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Introductory Writing for PhD Students, Postdocs & Researchers
May 14-16 Linköping (13:30 – 16:30)
This unique three-day course addresses common problems when writing articles and PhD theses in English. It focuses on academic and scientific writing style rather than on grammar, although grammar and punctuation strategies are part of the discussions. We have based the course on the analysis of hundreds of edited articles and theses from Swedish universities and years of experience teaching academic writing.
Participants learn practical techniques to improve their writing, which they can then apply to their own texts. These techniques will make their writing easier to read and the writing experience more enjoyable.
We'll help you
- improve your English writing skills with an instructor who has many years of editing experience and teaching academic and scientific writing
- revise your writing to make it easier for readers to understand your material and more interesting to read
- present complicated information using simple techniques
- use punctuation to improve readability
- focus your writing on your message
- analyze your own writing style
- improve your chances of being published
We have designed this course so participants can immediately apply what they learn to their own writing. This practical, hands-on course is both extremely useful and enjoyable.
Name: Introductory Writing Course for PhD Students, Postdocs & Researchers
Length: Three hours a day for three days, for a total of nine class hours
Dates: May 14, 15 & 16, 2019 (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday)
Times: 13:30-16:30 daily
Group size: Minimum 10, max 15
Location: Linköping
Classroom: To be announced
Course language: English
Materials: Course handbook provided with lecture notes and supplementary resources
Price: SEK 4900/participant plus VAT
Student assessment: Provided for departments offering credit to participants
Advanced courses: Available for participants who have completed the introductory course
"The skills I learned in this course helped me get a job as a scientific manager at a cancer research institute."
"An excellent instructor who inspires and encourages discussion."
"The course was easy to follow, with practical tips that can be used immediately."
"The instructor did an outstanding job. He was easy to listen to and his classes were very well designed."
|13:30 - 16:30
|Per participant
|Per participant (group rate)


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CLIENT REVIEW: "The tour was a great experience. I was able to see parts of JA I would never see if I travelled on my own. I especially liked the visit to the Rastafarian village. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and made the experience very enjoyable. I would recommend this tour to other travellers".
Jamaica Discovery – 15 Days
Jamaica Discovery for 15 days is all things Jamaican with the full cast of Jamaican people – we are "a day in the life vacation" with an emphasis on showcasing the true Jamaica and its rich culture which will captivate and entertain. You can experience, the Jamaica Discovery way, signature Jamaican locations such as Montego Bay, Negril, Treasure Beach, Kingston, Portland and Ocho Rios all packaged with you in mind. These are "Your days – Jamaica Discovery Days… change your world by sharing ours and you could never remain unchanged…"
Start/Finish City: Montego Bay
Whats Included?
- All Accommodations – 14 nights
- Fourteen (14) breakfasts and two (2) lunches
- Private vehicle transfer to all destinations and all included activities
- Dedicated Tour Leader
- Rastafarian Village Experience with lunch
- Transfer to Rick's Cafe
- Beach time in Negril
- Appleton Estates Rum Tour
- Bob Marley Museum Tour
- Charles Town Maroon Experience with lunch
Optional Activities
Book Now
Find dates, prices, and more trip options.
- (B) Breakfast
- (L) Lunch
Day 1, Thursday – Montego Bay
Day 2, Friday – Montego Bay (B, L)
Day 3, Saturday – Montego Bay/Negril (B)
Day 4, Sunday – Negril (B)
Day 5, Monday – Negril/Treasure Beach (B)
From Appleton we head to Treasure Beach with a stop in Middle Quarters (famous for peppered shrimp) to experience Jamaican street food for lunch or you can opt instead to try our local fast food – patty (chicken, beef, vegetation, shrimp, etc)
Day 6 and 7, Tuesday and Wednesday – Treasure Beach (B, L)
Other options to enjoy from Treasure Beach are YS Falls, Lovers Leap which are also highly recommended.

subset: commoncrawl


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Emergency Tow Truck in Woodburn IN – Local Service
Emergency Tow Truck in Woodburn IN – Local Service
Woodburn Towing Service - Serving Woodburn and surrounding areas. Highly trusted for over 15 years!Call Now! (844) 500-1009
Most people in Woodburn, Indiana has needed a tow truck at some point or another. Whether it was a flat tire and a missing spare or a fender bender, Woodburn tow trucks have helped us all out of a jamb by safely transporting our vehicle to a repair shop. But many people don't realize that towing companies offer more than just a lift when your car is disabled. From roadside assistance to flat-bed towing, Woodburn towing offers a several helpful services.
Emergency Roadside Assistance Services
In addition to tow truck services, Woodburn towing provides complete roadside assistance, offering 24-hour help, so in the middle of the night-when roadside assistance is most important-they're there to lend a hand. From changing flats to jump-starting your vehicle, Woodburn tow offers assistance even when you don't need the tow truck itself! Roadside assistance from any Indiana towing service can help reduce your anxiety during stressful roadside breakdowns as well as help keep you safe. For those minor emergencies when your vehicle is temporarily out of action, they'll get your car going again and get you back on the road.
Emergency roadside assistance services are generally designed to help drivers with common problems like:
- Flat tires
- Empty gas tanks
- Dead batteries
- Lock outs
Flatbed Towing Services
While you may be familiar with the use of a flatbed tow truck for transporting damaged vehicles, you might not realize that they are also used for hauling equipment and large loads. Woodburn towing provides flatbed towing services for small storage containers, industrial equipment, tractors and farm equipment, walk-in refrigerators, and other loads too large for easy transportation. Generally available for cross-town trips as well as long distances, flatbed hauling can be a great solution for your hard-to-transport equipment. And, for added peace of mind, don't forget that your Woodburn, IN tow truck driver has the skills and tools to safely and easily load and transport your freight for problem-free transportation!


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Konica Minolta Magicolor 4695MF Driver
Konica Minolta Magicolor 4695MF Driver– A multifunction printer for a decent size workgroup must be vigorous and ready to adapt to an overwhelming obligation cycle. Konica Minolta's Magicolor 4695F is intended for this business sector and its spec sheet, in any event, appears to offer all that is required. At 55kg, the Magicolor 4695 is a considerable machine, with an extensive impression. Given whatever is left of its detail, it's difficult to see why it must be this huge and substantial. It's styled like a scanner, which fits with Minolta's experience as an office hardware creator. And in addition the measure of the machine itself, its yield plate stretches out from the left-hand side and a multipurpose food, of an extra 100 sheets of extraordinary media, folds down from the privilege.The fundamental paper plate takes paper in scene mode, as the entire machine prints from side to side, similar to a copier, instead of front to back, similar to a printer. It has a limit of only 250 sheets which, in a machine with an obligation cycle of 120,000 pages, appears to be little. You're liable to need to restock it frequently or, more probable, include a discretionary 550-sheet second plate.A 50-sheet Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) sits on top of the intensely counteracted top and before this is a customarily laid out control board. Status data is shown on a 4-line by 16-character, illuminated LCD showcase and menus are explored utilizing a ring of four catches with a focal determination catch. To one side of this is a number cushion for Super G3 fax dialing, and in addition capacity keys and others to begin and stop a duplicate or output work.All the consumables are gotten to from the front, once you've collapsed down the front board. There are particular toner and drum units for every shading, and in addition the fuser and exchange belt, however these are considered upkeep things, as they have administration interims of 120,000 pages.A full duplicate of Nuance PaperPort is furnished with machine, and Konica Minolta's own application suite and drivers for both PCL 6 and Postscript Level 3. USB, Gigabit Ethernet and parallel ports are standard on the machine, however there's no Wi-Fi. There is, however, a stroll up USB port, so you can print PDF, TIFF, JPEG and XPS records specifically.
Konica Minolta Magicolor 4695MF Driver
Supports To:
♦ Windows XP
♦ Windows Vista
♦ Windows 7
♦ Windows 8
♦ Windows 8.1
♦ Mac Os Maverick
♦ Linux
For more details we will give you how to install the driver for easy installation process for you.
How to Install drivers on your computer or Notebook
This is one way to install a printer driver on your computer or notebook is the way Buddy as follows, please follow:
- The first input driver CD in the CD-ROM/RW DRIVE, if you don't have the CD-ROM/RW drive first then make sure you download the drivers on the link below that already we provide.
- Open the file Hereed, most of the files are already in shape. If the file is still in the form of RAR please extract it first.
- Then double-click on the setup file
- Click Finish
- Then Restart computer or notebook buddy, and then try printing on a sheet of paper.
If the prints successfully, it means that the installation of the drivers on the computer or notebook PAL was already successful.
Operating System
Windows 8.1 or Windows 8 32bit
Windows 8.1 or Windows 8 64bit
Windows Vista or Windows 7 or Windows XP 32bit
Windows Vista or Windows 7 or Windows XP 64bit
Operating System
OS X 10.9 or OS X 10.8
Mac OS X 10.7 or Mac OS X 10.6 or Mac OS X 10.6
Operating System


text: Provisional results up for Ladies Cross Country at Mitcham Common, well done to everyone, it was 8.5K so slightly long, and 3 laps with short sharp steep hills and lots of mud. Many thanks to Grant Davison for cheering us on. See you all at the last match at Denbies Vineyard, Dorking. "A" team lead in by Maggie Stacey 37.58, Libby Marchant 42.07, Sharon Andrew 45.34, Jo Deeks 45.42, Jo Newstead 47.13, Then "B" team led by Caroline Dawson 49.38, Ann Bath 51.37, Maria Cenalmor 53.39. Many thanks to Maria for driving directions and keeping me sane in 19 miles of mostly horrendous traffic averaging slower than a slow cycling pace, to the men's at Cranford, whew arrived just as Jim Ley lead them in!


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A Regicide
By Alain Robbe-Grillet
Translated by John Calder
Alma Classics, 2015
For a novel written in 1947, half-heartedly revised in 1957 and finally published in France in 1978, A Regicide is a disconcertingly contemporary read.
Moreover, it is possible to place your finger on exactly why this is so: Robbe-Grillet's frequent descriptions of nature, of plants and insects and coastline, as fragile and precarious: that's what strikes home. The island kingdom where an assassination (imagined? actual?) is played out is battened by tempests, beset by drought. Seasons are awry.
Robbe-Grillet's disquiet derived, no doubt, from what was the very real fear, in 1947, of a nuclear winter – and in this regard the closing pages of the novel evoke the final apocalyptic scenes of Antonioni's The Eclipse. In Antonioni's film, and in A Regicide as well, there's the sense that what the individuals do doesn't really matter; there are larger forces at work. Our disquiet, as we read the novel now, is due to an awareness of the finitude of the earth and the very real possibility of environmental collapse. Some wiseguy (not me) has called this awareness a consequence of 'the planetary turn'; and it makes the novel more relevant now – thanks to John Calder's vibrant translation, apparently the first rendering into English – than when it came out in France in 1978.
As for the rest, the parts of the novel to do with storyline and character: Boris, the protagonist, is the one who aims to kill a king, the puppet ruler of a totalitarian society. His girlfriend, Laura, is a politico type, so no joy there. She lets him be and he's enticed by these sirens, which feed into the ecological motif, maybe: the call of the sea. Perhaps there's a Golden Bough motif in here as well: with the King dead, we have no one to lead, we are in the unknown, lost. What we have lost above all is the illusion that the world is intelligible to human understanding.
A haunting novel.
The publisher's description of the book can be read here.


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Increasingly we live immersed in a symbolic environment that mediates between ourselves and the world around us. Our modern use of symbols gives us great power, but only if we are aware of how we symbolise ourselves and our world. The Magician's Reflection helps us reveal the hidden nature of reality. This new expanded edition provides methods to create your own personal symbol systems enabling you to consciously use your symbols to better understand and manifest your desires.
Written by the author of 'The Magician's Companion', this indispensable desk reference contains material for the working magician but will also be of value to writer, designers and artists of all types. Easy to follow exercises and procedures guide the reader through such topics as:
Become more aware of your symbolic surroundingsWorking with archetypesCreating personal mythologyUsing metals, minerals and other substances as physical alphabetsDeveloping your own dialogue with the worldAssembling Custom Spiritual GuidesCreating personal symbols for success
Back to Catalogue, Books by Bill Whitcomb
© 2006 - 2019 - Immanion Press & Storm Constantine.
All works contained on this page are the copyright of the respective owners.


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As an Entrepreneur, How do you Face Decision Making? Hello Fellow Entrepreneurs, This is probably the toughest question you would ever have to ask yourself as a business owner. How do you Face Decision Making? When it comes to; A…Continue Reading→
admin Post in Affiliate Marketing,Be your own Boss,Business Owner,Entrepreneur,Female Entrepreneurs,Make Money,Male Entreprenuers,Online Business,Strategy,Success,Work From Home


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Top 100 Builder
Builder Magazine Lists EDGEhomes in Top 100 Building Firms
(Orem, Utah) May 27, 2015 – As EDGEhomes has continued to grow and provide more offerings, it was recognized earlier this month by Builder Magazine for its success in the Builder 100.
"We are pleased to be recognized along with the top building firms in the nation," said Gordy Jones, EDGEhomes CEO. "We plan to continue providing individual attention to our homebuyers while increasing our variety of offerings."
The Builder 100 is an exclusive annual listing of the country's top building firms. The firms are ranked based on closings, revenue and buildings completed.
"This year's BUILDER 100 is made up of a diverse group of companies, from those specializing in entry level, move-up, or active adult residences to firms selling multimillion-dollar luxury mansions," said Jennifer Goodman, Senior Editor at Builder.
EDGEhomes, the growing, community-focused business, is building numerous communities throughout Salt Lake, Wasatch and Utah Counties, with dozens of others completed in past years.


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Small Towns in the Mojave Desert
The caring shaman truly had nothing to give to this poor man, so he felt deeply moved by the misery this man and his family found themselves in, and deeply sorry for not being able to alleviate it. So, he kneeled and implored to mother nature for mercy. While praying, he looked around and his eyes fell upon a lizard who was peacefully reposed on a rock and sunbathing. So, the shaman held out his hand to the lizard, gently. When the hand made contact with the beautiful skin, the lizard turned into a jewel of gold and emeralds. So, the shaman, immediately gave it to the Native American and said: Take this, go to the city, which was 80 km away from this small town and sell it for something that can help your family.
The native started his journey to the big city immediately and upon returning, he did not only remedy his hunger and that of his family, but he was able to buy some land which fed his family for many years. When his situation had considerably improved, years later, he thought he must restore the jewel to his rightful owner. So, on a beautiful summer morning like this one, he bought it back and returned with it to find the shaman, whom he found on the same trail as during their previous encounter, although he looked much older.
I wanted to return this gem that you once gave me and has helped me and my family so much, said the Native American. I no longer need it; perhaps it can help someone else. Thank you very much. The old man gently put the gem on a rock. Suddenly, by the miracle of Mother Earth, the precious object turned back into what it had once been; a beautiful lizard, who began walking slowly back to its cave.


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Transform six high-poverty elementary schools into showcases of outstanding computer science education, including career exploration with employer partners, no later than the 2020-21 school year. The six Computer Science is Elementary Schools, plus Loess Hills Computer Programming School, also will serve as a statewide resource for Iowa educators by sharing their curriculum and community engagement strategies. Computer science is a new basic skill in the 21st century, so building a strong foundation early for all students is critical. This will ensure they are well prepared later in their personal and professional lives, including for a dynamic workforce where a growing number of jobs require computer science skills.
Six $50,000 awards will be made to selected applicants thanks to generous support from private-sector partners. One Computer Science is Elementary School will be located in each of the six regions established by the Governor's Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Advisory Council. Awards must be used for a building with at least 40 percent of students eligible for free- and reduced-price lunch. Selecting a mix of rural and urban communities will be an additional consideration. Loess Hills Computer Programming School in Sioux City also will receive $50,000 to serve as a project resource.
School districts and non-public school systems (or stand-alone non-public schools) with an elementary building with at least 40 percent of students eligible for free- and reduced-price lunch are eligible to apply. The award must be targeted primarily to one high-poverty school, but other schools in the district or system may benefit, such as participating in computer science professional development. The awards, which will be announced by summer 2019, must be used by June 30, 2021.
- January 22, 2019: RFP opens
- March 29, 2019: RFP closes
- Summer 2019: Selected schools announced
- Summer 2019: Initial planning meeting for selected schools
- Summer 2019 - Summer 2020: Planning and/or implementation year
- Summer 2020: Progress report
- June 30, 2021: Final date for use of funding


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I have had a few people ask me for the exact measurements and directions for the quilt I make for the local women's shelter that I call my Bridie's Blessings 1 Metre Wonder quilt.
This lovely sized 4x5 block lap quilt measures 40 1/2 inches x 48 1/2 inches when finished. You can change the orientation to 5x4 blocks as seen below.
This quilt uses just 1 yard of the focus fabric used in the pieced the blocks, borders and also the binding if you have just a little over 1 yard. It can definitely all be cut form 1 metre which measure 39 inches. Apart from the fabric used for the embroidered blocks you need just 9 inches of the contrast fabric used in the pieced blocks
How many of us have purchased 1 yard cuts of those "I just have to have a piece of that " fabrics?
You can download the tutorial for this quilt from HERE


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In this age of consumerism, social media and reality TV, this is where I want to be:
The EdgeLand- a place to be self-contained, immersed in wild, natural spaces and, most of all, private.
A recent journey to the archipelagos of Sweden gave me the opportunity to be in remote tranquil places; to swim, sketch and collect the memories that have become my paintings.
Intimate moments of private reverie on the margins of land and sea are the subject of my current work. In these expansive natural settings, there is space for contemplation and daydreams. The figures are in a state close to loneliness, to melancholia and anxiety but are freed by their surroundings.
I work in oils and aim for a stripped-back, spare painting style and a limited palette.


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So this is my car...my beautiful sky blue 2 door 1960 Pontiac Catalina. Isn't she a beaut?
I have had this dream machine for a couple of years and purchased it as is which is original with a newer but very tired interior. While I know a lot of car collectors and customisers I am more of a traditionalist and get very excited about original features and design elements.
I had been planning to restore the interior of my car and had accumulated quite a bit of information including this incredible promotional video.
The current upholstery can be seen in these images below on the front bench seat. I will also change elements of the dashboard paint. The speaker system was tucked into the glove compartment and four speakers were sitting underneath the front seats - lets just say the heavy bass was quite the experience.
All of the springs and padding had completely eroded or broken which made you feel like you were sitting on the floor while driving.
I soon found that SMS Fabrics could supply my original door trims and replace almost the entire interior. They are great to deal with and if you have any trouble finding what you are after just send them an email they offer sample swatches and were very helpful. My car already had new navy carpets, roof and boot linings, so I chose to keep those. SMS were great to deal with and I purchased a stunning woven fabric, two different shades of blue vinyl, three embossed panels for the seats, door handle pads and the parcel shelf. Every item was made to order and delivery was staggered but well worth the wait.
Two tone heat embossed door panels
All seals and finishes are being replaced and the mechanisms serviced.
I am so happy with the team that are working on this stay tuned as there will be a follow up blog and video soon, so if you haven't already please subscribe to my youtube channel here.


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A Brief Biography of George Pace
English Architect George Pace 1915-1975, was born in Croydon Surrey.
During his formative years he became a member of the Society of Antiquaries and won many prizes as a student including the Pugin studentship in 1937 and the RIBA Asphitel prize for the best architectural student in England.
Mackintosh was an early influence and a fellow student quoted "whilst most of the students enthused about Lloyd Wright or Gropius, George was more concerned with the ideas of William Morris, Lethaby and Burges". (taken from The Architecture of George Pace by Peter Pace, Batsford, London, 1990)
Pace, however declared a respect for Gropius whilst at the same time pursuing a passion for medieval Gothic nurtured by his childhood years drawing churches with his father.
During the early stages of his practice, Pace developed a strong relationship with the Ecclesiastical. He formed a close bond with the Dean of York Minster and through his patronage became architect to several major Cathedrals.
Pace believed strongly in the tradition of skill and craftsmanship and developed long lasting relationships with several firms.
Pace's later designs for completely new buildings were rooted in this unique mix of the modern and the conservative, the Gropius and the Morris. Added to this mix, was the belief that industrial architecture was an underestimated art form.


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With the possibility of a relocation to the West Coast, I'm really taking the time to savor all that the East Coast has to offer. Just a short trip outside of the city yields nature's bounty in beautiful Connecticut. It's amazing how much the scenery changes in such a short distance. I'm actually sad that I didn't take more time to explore this serene place when I had the chance growing up. Summers spent in Connecticut at my cousin's house didn't have me venturing much farther than Danbury and some of their sea towns. But now that I have, I'm amazed at all Connecticut has to offer. My family and I couldn't stop remarking about the beautiful colors and scenery on our drive up.
Once we were nourished, we were off to our next stop, Jones Family Farms on the Connecticut Wine Trail. I was super excited to discover a new pumpkin patch, having been disappointed with our choices the last few years. Jones Family Farms did not disappoint. The farm's natural beauty was the star of this visit. As a working farm, it was filled with fall and farm appropriate decorations and activities that were fun for the entire family. It wasn't over the top and carnival-like like many other pumpkin patches have become. I loved that you could actually choose between selecting pumpkins on their great lawn or out in their natural fields filled with beautiful, almost perfectly shaped pumpkins. I got some amazing shots of my family walking through the fields, which you know is the goal of all my family outings. My family was impressed with the huge selection of pumpkins and gourds. Who knew there were so many! My husband had a particular fondness for bumpy "ugly duckling" gourds while my daughter loved all the ones that looked like flowers. Marcus had fun among all the mini pumpkins, finding one for him and his baby brother. It was a beautiful way to end our day in Connecticut. We'll definitely be coming up next year to pick our fall treasures again as well as to check out their Christmas Tree selections and Winery. I hear their Strawberry Serenade, a sparkling wine made from strawberries picked from their own farm, is simply divine!
For additional information on Connecticut events, trip ideas and travel deals check out www.CTvisit.com. Join other passionate residents and visitors by becoming part of the state's social community, on Facebook, Twitter,Pinterest and now, Instagram.


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Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Who is Brett Barton?
I really have no idea who reads this blog, but have assumed that most of you who find your way here from time to time are either family or close friends who already know quite a bit about me. While I'm far from being the most interesting person in the world, I can't help but think that there are some unique things about me that you probably don't know.
Here goes nothing. I submit to you Brett Barton: Biases, Books, Beer, Beaches and Balls. (If you've been browsing my blog, you should already be aware of my fondness for alliteration as well as my disdain for the Oxford comma.) (Oh...I also have a penchant for parenthetical tangents.)
The first thing you should know about me is that if something becomes super-popular before I have watched it, read it, heard about it, etc., then I am biased against it. This bias is so strong that there is usually no point trying to overcome it. I first realized this when I was 14 years old. The movie Top Gun had just been released and everyone that I knew kept telling me "You have GOT to see this movie. It is the best movie EVER!" Every time one of my friends wanted to talk about things like geese, kilmers, volleyballs, Berlin, wing men and losing that lovin' feelin', I had less desire to see this movie. I had one friend who went to the movie in the early afternoon and liked it so much that when he came out of the theater, he got back in line to buy a ticket for the next showing of it. When he told me that I just HAD to see it, I remember thinking something along these lines: "I'm sure of it. I hate it." (Let me know if you get the irony in that last quote.)
My taste in music is very peculiar. I hate "pop" music. Actually, that's not true. I do like lots of what was once pop music, but only after it becomes unpopular to the point of ridicule. But whatever is playing on the radio right now that everyone is loving, I don't like it. Bring back the synthesized sound of the 80's and 90's and the hair metal bands with the guys who sound (and look) like girls! Sure it sounds dated, but gosh...it's great music. It warms my heart that my son listens to the likes of Boston, Def Leppard, Kansas and Bon Jovi. I also love progressive rock, which more than likely won't mean anything to you as it's a genre that most people stay away from. It is about as unpopular as good music can get.
Other biases: against smoking, against narcotics (except for Mountain Dew) and against household pets (we have 3 of them).
I love to read. My parents encouraged me to read from a young age. However, I credit my aunt Karen for getting me going by giving me two Hardy Boys books as a Christmas present which I read and loved. After reading those two books, I read the entire Hardy Boys hardback series (all 58 of them). I became such an aficionado of the Hardy Boys that at the age of 9, I could tell you the name of every single book along with its corresponding number in the series. If that weren't enough, I still know them 30 years later. Every now and then my kids will quiz me just to make sure I still have it. ("Dad, what's #19?" Me: "Too easy, The Disappearing Floor." I'm sure this information will prove to come in handy some day.)
It took me a little over 3 months to read the entire Bible at the age of 12. I started my first journal soon after that which I have kept current to the present day. It is a reading log in which I record every book that I have read. (This has come in handy for those times when I'm at the library and a particular cover catches my eye. I'll grab the book, take it home, start reading and if it seems vaguely familiar, I can just check the trusty reading journal to see if it's a book I've read before.)
I love most genres and would list my favorite authors as John Steinbeck, Ernest Hemingway, Michael Crichton, James Clavell, George R. R. Martin, Orson Scott Card and Malcolm Gladwell. Due to my bias mentioned above, I have never read anything written by John Grisham. I also resisted reading Harry Potter, but finally read the first book and was not impressed. Lord of the Rings? Read all three of them. Blah, blah and blah.
I love beer, as long as it's not mass-produced (there's that bias again). I guess I'm just a snob. When it comes to beer, I am a huge snob. There's nothing like kicking back and reading a not-too-popular book while drinking a not-too-popular beer with some not-too-popular music playing in the background.
Everyone loves going to the beach. Not me. It's okay, I guess. Maybe I've just had bad luck. Our family took two vacations to Destin, Florida in 2004 and 2005. Our 2004 trip can be described in two words: Hurricane Ivan. Our 2005 trip can also be described in two words: Hurricane Katrina (ever heard of it?). No more beach vacations for the Bartons! Give me the mountains of Colorado while the rest of you deal with sun burn and sand in your butt.
I grew up with a love of sports. I loved playing football, basketball and soccer as a young child. However, I wasn't fast. I wasn't strong. I wasn't tall. And after I went through my growth spurt at age 14, I still wasn't fast, strong or tall. I was slow. I was six feet tall weighing 140 pounds. I was a fiery competitor which greatly helped compensate for my lack of athletic prowess, but not to the point where I was ever really good at a sport. I was merely competitive (which is a nice way of saying that I was a decent loser). I so badly wanted to be good at something. I finally found some success in three different sports.
In March of 1986, my dad and I went on a ski trip to Telluride, Colorado. We spent four days on this wonderful mountain. The first two days were spent taking beginners' lessons. The third day we ventured out on our own to ski other beginner runs beyond the "bunny hill." The fourth day we actually went to the top of the mountain and skied the whole way down on an intermediate trail. I fell in love with everything about snow skiing on this trip. (Take that, beaches!) We had the opportunity to go to Telluride again the very next year. I was excited to return to see if I had improved any from my first trip. You see, I had been training and was hoping to see if all of my hard work had paid off.
My dad had given me a high-tech video for Christmas which promised amazing improvement for people who wanted to become better skiers. All one had to do was watch the video and then visualizing himself executing the same flawless turns and techniques that the professional skiers on the video were doing. I so desperately wanted to be a better skier, so I faithfully watched the video almost every single day for the three months leading up to that second ski trip to Colorado. Like I said, I trained hard. Would you believe that it worked?!? I had transformed from a snowplowing traverse skier to an aggressive parallel skier willing to take on any run just from watching a video over and over again and believing that it was me skiing on that video. The darn thing worked and I found something that I was really good at. It was great.
Before I was a snow skier, I was a ping-pong player. I grew up with a ping-pong table in my house. I would play my friends at times, but my primary opponent and arch-nemesis was my dad. When it came to ping-pong, he was merciless. He was also pretty good (like me, having grown up with a table in his home playing against his dad). At the age of 10, I entered a Ping-Pong tournament that was put on by the Christian school that I was attending at the time. Any and all students of the school from Kindergarten to 12th grade were allowed to play. Having gone up against my dad numerous times, I had some decent experience and figured that I would win a few games even though I was much younger than most of the other competitors. As it turned out, I kept winning and winning knocking off kids who were seniors in high school while I was just in the 5th grade. I made it to the championship and was squared off against a girl who was a junior in high school (who, oddly enough, sometimes reads this blog). It was an epic battle but I took the "best of 5" championship by winning 3 games to 1. I was crowned champion of the entire school and loved the sweet taste of success in an unlikely sport, but a sport nonetheless.
My ping-pong career did not end there. As an adult, I have played table tennis tournaments in such exotic locales as Atlanta, Chicago and Wichita. I have brought home trophies and medals which are now gathering dust in some out-of-the-way cabinet or closet. I have practiced against a ping-pong robot. I have built my own paddles and am still willing to take on anyone that challenges my table tennis superiority.
If you're not strong and fast enough to play football or not tall enough to play basketball, don't be afraid to look elsewhere. Snow skiing is great, but is definitely not cheap and not easily accessible if you live in the Midwest like I do. Ping-pong is more accessible and not as expensive, but you better get along well with Asians if you want to play. And then there is running. All you need is a pair of shoes and a stretch of road.
I made a New Year's resolution to begin running on a regular basis in the year 2005. That became the most successful New Year's resolution I ever made. I began running in January. In February, my friend Bill encouraged me to sign up for a race. In March, I ran that race -- a 5K (3.1 miles). In April, I ran a 5K three minutes faster than I ran the one in March. In May, I decided to run a marathon (26.2 miles). In October, I did just that. It was a great experience and I'll never forget the feeling I had when I crossed the finish line with tears in my eyes on that fall day in Chicago. (It was made even more dramatic when I found out 20 minutes later that my beautiful wife finished as well, despite not having run at all for the two weeks leading up to the marathon due to a knee injury.) That about sums up my accomplishments in the world of sports.
Okay, enough about me! I'd love for you to comment and tell me what unique things make you unique. In the meantime, I'll be enjoying a Boddington's beer while I plan my next vacation to the mountains. I wonder if the Aspen Holiday Inn has a ping-pong table?
8 comments:
I'm your Huckleberry! Nice post.ReplyDelete
I just bought a ping pong table for $20. It has been fun having it in the house (and growing up playing against my brother and dad).ReplyDelete
10 times out of 10 I would choose the mountains over the beach.
Sadly, I am yet to get really into any book series, except for Harry Potter. (I found the first one kind of boring, but they do get much better.)
Brett, I've enjoyed reading your blog. This one is my favorite by far. I love your idea of keeping a reading journal (note to self...encourage my 5th graders to do this). I think you and my husband would get along very well...he loves beer, books, old-school music, and balls (ewww). He does play different sports than you do, but that's ok.ReplyDelete
Matt, yes...I imagine you know exactly how I felt growing up playing ping-pong against my dad. I also grew up playing against YOUR dad. He was also merciless!ReplyDelete
Tesha, great comments. I've actually "balled" with Aaron before. Like me, he is very competitive. It's been a while, but I do remember that about him. He sounds like he has good taste.
And to think you used to say I was weird for wanting to run a marathon. HmmmmReplyDelete
I agree, the first book of Harry Potter isn't the best one, but they do get better. And wow...I can't believe you haven't read Grisham. If I tell you they are terrible would you read one (reverse psychology)?
- AnonymousJuly 28, 2011 at 4:20 PM
Tombstone is in my top ten. I like your blog. I still don't know how to sign in, so this is Brad Clemons.ReplyDelete
WHAAATTT? Holiday Inn? How is that not too mainstream and popular? You must find a more obscure hotel of choice!!! I enjoy your blog immensely. My husband also read the bible, as a child, and keeps a book journal. He also reads anything and everything. He also gets really into something (golf, bowling, guitar, literature, history), to the point of borderline obsession. Then, just as I'm starting to catch on and pick up the recurring themes, he's over it! His interests are very diverse, which keeps things interesting. It's almost like having a new husband every few months (that and the fact that he only cuts his hair twice a year, so his look is always changing)...ReplyDelete
Michelle, I am humbled that you enjoy the blog. When it comes to blogs, no one can hang with you (in my opinion). In fact, one of my upcoming posts even mentions you and your mad blogging skills. Stay tuned!ReplyDelete
As for Bud and his borderline obsessions (that was nice of you to throw in the word "borderline"), he sounds like a man after my own heart even though his nickname sounds an awful lot like a fairly popular beer.


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(from Ch. 38, par. 1300)
Sec. 0.01.
Short title.
This Act may be cited as the
Anti-Crime Advisory Council Act.
(Source: P.A. 86-1324.)
(from Ch. 38, par. 1301)
Sec. 1.
There is created the
Illinois Anti-Crime Advisory Council, called the Council, consisting of
11 members. Of the 11 members, 4 shall be chosen from the General Assembly,
2 are to be Senators, 1 appointed by the President of the Senate and 1 by
the Senate Minority Leader, and 2 are to be Representatives, 1 appointed
by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and 1 by the
House Minority Leader. The remaining 7 members shall be chosen as follows:
2 appointed by the President of the Senate and 1 by the Senate Minority
Leader and 2 appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and
1 by the House Minority Leader and 1 appointed by the Governor. Council
members are to be appointed prior to July 1 of each odd-numbered year for
a 2-year term commencing July 1, and until their respective successors are
appointed and qualified, except that General Assembly members are to serve
that term or until the termination of their legislative service, whichever
first occurs. Vacancies are to be filled for the unexpired term in the
same manner as original appointments. All appointments must be in writing
and filed with the Secretary of State as a public record.
(Source: P.A. 83-829.)
(from Ch. 38, par. 1302)
Sec. 2.
Members of the Council shall receive no compensation
but shall be reimbursed for expenses necessarily incurred in the performance
of their duties.
(Source: P.A. 83-829)
(from Ch. 38, par. 1303)
Sec. 3.
Meeting - Selection of chairman and vice-chairman - Quorum.
The Council shall meet at least quarterly and at other times on call of
the chairman or any 6 members at such place as shall be designated by the
chairman. Notice of the time and place of each meeting shall be given by
the secretary of the Council to each member at least 7 days prior to the
date of the meeting.
The Council at its first meeting in each year shall select a chairman and
vice-chairman from among its membership who shall serve until their successors
are selected.
Six members of the Council shall constitute a quorum and a majority of
a quorum shall have authority to act in any matter within the jurisdiction
of the Council.
(from Ch. 38, par. 1304)
Sec. 4.
The Council may, without regard to any law relating
to public employment, employ a director and such stenographic staff and
other assistants as it deems necessary.
(from Ch. 38, par. 1305)
Sec. 5.
The Council shall have the following powers and duties:
(a) to advise and assist in the creation of local anti-crime programs,
such as Crime Stoppers, We-Tip and similar programs designed to solve crimes;
(b) to foster the detection of crime and encourage persons through the
program and otherwise to come forward with information about criminal activity;
(c) to encourage the news media to promote local anti-crime programs and
to inform the public of the functions of the Council;
(d) to assist local anti-crime programs in channeling information reported
to those programs concerning criminal activity to the appropriate law
(e) to assist local anti-crime programs in promoting the private funding
of local anti-crime programs; and
(f) to assist drug alert programs such as D.A.R.E. and other drug alert
programs or drug task forces composed of or created by State or local law
enforcement agencies.
(Source: P.A. 90-775, eff. 1-1-99.)
(from Ch. 38, par. 1306)
Sec. 6.
The Council is empowered to prepare and cause to be
printed any and all drafts of bills intended to carry out its recommendations,
as well as any and all reports, memoranda or other papers necessary or incidental
to the performance of its tasks. Its members, with a view to obtaining
information and suggestions which will aid in the attainment of its objects,
are authorized to visit and observe local anti-crime programs and to attend
meetings of professional bodies and of associations and groups engaged in
study or research other work relating to such local anti-crime programs.
(from Ch. 38, par. 1307)
Sec. 7.
For the purposes of this Act, "local anti-crime
program" means a plan established in various regions of this State which
is designed to encourage the public to report incidences of crime to law
enforcement agencies and to assist such agencies in the apprehension of
criminal offenders. "Local anti-crime program" also means a drug alert
program or drug task force composed of or created by local law enforcement
(from Ch. 38, par. 1308)
Sec. 8.
The Council shall submit a report of the results
of its study together with its recommendations and drafts of bills to each
General Assembly within 30 days after the convening board.


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Late on the night of Dec. 5, 1989, school district officials walked into strike headquarters of the St. Paul Federation of Teachers with a written proposal aimed at averting a walkout the following day.
It was literally the 11th hour, and the deal was made. Out came the soft drinks, and the former adversaries talked and laughed for the next half-hour.
Union President Gladys Westin had reason to be pleased.
"They gave us exactly what we asked for," she said at the time.
Westin, whose legacy as a teacher lives on in a college scholarship in her name, died on Feb. 18 — peacefully, and surrounded by family. She was 80.
Al Oertwig, who was a school board member when Westin led the federation, said last week that she was a "pioneer in women's leadership," a warmhearted person who could surprise and challenge with her questions.
"It would be nothing about the union work," he recalled, "but about the interpersonal connections — and that, of course, helped the union work. And you don't get far without taking some risks."
Westin grew up in Deer River, Minn., and loved school and music of all genres. She sang in the church choir and learned to play the coronet and piano, too.
After graduating from high school in 1955, Westin attended the University of Minnesota Duluth and earned a degree as a medical lab technician. She worked at hospitals in Duluth and in the Twin Cities, but in 1969, she returned to the classroom — this time as an instructor in the medical lab technician program at St. Paul Technical Vocational Institute (TVI), since renamed St. Paul College.
Then, TVI instructors could be members of the St. Paul Federation of Teachers, and Westin eventually became its vice president and then president.
She was at the helm when Superintendents David Bennett and Curman Gaines led the school system. When talks over a new contract slowed in 1989, federation members voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike — a move that would not be repeated until bargaining this year.
Then, as now, the district stated it was in a fiscal bind. But the talks came a year after Bennett was awarded a hefty raise that made him the state's best-paid superintendent, leaving many union members to wonder: "Is the money really as short as he claims it is?" Oertwig said.
With the membership's trust in Bennett in short supply, Westin had to be tough, Oertwig said. But being a pleasant, warmhearted person, he added, "helps you move to a settlement when it's possible."
Still, it took late help from then-Mayor George Latimer, a former labor lawyer who offered to mediate, to get the two sides to agree on a deal.
About that time, Oertwig, Westin and Bennett headed to Ohio for a national meeting on union relationships. Oertwig, seated on the plane next to Westin, had made plans, too, to attend a modern art show that was viewed by some as controversial. He meant to keep it secret, but Westin suddenly asked: "Oh, Al, are you going to the exhibit?" he recalled, laughing. "It was just kind of her open style."
The three ended up going together, Oertwig said, and he and Westin roamed "like two little kids almost."
She retired from St. Paul College after 32 years and then spent considerable time doting on her granddaughter, Natalie, her family said.
Westin also is survived by her son, Mark; daughter-in-law, Dawn; and sisters Marian Cunningham and Carol Chandler.
Services have been held.


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Thank you so much for your wisdom and practice during your retreat and my what a treat!!!!!!!!!! It was FABULOUS and an honor to be with such a yogi sage. It is indelibly planted within me. You will see me again. Thank you also for all the resources you've shared.
What a fabulous group joined together this year for a magical week on our yoga deck overlooking the Pacific Ocean. We explored a wide variety of life enhancing tools including our base of support, alignment, intentions, our habit energy, stopping, mindful speaking/listening, breathing & meditation. A big thank you to our wonderful hosts at the exotic Tailwind Jungle Lodge. Watch for our retreat again next year in the first week of March!


text: GIFs are one of the oldest image formats used on the web. Throughout their history, they have served a huge variety of purposes, from functional to entertainment. Now, 28 years after the first GIF was created, they are experiencing an explosion of interest and innovation that is pushing them into the terrain of art. In this episode of Off Book, they charted their history, explored the hotbed of GIF creativity on Tumblr, and talked to two teams of GIF artists who are evolving the form into powerful new visual experiences.


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Fabulous Outdoor Entertaining
Continuing my outdoor obsession this week after gloriously springing forward last weekend (and it has definitely has not hurt that the weather this week's been absolutely fabulous!) I set out on a mission to share the best outdoor entertaining tips and some of the most creative ways to "wow" your guests at you next poolside cocktail party, afternoon tea or neighborhood bbq.
I did not have to look far! HGTV, Real Simple and my favorite, Southern Living all had great posts on outdoor entertaining ideas.
HGTV shares practical tips for a patio party like making sure to mow the lawn, tidy up the powder rooms in the house and something that I absolutely love doing; highlight your gardens clippings as center pieces on the tables. No need to make a trip to the flower shop in the spring! Look no further than your own back yard!
Real Simple does just that – keeps it really simple and easy to not get too overly stressed about playing hostess to the 20+ guests coming over for dinner in your garden. From making sure there is enough shade during the day to getting creative with evening lighting – these tips are a great reminder that we can make a "wow" statement without a lot of fuss.
Southern Living's assistant home editor, Todd Childs shares a pleasant video with several great ideas on how to entertain in the great outdoors. Too warm to use your outdoor fireplace? How about lighting a gorgeous family of candles there? Maximize all of your space, including the garage! Soften it up with beautiful fabrics!
I could not stop there. I pursued Pinterest and created a board – Outdoor Entertaining – where I have pinned some of the most creative ideas of the season to really throw the summer soiree that stands out! Come find me there and share some of your ideas in a comment here!
For help with your home or room design please contact us at Kimberly@


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Health & Wellness FAQ
- I want to lose weight, what should I eat?
First and foremost, we believe that all foods have a place and can fit into a healthy, balanced diet. In general, we recommend eating a balance of fruits, vegetables, lean protein foods, nonfat or low-fat dairy products and whole grains, the majority of the time. While the journey to weight loss is complex and different for each individual, a great place to start is ChooseMyPlate.gov for more information on general healthy eating recommendations from MyPlate. MyPlate is a great, visual meal-planning tool that helps ensure you are getting a proper balance of these nutritious foods. You may also find their SuperTracker feature helpful in tracking daily physical activity and eating patterns.
The NuVal® Nutritional Scoring System found at Festival Foods is another great tool to help you find more nutritious products throughout the store. We like to compare it to a nutrition GPS, used to guide you to better products throughout the store. NuVal is a Nutritional Scoring System that gives foods a score ranging from 1-100; the higher the score, the better the nutrition. These Scores take into account more than 30 different nutrient factors, boiling them down into a single score that you can find directly on our price tags. You will notice the score in the double-hexagon NuVal logo in the upper, right-hand corner of the shelf tag. We encourage our guests to use NuVal as a tool to help you "trade up for better nutrition." For example, if you typically drink 2% milk which gets a NuVal score of 84, try switching to skim milk that scores a 100 and has fewer calories and less saturated fat. It's important to remember that small positive changes can add up and impact your nutrition and health in a big way!
Finally, a diet rich in plant-based foods has proven effective for individuals who are trying to lose weight. To read more about the facets and benefits of following a plant based diet, please click here.
Please remember there is no such thing as a "one size fits all" diet. Our team of dietitians is here to help you find healthful options.
This page requires a PDF reader to view some of the content. Download Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- What is the NuVal Nutritional Scoring System?
NuVal Nutritional Scoring System will be discontinuing their shelf tag program on June 30, 2017. With that, NuVal scores will be removed from our shelf tags at Festival Foods and NuVal's other retail partners.
This page requires a PDF reader to view some of the content. Download Adobe Acrobat Reader.


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Georgetown University is one of the world's leading academic and research institutions. Here at Biomedical Graduate Education, we offer a wide variety of master's, Ph.D., dual degree and certificate programs.
Georgetown University is one of the world's leading academic and research institutions, offering a unique educational experience that brings together outstanding scholars committed to the discovery and communication of new knowledge and making a difference in the world. We are a vibrant community of exceptional students, faculty, alumni and professionals engaged in real-world applications of our research and scholarship.
Biomedical Graduate Education is an extension of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at the Medical Center. We are dedicated to upholding Georgetown's commitment to fostering an intellectual environment that is responsive to the needs and interests of our students. From basic and clinical sciences to the study of biohazardous threat agents and emerging infectious diseases, we offer a wide variety of master's, Ph.D., dual degree and certificate programs that prepare our students for meaningful academic and professional careers in the field of biomedical sciences.
Graduate Programs
Master's Programs
Georgetown University offers a variety of biomedical master's degree programs. Many offer both fall and spring admission as well as the opportunity to choose between attending full- or part-time. Students attending full-time typically complete their degree requirements in one year.
PhD Programs
Georgetown University offers a variety of basic and clinical sciences doctoral degree programs. All programs offer summer admission and are typically completed in five years.
Dual Degree Programs
Georgetown University offers two biomedical dual degree programs, providing talented students with the opportunity to earn both a medical degree and a master's or doctoral degree.
Certificate Programs
Biomedical Graduate Education offers four graduate-level certificate programs. These programs are designed to supplement and build on the knowledge of working professionals who desire additional training.
Training Grants
Find out about our T32 Ruth L. Kirschstein Institutional National Research Service Award Training Programs from NIH.
We have partnerships with various universities and institutions.


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Alien spaceship coming to abduct us?
Spent a relaxed, jovial evening with Heather, Barry, Chris, and Dan ... and H&B's two adorable, perpetual-motion dogs ... at H&B's home out in the countryside west of Montreal. Beautiful home, isolated by tall trees. Sprawling deck out back with a pool, a hot tub with an eerie spaceship-type glow in the dark, and plenty of lawn for the dogs to roam. Fireflies dancing, maybe signalling affection to the torch lamps which warded off mosquitos and other pesky critters. Moon peeking through the pines.
When I lived in Montreal for a few months, H&B were the first to invite me to their (previous) home.
Heather also set me up with her hairstylist, George, a Lebanese immigrant whose shop is in picturesque Pointe Claire and who gave me the best haircuts I'd ever had. I used to hold off getting a trim until my next trip to Canada just so George could cut it. Nice, nice guy. Sad when he lost his wife a year or so ago. Learned that he loved to play golf, and didn't get a chance to go out with him before I exited CAE, but perhaps on a future trip ...
The food was great, the drinks were cold (much appreciated after a day that hovered around a steamy 35-38C / 95-100F). The conversation wide-ranging. One of those nights that could have just gone on and on ... at least until the citronella candles burned out.


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Interior designer Lynette Lochhead has worked on many projects, whether it be a new build, renovation or refurbishment.
She works with clients to create a home that has soul by using gorgeous fabrics from the extensive sampling range at Design on James for curtains, roman blinds, cushions and furniture, along with rugs, lamps, and accessories.
She is respectful of their lifestyle along with showcasing treasures that they have collected on their travels or inherited.
Lynette's design style is varied, which you will see in the Project Gallery below where it showcases some of the jobs she has worked on.


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"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in." Matthew 25:35
We need:
Canned Vegetables
Canned Meats
Breakfast Items
Laundry Detergent
Dish Soap
Plastic/Paper Bags
OR You can ADOPT-A-BAG for $15 a month. Simply give $15 to provide ONE BAG of GROCERIES for a FAMILY EACH MONTH!!!
If you would like to donate or help out as we grow please send me an e-mail at firstname.lastname@example.com
Please drop off your donations on Sunday mornings or in the church office Monday-Thursday from 9-5.


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NASCAR & Auto Racing
Matt Kenseth's gamble pays off for 4th Sprint Cup win
This is not the way Matt Kenseth typically wins races.
Perhaps that's part of the reason he's been so successful this season.
With a dominant Jimmie Johnson on fresher tires lined up behind him on a restart with 20 of 267 laps remaining, the odds were against Kenseth earning his fourth Sprint Cup Series victory of the year.
Whatever the odds were, they were better than zero, which is the chance Kenseth felt he had if he and crew chief Jason Ratcliff didn't try something different to win Sunday's rain-delayed Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway.
On the race's final pit stop, Kenseth took fuel only, while the rest of the lead lap cars – including Johnson – took at least two new tires. On the restart, Johnson uncharacteristically spun out while racing with Joey Logano and Kenseth held off Jamie McMurray for what seemed an improbable victory.
"You know, we talked about it after the third victory; that we could be aggressive on our calls, which we've been aggressive on our calls all year," Ratcliff said.
"But today was a perfect opportunity to take advantage of that, and we did, and Matt hung on and drove his heart out and brought us home with a victory."
The Chase format used to decide the series champion rewards drivers for wins during the season. Since Kenseth already had three coming into the race – tied with Johnson for the most – an opportunity presented itself.
"When we rolled off (for the restart), I thought in my head we had about a five percent chance of winning; if something didn't happen to (Johnson)," Kenseth said. "But, if we would have got two tires and came out behind (Johnson), unless he broke, I thought we had almost a zero percent chance of winning.
"You know, when you look at it like that, it was a great call."
With nine races still remaining until the 12-driver Chase field, there may well be more opportunities for Kenseth and his No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing team.
The win – the 28th of his career – didn't change Kenseth's position in the series standings – he's still fifth – but his four wins is a season high and right now would make him the No. 1 seed in the Chase.
On the restart on which Johnson spun out, he complained over his team radio that Kenseth had failed to maintain pace car speed. Kenseth said he had no idea of any controversy until well after the race ended.
"I certainly didn't feel like I did anything wrong from where I was, but you know, after dominating all day and you have a problem at the end, it's always – I imagine it's frustrating," he said.
"We've been there, too."
Clint Bowyer finished third, Logano was fourth and Kyle Busch was fifth. Johnson, the series points leader, rallied from 25th with 16 laps remaining and ended up ninth.
With Johnson out of the picture on the final restart, McMurray appeared to have the fastest car but it took him considerable time to get around Bowyer for second and in position to challenge Kenseth for the win.
"I ran with (Kenseth) for a good part of the day and I felt like there were times I was a little bit better than him and times he was a little bit better than me," McMurray said. "With no (new) tires those last 10 laps, he was quite a bit slower than what we were. I think tires were important; it was just the right amount of time (for Kenseth) at the end."
An early, seven-car accident took out two possible contenders – Brad Keselowski and Greg Biffle. Keselowski dropped out of the Top 10 in points for the first time this season.
"I thought they were pretty good, actually. I thought the track had a lot of grip and I like running this track," said Keselowski, who won this race a year ago. "It's a shame."


text: Thank you so much for providing individuals with such a wonderful chance to read articles and blog posts from here. It is usually so great and stuffed with a lot of fun for me and my office colleagues to visit your site at the very least three times per week to study the fresh stuff you will have. Of course, I am also certainly motivated with your attractive suggestions you give. Selected two areas on this page are in truth the most beneficial we have all ever had.


text:
Acquiring a bathroom renovation for your Gold Coast or Tweed Heads home could be a single of the best choices you ever created! After your online bathroom design and style is ready, commence buying or speak to a pro to help you realize your dream. Most folks never think about that when they see the final value of the bathroom remodeling project, but it genuinely does add up. Nonetheless, apart from material, the size of your bathroom is the single most significant determining aspect of your kitchen renovation project. Whatever your dream, we will design and style and generate the excellent bathroom you've constantly wanted. That is why it really is critical to build a 10 to 15 percent cushion into your spending budget. As a full service firm, we are the supplier and contractor and guarantee to hold your project on time and on budget. From organizing to completion, an experienced contractor makes the distinction when re-modeling your bathroom. But I have to admit your gorgeous bathroom does give me hope and a tiny of that oh, I need to have some thing that pretty".
Continuing with our home remodel tour, probably the most dramatic change we've produced to the house is our master bathroom. Picking a faucet with an aerator can lessen the water flow in your bathroom sink by 30 % or far more. I have not employed faux granite, but am soon going to attempt some thing for my bathroom counters.
Don't forget that the bathroom is 1 of the most abused rooms in your home, exposed to heat, cold, constant use, steam, mildew, mold, and a range of other causes for deterioration. From idea to completion, we've helped numerous property owners in Mesa, AZ, and the surrounding regions turn a simple kitchen into their favorite gathering space or a dated bathroom into a relaxing retreat.
Our subsequent project is the master bathroom (despite the fact that it is smaller than the guest bath) and I just can't bring myself to start off the drama. A damp and clean cloth need to be employed to clean the surface of the tile, if any grout gets on it. Allow the tiles to set for one more 24 hours before making use of the bathroom shower. What ever your price range, a new bathroom is just waiting for you with experience and knowledge that is ready to perform for you. You can coordinate the colors of your plants with the color scheme in your bathroom. Save your money on things like lighting, toilets, and faucets in exchange for making sure that your bathroom is functional and appears wonderful for a extended time. Regardless of whether you want your kitchen remodeled or your bathroom renovated , ADCS has your wants covered. Count on an average expense of $2,995 to replace and set up the flooring in your bathroom.
Shame on me. Since we are obtaining ready to take on a new challenge, I figured ahead of we start the adventure I must get everyone up to date on the Residence and where we are with this remodel. Mold and mildew will make fast work of any renovation you have accomplished so be confident to set up a vent fan of proper CFMs for the square footage of your bathroom. Bathroom ventilation systems could be out of sight, but they should not be out of thoughts in the course of a bathroom remodel. Lastly, a contractor firm with employees who were trustworthy and with whom it was a pleasure to operate.


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Librizzi is a town in the Province of Messina, Sicily. This blog is to honor my ancestors and the town where they were born.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Ferragosto and the Feast of Maria SS. Della Catena
The religious holiday of Ferragosto is celebrated in Italy on the 15th of August. The word Ferragosto is derived from the Latin 'feriae Augusti' meaning 'Emperor August's holidays'. The feriae celebrated the middle of summer and the end of hard work in the fields. The holiday was adopted by the Catholic Church to commemorate the Assumption of Mary. Today, most Italians are on vacation during the month of August and the religious holiday has more or less reverted to the enjoyment of one's vacation.
In Sicily the first Sunday after Ferragosto is followed by the celebration of the Madonna della Catena. The Festa in honor of Librizzi's Patron Saint,is considered one of the best in Sicily. Librizzesi celebrate the much awaited Festa with three days of jubilant celebrations, feasts, music, fireworks, and other traditional activities.
On the appointed day, the beautiful marble statue of Maria SS. Della Catena is carried in a procession through the streets of Librizzi by 24 barefooted men. The statue of San Michele Arcangelo is carried in front of the Madonna (San Michele is a beautiful wooden statue. I will tell the story of this statue in a future blog entry.) During the procession some of the devout Librizzesi walk shoeless and often also backwards, in their arms they carry baskets of flowers. They do this as an ex voto, a thank you for a favor received through the intercession of the Madonna. Throughout the procession, as the Madonna passes by the spectators, shouts of "Viva Maria" are heard. The sound of the zampogna (a musical instrument similar to a bagpipe) is heard as is the religious music played by the orchestra marching . Now and then the sounds of small fireworks are also heard. All along the procession route the balconies are decorated with beautiful embroidered sheets and tablecloths, colorful blankets, tapestries, etc.
The zampogna is played in earnest when the statue arrives at a certain location where an ancient walnut tree grows. This is to commemorate the legend associated with the arrival of the statue in Librizzi, in the 1540s. According to the legend, when the statue arrived in the area of Librizzi called Maisale it became so heavy that the oxen, who were pulling the cart on which sat the statue, could no longer pull it. The oxen were able to continue their march to Librizzi center only after the humble zampogna (also called ciaramedda) was played.
The Madonna is credited for a miracle that occurred during the procession of 1573. A child whose name was Bittuzza , was placed on the fercolo (a decorated cart on which the statues are carried) next to the statue, where she fell asleep. Bettuzza had a paralyzed arm but when she woke up her arm was no longer paralyzed.
The following is an excerpt from the "Remembrances" that I wrote for my grandchildren:
"To celebrate the special day, the women prepared a feast which always included roasted meat called castrato al forno, and a vegetable mixture cooked under the dripping roast, etc. There was always a fair in the piazza where people from Librizzi and nearby towns displayed their wares, foods, toys for children, etc. It was fun for a child to go from stand to stand and look over the offerings,a toy might be bought, an ice cream cone would be enjoyed, and so on. The greased pole tradition was fun for a child to see. A heavily greased long pole would be set up in the piazza, at the top sat a clay pot full of money (The modern piñata has its roots in this pole and pot, the word piñata actually means clay pot.). Young men then took their turn in trying to scale the greased pole, whoever managed to make it to the top would claim the money.
La Pentolaccia, the modern day version of the 'greased pole and clay pot'
Music was an important part of the festivities. There were always concerts given by the local orchestra as well as by professional musical groups who were hired to perform. The festivities culminated at midnight with spectacular fireworks, which for me were always frightening and exciting at the same time."
The statue of the Librizzi Madonna was sculpted by the famous Antonino Gagini (1510s-1574), or by the school of Gagini. Antonino was a member of a family of sculptors and architects whose origins were in Northern Italy but active in all of Italy. The Gagini family arrived in Sicily in 1463 and settled in Palermo and Messina. The family of sculptors included the grandfather Domenico Gagini, his son Antonello (born in Palermo in 1478), and five grandsons, Antonino, Fazio, Giacomo, Giandomenico, Vincenzo. Their workshop was in Palermo and supplied monumental religious sculptures for the cathedrals of Palermo, Messina, and other cities. Antonello had been a student of Brunelleschi, and is reputed to have collaborated with Michelangelo on the Julius II tomb.
Maria SS. Della Catena was sculpted in Palermo in the early 1540s.It was the most beautiful Madonna among several others sculpted around that time. Several towns including Librizzi wanted the statue and a fierce dispute arose, Librizzi was the lucky winner.
The statue resides in the church of Maria SS. Della Catena and located right under the Muscara' Family Stemma (Coat of Arms).
6 comments:
Maria, It's very interesting to read about other cultures and traditions. Very nice photos, too.ReplyDelete
Dorothy,thank you. The holiday was celebrated this past weekend. If they are not there already, soon there will be photos on http://www.librizziacolori.euReplyDelete
Your photos are beautiful and your stories of you and your country are wonderful! A treasure for your descendants.ReplyDelete
Thank you Zaroga.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousAugust 20, 2009 at 1:57 AM
Greetings Maria from Georgia. I found you thru Dorothy's blog. What a fascinating post and pictures. So very nice to meet you.ReplyDelete
Good morning Mildred. Nice to find your message on the blog. For a minute I thought that you were one of my sisters who live in Georgia.ReplyDelete
Thank you for comments and encouragement to keep on writing my little stories.
Dorothy is a wonderful person, very thoughtful, and helpful.
Wishing you a wonderful Thursday.


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This fall, Disney guests are invited to experience the spirit of Día de los Muertos at both parks at the Disneyland Resort.
At Disney California Adventure park, Disney•Pixar's Academy Award-winning hit film "Coco" is at the heart of Plaza de la Familia, a limited-time festivity at Paradise Gardens. Families visiting Plaza de la Familia can share meaningful memories of loved ones at the interactive Memory Wall, enjoy the iconic Mexican Árbol de la Vida (Tree of Life) photo location and take part in a new mask-making craft that depicts an alejibre (spirit guide) from the film "Coco." You'll find yourself drawn to the immersive art exhibit The World of "Coco," the emotional Mariachi music performed on the bandstand and the delicious Mexican food menu at Paradise Gardens Grill.
Several times daily, the uplifting show A Musical Celebration of Coco brings together the Storytellers of Plaza de la Familia and the Grammy-award winning Mariachi Divas for a festive show of music and dance that tells the incredible story of young Miguel's journey as seen in "Coco." New this year, this charming troupe of singers and authentic Folklórico dancers is joined by Miguel, brought to life in a whimsical, hand-crafted style inspired by traditional Mexican folk art.
While at Disney California Adventure park, be sure to also visit Cars Land, where an ofrenda (a remembrance altar) pays tribute to Doc Hudson (aka, the Fabulous Hudson Hornet). Look for it at Ramone's House of Body Art, just down Route 66!
Over at Disneyland park, Zócalo Park in Frontierland is decked out with an elaborate and colorful display in honor of Día de los Muertos. This immersive setting features beautiful marigolds and papel picado throughout the installation, along with a traditional ofrenda, calaveras (sugar skulls), an iconic figure of La Catrina and delicious food at the nearby Rancho del Zócalo.
These special experiences inspired by Día de los Muertos begin September 7 at Disneyland Resort and continue through November 2, 2018.


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My Garden » Blogs » RHS Gardens » Sara Draycott
Posted by Sara Draycott
13 Nov 2012
Here we are November, with the autumn rain and wind driving in under our waterproofs, reminding us that summer has gone and nature is encouraging the plant kingdom to hunker down for the winter's big sleep.
This is my favourite time of year, would you believe it? On a good day: the light, the temperature, the colours and the relative calm of slow dormancy in the garden reminds me why I became a horticulturalist. I say calm, the Formal Department, of which I am part of at Wisley, has been working like whirling dervishes - ripping out summer bedding and replacing it with tens of thousands of pansies and bulbs in quick succession! It is quite a process and well worth a visit to see us with a muddy trowel in hand and determined look on our faces as we work through: the Old Bonsai Garden, Top Terrace, Walled Garden East and the Canal Borders – quite a performance. In fact as a convert to gardening from Costume Design I see bedding schemes as the ultimate theatrical flora show. With months of prep and growing-on of garish-coloured pansies or pelargoniums and central eye catchers with urns and coiled box the energy and effort for a three month run is on an operatic scale, exhausting but what a crowd pleaser – I love it.
In the Model Gardens, on the other hand, in between the destruction and creation of the floral drama I am now getting to implement some cherished projects that have been conceived over the summer months. I hope to improve the different characters of each of the gardens and hopefully spark ideas for your outdoor spaces at home.
The project I wanted to share with you today is in the Family Garden (pictured above), which has a great structure that would suit the different uses required by a family. With pleached hornbeam around the perimeter the garden you would not be overlooked by neighbours. It also has Astroturf, which I heartily approve of, and various sculpted shapes in box, yew and beech giving definition to the garden. Yet with all gardens, after a while the planting is in need of a refresh and with my interest in getting kids into the garden I wanted to appeal to the parents and kids alike and bring a spirit of wonder to the space.
The changes began with a theme inspired by a trimmed yew and a terracotta container in the garden – both looking like castles – so what better than dungeons and dragons!! There is a yew hedge which I crenulated to spark the imagination and opposite a grassy gravelled area, this become the Grass snake/ Dragon, loosely termed. And then the exciting and limiting problem of three stone sinks, initially with water and sand as a small play area – they stood empty and unusable for plants: too shallow for anything water loving and with no drainage for alpines. I racked my brains for ages and then an idea a castle in miniature, for insects and observation. Two sinks either side could be made into seats and the central one house the maison d'etre (a bugs 'reason for living'!!!!). Not a shabby affair but a turreted estate.
I enlisted help for the construction and James Poulton (above), a new addition to the team and I set about a Wisley themed chateau.
As far as residents of such an establishment are concerned you are unlikely to get much more than earwigs, snails, spiders and woodlice, none of which gardeners are desperate to preserve, but this is not the purpose of the insect hotel. It is more the fascination of young minds, and the odd masonry bee in a bamboo cane is a bonus.
To make your hotel/ castle/block of flats, get biodegradable paper, cardboard, wood, stones, in fact anything - even plastics can be used. I had the below bits and bobs for ours. Really anything goes, just make it secure enough not to blow away and water it after construction, speeding the degrading process and therefore making it a more desirable residence.
This is a great project with the kids or even a project to complete for the grandchildren in these autumn days when the soil is too saturated to stand on or the late summer flowers too good to cut back. Give it a go or just have a look in the Family Garden next time you're at Wisley.


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In November 1993, Willie was paralyzed after diving into the pool at his high school. Thanks to his quick thinking friends, he was airlifted to Johannesburg General Hospital in South Africa.
In July 1994, Willie was implanted with the Avery diaphragm pacemaker. Willie first heard of the pacer when his General Practitioner had told him and his family about it and contacted a Dr. Martin Bruwer in Pretoria, who had previously performed the surgical procedure.
Willie began pacing on his birthday. Willie said, "It was a very expensive and life-giving birthday present. It was a very emotional experience for everybody. The first 5 minutes it was switched on, was one of the most difficult experiences of my life. I was completely exhausted and thought that I wouldn't be able to be weaned from the ventilator."
After a week, Willie became comfortable with the routine and even convinced his nurses to extend the prescribed schedule. Soon thereafter, Willie was completely weaned from the ventilator.
"Looking back on my life so far, it is very difficult not to experience some sense of spirituality. I wish I could describe myself as an awesome spiritual person, but I am only a person that does not deserve all the blessings, miracles and support from family, friends and strangers, that the Lord bestowed on me. As someone once said, 'everything I have is only lend to me and everything I am is only through grace.' Thank you for allowing me to share part of my story with you. All my best wishes for you and Avery.
The Avery Diaphragm Pacing System is an implanted phrenic nerve or diaphragm stimulator. It consists of surgically implanted electrodes and receivers with an external transmitter and antennas.
It can be implanted either cervically or thoracically using minimally-invasive techniques such as video-assisted (VATS) or thoracoscopic approaches.
The Avery Diaphragm Pacing System is the only diaphragm pacing system to have full premarket approval (PMA) from the US FDA and CE Marking privileges under the European Active Implantable Medical Device Directive for adult and pediatric use.
In addition, using small implanted radiofrequency receivers rather than electrode wires that pass directly through the skin may decrease a patient's risk of infection and ongoing wound care management issues.
Avery has been commercially distributing diaphragm pacing systems since the early 1970's. Since then, more than 2,000 patients have been implanted in over 40 countries establishing an unsurpassed record of safety and reliability. Due to their high reliability and cost effectiveness, the Avery pacers are reimbursed by Medicare and most private and government insurance around the world.


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Episode 108: Actual Play - Autumn Days Poolside
This Episode: Our group, after uncovering one more of the sacred pillars, takes some time to rest and recuperate, while also attempting to make sense of the place their new tag-along companion will have within their former trio.
Jesse (Game Master), Dave (Agnim), Al (Marmolek), Besse (Leo), & John (Gallyn)
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