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The Celiac and The Cyclist
GFG: When you met, was one of you already living a gluten-free lifestyle?
Katie: I was diagnosed with celiac disease a few months prior to us dating. I had just started eating gluten-free and was still learning a lot when I met Stefano. He learned a lot with me along the way.
GFG: How did he or she react to this news that you would be living a gluten-free lifestyle from now on?
Katie: Stefano was already aware of the GF lifestyle. One of his best friends had dated someone who was severely allergic to gluten. As a professional cyclist, it was also a diet that many in the cycling world chose to live. He knew that it was a different lifestyle but a very "liveable" one.
GFG: What did Stefano do to reassure you that your GF lifestyle wouldn't be a problem?
Katie: I think that him taking me to a GF restaurant on our first, second, and third dates were more than enough, he didn't need to say anything after that. Our second date he took me to this tiny hole restaurant that I had never even heard of that had GREAT GF pasta dishes that I hadn't experienced in months. It was the perfect way to say he cared and supported me and my lifestyle.
GFG: Did Stefano like the first gluten-free meal that you prepared?
Katie: I am not sure what the first meal I prepared for him was, but I believe he liked it. I remember we started dating right before the holiday season and when we got invited to a holiday party, he asked me to make my GF brownies to take to a party, so that must mean he liked my cooking from the start lol.
GFG: Where was your first gluten-free date?
Katie: Our first date, lol, he actually took me to one of the nice, restaurants in town that was also one of the first to have gluten-free food explicitly on their menu. It was so nice to eat somewhere and not have to worry about eating gluten by accident. Also, despite my managing to accidentally drop food on him as I was giving him a bit of my yummy GF meal, he still liked me afterward.
GFG: What was the first GF meal he cooked for you?
Katie: I honestly can't remember, nor can Stefano. After eight years those things start to fade a bit.
GFG: Does your partner live a 100% gluten-free lifestyle along with you?
Katie: I would say he lives a 95% GF life. There are times where it is easier (and often cheaper) for him to get the "regular" meal so he will take that option when it comes up but other than that he lives GF with me. He is very very very supportive of my GF lifestyle.
GFG: What does your partner do to help you maintain a GF life?
Katie: He is always looking up places that have GF foods when we travel to make sure that I can eat there. Also, despite how expensive GF food can be, he never complains, if anything I complain more than he does. He is and always has been a huge supporter of me and the fact that I have to live the way I do.
GFG: What is your favorite GF meal that you enjoy together?
Katie: When we first started dating, his mom sent me her recipe for lasagna, and I adapted it to be a gluten-free recipe. It is definitely a go-to in our house because it makes a lot and can be easily frozen to save for later. Plus it's his mom's recipe, so I definitely can't go wrong.
Katie Barberi is a Certified Nutritionist, Health Coach, and Group Fitness Instructor. She is the creator of Forever Living Deliciously. Her husband, Stefano Barberi is a professional cyclist, and they are parents to their son, Micheli.


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How old are you?
Where are you from?
What do you do?
Body Piercer
How many tattoos do you have?
ermmm……depends how you count them!
What was your first tattoo?
the Life/Death ambigram on my lower back. It was done 3 days after my 18th birthday in the studio I was working in at the time
What is your favourite tattoo?
it's always my next one! haha! It's so hard to pick a favourite, my large thigh piece and my most recent one, which was done 3 days before the shoot (the mandala on the palm of my hand) are the ones I would choose as my favourites right now.
What's next?
I'll know it when I see it! I'm in the process of having some laser removal done to make way for more. I don't regret any of them, but I plan on re-vamping a lot of my older ones, just to neaten them up and make them better.
Artists you've had work by?
Mainly artists I've worked alongside in tattoo studios, I think that other than one studio, and waiting to be tattooed by some of my current workmates, I've been tattooed by every artist I've worked alongside! Notable contributions from:
Kev Turner, Steel Paintbrush (RIP!) in Durham
Martin Robson, Couleys in Dunston (when he worked in Durham)
Lauren Stephens & Sonny Joe Williamson, Skins & Needles in Middlesbrough (which is where I currently work)
Anything else you'd like to say?
If anyone wants to keep up to date with me, my facebook page is www.facebook.com/kimmideathwish or you can find me on instagram @skin_seamstress (which I also use for work). Thanks for checking out my set on here!

subset: commoncrawl


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- This event has passed.
Rum vs. Whisky – Liverpool
September 3, 2016 @ 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm| £10
Here at TWL HQ – as you know, or should do – we are all about whisky and we are of the belief that whisky is where life begins and ends.
However, we have been led astray. We have been shown things that have opened our eyes, minds and palates to spirits from warmer climes made using things other than malted barley.
An example of this has been aged, quality rum. We are not now talking about the ubiquitous brands that have been marketed as an ideal accompaniment to cola-based drinks. We are talking about rums that have been produced and cared for in the same way that our favourite single malts have.
El Dorado Rum is produced at Demerara Distillers – the last surviving distillery on Guyana. It houses three types of still, including the last working example of Aeneas Coffey's original wooden continuous still from 1880. In this series we will be learning more about rum in general, and El Dorado specifically, whilst tasting rums up to 21 years old against benchmark whiskies of similar age and value.
You will get to taste 6 delicious spirits (3 rums and 3 whiskies) in the company of fellow whisky-lovers of all levels. The tasting will be hosted by one of our friendly and knowledgeable spirit experts and will last approximately an hour.
Please note:
This class is taking place in the evening session of The Liverpool Whisky Festival. To attend this masterclasses an evening session ticket is also required, which you can buy by clicking here, please email firstname.lastname@example.com stating the order number on your session ticket when booking this class.
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The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulates thousands of chemicals, through regulatory standards directing employers to reduce worker exposures. At the broadest level, employers must evaluate basic information about every potentially hazardous chemical, and provide information to employees in compliance with OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (I've blogged about changing HCS requirements here, and here). OSHA's Air Contaminants Standard provides ambient workplace air limits for hundreds of listed contaminants. OSHA also provides more tailored requirements for classes of chemicals (such as flammables), and for types of activities that pose chemical hazards (such as welding). For a small number of especially hazardous chemicals, OSHA provides a detailed standard applicable to a single chemical—examples include asbestos, benzene, and lead. On March 25, 2016, OSHA established another single-chemical standard, for respirable crystalline silica (29 CFR section 1910.1053). Most affected employers must comply by June 23, 2018; a few provisions are phased in later, and construction employers must meet most requirements by June 23, 2017.
What's So Bad About Crystalline Silica?
What hazards put crystalline silica into the elite handful of chemicals that warrant separate OSHA standards?
First, inhalation of very small crystalline silica particles risks silicosis, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and kidney disease (OSHA calculates 642 annual deaths and many thousands of severe illnesses). OSHA established permissible exposure limits (PELs) for crystalline silica in workplaces in 1971, among its first PEL rulemakings. The new rules tighten those limits for the first time, to reflect intervening decades of medical evidence.
Second, crystalline silica is used in a wide variety of workplaces, so many workers are exposed to these potential hazards (OSHA estimates 2.3 million workers are exposed). Respirable crystalline silica is created during work operations involving stone, rock, concrete, brick, block, mortar, and industrial sand. Exposures can occur when cutting, sawing, grinding, drilling, and crushing these materials. These exposures are common in brick, concrete, pottery manufacturing operations, foundries, sand blasting operations, and hydraulic fracturing (fracking) operations in the oil and gas industry.
What New Exposure Limits is OSHA Adopting?
OSHA's Air Contaminants Standard (29 CFR 1910.1000) presents PELs for different forms of crystalline silica based on one or both of two alternative formulas, each based on 8 hour time weighted averages (TWAs) over a shift:
250 million particles per cubic foot (mppcf) (particle-count formula)
10 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3) (mass formula).
The standard instructs employers to divide results for cristobalite and tridymite by two, reflecting the mix of particle sizes generated by those varieties. OSHA is reaffirming these Air Contaminant Standard limits, adding a qualifier that they will apply if the tighter limits in the new Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard are stayed or inapplicable. The new Standard adopts the following PELs:
Action level 25 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3) (calculated as an 8-hour TWA)
PEL 50 μg /m3 (calculated as an 8-hour TWA).
How Will Employers Comply?
OSHA's new Respirable Crystalline Silica Rule follows the regulatory approaches used in other chemical-specific standards. It provides the following:
Establishes Action Level and PEL (as noted above).
Requires exposure assessment by employees who "are or may reasonably be expected to be" exposed to respirable crystalline silica at or above the Action Level, and notifications to affected employees. The Standard allows two basic assessment options:
Performance option - employer assesses 8 hour TWA for each employee, through an appropriate combination of air monitoring data and "objective data".
Scheduled monitoring option – employer performs initial monitoring, and follow-up monitoring as specified in the Standard based on results.
Requires employers to define regulated areas where the PEL may be exceeded, and to limit access to designated employees (who must be provided with appropriate respiratory protection).
Specifies methods of compliance to reduce and manage hazards, including detailed requirements for:
Engineering and work practice controls (with the target of reducing exposures below the PEL).
Written exposure control plan covering tasks, engineering and work practice controls, respiratory protection, and housekeeping.
Respiratory protection, including training and use or appropriate respirators.
Housekeeping, which may include wet sweeping or use of high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters.
Medical surveillance program covering affected employees.
Hazard communication to affected employees, in workplace signs and the employer's HCS program.
Requirements to make and keep specified records of evaluations and compliance.
Self-Assessment Checklist
Does my organization include workplaces where employees may be exposed to respirable crystalline silica?
Have ambient concentrations in workplace air been measured?]
Has the organization confirmed whether each area with potential exposures meets the limits in the Air Contaminants Standard?
Does the employer already conduct monitoring and risk reduction activities?
Has the organization confirmed whether each area with potential exposures meets the limits in the new Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard?
If so, has the organization established a schedule to achieve compliance by applicable deadlines?
Where Can I Go For More Information?
OSHA's Crystalline Silica webpage
OSHA's new and revised rules, including the Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard (81 Federal Register 16286 (March 25, 2016))
Specialty Technical Publishers (STP) provides a variety of single-law and multi-law services, intended to facilitate clients' understanding of and compliance with requirements. These include:
About the Author
Jon Elliott is President of Touchstone Environmental and has been a major contributor to STP's product range for over 25 years. He was involved in developing 12 existing products, including Environmental Compliance: A Simplified National Guide and The Complete Guide to Environmental Law.
Mr. Elliott has a diverse educational background. In addition to his Juris Doctor (University of California, Boalt Hall School of Law, 1981), he holds a Master of Public Policy (Goldman School of Public Policy [GSPP], UC Berkeley, 1980), and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (Princeton University, 1977).
Mr. Elliott is active in professional and community organizations. In addition, he is a past chairman of the Board of Directors of the GSPP Alumni Association, and past member of the Executive Committee of the State Bar of California's Environmental Law Section (including past chair of its Legislative Committee).
You may contact Mr. Elliott directly at: email@example.com.


