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Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Christmas 2014
Posted by Shirlee at 8:38 PM 27 comments
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Advent Calendar Blog Hop - Day 24
I was gifted by both Jo & Sharon with Day 24 of the Advent Calendar Blog Hop this year. Thank you both again sweet friends ... a gift I will always treasure : )
Jo has asked each of us participating in the Hop to share a bit of our Christmas stitching. The ornament I'm sharing below is not something I've stitched, but it is one of my very favorite ornaments which I received in an exchange with Lisa last year ... O Night Divine, a design by The Sampler Girl which appeared in the 2013 Just Cross Stitch Ornaments issue. Tonight is indeed a very special & holy night ... the night that Christians all over the world celebrate the birth of our dear Savior.
Posted by Shirlee at 7:13 AM 30 comments
Sunday, December 7, 2014
It's All About Jesus
The PewResearch Religion & Public Life Project published a report today that shows people who consider themselves to be Christians make up 78.4% of this country's population. More than 3/4 of the people in this country claim to be Christians!!! So why do we suddenly have "holiday trees" rather than Christmas trees? Why are people wishing each other a "Happy Holiday" rather than a Merry Christmas? Why are businesses no longer able to display nativity scenes? Why do schools now have "winter breaks" rather than Christmas breaks?
Last year parents of children attending the Ralph J. Osgood school on Long Island, New York, were outraged when at the school's Christmas concert, the children sang the beautiful carol Silent Night with ALL references to Christ's birth removed. I've been listening to the radio & have heard about this happening elsewhere. What is going on here?!?!? A nationwide radio station is broadcast here & they start playing Christmas music 24/7 right after Halloween. I kid you not. I listened to them off & on for a year or two after moving here. I knew something was missing, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. It dawned on me last year. No real Christmas music. No Silent Night, no Joy to the World, no Oh Come All Ye Faithful ... nothing like that. Nothing about the real meaning of Christmas.
The focus of Christmas for too many years has been gimmie-gimmie-gimmie. Christmas for many people is kicked off by standing in a mile-long line on Black Friday just so they can elbow, shove, & trample each other to get a flat screen TV for $200 ... for themselves! Christmas commercials encourage buying expensive gifts for friends & loved ones, or worse, gifting yourself! I saw a Christmas commercial a couple years ago with the catch phrase "Don't you deserve it?" Another commercial encouraged people to "Do something nice for yourself!" Sad. Oh so sad.
John & I watched a Christmas movie the other night called Guess Who's Coming to Christmas. The family of 4 ... father, mother, son, & daughter ... have the tradition of buying only one gift for the one person in the family whose name they draw out of a jar. There is a $10 spending limit on the gift. They have this tradition so they can focus on Jesus during the season, not on what they want or what they are going to get. I indicated to John that I thought this was a nice tradition. He thought so too.
Posted by Shirlee at 2:10 PM 15 comments
Saturday, December 6, 2014
I'm Here ... & a Note to Gisela
Posted by Shirlee at 10:03 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Christmas Cards - Anyone Want to Exchange with Me?
Posted by Shirlee at 9:00 PM 15 comments
Be Thankful
Posted by Shirlee at 2:23 PM 8 comments
Saturday, November 22, 2014
Final Eye Update
I apologize for not posting after my Wednesday followup with the eye doctor. I'm behind in responding to emails & blog comments & my exchange mailings are going to be a wee bit late, but I've been trying to not overdo things. I was actually given a good report. Even though I was still experiencing some soreness & blurry vision in the injured eye, the inflammation & scarring were totally healed! He said I would still experience a bit of soreness & blurriness for a few days, but he felt confident that all would be well. I was able to stop using all but the steroid drops, & those I could decrease from 4 times a day to 2 times a day. Tonight will be my final drop ... hooray! He also suggested I not do any more yard work ... lol! Don't know if I mentioned it but I injured this same eye in a mowing accident a couple years ago. I was riding the mower around a small tree ... wearing goggles, mind you! ... when a little branch hit me at just the right angle to push up underneath the goggles & scratch my cornea! This eye doctor has a warped sense of humor just like I do, so we get along really well. He had a good time teasing me & I laughed right along with him : )
Posted by Shirlee at 3:45 PM 19 comments
Monday, November 17, 2014
Joy Cometh in the Morning!!!!!
Posted by Shirlee at 7:51 AM 12 comments
Sunday, November 16, 2014
Simplicity During the Christmas Season
Posted by Shirlee at 9:38 AM 11 comments
Saturday, November 15, 2014
Eye Update - Improvement!
My visit with the eye doctor yesterday morning went quite well! He was happy to see that the irritation & inflammation was subsiding. I am to continue the dilation/antibacterial drops 4 times/day but now have the steroid drops to add to the regimen. I have another appointment to see him next Wednesday.
I had to continue to keep the eye closed yesterday, but today I am allowed to be a two-eyed person again : )
The eye is still rather painful, & my vision with it is not very good. I'm somewhat concerned about the vision. Hopefully that will return to normal in due time. If not, I may have to get a new glasses prescription.
Thank you all so much for your prayers! Please keep at 'em, if you don't mind : )
Posted by Shirlee at 7:34 AM 19 comments
Friday, November 14, 2014
Eye Update - Please Pray
My eye doctor appointment yesterday did not go well. He was dismayed to see that I had not improved as he expected. Inflammation developed inside the eyeball along with some sort of irritation (I forget the term he used) around the injured area that was spreading across my eye. He likened it to little hangnails which explained the reason I felt scratchiness & pain while wearing the patch. Also, my iris, or retina, was spasming. His words were "You are a mess."
In order to get the iris, or retina, to stop spasming, I had to have dilating drops placed in my eye. It took three sets of drops before the spasming subsided. He then gave me a prescription for dilating drops as well as antibacterial drops to place in my eye four times a day for 30 days. Because of the need for drops he could not patch the eye again, so I had ... & still have ... to purposely keep the injured eye closed. This takes some concentration, let me tell you : )
He told me that the antibacterial drops are not the strongest he could prescribe for me, but they are the next best thing. He said he did not want to prescribe the strongest drops right away because they would destroy the good as well as the bad bacteria in my eye. He is hoping to avoid having to prescribe those. He wants to see me again this morning, & if the eye hasn't improved to his liking, he will need to prescribe these stronger drops.
After things settle down a bit, I will then need to add steroid drops to the regimen.
Your prayers are deeply appreciated.
Posted by Shirlee at 7:27 AM 18 comments
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Posted by Shirlee at 10:09 AM 18 comments
Monday, November 10, 2014
Luke 11:28
The things I experienced during this 3-4 week time frame were, of course, nothing compared to the problems that others experience. Still, they were tiresome, bothersome, annoying, inconvenient, &/or painful. The painful situation was the most difficult for me. It involved another person. Not a friend, but someone others think of very highly. This person, a professing Christian, betrayed my trust. When I told this person how disappointed I was in what they had done, their reaction was far from Christlike. I was made to feel like the bad guy when I was the person who had been wronged!
I felt physically sick & very discouraged. I immersed myself in prayer & reading God's Word, & God answered me in my distress. Five times! The first word I received from Him was in a devotional reading one morning. The reading focused on Philippians 2:3 ...
Posted by Shirlee at 10:33 AM 11 comments
Friday, October 31, 2014
More Tea Stuff, a Grievous Error, & a Wonderful Surprise!!!
I am hanging my head in shame because when I did my tea post the other day, I totally forgot the two most famous tea drinkers of all!
Posted by Shirlee at 10:25 AM 13 comments
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
A Long Post About Tea
Posted by Shirlee at 10:49 AM 22 comments


