text:
General Motors Spokesman Rob Peterson has been on the Chevrolet Volt team since before the concept car was shown in 2007.
At last week's EDTA conference he gave a talk at a breakout session titled, "To Market We Go: Building Successful Launch and Marketing Strategies."
Addressing industry peers, he opened up GM's strategic playbook, and outlined its key four-point approach. Point number one, which we'll focus on here, he called "Relationships."
Getting people behind the wheel in test drives is part of GM's marketing strategy as well.
Before he got into his core message however, Peterson noted that now the Volt is in production, some roles have changed. Last year, instead of him taking center stage, it would have been the Volt's Vehicle Line Director, Tony Posawatz who was now seated in the audience. This year marked the turning of a page in the Volt story.
"The fact that I am here and Tony is now over there is a signal that things have changed a little bit in the marketing of electric vehicles," Peterson said, "Because today we're not talking about the development of electric vehicles, we're talking about marketing electric vehicles."
This should send "a big signal" to enthusiasts, suppliers, industry and government stakeholders and consumers, he said, because Chevrolet now has a transportation solution called the Volt.
"It is here today and we're putting them in driveways as we speak," he said.
Rob Peterson outlined what GM is doing now to market the Volt.
Peterson conceded GM is not the same company it was when the Volt was conceived. Four years of challenges and a financial crisis was a tough experience.
"We had to handle it with some humility and swallow our pride a little bit," he said. "And that wasn't just an overnight occurrence back in 2007. Candidly speaking, when we revealed the Chevrolet Volt, I don't think many of you in here or many of the people who witnessed us launching it felt that we were committed to bringing electric vehicles to market."
He said in those early times, GM recognized it was at a low point but with opportunity to rebound, so it endorsed a shift toward greater openness.
"Our communications strategy beginning in 2007 was one that was very simple," Peterson said, "For a company that was short on credibility and long on engineering talent, we were going to be as transparent as possible and that's when the journey for the Volt truly began."
Even though it could be uncomfortable for some traditionalists, Peterson said, the new policy was necessary.
Another of several Volts being run around Washington on brief test drives.
"Now that is a challenging strategy for the people like Tony Posawatz and the development team to have a communications person stand by their side; want to showcase the wins and sometimes the stumbles along the way," he said, "But it was needed in order for us to actually succeed. Because our transparency is what built the credibility along the journey the past five years."
"We started to reach out to the utility companies through EPRI back in 2007. It was a logical relationship to have. We both shared the same customers. Our customers who'll be buying our vehicles will also buy their power from them," Peterson said, "It has worked for us to be integrated with them, to have a connection to them along the way – the same with the Edison Electric Institute."
Implicit in Peterson's message was that General Motors wanted to establish a proper foundation for the time ahead, and begin new partnerships between formerly unrelated industries.
"We needed to make sure what we were doing was in lockstep with the strategies of these two organizations," Peterson said.
Rob Peterson was hired to the Volt Team in 2006. He has an easy-going manner which helps him share his considerable knowledge and enthusiasm for the car.
A second focus for relationship building, he said, was toward electric vehicle advocates.
"No question about it, the enthusiasts, Chelsea Sexton, Felix Kramer, GM-Volt.com Web site – these were the embers that stirred in the public's eyes and were out there waiting to be ignited. We needed to reach out to them and grace them. Many of these people we had shunned in past years," he said, "We needed to extend a hand and bring them back in and fan their passionate flames. And you see right now the vehicles that we're selling. Many of these enthusiast groups are the ones that are actually knocking on the dealership doors in the first part."
Another direction for GM's relationship building effort included reaching out to the advanced-tech transportation industry as a whole.
"A final element of the relationships was industry. We needed to be very active in the EDTA," Peterson said, "Tony Posawatz who's co-chair of the EDTA has done a fantastic job from our perspective of making sure that the voice of electric vehicles are heard. Not only in this forum, but in other forums."
GM intends to bring these cars mainstream as swiftly as it can.
In taking the approach it is, Peterson said, GM is also elevating the entire electric vehicle movement.
"We're representing the industry as a whole and not just the Chevrolet Volt. We're true believers that a high tide raises all boats," Peterson said, "There's nothing here that we can do that benefits just the Volt. When Volt succeeds many other electric vehicles succeed along with it."
Peterson's sincerely delivered message indicated GM is intent on not repeating past mistakes. On the contrary, it is working in today's cultural, economic and political environment to show it has and will do what it takes.
"Having solid relationships with organizations like EDTA, EPRI, EEI will go a long way. This need for relationships – something that we started on this journey – is definitely not going to go away either," he said, "The bond of the relationships is going to have to actually be stronger as we move forward and we try to move the EV market segment from a burgeoning one to mainstream."
Peterson went on to outline three more key Volt marketing strategies, but we'll have to save those for another day.
This entry was posted on Friday, April 29th, 2011 at 5:55 am and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.


