family you are granting us permission to reprint your comments (wholly or in part).
E-mail author submissions to: firstname.lastname@example.com
Differing approaches to parenting can exist in any home, but when the parents come from two separate cultures, those differences are woven into the very fabric of family life.
The best way for intercultural parents to work through their differences is to spend time discussing their thoughts on a wide range of parenting topics — from baby food to educational goals. For a list of topics you may want to discuss, download "Intercultural Parenting Topics."
Copyright © 2012 by Focus on the Family. ThrivingFamily.com.
Did you enjoy reading this? Subscribe to Thriving Family, a faith-based marriage and parenting magazine!
Kingdom Man:
Every Man's Destiny, Every Woman's Dream
Lead Your Family Like Jesus:
Powerful Parenting Principles from the Creator of Families
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Home Page
Who are we?
The Marathon County Labor Council, AFL-CIO is a key part of the nation's largest and strongest labor federation—the AFL-CIO. As the hub of the local labor movement, Marathon County Labor Council promotes solidarity and speaking out with a unified voice on working people's issues. We mobilize action in support of collective bargaining, union organizing, and for legislative and electoral campaigns.
Join us in the labor movement!
Contact us:
318 S 3rd Ave., Suite 5
Wausau, Wisconsin 54401
(715) 370-8908


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MWSAF: METEOR-S Web Service Annotation Framework
Applying Semantics in Annotation
MWSAF can be downloaded as a ZIP file. The ZIP file contains the source code for MWSAF. It also includes the required third party JAR files and some annotated WSDL files. API documentation can also be downloaded as a seperate ZIP file from this page. For the installation and configuration instructions and how to use MWSAF, please refer to the User's Guide. We have included some sample ontologies and WSDL files
* The MWSAF User's Guide is not included in the ZIP file and should be downloaded seperately.
The following table lists some Annotated WSDLs created using MWSAF. It also lists the original WSDL file and Ontologies used for annotation.
Providing Feedback and Obtaining Technical Support
If you have questions or comments about working with MWSAF, or if you discover any bugs, please post a message on METEOR-S visitor forum
DISCLAIMER: The code is provided "as is". No guarantees are made in respect to its functionality and bug fixes will be solved depending on current time limitations.
©2005 LSDIS and the University of Georgia. All rights reserved.
Large Scale Distributed Information Systems


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Did you know? "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner," the film was originally made famous by Sidney Poitier, Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy just 50 years ago.
What: You're invited to witness Classic Family Comedy actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner (The Cosby Show, Malcolm & Eddie) make his Arena Stage inauguration in a new version of the treasured film "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner."
Did you know? "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner," features the story line of an open-minded white couple with gratified liberal receptivity being put to the test when their daughter, fresh from an overseas romance, brings her African-American fiancé home to meet them." Personal beliefs clash among characters set from the late 60's in this warm and witty investigation of family & culture.
Who: Open to general public whereas, tickets are still available. Click here via Arenastage.org or call 202-554-9066 for general information or 202-488-3300 for ticket sales.
When: Various dates until January 5, 2014 that include:
- Friday January 3, 2014 starts 8 p.m.
- Saturday January 4, 2014 starts 2 p.m.
- Saturday January 4, 2014 starts 8 p.m.
- Sunday January 5, 2014 starts 1 p.m.
- Sunday January 5, 2014 starts 6 p.m.
Where: Arena Stage ~ 1101 Sixth Street, SW, Washington, DC 20024
FYI: Be sure to check out the attached video of Malcolm Jamal Warner on HuffPost Live discussing "how the TV sitcom has changed since his days as Theo Huxtable."
Stay in the know by clicking the +subscribe button above this article for updates on the latest trends for well-rounded lifestyle.


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City Officials Immune in Challenge to Sale and Lease of Public Property
In a decision filed October 6, 2010 the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals held that various city officials were immune from liability regarding their decision to lease and sell certain public property. In the case, Community House, Inc. v. City of Boise, Idaho, 09-35780, Community House leased a building containing a homeless shelter and low income housing from the City for over ten years, but in 2004, the City terminated the lease. The next year, the City leased the building to another organization that provided similar services, but that had a religious focus, and later sold the building to the other organization pursuant to an option to purchase clause in the lease. Community House sued the City, its mayor and City Council members, and two high-level City employees, contending that these defendants had violated the First Amendment's prohibition on the establishment of religion. The defendants moved for summary judgment in the trial court, and lost, and sought review with the Court of Appeals.
The Court of Appeals found that the mayor and members of the City Council were entitled to absolute legislative immunity for their actions in promoting and approving the lease. Specifically, the Court recognized that the "decisions about how to further the City's laudable goal of fighting homelessness is a prime example of the need to city council members the freedom to make important and difficult discretionary decisions without fear of being personally sued for it." The Court also found that the two City employees were entitled to qualified immunity because at the time the City approved the lease and sale, a reasonable official would not have known that such actions would violate the Establishment Clause.
The Community House decision is significant for California municipalities because it confirms both that their council members and executives cannot be held personally liable for legislative decisions, and that their employees are immune from liability for constitutional violations where they acted reasonably.


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Please remember to follow the manual of style and code of conduct at all times.
Check BNN and Bulbanews for up-to-date Pokémon news and discuss it on the forums or in our IRC channel #bulbagarden on irc.systemnet.info.
Check BNN and Bulbanews for up-to-date Pokémon news and discuss it on the forums or in our IRC channel #bulbagarden on irc.systemnet.info.
Changes related to "Qwilfish (Pokémon)/Generation II learnset"
From Bulbapedia, the community-driven Pokémon encyclopedia.
This is a list of changes made recently to pages linked from a specified page (or to members of a specified category). Pages on your watchlist are bold.
27 June 2016
26 June 2016
25 June 2016
|Poison (type) (diff | hist) . . (-113) . . Pumpkinking0192 (Talk | contribs) (Undo revision 2462498 by MutantGerbil00 (talk) This has been repeatedly removed and does not belong here.)
24 June 2016
22 June 2016
|Water (type) (2 changes | history) . . (+55) . . [192.168a; Pumpkinking0192]
|21:51 (cur | prev) . . (-72) . . Pumpkinking0192 (Talk | contribs) (→Offense: Not exactly relevant at that specific part of the paragraph.)
|21:48 (cur | prev) . . (+127) . . 192.168a (Talk | contribs) (→Offense)
21 June 2016
|Gyarados (Pokémon) (diff | hist) . . (+130) . . Animaltamer7 (Talk | contribs) (→In the Pokémon Adventures manga)
20 June 2016
Latest Pokemon News
- Mark McQuillan's Machamp to be distributed at Australian National Championships: Based on 2015 ...
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Kinerase Gentle Daily Cleanser is a pure and gentle foaming formula with green tea extract for additional skin soothing benefits. This innovative formula that offers both foam and gentle cleansing in one product, is ideal for even the most sensitive skin types. To use, apply over moist skin. Massage for two minutes and rinse. In the morning, follow with C6 Peptide Intensive Treatment. Next, apply Kinerase Cream with SPF 15, and finish with Intensive Eye Cream. Makeup can be applied directly after Kinerase Cream with SPF 15, if desired. In the evening, cleanse again and follow with Kinerase Cream or Lotion. Finish with Intensive Eye Cream. Kinerase Gentle Daily Cleanser offers a pure cleansing alternative to enhance any regimen. Net Weight: 6.6 fl. oz. / 200 ml Ingredients: water, sodium lauryl sulfate, cocamide DEA, cocamidopropyl betaine, glycol stearate, sodium laureth sulfate, camellia sinensis leaf extract, glycerin, citric acid, magnesium aluminum silicate, sodium chloride, diazolidinyl urea, iodopropynyl butylcarbamate.
Disclaimer: Ingredients are subject to change at the manufacturer's discretion. For the most complete and up-to-date list of ingredients, please refer to the product packaging.
If you need any help for applying these offers or any other issue please call us toll-free at 1-866-830-6161.


