text:
Who Needs Dad?
When moms have more power and kids leave the nest, a father must rethink his role
As a guy, it's hard not to feel defensive these days. More and more, American men are getting the message that they're dispensable. Two years ago, for the first time, women held more than half of American jobs, and the recession proved especially harsh for fields dominated by men, such as manufacturing and high finance. One new book calls women "The Richer Sex"; another proclaims "The End of Men."
See also: Obama, the president and dad.
Photo by Mark Lund/CGI illustration by Chris O'Riley
Things are shaky on the home front, too. Single motherhood has become increasingly common; more than half of U.S. births to women younger than 30 occur outside marriage. A well-publicized report in the Journal of Marriage and Family in 2010 even suggested that a child with two moms gets better parenting, on average, than a child with a mom and a dad. It can leave a father wondering: What is my role? Am I obsolete?
I know I'm feeling puzzled, even though my kids are grown. More than 20 years ago, when my son and daughter were small, I was committed to spending time with them. I stayed home with my oldest for two years, and when I went to work full-time, I declined golf invitations and boys' nights out. In some small way I felt as if I were waving the flag for the new kind of dad, and others my age say they felt the same. "I'm amazed at how our parents kind of ignored what was going on," says Jon Hurst, 52, who lives near Boston and is the father of three adult children. "We are more watchful, day by day, hour by hour."
But now that both of my kids are living several states away from my wife and me, I find myself in a nether world. More often than not, when they call home, they talk to their mother. That's natural, I suppose, since my wife's flexible schedule as a freelance writer allowed her to be more involved with their daily lives as they grew up. I don't want to make them repeat what they've told her, so I settle for secondhand news.
I love the rare times when I get the Call for Help, whether it's Justin, 31, asking how to fix a broken garbage disposal or Ana, 25, needing a mechanic. But I also love it when my kids have the confidence to solve their own dilemmas — a bittersweet point of pride.
Like many boomer dads, I saw myself as a parenting pioneer — more active, engaged, and affectionate than men of my father's generation. And now I'm discovering that forging closer ties with children can have a surprising downside. When kids grow up, heavily involved fathers can feel abandoned. Says Los Angeles life coach Natalie Caine, founder of Empty Nest Support Services, these men don't just "want a view in the window but a seat in the living room."
I know moms also grapple with the task of letting go, though, unlike most men, they can discuss the transition with role models who have gone before: their own mothers or other trusted women. Many modern dads are improvising, says John Duffy, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist near Chicago and author of The Available Parent. When he and his brother talked to their father about wanting to actively parent their children, "He said, 'C'mon, this is women's work,' " Duffy recalls.
For our dads' generation, the rules were clear-cut: A man would work to provide for his family and wait until he retired to enjoy their company. But it didn't always play out that way, says Stephanie Coontz, author of A Strange Stirring: The Feminine Mystique and American Women at the Dawn of the 1960s. "Often they came home and found they were strangers to their wife and their children," she says. "Several of the guys I talked to actually wept during the interview."
In my generation the sorrow comes not from what we never had, but what we had and lost. Take my friend Jeff Oster, 56. When he and his wife traveled to Colorado to visit their daughter Ari a few years ago, he assumed, as usual, that the three of them would hang out. But Ari's new boyfriend — that guy, as Oster viewed him — was always around, never giving Dad a chance to see his daughter alone. It hurt, deeply. "I know it's a natural step, but I didn't see it coming," he recalls. "There is no reference manual for that."
Maybe it's some comfort that many younger men are following our lead. The New York Times recently reported on a significant increase in the number of fathers attending school parent meetings in the past decade. And a report by the Pew Research Center also found that fathers of children under 18 who live with their kids "have become more intensely involved in their lives, spending more time with them and taking part in a greater variety of activities." In an unfortunate paradox, however, that same Pew study found that the number of children under 18 living apart from their fathers grew from 11 percent in 1960 to 27 percent in 2010 — and that nonresident dads spend less time with their kids. More than one quarter of nonresident fathers of minors told Pew they had not seen their kids in the past year. Instead of the steady, if somewhat removed, fatherly presence most of us remember from our childhoods — or our own search for a more active role for ourselves — it seems as if the next generation of dads will fall into one of two camps: either all in or hardly in at all. (The paradox, according to the Pew report, is explained in part by increases in out-of-wedlock births. Forty-six percent of all fathers report that at least one of their children was born out of wedlock.)
So where does that leave the middle generation? Do we fade gracefully into a traditional, secondary role with our kids or continue to be parental trailblazers? We may have to figure it out as we go, just as we did with hands-on fatherhood.
For starters, we may need to rethink our role as Mr. Fix-it — the idea that dads are supposed to save the day for young-adult children, whether it concerns career, finances or a faulty furnace. Instead, fathers should act as a "supply and support station," writes Ken Canfield, Ph.D., the founder of the National Center for Fathering. Offer the occasional home-cooked meal or even a car down payment.
And be available to provide advice — but only when kids ask for it. Cautions Jane Isay in Walking on Eggshells: Navigating the Delicate Relationship Between Adult Children and Parents, "When we tell [adult children] what they should do, they feel small and powerless all over again."
Along with being there when kids want advice, it's worthwhile to shift from teacher to learner, to recognize our kids' growing expertise and seek their advice ourselves.
There's no crime in telling them what we're feeling. "Our children tend to see us as fully grown, static adults: no changing, no learning," says Ruth Nemzoff, Ed.D., author of Don't Bite Your Tongue: How to Foster Rewarding Relationships With Your Adult Children. "That's a mistake. After all, we've never been parents of adult children before. We're still making mistakes, feeling vulnerable, struggling. Explain that to your child."
I took her advice and talked to my children, separately, about my complicated emotions. And I asked them each the same question: What do you expect of me now as a father?
My son didn't hesitate: Be there when I need you. Or, as he's too polite to say himself: Butt out until I ask for help. My daughter gave a different response. In short, she said: I need your wisdom. The word jolted me. I felt both honored and a bit intimidated.
Their answers felt like a small breakthrough for me, providing more clarity in our relationships. As our family continues to grow and change, I will ask this question again.
For his part, Jeff Oster had his own small breakthrough. He and his wife still regularly visit their daughter in Colorado, but he has different expectations. The boyfriend who once caused him such heartache has become his son-in-law and the father of his first grandchild. Oster embraces the new man his daughter relies on. "That guy," he says, "is a good guy."
Ray Paprocki is a writer and editor living in Granville, Ohio.
Join the Discussion0 | Add Yours
Please leave your comment below.
You must be logged in to leave a comment.


text:
What's a Community General?
A Community General is a pillar of the Community, acting behind the scenes and liaising with Kobojo Staff for the greater good of Community members!
If you're interested in this program, you can ask more information at: firstname.lastname@example.com
What does a Community General do?
Create content about our games, help fellow Community members, and liaise with Kobojo staff to ensure the Community's wishes are heard mainly.
Who are the Community Generals?
This program is very young, and we'll reveal the first chosen Community Member shortly!

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Even if seeing a therapist isn't part of your mental illness treatment plan (as is currently the case for me), it can still be useful to do some of this kind of work on your own. There are some great online resources out there to help you do just that. In this post, I've included links to some sites that have some practical mental health worksheets and workbooks. Some of them will make the most sense if you have some background knowledge about the type of therapy, but many are pretty self-explanatory. Of course, the downside of working on these on your own is that you don't get the objective feedback that a therapist is able to give, but they can still be useful.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
CBT is an evidence-based treatment used for a variety of different mental illnesses. A key element of CBT is identifying evidence to challenge cognitive distortions. This can be difficult to do without working with a therapist, but there are plenty of self-help worksheets out there to help you if you want to give it a try on your own.
- Antidepressant Skills Workbook from the Centre for Applied Research in Mental Health and Addiction: This is a good intro for people who are new to CBT for depression, but might feel a little too basic if you are familiar with CBBT
- CBT Skills Training Workbook: this is from the NHS, and is focused on low mood and anxiety
- Centre for Clinical Interventions: this Australia-based organization has CBT-based workbooks and worksheets for a variety of mental health concerns
- Dr. Danny Gagnon (psychologist): CBT self-help resources
- Food, Feelings, Freedom blog: thought record and other CBT resources
Harborview Abuse & Trauma Center CBT+ Notebook: CBT handouts and worksheets
Dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT)
DBT was developed for use in borderline personality disorder, but it is much more widely applicable than just BPD. Some of the skills are likely to be useful to many people who struggle with emotion regulation as part of their illness, and books and worksheets can be a good way to learn some of these skills without doing the full course of DBT therapy.
- DBT Skills Application: a DBT self-help site with links to worksheets focused on various DBT skills
- DBT Skills Training Handouts and Worksheets by Marsha Linehan: even if you're not actually in a DBT program there's stuff here that can be useful. A quick Google search will point you in the direction of both legit and less than legit copies.
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
- ACT Mindfully: Russ Harris's site has worksheets from all of his books on ACT. Like the name implies, ACT focuses on accepting emotions rather than avoiding/fighting them, and committing to actions that are consistent with our identified values. I found some of the worksheets on values clarification to be quite useful.
Resources that include multiple therapy approaches:
- GetSelfHelp: worksheets galore on a variety of topics
- Oxford Clinical Psychology Forms and Worksheets: this site is designed for therapists and isn't necessarily the most user-friendly to navigate through, but there are lots of resources here
- PositivePsychology.com: info and worksheets based on a number of different therapy models, including CBT, DBT, and positive psychotherapy
- Psychology Tools: has a wide variety of worksheets, including CBT and DBT-based
- Therapist Aid: also has a wide variety, with worksheets that are geared for therapists to use with their clients.
- ThinkCBT: has worksheets based on CBT, ACT, and Compassion-Focused Therapy, and includes resources for OCD
You can find more resources on my post online mental health workbooks.
Do you use any sort of mental health worksheets, books, or self-help websites? What's been useful for you?
My new book, Managing the Depression Puzzle takes a holistic, everything up to and including the kitchen sink look at how to put together the pieces of your unique depression puzzle. It's available on Amazon and other online retailers, as well as the MH@H Store.


