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This course focuses on the personal investment portfolio. Review of securities such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and other investments, along with principles of portfolio management, will be included. Goals, objectives, risk tolerance, and time constraints will determine the strategy that is used to build a portfolio of mutual funds, stocks, or bonds. Review of events in today's dynamic and complex markets will be discussed. Special attention will be paid to interest rates and their impact on securities.
Aspects of private studio teaching including pedagogy, literature, technology, and business considerations. Philosophy and attitudes essential to the successful private instructor. Choosing appropriate methods and materials. Overview of new technological resources for the private teacher.
A detailed overview of how to successfully start and grow a music-related business as an artist-entrepreneur, from initial idea and planning to effectively managing and marketing your company. A primary course outcome will be imagining a business idea expressed as a written business plan.
Development of career goals from musical interests and aspirations, and behaviors that will foster and enable the transition from student to professional. Development of career-oriented communication and presentational skills.
A seminar in which students receive individualized guidance in the preparation and completion of their graduation project.
A seminar in which students receive individualized guidance in the preparation and completion of their final project. Students will develop an approach and timeline, self-evaluative criteria for assessment of their project upon completion, and gain an understanding of current and future trends in the music industry as they relate to both the final project and the student's broader career goals. This course is a remotely delivered version of the current PM-475 Professional Music Capstone Project.
Monitored and evaluated professional work experience in a retail, entrepreneurial, or corporate environment matched to the student's individual career goals. Placement is limited to situations available from or approved by the Office of Experiential Learning and the Professional Music Department chair or a designee. To apply for an internship, students must see the internship coordinator in the Office of Experiential Learning prior to registering. Note: Equivalent credit for prior experience is not available due to the requirement of concurrent contract between the employer/supervisor and the college. International students in F-1 status must obtain authorization on their Form I-20 from the Counseling and Advising Center prior to beginning an internship.
A course focused on all aspects of artistic and business development, organization, and learning required skills and techniques for creating and operating a successful professional-level event and general business band. This class also includes a performance component. This course meets once weekly for two hours. Techniques taught include how to form a general business band, marketing and production skills, demos, auditioning and showcases, repertoire development, staging, movement, audience communication, and effective organizational behaviors and business development as applied to a professional performance setting. Each week's class will include a general business lecture component and a performance component in an ensemble-like setting. As part of the class, students will practice performing on their instrument in a setting designed to simulate the practices and techniques required in the professional general business band environment. Assignments will be tailored to build on knowledge and gain skills in important aspects of founding, directing, marketing, and operating effective performing groups.
This course provides an introduction to the fundamental concepts of finance. Various techniques of analysis that reveal the relationships of risk, return, and value are demonstrated. Topics include financial analysis, reporting and planning, long- and short-term forecasting, the time value of money, managing working capital, capital budgeting, and the nature of corporate securities and capital structure.
This course will provide a strategic, step-by-step process to producing a fully customized plan for marketing one's music and career as a serious DIY musician while taking advantage of new technologies to independently build awareness. This course teaches students complete marketing process from vision through execution utilizing fundamental concepts employed by top innovative companies, while encouraging students to find their creative niche, and uphold their artistic vision. Topics include an integrated mix of online and offline strategies that extend beyond just the traditional marketing methods and the latest Internet and social media promotion tips.
This course develops students' awareness and provides hands-on, real-world experiences of music and entertainment as a business. Students will conduct self-directed research into their future career path in addition to developing and applying strategies for independent music success. Areas covered include (but are not limited to) research, resources and techniques used in making the transition from college to career, entrepreneurship, self-promotion and self-presentation skills (written and verbal), digital marketing and social media techniques, networking in a new music economy, leveraging opportunity, copyright, performing rights organizations, financial management, and general business techniques (contracts, negotiating, intermediaries). Business development planning will also be discussed and applied.
This class is designed to offer fundamentals of movement and dance for musicians. Each session includes a brief warm up followed by a dance combination and/or work on body awareness, coordination, use of time and space, development of internal pulse, and stage presence, etc. No prior dance experience is necessary. The class may be repeated for additional credit.


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Search results for '4010028K'Search Tip: In case you not finding your item, try searching a partial keyword. Like 'U51409' instead of 'U51409RM' or 'Hoover 6485 Belt' in stead of 'U6485900 Belt'. Most of the times we have the item listed as part #. E.g. search for '5055 Bags' or 'Kenmore Q Bags' instead of 'Kenmore 29229 Bags'. And sometimes the item may be listed for the entire series. like "Samsung 7000 series bag" instead of ""samsung sc7910 vacuum bag". In case you are have any issue finding item, please feel free to send us an email and we will be happy to assist you.
Hoover K 4010028K Vacuum Bags - 3 Pack$8.99This is the most hygenic methods to deal with dirt, bacteria, and virus found in your carpet. Fits Models: all Hoover Spirit, Encore,...Save this Item (?Save this item for future orders.)
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
Dublin Sees Spike In Catalytic Converter Thefts
Dublin police responded to 14 calls about catalytic converter thefts in about a month and a half.
According to Dublin police, the incidents occurred from mid-March to April 29.
The thefts occurred along Upper Metro Place, Metro Place South, Blazer Memorial Parkway, Rings Road, Sawmill Road, Village parkway, Cramer Creek Court and Emerald Parkway.
Dublin police said that most of the thefts occurred on week days, and the most common vehicles targeted have been Toyotas, Jeeps and Hondas.
The thefts have occurred in business parking lots.
Anyone with information about the thefts is asked to call Dublin police at 614-889-1112.
Police said they currently had no one of interest in connection with the thefts.
Watch 10TV News and refresh 10TV.com for more information.


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Shortly before the departure of NetJets chairman and founder Richard Santulli, NetJets Europe achieved its goal of reducing flight crew capacity by 60,000 pilot duty days per year in response to declining demand for its fractional ownership and block charter services. The reductions have been made after a three-month consultation process that has persuaded significant numbers of flight crew to take one of the following five options: either a long- or short-term leave of absence, job sharing, part-time work or voluntary layoff/retirement. In the process, the company has avoided the need for any compulsory layoffs.
The most popular option, taken up by 381 of the 1,046 pilots employed by NetJets Europe, was job sharing. This involves two pilots' teaming up so that each works one-year-on and one-year-off over a four-year period. Another 87 pilots agreed to take voluntary layoff/retirement.
Thirty-one pilots chose to take a leave of absence ranging in duration from three to 24 months. Five pilots opted for part-time terms that cut annual duty days to between 120 and 150. Apart from those who have taken voluntary redundancy, all the pilots now covered by one of the revised working arrangements have remained under NetJets Europe employment contracts and are not permitted to work for direct competitors while not working directly for NetJets.
Robert Dranitzke, COO of NetJets Europe, acknowledged that the company could have achieved the necessary payroll savings more quickly and easily by simply laying off pilots. A company spokesman told AIN that it had opted to engage with the pilots to draw up an alternative means of making the cuts to preserve "company culture" and to pave the way for smooth transition in the anticipated upturn in demand for fractional ownership when the flight crew count will need to be increased again.
In a consultation process that began in April, a working group of NetJets Europe pilots and management evaluated 20 possible downsizing solutions and settled on five options. The pilots' responses to these options actually resulted in a prospective cut of 6,000 more annual pilot duty days than needed to be achieved and so the company turned down some offers to reduce working time. The overall goal had been to reduce its €100 million ($140 million) annual pilot wage bill by a "significant" but undisclosed amount.
It is an indicator of how quickly the fortunes of business aviation have shifted that barely two years ago NetJets Europe faced exactly the reverse challenge: it couldn't recruit enough suitably qualified pilots quickly enough. This prompted the company to launch an innovative ab initio training program to prepare hand-picked candidates to join its ranks after earning pilot certificates at the UK's Oxford Aviation Academy.
The first nine graduates from this program joined the company as recently as February, and 16 are now on the payroll as first officers progressing with their line training. These pilots have been included in the same consultation process over future work options as their established flight crew colleagues.
NetJets Europe has accepted a total of 68 trainees for the ab initio program. Of these, 52 are still at various stages of training. They have been offered a paid long-term leave of absence under which they will complete the ab initio training but will then defer the start of line training with the company until market conditions have improved and the other line pilots have been recalled. The alternative offer was voluntary termination of their contracts, with compensation; only four students took this option. By March next year, all of the remaining trainees are set to graduate from Oxford and no more ab initio trainees will be taken on until market conditions improve.
"NetJets sees these measures as a long-term commitment to our pilots," said the company in a statement. "They will continue with completion of all parts of the course, including the NetJets specifics as planned, which will ensure we maintain the very high standards already set for all pilots joining NetJets."


text: I can connect my PC to the wifi tether system but the internet only worked twice (no idea why). I tried uninstalling/reinstalling several times, tried changing encryption status but nothing seemed to make a difference. If anyone has any thoughts that may help I'd be glad to hear them. Thanks. I've searched through all relevant threads I could before posting.


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A BASINGSTOKE grandmother has criticised Sentinel Housing Association after they raised the rent for her garage by 20 per cent.
Jean Hughes, of Normanton Road, Oakridge, was told by the Kingsclere Road-based housing association earlier this year that it was increasing her rent from £10 per week to £12 per week, meaning that she will have to pay an extra £104 a year to rent her garage in a nearby block.
The 70-year-old grandmother-of-two has called on Sentinel to lower the rent back to the original rate because she believes it is not justified.
She claims that Sentinel does not maintain the garages and has only been out to paint them twice in 30 years.
The mother-of-two told The Gazette: "Two coats of paint in 30 years is not maintaining them. Some of the garages are not being rented out and I feel they are putting the rent up on ours because they aren't renting them all out.
"I also have to pay 20 per cent value added tax on that for them to do nothing, really. We have had it broken into a few times.
"I want to see them put the rent back down to £10 a week or at least be in line with inflation as this is well above inflation.
"Two-and-half per cent wouldn't have been quite as bad but an extra £2 a week on top of everything else is hard."
Angela Gibson, income and lettings manager at Sentinel Housing Association, said: "We raised our garage rental prices earlier this year. This was the first time we'd increased them since 2008 when the Government changed the rate of VAT.
"We have a rolling, five-year programme of work, which we carry out on our garages. This includes looking at the roof, the condition of the doors, timber frame repairs and re-decoration.
"This year we're improving 600 of our garages. As we don't think it's fair for customers who live in our homes to subsidise the cost of doing this work the rental income we get from our garage customers will help to pay for the improvements we're making."


