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There are a handful of approved weather sources that pilots and airlines can use. Approved, that is, by the FAA. There are countless that are not approved, such as Weather Underground, the Weather Channel, and my favorite: calling home.
Airlines use dispatchers to disseminate weather info to the flight crews. The dispatchers in turn use approved sources of meteorological information to develop big weather pictures. But, as any rational person knows, the best tool for analyzing nearby weather is to look out the window. The next best tool is to call someone who can actually look out the window where you want to go.
At my previous job, the dispatchers did not have a real good view out the window because of the design characteristics of the building they used. Even during a bad storm, if I called them, I would get the computerized information, which wasn't always as new as I wanted it to be. Quite often, I would call my wife or a few other people who lived in specific locations and could give me an immediate sense of what was going on. My father used to get mildly amused when I'd call him for updated info if I was in his neck of the woods.
Officially, I could not/cannot use this information to plan my flight, or determine a suitable alternate, or do much of anything other than to say that I talked to my family. But for getting immediate, accurate information, it works, even if it isn't "officially" accurate. My dad was especially helpful because, as a pilot himself, he knew what I wanted to know. My wife was a great source of severe weather input because we lived so close to the airport.
Even now, living in another location in the middle of the Pacific, my wife is a good source of here-and-now information—especially with rapidly changing rain conditions. I am not a captain, so I'm not the one who ultimately makes the decision about what's going to happen, but being able to talk to someone who is "in the know" provides a bit of comfort. It may not be a true pilot report as defined by the FAA, but it is a pirep of another sort: People In REal (close) Proximity.
Again, it isn't official, and it can't be used in a court of…well, anything, but talking to people who are really there can be useful. Just use such information as a supplement to the official version, to help build the best big-picture view you can get.—Chip Wright
Tags: airlines, career pilot, careers, dispatcher, weather


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March 2006 Meeting Summary
Salt Lake City, UT
March 7, 2006
TREASURER'S REPORT (Pete Anderson)
- Net revenue post-audit $143,141 for FY05
- FY07-08 Baseline Budget presented as starting point for budget development
- Capital Expenditure Policy adopted allowing for expenditures up to $10,000 w/o approval
- Total revenues of HPBA and affiliates over $7 million; adding Educ. Foundation & PFI brings total to $7.648 million
MEMBERSHIP (Steve Hall)
- 2005 membership increased 3% and manufacturing membership at all-time high of 385, up 1%; highest retention rate ever: 84%
- Web-based member satisfaction survey being developed for later in year
- Business liability insurance program now available as new member benefit thanks to work of Karen Teske-Osborne of NCHPBA
AFFILIATE LEADERS (Pete Anderson)
- Contract finalized with vendor for "Dealer Success Clubs"; member sign-ups to start at EXPO
- Announced that Pacific and Pacific-South affiliates have merged into one organization
AFFILIATE BOARD COMMITTEE (Pete Dines)
- All 14 affiliates have signed the revised Affiliate Agreement adopted by the Board in 2004
- All affiliates have submitted revenue and expense numbers for 2005 and budgets for 2006 in standard form so that they can benchmark their performance against each other
PELLET FUELS INSTITUTE (Bruce Lisle)
- Updated Memorandum of Understanding approved by Board for management of PFI
- Joint HPBA/PFI meeting held to develop efficiency standards and fuel standards; work to continue between fuel and appliance manufacturers
- Pellet fuel production capacity increasing and shipments expected to increase 17% in 2006
EXPO & MEETINGS (Mike Derosier)
- Record exhibit sales for EXPO 2006 at 211,500 sq. ft.; record attendance at education sessions
- HGTV will tape interviews with exhibitors for 1-hour special to be broadcast in June
- Board approves amendment to Committee Charter to add two new committee members and make the Education Foundation appointee and HPBA Vice Chairman voting position on the committee
- Manufacturers meeting to be held in Quebec City, November 5-7
STATISTICS (Don Johnson)
- 2005 hearth data indicate overall industry shipments up 8%
- Working with Membership Department on web-based member survey.
- Regional data on annual net sales of hearth products is working
COMMUNICATIONS (Dennis Smith)
- Introduced Carol Kaplan as new staff Manager of Media and Public Relations
- Builders of 2006 New American Home project again at EXPO to shop for hearth appliances
- Libby Changeout project captured in photos and video to package story
- New PR firm, Fleishman-Hillard, is working with staff to renew promotion of National BBQ Month
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS (Tom Pugh)
- Libby project has changed out 150+ stoves for low income residents and applications have been submitted for 400+ vouchers for additional changeouts with federal funds
- Launching increased effort to energize grass roots participation in changeouts and other government affairs activities at affiliates
- Government Affairs awards presented to Richard Wright and Fran Smith
- Work proceeding on ASTM standard for wood burning fireplace emissions
HEARTH, PATIO & BBQ EDUCATION FOUNDATION (Jim Tulley for Bob Wise)
- 2005 revenues $677,000 ($267,00 over budget); net revenues will be used to fund product development in 2006
- Board approved hiring new staff person to assist Ben Weathersby in product development pending HPBEF Board approval for funding
- NFI Certification exams administered increased 44% in 2005 to 3,362
- Fireplace Installer Training System program to be delivered late 2006
NEW BUSINESS (Paul Birnstihl)
- Search Committee appointed to fill President position: Birnstihl, Scott, Magnotti, Oxford, Newby
- Jack Goldman appointed Acting President effective May 1
- Executive Committee, Board & Affiliate Meetings – Reno
- Affiliate Leaders, Board Committee and Staff meetings – TBD, Wednesday, June 7
- Executive Committee – 6:00pm – 9:00pm, Wednesday June 7
- Board of Directors – 9:00am – 5:00pm, Thursday, June 8
- Executive Committee & Board Meeting – Quebec City
- Executive Committee – 6:00pm – 9:00pm, Saturday, November 4
- Board of Directors – 9:00am – 5:00pm, Sunday, November 5

subset: commoncrawl


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I own a McPherson 3.5 with an RTS II pup.
I have been considering having it changes to an Anthem SL. I have been happy with the RTS II but everything I read about the Anthem makes me wonder if the tone and presence of my guitar will benefit from the switch.
Thoughts, comments, suggestions?
Uncle Mike


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White House: PLO's UN Upgrade Did Not Violate US Law
The Obama administration said the Palestinians' ascension in U.N. membership status did not violate U.S. law.
William Burns, the deputy secretary of state, in a Jan. 8 determination, said the Palestinians did not break the U.S. law which states that shutting down the Palestinian Liberation Organization office in Washington in the event that the Palestinians declare statehood.
The Palestinians have not "obtained in the U.N. or any specialized agency thereof the same standing as member states or full membership as a state outside an agreement negotiated between Israel and the Palestinians," Burns said.
In late December, more than half the members of the U.S. House of Representatives called on President Obama to shut down the PLO office in Washington as punishment for its ascension in U.N. status.
"One important way of expressing U.S. disapproval would be to send the message that such actions are not cost-free and that, at a minimum, they result in setbacks to U.S.-Palestinian relations," said the letter sent Dec. 21, 2012 initiated by the incoming and outgoing leaders of both parties on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The letter was signed by 239 members, including leaders such as Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.), the majority leader, and Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), the minority whip. "We can do this by closing the PLO office in Washington, D.C. We can also call our Consul-General in Jerusalem home for consultations," the letter said.
The letter was initiated by Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.), Ed Royce (R-Calif.), respectively the outgoing and incoming chairs, and Reps. Howard Berman (D-Calif.) and Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.), respectively the outgoing and incoming ranking Democrats.
The Palestine Information Office was registered with the Justice Department of the United States as a foreign agent until 1968, when it was closed down. It was reopened in 1989 as the Palestine Affairs Center. The PLO Mission office in Washington D.C was established in 1994, to represent the PLO in the United States.
In July of 2010, the State Dept. upgraded the status of the PLO Mission in the United States to "General Delegation of the PLO."
Although it did not constitute diplomatic recognition, the upgrade two years ago raised the status of Palestinian representation in the U.S. to the same level as the PLO representation in many European countries and in Canada.
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee has backed the initiatives, while the Reform movement and a number of smaller liberal Jewish groups have opposed them.
JTA content was used in this report.Jewish Press Staff
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Imported and Older Comments:
my country is being run by idiots whose warped sense of fairness and equality extends only to those with whom they agree.
Thank goodness for "J Street" They lobbied Congressman not to vote for this stupid Cantor/Hoyer letter and it got less votes than it otherwise would have gotten and was rightfully rejected by the administration. '
I guess they missed the vote in UNESCO – yes the President Odumba is in direct violation of numerous US laws and because the Democrats control the Senate he knows he can get away with it.


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Today is the first "normal" day I've had in more than two weeks. I know this because I had steel-cut oats (with soy, mirin, and rice vinegar, fantastic) for breakfast. Otherwise I couldn't tell.
Last week began in Philly, with a talk at the Free Public Library; I thought it went well. Loads of people, all very friendly. Finished signing at 9.00 or so, and ate at the hotel, the Palomar. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised; I know Kimpton (the hotel chain) tries to work on its restaurants, but I haven't been that impressed overall. But Square 1682 was really, really good: a warm octopus salad, followed by a tiny little cassoulet … obviously not a big enough sample to judge by, but I'd go back. Not that I know when I'll be in Philly again.