text:
We've just about made it to Mondo's Universal Monsters gallery show—their biggest show ever, opening this Friday and playing home to nearly 20 posters and 50-plus originals (according to Mondo's creative director, Justin Ishmael, at tonight's 3D screening of Creature From The Black Lagoon)—but that doesn't mean all of Mondo's other business has been put on hold. In fact, they're going to be dropping the remaining prints from their recent New York Comic-Con appearance tomorrow morning. Wanna know what's going on sale, what it'll cost you, and what it looks like? Meet me after the jump, folks.
Before we get into what Mondo's dropping tomorrow—and there's quite a few things dropping—lemme remind everyone that our giveaway of Drew Struzan's Creature From The Black Lagoon is still going strong. We've received hundreds of entries thus far (and more than a few really kick-ass Limited Paper logos designed by readers), but you've still got until Sunday to get yours turned in. Head on over to this page and get all caught up on what you need to do for a chance to score! Someone's gonna get lucky, and right now everyone's got better chances of winning this than, say, winning the lottery. So get involved, Slappy! Hit that link if you're not already onboard, and stay tuned for the results, early next week.
Now that we've got that outta the way, let's burn through what Mondo's going to be dropping tomorrow morning/afternoon. If you've been following along with us here at Limited Paper recently, you'll recognize the majority of these from Mondo's recent appearance at the 2012 NYCC, but they're also releasing a new Jay Shaw print that no one's had a crack at yet. Let's get started:
- Paranormal Activity 4 by Jay Shaw
- 18×24"
- $35 regular edition of 120
- $50 variant edition of 70
Pretty snazzy, no? Let's see the rest:
- Foghorn Leghorn: Honorary Hawk by Tom Whalen
- 18×24"
- $40 regular edition of 270
- $65 variant edition of 95
- The Iron Giant by Mike Mitchell
- 18×24"
- $45 regular edition of 400
- $75 variant edition of 175
- Treebeard by Todd Slater
- 18×24"
- $45 regular edition of 330
- $70 variant edition (with metallics!) of 130
- Lord of The Rings by Shan Jiang
- 24×36"
- $45 regular edition of 360
Pretty solid lineup, no? You're probably wondering about a few notable absences here—this isn't everything that Mondo had for sale at NYCC—and we'll provide you with an update on the online sale of those posters as soon as we've got something confirmed about 'em (translation: I'll ask the Mondo guys at the Universal Monsters show, tell ya later). For now, everyone oughtta figure out which of the above they're going to go after tomorrow…gonna be a tough call, knowing that so many other potentially awesome prints are going to be available just a day or so later. Decisions, decisions.
Tomorrow afternoon we'll be holding our big "Universal Monsters Tattooapalooza" event here in Austin, and over the weekend we'll be bringing you all our coverage from that event (prepare yourself for a veritable cornucopia of arm photos, all taken by our buddy and your pal The Notorious BillyG), as well as all of our coverage from the Universal Monsters gallery show on Friday: we'll have an exclusive video walking tour of the entire show for you, a few artists' interviews, and maybe one or two other surprises (fingers crossed!).
As always, if you're an artist or gallery with artwork you'd like to see featured on Limited Paper (or if you're just some lucky bastard who happened to overhear a bit of poster-related gossip while standing in the bushes outside Martin Ansin's house) we wanna hear from you! Email Limited Paper directly at firstname.lastname@example.com, and be sure that you're following us on Twitter via @LimitedPaper for ongoing commentary, news updates, giveaways, and more!


text: Anti-Virus4U.com is the best place to buy antivirus software online. Get the best prices, discounts and deals for Bitdefender, Norton, ESET, Kaspersky, McAfee, AVG more. We guarantee that all of our products are genuine and new, and will be fully supported by the manufacturer. For more information visit our help section. For questions, and command please contact us More


text:
Stockton, CA
Kenneth D. Hagen
After a quick but fierce battle with cancer, Kenneth Hagen went to join his beloved wife Sandra on March 23, 2013. A proud Teamster, Ken worked for the San
Francisco Chronicle/Examiner for 33 years. In his retirement, he enjoyed meeting his friends for beer and pizza. He was also an avid golfer, hitting the greens whenever the weather permitted - and
sometimes when it didn't.
He is survived by his son Mike, daughter Kimberley, daughter-in-law Suzan, grandkids Derek, Brianna, Tyler and Brandon and great-grandsons Conner and
Visitation will be Friday March 29th from 11 am-9 pm and again on Saturday March 30th from 11 am-1 pm at Cedar Lawn Cemetery, Fremont. Services will be March 30th at 1:30 pm, followed by a graveside service for family.
In lieu of flowers, the family
requests donations be made
to his daughter's ACS Relay
for Life fundraising at http://main.acsevents.org/goto/
yrngtmr. Thank You.


text:
MWC 15 Special
It definitely looks like Microsoft and its partners are somewhat ready to launch Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 - anytime soon. After the Global Certification Forum approved LG's first Windows Phone 7 as well as it confirmed the HTC 7 Trophy and the HTC 7 Mozart, today the GCF approved the Samsung GT-I8700 which is expected to be Samsung's first Windows Phone 7. According to the GCF, the GT-I8700 supports quadband GSM/GPRS/EDGE as well as triband UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA at 900/1900/2100 MHz which would make it the first GCF approved Windows Phone 7 which is also ready to be used in North America - thanks to its AT&T Wireless' 1900 MHz UMTS support.
As always, the Global Certification Forum isn't spilling any beans about further specs or device availability but since so many expected Windows Phone 7 smartphones were approved the recent days and weeks, it definitely seems to be confirmed that Microsoft will announce Windows Phone 7 on October 11th with the expected European availability on October 21st.
Cheers ~ Arne
Article Source
Related Articles Samsung
No items available


text:
Ayelet Fishman-Link Urban Logistics
At Design Interviews
Interview with Ayelet Fishman : Frank Scott: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?. Ayelet Fishman : The inspiration behind my design was to create an urban logistics system that meets the challenges of the 21st century. The main principle was to offer an efficient, sustainable system that reduces truck movement and makes better use of existing urban infrastructure. .Frank Scott: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?. Ayelet Fishman : My main focus was on creating a system that would be both logistically efficient and energy and resource efficient. I wanted to achieve a seamless and sustainable system that allows a continuous flow of goods throughout the city. .Frank Scott: What are your future plans for this award winning design?. Ayelet Fishman : I would like to continue and develop this system with potential investors so that it could be realized in an urban space. .Frank Scott: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?. Ayelet Fishman : The design process of this system took about a year. .Frank Scott: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?. Ayelet Fishman : I find the topic of urban mobility fascinating. The issues of urbanization and mobility are a global key matter that needs creative, long-term solutions. I believe that the city is not the problem but the solution itself. Urban mobility and even more so urban logistics are in my eyes very important and challenging fields to deal with. Especially since there have not been any major innovations in urban logistics in the last 30 years. .Frank Scott: Who is the target customer for his design?. Ayelet Fishman : The system is designed for cities. Therefore logistics companies as well as urban municipalities are the potential investing and developing partners for such a project. .Frank Scott: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?. Ayelet Fishman : In my opinion what sets this design apart, is the fact that it deals with the different stages and aspects of urban logistics. Many other concepts are Island Solutions since they only focus on one aspect or stage of the process. .Frank Scott: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?. Ayelet Fishman : The definition of LINK is: a connecting element, a unit in a connected series of units forming a chain. This was the base principle of my concept- to connect and join between the different elements of the distribution process and existing urban infrastructure. .Frank Scott: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?. Ayelet Fishman : My design process began with extensive theoretical and field research. I continued with sketches, prototypes and functional models that allowed me to define and refine the concept and the design. In the final stages I used CAD modelling, renderings, graphics and animation. The result was presented in a 1:5 scale model. .Frank Scott: What is the most unique aspect of your design?. Ayelet Fishman : The most unique aspect of my design is the implementation of the semi autonomous, electric transporter fleet. .Frank Scott: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?. Ayelet Fishman : I met with leading experts from the field such as the director of the City Logistics program and the Research and Innovation center at DHL, Germany. I consulted city planners and engineers in order to create a plausible, realistic system. I explored scenarios and designs using various techniques. .Frank Scott: What is the role of technology in this particular design?. Ayelet Fishman : Technology plays a large role in my design. The whole system is based on innovative technologies that exist or are currently in development. .
Ayelet Fishman-Link Urban Logistics Images:
End of the article, click here to go back to previous page, or alternatively go back to Design Industrial homepage.


text:
Broiled Salmon filet with Spinach Arugula & Toasted Walnut Pesto
Spinach & Pine nut pesto is a lovely change from basil pesto, the added bonus; bagged spinach is readily available year round. It's also a convenient and delicious way to tuck another vegetable into the meal.
This pesto version includes the peppery sharpness of arugula, and the deep richness of toasted walnuts. It's very good with almost any broiled fish, or simply prepared chicken. I particularly like it with pan sauteed boneless/skinless, and thinly pounded chicken breasts, served with lemon slices.
Spinach-Arugula & Walnut Pesto
Makes about 1 cup
About 7 to 10 ounces fresh baby spinach, washed and larger stems pinched off
(I buy it in the bag)
1/2 bunch fresh arugula, washed and trimmed (more or less, to your taste)
1 to 2 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
1/4 teaspoon salt
A few grinds freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup walnut pieces, toasted
1/3 cup grated Pecorino Romano
1/2 lemon, juiced 1 tablespoon water
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
In a food processor or blender, combine spinach, arugula, garlic, salt, pepper, walnuts, cheese, lemon juice, and water. Process until a paste forms. Gradually blend in olive oil, taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Adjust consistency by adding a little more water if desired.