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Amy Lee has posted top-15 individual finishes in three of the last four tournaments.
April 12, 2013
|Indiana Invitational
|Saturday and Sunday, April 13-14
|8:30 a.m. ET shotgun start both days
|IU Golf Course (Par 72; 6,142 yards)
|36 holes Saturday; 18 holes Sunday
|Host School
|Indiana University
|Participating Schools
|Akron, Ball State, Bradley, Dayton, Drake, Eastern Michigan, Evansville, Illinois State, Indiana, Kansas, Southern Illinois, Toledo, Valparaiso
|Live Results
|Not Available
|Social Media
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Southern Illinois women's golf team is set for the Indiana Invitational, hosted by Indiana University on April 13-14. The 13 participating teams will compete in 36 holes on Saturday and 18 holes on Sunday.
The tournament will be the final tune-up for SIU before the Missouri Valley Conference Championship on April 22-23. Four other MVC schools are competing in the tournament: Bradley, Drake, Evansville and Illinois State. SIU is coming off a dual loss to Murray State in the single-round Dual at Dalhousie on March 30.
The 54-hole tournament is being played on the Indiana University Golf Course, which plays at par 72 and 6,142 yards.


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City Finalizes New Restaurant Grading System
Food-safety grades are coming to a restaurant window near you beginning in late July.
On Tuesday, the Health Department announced just how the new publicly posted inspection regime will work. A new round of inspections, which starts next month, will issue violation points to all restaurants in New York City. Restaurants that receive fewer than 13 violation points will be awarded an "A" grade, which will be posted immediately, and won't face another inspection for year.
Restaurants that rack up too many violation points for an "A" will be given an automatic chance to improve their score on "a re-inspection conducted a short time later," according to the Health Department announcement. A violation score between 14 and 27 earns a "B" grade and more than 28 violation points earns a "C."
The system is designed to give "lower-scoring establishments frequent opportunities to improve their grades," the agency said.
Those lower grades do not have to be posted right away. Restaurant owners that want to contest a "B" or a "C" can file for appeal to an agency tribunal and display a "Grade Pending" sign in the window until the process is completed.
The finalized rules appear little changed in the wake of hearing last month at which many restaurateurs expressed strong opposition to the grading regime. At the time, as The Journal reported, Martin Shapiro, managing partner of Tribeca Grill and a founding partner in the Myriad Restaurant Group, called the new rules "inherently flawed" and said letter grades would be misleading to the public. "We're going to put people out of business," he said.
The restaurant industry is exploring a legal challenge and protest of the city's forthcoming letter grading system.
Robert Bookman, an attorney for the New York City chapter of the New York State Restaurant Association, said the group is looking at pursuing an injunction, a legal challenge following implementation and even a protest.
"We're looking at all of our options," said Mr. Bookman. "We're considering how one would protest it. We're considering going to court."
The Health Department believes it will take a little more than a year to inspect every restaurant under the new grading system.
–Sumathi Reddy contributed to this report.


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Polson, Montana: Miracle of America Museum"The Smithsonian of the West" has 112,000 items, including a Viking ship, a two-headed calf, a motorcycle made of wood, a KKK hood, and a winged monkey from The Wizard of Oz. 35 buildings full of stuff.
- Address:
- 36094 Memory Lane, Polson, MT
- Directions:
- East of town on the east side US Hwy 93, one mile south of Hwy 35.
- Hours:
- Summer daily 8 am - 8 pm; off-season M-Sa 8 am - 5 pm, Su 1:30-5 pm. (Call to verify)
- Phone:
- 406-883-6804
- RA Rates:
- Major Fun
Results 1 to 5 of 5...
Visitor Tips and News About Miracle of America Museum
Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.
Miracle of America Museum
Great stop. Best one today! What an awesome collection! Can not believe the "Pickers" have not been here yet![Pat and Judy Holohan, 09/19/2014]
Miracle of America Museum
I have traveled the globe and this is still one of my favorite places! It now has 340,000 items, and the collection of original metal art continues to grow. There is something for everyone and it is fantastic for kids! Where else can you get in a real Huey helicopter, train and fighter jet, listen to player pianos, see memorabilia covering toys to weaponry, and a great collection of original metal art! That is just scratching the surface.
We visit several times every summer and it never gets old. Seriously, if you can't find something that puts a smile on your face here, then you really need some help.[Patricia, 07/30/2013]
What a fantastic place -- so much stuff that it takes all day to view, and the cost is only $5 to get in. War items, old cars, and more old motorcycles than I have ever seen in one place before.
Additionally, as you arrive, you will see a Tommy's Hot Dog spot. Small menu, but what great food he has. Tommy is extremely friendly, helpful and runs the joint.[Randy Campbell, 08/13/2010]
Miracle of America Museum
No serious devotee of roadside attractions should miss this place! It is a true treasure-trove of everything idiosyncratic, unusual, and American.
You start with the main museum building- several thousand square feet of displays (all behind glass or cleverly repurposed cattle panels) of anything imaginable (and some things not imaginable!) related to the U.S. Oh, let's see- a sheep-powered spinning wheel, a two-headed calf, a battalion's worth of military memorabilia, the largest bison in Montana, a motorcycle made of wood, etc. etc. etc. But that is just the beginning!
Step out the back door, and there are a couple of acres of small buildings -- log cabins, tin shacks, barns -- each one filled with a particular kind of memorabilia. The Fiddler's Hall of Fame, the school, the dentist's office, the trapper's shack, the general store, the livestock barn, the alien compound, etc. etc. Plus helicopters, cars, trains, boats, tractors, gew-gaws, gimcracks...
Oh, and there's a gift shop. You can buy railroad nails, Montana license plates, and an autographed booklet all about the museum to remember your unusual escapade.[Cris, 05/31/2009]
Miracle of America Museum
They call themselves "The Smithsonian of the West," and have a fine, sprawling collection of artifacts and tchotchkes. My personal favorite: a Viking ship with hubcaps on the side! Also lots of World War II-abilia, including Hitler and Mussolini gag items and other pop culture materials. And all delivered with a certain...agenda (e.g., a photo of holocaust victims reminds us that the Commies likewise did such things).
Be sure to get your picture taken sitting at the controls of a Vietnam-era helicopter -- and just TRY not to hum "The Ride of the Valkyries!"[Joyce Remy, 09/22/2003]
This place also has a winged monkey from The Wizard of Oz.
Nearby Offbeat Places
Latest Tips Across Roadside America
Catch up on the latest discoveries from the road.
Explore Thousands of Oddball Tourist Attractions!
Unique destinations in the U.S. and Canada are our special obsession. Use our attraction recommendation and maps to plan your next road trip.