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Introducing the Waterworks Musuem - Hereford
Established in 1974, the Museum recently celebrated its 40th anniversary as an independent working museum concerned primarily, but not exclusively, with the story of the supply of water for public consumption from earliest habitation to the close of the 20th century.
The Waterworks Museum – Hereford is a not for profit museum structured as a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity. It also has full accreditation status under the Arts Council England scheme which sets nationally agreed standards for museums in the UK.
Our Purpose
The Museum's goal is to be recognised as a specialist museum that brings industrial heritage to life, and a museum that is:
- a valued learning resource for schools, further and higher education and for lifelong learning;
- attractive and accessible (financially, physically and intellectually) to all groups in society; and
- a family friendly museum in every sense,
and to do this is a way that supports the local community and regional and local tourism priorities.
How We Are Funded
The Museum receives no public funding. Instead it operates with the support its benefactors and revenues from admission fees, grants, awards and membership subscriptions.
The Museum's Community of Volunteers
Many of the Museum's members are also Volunteers - active or retired engineers, scientists, technicians and others, who routinely convene at the Museum throughout the year. Some give their time to the restoration, installation and maintenance of the Museum's site, building and its collections. Others support administration and marketing activities, or in the provision of education, stewarding, catering and other valuable services needed to operate the Museum. The Museum's Trustees and Directors are volunteers.
On a typical Tuesday, there may be up to 30 Volunteers on the Museum site. This contribution meant that in 2015 the Museum was able to welcome over 5,400 visitors to Hereford.
Did You Know!
What visitors say
A great day overall; we intend to come again!
Fantastic hands-on experience for children. Mary was great!
Super afternoon; learnt lots; great hands-on fun. Thank you Mary!
Another fabulous day at the Museum!
My husband wanted to visit here and I was prepared for a boring visit but was pleasantly surprised.