text:
Matt Leinart's stupefying beer-bong partying and champagne-bottle fellatio did nothing to help his career as an NFL quarterback nor his promotional viability, but it did wonders for the Dirty.com. The site, once lost in the overly-crowded co-ed tit-flashing corner of the blog market, reached critical mass last week thanks to the Leinart photos. The LA Times skewered The Dirty's proprietors last week and, today, ABC News gives its spin on things. And even though Leinart boosted the site's daily numbers to almost 300,000 visits, Ari Golden, CEO and head dirt mongrel of The Dirty.com insists to ABC his site will continue to focus on "real" people, as opposed to NFL quarterbacks.
Not so fast, Golden. There's an expert out there named John Grohol, with a seemingly made-up title "editorial board member of the Journal of Online Behavior and CyberPsychology & Behavior," who disagrees with The Dirty's business model.
"You could put up 100 photos of 100 random people who are hanging out with 19-year-old girls and nobody will care until the minute you put up a celebrity's photo," this glorified "expert" tells ABC.
He makes a good point. If said 19-year-old girls are getting their faces eaten by, oh, 49ers quarterback Alex Smith, the site becomes a little more entertaining to scroll through.
Honestly, if I were a professional athlete, I'd be absolutely terrified of this site.
Reality Blogging: No Celebs Allowed [ABC News]
Another "Face" Of The Franchise — 49ers Alex Smith [TheDirty.com]


text:
I just got this email from LinkedIn about my profile (that's http://www.linkedin.com/in/kekline in clear text).
Hi Kevin,
Recently, LinkedIn reached a new milestone: 200 million members. But this isn't just our achievement to celebrate— t's also yours.
I want to personally thank you for being part of our community. Your journey is part of our journey, and we're delighted and humbled when we hear stories of how our members are using LinkedIn to connect, learn, and find opportunity.
All of us come to work each day focused on our shared mission of connecting the world's professionals to make them more productive and successful. We're excited to show you what's next.
With sincere thanks,
Deep Nishar
Senior Vice President, Products & User Experience
P.S. What does 200 million look like? See the infographic
What does that mean? Two things: 1) that the much more famous actor of the same name is not very good at social media, and 2) I'm better at social media than I thought.
It means one more thing - I should be grateful for your support and interest. THANK YOU! Please let me know what else I can do to help you grow in your SQL Server technology skills, database & SQL skills, and IT leadership & professional development path.


text:
Adventure gamer's paradise – Price Drops!
Hey there, folks. I know, you've missed you're favourite adventure games addict. Christmas and New Year have gone by, but the steals and deals continue. And on my first day back from vacation I couldn't miss the latest price drops, especially since they are for my favourite genre: Adventure games.
You might have seen my AppStore The App Store's Best Adventure roundup and guess what – some of titles on sale are also featured there! So without further ado I present the list (after the gap).


text:
Our site has a wide range of acceptance for different fetishes and fantasies, but a voyeur is one of the more catered to of our long-list of desirables. By definitions, voyeurism is an erotic passion for watching others in sexual situations. Or being watched while undressing or masturbating. We have dozens of videos where our like-minded sensualists explore their own bodies and each other for the benefit of their captivated audience. It's 100% real, completely pleasurable, and you're encouraged to watch without fear of judgment or shame.
We understand that being a voyeur in today's world can still be daunting, as there are still obviously those who aren't so judgment-free. However, our site is unabashed, unashamed, and encouraging of your lustful curiosities. Our members are inspired by like-wise individuals who share the same interests and fantasies they do. Sign up…create your profile to cater to your type of curiosity…and explore your wildest dreams with others or alone.
There's always the option of meeting in real-time when our members connect with each other – sexually, emotionally, and psychologically. From private parties where the center of attention is a masturbating beauty in the throes of ecstasy, to all-night orgasmic exhibitions with your newfound girlfriend, or public (yet private) flashes of beautiful tits and a yummy pussy for your eyes only. If any of these are enticing to you, then you've found the right place.
These images only brush the surface of the amazing voyeur videos and pictures we've got waiting for you. There are hundreds of photos and amateur movies to peruse, each starring like-minded people you may have never seen but could meet with for your own private starring role in their next sexual fantasy. The fun of our site is flipping through profiles to see if there's anyone you could connect with in your lustful venture toward pleasure or just browsing their pornographic uploads.
A voyeur is perhaps one of the most open-minded, exciting person you'll ever want to meet. And they've only become more prevalent as their communities have become more accepted by more people. For those who have met with resistance in their local communities, we offer a safe, secure haven to explore lusty curiosities, desires, and fantasies. Amateurs and those who have been in the lifestyle longer are encouraged to peruse our profiles, videos, and photos in search of their next like-minded partners.
Or if you're interested in staying solo, we offer a wide range of criteria where you can watch from the comforts of home while others sate their voyeuristic curiosities. You can simply look around and silently browse. Or you can become a part of the online scene, submitting your own videos to delight, pleasure, and entertain your similarly interested viewers and admirers.


text:
Sunny Time
Gentle on the eye, cheerful and fun: sunny items to ward off those workaday blues!
Eye-catching: Yellow crew-neck cotton jersey sweatshirt by Holiday Boileau.
Party animal: USB loudspeakers for music, videos, games and parties.
Retro: The 1974 Vita Parcours sneaker by Bally is celebrating a comeback.
Organic: This popcorn is also vegan, gluten-free and gone in the blink of an eye!


text:
Medialabs necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 101 diseños de 32 diseñadores freelance.
Premiumhub offers premium rate Voice, SMS and Data services.
A Premium Rate Service is usually a telecoms number which either receives Voice, SMS or Data.
Here is an example of why a premium rate service would be used:
A business would like to host a competition. They would apply for a Premium Rate SMS number and use that as the main source of receiving revenue from the competition entries. The user who sends the SMS will be charged a Premium Rate and the business will earn revenue for each SMS received.
Further examples of Premium Rate Services follow:
• Mobile Content: Games, Ringtones, Wallpapers etc
• Competitions
• News, Sports and Weather Updates
• Voting
• Directory Services
• Financial Information.
• Call Centre Assistance
These are just a few examples of what a Premium Rate Service might be used for.
Premiumhub is a reseller of these Numbers and Services.
Here is an example of a Reseller: http://www.maxtis.com
Our target audience is focused on anyone whether it is a corporate sized business or an individual who wants to earn extra revenue from Voice, SMS or Data services.
Our target audience is focused on anyone whether it is a corporate sized business or an individual who wants to earn extra revenue from Voice, SMS or Data services.
The company is a start-up company and therefore there are no design limits.
Type: The type needs to be original and clean. I can't say what type to use until I see examples.
Symbol: A symbol must be associated with the logo. This is where the creative side of you will come out. I would prefer a symbol related to the words 'Premium' or 'HUB', but abstract designs are welcome.
Colour Scheme: This is up to you. A note to all designers, if you post a design with the logo on a colour background then please could you also post a design on a white background. Please note if you are the winner I will need the logo in HEX, PANTONE, CMYK formats.
Keywords: Premium, Hub, Global, Numbers, Money, Revenue, Network,
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


text:
Rainwater Warehouse has launched a new website offering a complete range of rainwater harvesting systems and products. According to Principal, Jack Burden, Rainwater Warehouse provides a complete range of residential & commercial rainwater harvesting products. The company offers packaged solutions directly to green build developers, builders and homeowners. They also provide commercial grade rainwater harvesting components to builders & owners of commercial properties.
The company offers complete rainwater harvesting systems and rainwater harvesting components with field tested dependability. These systems include the highest quality components, separating their systems from the likes of those you may find at a boxed retail location. "It is important that you pay close attention to the components that are included in any rainwater harvesting system. Many systems on the market today are made with low quality components; our systems are built to last," Burden Explained. Featured on the website is the Rainwater Warehouse Deluxe Rainwater Harvesting System, sold with a 300 or 500 gallon tank. The system offers multiple mounting options for downspout, filter and tank placement and boasts of easy installation in fewer than 30 minutes. Included is an overflow system, 3/4" hose bib, Leaf Beater, 300 or 500 Gallon UV inhibited tank, 1/6hp submersible pump w/ 8' electric cord and assembly instructions. The systems are turnkey, no additional parts are required. The Deluxe Rainwater Harvesting Systems are supplied with corrosion resistant schedule 40 PVC pipe and fittings. "Thinner wall pipes will decay and become brittle after prolonged exposure to sunlight.
These systems are field tested to stand up to the sun, lawn equipment and are tamper resistant," Burden asserted. The tanks have manways installed at the top which are sealed tightly to prevent accidental death or injury. Molded of food grade polyethylene resin, the tanks have a long term UV package and are suitable for use in or out of direct sunlight. The high impact resin is not affected by warm or cold temperatures. This allows captured water to be used for emergency supply if required," said Burden.
If you are not in the market for a package system, Rainwater Warehouse also provides individual components and downloadable kit plans for the "do it yourselfers". They offer a range of products and services including fixed cost design review, the Apex PumpBuddy®, Leaf Beater® and custom made commercial grade downspout filters. The filters come in your choice of aluminum, stainless steel or copper. Also available for purchase is a decorative downspout filter and a custom decorative pipe sleeves with a special precast footer. The decorative systems can add an architectural element to the home or hide the visible elements of a rainwater harvesting system. "Homeowners can now harvest rainwater without detracting from the beauty of their homes," stated Burden. "We offer solutions that are not only dependable, but allow the average homeowner to install and use with ease." Homeowners once purchased rainwater harvesting systems to decrease their water footprint or save money on their utility bill, but rainwater can also prove to be a useful asset in times of emergency. "Rainwater harvesting systems can prove to be a necessity in the event of wildfire, flooding, drought or other domestic or natural emergencies," said Burden. Create peace of mind with an independent, alternative water source using a Rainwater Warehouse Deluxe Rainwater Harvesting System.
You will never have to worry about water regulations or drought when you have your own source of harvested rainwater. When you purchase a system from Rainwater Warehouse you aren't just buying a system, you are buying independence. Rainwater Warehouse provides only the most durable systems and components, field tested and proven to withstand the elements. All major credit cards are accepted and the team is available to speak to if you have any questions prior to purchase.
For more information you can visit Rainwater Warehouse on the web at http://www.rainwaterwarehouse.com/
This press release is presented without editing for your information. MOTHER EARTH NEWS does not recommend, approve or endorse the products and/or services offered. You should use your own judgment and evaluate products and services carefully before deciding to purchase.