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Revenge: Duplicity
Recent scandals leave the Graysons on edge.
Other Revenge videos
Recent scandals leave the Graysons on edge.
Although updated daily, all theaters, movie show times, and movie listings should be independently verified with the movie theatre.
Contact mrmovietimes.com for information or comments. Please read the mrmovietimes.com Privacy Policy and terms of use. Enjoy the movie!
Copyright © 2016 Movie Times, Inc. Site Map | Google+


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With OTAs cranking up again Tuesday, there's a few interesting articles written on the New Orleans Saints this week. Sports Illustrated's Peter King mentions the Saints several times in his 25th anniversary addition of "Monday Morning Quarterback."
" Regrets? You'll probably say, "The Saints' bounty story." Nope. I don't regret a syllable of it. Sean Payton and Mickey Loomis and Gregg Williams and Jonathan Vilma should be mad at themselves, not at me, for not stopping it before it got out of control," King wrote. "I'd love to have a relationship with smart men and brilliant coaches like Belichick and Payton again, but these things happen in this business."
The full story is below.
Sports Illustrated:
Peter King: Monday Morning Quarterback
Jonathan Goodwin, New Orleans Saints strike deal
Breakout candidate, defense: Akiem Hicks
CBS Sports:Drew Brees calls Jimmy Graham a 'hybrid' wideout/tight end


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Graduate Studies News
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Public Speaking and Presentation Skills
Come learn some tips, tricks, and preparation suggestions for successful public presentations. Join us Thursday, April 14 -- 12:00 to 1:00 pm in B 18 Miller Center or online. Visit http://www.stcloudstate.edu/graduatestudies/current/culmProject/ for more information about the workshop and participating online.
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Bermuda Field Course 2013 :: Daily Report
Day 04 | Sunday, March 03, 2013
Today we snorkeled at Whale Bone Bay. It was rough to say the least. It was raining, windy, and freezing. We hauled all of our gear on a similar 30 minute walk to the bay, only to discover that it was much choppier than anticipated. To top it all off, there were Portuguese Man O' Wars floating in the waves. These creatures inflate a gas filled chamber that allows them to float above the water and drag their meters of tentacles behind them. Their stings are incredibly painful. I couldn't concentrate on our coral surveying as much as I wanted to because I was scared one would be swept into my face from the oncoming waves. I did finally see an octopus! He was so little and looked right back at us from his crevice. The picture I took doesn't really show him very well, but he is so adorable. Overall, it was a great experience and it goes to show that science perseveres even through undesirable conditions. These are the experiences that are going to shape us as scientists and help us to grow in our field. Being put on the spot to create an experiment at a location that none of us have ever seen has required us to be incredible team players and cooperators. Groups today surveyed everything from holothurian densities in Whalebone Bay and Ferry Reach Bay, to Coral speciation in the Bay based on substrate. The various field and statistical analysis techniques that we have learned thus far will provide vital in-field experience that we can take with us on all of our future scientific adventures!
Half of the gang getting rained on before snorkeling in Whalebone Bay
Common sea fan (Gargoina ventalina) in Whalebone Bay
Snorkeling with the Man O' Wars.
Trek to Whalebone Bay -- a magnificent view.


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Teams attending from Alabama, Tennessee, Indiana, Illinois, NorthCarolina, Georgia and Kentucky.Please email questions to TennesseeTeamPride.com for more information.2012 AAU State finishes4th grade State Champions5thGrade tied for 3rd6th grade Coleman State runner up6th G Bowman D2 state champs7th G Ramsey State Runner up8th G Hunt D2 State Champs7th grade wins D1 AAU nationals in Clarksville, TN.4th grade wins D1 AAU nationals in Orlando, Fla.3rd grade finished AAU National runner up in CoCo Beach , Fla.Former Team pride player Glory Johnson is named SEC player of the week.Glory avg 11 pts per game, 13 boards and shot 61% from the field.Click here for more of the story.Former Team Pride player Beth Hawn is named OVC Freshman of the week.Beth scored 24 pts and grabbed 19 boards in two games.Click here to read more of the story.Former Team Pride player Marie Carpentar earns OVC freshman of the week.Marie averaged 18 pts and 7 boards for the week.Click here to read more of the story.Former Team Pride player, Dawn Evans scores 28 in the Colonial Athletic Association finals to lead James Madison to the conference title. Dawn was awarded the CAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player (averaged 18.7 points and 6.3 assists in three games).Dawn's 25+ points per game is the third highest in Women's NCAA division 1.Click here for more about Dawn.Former Team Pride player Alysha Clark scores 48 points in the Sunbelt finals to lead MTSU to the conference Championship. Alysha also earned MOP award for the tournament.Her 48 points makes Alysha the highest scoring player in D-1 women's basketball averaging 28.71 pt per game in 2010.Third place is held by former Team Pride player Dawn Evans at James Madison Univ with 25.8 ppg.Alysha is ranked 10th nationally in rebounds and top 50 in steals.Click here to read more about Alysha.Former Team Pride player Victoria Dunlap selected as the SEC player of the year. Click here to read more about the All-American candidate from the University of Kentucky.
Team Pride player and UT Martin signee Beth Hawn wins Miss Basketball for Class A.Overall 5 Team Pride players announced as Miss Basketball finalists.Class A Miss Basketball FinalistsBeth Hawn, ForrestMolly Heady, ClarkrangeLaken Leonard, Jackson County
Division II-AA Miss Basketball Finalists Marie Carpenter, Ensworth Taylor Reece, Brentwood AcademyCongrats to 8 TTP middle school players for earning all county honors in Rutherford County.
Former Team Pride( current TTP coach) Tara Davis leads her team to an Atlantic Sun conference title.Click here to read more about TaraFormer Team Pride player Dawn Evans leads James Madison Univ to a top 25 ranking.Click here to read more.FormerTeam Pride player Kamiko Williams promoted to starting point guard for Univ of Tennessee Lady Vols.Click here to read more.Click here for more Kamiko.Tennessee Team Pride Basketball Club based out of Hooptown in Smyrna, Tn recently was awarded the Points Championship for the top AAU basketball Club in the nation for the third time in four years.
Tennessee Team Pride accrued 81 points at the girls Division 1 AAU nationals in 2009 ages 8u-19u/Open to win the "Clinton Cup Points Championship".2009 Team Pride top 16 finishes include 9u 4th(15pts), 10u 1st (20 pts), 12u 7th (12 pts), 15u 2nd ( 17 pts) and 13u 2nd (17 pts).Rounding out the 2009 top 10 nationally were 2. Georgia Pistols - 68 pts, 3. Dayton Hoopstars - 63 pts, 4. Team Arkansas Elite - 47 pts, 5. Missouri Valley Magic 46 pts 6. Arkansas Mavericks - 40 pts, 7. Indiana ISSA Elite 37 pts 8. Fairfax Stars - 33 pts, 8. Indiana Blizzard - 33 pts, 9. Indiana Finest FBC 31 pts , 10. Kenner, La Angels 27 pts pts.
This season's finish marks Team Pride's 6th consecutive year to be in the top 10 nationally.The point system is derived from the Olympic scoring point system. 1st - 20pts, 2nd -17 pts, 3rd -16 pts, 4th - 15 pts, 5th or 6th -14 pts, 7th or 8th -12 points, 9th thru 12th - 9pts and 13th thru 16th - 4 pts.4 Pride teams reach Final 4 at National AAU10u Team Pride AAU National Champions.Team Pride defeated Indiana Blizzard in the finals 43-27.Click here to watch tourney highlight video.
15u Team Pride AAU National Runner-up.Click here to watch news clip about tourney.13u Team Pride AAU National Runner-up.9u Team Pride AAU National 4th place finish.12u Team Pride AAU National 7th place finish.Top 2 NCAA National leading scorers include 2 former Team Pride players.Alysha Clark (MTSU) led the nation in scoring at 26.1 ppg. Dawn Evans ( James Madison) was 2nd in the nation in scoring with 24.3 points per game.Clark was 7th in the nation in field goal % at 60.6. Evans was11th in 3pt per game at 2.3 and 30th in assists with 5.3 per game.
Clark was also 22nd in rebounds per game at 9.8 rpg.Victoria Dunlap (U of Kentucky) was 46th in Rebounds at 9.2 rpg.Former Team Pride player, Victoria Dunlap (Brentwood Acad) was named to preseason All-Southeastern Conference second-team as selected by league coaches and announced by the conference office.For full story Click here
9u National Champions 2008Dawn Evans again named CAA ROOKIE OF THE WEEK Click here to read storyTierney Jenkins named SEC ROOKIE OF THE WEEK Click here to read storyAnne Marie high scorer.Click here to read storyTara Davis scores career high.Click here to read storyClick on the link below to watch Glory Johnson's interview on Hoopgurlz.com Glory Johnson Interview
Hooptown's Tennessee Team Pride Basketball Club is crowned the top AAU program in the nation for the 2nd year in a row. Tennessee Team Pride accrued 71 points at the girls Division 1 AAU nationals in 2007 ages 9u-19u/SR to win the "Clinton Cup Points Championship". 2007 Team Pride top 16 finishes include 9u 4th(15pts), 10u 5th (14 pts), 11u 3rd (16 pts), 15u 9th ( 9 pts) and 16u/JE 2nd (17 pts). Rounding out the 2007 top 10 nationally were 2. Dayton Hoopstars - 68 pts, 3. Memphis Elite - 57 pts, 4. Arkansas Mavericks - 56 pts, 5. Indiana's Finest - 52 pts, 6. Alabama Twisters - 40 pts, 7. Fairfax Stars - 32 pts, 8. Maryland Flames - 31 pts, 9. Mo Valley Eclipse - 29 pts , 9. Virginia Neptunes - 29 pts.This season's finish marks Team Pride's 4th consecutive year to be in the top 10 nationally(2004 - 9th, 2005 10th and 2006 1st).The point system is derived from the Olympic swimming point system. 1st - 20pts, 2nd -17 pts, 3rd -16 pts, 4th - 15 pts, 5th or 6th -14 pts, 7th or 8th -12 points, 9th thru 12th - 9pts and 13th thru 16th - 4 pts.
Updated: Wednesday, February 17, 2016


