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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 13/11/2012 (1741 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
OTTAWA -- Acting Fisheries Minister Gail Shea denied claims the government is preparing for the immediate sale of the Experimental Lakes Area.
Shea responded this week to allegations from the Coalition to Save ELA, which said Friday it had been told the government had a buyer lined up and an announcement was imminent.
"The news release from the Save the ELA coalition is misleading and their claim that a deal is imminent is absolutely false," Shea said in a written statement.
She did not elaborate, except to extoll the $8 billion in new funding the government has announced for research and science in the last five years.
The ELA is a unique program allowing scientists to conduct experiments on 58 lakes in northwestern Ontario near Kenora. Last May, Ottawa announced it is cutting the $2-million operating budget for ELA as of April 2013 and will either sell the program for $1 or close it.
Scientists around the world have decried the cuts, claiming the ELA is the only research facility of its kind and has helped lead to public policy in critical areas including acid rain, mercury poisoning and phosphorus buildup.
Diane Orihel, head of the Coalition to Save ELA, said if it's true there is no deal imminent, she fears that means the government is going to shut down the program. Officials from public works were sent to the site this fall to generate reports on what it would take to decommission it.
Orihel is adamant the government keep funding the ELA, so its research is done for the public good and not for special interest groups that may not be willing to share their results with the public.
"We have money for economic action plan ads, F-35 fighter jets and fake lakes for photo-ops, but the federal government claims not to have $2 million per year to fund ELA -- an invaluable investment for the health of Canada's fresh waters and fisheries," Orihel said.


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First rate first cruise: Thomson Majesty Cruise Review by Rudyard Kipper
Overall Member Rating
First rate first cruise
Destination: Europe - Eastern Mediterranean
Embarkation: Other
The drinks package was included as a 'freebie' in our original booking
Before boarding the ship passengers are required to register a debit or credit card against which all purchases are charged. If you don't have the drinks package you will be charged for all alcoholic drinks, soft drinks and juices, and in some parts of the boat, for coffee and tea. Excursions and duty free purchases etc will also be charged to you card. Duty free can be exceptional value. For example a one litre bottle of Smirnoff is £7.60
Even if you buy the drinks package some 'premium drinks' will be charged, for example spirits such as single malt whiskies and some cocktails incur a small surcharge. Thomson regards bottled water as a premium drink.
You will be given a breakdown of all purchases and the amount to be debited to your card prior to checkout. Credit cards incur a More 2.5% surcharge - debit cards don't.
Our cabin had two single beds which I recommend so that you don't have to climb over each other to go to the bathroom! Also a better night's sleep! There was sufficient storage space (for us); a TV with BBC news and two movie channels, and a hairdryer. Also various snacks and water at airline prices (eg Pepsi and Fanta £1.80 per can)
The WC and shower room is a 'wet room' with plenty of space even for a big guy like me!
We thought the food was good - excellent with plenty of choice from buffets to more formal waiter served dining at no extra charge.
We thought that the entertainment was fine with something for everyone - quizzes; cabaret; game shows etc. Or you can just sit and have a quiet drink
There is a daily 'cruise newsletter' which provides information about the port of arrival, entertainment and dining for the day. This is very useful.
We thought that all staff were attentive and happy to stop and chat. Excellent service was noted throughout!
Excursions - be warned! If you travel independently and don't get back to the boat on time, it will sail without you! So leave plenty of time!
Koper - we went on the caves and castle excursion which we thought was excellent. Although a train takes you deep inside the cave, there is still a lot of walking (about 2km) some of it quite steep. There are plenty of cafes and toilets in the area. (See http://www.park-skocjanske-jame.si/cgi-bin/newseng.cgi?action=detail&id=4&kajje=1)
Venice - We travelled independently. It's about mile from the dock to the monorail station where you can buy a ticket to Piazza Roma for 1 euro.
You can buy a day pass for the Vaperetto (water bus) for 18 euro at one of the many ticket offices and make your own way to St Mark's square and also see other sites and sights on a 'hop on, hop off' basis.
(See http://www.venice.nu/maps/vaporetto-map/)
In our view, Thomson should arrange transport from the dock to the monorail, even if there is a small charge for it. I'm sure people would pay up to 5 euro to save this long walk in the heat.
Sibenik - Wow! The Krka National Park with its superb waterfalls just has to be seen! Thomson charge £46 for this excursion, which also includes a guided tour of Sibenik old town. The drive to the Krka is very scenic. However, there is a lot of walking and steps to climb at the end. Take your 'cozzie' and a towel as there is time to swim beneath the waterfall!
It is possible to travel to the Park independently. The admission fee is 90 kuna
(about £10) and there's a regular bus service from Sibenik.
Dubrovnik - We decided to make our own way from the dock to the old town. There's a bus stop by the docks but you have to pay in Croatian Kuna. Taxis and most restaurants and shops accept the euro. Taxi fare is 10 euro. For 50 euro, our driver took us across the large suspension bridge, stopping for a while for pictures overlooking the bay and harbour. He then took us to the top of the mountain where there were superb views of old town, walls, harbour and islands. This is the view that you might get if you took the cable car. However, the cable car costs around 10 euro per person and if it's busy, you can be packed like sardines (I'm told)!
So for 50 euro, we thought it was exceptionally good value, especially if there are 3 or 4 of you. Our driver - Romano Pikunic - spoke good English and also gave information about local geography and recent history, including the Croatian war of independence.
He dropped us off at the old town, which is full of character, with street musicians, restaurants and historic buildings.
For 10 euros you can take the glass bottomed boat on a circular tour from the harbour along the city walls, forts and on to the island of Lokrum.
Dubrovnik is an excellent place so make the most of it!
Kotor - It's a short walk from the port to the old town to the old town. There's a 'hop on hop off' bus that takes you along the coast which we thought was good value as it also includes a tour of the old town on return. Another excellent place and not enough time!
Corfu Town- In my view, compared with the other ports that we visited, Corfu town is without charm - dusty and busy with a general feeling of neglect.
The taxi ride from the port to the old town costs 10 euro
Conclusion - a well organised, good value cruise with attentive staff, good food and entertainment and some great ports of call. It would be even better if Thomson were less motivated by profit and paid more attention to things such as a shuttle bus in Venice, cheaper excursions and not regarding bottled water as a premium drink.
My other and final comment is about Thomson's flawed 'Your Opinion Counts' survey. Why do they provide the questionnaire to everyone on the flight, yet only one per cabin when there are two people sharing? They also reserve the right to 'modify' what we put down. Also, your questionnaire will not be entered into the prize draw unless it's fully completed and you provide information about your mortgage, mobile phone provider and credit cards etc. So it's more of a marketing exercise and if you are not careful the information will be passed (sold?) to third parties.
Come on, Thomson - you can do better than this. Less
Published 08/24/13
Cabin review: 857
Read Cruise Critic's Thomson Majesty Review >>
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Prostate cancer research grant for University of Ulster
Researchers at the University of Ulster have been awarded a grant of £214,000 to try to find ways to help reduce the spread of prostate cancer.
They have been given the grant from the charity Prostate Cancer UK
It will invest £11m into research into prostate cancer this year to try and improve the treatment options of men living with the cancer.
The charity say that prostate cancer kills 10,000 men each year.
Dr Jenny Worthington, who will lead the team at the University of Ulster said: "Our study aims to improve the treatment of advanced prostate cancer, for which there are currently very few treatments available.
"We will research a new drug combination therapy which aims to specifically target aggressive prostate tumours to control their growth and, most importantly, reduce the number of tumours which form in other areas of the body," she said.
"Ultimately we hope that this Prostate Cancer UK grant will help us create an optimal treatment schedule which significantly reduces the pain and other debilitating side effects men experience, as well as significantly improve life expectancy."
Dr Iain Frame, director of research at Prostate Cancer UK, said: "By funding ground breaking projects such as this with the UK's top research scientists we hope to be able to find the answers we so desperately need for the future."