subset: commoncrawl


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It does not get much easier!
I went home with my boyfriend for the fourth of July to visit his family. His parents have a fourth of July Party every year in which his mom serves up a feast and they end the night with a fireworks show. To do our part, my boyfriend and I made a Frozen Lemonade Pie which we saw on Down Home with the Neely's. We served the pie at the party and it was a big hit. Unfortunately I forgot to take pictures before serving the pie so the pictures do not do the pie justice. This is definitely going to be a go to summer dessert in out house.
Frozen Lemonade Pie
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup sugar
7 tablespoons butter, melted
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk, chilled
1 (12 ounce) container whipped topping, thawed
1 (6 fluid ounce) can frozen lemonade concentrate, keep frozen
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
In medium bowl, combine cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup of sugar, and the melted butter. Press firmly on bottom and up sides of pie plate. Bake for 7 minutes and let cool completely.
In a medium bowl, add chilled sweetened condensed milk and whipped topping and fold gently. Add frozen lemonade and continue to gently fold. Do not let the mixture become soupy. Pour mixture into the pie crust and freeze overnight. Garnish with lemon peel.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Frozen Lemonade Pie
It does not get much easier!


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We look past the headlines to provide investors perspective on the coronavirus' impact on economies and asset classes.
Our Capital Market Line signals a clear preference for assets whose cash flows can run this long race. Discover what this means for our five-year, forward-looking view of risk and returns.
What it means for US Syndicated Loans and CLOs
An award-winning, bespoke study into China's icebergs – uncovering trends and drivers burgeoning under the surface – and why having onshore expertise is critical.
PineBridge Investments is a private, global asset manager focused on active, high-conviction investing. We draw on the collective power of our experts in each discipline, market, and region of the world through an open culture of collaboration designed to identify the best ideas. Our mission is to exceed clients' expectations on every level, every day. As of 31 December 2019, the firm managed US$101.3 billion across global asset classes for sophisticated investors around the world.
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As of 22 July 2019