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You've Got To Hand It To 'The Client List' -- And To 'Mad Men'
by Ed Martin on Apr 27, 3:57 PM
Television never ceases to amaze me. Just when I think I've seen it all, along comes a new drama series about a masseuse that features happy endings in every episode. Then another show, one that couldn't be more different and is widely regarded as one of the best in the history of the medium, offers up a similar scene of its own.
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Return-Path-Data Lexicon: QIP and QAM
by Jane Clarke on Apr 26, 4:29 PM
For cable operators, the return-path transfer of the data is done via the Internet. The speed by which the data transfer occurs depends on the amount of available bandwidth. The greater the bandwidth for this process, the faster the transmission. Solutions to managing bandwidth include Qip Boxes and QAM Tuners. Both are defined below.
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Where Have All The Viewers Gone? There Are No Easy Answers
by Ed Martin on Apr 20, 11:11 AM
The biggest broadcast story this season seems to have nothing to do with the fortunes of any particular network but rather with the audience erosion, especially in younger demographic groups, that so many of their shows are suffering this spring. Where have all the viewers gone? That depends on whom you ask.
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Return-Path Data Lexicon: Bandwidth Optimization
by Jane Clarke on Apr 19, 4:40 PM
Last week's column discussed the importance of bandwidth in accessing content and the challenge of apportioning enough bandwidth for speedy access while still managing costs. This week we examine the terms and definitions for bandwidth apportionment and optimization. How can cost, efficiency and customer satisfaction be balanced?
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Media Insights Q&A With Nielsen's Pat Dineen
by Charlene Weisler on Apr 18, 11:33 AM
Pat Dineen, SVP Nielsen, is a member of Nielsen's Local Television Audience Measurement Product Leadership team. His responsibilities include leveraging Nielsen's technology and know-how in the local measurement sector. Pat is relatively new to Nielsen, coming from CMR, where he built large databases and used analytics so advertisers could maximize their local presence. In my interview with him, Pat talks about Nielsen and STB data measurement, local targeting and segmentation, Nielsen's Code Reader, diary measurement and data ownership, as well as offering some predictions of what's next in media measurement.
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Who's That Girl? It's Zooey Deschanel
by Gary Holmes on Apr 17, 1:27 PM
As a big fan of Fox's "New Girl," I was surprised to hear that Zooey Deschanel, the show's star, is, in some circles, considered to be a controversial figure. Huh? Who could be more anodyne than the cute and innocent star of this very funny show?
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'Mad Men' And 'Justified' Continue To Elevate Television
by Ed Martin on Apr 13, 11:10 AM
How lucky are we to be able to enjoy a pair of scripted television series that aren't simply two of the best of their time, but also two of the all-time best? I'm speaking of FX's "Justified," which concluded its densely entertaining third season this week with what may be its strongest episode ever, and AMC's "Mad Men," one of the very few drama series in the history of the medium that started out as something better than anything else on television and has continued to raise its own bar during each of its subsequent seasons.
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Return Path Data Lexicon: Bandwidth
by Jane Clarke on Apr 12, 12:27 PM
There is arguably no more important feature of the digital marketplace than bandwidth, which impacts the speed with which we can access and use content. There has been ongoing discussion about how to best package bandwidth -- either through unlimited space, or parsed and priced via tiers of usage. The apportioning of bandwidth can impact return path data measurement because it contributes to latency as well as other usage conditions. Variable bandwidth levels are a challenge to edit rules, algorithm creation and metric standardization.
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The Commercial Value Index: Assessing TV Audience Value In The Age Of Dvrs
by Steve Sternberg on Apr 10, 12:52 PM
Last year, when I was working as a consultant, I developed the Commercial Value Index, designed to rank cable networks on which were best at minimizing commercial avoidance among their viewers. This year I added a viewer loyalty component. The impetus for the CVI was my frustration when I was on the media agency side of the business. During numerous upfront presentations every year, there would invariably be a handful of cable networks that tried to sell me on some sort of value factors that went beyond Nielsen ratings. In some cases they would come up with some nifty new ...
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Sarah, Oprah And Katie Wake Up Broadcast's Morning News And Entertainment Shows
by Ed Martin on Apr 6, 1:30 PM
Morning television came surprisingly and excitingly to life this week with the kind of intensity usually reserved for sweeps months. What was so special about this first week of April? I haven't a clue, but it was fun while it lasted. The results of this sudden surge in early morning competitiveness were decidedly uneven, but as I have repeatedly stated in the past, any extra attention that any broadcast network pays to any part of its daytime schedule is a good thing for all of them.
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CANBERRA - The Queen has made a late entry into the Australian election campaign as the nation's leaders scramble for votes in what has become one of the tightest contests in decades.
Both Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott expressed the respect Australians held for Queen Elizabeth - but differed on the future of the British royal family as head of state.
Gillard said the Queen should be Australia's final monarch, despite the nation's deep affection for her, and that the appropriate time to move to a republic was at the end of her reign.
"Obviously I'm hoping for Queen Elizabeth that she lives a long and happy life, and having watched her mother I think there's every chance that she will," Gillard said.
Abbott said the issue of republicanism had been around since the 1850s, but that despite significant pressure the monarchy had been retained by a people who had "demonstrated themselves to be remarkably attached to institutions that work".
"While there may very well be further episodes of republicanism in this country, I am far from certain that, at least in our lifetimes, there's likely to be any significant change," he said.
Regardless of who wins on Saturday, republicanism is unlikely to surface soon with the passion that forced former Liberal Prime Minister John Howard to put the future of the monarchy to a referendum a decade ago.
After the nation voted to stay with the Queen, support in opinion polls fell from a peak of more than 50 per cent to 45 per cent in the most recent Newspoll - January 2007 - with 36 per cent opposing a republic and 19 per cent undecided.
And there is little chance of the monarchy forcing its way to any real significance in the final five days of a campaign that grows more uncertain every day, with the volatility of the nation shown in conflicting national and state polling, and in a sudden shift in gambling odds.
While most polls show Labor heading nationally for a narrow victory, backed by an anticipated record flow of Greens preferences, detailed polling in key marginals in Queensland and New South Wales suggests the Coalition could pick up the extra 17 seats it needs to win.
And the internet gambling agency Centrebet said that after Labor's official launch in Brisbane on Monday, betting swung heavily against the Government in western Sydney, where Gillard's bid to pick up support in crucial marginals by announcing a A$2.6 billion ($3.18 billion) commuter rail link backfired.
Betting now favoured the Coalition in seven of the 12 most marginal NSW seats, despite punters still backing an ultimate Labor victory by odds of A$1.92 to A$3.80.
Betting at rival agency Sportsbet showed the Coalition ahead in 22 of 41 marginal seats nationwide, with the Government suffering heavily in Queensland and NSW.
One ray of hope for Gillard came from the odds on Eden-Monaro, a volatile seat that has for decades gone with whichever party has won power: betting at both agencies favoured a Government win.
Abbott dominated the campaign yesterday with his final speech of the campaign to the National Press Club, attacking Labor again on the dumping of former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, debt and waste, mining taxes, its "shameless fudge" on climate change, and its policies on asylum seekers.
He repeated his promise to re-open the "Pacific solution" detention centre on Nauru, said international law was on his side in turning boats back at sea, and promised to personally order them to turn back as Howard did with the Norwegian container ship MV Tampa in 2001.
Abbott said the election should not turn on "comparative trivia" such the leaders' performances in debates or community forums, but on the ability of a party to govern for the next three years.
And he warned against sentimentality and the 79-year-old tradition of returning first-term governments: "This election is about you, your families and the country's future - you don't owe this Government anything, so don't be taken in by the plea to give it a second chance."
Meanwhile, both leaders have finally agreed to a second televised debate focusing on the economy, but not the time, place or format.
Abbott urged Gillard to meet him at another "town hall" forum of undecided voters in Brisbane tonight, saying he would be there and challenging the Prime Minister to "face the wrath of Queensland and deal with it as best you can".


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de Blasio Makes Nice With Wave
The squeaky wheel got some grease. The Wave noticed that mayoral candidate Bill de Blasio did a good job of overlooking most of Rockaway, particularly the west end, since launching his campaign in January. The Wave was none too pleased that a candidate would disregard an entire area slammed by Sandy. An editorial in August asked where he'd been. Weeks later, a picture with him on a milk carton with the word "Missing" was put on the front page. And then The Wave began a day count on twitter: 294 days since Bill de Blasio has been to Rockaway… 295 days.. 296 days…
His staff noticed. With the Sandy anniversary approaching and when he could no longer risk the backlash that might come with avoiding one of the most devastated areas, Breezy Point, The Wave got a call. How would Kevin Boyle like to join a private tour and have a one on one with the candidate? Boyle's response? Sure. Other media, Boyle was told, would be kept away until after the one-on-one.
On Sunday, October 27th, at a little after 11 a.m. Bill de Blasio actually set foot on the west end when he and his wife, Chirlane, stepped from their SUV to meet a small gathering of people in Breezy Point. de Blasio got a close up look at some of the rebuilding and still-vacant lots in the burn zone as he toured with Breezy civic leaders Denise Neible, Arthur Lighthall and Roy Richter and a handful of other guests, including Boyle.
After the tour, the group now joined by Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder and Congressman Greg Meeks, went to the community center for bagels and to meet more Breezy folks. Boyle, free to ask any questions, was invited to join the candidate at a small table in the middle of the room.
Boyle's first question: Tell us why you have not been to Breezy, Belle Harbor and Rockaway Beach in 2013.
The candidate did not directly address the question. de blasio: "Point is, I've been all over the city. Obviously, after the storm I was in a whole range of affected areas including this. I tried to help through my office. We worked, in particular, with Friends of Firefighters, an organization I'm very close to. We were able to get them some of the help they needed. And since then, we've been crisscrossing the city. And so, the bottom line is, we're here now to say there is a real strong commitment to seeing this through. I have immense respect for what people have done here. This is one of the most amazing examples of a community taking control of its own destiny. And I think the city government has to help in every way it can."
With that, Boyle asked how he would handle the transition with new personnel coming on board in the middle of complicated programs and building initiatives. Specifically, Boyle asked about Build It Back and the boardwalk rebuild. Would we be starting all over again? de Blasio: "I'm going to look with an open mind. I agree with you that some situations are particularly sensitive. We're either going to look for continuity or we're going to look for a group of new people who can continue that continuity with confidence. We can't upset momentum. And we don't want to mess up something that's already working.
"One of the things I want to do is stay in touch with leaders here to make sure that whatever we're doing will continue."
Boyle: "I hope so. We haven't had real lines of communication with you. You haven't been out here in 2013. That's something. We need a real connection to City Hall." de blasio: "What I have said in going forward is what is our commitment, our vision. It is a grassroots vision. It is about understanding each neighborhood. I want people here to know they will have access to City Hall. And that I intend City Hall to be out in communities talking to people. I think the current administration sometimes got into a bunker mentality. And that's not how I ever lived my life." de Blasio mentioned that he has long working relationships with Goldfeder and Meeks and that he will rely on them to be part of the dialogue between the peninsula and City Hall.
Boyle: How about the ferry? de blasio: "I'm very interested in extending it. I don't make any financial commitments on anything, bluntly. I am a big believer in ferries but I'm gonna be honest with people – until I look under the hood of the budget situation I'm going to be careful not to make commitments I can't keep."
The serious tone turned lighter for a moment when Boyle asked, "Has your staff shielded you from the potshots The Wave has taken at you?" de Blasio: "My staff tells me The Wave is a threat to National Security."
Boyle: "Remember that when I call you." de Blasio returned to his grassroots theme. "My perspective is a neighborhood perspective. People are doing the right thing here. We want to keep this momentum going. How do we help, how do we get out of the way?"
As the meeting wrapped up, Denise Neibel invited de Blasio back in a year to see the progress. de Blasio promised he'd be back "before then", adding "I've got to put The Wave in its place."


