text:
It's not the Greek election result investors feared most – but it's not far off. Greek society is deeply divided and there is no certainty that a new coalition government led by the conservative New Democracy party would be able to survive for long. The likely victory of a pro-bailout party, rather than the radical left grouping Syriza, may be enough to settle nerves in markets briefly. But much will depend on the strength of the government that is now formed.
Will Greece have a government by the end of this week? That's the first hurdle to be cleared. The largest party, armed with an extra 50 seats in parliament, gets first shot and the potential kingmaker is the socialist Pasok party. But Pasok appears to have seen its share of the vote fall from 13.2% in May to about 12% today. Even added to New Democracy's expected 30%, that would give a two-party coalition a total share of the popular vote of little more than 40%. That's a weak base from which to attempt to push through radical cuts in government spending.
A further member of the coalition might be required to strengthen the moral authority to govern. Enter the Democratic Left – but its 6% or so support was only roughly in line with that of the extreme-right Golden Dawn party. Whatever happens, Syriza and Alexis Tsipras, its leader, will retain a strong voice in Greek politics.
This position does not sound like a formula for a government that could convince the rest of the eurozone that the bailout terms could be met. The scope for Berlin or Brussels to give a New Democracy-led coalition a helping hand also looks extremely limited. Analysts expect that the timeframe for government spending cuts could be extended – after all, nobody believes the current targets can be met in the face of a deteriorating economy – but it would require an almighty U-turn to sanction a permanently softer approach on pension reforms, privatisation and the eventual size of the cuts in spending. On the other hand, eurozone leaders will be desperate to avoid any impression that they are engineering events to force a Greek exit.
Amid the uncertainty, attention will turn in the next few days to the behaviour of Greek savers, especially if coalition talks are lengthy and there is a risk of Greece slipping towards fresh elections. Royal Bank of Scotland, in a pre-election "what if?" analysis, predicted the first effect of new polls would be the loss of further deposits by Greek banks, estimated to be running at €500m (£400m) to €1bn a day last week.
If this so-called "bank jog" turns into a full-blown run, the banks would have to turn for further support from the European Central Bank, which is already keeping the Greek banking system alive. The chief problem is that Greek banks are already low on collateral and the ECB, under its rules, is not allowed to fund banks deemed to be insolvent. "Greek banks have enough liquidity to survive in a stable environment," said RBS. "But if deposit flight accelerates to the rate of over €1bn per day and without external help, they may run out of collateral in 73 days."
That underlines the need to get a government in place quickly. But, even assuming that can be done, a further crunch awaits when its leaders meet the troika – the International Monetary Fund, EU and ECB – to discuss the austerity terms. All the while, the state of the Greek economy deteriorates.
Greece's place in the eurozone was not settled definitively today . By the end of the week, investors could be back to fretting about that basic issue.


text:
Chengdu Hengxinchang Trade Ltd. (Hengxinchang for short), established in 2007, is specialized in leather goods. Our corporation is located in Chengdu, Sichuan, which is known as the Land of Abundance. Till now, Hengxinchang has developed into a specialized enterprise of many kinds of exotic leather goods, such as shoulder bags, handbags, clutches, wallets, smart phone cases and shoes. Facing the vehement competitive market, Hengxinchang adheres to the business philosophy - the good faith is supreme. Hengxinchang has a sound management system, professional designers, and experienced craftsmen to provide customers with quality services.
We are looking forward to establish long-term business relationships with you.
1. Is this genuine leather?
All of our products are made of genuine leather.
2. What other products do you have?
We have handbags, clutch bags, wallets , card holders, belts, phone cases, key holders, etc. Please contact our Customer Service for the latest catalog.
3. Do you make custom design?
We can make customized logo/design.
4. Whats the minimum order quantity?
The minimum order quantity is 1 piece.
5. How long it will take to finish my order and ship it to me?
Most of our orders can be finished within 7- 25 days. It depends on quantity. Packages sent by DHL will arrive in 3-7 days.
6. How to pay?
We accept payment by Alibaba trade assurance, Paypal , Western Union, T/T.
7.What if there are quality problems of your products.
If any quality problem, please let us know we'll fix it.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Never fear, Wonder Dog was almost here.
Unfortunately for James Marinakis, Palm Beach officials shut him down before he could create his "Super Breed." (sinister music plays)
Animal control officers raided Marinakis' dog breeding operation Wednesday night acting on a court order. It's unclear exactly what new breed of dog Marinakis was trying to create but he called it a "Centurion."
U.S. & World
Sometimes mad scientists can be so misunderstood.
According to a news release, animal control officers entered his 24-acre property near Everglades National Park and took custody of 50 dogs. Officials did not release what type of dogs were taken or what experiments may have been performed on them.
Some of the dogs have medical and behavioral problems. About 10 puppies will be available for adoption, and officials will evaluate the other dogs to see if they are suitable candidates for new homes.
Officials might also want to check if any of the dogs can bark in Chinese, fly, have X-Ray vision or can do long division.


text:
*Update April 16
The Southington Police Department was informed that Michael Carlone of Bristol, died at St. Mary's Hospital as a result of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident on April 10.
No further details were released due to the active nature of this investigation.
The accident is being investigated by the Southington Police Department Accident Investigation Team. Anyone with information is asked to contact Officer Jeremy Busa of the Southington Police Department at 860-378-1600 ext. 2162 or email@example.com .
By Ed HarrisEditor
A Bristol man is in serious condition following an early morning crash at the intersection of South End Road and Meriden Avenue.
According to police, Michael A. Carlone, of Bristol, was driving northbound on South End Road, approaching the intersection of Meriden Avenue. Carlone lost control of his vehicle and rolled it, with it coming to rest back on its tires north of the intersection.
Carlone sustained serious injuries due to the crash and was transported to Saint Mary's Hospital in Waterbury, where he is listed as being in critical, but stable condition.
The Southington Police Department is looking for about the crash. Anyone that may have any information is asked to contact Officers Jeremy Busa at 621-0101 or by email at email@example.com.


text:
The House has approved legislation to prevent a government shutdown at the end of the month and give the Pentagon some relief from a cash crunch that's harming military readiness.
The huge spending measure, which was passed on a 267-151 vote, would fund federal operations through September. It leaves in place automatic cuts of 5 percent to domestic agencies and 7.8 percent to the Pentagon ordered by President Barack Obama Friday night after months of battling Republicans over the budget.
Republicans muscled the measure through on a mostly party-line vote over objections from Democrats protesting those across-the-board spending cuts.
The stopgap measure would provide budget relief for military readiness, veterans' health programs, embassy security and the FBI, but would put most of the rest of the government on budget autopilot.


text:
Thung Yai Naresuan Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary
Uthai Thani Province
Thung Yai Naresuan Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary has begun to be known since it was registered as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in December 1991.
Huai Kha Khaeng has an area of 3,609,375 rai or 5,775 square kilometres, covering an area of 6 districts of 3 provinces: Amphoe Ban Rai, Amphoe Lan Sak, and Amphoe Huai Khot in Uthai Thani; Amphoe Sangkhla Buri and Amphoe Thong Pha Phum in Kanchanaburi; and Amphoe Umphang in Tak. It also includes the area of Thung Yai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary, so this is the largest connected conserved forest in Thailand and the South East Asia Region.
The weather is very hot in summer, and it rains heavily all day in the rainy season, while the winter lasts for a very short period.
Huai Kha Khaeng was announced to be a World Heritage Site because of its natural diversity, including 5 out of 7 kinds of tropical forests which are dry evergreen forest, montane forest, savanna, mixed deciduous forest, and deciduous dipterocarp forest. These forests are blessed with biodiversity. Some of the fauna are nearly extinct, such as wild water buffalo, serow, leopard, Asiatic wild dog, red junglefowl cock, green peafowl and many species of forest insects.
Normally, the wildlife sanctuary does not open for tourists because it is a conserved, high-sensitive area. A lot of peoples visits may destroy the ecological balance. However, after the sanctuary was announced to be a World Heritage Site and became well known to the public, it has permitted travelers to visit only 3 points of areas to learn about nature without staying overnight. Therefore, tourists have to follow the rules strictly. Those permitted areas are: 1. The Headquarters of Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary; 2. Cyber Ranger Station (see further details in the Cyber Waterfall); and 3. Huai Mae Di Ranger Station (in the area of Amphoe Ban Rai, on Route 3011, Huai Mae Di Ban Mai Khlong Angwa. There is a nature study route.
In the area of the headquarters of the wildlife sanctuary, there is a statue of Seub Nakhasathien, facing southwest to see how the Western Forest changes through time. There is an 8-stepped stairway which represents the time of 8 months when Seub was in the position of the head of the sanctuary. The pattern on the stairs represents the obstacles in his work.
Seub Nakhasathien Memorial Building is a multi-purpose building used as a place to arrange events and exhibitions concerning Seub Nakhasathien, the important person who played a major role in encouraging the announcement of Huai Kha Khaeng as a World Heritage Site. I think, in my life I have done my best. I think, I have helped society well. I think, I have made it as good as I can. I am pleased and proud of what I have done, said Seub Nakhasathien.
Seubs Shelter still remains the same like when he was alive. In the bedroom, where Seub ended his life, there is a table with many pictures of his daughter, labourers, and forest. Beside the table, a few pairs of shoes were put on the floor.
Patrol Labour Memorial is another important place which reminds us of the labourers who were shot to death during their mission. It is located in front of the reception shelter. If visitors have a chance to visit Huai Kha Khaeng, Seubs Shelter and Patrol Labour Memorial, they may get something more than just the spirit of environmental conservation.
Khao Hin Daeng Nature Study Route is approximately 6 km. long, taking about 4 hours to travel on foot. There are 18 points to interpret the meaning of the nature, including deciduous forest, deciduous dipterocarp forest, mixed deciduous forest, and dry evergreen forest, as well as a sight-seeing point, Pong Thian. After December, there are a lot of birds from various species, most of which are red-breasted parakeet and lineated barbet. Normally, tourists can travel on this route by themselves, using a manual provided at the headquarters of the sanctuary. For a guide, please contact Huai Kha Khaeng Forest Fire Prevention Unit in advance at Tel. 0 5651 3527. However, this natural route is closed in April.
To get there, take one of these 2 routes:
1. Enter at the headquarters of Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, approximately 102 km. from the provincial city along Highway No. 333 (Uthai Thani Nong Chang). Then take Highway 3438 from Nong Chang Lan Sak. After turning left at Km. 53-54 and driving along for about 15 km., arriving at the office of Khao Hin Daeng Checkpoint, located on the Huai Thap Salao creek side. From the sanctuary office, drive for 14 km. to the Kapuk Kapiang Ranger Station or 17 km. to the Khao Nang Ram Research Station.
2. Enter at the Khao Bandai Ranger Station, which is in the south of Huai Kha Khaeng, approximately 137 km. from the provincial city, along Highway 333, the Uthai Thani - Nong Chang route. Then, turn into Highway 3282, Nong Chang - Ban Rai route, taking about 80 km. Turn left to a laterite road, passing Ban Mai Khlong Aangwa for 30 km. until reaching the Khlong Rayang Border. Go along to Huai Maedi and the Khao Bandai Ranger Station. Visitors can choose forest trekking to the north or the south of the Huai Kha Khaeng Creek.
In the rainy season, it is difficult to drive through the entrance due to flooding on the laterite road.
Accommodation: To stay overnight, contact the Wildlife Sanctuary Management Subdivision in person at least 20 days in advance at the Wildlife Conservation Office, Department of National Park, Wildlife and Flora. For further information, please contact Tel. 0 2561 4292-3 ext. 765 or Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, P.O. Box 7, Amphoe Lan Sak, Uthai Thani 61160 or Tel. 0 5651 9654. There are 3 permitted points for staying overnight. The first point is in the area of the sanctuary office, including 3 houses with a capacity of 10-30 persons and the training building with a capacity of 80 persons. The second point is at the Cyber Ranger Station, and the third one is at the Huai Mae Di Ranger Station.


