text:
The stuff kids really need for high school
Here are some easy tips to help you upgrade your childs supplies for high school. more
Download our BUMPWATCH Fertility Tracker for your most fertile days & tips. FREE
Choosing between an obstetrican or midwife for your baby's birth is an easy choice for pregnant women with a well-established preference for an obstetrician versus a midwife. For others, the decision can be difficult and confusing.
Whatever option you choose - whether it is with a midwife at a birthing centre or a doctor at a maternity hospital (or even a doula at a home birth) - it is your choice and you should always do what you feel comfortable with, rather than worrying what other people will think.
The main difference between doctors and midwives is that, while midwives are trained to deal with women who are having normal, uncomplicated, low-risk pregnancies, doctors are trained to handle any complications. If there are any complications with your pregnancy, or if any develop while you are pregnant and under the care of a midwife, you will be referred to an obstetrician.
Typically, midwives believe in allowing women to make informed decisions regarding their pregnancies and they tend to incorporate modern medical knowledge with traditional methods of dealing with pregnancies and birth.
Midwives do not feel that births have to take place in a hospital but can provide you with information about the potential risks of choosing other options.
Some midwives choose to work privately, rather than be employed by hospitals and other institutions, in the belief that it ensures that the care offered will be in partnership, directed primarily by the wishes of the women and their families.
Private practitioner midwives are able to provide continuity of care to the families who choose to use their services. During the pregnancy, the woman and her family develop a friendly supportive relationship with their midwife (in some cases e.g. homebirth, the care is shared by two midwives). On the day the baby arrives the midwife remains with the woman throughout the entire labour. There are no shift changes that require the midwife to leave. During the first week of the baby's life the same midwife visits daily until the baby has settled into a feeding pattern and the parents feel confident in caring for their new baby.
Some midwives in private practice choose to work in specific areas. For example, some may offer post natal care, or advice with difficult breast feeding problems (Lactation Consultants). In addition, some midwives are skilled and have qualifications in complementary areas such as; Maternal and child health, counseling, naturopathy, reiki, kinesiology, massage and homeopathy.
Many people associate midwives with a less sterile approach to pregnancy and birthing and believe that they generally give more attention to their patients than doctors. This is not because doctors don't want to spend time with their patients but is usually because the workload of a doctor in a hospital ward is very busy. If you have chosen to engage a private midwife to support you throughout your pregnancy and a home birth experience than you will have had the opportunity to form a strong bond with her and can be assured of her undivided attention to you.
This article was written by Claire Halliday for Australia's leading pregnancy resource, Kidspot. Sources include Midwives in Private Practice.
This article was created for Kidspot - Australia's parenting resource for during your pregnancy


text:
We'll save you the vertically scrolling web page, the immersive "hero" photo, and a few number counters to show off some achievements (one of those numbers being quirky of course). Here's the deal about us…
Poise Media started in 1999 by Val Katayev, quickly discovered the power of paid search marketing and built performance-based campaigns for 800 brands with paid search at its core. This is years before Google became a brand we know today, and many years before paid search was a well-known marketing channel that dominates 60% of digital advertising. Quickly rising to be one of the largest SEM advertisers during the industry's formative years of 2000 through 2006, the company started expanding into other forms of advertising. First category we tackled in 2006 was contextual and native formats, yet another category that blew up in later years.
With the success and experience in marketing and adtech, since 2008 Poise Media is focused as a launch-pad and an "idea-lab" for breeding new companies with heavy emphasis on advertising and marketing. The company's direct and indirect spin-offs from Poise Media include ToneFuse (spun-off in 2009, acquired in 2013), ToneMedia (spun-off in 2012, acquired in 2013), and MobileFuse (spun-off in 2010, a 2-time Crain's Fast 50 company).
Today, the company is developing new projects, and to strengthen the ability to launch those projects, the group includes Poise Ventures to finance them. Poise Ventures also funds other startups and in many cases advises them on many aspects including advertising.
For more about our founder and some of Poise Media's affiliated companies:
- Val Katayev - https://www.linkedin.com/in/valkatayev
- MobileFuse - https://www.linkedin.com/company/mobilefuse
- Poise Ventures portfolio companies - https://angel.co/valkatayev

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Southern Comfort Cupcakes
Caramel and I have a kind of love-hate relationship – I love to eat it, but hate to make it. I sort of suffer from adult onset and self-diagnosed Attention Deficit Disorder and caramel is one of those creations that requires your undivided attention. And let's face it, my attention never remains undivided.
I can't even tell a story without being "sidetracked" multiple times. I often diverge into a totally unrelated topic and forget what I was even talking about in the first place. I guess I've been blessed with the story telling skills of Rose Nylund from the Golden Girls. Oh, and household chores, ha – I've been known to partially empty the dishwasher and fill it up with dirty dishes before realizing the rest were clean. I always blame the blog. It's my go-to excuse.
Sooooo… back to the caramel! I saw this incredibly amazing Southern Comfort Popcorn on Bluebonnets and Brownies and knew I had to make it. However, we aren't really a SoCo drinking kind of family, so I just added it to one of the 127 Post-it notes affixed to my desk. Then one day while browsing the mini booze bottles at the market I found two bottles of Southern Comfort buried in a basket of Puckers. Jackpot! The popcorn is pretty easy to make, but a little messy. Be sure to pay close attention to the caramel because it can go from perfect to burnt within a second.
The taste? It is ah-mazing. I knew the only way to make it even better was to make a cupcake centered around its awesomeness. I made the simplest of chocolate cupcakes and topped it with Southern Comfort infused buttercream, which is actually incredibly delicious – even to this non-whisky-drinking girl.
Because I never know when to quit, I topped each cupcake with a drizzle of melted chocolate and the Southern Comfort Caramel Corn. They were adult cupcake perfection in every boozy bite.
Southern Comfort Cupcakes
Yield: 24 cupcakes
For the cupcakes
1 (18.25 ounce) package Devil's Food Cake mix
1 (5.9 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding mix
1 cup sour cream
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs; lightly beaten
1/2 cup warm water
1 teaspoon of vanilla
For the Southern Comfort Buttercream
4 sticks unsalted butter; room temperature
1 tablespoon clear vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
2 pounds confectioners' sugar
4 tablespoons Southern Comfort
For the Garnish
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips melted and cooled
Southern Comfort Caramel Corn
For the cupcakes
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Line (2) 12 cup muffin tins with paper liners or spray with nonstick cooking spray.
3. In the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, or with a hand mixer in a large bowl, beat together the cake and pudding mixes, sour cream, oil, beaten eggs, water and vanilla until well combined and smooth.
4. Evenly divide the batter amongst the prepared pans. {I use a large cookie scoop from OXO to scoop my batter; it holds 3 tablespoons}.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until top is springy to the touch. A small divot may appear in the center of the cupcake, no worries though because you'll cover that with frosting.
6. Cool cupcakes thoroughly on a wire rack.
For the frosting
1. Cream the butter in the bowl of an electric or stand mixer. Add the vanilla extract and salt.
2. Begin adding in the sugar and mixing thoroughly after each addition. After all of the sugar has been added and mixed thoroughly, add in the Southern Comfort and mix until light and fluffy. If frosting is too thick, slowly add in a little more Southern Comfort (1 teaspoon at a time) until you reach the desired consistency. Pipe frosting onto cupcakes.
For the garnish
Place melted chocolate into piping bag or plastic storage bag and snip off the tip. Drizzle buttercream with the melted chocolate and top with Southern Comfort Caramel Corn.
- I recommend frosting these the day you are serving them. Otherwise, the caramel corn will lose its crunch.
- This recipe can easily be halved if you don't need 24 cupcakes.
- Cupcake Liners from Bake It Pretty.
- Cupcakes were piped using the Giant Round Tip from Bake It Pretty.
41 Responses to "Southern Comfort Cupcakes"
Gotta make this. Maybe I'll go swim a few miles first so I can eat two. YUM!
I've got the same sorta relationship with caramel. I'm an impatient thing. And it requires constant attention and waiting.
You have a way of making everything look amazingly delicious. I am totally diggin the thought of Southern Comfort Buttercream!!!
What beautiful looking cupcakes! Love the sweet and salty
Southern Comfort Buttercream = could I eat that, just that, forever? :)
I recently made dark rum caramel sauce. I love adding liquors to my desserts. All vices in one place that way!
I thought I was the only one who flitted from one thing to another. I get half of everything on my list done though!
I love this caramel corn idea on a cupcake. I love the idea and will have to try it soon.
They look delicious and well worth the effort to pay attention. Great job!
These sound delicious, and I'll definitely be giving the SoCo popcorn a try soon!
They look abnoxiously yummy but the southern comfort scares me
Gorgeous and so very tempting… would love to eat the whole batch…
I can't wait to give these a try. Oh YUM!!!
Somehow I've never tried southern comfort! Weird. These cupcakes sound wonderful!
I keep a liquor cabinet stocked with rum, both dark and light, Maker's Mark and SoCo. Those liquors never touch my lips, they are there just for cooking…maybe we'll be seeing you over on the dark side more often? I love how some of these adult beverages elevate the flavors of dishes without really imparting a boozy taste and I'll bet these are great. I've got that popcorn in my sightlines…bet it's great with the chocolate cupcake!
I'm always in when there is chocolate in the cupcake. But remember that "macarons are the new cupcakes" so we expect a French macaron recipe here soon haha ;)
Those look absolutely amazing! You and I are opposites – I LOVE making caramels, but my doctor (and my blood sugar levels) don't like me having it!
Looks just as beautiful as it sounds delicious. Love your photos!
I love boozy cupcakes! I've been wanting to try Amber's popcorn too and this combination sounds fantastic. :-)
Southern. Comfort. Buttercream.
I think I need a moment alone now. Whew. *fans self*
Those look incredible. Must make. Now.
I adore So Co so these literally look like my dream come true! I am wholeheartedly saving and making that buttercream frosting, probably devouring it on its own knowing me. I loved your post, made me laugghh, i can related to the attention deficit thing entirely!
Mmm. Carmel and chocolate my two favs. But am I the only one who has no idea what southern comfort is? Obviously its alcohol….. is it whiskey?
Chocolate and alcohol?! mmmm…
I never thought of baking with SoCo…these look and sound amazing!
I so enjoy your blog. Read it religiously and a forward it on to my sister. I was wondering where you find the dark chocolate brown cupcake wrappers. The are a wonderful added touch that finishes out the chocolate cupcakes so perfectly.
Thanks, Judith
These look Devine…anything with caramel corn and I'm hooked! akidandherkitchenaid.blogspot.com/. Come me out :)
These are stunning!! And refined. And grown up. And fun!!! I wish I was like these cupcakes. :)
I've been dreaming about that popcorn, too… But, I still need to get to the store for some SoCo. Now, I have another reason. This looks incredible!
Hi!! First of all I love all yous photos!! And I want to try many of your recipes! Especially cookies and cupcakes!
A new recipe to try. Question the link to the Southern comfort caramel corn is not working do you have anything link to try?
The link isn't working for me either. Would love to try these.. help?
I've got it now! thanks so much!
Les photos sont absolument magnifiques et très alléchantes =)
Beautiful pictures
These sound great! However the link for the SoCo popcorn isn't working for me. Is there anyway you can send me the recipe for that?
OMG these look amazing and am making this weekend for my husbands birthday, but just a question is the frosting reallly 4 STICKS of butter??? :) Just want to make sure I have everything right, TIA And will all frosting be used for 24 cupcakes?
What number tip did you use to pipe the frosting? Thanks!
Reading this was hilarious. I have found my twin!!!