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Keefe Brasselle Movies and Career Information
Feb 07, 1923
Feb 07, 1923
Keefe Brasselle was an American film actor, television actor/producer and author. He is best remembered for the starring role in The Eddie Cantor Story. The film was a response to the wildly successful The Jolson Story and Jolson Sings Again starring Larry Parks. The Eddie Cantor Story, however, could not equal the success of the Jolson films and Brasselle's career did not launch as anticipated. In 1953, Braselle hosted an episode of The Colgate Comedy Hour with comedian/dancer Dick Wesson as a promotional tie-in for the film. In 1956, Braselle married the singer Arlene DeMarco. They divorced in 1967. Brasselle had a close friendship with CBS executive James Aubrey. Brasselle started his own production company and Aubrey granted Brasselle's company three television series without any previous script, pitch or pilots. The insider-chicanery resulted in a lawsuit against Aubrey and Brasselle launched by CBS shareholders. There were rumors that Aubrey had no choice in the matter due to threats from the Mafia, with which Brasselle was known to be connected. In 1961, an Edison Township, New Jersey nightclub owned by Brasselle burned under suspicious circumstances.
- Keefe Brasselle Movies before 2015
- Repeat Performance 2001
- Bannerline 1951
- Place in the Sun (1951) 1951
- Railroaded! 1947
- Black Gunn
- Not Wanted (1949)
- Never Fear (The Young Lovers) (1950)


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- Business News
- Trading And Investing
- sectors
- special features
- MV Education center
- Video
- t3 live subscriptions
Being fixated by your iPhone while in motion isn't going to nab you a ticket, unless it leads to something hazardous.
Atop the burning platform, Nokia exec finds the strength to criticize iPhone and Android devices.
Augmented reality app actually comes close to Word Lens' niftiness.


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On the scent of something...
Every gal wants her own signature style.
Especially when its about fragrance.
Search high and low. Retail counters and online launches.
Or the patience or pocketbook for customized scents.
Here is a unique find.
A German perfumer around awhile, but now with some stateside awareness.
ARTS&SCENTS is...
an artful alignment of scent-sational symmetry.
ARTS&SCENTS has developed its own tinctures, including rare organics and highest quality fragrance oils.
Its newest fragrance is Fantastic Green Bird.
Think rainforest. Think Carnival. Dusky base notes of amber and sandalwood, meet a sweet opiate of jasmine and honeysuckle with unanticipated top notes of tequila and agave. Uniquely hypnotic.
ARTS&SCENTS initial hallmark scent is Green Sea. As perfect as it sounds for summertime adventure.
A cooling spritz of sea grass and pepperment + aqua water notes.
A Day in the Grasse is another seasonal perfection.
Think Summer Solstice and Mid Summer's Night Dream. Humidity drenched in sensual red clover, but with a magical powdery whisper of pink roses freshly bloomed.
...and for elegant special occasions, ignite the night with Dream of India which presents exotic fantasy of chai spiced with corriander and curry.
To learn more and for stateside purchases:
Manuela Pfannes-Völkel
United States


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Pure Angus enjoyment doesn't have to cost a premium – not when you choose Blackwell Angus® beef As authentic Angus beef, Blackwell Angus® beef delivers savory Angus flavor at an everyday price. And because Blackwell Angus® beef has no added water, flavorings, colorings or tenderizers, you can be confident that you're serving your family Angus beef that's both delicious and nutritious.
Authentic Angus quality. Exceptional Angus beef consistently provides the quality you deserve and expect.
Hand-selected. Hand-cut. We carefully select and hand-cut our Angus beef to put the freshest quality steaks and roasts on your table.
Grain-fed. We grain-feed our beef so it's always consistently flavorful and juicy.
Perfect family value. Our beef lets you enjoy the rich taste of Angus beef more often.


