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My biggest piece of advice to you: Do not stop. Yes, you have signed your letters, have all of your coach's numbers, and proudly rock your future collegiate sweatshirt but the journey has just begun. Unless of course your plan is to fade into the background and just be along for the ride. Your talent and hard work has gotten you impressively far and saved your family some major money, but now you are just one of many.
All of your teammates were top players in their hometown, so now your not so special. But you can still be special. Here's how:
You just have to outwork everyone else.
Granted, there is a learning curve as a freshman. All of your teammates and coaches understand that, but you can get a jump on the curve. Those weaknesses in your game? Get on them now. Your strengths are why you were recruited, but college athletics expose weaknesses. Every scouting report will have your strengths and weakness. Coaches work hard preparing for opponents and strategizing. They prey on weakness.
Call your coaches and be proactive. Ask them to send you a copy of the team's summer workout packets so that you can start to get prepared. If they've already given them to you, take a serious look at them. Your window of opportunity to improve without someone screaming down your neck is now. The fact is most players don't improve during the course of their seasons; it's the offseason where the magic happens. This is your first offseason, so make it count.
Start getting to know your classmates. When I graduated from Georgetown, I was the only senior. I would have loved to have a classmate, someone who shared my experience. Barring transfers, you will start and share your athletic journey with your classmates. Chemistry plays a role on every team and as freshmen you guys will have similar experiences, so start supporting each other.
Get mentally prepared. If someone is still dragging you around to get workouts in, you're in trouble. No one is going to beg you in college, you just won't play. Beyond that, start watching film of your future program, not as a fan but as a student. Understand what you are about to get into. What type of plays will I be running and where do I fit? Where can I take my place defensively or offensively? I'm sure your future coach gave you a run-down in the recruiting process, but get a concrete understanding for yourself. Studying the game is the only way to improve your sports IQ.
At the end of the day, you're a freshman and you won't always get it right. Seniors don't always get it right. That's the beauty of your position — you have every opportunity to exceed expectations. Be proactive and be a sponge; before you know it you will be a senior, so make the most of each year and every opportunity
About Transition Game
Monica McNutt was an All-Met basketball player at Holy Cross Academy who went on to star for the Georgetown women's team. She will be offering advice to high school athletes who are looking to make the leap to college sports
Got a question for Monica, or an idea she can use for a future post? Leave it here in the comments, or email her at email@example.com. Follow her on Twitter at @__MCM__.
Managing to stay close to the game (Dec. 20, 2011)
Leadership, Tebow-style (Dec. 13, 2011)
The importance of attitude (Dec. 6, 2011)
Fine-tuning your "mistake response" (Nov. 22, 2011)
Looking beyond the stat sheet (Nov. 15, 2011)
Battling the "dumb jock" stereotype (Nov. 8, 2011)
Taking advantage of your athletic resume (Nov. 1, 2011)
College recruiting: Finding a program that fits you (Oct. 25, 2011)
Navigating the recruiting process: "Get a clue, control your career" (Oct. 18, 2011)
Secrets to success: Food and rest (Oct. 11, 2011)
Introducing "Transition Game" (Oct. 4, 2011)


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DIRECTOR of the New Forest Livestock Society David Redhead was given the New Forest Jubilee Award at the New Forest Show.
The Commoner, Verderer and member of the Commoners' Defence Association was awarded for work in improving the environment and rural economy.
The award was first presented by the Queen at the show in 2012.

subset: commoncrawl


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Posting in General Chat thread. 11/11/2017it has been noted that too many Members are posting messages in the General Chat area instead of the correct Forums. Any messages posted in the General Chat area that are not General Chat will be deleted without warning and offenders may recieve warning points if repeated instances are seen from that Member. There are plenty of different Club areas that encompass 99% of Ford related posts, please select and use the correct one. If anyone is not sure of which area to post something then feel free to P/M myself or other Senior Staff for guidance. The Moderating Staff are having to spend far too much time chasing this problem instead of maintaining the other areas of the forum.
en2ahBudding Enthusiast
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Ford Model
Focus Ghia 1.8 TDCI
Hi Guys, Thanks for the replies! For an update: As mentioned, the issue started on Saturday, tried it Sunday night and monday morning and it didn't work. Tried it again Monday night and it started.. small amount of smoke from the exhaust, but didn't even stutter. I have been driving it again all week (to and from work... no short stops that would normally cause the problem). Always starts straight away. I had the filters and oil changed last november as part of a service, however the issue has been around for the past 2 years over which time it seems to behave itself provided i do a journey that is long enough to warm the engine. The car has done 65K and hasn't had any issues in the service history. Prior to me getting it, it had been religously serviced at a ford garage and is complete with official stamps. Although i didn't get chance to try my spare key, i know i have done this before during another time it wouldn't start and it made no difference. Not that this would remove a possibility of an issue with the immobilser, i'm assuming it would make less likely? Also, the issue always occurs when i stop the car after a very short journey... Unfortunatly i don't have anyway to look at the fault codes...
Well i've managed to live with the problem over the past year and a half, but i had to take the bus to work today as it re-immerged over the weekend. I'm not trying to understand how to fix the issue once and for all and stop pandering to the car and it's unusual characteristics! Over the past year, whilst having had the same issue, it hasn't been so bad. After the previous trip to the garage in Nov 09 i have always assumed that it is due to the lifters getting blocked and not letting the oil drain out and therefore not allowing the correct clearance to be achieved on the valves... To combat this i always make sure that the engine temperature has been up to temperature before turning off the engine... so far it seems to have worked... It always starts first time when left over night / having previously been run until warm.. not even a splutter before it starts... However i must have gotten cocky over the weekend as i moved my car a few feet and turned it off... and now it won't restart (i have tried on Sunday evening, and then again this morning). It has exactly the same symptoms as before, ie the engine cranks but doesn't catch and fire up. I don't think it is the immobiliser as i've tried to start it over the past few months with the immobilser accidenently on and the sound is slightly different (this has always been fixed straight away with locking and unlocking the car).. As in my previous posts from 09, the garage i took it to looked it over and all was fine... they put in the lift cleaner and all was good from there... over time i guess the dirt builds up and causes this issue. I have always made sure the correct oil is used when having done an oil change since as have heard the TDCI engines are particular about the grade of oil... I had always hoped to beat the re-appearance of this problem by regular oil flushes / changes, however this time it has caught me out... Are there any other suggestions as to the cause, or ways to erradicate this issue for good assuming that i'm correct in where the problem lies (other then buying a new car?) Annoyingly without this fault i like the car and runs like a dream..
FYI The garage I took it too got a guy out to do a diagnostic check which showed a crank shaft sensor problem... I had this replaced but it didn't completely fix the problem... I then took it to a diesel injection specialist who checked it out. There was nothing wrong with the plugs or pumps etc. They said it was most likely the hydraulic lifters locking due to a build up of dirt in the oil and said the symptoms I've been having suggest the problem also. They put some cleaner in which seems to have done the trick...so far. They advised changing the oil in a few days and getting it flushed to get rid of the hydraulic cleaner... Fingers crossed this is the end of it..
Well I finally caved and called out the breakdown guy as it wasn't starting. He ended up spraying some "easy start" into the air filter, which didn't seem to work at first... I then suggested the imobilser may be malfuctioning and I double liked the car... After this the engine spluttered into life... He thinks that it was fuel starvation.. It's not in the garage having a full diagnostic check... Fingers crossed it will show something however the garage guy seems pretty keen on the idea of the fuel pump being knackered which is an expensive job! The fiasco continues...
thanks for the tips! I'm not the most mechanical person so will pass the message onto the garage when I finally get round to takin it in again... I'm currently sitting in a car park having the same problem, just wanting the usual 10-15 mins for it to start working again... Fingers crossed the damn thing starts... Now it's happening I can confirm the engine is actually turning over but dies immediatly... This is so frustrating!!!
Thanks for the ideas... though i don't think it's a battery problem... I took it into the garage about a 3 weeks ago for an MOT and they guy had a quick look and plugged in the computer and said there were no error codes showing and he couldn't see a problem as the car kept starting fine for him... even after purposely stalling it... grr Since then i have been careful not to stall and has been running fine, however i have the noticed the starting problem seems to be coming on even when i don't stall the car... It has happened twice in the last 2 weeks in that i have started the car in the morning (with no problems) then stopped for petrol shortly afterwards... when trying the start the car it won't start... it tries to go but won't turn over. After about 10 - 15 mins it seems to start fine and continues to run with no apparent problems... When it doesn't start i try it a few times, holding the ignition on for about 5 seconds or so... but nothing happens (well it keeps trying to turn over, but doesn't manage it). Once i noticed that as i turned the key back to the off position after doing this, the coil light started flashing for about 1 - 2 seconds and then went off... and hasn't come back on since... Has anyone got any more ideas? I could do with servicing it in the next 4 weeks or so and could ask the garage to have a look at replacing any of the parts that could be causing in this problem...
Thanks for the idea, but unfortunately it doesn't seem to make make any difference. I just tried it again this morning and it didn't start. Even holding the ignition down for about 10 seconds all you can here is the stater motor trying to turn the engine over but the engine won't keep going. I'm starting to think that the fuel pump isn't working... though i suppose there could be numerous problems with it... Any other ideas?
Problem Start my Focus! - 1.8TDCi 02
en2ah posted a topic in Ford Focus ClubI'm having this problem at the moment that when i stall my car (which isn't very often) i can't start it agin for about 10 - 15 mins... The engine is turns over in the normal way, but before gaining an momentum and becomes self sustaining just dies... Has anyone got any ideas to what could be the problem? (btw it's a Ghia if it makes any difference)


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Backyard Birthday Bash Ideas
If you have a kiddo with a summer birthday, it's always fun to take advantage of the warm weather as you plan a celebration. Whether in your backyard or at a neighborhood park, there are plenty of ways to make it memorable. We've got some ideas to help you keep your birthday boy or girl … Continue reading Backyard Birthday Bash IdeasRead more


text:
- Format
- Häftad (Paperback)
- Språk
- Engelska
- Antal sidor
- 208
- Utgivningsdatum
- 1994-11-01
- Upplaga
- New ed
- Förlag
- Arrow Books Ltd
- Illustrationer
- ill.
- Dimensioner
- 180 x 110 x 15 mm
- Vikt
- Komponenter
- Npf,Qgah
- 9780099909200
- 110 g
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Green Hills Of Africa
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"If he were never to write again, his name would live as long as the English language, for Green Hills of Africa takes its place beside his other works on that small shelf in our libraries which we reserve for the classics" * Observer * "This book is an expression of a deep enjoyment and appreciation of being alive - in Africa. There is more to it than hunting; it is the feeling of the dew on the grass in the morning, the shape and colour and smell of the country, the companionship of friends ... and the feeling that time has ceased to matter" * TLS *
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Ernest Miller Hemingway was born in Chicago in 1899 as the son of a doctor and the second of six children. After a stint as an ambulance driver at the Italian front, Hemingway came home to America in 1919, only to return to the battlefield - this time as a reporter on the Greco-Turkish war - in 1922. Resigning from journalism to focus on his writing instead, he moved to Paris where he renewed his earlier friendship with fellow American expatriates such as Ezra Pound and Gertrude Stein. Through the years, Hemingway travelled widely and wrote avidly, becoming an internationally recognized literary master of his craft. He received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1954, following the publication of The Old Man and the Sea. He died in 1961.


