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Revitalizing a restaurant is one of the most difficult tasks a proprietor faces. Once a place earns any kind of a reputation (good or bad), it's hard to alter; ad campaigns or lower prices aren't likely to change the dining public's established perceptions. One popular ploy is simply to rename the restaurant, while retaining the same staff, management, and menu, betting that the illusion of newness will be sufficient to attract the inquisitive.
Sometimes this tactic actually works. Phoenicia, a Lebanese restaurant on Coral Way and 28th Avenue last reviewed by New Times in 1990, intrigued me when it became Aladdin. Relishing the rare opportunity to dine in a new Middle Eastern eatery, I visited.
As it turned out, owner Marcel Manassa renamed his establishment two months ago, not because business was bad, but because the Latin community that comprises his neighborhood had trouble pronouncing Phoenicia. A 22-year veteran of the restaurant business (eleven in Miami, preceded by an equivalent stint in Caracas), Manassa chose Aladdin for its Arabian -- and Disney -- associations. As added insurance, he rewrote the menu and redecorated the 58-seat restaurant, laying down a new carpet and hanging (you guessed it) polished brass lamps on the walls.
For Lebanese magic, Aladdin -- the restaurant, not the movie -- certainly bears watching. A jovial Manassa pops out unexpectedly from his kitchen, like a genie from a lamp, bestowing smiles and witty conversation on his dinner guests. He stopped at our table to apologize for running out of the meatless stuffed grape leaves, one of the appetizers we had ordered, and suggested that we might enjoy the traditional version (with meat). We took his advice, and we weren't sorry. Though my recent experiences with grape leaves have been unpleasant (they can be tough and greasy, with a rancid flavor), Aladdin's were mild and tender, rolled around warm, finely ground beef and rice. Dipped in laban (plain homemade yogurt), this hors d'oeuvre was an auspicious beginning.
The fact that Aladdin's list of mezze (appetizers) was nearly as extensive as the assortment of entrees made for difficult decisions. We settled on the familiar baba ghannouj, a puree of broiled eggplant, sesame oil, garlic, and lemon. Though the delicious, smoky spread was too freely dressed with olive oil, the pita bread served alongside helped counteract that. Bright purple turnips decorated the dip, adding a touch of neon to the plate.
Ful medames, an unattractive but nearly addictive combination of rich, brown fava beans, ground chickpeas, garlic, and lemon was also too slick, but the mixture had a wonderfully dark and fruity undertone. Plump fava beans had a creamy texture, which contrasted nicely with the coarser chickpeas; the lemon's citrus scent and taste lent a refreshing, graceful top note.
Overdoing the legume family is a given when dining on Lebanese fare. Still, the lentil soup, a thick broth, chunky with chewy lentils, potatoes, celery, and minced onions, was perfectly salted and seasoned. Served as a side dish with some of the entrees, the soup is worth an a la carte investigation in its own right.
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Like the appetizers, entrees were all good-size portions. We sampled the combination special, comprising one chicken, one kafta (beef), and one shish (lamb) kebab. Out of the three, the chicken was perhaps the most succulent, boneless chunks marinated in spices, skewered, and charcoal-broiled to a juicy consistency. Lamb was a flavorful close second, the tender meat exhibiting just the right amount of resistance. Only the beef, ground with onions and reshaped into a log before broiling, was dry. Tasty grilled onions topped all the kebabs; a scoop of bland Lebanese rice pilaf and the lentil soup were the other accompaniments.
Couscous was another likable combination, the steamed wheat almost hidden by the generous chunks of beef (without bones) and chicken (with bones), chopped onions, and chickpeas, garnished incongruously with slices of hamburger-style pickle chips. A savory brown gravy drenched the whole dish, which my companions and I agreed was similar in taste to our mothers' briskets.
Sheikh el mehchi was perhaps the most deft preparation. Four two-inch-thick large rounds of purple-skinned eggplant were stuffed with a combination of ground beef, pine nuts, minced onions, and a handful of spices including cinnamon and cumin. The vegetable was baked to melting readiness, then served with a light blanket of tomato sauce on top and plain Lebanese rice on the side.
Dessert is presented in the manner of a British tea: A three-tiered pastry tray is set in the middle of the table and you help yourself. Baklava and asabieh (small tubes), both made with phyllo dough, pistachio and cashew nuts, and a syrup derived from sugar, lemon juice, and orange-blossom water (as opposed to the Greek version, which utilizes walnuts and honey), provided a crunchy, buttery finish to a fine meal. There might not be any supernatural magic in this Aladdin, but if you visit in search of hearty Lebanese food, your wish almost certainly will be granted.


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Will Kazuki finally become human again?
Kazuki Shikimori has had to endure a lot his school year - he became a ghost! Never fear though, some devoted hotties may have stumbled upon a cure for his predicament.
Yuna, Kuriko, and Rin believe they can restore Kazuki's body by collecting all his ashes. The girls think they've figured out just what to do. However, Shino delivers some shocking news that may derail their plans permanently.
What's Dr. Akai's diagnosis? Do Shino still have her own agenda? Whose side is Chihaya on? What's with the veil, Miss Manager? And, most importantly, what will happen to Kazuki!?
- Length
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- Added Mar 17 2006
- Empire SKU 1050293
- UPC Code 702727124020
- Studio Section23 Films
- Packaging Keep
- Number of Discs 1
- Disc SS-SL
- Subtitles English
The Art of Maburaho
The Magic Times "Newspaper" insert
- Audio
English Dolby Digital 5.1
Japanese Dolby Digital Stereo
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Standard 1.33:1 Color
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- Japanese
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Kids Vacation Package
Rediscover the true nature of family fun in downtown Boston this February school vacation. Our special package, with rates from $199 per night, includes:
- Kids (under 12) eat breakfast free each morning during your stay in our breakfast restaurant, The Huntington ($26 value)
- Kids (under 12) eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée in our restaurant
- Milk and cookie sent to room at check in ($15 value)
- Complimentary in room movie each day (up to $16 value)
- Complimentary in room high speed Internet access ($12.95 value)
- Complimentary parking ($49 value)
- Available February 15-24, 2013
Wind down or start up your day with your child by attending one of our daily activities. Activities may include (activity list and times will be provided upon check-in):
- Storytime
- Postcard decorating
- Movie night
- Cookie decorating / tour of kitchen
Book this special package online today, or call 866-716-8121 and reference KIDSCLUB. Minimum 2-night stay required.


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Absolute poppycock!! Hogwash and nonsense!!
If we take the Sunday programme on Radio 4 what you get is what the BBC is - namely - LIBERALISM and more of the same.
The BBC wouldn't know religious truth from the back end of a bus.
Its like the sunday Songs of Praise which is so mushy that it is embarrassing. Mushy Liberalism 'is' religion to them in their complete ignorance of the truth.
As for, quote, "... a rich mix of programmes that reflect societyâs relation to religion today.â - Society today is vastly more secular and the national church today is soap opera. If that is the 'relation' which BBC refers to then they are correct, viz BBC, church and society know zilch and zip about Biblical Christianity.
In fact as a 'creative' organisation, as regards Christianity the BBC demonstrates "ex nihilo nihil fit."


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Casa Andina Select - Miraflores
Select your stay dates to check availability at Casa Andina Select - Miraflores
Casa Andina Select - Miraflores
About the Hotel
Property Location
Located in Lima (Miraflores), Casa Andina Select - Miraflores is minutes from Sala Luis Miro Quesada Garland and Virgen Milagrosa Church. This 4-star hotel is within close proximity of Kennedy Park and Ricardo Palma Cultural Center.
Make yourself at home in one of the 155 air-conditioned rooms featuring minibars. Wireless Internet access (surcharge) keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature deep soaking bathtubs and complimentary toiletries. Conveniences include phones, as well as safes and desks.
Rec, Spa, Premium Amenities
Pamper yourself with a visit to the spa, which offers massages. If you're looking for recreational opportunities, you'll find a spa tub, a sauna, and a fitness center. Additional features include complimentary wireless Internet access, concierge services, and a hair salon.
Satisfy your appetite at the hotel's restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, or grab a snack at a coffee shop/café. Quench your thirst with your favorite drink at a bar/lounge.
Business, Other Amenities
Featured amenities include a 24-hour business center, a computer station, and complimentary newspapers in the lobby. This hotel has 3 meeting rooms available for events. Free valet parking is available onsite.
Hotel Facilities
- Free newspapers in lobby
- Bar/lounge
- ATM/banking
- Full-service spa
- Porter/bellhop
- Luggage storage
- 24-hour front desk
- Number of floors - 11
- 24-hour business center
- Free valet parking
- Restaurant
- Smoke-free property
- Number of meeting rooms - 3
- Coffee shop or café
- Free self parking
- Terrace
- Computer station
- Dry cleaning/laundry service
- Year Built 2011
- Spa tub
- Free breakfast
- Meeting rooms
- Fitness facilities
- Laundry facilities
- Sauna
- Spa services on site
- Free WiFi
- Elevator/lift
- Number of buildings/towers - 1
- Safe-deposit box at front desk
- Concierge services
- Total number of rooms - 155
- Hair salon
- Rooftop terrace
Room Facilities
- Minibar
- Private bathroom
- Phone
- Cable TV service
- Soundproofed rooms
- Air conditioning
- WiFi (surcharge)
- Blackout drapes/curtains
- Hair dryer
- Free toiletries
- Desk
- Daily housekeeping
- Deep soaking bathtub
- Connecting/adjoining rooms available
- In-room safe
- Cribs/infant beds (surcharge)
- Shower/tub combination
Hotel Policy
Know Before You Go
- Reservations are required for massage services and spa treatments. Reservations can be made by contacting the hotel prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation.
- One child 10 years old or younger stays free when occupying the parent or guardian's room, using existing bedding. Children may not be eligible for complimentary breakfast.
- Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms.
- The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation.
- No pets and no service animals are allowed at this property.
The following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, check-in, or check-out.
- Fee for in-room wireless Internet: PEN 26 per day (rates may vary)
- Airport shuttle fee: PEN 100 per vehicle (one way)
- Crib (infant bed) fee: PEN 86 per night
The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.
Mandatory Fees and Taxes
You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the hotel:
- The national sales tax (18%) is charged upon check-out to citizens of Peru regardless of length of stay and to foreigners staying in the country for 60 consecutive days or more. Foreigners who present a valid passport and Andean Migration Card (Tarjeta Andina de Migración) at check-in are exempt from this tax. Furthermore, the tax may apply per room when the room is shared by a taxable and a nontaxable guest.
We have included all charges provided to us by the property. However, charges can vary, for example, based on length of stay or the room you book.Show all hotel policy Show less hotel policy