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Joe Philbin has a check list for the Dolphins receivers
Go ahead and scan the Miami Dolphins' receiver unit and pick a name, any name.
Odds are whatever named you picked has a relatively good chance to become the starter in 2012 with a productive offseason because the Miami Dolphins have a wide open competition at receiver.
Based on this franchise's history, it would be irresponsible to say ANYTHING but any of the 13 receivers on the roster – including the undrafted rookies like Jeff Fuller and Derek Moye - can earn the five or six spots designated for the position.
It would also be wise to conclude that any receiver in this unit – from Legedu Naanee to, Roberto Wallace, Marlon Moore to Julius Pruitt - can become a starter in the west coast offense new head coach Joe Philbin and offensive coordinator Mike Sherman are installing.
There are a bunch of bodies at receiver for the Dolphins. The biggest question is can any of them become playmakers?
Think back and ask yourself who was Victor Cruz a year ago? How about Stevie Johnson three years ago? Both were a nobody fighting to become a somebody, and the same goes for the Dolphins' receiving corp.
The best thing about this brewing battle is these coaches have no ties to anyone on the roster, and that includes incumbent starters Brian Hartline and Davone Bess, who will be forced to earn their starting spots.
These receivers all have a blank canvas and can paint any picture they want.
The quarterbacks – who are in a heated competition themselves – are looking for wide outs who can create separation, get open, bring down tough catches, and ultimately make them look good.
Those who do that will get more opportunities, and soon enough a go-to target is born.
"I know a lot of people are worried we don't have a standout guy. Well, that's baloney," quarterback Matt Moore said. "We got five guys that are that guy. I mean, especially in this offense, it really tailors to them. Any one of them can get the ball at any time and that's just the way it is on all plays."
Here's what Philbin is looking for from his young receivers, whom he admits are difficult to evaluate right now because of the limited contract allowed during OTAs.
"It's going to take some time to figure that out," Philbin said. "We haven't seen a lot of press man-to-man yet, one of the things that will be interesting to see will be how we do against man coverage, guys that can separate from man coverage that is going to be important.
"We are looking for guys who can potentially make a play on a vertical ball down the field to the degree that we can practice that, we aren't going to have all out wars for the ball, but that is something that is going to be very important," Philbin continued. "And probably third, a guy that is a consistent ball catcher.
"I know that it sounds simple, but it is sometimes overlooked, sometimes the importance isn't placed on just the ability to consistently catch the football well. Those are three things I know in my mind I'm watching these guys, looking for."


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Language Barriers Falling in EMU's Intensive English Program
When Fanty Polanco immigrated to the United States from the Dominican Republic five years ago, she spoke no English. But three years in Eastern Mennonite University's Intensive English Program has made the 31-year-old fluent in the language and ready to take the next step in securing a career. "Now, I have a big plan to become a dental hyg ...More


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The Central Coast's Assemblyman Luis Alejo (D-Salinas) closes out the year with several bills he authored or coauthored in a weekend press release. They become law January 1, 2013.
Authored by State Senator Bill Monning (D-Carmel), and coauthored by Alejo, Assembly Bill 1614 (AB 1614) extends the Fort Ord Reuse Authority Act's end date. Fort Ord, likely the most attractive piece of military real estate in the United States, was decommissioned in 1994. The valuable property came under the Reuse Authority to determine how the fort would come under civilian and local government use — a significant boost to the local economy.
The Authority is made up of local, state, and federal stakeholders. With still outstanding allocations it was scheduled to end in 2014. AB 1614 extends the end date to 2020 allowing further economic development.
Assembly bills AB 276 and AB 2180 deal with healthcare administration.
In order to maintain the "viability of the healthcare safety net" in Monterey County, AB 276 will create the Central Coast Public Hospital Authority. The new administrative organization will provide "management, administration and other controls" with a "skill based" board, according to Alejo staff.
AB 2180, titled Health Care Districts' Employment Contracts, mandates hospital districts disclose compensation packages for upper level management. Alejo's office reasons, "This increases transparency in the process by which compensation packages for CEOs and hospital administrators are determined."
Established in 1990, the Fertilizer Research and Education Program seeks to foster proper and sound fertilizer use in California. Assembly Bill, "Best Farming Practices," corrects an inconsistency in prior legislation making it clear that funds can be used for technical assistance to agriculture.
The historic Ralph M. Brown Act, that became law in 1953, is part of a tug-of-war between government and the public's right to disclosure. The act clarifies policies and procedures how local decision makers must announce agendas, make decisions in open meetings, and allow attendance by the public. Authored by State Senator Leland Yee, coauthored by Alejo and shepherded in the Assembly, Senate Bill 1003 strengthens the Brown Act allowing the courts to examine specific violations by local governments.
Other bills Alejo was instrumental is seeing passage in 2012 includes Greater Access to Legal Services (AB 1865) that requires renters be informed of legal resources during eviction procedures. Reasonable Notice for School Employees (AB 1908) extends the period for advance notice of layoff for school support workers to 60 days. One bill allows increases in funding within the California Safe Routes to School program. Safe Routes to School Bus Stops (AB 1915) seeks to create infrastructure safety improvements for children walking to school. Financial Elder Abuse Prevention (AB 1525) requires financial institutions to educate agents on how to recognize financial elder abuse.
Assembly Bill 1337 is close to the Assemblyman's heart. When working in the Monterey County Superior Court, Alejo identified a problem in establishing paternity when a mother passes away. "The bill adds necessary clarification by specifying that an alleged father is to serve legal notice to a second degree relative, the persons with physical custody of the child," writes his staff. Paternity law in California can be difficult for interested relatives. This bill improves the rights of the child by expediting the procedure.


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Gout is caused by the buildup of excess uric acid in the body. This uric acid will produce small crystals that will settle in a joint. The most common target for a Gout attack is the big toe. A Gout attack can happen without warning and usually it happens in the middle of the night. If you are a first time Gout sufferer or a chronic Gout sufferer, it is important that you continue reading this article. It will provide valuable information on how to use cherry juice for Gout.
There are several types of cherries available. Montmorency and Morello cherries are the two most sour cherries. These types of cherries are usually used in pies and other baking purposes. They are so sour that they are rarely eaten raw as a snack. If you are looking for cherries to eat for your Gout, you should avoid these two types.
The most common type of cherry is the Bing cherry. This sweet cherry is sold fresh after harvest, and they make great snacks. The Bing cherry is dark red in color, and it is this cherry that comes to mind when you think about cherries to eat.
The Lambert cherry is also used as a snack but not as often because it is not as sweet as the Bing cherry. The sweetest cherries are the Rainier cherry. They are yellow in color mixed with red. The Rainier cherry is very expensive and is mostly eaten raw as a healthy snack rather than using them in baking.
When you are searching for the best Gout cherry juice, some researchers say that the darker the cherry, the more beneficial it will be. However, all forms of cherries can be beneficial to your Gout symptoms. Read on to discover the major benefits of drinking cherry juice for Gout.
Provides Antioxidants
Cherries provide some of the most powerful antioxidants known to man. This is very important because antioxidants will counteract the damage that free radicals cause to your body. Toxins from your environment and by product of digestion will steal electrons from cells in your body, which will produce weaker cells. The weaker the cells, the more you are susceptible to disease. Antioxidants will actually provide the electron that the free radical wants so your cells in your body are left alone.
Reduces Inflammation
The most noticeable benefit of cherry juice and Gout is decreased inflammation. There have been numerous studies conducted at the most prestigious universities on cherry juice. The results have shown that cherry juice can reduce inflammation just as well, if not better than some prescription medications or over the counter drugs. Since Gout will produce a lot of inflammation, cherry juice can help.
Provides Pain Relief
A black cherry Gout remedy can provide pain relief. This is because of the ability of the cherries to reduce the inflammation and reduce the swelling that is associated with Gout. Once the swelling and inflammation are gone, the pain will be gone also.
Promotes Sleep
Cherries contain melatonin, which is a natural sleep aid. You may be wondering why this benefit was included in the Gout cherry juice list of benefits. Sleep is important for healing. If you want to get rid of your Gout faster, you have got to get adequate amounts of sleep.
Reduces Uric Acid Levels
This is very important if you want to get rid of your Gout. Cherry juice for Gout will help lower the uric acid levels in your body, which will in turn help eliminate your Gout attacks. Try to add cherry juice to your diet every day to prevent further attacks from happening.
So as you can see, cherry juice for Gout can be very beneficial. When looking for cherry juice, try to find juice that is all natural without added flavorings or sugar. If you can find natural cherries, get a juicer and make your own from them. This will be an efficacious way to get rid of your Gout symptoms.