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Everyone has heard about Tempur-Pedic mattresses. The famous Tempur-Pedic mattress is known for its design in the way that it curves and shapes around the sleeper's body. Tempurpedic Price Range in Germiston the brand carries different models and designs for different preferences. A lot of research has been put into these mattresses to ensure the quality and effectiveness of a great mattress. Because of the advanced research and design of the mattress, Tempurpedic Beds Near Me the pricing on them can be much higher than most people expect to pay for a mattress. The key to being able to afford a Tempur-Pedic mattress is to look for a Tempur-Pedic mattress sale.
Sales allow consumers to purchase these mattresses for lower than retail prices. This also makes it so people that wouldn't otherwise be able to afford it can afford a mattress that is comfortable and state of the art. The first step I would take in looking for a Tempur-Pedic mattress sale is by collecting store ads as they come in the mail. Furniture and mattress stores often mail out flyers and catalogues of their store items and display current or upcoming sales. These catalogues can prepare you to know about the sale and to also price shop based on the different store ads you receive.
Beds, Beds And Beds! The Many Choices We Have
The first step in finding the most comfortable price for you for your mattress is by visiting a store and ensuring this is the mattress for you. You should also see which of the types of Tempur-Pedic mattresses you prefer, as well if you are interested in any of the extras they offer. Once you have decided to purchase this mattress, you should be prepared to wait for the best sale to come around. Do you research online, Tempurpedic Mattress Queen Price and then purchase the newspapers with the stores ads in them. Do some comparisons and when the best deal comes around – be sure to jump on it.
Tempurpedic Price Range in Germiston ?
As we love to have a comfortable place to sleep so do the animals. So there are various types of beds for the pets to give them a comfortable sleep. Most of us have the dog as a pet. For the pets we specially have these beds designed for their fullest comfort. This type of beds mainly includes the outdoors beds, luxury beds, and puppy beds. For the various types of dogs there are various types of beds like the large dog beds and the small dog beds. Whereas when we look out for a bed for a cat then there are various types of beds depending upon the breed and the size of the cat. Comfort and luxury: The beds not only provide comfort but also look great due to the material used. Some of the pet beds are made up of the micro velvet nylon. The specialty of this is that it is washable. Due to the flexibility of the pet bed it can be used in traveling. The other advantages of these beds are that the machine can wash it and the covers are also removable and replaceable. Pet beds are available in various colors. Material used for the pet beds: The material used is not just for comfort but for style also. There are various types and sizes of these pet beds. Some of the pet beds are rectangular in shape. The material used for the pet bed is polyfiber, which is washable and removable. There are various sizes of the beds right from small to extra large. Some pet beds are round in shape for the protection of the animal. These beds are used specially when the animal is small in size or by age. The thick inner cushion provides with the fullest comfort to the animal. Other varieties of pet beds: The other varieties of pet beds mainly include the ones with the shape of a doughnut while others are reversible. The reversible beds have an advantage that both sides can use them. The inner cushion is removable and it can be washed easily. Some of these pet beds have an additional advantage of a crate pad. Bed for cats: The beds for cats are mainly required so that they are shielded from the winter and protected from the floor, which is cold. Most of the cat beds are made specially considering the window or the porch. To make the cats more comfortable the beds have a system of heating. This controls the temperature of the bed and the cats are protected from cold. Other advantages of the Pet beds: The pet beds give the animals their own space and the house has a more organized look. These beds can be bought online also. ZZZZZZ
How to Find the Best Tempur-Pedic Mattress Sale
A fair bit of bed info with the help of the internet can be acquired in the United States, Australia and a mass of continents, home furnishing directories should generally give any consumer the details of globally based bed websites so buying beds from your national vicinity is swifter and much more convenient than it was before. Most online interior design research can uncover a vast number of products, lots of bed sites will often have a whole heap of merchandise, this could often be truly overpowering, heavy duty bed frames, canopy bamboo bed frames, there are so many items to choose from nowadays, it may then be difficult to decide the best item to buy. The area of beds can often be pretty confusing but the primary concern is to try to stick with the item you initially meant to purchase, you should not set out hunting for water bed liners but end up buying bunk bed ladders, this is easily done if you get sidetracked. You will find home furnishing listings are a particularly useful source of guidance concerning various items such as king size platform beds and full loft beds, these sort of sites can be found throughout the internet. For a bed product such as a wrought iron sleigh bed the right place to check is a decent home furnishing portal, you might easily obtain a whole heap of items including wholesale water bed sheets on these websites, even such things as futon bed frames and king air beds may just be included. It has to be said bedding is a subject that spans a vast assortment of diverse bed products including heavy duty bed frames and adjustable electric beds , say that you wanted expert assistance on any area of beds, lets suppose a product like metal frame bunk beds, this may possibly be sourced via bed expert. If you are obtaining something like a king iron bed it does not always mean purchasing from a bed or home furnishing targeted site, lets imagine you are living in Guam for instance, a bed directory should be able to give you relevant contact details of closely situated bed supplier who should hopefully be able to help you to find the bed you need. The easiest way to tell if a bed website might be able to assist you with your specific bed search, lets say that a wood wrought iron bed is your particular item, is to learn if the site contains a targeted bed directory and a fair number of bed articles, provided it does supply these types of things then you are clearly in with a chance, if however the site is targeted at a general home furnishing subject you are perhaps less likely to get your required bed related guidance.