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Sergeant Pepper Shawl Kit
You won't be part of the Lonely Hearts Club Band with this inviting array of lime tones that starts from a pale lemongrass to a key lime zest.
This kit includes one half skein of Sergeant Pepper whisper, quiet, and loud, one full skein of Sergeant Pepper comfortable and pattern download.
If you wish to order full skeins of Sergeant Pepper whisper, quiet, comfortable or loud please click on link:


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Post Search Results Chronologically & Alphabetically.
In my site my members can search for posts by using the search box, which brings up the posts chronologically (which is what I want). My members can also search posts by calendar day (date up loaded) with my ajax calendar. I would like to have the results of the calendar search appear alphabetically. Can I set wordpress to do this or is it a one or the other situation?
Thank you for any help you can provide.
- The topic 'Post Search Results Chronologically & Alphabetically.' is closed to new replies.


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Panda cub
It may not look like it, but this teeny guy will one day grow into a Giant Panda. The cub, confirmed to be a boy, was the only Giant Panda cub born in the United States this year, making his a particularly notable birth.
The boy, who will not be named until he is 100 days old, following Chinese custom, was born to Zoo Atlanta's 13-year-old panda Lun Lun on Nov. 3.
Lun Lun and the cub will debut to the public sometime in spring 2011. Before then, catch mom and son on the zoo's PandaCam, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT.


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Zildjian Kerope 14'' Hi-Hat Cymbals
Zildjian Kerope 14'' Hi-Hat CymbalsDetails
The Zildjian 14" Kerope Hi Hat Cymbals are meticulously hand-crafted using a 14-step process that combines everything Zildjian know about making cymbals. The Kerope pair offer warm, dark and complex sounds with the aesthetics and characteristics of a vintage cymbal, giving you that already played-in feel.
Product Ref: 46526View Full Description
Full DescriptionView Full Description
- 14" Hi Hat Cymbal Pair
- Warm, dark and complex sound with a cushion of wash
- Unique design gives Keropes an already played-in feel
- Proprietary patina process replicates the sonic and aesthetic characteristics of a vintage cymbal
- Gram weights hand-written under the bell of all cymbals
- Category: Kerope Series
- Size: 14 in. / 35.56 cm.
- Finish: Traditional Finish
- Bell Size: Medium
- Sound: Dark
- Skill Level: Advanced, beginner, professional, intermediate
The product price includes 4 years' warranty and 90 day money back guarantee.
However, the Gear4music extended warranty scheme provides an enhanced service, and is designed to offer a higher level of protection than many 'free' warranties offered by some retailers and manufacturers.
The highlights of this enhanced warranty service are:
- Warranty is extended to 4 years from the date of delivery.
- Our Money Back guarantee is extended from 30 days to 90 days (terms apply after 30 days)
- Collection and delivery costs are included for the first 2 years
- Claim 50% cash back on the cost of the policy after 4 years if it has not been used!
- Warranty is transferable if the item is re-sold
- Loan or replacement equipment will be provided if the product isn't repaired within 30 days
- If an item can not be repaired, a similar alternative product or cash discount (as defined in this policy) will be offered
- The policy can be cancelled within 30 days, and at any time after that for a pro-rata discount
Please note that this extended warranty is currently only available on products sold within the EU or EEA, and is subject to the terms and conditions as detailed on the extended warranty certificate provided.
For customers in outlying areas of the country, the price of the Extended Warranty may be marginally higher, due to the potential for higher collection and redelivery transport costs.
This enhanced warranty is in addition to the standard Gear4music and manufacturer warranty policies, and the Gear4music terms and conditions of trade. No statement or condition of sale contained within these terms affects or restricts your statutory rights as defined under the Consumer Contracts Regulation 2014.
Once the product is delivered, you have 90 days to decide that you definitely want to keep it. If you decide it is not suitable for any reason, you can return it back to us for replacement or full refund, including standard delivery charges.
All Products are new unless stated, and include a minimum of 2 years warranty.
Some items are only eligible for money back guarantee if they are returned to us unused and sealed in the original packaging, and in the case of software, unregistered. These items include:
- Software
- CDs & DVDs
- In-ear Monitors
- Earplugs and Ear Protection
- Mouthpieces, Reeds etc… for Woodwind and Brass instruments
- Mouth / Lip Care Products
We are unable to accept returns of any custom made items designed to work together as a unique package, such as computer system built to a customer's personal specifications. Exceptions may only be possible with prior agreement of the vendor, and may be subject to a cancellation fee.
If you also purchase items that do not qualify for free delivery, some delivery charges may be applied to your order which will be shown in your shopping basket.


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Get your billing right every time
Track your time, enter expenses and record any deposits against each project so you can bill accurately on time. Cost projects and track budgets with ease.
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For a limited time, you can activate Xero Projects at no extra charge through your accountant or bookkeeper. If you're not working with an advisor, find the right one for you in the Xero advisor directory. Otherwise, register your interest and we'll be in touch in the new year when Xero Projects is available for you.
Track your time, enter expenses and record any deposits against each project so you can bill accurately on time. Cost projects and track budgets with ease.
Create fixed price, progress payments, or time and materials invoices. Details can be uploaded automatically, saving you time and avoiding errors.
Monitor project performance with real-time tracking and key insights. Simple reporting gives you the information you need to keep on budget.
Get everything you need to manage your project's financials with one Xero login. Projects is available at no extra charge through your accountant or bookkeeper until the end of 2017.
From January 2018, a base fee of $10/month will apply (including one user at no charge). Additional users can be added for $7/month charged on an active usage basis.
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Payroll | Expenses | Invoicing
Xero advisor? See how to activate Xero Projects for your clients and in your own practice. Learn more


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Bus smashes into cemetery destroying graves and injuring 15 passengers
A BUS has crashed into through the railings of a cemetery injuring 15 people and destroying grave stones.
The single decker number 29 bus in Gateshead hit a stationary vehicle before careering down a hill and coming to a stop in the memorial site.
Operator Go North East said one person needed hospital treatment and others were tended at the scene, although Northumbria Police said none of the injured was badly hurt.
A spokesperson for Go North East said: "The driver lost control of his vehicle and went through the railings into the cemetery before coming to a stop.
"The front of the bus is all smashed up"An onlooker
"The bus was carrying 15 passengers, one of whom has been taken to hospital.
"It's understood there were other non-life threatening injuries.
"The driver has been interviewed by police.
"This is a serious incident and our thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this moment.
"We will carry out a full investigation to established exactly how the accident occurred."
One onlooker estimated the bus had finally come to a stop – with a front wheel resting on a gravestone – around 55 yards (50m) into Saltwell Cemetery.
It was thought around 30 gravestones were damaged in the crash as the bus ran off the road and down the steep slope.
"The front of the bus is all smashed up," the onlooker – who did not see the crash itself – said.
"There's loads of police here and council workers."


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Monthly Archives: August 2011
Irene's Path
Here is the path of Hurricane Irene as displayed by NASA An animation of satellite observations from August 21 through August 29 showing the birth of Hurricane Irene in the Caribbean and her track over Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, the Bahamas, … Continue reading
Posted in Science Tagged science, space Leave a comment
The Cause of Disasters
I used to think that earthquakes were causes by the movements of the plates that make up the earth's crust. Like this: I also had the archaic notion that hurricanes were the result of thunderstorms that form over warm water … Continue reading
Aligning Chi
Married to the Sea illustrates how to align your chi.
Posted in Humour Tagged humour, pseudoscience 1 Comment
West Coast EMFs
The Goldstream News Gazette is a small semi-weekly newspaper from Vancouver Island. It is published every Wednesday & Friday, covering the West Shore of Greater Victoria, including Langford, Colwood, Metchosin, View Royal, and the Highlands. In this case, small does not … Continue reading
Posted in Pseudoscience Tagged health, pseudoscience, science Leave a comment
The Pen of Damascus Steel has been bent
From our view in the west, the current uprising and government violence in Syria are lumped together with the popular uprisings across the Arab Mediterranean world. While the west stepped in with words of support in Tunisia and Egypt, and … Continue reading
The Science of Beer Goggles
Researchers have determined that facial symmetry is the key to attractiveness. In a study published in the May 7 (2008) issue of the journal PLoS ONE, Anthony Little of the University of Stirling and colleagues show that measurements of symmetry … Continue reading
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Seismic waves
In light of the recent earthquake in the eastern US, this xkcd comic seems appropriate.
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Graphic Description of Chiropractic
It is somewhat embarrassing that the man who came up with chiropractic is a Canadian. The story continues. While many will argue that chiropractic is more scientific than not, there is still a considerable amount of mysticism associated with the … Continue reading
Posted in Health Tagged health, pseudoscience, science 4 Comments
More movies from Willis H. O'Brien
I had mentioned Willis H. O'Brien, the genius behind King Kong a few months ago. Here is another example of his early work. The Ghost of Slumber Mountain The tagline reads "These giant monsters of the past are seen … Continue reading
Posted in Entertainment Tagged Entertainment, history, movies Leave a comment


