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Off-peak road closures have been scheduled to allow for essential repairs in Peterborough city centre.
The works on Vineyard Road and adjoining St John's Street are due to start on Monday, August 17 and run for five days, using off peak closures of 9.30am to 3.30pm.
Signs giving notice of the road closures have been put in place and the signed diversion route will be using Boongate over the A1139 roundabout continuing on Boongate to Fengate, then along Fengate to Bishop's Road back to Vineyard Road.
This will be reversed for journeys in the opposite direction.
The council said works have been held off until the school holidays to minimise disruption.


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US meltdown: ice daggers fall from skyscrapers as winter wanes
People in U.S. cities facing one of the most brutal winters on record have been dealing with something far more dangerous than snow: ice falling from skyscrapers. Several streets around New York's new 1 World Trade Center were closed Wednesday morning.world Updated: Feb 20, 2014 14:20 IST
People in U.S. cities facing one of the most brutal winters on record have been dealing with something far more dangerous than snow: ice falling from skyscrapers.
Several streets around New York's new 1 World Trade Center, the nation's tallest building, were closed Wednesday morning when wind-blown sheets of dagger-shaped ice hit the pavement near the 1,776-foot (541-meter) structure.
Frightened pedestrians ran for cover. The streets reopened by midafternoon.
Around the country, sidewalks around high-rises in cities have been cordoned off with yellow caution tape because of falling icicles and rock-hard chunks of frozen snow. Experts warn it could get worse over the next few days as a thaw sets in over much of the country.
"The snow starts to melt and the liquid drips off and makes bigger and bigger icicles, or chunks of ice that break off skyscrapers," said Joey Picca, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in New York, which has had 48.5 inches (1,230 millimeters) of snow since the start of the year.
Some architects say newer, energy-efficient high-rises may actually be making the problem worse.
"They keep more heat inside, which means the outside is getting colder and that allows more snow and ice to form," said engineer Roman Stangl, founder of the consulting firm Northern Microclimate in Cambridge, Ontario.
Stangl helps developers choose shapes, slope angles and even colors - darker colors absorb more melting sunrays - to diminish ice formation. High-tech materials can be also be used, such as at Tokyo's Skytree observation tower, where heaters were embedded in the glass to melt the ice.
Such options are not always possible in older cities with balconies, awnings and stone details.
Barry Negron said he saw ice hanging perilously off a four-story building near Rockefeller Center last month and was trying to warn other pedestrians when he was hit in the face with a sharp, football-size chunk. Cuts across his nose and cheek required 80 stitches.
"I panicked because I saw blood on my hands, and more coming down," said the 27-year-old. As he lay on the pavement, "I heard two young ladies yelling, 'Oh, my God, oh my God, help! There's a lot of blood!'"
Exactly how many pedestrians are hit by falling ice is not clear, but dozens of serious injuries are reported annually. It's a perennial problem in St. Petersburg, Russia, where dozens reportedly are injured or killed every year.
Seven people were injured in 2011 near Dallas when huge sheets of ice slid off the roof of Cowboys Stadium. Fifteen people were injured in 2010 by a shower of ice from the 37-story Sony Building on New York's Madison Avenue.
Outside Chicago's 100-story John Hancock Center last month, people scrambled with backpacks and purses over their heads to avoid falling ice. On Tuesday, signs warning pedestrians of falling ice stood outside nearly every skyscraper and other tall building downtown as temperatures pushed above freezing for the first time in weeks.
"This happens all over the country, all over the world, in cold climates," said architect Chris Benedict, who accounts for ice buildup in designing new structures.
In other news: Ice sheets fall in Texas as the polar vortex attacks US
First Published: Feb 20, 2014 13:56 IST

subset: commoncrawl


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Latest Posts
Death leaves a Heartache no one can Heal, but Love leaves a Memory no one can Steal
Grief is one of the hardest emotions to deal with and unfortunately, we have all had to encounter it at one time or another. The loss feeling of helplessness over the death of a loved one is hard, fair and final and that is why it hurts. It's hard because of the knowledge that we will never see that person again in the way in which we are accustomed. It's fair because death is a road we all must one day travel. The Final part of death is pretty much self-explanatory. The problem is we usually never know when our final moment is upon us which is why it is so imperative to live each day as if it is your last.
However, in the days to follow a devastating loss, the realization hits us that we can find huge comfort in all the special moments, occasions and instances in life that involve that loved one. Days after my Aunt's recent death, I am reminded of all the things we did together over the last 13 years. She celebrated Birthdays, Graduations, Anniversaries, Book Signings, Plays, Luncheons and Listening Parties with me. She helped me as a Daughter, Mother and Wife. Things I learned from her, I get to pass on to my daughter and friends for enrichment and purpose. Through my thoughts, The Creator reminded me of how she made my life better and although I still miss her terribly, I know she's always with me. She went from being my Aunt to becoming my Angel and what I remember most can never be taken away from me the way she was in the physical sense. Her spirit lives on in my heart forever. It doesn't stop the hurt but it definitely dulls the sting a bit and time I know, will eventually heal the wound her death left. Of course I will always miss her. Will I ever see her again? Yes…every night in my dreams! For I know that Death leaves a Heartache no one can heal but Love leaves a Memory no one can steal.
As always it is my pleasure to bring you another B Cyde Mental Meal to chew on throughout your week. JOIN the JAM with the Soul Train of radio Back on the B Cyde Saturdays at 11am only on the award winning 7mileradio.com
Tracie Christian
November 14th, 2015
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For nearly 25 years, marketing executive Dawn Johnson has immersed herself in the analysis and practice of her profession, amassing a number of notable achievements in her field. As an employee of United Services Automobile Association (USAA) in San Antonio, Texas, where she worked from 1987 to 2008, Ms. Johnson ascended from an entry-level position to become one of the top executives in the company, holding oversight for all of the firm's many marketing endeavors. In her role as Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President of USAA, Dawn Johnson developed and implemented effective marketing strategies for all of the firm's products and services and reorganized the corporate infrastructure of the marketing division. Additionally, Dawn Johnson played a key role in the company's extensive rebranding efforts and spent five years on the USAA Executive Council. Among her numerous accomplishments as Chief Marketing Officer, Ms. Johnson increased customer loyalty and retention, helped the company achieve overall market share of 61%, a retention rate of 97% and a product household depth of 5.28 products. At the same time, Dawn Johnson served as President and Chief Executive Officer of USAA Alliance Services, where, from 2003 through 2007, she focused her time and energy on various measures of corporate restructuring and alliance partnership review. In the process, Ms. Johnson brought renewed profitability by increasing product sales and revenues across all categories and improving business relations.
Dawn Johnson earned a promotion to President and CEO of USAA Alliance Services after a highly successful two-year period as CEO and President of USAA Financial Planning Services, where she launched a sweeping campaign to rebuild the image and infrastructure of the organization. Previously, Ms. Johnson also held the role of Marketing Programs Specialist in the Property and Casualty Insurance Company. Educated through USAA's Managerial Information Seminar series, Project Management Foundation, and Emerging Leaders Program, Dawn Johnson also attended the Stanford Graduate School of Business Executive Education Program. A graduate of Kansas State University, Dawn Johnson earned a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and Mass Communications.