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Cancún showcases Caribbean at its best and brightest
By Alison Bailin Batz
Now, when one hears the word "Caribbean," images of Jamaica, Aruba or the Bahamas likely spring to mind.
But, tucked into southeast Mexico on the coast of the Yucatán Peninsula overlooking the Caribbean Sea is none other than Cancún. Yes, in Mexico. A quick direct flight from the Valley, this paradise on Earth boasts 14 miles of white sand beaches, world-class golf and both dining and nightlife options that rival those of Miami or New York, not to mention the likes of the Bahamas or Jamaica.
Here is how to experience every last inch of its grandeur.
For years, Le Blanc Spa Resort Cancún — a 2018 Best Luxury Hotel in Mexico winner from Trip Advisor and Travvy Gold Award for Best All-inclusive Luxury Resort — has ruled the beaches along the high seas in Cancun, but then it did the unthinkable last year: it closed.
Turns out, the closing was to invest multimillion dollars in stunning renovations, which debuted this summer.
The facelift begins upon entering the grand marble and onyx granite-adorned lobby, where guests are greeted with welcome cocktails and escorted to their rooms or suites.
The traditional rooms on property boast plush upgrades to furnishing and décor as well as butler service, 24-hour room service, Apple televisions with access to Netflix and iTunes, whirlpool tubs, Wi-Fi, purified water, Bvlgari brand personal products. All guests can also enjoy several unique menus, including specialty pillow menu, bath salt menu and aromatherapy menu. Each room is also outfitted with its own liquor dispensers with brand-name labels of whiskey, rum, tequila and vodka (refilled daily as needed).
The suites take extravagance even higher, boasting expansive ocean or lagoon views and ranging in size from 460 to nearly 1,000-square-feet. In addition to the above-noted amenities, suite guests can expect an upgraded person liquor cabinet, French doors to their own private patios, double shower heads in the bathroom that transform it into more of a spa experience, espresso machines and nightly goodies including wine, petit fours and more.
Sip and nosh
Le Blanc took extra care to ensure long-time guests' favorite eateries stayed true to their roots, while adding new options to wow taste buds on a nightly basis. New to the resort is an elevated take on authentic Mexican fare called Blanc, which was formerly an international restaurant, as well as a Japanese concept called Yama. Michelin-starred chef Giuseppe Iannotti helped develop the new Italian offering on-site, Bella. The décor at Bella — delicate glass art and several chandeliers dripping in crystals — is nearly as impressive as the multi-course offerings.
The most formal restaurant on property is Lumiere, which impresses with nightly tasting menus and wine pairings as well as an impressively inventive cocktail menu.
Speaking of cocktails, all are on the house at the resort and use top-shelf brands ranging from Johnnie Walker red and black labels to Grey Goose, Don Julio and Tanqueray. There are also regular mixology classes on-site several times a week and dozens of wines ranked 80 points or higher available 24 hours a day.
For those looking for music and nightlife to accompany those drinks, look no further than Cava lounge, which has a nightly DJ as well as pool tables and flat-screens.
A quieter option would be the renovated BlancSpa, which all guests may use throughout their stays. It features a sauna, steam room, ice room, Jacuzzis, cold and warm lagoons, warm beds, showers and private dressing rooms. For those wishing to book a spa service, available for an additional charge, the refurbished treatment suites include a master suite with hydro-tub, seven couples suites, 11 single suites, one suite with private Vichy shower and one golden VIP suite, which is tailor-made for groups.
As with the spa, any guest staying at Le Blanc Cancún can indulge in daily golf at the nearby and award-winning Moon Spa & Golf Club, as well as transportation to and from the course and club food and drink options. The club features 27 holes of golf as well as the Moon Palace Golf Academy. There, guests can learn the techniques and playing philosophy of Jack Nicklaus under the guidance of certified instructors, and with integrated state-of-the-art technology.
Explore even more
For those seeking a little more adventure during their stay, Le Blanc Cancún offers day trips, snorkeling excursions, sailing and more for added fees. Of particular note is the resort's Tulum Express tour, which whisks guests off to the archaeological site of a pre-Colombian Mayan walled city.
Those seeking something a little more heart-stopping might opt for the Aquatwister, which is the jet boat ride of a lifetime. The boat spins 270 degrees and flies across the water, taking guests through the emerald-green Nichupte Lagoon and mangrove channels as well as offering the opportunity to snorkel.
There are also half and full-day open-water snorkel options, including the chance to snorkel at the nearby Isla Mujeres island, as well as opportunities to swim with dolphins.
The concierge team can also customize tours to your group's tastes and offer recommendations in nearby dining and nightlife options, including the audacious Coco Bongo (expect acrobats, bubbles and explosions), the lavish and glamorous Palazzo Cancún and oft-celebrity filled Dady'O Cancún.
For more information, visit leblancresorts.com. ν


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Kim Hollis: June's releases were:Kung Fu Panda - $213.8 million domestic, $604.5 worldwide, $125 million budgetYou Don't Mess With the Zohan - $100 million domestic, $169.2 worldwide, $90 million budgetThe Incredible Hulk - $134.5 million domestic, $254.2 million worldwide, $135 million budgetThe Happening - $64.5 million domestic, $162.6 million worldwide, $60 million budgetGet Smart - $128.5 million domestic, $216 million worldwide, $75 million budgetThe Love Guru - $32.2 million domestic, $38.3 million worldwide, $70 million budgetKit Kittredge: An American Girl - $17.5 million domestic, $10 million budgetWALL-E: $218.6 million domestic, $393.6 million worldwide (so far), $180 million budgetWanted: $134.1 million domestic, $276.2 million worldwide, $75 million budgetIn a few sentences, describe your final thoughts of the performances of each of these films.Brandon Scott: Kung Fu Panda was a hit chopping up a lot of receipts while the ET for a new generation, Wall-E, was a slight disappointment even though they rode to roughly the same box office domestically. That's where budget and expectations come into play, I guess. Kittredge showed that the little doll Breslin couldn't anchor her own film just yet. I didn't mess with Zohan, but it's blowing enough hair just to try and dry out at $100 million, so Sandler can claim another in his repertoire. However, with its big budget, it was as disappointing as rocking a Jheri Curl in present day. While Carell, being shrewdly teamed with Hathaway, got Smart, nobody had love for the Guru Pitka. Myers' career might be in some real trouble now as a result. I would rather watch Rog and Rerun try to figure out what's Happening than gamble on Shayamalan's misfire. That was a disappointment to be sure. The Hulk shouldn't really be done as any sort of solo film at this point, as a collaborative Avengers effort might be a bigger smash. Wanted generated a surprising total sum and McAvoy could be sought out for a Matt Damon-esqe career now. Good for him.