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"Don't deny me:" Video touts Obamacare
A video released today touts "Obamacare" and what it has done for Americans since Congress passed it two years ago.
A variety of people hold signs saying "Don't deny me," as the song "Can't Go Back Now" plays in the background.
The U.S. Supreme Court in March heard a case to overturn The Affordable Care Act 2010.
"That would deny millions of our families, friends and neighbors coverage to the health care they need," the video says.
The video is the work of Thanks Obamacare, a joint project of the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative and ProgressNow Colorado Education.


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The TS-2 Master Try Square is one of two tools that started Bridge City Tools (the other was the SA-2 Scratch Awl), and for our next issue, John Economaki is writing a bit about his own history, the history of his company, and about how to make the TS-2 (which is no longer in production at BTC – why? Well, John likes to move on to new things).
This week, John was at the Marc Adams School of Woodworking to teach a class in toolmaking, and we caught up with him there yesterday to shoot some pictures and video. So here's a snippet of what we saw (for the full story, you'll have to wait for the October issue).
– Megan Fitzpatrick
If you're interested in learning more about working with metal, check out "Metalwork for Craftsmen," by Emil F. Kronquist.
If you want to hear more from John, watch this "5 questions" interview we recorded a few years ago.


text: Spider Solitaire Challenge yourself with Spider Solitaire. You must be a master of manipulation to take this game on! Play now » Eggz Launch colorful game pieces in this fun matching game. Hurry, because the more you excel the faster the game gets! Play now » Mahjongg Toy Chest Race against the clock and try to match as many tile pieces as possible. Play now » Pyramid Solitaire Combine two cards to make a match with only the cards in front of you. Play now »


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Competition information and discussion can be found here. Only make sign-up posts in here to keep it clean and easy for me, please.
Registration form
Batting Points:
Bowling Points:
Total points must equal 100; they will be adjusted mathmatically depending on your activity and role.
Batting Handedness/Position:
Bowling Handedness/Style:
Batting Aggression:
Bowling Aggression:
Is Wicket Keeper? (Y/N):
Top order, middle order and lower order are the batting options.
Fast, fast-medium, medium-fast, medium, finger spin and wrist spin are the bowling options.
Aggression options are very aggressive, aggressive, moderate, defensive and very defensive.
Bowling Movement:
Prefers Facing (in-movement or out-movement, as a batsman):
In-movement or out-movement are the options for both of these. Assume the opponent is of the same handedness as you.
Preferred Nation:
Others willing to play for:
Select one preferred nation. Select any number of others in order of preference