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This Wild Berry Lavender Granita with Whipped Ricotta is a gourmet-level icy treat that can be made without any special ice cream equipment!
Last summer, I wandered aimlessly with the husband through the blistering heat of the Tuscan sun, eating as many cold things as possible. I mostly ate gelato, because well, it's gelato. (I really don't need to explain that one, right?) Along the way, however, I also found myself devouring gelato-filled cannoli (what?! I didn't even know that existed!), and of course, granita.
If you aren't familiar with granita, it's an icy frozen treat, traditionally made with water, sugar, and lemon juice. It's also used as a palate cleanser between meal courses. (File this factoid in your brain somewhere, just in case you someday have an especially fancy-schmancy dinner). My favorite thing about granita is that it's ridiculously easy to make at home– no ice cream maker required. This Wild Berry Lavender Granita with Whipped Ricotta is the perfect way to cool down on a summer day.
A little ice cream chain 3 hours away sells Wild Berry Lavender Ice Cream, and it is DEEEEElish. I want to eat it all the time, but I don't particularly want to drive the 3 hours each way for little bowls of tastiness. Therefore, when I found myself staring at a bag of dried lavender petals, wondering what to do with them besides make Lavender Lemonade, I thought of their ice cream. This Wild Berry Granita is an Italian take on their far-away dessert. If you've got wild berries, use those! If you don't have berries growing nearby, or don't feel like foraging– go ahead and use 'non-wild' berries from your local market– strawberries, raspberries, blackberries– whatever you like.
Making Wild Berry Lavender Granita
Start by making a lavender simple syrup. Put sugar, dried lavender petals, and water in a small pot, and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium, and simmer 5 minutes. Strain the petals out by pouring the syrup through a mesh sieve into another container, and let the syrup cool. Next, put the berries, syrup, vinegar, and lemon juice into a food processor. Blend everything up, pour it into an 8″x8″ pan (or something about the same size), and put it in the freezer for 2-3 hours. Every 30 minutes, rake the whole thing with a fork, paying extra attention to the edges. Raking it will help keep ice crystals from forming, and keep it from setting into a giant frozen fruit-flavored ice cube. Yes, you do need to remember to scrape it, which might seem annoying, until you remember that it's hot outside, and sticking your head in the freezer isn't really a bad thing. If, however, you forget to scrape it, you'll just end up with bigger crystals of granita, and it'll still taste delicious and cool.
Finish your dessert off with a little whipped ricotta. Scoop ricotta into a glass bowl with a couple teaspoons of sugar, and whip, whip, whip. Use an electric hand mixer or a stand mixer, and mix until stiff peaks form. Mix it all up right before you serve the granita, and serve the whipped ricotta on the side or on top like whipped cream. Take a bite, close your eyes, and pretend you're in Italy.
Wild Berry Lavender Granita with Whipped Ricotta
Yields ~2 1/2 cups Granita
Serves 4-6
- 2 cups fresh berries (blackberry, raspberry, strawberry etc)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 TB dried lavender petals
- 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta
- 2 tsp sugar
Make a simple syrup by mixing the sugar, lavender petals, and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring mixture to a boil, and then simmer 5 minutes. Pour syrup through a mesh sieve into another container. Set aside to cool.
Put berries into a food processor or blender and purée. Add syrup, vinegar, and lemon juice to food processor and blend more. Pour entire mixture into an 8"x8" pan. Set pan uncovered on a level surface in the freezer for 2-3 hours, scraping with a fork every 30 minutes. Pay extra attention to the edges, making sure to scrape the frozen fruit mixture away from the side of the container. When it's ready, your granita should be a light and flaky mixture.
Before serving, mix ricotta and sugar with an electric hand mixer or stand mixer until stiff peaks form. Serve granita and ricotta together.
Store leftover granita in an airtight container in the freezer.
Recipe Notes
*Calorie Information was calculated per serving using My Fitness Pal. Calorie calculations are based on this serving 4 people.
Granita recipe adapted from: Epicurious / Ricotta recipe adapted from: Food Network


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St. George the Dragonslayer Iron Whirligig
This is an enchanting little decoration for their garden. Every time they go outside, they'll see the classic tale of bravery and adventure unfold. Bring medieval magic out of storybooks and into their garden.


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Cores in channel for packet voice
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The voice-over-packet market continues to grow and evolve. From the residential gateway up to central office processing, the market is robust and open to a wide range of options. The market is also flooded with multiple standards for codecs, echo cancellation and overall voice channel processing. Channel density-the number of voice channels that can be handled by a given solution-is a critical issue for evaluating a DSP solution for products. However, there is significant confusion, often intended, in determining real vs. theoretical channel density on a given DSP core. So, what are the real criteria and issues related to determining channel density?
Voice-over-packet systems are built to process multiple channels of full-duplex digital voice that flow to and from a packet-based network. For example, in a two-way voice channel employed in a voice-over-packet system several signal-processing blocks are involved. The two most important ones are voice codecs and echo cancellation devices.
A wide variety of voice codecs is employed in voice-over-packet systems, all of which serve to reduce the amount of bandwidth necessary to convey the voice data. Not all voice codecs are created equal. There is a wide difference in their complexity and quality, defined in a voice-over-packet system as a combination of the sound quality and the delay budget the codec introduces in the system throughput. The International Telecommunications Union standardizes many of the codecs used in voice-over-packet systems. Codecs can be grouped according to the relative data rates, complexity (in terms of processing power), delay budgets and sound quality.
Because of the increase in round-trip delay for voice to travel through a packet-based network vs. the circuit-switched network, it is necessary to reduce the residual echo generated in the local loop from entering the packet network. Most voice-over-packet systems employ an implementation of the ITU G.168 standard for digital echo cancellation. The amount of processing power necessary to perform the echo cancellation is tied directly to the length of the tail in the echo canceler's adaptive filter. The length necessary is a function of the distance between the voice-over-packet system and the phone in the local loop.
For residential gateway applications, the tail length can be comparatively short (16 to32 milliseconds, or 128 to 256 taps) because of the local loop's being confined to a residence or small office building. For other applications, such as interexchange-carrier hop-off service, the tail length must be comparatively longer (64 to 128 ms, or 512 to 1,024 taps), since the local loop spans a metropolitan area.
Echo cancellation involves more than just an adaptive filter. Other signal-processing functions, such as double-talk detection (when both parties in the call are speaking), nonlinear echo suppression and comfort-noise generation, are also necessary to have a complete and stable solution that performs well in the network.
Beyond voice codecs and echo cancelers, a number of other signal-processing functions must be run in the two-way voice channel:
- Tone generation and detection. Voice-over-packet systems must continue to detect and generate the public switched telephone network in-band signaling using dual-tone multifrequency (DTMF) and call-progress tones.
- Voice-activity detection. It is necessary to accurately assess the presence of voice on the channel to be able to manage network bandwidth. Many systems send the stream of packet voice only when voice is detected.
- Caller ID generation. Subscribers to voice-over-packet services expect to receive the same complement of calling features that they have with their circuit-switched service. That makes it necessary to provide such functions as caller ID to continue the level of expected service.
- Configuration and control. All of the features of the two-way voice channel need to run in a scalable multichannel framework. It is necessary to configure and control each of the signal-processing components that are running across all of the channels.
A key requirement of this framework is the ability to run different codecs and to independently report detection events and generate tones on independent channels.
The bottlenecks and constraints on the design of a voice-over-packet system can be examined at two levels. The first is the DSP performance necessary to do the core signal processing of the two-way voice channel. The second is the system data throughput associated with moving the multiple channels of voice data. Many algorithms used in processing the two-way voice channel are dependent on the multiply-accumulate operations prevalent in digital filtering. When looking at the suitability of a DSP core for such processing, it's critical to ask how many MAC operations the core can perform per cycle.
The answer will depend on two main factors. The first is obvious: How many MAC units are in the DSP? The second is subtler and often overlooked: Can the DSP read and write memory with sufficient bandwidth to keep all of the MAC units working in parallel?
The latter capability is critical. In determining the suitability of a DSP core for two-way voice channel processing, you will want to understand how many MAC operations can be sustained per cycle.
Another critical feature of the DSP platform in this application is the efficient management of data buffer addressing. The DSP core should have low-overhead, hardware-assisted capabilities for circular and indexed addressing. This is especially crucial in producing an efficient multichannel framework.
Beyond these performance metrics of the DSP core are critical constraints and bottlenecks to consider in the moving of the voice data in and out of the system. Because the DSP core is best-suited to run the processing algorithms of the two-way voice channel, you would rather not have it also involved in moving the multichannel voice data to and from the packet and telephone networks. On the telephone network side of the system, it is effective to have a custom hardware block that can manage the shuttling of voice data to and from buffers in the DSP core memory space and a time-division multiplexed bus. On the packet network side of the system, it is effective to have the DSP core work in conjunction with a smart direct memory access controller that is capable of shuttling voice packets to and from the DSP core and the network.
If importing the applications source code (or intellectual property) from the DSP vendor, scrutinize the performance data for the applications running on the DSP. Are the provided Mips estimates averages or maximums? Are the digital echo canceler (DEC) performance numbers provided when the DEC is converging? Do the DEC Mips estimates include the double-talk detector, nonlinear processor and comfort-noise generator? What are the instruction and data memory requirements per channel?
Assessing performance
Another performance concern is how well the DSP handles overhead operations, such as control code and internal movement of data. That overhead drastically reduces the system channel density.
The performance of a voice-over-packet system and the channel density that it can support are not just functions of a particular algorithm's performance on a DSP core.In fact, the benchmarking of a particular algorithm used in the two-way voice channel on a DSP core without reference to the system solution can be misleading. We have found that it is much more accurate to benchmark a voice-over-packet system using typical multichannel system scenarios as a gauge of performance.
Channel density in a voice-over-packet system is not a function of algorithm performance on a particular DSP core alone. At the system level, the movement of channel state information and the orchestration of multiple signal-processing functions in the two-way voice channel are key.
System-level benchmarking in a multichannel environment provides a more accurate view of performance and helps designers choose the best voice-over-packet solution.