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Asiano Bistro - Photo credit: P. Wilder
Asiano Bistro (2618 Lawndale Drive, Greensboro; 288-8883) Owners Ken and Huong Ni have brought together Japanese, Thai, and Chinese recipes to offer familiar dishes, as well as new ones, that combine the different cuisines. The quality food, coupled with an open and beautifully decorated interior, provide patrons with a warm and relaxing environment.
Ken Ni has worked in the restaurant business for over 10 years and is still involved with the Harusaki Fusion Sushi Bar located in Burlington. Ni renovated and decorated the restaurant space (formally the Grappa Grill location) to reflect the mix of cuisine through the artwork and decor.
The restaurant provides space that is conducive for intimate dining, a family dinner, outside dining, and large parties. A private dining room is available at no extra charge. The room is also available for day-long or extended meetings for a nominal charg and is equipped with a flat screen television that can support audio and visual presentations.
Enjoy the bar for drinks, appetizers, and dinner
Asiano Bistro also has a full bar. A variety of sake, wines, and beers have been selected to compliment the cuisine.
After the choice of beverage has been made, start the meal with one of several choices of appetizers. The Asiano Sampler ($10) comes with Crab Rangoon, Gyoza, Spring Rolls, and Summer Rolls. The popular Lettuce Wraps ($7) are also offered as a vegetarian appetizer or with chicken. In addition, Geisha Tofu ($10.50), Honey-Wasabi Shrimp ($9), Oysters ($10), Calamari ($8) are among the meal starters.
Tom Yum Soup ($6), a Thai Soup made with shrimp and lemongrass, and Miso Soup ($2.50), a soy-based seaweed soup with tofu, are among the soup choices.
Salads can be also be found on the menu for a full meal or as a side. Those prices range from $2.50 to $12.
A variety of Sushi is available from the Sushi Bar that include offerings such as the classic California Roll ($4.50) and some of the Bistro's signature rolls like the Dragon and Phoenix ($12) which is a shrimp tempura with spicy tuna topped with avocado and tobiko.
The Sushi is made fresh to order
Meal entrees include specialties ($15-$26), like Asian Crispy Duck ($18), and a variety of seafood, steak, chicken, and pork recipes designed by the Bistro's chef.
Other familiar dishes like Moo Goo Gai Pan ($11), Sesame Chicken ($14), Thai Curry Chicken ($13), Fried Rice ($9.50) are also on the menu.
Vegetarian ($8-$9) and Hibachi Grill ($11-$28) choices are also available.
Desserts include a Japanese Banana Split ($6) that is a tempura banana with two scoops of ice cream drizzled with chocolate and topped with whipped cream and cherries. Ice cream (vanilla, red bean, and green tea) can be served frozen ($3.50) or fried ($5). Tempura cheesecake ($5) is also served.
Another special feature of the Bistro includes a 15-minute-guarantee lunch for $6.50. The choices include Sweet and Sour Chicken, Sesame Chicken, Beef with Mushrooms, Thai Curry Chicken, or Black Pepper Chicken. Each of these is served with either fried or white rice. Other lunch choices ($6.50-$7.00) are also available without the 15-minute guarantee.
Although the restaurant has only be opened a few weeks, the friendly waitstaff is efficient and knowledgeable. You might even see Ni walking around in his signature ball cap seating customers, cooking, serving, or occasionally trying his hand at the Sushi bar. "I am not so good at that," said Ni. "I cook, but don't do so much sushi."
So, whether you are driving across town, walking, or just looking for great Pan-Asian cuisine that isn't a chain restaurant or one with a two-hour wait, visit Asiano Bistro in its location in the back of Kirkwood Commons right off of Lawndale across from the Target - Harris Teeter shopping center.
For more info:
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2 Dec 15:45 2002
Re: Re: Quake2 and SDL
Mental Patient <mental <at> neverlight.com>
On Tue, 2002-11-26 at 17:45, Michel Dänzer wrote: <dga stuff snipped> > Why do you think this has anything to do with DGA when you correctly say > above that the VidMode extension does this? > Because I misunderstood how X loaded this stuff. I confused the dga extensions as being related to the vidmode extension. When looking for docs for what exactly dga provided, I came up a little short on xfree's website. I have only a basic knowlege of "what works for me". Besides the Xlib books, are there any good references (preferably online) that cover this stuff? Most of the docs that come with X11 cover more about config file syntax than what each module provides. The man pages list various modules you can load, but dont go into much detail as to what each one provides. Know what I mean? -- -- Mental Patient <mental <at> neverlight.com>


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Wit & Wisdom, a tavern by Michael Mina, is the place to go when you want to dine. You know the difference; eating can be the local bar, corner restaurant and carry-out. Dining to me is not only fine edibles but the whole experience – top-notched service and au courant libations – dining becomes the entertainment for the evening. Located in Baltimore's Four Seasons Hotel, Wit & Wisdom offers that warmth travelers desire, spaciousness diners enjoy and the inexplicable feeling that you are very special.
The husband and I dined there as guests of Wit & Wisdom, they are promoting their seasonal multi- course tasting menus with optional paired wine and ale. Seated at a table facing the harbor view through a large picture window we could see the reflection of all the activity in the open kitchen in the window as well as the harbor's colorful lights.
Once seated, Wit & Wisdom's award winning mixologist Aaron Joseph brought over a house specialty, the Eastern Sparkle; a lovely concoction of kumquats, coriander, simple syrup and topped with sparkling wine. The menu looked intriguing, there were some items I didn't know if the husband would eat, not a fan of anything raw, he cleaned his plate and exclaimed that there was a difference with quality items.
Along with the tasting menu we were treated to two amuse bouche, a cornmeal crusted oyster over a bed of spinach, perfection visually and as a one bite tease and a dessert amuse. The five course dinner is $69 per person and $30 for the optional beverage pairings. All guests at the table must participate in the seasonal tasting menu. There is a copy of our menu in the slideshow but note they change items on the menu from time-to-time, especially if an item arrives that inspires the kitchen. We were also treated to Michael Mina's famous steak tartare which was mixed table side combining Asian pear, pine nuts, crushed garlic, a quail's egg yolk and habanera infused oil with optional toast points as the means to bring this to your taste buds.
Let's talk Wit & Wisdom's new executive chef but not a new comer to the Michael Mina Group, Executive Chef Zachary Mills. A native Marylander, he attended the French Culinary Institute in New York and got to study with world renowned chefs the likes of André Soltner, Alain Sailhac, Jacques Pépin and Jacques Torres. As you will see from his interview below he had dined at a Michael Mina restaurant in Atlantic City and thought that was the best meal he had had. Serendipity and next thing you know, Chef Mills is sous chef at the Washington Post's multi -star rated Michael Mina's Bourbon Steak in Washington D.C. He flourished, did his due-diligence and grew to executive sous chef and oversaw the culinary operations for a selection Mina's restaurant operations restaurants along with several notable restaurant openings including PABU in Baltimore, Maryland; The Handle Bar in Jackson Hole, Wyoming; and most recently Pub 1842 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Chef Mills had a moment to sit and chat, played small world and I asked a number of my culinary questions for fun.
Dara: You arrive at the pearly gates and Julia Child is standing there, what would you ask her?
Chef Mills: How did you feel the first time you were on television?
Dara: What is the oldest food item in your home refrigerator?
Chef Mills: Condiments – oyster sauce and Sriracha
Dara: What was your biggest culinary fail?
Chef Mills: Conceptualizing a black and white sashimi dish it worked in my head but no on the plate.
Dara: Truffle Oil?
Chef Mills: no comment but made a face
Dara: Most memorable meal?
Chef Mills: Michael Mina's Seablue Restaurant in Atlantic City, this was way before I went to work for him and a big reason that I did.
If you are downtown Baltimore at lunch time you might want to check out their express lunch for only $19.95. When you truly want to dine do put Wit & Wisdom on your list.
Wit & Wisdom
Four Seasons Hotel
200 International Drive
Baltimore, MD 21202
410 576 5800
Facebook: www.facebook.com/WitWisdomTavern
Twitter: @witwisdomtavern
Don't miss another post, click SUBSCRIBE in the author's box. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @daracooks


