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*March Character Trait Focus: WORK ETHIC
GIRLS VARSITY SOCCER (GRADES 7-12): Girls soccer starts Mon., March 11. First practice is 2:50-4:00 p.m. in Mr. Harding's room. Please make sure you have pay to play and a sports physical. Schedules will be handed out then. Contact Mr. Harding for more details at email@example.com.
K-5 SHOWCASE NIGHT: This event has been rescheduled to Tuesday, March 11. There is no need to re-sign up if you already did so, but there is still time sign up for sessions if you haven't done so already. Link to sign up for courses: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080448a8a728a0f85-ctacurriculum
HARMONIC CHARGERS TO PERFORM AT THE WEST MICHIGAN WHITECAPS: On Tuesday, April 16, our middle school choir, Harmonic Chargers, will be singing the National Anthem at the West Michigan Whitecaps game against the Lansing Lugnuts. This is an exciting family event for CTA. The game starts at 6:35 p.m. An order form for tickets is available from Mr. Holtrop or in the front office. Tickets are $15 a person. Families also have the opportunity to purchase food vouchers for $4, which includes a hot dog and drink. Tickets must be ordered by March 15. A portion of the ticket price goes right back to the choir for future fine arts purchases. Come join us for an evening of fun and support our music department! Any questions can be directed to Mr. Holtrop at email@example.com.
MOBILE DENTIST: The Mobile Dentist will be here on Fri., Mar. 15. If a student was seen here in the fall then they are on the list for March 15 as well. If they weren't seen in the fall and parents would like their child seen, they can stop in the office for a form.
HOMEWORK CLUB WITH NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY: Our National Honor Society hosts a Homework Club every Thursday from 2:45pm - 4pm in Mrs. Rose's room in the high school building. This is a free tutoring opportunity for all students in grades K-12.
TOWN HALL MEETING "OUR STORY. OUR JOURNEY. OUR FUTURE": Monday, March 18, 6-7:00 p.m. in the CTA Auditorium.
ELEMENTARY STUDENT-LED CONFERENCES: These will be held the week of March 18 - be sure to sign up for a time slot via SignUpGenius with your child's teacher.
SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR: This will take place in the Elementary building March 18-21.
CTA SPRING MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT SHOWCASE: This will take place during the week of March 18th for grades 6-12. Students will use this opportunity to share with you their goals, progress, and achievements throughout the school year. The dates and times of student presentations will vary according to your child's assigned teacher; you will receive an email that will link you to the "Sign-up Genius" schedule for your specific teacher's schedule. From there, you can select a time that works best for you and your student. Each teacher has created a schedule that contains a variety of morning, afternoon, and evening hours to better accommodate busy lives! On the day of the event, your student will have twenty minutes to share and discuss with you his/her digital portfolio. As always, we are available via email or phone call to set up a showcase with families and students who cannot attend during these appointed days. Don't miss this chance to hear from your student!
CHRISTMAS CHOIR CONCERT DVDs NOW AVAILABLE: If you are interested in purchasing a DVD of the MS/HS Christmas Choir concert, we are selling them for $10. Order forms were passed out to choir students. If you need one, please contact Mr. Holtrop at email@example.com .
CEDAR SPRINGS JUNIOR BALL LEAGUE: Sign-Ups for the 2019 CSJBL will be held on March 11, 13, 19 and 21. Please visit www.csjbl.com for more details.
ALGOMA LITTLE LEAGUE REGISTRATION IS OPEN: Algoma Little League is looking for Baseball and Softball Players for the 2019 Season - all boys and girls, ages 4 to 16 are invited to take part in programs from T- Ball Level to Senior Level. Visit www.algomalittleleague.com for more information and to register online. Registration deadlines are March 1 for T-Ball through Majors, and April 1 for Juniors and Seniors.
PINE RIDGE BIBLE CAMP SUMMER CAMPS: Day camps and overnight camps available for students in 1st-12th grades. Located in Cedar Springs. Visit www.pineridgecamp.com for more details.


text: Vastavam web: After getting down from power in 2014 elections, the leaders of congress party came to know that they should change the policies and they are struggling for existence. The Congress is facing an "existential crisis", senior party leader Jairam Ramesh on Monday said and pitched for "a collective effort" by party leaders to "overcome" the challenges it faced from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah. Ramesh also said that business as usual approach will not work against Modi and Shah and advocated for a flexibility in approach to make Congress relevant. "Yes, the Congress party is facing a very serious crisis," Ramesh told PTI in an interview. He said the Congress had faced "electoral crisis" from 1996 to 2004 when it was out of power. The party had also faced "electoral crisis" in 1977 when it lost the elections held soon after the emergency.

subset: commoncrawl


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Three Must-Do Repairs Before Selling Your Home
If you're planning to sell your home, you want it to be in top shape to set apart from the others in the market. The real question is which repairs will bring you the biggest return and not end up costing thousands in losses? These are the three must-do repairs that you should consider before putting up that for sal... more
Buying a New vs. Resale Home
One of the challenges experienced when house hunting is the new versus resale debate. There are so many factors to consider before making the big decision. The following lists the advantages and disadvantages of buying a new home and buying a resale home. At the end of the day, it's the home that you find suits your ne... more
What is the CMHC Mortgage Loan Insurance?
Are you confused as to what the CMHC (Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation) mortgage loan insurance is? Heard the term but you don't really understand what it is? It's important to get a good understanding of what it is so let's break it down to the main points. What is it? A one-time premium that can be paid fu... more
Tips on Finding a Good Roommate
It's a challenge we may all face at one point in our lives: finding a good roommate. Everyone has an experience with a roommate who seemed like a nice person and then turned into the worst person to live with. Bringing an endless amount of people over, leaving the place a mess, blasting music at odd hours or no... more
Living with your Landlord: what to include in the contract
Are you considering living with your landlord? Before you sign any papers, make sure you read over the contract carefully and ensure that the following information is included: Make sure these two facts are clear: a. The term "landlord" is the owner of the home and the owner's parent/spouse/son/daughter ... more


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Brad Pitt: 'Shia LaBeouf Is One Of The Best Actors I've Ever Seen'
The actor praises his Fury co-star...
Brad Pitt has spoken out in praise of Shia LaBeouf in a recent interview
In an interview with GQ, Brad acclaims the troubled actor, saying he's "one of the best" he's ever seen.
"Oh, I love this boy. He's one of the best actors I've ever seen", he told the men's magazine.
He stars alongside LaBeouf in David Ayer's World War Two film Fury - and Pitt admitted the actor's talent impressed him.
"He's full-on commitment, man. He's living it like no-one else, let me tell you", he explains.
"I've been fortunate enough to work with a lot of great actors. He's one of the best I've seen."
The pair star alongside Logan Lerman, Jon Bernthal, Michael Peña, Jason Isaacs and Scott Eastwood in the movie.
Fury is set to hit cinemas in the UK on 24 October.


