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72 Madeira Consorcio Meeting 18.8.2015Mar 17, 2019 at 6:43 pm | Posted in Posts | Leave a comment
U. reported that the Madeira Consorcio actually has a true fan from France. He is following our Blog since some time, and asked for a meeting when he comes over after August 28, to discuss some projects he has in mind. U. will meet with him; depending on the meeting time, we can see who else can participate.
U. mentioned an article (SPIEGEL; not available in English) that Social Media are taking over state functions: in a small city in Spain, citizens can tweet pothole photos and info about broken street lights to the City Hall, who fix it the problem and tweet proof of the repair within 24 hours. This way, Social Media systems create a parallel state.
D. told us about another parallel state which worked very well: the Canadian province of Quebec had a Theocracy for hundreds of years, where the Church provided all social services, and Sunday church service attendance was at 90% – it was important to see and be seen.. After the province became part of the rest of Canada, the number dropped to 20%.
Another result of the proliferation of Smartphone services will be that UBER and other services will send driverless cars on the roads, and citizens will stop buying cars, as they can easily have a car at hand within a short time, without the cost of acquisition, taxes and insurance. An upside of this is that roads will be uncongested and parking will cease to be a problem. The downside is that taxi drivers and similar profession will be out of work.
Last time, the group decided to do a hands-on project and help E. establish his dream of Arte Sanna bread. In our discussion, we deducted that the project has the following points to be taken care of:
- The project and the product need a good name, to help get a grip on it. We made a brainstorming on this and next time the, pros and cons have to be discussed:
|Arte Sanna Breads
|Sour Dough Delight
|Tão Pão!
|Golden Bread
|Ganas Flute
|Massa Critica
|Upper Crust
|Top Slice
|Best Slice
|Bio Crumbs
|Bio Crust
|Organic Crust
|The Good Grain
|Bread with Passion
|Passion Bread
|Ancestral Breads
|Ancestral Leavening
|Ancestral Wheats
|Bread Heaven
These proposals should be weighed based on the questions:
- What is the target group?
- English / International or Portuguese?
- Can we have a "hybrid" name, understood by all?
- Who is the target group? Egberto already has potential customers in Switzerland and other countries
2 We need a good text/ slogan/ resumé about the special quality to justify a higher price (Madeira grains, clean water /air /soil, locally made, no CO2 waste for transport, ancestral, unspoiled not manipulated, clean, rustic, etc.. Dennis and Ursula will work on Egberto's base text to extract this.
3 We need to choose a crowdfunding site from
and study their conditions – how they will be paid, and what Egberto can give as thank you/prize to the subscribers.
4 We spoke about the size of Egberto's bread, in comparison to Bruno's goods. Smaller packages with 1/10 of content can command a higher price; a big loaf of 1 kg for 10€ has the same value but is more difficult to sell to cost conscious customers. Egberto`s bread cannot be produced in muffin size – the chemical process behind it won't work – but it can be sliced and packaged in smaller portions.
5 We need good photos and a snappy video of max. 3-5 minutes with a good music track for the site. Ricardo can do this. Egberto has found two good videos as examples.
Aberdeen: The Bread Maker Charity http://youtu.be/LuxRlOeWjmc,
Very Nice: Australia: Barossa Sour Dough https://vimeo.com/70760988
Other videos about the subject:
The Grain Divide Documentary http://thegraindivide.com/ with trailer at https://vimeo.com/104358546
and Dan Barber with a video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbdj76Og9HE&feature=youtu.be
6 We need a good location (purchase, parking, walk-in potential, visibility) in FNC for the Bakery with shop (no coffee served). If somebody can think of such a place, please investigate and tell the group!
There is a new bakery at Largo de Camoes in Lisbon which is doing very well – Location, location, location…
7 We need to fix the amount of money we'll try to get through crowdfunding, we should probably ask for more than Egberto has planned for.
8 Export: the transport options need to be explored for later, it would have to be air freight, for freshness, or frozen.
9 Packaging /Presentation: better than Bruno's, like "Segurelha" cookies, Logo, labels, closing clip, etc.
10 A good online sales shop.
What else do we need to consider? Please give feedback to the group!
Source: http://thegraindivide.com/, don't use it!
Other stuff:
Egberto sent us a link about composting of human bodies:
The Madeira Tourism Minister Eduardo Jesus actually had a good idea: He will export some Toboggans to Lisbon to have Tourists slide down from Chiado to the Baixa, good advertising for Madeira!
Ursula will try to set up a visit to the EEM Energy Station Vitoria in Socorridos for WEDNESDAY 16.9.2015, at 7pm sharp (alternative: Marine Biology Station conference room)
See you then!
104th Madeira Consorcio Meeting 16.1.2019Feb 17, 2019 at 12:35 pm | Posted in Posts | Leave a comment
Tags: Consorcio, elections, fact checking, Funchal, gallery, julian treasure, leon berg, Madeira, restock, trump
We met in a new venue the RESTOCK workshop room in Armazém do Mercado and I think it went very well!
The owners did a great job in providing and managing the technology and we enjoyed the videos and then ensuing discussion.
The videos were:
- A Talk by Leon Berg about the art of listening with the "Council" way:
- Julian Treasure: 5 way to listen better:
The art of listening is under threat by the influx of media information we are receiving. C. said that we need to deliberately speak to persons who are not of our opinion, and try to understand them.
This, almost automatically, lead to Donald Trump, who does not display great talent in this area.
Cl. volunteered to portray Trump, and he did a great job in arguing from this standpoint, we had a lot of fun with that!! Trump's arguments for a wall to Mexico and a trade war were the main points.
There was the argument that the success Trump and other such political personalities have, is based on fear-mongering. Drugs are not coming across the US Mexican border, they are coming in planes and trucks, and M. knows somebody "inside" who told him that even the CIA is involved in the flourishing drug trade to the US today, as they were back in Vietnam and Laos. There is a movie about the events back then: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_America_(film)
So a wall wouldn't help to solve this problem.
The trade war: our "Trump" argued that as China has grown disproportionally, the old trade deals are unfair and must be revoked.
The argument went that Trump is just a façade for the people who are really in charge (Have a look at Noam Chomsky: "Donald Trump is a Distraction" on YouTube: https://youtu.be/uQvig0KvUaE)
D. said that 1% of the world population, the rich, are really managing the USA. Democracy is not supposed to work like this.
G said that the people who are really in power, manipulate the legislation to be in their favour and they will not be voted or kicked out of office like Trump. They will remain in power, and we have no way of identifying them and des-empowering them.
Do. said that Trump is a perfect actor for this kind if disguise, and that he will be even more powerful once he is out of office, he will remain a big "influencer" for years to come.
We also spoke about the fact that less and less people are voting. Cl. – as Himself – pointed out that most of the first-time voters in the 2016 election in the US voted for Trump so he managed to get out the vote. (Voting in the US takes place on a Tuesday, instead of on the weekend.)
Fact checking websites can be found here:
If any team member comes across an info, listing the Portuguese party programmes and affiliations for the European elections in May, please let U.know, this can be distributed to the whole group so that we know what we are voting for.
Other info:u!
One upcoming topic might be a discussion about the speed in which we are being fed news, and if we shouldn't deliberately slow down our intake.
103rd Madeira Consorcio Meeting 12.1.2019Jan 13, 2019 at 12:38 pm | Posted in Posts | Leave a comment
We met in U's place to watch two videos on the Moral Limits of Markets:
Michael Sandel, philosophy professor from the US:
Sandel spoke about cash incentives for children to read books, a contested issue.
He also made the point that nowadays, people of affluence and smaller means do not mix anymore like they used to (like in a football stadium) because people of affluence can and do buy services which allows them to separate themselves from the simple folks.
TEDsters are asking to counterbalance this development: People should actively and deliberately meet with people of other opinions and levels to speak to each other. Citizens should demand accountability from their politicians in regular Q & A sessions. The politicians who do not shy away from this, are doing well in public opinion (Angela Merkel does this on a regular basis, live on TV.
The definition of "community" is changing from the village type community to the internet community. Much of this does not look like a community at all because it isolates people from each other, but some communities are working well, such as Wikipedia.
Michael Sandel made another great video about this topic with students from all over the world on the same topic; we didn't watch it because the audio is not great, but here is the link:
We also watched a TED talk by Kate Raworth, she makes the point that economies should thrive but not grow anymore:
We are overshooting the resources of this planet and still not saving everyone from poverty but we could avoid it. New technologies need to be applied to regulate this. Will this take place???
Other info:
Bio-Magnetism: U. is tired of talking about it, let's do it!
U. gave out some magnet pairs to the couples in attendance, to combat bacteria, viruses etc. with a simple application of the magnets (clad in leather) for 20 minutes on the troubled spot, eg. on an ear infection or a tooth nerve.
The magnets balance the PH and kill the offending bacteria so this is good to treat local small inflammation
For prevention, is also great, e.g. to keep the sinuses clean.
If you have bigger health problems, it's always best to consult one of the therapists. Here in Madeira, we have several therapists who offer the treatment .(U has the contacts)
102nd Madeira Consorcio Meeting 10.11. 2018Nov 11, 2018 at 3:01 pm | Posted in Posts | Leave a comment
Tags: alexandra paul, calligraphy, hans rosling, nano particles, overpopulation, tulsi, what3words
We met in Ilheus for our meeting and for a delicious dinner.
The topic was "overpopulation" and we watched two videos:
Alexandra Paul – Overpopulation facts – the problem no one will discuss
Hans Rosling – Why the world population won't exceed 11 billion
The argument that the world population will level at 11 billion, was not accepted by all members. This may or may not happen.
The west cannot simply export its recipes of preservation or curbing population growth to the third world
Education, especially for girls and women, would be essential. Contraceptives must be provided for people who wish to lower the number of their offspring but only if they can see that the few children they have, can and will survive infancy.
The internet is a driving force behind the curbing of overpopulation because if poor people in third world countries have access to it, they have an incentive to get education to lift themselves up to higher levels of income for shoes, bikes, scooters, washing machines, cars…
But the first world is robbing the third world of resources and health.
The resources may already be depleted too much to avoid big catastrophes.
The fate of Humankind may already be sealed.
Nature – Gaia – is a self-correcting system, it may already be "working" to bring humankind to extinction. Gaia is a huge pond with fish in it – us – and our species can be regulated by several factors.
New diseases are coming up, and aggression between people may lead to war which would decimate the population. Water is an essential, scarce good, which already leads to conflicts between peoples.
What to do:
Religion has to be part of the solution – a handrail for simple folks – , but it has to adapt and may move (back) into the direction of morality and/or spirituality, to support sustainability and other people in need.
The hope rests with younger people who may not want to accept the old ways of exploitation. But they may not be successful with new initiatives because of the blockage of the older generations. Progress moves forward by a series of funerals…