text:
Game Night: Billy Gillispie vs. Jeannine EdwardsPosted by rtmsf on February 17th, 2009
Other than Michigan St. @ Purdue tonight (and really, who wants to watch that?), the games tonight are quite pedestrian. So piggybacking a report from SportsbyBROOKS yesterday (via Deadspin) that the root of the frosty relations between Kentucky capo Billy Gillispie and ESPN sideline reporter Jeannine Edwards goes back to her refusal to enjoy consensual carnal relations with go out with him, we feel compelled to comment on such a weighty matter.
You may recall our first inkling of their tiff on January 27 when UK played at Ole Miss. Gillispie was unhappy with his team and thought Edwards' question was particularly bad, so he told her so.
Then last week during the UK-Florida game at Rupp, Gillispie seemingly mocked Edwards as he pretended to not hear her question before telling her that she "would know better than" him when it came to, you know, basketball… stuff. We even wrote at the time that maybe there was more to his condescension than met the eye.
So what's the story here? The easy answer is that, yeah, Gillispie is peeved that Edwards denied his amorous advances, but as any female aged 18-50 who lives in the Lexington area knows, Billy Clyde isn't exactly the kind of chap who takes the word "no" to heart. And that of course assumes he can even remember it. No, Gillispie has beef with Edwards, but that's probably because he's a chauvanist men's basketball coach who doesn't respect her position rather than any particular incident involving dating her. Come on, ladies of Lexington… you gals who frequent Harry's after games and have fallen into the Gillispie Fly Trap – feel free to chime in here.
Nevertheless, sideshows sell and so we come to tonight's UK @ Vanderbilt Jodie Meeks game, and guess who is scheduled to once again be the sideline reporter? Yep, Ms. Jeannine Edwards. Is there any question that ESPN's halftime interview split ratings will be the highest of any game all season long?
Of course, if Vandy somehow does something interesting for the first time in the history of that school, maybe ESPN will avoid this whole sordid mess by interviewing Kevin Stallings instead. Wouldn't that be rich?


text:
inspired from: http://www.impressiveinteriordesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Bunk-Beds-Design-Ideas-2.jpg
inspired from: http://www.impressiveinteriordesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Bunk-Beds-Design-Ideas-2.jpg
We have updated our Privacy Policy to reflect changes that will provide you with greater control over your information. We encourage you to read this document in full to ensure you understand it.
By clicking "I Agree" you agree to our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy and Cookies Policy. If you don't want to accept Terms of Service, Privacy Policy and Cookies Policy, you have an option to delete your account or not to use our service.
By Signing Up you agree to our Terms of Service, including Privacy Policy and Cookies Policy. Learn how we collect, use and share your data in our Privacy Policy and how we use cookies and similar technology in our Cookies Policy.
Esqueceu a senha


text:
Keep large sheets of construction paper, blueprints and maps free of wrinkles and tears when you store them in Diversified Woodcrafts' Paper Storage Cabinet. The attractive maple plywood paper storage cabinet has seven pull-out drawers that allow for easy access to contents. Each drawer is 41" wide by 24" deep by 3" high (inside dimensions) so there is plenty of space for even your largest papers. The two locking doors swing open and lay flush to the sides, so they won't interfere with movement of the drawers. Use the handsome almond-colored plastic laminate top as a convenient work surface. Diversified Woodcrafts' Paper Storage Cabinet is backed by a lifetime warranty.
Key Features
- Seven pull-out drawers for easy access to paper
- Two locking doors swing open and lay flush to the sides
- Almond-colored plastic laminate top double as a work surface
- Backed by a lifetime warranty
- Material: Maple plywood
- Top Material: Almond-colored plastic laminate
- Finish: Earth friendly water-based finish
- Warranty: Lifetime
- Drawer Dimensions: 41"W x 24""D x 3"H (inside)
- Width: 50"
- Depth: 30"
- Height: 36"
- Assembly Required: Yes
- Lead Time: Ships within 3 weeks
- Shipping Method: Freight
- Weight: 420.00 pounds


text:
Pizza Snacks: Pizza-Flavored Pringles
The image on this Pizza-Flavored Pringles can cracks me up. See these chips? Scooped up straight from a pizza! Using a spatula!
(Though the back of the can does clarify that these chips are artificially flavored; so don't worry, no pizzas were harmed in the making of these snacks.)
Each chip is dusted with a red flavoring powder, but if you bite into the whole chip, the hints of tomato and pepperoni are overpowered by the inherent potato flavor. Nothing wrong with that if you're a Pringles fan (and I am). We happily munched away on them but generally agreed that they only faintly reminded us of a pepperoni slice.
But if you're looking for more pizza flavor from these chips, there's one solution. Lick each one. (See illustration, after the jump.) Then you'll get more salty, pizza-y goodness, with hints of oregano and meat.
Of course, that's a little weird.


text:
Chasten v. Franklin, 2010 WL 4065606 (N.D.Cal. October 14, 2010)
Plaintiff sued some corrections officers at the prison where her inmate son was killed. She learned in a deposition that one of the defendants had a Yahoo email account. So she sent a subpoena to Yahoo seeking all the email messages sent from that account during a period of more than two years.
Defendant moved to quash the subpoena, arguing that disclosure of the email messages would violate his rights under the Stored Communications Act (SCA). The court granted the motion to quash.
Subject to certain specifically-enumerated exceptions, the SCA (at 18 U.S.C. 2702(a) and (b)) essentially prohibits providers of electronic communication or remote computing services to the public from knowingly divulging the contents of their customers' electronic communications or the records relating to their customers. The court found that no such exception applied in this case. Citing to Theofel v. Farey-Jones, it held that compliance with the subpoena would be an invasion of the specific interests that the SCA seeks to protect.


text:
Dear Vanessa,
Vanessa, I love 'em, so I'm afraid to ask … what's the deal with fireworks? It's hard to imagine that they are eco-friendly, but maybe, just maybe, they aren't that bad?
— Milo
Dear Milo,
I'm so sorry. Fireworks are an environmental disaster. All those pretty colors come from somewhere, right? Reds are the product of strontium and lithium; copper burns blue and releases dioxins, which cause cancer; magnesium, titanium and aluminum make white sparks; sodium chloride is used for orange-yellow; boric acid for green; and potassium and rubidium produce purple. And, get this, radioactive barium produces sparkly greens.
After the fireworks display at the Stockholm Water Festival in 1996, levels of arsenic were twice the norm, and mercury, cadmium, lead, copper, zinc and chromium were as much as 500 times above normal.
The gunpowder alone — used for combustion — leaves behind potassium carbonate, potassium sulphate and sulphide, plus unreacted sulphur and levels of fine particulates that cause asthma, cancer and other respiratory problems. Oh, and this makes the air often exceed local and national air quality standards.
All this not only pollutes the air, but it also leaves deposits on soil, crops and water. High on the list of fireworks fallout, especially for water, is perchlorate. Perchlorate affects the thyroid gland and is well-known for health risks for humans and wildlife. An EPA study of an Oklahoma lake found that within 14 hours of a fireworks display, perchlorate levels were 1000 times higher than usual. It took up to 80 days for those levels to return to normal.
In a 2002 article, Gar Smith estimated that "in the U.S., fireworks shows may have generated 90 tons of sky-borne lead pollution — a flagrant (and pungent) violation of the Clean Air Act" and notes that "fireworks displays … may even violate Agenda 21 of the U.N. Earth Summit agreement."
It is estimated that 1,460 tons of fireworks are set off in Switzerland every year — 1000 tons of cardboard, wood and plastic packaging, 240 tons of gunpowder and 120 tons of chemicals. Fireworks by Grucci, the self-proclaimed First Family of Fireworks based in New York, used 140 tons of sand, enough lumber to build a single-family house, and 135 miles of wire for a New Year's event at the Washington Monument.
All these resources and pollution are merely the result of detonating fireworks. Now consider the environmental costs of production and transportation!
Lead, radioactive barium, perchlorate, fine particulates, dioxins, lumber … As much as you may love 'em, firework displays are not worth the costs.
It may be time for a revival of the Main Street parade — or, at least, laser shows — to replace fireworks.
Have a safe holiday,
Also on MNN:
MNN homepage photo: mstay/iStockphoto


text:
Our Students
Wishart Hall
303 E. University Street
Wooster, OH 44691
Phone: 330-263-2541
Fax: 330-263-2690
Majors in the Department of Communication are a diverse group and, in recent years, have come from as far away as Bombay, India, and Accra, Ghana. Our majors are involved in a variety of extracurricular activities, including theatre and dance, student government, intercollegiate athletics, volunteer work, writing for The Voice, and singing in the Wooster chorus, just to name a few.
During the academic year, students and faculty typically meet once a week in Lowry dining hall for Communication Table, a luncheon event that includes informal discussion, student talks on internships and research, and guest speakers.
Students also are involved in three departmental organizations:
- Lambda Pi Eta, the Wooster chapter of the National Communication Honor Society
- Communication Club, the Wooster chapter of the National Communication Association Student Club
- NSSLHA, the Wooster chapter of the National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association.
Student members of these organizations plan Communication Table topics, help produce the departmental newsletter, organize social events, and engage in community outreach through public relations work for non-profit organizations and hearing screenings at community health fairs. Lambda Pi Eta, Communication Club, and NSSLHA play an especially important role in planning the Department's annual Communication Week activities: an alumni speakers forum, a bowl-a-thon designed to raise money for a local non-profit, and a public speaking workshop and hearing screenings that are free and open to the public. The Department's chapter of Lambda Pi Eta was named "Chapter of the Year" by the National Communication Association in 1997 and received The Distinguished Student Organization Award from the Speech Communication Association of Ohio in 2002.
Graduates of the Communication Studies program in recent years have interned in the U.S. Department of Justice, won a Fulbright Scholarship, earned graduate degrees, gone to law school, and pursued a wide range of careers. A recent survey of alumni revealed that graduates worked in law (mostly as attorneys), print and electronic journalism (as journalists, on-air talent, producers, or general managers), sales (including a Vice President), marketing/advertising, fundraising/public relations, government (e.g., press secretary, deputy clerk for county board of legislators, federal government), business (human resources, operations, labor relations), education, and the nonprofit sector (e.g., orchestra management, Americorps, Teach for America, social work). One recent graduate is now an executive at an ad agency in New York City. Another is a press secretary for an international non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C., while a third is a buyer for General Motors in Detroit and a fourth is editor-in-chief of a mountain biking magazine with its headquarters in Pittsburgh. Yet another recent Communication Studies graduate is pursuing his medical degree. CNN sports anchor Vince Cellini is also a graduate of the program.
In the Communication Sciences and Disorders program, some graduates have typically completed graduate training in order to enter a profession directly related to their major. According to a recent survey, alumni included speech-language pathologists, audiologists, speech-language pathology professors, nurses, teachers (e.g., teachers of multi-handicapped students), teachers of the Deaf, and social workers. One notable graduate of the program is Douglas M. Hicks, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, who is the Director of the Voice Clinic and Head of the Speech-Language Pathology Section of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation.