text:
Unseeded Mona Barthel of Germany won her second career title Sunday, upsetting top-seeded Sara Errani of Italy 7-5, 7-6 (4) in the Open GDF Suez final.
The seventh-ranked Errani was a heavy favorite as she chased her seventh career title and first this year, but the 45th-ranked Barthel stayed on a roll after beating fifth-seeded Roberta Vinci and No. 3-seeded Marion Bartoli on her way to the final.
Barthel played aggressively, with 53 winners and 50 unforced errors. She clinched the victory with a forehand winner. Her previous title came in Hobart, Australia, in January 2012, when she came through the qualifiers.


text:
Mariah I. Fernndez and Michael F. Washington were united in marriage Saturday, June 22, at Grace United Methodist Church in Cape Coral.
The ceremony was officiated by the Rev. Wes Olds. Music for the ceremony was provided by Sounds Unlimited. Ceremony readings were performed by Daniel Heredia, cousin of the bride, and Connor McGrath, cousin of the groom.
The bride's parents, Miguel and Denise Fernndez III, hosted a seated dinner and reception at Pelican Preserve Country Club in Fort Myers. On the eve of the wedding, the groom's parents, Michael and Mary Washington, hosted a rehearsal dinner at Carrabba's Restaurant in Cape Coral.
Article Photos
Mariah and Michael Washington
Mariah is the granddaughter of James G. O'Reilly and Miguel H. Fernndez of Cape Coral. Michael the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. John Murphy of Highlands, N.J., and Lillian Washington of Cape Coral.
Given in marriage by her parents and escorted by her father, the bride wore a gown by Allure. The gown featured a sweetheart neckline encrusted with Swarovski crystals and was complemented by a trumpet train.
The maid of honor was Desiree Fernndez, sister of the bride, and bridesmaids included Gabrielle Fernndez, sister of the bride; Megan Washington, sister of the groom; Taryn O'Reilly, cousin of the bride; and life-long friends Mary Keezel and Kayla Ramey.
The maid of honor and bridesmaids wore amethyst dresses complemented by coral. Each carried a hand-tied bouquet of purple/orange flowers.
The best man was Johnnie Neckar, best friend of the groom, and the groomsmen included Mark Faulkner, Matt Tomlin, Max Pavy, Chris Marconi and Matt Gibson, all long-time friends of the groom.
Mariah is a graduate of North Fort Myers High Schoof, and will be graduating this December from Florida Gulf Coast University with a bachelor's degree in elementary education. Michael is also a graduate of North Fort Myers High School and graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University with bachelor's degree in accounting. He is also currently pursuing his master's degree at FAGUS.
Following a honeymoon in St Lucia in the Caribbean, Mariah and Michael will reside in Cape Coral.


text:
HAPPY NEW YEAR! 2019 Horoscopes are Now Available!
Our best Libra horoscope daily, plus our weekly Libra forecasts and monthly Libra predictions. Weekly love horoscope, 2019 Libra money and your free monthly Libra business horoscope, all from one page! Enjoy your free horoscope Libra, courtesy of Horoscope Astrology Tarot. Libra predictions and astrology forecasts are accurate, in-depth and cover love, money, friendship, work and career every day, week and month throughout the year 2019!
Here you'll find your general daily horoscope Libra. It's updated daily and it's free! No sign-up, no pop up, just what you came here for. You can also visit all the zodiac sign horoscopes daily, Libra.
We feature weekly Libra horoscopes dedicated to love, money and business! The general weekly Libra horoscope covers it all. As always Libra, weekly zodiac predictions for all signs can be found on one page. It's an accurate, meaningful free horoscope.
Enjoy your detailed and in-depth monthly horoscope Libra. We have dedicated Libra horoscope predictions and Libra zodiac forecasts covering love, money and Libra career! Find out what's going on this month in your personal and work relationships, Libra. Explore your free monthly Libra horoscope for money to see where opportunities lie in your financial astrology, Libra. The monthly horoscope for all signs page has this month's entire zodiac.
Your yearly horoscope Libra 2019 style! You will love the 2019 horoscopes Libra, with dedicated forecasts and predictions for relationships and romance, career, Libra work and job. Specific money predictions and financial forecasts are available too! Your Libra horoscope for 2018 is still available too.
Your love horoscope, dear Libra, is available free weekly and monthly. Start from the Libra love horoscope page to find out what's in store in your Libra love life. Or, you can go to the love horoscope page for all signs. Our 2019 Libra love horoscope has just been published for the whole year ahead!
Libra financial horoscope focusing on money and income. Your Libra money horoscope comes in weekly and monthly editions. Start from the Libra money horoscope page to find out what to expect in terms of money in the week and month ahead. Or visit all the signs of the zodiac money horoscopes, Libra. Money horoscopes free, now that's a bargain!
Libra career horoscope focusing on business, work and job. Your Libra work horoscope comes in weekly, monthly and yearly editions. Start from the Libra career horoscope page to find out what to expect in terms of money in the week and month ahead. Or visit all the signs of the zodiac career horoscopes, Libra. Work and business horoscopes free, now that's a bargain!
Free Natal Astrology Chart
Your birth chart is an invaluable astrology tool for understand yourself through the zodiac. We offer a free birth chart and personal astrology reading as well as premium astrology charts and reports.
Love Heart-a-Scopes TM
Visit our shop for personal astrology readings, free charts and samples! Our reports range from individual natal chart based predictions and personal forecasts to complex synastry readings for two.
If you have never had your relationship chart prepared before, now is the best time to get your own Soul Mates Relationship chart forecast for two, prepared based on both partners' date and place of birth.
Astrology for Man
Astrology for Woman
What are you capable of achieving? A reading that will change your approach to Life forever! If you have never had a natal astrology chart interpretation, you are in for a real eye-opener! Order your own personal Life Destiny astrology chart reading based on your date and place of birth.
How Sexy Are You? - An honest look at your sexuality as a couple, what it is you both find most exciting and important about making love and what you need from a sexual partner. Arouse your partner to the max!
::Intimate Astrology Reading for Couples


text:
Best primetime performance: In its 2004 TV debut, the ninth-ranked UVA football team meets the visiting Clemson Tigers, who built a 10-3 lead in the second quarter. "When you drive it down the field like we did [early in the game], you expect to do it again," Clemson quarterback Charlie Whitehurst tells the AP, but adds ruefully, "We didn't." Behind an electrified home crowd, the resilient Wahoos respond to score 27 unanswered points en route to a 30-10 triumph, extending their perfect record to 5-0 (2-0 in ACC play) and rising to sixth nationally. It also sets up one of the most anticipated showdowns of the college football season– when two top-10 teams face off Saturday, October 16.
Worst disaster in the making: It may finally be time for the Redskins faithful to push the panic button. After taking a 10-0 lead into the halftime locker room Sunday night, October 10, the Skins come back for the second half almost comatose. Their Beltway rivals, the Baltimore Ravens, rally to hand the Skins a fourth consecutive loss,17-10. Now five games into the season, Coach Joe Gibbs is still unable to find any significant form of offensive production. "It's a miserable situation," Gibbs moans to Redskins.com.
Strongest high school machine: Thomas Jefferson is no doubt smiling on his two local gridiron squads. In the wake of UVA's convincing Clemson spanking, the Mustangs of Monticello High kick off their Homecoming festivities by pounding the Fluvanna Flucos 35-0 Friday, October 8. "We're executing well and taking the game plan and running with it," MHS coach Brud Bicknell tells the Daily Progress. Last season's AA state runners-up have now won 15 of 17 games dating back to 2002, and are off to the best start (5-0) in school history.
Worst demons: Our Southern major league baseball friends succumb to history once again. For a third consecutive year, the Atlanta Braves lost Game 5 of the division series at home. This one came Monday, October 11, in a 12-3 rout! Oh, well, the Braves can continue to look back at their one World Series ring from 1995. And the winning Houston Astros can wash their hands of being known as the franchise which had lost all seven of its previous playoff series.
Best double-header: A full autumn evening of soccer at Klöckner Stadium translates into two Cavalier victories Saturday, October 9. The No. 3 Lady Wahoos overcome their first setback of the season after a perfect 9-0 start gave way to a heartbreaking 2-1 loss at Wake Forest and a frustrating scoreless draw against Maryland. The Cavs return to glory, downing ACC rivals, the Duke Blue Devils, 2-1 in the opener. The number 17 men, meanwhile, look sharp in the nightcap as they control play and cruise to a 4-1 win over Davidson to improve to 9-2 on the season.
Week Ahead:
Friday, October 15 @ 7:30pm
Orange County vs. Louisa County
The race for the Jefferson District title heats up as the top ranked 6-0 (2-0 in district play) Hornets of Orange travel to Louisa to take on the hungry Lions. (4-1, 2-0 in District play) Tickets: $5.
Saturday, October 16 @ 7:30pm
No. 6 UVA vs. No. 7 Florida State
The Cavs return to the ESPN big screen hoping to dethrone a program with an 48-1 record at home against conference opponents in the past decade. Expect euphoria to sweep Hookville if the Hoos pull off an upset for the ages in Tallahassee. Tickets: Almost impossible... stay home, stay happy, and watch the excitement with your buddies.
Wednesday, October 20
UVA Women vs. Virginia Tech @ 5pm
UVA Men vs. Longwood @ 7:30pm
Local in-state rivals invade Klöckner for the popular coed double header. Adults $6, Youth $4