The latest news: plastic nano-particles find their way into water and soil, and enter the human body through food. In the body's cells, there they may impede the energy production of the mitochondria. Nobody knows what that would mean for your bodies.
Gaia may win this one!
Other info:
G. sent us a interesting, short video about organic farming in India, integrating the community.
The website is here:
They have TULSI teas:
U showed her calligraphy Hana (from Japan) is giving classes in the "Armazem do Mercado" behind the market, on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 11.20 – 13h (10€, including material). She also does origami, and she is pondering to give Japanese language lessons.
An ingenious, simple system to determine and find addresses worldwide via the words in an app:
https://what3words.com/ the world is sliced into 3 m2 spaces, every one with a unique "name."
An example: Rua do Aljube 61 has "prefer.hamster.spirit"- no joke…
101st Madeira Consorcio Meeting 15.9. 2018Sep 16, 2018 at 11:04 am | Posted in Posts | Leave a comment
Tags: amory lovins, calligraphy, casa, chris bliss, Funchal, Madeira, rocky mountain institute
D. presented a TED Talk by the co-founder of the Rocky Mountain Institute:
|"Amory Lovins was worried (and writing) about energy long before global warming was making the front — or even back — page of newspapers. Since studying at Harvard and Oxford in the 1960s, he's written dozens of books, and initiated ambitious projects — cofounding the influential, environment-focused Rocky Mountain Institute; prototyping the ultra-efficient Hypercar – to focus the world's attention on alternative approaches to energy and transportation."
This Institute stands for a positive approach, pointing to initiatives already underway by private enterprise and driven by the markets, to wean humanity off coal and oil by 2050. This will happen, whether the American President likes it or not.
The link:
U. mentioned a TED talk by a Comedian who said that cartoons are a great way of communication serious issues in a humorous manner. Cartoons may, for example, open up the mind of non-believers of global warming, so that they can be receptive to the fact that global warming really exists.
The link:
Other points:
|Japanese calligraphy class for beginners
Saturday 15th of September, 11h30 – 13h
Thursday 20th of September, 12h30 – 14h
RESTOCK Gallery in Armazem do Mercado
The Buddhist Centre is now having Cinema on each first Friday of the month:
|O CBM vai dar início a um ciclo de cinema chamado 'Ver, Refletir e Discutir'.
É uma ocasião para ver filmes e documentários alternativos.
Haverá também ocasião para um chá e bolachas.
Local: Sede do CBM, Rua das Mercês 26 no 2º andar.
Hora: 19h
Entrada: 2 Budas
Para as primeiras três sessões está programado o seguinte:
28 de Setembro: "Kundun" de Martin Scorsese. Duração 2h 10min
5 de Outubro: "Human Vol.I" de Yann Arthus-Bertrand. Duração 1h 24min
2 de Novembro: "O pequeno Buda" de Bernardo Bertolucci. Duração 2h 20min
Pretendemos fazer uma projecção todas as primeiras sextas de cada mês, o dia 28 de Setembro é uma excepção.
São todos muito bem-vindos!
C.A.S.A. (https://casa-apoioaosemabrigo.org/index.php/delegacoes/casa-madeira) is looking for (permanent) volunteers for the evening food handout (every 14 days, they need people for Mondays and Fridays), the contact is Silvia, 91 0365816, email@example.com . You can also ask U., she is on a Monday team.
100 Madeira Consorcio Meeting 14.7. 2018Jul 15, 2018 at 7:40 pm | Posted in Posts | Leave a comment
Tags: human needs
We met in A's practice room , and spoke about human needs. Althea has a long list of them.
Human needs are associated in groups with the Chakras, energies which can be felt in certain parts of the body. Althea moved us by a simple question: What are your needs and what are you doing to meet them? It's a difficult topic…
C. sent us a link by BJ Miller about what matters at the end of life:
a positive view by Bronnie Ware
We won't have a meeting in August – too many members will be on holiday, we'll reconvene in September
99 Madeira Consorcio Meeting 16.62018Jun 17, 2018 at 11:02 am | Posted in Posts | Leave a comment
Tags: Carhart-Harris, Consorcio, ibuprofen, imperial college, Madeira, michael, paracetamol, pollan, psychedelics, wastewater
We met in U's place to view a video by Dr. Carhart-Harris about research done in the UK and the United States about psychedelics; the link:
The patients undergoing these controlled studies were all severely depressed or had other mental afflictions. Although some of them underwent also bad trips during the study, the aftereffect on this group of patients was /is mainly very positive. One or two treatments can actually improve depression etc. for months at a time.
Michael Pollan wrote a book about the findings with a lengthy title: "How to change your mind – What the new science of Psychedelics teaches us about Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression and Transcendence". E and G have it,is also available as audio book.
An interview with Michael Pollan about his book is here:
Dr. Carhart-Harris' mention in the Imperial College of London:
It is actually possible to have psychedelics prescribed by a doctor (with a special procedure) for depression and other serious mental afflictions.
MAPS is a worldwide organizations that helps sufferers find a doctor who can prescribe psychedelics for their treatment
D mentioned that psychedelics help to un-focus – a behaviour that has been instilled in us from childhood – and to see the whole picture. Psychedelics do not cause hallucinations per se, they open the door to perceive them.
G said that the medical- industrial complex is suppressing the use of psychedelics even if they are beneficial to patients, because this would mean that they can sell less of their products.
It was discussed that these substances are not drugs, they are plant derivatives and natural, they dock in the body to receptors which also accept substances the body produces itself.
There seems to be a new understanding in the US that when people are depressed and kill themselves, the problem lies not with them but with the lifestyle. An interesting article by Kirsten powers is here:
U mntioned that wastewater – which is recycled in cities – carries more and more substances like cocaine. It has also surfaced again that women who take Ibuprofen or Paracetamol during pregnancy, may have a healthy baby girl who later finds that she is infertile because the pain killers killed her eggs in the ovaries during her mother's pregnancy. (see article)
Reminder The JORNAL carries News in English on Tuesdays, it's a good information service now!
98 Madeira Consorcio Meeting 19.5.2018May 22, 2018 at 5:11 pm | Posted in Posts | Leave a comment
Tags: Consorcio, EcoTherapy, forest bathing, garden, Madeira, orchid, Shinrin Yoku
We met in V.'s Quinta in S. Antonio to visit her private garden, where she started a new orchid collection. It is promising! She has 250 different kinds of orchids in the lowers greenhouse and is now starting to place them in the garden itself. Butterflies and birds have returned, after the road below the grounds was built.
The garden is, at the bottom end, on level with the new road so she could then open a new gate for easy access for the visitors.
She also has com experience with EcoTherapy, with three persons who came to the Quinta during the day to plant and raise plants, to rest and get out of burnout mode.
She has a contact to a Germany enterprise which intends to send her employees who had a burnout or who are close to it. In the UK, EcoTherapy is paid by the National Health system.
We also spoke about Shinrin Yoku – Forest Bathing, a practice from Japan, see D's links below*. D. thinks that Madeira is ideal to practice this relaxing way of living, really.
U talked about the encounter she had on a private occasion with the head of Madeira Tourism. There might be a new type of government official who could be open to working with us. D. told us about a guy from JPP (Junto pelo Povo) who came to visit him and P. in Esperdegada, to discuss all kinds of government matters, to do with the upkeep of the road. D. had a very good impression of him, this might also be a person we could work with and propose ideas to, or to help with brainstorms.
U. will get in touch with Sam G., who writes the News in English, coming out now every Tuesday in the JORNAL – please go and buy it! – to see if she can set up another channel for the news with the Madeira Island News.
We need a new topic for June and G said she would like to inform us about medicinal use of psycedelics – wow!
The links, to get a look into it:
and about the research done so far:
The next meeting will be on June 16, the place yet to be determined.
- Shinrin Yoku – Forest Bathing
97 Madeira Consorcio Meeting 14.4.2018Apr 15, 2018 at 6:31 pm | Posted in Posts | Leave a comment
Tags: airport, barry michels, book, comign alive, Madeira, the tools
We met in E's and 's place , they introduced us to the first Tool in the Book "Coming Alive" ("The Tools", https://www.thetoolsbook.com/ ) by Phil Stutz and Barry Michels. This is a self-help series of methods to deal with personal problems. The video we saw was very interesting because Barry Michels came up with some good insights we never heard anywhere else.
G found the book by chance and wanted her son to read it; he declined so she read it, liked it and gave it to E. Both are now dealing with the H. Situation in a different way so this might very well resolve some issues!
Our next meeting will be on May 19
PS from Madeira Island News:
Pilot advocates no airport wind limits
The Diario reports today that pilot Timóteo Costa, with 26,000 flight hours and 9,000 landings in Madeira, belives that the airport should not have "wind limits" and considers that the region is being "punished" for "a bureaucratic decision". Timóteo Costa, also an instructor and examiner, gave this controversial opinion at a parliamentary hearing at the Permanent Commission of Economy, Finance and Tourism on the "Operational Assessment of Madeira International Airport".
According to Timóteo, the captain of the aircraft should decide whether to land or take-off based on the conditions he is facing at that point in time, and not be governed by mandatory limits. He notes that Madeira airport "is the only one in the world with mandatory limits "fixed by people sitting in offices".
"We are punishing Madeira and the people of Madeira with a pure bureaucratic decision," he told the Commission, expressing the conviction that "50 to 70% of the planes that adopt a holding pattern and leave, and then leave without even trying to land, will land in full safety ". According to the commander, if there are no limits and only recommendations, these 50 to 70 percent of landings that are not made today will be "made safely". "I am against the obligatory limit [which dates back to 1964 and remains unchanged despite successive expansions of the airport from 1,600 to 1,800 and 2,781 meters and new technologies introduced in the meantime] and not the limitations that all pilots have to be informed " , he says.
Timóteo Costa (pictured) said that Madeira International Airport is "a toy" compared to others such as those in Innsbruck, Salzburg, Gibraltar or La Palma.
On December 4, the president of the National Civil Aviation Authority, Luís Ribeiro, said in Funchal that the review of the wind limits at Madeira Airport is "legitimate and sensible", but he assured that the decision will be technical and never political. "We think it is appropriate to re-think the issue and the decision will always be technical rather than political," said the official, during the same hearing.The infrastructure is the only one in the country where the wind limits, fixed in 1964, are mandatory and not recommended, but the National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC) has already begun a study to evaluate the possibility of changing the situation, which in 2017 affected more than 700 flights.
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GRAPEVINE – Construction starts this week on Grapevine Main, a $105 million mixed-use project downtown.
The development at Main St. and Dallas Rd. will include:
a five-story TEXRail station with a market, entertainment and food hall, meeting space, offices, and community event space;
a 121-room Hotel Vin, a Marriott Collection Autograph Hotel;
a 38,000-sf outdoor plaza; and
a 552-space parking garage.
Dallas-based Architexas designed the project to resemble a 19th century train station.
Manhattan Construction is the general contractor. Court Hospitality will operate the hotel.
Our twice-weekly e-newsletter provides a quick overview of Texas real estate markets. Because your time is valuable.