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Spelunking equipment, climbing gear and snowshoes are Steve Sutorius' life. That's clear watching him as he peddles outdoor-sports merchandise in his shop, Wildernest, on this 10-mile-long jewel in Puget Sound just off the coast from Seattle.
Somewhat further down his list of priorities is his marketing strategy, which, for Wildernest, includes ads on the hyperlocal news site Inside Bainbridge, whose content includes such stories as the one about a woman who nearly rammed her car into a store on Winslow Way called Danger. (Gotta love small-town news.)
While such coverage might not win journalism prizes or bring the government to its knees, Inside Bainbridge "does a really good job of putting out local content, and I wanted to support another small business," explains Sutorius. More to the point, the payoff for his business was considerable—and quick. Sales grew 15 percent in just the first month his ads ran, while clickthroughs on his store's website spiked 60 percent. "This," he says, "has been a cool partnership."
Five miles away, Inside Bainbridge's co-publisher Julie Hall considers the experience of operating the website over the last year and a half. In her home office, she pedals her stationary bike as she bangs out another local news item—at the same time she pedals hard to make a go of her site. "It's personal for me," she says. "When we started out, we didn't know how quickly it would grow and how well it would be received." The Chicago Tribune and Reuters have since republished some of her stories. And yet, the site's long-term prospects remain anyone's guess. Shrugs Hall, "We're still figuring out the money end of it."
The same goes for many of those who have thrown their hats into the hyperlocal movement. Far bigger news operations that got in this game with so much fanfare now find themselves reassessing their approaches to community news, among them Seattle-based Fisher Communications. Fisher's string of radio and TV stations in the Pacific Northwest has been hyped up about hyperlocal going back to 2010, though the company is revamping the business in the wake of a slide in corporate revenue last fall. More famously, AOL's ambitious but money-draining Patch, made up of more than 900 community portals coast to coast, has significantly scaled back.
"What I see happening is a rationalization of [the hyperlocal] market," says Dave Michela, vp of business development at Internet Broadcasting, which provides online content management for local media companies. Most players are still in the process of figuring out just how micro to go with news content and how many employees they can afford on the news and ad sales sides—and how to make these businesses viable.
This period of adjustment has seen some outright surrender. Among the more high-profile cases is The New York Times, which handed over operations of its New York-based community site to City University of New York faculty and shut down another hyperlocal enterprise in New Jersey. Meanwhile, Allbritton Communications folded its Washington, D.C.-focused TBD.com into the site of its D.C. ABC affiliate WJLA.
Yet despite the high-profile failures, others continue take the plunge, notes Gary Cowan, svp of product and marketing at Datasphere, which provides media companies with the technology to maintain hyperlocal sites as well as telesales services from its hub in Seattle, offering super low ad rates to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) around the country. Owned in part by Fisher, Datasphere's roster of media-company clients has grown from 90 to 136 in just the last year.
Like Wildernest, many local businesses put great value on advertising via these sites. Among them is Steve Gechlik, who advertises his Sunshine Carpet Cleaning in Tucson, Ariz., on site Downtown Tucson. After Datasphere helped Gechlik create how-to videos for the site, "I got 20 more calls a week," he says. "You can imagine how my business grew after that," adding, "I've actually lost time playing golf because I've had to work."
Then there's Bistro Ten 18 in New York's Morningside Heights neighborhood. One of its owners, Craig Skiptunis, relates that when the restaurant advertised an all-the-mussels-you-can-eat special on neighborhood sections of the site DNAinfo.com New York, sales grew ninefold. While the clickthrough rate was less than what the business gets via Yahoo or Google, says Skiptunis, "I believe [DNAinfo.com's] are high-quality users. If they click, they're more likely to come."


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Nowadays U.S.-based personal computer makers – such as Dell or Hewlett-Packard – control a huge chunk of the personal computer market in the world. However, in twenty years time U.S.-based PC brands will follow U.S.-based television makers, believes the founder of Acer, one of the world's biggest PC suppliers.
"The trend for low-priced computers will last for the coming years. But U.S. computer makers just don't know how to put such products on the market. U.S. computer brands may disappear over the next 20 years, just like what happened to US television brands " said Stan Shih, high tech entrepreneur and founder of the island's leading personal computer brand according to the Taipei-based Commercial Times newspaper, reports AFP.
It is true that Acer and other large Asian-based computer suppliers have consistently outperformed their rivals from Europe or the United States due to lower labor cost, lower profit margins and lack of investments into higher-end technology. Servers and workstations are still mostly sold by companies like Dell, IBM or HP, whereas companies like Acer or Asustek Computer only supply personal computers. Moreover, personal computers designed for gaming are still designed and built in the United States.
It remains to be seen whether brands like Dell or HP will actually disappear. The U.S. government needs personal computers and buying them from Chiba-based manufacturers may not be suitable for many institutions.
It should be kept in mind that the trends in the PC market are towards consolidation of manufacturers. Even Acer itself acquired a number of its rivals in Americas and Europe in the recent years. Perhaps, in 2030 there will be several very large PC companies in the world with managers and capital from around the globe and it will be impossible to distinguish between originally U.S.-based Dell and Taiwan-based Acer.
Tags: Acer, Dell, HP, Hewlett-Packard, Business


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Police Car
- Overview
Kids can keep the streets safe in their imaginary town, as they patrol the neighborhood in this wooden vehicle and lock up criminals in the rear paddy wagon.
- 11" long x 6" wide x 5" high
- Made of plantation-grown rubber wood.
- Bars separate front and rear cabins.
- Includes a police officer; flexible arms and legs allow officer to sit inside the police car.
- Use with Police Station and Police People Set (both sold separately).
- Ages 3 and up.
- Dimensions & Care
- Dust with a soft, dry cloth.
- Shipping & Return Info
This is a general shipping item.
View Our Shipping Information
Return Policy
At Pottery Barn Kids, we take great pride in the quality and craftsmanship of our products. Attention to design, materials, safety and construction is our priority. We carefully inspect your order prior to shipment; upon receipt, please inspect your purchase and notify us of any damage. We will arrange for a prompt replacement. If, within 7 days for Quick Ship upholstery and 30 days for all other products, you are dissatisfied for any reason, you may return your purchase for a refund of the merchandise value.
If your return for Merchandise Credit Cards is greater than $10,000, we will issue $10,000 in Merchandise Credit Cards to you that day, and then mail additional Merchandise Credit Card(s) for the amount in excess of $10,000 to you.
We cannot accept returns on monogrammed, personalized, special-order items, or on items damaged through normal wear and tear. We also cannot accept returns of final-sale items, which are identified by a price that ends in $0.99.
For returns of items purchased from your Pottery Barn Kids registry, we will gladly provide a refund or exchange for the merchandise within 90 days of your event or within 90 days of purchase, whichever date is later.
For assistance, please contact Customer Service at 800.993.4923
International Returns: Online returns are available only for items that were shipped to the United States. If you would like to return items that were shipped outside the US, please see International Returns and Exceptions.


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Wildcats swept away in Alaska
FAIRBANKS, Alaska – Northern Michigan University was swept by the University of Alaska over the weekend, losing to the Nanooks 4-2 on Saturday night despite scoring the game's first goal.
The Wildcats fell to 11-12-4 overall and 5-11-4 in the CCHA after being swept by Alaska for just the second time in 48 games total the teams have played each other.
The Nanooks won their sixth straight game and improved to 12-8-4 and 10-7-3.
NMU sophomore forward Ryan Daugherty scoring his team-leading niinth goal just 1:34 into the game, getting assists from junior forward Stephan Vigier and freshman forward Justin Rose.
Then the roof caved in on the Wildcats as the home squad scored four straight goals. Alaska's Colton Beck tied it 1-1 with 4:25 left in the first, while Tyler Morley gave it the lead 5:06 into the second. Beck scored another goal about five minutes later, while Colton Parayko made it 4-1 on a power-play tally not long after.
Senior defenseman Scott Macaulay pulled Northern within two, 4-2, with 6:16 left in the second on a shorthanded goal that was assisted by senior forward Matt Thurber.
NMU junior goaltender Jared Coreau started and made 15 saves, being pulled in favor of freshman Michael Doan with 7:01 to go in the second. Doan had 18 saves in his fourth appearance this season.
NMU was 0 for 2 on the power play, while the Nanooks were 1 of 6, which included a five-minute major penalty called on the Wildcats.
Northern has this weekend off before hosting Ferris State on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 8-9.