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RepairPal is your advocate for car care advice and guidance
Q: Does anyone out there know how to get Toyota to fix the cracks on the dashboards on 2007 Toyota Solara
I have a 2007 Solara, stays in garage, only 21,000 actual miles, and 2 cracks by the glove compartment. Had the first one fixed, but still slightly noticeable. Now all of a sudden, a 2nd one has popped up. This car gets wonderful attention, and certainly not abused
| |
This seems to be a common problem reported by many owners of cracks by glove box and head unit. The problem is so common that there are several vendors selling wood grain dash kits and dash carpet pads for as low as $37.99 from places like AutoAnything. I hope this helps, Jim CarMasters Automotive
I am having the same problem with my 07 Solara. It appears this is a very common problem with Toyotas and nothing has been done to solve the problem. I won't be buying another.
I have the same problem. my solara is in the garage. when I talked to Toyota, they first told me to get my windows tinted which I did, open the windows so hot air doesn't get trapped and then put a shade over the front window. I did all three and it still continues to crack. it look horrible! hopefully we can all figure out what to do with this major problem!
Didn't find what you were looking for?


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The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has said Copperbelt has had the highest number of drug trafficking cases in the past six months.
DEC spokesperson Samuel Silomba has said the institution has arrested 2,512 people for drug trafficking in the past six months with about 34.6 tonnes of assorted drugs over the period
Silomba said out of the total arrests, 2,449 are Zambians while 53 were foreign nationals.
He said Copperbelt Province had recorded the highest arrests with 752 cases while Lusaka Province was second with 491 while the remainder was shared by the eight remaining provinces.
Silomba also said they have arrested a 43-year-old Tanzania national with two pockets of cocaine. The suspect will appear in court soon.


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hitler marionette 1941
- Price: $5,000.00
- Item Category: Antiquities
- Type: Item for Sale
- Date Posted: Dec 26, 2013
- Seller Type: -
This adolph hitler marionette is marked 1941 on the wood inside. My brother and I acquired it about ten (10) years ago from an estate in Oakland, CA. I have been told that he was probably made in America. We just (12-19-2013) put a video on YouTube entitled "hitler video". If you have a serious interest in this marionette I would suggest you view the video. In the time we have owned it I have searched the internet and I have never been able to find anything like it. I can honestly say that this is a one-of-a-kind item. He is approx. twenty (20) inches tall. If you would like further information call Charlie at 510.303.3471 or email Mike at email@example.com. Thanks for looking.


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Find your Cooperative Extension county office, your first stop for information and assistance in NJ.
We have trained professionals in many different subject areas.
Photo by Dr. John Meade, weed scientist emeritusRutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension
Wild cucumber is not too common. The fruit resembles the cultivated cucumber except it is smaller, softer, and has weak spines on it. Not to be confused with the much more troublesome bur cucumber, Sicyos angulatus.
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MCKEE-L ArchivesArchiver > MCKEE > 2002-06 > 1024156384
From: "Steven St. Martin" <>
Subject: [MCKEE] William McKee of Warren Twp., Jefferson Co., Ohio
Date: Sat, 15 Jun 2002 11:53:04 -0400
I hope this helps those looking for the first wife of William McKee of
Warren Twp.,Jefferson Co., Ohio. The Old Seceder Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant is
the primary burial ground for members of the Seceder (later United
Presbyterian) Church in Warren Twp. From a book by Powell on cemetery
inscriptions of Jefferson Co. come two possible names of wives of William
Mary Carothers McKee, d. 1855? age unknown, is wife or daughter of William
Sarah McKee, d. 1847, age 41?, is listed as wife of William McKee.
William is not buried here, although many other McKees are.
Robert Carrothers was the founder of Mt. Pleasant and is also buried in the
same cemetery.
As supplemental information, it seems likely that this William is one of the
9 sons of Joseph McKee (1761-1849), who is also buried in the Old Seceder
cemetery. Joseph and his sister Elizabeth McKee (b. 1770) came to America
with their father James McKee (d. 1804). Joseph McKee was a prominent farmer
in Jefferson County and owned a woollen factory. Joseph had land in the
southwest part of Warren Twp., and William McKee shows up in property tax
records beginning in 1832 as owner of a sawmill and later some acreage
I am a descendant of Elizabeth McKee and would like to share information on
any of the descendants of James.
Steve St. Martin
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp.
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|[MCKEE] William McKee of Warren Twp., Jefferson Co., Ohio by "Steven St. Martin" <>


text: Search Again John P Fritz DPM (973) 994-2323 Primary Specialties Podiatry Affiliations Saint Barnabas Medical Center Request Appointment Primary Office Address: KBF Foot & Ankle Surgeons, PA 114 West Mount Pleasant Avenue Livingston, NJ 07039 Fax: (973) 994-1970 Secondary Office Address: KBF Foot & Ankle Surgeons, PA 254 Walnut Street Newark, NJ 07105 View Map Phone: (973) 465-1717 Recommend this Physician Get Directions Experience & Education Medical Education: Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine, Chicago, IL, 1990 Residency: East Orange General Hospital, East Orange, NJ, 1992 Accepted Health Plans Accepted Health Plan information is only as accurate as the most current information submitted. Prior to your appointment, it is advisable to verify with a physician office that they are still a participating provider. AARP Healthcare Aetna Medicare Aetna US Health Care American Postal Workers Union Amerihealth Bankers Life and Casualty Barnabas Employee Health Plan Beech Street Benefit Planners Insurance Cigna Healthcare Cigna HMO Devon Health Services Federal Blue Cross PPO First Health Network First Managed Care Option GHI- Group Health Incorporated Great West Healthcare HMO Blue - Medicare Blue Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield Horizon Managed Care Horizon NJ Health Horizon PPO Horizon Traditional/Indemnity Liberty Mutual Local 1199 Local 464/Maxon Local 734 Local 825 Welfare Fund Magnacare/Magnet Mail Handlers Benefit Plan Medicaid Medicare Metlife Multiplan National Association of Letter Carriers New Jersey Carpenters Health Fund New Jersey Manufacturers New Jersey Plus Oxford Health Plans Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS) Qualcare Railroad Medicare State Farm Travelers Tricare United Health Care Wellchoice Mutual of Omaha


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Alternative Title: cribellate silk
Learn about this topic in these articles:
production by spider
Spiders of the family Uloboridae build a web of woolly (cribellate) ensnaring silk. One group within this family (genus Hyptiotes) weaves only a partial orb. The spider, attached by a thread to vegetation, holds one thread from the tip of the hub until an insect brushes the web. The spider then alternately relaxes and tightens the thread, and the struggling victim becomes completely...
...on the metatarsus of the fourth leg. The black widow is one such comb-footed spider (family Theridiidae). The calamistrum combs the silk that flows from the cribellum, producing a characteristically woolly (cribellate) silk.


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Register and Join the most happening forum of Sikh community & intellectuals from around the world.
Religion told to halt weddings over gay rights
The future of traditional Indian weddings in Britain is in doubt because of the fallout from gay...
Just this week officials in United Kingdom have begun to move against pesticides that have altered the bee population in serious ways. Lest we...
Work on Khalsa memorial comes to halt
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"50 insane facts about Bitcoin" [Infographic]
Ahhh, the ever fun to talk about Bitcoin. So much scrutiny this virtual currency is under right now.
Ahhh, the ever fun to talk about Bitcoin. So much scrutiny this virtual currency is under right now.
A country without porn is no country at all.
Come with me, I'll teach you how to stalk Ashraf.
Sharks are lame, but they do taste great when cooked. Not that I've ever eaten one. Nope.
What's next for data storage? The cloud!
I wish to live long enough and be in my right mind to see this happen.
Google knows everything, even the future and the future after the future.
Flappy Bird is gone, and it proves that there is a superior power somewhere in the cosmos. Thank you, all powerful entity.
I have a feeling this article will cause quite a bit of controversy.
Do you know your face shape? Is is oval, square, or like a basketball with tiny spikes?
The second day of Chinese New Year is the birthday of all dogs, so they are fed well. Note the word "cat" was not used.
Multitasking makes you dumb. (I only say that because I can't do it.)
Hmmmm, webhosts...
They said we would never do surgery on the heart. They lied.
Are you better than these guys? Probably not, cause I'm hacking you right now.