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Providence St. Vincent Medical Center in Portland, Oregon sure knows how to get down and dance! They are the makers of this very popular YouTube video – Pink Gloves Dance.
It all started with a glove manufacturer, Medline Industries, which decided to make pink hospital gloves instead of green. For each case sold in the month of October, Medline donated $1 to breast cancer research.
St. Vincent decided that the more health care workers wear pink gloves, the more people would talk about breast cancer. More than 200 hospital staff volunteered to wear the pink gloves in a video. There are lab technicians, janitorial staff, kitchen staff, nurses and doctors all showing their moves dancing in the hospital.
There are lots of different promotional products available to help support various causes, and a few ideas are featured on the Pinnacle Promotions Promotional Marketing Calendar.
We even have a specific page dedicated to Breast Cancer Awareness Month which provides several product ideas and marketing recommendations.
Can you spot the following promotional products in the video?
1) Flag
2) Scrubs
3) Lanyard
4) Doctor Jacket
5) Hawaiian Lei
6) Pink Umbrella
One of my favorite and most effective promotional products is the pink umbrella. While it's raining as you walk through the town, your awareness message can be seen from so many people. I encouraged the use of a fold up umbrella to one of my non-profits last year for their campaign. They received such positive feedback that they decided to use umbrellas again this year!!


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Rome the Eternal City: Rome the Capital of the Empire, the Capital of the Popes, the Capital of Italy. One City so many facets.
Reckoning with Rome's history means to start our journey more than 27 centuries ago when Romulus and his companions decided to found a new City on Palatine Hill on April 21st 753 b.C., according to our legend. Touring the site and descending to the Roman Forum with your personal Licensed Local Guide you'll learn that archeological evidence proves that a Latin group settled on the left bank of the River Tiber even earlier than that, at the end of the Iron Age. And what led a Latin village to become the Capital of the Roman Empire, leaving us such astonishing monuments as the Colosseum and the Pantheon? Your Guide will know the answer and take you back to the glorious days of the Emperors and the Gladiators, the Maximos of 2000 year ago.
After the fall of the Western Empire and the somewhat neglected but extremely interesting Medieval centuries we find the Popes established as rulers of Rome. How did they get to the power? Your private Guide will tell you and tour with you such jewels as theSistine Chapel and the Vatican, St.Angel's Castle and Navona Square sharing with you the Popes' secrets – even beyond the fictional revival brought about by Angels and Demons. Memories of Papal Rome also include the late Baroque masterpieces of the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps, neighbouring the district of Via Veneto, for the nostalgic of the Dolce Vita and the glittering association of Hollywood stars and Roman paparazzis so well evoked by Fellini's movie. With the glamour of the 1960s we have jumped into modern Rome, a chaotic and traffic-afflicted city of about 4 million inhabitants which nevertheless casts a magic spell on its visitors.
What can we compare Rome to? A time machine for sure: we modern Romans are the privileged and proud inheritors of landmarks taking us back and forth the centuries. We can "touch" history here in Rome and would like to share the same dizzing experience with you. Another fitting and more "appetizing" comparison for Rome is a lasagna: yes! Each age left a "layer" and what makes Rome so special is that you can cut through it anywhere as you tour the City. Rome is much more complex and richer than it shows looking at the picture of its world famous monuments. – By the way, shall we mention that the whole city centre of Rome is listed among UNESCO's Heritage of Humanity sites?
In order to enjoy to the best and the full your stay in Rome – be it one day or one week – you'll need a reliable knowledgeable Licensed Local Guide. This is what we are here for: we offer you customized private tours, tailored on your needs and interests. Inspired by our love of Rome and the desire to share it with you, we teamed up in order to provide quality and yet entertaining tours. Our plus? We are native Romans, we were born in Rome and grew up in the City and "with" the City: we know about Rome's history and monuments, but we also know how to order the perfect cappuccino, or to find peaceful spots by the hectic and crowded tourists attractions, or to deal with taxi drivers… When in Rome do as the Romans do – we'll show you how to do it!
Licensed Local Guides
To become a Tourist Guide in Rome you have to pass a written test and an oral exam on archeology, art history, geography and tourism laws. The exams are organized by the Provincia di Roma – the County of Rome. If you pass the test you are listed in the roll of the Licensed Local Guides of Rome and its Province and you receive a License allowing you to guide tours in Rome and its neighbourhood. Here on the right hand side you find the picture of our badge: the badge of all Licensed Tourist Guides of Rome. Please ask for it when you book a guided tour.
The License is your guarantee of the Guide's professional qualification and also of his/her accountability: we have a first name and a last name, we are aknowledged by the local authorities of Rome and by the Vatican.
It would be unwise of you – as well as illegal – to hire the services of people who don't have a professional license, i.e. who are not aknowledged by the local authorities. For the safety and security of yourself and your family make sure that you ask for the services of a Licensed Local Guide: you're on holiday and you deserve high quality tours to be enjoyed in total relax.