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About The Children.org ~ A Parental Advocate Group
Assisting parents in making changes to Child Custody, Support, and Visitation issues
NOTICE: Once you have completed this expression of interest (mini-application), you will be contacted by telephone.
By submitting your expression of interest you are consenting to receive telephone calls from our Parental Advocate Group even if you are currently on a Do Not Call list.
How We Help
About the Children (ATC) does not take sides. We help both mothers and fathers. ATC cares about what is in the best interest of the children - just like your Family Court Judge. Hence, we are not a father's advocate group, or a mother's advocate group - we are a Parental Advocate Group, that truly is about the children.
We focus on advocating for parents by supporting them to help themselves, in entering into family court, without having to come up with a retainer fee, or paying an attorney by the hour.
You will have access to the most updated information on family court, custody related matters, and techniques to successfully approach single parenting and co-parenting as you continue to raise your child or children.
Many of our staff members have been through similar situations as you with their own children and families. They are excited to support you through this process and can provide excellent insight from a parenting perspective going through the family court system.
Finding access to any family court begins with the filing of court documents. The documents filed, explains to the court what you want and why the court should give it to you. Preparing them the way the court requires is very complex.
visitation, or child support issue, is to get a court order signed by a judge.
In family court, having accurate and properly prepared court documents can greatly assist in a fast resolution to your situation. Most family court cases today involve mandatory mediation which generally excludes the involvement of an attorney, and coordinates parents to talk through their issues together with a mediator or other court official. With properly prepared court documents, resolution usually is accomplished without ever having to stand in front of a judge.
ATC is not a law firm, we work in conjunction with Attorneys, and Legal Document Assistants who type court documents for parents like you, based on information you select and provide us. The information on this website should not be regarded as or serve as a substitute for legal advice.
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Father's Rights ~ Mother's Rights ~ Grandparent's Rights ~ Paternity Issues ~
Self Help Solutions ~ Contempt of Court ~ Emergency Protective Custody Orders
Child Support
Collecting Child Support ~ Starting Child Support ~ Stopping Child Support
Often, many parents mistakenly make the assumption that child support is 100% tied to child custody or visitation. While this may be true in some cases, it may not be true to all.
In most disagreements, having a well-defined court order in place often clears up any misunderstandings and keeps both parents in check throughout the longevity of parenting their children into adulthood. If you are required to go to court, we will support and prepare you to help yourself to obtain an order for the first time or get your existing order changed.
Generally, there will not be a custody order without a support order and vice versa unless the parties previously agreed to visitation issues. Furthermore, generally, parents will agree to both. Problems typically arise later when one parent is being unfair, or if parents simply disagree over minor issues and a lawyer gets involved with the recognition that there are no orders in place, and encourages them to seek such orders to take the guess-work out.
Most court orders outlining custody, visitation, and support often take the guess work out of arrangements involving children of broken or separated families so that everyone understands what is expected of each parent. Such orders are generally subject to change if the parents circumstances change (i.e., job loss, illness, disability, and others).
What is Child Support?
Child Support is the obligation paid to the custodial parent of child by the non custodial parent for rearing the child. It is in the best interest of a child for both parents to be obligated to pay for the support of their child. An order for child support transfers the income/wealth from one parent to the other so that the combined incomes/wealth of both parents is available to use for the support of the child.
A Child Support order includes when and how much a parent has to pay for child support. A Child Support Order is generally part of a divorce decree or paternity judgment. Most states now follow a guideline or formula devised for estimating child support amount. This ensures uniformity in child support payment from court to court.
If you do not have a child visitation or child custody order in place, and are paying high child support, obtaining such an order may lower the amount of child support you pay.
Child Custody
Child Custody is an issue that affects everybody involved - mom, dad, children, as well as other family members. Nothing is as precious to a parent as their own child. Regardless of any bad situations, or choices you may have made in the past, you still have rights.
Types of Custody
More on Child Custody
Legal Custody
Joint Custody
In true "Joint Custody" arrangements, parents share equal "legal custody" and "physical custody" rights. This means that parents participate equally in making decisions about the child's upbringing and welfare, and split time evenly in having day-to-day care and responsibility for the child -- including the parent's right to have the child live with them. True joint custody arrangements are rare, because of their potential to cause both personal difficulties (stress, disruption of child's routine) and practical problems (scheduling, costs of maintaining two permanent living spaces for the child).
Much more common than true joint custody arrangements (where both physical and legal custody are shared) is "joint legal custody," in which both parents share the right to make long-term decisions about the raising of a child and key aspects of the child's welfare, with physical custody awarded to one parent.
Child Visitation
Regardless of any bad situations, or choices you may have made in the past, most parents have rights to visit their children. Child Visitation is the most important legal step to staying in touch with your child's life. In some cases, you can remain a non custodial parent, but visit your child on a regular visitation schedule. The best way to make your scheduled time with your child or children enforceable is to have an agreement approved by the court.
Visitation schedules are determined, like all other domestic issues involving children, in accordance with the best interests of the child. In most situations, it is important that visits with a child be frequent and continuing. Contact us today - Getting a court order will help protect you, so that the other party is not in control of the situation. Contact us today to review what others have done in similar situations as you are having. Be sure to review the Child Custody section on this site, and then call us to discuss how we can assist you.
Nobody gets married to get divorced - Divorces aren't planned, and are at best, a mentally difficult process. If you have been served divorce papers, you need to respond within the indicated timeframe, or you can lose by default. Since our goal is in uniting families, if there's a chance of reconciliation, we would like to work towards that resolution. However, if there is no chance of reconciliation, we still want to assist you.
About the Children's goal is to help parents address their family issues, without having to come up with a retainer fee, or have to worry about paying an attorney by the hour. Contact us today so we can see how we can best assist you in your family situation.
Call us today - there is no charge to speak with a representative to see how we can help you help yourself in connection with your child related issues at a cost you can afford. The first step is for you to fill out the form below, or call us directly to confirm that you qualify for our program.
Once again, ATC is not a law firm and cannot provide legal advice. ATC helps you by drafting your court documents based on information you select and information you provide us.
Let's discuss how we can help you assist yourself in addressing your current family issues.
"We're AboutTheChildren - It's About Time"
©2009-2013 www.aboutthechildren.org | child custody help |how to win child custody cases | how to win a child custody battle | fathers rights help | family law help | child visitation help | family court help | parent advocate group