text:
Everyone keeps reminding me that it's Friday. Oh yeah, I sort of forgot. I've been busy right up until about now and there's still more to do. I'm just taking a minute to recoil my brain and stuff it back into my head. It began to leak out around 10 AM.
So, in weather news, it was 45 this morning. Yeah, how odd for early April. Instead of rain we got cold. Which, I suppose, did take care of some of the pollen so that's a good thing. I just wasn't ready for tonight's low to be 33! Wow.
This entry isn't very interesting; I have a lot to talk about but I just don't feel it right now. I think I will grade papers for a bit then go to lunch.


text:
NC State used several dominating runs to put away its new ACC partner Saturday.
NC State and Wake Forest found out Friday that they are guaranteed to play each other home-and-home in basketball each year due to the arrival of Syracuse and Pittsburgh. The result is two out of every three years the Wolfpack will play North Carolina just once.
The well-balanced Wolfpack swept the season series thanks to a big game from junior small forward Scott Wood. The long-range sniper poured in six three-pointers en route to 23 points in the 87-76 victory over the Demon Deacons in front of 15,525 fans at the RBC Center.
"Shots were falling, and once you see a couple go in, you have that confidence," Wood said. "You have spurts and teams are going to make runs, and then teams are going to come back at you. You just have to withstand their runs and have more runs than they do."
NC State improved to 17-7 and 6-3 in the ACC with a road game at Georgia Tech up next Feb. 9. Wake Forest fell to 11-12 overall and 2-7 in the ACC, and are on the heels of four-straight losses.
NC State previously defeated Wake Forest 76-40 on Jan. 14, and Wolfpack coach Mark Gottfried expected a different Demon Deacons' squad in Raleigh.
"I liked how we got the game up and down and got the break running," Gottfried said. "Defensively, not as good. I thought we could play much better. We gave them too many good looks.
"Scott Wood made some big, big shots. Calvin [Leslie] made a couple of huge plays at key times. When we got out and ran, filled the lanes and played in the open floor, we were pretty good."
Wood and senior shooting guard C.J. Williams were both surprised about having Wake Forest as its playing partner.
"You like to play all the best teams as many times as you can," Wood said. "At the same time, we are adding two great teams, so if we can't play them [UNC], then so bit it. I feel like anybody in the ACC is a rival for us."
Gottfried call the scheduling change "disappointing."
"I share the same feeling with our fans," Gottfried said. "I'm new here, so I'm just learning, but I certainly would like for that [to play UNC twice] to happen."
Both teams featured five players in double figures and each shot at least 50 percent from the field. Williams and sophomore power forward Leslie both scored 18 points apiece and combined for five blocked shots.
Williams has played with or against Wake Forest senior center Ty Walker of Wilmington, N.C., and junior guard C.J. Harris of Winston-Salem, N.C., for years.
"I never would have expected that," said Williams about the scheduling changes. "We like to play against them [UNC], and they are a big challenge for us. [Wake Forest] is a different team because they are more perimeter oriented than North Carolina.
"I've known C.J. since my sophomore year of high school [at Fayetteville (N.C.) Jack Britt]. Ty and I go way back since we were little. We've played against each other a lot. Sometimes, you'll catch us talking about other stuff [on the court]."
Junior center Richard Howell added 11 points and 11 rebounds in a career-high 36 minutes, while sophomore point guard Lorenzo Brown road a big second half to finish with 15 points, eight assists and four rebounds.
Brown, who set a career-high with 38 minutes, snapped out of his recent mini-slump, and had just two turnovers.
"Lorenzo hasn't played as good the last couple of games, but it's nice to see him play better and play with confidence," Gottfried said. "That was really important for us today."
Wake Forest jumped out to an early 7-2 lead, but NC State found its stride with the first big run of the game. Leslie scored four points after making a dunk and drawing a fragrant foul. He subsequently hit both free throws, and the Wolfpack still had possession of the ball. Williams drained a three-pointer and Wood followed with his first of the game to give NC State an early 14-7 lead with 15:03 left in the half.
Wake Forest proved early that the previous blowout loss to NCSU was put in the past. The Demon Decons went on a 7-0 mini run of their own to take a 29-22 lead with 6:32 remaining in the first half.
Wood retreated to the locker room for a brief spell, but once he checked back into the game, he made sure everyone in the arena knew he was back.
Wood caught fire from deep with three-straight three pointers, and Williams five points of his own during an 18-2 run to open a 40-31 lead with 1:28 left in the first half. The momentum helped NC State take a 42-33 lead into halftime.
"When Scott gets it going, we are a lot better team," Williams said.
Wood finished with 15 points at halftime, and he didn't even feel 100 percent on the court.
"I'm not a doctor, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night, but I went back there because I was having a sharp pain in my ankle," Wood said. "I heard tendinitis and heard swelling in the joint was pushing on the joint, but it felt a lot better in the second half. It hurt for most of the first half."
Wake Forest responded well to start the second half and tied the game 50-50 after Travis McKie hit a three-pointer with 13:30 left in the contest.
Brown made a twisting drive in the lane and was fouled to convert a three-point play, added a nice pull-up jumper in the lane and complemented Wood's rare four-point play. NC State was off and running again with a 13-2 run to take a 63-52 lead with 10:04 left in the game.
"Wood has a very quick release, and he was stroking it today," Wake Forest coach Jeff Bzdelik said. "Have to give him credit. Sometimes the offense is just better than the defense."
Wake Forest had one last gasp when Harris hit a three-pointer to cut the Wolfpack's lead to 69-64 with 6:28 left. NC State regrouped behind Williams, who scored six points during the Pack's last big run of the game, an 11-2 spurt to take a commanding 80-66 lead with 3:47 left in the game.
"We didn't want the last few minutes to be a grinded out thing," Williams said. "We didn't want it to come down to possibly one possession. We put our foot to the pedal."
Wake Forest shot 50 percent from the field (29 of 58) and was red-hot from three-point land, shooting 10 of 17. Harris led the Demon Deacons with 21 points, McKie added 13 and Walker chipped in 12.
Chase Fischer hit three three-pointers off the bench for 11 points, and Nikita Mescheriakov had 10 points.
Bzdelik bemoaned the various runs NC State put on his team.
"That 12-0 run, the seven-point play was part of it," Bzdelik said. "You take away those runs, we outscored them by 19. They had too many runs on us.
"In the second half, when Wood made the four-point play, that's 11 points in two particular plays that you just can't have."


text:
It only takes a minute to get started. Fill out our uncomplicated sign up form and login to the website.
This step is noncompulsory but will greatly multiply your chances of your profile getting read by other members. Tell people about yourself, your interests and upload some good photos of yourself.
Utilise our website's state-of-the-art search to find over 60s members who meet your criteria. Or just leaf through listings and find singles that you find attractive.
Found someone who ticks all the boxes? Send a letter to them or just a wink and see what develops from there. With a little luck you'll be on your way to an amazing adventure.
It's quick and simple


text:
Take an Additional $10 Off AC Kits. Use Coupon Code ACKIT10
Your Search for the Perfect GEO Headlight Assembly is Almost Over!
The Geo Headlight Assembly, located at the front of the car, provides illumination at night and also during low-visibility conditions. It is available in different sizes and shapes. The headlights can be switched between high and low beams. The high beam light provides bright and long-distance illumination while the low beam illuminates the road closer to the vehicle. There are two types of headlights: sealed beam headlight and composite headlight.
If you are looking for a genuine Geo Headlight Assembly, you have come to the right place. At Buy Auto Parts we stock a wide variety of headlight assemblies for every car make and model. We have OEM replacements and premium aftermarket parts. Each of our car parts has been tested to meet or exceed industry standards. All auto part orders over $99 will receive free shipping.
To locate the car parts you need, just select the right year, make and model of your car from our online catalog. If you need assistance in finding the Geo Headlight Assembly, give us a call and we will find it for you. As we have warehouses all across the country, you can be assured of receiving your car parts from the warehouse closest to your location, on time.
Customer satisfaction is our top priority. To know more about our services and car parts, call our toll-free support line at 1-888-907-7225 or mail us at [email protected]. Our US-based sales and support teams are here to take care of all your car part needs.