text: News Beach volleyball 26/05/2013 Netherlands' Meppelink/van Gestel win women's gold at FIVB Corrientes Corrientes, Argentina, May 25, 2013—After starting play Saturday in the sun-soaked sand and finishing in the evening under a pleasant Argentinean sky in the spotlight of a magical glowing moon, Netherlands' Madelein Meppelink/Sophie van Gestel defeated Brazil's Maria Antonelli/Agatha Bednarczuk to claim the women's gold medal at the $440,000 FIVB Corrientes Grand Slam double-gender tournament. Men's semifinals and medal matches will be conclude the tournament on Sunday starting at 2:30 p.m. With the event being held for the first time in Corrientes, the purpose-built site with a 7,500-seat temporary center court stadium was located on the sands of Arazati Beach – Costanera Sur on the banks of the massive Rio Panara.With a standing room only crowd of nearly 7,500 fans cheering a sport they seldom see in person like it was one of their own favorite sports, Netherlands' Madelein Meppelink/Sophie van Gestel completed a clean sweep of their tournament, defeating Brazil's Maria Antonelli/Agatha Bednarczuk, 21-17, 21-19 in 39 minutes.Capturing the bronze medal for the second straight FIVB World Tour Grand Slam was Brazilian sisters Maria Claria Salgado/Carolina Salgado who held off the comeback attempt by USA's 2012 Olympic silver medalists Jennifer Kessy/April Ross in three sets, 21-16, 19-21, 15-13 in 56 minutes.The gold medal team in the FIVB Corrientes Grand Slam will split $33,000, the silver $22,000, the bronze $16,500 and fourth place $12,900.In the gold medal match, Netherlands' Meppelink/van Gestel played as flawlessly as they did the entire tournament, earning their seventh straight victory in the event by keeping Brazil's Antonelli/Bednarczuk off guard enough to pull at the first FIVB championship of their youthful careers. Playing near errorless beach volleyball against another one of the powerful Brazilian teams, Netherlands' Meppelink/van Gestel held off a comeback bid by the Brazilians when the tied the second set and 18-18 and 19-19 before Meppelink ended the match and set with another picturesque block of a kill attempt by Bednarczuk.In just their 16th FIVB World Tour event together, the talented young Dutch women earned their first FIVB gold medal and their fourth final four finish. Meppelink, 23, has played in 46 FIVB tournaments all together and van Gestel, 21, has played in 30 FIVB events in her young career.Elated with their performance in the tournament, Meppelink said after the award's ceremony, "We are so happy to win the gold, it is our first FIVB Grand Slam gold medal, we played really well. We had tough games during the competition but at the end we could win."In the bronze medal match, Brazil's Salgado sisters jumped out early and often, keeping the pressure on for a fairly quick first set win. USA's Kessy/Ross, fighters that they are, battled back in the second set and although Brazil's Salgado's kept it close, USA's Kessy/Ross won 21-19. In the third and deciding set, the Salgados stayed in front, leading 9-6 but USA's Kessy/Ross tied it at 9-9 and took the lead 10-9, before digs, kills and blocks finished the set and match, 15-13. For Brazil's Salgados, who have played in 105 FIVB World Tour events as a team, this was their 10th career bronze medal and 15th final four finish. USA's Kessy/Ross, who have played in 74 FIVB tournaments together, this was their 34th final four finish and fourth fourth-place finish. Five of the eight players in the final four were 2012 Olympians as USA's Kessy/Ross won the silver medal at the 2012 London Olympic games, Meppelink/van Gestel finished fifth in London and Antonelli, teamed with Talita Antunes, also finished fifth in London. For these final four teams, this was the 15th final four for the Salgado sisters, fourth for Netherlands' Meppelink/van Gestel, first for Antonelli/Bednarczuk and 34th final four for USA's Kessy/Ross, who won the 2009 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships.The first semifinal Saturday saw Netherlands' Meppelink/van Gestel overcome Brazil's Salgado sisters for a second-straight FIVB World Tour final four match. Taking three sets three weeks ago in the Shanghai bronze medal match, Meppelink/van Gestel won their second career meeting with Brazil's Salgado sisters and again it was in three sets as the Dutch women finally prevailed, 26-24, 18-21, 15-10 in 60 minutes. In the second semifinal, Brazil's Antonelli/Bednarczuk played strong from behind to defeat USA's Kessy/Ross, 15-21, 21-14, 15-12 in 49 minutes. In the tiebreaker third set, the match was tied at 9-9 and 10-10, before Brazil finished off the victory.To earn the place in the final four with three of the four quarterfinals lasting three sets Saturday morning, Netherland's Meppelink/van Gestel defeated Germany's Karla Borger/Britta Buthe in straight sets, 21-13, 21-19 in 34 minutes while their semifinal opponent Brazil's Salgado sisters advanced by working three sets to defeat Germany's surprising Julia Grossner/Victoria Bieneck, 19-21, 21-11, 15-4 in 47 minutes. To advance to their second semifinal matchup, Brazil's Antonelli/Bednarczuk upset the Germany's veteran duo Katrin Holtwick/Ilka Semmler, 22-24, 21-19, 16-14 in 55 minutes while their next opponent, USA's Kessy/Ross had their hands full as well before pulling out another three-set victory, this one over Spain's Liliana Fernandez/Elsa Baquerizo, 21-13, 11-21, 15-12 in 52 minutes.The FIVB World Tour will be off next week as 10 regular FIVB men's and women's teams compete in the FIVB World Cup Final special event in Campinas, Brazil. The FIVB World Tour resumes June 11-16 with the $440,000 FIVB Hague Grand Slam. Print this Page News {{item.LocalShortDate}} {{item.Title}} All the News


text:
Yesterday, it was reported that Apple had quietly updated its Mac Pro line, but it turns out that is no longer the case. The Mac Pros have been updated, but Apple has removed the "new" label on its online store website. Today, an email from Tim Cook confirms that Apple is working on a new professional-level Mac, which is set to be released sometime in 2013.
An email Apple confirmed to be from Cook was posted to a Facebook group page dedicated to the Mac Pro and said that Apple is "working on something really great" for 2013, reports MacWorld.
The company has no comment about the iMace, which may suggest that an update may be announced later this year. In the past, Apple has revealed new iMacs after their Back to School promotion is over.


text:
Harrison Ford Injured on Set of 'Star Wars: Episode 7′by Mandi Salerno | PopCrush
Harrison Ford probably didn't foresee any serious injuries when he agreed to reprise his now decades-old role as the famed Han Solo for 'Star Wars: Episode 7,' but the 71-year-old actor has found himself in the hospital following an on-set incident.
The experienced star was filming the latest movie in the 'Star Wars' franchise on Wednesday, May 11 when the accident occurred. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Ford was in London's Pinewood Studios when a door from Han Solo's iconic spaceship, the Millennium Falcon fell on him and caused an injury to his ankle. Ford was then airlifted to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Disney released a statement on the incident: "Harrison Ford sustained an ankle injury during filming today on the set of Star Wars: Episode VII. He was taken to a local hospital and is receiving care. Shooting will continue as planned while he recuperates."
While Ford recovers, fellow returning 'Star Wars' costars Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher, who played Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia respectively in the original film trilogy, will continue filming alongside director J.J. Abrams and his all-star cast, including John Boyega, Adam Driver, Gwendoline Christie and Lupita Nyong'o.
We're wishing you a speedy recovery, Harrison!


text:
LITTLE ROCK —Pop quiz. Name the best NFL quarterback prospect in the SEC in 2014?
LITTLE ROCK —Pop quiz. Name the best NFL quarterback prospect in the SEC in 2014?
Uh, hmmm. Need some names?
Returning starters include Auburn's Nick Marshall, Mississippi State's Dak Prescott, Mississippi's Bo Wallace, and Arkansas' Brandon Allen. Razorback fans protesting the inclusion of Allen, note he is identified only as a 2013 starter. Bret Bielema and his staff will sort out the qb competition.
At this point, no member of the aforementioned quartet appears to be a classic pocket passer with the ability to quickly read the defense and deliver. A superb athlete, Marshall has the size and speed to contribute somewhere, but there are questions about his arm and accuracy.
Other candidates include Missouri's Maty Mauk, Georgia's Hutson Mason, LSU's Anthony Jennings, South Carolina's Dylan Thompson, and Vanderbilt's Patton Robinette. Each has played some; none have played enough to identify them as pro prospects.
At Alabama, Texas A&M, Kentucky, and Tennessee, apparently the quarterback competition will begin in the spring and could continue into fall practice. By default, Florida's Jeff Driskel is No. 1 on the prospect list. Sidelined most of 2013, he was sacked 36 times and threw five interceptions vs. 12 TD passes in 2012.
The question came up while looking ahead to the NFL draft in early May. A dozen quarterbacks are expected to be selected and five of them are from the SEC. One of almost 100 underclassmen in the draft, Texas A&M's Johnny Manziel should be among the first five players selected. LSU's Zach Mettenberger, Alabama's A.J. McCarron, Georgia's Aaron Murray, and South Carolina's Connor Shaw also should be drafted.
Down the line, this will be the best group of quarterbacks ever to leave the league at one time.
On the job, I witnessed all five, although Murray was a one-time thing in the third start of a four-year career. Even though Manziel and Mettenberger only played two years each, the five of them combined for 41,000 yards and 352 touchdowns.
Manziel is magical. The first time around at College Station, I thought Arkansas' defense facilitated his 557 yards total offense, but he was Houdini-like week after week. He stayed in the pocket more this year, but the mere threat of him getting outside helps his receivers and I am not convinced he has the arm strength to make certain throws from the pocket.
With that in mind, the no-risk projection is that all four of the SEC quarterbacks selected after Manziel might still be in the NFL after the Heisman Trophy winner is gone from the scene.
McCarron, Shaw, and Murray are guys perfect for any clubhouse. Anybody who saw the touching story of McCarron befriending cereberal palsy victm and fellow Alabama student A.J. Starr knows about McCarron, the man. Shaw's storybook stuff in Columbia, Mo., defines him. Nursing a sore shoulder, he persuaded Steve Spurrier to put him in the game in the third quarter and he rallied the Gamecocks from a 17-point deficit while handing Missouri its only regular-season loss. Although Georgia was frustrated at the end, Murray's work in the last-minute, length-of-the-field drive vs. eventual national champion Alabama in the 2012 SEC title game, was brilliant. A week later, he was still replaying the entire game in his head.
Georgia coach Mark Richt's description of Murray is also a blanket for McCarron and Shaw: "… I don't know if I've ever even heard him come close to tooting his own horn. … It's always been about trying to win rather than get a record."
Despite that praise, the 6-foot-5, 230-pound Mettenberger is the one in the group most likely to succeed spectacularly in the NFL. The question is his decision making, a skill that can be learned.
Repeating, this is a no-risk prediction. Nobody will bother to clip this and double-check in 2020.
Harry King is sports columnist for Stephens Media's Arkansas News Bureau. His e-mail address is email@example.com.