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2013 China Tours > The Mighty Yangtze > Tour Itinerary
15 Day The Mighty Yangtze (2013)
Tour Itinerary
Your exotic journey to China begins as you board China's national airline, Air China non-stop flight bound for Beijing. En route, cross the International Dateline and lose a day. You'll recover this day on your return trip. (IM)
Board Air China non-stop flight to Beijing
Air China Flight Schedule
Arrive in Beijing in the late afternoon. Meet your local representative and transfer to your hotel in the heart of Beijing. Your hotel is conveniently located near the Chang An Avenue, along which are Beijing's major shopping malls, upscale restaurants, and tourist attractions. Relax and enjoy the evening in China's historic and vibrant capital city. Traders Hotel Beijing by Shangri-La, or similar 4-star hotel
Bird Nest, the main venue of 2008 Summer Olympics
After a hearty breakfast and a tour briefing, you visit the Tiananmen Square. At 100 acres, it is the world's largest public square, flanked by an assortment of historical buildings, huge museums and Communist monuments, including Mao's Mausoleum. One visitor has written, "An army could be massed, and all the kites in the world could fly." You roam the Square; and walk through the Gate of Heavenly Peace, under the famed portrait of Chairman Mao, to enter the Forbidden City, the symbolic center of the Chinese universe and a lasing monument of dynastic China, from which 24 emperors of the Ming and the Qing Dynasties ruled the Middle Kingdom for nearly 500 years (1420-1911).
The Forbidden City, also known as Palace Museum
Visit old Beijing's Hutong on pedi-cabs
Completed in 1420, the Forbidden City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the world's largest palace complex and China's most magnificent imperial architecture, consisting of many buildings with 9,999 rooms, on a 250-acre compound, protected by a 20-foot-wide moat and a 32-foot-high wall. Now known as the Palace Museum, the Forbidden City was the exclusive domain of the imperial court and dignitaries where outside visitors were forbidden for 5 centuries. Here you will explore the imperial treasures in the grand palaces and pavilions, exquisite courtyards and gardens in what was once the residence of China's rulers.
Afterwards, join our Culture InSites™ Program for a rickshaw ride along Old Beijing's Hutongs (narrow ancient alleys) to discover the sights and sounds of local Beijing life in these traditional Chinese neighborhoods. See the locals as they go about their daily activities; and tour the maze-like alleyways and courtyard houses before it's gone forever. Highlights include visits to a traditional courtyard home, to a local market, and a leisure walk along the ""Lotus Lane"" lined with bars, restaurants and tea houses. This unique tour features a delicious lunch served at a local family home with a Chinese dumpling-making demonstration.
Return to your hotel for some free time in the afternoon. In the evening, we are gathering for a welcome dinner of a specially prepared meal of Beijing Duck, cooked to crispy perfection. (B,L,SD)
A memorable day awaits with an excursion to the Sacred Way of Ming Tombs and the Great Wall of China at the less-visited Mutianyu section.
The Sacred Way of Ming Tombs
The Great Wall of China at Mutianyu section
After breakfast, you take a drive to the northwest of Beijing to visit the Sacred Way of Ming Tombs, regarded as China's finest example of imperial tomb architecture. Situated in a peaceful valley, the site was chosen by the Ming emperors as their burial place for its auspicious Fengshui alignment—a ridge of mountains to the north cradles the tombs on three sides, opening to the south and protecting the dead from the evil spirits carried on the north wind. Here you will walk along the elegant Sacred Way that leads to the tombs. Beginning with a grand marble gateway more than 400 years old, the long avenue is lined with 36 massive stone sculptures of officials, lions, elephants, camels and mythical beasts.
Lunch stop at a local jade workshop, afterwards, you take a scenic drive through the countryside and mountains to reach China's most renowned monument—the Great Wall. Since the Great Wall is the single greatest attraction of China travel, we take you to the less-visited and more original Mutianyu section and try to avoid other sections which are the most accessible and consequently the most crowded.
The wall was begun in the 5th century BC to keep out foreign invaders. Construction continued for centuries, eventually linking up the walls of the former independent kingdoms. The Great Wall meanders through China's northern mountain ranges from the Yellow Sea to the Gobi Desert—a distance of over 3500 miles! Chairman Mao once said "You haven't walked on the Wall, you haven't been a good Chinese".
And today, you'll not only visit the Great Wall, but experience it in more ways than one—Learning some of the fascinating history and legend of this engineering marvel, riding a gondola up to the highest point for panoramic views of this ancient edifice, exploring its impressive watchtowers, ramparts, carriageways at your own pace, or, hoping on a toboggan for an exciting ride down the curvy path. Today is a highlight of your China trip. (B,L,D)
In the morning, you visit the Temple of Heaven, the largest temple complexes in China and a paradigm of Chinese architectural balance and symbolism. One key element in China's architectural genius was the blending of the monumental with the delicate, and the Temple of Heaven is perhaps the finest expression of this mixing of near opposite.
Hall of Supreme Harmony, Temple of Heaven
The Summer Palace of Empress Dowager Cixi
During each winter solstice, the Ming and Qing emperors would perform rites and make sacrifices to Heaven praying for good harvest for their empire. The most striking edifice is the Hall of Prayer of Good Harvests, which according to the emperor's Fengshui masters, is the exact point where heaven and Earth met. Built in 1420 (without the use of a single nail), this masterpiece of Ming architecture, features triple eaves, dramatically carved marble balustrades, and gorgeous glazed azure roof that symbolizes the color of heaven. This 120-foot-high structure is fixed by four inner pillars represent the seasons, and two sets of 12 columns denote the months and the traditional Chinese division of a day.
Time permits, you take a photo stop at the Bird Nest and visit the exterior portion of this huge complex—the main stadium of 2008 Beijing Olympics. In the afternoon, you tour the idyllic Summer Palace, once the summer retreat and playground for the imperial family and royal court during the late Qing Dynasty. Considered the finest Chinese imperial garden, the Summer Palace spans over 700 acres with breathtaking views, temples, pavilions, palaces and halls including the lavishly painted "Long Corridor". It is most associated, however, with the Empress Dowager Cixi who paid for the extravagant Marble Boat with funds meant for the modernization of the Imperial Navy. Weather permitting you enjoy a dragon boat ride across the picturesque Kunming Lake.
Later, transfer to the airport for a flight to Xian to experience the historical side of your China trip. Located in the Yellow River Basin in China's heartland, Xian is one of the birthplaces of civilization. It has seen 3,100 years of development and 11 dynasties, giving it equal fame with Athens, Rome and Cairo as one of the four major ancient civilization capitals. Xian reached its peak during the Tang Dynasty at 10th century with a population of one million and is rich with cultural and historical significances. Xian Grand Noble Hotel (B,L,D)
Today's excursion will take you to modern China's greatest archaeological discovery—The Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses, which silently guarded the tomb of China's First Emperor for over 2,200 years. In 1974, a local farmer uncovered the first of three massive earth and timber vaults, while digging a well. The extensive excavation, still in progress, has yielded over 6000 life-sized terra cotta warriors, each individually sculpted, with the physical characteristics of the humans they were modeled after. Archers, infantrymen, horses and bronze chariots have also been unearthed. A Circle Vision documentary is available on site. Lunch at a local restaurant and see a noodle making demonstration.
6,000 Terra-cotta warriors and horses
Tang Dynasty stage show
In the afternoon, you tour the Wild Goose Pagoda, a Tang Dynasty landmark. This seven-story pagoda was initially constructed in 652 AD to house the Buddhist sutras brought back from India by the monk, Xuan Zang, who later translated them into Chinese. His pilgrimage to India is immortalized in the Chinese classic—The Journey to the West. Time permitting, you'll also enjoy a chance to shop for ancient Chinese furniture or paintings.
Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907), traditionally regarded as the golden age of China, was a time of patricians and intellectuals, Buddhist monks and Taoist priests, poetry and music, song and dance – a period of peace and exceptional creativity lasting 300 years. This evening, you attend a feast of culinary and cultural delights with a special Dumpling (dim sum) banquet followed by a fascinating Tang Dynasty stage show. Indulge yourself in this remarkable show and reinvent your China dream with a travel back in time to the world of China's Golden Age, then come back to the present with a greater understanding of this amazing time. (B,L,SD)
In the morning, you fly to Chengdu, the capital city of China's most populous Sichuan (Literally, Four Rivers) Province and home to China's most notable Sichuan cuisine. With 2,500 years history, Chengdu has managed to preserve some of its older characteristics and traditions, and today you still find famous teahouses, numerous markets and some of China's the most interesting and spicy food. No visit is complete without a meal in a local Sichuan restaurant. The cuisine is spicy, and peppercorns and chilies abound, but often in a surprisingly subtle way. Whether it's hotpot, meat or a vegetable dish, your mouth will water and your taste buds tingle with delight.
Eating in Chengdu is a serious business
the Park of Riverview Pavilion
Chengdu has long been famous for its steamy teahouses, where locals recline on bamboo armchairs, play mahjong and meet with friends. For a relaxing afternoon with our exclusive Culture InSites Program, you sample a Sichuan style afternoon tea with locals in one of the many traditional bamboo teahouses scattered in parks across the city. You can while away an afternoon sipping tea and watching the locals read newspapers, play Sichuan opera, debate, play chess, cards, and mahjong. You may even be invited to give it a try yourself. Chengdu is commonly regarded as the most laid back city in China and today's visit gives you the answer why. This unique experience concludes at the Park of Riverview Pavilion set along the river. Check out the ancient Chongli Pavilion dedicated to the 9th century poetess Xue Tao with its striking ornaments, green glazed tiles and red lacquered columns, surrounded by over one hundred varieties of bamboo. A leisure walk in the serene bamboo forest in an experience not to be missed.
After dinner, you will be offered an opportunity to attend an optional performance of "Changing faces" at the 200-year-old Sichuan opera. Full of local color and flavor, Sichuan Opera, is a combination of music, comedy, puppets and acrobatic performances, including Changing Face, Spitting Fire and Bowl-lamp Rolling. The opera is performed in old halls or courtyard buildings and is a feast for the eyes. Chengdu Minshan Hotel (B,L,D)
In the morning, you enjoy a rare opportunity to visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Center to witness the conservation efforts being made to save this endangered species. The center is the largest giant panda reserve in the world. Whenever China dispatches its animal ambassadors to zoos around the world, they have usually started their life in Chengdu. Eighty percent of the world's 1,000 remaining giant panda reside in Sichuan Province. It's no surprise the Chengdu center is heavily involved in their preservation and research. Today you will see a dozen of pandas wandering through a sizable domain of bamboo groves and forest. There is also a panda museum that has detailed exhibitions on panda evolution, habits, habitats and conservation efforts. You are also allowed to make intimate contact with baby pandas and hug them for a photo. Giant Panda is officially considered a national treasure by Chinese government and is often used to cultivate relationships with other countries with panda diplomacy. This massive ecological and zoological park offers a wonderful chance to get face-to-face with China's gentle giants. There are other rare species at the base, including the little-known red panda.
Visit Chengdu's Giant Panda Breeding Center
3-night Yangtze Cruise
After lunch at a local restaurant, you take a 2-hour scenic train ride, through the fertile Sichuan Basin, to the mountain city of Chongqing, one of China's largest cities with a population of over 30 million. En route, you enjoy the famed landscape of southwest China with lush rice fields, fish farms, water buffalos, and small villages. During WWII, Chongqing was China's wartime capital. U.S. General Stillwell was the Commander of the US Forces here and the "Flying Tigers" was also based in Chongqing.
Board your deluxe cruise ship for the memorable 3-night cruise down the Yangtze River. Settle into your outside balcony cabin and check out the numerous amenities on board. The Yangtze River originates on the Tibetan Plateau and traverses a distance of 3900 miles before flowing into the East China Sea, near Shanghai. It is the third longest river in the world, after the Amazon and the Nile. With over 700 tributaries, the Yangtze River has been the lifeline and major commercial thoroughfare in China for millennia. Victoria Katrina (B,L,D)
From your private balcony, you watch the great Yangtze flow lazily to the east. Your ship docks at Fengdu. You then take an included shore excursion to explore China's city of Ghosts, where all souls are said to return here to accept final judgments after their death. You visit temples and shrines dedicated to the gods of the underworld and other landmarks including "Ghost Torturing Pass, Last-glance-at-home Tower, and Nothing-to-be-done Bridge. Depends on the river conditions, you may alternatively visit the Wanxian County or Shibaozhai Village (Stone Treasure Stronghold), a rural river town.
Qutang Gorge, the shortest and narrowest of 3 Gorges
Your cruise continues in the afternoon and enters Qutang Gorge—the shortest, narrowest and probably the most fascinating of the three, noted for its fantastic scenery resembling an elegant Chinese painted scroll. Dinner tonight is Captain's welcome banquet. (B,L,D)
Another day of incredible views awaits you upon entering Wu Gorge. The softly layered peaks form a surreal backdrop as the ship courses through the rugged canyons. So sheer are the cliffs that it is said the sun rarely penetrates. Wu Gorge, celebrated for its twelve misty peaks soaring above, has been the inspiration of Chinese painters and poets throughout the centuries. The most famous is Goddess Peak, which resembles the figure of a maiden kneeling in front of a pillar. She is believed to be the embodiment of Yao Ji, the 23rd daughter of the Queen Mother of the West. Yao Ji, accompanied by 11 fairy handmaidens, was sent to oversee the Jade Pool of the Western Heaven, and end up staying there to protect the boats from the dangerous rapids. These 12 maidens became the 12 sentinel peaks of Wu Gorge.
Cruise the Shennong Stream on peapod boat
Twelve misty peaks of Wu Gorges
You then change to the peapod boat for a trip up the crystal-clear Shennong Stream to experience the excitement and awe of bygone days of river travel in China. Notice the ruins of the ancient plank road along the cliff face as well as the coffins of the Ba people suspended from the cliffs above. The contrasting heights of these gorges and the narrowness of the river make this area one of the most dramatic scenes in the world. Tonight you have a dinner featuring local cuisine and enjoy onboard entertainment. (B,L,D)
Your memorable cruise continues as you enter the spectacular Xiling Gorge. Choose your vantage point as the ship transits the five stage shiplocks, the largest shiplock in the world. Your cruiser makes a brief stop at Sandouping, the site of modern China's most ambitious engineering project – the construction of the Three Gorges Dam and Hydroelectric Power Plant. View the current phase of this 17 year project. When completed, the dam will be 610 feet high and over a mile wide. The hydroelectrical power plant will be driven by the world's largest turbines and have the generating capacity of 18 nuclear power plants. A reservoir 372 miles long will be created, with the end result of displacing 1.5 million people, submerging 1000s of their towns and villages and wiping out numerous archaeological sites. Whole cities have been relocated, precious topsoil brought to higher elevations and centuries-old lifestyles altered forever.
Enter Xiling Gorge
Visit the Three Gorges Dam construction site
Disembark at Yichang, the terminus of your memorable Yangtze cruise, you board a flight to Shanghai, China's vibrant financial and artistic center. Shanghai, literally means "above the sea", is China's largest and most dynamic city, with a population of 18 million. In the 13th century it became a minor county seat and so it remained until the mid-19th century when British commercial ambitions led to war with China. The ensuing Treaty of Nanking allowed the British to trade freely from certain ports including Shanghai. The city soon became an outpost of glamour, high living, and ultimately decadence. In the 1930s, Shanghai is renowned as "the Pearl of the East". Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure. Shanghai Ocean Hotel (B,L,D)
Some places are forever associated with a single landmark and in the case of Shanghai it is surely the Bund. After breakfast, you take a leisure walk along the waterfront promenade of the Bund. The Bund was at the heart of colonial shanghai, flanked on one side by the Huangpu River and on the other by the hotels, banks, offices, and clubs that were the grandiose symbols of western commercial power. See the ships and barges on the Huangpu River, en route to the sea or going upstream to the interior of China. The modernistic Oriental Pearl TV tower looms in the background redefining the skyline.
Bund, the symbol of Shanghai
Shanghai's new skyline
In 1949, the communist took over and Shanghai was stripped of its grandeur. In 1990, the Pudong area across the river from the Bund was declared as a special economic zone, and a revival started for the city. Today we take you to futurist Pudong New Developing Area. Transformed from once fertile farmland, this new area is rapidly becoming the symbol of modern China with its clusters of shinning metal and glass skyscrapers of world class hotels, international financial institutions, and commercial centers towered above the Huangpu River. Later you visit to the 88th floor of the Jinmao Tower, the third tallest building in China. At 1,380 feet, it is the world's fifth tallest building, as well as home to the world's tallest hotel - the Grand Hyatt Shanghai. From its lofty platform, you enjoy a stunning view of Shanghai.
Afterwards, you visit People's Square and tour the famed Shanghai Museum, an unique and inspiring piece of architecture, home to more than 120,000 cultural relics of ancient China, including a priceless collection of jade, bronze, ceramics, paintings, furniture, etc. After dinner, you attend an unforgettable performance of the Shanghai Acrobats.
Later, we drop you at the Xin Tian Di for a leisure and romantic night. Literally means "New Heaven Earth", it is Shanghai's trendiest lifestyle destination. This 2-block complex of high-end restaurants (some of Shanghai's best), bars, shops, and entertainment facilities, mostly lodged in refurbished traditional Shanghainese shikumen (stone-frame) housing, is the first phase of the Taiping Qiao Project, an urban renewal project. Busloads of domestic Chinese tourists traipse through in the evenings, Western visitors feel like they've never left home, and hip young Shanghainese flood here to enjoy the good life they feel they're due. (B,L,D)
In the morning you travel by motor-coach to Suzhou, which is often referred, by the Chinese, as the "Venice of the East". Suzhou is a 2,500-year-old city renowned the world over for its traditional gardens, ancient canals and silk production. In 1997 Suzhou's classic garden was designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Pavilion of Watching the Moon, Master of Net Garden
Canals, arched bridges, and cobbled lanes at Tongli
The construction of the Grand Canal in the 7th century created a means whereby silk, the prized commodity from this region could be transported to the Northern capital, Beijing, a distance of over 600 miles. With prosperity came prestige as merchants and artisans plied their trade. During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Suzhou flourished as a place of refinement, drawing an influx of scholars and merchants, who built themselves numerous elegant gardens.
The Chinese garden developed as a synthesis of two concepts linked in Taoist philosophy - scenery and serenity: the contemplation of nature in isolated meditation led to enlightenment. Therefore, the educated and wealthy built natural-looking retreats for themselves with an urban environment. The garden creates poetic and painterly concepts, and aims to improve on nature in creating a picture that looks natural but is in fact entirely artificial. For this the Chinese garden designer used four main elements: rocks, water, plants, and architecture.
Upon arrival, you visit the Garden of the Master of Fishing Nets, and experience all of the elements of a classical Chinese garden. It is said that the Master of the Nets Garden was named after one of its owners - a retired official who wished to become an accomplished fisherman. Dating to 1140, it is considered by many, the finest of all Suzhou's gardens. Although exceptional small, it succeeds, with great subtlety, in introducing every element considered crucial to the classical Chinese garden. It includes a central lake, discreet connecting corridors, pavilions with miniature courtyards, screens, delicate latticework, and above all, points which "frame a view", as if looking at a perfectly balanced photograph. The best known building is the "Pavilion for Watching the Moon", from where the moon can be viewed in a mirror, in the water, and in the sky.
Later, you tour the Silk Spinning Mill, where you will learn how silk is created from the mulberry-munching silkworms to produce thread and fine cloth. Afterwards, you travel to Tongli, a pretty little water town typical of the region. Tongli gives visitors a good idea of what Suzhou must have been like in its heyday. Reminiscent of scenes from traditional Chinese paintings, it is complete with canals, arched stone bridges, cobbled lanes, and tile-roofed wooden houses. Visit a courtyard mansion to learn about the lavish life style of its residents. Then, learn about traditional Chinese wedding customs at a local folklore museum. Take an exciting ride on a gondola and experience the charm of Tongli's waterways. You will have free time to browse and buy some local specialties along Old Street, which is lined with Ming style homes and storefronts. In the late afternoon, you travel by motor coach to Shanghai and enjoy your evening at leisure. (B,L,D)
Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore this magnificent city on your own.
Pudong's new skyline
You will be provided with a specially prepared orientation list. Stroll through the Old Shanghai bazaar, shop at Nanjing Road's emporiums, or enjoy a nostalgic evening performance by the renowned senior citizen's Jazz band at the Peace Hotel. (B)
Bid farewell to Shanghai as you board the Maglev, the world's fastest magnetic levitation train, for your trip to the Pudong International Airport. The Maglev travels at a speed of 287mph and coverS the 20 mile distance in less than 8 minutes! * Maglev train ride is only available to Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) and does not work for flight schedule to New York. (B)
Take maglev train to Pudong International Airport
Air China Flight Schedule