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USS Michigan Crew Hones Skills Prior to Deployment
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Scott Dagendesh, , Det. Northwest
USS Michigan (SSGN 727) (Blue) crew Sailors underwent topside line-handling training outside Trident Training Facility at Naval Base Kitsap, on May 7.
Members of the submarine's crew used the training to keep abreast of the important aspects of Navy life and seamanship, such as line-handling. (Blue) Chief of the Boat (COB), Master Chief Electronics Technician (SS) Thomas Metcalf said that training like this instills pride and professionalism.
"The reason for this training is to get myself, as the COB, and my crew onto the same sheet of music," said Metcalf. "We are doing this so the crew is efficient in their responsibilities prior to deployment."
Prior to any deployment, a series of training evolutions must be conducted with the purpose of testing the battle readiness of not only the ship but, most importantly, her crew.
"I personally thought the training went well," said Fire Control Technician 2nd Class (SS) David Fox. "It was a very productive experience and everyone responded well."
During the training exercise, which took place outdoors, the (Blue) crew learned a variety of procedures, positions, and maritime safety and security.
"It was a fantastic opportunity for personnel to learn and I believe it was very productive for the crew," said Fox.
is scheduled to make her initial deployment as a guided missile submarine (SSGN) later this year. The presence of SSGN serves as a deterrent to potential adversaries as her inherent stealth, increased strike capacity, enhanced communications and endurance ensure a tactical advantage over our enemies.
This is pretty important stuff," said Chief Electrician's Mate (SS) Tony Lighty. "Being a topside line handler can be a pretty dangerous job if the crew is unknowledgeable. It could be a matter of life and death, so that is why we are here today conducting the training. Our goal is to make sure the crew gets qualified and knows what to do when they are called upon."


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I have never really had a desire to go on a cruise, but so many people love it I figure maybe we will give it a try. This would mostly be a quick trip for my husband and I to get out of the cold, relax and decompress after what is the busiest work time of the year. Have been to some of the Caribbean and loved the beaches and water. Just looking for a comparison of what two similar cruises to each place might offer. Probably a 5 day. Can't do a full week.
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Quick cruise beginning of March Bahamas vs Carribbean
I have never really had a desire to go on a cruise, but so many people love it I figure maybe we will give it a try. This would mostly be a quick trip for my husband and I to get out of the cold, relax and decompress after what is the busiest work time of the year. Have been to some of the Caribbean and loved the beaches and water. Just looking for a comparison of what two similar cruises to each place might offer. Probably a 5 day. Can't do a full week.
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Caribbean... 1 R
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The shorter the cruise, the bigger the party. Most seasoned cruisers try to avoid short cruises like a plague, especially with 3 days or less.
With that said, there are many good 5 to 6 day short cruises labeled as "sampler" or "getaways".
The departing port will make a difference to the type of cruises you will experience, and the cruise line you choose will make a difference too.
I always recommend 7 days for first time cruisers to get a full cruise experience.
If you like informal, consider Norwegian (NCL).
If you like relaxed and "fun", consider Carnival (CCL) or Royal Caribbean (RCCL).
If you want affordable upscale and relaxing atmosphere, consider Princess or Celebrity, and if you are more mature in age, consider Hollands of America (HAL).
And if you are young at heart, consider Disney. You don't have to be a kid to enjoy Disney Cruises and they offer some of the best 5 day cruises around; and kids are optional.
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Thanks for all the great tips Eschew!
I think we are shooting for a 5 day if we can find the right fit and will leave from New Orleans or one of the Florida ports.
I'm curious to hear from those who have cruised in the Bahamas as well as the Caribbean to get a comparison and see which they liked better.
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If you have a choice, leave from Florida. Those who leaves from New Orleans are usually older ships.
Many here have cruised Bahamas and the Caribbean but I am not sure what your question was about comparison, is it port or ship or cruise line?
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Im curious more about the ports, and which people found more enjoyable.
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I would say go Caribbean. The cruise to the Bahamas tend to be older ships and people like to booze it up so I don't think thats what you want.
As this will be your first cruise I don't think its advisable to spend so much like for a luxury cruise line or for a suite either as if you don't like the experience then its money down the drain. However budget permitting you could do that. Just bear in mind a luxury cruise line like Seabourn, Crystal, Oceania and Regent will cost easily double, probably more that the mass market ships.
You would need to pick an itinerary that suits you and then get advice of the particular ship as they all vary as do cruise line styles as Eschew has pointed out. The so called mass market lines provide a good experience usually. We have taken 15 cruises on Princess, Celebrity. Carnival, RCI and NCL and have never been disappointed. Now we are more particular about destination and the ship itself. You would be amazed by what is offered on a ship today. Many people think you do nothing but go from port to port but really there is so much more while in board.
So in sum pick an itinerary that suits your time frame and then get advice about the ship itself and the cruise line. You can always come back here. There are many happy to help.
Cheers and bon voyage, Larry. .
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This is true but still the overall cost is way, way more regardless and if you like to drink most cruise companies now have drink packages so even if you add in the extra cost you are still paying way less. Excursions in the Caribbean are very inexpensive if done with private guides and they are plentiful.
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Silverseas has one 5 day cruise in March out of San Juan beginning price of $1750.00 pp so at least $3500.00.
Seabourn website shows several cruises for this time frame of 3/2107 but minimum time is 7 days with a beginning price of around $3500.00 to $3700.00 and that is pp so > 7k.
Oceania has nothing less that 10 days for 3/2107.
Regent offers minimum of 10 nights for that time frame for about $4800.00 to $5500.00 pp so well over 10 k.
I searched expedia for 5 night Caribbean cruises in 3/2017 and found > 30 cruises and here are some examples of the cos pp.
Carnival Victory for 4 nights beginning cost $304.00. Add a suite and to goes to $709.00.
RCI Navigator, 5 nights, beginning cost $399.00.
Crown Princess 5 nights beginning cost $579.00.
Celebrity Summit 5 nights, beginning cost $509.00.
Gratuities are about $12.00 pp per day so add say around $200.00 + for that.
I say leave it up to the OP and if the budget allows then yes splurge. Just look into it first.
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LTE I see your profile has a link to Crystal cruises. Wow I'll bet you get some great perks. My sons in-laws took their 1st cruise in Sept. on the Symphony which he got as an award. They are spoiled for life. .
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Good for you!!
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You have already been given lots of good advice. I am just adding some opinions, so keep in mind, they are only that - opinions, and personal at that. We have done a half dozen Bahamas/Caribbean cruises, sometimes for the particular ports, sometimes for a ship we thought would be fun or just to relax.
Short versus longer.
I think it takes a couple of days to get acclimated to life aboard ship the first time. It might take more time to know if you enjoy it. Longer cruises tend to be on newer, larger ships with many activities and amenities like skating rinks and outdoor movies. The cruise may be itinerary driven, oriented towards shipboard activities or both. The shorter cruises are usually on older ships, so fewer (though not necessarily inferior) entertainments.
Ship size and lines.
I have discovered that I love being at sea - on almost any ship, old or new, small or large (though I prefer mid to large size), lots to do or nothing to do, anyplace, except for day cruises, which I hate. However, if my first cruise had not been so wonderful, I might not ever have known that. It was on a brand new, 5*, large (not mega) Princess ship, 7 days in the Southern Caribbean in winter. It was love from the moment we stepped on and remains my favorite cruise. OTOH, another favorite cruise was on a small, 25 year old ship about to be sold to a really low end line. I knew that, so my expectations were low. We just wanted a winter break. It surprised me. Though in dire need of refurbishing, it had charm, and I kept wishing I had sailed on it when it was new. Evidently, many passengers felt the same, and made pleas to the company. At the last minute, they decided to keep and refurbish it this year. A cruise to look forward to.
Bahamas versus Caribbean?
Each area has some really special places, and though I currently favor the Southern Caribbean, it would be hard to pick. The problem is, only longer cruises have time to get from Florida to the Caribbean. Only cruises departing from Puerto Rico have time to get to the far Southern Caribbean.
Departure ports.
For a few weeks in winter, the Gulf, especially Texas ports, sometimes gets fog and cruises can be delayed arriving or departing by hours.
Ft Lauderdale: easy airport and nice sail-a-ways.
Miami: nice sail-a-ways
Puerto Rico: great place to sail from, hotels and restaurants, my personal favorite departure port anywhere.
Sea days.
Some people love sea days. Others don't. I expected to be bored on sea days, but now I love them and have done TA crossings. Do you want to laze on the ship or be on shore on a beach, snorkeling, etc? Think about it when you choose the itinerary.
Your dilemma.
I agree that a bad first experience might turn you off to cruising, and from reading some of your trip reports, I know you appreciate good food and fun things to do. That does not mean you have to do an expensive Crystal cruise to get that.
There are plenty of other ships that offer wonderful service and great food and stop at interesting ports. However, with a short cruise, you are likely to sacrifice some of both - the luxury of the newer ships or upscale lines, and the wider choice of ports. So, the real issue is finding a short cruise that has enough of both to give you a satisfying experience. Can you find a short cruise that will give you the pleasure of your Cancun trip? I don't know.
Look at vacationstogo.com to see everything available during your time frame.
Then, join cruisecritic.com and read all the reviews for the ships you are looking at and the itineraries they offer. You can ask more questions there too.
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There are so many ports that it's hard to list them all.
What do you like? History? Culture? water sports? Zip line? Trek and hikes? Discovery? Beaches? Shopping? Food? I have seldom come across a port I didn't find things to do. Yes, there are ports that I avoided for a number of reasons, example: Ocho Rios. It was a turn off for me with the aggressive street vendors. I heard it is better now. But still, at Ocho Rios, with Dunn River Falls, the Gardens, Museum, they are all interesting places.
I won;t go cheap on the first cruise but I won't go too high end either. Here is my suggestion for a well rounded cruise line: Princess or Celebrity would be my first choice. RCL would be next in the preferred list, with Carnival next, and NCL bringing in the rear.
I though food on Princess and Celebrity is notch above the other 3.
I did not recommend HAL as their passengers are typically older.
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We are going pretty basic. One night and day in Orlando then 4 day cruise to the Bahamas, Freeport and Nassau. Recommendations for shore excursions or things to see at those ports?
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For Bahamas, Freeport and Nassau, it's most beaches, beaches and more beaches. There are the so call "shopping" as well.
The 4 to 5 day cruises to the Bahamas usually with much older ships, and your fellow passengers younger and more activities into all hours of the night.
If you do not fit that activity or age category, I would suggest a 7 day cruise for an entirely different experience.
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What port are you departing from? What ship did you choose?
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Sass, the very short cruises usually depart from Miami. There are even 1 day over-nighter or 2 days round trip cruises.
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"I did not recommend HAL as their passengers are typically older." The horror, the horror!
Brenkjtravel, if you're in Orlando overnight, I assume you'll be embarking from Port Canaveral?
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I usually do a cruise once a year and love them. Sadly I won't do one in 2017... anyways
I highly recommend them. They are a great way to relax. I personally have been to the Bahamas twice on cruises and haven't been too impressed.
However I have been on 5+ different Caribbean cruises and think they are great. I would like to try a European one in the future just because I've been on so many carribean ones but they are truly amazing.
St. Thomas is one of my favorite cruise destinations I've been to. We did scuba diving there. Barbados was another amazing one where we did a catamaran boat ride. It was a stop on a southern carribean cruise we did.
If you're doing a 5 day cruise you might not be able to go as far as we did. However, leaving Florida there will some great options.
I have tried Royal a Carribean, Norwegian, and Carnival. I feel as if Carnival is a better fit for families with children because of some of the things it has to offer. While RCL and NCL are a better fit for couples, in my mind. If I had to pick one cruise line I would probably pick RCL, though it tends to be a bit more expensive.
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We will be arriving In Orlando early and would like to possibly visit the Kennedy Space Center before boarding the cruise. Is this a feasible option and what would the best ground transportation choice be?
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Back from our cruise and had pretty good first time experience. Some things I loved and others I could do without. I am sure experience varies between cruise lines. The Carnival Liberty is about what I expected it to be. We Really enjoyed our cruise director ''Donkey", he was a lot of fun. Enjoyed getting to know people, and had good dinner experiences and waiters. Enjoyed the shows and felt there were ample entertainment choices. Having entertainment in the evenings was probably my favorite part of the cruise.
Some of the things that weren't my favorite were the casino on board and having to walk through all of that smoke every night on the way to dinner, and the endless photographers hounding you and taking up space with their booths everywhere. Sometimes I enjoyed the party atmosphere, and other times I wished there was a better place to escape it. The serenity deck is nice but we had a fair amount of wind and so that was not the optimal place to get away to.
We kind of did our own thing for shore excursions. We just grabbed a taxi at each port and explored on our own, which is how we prefer it. We were able to see and do quite a bit this way and optimize our time better, while spending a whole lot less than with the shore excursions.
Would I cruise again? Yes. I might try another line next time. But I have to say if I were to book another tropical vacay tomorrow I would choose one destination at an all inclusive over cruising. But, like I said am still open to having more and even better cruising experiences.
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There are so many options for other cruise lines and destinations so you to choose.
There was a time for us yrs. ago where all we wanted was that great beach and a great AI but over time it's cruising for us but to each their own.
Thanks for the report back and do know other cruise lines can offer you a far different experience. .
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Something was pretty evident for anyone watching the Phillies season opener in Washington, D.C. -- Phillies Nation had taken over our Nation's Capitol.
There were probably as many, if not more, Phillies fans in Nationals Park than fans of the home team. And, some D.C. writers are pretty peeved that their organization could let that happen and even promoted the invasion from the north.
The main reason Washingtonians were so angered was that the Nats put no restrictions on the amount of group tickets could be purchased, according to the Big League Stew's Duk.
The process for Phillies fans to get group tickets even seemed pretty easier, according to Washington Post's Adam Kilgore.
Plenty of Philly groups pounced on the chance to see Roy Halladay and the Phillies likely pounce the Nats (They did just that winning 11-1). PhilliesNation.com, PhillyTailgate.com and others sent busloads of Phightins fans to D.C. to root, root, root for the road team.
Want proof of how many Phillies Phaithful likely made the trip down I-95? Just check out the swarms documented by Michelle O'Malley of BLS.
The Philly invasion made for some uncomfortable moments (like when the Nationals' equipment manager was announced pregame and was greeted by a loud Philly, "Sucks") but there was also a positive to having an out-of-town invasion -- MONEY.
Thousands of out-of-towners extended Easter weekend by spending Monday spending cash in the District and at the Nats' ballpark -- why wouldn't Nationals ownership want that or Washington as a whole?
Also, it's not like Nats fans were likely to buy up tickets to see President Barack Obama throw out the first pitch. Even with the influx of Phillies fans the Nats still only filled 98.6-percent of the park. And, last season the Nats only mustered 22,715 per game (just 54.2-percent capacity).
Simply put, D.C. doesn't support their Nats. By not showing up to the park on a daily basis they allow other cities' fans to take over sometimes. And, the Nats being terrible isn't enough of an excuse -- fans from other towns with terrible teams in 2009 like Baltimore, Seattle, Toronto and San Diego drew more fans on average than Washington.
Let's be honest even here in Philly we suffer similar fan defeats sometimes when teams like the Red Sox, Yankees or Mets come to town. It's part of the proximity factor along the Eastern seaboard.
But, the Nats should probably get some of the blame for allowing this to happen because they went out of their way to let the Phillies fans feel at home. At one point late in the game they even used their own high-def jumbotron and public address system to announce that anyone riding back to the City of Brotherly Love with Philly Tailgate needed to get on the bus.
Don't expect to see that courtesy the next time the Mets are in Philly.