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Missing Kissinger
Etgar Keret
Chatto & Windus, 11.99
ON THE inside back cover of his new book of stories, Missing Kissinger, Etgar Keret appears with a black cloth around his mouth, staring into the camera with one eye.
Keret is one of literature's freest, zaniest spirits - just as his photograph is not what we expect of the Israeli writer, so his stories stick their tongue out at conventional notions of "the literary".
They are no more than four or five pages long, their sentences are very short, and their tone laconic ("Soon as...", a typical Keret sentence begins, or "Truth is..."). The characters, mostly everyday Joes puzzled by life, work within a limited vocabulary.
Indeed, Keret's stories are all tricks of voice, of people taking impossible things seriously and grave matters lightly, so that we both see their point and relish the confusion. In the Keretian universe anything can happen; his stories have the strangest premises.
"Suddenly, I could do it," begins one story, 'Freeze'. "I'd say 'Freeze' and everyone would freeze, just like that, in the middle of the street." In another two boys dig for dinosaur eggs in their backyard and find one, and another commandeers an army of ants.
In an essay on 'quickness' in literature, Italo Calvino noted how in some works "the speed at which events follow one another conveys a feeling of the ineluctable". That remark might serve as a summary of Keret's method.
The stories abound with splendid gags. In 'Venus Lite', all the gods come down to Earth to work, and Venus arrives in the narrator's office to operate the photocopier. The narrator is going through a hard time and he falls in love with beautiful Venus immediately, but can't work up the courage to tell her.
"In the end, I wrote it down on a piece of paper and left it on the desk for her. The next morning, the note was waiting for me, along with fifty photocopies."
In 'Drops', one of Keret's many perplexing women learns that someone has invented a medicine against feeling alone, and decides to leave her boyfriend before he cheats on her. The medicine comes in two forms, drops and spray. She chooses drops. "Just because she doesn't want to feel alone, there's no reason to harm the ozone layer."
Just as Keret's stories are anti-literary, so too are they anti-romantic. Just like those drops, they are a potent pick-me-up.


text:
Article Preview
Confession of a Country Boy
By GEORGE GENT ();
December 05, 1965,
, Section ART BRIDGE CAMERA DRAMA CHESS COINS DANCE GARDENS HOME MOVIES MUSIC RADIO-TV RACORDS STAMPS, Page X19, Column , words
IT was 10 years ago that Andy Griffith, a tall, wavy-haired young man out of the North Carolina hills with a beguiling smile and the sweet lethargy of the South on his tongue, captivated Broadway audiences with his performance as Will Stockdale, the hillbilly draftee in "No Time for Sergeants.''
December 05, 1965
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Let Them Eat Shrimp: The Tragic Disappearance of the Rainforests of the Sea by Kennedy Warne
By Science News, 12:43 PM May 5, 2011
For anyone wondering just what the heck "rainforests of the sea" might be, they're the world's largely unsung, highly imperiled, biologically fabulous coastal forests of mangroves. And it's a telling point that the word mangroves does not appear on the cover of a book devoted to their marvels and troubles.
Rainforests of the land evoke a lot more international concern, and Warne includes in the last chapter of his vivid and pithy book a vignette of a scientist glooming about the undeservedl...
Source URL: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/let-them-eat-shrimp-tragic-disappearance-rainforests-sea-kennedy-warne?mode=magazine&context=734


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Leef Ice USB 2.0 Flash Drive
(7 reviews)
Leef Ice is a work of art that features a soft-glow LED to create a unique optical experience when the USB flash drive is functioning.
Customer Reviews
By MjL
March 13, 2015
Picked this up for my girlfriends laptop, she loves it..speed, design and price. A++++++ , Thank you LEEF for your amazing products at these prices.
By John R
August 21, 2014
What a deal, I'm buying more today. Seems like a great little drive, nice quality, real small. I don't know how they are doing this at this price...Leef should make an SSD...it would be $6 and work better than everyone elses. Seems fast to me, I haven't run a bunch of tests on it or anything but it's faster than other drive I have laying around that I paid full price for. The really small surge drive is a great "ready boost" drive on my laptop. It can stay attached all the time and speeds up some windows functions.
By Colin N
August 21, 2014
Excellent small drive with decent capacity. The only downside is that people don't want to give it back! Excellent speed and performance. The light at the back is a nice touch, but could be a little stronger, as it gets lost in bright light. But overall excellent, well designed product.
By David M
August 21, 2014
I have been using this FD for over a month and have had no problems with its performance. Very satisfied overall. This is the second FD I have purchased from Leef and both work flawlessly so far. The soft glow light is a nice touch.
By Michael N
August 21, 2014
I needed a 32GB keyring ready thumbdrive suitable for overflow storage and suitably fast enough to store to and watch from DVD Digital Copy's/Amazon Digital Library files. The Leef does all of those things and is fast enough to install a specialized Debian version without lags or performance issues. I prefer the insignificant costs of booting LINUX from dedicated thumbdrives. Dual booting LINUX and threatening the fragile windows boot sector with an adulterated LINUX boot sector that might or might not work after a future software update, is the hallmark of disaster loving amateurs and Dork-lescents with unequally sized forearms. Overall, it is decent thumbdrive comparably priced and the LED is just an added bonus or the stylish extra if that is your requirement.
By Jordan A
August 21, 2014
I was a bit cautous, but at the price I said, Why not? And they are awesome, They are super small so be prepared to maybe lose track of them. Works perfect under constant use - and the High-speed USB is really High Speed, this thing rocks!
By Arnold F
August 21, 2014
This product is cool, but because of its size it's very easy to lose. The keychain hole should be located on the USB and not on the cap. After a couple of weeks, the cap started to become worn out, and the USB would slide out. I keep my USB on my keychain, I frequently use it everyday. I have recently lost mine with important stuff on it. Great product overall, with the minor case of maybe losing it.
View more
Product Features
Enjoy a Softer Glow
Leef Ice was designed to be the sexiest USB Flash Drive on the market, with a body that left innocent bystanders wondering "Where's the memory?" To achieve the desired effect, Leef uncovered a methacrylic resin to create the crystal-like Ice feature, featuring eye-captivating angles of white light.
Washing Machine Tested
All of Leef's products are designed to be waterproof, shock proof, and dust proof, protecting your memories from life accidents.
When most other USB flash drives companies are settling for low-grade memory, Leef selects only the highest grade memory for its family of products. The result is a faster, more reliable product to store your memories on. Plus, you'll never have to check your pockets before doing laundry again.
To view the status of your order log into your Leef account and visit your My Orders page to see exactly what stage your order is in on its journey to you. Otherwise feel free to get in touch with us if you need anything else.
Except for pre-order/back-order items, usually we will ship within 2-4 business day. For US buyers, delivery usually takes 2-5 days; it may take 5-7 days for some remote areas. For buyers in other countries, delivery time varies.
30 Day Guarantee
We take pride in our products and fully stand behind them. If you're not fully satisfied with your product purchased from Leef, you may exchange it for a similar product or return it for a full refund within 30 days of receipt.


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CONTACT: Steve Mullen (518) 629-8063
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Wednesday, November 29, 2006
The Hudson Valley Community College (3-8/3-5 Region III) ice hockey team exploded for four goals in the third period in a 5-2 win over Mohawk Valley Community College (4-5/1-5 Region III) tonight in Troy.
Freshman forward Kevin Fairchild (East Greenbush/Columbia High School) finished with two goals, including a short-handed goal that put Hudson Valley ahead 2-1 early in the third period.
Sophomore Drew Reynolds (Troy/LaSalle Institute) added a goal and two assists. Freshmen Todd Barnes (Port Ewen/Kingston High School) and Sean Caruso (Waterford/LaSalle Institute) also scored for Hudson Valley.
Sophomore goalie Dan Silver (Soldotna, AK/Kenai High School) stopped 18 shots in net for the Vikings.
Hudson Valley will return home Friday, December 1 to face Minot State University-Bottineau. The opening face-off is set for 6:30 pm.
Mohawk Valley 0 1 1 – 2
Hudson Valley 1 0 4 – 5
Mohawk Valley: Dave Smith 0-1, Jordan Anderson 1-0, Jim Karl 1-0, Andy Mosher 0-1.
Hudson Valley: Drew Reynolds 1-2, Kevin O'Connell 0-1, Kevin Fairchild 2-0, Matt Wyld 0-1, Brian Pekala 0-1, Todd Barnes 1-0, Adam Shambo 0-1, Sean Caruso 1-0.
Mohawk Valley-Sam Myers (42 shots, 37 saves); Hudson Valley-Dan Silver (20 shots, 18 saves)
Shots on goal: Mohawk Valley 7-8-5—20; Hudson Valley 10-20-12—42