text:
Memory Corridor
Years ago, all the phones on the Columbia lot were the same as anywhere else, with one big difference: When you dialed zero, the voice you heard was not a polite operators but that of the studios brutish ruler, Harry Cohn. A young contract player named Constance Towers had met the boss only once before, on the day he signed Towers, after she performed a scene in his office with Jack Lemmon. But a year later, shed done exactly one film and had been kept on ice while Columbia promoted Kim Novak.
Which is why she dialed the big zero one day in 1957 and quickly found herself back in the high-desked office that had so famously been cloned from Mussolinis. Mr. Cohn sat with one hand holding a riding crop and the other making an aperture with his thumb and forefinger, Towers remembers. He only looked at me through his fingers, deciding how I would look through a camera.
Today, most people know Towers, now 68, as General Hospitals Helena Cassadine, or perhaps from her last film, A Perfect Murder, the 1998 remake of Dial M for Murder. Her striking, catalog-perfect appearance identifies her as the Hollywood pro she is, and perhaps its no surprise that the Century City home she shares with actor-businessman husband John Gavin is located in a corner of a former 20th Century Fox back lot.
When Harry met Connie the second time, the mogul agreed not to renew his option on her contract, and she thanked him for a very important lesson.
Upcoming Events
Tehran Taboo
TicketsSun., Oct. 22, 5:15pm
Mary and the Witch's Flower
TicketsSun., Oct. 22, 5:15pm
Night Is Short, Walk On Girl
TicketsSun., Oct. 22, 8:00pm
The Kid
TicketsSun., Nov. 19, 2:30pm
WHATS THAT? Cohn demanded.
I know now that if youd had any plans for me you wouldnt have let me go.
Cohn learned something too that day -- not only did Connie Towers have blond hair and hazel eyes, she still came wrapped in the rawhide toughness needed to grow up on the cold steppes of Montana, where her Irish-immigrant family had settled as workers on the Great Northern Railroad. As far back as she could remember, Towers had wanted to become a singer and actress, and by the time she was 16 had beaten polio and willed herself into New Yorks Juilliard School and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Her career on stage and screen has left her with a lifetime of Hollywood memories: The day stuntman Freddy Kennedy died in her arms after a bad fall from a horse . . . How John Ford and Woody Strode once snuck into her apartment and left her a parakeet named Lonesome because they thought Towers lonely and in need of a pet . . . The way Sam Fuller would fire off a pistol during the shooting of his movies -- an unnerving habit that nevertheless forced her to focus on her roles.
Towers appeared in Fullers indelible Shock Corridor and The Naked Kiss. She emerges in them as iconic outsiders to the American Dream -- a stripper who saves money for a normal life and a reformed prostitute whos traded her tight skirt for a nurses uniform -- who are, nevertheless, these films sanest characters. No wonder, as Towers says, most writers interview her about these roles, and not her work in Fords The Horse Soldiers and Sergeant Rutledge.
Her opaque, high-plains hardness translated into a blond iceberg who easily melted into sentimental generosity, perfectly suiting Fullers own ambivalent outlook on life. Forget her flat line readings and exaggerated gestures -- like other Fuller actors, she was meant to portray an adult cartoon, not an intellectualized cipher. Strippers and prostitutes, after all, arent paid to make men fantasize about other women -- they are their fantasies.
Towers remembers her work on Shock Corridor as three weeks of fast shooting -- a lot of shooting. This independent movie, filmed at the old Goldwyn Studios on Santa Monica Boulevard, had a very low budget (one of Fullers co-producers, Leon Fromkess, had also produced Edgar Ulmers quickie noir classic Detour), but she recalls Fuller as being an emotionally lavish director. He was totally accessible to you. Hed find the right words to inspire you to go that step further -- or to unlock one little thing that he wanted. Then again, the obsessive Fuller was never one to overlook details. He needed to have control, Towers says. It was one of his virtues and one of his devils. He felt so passionately about the material he had written. He had tremendous enthusiasm and was very childlike.
Although Towers had no qualms about her risque roles, her devoutly Catholic father was upset with me for making the film and took a long time to see it. When he did finally see it, he wrote me a letter telling me how happy he was that he finally did. When she signed on for the two Fuller films, Towers and the rest of the cast never dreamed of their eventual cult status.
I saw Gene Evans at Sammys funeral, she says of her Shock Corridor co-star. We said we both didnt realize at that time that we were doing a picture that would be that important in film history.
Shock Corridor screens Tuesday, October 9, 7:30 p.m., at UCLAs James Bridges Theater in Melnitz Hall.
Get the Film & TV Newsletter
Stay up to date on the best new movies with our critics' latest reviews, interviews and trailers for the films coming to a theater near you each week.
Recommended for You
Powered by SailThru
Upcoming Events
Big Fish and Begonia
TicketsSun., Oct. 22, 11:00am
The Incredibles
TicketsSun., Oct. 22, 11:00am
The Lego Batman Movie
TicketsSun., Oct. 22, 2:15pm
Lu Over the Wall
TicketsSun., Oct. 22, 2:15pm
Sponsor Content


text:
Regardless of where one stands on the issue of same-sex marriage, every Californian should be alarmed by the recent majority decision of the United States Supreme Court relative to Proposition 8.
Rather than deciding, once and for all, whether or not restricting the definition of marriage to one man and one woman is constitutional, the Supremes punted the ball via a very narrow decision that all but guts the California initiative process.
First, a brief reminder of how we got to where we are today. Initially, gay marriage in California was not legal, but the Legislature attempted to change the law. However, Gov. Schwarzenegger vetoed that action, arguing that the voters should decide something as important as a re-definition of marriage.
So the voters did decide - in favor of traditional marriage - via Proposition 22, in the year 2000. But the state's Supreme Court ruled that the proposition was unconstitutional. Despite the fact that a constitutional amendment was pending, the court allowed for the issuance of marriage licenses to gay couples. We editorialized at the time that this was a huge mistake - that it would be better to wait for the outcome of Prop. 8.
As it turned out, Prop 8 was approved by a vote of 52 percent of the voters, and gay couples who had been married during that brief window were left in a state of limbo. Once again the will of the people was challenged in court, but neither Governor Schwarzenegger nor his then-Attorney General, Jerry Brown, were willing to defend the measure.
What they should have said at the time was something like the following: "We are bound by our oaths of office to defend the laws of the State of California. However, because we are personally opposed to Prop 8, we hereby recuse ourselves and leave that responsibility to other staff members who can, in good conscience, provide a vigorous defense of the measure."
But they did not do that, which led to a series of decisions regarding "standing," which brings us to the recent decision by the Supreme Court of the United States, which determined that the sponsors of the measure could not defend it in court. Which means the issue of constitutionality is still undecided.
We agree with the dissenting opinion of Justice Kennedy and the three who sided with him, Justices Alito, Thomas and Sotomayor: "In the end, what the Court fails to grasp or accept is the basic premise of the initiative process. And it is this. The essence of democracy is that the right to make law rests in the people and flows to the government, not the other way around. Freedom resides first in the people without need of a grant from government. The California initiative process embodies these principles and has done so for over a century."
In other words, the initiative process - which allows the people of California to engage in direct democracy - has been badly damaged. Why bother going through the time and expense of qualifying a measure for the ballot if the Governor and Attorney General are not likely to defend it in court, thereby giving them what amounts to a pocket veto? We don't always like the initiative process. It is used far too often. But thanks to this ruling, an important tool of democracy has been significantly compromised.


text:
" Brand: Jansport / Style: Daysac / Feature: Wheeled "
* Prices may differ from that shown
I was lent this case/backpack by a friend and said friend has generously allowed me to keep it for the last six months!
I travel a lot on business and for longer stays I tend to use my trusty but heavy Samsonite case. This Jansport case is much handier and lighter and easily carries all I need for three or four days. It weighs 4.3 lb when empty.
It has a number of useful features. For me the main one is that I can swap it easily from a normal wheeling about case to a suprisingly comfortable backpack. Some cases don't make the transit easily and when hoisted onto my shoulders feel unbalanced and uncomfortable on my spine. On this one the retractable wheeling handle is padded enough not to be obtrusive and doesn't leave me feeling like someone is trying to realign my back with a shovel!
When I am pulling it up and down endless airport corridors and piers, it behaves itself and doesn't try to go it's own way like a wayward supermarket trolley. It doesn't make a lot of noise either which is a blessing! I had a case once that sounded like a Concorde landing every time I tried to move it. The wheels are at the corners of the case, rather than set in a few inches. This seems to help with stability and balance, so no graceless belly flops from your case when you let go of it to look for your tickets etc!
There is a side handle on the Jansport 8 for the times when you just want to carry it a few yards or up or down stairs. This isn't too comfy for carrying the case far. ( but then it doesn't need to be with two other ways of moving it about.) The bottom front is protected with a ridge of hard plastic, I assume this is to protect it from scuffing. (Or from the kicks of frustrated fliers who have just been told their plane is delayed again!)
My (friend's) case is black but they are available in a lot of different colours and some fairly fancy patterns too. If I was buying one for myself, which I probably will, I would buy a brighter one. Not because I prefer the look of them but because they are so much easier to identify on the airport luggage carousels. I wish I had a quid for every time I have lifted off somebody else's luggage!
The shoulder straps are sturdy and well padded, they tuck away inside a little compartment at the back of the case just below the sliding handle. They aren't very easy to adjust but stay put once you have the length right.
Inside the case are two large main compartments with those elasticated thingies that are supposed to keep your clothes in one place. To be honest, there's never enough space left in one of my cases for the clothes, books etc to be mobile. Once the case is shut nothing is going anywhere so I dont really use them. I occasionally get irritated by those bits of elastic strapping when I find they are trying to escape from the case and are messing with the zip! Having said that, this is not a problem peculiar to this particular case. They all do it if I don't remember to fasten them up before I try to fasten the case.
The laptop section is well padded and has room for cables and other bits and bobs of computer paraphenalia. I find the padding can hide loose bits due to the way it fits into the compartment and have twice 'lost' pens or little memory sticks in them. It does hold the laptop securely though and I don't worry myself about whether it will get damaged or not. It is also easy to get the laptop out for inspection at the security gates.
I find that the case will usually fit easily into the overhead bins on aeroplanes. I don't have to ease it in with the help of a battering ram!
There is a meshed pocket on the side for water bottles but I tend not to use this because it can get caught in things if there is a bottle in it. There is also a handy little mesh pocket on the main front pocket for travel documents and my latest sudoku book and pen! (and various other bits and bobs!)
The zips are sturdy and work fine, the ones around the two main compartment are double ended which is always handy.
The wheeling handle is T shaped and moulded with finger grips. A few times I have had the case jogged out of my hand if I have hit a bump whilst wheeling it but I think that is more my fault than an inherent design fault.
I have seen this case on sale at Dublin Airport for about £80.00 but don't buy one at an airport because they are about £20 cheaper if you shop around on the web.
This case is a couple of years old now and still looking good and working fine. I recommend it.