text: Subject: 'Facilitating Dialogue' by Harn Yawnghwe -------------------------------------------------- F A C I L I T A T I N G D I A L O G U E -------------------------------------------------- by Harn Yawnghwe, Editor, Burma Alert, Member of the Board of Directors, FDL-AP Delivered by Dr Thaung Htun, Foreign Secretary All Burma Students Democratic Front FORUM OF DEMOCRATIC LEADERS IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC Seoul, South Korea, 3-4 September 1995 ---------------------------------------------------- POLICIES TOWARDS SLORC: To date, many policies to facilitate the democratization process in Burma have been proposed. One way to classify them is by their approach to SLORC. For example: The Tough Approach - This approach sees the issues involved in terms of right and wrong - SLORC is in the wrong and it should change or else tough measures will be taken against it. No government to date has adopted it. The Conditional Approach - This approach includes that of most of the western countries - The European Union's Critical Dialogue, the United State's Two Visions for the Future, Australia's Bench Mark policy, and Japan's requirement that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi be released before ODA assistance is resumed. This approach does not see the issues in terms of right or wrong, but rather in terms of a commercial transaction - certain privileges are offered to SLORC(they can be aid, investments, trade, etc) in return for SLORC behaving in a more acceptable way. The Friendly Approach - This approach includes most of Burma's neighbours and ASEAN. It does not look at right or wrong and it does not bargain. Anything is acceptable as long as the relationship is maintained. With this approach, it is hoped that when the relation- ship is strong enough, friendly advice can be given to straighten out the wayward friend. Another way of classifying the various policies towards SLORC is by the organizations involved: - World Bodies - example, the United Nations, - Regional Bodies - example, ASEAN, - Individual Governments - example, Thailand, Japan, USA etc, - Non-Government Organizations - example, FDL-AP, Carter Centre, etc, - Religious Organizations and Individuals - example, U Rewata Dhamma No matter how they are classified, the various policies have at least three things in common. The first is that there is a basic and implicit assumption that something is wrong in Burma and that things need to be changed. The second common point is that each approach assumes that there is a middle ground where both SLORC and the Burmese democratic movement can meet. The third common point is that none of these policies work. This last point may seem very pessimistic and some of people may point to the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to argue that one or more of these policies has worked. One cannot argue with success but one cannot dismiss the possibility that she may have been released in spite of these policies and because of a combination of factors which may or may not have had anything to do with the effectiveness of the policies being pursued. This statement is not meant as a criticism of existing policies. The various governments and organizations that have been working consistently on the behalf of the people of Burma should be thanked and encouraged. However, if one wants to bring about a dialogue that will eventually lead to democracy in Burma, one needs to examine the various approaches critically in order to find a more effective way. The various policies have not worked because there is no middle ground on which SLORC and the democratic movement can meet. One party wants democracy and the other wants a permanent role for the military in politics. The two objectives are mutually exclusive. There can be no middle ground. One side or the other has to concede. That is why, to date, SLORC has not responded to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's offer of a dialogue even with no conditions attached. SLORC is not ready to concede anything. One glaring factor that may have been missed just because it is so obvious is the implicit assumption that something is wrong in Burma and that it needs to be corrected. SLORC does not share this view. SLORC'S POINT OF VIEW: As far as SLORC is concerned, there is nothing wrong with military rule in Burma. In the minds of the generals, democracy is equivalent to anarchy, chaos and loss of control, which is not a desirable goal. SLORC also believes that whatever mistakes may have been made by the military in the past, the current SLORC leadership is capable of solving all of Burma's problems. SLORC may have been very vulnerable and uncertain of itself when it first emerged in 1988. But since then it has found out that the international community is not a monolith. In SLORC's estimation, there are many players involved in the international arena from governments to non-government organizations to business concerns, many of whom can be bought for a price. SLORC has very skilfully capitalized on the self-interest and limitations of many nations and played off one country against another. This can be clearly seen in the case of SLORC using its friendship with China to intimidate India into becoming a less vocal critic. It can also be seen in the case of SLORC using Korean and other Southeast Asian businesses to motivate Japan to renew ODA assistance in order to enable Japanese firms to join in the competition for business in Burma. American oil companies are also being held hostage with the spectre of lucrative contracts going to French and other interests. The most blatant case of SLORC manipulation, however, involves Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia. When SLORC was weak, it welcomed Thailand's friendship to shield it from international criticism and to open the door into ASEAN. While Thailand expected to be thanked by SLORC as well as benefit economically from the relationship, SLORC had no such intentions. Contrary to Thai belief, SLORC did not look up to Thailand as an elder brother that could teach it valuable lessons. SLORC had its own agenda for Burma's traditional enemy and saw Thailand as a nation to be exploited. Once Singapore and ASEAN became more open to SLORC, the generals started to move away from Thailand. Now that Indonesia is beginning to look favourably on SLORC, the generals are even moving away from Singapore whom they consider to be too bossy. They had only intended to use the island nation as a stepping stone. As for Thailand, SLORC has found another use for it. Building on pent-up frustration amongst Burmese refugees over Thailand's support of SLORC and resentment against unethical practices employed by Thai businessmen in Burma, SLORC has revived latent historical anti-Thai feelings among Burmans to divert attention from the military. The Burman nationalism campaign is gaining momentum. Trade along the long land border has come to a virtual standstill and a boycott of Thai products has been launched by SLORC. Officials are even being told to avoid Bangkok as a transit point in favour of other neighbouring airports. Therefore, as far as SLORC is concerned, instead of having to beg for assistance, it is now in a position to dictate its own terms to those wanting to benefit from Burma. >From SLORC's point of view, it has been able to turn around Burma's economic decline. From a nation that had less than US\$15 million in foreign exchange reserves, the generals are very proud of the fact that they have now attracted over US\$1 billion in investments. The fact that these investments will do little for the Burmese economy and the Burmese people is immaterial. As far as SLORC is concerned, the economy is a success story. The generals are getting richer. In fact, the generals have never in their wildest dreams imagined how rich they could get from business propositions. >From the generals' point of view, the civil war is also a success story. While none of the ethnic people are happy with the military cease-fires they have been forced to sign with SLORC, the Burmese military has never had such success. With 15 groups agreeing to a cease-fire and the headquarters of the Karen National Union captured, SLORC no longer has to fear that it will be defeated in battle. As far as the generals are concerned, fighting may flare up again from time to time, but it has at least bought the generals time and, in the meanwhile, they can get rich. Politically, the generals are also very satisfied. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's release has won SLORC an entry into ASEAN, Japan is on the verge of renewing ODA assistance and the rest of the world will wait and see how things develop. As for the Burmese public, the generals hope that the continuing news blackout on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will slow down any possible political development. Again, the generals have bought time to consolidate their position. FACILITATING A DIALOGUE: Given SLORC's assessment of its position internationally and domestically, there is not the slightest possibility that SLORC will of its own accord enter into a dialogue with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. In offering a dialogue, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said, "We have to choose between destruction or dialogue" or words to that effect. While her statement reflects the opinion of the world community that Burma is on the edge of disaster, the difficulty is that SLORC does not share this view. As outlined above, SLORC believes that it is doing well, that it is in control and that things can be worked out as the generals would like them to be. Does this then mean that there is no hope for a dialogue or a transition in Burma? No. first, the generals have seriously miscalculated the mood of the Burmese people and their determination to end military rule. Second, SLORC has also seriously miscalculated the impact of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's release. They have been known to miscalculate in the past: the 1990 elections being the most obvious example. It is very likely that in spite of the many restrictions, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will be able to re-vitalize the Burmese democracy movement and SLORC will find that it cannot control events. This is where the role of the international community becomes critical if it is serious about facilitating a dialogue between Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and SLORC. If the international community does not act or decides to wait and see, SLORC will have gained a tactical advantage and the chances for a dialogue will diminish. In trying to facilitate change in Burma, it must always be remembered that SLORC does not believe that there is a problem in Burma and that it needs to start a dialogue with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to resolve it. The generals will only enter into a dialogue if it offers them a tactical advantage. SLORC will not enter into a dialogue unless the cost of not doing so increases significantly. Therefore, to bring about a dialogue, the international community must work to achieve two key objectives: 1. Increased personal safety and freedom for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and 2. Increased cost for SLORC of not entering into a dialogue. These two objectives are necessary because SLORC does not see the need for, nor desire a dialogue. In other words, conditions have to be created to make SLORC want a dialogue. However, as the pressure on SLORC increases, the generals will be tempted to crack down hard on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the democracy movement. Therefore, the first objective is crucial. Only when SLORC sees that cracking down on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will be detrimental to its well-being, will it reconsider its options and decide on a dialogue. But when a dialogue begins, it will not mean that the generals have conceded to the demands for democracy. SLORC will only enter into a dialogue to buy more time. Therefore, the pressure cannot be let up. RECOMMENDATIONS: To achieve the objectives that will bring about a dialogue which, in turn, will facilitate the process of democratization in Burma, the following possibilities are outlined for each objective: For the first objective of Increased Personal Safety and Freedom for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, it is proposed that: a) There be a De Facto Recognition of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as head of state - - by ensuring that ambassadors accredited to Burma visit her regularly, - by ensuring that official delegations visit her as a matter of routine, and - by ensuring that visits of eminent persons are arranged at regular intervals. b) There be Widespread Dissemination of News and Views of D A S S K - - by increasing coverage of Burma in the mainstream media, - by increasing support for the Democratic Voice of Burma Radio in Norway, and - by increasing support for other media in Burmese and ethnic languages. c) There be Increased Support for Organizing Work at the Grass-roots Level - - by trying to assist non-SLORC political parties in Burma, - by supporting the democracy movement's political defiance program, and - by supporting seminars and/or disseminating information on democracy. For the second objective of Increased Cost for SLORC of Not Entering into a Dialogue, it is proposed that: a) Support for the Burmese democracy movement be increased - - by increasing support for the NCGUB's lobbying campaign, - by facilitating the development of a forum for ethnic leaders, - by facilitating the development of a future constitution, - by facilitating the development of a future economic plan, b) Support be Given to the UN Secretary-General's Mediation Efforts - - by ensuring strong resolutions are passed at the UNGA and HR Commission, - by ensuring own governments fully back the UN Secretary-General, - by ensuring all private mediation efforts complement the UN's, and - by lobbying on behalf of the Burmese people and the UN. c)Punitive Economic Measures Against SLORC are increased - - by lobbying own governments to enact arms and economic embargoes, - by lobbying the business and tourist community to refrain from supporting SLORC, and - by continuing to encourage boycotts and corporate withdrawal campaigns, The above recommendations are by no means exhaustive and are only given to facilitate further discussion.


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ProParagraph Web Volume 2
Animating Paragraphs for FCPX
Pixel Film Studios presents this set of 30, self-animating, paragraph styled text designs created specifically for use in Final Cut Pro X. The web-styled elements and energetic animations are designed to expedite the editing process for all media productions. Pixel Film Studios' ProParagraph Web Volume 2 will establish a professional and exhilarating look to any multi-line text animation within Final Cut Pro X.
Professional Animating Paragraphs in FCPX
30 ProParagraph: Web Designs
ProParagraph: Web Volume 2 is a package of 30 web styled self-animating paragraphs created for multi-lined text purposes. Choose from presets with original animations containing dynamic designs that enhance any and all media productions. ProParagraph: Web Volume 2s' eye-catching animation designs make it an essential component to any video production. ProParagraph is the perfect way to broadcast multiple line text information across any media selection.
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Choose from a vast arrangement of innovative animation preset designs that expedite the editing process. Each ProParagraph Web Volume 2 preset includes both an intro and outro animation, as well as the capability to lengthen the timing of the animation itself. Each preset is precision-based and smoothly animated to bring a streamline and professional mood to any video production. Use ProParagraph's innovative style to bring an informative structure across all media applications.
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ProParagraph: Web Volume 2's easy to use interface options offer a simplistic method for users to customize each preset design with on-screen controls. On-screen controls allow editors to change the positioning, rotation, and scale of each preset. ProParagraph makes it simple to create a number of dynamically different designs. Customize colors, length, width, opacity, and sizes with user-friendly slider controls in order to establish new and exciting designs.
Made Exclusively For FCPX
ProParagraph: Web Volume 2 is made respectively for Final Cut Pro X users. To use, simply drag and drop the desired preset into the timeline above any source media and easily customize the preset accordingly. Each preset has been created in order to be used with any type of desired media, such as videos or images. Pixel Film Studios ProParagraph: Web Volume 2 is entirely editable within FCPX and makes the perfect match for all multi-line media needs!
Learn how to Install Plugins
Additional Information:.
How to name motion template folders: Click Here for a Video Tutorial.
ProParagraph: Web Volume 2 Frequently Asked Questions
I installed ProParagraph: Web Volume 2 and see a red screen similar to this.
Why is this Happening:
This means that Final Cut Pro is currently out of date.
What is the Solution:
Update Final Cut Pro. You can update by going to the app store.
Click Here to Watch Troubleshooting Video
Where do I find ProParagraph: Web Volume 2?
.Once the installation is complete, you can find ProParagraph: Web Volume 2 in the FCPX Titles library.
Where is the tutorial for ProParagraph: Web Volume 2?
.You can search for the tutorial on the actual product page located at the bottom under the tutorial tab (if one is available). Keep in mind not all tutorials are available yet for each plugin. We are working daily to update new lessons for older and new plugins.