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More photos: U.S. Department of State's Flickr photostream | State@Work
This week's photo comes from Kendra Helmer at USAID. USAID partner International Medical Corps distributed hygiene kits and helped patients at a cholera treatment center this week. As of October 28, the Haitian Ministry of Health has confirmed 4,649 cases of cholera and 305 deaths. USAID, the Centers for Disease Control, and the Department of State are working closely with the Haitian government and with other international partners to respond to the outbreak.
If you would like to donate to relief efforts, you can find a partial list of humanitarian organizations that are operating in Haiti here.
State Department information about the outbreak is here; a USAID fact sheet is here.
USAID also has available additional photos of their response.


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Posted by SteelJaw in Aviation, Navy
Tags: Coral Sea, history lessons, Shoho, USS Lexington
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Day 1 – "Scratch One Flattop!":
The first day of the carrier battle of Coral Sea, 7 May 1942, saw the Americans searching for carriers they knew were present and the Japanese looking for ones they feared might be in the area. (more at NHHC)
Day 2: We lose USS Lexington:
. . . Japanese struck the American carriers shortly after Eleven, and, in a fast and violent action, scored with torpedoes on Lexington and with bombs on both carriers… rest of the story here and here
Midway awaits…


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Guild to host juried competition
SARANAC LAKE – The Adirondack Artists Guild will present its 16th annual juried competition to be held in March.
Interested artists may pick up a prospectus at the gallery at 52 Main St, Saranac Lake, or may download one from the guild's website, www.adirondackartistsguild.com. Prospectuses have also been mailed out. The show will run from March 14 through April 13.
The competition is open to all artists 18 years of age and older. Specific guidelines about submissions may be found in the prospectus.
Dropoff dates for jurying are March 4 to 8 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Notifications of acceptance will be sent by March 13. The winner of the First Place award will also have the opportunity to have a solo exhibit at the gallery in November 2014.
This year's juror will be Laura Von Rosk, the Gallery Director for the Lake George Arts Project. She received her MFA from the University of Pennsylvania, and her BFA from the State University of New York at Purchase. Her paintings have been exhibited nationally in both solo and group shows. Her awards include a New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship in Painting, grants from the Pollock-Krasner Foundation, the Bernheim Foundation in Claremont, Ky., a full fellowship residency at the Vermont Studio Center, and residencies at Yaddo, Blue Mountain Center, the Millay Colony, Centrum, and Dorland Mountain Arts Colony.
The Adirondack Artists Guild is a cooperative retail art gallery representing a diverse group of regional artists residing and working in the Tri-Lakes region of the Adirondack Park.
The gallery is located at 52 Main St., Saranac Lake, 518 891-2615. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 until 5 and 12-3on Sundays. The gallery is closed on Mondays.
The Guild is on the web at www.adirondackartistsguild.com, and on Facebook at Adirondack Artists Guild.