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Pick your
time period:
year 2008 - as seen from 2007 ! (2007's predictions for 2008.)
year 2008 - first part (Megalomaniac awards, sowcow, space crash, microwaves, Bishops' boll0c*s,)
year 2008 - part two (Shark-high, speed-beer, walkies, tides, stars, crap.)
year 2008 - part three (Water, Bolt, fish, golf, Mbeki.)
year 2008 - fourth part (Names, euro-vote-vote, holes, money-morals, leaves, sand, Keynes.)
Other Blogjob years - Blogjob main menu
Ref-addendum Mind You Don't put Your Finger in It, 2 Nether Mind The Whether - E.M. I's Confused Whither Morals? Blowin In The Wind Last Resort
(Go back to the top?)
Capital Punishment Off Scotballs Any Chovy ? Faster Than Light Hydro-bunk The Price Of Crap (Go back to the top?)
What's In A Name?
Pleading gulity to breaking US gambling laws was a man with a very unfortunate name in UK English... if only I could remember it. Er, Dipstick, Dickhead, Sh1thead; no it's gone. Maybe Dick and Sh1t mean something different in India?
Oh boy do those Euro Johnnies have an ego, or what? Sorry Ireland you must vote again, and again, and again, until you do what we want. Why can't the Euro Commission simply accept that its ideas are unnacceptable to the majority, non-political citizen?
(Probably because they are politicians. Ed.)
Quote: ITV (UK) evening news; "Geting too close to black holes is not good!"
We've been here before, rather more comprehensively. See Blogjob.
Old Gramps Murray was watching Liverpool v. PSV on his new, (forced on him by progress) 'digital' telly tonight, well, bits of it he was, between dozes. "These Dutchmen all look the same to me," he complained, "All the same damned colour and all called Philips."
(European football, real football, not US punch-up crap. And, Gramps, try reading the back of the shirts next time. Ed.)
BBC Newsnight last night showed a discussion about the apostrophe. (Now that's real news.) Apparently there's a campaign to have it abolished because they are used so badly and there is a fault in the 'rule' applied to them. The example was Paxperson being asked by the campaigner how do you write dot the Is and cross the Ts? Paxperson replied i's of course. Otherwise it would read is. As you can see by my spelling previously, I'm not convinced. N.G. (Ed.)
Some silly fuss over in America has left one of the most significant bits of news largely ignored. As anyone knows banks, whose greedy attitudes and amoral actions in tempting people into borrowing money they couldn't repay, collapsed and had to be bailed out by the taxpayer or sold off cheap with government backing. One of the provisions of government aid though was that no bonuses would be paid and that the culture of personal and corporate greed must be curbed. Under cover of news darkness, those new rules are being undermined. A series of ruses, such as foreign investors buying large numbers of shares in virtually bust banks then claiming to follow the investors rules, and even those that were nationalised re-interpreting rules, means that us taxpayers are giving large sums of money to morally deficient senior bank employees. It started in America, of course. Hopefully, but not expectantly, we'll see if new management in the US can do the right thing and sack those concerned. That's only fair... unlike the banking industry.
One of Infinity Junction's number was waiting for a lift and watched a middle-aged gent use that 'indispensible' tool, the garden leaf blower. For nearly quarter of an hour the leaves were blown out of the borders, lawn and crannies and onto his driveway. Then his wife came home and drove over the lot. So the blower collected up the strays and moved the whole pile closer to the pavement. Now at this point most people would have tried to pick the leaves up and put them in a bag or garden waste recycle bin. But no- he had a garden leaf blower and was determined to use it. So the pile was blown ever closer to his bin and lined up neatly along the pavement. Then a bus went past and the turbulence spread the leaves all over his and next door's garden. You would have thought by now the penny should have dropped, but no. Leaf blower on again, another neat pile along the pavement edge. Another big vehicle and so on until the lift arrived. That car full was laughing all the way home. (True story.)
Detectives in Jamaica are coming under increasing criticism for failing to solve a theft. It's true clear up rates for theft do vary world wide. But what makes this special is that a whole planned holiday resort has had to be put on hold because of this theft. And what was stolen? The plans? The venture capital? No, a whole beach! It brings to mind the old joke: 'a mysterious hole has appeared, police are looking into it.'
The near collapse of international banking systems and stock market share values is no surprise to Infinity Junction commentators. John Maynard Keynes started it all off in the last millennium with his Cambridge, head in the clouds theory of ultra-capitalism and total free market. It took longer to take off than communism, thank God, or we might have been even worse off. In the UK 'that woman,' (Thatcher,) set things into free-for-all-free-fall by selling off the family silver; de-nationalising and de-regulating everything in sight. New Labour seemed blinded to the folly. 'Competition' above all, greed, and profit for the privileged few.
Well now that greed has come back to haunt; let's hope those most responsible take most blame and most punishment. They won't though: to quote The Young Ones, 'the rich kids always win.' What next? Anarchy anyone?
Infinity Junction (the novel)'s author, Neil Gee, has announced that the Large Mbeki Collider at DERN has been forced to power down due to failure.
Two equally silly stories from Scotland emerge this weekend. First was a man who took his dog to a vet because it was rattling. Hmm, you might think. Well, they'd been walking on a golf course and the dog had 13 golf balls in his stomach! I wonder if he sold them back to the club? The second story is from Heriot-Watt university where a Professor North has been studying the relationship between music and personality. How useful. Anyhow, he says classical lovers are shy and heavy rock fans are gentle and at ease with themselves. So what happens if, like the writer of this, you are a fan of both: shy and at ease with yourself don't exactly go together? Scotsophrenia, perhaps.
A list of endangered fish species published by the Marine Conservation Society makes pretty grim reading. The last of the herring fleet was scrapped 50 years ago or so. We've been told about cod for years now; North Sea stocks have been conserved to a point, (unlike herring,) but now it's Atlantic cod at risk. Watch out Iceland, that's a quarter of your income endangered, huge fishing limit or not. Tuna catches in Europe have been diminishing for years. The Bay of Biscay anchovy has been off limits for some time now and shows little sign of recovery after many years of overfishing.
Of course other major sources of protein are questionable too, cows being major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and pigs eating 4 times as much protein as they provide for human consumption. So where now; canabalism? Perhaps increasing knife crime is evolution turned macabre. Anyone for Soylent Green?
Scene: a builder working in a house with TV on the Olympics visible in another room. Builder yells to mate, "That Bolt guy has just won the 200 metres by a mile." (True story.)
A sad case of nut-case nutrition came to light recently in the UK. It's a case of we told you so- see Infinity Junction diets page and past NuGgets. This case was a quack 'dietician' espousing a water de-tox style diet. The patient involved was told to drink 4 pints of water a day, and when she started feeling weak and vomiting the quack said drink more water. Now the patient is permanently disabled with organ damage and partial brain death, complelety unable to look after herself. Her metabolism was literally 'washed out' and she lost conciousness due to very low electrolytes, especially sodium. The annoying thing is the quack gets off scot-free. Too many 'therapists' are able to offer advice and 'alternative' treatments with very little in the way of scientific or medical training, it's time the government acted to impose central regulation. But they won't of course, at best it will be a voluntary code of practice... what a load of ****. (See below.)
Rise in oil and general commodity prices are starting to make fertiliser expensive. In the good old days farmers would have access to guano and its derivatives. Most of that was worked out years ago now and anyway the birds that made it haven't got as many fish to eat now and so don't make as much as they used to. So farmers here are turning to human crap, treated of course. Now there always has been a problem disposing of the sludge from sewage works, for example Manchester sends its sludge all the way into Liverpool bay to dump it. Thus sewage treatment people have been perfectly happy to give it away free. But now artificial fertiliser is so expensive Severn Trent water board in the UK are thinking of charging for treated effluent: they say demand has gone up 50%. From a green perspective that seems wrong; surely freeing our rivers of excess nitrates from artificial fertiliser is worth the price of keeping it free? Think about it next time go to the loo. Oh, and wash your hands, and fruit, and veg... and feet if you've been walking near an arable farm.
Mind You Don't put Your Finger in It, 2
Nether Mind The Whether - E.M.
I's Confused
Whither Morals?
Blowin In The Wind
Last Resort
(Go back to the top?)
Capital Punishment
Any Chovy ?
Faster Than Light
The Price Of Crap
(Go back to the top?)
Stars In Their Heads
Texas State University astronomers, (get that,) have decided that British history will have to be re-written. According to them Julius Caesar's Roman invasion in 55BC happened over the 22nd-23rd of August and not as all history books proclaim over the 26th and 27th. The reason, they claim, is that the tide would have been flowing the wrong way... eh? Where have these guys been all their lives, in the stars? As any fule kno, tidal currents change 4 time every day, twice with every whole tide. Now as someone who has experienced crossing the English Channel many times including in small open sailing boats several times, and other small slow craft, and been washed both east and west of predicted courses, I can say categorically that predicting how the tides will affect your crossing over a whole day period is not a matter of just looking up tide tables; it all depends on circumstances. In any case over a 2 day invasion there will have been at least 5 changes of flow direction, maybe 8 or even 9. I suspect Caesar was actually aiming at the White Cliffs as they could see that from the other side and were closest, expecting to land at Folkestone or Dover, but actually got washed east by the tide. If that is the case then all the theories go out of the window! Sorry Texas guys, your idea doesn't hold water, if you'll pardon the pun. Ed.
Thickett's Last Stand? - StO
True to recent form, US politicians and diplomats are refusing to join in any efforts to reduce CO2 emissions. Two separate incidents this week- first, plans to charge emissions tax per aeroplane rather than per passenger were attacked by the US ambassador in London. Why? It makes far more sense to tax the actual fuel burnt rather than let empty seats off the hook. Two, US plans to impose limits and tarrifs on high carbon emitters have been blocked by Republicans who are sponsored by the oil industry. Even if they did sneak through, President GW Thickett has promised to veto any legislation on it. Lawmakers are apparently now waiting until Barak Obama is president... fat chance.
Flying High?
The Japanese, it appears, have developed a very novel approach to fighting drugs. Instead of confiscating cannabis and fining users, they are actually giving it away, randomly. Now we've suspected for a long time that Far Eastern minds have a different logic than ours. Our only explanation is that maybe by giving it away, they hope the appeal of it will diminish. Either that or it was a mistake to stash cannabis in an unsuspecting airline passenger's bag to test sniffer dogs that couldn't smell it... then forget what bag it was in.
Flowerester FC
This week sees the Chelsea United Flower Final played out in front of thousands live and millions on TV. With Lampranthus expected to be fit and displaying midfield, Chelone's Russian owner Abromeitiella must be in the pinks. On the other lobe, Malvastrum United's manager, Ferocactus, will be hoping that Portugese star Rondeletia can keep up his gold performances in his usual fertile style. Whatever the final outcome, the result will soon be hyssopustry.
The Universe And Everything