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Why Khan and Mayweather needs to happen
Many in the boxing world felt slightly cheated when Floyd Mayweather announced that he would face Argentinian Marcos Maidana on May 3rd, rather than Amir Khan. The undisputed pound-for-pound king had stated that he would let the fans decide whom he would fight, but despite Khan coming out in the poll, "Money" opted to face Maidana.
You can follow us on Twitter and Facebook for content updates. Also, sign up for our email list for weekly updates and check us out on Google+ as well.
Posted in: Sports
Tags: Amir Khan, Floyd Mayweather, Marcos Maidana, odds


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Read latest COVID-19 advice for parents and childcarers here
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Absolutely brilliant! She was kind, helpful, so mothering to the boys and I trusted her 100%. If only she lived down London. Would definately use her again, very very impressed.
This was the first time I'd ever had a sitter but instantly on meeting Hannah all my worries were unnecessary. Within minutes Hannah had my little girl smiling, laughing and it was clear to see Hannah's love for children. My little girl had a great time and from the minute Hannah left all she wanted to know was when she was coming back! It's huge credit to Sitters and Hannah that as a first time mum they provide such professional service with warmth and care. Thank you all so much, definitely be booking again soon.
She arrived on time after calling me during the day. Was brilliant with my eldest son (aged 7) and checked in on my youngest (5) who was already in bed asleep. We had just brought home a puppy a few days earlier and still wasnt on our profile as we had made the booking several weeks before. She was brilliant even though it wasnt in her remit. I would certainly request to have her again - thank you.


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Shopify Plus ecommerce migration
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Switching to Shopify Plus has been remarkable. We're doing record sales with so much more time and resources available to focus on growing our business. This was unthinkable when we were on Magento.Adriano SalemmeMarketing Chief, Beard & Blade