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Private Health Exchange Market Keeps Growing
Although the number of companies that have moved their active workers to private healthcare exchanges is relatively small, experts say there is "a lot of interest" among organizations in evaluating the exchanges as a way to outsource their healthcare benefits.
By Andrew R. McIlvaine
Opponents of the Affordable Care Act claim the healthcare reform law's cost and complexity will crimp the economy. However, the law is proving to be fertile ground for growth in at least one area: private healthcare exchanges.
The number of vendors offering private healthcare exchanges to U.S. companies is growing steadily, with early providers Aon Hewitt and Mercer being joined by Towers Watson, Buck Consultants, Willis North America and Benefitfocus, among others.
Many employers that offer retiree health benefits have successfully moved their retired workers to private exchanges and others are planning to do so, says Mike Thompson, a principal and healthcare practice leader at New York-based PwC.
"For employers that offer retiree health coverage, the private exchanges' value proposition has been very strong," he says.
Nearly 30 percent of employers are facilitating access to an exchange-based solution for their retirees this year, with another 36 percent planning to do so over the next three years, according to the 2013 Employer Survey on Purchasing Value in Health Care, conducted by Towers Watson and the National Business Group on Health.
Yet, when it comes to active employees, most of the NBGH's 364 member companies -- 66 of them members of the Fortune 100 -- are taking a "wait-and-see" approach to private exchanges for now, says president and CEO Helen Darling.
"These exchanges are so new that it's almost like asking how a newborn baby is going to turn out," says Darling.
Although the number of companies that have moved their active workers to private exchanges is relatively small, says Thompson, there is "a lot of interest" among companies in evaluating the exchanges as a way to outsource their healthcare benefits, he adds.
What may be stopping them -- for now, at least -- are concerns about whether the exchanges will be able to help their employees obtain high-quality healthcare at an affordable cost, say Darling and Thompson.
Given that most exchanges currently offer only fully insured products, self-insured employers are concerned they'd be surrendering the control and flexibility they currently enjoy if they moved their active employees to a private exchange, says Darling.
"If you go to an exchange where there are a lot of public employers or employers that offer very rich benefits, you could end up with a pool of people driving up costs and you'd have no control over that," she says.
"All things being equal, the cost of being self-insured vs. fully insured is substantially less and, in fact, the ACA actually increases the cost differential between self-insured and fully insured, so we see that as a potential issue," says Thompson.
Another concern is that employees who are exposed to a variety of plans on the exchanges will tend to "buy down," says Thompson -- in other words, electing less-costly plans that may ultimately leave them with less coverage (and worse health outcomes) -- than traditional employer-sponsored benefits, in which the plan options tend to have "marginal" price differences.
Then there are the worries about how a private exchange could undermine an employer's wellness initiatives, he says.
"Most would say that you're starting to break the linkage between wellness and benefits when you start outsourcing to a private exchange," says Thompson.
Sherri Bockhorst, principal and leader for health exchange solutions at Buck Consultants, says its new private healthcare exchange -- called RightOpt -- includes options for self-insured companies and is based on "driving costs out of the healthcare delivery system" rather than "shifting costs from one group to another."
"A lot of the other models have more than one health plan offered to employees in a certain geography, and when you do that, health plans price against adverse selection, which ultimately increases costs in the delivery system," she says.
Buck Consultants' exchange works with multiple carriers across the United States, but offers only one carrier in each major metropolitan region to guard against adverse selection, says Bockhorst. "We think we have much more aggressive contracts and ratings than other exchanges because we've eliminated the adverse selection for carriers," she says.
At Towers Watson, the company's OneExchange service was officially launched this winter. It offers employers both private and public-exchange-based health insurance options for active employees and retirees, says Bryce Williams, managing director for exchange solutions.
OneExchange is based on an existing private exchange for retirees that Towers Watson acquired when it bought Extend Health last year, says Williams. That exchange operates the nation's largest Medicare exchange and includes approximately 250 employers as clients, he says. OneExchange is designed for employers that wish to remain self-insured, he adds.
"We asked our clients what they wanted, and they told us they wanted to remain self-insured -- it lets them avoid the ACA's excise tax and other fees and gives them more control over plan design," says Williams.
So far, Buck has signed up three clients whose employees will be using RightOpt next year -- one company has 75,000 employees, another has 43,000 and a third has 4,000 employees, says Bockhorst, who declined to name the companies. Williams says Towers Watson is "not disclosing the number of OneExchange clients for active employees at this time."
When it comes to wellness, RightOpt includes features such as lifestyle coaching, an employee-assistance program and biometric screening, says Bockhorst. Clients' employees will access RightOpt via a single-access portal that's designed to "personalize" their benefits options and help them improve or maintain their health over time, she says.
Williams says OneExchange relies on "best-in-class programs" from its employer clients in areas such as smoking cessation and weight management and offers integrated coaching to help employees improve and maintain their health. In addition, it offers personalized coaching services to help clients' employees choose plans that best meet their needs, he says.
Health exchanges that don't offer such services and support to enrollees are ultimately "kicking the can down the road," says Williams.
"Unless you want to massively shift healthcare costs to employees, HR should stay in control of their health benefits, and that means being self-insured and self-managed," he says.
However, private exchanges built along a fully insured model keep healthcare prices down via competition, says Aon Hewitt spokeswoman Maurissa Kanter. Aon Hewitt's Corporate Health Exchange is "the only multi-carrier exchange solution for large companies offering a fully-insured model," she says.
"A self-insured model, however, is not competitive, as the insurer has no accountability for driving quality and efficiency," says Kanter.
The costs of a fully insured model -- state taxes, ACA-mandated insurer fees, etc. -- are offset by Aon Hewitt's "geographic rating structure," she says, which "promotes best-in-class networks, a zero-sum risk adjustment formula, and a competitive market model that drives insurers to use aggressive pricing assumptions they would not ordinarily deploy in a single-carrier structure and would not have to consider in a self-insured model."


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N.J. Flood Insurance Numbers Released One Year After SandyConstruction Companies Weigh in on Costs Vs. Average Payout
Some $7.85 billion has been spent on Superstorm Sandy by the National Flood Insurance Program, the low end of what was estimated to be between $6 billion and $12 billion worth of flood damage immediately after the storm.
That estimate helped the NFIP earn a 50 percent increase to its borrowing capacity (from $20 billion to $30 billion) in January. At that time, the NFIP was about $17 billion in debt, mostly due to costs from Hurricane Katrina, effectively leaving the NFIP with about $13 billion to work with for Sandy.
Despite having about 17,500 fewer claims than New Jersey, where the storm made landfall, New York received close to the same amount of total flood insurance money as the Garden State: $3.57 billion for New Jersey and $3.36 billion for New York. The Empire State also had less than half of the number of claims closed without payment (CWOPs): 3,109 to New Jersey's 6,536.
One year after Sandy, the NFIP has closed 99.6 percent of the approximately 144,000 total claims for Sandy, 74,508 of which came from New Jersey.
This and other information was contained in a Federal Emergency Management Agency report sent to The SandPaper on Oct. 28 that details all NFIP expenditures by state for damages related to "Meteorological Event Sandy." FEMA administers the NFIP.
The NFIP remains the only way for Americans to purchase flood insurance policies, is required by anyone with a mortgage living in a floodplain, and usually involves the maximum $250,000 worth of coverage. The program also utilizes 84 private insurance companies as part of its write-your-own program that began in the 1980s.
Those companies and the NFIP directly paid on average just about $55,000 on closed claim payments for Sandy as of Oct. 28. Claims from New York received on average $10,000 more than those in New Jersey, about $62,000 for New York versus about $52,000 for New Jersey
This raises the question as to whether that $52,000 average payment is enough to typically cover damages from Sandy in New Jersey.
Adam Van Nevius, owner of Coastal Restorations in Manahawkin, said that figure seems low based on what he and his company have seen from the approximately 60 houses they have rebuilt since Sandy. Construction has been a tradition in his family since 1946, and Coastal Restorations was begun in response to the need that existed in the area following the storm. It has seen constant work since.
"That's a low number to me," said Van Nevius, describing the average $52,000 claim payment. "There's been a few of my customers that were low-balled, but the majority has gotten pretty much what they needed minus their deductible and their depreciation."
Coastal Restorations has done 85 percent of its rebuilds on LBI and the rest in the Beach Haven West portion of Stafford Township, according to Van Nevius. Many customers are just now getting to house-raising, he said, as a focus for many on LBI was to ready homes for summer rental income. The minimum price is $50,000 for house-raising, which well over half of the homes his company has worked on require.
Van Nevius said he has dealt with "a few" jobs in which a customer had either raised or rebuilt his or her home first, then run out of money to do the other.
"The people that got around $50,000 – some got $60,000 – those are the ones where it doesn't quite cover enough.
"It varies on the size of the house, but 50 grand doesn't cover the kitchens or the bathrooms. That basically covers your cleanout, electric, plumbing, sub-floor and Sheetrock. Kitchens and bathrooms are the most expensive part of your home anyway. The cost is not there for me to come in and redo a kitchen. Your average kitchen is $20,000." A bathroom, he said, would involve replacing a bathtub or shower, with the average minimum cost for a new tile shower being $8,000.
"Those numbers add up pretty quick, and for $52,000 it's just not there," said Van Nevius, adding that only about 15 percent of his customers received around that NFIP average payment.
Floodwater height does affect repair costs, though perhaps less than one might expect, he added. "Even if you only had 4 inches of water in the house, it buckles the floor, and you're redoing the floor, your Sheetrock, your molding, electric, cabinets; it never ends. In all actuality, it doesn't matter if the house had 6 inches of water or 4 feet of water because you still have your ground level that's shot."
Janzer Builders of Manahawkin has done 95 percent of its work on home restorations on the mainland in Beach Haven West, according to co-owner Stacy Janzer. Her company has completed about 20 "put-backs" – the term given for when a customer simply wants his or her home rebuilt as it was before the storm. Janzer said the majority of her customers are building anew, the cost of which is currently averaging about $350,000 in Beach Haven West.
Those having to settle for "put-backs" are also those receiving about $60,000 total in flood insurance payments, according to Janzer, just above the NFIP's average.
"Most of these houses are not worth rebuilding," said Janzer. "And when we do have to put them back together it's a sin. The majority of these homes should be completely rebuilt."
When asked if the NFIP has given enough money to residents to rebuild after Sandy, FEMA officials said, "The insurance companies are instructed to pay policyholders for all covered losses. FEMA's top priority is to provide assistance to those in need as quickly as possible, while also meeting our requirements under the law. To do this, FEMA works with its private sector, write-your-own insurance company partners who sell flood insurance under their own names and are responsible for the adjustment of their policyholders' claims.
"FEMA will not be satisfied until policyholders have received payments for all covered losses. Policyholders who have concerns with their insurance companies can reach out directly to FEMA by calling 1-800-427-4661. When a claim or any part of a claim is denied by the insurer, the policyholder may also appeal that denial directly to FEMA."
"I have extensive experience with working with insurance companies," said Van Nevius. "What I have done is look over copies of claims (homeowners) got and went through them with a fine-tooth comb and found some things they missed. They have gone back to the insurance company or I have dealt with them directly and we have been very successful with getting them extra money. There's usually an extra $10,000 floating out there.
"Insurance companies like homeowners because they don't understand the whole process, and when a contractor writes a letter where they have legitimately left things out, we can correct that."
Mortgage companies that "become the overseer," as Van Nevius put it – as they must sign off on all flood insurance payment checks to make sure the money is being used to repair a home – most often dole out the total claim payment in thirds, where each subsequent third is given out upon the inspection of the completion of each third of the work done previously.
"Basically what happens is it takes about two weeks to get them out there for inspection. A lot of times we'll have the job completed by then and I'll get paid 30, 45 days later. The way I'm looking at it is I'm laying out thousands of dollars ahead of time to get these people back into their homes. Otherwise, we have five or six jobs we run at one time – it'd be a nightmare, and we'd be going back and forth.
"Some contractors go in and say, 'I need half down or 30 percent down,' and homeowners don't have that because mortgage companies have their check tied up. Then they can't do the work. I just have taken the stance that this is America – the mortgage company will pay; they've got the money. Let's get the community back together; that's the main thing."
FEMA officials did not comment on whether there was any understanding between the NFIP and its write-your-own companies to be cautious over amounts paid out on flood insurance claims for Sandy knowing that the higher end of the NFIP's original estimated total damages ($12 billion) would leave the NFIP near its full borrowing capacity. Some people wonder if there was a move to limit payouts to leave some borrowing capacity available should some other large-scale flooding befall the United States in the near future. FEMA officials also did not comment on whether there are any current investigations in regard to practices in the aftermath of Sandy by any of the 84 WYO insurance companies that sell NFIP policies.
— Michael Molinaro