text:
Re: cboh. Yeah. And, Paul, since you're at our beck and call, make sure that report is properly formatted, includes the enterprise run-down requested by keke, is in a denim binder with a pocket on...
There are several things here:
1. I love this idea
2. It makes WAY too much sense for MS to adopt
3. I'd love to hear what the world has moved on to
There are numerous...
SuperSite for Windows
Sponsored Introduction Continue on to (or wait seconds) ×


text:
PRZOOM - /newswire/ -
London, United Kingdom, 2008/08/12 - The Northern France Village will group together 25 companies from the regions European Railway Cluster at INNOTRANS, the worlds leading trade fair for the railway industry, which will be held in Berlin from 23 to 26 September 2008.
Northern France is one of Europes leading centres of excellence in rail-transport technology.
At INNOTRANS, the Northern France Village will cover almost 360m2 and will bring together 25 companies from the Nord-Pas de Calais and Picardie regions of Northern France. The diversity of exhibiting companies demonstrates how rich this high-tech cluster is in terms of expertise, with specialists in rolling-stock manufacture, infrastructure equipment, services, operations and maintenance. Each participating company will have a 20- to 30-minute session to unveil its latest products and innovations. The programme for these presentations will be available soon.
In addition to the companies from the region, there will also be an institutional stand grouping representatives of the AIF (French Railway Industries Association), of the i-Trans competitiveness cluster, of the Nord-Pas de Calais and Picardie regions, and of NFX, the investment promotion agency for Northern France, together with its partners, which are the regions three metropolitan development agencies (APIMLille Métropole, ADUSMaubeuge, and Valenciennes Métropole). These institutional participants will present a number of established sites in the region that are specifically devoted to research and development. This stand will be located in Hall 3.2, Booth 2504B.
A delegation of elected officials and business leaders from Northern France, led by Daniel Percheron, President of the Regional Council of Nord-Pas de Calais, and Claude Gewerc, President of the Regional Council of Picardie, will be visiting the trade fair on 25 September 2008.
The companies in the Northern France Village will be: Ades (Amesco, Cafac Bajolet , Certifer, Cimes, Decamat +, Delcroix Klege Europ, Delos, Deny Fontaine, Devismes, Duflot Industries, Favi, Getrasur, Heff Durferrit, IDMS ELNO Group, IGF Industries Arbel Fauvet Rail, Infodio, Inoforges, Neu International Railways, CEF Sogeff, Société Industrielle des Fontes, Sogema, Sopaval, Stratiforme Industries and Techni Metal Systèmes.
About Northern France European Railway Cluster
The two regions which constitute Northern France (Nord-Pas de Calais and Picardie) rank as leaders in Frances rail-transport industry and technology. The sector represents 10,000 jobs and approximately 300 companies, which are based in the area, as well as innovative projects such as the i-Trans high-technology cluster.
This unique regional expertise lies behind the decision to establish a Northern France stand at INNOTRANS, the worlds leading railway-industry trade fair, which unveils the latest advances in the sector every two years.
Northern France European Railway Cluster will be taking part in the INNOTRANS trade show, which will be held in Berlin (Germany) from 23 to 26 September 2008 (Hall 3.2, Booth 250).
Agency / Source: FTPB (French Technology Press Bureau)
Availability: All Regions (Including Int'l)
Traffic Booster: [/] Quick PRZOOM - Press & Newswire Visibility Checker
Distribution / Indexing: [+]


text:
Ask a Dentist. Get Answers to Your Dental Questions.
Hello Dr. Alex,
Yes, very helpful. In your opinion, would things be just fine if I decided to extract the tooth and not have it replaced, for financial reasons?? #31 is the last tooth on this side of my mouth. Would the teeth with time "spread out" considerably or be just fine? I am 41 y.o.this is my biggest concern, besides the fact that they could tell me that the root canal will be good, but then with time, I might have more problems. Thank you so much!!


text:
Black Friday deals are no longer a 1-day thing with the internet and hypebeasts everywhere trying to grab your attention for weeks at a time during the holiday shopping season. Dealing with all of the noise can be tough, so we thought this year, we'd try something a bit different. Instead of posting up single deals as they come in to try and showcase the best, we will instead put together a daily round-up that updates throughout to show you the best as they happen.
We'll continue to do this as long as there are enough deals to keep it going, but this week it'll definitely be there for you to browse each morning and on to the evening. And yes, the early Black Friday deals are already flowing out of places like Amazon, Best Buy, and your other favorite retailers.
Also, as you see sweet deals, be sure to drop those in the comments because the chances of us getting them all are slim.
More coming throughout the day! And again, hit up those comments with other good deals you see!


text:
Do you ever notice that there are eleventy billion sites that give women guidance on hair and scalp issues and- well, hardly any at all to men? I mean, guys have hair too. Maybe not on TOP of their heads, but they do. They can even have dry, itchy scalps…or just dry hair. And maybe they don't want to use the fabulous scented shampoos and products that women use, well, because they are men and have different scent preferences. Which is ok. (I think I'd raise an eyebrow if my husband was using my products, although that's mostly because I don't like to share my favorites….)
This is a sponsored post about hair solutions for men. Opinions are my own.
So. What's a GUY to do when his follicles are acting up? The folks at Dove Men+Care Hair have come up with some helpful solutions and suggestions for all kinds of issues men may experience with their scalp and hair. Just for men. Listen, ladies. I love the smell of Dove Men. On HIM. Not on me. Plus, men's product, while smelling fantastic most of the time, is also formulated for HIM and his hair, and not my hair, which is totally different length, thickness, and what have you. (Never mind the color treated issue). And that's the thing. Like our bodies, guys' hair isn't always going to respond to the same things the same ways as women's may. So gentlemen, your situations may have solutions.
What¹s Your Hair Situation?
Whether it¹s thinning hair, bed head, hat hair, or dandruff Dove® Men+Care has got it covered! Visit walmart.com/dovemenhair to get tips and recommendations that will solve any hair situation!
Shop all Dove® Men+Care at Walmart
Shop all Dove® Men+Care Hair product at Walmart for everyday low prices!
I have two(2) customized Dove Men+Care Hair packs to give away to two(2) winners. Each pack will include four(4) products of your choice + a $25 Walmart gift card (each pack is valued at $50).


text:
It's a positive movement that embraces local food, renewable energy, sustainable transport, lower energy use and much more.
Climate Change and Peak Oil are two very different, but equally enormous challenges that face human society in the 21st century. Decisions we take as a society now will directly affect our lives in the future.
However, a positive and fulfilling future is possible if we plan for it. The Transition movement is about the transition towards a low-carbon and low-energy future. But instead of Government policies, this is a movement driven from the ground up and focussed on actions that everyone can take on a daily basis.Read more…
This website has been funded by the Isles of Scilly AONB Sustainable Development Fund.


text:
The more things change for Florida State, the more they seem to remain the same.
A year ago, the Seminoles were desperate to make a statement against Brigham Young after they needed a pair of last-minute touchdowns to avoid losing to Division I-AA Jacksonville State at home.
Now a year later, they will try to rebound from a lopsided loss against the visiting Cougars on Saturday and prove they are better than they showed against Oklahoma.
"This is a little different. We pretty much got manhandled," senior quarterback Christian Ponder said of last weekend's 47-17 loss. "But there is that (same) motivation that we want to redeem ourselves."
He and his teammates didn't just beat then-No. 7 BYU last Sept. 19 and snap its 18-game home winning streak. They overwhelmed the Cougars in every facet, cruising to a 54-28 win.
It was one of the Seminoles' most-complete performances in years, temporarily putting them back in the national polls and temporarily quieting the criticism of coach Bobby Bowden. The Cougars went on to win nine of their last 10 games to finish 11-2 and No. 12 in the Associated Press poll.
"It's not that you played so well against BYU. But whoever you would have played against, you overcame a game you didn't play as well in the week before and came back and played very well the next week," first-year coach Jimbo Fisher said. "They have done it themselves, so it is a good reference."
Fisher, who's fond of drawing on history, surely will mention to his team that while he was working at LSU in 2001, the Tigers fell to 2-2 after a 44-15 home loss to No. 2-ranked Florida. The Tigers bounced back to finish 10-3, winning the SEC championship and beating Texas in the Sugar Bowl. The Seminoles still could win the ACC title and reach a BCS game.
But can this year's Seminoles (1-1) replicate what they did a year ago against this BYU (1-1) team?
Fisher said that will hinge on how the players and the coaching staff use the Oklahoma game.
It offered powerful lessons — painful lessons, actually — that they must learn from. That might be most critical with two players in particular.
• Ponder led his team 70 yards for a tying touchdown in the opening minutes but struggled thereafter, finishing 11-of-28 for 113 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions. The redshirt senior confessed he acted more like a newbie than an experienced starter.
"I think I started trying to do too much," he said. "When you want something so bad and it doesn't go your way, you try to make yourself find ways to do it. And that's kind of what I did. I let the pressure affect me a little bit. I can't allow myself to do that."
Ponder then borrowed a play from former Florida star quarterback Tim Tebow, who publicly pledged after a home loss to Ole Miss in 2008 that no one and no team would work harder than he and the Gators. Florida won the next 10, including against Oklahoma for the national title.
"I'm going to use it as motivation," Ponder said passionately about the loss. "I'm never going to have a game like this again."
• Greg Reid, a sophomore making just his second start at cornerback, had 10 tackles. But he glaringly missed some (a couple when he hurled his 5-foot-8, 185-pound body at receivers but didn't try to wrap his arms around them) and too often was out of position — as were many of his teammates — when Oklahoma ran its no-huddle.
"I learned a lot," he said. "I feel like it made me better and realize I'm not perfect."
Reid helped put last year's game at BYU out of reach when he returned an interception 63 yards for a touchdown and 37-14 lead early in the third quarter. Now he said he understands he can't rely on his athletic ability and speed to make plays.
"When you're as competitive as Greg is, sometimes you think, 'Okay. What can I do?' " Fisher said. "He's like Christian in a lot of ways, (thinking), 'What else can I do? What can I take above and beyond on my shoulders and try to find a way to win?' Well, sometimes, the harder you try, the worse you make it because you get yourself out of position or you do this or you do that.
"Sometimes, that's when you've got to take a deep breath, trust your teammates, trust the scheme you're in and just go back and relax and keep playing. He'll learn from it, and I'll take him every day of the week. I'm glad he's on my team."
A team looking to rebound. Same as last year at this time.


