text:
Getting to a destination, as the saying goes, is half the fun.
But that wasn't always the case for those making the journey between major cities along Ontario's 401 and 400 highways.
From tourists to truck drivers, the experience at the highway service centres was the same: grungy washrooms, dark and dingy eating areas, lacklustre amenities and the robust scent of motor oil mixing with canola oil from fast-food deep fryers.
The centres were a necessary, if unpleasant, place to stop, eat, refuel and use the facilities before hightailing it back on the road.
But in 2009, the Ontario government decided that its centres deserved a much-needed upgrade and began accepting proposals to refurbish the once-impressive stops, some of which had been in service for more than 40 years.
"It's important that people are able to rest and not over-tax themselves on the highway," says John McKendrick, Infrastructure Ontario's senior vice-president of project delivery. "It's important for the development of tourism in the province … and they're a very important service from a public infrastructure perspective."
When the province began exploring ways to revitalize its service centres, officials opted for a public-private partnership. The province would inject $200-million for the renovation of 20 of Ontario's 23 highway service centres along Highways 400 and 401 by 2013, and assign a new ONroute brand to enhance their appeal and recognition among travellers. Currently, 14 of the service centres have been redeveloped and are open for business.
A consortium of private partners led by Bethesda, Md.-based hospitality service firm HMS Host Corp. and Toronto-based private equity firm Kilmer Van Nostrand Co. Ltd. would come up with an additional $100-million for the project.
HMS Host will manage and maintain the sites over the course of their projected 50-year lifespan, while the province retains ownership of both the land and buildings. Revenue from concessions will be shared between the province and the consortium.
"The more money they make, the more we make," Mr. McKendrick adds. "We think these service centres will pay for themselves over the life of the concession."
Ontario's service centre upgrades are indicative of a wider trend to replace or revitalize highway amenities to not only extract precious tourism dollars from travellers but also to enhance safety.
Quebec recently set out to redevelop 10 of its highway service centres, seven in a public-private partnership and three run solely by the province. The buildings will be modernized and expanded, adding amenities such as food and retail, according to Transport Quebec spokesman Mario St. Pierre.
Like their predecessors, these new service stations are being built not only to last, but also to attract visitors for decades to come.
While Ontario laid out a strict set of guidelines for its highway facilities – ranging from green features to accessibility – Toronto's Quadrangle Architects Ltd., the designer of the new service centres, added impressive architectural features that paid homage to the surrounding landscape.
"This being a private-public partnership, it wasn't just about maximizing profit," Quadrangle principal Les Klein explains. "This was an opportunity for the province to brand itself in a unique way to travellers from within and travelling through the province. We're referring to these projects as shamelessly Canadian."
The building's facades are adorned with local stone, while the peaked roofs and glass facades that frame the spacious interiors are intended to evoke images of the rocky outcroppings that ripple through Central and Northern Ontario. These new service centres bear mostly the same design features, but with slightly different service offerings, depending on their size.
In a break from the past tradition of highway service centres bearing no connection to local communities, these renovated amenities – ranging in size from 8,000 to 22,000 square feet – will also bear the name of their nearest, often unsung, town and feature signage and screens promoting local events.
They will also be far more environmentally friendly than the service centres of yesteryear.
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Silver-certified buildings feature highly efficient fixtures in washrooms such as waterless urinals and touch-less faucets designed to reduce water use by 40 per cent. Adhesives, sealants and paints are low in volatile organic compounds. And yes, facilities for electric car charging are on the horizon.
The centres' design also includes enhanced accessibility features such as changing tables for infants and lower condiment counters and garbage cans to accommodate visitors in wheelchairs.
But not all of the initial design elements were a hit. Quadrangle originally proposed adding outdoor courtyards in the middle of each of the larger service centres. The feedback was anything but positive.
"We were framing up the first one and people told us it wasn't going to work," Mr. Klein recalls. "It was going to be too congested and we have a limited outdoor season in Ontario. So, instead we created an indoor lounge in the centre of the space."
What has received a resounding thumbs up, according to Michael Jones, vice-president of business development for HMS Host, are the addition of free WiFi and an expanded array of food and beverage options ranging from The Market – a fully equipped convenience store with healthy food options – to familiar names including KFC, Tim Hortons, New York Fries and Burger King.
For the health conscious, chains such as Extreme Pita have been added, while coffee connoisseurs will undoubtedly be pleased to learn that Starbucks will also grace the corridors of many centres in the ONroute network – which now feature 17 hospitality brands across the province, up from four or five in the old facilities, according to Mr. Jones.
While HMS Host won't reveal revenue estimates for the new facilities, Mr. Jones predicts that the larger centres will see foot traffic in excess of 1.5 million people annually.
But the question remains: Why build such aesthetically pleasing, sustainable and amenity-laden facilities when simpler ones would still meet the needs of these highways' relatively captive audiences?
"For a number of people who grew up making the trip to cities like Montreal or Windsor, the feedback we got over time was that these centres became less and less relevant to them as a consumer," Mr. Jones explains.
"Even people who made those trips on a regular basis decided they didn't necessarily have to stop – they found alternatives," he adds. "To put up four walls and do it in a fairly utilitarian fashion, especially when you're doing a long-term deal with the province that's reflective of the province, just wasn't the right thing to do."
Currently, 14 of Ontario's 20 new ONroute service centres are in operation including:
• Tilbury South (eastbound), between Windsor and Chatham-Kent
• Tilbury North (westbound), between Chatham-Kent and Windsor
• West Lorne (westbound), between London and Chatham-Kent
• Woodstock (eastbound), between Ingersoll and Woodstock
• Dutton (eastbound), between Chatham-Kent and London
• Bainsville (westbound), near the Quebec/Ontario border
• Trenton North (westbound), between Trenton and Cobourg
• Morrisburg (eastbound), between Prescott and Cornwall
•Trenton South (eastbound), between Cobourg and Trenton
• Ingleside (westbound), between Cornwall and Morrisburg
• Mallorytown North (westbound), between Ingleside and Kingston
• Napanee (westbound), between Belleville and Kingston
• Odessa (eastbound), between Kingston and Belleville
• Port Hope (eastbound), near Port Hope
Source: Ontario Ministry of Transportation
Quebec recently set out to redevelop 10 of its highway service centres, seven in a public-private partnership and three run solely by the province:
The seven service centres being developed in public-private partnership include:
• Porte-du-Nord
• Rigaud
• Rivière-Beaudette
• Melbourne
• Baie-de-Maskinongé
• Cap-de-Pierre
• Magog (scheduled to open later this year)
The three owned and operated solely by the province include:
• St. Nicolas
• St. Michel
• Lavaltrie (scheduled to open later this year)
Source: Transports QuebecReport Typo/Error
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Your Account
This shortcut teaches you how to use Mongrel, the new high-performance web application container for Rails. It starts with basic setup and installation, but goes well beyond the basics, showing you how to set up Mongrel clusters, how to use Mongrel behind Apache and other web servers, and more. Mongrel has given Rails developers a first-rate server. If you've suffered through Rails apps deployed on Apache or Lighttpd with FCGI, suffer no more! Start using Mongrel, and say good-bye to FCGI and all its problems.
Angel Dobbs-Sciortino is a software engineer with experience in Java, PHP, and Ruby on Rails. She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin with a B.S. in Anthropology and Women's Studies. When Angel is done with work, she is frequently seen still attached to her laptop learning new technology and talking to people.
View Angel N. Sciortino's full profile page.
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subset: commoncrawl


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Final Results 2012 CSU Invitational
Oct. 2, 2012
CLEVELAND, Ohio - Senior Brian Van De Motter shot an even-par 72 today and finished with a 54-hole score of 229 (79-78-72) as the Loyola University Chicago men's golf squad claimed 10th place at the CSU Invitational, which concluded this afternoon at Canterbury Golf Club. Oakland (871) held off a final-round charge from host Cleveland State (874) to earn the team title.
Van De Motter's even-par 72 today tied for the second-lowest mark of his Loyola career and his three-round total of 229 placed him tied for 26th overall and first among all Rambler golfers. Loyola also pulled in solid efforts from Nick Willenborg and Nick Dennis, who turned in rounds of 76 and 77, respectively, today. Both Willenborg (80-78-76) and Dennis (75-82-77) collected tournament marks of 234 to tie for 40th place overall, while Sean Hickey notched a 240 (81-77-82) to tie for 56th and Alex Cusumano posted a 248 (79-87-82) to finish 66th.
Cleveland native Anthony Maroon, who was competing as an individual, finished with a flourish, shooting a career-best, two-over 74 today for a 54-hole score of 236 (81-81-74) to tie for 45th place among all golfers.
Evan Bowser of Oakland (69-75-69=213) held off Cody Fixari of Wright State (75-69-70=214), teammate Mark Foster (73-70-71=214) and Josh Nichols of Appalachian State (73-73-68=214) to secure medalist honors.
Loyola is back in action this weekend when it competes at the John Dallio Memorial hosted by DePaul University in Lemont, Ill., October 6-7.
Final Team Results
1. Oakland - 291-292-288=871
2. Cleveland State - 297-293-284=874
3. Appalachian State - 306-305-281=892
4. Youngstown State - 293-309-295=897
6. Detroit - 309-297-301=907
7. Wright State - 311-305-297=913
8. Robert Morris - 310-302-302=914
9. Evansville - 313-307-313=933
10. Loyola - 313-315-307=935
11. Malone - 322-314-304=940