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The paper can be found in the IEEE Xplore database. What a great Christmas present :-)
Take a special look at the keywords. These are only visible for IEEE members, so here is a screenshot:
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Finally the paper is available in the IEEEXplore database
Posted by Schlangemann at 8:55 PM
1 comment:
- AnonymousApril 20, 2010 at 4:17 PM
Your paper is wonderful. I suggest you check out this paper, published at the SAME CONFERENCE: A Methodology for the Investigation of Reinforcement Learning.ReplyDelete
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Built in 2012, we have created three self-contained cabins that echo the woodsmen's cabins of the past.
Simply and elegantly furnished, they offer a snug and comfortable retreat for two people.
Each cabin has:
- kitchen facilities (fridge, microwave, kettle, toaster, electric hob, crockery & cutlery)
- ensuite shower room
- towels & linen provided
- television
- heating
- balcony with outdoor seating
One cabin is fully wheelchair accessible and has a queen bed. The other two cabins have super king or twin beds.
We have a laundry, cars and bicycles available for our guests to use. Anchorstone accommodation provides the perfect place to recharge your batteries, surrounded by natural woodland and wonderful views across Horseshoe Bay.
To book your holiday visit our Rates and Reservations page.
Kath Kain
Horseshoe Bay Road
Stewart Island
Stewart Island


text: Avnet, Inc. (NYSE: AVT) announced today that it has acquired TSSLink, Inc., an IT professional services organization providing technical support, consulting and outsourcing services, field product installation, end-user training and technical staff augmentation. Headquartered in San Jose, California, TSSLink's certified engineers provide field services across North America assisting business partners with value-add consulting for storage and virtualization solutions. These services include order management, field installation, configuration and implementation. For the calendar year 2011, TSSLink generated revenue of $10.5 million and will be integrated into the Avnet Technology Solutions, Americas services organization. "This acquisition supports the strategic expansion of our services portfolio and further strengthens our ability to deliver a comprehensive IT solution for our business partners," said Jeff Bawol, president Avnet Technology Solutions, Americas. "A key component of our solutions distribution strategy is the ability to drive growth for our suppliers and value-added resellers in markets where demand is continually increasing, such as storage and virtualization." Founded in 2004, TSSLink also provides IT audit and compliance leadership, disaster recovery and business continuity planning consulting and technical support. "In our data-reliant world, the services TSSLink delivers are integral components of every business' operations," said Tony Vottima, senior vice president, Avnet Technology Solutions, Americas services organization. "By providing these services, we are able to support our business partners throughout the entire IT lifecycle which in turn enables them to focus on their core competencies and achieve their growth goals." This acquisition is expected to be immediately accretive to earnings and supports Avnet's return on capital goal of 12.5%. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in facts and circumstances. The forward-looking statements herein include statements addressing future financial and operating results of Avnet and may include words such as "will," "anticipate," "expect," believe," "intend," and "should," and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussions of future operating or financial performance or business prospects. Actual results may vary materially from the expectations contained in the forward-looking statements.


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Ex OLTLer to Springfield as Current OLTLer Leaves Llanview
Soap vet Tonja Walker-Davidson (ex-Alex, OLTL) is back on daytime. The favorite actress will join the cast of Guiding Light in the short-term role of Marie Green beginning Oct. 3, 2003.
Davidson was hand-picked by GL executive producer John Conboy (shown at right) whom she worked with on Capitol, to play Marie.
"He told me it wasn't a very big role, so he wasn't sure if I'd be interested, but I was just thrilled he called me," she shares. "I hadn't seen him in a long time."
Davidson, who was nominated for a Tony this spring as associate producer of the Broadway play "Enchanted April," is keeping her day job. She's secured the rights for the Florida tour of "Enchanted April," and she's gearing up to produce the independent feature "Stranglehold."
With a multitude of projects throughout the eastern seaboard, the busy actress is racking up her frequent flier miles. "My daughter's in kindergarten, so I think it's about time I get back to work," she declares.
As Davidson heads to Guiding Light, David Fumero (Cristian, OLTL) will be departing One Live to Live in October - and this time he's really leaving.
Two years ago, Fumero first announced his intentions to leave the fictional town of Llanview, Pennsylvania. Gary Tomlin, then the executive producer of One Life to Live, convinced the fan -favorite actor to stick around the show for another contract cycle. According to Fumero, Tomlin pestered him "every day, trying to convince me to stay." Tomlin's persistence obviously won out and Fumero inked a new contract that kept him on the show.
In making his decision to leave One Life to Live this time, Fumero expressed a desire to "move on" to other projects. One Life to Live was Fumero's first acting job - and Fumero had never expected to be an actor. "I was planning to be an architect or engineer," Fumero states.
Exactly what is next for Fumero isn't exactly known but he is expected to relocate from New York to the West Coast to pursue primetime projects. Coincidentally, Fumero's off-and-on girlfriend, Erin Torpey (ex-Jessica Buchanan, One Life to Live) is now living there. Fumero will last air in late October and the role of Cristian will not be recast.
How will the character of Cristian be written off the show? We will just have to tune in to find out!
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The Psychopaths in the Office
Former Nottingham Trent University business professor Clive R. Boddy is hot on the trail of one of the crucial social questions of our time: Are the people at the helm of our financial institutions "corporate psychopaths" who lack a "conscience, have few emotions and display an inability to have any feelings, sympathy or empathy for other people"?
Unfortunately, Boddy's short essay, published in the Journal of Business Ethics, is inconclusive. But the evidence promises a fascinating debate for those who take it up, one that could lead to a radical reworking of the way we organize and run all of our major institutions. –ARK
San Francisco Chronicle:
Boddy doesn't name names, but the type of personality he describes is recognizable to all from the financial crisis.
He says the unnamed "they" seem "to be unaffected" by the corporate collapses they cause. These psychopaths "present themselves as glibly unbothered by the chaos around them, unconcerned about those who have lost their jobs, savings and investments, and as lacking any regrets about what they have done. They cheerfully lie about their involvement in events, are very convincing in blaming others for what has happened and have no doubts about their own worth and value. They are happy to walk away from the economic disaster that they have managed to bring about, with huge payoffs and with new roles advising governments how to prevent such economic disasters."


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Allison Williams Shows Off Her 'Girls' (PHOTOS)
Allison Williams isn't afraid to bare her bod.Her Girls character Marnie Michaels may be a bit on the conservative side on the hit HBO series, but actress
While vacationing in Miami this weekend, the 24-year-old was spotted kicking back in a black bikini as she relaxed by the pool of her resort. Sporting a matching large brimmed hat, the breakout star was all smiles as she caught some rays in the sun.
On a recent episode of Chelsea Lately, the actress admitted she had to prepare her family before they viewed her character's most-recent graphic encounter, where Marnie had awkward sex with a gay man (Book of Mormon's Andrew Rannells).
"People are vomiting in their chairs," she told talk show host Chelsea Handler.
Launch the gallery above to see more snapshots from Williams' Floridian vacation.
Celebuzz Single Player No Autoplay (CORE)
No changes are to be made to this player
No changes are to be made to this player


text:
I've made a simple program and found a couple of bugs in it. Here is my question.
1.) How do I calculate the patch offset?
2.) How do I write to that offset?
Printable View
I've made a simple program and found a couple of bugs in it. Here is my question.
1.) How do I calculate the patch offset?
2.) How do I write to that offset?
if you're in a linux system, typeand follow the directions. i'm not sure on the details of making patches, but to apply them 9 times out of 10 you type:Code:
man patch
don't know what you do for windows. there's probably a utility somewhereCode:
patch -p0 < patch_goes_here
I need to know how i would do this in a windows OS.
just replace the exe with the new one. thats the easiest way. to make it even more easy on you, split up the program in dlls and modules, that way you can update just the file thats has changed. one way i do it for my game is that i have the game logic as binary files of executable code, that i load on runtime and execute. whenever one of the files is changed, i just update that file. and in most cases files are < 10k. this is on the other hand, not as easy to do. the binary fileloader/executer is no simple thing. But I'll go with DLLs for splitting up the program into smaller parts.
Patching an EXE is tricky, since a change you did to the program might affect more in the exe than just part you changed. Your changes will change the compilers options for optimizing, so the code can change more than you know...
Here is the problem.
Where learning to use the debuger
My teacher gave the class a program and told us to make a patch to fix an error in it.
It is using strncpy() to copy one array into another. Just for example
well maxLen has a simple "off by 1 error" where it writes over the end of the array.Code:
strncpy(aString, sCopyTo, maxLen);
That is a definite no no.
I don't have the source, and the only file i/o she when over is storing text files.
To be more specific, how do you go to a certain place in a file, then write to that location?
I can look up the hex value of the asm, but she also wanted us to know the page offset, and patch offset. These I have not been able to find any information on.
So could someone tell me how to do this?


text:
– In this pack there is a plateau of 7.50 meters, 9.50 meters of tea and a tray of 12 meters. They are all in 2 axles.
– Has all the original features including washable.
– Automatic folding stand.
– Ability to block the balls by pressing O from the tractor.
– Ability to expand / collapse the feed trays of 7.50 and 9.50 meters by pressing 5 and 6 from the tractor.
Thank you to keep the original links and to properly identify the authors in the event of a tie.
Any sharing of a change in the trays Pack is prohibited without our permission.
3D : Raxash
Textures & Script : lulu88520