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Decision makers
- NJ/NY Port Authority/MTA
NJ/NY Port Authority/MTA: Reduce the tolls back to $8 per access point.
The toll hikes are unfair, too expensive and will cripple the pocket books of middle class Americans and those who rely on those access points to get to work each day. It's not fair, it's wrong and something must be done to reduce the tolls from $13 cash for cars and $15 per axle on commercial vehicles. People, you must understand that this stand must be taken!! Those folks who drive commercial vehicles to deliver and transport goods are taking the biggest hit, 15$ per axle can cost as much as $75 per vehicle. Where do you think these additional costs will end up? Coming out of our pockets; a double whammy!! It's time for the federal government to step in and find out where this toll money is going. I've not seen any improvements on the roads in and around the entrances and access points. The electronic signs still don't work properly and are difficult to see even on the best of days. Potholes proliferate the many bridges and roads leading up to the crossings all over the place. It is time to raise our voices and demand that the "powers that be" reduce the tolls to reasonable rates... We must do this TODAY!
- NJ/NY Port Authority/MTA
Reduce the tolls back to $8 per access point.
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STS-129 Mission Lapel Pin
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STS-129 Mission Lapel Pin
Our STS-129 Mission Lapel Pin is a 1" enamel pin of the official emblem of Mission STS-129. Proudly wear it on your coat, shirt, or hat to support the STS-129 Mission!Space Shuttle Mission STS-129 is scheduled to be flown by Space Shuttle Atlantis. STS-129 is a mission to the International Space Station. The launch date for the mission is scheduled for November 12, 2009.The primary focus for STS-129 will be staging spare components outside the station. The 11-day flight is scheduled to include at least three spacewalks. The payload bay will carry two large External Logistics Carriers holding two spare gyroscopes, two nitrogen tank assemblies, two pump modules, an ammonia tank assembly, a spare latching end effector for the station's robotic arm, a spare trailing umbilical system for the Mobile Transporter, and a high-pressure gas tank.
STS-129 Mission Details:
Mission name: STS-129
Space Shuttle: Atlantis
Launch pad 39A
Launch date NET November 12, 2009 16:11 EST
Landing November 23, 2009
Mission duration 11 days
Commander: Charles O. Hobaugh
Pilot: Barry E. Wilmore
Mission Specialist 1: Michael Foreman
Mission Specialist 2: Randolph Bresnik
Mission Specialist 3: Leland D. Melvin
Mission Specialist 4: Robert Satcher


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Report: Clean Air, Healthy Families
America's Biggest Mercury Polluters
Power plants continue to release large amounts of toxic pollutants, including mercury, into our air. In 2010, two-thirds of all airborne mercury pollution in the United States came from the smokestacks of coal-fired power plants. In other words, power plants generate more airborne mercury pollution than all other industrial sources combined.*
Mercury is a potent neurotoxicant. Mercury exposure during critical periods of brain development can contribute to irreversible deficits in verbal skills, damage to attention and motor control, and reduced IQ. In 2011, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed the first national standards limiting mercury and other toxic air pollution from existing coal- and oil-fired power plants. Implementing these standards will protect public health.
Coal-fired power plants are a major source of airborne mercury pollution.
• The Big Brown Steam Electric Station and Lignite Coal Mine in Fairfield, Texas, emitted 1,610 pounds of mercury pollution into our air in 2010, the most of any industrial facility in the nation.
• This amount is significant because mercury is so potent. Distributed over a wide area, just fractions of an ounce of mercury can contaminate local and regional water bodies, making resident fish unsafe to eat. All 50 states currently have advisories warning women and children not to eat local fish due to mercury contamination.
• Of the top 10 biggest mercury-polluting power plants in the country, six are located in Texas, with one each in Alabama, Louisiana, Missouri and Ohio. Table ES-1 lists these top 10 biggest mercury polluters.
• Among all states nationwide, Texas ranked first in terms of overall airborne mercury pollution produced by power plants in 2010. Ohio ranked second, followed by Pennsylvania in third. (See Table ES-2.)
• Just five companies were responsible for more than one-third of all power plant mercury emissions in 2010, led by American Electric Power with 6,200 pounds. (See Table ES-3.)