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UK PM May says she will lead Brexit talks from now on
July 24, 2018
LONDON (Reuters) – British Prime minister Theresa May said on Tuesday she would now lead the country in negotiations with the European Union, shifting the focus of the Brexit department toward preparing for Britain's departure from the bloc.
A special unit within May's office has played an increasing role in Brexit talks during recent months, and Tuesday's announcement formalizes that shift in responsibility.
"I will lead the negotiations with the European Union, with the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union deputizing on my behalf," May said in a written statement to parliament.
"DExEU (Department for Exiting the EU) will continue to lead on all of the government's preparations for Brexit: domestic preparations in both a deal and a no deal scenario, all of the necessary legislation, and preparations for the negotiations to implement the detail of the Future Framework."
(Reporting by William James. Editing by Andrew MacAskill)
Click hear to get full article
July 24, 2018 at 07:35PM
from One America News Network


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Ola Lanko for Room on the Roof X Unseen
by Unseen2 August 13 2018
Unseen teamed up with de Bijenkorf to invite multi-disciplinary artist Ola Lanko for a residency at de Bijenkorf's Room on the Roof.
Room on the Roof is an artist workspace in the tower above the Amsterdam de Bijenkorf store. This aerial space in the heart of the city is a place for reflection, a platform for fresh ideas. Local and international artists, writers, musicians, architects and designers are invited to create new work inspired by the location and the city Amsterdam.
During her Room on the Roof residency, Ola created Fixed & Fluid, a photogenic installation consisting of display materials and everyday objects from the de Bijenkorf warehouse. Reusing and recycling these items, she remoulds their original meaning and concentrates on the hidden structures beyond that which is typically exposed. The final work combines a fluid installation fixed within a photograph, in which a game transpires between the viewer and what is on display. The installation and the photograph will be displayed in the store windows from the 6th of August until the 4th of September.
Ola Lanko is an artist whose work takes unexpected forms, ranging from photography to experimental cooking below 0 °C. A vital element in her artistic drive is to challenge how we see and experience the world around us. Ola plays with people's perceptions and senses, inciting curiosity, discovery and surprise.
Image: Fixed & Fluid, 2018 © Ola Lanko


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text:
Coaching models, techniques and tools & practicing coaching skills
Click here to download the course leaflet (PDF format).
Why coaching? Coaching is increasingly being used within organisations to support improved personal and team performance. As organisations find themselves working within an increasingly complex world, where they are often required to do more with less, coaching offers a tool for encouraging and supporting individuals and team members to find solutions and to take responsibility for their own actions and outcomes.
This course follows a two-step process: First, clarifying what coaching is and is not, introducing a basic coaching model and trying it out. Second, going further into coaching techniques and tools, and consolidating learning through practicing coaching skills in small groups, with guided feedback.
The course includes demonstrations, facilitated discussions, individual and group activities and experiential learning through coaching practice in pairs or triads. Participants should identify current work issues or challenges to bring to the workshop for coaching practice. All participants will have the opportunity to coach, be coached and to observe and give feedback. This is a highly interactive workshop, developed around adult learning principles.
Who should attend
This is a two-day introductory workshop intended for
- Leaders
- Managers
- HR professionals
- Trainers
interested in exploring how to support improved individual and team performance within their organisations through using a coaching style of management.
How you and your organisation will benefit – Learning objectives
Following this workshop, participants will have an understanding of coaching and mentoring and will be comfortable to coach others on straightforward issues within their organisation, or externally. More specifically, participants will be able to:
- Understand what coaching is and how it can support performance within organisations
- Understand the differences between mentoring, coaching and counselling
- Be comfortable in using a basic coaching model to work with others within their organisations
- Understand and apply a range of coaching and influencing approaches
- Improve their communication and influencing skills through developing active listening and effective questioning skills
- Understand interference and limits on performance
- Contract clearly and ethically, and be aware of coaching boundaries
- Be comfortable giving and receiving feedback, and learning from others
- Examine continued learning and supporting coaching quality
Course programme
|Day 1
|Getting started – a coaching model
|Day 2
|Building on basics – exploration and consolidation
Interested in having this course conducted tailor-made for your organisation? Please contact us.


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The Judge: A Fable for Our Times?
When I was a children's librarian, I used to do a lot of story hours for preschoolers. One book that was always a favorite was calledThe Judge.
One person after another comes before the judge and says something like this:
A terrible thing is coming this way, creeping closer day by day—
Its eyes are scary, its tail is hairy… I tell you, Judge, we all better pray!
The descriptions get longer and the thing sounds worse and worse. It spreads its wings and does bad things. But the judge is unmoved. He says something like
Lock him up and throw away the key. He can't fool me!
At the end, the horrible monster breaks into the judge's courtroom. Kids loved it! Something about authority figures getting their comeuppance…
I haven't thought of this book for years, decades even, but it popped into my head the other day. Since then, I've been mulling over how easy it is for us all to deny that a terrible thing might be creeping closer day by day, whatever that terrible thing might be.
Hyperinflation, deflation, peak oil, drought, tornadoes, terrorism… I am sure you can think of a lot of things that might be coming this way. And isn't it easier to act like the judge?


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Our waters see vital traffic of billions' worth of goods from all over the world every day. The affordability, convenience and efficiency of shipping makes it the go-to transport for all types of cargo. Unfortunately, the same advantages it offers to legitimate commercial activities may also be extended to more nefarious purposes, like the transport of illicit goods and the trafficking of drugs.
The vast expanse aof oceans are hard to police completely, and so illegal substances make their way to different markets on all too many occasions. Thankfully, there are also success stories of massive busts that prevent further drug distribution. Recently, the United Kingdom facilitated one such bust—their largest A-class drug seizure, worth about £500m or $756m. Kemplon Engineering takes a closer look at the news.
Image "Stop Drugs Represents Warning Sign And Cocaine" courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
The UK's biggest drug seizure was discovered on an ocean-going tugboat in the North Sea, in a joint operation by the National Crime Agency ("NCA"), Border Force and the Royal Navy. There was a crew of nine Turkish nationals on the Ukrainian-owned vessel MV Hamal when three tonnes of cocaine – with a staggering potential street value of $756 million—was discovered following a painstaking search. The seizure is believed to be the largest class-A haul in the United Kingdom, where "class-A" drugs are defined as among the most dangerous.
Following an intelligence tip from the NCA, the tugboat MV Hamal was intercepted off the coast of Scotland by the Royal Navy's HMS Somerset and Border Force cutter Valiant, and taken to Aberdeen harbor for a search. The Hamal had come from the Canary Islands and was registered in Tanzania.
The crew of MV Hamal, ranging in age from 26 to 63 years old, have been charged with drug trafficking. The investigation is still ongoing.
^ "Britain seizes record haul of hard drugs from tug boat traveling from Canary Isles." The Japan Times, 01 May 2015. Web. 10 May 2015. http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/05/01/world/crime-legal-world/britain-seizes-record-haul-hard-drugs-tug-boat-traveling-canary-isles/#.VU8kKmeSw_j
^ Hartley-Parkinson, Richard. "Royal Navy just picked up Britain's biggest ever drugs haul." Metro.co.uk, 30 Apr 2015. Web. 10 May 2015. http://metro.co.uk/2015/04/30/royal-navy-just-picked-up-britains-biggest-ever-drugs-haul-5175306/
^ Stone Kathryn. "Tug Seizure Marks UK's Largest Drug Bust." The Maritime Executive, 01 May 2015. Web. 10 May 2015. http://www.maritime-executive.com/article/tug-seizure-marks-uks-largest-drug-bust
^ Taylor, Matthew. "Cocaine worth £500m seized from ship in UK's biggest class A haul." The Guardian, 30 Apr 2015. Web. 10 May 2015. http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/apr/30/cocaine-500m-seized-ship-uk-biggest-class-a-haul
^ "Update: Over 3 Tons of Cocaine Found on Arrested Tug." World Maritime News, 01 May 2015. Web. 10 May 2015. http://worldmaritimenews.com/archives/159540/update-over-3-tons-of-cocaine-found-on-arrested-tug/