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Star Trek's Zachary Quinto and Modern Family's Jesse Tyler Ferguson are among the thrilling gay stars who will salute late composer Marvin Hamlisch at One Thrilling Combination, a gala event to be held June 23 at the Delacorte Theater in New York City's Central Park.
The Public Theater's gala will celebrate the 40th anniversary of Hamlisch's gay-inclusive musical A Chorus Line, which premiered at the Public in 1975 prior to its Tony- and Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway run.
Out actors Jonathan Groff, Billy Porter, and Claybourne Elder are also scheduled to perform, along with Martha Plimpton, John Lithgow, Sutton Foster, Joshua Bell, Lindsay Mendez, Krysta Rodriguez, Marissa McGowan, Laura Shoop, Peter Dugan, Nikka Graff Lanzarone, Jessica Wu, Mylinda Hull, Brooke Sunny Moriber, and Nicole Lewis.
Tony winner Ted Sperling will direct the gala performance, which will feature selections from A Chorus Line and Hamlisch's other musicals, including They're Playing Our Song, The Goodbye Girl, and Sweet Smell of Success as well as from the film The Way We Were. Shortly before his death in 2012, the Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony winner composed the score for HBO's Behind the Candelabra.
"Marvin Hamlisch was one of the great spirits of American music, and A Chorus Line was a show that changed everything about how musicals were made," said Public Theater artistic director Oskar Eustis in a statement. "It also created the Public Theater we cherish today. This gala will honor that amazing show and thank Marvin Hamlisch for his extraordinary gifts to us all."
Tickets to the One Thrilling Combination gala, which includes cocktails, dinner, and a dessert reception, start at $650.
For tickets and more information visit PublicTheater.org.


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Back in February, Elmar Bolowich had the chance to take on a new challenge as head coach of Creighton University.
A coach at North Carolina for more than 20 years, Bolowich saw this as a final chance to make a change – either see out the rest of his career as a Tar Heel, or jump at this last opportunity.
Bolowich ultimately made the decision to move to Nebraska, and in his first season with the Bluejays is enjoying a strong 5-0 start.
"It's a great start, and we haven't given up a goal so far," Bolowich told MLSsoccer.com. "Not clicking on all cylinders yet, we still struggle a little bit with offensive play, making the connections and scoring the necessary goals."
Bolowich brought in a few more recruits to help shore things up, but has mostly relied on the talented roster he inherited that includes a top profressional prospect in senior forward Ethan Finlay, a stalwart in goal in Brian Holt, and former US youth international Tyler Polak at left back.
"Coach Bolowich hasn't really changed things too much," Finlay told MLSsoccer.com. "He's kind of embraced our style and kind of tweaked it to some things he's used while he was at North Carolina, where obviously his success speaks for itself."
Finlay has had three coaches in his four years with the Bluejays, and he admits that each change has caused him some panic. Bolowich's hiring, however, reassured the striker.
"Our Athletic Director Bruce Rasmussen made sure after [former Creighton coach] Jamie [Clark] left that we were going to go find a premier coach in college soccer and I think he went out and did that," Finlay said.
One of the attractions to the post for Bolowich was the large crowds that come out to Morrison Stadium, a soccer specific stadium in Omaha. In two homes games this year, an average of 4,824 people have come out. To put it into perspective, the biggest crowd Bolowich ever had while at North Carolina was 4,717.
"It's tremendous to see the atmosphere – the students came out and they created an atmosphere by themselves," Bolowich said. "We have tremendous support within the Omaha community and the rest of the university."
While the strong start is certainly progress – Creighton have outscored opponents 11-0 in those five wins – there's a long road ahead, and a tough schedule to navigate through. The team travels to play Maryland and Indiana later in the year, and hosts UC Irvine, to go with the rest of the Missouri Valley Conference schedule.
"My expectations are very high," he said. "I think this is a program that can be in the top 10 on an annual basis, we just have to work extremely hard at it and that's what I'm willing to do."
Travis Clark covers D.C. United, College and Youth soccer for MLSsoccer.com.


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You've Never Seen a Smoke Detector Like This
Two years ago, Tony Fadell, inventor of the iPod and chief executive of Nest Labs, applied Apple-style design savvy to remaking the humble thermostat. Now, Fadell and company have updated another unloved household staple: the smoke detector.
Like Nest's Learning Thermostat, the forthcoming Nest Protect smoke and carbon monoxide alarm offers a smarter, more user-friendly take on a boring-but-functional appliance, albeit it for about four times the cost of its simpler cousins.
"We want to take things you already know and reinvent them," Fadell said of Nest's design philosophy. "We don't need new products. We need to take existing products and make them better."
Marketed with the motto, "Safety shouldn't be annoying," Nest Protect has features that make it easier to silence during false alarms and supplements the traditional strident beeping with spoken alerts and color-coded signals.
Think of it as the politest smoke alarm ever. Nest Protect's "Heads Up" function will alert homeowners to the presence of smoke or carbon monoxide before it reaches emergency levels and then allow them to dismiss the alarm with the wave of a hand. In theory, that means no more flapping dishtowels when burnt toast or a particularly smoky cut of steak set off the sensor. To indicate it has sufficient battery, the device glows green when the lights in the room are turned off. And thanks to its motion sensors, Nest can even act as a nightlight, glowing faintly when it perceives motion in a dark hallway.
The new smoke alarm is still undergoing testing by independent agencies to ensure that it meets safety standards. Nest expects it to go on sale in November


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Application Information
Scholarship Overview
This scholarship is for students who have attended Durango High School in or Big Picture High School in Durango, Colorado, from grades 9-12 and are prepared to graduate in good academic and behavior standing. To qualify for this scholarship, applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or above, intend to enter the field of public education, and attend an in-state public college or university.
How easy is it to apply?
Not too bad
This scholarship's application process may have items such as essays that could take a couple hours.
How much competition is there?
Relatively little!
This scholarship has a relatively low number of applicants.