subset: commoncrawl


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Avon Calls For Global Animal Testing Ban - Despite Selling In China
Cosmetics giant, Avon, is calling for a global animal testing ban, despite selling its products in China - where all imported cosmetics are required to undergo animal tests conducted by the Chinese government.
Similarly, 'special use' items including deodorants and sunscreens, that are sold in China, also have to be tested on animals by law.
'Unnecessary and unacceptable practice'
However, Avon has joined the Humane Society International's #BeCrueltyFree campaign to prohibit cosmetics testing on animals in all major global beauty markets by 2023.
Louise Scott, Chief Scientific Officer at Avon, said: "Avon's been working to end animal testing for 30 years, but as an industry, there is still more to do. I'm proud of our contribution to driving change to date. But we're even stronger if we work with others. It's crucial that we open up more partnerships with other change-agents to end the unnecessary and unacceptable practice of animal testing for cosmetics."
'Paying for tests on animals'
In 2012, animal-rights organization PETA said Avon had 'quietly changed its policies and were paying for tests on animals in order to sell [its] products in China' - and urged the company to 'pull out of or refuse even to enter the Chinese market while animals are still dying'.
PETA commented: "While we understand that China is an enormous market that these companies aren't willing to ignore, we had hoped they would take action to eliminate this requirement or push for non-animal testing methods to be accepted."
When asked why Avon doesn't stop selling in China, the company responded: "We are optimistic that Avon's influence as a leading global cosmetics company can help advance the Chinese government's acceptance of non-animal testing methods with the goal of ending animal testing.
"We work in partnership with organizations that are developing new approaches to product safety evaluation that don't use animals, as well as with personal care products industry associations."


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A CLASH between pound-for-pound stars Gennady Golovkin and Canelo Alvarez is arguably the biggest bout that can be made in the sport today. Boxing fans around the world are hoping that the bona fide megafight can be scheduled for sometime next year, although it is far from guaranteed that the mouth-watering match-up will take place.
Former two-weight world champion and respected pundit Paulie Malignaggi has had his say on a potential encounter between Golovkin and Canelo.
"It's the big question in boxing. You'd like to hope that Canelo and Golovkin will fight each other while they're both in their primes – ideally in the next six-12 months," Malignaggi said.
"I favour Golovkin in the fight. Canelo has trouble with movers, which Golovkin is not, but Canelo also likes to take his time, and doesn't like to be forced into situations where he has to fight more than he wants to. One thing about Golovkin is that he is constantly in your face, cutting the ring off. When you have that monster puncher consistently in your face, even if he's not throwing punches, the panic does set in. That'd force Canelo to have to focus for three minutes of every round. That's the type of mental pressure Golovkin puts on you. It can be very, very stressful. I'm curious to see how Canelo would react to that, because he doesn't like to be rushed."
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I'm just going to say it…my son never shuts up! From day one he has been jabbering away and even talks in his sleep. It used to just be baby talk, but now the boy has full blown conversations in his sleep. Mostly about who is coming over and how he doesn't want anyone to take his toys.
I am not exaggerating when I say there is never a silent moment in our house! Once during nap time he would not stop talking and was driving me nuts. So I told him if he would just be quiet for 1 minute he would fall right to sleep. He sat straight up, had this crazy look in his eyes and said in the sweetest voice "me talk all day!"
It's not that I don't want him to talk – I love the fact that he talked from an early age and has an outstanding verbal skills for a 2 year old. But it would be nice
to have a minute or two throughout the day that he is just quiet.
Does your little on talk constantly? Or are they always quiet and you want them to start making some noise?


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The following statement details No Frills Fertilisers's policies relating to your personal information.
Your personal information is important to us:
No Frills Fertilisers recognises that your privacy is very important to you and that you have a right to control your personal information. We know that providing personal information is an act of trust and we take that seriously.
No Frills Fertilisers & best practice privacy standards:
No Frills Fertilisers is committed to protecting your personal information. We believe that our privacy policy is both fair and represents industry best practice. The Internet Industry Association are developing Codes which provides a high standard of privacy protection. No Frills Fertilisers is committed to complying with this Code, and building on the high levels of trust that it enjoys with it's tens of thousands of customers. No Frills Fertilisers will comply with any laws introduced to strengthen protections for consumers' privacy.
What information we collect about you:
No Frills Fertilisers will not collect or monitor any personal information about you without your consent. Only information you provide No Frills Fertilisers with directly will be collected, such as through subscribing to various products & services, or identifying yourself when requesting information to be sent to you. The only personal information we collect is what you tell us about yourself. For example, when you fill out a request form, we collect the details you enter to enable us to post information to you. When you answer questions about what you would like to see we keep this information so as to better serve you.
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UAE National Day holiday announced
The UAE Cabinet on Sunday approved a two-day holiday for the public sector on December 1 and 2 to celebrate the UAE's 42nd National Day.
The holiday was approved at a Cabinet meeting, chaired by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
The Cabinet decided to bring the National Day holidays forward to the 1st and 2nd of December.
Shaikh Mohammad took the opportunity to congratulate the UAE people on the occasion.
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Half of a two-part effort to bridge differences between charter schools and traditional public schools over construction funding was approved Tuesday by a Senate committee — but the other measure was left to an uncertain future. The Senate Education Committee voted 6-2 to advance legislation (SB 376) that would require school districts to share construction funds raised by local taxes with charter schools, which are public schools generally run by third parties including corporations or non-profit organizations.
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About:Part of Eight Views of Xiaoxiang, an imaginary tour through Xiao-xiang by Li Shi (李氏), 12th century scroll, 30 x 400 cm. Ink on paper. Tokyo National Museum.
Traditional Chinese painting involves essentially the same techniques as Chinese calligraphy and is done with a brush dipped in black or colored ink; oils are not used. As with calligraphy, the most popular materials on which paintings are made of paper and silk. The finished work can be mounted on scrolls, such as hanging scrolls or handscrolls. Traditional painting can also be done on album sheets, walls, lacquerware, folding screens, and other media.
The two main techniques in Chinese painting are:
- Gong-bi (工筆), meaning "meticulous", uses highly detailed brushstrokes that delimits details very precisely. It is often highly coloured and usually depicts figural or narrative subjects. It is often practised by artists working for the royal court or in independent workshops. Bird-and-flower paintings were often in this style.
- Ink and wash painting, in Chinese Shui-mo or (水墨) also loosely termed watercolour or brush painting, and also known as "literati painting", as it was one of the "Four Arts" of the Chinese Scholar-official class. In theory this was an art practised by gentlemen, a distinction that begins to be made in writings on art from the Song dynasty, though in fact the careers of leading exponents could benefit considerably.This style is also referred to as "xie yi" (寫意) or freehand style.
Artists from the Han (202 BC) to the Tang (618–906) dynasties mainly painted the human figure. Much of what is known of early Chinese figure painting comes from burial sites, where paintings were preserved on silk banners, lacquered objects, and tomb walls. Many early tomb paintings were meant to protect the dead or help their souls get to paradise. Others illustrated the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius, or showed scenes of daily life. Most Chinese portraits showed a formal full-length frontal view, and were used in the family in ancestor veneration. Imperial portraits were more flexible, but were generally not seen outside the court, and portraiture formed no part of Imperial propaganda, as in other cultures.