text: ESMA has published a report on the use of administrative and criminal sanctions by Member States under the Market Abuse Directive (MAD). It concluded that, while most authorities have made use of their powers, there are significant differences in the availability of the powers, regulators' ability to use them and the allocation of resources. (Source: ESMA Reports on MAD Sanctions Differences)


text:
Ever thought winning the lottery would fix all of your money worries?
Perhaps, but there's plenty of evidence to show that a sudden windfall can sometimes create more problems than it solves. The rule of thumb is, if you don't have to work for it, you don't value it.
The reality is that almost 17% of the Australian population lives in households that earn a yearly taxable income of $66,667 or less1. More than 70% of households have some level of debt, with 26% of them incurring a total debt three or more times their annualised disposable income2. And one-third of Australians over the age of 60 are living below the poverty line3.
So how can low-income households help themselves without increasing their income? By following the two key principles of managing any budget: save more, spend better.
Fatten the piggy bank
As most of our advisers will tell you, true financial stability is not so much about how much disposable income you have but about how much you have saved. This increases your ability to pay unexpected bills.
Recent studies have shown that Australians have been saving much more since the global financial crisis, but many are still far from the recommended three months' worth of your salary stashed away for an emergency fund.
Plan ahead and budget
The first rule of smarter savings? Planning.
Whether you're saving for a specific item or just looking to manage your finances, it's worth sitting down and calculating how much you have, how much you need, and how much you want. This can be done by visualising your end goal, setting a clear time frame and defining achievable milestones.
It may be useful, for instance, to split your money into three pots: a pay pot to pay current and future bills, a save pot that puts a little towards your goals, and another for leftover money that's safe to spend.
Managing these is much easier if transfers and deposits are automated, that way you'll have less chance of spending on a whim.
It's never too late to start saving, especially if you use a savings plan calculator to help you get started.
Keep an eye on expenses
Once your savings are on track, a budget calculator can help you monitor expenses. This is a tool best used alongside the following habits.
Check your bank statements
Check your income is right. This may include your salary, Centrelink payments, child support payments, and if any is missing or incorrect, challenge it with your boss or contact Centrelink. Also look at what you've spent by going over the 'debits' column of the statement and compare these debits with your receipts to make sure they're right.
Reduce your spending
Stay on top of your budget by cutting costs wherever possible. Turn off lights, eat at home and do your own household repairs if you can.
Consolidate your debt
Prioritise debt payments to get rid of the highest interest rates faster. You can also take advantage of balance transfer offers.
Compare before you buy
An informed shopper is a smart shopper. Insurance, health care and even utility providers offer special tariffs to accommodate all budgets. You may also be eligible for low-interest loans or special bank accounts with little to no extra fees.
Maximise your entitlements
Find out if you qualify for any government financial support schemes. From housing and health care to utilities and tax deductions, there are many types of government support for low-income households.
You can count on us
We can help you stay on top of your bills, achieve your savings goals, and spend your money wisely.
My AMP gives you fast, easy and secure online access to your banking, super, insurance and investment accounts all in one place. You have the ability to connect with non-AMP accounts, and view your external balances, giving you a clear picture of your financial situation.
Bett3r is a smart bank account that can help manage your budget and stay on top of your finances. Once set up, money is automatically set aside to pay your current and future bills, it can put a little towards your savings goals and lets you know what's safe to spend.
1 Australian Taxation Office (ATO), Low income earners, consulted in August 2016
2 Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Household Income and Wealth 2013-2014, consulted in August 2016
3 Global AgeWatch Index
Budget planner calculator
Use our Budget planner calculator to assess your current financial position and how much you may be able to invest.
Managing your money
Find out how you can make a big difference to the opportunities and lifestyle you enjoy with our online education module.
Explore your goals
Try our online tool to explore, prioritise and create your own goals timeline.
Recommended articles
Simplify your finances in 5 days
Getting on top of your finances doesn't have to be a tough exercise if you tackle it in steps.


text:
Free Shipping on Live Orders over $99!
The Zebra Danio is a hardy, active aquarium fish which can withstand a variety of water temperatures and water conditions -- even poor water conditions. Originating from flowing streams along the coast of India, it prefers clean, well-aerated water with a high level of movement. Danios prefer to travel in schools and, if kept singly, can become bored and pick on other fish, but typically without any real damage.


text:
Compatibility In Love – Let Zodiac Signs
Zodiac sign compatibility is important for a love relationship to survive and blossom. A Sagittarian is extremely compatible with Leo, Aries, Libra, Sagittarius and Aquarius and vice versa. However, sun signs like Virgo, Scorpio may not go well with a Sagittarius. You should preferably know the sun sign of your partner for understanding your compatibility. We have seen excellent compatibility between George W. Bush (Cancer) and Laura Bush (Scorpio) as well as unlikely relationship between Adolph Hitler (Taurus) and Eva Braun (Aquarius). Although, love happens naturally but there is great role of astrology behind every association. A proper understanding of personality traits of various zodiac signs can easily give you a brief idea about the people you love. So let's discover more about the connection between love and astrology through this site.
Understanding your mate properly is the basis of a relationship. A healthy communication between partners can do wonders. There are various interesting questions that can unlock newer vistas in your relationship.
Love And Astrology
Everyone craves for a compatible relationship. Love compatibility is the essence for maintaining a healthy long-term bond. Many affairs come to an end because of lack of common interest. You feel lonely and confined. Yet, your woes can be easily resolved through introspection and communication. You should preferably know the signs well before indulging into an affair. Astrology plays a key role in bringing harmony to a relationship.
A proper understanding of planets and stars and their influences in your day-to-day lives can easily transform your existence. Everyone goes through a momentary bad phase in his or her lifetime. Planets and stars do influences your mood and associations. You can easily realize the reasons behind your mood swings and daily reactions by comparing the astrological placements of planets in your astrological and birth chart. You will surely be able find a solution to all your problems.


text:
A TEENAGER has been arrested and charged with attempted robbery after an incident at an indoor market in Scarborough on Saturday.
North Yorkshire Police have confirmed that the 19-year-old man has also been charged with possession of an offensive weapon, after the incident just before 12.30pm at Market Vaults in St Helen's Square, Scarborough on Saturday.
He will appear in front of magistrates in the town today.


text:
Pentegra Now Offering Target Retirement Date Funds
With "target date" retirement funds, employees choose the target retirement fund that is closest to the date of their retirement: 2015, 2025, 2035, or 2045. Each fund is a mix of cash, bonds and stocks, the percentage of each based on years to retirement. As the years go by, the funds are rebalanced and become incrementally more conservative. The funds aim to help eliminate the confusion many investors feel when faced with too many mutual fund choices in the typical 401(k), according to Pentegra and State Street.
NAFCU Service Corp.'s partnership with Pentegra launched in 2006.


text:
Samsung S19B150N 19" Class Widescreen LED Backlit Monitor - 1366 x 768, 16:9, Mega Dynamic Contrast Ratio, 600:1 Native, 5ms, VGA, Energy Star.Item#: S205-1900 | Model#: S19B150N
Currently Out Of Stock!
Additional Resources
Samsung 19" Wide 1366x768 LED Monitor, VGA Product Details
Additional Resources: Product Manuals
Manufactured by: Samsung
Warranty provided by: Samsung
UPC No: 729507818238
Mfg Part No: S19B150N
Box Size:
( Length:21, Width:5, Depth:16)
Shipping Weight: 7.3000 pound(s)
Dimensional Weight: 8pounds
What is Dimensional weight?
Click here for full warranty and support information
- Samsung logos are registered trademarks of Samsung. All others trademarks and copyrights mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.


text:
November 9, 2010, 12:32 AM
I have a Spanish revovler. I contacted Cerugilu hermanos in Eibar Spain. They told me they have not manufactered guns since 1936. There is no serial number on the gun anywhere. There is a screw on the front of the trigger guard. It appears to be a clone of a S&W 1950 revolver. It is is about 90% condition. Action is good and tight. Bore is bright with no pitting. It is .38 special with a pinned barrel. On the top of the barrel it is stamped "BEST AMERICAN CARTRIDGES ARE THOSE THAT FIT BEST. THE C.H. REVOLVER." Anybody got any more info on it? Thanks