The archbishop of Westminster, England's most senior Roman Catholic, is quoted today as saying atheists should be held 'in deep esteem' by Christians. It was apparently part of a piece on the de-godding of UK society. Does he mean that atheists are better than people who don't care? Or is he trying to stop the UK being more Muslim than Christian? We have noticed that God Slot writers in various UK newspapers, most of whom are Anglican Christian clergy, seem to know far more about Muslims than they do about atheists. Perhaps it is time atheism was taught as part of comparative religion, preferably by an atheist.
Never Ending Talk
Latest analysis of natural temperature cycles suggests that global warming will be cancelled out by natural cooling over the next few years. The authors of the report hoped it would give a breathing space for plans to combat general global warming to be put in place. Hum... more likely it will give ammunition to the anti-doing-anything brigade in the USA in particular. Don't watch this space: the likely hood is substantive measures to combat fossil fuel use will stall.
In spring 2007 Stew the Oil predicted in this column that biofuels would cause almost as many problems as they solve, (see Blogjob - 2007.) At last the EU commission has realised and decided not to implement its original intention to make all fuels 10% from renewable bio sources by 2020; no big surprise given the food riots seen in several countries recently. If half as much time and effort in research had been spent as the US oil lobby do protecting oil profits, we'd have had zero CO2 emission cars long ago.
Fer Legged Friend
Some field archers wondered if they'd been transported over the rainbow rather than over the Pennines to Yorkshire during a recent competition. They stopped and stared, boggle eyed at the strangest dog they'd ever seen being taken walkies. Closer examination of this large-tailed, mini dachshund on a lead revealed it to be a ferret ! Ey oop, muckybrass, nowt so queer as fowk.
A recent nightly news feature series on pollution involved clearing plastic bags, artificial fiibre fishing nets etc off an island paradise and mentioned, get this, an albatross that swallowed a cigarette lighter. Hmm, that would give it heartburn all right.
Roast Ham
Asked what was going through his mind while delayed with a stuck wheel, what did Formula One championship leader Lewis Hamilton say? That he was frustrated at watching his rivals race away? No. He said 'I was thinking that I could do with a beer.'
1- Hold Gun, 2- Shoot Foot
We don't often comment directly on party politics, but here is one. National support amongst Democrat voters in USA (Gallup poll)- Clinton 49%, Obama 42%. Why then so intent on disallowing Clinton's delegates, eh Democrats?
Seven Add Three = ?
The new TEN deadly sins pronounced by his holiness in the Vatican now include drug trafficking, (OK,) pollution, (hmm, is farting really a deadly sin?), (Yes, Ed,) and stem cell research! Now that really is daft; the act of bannning the most promising avenue of research for the benefit of mankind is actually the sin in most peoples eyes. It proves just how far out of touch these people are with the real world. Christianity needs to keep up with the times to survive. Vatican city, hang your heads in shame.
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High as a Shark?
Recently beaches in the UK have seen unusual visitors, no not turtles again, sacks of Colombian cocaine worth millions of pounds have been washed up. Now what would have happened if some sea creature had tried eating it? Perhaps we should send these sacks to our friends in Australia, that might stop shark attacks all season long.
The antidote to Cambiguity's comments (below) came recently when Brown-Gordon announced plans to force migrants to learn English and Englishness. We'll see if it ever happens.
Archbishop of Cambiguity
Another senior priest puts his oar in politics! This time it's rather surprisingly the normally pragmatic Church of England boss Rowan Wlillams. 'Aspects of Sharia law should be incorporated in to UK law for Muslims because they don't relate to our law.' Come off it! Doing that would take us back to medieval times as well as making one law for X and another for Y. No, that's madness. Stick to doing God and shut up in public, please.
Pass It On
Why such a fuss in the media about genetics and obesity? Surely everyone knows that two fat parents are likely to have fat children, that's been the case ever since humanoids started breeding in 700099 BC. Ah, well, some American university has 'proved' that it isn't entirely MacDonalds fault. What an absolute waste of time!
Back Ache
An American military satellite, reputedly containing dangerous material, is due to crash to Earth during February 2008, it was admitted very recently (Jan '08). Where, is the obvious question. US authorities simply state they are watching it.
Given that this is a very large military satellite and apparently nuclear powered, means it is not in stable high orbit, gaining its power from photocells, but in a much faster and lower orbit as would be needed to spy on countries like Iran and North Korea. Now such orbits can fly over virtually the entire surface of the globe at some time.
Depending on who you believe, between 8 and well over 100 satellites have come down before, including the Mir space station, without killing anyone yet, but this one is not geostationary and not high, so it could come down more or less intact into a highly populated area, rather than the equator in extremely burnt out, small bits... watch your back!
(Editors note added later- knowledge of this became more widely known during February when the USA finally decided to do a 'star wars' on it.)
They've tried everything to avoid what is obvious to some; admit microwaves can make you ill. "There is no evidence," that's the usual ploy. Now there is evidence and they cannot deny it, because they financed it- the phone industry that is. Two separarate universities in separate continents were asked to do a thorough investigation of mobile phone microwaves and everything we've mentioned, (see microwaves.html on this webiste,) from headaches to poor concentration or confusion has been proven and even they've added sleep deprivation and loss of memory now. You can bet they'll try to bury this.
Many, many, many years ago the late Benny Hill did a very short visual gag on his comedy TV show where 'SOWCOW' was transformed into 'MOSCOW' by swivelling the first three letters of a label on a map through 180 degrees. No this bit isn't about the childish actions of Russian authorities tit-for-tatting antics over refusing to extradite an alleged murderer to Britain. Actually it might happen that in Britain geneticists could produce a 'SowCow,' because two univeristy medical departments have been granted leave to make cross species embryos for research purposes. At first it will be 99% human and 1% cow, the aim being to create new human-ish stem cells for reasearch into curing diseases like Altzheimers and Parkinsons, which cause misery to millions. Needless to say the God Squad are up in arms; 'messing with nature' etc. Look, humans have messed with nature as long as we existed: agriculture; selective livestock breeding; selective plant breeding; pesticides; medicines; you name it! You can hear it now from sensible people; a communal frustrated sigh at those sad, deluded fundamentalists.
Nu Year Hangover
As predicted two years ago by our columnist StO, and in our more recent satirical predictions column, (page bottom,) the hangover of indecision in the past has meant the inevitable has happened and the UK is to go ahead and replace a large number of old nuclear reactors. The fact was that nobody in the past had the balls to stand up to the anti-everything campaigners and now with a looming power shortage it is the only option to fill the gap. Remember the old joke? NuGets adapts it for the inevitable... 'They used to be indecisive... now I'm not so sure!'
Common Sense?
Britain has an archaic and at times perverse system of law, being a combination of 'statute' and 'common' law. Statute means set by parliament after at least a token debate. Common law however is more to do with custom and/or some individual, and possibly quirky, judge's decision in court, maybe hundreds of years ago. One such law was recently invoked, but the case thrown out by a judge and so is likley to be repealed. That law? Blasphemy. This ancient law is, and patently has been for a long time, a complete anachronism. Why cannot I say in public that I think blindly religious zealots are bad? Theoretically if I say that of a Christian in England I can be put in prison!
introducing - The Evelyn Murray MEGALOMANIAC AWARDS 2007
Here they are guys; EM's hotheads of last year - got the hots so they can they can head my way anytime !
Just a loser- GWB (Only 4th?! Ed.)
3rd- Hugo Chavez. Boy, does he have an ego or what?
2nd- Kim Jong Il - a megalomaniac with zero influence, ha, ha.
AND... 1st is... President Ahmanejad of Iraq. Who does he think he's fooling, eh?
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2008 Predictions ... ? - © copyright Infinity Junction November 2007
December 2007- indecision by previous governments, too afraid of public backlash, now prove a mistake as there is not enough power left from aging and decrepit nuclear power stations to go round. New rules say that all strings of Christmas lighting can only be switched on on alternate days. Major air traffic diversions cause paralysis at airports on alternate nights as rules on outdoor strips of lights are enforced.
January 2008- with Christmas over, the government in England relaxes rules on runway lights. In mainland Europe however the Russians are up to their usual winter tricks of restricting gas supplies to push up prices and to persuade Euro-parliament to put pressure on President Thickett to abandon his anti Iranian missile sheild. It is only resolved when so few flights run that there is surplus fuel.
February- floods and incredibly freezing cold weather, caused by global warming, turn parts of England into an ice rink. With such a large flat, hard area, the government orders the building of a million new homes on it, mostly for immigrants and Hertfordshirodians.*
March- equinox gales flatten an entire wind farm sending the national grid into chaos. Oil prices reach a record high of 200$ a barrel as the hurricane season starts even earlier than the doom and gloom merchants had predicted. Brown-Gordon orders three new nuclear power stations on the quiet, to be disguised as failed asylum removal centres. He also orders Hertfordshire to be razed* so that biofuel crops can be grown. No-one outside Hertfordshire notices.
April- Professor Colin Longhair of Euro-Up-There, claims that Beagle 2, the lost Mars lander, has been spotted on the moon, fully functioning but beaming signals to Mars, not Earth. Meanwhile rising temperatures in the northern hemisphere on earth, melt a certain ice rink, leaving hundreds of Polish builders stranded.
May- UK government realizes that it yet again underestimated immigration as a local census in Norfolk finds half the population there only speaks Polish. Polish politicians, fed up at not being able to find a competent plumber, ask for their people back... please... pretty please.
June- apathy in local government elections reaches new heights when only Poles can be bothered to vote in numbers and Norfolk gains its first non-English speaking councillors.
July- Astronomers give up their detailed scrutiny of the moon when it's realised Prof Longhair's claim was an April fool joke. In fact Beagle 2 landed in Milton Keynes but people thought it was a rubbish bin; it was hidden under a mound of litter until razed on Brown-Gordon's orders.
August- Another dry summer and an early start to the hurricane season causing gales on this side of the Atlantic sees dust storms in southern England and muddy rain in Scotland as a consequence. Southern Europe by contrast has fewer forest fires than ever because most were burned down in 2007.
September- schools start a new year but it is discovered half the children in Norfolk only speak Polish. The government starts a new teacher recruitment drive. Polish politicians start to get really peeved and threaten to come over here too.
October- Osama bin Laden narrowly escapes arrest in Poland where he is seeking to recruit trained Chechen rebel terrorists who have been attracted to Poland by abundant job vacancies. A new brand of British biofuel goes on sale as a trial, it called Herf after its place of origin.
November- new prime minister RaÞstychyk Kytykchkznç makes his first front bench speech... in Polish. The Speaker of the house, Bzrtdchyg Brnmchzk, reprimands him and asks him in English and Polish to speak Polish in English. He later introduces a law allowing all East Europeans into Britain, backed by his Polish majority in parliament.
December- a snap election is called when new prime minister Romaniu Bucharesti is accused of bribery, intimidation and corruption. London police however, only fluent in English and Polish, can't interview him until 2009.
That's all so far
E-mail us.
The main website can also be reached at Infinity-Junction.com
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2008 Predictions ... ? - © copyright Infinity Junction November 2007