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Promoting a crowdfunding campaign should be as daily an activity as showering, eating and breathing.
In much the same way as essential biological habits keep us not only alive but vibrant, daily discipline when you advertise a crowdfunding campaign pays daily dividends as well.
That's because you can only attract people to a crowdfunding project if they know it's there. Advertising a crowdfunding campaign – like any other advertising activity – is hit or miss at best. That's why repetition is the key. The advertising term is called effective frequency and while no one can agree on HOW MUCH repetition is necessary EVERYONE agrees that repeating an advertising message over and over is crucial to get the message across to potential consumers — or in our case potential crowdfunding backers.
This time of the year with spring in full swing and summer around the corner we can't change channels on TV without seeing a commercial for weight loss products every few minutes. Why? Because an enormous sector of the population will be hitting the beach in roughly 2-3 months which brings thoughts of bikinis and bathing suits — and the mental imagery of how we'll look on the beach in just a few weeks in that bikini or bathing suit.
Which is exactly why diet systems, fat burning pills, ab exercising machines guaranteed to give you six packs and all the rest are on TV and radio – and Internet ads – morning, noon and night throughout spring and summer. You're bombarded with this advertising messaging because advertisers don't know WHEN their next ad will hit their target to get another buyer – but they know it will. This holds equally true when advertising a crowdfunding project.
Whether reaching a crowdfunding backer – or a buyer of any type – the goal is to reach consumers capable of making a decision with what to do with their money.
Another seasonal example here is the ASPCA. They run ads constantly this time of year. Why? Because as warmer weather comes, people with stone cold hearts kick their pets out of the house. Oh yes. They turn out their cats and dogs to the street to fend for themselves under the sad assumption that Fluffy or Rover will fare better in fending for themselves in April than they can in autumn. While that's perhaps 2% true in the sense that warmer weather is on the poor animal's side, a domesticated pet simply doesn't have the skills to forage or fend for themselves properly with any serious chance of success.
And that's why the ASPCA asks people to give a monthly gift of $18 per month. And they ask for this money all day and all night from March straight through to Memorial Day and perhaps beyond…
This equates equally well to a crowdfunding campaign for a worthy cause. Be it helping a student get out of debt and paying off their student loans or helping a world-famous retired computer game designer help pay his medical bills to fight cancer or any other worthy purpose one thing is clear; repetition is the key to crowdfunding success.
That's why every crowdfunding campaign manager must make sure to promote a crowdfunding campaign on a daily basis and across several different channels and mediums every day of the week. One of my favorite sayings really rings true here; "Rinse and repeat as often as necessary". Advertising a crowdfunding project is an essential daily activity to be sure. After you wake up in the morning and go through your daily routine make sure that crowdfunding promotion is on your daily to-do list.


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Obituary of Jean Rutherford Stauble
Jean died peacefully on November 24, 2019, in Toronto, aged 90, following a stroke. Beloved wife for 65 years of the late Dr. William (Bill) Stauble, devoted mother of Cynthia (Nigel Potts), David (Maria Ringo), Katherine (David Devlin) and Julie (Steven Wood), and loving Granny to Michael, Maddy, Sarah, Claire, Cameron and James. Jean was pre-deceased by sisters Mary Wang and Jocelyn Fyfe. She will be sorely missed.
Born and raised in Montreal, Jean received her B.A. from McGill University, where she met Bill. They raised their family in Montreal, London (England) and Toronto, and enjoyed a happy retirement in Port Hope and Cobourg, forming rich, lasting friendships in each place. For 30 years, the cottage they built in the rolling Northumberland hills was their paradise, a place for tree-planting, gardening, swimming, reading and family gatherings. Jean was a gracious host and excellent cook who passed on to her children her passion, skills and best recipes.
Jean was innately compassionate. With a strong sense of social responsibility, she was ever a committed volunteer, most notably as a driver with Red Cross Corps and Braille transcriber with the CNIB. She loved language, music and art, tennis, bridge and Scrabble. To the end, and despite the challenges of dementia, she savoured a good story, generously offering her gratitude and warm smile. She was a trooper.
The family is thankful for the excellent care Jean received at Revera Leaside Residence and St. Michael's and Michael Garron Hospitals, Toronto. Special thanks to Senait, Christine and Leaside's 5th-floor staff.
A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, February 1, at 11:00 a.m. at the Toronto Cricket, Curling and Skating Club, 141 Wilson Avenue, Toronto. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Jean's name to the CNIB.
Condolences and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymilesnewbigging.com.


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The difference between India (WR:10) and Italy (WR:17) was the first touch control and the ability to finish an attacking move successfully. When it came to bravery in defence you could not fault the Italian's approach but when you saw the speed, agility and confidence of the Eves as this game progressed, the outcome became more and more obvious.
India won the first penalty corner of the game and although it was charged down by Ivanna Pessina, the subsequent ball in from India proved too clever for the Azzurre to deal with. Vitality Player of the Match Lalremsiami was on hand to lift the ball past Martina Chirico in the Italian goal after the ball was quickly switched across the circle by Vandana Katariya.
"Siami is the youngest player in our team (19) and I remember how, when I was 15, I played in my first World Cup and it was just so exciting," said captain Rani. "She brings an extra energy that we feed off."
The lead was nearly extended at the start of the second quarter as Lalremsiami was found in plenty of space but was unable to control the ball well enough to beat the rapidly advancing Chircio.
The second half saw Italy come out and begin to play a more attacking game. Jasbeer Singh and Lara Oviedo were both instrumental in creating chances, although when they managed to get the ball to the high-playing Valentina Braconi, she was dealt with by the impressive Lilima Minz in defence.
India were unfortunate not to extend their lead when a quick counter attack saw the ball skim past Chirico's goal after a shot by Deepika.
Still India piled on the pressure and good work by Monika down the Indian right-hand side was rewarded by a penalty corner in the final minute of the third quarter. This resulted in a goal mouth scramble which Neha Goyal converted to make it 2-0.
It was nearly three as Navjot Kaur was left with just Chirico to beat but the 'keeper showed her class as she stood up to the shot and Pessino cleared the pads.
The game was finally put beyond doubt when Vandana Katariya was rewarded with a goal in the 55th minute. A 3-0 scoreline was a reflection of the more attacking approach of India. The result means India now face Ireland on Thursday 2 August, an encounter that Rani is anticipating with relish. The teams met in an earlier Pool B match, where Ireland emerged as 1-0 winners.
"We have gained confidence throughout this tournament," she said. "Early in the tournament we didn't do the one thing we needed to do – score goals. But we have found the net now and we can definitely push on with our journey. We do not see that journey ending on Thursday."
Despite the loss and exit from the tournament, Italy's captain Chiara Tiddy was upbeat about her team's performance.
"We have created history and more importantly we have shown that we are more than capable of competing at this level," said the experienced defender who has been so instrumental in her team's progress.
"We need to push on now and build on all we have learnt. We have more confidence in our ability after this tournament. I hope that we will now see more investment into Italian hockey so we can keep competing at the top level. We have definitely not been out of place here. I am very proud of the whole team."
Perspective Photography


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Chris Hemsworth and wife Elsa Pataky, along with their three young children, have decided to movie in the Thor star's native Australia, which means their Malibu estate is now up for sale. Magnificent house in Malibu's exclusive Point Dume neighbourhood can be yours for $6.5 million. Chris purchased the house in June 2013 for $4.8 million from Australian acting legend Paul Hogan.
However, the Parisian-inspired compound boasts 6,800 square feet of living space with five bedrooms, six bathrooms and views of the Pacific ocean. Palatial home also offers a gourmet kitchen, high ceilings, a fireplace, and gorgeous finishes throughout the home. There's also a library, an oversized gym, a three-car garage and additional guest house allowing more than enough lodging space.
It is listed for private sale, so unfortunately there will be no hammer falling on the sale of the home.