text:
Don't miss out on a lower price on this hotel
Get an overview of this hotel4-star hotel with restaurant and free children's club
Popular property highlights
Situated in the mountains, this hotel is within 6 mi (10 km) of TANAP Museum, Tatrabob Rollercoaster, and AquaCity Poprad. Podtatranske Museum and Strazky Castle are also within 9 mi (15 km).
Hotel Features
Along with a restaurant, this smoke-free hotel has a complimentary children's club and coffee/tea in a common area. Free WiFi in public areas and free self parking are also provided. Other amenities include a children's club, concierge services, and a 24-hour front desk.
Room Amenities
All 200 rooms have LCD TVs with satellite channels and feature kitchenettes with refrigerators, stovetops, and microwaves. Free WiFi, balconies or patios, and hair dryers are among the other amenities available to guests. Limited housekeeping is available.Information missing or incorrect? Tell us!Opens in a new window
Tatragolf Mountain Resort
Hotel Amenities
Hotel Amenities
The hotel offers a restaurant. Wireless Internet access is complimentary. This Velka Lomnica hotel also offers a complimentary children's club, multilingual staff, and coffee/tea in a common area. Complimentary self parking is available on site.
Tatragolf Mountain Resort is a smoke-free property.
- 24-hour front desk
- Children's club (free)
- Total number of rooms - 200
- Number of floors - 4
- Breakfast available (surcharge)
- Coffee/tea in common areas
- Concierge services
- Elevator/lift
- Free WiFi
- Children's club
- Multilingual staff
- Restaurant
- Free self parking
- Year Built 2011
- Area shuttle (surcharge)
- Smoke-free property
- Number of buildings/towers - 11
- Television in common areas
Family Friendly Amenities
- Family Hotel
- Free Wi-Fi
- Children's club (free)
- Kitchenette
- Playground on site
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi
Free self parking
Room Amenities
- Balcony or patio
- Phone
- Kitchenette
- Microwave
- Refrigerator
- Limited housekeeping
- Private bathroom
- Hair dryer
- Bathtub or shower
- Cookware, dishware, and utensils
- Blackout drapes/curtains
- Satellite TV service
- Free WiFi
- Stovetop
- Cribs/infant beds (surcharge)
- Rollaway/extra beds (surcharge)
Where to Eat
Buffet breakfasts are available for a surcharge and are served each morning between 7:30 AM and 10 AM.
Tatragolf Mountain Resort has a restaurant on site.
Nearby Things to Do
The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.
- Golfing nearby
- Downhill skiing nearby
- Cross-country skiing nearby
- Snowboarding nearby
- Ski lessons available nearby
- Ski equipment rental shops nearby
- Golf lessons available nearby
- Bicycle rentals on site
- Ice skating on site
- Playground on site
- Sledding nearby
- Snow tubing nearby
- Rock climbing nearby
- Cave exploring/spelunking nearby
Spa Services
- Massages
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please note them at check-out when you book your room.
Hotel Policies
Check-in time starts at 2 PM
Check-in time ends at 4 AM
Minimum check-in age is 18
Check-out time is 10 AM
Payment types
Children and extra beds
- Children are welcome.
- Rollaway/extra beds are available for EUR 15.00 per night.
- Cribs (infant beds) are available for EUR 3 per night.
- No pets or service animals allowed
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy.
- A tax is imposed by the city: EUR 0.50 per person, per night
Optional extras
- Breakfast fee: between EUR 5.00 and EUR 7.00 per person (approximately)
- Early check-in fee: EUR 10
- Late check-out fee: EUR 10
- Crib (infant bed) fee: EUR 3 per night
- Rollaway bed fee: EUR 15.00 per night
Hotel Name
- Tatragolf
- Tatragolf Mountain
- Tatragolf Mountain Resort
- Tatragolf Mountain Resort Velka Lomnica
- Tatragolf Mountain Velka Lomnica
- Tatragolf Resort
We should mention
No pets and no service animals are allowed at this property.


text:
Get an overview of this hotelFamily-friendly hotel with marina and full-service spa
Popular property highlights
This family-friendly Cala Ratjada hotel is located near the beach, within a 15-minute walk of Playa Son Moll and Cala Ratjada Port. Sa Torre Cega and Cala Gat Beach are also within 1 mi (2 km).
Hotel Features
This hotel features a marina, a full-service spa, and a restaurant. Buffet breakfast is free. Additionally, an indoor pool, an outdoor pool, and a health club are onsite.
Room Amenities
All 153 rooms offer WiFi, balconies, and flat-screen TVs with satellite channels. Other amenities available to guests include 24-hour room service, minibars, and premium bedding.Information missing or incorrect? Tell us!Opens in a new window
Hotel Serrano Palace
Hotel Amenities
Hotel Amenities
In addition to a full-service spa, Hotel Serrano Palace features a marina and an indoor pool. The hotel offers a restaurant and a coffee shop/café. Guests can unwind with a drink at one of the hotel's bars, which include a poolside bar and a bar/lounge. Guests can enjoy a complimentary breakfast each morning. Wireless Internet access is available for a surcharge.
Business-related amenities at this 5-star property consist of a business center and a meeting room. 2 meeting rooms are available. This luxury hotel also offers an outdoor pool, a children's pool, and a health club. For a surcharge, the property provides a roundtrip airport shuttle (available on request) and an area shuttle. Parking is available onsite for a surcharge.
- Marina on site
- Outdoor pool
- Indoor pool
- Poolside bar
- Children's pool
- Full-service spa
- Spa tub
- Spa treatment room(s)
- Steam room
- Sauna
- Spa services on site
- Babysitting or childcare (surcharge)
- Bar/lounge
- Restaurant
- Airport transportation (surcharge)
- Conference space
- Total number of rooms - 153
- Porter/bellhop
- Multilingual staff
- 24-hour front desk
- Number of floors - 4
- Hair salon
- Shopping on site
- Dry cleaning/laundry service
- Laundry facilities
- Babysitting or childcare
- Television in common areas
- Arcade/game room
- Library
- Elevator/lift
- Coffee shop or café
- Concierge services
- Health club
- Garden
- Barbecue grill(s)
- Turkish bath/Hammam
- Business center
- One meeting room
- Valet parking (surcharge)
- Terrace
- Luggage storage
- Free parking nearby
- Area shuttle (surcharge)
- Number of meeting rooms - 2
- Self parking (surcharge)
- Number of buildings/towers - 1
- Free breakfast
- WiFi (surcharge)
Family Friendly Amenities
- Family Hotel
- Outdoor pool
- Indoor pool
- Children's pool
- Laundry facilities
- Babysitting or childcare (surcharge)
- In-room childcare (surcharge)
- Arcade/game room
- Cribs/infant beds (complimentary)
Available in all rooms: Wireless internet access ( EUR 5 per day )
Available in some public areas: Wireless internet access ( EUR 5 per day )
Self parking (surcharge), Valet parking (surcharge), Free parking nearby
Room Amenities
- Premium bedding
- Balcony
- Blackout drapes/curtains
- Air conditioning
- Minibar
- Daily housekeeping
- Designer toiletries
- Bathrobes
- Free toiletries
- Hair dryer
- Bidet
- In-room childcare (surcharge)
- In-room safe
- Iron/ironing board (on request)
- Satellite TV service
- Flat-panel TV
- WiFi (surcharge)
- In-room massage available
- In-room climate control (air conditioning)
- Room service (24 hours)
- Free cribs/infant beds
- Rollaway/extra beds (surcharge)
Where to Eat
A complimentary buffet breakfast is served each morning between 7:30 AM and 11 AM.
Hotel Serrano Palace has a restaurant on site.
24-hour room service is available.
Nearby Things to Do
A marina and a health club are featured at the hotel. An indoor pool, an outdoor pool, a children's pool, and a spa tub are on site. Other recreational amenities include a sauna.
The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.
- Golfing nearby
- Snorkeling nearby
- Surfing/boogie boarding nearby
- Sailing nearby
- Scuba diving nearby
- Water skiing nearby
- Windsurfing nearby
- Scooter/moped rentals nearby
- Golf lessons available nearby
- Bicycle rentals on site
- Hiking/biking trails on site
- Mountain biking on site
Spa Services
The onsite spa has massage/treatment rooms. Services include facials and body treatments. The spa is equipped with a sauna and Turkish bath/hammam. A variety of treatment therapies are provided, including aromatherapy.
- Sauna in spa
- Aromatherapy treatments
- Body treatments
- Facial treatments
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please note them at check-out when you book your room.
- In-room accessibility
Hotel Policies
Check-in time ends at midnight
Check-in time starts at 2 PM
Special check-in instructions:
Check-out time is noon
Payment types
Children and extra beds
- Children are welcome.
- Rollaway/extra beds are available.
- Free cribs (infant beds)!
- Pets stay free
- Dogs only
- Up to 5 kg
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy.
- A tax is imposed by the city: EUR 2.20 per person, per night. This tax does not apply to children under 16 years of age.
Optional extras
- Fee for in-room wireless Internet: EUR 5 per day (rates may vary)
- Fee for wireless Internet in public areas: EUR 5 per day (rates may vary)
- Airport shuttle fee: EUR 15-100 per person (one way)
- Self parking fee: EUR 10 per day
- Valet parking fee: EUR 10 per day
- Rollaway beds are available for an additional fee
Hotel Name
- Hotel Serrano Palace
- Hotel Serrano Palace Cala Ratjada
- Serrano Palace
- Serrano Palace Cala Ratjada
- Serrano Palace Hotel
- Hotel Serrano Palace Cala Ratjada, Majorca, Spain
- Hotel Serrano Palace Cala Ratjada Majorca Spain
We should mention
Cash transactions at this property cannot exceed EUR 2500, due to national regulations. For further details, please contact the property using information in the booking confirmation. This property offers transfers from the airport (surcharges may apply). Guests must contact the property with arrival details before travel, using the contact information on the booking confirmation.


text:
PRZOOM - /newswire/ -
Renton, WA, United States, 2014/02/11 - Finalists that have demonstrated outstanding achievements in cloud service delivery to SMBs to be honored at Parallels Summit 2014, February 24-26, in New Orleans.
Parallels, a leading hosting and cloud services enablement provider, today announced the finalists for its Fifth Annual Partner Awards. Winners will be officially announced and recognized at Parallels Summit 2014, February 24-26, 2014, at the Hyatt Regency in New Orleans.
The Parallels Partner Awards recognize outstanding yearly achievements by partners who utilize and innovate with Parallels products, solutions, services and ecosystem to increase their market share in the rapidly-expanding small and medium business (SMB) cloud services market.
We are privileged to work with outstanding partners in the IT industry, said Birger Steen, chief executive officer, Parallels. This years finalists represent partners that demonstrate their commitment to innovation in the industry and dedication to transforming IT within the SMB sector.
The award categories and 2014 finalists are:
APS ISV of the Year Award The ISV with the best or newest APS-enabled offering.
Finalists: Backup Agent, Mozy by EMC, Symantec
CEO Award The CEO Award recognizes a partner that has distinguished themselves amongst the Parallels Partner community by successfully delivering high levels of sales growth, customer satisfaction, innovation, adding new customers, and creating significant business impact.
Finalists: América Móvil S.A.B. de C.V., Host Europe, ViUX
Excellence in Cloud Services Delivery The service provider with the most complete offering combined with the best service and support.
Finalists: Locaweb, iiNet, KPN
Excellence in Growth The service provider with the fastest growth and best execution last year.
Finalists: Hostmysite, SoftCom, Triple C
New Partner of the Year A partner whose first year in the Parallels Partner Program is highlighted by strong revenue growth and the usage of Parallels products.
Finalists: InfoboxCloud, Gradwell Communications, Telefónica
Parallels Champion Award An individual at one of our service provider partners that is an outstanding contributor to our support forums and/or is otherwise a Parallels champion.
Finalists: Kristian Markroft, LiWiNeA GmbH, Joe Doss, VP of Customer Service at Wired Tree, and Alexander Ragel, Director of Operations at Infobox Cloud
Regional Partners of the Year Award The Regional Partner of the Year awards recognize a partner in every major region the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), and Asia-Pacific (APAC) who has demonstrated the ability to provide easy-to-use cloud services and who also has a growing base of satisfied SMB customers.
Finalists for Americas: Apptix, ViUX, XMission
Finalists for EMEA: Cobweb, Hostnet, Kazakhtelecom
Finalists for APAC: Conetix, Telstra, Web Drive
Theres still time to attend Parallels Summit 2014. To register, and for information about the agenda, training and certification sessions, please visit the website.
About Parallels
Parallels (parallels.com) is a worldwide leader in hosting and cloud service enablement and desktop virtualization. Founded in 1999, Parallels is a fast-growing company with more than 900 employees in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Agency / Source: Parallels - Optimized Computing
Availability: All Regions (Including Int'l)
Traffic Booster: [/] Quick PRZOOM - Press & Newswire Visibility Checker
Distribution / Indexing: [+] / [Company listed above is a registered member of our network. Content made possible by PRZOOM / PRTODAY indexing services]