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From 11:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 11th, Schooner's Seafood & Steakhouse at 5 South Main St., Brewer will offer veterans a free meal from the select Veterans Day menu. This offer is available to active-duty, National Guard, and Reserve military personnel and retired veterans.
The select menu will be available at regular prices to family members, who are also invited to attend. The menu will feature entree choices like carved turkey, stuffed pork roulade, vegetarian lasagna, and a Maine shepherd's pie. Veterans may also select a free dessert like apple crisp or bread pudding.
Schooner's has a long-standing tradition of hosting a Veterans Day dinner, and this year will be no different. Proprietors Mike and Sharine Kessock "are proud to host dinner for the men and women that have served in the military, as they are truly the backbone of this country."
Mike Kessock said that "I come from a patriotic, military family." His father served in the Air Force for 26 years and was stationed at Dow Air Force Base in Bangor.
After graduating from the University of Maine in 1966, Kessock served as a Navy pilot for six years. "It was a tough six years. but in many ways it was the best six years of my life. The guys in my squadron were the greatest bunch of guys," remembered Kessock. Of the 65 people in his graduating class, 61 went to Vietnam. He did not.
When asked about the homecoming that Vietnam-era servicemen and -women received, Kessock said, "It was a different time, and homecoming was quite a bit different back then. I know how these men and women feel as they return home, and I have the highest respect for troop greeters who welcome them back."
Kessock wants to thank veterans for their service, and the tradition of offering a free meal to veterans is the restaurant's way of expressing that thanks.
Patrons are strongly encouraged to call the restaurant at (207) 989-5389 to make a reservation for this Veterans Day event, as seating is limited.


text:
Internal Medicine
Community Health Systems
Gaffney, South Carolina
Full Time
Gaffney Medical Center is looking for a BC/BE Family Practice or Internal Medicine physician to join (2) others in a Single Specialty Group.
2016/2017 Start Date
- Hospital Employed Clinic; Outpatient Practice
- (2) or More Years of Practice Experience Preferred
- Guarantee year (1) with RVU years (2) and (3)
Possible offer may include:
- Competitive Salary
- Commencement Bonus
- Relocation Assistance
- Marketing Assistance
- CME Assistance
- Medical Education Debt Assistance
- Health Insurance
- Live Insurance
- Vacation
Sorry, this is NOT an opportunity for Search Firm recruiters. Thank you.


text:
LORAC Croc Palette
LORAC Croc Palette Reviews
Great colorsGreat color and a nice travel compact for everything you need for eyes and cheeks. — 6 years, 8 months agoPamela937 | 542 reviews
Good qualitySome brands will put lower quality products in their palettes, but not this one. They have the same high quality as their single shadows, and the shimmer colors are high shimmer, and the matte shades are highly pigmented. It doesn't flake, and goes on smooth and silky. I love their palettes because the palette colors always complement perfectly. — 7 years, 9 months agoMakeupGuru | 444 reviews
Sexy neutralsThis compact makes a great gift for the beginner. The colors are sublte but not drab. Nice size mirror so you can see. And a great price! — 9 years, 1 month agothedragonslady | 483 reviews
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My Reasons for Reporting This


text:
Maybe dumb question: why brine?
Apple Glazed Roast TurkeyPublished on By: Josh Kilmer-Purcell
- posted in:
- Food & Wine
- / Main Course
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
12-14 lb turkey - 8-10 servings
- 1 cup coarse (kosher) salt
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon peppercorns
- One 12 to 14-pound turkey, thawed if frozen
- 1 lemon, pricked several times with a fork
- 1 orange, pricked several times with a fork
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon coarse (kosher) salt
- 3 cups apple cider
- 1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 3/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
For the brine: Combine 8 cups cool water with the salt, sugar, rosemary, coriander and peppercorns in a container large enough to hold the turkey. Stir until the salt and sugar have dissolved. Stir in 8 more cups of cool water.
Remove the bag of giblets and the neck from turkey; and, if you like, reserve for another use (you can freeze them, freezing the liver separately). Discard any large pieces of fat from the turkey, rinse the bird inside and out and place in the brine. Top with a weighted plate to keep it submerged. Refrigerate, or, if it is winter and you have an unheated garage, place it in there. A cooler, lined with a plastic bag works well too. Brine for 24 hours and up to 48 hours.
For roasting the bird: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Lift the turkey from the brine; discard the brine. Rinse and pat dry. Pour 2 cups of water into the bottom of a large roasting pan. Place the turkey, breast-side up, on a rack in the pan. Place the lemon and orange in the turkey cavity. Tie the legs together with twine. Tuck the wings under. Rub the entire turkey with the oil.
Roast for 30 minutes, and then reduce the heat to 350 degrees F and continue roasting until an instant-read thermometer registers 160 degrees F in the thigh without touching the bone, 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes total (about 12 minutes per pound).
For the glaze: While the turkey is roasting, combine the cider, soy sauce and rosemary in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and boil until the mixture is reduced to 3/4 cup, about 30 minutes. Baste the turkey with the glaze every 15 minutes during the final 45 minutes of cooking time.
Transfer the turkey to a platter or carving board and tent with foil. Rest the turkey for at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour before carving.
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By: Mary Beth
This sounds amazing can't wait to try. Just wondering today how to step my Thanksgiving up a notch thanks for the answer.


text:
I'm not a huge fan of Java-based apps, but IOGraph is actually kinda cool. There isn't any real purpose to the app… it is really just for your own amusement.
Once you fire up IOGraph all you have to do is hit the play button to have it start recording your mouse movements. As your mouse strolls across the screen the path will be saved as lines, and anytime your mouse comes to a rest it will create a black circle. The longer you leave your mouse sit in the same spot, such as when you're typing, the larger the black circle will be.
After you're all done you can choose to overlay the pattern on to a screenshot of your desktop… which could be ery interesting if you remain within the same app during the entire duration of the recording. You can then save your output, with or without the background, as a PNG image.
IOGraph Homepage (Windows/Mac/Linux; Freeware)
[via ShellCity]


text:
Mobile Laptop Desk - Frosted Glass
Item #: 017342035294 Stock Status: May Ship From Manufacturer
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Create an office anywhere in your home with this Mobile Laptop Desk. An adjustable power-coated silver steel stand moves up and down to create your own customized workspace. Locking casters keep the table, and your computer, securely in place as you work.
Product Dimensions Additional Product Info
Mobile Laptop Desk Features
- Rotates 360 degrees for convenient access.
- Height adjustable from 24.5 to 34.5 inches.
- Features a sturdy, powder-coated steel construction.
- Made from metal, plastic and tempered glass.
- Important Product Information:
- Ground shipping only.
- Items may be drop-shipped from the manufacturer. Please allow an extra week for delivery.
- Gift wrapping not available for this item.
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text:
MOMENTUM has stayed in St Gluvias' second team after a tense win at home to St Newlyn East on Saturday.
The Penryn-based side claimed a three wicket victory after bowling out their opponents for 135 with significant contributions from Sam Duckham, who had bowling figures of three for 38 and scored 22 not out, Richard Bannister, who hit 31 runs and had figures of two for 19, and Chris Johnson who scored 33.
Goldstithney remain top of Division Four West of the Cornwall Cricket League, with the Saints sitting in the second promotion place just one point ahead of Perranporth, who beat fourth placed Mount Ambrose by two wickets on Saturday.
Home captain Kevin Hawke won the toss and elected to bowl first.
Andrew Bowden had Newyln's skipper Neil Curnow caught in the slips for zero by Mark Snowdon in the third over.
Alan and Joe Martyn had taken the score to 26 before Duckham had the former caught for eight by Hawke.
Jack Thompson and Martyn took the score to 72 after an expensive over from Hawke, but Bannister had the latter caught by Joe Nesbitt at mid on, after he initially juggled it.
Bannister and Nesbitt repeated the trick to have Abajhit Kumbar for two caught before Sam Kruse removed the free scoring Thompson for 28, who was caught on the boundary by Mat Ambrose as he tried to up his side's slow scoring rate.
Gary Thompson and Bill Murgatroyd put on a gritty ninth wicket partnership to make the visitor's innings more respectable and the game was halted twice for rain losing one over. Their resiliance was finally ended when Hawke bowled Murgatroyd for 13 with the score at 135.
Then there was a stroke of luck for the home side as number 11 Kevin Gibbard hit the ball straight back at Hawke. It hit him on the hand as he went to catch it and crashed onto the stumps, running out non striker Thompson on 21.
In response, the home side lost Joe Nesbitt for a duck after he was bowled by Kevin Gibbard with the score on eight.
Fellow opener Bannister was as attacking as ever at the other end crashing the first ball he faced for a six out of the ground, but Neil Pearce fell next LBW for one to Thompson during his impressive spell of bowling.
Mat Ambrose and Richard Bannister took the score to 46 before Mat Ambrose picked the fielder Murgatroyd at backward point off Thompson.
Bannister went for 31 after a ball came up off a length and was caught by a diving Abajhit Kumbar in the cordon. Hawke came to the crease and dug in to see of Thompson's final three overs.
Hawke was then caught behind by Liam Dent off of Adam Tythcott for one before Mark Snowdon followed for a duck, being bowled by Tythcott trying to find the boundary. St Gluvias needed 40 from 21 overs at this stage.
Johnson, the host's last recognised batsman, then got caught in the covers by Thompson off of his father Gary's bowling for 33, meaning the Saints had lost 3 wickets for no runs.
Duckham put some acceleration back to the innings as he smashed Murgatroyds first three balls straight down the ground for four, six and four and the bowler was taken off after one over.
Bowden came to the crease and batted sensibly keeping out a maiden from the accurate Thompson. Duckham from the other end continued to attack as captain Curnow went for six from his first over as the target whittled down to 20 from 19 overs.
Both batsman settled down taking singles and protecting their wickets before Bowden sent a ball from Curnow through the covers for a well timed four and St Gluvias needed just four from 13 overs.
Bowden then played an identical shot up to the huge boundary toward the clubhouse and St Gluvias claimed another win.
The next two weekends will prove pivotal in the side's promotion chase as they welcome Perranporth on Saturday before travelling to Mount Ambrose a week later.