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TRAINING LEVEL: Basic
CLASS SIZE: Minimum: 20 Maximum: 30
This course provides training in the inspection and maintenance of ancillary structures, such as structural supports for highway signs, luminaries, and traffic signals. Its goal is to provide agencies with information to aid in establishing and conducting an inspection program in accordance with the FHWA "Guidelines for the Installation, Inspection, Maintenance, and Repair of Structural Supports for Highway Signs, Luminaries, and Traffic Signals."
Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:
Structural engineers, material engineers, traffic engineers, field inspectors, construction supervisors, maintenance personnel, and other technical personnel involved in the installation, inspection, maintenance, and repair of ancillary highway structures. This course is not a design course; however, the information should be helpful to those working in design and specification of ancillary structures.
If you have questions about this NHI training, please contact NHI at
firstname.lastname@example.com or 877.558.6873.
There are no sessions available.
Sign up for session alerts
to receive email alerts when sessions of this course are scheduled.
The National Highway Institute (NHI) has been accredited as an Accredited Provider
by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).
In obtaining this accreditation, NHI has demonstrated that it complies with the
ANSI/IACET Standard which is recognized internationally as a standard of good practice.
As a result of their Accredited Provider status, NHI is authorized to offer IACET CEUs
for its programs that qualify under the ANSI/IACET Standard.


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O'Shea, Daly cap skeleton season with titles
LAKE PLACID – Annie O'Shea and John Daly secured the U.S. National Skeleton Championship titles Wednesday after two days of racing at Mount Van Hoevenberg.
O'Shea, of Port Jefferson Station, claimed her second national title in dominant fashion, while Daly, a Smithtown resident, posted a blistering final run to overtake Matt Antoine by just 0.09 seconds to acquire his first career title.
"It's amazing to see how far this program has advanced in the last three years," said U.S. skeleton head coach Tuffy Latour. "It's so exciting to see the progression of the sport year after year, thanks to the recruiting and development efforts by the Olympic Regional Development Authority and the Utah Olympic Park. We've only seen the tip of the iceberg of where the program will be, and our team looks really strong heading into the Olympic season."
O'Shea led the women's field by 1.76 seconds to claim her second career title with a four-run combined time of 3:53.40. O'Shea decided to step outside of her comfort zone by changing up her equipment setup in today's final runs.
"There are a few things I knew I could do differently, so I experimented with my equipment today and feel comfortable with my plan going into next year," O'Shea. "I wish my last runs had been faster, but I'm still really happy with earning the title."
O'Shea started the season feeling unstable after knee surgery last summer, and was pleased to conclude the year with a championship win.
"Winning definitely gives me confidence moving forward," O'Shea said. "Our team is really strong right now, so I know team selection races next fall won't be a walk in the park. I still have a lot of work to do before we compete again."
Savannah Graybill earned her second consecutive national championship silver medal with a combined time of 3:55.16. Graybill slid only the fifth-fastest time of the third heat, but posted the fastest time of the competition in the final heat to maintain her overnight position. Lauren Salter threaded together a speedy third run to surpass Lauri Bausch, who was in bronze medal position after the first day of racing. Salter claimed the bronze medal with a total time of 3:55.56, while Bausch finished fourth.
Antoine widened his lead from 0.29 seconds to 0.45 seconds in the third run and was in position to claim his third career national title before Daly responded with a blistering run in the final heat. Daly obliterated the field with a finish time of 54.70 seconds, which was the only run clocked under 55 seconds.
"It was the last race run of the season, so I figured I may as well make it a good one," Daly said. "I love racing with these guys, and we're all only as good as we are because of each other. We really push one another."
Daly's four-run combined time of 3:45.26 moved him into the lead for his first national championship title.
"It's not easy beating these guys here, and I knew I had to work for it," Daly said. "I'm just really happy to end the season with a win, and I've always wanted a national championship title."
Antoine trailed Daly by just 0.09 seconds to claim the men's silver medal with a total time of 3:45.35.
"I can't say I've gained much confidence as of late, so that's going to have to be a goal for this summer," Antoine said. "My final run was the recap of how I've performed this season. This is a strong group of men, and there are no easy victories amongst us."
Kyle Tress maintained third position to secure the bronze medal with a cumulative time of 3:47.75.


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View Comment
Posted at 7:53 PM on May 12, 2014
I am a big supporter of gay rights however I think the circus show that happened during the draft was a bit much. The people that were present didn't start cheering when he got the call for being drafted but after they kissed. It's like that was the only thing they were celebrating. I think there's a time and place to make a point, and he will have plenty.


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The Uniform CPA Examination enterprise is large and complex. Close collaboration among several organizations is necessary to deliver the examination on an ongoing basis to large numbers of candidates (more than 93,000 in 2009), while maintaining the highest standards of quality throughout the process. The organizations contributing to the CPA Examination enterprise are:
Boards of Accountancy in 55 Jurisdictions
Boards of accountancy are the state/territory (or jurisdiction) entities that have statutory authority to issue CPA licenses. They set the requirements for CPA licensure for every jurisdiction. All jurisdictions require that candidates pass the Uniform CPA Examination for CPA licensure.
To obtain board of accountancy licensure requirements, jurisdiction by jurisdiction, including the requirements for taking the CPA Examination, go to www.nasba.org /Exams/CPA Exam/Jurisdiction Map.
The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA)
NASBA is the membership association of boards of accountancy. For the Uniform CPA Examination, NASBA acts as the central clearinghouse in the CPA Examination process, collecting information about eligible candidates from all jurisdictions, distributing advisory scores and other data, and maintaining a central database of candidate records. In addition, NASBA acts as the designated agent for a number of boards of accountancy and manages the test center in Guam.
To obtain CPA Examination candidate information, contact NASBA at:
Phone: 866-MY-NASBA (866-696-2722)
E-mail: email@example.com
Website: www.nasba.org
Prometric is a global leader in technology-enabled testing for information technology certification, academic admissions and professional licensure. For the Uniform CPA Examination, Prometric provides data communication, registration, scheduling, testing systems and software as well as test centers at which candidates are authorized to take the CPA Examination.
The CPA Examination is offered at authorized Prometric test centers in the US during two months of every quarter. To obtain test center information, contact Prometric at:
The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
The AICPA is the national professional membership organization of CPAs. With respect to the Uniform CPA Examination, the AICPA is responsible for content (examination question) development and scoring. The AICPA Examinations Team – consisting of CPAs, psychometricians, test developers, systems experts, research and administrative staff – carries out these CPA Examination responsibilities.
AICPA contact information about CPA Examination:
Website: www.aicpa.org/BecomeACPA/CPAExam
E-mail: email@example.com


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1 of 2 torture suspects due in court
ESCANABA – A mother accused of torturing and sexually abusing her own son for four years has waived the right to have a preliminary examination within 14 days of her arrest, according to Delta County District Court officials.
Susan Marie Bardo, 46, and her boyfriend, Carl James Pellinen, 47, were arrested earlier this month after officials removed her 15-year-old son from their residence at 1525 N. 20th St., Escanaba.
Bardo and Pellinen are each charged with first-degree child abuse, first-degree criminal sexual conduct, and torture. Each felony carries a maximum sentencing of life in prison. The two remain lodged in jail without bond.
The couple was scheduled to appear for a preliminary examination in district court on Thursday. Bardo waived her right to have a preliminary hearing within 14 days of her arrest. No court date has been rescheduled.
As of this morning, Pellinen is still scheduled for a preliminary examination Thursday, according to district court officials.
During a preliminary hearing, evidence such as witness testimony and exhibits are presented in court.
The judge then determines if there is probable cause the crimes were committed and the defendants committed the crimes. If so, the charges are forwarded to circuit court where the defendants can make a plea or go to trial.
On April 12, Escanaba Public Safety officers went to the house where Bardo and Pellinen resided because a relative of the boy asked officials to check on the child's welfare. Police found the teen living upstairs in an 8-by-10-foot room made from tarps. Police said he was rarely allowed to leave the room.
After being interviewed at the police department about his living conditions, the child was transported to OSF St. Francis Hospital for a medical evaluation. He is now under the care of Child Protective Services.
According to Escanaba Public Safety Det. Lt. Darin Hunter, more than a dozen individuals have been interviewed in connection with the case.
After the official police report is completed, the prosecuting attorney will determine if additional charges will be pursued against Bardo or Pellinen, said Hunter, adding the case appears to be an isolated incident at this time.


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The Slayers Revolution
Hurry Up - Run Through! No, Don't?
Episode 8 | TV-PG
Lina's crew navigates a fortress full of traps set by Wizer. When a far more powerful adversary is revealed to be pulling the Inspector's strings, Lina employs an odd strategy that surprises everyone!
Official Site: www.funimation.com/shows/the-slayers-revolutionHide Details


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Minot man charged in shooting incident
Area Deaths
WILLIAM STEVICK, 82, Minot, died Sunday in a Minot hospital. (Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot)
DONNA ESTERBY, 84, Minot, died Sunday in a Minot nursing home. (Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot)
OLIVER DUNDERLAND, 81, Lake Metigoshe, died Saturday in his home. (Nero Funeral Home, Bottineau)
RUTH MCDERMOTT, 101, Mohall, formerly of the Kenmare/Sherwood area, died Friday in a Mohall nursing home. Funeral Wednesday, 11 a.m., Faith Baptist Church, Kenmare. Visitation Tuesday, 3 to 5 p.m., in Brose Funeral Home, Mohall.
ROGER BOE, 83, Turtle Lake, died Saturday in a Bismarck hospital. Funeral Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., St. Olaf Lutheran Church, rural Turtle Lake. (Goetz Funeral Home, Turtle Lake)
R.H. HELLER, 85, rural Blaisdell, died Thursday in his home. Funeral Wednesday, 2 p.m., Springan Funeral Home, Stanley. Visitation Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., in the funeral home.