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'Ambitious,' 'staggering variety,' 'imagination,' and 'almost too many options.' Just a small sample of the words and phrases I'd noted down during my recent preview and hands-on with one of the year's most promising titles. "Deus Ex meets Hitman, meets Assassins's Creed, meets Thief," being another I've scrawled, which in essence sums up Arkane Studios' Dishonored.
Or does it? Certainly nothing I've written down quite does justice to the kind of graphical finery on display here; Dishonored's Steampunk-derived world not at all harsh metallics and industrial browns as you might suspect, but rather an altogether more vibrant and fresh-faced place inspired by the want to create a 'moving painting' as co-directors Raphael Colontonio and Harvey Smith described.
Indeed there are times that the onscreen action resembles a traditional Disney cartoon as rats scuttle about and "tall boys" – mechanised stilts with guns for want of a better description – prowl the streets with an almost liquid stride.
Perhaps such lavishness should be expected of art director Viktor Antonov – Dishonored certainly sharing the sense of style and scale that one of his previous projects, Half-Life 2, extolled. While the presence of Antonov might be a surprise, there are certainly no prizes for guessing that some of those responsible for Deus Ex are in the box seats, the scope for decision making here present conjuring thoughts of Ion Storm's masterpiece at every turn.
In fact 'conjuring' is an apt word given that the hero of the piece, Corvo Atano, calls himself a supernatural assassin, the job description consisting of being someone not only trained in the art of killing, but able to bend the laws of physics to his whim too, not the kind of guy you'd want to cross then.
Been crossed he has though, Atano apparently the victim of an elaborate frame-up, as his charge, the queen of the realm is killed, as he ends up pursued by multiple agencies and, as you'd expect, looking to get even with those who plotted against him in the first place (and here's where the variation and staggering variety bit comes in).
You see the tools at his disposal with which to wreak said vengeance are many and diverse. Indeed I lost count of the ways to kill a man demonstrated during my look at the game, with the co-directors admitting that playtesters have combined Atano's powers in ways even they hadn't envisioned.
Not only skilled with a blade, Atano is also is possession of a personal armoury consisting of grenades, pistol and a crossbow that's able too deal death as easily as it can sleep – the developers happy to offer the player the choice of who they kill or merely drug.
Then there are his supernatural powers: the ability to teleport Nightcrawler-style to locations within sight; the ability to possess anything and anyone (from fish in the city's river to your hapless target; "Dark Vision" which allows him to see through walls and, when all else fails, the power to stop time and so make good his plan of attack or escape.
Of course such power doesn't come free, all costs him energy and so can't be wielded completely wildly, while you won't have access to all of his multifaceted tools and techniques from the off, the demo I played massaged sufficiently to show off much that the layer would have to take time to unlock as they make their way through the game.
Worth the wait? Without doubt. Dishonored looks like the true Deus Ex of this generation and offers so much freedom of movement and choice that I'm left only concerned with exactly how the developers are going to be able to constrain the player sufficiently to keep the story moving forward at an interesting pace.
And don't worry if you've seen the latest gameplay trailers in which Atano is made to deal death quickly and efficiently with nary a pause for breath – this is one tough game as epitomised by my series of deaths before my embarrassed shuffling away from the unit during my hands on.
For: PS3, Xbox 360, PC
Developer: Arkane Studios
Publisher: Bethesda
When? 12 October 2012


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CreativeMornings/Detroit: Patrick Thompson
Friday, July 12, 2013 from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM (EDT)
Who's Going
San Francisco, California
London, United Kingdom
Florence, Italy
Event Details
CreativeMornings/Detroit: Patrick Thompson July 12th 8:30am-9:00am
Tickets available on July 8th at 11:00am!
photo: Michelle and Chris Gerard
Patrick Thompson of Patrick Thompson Design, will take us through the creative process of redesigning the Kresge Court at The Detroit Institute of Arts into a Cultural Living Room. Kresge Court balances both social interaction and individual contemplation in a setting that reflects comfort and elegance.
With every project, Patrick Thompson Design emphasizes the design process as much as the product to create an integrated environment that reveals the spirit of the location, the culture of the client, and the power of design through use of unconventional materials and processes.
The Detroit Creative Corridor Center accelerates and attracts creative industries while offering talent advancement programs to support Detroit as a global center of creative innovation.
The collection of The Detroit Institute of Arts is among the top six in the United States, comprising a multicultural and multinational survey of human creativity from prehistory through the 21st century.
About CreativeMornings:
CreativeMornings is a monthly morning gathering for creative types. Each event includes a 20 minute talk followed by a 20 minute group discussion. The gathering begins at 8:30am with the topic presentation starting at 9:00am with everyone taking off for work at 10:00am. CreativeMornings are free of charge!
There are chapters around the world including Zurich, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Chicago and Detroit! The Detroit chapter is hosted by Detroit Creative Corridor Center team member Bethany Betzler.
Be the first to know when new events are announced or videos of previous events by following @Detroit_CM
When & Where
Detroit Institute of Arts, Kresge Court
5200 Woodward Ave
Friday, July 12, 2013 from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM (EDT)
Add to my calendar
CreativeMornings is a monthly speaker series and morning gathering of creative types. Each event includes a 15-20 minute lecture, followed by a 20 minute group discussion. The gathering begins at 8:30am with the topic presentation starting at 9:00am and everyone taking off for work at 10am. CreativeMornings are free of charge!
CreativeMornings/Detroit is organized by Bethany Betzler


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Video poker is fun and GROWING! See what the excitement's about.


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Little-known provisions in Indiana's marriage law gives us a great example of why the church and the government should stay out of each other's business.
An overhaul of Indiana's criminal code brought attention to issues about same-sex marriage in that state that are raising eyebrows in the blogosphere. The new changes, which go into effect in July 1, 2014, apparently classify the act of knowingly furnishing false information when applying for a marriage license as a Class D felony, which will mean that those who lie when applying for a marriage license could face a maximum 18 months in jail or a $10,000 fine.
Indiana passed a ban on same-sex marriages in 1986, so there's nothing new there. The effect of this reclassification of the level of felony is that the penalty would be lessened.
Contrary to what you may have read on other blogs that are trying to turn this into a story about a brand new law that specifically targets same-sex marriage, it isn't.
The real rub, however, comes in another part of the code, which says that anyone who "knowingly solemnizes a marriage of individuals who are prohibited from marrying" will have committed a Class B misdemeanor, and, thereby, would face a maximum 180-day jail sentence or $1,000 fine.
There are some churches that allow their clergy to perform same-sex marriages, no matter how your denomination may feel about it.
And there's the problem: this governmental law is reaching into the church to control what the church can and can't do with regard to marriage, even if the church's beliefs disagree. I can certainly understand the need to require correct information on a license. That's a bureaucratic requirement that makes sense. If someone is willing to lie to fill out a government document, then they should be willing to face the consequences.
Once you get into performing a religious ceremony, however, that becomes dangerous ground. And no matter how you feel about same-sex marriage, this should bother you.
Given that the Supreme Court's recent action on same-sex marriage, let's imagine the other side of this scenario: if same-sex marriage can't be banned constitutionally, then what's to stop a state or local government from saying that any pastor who doesn't perform a same-sex union might also be guilty of a crime?
If we're talking about laws passed by legislators elected by the majority, and you believe it's fair for the government to have something to say about how a church can or can't conduct a marriage ceremony, then logically, you must believe that it's fair for the majority to dictate what happens inside a church, no matter what the majority happens to be.
The fact is, pastors already enjoy wide latitude in which ceremonies they perform. Some will refuse to officiate a ceremony if they don't know the couple or if the couple hasn't undergone marriage counseling within their church. Some may apply Biblical principles to marriage, especially in the area of divorce. This isn't so unreasonable: a church marriage is a covenant between the couple and God; a pastor should desire to make sure he or she feels that the covenant will be honored and should also have the option to decline to perform a ceremony if he feels the participants do not meet the qualifications for such a covenant based on the church's beliefs.
A couple always has the option to get a legally-permitted marriage performed by non-clergy and have it count.
We have the concept of Separation of Church and State for a reason: to prevent government for imposing religious beliefs on its citizens and vice versa. It sometimes means that the government may pass laws that don't always match up with Christian beliefs (or beliefs of other religions). But it also means that the church will have policies that may not always agree with legal interpretations.
Freedom of religion requires us to work around these issues, not abolish them altogether.


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Fallout 3 Review - txa1265's View
Previous page Page 1 2 3 4 5 Next page
You're not the boss of ME, Arthur Reid!
Welcome to console-vania, where you have to press TAB and then click your way through a multi-page interface to do just about anything from changing armor to looking at a map to reviewing quests and information. Yes, you get used to it quickly; yes, it is worse than Oblivion; and yes, I find it highly annoying. There are ways to get around these limitations, but it is pretty clear that the game was designed with the lowest common denominator of console controllers in mind.
I have taken time and played decent chunks of the game using my Xbox 360 wireless controller in addition to my preferred keyboard & mouse and it is obvious from the contrast of playing the game both ways that it was designed with the console controller as the primary control method both in terms of design and implementation. That isn't so bad - getting around works great using either set of controls, as does the VATS system, dialog system, level-up interface, and so on. The problem I have is with the Pip-Boy - it is very simple to navigate using the Xbox 360 controller, but definitely more of a hassle for the keyboard & mouse.
It isn't a killer flaw but you know what really gets under my skin? Bethesda went to such pains to talk about how they were going to make sure that the PC Fallout fan was taken care of, yet couldn't bother to even allow you to map a keyboard shortcut to get directly to the map interface. I am not suggesting that they change the inherent interface - which is pretty much the same one from Oblivion - but rather that they allow some degree of choice to users. It seems like such a small thing - and was certainly mentioned enough in Oblivion reviews and as a concern in PC previews for Fallout 3.
Oh, and while I am on the subject of rampant stupidity, how's this one: while you can remap the key used to bring up the Pip-Boy (default is TAB), you cannot change the fact that you still have to use TAB to exit. Also, I read that some folks remap the typical WASD movement keys to RDFG (I'd heard of ESDF before but not that one). Anyway, that is no problem except that F is mapped to 'Force Lock' and so when you're lock-picking you can easily press F by mistake and force the lock. And, of course, F cannot be remapped.
Character Creation & Development
Similar to the original Fallout games, Fallout 3 uses the SPECIAL system for attributes (Strength, Perception, Endurance, Charisma, Intelligence, Agility and Luck). You also get skills which reflect your specialized abilities to perform certain tasks such as pick locks or use heavy weapons. In addition you get tag skills, which grant you a starting bonus in selected skills and perks which are added personal characteristics that will generally impact your skills or gathering of treasure or experience.
I believe that there are two purposes in a character creation and advancement system: to allow you to create distinctly different characters to allow for a different experience starting the game multiple times, and to allow specialized advancement with characters that forces you to make choices and see rewards from gaining experience. I look at Fallout 3 as having succeeded at the first - though that is based entirely on co-opting the Fallout system - and doing a mediocre-to-poor job at the latter.
Many folks have frothed at the mouth about the wonders of character customization: which is true - if you play the game like Mass Effect and ignore the world and just plow through the main quest. I had spent more than 100 hours before finishing the game, and several hours with additional characters, and have more than one of my SPECIAL skills at 10 and several of my tag skills at 100. So while I would agree that you CAN build differently, there are so many extras available to help boost all of your stats that it is easy to max out characters. This wasn't possible in Fallout 1 or 2 - you had to be much more sparing and careful with your allocation of skill and attribute points.
More specifically, after a certain point whenever I talked to anyone I would have a 100% chance of success with whatever speech options appeared; I had a 65 - 80% chance of breaking open locks, so I barely used the lock-picking mini-game; and on and on. My overwhelming skills, gotten by selecting and mastering certain key skills and seeking out any skill enhancers I could find, made the experience increasingly mundane as I felt I could never fail. So while I didn't have the skills to become a 'jack of all trades' or to switch from my selected sniping mode to a different proficiency, neither did I ever really worry about not being skilled enough to handle a situation. I know it would be possible to create a 'dumb brute' character, but I would still be left with so many skill points and perks that I would end up dumping them elsewhere to avoid over-skilling myself.
The mini-games and trophies of Fallout 3
Believe it or not, VATS is not the only mini-game of Fallout 3. There are actually two main mini-games you will encounter throughout the world, as well as a few 'Easter egg' mini-games you might encounter randomly as you explore. I'll ignore these - which include a text adventure on one of the mysteriously power terminals littering the landscape - and focus on the main ones. An interesting thing with these - you need a certain skill level to even attempt a lockpick or hack, and while there appears to be some difficulty scaling with the 'level' of the lock / terminal it is not in line with the skill investment needed.
Oh - one really good thing: there is no Persuasion mini-game like the awful one from Oblivion. Whew!
The lock-picking mini-game uses a detailed picture of a lock along with a screwdriver and bobby-pin set you're using to do the lock-pick. Your skills impact how sensitive your touch is and how much you can fiddle around before breaking the lock-pick. It is the best looking mini-game of its' type and has become my favorite - replacing my long loved Thief: Deadly Shadows visual method. You get a good sense for what is happening in terms of success or failure, and can generally 'feel' when you're about to break your lock-pick and retreat at the last moment.
On the other hand, the terminal hack mini-game is pretty lousy. The basis is that you are presented with a screen full of characters and words, one of which is the password; you get four chances to guess the correct word, and after each unsuccessful attempt you are told how many correct letters in the correct place your word choice contained. From this it is generally a matter of patience to succeed - or cheating. You can simply exit and restart to try again, and each screen contains a special string that if you mouse over will give you back a bunch of chances to guess before you fail. It is nice that they decided to put in a hacking element, but this one is just a bore and is just a necessary evil.
Something else that bears mentioning - but not really a mini-game is the Stealth system. Since this isn't one of my primary ways of playing a game (I am too stuck in my FPS history), I only played it for a few hours recently. It is a nice alternative method to work through the game and combined with silenced and long-range weapons it is really a viable alternative.
For Xbox 360 and PS3 gamers, Achievements and Trophies are much like getting your initials on your local favorite arcade game back in the early 80's. Since your info is public, you can trot it out for all to see and brag about how you unlocked everything in Fallout 3. Since this is a Games for Windows game, the PC version also has Achievements that you can get hooked into your Live for Windows account by logging in. Personally I never cared about my initials being on the arcade...so I guess I am a prime candidate for 'Achievement Apathy'. However, I cannot help the feeling that too many games have warped their reward system to give these meaningless little 20 points here or there to console gamers at the expense of spending time focusing on true rewards for accomplishing tasks. One good thing - unlike another game I recently played, James Bond 007: Quantum of Solace, your achievements are not constantly streaming out of your PC in annoying fashion all over the screen.
Information aboutFallout 3
Developer: Bethesda Softworks
SP/MP: Single-player
Setting: Post-Apoc
Genre: Shooter-RPG
Combat: Real-time
Play-time: Over 60 hours
Voice-acting: Full
Regions & platforms
· Homepage
· Platform: PC
· Released at 2008-10-28
· Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
· Operation Anchorage DLC
· Platform: PC
· Released at 2009-01-27
· Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
· Mothership Zeta DLC
· Platform: PS3
· Released at 2009-08-03
· Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
· Platform: PC
· Released at 2008-10-28
· Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
· Broken Steel DLC
· Platform: PC
· Released at 2009-05-05
· Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
· Point Lookout DLC
· Platform: PC
· Released at 2009-06-23
· Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
· The Pitt DLC
· Platform: Xbox 360
· Released at 2009-03-23
· Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
· Platform: Xbox 360
· Released at 2008-10-28
· Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
More information


text:
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text:
New 2017 Dodge Durango Citadel
- MAKE:Dodge
- MODEL:Durango
- ENGINE:Regular Unleaded V-8 5.7 L/345
- TRANS:Automatic
- LOCATION:New Braunfels
- EXT COLOR:Vice White Tri-Coat Pearl
- INT COLOR:Tlxl
- MPG:14 city / 22 hwy
*Please note: we update our inventory daily. Please check with dealer to confirm vehicle availability.
Sellers Comments
Purchase this brand NEW 2017 bright white Dodge Durango Citadel at an amazing price! This beautiful SUV sports a luxurious tan leather interior and is loaded with a 3rd row, alloy wheels, touch screen display, Sirius XM radio, MP3, UConnect, cruise control, push start, back-up camera, roof rack, Navigation, power seats, sunroof, dual DVD screens, Beats audio, and so much more. It's powered by a 5.7L V8 engine for safely hauling the whole family around. With NO HASSLE at all, you can drive this great SUV away today. If you have any questions about this amazing find or any of our other vehicles, please call our sales office. Thank you for your interest & we look forward to hearing from you!
- 2ND ROW FOLD/TUMBLE CAPTAIN CHAIRS -inc: 2nd Row Mini Console w/Cupholders 2nd Row Seat Mounted Inboard Armrests 3rd Row Floor Mat & Mini Console
- TECHNOLOGY GROUP -inc: Lane Departure Warning Plus Advanced Brake Assist Full Speed Forward Collision Warning Plus Adaptive Cruise Control w/Stop Blind Spot & Cross Path Detection
- 2ND ROW CONSOLE W/ARMREST & STORAGE -inc: 12V Auxiliary Power Outlet In Console Illuminated Rear Cupholders USB Charging Port in Console 3rd Row Floor Mat & Full Console
- QUICK ORDER PACKAGE 25J -inc: Engine: 5.7L V8 HEMI MDS VVT Transmission: 8-Speed Automatic (8HP70)
- TRAILER TOW & SKID PLATE GROUP -inc: Rear Load Leveling Suspension 7 & 4 Pin Wiring Harness Fuel Tank Skid Plate Shield Transfer Case Skid Plate Shield Underbody Skid Plate Class IV Receiver Hitch Steel Spare Wheel Heavy Duty Engine Cooling Full Size Spare Tire
- ENGINE: 5.7L V8 HEMI MDS VVT -inc: Dual Rear Exhaust w/Bright Tips GVWR: 7 100 lbs 2 Speed On Demand Transfer Case 230MM Rear Axle 3.09 Rear Axle Ratio 700 Amp Maintenance Free Battery Heavy Duty Engine Cooling
- PREMIUM ENTERTAINMENT GROUP -inc: Blu-Ray Compatible Dual Screen Video Rear Seat Video System Beats Premium Audio System Rear DVD Entertainment Center
- All Wheel Drive
- Power Steering
- 4-Wheel Disc Brakes
- Brake Assist
- Aluminum Wheels
- Tires - Front Performance
- Tires - Rear Performance
- Temporary Spare Tire
- Sun/Moonroof
- Generic Sun/Moonroof
- Heated Mirrors
- Power Mirror(s)
- Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors
- Rear Defrost
- Privacy Glass
- Intermittent Wipers
- Variable Speed Intermittent Wipers
- Rain Sensing Wipers
- Remote Trunk Release
- Power Liftgate
- Power Door Locks
- Luggage Rack
- Fog Lamps
- Daytime Running Lights
- HID headlights
- Automatic Headlights
- Headlights-Auto-Leveling
- AM/FM Stereo
- Navigation System
- Satellite Radio
- HD Radio
- Premium Sound System
- MP3 Player
- Steering Wheel Audio Controls
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Bluetooth Connection
- Power Driver Seat
- Power Passenger Seat
- Mirror Memory
- Driver Adjustable Lumbar
- Seat Memory
- Heated Front Seat(s)
- Cooled Front Seat(s)
- Passenger Adjustable Lumbar
- Pass-Through Rear Seat
- Heated Rear Seat(s)
- Rear Bench Seat
- Adjustable Steering Wheel
- Trip Computer
- Power Windows
- 3rd Row Seat
- Leather Steering Wheel
- Heated Steering Wheel
- Keyless Entry
- Keyless Start
- Universal Garage Door Opener
- Cruise Control
- Climate Control
- Multi-Zone A/C
- Rear A/C
- Woodgrain Interior Trim
- Leather Seats
- Bucket Seats
- Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror
- Driver Vanity Mirror
- Passenger Vanity Mirror
- Driver Illuminated Vanity Mirror
- Passenger Illuminated Visor Mirror
- Floor Mats
- Cargo Shade
- Smart Device Integration
- Remote Engine Start
- Engine Immobilizer
- Security System
- Traction Control
- Stability Control
- Front Side Air Bag
- Rear Parking Aid
- Telematics
- Tire Pressure Monitor
- Driver Air Bag
- Passenger Air Bag
- Front Head Air Bag
- Rear Head Air Bag
- Passenger Air Bag Sensor
- Knee Air Bag
- Child Safety Locks
- Back-Up Camera
- No information on specs available.
Vehicle Location
Bluebonnet Chrysler Dodge
547 South Seguin Ave.
New Braunfels, Texas 78130


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Hi I recently uploaded E.V.A Preloader and the preview file seems to have corrupted the animation I had on the file where the orb bounces in and flies out.
Has anybody experienced a similar problem? Could it be the encryption that FlashDen places on the files?
Kind Regards,
Sorry for the double post I rebooted and tested it again it seems to be fine now? Very strange, anybody else experienced the not animating preview?
Looks fine to me. Hopefully it was just a fluke.


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Things between Harlem man Joe Budden and Meek Mill have been a little bit uncomfortable ever since the Slaughterhouse MC addressed Meek and Nicki's relationship on his "I'll Name This Podcast Later." Continue Reading →
Tag Archives: Joe Budden
Harlem's Joe Budden Wanted By NYPD
A warrant has been issued for Joe Budden's arrest in New York City. The rapper, who actually lives in New Jersey, skipped out on a court date on Thursday (May 28) and as a result is now a wanted man. Continue Reading →


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Surviving the times: How the Bosman killed Ajax
by Mohamed Moallim
When Johan Cruijff left Ajax in 1988, after a falling out with the board over Marco van Basten's departure to AC Milan, it would be easy to say that event overshadow the year a precocious left-full back made his debut for the club. Two decades on that same full-back is attempting to bring back the prestige and if possible the glory back to the Dutch giants.
It is worth pointing out, it's through the vision of Cruijff – who as a player and coach left a huge imprint on the club – that he'll be guided by. Even though he never played under the great man, the admiration is there.
But he did play under Louis van Gaal, another mentor of the brand of football that's been associated with the club for a generation or so. In his 11 years at the club and over 300 appearances Frank de Boer achieved just about everything, becoming one of the national team's most important players, possibly the best left-back Holland has had with the exception of Ruud Krol (the greatest ever).
"When it comes to playing football, movement on the field and attacking, I am close to Johan Cruijff's philosophy," De Boer said when he was appointed as coach.
"I like the 4-3-3 formation; I know you need the right players for that, but if you want to find them, then you will."
His task is a great one; restore a club who has been hurt in the pre-Bosman era and seemed to be falling away. A club that has prided itself on the excellence of their football, wowing fans and neutrals alike (even their most hated of rivals).
He's inherited a young squad and he knows one or two could be leaving in the summer before the wheels have started to turn. However his days as youth team boss have given him the advantage of knowing ideally who the next crop of talent to come through are. But first he needs to break the vicious cycle that has dogged Ajax in recent years.
Stability and continuity are two factors any club who wishes to be successful must have (yes, money and lots of it can be a bonus). Ajax has not had both for a very long time. It seems whenever a squad/team is settled it gets broken up equally as quickly.
There are many factors for this – former Ajax chairman and now KNVB (Dutch FA) president Michael van Praag highlights three reasons: the Bosman ruling, the greed of agents and the lure of riches in the bigger leagues – thus Dutch teams have become no more than feeder clubs.
"Holland is a country of 16 million people, while England, for example, is a country of 60 million. The difference in TV rights money the two leagues generate is huge and we can't cope with the salaries our players are offered elsewhere."
It seems the only way Dutch clubs can compete is by selling players, mostly when they are young and can go for millions, but the Bosman ruling put paid to that, as Van Praag states:
"Dutch sides have become feeder clubs that is the only way to put it. Everything changed after the Bosman Ruling. Back when I was chairman of Ajax we lost Patrick Kluivert on a free transfer to AC Milan."
"But he wasn't successful so they sold him [to Barcelona] a year later for US$10million. We had educated Patrick for 12 to 13 years and received nothing."
Ajax unfortunately seemed to be the biggest victims of the globalisation of football in the past 15 years or so. As the Bosman ruling took effect, their great squad of the mid-90s was dismembered.
Says Van Gaal, coach at the time:
"It was difficult to prepare, as no one really knew what the consequences would be. We tried to commit players for the long term immediately, but a number of guys chose to leave on a free transfer, to be sold on one year later."
In the pre-Bosman era, on average an Ajax player who graduated through their academy and was successful would stay with the club for 9 years – that has drastically halved since the landmark ruling.
Former Ajax captain Frank Arnesen sympathises with his old club.
"It is not easy for Ajax not being as successful as they once were and that is why they have been frustrated and they have done a lot of things to try to get it right,"
"After Bosman the rich countries came in and took their players. We are still in a period when Ajax is a big club in a small country. They have a problem with the economy because the second tier in England – the Championship – gets more money from TV than Holland's highest level."
The Ajax side that finished second only on goal-difference in 2006/07 featured Wesley Sneijder, who left in the summer. That campaign was his best as a player at the club – scoring 20 goals from an advanced midfield role and countless assists whilst forging an incredible partnership with Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.
Despite winning only one Eredvisie in 2003/04, the season 2006/07 was the one he came of age – it was only his 5th season at the club, pre-Bosman he may have stayed on for another 2 or 3, and Ajax would surely have added another league title.
Sneijder moved to Real Madrid that summer, but his career there never really took off despite a solid debut season. But at least Ajax received a fee, unlike with Edgar Davids who became the first high profile Bosman transfer when he moved to AC Milan in 1996.
Again like Kluivert it never really worked out. Davids moved on to Juventus after spending a season at the San Siro, where success came for him, but despite developing and educating him Ajax never got a penny.
With the current squad it seems likely Maarten Stekelenburg (who was made captain prior to Luis Suarez's departure) and Gregory van der Wiel could be leaving in the summer. Jan Vertonghen has given it some thought, and there's great interest in one of the finest young defenders around, a possible candidate for captaincy if he stays and Stekelenburg does depart.
A cynic would suggest alongside his firm Ajax roots, De Boer's knowledge of the academy was the real reason he was given the job. But it may be crucial and in hindsight possibly one of the best decisions the Ajax board has made in some time.
But De Boer needs to ram his message home to his young squad, first of all to make it clear that the grass isn't always greener on the other side. One player that has been attracting plenty of attention is the young Danish playmaker Christian Eriksen.
As Van Praag notes:
"I pity players like that who leave at such a young age, but I understand it. It is not always good for the players. Look at Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. He went to [Real] Madrid and it didn't work, so he moved to Milan and did not playing there either."
Eriksen, who seems to be on the radar of the richer clubs in Europe, would not be blamed for turning his head, but his maturity ahead of his years tells him that in order for him to make any kind of step up he needs to develop as a player first and foremost. And as he made clear there's no better club than Ajax to do so:
"I owe the boss and am happy to continue progressing under him, I know what stage I am at in my development, and I know I am not ready yet for the Premier League in England or Serie A in Italy,"
"I have a lot more growing up to do first, and I am at the right place for that at this club and with this manager. One thing I know is that I will stay at Ajax for at least another season after this one."
He's also received a warning from Ajax youth team coach and ex-player Dennis Bergkamp, who bemoans the bucketloads of money that have changed young players' ambitions in the game.
"You want to have goals in life, to win things, to be the best, to move country and be the best there. That's my idea of football. Now I feel a lot of decisions are made on money which is strange, and sad."
There doesn't seem to be a solution that could stop young players leaving a club like Ajax, but one has candidly been offered by Van Gaal.
"An age limit should be instituted, for instance that players are not allowed to be transferred abroad before their 21st or 23rd birthday.
"Furthermore it still is bad for football that big clubs can prise free transfers from smaller clubs, promise these boys heaven and then sell them for a lot of money just a year later."
With his first couple of months going smoothly – albeit with a couple of bumps (which is expected of course) – Ajax fans can rest assured knowing that De Boer has the club's best interest at heart.
A 30th league title may be improbable but not impossible this season. Depending on the state of the squad come the start of next season, it's a heavy burden but a challenge a club great has taken and vows to fulfil.
Mohamed Moallim is a new contributor to Just Football focussing on Dutch football and football history, and is also the brains behind La Croqueta.
(photo credit: "Out Shooting" photos : ) on Flickr)


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|Patriots Look Poised For Another Super Bowl Run
|Bruins Trade For Drew Stafford
|Black and Gold Bruins Turn Yellow On Parade Day
|Inconsistency Will Continue For Bruins Unless A Change Is Made
After last night's marathon, Josh Beckett and Roy Halladay look to slow down the scoring. Last night, in total, there were 11 pitchers, 23 runs scored, 32 hits, and 37 men left on base.
Beckett is going for win #17. Which would put Beckett into a 6-way tie for the league lead in wins. His last start was one of the most gutsy performances of the year against the New York Yankees. He allowed only 4 ER in 6.2 IP even tho he gave up 13 hits.
Halladay has been a marathon man in his last four starts. His innings in the last four have been 9,9,8,9. His second half has been a lot better then his first. In the first his ERA was 4.46 and second half he has a 3.04. Beckett has been equally strong in the second half with a 3.06 ERA.
Sadly today Ellsbury has been moved to the #9 spot in the order and Lugo up to leadoff. Why? Because Tito works in mysterious ways. I say let the kid shine while he's shining. He might even keep a job if he keeps doing as well as he has.
Lowell is riding a 16 game hitting streak by the way. He is 30-60 in that streak. Lowell by the way has a .353 avg career against Halladay with 6 hits. And if you want Lowell to do more then just get a single to extend his streak, Lowell has 3 home-runs and 9 rbi against Halladay.
Tags: Jacoby Ellsbury, Josh Beckett, Roy Halladay, Toronto Blue Jays


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Earth Day 2015
Minneapolis' Earth Day Cleanup began in 1995. The event began as a way to improve the water quality of our expansive watershed. It has since become the city's largest community service project with over 17,000 participants and more than 140,000 lbs of garbage collected in just the last eight years. The cleanup makes a visible difference and has greatly improved the quality of water. It has expanded to include educational activities for all ages.
Hale, Page, Diamond Lake's Earth Day celebration will take place Saturday, April 25th from 9:30-Noon at Pearl Park. This year's activities will include making compostable planters, a recycling game, and Elpis Enterprises will be there to help kid's create bird houses! A master gardener will help you plan for the upcoming gardening season. Representatives from Metro Blooms and Friends of Diamond Lake will share their plans to further improve our local watershed by helping residents install rain gardens and permeable pavement. Make sure to enter our door prize and grab a donut and coffee. Gloves and trash bags will be available at Pearl Park. Thanks for helping keep Minneapolis a beautiful place to live, work, and play!
A special THANK YOU to Super America for the donuts and Caribou for the coffee!


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Garden JournalJuly 27, 2009 in Books, Crafts, Creativity, Gardening, Scrapbooking
You can record all your garden musing or create the gift of a lifetime for your favorite Gardener by creating a wooden journal decorated with vintage seed packets and pressed flowers. If you do your projects in stages, it makes it easier to accomplish. Start today by collecting an assortment of flowers, ferns and leaves from the garden for pressing.
For our project, we got excellent results when we pressed clean, dry blossoms and leaves by carefully positioning them in big thick telephone books. Pile on a couple more heavy books for good measure. The flowers took one week and two weeks worked for the leaves. If you live in an area with high humidity, it may take longer. The flowers and leaves will be brittle when they are thoroughly dried, so handle with care. Hobby stores offer a variety of flower presses, including ones that can be used in the microwave if you prefer. "Google" for directions if you'd like to make your own flower press.
Click here for
to make this Garden Journal.


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Latin quercus "oak," from PIE *kwerkwu-, assimilated form of *perkwu- "oak" (see fir).
Perhaps in total quantity it exceeds red oak (quercus rubra) in the whole United States.
"I suppose he is telling them that it is some kind of a 'quercus,'" said Agamemnon, thoughtfully.
Again, take the still hardier and more numerous branches of the quercus or oak family.
Excrescences on quercus infectoria caused by the puncture and deposited ova of Diplolepis Gall tinctori.
This bread is made from the fruit of the quercus ballota, which is often nearly three inches long.
The Oak (quercus robur, &c.) is pre-eminently a British tree.
Oak bark, from quercus robur, is the ancient tanning material of Britain, and is still used to a limited extent.
It consists usually of a surname and a descriptive adjective: Mary Jones, white oak, quercus alba.
The little shrub-like oak (quercus chincapin) grows in abundance on the hills that border this stream.
Quercitron is the inner bark of a species of oak (quercus tinctoria) found in the United States.


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American Idol Update
Caleb Johnson rocked out to Carrie Underwood's "Undo It":
C.J. Harris tackled some Zac Brown Band:
And, Jessica Meuse killed Dolly Parton's "Jolene" - Wait to till she hits that high note at the end. Nice.:
Even Alex broke out his Country with a Willie song:
Last night…your top six "Idols" set the stage on fire and America had to make the most grueling decision of the season. Be there, as the lights are dimmed and the dream ends for one performer. The top five are revealed live! It's an "American Idol" elimination you can't miss! After a new "Hells' Kitchen". Tonight, starting at 7pm on FOX!


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The campaign against the government's proposed Trident nuclear renewal will take to the Thames tomorrow when the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise docked at Tower Bridge plays host to a 50 strong choir.
The choir will perform a piece composed by Damon Albarn. Entitled "Five Minutes to Midnight" the performance will represent a peaceful demonstration against renewing Trident and against Britain possessing nuclear weapons. Directed by Hannah Eidinow with visuals designed by Robert del Naja of Massive Attack, and contributions from Brian Eno, "Five Minutes to Midnight" follows the launch of no-bomb.com, an anti Trident website, announced last week.
"Five actors will join the choir on the Arctic's deck in a cycle of meditations using public statements, quotations, reports and statistics on the British government's part in this debate," said director Hannah Edinow.
Opposition is growing to the government's efforts to rush through a decision on Trident renewal, with a House of Commons vote expected on Wednesday 14th March.
Greenpeace director John Sauven said: "It's not too late to stop Tony Blair wasting billions on new nuclear weapons. Trident is a cold war relic designed to destroy Russian cities and has no place in 21st century Britain".
The event is planned to start at 6.30pm at Shad Thames, South Bank, SE1 and will broadcast live on the internet (www.greenpeace.org.uk) from 7pm, where it can be accessed for 24 hours.
Greenpeace press office: 020 7865 8255


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Today was the "unofficial" first day of my Kindle Countdown Deal for The Peregrine Prophecy. I say "unofficial" because the Amazon countdown-o-meter actually started "counting down" on January 29 – as I mentioned here – but today (January 30) was the first day that my co-ordinated ad campaigns kicked in.
And kick in they did.
So in the spirit of the indie author community, I thought I'd give back by sharing how the first two days have shaped up.
Now, I'll be the first to say that compared to some authors I know, my Countdown results aren't moving any mountains. But y'know what? At only two days in, I'm pretty happy with the way things are shaping up so far. To me, getting my books in the hands of readers is all that matters. Bonus points if they: 1) read them; and 2) enjoy them!
For those of you who are authors and might be considering a Countdown, I hope what follows is helpful
January 28, 2014 (Day -1)
The day before the start of the Countdown, both books' rankings were fairly similar, hovering between #200,000 and #300,000 Paid in Kindle Store.
Sales for book one (The Cloudstone Key) had been stronger for January, which tends to be the case for the first book in a series. In terms of markets, the US was my strongest, followed by the UK, Canada, and Australia. Side note… I was very happy when I saw my first sale to India come through. Power of Amazon, huh?
January 29, 2014 (Day 0)
The "official" start of the Countdown. I also dropped the price of The Cloudstone Key for a few days (as I mentioned here) just to see what would happen. No advertising was arranged – which is why I've mangled the labeling by calling it "Day 0″ – other than word of mouth, Twitter, Facebook, and the blog post I mentioned earlier.
The result (I wish I'd taken a screenshot – I did for the next day) both books' rankings shot up, with Cloudstone flirting with #70,000 or so Paid in Kindle Store and Peregrine around #90,000 Paid in Kindle Store. While a definite improvement over Day -1, neither book managed to rank in any of its sub-catergories on Amazon. Once again, my strongest sales were in the US, followed by the UK, Canada, and Australia.
All in all, not a bad day!
January 30, 2014 (Day 1)
The rubber hits the road. The "unofficial" first day of the Countdown. The Cloudstone Key was still priced at $0.99 and I had a variety of ad campaigns running in concert – including spots at Kindle Books & Tips [for Cloudstone], BookBlast, Bookgorilla, and ebookdailydeals.com and .co.uk.
As at 10:06pm PST, here is where both books sat:
What a difference a day (with co-ordinated promotion) makes! Both books managed to attain respectable Paid in Kindle Store rankings and achieve fantastic results in their respective sub-categories. Cloudstone breaking into the Top #100 in the Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy > Sword & Sorcery category was something I was especially happy to see! Have a look:
I almost had to do a double-take when I noticed The Cloudstone Key was sandwiched between Robin Hobb and George R.R. Martin! I mean… really? My book?! Wow.
The country profile stayed the same in terms of most prominent markets, starting with the US, followed by the UK, Canada, and Australia.
That's it for now!
Tomorrow (January 31 – Day 2), the price of The Cloudstone Key will drop back to $2.99 and more spots will kick in for The Peregrine Prophecy. I'll check back in a few days from now with an update.


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This is a system that I just configured/installed. Below is the owner's post. If you have any questions, please PM or post. Thanks.
One of the cooler things not under the hood that I've done to the car. Looks great and works perfect. A few reasons why I did this:
I'm a geek.
I want my TabletPC in the house (where it should be).
A full gauge set up costs a bit, this can display more engine information.
I need more than 6 CD's to choose from.
I can get ECU flashes on my phone, and upload to the PC which is always in my car.
Runs can be recorded right to the HDD.


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Your Dog, Your Life
The Scoop
Dog News, Politics
Bark-Out-Loud Humor
Doggie Style
Gear and Glam
Wildebeest creates the perfect present for new dog parents.
Dog Breeds
Foods & Treats
Health & Care
Behavior & Training
Dogs & Cleaning
Dog of the Day
Photo Comments
I've been tagged and now you are tagged:
You may pmail or send a rosette to 7 fur friends and tell them to read
your diary entry.
List 7 things about yourself:
1. I love to take baths
2. I sleep with my momma every night
3. I greet every visitor with a toy in my mouth.
4. I have never been to a dog park. (moms afraid)
5. I love sticks and branches to chew on.
6. I love car rides
7. and I love my sister Haleyrae and brother Mugsyman.
Tagged friends:
1. Roxy Star
2. Gibson
3. Petie
4. Bogey
5. Harley
6. Duke
7. Roxy
Sorry everyone...........ha! ha!
I had my first 4th of July celebration and boy did I enjoy those fireworks. I wanted to go up to the pretty colors and touch them, but mom and dad said I had to sit back with everybody else and enjoy the view. They were so beautiful, mom was worried that I was going to be scared, but I saw Haleyrae and Mugsy just chillin on the grass and playing with their toys, so it made me feel safe.
I can't wait until next year...
Mom rented a cabin in the Tahoe National Forest, they are called: Shinney Boo Cabins, I am putting a shout out to them. We had so much fun on all the trails and at the river and lakes around. They are dog friendly and very cozy.
They are studio cabins with a loft , in case you have kids, the loft has a twin bed and a single bed. There is a queen bed downstairs, fireplace, table for two, microwave oven, small fridge, coffee pot, tea pot and the best part is I was sooo dirty I got to use the jacuzzi bathtub with dad ! They are small pine cabins, so best with couples with dogs and a kid or two. There is a small deck with sitting for four and a gas bbq, which dad made us hot dogs on!
Cabin #8 is what mom says she recommends because it backs up to the forest which is 160 acres!!! and we got to run loose and wild and get dirty!!
Mom says she doesn't know the owners , so she is not advertising for them, but highly recommends this place for dog lovers living in California or just visiting. It is $150 night (weekends) $139 a night weeknights, but they always have specials. At night they bring an ice chest for your breakfast foodies, ours had hard boiled eggs, yogurt, orange juice, cheese , banana, orange and muffins.
There is a basket in the cabins with Peets coffee (which is moms fav coffee),
hot choc, hot cider, all kinds of teas and microwave popcorn.
So....If you are ever in California, you need to check this place out.
I give this place 3 woofs!
Copyright © I-5 Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved.
Visit Catster


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text:
SailNet Community (http://www.sailnet.com/forums/)
- Iberia & The Med (http://www.sailnet.com/forums/iberia-med/)
- - Croatia and VAT (http://www.sailnet.com/forums/iberia-med/95105-croatia-vat.html)
Croatia and VAT
I received this mail recently from a friend and thought it may clear up some issues over Croatia joining the EU and the VAT issue for foreign flagged boats. The mail was sent by Marina Frapa
Our last notification about the measures that Croatia is preparing to give everyone who wants
the opportunity to register their boat under the Croatian flag before the entry of Croatia into
the European Union at July 1st 2013 has caused a lot of reactions. Since some of you have
received that letter and some did not, we briefly repeat:
"The Republic of Croatia is preparing a series of measures to stimulate the owners of boats
located in Croatia to perform the import declare for their pleasure boats and obtain the
Croatian flag.
This measure is mainly implied to those owners who have not paid the tax at acquisition of
the boat in their countries, since the boats were immediately exported into third countries
and especially those whose domicile countries have no knowledge that they possess a boat
(registered for example in Delaware, on the Cayman Islands etc.)
Even if you do not belong to this catagories that have to regulate their status and pay tax, it
may be possible that you want to register your boat under the Croatian flag because on this
way it is simpler and cheaper.
The Law on the VAT lowering for sport and leisure boats in the period of January 1st 2013
till May 31st 2013 from 25% to 5% has just passed. In the meantime there is a legislation
already stating that the special tax on boats (toll) has been reduced to 0% for all boats. Also
the rate of duty will be reduced from 8% to 1,7% for boats up to 12 m lenght and to 0% for
boats for sea sailing with a hull longer than 12 meters.
before 01.01.13.
before 01.01.13.
boats up to 12 m length
boats longer than 12m
All these favorable measures will be valid for a very short period of time up to May, 31st
2013, that is one month before Croatia becomes a full member of the EU. After that date all
the measures will be annulled autumatically.
So, we use this opportunity to inform you in order to have enough time to bring up te decision
whether you are willing to change your flag with the flag of the Republic of Croatia or not.
Our idea was to present you the advantages and disadvantages of the transition from your
current flag to the Croatian flag by listing all possible costs that you can expect with the
transition. However, not all information are still available to us. The information we have are
current and we reserve the right to make changes caused by changes in the desicion making of
the Croatian Government.
We would like to mention right away that we will not leave you alone with the paperwork and
obligations that are waiting for you with the transition to the Croatian flag. If you want you
can let me take care of this. Although this is not a classic Marina activity, you as our client
deserve the best and fastest service and help at all points. That is why we have formed a
team of outside experts (our forwarding agency from ibenik), in order to provide you with
everything you need to get at one place. Please contact us with confidence! All we need
from you is an authorization to obtain for you at certain institutions all necessary documents,
We have some of the documents already at the reception.
We have prepared together with our forwarding agent frequently asked questions and on this
way we are trying to give you all necessary information. Please note that it is not about
official interpretations, but unoffical, given in good faith, so that you can on time make a
1.Why to register a boat under the Croatian flag?
-regulation of your tax status
-cheapest rates of taxes and duties
-no more vignettes and limits of the number of passangers on the crew list
-you can place the boat in all marinas, harbors, moorings
2. What if I do not want to register my boat under the Croatian flag?
If you do not want to register your boat under the Croatian flag and change your flag, it is your
free choice. It is your choice where you want to pay VAT within the EU.
If you have paid VAT within the EU you are not obliged to pay anything else.
If you have not paid VAT within the EU you will have to decide where to pay VAT (Croatia
is currently offering the most favorable conditions).
3.Who controls whether VAT has been paid or not?
As soon as Croatia joins the EU the checking of the status of all boats in marinas has already
been announced, to capture those who have not paid taxes.
Your home country will control whether you have paid VAT in a country that is member of
the EU based on the data provided by Croatia that you are the owner of the boat (or the
person authorized to use the boat if the owner of the boat is listed as a legal entity).
4.What if I have not paid the tax and I do not want to pay it in the future?
If you are avoiding paying taxes you will have to place your boat in another country that is not
an EU member (before 01.07.2013).
5. I am not a citizen of the EU, but I have a boat under a flag of the EU, do I have to pay
The criteria is the flag. If the tax is not paid, you will have to do this (and Croatia is currently
offering the most favorable conditions).
However, as you are not a citizen of the EU you can select a flag of an offshore oasis and
keep (without paying taxes) your boat placed in Croatia.
6. I am a citizen of the EU and have a boat under the flag of Delaware, Serbia, the
Cayman Islands and I want to stay in Croatia?
Urgently change the flag!
7. What happens if I sell my boat in a few years? Is it enough that the Croatian VAT is
paid, even if the boat sold to a German or Dutchman?
The same rules apply to you as well as for Croats, it is irrelevant whether the flag is Croatian
or for example Belgian. It will be sufficient to pay the Croatian VAT because it will be paid
legally with all fees of the EU.
8.Will I have to pay in the future some kind of extra tax in Croatia for a boat under the
Croatia flag?
Tax (and duties) are paid only once, during the import customs clearance.
The Republic of Croatia has to harmonise its tax policies with the EU legislation, so it is hard
to expect a subsequent implementaion of any tax. (In this case you would not leave your boat
under the Croatian flag and we do not believe that anybody else is thinking about this.)
9. What will be after May, 31st 2013?
The deadline till May, 31st 2013 is intentionally a month shorter than the date of Croatia´s
accession to the EU, to manage it to re-register the boats after the customs clearance. Those
who have avoided the paying of the tax will be forceed to do so and additionally fined.
After May, 31st 2013 it will be still possible to register the boat under the Croatian flag, but
this will not be so attractive, because the tax will automatically move to the regular rate of
10. Does Croatia automatically get the Schengen border?
It is intended that the Republic of Croatia enters the Schengen in the year 2015.
11. Do I pay charges on the purchase or present value of the boat? Who calculates the
value of the boat?
The duty basis is the present value of the boat (without taxes).
The value of the boat is calculated by the customs catalog, this is a catalog published by
SCHWACKE, a member of the Eurotaxglass Group.
Our forwarding agent will determine the value and calculate the final price which is to be paid.
(In case of self-contruction or if the boat is not listed in the catalog it can come to
discrepancies between the declared price and the price that is accepted by the customs duty).
12. Do I have to be personally present and in what phase?
You do not have to be personally present either at the obtaining of the personal identification
number (PIN), the customs clearance or the registration of the boat, but the person or persons
who represent you must have proper authorization (it would be best if it is the same entity).
13. Does the boat need to get to the border crossing?
If the boat is duly (and it is) declared by the marina it is already under customs supervision
and it is not necessary to come to the border (the customs duty will do the inspection in the
14. What is subject to registration?
Subject to registration are all boats longer than 2,50 meters or boats with a motor power over 5
15. How and where to register boats to the Croatian flag?
If you decide to register your boat to the Croatian flag the first step is to contact us.
The boat registration procedure is the following:
-obtaining the Croatian personal identification number (PIN) from the tax administration it
is granted once and you can also use it for other activities in Croatia (for expamle when
buying a property, establishing a company). There is no cost for the entity that is requesting
the number, but a verification of the signature is need if you are not personally present.
-original ownership documents or a original extract from the boat registry are needed before
the registration of the boat and the customs clearance can be done whether with the original
registration document or with an original extract.
After that submit a copy of the Decleration of conformity of the boat (Declaration of
Conformity to 94/25/EC Directive), a copy of the certificate about the type examination of the
boat (EC Type Examination to 94/25/EC Directive) as well as a copy of the insurance policy
is needed.
We will prepare all other required documents (copy of the passport, accounting extract of the
marina, original inventory list).
-After the customs clearance a Croatian sailing permit from the Port Authority (for boats up to
12 m) or for boats longer than 12 m from the Croatian registry of boats is obtained.
16. How much does the fee for the registration of a boat in the Croatian registry cost? 1
In the overall list of costs the fee for the registration of the boat will be surely quoted, but this
fee is not yet defined. The costs of the registration depend on the lenghts of the boat. There are big differences between boats which have been produced in the EU and boats with a non-EU-origin. For example, the registration of boats from Asia or the USA are quite more expensive than the registration of boats with an EU origin. According to the latest information there will be a significant price reduction and we will inform you on time about this.
17. What are the other costs (except the costs of the forwarding agent)?
The highest expense are certainly the VAT, customs duties and the fee for the registration.
There are still some minor expenses and the fee for the boat inspection, which depends on the
lenght, but also on the equipment of the boat and the place where the inspection is done.
18. After how much time do I have to extend the registration document?
Pleasure boats up to 12 m get a permanent licence, while those over 12 m prove the ability for
sailing with the possession of the Certificate about the ability of the yacht for sailing, which is
issued by the Croatian Register of boats and which is renewed every 5 years (when the boat is
inspected again).
19. What about the (old) insurance policy that I paid for?
According the the available information, the insurance policy is valid if the previous owner
(and that is you) agrees with this.
20. Do I keep upon the registration the name of my boat?
Boats with a lenght up to 12 meters must have a mark (combination of numbers and letters
from the port of registry) and can also have a name (which is set by the owner).
However, yachts (longer than 12 m) must have a name and it has to unique in whole Croatia.
21. The owner of the boat is not a natural person, but a legal person. In which way the
boat can be used in personal (recreational) purposes?
It is fact that the reduction of the tax rate to 5% applies to recreational boats (for boats of
economic activity this is not so important, because the VAT is used as tax prepayment).
It is, however, currently not clarified whether and how legal persons will be able to register a
boat for personal use. (Most probably it will be necessary to make a ownership change i.e.
the legal person will make out an invoice to the natural person and based on this the boat
will be registered in Croatia on that natural person).
22. How long does the whole procedure take?
It is necessary to do a lot of things: to obtain the PIN,to preliminary inspect the boat to check
the serial numbers of the hull and engine, to obtain the certificate of technical
acceptability, to perform the import declare and pay all fees, to delete the boat in the
mother registry, to translate all documents into Croatian by a certified translator, to submit
the request for the registration of the boat...
For yachts (longer than 12 m) the clearance procedure is roughly the same as for boats
up to 12 m, but the registration is more complex and time-consuming.
23. What is the difference in the registration of boats up to 12 m and those over 12
The registration of boats up to 12 m carries out the port authority and for boats over 12 m the
Croatian Registry of boats.
In both cases the customs declaration, the listing from the registry (deletion), the certificate of
technical acceptability, the authorization and the request for the first registration need to be
enclosed and the boat has to be inspected.
For yachts longer than 12 m the application for the naming of the boat has to be
submit, the licence for the radio station on the boat (Ship`s Radio Licence) and the
certificate about the yacht calibration had to be obtained.
24. How much time do I have to make a decision?
Theoretically you still have six months, but it should be started as soon as possible because it
is a long-term procedure. Also, there will be a lot of requests and the Croatian beureaucracy is
known for its slowness even when there is not much to do.
It would be desirable to announce the readiness to perform the import declare for the boat
already in December.
If you are NOT interested in this topic, please send us a brief notice so we will not
needlessly incommode you in the future with information and clarifications.
At the end of this letter we would like to mention that we will certainly charge you also the
costs of our service which will include our engagement and the engagement of the forwarding
agent with the added taxes which may need to be paid. I repeat, once it is clear what the
legislator has passed, we will make a calculation and inform our interested clients.
Re: Croatia and VAT
That is a long post. I knew already about that and it seems a good way to buy in EC a boat paying 8% tax instead of 20 or 23% and in the end have the boat fully legal with the VAT paid in the EC....if everything goes as previewed ;)
Re: Croatia and VAT
I was thinking along the same lines - I am sure that this is EC-legal, but am also wary of future changes in Croatia that might make flagging boats there more expensive than originally presented. I'm in a perfect situation for this - an EU passport, residency outside of the EU, a UK flagged boat with no VAT paid. The difference between VAT this way and if I were to return to the UK on my current boat value is almost $100K!
Re: Croatia and VAT
Here you have more information:
Kroatien: Nachversteuerung zu 5 Prozent kommt! - Reise*|*YACHT.DE
I don't think the problem would be with Croatia. Regarding Croatia if they say you have the VAT paid, you have the VAT paid and that's finish.
The problems is how the other EC countries are going to look at this maneuver that is clearly a way of evading tax in their countries and what they are going to do about it?
Maybe nothing because this is just a transitory 3 months measure. I guess it will depend on the number of sailors that will try to take advantage of this.
Re: Croatia and VAT
PCP - that article in YACHT.DE just re-states, in lay terms, what the original post said. They did mention a luxury tax in Croatia which I would be afraid might be levied in the future.
Many of the boats in Croatia belong to EU residents/citizens and are not VAT paid, so this measure was taken to ensure that these boats don't emigrate, along with their cash, to countries such as neighbouring Turkey. It does look like a very good deal and I intended on returning to the EU within the next 5 years then I'd certainly look further into a Croatian flag.
Re: Croatia and VAT
Does it mean that you have to buy the boat in Croatia? What if you buy it elsewhere in the EU?
This is maybe a nice move from them, but everything else may be more expensive so I think it is not straightforward decision. The whole EU will further suffocate its citizens with more and more taxes so I don't see any end in sight. It is a matter of time when EU asks Croatia to hand them the names of all those Italians and others who moved their boats to Croatia to avoid tax increases.
Re: Croatia and VAT
Invictus - you don't need to buy the boat there, but you need to register the boat there. If the previous flag was outside of the Eurozone or the boat was registered in the Eurozone but not VAT paid then re-registering and paying the reduced VAT is a great money saver (and source of income for Croatia).
Re: Croatia and VAT
Thanks Zanshin
I am not a tax expert but I am wondering what are the advantages of that vs having your boat registered in the Caymans, BVI or similar jurisdiction. I agree on the initial cost advantages but I am concerned that at some point, financially desperate governments will come after you anyway (like the encouraging 75% tax for the 'rich' in France), or introduce additional but differently phrased costs.
Re: Croatia and VAT
If you have a boat registered in the Caymans or the BVI and you travel to the EU with the boat then you don't immediately have to pay VAT upon entry into the Union - a great cash savings but the boat now needs to leave the EU in order to keep that tax-exempt status. I believe it is every 18 months but haven't looked into the details. I gather that if I own the boat in my name and cannot prove residency outside of the EU they will collect VAT as well - I've heard anecdotal stories about the Germans doing so but no first-hand experience; this means that to be 100% effective one would need to create an IBC and have the ownership in the company name plus a contract between yourself and the company allowing use. All rather complex but for a big yacht that work can be worth it.
In my case I won't be returning to the EU with the boat for a while, and when I do it will be part of my belongings as a returning expat and will be VAT exempt (with a couple of conditions, such as not selling the boat within x-months of returning). By that time depreciation will have also reduced the tax value of the boat.
Re: Croatia and VAT
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text:
Matt O'Brien
Solid walk-on player who missed all of spring practice after suffering a broken left fibula... provides depth at the Spur position.
2010: Worked with the scout team as a walk-on after joining the program in the spring.
2009: Was enrolled at South Carolina but did not play football.
HIGH SCHOOL: Graduated from Bergen Catholic High School, winner of 16 New Jersey state football titles, in Oradell, N.J. in 2009... was the starting free safety, played wide receiver and was part of all special teams for the legendary coach Fred Stengel... selected as a defensive captain... missed much of his senior season due to a broken foot... was the recipient of the 2008 Bergen County Coaches Association football scholarship... helped his team to the state finals in 2008 where they lost to Don Bosco, the top-ranked team in the nation... also lettered in track & field and bowling... is a former teammate of Brian Cushing of the Houston Texans, a former NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
PERSONAL: Matthew Kevin O'Brien is a sport and entertainment management major... cousin, John Saati, was a junior college All-American free safety at Nassau C.C. in Long Island, NY in 2009... is a lifelong Special Olympics volunteer.