text:
TOP ADVERTISING CHOICES - Internet - Email Marketing , Website Development, Text Marketing
In its 2010 study, we learned that Internet Marketing has replaced the old, traditional print (newspaper and phone book ) along with broadcast TV and radio , as the top ad media of choice by business and consumer alike - and more cost-effective (Ad-ology), with direct mail a close second. . Now , within the top-ranked INTERNET, Ad-ology has broken down the internet by category, showing email marketing still leads the way, along with website development (SEO) and mobile marketing coming on strong. Coupon Country and YellowPagesCoupons.net feature these top marketing platforms at unbelievably low rates 1-888-422-6876.
According to Ad-ology's survey, the top places where small businesses will put their marketing dollars in 2011 are e-mail marketing (72.7 percent in 2011 vs. 56.6 percent in 2010) and company website development (70.5 percent in 2011 vs. 57.7 percent in 2010).
FREE Text Coupons - Latest Deals Instantly Delivered to your Phone
FREE Text Coupons - Latest Deals Instantly Delivered to your Phone
Our new apps are even simpler to access now... You can get them 1 of 3 ways:
1) Type into your cell phone browser: YellowPagesCouponsApp.com
or BayAreaCouponsApp.com
or both
2) Just search the above in your Iphone or Android App marketplace
3) Scan the QR codes :
BayAreaCoupons.net YellowPagesCoupons.net
Tag Archives: . googlized website
Is Your Website Optimized and Googlized?
DINOSAURS ARE BACK…and they're using Coupons! Now They Wont Go Extinct ! DON'T LET YOUR BUSINESS GO EXTINCT! Is Your Website Optimized and Googlized? COUPON COUNTRY Top Rated 7-in-1 Marketing 1-888-4-A-COUPON 925-284-7168 LOCAL , TARGETED ADVERTISING LIKE THIS from $47/mo. … Continue reading


text:
The Duling-Kurtz House is known for some of the finest dining in Chester County. We have eight dining rooms offering you a quiet, intimate dining experience. Our banquet room, the Veranda Room, accommodates up to 55 guests for weddings, rehearsal dinners, celebrations, or corporate events.
Fine Dining Menus
Mondays through Saturdays from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Sundays from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Tuesday through Friday from 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM
Saturday from Noon to 3:00 PM
Duling-Kurtz House boasts an extensive wine collection to accompany every meal to perfection.
For your dining pleasure we have small romantic dining rooms, and rooms with a view. For large gatherings Duling-Kurtz House & Country Inn can accommodate up to 55 guests in our banquet room. Every room has it's own distinctive charm.
Event Hosting
We proudly create and execute festive holiday parties, beautiful wedding receptions, warm and friendly rehearsal dinners, romantic anniversary parties, festive family reunions, company gatherings
and corporate events.
Whether your special event needs are on a grand, spectacular scale or more intimate and cozy, our full service staff is ready to meet your needs.
On behalf of the staff at The Duling-Kurtz House and Country Inn we look forward to creating a most memorable event for you and your guests.
Luncheon for groups of 20 or more.
Dinner for groups of 24 or more.
Hors d'oeuvres. Served and priced per 50 pieces


text:
A vast empire once including part of Greece and reaching India in the east. It impinged on the Jews with the conquest of Cyrus over the Medes (550 BCE) and his decree authorizing the exiles to return from Babylon to Jerusalem, a decree reaffirmed by Darius I (Ezra 5: 1–6: 15). The legendary story of Esther is set in the reign of Ahasuerus, or Xerxes (Esther 1: 1–2). The empire was destroyed by Alexander the Great (c. 330 BCE). The Persians, regarded as barbarous orientals in many Greek sources, are always treated favourably in the OT.
The religion of Zoroaster (7th cent. BCE) had its origin and base in Persia; its belief was that the god of Light, Ahura Mazda, had overcome Ahriman (darkness) and this dualism has been thought to have had an influence on Judaism, as did also its developed system of angels. It was a religion which was tolerant of other cults, and the Greek Apollo and the Jews' Yahweh were among the deities recognized.


text:
Find Our Latest Video Reviews on YouTube!
If you want to stay on top of all of our video reviews of the latest tech, be sure to check out and subscribe to the Gear Live YouTube channel, hosted by Andru Edwards! It's free!
Friday December 12, 2008 7:03 pm
2008 Holiday gift Guide: Samsung SC-MX20
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Cameras, Features, Portable Audio / Video, Family, Men, Under $250
If you want an inexpensive camcorder that gives you a bit more quality than what you'd find with a Kodak ZI6 or Flip Video camera, we think the Samsung SC-MX20 would be up your alley. This camera offers some nice features that the other low-end cams just don't have, like image stabilization, face detection, and a 24x optical zoom. It accepts SD and MMC cards up to 32GB, and has an internal battery life of 3 hours. The Samsung SC-MX20 retails for $250, but we found it on Amazon for 15% off at $212.
Oh, and for those of you who just have to have the high definition version, the Samsung SC-MX20C can be had for 30% off on Amazon, for $592.60.
Read More | Samsung SC-MX20
Latest Gear Live Videos
- Subscribe:
- YouTube
- iTunes High Definition
- iTunes Standard Version
© Gear Live Inc. {year} – User-posted content, unless source is quoted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Public Domain License. Gear Live graphics, logos, designs, page headers, button icons, videos, articles, blogs, forums, scripts and other service names are the trademarks of Gear Live Inc.


text:
Tony Romo and his wife have welcomed a baby cowboy to their family.
The Dallas Cowboys quarterback and wife Candice Crawford's first child, a baby boy named Hawkins Crawford Romo, was born Monday, a Cowboys spokesperson confirmed to People mag.
"Congratulations to Tony Romo, proud papa of Hawkins Crawford Romo, born yesterday at 5:30pm. 8lbs 8oz," the team wrote on its official Twitter page.
U.S. & World
Romo, 31, met Crawford, a former Miss Missouri pageant winner, when she was a sports journalist at a local television station. They started dating shortly after Romo split with Jessica Simpson and went on to tie the knot in May 2011.
Crawford's brother is "Gossip Girl" star Chace Crawford, who told Us magazine Romo was a "wonderful person."
"He was born ready to have a family…so it makes perfect sense," Crawford told Us.
Romo announced his wife's pregnancy last October during his speech at Cedar Hill High School in Texas. When a student asked if he had any children Romo revealed that his first was on the way, Yahoo reported at the time.


text:
The amusing 2019 Toyota Rush Side HD Picture digital photography below, is part of 2019 Toyota Rush write-up which is listed within Toyota, Toyota Rush and published at July 27, 2018.
2019 Toyota Rush : 2019 Toyota Rush Side HD Picture
The new Toyota Rush has actually just existed in Indonesia and it represents a compact crossover SUV with a capability to haul seven passengers and dimensionally it is smaller sized than the Toyota Fortuner. It is the 2018 model year which has actually gotten a number of upgrades however the latest version is also expected to show up next year and it is the 2019 Toyota Rush.
The Toyota Rush will share comparable dimensions with the Honda BR-V. It is nicely developed and looks handsome from every angle. The interior is also well-done with sleek and quality design. Under the hood, the Rush features a 4-cylinder petrol engine and regrettably, it is not offered with a diesel unit.
Here is required info on Toyota, Toyota Rush. We have the cool assets for Toyota, Toyota Rush. Check it out for yourself! You can gather 2019 Toyota Rush Side HD Picture guide and read the latest 2019 Toyota Rush.
Back To 2019 Toyota Rush


text:
Shop is now open! Please read our new shipping policy to check the lists of countries we can still shipped the orders.
Happy kits are bi-monthly subscription service. Every 2 months we will pick a theme and design planner kits and sticker kit
The kits are finished! Please scroll down to see the images of what's included in each kit!
"Honey bear" kit is now closed. Match kit sign up will be opening on March 28, 10 am EST!
Hobonichi Planners
>> Sticker sizes <<
Please see the first image on the size comparison on Hobonichi Weeks
Quantity = 12 stickers
>> Sticker sheet size <<
3" x 4.5"
>> Sticker paper type <<
Matt, non-removable
- Colours may vary depending upon monitor.
- Custom fees/duty taxes/VAT (Value Added Tax) are the buyer's responsibility.
- Please do not Resale, for personal use only.
All designs and illustrations is © HAPPY DAYA
Made with love
Ship worldwide from BKK
Unique hand drawn stickers
Sign up to get the latest on sales, new releases and more …


text:
|Cat.No. :
|Product Overview :
|Recombinant Rat Dnase1l2(Phe32~Arg229) fused with His tag at N-terminal was expressed in E. coli.
|Description :
|Dnase1l2 played an important role in many functions.
|Source :
|E. coli
|Species :
|Tag :
|Form :
|PBS, pH7.4, containing 0.01% SKL, 1mM DTT, 5% Trehalose and Proclin300.
|Molecular Mass :
|Identity :
|Reconstitute in PBS or others
|Protein length :
|Endotoxin :
|<1.0EU per 1µg (determined by the LAL method)
|Purity :
|> 95%
|Applications :
|Positive Control; Immunogen; SDS-PAGE; WB.
If bio-activity of the protein is needed, please check active protein
|Stability :
|The thermal stability is described by the loss rate. The loss rate was determined by accelerated thermal degradation test, that is, incubate the protein at 37 centigrade for 48h, and no obvious degradation and precipitation were observed. The loss rate is less than 5% within the expiration date under appropriate storage condition.
|Storage :
|Avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles. Store at 2-8 centigrade for one month. Aliquot and store at -80 centigrade for 12 months.
|Reconstitution :
|Reconstitute in PBS or others
|Gene Name :
|Dnase1l2 deoxyribonuclease 1 like 2 [ Rattus norvegicus ]
|Official Symbol :
|Synonyms :
|Dnase1l2; deoxyribonuclease 1 like 2
|Gene ID :
Welcome! For price inquiries, please feel free to contact us through the form below. We will get back to you as soon as possible.