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Brand: Lloyds Banking Group
Location: Glasgow - Glasgow Contact Centre
Salary: £15,813 - £16,691
Closing date: 05 October 2015
Job Details
These Roles are within our Contact Centre Telephone Banking Teams.
Shift Patterns - Month End - 24-42.5 hours per week. Shifts between Mon-Sun. 0800-2000 5 days per week. 6 -10 hour shifts. Max 16 weekend days per 26 weeks.
Join our Apprenticeship scheme as a Service Adviser and you'll enjoy the benefits of learning while you earn. If you've got a passion for people and a dedication to your own development, you'll get to build the career you want. You will gain a qualification in Providing Financial Services (Intermediate) which is equivalent to 5 GCSE's at Grades A-C.
To be the key first, and often only, point of contact for customer calls, providing an excellent level of customer service that exceeds expectations and in doing so reduces the need to transfer calls. Putting each customer at the heart of everything we do by demonstrating a genuine interest in their current needs and future aspirations.
How to apply
You can fill out an application form online at https://careers.lloydsbankinggroup.com/Candidate/VacancyInformation.aspx?VacancyId=118159 or by clicking the button below.
Social Services Children and Young People (Level 3) Modern Apprenticeships with Experiential Play
The programme will run over 18 months. MAs will be expected to attend full day teaching sessions once a fortnight. Each MA will be assigned an assessor who will visit them in their workplace on a regular basis.
What makes us different?
We will offer a range of enriched, practical teaching workshops and seminars, free of charge to MA's and their mentors, to enhance and develop further skills and knowledge. Support sessions, in the nursery setting or in our training classroom, will be available on a regular basis. All MAs will be invited to attend sessions on Montessori Nursery Methods, Nature Kindergarten, Rural Community Nurseries, Community Projects and the Primary Classroom.
It is our intention to offer the highest standard of learning and teaching to enable all MAs to not just achieve their qualification but to aspire to be effective members of staff.
How to apply
If interested, please contact: Brendan McKenna Nicoll, Modern Apenticeship Co-Ordinator at email@example.com or call 0141 557 3304.
Nurseries in the Renfrewshire area are urgently looking to recruit young school leavers who wish to start working and earning their own wage whilst undergoing a qualification.
Carousel Training Centre deliver Modern Apprenticeships in Social Services (Children and Young People) offering a SVQ Level 3.
The course is fully funded by Skills Development Scotland for any candidates applying who are 16-19 years old.
If successful with us for the training, we assist applicants to find full time employment within a private nursery as close to their home as possible. We can help set up interviews and give them good advice to ensure they are prepared for their visit to an employer.
They would be fully employed and paid by the nursery. The course takes 14-18 months to complete.
Classes for the theory are held one day each month at our Glasgow Office. We would also visit their workplace on a monthly basis to conduct assessments on their personal ability.
Applicants must be 16-19 years old
Applicants must have either 3 standard grades at both 1-4 (one of which must be English) or Intermediate 1 or 2;s at bands A-D) (one of which must be English) or passed 3 subjects at National Unit 4 or 5's (one of which must be English).
How to apply?
Any pupils who are interested can apply online now at www.carouseltraining.com
RBS Apprenticeships
Location: Multiple locations in Scotland
Apprenticeship qualification: Professional Banker Certificate (Chartered Bankers Institute) at level 2 or 3
Minimum qualification requirements: 2 standard grades at 3 or above in English and Maths or equivalent qualifications.
Salary: £13,169 - £16,625 per annum
Company Description
The RBS group is a large international banking and financial services company. From its headquarters in Edinburgh, the Group serves over 30 million customers in the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East, the Americas and Asia.
Vacancy Description
At RBS, we are passionate about supporting people on their first steps in their financial services career. We recognise that university isn't for everyone, so we have developed an exciting apprenticeship programme across Commercial & Private Banking to help you on your way!
Each role will be based in a variety of areas across the business. Job descriptions can be found on the Get My First Job website (please see link below).
To apply
Please register and apply via www.getmyfirstjob.co.uk RBS vacancies can be found by searching for 'The Royal Bank of Scotland'.
We currently have thousands of vacancies available to view and apply for at www.getmyfirstjob.co.uk
Should you require any further information, advice or guidance please email email@example.com or call the apprenticeships team on 0203 131 5165.
For further information in regards to qualifications, apprenticeship vacancies and summer school, please visit: www.bpp.com/apprenticeships
Closing date: 5th October 2015
Company name: BPP
Company industry: Financial services
Location: Glasgow
Salary: £7.62
Duration: Permanent
Required qualifications: Minimum of 2 Standard grades at 3 and above including Maths and English, or National 5 at C or above or equivalent qualifications.
Modern apprenticeships level: Level 3 (SCQF 6/7)
Full Description
At RBS, we are passionate about supporting people on their first steps in their financial services career. We recognise that university isn't for everyone, so we have developed an exciting apprenticeship programme across Commercial & Private Banking to help you on your the way! Commercial & Private Banking at RBS, means that we offer a range of commercial enterprises and wealthy individuals a unique service of specialist advice, products & services. These customers are an important part of driving our economy.
As a Relationship Management Support, you will build long lasting relationships with both Relationship Managers & customers, understand their businesses & become a trusted advisor. If you are passionate about serving our customers well, have excellent communication skills & are willing to learn, will of course give you all the training & knowledge that you require to be successful in your career at RBS. This is a permanent job & you will achieve your Level 3 qualification. On top of this, you will be paid a competitive salary, receive an excellent benefits package; including generous holiday allowance.
Future Prospects: Potential for future progression within the company
Training Provided
As a banking apprentice with BPP Professional Apprenticeships, you will complete the CBI (Chartered Bankers Institute) at levels 2 and or 3. The completion of The Professional Bankers Award (Level 2) and or The Professional Certificate in Banking award (Level 3) will be completed via a combination of tutor support and the Online Classroom Live platform. You will complete the CBI course with BPP at a level which is relevant to your current academic level of achievement and the position available. Apprenticeships will include the QCF (Qualification and Credit framework), Technical Certificate Employments rights and responsibilities workbook and Functional skills (if required).
Skills Required
Excellent communication skills as you'll be liaising with relationship managers and customers alike. Organisational skills and be able to perform under pressure in order to meet customer demands.
Personal Qualities
You will need integrity and to share our focus on delivering fair outcomes for our customers.
How to apply
Click the button below to complete an online application.
June 2016


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Train with a friend (or two) and save!
About Genaro Mendez
Following an exciting amature career capped by a win at the 2010 Chicago Golden Gloves, Genaro, turned Pro in 2011. Genaro's focus is his training business, Pound for Pound BoxFit as well as his pro career. You can most always find Genaro in the gym working with clients, or, during a rare break, honing his own boxing skills.In addition to his considerable boxing experience, Genaro has 8+ years experience as a boxing trainer in the Chicagoland area.
Agility TrainingAthletic TrainingBalance TrainingBoxing/KickboxingCircuit TrainingEnduranceFat LossFull BodyHigh IntensityInterval Training
Hourly rate: $80
Session cancellation: 24 hours notice required
First session is FREE
Training Philosophy
Training Professionally Since
May 10, 2000
Typical Training Session
Client success story
Additional Photos
Primary Training Location
Other Locations Serviced


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- Few Brits were up for awards at last night's Grammys, but there were reasons for fans of British culture to tune in. Throughout the night, there were many shots of a glam Katy Perry in the audience clutching her British fiancé, comedian Russell Brand. (And the stories are true: famed swordsman Brand looked positively domesticated.)
Also, there was Kings of Leon confirming they are no longer just "Big in Britain" with a Record of the Year win for their hit, "Use Somebody." I would have loved to have seen them perform live last night. They were awesome at last year's BRITs.
And presenter Stephen Colbert gave a shoutout to Susan Boyle, who was absent from last night's ceremony. Colbert told the star-studded audience: "You may be the coolest people in the world. This year your industry was saved by a 48-year-old Scottish cat lady in sensible shoes."
- But the biggest British moment of the Grammys was a soot-smeared Sir Elton John appearing opposite Lady Gaga for a double piano mash-up of Gaga's "Speechless" and Sir Elton's classic "Your Song." The performance was a win-win for both artists: Gaga got artistic cred for holding her own with a pop legend. And Sir Elton got his gay card back nine years after his controversial Grammy duet with Eminem, who was then under fire for homophobia.
Watch their performance:
- Ricky Gervais says he plans to bring his David Brent character to the U.S. version of The Office. "I think it would be funny for David Brent to walk into the US Office and hear them go, 'Oh my god, there's two of them!' We don't need to know about Brent's back story – the English Office exists in a cocoon and in the DVD. Michael Scott could just bump into Brent, who is a bloke from England. I don't think we'll take any of the other UK characters over – we'll probably leave it with just me because it's just too complicated." (The Sun)
- The Mirror's Jim Shelley says we Americans have better taste in TV than the Brits: "It's hard to believe now, but in years gone by there was nothing we Brits loved more than telling ourselves that American people had less taste than we did – especially over TV. All that cheesy, patriotic rubbish they loved: Happy Days, Little House on The Prairie, Diff'rent Strokes…God, their culture was so vulgar. It's different now."
- On Oscar nominations eve, Robert Pattinson is up for a pair of Razzies for his performance in Twilight: New Moon.(E!)
- British actresses Carey Mulligan and Rebecca Hall grace the cover of Vanity Fair's New Hollywood issue, alongside starlets such as Amanda Seyfried, Anna Kendrick, and Kristen Stewart. Is it me, or is Carey looking increasingly dowdy in her most recent photo shoots? The Audrey look is all wrong for her. Where's the adorable, slightly Britneyesque ingenue we saw play Sally Sparrow on Doctor Who?
- The Sun previews the charity remake of R.E.M.'s "Everybody Hurts," revealing the line each celebrity sings. (Mariah Carey sings the first, plaintive "Don't let yourself gooo!" and Jon Bon Jovi belts, "Don't throw your hand." And guess who sings the last line? Scandalously, it's not Susan Boyle.)
- Sting's daughter, Coco Sumner, has released a new album under the name I Blame Coco, and she tells The Daily Telegraph that she wrote her first single, "Caesar," as a joke: "It's just rubbish. It's got this political anti-regime thing, but it's full of nonsense lyrics, and I was kind of taking the piss out of pop. When [the record company] said they really liked it, I thought they were joking. It was a weird feeling, half a kick in the teeth and half a validation. But, you know, that was another moment when I thought I can actually do this. I can write rubbish – and they still like it!"
- This weekend, Britain's Got Talent's panel of judges visited Cardiff for auditions, with Amanda Holden sniffing, "This afternoon there have been no potential winners and no talent." Today, The Daily Telegraph's Neil McCormick served up a ninja evisceration of Ms. Holden: "Let's not forget, this is an actress who should know a thing or two about lack of talent, having progressed from being a contestant on Blind Date all the way to the stellar heights of being a minor TV soap actress better known for her marriage and affairs than her dramatic work."
- Could an 81-year-old be the next Susan Boyle? (The Sun)
- Lily Allen took an ungainly fall while being shuffled away from a gig in Perth, and Prince Harry was thrown from a horse during a charity polo match.
- According to News of the World's sources, Amy Winehouse is bi and has a crush on Cheryl Cole. As if that's some indication of her sexuality: there are gay men who'd schtup Cheryl Cole.
- Meanwhile, Cheryl Cole tangos with Dancing with the Stars' Derek Hough in her new video.(Daily Mail)
- Channel 4 is "in talks" to scoop up Jonathan Ross, who's leaving the BBC this summer.(Digital Spy)
Filed Under:


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Procedures for Senior Administrator Evaluations
Originally Issued: July 12, 2013
Revised: December 11, 2017
Persons classified as senior administrators at Athens State University are in leadership positions and generally have three common responsibilities: 1) supervision and management of personnel groups, 2) management of tasks with specific and recurring timelines, and 3) development and/or maintenance of a budget.
It is understood that the scope of these responsibilities determines the level of the senior administrator; that is, top-level administrators generally have a very broad scope of responsibilities, while lower-level administrators may be responsible for more specific University functions or areas.
For purposes of these procedures, the persons in the following positions are considered senior administrators:
- Provost/Vice President of Academic Affairs;
- Vice President of Enrollment and Student Support Services;
- Vice President of Financial Affairs;
- Vice President of University Advancement;
- Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs/Chief Information Officer;
- Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs;
- Assistant Vice President of Enrollment Management;
- Assistant Vice President for Development;
- Assistant Vice President for Financial Affairs/Business Manager; and
- The College Deans
Administrator Performance Evaluations
In accordance with the University policy Annual Evaluation of Employees, all administrators must be evaluated annually. The supervisor responsible for the annual evaluation of each senior administrator is identified in the job description of the senior administrator.
After completing the appropriate Senior Administrator Performance Evaluation, the Supervisor will schedule a conference with the senior administrator being evaluated to discuss the evaluation. Once the conference has taken place, the evaluation is signed by the Supervisor and the senior administrator to verify that the conference took place. The signature of the senior administrator being evaluated does not necessarily indicate agreement with the evaluation.
Subsequent to the evaluation meeting, senior administrators may respond with written comments about the contents of the evaluation if they so choose. Both the signed evaluation and any written responses will become part of the senior administrator's confidential personnel file.
Timeline for Evaluations
The evaluation period should be the calendar year January 1 through December 31. Senior Administrator Performance Evaluations must be turned in to the Office of Human Resources no later than February 28th.


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Tomorrow we have a couple parties to attend so I decided to let the kids celebrate their Easter fun today. So we had a busy day of Easter crafts, the final observations of our egg geodes experiment (post upcoming), opening their Easter basket goodies and eating Easter egg popsicles.
Here was the Easter basket I put together for the kids and can I say that my daughter was born to be in a Dizzy Dancer commercial? She saw one of those short commercials that play on a display in Target and has been asking for one ever since. I finally scored a deal on them for around $3 each and even though it's for 4 yrs + I had to get one for my 21 month old as well otherwise fights would be inevitable. When she started playing with it she kept saying "The new Dizzy Dancers are so awesome!" in one of those tv sales folks voices. It cracked me up.
Both the kiddos are crazy about popsicles but I don't like to give my son the full-sized ones. Popsicle has these great mini popsicles that are about half the size which are great but they are so pricey! I've been on the hunt for just the right size mould to make my own but haven't had much luck. I came across this pin on Pinterest about using Easter eggs for moulds and thought why not give it a try.
My husband drilled a hole in the bottom of each egg and then I used a thumb tack to make two air holes in each egg. I didn't have any mini funnels so I used one of our eye drops to fill each egg and then stuck in lollipop sticks left over from when I made lollipops for Christmas.
The kids got really excited over them and my daughter loved it but my son had a harder time with it once he got down to the bottom half of the shell. I debated about removing the entire shell but didn't want to worry about the drips as it melted.
The kids were pooped out and went down pretty easily for bed so hopefully no meltdowns during tomorrow's parties. Have a Happy Easter!


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The countdown is finally over. Our first of three indoor cycles, the Spinner® Rally, is now available. Our best in class indoor cycle, the Spinner® Rally brings top performance to your most demanding exercisers like ...Read More »
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Wattbike Now Available Exclusively Through Summit Fitness Equipment
Wattbike is now available to the Australian commercial fitness industry exclusively through Summit Fitness Equipment. Wattbike have chosen to partner with Summit in order to expand distribution of their product into the commercial Australian health ...Read More »


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I am scheduled to have knee surgery on June 26. My main concern is the aftermath; how much and how long will I be laid up, how much therapy I will need, can I do stairs? I want to get all the major mending to be finished before bad weather sets in, when the driveway and roads will be slippery. Last night I couldn't stop my brain from buzzing and whirling, what would I need to take, and so on. I ordered some new shoes, loafers, to wear while I am doing therapy walking at the hospital. At home I wear slippers all the time, but they don't have much in the anti-slide department. Most all my shoes are clogs, and I can't get my foot into them now, my feet are so swollen, despite taking Laysix twice a day. Plus, they have a wedge heel, so I am afraid I will stumble and/or fall. Anyway, I ordered them from Zappos, so if they don't fit they will go back.
In addition, I ordered an armchair and ottoman to go in my bedroom so I can sit up in there. My bed has a bookcase headboard, and leaning on it to sit up is uncomfortable. The chair is from Wayfair, I hope it goes without a glitch. I know there is some assembly needed, I think it is just to attach the legs. It is mission style, and the reviews all agreed it was very comfortable. One other one I was considering had reviews that said the cushions were very stiff, so that one was a no-go. I really appreciate the trend of including reviews for purchases, when you are looking at an item online and can't kick the tires, so to speak. It should be here soon.
My library card catalog drawer cabinet arrived today, and the cross-stitch floss with fit in it nicely. It even has the drawer slide-y bracket that snugs up the drawer contents, like a file cabinet has. I will need to continue to put 3 x 5 cards in each floss bag, which wouldn't be nearly as difficult if the inside of the bag was 3 x 5 like the outside. As it is, I have to trim the cards and then force them into the bag, to make them less slither-y. Still, I will only have to do it once, so it will be OK, as I have a paper cutter to help with the trimming. And I will do it a little at a time. I am sorting out the floss bobbins that I have gotten from 3 different vendors, to make them all in numerical order in their little clear boxes. I should have stuck to just using the bags, or put all the floss on the bobbins, instead of having both. Hindsight...
And speaking of sight, my new glasses are top-notch. Plus they are very light, saving my nose, and the lenses are bigger, giving me more room to see things. No, you will have to take my word on this, I'm not posting photos!


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Save your home from foreclosure: the rest of the story
I wrote recently about how one might save their home from foreclosure through a Chapter 13 bankruptcy. There is another side to that story. Chapter 13 will not help everyone keep their home. One of the issues I spend considerable time talking to my clients about is whether they can actually afford to keep their home no matter what they do regarding debt relief.
One's home is nearly always the single largest expense that one has. Nearly everyone I know who buys a home purchases one that is the most they can possibly afford and then some. I know when my wife and I purchased our first home several (don't ask how many) years ago, our realtor pointed out how our earning capacity would only increase and how we would get a tax break by deducting the interest paid. He was wrong about the tax break because the interest paid was so little, but that is beside the point. He was right about the earning capacity part, but it sure made for some really tight early years. Anyway, most people overreach a little when they buy a house.
So, the question becomes how much of an overreach are we looking at. To answer this, it is important to give your bankruptcy attorney a really good idea of what your monthly expenses are and definite numbers on what your income has been. I say a good idea of expenses because I have found that no one really knows how much they spend on things and most people tend to underestimate their expenses. Also, there are many annual expenses, such as taxes on cars and tax preparation costs, that many people forget to divide by 12 and put down as an expense in their monthly budget. The income part should be readily traceable though.
Anyway, if after crunching these numbers you still do not have enough to both maintain your ongoing monthly house payment, pay your monthly bills and expenses, and make a Chapter 13 payment, then you are better off surrendering your home from the very beginning. I know this is incredibly hard for people because owning their own home represented a dream and holding onto it gives a sense of security. Unfortunately, that sense of security may end up being incredibly expensive and ultimately elusive.
I have seen folks try desperately to hold onto their house by dipping into retirement reserves and cutting other expenses down to the miserable point to make the monthly house payment, only to see those payments disappear into the bank's vault and their home still end up on the auction block. That is indeed too high a price. So, even though they do not like to hear it, I sometimes must tell folks that keeping their home just is not in their budget. And that is the rest of the story.
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[…] and Saving Your Home Lexington, Kentucky bankruptcy attorney Gregory Napier has written an excellent blog post about the real culprit that prevents folks from saving their homes,even with Chapter 13 […]
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- Section 341 Meetings by Zoom in EDKY – Procedures
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Considered an extinct language in France, Champenois is a minority language spoken in some provincial areas of France and a small number of towns in Southern Belgium. Due to its extinction, UNESCO decided to preserve the remaining historical accounts of Champenois from literature writing for recording purposes. However, France is undergoing a continuous business transformation from conventional to digital, leaving Champenois far behind.
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In 50 words or less (or, maybe 65)…
I'll bring a strategic marketing framework to the Board – but don't confuse this with posters and tweets I want to help the DA define its position within a broader economic view of the IT services industry and leverage the flow of value to benefit the Drupal project. 1st up: I'll aim to bring new funds via Govt memberships and a grants funding initiative.
Now, the extended version…
I aim to bring new members from the user side of the community, create targeted global special interest user groups that help the project continue to thrive, and I aim to bring new funding opportunities to help support all the Association's existing initiatives.
Where does Drupal sit in the economic value chain?
If you look at the entire IT industry, it is mostly part of a supply engine. Actual production of economic output occurs either via the platforms implemented or is facilitated by them (such as with an eCommerce website).
From what I've experienced so far, the Drupal community currently represents the aggregated needs of those working within this supply ecosystem. It has very little involvement with the actual outputs being produced by customers.
What are the long term threats to the Drupal project?
I see two significant threats to the Drupal project if it stands only within the economic footprint of IT services:
- The contraction of the IT services chain is real, so the market for Drupal will shrink and ultimately be replaced with services that emerge directly within hosted service platforms and are click-configured directly by user organisations.
- The Drupal services ecosystem will begin to cannibalise itself. Groups are already providing hosted distributions that can be deployed directly by clients without any additional partner support. Distribution contributors are pivoting toward monetisation strategies that will also aim to capture the direct customer dollar. In a more competitive atmosphere, where the business process IP of coded modules and distributions is seen as a possible revenue model, groups will begin to hedge their community efforts in favour of entirely commercial efforts.
What is an immediate opportunity for the Drupal project?
Drupal is being adopted by a lot of organisations worldwide that are choosing it over the online publishing platforms of proprietary software vendors. The opportunity exists for the Drupal project to engage with site owners and operators so it can better understand and aggregate their needs. The entire project could benefit significantly by stepping more into the world of end users, understand how to best add unique value to their production capability, then nurture and secure each vertical by investing resources to support that special interest group.
Do the Association goals align with this opportunity?
It's important to note that the Drupal Association has no authority over the planning, functionality and development of the Drupal software. Even the Drupal.org sites, which are a responsibility of the Association and are in need of significant upgrades in content, structure, platform and functionality are currently managed and maintained by teams of dedicated volunteers from the Drupal community.
Referring to the statutes for the Drupal Association, the goals are described as:
The purposes of the Association shall be for providing support in developing, communicating, promoting, distributing the Drupal project and in deploying an infrastructure in support of the Drupal project.
The scope of the "Drupal project" shall include the following speciï¬c issues: the Drupal open-source software system (http://drupal.org), the community of developers and users of this software and all associated activities and all infrastructures in their broadest sense considered to be required to further develop this project.
What does the community of developers and users of Drupal look like? This diagram helps illustrate the Drupal Community, which in turn helps to show what the scope of the Drupal project is.
The biggest population in the diagram falls into the category of 'People that use Drupal'.
Who are these people? Depending on your perspective:
- They are Drupal site owners and operators
- They are the Drupal developers who setup the sites and might still maintain them from a technical perspective.
- They are both of the groups above.
No matter your perspective, the population of people that use Drupal is large enough to cover the specific interests of 7.2 million Drupal sites (as estimated in July 2010).
So, the Association goals are to support users, the community is defined to be inclusive of users, yet I suspect there are a lot less that 7.2 million interested parties currently being targeted for support by the Association under its current set of initiatives.
Lets inform, interact and transact with those using Drupal to further develop the project for everyone in the Drupal community.
Where can new funding initiatives emerge?
With my own bias of being located in Canberra, the Capital city of Australia, I see providing support to National Governments as the closest and most significant opportunity. Collectively, Government's already have billion dollar budgets for IT expenditure and they are open to petitions from non-profits to rethink how they spend those dollars to provide better economic and social outcomes.
Further, there are growing Open Government and Open Knowledge movements which the Association can align or partner with to help generate a voice that extends beyond the subject of software development and further into the realm of social publishing.
I will work with others to directly bring together the needs of National Government organizations and encourage them to join the Association as individuals, organizations and supporting partners.
I will encourage this group to seek ways it can work with Drupal developers and commercial organizations to further the Drupal project in alignment with their specific needs. This could initially be run as a grants program which funds specific development outcomes; such as best practice models for lifecycle management, enterprise architecture, security hardening and performance optimization.
If it works, the funding model scales by the formation of additional special interest groups (SIGs) within industry verticals such as finance, retail, entertainment, etc. Ultimately, to be truly scalable, the mechanics to generate SIG project funding could be modeled on existing crowdsourcing approaches used on sites like Kickstarter.com and bidded for by commercial groups or individuals who are registered members of the association. Self-organizing SIGs can make their own rules on deciding on who receives the development grants on offer and Association revenue can be derived through a small percentage of the funds allocated against SIG projects.
Importantly, all of this can be supported by the tasks the Association is entitled to undertake in support of its goals. All it needs is someone to kick things off with a business case to establish the initiative, and that is something I'm already working on.
If you are in support of public money funding significant development initiatives within the Drupal project, please consider casting your vote in my direction Either way, I'd love to receive your comments below.
Who can vote in the elections?
You are eligible to vote if you have an account on drupal.org, logged in during the past 12 months, and created your account before 31 August 2012 when the election was announced.
How to vote?
- Login at http://association.drupal.org
- Go to https://association.drupal.org/vote2013
- Check a box confirming you are eligible to vote.
- Rank the candidates in your order of preference.
You do not need to rank all candidates.
- Save the form.


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Dedicated to the general sights, news and funny happenings in the wonderful city of Windsor
This morning while waiting for the elevator in the parking garage, there was a woman who looked just like my Mom when she was younger. The same height, build, and beautiful face. I couldn't stop looking at her, and I blurted out "You look exactly like my Mom."
She gave me the warmest smile and I started crying. When we got on the elevator, I told her my Mom had just died in March, and she gave me the best hug (a real hug, the kind where you both hold on) while I cried. I thanked her, and she told me "I hope you have the most wonderful day."
Today I was reminded that we can make a difference in a complete stranger's day. That is so my Mom. And I know if my Mom was on the elevator with a crying stranger, she would have hugged the heck out of her too.
To this beautiful woman - thank you. I honestly felt like I was getting to hug my Mom again, and it was the best feeling ever. I hope you get to see this, I hope you know how very much your kindness meant to me, and above all, I hope you have the most wonderful day too.


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Effective immediately, the City is canceling ALL events and programs until further notice. We will continue to meticulously monitor the status of the coronavirus.
The City has begun a phased reopening of recreation activities that includes aquatics and sports programming for youth, adults and seniors.
All City parks are now open with limited access. Park patrons are urged to follow personal hygiene and social distancing guidelines.
Donate to the Phillip D. Penland Tribute Fund, which covers participation fees for baseball and softball program participants who might not otherwise get to play.
Effective immediately, the City is canceling ALL events and programs for the next two weeks. We will continue to meticulously monitor the status of the coronavirus.
Are you pursuing a career in S.T.E.M.? The AS2I program awards scholarships to Seminole County high school seniors who are passionate about innovating for a better world.
Exciting things are happening in the world of S.T.E.M. Careers in science, technology, engineering and math continue to skyrocket in the U.S. and around the world.
The latest issue of the Altamonte Springs magazine has arrived. Flip through the pages for the latest city information, programs and events.
Millions of people have celebrated Independence Day at Red Hot & Boom through the years. Join the City as we take a look back at this amazing event!
Seminole County public servants unite in a pledge to support law enforcement as we take action against all forms of social injustice in our communities.
In just 10 minutes, you can make a real difference in our community! Census data influences spending for education, jobs, infrastructure and so much more.
The Altamonte Springs Police Department is committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism, honesty and ethical conduct.
Honoring a century of innovation and progress, Altamonte Springs welcomes its Centennial by celebrating past, present and future successes.
Summer camp sessions are back at Westmonte Recreation Center beginning June 22. Kids ages 8 to 12 can enjoy games, sports, crafts, movies and more.
Tumble into our fun and affordable gymnastics program! Spring and fall classes are available in the mornings and afternoons for ages 3 and up.
Do you love tennis? Central Florida Tennis offers classes for ages 5 to adult of all skill levels. Lace up your shoes, grab your racket and be part of the fun.
All City parks are now open with limited access. Park patrons are urged to follow personal hygiene and social distancing guidelines.
Vendor opportunities are available at city-hosted events. It's a great chance to interact with patrons to market your business and sell your goods and services.
Cranes Roost Park is home to many species of wildlife that depend on us to protect their habitat and well being. Learn how you can help protect our animals.
Are you planning a wedding? Do you need a venue? Beautiful Cranes Roost Park is a unique outdoor venue that provides a wonderful setting for your special day.


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As a yoga teacher, above all, I know this one thing to be true: listen to what your body-self whispers about its needs. Feeling a little sick? Wrap up warm, feed yourself well and sleep. Feeling fidgety at your desk? Get up and go for a brisk walk. Spend lots of time outdoors; stick to natural rhythms as much as… Read more →
Tag Archive for hunger
Losing it all
This is not easy reading if you are trying to lose a lot of weight, and, of course, it's just my best analysis of the situation, having spent a number of years considering and watching and reading articles and so forth. So turn away if you don't want to hear, but I think an awareness of the evidence is better… Read more →
Peace at what price?
This week, I've been contemplating the differences between peace as an individual endeavour and as a communal project. My thinking isn't quite clear, but it's Thursday, and Thursday is blogging day, and like many writers, I think best sometimes whilst writing, so let's take that journey to clarity together. "We swear by peace and love to stand Heart to heart… Read more →


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The BMW 8 Series (pictured top, courtesy BMW of North America) is set to release its M850i xDrive model with a 523-horsepower V8 engine. This is the first time the world has seen the 8 Series in more than 20 years. Modern updates include a carbon fiber body, offering around half the weight and 10 times the strength of steel.
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My time in the new 2019 @chevrolet Silverado 1500 Trail Boss Z71 is nearly over. On-loan from #Chevy, this beautiful truck just rolled off the assembly line in Fort Wayne, Indiana last month and these should be hitting Chevy dealers very soon (if not now). Turned a few heads in this one today as I used it for some around town action. I don't usually have use for a truck (at least in terms of putting it to use to its full potential), but I really want one. Totally digging this. . #RockFatherRides #ChevyTrucks #TrailBoss #chevysilverado #chevysilverado1500 #Z71 #offroad #trucksofinstagram #trucks #carsofinstagram #4x4 #4x4offroad
Other vehicles on the list include the redesign of the classic Chevy Silverado (look for a feature on that coming to The Rock Father™ Magazine shortly) and Ram 1500, a comeback of the Ford Ranger after a 10-year hiatus, and the Genesis G70. Even Jaguar is looking to delve into electric and hybrid car models with the release of its I-Pace, making it a possible rival for Tesla in the future.
Other models include the third rendition of the Honda Insight, a new Lexus model dubbed the Lexus UX, the Subaru Ascent, and the Volvo XC40. Some of these models are hitting stores right now, but you might want to save up a little money before visiting a dealership.
While most of the models settle around a $30,000 to $35,000 price point, the new model from BMW hits the highest price point at $112,895. Meanwhile, the Honda Insight rounds out the lower prices at a cozy $23,725.
Feel like someone's missing from the list? You aren't wrong. The Mercedes-Benz EQC is one of the manufacturer's first electric cars and has been on the tips of everyone's tongues for nearly two years. However, the long-awaited announcement left out one important detail regarding the efficiency of the car: how long the battery will last.
With only a tease at how long the battery will truly last, the company repeatedly shirked a final number when they claimed the car would have a range of "around 200 miles." Much to the disappointment of car enthusiasts and would-be electric car owners, this seemed to deflate the anticipation for the new vehicle.
While an estimated 77% of cars on the road need repairs or maintenance, the fall release of 2019 cars is an important time for car owners. With the top list of vehicles to watch out for officially released by Edmunds, it might make or break the car buying expectations for the year.


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Shop in Reverse
Posted in Behavior, Lessons Unlearned, One minute unlearning, Parenting, Retail
Next time you need to go shopping for a new wardrobe, try this little trick: Shop in reverse. Instead of buying the most expensive item first (say a suit or a dress), buy the least expensive item first (i.e. socks or underwear).
Why? It might save you some money.
It is a well-known fact that if you pay a lot of money for a suit or a dress, the sales associate can more easily "upsell" you on lesser items such as shirts, shoes, socks and underwear.
If, however, you reverse the process and buy the most inexpensive first you are less likely to spend as liberally on the bigger ticket items.
Think of it this way: It is easier to spend $40 on socks after you have just spent $1000 on a suit. It is much more difficult to be lured into a $1000 suit if you only spent $10 on socks.


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For those of you who aren't from the UK, yes, this perfect dessert recipe is "Banoffee Pie," a slurring of the words banana and toffee. As classically British as 007 and a stiff upper lip, banoffee is a sticky, seductive pie of creamy toffee and slices of sweet banana. Lisa, a longtime Spice Girls fan, wanted to do a little oomph to this already decadent dessert, so she crowned it with a crunchy top layer of graham crackers coated in milk chocolate and toffee bits.
Bite Me Bit
"You never know where to look when eating a banana." -Peter Kay, comedian
"You never know where to look when eating a banana." -Peter Kay, comedian
Graham Crust1½ cups graham cracker crumbs1/3 cup butter, melted1/4 cup sugarFilling2 (300ml/10.5oz) cans sweetened condensed milk3 large bananas, ripe yet still firmChocolate Toffee Graham Topping16 graham crackers¼ cup butter2 tbsp brown sugar¾ cup milk chocolate chips½ cup SKOR or Heath Bar bits
1) Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 9-inch pie plate with non-stick cooking spray. 2) For the crust, in a small bowl, combine graham crumbs, melted butter and sugar. Press mixture into the bottom and up the sides of pie plate. Bake 10 minutes. Set aside to cool. Leave oven on at 350°F to bake chocolate graham topping.3) For the filling, remove labels from cans of condensed milk. Place cans in a medium saucepan and submerge the unopened cans in water. Place saucepan over medium heat and bring water to a boil. Partially cover and boil 2½ hours, making sure to keep cans covered by water the entire time, adding more water as it evaporates. When done, remove cans from pot and cool 30 minutes before opening.4) For the topping, line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and coat with non-stick cooking spray. Arrange graham crackers in a single layer, edges touching. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add sugar and brown sugar, stirring to combine. Once mixture comes to a boil, turn heat to low, stop stirring and let gently bubble for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and immediately pour over graham crackers. Bake 8 minutes. Remove from over and sprinkle with chocolate chips. As they start to melt, gently spread over graham crackers and sprinkle evenly with toffee bits. Once cooled to room temperature, refrigerate 1-2 hours, until firm enough to break into 1-to 2-inch irregular shaped pieces.5) To assemble pie, pour cooked condensed milk over prepared crust, spreading evenly. Allow to cool completely. Slice bananas over the filling. Top with chocolate toffee graham cracker pieces. Refrigerate. Serve chilled.Serves 10
Bring ease to the kitchen and laughs to the table ... More


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Mother's Day isn't filled with flowers and candy for Tim O'Connell's mom Joann.
Instead, it has become a tradition for them to spend time together at Three Hills Rodeo's Spring Buck Out. The event has special meaning for them. It is where Tim got on his first bareback horse and it paved the way to his gold buckle.
Missing Helldorado Days in Las Vegas so he could go home to Iowa for the Buck Out was an easy decision. It is held at Bernard, just 11 miles from Zwingle where he grew up. It is an event where Three Hills Rodeo brings their young bucking animals and provides a place for two-legged and four-legged rodeo athletes to test their mettle.
The top five competitors over two days of riding get their Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) permit paid for by Three Hills Rodeo as part of their Free Ride program. When those five enter a rodeo produced by Three Hills, they also get their entry fees paid. Tim was one of those contestants when he started and the Morehead family happily paid for his permit.
Tim and his family have been going to the Buck Out for years. His dad, Ray, has picked up for Three Hills and spending Mother's Day with bucking horses started when he was a little kid. When he competed at his first one, he was riding bulls. Marla Morehead suggested he should try riding a bareback horse.
"I just knew he'd make a great bareback rider," she said. "We had known his family for years and I watched him grow up. Tim is really really smart. I explained the odds of winning a check in the bareback riding are greater than in the bull riding. We are so happy it has turned out for him."
Tim isn't sure why he decided to get on that first bucking horse, but it determined his fate. He didn't last the full eight seconds but it was so much fun he was ready to get on another one.
"I don't really know what came over me or why I decided to get on that horse," he said. "I think it was a God thing. He told me to get on a bucking horse and I did. Over the years, I've always tried to get back there. It's in my roots."
It was just four years ago that Tim got his permit and went on to win Rookie of the Year. He has been back to the Buck Out to spend time with his mom, see the new crop of bucking horses the Moreheads have raised and help the young riders that are there.
This year started just as the past couple have with him behind the bucking chutes. They were discussing the bloodlines of the upcoming horses and there was one that Tim was particularly interested in. It was out of one of his favorite bucking horses of Three Hills, a mare named Rocky, who he had ridden at the 2014 Great Lakes Circuit Finals for 84 points. And the sire of the horse was their great stud Harry.
"I said, 'I bet that's going to be the ringer right there.' And as soon as those words came out of my mouth, my next thought was that I was going to test pilot that horse." Tim went and got his gear bag, David Morehead found the horse and held it to the end so the world champ would have plenty of time to get ready.
That ride was one of the most fun rides Tim has had all season. One of the big reasons for that is it was just for fun. Prior to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, he will get on a couple of practice horses just to "knock the rust off." This time of year, he didn't need to knock the rust off but felt like it was the right thing to do.
"There was no money up for grabs, no TV cameras," he said. "It really brought me back to a sense of this is why you do this. It's fun to set on a horse in the box for the first time. You feel them let out a breath of air and think this is alright. Then you get to take their first trip with them. It's a really awesome experience."
After traveling to Florida with his dad for the Ram National Circuit Finals, Tim stayed close to home for most of April. He went to Logandale, Nevada, St. Paul, Minnesota, and Corpus Christi, Texas. A win at Corpus saw him add $5,534 to his season earnings.
The first week of May, he was in Guymon, Oklahoma and then back home to Marshall, Missouri, where he and his wife, Sami, made a road trip to Iowa for the Buck Out. Then it was off to Franklin, Tennessee, and Redding California. Redding hosted a Wrangler Champions Challenge event along with their rodeo. Tim placed at both. A highlight of that weekend was having help getting off his bucking horse by his brother, Will, who was picking up at Franklin.
Along with getting on bucking horses and keeping the home fires burning, there are often sponsor obligations to take care of. One of Tim's sponsors, Rock & Roll Cowboy, had scheduled a photoshoot in Bluffdale, Texas, right after Redding. To accommodate that, he booked a flight from Sacramento to Dallas and then home.
It was a rough weekend spent in airports. They boarded their plane in Sacramento and were all set to go when the dreaded announcement came that they had a mechanical issue. Then they cancelled the flight. Tim was in row 29 of 30 so he was nearly the last one off the plane.
When he got to the customer service counter there were nearly 150 people in the line ahead of him. The flight was scheduled at 8 a.m. and when he finally made it to the front of the line it was 2 p.m. The whole time he was thinking about his bags and if he could get them, could he get to San Francisco to get on another plane?
When he finally got some help, there was a plane headed for Dallas that was leaving right then. So he hoofed it to the gate, and was the last person on the plane. As he was boarding the plane he asked, "What about my bags?"
The flight attendant closed the door behind him and said, "Yeah, good luck."
He got to Dallas, his bags were in San Francisco and he headed to the photo shoot. Thankfully they were providing his clothes and he didn't need his rigging bag. When it was done, he drove his rental car back to the Dallas Fort Worth Airport to figure out which one of the six terminals his bags might be at.
He wasn't worried about his clothes bag, those could all be replaced. But that rigging bag could have had him sweating. It contained all the tools of his trade, none of them easy to replace. The bags were waiting for him, he picked them up, turned in his rental car, got on another plane for a precious 36 hours at home.
After that 36 hours, he was loading up his RAM truck and Capri Camper for the next road trip which would take him from Marshall to Garden City, Kansas, Claremore, Okla., and Rosenberg, Texas – and the only time he would leave the ground his when he was on the back of a bucking horse.


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Bulls Cross is a hamlet located in the London Borough of Enfield, North London, and is part of London's Metropolitan Green Belt.


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#49 – "Don't Let's Start" (1986)
A.S.: I'm enjoying discussing all these undisputed classics/popular favorites, but we're setting ourselves up for just, I dunno, five lousy kids songs in a row at some point.
A.S.: We've had a disproportionately large number of really great songs and a disproportionately few number of "Fingertips".
L.K.: Before we actually say anything much about the song itself, I just want to state that the single mix was actually the only version of this song I'd heard for years and years, because that was the one that was on all the reissues and compilations and things. Now that I am the proud owner of the pink album on vinyl, I can say that it still weirds me out to hear the song in its original mix. It's a subtle difference, but it's still noticeable.
A.S.: Noticeable especially around the "I don't want to live in this world anymore" part about two minutes into the song; the single version has a prominent synth-bass part missing in the album version.
L.K.: I mostly just notice the echoey-ness of the drums or weird things like that.
A.S.: On the contrary, I've known the album version far longer, so it's a bit weird hearing the single mix whenever I watch the music video or listen to Then or Miscellaneous T or whatever. I wonder why that was the case, why there was even a single mix of this at all. This, "(She Was A) Hotel Detective", "Sleeping in the Flowers"… The art of the single mix (if such a thing exists) is something that completely evades me.
L.K.: Well, the "Sleeping In The Flowers" one was a radio edit, and "Hotel Detective" was actually more noticeably different from the DLS single mix. I can't say I know too much about why it is the way it is. Oh man, let's talk about this music video. I want to talk about the music video. (I can't believe we got two songs with videos in a row!)
A.S.: Yes, the music video.
L.K.: Like most TMBG music videos, it's… the Johns jumping around for about two-and-a-half minutes.
A.S.: In Flushing Meadows.
L.K.: But they're jumping around in the ruins of the New York State Pavilion, from the 1964 World's Fair in Queens!
A.S.: Yep!
L.K.: I desperately want to make a pilgrimage there before that thing either collapses or is torn down. The floor is a map of New York, but while it was cracked in 1986 when John Linnell was rolling around on it, it's almost completely destroyed now. I think there was some project going on to restore the map though. I think they were actually removing the tile from the floor of the pavilion to be restored and reassembled elsewhere.
A.S.: I'd be very surprised if it gets torn down, honestly. I feel like New York City would have half the mind to respect such a significant historical site.
L.K.: Nobody's been moving to tear it down so far, but if it's left to the elements a few more decades it'll probably come apart on its own unless people take care of it… Enough about the building though (even though I love that building). This is where the carpet hats made their music video debut. For that, I think we can all be grateful. The giant William Allen White heads are also a (possibly unintentionally) hilarious touch.
A.S.: This video, perhaps more than any other, utilizes a lot of props and symbols that would later crop up in many other places.
L.K.: THE PIPE! To shoot this video they basically played an extremely slowed-down version of the song, and then John Linnell had to learn how to lip-synch to that. Then they sped everything up for the final video so that it synched with the song when played at normal speed, hence the spastic movements of John and John.
A.S.: It's all done entirely without rhyme or reason or meaning, and it's just amazing. Complete irreverence and idiosyncrasy.
L.K.: If I recall correctly, I think John Linnell later expressed some displeasure at the shots of him blowing up the accordion, which were apparently put in to create some attempt at a sense of narrative to the video.
A.S.: "D world destruction" I guess.
L.K.: They Might Be Giants don't want plotlines! Or videos at all related to their lyrics.
A.S.: I wish I knew a bit more about the history of music videos or what sort of direct influence Bernstein's videos had on MTV, because I have a feeling that this sort of irreverent approach just wasn't commonplace prior to these videos. Although I really have nothing to back that up.
L.K.: Adam Bernstein, on working with the Johns: "It's fun working with the Giants because they are very contrary. They have a real aversion to the imagery having any direct response to the lyrics. They want to be as oblique as possible, and with their music, it's gotten increasingly oblique to the point of complete impenetrability. They are real tough customers; it's very hard to sell them something, because they're very into controlling their world. It was good directorial practice, because if I had an idea, I had to figure out exactly how to phrase it so that I wouldn't set them off. Or, you have to figure out how to sell them so that they would eventually like the idea."
A.S.: I'm just learning that Bernstein also directed the "Baby Got Back" video. I feel like it was probably a bit easier to sell Sir Mix-A-Lot the idea of dancing on a giant butt.
L.K.: Are you serious? Talk about a video that is about as far removed from TMBG's stuff as possible. I mean, they're peaches instead of butts, but they might as well be butts.
A.S.: Oh come on, they're BUTTS.
L.K.: They might be butts.
A.S.: If we want to get a little closer to TMBG (aside from Frank Black's "Headache", as we've mentioned), he also directed Ween's "Push Th' Little Daisies".
L.K.: Ah, I do remember reading that.
A.S.: So there's that "Don't Let's Start" demo, which is pretty significantly different from the final recording.
L.K.: Oh yeah, that's such a weird little baby version of the final song.
A.S.: A mere shell of the finished version. Different key, completely lacking the verses, has all those goofy sound effects.
L.K.: A lot slower too. Weirdly mellow, but with handclaps. Flansburgh on it: "It's difficult to fake freshness… you can't get your virginity back." Pfffffft Flans what are you even talking about, what even
A.S.: …And then at some point, Linnell made the wise decision to completely revamp the song, add the verses, and turn it into what is still one of the absolute greatest songs in the discography.
L.K.: Yep. Even now, it's still a ton of fun live. Speaking of which…
A.S.: Yes, and speaking of the carpet hats…
L.K.: We definitely need to talk about live performances of this song because there are some truly amazing ones out there from the tape machine duo days. The best is from this "Randee of the Redwoods" thing on MTV in 1988…
A.S.: The "I don't want to live in this world anymore" part in that performance is one of the greatest moments in any of their live performance, at least from what I've seen.
L.K.: Back when the video was on YouTube (it has since been removed because Viacom sucks), I think I rewatched that one part of the video about 50 times in a row. It seriously is the greatest thing, found after a carpet-hatted performance of "Shoehorn With Teeth"
A.S.: And the song has, I guess unsurprisingly, translated well to the full-band setting.
L.K.: It's one of the few songs Dan Miller doesn't play on, which already makes it feel like kind of a throwback. Flans can't bounce around as effortlessly as he could when he was in his 20s, but he still makes a noble effort. Danny Weinkauf on the other hand, does a magnificent job of hopping around in circles every time they get to the chorus.
L.K.: Let's talk lyrics.
A.S.: Incredible set. Pretty quintessential humor/pathos balancing here.
L.K.: When people talk about the whole "funny but sad" thing this is the sort of song they tend to hold up as an example.
A.S.: A lot of it is complete nonsense, so that when the heavy hitters come along, they hit.
L.K.: You get "Wake up and smell the cat food/In your bank account" and then you also get "Everybody dies frustrated and sad and that is beautiful…" followed by "Deputy Dawg dog a ding dang depadepa."
A.S.: Yeah, as much as people go on about the "everybody dies" line, it's seldom noted that it's immediately undermined by the stupid "Deputy dog" line.
L.K.: It's like this weird balancing act between total nonsense and stuff that would seem really melodramatic in most other contexts. People always quote the first part of that verse… and then stop. Just the parts about death. "Everybody dies frustrated and sad," as Sarah Vowell said, it's "kind of a downer idea". It's also worth mentioning that I love his need to include the apostrophe when spelling out the word "DON'T" in the lyrics.
A.S.: Sadness and nihilism do win in the end of this one, when in the song's climax, Linnell shouts "I don't want to live in this world anymore." But just the sheer joy of the music turns that into a triumphant slogan of sorts.
L.K.: Yes, "I don't want to live in this world anymore" is ironically one of the most triumphantly declared lines in… most of TMBG's output. I can't really think of any other competitors.
A.S.: Linnell is just so good at those sorts of lyrics.
L.K.: Like with "Birdhouse In Your Soul", the music to this song predates the lyrics. Even when he's scrambling to fit syllables to notes though, John Linnell always seems to manage to come up with something good.
A.S.: Just the right set of meaningless lyrics with some stingers thrown in.
L.K.: You know, I think that's probably part of why they're such good songs, why Linnell has such a knack for these little pop masterpieces: getting the music right first. Because if you've got a great song, you can afford to have a little bit of nonsense in the lyrics.
A.S.: Most people I know, you and I included, notice a good melody before noticing a good set of lyrics.
L.K.: I notice the song weeks, months, sometimes even years before I notice the lyrics.
A.S.: It's a real gift to have that knack for creating good melodies. Flansburgh too, they both have it. To turn them out at the rate they do too.
L.K.: And both songwriting halves of TMBG have a pretty ridiculous gift for melodic hooks. The music is what sold me on them as a band in the first place, which is why I find it so odd that most other people I've spoken to online seem to have been drawn to them by their lyrics first.
A.S.: I'm with you on this. The music sells me on every band.
L.K.: I mean (controversial opinion time!) I don't even think the Johns are necessarily the greatest overall lyricists either, but their writing works well for them.
A.S.: Maybe we can discuss this at another point; this post is getting a bit lengthy.
L.K.: Yeah, I feel like I've just opened up a whole can of worms here.
A.S.: Eh, we'll keep it open for a while. Maybe we'll close it when we come across a set of lyrics you're not particularly fond of. The opposite of "Don't Let's Start".
L.K.: God, that bridge… with our luck, we'll wind up having to discuss Crane tomorrow…
A.S.: Maybe…


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Reindeer Facts for Kids
Click here for more animal facts
Also Check out Christmas Facts, Santa Facts and Santa's Elves Facts for Kids
What is a reindeer?
Reindeer are also known as caribou. In Europe, they are only called reindeer. In North America, they are called caribou in the wild and when they are domesticated they are called reindeer.
Reindeer are mammals and part of the deer family.
Scientific Name: Rangifer Tarasndus.
Reindeer can run up to 50 miles per hour! That's one fast deer!
Where do reindeer live?
Reindeer live in some of the coldest places on earth. They live in the Northern parts of North America including Canada and Alaska also in Europe, Russia, and Greenland. Lets us not forget with Santa at the North Pole.
Reindeer live on tundras. Tundra is a vast flat, treeless land covered in snow most of the time in the Arctic region.
Reindeer live in large groups called herds.
Herds of Reindeer migrate throughout the year. Migrate means to move from place to place.
During the winter reindeer herds migrate South to find a place that is less cold. During the summer they migrate North.
Reindeer usually migrate around 1,200 miles a year. Some herds will travel more than 3,000 miles per year. That is one of the world's largest migrations.
What do reindeer look like?
Reindeer look like large deer with four legs and antlers.
Reindeer are usually between 4-5ft tall, not including their antlers. Their antlers are around 3ft tall. If you add their height along with the height of their antlers, some reindeer can be 8ft tall!
Did you know that reindeer are the only deer in which both male and females grow antlers? It's true both male and female reindeer can grow antlers.
Male reindeer shed their antlers every winter, female reindeer will shed their antlers in the spring. Once they shed their antlers, new ones with stary to grow in.
Reindeer antlers are actually rubbery, living masses of blood and marrow when they are growing.
The antlers will grow throughout late winter through until around August, then the bone begins to harden.
Like a human's fingerprint, no two reindeer antlers are exactly the same.
A reindeer mostly has different shades of brown soft fur with white fur on their neck and parts of their back. Their fur may also be gray or rust like color.
Reindeer have a double coat of fur to protect them against the cold, harsh climate that they live in.
Male reindeer can weight up to 700 pounds. Males are larger than females, sometimes a male can be doubled the size of a female. On average reindeer weight 240-700 pounds.
Reindeer have split hooves, meaning their hooves are split into two toes. Hooves are hard coverings that protect the reindeer's feet. Their hooves are used to dig for food in the snow. The outer edges of their hooves are sharp while help them walk on ice and rocks.
Reindeer's have an ankle tendon which rubs over a bone causing a clicking sound when they walk. That clicking sound helps the reindeer keep track of each other especially when they can't see in bad weather.
What do reindeer eat?
Reindeer are herbivores meaning they are plant eaters. They eat lichen a type of moss, grass, and plant that grow on rock and or trees.
In the winter reindeer will look for food under the snow. They will use their hooves to dig holes through the snow. They will continue to dig through layers of snow until they find food.
In the warmer months, they will eat plants that have grown in the tundra.
Reindeer can eat up to 12 pounds of food every day.
Baby Reindeer
Fall is mating season for reindeer. During the fall male reindeer also called bulls with fight each other using their antlers.
The female reindeer also called a cow will mate with the reindeer who was the better fighter.
Female reindeer is pregnant for 7-8 months. She will give birth to 1-2 babies in the spring. The reindeer baby is called a calf. Calves are usually 10-11 pounds when they are born.
They can run within a few hours of being born. Calves will drink milk from their mother after they are born. A reindeer's milk has more fat than cows milk. The fat-filled milk helps the calf grow big and strong. They will be able to eat food with their mom after a week old.
A calves antlers will start to grow when they are two months old. They will start off as small bumps and growing bigger every year.
A calf will stay with their mother for up to two years. Then the calf will become an adult reindeer and become part of the herd.
Reindeer Predators
One reason reindeer live in herds is protection against predators. A predator has a better chance of attacking one alone reindeer than a large group.
Some reindeer predators include gray wolves, grizzly bears, wolverines, and golden eagles.
Santa's Reindeer
As many of you know reindeer have an important job, they pull Santa's sled every Christmas Eve. Without reindeer how would Santa be able to deliver all his presents?
How does Santa's reindeer fly? Well, it's magic! Some say that Santa's reindeer have been sprinkled with a magical dust that makes them be able to fly.
Can you name all of Santa's Reindeer?
Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen. Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and we can't forget Rudolph


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Wrap a stone with wire and hang it on a knotted ribbon for an adjustable length pendant. If you have picked up a pretty stone in your travels, bring it. It should be about the size of a quarter or 50 cent piece and not too thick. Your instructor will have tumbled gemstones in a variety of sizes and colors which you can purchase in class, as well. After making the pendant, you will learn how to make adjustable knots in the necklace to vary the length of your completed project.
Prerequisite: Students must be able to use small pliers.
Age Requirement: Ages 16 and up are welcome to take this class.
Class length: 2 hours in one session
Instructor: Sandy West


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Lots has been happening in Kasiisi Project/Kibale Forest Schools Program Schools since the new term began last month.
We have 2 new Peace Corps Volunteers – Airi O'Brien who is working on literacy at Kyanyawara Primary School and David McHolland who is helping us develop the Kasiisi Project Farm.
Marguerite, the Peace Corps Volunteer at Kigarama School has been holding spelling bees and malaria workshops.
and Education Peace Corps Volunteer Paul Benz, "Music Man" ,visited 5 schools bringing his music and songs to issues of good citizenship and conservation – many adapted from well known US songs – The Wheels on the Bus, This Little Light of Mine and The Hokey Pokey.
Thanks to funding from the British and Foreign School Society to the Kasiisi Porridge Project, we are building girl-friendly latrines at Kiamara, Kasenda and Nyabweya primary schools,
and we have big new signs advertising that Kasiisi Primary School is now accepting Boarders. The number of boarders has increased from 8 last term to 44 this term, split approximately 60:40 girls to boys – we are on our way!


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Different Types Of Plantation Shutters And Their Applications
Different Types Of Plantation Shutters And Their Applications
Plantation shutters are perfect for your home and office interiors if you are looking for a hassle-free window treatment. They come in different finishes and variants, so it is important to understand the differences to choose the best match for your interior space.
Plantation shutters are sometimes called plantation blinds and they are unique because of their wide louvers, usually 3-½ to 4-½ inches wide. These shutters are the most common form of window treatment preferred by people all over the world, especially in warmer places.
The large louvers of these blinds/shutters give them an elegant look, which is perfect for dining rooms, and bedrooms. This type of window treatment is also suitable for living rooms and kitchen. It can add great value to your interior space or even you can choose from other hues and finishes.
Plantation blinds come in mainly three different types of materials, composite, vinyl, and wood. The details of each material is discussed below to give you a clear perception of plantation blinds:
Wooden - There is nothing like a wooden window treatment. No matter what kind of window treatment you are opting for, wood will always be top-notch. Wood can be carved into different shapes and sizes and allows paint and stains to stay on them.
Vinyl - This material is least expensive but the extremely cheap ones are not suggested as they might have structural issues. These shutters are entirely made of PVC and aluminum support occasionally. The main advantage of these blinds is the fact that they are inexpensive. Other advantages are weather resistance and moisture proof qualities. There are certain types of shutters that can be constructed out of vinyl. Those are:
- Hollow - Due to the hollow frames of these shutters, they can not withstand heavy weight, therefore larger frames are not suitable but they are good for simpler and small windows.
- Solid - This type of shutter has blown PVC filled inside the vinyl frames in order to make the structure sturdy. Still staying on the lower cost range, these shutters provide a great solution for all needs.
Composite - These shutters are sometimes called engineered wood or fake wood or faux wood. They are very sturdy while being weather and humidity resistant. If you are low on budget then this option can be a good alternative to wood shutters.
While deciding to transform your windows, you can consider these options. Contact any reputed professional from Mandurah to get the best results.