text:
Is Joe Jonas Apologizing To Demi Lovato In His New Song, 'I'm Sorry'?
Joe Jonas says his new song, "I'm Sorry," is about one of his relationships. Is he finally apologizing to Demi Lovato, or is it an ode to one of his other celebrity girlfriends?
We all know Joe Jonas isn't exactly going to win the "Best Boyfriend" award. From Taylor Swift to Ashley Greene, Joe has famously fallen out of love just as quickly as he falls in. The notorious play boy says he's about to apologize to one of his sweethearts in his new song, "I'm Sorry" — but will it be about the one girl he hurt the most?
"'I'm Sorry' is really honest," Joe, 21, told E! Online's Marc Malkin June 16. "It's saying, I screwed up. I didn't cheat on the person, but just I messed up and I wanted the person back. I'm just putting it all on the table saying, 'I'm sorry. I wish I could have you back.'"
Joe dramatically dumped his girlfriend, former best friend and co-star, Demi Lovato, last year, only to join her on tour months later and bring along his new girlfriend, Ashley Greene. Demi, 18, subsequently, suffered from a breakdown, quit the tour and shipped off to treatment in Chicago for "emotional and physical issues." Although Joe didn't technically do anything wrong, it's widely presumed he played some role in Demi's problems.
"Those kind of songs are really hard because you know that person is going to hear it," he said. "[But] I've never really reached out to somebody about a song. I feel every artist is entitled to write honestly. So I've never reached out to them unless they reached out to me."
Out of all the girls he's dated, I think Joe owes Demi an apology most. She was more than just a random girl he dated — she was a family friend, a co-worker and most importantly, she considered him one of her best friends. Even if he didn't actually cheat on her with Ashley, he disrespected her by flaunting his new girlfriend in Demi's face while they were on tour. It was insensitive and rude!
Hopefully we'll hear "I'm Sorry" soon — but regardless, it will be on Joe's first solo album, which is set to drop Sept. 6. Are YOU excited to hear it?
Read More About Joe Jonas!


text:
Lot Details
1934-D Peace silver dollar
North & South St. Cloud Personal Property
St. Cloud, MN
Fri, Sep 6, 2019 12:00PM
Tue, Sep 17, 2019 7:00PM
Description Coming Soon
Oberman Auctions
Steve Oberman
(320) 251-2141
Click here now to register for online bidding. It's FREE!
Oberman Auctions
23825 67th Ave
St Cloud, MN 56301


text:
PHOTO: Equality Maryland Twitpic
Another day and another win for our side. After granting its initial approval on Wednesday, today the Maryland Senate approved the Civil Marriage Protection Act was 25 to 21. The measure now moves to the House and the debate is expected to be "volatile," reports the Baltimore Sun.
Discussion in the House of Delegates is set to begin Friday, with a committee hearing that could be far more rancorous than anything the Senate has seen. Del. Don Dwyer, an Anne Arundel County Republican and a chief opponent of the legislation, promised this week to "take off the gloves" when he discusses gay marriage. His bill to outlaw recognition of any union not between a man and a woman, also is slated to be heard Friday.
[A]pproval in Maryland's House is far from assured. The same-sex marriage bill in that chamber has 58 sponsors; 71 votes are needed for passage. And, if it is passed, it will almost certainly be petitioned to referendum, giving voters the final say.
Some debate became very personal, reports Deseret News.
The only Republican to support gay marriage, Sen. Allan Kittleman, R-Howard, recalled his father's work with the black community during the civil rights movement. Kittleman, who is white, said his father would invite leaders from the NAACP and other civil rights groups to his house when he was growing up in the 1960s.
"We lived in a very white neighborhood, and we'd have the leaders of the African American community coming to our house talking and I would go to my neighbors' later, I'd go see my friends and their parents would come to me and say 'Allan, why do all those black people come to your house?'" Kittleman said. Granting full marriage rights to same-sex couples might not be the same as the civil rights movement, Kittleman said, but "it's the right thing to do."
If passed, Democratic Gov. Martin O'Malley has promised to sign the bill. Maryland would join five other states and the District of Columbia to allow same-sex marriages. Since February 2010, Maryland has recognized valid same-sex marriages performed elsewhere.


text:
Sticky pork
Prep: 5 mins Cook: 30 mins
A low-fat fave, this pork can be left overnight or cooked to go, don't let on how simple it is and impress your friends
Nutrition and extra info
- Easily doubled / halved
Nutrition: per serving
- kcal165
- fat5g
- saturates2g
- carbs3g
- sugars3g
- fibre0g
- protein28g
- salt1.56g
Save to My Good Food
- 500g piece pork fillet
For the marinade
- 4 tbsp soy sauce
Soy saucesoy sor-s
An Asian condiment and ingredient that comes in a variety of of varieties ranging from light to…
- 1 tbsp clear honey
- finely grated zest and juice 1 orange
One of the best-known citrus fruits, oranges aren't necessarily orange - some varieties are…
- large knob of root ginger, finely grated
Tip all the marinade ingredients into a shallow dish and stir to combine. Coat the pork in the marinade and, if you have time, leave for 1 hr or even better overnight. Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6.
Heat an ovenproof pan and take the pork out of the marinade. Brown on all sides, then baste over the rest of the marinade and roast the pork for 20 mins until cooked all the way through, basting with its juices every 5 mins or so. Serve the pork sliced with rice and your favourite steamed greens.
Recipe Tip
Take it for lunchTurn leftover pork into a tasty wrap by rolling it up in flour tortillas with hoisin sauce, cucumber wedges, shredded iceberg lettuce and spring onions.
You may also like
Comments, questions and tips
3rd May, 2017
The whole family loves this recipe and I have made it many times. It really is best if left in the marinade for 24 hours. I usually just add a splash of orange juice rather than the zest and juice which is a bit overpowering. It takes slightly longer than the cooking time given and also its better if rested for about 10 mins before eating. Would be really nice the next day though there's never any leftovers in our house!
2nd Jan, 2016
I am always looking for ways to use up left overs. Came over this the day after New Years Day. I had cooked an enormous quantity of pork for 12 on that day but did have some left over. Shredded it added the marinade, with less orange as suggested, cooked covered in foil for 20 mins then un covered and cooked for 10 at the higher temp. Put in left over wraps, lettuce, cucumbers and peppers from the festive season. Went down a storm. Family now asking for larger pork joints so we can do again. Winner all round!
14th Jul, 2012
we have cooked pork fillet many times but we thought the orange flavour was far too strong, it could have been a 'strong' orange but i would use all the juice & half zest next time. i used a foil covering until meat cooked & while meat was resting, put liquid back in oven to thicken, it was nice & sticky! we had roasted root veg & a corn cob.


text:
TUSTEP is a professional toolbox for scholarly processing textual data (including those in non-latin scripts) with a strong focus on humanities applications.
Designed in cooperation with many humanities projects by the Division of Literary and Documentary Data Processing at the Computing Center of the University of Tübingen and first implemented more than 25 years ago, TUSTEP is constantly being improved and expanded in order to facilitate solutions for new problems and to take advantage of new hardware and operating systems. It contains modules for all stages of scholarly text data processing, starting from data capture and including information retrieval, text collation, text analysis, sorting and ordering, rule-based text manipulation, and output in electronic or conventional form (including typesetting in professional quality).
Beyond the University of Tübingen, TUSTEP is currently used in roughly 100 other universities and research institutions (a list is available on the web page of the International TUSTEP User Group ITUG)
Articles and tutorials
Modularity, Professionality, Integration: Design principles for TUSTEP
Text data processing with TUSTEP: overview, hints
Current Version
Home pages
German: http://www.uni-tuebingen.de/zdv/tustep/tustep.html
English: http://www.uni-tuebingen.de/zdv/tustep/tustep_eng.htm


text:
Richard Cogdell is the Director of the Institute for Molecular Cell and Systems Biology at the University of Glasglow, Scotland. Richard was led to a career in studying bacterial photosynthesis by a desire to learn and understand basic photosynthesis, he "wanted to know how natured worked." In 1995, Richard's research group, in collaboration with others, used protein crystallography to determine the three dimensional structure of a light-harvesting complex from the purple bacterium, Rhodospsedomas acidophilia. This breakthrough led to two key elements in the understanding of bacterial photosynthesis. One, once you have established the structure you can understand its function. Two, this view of a light-harvesting complex attracted an interdisciplinary group of scientists from the fields such as chemistry, physics, mathematics and biology. Richard's current challenge is to take the process of photosynthesis (using solar energy to make a fuel) and apply it to the world's energy needs in a sustainable manner. To do this, Richard says "you must break photosynthesis down to it's four most basics steps", absorb solar energy, concentrate it, break it apart and make a fuel. These are the steps that must be duplicated if they are going to be successful at creating sustainable, renewable energy. The first two steps, says Cogdell, are like a solar battery (easy to recreate). The hard part is finding ways to use renewable energy to drive the chemistry. That's the process Richard spends most of his time working on and he uses the concept of an artificial leaf to help explain this complex process to the public. According to Cogdell, if the current rate of investment continues, it will be approximately five to six years before we see a small pilot system that demonstrates the feasibility of the process. Richard emphasizes that if mankind wants to survive, we must find a way to convert solar energy into fuel because when fossil fuels run out so do we.
Video is embedded from external source so download is not available.
Channels: Microbiology Chemistry (General) Environmental engineering
Tags: AAAS Cogdell Richard photosynthesis bacterial artificial leaf renewable energy sustainable solar battery lig
Uploaded by: microbeworld ( Send Message ) on 17-04-2013.
Duration: 9m 16s


text:
The undeveloped 3 046 acre Umzingwane Recreational Park is situated about 38 kilometres south-east of Bulawayo. It is based on the Umzingwane Dam and has limited wildlife and some good birdlife. It provides an important recreational facility for watersports such as angling and boating within easy reach of Bulawayo but there are no accommodation facilities.
Umzingwane was designated a Private Game Reserve in 1968 and subsequently a Recreational Park under the Parks and Wild Life Act (1975).