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Coral destruction by starfish spreads
A CORAL killer that has wreaked havoc along the Great Barrier Reef is threatening part of the "coral triangle" the world's richest centre of coral reef biodiversity.
Marine surveys in Halmahera, Indonesia, last month revealed the crown of thorns starfish has almost completely destroyed some of the region's stunning reefs.
The predatory starfish feeds on corals by spreading its stomach over them and secreting an enzyme that breaks down the coral tissue.
About 20% of the Halmahera reefs are down to less than 5% coral cover, prompting scientists to warn that urgent action is needed to protect the reefs.
"The heart of the coral triangle is broken," said Tasrif Katawijaya , from the Wildlife Conservation Society's marine program in Indonesia.
The coral triangle, also known as "the Amazon of the Seas", lies between Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Palau and the Solomon Islands.
Australian scientist Dr Andrew Baird, a member of the survey team, said the area was "a great storehouse of genetic information" filled with unique coral and marine life.
The best response to the crown of thorns starfish outbreak would be to keep large amounts of reef free from human activity, he said.
"Once you've got an outbreak, there's almost nothing you can do to stop it. The only way to ensure you've got some reef left at the end of it is to protect lots of other areas."
Other survey findings include little evidence to suggest climate change has yet had much of an impact on the reefs.
The presence of fish including the bumphead parrotfish and Napoleon wrasse also point to a relatively intact ecosystem.
"At this point it's just the corals, so if we can minimise the impact from the crown of thorns, there's still a lot of hope," Dr Baird said.
Last year world leaders agreed to set up the Coral Triangle Initiative, which brings together six governments to work on conserving marine life in the region.
There have been three recorded outbreaks of the crown of thorns starfish on the Great Barrier Reef since the 1960s.
When you see news happening: SMS/MMS: 0406 THE AGE (0406 843 243), or us. More
Subscribe to The Age and save up to 35%*


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It has to be said; there are many perks to this job. Working as a member of the A&R team for amazing is rewarding in itself, but being the one to document all we do at The Amazing Sessions means that I get to be a part of things as inspiring as this week's recordings from London based songstress Saint Saviour.
Saint Saviour herself, otherwise known as Becky Jones, is currently one of the many artists over at the SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas – bringing to an end what has to be one of the busiest runs of commitments in a very short space of time. In amongst showcase gigs with the likes of Claire Maguire, going on tour with the hype-magnets that are Hurts, attending the Grammys in LA with Groove Armada and shooting a music video plus general promo for her new EP, we were lucky enough to convince Becky plus her band along to our studios to add to our ever growing archive of exclusive content.
With us on the day were Jonathan Scafidi on bass, cello and vocals, Becky on lead vocals and keys, David Klinke on guitar and Jharda Walker providing vocals plus her talents on harp. The addition of strings to the studio is something we always enjoy as a team; Jharda and Jonathan seemed to compliment each other perfectly whilst adding an extra level of depth to Becky's song writing.
The songs themselves are flawless – Becky Jones is a prolific writer and an accomplished producer in her own right. With a wealth of experience in various genres over the years, her talents have taken her to renowned festivals the likes of Glastonbury and Creamfields, her diversity as an artist leading her to become one of the most sought after session musicians to boot. Her work with Groove Armada, with whom she shares a manager, led to four of her tracks appearing on their Grammy Award nominated album 'Black Light' – commercially and critically successful, this led to Becky being invited on the consequent tour and resulted in a whole new set of fans for her solo ventures.
Again, different to her other work, Saint Saviour is a carefully orchestrated insight into something incredibly special. 'This Aint No Hymn' is the first single released from her forthcoming EP Anatomy, available from March 28th and just happens to be one of our highlights from the day. Take a look at their studio performance of it by clicking below.
Recorded in order were:
1) Here In Me
2) Hurricanes
4) Fallen Trees
Both in the studio that day and upon listening back to the above tracks, there's an overwhelming sense of fragility evoked by their music. I've been searching for an accurate way to articulate the dynamic Becky has between being so incredibly delicate and yet so clearly powerful at the same time, but nothing seems to do her justice. In person she seems intensely shy at first, but when she performs it's with an authoritative amount of confidence in her own ability, and rightly so. It was an absolute pleasure for us to be working with someone as professional and so obviously driven as Becky and her team, I can't wait to hear more from them.
When asked about the session, Becky seemed pleased with the results:
'I really enjoyed the Amazing Radio session, we were all made very comfortable and the staff inside the studio were really warm and friendly, like most Northerners! I felt very confident that the guys knew exactly what they were doing and seemed to have plenty of experience in working to a high standard. It was also a relief to work with engineers who understood my production references and the sound I was going for. In fact it was as good as doing a session at Maida Vale, from my experience.'
You can listen to her tracks on her amazingtunes.com profile and purchase her Anatomy EP which she's selling direct to fans through the store on her website www.saintsaviour.co.uk. She's also constantly updating her live shows and has just announced a UK tour for the end of April. The first music video they released from the EP (This Aint No Hymn) attracted 84,000 views in the first week and I'm told they're about to release another one for the second EP track, 'Reasons' which Becky tells us is the song that sits closest to her heart. Well worth a listen and I'd strongly suggest booking your tickets to see her live - before they're all gone!


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We are glad you have selected to visit our on-line WebStore. Here you will find the same great selections you can find in our retail store and more. Please browse and if you find something, you may now check out with the shopping cart! We currently accept Paypal. You may choose your products to be shipped to you from the Parkersburg store or you can pick them up. If you see an item is out of stock and needs to be ordered "on-line", that means we will order it in with our weekly orders. If you see an item is out of stock until a certain date, please add at least another week onto that date for us to get it into our retail store. All items on your order will be pulled from store stock and you will receive an email letting you know when it is either ready for pick up or one with shipping/tracking information when it was shipped. Please understand that this webstore is just an extension of our retail store, provided for your shopping convenience.
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On the Hill: China Bowl opens with deep powder
December 13, 2013
On the Hill, brought to you by The Steadman Clinic and the Steadman Philippon Research Institute, brings you a video report showcasing Vail's ski conditions every day.
VIDEO: With Chair 21 now running, Vail Daily reporter John LaConte enjoys a powdery cruise through China Bowl
Vail official report: 0″ new snow, 7″ in last week
Vail Daily field report: There's was a foot of untouched snow in China Bowl this morning
Liftline status: Not bad anywhere this morning
Weather: This morning it was warmer than it's been over the last few days, but you'll still want to protect your face. Very sunny.
Run of the Day: Poppy Fields
Breakdown: With Chair 21 now running and China Bowl open, it's a glorious day at Vail. The powder turns were bottomless and the groom on Poppy fields is fantastic
Snowcast: We'll be dry for another week or so, NOAA is reporting
Are you enjoying On the Hill? Have any suggestions? Send an email to firstname.lastname@example.com
"Like" us: facebook.com/onhillreport | twitter.com/onhillreport
Trending In: On The Hill
Trending Sitewide
- Eagle boarder cited for unlawful acts in case of dog killed by mountain lion
- Vail Mountain School commencement embraces future, as well as past
- New Eagle City Market compiles positive comments, sales tax numbers
- Real estate options in Wildridge offer privacy, open space and value (video)
- Vail Daily column: Summer paid parking in Vail?


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|Topic Review (Newest First)
MD7A / Solved / No Start-WhiteSmoke
This is for any novice such as myself to learn from so you won't go threw what I had to learn the hard way.
I had a problem with a md7a not starting and thought I finally had it licked because it ran a couple weeks ago again for a couple days and then stopped again last week. Thought it was a spin on fuel filter but it was not. I would bleed it and bleed it but it would blow white smoke and get fuel but never start. What had happened "using all my newbie to diesels infinite wisdom NOT" was when all this started to begin with, I had found a bolt that had broke off on the return line right where it goes into my fine fuel filter and had replaced it. What my stupid self did not know is I replaced it with a regular bolt not a banjo bolt. I finally put all this info together tonight and will be replacing the regular bolt with a banjo bolt tomorrow and I am optimistic "hopefully not too much" that this thing will start again since I finally learned that a banjo bolt will allow fluid to flow but a regular bolt there will not. I guess when it started and ran for a little while that bolt that was in there was a little loose or enough fuel was out of the return line to just get it to start and run for a little while. Hey this is the first diesel I have ever owned, I am a computer tech not a mechanic so this has been a education for me. Hope this helps someone and even if you know the difference between the bolts it is definately a place for you to start troubleshooting if you ever have the same symptoms where no matter how much you bleed it the thing will just not start. I did replace all lines from the tank all the way to the lift pump so no leaks now if there were ever any to begin with since I think it was the bolt on the return line the whole time.
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Small traces of blood when I orgasm/is There A thing as mastrabating too much?
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« Local Home
Newtown, Pennsylvania Pet Boutiques - Dog-Friendly Listings
Pennsylvania: Newtown: Pet Boutiques
Newtown - as dog-friendly as they come! This city guide will show you all the best (and worst) places for your pets. Don't forget to add your reviews for the businesses in this ultimate resource.
|Top-Rated Pet Boutiques
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If you still can't find the listing you're looking for, feel free to add it now!