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Monday, February 14, 2005
Accidents and Incidents
DATE/SITE AIRCRAFT & REGN CIRCUMSTANCES DEATH & INJURY PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS2 imagery at http://www.iasa.com.au/140205.htm 03 Jan 0940L Islamabad, Pakistan 747-367 of PIA Flt: PK768 Touched down with an increasing right bank angle causing #4 podstrike Nil/ 446 o/b Substantial damage (London Heathrow...
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Welcome to the Trustee Academy
If you have not registered for Trustee Academy individual courses or the series, please see the course details and follow the links to register. Once you have registered and received login information, return to this page.
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Trustee Academy Courses
NEW! Trustee Competencies covers the knowledge, skills, abilities, and attributes of a successful public library Trustee. The course is led by Kevin Tomlinson, area field consultant with the Idaho Commission for Libraries. Kevin has served as reference librarian, branch head, department head, and library administrator in large and small public libraries. Kevin earned his MLS from Indiana University. He currently serves on the board of the Association for Rural and Small Libraries.
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Holmes Beach, Fl, USA < change city >
Bands (30)
Coordinators (24)
Florists (24)
Wedding Day Beauty (21)
Caterers (20)
Cakes (16)
DJs (16)
Officiants (14)
Limos (13)
Rentals (10)
Decorations (9)
Invitations (9)
Videographers (6)
Wedding Fashion (5)
Favors (4)
Ceremony Sites (70)
Reception Sites (50)
See All Vendors >
DeLair Entertainment
1937 8th Street
Sarasota, Florida 34236, USA
941 365-6580
DJs, Bands/Live Entertainment
3 ratings, 3 reviews, 3 weddings
Wayne is a fantastic DJ and we really enjoyed working with him. He does a wonderf...
Saffron's Catering
Florida, USA
Bands/Live Entertainment, C...
2 ratings, 2 reviews, 2 weddings
Saffron's was amazing!!! The food was perfect and the staff was more than just ba...
Inspire Entertainment
Clearwater, FL, USA
Bands/Live Entertainment, DJs
2 ratings, 2 reviews, 2 weddings
Josh will always be, in our eyes, the hero of our wedding! We were a long distanc...
Nova 535
Ceremony Sites, Bands/Live ...
1 rating, 1 review, 2 weddings
What a beautiful and eclectic venue! We only had our reception here. This place i...
Bella Musica
10404 La Mirage Ct
Tampa, FL 33615
Bands/Live Entertainment, C...
1 rating, 1 review, 1 wedding
Their two-piece ensemble was splendid and a joy to listen to. They performed at ...
Central / Southern, FL 34223, USA
Rentals, Bands/Live Enterta...
1 rating, 1 review, 1 wedding
You definately need to have a photobooth at your wedding. This was a major hit. ...
Solid Core
Tampa, FL, USA
Bands/Live Entertainment
1 rating, 1 review, 1 wedding
They were GREAT and would definitely choose them again!
St.Petersburg, FL, USA
Bands/Live Entertainment
1 rating, 1 review, 1 wedding
Easy jazzy fun, and very professional.
Billy Rice
Palmetto, FL, USA
Bands/Live Entertainment
1 rating, 1 review, 1 wedding
Billy Rice was so kind as a dear friend to sign a solo during our sand ceremony a...
Fast Breaks Entertainment
Bands/Live Entertainment
1 rating, 1 review, 1 wedding
DJ Phil is a perfect mix of professional and fun. After our first meeting we knew...


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Friday, January 18, 2013
Eurocopter Delivers EC135 P2+ to Beijing Capital
Hainan Airlines Group affiliate Beijing Capital Helicopter took delivery of its first VIP-configured Eurocopter EC135 P2+ on January 15.
The company will use the helicopter for passenger transport, tourism and EMS operations, including aerial tours during the upcoming Lunar New Year holidays. The new EC135 adds to Beijing Helicopter's current fleet of five AS350 B3 Squirrels.
Related: Airframe News


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Re: Restful Authentication with all the bells and whistles (new 9/05/08)
Thanks for contributing such a great piece of work! I'm trying to figure out how modify this to login and logout via a webservice client. I can't use the regular http-based authentication but I can use RESTful URIs. I have a clue that I'll probably need to stick a respond_to block in the sessions_controller.rb but I'm not sure where - maybe the new action?


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Ryan Schuppert, 16, Lexington Kentucky
2) Years of paintball experience
3 Years, only 2 years actually competitive
3) Are you familiar with IP Board
Not necessarily but im a fast learner
4) What other message boards have you moderated, started, or assisted with
None other than helping a little bit on setting up my old local fields website but they our sadly out of business now.
5) What sections would you like to help the TechPB community out with?
Anything where ever im needed im all up for helping.
6) Have you ever worked at a paintball store, field, or within the industry?
I used to help tech guns and help ref for big party's at my old local field. It was never a job i just did it to help out.
EDIT: I now have a job as the head ref at a new field that opened near me about a month ago.
7) Have you played in any major events? Scenario Games, National Tournaments, etc?
None I will be at LL5 this year though. I also was at World cup last year but i didn't play i was mostly pitting for a local d4 team.
8) Any other forums you currently moderate at?
9) Fill out an employment application, send us a copy of your valid drivers license and consent to background check.
You have consent to do a background check.
Im on the forum frequently through out the day. Im averaging 9.41 post per day. Im always trying to help and that's why im filling this out because i wanna help out Techpb as much as possible.
Thank you.
Edited by Schuppert3, 29 June 2012 - 08:30 PM.


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As with all things however, life moves on, and with extra commitments to my school aged daughter, and the decision to work occasionally away from home at a 'real job' - I'm in a dilemma as to whether to keep going with the great adventure that is Partycraft Secrets.
My 3 most favourite things so far include being interviewed by a national women's magazine for my mumpreneurs self-help group and having the opportunity to inspire even more women to follow their dreams; receiving plenty of beautiful photos from crafty parents showing the wonderful things they made with their families; and best of all, playing and crafting with my own gorgeous girls who have grown up before my eyes from tiny toddlers with sticky fingers and faces, into lovely young ladies; so proud on all accounts!
While I deliberate, I've placed everything (except the custom-order package) on sale for $1 - that's all the 45 page themed ebooks (for Christmas, Halloween and other party themes), as well as all the 15+ designs for printable stationary packages (which include templates for invitations, bunting, photocards, bag tags and more.) There is also plenty of free downloadable crafts adn ebooks on the site as always.
To download a batch of free and almost free materials, simply go to the website to browse what's on offer and make your pick...!!
Until next time (maybe) stay crafty my dear friends and new visitors, and remember that crafting alone or with your family really is as fun as it is therapeutic.
Best wishes,