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Chef and Restaurateur
Digital Content Creator
All around Nerd
Life Menu
Lover of Food
All food, I find intriguing. from Paleo, to Comfort, GF to Ento. Every day I learn more and more how food challenges us, frees us, entertains and gives joy.
Jokes and Humor
No reason to live if you can't laugh! Cracking jokes with line cooks, conversations with guests and tables, and even humorous easter eggs hidden in my food.
Super Nerd
I was a nerd before it was cool...wait it's cool now right? If im not braising short ribs, or working a grazing table, you will find me chucking dice, playing D&D, jamming games of MTG, or hanging out at my local game shop, Time Travlers of Berkley
I am serious about my craft. constantly working on new ideas, flavors and ways of making people share my passion.
Dad and Husband
Without my Wife Lexi, and Children Sia, and George I wouldn't have the drive to grind this lifestyle. They repersent the foundation that I build my dreams on.
My Staff
Whether its Jessika shaking drinks and Kelvin making family meals at Republica, or Dom and Gordo slinging tacos downtown. I can't do it without them.
Always Available for your next special Event, please give me the honor to serve you.
Private Dinner Parties, to Weddings, in state or around the US, my staff and I are always available to impress and satisfy.


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Black Belt
The oldest and most respected martial arts title in the industry, this popular monthly magazine addresses the needs of martial artists of all levels by providing them with information about every style of self-defense in the world - including techniques and strategies. In addition, Black Belt produces and markets over 75 martial arts-oriented books and videos including many about the works of Bruce Lee, the best-known marital arts figure in the world.
Common terms and phrases
AIKI Aikido APRIL 1993/BLACK BELT attack bareknuckle basic Black Belt block body Bruce Lee carjacking catalog Champion championship check or money Chung Credit Card defense Dillman drills fighters fighting fist footwork forms FREE front stance full-contact Fumio Demura Giacobbe goju-ryu Hapkido included instructor ITKF jeet kune Ju-Jitsu Judo karate kata Kenpo kickboxing kicks Korean kumite kung fu Learn Martial Art Supply martial artist Master MasterCard Miyagi money order Ninja Turtles niques NISHIYAMA nunchaku Olympic opponent opponent's P.O. Box Park Phone PRESSURE POINTS PRICE punch residents add sales tax seiunchin self-defense seminar send check Shipping & Handling shipping and handling shito-ryu shotokan skills sparring street stretch style stylist sword tae kwon Taekwondo tang soo tape teach tech techniques tion tonfa tournament traditional U.S. Dollars VISA WBBB weapons wing chun workout World WUKO


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Krewe Earrings
$ 24.00
The Krewe Earrings feature a fuzzy hoop and either a flower or bumble bee stud (your choice).
- Earring hooks are 14k gold filled
- Earring hangs 2" from ear
Please allow 7-10 business days for production and shipping time. You may choose in store pickup at checkout to save on shipping.
Store address: 3857 Hwy 1 South, Suite E, Port Allen, LA 70767


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Wednesday, June 24
Neat interview
Posted by Wilma's Wish Productions at 11:00 PM
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In October of 2008 Iceland as a nation was momentarily paralyzed by a corrupt banking system. From that moment on Iceland has been using "design thinking" to redefine their national identity. Is an end really the beginning? Be part of the adventure. As the film progresses from start to finish we will be blogging on here to give you a taste of the ups and downs of making a documentary and an up-close look into the intriguing landscapes, art, and traditions in Iceland. Here we go...


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Having trouble creating a tournament or league for you and your friends? With Scorey, it has never been easier! Simply choose how you want to play and the rest will be automated for you. Fast, simple and powerful.
Uncertain of how manu players will join your Thursday game? Maybe you want some help with how many courts to book? Our engine will help you get the most of your game.
Tired of keeping track of those pens and papers, or even an overly complex Excel? With Scorey, simply register your results and it will keep track throughout the game. We even provide some awesome statistics!
Sometimes, you need some help evolving your game. Sometimes you just want to out your friends with some numbers on how much greater you are. No matter the reason, Scorey got your back!


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I love making batch cocktails when I have groups of friends over! For Friendsgiving this year, I thought what better than to have a huge pot of hot mulled apple cider for my guests when they arrive! Not only is it delicious, it also makes your whole house smell absolutely fantastic. Plus, it's what I like to call stupid easy.
I call it stupid easy because all you need to do is throw all the ingredients in one pot, stir and then keep warm! Your guests can serve themselves. That way if they want a few sips or a few cups, they can easily get it themselves. You could even set a little tray with the cups and spices and garnishes for an extra cute factor.
What are some of your favorite hot holiday cocktails?
Hot Mulled Apple Cider
Makes about 12 servings
6 cups of organic, unfiltered apple cider
2 cups of good quality whiskey
4-6 orange slices
4 cinnamon sticks
2 tablespoons of mulling spices
2-4 whole star anise
apple and orange slices, nutmeg and cinnamon sticks for garnish
- In a large pot on the stove, combine whiskey, apple cider, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, mulling spices and star anise over medium heat. Stir occasionally.
- Once hot, but not boiling, keep warm on the lowest setting. Serve warm in mugs and garnish with apples, oranges or additional spices.


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Poolside jobs help OPRF students become leaders
December 13, 2019
On Nov. 22, the OPRF student lifeguard program received special recognition. After a swimmer became distressed during a gym class, the on-duty student lifeguard quickly noticed and assisted them.
This happening was relayed via email to the greater OPRF community by Karin Sullivan, director of communications.
The student lifeguard program is relatively new, so what do student lifeguards do at OPRF?
"They're an extra set of eyes for the teachers," said Clay Reagan, director of the PE program. For their PE period, qualified students can serve as the lifeguard during a gym class. There are six in-pool classes daily, and each class has up to thirty-six students.
Students lifeguards get certified by Ellis & Associates, an international lifeguarding watchdog. "We're looking at potentially adding a lifeguarding class," said Reagan. Each semester, the OPRF student lifeguard program has grown.
The role of a lifeguard is critical to the safety of swimmers, as the Friday incident demonstrated. It's a selfless responsibility, and impressively, one many OPRF students take on for their first job.
Tatianna Kopecka
Junior Tatiana Kopecka has swam for the past decade. Kopecka, who swims for the OPRF swim team, is propelled by her love for her teammates, and enjoys the adrenaline rush she gets before a race.
When it came time to find a summer job, lifeguarding was an obvious choice.
At the end of the first semester sophomore year, Kopecka received her lifeguarding certification. Her sister had worked for the Park District of Oak Park, so she did, too.
"My boss wasn't always there, so I had to make sure I knew what I was doing," Kopecka said. This challenge was intimidating, but Kopecka soon adjusted. Over the summer, Kopecka worked up to 36 hours a week.
Kopecka recounted a specific challenging rescue. A little girl, 1 or 2, fell into the pool. She wasn't a very stable walker. "I had to jump in and help," Kopecka said, casually. For her and the other lifeguards profiled, saving lives felt like just part of the job.
Next summer, Kopecka plans to lifeguard again.
Gia Fisher
"I was an early swimmer," junior Gia Fisher said. Now Fisher does offshore sailing, which adds to her love for the water. Fisher's aquatically adept and enterprising; she knew early she wanted to work as a swim instructor or lifeguard.
Fisher ultimately chose the former. Through summer and fall, Fisher worked with the West Suburban Special Recreation Association (WSSRA).
Working for the WSSRA, Fisher encountered new responsibilities. "It was my first time filling out the W-90 form," Fisher said. It was tedious, she said. Fortunately, she now has her social security number memorized.
Fisher's work was difficult, but often rewarding.
In one memorable instance, a girl was scared of the deep end of the pool. Each class, Fisher had the girl walk to the deep end, hold the wall, and perform bobs, an exercise of quick submersion. When the girl grew comfortable, Fisher taught her to perform sitting jumps. "By the end, she jumped into the deep end," Fisher said.
Fisher also was on "seizure patrol" for an adult swimmer. While he swam, she swam beside him. If he seized, Fisher was responsible for rescuing him.
This year, Fisher is working toward receiving an advanced swim instructor certification. She is excited to return to work.
Jackson Tanner
"I was really drawn to the idea of having a job where I could help people and provide a service for the community," said junior Jackson Tanner. This people-oriented spirit — and a tip-off from a lifeguard neighbor — drove Tanner to lifeguard this past summer.
"I had a fantastic experience working for the Park District (of Oak Park)," Tanner said. In particular, he was grateful for the friendships he made and the people whom he met.
When he read about student lifeguarding in the Daily Bulletin, Tanner decided to put his certification to use. Tanner now monitors Rahasad Singletary's seventh period gym class.
Each school day, the seventh period bell rings and Tanner must change into his lifeguarding uniform. He brings with him his lifeguard tube and whistle, and he stands beside the pool. "I scan the pool, from the moment the first person steps in to the moment the last person steps out," said Tanner.
After school, Tanner co-captains the Science Olympiad team and leads the volunteering initiative Roses for Austin. Both pursuits require the people skills and attentivity he exercised during lifeguarding.
Tanner hopes to lifeguard next semester.