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Click here for our Manual Web extras, a retreading slideshow, and additional content from this month's issue! Read more
A Kansas water tower rises above the crowd, thanks to aesthetic design, a tough coating, and the story behind it. Read more
Avoid debt by using tax-exempt leases to acquire new equipment. Read more
Why what might work for electricity won't work for water. Read more
"Grow" new topsoil onsite with biotic-enriched hydromulches and seed mixes. Read more
DOTs test a new twist on a century-old concept that allows for high-performance surface treatments. Read more
Three utilities forgo time- and labor-intensive bonds and loans to free up resources for other pressing needs. Read more
Three reasons to break the idling habit, and technologies that can help you do it. Read more
A New Jersey community saves money, and the environment. Read more
... and other words of wisdom from county engineers. Read more


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Check out some links below to recent stories from Charisma News that you'll find informative and interesting. You can also sign up to receive stories on your smart phone by signing up for the free app Charisma News by clicking here.
Samuel Rodriguez Says Obama Meeting Was Like 'Conversation Amongst Believers'
Lou Engle Takes TheCall Prayer Movement to Detroit
Survey: Majority of Pastors Experience Loneliness, Discouragement
Annual Christian Celebration of Sukkot Drawing Thousands to Jerusalem
Pastor Shot in Back of Head Heard 'Loud Clap From Heaven'
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Stationery Products
All our cards are reproductions of original watercolor paintings by Sara.
Our cards are available in four sizes.
The greeting cards are 5" x 7", the slim-line 8½" x 3½".
Both of these take regular first class postage.
The square 5¼" card takes additional postage to mail.
Greeting cards are packaged ten of the same design.
Mini-notes are 3½" x 5" and take regular postage.
Mini-notes are packaged eight of the same design.
All everyday greeting cards and mini-notes are packed in boxes.
All seasonal greeting cards and mini-notes are packed in cello packages.


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Ship to
|Basic Information
|Smart Watch Phone
|Aluminum alloy/CNC machining/Anodized Oxidation surface
|P1421-1, P1421-2, P1421-3, P1421-4, P1421-5 (Optional)
|Hardware Specification
|TF card
|Support max 16GB TF
|SIM card
|Mini SIM card
|1.22 Inch HD IPS LCD;resolution:240*204 pixel;260000 colors
|Touch screen
|Radian capacitive touch screen, full bonding technology
|Ver 3.0
|350mAh Polymer battery;
|Bluetooth connection standby :>1 Week;
|Normal use: > 2 days
|Support AGPS
|Side button to power on
|Magnetic USB connecting, charge and data communicating
|Main function
|Phone function
|GSM:850/900/1800/1900 quad-bands;
|Dial, hands-free, phone records, phone book;
|Bluetooth phone
|Local SMS;
|Text messaging on mobile phones Synchronous push by bluetooth
|( for android mobile phone)
|Bluetooth music playing;
|Phone calls reminding
|Ring and vibration remind;
|Clock display
|3 display clock, free switch; click to switch
|Anti-lost remind
|Bilateral research
|Step record for sports, calories calculation, movement mileage records
|Sedentary remind
|Sleep monitoring
|Watch photograph ; memory storage; image format: PNG, JPG
|Remote control mobile phones;Storage to mobile phones; image format: PNG, JPG
|Heart rating
|UV sensor
|Alarm clock, calendar, stopwatch, calculators etc.
|Bluetooth transfer information
|QQ、WeChat、Twitter、Facebook,Timely information etc;
|(for android phone)
|SMS transfer ;
|News, VirtualClient, system Settings information etc ;
|Schedule;Synchronous remind;
|Time synchronization;
|English, France, Spanish, Polish, Portuguese, Italian, German, Dutch, Turkish, Russian
|Dimensions & Weight
|Item size
|Approx.4.5 * 5.3 * 1.5cm / 1.8 * 2 * 0.6in
|Item weight
|Approx.67g / 2.4oz
|Package size
|Approx.13 * 10.5 * 6.5cm / 5.1 * 4.1 * 2.6in
|Package weight
|Approx.224g / 7.9oz
Shipping Methods:
When you order from TOMTOP.com, you will receive a confirmation email. Once your order is shipped, you will be emailed with the tracking information for your order's shipment. You can choose your preferred shipping method on the Order Information page during the checkout process. TOMTOP.com offers different shipping methods for you:
|Shipping from Chinese Warehouse:
|Shipping Type
|Shipping Time
|Airmail and register airmail
|United States,Canada
|10-20 business days
|Australia, New Zealand, Singapore
|15-25 business days
United Kingdom, France, Spain, Germany, Netherlands, Japan, Belgium,
Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland
|20-30 business days
|Brazil and Mexico
|20-35 business days
|20-35 business days
|Other countries
|10-25 business days
|Singapore & China (EMS)
|All countries except those listed below
|6-10 business days
|Brazil and Russia
|10-25 business days
|Expedited Shipping(DHL)
|3-7 business days
|Shipping from Local Warehouses:
|Shipping Type
|Shipping Time
|UK Warehouse
|Royal mail without tracking number
|5-12 business days
|Can be delivered to UK & other EU countries.
|3-7 business days
|USA Warehouse
|Air mail with tracking number
|5-12 business days
|Can only be delivered to America.
|3-7 business days
|DE Warehouse
|3-8 business days
Can be delivered to worldwide. (But its shipping cost varies from
different countries. Recommend to choose if you are in Europe.)
The transit time depends on where you're located and where your package comes from. If you want to know more information, please contact our customer service. We will settle your problem as soon as possible. Enjoy shopping!
Payment Methods:
TOMTOP.com accepts PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, Wire Transfer, QIWI and Yandex as secure payment methods:
1. PayPal
1) Login To Your Account or use Credit Card Express.
2) Enter your Card Details, the order will be shipped to your PayPal address. And click "Submit".
3) Your Payment will be processed and a receipt will be sent to your email inbox.
2. Credit Card
1) Choose your shipping address OR create a new one.
2) Enter your Card Details and click "Submit".
3) Your Payment will be processed and a receipt will be sent to your email inbox.
3. Wire Transfer
For orders more than $500, please contact us and provide us with the following information: your order number, the total amount paid, and the exact date of the wire transfer.
4. Yandex
Вы можете заплатить из кошелька в Яндекс.Деньгах или с привязаннойк нему карты. Комиссии нет.
1) Выберите страну, где был открыт ваш счет
2) Введите номер вашего QIWI кошелька
3) Введите номер, ваш пароль и нажмите на кнопку оплаты
4) Нажмите на "оплатить с QIWI", Вы будете перенаправлены на страницу с деталями платежа через QIWI
5) Введите номер ваш пароль и нажмите на кнопку оплаты
6) Ваш платеж будет обработан
7) Вы будете направлены на страницу с деталями заказа для подтверждения
Вы будете перенаправлены на сайт QIWI, чтобы произвести оплату с вашего QIWI Wallet.
1.Does TOMTOP check the products before shipping them to me?
Yes, for sure.
We have a professional Quality Control team. They will check carefully for each item we received from suppliers and manufacturers to avoid sending defective goods to our customers.
If a item is found defective in our QC test, it will be returned to the supplier / factory. So please don't worry about receiving a defective item because we are committed to being a trustworthy and reliable seller on international on-line shopping market.
2.Are Products Guaranteed / Is There A Warranty?
Yes, everything you buy from TOMTOP has a guarantee of quality and will exactly match the description on the website.
Factories that supply TOMTOP are strictly evaluated by us, and we provide you an even better reassurance of consistent high quality thanks to our in-house QC team. We double-check the contents of all orders carefully before dispatch to our customers. You can be confident about ordering from TOMTOP just as much as any western retailer.
3. How long dose it take to have my orders shipped after the payment is made?
1.Processing time 1-2 business days normally: During this period, we do strict quality-control tests and get the items carefully packed.
2.Sometimes the item in your order is really a hot seller and it may be just sold out at that time. It will take us 1-2 more days to get it available in stock again. In this case, The processing time will be 3 business days.
If you don't receive any shipping confirming over three days after the payment is made, please kindly contact our customer service . They will check for you.
4. What should I do if my items arrived damaged?
Rarely, rough handling by the courier can lead to physical damage to your goods, e.g. broken screen.
If this has happened, please follow these steps:
If possible, raise a complaint directly with the delivery representative of the courier company before you sign for the goods. They will advise you on the complaint procedure.
If you already signed for the packet, take photos showing the damage and contact the local office of the courier/delivery company to complain. They will have a complaining procedure which will enable you to get compensation.
Next, contact TOMTOP immediately with your order number and a full description / pictures of the broken item issue. We will contact the courier company from our end.
Once the courier company confirms that the case is valid, they will compensate TOMTOP, and we will pass on this compensation to you. The compensation varies from case to case and is different for each delivery company. In some cases you will need to pay to post the broken item back to TOMTOP in order for us to send out a new piece.
5. What should I do if my products go broken after a period of use?
If you encounter quality issues within the warranty period, you can ask for us. Every product has a specific warranty period(If it is not stated in the product listing, contact us).
In this case, please kindly provide us with proof as below:
The photos of original TOMTOP package with front and back sides
The photos or video of the defective item(s)
The photos, video or screenshot showing the malfunction of the defective item(s)
We will usually offer you a refund or send a replacement as soon as the problem is confirmed.
Sometimes you may need to ship the defective item back to us for free repair service or a new replacement. Customer should cover the return shipping fee, and TOMTOP is responsible for the shipping costs of arranging reshipment by air mail.
Monday to Friday, 09:00 AM - 06:00 PM, (UTM+8)
Monday to Friday, 09:00 AM - 06:00 PM, (UTM+8)
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Yang Lan:
Yang Lan: Generacija, ki spreminja Kitajsko
Yang Lan, novinarka in poslovna ženska, znana tudi kot "kitajska Oprah", predstavi prihajajočo generacijo mladega kitajskega mestnega prebivalstva, aktivnega na spletu in borcev za pravico.
This talk was presented at an official TED conference, and was featured by our editors on the home page.
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NEW YORK – Bruce Campbell, the original Ash from The Evil Dead, knows some fans aren't excited about the 1981 film's forthcoming reboot. He's read all about the backlash, but he would like everyone to know they have nothing to worry about.
"We did not screw you over on this movie," Campbell told the crowd at New York Comic Con, which greeted him with a Springsteen-eque chant of "Bruuuuuuuuce."
Campbell, who is a producer on the film but not appearing in it, said it was time to do a remake of the original instead of another sequel because, well, the original "Ash" is a little past his prime.
"We realized maybe it's just too late to strap on the chainsaw one more time." Campbell said Saturday. "It's time to give these people what they want."
The new Evil Dead is being directed by Uruguayan newcomer Fede Alvarez, who took the job at the request of original director Sam Raimi. "When Sam Raimi asks you that, you don't really go, 'No thanks, I don't really [do] remakes,'" Alvarez told the crowd.
During the Comic Con panel, the filmmakers gave the audience an early preview of the film's upcoming teaser trailer. (Short version: It's looks scary as all hell, and the audience in New York freaked out when it was over. In a good way.)
"That just scared the shit out of me," said Jane Levy (Suburgatory), who plays Evil Dead's female protagonist Mia, after the clip finished.
But teasers are just teasers. Can the film hold up to the greatness of its predecessor? Campbell said he thinks so.
"It's time for something fresh," he said. "We don't want to screw this up."
Evil Dead hits theaters in spring 2013.Go Back to Top. Skip To: Start of Article.