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Skip to comments.Senate Unanimously Passes 2013 NDAA; Power to Arrest Americans Remains
Posted on 12/06/2012 12:27:21 PM PST by lowbridge
Just after 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, the Senate did it again. By a vote of 98-0 (two senators abstained) lawmakers in the upper chamber approved the Fiscal Year 2013 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Not a single senator objected to the passage once again of a law that purports to permit the president, supported by nothing more substantial than his own belief that the suspect poses a threat to national security, to deploy the U.S. military to arrest an American living in America.
As The New American reported, an amendment to the 2013 version of the defense spending bill passed by the Senate clarified the right to trial of citizens and permanent legal residents detained under the relevant sections of the revamped measure.
The amendment, known as the Feinstein-Lee Amendment, was cosponsored by Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), and Rand Paul (R-Ky.). In an interview Tuesday with The New American, spokesmen for Lee and Paul admitted that the amendment did not go far enough in the defense of due process, but said it was a step in the right direction.
Colored by our experience with the due process amendment to the NDAA we offered in 2012, we knew that we would have nowhere near the number of votes needed to pass an amendment that guaranteed due process for all persons detained under the NDAA, explained Doug Stafford, chief of staff for Rand Paul.
Stafford and Rob Porter, general counsel for the office of Senator Lee, reiterated that they recognize that the Feinstein-Lee Amendment was not the ideal attack on the indefinite detention provisions of the NDAA. Senators Lee and Paul believe, the spokesmen assured The New American, that the full panoply of due process rights should apply to all persons, not just American citizens.
(Excerpt) Read more at thenewamerican.com ...
Wow! That's pretty impressive!! Almost as good as an election for Saddam Hussein or Castro or Il-un
Um, it's time to leave.
— Michigan House passes bill blocking NDAA detention
What we need is less powers for the Marxist,less government , less laws .For example abolish the EPA, IRS, FDA, HUD etc.
What is wrong with people?
When are the people going to rise up and fight for our freedom? Yes I realize the media has a lot brainwashed but clearly some people should see the growth of government size and power as a threat and act to stop it?
I see the Egyptians protesting and fighting in the streets. I see no one in America doing anything but sitting on their asses watching football and a liberal like Bob Costas lecturing to us to give up our right to defend ourselves.
Mike Lee (R-Utah), and Rand Paul (R-Ky.)???????
I couldn't agree more - did you see the photo of one of those Egyptian protesters with a sign that said: Obama- your bitch is our Dictator.
I couldn't agree more - did you see the photo of one of those Egyptian protesters with a sign that said: Obama- your bitch is our Dictator.
I was at the Post Office early Monday morning to mail a package. The line was out the door so I took my spot and the guy behind me says something about the line. I say, "Yeah, and now they are in control of your healthcare"
This is an older, 60ish, white guy --you know PUBLIC ENEMY NUMBER ONE--he looks at me like I have three heads and mumbles some question about "healthcare?". Like I was speaking a foreign language and he had no idea what I was talking about.
OKAY, whatever.
Old guy, number two comes in line behind them -- they immediately break into a twenty minute long conversation about some dumb ass movie. It went on and on...two grown, seasoned men --morons. Not a serious bone in their bodies --just idiots.
riri~:" What's that say about the state of your country when a bill to "disappear people" passes with a vote of 98-0. "
Eric holder : " ...Due Process and Judicial process are not one and the same, particularly when it comes to national security.
The Constitution guarantees due process it does not guarantee Judicial process . " ~ Eric holder
Pay attention - the inmates ARE running the asylum!
He's got it right . And this Obama marxist piece of crap is doing to us what the Egyptian dictator is doing in Egypt. But Americans are sitting on their asses watching football and movies while the liberal media, democrats and Obama take away our freedom. They give us football, bread and circuses and the idiots are happy. Egyptians are out in the streets fighting and protesting THEIR dictator. We should do what the Egyptians are doing but will we? I doubt it
Time to leave the USA....
He wanted a national police force. Now he's got it.
Answer. Why I am not a Republican.
Answer. Why I am not a Republican.
What is wrong is that the FBI has every email and phone call that any of these people have made and they are owned and controlled completely by holder and obama.
You ran into two senior obama voters.
I know a couple of useful mid-aged white idiots that all they know is about some stupid show the Walking Dead.
While pulling into a parking lot a couple days ago, I saw a car with a "Texans for Obama" bumper sticker and had to stop myself from doing a Towanda! on it.
Kind of like the caesar in gladiator dulling the population with gladiator games and such, odd parity.
It should be called "Enemy of the State" legislation...........Totally unconstitutional..................
I understand completely!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The death of Posse Comititus.
That was easy.
" - - - his own belief that the suspect poses a threat to national security, to deploy the U.S. military to arrest an American living in America. - - - "
The US Senate has just secured it's place in History: They have approved the formal creation of The Obama Regime Gestapo, or ORG.
BTW, since Obama is the sole decision-maker, would it be more accurate to call it Obama's ORG, or just the Obama Gestapo?
"You don't get fat, lazy and ignorant people off their asses until it becomes too uncomfortable to stay fat, lazy and ignorant. "
Perhaps not even then. Look how long the Russian people supported the Communist Soviets. The German population supported Hitler to the end.
You MUST not use criminal law to fight a war, and you MUST not use the laws of war to fight crime! They are different!!
Did the passed bill include the amendment authorizing the internet sales tax?
The Republic has been gutted...Washington is nothing more than a sanctuary for traitors.
That's why I said an organized resistance MIGHT rise.
Um, it's time to leave.
No, it's time to man up and fight.
It's tough to drop this at BOzo's feet when it passes 98-0. Last year the NDAA had to be passed New Year's Eve when nobody was looking. Now apparently, the military being able to legally snatch American citizens off the street is the new normal.
"Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did, and it never will. Find out just what people will submit to, and you have found out the exact amount of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them; and these will continue until they are resisted with either words or blows, or with both. The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress."
-- Frederick Douglass, August 4, 1857
It's not a democrat thing, it's not a republican thing, it's a tyranny thing, and we have it in spades.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.


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does anyone know of an illustrator who might be interested in drawing The Forest some vector images (or images that could be converted to a vector format) representing various hand signals that can be used in consensus decision making process?
i've tried finding a good set online, but to no avail. i've also tried looking for an open repository of sign language images that could be edited and repurposed to suit, but no luck there.
ideally i'd hope for they would allow the images to be licensed under Creative Commons so they could be added to Wikipedia and used by others the world over.
thanks for any possibilities.


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iHerb Customer Reviews
Savings of: $4.09 (43% off)
Good for occasional irregularity
Posted by Reviewer3026634 on Oct 29, 2009
I use this once a month for a good cleanse. The taste is really good. I love Peppermint. Just don't overseep or you will get stomach cramps and diarreah.
Posted by Reviewer1128739 on Jun 17, 2010
really works
Dieter's Tea
Posted by Reviewer3260927 on Nov 01, 2010
It is a very good product and not comparable to anything I have found in the numerous stores I shop at. Service left no room for improvement.
Posted by Reviewer1112005 on Jun 23, 2011
like it!
Healthy and Refreshing Tea
Posted by Reviewer1678121 on Oct 14, 2011
Thank you for the Super Dieter's Tea. It is effective and pleasant to drink. So easy to order, even from Australia. Life wouldn't be as good without it! Thank you.
From Norway
Posted by Reviewer1250238 on Mar 09, 2012
Good taste, love it :D
Posted by Reviewer2242455 on Apr 18, 2012
very tasty
Tasty Tea
Posted by Reviewer2085840 on Jan 21, 2013
I enjoy this tea for the peppermint flavor. It works somewhat for helping digestion too. I have a very difficult system and this helps.
It doesn't work for me
Posted by tazmin on Jul 30, 2015
The taste is good but there is no effect of cleansing for me. I even brew it for a long time and use one bag for a small cup.
always does the job
Posted by Reviewer1741514 on Sep 24, 2010
keeps me regular and predictably so. I always have a supply on hand. Great for cleansing when used with a high fiber supplement. Sweeps away unwanted stuff and makes you feel energetic...also gives me a good nights sleep.


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Update: The Google+ Hangout with Secretary Kerry scheduled for April 19 has been postponed. A new date and time will be announced.
Wanna hangout with the Secretary of State?
We are pleased to announce U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will be participating in his first Google+ Hangout this Friday, April 19, 2013, at 1:15 p.m. EDT. The live online conversation,"The U.S. In the World: What's In It for Us?", will be moderated by NBC News Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent Andrea Mitchell and will give Americans from across the country the opportunity to discuss with Secretary Kerry the impact of U.S. involvement in the world, and why it's important to our national security and economic prosperity.
This Friday's Hangout will be the first for a U.S. Secretary of State and kicks off "Hangouts at State," a new online series that will bring together people across national borders to discuss with U.S. government leaders pressing foreign policy issues, such as human rights, counterterrorism, economic development, and climate change. Secretary Kerry's inaugural dialogue will focus on what it means for Americans to invest in the U.S. Department of State and its embassies and consulates overseas. We're excited to use Google Hangouts to give the public an inside look at foreign affairs and the work of the State Department. Let us know if you have any suggestions for future events.
In the meantime, you can watch Secretary Kerry's Google+ Hangout live on the State Department's Google+ page or on our YouTube channel this Friday at 1:15 p.m. EDT. For more details about Secretary Kerry's first Google+ Hangout and upcoming "Hangouts at State" you can follow @StateDept on Twitter or visit us on Facebook. We hope you'll hangout with us this Friday!
Gregg M. in California writes:
Regarding the elections in Venezuela:
In the monitoring of elections by the Carter Center, Jimmy Carter has said, "the election process in Venezuela is the best in the world.†Bush won the 2000 election by less of a margin than Maduro, yet there was no recount. Many elections have close races.
1) Why are we not recognizing the victory of President Nicolas Maduro, which the rest of the world has already done?
2) Why are we supporting the opposition and disrupting the democratic process of a country which has proven to be one of the most democratic in the world?
DipNote Bloggers reply:
@ Sharif -- The Hangout with Secretary Kerry scheduled for April 19 has been postponed. A new date and time will be announced. Thank you for your interest, and please stay tuned to our Google+ page for more information about "Hangouts at State."
Sharif S. in New York writes:
Why do not work the live of 4/19/2013 1:15pm to me? I wait for it in long time.


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I'm trying to run a command called sensors-detect and I was recommended to use it87.ko Linux kernel driver. But, when I do modprobe it87, I get the following error under Debian Linux
FATAL: Error inserting it87 (/lib/modules/2.6.32-5-686/kernel/drivers/hwmon/it87.ko): Device or resource busy
How do I fix this problem under Debian GNU/Linux 6.x?
[click to continue…]


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Lynx torch Garrigan with big fourth inning
ALGONA – Eight different players entered the hits column in the scorebook and one big inning powered the Webster City softball team to its third consecutive North Central Conference victory here last night.
In a scoreless game after three innings, WCHS (5-2, 3-0 NCC) circled the bases and touched the plate six times in the top of the fourth. The Lynx added two more runs in the seventh and beat Algona Bishop Garrigan, 8-2.
"In that (fourth) inning we were able to play a little bit of small ball and a little bit of power hitting," WCHS head coach Jess Howard said after her club finished with nine hits. "We obviously need to get more consistent, but it just goes to show that hitting is contagious."
Hannah Myers was the only Lynx player to finish with multiple hits. She rocked Kristin Condoleon for a pair of doubles, the second of which bounced off the fence in right field and plated the two seventh-inning runs.
Allie Flaws, Abbey Fuhs and Mikaleh McCoy all singled and drove in one run. Catie Boyd was part of the fourth-inning showcase; her base knock to right center brought in two runs.
McCoy earned her third league win in the pitcher's circle. She gave up five hits and struck out eight. Only one of the runs was earned.
WCHS will return to Lynx Field this evening to host Algona in a make-up game that was originally on the schedule for last Friday. The junior varsity game will start at 6 p.m. Howard says the varsity first pitch will be at approximately 7:45 p.m.