text:
Here's a fun project I had in mind for a long time and finally got around to. It's an Aliens facehugger that jumps out an egg when it is shot. Follow that link for a full writeup!
AboutOriginally purely an airsoft technical-related site, I now address airgun and firearm action shooting equipment and news with a special focus on having to deal with severe hearing loss.


text:
Great points! My band "Heleos', though not having any other dead heads, is already applying a lot of those ideas. We listen to each other and play off one another and take the songs we play in different directions, especially when the audience feeds back energy.paulkogut wrote:There's a great quote from pianist Bill Evans where he says jazz isn't really a style, but a process of making music. I feel the same way about the Dead. Not to put down anyone else's approach to music, but if you've got folk that come at it from a "copy the record' perspective or view soloing as something you do OVER the rhythm section rather than a dialogue, it sort of doesn't matter what tune you're doing, it won't ever really get off the ground (In the Dead sense, nothing wrong with a good, tight rock band, just different.) On the other hand, if you're with musicians who listen, react and let the music breathe and grow, it sort of doesn't matter what song you start with (Morning Dew, Cold Rain and Snow, Not Fade Away etc etc all weren't Dead tunes before they were Dead tunes...)
Are you in a situation where bandmates have some mental block/misconceptions about the Dead? It's a drag, but happens pretty often. Maybe you could just encourage the group to adopt some of the Dead's values (jams/segues, first&second set pacing, etc.) and try some sneakier ways of getting the others on the bus (Instead of talking to the drummer about Kreutzmann, turn him on to Elvin Jones and Joe Morello....)
Good luck!
My band's facebook's
Heleos, http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/page ... 1255712526
41East, http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/page ... 3804432198
Heleos, http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/page ... 1255712526
41East, http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/page ... 3804432198


text:
Gas tax: It will stop regulations and wars
A week after reports that SUV – but not small car– sales had rebounded came the word that GM and Chrysler are utilizing tax dollars to fight the latest efforts to increase Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards.
Claiming that a vehicle could cost $6,435 more if new proposals are enacted, automakers worry about losing the single area where American manufacturers dominate: car bodies on truck chassis. Environmental groups, of course, are attacking automakers for the millions spent lobbying against higher fuel efficiency, leaving lawmakers again caught between allegedly creating American jobs and long-term environmental and societal good.
Yet our history is clear: CAFÉ standards have been a dismal failure.
Not only do Americans drive more once we purchase higher mileage cars, governmental requirements for more efficiency continually squeeze American automakers and push sales to foreign car makers who primarily compete in markets where high gasoline taxes produce overall consumer demand for efficiency.
It's time the U.S. considers the economic "first best" solution and actually levy reasonable gasoline and diesel "user fees" on consumers. Italy, after all, with the highest gasoline taxes in the world– and no CAFÉ standards– has the highest-mileage vehicle fleet, as well as much more reasonable mass transit. Japan's 123-million "test market" for fuel efficiency is propelled by gasoline taxes five times the U.S. rate.
Universally, countries which rationally tax auto fuel have better mass transit, more bicycle and pedestrian transportation, higher mileage car fleets, and less obese citizens. Even Australia, which has higher per capita car ownership and even more wide open spaces than America, taxes gasoline and diesel enough for citizens to consider options for most of their potential car trips.
Here, our governor is promoting taking sales tax revenue from schools and social services in order to make driving easier, and our supposedly "green" president stimulated highway repair and construction at a rate four times what he stimulated alternative transportation while his Cash4Clunkers program increased fuel efficiency less than a mile per gallon.
It's time America and Virginia face the inconvenient facts. The largest economic emitter of greenhouse gases– and fastest growing– is American transportation, where we produce 45 percent of the world's total automotive C02. In the largest single factor in our trade deficit, we send $613,000 per minute overseas to import oil and much of our foreign policy is driven by the need to protect oil importation. Individually, we use double the carbon the average European and six times Chinese consumption. During the lifetime of CAFÉ, American vehicle miles driven has increased four times population growth while we've subsidized highways at an annual rate of $145.3 billion, almost four times what we've spent on mass transit.
For every mile we drive, according to the Victoria Transportation Institute, we create 54 cents in costs to our society and economy. We drive some 2.9 trillion miles annually.
Yet Republican and Democratic local, state and federal administrations keep making driving "easier" under the political canard of countering congestion. However, the counterintuitive shocker is that when we build new highway lanes, in a very short time period we make congestion worse.
The phenomenon is called "induced traffic," and most transportation engineers recognize that 90 percent of new urban freeways are overwhelmed within five years while the "relieved "roads are also carrying more traffic. One study of 70 urban areas across 15 years concluded:
"Metro areas that invested heavily in road capacity expansion fared no better in easing congestion than metro areas that did not. Trends in congestion show that areas that exhibited greater growth in lane capacity spent roughly $22 billion more on road construction than those that didn't, yet ended up with slightly higher congestion costs per person, wasted fuel, and travel delay."
Build a new road, in short, and you beget more traffic while increasing the other issues which driving creates, from obesity to pollution to noise to foreign policy to decimated public budgets.
The Commission on the Future of Transportation in Virginia indeed noted 13 years ago that "it's a futile exercise to attempt to build your way out of congestion problems by adding more highways."
Yet, we keep trying.
The Catch 22 is that gasoline costs as little in real terms as it did decades ago when the United States actually produced most of the oil we used. Today, rational auto fuel user fees would insure auto makers build efficiency without the need for ineffective governmental regulators. A rational gas tax would revolutionize land-use planning, promote local economies, decrease congestion and greenhouse emissions and create demand for better alternative transportation modes. Electric car sales wouldn't need to be subsidized to the tune of $7,500 per purchase.
Yet– even after two wars in Middle Eastern oil fields and the worst offshore oil spill in history– governmentally, both America and Virginia still act as if there's an unlimited, easy-to-get-to oil supply which costs our society little.
A former journalism teacher at Virginia Union University, Randy Salzman is the transportation researcher who, back in April (before BP's blunder), penned the prescient essay predicting a massive underwater oil platform leak.
12 comments
I am old school and my first reaction is to say if you want to be European then move there. But I know that way of thinking is over. Its difficult to move the USA mentality in the way of conservation and environmental awareness after years of glutton consumerism. Raping the land of all her natural resources is what made us the world superpower and giving up both goes against our heritage.
World events may do more to change America's gas guzzling habits than all the regulations we could enact. It's the old story, sometimes things have to get very bad before people will change.
At the Green Jobs conference in D.C. and just left a panel which included enviromentalists (Sierra Club, NRDC), government (Federal Highway Administration and congress), and labor leader.
All promoted a reasonable hike in gasoline taxes as a crucial step in dealing with U.S. oil dependency and the problems it creates. They primarily refer to the disturbing backlog in highway repair and the shocking number of bridges which are deficient before noting that money to build any green infrastructure -- like transit and bike/ped -- is more desperately needed.
As the labor leader put it, "we need to have an adult conversation." That to this point in time in America we believe in a "magic policy."
IThe complaints that American Auto Makers can't comete in the efficiency market is a poor argument in my book. And also a bit untrue. Ford has made some very competitive cars overseas, which never make it to America. I would much rather buy a well made US car that meets more frugal eneds than to have to buy an imported car.
Whats more, American Auto Makers can just get better about selling their trucks overseas. Ford does it all the time with the F150.
The Gas tax should have been instituted years ago when gas was cheap. It keeps those tax dollars in the US for US projects, isntead of going to overseas suppliers of oil.
Read a gas pump lately? isn't there already a $0.39 tax per gallon? It's a little sticker on every gas pump in the common wealth.
And isn't Japan and Italy smaller countries than the United States? You can ride a bicycle across either of those countries in a day or two, I don't think ya can do that here.
As of 2011, most, if not all, passenger vehicles sold in the U.S. employ a monocoque chassis (the body is the frame). There are only a handfull of passenger vehicles built with ladder frames.
I am not in favor of making anything necessary (i.e. gas, autos) any more expensive than they already are.
And as for the Comparisons of Japan and Italy, it's apples and oranges. I personnally would not want to drive a Fiat 500 on the interstate commute from Charlottesville to Richmond.
Thank you.
Yes, Italy and japan are smaller countries but Australia isn't and it taxes gas roughly three tomes the u.s. Rate and therefore has more mass transit and a higher mileage car fleet. The Aussies also have more cars per capital and wider spaces than we do.
Reason for referring to Italy was it has the highest gas taxes In the world which translates into people being willing to purchase efficiency. Reason for referring to japan is that nation,s car industry today dominates world markets. I could have chosen Germany too or Norway who very soon is likely to quit exporting oil to the u.s. Because the north sea fields have peaked.
Our federal gas tax is 18.4 cents per gallon, in real dollars compared to when it was last raised, just following our first fighting in middle eastern oil fields, at the close of the gulf war, that tax is 13 cents. In real terms the federal tax rate is less than the 1920s.
Every economist who has commented - including a Nobel prize winner -- says we must raise this user fee for national security and environmental reasons. The deficit commission, as part of it's just released report, says we need at least a 15 cent a gallon tax hike.
Please do not believe me. Do the research yourself.
And, please Hoover, if you are commuting to Richmond, contact rideshare through the Thomas jefferson planning commission. They will hook you up with others making that long commute and you will save, not only gas, but wear tear on car and make good friends. If you have an emergency and need to return outside the carpool, they solve that for you too with taxis or rentacars.
You obviously are unfamiliar with all of Fiat's cars, but that's hardly a surprise. You could choose the VW Gold TDI, which gives almost 50 mpg's. How nice to drive to Richmond on 3 gallons.
The commute to Richmond is dangerous because of the massive cars and use of 18 wheelers to transport everything, and letting them toodle along at outrageous speeds.Drivers in Italy and Germany are also required to meet far more difficult tests to obtain their driver's license.
Personally I have no problems with forcing the users of the road to contribute to it's care. We can invest in alternatives, and Americans will choose more fuel efficient cars as they have in the past, given the opportunity and pocket incentive.
The most funny part is to watch our deficit killing GOP Governor slavering to borrow billions to build more roads, and then hand those roads over to private companies to charge us user fees. User fees that will make a nickle raise on gas tax appear piddly.
Let's not blithely dismiss laws and regulations as behavior-changing tools. It took such things to get the lead out of motor vehicle gasoline, to make cars safer, and to make auto emissions the vastly cleaner plumes than they were just 30 years ago. But I agree that a gas tax (or some other kind of user fee) is also needed, not just to properly internalize the cost (to society) of each person's using a car and serve as an incentive to use more resource- and societal-cost-efficient modes of travel, but to maintain the infrastructure of the roads on which we drive. Our roads in Virginia, which has one of the lowest gas taxes in the country, are pathetically under maintained. It speaks volumes that when you cross into NC on 29 it feels like you are crosssing from the third world into modern civilzation. Notice the paved shoulders, the roads free of deer carcasses, the absence of dead trees dangling over the highway or barely cut off just at the guard rail. We get what we pay for in the old dominion, and that ain't much.
The reason that Europe has had a well developed mass transit system, particularly trains, is because most of the people could not afford cars to travel to the cities to work, shop and conduct business. The lords and ladies that had investments needed to get the rural dwellers to consume their products. It was also convenient for them. Look at any movie set in Europe before 1960 and you will see the typical car, invariably owned by somebody wealthy. It had nothing to do with a gas tax.
Mr or Ms. Eye;
In the early 1960s, Copenhagen was well on its way to become Houston. They had (and still have) a freeway built dead into the city with plans to spread it across five artificial lakes built four centuries ago by a king who envied Paris and life along the Seine River. In a stroke of genius, a local architect figured out how to illustrate to the people what they were losing to the car if that half-loop was built. He strung blue helium ballons along the route with tiny signs on the tether at the bottom, explaining what the citizens were about to lose. Arising, so many people demanded that the freeway halt that it did and today you can walk the ramp should you so desire. Almost overnight, the concept of bike/ped became part of Copenhagen's planning process. Today, almost 50 percent of the people commute by bike and there are five major shopping streets closed to traffic. Bike lanes are eveywhere; there are even bicycle signal lights. To build that infrastructure, and yes mass transit too, they financed through taxes on gasoline.
In 1979, Perth, Australia had decided to elminate commuter rail and build freeways in all directions. A decade later, freeways were going everywhere and only one rail line was still in operation. But a group similar to C-ville's railway proponents titled "Friends of the Railways," managed -- through political pressure -- to get a percentage of gas tax receipts dedicated to revising transit. In December 2007, Perth opened it's fourth new commuter rail with 67,000 first-day riders and 90 percent approval ratings -- and the city is decreasing vehicles miles traveled an average of 14 percent a year. The cost of roadway repairs is down from projections due to that decreased traffic and that money is going to transit and even newer bike-ped projects.
No, in both (and other cases) it is not just the gas tax but really only in Amsterdam amongst cities in Europe or Australia, has the gas tax not played a major part in reviving alternative transportation. London, with its congestion charge, is another example -- except that the city charges $15 to drive into it -- and combines that income with gasoline taxes to build bike-ped and better transit.
Please, Mr/Ms Eye, do this research yourself. Do not trust me. What you and others will find is that we Americans are dooming ourselves due to our continued state of denial. Everybody blames everyone else for the congestion they are stuck in. Everybody hopes there's some technological fix that will come to save us. But the realitiy is our driving must be curtailed. If we wait until either Peak Oil or Global Warming or the Arabs start selling all the oil to other countries, it will likely be a disaster. Last summer we saw the disaster caused by our oil companies trying to get us the oil we demand to put in our cars.
We can, however, change as other nations and other cities have before further disaster. To have the money to change, we need a rational gasoline tax.
Increasing gas tax to curb wasteful, socially isolating, and dangerous behavior by U.S. motorists is a great idea. Unfortunately, the brilliance of the idea has zero to do with the probability of it being pursued. This policy has zero chance of being implemented because it is a frontal attack on the bottom-line of the two most powerful industries in the U.S.—the auto and oil industries.
These corporations and corporate interests in general, have deftly executed the pincer maneuver on our government. The government is being doubly enveloped by corporate spending on political campaigns ads on one side, and well placed corporate lobbyist on the other. Without overwhelming popular support, resistance to this corporate force is futile—which is exactly what this proposed tax policy would attempt to do. This tax policy would be beneficial to Americans, but could not garner that requisite popular support. Instead we should focus our efforts on a different strategy.
The only way smart policy—like the one mentioned in this article—stands a chance against the corporate pincer maneuver is to completely remove corporations from the political battlefield, as it were. "We the People" should not translate to "We the People (i.e.: humans and corporations)", (see corporate personhood). "We the People", by popular movement, need to amend the constitution to make clear corporations have no rights to politically participate in our democracy (i.e.: "rule of the people"). After that moment, smart policy will no longer have to skirt around interests of our corporate overlords, but will only need to directly address the interests of the American people.


text:
In Fig. 2, we have the exact same rhythm part, but the lead riff has been altered to accommodate D, which is the 7th tone in E minor. Listen to the changes again and hear how the addition of just one note makes the harmonies fuller, adding extra tensions over what we achieved in Fig. 1. Now you have a full Em7 chord for Im, a full Cmaj9 for VI, and over the A5 chord, you have a 7, a 9, and an 11.
Now, check out Fig. 3. Here, we have repeated I–V–VIm–IV, capped off by a turn of IIm-bVII–I in D major. The lead riff plays around with the 5, root, and 2 of the key in the first half of each measure, and the 5, root, and 3 in the second half. This provides plenty of notes to fill out the harmony on those changes.
The E in the first part of the riff combines with D5 to give us a Dsus2 chord. But pay attention to that A5 chord: D and F# tag-team to make it into a bright and colorful A6sus4. Then, it's A and D's turn to make ordinary B5 into a Bm7 chord, followed by F# and A from the riff to give us Gmaj9 instead of just G5. In the second-to-last-measure, E5 is converted to E7sus4 (which you can also think of as an Em11), courtesy of the notes A and D. And for one ear-bending moment before the final chord, C5 gets a facelift vis-à-vis the notes A and F#, sounding a very spacey Cmaj13(#11).


text:
Michael Wilbon has a problem. There's been all this winning and fun times going on with DC sports this year, so some major magazines are starting to tout DC's merits as a Great Sports Town. Problem is, when ESPN The Magazine rolled out its DC lovefest this week, we learned that Wilbon supplies the Obvious Contrarian Take on why it's a "terrible" sports town. I mean, who better than a former longtime Washington Post columnist-turned-TV blowhard? Inspired casting, as they say.
Wilbon's comments (apparently culled from a Q&A-type exchange with Tony Kornheiser) aren't online yet, but the snippets that were released have already stoked the fires of DC's fan base and local media. Dan Steinberg of The Washington Post hit back yesterday after Wilbon's comments were made public:
"It doesn't compare," Wilbon says of Washington. "No, it's terrible. It's not even close to New York, Philly, Chicago, Detroit, Boston, LA. It's last….It's because people don't call this home, really. They still call somewhere else home. I've been here 32 years, and I still barely call it home….
"Beyond [the Redskins]? Politics makes sports here No. 2. I'm from Chicago, the place that produced the most recent president of the United States. Sports is still No. 1 there. They'll never, ever make the mistake of thinking that politics or something else is No. 1….Only on Monday mornings, 16 times a year, is sports the No. 1 conversation [in Washington]….
"If you're going to really look at the DC sports scene, what's more important than the Wizards and Capitals to people are Maryland and Georgetown. But think about this: When's the last time you've seen anything that happened in DC lead SportsCenter? RG3 is the first time that's happened in years. So DC, the center of the sports universe? Never, never."
Ok, whatever. Georgetown is not more important to people here than the Capitals - check TV ratings, check attendance, check Web clicks. RGIII is not the first time D.C. has led SportsCenter in years - hello, Stephen Strasburg? Bryce Harper?
More importantly, sure, a whole bunch of people who live here don't call this place home. But hundreds of thousands of people do. They're the core of whatever fan base the local teams have, and I don't know why they deserve national scorn.
It feels like one of Wilbon's hysterical PTI rants, which don't quite work so well on paper. ESPN anchor Bram Weinstein then went on Twitter and called his ESPN colleague a "carpetbagger."
Hours later, Wilbon went to Facebook and begin the inevitable backtrack from what he said in the magazine:
Greater Washington, D.C. is a wonderful place to live; I know because I've been here more than 30 years. It is NOT the country's best sports town, not close. I was quoted as saying that in a current issue of ESPN The Magazine and am taking a lot of flack for it, which is fine. But it's annoying as hell that a couple of colleagues, Dan Steinberg of The Post and Bram Weinstein of ESPN, felt the need to whine like little babies because I didn't speak a company line that agrees with their hypersensitive feelings.
Saying that places like New York, Boston, Philly, Chicago, Detroit and Los Angeles are better sports towns than D.C. is an easy and obvious observation to make, and you'd have to be a cheerleading fraud to be offended with anybody who makes it. It's not an insult to say D.C. isn't among the best sports towns in America. It's a pretty good sports town...but not great. One of the reasons I've chosen to live here since 1980 and loved doing so is that by-and-large most people here don't definte themselves by how the professional teams here do. I've always found that refreshing, enlightened.
Greater Washington is a more literate place than some of those I mentioned as better sports cities, has an greater range of attractions than some of them. It's too bad that Steinberg and Weinstein are so limited that they think making a fair observation about Washington as a sports town is a value judgement on greater Washington itself.
It's refreshing to see that Wilbon's debate tactics rival that of a six-year-old child, no matter the medium. (Also, that Wilbon's primary defense is he made the "easy and obvious observation" that DC "isn't among the best sports towns in America" is utterly hilarious.) He wraps up the clarification by further trashing Weinstein and Steinberg, who responded today with his own, more-thought-out retort:
"It's a pretty good sports town…but not great," Wilbon wrote, a bland and innocuous observation that would have caused exactly zero interest had he used it in his magazine discourse.
Of course, Wilbon chose to cover up his embarrassment at so quickly retreating from the "terrible" description by taking repeated shots at Bram Weinstein and me, which is cool. I get it. Changing the subject is a perfectly appropriate way to divert attention, and one I've frequently used.
I think it's great that Wilbon is still willing to speak truth to power between rounds at Columbia, celebrity roasts and expense-account lunches with Earvin. My only counter would be that it's cool to speak truth to power when the power is a team owner, or a sports network, or a washed-up quarterback living on past accomplishments. Flaming ordinary sports fans in your town for not being passionate enough strikes me as a less noble journalistic mission.
Which, really, was my only point. I've frequently written that D.C.'s passion - measured by television ratings, attendance and so on - is much different than in the cities Wilbon extolls. I think you can make that point without reveling in it.
Weinstein later apologized for using the term "carpetbagger," though he stands by his issues with Wilbon's piece.
So does Wilbon actually believe that DC is a "terrible" sports town? That's "it's last," whatever that means? We may never know completely for sure, but this is the first time in years everyone seems to be debating the merits of something Wilbon said, so I guess it's mission accomplished for him there.
Wilbon photo via


text:
If you're like me, the Knicks' apparent celebration of three-pointers in which three fingers are pointed at their heads to signify the three points that were just scored has barely registered. It's not even something I've really noticed was happening. But perhaps I should have, because what about the children? What about society?
In this morning's Daily News, Mitch Lawrence suggests we all should ask some hard questions about the thing we didn't even realize was a thing:
The Knicks made a ton of threes on Friday in their previous win at home, over Washington. That night it seemed that everyone did the three-to-the-head signal. That's when the talk of it being a gun thing got hot. Then on Saturday, Belcher ended his girlfriend's life, and shortly thereafter his own life in the Arrowhead Stadium parking lot, bringing the whole issue of guns and athletes back to the fore.Obviously, you can draw a pretty straight line from the Knicks' seemingly innocuous celebration of three-pointers to this weekend's tragedy in Kansas City. I mean, they are practically the same thing!
By the time the Knicks had posted their latest win, Wallace was long gone, having been ejected in the first quarter after picking up two technicals. So he wasn't around to explain his sign.
Even if it's not about guns, he might want to come up with an alternative.
Look, this is mostly my fault for even allowing this to bother me, but is a 12-4 team so uninteresting to cover that we have to bend ourselves in this much of a pretzel to try and gin up some controversy? Isn't there some other angle we can discuss, like what Mike Woodson's choice of goatee says about the war on drugs?