text:
I don't regret turning our dining table into a chalkboard. We've already had some of the most amazing conversations and connections.
I think everyone should involve drawing and doodling with there dinnertime. It's simply got my family talking!
But I know not everyone will make such a drastic choice.
The other night, we made heart charts (drew what was in our heart). It was such a sweet time. I was going to share it with our dear family friends, but I knew they would never go for painting their beautiful table.
And that's when I realized: I can give them chalkboard placemats for their table for Christmas! It was fun and easy to make and I enjoyed creating The Family Table Talk Guide {Free Printable}:
[I found $1 hard plastic placemats that had a cool design. I only painted one side, so the back still looks neat].
[I painted mine outside and found it works better with more than one coat].
Add this printable:
The Family Guide: Table Talk
Add some chalk and a festive ribbon:
And give it to someone you love!


text:
MONDAY, July 2, 2012 (HealthDay News) -- A new survey of hundreds of high school students in the Houston area finds that 28 percent have "sexted" -- sent a naked photo of themselves through email or cell-phone texting. And more than half said they'd been asked to send someone else a naked photo.
Boys were more likely than girls to ask for naked photos, and girls were more likely to be asked to send a photo, the survey found.
Touted as the most advanced research on sexting in the United States, the survey does have limitations: The group of students surveyed had a higher rate of ethnic minorities than in American public schools overall, and only those whose parents agreed were allowed to answer the questions.
Still, the findings suggest that sexting, the practice of sending explicit material or information via texting, "is a fairly prevalent behavior among teens," said study lead author Jeff R. Temple, a psychologist and assistant professor at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. "And teens who engage in sexting behaviors may be more likely to have had sex. In other words, sexting may be a fairly reliable indicator of sexual behaviors."
The survey results, published online July 2 in the journal Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine, are based on responses from 948 students in 10th or 11th grade at seven Houston-area high schools. All were between the ages of 14 and 19; 32 percent were Hispanic, 30 percent were white and 27 percent were black. (By comparison, white students accounted for 54 percent of U.S. public school students in 2010, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.)
Twenty-eight percent of those surveyed said they'd sent a naked photo of themselves, while 31 percent said they'd asked someone for a naked photo. The numbers may sound surprising, but Temple said he was hardly shocked.
"Based on several informal conversations with counselors, teachers, parents, and students, I was actually surprised it wasn't a bit higher," he said.
White and black students and those whose parents had less education were the most likely to have sent naked photos or asked for them, the survey showed.
Could any of the students be lying or misremembering? That's possible, Temple said, but added, "It is just as, or more, likely that adolescents would try to downplay their sexting behavior to appear more socially desirable."
Other research has found "sexting" to be less common, with one study released last month revealing that 20 percent of 606 students surveyed at a Midwestern high school said they'd sent naked photos of themselves.
Temple said the new study may be more accurate than previous research because it's based on a better representation of teens in the United States.
Is sexting bad for kids?
"Other than the potential for harassment when the pictures are disseminated or the potential for legal troubles, I don't think we have an answer," Temple said. "While we found that sexting may be a reliable indicator of sexual behavior, we cannot say if sexting preceded or followed sexual behavior, and we definitely cannot say it caused a teen couple to have sex."
Diane Kholos Wysocki, a sociology professor at the University of Nebraska at Kearney who studies sexuality, said sexting is very risky. "Once they hit send, it is out of their control. They don't know where it is going to end up. We know teens have committed suicide over this, and it can ruin their lives. When kids are doing things without understanding the repercussions, it is worth worrying about," she said.
So what can be done? Temple suggests that pediatricians enter into discussions about sex with teens during office visits by mentioning sexting.
And Kholos Wysocki recommends parental monitoring.
"Watch your children. They know more about technology than you do. You must learn," she said. "Computers should not be behind closed doors. You must know their passwords, and parents have to watch Facebook accounts. If they see too little in the way of clothing going up in pictures, take them down."
"Parents must sometimes protect children from themselves," she added.
More information
Visit the U.S. National Library of Medicine for more details about teen sexual health.


text:
We've managed to stock up on a lot of pasta over the past few months for some reason, so you may have noticed a lot of recipes calling for it lately as we slowly downsize the pantry in anticipation of selling the house. Though, with the market as slow as it is out here, we will probably be out here for a little longer than we thought. Instead of boring house details, let's jump right in and get talking about what we had for dinner tonight.
I can definitely see making this Pasta with Lemon and Spinach dish again when it is the middle of summer and we're searching for a speedy, but light and fresh dinner to beat the heat. Once the batch of whole wheat penne is cooked, the sauce to coat the pasta is combined in the same pot to save on dishes. Butter, minced garlic, smooth ricotta cheese, fresh grated Parmesan cheese, lemon zest and lemon juice form the creamy base of the sauce with a bit of the starchy pasta water being added to thin it out. Tender baby spinach and sweet red bell peppers are tossed into the sauce just until the spinach has a chance to wilt. After the pasta is tossed with the sauce and the dish is plated, a quick shower of sharp Parmesan cheese is the last step before diving in. The flavors popped in this dish with a bright citrus-y kick from the lemon zest and juice - the spinach and peppers gave it roots and splashes of color. If you still have access to good asparagus, feel free to toss in thinly sliced pieces instead of the spinach. Oh and the camera doesn't lie, the differences in pasta color are because I had to mix and match different brands.
Pasta with Lemon and Spinach


text:
The capital, at the southern tip of the North Island, is a cosmopolitan centre of government and commerce. It is known for its winds, its winding streets, and its homes clinging to the hillsides, but above all, its harbour.
Wellington has one of the most beautiful harbours in the world and rejoices in the motto, ioSuprema a situlr, supreme by site. The original site was the flat delta shaped land at Petone. The town was then called Britannia, making New Zealand's major cities start with the letters A, B, C, and D (Auckland, Britannia, Christchurch, and Dunedin). Wellington became the capital in 1865 when the seat of government was transferred from Auckland. Until the earthquake of 1855 most of the land now lying between Lambton Quay and the waterfront did not exist. The Hutt motorway and the railway now runs along an uplifted part of the seabed. The Port of Wellington serves other New Zealand ports and provides links with other parts of the world. It is the North Island terminal for the Cook Strait ferry service.
There are many places of interest and many buildings to visit including Parliament with its dynamic-shaped annexe. Others include the Beehive, the Victoria University and National Museum, the National Art Gallery and one of the world's largest wooden buildings, the old Government Buildings. Good views of the city are obtained from Mount Victoria and also by taking the cable car to Kelburn. Oriental Bay is an attractive inner city beach just a few minutes walk from the central business district.


text:
We are using a third party control that requires a WindowFormHosts.(map)
We would like to have the ability to overlay custom marker images. The marker images act as a location point on the map. It seems as though there is no way to set the transparency of the image once it is drawn on top of the map.
Picture Box, Label or Panel all appears on top of the map but not transparent any help on this would be appreciated.


text:
We found 1 items that match your search.
Spirit Magazine, February 1975
In this article excerpted from the December 1975 issue of York College student-run Spirit Magazine, managing editor Teddy DuBose decries proposed budget cuts to CUNY institutions at the height of the 1970s fiscal crisis in New York. DuBose [...]
Item Type: Text (Article / Essay)
Subjects: 1970s Fiscal Crisis, Activism, Diversity, Ethnic, Black or Latino Studies, Politics, Student Organizations, Tuition


text:
Academics & Research
Our community of learning has everything you need to thrive. From accounting to physics, explore PNW's 70+ areas of study.
Explore Majors & Programs
Get Ready to Excel
Areas of Study
Wherever your future takes you, PNW's reputation for academic excellence and supportive faculty will push you to succeed.
Focused on You
A Student-Centric Approach
PNW has everything you need to succeed, balancing a small-school feel with the resources of a premier metropolitan university.
I was undecided, and getting into the College of Business has shaped me into the person I am. It has helped me to grow so much within academics and the community itself.
Colleges and Schools
From technology to tourism management, PNW's colleges and schools will offer the hands-on knowledge you need to grow.
PNW Research
With 20 research centers, PNW lets you build your skills, connecting with experts in fields ranging from sales to cybersecurity.
Study Abroad
Want to study in Thailand, Costa Rica or Spain? Your PNW journey can connect you to the global community.


text:
Sweet Sour Pork, Koo Lou Yoke 咕嚕肉 - Jolly Belly #3
Friday, April 26, 2013
Seriously.... I don't know how the Cantonese pronunciation should be.... is it, koo loo yoke, or koo lou yoke.
I even hear some calling it, gou lou yoke, as in tall guy meat. Whatever the name is... it's Lydia's favourite dish. The first dish she learnt to call by name, and order at the restaurant.