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Majesty of the Seas - Bahamas: Majesty of the Seas Cruise Review by natish3000
Overall Member Rating
Majesty of the Seas - Bahamas
Destination: Bahamas
Embarkation: Miami
DAY ONE- We were on Delta out of Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky More Airport flying into Ft Lauderdale. There were Delta reps at Cinci airport that directed us through the boarding process. On arrival in Ft Lauderdale we were met by several reps holding Royal Caribbean signs at the baggage claim area. They directed us to a waiting area and after about 10 minutes we were given transfer passes and we boarded a bus for the trip to Miami. It is about a 35 mile trip and on the day we arrived it took about 20 minutes. We were told that on some days it could take up to an hour or more with traffic. We arrived at the port and a porter took our checked luggage at the pier. We were directed to the terminal where we checked in and received our SeaPass in a matter of minutes. You have to present the card you will be charging the SeaPass to, your passport or Birth Certificate, a picture ID and your Bahamas immigration card, which comes with your documents. From Pier to ship was about 15 minutes including walking time. We entered the ship and, as this was our first cruise, were of course in awe. The Centrum area is huge and impressive. As you enter the ship you insert your SeaPass into a reader and your picture is taken. From then on, any time you leave the ship, you insert your card into this reader and your picture appears to security so they can verify your identity. This makes getting off and on the ship pretty quick and easy.
We got to our room and opened the door using the SeaPass. We were pleasantly surprised by the size. Now remember this was a Superior Oceanview and, as such, is bigger than a normal room. I would compare this room size to a typical Motel 6, Days Inn, Red Roof Inn room. There is the bed, a small, comfortable corner seat and a small end table. There are drawers in two beside stands, 6 shelves in under counter unit, three drawers, several shelves behind the mirrors for toiletries, etc, as well as a closet with plenty hangers and three rods which provide quite a bit of hanging area. There is a small TV (about 13" diagonal) and, to our surprise, a very small refrigerator as well as a small safe. The announcement was made several times that there is to be no smoking in the staterooms yet on top of the mirrored cabinets, there were three ashtrays. I will not tell you if my wife chose to smoke in our room or not, but make your own decision. They definitely send mixed messages by having ashtrays in a non-smoking area. In general it IS okay to smoke on one side of the ship and in many lounges. If you are unsure where, ask any of the staff. The beds (which in our case were pushed together to make one) look like cots. We were not thrilled about this until we lay down and discovered that, despite their appearance, they are pretty comfortable. There are extra pillows in the under counter cabinets which were much needed. The bathroom is small. There's no denying that. However, it is functional. You can check out the pictures of all this at the link below.
I had ordered chocolate covered strawberries and a Happy Birthday package for my wife. The strawberries were waiting in the room and were nicely chilled. The decorations, including a large centerpiece in the window, several streamers and balloons were very nice. Nicer than I had expected from the pictures I had seen. Also, to my surprise, a very good moist birthday cake was delivered later in the day. When I ordered the birthday package there was no mention of a cake being included so that was a nice extra.
We went up to the deck and explored the ship then went to the Windjammer cafe for lunch. The food on board is decent. Is it gourmet? No. If you are used to four and five star restaurants, you will be disappointed in the food. If you are realistic and realize they are serving 2,500 people at a time, the food is good. There are a lot of choices and I can't imagine anyone not finding something they like. Here are two tips on the Windjammer. One, there are two main lines on the "outdoor" part. If you go into the "indoor" part of the Windjammer, there are two more identical lines so you can avoid some of the waiting. This will make sense once you are on the ship. Also, once you get through the lines, there is another area where they are carving roast beef, turkey, have hamburgers to order, etc. Also at breakfast they are cooking omelets to order in this area. So save room on your plate for that. Water, Lemonade and Iced Tea are free. We actually thought the lemonade was pretty good (Comparable to Country Time).
We then stopped by the bar upstairs at Windjammer and got two "Drink of the Day" Blue Mondays. These are Rum, Blue Curacao, Pineapple juice and maybe some other ingredients. Let me just say here that on this cruise every bartender mixed the drinks STRONG! I'm talking literally at least one third alcohol. They are good but will knock you on your butt. We got the "souvenir glass", which is actually plastic" at $8.00 a piece the first time. After that you trade it in each time you buy a drink and they only charge you the normal $3.95 for the drink of the day + the 15% gratuity.
We didn't get our checked luggage until almost 5:00pm so we changed into some clothes in our carryon and went to the muster drill. As stated on this board numerous times, there were several people who thought it unimportant to come to the mandatory muster and they were called by name while everyone else had to wait until they showed up. Please go to the muster drill. It's for your protection.
After muster it was up on deck for dancing. My wife was dancing while I was taking pictures. I felt a little dizzy for a second and couldn't figure out why. Then it hit me...we were moving. There was no sensation of movement at all other than the buildings moving by. On the subject of motion. Unless you are VERY prone to motion sickness I cannot imagine anyone being made sick by the ship. Other than the water going by you really cannot tell you are moving 99% of the time. Every once in awhile you'll feel a light shaking. This is about equivalent to light turbulence on an airplane or what it feels like if you are in a building and a large truck goes by shaking the walls. Honestly there was a lot less motion sensation than you feel in a car. We were in 1-4 foot seas so it was rather calm but, honestly, you'd forget you were moving a lot of the time.
I'll not go on with the rest of the day's activities, as they are rather boring to read. Just wanted to cover some of the highlights that may apply to everyone.
We woke up at about 8:00am and I looked out the window. To my surprise I was looking at the side of a large ship which turned out to be Carnival's Fantasy. We were docked next to her at Nassau. We again went to Windjammer for breakfast then went down to deck one to see Nassau. We had booked a tour on Seaworld Explorer, which I would recommend to anyone who would like to see the underwater world without getting wet. My wife is not a fan of the water, as she can't swim so this was an opportunity for us to see things we wouldn't have been able to see normally. As you exit the ship your tour guides holding signs naming the tour you signed up for meet you. Nassau is pretty, but to be honest, to us it seemed rather dirty and seedy. Now, understand that we are from USA and are used to most "touristy" places being clean and nice. Nassau doesn't have the money to recover from the hurricanes as readily as most American cities and it shows. The buildings at the pier were in need of repair. There was a lot of debris floating in the water. There were light poles knocked down still lying on the pier. Having said that, the water is beautiful green and conditions are better in other areas than at the pier.
We followed our guide to the boat that takes you to the Seaworld Explorer. As we walked the pier to the shuttle boat, we saw several small blowfish right at the surface of the water. We boarded the boat and pulled out into the harbor headed for the Explorer. The man driving the boat was extremely entertaining explaining what all we were seeing in a humorous way. We passed several HUGE mansions as he told us of their owners: Tiger Woods, Chuck Norris, Michael Jordan, the owner of the Atlantis resort, etc. We then approached two houses that appear to be about 30 room mansions being built side by side. He explained that these are both being built by Oprah Winfrey. One for her and one for guests. Amazing. We saw several sunken ships along the way with masts sticking out of the water. These were those people who failed to heed the hurricane warnings we were told. We arrived at the Explorer and transferred over to that boat which appears totally normal from above. Once on board we were led downstairs into a long narrow hull below water level. Both sides were lined with windows. We were then taken around the reef passing many fish, starfish, coral, a shipwreck and even a shark. After this we were taken back to the pier and we spent a few hours shopping. We took a carriage ride which, if you have never been to the Bahamas, is more terrifying than relaxing. It appears that there are no traffic laws, or if there are, they are not enforced. There was a one lane road with cars going both directions at 45 MPH. Honking horns are used in place of turn signals. All I can say is BE CAREFUL walking.
After the carriage ride at a full trot we went back on the ship for lunch, again in the Windjammer. After lunch we decided to go over to see the Atlantis Resort. There is really no describing this place and I see now why everyone says to go there. We didn't pay to use their beaches, we just went in to look around. The taxi ride to the Atlantis was equally as terrifying, going 75 in 25 MPH zone with horn blazing. The sheer size of everything at Atlantis from the 25 foot tall six inch thick steel doors to the horse sculpture to the atrium to the aquarium is overwhelming. Most people have seen a restaurant with an aquarium in it but this is different. This aquarium lines one entire side of the restaurant wrapping around to the other wall. Outside the architecture is equally awe inspiring. Of course, you also have to get a look at the $25,000 a night suite that forms a bridge between the towers. After taking a ton of pictures, we headed back to the ship.
This was formal night and we went to the main dining room, "The Mayfair" for dinner. It was okay but not our cup of tea. The service is excellent; however, the headwaiter told a few off color jokes that appeared to lightly offend some of the older people at our table. We had roasted vegetables as an appetizer. They were okay but were served cold which was a bit of a surprise. Some of the other choices were chilled Jasmine soup or escargot. I got the beef Tenderloin with green peppercorn gravy and onion mashed potatoes. I ordered it medium well. It arrived well done and room temperature at best. The portion was also rather small, although the waiter did offer to bring us seconds. The food was adequate but not much more than that. We stuck with the Windjammer the rest of the cruise and were quite satisfied. Another couple sitting with us said they had tried the dining room for breakfast and were disappointed also. Another annoyance that seemed to bother everyone at our table was that a photographer came around during dinner and took pictures of each couple then the wife alone. He was leaning over people while they were trying to eat and was very annoying. We just said "no" to the 200 other times they tried to get us to get our pictures taken but butting in on dinner was really tacky.
After dinner we went to The Chorus Line Lounge for the "Love and Marriage" game show. I HIGHLY recommend this. It is based on the old Newlywed Game where three couples are separated and the host asks the husbands and wives questions then they have to answer what they thought their partner said. They chose a couple that had been married less than three days a couple that had been married the longest (60 years in this case) and a couple that and been married 9 years. The host, Duane the cruise director, is hilarious. If you've ever seen the old Newlywed Game with Bob Eubanks egging on the contestants and making snide comments, this is very much like Duane. He asked questions such as: "Ladies.... What is the first thing your husband touches when he wakes up in the morning?" The newlywed lady said after a long embarrassed pause, "His razor." Duane said, "You've been married three days and the first thing he touches is his razor?!" To which she replied with an embarrassed smile, "Probably not.... But that's what I'm gonna say." The 9 year marriage lady said "Himself because he always goes to the bathroom in the morning." When they brought the men back out her husband answered, "The first thing I touch in the morning is my shower slippers." Duane replied, "Well.... That's not what the young kids call it these days David." Another question was "Guys...you have to go the lingerie store and buy your wife a bra. .... But she didn't tell you what size. What size are you bringing home?" The 60 years married husband answered, after holding up his hands as if cupping certain things, "Orange size." Duane about wet himself laughing. It is a very fun and entertaining show and I think it is a must see if you enjoy the old Newlywed game.
After that we went to the pool party/midnight buffet. They call this "Dancing under the Stars" which sounds like romantic slow dancing. It is NOT. It is Hip Hop, "Who Let the Dogs Out", etc. There's nothing wrong with this. Just don't expect to spend romantic time slow dancing under the stars They were grilling out hamburgers poolside with tacos, salads, pasta, etc. This is also when they displayed the ice sculptures, watermelon carvings, windmills made of bread, vases of flowers made of fruits and vegetables, etc. it's quite a sight to see. After this it was off to bed where we found our first towel animal, an elephant wearing my sunglasses. I'm a guy and even I couldn't help but think it was cute.
Let me take a second here to comment on Apollo and Fernando, our room stewards. They are GREAT! I cannot say enough good about them. ANYTHING we asked for, we got. Apollo introduced himself the first day and knew my name every time after that even though he was taking care of what appeared to be the entire half of the 9th deck. They worked hard and did excellent and I thanked them by prepaying tips plus leaving them $20.00 more in the tip envelope at the end of the cruise. Another word on the staff in general. Never at any time whether on duty or off duty did we see or hear ANY crewmember, kitchen staff member, bartender, waiter, busboy, etc complain about ANYTHING. After living in America (something I am very proud of) it makes you see how spoiled we really are as we complain and whine about everything. The staff of the Majesty genuinely seemed happy to serve people.