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|Spring Awakening: Bunnies, baskets, babies, and divinely inspired dolls—including the pope—define Easter.
Of course, the spring egg hunt wouldn't be complete without some bits of chocolate or pastel-hued Peeps hidden inside the plastic orbs. But more and more parents, church organizes, and community leaders who are helping E.B. (aka the Easter Bunny) pull together a basket of treats know that the caloric content of the ingredients is shrinking, the sugar doses are diminishing, and more trinkets and toys are being added to the mix.
In my kids' school celebration, there are erasers, stickers, SillyBandz, and little trinkets curled inside the plastic eggs. At the church Easter hunt, it's pretty much the same offerings, but sometimes Hershey Kisses and little M&M's are tucked inside the faux eggs.
At home, where E.B. is always expected to be more personal with his selections, there is one chocolate rabbit (under 5 ounces of solid milk-chocolate decadence) and one DVD and one toy du jour (could be a tiny finger puppet, a yoyo, a mini doll, an action figure). It's whatever E.B.'s human accomplice was able to find while the children were distracted five feet away in the book aisle. (Thank goodness for the Diary of the Wimpy Kid and the Percy Jackson series. Those titles have entertained my children while I've thrown random-impulse buys into my shopping cart on more than one occasion!)
Since dental hygiene has finally made a dent in the bunny's brain, there are magazine articles, TV demonstrations, and radio tips advising concerned parents and grandparents to spice up the gift baskets with merchandise other than fatty foods and sweet confections.
Dolls are a great way to decorate an Easter presentation, or be the whole Easter present itself. Depending upon the cost, or your own deep versus shallow pockets, a doll can either be added to the basket to serve as an ornate centerpiece or can be given along with a solo boxed bunny candy as the entire gift. Either way, the designs and styles available are truly fantastic.
On the very affordable side, there is an under $10 delight at Paradise Galleries (http://www.paradisegalleries.com/).The "Hippity Hop" plush Easter doll is approximately $9.99 and is really a holiday bargain. You'd be one smart bunny to pick this critter up and place it plop in the middle of a decorative Easter basket. Also, on the site, are dolls affordably priced under $40, which can either be a gift to a child (or yourself) or the star of a very unique holiday centerpiece/dining-room decoration.
Mattel also has dolls that are inexpensive—able to be swooped up and added to a basket as a cute, non-edible surprise. Target has some exclusive Mattel dolls, which measure under 4 inches and are made for Easter shopping, but these diminutive darlings are "htf"—hard to find!
Amid all the odes to Peter Cottontail and E.B., there is the spiritual, religious component of Easter. Many times, the fun aspect tends to overshadow why the event has special, meaningful significance. The divine nature of Easter can be celebrated with Ashton-Drake's perennially popular Titus Tomescu interpretations of Jesus Christ. (http://www.ashtondrake.com/category/8352_religious.html?shopbytheme&religious) With the blockbuster ratings for the History Channel's "The Bible" epic, there are apparently a large number of viewers who are seeking faith-based entertainment and faith-centric programming. During much of the calendar year, secular attractions and non-spiritual pastimes seem to dominate the headlines and the airwaves. Always, as Easter (or Christmas in the winter) happens upon us, news editors and TV programmers discover the power of faith. The folks at Ashton-Drake have been loyal to the Tomescu depictions of Christ year-round, for decades now.
Earlier in the month, the world was seemingly captivated by the rituals and the pomp-and-circumstance surrounding the election of the new pope. All eyes and cameras were focused on the Vatican. The selected pontiff appears to be a genuinely humble man from South America—multilingual, bright, and compassionate, he debuted to news coverage that went beyond television and print. His installation was trumpeted on Twitter, Facebook, blogs, and every other arm of the brand-new social media.
Pope Francis, who has named himself in honor of the beloved, self-effacing St. Francis of Assisi, has a reputation as being truly down-to-earth. Prior to his move to Rome, he lived in a rental apartment, cooked his own meals, and rode the city buses. He eschewed the trappings that his status as a cardinal could have afforded him.
Now that he is the head of the Catholic Church, his unexpected, unselfish ways continue: he arrived at the hotel where he had been staying to pick up his own luggage and to settle his own bill. Likewise, he called back home to cancel his weekly newspaper subscription.
Seeing such everyday, average behavior from an overnight superstar is jarring. So, I wonder how Pope Francis would react to learning that Ashton-Drake is unveiling his likeness in doll form. The portrait figure meticulously captures his physical appearance, and the costuming is painstaking in every detail. But what would Pope Francis think of it?
I think, based upon all the accounts I've been reading, he'd be positively shocked, embarrassed, surprised, flattered . . . and delighted. He seems to be blessed with a great sense of humor and a keen wit. The "Pope Francis Portrait Figure" is priced at $129.99. If a portion of those proceeds was donated to a charity near and dear to the pontiff's heart, I'd say that the doll was downright heaven-sent.
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The Jones Publishing Lifetime Achievement Award is bestowed upon one recipient per year. This award was created in 2002 in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the introduction of the teddy bear, with the first recipient being Steiff, a German-based plush toy company known for its high quality and prices.
The Lifetime Achievement recipient must be or have been involved in some aspect of the doll and/or teddy bear field for a minimum of 25 years. The recipient may be an individual, partnership, corporation, company, author, artist, marketer, historian or any other industry professional. Lifetime Achievement Award nominations may be made by previous recipients or members of the LAA committee.
To qualify as a nominee, entrants must meet the following criteria:
The Lifetime Achievement Award has been presented to the following individuals and companies since its inception:
2002 Steiff
2003 Hildegard Gunzel
2004 Alexander Doll Company
2005 R. John Wright
2006 Wendy Lawton
2007 Virginia Turner
2008 Toy Shoppe
2010 Helen Kish
2012 Maggie Iacono
2013 Heidi Plusczok
2014 Jack Johnston
2015 Kaye Wiggs
2016 Robert Tonner
One World Holdings, Inc. and Tonner Doll Company, Inc., announced Dec. 3, 2015, that their Boards of Directors have approved a definitive agreement for One World Holdings' subsidiary, The One World Doll Project, to merge with Tonner Doll. The agreement was entered into Dec. 2. Following the closing of the merger, the combined business will change its name to Tonner One World.
The 2015 DOLLS Awards of Excellence Industry's Choice winners (DAEs, also called the Diamond Awards) were announced at the International Doll & Teddy Bear Show in Asheville, N.C., June 6. The Industry's Choice winners will go on to become the nominee's in the Public's Choice voting, set to begin in late June.
Without further ado, here are the winners of this year's Industry's Choice Diamond Awards!
August 8, 2014 - Blackall Associates Inc. is proud to announce the winner of its Summer Heat Photo Contest. The contest drew entries from around the world. Masterpiece Doll collectors sent in a special photo showing how their Masterpiece Dolls were enjoying the summer heat.
You haven't seen a toy show until you've seen this one. Six buildings! Over six hundred exhibitors! Exclusively toys and dolls and children's playthings on display everywhere! This is the show everyone always says they intend to visit, and now is the time to do just that. Collectors say the Chicago Toy Show really is the largest in the entire world. They are correct. Collectors say they find toys at this show that are never seen anywhere else. Correct again.