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A NATIONWIDE campaign checking for seatbelts and child retention systems will run until this Sunday inclusive on Spain's main motorways.
The cameras are a new addition to the general traffic authorities, and will be piloted on the A-1, A-2, and the A-3 Madrid-Valencia road which includes the stretch between the A-7 Mediterranean motorway and Valencia airport.
The General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) says if everyone wore a seatbelt and children were in the proper types of seats or harnesses for their age and size, over 200 deaths on the road could be prevented every year.
According to the most recent complete statistics in the DGT's possession – from the year 2014 – a total of 194 of the 822 people who perished in road crashes were not wearing a seatbelt, representing 24%, or nearly a quarter.
And in all cases, accident reports showed that the 194 killed would still be alive today if they had put their seatbelts on.
Belting up is less automatic on minor roads, says the DGT, particularly around town, but urban roads fall within the jurisdiction of Local Police officers, who answer to the town council.
To this end, national traffic authorities are urging local councils to get their police forces on board and run seatbelt-wearing campaigns nearer home.
Over the rest of this year, the DGT plans to install 270 cameras capable of detecting whether drivers and passengers are wearing belts, and six in 10 of these will be on main roads.
Trial runs of the cameras found only 2% of drivers were not wearing seatbelts, although offenders tend to be back-seat passengers, says the DGT – in fact, one in 10 people do not bother.
On motorways, 96% of drivers and passengers wear seatbelts, and 93% do so on major highways, but in towns and cities with fewer than half a million inhabitants one in 10 does not do so – rising to 16% in large and medium-sized towns failing to belt up and between two and three in 10 in smaller locations of 60,000 inhabitants or fewer.
The DGT reveals that in 2014, out of the 14 children aged 12 and under who lost their lives in road crashes, two of them had not been wearing a seatbelt or other legally-required child restraint system, and would still be alive today if they had.
In the same age group, nine of the 82 children seriously injured in crashes and 107 of the 2,724 who sustained minor injuries were not belted up, and they could have avoided their suffering if they had been correctly strapped in.
Traffic authorities urge adults travelling with children to make sure seatbelts, harnesses or safety seats, as applicable, are used at all times, since this relatively simple action could make the difference between the child being killed or escaping relatively unscathed.
Images caught on camera of drivers, passengers or children without seatbelts or harnesses will be sent to a central office in León for checking, and the adult offender will get a fine notice through the post.


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The 32-year-old was sidelined for five months with a career-threatening shoulder injury suffered during the World Cup but made his comeback for Sale last weekend.
Yet despite the giant prop's proven international ability his short-term and long-term England prospects look bleak with Lancaster giving youth a chance in this year's tournament and Sheridan setting sail for France at the end of the season.
The Sale prop's decision to join Toulon on a three-year deal this coming summer all-but rules him out of future England contention with the RFU only allowing players playing outside of the Premiership to be picked in 'exceptional circumstances'.
But with 40 England caps and two Lions Tests to his name, Sheridan has no interest in fading away, claiming he'll always answer the Red Rose call.
"I haven't turned down playing for England - they may turn me down but while I am playing at a decent level I always want to be considered," said Sheridan.
"I haven't spoken to Stuart, but I have a standard contract with Toulon so I will be released in the IRB window and if I am selected I would be very happy to play. They have the 'exceptional circumstances' rule so it is up to them.
"When I was injured at the World Cup I did think, 'Is this going to be it?' But the surgeon was adamant that I would be able to get back to playing at decent level. It was a long road, but it's nice to be back.
"Our scrum did pretty well in those first two games and we will have Courtney Lawes, who is a powerful athlete, and Manu Tuilagi to come in too. I don't think many people would question his power or fancy stopping him.
"To bring in a new management and a lot of new players and win their first two games away from home, England deserve a lot of credit.
"The performances are only going to get better as they play more together. We have some tough matches coming up, but there is no reason why we can't go on and continue to do well."


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Ok Lets start with Clois, Clois could have been so good. it could've made the show better then it was before. It could've been the what made Smallville. But as it stands right now Clois is annoying, Overused, and and rushed. We get Lois, and Clark love each other, do we really need to be reminded every two seconds, do we need to be so Lovey Dovey. NO! Clois is worst the Clana in its hayday, because unlike Clois, Clana didn't interfere with the story. Look at season 10, look at the unresolved plot lines, Darkseid, the VrA, the Suicide Squad, Chloe fake killing herself, Lionel's return, the Lex clones. But what do we get instead of major plot episodes, We get a guest star every episodes, we get Lois getting possessed by issis, we get Clark proposing to Lois. In fact look at Icarus, Carter dies, and the only thing that I read is "Oh my god Lois, and Clark are getting engaged. Well I'm sorry Clois fans but the truth is all Clois is, is a a rating booster nothing more. and before you freak out and are like "Oh my god Clana fan [Which I'm not]" Just ask yourself. How many people do you know who only watch Smallville because of Clois. A lot right?
Now on with the Drastic Changes in between Season 8/9
Not only does the writing take a major turn towards bad. I mean all they did was turn Chloe into a season 1 Lex Luthor, Oliver into Batman, in fact I'm surprised he isn't wearing all black and a cowl. and Tess being the Swiss Army Knife of Smallville. its like the producers don't want to spend the money to hire a new actor/actress, and are like are like "Ok we're introducing Checkmate, and we need to save money what can we do?" and then another yells "I know lets surprise the audience, and reveal her to be a Checkmate agent" and who even thought about Tess being a Luthor, come on really is the nessecary to the plot NO. Ok bye give me your thoughts on Clois, but don't be like "It Happened in the Mythos, so it has to happen in Smallville" give me some logical well thought out reasons for Smallville to happen


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Our new website will tell the story (coming soon). In the mean time, you can
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NONFOODS: Nonfoods Innovation: Service game
New shopper-centric features add an edge to the traditional GM/HBC mix at retail.
Supermarket nonfood strategies have expanded beyond the traditional GM and HBC products as grocers seek to better compete against other channels. Smart retailers are increasingly evolving their offerings in these departments from simple assortments to a host of consumer solutions. Here are some examples of leading-edge programs.
Retailer: Ahold
Service: Poison control education
To mark National Poison Prevention Week, which ran from March 18 through March 24, 2007, Ahold-owned Giant Food Stores, LLC, based in Carlisle, Pa., and its Martin's Food Markets and Tops Markets divisions provided free Children's Poison Prevention Activity Books at all of its pharmacy departments. The books offer information to help teach kids about the dangers of poisons.
"We encourage all parents and caregivers to please use child-resistant packaging and keep all household products and medicines locked up, out of sight, and out of reach of young children," said v.p. pharmacy Leigh Shirley. "Items should be kept in their original containers with the original labels left on. It's also recommended not to take medicine in front of young children."
Additionally, Tops and Martin's provided shoppers with stickers to go on or near their home phones, featuring the Poison Control Hotline phone number, (800) 222-1222, and worked with Women & Children's Hospital of Buffalo, N.Y. to hold general information sessions.
Retailer: Newport Avenue Market
Service: Expanded online housewares selection
Bend, Ore.-based single-store operator Newport Ave. Market this past summer formed a partnership with Cooking.com, an online retailer of kitchen and housewares, and Gourmet Catalog, a buying group of over 150 independent kitchenware retailers across the country, to dramatically expand the grocer's housewares product selection.
For the project, Cooking.com built an e-commerce Web site branded with the Newport Ave. Market name, where consumers can shop an assortment of more than 50,000 products online -- much more than any brick-and-mortar store's square footage would allow. Shoppers click the "Shop" button on the home page of the grocer's Web site, and are then directed to the housewares site.
"The merchandise is really just an extension of what we already are," explains Rudy Dory, Newport's owner. "The positive thing is it allows us access to products that we cannot or do not want to meet the minimums [to stock]. An example might be, a person would like for us to get a certain product, but the minimum purchase direct from the company might be $300. Now, we can offer that product, and not have to worry about inventory."
Retailer: Kroger
Service: Cleaner air via ethanol fuel program
In a drive-time promotion last month, Cincinnati-based Kroger and General Motors jointly promoted the use of E85 ethanol fuel by offering it at a price too cheap to pass up.
The automaker sponsored a steep discount on ethanol fuel at a Kroger fuel station in Irving, Texas, one of four north Texas Kroger stations that began offering the 85 percent ethanol fuel last year.
Kroger was selling E85 for just 85 cents per gallon, nearly 70 percent below the current price of more than $2.54 per gallon, between 7:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. during the promotion.
During the event three GM E85-capable Chevrolet vehicles -- the Impala, the Tahoe, and the Silverado -- were on display, and Kroger and GM executives were on hand to answer consumer questions.
Retailers: Wal-Mart; Stop & Shop; Giant Food, LLC; and Giant Food Stores, LLC and Tops Markets
Service: Emergency meds
Wal-Mart; Stop & Shop; Giant Food, LLC; and Giant Food Stores, LLC and Tops Markets were among the retailers to sign on to an initiative from the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) that provides individuals displaced by natural disasters or other emergencies faster, safer access to vital prescription medications.
The initiative employs technology that would allow licensed prescribers and pharmacists anywhere in the United States to securely access an information service offering the prescription history, or "Rx History," of a patient from the affected area. During an emergency, Rx History lowers the risk of medication errors by making important information available to licensed caregivers when and where they're treating patients. All communications within Rx History are compliant with HIPAA and state privacy and security laws.
A properly authenticated and licensed medical doctor, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or pharmacist can use Rx History to confirm the details of a patient's pre-emergency drug regimen, including dosage and physician instructions. Rx History also permits a patient's doctor and pharmacist to make a more informed check for -- and thus increase the chance of avoiding -- potentially harmful drug interactions.
Retailer: Meijer
Service: Digital photo solutions and consumer electronics education
Meijer, Inc., based in Grand Rapids, Mich., last month inked a deal with HP to provide a complete digital HP Photo Center solution, which includes the HP Photosmart Studio and Microlab products.
Under the agreement, HP will support the 181-store supercenter retailer's launch of the end-to-end photo center solution, which will also include Snapfish. HP is hosting Meijer's online photo site, including the capability to take online orders for prints and have creative photo products mailed directly to a customer's home, or sent to a Meijer location for fast, high-quality printing and convenient in-store pickup.
The chain is working with Culver City, Calif.-based integrated retail marketing services agency Creative Channel Services, LLC (CCS) to integrate the latter's "CyberScholar Retail Solutions" program. The [email protected] solution will deliver in-store training from leading technology manufacturers to over 1,000 sales associates in Meijer's photo and "E4" electronics departments.
Team members will complete CyberScholar.com training as part of Meijer's overall goal of developing product knowledge and customer service experts.