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After the recent release of the Parley x Ultra Boost Clima, adidas are giving us another Ultra Boost Clima that utilises an extra-breathable Primeknit upper. The new adidas Ultra Boost sees a mainly black colour scheme, with pops of solar red and yellow.
The contrasting colours are interwoven into black Primeknit to give small flecks of solar red and yellow throughout the sneaker. The understated detail continues up through the upper, with a solid black tongue, heel counter and midsole offering solid-toned contrast to the speckled colourway.
The adidas Ultra Boost Clima 'Solar Red' releases 14 June 2018 for the retail price of R3299,00 at both our CPT and JHB stores, as well as online.
Sizes: UK7, UK8, UK9, UK10, UK11


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Are Acorns Bad for My Grass?
Acorns aren't bad for lawns and turf grass. They also aren't particularly good. Left in place for a long period, an acorn will usually shade-out the grass growing directly beneath it, leaving a bald spot -- the worst damage acorns cause directly. It's fine to leave acorns in place, given that most homeowners will eventually grind them up with the lawnmower. But you can also remove them and put them to good use elsewhere.
A few bare spots on the lawn aren't usually a problem. Hundreds and hundreds of them become unsightly, however, and offer weeds an opening. More irritating to many homeowners are the squirrels and chipmunks acorns invite. If they cache even some of their acorns in your lawn, the lawn holes get much bigger, and may continue for years, as squirrels keep coming back to dig and look for the food they stored somewhere under your grass. Routine mowing will chop up most of your acorns -- eventually. Mow down or pull by hand any acorns that sprout into tiny oaks.
Many homeowners decide to remove acorns from their lawns, for various reasons, including the simple fact that lawns get lumpy and hard to walk on when the grass hides countless acorns. Raking is the time-honored solution. Vacuum them if you have a sophisticated mower. You can also hire an industrious neighborhood kid to pick them up. Store acorns in the garage or other cool dry place and set them out throughout the winter to feed wildlife.
Return acorn nutrients to the soil by composting or mulching them. Because acorns are hard shelled, smash them first to boost decomposition. Some people collect acorns in a burlap bag, toss the tied bag onto the driveway and then drive back and forth over the bag before adding acorn meats and shells to their regular "hot" compost pile. Another option is starting a separate "slow compost" bin or pile for acorns, along with conifer cones, nut shells, twigs and thick, glossy leaves. Or use smashed acorns as "bottom mulch" around oaks and other trees, adding pine straw or another more attractive mulch on top.
You can also grow new oak trees as a family, classroom, 4-H, scouting or service club project, especially if they are native oaks that can be used in habitat restoration and ecosystem rehabilitation projects. Growing and planning native trees supports species diversity, provides food and shelter for wildlife and improves the environment. Oak trees also provide erosion control and timber, and take in and use carbon dioxide to create oxygen.
Equally educational is cooking and eating acorns, given that they are a dietary staple in many cultures, a rich source of complex carbohydrates and fats offering some good quality protein. Acorns contain bitter tannins, so you'll need to leach them out of the acorn "meat" in the process of turning it into a flourlike meal. This meal is tasty when blended with other flours for pancakes, breads and almost any dishes that call for cornmeal or masa. Some sample recipes are included in a Mother Earth News article (see Resources).
Related Articles
- University of Minnesota Extension; What's Digging Holes in My Yard?; Robert Bystrom
- Thrifty Fun; Removing Acorns From Your Lawn; Ellen Brown; January 2006
- Compost Mania; Slow-to-Compost Inputs; Mary Tynes; April 2010
- University of Arkansas Extension: Trees -- Oak
- The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star; Homeowner's Not Nutty About Acorns on Lawn; October 2010
- Oklahoma Cooperative Extension; Growing Oak Trees from Seed; et al.;


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The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is a comprehensive research university and medical complex with $192 million of NIH-funded research. UAB has a strong commitment to training undergraduate and graduate students from diverse backgrounds, including underrepresented minorities and students from disadvantaged backgrounds. UAB has established and supported several programs to help these students meet their educational and career goals. What UAB currently lacks is a means to provide opportunity to potential graduate students who make a decision to pursue doctoral education late in their undergraduate career. These students may have already attained their baccalaureate degrees, but do not have the credentials for entry into top biomedical graduate programs where prior research experience and high standardized test scores are essential criteria for admittance. We have identified several potential pools from which to recruit such students: 1) Minority students who apply to one of our biomedical doctoral programs, but who are not offered admission due to low GRE scores or no research experience (about 30 per year) 2) Alabama undergraduate students who participate in programs aimed at STEM disciplines (Alabama Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation students;700-800 per year) 3) Graduates in Chemistry and Biology from institutions throughout Alabama. Our proposed PREP program will provide opportunities to those students who need to strengthen their credentials for entry into doctoral education. Our overall goal is to recruit 10 students per year and to provide them a high quality research experience in the laboratories of NIH-funded mentors and academic enrichment opportunities to equip them to be competitive for entry into biomedical graduate programs at top NIH-funded institutions. The students will work with mentors to develop a demanding research project that will lead to at least one publication;80% or more of each student's time will be devoted to completing this research project. An individual development plan (IDP) will also be designed for each student, to address any academic weaknesses that might affect success in future graduate attainment. The IDP will also provide activities to strengthen writing and quantitative skills, provide career information, develop presentation skills, discuss research ethics, and network with peers at scientific meetings. Student progress toward meeting the goals of their IDP will be monitored quarterly. We expect that establishing a PREP Scholars program at UAB will increase the number of minority applicants who are well prepared for entry into top doctoral programs across the US. To build a diverse work force, the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) will identify and prepare 10 students from groups underrepresented in biomedical research for a series of training and academic experiences to prepare them for entry into top doctoral graduate programs in the U.S. These students who will already have earned a baccalaureate degree will be paired with NIH-funded faculty members at UAB who will mentor these trainees and provide high quality research experiences in biomedical sciences. Individual development plans will be tailored to each student's needs, to identify specific activities to prepare them for success in doctoral study, including academic enrichment, scientific writing, quantitative skills development, presentation skills, ethics in research, career mentoring, and quarterly assessment of progress.
|Wingo, Brooks C; Barry, Valene Garr; Ellis, Amy C et al. (2018) Comparison of segmental body composition estimated by bioelectrical impedance analysis and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Clin Nutr ESPEN 28:141-147
|Tanner, Scott M; Daft, Joseph G; Hill, Stephanie A et al. (2016) Altered T-Cell Balance in Lymphoid Organs of a Mouse Model of Colorectal Cancer. J Histochem Cytochem 64:753-767
|Krzywanski, David M; Moellering, Douglas R; Westbrook, David G et al. (2016) Endothelial Cell Bioenergetics and Mitochondrial DNA Damage Differ in Humans Having African or West Eurasian Maternal Ancestry. Circ Cardiovasc Genet 9:26-36
|Li, Fu Jun; Duggal, Ryan N; Oliva, Octavio M et al. (2015) Heme oxygenase-1 protects corexit 9500A-induced respiratory epithelial injury across species. PLoS One 10:e0122275
|Andukuri, Adinarayana; Sohn, Young-Doug; Anakwenze, Chidinma P et al. (2013) Enhanced human endothelial progenitor cell adhesion and differentiation by a bioinspired multifunctional nanomatrix. Tissue Eng Part C Methods 19:375-85


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Losing significant weight to prepare physically for the challenges of the future military career as well as meet the height and weight standards is a long process, but even people who have 100 pounds or more to lose have successfully made that transition.
They did it by training daily and controlling food intake, by pure persistence and the undying will to serve; these are powerful reasons that we all need no matter what goal we attempt to accomplish.
Any massive weight loss challenge requires all of the above plus patience, because it is a lifestyle change that will add years to your life but more importantly life to your years.
Here is an email from a young man seeking to drop some weight and join the National Guard:
Hey Stew,
I've been reading a lot of your fitness and nutrition articles which has helped my goal to be healthier greatly. After just under two months I've already lost 20 pounds. My goal is to drop another 100 and join the National Guard to help in my current law enforcement career. My question is I'm 6'0 and weigh around 300 pounds. I've been going to the gym and doing cardio four to five times a day, but haven't touched weights yet. At what point should I start strength training and working my ab muscles. Any advice would be great. Thanks. -- Jerry
Jerry --
Great job wanting to serve and taking the hard route to get prepared both to meet the physical standards as well as the height, weight and body fat standards. This hard work and achievement will be one of your crowning accomplishments in your life that will literally add years to your life. So keep it up -- keep doing what you are doing.
I would focus on a good four to six-month cycle like you are doing and by late fall or early winter you can get in the weight room but with added non-impact cardio options.
I like the massive cardio you are doing but I would not run at this weight. Keep losing weight and get yourself below 250 before you really start to run longer distances. A few quarter-mile intervals is all I would do at this point -- and focus more on bike, elliptical, rowing or swimming. Your knees will thank you for it.
If you think about it, just by walking upstairs or sitting down and standing up you are doing weight training. That would be like trying to move with a 100-pound weight vest on. Do not underestimate your current strength.
I am sure pull-ups are difficult at 300 pounds and would be surprised if you could do one, so you can get in the gym and mix in some pulldowns, rows and bicep curls in place of pull-ups on upper body days. You can mix in some bench press in place of push-ups as those get tough too at 300 pounds. You can replace dips with the military press as a 300-pound dip could be very challenging and potentially injurious to your shoulders.
Keep doing what you are doing as it is obviously working. I would maintain your current programming, making it tougher each few weeks (more reps, miles, time in training) as you progress in your abilities. But give yourself time. Most people lose 100 pounds successfully and keep it off (if they do) over the course of 10to 12 months, at a loss rate of about eight to 10 pounds a month. What you are doing is working – so ride it out. When you see yourself plateau (and expect it to happen), it is time to make a change by adding more reps, weight training, more miles walking, more time on the bike or swimming.
Want to Learn More About Military Life?
Whether you're thinking of joining the military, looking for fitness and basic training tips, or keeping up with military life and benefits, Military.com has you covered. Sign up for a free Military.com membership to have military news, updates and resources delivered directly to your inbox.


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Color Theory: It's Everywhere
Drawing & Painting I students have started their unit on color theory. After looking at how we see color and the basics of the color wheel, we are working on creating a radial design with 12 sections/wedges. In each wedge we will be learning how to create 5 values of each hue on the color wheel using colored pencil, 2 tints, 2 shades and the pure hue. Students are learning which pencil to put first, how much pressure to apply, and starting to consider principles of design like contrast, rhythm and emphasis.
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"The arts celebrate multiple perspectives. One of their large lessons is that there are many ways to see and interpret the world."
Mrs. Dorothy Amme
Visual Arts Teacher
Piscataway High School
September 2018


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Footage Films presents the awaited suspense thriller "Running Out of Time" starring RonReaco Lee and Tasha Smith; premiering on BET Saturday December 1st on BET at 8pm Eastern. You do not want to miss this action packed drama directed by You Got Served producer/director Chris Stokes.
Archive for 'RonReaco Lee'
RonReaco Lee & Tasha Smith Star in Running Out of Time – BET
Atlanta Hosts Red Carpet Premiere of 'Survivor's Remorse' Season 2 Presented by Starz & Xfinity
Atlanta hosted an epic red carpet for the second season screening of "Survivor's Remorse' at the Regal Cinema at Atlantic Station. The red carpet event was powered by Starz & Xfinity was truly star-studded with the likes of Tichina Arnold, Mike Epps, RonReaco and many more. Check out the details below. READ MORE
PHOTOS: Omari Hardwick Hosts #Powertv Screening in Atlanta with Celebrity Friends!
Atlanta native and leading actor on Starz's highly acclaim show "POWER" Omari Hardwick was in Atlanta to host a star-studded screening of the first episode of season 2.
If you are a fan of "POWER". Let me tell you season 2 is going to be epic. Omari came home to greet his fans, spend time with his family, and most importantly celebrate being one of the biggest bosses on the small screen.
Check out the details below. READ MORE


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Healthy Feet
Give your feet the care they deserve, ease pain, and find solutions to problems with Canyon Ranch Healthy Feet® services. Your feet – and the rest of your body – will thank you. Please wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing.
The right shoes keep you safer and more comfortable in all your activities. Our experts will help you select your ideal athletic shoe and, if necessary, Foot Doctor™ Orthotics for alignment correction. Located in the Spa, across from Program Advising.


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Donut$ & Diamond$ w/ Woulg, DiVersion b2b Bill B. Wintermute, Skribble Gebibble, wolkenjaeger-visuals
Woulg (Liveact)
soft & subtle melodies, clean cuts, complex (a-)rhythms & field recordings make an overall cold & clinical atmosphere. still… glitch-hop is always at the next corner.
…"Woulg (Greg Debicki) is a composer, sound designer and new media artist, based in Montréal. He completed a BFA from Alberta College of Art and Design and studied music composition at the Dartington College of Arts, UK. He writes generative music software, designs interactive projections, and composes glitch music.
His music combines the dissonance and destructive aesthetics of grunge and the rhythmic complexity of IDM and jazz. By contrasting lumbering industrial flavoured sound design that is interwoven with glitch ideas and processes, with minimalist melodies and emotive soundscapes, Woulg's music creates a tense, lurching and strange atmosphere.
On stage and in the studio he uses a collection of custom software, hacks and modified tools that he builds himself. Greg is an open-source and DIY advocate and his music can be found on like-minded labels: Outlier Recordings, Enig'matik, Weird and Wired and Illphabetik."
Skribble Gebibble
always playful, a bit jazzy, futuristic…
…"typischer Sound zwischen Beats, Ambient und IDM."
DiVersion (institut de déstabilisation / Donut$ & Diamond$) // Bill B. Wintermute (institut de déstabilisation / Acéphale)
WOLKENJÆGER Visuals


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$18.99 $17.09
Quantity: 10 available
Condition: New
Her father has been accused of stealing from the king, an allegation that has reduced her family to poverty. She has one chance to find and marry a man who can help her prove her father's innocence. Lord Therri, heir to a rich barony, has the wealth and connections Mathilde needs to delve into the mysteries of her father's past. Furthermore, Therri embodies all her romantic dreams.Etienne, the younger son of a disgraced family, has neither wealth nor connections, but is smitten with Mathilde at a glance. She finds the knight intriguing, but believes he is only out to seduce her. While she seeks for a way to win Therri's attention, Etienne tricks her into granting him her favor, an embroidered white ribbon, for a tournament, setting in motion a dangerous chain reaction of events. Can Etienne save Mathilde from a nightmare from her past and prove himself the true hero of her dreams?; 1 x 8.8 x 6 Inches; 372 pages
Title: Dangerous Favor
Categories: Romance,
Publisher: Brigham Distributing: 2012
Binding: Paperback
Condition: New
Weight: 1.00 Item
Seller ID: 54217


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Hi All,
Hope you're all doing great. Today I wanted to talk about fall/winter 2016 trends and what I myself look forward to adding to my closet for the upcoming fall/winter season. I already did a post on the shoes I have collected so far for the season and so would like to talk about what I would get to go with those 😉
The first trend I am excited about is
Faux Suede– Jackets, dresses and even shoes or bags !!..
I got my faux suede shoes and over the knee boots that I am looking forward to wearing and plan to pair them with skinny jeans and even wide leg trousers!
A few great options I love ..
This faux suede jacket from ASOS is a great example of the suede trend in clothing. I love the colour of this jacket ,also its cropped length is great if you want to pair it with wide leg trousers or skinny jeans or even a skirt for that matter. ..its available on Asos
Also faux suede dresses are great option .. this one available at Nordstrom and would look great with boots and a great jacket and some winter accessories and it would take you all the way through winter 😉
Velvet- is another fall/winter 2016 trend.. velvet accessories too are a great option if you're not sure if you want a clothing item in velvet. and
Wide-leg trousers seem to be everywhere and if styled right look great as an alternate to the straight or skinny leg trouser. This wide leg, embroidered trouser from Zara is a great option if you want three trends in one..hehehe..velvet, embroidered and wide-leg!
This particular one is available at Zara
The wide-leg trousers also look great with cropped sweaters or bodysuits which are another item that have come back in fashion lately!
This Velvet bodysuit from Zara available here is a great choice as it can be dressed up or down and on a skirt or trousers will look simple yet chic.
Another trend worth looking into is the frayed hemmed jeans.. this is such an easy trend to follow as its a cool way to get your jeans to look trendy and will suit everyone!!
This one here is quite extreme but you can see these hems everywhere and finding one that suits your taste should not be a problem 🙂
This particular one is available on ASOS here
Another trend this season is big, extreme sleeves and here is an idea what it looks like 😉
This top is available at Zara here. I have seen this trend a lot in tops and though cute can be a little difficult to wear on petite people a.k.a me!.. it can be a bit overwhelming and truth be told I haven't found a style yet that is flattering on me ;(
One that I am excited about is lace it has been around for sometime now and even this season can be seen all over in dresses, tops and skirts etc. lace dresses and tops are so feminine and forgiving at the same time that its worth investing in a lovely lacy number this fall/winter ! 😉
This dress from Asos available here is so pretty and it s not all lace but the details make it even more interesting I think. I also find this top very pretty and easy to style.. it can be dressed down for a night out with jeans or up with a skirt and heels 😉
available here at Macy's
Hope you enjoyed this post and look forward to adding some of these trends to your fall/winter wardrobe. There are of course many more trends that may be out there but I chose the ones I found fun and interesting, another one to look into is embroidered tops, bottoms etc.. its fun and a cute embroidered number may be just what you need to give your wardrobe that added punch and interest… so enjoy the trends and pick and choose the ones you find fun and flattering!! The pics I have inserted are all items currently available and I have provided the links to them at the bottom. Happy shopping!!
Enjoy your weekend and hope you have a great week ahead!
As always, stay stylish!


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Product Description
- Ultrafast 802.11ac Wi-Fi; Reach data rates of up to 1.3 Gbps. compatible with devices using the 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, and 802.11ac specifications.
- Simultaneous dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi support
- New 6.6-inch height with smaller 3.85-inch base
- 6 antennas located at the top allows for a faster and more powerful connection
- Easy setup with Macs and iOS devices.


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Hi かわいい + creative family!
When I shared my goals last week, I told you guys about my new hand-cut sticker obsession and mentioned weekly sticker drops.
Welp ~
Here we go … week one and we have some kawaii stickers!
They're easily shoppable on my art shop. ^.^
I have already gone crazy organising and brainstorming some super cute ideas as well as more with Ippie-chan and other kawaii OC's. I can't wait to share!
If you follow or read regularly, please share your opinion. I'd love to get good at this, yup! ^.^
🌸Why Stickers?!
You may remember my start … around the time of my dad's passing ~
Since then, I've made serious, life-changing discoveries about stickers ….
They're fun!
It's a small + creative art medium great for journaling, goal-setting, games, calendaring, holiday cards, slap-ups, and trading.
And of all things … my hobonchi journey led me here. ^.^
If you're interested in my process, check out my daily doodle videos + subscribe to
My goal, make Little INKPLAY Shop a one stop shop for sticker lovers like me <3
And I've already decided to happily take sticker art commissions.
So if you enjoy this humble start and believe … hit me up!
🌸Current Stickers
⚡⚡⚡ You can shop easily from the home page of Little INKPLAY Shop ⚡⚡⚡
Don't forget … feedback is welcomed! ^.^
Gambare, minna
Imani (イマーニ)
Let's keep in Touch!


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Last night in London (April 17) J Cole threw a second surprise listening party to air his forthcoming new album 'K.O.D' in full. The record is out on Friday (April 20).
After playing a free show in New York earlier this week, the rapper gave the same treatment to the UK capital, banning phones, bags, and journalists from the event. That said, a couple of sneaky attendees did manage to record snippets of the show all the same.
In the verse below, J Cole appears to confirm that 'K.O.D' will not have any feature spots. "How come you won't get a few features?" he raps, "I think you should? How 'bout I don't?"
Following the first party in New York, Rap Radar's B.Dot had some insights into what to expect from 'K.O.D'. Revealing that the title stands for three different things – 'Kidz On Drugz', 'King Overdose' and 'Kill Our Demonz' – B.Dot also shared that the album was recorded in just two weeks. He added that it features the 'standout' track '1985', and as a whole sees the rapper "experimenting with flow".
Fans who were lucky enough to see J Cole play 'K.O.D' in London seem to be fully won over, too. "This album is about to blow everyone away," one tweeted. "Completely amazing."
According to another attendee who wrote about the New York playback event for Est. 1997, J Cole explained that 'K.O.D' was recorded while he was on tour in Europe and Australia. The title, the rapper reportedly said, is connected to addiction of all kinds; from drug addiction to the frequency of adverts of television. The third meaning of 'K.O.D's title, J Cole added, represents moving to a positive space in terms of mental health.
The piece also describes one track, '1985', in a little more detail. "Without giving too much away, Cole is making quite a blunt assessment of the state of hip-hop today," he wrote, "offering a few choice words, and some well-meaning yet probably hard-to-swallow advice for some artists we might call sell-outs."
Another person who attended the London event held their own Reddit AMA about their first impressions of 'K.O.D', commenting that "it's experimental in terms of production. I haven't heard beats like that from him before."
Meanwhile, J Cole will be returning to the UK to perform at London's Wireless Festival this summer.
The Finsbury Park festival will take place from July 6-8, with each headliner topping the bill on separate days. For tickets and more information, visit here.


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Author: Georgina Elizabeth
Country of residence: Hong Kong
Nationality: Australian
Mother tongue: English
Georgina grew up in the Caribbean, Malta, and Hong Kong. She is a music historian by training, but has written stories since she was a child. As a writer, she collaborates with contemporary classical composers and has already published a short novel. This is her first published short story.
We are a group of young, dedicated and intercultural editors with a passion for good writing and with a vision to share the works of intercultural writers with readers all over the world.
See example magazine
Web design by AlterSquare


text: 'Transcendence' ReviewApril 18, 2014 By Jackson MurphyAfter last Summer's "The Lone Ranger", I thought Johnny Depp couldn't hit a new low in his career. But that was before I experienced "Transcendence". This sci-fi romantic thriller immediately shoots right to the bottom of Depp's long resume. Depp plays scientist Will Caster, the technology wizard behind the theory of Transcendence – the state […]CONTINUE


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Grimsby, Caistor, and Immingham
Magnetic resonance imaging
For more than ten years now, we have been performing Magnetic Resonance Imaging with same day reporting of the imaging results to pet owners. Our ability to provide in-house interpretation and reporting enables us to progress rapidly from imaging to the treatment of complex neurological and musculoskeletal cases. We offer a complete diagnostic MRI service including the use of gadolinium contrast and the collection of cerebrospinal fluid samples where indicated. As a fully-integrated and permanently staffed facility, the MRI suite forms a central part of our mission; to bring the highest standards of diagnostics and subsequent treatment options to the region. This enables us to offer an advanced imaging service to patients and other veterinary practices in the East Midlands region, and our MRI referral caseload is continually increasing. The scanner can safely and reliably investigate suitable cases quickly and efficiently, minimising any possible delay in treatment for your animal. We also perform CM/SM scans for the BVA/Kennel Club Chiari Malformation/Syringomyelia Scheme.
Indications for animal MRI
- Head trauma
- Suspected intra-cranial space-occupying lesion
- Suspected raised intra-cranial pressure
- Epilepsy
- Inflammatory and congenital brain disease
- Spinal disease
- Chronic or unilateral nasal discharge
- Middle/inner ear disease
- Orbital disease
- Screening for inherited neurological abnormalities
- Orthopaedics (stifle/elbow/shoulder conditions)
- Stress fractures
- Renal/hepatic disease
- Various soft tissue conditions such as prostatic cysts/neoplasia
Ultrasound scanning
We perform both abdominal and cardiac ultrasound investigations on a daily basis. Our ultrasonographers discuss each pet's ultrasound results on the same day on which the scan is performed. We have a human hospital-standard Mylab Twice ultrasound machine which produces images of far superior quality to those produced by any veterinary machine. Ultrasound scanning can be used to diagnose many diseases in small animals. It is the best method to evaluate the health of soft tissue organs. The typical examination requires no sedation and is easily performed on small animals. In some cases (for example, if the animal is uncomfortable or restless), light sedation may be required. The only patient preparation needed is clipping of the hair overlying the area needed to be scanned (as the ultrasound is not able to pass through hair).
Animal ultrasound is useful in the following situations:
- Evaluation of the heart and diagnosis of cardiac problems
- Assessing the health of the liver and visualising changes when it is diseased
- Determination of abnormal structures/growth in the abdominal cavity
- Diagnosing pregnancy and assessing stages of development
- Examination of bladder and kidney disease
We have a modern SST Med DRF43 (full digital radiography) system which produces image definition of unsurpassed quality.
We perform safe, effective radiography daily to diagnose both bone and soft tissue problems.
In addition, we regularly perform:
- Contrast radiography
- Radiography for the BVA/Kennel Club Hip Dysplasia/Elbow Dysplasia schemes
Medical health screening
With the technology available in our in-house laboratory we offer clients same day health screening and diagnoses of a wide range of disease conditions:
- General health screening to check liver and kidney function, blood sugar levels, levels of total protein (albumin, globulin), cholesterol etc.
- Haematology to look for anaemia and check the body's response to infections
- Electrolytes: the blood ion levels. These have to be correct for muscles to function effectively
- Hormone assays: checking for an underactive/overactive thyroid gland, diagnosing Cushing's disease, checking bile acid levels to treat liver conditions more effectively.
- Urine screening: chemical testing, specific gravity, microscopy to look for the formation of bladder stones and crystals, infections, inflammations and tumours
- Hair and skin microscopy: for the diagnosis of skin mite infections and ringworm
We also carry out blood testing to check the effectiveness of treatments for hormone problems (see above) and epilepsy.
For animals with allergic skin disease and eczema which is not well controlled with medication we also test for the exact allergens involved and set up a programme of hypo-sensitisation to control the irritation more effectively.
Orthopaedic surgery
We have many years' experience of fixation of fractures including epiphyseal and elbow fracture repair. We have cutting edge equipment for ASIF plating of complex fractures, joint fusion techniques, pancarpal and pantarsal arthrodesis and excision arthroplasty for advanced hip dysplasia. We also perform surgery for stifle problems: Lateral fabellotibial suture and tibial tuberosity advancement for cruciate ligament injuries (TTA measurements in radiograph on the left), partial or total meniscectomy for meniscal damage and trochleoplasty for correction of patellar luxation.
Where MRI indicates the necessity for spinal surgery, we also perform spinal decompression by dorsal hemilaminectomy and ventral slot.
CT (Computed Tomography)
Our recently installed CT scanner enables us to offer a complete imaging and reporting service, including Iomeron contrast studies when indicated. CT is very 'patient friendly' because it offers a faster investigation than other imaging techniques so is particularly suitable for elderly or frail patients for whom a prolonged period of sedation poses an increased risk. It provides rapid gold standard cancer screening and allows us to perform excellent pre-surgical planning on complex cases.
Indications for animal CT
- Skull Trauma (road traffic accidents etc.)
- Fractures involving complex joints (elbow, hock , 'wrist')
- Elbow disease in growing dogs
- Shoulder disease in growing dogs
- Congenital urinary tract disease (e.g. ectopic ureter, incontinence)
- Cancer screening for spread in chest and abdomen
- Lung and chest wall tumours
- Complex bone and soft tissue tumour surgical planning
- Pancreatic tumours
- Congenital liver abnormalities (e.g. Portosystemic shunt)


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USA v. STONE
Filing 13
MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Grant J. Smith. :Address- 401 East Las Olas Boulevard, Suite 130-120, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Phone No. - (954) 328-9064. Filing fee $ 100. Fee Status: Fee Paid. Receipt No.: 4616096484 by ROGER JASON STONE, JR. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration, # 2 Text of Proposed Order)(zvt)
Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.


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Out of stock
This folk art styled Crossroads Blues Deal painting is 12 inches by 13 inches, Acrylic on wood, ready to hang. Hand painted by Grego Anderson, sole proprietor of Mojohand. One of a kind – Ships Worldwide.
Foreign orders have a one time flat shipping charge, you will see the cost when you enter your shipping address at checkout.
©Mojohand.com – Everything Blues™
Out of stock


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Apple takes on Netflix, HBO, Amazon with $1B budget (Apple Byte Extra Crunchy, Ep. 96)
Apple gets serious about original content. The Apple Watch will have LTE but no direct phone calling. McDonald's uses anRead more
Apple gets serious about original content. The Apple Watch will have LTE but no direct phone calling. McDonald's uses anRead more
We talk about more unaired episodes leaking online, Android Wear's second act and how tech companies are getting dragged intoRead more
We discuss the infamous Google memo and, talk about the latest in the HBO hacking drama http://cnet.co/2wCAFRt HBO hack: http://cnet.co/2vLDFi3Read more
Today's major tech headlines include new details siphoned from Apple's Homepod firmware, HBO getting hacked with unreleased episodes and informationRead more
Read the CNET News article here – http://cnet.co/2uPqT0j HBO confirms that hackers have stolen 1.5 terabytes of data from HBORead more
We discuss our favorite moments from the series ahead of the season seven debut this Sunday. https://www.cnet.com/tags/game-of-thrones/ Good morning fromRead more
The FCC insists a DDoS took down its website shortly after John Oliver's most recent segment on net neutrality aired,Read more
Four projects involving Westeros might seem like way too much, but let's break it down before you storm King's Landing.Read more
The most important tech stories of the day include HBO pulling its shows off Amazon, Hulu's live TV launch andRead more


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Vasiliki finished Civil Engineering studies at Democritus University of Thrace in 2008. She was awarded MSc degree from the same university (DUTH) in 2010.
Since 2011, she is candidate of Ph.D. in National Technical University of Athens, in the Laboratory of Reinforced Concrete.
She has worked several years as structural engineer and she has participated in research programs, as concerns the material of concrete and the behavior of multistory concrete buildings.
Finally, she is providing teaching assistance in various courses in the Laboratory of Reinforced Concrete.


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anyway...people always rant on about chins/pull ups but the best exercise is sternum chins. leaning back chest to bar..ala.. Vince Gironda. you will not do so many of these. It´s like a rowing movement & chin. strongest back exercise for me is Barbell bent over rows. builds a thick wide back & strengthens the lower back. Pull ups "for a wide back" are ok but you´ll never get a thick dense back like with rowing.


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THANKS, you're officially on our list!
Night Sky Tumbler
Enjoy your drinks the way they were meant to be with the S'well Tumbler. Create an entertaining essential set by pairing the Tumblers with a 750ml S'well bottle. And because the grip of the S'well Tumbler doesn't sweat, you won't have to sweat about putting it down on your wooden table or countertop without a coaster.
Pop-on stainless steel lid sold separately.
- S'well Tumblers feature triple-walled, vacuum-insulated construction, designed to keep beverages cold or hot.
- Made from 18/8, food-grade stainless steel with superior construction that allows for refilling and reusing easily to reduce the need for single-use plastic water bottles.
- Copper wall layer creates a condensation-free exterior that won't sweat on your wooden table or countertop without a coaster.
- Feature a wide mouth and thin rim for easy drinking. Ice cubes fit effortlessly inside.
- Great for entertaining - customize your own essential set by pairing the Tumblers with a 25 oz S'well bottle or a Roamer, or mix and match your own set of Tumblers.
- Hand-wash only.
High-Grade 18/8 Stainless Steel. BPA/BPS-Free. Triple-Walled for maximum insulation, leaving no condensation on the exterior.
295mL = approx. 8.5 x 8.5 x 8.3 cm, 0.12kg
530mL = approx. 8.5 x 8.5 x 15.6 cm, 0.21kg
530mL = approx. 8.5 x 8.5 x 15.6 cm, 0.21kg
Frequently Asked Questions
How does my S'well work?
S'well bottles, Travelers, and Roamers will keep your beverage cold for up to 24 hours or hot for up to 12. Thanks to our triple-walled ThermaS'well™ insulation technology, which includes a copper layer, S'well products are able to keep any liquid hot or cold for long stretches of time. See more.
Will my S'well product sweat?
No way! Thanks to S'well's triple-walled insulation, which includes a copper layer, the outside of your S'well will stay completely condensation-free. See more.
Can I fly with my S'well?
Prepare for take off! Your S'well is airport security friendly, as long as you remember to empty out what's inside first. See more.
Does S'well sell different caps & lids?
Designed to accommodate your active and on-the-go lifestyle, S'well has released a variety of accessories sold separately. See more.
What is the warranty on S'well products?
S'well offers a one-year limited warranty on all bottles purchased from swell.com and authorized retailers with proof of purchase. This warranty covers any manufacturer defects, such as thermal performance issues, base becoming detached from the bottle and non-polished surfaces. See more.


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Katina R. Beard, MSPH
Chief Executive Officer
Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center
Raised in Chicago, Katina Beard headed south for college at Tennessee State University. A student in the College of Business, she struggled to pin down a major that really ignited her interest ... until she discovered healthcare administration and planning.
"I enjoyed learning about the establishment of the first hospitals and how public coverage systems, like Medicaid and Medicare, came into existence," she recalled "I had an instructor, Dr. Ernest Rhodes, that spoke about the health center movement, and the work that had been done in Mound Bayou, Miss.," Beard continued. "Little did I know I would one day be working for an organization whose founder was part of this movement."
The more she learned, the more she realized healthcare extended beyond the walls of the hospital or local health department. Internships at the Veteran's Administration and later at Matthew Walker solidified her desire to serve the underserved and often overlooked. "Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center is part of a national system of 1,400 sister clinics that together take care of 28 million people, regardless of their ability to pay," Beard noted.
She was first introduced to MWCHC during a gap year between completing her undergraduate degree and starting a master's program at Meharry. Working as an agency temp, Beard wound up with an assignment at the Federally Qualified Health Center. During graduate school, she reconnected with contacts she had met while a temp and never looked back. "From 1996 onwards, I've worked in some capacity at Matthew Walker," she said.
Just as Beard was finishing her master's degree in public health, Michelle B. Marrs arrived as the new chief executive officer of MWCHC. Marrs set the young grad student's career on a trajectory that would lead to Beard taking the reins at the organization nearly two decades after she first walked through the doors as a temp.
"This is why the Lord doesn't show you everything at once ... you wouldn't be ready for it," Beard said with a laugh.
Finishing her master's in 1998, Beard was just excited to be tapped for a senior management position in operations by the new CEO. "I was 25 years old. It was the first time I was ever salaried in my life. I think I still have the check stub," Beard said with a grin.
In her new position, she oversaw everything from a computer conversion to the ground-up construction of today's flagship facility on 14th Avenue. When facility management threatened to burn Beard out, Marrs had her learn to write grants.
"She allowed me to do a lot. I think that's why I've stayed here all these years ... I've been able to recreate myself for the benefit of the organization," Beard reflected. "(She) poured into me professionally and personally, showing that I can be a working mother and serve my community."
As CEO, Beard said all those different experiences have given her perspective and empathy. "I'm passionate about showing the community that Matthew Walker Health Center is here for the 'group win.'" She added that too often people and organizations focus winners and losers. "I want people to know that we are here to walk with them through their work and ours." Her favorite part of the job is rolling out a new program that just clicks and makes lives better. "It's the global dynamics of what this organization means - not just to healthcare but to society as a whole."
Beard noted she can't help but smile at the 'new' ideas around patient-centered care, value-based delivery and addressing social determinants. "The work that is now 'state-of-the-art' is how we've been doing things for 55 years," she noted of the FQHC model. Yet, she continued, it's exciting to see more people come to the table to address challenges. "Until we get rid of poverty and disparities, we will always have inequities," she said of barriers to health and well-being.
Her personal well-being comes from time spent with her husband, Michael, and their two children - daughter Makayla, 16, and son Kendall, 12. "We, like most families, are too busy but can't figure out how to stop. So, I'm focused on spending time together and not taking for granted the small moments."
While her superpower might be the ability to help people see issues from another point of view, Beard admits to a secret wish. "My desired superpower is teleportation ... well, because traffic is a mess," she laughed. For this busy wife, mother, and nonprofit executive, any minute saved is one that can be poured back into family and community.


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CALGARY – The No. 1 Trinity Western Spartans (10-0) kept their perfect season going, taking down the No. 7 Mount Royal Cougars (6-4) in four sets on Saturday evening (25-18, 21-25, 25-14, 25-21).
Ryan Sclater (Port Coquitlam, B.C.) led the Spartans with 22 kills and hit .405, while Eric Loeppky (Steinbach, Man.) pitched in with 14 while hitting .462. Meanwhile Tyler Schmidt led the Cougars with 13 kills in a losing effort.
Blake Scheerhoorn (Belleville, Ont.) made his return to the court after missing the first nine games of the season with a leg injury and had six kills.
This is the second time TWU has entered the Christmas break with a perfect record. The last time the Spartans did so was in 2011-12, when the Spartans were 8-0 after the fall semester. That year, TWU went on to finish the regular season 19-1 before winning both the conference and national championships.
The Spartans have won 17 straight matches, including regular season and playoffs, dating back to the first game of the post-season last year.
TWU hit .370 as a team and had nine aces while Mount Royal hit .167 and had just three aces.
The Cougars and the Spartans stayed neck in neck for the first portion of the first set. Loeppky was tough for the Cougars to stop; connecting on six out of his seven kill attempts.
With the Spartans up 20-18, Sclater made a picture-perfect kill before an attacking error by Riley Friesen put the visitors up 22-18, forcing a Mount Royal timeout.
Trinity Western would go on to win the next three straight points after the timeout, putting a lopsided 25-18 score on what had been a competitive start to the first set.
While the two teams again exchanged points evenly in the second set, Mount Royal jumped ahead to a 17-14 lead. The Cougars managed to maintain their lead, and, after a missed serve by Loeppky, had a set point up 24-20.
Two points later Lachie Pollock knocked a kill down, giving the Cougars the second set, 25-21.
Sclater dominated the third set, consistently getting the upper hand at the net and hitting 45 per cent of his kill attempts. Meanwhile Mount Royal made eight attacking errors as the Spartans easily took the set 25-14.
Much like the first two sets the teams spent the first portion of the fourth jostling for the upper hand. The Spartans eventually gained a two-point lead, up 16-14, leading to a Mount Royal timeout.
With Mount Royal threatening late, three straight attacking errors by Lachie Pollock proved costly for Mount Royal as the Spartans took a 23-19 lead. A few points later Loeppky earned his 14th kill of the game to give TWU the four-set win.
Trinity Western is back in action Jan. 6-7 when the Spartans host Saskatchewan.


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Next Gallery
Best of Lehigh Valley proms 2019 [PHOTOS]The best of our Lehigh Valley area high school prom photos from the 2019 season.
Phillipsburg High School Prom 2019 [PHOTOS]Phillipsburg High School held its prom at SteelStacks at the ArtsQuest Center in Bethlehem on Saturday, June 8, 2019.
Featured Photos
PHOTO GALLERY: Black Lives Matter of the Lehigh Valley holds a protest in Allentown on Monday, July 13, 2020, to issue demands after video showed an officer kneeling on a man.
- Wearing masks in the Lehigh Valley | PHOTOSPHOTO GALLERY: More people are wearing masks around the Lehigh Valley to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
- Coronavirus in Pa. and the Lehigh Valley: The Week in PhotosPHOTO GALLERY: A look at the week in the Lehigh Valley and Pennsylvania.
- Tropical Storm Fay soaks Lehigh Valley | PHOTOSPHOTO GALLERY: Tropical Storm Fay dropped heavy rain on the Lehigh Valley on Friday, July 10, 2020.
- Art installation in Allentown nears completion | PHOTOSOn Thursday, July 9, builders finished their second and final day of constructing an art installation in Grand Plaza in Allentown. The public installation by Calo Rosa is intended to encourage the community to vote.
- PICTURES: Flaming Crab Cajun Seafood opens in Lower NazarethFlaming Crab Cajun Seafood, an emerging franchise of seafood restaurants, opened June 28 at 3756 Easton Nazareth Highway in Lower Nazareth Township.
- PICTURES: Lehigh Valley's first Plaza Azteca opens in AllentownMexican restaurant chain Plaza Azteca opened June 26 at the former Tilted Kilt building at 2835 Lehigh St. in Allentown. The 280-seat restaurant, one of more than 40 in seven states, is the first Lehigh Valley location of the chain, which was founded in Virginia Beach in the 1990s by two men from Jalisco, Mexico.
- Splash park is open in Upper Macungie | PHOTOSPICTURES: Splash park is open in Upper Macungie