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Fig Fritters
When deep frying these fritters make sure you cook in a neutral flavoured oil eg. corn, sunflower, groundnut and rapeseed. The oil should also be clean. When deep frying make sure the oil is heated to 190°C, otherwise the batter will soak up the oil and becomes soggy. I like to serve the figs with a good quality ice-cream (try my recipe for mascarpone ice-cream).
Please visit our advertisers to help fund our site!
Portions: 4 Portions
Preparation: 10 minutes
Cooking: 6-12 minutes
- 12 ripe but firm figs
- 1 cup plain or tipo 00 flour
- 3 tbsp caster sugar
- pinch salt
- 2/3 cup dry white wine or water
- 1/2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 egg white
To Serve
- Batter: Preheat oil in a deep fryer, wok or deep saucepan to 190°C. Mix together all the dry ingredients in a bowl. Gradually mix in the liquid ingredients until you have a smooth batter. Whisk the egg whites in a clean glass or stainless steel bowl until stiff. Fold the egg whites into the batter with a metal spoon (retaining the volume of the egg white). Use batter at once.
- To Cook: Coat the figs in the batter and cook 3-6 at time for 2-3 minutes (according to the size of your cooking vessel), until to the batter is crisp and golden. Drain on kitchen paper and keep warm while you cook the remaining figs. Serve at once.
- To Serve: Serve the figs dusted with icing sugar and a generous spoonful of clotted or thick cream or ice-cream. Serve.


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Centre For Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Skill Development
(CEISD) is established as a Centre of Excellence of School of Management
Sciences (SMS), Varanasi. School of Management Sciences , was established
in 1995 as a premier institution of higher learning in the Varanasi,
which is one of the most ancient cities of the world and an acclaimed
seat of learning plus undertaking cultural, spiritual and religious
pursuits. The institute was established to provide management and
technical education of highest quality to the students and making
them not only skillful but also an excellent human being full of
ethical and moral attributes. Approved By AICTE, Ministry of HRD
, New Delhi,, affiliated to UP Technical University and recognized
under Section 12 (b) and 2(f) of UGC Act , SMS,Varanasi has constantly
made sincere efforts towards its objectives and has therefore been
able to take a quantum jump A+++ grading among the Best Business
Schools by reputed Business Magazines and Rating Agencies. The
various awards and accolades bestowed to SMS, Varanasi such as Best
Emerging B-School of Northern India and Leadership Award at World
HRD Congress and Asia Brand Summit, Mumbai plus Pride of the Industry
Award amply reflect the excellent standards set up by the institution.
SMS, Varanasi which is internationally accredited offers PGDM, MBA
and MCA Programs at the master's level as well as BBA, BCA
and B Com. at bachelors level. SMS possesses one of the best and
ultra modern lush green campus, embedded with Wi-Fi connectivity,
centrally air-conditioned class rooms, seven computer labs with
four hundred computer terminals, international summer placements,
international student exchange programs, foreign industrial visits
and a lot more thrust on pedagogical activities to inculcate budding
managers with the value system that shapes them into global citizen
whose wider contributions are expected towards the progress of business
To be a World Class Centre of Excellence to Develop and Promote
the Knowledge Capital Globally through the Exploration & Promotion
of Entrepreneurship, Innovations and Skill Development in order
to enrich the World Economy and Human Resource Equity through its
Inclusive Growth in totality.
To develop and promote the Knowledge Capital on National &
International Level through Exploration & Promotion of Ecosystem
for Entrepreneurship , Nourish & Mentor the Innovations and
Enhance the Multidimensional Managerial, Technical and Human Skill
Development in order to enrich the Human Resource Equity of the
Nation for its Inclusive Growth resulting into the subsequent economic
• Incubation, Development and Promotion of Existing and
Start Up Entrepreneurs
• Skill based Training and Development of the Human Resources
• Promotion of Ecosystem for Entrepreneurship , Innovation
and Skill Development
• Innovation Management
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• Development of Triple Helix Model for promotion of Academic
– Industry-Government Interface
• Research & Development


text: Sheet Rock Progress 6/30/16 Thanks to Steve Olson for providing progress pictures on the installation of the sheet rock. admin2017-02-22T18:59:49+00:00July 1st, 2016|2015/2016 Remodel|Comments Off on Sheet Rock Progress 6/30/16 Share This Story, Choose Your Platform! FacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditGoogle+TumblrPinterestVkEmail About the Author: admin Related Posts Sunday Opening Remodel 9/4/16 Sunday Opening Remodel 9/4/16 Winding up the sanctuary painting 8.25.16 Winding up the sanctuary painting 8.25.16 Painting in Sanctuary 8-20-16 Painting in Sanctuary 8-20-16 Photo update 8/16/16 Photo update 8/16/16 Renovation update pictures 8/9/16 Renovation update pictures 8/9/16


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James Birney, Colonization, and Abolitionism
Smith discusses Birney's eventual opposition to the American Colonization Society and why he embraced abolitionism instead.
The American Colonization Society (ACS) was founded in 1816 by the Virginia congressman Charles Fenton Mercer, who regarded the transportation of free blacks to Africa as "a drain for pauperism." Details of the organization were hammered out by the Princeton theologian Robert Finley, and in 1832 James Birney was invited to become an agent for the ACS. As agent for the Southwestern district, his territory would cover Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and the territory of Arkansas. Although Birney's plantation had failed years earlier, after which he sold most of his slaves, he still retained a handful of slaves for domestic work. He continued to prosper as a successful attorney, but working for the ACS required that he abandon this source of income.
Birney considered the offer carefully before accepting. After reading ACS literature to reassure himself of its goals, he was finally persuaded by Theodore Weld, who would soon become an important force for abolitionism. But Weld was not an abolitionist at this time, and neither was Birney. In lectures and articles, Birney cited the criticisms of the ACS by Northern abolitionists to reassure Southerners of the differences. Many Northern members of the ACS believed that colonization would eventually help to end slavery by draining the South of freed slaves. This process would lessen the prospect of slave insurrections and encourage manumissions. The sales pitch in the South was somewhat different. As the black population increased to the point where blacks outnumbered whites in many areas, Southerners were told that colonization would rectify the imbalance and rid the South of uneducated and troublesome free blacks. Birney also pointed out that the Colonization Society was supported by many slaveholders for their own benefit, and he assured his audience that the ACS had no intention of interfering with the existing system of property rights.
In 1833, Birney published a series of articles in the Huntsville (Alabama) Democrat in an effort to persuade Southerners to support the ACS. At times these articles came close to defending slavery, as when he maintained that Northern criticisms of slavery defended an abstract theory of rights that failed to take current circumstances into account. Slavery, he claimed, might be justified temporarily if its abolition would cause more social evils than would its continuation. Birney rejected any essential biological differences between blacks and whites. He played on the widespread Southern fear of slave insurrections by pointing out that this danger increased as the black population continued to increase. He asked, "Can things be kept stable—can the blacks be retained in subjection when an inequality of numbers so great shall be found to exist?" The bloody slave rebellion in the West Indies illustrated the dire possibility when blacks were oppressed with brute force, instead of being treated as men. Moreover, voluntary emigration by American blacks to Africa would plant many Christians in that largely pagan continent and thereby increase the likelihood of winning native Africans to Christ.
Within a year or so, Birney had transformed from a colonizationist and gradualist to an abolitionist. The seminal event in this transformation was Birney's interest in debates over slavery at the Lane Seminary, located near Cincinnati. Lane was founded in the autumn of 1833; it was financed largely by the abolitionist brothers, Lewis and Arthur Tappan, and was intended primarily to be a training ground for speakers on temperance reform. But the slavery controversy soon took center‐stage, and many debates were held on the controversy of colonization versus abolitionism. Many of the students were in their mid‐twenties or older, and a significant number came from slaveholding families in the South. These were not neophytes; many were experienced professionals, some of whom had considerable experience in public speaking.
Beginning in January 1834, the following question was proposed and debated: "Is it the duty of the slaveholding states to abolish slavery immediately?" The first speaker was the aforementioned Theodore Weld. A leading historian of abolitionism, Dwight Dumond, said of Weld (Antislavery: The Crusade for Freedom in America, 1961, p. 161):
Weld led off the discussion, speaking three hours on each of the first four meetings. Weld was unquestionably one of the most effective public speakers this country has ever produced. In this case his presentation of the subject was so convincing that those previously selected to defend slavery surrendered their allotted time and let their case go by default. He covered every aspect of the institution as was his custom, from the points of history, philosophy, scriptures, fundamental law, morality, justice, and common sense.
The Lane debates lasted 18 days in sessions of two hours or more. The colonizationists were routed, and some Southern colonizationists were converted to abolitionism. (Harriet Beecher, later Harriet Beecher Stowe, was in the audience and later used some examples provided by Southern debaters in Uncle Tom's Cabin, which proved to be the most influential book in the abolitionist crusade.) Birney followed the debates in antislavery papers (especially the Emancipator), and though he traveled to Lane, this was after the debates had concluded. Nevertheless, the spirit of revivalism and abolitionism was strong at Lane, and that enthusiasm doubtless influenced Birney's decision to sever his relationship to the American Colonization Society and proclaim his adherence to abolitionism.
The Lane Seminary debates annoyed many observers, including the board of directors. These trustees, most of whom were colonizationists, ordered students to disband the antislavery society they had formed and prohibited them from discussing slavery without official permission. Violators could be expelled at the discretion of a committee of trustees, without further appeal.
The majority of students defied this attempt to repress free speech. Fifty‐one students quit Lane Seminary in protest, and many of these migrated to Oberlin College–a failing educational establishment until the Tappan Brothers agreed to donate $10,000 if Oberlin would support the cause of abolitionism. The students also signed a magnificent public statement that affirmed the right of academic freedom. The administration, they asserted, had no right to tell students what they could and could not discuss. All topics, however controversial they might be, should be open to discussion and debate.
Proscription of free discussion is sacrilege! It is boring out the eyes of the soul. It is robbery of mind. It is the burial of truth. If institutions cannot stand upon this broad footing, let them fall. Better, infinitely better, that a mob demolish every building or the incendiary wrap them in flames…than that our seminaries should become Bastiles, our theological students thinkers by permission, and the right of full discussion tamed down into a soulless thing of gracious, condescending sufferance.
The right of free speech, this document asserted, should never be violated, much less by an educational institution supposedly devoted to the quest for knowledge.
[D]iscussion is the standard test for the detection of fallacies and the revelation of truth. It is the furnace where gold and alloy separate. It is the fan which drives the chaff and wheat asunder. It is the court of errors where the decisions of individual tribunals are reverse or confirmed.
After Birney resigned his position with the ACS, he explained his reasons in Letter on Colonization (1834), which was published as an open letter to Rev. Thornton J. Mills, Corresponding Secretary of the Kentucky Colonization Society. Birney explained why he could no longer support voluntary efforts to send free blacks (including newly emancipated slaves) to Liberia, where they could form their own society free of racial prejudice. Some of Birney's reasons had been stated previously by critics of colonization, but some consisted of psychological observations unique to a slaveholder who freed his six remaining slaves. Those reasons, in my judgment, constitute one of most fascinating documents in the history of abolitionism, so I shall explore them in the next essay. For now a brief preview must suffice.
In 1835, Birney wrote:
I do not believe that I have any warmer friends than my manumitted slaves—none, I am sure, if sacrifices were called for, who would not freely make them, to promote my happiness.
James Birney penned these words around a year after he had freed his six remaining slaves. He compensated them for their past labor and continued to employ them as household servants. He argued that his former slaves felt friendship toward him rather than resentment because they had been freed from a sense of justice rather than for the convenience of their owner. It was not for the convenience of the owner that slaves should be freed, but because slavery is a sin and freedom is demanded by justice. He wrote:
I consider all schemes of gradual emancipation as utterly unfit to meet the present evils, and to avert the dangers which threaten from the continued existence of slavery. They are all, in the first place, imperative on the master—they let go his conscience, by not insisting on immediate repentance of present sin. In the second place, they produce no good effect on the heart and mind of the slave. Founded on expediency, or policy, as all such plans must be, from their very nature, the slave will feel no respect for the motive which originates them. He will consider that nothing has been done from a regard to his rights, or his interests, but all for the advantage and benefit of the master.
Birney was not the only prominent abolitionist who began as a colonizationist and later became an abolitionist. Other abolitionists, such as Gerrit Smith, followed the same path. Schemes to colonize free blacks were widely opposed by black abolitionists, who pointed out that they were not Africans but Americans, and they identified the racism inherent in proposals to ship free blacks to another country. This was correct, of course; protests against race mixing were advanced by Thomas Jefferson, among many other famous Americans. But colonization at least opened the door for discussions of slavery in a manner that even many slaveholders found nonthreatening, and in this respect it served a valuable function, if an unintentional one, in the antislavery movement.