text:
I have been watching this series and enjoying it but I really thought last night's episode was too bizarre for words. Somehow we are expect to believe that Emily tracked down the child psychiatrist that treated her when she was small after the woman left the mother-daughter tea and cracked her over the head knocking her out. Then somehow she got her into a vehicle, dragged her into a storage unit and locked her inside? All this without any help? In addition this is the first episode in which she actually used physical violence against one of the people she is trying to get revenge against. I had sympathy for her up to this point but I think this episode is causing me to rethink.
The scoop on everything Q, from helpful tips to interesting tidbits, questions, answers, and more.
QVC is not responsible for the availability, content, security, policies, or practices of the above referenced third-party linked sites, nor liable for statements, claims, opinions, or representations contained therein. QVC's Privacy Statement does not apply to these third-party web sites.
© 1995–2016 QVC, Inc. All rights reserved. Trademark Notice


text:
We All Live In A Yellow Submarine...
Factory Entertainment is now accepting pre-orders on their latest Beatles collectible: the Yellow Submarine Collector Diecast. Celebrating the legacy of the iconic animated film, The Yellow Submarine, this updated version of the classic 1968 die-cast model features:
- Rotating Periscopes
- Twin Propellers
- Pop-Up Hatches revealing John, Paul, George and Ringo
- Free-Wheeling Motion
- Screen Accurate Decoration
$29.99 through factoryent.com and shipping this October.
To insure your action figure collection, get in touch with Collectibles Insurance, the official insurance company of the Figures.com network. Say "Figures.com" to get 5% off your first term premiums.
To buy action figures, take a look at BigBadToyStore.com, AlterEgoComics.com, Toynk.com, BriansToys.com, ToyWiz.com, and MonkeyDepot.com.


text:
2 quick questions re: chapatis and sweet potato curry(3 Posts)
GinTintedGlasses Mon 25-Mar-13 12:35:05
ouryve Mon 25-Mar-13 12:31:02
GinTintedGlasses Mon 25-Mar-13 12:27:20
Join the discussion
Registering is free, easy, and means you can join in the discussion, get discounts, win prizes and lots more.Register now
Already registered with Mumsnet? Log in to leave your comment or alternatively, sign in with Facebook or Google.
Please login first.


text:
Coffee Break with Liz and Kate » Entertainment, وقت فتح سوق الاسهم السعودي في رمضان » Read Full Report
Shutter Island – Movie Reviews by Kate
Reel Reviews for real people
Rating: R for disturbing violent content language and some nudity
Genre: Drama
Starring: Leonardo Di Caprio, Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams, Mark Ruffalo
Director: Martin Scorsese
Plot: From Oscar®-winning director Martin Scorsese, "Shutter Island" is the story of two U.S. marshals, Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo), who are summoned to a remote and barren island off the coast of Massachusetts to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a murderess from the island's fortress-like hospital for the criminally insane. –© Paramount
Running Time: 2:18
Kate says – 3 1/2 stars "Shutter Island is so much more than I expected it to be. From the very opening scene, one can feel the foreboding, haunting suspense which slowly builds and unfolds. This movie feels like watching a good old Hitchcock flick. The cinematography is beautiful and moody and sinister. The story is full of twists and turns. As you drive home from the theater your mind will likely start to spin as it all sinks in. Knowing what I know now, this one may warrant a second viewing."
Ebert says – 3 1/2 stars "Shutter Island" starts working on us with the first musical notes under the Paramount logo's mountain, even before the film starts. They're ominous and doomy. So is the film. This is Martin Scorsese's evocation of the delicious shuddering fear we feel when horror movies are about something and don't release all the tension with action scenes." (read full review)
Michael Phillips (Chicago Tribune) says – 2 stars "Scorsese has earned the right to show off on any stage he pleases. But not even supporting players as deft as Patricia Clarkson, Jackie Earle Haley and Emily Mortimer can make this more than classy, well-acted junk." (read full review)
Lou Lumenik (New York Post) – 3 stars "With an Oscar on his mantelpiece, Martin Scorsese takes a breather from prestige pictures with "Shutter Island," an exquisitely crafted potboiler offering up 2¼ hours of thrills, chills and Leonardo DiCaprio freaking out in a nuthouse during a hurricane." (read full review)
Rex Reed (New York Observer) says – 2 1/2 stars "Dense, ridiculously overplotted and painfully overlong, this gruesome thriller set in a fogbound insane asylum is incomprehensible and fatally flawed, but having said all of that, I will also say this: It never seems anything less than the work of a skillful film buff. Mr. Scorsese may be a smart aleck, but he's a professional smart aleck." (read full review)
Eric Snider says – "B" "Scorsese's technical proficiency and overall mastery of the cinematic language are virtually unrivaled, even when, as here, the project is "only" a goose-bumpy B-movie…Scorsese sinks his teeth into the spookiness of it all, clearly relishing the chance to do genre work:" (read full review)
Other movie reviews by Kate
Filed under: Entertainment, وقت فتح سوق الاسهم السعودي في رمضان · Tags: Ben Kingsley, better home magazine, coffee break, coffeebreak, Leonardo DiCaprio, MarkRuffalo, MartinScorsese, Michelle Williams, movie review, movie reviews by kate, reel reviews for real people, Shutter Island, shutter island movie review, shutter island movie reviews


text:
When: Jun 03 2010 12:00 pm
Presenting: Michael Coates; Mozilla, Web Security Engineer
Michael has extensive experience in application security, security code review and penetration assessments. He has conducted numerous security assessments for financial, enterprise and cellular customers world-wide. At Mozilla, Michael focuses on securing critical web applications used by millions of users each day. You can find his blog at: http://michael-coates.blogspot.com


text:
Lara Payne
Affiliation: Imperial College
Country: UK
Detail Information
- High dose prolonged treatment with nitazoxanide is not effective for cryptosporidiosis in HIV positive Zambian children: a randomised controlled trialBeatrice Amadi
Tropical Gastroenterology and Nutrition Group, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia
BMC Infect Dis 9:195. 2009..We hypothesised that a prolonged course of treatment with high dose nitazoxanide would be effective in treating cryptosporidiosis in HIV positive Zambian children...
- Bringing neglected tropical diseases into the spotlightLara Payne
Imperial College London, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, South Kensington, London, UK
Trends Parasitol 26:421-3. 2010..New reports by Liese and Schubert and Moran et. al. act as a call to arms, highlighting a need for research into NTD treatment and control that is essential to improving the lives of the 'bottom billion.'..


text:
NetWellness is a global, community service providing quality, unbiased health information from our partner university faculty. NetWellness is commercial-free and does not accept advertising.
Monday, September 25, 2017
Skin Care and Diseases
What does UV light mean to me?
I keep reading about ultraviolet or "UV" light. I am concerned about skin cancer, because my sister and dad have it, and I have read that UV light can cause this, but I don`t really understand how to avoid it. Also, is it what we call "black lights"?
The solar radiation reaches the earth as a continuous electromagnetic spectrum. Approximately 230 nanometers of radiate energy is filtered out by our atmosphere and protects us from very short wavelengths that approach x-ray in strength. The other end of the spectrum contains a number of wavelengths, and our eyes pick up many of the wavelengths in the visible spectrum. Those are characterized by the colors of the rainbow. In addition, heat energy is transmitted, forming the far end of the electromagnetic spectrum. Ultraviolet light B is in that spectrum from about 230 to 320 nanometers. It is quite biologically active and exposure to it can produce changes in the structure and function of all elements of the skin. Ultraviolet light A is a slightly longer wavelength that runs through the serrate band of 440 nanometers. Both ultraviolet light A & B are biologically active; ultraviolet light B is primarily responsible for intrinsic (that is within the skin) production of vitamin D and is important in controlling the integrity of the immune system and the production of intrinsic vitamin D. Despite the beneficial effects of the shorter wavelengths of light, prolonged exposure and extensive exposure produces damage to the connective tissue, as well as the epithelium, and the appendages of the skin.
Is this long term damage that may result into the development of skin cancer in the form of basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma? The position of us in dermatology is that we should protect you from excessive ultraviolet light exposure through protective clothing and sunscreens. We urge you to use them!
I would suggest that you purchase light protective sports clothing, available at most sporting goods establishments, and use a sunscreen with a sun protective factor (SPF #) of 30 or greater. Redness means injury. Rapid darkening is part of the reaction of the pigment cells to light injury. Try to avoid these.
"Black Lights" are ultraviolet light, and in most cases are in the UVA spectrum. They produce interesting fluorescence of certain dyes and body fluids. Ultraviolet light A certainly can accelerate aging of the retina in the eye. Prolonged exposure can also lead to premature aging of the skin and malignancy.
If you are interested in reviewing ultraviolet light extensively I would suggest the website of the American Academy of Dermatology (www.aad.com). Look under light and photobiology. I think you will find a number of interesting references. Please check the website.
Charles L Heaton, MD
College of Medicine
University of Cincinnati