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Louis Vuitton F/W16 Monogram Canvas Supple Rigid BagCategories:Louis Vuitton
The name is in itself an oxymoron. How is a bag possibly supple and rigid all at once? Well, anything's possible as far as Louis Vuitton is concerned, and with their F/W16Monogram Canvas Supple Rigid Bag, it's truly both hard and soft at the same time.
Well I don't have the full info on this curious beauty just yet, this is what I know. Made to look like a trunk which of course Louis Vuitton is perhaps best-known for, it's hard on top (where the trunk's lid and handle is) and soft on the bottom (where you see the 'soft' Monogram Canvas). Priced at SGD7500, you could say this is another unique addition to the French luxury house after the successful launch of the Petite Malle some seasons back.
And while I don't have the full info on this piece (or other pieces that will available in this shape but in different finishes), here's a close-up of the Supple Rigid Bag's gorgeous lock situation. More updates, to come.
Tags: Louis Vuitton bag Monogram Canvas F/W16 Supple Rigid
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How To Clean And Care Your Louis Vuitton Alma Bag in Monogram CanvasCategories:Louis Vuitton
Yesterday we stole a couple of hours of Victoria's time and ask her everything about cleaning and caring designer handbags. Because we noticed that she has already been infected by 'bag obsession' (no cure for that, I guarantee), we needed her to share some real-life experience. We took her favorite Louis Vuitton Alma Bag as an example; 'Victoria, please tell us your story!'
I purchased this Louis Vuitton Alma bag because I am OBSESSED with handbags and Louis Vuitton, the Alma is such a classic bag for any person of any age and in my opinion one of the top classics in the LV collection.
My shopping experience with Louis Vuitton is always amazing, I always shop at my home store which is in the United States in Florida at the International Mall in Tampa. They are always so welcoming and helpful.
I purchased the Alma I believe in Tampa, Florida that is where most my Louis' are purchased!
I think I purchased this bag about 5 -6 years ago or probably more than that! The retail price then I believe it was a little over 1000 I believe? now I believe it currently retails for 1500.
Why did you choose this leather and what is your experience so far?
Louis Vuitton Monogram is the first and top styles to come in most bags, the far most popular to really say " I am carrying a Louis Vuitton" when I first purchased the Alma they did not carry it in the Damier Ebene, vernis. ☹
Have you accidentally damaged your bag so far? If so, then what was your initial response and how did you resolve it?
OH my! This is a big one, I am soo protective over all my handbags, they are expensive bags and to not take care of them is so upsetting. In Florida in rains constantly, I constantly and putting them under my shirts if I don't have an umbrella or find a plastic bag to shove them in! I had once got the bottom wet, my little brother put my bag on the floor of a restaurant ( YES HE DID) I don't ever do that, and of course… it was slightly wet.
In which occasion do you often use this bag? (as an everyday?)
I only use this bag maybe every other month for a week. I frequently change out my handbags, and working in an office environment I sometimes don't like bringing my high end bags.
What do you do to maintain your bag?
I always keep my handbags in the original dust bag this is a must! It keeps it from getting moisture in or any dust bunnies or anything that likes to hide! I also keep stuffing inside the bags so it doesn't loose its shape!
Do you use any products? If so, then what are the products and prices? Also how often do you maintain your bag and how do you put these products in use?
I do use products, I love the Kate Spade Conditioner and leather cleaner they are both available for only $10 a piece on Kate Spades web site! I usually clean my bags every 2 months or so, but definitely before and after I use the handbag!
Have you tried any products that didn't work out in the past?
I haven't had any bad luck with products, all I can suggest is make sure you use LEATHER cleaner, some people just use soap and water never do that!
Where and how do you store your bag?
I store my bag in my handbag containers which is actually in it's physical dust bag. I never keep it out of the dustbag unless I am using it… I actually think when I am using it at night I put it back in the dust bag. ☺
Do you have any more tips and advices for newbies?
Love your handbags! They are expensive pieces but they can last forever, take care of them and if you ever have questions ask! Bring them into someone to clean if you don't trust yourself. Most Louis Vuitton stores have people they recommend to send the handbags too!
Tags: Louis Vuitton Alma bag Monogram Canvas
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Louis Vuitton Pre-Fall 2016 Monogram Canvas CollectionCategories:Louis Vuitton
Ok, first the disclaimer. This blog post's title isn't going to be completely accurate since Louis Vuitton didn't technically release a new collection of Monogram Canvasbags or SLGs. Instead it's a selection of Pre-Fall 2016 bags that feature in such part LV's iconic monogram pattern which I wholeheartedly, unabashedly, love.
First up, the City Steamer which is basically to Louis Vuitton what the Diorever is to Dior, their respective takes on the structured tote topped with a pair of short top handles. Simply known as the one with the 'Jacket Painting In Black And White', this 'mixed material' City Steamer is part-Monogram Canvas and part-studs with banded stripes in Black and White. Priced at SGD5800, I do have a feeling this would appeal to the boys who really love their Louis Vuitton more than the womenfolk that it was originally intended for.
Next up, the Twist, which is THE one Louis Vuitton is pushing to be their IT bag. With a cleverly designed clasp that's resembles its own logo when it's in the 'locked' position, you twist it counter-clockwise till the LV becomes VV and voila, the bag opens (no prizes on how the Twist got its name).
These 2 are also my personal favourites, the one of the left given the same treatment as the City Steamer you saw earlier (SGD5500), while the one on the right (the Twist MM Coin Studs as it is called) comes with a beautifully banded LV clasp inBlack/Blue/Orange (SGD6250). Both are in MM size, which makes them 23 cm by 18 cm by 8 cm, for those who need to know how big they are.
Finally, the one bag from Louis Vuitton that still makes my heart skip a beat whenever I lay eyes on it. Here is this season's Petite Malle with 'Jacket Painting', a racy, sporty number with the painted stripes and a matching clasp that's has the same corresponding colours on the enamelled clasp. Retailing for SGD7900, this one is also the one to get IMHO. Still very Louis Vuitton, still with the Monogram Canvasdetailing but given an update with the stripes that won't go out of style anytime soon either.
Tags: Louis Vuitton Monogram Canvas Pre-Fall 2016
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LOUIS VUITTON MONOGRAM CANVAS JUNGLE DOTS BAG COLLECTIONCategories:Louis Vuitton
Size: 15.7′ x 10.6′ x 5.9′ (L x H x W) inches
Price: $1370 USD, €980 euro
The iconic Monogram Canvas gets a little twist again for this season. The French fashion house decides to mix it with the most-recent 'Jungle Dots' print to create and wild and cool look.
Here's what you need to know…
The Jungle Dots Collection is purely made for the spring summer, which is why it's also called the Palm Springs Collection. The Palm trees are carefully painted in pink and placed behind the red-bold dots.
The pattern is refreshing and joyful, the dots evokes wild and tropical animals passing through the palm leaves. The print is very feminine and perfect for a trendy bright summer style.
Love it.
This print is featured on iconic handbags like the speedy bag but as well as on small accessories like wallets. We've even spotted the wallet on chain.
Size: 9.1′ x 7.1′ x 3.1′ (L x H x W) inches
Price: $4100 USD, €2850 euro
While Louis Vuitton made the Palm trees pink, there's also another color available – green. So green Palm trees adorned with monogram canvas. I am not sure whether this style is practical for all seasons, but its certainly qualified for the summer.
Size: 9.1′ x 7.1′ x 3.1′ (L x H x W) inches
Price: $4100 USD, €2850 euro
Oh and they even painted the Palm trees in black with the recently-introduced infrarouge Monogram Canvas. The color Infrarouge looks dangerous but cool.
So can you choose?
Size: 19.7′ x 11.4′ x 8.7′ (L x H x W) inches
Price: $2260 USD, €1530 euro
Size: 6.7′ x 4.7′ x 2.4′ (L x H x W) inches
Price: $420 USD, €285 euro
Size: 7.5′ x 0.8′ x 3.9′ (L x H x W) inches
Price: $905 USD, €615 euro
Size: 12.6′ x 11.4′ x 6.7′ (L x H x W) inches
Price: $1570 USD, €1180 euro
Size: 11.0′ x 12.2′ x 3.9′ (L x H x W) inches
Price: $2130 USD, €1590 euro
Size: 7.5′ x 4.7′ x 1.2′ (L x H x W) inches
Price: $1840 USD, €1250 euro
Size: 7.5′ x 4.7′ x 1.2′ (L x H x W) inches
Price: $1840 USD, €1250 euro
Size: 5.1′ x 3.5′ (L x H x W) inches
Price: $225 USD, €150 euro
Tags: Louis Vuitton bag Monogram Canvas JUNGLE DOTS
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LOUIS VUITTON BLUE MONOGRAM CANVAS BAG COLLECTIONCategories:Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton has come up with another fashion forward statement with its Blue Monogram Canvas Bag Collection. The LV Monogram canvas bag was given its much needed make over by adding a fun splash of blue to it. That gorgeous blue monogram canvas print looks absolutely flattering as it complements your unique fashion taste. Add a touch of color to your office outfits with this LV blue monogram canvas bag as it goes will your overall ensembles.
Rich in history and significant in all its angles, the Monogram was lovingly handcrafted by Georges Vuitton, in honor of his later father Louis. As they often say, the rest was history as a bag icon was born and fastforward to 2016, the Monogram proved to withstand the test and ravages of time. Classic, fashionable, and of premium quality, the LV Monogram bag is evolving and embracing the lovely and quaint detail changes it deserve. Now that we spilled the beans, let's wait for further details about the features, dimensions and price of this new blue monogram canvas bag. We'll keep you updated once we get first dibs.
Tags: Louis Vuitton bag Monogram Canvas BLUE
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Louis Vuitton Monogram Canvas Neverfull MMCategories:Louis Vuitton
One of Louis Vuitton's most iconic handbags is the Neverfull. This fabulous purse is an endless source of style, sophistication and beauty. Over the years, this model has been interpreted by LV in numerous colors and materials, but the core design has kept its original key details. Needless to day that this super fashionable handbag is the dream of every modern woman who adores to luxury and style.
The Neverfull family includes a couple of very popular and attractive versions such as the Monogram Canvas, Damier Ebene Canvas, Damier Azur Canvas and Epi Leather. One of my favorite looks is the Neverfull Monogram Canvas in MM size. The PM isn't spacious enough for my needs and the GM looks too big for my petite figure. The interior of the purse also offers a couple of very chic color variations. The textile lining comes in pivoine(purple), rose ballerine(light pink), beige and cherry. I personally prefer the cherry lining. It makes a very nice contrast with the exterior brown monogram canvas.
The Louis Vuitton Monogram Canvas MM measures 12.5 x 11.4 x 6.7 inches. It is a very spacious bags that allows you to carry inside many useful things, from a small laptop to a set of changing clothes for stylish Friday evening cocktails after a hard day at the office. This purse is perfect for balancing your professional life with your social one.
The top leather handles are manufactured from light cream natural cowhide leather with discrete stitching on the margins. Their long arched shape is both stylish and practical. It leaves a lot of room for wearing the purse either on your wrist or shoulder. Plus, they have the ideal width as they feel utterly comfortable.
Every single metallic piece added on this Neverfull bag model has been manufactured from stainless steel and plated with gold color. These are flawlessly finished and polished. Furthermore, on every metallic part there is the Louis Vuitton name or logo engraved.
You have probably notice two long leather strings on both sides of the Neverfull. These are used to reduce the size of the purse. You simply push the middle leather ring upwards and when it reaches the top it makes the purse smaller.
One very nice addition of the LV Neverfull Monogram Canvas is the removable zippered clutch with red lining. This very practical and stylish pochette can be either worn at special occasions or used as a wallet. It can pretty much accommodate essential things like your ID, cards and money.
The fresh and refined interior textile lining is in a vibrant red color and it featured heritage details inspired by LV classic style. Its nicely chosen chromatic offer a delightful pop of color to the overall stylish look of the purse. Also, at the inside there is one very useful textile-lined zippered pocket.
There are many thing to appreciate at the Louis Vuitton Neverfull Monogram Canvas MM, but what I like the most is its timeless look. Even though the brand has redesigned its never versions with bold colors and chic accessories, the purse has preserved its classic charm. It is a design that fascinates and invites you to explore your style to the fullest.
Tags: Louis Vuitton Monogram Neverfull Canvas