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Welcome to the Municipal Employees' Federation website: www.mef101.org. MEF represents over 3,000 dedicated working men and women – working together to solve
AFSCME Members: Subscribe to the MEF/CEO Membership Alert List
"Our government shouldn't make promises we cannot keep – but we must keep the promises we've already made."
Measure F - Pension Settlement Agreement Passes
Voters passed the pension settlement agreement, known as Measure F, on November 8, 2016. This agreement settles litigation associated with Measure B. The full framework agreement can be downloaded at the links below:
Measure F - Pension Settlement Agreement
Federated Alternative Pension Reform Settlement Framework
Overview of Measure B Settlement Terms
Summary of Measure B vs. Settlement
Super Bowl 50 has come and gone, and the Denver Bronco's Von Miller may have been named MVP of the game, but did you know that Union members worked diligently behind the scenes throughout the Bay Area to make the big game happen? That's why we're celebrating our own MVPs – AFSCME members who provided necessary services around the stadium and throughout the region to make the Super Bowl a success. We'd like to give a shout out to al the public works employees from Local 101. You're the real MVPs!
According to reports, the Super Bowl finished in the Bay Area without a hitch. Did you know that there were Union members working non–stop behind the scens throughout the region to make sure fans and communities were kept safe the entire time?
Let's give it up for the public safety workers from AFSCME Local 101 and Local 829 wo helped make the big game happen.
Last but not least, we would like to thank all the public transit workers from AFSCME Local 101 and Local 3993 for keeping VTA and BART trains running smoothly while the Super Bowl took over the Bay Area.
At times they were stretched thin. They all did their job diligently and, behind the scenes, making Super Bowl 50 one for the memory books.
General Membership Meets Quarterly in the Months of
Board of Directors and Stewards' Council
AFSCME Local 101 Executive Board Meetings
You'll Have A Voice on Contract and Policy Issues - Only members have a voice when the Union's contract proposals are drawn up and presented to management, or in formulating proposals to change schedules or policies that affect working conditions. When proposals are received from the Employer regarding potential changes affecting rights, benefits or other conditions, the Union's position is determined at membership meetings which only members may attend, or by member poll. Only Union members may serve as negotiators, Stewards or representatives to discuss specific issues.
You'll Have A Vote When It Really Counts - Members alone may vote on the ratification or rejection of the contract (Memorandum of Understanding) that determines wages, hours and working conditions. Union members also determine who will represent them at the bargaining table and on grievances, appeals and other contract enforcement matters; agency fee payers are not part of this process.
You'll Have Access To Members-Only Benefits - A member of AFSCME Local 101 you will have access to a large number of scholarship programs, AFSCME Privilege Mastercard, and to a variety of home loan, insurances and other benefits.
You'll Strengthen the Union's Voice with Management - Becoming and remaining a Union member strengthens the Union's voice on behalf of all employees. As agency fee payers cannot vote on contract or other matters, becoming a full Union member says to the employer "I care about what is bargained, and I support the Union's efforts to improve wages and conditions!" The percentage of employees who choose to be members is a measure of the Union's strength which is not lost on the employer in determining their positions during bargaining and on other important issues affecting workers.
You'll Have Representation Beyond the Contract - The Union's obligation to represent agency fee payers is limited to enforcement of the Memorandum of Understanding, while Union members are represented on all employment matters that may arise, including policy and other issues not covered by the MOU.
Membership Matters. We're Stronger Together!
Discipline and Grievance Issues
1) Your Department Steward.
Municipal Employees' Federation
1150 North First Street, Suite #101
AFSCME District Council 57
510-777-7703 or 510-577-9694, ext. 703
Office Hours 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
email the business office at email@example.com