text: A menu worth returning for 20 March, 2019 by Mette Von Schack Pom & Flora is known to be one of the best healthy breakfast and lunch spot in town. The café on the corner of Bondegatan 64 or on the street Odengatan 39 in an inspiring environment with a menu worth returning for – whether you are up for the perfect seasonal acai-bowl or a matcha latte. Bondegatan 64 / Odengatan 39 www.pomochflora.se


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Vestas' progress in India continues with 100 MW turnkey order
The order follows the inauguration of Vestas' blades factory in Gujarat and the 54 MW Periyapatti order earlier this year, adding to Vestas' continued progress in India.
The order also includes a 10-year Active Output Management 4000 (AOM4000) service contract and VestasOnline® Business, our unique SCADA system for data-driven monitoring and preventive maintenance.
"This order underlines the broad range of capabilities and offerings that Vestas has to offer in the Indian market now and in the future. Our extensive experience from around 4 GW of turnkey projects across the globe has been key in securing this order, which is another significant step forward in a key market", said Clive Turton, President of Vestas Asia Pacific.
Turbine delivery is expected to start in late 2017, with commissioning by first half 2018.
At the customer's request, the customer and project names have not been disclosed at this time.
- Source:
- Vestas
- Author:
- Press Office
- Link:
- www.vestas.com/...
- Keywords:
- Vestas, India, turbines, turnkey


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One of the cool things about being a coach is getting data back from athletes and seeing that they have followed instructions perfectly and had great races. One of my athletes gave a master class in race execution at the […]Continue reading »
Tag: Power
Article about power training on Sportzhub
This is the first of a series introducing the basics of using power and the equipment available.Continue reading »
Monitoring Training Effect
The reason we train is to improve…right? Especially when you've gone to the expense of having a power meter and coach. I admit to frequent bouts of amazement at the people that I see devoting endless (I can't say countless […]Continue reading »
Power2Max Review
I've written a review of the new Power2Max system for Sportzhub, which you can read hereContinue reading »


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"If you love life, you'll love France." This famous travel poster from Hitchcock's To Catch a Thief says it all! And no one brings you France—not to mention London—like Monograms! On this 11-day vacation to London, Paris, Aix-en-Provence, and Nice, we've arranged your hotel reservations, daily breakfast, sightseeing, transportation between cities, and transfers from/to your hotels to/from the train stations. Plus, we've arranged for you to have a Local Host® in each city. This feature, offered only by Monograms, ensures you have someone in each city to answer questions, offer suggestions, help arrange activities, and help you get the most out of your vacation.
Your vacation begins when you arrive in London. We can pick you up at the airport and take you to your selected hotel, where your Local Host will greet you with a warm welcome, help you get settled, and give you materials to familiarize you with the city. The next morning, after an included breakfast, we'll pick you up at your hotel for exclusive, private sightseeing with an expert local guide. You'll hear the inside stories around the must-see attractions, such as Westminster Abbey and Big Ben. We'll take you to iconic St. Paul's Cathedral before arriving in time to see the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. In London, you'll also have a full day to explore on your own. Perhaps enjoy a cruise on the Thames River, visit Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, admire the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London, ride a double-decker bus, and visit the food halls at London's famous department stores, such as Harrods.
Then, it's off to France—Paris, Aix-en-Provence, and Nice. We'll pick you up at your London hotel and take you to the train station to catch the high-speed Eurostar train (imagine the thrill of riding through the Chunnel!). In Paris, we'll pick you up at the train station and take you to your selected hotel, where your Local Host will be on hand to help you get settled and to give you materials about the city. The next day, after an included breakfast, we'll pick you up at your hotel for guided sightseeing with a local expert. Your sightseeing features Notre Dame Cathedral, dating back to 1163, and the Louvre, the world's most visited museum. Here, we give you VIP access so that rather than waiting in line, you'll be up close and personal with Da Vinci's Mona Lisa and other treasures. During your full free day in Paris, you may want to visit one of the many museums, such as the Musée d'Orsay; shop at one of the department stores, such as the famous Galeries Lafayette, where we have secured shopping discounts for you; take an excursion to Claude Monet's Giverny and the Palace of Versailles; learn to cook from a French chef; visit the Normandy Landing Beaches; or just sit back and relax as you enjoy a drink or meal on the famous Champs-Elysées.
Next up: a train ride via the high-speed TGV train to Aix-en-Provence, where we'll pick you up at the train station and take you to your hotel. The next morning, after included breakfast, your guided sightseeing with a local expert includes a visit to the Cathedral of the Holy Savior, known for its mismatch of architectural styles. We'll also take you for a walk along 17th-century Cours Mirabeau, a lively area with fountains, elegant homes, and famous cafés. In your free time, you may want to take an excursion to Avignon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to see its Pope's Palace; visit Cézanne's studio; or visit one of the local Aix-en-Provence markets.
The following day, we'll take you from your Aix-en-Provence hotel to the train station for your journey to Nice, and once you arrive in Nice, we'll pick you up at the train station and take you to your hotel. In Nice, your guided sightseeing with a local expert features the inside stories only locals know; the Promenade des Anglais, Nice's most famous boulevard; and a walk through the Old Town. A full day at leisure in Nice will allow you to explore at your own pace (with the support of your Local Host, of course). Perhaps take an excursion to St. Tropez; browse the famous flower market; sample local specialties such as rosé wine and Salad Niçoise; or just relax on the beach.
And did we mention your travel via high-speed Eurostar train between London & Paris includes porterage and is first-class on the high-speed TGV train between Paris, Aix-en-Provence, and Nice? Between the transportation and transfers we've included, the sightseeing and guides we've arranged, and the hotels we've booked, all you have to do is show up ready to have fun and explore. Add the comfort of knowing you'll have a Local Host in each city to help you, and you've got yourself a vacation you'll love! After all, "if you love life, you'll love France."
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* The "Starting at" or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per passenger based on double occupancy and does not include airfare; additional fees/charges are not included. Pricing may vary on this date due to hotel availability. If a price is crossed out, the new price includes a limited time promotional offer(s) – please review current promotions or deals for additional information. Some packages require intra-vacation flights (and in some cases intra-vacation segments must be purchased from Monograms). dry
Welcome to London! Your Local Hosts will help you maximize your stay in one of the most historically significant capital cities, containing four UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Morning guided sightseeing includes all of London's famous landmarks. Drive past the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben; Westminster Abbey, where Prince William and Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, were married; Whitehall's mounted horseguards; the Prime Minister's Downing Street; Piccadilly Circus; and Buckingham Palace. Take photographs of the London Eye, the giant Ferris wheel situated on the riverbank; and the Shard, the tallest building in Western Europe. Visit ST. PAUL'S CATHEDRAL. Sir Christopher Wren's masterpiece with its world-famous dome is an iconic feature of London's skyline, and the awe-inspiring interior holds fascinating stories about its history.
Full day at leisure to explore the city. Your Local Hosts will assist you with recommendations, such as a visit to the National History Museum with its collection of the biggest, tallest, and rarest animals in the world, followed by a pint of beer at a nearby pub.
Travel to Paris by HIGH-SPEED EUROSTAR TRAIN (Standard class).
Morning guided sightseeing includes a drive past the Latin Quarter, Les Invalides, Place de la Concorde, the Arc de Triomphe, and a stop to take photos of the Eiffel Tower from one of the best panoramic viewing points. Also admire the heart of the city from a different perspective on a SEINE RIVER CRUISE. Board your comfortable boat near the Eiffel Tower and spend a relaxing hour gliding by many of the city's important landmarks such as the L'Institut de France; magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral, Hôtel de Ville, the Conciergerie, famous Louvre Palace and museum; and much more.
Your Local Host will have many suggestions for your day, such as a visit to the Centre Pompidou, which houses a vast public library, the largest museum for modern art in Europe, and a center for music and acoustic research.
Travel by HIGH-SPEED TGV TRAIN (first class) to Aix-en-Provence. Enjoy a guided walking tour along the 17th-century Cours Mirabeau, a lively area with fountains, elegant homes, and famous cafés. Admire the Mazarin Quarter, City Hall, the Jewish Quarter, and visit the CATHEDRAL OF THE HOLY SAVIOUR, known for its interesting combination of architectural styles and The Burning Bush triptych art masterpiece by Nicolas Froment.
Today you may want to stroll through the famous fruit and vegetable market, or shop for lavender products. Your Local Host will have lots of ideas for you.
Travel by HIGH-SPEED TGV TRAIN (first class) to Nice. Your guided sightseeing features the PROMENADE DES ANGLAIS, originally built in the second half of the 18th century and the most famous boulevard in Nice. Walk through the OLD TOWN to admire fine examples of the Belle Époque. See Cours Saleya with the Kings of Sardinia Palace and flower market, and the lovely Palace Square with Palais de Justice and Palais Rusca.
Your Local Host has many recommendations for your full day at leisure on the beautiful Côte d'Azur, such as a stop at the Matisse Museum, or the best places to try local specialties, like socca (custard-filled chickpea pancake), Salad Niçoise (salad with tuna and anchovies), pissaladière (French pizza), farcis (stuffed vegetables), and rosé wine.
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.