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Philosophy Falling in Love Perfumed Body Lotion Reviews
It might make you hungry!Dieters and sugarholics beware! Philosophy's Falling in Love lotion's yummy fragrance smells like cotton candy . It's sweet, but not in an overbearing "too much perfume" way, Its subtle scent reminds one of childhood summertimes. In addition to the amazing scent, the product has wonderful moisturizing qualities. The price is a little on the high side for a moisturizer, but if you are ...read morelike me, and prefer to use scented moisturizer instead of hevy perfume, this product is well worth the cost. — 9 years agoterriesingz | 4 reviews
Have All The Boys Follow YouFalling In Love is a soft, wonderful, mild, lotion. The smell is good for someone who might be a nurse. It isn't overbearing and good smelling for the summer — 9 years, 3 months agokrikall | 5 reviews
This review is: Helpful | Not helpful | Inappropriate | 0 of 1 people said helpful
Men love this fragranceAlthough I'm absolutely mad about Amazing Grace lotion, I gave this a try. I don't like the fragrance as much and I think Amazing Grace makes my skin softer. — 9 years, 3 months agofhoagland | 9 reviews
Delicious FragranceThis smells amazing and the fragrance lasts all day. Very moisturizing. — 9 years, 5 months agoGBoyer | 3 reviews
Philosophy Rocks!I love Philosophy. Falling in Love is a smell you have never experienced before. I get so many compliments when I wear it. It never irritates my sensitive skin. — 9 years, 6 months agoeduckwo | 3 reviews
Try anything by philosophy!!I love anything that this company puts out. This lotion smells wonderful. It's a scent that one day I hope my daughters will say they remembered how good mom smelled. — 9 years, 6 months agofirewife0198 | 2 reviews
so wonderfulI just love this stuff. It truly does make you feel wonderful. I love the way that it smells and feels on my skin. The thing that I like most is its the only lotion i've ever used that my husband actually likes. — 9 years, 6 months agoheavnsstar | 6 reviews
This review is: Helpful | Not helpful | Inappropriate | 1 of 1 people said helpful
Smells so goodPrefect for those people who don't like perfume - way better than Amazing Grace! — 9 years, 6 months agoColoradoGirl | 3 reviews
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My Reasons for Reporting This