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SemGroup: An Ugly Battle Over a Bankrupt Company
Bankruptcies are never pleasant, but when financial engineers blow up otherwise profitable companies, the aftermath can be especially ugly. Consider the travails of SemGroup, an Oklahoma oil-and-gas service outfit that abruptly went bust last summer. With oil nearing $147 a barrel, SemGroup's trading unit made an enormous bet that prices would fall. It was the right call—but a few weeks early. Unable to cover $2.4 billion in trading losses, SemGroup filed for Chapter 11 protection on July 22, the second-biggest bankruptcy of a nonfinancial company in 2008.
Now SemGroup finds itself in a battle over its remaining businesses, many of which are still profitable. On one side is SemGroup's management, which needs to pay off creditors but is struggling to sell assets during the worst recession in decades. On the other side is New York supermarket magnate John A. Catsimatidis, who is using tough tactics to buy those SemGroup assets on the cheap.
SemGroup's experience mirrors that of a growing number of companies done in by reckless financial maneuvering in the past year, from American International Group to Lehman Brothers. Such situations pose big challenges for managers: Creditors are lining up to get paid, but companies can't easily raise funds by selling assets—even profitable ones—in this climate. That attracts bottom-fishing investors, potentially lowering asset values further and making managers' jobs all the more difficult.
Founded in 2000 by veteran oil executive Thomas L. Kivisto, privately held SemGroup generated revenues of more than $12 billion in 2007 mostly by storing and transporting oil and natural gas. When the company failed last summer, Kivisto was replaced as chief executive officer by Senior Vice-President Terry Ronan, a onetime managing director at Merrill Lynch. (Kivisto remained on the company's nine-member management committee, which is akin to a public company's board of directors.)
With management in upheaval, Catsimatidis saw his opportunity. He dusted off an old strategy he had used to buy Pennsylvania's United Refining out of bankruptcy in 1986. Back then the billionaire acquired a controlling stake of the gasoline distributor's equity; he then negotiated a deal with creditors to pay them back out of the future revenues of a reorganized company.
Catsimatidis has had less luck selling his plan to SemGroup's owners: hedge fund Ritchie Capital Management, which controls 25.2%; private equity firms Carlyle Group and Riverstone Holdings, which together hold 29.3%; and a group led by Kivisto that owns most of the rest. Thus far Catsimatidis has persuaded Kivisto and Ritchie to give up five of their six seats on the management committee. But he hasn't persuaded the private equity firms to surrender their seats—and until he does, SemGroup says, he won't control the company. "All parties involved are working toward a common goal of maximizing value," said Ritchie Capital in a statement. Carlyle and Riverstone declined to comment. Kivisto declined to comment through his attorney.
Meanwhile, Catsimatidis is trying to drum up support from outside the management ranks. In a high-profile trip to Tulsa in December, he courted SemGroup employees and the local press. He offered few specifics but promised he soon would unveil a reorganization plan that would keep the company together, avoid job losses, and make creditors whole. Catsimatidis also pledged to restore the company's role as a big donor to local charities, arts, and sports. All of that played well in Tulsa, where SemGroup is among the largest employers and philanthropists. "Some people have sex appeal," says Catsimatidis. "I have checks appeal."
SemGroup's management, which said it was blindsided by Catsimatidis' move to seize control of the committee, fired back after the New Year. CEO Ronan held his own meetings with employees and reporters. He said anyone was welcome to submit a reorganization plan and cast doubts on Catsimatidis' ability to get financing. He also offered no predictions about whether the company would survive intact or be sold off in pieces, saying he's exploring all options. "I cannot make promises about the company's future," says Ronan. "To do so would only raise false hopes."
What's more, Ronan says, Catsimatidis' grandstanding is scaring off bidders for its pipelines, storage tanks, asphalt-mixing operations, and other businesses, potentially lowering their values. According to Ronan, during the holidays one bidder almost backed out of a deal to buy a SemGroup property over worries about the increasingly public fight between Catsimatidis and management. "Fortunately, we were able to convince them that they should continue," says Ronan. "But [the fight] certainly has delayed things."
That may be working to Catsimatidis' advantage. While management faces down increasingly anxious creditors looking to get paid, plunging energy prices are eroding the value of SemGroup's assets. "It's a challenging environment," Ronan says.
Even if Catsimatidis pulls off his restructuring plan, he will need to mend SemGroup's reputation in the oil patch. The company's creditors include producers that supply oil and natural gas to SemGroup. The longer it takes for SemGroup to pay them, the more likely they will take their business elsewhere. "They're into me for $260,000," says Stan Earnhardt, president of Bristow (Okla.)-based William R. Earnhardt Co., one of many small independent oil producers who sold to SemGroup.
As the clock ticks for both sides, the gamesmanship continues. In late January, Catsimatidis took a day trip to the Delaware bankruptcy court where SemGroup's proceedings are taking place. He says he was responding to a request by the judge for a status report. But he didn't tell any of the lawyers (besides his own) that he'd be dropping by. Catsimatidis wanted to make a splash—and thinks he succeeded. "When they saw me," he says, "I thought they were going to have a coronary."


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In the past people situated settlements on the elevated rocks which offered well defence.
In Poland, my country, there are preserved many beautiful castles mounted on the steep, granite or dolomite rocks. These buildings were erected mainly in the mediaeval period. Unfortunately, during a long history of this area numerous wars were here and therefore many castles were destroyed and sometimes only modest remnants are visible today. However, also these evidences of our past are interesting.
[ View Gallery - 26 More Images ]


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Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
2 East 91st Street
New York, NY
2nd Floor
On view are 213 pieces ranging from simple stone amulets of the ancient Near East to the elaborate 20th-century creations of Lalique and Tiffany in an exhibition that begins its national tour at the Cooper-Hewitt. Included are works from Egyptian, Etruscan, Greek, Roman, and Byzantine sites, those of the Migration and Medieval periods, and works that document major styles from the Renaissance to the beginning of the 20th century.
This is a traveling exhibition organized by The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore, and the American Federation of Arts.


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Sign up for our daily recaps of the ever-changing search marketing landscape.
Search In Pics: Google Chains, Google Drive On Wheels & Android Birthday Cake
Barry Schwartz on November 9, 2012 at 1:07 pm
In this week's Search In Pictures, here are the latest images culled from the web, showing what people eat at the search engine companies, how they play, who they meet, where they speak, what toys they have, and more.
Google Chains:
Source: Google+
Google Drive On Wheels:
Source: Google+
Android Birthday Cake:
Source: Google+
Mozilla IE10 Cake:
Source: Flickr
Danny Sullivan Gets Lifetime Achievement Award:
Source: Twitter
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|Maks personer:
|6 personer
|Italien > Toscana > Lucca
|Fausto de Lalla
|Tlf nr.:
|+39 337 487470
|Fax nr.:
|+39 (0)2 5510380
|Annonsör sedan mayo 2010
|Kontaktpersonen snakker de følgende språk:
Engelsk Fransk Italiensk
|Kontakttider (Lokal tid)::
|09:00 - 22:00
|09:00 - 22:00
|09:00 - 22:00
|09:00 - 22:00
|09:00 - 22:00
|09:00 - 22:00
|09:00 - 22:00
|Dine favoritter av ferieboliger kan markeres med dette symbolet, og vil da fremkomme på din personlige liste over favoritter.
|Vis / endre mine favoritter
Casa Marta is a 18th-century stone building with three floors spanning roughly 325 square feet each. It is located in the village of Pascoso (district of Pescaglia, province of Lucca,Tuscany), in the Apuane Park, 2321 feet above sea level.In short, the house is made up of: 1 kitchen/living room + 2 bedrooms + 1 full bathroom + 1 powder room + 2 pantries. The house does not have a lawn, but there is space just outside the French doors leading out from the downstairs bedroom for a small table, sunshade and chairs. There are two entrances, the front door which takes you into the kitchen/pantry and the back door which leads to the downstairs bedroom, as the house is nestled on a hill, with three floors on one side and two on the other. The house is fully furnished with all new or antique pieces (Tuscan pieces from the 19th century). We have provided a television (satellite), radio and CD player; we have not yet installed a telephone (there is a public phone in town if you don't have a mobile), but telephone, computer, and internet access are available at our office. A central heating system (gas) has also been installed. And, naturally, a working fireplace adorns the second floor, as how would a mountain house be complete without one!
Pascoso is an ideal stay for nature's lovers. Indeed, Pascoso's finest asset, and the most important reason to travel there, is the nature in which it is literally immersed. However, it is not far from the 'cities of arts' of Tuscany (Lucca,Pisa,Florence,Siena, etc., and beaches (Forte dei Marmi and Viareggio, which are among the most famous Italian beaches) are no more than 30 miles far. Furthermore, the house is situated under an hours drive from many of Italy's finest and most picturesque golf courses, such as Golf Alisea - 32km -30 mins (5 holes promotional golf course), Montecatini Golf Club - 37 km -35 mins (18 hole golf course of natural beauty that has been built in the hilly countryside.Golfers are faced with many natural hazards such as lakes, streams, forests, and ditches which are all formed from the natural contours of the land), Club Golf Montelupo - 40 km -40 mins, Tirrenia Golf Club (9 hole), Cosmopolitan Golf & Country Club (18 hole) and Golf Club Fontevivo (18 hole). In many ways, the surrounding mountains and age-old trees are wild and untouched, the dense thickets grow untamed and the canyons, crossed by mule tracks, curl open to reveal sweet pastures where one can lie down in the soft, mountain sun. Pascoso is a hiker's paradise, from short strolls in the hillsides with your children or dog, stopping to taste cool water at a natural spring, to longer hikes, where you can walk all day long without meeting a soul and sleep overnight in one of the many shelters that dot the valley. Many of the mule paths are suitable for mountain bikes and horses, which you can rent in Pascoso. For some hikes you might want to drive a few short minutes to your point of departure, whereas for others, you can leave directly on foot from your front door. And clearly, for visitors with off-road vehicles, the opportunities are endless.A section of the Turrite Stream is reserved for fishing. Trout abound, although, given the low levels of the water, they generally do not grow to be very large. Further downstream, the Turrite flows into a large, artificial basin where the fish are less numerous, but much bigger.As you may have already imagined, the only sounds you'll hear in Pascoso are dogs barking and townsfolk chatting. Quiet reigns through the mountainside. The area is ideal for hiking, horseback riding (there are two barns where you can rent horses), and biking. In mid-August, Pascoso organizes a parade dedicated to the Madonna, in which a statue of the Holy Mother is carried high on a canopy throughout the town.
) For reaching Pascoso, you must before arrive to Lucca . If you arrive from North Italy (Milan) or from South Italy (Rome) you reach Florence (direction South and North, respectively) and then (at Florence North) you take ( without leaving the motorway from Milan to Rome) the MOTORWAY to PISA NORTH (in Italian language : Pisa Nord). After approximately 50 kilometres (35-40 miles) you reach LUCCA, and you go out of the motorway (either exit Lucca west [LUCCA OVEST] or Lucca East [LUCCA EST] are OK). At Lucca you must take the state road 12 (SS 12) directions ABETONE/GARFAGNANA (there are several road signs, also at the exits of motorway). You reach PONTE A MORIANO (5-6 Km from Lucca) and you turn left always following the direction Abetone/Garfagnana. You find four (4) tunnels, and approximately 1 miles after the fourth tunnel, you must turn right (direction BORGO A MOZZANO). After approximately 2 miles, we will reach DIECIMO (5 minutes of driving), and 200 meters after the road signal 'Diecimo' (placed on the right hand of the road) you find before a Tamoil gasoline pump (on the left side of the road) and then, after another 100 meters, you must turn left (direction on the road signal: 'PESCAGLIA'). There is only one asphalt road: you reach before Pescaglia (8-10 km from Diecimo) and then Pascoso (6-7 km from Pescaglia). ESTIMATED TIME FOR REACHING PASCOSO FROM LUCCA : 45-60 minutes.
|Bygget år:
|1780 circa (Modernisering 2004)
|100 m2
|Stue 1 :
|30 m2, Mulighet for matlaging, Spisehjørne, Peis, Laminat/Parkettgulv, Teppe, Flis, Tv,
|Stue 2 :
|Stue 3 :
|Kjøkken :
|30 m2, 8 sitteplasser, Amerikansk kjøkken, Tilpasset kjøkken, Mikrobølgeovn, Kjøkkenutstyr er tilgjengelig, Oppvaskmaskin, Kjøleskap, Brødrister Ovn, Fryser, Kaffemaskin, Espressomaskin, Gassovn, Kokeplater,
|Kjøkken :
|Badværelse 1 :
|3 m2, Brusekabine, Bidet, Badevask, Spejl,
|Badværelse 2 :
|2 m2, Bidet, Toilet, Badevask, Spejl,
|Badværelse 3 :
|Bad & WC 1 :
|20 m2, 1 Dobbeltseng, 1 Barnsenger, Mulighet for demping, TV, Alarmklokke med radio, Leselampe/lys, Nattbord,
|Bad & WC 2 :
|40 m2, 4 Enkeltseng, TV, Leselampe/lys, Nattbord,
|Diverse :
|Vaskemaskin, Tørketrommel, Tørkerom, Hagegrill, Internet /WLAN, Kabelfjernsyn, Faks, TV, HiFi System, DVD spiller, Datamaskin, Sentralvarme, Gassovn, Terrasse, Veranda,
|Dyr er tillatt:
|Togstasjon :
|25 km
|Flyplass :
|40 km
|Flyplass :
|80 km
|Car Rent :
|0 km
|Erholungspark :
|Apuane park
|1 km
|Fluss :
|0,3 km
|Erholungspark :
|Apuane Regional Park
|2 km
|Fisking :
|Turrite creek
|1 km
|Golf :
|Golf Alisea; Golf Montecatini
|32 km
|Reiten :
|1 km
|Dorf :
|Parco delle Apuane
|0,8 km
|Mountainbiking :
|0 km
|Sonstiges :
|Horse ranting
|0,5 km
|No deposit
|Inkludert i prisen:
|Elektrisitet, Gas, Vann, Håndkle, Sengklær, Parkering, Spa skatter,
|Ekstra kostnader:
|Fyringsved, Internet, Avsluttende rengjøring 40 €,
|Faktura, Kontanter,
|Minste opphold:
|3 dager
|Lørdag, Søndag, Mandag, Tirsdag, Onsdag, Torsdag, Fredag,