Through day two we were uncertain as to what would transpire on day three. We were scheduled to visit Coco Cay, RCI's private island, but due to damage sustained in the recent hurricanes, Coco Cay had been closed for several weeks. There was no mention form the crew as to whether we would or would not be visiting Coco Cay. As we left the ship in Nassau, they had a small wooden plaque near the gangway saying next port : Coco Cay so we were hopeful. As it turns out, we woke up on Wednesday morning to find the Majesty anchored off Coco Cay and the tenders to the island running. The water around Coco Cay is too shallow for the Majesty to dock there, however, smaller boats called tenders take you to the island from the big ship. We ate breakfast in the Windjammer then headed back to the room to get ready for Coco Cay. They sell water bottles that you can take to Coco Cay but we had brought along an insulated bottle by Blue Ice. I would HIGHLY recommend one of these. This is a basic water jug wrapped in an insulated outer layer. The bottom unzips and there is a removable ice pack inside. We had forgotten to take the ice pack out of the freezer before leaving home so did not have that to keep the water cold. I found our room steward, Apollo, cleaning another room and asked if there was somewhere I could get ice for the bottle. He immediately stopped what he was doing and took the bottle to the maintenance room to fill it with ice. Apollo is GREAT. I then filled that with water and we walked down to the 1st deck to get on a tender.
I have to mention here that the Majesty's elevators take quite a while to arrive at the correct floor. The biggest problem seems to be that there are 6 forward elevators. If one is full and you are waiting on the next, but you push ANY of the buttons to call an elevator up or down, it holds that full elevator until you stop pushing the buttons. It took everyone a while to figure this out so you'd get on an elevator, the doors would start to close, then someone would push the button to call the next elevator. Instead, the doors would open again, and you'd have to wait for them to close again. Then, if someone pushed the button again, the process would repeat. It got to the point that after a few days walking up or down a few decks seemed the preferred method of getting around.
Anyway, we walked down to deck one and hit a huge crowd on deck two stairs waiting for the tenders. This was one of only two times that there was any kind of crowd, despite the fact that there were over 2,500 people on board. As we waited the cruise staff yelled out for everyone to have their SeaPass out and that, being as the tenders hold 350 people each, everyone standing in line would be on the next tender. This relieved the waiting, as well as making it a situation where there was no pushing or line jumping since everyone knew they would be on the next boat. We tendered over to Coco Cay through clear blue-green water. As you step off the tenders you are greeted with many small shops selling basic "souvenir" shop items. Bring cash for these shops, as they don't take the SeaPass. Bars on the island DO take SeaPass. There are still signs of hurricane damage on the front of the island. There are a lot of rocks exposed. There is also a wall as well construction netting keeping you away from this area. There was a palm tree down on the front of the island also, however, this does not take away from the beauty of Coco Cay.
We walked around the island to the right to the area where the wave runners are docked. We had neither the money nor inclination to do the wave runners, so we chose one of the MANY lounge chairs and lay in the sun for awhile. It was very hot (89F) and the sun was shining hot. However, there was also a cool breeze blowing, so we knew we shouldn't lay there long or we would be fried. After we stayed there for a while I walked on around the beach taking pictures. There was one area I passed that smelled STRONGLY of sewer. This was coming from the interior of the island, not the ocean. I assume they have a cesspool for the toilets on the island hidden behind the trees. This smell lasted only a few minutes though and I came up on the part of the island where the kayaks are stored. There are many hammocks and chairs as well as a HUGE shallow area at this point on the island. This is also where I ran across the first of the Coco Cay chickens. There are several chickens running loose around the island. I couldn't think of a reason for this at first, but then thought about the fact that chickens eat maggots and that would keep the fly population down. Whether or not this is the real reason, I do not know. Key West also had an in ordinate amount of free roaming chickens, so there is obviously some good reason. I went back and got my wife and we drug our floating mats around to the section of the island I just described. If you don't like crowds, I would suggest going straight to this part of the island. There are a lot of chairs, a lot of hammocks and you can even pick up your floating mats here as they are a pain in the butt to drag around the island. It is a good walk from the tenders however.
We spent the remainder of our time at Coco Cay floating in the shallow water on our mats. The water is knee deep to a child out to about 100 yards or more from shore. We saw Sea Cucumbers, many fish, a crab, a LARGE starfish, conchs, etc in the shallow water. We had been on Coco Cay for about 4 hours at this point in 89F bright sun. We pulled the Blue Ice container out from under the chair where we had kept it and even without the ice pack in the bottom it was still pleasantly cold. Very impressive performance from this jug. After spending a few hours there we went back to the front of the island for lunch. They have a BBQ lunch on the island that I thought was very good. I've heard people complain on cruise boards about the fact that there are flies on the food, etc. Well, it is outdoors and there isn't a lot they can do about that. They have the food in covered shacks in steamtables and keep it as sanitary as possible for being outside. I worked in food service for 13 years and everything was as sanitary as it can be. They had corn on the cob, good BBQ ribs, BBQ chicken (no I don't think that's why they have chickens on the island) cheeseburgers, cole slaw, potato salad, etc. All were quite good. There are covered eating areas also. I had tried a Coco Loco drink on board and wasn't impressed. Here, however, we ordered two Coco Locos and they were GREAT! Again they are STRONG. Hint: Stir them when you get them or you are drinking pretty much straight spiced rum. Once stirred, they are excellent.
After two....or three.... Coco Locos, it was time to go back to the ship. As we waited to get on the tenders, I started noticing, just how in control RCI really is. They seem to have thought of everything. There is a fenced in children's play area at the front of the island where they will entertain the little ones while you relax on the beach. They were having water balloon tosses, etc. There is also a corral where they have wheelchairs with large balloon wheels so that disabled cruisers can also enjoy the island.
We tendered back to the Majesty and again were through the reboarding process rather quickly. There is an x-ray machine as you enter, so have any bags, cameras, etc out and ready to go through and it makes this much quicker. After dinner in Windjammer, we were worn out from the sun and water. We stayed on deck for a beautiful sunset over the sea then went to bed early this night and got some much needed sleep.
By this time, depression has started to set in as you realize that you are nearing the end of your trip. The crew begins to talk about debarking and packing. However, nothing will shake the "vacation's over" blues like opening your curtains and seeing that you are anchored at Key West. Key West was my personal favorite port. For one thing we were back in USA and, to us, that's more familiar territory. Beyond that though, Key West is just beautiful. Before getting off the Majesty at Key West, everyone on board MUST go through a quick US Customs inspection. This consists of filling out form in your stateroom then going to the requested place (in our case On Your Toes Lounge) with your SeaPass, passport or birth certificate and Photo ID. They call non US residents to a separate area and I cannot speak to what the process is there since we are US citizens. For us we stood in a very fast moving line that files past a customs official. You show them your documents and you are cleared. Then comes the big wait. NO ONE can leave the ship until EVERYONE has cleared customs. And, as always, there are those who feel that they don't have to follow rules and don't bother coming to the customs inspection. So, EVERYONE waits while they page those who have not shown up as well as send crewmembers through asking everyone if they have been through customs. We were through customs about 9:00am and the majority were through by 9:20. However, because of stragglers who don't think rules apply to them, we weren't cleared to get off the ship until almost 10:20. This was the second crowded time as everyone wanted off the ship at once. However, even then we were off in less than 5 minutes after arriving at the 1st deck gangway.
We walked straight after clearing the pier while the majority of cruisers turned left toward Mallory Square. By doing this we passed through several beautiful streets overhung with palm trees and ended up at Duval and Greene streets way before the crowds filtered through the shops at Mallory Square. Since we were on vacation, our first stop was Captain Tony's Saloon. We went in feeling kind of funny about drinking before noon. There were a few locals already at the bar and an extremely friendly bartender greeted us. Captain Tony's is Jimmy Buffett's old stomping grounds and Captain Tony himself is featured in Jimmy's song "Last Mango in Paris" as well as influencing many other Buffett songs. The bar is the old Sloppy Joe's Saloon and has been around for many years. There are pictures of sailors at the bar (when it was Sloppy Joe's) in 1949. I'd tell you what the walls look like but you can't see them. They are covered by layer upon layer of business cards, pictures, cup koozies, posters, album covers, business licenses, police arm patches, badges, bras, panties and about anything else you can think of, all left by former patrons over the years. It's an interesting an inviting place. We had a Rum Runner and a Pirate punch, both of which were excellent. Also the stools at Capt. Tony's feature the names of famous people who have sat there before you. John Prine, John Candy, Jerry Seinfeld, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Clint Eastwood, etc.
After we left Captain Tony's we headed down Duval Street and did some shopping. Key West is a party town and one block on Duval Street had 9 bars. But, it did not seem to be a "rough" town. Everyone seemed happy and seemed to get along fine. This was, however, during the daytime. At night, with lots of drunken people and clothing optional bars, who knows? After our drinks we went to Greene Street and visited the Mel Fisher Historatorium and sunken ship museum. Mel Fisher is the man who found the Atocha, a sunken treasure ship that yielded millions of dollars worth of treasure. He also salvaged several other ships including a slave ship. Inside this museum, you will find REAL treasure from the days when sailing ships carried vast treasures across the ocean. These include, pieces of eight, bars of real silver and gold, jewelry,weapons, etc from those days. It is very interesting and includes the actual pieces as well as pictures of them salvaging the items and stories of how it was done or any interesting things that happened. For example there is a solid gold chain in one display. It tells how the divers picked it up thinking it was a brass chain that one of the other divers had dropped. They planned to bring it up and throw it away since they didn't want it to harm any marine life. After surfacing they realized what they had found and that they had almost discarded this chain worth $120,000 US Dollars. Another one they almost threw away was what appeared to be a tin from the galley. It clinked and they opened it. Inside was a huge gold cross and chain. The cross is inlaid with emeralds . There was also an emerald ring inside. This is worth over $200,000. They have many more items on display that show not only the riches they found, but the artifacts that show what life was like aboard these ships. Upstairs they have the things they raised from the slave ship. It's pretty sickening the way these people were treated. If you don't want to be depressed on vacation, don't go up here. It is quite poignant.
After leaving the museum, we headed back down toward Mallory Square. By now the crowds had cleared. Mallory Square is beautiful, as is most of Key West. Lush palms and tropical flowers line the streets. We walked along the pier at Mallory Square and saw quite a bit of marine life right next to the boats. There were all sorts of fish in the clear water. One was green with purple, blue and red scales. There was a large jellyfish cruising along as well as two tarpon that were at least five feet long. And that's no fish story. These things were huge and just cruising right along the dock, We looked through more shops at Mallory Square and, as we were getting hungry, started were heading back to the ship. We passed a patio bar/restaurant called Two Friends. They had a sign up advertising locally caught shrimp, which my wife loves, so we stopped there to eat instead of eating on the ship. I'm glad we did. I got the fried grouper sandwich and my wife got the shrimp. We also both got Bahama Mamas. All were excellent as was the conversation we had with the waitress. The dining room is open walled with a roof only. People passing by on the street were stopping to talk to us. It was just a friendly atmosphere everywhere in Key West.
We did the requisite stops at the Hard Rock Cafe (boring even though I am a guitarist and HUGE rock fan) , Margaritaville, Sloppy Joe's etc. Margaritaville was okay. It's a must if you are a Buffett fan however. Sloppy Joe's was also just okay. Bear in mind that it was still the middle of the day at this point. I'm sure things change at night. They served rather small drinks at the same price as Captain Tony's. They did have a guy playing guitar and singing. He was pretty good. I had a half Pina Colada/ Half Strawberry Daquiri. That was good but weak on alcohol. While sitting there we saw a couple pass by wearing what appeared to be clothes inspired by the Jetsons. They were walking a white poodle which they had dyed blue. To each his own I guess. After that we walked back to Duval and hit the shops that extend for block upon block. It was getting close to departure time of 5:30 so we headed back towards the ship. As luck would have it we just happened to pass by Captain Tony's again and had to stop in for another Pirate's Punch. I got a Margarita which I didn't care for also. Everything else was great there.