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Newsflash: HRT, a "complex pattern of risks and benefits"
I'm not sure if you saw the headlines yesterday in light of news on the government shutdown but the healthwebz are buzzing about a study published in published in JAMA evaluating outcomes in the now infamous Women's Health Initiative and the utilization of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for menopausal symptoms. My only question is why do we keep beating this dead horse?
However, I would be remiss if I did not share the highlights of this latest analysis. So here's what you need to know and honestly, it's not very different than the stance of other organizations:
- The study or analysis, if you will, provides a detailed overview of the findings from both the original and extension trials of the WHI, looking at both combination and estrogen alone hormone therapy.
- Overall, the risks of combination therapy appear to have outweighed the benefits during the trial. During the extension period, the risk for heart disease remained elevated, a reduced risk for endometrial cancer was seen. Among women who had had hysterectomies before taking HRT, a more balanced risk/benefit equation was seen.
- With regard to breast cancer, the risks of taking combination therapy versus estrogen alone are not equal; more women have adverse effects from combination therapy.
- Proponents of HRT have long argued that age matters. The researchers involved in this analysis state that age influences the effects of hormone therapy 'in some cases' as does time since menopause onset, and that results appear to be better for younger versus older women, at least in terms of overall death rates due to all causes, deaths due to heart attack and deaths due to cancer.
- HRT appears to have a more harmful effect on coronary heart disease when used in older women; the effect on younger women is unclear. They say that further research is needed.
- Less clear is the link to breast cancer. While the researchers acknowledge that combined hormones may increase breast cancer incidence and cancer is diagnosed at a later stage, the risk might decline once HRT is stopped. They hypothesize that the progestin component is at play but say that more research is needed.
- While combined HRT may reduce endometrial cancer, it might also increase ovarian cancer risk, as may estrogen alone.
- Combined HRT has been shown to increase deaths from lung cancer, although neither combined or single hormone therapy appears to influence the total incidence of the cancer.
- With regard to diabetes, clot risk, gall bladder disease and dementia? A decrease in diabetes risk during treatment disappears overtime and the risk for clotting and gallbladder disease as well as dementia increase.
The researchers write that the overall findings do not support the use of either combination therapy or estrogen alone for chronic disease prevention, even in younger women. And they note that the risks of combination HRT outweigh the benefits, irrespective of a woman's age.
Look, I don't need to cover any additional findings or conclusions. Combination HRT is not all it's cracked up to be. Speak to your doctor. Analyze your risks and determine if a fewer hot flashes or mood swings are worth it. Only you can decide. Me? I'm sticking with the devil I know and like: alternative strategies.
Read More
Newsflash: So, estrogen is safe?
If you've been following this blog for any period of time, you know that I've consistently shared data that demonstrate the hormones, particularly combination hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can be dangerous, depending on age, time since menopause and other concomitant health issues. Yet, the medical community continues to beat the dead horse of trying to prove the hormone replacement in any form has a role in women's health. And because I have promised to share the facts, regardless of whether or not I have questions about the motivation underlying their derivation, I am writing this post.
According to research appearing in the July 28 online issue of the American Journal of Public Health, estrogen actually prevents deaths among women who have had hysterectomies. By the way, that's estrogen ALONE, not estrogen plus progestin, and that is a critical distinction.
Onto the findings. When researchers took another gander at the Women's Health Initiative data, they sought to determine how the rate of excess mortality among women who took placebo versus those who took estrogen over the course of the landmark study actually translated into premature deaths that might have been preventable. And what they found is pretty shocking:
- The researchers looked at deaths in women who had undergone hysterectomy and still had an ovary intact compared with those who did not have any ovaries (note that sightly more than half — 54% — of women have both ovaries removed at the time of hysterectomy)
- They also examined the use of oral estrogen among the 50 to 59 year old set between the years 2001 and 2004, noting a decline by as much as 60% (largely the result of the the findings of the Women's Health Initiative) and a relative decline by as much as 71% by the year 2009.
- In composite, they were able to calculate that between 2002 and 2011, a least 18,601 excess deaths occurred and as many as 91,61o excess deaths occurred among women who had had hysterectomies and chose not to use estrogen. This translates to an actual toll attributed to the decision of 40,292 to 48,835 deaths.
The researchers say that estrogen therapy alone reduces mortality mainly by reducing the number of heart disease-related deaths; notably early surgical menopause and complete removal of the ovaries boost the risk for coronary heart disease. Estrogen prevents the development of atherosclerosis and helps maintain normal blood flow.
It's important to remember that these findings do not apply to women younger than age 50 or older than age 59. Moreover, they also fail to consider other reasons for the increase in heart disease among women as their estrogen declines, such as a surge in cholesterol. And, despite the improved odds against dying from heart disease, these data also ignore other health issues associated with estrogen alone, such as incontinence, hip fracture and of course, breast cancer among certain subsets of women. Hence, again, I am forced to ask the question why researchers continue to beat this horse to death when the deaths prevented may carry the cost of other issues?
I don't believe that this is anything that will be resolved any time soon. And, as I have written previously we're drowning in politics, medicine and industry. And it's difficult to discern truth from fiction, data from data, risk from benefit. Ongoing analyses will eventually reveal what's what. Meanwhile, read the library of HRT posts on Flashfree. Talk to your physician. Avoid hasty decisions. And consider alternatives. If the medical community can't agree, perhaps it's time to put down the gauntlet and wait out the firestorm.
The choice is yours'. Which side are you willing to err on?Read More
Calcium, vitamin D and heart disease. What's the 4-11?
"Calcium supplements cause heart attacks in postmenopausal women."
Whoa! What?!
If you saw the headlines last week, you may be wondering what's up with calcium supplementation. Afterall, don't medical professionals advise the use of supplements to stave off bone loss associated with osteoporosis? And as a result, the Centers for Disease Control reports that over 50% of adults currently use calcium supplements and more than 60% of women over age 60.
It's important to get away from the sensational headline and take a closer look at what the research shows and what you need to know.
Previous studies have suggested that there may be a link between use of calcium supplements (without vitamin D) and heart attack; in fact, as Reuters' reported last year, calcium supplements were shown to increase the risk of heart attack by as much as 31%, possibly as a result of plaque formation in blood vessels. However, is the risk the same if calcium is used alone versus if it is used in conjunction with vitamin D? In the Women's Health Initiative study, the use of calcium and vitamin D did not appear to influence heart disease risk at all.
However, researchers decided to take another look at the data because they say that in this trial, more than half of participants were taking 'personal calcium' (i.e. not regulated or standardized to all trial participants) and almost half were also adding Vitamin D.
In this reanalysis, published just last week in the British Medical Journal, the researchers discounted the women who were characterized as personal users of calcium supplements and instead, limited their evaluation to a group of women who were not using personal calcium supplements at the study's start and previously unpublished data from the trial. The findings? The use of calcium with or without vitamin D appeared to cause a 25% to 30% increase in the risk for heart attack and a 15% to 20% increased risk for stroke. However, the researchers say that even small increases in the incidence in heart disease may manifest substantially, especially in the elderly. They add that if you take a look at the risk-benefit ratio, it is unfavourable, meaning that taking calcium with or without vitamin D for five years would cause twice as many heart attacks or strokes than then numbers of fractures that would be prevented. Additionally, the data analysis suggests that dosing is not a factor, and that the total amount of calcium taken daily is less important than the abrupt changes in blood calcium levels immediately following supplementation.
Although this research answers a few questions about potential risks about calcium supplementation, it also leaves a key question unanswered: how does the addition of magnesium and vitamin K, which are often included in commercially-available calcium supplements, affect these findings? Data suggest that these minerals and vitamins are added to keep calcium in the bones where it belongs and out the arteries where it does not.
The best guideline, as always, is to visit a physician to assess your bone health and come up with a plan that works specifically for you. Although calcium supplementation appears to be risky, more data are needed before leading organizations start to change their tune about calcium and bone health. Meanwhile, stay ahead of the headlines and try to focus on increasing the amount of calcium-rich foods in your diet:
|Milligrams (mg)
per serving
|Percent DV*
|Yogurt, plain, low fat, 8 ounces
|Sardines, canned in oil, with bones, 3 ounces
|Cheddar cheese, 1.5 ounces
|Milk, nonfat, 8 ounces
|Milk, reduced-fat (2% milk fat), 8 ounces
|Milk, lactose-reduced, 8 ounces**
|Milk, whole (3.25% milk fat), 8 ounces
|Milk, buttermilk, 8 ounces
|Mozzarella, part skim, 1.5 ounces
|Yogurt, fruit, low fat, 8 ounces
|Orange juice, calcium-fortified, 6 ounces
|Tofu, firm, made with calcium sulfate, ½ cup***
|Salmon, pink, canned, solids with bone, 3 ounces
|Pudding, chocolate, instant, made with 2% milk, ½ cup
|Cottage cheese, 1% milk fat, 1 cup unpacked
|Tofu, soft, made with calcium sulfate, ½ cup***
|Spinach, cooked, ½ cup
|Ready-to-eat cereal, calcium-fortified, 1 cup
|Instant breakfast drink, various flavors and brands, powder prepared with water, 8 ounces
|Frozen yogurt, vanilla, soft serve, ½ cup
|Turnip greens, boiled, ½ cup
|Kale, cooked, 1 cup
|Kale, raw, 1 cup
|Ice cream, vanilla, ½ cup
|Soy beverage, calcium-fortified, 8 ounces
|Chinese cabbage, raw, 1 cup
|Tortilla, corn, ready-to-bake/fry, 1 medium
|Tortilla, flour, ready-to-bake/fry, one 6″ diameter
|Sour cream, reduced fat, cultured, 2 tablespoons
|Bread, white, 1 ounce
|Broccoli, raw, ½ cup
|Bread, whole-wheat, 1 slice
|Cheese, cream, regular, 1 tablespoon
* DV = Daily Value. DVs were developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to help consumers compare the nutrient contents among products within the context of a total daily diet. The DV for calcium is 1,000 mg for adults and children aged 4 years and older. Foods providing 20% of more of the DV are considered to be high sources of a nutrient, but foods providing lower percentages of the DV also contribute to a healthful diet. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Nutrient Database Web site lists the nutrient content of many foods. It also provides a comprehensive list of foods containing calcium.
** Calcium content varies slightly by fat content; the more fat, the less calcium the food contains.
*** Calcium content is for tofu processed with a calcium salt. Tofu processed with other salts does not provide significant amounts of calcium.
Estrogen: Worth the risk?
Any regular reader of this blog knows that I am not a fan of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) nor the health risks associated with it. Nevertheless, although I espouse alternative strategies for dealing with menopause, I do feel that sharing news about HRT is important; accurate information leads to informed and shared decisionmaking.
So, do they (i.e. hormones) or don't they (cause harm)? Undoubtedly, important variables come into play, including current age, how close to menopause hormones are started, current health status, whether or not a woman has had a hysterectomy, smoking history, etc. Also important is whether estrogen is used alone or in combination with progesterone. And yet despite these factors, many medical organizations continue to recommend that HRT be used for the shortest time period possible if at all.
Still, researchers continue to delve into data from the now infamous Women's Health Initiative Study to tease out the bad, ugly and even the good.
This week, they are reporting on over 7,600 women who had taken estrogen alone for approximately 6 years, had had prior hysterectomies and were followed for an average of 10 years after the trial ended. If you recall, there has been some controversy as to whether or not estrogen alone is safer than combined HRT and actually lowers the risk for breast cancer in particular, which is why these data are particularly intriguing.
The researchers report that age at the time that hormone therapy (in this case, estrogen alone) is started is important. In fact, women who started estrogen therapy in their 50s, an increased risk for stroke and embolism, which appeared while taking estrogen, actually disappeared in the years that followed. Unfortunately, so did protection against hip fracture. Moreover, earlier reports of a decline in breast cancer risk were upheld despite body mass indices. However, the researchers say that this finding in particular, runs contrary to the preponderance of evidence from the majority of observational studies which show that estrogen use increases the risk of breast cancer, especially in lean women and after a long time period of use.
In an accompanying editorial, also in JAMA, the authors point out that more than 80% of women who took estrogen as directed only used it for an average of 3.5 years. Their point is that the results don't directly address the "balance of risk and benefits associated with longer term estrogen use." They also point to a larger review of data that show duration is an important factor when it comes to breast cancer risk, especially among lean women. Additionally, they say that tamoxifen, which actually antagonizes estrogen, has been shown to reduce breast cancer by 50%, which has led the International Agency for Research on Cancer to "conclude that unopposed estrogen therapy and combination HRT are carcinogenic."
Are you confused yet?
Both set of researchers say that the decision to use estrogen or not is one that should be made between a woman and her doctor. Don't forget: study findings continue to contradict. They add that while "there may still be a role for short-term use of unopposed estrogen for treating some women with menopausal symptoms, this role may be vanishing as existing and emerging data continue to be better understood in terms" of patients.
My thoughts? Err on the side of caution. Always.Read More
Estrogen only? Fanning the flames of the HRT debate
A study presented at the esteemed San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium last week has fanned the flames about the benefits versus risks of hormone replacement for menopausal symptoms. In this study, which ironically was pulled from the site press release highlights after experts questioned its merit, researchers did a reanalysis of data from the Women's Health Initiative trial, the infamous 2002 study that was halted after Preempro was shown to increase breast cancer risk. Their findings? That women who had participated in the estrogen only arm of the study, had had benign breast disease, had had hysterectomies and had family histories of no breast cancer actually had significant reductions in breast cancer incidence. What's more, 75% of women who did not have benign breast disease at the study's start also had a reduced risk of developing breast cancer.
So, this is good news, right?
Well, estrogen alone can only be used by women who have had hysterectomies; estrogen plus progestin is used in women with intact uteri in order to avoid uterine cancer. This means that only a subset of women with menopausal symptoms are eligible to use estrogen alone. Moreover, as a physician blogger points out, the findings run counter to most data that show that estrogen use is actually associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. He also notes that abstracts that are accepted as posters at major medical meetings often have flawed or spotty data; in fact, in my years as a medical writer, I've often run across abstracts that ultimately disagree with published works.
The bottom line here is that despite the news, using estrogen alone to treat menopausal symptoms might only be an option for a very small percentage of women and may still place them at risk for cancer. At the end of the day, prescribing hormone replacement therapy continues to challenge the Hippocratic Oath: first do no harm.Read More


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Some campus buildings and services will have reduced operating hours during winter break in addition to being closed for university holidays Dec. 24-26 and Dec. 31-Jan. 1. They include:
For information about possible changes in hours for other buildings, offices and programs, use the online office directory to contact them directly.
The correct deadline for applying for the Accountant I position that was listed in yesterday's (Dec. 6) UNC Today is Thursday, Dec. 13. Read the full announcement.
Help make UNC's fall commencement ceremonies memorable events for our students and their families and friends by volunteering to serve as an usher on Dec. 14 or 15. A brief training session will be conducted before each ceremony and snacks or a light meal and refreshments will be provided.
Responsibilities include greeting and directing graduates and guests, answering their basic questions and distributing programs as guests enter the building. A brief training session for volunteers will be conducted before each ceremony.
Dates, ceremonies, location and times are:
Volunteer using the convenient online signup form. For more information, contact Eva Rodriguez at 351-2424 or via email.
Complete information about the following calls for proposals, nominations, applications and other submissions is available by clicking on the call's description. Deadlines are in parentheses.
UNC's Sustainability Council has launched the new Sustainability at UNC website, accessible via the "Quicklinks" section of the UNC home page and under "Sustainability" in the A-Z index. The site includes information about the many sustainability projects underway on campus as well as those in the community, with links to more information.
This centralized website will serve as a clearinghouse of all ongoing sustainability and related activities and projects at UNC, to increase participation in sustainability efforts and to educate the broader community as UNC moves forward with a transformational vision for the future.
Effective Jan. 1, the new state of Colorado mileage reimbursement rate will be 51 cents per mile for an employee's use of their two-wheel-drive personal vehicle for university business.
This rate change is the result of the IRS mileage reimbursement rate increasing to 56.5 cents per mile effective Jan. 1 and CRS 24-9-104, which states that on and after Jan. 1, 2008, state officers and employees shall be allowed mileage reimbursement of 90 percent of the prevailing IRS rate per mile for each mile actually and necessarily traveled while on official state business and, when authorized to be utilized and necessary for official state business, 95 percent of the prevailing IRS rate per mile for four-wheel-drive vehicles (necessary because of road, terrain or adverse weather conditions) and 40 cents per nautical mile for privately owned aircraft.
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83 N 5545 W Mendon, UT 84325
Hi, Blueroof 360.
My name is
and I have a question about 83 N 5545 W Mendon
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Estimated Monthly Payment$5,051
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Listing courtesy of Zanterra Land Brokers
Terrific Irrigated Farm / Home Site at the foot of the Beautiful Wellsville Mountains with Owned Shares and Culinary Well Permit.
Interior Features Include:No Information Available.
Exterior Features Include:
Acreage: 19.8600 Acres
Lot: Additional Land Available, Excl. Mineral Rights, Excl. Oil/Gas Rights, Fenced: Part, Terrain: Flat, Terrain: Grad Slope, View: Mountain, View: Valley
Driveway Gravel
Other Features Include:
Utilities Gas: Not Available, Power: Available, Sewer: Septic Tank
Land Use Grain, Hay, Pasture
Culinary Water Secondary, Well(s)
Irrigation Pressurized, Rights: Owned
Taxes 21
School District: Cache
Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed accurate. Buyer to verify all information.The multiple listing information is provided by Wasatch Front Regional Multiple Listing Service, Inc. from a copyrighted compilation of listings. The compilation of listings and each individual listing are © 2014 Wasatch Front Regional Multiple Listing Service, Inc., All Rights Reserved. The information provided is for consumers, personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing.