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We went memory hunting and found quite a few memory manufacturers with interesting products. Really huge capacity memory kits and high frequency memory are some of the new stuff we got to experience first hand.
G.Skill showcases their latest memory, the PI series, which come with unique looking heatsinks.
G.Skill also has a system running two pairs of 4GB PI series kits on full load stress test. Talk about stability testing!
This is G.Skill's latest and the fastest: DDR3 2000MHz at CL8, also known as the G-MIX series.
16GB kits for you sir? Four pieces of flash orange heatspreaders sticks of 4GB capacity each.
Low-latency CL7 kit of 1800MHz memories.
PI series' unique heatspreader for maximum surface area to dissipate heat.
A 4GB PC3-12800 CL7 kit.
Fancy your notebook memory having heatspreaders too?
SSD by G.Skill! (Nice drive cover!)


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Lexus LX 470
cam11 Posts: 1Has anyone done the rear brakes on a LX470?? I am thinking about doing it myself. Is it worth it? Or is it a total Pain in the rear?? I have always done my own brakes with no problems on all of my American made cars. But my Passatt had to be towed in shamefully!! Was hoping someone could tell me what I am in for?
vdragon Posts: 12i have an 05 lx470.
i've been doing the normal every 3k miles service on oil, or oil blend.
should i continue like this, or every 5k miles?
also, is $1086 a fair price for the 30k service done at a lexus dealer (westminster, ca)? from reading this board, it seems the 30k mile services are the important ones... meaning I shouldn't skip them, or go to an independent shop?
The Edmunds Maintenance Guide will tell you what your 30k service should cost in your zip code (and what services Lexus recommends be done - your dealer will undoubtedly recommend more be done, but some of that may not be needed).
I haven't done an oil change on my cars in less than 5,000 miles in over a decade. Why not follow your owner's manual recommendation? Are oil changes every 3,000 miles really needed?
I just had the oil changed on my LX yesterday at the Lexus dealer. The new sticker shows the next oil change not due for 5,000 miles.
Incidentally, they had a 2008 LX 570 on their used car lot with 8,000 miles. The salesman said the guy who traded it in just wanted a different color. Thinking it might be a good buy I asked what they wanted. Cost new had been $80,000. They were asking $85,000!! :mad:
The salesman said they were all sold out for the next year and a half so they felt like they could ask a premium price. I told him he was nuts! So much for SUVs prices going down.
gteach26 Posts: 576AND sold out for a year and a half? Sounds crazy.
My crystal ball predicts that the 570 will be selling with large discounts within the next 12-24 months.. just be patient and enjoy your 470 for a bit longer. Ebay has the 570 going for 90K plus in some instances.. again, CRAZY! It's a nice truck but c'mon! The only way toyota will keep prices this goofy high is if they limit production severely.
Here in "lexus-dealer-'round-every-corner-south fla." the LS460 had crazy prices floating around for the first 6 months..now, yup, you guessed it, heavy discounts for anyone wanting to buy one today. Recently they were being advertised for $8K off MSRP with no strings.
I bought a 2007 CPO LX 470 about a month ago. It is our second one and we are sold on these things. I am having an issue with a vibrating noise coming from the high/low shift lever area. The frequency of the vibration changes depending on how fast the engine is running. Never happens in neutral or when idling, etc. It almost sounds like a radio sounds when you accelerate and are getting feedback, etc.
Let me be clear here. The noise is not really loud but it is like a mosquito buzzing your ear, etc. The truck is otherwise so quiet that his vibrating noise is very noticeable and irksome. If you put your hand on the hi/low shift lever you can feel it vibrating wildly.
Lexus has looked at it once. They said they took it apart and made some adjustments but it had no effect. Anyone have any ideas?
moon21100 Posts: 4I had the same noise coming from my LX470. I took it to two separate Lexus dealerships and was told the noise is normal. The two main techs at both Lexus dealerships told me that they wouldn't recommend or purchase a LX 470. They said the problem has been fixed in the new LX 570. Lexus told me that it is normal noise and the noise is in every LX 470. Some are louder than others. However, the noise in mine was noticeable and annoying. It is almost a vibrating, low volume radio boom noise. It is usually intermittent and the gear box vibrates. They took my car apart 3 times and still did not fix the problem. Eventually Lexus will tell you that it is normal. I don't know how CPOs work. Maybe you have my car that Lexus bought back from me under the Lemon Law. It was a difficult battle. Hard to fight a big company like Lexus.
Move it into the low range and back a couple of times over a few days (i.e. use the low range occasionally!). Consider changing the fluid to a full synthetic product in the T-case. In my case, these steps eliminated the problem completely.
Thank you for your reply. I take it you sold the truck back to Lexus under the lemon law because of this issue. Is that correct?
The carfax did not show any lemon law issues but who knows.
Thanks, I will give it a try.
Have any one replaced starter on 1999 LX470 ?Do I need take to the shop or it's easy do by my self?
The starter lies in the V-8 valley, and takes the better part of a day to replace/refurbish. It can be done at home, with the proper tools, information and preferably a helper. Otherwise, taking this one to the shop may be a good idea.
roman7 Posts: 15I'd like to ask anybody who had experience to change temperature gauges from F to C on the central dash. Any idea how to do so? I think some parts should be available because Lexus for Canada goes in C and km vs. F and ml. Any help will be appreciate! :confuse:
Please check under the Navigation Setup Menus, there should be a screen where you can set the default language (including French), and metric units (including Celsius vs Fahrenheit scales).
lovephoto Posts: 9I have a '07 LX470 and when downshifting coming down a steep hill, I hear the same vibration. When I hold my hand on bottom of the AC vent closest to the steering wheel, the noise goes away. I haven't taken it in yet to be repaired but it seems the bottom of the vent has a little "play" in it.
When I had an '04 Range Rover the same noise occured and they found that the windshield was not fitted properly. I got rid of the RR and bought the '470 because the RR was in the shop every month.
I kept hounding my dealer and finally took a tech on a ride with me. This was about a month ago and after the tech rode with me it appears that they eliminated the noise. We have not had any issues since then and the truck has been great.
Also, happily, my gas mileage effectively doubled when gas when from 4 bucks down to 2. I have been averaging about 15 combined. Not too bad but, of course, not good either.
palma88 Posts: 1I wish to simply change a parking lamp on a 02 LX 470 (in a housing to the outside of the headlamp). I located the top screw that secures the top of the housing, but am unable to locate the screw that secures the bottom of the housing. Does anybody have an idea where that screw is located?
I replaced all my OEM headlights with HID. My H1 and H3 working good but 9005 blow fuses.Any one have same problem or any idea to fix problem?Thank you!
I did replace my.Take a look under bumper and you need flat screwdriver to push small thing to get light came loose.Don't use forse,take a look close .It's easy to do.Hope it's help
sblanker Posts: 2My LX 470 is a 2002 with the Mark Levinson sound system. I recently brought it to the dealer for the 120K mile service. Since getting it back, I periodically hear a beeping noise, almost like a watch alarm going off. It doesn't last very long -- maybe 3-5 seconds. After a fair amount of trial and error, I'm pretty sure I've isolated the sound as coming from the audio system -- specifically the radio. (When the beeping starts, if I'm quick to turn off the audio system power, it stops.) Does this make sense? Does anyone have any idea what this beeping is all about? I can't find a thing in the instruction manual.
flpimpdaddy73 Posts: 1harder than most trucks it seems and takes a couple hours even if you know what you are doing. I paid a shop $350, Lexus wanted $900. The mechanic showed me how its underneath everything...under the intake manifold etc...he also talked me into doing the water pump too as i remember for just cost of parts.
I am debating on buying a 2000 LX 470 with 138,000 miles for 14,500
REALLY debating if this is a good deal or not. Vehicle seems super clean and nice, loaded.
We have 3 kids and I want something nice, and of course reliable. I am comparing this potential purchase to a 2002 Toyota Sequoia limited, 4x4 loaded (without dvd).
Do Lexus' really run forever?? What will be my trade-in-value in 5 years, any??
I love the car... just wondering if this is too many miles for $14,500.
I have to make a good purchase.
Yes, they are fantastic trucks...however...you should be able to find either a later model or a 2000 with fewer miles at that price. Take your time and look around.
golakers Posts: 2I bought a 2002 LX470 this past August for $25k. It has <45k miles and runs great. I had a 1995 Land Cruiser for 10 years, purchased used in 1999. I put appx. 150k miles and had great reliability. Never left me stranded. I had considered a used LR3, but came to my senses and purchased the LX.
idaholexus Posts: 1:lemon: Just got my LX470 back from the dealership last night after having the ignition cylinder housing/rod problem fixed ($514). Was also told that it needed the following work done: CV boots leaking ($600+), starter needs to be replaced ($815), 90k checkup ($1400), etc. Was hoping to get some input as to what other problems will be lurking out there after I invest the money to get these problems fixed. What other major repairs is everyone experiencing? What is the cost? It has approx 103k miles to date.
Get the CV boots fixed. Have an independent garage change out the timing belt (the major cost of the 90k service) and check the water pump if it needs replacement. At the same time get the starter contacts serviced (kit is $45, and you don't need a new starter).
All told you should be under $1000, and have a truck ready for the next 100k miles.
At this mileage you can also consider optionally: transmission service, front bearings repack, driveshaft lubrication, transfer case and differential service. Most likely, it would be better to wait until something happens to go after these things if you are not a believer in preventative maintenance.
These trucks are engineered to last about 500k miles providing they are serviced properly.
Good Luck!
ssmithlx470 Posts: 1I have an opportunity to buy an '05 LX470 from a friend. 88K miles - $27,500. I'm familiar with the car an know it's had no mechanical problems and has been serviced regularly per Lexus recommended schedule at Lexus dealershp. The 90K mile service was just completed. Miles are all onroad and most highway.
Thoughts? Advice? I love these trucks but am concerned re: the high mileage. I've read of folks having trouble with the AHC around the 100K mile mark. Any other potential areas of concern for an LX with this mileage? I'd aim to purchase and keep for several years - past the 150K mile mark.
We have an LX470 with 140,000 miles and it is a great car. We had to replace a few of the sensors(behind the tires). Luckily we know a mechanic and purchased the parts ourselves so we saved a lot of money. I would buy the sensors yourself at an auto parts store and find someone to do it for you. Other than it being a gas guzzler... it is great! The kids love it, we love it and we just keep filling up the tank!! We expect to drive this to at least 200K
tdkeator Posts: 16Hello, just bought a 2003 LX 470 with 81k miles from a Lexus dealership. Dealer told me it had recently had the 90k mile service which they said costs about $1,000. I assumed this included replacing the timing belt and water pump, which is partly why I decided to purchase it. A week later I found out that the timing belt and water pump in fact had not been replaced.
Did the dealer mislead me here, or did I make a false assumption? Is the timing belt/water pump change part and parcel of the 90k service, or are they separate services that just typically are performed at the same time?
Finally, since I only have 81k miles, is it necessary for me to replace the timing belt/water pump right away, or can I wait until I actually hit 90k miles or maybe more?
Although it's usually recommended that the water pump be changed when the timing belt is done at 90,000 miles (since you're already in there anyway), it's not part of the recommended service by Lexus. But the timing belt is, so yeah, the dealer lied if they said they did a 90k service and didn't change the belt.
I've been reading more posts in the various discussions here that people aren't replacing water pumps as often since they are lasting longer. Most of those posts involve cars that have a 60,000 mile timing belt change interval, and some of those owners are waiting until the second timing belt replacement to replace the water pump.
I'm sure if you called the service department, the service writer would recommend you do the water pump at 90k. But service writers typically work on commission and they'll recommend all kinds of stuff that the manufacture doesn't.
If the dealer is charging $1,000 for the 90k service, then they are charging more than twice what Edmunds says it should cost.
I think I'd contact Lexus corporate and tell them that the dealer lied about the 90k service. Maybe they'll do the belt free and you can pay for the water pump then. But hang onto your wallet at this place!
Edmunds Maintenance Guide


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BOGOTA, March 1 (Reuters) - Colombian state-run oil company Ecopetrol said its proven oil and gas reserves were down 11 percent in 2015 to 1.85 billion barrels equivalent because of a decline in exploration caused by low crude prices.
The reserves were equivalent to 7.4 years of output, down from 2014 figures of 8.6 years. The reserves' replacement index was 6 percent, Ecopetrol said in a statement late on Monday.
"The largest contributions to reserves come from the Castilla and Chichimene fields, both operated directly by Ecopetrol, and the Rubiales field, which will be operated by the company from June 2016," the statement said.
Ninety-five percent of the proven reserves are the property of Ecopetrol, while the remainder belongs to partners and subsidiaries.
The company had reported 2.08 billion barrels equivalent of reserves in 2014. (Reporting by Luis Jaime Acosta; Writing by Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn)


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Optiloupe was started by two dentists in order to supply tailor made loupes to dental surgeons.
As clinicians ourselves, we found magnifying the clinical field started to improve the quality of clinical work we were carrying out when using loupes, and with time the use of loupes became easier and more important.
Despite their numerous benefits, the biggest issue remained that other companies were charging a high premium for quality magnification systems. We aimed to change this and introduced a range of tailored loupe and light systemsaimed to get more people comfortable with the transition to magnification. This coupled together with our clinical experience tuned out to be very popular amongst Dental Surgeons up and down the UK.
Our products have since received significant interest amongst all types of clinical professionals from around the UK, Europe and Australia.


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Aug. 13, 2014
Source: Zoetis news release
As a dairy producer, the power to prevent violative milk or meat residues is in your hands. It takes preparation, planning and teamwork to create an effective residue avoidance plan. It starts with a strong partnership with your veterinarian.
"Your veterinarian is the expert in the proper use of animal health products to prevent residues, as well as to prevent and treat disease," explained Richard Wallace, DVM, senior veterinarian, Dairy Technical Services, Zoetis. "As your most trusted advisor on the topic, your veterinarian knows your operation, your herd and the individual animals, and can help you create treatment protocols that are tailored to your animals and operation."
The partnership you develop with your veterinarian is called a veterinarian-client-patient relationship, or VCPR. This means your veterinarian examines animals in person and maintains a relationship with your operation through regular visits and communications. This relationship is what allows a veterinarian to diagnose and treat your animals.
Establishing and maintaining a VCPR requires commitment from the producer and the veterinarian. Producers are responsible for:
� Allowing the veterinarian to take responsibility for making health judgments about your animals
� Being open to consultation and advice from your veterinarian
� Making sure your employees and you comply with the veterinarian's instructions for treatment
� Keeping written records of all treatments
For their part, veterinarians are responsible for:
� Providing your animal with medical care
� Making clinical animal health judgments
� Developing a treatment recordkeeping system
� Advising you about the benefits and risks of different treatment options
� Providing oversight of treatment, compliance and outcome
� Helping you find emergency care for your animal, if needed
Why is establishing and maintaining a valid VCPR so important? It allows your veterinarian to provide your animals with the best possible medical care. The American Veterinary Medical Association's Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics requires a valid VCPR to be in place for a veterinarian to prescribe medications or treat an animal. It also is required by law in many states.
Learn more about the benefits of a VCPR partnership and how to better maintain a valid VCPR with your veterinarian at the American Veterinary Medical Association website or from Zoetis at www.AvoidResidues.com.