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A few weeks ago (what can I say? I'm tardy), we finally ventured up to Hong Kong Wetland Park in Tin Shui Wai. I say "finally", as this particular day out has been on my to-do list for, oooh, about four … Continue reading
Tag Archives: hong kong with kids
Competition time: win tickets to Dr Bunhead's Blast-Off!
THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED! CONGRATULATIONS TO LUCKY WINNER NICOLE, AND THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO ENTERED! So who doesn't love a freebie? And this one is a good 'un – the lovely folks over at ABA Productions have four tickets … Continue reading
Sponsored: Tell your friends! US$100 Genuineblox credit PLUS HK$500 Giftwell gift card up for grabs!
*Ahem* Mothers of Hong Kong: this is a public service announcement. If you've yet to hear about online kids' clothing and accessories store Genuineblox, I have a rather exciting incentive for you to check them out this month. Offering three distinct baby … Continue reading
On Your Bike! A family day out in Tung Chung
… Yes, I said Tung Chung. Now granted, this somewhat unlovely outpost of Lantau Island may not be at the very top of your list for a family day out, but humour me for a while as I explain why … Continue reading
Sushi Brunch with space to play at Ura Japanese Delicacy!
As we're lucky enough to have two *relatively* adventurous eaters, we were happy to take up a recent invitation to check out the family-friendly brunch at Ura Japanese Delicacy. Located on the 2nd floor of The Wellington, just on the edge … Continue reading
Christmas Competition now closed! Win a winter camp class package at Baumhaus!
Please note that this competition is now closed: congratulations to lucky winner Rosa Cho and thanks to everyone who entered! The winter holidays are nearly upon us and, aside from trying to find the precise variety of Hatchimal for Santa and … Continue reading
Win awesome kids swimwear from Noon Shadow, plus reader discount code!
THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED! Thanks to everyone who took part and congratulations to lucky winner Charlie, who'll be bagging US$80-worth of a swimmers for her totally on-trend toddler! Got a Christmas sun holiday coming up? Then step right this … Continue reading
Kids Eat Hong Kong: Where to eat with kids this November!
Why not stave off the terrifying realisation that there are just six more weekends until Christmas with a nice meal out with the kids? With a 100% no turkey guarantee, these three foodie hotspots will happily feed your fam, allowing … Continue reading
Family brunch review at Blue – Butcher & Meat Specialist
Previously known as The Blue Butcher, the revamped Blue – Butcher & Meat Specialist on Hollywood Road is a surprisingly good choice for families. I say "surprisingly" as, on first glance, this rebooted restaurant does come across as a bit too … Continue reading
Kids Eat Hong Kong: Brunch with the babes this October!
Some weekends, you're a super parent; up before dawn for some Pinterest-worthy crafting, followed by a nutritious breakfast of organic superfoods before a full-day educational excursion. Other weekends, perhaps your Wonder Woman outfit is in the wash and so you just want … Continue reading


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Rent Walnut Creek on Ice for your Group, Organization or Business
During your private ice rental, the rink is exclusively yours for you & your guests to enjoy. The rink will be closed to public skating during your private party.
Reservations can be made in one hour increments at $850 per hour. Fee includes admission & skating up to 50 skaters; $11 per additional skater. Please estimate the number of additional skaters when making your reservation. A final guest count will be taken the day of your event and the additional charges will be collected at the rink.
For more information email: email@example.com or call 925-935-SNOW (7669) x7


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Laundrapp is now in Bolton, so download today or book online to discover Bolton's best dry cleaner and the convenience of never having to carry clothes to a Bolton dry cleaner or Bolton laundrette again. That's right – Laundrapp will collect, clean and deliver laundry and dry cleaning right up to your door, anywhere in Bolton!
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Laundrapp is one of the most affordable laundry delivery services in Bolton. With Laundrapp you can eliminate the constant stress and hassle of dealing with laundry – let us take the load instead. Best of all it's simple to get started – just download the app, choose collection and drop off times that suit you and relax!
Laundrapp is already trusted by some of the biggest and most recognisable businesses in the UK, including Amazon, Lloyds Banking Group and shirt specialists T.M Lewin. Download the app today to join thousands of other customers in Bolton and discover a better way to do your dry cleaning!


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SEATTLE — While a handful of University of Washington freshmen got thrown into the cold, deep water of college football last fall, the experience of making the transition for high school could be even more frustrating for those who never got their chance.
Two of them, defensive lineman Tani Tupou of Archbishop Murphy High School and offensive lineman Dexter Charles of Stanwood High, are Snohomish County products who are happy to have their redshirt season in the rearview mirror.
"It was hard, especially coming from Murphy, where I was always playing both ways," said Tupou, a 275-pound freshman who has been running with the No. 2 defense this spring. "Other than that, it was a humbling experience. A real humbling experience.
"… It was going from big fish in a small pond to little fish in the ocean. All these guys out here, they're all good."
After watching from the sidelines on Saturdays last fall, Tupou and Charles are hoping that spring opportunity leads to playing time in the fall. A third local product, senior safety Justin Glenn from Kamiak High School, is hoping to impress his third coaching staff in five years to find a role of his own.
"Everybody has a clean slate, and everybody's competing," said Glenn, who has been holding down the starting free safety position at camp but should get a stiff challenge from incoming prized freshman Shaq Thompson in the fall. "Competition just makes everybody better. So that's just going to make us better as we progress to fall camp and all that stuff."
For UW's 2011 redshirts, just being a part of the competition is a step in the right direction. Charles is reveling in his shot to work at left guard with the No. 1 offense this camp while teammates Colin Porter, Colin Tanigawa and Erik Kohler rest injuries.
"I feel like I'm ready," Charles said of the possibility of earning a starting job in the fall. "Once I've proven myself to the coaches, and once I've proven it to myself, I feel like, come fall, I'll be ready to play."
Charles wasn't initially that excited about sitting out the 2011 season as a redshirt, but he said the experience has helped him become a better player.
"Looking back now, I'm like: 'Wow, I'm so glad I redshirted,'" Charles said earlier this week, after such an impressive Monday practice that senior teammate Drew Schaefer called him the most improved member of the offensive line. "If I didn't, I wouldn't have been able to play, and I wouldn't have been good at all. So I'm really happy I redshirted. I think it's going to help me a lot."
Tupou, a three-star recruit who also considered BYU, Notre Dame and four other Pacific-10 Conference schools before signing with UW, said the experience of sitting out as a redshirt only motivated him more.
"When you see your team go out there, and you're on the sidelines cheering, you only wish that you're out there," he said. "That helped fuel the fire a lot."
Glenn, who is one of only five recruits left over from coach Tyrone Willingham's final recruiting class, is fueled by a different kind of motivation. He has only one more year to make an impact at UW, and he doesn't want to let go of his position at the top of the depth chart.
"They told us since the first day: every position's open," he said this week. "It doesn't matter if you've been starting for three years, that's what it is. But being that I am an upperclassman, I am a senior, I feel like I'm in more of a leadership role this year, developing and getting guys in the right position."
Glenn already has competition from fellow senior Nate Fellner, who has started 20 games over the past three seasons, and the competition will only get hotter when Thompson arrives in the fall. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound incoming freshman from Sacramento was the nation's No. 4 overall recruit by Rivals.com.
There are outsiders who believe that Thompson will be starting sooner rather than later, but Glenn isn't letting the addition of a five-star recruit distract him.
"You really can't think about that," he said when asked about Thompson being added to the mix in the fall. "All you can think of is what you can take care of on the field. Do your job, and let the rest kind of take care of itself."


text: While Apple has managed to keep the App Store free from malware, it seems the Cupertino company has a hard time filtering out scams. Every so often, a shameless developer tries their luck at selling a title that promises to be something it isn't. The latest claims to be a Halo 4 clone that is "iPhone/iPad exclusive." They've gone through the trouble of writing a lengthy App Store description in an effort to fool you into thinking it's the real thing. But in reality, it's just a $4.99 game of chess.


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2010 Tony Award Wrap-UpJune 14, 2010 - by Griffin Miller, Theatre Editor
Let's go for the jugular and cut to window dressing afterwards, shall we?
Best in Show: Memphis (musical); Red (play); La Cage aux Folles (musical revival); Fences (play revival).
[FYI: I predicted the lot of them, with the exception of Memphis, which turned into the evening's musical force majeure. My heart was rooting for American Idiot, but it's a taste thing – and evidently a script thing, and American Idiot did come up short in that department. Still I do love a) Green Day's edgy oeuvre and b) the blissfully sense-altering scenic design by Christine Jones (which, thankfully, did pick up the Tony).]
In the acting realm, Hollywood royalty reigned: Catherine Zeta-Jones – Best Actress in a Musical (A Little Night Music); Denzel Washington – Best Actor in Play (Fences); Viola Davis – Best Actress in a Play (Fences) [okay, not quite royalty yet, but known for film and well on her way to stardom]; Scarlett Johansson – Best Featured Actress in a Play (A View from the Bridge).
As for those best known for their Stage accomplishments: Douglas Hodges – Best Actor in a Musical (La Cage aux Folles); Katie Finneran – Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Promises, Promises); Eddie Rednayne – Best Featured Actor in a Play (Red); Levi Kreis – Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Million Dollar Quartet).
Notice anything interesting here? Well aside from Davis and Washington (the first African-American actors to take these awards in a single year), there are no duplications here: eight actors, seven different productions. All good choices (granted Zeta-Jones did scoop favorite Montego Glover in Memphis, but in the end Memphis cleaned everybody's musical clock, Ms. Glover is young and will win a Tony sometime in the future, and Zeta-Jones is a lovely presence who had lovely things to say about Angela Lansbury (but then, who doesn't?).
For more on Tony night, visit our theater blog here.
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Report scammers
Virtual assistant
Search options
- database search
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- letters search
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- search fake docs by number
Browse options
- browse all scammers
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- all scam emails sets
Social tools
Scammer Selya
|Add comments >>>
|Report scammer >>>
|First name:
|Rufina, Afrodita, Julia, Elena, Ekaterina
|Name aliases:
|Alenka, Catherine, Ecaterina, Ekatarina, Ekaterinacka, Ekaterinka, Ekaterinusha, Ekaterinusik, Ekatrina, Elanka, Eleena, Elen, Elenka, Elenochka, Eli, Ellena, Ellene, Elona, Helen, Helena, Iulia, Iuliia, Iuliya, Jelena, Jule, Julechka, Julenka, Julichka, Julie, Juliya, Julusha, Julya, Julye, Kat, Katarina, Kate, Katenka, Katerina, Kateryna, Kath, Katherin, Katherina, Kati, Katia, Katiya, Katja, Katka, Katrin, Katrina, Katty, Katuha, Katusha, Katushechka, Katushka, Katuska, Katy, Katya, Katysha, Ket, Ketrin, Lena, Lenaa, Lenchik, Lennochka, Lenochka, Lenusia, Lenusial, Lenusik, Lenusikka, Lenusya, Lienkchik, Lleena, Olena, Ulenka, Ulia, Uliya, Yekaterina, Yelena, Ylia, Yliya, Ylya, Yula, Yulchika, Yulchona, Yulechka, Yulenka, Yulia, Yuliah, Yulichka, Yulija, Yuliy, Yuliya, Yulosha, Yulosha, Yulusha, Yuly, Yulya, Yulyasha
|Izhevsk (Russia); Nizhnekamsk (Russia); Samara (Russia)
|Phone number(s):
|E-mail address(es):
|Operates on site(s):
|American Singles, Chat Wire, RBrides
|Scam media:
|Fake documents:
Report N1 (added on March, 28, 2006)
Typical match for letters searched for on internet.
Bill (USA)
Report N2 (added on October, 20, 2006)
I contacted this girl on Rbrides and started corresponding.
What alerted me is the website Romance Scam and saw her picture in their database. I will keep corresponding and maybe contact proper authorities at Western Union and set up a fix of some sort.
She goes by the name of Yulia with e-mail email@example.com I have not sent money yet but will come to that if I plan to catch her red-handed.
Johnny (Canada)
Report N3 (added on October, 20, 2006)
I was contacted by this person on Americansingles and began a 5 week long corospondace with her and never received any more info than what I have repoprted. I was sent many photo's that made the vague letters seem real until she wanted to meet me in such a short time of meeting. I got curios as to who this person was. So i googled "brightssstar" and found that I was being scammed. I read leaters to many other men that were word for word what I had. Some of the others were even getting the same photos as me. It all leads up to the victom sending money to this person under the pretence that it's for travel to come see you.
Steven (USA)
Report N4 (added on May, 4, 2007)
Yes this girl I have been in correspondence with for about month.
Gary (England)