We then staggered...I mean walked back to the ship. We went on deck as we left Key West and were treated to an absolutely gorgeous sunset. We also saw a shark or dolphin (couldn't tell which from the height of the deck ) and a stingray passing by as the ship pulled out of port. We had to pack this night so we went back to the cabin. They had delivered a departure package that includes a US Customs form, colored tags for the debarking process and instructions on exactly what to do the next day. You must have your checked luggage outside your door between 8:00PM and 1:00am. You attach the colored tags to the suitcases and sit them outside your door to be picked up by the porters. We ate pizza for dinner (which is available next to the bar upstairs in the Windjammer) then went to a show called the Liar's club. It was a take off on the old To Tell The Truth show. It was ok but was nowhere near as fun as Love and Marriage. After that we stayed in our room as we were tired and knew we had to be up early the next day. You have to be out of your room by 8:00am on Friday.
We ordered room service later that night. It came quickly and was decent motel type food. I had a turkey and swiss sandwich and my wife had a salad and nachos. Nothing special but not bad. We also got cheesecake which was very good.
We set our clock for 6:45am so we could be up, packed and out by 8:00am. Just as we woke up and looked out the window, we were approaching the terminal in Miami. It was a nasty rainy day with lightning flashing in the sky. It matched the mood we were feeling knowing it was almost over. We showered and gathered everything together and they started calling colors to get off the ship. We went to breakfast in the Windjammer while we waited. I don't know if was just winding down or if they were running out of things but there was no milk, no eggs, etc. This was a little disappointing but not a big deal. We then went to the A Chorus Line Lounge as instructed to wait for our color (grey) to be called. They show sitcoms while you wait. They had Jim Belushi's show as well as Damon Wayan's show. Not exactly five star entertainment but better then having nothing to do.
After about 45 minutes waiting there, they called grey and we went to the Centrum area to debark. This process was very quick and we basically just walked off the ship without a wait. Inside the Miami terminal there is a baggage claim just like in the airports. We picked up our luggage and headed out to the buses. There are signs above the buses saying where they are going. We got on a Ft Lauderdale bound bus and were off to the airport. The 35 mile drive from Ft Lauderdale to Miami had taken about 20 minutes. The drive back took almost an hour. But our flight wasn't due until 5:05pm and it was only 10:30am so we were in no hurry. We arrived at Ft Lauderdale and decided to check ALL of our bags instead of dragging around carryons. Yes, it would have been awful if they had lost them but we thought it worth the risk. We looked at the shops in the Delta terminal then asked where we could get food. The lady at the shop told us to go to terminal 3 and there is a Chili's inside there. They have a limited menu, but it's much better than anything else available.
After that we went through the shops then waited and waited and waited. Security went relatively quickly. One woman wearing a very fancy dress and lots of jewelry refused to take off her shoes to put them through the xray. The TSA agents told her she did not have to but she would be subject to secondary search. I'm betting she wishes she had taken off the shoes. They pulled her aside and ran the metal detectors all over her body. The female TSA agent frisked her from head to toe (and I mean from head to toe.) The woman was very condescending saying "This is ridiculous". The TSA agent just kept saying "Hush. Hush" They ran explosive sniffing wands through her purse and bags. They took out all the contents of her purse and bags and looked through them. Finally she was cleared. So, the moral is, follow the program and take off your shoes. The TSA is serious about aircraft safety and we should all be glad that they are.
Our plane FINALLY arrived 20 minutes late and we had an uneventful flight home. It was a shock to leave 89F and get off the plane in Kentucky at 43F.
That pretty much covers our cruise. If there is anything I didn't answer, feel free to email me at email@example.com
My wife and I took this cruise knowing that it was probably a once in a lifetime experience. Now we are planning our next cruise. Cruising is truly addictive and it holds true that once you cruise, you'll never want to vacation any other way again. There's no feeling like going to sleep in your hotel room and waking up the next day somewhere else. Maybe we'll see some of you on our next cruise. Less
Published 10/30/04
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text:
Dear John
Book Review
This romance novel by Nicholas Sparks is published by Warner Books, a division of the Hachette Book Group USA, and is written for adults. The age range reflects readability and not necessarily content appropriateness.
Positive Elements
Spiritual Content
Sexual Content
Violent Content
Crude or Profane Language
Drug and Alcohol Content
Other Negative Elements
Pro-social Content
Objectionable Content
Summary Advisory
Plot Summary
Weary of alcohol, meaningless relationships and a lack of direction, John Tyree joins the Army. He's on leave for a few weeks in his hometown of Wilmington, N.C., when he meets Savannah Lynn Curtis on a beach. Savannah, a college student, is leading a group of coeds in building Habitat for Humanity homes. She and her group have rented a beach house to use during their stay. John and Savannah hail from different backgrounds: Savannah grew up in a Christian home with two devoted parents, while John was raised by a quiet, meticulous father with a passion for coin collecting. Nevertheless, they feel an instant connection and begin to spend every free moment together. By the end of John's leave, the two have fallen in love and promise to be married when he's discharged. Meanwhile, they will write.
The novel follows the ups and downs of their long-distance relationship, including their joyful moments and arguments during John's short Army leaves. When John's time in the army is nearly complete, September 11 rocks the nation, and he decides it is his patriotic duty to re-enlist. Savannah understands but can't hide her disappointment. Time and distance begin to take their toll, and Savannah sends John a letter saying she's in love with someone else.
John tries to deal with his emotions by burying himself in his military career, and he spends his leaves with his ailing father. When Savannah met John's dad years earlier, she suggested he might have Asperger's syndrome, a disorder resembling autism. As John begins to understand the disorder, he learns to relate to his father and comes to deeply appreciate the man who raised him. When his father's health finally fails, John learns his dad has left him a coin collection worth a small fortune.
Grieving his dad's death, John visits Savannah's hometown. He finds her at the farmhouse she and her husband own, and he learns she married her friend Tim, with whom she'd been building homes the summer she met John. Tim had always been kind and respectful to John, though John knew Tim loved Savannah, too. Savannah seems unhappy with life, and John learns it's because Tim is in the hospital battling cancer. She believes an expensive experimental treatment may help him, but they can't afford it. She bares herself emotionally and physically to John in the midst of her pain. Though it's heartbreaking, he declines her advances and leaves town. He sells his father's coin collection and anonymously funds the treatment Tim needs. Later, he returns in secret to Savannah's farm. The treatment has worked, and she and Tim are happily resuming their lives.
Christian Beliefs
Savannah is a devoted Christian. As a teen, she spent a number of summers building houses with her church group. Savannah tells John how she struggled to fit in when she first started college but found Christian student groups and volunteer work to keep her busy. She says she has a hard time understanding people's desire to freely experiment with sex, drinking and drugs during college. Upset by the sexual exploits of some of her building crew, Savannah tells John she's trying not to let it get to her. It's only God's judgment that matters, she says, and no one can presume to know the will of God.
Savannah's friend Tim comes from her hometown where they attended the same church. Savannah raves to John about how patient Tim is with his autistic brother, Alan. She says Tim inspired her to work with disabled children. Savannah's parents told her maybe the Lord had special plans for Alan. Savannah and Tim pray for John while he's away in combat. Tim tells John his cancer has tested his faith, but not ended it.
Savannah takes John to church with her and Tim a few times while they're in Wilmington. John says he was baptized as a kid, but he and his dad hadn't gone to church for a long time. His dad always insisted that John include his absent mother in his prayers. John says he knows miracles are always possible no matter how sick a person might be.
John praises an Army chaplain named Ted for his trustworthiness and his willingness to listen. Ted called people on the carpet when their behavior was inappropriate, but they still wanted to talk to him. He talked about God as naturally as one would talk about a friend and didn't pressure people to attend church.
Other Belief Systems
John says it was just luck — or perhaps, bad luck — that made two marines jog by him, convincing him to join the military. Savannah says she loves full moons because they seem like an omen of good things to come. John thinks a shooting star may be an omen regarding his relationship with Savannah. Several times, John and Savannah talk about the role fate played in their relationship. In her goodbye letter, Savannah regrets that she and John lost the magical bond they had. John carries a buffalo nickel that belonged to his dad and says it is a talisman of sorts.
Several dozen uses of words like p-ssed, screw, d--n, h---, crappy and a--appear. When a guy on the beach is cursing, Savannah politely asks him to watch his language because of the families around. John briefly describes some of what he's seen in Baghdad, including soldiers torn in pieces when hit by bombs and blood pooling in the streets, flowing past body parts.
John's military buddy Tony urges him to come along for a night of alcohol and women, but John refuses. There is mention of John's previous girlfriends and how they slept together. Savannah's friend talks about frat guys who get sorority girls pregnant. John says everyone in the Army has a box of dirty magazines under his bed. Savannah's Habitat for Humanity crewmembers strike John as college kids looking to "hook-up" with someone of the opposite sex. He's proven right when he and Savannah overhear some of the kids discussing their sexual escapades.
John admires Savannah in a bikini when they surf and looks down her shirt when she bends down to grab a bottle. Savannah tells John how she was drugged and nearly raped by a co-ed, and John promises he will always be a perfect gentleman. John and Savannah kiss a number of times. When John stays at Savannah's parents' house, Savannah sneaks into his room and sleeps in the same bed without having sex. John doesn't pressure Savannah to go against her beliefs and sleep with him, but she eventually offers herself to him. They have sex one night, and John can tell their relationship has changed for the worse afterward. After Savannah takes John to see Tim in the hospital, John sees her getting dressed at her home, and she does not turn away, as if showing her willingness to be with him again.
Discussion Topics
If your children have read this book or someone has read it to them, consider these discussion topics:
- Do people fall in love as quickly as John and Savannah did?
- What would you want or need to know about someone before you could fall in love with him/her?
- Is passion enough to keep two people together? Explain your answer.
What does the Bible say about love?
Can long-distance relationships be successful? Explain your answer.
- Why did John and Savannah's relationship fail?
What other challenges might a couple face when they spend most of their time apart?
Why does John give the money for Tim's treatment anonymously?
- What does he mean when he says that in any marriage, there is only room for two people?
- What might have happened if Savannah knew the money came from John?
What would you have done if you were John?
Why was John's dad's coin collecting so important to him?
- What are you passionate about?
How can you nurture this skill or hobby and keep the passion for it alive?
Why did Savannah let John see her partially naked while Tim was in the hospital?
- What kind of emotions might she have been feeling?
- Have you ever behaved in a way that was out of character during a time of extreme stress or grief?
Why is accountability an important thing to have?
Why didn't John stay around to comfort Savannah?
- Did he make the right choice in leaving? Why or why not?
Additional Comments/Notes
Alcohol: John drinks and parties a lot in his late teens. He drinks much less in the military. John's military buddy says tequila is an aphrodisiac, and he urges John to pick some up before his date with Savannah. Savannah never touched alcohol when they were together, so John is surprised to see her drinking wine when he visits after his dad's death. She says now she's the kind of person who enjoys a glass of wine in the evenings. She figures since Jesus turned water into wine, it can't be too much of a sin.
Smoking: John says everyone in the Army smoked, but he quit after joining the military.
Other: John's Army buddy talks him into getting some tattoos.
Producers often adapt books or use them as a springboard for a movie idea or change them to earn a specific rating. Because of this, a movie may differ from a novel. To better understand how this book and movie differ, compare the book review with PluggedIn Online's movie review.
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Episode Reviews
Readability Age Range
Nicholas Sparks
Record Label
Warner Books, a division of the Hachette Book Group USA
On Video
Year Published
The New York Times Bestseller, 2010