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I want to configure RD connection Broker for load balancing for two terminal servers.
Is it possible to configure the same on the following infrastructure.
DC : Windows server 2003 SBS
ADC : Windows server 2008 R2
TS1 : Windows Server 2008 R2
TS2 : Windows Server 2008 R2
I read an article that "Windows Server 2003-based terminal servers cannot use the TS Session Broker Load Balancing feature"
Please reply ASAP.
Thanks in advance.
Yes, you can use RD Connection Broker for load balancing your two Server 2008 R2 RDSH servers (TS1 & TS2). For example, you could install RDCB on ADC and then join TS1 and TS2 to the same RDS farm name in RD Session Host Configuration (tsconfig.msc).
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A Yankee Notebook
January 21, 2013
MONTPELIER, VT – Some of us remember where we were on December 7, 1941, when the news arrived (I was at my grandmother's house for Sunday dinner.); many of us remember November 22, 1963 (I was monitoring a study hall of high school students, one of whom stood up and happily pumped his fist.); and almost all of us remember Tuesday, September 11, 2001 (Our daughter Martha called and almost shouted, "Turn on your TV!"). All three were dates on which something dark and hateful crawled out of the shadows and changed our personal and national lives forever.
Pearl Harbor inspired, the next day, a nearly unanimous, angry declaration of war against Japan; John Kennedy's assassination unleashed a nearly unanimous spasm of grief (I can feel it welling up in my eyes again as I type these words); and the destruction of the World Trade Center triggered a nearly universal outpouring of pathos, shock, and outrage.
After more than four years of bloody island-hopping and naval battles, we settled our beef with Japan on the deck of the battleship Missouri. After almost 50 years, that awful Friday afternoon in Dallas has – in spite of the fervid evidences of conspiracy presented by loonies with too little to do – has receded to a throb, like the pain in a long-ago-broken leg, and a regret for what might have been.
But 9/11 remains an open wound; our national consciousness still hasn't been able to wrap itself around the motives of the men who took flying lessons in the United States and then hurtled to their doom with their planeloads of innocent passengers. In the aftermath of the calamity, as President Bush stood upon a pile of rubble with a dazed-looking elderly firefighter and declared a war on terrorists, the nation was once again almost unanimously behind him. Yet there were probably very few Americans – probably still are – who can distinguish between a Wahhabi Muslim and a Sufi. Most of us, including the news media, don't know that "Taliban" is the plural of the noun "Talib," or student. Remember "the American Taliban," John Lindh? It was one guy. All most Americans know, or care, is that Islamic militants wear black hats, and we, white.
Shortly after the Trade Center attack, my friend Ken Shewmaker and I were talking about it. He's professor emeritus of History (American Foreign Policy) at Dartmouth, and has the habit of liking to know what he's talking about. We wondered about the motivations of the attackers: Were they political or religious, or both? He expressed discomfort that, while as a faithful Lutheran he knew his Bible pretty well, he'd never ventured into the Quran. And shortly afterward – I knew he would – he did. Not to be outdone, so did I. I was quite put off by the introductory remarks of the editor that, unless you know Arabic and can appreciate the poetry, you're missing an essential part of the meaning. Still, I soldiered on.
Ken and I are pretty thoroughly steeped in the principles of our own traditions. He found the Quran a bit bloody-minded ("You can do business with an infidel or nonbeliever, but you can never be his friend."); I found it as dull as our Book of Proverbs, full of truisms elevated by time and reverence to the level of divine revelation, and much regretted the difference in the status of women as dictated in the Quran and their subjugated standing in most Islamic cultures today.
As the outrage over 9/11 devolved into patriotic attacks on Islamic centers in the United States and a "crusade" against evildoers (a word incredibly poorly chosen by President Bush), many of us were struck by the fatwas and death threats issued by Muslim leaders offended by Western depictions of the Prophet. Salman Rushdie's The Satanic Verses seems to me to be a fairly mild and not inaccurate volume; yet he has been under threat of assassination ever since its publication in 1988. Hitoshi Igarashi, the scholar who translated it into Japanese, was stabbed to death in his office in 1991. The Danish newspaper that carried cartoons of Muhammad in 2005 incited violent reactions and threats that continue to this day. We Christians who find this lack of a sense of humor a bit heavy should remember that we were burning each other to death for heresy only a few hundred years ago – and that Christianity has a 700-year head start on Islam.
At the end of our last discussion, Ken lent me a copy of Destiny Disrupted: A History of the World through Islamic Eyes. The author, Tamim Ansary, an Afghan, traces the history of Islam from the life of Muhammad to the present day. It was a bit of Schadenfreude for me to learn that Islam, just like Christianity, began to splinter immediately after its founder's death, and that in the 1400 years since, just as in our 2100, dueling interpretations of his teachings – from fundamentalist to progressive and adaptive – have ebbed and flowed, more or less bloodily.
Much conflict between East and West stems from Muslims' perception of Westerners meddling in affairs not their own. It sounds a lot like the way we felt about the British rule of colonial America. Under the impression that the United States has the answers to everybody's problems, we've become the busybodies of the world. Case in point: the overthrow of the democratically elected prime minister of Iran by the CIA and British intelligence in 1953 and the installation of the shah – undone by the revolution of 1979, led by the Ayatollah Khomeini.
Ansary poses an intriguing possibility in his Afterword: that progress toward modernity and away from repressive interpretations of Islam has occurred most often when Islamic regimes were not pressured by outside forces. Unthreatened, Muslims tend to debate among themselves (as do we) rather than rally against the infidel. What an intriguing thought for Western foreign policy!


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Release Date: 2011 |
Album Rating: 4.5streaming here, among other places: http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/musicblog/2011/apr/12/cass-mccombs-wits-end-album-stream
'the bleakness ' *The
good review, have my pos
Album Rating: 4.0awwww I wanted to review this!
good review. you make some excellent points and have some interesting ideas, and you remain admirably concise throughout.
You still can you know.
Album Rating: 4.0this is probably the best album of 2011, i saw him tonight and he melted my heart
I like "County Line."
Album Rating: 4.0prob the best song of the year
Album Rating: 4.0"county line" is terrific, glad i got around to this album
Bands: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z


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Are they currently running a sale on the dies & mats?? Anyone in St Louis know??
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Are they currently running a sale on the dies & mats?? Anyone in St Louis know??
I was at a super Joann's yesterday and they were NOT on sale there. The day before I went to the store, I was checking the online sale for Joann's. I found it interesting that some stuff on sale on line was not on sale at the store. I asked about it. The saleperson said if I printed out the sale items on line they would honor that price.
I found the dies cheaper on Amazon when I get the free shipping.
I got an email from Shoppers Rule this morning. Accuquilt Baby $69.95 with the purchase of 3 dies. I don't have one so I don't know if this is a good sale or not.
Joannes in Baldwin mo has them on sale. Slim picking as I bought out the last of the Go! Mats.
I bought
two strip mats, a10x10 mat & the 8in rag die all for $58.08.
If you can...spend the extra on the Go, not the baby...and if you have extra the Studio...maybe next year I will buy the studio but I love how I can move the Go around and take it with me.
well thanks. I just ordered one of these and got alot for 156. shhhhh dont tell dh.
I actually got the go baby and 5 dies and 2 cutting mats for that..Quote:
Originally Posted by fidgety


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Ron Kraemer is back in the saddle at State Fair
Ron Kraemer of Osakis just completed his 43rd year as a Mounted Patrol at the Minnesota State Fair.
Will he make it 44? "I don't really make plans anymore," Kraemer. "I am almost 79 years old!"
Kraemer and his trusty horse, Crow, have worked together at the State Fair for the past 12 or 15 years, he estimated. Before Crow, there were other horses that made the trek from rural Osakis, spending more than two weeks camping on the fairgrounds and serving the public.
"I have had different horses over the years," he said, "but I still have the same wife."
Three years ago, the barns for the mounted patrol officers and horses near the Grandstand were torn down, and the horses and camping area were moved to their present location behind the swine barns.
Working at the fair has been a family event for the Kraemers. Kraemer's son served with him as a mounted patrol for 10 to 12 years, and some of his children also worked fair season jobs.
Kraemer retired from the Douglas County Courthouse in Alexandria a year ago after 25 years as maintenance and groundskeeper. He is also retired from farming but still raises some animals.


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There's still a little over two months to go until a Utah tot officially becomes the biggest baby born this year in the United States. Little, er not so little, Joel Brandon Jr., nicknamed J.J., tipped the scales at 14 pounds when he was born a week and a half early in May.
"We've kind of been watching and waiting to see if there is a baby who is bigger, because he might be the biggest of the year. We thought it was pretty funny we had Germany beat, and so far we haven't heard of a bigger one," J.J.'s mom Sara Brandon told KSL.com.
Brandon is referring to baby Jasleen, who became the biggest baby to be born in Germany ever. Yep, ever. Jasleen weighed in at 13.47 pounds, though, so J.J. has her beat.
A 15-pound baby born in Britain this year currently holds the world record for the biggest baby ever born.
Brandon said she knew her son would be big, probably around 11 pounds, but his actual birth weight blew her mind.
The fact that J.J. is such a big baby probably resulted from the fact that his mom has type one diabetes and that his dad is a big guy. The little boy was in the ICU for a week after his birth due to respiratory problems but Brandon says he is healthy now.
In fact, J.J.'s size has been convenient for Brandon in one way: He can already share diapers with his two-year-old twin sisters. Incidentally, the twins were born at four pounds a piece.
The biggest baby born this year so far already weighs 23 pounds at four months of age, so Brandon says most people don't believe her when she tells them how old he is. No kidding! My three-year-old only weighs 28 pounds.
Meanwhile, Brandon has been told by doctors that J.J. will eventually even out with his peers, although he will probably always be on the tall side.
I guess we'll see what happens in the next few months. Good luck baby J.J.!
Can you imagine having such a big newborn?
Photo credit: Flickr
3 More Things to Read:


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Campaigners fighting HS2 will hold a public meeting on Tuesday March 18 to update residents on activity.
Stop HS2 campaign leader Joe Rukin and UKIP candidate James Carver will lead the evening at the Sports and Social Club from 7.30pm.
Joe Rukin said as he believed the case for the high speed line between London and Birmingham has got "progressively worse" over the past four years, residents need to know what to expect.
Free entry and all welcome.


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I tweeted a couple things about the Super Bowl last night, namely He-Man's appearance on the screen, but two people really went for it during the big game. Marion Barry showed us the right way to do it and Roland Martin demonstrated the wrong way.
When the United States of America makes the move to pull its diplomats from a country , it's safe to say that things are out of control. That's exactly what the government did Monday by closing the Embassy in Damascus, citing security concerns after President Bashar al-Assad's recent violent crackdowns on anti-government protestors. Syria's history with the Assad regime is a long and complicated one, but this move from the U.S. seems to be a clear statement, The Post's Alice Fordham reports.
K Street is often referred to as the city's power corridor , in reference to the many law and lobbying firms that populate the NW street. When I think of it, I think of tricky service roads. In many ways, though, it is every bit the quintessential downtown D.C. If you just sat and watched, you'd see people of all types doing God knows what, and typically in a rush. The Post's Dan Zak takes a look back at the history of the famous road.
Madonna did a fine job last night for the halftime show , but one guy in particular stood out. That guy bouncing on a string was the undisputed winner of the night for me, and the fact that he did it wearing a toga was even funnier. It was like a Roman version of Cirque du Soleil with a Top 40 twist and probably the most creative thing I've seen at a Super Bowl in a long while. Turns out that little trick has a name: Slacklining. Slate's David Hagland explains.
RFK Stadium is 50 years old . D.C. United is one of the most storied clubs in MLS' history. Unfortunately these two things will still be linked for some time, for better or worse. The team is reportedly close to signing another lease at the classic yet somewhat tragic facility. I could go on for days about the travesty that is the fact that this team and city haven't found a way to build a soccer stadium, but that's for another day. The Post's Steven Goff updates us on the developments.
Extra Bites
• Today is the day that Robert Nesta Marley was born. Bob would have been 67 years old if he were still with us. I've mentioned my obsession with him before, but this is definitely my favorite song of his of all time. No questions asked.
• Don Cornelius died last week, but his legacy lived on in an amazing fashion in NYC over the weekend. A flash mob started a Soul Train line in Times Square of all places. Awesomeness.
• Don't look now, but Netflix, you have competition. This is good for everybody.
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