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QUEEN-L ArchivesArchiver > QUEEN > 2007-06 > 1180810318
Subject: Re: [QUEEN] Avery Butler Queen Belmont NC.
Date: Sat, 02 Jun 2007 18:51:58 -0000
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Author: tqueen177
Surnames: Queen
Classification: queries
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I'm a descendent of Avery Butler Queen and am interested in sharing info. Please contact me at
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This renovated 1875 Victorian Inn offers 20 comfortably romantic and inviting guestrooms with A/C, ceiling fans and private baths. Six spacious porches delight with rocking chairs, relaxation and ocean views. An expanded continental breakfast with ripe fruit salad, cereals, freshly baked goods,and daily specials. Your hosts are always helpful and knowledgeable about the town and surrounding areas and are the best source for dining and entertainment advice. During, before and after the summer season, spend time at the Bellevue Stratford Inn for a peaceful and restorative getaway.
4.2 on July 22, 2013
Beautiful accommodations. Gorgeous location. Steps from beach and center of town. Friendly staff.
4.0 on August 19, 2010
The prices have remained the same but the scrumptious breakfast is gone. A poor excuse continental breakfast.
4.6 on September 23, 2009
Excellent first experience with the B-S Inn. Great location, very clean, quiet, and an outstanding breakfast every morning.
5 on September 02, 2009
I have stayed at other B&Bs but found this to be the best. The innkeepers were warm & welcoming and made us feel like we were in their home. Breakfast was wonderful.
4.8 on August 26, 2009
Clean, cozy, pleaceful, quaint. Nor a speck of dust or sand in This homey B&B 1/2 a block from the beach. Proprietors are clean and welcoming. They make it better than a home away from home.
4.2 on August 24, 2009
Barbara and Jim are the consummate hosts - forever making their guests feel welcome at their B&B in the heart of Ocean Grove - three doors down from the boardwalk/beach. OG is a unique town, sandwiched between Asbury Park to the north and Bradley Beach to the south. Excellent breakfasts here - from fresh fruit to homemade quiche and egg/sausage sandwiches (plus exotic juices).
4.2 on August 20, 2009
History and ambiance about in Ocean Grove and this inn. Nice affordable rooms 100 yards from Atlantic. Awesome breakfast.
5 on August 20, 2009
Great location, great food, tastefully decorated, and very clean. Best hosts in the biz, Jim & Barbara
5 on August 13, 2009
We have not been at many bed & breakfasts, and this is one to boast about. The innkeepers are warm & friendly & take a genuine interest in making your stay special. We highly recommend it!
5 on August 11, 2009
The rooms are neat and clean, the breakfasts are varied and delicious and the guests are always friendly.. I would go there anytime and know I would get a good value for my money.
This top floor sage and hunter green deluxe room offers a king bed with a brilliant view of the ocean. Private bath (shower), T/V and VCR, air conditioning and ceiling fans.
Nightly Rate: $125 - $175
This rose colored room has an ocean view and a large bathroom featuring a bathtub and a separate shower. TV-VCR, A/C,ceiling fan. The porch outside the room features brilliant views of the ocean, sunsets and the rooftops of Ocean Grove, overlooking Asbury Park.
Nightly Rate: $125 - $175
Featuring a curtain dividing a queen bed-room from a sitting area with double bed pullout couch
Nightly Rate: $150 - $175
This is the perfect single person room with all the ammenities at a tiny rate. At $110/night, this "nest" boasts a full size bed, TV, A/C,the view ocean view in the house with the bath directly outside the room.
Nightly Rate: $75 - $110
Oceanfront, Oceanview
Newark, NJ (EWR) 35 miles
From NYC: Garden State Parkway South to Exit 100 B, Rt 33 to Ocean Grove (5 miles) Main Avenue to # 7 From Philadelphia: NJ Turnpike to Exit 7A, Rt 195 East to Rt 35 N (@ Belmar) go 2 miles to Rt 33 turn right-one block to Main Street (Rt 71) Turn Left-2 blocks to Main Avenue-Turn right on Main Avenue and follow to # 7 at the ocean.
Amusement Park, Antique Shopping, Aquarium, Art Galleries, Beach, Concert venue, Gourmet/Fine Dining, Historical interests, Lake, Live Music, Movie Theater, National/State parks, Nature area, Ocean, NYC only 1 1/2 hours by train, Asbury Park 10 minute walk, Performing Theater, Religious Services
Board games, Computer, Conference Rooms, DVD Player, Fireplace, Library, Telephone, Videos, Wi-Fi , Ocean views, large decks on each floor
Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Ceiling fans, Desk, Fridge, Hairdryer, Radio, Satellite/Cable TV, TV, VCR
Bicycle rental, Fishing, Golfing, Shopping, Tennis courts
Continental Plus


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My Nonprofit Reviews
Ann-Marie Thunell
254 profile views
1 reviews
Review for Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, Chicago, IL, USA
Hello from Sweden, I was diagnosed with IPF 9 years ago at the age of 44. I've spent many years struggling on my own - and was so happy when I came across PFF. It gives me a lot of inspiration , I follow every move you make on Facebook. It is a shame I didn't know about PFF last year or I would have come to the summit in chicago, but hopefully I will come to next years summit. Keep up the good work, regards from Stockholm.
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The Tama CSA35N cymbal stacker is compatible with all Tama cymbal stands, including those with Quick-Set Tilters. Useable with both 6 mm and 8 mm diameter cymbal rods. A great way to add cymbals without using up more floorspace.
What started as a simple string and pedal sales catalog has grown exponentially over the past thirty years. The early days were a time where catalogs didn't have much of a presence in the industry, but what began as a college dorm room operation grew rapidly. In 1986 we moved to a full product offering and 64-page catalog, which over the years has grown to 162 pages. Join the AMS family and get your free catalog now!
Copyright © 1996-2017 American Musical Supply, Inc. All rights reserved. American Musical Supply reserves the right to correct pricing and/or product specifications in the event of typographical errors found in our print catalog or on our website. If a product is listed at an incorrect price due to such errors or because of inaccurate information received from a supplier, American Musical Supply shall have the right to refuse or cancel any orders placed, whether or not the order has been confirmed and your credit card charged. If your credit card has already been charged for the purchase and your order is canceled, American Musical Supply will issue a credit to your credit card account in the amount of the charge.


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500 grams Klein Karoo Ostrich Russians, 1.5 Long French Baguettes, 3 Tomatoes Thinly Sliced, 1 Butter Lettuce, 60 mL Basil Pesto, 4 mL Basil leaves, 2 mL salt, 4 plump cloves of garlic, 30 mL nuts (pinenuts, cashew nuts, walnuts or almonds), 125 mL extra virgin olive oil, 60 mL Parmesan cheese,
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A Simple to Make Quiche With Tons of Flavour
3 Klein Karoo Ostrich Russians Sliced, 30 mL Butter, 1 Medium Onion Finely Chopped, 1 Clove of Garlic Crushed, 1 340g Can Of Whole Kernels Drained, 2 Large Eggs Lightly Beaten, 250 mL Fresh Cream, 0.25 cup(s) Feta Crumbled, 125 grams Low-Fat Smooth Cottage Cheese, 1 pinch(es) Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper, 250 grams Flour, 100 grams Butter Cut Into Small PIeces, 2 Egg Yolks Lightly Beaten with 30ml Cold Water,