text:
Get a Quote
Hosted PBX
SIP Trunking
Conference Calling
Ethernet over Copper
Standard Coax
Ashland Fiber Network
Fiber Optics
Web and Email Hosting
Contact Us
Customer Center
Our Team
Company and History
Community Giving
Branding and Logo Downloads
Thank You
Thank you for getting in touch with us,
we will get right back to you!
Get a Quote
Please fill out the fields below and we will get right back to you! Please note that InfoStructure provides business services only.
Contact Name:
Phone Number:
Email Address:
Company Name:
Street Address:
Which type of quote would you like?
Hosted PBX
Traditional Voice Services
(PRI, Analog Lines, etc…)
SIP Trunking
Internet Services
(Fiber, Ethernet, DSL, etc…)
Additional Details:
Please enter
in the field below:
Voice & Data Solutions Designed for You
Connecting Our Community
Locally owned and dedicated to helping our customers and community grow.
Contact Sales: 844.440.0448 |
Easy to Implement & Easy to Use Phone and Data
Solutions Designed for Your Business
Committed to Our Customers
Founded in 1994, InfoStructure made our home in Southern Oregon. Every day our team is committed to providing fast, secure voice and data solutions while maintaining superior customer service. Our local experts give a personal touch to everything they do, all while focusing on increasing efficiency for our customers. From small startups to large corporations, InfoStructure connects companies with the tools to power their business.
Because You Matter to Us
Communication and connection are at the heart of everything we do. Actually, WE LOVE what we do. We understand how communicating with your customers is equally as important as closing that business deal you have been wanting for months. Our team is customer driven, community focused and dedicated to providing your business with fluid and efficient communication solutions. WE MAKE DOING BUSINESS EASY.
Getting Your Business Connected
InfoStructure connects Oregon businesses with fast, affordable and easy to implement telephone and internet services. All of our products are designed with you in mind and are built to make your day-to-day operations run smoothly. Our mission is to connect the community, help your business to grow, and to also grow with your company. Everything we do, and all the products we offer, are aimed at increasing connection and efficiency.
Sign up today to receive the latest InfoStructure news, updates, offers, and more by email.
It's easy to sign up! If it's not right for you over time, you can unsubscribe in under a minute.
Company Name
Contact Name
Email Address
Phone Number
I am interested in:
Business Phone Systems
Voice Services
Internet Service
Please enter above code
[ Refresh Image ]
Sign Me Up!
Thank You
Thank You for contacting us, we will get
back to you as soon as possible!


text:
Purchase Tickets
Click here to buy tickets to an upcoming dance recital or performance.
Sell Tickets with Us
Interested in finding out more about our ticketing services for dance studios and performing arts companies?
Need Help?
Lost your confirmation email? Need to print your tickets? Have a question about the performance you plan to attend?


text:
The magician asks the spectators to participate in an experiment explaining that he has been working on his skills as a human lie detector. He asks for change of a $5 dollar bill or pulls out a hand full of bills and hands them to a spectator to select one. The spectator chooses a bill and the magician returns the remainder of the bills to his pocket or wallet. The magician then explains that he is going to ask the spectator a series of questions and based on the spectators reactions will let them know if they are lying or telling the truth.
He explains that they are going to tell him the serial number one character at a time. The spectator announces each character and true to his word the magician is able to discern the difference between fact and fiction exposing every lie the spectator tells!
This wonderful effect comes with a 4 page manuscript and includes the necessary gimmicks.
Do you own this product? Write a review.


text:
To reset the BeoSound 2 to factory settings, open the Bang & Olufsen App and go to Settings. Click My Products and choose the device. Then, under the Configurate menu, click Settings, Restore, and confirm to restore the device to factory settings.
You can also reset BeoSound 2 to factory settings using the pinhole in the socket panel, use a straightened paper clip and apply a long press. When both the status LED and the lens LED flash red once, BeoSound 2 will reset. After approx. 1½ minutes, BeoSound 2 is ready for first-time setup again.
See Start here


text: Fourth of July was the official launch date — 50 years after the original "Nuova 500" debuted. And a press conference this morning confirmed and elucidated what had been known for nearly a year. Fiat's new, new 500 is here. That is, in Europe; Fiat CEO Sergio Macchione dashed all hopes of a US-bound 500 in a statement earlier today. Nonetheless, as expected the price will be between €10,500 and €14,500 — a sweet spot for minicars — and will come with a catalog of accessories that makes Mini's choices seem downright Victorian. Stay tuned... More 500 to come.


text:
The Seaside neighborhood is expanding.
Seaside Neighborhood School and Alys Beach developer Jason Comer have partnered to add a Kindergarten through fifth grade school under the SNS name. The campus will be in nearby Alys Beach.
�Jason Comer � came to us to try and get advice,� said Cathy Brubaker, former principal and current director of strategic program development and evaluation for the sixth through ninth grade school.
Comer initially wanted some information about starting an independent school at Alys Beach, but the conversations prompted the two parties to enter a partnership.
�He came in just asking us questions about the school and what makes us successful,� said Brubaker. �It led to him wanting to work with us.�
Brubaker said that rather than starting from scratch, Comer saw the value of pairing with a school that has �a proven record.�
Comer has donated a parcel of land on which to build the school, which is set to open its doors to the first students within two years.
�We�re hoping to open fall of 2014,� said Brubaker. �They�re just now beginning a capital campaign to raise money for the building.�
The new campus of Seaside Neighborhood School will offer students the same curriculum that has made SNS a world-class educational center. The main difference will be the age of the students.
�We will be including a lot of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) program; that�s going to be a major focus,� said Brubaker. She then added that students will be able to take part in a notable part of the SNS STEM program: �They�ll have a robotics program beginning in elementary.�
Brubaker said the program will be adapted for the younger set with the use of Legos for robot construction.
Enrichment will extend past science and technology, however, with a foreign language curriculum that will begin in kindergarten. The hope, said Brubaker, is that the students will leave the school with the ability to travel and speak another language.
Each grade level will be composed of a single class, much like the original campus, to ensure each student receives personal attention.
�We�ll keep it small, just like Seaside,� said Brubaker. The sixth through ninth grades are 133 students, and the student body of the K-5 school will stay around 116 students.
Enrollment will be determined by a lottery system, with drawings held concurrent with the sixth through ninth grade lotteries, around April or May.
Local parents and community members are invited to learn more at a community forum to be held Oct. 9, 5 to 6:30 p.m., at Seaside School in the Lyceum Room above the third building.
An announcement for the event said this will be the first of multiple forums to discuss the project.
�A lot of people have questions; we�re doing this to make sure everyone knows about the project,� said Brubaker. She added that like the rest of the community, �We�re really excited about it.�


text:
hrbruce necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 186 diseños de 34 diseñadores freelance.
I Am Kofi
We are looking for a new logo for the well known, international DJ Kofi, also known as "I Am Kofi". DJ Kofi is the DJ for artists like Gorillaz and Kelis. His music style is mash-up, house, electronic music.
The logo should look stylish and elegant. NO HIPHOP/URBAN STYLE.
The logo text should be "I Am Kofi". Do not use "DJ" in the logo.
Experiment with different colors, upper and lower case characters and different fonts. Show us different versions of your idea! Dont just take fonts from dafont or similar sites. Be creative.
We have attached the current logo (iamkofi.png) and some logos of other house and electronic DJ's. Our current logo is a "handwritten"-style logo, the other logos have a more "bold" style. Maybe you could blend both styles together... something handwritten that also looks "bold". Be creative!
Technial requirements: please provide a high-resolution, good quality, transparent PNG image or a scalable graphic (.svg) that can be used for websites, flyers and posters (print quality).
If you have any more questions, leave a message. We will rate all entrys and give you feedback.
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


text:
Arts & Events
Around & About Music & Theater: International Operas at SF World Music Festival--including Free Shows
The San Francisco World Music Festival is celebrating its 13th year, and this weekend at the SF JCC there will be an extraordinary run of opera, or operatic forms, from around the world, including early Italian opera (Monteverdi) and Chinese opera, just to name two of the more familiar forms.
On Friday, there will be a Korean P'ansori performance, often called Korean opera, one of the great and unique musical theater (and poetic storytelling) forms in the world, very much in miniature: the performance consists solely of a drummer backing a performer who chants, sings, dances, acts out the tale--and only five of these epics have survived in performance from the 18th century--using just a fan and a handkerchief as props--one of the five surviving stories, 'Shimcheonga,' "Shimcheong [a young girl] offering herself in sacrifice to the Dragon King of the Sea" (but a happy end is promised!), will be played in highlights ... featured with a Tibetan opera, 'Nangsa,' in Lhammo form, influenced by Chinese opera & Indian theater and dating back 1500 years.
Saturday will feature a famous Azeri opera, 'Layla Majnun,' from Azerbaijan, the 12th century story of a beautiful girl and her lover, who retreats to the wilderness in madness, celebrated by great poets all over the Middle East and Central Asia, This version's from the 16th century Azeri poet Fizuli, composed by Uzeyir Hajibeyor, premiering in Baku in 1908, in traditional mugham style, with European instruments and staging. With 'Layla Majnun' will be the Beijing opera, 'The Yang Family Generals,' a fantastic piece about female generals and their adventures in this theatrical form that deeply influenced modern geniuses of European theater like Brecht and Meyerhold.
On Sunday, a South Indian piece with Carnatic music, 'Nauka Charitram,' "a boat ride reverie downriver" with Lord Krishna and his maidens, by Tyagaraja, 18th century composer ... And Monteverdi's great 'L'Orfeo,' at the origins of the European operatic tradition.
Each night features excerpts from the operas, traditional music, an integrated global orchestra and the Festival Youth Orchestra, Sunday night--FREE for seniors and children under 12--will have a full orchestra flourish for the end of the Festival.
(In addition, this Thursday night, a FREE showing of the documentary 'Intangible Asset No. 82,' an Australian drummer's search for an elusive Korean shaman-musician, with the two P'ansori perfromers in attendance.)
Thursday (film only) through Saturday at 8, Sunday at 7, Jewish Community Center of San Francisco, 3400 California Street (at Presidio), $17-$30 (Festival passes: $54-$89), (415) 292-1233; sfworldmusicfestival.org


text:
Montreal Canadiens forward Rene Bourque will be out indefinitely with a concussion.
Coach Michel Therrien said Tuesday that Bourque is not sure what caused the injury. He missed the last two games with what the team said was a flu.
Bourque had five goals and five assists in 17 games and was playing well on a line with Tomas Plekanec and Brian Gionta. Brandon Prust has taken Bourque's spot on the line.
The Canadiens face the Maple Leafs in Toronto on Wednesday night.