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Health & Pregnancy
Home Births Tied to Higher Infant Death Rates
Another expert challenged the study's findings.
Melissa Cheyney, a midwife and associate professor of medical anthropology at Oregon State University, said the study data was unreliable. "For low-risk women, birth at home with a skilled midwife is a safe option that also confers many health benefits for mother and newborn," she said.
Grunebaum countered, saying, "This isn't about midwives; it's about birth settings."
For the study, Grunebaum and his colleagues used CDC data on nearly 14 million births and deaths.
The researchers found that the absolute risk of a baby dying at birth or in the 28 days following delivery was 3.2 per 10,000 births when a midwife delivered the baby in a hospital, compared with 12.6 per 10,000 births when a midwife delivered the baby at home.
Moreover, if the home delivery was the mother's first, the risk increased to 21.9 deaths per 10,000 births, the researchers found.
Each year, 18 or 19 more babies die during home deliveries than should, Grunebaum's team said. With the increase in popularity of home delivery, the number of excess deaths could reach nearly 32 a year by 2016, they said.
Cheyney, however, said there are significant problems with using this data to study outcomes by place of birth.
"For example, U.S. birth certificates do not reliably track intended place of birth," she said. "This means that between 10 percent and 25 percent of women who intended to deliver at home, but who transferred to the hospital during labor, have their outcomes erroneously recorded as hospital deliveries."
"It is unreliable and potentially misleading to compare groups when such a high percentage of your sample cannot accurately be assigned to one group or another," Cheyney said.
Although the study found a higher risk of infant death with home births, it did not establish a cause-and-effect relationship.
Copyright © 2013-2015 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


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THE parents of Teresa De Simone have today told of their relief that their daughter's real killer has been found.
Mary and Michael Sedotti said their only child, brutally raped and strangled 30 years ago, could now finally rest in peace.
Earlier this week detectives reinvestigating 22-year-old Teresa's murder revealed full details and a picture of David Lace to them, after DNA results confirmed he was the man responsible.
Speaking of the moment she laid eyes on a black and white picture of Lace, Mary said: "It was a surprise. It was a shock to see he was so young.
"Nowadays it would be nothing to hear of a young boy committing awful crimes because you hear about it all the time.
"But not 30 years ago, it didn't happen."
Having learnt about Lace's broken childhood, she added: "It's a shame. He could not have had a very good life. He wasn't a very happy boy. It doesn't sound like he had much of a happy childhood.
The 1983 Investigation
"It's a shame for his family having just found out all these years later."
Mary continued: "I just felt sad but I don't feel angry. He must have been someone with a conscience to feel the way he felt, to have committed suicide. It's just a shame that he never told anybody why."
She added that her anger was still with Sean Hodgson, who spent 27 years in prison after making a false confession to Teresa's murder.
Mary added: "If it was not for him telling all those lies in the first place then the police may have carried on speaking more to others."
Mary and Michael told how they did not want Mr Hodgson to be compensated but admitted under the rules of British justice it was likely.
Talking about confessions made to police after Mr Hodgson was jailed for Teresa's murder in 1982, Mary said: "We only ever knew about two phone calls.
"It was from someone who was very distressed and he never left his name.
"For us, Hodgson was imprisoned and the whole thing was dying down. When Lace made his confession he seemed to know a lot. It seems he told police quite a bit too. But they never had DNA back then so they couldn't prove anything.
"I suppose the police thought it was all over and they had the right man in prison so they never went much further with those confessions.
Watch videos of:
"Knowing what I do now, I wish they had."
Mary said: "He was quite like Hodgson as they had both been to prison and this one (Lace) confessed as well - but for him it was too late.
"Hodgson fooled them. He fooled everybody, and they (the police) believed the wrong man."
Speaking of the reinvestigation which started six months ago, Michael said: "To be frank I was and am stunned. I don't know what to think. It has been one of the biggest surprises. We thought everything was all done and finished and then they told us the case was being opened again.
"The police have done a great job to be able to have results in a matter of such short time."
Mary added: "We are just relieved, I suppose, that all this has come to a close. I can't praise the police enough really for working hard to get the result so quickly.
"I didn't ever think they would find anybody after all this time, I'm just so grateful.
"Throughout the last ten months I never thought there was any hope but the police kept telling me there was always hope. They were right. Teresa can now rest in peace and we can get on with our lives."