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Home-From-Home Dog Boarding - Kennel-Free
Branches in Durbanville, Edgemead & Pinelands
We offer small-breed Home-from-Home doggie boarding in a loving kennel-free environment; free to roam and socialise. All dogs have access to the fully equipped own doggie bedroom as well as an enclosed back garden at all times. Toys, Chews, Dog Treats, Bedding and Bowls provided. 24-Hour Supervision Day & Night.
Clients include holiday boarders, long-term boarders who are awaiting relocation Overseas (All blood tests and documentation overseen by ourselves in conjunction with attending vets and pet couriers) and holiday boarders.
Compulsory for ALL boarders to be fully vaccinated and up-to-date with their annual boosters, flea applications. Dogs over 6-months to be sterilised. Vet booklets and/or copies thereof need to be provided. Various food options available. Collections and Drop-Offs can be arranged upon request.
Check-in and Check-out times: Prior Arrangement
* Associate Member of Animal Behaviourist Consultants of Southern Africa.
* Qualified Canine Behaviour Consultant
Please E-mail for Application Forms, Full Price Listing and Availability.
**Please book in advance if possible - Thank you!**
|Contact Person
|Chantal Boonzaier
|Cell Phone Number
Useful Information
Although we try to filter our ads, scams sometimes do crept through. The onus lies on buyer and seller to not be caught in a scam by following certain safety tips that will safeguard them from potential scammers. DO NOT trust everything you read or see! This site is never involved in any transaction, and does not handle payments, shipping, guarantee transactions, provide escrow services, or offer "buyer protection" or "seller certification"
BEWARE of puppy Scams! Presently there are scams on Bulldogs and other famous breeds. If you see an Ad with a price much lower than that of the normal market price, make double sure its the real thing. They ask for courier service fees (remember these puppies don't exist!) because they are located so distant from everybody! It is much safer to FIRST do your homework, you can google for puppy scams, even put in the names of these people and you may much profit from this! You can also browse sites like http://www.reportacrime.co.za/ or https://www.scamwarners.com where you can browse for specific fraud cases reported and puppy scams that exist! Use the email addresses, phone numbers, names, etc, to learn if there are any scams or fraudulent ads others have encountered.
This site is never involved in any transaction, and does not handle payments, shipping, guarantee transactions, provide escrow services, or offer "buyer protection" or "seller certification"
The use of PetsSA is entirely voluntary and the user hereby respectively indemnifies and hold harmless the Service Provider, their successors and assigns, their respective officers, directors, employees, servants and agents from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities, suits, judgements, expenses, damages including consequential damages, penalties, fines or indemnity payments of whatsoever kind and nature arising from or in any way connected with the use of this site and/or information contained therein.
Furthermore, Service Provider does not take responsibility for the content, products and or services advertised by the seller on PetsSA website.


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Week #3: Boost Exercise
No matter where you are now, you can become "an exercise person."
"I have been able to wake up earlier and get in my full hour of exercise in the morning for more than a month now. This is usually a run (outside if weather permits) or a warm up cardio plus weights. My trick is to sleep in my workout...
EatingWell Diet Challenge
Week #1: Are You Ready for a Change?
Week #2: Set Goals
Week #3: Boost Exercise
Week #4: Make Smart Choices
Week #5: Outsmarting Eating Triggers
Week #6: Get support
Week #7: Recharge Your Weight Loss
Week #8: Embrace Challenges
Week #9: Solve Problems
Week #10: Think Big Picture
Week #11: Be Nice to Yourself
Week #12: Celebrate Success
Any "self-respecting" weight-loss plan has an exercise component. You don't have to run a marathon to shed pounds; setting a goal to burn 1,000 calories per week through aerobic activities, such as brisk walking or jogging, cycling or rowing, will probably do you just fine. Don't worry if you're more of a turtle than a hare: It makes no difference whether you run two miles in 16 minutes or walk them in a half hour. Assume that you burn about 100 calories for each mile you walk or run: to hit 1,000 calories, you'll need to put in two miles a day, five days a week. (If you're cycling, estimate 100 calories for every three miles you ride.) Enhance your caloric burn by doing everyday things the "hard way"—take the stairs instead of the elevator, for example.
9 ways to get more exercise:
- #1 way to burn more calories
- Easy ideas for building an exercise routine
- Exercise basics
- 5 ways to walk more
- 6 easy ways to sneak more exercise into your day & more exercise tips
- Can your pet help you shed pounds?
- 4 exercise strategies for travelers
- Can exercise override bad genes?
- 3 reasons to walk (or run) for your life
Community discussion: How do you make time for exercise?
Tips and tools to help you this week:
Essential Weight-Loss Tools
Can you trick yourself into liking exercise?
Photo Caption: Mark Catalana hops on his Concept2 rower whenever he has a half hour free.


