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> The G8 (G7 from 2014 due to Russia's suspension) is an inter-governmental political forum of the world′s major highly industrialized economies in countries that view themselves as democracies. The forum originated with a 1975 summit hosted by France that brought together representatives of six governments: France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, thus leading to the name Group of Six or G6. The summit came to be known as the Group of Seven, or G7, in 1976 with the addition of Canada. Russia was added to the political forum from 1997, which the following year became known as the G8. In March 2014 Russia was suspended following the annexation of Crimea; however, a number of G7 politicians and officials stated they would be interested in Russia's return to the group. The European Union is represented at the G8 since the 1980s as a "nonenumerated" participant, but originally could not host or chair summits. The 40th summit was the first time the European Union was able to host and chair a summit. Collectively, in 2012 the G8 nations comprised 50.1 percent of 2012 global nominal GDP and 40.9 percent of global GDP (PPP). "G7" can refer to the member states in aggregate or to the annual summit meeting of the G7 heads of government. The former term, G6, is now frequently applied to the six most populous countries within the European Union. G7 ministers also meet throughout the year, such as the G7 finance ministers (who meet four times a year), G7 foreign ministers, or G7 environment ministers. Each calendar year the responsibility of hosting the G8 is rotated through the member states in the following order: France, United States, United Kingdom, Russia(suspended), Germany, Japan, Italy, and Canada. The holder of the presidency sets the agenda, hosts the summit for that year, and determines which ministerial meetings will take place. In 2005, the UK government initiated the practice of inviting five leading emerging markets — Brazil, China, India, Mexico, and South Africa — to participate in the G8 meetings that came to be known as G8+5; but this practice was short-lived. With the G-20 major economies growing in stature since the 2008 Washington summit, world leaders from the group announced at their Pittsburgh summit in September 2009 that the group would replace the G8 as the main economic council of wealthy nations. Nevertheless, the G7/G8 retains its relevance as a "steering group for the West", and special significance for Japan. History The concept of a forum for the world's major industrialized countries emerged prior to the 1973 oil crisis. On Sunday, March 25, 1973, the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, George Shultz, convened an informal gathering of finance ministers from West Germany (Helmut Schmidt), France (Valéry Giscard d'Estaing), and Britain (Anthony Barber) before an upcoming meeting in Washington, D.C. When running the idea past President Nixon, he noted that he would be out of town and offered use of the White House; the meeting was subsequently held in the library on the ground floor. Taking their name from the setting, this original group of four became known as the "Library Group". In mid-1973, at the World Bank-IMF meetings, Shultz proposed the addition of Japan to the original four nations, who agreed. The informal gathering of senior financial officials from the United States, the United Kingdom, West Germany, Japan, and France became known as the "Group of Five." During 1974 the heads of state or government of the top 10 industrial nations fell due to illness or scandal: There were two elections in the UK, three chancellors of West Germany, three presidents of France, three prime ministers of Japan and Italy, and two U.S. presidents; moreover, Canadian prime minister Pierre Trudeau was forced into an early election. Of the members of the Group of Five, all were new to the job with the exception of Pierre Trudeau. As 1975 dawned, Schmidt and Giscard d'Estaing were heads of government in their respective countries, and since they both spoke fluent English, it occurred to them that they, and British Prime Minister Harold Wilson and U.S. President Gerald Ford could get together in an informal retreat and discuss election results and the issues of the day. In late spring, Giscard invited the heads of government from West Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States to a summit in Château de Rambouillet; the annual meeting of the six leaders was organized under a rotating presidency, forming the Group of Six (G6). In 1976, with Wilson out as prime minister of Britain, Schmidt and Gerald Ford felt an English speaker with more experience was needed, so Canada's Pierre Trudeau was invited to join the group and the group became the Group of Seven (G7). Since first invited by the United Kingdom in 1977 the European Union has been represented by the president of the European Commission, and the leader of the country that holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union and the Council President now also regularly attends. Until the 1985 Plaza Accord no one outside a tight official circle knew when the seven finance ministers met and what they agreed. The summit was announced the day before and a communiqué was issued afterwards. Following 1994's G7 summit in Naples, Russian officials held separate meetings with leaders of the G7 after the group's summits. This informal arrangement was dubbed the Political 8 (P8)—or, colloquially, the G7+1. At the invitation of UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and U.S. President Bill Clinton, President Boris Yeltsin was invited first as a guest observer, later as a full participant. It was seen as a way to encourage Yeltsin with his capitalist reforms. Russia formally joined the group in 1998, resulting in the Group of Eight, or G8. Food A major focus of the G8 since 2009 has been the global supply of food. At the 2009 L'Aquila summit, the G8's members promised to contribute $20 billion to the issue over three years. Since then, only 22% of the promised funds have been delivered. At the 2012 summit, President Barack Obama plans to ask G8 leaders to adopt a policy that would privatize global food investment. Russia′s participation suspension (2014) On 24 March 2014, the non-Russian G8 members cancelled the planned G8 summit that was to be held in June that year in the Russian city of Sochi, and suspended Russia′s membership of the group, blaming Russia's role in the annexation of Crimea; nevertheless, they stopped short of outright permanent expulsion. Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov downplayed the importance of the decision by the U.S. and its allies, and pointed up that major international decisions were taken by the G20 countries. Later on, the Italian Foreign Affairs minister Federica Mogherini and other Italian authorities, along with the EastWest Institute board member Wolfgang Ischinger, suggested that Russia may restore its membership in the group. In April 2015, the German foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said that Russia would be welcomed to return to G8 provided the Minsk Protocol was implemented. In 2016, he added that "none of the major international conflicts can be solved without Russia", and the G7 countries will consider Russia's return to the group in 2017. The same year, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe called for Russia's return to G8, stating that Russia's involvement is "crucial to tackling multiple crises in the Middle East". In January 2017, the Italian foreign minister Angelino Alfano said that Italy hopes for "resuming the G8 format with Russia and ending the atmosphere of the Cold War". On 13 January 2017, Russia announced that it would permanently leave the G8 grouping. Structure and activities By design, the G8 deliberately lacks an administrative structure like those for international organizations, such as the United Nations or the World Bank. The group does not have a permanent secretariat, or offices for its members. The presidency of the group rotates annually among member countries, with each new term beginning on 1 January of the year. The rotation order is: France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia(suspended), Germany, Japan, Italy, and Canada. The country holding the presidency is responsible for planning and hosting a series of ministerial-level meetings, leading up to a mid-year summit attended by the heads of government. The president of the European Commission participates as an equal in all summit events. The ministerial meetings bring together ministers responsible for various portfolios to discuss issues of mutual or global concern. The range of topics include health, law enforcement, labor, economic and social development, energy, environment, foreign affairs, justice and interior, terrorism, and trade. There are also a separate set of meetings known as the G8+5, created during the 2005 Gleneagles, Scotland summit, that is attended by finance and energy ministers from all eight member countries in addition to the five "outreach countries" which are also known as the Group of Five—Brazil, People's Republic of China, India, Mexico, and South Africa. In June 2005, justice ministers and interior ministers from the G8 countries agreed to launch an international database on pedophiles. The G8 officials also agreed to pool data on terrorism, subject to restrictions by privacy and security laws in individual countries. Global energy At the Heiligendamm Summit in 2007, the G8 acknowledged a proposal from the EU for a worldwide initiative on efficient energy use. They agreed to explore, along with the International Energy Agency, the most effective means to promote energy efficiency internationally. A year later, on 8 June 2008, the G8 along with China, India, South Korea and the European Community established the International Partnership for Energy Efficiency Cooperation, at the Energy Ministerial meeting hosted by Japan holding 2008 G8 Presidency, in Aomori. G8 Finance Ministers, whilst in preparation for the 34th Summit of the G8 Heads of State and Government in Toyako, Hokkaido, met on the 13 and 14 June 2008, in Osaka, Japan. They agreed to the "G8 Action Plan for Climate Change to Enhance the Engagement of Private and Public Financial Institutions." In closing, Ministers supported the launch of new Climate Investment Funds (CIFs) by the World Bank, which will help existing efforts until a new framework under the UNFCCC is implemented after 2012. The UNFCCC is not on track to meeting any of its stated goals. Annual summit The annual G8 leaders summit is attended by the heads of government. The member country holding the G8 presidency is responsible for organizing and hosting the year's summit. The serial annual summits can be parsed chronologically in arguably distinct ways, including as the sequence of host countries for the summits has recurred over time, series, etc. Member facts 7 of the 7 top-ranked advanced economies with the largest GDP and with the highest national wealth (United States, Japan, Germany, UK, France, Italy, Canada) last century also known as G7 7 of the 15 top-ranked countries with the highest net wealth per capita (United States, France, Japan, United Kingdom, Italy, Canada, Germany) 8 of 12 top-ranked leading export countries. 6 of 10 top-ranked countries with the largest gold reserves (United States, Germany, Italy, France, Russia, Japan). 8 of 10 top-ranked economies (by nominal GDP), according to latest (2016 data) International Monetary Fund's statistics. 5 countries with a nominal GDP per capita above US$40,000 (United States, Canada, Germany, France, United Kingdom). 5 countries with a sovereign wealth fund, administered by either a national or a state/provincial government (Russia, United States, France, Canada, Italy). 8 of 30 top-ranked nations with large amounts of foreign-exchange reserves in their central banks. 4 out of 9 countries having nuclear weapons (France, Russia, UK, United States). plus 2 countries that have nuclear weapon sharing programs (Germany, Italy). 7 of the 9 largest nuclear energy producers (United States, France, Japan, Russia, Germany, Canada, UK), although Germany announced in 2011 that it will close all of its nuclear power plants by 2022. Following the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, Japan shut down all of its nuclear reactors. However, Japan restarted several nuclear reactors, with the refueling of other reactors underway. 8 of the 15 top donors to the UN budget for the 2013 annual fiscal year. 4 countries with a HDI index for 2013 of 0.9 and higher (United States, Germany, Japan, Canada). 2 countries with the highest credit rating from Standard & Poor's, Fitch, and Moody's at the same time (Canada and Germany). 2 countries that retain the death penalty in law and practice (Japan and the United States; Russia retains the death penalty, but the regulations of the Council of Europe prohibit it from carrying out any executions). 2 countries consist of islands and have left-hand traffic (Japan and the United Kingdom; in the US Virgin Islands, they have left-hand traffic to remain compatible with the British Virgin Islands, but the rest of the United States has right-hand traffic). In the G8 states, 6 languages have official status: English in 3 countries (Canada, United Kingdom and US), French in 2 countries (Canada and France), German, Italian, Japanese, and Russian in 1 country each (Germany, Italy, Japan, and Russia). Visa policy of the G8 states Within the G8 states: Russia requires visas from the seven other countries, and Russian citizens needs visas for the seven other countries, so the citizens of no G8 member can visit all seven other countries visa-free. Canadians are the only G8 citizens who can travel to the United States without visa or ESTA. They can stay 6 months and work and study under simplified special procedure, while citizens from the other countries can stay for 3 months. Canada introduced an electronic travel authorization for visa-free eligible nationals in August 2015, and it will be mandatory on September 29, 2016. The United States, Japan, and Russia fingerprint all visitors. European members of G8: Being EU citizens, Britons, French, Germans, and Italians can live and work indefinitely in other EU countries and in the four EFTA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway). The status of EU citizen in Switzerland has to be settled in an upcoming treaty after Swiss referendum banned unlimited European immigration. G8 states and other countries: As of 2014: only Chileans and South Koreans have visa-free access to all G8 states (for the United States, ESTA is required, and Canada introduced it in August 2015). On November 22, Canada lifted the visa requirement for Chilean citizens. The citizens of Israel can travel to seven G8 states visa-free, and the United States of America is discussing legislation that makes them eligible for ESTA. Japan is the only G8 member the citizens of which can travel visa-free to the People's Republic of China. citizens of only four countries can travel visa-free both to the People's Republic of China and the United States of America (ESTA): Brunei, Japan, San Marino, and Singapore. The United States of America is the only G8 member the citizens of which can travel visa-free to Equatorial Guinea. Russians can always travel visa-free to Kazakhstan. Britons, French, Germans, Italians, and US citizens (BUT NOT Canadians) can travel visa-free to Kazakhstan from July 15, 2014 until July 15, 2015. This is part of a no-visa pilot program, but Kazakhstan has announced not to continue the program after July 2015. Currently, Russia and North Korea are discussing a visa-free regime. Cuba grants of the G8 citizens only Russians visa-free entry (30 days). The citizens of the seven other countries must obtain a tourist card from a Cuban diplomatic mission before traveling. The tourist card grants maximum stay of 30 days (90 days in case of Canadian citizens) and can be extended once for the same period. Under Cuban Assets Control Regulations, all persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction must be licensed in order to engage in any travel-related transactions pursuant to travel to, from, and within Cuba. Britons, French, Germans, and Italians can visit Australia with the eVisitor online visa (no fee), citizens of Canada, Japan, and the United States of America need the ETA online visa (with fee). Russians need the Electronic Visitor visa (with fee). Since November 27, citizens of Germany, Russia, and the United States of America have been eligible for online visas granted by India. Before that date, citizens of Japan had already been eligible for visas on arrival. (They are also eligible for online visas.) Citizens of Canada, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom will be eligible for online visas in the near future. Travel freedom of G8 citizens (May 2014) Germany, United Kingdom (British Citizen Passport), United States: 174 countries visa-free / visa on arrival (Rank: 1) Canada: 173 countries visa-free / visa on arrival (Rank: 2) France, Italy, Japan: 172 countries visa-free / visa on arrival (Rank: 3) Russia: 100 countries visa-free / visa on arrival (Rank: 38) Dual-citizenship policies of the G8 states Canada and the United States of America allow dual citizenship and are worldwide the only two industrialized democracies to grant unconditional birthright citizenship (even to children of illegal immigrants). In the United States, ESTA-eligible visitors must indicate whether they have several citizenships, and only "natural-born" citizens can be elected President or Vice President. The United States of America and the non-G8 member Eritrea are currently the only two countries worldwide to have citizenship-based taxation; contrary to some incorrect reports, China does not have such a system of taxation. France and the United Kingdom allow dual citizenship and have a restricted jus soli (at least one parent must be a citizen or a legal immigrant who has lived in the country for several years). Germany allows dual citizenship with other EU countries and Switzerland; dual citizenship with other countries is possible if obtained at birth or with special permission. For children of legal immigrants, there is a restricted jus soli: Children born on or after January 1, 2000 to non-German parents acquire German citizenship at birth if at least one parent has a permanent residence permit (and had this status for at least three years) and the parent was residing in Germany for at least eight years. The children must have lived in Germany for at least eight years or attended school for six years until their 21st birthday. Non-EU/non-Swiss-citizen parents born and grown up abroad usually cannot have dual citizenship themselves. Italy allows dual citizenship. Japan officially forbids dual citizenship. Japanese citizens who obtained a second citizenship at birth must choose one citizenship before the age of 22, or they will lose their Japanese citizenship. However, it is possible for Japanese citizens to currently have dual citizenship with another country, given special circumstances; for example, if one obtained dual citizenship prior to January 1, 1985, when the nationality law was enacted, one would retain said status into the present day. Russia allows dual citizenship, but the other citizenship must be reported to the officials. With G8+5 and the G20 all G8 countries became members of the unofficial trillion dollar club (countries with a nominal GDP in excess of US$1 trillion) by 2005. Today, 14 (out of the total of 15 so far) countries in the world are members of both the unofficial club and the G-20 major economies group. all of the G8, 15 (out of 19) of the G-20, and 12 (out of 13) G8+5-countries (minus South Africa) are among the 20 top-ranked nations by the amount of voting power and special drawing rights (SDRs) in the International Monetary Fund. All members of the G8, excluding Russia, and three G-20 nations not members of the G8, Australia, South Korea, and Argentina, have a HDI index of 0.8 or higher for 2013. Influence of member nations The G7/G8 is considered an informal forum of countries deserving the status of Great Powers. Together the eight countries making up the G8 represent about 14% of the world population, but they represent about 60% of the World wealth and 60% of the gross world product as measured by gross domestic product, all eight nations being within the top 12 countries according to the CIA World Factbook. (see the CIA World Factbook column in List of countries by GDP (nominal)), the majority of global military power (seven are in the top 8 nations for military expenditure), and almost all of the world's active nuclear weapons. In 2007, the combined G8 military spending was US$850 billion. This is 72% of the world's total military expenditures. (see List of countries and federations by military expenditures) Four of the G8 members, the United Kingdom, United States, France and Russia, together account for 96–99% of the world's nuclear weapons. (see List of states with nuclear weapons) Criticism Some criticism centres on the assertion that members of G8 do not do enough to help global problems such as Third World Debt, global warming and the AIDS epidemic—due to strict medicine patent policy and other issues related to globalization. In Unravelling Global Apartheid, the political analyst Titus Alexander described the G7, as it then was, as the 'cabinet' of global minority rule, with a coordinating role in world affairs. The conservative Heritage Foundation has criticized the G8 for advocating food security without making room for economic freedom. Relevance The G8's relevance is unclear. It still represents the major industrialized countries but critics argue that the G8 has now become unrepresentative of the world's most powerful economies. In particular, China has surpassed every economy but the United States, while Brazil has surpassed Canada (according to the IMF). Also according to the International Monetary Fund and the CIA World Factbook, India has already surpassed Canada, Italy, UK, Germany, France, and Japan in terms of purchasing power parity (see List of countries by GDP (PPP)), although remaining on the 6th position when it comes to nominal GDP. This has given rise to the idea of enlarging G8 to the G8+5, which includes these other economically powerful nations. Other critics assert, however, that the concept of a country's net wealth is different from the nation's GDP. With Vladimir Putin not attending the 2012 G8 summit at Camp David, Foreign Policy (FP) magazine argued that the summit has generally outlived its usefulness as a viable international gathering of foreign leaders. Another contributor to Foreign Policy suggested that Russia should be excluded from the G8 altogether. Yet, a third FP contributor commented in 2012, that the G8 was still relevant, despite the increasing international power and prestige of the G-20 major economies leaders' summit. British Prime Minister David Cameron said of the G8 in 2012: Some people ask, does the G8 still matter, when we have a Group of 20? My answer is, yes. The G8 is a group of like-minded countries that share a belief in free enterprise as the best route to growth. As eight countries making up about half the world's gross domestic product, the standards we set, the commitments we make, and the steps we take can help solve vital global issues, fire up economies and drive prosperity all over the world. Current leaders Youth 8 Summit The Y8 Summit or simply Y8, formerly known as the G8 Youth Summit is the youth counterpart to the G8 summit. The first summit to use the name Y8 took place in May 2012 in Puebla, Mexico, alongside the Youth G8 that took place in Washington, D.C. the same year. The Y8 Summit brings together young leaders from G8 nations and the European Union to facilitate discussions of international affairs, promote cross-cultural understanding, and build global friendships. The conference closely follows the formal negotiation procedures of the G8 Summit. The Y8 Summit represents the innovative voice of young adults between the age of 18 and 35. The delegates jointly come up with a consensus-based written statement in the end, the Final Communiqué. This document is subsequently presented to G8 leaders in order to inspire positive change. The Y8 Summit is organised annually by a global network of youth-led organisations called The IDEA (The International Diplomatic Engagement Association). The organisations undertake the selection processes for their respective national delegations, while the hosting country is responsible for organising the summit. Now, several youth associations are supporting and getting involved in the project. For instance, every year, the Young European Leadership association is recruiting and sending EU Delegates. The goal of the Y8 Summit is to bring together young people from around the world to allow the voices and opinions of young generations to be heard and to encourage them to take part in global decision-making processes. The Y8 Summit 2014 in Moscow was suspended due to the suspension of Russia from the G8. See also References Further reading Bayne, Nicholas and Robert D. Putnam. (2000). Hanging in There: The G7 and G8 Summit in Maturity and Renewal. Aldershot, Hampshire: Ashgate Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7546-1185-1; OCLC 43186692 Haas, P.M. (1992). "Introduction. Epistemic communities and international policy coordination," International Organization 46, 1:1–35. Hajnal, Peter I. (1999). The G8 system and the G20 : Evolution, Role and Documentation. Aldershot, Hampshire: Ashgate Publishing. ISBN 9780754645504; OCLC 277231920 Kokotsis, Eleonore. (1999). Keeping International Commitments: Compliance, Credibility, and the G7, 1988–1995. New York: Garland Publishing. ISBN 9780815333326; OCLC 40460131 Reinalda, Bob and Bertjan Verbeek. (1998). Autonomous Policy Making by International Organizations. London: Routledge. ISBN 978-0-203-45085-7; OCLC 39013643 External links G8 Information Centre, G8 Research Group, University of Toronto "Special Report: G8", Guardian Unlimited "Profile: G8", BBC News "We are deeply concerned. Again", New Statesman, 4 July 2005, —G8 development concerns since 1977 G8 Information Centre Finance Ministers Meetings "G8: Cooking the books won't feed anyone", Oxfam International "Dear G8 Leaders, don't lie about your aid", Oxfam International Blogs "Wait, the G-8 still exists?", Foreign Policy Magazine "Is this the last G-8 summit meeting?", Foreign Policy Magazine http://www.un.org/french/pubs/chronique/2006/numero1/0106p54.htm "The Group of Eight, ECOSOC and the Constitutional Paradox" No. of G8 Summit Protestors (1998-2015) Katapult-Magazin ) ) ) )
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Andy McCarthy is making the same point that I, and probably others, was making earlier today with regard to the Underpants Terrorist. Since this administration treats terrorists like shoplifters, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab will likely exercise his right to remain silent, lawyer up, and reveal nothing to investigators.
Imagine the information this clod could provide if he were actually treated like a terrorist! Training with al Qaeda in Yemen is bound to be somewhat interesting to interrogators. Any knowledge of future attacks? Names of active terrorists? Locations? Anything? No, as a result, we'll get nothing but, as McCarthy puts it, a "success" in the books of the Obama administration for catching a terrorist:
Here, no thanks to the government, the plane was not destoyed, and we won't get to the bottom of the larger conspiracy (enabling the likes of Napolitano to say there's no indication of a larger plot — much less one launched by an international jihadist enterprise) because the guy got to lawyer up rather than be treated like a combatant and subjected to lengthy interrogation. But the terrorist will be convicted at trial (this "case" tees up like a slam-dunk), so the administration will put it in the books as a success ... just like the Clinton folks did after the '93 WTC bombers and the embassy bombers were convicted. In their minds, litigation success equals national security success.
Honestly, they don't get it and it scares the crap out of me.
Maybe this is what Napolitano meant when she said "the system worked." Maybe she's thinking about the future conviction. What a dolt.
Because, trust me, "the system" didn't work. And it isn't going to at this rate.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
"This 'case' tees up like a slam-dunk."
Posted by Pat Austin at 4:12 PM
1 comment:
This woman, as well as the other idiots in the current administration, is living proof that you don't let children play where adults need to work.
If it weren't so damned serious, watching Obama and his League of Nincompoops would be hilarious, but millions of lives are at stake, as well as the well being of this county, so it's not one bit funny.
- December 28, 2009 at 3:33 PM
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subset: commoncrawl


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Meeting Her.Mature
This is a tale about two girls who fall for each other.
Cassie Hart.
Pulling on my short denim shorts, I stare at the girl in the mirror. My long legs have bronzed beautifully in the summer sun. The white and blue bikini top was definitely a great buy, if I do say so myself. The blue brings out the colour of my eyes and the bikini is very complimentary.
"Yo Cass, you going to get your arse down here or are we going to the beach without you?" I laugh at the deep voice of Jamie from downstairs. "I'm coming." Tying my long bleach blonde hair I wink at my reflection before grabbing my drawstring bag and walking out of my room.
The white walls of our villa shine happily as I link arms with Jamie whilst swigging Nick's beer. "We were thinking that after a few hours at the beach, we can go to this models house party." Amy says, wrapping her arms around Nick and kissing him passionately.
I roll my eyes before applying some sun block and grabbing my surf board.
After a few minutes' walk, our feet sink into the warm sand. The sounds of the beach greet us.
Laying down a beach towel, I place a pair of thick sunglasses on my nose as I lay on my back. My eyes roam the bodies.
"So Cass, is today the day you finally realise that you are head over heels in love with me?" Jamie smiles cockily, taking off his shirt to reveal his brown chiselled torso. I laugh lightly, shaking my head. "Ah honey, you know that I don't swing that way." My eyes gaze over to the sea, watching people laughing and enjoying themselves in the waves.
"You only say that now but-" I ignore Jamie as he rambles on with our usual banter as Amy and Nick are glued to each other's faces. I bite my bottom lip as a pair of long legs catches my attention.
Her body is lean as she sways towards the sea. Her laughter causes a small smile to touch my lips.
Jumping to my feet, I put my board under my arm and jog out to sea.


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International Edition
May 29, 2017
About Us
Contact Us
Retired generals must earn the respect of the nation
The China Post news staff Wednesday, June 4, 2014, 12:00 am TWN
In most countries, military personnel are seen as having a noble profession.
That is not the case in Taiwan, however, when servicemen and women are not as well-respected as their foreign counterparts despite the Taiwanese military's repeated calls for the people to show them more respect.
The reason behind the relatively low social status of military personnel on the island nation is a series of scandals that have erupted over the past few years, including sexual harassment cases and occasional espionage cases involving high-ranking military officials, such as the case of Lo Hsien-che (羅賢哲), a former Army major general who was sentenced to life imprisonment after being convicted of carrying out espionage on behalf of Beijing.
Two recent cases centering on retired generals again remind us why military personnel, whether active or retired, are not given respect.
An investigative report released by the Control Yuan last Wednesday accused the Veterans Affairs Commission (VAC, 退輔會) of political patronage in its appointing of retired military personnel to top managment positions in VAC-affiliated companies.
According to the Control Yuan report, between 2010 and Oct. 2013, 33 out of 34 people sent by the VAC to 12 of its affiliated companies to serve as senior managers were retired generals.
They were given an average annual salary of NT$1.5 million, and one of them enjoys an annual income as high as NT$4.3 million, the report said.
These retired military personnel are now receiving even higher pay than was the case in their previous posts in the military, the Control Yuan report said.
The government watchdog agency warned that the VAC's move has dealt a serious blow to the government's image, especially in a time of economic downturn when most nationals have not seen their salary increase in years.
In response to the report, instead of conducting a review, VAC Minister Tung Hsiang-lung (董翔龍) fended off the political patronage accusation during an interpellation session at the Legislative Yuan last Thursday, stressing that hiring retired generals to top management posts at VAC-invested private companies was actually "beneficial to the national economic situation."
In his argument, Tung, a former Navy commander, said these top positions would cost the VAC a lot of money if they decided to hire ordinary citizens instead of retired generals.
All of them waived their rights to receive a monthly retirement pension before taking up the positions in VAC-invested companies, he added, stressing that the decision has saved at least NT$30 million in taxpayer money.
Tung added that these retired generals have to endure tremendous pressure because they are now responsible for the operation of private companies.
1 Comment
June 3, 2014 LMAO@
What the suicide of a young writer reveals
It's time to move on from Lin Yi-han to the rest of society
Taiwan's vegetarian scene is thriving — and we should be proud
Frenzy over writer's death obscures the real Lin Yi-han
Tsai's 'new realities' are just empty platitudes
KMT division imminent without a fair leadership race
Taiwan, US need close military ties more than ever
Tsai's hand is at play in academy naming spat
Taiwan should rethink homegrown subs
Traffic tax won't solve Freeway No. 5 nightmare


text:
Beyond Capacity
Letting it fill to the brim.
It bubbles up and threatens to spill over.
The pressure builds and the only thing keeping it in is the tension of my skin.
Cracks appear and some of it slips through.
Some notice, others don't.
I cover the cracks as fast as they appear like the little boy at the dyke.
As I lay, I feel the leaks' forming as the pressure becomes unbearable.
I can feel it boil beneath my skin until I can't stand it anymore
and the rain water flows freely, flooded me.
As sudden as it started, it's done and the pressure builds once more.


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text: I was letting my computer download steam games, CSS and L4d2. And it unexpectedly crashed !!! And recently I downloaded a screensaver found here: Living Waterfalls 2 Screensaver | Screensaver.com I'm thinking it could be from screensaver but I ran the file for viruses by AVAST and that didn't detect anything. So i'm wondering about you're guys' opinion. Also here is the .dmpView attachment 080811-36285-01.rar Thanks


text:
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Check Out the new Remax App
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Bank Owned. Wonderful Investment property which has been totally refurbished. Live on lg side & rent the charming spacious 1 BR (has rented for $450) or live on small side & let the lg apt make your payment. Must see the interior improvements to appreciate. Lg side is 3 BRs w/2465 sq ft. Small side is lg BR w/807 sq ft. Recent roof-windows-HVAC-flrg-walls-kitchens & BAs. NICE FINISH!!


text:
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Customer Service: 1.800.778.2217
The American Lock No. A1105 Aluminum Padlock features a 1-1/2in (38mm) wide anodized aluminum body with a 1in (25mm) tall, 1/4in (6mm) diameter chrome plated, boron alloy shackle for superior cut resistance. The anodized finish makes padlock suitable for lockout in food processing facilities and corrosion resistant finish ideal for tough environments.


text:
Your Store:
item(s) totaling $
|This product doesnt fit any of your saved vehicles
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Q:what is the shaft length?
1 answer
A:Hi John, happy to assist you! I have searched online, but unable to find the shaft length for this AutoCraft Electrical Switches - Specialty - Starter Switches - Push Button Brass - (Part No. 86915). For further assistance, please feel free to call us at: 1-877-ADVANCE (238-2623) or contact our "Live Chat" support and one of our Parts Pros will gladly assist you with any questions or concerns you may have.
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A:Hi Tudac3, glad to assist you! Advance Auto Parts does sell Made in the USA products as well as products manufactured from many other countries in order to keep our pricing competitive. Please also keep in mind that many suppliers have multiple manufacturing plants that could result in different countries of origin for the same part.
Q:how to install push button starter on a 1991 chevy truck
1 answer
A:With reference to your inquiry on the Autocraft Electrical Switches - Specialty - Starter Switches - Push Button Brass - part# 86915, disconnect the vehicle battery negative cable from the battery. Determine the best location for the push button switch. It should be in an area of the dashboard which can be easily reached by the driver. Use an electric drill and a drill bit of sufficient size to drill a hole large enough to mount the switch. Check your switch for the size as it can vary from one brand to another. Locate the starter solenoid. It will be found under the hood and on the inner fender or it will be built on to the starter. Strip approximately 1/4 inch of insulation from one end of the 14 gauge wire. Using the crimping tool, crimp a solderless terminal of the type necessary to fit the lugs on the back of your push button switch to the stripped end of this wire. Attach to the switch. Run the wire through the firewall and out to the solenoid. Install a solderless terminal which will fit the solenoid terminal to the wire and attach to the solenoid. Fabricate a second wire and attach it to the switch. Connect the opposite end to a 12 volt power source or directly to the positive terminal of the vehicle battery. Mount the switch in the dash board and reconnect the vehicle battery. For any further assistance, please feel free to call us at: 1-877-238-2623 or visit the nearest Advance Auto Parts store and one of our Parts Pros will gladly assist you with any questions or concerns you may have.
Q:will this work on my dodge ram 1500
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A:Yes, this Dorman - Conduct-Tite Push-Button Brass Starter Switch works with your Dodge Ram 1500. It is an ideal part for all terraine vehicles, farm and marine applications.
Q:can this be wired to bypass the ignition to the solenoid to start a '91 mazda b 2200 ?
1 answer
A:Yes, it will work but do not exceed the 15 amp rating.
Q:will i ever need my keys again
1 answer
A:Depends on how you wire it up.
Q:Will this switch work for hooking to a motorcycle engine and 12v battery to do compression testing?
1 answer
A:It is a universal part, so you may be able to figure out a way to hook it up to work just like it would with a car or truck.


text:
Home >> 3cmx3cm Meshy Hole White Fishing Netting Gill Fish Net 40m x 1m
|Product Name
|Fishing Gill Net
|Monofilament , Plastic
|Net Size
|40 x 1m / 131ft x 3.3ft(L*W)
|Net Hole Size
3 x 3cm / 1.2" x 1.2"(L*W)
|Package Content
|1 x Fishing Gill Net
- The Monofilament Gill Net have trammel gill net with float.
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text:
The Larsons see what is happening, and they furiously paddle
towards Emily. When they get within a few feet, David
Stop the boat, dad! I'm going in
after her. I'm a strong swimmer,
and she can't stay afloat much
longer. Her head keeps going
Alright son, but kneel on the
seat, and dive in gently. Any
sharp movement is going to dump
us all in!
David dives in While Mark and Estelle steady the canoe.
I'm going in too, Mr. Larson, OK?
Mark nods, and Kyle dives in after David. The boys haven't
quite reached Emily when she rolls onto her face and stops
struggling. She has swallowed so much water that she has
begun to drown.
Hang on Em, we're coming. Hang on!
When David reaches her she is floating face downward,
unconscious. He grabs her around the waist and rolls her
over to get her face out of the water. Kyle arrives and
holds the collar of her life jacket.
See if you can pull her upright by
the collar, Kyle. She's full of
water, I have to force it out. I
can't give her CPR in the water,
but I'm going to try something I
learned in swim class.
David gets behind her while Kyle holds her up by the
lifejacket. He puts his arms under her rib cage and locks
his hands together. He pushes in and up strongly with his
fists,and water and air is forced to come out of her mouth.
He does this several times until she starts breathing on her
own, spitting out water.
Oh thank God, she's breathing!
Great job, boys! We'll have to
get her back in the boat.
By this time, the two canoes are only a few feet apart, with
the boys and Emily in the water between them. The two boys
are treading water while they hold her upright. When
she stops coughing and sputtering she opens her eyes.
I'm sorry mommy, I'm sorry daddy, I didn't mean to tip the
boat. I was so scared I fogot how to swim.I wanna go home!
None of this is your fault, Em.
You've never been in a canoe
before. We didn't know that you
would get sea sick. I'm going to
hold out my paddle, and I want
you to hold onto it. The boys can
steady the boat while I haul you
Emily holds onto the oar with both hands as Barry slowly
pulls her to the side. Colleen kneels in the bottom bracing
herself, while she reaches over and picks up Emily under the
arms. She lifts the girl into the boat. Joanie hugs her and
rubs her arms to warm them.
I thought you were going to drown!
Oh Em, what would I do without
you? Don't ever do that again,
I won't. I don't think I'll go
canoing anymore!
I'm going to pull you boys in one
at a time. Kyle, take the end of
my oar. David can steady the boat
while I haul you in. Then we'll
all bring David in.
When the boys are in the boat, both canoes head for
shore.The boats are moored, and everyone climbs up on the
pier. David carries a blanket over to Emily, who huddles in
a towel on the pier.
I got this from the car, Em. It's
warmer than a towel.
He shyly drapes it over her shoulders and sits beside her.
You're annoying sometimes,
but..um..I guess...
(blurts out)
I like you, I don't want to lose
you. You really scared me out
Blushing profusely , he gets up and joins the men and Kyle
as they load up the vehicles. Joanie joins Emily and hands
her a steaming paper cup.
Here, drink this Em. It's hot
chocolate. It'll warm you
up.There's a coffee shop over at
the end of the docks. Are you
hungry? I can get you something.
No, I'm OK now. Stop fussing about
me!! Mrs. Larson is a nurse, she
checked me out really
good.There's no more water in my
lungs.I think She's really proud
of David's quick thinking. I am
too, he saved my life!
Emily leans in close to Joanie and whispers
David says he likes me and he
doesn't want to lose me!
Really? Neat! I guess I'm not too
surprised. You've been telling
everybody that he's your
boyfriend since we first met him!
Maybe he finally took the hint. I
think what happened today scared
everybody.. a lot. If David and
Kyle hadn't got to me in time..
Maybe he almost did lose me.


text:
Wowsers! This is page is old, head to the LIVE Planet PDF Forum. It features more than 10 conferences, covering everything from beginner to in-depth developer and pre-press discussions. If you wish to continue... one & two archive covers 1999-2011 (160,000 pages).
New Forum | Previous | Next | (P-PDF) Acrobat 6.0
Topic: Dynamic Form Creation
Conf: (P-PDF) Acrobat 6.0, Msg: 85787
From: HeatherBrumm
Date: 4/9/2003 07:15 AM
I am interested to know whether Acrobat 6.0 Professional has
improved the ability to create dynamic PDF forms (submitting FDF
data to a server database through a CGI script and serving the
data back out to the PDF for edits via a PDF form in a web page).
Does anyone know of any 3rd party software packages that make
this process really easy. Is there a new FDF tool kit? Is there a
CGI script that can be used and edited to work with simple forms
to help me learn this process? Do I need to wait for the new FDF
tool kit to get my answers?
The ultimate plug-in for Adobe Acrobat. Advanced splitting, merging, stamping, bookmarking, and link...Download free demo
It's simple to use and will let you preview and edit PDF files, it's a Windows application that makes...Download free demo
Planet PDF talks with another Master of the PDF Universe, Eugene Y. Xiong, Founder and Chairman of the Board at Foxit Software Inc. in Fremont California. Xiong is a quiet yet astounding achiever, you (usually) won't find him talking at conferences, exhibits, or publishings, but what you will find is the result of his leadership in places you would never expect.
The ultimate plug-in for Adobe Acrobat. Advanced splitting, merging, stamping, bookmarking, and link control. Take Acrobat to the next level.
OK, so you want to stamp your document. Maybe you need to give reviewers some advice about the document's status or sensitivity. This tip from author Ted Padova demonstrates how to add stamps with the Stamp Tool along with related comments.
To connect, read Foxit's Blog and Debenu's Blog, follow Foxit Software on Twitter, or join the Foxit Software's LinkedIn group. Planet PDF, Debenu Quick PDF Library - Foxit PDF SDK and Debenu PDF SDK are all © 2016 Foxit Software and Debenu Pty Ltd . All rights reserved. Privacy
To connect, read Foxit's Blog, follow Foxit Software on Twitter, or join the Foxit Software's LinkedIn group. Planet PDF, Debenu Quick PDF Library - Foxit PDF SDK and ARTS PDF are all © 2016 Foxit Software. All rights reserved. Privacy


text:
It only takes a minute to get started. Fill out our uncomplicated sign up form and login to the site.
This step is discretionary but will seriously boost your chances of people actually reading your profile and contacting you. Write about yourself, your pasttimes and atach your nicest photo of yourself.
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Located someone who ticks all the boxes? Send a letter to them or just a wink and see what develops from there. With a little luck you'll be on your way to discovering your soulmate.
It only takes a few minutes


text:
BRITAIN'S barristers will be a depleted force by the end of the century because of "extremely large fees".
Roger Smith, Legal Action Group director, told a Nottingham Law School's litigation school 'Question Time' session in London that the number of barristers would fall by 25 per cent in two years and by 50 per cent in 10 years.
Andrew Lockley, the Law Society's director of legal practice, added: "The press today is able to pick up on some of the extremely large fees which are being charged by barristers.
"As the number of barristers shrinks, solicitors will be able to increase the pressure for lower fees for our clients and that must be a good thing."
But Bar Council member Hilary Heilbron, a barrister at Brick Court Chambers, said: "The press only picks up on the most extreme cases. They forget that we spend an awful lot of time on legal aid work."
She pointed out that Lord Alexander has recently recommended the introduction of "estimates" so that clients can decide at an early stage whether to continue with a case or not.
She said that the bar would shrink "at the junior end".
Lord Justice Millett said: "The Bar will dwindle at the lower end upwards so at the High Court there will still be a practical monopoly – and that comforts me."
Lockley said: "It is essential that it survives as a specialist, expert cadre."


text:
PHNOM PENH (Xinhua) – Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Banh and his visiting Thai counterpart Prawit Wongsuwan on Wednesday pledged to enhance security and maintain peace along the border of the two countries.
"We agreed to increase cooperation in security and peace along the border," Tea Banh told a joint press conference after the 10th meeting of Cambodia-Thailand General Border Committee.
He said the two neighbors will intensify cooperation in prevention and suppression on human and drug trafficking, labor exploitation, illegal logging and all kinds of trans-border crimes.
"We also agreed to enhance cooperation in fighting against terrorism and cracking down on weapon smuggling," he added.
The two ministers also pledged to improve the livelihoods of the peoples along the border through facilitating daily trade activities and pushing for the establishment of special economic zones in border provinces.
The Thai government has planned to turn Thai-Cambodian border markets into "special economic areas" to accommodate next year's opening of an Asean Economic Community.
Gen Pravit's trip to Cambodia followed last October's official visit to the Cambodian capital by Thai Premier Gen Prayut Chan-o- cha during which he met with Hun Sen and other top Cambodian government officials.
Accompanying the Thai deputy premier to Phnom Penh are army chief Gen Udomdet Sitabut, navy chief Adm Kraisorn Chansuvanit, air force chief ACM Tritod Sonjaeng, police chief Pol Gen Somyod Pumpandmoung, supreme commander Gen Vorapong Sa-nganet and undersecretary of defense Gen Sirichai Dithakul.
Gen Udomdet concurrently assumes a deputy defence portfolio in the Thai military-led government.
Relationships between Thailand and Cambodian turned sour during the tenure of former Thai premier Abhisit Vejjajiva which saw sporadic clashes along the common border killing and wounding dozens of soldiers and villagers on both sides. The border situation largely improved during the reign of former Thai leader Yingluck Shinawatra.
The current Thai leader earlier commented that Thai-Cambodian relationships are yet to be restored to the extent that both Asean member states mutually benefit from economic cooperation and jointly develop natural resources.
As many as 200,000 Cambodian migrant workers, mostly being illegally hired in Thailand, scrambled to return home via border passes shortly after Gen Prayut and other Thai top brass members seized power from the Yingluck government in the May 22 coup.
The Cambodians, employed for jobs at construction sites and farms in Bangkok's outlying areas and other parts of the country, feared they might be arrested as illegal workers by Thai authorities.


text:
trowing up
- Size: 640px
- Quality: High
- Size: 5.39 MB 212.77 KB
This Gif entitled trowing up was created from the youtube video 3 years ago. It uses 18 frames per second and is displayed at 640px resolution. This animated image plays for 3 seconds, was built with high quality and an estimated weight of 5.39 MB for download. This animation was originally created from the Eggnog Challenge: A Merry Christmas Of Puke video from 02:16 to 02:19.
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text:
Home >> Sky Blue Protective Cover Soft Plastic Guard for HTC G2
- Sky Blue Protective Cover Soft Plastic Guard for HTC G2.
- This HTC G2 Sky Blue Cover with your nobile phone, pretty and trency.
- Pretty surface is important for a morden cellphone, HTC G2 Protective Cover is pretty enough for a beauty.
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text:
'So what, I'm supposed to tell you about how amazing the society I live in used to be?' Reizele asked.
'Well, yes,' Jacob said.
The group looked at Reizele, their eyes full of hope. Reizele, in turn, looked at the ground. How could she tell them that, despite the fact that their society was, in her eyes, a dictatorship, life in her own society was chaotic, unpleasant, dirty, and unfair compared to here? She had heard things here from Pen and from them that were very suspicious and made her wonder how on earth they even worked when combined with the natural diversity in the minds of humans. The people that she had seen here looked happy. Did they even know they weren't exactly free? Would their lives be better if they did? The things that were constantly promoted in both liberal and social democracy, such as respect, empathy, selflessness, creativity and hard work seemed to come naturally here, but this system was in no way democratic. Still, Marx would probably have been delighted at the mere thought of the possibility of a system like this one, while Locke could power a whole city from rolling in his grave right now.
Still, what could she do? Even though this system didn't seem as horrible to Reizele as it did to YURA, they did have the right to know about freedom. So she told them as much as she possibly could without judgement. She explained the concept of liberalism, to a certain extent: as a Medicine student, she didn't know everything, and not everything interested her. The young people sucked up every word like greedy human-sized sponges, and Cog even started taking notes at some point. Reizele finished talking about liberalism and started to tell them about socialism, the system she knew most about, the system that appealed to her most. She underlined important differences between Modeste's rule and Marx's socialism, as well as parallels. She explained why she agreed with Marx and, carefully, why she agreed with Modeste too, as far as she could with the little knowledge she had of him. When she finally stopped talking, the silence in the room was smothering. She looked around.
'Did I say something wrong?' she asked.
Jacob scratched his head.
'No, you told us what we wanted to know,' he said.
'It's not what we wanted to hear though, partly, because it does sound a bit like your system was failing itself and humanity,' Cog piped up, carefully.
'It was, that's why I disagree with it,' Reizele said, nodding.
Gemma stood up so abruptly that she almost tripped over herself.
'But it was free,' she said.
'It was free, the people were free, and there was no Mark Modeste!'


text:
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Creamy, long-lasting, hard-milled soap with Vitamin E provides gentle cleansing action, as it helps soothe and protect skin. Leaves skin lightly fragranced with the provocative scent of COCO. Gentle enough for the most delicate skin.
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More from: CHANEL


text:
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text:
Um I just overheard that the new guy spent a month in jail. Obvi another great hire.
Last night I dipped into my beer fund to pay for groceries. SINCE WHEN ARE MY PRIORITIES SO WHACK???
man, work is way more interesting with these acid flashbacks.
I'm sitting the next couple hours out. Puking in a potted plant really put shit into perspective for me.
19 Confessions From A Dude With A Micropenis
and on the fourth day, god made foam parties.
They should try giving mcdonalds to cancer patients because it just cured the worst hangover ive ever had
do you ever get flashbacks of ppl you had sex with and just shudder at how gross they were/how drunk you were?
story of my life.
Just opened a bottle with my rape whistle. At least it's finally getting used for something.
we're going to dress like we're asking for it, because we are
17 Exes Admit Why They Were Crazy In Their Past Relationship
he said no sex till date three. i said the party was one, mcdonalds two and that i would take him with me to buy cigs for date three.
do you wanna get some fucking pussy tonight.....THEN DRESS LIKE IT
I just hotboxed my laundry basket.
yesterday, he said he didn't trust me around his daughter because "if she was wrapped in rolling paper u'd smoke her." yup.
i dont want to stoop that low. but my dick does.


text:
Posted November 6, 2012 by Global Vito in Heavy Hitters
The Heavy Hitters own DJ Lonnie B Obama Motivation Mix [Audio]
WE ALL HAVE A VOICE… And since they say DJs speak with their hands, go to ObamaMix.Com and hear The Heavy Hitters own DJ Lonnie B. GO OUT AND VOTE!!!!! Fired Up?!?! Ready To Go!!!


text:
I'm a lover of old, such as history and the simple enjoyment of nature and animals. I don't have Netflix or Internet or basic network/cable in my apartment, which I suppose is unusual. It also takes me a long time to update to any new(er) technology.
I'm an honest asshole, but not without compassion or genuine empathy/sympathy towards others' feelings. I'm not overtly girly, although i do have my moments.
Huge movie buff, if the bit about collection of actor photos didn't tip you off. Looking for a good conversation and an adventure.
FILMS: Tetro, La Reine Margot, Desperately Seeking Susan, Moonstruck, True Romance, Rebel Without A Cause, A Streetcar named Desire, On the Waterfront, East Of Eden, Pulp Fiction, A Clockwork Orange, X Y & Zee, Animal House, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Blazing Saddles, Play Misty For Me, The Conspirator, The Elephant Man, The Shining, Life of Brian, Meaning of Life, The Godfather I & II...
SHOWS: Monty Python's Flying Circus
MUSIC: The Beatles, The Subways, Jet, The Blue Van, Damndogs, Van Morrison, Prince, The Rolling Stones, AC/DC, The Who, The Kinks, The Yardbirds, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, Led Zepplin, Romans, Black Sabbath, Bangles, Humblepie, Small Faces, Faces, Melo-M, Herman's Hermits, Heart, Mando Diao... (DO NOT LIKE ska, old school reggae: Trojan records. I am not a fan of 90's or current rap, hip-hop, most metal bands, or house music: unless it's the Bestie Boys!)
COMEDIANS: George Carlin, Billy Connelly, Iliza Shelsinger, Ed Byrne, Eddie Izzard, robin Williams, tom segura, Louis c.k.
Artists: Juan Munoz, Marcel Duchamp, Rene Magritte
My inner child
(My arithmetic is horrible, but then again I did go to art school so..)
Which musicians link the following bands together: The Small Faces, The Faces, Humble Pie, and the Rolling Stones
-you resemble Joshua Leonard, a young Paul McCartney, James McAvoy, or Dante Basco (just kidding, but seriously)
-you can hold an intelligent conversation and have a dry sense of humor
-are in the military (I'm sure you're awesome, but no thank you)
-you are only looking for something casual.
-like ska, hip-hop, rap, reggae
-heavy drinker and partier


text:
WRITTEN IN HONOR OF THE October the 14th 2008 ALIEN ARRIVAL AS HERALDED BY a channeler who represents the 'galatic federation of light'
SEE YOUTUBE SEARCH UNDER OCTOBER 14th 2008
Disclaimer: I have no claims to ANYTHING. No aliens where hurt in the writing of this story, but if aliens do land I really hope to get on board a ship! Don't shoot the writer!
I guess it started like any other day, the credit card bill had arrived and so had the gas and electricity bills and a letter from the government. Katrin concluded it just was not the day to get out of bed. Since the mail arrived at about One O'clock in the afternoon, she was already planning to make herself a late lunch and sit down to her favorite detective shows and slowly open the mail while drinking her coffee, hoping that it might make the bills a little bit easier to swallow. It did but not by much. It was as she was about to open begrudgingly the credit card when all hell broke loose and she started to hear screams in the street, cars moving out at speed and general mayhem. Even her favorite program was interrupted and Katrin ideally thought how could anyone interrupt Diagnosis Murder just as they where going to announce who did it, when she actually heard what the terrified newscaster was saying.
Katrin went immediately to her window, the post and it's implications temporarily forgotten, and looked up into the sky. Yup it was finally and absolutely proven aliens did exist and they had landed or that was what the newscaster was saying and if, as Katrin was doing, you looked up into the sky, you could definitely see the big (and I do mean big) ships that literally blocked out the sun hovering like giants skyscrapers that had been dumped on their side and floated in mid-air.
It was then that Katrin paid attention to the news, not that she did not keep upto date with the news, most of the time, but this was different Earth had entered the Space age and she wanted to hear just how the government was going to try and cover this up. The answer was it didn't. The united nations decided to open their arms to the intergalactic visitors and the world stopped worrying about the credit crunch. People where filled with hope, trekkies where filled with dreams and Conspiracy theorists where now wondering what to do for a living. Of course the guy who foretold the coming of the aliens was heralded as a ambassador and not the crackpot, he used to be.
Of course Katrin, realized that the world would be tilted but the bills still had to be faced. At least now the credit crunch was history. So being the pragmatist all her family had accused her of being, along with accusations of flights of fancy and well not being normal, Katrin decided that she would first open the mail and finish her coffee, then she would log on and see what the internet provided as to information instead of scare stories. Lastly, she would clean and sharpen her knife collection. She was after all a pragmatist and she wanted to be ready, just in case the visitors turned nasty.
It was with these thoughts running though her head that she opened the letter from the government, wondering how much more of her hard earned tax dollars the government wanted. On starting to read the letter / invitation, that was included, she decided she needed something a little stronger then coffee. Now as all good conspiracy writers have known for untold ages, the government is and has always been in league with the aliens. This was proven totally and utterly true beyond any shadow of a doubt because the letter was a invitation to join a select group (chosen at random), who where invited to tour the main ship of the fleet. It ended with this statement which shows bureaucracy in the ultimate degree, "If for any reason you cannot make the appointment, please call the Ministry of Defense with your reasons. They will redirect you to the appropriate office to deal with your problem." Yup thought Katrin, and the men in white coats won't be far behind them either.
The group would have 1st class treatment all the way, starting with a limo to the new space port at Gatwick. Katrin now understood why the government had been so behind the improvements at Gatwick. She also wondered what the planning department had said to receiving plans for a space port instead of a new runway. Shaking her head she decided to have another coffee, the wine was nice but she needed a clear head, the group met in two days and she wanted to be ready. Katrin also decided to drag out her picnic basket because she would bring some earthen delights just in case she found that, even with her strong stomach, she could not digest what would be served. The group was meant to stay on the mother-ship (for lack of a better name) for a week, meeting aliens and discussing things. It seemed the aliens wanted to know the view of the people and not just the leaders. Of course the leaders agreed immediately and without any reservations, well none that they voiced anyway. For them it was simple, if the aliens wanted, the aliens got. This shows you what kind of leaders we have currently.
It was the morning of the meet and the limo was parked outside waiting. Katrin was dressed in her usual sweater, t-shirt, trousers and leather jacket and while placing her picnic basket in the back of the car, she noticed that the driver was looking rather oddly at her.
Katrin, "What' wrong"
Driver, "Well, it's just that, could you not have hmmm dressed better and I am sure, you are going to get fed, you know." Katrin moved into the car and sat down and smiled. "One, this is better, I picked my nicest trousers, and two how do you know that we'll be able to eat what they provide. Have you seen what Klingons call food or dare I suggest the meals shown in the TV series V. We or at least I have no knowledge on what the aliens think normal humans eat."
The driver nodded his head, "True, I never thought of that. So what did you bring. You never know they may want a taste of it themselves."
Katrin, "Oh you know the usual picnic items, bread, butter, cheese, salami, tomatoes, lettuce, peanuts and a nice bottle of wine." At that they drove off, to the meeting and Katrin thought the driver might think her a bit nuts but no matter. She had of course not mentioned that the basket also contained 4 forks, 4 spoons and 4 very sharp knives, alongside a nice carving knife. She was also carrying two cameras with quite a few memory cards. Now Katrin did not want to cause any sort of trouble, she just wanted to be ready if trouble found her. You may ask why two cameras but you see Katrin had a unusual hobby involving night time photography, so she had a normal camera and a infra-red camera, and on this trip she brought both.
Actually, everything went better then expected. A alien Captain type was on hand to greet the group and assign a alien helper to each person, to help out in any situation and to see to the humans needs while they where on the mother ship, or so he said, Katrin thought giving the twenty some looking alien, a once over. This captain who went by the human name Joshua, then presented the humans each with a card, explaining that should they wish to purchase anything, they could use these. Katrin, first question was, "where would she purchase anything. Wasn't the mother ship all laboratories and workshops. Joshua explained that being so far from home (about 25 light years), one or two ships in the fleet where assigned to certain pass time activities, that he felt sure human would enjoy. Her next question was obvious "How much is on the cards". Joshua simple said that the cards had enough to suffice. Katrin obviously wondered how much was considered enough.
Katrin was pondering this when see saw out of the corner of her eye, the alien pick up her picnic basket, so she turned and asked what his name was and where he was taking her picnic basket. Now his response on later reflection was the first sign that earth delegates where bound to put their collective foot straight into trouble. Not that even Katrin, thought anything of the fact that instead of saying a name, he answered with a long series of digits, about 20 long. He followed that up with stating that he was taking the basket to her assigned chambers, and could see follow him so that she could agree that everything was to her liking. Katrin's first thought was how polite he was, and she asked if she could call him Tom. He nodded so she figured he agreed to it. "OK, Lead on Tom." and with that Katrin was off to her new quarters for the next week.
Now you may wonder how by a simple answer to a even simpler question was it obviously to the meanest intelligent civilized person that trouble was not only knocking on the door but you had actually invited it in. Well it was a difference of culture, something that was as normal as walking the prevail dog, to the aliens that is and the ambassador put his foot in it on the first day at dinner time, when he congratulated the host on the excellent tour of the ship, the humans had received since them entered the ship. The helpers had answered all their questions and added some explanations when needed. The ambassador went on to ask if these helpers where going to be the aliens first ambassadors to earth. The Host laughed of course not, he said. It was at this point that the ambassador put his foot in it, when he said "that it was sad because his helper had asked if the ambassador would like him to stay on earth with him and help him learn more.". It was then that the Host stated that the helper should not have done that. The ambassador would have a new helper on his return to his chambers. He called a guard over and instructed that the helper to the ambassador was to be replaced and punished for his request.
To give Our Ambassador his due, he did stand up and state he did not want another helper. He also roughly asked why he was going to be punished. It was then that the proverbial shoe dropped, when the Host replied that a slave should not dream of raising above his station and definitely should not ask for it. The Host stood and the air frizzled with anger, slavery was an ugly word on earth, but in the alien culture and earth later learned really all over the galaxy, slavery was common and legal. It was at this moment that Katrin stood from her chair and raising her hands suggested that a misunderstanding had occurred.
Katrin," Obviously, there is a misunderstanding here."
Host, "A Misunderstanding."
Katrin, "Yes, Sir. Our noted Ambassador only meant that the helper was glad that he (the ambassador) wished that he could have the helper explain better your ways, after this week was over and we returned to earth."
Host, "Is that true, Ambassador"
Ambassador, "Yes, perfectly true. So no punishment or new helper will be needed."
Host, "I am not sure, maybe the ambassador would appreciate a different helper with a different point of view."
Katrin, "Your most gracious Sir, but I am sure that the ambassador agrees with me when I say that I would not appreciate having to get to know another helper when I have already understood my present helper and he understands me." Katrin smiled graciously and the Ambassador nodded and said, "I could not have put it better myself."
Host, " Alright, this has been a difference of opinion. Let us hope for no more, (and then he too smiled) or at least let us hope that Katrin is here to explain them. He said raising his glass. Katrin smiled and raised her's, watching him sip from his glass and smile. Katrin sipped from hers and decided that she was terrible glad that she had a bottle of wine in the basket because whatever this was tasted like runny jelly and was atrocious. It was after dinner (don't ask because the liquid was the best thing on the menu), that talk got to differences of culture and it was then that the ambassador choose with (he made sure) Katrin standing close by, to gently point out that slavery was non-existent on earth, so being invited to slave auction being held on one of the ship was not something anyone would be interested in. He was lucky Katrin was nearby, the host was not pleased because the slave auction was meant to be the highlight of the week. Katrin immediately stepped in, stating that maybe it would aid mutual understanding to attend the auction but of course not purchase anything, (shaking her head) I meant anyone. Luckily though the ambassador shook his head the host seemed pleased. "You of course will be there Katrin."
Katrin, "Of Course."
This was only the first day and already trouble had been averted twice. When the news got around the earthen group that the helpers where slaves and this was a slave society, things went from bad to worse. You see the earthen group was made up of people from all across the world, but unfortunately for earth, it had 60 of people well (hates politically correct attitude) black or half black and on hearing that slave labour was the norm, they decided to leave. The aliens where not happy. The ambassadors where not happy either, so really by 5 days in everyone was literally walking on eggshells. The auction was on the 5th day.
Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves and with Tom in tow, Katrin prepared to goto her first and hopefully last slave auction. Even Tom was not happy, and passing by a large well lit room, Tom requested that Katrin wait a second while he popped in. Katrin being ever curious decided to pop in herself. The room was spacious and as I have already said very well lit. It was calm and peaceful, and Katrin stood just inside the doorway admiring the portraits, paintings and statues that filled the room. She noticed Tom sitting in front of one and it hit her that this might be the aliens church. So silently she started to leave, bumping straight into what you would call the minister/priest/head man. She apologized unreservedly. Katrin, also stated that her servant had wished to enter and she had allowed it. The priest smiled, "All are allowed to enter." Katrin visible breathed a sigh of relief, so not all aliens where creeps like the commander of the fleet.
Katrin turned slightly to glance at Tom to see if he was finished and was about to shout at him when the priest put his hand over her mouth and pulled her aside. The priest realised that Katrin did not understand but then he admitted religion had not been discussed because as mentioned before 60 of the earthlings had left early. It was obviouse now to the entire fleet that earth had different attitudes to certain well held alien beliefs so religion would also be very different. Katrin turned to him and pointed back towards Tom, "He needs a doctor" she hissed. The priest shook his head, "he is praying to the Goddess".
Katrin turned in total disbelief, "Goddess, since when does one cut open one's arm to pray."
The priest said, "How else does one pray. One offers sacrifice to plead one's case. He must want something greatly to sacrifice so much of his blood. He has filled the bowl."
Katrin tried to calm down. Alien slavery she could understand, this she was having a hard time. "We give donations, money. We say prayers. We do not shed our blood like that." She said pointing at Tom. "Ah, the priest nodded, yes some of us do that too, but the more dedicated versions of our religion dictate that that is not enough." Tom came over looking worried and asked if he had inadvertently upset her. Now Katrin, was once of the most understanding people on earth or at least she thought she was, but this, she was having a hard time dealing. So she took in another deep breath, said "NO" and politely said goodbye to the priest, promising to visit again before she left back to earth herself. Then they where off to her first slave auction and Katrin wondered if she or earth for that matter would get used to this alien way of looking at things.


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Desktop Systems Administrator
PixomondoToronto, ON
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Full Time Job
Duties & Responsibilities:
Resolve computer related issues as assigned
Troubleshoot software / hardware problems and find / implement solutions
Prioritize and accurately log tickets and resolutions
Assist in ensuring that all software licenses are properly assigned
Assist in ensuring all work areas are organized and clean
Work with the Head of I.T. to maintain desktops, laptops, printers, peripherals, etc.
Ensure all assigned project tasks are completed accurately and on time
Collaborate with other team members to solve new and ongoing issues
Help new employees learn the company systems
Additional duties as required
Job Qualifications:
2 years experience in a Desktop Systems Administrator capacity
Post-secondary education in Computer Science, Information Technology or related field
Must Have VFX Experience -2D/ 3D applications (Maya, Houdini, Nuke, Photoshop etc.)
Utilize superior customer service skills
Strong understanding of Windows required. Linux / MAC experience a plus.
Excellent working knowledge of standard office applications (OpenOffice, Acrobat, Thunderbird etc.)
Strong communication and problem solving skills
Detail oriented and self motivated with the ability to work with minimal supervision


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- Eat
- Drink
- Stomp
- Shop
- Things To Do
- Compete
- About
Professional Wine Competition
Sonoma County Harvest Fair is the largest regional wine competition in the United States. Any wine made with grapes grown in Sonoma County, with a Sonoma County designated AVA as the only region listed on the bottle is eligible for entry. If your wines meet these requirements, we invite you to enter and participate. Please check back for the 2017 Competition Pamphlet for all the information regarding rules, regulations and guidelines for this year's competition.
COMPETITION CONTACT: Sheila Quince (email@example.com)
2016 Pro Wine Results
Sweepstakes Red Wine
Russian River Vineyards
2014 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Horse Ridge Vineyard
Giovanni Balistreri, Winemaker
Sweepstakes White Wine
J. Rickards Winery
2015 Sauvignon Blanc, Alexander Valley, Croft Vineyard
Blaine Brazil, Winemaker
Sweepstakes Specialty Wine
Gloria Ferrer
2007 Royal Cuvee, Carneros
Steve Urberg, Winemaker
Double Golds (unanimous gold by judges) are indicated with an *
2016 Professional Wine Competition Results (PDF - by Medal)
2016 Professional Wine Competition Results (PDF - by Varietal)
Thank you to our 2016 Judges
The choice of judges for the Sonoma County Harvest Fair Professional Wine competition is a critical step in creating a well-balanced panel of experts that will award Best of Class, Gold, Silver and Bronze medals to the over 1,000 wines that will be entered into the competition this year. Harvest Fair strives to recruit a range of experts representing all regions in the US. These include educators, enologists, trade, media and professionals in the hospitality industry.
Jessica Altieri
Jessica, 27, is a leading online wine social media and video pioneer, traveling the world to spread the conversation about wine in a non-pretentious way. Ms. Altieri is the founder, CEO and Certified Sommelier for WineChannelTVand has worked with some of the world's leading wine brands, governments and trade associations. She is the Wine Lifestyle Correspondent for ABC7 Chicago, Windy City Live and was selected as the 2012 "Wine with Walgreens" Up-Market Grand Opening and Lifestyle Experience promotional partner for in-store and online Social Media campaigns with a Facebook Fan reach of over 1 million fans and a retail store base of over 7000 stores. Jessica was also named as the Official Wine Ambassador for the Sears Kenmore Live Studio in Chicago (over 400,000 Facebook Fans), the Social Wine Ambassador for the world famous Saratoga Wine and Food & Fall Ferrari Festival and the as Social Wine Ambassador host for the Italian Trade Commission and Vino 2011 and 2010 events, which are the largest Italian Wine Festivals in the USA.
Jusden Aumand
Jusden received invaluable wine-pairing/tasting techniques from appointed Master Sommeliers in Michelin Star restaurants and 5-star luxury hotels while touring Europe with Lenny Kravitz. Jusden has over 6 years of retail buying background and over 10 years of retail sales management experience. He is currently an Assistant Category Manager for wine and is overseeing and developing the Exclusive/Private Label wine portfolio for Bevmo! as well as the sake and vermouth categories. Additionally, Jusden was the assistant winemaker for El Sol Winery in Livermore Valley CA for more than 4 years. This experience was supplemented with various Oenology courses at UC Davis. Last year Jusden received the title of Certified Sake Professional with merit. Recently, Jusden has been appointed to the Bevmo! Wine Tasting Panel and was a wine judge at the 2016 SF Chronicle Wine Competition. Jusden resides in Castro Valley, CA with his wife and 3 year old daughter. In his free time he collects/plays vintage drums from the 1920's, enjoys rock climbing, and contemplates when to open bottles from his large Bordeaux wine collection.
Carl Brandhorst
Carl is currently the President of the Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association (ASWA) (formerly the Vinifera Wine Growers Association (VWGA)), a trade group that helps promote the wine industry. He has served as co-chairman of the July 2005-2011 Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competitions sponsored by ASWA. Carl is also a past President/Chairman of the Washington, DC Chapter of the German Wine Society and currently serves on its Board of Directors. Carl is a longstanding member of the American Wine Society (AWS) and an AWS-certified wine judge. As the current AWS Regional Vice President for Virginia, he assists in the formation of new chapters and supports current chapters through educational seminars. Carl travels extensively to wine regions in the United States, and has visited wine areas in Europe, South Africa, New Zealand and Canada. Carl is a 1964 graduate of the University of California, Berkeley and holds Master Degrees in International Relations (American University-1970) and Public Administration (George Washington University-1973). He currently resides in Virginia.
Debra Del Fiorentino
Debra Del Fiorentino, President and Founder of Wine Competitions and Management, has been judging wines for over 15 years throughout the state of California as well as other regions in the US. She is a certified Sommelier and CSW. She is also a restaurant consultant and the current director of over 8 wine competitions including the East/West, Grand Harvest, North Coast Wine Challenge and Women's Wine competition. She is also the founder and President of Libation Logistics.
Martha Dunne
I am proud to arrive at the judging table as an enduring, eager oenophile. That's it. I'm not a winemaker, a sommelier or an educator. I'm neither a retailer nor a wine writer. I am a critical consumer. For fifty years, Vino has been the welcome third party in the marriage of my husband, Mike and I. I have been blessed to evaluate wine from the tiny Fiddletown competition to the mega San Francisco Chronicle International Wine Competition. My palate is poised for the next challenge. When not tasting and sharing notes about wine, I promote autism awareness and appreciation through my book, "Wait, What Do You Mean?" Asperger's Tell and Show. And, as an independent interior designer, remain available at Design Services.
Mike Dunne
Freelance Wine Writer, A Year in Wine, Sacramento, CA
Mike Dunne is a freelance wine writer and consultant who divides his time between Sacramento and San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur. The former food editor, wine columnist and restaurant critic of The Sacramento Bee, he continues to contribute a weekly wine column to The Bee and its online platforms, including www.sacbee.com and www.sacwineregion.com. His blog - A Year in Wine - also is a partner in The Bee's online community of Northern California bloggers, Sacramento Connect. Mike contributed the Inland California and Mexico chapters to the recently published book "Opus Vino," and is at work on a spinoff about outstanding everyday value wines.
John Giannini
John Giannini is a winemaker and educator. He has served as a judge at numerous wine competitions throughout California, including the Sonoma County Harvest Fair. He holds a M.S. in Enology from California State University, Fresno, and has been an instructor and winemaker for Fresno State as well as an educator for Missouri State University. He is currently winemaker for Van Ruiten Family Winery.
Ellen Landis
Ellen is a published Wine Writer, Certified Sommelier, Certified Wine Specialist, Wine Educator and Professional Wine Judge. She is the author of the blog EllenOnWine.com and writes for the AWS Wine Journal (AmericanWineSociety.org) among other publications. Ellen is a moderator for the highly acclaimed Vintner's Holidays annual event at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite, and participates as a key speaker, moderator and panelist at various other wine events. For the past sixteen plus years, she and husband Ken co-owned award winning Landis Shores Oceanfront Inn where Ellen served as Wine Director and Sommelier. In addition to an MBA, Ellen's wine education includes UC Davis viticulture course work, CSW certification from the Society of Wine Educators program, and holds the credential of Certified Sommelier (CS) from the Court of Master Sommeliers. Ellen serves as a judge at numerous national and international wine competitions.
Tony "Winechef" Lawrence
Owner of A Chef For You, LLC, Tony Lawrence specializes in writing/promoting truth in pairings. Advocates globally that wine is a lifestyle by sharing its history, artistry, science, terrior, sense of culture, which weds wine to food. He designs wine pairing programs for the global wine trade, associations, college culinary/wine programs and wine festivals. He writes for retail wine shops for in-house wine pairing point of sale/newsletters…like Napa Rock Pairings or Lodi Rules Pairings. He also writes for the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Taste Magazine's "Ask The Wine Expert A Question".
Tony's journey started at the age of 13, cooking at a summer camp, to restaurants and wineries in Maryland, then attended a vocational culinary school. He earned a BS from Widener University Hotel/Restaurant program on a full scholarship, interned& trained at the Hotel Krone Assmannshausen - Rudeshiem, Germany. He graduated in the first class of CIA Pro-Chef program in1998 (Culinary Institute of America-Greystone. In 2000, Tony completed the Wine & Food Pairing for Chefs program, CIA-Greystone. Graduated in 2010 from the Certified Wine Educator/Napa Valley Wine Academy. Tony is a Red Zinfandel Specialist and a Riesling Specialist. Tony 's Wine Judge certification is from UC- Davis 2001.
Charles F. Mara
A nationally recognized wine judge, winery producer/owner and wine merchant, Charles F. Mara is a force within the wine industry. Having traveled to many of the world's most prestigious wine regions, he is a well respected and knowledgeable wine guru who brings to table a love of wine. Wine judge for numerous prestigious wine tastings, as well as serving on several wine tasting panels, Professor of Oenology and member of the Society of Wine Educators, he has also appeared on local TV and Radio shows, was appointed as the Consumer Representative by the Governor of New York to the State Wine Grape Marketing Order Advisory Board, and has been a "Tastemaster" for monthly wine tasting events designed to increase wine awareness and appreciation by consumers. His knowledge has also led him to be a consultant to many restaurateurs and retailers. Charles is also noticed, not once but twice, in the Guinness Book of World Records. One listing is "most paid for a single bottle of wine," - an 1806 Lafite-Rothschild for $28,000 (1978) - and the other is "most paid for a bottle case of American wine" - 1979 Opus I for $24,000 (1981).
Tim McNally
Tim McNally is the host of WGSO AM "The dine, Wine and Spirits Show" in New Orleans, LA. He is also the wine and spirits editor and feature writer at New Orleans Magazine. He has been a wine judge for over 12 years, judging wine competitions including the Sonoma County Harvest Fair, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition, as well as competitions in Indiana, Florida, Michigan. He has also judged as far away as the Vinho Verde Wine Competition in Oporto, Portugal. Tim holds a BA in Journalism, as had been a radio talk show host for 14 years.
Kristi Mohar
Kristi Mohar started in the grocery business in 1982. She has been the wine buyer for family owned Pacific Markets in Sonoma County for the past 16 years. She is very passionate about wine and is always willing to help and learn. During her tenure in the wine industry Kristi has judged numerous wine competitions and served on esteemed panels. Some of Kristi's credentials include San Francisco Wine Competition, Sonoma County Harvest Fair, Press Democrat "wine of the week" panel member, wine consultant to local wineries and retailers, and coordinator of the Pacific Market Wine Tent at the Sebastopol Apple Blossom Festival.
Nadia Pavlevska
Nadia Pavlevska serves as a professional wine consultant and wine educator working with private and corporate clients, non-profits, and restaurants to create wine events, educational seminars and wine programs. She is also the wine director for Darren's Restaurant in Manhattan Beach, CA, responsible for all things wine-related, including building the restaurant's boutique selection of California and international wines. Nadia is a Certified Sommelier (CS) with the Court of Master Sommeliers and a Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) with the American Society of Wine Educators. In addition, she is a French Wine Scholar (FWS) with the French Wine Society and an Italian Wine Specialist (IWS) with the North American Sommelier Association, N.A.S.A. Nadia also attended the Washington School of Protocol to become a Certified International Etiquette and Business Protocol Consultant. She is a member of of the Guild of Master Sommeliers, the French Wine Society and N.A.S.A.
Ron Rawlinson
Ron Rawlinson began his wine industry career in San Diego as a sales rep for America's largest wine wholesaler before moving to Arroyo Grande to open The Wine Guy in 1994. Since then, he has made wine, taught many courses at Cal Poly University, judged scores of major wine competitions, sommed at Savor and 18 Hospice du Rhone events, directed one of America's largest wine clubs, consulted for several other boutique wineries and managed sales and distribution for Riedel crystal.
Christopher Sawyer
Christopher Sawyer is a sommelier, wine journalist, consultant, critic and public speaker, and travels the world following trends in wine and participating as a judge in international wine competitions. He was named the 2009 Best Sommelier in Sonoma County by The Wine Tasting Panel Magazine, and is the recipient of many prestigious awards and industry honors. As the world's first and only Film Festival Sommelier, Sawyer conceived and curated the wine experience throughout the Sonoma Valley Film Festival, including creatively pairing wine and food with films throughout the festival and at celebrity tributes. He is currently sommelier-in-residence at the Carneros Bistro & Wine Bar at The Lodge at Sonoma Renaissance Resort and Spa, where he has received numerous awards for his wine list spotlighting wines from Sonoma Valley and Carneros.
Brandon Schrey
Born in San Francisco, and raised in Santa Rosa, Brandon has watched Sonoma County blossom into one of the most important wine regions in the world. He has over five years of experience in the wine industry, growing from assistant wine director at Mayacama Golf Club to his current role as Wine and Beverage Manager/Certified Sommelier at John Ash & Co.
Jeff Slankard
Jeff Slankard is the Wine Director of Barons Market, a chain of specialty food stores located in San Diego and Riverside counties. He has been in the retail wine business in San Diego for over 30 years. He has judged at numerous wine competitions including the California State Fair Commercial Wine Competition, the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, the Grand Harvest Awards, the Central Coast Wine Competition and the Toast of the Coast Wine Competition. He is also a member of the California Grapevine tasting panel. Jeff lives in North County San Diego with his wife and two sons.
Spreti Valente
Spreti Valente, Certified Sommelier, is the senior wine buyer and sommelier for Anne's Boutique Wines in Costa Mesa, California. Spreti serves as a wine judge for several prestigious wine competitions, including the Los Angeles International, the Pacific Rim International , the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and now the Sonoma County Harvest Fair. Additionally, Spreti consults with restaurants and event planners, and participates as a speaker, panelist and event planner for various wine events, including private wine tastings, food and wine pairing dinners, and regional wine presentations. Spreti is currently pursuing an Advanced Sommelier certification with the Court of Master Sommeliers.
Bill Ward
Bill Ward is a features reporter | Lifestyle | Entertainment | Wine for the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Bill looks for stories off the well-trod path, covers baby boomer issues, and writes about wine in his Liquid Assets column.


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Coolest Cabin Ever!! Claw Foot Tub. Screened Sleeping Porch. Yoga Studio. Wooded(24 Reviews)
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This listing was first published here in 2014.
Date last modified - Sunday, May 28, 2017