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Crabtree VFD marks 75 years of service
The Crabtree Volunteer Fire Department is celebrating 75 years of service with a variety of activities this weekend.
Events include a first-ever firemen's banquet on Friday, complete with a disc jockey, dancing and karaoke.
An open house will be held for the public 1-5 p.m. on Saturday at the fire house with equipment tours, interactive demonstrations, fire prevention tactics, children's activities and the police K9 unit featured throughout the day.
On Sunday, a memorial Mass will be held at St. Bartholomew Parish at 10:30 a.m. A car cruise to wrap up the weekend will begin at 1 p.m.
"Occasionally we do open houses, but all of this is to commemorate the anniversary," said Fire Chief Bill Watkins, 40, who joined the department when he was 13 years old. "This is for everybody's dedication in serving the community for the past 75 and to recognize the accomplishments and members who put in the time to put us where we are."
The department has 20 active members and 50 life members.
It runs approximately 300 calls a year.
Watkins hopes the community will support the department and learn it does a whole lot more than just fighting fires.
Even since the 50th celebration, Watkins said, there have been many changes.
Today, the department responds to a significant number of rescue calls, including vehicle accidents, trench rescues, water rescues and high-angle rescues.
At the same time, fire alarm system and medical-related calls have increased.
For Watkins, technology has played a major role in some of the changes.
"People are a lot safer in their homes," he said.
Another change since the department began is more stringent training requirements than yesteryear.
Today, in comparison to even 20 years ago, training sessions are held year-round.
Members are certified through the Pennsylvania Fire Academy and the Department of Health, as well as national certifications the department holds in several different disciplines.
"We put a lot of time into our training, which is something I am very proud of," Watkins said.
When Watkins was a teenager, everybody joined the fire department, he said.
He knew he was in it for the long haul because it's all about "helping out," he said.
For more information on the Crabtree Volunteer Fire Department 75th Anniversary Celebration visit www.crabtreevfd.com.
Michele Stewardson is a contributing writer for Trib Total Media.


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Cross the most meaningful finish line of your life.
Cross the most meaningful finish line of your life.
NYC Triathlon
7-16-17 | New York, NY
Bank of America Chicago Marathon
10-8-17 | Chicago, IL
Marine Corps Marathon
10-22-17 | Arlington, VA
Team Momentum is MDA's endurance program that empowers individuals of all athletic abilities to train and dedicate miles to help kids and adults with muscular dystrophy, ALS and related life-threatening diseases live longer and grow stronger.
No matter your skill level or experience, MDA Team Momentum provides a world-class customized half or full marathon training program and a committed community of support from teammates, volunteers and mentors. With access to MDA's experienced coaches and courageous families to inspire you, you'll defy your personal limits while helping families with muscular dystrophy live unlimited.
"I joined Team Momentum for the Colfax race [in Denver] and ran the half-marathon," said John Hower. "My daughter Kinley (age 15) has mitochondrial encephalomyopathy and has attended MDA summer camps in both Kansas and Colorado.Tell your story
"After a session at camp, I was motivated to do more and that's why I joined Team Momentum. On the big day I wrote, 'For my campers,' on my forearm as a constant reminder of why I run."Tell your story
"I run because I can, because I am blessed with muscles that move. I don't wake up and wonder if my legs are going to work, or if I can lift my glass to my mouth for water."Tell your story
"Joining Team Momentum and running the Bank of America Chicago Marathon turned out to be one of the greatest experiences of my entire life."Tell your story


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Asbestos Project Design Refresher
This 1-day course complies with the EPA's Asbestos Model Accreditation Plan and is accepted by the States of Minnesota and North Dakota as meeting the refresher training requirement for asbestos project designers. During the course, you will review project designer requirements and asbestos regulatory updates. Upon successful completion of this course and the required exam, you will receive a certificate of re-accreditation as an Asbestos Project Designer.
Course Schedule
09534 February 8, 2017, Grand Forks, ND
The link below will bring you to our Shopping Cart. Click on Create Profile and follow the on-screen instructions. All users now need to create a customer profile with a username and password.
-You can now register for multiple courses yet only fill out your information one time.
-If you prefer not to pay online, you can register online but choose to pay by cash/check (or be invoiced).
-If you prefer to register by phone, you can call (701) 777-0384.
-If you have multiple persons to register, please call (701) 777-0384.
Course Fees
All fees must be paid prior to the start of the course.
Cancellation Policy
If you are unable to attend, a substitution can be made at any time without charge. You can also transfer your registration fee to another course offered by ETI. Refunds, less a $50 administrative fee, will be issued upon request. Refunds will not be issued for cancellations received within five calendar days of the course. The University reserves the right to cancel programs if necessary. In this event, the University's liability is limited to the full refund of your registration fee.
Meals and Lodging
Participants are responsible for arranging overnight accommodations. For assistance you may call
ETI at (701) 777-0384.
Refreshment breaks and materials are included in the registration fee.
ETI offers an in-house training option for this course.


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CINCINNATI — Memo to Reds' clubhouse staff: Buy more shaving cream. Fast.
Rookie catcher Devin Mesoraco capped a series full of homers with his first career grand slam on Thursday night, leading Cincinnati to a 6-3 victory and four-game sweep of the Atlanta Braves.
Mesoraco got a face full of the frothy white stuff after delivering another blast in a series full of them. He pulled the ball down the left field line and watched it sneak inside the foul pole.
"That's kind of why I paused at the plate at the start," Mesoraco said. "I wasn't sure it was going to stay fair, but it stayed true. It didn't tail. That's a pretty good sign for me as a hitter."
Right now, everything's going the Reds' way.
The Reds completed their first four-game sweep of the Braves in Cincinnati since 1980 at Riverfront Stadium. They've won six in a row, their longest winning streak since August 2010 when they started their push toward the NL Central title by taking seven in a row.
The teams combined for 16 homers – 13 solo shots – accounting for 21 of the 24 runs in the series.
Mesoraco connected off Kris Medlen, who relieved Randall Delgado (2-5) with the bases loaded in the sixth. Drew Stubbs added a solo shot for Cincinnati.
Homer Bailey (3-3) gave up four hits in six innings, including Michael Bourn's two-run homer. Bailey got back-to-back wins for the first time this season, coming off a win in New York on Saturday.
Logan Ondrusek pitched the ninth for his second save in three chances, giving up a pair of singles before getting a double play.
The Reds hadn't hit a lot of homers heading into the series. During the four games, every solid hit seemed to reach the seats.
"They come in bunches," manager Dusty Baker said. "Guys are finding their strokes and confidence, big-time."
The Braves have their first four-game losing streak since they dropped the first four games of the season.
"They're definitely rolling right now," catcher David Ross said of the Reds. "They've got a lot of confidence. Their pitching staff is better than I think people give them credit for."
Bourn hit a two-run homer off Bailey in the fifth, his third homer of the series. He also had his first multihomer game during the series. Juan Francisco added a solo homer.


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Midwest Landscapes in Otsego has been chosen to do landscaping work at the Highway 169-Main Street intersection and in the Orono Parkway median in Elk River.
The city requested quotes from six companies and two complete quotes were received for each project. Midwest Landscapes was the lowest on both.
The Highway 169-Main Street intersection landscaping will cost $19,737. Plantings will include sedum and dogwood at all four corners as well as turf grass on the northern two corners and concrete on the southern two.
Planting trees in the Orono Parkway median will cost $10,732. No decision has been made at this time regarding the prairie planted in the Orono median.
Work on both projects is expected to to be finished this fall.


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Neurofibromatosis can't be cured, but treatments are available for your signs and symptoms. Generally, the sooner you or your child is under the care of a doctor trained in treating neurofibromatosis, the better the outcome.
If your child has NF1, your doctor is likely to recommend yearly age-appropriate checkups to:
Contact your doctor promptly if you notice any changes in signs or symptoms between visits. It's important to rule out the possibility of a cancerous tumor and to obtain appropriate treatment at an early stage.
Your doctor might recommend surgery or other procedures to treat severe symptoms or complications of neurofibromatosis.
Malignant tumors and other cancers associated with neurofibromatosis are treated with standard cancer therapies, such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Early diagnosis and treatment are the most important factors resulting in good outcome.
Managing pain is an important part of treatment for schwannomatosis. Your doctor might recommend:
Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below.
Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit organization and proceeds from Web advertising help support our mission. Mayo Clinic does not endorse any of the third party products and services advertised.
A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.