text:
Vanilla vice – felons vs farmers
We all know that distinctive sweet flavor – from puddings, ice cream and cookies. But how does vanilla grow? And why are crimes committed for the spice? We visit Madagascar, where the coveted substance is produced.
When the sky turns silver-gray and the heavens open seconds later, our taxi driver finally goes on strike. "This far and no further," he says, pointing to the potholes as he yanks the key out of the ignition of his rusty Renault 4. Here in northeastern Madagascar, 25 kilometers north of the town of Sambava, our ride is over. So we continue the journey on foot, along a muddy track, past coconut palms, banana trees and bright-green rice fields. Suddenly the wind turns, a smell wafts by. First it's just a hint, a sweet, slightly tangy note, then it grows stronger, almost obtrusive, until there can be no doubt: It's vanilla. The smell leads us to a ramshackle wooden building on a hillside.
Two dozen men and women are sitting there, sorting vanilla beans by color, length and ripeness. Standing in the middle of the room, Hermann Totozokiny is waving a bundle of vanilla beans. Dressed in T-shirt and shorts, he has the aura of a canny businessman. "Welcome to my kingdom," he says with a mischievous grin and invites us on a tour of his warehouse. He's 32 and the third generation of his family to run the company. So valuable are the goods stored here that strangers are not normally allowed inside the vanilla warehouse. But Totozokiny isn't worried we might rob him. "I pay people for my security," he says simply.
There's vanilla in Chanel's classic perfumes, too, not just in yoghurt and cola
We're visiting on an August afternoon, and Totozokiny has been inspecting the harvest since early morning, smelling the beans to assess how fully their aroma has developed. He has hundreds of tiny black vanilla seeds under his nose and also beneath his fingernails. "They ought to be drying in the sun," he says, "but because we've had so much rain in the past few days, it's taking longer." He estimates that the beans will be ready for export in two to three months. "And then," says Totozokiny, his voice now full of pride, "we will ship them all around the world."
Not many spices on earth can match the popularity of vanilla, which is often referred to as the "queen of spices." Sagas and myths surround the bean that is the fruit of the orchid vanilla planifolia: In Mexico, it was originally reserved for the upper classes; Casanova reputedly laced his mulled wine with it; and it is allegedly one of the ingredients in the recipe for Coca-Cola that remains a closely guarded secret to this day. Vanilla belongs equally to Chanel's perfumes and Grandma's puddings.
The most coveted variety is bourbon vanilla. It's the one with the finest, most balanced flavor. It takes its name from the island of La Réunion, a former French colony the French originally called Île Bourbon. Today, bourbon vanilla grows mainly on Madagascar, which produces almost 80 percent of the world crop. In Sava, the region around Sambava, conditions are perfect for growing the spice, which requires a plentiful supply of both rain and sunshine. The country exports up to 2000 tons of vanilla each year and at the same time provides roughly 80 000 farmers with a reliable income.
Demand determines the price – and that is why vanilla ranks second among the world's most expensive spices. But it's hard to establish just how expensive since the market reassesses the price every year. In 2015, a kilogram cost between 60 and 80 U.S. dollars, but food companies are currently paying over 200 U.S. dollars per kilo. The kilo price demanded by the bandits who invade the Sava region each year is not known. The extreme fluctuations in the vanilla price are the result of greed, speculation and varying global availability. The only factor that's constantly high is demand. It's so high, in fact, that there is insufficient natural vanilla to satisfy demand; so high that producers sometimes bring in their crop too soon in order to store the beans while they wait for prices to rise. The trouble with unripe beans, however, is that they have not developed their full aroma. And so in March 2016, in a bid to preserve the good reputation of Madagascan vanilla, the government prohibited the export of unripe beans – and burned hundreds of kilos of green vanilla. This explains the exorbitant price of vanilla this year, too.
Robert Zara, 34, a vanilla grower, has heard nothing of all this. He doesn't know why the middlemen who come to his village every year offer him more money one time and less another. He also doesn't know exactly what companies like Coca-Cola and top European chefs do with the beans. Like most Madagascans, he himself does not use the product he grows. Vanilla is traditionally not an ingredient in Madagascan cooking. All of the beans are exported. "I heard that foreigners use it in food" he says uncertainly. But one thing he does know very well is that this year went very well for him.
Zara speaks slowly and softly. He's a small man and appears a little lost even in his tiny hut in Antohompahitra. The village is just a few kilometers away from Totozokiny's warehouse, but getting there involves first a car ride, then a ferry crossing and finally riding a motorcycle over muddy tracks. There's little more to Zara's hut than a bed and a mosquito net and yet for the past few weeks, he has felt like a wealthy man – because he now has electricity. Solar panels on the roof of his wooden hut charge a car battery he bought from his earnings. "I own a radio, at last," he says, smiling shyly," now I can always listen to the news!" This year, he has also been able to afford the timber needed to extend his cabin as well as three cows.
Vanilla is native to Mexico, and it was from there that the Spanish took it home to Europe. The French, who ruled their island colony until 1960, transferred their vanilla plantations from there to Madagascar. But while indigenous bees and colibris pollinate the plant in Mexico, there are no animals suitable for doing the job in Madagascar, and that's what makes vanilla an incredibly labor-intensive crop. The growers have to pollinate each and every blossom by hand. Over a period of two months, they attempt to spot every blossom, and that means checking the plants daily because each bud flowers only on a single day each year. Even after harvesting, the vanilla is not yet ready for consumption. The green beans first have to be fermented. The process turns the green beans brown and intensifies their flavor. For this, the vanilla pods are alternately treated with hot water and steam and kept in airtight containers. The beans are then dried over a period of several weeks and only then are they ready for export.
Thanks to vanilla, crime is on the increase, but so is our quality of life
But it's not just the work that makes vanilla a tricky product. As harvest time approaches, thieves arrive on the scene and move in under cover of darkness, armed with makeshift guns. That's why Zara sleeps in his field during the harvest, with a machete and a spear at his side, ready to protect his precious plants. "It's always a tough time," says Zara, "because if someone steals my vanilla, I lose my entire year's income." He had to chase off a thief only recently – and not for the first time. "Now the crop is in and I can at last sleep in my own bed again," he says.
"It's the same chaos all over again each year," sighs Marino Rajaonina, 35. Since 2002, he's been reporting on vanilla-related crime for Radio Vanille in Sambava; you could call him the region's roving reporter. He's on the move every day throughout the summer, buzzing over rough tracks from village to village on his moped and recording theft, murder and manslaughter with his camera. "An increase in the price of vanilla means an increase in crime in the region," says Rajaonina, "and it's years since the price was as high as it is now." He cannot say exactly how many cases he has written about in the past few weeks, but there were seven deaths: four plantation owners and three bandits.
There are no official figures on vanilla crime, nor does anyone know exactly where the stolen vanilla ends up. Although many farmers and exporters pay protection money to the local police, the thieves often pay more. And even honest policemen are rarely keen to pursue thieves, as their own weapons are too outdated and unreliable and the pay too low for such dangerous work. "Now and again the police catch a couple of bandits," says Rajaonina, "but it's hard to say whether that's really more of a PR exercise. Mostly, they only get their hands on individuals even though organized gangs are behind many crimes."
To protect themselves, practically all vanilla villages erect road blocks at their entrance between June and August, which are guarded by men from the village. They ask strangers their business, search their baggage for stolen beans, and sometimes they manage to scare off bandits. But even a voluntary guard system can have its negative side because concern sometimes turns into paranoia and people may take justice into their own hands. There was an incident a few years back, for example, when vanilla buyers were traveling in a car near Antalaha and villagers stopped them, mistaking them for thieves – and lynched two of the car's three occupants.
So what is vanilla for Madagascar – curse or blessing? Rajaonina considers for a moment before answering. "Both," he says, "we not only have an increase in crime, but also in our quality of life here." Madagascar is, in fact, one of the poorest countries in the world. Of its roughly 24 million inhabitants, 92 percent have less than two U.S. dollars a day on which to live. Illiteracy is high, and in rural areas, less than five percent of households have electricity. It was like that for a long time in Antohompahitra, too, Zara's village, but now lights shine in the windows of the small wooden huts there. Many families send their children to secondary schools because they can afford to take motorcycle taxis and boats into town – and sometimes, the vanilla growers also treat themselves to a little luxury, rather a rare thing in Madagascar.
We're back in Totozokiny's warehouse and it's late afternoon now. We meet a friendly vanilla farmer making his way to the field. He beams when we ask him what he bought from his vanilla earnings this year. "A flatscreen television!" he says. Totozokiny grins; he overheard our conversation. "Not everyone can cope with vanilla," he says. For many, receiving an entire year's income on a single day is all too tempting and "they go off to town and drink it away with their pals or spend it on prostitutes." He's seen many farmers come and go in the past few years. "Vanilla is like a moody lover," he says, "when you know how to handle it, it makes you the happiest man on earth. But if you don't, it will finish you."
This story first appeared in Lufthansa Exclusive, the frequent traveller magazine. For more information about Lufthansa Miles & More offers, please click here.


text:
Growing family trees from leaves and branches. Finding lost relatives. Solving family mysteries. Concentrating in New Jersey and New York.
- Home
- Surnames and Locations of My GGG Grandparents
- DURYEA New Jersey Births
- DURYEA New Jersey Marriages
- DURYEA New Jersey Deaths
- DURYEA New York State Marriage Index
- DURYEA New York State Death Index 1881-1950
- Pictures by Clifford Lutter 1930s-1960s New Jersey
- ODonnell- New Jersey Records
- Hit or Miss Records
- DNA Comparisons
- Genealogy Humor
- Bayonne Neighbors
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Free DNA testing for 10,000 African Americans?
I'm seeing online mentions of an initiative to increase DNA testing of African Americans by 23andme. The homepage does not mention this program, so here is the link. It would seem that the testing, which is not available yet, is free of charge. I don't know how much genealogical service is included with the free service, such as Relative Finder and notification of new matches. I submitted an email address to be notified of developments.
Posted by Jody Lutter at 11:39 PM
Labels: DNA
2 comments:
Thank you for the link.ReplyDelete
I received a free kit and sent it in. I will post findings here as I uncover them. The woman who tested was raised in an orphanage and has only the name of her mother. Finding a paper trail in this situation has not been fruitful. DNA testing could provide us with answers.
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
Mail Settings
To filter who can message you on POF:
Click Edit Profile and Mail Settings.
- Please note that mail settings only apply to users with whom you have not had a first contact already.
You can specify who can initially contact you based on the following options:
- Gender
- Country
- Age
- Distance from your location
- Message Length
- Images on their profile
You can make the additional specifications to your account here, too:
- Allow/Don't allow Chat