text:
Chiroben1180 necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 32 diseños de 9 diseñadores freelance.
I am a new company who wants to define its image.
Empowering U Occupational Therapy Services
Empowering U Occupational Therapy Services is an occupational therapy based company that caters to clients who have sustained an injury, disease or condition that affects their ability to perform their pre-morbid activities of daily living.
Here are some links that you can check out to find out more about my profession:
• http://www.caot.ca/
• http://www.osot.on.ca/eng/default.asp
• http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/3838/
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occupa…al_therapy
• http://www.otworks.ca/default.asp?pageid=1
I need a logo design to use as a template for business cards, reports, forms, pamphlets, stationary (envelopes and letterhead), and web design that really represents the Empowering U mantra of my business.
The logo can be one of two ways:
1. Using only the first two initials of Empowering U in a creative format (caps only)
2. A symbol that represents a person being injured, fighting through life's struggles to cope with the injury/disease/condition and with my company's help is able to bear the weight of the world on his/her shoulders and get back to his/her optimal health
Also, keep in mind that I am flexible, the symbol does not need to be a human figure but it must have that sort of energy to it.
• I want you, the designer to have FUN with this project!
• I like the art in a vector format like that produced by Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator.
• I want the image to be crisp, clear, free of clutter and above all else professional.
• Please feel free to have fun and use your imagination and creativity in trying to encompass the E and the U.
• Colours used should be kept to a maximum of 2 to 3.
• No specific colour preference; however, needs to be tasteful toward the image created.
• The logo needs to come with a version that is also white on black and white on whatever other colours are utilized. If the logo itself is an icon plus text, then there needs to be a "square" or "circle" version that has the icon and text incorporated together inside the shape for future use onto uniforms and promotional items.
• The font type should suit the image created – something that is soft, not rigid and not too busy or fancy for the E and the U.
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


text:
We have 16 lanes and are a U.S.B.C certified A.M.F bowling center, located in Hallandale between Ft. Lauderdale and North Miami Beach at the south east corner of West Dixie Highway & Pembroke Road.
We're proud to announce that we are equipped with "Sirus" Satellite radio in the bowling center as well as our full liquor lounge in order to satisfy all music requests.
also have five big screen projectors showing music videos Friday and Saturday.
We are completing a full remodel which includes new restrooms, brand new lane oiler machine, new carpet, new outdoor smoking deck and outdoor patio from the bar, new paint inside and out. We are also equipped for late night Glow Bowl parties with an awesome new sound system. In addition, our pro shop is full service and staffed by a U.S.B.C certified coach and I.S.P.S.I.A certified ball technician.
Bring the family and enjoy. Don't forget to ask Bernie about free lessons. All Florida bowling center are smoke-free. We provide comfortable smoking areas for our visitors.
Special Feature:
Check out a video clip
|Open Bowl
| Leagues | Pro Shop
| Restaurant & Bar | Special Events | Directions
| Gallery | Contact
Us | Home
Copyright © 2006 Holiday Bowling Center Inc. All rights reserved.
106 E Pembroke Road Hallandale Beach, Florida 33009 (954) 458-3111


text:
CAIRO - A Million Woman March in Cairo drew a few hundred people Tuesday and a significant group of anti-feminist demonstrators.
The march on International Women's Day aimed to celebrate the role played by women in the protests that brought down President Hosni Mubarak and to call for "fair and equal opportunity for all Egyptian citizens - beyond gender, religion or class," CNN reported. Marchers gathered in Tahrir Square, site of the major anti-government demonstrations. There were men among the pro-feminist marchers, but others yelled at the demonstrators. CNN estimated the total attendance at about 1,000. "Men are men and women are women and that will never change and go home, that's where you belong," was a chant hurled at the marchers. Organizers used Facebook to spread word of the march ahead of time. "The barrier of patriarchal control is one that Egyptians have managed to break since day one of the revolution," they said. Women were very visible among demonstrators who toppled Mubarak last month. "Egyptian women have resisted unjust control and fought to bring down the patriarchal regime and liberate themselves and their country," activists said. The Egyptian Center for Women's Rights said it has been inundated recently with requests for help from young women interested in getting involved in politics.


text:
The Instructional program is designed for boys and girls, ages five (5) through six (6) years old (or grades K-1). Groups will be Co-ed.
This program focuses on providing a positive sports learning experience for our youngest members! Our objective is to teach beginning players the basic skills of basketball, to have fun, enjoy and respect the game, and hopefully enable them to practice and progress to higher levels. The players will be placed in Co-Ed groups of up to 40 children. Each group will meet for 1 hour on a rotating basis, between 8am and 2pm. The first 4 weeks emphasize core skills (dribbling, passing, and shooting), and the last 2 weeks incorporate those basic skills into game situations with actual mini-games. Generally, the groups will be formed with players from the same schools or with friends by special request through your registration.
Each participant receives a Burke Basketball shirt and basketball. Groups are formed in December, encompassing 5 sessions of up to 40 players (primarily grouped by school attended). Sessions take place between 8am and 2pm on Saturdays in January and early February at Fairview Elementary School.
The 2021 instructional sessions starts in January 2021. Schedules coming soon. Please note that the the group session times are different each week.
If you have any questions please contact Joe Evancho at email
To register click here
New Privacy Policy


text:
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Cupcake Obsession
I've had way too much fun making these glittered cupcakes. Glitter is now showing up in the most unlikely of places. My cat, Mouse, is now sporting a sparkling fur coat. Poor baby. He's spent way too much time sitting next to me while I happily "sugared" the tops of some of these cupcakes.
I plan to use these ornaments on my Christmas tree. I've attached a clear fishing line hanger (which I've tucked under the base of each cupcake for picture taking purposes) on each cupcake to enable it to hang.
Okay. Warning. Take heed. If you hate cupcakes, it's time to turn away now.
Oodles and oodles of sparkly cupcakes....
Looking back, I guess I have always been a bit cupcake obsessed. Remember these of yesteryear?
A fabric yo-yo cupcake topped with a sweet posie.
Birthday cupcake complete with a candle.
A tiny cupcake on a stick.
A cupcake wrist pincushion.
It is time to pack these cupcakes away until the next attack of cupcake obsession rolls around.
Hope you have a sweet weekend!
26 comments:
- Samantha said...
Love them!!!!
- Thu Jun 03, 05:55:00 PM 2010
- Amy H said...
Have any tutorials for all of those wonderful cupcakes?
- Thu Jun 03, 06:01:00 PM 2010
- Arlette said...
Sorry...the only tutorial that I currently have are for the paper cupcakes.
- Thu Jun 03, 06:04:00 PM 2010
- MandMStudio said...
So cute :) Those are really awesome. I love cupcakes too
- Thu Jun 03, 07:28:00 PM 2010
- Lynn said...
Such scrumptious cupcakes!
- Thu Jun 03, 08:43:00 PM 2010
- Maggey and Jim said...
Wow, you have gone crazy with those cute cupcakes.. Love the colors.
- Thu Jun 03, 08:53:00 PM 2010
- Geta Grama said...
OMG, they are so sweet !
- Thu Jun 03, 11:58:00 PM 2010
- DianeM said...
Another wonderful project! They are awesome...how cool to hang them on your Christmas tree :)
Smiles, DianeM
- Fri Jun 04, 01:42:00 AM 2010
- Annette said...
What a cute cute cupcakes... I love them, enjoy them...
- Fri Jun 04, 05:55:00 AM 2010
- My Life and Quilting said...
They all sook so yummy... I just love all the diffrent ways you made cupcakes.... The glitter one's will be great on your tree... Great job... :)
- Fri Jun 04, 07:24:00 AM 2010
- sweetiepie said...
These are just precious. I can imagine them on a Christmas tree with a little surprise tucked inside each one for the advent countdown. Thanks for sharing, Lettie.
Take care.
- Fri Jun 04, 08:57:00 AM 2010
- Zlaty said...
yummy! I love your cupcakes! Your Christmas tree will be super sweet! :)
- Fri Jun 04, 11:32:00 AM 2010
- emy said...
There are all beautiful, but those of fabric are wonderful!!
- Fri Jun 04, 11:56:00 AM 2010
- Stephanie D said...
I guess you really DO love cupcakes! lol
But those little sparkly confections are soooo cute and will look great on your Christmas tree!
- Fri Jun 04, 07:19:00 PM 2010
- Jean said...
These are so cute, you make adorable things!
- Fri Jun 04, 07:28:00 PM 2010
- Kristin said...
The are lovely Ms. Lettie!
- Fri Jun 04, 07:39:00 PM 2010
- Belén said...
Hola, he encontrado tu blog por casualidad y quería decirte que me ha encantado tu blog.
Todo lo que haces es fantástico, me he hecho seguidora tuya.
Un saludo
- Sun Jun 06, 03:28:00 AM 2010
- Mary @ Neat and Tidy said...
You are absolutely the most clever person in blogville!
- Sun Jun 06, 03:37:00 AM 2010
- Tolentreasures said...
How wonderful those will look on your tree! As always, I love your posts!
- Sun Jun 06, 04:26:00 AM 2010
- Janine said...
Dear Lettie,
it´s quite a while since my last visit. And you made so many lovely things.
You where so unbelievable busy.
I can´t say what I love the most the Lei garlands, or your mini scrapbooks, the flowers or the cupcakes.
It is all beyond beautiful.
You are unbelievable.
Have a graet sunday
- Sun Jun 06, 12:12:00 PM 2010
- Pam said...
I love all the cupcakes. You have been busy "Baking".
- Sun Jun 06, 08:48:00 PM 2010
- Kathy ~~~ said...
love 'em, love 'em, love 'em!!!! You are just too creative! Now where do I get the cherries to put on the top?
- Wed Jun 09, 07:35:00 AM 2010
- gerdushi said...
amazing! i really love them. :)
- Wed Jun 09, 12:50:00 PM 2010
- Ashley @ Joyful Creations said...
Oh my, while reading your blog post I thought that I had suddenly arrived in heaven. I love love love cupcakes and these are LOVELY!
- Wed Jun 09, 07:42:00 PM 2010
- Carol said...
I love visiting your blog. You are so talented and creative. I always wonder what I will find each time I visit. Beautiful work.
- Thu Jun 10, 10:03:00 PM 2010
- Susan @ Blackberry Creek said...
I just LOVE all the cupckaes!
- Sun Jun 13, 04:03:00 PM 2010