text: A transportation theme not only teaches children about what different vehicles are for and how they work, but it is also used to teach other important concepts such as safety when riding in a vehicle. Orchids The International School – Sarjapur, a well reputed International school near the HSR Layout, setup a theme for the month for the Pre-Nursery children, on the topic Transport. On Tuesday 15th September 2015 as a culmination to this theme, the School arranged for students to see an auto rickshaw and understand how it helps in transportation, This visit made children to get familiarize with some of the features of auto rickshaw , and children were taken for a ride in it too! Students also did an activity based on the same theme.


text:
The 16-year-old singer showed that he still has his inner child when dining at a posh London restaurant sporting a fake mustache and bringing along his toy.
Justin Bieber became the center of attention during dinner at a posh London restaurant on Thursday, December 2 night, by drawing a mustache on his face and playing around with a toy helicopter.
The pop star has been in the British capital for a promotional visit and took a break from work to visit upmarket Mayfair restaurant La Porte Des Indes. But the 16-year-old singer proved he is still a child at heart by messing around during the meal, scrawling a fake mustache on his upper lip in black ink and using a remote control toy.
He was pictured leaving the posh eaterie with the fake mustache still visible and flying the helicopter as he was guided to his car, according to Britain's Daily Mail.


text:
We are pleased to inform you that you may now access grades online.
All passwords for 2016-2017 have been reset. Students received pin slips with login instructions on Friday, August 26, 2016.
For detailed instructions, see attached document below before trying to log in.
Check your child's grades online by going to


text:
Interesting.8 identical homes.
Same area.Energy use varied from 3000 kWh/year less than the PV system produced to about 5000 kWh more....
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text:
Looks like The Waters At Elm Creek is no longer available on Rent.com which means this information is likely out of date.
Contact for details
Find a home with everything you want at Waters at Elm Creek. Our friendly community is conveniently situated near freeways and shopping centers in North Central San Antonio ? yet our park-like setting with oak trees and nearby trails feels like a peaceful retreat. Choose from five appealing floor plans, and enjoy our amenities including a 24-hour fitness center and refreshing swimming pool. Create your ideal urban lifestyle.
We allow non-aggressive breeds 40 lbs and under and with a 2 pet maximum. Shot records of pet by your Veterinarian must be turned in before actual move-in.
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Pet Deposit (refundable)-$100
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text:
Endangered Wolf Center Trivia Night 2014
When: Friday, March 14 at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Where: Kirkwood Community Center
111 South Geyer Road
Kirkwood, MO. 63122
Cost: $25 a person or $200 for a table of eight.
Sponsorships are available for $125 a round.
Sponsors can get a table for eight for a discounted price of $300.
Free beer is available for guests over age 21.
Complimentary snacks and sodas will be provided for all ages.
Glass bottles are not allowed.
Prizes for the top three scoring tables.
Prize for the best themed table.
Silent auction.
Great door prizes.
Raffle prizes.
50-50 raffle.
All proceeds benefit some of the world's most endangered animals. The Endangered Wolf Center is a non-profit 501c(3)
Call to reserve table ASAP:
Endangered Wolf Center
P.O. Box 760
Eureka, MO. 63025
Past dates
- Occurred Friday, March 14th, 2014 @ 7:00 pm


text:
1. Clover, 2. Birthday aftermath, 3. mmm,,, carrots, 4. A gift, 5. Shining light, 6. Household, 7. Apples, 8. Pencils, 9. Spool, 10. Crochet, 11. Fish, 12. Bloomin' Rose, 13. Drawing, 14. In the garden, 15. Letter from '38, 16. Power outage, 17. California Poppies, 18. Poppy, 19. Grass, 20. Tap, 21. Love spoons, 22. flower, 23. What happened to Spring?, 24. lily, 25. web, 26. shadow, 27. water drops, 28. fly, 29. another one?, 30. Flower, 31. J, 32. fly, 33. Flower, 34. Thinking about jumping, 35. Poppies, 36. Cars
I haven't been up to much this week in terms of making things, as J and my husband were ill. Usually I get a couple of evenings to myself a week, when my husband's at work and the kids are in bed. I did knock out a couple of invitations for the kids' joint birthday party, but that's as far as my efforts went, I'm afraid. I'm not planning on having a theme or fancy decorations. Just food and drink and space for the kids to run around. Here's a pic of the invites - I love these line drawings. They only take a few minutes to do.
I'll leave you with the Translation of the day:


text:
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 12/4/2013 (1592 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Generally, it's a bad idea to encourage Winnipeg to take its sweet time considering a new downtown development. Give 'em an inch, as the cliché goes, and they'll probably take a parsec.
But it's a relief to see the city take 11 months to decide to take as much as another 12 months to determine what the heck to do with Parcel Four, the downtown surface-parking lot that's been empty for decades.
To the surprise of absolutely nobody, the city has asked The Forks to lead a planning effort that will eventually see some form of development rise on two Forks-area surface lots. One is Parcel Four, the city-owned lot at the southwest corner of Waterfront Drive and William Stephenson Way. The other is the Railside development, a Forks-owned surface lot also situated west of Waterfront Drive, on the south side of York Avenue.
These parcels are among the last pieces of the puzzle known as The Forks neighbourhood, which was nothing more than a tangle of rail lines and underutilized warehouse buildings 25 years ago. The establishment of The Forks Market in 1989 kicked off decades of redevelopment that also saw the adaptive reuse of several old structures and the construction of Shaw Park, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Manitoba Theatre for Young People, Inn At The Forks, a skatepark, parkade and outdoor stage.
This build-out has been haphazard on occasion. The stage, once the site of performances that attracted more than 10,000 people, has been used only sparingly since the construction of the hotel.
Given this experience, The Forks has approached the idea of any further development in the neighbourhood with extreme caution. This is why the Railside site remains a surface lot even though it has long been slated for residential development.
In stark contrast is the city's attempt to slap a water park and hotel on Parcel Four in 2012. While that idea died for many reasons, the sheer contempt for the basic principles of urban planning was astounding, even for a city as contemptuous of planning as Winnipeg has tended to be over the decades.
Parcel Four has had a curious history since it was carved out of the unorganized mess of city property that resulted from the realignment of what's now William Stephenson Way. First, the city leased the land to Riverside Park Management, the non-profit organization that sublets several parcels of city land to the Winnipeg Goldeyes baseball club.
The Goldeyes used that land as a parking lot until 2008, when the resolution of a high-profile rent dispute with Riverside Park Management led the city to reclaim control. During the entire period of the lease, no development of Parcel Four was permitted, as the gravel lot was reserved for future use by The Forks, at first. Later, it was pegged as the site of a potential parking structure for the human rights museum.
Given the city's stated intention of consulting with The Forks and the museum, only willing ignorance could have cooked up the plan to sell Parcel Four to an Alberta hotel chain that would have fulfilled Mayor Sam Katz's long-held dream of spending $7 million worth of public funds on a private water park.
There was no planning, no consultation and certainly no option for any other Winnipeg developer to get a crack at this prime piece of real estate. Consultations planned for the next year by the city and The Forks will go a long way to restoring public confidence in the way the city disposes of valuable land.
The mayor has said he would like to see Parcel Four become a park. It's a terrible idea, as only some form of dense development could create a connection between the Portage and Main commercial core and The Forks.
Parcel Four is also way too valuable to be set aside as green space. Estimates of its value have ranged from $6 million to $11 million, while development would generate new property taxes for both the city and province.
Some form of dense development would not preclude the possibility of public space at the site. "A beautiful public space makes sense," Forks North Portage president and CEO Jim August said Friday.
The dual planning effort will also allow The Forks to finally proceed with its residential plans for the Railside site, which must be renamed. "You don't want to be marketing anything as 'Railside' with all the trains coming by," August joked.
Downtown Winnipeg already has an abundance of underutilized public space. What it needs is more development, which in turn will encourage even more development.
The challenge for The Forks and for the city is to ensure their neighbours -- the human rights museum, the Goldeyes and Provencher Boulevard businesses, for starters -- are at the very least consulted about the plans.


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We are recruiting an engineering director to play a key leadership role in building our next-gen Big Data predictive analytics platform & products with a focus on B2B marketing/sales. The person will join a group filled with talented people, including many with background from7/18/2017 San Mateo, CA Save This Job
We are looking for a Director of IT to create and drive the strategic vision of Information Technology at Sprout. You will align technology with Sproutâs company goals, while building and leading the team supporting our growing business.8/14/2017 Chicago, IL Save This Job
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Sprout Social is looking for a Director of Quality Assurance who can help bring to life our vision of quality as a key pillar in our Engineering organization. As the shepherd of our QA team, you'll have the privilege of coaching, mentoring, and hiring some of the brightest minds7/11/2017 Chicago, IL Save This Job
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After raising $30,000 last year, organizers of Woodstock High School's St. Baldrick's Foundation event hope to double that amount this year.
The St. Baldrick's Foundation is a volunteer-driven charity that funds more childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U.S. government. Essentially, each event is organized by local businesses, individuals and organizations. At the events, people volunteer to shave their heads in return for donations. Other volunteers, such as shavers, are needed to complete the events.
WHS will host two events — one geared toward community members and the other toward students and faculty.
"There was so much support last year, but a lot of people couldn't make it [to the event]," said WHS Principal Corey Tafoya. During the 2011 fundraiser, the school hosted an assembly at the end of the school day, when many community members were at work.
This year, a community event will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 15, in the Jim Shipley Gymnasium.
"Anyone who signs up can come in at any time for that event," Tafoya said.
By offering a later event, Tafoya said he hopes to draw church groups, local organizations, businesses and individuals. He said, because the event is specifically geared toward people outside the school, residents may be more comfortable getting involved.
"We're trying to figure out how to keep up the sizzle," Tafoya said.
From 2:45 to 3:15 p.m. Friday, March 16, WHS will host an event for the school community, which will include local "celebrities."
Tafoya said last year's event and the excitement in the school leading up to it was "unlike anything [he's] ever experienced." The school initially hoped to raise $5,000, but ended up with six times that amount.
"We really didn't know what to expect," he said.
Tafoya said he remembered one female student was debating whether or not she would cut her hair. She agreed to do so if she could raise $50 during her lunch period.
"We were able to raise about $125 in about three minutes," Tafoya said. "She walked up right then and got her hair cut."
To sign up or donate to the event, visit www.stbaldricks.org.
Last year alone, the St. Baldrick's Foundation raised about $28.4 million. Since 2005, they have raised about $78.8 million.


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to:Jules from UK
Between June and Dec of '03, I rec'd 12 trtmnts of Gemzar and Cisplatin.Generally,
they were 6-hr. infusions,primed with Kytril and Decadron to ready my system for
possible nausea/'rough ride'.Thankfully, I experienced only 5 min. of nausea for the ENTIRE course.At the time I was a fairly healthy and active 54-yr old--non-drinker/
non-smoker/blue-collar physical worker, maybe 15-20 lbs over my ideal weight.I k
tried to (and still do) pay att to my diet, with emphasis on avoiding greasy/"heavy"
foods, late-nite eating,over-eating.The nutritionists emphasized "grazing"---small,
slow,easily-digested meals 5 or 6 times a day.I had to yield to a little "cancer-fighting" ice cream!!Daily exercise--especially walking---is essential.Mental and spiritual exercise is also irreplaceable.This was a good start in treating my cancer,
and I have subsequently had stereotactic(high-intensity/highly focused and accurate)
radiation and am now doing oral chemo.My "D-Day" actually was D-Day--June 6th,
2003.That also coincided with Nat'l Cancer Survivor's Day!!!!!What karma!On June 10th,we met with a chaplain/counselor and she asked whaat my diagnosis date was.
June 6th, I replied."Well then, you alredy are a 4-day survivor!!!"God, how true...
I am grateful today and EVERY day.
I also have been involved with a 12-step recovery group for years, and that is a large part of maintainiing my attitude.And, I have been fortunate enuf to become involved with Reiki.I first rec'd Reiki in infusion, then went on to take the course--
up to becoming a 'master' and VOLUNTEER.Full circle!!!!Early on, I heard a woman say:"Cancer is NOT a sentence---it is ONLY a word!"Bon Chance and God bless,Tim.
|La fundación de colangiocarcinoma (CCF) ahora ofrece servicios de traducción en Español.
Por favor publique sus preguntas en Español y un intérprete le va responder.
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After 10 years, we're upgrading our discussion board to a new modern system. The new forum will be easier to use, mobile-friendly and loaded with new features! We'll be taking all of the existing posts and users over to the new board, you won't have to do anything. If you have any questions, we've started a thread here to discuss.