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She was so perfectly her age when she blushed. That was adorable.Originally Posted by Thyme;3387211;
She was so perfectly her age when she blushed. That was adorable.Originally Posted by Thyme;3387211;
TV Guide has an interview with Shawn. It covers her thoughts on other competitors, her tripping the first night and other subjects.
I was most interested to hear her reaction to the idea that she should be more naughty:
linkTVGuide.com: The judges said they wanted you to be more naughty, which I thought was weird. What were you thinking?
Johnson: I was a little bit shocked. I mean, ever since I've gotten to the show, the one thing everybody has said is, "We want to keep you young and look your age." So when they said that, I was like, "Well, I don't think I'm allowed to!" [Laughs] But Mark said we're not gonna go for naughty.
Good for Mark and Shawn! I agree with Thyme that watching Shawn is refreshing.
Okay... She can't move her hips well... She looks kinda stiff. lol. But those legs? Gosh! Amazing...
Unfortunately, I think the judges must have one standard of measurement. If one is adding or subtracting points from other dancers because they are "naughty" as the dance requires it, then one cannot create a separate standard for Shawn Johnson. (The Game Show Act might also apply). I completely agree with Mark in that they won't go in that direction, but I do think that it means Shawn, while entirely lovable is misplaced in this competition and will not win.Originally Posted by DayByDay;3388246;
I agree with your entire post, except this very last part, where I only partially concur. She is misplaced here, but she has an enormous fan base (some of whom may also be uncomfortable with her appearance on the program), which may carry her through.Originally Posted by Peacheater;3389099;
Since the placement is equal parts judges and audience voting, the judges are going to have to really mark her down (or hold her back) in order for her to do poorly. Hopefully that is done in a gentle way, so they don't look like a bunch of meaniepantz to this little Olympian.
Papi on being tested for steroids: "All they are going to find is a lot of rice and beans."
I cater to the Regs!
Word inside the professional dance world is that the producers are watching over her carefully and had a talk with both Len and Bruno about "moral values" issues in the US which are largely laughed at in the UK. We're considered country bumpkins by most Europeans in the arts communities.Originally Posted by MissThing;3389106;
PS, Good luck with your "ocean shoveling" gig. I'll be cleaning liquid off of my keyboard now that I just spit on it while reading that.
I'm concerned about her actually being on a show at all.
Not only do most of these dances require the person to shake, shimmy and be sexy, most of the costumes show more skin than I've seen at my local beach. (well, maybe not, but you know what I mean )
While I applaud her dancing so far, I just don't see how long she will be able to continue if she is not able to perform the dances as they were intended.
The skimpy costumes and suggestive dancing is the reason my sister won't let my 10 year old niece watch the show. She let her watch season 6 when she was 8 but has not let her watch since. My niece is a ballet dancer herself and was previously a competitive gymnast and so she really wants to watch because of the dancing and also because of Shawn. This has caused some big fights between the two of them as you can imagineOriginally Posted by tmpray;3389220;
Favorite Dr Oliverisms
"We were about to have sex not move out of the state"
"Shh. Okay, stop. Just let me"
Originally Posted by Peacheater;3389216;
So, in essence according to what you are hearing, she is actually going to be judged to different standards than the adults?
What you say may fall in line with the statement she made in the TV Guide interview where Mark said that they will not be doing "naughty". If he has been told by the producers that the judges have been told she is not to be held to the same "Latin" standards, then it makes sense that Mark would be confortable assuring her that they wouldn't be working on any suggestive moves.
The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything they have.
~ Author unknown
This annoys me. If there were concerns about Shawn's age and doing some of those dances, why didn't they wait to invite her when she was 18. Alicia Sacramone was really interested in doing the show, why couldn't they have invited her instead.
Apparently they asked Nastia Liukin, but Nastia said no because she's concentrating on preparing for this year's world championships.


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I guess when it's time to pile on, it's easier just to copy cat what's already out there. CNN appears to be following the line started in a recent Mashable.com article about the alleged five myths surrounding AT&T, Inc.'s proposed takeover of T-Mobile USA. T-Mobile is a subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom.
CNN claims that it's a myth that prices will not stay the same for T-Mobile's old customers should the acquisition go through. Guess what? Prices should not stay the same into the future for any wirless provider. Why? Because the demand for wireless services, including voice and data is going up through the roof. Prices will eventually have to increase in order for wireless carriers to provide service.
What AT&T has offered is to take a temporary hit should it obtain T-Mobile's old customers. By honoring the current T-Mobile pricing plans, AT&T is willing to pay a premium not only to keep T-Mobile's customers happy, but to obtain a valuable reource–spectrum. AT&T is correct when it says that with greater capacity it should be able to provide services at a lower per unit cost. It is probably another reason the company can eat the lower prices because the acquisition will make it possible.
The truth that CNN does not provide in its piece is that barring some option where AT&T and T-Mobile pursue a joint venture, T-Mobile will likely hand over the $4billion breakup fee to its parent, Deutsche Telekom, and leave town. If that happens, expect to see all carriers jack up rates as they are expected to take on the new subscribers and see their spectrum and other resources come other increased strain.
Regarding job losses, there is a difference between the creation of new jobs and adding jobs to the existing AT&T and T-Mobile labor force. AT&T never promised that every job would not be destroyed. I would expect a company in a competitive market to minimze labor costs. If it didn't, the inefficiencies from not properly managing labor would eventually leak into prices, giving every grass roots group this side of the Atlantic a reason to complain to the FCC about price gouging.
The tech sector continues to innovate. Programmers are out there building apps for hardware and other services. Technologists are learning everyday how to get one more mega cycle of bandwidth out of the air for use. These are some of the indirect jobs being created.
For the CNN article to characterize AT&T's decision that it was "highly unlikely" there would be growth beyond 80% of coverage without T-Mobile as a lie is beyond the word, stretch. All business decisions are based on probabilities and contingencies. Should we really accept the FCC's willingness to trump a going concern's business judgment because of a lack of definitiveness? Come on, CNN. There is a reason certain costs associated wwith building out are referred to as variable costs.
CNN has also bought off on the FCC's poor view of competition. In general, a competitive market does not guarantee success. Many a business has entered many a market only to end up in the graveyard of the free market. Besides, CNN should have taken the FCC's price rise argument to its logical economic conclusion. If prices were to rise, new entrants would come knocking on the door. Whether they knock the door down should be left up to their entrepreneurial capabilities, not the desires of the FCC.
Finally, as AT&T's economies of scale increases, its marginal cost for serving one additional consumer should approach zero.
CNN should either take a course in microeconomics or be more balanced in its assessment of a business decision.


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Will The Long-Anticipated Financial Collapse Finally Occur In 2013? Average Americans Are Starting To Feel The Pain of US Debt And Monetary Base Expansion About To Go Into TURBO DRIVE
Are we heading towards an Economic Collapse? Preparing for Financial Armageddon
Our county sits at over 16 trillion dollars in debt, with unfunded obligations that make the actual debt number about $120 trillion. The reality of the situation is there's really no way out of the situation. Our government, thanks to both political parties, has spent us into a hole that we cannot dig ourselves out of. The facts, that nobody seems to want to talk about, indicate our country is still heading towards a complete meltdown of the financial system.
You can choose to believe the lies that are being spoon feed to you by the mainstream media, or you can look at the reality of the situation; our Economy is still facing some enormous challenges, and the prospects for a full economic recovery don't look very good. The financial problems that lead to the housing / financial market crash of 2008 have not been fixed; in fact, many of these problems are even worse today than they were in 2008.
Preparing for an economic collapse
Twenty years ago, most people would have said you were crazy for thinking our system could collapse. Even today, most of our country is either unaware, or has forgotten how closely we came to a complete collapse of the financial system during the banking crisis of 2008.
Average Americans are feeling pain of US debt
When it comes to the nation's debt, payback time might be here.
Years of low tax rates and rising federal spending, amplified by the devastating economic effect of the Great Recession, have driven the U.S. borrowing tab to more than $16 trillion from less than $1 trillion in 1981.
Deficit reduction has become the dominant issue in Washington. The first major tax increase since 1993 took effect last month. And large automatic spending cuts – $1.2 trillion in the next decade – are set to kick in Friday.
The result: Average Americans are starting to feel the pain.
"The day of reckoning is here," said David Walker, a former U.S. comptroller general who has been warning about the nation's long-term fiscal problems for several years.
"We're at the end of an era where we have Democratic spending policies and Republican tax policies," he said. "The result has been huge deficits and mounting debt burdens. It doesn't work."
In attempts to solve the problem, Republicans have focused on reducing government spending. Democrats have aimed at increasing taxes on the wealthy. And both parties leveraged their influence in the past two years to get their way.
AltInvestors has released an interview with GoldMoney's Alasdair Macleod regarding the recent sell-off in the gold and silver markets.
Macleod states that gold and silver have nothing to worry about, and the long-anticipated global financial collapse will finally occur in 2013.
DAVID WOO: The Economy Will Get 'Decisively Slower' And There's Already One Worrisome Sign
… BofA strategist for FX and rates David Woo said that the U.S. economy was about to see the "moment of truth." At the time he reckoned that the data over the coming weeks would show whether the U.S. recovery would survive or not.
So we asked Woo what he thought of the latest good data that has the market and folks like Goldman Sachs so excited.
He remains skeptical.
Via email he writes:
The Feb data have been impressive but I still think March data will be decisively slower. The Rasmussen daily consumer confidence is down nearly 10 points from mid-Feb and the impact of the sequester will start to show up in the next 2-3 weeks (CBO is forecasting 750K job looses this year from sequester implementation).
Monetary base expansion about to go into TURBO DRIVE! Are you ready for unintended outcomes?
Federal Reserve Monetary Base:
Jim Rogers: We're Wiping out the Savings Class Globally, to Terrible Consequence
03-05-13-Macro Analytics – The Global End Game – with Charles Hugh Smith
The Dow Hits An All-Time High! Translation: A Bubble Is Always Biggest Right Before It Bursts
Reckless money printing by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke has pumped up the Dow to a brand new all-time high. So what comes next? Will the Dow go even higher? Hopefully it will. In fact, it would be great if the Dow was able to hit 15,000 before it finally came crashing down. That would give all of us some more time to prepare for the nightmarish economic crisis that is rapidly approaching. As you will see below, the U.S. economy is in far, far worse shape than it was the last time the Dow reached a record high back in 2007. In addition, all of the long-term trends that are ripping our economy to shreds just continue to get even worse and our debt just continues to explode. Unfortunately, the Dow has become completely divorced from economic reality in recent years because of Fed manipulation. All of this funny money that the Federal Reserve has been cranking out has made the wealthy even wealthier, but this bubble will not last for too much longer. What goes up must come down. And remember, a bubble is always biggest right before it bursts.
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