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Welcome to the Extra-Super-Sized Book Report Podcast #72! It's the last week of DC's New 52 extravaganza, so we've added a third person to the mix and added a third hour as a result! Jesus, what's wrong with us? We'll totally have this thing streamlined next week to something more reasonable, rest assured, but this week, it's like you're hanging out at your local comic shop and B.S.ing with the usual gang of nerds! And look at that – we're trying to cuss a little less, too! Ain't we sweet?
Anyway, Blair Marnell from "The Idiot Box" podcast joins Andy Hunsaker and Iann Robinson this week to cover the last week of the New 52. We also have the head-to-head we hinted at last week where Blair and Iann's vastly differing opinions on X-Men Schism get aired out. We're covering Superman, Batman: The Dark Knight, Voodoo, Teen Titans, Savage Hawkman, I Vampire, Justice League Dark, The Fury of Firestorm, Green Lantern: New Guardians, The Flash, Blackhawks, Aquaman, All-Star Western, Spider Island, Black Panther and more! We'll take a breath next week now that we're out from under the DC overload.
Subscribe to us on iTunes and follow us on Twitter (@CraveBookReport) whenever you can. Also, be sure to check out Crave Online's other podcasts for all your entertainment needs – there's the "The Idiot Box" for TV, "The B-Movies" for film, "Next Gen News" for video games and "This is REALLY Happening" for comedy. Crave's got you covered.
Also, be sure to check out our own Sax Carr's take on the entire Starfire/Sexism controversy!


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Clearing up after the Storms on the Costa del Sol !!
After a couple of weeks of steady rain, the last two days it has been torrential !! Result – all the local streams and rivers running down from the mountains to the sea have bought with them loads of rubbish ! We`re fairly busy with an IDC this week, but nevertheless, three of us managed to collect 235 assorted plastic bottles and tin cans washed up on the beach – and a broken motorcycle crash helmet and the back of a TV ……………..!!


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Panama Canal, 100 years of history: Veendam Cruise Review by betsy23
Overall Member Rating
Panama Canal, 100 years of history
Destination: Panama Canal & Central America
Embarkation: Boston
Let me begin my review by stating what I've said in previous reviews: true wine and food devotees simply don't feed these passions by cruising. Why not? Because cruise ships have to prepare massive amounts of food for hundreds (sometimes thousands) of passengers multiple times during the day. Do you really believe that the chef is waiting for your order to come to him before he starts to More prepare your lamb chop? I think not. If you really want to have food specially prepared for you as you order it on HAL cruises, you will need to eat nightly at the Pinnacle Grill or the Canneletto--and that will cost you $25 pp or $10 pp extra respectively. SO: I accept that eating in the Rotterdam Dining Room means that I will be getting food that is prepared in advance based on historical expectations of how many of each entree will probably be ordered. Having said that, I must say I found the food to be very good and only occasionally (when ordering a vegetarian option) found an entree I didn't like, but only because I like spicier food, and not because the food was overcooked or underdone. Indeed, I found some truly delightful meals, particularly their pasta dishes, like the one with figs and bacon--delicious! So, dinner for me was very enjoyable. Because I enjoy a good meal, though, I also splurged and had dinner at the Canneletto (twice), Pinnacle Grill (once) and LeCirque (1). Canneletto was delicious, so was Pinnacle, despite the fact that they no longer flambe the Steak Diane tableside. I had chateaubriand at LeCirque which was delicious, but I don't think I will splurge for the extra $39pp for this option any longer. I just don't think LeCirque is that much better than the regular dining room fare.
I used room service many times for breakfast as I enjoyed eating in a quiet location without having to chase down my meal, then my coffee, then my juice. I found my room service meals hot and delicious, every time, and served at precisely the time I requested them. SO: Meals on the Veendam? A big success for me. I might add I love to cook and think I'm a pretty good cook, too.
This ship: I am very familiar with the Veendam as I have traveled on this ship to Bermuda several times with HAL. Quite honestly, I was afraid the ship would be too confining for a 21 day trip, but I was wrong. I WAS disappointed that the pool was closed for several days for repairs when we boarded in Boston (apparently, the pool had been closed for at least a week before this when the 28 day Panama Canal cruise started in Quebec). I find this unacceptable on a ship that only has one pool. Additionally, HAL, take note, I love the teak loungers on the lower promenade deck, but the cushions are well past their life expectancy and need replacing. They just look gross and unclean. Time for new ones.
The rest of the ship was very clean though.
My cabin was an outside cabin on deck six, which was plenty spacious for a single cruiser. I had no issues whatsoever with temperature in the stateroom. Or with extraneous noise, even though I was right next to doors leading to the outside promenade deck.
Entertainment: I enjoyed all the shows I saw. The comedians were funny (Julie Barr--you and your pink hair cracked me up!) and an edgy black ventriloquist. Went to the Indonesian crew show and enjoyed that too, had fun commenting to crew members later that week that I enjoyed seeing them in the show and seeing them blush with pleasure. Heard from many people who went to other shows that they enjoyed them. The guitar player at the Lido Pool was fabulous. The Adagio Strings were great. The band leader from the Neptunes is a lecherous old man to be avoided at all costs, though, if you are a woman traveling alone. Women, beware.
They had a geologist onboard from Minnesota who gave wonderful lectures on the Panama Canal, the effect of a huge asteroid when it hit in Mexico, a discussion of global warming, the effects of population on natural resources, and the gold rush in California (which, btw, was partially responsible for the urge to build a canal through Central America in the first place). Enjoyed the lectures very much.
Ports of call: In Florida, I rented a car in Cape Canaveral and drove to Merritt Island National Refuge. Only about 30 miles away and fabulous! In Ft. Lauderdale, rented a car and went to the beach at Hollywood, next time I'll just use a taxi, it's close enough to not make it worthwhile to rent the car. The beach at Hollywood is clean and very nice. In Key West, rented a bike and went all over the island, snorkeled, and just had fun.
Cayman Islands: Rented a car and drove to the Cayman Islands national seashore area and never saw another person there. Had the whole place to ourselves. If you go there, you must bring water shoes, though, because of some shore plants with thorns.
Cartegena, Colombia--did a private tour and next time, would just rent a taxi, as our tour guide indicated that taxis are very reasonable. Found a beach that I would park myself at and swim where I felt entirely safe. Did a historical tour of the walled city and also went to the top of the hill where there was a spectacular view of the city but you can see that Cartegena has a way to go before all of its citizens have running water and sewage. But I learned a lot on the tour.
Panama Canal: EPIC! Loved it! Everyone should do this at least once! I will do it again.
Costa Rica: My favorite part of this tour was the riverboat tour on the Tarcoles River. Fascinating! And the meal provided afterwards was authentic and delicious, beer was cold and cheap ($2).
Nicaragua: Went to Leon. Hated the city. Dirty, felt unsafe walking around by myself. Had a taxi driver warn me that two men following me on a motorcycle were up to no good. But I learned a lot about the political history of the area from our tour guide who explained why he was a Sandinista. But next time, I won't leave the port area. I will take a taxi to the local beach that looked lovely.
Guatamala: Took a taxi with three other people to a local public beach and swam all day in warm water with HUGE waves. Had fun and always felt safe. The taxi cost $5 pp and the cabana was $2 for all four of us. We shared it with two other families (all Guatamalans) and in fact were the only gringoes on the beach, but never a problem.
Three ports of call in Mexico:
Puerto Chiapas: Took a private tour that included a folklore center (very nice!), an area of Mayan ruins (a waste of time, no one there who knew anything about it, and the ruins don't even begin to compare with Mayan ruins on the Eastern coast of Mexico) and then the city of Chiapas. My advice? Take a taxi and have them take you around the bay to the beach area instead.
Hualtalco: LOVED IT. Coming back. Going to find someone who will take us to one of the nearby bays where the beaches are sandy and there are NO roads, so the only way to get there is by boat, to snorkel and swim. Cleanest water I ever saw, sea turtles everywhere. Loved this port of call.
Puerto Vallerta: Took a HAL excursion to the former estate of director John Huston, loved it, would do it again, even if pricey at $105, included meals, drinks (alcohol, too) use of snorkel gear, kayaks, etc. I paid extra $50 to dive (my first ever, did a PADI) and I am hooked. Will definitely repeat this HAL excursion.
San Diego: disembarking were effortless.
Crew and staff: I had a pleasant time with most crew members. I've already mentioned the Neptune bandleader to be avoided. Service in the Crow's Nest, where you would find me almost every afternoon from 4-5 for happy hour, was slow--you would think they would staff it better as there was always a crowd!!--and some of the staff there was at times a bit snippy. But loved Imade, my dining steward. He took very good care of our table of 6. I rarely saw my room steward but I knew he'd been there because my room was always clean and he kept me in wine glasses for the wine we brought on board and the ice bucket was always filled.
Most of the people on this cruise were considerably older than me. In fact, I think I met only 4 people who were younger (I'm in my late 50's). Almost everyone was also retired (not me). So, if you are looking for a crowd that was dancing and up late, this is not the cruise for you. On the other hand, never had to worry about finding a lounger by the pool or at the back of the boat, or on the lower promenade, and found some interesting people to listen to.
The ship offered a morning stretch class and an "abs" class that I took every morning that was free. I also had two massage treatments that were pricey but I loved them. I only cruise about once a year, and if I can't splurge then, what's the point?
To sum up, I will absolutely do this exact same cruise again, maybe in a year or so. I learned a lot about Central America, had some delightful ports of call, came to appreciate what my taxes in the US pay for (clean water, septic, stop lights, safe streets, paved roads, animal control!!) and next time might do some of the ports of call a little differently. But I came away both invigorated and also refreshed. What more can you ask of when you are finished with your cruise vacation??!! Less
Published 11/24/13
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Dunlop SP Sport 7000 A/S
Initial Review: 42,500 miles on tires
January 05, 2012
Theses tires were the ones on my car when I bought it new. They have held up well. Ride is fine, road noise is not a problem. Considering that these tires have a tread ware rating of only 340, they have held up very nicely. I have 42500 and will be replacing them soon. No problems with these tires at all.
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