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Luke 3:6
One day all things will be made right, One day all will see the deliverance of God! Now you might be looking around you and think I'm not seeing it, life is pretty hard right now!
"It shall come to pass in the day the LORD gives you rest from your sorrow, and from your fear and the hard bondage in which you were made to serve."
Isaiah 14:3
The LORD doesn't want us to be all bound up and walking in fear! Yes we all have trials and tribulations that we go through in life. What the LORD wants us to know is it will come to pass and He is right there with us.
"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
Matthew 11:28
Today let us know the the LORD is going to deliver us from all situations, He is the way out! He also wants us to rest in Him, So let us have a blessed day resting in the LORD knowing He has it all worked out! Shabbat Shalom.


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LG seems to have found a way to expand smartphone screen real estate by adding a small, additional screen on top of the regular one
The company sort of confirmed this with a short teaser video that shows us a glimpse of the unnamed device, scheduled to be unveiled at LG's event on Oct. 1
The additional ticker screen, which was first seen in a September leak, is positioned next to the phone's front dual cameras and above the regular screen. Though pretty hard to notice when the phone is turned off, it gives it an asymmetrical look. The unconventional design is hinted at in LG's teaser video, which features a woman with a haircut that covers one eye Read more…
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Valentine's Day Vignette0
July 21, 2016 by Lyn
Valentine's Day, 1922, Albany, NY
Maureen looked at the card in her hands for a long moment, struggling to find something tactful to say.
It wasn't that it was in any way a bad card. It was, for a Valentine card, a beautiful specimen, with paper lace and flattering artwork, hand-made, with a handpainted, realistically styled, albeit idealized, watercolor portrait of herself (although she thought the fox stole the woman in the painting was wearing to be in a bit of bad taste, all things considered). It was just…
"No-one has ever given me a Valentine gift before," she said carefully, to the eager brown eyes of the solemn man in front of her. He smiled in response, the smile of a poet that had so surprised her when he, every inch the buttoned-down clerk, first started visiting her six months ago.
"Then it is high time someone did, don't you think? My lovely Maureen."
She smiled sweetly at him, suppressing the urge to throttle him. He loved to try that possessive shit on her, more than any of her other clients ever had or did. "What will your fiancée think, Alphonse?" she asked instead. "This can't have been quick for you; it's lovely, and the chocolates look expensive."
"Oh, she'll never know," he answered blithely. "Natalie is a nice girl, of course, but she's a nice girl, if you know what I mean. It would never occur to her that I had anyone on the side."
"Unless she checks the ledger books," Maureen couldn't help but comment. She kicked herself for the remark while she kept smiling at her over-eager fox-kit of a client; he paid well, generally tipped even better, and was, all things considered, a darling between the sheets. She shouldn't taunt him; he paid her well to pretend to be in love with him.
Luckily, he was a bit dense. "Oh, she's a proper girl, my Natalie is, she wouldn't go looking into that sort of thing. Have no fear, my darling Maureen, our secret is safe."
She let him kiss her; it covered up the smirk and the rolling of eyes she couldn't quite suppress. She had no secret, no fear, nothing to hide. She was a whore, and everyone who knew such things in Albany knew it; she was one of the most expensive fancy women in the whole city, after all.
He, her silly little possessive darling, was the man engaged to the woman several steps above him on the social ladder, the man spending money he probably couldn't afford on an expensive whore.
He was, she noticed, as he doted over her, the man who'd signed his own name (and written her full professional name) to the slightly bawdy and decidedly intimate Valentine. She tucked it in her lingerie drawer; it would serve well for blackmail later, if he ever got out of hand.
Category 1500-1925, Bonus Stories, The Past | Tags: maureen