text:
Can Pets Help with Bipolar Disorder?
We have three cats. Since our dog passed away several years ago, I've been the one holdout in the family in our decision to get another dog. I like the freedom of being able to take off for a couple days without having to figure out "what to do about the dog." Besides, bringing a clueless dog into a house with three crafty, conceited cats seems to me to be borderline animal cruelty.
Still, I value the psychological benefits of having a dog around. The cats help, too, but dogs are quite different – typically a little more clingy, which is often what you need when you're down in the dumps or feeling that the entire world has turned against you.
I started doing some research on the use of service animals in the treatment of bipolar disorder and found a couple things online:
However, I'm more interested in reading what you have to say. If you have a pet (or pets) please share your experiences and insights of pet ownership as it relates to bipolar. Do you find that your pet helps you maintain mood stability? How so? Describe a time when one of your pets assisted you in an emergency situation. Do you have a pet who serves in the official capacity of a service animal? If so, what specific tasks does your pet perform to assist you?
Some additional resources:
Kraynak, J. (2009). Can Pets Help with Bipolar Disorder?. Psych Central. Retrieved on September 25, 2017, from https://blogs.psychcentral.com/bipolar/2009/12/can-pets-help-with-bipolar-disorder/


text:
Prototype software for safer greener building
I am building my dream company and software, and I have brought it this far after two years of research and development culminating in a pending patent, NSF application, and orders from UN engineers in Africa for beta versions.
But I really need your help to fund the final bit of development for necessary features in the software and to launch it formally.
Below I have tried to list the benefits it can bring to the housing, engineering, and building communities everywhere.
1. For the first data related to the safety and strength of each building is going to be handled and documented in an accessible electronic format. So far this data has never been properly shared and saved in an accessible way.
2. Speeds up engineering a structure 4-6x
3. Reduced Paper waste 10x every year
4. The ideal tool for builders in developing third world countries because it is mobile, confirms all standard safety building codes, allows safe construction at 4-6x the speed and can thus reduce cost up to 9x — while keeping everything safer.
5. Ideal for skilled builders in first world countries as switching to the program is equivalent of switching from a typewriter to a laptop.
We are achieving these results with one patent pending key set of algorithms which combine engineering simulation and analysis technology with data handling software. With over a century of combined experience, we have also applied for the NSF Grant for applied technology.


text:
Why Its a Good Time to Take a Closer Look at 401(k) Plans in
Todays Economy
How CPAs can help their clients.
January 12, 2009
Sponsored by Paychex
Despite these turbulent economic times, you may be surprised at some of the advantages that a 401(k) can provide your clients. This is particularly relevant as social security benefits are at risk and personal savings rates are dangerously low. Even if the employees of your business-owner clients choose not to participate in a retirement-savings plan, it is imperative that the owners actively build their own retirement nest eggs — and a 401(k) can help them do this.
Do Some of Your Small Business Clients Have a SIMPLE IRA?
A SIMPLE IRA may be a cost-effective option for some clients. However, when you compare some of the differences between a SIMPLE IRA and a 401(k), some of your clients may be better served with the 401(k), particularly when coupled with the safe-harbor feature. Beyond higher annual limits and tax advantages, a 401(k) can also provide broader flexibility including:
Your Consultative Opportunity
With Paychex Retirement Services you can provide your clients — no matter what size business they have — a broad range of competitively priced 401(k) plan options for meeting their needs. Paychex provides you with resources to help meet their retirement goals while maintaining your role as the primary relationship manager.
To learn more about Paychex Retirement Services, and how your clients and their employees can benefit from a Paychex 401(k), contact your local Paychex representative at 877-264-2615 or visit www.paychex.com.
Paychex is proud to be the named provider for the firm-based AICPA Member Retirement Program, and preferred provider of payroll and retirement plan services for CPAs through the AICPA Business Solutions Program.


text:
Here is a quick look at an interesting device that will convert your existing hooded gas BBQ or similar into an affordable smoker. The Smokai Smoke Generator made by outdoors men for outdoors men.
If you dabbled in basic food smoking using a standard BBQ or always wanted to attempt that ultimate smoky pork rib at home, then this could be a handy tool for you to own.
We managed to get our hands on the Smokai 1 litre version with a retail price of $149.95 inc GST in Australia. It may seem pricey if you compare it to a cheap basic sawdust fish smoker or even the good old smoker box in the corner of the BBQ method, but this kit will give you up to 8 hours of smoke depending on wood used and airflow. That is more than ample to do anything from smoking that large festive turkey right to a hearty chunk of Beef Brisket.
On the rear of the box, there isn't that much more information to show truly what this device can do, but then what do you expect from a smoke generator but to only to blow out "Natural Wood Fired Pure Smoke" as stated on the front of the box.
The guys at Smokai from New Zealand really wanted to focus on a simple, quality product that would last for years. Yes the packaging is very basic but down the side it explains in 4 steps what you need to do when you get this device.
First step is to "FIT" the Smokai – Most hooded gas BBQs have a rotisserie hole on the side. The business end of the Smokai has a 2cm Dia blow pipe which should fit snugly in the pre-existing rotisserie hole in the BBQ. Else you will need to drill a hole to fit the smoke pipe end through.
The Smokai also comes pre-assembled with a mounting bracket and a couple of bolts. The smoke pipe sticks out by 7cm from the bracket, so mounting the Smokai securely on the side of the BBQ shouldn't be an issue.
Second step is to "FILL". You can add small wood chips, smoker pellets or sawdust. Filling the cylinder will give you ample wood fuel to create the needed smoke for your smoke flavoring or preserving process.
Third step is to "LIGHT". Using a BBQ lighter, matches or a small blow torch, you can start the smoldering process by lighting through the burner holes on each side of the Smokai.
The last step is "SMOKE". Connect the included air hose from the air pump and turn it on. Air is pushed through the generator and draws the smoldering smoke out and through the exit smoke pipe on the other side.
Of course this all might sound easily said than done, especially when you have never smoked food before but this device does simplify the process for you when it comes to continuous smoke. You are really left alone now to work out recipes, temperature to cook at and the duration of your cook.
Unpacking was straight forward. There are just 2 main parts to take out which is the stainless steel smoke hopper with the air input pipe and the smoke output pipe all in one piece. The second box contains the electric air pump and owners manual.
Its recommended in the owners manual that the smoke generator uses wood chips between 2-10mm in diameter or BBQ wood pellets. What you can't use is treated, glued or soft woods which contain toxins and poisons, so best to always use purpose made wood products for food smoking if unsure.
Wood pellet brands like BBQr's Delights have been in Australia for many years and an average bag of pellets would mostly set you back around $10 for a 450gram pack. This brand is 100% pure and natural product and a great way to start if wood chips are hard to find. The the most common wood flavor that everyone is familiar with is Hickory which is very much an all-round wood flavor to go for.
If you are lucky enough to know a butcher that makes their own smoked small goods, then maybe you can get sawdust or wood chip from them as well. Most would use European Beech or Oak but they would be purchasing their sawdust in bulk bags of 15KG each. Some butchers are even using Australian native hardwoods like Iron Bark and Black Wattle so it would be a good idea to pick their brains as well on what types of wood to try with different cuts of meats.
Setting up is very straight forward. The air hose is found inside the cylinder so make sure you take that out before you add the wood inside in case you missed it.
Looking down from the top of the cylinder, you notice that its quite a sturdy unit. It weighs just under 1Kg and made of high grade stainless steel. You can see a stainless steel tube that runs through the centre just above the base of the smoke
generator. There are no moving parts and basically you fill the cylinder to the top with your wood smoking fuel. The 2 holes on each side is where you light the wood through so that the smoldering process can start.
Attaching the air hose to the air intake nozzle is simply done. The air pump supplied has 2 air blower out holes but the air hose comes included with the join to create one hose to connect to the Smokai Generator unit. When the air pump is switched on, air is pushed in the Smokai and through the centre tube which has a void at the bottom which allows the airflow to draw the smoke into the pipe and direct it out of the main cylinder.
As the wood smolders at the base and reduces on the inside of the cylinder, fresh wood above comes in contact with the smoldering wood below and keeps providing fresh clean smoke until all the material is used up.
For those that are attempting to do a cold smoke using the Smokai, then you should note that wood pellets, although they may burn for long periods will also burn much hotter. So its recommend that the air pump be set to low if using pellets for this method, else you are going to get an elevation in
temperature during the cold smoking process.
Setting the air pump at high, you actually would be creating more hot smoke blowing into your smoke chamber, so you need to monitor temperatures if you are attempting to cold smoke. For those that have never cold smoked before it is very important that your food must be cured prior to smoking to prevent bacterial growth that may be harmful. Temperatures above 5 degrees Celsius and below 60 degrees Celsius is the danger zone where bacteria thrive and multiply in and over a long period of time, bacteria can multiply to critical levels that will effect your health.
This is not so much a problem when doing a hot smoke in the BBQ. The higher cooking temperatures inhibit bacterial growth – so its very easy to just throw in a roast, try and maintain a constant temperature at least above 100 degrees Celsius under the hood and then smoke away for half the cooking time needed to have that roast done. Using a meat probe is also a handy device to know when your roast is ready on the inside, so you will figure out very quickly that smoking your dinner low and slow will not just give you tender succulent meat but also a marvelous aroma and taste from the infusion of smoke in the process.
In conclusion the Smokai is a solidly constructed unit designed to fit onto a hooded BBQ which supports a standard rotisserie kit. Of course you can build your own smoker out of a wine barrel, old cupboard or even from a 44 gallon drum. But the beauty is that so many have hooded 4 burner to 6 burner gas BBQs that sit dormant in the back yard, so why convert them into smokers and extend your cooking season.
The set and forget nature of the Smokai makes it a winner – just load up and let it blow smoke and come back when your cook is done. Am looking forward to using one myself so stay tuned for the next review on performance!
Available in Australia through BBQAroma. Purchase online from BBQAroma


text:
Radhamgutta waterfalls in Khammam attracting tourists - Studio N
Fri, Jul 01, 2016, 12:20 PM
Radhamgutta waterfalls at Manuguru mandal in Khamma district is attracting tourists, with its copious fall from a height of 100 mts over the hills. The area was dry during the summer months and Munuguru recorded the highest temperature in the state. But since the monsoon started, rains have revived the waterfalls, which is now alluring to watch and cool to bathe. But as it is a little away from the nearest locality, tourists are requesting the authorities to construct a proper road to the place.