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IMF Executive Board Concludes 2008 Article IV Consultation with the MaldivesPublic Information Notice (PIN) No. 08/115
September 10, 2008
Public Information Notices (PINs) form part of the IMF's efforts to promote transparency of the IMF's views and analysis of economic developments and policies. With the consent of the country (or countries) concerned, PINs are issued after Executive Board discussions of Article IV consultations with member countries, of its surveillance of developments at the regional level, of post-program monitoring, and of ex post assessments of member countries with longer-term program engagements. PINs are also issued after Executive Board discussions of general policy matters, unless otherwise decided by the Executive Board in a particular case.
On September 3, 2008, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation with the Maldives.1
The Maldives continues to grow robustly, underpinned by a tourism sector that has rebounded strongly from the Asian tsunami. In 2007, rapid tourism growth, together with construction activities, has kept the headline growth rate in line with the pre-tsunami average despite an unusually low fish catch. Inflation has recently picked up sharply to nearly 15 percent year on year due to soaring food and oil prices.
The main challenge for the Maldives is to contain fiscal expenditures that have increased sharply following the tsunami. Expenditure has reached extraordinarily high levels by international and historical standards, with the majority of the increase in domestically financed expenditure unrelated to the tsunami. On the revenue side, there has been little progress with tax reforms. The government has been relying on extraordinary revenue measures, such as leasing out islands, to contain the fiscal deficit, and indeed has achieved its target of zero domestic financing in 2007.
The 2008 budget continues to entail a large increase in current expenditures in an election year financed by extraordinary revenue measures with significant implementation risks. An over 50 percent increase in the wage bill and quadrupled subsidies, mainly because of administered electricity prices, pushed up overall expenditure to nearly 70 percent of GDP. The government planned to achieve zero domestic financing with a large receipt (about 15 percent of GDP) from a transshipment port project, but when the project was delayed by a year, the authorities planned to fill the shortfall by leasing an additional 30 islands. The government now realizes that this is too ambitious and accordingly, has revised down the budget by cutting back on expenditure by 20 percent from August onward.
Dynamic private sector activities shaped the external sector. The current account deficit widened to 45 percent of GDP in 2007, driven by a surge in construction-related imports and rising commodity prices, notwithstanding the contribution from strong tourism earnings. The deficit was financed mainly through a large increase in private capital inflows, including foreign borrowing by commercial banks, which was then on-lend to resort developers. As a result, external debt increased sharply to near 70 percent of GDP in 2007.
The U.S. dollar peg has served the Maldives well and continues to be an appropriate exchange rate regime for the country. The Maldives appears to have adequate room to maintain competitiveness under the peg despite the recent rise in inflation, provided imported inflation is not exacerbated by fiscal slippages. Most of Maldives' exports are to euro-denominated areas, while the bulk of imports are dollar denominated. The real effective exchange rate has declined more than that of comparator tourism-based small economies.
There has been some notable progress with key legal reforms. A new central bank governor was appointed following the amendment to the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) act enshrining the separation of the positions of finance minister and governor. MMA was also empowered to set interest rates and put a ceiling on the amount the government can borrow through its Ways and Means Account. The Civil Service Bill and the Audit Act were passed and an independent civil service commissioner and an auditor general have been appointed.
Executive Board Assessment
Executive Directors were encouraged that Maldives' economy has rebounded strongly from the December 2004 tsunami, underpinned by a booming tourism sector and reconstruction activities. However, inflation has picked up markedly mainly due to high food and oil prices, and the economy remains vulnerable to external shocks.
Directors agreed that the main challenge for Maldives is to ensure that the broadly favorable growth prospects are not undermined by excessive fiscal spending and attendant macroeconomic instability. Government expenditures—in particular current expenditures unrelated to tsunami relief—have risen to extremely high levels. While welcoming the authorities' efforts to maintain their commitment to zero domestic financing of the budget, Directors cautioned that any revenue shortfall would put at risk these efforts, exacerbating already high inflation and increasing external vulnerabilities.
While the 2008 budget calls for zero domestic financing, Directors expressed concern that it accommodates a substantial rise in domestically financed expenditures with ad hoc revenues from the lease of additional island resorts, which might prove uncertain. They welcomed the authorities' intention to reduce the remaining 2008 budget allocation of line ministries by 20 percent, and encouraged the authorities to identify further contingent expenditure cuts if needed. Directors looked forward to early progress on steps to reduce subsidies to the state-owned electricity company by increasing electricity tariffs and to contain the civil service wage bill through civil service reform.
Directors stressed that ensuring fiscal sustainability over the medium term will require revenue-enhancing reforms, including the introduction of corporate taxation, a broad-based sales tax, and an ad valorem tourism tax. They called on the authorities to press ahead with their plans to develop a realistic medium-term expenditure framework to prioritize spending within the available resource envelope.
Directors agreed that external vulnerabilities will need to be monitored carefully, given the recent rise in external debt and debt service. While the rise in debt is attributable mainly to private sector activity, risks to the banking sector should be carefully monitored.
Directors generally acknowledged that Maldives' U.S. dollar peg exchange rate regime and the level of the exchange rate appear appropriate. The dollar's decline against the euro has enhanced the country's competitiveness in recent years, providing a cushion against any erosion in competitiveness arising from high imported inflation. At the same time, Directors emphasized that it will remain crucially important that the peg be supported by prudent fiscal policies.
Directors commended the authorities for implementing the Maldives Monetary Authority Act by appointing an independent Governor. They also welcomed the appointment of an independent Civil Service Commission and Auditor General. Directors encouraged early passage of the pending Banking Act and Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) legislation.


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Donkey Kong Country Returns Videos
Displaying 1–9 of 9 videos
Donkey Kong Country Returns Video Review
It's been 16 years since the original entry for this 2D co-op platformer debuted on Super Nintendo, and it's back with this latest entry coming on the Wii. Blair Herter reviews Donkey Kong Country...
Donkey Kong Country Returns "Big Hairy" Trailer
Get a preview look at the cinematic scene and more gameplay footage in this big hairy trailer for Donkey Kong Country Returns.
Donkey Kong Country Returns "Rambi" Trailer
Introducing the most powerful rhino of them all, Rambi. See Rambi in action bashing his way through in Donkey Kong Country Returns.
All Access PAX 2010 Nintendo Booth Tour
At PAX 2010, Nintendo had 2 new upcoming Wii games playable at their booth, Kirby's Epic Yarn and the 2-player co-op Donkey Kong Country Returns, and in this all access tour Morgan Webb visits Kit...
The Biggest Nintendo Games of E3 2010
Did Nintendo win E3 2010? Adam Sessler this explores this question as he takes a look at Nintendo's big announcements including The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, Kirby's Epic Yarn, Donkey Kong...
E3 2010: Donkey Kong Country Returns Interview
David Young, Assistant Manager of PR for Nintendo of America, tells us about 'Donkey Kong Country Returns,' including the return of the 2D mechanic, and the love that the world has for the great...
E3 2010: Donkey Kong Country Returns Trailer
Donkey Kong is back in this colorful Wii platform game. Watch the Donkey Kong Country Returns E3 2010 Trailer!
E3 2010 Live: Face Time With Reggie Fils-Aime
Reggie Fils-Aime, President of Nintendo North America, talks with Blair Herter, Kristin Adams, and Patrick Klepek about the Nintendo E3 2010 press conference, and gives us the scoop on all the...
E3 2010 Nintendo Press Conference: Donkey Kong Country
The banana hungry monkey is making a comeback with Donkey Kong Country Returns in this trailer from Nintendo's E3 2010 press conference.
Videos 1–9 of 9


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Americans have no problem believing that CBS' "The Big Bang Theory" is the best comedy on television. However, they do seem to have a problem believing that the top-rated show's scientific namesake theorem explains the origin of the universe. They also have a problem with the estimated age of the Earth and with the Theory of Evolution. What they do not seem to have a problem with is believing that cigarette smoking can cause cancer and that there is a genetic code inside a human being's cells that helps determine who we are.
The Associated Press reported (via Yahoo Finance) April 21 that only 21 percent of Americans were "very confident" or "extremely confident" that the universe began 13.8 billion years ago with a big bang. A full 51 percent were "not too confident" and "not at all confident" of the position. Only 27 percent think that the Earth is 4.5 billion years old. And only 31 percent of Americans have confidence in the theory that animals, including humans, evolved through natural selection.
In fact, it is easy to see that Americans don't have a problem at all believing science or science-backed assertions and theories when it comes to the individual level. But when more abstract concepts come into play -- such as the origin of the universe and global warming -- more Americans appear to lose confidence in the subject's credibility.
The poll saw a clear drop in confidence regarding the more abstract concepts as the respondents' faith in a supreme being rose. And just as there was a significant difference in terms of religiosity, there was also a clear delineation when it came to political affiliation. Republicans were less likely to have confidence in the more abstract subjects, while Democrats were more likely to have confidence that the Big Bang Theory, Evolution, and the scientific calculation that the Earth is 4.5 billion years old are correct.
And yet, according to Francisco Ayala (via the Associated Press), a former priest and professor of biology, philosophy and logic at the University of California, Irvine, only Bible literalists (read: fundamentalist who believe in the infallibility of the text as the word of God) cannot find compatibility with faith in the major abstract concepts like the Big Bang Theory and Evolution.
Overall, Americans were 82 percent "very confident" and "extremely confident" that smoking causes cancer. They were 69 percent confident that there is complex genetic code inside our cells that determines who we are. And 54 percent believe there is a supreme being guiding the universe's creation.
The Big Bang Theory poll, or so it is being called, comes on the heels of news in March that scientists had found evidence that confirmed that the Theory of Inflation, which accounts for the rapid increase in the size of the universe in the moments succeeding the Big Bang, was correct.
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