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Lady Lianxin's voice was low and flirtatious. "Head Elder, Lianxin thinks this is just all hearsay spread by that Wang Clan! For the sake of collaborating with Pill Fiend Pharmacy, they cut off contracts with Cloud Realm Trade Consortium on purpose. Now they're even denouncing them on false charges. Hmph, they must have gotten some benefits from Pill Fiend Pharmacy!"
Lady Lianxin never stopped thinking about the welfare of the Mu Clan! In order to have them rise again, the best way was to knock down the current Council of Elders in Medicine City, because they were nothing more than a tool for the Wang Clan to rule the city now. Once she had hinted as much to Head Elder Ling, but as a woman with no backing behind her name, she couldn't just hint and whisper things for the rest of her life and expect to get results.
Head Elder Ling silently broke free of her hand, his focus completely on Chu Qingge. Or to be more precise, the baby she was holding in her arms. He had his own motives for agreeing to the early labor and looking after the baby during its first month. Chu Qingge had told the rest of the world that she had her baby early because of an unfortunate stumble. Fortunately, a nameless divine doctor had been on hand to save her and the baby. Thus, Head Elder Ling and Lady Lianxin had a perfectly justified excuse for hanging around. They had remained incognito despite it all to avoid attracting unnecessary attention. Everyday after taking care of the child, he had to go back and write reports and send them off the same day to the medical academy head. That was because the academy head was in the midst of research and needed updates regarding the status of the patient.
Lady Lianxin was quite unhappy when Head Elder Ling shook her off. She had agreed to help the Chu Clan invite Head Elder Ling here, because the Chu could help her fulfill her revenge against Han Yunxi and the rest while she could speak to Head Elder Ling in private for the sake of the Mu Clan. After all, they used to be old friends, so the man should give her some face. But who knew that he simply ignored her outright!
Lady Lianxin wanted to take Head Elder Ling's hand again, but he just walked out the door and turned the corner, forcing her to chase him all the way to his rooms. It seemed like the man was absorbed in some problem, his heart vexed by his thoughts. Today, he'd used a certain medicine on the crown prince that should have showed effects by now, but nothing about the baby had changed. Without a choice, he could only write a letter to the medical academy head to report the situation.
But before he could shut the door, Lady Lianxin stopped it with her hand, finally getting his attention.
"What do you want?" he asked impatiently.
"Head Elder, it's still early. Aren't you going to invite me in for a cup of tea?" Lady Lianxin asked seductively.
Head Elder Ling naturally knew what she was aiming at, but he was much more interested in medicine than women. Moreover, he'd played with the one in front of his door already.
"Why aren't you going to look after the crown prince? If anything happens to him, you'll be the one at fault!" he scolded sternly.
Lady Lianxin felt disgruntled, but hid her feelings as her hand on the door slowly moved to grasped Head Elder Ling's own hand instead. "Head Elder, Lianxin has things to discuss with you."
Head Elder Ling was out of patience. He slapped her hand away and reprimanded, "What kind of wiles are you trying on me at your age? Why aren't you leaving yet?"
Stunned, Lady Lianxin could only stand blankly by the door as Head Elder Ling slammed it in her face. When they were sleeping together in the past, Head Elder Ling had often pleaded at her very door! But now…
Feeling aggrieved, Lady Lianxin's eyes grew red before she quietly cursed. "Old dog! You better not have a day when you're begging me for favors!"
Lady Lianxin was assisting Head Elder Ling in his treatments this time, so of course she knew he was doing experiments on the premature crown prince. She decided to wait a few days before bringing up Medicine City to him again. If he refused to chat, she didn't mind threatening him with knowledge of his experiments! In any case, she had already risked everything. Now that she'd lost favor with the 'old dogs' of the medical academy, she'd be nothing in her position unless she revived the Mu Clan again. After all, her medical skills were that of a trifling Divine Doctor at best. To get a spot in Medical City's Council of Elders, she'd offended no end of people!
There were plenty of them waiting to see her become a laughingstock or throw rocks at her in the well, still others who were eager to cut off connections or stomp on her instead. Lady Lianxin silently made her decision before slipping away. She had no idea that Gu Qishao was staring at her from a nearby rooftop, or that he'd witnessed the entire exchange between her and Head Elder Ling just then.
"Old dog? Heheh!" Gu Qishao's unruly gaze flickered evilly. He had been in hiding for days now, and was determined to keep on the prowl as he broke into a cold chuckle. Like a hunter, he seemed to be waiting for something…
As the night grew darker, silence settled over the imperial palace. At this moment, a dark figure darted past the walls and vanished behind Chu Qingge's palace. Lady Lianxin was already there, looking after the crown prince. Chu Qingge herself had dragged her tired body to soak in the hot springs, where she sat resting against a wall. The torments of her body couldn't be compared to the anguish in her mind. As the time for revenge drew closer, her heart grew more and more disordered. Over the past few days, she needed nightly soaks in the hot springs just to calm herself down.
Suddenly, a dark figure landed on the ground---that of a tall man dressed in black robes that outlined his excellent physique. He stood in the shadows like a lord of darkness, mysterious and aloof. Chu Qingge knew martial arts as well, so she naturally sensed his presence. As she glanced hazily at the figure, she suddenly grew excited and stood up in the water with a cry. "Feiye!"
At the same second, the man kicked up a spray of water. It wasn't clear whether he was trying to cover her naked form or block his own view of the sight. In a cold voice, he said, "Restrain your romantic fancies. Don't sully the eyes of this clan head!"
His voice was very similar to Long Feiye's but Chu Qingge had already regained her senses and plopped back into the water. When she looked up at the man towering above her, then at the bronze gauze mask covering his nose and face, she saw a pair of handsome eyes staring haughtily back as if no woman could ever enter his eyes. She wasn't interested in him anyways since he was hardly worthy of her tastes. Chu Qingge only sighed lightly and said, "I mistook you again. In the end, you're still not him."
This man and Long Feiye were truly very similar---both proud, cold types. But this was an extremely frivolous man, while Long Feiye was more restrained. He didn't seem to like being compared to Long Feiye, because he kicked up a second spray of water that formed themselves into arrows to shoot past Chu Qingge.
This was a warning.
Finally, Chu Qingge broke free of her reverie. She simply stood straight up, forcing the man to turn aside without a second glance. After she put on her clothes, she smiled coldly and said, "So many people want to see my body, but here you are playing the gentleman."
Before she got married, scores of men were in love with her face lined up in droves in front of the Chu Clan door to propose. Even after marrying Emperor Tianhui, there were enough men who still wanted to seduce her in this dirty court.
The man didn't answer, but prepared to leave. Chu Qingge quickly called him back. "Fine, I'll stop fooling around with you!"
But the man still left, forcing Chu Qingge to use her lightness techniques to catch up with him. "Witch Aunt told me a new piece of news today!"
The man stopped at that and leapt into a nearby tree. Chu Qingge caught up and murmured, "Gu Beiyue's in their hands."
"What?" the man turned back in alarm.
"Tianning's former top imperial physician and head of the Imperial Physician Courtyard, now known as Pill Fiend Pharmacy's Doctor Gu, Gu Beiyue, is in my uncle's hands," Chu Qingge elaborated.
"How did that happen?" the man asked coldly.
"I've asked about it in detail, but Witch Aunt isn't sure. Perhaps my uncle intentionally sent men out to capture him. Gu Beiyue has a significant relationship with Han Yunxi," Chu Qingge said.
"Significant relationship? Would that be enough to keep Long Feiye in check?" the man asked scornfully.
Although Chu Qingge didn't want to admit it, she still had to make an objective analysis. "It's enough! Because anything that can keep Han Yunxi in check will keep Long Feiye in check as well!"
A complicated look gleamed past the man's eyes. "How could a trifling doctor have any relation to Han Yunxi?"
"You have to believe that my uncle won't capture people without a reason!" Chu Qingge said with a cold laugh.
That was enough to convince the man, who declared, "I understand!"
He prepared to march off after that, but Chu Qingge stopped him again. "I've told you everything I know. Don't forget the thing you promised me!"
The man didn't turn back, but waved a hand to indicate that she should return.
"Don't forget!" Chu Qingge reminded him one more time. She watched until his figure vanished before leaving herself.
This man was none other than the head of the Di Clan, Ning Cheng! Chu Qingge might have forced her father to fulfill her revenge plans and kill Han Yunxi, but after her uncle had given up on her brother, she realized that her father couldn't call the shots. When she was in the midst of giving up, the Di Clan's leader Ning Cheng came calling to tell her about everything. Despite living so long and doing so much for the Chu Clan, she had only found out about her family's secret as the Nether Clan now. Moreover, they weren't traitors to the West Qin imperial clan, but simply faked the murder of its "imperial son." The Nether Clan head had told the truth to the Di Clan as well as the fact that the West Qin imperial family could still have survivors. Moreover, he'd revealed yet another massive secret: that the princess of the West Qin royal family always had a phoenix birthmark on her back. Because of that, the loyal Di Clan agreed to work with the Nether Clan, all to unite the kingdom and revive West Qin!
But Ning Cheng could tell that the Nether Clan head, Chu Yunyi, had long lost any reverence for the royal family in his heart. He simply wanted to borrow the heir's name to amass his own power and influence. Thus, Ning Cheng met a plot with a plot and determined to kill off the Chu Clan once Tianning and Western Zhou were under their hands! Chu Qingge was very surprised that Ning Cheng would find her of all people to help, but she could admit that he'd found the right woman.
Besides Han Yunxi, the one thing she hated the most was the Chu Clan! Ning Cheng had even promised to help her capture Han Yunxi and eliminate her clan, thus giving her her freedom. Why wouldn't she help him when she could?
Chu Qingge returned to the hot springs, took off her clothes, and resumed her soak. She stared up at the bright moon in the sky and muttered to herself, "Han Yunxi, we'll be able to meet again very soon…"
Tonight was the 15th. A few days later when the three armies started moving, war would begin! Chu Qingge was anticipating Ning Cheng's return in triumph!
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Nashville police seized about 1,600 pounds of marijuana (damn) and 128 pounds of cocaine in their investigation of a drug trafficking ring. They also seized a bunch of cars, and one of them, a red Caddy with Nevada plates, quite curiously had the Pac-Man logo stitched into the headrests.
The car is registered to someone in Nevada, but it does appear to have some kind of connection to Pac Man Jones. Pac Man says he lent it to a friend who was making a rap video, and after that, he didn't know what happened to it. And police have confirmed that one of the main targets of the investigation, a guy named Darryl Jerome Moore, is an acquaintance of Pac Man's.
Now, none of this means that Pac Man did anything wrong. But you might enjoy, however, the video of Pac Man Jones threatening to "slap the shit out of" a reporter, and threatening to "bust [his] fuckin' head" if he were to come back on his property. Again, to reiterate, Pac Man has not been accused of or charged with any crime. But I think you will enjoy the video.
And a huge thanks to Jerloma of the Sports Frog's always reliable Swamp.
Titans' Pacman Talks Back [WKRN.com]
The Swamp [The Sports Frog]
Police Take Down Major Drug Ring [NewsChannel5 Network]