text:
Friday, July 23, 2010
The Tart Spangled Banner
This summer, my husband Andy had to travel to Geneva, Brussels, and London for work and invited me to tag along as all the kids were away. Who was I to say no as I imagined myself eating me way through each city. That turned out to be pretty close to the reality.
Within one hour of landing in Geneva, our friends and hosts, Scott and Clarisse, took us to the Divonne market just over the border in France, one of the few places to buy food on a Sunday. Remember blue laws? I went from stall to stall, tasting olives, seeing raspberries the size of walnuts, eggplants and tomatoes of every color, and witnessing the summer bounty of French farms.
The highlight was when the vendor of sun dried tomatoes, trying to get me to taste one, called out "mademoiselle". I love France.
I volunteered to bake dessert for our July 4th dinner, I was so excited to bake with the glorious fruit I found at the market. I decided on my summer fruit galette, an open-faced tart that is super easy. I chose white nectarines, the nuclear raspberries, peaches and fraise des bois. Fraise des bois are those wild strawberries they love in Europe. Although I think I see the same kind growing in the woods in Rock Creek Park near my house, they seemed safer to eat if some French guy was selling them.
As there was no need to make them dairy-free, I substituted lovely French butter for the dairy-free margarine I usually use. The dough was a little drier than with margarine, but still worked. I made the mistake of doubling the recipe in the food processor. This recipe ALWAYS comes out better if I make one batch at a time – it avoids overmixing.
Clarisse could not find her rolling pin. As I have done time and time again, a wine bottle is a GREAT substitute. I followed one my "Ten Commandments of Kosher Baking" and shaved off some baking time to prevent burning. I actually took off about ten minutes. European ovens are tiny – think four shoeboxes – and I even had to lower the temperature towards the end because the heat in that small oven was very concentrated. As always, you have to keep an eye on your baked goods as they bake!
We sat down on the terrace to eat with a view of the alps, with a group of Americans and one Australian and discussed the translations of national anthems around the world. Some are pretty violent actually. We ate a delicious dinner of cod gremolata which I invented on the spot using lemon zest, garlic, and huge Italian parsley leaves, rubbed on the fish and then grilled on foil on the grill, pan sautéed potatoes, grilled vegetables and of course, coleslaw.
The highlight was the tarts, which were served with vanilla ice cream – a real treat for a kosher girl. As we fell asleep that night, happy, full and listening to the frogs from the organic pool, I thought about my tarts and the joy of celebrating the 4th among friends outside the U.S.
We used to live in Geneva and it is always a little unsettling seeing a glimpse of the life that might have been. We are happy with our choice to live in the U.S. For one, you cannot beat the Jewish life in America. Though I always love the slowness of life in Europe, the emphasis on family and free time rather than work, I find I am naturally more comfortable around that American frontier mentality, the belief that you should always move forward, improve yourself, learn something new, and work towards a goal. Life seems to stand still in Geneva. I always have shpilkes (Yiddish for ants in the pants).
Summer Fruit Galette
serves 8
Store covered in plastic in the refrigerator for up to four days.
1¼ cups all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons butter or cold parve margarine, frozen for at least 30 minutes
and cut into 6 pieces
1 large egg, separated
3 tablespoons ice water, divided
3 cups fresh fruit: fraise des bois, berries, or nectarines, plums, peaches or apricots cut into ½-inch pieces
3 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon sugar, to sprinkle on top of galette
To make the dough: Place the flour, salt, and butter or margarine into the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Pulse 10 times or cut the butter or margarine into the flour and salt by hand using two knives or a pastry cutter. Add the egg yolk (reserve the white) and 1 tablespoon of the ice water. Pulse
5 times or mix gently by hand. Add another tablespoon of the ice water and pulse another 5 times or mix again. Add the last tablespoon of water, a little at a time, pulsing or lightly mixing the dough for 10 to 15 seconds until it looks like clumps of couscous; the dough does not have to come completely together. Gather the dough into a ball.
Take a large piece of plastic wrap and sprinkle some flour on top. Place the dough on the floured plastic, wrap the plastic around it, and then flatten. Place the dough in the freezer for 20 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 425ºF and place a rack on the lowest shelf of your oven.
Take a large piece of parchment and sprinkle it with some flour. Remove the dough from the plastic wrap and place it on top of the parchment. Sprinkle some flour on the dough and then place a second piece of parchment on top. Roll out the dough until it is about 12 to 13 inches wide, trying your best to keep the shape round. Peel back the top parchment and sprinkle some more flour once or twice while you are rolling.
To make the filling: Place the fruit in a medium bowl. In a separate bowl, mix together the sugar and cornstarch. Sprinkle on top of the fruit and mix gently.
Place the fruit in the center of the dough circle and spread it outward, leaving a 2 to 3-inch border on the outside. Take one small section of the dough border, about 2 inches, and fold it over the fruit, leaving the fruit-filled center open. Pick up another 2-inch section of the border and repeat, pressing one section into the next to seal it, so you end up with dough pleats.
Beat the reserved egg white and brush all over the dough. Sprinkle with the teaspoon of sugar. Bake for 30 minutes. Move the galette to a middle rack in the oven and bake another 10 minutes. Let cool for 20 minutes.
Posted by Paula Shoyer at 12:18 PM No comments:
Labels: fraise des bois, galette, tart
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)


text:
Larry King's departure from CNN doesn't bode well for Hollywood celebs who have always looked to him when trying to burnish their images in a non-threatening setting.
King has always been able to deliver the big guests at key times, but the big reason for that is that his interviews were like big wet kisses on a national stage. King made it very clear that he prepared very little for each program and the lack of preparation was obvious even with producers piping intelligence into his ears. One accidentally great interview was with Jerry Seinfeld when King asked whatever happened to "Seinfeld," wondering if it got canceled? Seinfeld rightfully gave him an on-air chewing out that showed teeth that were always missing from King's interviews.
If there was a fight to be had, King wouldn't take it. He rarely asked the tough questions or even the semi-hard questions. He didn't invent the softball question, but he certainly perfected it. The only tough questions came during the call-in segment of the show. King admitted it wasn't journalism. It was some sort of entertainment hybrid. And occasionally it was entertaining.
The baddest of the bad could appear on the show, and the worst they would get would be an accidental slap on the wrist from King. Chris Brown could be assured he would never take even a remote grilling when he needed to come clean about Rihanna. Papa Joe Jackson felt so comfortable on the show he memorably took a cell phone call on the air. Carrie Prejean might be the only celeb to ever find something remotely offensive in King's feeble probing. She inexplicably left the show on-air after a pretty basic question that a real interviewer would have used a a warm-up act.
U.S. & World
"Larry King Live" was safe harbor for everyone else. Whoever takes over his chair may not be such a pushover.


text:
Sweeney Todd has been very much on my mind lately. I recently saw a really excellent production of the Sondheim musical at Twickenham Theatre (ave atque vale). Then I heard that another production is to be staged at the venerable Harrington's pie shop in Tooting, which also sounds like it'll be worth seeing. And between these, I've been working on props and puppets for another Sondheim musical (come and see it, it'll be awesome).
So who was Sweeney Todd? The tale has various forms, but the basic essence is that Todd is a murderous barber in Fleet Street (No. 186 to be precise) who kills his customers by means of a special chair (pictured left) and his trusty razor. The bodies are disposed of by his partner in crime, Mrs Lovett, in the form of extremely tasty meat pies.
The story first appeared in an 1846 penny dreadful called The String of Pearls: A Romance ("romance" meant something different then). Its enduring popularity led to its being retold in various versions over the decades, most of which played with the details a little – maybe Mrs Lovett was actually his lover, for instance. Oddly, the detail that he sliced his victims with a razor while preparing to shave them, which you'd think would be a pretty good starting point for such a horror story, was added in later versions. Christopher Bond's 1970 play recast Todd as an anti-hero with a revenge motive, and this was carried over into Sondheim's 1979 musical and the Tim Burton film version thereof.
Some folklorists would have you believe that Todd was a real figure, and certainly he shares with Sherlock Holmes the honour of being a London character so vivid that he almost seems to transcend fiction. But one thing we can be almost certain of is that he was not real. There are no surviving contemporary accounts of such a man, and the concept of a barber who kills his victims with a descending chair like some perverted version of a Thunderbirds launch sequence prior to serving them in delicious pie form would definitely be the sort of thing that would make the papers.
Stories of cannibalism were nothing new even then, and even the gruesome detail of the unwitting cannibal declaring the meat delicious was pretty long in the tooth – Geoffrey of Monmouth wrote in Historia Regum Britanniae of a king marooned on an island whose servant was so loyal that he gave the king a slice of his own leg, which the king declared to be the most toothsome thing he'd ever eaten, and he had the good taste not to say, "I've heard of self service, but this is ridiculous!"
A popular suggestion is that the inspiration came from the legend of Sawney Bean, the 15th century patriarch of a family of cannibals who preyed on unwary travellers in Galloway. The fact that "Sweeney" sounds very much like an Anglicised version of "Sawney" leads me to think they're on to something here, although admittedly other than the cannibalism, the two stories have little in common.
However, I wonder if there might have been a source of inspiration closer to home. I've written before about the epidemic of food adulteration in the 18th and 19th centuries – suppose our unknown author took this to its logical conclusion? Looking for a name for the chap who'd do such a thing, he recalled an old Scottish tale. Perhaps he even adapted it from an already existing urban legend.
I'd love to explore this further, but my dinner's ready.