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Just a little note here. I just posted something on my Cheerful Stories blog some of you might enjoy. It's called My New Hobby. Hope you like it.
Saturday, November 22, 2014
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Over the years I've been writing short little stories for my own pleasure and for the amusement of friends and family and now I'd like to share a few of them with you.
The stories are meant to be a suggestion and they're not actually meant only for children. They're really meant for adults to read to children as well as to offer their own insights. They're meant to be fit into what ever philosophy their parents have and they're meant to cause people to think just a little bit while being amused.


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Harrogate's most Twitter-friendly traffic cop has thanked colleagues, friends and anonymous donors who helped him raise £4,500 for a life-saving Yorkshire charity.
Roads Policing Sergeant for North Yorkshire Police, Paul Cording, was one of over 40,000 runners in the London Marathon on Sunday April 23.
Harrogate-based officer, Paul, who is well-known in the town's social media circles for his interactive Twitter account, ran in aid of the Yorkshire Ambulance Service.
Having initially set a fundraising target of £500, Paul soon re-thought the figure as generous donations from all over flooded onto his Just Giving Page.
He said: "I re-evaluated quite quickly. I'm so humbled by everyone's kindness and generosity. I think it's at least going to be somewhere in the region of £4,500."
Paul, who ran the entire 26 mile stretch in a flat-cap as a nod to his Yorkshire roots and chosen charity, completed the race in 4 hours 53 minutes.
No mean feat, during the most difficult parts of the run, Paul said it was the messages on the t-shirts of other runners that kept him going.
He said: "There's lots of people with their own personal reasons for running and you see some of the messages on people's shirts.
"When I was struggling a bit with my legs I remember seeing the back of this shirt and someone was running for a little girl who was born asleep and you just think everyone has their own story, and that really got me back into it."
As a Roads Policing Sergeant, Paul also said it was the traffic collisions he sees in his everyday job that inspired him to support YAS.
He said: "I see first hand the benefits of the Yorkshire Ambulance Service, they are a charitable organisation that provides such a fantastic service getting patients to major trauma services really quickly.
"I've got a couple of blisters but all in all I think I've come home unscathed."


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Brickbats and bouquets from four campuses
What is everyday university life for students like on different campuses? What challenges do students face in their studies, and what is the best thing about their own study environment? During the spring, HYY has investigated the challenges experienced by students as well as their needs for support and then relayed students' views to the University management.
― Tell us about any problems with your studies – you will get candy while we will forward your views to the University management!
During the spring, members of the Board in charge of advocacy work on educational policy, Mathilda Timmer, Topias Tolonen and Sebastian Österman, as well as specialists Anne Soinsaari and Jenna Sorjonen have been on call at the Study Pop Up sites set up on all campuses to collect students' experiences of everyday life at the University. We have collected students' views from Viikki, Kumpula, Meilahti and the City Centre into this blog post.
The students on all campuses liked library services in particular, although they did wish for more facilities for studying and group work. University staff were also praised, as they do their all to help students. However, there are challenges related to study planning, course and exam arrangements and student counselling.
Lecture recordings and exam trouble in Viikki
Students praise: Investments in making high-quality lecture recordings, workshops on the personal study plan (HOPS) that provide peer support
Students criticise: Increasing number of lectures with compulsory attendance, unclear exam practices, problems with the quality of Swedish-language exam questions, delays with exam results
Flexible possibilities for completing courses in Kumpula
Students praise: Move to the new degree programmes has been done flexibly, possibility to complete language courses as part of a course on one's own field, up-to-date contents in studies, good facilities for group work in the library.
Students criticise: Delays with course schedules, courses clashing with each other, the scheduling problems and strain of pedagogical studies, lack of study facilities in the evening
Large group sizes a hot topic in Meilahti
Students praise: Study facilities in Terkko, Helsinki Think Company's events, good teaching
Students criticise: Too large group sizes in clinical teaching in particular, unclear schedules, delays with exam results, disappearance of student advisors, noisiness of Terkko
Compulsory attendance on the increase in the City Centre
Students praise: Think Corner, Kaisa Library, student services, electronic exam room, events that increase communality
Students criticise: Increasing number of lectures with compulsory attendance, decreasing number of flexible methods to complete courses, courses clashing with each other, unequally distributed strain of studies during the year, large amount of independent work, lack of study counselling in Swedish
Flaws will be addressed in cooperation with the University management
―Besides being on call on campuses, we have met with all faculty organisations during the spring and relayed students' views to the deans of the faculties, Vice Rector Sari Lindblom, in charge of teaching, and Director of Development Susanna Niinistö-Sivuranta, who is in charge of Student Services, Topias from HYY's Board describes.
Lindblom and Niinistö-Sivuranta met with representatives of subject organisations in April and commented on the problems experienced by students. They promised to immediately address the delays with assessing exams that are against the University's policies concerning degrees and studies. The increasing number of lectures with compulsory attendance came as a surprise to Vice Rector Lindblom, as this has not been the aim, and the University's policies include nothing that requires to make attendance in lectures compulsory. However, Lindblom understands teachers' attempts to guarantee that students learn by requiring them to attend lectures.
― The concern with the increasing amount of compulsory attendance is that it can unnecessarily delay students' studies. Compulsory attendance in lectures has also been reflected in the decrease in optional methods of completing courses, which further complicates study planning. We have heard of several cases in which participation in a mass lecture has been made compulsory. In such cases, it is hard to see the pedagogical justifications for compulsory attendance that the Rector's decision requires, Member of HYY's Board Mathilda remarks.
Problems arising from lack of resources the most difficult to solve
― We have received a lot of feedback on the problems Swedish-speaking students have with receiving student counselling in their native tongue. The positive thing is that Director of Development Niinistö-Sivuranta is aware of the problem, and the University is currently looking for study advisors who speak Swedish, Member of HYY's Board Sebastian, in charge of bilingualism affairs, states.
Delays with grading courses and students' difficulties with getting counselling for their problems are largely a result of the University's decreased administrative resources – in other words, of the fact that there is significantly fewer administrative staff supporting teachers and students than before. In the current economic situation, no immediate relief to this is in sight. Instead, solutions must be sought by rearranging tasks among the different actors and by streamlining processes. The same goes for the need for study facilities – the University's facilities are not increasing. On the contrary, the trend is towards more compact use of facilities.
― At HYY, we are closely monitoring the implementation of the reduction of facilities and will try to ensure that at least the current level of study facilities is maintained. Rearranging the facilities makes it possible to reconsider their use, however, and teaching facilities should be developed by creating teaching facilities that are more adaptable and enable digital work better than at present. Students' health must also be taken into account by looking after air quality and decreasing sitting, for instance, Mathilda envisions.


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This week marks the start of the the annual CMJ Music Marathon which means that musicians and music biz types from all over the world are flocking to New York City to schmooze, booze and talk about the future of the industry. If I could suggest just one CMJ-related event for our musician members it would be the Google Musicians Gallery, an event taking place this Thursday 10/18 co-sponsored by Google+, Google Play, YouTube and our friends at Limelight and Rightsflow.
At this point the name "Google" is basically synonymous with getting things done on the web and we've already told you how Limelight can help you clear your cover songs...if you're a musician or just interested in where music is headed, you'd be wise to get in on the fun and hang out with these cool brands. Plus you might just spot a GigMasters rep enjoying happy hour!
Register here: http://www.google.com/events/cmj2012/ or click the graphic below.


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Here Comes Spring, LET'S ROCK!!
Dear Aardvark Families!
Despite snow & ice, wind & rain, we are having an AWESOME winter semester with you and your kids, both in music class and at A Hum Music PLAY!
Believe it or not, it's already time to get ready for the spring semester! We hope you can join us for a ROCKIN' 10 week session, beginning April 11th, 2015. As always, we will be doing a different Aardvarks CD next semester, this spring we are doing CD #4!
**View our full spring schedule HERE!!**
**View our full spring schedule HERE!!**
Music For Aardvarks Spring Semester... Coming April 11th!!
It's almost time for another ROCKIN' 10-week semester. Here are all the details!
We'll see ya' soon!
Cindy & Sean
A Hum Music


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This Is A Real Case Study, Written By An Alzheimer's Sufferer Sharing His Hurts, Frustration And Desperation. This E Book Brings Hope For Fellow Sufferers.by Following The Program Designed By The Author, It Shows How To Retain New Memories And Buy Time.
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- Wander two days through the Tiger Leaping Gorge -
Are you a sports? An adventurer? Some time 'left' while visiting Lijiang? In China between April and October????
Walking in the Gorge at an average height of 2,500 meter, just at a two to three hours ride from Lijiang.
But, there is more to it: walk through a vegetable garden at height, experience rice fields, villages, farmers at work with or without their faithful oxes, and goats enjoying the same trail as you. Best of all: Feel China's character, dare to experience!
Best is to reach the Tiger Leaping Gorge coming from Lijiang or Zhongdian. We will pick you up after you had breakfast in your accommodation in Lijiang. We are heading to Qiaotou.
1. Would you like to enjoy an evening gazing at a most amazing starry sky? Bring warm clothes; in the evening it is pretty cold.
2. Walk as light as possible, to maximize your hike: head back to Lijiang after the hike so you can leave your luggage in your accommodation, or leave your luggage at the starting point in Qiaotou. Just walk with a daypack.
3. Bear in mind that with heavy rains, the hike is cancelled. In these circumstances landslides are common and the Gorge might be closed to visitors for a few days. This is most common in the months June, July and August.4. You're in an amazing Gorge; there are no ATM's available. Bring sufficient cash.
The price does not include:
What is an excursion?
- an excursion is a one day or two day tour
If you want to spend more days in or around 'one of these excursions', or you have ideas yourself, please contact us. We can advise you, assist you, inspire you.


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ASK Print in Suffolk first to use Catfish PhotoBooks for professional photography market
24 March 2014: ISL launches and demonstrates its new groundbreaking PhotoBook module for Catfish Web-to-Print on its stand at IPEX 2014.
The Catfish PhotoBooks module is fully optimised for mobile devices and is designed for enterprise level production. It can be used as a single module or can be combined with all the other features of Catfish to deliver an all encompassing solution such as variable data, email marketing and SMS and now PhotoBooks to drive a print business forward.
According to Douglas Gibson, MD of ISL, "Catfish is the first and only web-to-print platform that can cater for both the business-to-business and consumer market. Our new PhotoBooks module offers a fast and effective way for professional printers to enter the expanding and highly profitable PhotoBooks and photo-gift market."
About Catfish PhotoBooks:
Easy set up – As with all other Catfish Web-to-Print modules, professional printers can create their PhotoBooks website to reflect the exact look and feel of their own corporate identities.
Works with all devices – Catfish PhotoBooks is built on HTML5 to ensure its compatibility with all leading touch-based devices, tablets and phones including Apple iPhones and iPads, and operates with all the latest internet browsers.
Full product options – A printer can create a PhotoBooks website to offer their chosen styles of products with any type of paper stock, finish or cover as well as other attributes such as gift packaging.
Dynamic pricing - The dynamic pricing configurations are easy for a printer to set up - so when a customer adds/remove pages, changes paper stock, or adds new attributes to their PhotoBook, the cost is automatically updated.
Complete design flexibility – Users can either follow pre-defined page templates or they can have full creative flexibility over the size, design and layout of their pages. Options are available for different combinations of images and text boxes with a choice of masks, boarders and corners.
No downloads – Catfish is completely cloud-based, so unlike other PhotoBooks on the market, there is no physical program to download.
Designed for fingers - The easy to use interface has been optimised for touch gestures – the buttons are large enough for fingers and designed for swipe and drag motions.
Easy access to photos – Users can upload their photos and imagery from a computer or phone as well as from any online image repository such as Facebook, Flip, Instagram, etc.
ASK Print using Catfish PhotoBooks:
Gary Keens, MD of ASK Print based in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk has been working with ISL for the past six months on the development of the new Catfish PhotoBook Software. His company specialises in photography print, producing high-end albums, PhotoBooks and calendars for the photographic industry.
"With ISL's Catfish, we have moved all our products online," says Gary. "We are working with ISL to provide a seamless service to photographers and their customers, completely white labelled using their brand with no sign of us in the background. This white labelled service allows our photography clients to sell our products using their photos all in their name. The solution ISL are developing with us will be unique to the photographic industry; no other provider I spoke to other than ISL was flexible enough and had the expertise to be able to fully develop this solution."
The full service will be available from www.PhotgraphyPrint.co.uk within the next month or so, with all online web-to-print capabilities already live on the site. Professional photographers will be able to fully customise the online storefront to mirror their own branding and offer high-end wedding books and albums as well as more standard photo books, canvases and photo gifts. The photographer simply uploads their images post-shoot and it is available immediately to their end customer to edit, create or purchase any product from a print through to an A3 photobook on titanium metallic paper.
Gary adds, "We chose to work with ISL because they are very similar to us. They are a very fluid organisation, quick to react to new market opportunities but with an in-depth knowledge of the print industry. ISL's team has worked closely with us to develop our vision for the professional photographic market, tailoring Catfish to the needs of our customers. In contrast, other providers offered just a boxed solution with a 'take it or leave it' attitude."


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The lovely new 2202 Cosmo Tiger II is beyond cool in my view. This Heavy Fighter is the pride of U.N.C.F.!
For more images and information and to place your preorders checkout the best shops to buy from (in my experience) HOBBY SEARCH and HOBBY LINK JAPAN. This kit is only $36 USD so I am going to buy two or three immediately... The Glory!
Happy Star Blazing Boss out!


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Monterey Pop Festival
Complete Monterey Pop Festival
Monterey Pop Festival
Complete Monterey Pop Festival
Criterion Collection
Release Date: 9/22/2009
On a beautiful June weekend in 1967, at the height of the Summer of Love, the first and only Monterey International Pop Festival roared forward, capturing a decade's spirit and ushering in a new era of rock and roll. Included are performances by the Mamas and the Papas, Canned Heat, Simon & Garfunkel, Big Brother & the Holding Company with Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane, The Who, Country Joe & the Fish, Otis Redding with Booker T. & the MGs, the Mar-Keys, the Jimi Hendrix Experience, and Ravi Shankar. D.A. Pennebaker directs. Extras in this complete edition include HD digital transfers of all 3 films, soundtrack in 5.1 mixes in Dolby Digital and DTS-HD Master Audio, 2 hours of outtakes, and much more.


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Temperature for April 2003
In April 2003 the average high temperature in Key West, FL was 81.4°F, and this was 0.8°F cooler than the average of 82.2°F. The hottest day in April 2003 was 30 April when the temperature reached 84.9°F. Overnight the average temperature in April is 71.4°F and in 2003 the average overnight temperature was 2.4°F cooler at 69.0°F.


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Yes! I get these questions a lot!
What is your price point?
I have a large range from an intimate elopement wedding from $400/hour to a 3-5 day Indian wedding maybe over $5000. It will depend on the number of hours of coverage you will need and I always customize and review your details to suggest the best way that works closer to your budget range.
How long is the highlight film and the full-length documentary edit?
The highlight film is usually between 5-8 minutes of duration and there's no limit to the duration of a highlight film (please see the question below for more explanation). The full-length documentary edit is usually between 45-90 minutes depending on the durations of your events. Some weddings have more and longer events and some have relatively more simple and short events. It will depend on how your story will be told in the most suitable way.
What is your style?
I lean towards a more journalistic approach and try to stay as discrete as possible when we film. I like to let events unfold by themselves so we can capture the raw emotions. However, we sometimes may need to stage certain things to achieve some visuals we'd like to see on film. Hope this answers your question about style!
Can we pick the music?
Of course! I'm always open to your ideas and let your personality and style inspire me about the music choice. I would first ask you for your ideas but I have to say that I usually would get the feeling for what kind of music suits your style and how things flow on your wedding day. The more important issue is the music licensing that will grant us the copyrights to create the film without copyrights infringement. So I highly recommend that you pick the songs within the types of music that we can get license for.
What's the turnaround time for the final product?
I usually would say approximately 3-4 months after your wedding. Over the past two years I have been experiencing larger volume of editing work and leaning more between 4-6 months on average.
Why does it take so long to edit the video?
Every wedding is just unique. I always try to make the wedding film as unique and distinct that suits your style and preferences. And I'm proud to say that I have always taken the time to try to make it the best for every couple. Each wedding takes me anywhere from 10-30 hours of post-production work (selecting music, choosing the shots and screening all of the materials) and for every second you see on film, I have gone through a lot of thinking and trying out with different editing arrangements. The few minutes you see on film may seem short and easy but it indeed takes lots of time to put the pieces together. So please be assured that there's no sloppy or fast work to work around in terms of editing. And I assure you that I spend more than 100% of my effort and energy when I focus on editing your wedding. Usually by the end of the wedding season around year end I get the most busy and regardless of how many weddings I have done for the particular year, I still insist on editing all of the weddings myself to ensure that I have given 100% attention to each final product. This leads me to long rendering hours and spending days and weeks on editing. The slightly little things (like audio or color grading) you may not notice could have easily taken hours of time to execute. If you're really looking for a speedy turnaround, I may not be the perfect match for you.
Will you revise the edit if we want some changes?
Of course! This is really the film you will cherish for the rest of your life. I'm happy to make some changes so you're happy and satisfied with the result. It may take longer to complete the revisions and your requested edits because, in all fairness, I also would try to finish the following wedding films for other people so they can also get to see their wedding films for the first time.
What is the booking procedure?
Please email and let me know as soon as you can confirm your decision. I will then start the contract for you and once a contract is signed and the deposit is in place, your date will be saved.
Do you have drone and will you be able to provide drone footage?
Yes, we do. However, you should also check with the venue and properties you have weddings at and see if they give you permission for having drone flying over their properties. We have encountered a lot of wedding venues that they do not allow unscheduled drone sessions or they do not give permission on using drones at all. Some of the venues may have certain restrictions on the use of drones as well. And for safely and liability issues, we do not fly drone over people during the ceremony or use drone for indoor properties. And for some open spaces, we may be able to fly drone to get a quick shot over the ceremony spot during the ceremony but please be aware that the drone would create noise and it would be distracting to attendees in the ceremony. Our experience told us that people would look up and pay their focus and attention on the drone but not on the couple.
What is the duration of the short film? Why are some longer and some shorter? How do you work to determine the durations of the films?
I don't time the true durations to be honest. There is really no limit to the duration of the short film. When I work on editing, the compelling and interesting content which helps tell the story the best in the most suitable way should be my consideration. Some weddings have more actions, longer vows and speeches while some have relatively simple arrangements and fewer events. The amount of footage and content we can capture is also different with a 1 videographer and 2-3 hours of intimate wedding vs weddings with 3 videographers and 14 hours of coverage with lots of events throughout the day. So the duration is not what matters most when I do the editing. Rather it is how the story can be told and what should be shown in the film to make it compelling and interesting to you and your audience when you want to show it to others. A 3-hour long film may not necessarily be better than a 1-hour long film. From experience, I found that usually with a 6-8 hours of coverage with 2 videographers, the wedding films tend to be around 6-8 minutes long with all of the best highlights included. However, there is really no true standard on how long the film should be. And of course, if you'd prefer it to be shorter or longer, I'm happy to work with you to eliminate or add some necessary shots to your preferences.


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Need help?
Call the crisis hotline anytime:
The Eastern Shore School Mental Health Coalition (ESSMHC) and Salisbury University set out this past year to conduct an assessment on the behavioral health needs of children in schools on the Eastern Shore. With Funding provided by a Maryland State Department of Education Grant, four different assessments were completed in 2015. The goal was to conduct surveys and focus groups with parents, school personnel, and community-based providers. The aim was to understand the various perspectives on behavioral health needs and barriers for school-aged children.
Kimberly van Vulpen, PhD and Amy Habeger, LCSW-C from the Social Work Department at Salisbury University are the primary investigators for this study. Forward any questions about the findings to email@example.com or firstname.lastname@example.com


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Please find the official terms and conditions for The Regent Grand™ on Turks and Caicos below. If you require further assistance, please contact us and a member of our staff will be happy to assist you.
deposit policy
A three-night deposit (including government tax and facility fee) secures your reservation. Deposits are due at the time of booking. The balance will be charged upon checkout. For Christmas/New Year reservations (12/22-1/2/18), visits require a minimum seven-night stay and three-night refundable deposit (if cancelled by 9/30) at the time of booking. The balance will be due on October 1st, which is non-refundable.
cancellation policy
From January 2 to December 21, 2017, the three-night deposit is fully refundable up until 21 days prior to arrival. Then it becomes non-refundable. For Christmas/New Year reservations (12/22-1/2/18), the three-night deposit is non-refundable after 9/30/17. The balance for the full length of your stay is due on October 1st and is non-refundable. We highly recommend travel insurance.
terms and conditions
rates include:
All services, amenities and property management is provided by White Sands Grace Bay Ltd.


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Dachuan Booth No. W2-A2650 on Beijing CIPPE 20142014-01-25
Tangshan Dachuan Machinery Co., Ltd is going to attend the 14th China International Petroleum & Petrochemical Technology and Equipment Exhibition on March 19-21, 2014. The exhibition will be held in New China International Exhibition Center. Our booth No. is W2-A2650, by then our company will display the latest technologies and products, you are cordially welcomed to come to our site for business negotiations and technical exchanges.
China International Petroleum & Petrochemical Technology and Equipment Exhibition (cippe), a regular gathering in petroleum and petrochemical industry and a high-quality exhibition which gets the authentication from UFI in Mainland China, is held two sessions every year, March in Beijing and August in Shanghai.
Tangshan Dachuan Machinery Co., Ltd is a company focuses on the production, sales and after-sales maintenance service of mud cleaning equipment of petroleum drilling (not excavation). The main products are shale shaker,vacuum degasser, desander, desilter, mud cleaner, mud gas seperator, mud agitator, desander pump, shear pump,centrifugal pump, flare lgnition device, mix funnel, jet mud mixer, mud tank, water tank, diesel tank, etc.
Cippe 2014 will welcome an attendance of 15 national pavilions, including USA, German, UK, France, Canada, Denmark, Italy, Russia etc. In addition, the well-known global enterprises such as Rosneft, National Oil Varco, Baker Hughes, GE, Cameron, Honeywell, API, Caterpillar, Cummins, MTU, Tyco, 3M, TIMKEN, Atlas, Sandvik and Hempel etc. all participate in the event.


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The early-March snowstorm that creamed the Eastern seaboard largely missed Vermont's big skiing areas. But resort operators were delighted nevertheless, because the storm whetted the appetite of all those coastal skiers. The industry calls it the "backyard syndrome," and it can either feed or starve the sport in a given year. The backyard syndrome stipulates that if you can't see snow in your backyard, you won't think of going skiing, whatever the economy. If the flakes are falling, however, you'll get silly for the slopes. "Snow makes skiers act irrationally," says Ralf Garrison, director of the Mountain Travel Research Program, which compiles lodging data from ski resorts in the Western U.S. "When there's soft powder, skiing is no longer a discretionary activity. It becomes a birthright." (See 50 authentic American travel experiences.)
During a brutal recession, you'd think a $90 lift ticket and two nights at a lodge would be a luxury. But luckily for ski-resort operators, the flakes have been flush this season. Most U.S. resorts are reporting above-average snowfalls. (Northstar-at-Tahoe, in the Sierras, clocked in with 3 ft. of new snow March 4-5.) So while revenues have slipped particularly at retail shops and restaurants fewer people are fleeing skiing than you'd think. Michael Berry, president of the National Ski Areas Association, an industry trade group, projects that total lift-ticket purchases will decline 5% to 6% this season. (See pictures of Bode Miller, the renegade Alpine skier.)
After a bust-out 2007-08, that's not so bad. Last winter, skiers and snowboarders bought a record 60.5 million lift tickets. A 6% drop would translate to some 57 million tickets sold, a figure that would beat the 55.1 million total in 2006-07, a season when the economy was still frothy but the snow was lousy. Further, in the 30 years the National Ski Areas Association has tracked such data, the industry has sold more than 57 million tickets during just six seasons, each occurring in this decade. "At the end of the day, there's an adage among operators," says Berry. "They'd rather have good snow in a bad economy than bad snow in a good economy." (See pictures of the science of snowflakes.)
The powder has really propped up Eastern operators, who have been bopped with a series of big storms. "East of the Mississippi, we're seeing [snow] levels at or above record levels," says Berry. New York and New England resorts have several advantages during a recession. First, they're cheaper than the higher-end destinations like Aspen and Vail in Colorado. Second, they're within driving distance of huge metropolitan areas such as New York City and Boston. Mount Snow in Vermont, for example, is a four-hour trip from New York City and a two-hour trek from Boston. Its "skier days" (number of people visiting the resort, multiplied by the number of days they ski) are up 3% this season. (See which businesses are doing well despite the recession.)
The Wachusett Mountain Ski Area in Princeton, Mass., has access to some 7 million people who live about an hour away in the Boston; Hartford, Conn.; and Providence, R.I., regions. And skiers are staying local: skier days at Wachusett have risen 4%. "We are drawing the people that make a spontaneous decision to go skiing," says Tom Meyers, the marketing chief at Wachusett.
The East's gain is the West's loss. According to the Mountain Travel Research Program, through Jan. 31, occupancy was down 18% at the Western ski areas, while lodging rates dropped 8%. Vail Resorts, a public company that runs four ski areas in Colorado and one in California, reported a 5.8% drop in skier visits through early January and a 7.5% decline in lift-ticket revenue. The Aspen Skiing Company, which operates the Ajax Mountain, Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass ski areas, predicts skier visits will drop between 5% and 15% this year. (See the top 10 sports moments of 2008.)
Total revenues at the resorts will decline more steeply than lift-ticket sales, as skiers are spending less on private lessons and at retail shops. Aspen is offering free nights and restaurant discounts during traditional peak periods like spring break. "That's something we haven't done in the past," says Aspen Skiing Company spokesman Jeff Hanle.
Through Jan. 31, March reservations were down an alarming 29% for the Western resorts traditionally a period of great snow and warmer temperatures. "Good snow helped fuel a slew of last-minute bookings around Christmas," says Garrison, the Mountain Travel Research Program director. "Who knows if the snow will save the day again."
See pictures of a London snowstorm.
See 25 people to blame for the financial crisis.


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There's been a lot of buzz around the new shockumentry "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed". Wikipedia has a fairly well referenced account of the events so far, but I'll summarize briefly for those who may not have been following the debacle.
The movie has worn many faces in its journey so far: it claims to be a documentary about how Big Science has been expelling its members should they show any inclination towards believing Intelligent Design. It ends up being a rabid anti-evolution propagana engine whose trump card involves blaming all evolutionary biologists for the Holocaust. But once upon a time, for as long as it was convenient to fool a few big names into giving interviews, it was masquerading as a little film called "Crossroads", which was supposedy about investigating why creationists still cling to their beliefs about evolutionary theory in the face of overwhelming evidence. Mainstream critics think it is a poorly-made, amateurish attempt at filmmaking, scientists think it's a pack of lies, and the christians think it's Oscar material.
Ignoring all the deviations into fantasy, the core premise is basically this: they bring forward a number of people who have recently claimed to have been 'expelled' by Big Science because of their beliefs. What we really have is a volunteer editor who pulled a last-day-on-the-job fast one by slipping an ID paper past his journal's review process, a sub-par astronomy professor who failed in his tenure application because his research output was not up to scratch, a teacher whose contract was not renewed after several students lodged complaints about her, a professor whose university wanted him to make some changes to his website before they would continue to provide him with free hosting for it, a journalist who suffered apparently nothing as result of her poorly-researched articles, and a pro-ID advocate who had some people say some mean things about him on the internet.
Given that this content doesn't exactly make for stirring stuff, it's no wonder that the Expelled team had to jazz things up a bit. But let's assume for just a minute that they didn't have to lie and resort to hysterical theatrics to draw this pity party out into a feature-length film. Let's assume for a moment that they could find even one, just one, person who had legitimately been fired from their job as a scientist or educator as a result of their pro-ID stance, and with an otherwise sterling and exemplary record. What I want to know is, even in that situation, would Big Science be wrong?
Seriously, let me put it a few different ways so that you can see what I mean. Would we be suprised at any of these headlines:
- Biology teacher fired for advocating Stork Theory
- NSF denies astronomer funding for Sun Sign Astrology research
- National Geographic editor ridiculed by colleagues after slipping pro-Flat Earth article into print
- Doctor "shocked" by online response after blog post encouraging the medical establishment to study The Force
- Cambridge professor ordered to remove his Raelian Research Center page from the university website and return funding received from the Raelians
- Journalist's integrity questioned after article claiming "There was no Holocaust"
Can you imagine your child coming home from school and telling you that their teacher was teaching them how to cast spells and hexes, and they needed a newt for homework? You'd be on the phone to the school in a jiffy. What would follow may be summarized by a brief animation of the becloacked hag being booted out of the school and her broomstick following swiftly after. No one would raise an eyebrow, except perhaps a few velvet-clad, Anne Rice-reading pagans protesting something about white magic. Certainly no one would make a movie about how advocates of Witchcraft are being expelled from schools across the country by Big Education, and it's Salem all over again and the principal is personally responsible for the Inquisition (cleverly intercut with scenes from Joan of Arc, for which they are swiftly sued by Luc Besson).
The whole thing is ludicrous. Ben Stein may as well have made a movie about how second-rate hacks at the denoument of their careers are making fools of themselves in cinemas across the country, and being unjustly harrassed by Big Critics.


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4 dead in Mecca suburb after Saudi police raid ISIS cell
READ MORE: Russia pays tribute to Palmyra hero who called in anti-ISIS artillery strike on his own position
"The terrorists fired upon security forces requiring them to respond in kind to neutralize the threat, leading to the killing of two and the death of two others who blew themselves up with explosive belts," said a statement from the Saudi interior ministry.
No police officers were injured during the special operation, it added.
Local station Al Arabiya reported that authorities suspected the men of planning an attack on a security compound near their house and deployed a large force to neutralize them, including armed helicopters.
In a different raid in the city of Jeddah, police arrested two other suspected members of Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL).
"Explosives are being removed and the area combed. And the suicide belts, explosives and weapons at their location are being dealt with," said Saudi Arabia's interior ministry.
The tightly-controlled Middle Eastern monarchy has been destabilized by a series of recent suicide bombings involving the terrorist group, prompting it to initiate a high-profile crackdown.
READ MORE: Australia's top ISIS recruiter killed in US airstrike
Last week, two IS suspects were killed after fleeing in a car and being pursued by a gunship. A third member of the group, Iqab Mujab al-Otaibi, who is thought to be behind the bombings of a Shia mosque and a security building over the past two years, was arrested later.
The interior ministry official indicated that all of the incidents in the past week were connected, constituting part of the same security operation.
Saudi Arabia is one of the leaders of a coalition ostensibly battling Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, but an inter-governmental report said that its citizens were the second most represented nationality among the IS force.


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Issue v0.6: How It Works
This page appears in issue v0.6 of TNW Magazine, our monthly digital iPad magazine. Download it for free so you can read it in the format it was designed for, including interactive elements that make it a spectacular read.
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Cindy Maddera
This has been a big year for the hurricane season, with our second category 4 hurricane hitting the US today. Hurricane season is supposed to end with September, but the NOAA predicts hurricanes and tropical storms well into November. So what's with all the storms this year? Hurricanes are brought on by warmer than normal water temperatures and low wind shear. The big debate lies in why the waters are warmer than normal. Some scientists say it's just normal weather cycles, but others believe the warmer waters are due to global warming. Simulation studies have shown that increased levels of atmospheric CO2 may not increase the number of hurricanes, but does increase the intensity of the hurricane.
I'm one of those people who straddle the fence on this debate. The earth does go through different weather cycles (the Ice Age is a good example), but we also can't deny the influence of man on weather conditions. For instance we know that it's always going to be hotter in cities then country areas. Pavement and smog all contribute in trapping heat. It doesn't take a rocket scientist put two and two together.


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Pete and I have yet again been roaming the world, or more correctly, USA again! The last few times we have flown over there, we have found ourselves at the Fall Market in Houston, so this year we thought we'd switch things around and do the Spring Markets for a change so we can see a leeeetle bit more of America.
This year, Spring Market was held in Minneapolis. I was expecting rolling hills, so was surprised to find everything totally flat! It is gorgeously green and the city itself seems like a large Metropolitan town that never sleeps. There are lakes everywhere, not to mention squirrels - Pete and I found five of these cute creatures all in the parklands around the city. I guess Americans view them as pests, but I was transfixed. I have many photos of grass and tree trunks where the squirrels were just a second before - ho hum, I will have to sharpen my photographic skills!
parklands and lakes were everywhere!
We had a day before Market to see what the city had to offer. We walked through tree-lined streets with the most beautiful timber houses. We went to Minnehaha Falls, a very picturesque area full of bike tracks and parklands, and we crossed the great Mississippi which was just a stone throw away.
Minnehaha falls, just a 10 minute train ride from the city centre
We ventured over to the Mall of America, the largest shopping centre in the world, which is a consumers paradise. It was a sight to see with an amusement part in the centre complete with roller coasters! My son is obsessed with Lego, so I was excited to see a two storey high Lego heaven. I just wish Tim could have seen it, as seeing is believing!
The following days were spent working (working??) at the wholesale show. I will post more on that tomorrow.....


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Magnetic field due to an electric current in a wire
Class practical
Iron filings reveal the pattern of magnetism around a current-carrying wire, and factors that affect it.
Apparatus and materials
For each student group
Copper wire, PVC-covered, 26 SWG, 50-100 cm with bare ends
Cardboard, white, piece of
Wire strippers
Plotting compass
Power supply, low-voltage ('Westminster pattern' very-low-voltage supplies are best)
Health & Safety and Technical notes
Warn the class to keep fingers away from eyes. Iron filings inadvertently carried to the eyes can damage the cornea.
The power supplies used in this experiment must be able to allow a current of up to 10 amps to flow when a short piece of wire is connected across its 1 or 2 volt terminals. Many 0-12-volt power supplies will not pass such high currents and so the trip switch will cut out or, worse still, the power supply will be damaged. Students should be encouraged to switch off the power supply when they are not using it because the wires and coils will become hot.
a Make a hole in the centre of the board. Pass a length of insulated copper wire through the hole, and connect it to the black and red DC terminals on the low-voltage power supply.
b Fix the white board in a horizontal position, perhaps by clipping it under a terminal on the power supply (use one of the yellow a.c. terminals not otherwise used in this experiment).
c Switch on the power supply and sprinkle iron filings onto the white board.
d Tap the board gently with a pencil and watch the pattern develop.
e Pour away the iron filings and explore the field with the small plotting compass. Reverse the supply connections to see what effect this has on the compass needle.
Teaching notes
1 Fast students could also try the effect of a larger number of turns.
2 Students will see that:
- a current-carrying wire produces a magnetic field around itself;
- the field reverses when the current is reversed;
- the field is stronger with more turns of the wire.
3 A simple rule to use to show the direction of the current in a wire and the direction of its associated field is the 'right hand grip rule'. With the thumb of a clenched right hand pointing in the direction of the conventional current (positive flow), then the fingers point around the current in the direction of the conventional magnetic field.
The field direction is defined as the way in which the north-seeking pole of a compass needle points.
This experiment was safety-checked in July 2007
Related experiments
Magnetic field due to a coil carrying a current
Magnetic field due to a long close-wound coil


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Monthly Payments and Down Payments
Cash, personal checks and money orders are all accept for all payments and may be sent by mail or paid directly at our office. Credit card and electronic check are accepted at our website, www.hsfinance.com, by telephoning our office, by visiting your agents office or by making the payment directly at H&S' office. We only accept MasterCard and Visa.
Down payments must be paid at the time of application. Cash, personal checks, money orders and credit cards are accepted for down payments.
Monthly payments accepted by your agent must be called in to H&S and will receive 4 additional days grace before late or cancel fees will be accessed. Payments accepted by the agent on behalf of the insured are not considered paid until the payment is received in H&S' office.
Loan Payoff
Any Insured wishing to payoff their loan must call H&S for the payoff amount and the date by which the payoff must be received.
Last Day to Reinstate Your Policy
Payments received on or after the Last Day to Reinstate date may or may not be reinstated at the sole discretion of your insurance company. While H&S will make a request for reinstatement of your policy, H&S can not be responsible for the decisions of the insurance company concerning the reinstatement of your policy.