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Paraguay - Memmonites and Mate
Trip Start Dec 03, 2012
54Trip End Aug 25, 2013
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Where I stayed
Estancia Iparoma
We had never really intended to go to Paraguay - it just sort of happened. From Iguassu Falls we could go back to Bolivia via Brazil, Argentina, or Paraguay. All entailed a series of long bus journeys. Argentina is one of the most expensive countries in South America, and going via Brazil would mean retracing our steps, so Paraguay it was. Paraguay is the second poorest country in South America after Bolivia, and the least developed for tourism by a long way.
We took a taxi through the city of Foz Iguassu on the Brazilian side to Cuidad del Este on the Paraguayan side of the Iguacu river. The border crossing was the quickest we'd ever had - there was no-one else at either Brazilian emmigration or Paraguayan immigration. Paraguay was immediately different - more run down and chaotic, but with large billboards advertising expensive products in English. The bus station, however, was relatively orderly (compared to Santa Cruz bus station at night anything is orderly). Asuncion, the capital of Paraguay, was 5 hours away, past lots of fertiliser and cement factories, tractor sales rooms, and fields and fields of cattle. We arrived in the dark and spent a while at the bus station working out our next move and changing money before getting to our hostel. That night we walked to a nearby shopping mall and had a Chinese meal at the Plaza de Comidas (food floor) - we could have been anywhere in the world!
At this point we still weren't sure which way to go. I'd had one email contact with an Estancia (cattle ranch) in Filadelfia, a Memonite colony in the middle of the Chaco, on Highway 9, described by Lonely Planet as "one of the last great road trips" in the world. Not sure if they were thinking of busses when they wrote that... Our host in Asuncion made a phone call to the Estancia and we agreed a meeting place and time, so were good to go. Aiming for the 7am bus, we woke at 5.30 and got to the station in plenty of time, only to find the ticket office closed. 7am came and went, so it was back to another ticket office to make sure we got onto the 2.30 bus.
We had an enforced day in Asuncion, which wasn't too bad, apart from an eternal search for a good Chocolate Frappachino (Thomas), and internet (Paul)
The trip to Filadelfia was 6 hours, mostly though remote cattle ranches carved out of forests of palm trees, and, later, the scrubby desert that is the Chaco. Everywhere was wet with standing water from the unseasonably heavy rains that are affecting the area at the moment. The entire length of the dead straight road was fenced, with a verge of about 20m, just wide enough for the occasional wooden shack. There is a big disparity of wealth here, with relatively wealthier Memmonites and Paraguayans of mixed race descent, and extremely poor indigenous tribes, some of whom only 'came out of the bush' about 40 years ago.
We arrived on time at Filadelfia but there was no-one to meet us at the bus stop so we went to wait in the local hotel. We're used to being stared at by now, but this time it was a bit weird to be stared at by blue-eyed, blond Europeans! The local Memmonite community is clearly not very used to outsiders and we caused a bit of a stir in the restaurant
We had very few expectations, as the Estancia Iparoma web site (in Spanish or German) wasn't particularly informative, and the guide books said that practically no-one ever comes to the Chaco because it is so remote and difficult to get to. Our host was a rotund, jovial Memmonite with a large pick-up truck that he drove sedately through the neat streets ("look mum they've got road signs like in England") to his house. Here we met his very welcoming wife Marylin who spoke excellent English, and were treated to a huge tray of roast beef, or more precisely, roasted bits of cow, together with coleslaw and rice.
While we ate, Marylin explained that the Filadelfia Memmonite colony was founded in the 1930s by German Memmonite Chistians from Ukraine. The Memmonites are pacifist farmers, who move to whatever country will accept them as a community, while allowing them not to fight. Many Memmonites from the Ukraine went to Canada or America, but the Paraguayan Memmoites are composed of the 'unhealthy' ones that were rejected by everywhere else!
Our hosts laughingly called themselves 'half Memmonites' as they lead pretty normal lives
After dinner we transferred to another vehicle and drove for about 30 minutes along dirt roads (no speed restrictions here) to the Estancia, which was also the sometime family home. The house had a big modern kitchen, office, and a huge central living space, with bedrooms opening into it. Paul and I had our own room (hooray! privacy!) and the kids were in a sort of multi-bunk dormitory, with space for 6 on each bottom bed and 6 more on each top bed. I still can't work out if the beds were made or not... we had to put on our top sheet and blanket, but perhaps it is usually so hot that these are not needed and a made bed is just a bottom sheet. Anyway, by now it was 11pm and we'd been up since 5.30am, so we didn't really care.
Marylin was very understanding about Tom's gluten free diet, and made a type of pancake from blended cooked rice that he loved
Our first day was spent sleeping late, playing crazy golf (yup, Marylin's free-thinking parents came back from a trip to Canada with plans and had a crazy golf built in the garden), table tennis, Memmonite pool, and bird watching. The landscape is very flat and open, with huge wide horizons and dead straight roads. Cattle graze in the huge fields of cultivated grasses from Africa and North America.
On our second day we had an outing to visit a project to reintroduce the Tagua, a type of Peccary. The day started with a visit to Marylin's wonderful and welcoming parents, who live in (Memmoite) sheltered accommodation in town. Her mother played a game of Memmonite tiddly winks with us and we drank mat� together.
Our lack of money was becoming more pressing as we were due to leave after three nights, and had no way to pay. Another trip to Filadelfia proved that the banks weren't working once again, but we were able to stock up on snacks for our forthcoming bus trip back to Bolivia as the supermarket took Mastercard. The supermarket was stocked with everything you could want, including Nutella and lots of mate sets. We also visited a very interesting little museum about the Memmonite communities in Filadelfia and a couple of nearby towns. Back at the ranch, we emptied our bags looking for every last penny in any currency, as Marylin had kindly agreed to take Brazilian Reales and Bolivian BOBs. Then we remembered our emergency Post Office cash card that we'd loaded up at the last minute back home - later that night we tried it and it worked, which was very fortunate as none of the cash points at our next destination worked either... Interestingly, all that day there was no electricity in the whole of Paraguay, except for the Memmonite towns that have their own generators.
The journey out of Paraguay was the worst we've had anywhere
Our delight at getting onto a relatively warm bus quickly faded when we realised there were only two spare seats, (next to the toilet) which, of course, the kids got and promptly fell asleep. I got back into my sleeping bag and managed to sleep on the floor of the bus until the tarmac ran out. The dust came up through the floorboards and covered everything, as we drove north into dry near-desert country. Another stop for Bolivian immigration took place at the actual border, and then the bus lurched down a single track dirt road for about an hour before hitting a bigger dirt road and eventually reaching Villamontes, in southern Bolivia around 2.30pm.


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Our big announcement on the Trump-Russia scandal.
The Obamas, the new blockbuster political book by Jodi Kantor, tells the tale of what happens to a grounded, high-achieving couple when they become the first African American President and First Lady of the United States. It's already making waves for the obligatory red-meat political tidbits (Rahm! Gibbs! Depp!), but what's more fascinating is Kantor's portrait of the First Couple as a partnership—and a First Lady who may be the president's greatest asset in the upcoming election. It's all set against the backdrop of ordinary life in the White House—a home built by slaves—and its more extraordinary elements. Here are some details that caught my eye:
3 Reasons to Love Michelle Obama
1. Michelle on her role as cover girl: "There are young black women across this country and I want them to see a black woman on the cover of Vogue."
2. On a rare visit back to her Chicago home, she retreated back to the garden wearing yellow rubber gloves.
3. She's big on hugs.
3 Surprising Things About Michelle Obama
1. In the morning, she exercises while watching Morning Joe.
2. After Robin Givhan panned the shorts she wore to the Grand Canyon, she checked in with Robert Gibbs afterward, "worried and contrite."
3. "Every few months Michelle Obama liked to crash a White House tour." (Often freely dispensing the above-mentioned hugs.)
3 Parenting Tips From the Obamas
1. Malia and Sasha are only allowed to watch TV and surf the internet on weekends.
2. The girls are not permitted to own their own cell phones.
3. Beware the paparazzi. ("'I had more fun once the cameras left,' Malia told him. 'No offense,' she said politely to the aide wielding the video recorder. 'I don't like cameras.'")
Why I Want to Party With the Obamas
1. "Traditional Thanksgiving spread with an African American spin—turkey, collard greens, oyster stuffing, macaroni and cheese."
2. Never mind Tim Burton and Johnny Depp: Their Halloween party featured the real Chewbacca. Have you ever partied with a wookie? (Oh, and gimme a break, hand-wringers, it was for military families.)
2. "Their holiday tradition was to work on talent-show acts throughout their vacation, presenting them right before they left."
3 Things That Will Drive Conservatives Nuts
1. "When Craig Robinson took a job in Dean Witter's training program, he quickly noticed that the most lucrative investments were in the hands of white investment professionals. The few top-earning African Americans at the firm all had degrees from elite business schools—a credential their white counterparts didn't seem to need."
2. The trigger for Michelle Obama's much-maligned trip to Spain was the death of a 76-year-old Chicago bus driver who grew up in segregation-era Mississippi.
3. "As the weather warmed, the president started playing golf on weekends again. It was a meditative escape, a chance to be outdoors."
3 Ways in Which the Obama's White House Experience Would Differ From That of, Say, Mitt Romney
1. "The staff were supposed to be invisible, but the Obamas...couldn't bring themselves to treat them that way. Many were middle-aged and older African Americans—strangers to the president and first lady but also instantly familiar to them."
2. At a White House gathering for their family from Chicago: "The kids in the family gathered under a portrait of George Washington for a photograph: a picture of how far the nation had come and how long the journey had taken."
3. First Couples can borrow artwork from Washington museums to hang in their quarters. One chosen by the Obamas: "Black Like Me."
3 Reasons To Love Marian Robinson
1. She refused to have the White House staff do her laundry.
2. She turned down an Oprah interview so she could continue to shop at Filene's Basement unrecognized.
3. During Obama's 2004 Senate campaign she had pined "like a schoolgirl" to meet "her heroine"...Hillary Clinton.
The 3 Most Disappointing Washington Reads*
1. Geithner, Tim: 63, 151, 155 (in the second one, it was actually his chair that was mentioned, not him)
2. Halperin, Mark: 321
3. Suskind, Ron: not mentioned
3 Designers Mentioned More Than Ron Suskind
1. Jason Wu
2. Lanvin
3 People Mentioned Less Than Beyoncé
1. General David Petraeus
2. Nancy Pelosi
3. Jon Stewart
Weirdest Random Thing Mentioned
Bill Clinton's pale, hairy legs
*Washington Read: flipping straight to the back index to check for your name


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Every major faith tradition embraced by working families includes in its teachings the call for fair treatment of working people. From Jeremiah's "Woe to him...who makes his neighbor serve him for nothing, and does not give him his wages," to Timothy's admonition that the rich "are to do good, to be rich in good deeds, liberal and generous," to the Prophet Muhammad's "When you hire, compensate the workers and treat them fairly," our holy writings are rich in guidance for behavior toward workers.
The commitment to workplace justice is a natural and historic common ground for the religious community and the union movement. Take a moment to examine your faith's teaching on worker justice with these PDF files, which you can print out and share with your congregation: