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8 Ball
By Tom Friend
Kobe vs. Phil, Kobe vs. Shaq, Kobe vs. an unnamed Laker, Kobe vs. the Los Angeles Times, the state of Colorado v. Kobe -- when will it ever end? You're either for the talented Mr. Bryant or against him, but just be advised, he's got a list of who's in and who's out.
His allies are easy to spot; they're the ones on his payroll. His bodyguards are practically nannies to his 15-month-old daughter, Natalia, and his pilots get him from Eagle, Colo., to LAX in an astounding hour 35, and that's exactly how Kobe Bean Bryant likes it: what can you do for me?
The reality is 14 players and coaches have to live with him, and when they say everything's copacetic, they're lying. But they know winning another ring will be simpler with him than without him, and so they let No. 8 have his way, if for no other reason than it's short term. The bodyguards carry his daughter's diaper bags, the players let him go 1-on-5, the media doesn't ask personal questions and the sycophants at Staples Center chant "MVP, MVP!" in his dour direction.
Somehow Kobe Bryant has managed to persevere through what one Laker official calls "the season from hell." He's dealt with shoulder sprains, a sliced finger, Shaq's scrunched-up face, eight Colorado court hearings and profane exchanges with his All-World coach. And look at him, he's winning playoff games with circus shots.
No one knows how he's doing it, how he's playing through a charge that carries a frightful sentence of four years to life. He says it's "God's work," while others in the organization say it's outright stubbornness. What you can't call it is dull.
The highlights, or lowlights, have been plentiful. There was the night of Dec. 19, when he flew back in a private jet from a hearing in Colorado to a waiting car, got stuck in LA traffic, listened to the first quarter on the radio and then beat the Nuggets on a last-second heave. Problem is, the shot wasn't supposed to be his, which ticked off the Lakers' three other Hall of Famers.
We could go on and on like this, and we will, but the point is the playoffs are here, and the Lakers will either keep bowing to him or implode. All that's riding on it is Phil Jackson's 10th and most trying championship. When all is said and done, they're either going to break up the Lakers or invite everybody back for an encore.
Yeah, like they'd all want to do this again.
We begin with the April 11 game in Sacramento. With Kobe refusing to shoot, attempting just one shot the entire first half. With an unnamed Lakers player telling the Los Angeles Times, "I don't know how we can forgive him." With a ballistic Kobe going locker to locker the next day, growling, "Are you the motherf--er who said that?"
None of them told Kobe yes, of course, not with those fangs sprouting from his mouth. In fact, most of them essentially said, "Get out of my face." Eventually, the team laughed it off, with Shaq approaching a Times columnist to pry, "Come on, who was it -- a guard or a forward?"
That 48-hour window is a clear snapshot of how the season has gone: horribly. There are two sides to the kid. There's the Kobe Bryant who is the most adored athlete in LA, and then there's the Kobe Bryant who's turned this season into a melodrama, the Kobe who, according to a prominent Lakers employee, has treated people around him "like slaves."
Many of his bodyguards are current or former members of the LAPD, paid by the Lakers on gamedays and travel days to watch Kobe's back, and yet Kobe has sent them racing back to his hotel to retrieve his cell phone or back to the team jet to see if he's left a carry-on. From the locker room in Phoenix, he sent a bodyguard to fetch a pregame dinner from McDonald's, and on the road, some have been seen lugging bags of Big Macs into the Lakers hotel.
It's a novel sight: men and women dressed in black, packing mace and walkie-talkies ... running errands. They're practically personal valets. They stay across the hall from Kobe on the road, and, at home games, they trail after Kobe's wife, Vanessa, as she walks through the concourse in her pink high heels and pleated miniskirts. If it bothers them, they never show it. At the least, it's put them inside his inner circle. A few weeks back, Natalia toddled over to a bodyguard stationed outside the locker room just to hold the man's hand.
Still, members of the Lakers staff do not approve of the way he treats his posse, and are tempted to sit Kobe down for a scolding. But what good will it do? He's been this way for years. A few summers ago, for instance, they say he brought his barber and the barber's mother on an adidas junket to China, only to fire him soon after they landed. It seems the barber took his mom to do some quick sightseeing and wasn't around when Kobe wanted a haircut. Kobe ordered his people to pack the barber's bags and book him and his mom on the next 18-hour flight home.
At times like those, Kobe exudes a certain contentious entitlement, and that's why some Lakers players were convinced he had sabotaged the April 11 game in Sacramento as a form of payback for the ongoing grumbling about his shot selection. Kobe, who denies it vociferously, says he was only trying to get his teammates involved, and was so angry at the accusation that he refused to talk to the Los Angeles Times, or to any beat writer, for 11 days. "One thing, I am stubborn," he said the day he ended the boycott.
After the humiliation of his arrest in Eagle, and then his public admission of adultery, Lakers players and coaches expected a more docile Kobe this season. According to one Laker, Kobe told teammates in training camp that he'd been humbled. And early in the season, he did seem contrite, and genuinely concerned about the bashing he was due to get on the road. The worst was in November in Milwaukee, where a fan held up a sign that read "Kobe Raped Me." In that same game, he drained a clutch jump shot, wagged a finger, mouthed "No, no, no ... " and heard a man in the front row sneer, "That's what she said, Kobe." But fairly soon, after details of his court case leaked out and public perception began to turn in Kobe's favor, the jeers subsided. Once again, No. 8 jerseys popped up everywhere, mostly on kids.
"It's died down a lot," Kobe said during an interview in Seattle late in the regular season. "I'm just like a normal player now."
So back he went to being the headstrong Kobe, the Kobe the Lakers have come to know and love and hate. It's made for a curious last six months, starting with Kobe's admission at the All-Star break that he "didn't like Phil" as a person.
Jackson -- who describes Kobe with terms such as "untrusting" and "iconoclastic" and "arrested development" -- wasn't surprised. "Kobe had been snapping back at me when I made comments to him," the coach says. "I could tell it was very difficult for him to take any authority from me at all, in practice and in games."
The players kept waiting for Jackson to reprimand Kobe, or at least bench him for a quarter or two, but that didn't happen until Jan. 7, in Denver. It was Kobe's first game in Colorado since the arrest, and to keep the media circus to a minimum, Jackson canceled the morning shootaround. But in the first quarter, when Kobe threw one of his rare passes out of bounds, Jackson shouted, "You've gotta make a better pass than that." Kobe's reaction, according to witnesses, was, "Well, you need to teach these motherf--ers how to run the offense." So Jackson yanked him.
But the drama would only escalate. Four weeks after the Nuggets game, a report surfaced that Kobe had previously made advances toward a hotel worker on a road trip to Portland. Shortly before the news broke, he badly sliced his right index finger. The Lakers released a statement saying he'd cut himself on a window pane while moving boxes in his garage, although whispers around the organization were that he'd actually injured himself in an emotional outburst at home. Kobe says, "I'm not going there," but Jackson said, "It was very suspicious."
Compounding the mystery was the fact Kobe immediately dropped out of sight. No Lakers player or coach saw him from the day of the accident, Jan. 30, through Feb. 6. He was supposed to join them in Philadelphia on Feb. 5, but neither team officials nor his bodyguards could reach him. "We hadn't even seen his finger yet," Jackson says. He finally joined them in Orlando, though he didn't play, but Jackson says he "felt completely disconnected" from Kobe, and that it was "probably the most disjointed period" of Kobe's season.
Kobe was chronically late at that time too, and not even exorbitant fines could get him up on his Ducati motorcycle and to practice on time. "My normal fines are like $100, and if you're late a couple of times, it's $250," Jackson says. "But for him, it was beyond any level of embarrassment. It didn't matter to him anymore. That's when you've become an impediment to the team's progress. It's like a slap in the face to the group."
By the All-Star Game, Jackson was boiling over. In his first game back from injury, Kobe played soft defense on Cuttino Mobley in a 102-87 loss to Houston right before the break, so on that Monday, the coach called him in. He implored his star to embrace basketball again.
"I said, 'Let's tighten this up a bit, because it's gotten too loose and out of joint between you and the rest of the team,' " Jackson says. "The conversation went well -- or as well as they go with Kobe."
Presto. Kobe began showing up at the arena three-and-a-half hours early on gamedays, to lift, shoot and stretch with his trainer, Joe Carbone. Then he'd do late-night training afterward at home. In the first seven games after the talk, Kobe averaged 32.7 points, and by late March, Jackson was saying Kobe had re-emerged as "the top player" in the sport. It was as if the kid had simply flicked on a switch. "I thought for six weeks there, he played as well as anybody's ever played," the coach says. "It was great."
Now if he'd just pass the ball to Shaq.
Make no mistake: this is still Shaquille O'Neal's team.
Lakers fans may cheer louder for Kobe than for Shaq ("The city likes child stars, like Drew Barrymore," Jackson says), but they haven't set foot in the locker room. They haven't seen the way Shaq runs the place, or keeps his teammates in stitches. When he won Game 1 of the playoff series against the Rockets with a last-minute dunk, Shaq's quote was, "I'm no hero. A hero ain't nothing but a sandwich, and I'm trying to cut down on my carbohydrates." Or when teammates were comparing Vince Carter's dunks to Michael Jordan's one day, Shaq's quote was, "That's like comparing apples and pumpkins." The guys adore him.
So imagine what happens to them when the games start ... and Kobe won't hand the ball over.
"People can say it's a Kobe town, but I don't really care, because the world knows if The Diesel ain't flowing, nothing's flowing," Shaq says. "That's why I don't understand how they don't keep The Diesel involved sometimes. It's an insult to me to run down the court 10 times in a row and not touch the ball. A lot of people say, 'Well, you've got to demand it.' I don't see Tim Duncan demanding the ball when we play them. He runs down and turns, and as soon as he puts his hand out, it's there. We've done that in the past, and look what we got. Three gold balls. When you have different agendas, that's when things get messed up. But see, the powers that be need to handle that."
But just who is the Power That Be? Is it Kobe? Is it Kobe's biggest fan, Jerry Buss? It's certainly not Jackson. The coach's contract is up after the season, and the owner has suspended negotiations, even though his daughter Jeanie is Jackson's girlfriend. The sense, according to a Buss confidant, is that Buss doesn't want to rehire Jackson if pending free agents Kobe, Karl Malone and Gary Payton leave and the team decides to make a movement toward youth. Even Jackson agrees there's "no reason to pay the kind of money they pay me if it's not in the cards to chase a championship."
But Shaq says he wants Phil to stay. He doesn't want to start over. If Kobe leaves, he says, he'll go out himself and recruit another superstar -- like his "boy" Tracy McGrady, who can opt out after next season. "If Kobe left, a lot of guys would want to come here," Shaq says, "because they know playing with Diesel makes it easier. I can make a phone call to anybody. You kidding me?"
But here's the twist: Buss might keep Kobe instead of Shaq. According to that Buss confidant, the Lakers "will fight 'til the end" to keep the 25-year-old Kobe, even as they're in no rush to extend the 32-year-old Shaq. Any team thinking it can work a sign-and-trade for Kobe this summer -- the only way most teams could pay him the max -- is just wrong. "I'm not trading Kobe," says GM Mitch Kupchak. "They're going to have to hire another GM to trade him. This GM won't do it."
O'Neal, who can opt out after next season, has begun to sense the hard truth: Kobe comes first. Kobe always comes first. Worse, Kobe knows it. And that bothers Shaq, because he's the one who recruited Malone and Payton, because he's the one who thought the front office would reward him for it. Instead, he feels they want him to take at least a $10 million pay cut, like Kevin Garnett did in Minnesota. "That would be an insult for me to even listen to," says Shaq.
"That's why my e-mail address is A32DejaVu," he continues. "Because this is the same thing that happened when I wore No.32 in Orlando. You get a young guy, you bring him in, you mold him, but he's got people in his ear and now he thinks he's the man. That's what happened with Penny down there, and that's what's happening here. And I understand they want to go younger. I'm not tripping over that. But if you don't want me here, just let me know. The good thing is, somebody will want this. I've got about five, six good years left."
Right now, the franchise is more preoccupied with the next six weeks, with winning a 10th gold ball. But as usual, a lot of that hinges on the whims of Kobe. In Game 4 of the Houston series, he was passive for the first 42 minutes and then suddenly wouldn't part with the ball. He missed seven straight -- "it's addictive," he says of shooting -- but then a make in OT gave him the gall to attempt a contorting layup in gridlock. It fell in, clinched the game and had one of his bodyguards cheering in the pressroom.
His teammates bit their lip afterward, never bashing him. His closest friend on the squad, Derek Fisher, who hugs him before tipoff, says Kobe deserves the benefit of the doubt. "I mean, to battle these personal things and still perform at a high level is impressive," Fisher says. The three other Lakers superstars are trying to toe the line too. Believe it or not, Shaq admires Kobe's pure ability ("a courageous little brother," he says), and doesn't believe Kobe tanked in Sacramento. As for Malone and Payton, they have enough to worry about just staying healthy and mastering Jackson's triangle offense. But they're grateful Kobe hasn't quit because of his legal entanglement, and they tolerate the drama because they just want a ring. After Sunday's game, Malone even kissed Kobe on the temple.
By all appearances, it's a congenial Lakers locker room. But that doesn't mean any of his teammates, except maybe Fisher, has broken through the facade. Even part-owner Magic Johnson has failed to get Kobe to warm up to him this year. A friend of Magic's says, "No one gets in with Kobe."
In the end, the Lakers' title hopes come down to whether they can stomach Kobe's mood swings -- he's generally less selfish with the ball in the postseason -- and whether he'll have to miss playoff games because of two more sets of hearings in Eagle. "Well," says Kupchak, "we can only get a jet for him, not a rocket. Although we wish we had a rocket."
That says it all. Kobe may be a pain in the butt, but he's their pain in the butt. Think about it. Would you rather be the Lakers with Kobe, or the Lakers without Kobe?
It's like comparing apples and pumpkins.


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LeandroNuevaCruzada wrote:¡Buen día amigo!
I'm bilingual. I had the chance to study English in Secondary School along with Spanish as the first language. It's difficult to get Spanish Buddhist literature here. I rely mostly on Buddhist forums, youtube videos and some articles in English to learn more on Buddhism.
I started having an idea about Buddhism when I was a child. My uncle has this Chinese Buddhist book that he only puts on display. The next exposure is when I finished college. I had misconceptions about Buddhism before and an opinion forum made me realize that I was very wrong. I watched Ajahm Brahms youtube videos and it really helped me a lot. Then, Yuttadhammo's channel has been very helpful and educational too.
I also studied different religions too. I studied Islam, Judaism, Christianity (Roman Catholicism) too. However, Buddhism had the greatest impact for me. It did not just help me with my anxiety problem. It changed my outlook in life for the better.
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Don't miss out on a lower price on this hotel
Get an overview of this hotelOceanfront getaway on Hollywood Broadwalk
Popular property highlights
Hollywood Broadwalk
Overlooking the Hollywood Broadwalk and the Atlantic Ocean, this beachfront Marriott is 4 miles from Young Circle shopping and dining, 10 miles from Fort Lauderdale, and 21 miles from Miami.
Beachfront pool
An oceanfront pool with a tiki bar, the Key West–inspired Latitudes restaurant, and a well-appointed fitness room are among the highlights of the Hollywood Beach Marriott.
Balconies with views
Marriott guestrooms have furnished balconies with partial views of the ocean or Intracoastal Waterway. Other features include flat-screen TVs, complimentary high-speed Internet access, and marble baths.Information missing or incorrect? Tell us!Opens in a new window
Hollywood Beach Marriott
Hotel Amenities
Hotel Amenities
The Hollywood Beach Marriott is 8 miles from the fashionable shops of Los Olas Boulevard and 10 miles from downtown Fort Lauderdale. It is located on the waterfront.
In addition to an oceanfront pool, the hotel offers a 24-hour fitness center with stationary bikes, stair machines, treadmills, free weights, and Pilates balls. Latitudes, the hotel's ocean-view restaurant, has a casual Key West vibe. The 24-hour business center contains computers with complimentary high-speed Internet access, printers, and a fax machine. Covered parking is available for vehicles big and small (surcharge). Freshly brewed coffee drinks are available in the lobby each morning.
- Free newspapers in lobby
- Fitness facilities
- Conference space
- Express check-out
- 24-hour front desk
- ATM/banking
- Dry cleaning/laundry service
- Elevator/lift
- Bar/lounge
- Business center
- Coffee/tea in common areas
- Coffee shop or café
- Concierge services
- Express check-in
- Gift shops or newsstand
- Free WiFi
- Computer station
- Meeting rooms 4
- Multilingual staff
- Number of floors - 11
- Total number of rooms - 229
- Terrace
- Poolside bar
- Porter/bellhop
- Restaurant
- Conference space size (feet) - 7000
- Beach cabanas (surcharge)
- RV, bus, truck parking (surcharge)
- Beach towels
- Conference space size (meters) - 650
- Self parking (surcharge)
- Smoke-free property
- Spa tub
- Outdoor pool
- Breakfast available (surcharge)
- Wedding services
- Valet parking (surcharge)
- Year Built 1986
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi , Free wired Internet
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi
Self parking (surcharge), Valet parking (surcharge), RV, bus, truck parking (surcharge)
Room Amenities
- Premium TV channels
- Premium bedding
- Balcony
- Air conditioning
- Blackout drapes/curtains
- In-room climate control (air conditioning)
- Free weekday newspaper
- Phone
- Free local calls
- Refrigerator
- Coffee/tea maker
- Designer toiletries
- Private bathroom
- Bathrobes
- Hair dryer
- Bathtub or shower
- Pillowtop mattress
- Iron/ironing board
- In-room safe
- Desk
- Daily housekeeping
- Smart TV
- Netflix
- Digital TV service
- Free WiFi
- Room service (limited hours)
- Connecting/adjoining rooms available
- Free cribs/infant beds
- Free wired Internet
Where to Eat
Latitudes - Cooling ceiling fans and ocean views add a Key West feel to this casual restaurant with indoor and terrace seating. Menu highlights include Seared Tuna Niçoise Salad, Jamaican Jerk Pork Sandwiches, Blue Hill Chicken, and Firecracker Shrimp. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Tiki bar - A popular spot for cocktails, beer, wine, lively conversation, and great ocean views. Located on Hollywood's Broadwalk and the beach. Open from late morning till late evening.
Located on the famed Hollywood Broadwalk, this 2.5 mile pedestrian-only promenade offers shopping, dining, and entertainment, or simply stroll, bike, and people watch. Live entertainment plays in the hotel's beachfront Tiki Bar.
Nearby Things to Do
The hotel offers direct access to the white-sand beach with sun loungers, towels, and umbrellas. An ocean-view sundeck surrounds a kidney-shaped pool measuring 40 x 20 feet. The 24-hour fitness center contains stationary bikes, treadmills, stair machines, free weights, and Pilates balls.
The 18-hole Hollywood Beach Golf & Country Club is 3.5 miles away. Scuba diving, snorkeling, and boating are nearby. Guests can also rent bicycles and play beach volleyball nearby.
The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or near the hotel; fees may apply.
- Golfing nearby
- Snorkeling nearby
- Surfing/boogie boarding nearby
- Windsurfing nearby
- Kayaking nearby
- Sailing nearby
- Scuba diving nearby
- Water skiing nearby
- Scooter/moped rentals nearby
- Bicycle rentals nearby
- Hiking/biking trails nearby
- Parasailing nearby
- Ecotours nearby
- Golf lessons available nearby
- Segway rental/tour nearby
- Boat tours nearby
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please note them at check-out when you book your room.
- Accessible bathroom
- Roll-in shower
- In-room accessibility
Hotel Policies
Check-in time ends at 2 AM
Check-in time starts at 4 PM
Minimum check-in age is 21
Check-out time is 11 AM
Payment types
Children and extra beds
- Children are welcome.
- Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
- Free cribs (infant beds)!
- Pets not allowed (service animals welcome)
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy.
- Resort fee: USD 20.00 per accommodation, per night
- Internet access
- In-room bottled water
- Additional inclusions
Optional extras
- Fee for buffet breakfast: USD 20 for adults and USD 15 for children (approximately)
- Self parking fee: USD 17 per day
- Valet parking fee: USD 21 per day (in/out privileges)
Hotel Name
- Hollywood Beach Marriott
- Marriott Hollywood Beach
- Marriott Hotel Hollywood Beach
- Hollywood Marriott
- Marriott Hollywood Beach Hotel Hollywood
- Marriott Hollywood Beach Hotel
- Hollywood Beach Marriott Hotel
We should mention
The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation.


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Re: New to the Site
Thanks for that Lainy, we can always rely on you!!
Jeff, I had a look through all of your posts and threads and could not find a thread which Ilias posted on. Did you mean Eli from Canada instead of Ilias? I know that Eli helped you out a lot on this thread of yours here -
http://www.cholangiocarcinoma.org/punbb … hp?id=7941


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KEXP Reviews
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WATERS is the new project from former Port O'Brien frontman Van Pierszalowski, who's relocated to Oslo, Norway since the breakup of Port O'Brien. The new WATERS debut album is much more electric, raw and aggressive than the music made by his former band, at times recalling the grungier side of Neil Young & Crazy Horse, though the album also blends in some sparkling power pop and introspective folk. More important, the songs are some of his strongest to date. 9/9/2011 - Don Yates
Other WATERS album reviews:
What's Real - 4/10/2015


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The Buddha saw that whatever the mind gives rise to are just transitory, conditioned phenomena, which are really empty. When this dawned on him, he let go, gave up, and found an end to suffering. You too must understand these matters according to the truth. When you know things as they are, you will see that these elements of mind are a deception, in keeping with. the Buddha's teaching that this mind has nothing, does not arise, is not born, and does not die with anyone. It is free, shining, resplendent, with nothing to occupy it. The mind becomes occupied only because it misunderstands and is deluded by these conditioned phenomena, this false sense of self.
Therefore, the Buddha had us look at our minds. What exists in the beginning? Truly, not anything. This emptiness does not arise and die with phenomena. When it contacts something good, it does not become good; when it contacts something bad, it does not become bad. The pure mind knows these objects clearly, knows that they are not substantial.
The original heart / mind shines like pure, clear water with the sweetest taste. But if the heart is pure, is our practice over? No, we must not cling even to this purity. We must go beyond all duality, all concepts, all bad, all good, all pure, all impure. We must go beyond self and no self, beyond birth and death. To see a self to be reborn is the real trouble of the world. True purity is limitless, untouchable, beyond all opposites and all creation.
We take refuge in Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. This is the heritage of every Buddha that appears in the world. What is this Buddha? When we see with the eye of wisdom, we know that the Buddha is timeless, unborn, unrelated to any body, any history, any image. Buddha is the ground of all being, the realization of the truth of the unmoving mind.
Zenainder wrote:How does the Theravada tradition understand the concept of Rigpa?
Aloka wrote:Zenainder wrote:How does the Theravada tradition understand the concept of Rigpa?
In "Small Boat, Great Mountain" by Ajahn Amaro (Theravada Thai Forest Tradition), in the glossary. it says that the Pali word "vijja" is the equivalent to "rigpa".
Vijja = transcendent knowing, true knowledge.
"Rigpa" and similarities in Theravada are also mentioned in the book " The Island - An Anthology of the Buddha's Teachings on Nibbana" by Ajahn Passano & Ajahn Amaro.
Zenainder wrote:
Thanks for the info! How does the concept of rigpa compare with Tibetan Buddhism (that's originally where I became familiar with term). I've read Sogyal Rinpoche's book "The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying" and that's where I've learned of it since. Curious as to how it is different from how Theravada teaches it.
Aloka wrote:Zenainder wrote:
Thanks for the info! How does the concept of rigpa compare with Tibetan Buddhism (that's originally where I became familiar with term). I've read Sogyal Rinpoche's book "The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying" and that's where I've learned of it since. Curious as to how it is different from how Theravada teaches it.
In Tibetan Buddhism, ' rigpa' is a Tibetan word refering to the true nature of the mind. I'm not quite sure what you mean when you say how does the concept of rigpa compare with Tibetan Buddhism.
I was a Tibetan Buddhist practitioner myself for a long time, until I gave it up after discovering the teachings of Ajahn Chah and then the western branch of the Theravada Thai Forest Tradition.
Zenainder wrote:I am sorry I was not clear. How is the concept of "rigpa" reflected upon in the Theravada tradition?
fivebells wrote:I read that Ajahn Chah and Ajahn Buddhadhasa would often talk about just letting go of the objective realm altogether and just being in the knowing, and that they used to use the phrase "sawang sa-aht sangoup" to speak about the mind's intrinsic nature as empty, lucid, awake and bright. If this is true, I'd be grateful for pointers to some supporting translations of their work.
fivebells wrote:Cooran: Yes, it's from Small Boat. I left out the citation this time in an attempt at consideration for the people disturbed by my questions about it. I'd like to find support in the writings of Buddhadhasa and Chah specifically, because I'm really interested in the book's attempts to reconcile Mahayana ontologies with early Buddhist practices, but don't entirely trust it.
reflection wrote:[The above question] is assuming these Ajahns teach early Buddhism? If there is such a thing.
Ajahn Buddhadasa also encouraged Theravadins to open up to other Buddhist traditions. The
Dalai Lama made two visits to Thailand before opposition from the Chinese government made it
became politically impossible. Ajahn Buddhadasa first met the Dalai Lama in Bangkok in 1964. A
few years later, the Dalai Lama visited Suan Mokkh, mainly to discuss anapanasati (mindfulness with
breathing). The Dalai Lama felt that Tibetan Buddhists needed more practice cultivating samadhi and
saw Theravada Buddhism as the principle resource concerning anapanasati, the classic meditation
practice of early Buddhism. At that time, they also discussed the possibility of Tibetan monks coming
to live at Suan Mokkh and Ajahn Buddhadasa began to draw plans to build a Tibetan gompa in one
corner of the monastery. Unfortunately, due to Chinese opposition, this never came about.
Ajahn Buddhadasa translated major parts of the Lankavatara Sutra, an important Mahayana
text, as well as two classic Zen texts - The Platform Sutra of Hui Neng and The Zen Teachings of
Huang Po. Thus, the first widely known Zen translations in Thailand were done by him.
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Petit Palace Savoy Alfonso XII4
Calle Alfonso XII, 18, Madrid, 28014
Price FromView Rooms
- Very Good
- 1 guest reviews
"We had a triple room which was very comfortable and cool (40 degrees when we were there). Shower was lovely and all very clean. Would have b..."
About the hotel
Property Location
Petit Palace Savoy Alfonso XII is in the heart of Madrid, walking distance from El Retiro Park and Madrid Stock Exchange. This 4-star hotel is close to Prado Museum and Plaza Mayor.
Make yourself at home in one of the 87 air-conditioned rooms featuring minibars and LCD televisions.
Computers with complimentary wired and wireless access are provided to keep you connected. Private bathrooms with showers feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include phones, as well as laptop-compatible safes and desks.
Make use of convenient amenities such as complimentary wireless Internet access, concierge services, and babysitting/childcare (surcharge). Additional features at this Art Deco hotel include wedding services and a television in a common area.
Grab a bite to eat at the hotel's restaurant, which features a bar, or stay in and take advantage of room service (during limited hours). Quench your thirst with your favorite drink at a bar/lounge. Buffet breakfasts are available daily for a fee.
Business, Other Amenities
Featured amenities include complimentary high-speed (wired) Internet access, a 24-hour business center, and complimentary newspapers in the lobby. Planning an event in Madrid? This hotel has facilities measuring 1292 square feet (120 square meters), including a meeting room.
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Facilities Show/hide
- Main
- 24 Hour Reception, Babysitting services, Wedding Licence, Safety Deposit Box, Concierge, Laundry/Valet Service, Lift to all floors
- Business
- Meeting Facilities, Wi-Fi Available In Public Areas, Business Centre
- Dining
- Restaurant
- Parking
- Car Parking Available Offsite
Useful Info Show/hide
- From 14:00 hours
- By 11:00 hours
- Up to 8 years old
- Know Before You Go Cash transactions at this property cannot exceed EUR 2500, due to national regulations. For further details, please contact the property using information in the booking confirmation. Children 2 years old and younger stay free when occupying the parent or guardian's room, using existing bedding. Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms. The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation. In accordance with national/local laws, air conditioning may be restricted to certain hours during certain times of the year. Fees The following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, check-in, or check-out. Fee for buffet breakfast: EUR 15 for adults and EUR 7.50 for children (approximately) The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change. The price shown is based on the occupancy and dates you have searched for. Prices and availability are subject to change based on the arrival date, number of nights and occupancy searched for. All prices are inclusive of all local taxes.
- Pets are not allowed
Customer Reviews
Our reviews are from genuine LateRooms.com customers. We verify that the customer has stayed before leaving a review.
Very Good
100% would recommend it to a friend
Customer service
Food quality
Room quality
Excellent Stay
We had a triple room which was very comfortable and cool (40 degrees when we were there).
Shower was lovely and all very clean. Would have b...
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Ukiah Daily Journal
Fixing bicycles that will be used to teach children to ride safely to school was the aim of a "bike work party" held Saturday at Dave's Bike Shop on East Gobbi Street in Ukiah.
There were 15 donated children's bicycles at Dave's Bike Shop in need of repair and cleaning Saturday morning, all from the Ukiah Transfer Station.
"This is a good start," said shop owner Dave Minsinger.
The county hopes to grow that number to about 20 children's bikes, according to Jessica Stull-Otto, a senior program manager with the Mendocino County Health and Human Services Agency's Public Health Division. She said the bikes will become a roving fleet that Public Health plans to take in a trailer to school campuses, where students will ride the bikes through a training course.
"If we're going to be asking kids to ride to school, we need to be sure they have the safety skills and behavior to do it safely," Stull-Otto said.
And asking she is, as part of the Walk and Bike to School program, one of the beneficiaries of a federal grant the county got recently. The goal behind the grant is to create long-term programs and policies locally that encourage students to bike and walk to school.
Volunteers with the recently formed Ukiah Bicycle Kitchen went from their usual meeting place at the Alex Thomas Jr. Plaza during the Saturday Farmers Market to Dave's Bike Shop to grease chains, replace tires and do whatever else they could to make the donated bikes functional and attractive.
Justin Jason, 17, used a revolving metal brush to remove rust. He said he's ridden his bike to school since he was 6 years old.
"I learned as I went, and my dad taught me," he said, remembering the safety training he got as a young child.
Stull-Otto offers the following safety advice for bike riders of all ages:
? Be assertive and clear when signaling to let drivers know where you're going.
? Always be alert and look around yourself. Check for things like car doors opening suddenly.
? Never expect that anyone else sees you, and at the same time, know that you have the right to share the road.
Tiffany Revelle can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com, on Twitter @TiffanyRevelle or at 468-3523.


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The orchidlike flowers of the Streptocarpus make it enticing and its long period of bloom makes the plant desirable. Streptocarpus has seen a recent boom in hybridization resulting in numerous compact cultivars, including the popular Streptocarpus 'Joker' and the Bristol's Series, heavy bloomers that fit into a windowsill. Once settled in cool, indirect light, they can be quite tolerant of occasional neglect. "Even if they're virtually dead, if you water them once, they'll come back to life," says Dr. Ralph Robinson, owner of the Violet Barn, in Naples, New York.
Complement the scent of holiday conifers with the subtle sweetness of winter-blooming Jasmine (Jasminum spp.). Given bright light during the day and cool nighttime temperatures, J. polyanthum produces a blizzard of white flowers that train easily around a hoop. For warmer locations and bushy growth, choose J. sambac 'Maid of Orleans', with blossoms that turn purple before fading. If you stimulate branching with regular pruning and keep the soil moist, jasmine flowers will ensure you have a white Christmas even in Zone 10.
There is no "foolproof plant," admits Kate Sadowski, horticulturist at the Chicago Botanic Garden, but in terms of winter color, Kalanchoe is about as close as you can get. When days are short and indoor conditions are dry, kalanchoes burst with star-shaped flowers ranging from yellow to purple if kept in direct light. Red Christmas kalanchoes (K. blossfeldiana) are as common as candy canes, but K. pumila, with silver foliage and pink clusters, and K. uniflora, with trailing balloonlike blossoms, are just as festive. Pinch back the stems when straggly and water when soil is dry and these succulents will embellish south-facing windowsills all winter.
Photo: (cc) tropic~7/flickr
Not all types of Begonia will produce a reliable show of color during the holiday season. Only rhizomatous and winter-flowering begonias are stimulated, instead of stunted, by decreasing daylight, says Byron Martin, owner of Logee's Greenhouse, in Danielson, Connecticut. The rhizomatous beefsteak begonia, B. 'Erythrophylla'—the oldest begonia hybrid in circulation—boasts glossy leaves that are red on the reverse and a crown of bright blossoms. Other easy but prolific bloomers include B. 'River Nile', which has star-shaped leaves and bright pink blossoms, and B. 'Freddie', which has bronzed, foot-long leaves and tall spikes of dark pink flowers. Also look for Hiemalis begonias (sometimes sold as Rieger or Blush begonias)—hybrids developed to be winter bloomers.
(Hippeastrum spp.) is a popular gift item because its bulb doesn't require chilling to produce beautiful flowers. A relatively new development in the world of winter blooms is the commercial introduction of trumpet and cybister (H. cybister) varieties of amaryllis. For a trumpet-shaped, pink blossom anchored by a bright green eye, choose 'Pink Floyd'. If you prefer exotic flowers, 'Ruby Meyer' (a cybister type) has spidery petals with vivid chartreuse edges. To initiate growth, place amaryllis in bright sunlight and water whenever the top 1/2 inch of soil is dry. A cooler site is fine once growth has commenced, and will prolong the life of the bloom.
Photo: (cc) tasitch/flickr


text: The Cosworth VQ35DE high performance short block is the perfect foundation for your high performance application. Each High Performance Short Block is hand assembled by one of Cosworth's skilled engine builders to exact specifications utilizing all new components and is available in either high compression 11:1 or low compression 8.8:1 for turbo or supercharged applications. To ensure smooth operation throughout the entire RPM range, each rotating assembly is carefully balanced, an essential requirement for high performance VQ35s. Additionally, comprehensive build sheet listing all critical dimensions is included. Use with our CNC ported Big Valve Cylinder Heads for maximum reliable performance.


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What to Eat Now
There's a lot of confusion over organic wines, and for good reason. Grapes can be certified organic, as can entire vineyards or the wineries themselves. But even wines made from organically grown grapes can't always be labeled as "organic wine" – if sulfites, which can be naturally occurring or added – exceed certain concentrations. By law, 100% organic is as pure as it gets, but a wine can be labeled "organic" even if it is 90% organic – but only if those sulfite concentrations are low. And, a vineyard can't label its grapes organic until it's completed three growing seasons without using chemical pesticides or fertilizers.
Adding to the confusion, some winemakers fear that buyers perceive organic wines as being lower in quality, so even if they're growing their grapes and making their wines to highest organic standards, they may not want to label their bottles as such.
For the purposes of this feature, we're lumping all the aforementioned together. If it meets USDA organic standards – for 100% organic, plain-old organic, or "made with organically grown grapes" – whether the winemaker trumpets the fact or not – we're highlighting it. But only if we've tasted it and believe it deserving of your table.
We have all the details on what makes organic wine organic, so delve in for more details. Or continue perusing this feature for the lowdown on some of our favorite "organic" wines.
The 2009 Chateau Maris La Touge Syrah is a biodynamic vegan wine made with organic grapes that lives up to its billing as having "cherry and berry aromas with a plush and seamless mouth feel."
Set in the South of France's Languedoc region, Chateau Maris has been carefully restored from depletion since 1996 by biodynamic vintner Robert Eden. He's in the midst of building what he calls the world's first zero-carbon wine cellar made from hemp bricks. Unlike concrete or metal, hemp bricks "are 'alive' and able to breathe," helping to maintain proper temperature and humidity. Plus, $1.50 from the purchase of three labels of Chateau Maris wine is donated to the Jane Goodall Institute.
Wines are available at mariswine.com or naturalselectionwines.com.
Easy and Nutritious Recipes


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HPCH is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, our tax ID # is 47-3887603. Your donations are fully tax deductible and fund our operations and help pay our vet expenses.
HPCH is dedicated to reducing the number of homeless pets through the spaying/neutering of all our rescued dogs. We provide information on low cost or no cost spay/neuter clinics in our surrounding areas.
Each dog that comes to us has been updated on shots, spayed/neutered and microchipped. Many of our dogs have also been treated for various medical conditions including mange, heart worms, broken bones, neurological issues, etc. One of our dogs can take anywhere from one month to one year to get ready for adoption and the cost for the dogs we take on can range from $150 to several thousand dollars. We take on dogs from shelters that are set to be euthanized for various reasons, including simply that they've been there too long, or they have a medical condition that precludes them from adoption to the public, making them "rescue only." This means only a rescue can pull them from the shelter, but also leaves us to be responsible for any costs for things that the dog requires.
We also take on strays and incur the cost of having them vaccinated, spayed, neutered and microchipped. We take on owner surrenders, dogs who owners can no longer provide care. We insure a safe house for all of the dogs that we take on and provide all needed supplies for the foster homes that care for them until they are to be adopted. We also insure that they never end up in a shelter.
All of our dogs will be spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped prior to being adopted. Our adoption fees are considered to be donations. All donations from adoption go right back into our rescue account, allowing us to continue to help dogs in need. At the bare minimum, the cost to properly vet a dog is $100-150. But some of the dogs we take on are medical or behavioral cases, which can cost several thousand dollars. Because of this, we ask the following adoption fees:
$350 for puppies, which are any dogs under a year old
$150-250 for any adult dog ages over the age of 1
Thank You!
Your message has been sent to Hoofs, Paws and Claws Haven.
You'll receive a copy, too, at to help you keep track of which pets you've inquired about, and which shelters and rescues you've emailed.
NOTE: Some shelters have physical locations you can visit; some of these shelters may only have pets for a limited time, so please do not wait for a reply—just go visit the shelter! Other organizations are rescue groups run by busy volunteers who may take a while to reply. You can find information about the shelter or rescue group caring for this pet, and their adoption procedures, on the pet's details page on Adopt-a-Pet.com.


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Citrix NetScaler MPX 11515 Enterprise Edition - Upgrade license - 1 device - upgrade from Citrix NetScaler MPX-11515 Standard Edition - Easy License (3011547-EZ)Item#: 9911209 | Model#: 3011547-EZ
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Apartmani Benic
Apartmani Benic offers 3 beautiful apartments for rent at affordable prices for holidays in the famous tourist resort of Borik in Zadar, which is known for its beautiful and large beaches.
We offer a studio apartment which can accommodate 3 people and two 3 bedroomed apartments which can sleep up to 10 people. Our apartments are fully furnished and feature balconies, air conditioning, wireless internet access, TV satellite, a big yard that is ideal for children to enjoy, great parking, fireplace, grill. In the immediate area of Apartmani Benic there is a shop, several restaurants, car rental, rent a bike and much more.
Please note:
Check-in from 12:00
Check-out 10:00
Cancellation policy is 3 days in advance
We accept payment by cash only.
Availability & RatesTo view availability and prices please select dates and click 'Update Dates'
Apartment Facilities & Policies
- Air Conditioning
- Airport Transfers
- Bicycle parking
- Cable TV
- Telephone/Fax Facilities
- Free City Maps
- Free Internet Access
- Free Parking
- Free WiFi
- Fridge/Freezer
- Hair Dryers
- Internet Access
- Iron / Ironing Board
- Self-Catering Facilities
- Microwave
- Outdoor Terrace
- Parking
- Towels Included
Cancellation PolicyThis property has a 3 day cancellation policy. Failure to cancel within this time will result in a cancellation charge equal to the first night of your stay.
Must-Read Apartment InfoThis property has specific Terms & Conditions.
Please note:
Check-in from 12:00
Check-out 10:00
Cancellation policy is 3 days in advance
We accept payment by cash only.
DirectionsShow MapHide Map
Apartmani Benic is located near(100m) the restaurant Mama Mia, one of the most famous restaurants in Zadar for which everyone knows.
Driving directions to Ivane Brlic Mazuranic 6, 23000, Zadar, Croatia
Zadar Airport
PO Box 367, Zadar, 23222, Zemunik Donji, Croatia
1. Head west on Route 502 7.6 km
2. Turn right onto Jadranska cesta 1.4 km
3. Turn right onto Route 8 1.2 km
4. Take the 1st left onto Route 306 4.3 km
5. Continue onto Matije Gupca 1.0 km
6. Turn left onto Ivane Brlic Mazuranic
Destination will be on the left
400 m
Ivane Brlic Mazuranic 6
23000, Zadar, Croatia
If coming by bus - take the Puntamika route - tell the driver to let you out one stop before the beach and this is close to the apartment and everyone will know where the apartment is.
Located Near
Apartmani Benic is
500m from Falkenstainer hotel and others.
From old town(center) is 3000m away.
From small shop 20m,
from big shop 400m,
from rent a car,bicycle, scouter 200m.
From marina, jet ski rent and other sea activity 500m,
from beach (with sand and gravel and beach resort,natural) 200m.
Bus station is 200m away.
5-6 km from highway,
3km from car-ferry port,and bus station(international)


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SALINAS, Calif. — Weather extremes on both coasts have put California grower-shippers in a much stronger position in the lettuce market this summer than last, especially for iceberg and green leaf.
"Green leaf is on fire," said Mark McBride, a salesman for Salinas-based Coastline Produce.
Most 24-count cartons were shipping for $18.65-20 on July 22, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That's up from $10-11.50 a year ago.
Iceberg was throwing some weight around too. Film-wrapped 24-count cartons were $14.50-15.85, up from $9.50-11.50 last year.
"If you'd told anybody in Salinas that we'd be experience this kind of market in mid-July, they'd be pleasantly surprised," McBride said. "The homegrown deals on the East Coast, the Ohio Valley and upstate New York really got clobbered with rain."
"Some of the East Coast buyers are pulling a fair amount of lettuce out of California because they're not happy with the quality they're getting from their local grower," said Henry Dill, sales manager for Pacific International Marketing.
Such buyers pay a hefty premium on transportation when they turn west.
Salinas escaped the brunt of an early July heat wave that slowed tree fruit production in other parts of the state.
However, just inland, in south Monterey County, Hollister and San Juan Bautista, temperatures reached the 90s, and lettuce yields took a hit.
"A lot of our lettuce became unharvestable because of the heat," said Dill, who estimated a short-term volume reduction of 5%. "We lost some due to burn. The heat was just one week, but about three weeks (of production) were affected."
"It tended to bring some product on out of sequence and possibly do some damage and reduce some of the yields too," McBride said.
Michael Boggiatto, president of Salinas-based Boggiatto Produce Inc., said problems elsewhere put California growers in an unaccustomed position for summer.
"Usually this time of year is pretty slow for us and prices are at the bottom," he said July 18. "With the heat wave that's going through the country, the quality isn't there in the homegrown. Now it's our turn to fill the gap for customers."
But on romaine hearts Boggiatto didn't see demand or price budging. Not yet, anyway. Most packs of 12 three-count romaine hearts shipped for $13.75-14.50 on July 22, down from $16.95-19.50 the year before. Romaine head 24-count cartons stood at $11.25-12.75, down from $12.16-14.35.
Ernst Van Eeghen, director of marketing and product development at Salinas-based Church Bros. LLC, said excessive heat or rain in various regions is not the only reason for the price spike in some lettuce categories.
"Everybody has cut back their acreage, and that is reflected in commodity prices," Van Eeghen said. "After last year's disaster, we needed that. Prices were incredibly low then because of an oversupply. Cutting back has really corrected the overall supply and put the markets where they should be."
Although California's summer action for leafy greens is mostly in Salinas and Santa Maria, some crops — like spinach — are grown in other places, and different shippers will enter the lettuce deal as time goes on.
Baloian Farms, for one, will start lettuce in Fresno in October and then transition to the Coachella Valley in November, sales manager Jeremy Lane said. In March, Baloian's production will shift back to Fresno and finish up in early May. It's a three-season offering.
"We've found our niche and the customers who desire that high-end quality," Lane said. "We're looking forward to reengaging those customers when we jump back in in October."


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If Orlando can keep defending the way they've been doing, they're a sure lock for the playoffs. They're currently 4th in the league in defensive rating. So impressive for such a young team. Btw, GSW is 2nd (!) - call it the Bogut-Iguodala effect.This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
The Sixers' hot start is a fluke IMO. They'll end up among the worst teams in the league (as they wanted).
I don't think the Bobcats are very good. Still need to see them with Al Jeff though (but he's not exactly a winning player either).


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It employs the Smart Parts All-American barrel technology so; it's light and quiet!!! Now, you get the distance and quiet stealth in one barrel!
This is something that Apex users have been waiting on for some time! The 12" All-American Smart Parts front enables the user to add his own Apex Tip for the ultimate in Apex performance and accuracy. The 'Apex Ready AA Front' can be used with any Smart Parts back including the Freak, Freak Jr., and All American. All-American Fronts have a world famous dial spiral porting to shoot paint accurately and quietly. Like the other SP barrels, the AA has an arbor-honed interior which means laser-straight perfection with an inner finish that smoother than glass. Simply add your choice of back and your existing Apex tip.
M-F 10am-5pm Eastern Std. Time
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Copyright Punishers Paintball Supply © 2003-2016 All Rights Reserved
All photography and text on this site is the original work of Punishers Paintball Supply and manufacturers.
Contents may not be used for any commercial or non-commercial purpose without prior written consent from www.punisherspb.com.


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Photo gallery:
2012 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo
I couldn't help but be a bit disappointed when, near the end of my week with the Mustang Boss 302 (arguably the manliest car to pass though the Car Tech garage this year), I learned that the next car I'd be testing would the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle. I mean, the first generation of the New Beetle was a car best known for its dashboard-mounted flower vase. "What," I asked myself, "have I gotten myself into?"
Fortunately, my fears were allayed when the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo rolled into the Car Tech garage (the "New" prefix has been dropped for this second generation) sporting massive 18-inch wheels, an eye-catching Tornado Red paint job, and new, more aggressive styling that looks better in person than it does in photos. Beneath the hood, I was happy to find a rev-happy 200-horsepower, turbocharged engine connected to a performance-oriented DSG gearbox. The icing on the cake was VW's Fender-branded premium audio system, which already wowed us in the Volkswagen Passat.
Could it be that the Volkswagen Beetle is cool again? I pressed the keyless start button and hit the open road to find out.
The Beetle's got boost
It's quite easy to think of the VW Beetle 2.0T as a flamboyant VW GTI. After all, the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine is the same as the GTI's, as is the six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission. The 200 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque output are also unchanged. Fuel economy isn't dramatically different, although the Beetle's 21 city mpg and 30 highway mpg are slightly lower than the GTI's. We managed 19.8 mpg over our combined testing cycle that heavily favored city driving, but as you'll soon learn that's because having fun in the Beetle requires a heavy right foot.
The 200-horsepower engine offers good acceleration, but only after the turbo spins up.
The Beetle also features the Cross Differential System (XDS) that is present in the GTI. XDS attempts to replicate the functionality of a limited-slip differential by augmenting a standard open differential with the antilock brake system. Essentially, the system applies the brakes to the inside front wheel when accelerating and turning to eliminate wheel spin and power loss to the outside front wheel, which should actually have the most grip while cornering. The Volkswagen GTI also uses this system, as does the newest Ford Focus. While this brake-based traction solution essentially behaves like a proper limited-slip differential, it does have its tradeoffs. For example, there is potential for increased brake pad wear over the life of the vehicle and you can sometimes hear (and, if you're paying attention, feel) the XDS system engaging when pushing the Beetle hard into a corner.
However, as similar as the Beetle and GTI are, there are differences that the performance enthusiast will notice. For example, the Beetle lacks a traction control disabling button, so stoplight drag races won't be able to take advantage of the launch control program present on the DSG-equipped GTI. Additionally, the Beetle Turbo's suspension, while sportily sprung, isn't has hard-edged as the GTI's.
Enough with the comparisons to VW's original hot hatch. How does the Beetle handle on the road? As it turns out, not too badly.
Off-the-line performance is hindered by noticeable amounts of turbo lag. Gassing the accelerator from a stop results in abysmal acceleration for the first few feet, but then (at just below the 1,700rpm torque peak) the turbo springs to life and the Beetle shoots forward with a sudden burst of power. Coincidentally, this burst of power usually came just at the point when I'd begun to further depress the gas pedal in frustration, suddenly resulting in more speed than the situation required. Over the week, I began to learn to time the off-the-line lag, but the first day was filled with screeching the tires away from every other light and generally feeling like a bit of a tool.
Fortunately, once you get the Beetle's turbo spinning, power is much easier to modulate and comes in controllable and accessible gobs. The torque curve is surprisingly flat, resulting in zippy performance around town without the need for much shifting. Not that shifting was an issue with the DSG's manual mode putting lightning-quick gear changes at my fingertips via the steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. The gearbox also features two automatic shift programs: normal and sport. Normal places an emphasis on fuel economy, but rushes through the gear changes so quickly that the turbo lag I've already complained about can be a problem at speed. Sport allows the gearbox to hold gears higher into the rev-range for better performance and was the mode I defaulted to when I didn't want to futz with the paddles.
Drivers can shift their own gears or let the 6-speed DSG automatic transmission do the shifting for them.
Interestingly, even in the manual shift mode, the VW will automatically downshift for you if the accelerator is completely depressed and then reset to your previously chosen gear upon lifting. Likewise, it will not allow you to select a gear that would result in over-revving or bogging the engine.
When cornering, the 2012 Beetle Turbo remains planted with plenty of grip on tap. It doesn't feel as point-and-shoot as the GTI, but I think that the casual enthusiast would be happy the way the Beetle goes 'round a bend--it certainly supplied me with more than a few grins during a cruise down my favorite stretch of coastal highway. Push harder than is advisable on public roads and the Beetle reacts first with body roll, then with gradual, progressive understeer before the standard stability control and XDS system step in to save your bacon.
However, pushing the car and shaving seconds off of a lap time is hardly the point of the 2012 Beetle Turbo. It's a zippy around-towner and a darned fun country cruiser.
Der neue stil (The new style)
It would be impossible to discuss the Beetle without commenting on styling. The broad strokes have remained in place and this 2012 revision is still instantly recognizable as a VW Bug. However, the details have all been tweaked. Externally, the Beetle features a more hunkered-down look that is emphasized by a roof and hood that have been flattened from the overly circular profile of the previous New Beetle. The flatter roofline also has the benefit of increasing rear-seat headroom.
The Turbo model's styling is augmented by a rather large, yet attractive rear spoiler that kicks up from below the rear window and chrome-finished side skirts that protrude slightly, reinforcing the low and wide visual styling. Large, 18-inch Twister alloy wheels fill the bulbous front and rear fenders and a subtle chrome "Turbo" badge adorns the rear hatch. The Turbo's styling additions create a slightly more masculine aesthetic than the previous Beetle, which was almost universally thought of as a "chick car."


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I have registered because i enjoy hanging out here.
Basically i'm living in a buddhist desert (no monastery around) and the Internet is my only access.
I really enjoy listening to humerous monks like Ajahn Sumedho and Ajahn Brahm so in that sense i`m probably a follower of Ajahn Brahms "Hahayana".
I´ve discovered buddhism five years ago when Dhammalokas Youtube Channel opened and since then i`ve downloaded a lot of talks (8 GB MP3 Player and 16 GB Car Radio).
Most of them are Ajahn Brahms, his Sutta Study talks are in a class of its own
To improve my practise i´m going to attend a retreat this year at Amaravati.
That beeing said... i'm looking forward to have lots of interesting discussions. (but i really wonder why there is a beer smiley haha)
With Metta


text: It's Bridgestone or Nothing February 9, 2007 12:00 AM CHICAGO--There comes a time when you just have to go for the very best. That's the message to drivers in the dynamic new brand advertising campaign for Bridgestone-brand tires. For drivers who want to get the most out of their cars: It's Bridgestone or Nothing! The new commercials were unveiled today in a news conference at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show. "We believe this new campaign will help consumers recognize Bridgestone as a world leader and as a premium tire choice for drivers with high standards," said John Gamauf, President of Consumer Tire Replacement Sales, Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT). "For too long the Bridgestone Brand has been the best-kept tire brand secret in North America. Not anymore." The new television commercials were produced by Dallas-Texas, based The Richards Group, the largest independent advertising agency in the world. The Richards Group is known for its award-winning brand-building campaigns for such industry-leading companies as Chick-fil-A, Motel 6 and The Home Depot. "The Richards Group has such a strong track record of helping great companies cut through the clutter and take their brands to the next level," explained Gamauf. "We're thrilled with the creative work in our new television ads because it really captures the sophisticated, dynamic and innovative spirit of the Bridgestone brand." The new advertising campaign grew out of feedback from the company's network of dealers who told the company Bridgestone is an incredible brand but too many consumers don't know it. "We listened to our customers, the ones selling the tires to consumers, who really know the strength of the Bridgestone brand and believe we have a great story to tell," said Gamauf. "The Bridgestone brand is clearly a leader in tire technology and we're going to tell our story with this new campaign and continue to build our brand on a simple foundation: our unwavering commitment to exceed the expectations of drivers with the highest standards." The new "It's Bridgestone or Nothing" ads will be seen throughout 2007 on national TV networks and in cinemas on over 15,000 screens across the country. There will also be an extensive print and online advertising campaign to complement and enhance the broadcast campaign. In addition; the new ads will also be displayed on more than 70 of BFNT's family of Customer Delivery Service vehicles. [mpg versions of the new television commercials can be downloaded at www.bridgestoneamericasmedia.com] Back to News


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§ 416.1439. Objections to the issues.
If you object to the issues to be decided upon at the hearing, you must notify the administrative law judge in writing at the earliest possible opportunity before the time set for the hearing. You must state the reasons for your objections. The administrative law judge shall make a decision on your objections either in writing or at the hearing.


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Bret Michaels: 'I'm a fighter ... and I rocked the world'
By Molly McGonigle
Bret Michaels: "American Idol" judge candidate, "Rock of Love" star, Poison frontman, and "Celebrity Apprentice" winner. In the past few years, Bret Michaels has rocked reality television circuits and made a new name for himself. After suffering from a series of medical problems a few months ago, Bret Michaels is back and bigger than ever, while still maintaining his health. Michaels talks with Parade about his brain hemorrhage, campaigning to be an "American Idol" judge, and what the future holds.
On moving forward after his illness:
"I'm feeling pretty good. Each day I feel a little bit better. As the chemical meningitis from the bleed starts to dissipate, it gets a little bit better. The bottom line is, I got really sick and it all had a domino effect for me, from the appendicitis to the brain hemorrhage. And then I had a warning stroke, and now they found out I got a hole in my heart, which I'm going to go get an operation for that in the late fall, early winter. But I just said to myself, you know what? Whatever it is, I live my life passionately. And music is a powerful healer for me. I've learned a lot of it is mind over matter. Once I knew that I had a chance to survive the brain hemorrhage, I was taking life and grabbing it for everything I could."
RELATED: 10 Celebrities Injured on the Job
On where he finds his strength:
"Honestly, it comes from 41 years of having diabetes and finding the strength to go through and live life to the fullest. I had great parents that allowed me to do all the things I wanted to do, but told me, 'You gotta buck up and you're going to have to work harder to achieve things.' And recently, it has been my family. The night I had my brain hemorrhage, my two daughters and Kristi truthfully saved my life. That's the God's honest truth. When it all hit the fan, when it came to that moment that I needed to react, my family rallied behind me, and as a father, I didn't want them to wake up in the morning and see me collapsed on the floor."
On how his two young daughters handle it all:
"We talk about it a lot, and truthfully, it's very tough. The moment we say goodbye, if they're not coming out on the road with me, is tough. It shouldn't be easy, because if it were easy, then we probably wouldn't love each other so much. So what makes it real is that it is tough. I sit down and I explain that I'm going away and that I'll be back. We look at the schedule and plan it out. And then they ask me how many gifts I'm going to bring them. That's always important! Daughters are good -- they key it up right on cue and I'm a sucker and I give them whatever gifts necessary."
RELATED: 10 Surprising Actors Turned Rockers
On putting family life front and center with his upcoming VH1 reality series, "Life as I Know It":
"Fans have asked for years to get a glimpse into my life, of what I do outside the craziness of "Rock of Love" or just being on the road. And I think they're really going to enjoy it because the show is all about my daily existence of finding balance in my life. I absolutely love my family. I'm a very hands-on father. I'm close with my kids and we have fun together. Kristi and I love and respect each other. But in the same sentence, I also love what I do. I love being on the road and I'm passionate and I don't' think there's anything wrong with that. The trouble is finding the balance of making both work."
On why he should be "American Idol'"s next judge:
"I'm not built exactly like Simon Cowell, but, at the same time, I respect what he did. But I would have to bring my own personality. I think if they have someone in there to try to imitate Simon, it would be a mistake; he's an original. Bring Bret Michaels in to be original to who and what I am. Bring someone who can bring a little grit, true grit back to the show."
RELATED: Most Shocking Scandals in "American Idol" History
On whether he would have tried out for "American Idol" when he was a fledgling rocker:
"Hell yeah. The great thing about today, with the Internet and "American Idol," is that you get instant exposure to millions of people. Here's the downside: it's also easily disposable if you don't let people find out more about your personality and who and what you are. In other words, you can get easily exposed and then easily disposed if you're not careful. And I'm going to try to build new talent that will be around like Poison, Aerosmith, Stevie Nicks and Lynyrd Skynyrd. You can say what you want about us classic bands, but we're still out here selling out arenas. That's what I hope to bring to "American Idol" -- some of those years and years of experience and true grit to the show."
On his legacy:
"I hope that my legacy is this: I'm a fighter, a survivor and I rocked the world. That would be it."
We Recommend
- Sep. 22, 2017 Take a look back at Mandy Moore's life in photos.
- Sep. 20, 2017 See all the stars at London Fashion Week!


text: World's Biggest Bucks: The Top Typical Whitetails of All Time By: Jacob Edson, D&DH managing editor | April 29, 2012 Wayne Bills Buck ◄ Back Next ► Picture 6 of 6 Wayne Bills' Iowa buck scores 201-4/8. It was killed in 1974, and was the first buck he ever shot. Photos Courtesy of Troy Huffman, www.deergear.com


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jubuttib wrote:Well god fucking damnit if they've started to meddle with the PD. They did this once with the C-PD and Jussi wasn't happy at all, hopefully they'll tackle this madness quickly too.
I wonder how much control innova actually has over discmania discs? I thought they just molded for them. Didn't realize that they created the molds too, but now that I think about it that's sort of naiive of me isn't it?


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Posted 5 years ago
(675 items)
Although I for myself prefer micro mosaic jewelry (see my latest fine example of the Godess of Bacchus), Pietra Dura this brooch is made of is also an example of high skilled crafsmanship and a lot of patience of the maker. It's like micro mosaic, a work of precision. It is quite a large white flower brooch pin mounted in vermeil (gold plate over silver) in a black Onyx background. Measurement: 5,5 x 4.5 cm (2.2 x 1.8").
I could imagine that it belongs also to mourning jewelry because of the rather sober muted colors don't you think so?


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Photo Gallery: Beautiful Homes, Gorgeous Floors
Flooring inspiration for every room, style and budget.
Black, gray and white tiling adds graphic punch.
The HGTV personality and Toronto designer Tommy Smythe added an Escher-print floor to this Victorian home's kitchen. The bright red lantern pendant and bold floors add two distinct focal points to the room.
For more ways to use pattern in the kitchen see our photo gallery of gorgeous floors.
A stylist's serene open space.
Toronto design consultant and stylist Alison Booth broke through walls to create her vision of the perfect home. In the kitchen, modern hits include a dramatic black feature wall, chunky Corian countertops and industrial wire pendant lights, while rattan bar stools, off-cut oak floors and a rough-hewn bowl keep the overall look soft.
See more beautiful interiors with gorgeous flooring in our photo gallery.
An inviting space designed by Steven Gambrel.
This charming room features a balanced blend of old world, rustic and French country elements. The antique harvest table, light cupboards and bench seating are offset by black pendant lights, black-trimmed windows and patio doors and French bistro-inspired floor tiles. A champion of the unexpected, Gambrel chose black subway tile with white grout for the backsplash. The double Wolf range with open shelving nearby makes this kitchen great for entertaining.
See more inspiring Gambrel designs in our photo gallery.
For more island inspiration, see our Kitchen Tables As Islands photo gallery.
Stylist Barb Sgroi's timeless country kitchen.
A vintage-looking kitchen table does double duty for dining and prep. "This country house kitchen was featured way back in 2001 and is still in style almost ten years later," says House & Home editor Suzanne Dimma. "The checkerboard ceramic floor tiles are classic and you could never tire of the beautiful wood cabinets. Skipping the toe kick gives them the look of a repurposed armoire. And of course the showstopper is the functional display of her collection of stunning copper pots."
Find more inspiration in our photo galleries of Rooms With Warm Metal Accents, Suzanne Dimma's Favourite Kitchens and Kitchen Tables As Islands.
Keeping the original terracotta tile floors gives this newly renovated kitchen character.
The kitchen in designer Sloan Mauran's Palm Beach retreat was inspired by a modern Belgian aesthetic. The TV is recessed in the wall for a sleek look, and its chunky stone frame mirrors the thick edge on the marble peninsula. The range hood is clad in stainless steel and spans the stoves and work areas for a dramatic effect.
Find more inspiration in our photo galleries of Warm-Weather Vacation Homes and Sloan Mauran's Palm Beach Home.
A classic design with timeless appeal.
"Tommy's tailored approach includes some smart design ideas like breaking up dark and light cabinets, laying the tile in a zigzag pattern and painting the door and window frames black," says House & Home editor Suzanne Dimma. "Combined with the oversized lantern pendant, it is wow."
See more of Suzanne's favourite kitchens in our gallery. Plus, watch a tour of Tommy Smythe's old apartment. And for more island inspiration, see our Kitchen Tables As Islands photo gallery.
Nature-inspired finishes reinvigorate this room.
A herringbone-patterned travertine floor, along with grasscloth wallpaper by Thibaut and a wood-panelled ceiling, bring texture and character to this room. The kitchen got a new lease on life with the addition of Ikea base cabinets fitted with custom doors to match the existing uppers. The marble-topped island was painted a contrasting grey and a $300 range hood in beadboard was painted a creamy white to match the cabinets.
See more ways to add pattern in our gallery of gorgeous floors.
A reclaimed oak table offers extra counter space.
Viki Mansell's kitchen that was featured in our October 2009 issue is one of Suzanne Dimma's favourites. It offers a fresh take on the all-white kitchen with the light weathered wood lower cabinets, whitewashed floor and crisp white accents.
Kitchen cabinets in a vibrant hue act as a feature wall.
This open, industrial loft has kitchen cabinets that do double-duty. Bright green livens up the raw space like an accent wall, while providing plenty of storage. Simple hardware and a bare light fixture keep the look modern, while a metallic floral wallpapered panel on the ceiling softens the space. Polished concrete flooring and mismatched wood chairs add an earthy, organic element.
Find more inspiration in our photo galleries of Kitchen Storage Ideas and 10 Kitchens With Colourful Cabinetry.
A large space for family dinners and easy entertaining.
Decked out with the latest stainless steel appliances, the kitchen of the 2010 Princess Margaret Hospital Showhome is any homeowner's dream. Marble countertops and a white beadboard ceiling balance cool grey walls and cabinets. Crystal lamps and a hanging lantern add a decorative layer and sparkle. A rustic farmhouse table replaces the ubiquitous island and the floor's Bluestone pavers evoke the charm of a cobblestone street.
See more of the 2010 Princess Margaret Showhome in our photo gallery. Also, watch Lynda Reeves tour the house.
For more island inspiration, see our Kitchen Tables As Islands photo gallery.
A boxy family home gets a modern makeover.
An ample, custom-made stainless steel island lends an industrial feel to this neutral kitchen. Maple flooring, in the same tones as the walls, runs from the kitchen up the steps to the living room, helping connect the two spaces.
View more photos of this home in our June 2008 issue. Plus, see more industrial spaces in our Industrial Interiors photo gallery.
Play up warm wood tones with a light ceiling, neutral paint or wallpaper and soft lighting.
Don't cover up classic hardwood if you want to channel a traditional and formal style — herringbone is far too beautiful to lay a rug over. In Patrick Frey's Paris apartment, luxe fabrics and wallcoverings, a unique light fixture and classic chairs exude old-world charm.
Learn more traditional-style tips in our Traditional & Formal Interiors photo gallery.
And for more beautiful French country interiors, see our photo gallery.
Bleached grey, six-inch-wide planks of white oak evoke a calm, serene mood.
When you enter the 2008 Princess Margaret Hospital Showhome, the first thing you notice is the floors. Then you notice the light streaming in from the wall of windows in the great room, where two sofas flank a creamy precast limestone mantle.
This spare yet elegant design features modern chairs and traditional finishes.
Mesh front doors were added onto the built-ins flanking the fireplace. New crown moulding enhances the overall look of the space. Niches for firewood were carved out on either side of the new window seat. Herringbone oak floors with a high gloss finish create a glamorous effect.
English, Chinese and Indian artifacts mix beautifully for a well-travelled look.
Original herringbone flooring and glass walls and roof endow this conservatory with unique period character. A big turn-of-the-century Chinese wedding cabinet offers a home for family clutter.
Make your space current with the latest trends.
For those putting down completely new floors, wider floorboards are now an accessible option. Here, bleached wood floorboards contrast beautifully against the saturated palette of this Steven Gambrel living room design.
A stunning detail turns this cottage's flooring into an eye-catching focal point.
Simple wing chairs in the library are cosy perches for reading and relaxing. A compass inlaid in the wood flooring plays up the northern theme.
Rough wood floors add character to this breezy bedroom retreat.
The dramatic window in this principal bedroom is softened with a simple white curtain. Exposed rafters and wide, rugged pine-plank flooring are warm touches in the airy, unadorned room. The vintage Marimekko stripe on the bed is a crisp, modern accent.
Watch a video tour of this home, or more design and decorating ideas, browse our Amazing Attics photo gallery.
Scandinavian-style minimalism influenced this simple design.
A major appeal of the increasingly popular white-painted floor is flexibility: the neutral but fresh tone creates a clean canvas. In this oasis-like bathroom, it sets an airy and romantic mood, and the matte finish works with the white walls to give prominence to the raw wood beams and organic egg-shaped tub.
For more beautiful en suite bathrooms, see our photo gallery.
See our photo gallery for more fast decorating fixes.
Add depth to a small space with dramatic tile.
A petite bathroom looks instantly larger, thanks to marble used extensively through the space. By covering the tub surround, backsplash and floors with the same material, the homeowner created a seamless look that visually extends the room. The stainless steel mirror, mounted over the sink, adds sparkle and depth to the room, while the framed photos offer character and clean-lined sophistication.
See more statement bathrooms in our photo gallery.
Artwork takes center-stage in an all-white space.
A top-to-toe reno of this principal bath resulted in a glam modern space. Bands of black mosaic tile give the Carrara marble floor a lighter look. The contemporary tub is paired with more traditional wall-mount plumbing.
Striped marble flooring adds a hit of black to this ensuite.
French designer Jacques Grange's famous vanity at The Mark is a minty-fresh take on Art Deco. A bold black and white stripe tile floor resembles a geo-print carpet, and makes a graphic counterpoint to the spare lines of the vanity.
For more ways to incorporate a top trend for 2014, see our pattern underfoot photo gallery.
A heavy black pedestal table grounds this space.
A bold, tribal-inspired work by Australian Aboriginal artist Charlie Wallabi Tjungurrayi offers a warm but unexpected welcome in the front foyer. The original oversized parquet floor has the look of herringbone.
Marble floors, classic artwork and high ceilings make a formal entrance traditional and timeless.
Simple benches, mouldings and framed engravings keep the focus on doors leading to the mahogany-panelled library. Christian Liaigre furniture and a striking 19th century Elisabeth Vigée-Lebrun painting over the fireplace add to the traditional look.
Learn more traditional-style tips in our Traditional & Formal Interiors photo gallery.
A boldly striped floor adds impact.
"This is a great example of using architectural language to maintain a hierarchy of spaces," says Nicky Haslam, principal and founder of NH Design. "The double doors leading into the salon are grander, and black and white, while the secondary doors have less detail, and are simply white. This is a wonderfully simple space that still manages to be glamorous."
Watch a tour of NH Designs' creative director Colette van den Thillart's Muskoka cottage. Plus, see more interiors by NH Design in our gallery.
A graphic entrance with rich architectural details.
The front hall of this handsome Vancouver home sets the tone for the rest of the rooms. Here, a rich backdrop of traditional woodwork and classic black and white checkerboard flooring is punctuated by vibrant works of art. The homeowners found the antique sterling-silver chandelier — originally designed to be gas lit — in Paris.
See more beautiful interiors with gorgeous flooring in our photo gallery.
Rustic flooring warms a minimalist aesthetic.
In this 650-year-old farmhouse, the original oak floor is a modern counterpoint to the floating wooden staircase in the main hallway. An elevator connects the different floors in the main living quarters. A glass door leads to the gallery, which contains the library.
See more beautiful interiors with gorgeous flooring in our photo gallery.


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Group therapy is a popular option for many people seeking help, since it is usually cheaper than one-on-one therapy.
The American Psychological Association has published a journal on group therapy titled "Group Dynamics: Theory, Research, and Practice" and some of the research suggests group therapy is possibly more effective than one-on-one forms of therapy.
Group therapy started in the first half of the 20th century, one of the early influential proponents was Irvin Yalom, who wrote an influential text, "The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy."
In their weekly conversation, psychologist Dan Gottlieb and Maiken Scott discuss what makes groups healing.


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CSWE Accreditation Information
Specialized Accreditation
The Department is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and has been continuously since l985. In February 2009, the Commission on Accreditation (COA) reviewed the Self-Study, the Accreditation Review Brief, and the program's response to the Brief as the reaffirmation application for the baccalaureate social work program, and voted to reaffirm the program's accreditation for eight years, ending February 2016. Our self-study is due April 2015.
CSWE 2008 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS)
Core Competencies and Practice Behaviors
2.1.1 Identify as a social worker and conduct self accordingly
2.1.1 (a) Advocate for client access to the services of social work
2.1.1 (b) Practice personal reflection and self-correction to assure continual professional development
2.1.1 (c) Attend to professional roles and boundaries
2.1.1 (d) Demonstrate professional demeanor in behavior, appearance, and communication
2.1.1 (e) Engage in career-long learning
2.1.1 (f) Use supervision and consultation
2.1.2 Apply social work ethical principles to guide professional practice
2.1.2 (a) Recognize and manage personal values in a way that allows professional values to guide practice
2.1.2 (b) Make ethical decisions by applying standards of the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics and, as applicable, of the International Federation of Social Workers/International Association of Schools of Social Work Ethics in Social Work, Statement of Principles
2.1.2 (c) Tolerate ambiguity in resolving ethical conflicts
2.1.2 (d) Apply strategies of ethical reasoning to arrive at principled decisions
2.1.3 Apply critical thinking to inform and communicate professional judgments
2.1.3 (a) Distinguish, appraise, and integrate multiple sources of knowledge, including research-based knowledge, and practice wisdom
2.1.3 (b) Analyze models of assessment, prevention, intervention, and evaluation
2.1.3 (c) Demonstrate effective oral and written communication in working with individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities and colleagues.
2.1.4 Engage diversity and difference in practice
2.1.4 (a) Recognize the extent to which a culture's structures and values may oppress, marginalize, alienate, or create or enhance privilege and power;
2.1.4 (b) Gain sufficient self-awareness to eliminate the influence of personal biases and values in working with diverse groups
2.1.4 (c) Recognize and communicate their understanding of the importance of difference in shaping life experiences
2.1.4 (d) View themselves as learners and engage those with whom they work as informants.
2.1.5 Advance human rights and social and economic justice
2.1.5 (a) Understand the forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination
2.1.5 (b) Advocate for human rights and social and economic justice
2.1.5 (c) Engage in practices that advance social and economic justice.
2.1.6 Engage in research-informed practice and practice-informed research
2.1.6 (a) Use practical experience to inform scientific inquiry
2.1.6 (b) Use research evidence to inform practice
2.1.7 Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment
2.1.7 (a) Utilize conceptual frameworks to guide the processes of assessment, intervention, and evaluation
2.1.7 (b) Critique and apply knowledge to understand person and environment
2.1.8 Engage in policy practice to advance social and economic well-being and to delivery effective social work services
2.1.8 (a) Analyze, formulate, and advocate for policies that advance social well-being
2.1.8 (b) Collaborate with colleagues and clients for effective policy action
2.1.9 Respond to contexts that shape practice
2.1.9 (a) Continuously discover, appraise and attend to changing locales, populations, scientific and technological developments, and emerging societal trends to provide relevant services
2.1.9 (b) Provide leadership in promoting sustainable changes in service delivery and practice to improve the quality of social services
2.1.10 (a)-(d): Engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
10(a) Engagement
10 (a) i. Substantively and affectively prepare for action with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
10 (a) ii. Use empathy and other interpersonal skills
10 (a) iii. Develop a mutually agreed-on focus of work and desired outcomes
10(b) Assessment
10 (b) i. Collect, organize, and interpret client data
10 (b) ii. Assess client strengths and limitations
10 (b) iii. Develop mutually agreed-on intervention goals and objectives
10 (b) iv. Select appropriate intervention strategies
10(c) Intervention
10 (c) i. Initiate actions to achieve organizational goals
10 (c) ii. Implement prevention interventions that enhance client capacities
10 (c) iii. Help clients resolve problems
10 (c) iv. Negotiate, mediate, and advocate for clients
10 (c) v. Facilitate transitions and endings
10(d) Evaluation
10 (d) i. Critically analyze, monitor and evaluate interventions


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This section provides information on student, employment, and grant opportunities in NOAA, particularly those concerning the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science. In addition to federal positions,
NCCOS hires personnel through a variety of channels, including contractors and internships.
Please note that NOAA does not accept unsolicited grant proposals or job resumes.


text: Save production time when you get additional parts for your TrueChannel Binding Router Jig. Router Mounting Template Easily adapt the TrueChannel to common laminate trimmers using this template (instructions included). Router Carriage With additional router carriages, you can have any number of routers installed and ready to rout the binding channels you use frequently. Body Support Blocks and Cradles Setup for multiple body shapes, or get an extra one to customize.


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Mail: Thanks for helping Aiden
Brewer at the Legislature: Mob rule
More opinion
Robertson and Delsing re-elected chair, vice chair of NWB
Goat Expo set first October weekend
More Ag News
Livestock issues will be highlighted at the 99th annual Nebraska Farmers Union convention Saturday in Grand Island at the Midtown Holiday Inn.
Nationally recognized livestock market expert J. Dudley Butler, the retired head of USDA's Grain, Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Act will report on congressional efforts to update USDAs anti-trust regulations with clearly defined terms and standards.
Butler will speak about the future of the livestock industry. He will make his presentation 9 a.m. Saturday morning, the second day of the two-day convention.
Later Saturday morning, Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska President and Cattlemens Beef Promotion Board member Dave Wright will report on beef checkoff activities and issues.
Since 1980, meat packer consolidation, non-competitive marketing practices, and vertical integration have squeezed thousands of livestock producers in Nebraska out of business," NeFU President John Hansen said. "Nationally, according to the latest USDA data, there are 42% fewer beef producers, 91% fewer swine producers, 82% fewer dairy producers, and 33% fewer sheep producers."
"Unfortunately, while livestock producers have done an outstanding job of producing high quality livestock and milk, they failed to produce the necessary profit to pay their bills and stay in business," Hansen said.
"It is high time we address the root cause for the loss of livestock producers instead of chasing meat packer-financed-media-disinformation that has generated wild-goose-chase-diversions," Hansen said.
The agenda for the entire NeFU Convention held Dec. 7-8 can be found HERE.
Registration begins at 8 a.m. Friday. The convention begins at 9 a.m. Friday and resumes 8:30 a.m. Saturday. As always, Farmers Union members and the public are invited to attend.
Flatrock Publishing, Inc.
1300 E 4th St., Suite F
North Platte, NE 69101


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(UPDATED COVERAGE, 4:20 p.m.) United Supermarkets, Lubbock, Texas, is recalling all Mexican-grown mangoes and fresh-cut products containing them because of salmonella outbreaks in the U.S. that may be linked to the fruit.
United spokeswoman Kerri Fulks said the chain opted to recall all Mexican mangoes becuase their buyer was not sure what brand of organic mangoes were currently in stock at the chain's three banners: United Supermarkets, Market Street and Amigos.
"All the mangoes United Supermarkets recalled were Daniella brand except for the organics," Fulks said. "United's buyer did not know the brand of the organic mangoes, but recalled them as a precautionary measure as well because they, too, were from Mexico."
Fulks said Topco, Skokie, Ill., supplied the mangoes through the United Supermarkets purchasing consortium. Officials at Topco did not immediately return calls.
A statement issued by United said the decision to remove all Mexican mangoes — and not just the Daniella brand named by distributors and retailers — is because of "possible salmonella contamination in other parts of the country."
Other retailers and distributors posted recall notices or called consumers at home warning them about Daniella brand Mexican mangoes potentially contaminated with salmonella. Those retailers and distributors include: Roundy's Supermarkets Inc. banners of Copps, Pick 'n Save, Rainbow, Metro Market and Mariano's; Ciruli Bros.; Giant Food LLC; Top Food & Drug; Charlie's Produce and Costco.
California health officials said that although mangoes are definitely the source, information is inconclusive regarding the brand or country of origin.
The California Department of Health is continuing to investigate a 73-person outbreak. Two-thirds of the infected people in California have reported eating mangoes before becoming ill with the same strain of salmonella found in 22 sick people in Canada and six people in Washington.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency expanded its hazard notice about mangoes on Aug. 28 to include Daniella mangoes distributed by Mex Y Can Trading Inc. with Price Look-up codes of 4051 and 4959.
The Canadian agency announced Aug. 25 that Daniella mangoes from Mexico distributed by National American Produce Sales, Vancouver, B.C., with PLUs of 4959, which were recalled beginning Aug. 25. The mangoes in Canada were sold at retail from July 12 through Aug. 28.
Food and Drug Administration officials say they working on the "fast-moving outbreak" that includes as many as 101 sick people in the U.S., but California's health investigators are still leading the investigation.
"Preliminary information indicates that mangoes are a likely source for the illnesses in the United States," according to an FDA notice Aug. 29.
Lola Scott-Russell, a spokeswoman for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said Aug. 29 the agency was working with state and federal officials across the country on the investigation. She said multiple states are involved, in addition to California and Washington, but declined to name the additional states until their health officials had given permission.
In the United Supermarkets recall notice, Tommy Wilkins, director of produce procurement, said there is "no evidence at this time that any products that have come through our stores were contaminated…" The chain anticipates having California mangoes in stock within days.
Costco's vice president for food safety Craig Wilson said the club store is not recalling the mangoes, rather, it is executing the recall initiated by one of its vendors, Splendid Products.
"They notified us Monday (Aug. 27) and we pulled all of the Daniella mangoes from our stores," wilson said Aug. 29. "We called about 213,000 consumers Tuesday to let them know (about the potential contamination)."
Wilson said Costco received about 43,000 cases of the Daniella red mangoes from Mexico, which went to individual stores in the Northwest, Northeast, San Diego and Los Angeles.
Distributor Splendid Products, Burlingame, Calif., initiated its recall of Daniella mangoes Aug. 26. General manager Larry Nienkerk said the company notified customers, asking them to pull all Daniella mangoes.
"We want to let everyone know our top priority is public safety," Nienkerk said. "We have notified all of our customers ... and we are working with all the government agencies that are involved. We didn't want to wait."
Initially Splendid Products was recalling Daniella mangoes with PLUs of 4959. However, information from the company at www.splendidmangos.com includes additional PLUs of 3114, 4051 and 4311.
However Top Food & Drug, Bellingham, Wash., posted a notice on its website Aug. 27 stating Top and Charlie's Produce, a Seattle wholesaler, are also "pulling" mangoes withthe PLU of 4584.
Ciruli Bros., Rio Rico, Ariz., posted a notice on its website notifying its customers of the Splendid recall. The notice said Ciruli provided Sam's Club stores keitt variety Daniella brand mangoes from Mexico it purchased from Splendid Products.
The mangoes from Ciruli Bros. were shipped in cartons labeled as Ciruli Bros. and Sam's Club. They were distributed to Sam's Club stores in California, Utah, Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, New York and Illinois, according to the Ciruli Bros. website.
Giant Food LLC is also recalling Daniella mangoes from Mexico. According to an Aug. 27 news release, the Landover, Md.-based retail chain removed all Daniella mangoes distributed by Splendid Products.
The mangoes were available from July 12 to Aug. 24, according to Giant. The chain operates 173 stores in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia.
Stop & Shop Supermarket Co., Quincy, Mass., is also recalling the same brand of mangoes from Mexico. The chain has more than 400 stores throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, New York and New Jersey, according to its recall notice.
The United Supermarkets recall also includes the following fresh-cut products:
- 10-ounce Season Blend (UPC # 0-77815-00107-2),
- 16-ounce Season Blend (UPC # 0-77815-00106-5),
- 10-ounce Strawberry Kiwi Mango (UPC # 0-778915-0016-4),
- 16-ounce Strawberry Kiwi Mango (UPC # 0-77815-00115-7),
- 10-ounce Mango Spears (UPC # 0-77815-00117-1).
United Supermarkets has 51 stores and distribution centers in Lubbock and Roanoke, Texas.