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Keeping Up With Tax Laws — No. 1 Concern of Practitioners
Keeping up with federal tax law changes is, as we know, an absolute must. And the smaller the firm, the more difficult the task.
October 17, 2011
In a recent AICPA survey, solo practitioners and smaller firms cited keeping up with tax laws and their growing complexity as a major issue. The AICPA article pointed out that the survey was last taken in 2009 "in the immediate aftermath of the economic meltdown," so the issue of client retention was at that time the No. 1 concern.
But this year, because federal tax laws seem so mercurial and shifting, it has been tough to get a firm grasp on them and keeping up with tax changes has risen to the top of the charts.
In an effort to assist, in early September the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Department of Health and Human Services decided to reach out to small employers and their professional service providers about the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit. The credit — which was part of last year's Affordable care Act — targets organizations that have 25 or fewer employees.
The IRS's outreach campaign works primarily with the tax software industry, insurance agents, brokers and carriers who work with small businesses, and practitioners who provide webinars and other educational offerings.
Changes Keep on Coming
In mid-September President Obama said tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires helped add to the enormous debt the country faces, and presented his fourth package of cost-cutting plans for the year.
Obama's most recent plan includes tax increases for corporations and for some individuals that could amount to about $1.5 trillion in tax hikes over the next decade, primarily aimed at the very rich. The new plan includes the "Buffett Rule," named after billionaire Warren Buffett, would disallow the extremely wealthy from enjoying lower tax rates than the middle class.
Buffett has suggested that the country's mega-wealthy residents pay more taxes than they have in the past, adding that he believes it's unfair that his tax rate is lower than his secretary's.
One of the other murky federal tax areas practitioners must navigate involves unmarried couples who cohabitate. A letter sent to IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman and signed by 74 members of the House of Representatives urges that the IRS move fast to settle "serious issues" faced by domestic partners and same-sex couples, many of whom still aren't sure how to pay their 2010 taxes.
Help for Tax Practitioners
In response to the demand for this year's tax update programs, CPE Link has scheduled 25 live webcasts covering individual and corporate tax updates. Sessions run from November 14 through January 13 and include four expert speakers to help practitioners get up to speed: Vern Hoven (CPA, EA), Dennis Gerschick (Attorney, CPA, Chartered Financial Analyst), Albert Grasso (tax attorney) and Eva Rosenberg (MBA, EA). For those who prefer to study at
their own pace, self-study versions will be available by late November.
Rosenberg, who is also known as the Internet's Tax Mama, points out that practitioners must have top-notch ethics, conduct thorough research, be up on the latest technology and combine "the skills of a diplomat" with mind-reading.
And since it's impossible to tell how federal tax laws are going to change in a year, or even in a few months, Rosenberg urges practitioners to "always make notes about conversations with the IRS or with clients. You never know what will be significant later."
Her list of things to keep track of include the date, time, all contact information — phone, fax, e-mail, etc. — as well as a summary of key discussion points and any agreements or "to-do" items and their deadlines.
CPE Link instructor Dennis Gerschick also urges practitioners not to let the "tax tail wag the dog," and points out that minimizing taxes should not override the goal of making money. The overriding goal of most investors is to maximize their after-tax income, taking into account their risk tolerance. With the overwhelming complexity of changing tax laws, that is a daunting task.
Concerned about the cost of training? CPE Link offers a Value Pass for individuals and a Firm Advantage Pass for firms that make keeping up to date affordable for everyone. CPE Link is ready to educate practitioners on this year's tax changes.
Are you ready for tax season?


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Medical Definition of Gene, Y-linked
Gene, Y-linked: A gene on the Y chromosome.
(Y-linkage is analogous to X-linkage (the presence of a gene on the X chromosome) in that it says a gene is on one of the sex chromosomes.)
It has often been said that little is known about genes that may be Y-linked. This is no longer true. As of the year 2012, about three dozen genes were known to be Y-linked including:
Last Editorial Review: 7/1/2016
Back to MedTerms online medical dictionary A-Z List
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Amlak selects four banks to lead IPO
Amlak Finance has announced the financial institutions that are to manage its Initial Public Offering (IPO) from January 18 to 28, 2004. Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB), National Bank of Sharjah and Dubai Bank have been appointed as the Receiving Banks and SHUAA Capital will be the Lead Manager.
Amlak is to offer 55 percent of its shares to the public at a price of Emirati dirham ($27) per share while the existing founding shareholders Emaar Properties will retain a 45 percent stake in the company.
The move will result in an increase in the company's capital from Dh 110 million to Dh 750 million. It will also serve to enhance the financial capabilities of the organization allowing it to expand and increase its funding options.
The IPO is open to individuals and corporate entities from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries as well as expatriates residing within the UAE. — (menareport.com)
© 2004 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
Top Headlines
- Jordan: Jordinvest concludes IPO preparations for Inwan Investment PLC – to become Amlak Finance
- Amlak IPO closes today
- El-Quqa: Global's track record and expertise make it the ideal manager for an IPO and Pre-IPO fund
- Jordan: Amlak Finance IPO briefing sheds lights into investing in business hub & real estate capital markets


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For over thirty years I worked in youth and family services and during the last two decades I have combined this experience with fiber, stitching and color to create work that explores portraiture, memory, social change and community. Learning to sew as a youngster was the beginning of my art making. It has now led to designing and fabricating contemporary quilts and mixed media art. My work is a combination of narrative quilting that explores African American history and personal stories along with figurative work showcasing women and men both past and present. I continue to use a variety of fibers, threads, paper, paint and found objects to present ideas that interest me. I combine piecing and design techniques associated with African American quilts but may include raw edge appliqué, fusing, extensive stitching, slashing, paper, paint, plastic, beads, buttons, recycled materials or just about anything that strikes my fancy. I continue to add to my collection of old photos for inspiration as I explore memory, history and culture.
Lovin' the texture. So would these pieces be considered collages?
© 2010-2017 Created by BLACK ART IN AMERICA™ / Copyright 2010-2017 BLACK ART IN AMERICA. LLC All Rights Reserved Worldwide.


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Losing My Mother
by Joseph Iudica
Many teens report that their mother is the most significant influence in their lives. My case is not that different. My mother greatly influenced my life through the way she lived, but even more so through the way she died.
Even while dying, my mother lived. In her deepest pain, she experienced joy in being with my father, my two sisters and me. Her desire to be a mother everyday, first and foremost, was a living, breathing lesson of love and parenting. Our last Christmas together gave me a picture of her strength that is forever ingrained in my mind. Even though her body was weak and her pain was visible, she smiled and celebrated. In her death, she brought my family together. We grew closer because of our combined loss and learned to lean on one another when times were tough.
My mother taught me that family comes first and matters most. Material possessions can be replaced, but loved ones are irreplaceable. For nearly four years, my mother battled with brain cancer. She endured multiple surgeries and painful treatments. Willing to do whatever it took to fight her cancer, she traveled long distances to receive treatment. My mother did all of this with a smile on her face, hiding the pain from her loved ones. When doctors told her she would never walk again after surgery, she proved them wrong, taking her first steps within two weeks. Her drive and determination compels me never to give up and always to try my hardest.
My mother's memory lives in me today. I am frequently reminded of her perseverance when I am exhausted and want to stop studying for an exam or stop running in a soccer game. When I want to give up, I envision my mom's grace and stoicism during her painful battle, and I am filled with strength and determination to finish what I started.
My mother's illness and death has had a lasting impact on my family and me. We have grown much closer as a family and have found closure through each other. As an individual, I have grown into a mature young man. The trials I have lived through have tested my strength and resiliency. If my mother were still alive today, my goal would be to make her proud of me. But somehow, I know in my heart, she already is.
How Do I Help My Grieving Teen?By Laura Serazin, MA, ATR, CTC, Children's Program Coordinator, Cornerstone of Hope Bereavement Center
Over the years I have received many calls from concerned parents about their grieving teens. They say things like, "He doesn't cry," or "Her grades have gone down," or "He's so angry." Negative behaviors, signs of depression, or problems with school and sleep are common reactions amongst teens. The challenge is that although teens may look like adults, they are still developing their coping skills. Emotionally they react more like children than adults. When death occurs teens often find themselves feeling more like a child, but try to make others think they have everything under control.
Grieving teens need support at home and at school. It is typical for grades to go down for a semester and sometimes the first year. Even if teens are resistant to informing their teachers about their loss it is best to work with the school counselor or principal to inform the teachers. Your teen's grief will most likely affect school work, grades and getting assignments completed on time. Teachers are often willing to work with students to extend deadlines or give extra help when needed. It is a good idea for parents to check in with their teens before grades take a drastic turn.
Educating teens about grief is also important. There are great books such as "Help for the Hard Times," by Earl Hipp that explains what is normal for a grieving teen. This helps decrease their anxiety that there is something "wrong" with them. Sometimes grief groups are available at schools or through area grief centers or hospices. Individual counseling is also an option. If teens are resistant to grief counseling, encourage them to give it a try two or three times first. You may have to bribe them a little, but most often once they try it, they discover it is helpful and want to stay. If not, they may not be ready. Everyone has a different time table for their grief. Often teens postpone some of their grieving until they are more mature or have a more emotionally stable environment. Encourage them to find some way to let their feelings out. Writing poetry, journaling, art and music are all healthy ways to express their grief.