text:
WestJet profit triples, but horizon cloudy
By Jeffrey Jones
CALGARY, Alberta (Reuters) - WestJet Airlines Ltd's second-quarter profit nearly tripled from last year when a onetime charge for a failed reservation system marred its results, Canada's No. 2 airline said on Wednesday.
Operating earnings, however, fell 10 percent as fuel costs surged and its planes flew slightly less full.
WestJet executives said they expect results to remain among the strongest in the struggling industry, but they warned that the carrier is not immune to high oil prices and a shaky economy.
Fuel expenses at the airline, which has stuck to its expansion plans while rivals cut capacity, accounted for 38 percent of its costs in the quarter, up from 26 percent last year.
WestJet slapped a fuel surcharge on fares during the quarter.
"At current unprecedented elevated levels, fuel prices will negatively impact our margins during the remainder of 2008," Chief Financial Officer Vito Culmone told analysts.
"Economic uncertainty in North America as well as the higher cost of air travel due to record fuel prices is deterring some guests from traveling," he said.
Chief Executive Sean Durfy said business had slowed on Eastern and Atlantic Canadian routes as well as on red-eye flights between Canadian and U.S. destinations. Western Canadian routes have stayed strong, he said. Continued...


text:
Beginning the Journey [CD]
- Artist: David Glass
- Release Date: 12/18/2007
Best Buy is dedicated to always offering the best value to our customers. We will match the price, at the time of purchase, on a Price Match Guarantee product if you find the same item at a lower price at a Designated Major Online Retailer or at a local retail competitor's store.Here's how:
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- Leaf on a Stream
- Only with You
- New Beginnings
- Blind Beach
- Echoing Hearts
- Red Horizon
- November Sky
- To Love Another
- Cry of the Sea
- Sun River
- Starlight Before Dawn


text:
Find a copy in the library
Finding libraries that hold this item...
|Feature films
Film adaptations
Fiction films
Video recordings for the hearing impaired
DVD- Video discs
New York Drama
|Named Person:
|Sapphire; Sapphire
|Material Type:
|Document Type:
|Visual material
|All Authors / Contributors:
Lee Daniels; Geoffrey Fletcher; Sarah Siegel-Magness; Gary Magness; Oprah Winfrey; Tyler Perry; Lisa Cortés; Tom Heller; Andrew Dunn; Mo'Nique; Paula Patton; Mariah Carey; Sherri Shepherd; Lenny Kravitz; Gabourey Sidibe; Mark G Mathis; Joe Klotz; Mario Grigorov; Roshelle Berliner; Marina Draghici; Sapphire; Lee Daniels Entertainment (Firm),; Smokewood Entertainment (Firm),; Lions Gate Films,
|OCLC Number:
|Language Note:
|English dialogue with optional English or Spanish subtitles; closed-captioned.
|Based upon the book "Push", a novel by Sapphire.
Originally released as a motion picture in 2009.
Opening credits mirror its main character's illiteracy by misspelling the title, which is given as "Precious (Base on Nol by Saf)" with the correction "(Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire)" underneath.
Special features: Audio commentary with director Lee Daniels; "From Push to Precious" featurette; "A Precious ensemble" featurette; "Oprah and Tyler: a project of passion" featurette; a conversation with Author Sapphire and director Lee Daniels; Deleted scene: the incest survivor meeting; Audition: Gabourey Sidibe; "Reflections on Precious" featurette; theatrical trailer.
|Co-executive producer, Simone Sheffield ; co-producer, Mark G. Mathis ; editor, Joe Klotz ; music by Mario Grigorov ; music supervisor, Lynn Fainchtein ; production designer, Roshelle Berliner ; costume designer, Marina Draghici.
|Mo'Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, Sherri Shepherd, Lenny Kravitz, Gabourey Sidibe, Stephanie Andujar, Chyna Layne, Amina Robinson, Xosha Roquemore, Angelic Zambrana, Aunt Dot, Nealla Gordon, Grace Hightower, Barret Isaiah Mindell, Kimberly Russell, Bill Sage, Susan Taylor.
|Academy Awards, 2009: Best Picture, Best actress (Mo'Nique), and best director ; Golden Globe Winner, Best supporting actress, Monique, Best Picture Drama, Best Actress Drama, Gabourey Sidibe ; Best Picture of 2009, Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
|Target Audience:
|MPAA rating: R; for child abuse including sexual assault, and pervasive language.
|1 videodisc (109 min.) : sound, color ; 4 3/4 in.
|DVD format; NTSC, region 1; widescreen (1.85:1) presentation; Dolby Digital 5.1 EX surround, Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo.
|Someday --
Principal's office --
Each one teach one --
Big day tomorrow --
First day --
Still hungry --
You coming? --
Meet and greet --
Single step --
All look the same --
Eat it up --
Home life --
For the social worker --
Talk to somebody --
Higher learning --
Nurse John --
Dear Precious --
Can I hold him? --
Ruined my life --
Just a teacher --
Making progress --
Visitor --
Your story --
On her own.
|Other Titles:
|Precious (Motion picture)
Precious (base on nol by saf)
|Lee Daniels Entertainment in association with Smokewood Entertainment ; directed by Lee Daniels ; screenplay by Geoffrey Fletcher ; produced by Lee Daniels, Sarah Siegel-Magness, Gary Magness ; executive producers, Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, Lisa Cortés, Tom Heller ; presented by Lionsgate, Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry ; director of photography, Andrew Dunn.
|More information:
In 1987, obese, illiterate, black 16-year-old Claireece 'Precious' Jones lives in Harlem with her dysfunctional family. She has been raped and impregnated twice by her father, Carl. She suffers constant physical, mental and sexual abuse from her unemployed mother, Mary. After getting pregnant for the second time, Precious is suspended from her school. Her principal arranges to have her attend an alternative school where her new teacher, Ms. Rain, helps Precious learn to read and she responds to this glimmer of hope. Precious also meets Mrs. Weiss, a social worker, who discovers the abuse and incest that Precious has had to endure. Her father dies of AIDS and Precious learns that she is now HIV-positive.
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- Sapphire, -- 1950- -- Film adaptations.
- Sapphire, -- 1950-
- African American teenage mothers -- New York (State) -- New York -- Drama.
- Overweight teenagers -- New York (State) -- New York -- Drama.
- Illiterate persons -- New York (State) -- New York -- Drama.
- Abused children -- New York (State) -- New York -- Drama.
- Rape victims -- New York (State) -- New York -- Drama.
- Incest -- New York (State) -- New York -- Drama.
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- Adolescentes como madres de familia -- Nueva York (Estados Unidos : Estado) -- Nueva York -- Teatro.
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- Abused children.
- African American teenage girls.
- African American teenage mothers.
- Illiterate persons.
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- Overweight teenagers.
- Rape victims.
- New York (State)
- New York (State) -- New York.
- New York (State) -- New York -- Harlem.
- Kindesmisshandlung
- Inzest
- Closed-captioned.
- Feature films.
- Films for the hearing impaired.
- Video recordings for the hearing impaired.
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text:
Luxurious is what comes to mind when you snuggle into a silk filled blanket from Mulberry West. Mulberry West silk blankets are filled with 100% mulberry silk, the highest quality silk you can purchase. Strong as steel in tensile strength, mulberry silk is the strongest natural fiber known to man yet so lightweight, and supremely soft. Mulberry West uses pure Grade A mulberry silk - this is the highest quality silk. Other silk comforters that don't specify the quality of their silk use wild or tussah silk which is low grade and requires a lot of chemical processing.
Mulberry silk is naturally hypoallergenic, dust mites and bed bugs don't like it. Silk's "breath-ability" makes it warm in winter, cool in summer. Perfect for menopausal women because silk regulates you body heat. Each Mulberry West silk filled blanket is filled with 75 grams of silk and covered with a bleach-free 300 thread count polished cotton cover.
Care instruction: Spot clean your Mulberry West silk blanket and set out in the sun allowing nature to refresh it. They may also be dry cleaned. Do not machine wash any Mulberry silk blanket.
Manufactures Warranty : Mulberry West warranties its bedding against manufacturer's defects and material defects for 10 years from the date of purchase. The warranty does not cover normal wear-and-tear or cleaning damage. Washing and care instructions must be followed.
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text:
The French, after occupying Morocco as a protectorate, worked very hard to make decent roads inland to connect the more distant cities such as Marrakech and Fes to the coastal cities. They also were at work constructing rail lines. Edith Wharton comments on the new track connecting coastal towns and travels by car with the French officials on a hard-packed dirt road from Rabat to Casablanca to Marrakech in 1917.
But what about the Moroccans in Jade's time? For them, transportation involved some number of feet, 2 or 4. For long distance travel, the dromedary camel was a proven animal of choice, especially crossing the bled or barren wilderness. [see photo below.]
If one were wealthy, or the Sultan, then horses were utilized. The most common beast of burden ridden or used to carry provisions, was either a mule or the donkey. Donkeys were ridden either astride or by sitting sidewise on them. [see photo below.] The only saddle was a woven cloth. Jade's mother went up the Atlas on one of these little animals in The Serpent's Daughter and Jade dodged them in the narrow streets of Marrakech as the drivers shouted balek! as a warning cry to get out of the way.
But in Jade's time as now, the most predominant mode of transport in Morocco was a person's own two legs. Even in my trip during 2006, people could be seen walking in the Atlas mountains in the middle of nowhere, with no village in sight or alongside of the major roads between distant towns. Others can be seen resting in the shade along the way. [see above photo.] In that way at least, Jade's time still exists today.
Labels: camels, dromedary, Edith Wharton, Jade del Cameron, Morocco, Serpent's Daughter


text:
Some Bogleheads may recall a story from Fortune magazine to which I posted a link a few weeks ago. The story concerns the possibility of defaults on municipal bonds and contains an excellent description of how a municipality gets into a position where it may be unable to continue making bond payments.
http://money.cnn.com/2008/10/13/news/ec ... 2008101510
One of the alleged villains in the story was Birmingham, Alabama, Mayor Larry Langford.
I'm reposting this link today because CNN just reported that the FBI arrested Mayor Langford this morning. FBI spokesman Paul Daymond said he could not comment on the charges.
The mayors of large cities don't get arrested every day, so I expect national coverage of this story, including cautionary stories about municipal bonds which may move the prices of munis and muni funds.
Municipal bond scandal in Birmingham, AL continues
Discuss all general (i.e. non-personal) investing questions and issues, investing news, and theory.
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Here's Bloomberg's story on the Mayor's indictment.
Best wishes,
Best wishes,
Most of my posts assume no behavioral errors.
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"Learn and Master" is award-winning multi-media series, offering a comprehensive home learning system, progressing from beginner to advanced levels of skill and expertise. With professional instruction in an easy-to-use DVD-based format along with play-along CDs, an instruction book, and online support, this package will guide aspiring musicians and dancers every step of the way. Until now, this product was only available directly from the publisher. This is the first time it will be available through stores. Attractive packaging and a great value for amount of content make this a very attractive product. "Learn and Master Drums" - features 12 DVDs, 5 Jam - along CDs and 100 and more page lesson book.
The most comprehensive package available for beginners. Features many valuable tips on setting up and tuning, techniques to get you started playing as well as play-along tracks to practice with. With world-renowned drummer, solo artist, author and educator, Tommy Igoe, "Getting Started On Drums" Series is an entertaining and educational way for beginning drummers to learn the right way to play— right from the start.
In Revolutionary America, Gil Martin takes his new wife Lana back to his farm in upstate New York. The area is remote and a distance from the fort but they are happy living in their one room cabin. With the declaration independence, the settlers soon find themselves at war with the British and their Indian allies. Their farm is burned out and the Martins take work with Sarah McKlennar. The war continues however as the Martins try to make a new life.
EpiK DrumS EDU is the best tool for anyone interested in learning how to record and mix real drum kits. With today's technology, sampled drums are used more and more, but every engineer and producer needs to know how to record and mix a real drum kit. This package contains everything you need to learn from the masters.
David Moore is in East Africa to get to his employer's railway construction site. He's accompanied by the owner's son Brian and they've lined up Jack Cuortemayn, reputedly the best guide available, to take them there. Cuortemayn refuses as he doesn't care for the impact the railroad will have on the local inhabitants. While Moore tries to make other arrangements, he meets Ruth Knight who has lived there for many years working with her father in a medical clinic. There will be adventures along the way but when Ruth is captured by slave traders, its up to the others to rescue her.