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Photographer's Note
Good Morning Everyone,
If you want to make your town or city look attractive, then you don't need to go much further than emulate the efforts made by Pontivy in Brittany.
Please click on Floral Delights to see the photograph much bigger and much clearer.
This is the riverside and I have to say everywhere had the same sort of attention.
I will add a w/s showing the bridge across the river. Bridges always get floral attention but I have rarely seen such wonderful, floral decorations throughout.
It's a tribute to the town on how they manage to fund and sustain such efforts. I am involved with floral decorations in my village and I assure you, it is not easy to get regular funding and the manpower to do the work.
I hope you enjoy the scene too and that it reveals some of the beauty, Bev :-)
Critiques | Translate
Silvio1953 (195547) 2018-01-12 1:35
Ciao cara Bev, great perspective on beautiful place, lovely composition with flowers in FG, splendid light, excellent clarity and wonderful colors, very well done, my friend, have a good weekend ciao Silvio
Nicou (192348) 2018-01-12 1:56
quelle vue et ocmpo quelle barrière et image avec ces belles fleurs sueprbe captage eet image et ce plan d'eau en fond grandiose captage ce pont aussi avec des belles fleurs ces reflet sur plan deau et les édifices grandiose vue.
Bravo et amitié
ikeharel (100841) 2018-01-12 2:10
Excellent choice of perspective, with the flowers added much charm to the already beautiful river-bank promenade, Beverley.
Picture was superbly allocated, from one side to the other bank, well lit and good DOF.
My cong.s for such a beauty.
Fis2 (146616) 2018-01-12 2:29
Witaj Bev!
Wonderful view, river and bridge make impression.
Excellent frame, colors and perspective.
Beautiful flowers.
I love it.
Nice day.
Hello dear riend and have a nice time
and a happy new day and weekend
we are into the heart of the winter
and this pretty photo changed my
mood today excellent chosen point of
view showing the great beauty of the
jhm (194879) 2018-01-12 3:39
Hello Bev,
A nice summery picture with lovely group flowers in foreground.
You chose a wonderful angle with bridge and the nice old building.
Also the light cloudy sky is a nice addition.
Very well done, TFS.
Kindest regards,
jimmj63 (0) 2018-01-12 4:55
ciao Beverly,
I like this picture whit the cold light of the north Europe, very good the composition whit flowers, it's an amazing place.
ciao, Giacomo
holmertz (85991) 2018-01-12 6:26
Hello Bev,
This is an exemplary composition with a strong diagonal accent. The red and white flowers, the river and the large building are all very nicely lined up, even the clouds fit the diagonal pattern well. Furthermore it's a very well exposed photo with nice colours, and I get a feeling you were careful to stand in a place where the "floral delight" would not obscure the view of the bridge too much.
Kind regards,
Tue (74884) 2018-01-12 7:29
Hello Beverley,
What a lovely place. I really like the view across the river and the many flowers are a truly great addition to the foreground. Along with the gentle sunlight they add a very pleasant and peaceful mood.
Sergiom (117241) 2018-01-12 7:34
Bonjour Bev,
Comme je le disais à ton voisin immédiat dans la galerie, les fleurs ne gâchent jamais un beau paysage et il faut bien l'avouer, les français en sont les spécialistes.Très belles lignes de fuite double.
sacimar (37215) 2018-01-12 7:57
Hello Bev,
good title to describe your photo, the variety of flowers we can see here is interesting, you chose a fine angle to show them also, well done,
Have a good weekend,
jean113 (17349) 2018-01-12 8:26
Hello Beverley, a good point of view, where the flower topped fence and the bridge make a triangle of interest, before we look at the river and the distant buildings.
There is a noticeable pride in the towns and villages which is commendable.
Good sharp quality throughout.
Regards Jean.
rychem (69779) 2018-01-12 8:43
Beautiful photo with perfect composition, great postcard with beautiful flowers in the FG, excellent depth
regards Ryszard
cornejo (61504) 2018-01-12 10:16
Hello Bev, very good photograph of this beautiful and interesting composition, very well captured in this beautiful image, with good sharpness, depth, light, color and quality. Very good and interesting work perfectly done, my congratulations my friend. Thanks for sharing this beautiful work.
Good night and happy weekend.
Best wishes from the south of Spain.
mesutilgim (117680) 2018-01-12 12:14
Hello Beverley,
Another topclass capture in your gallery taken with perfect pov. Very nice the colorfull flowers in the foreground.
Nice framed.
TFS and have a nice weekend
lousat (123763) 2018-01-12 12:32
HI Bev,there is a river in my village like that,and with a bridge like that,and without fantastic flowers like these..ehehhe...magnificent capture,i like the long perspective on the flowers with the bridge in background,great memory of your trip of the last summer well done as usual. Have a nice weekend and thanks,Luciano
dta (96330) 2018-01-12 13:10
hello Bev ,
Pontivy is a charming breton little town . And your composition ^perfect in many aspects shows it us at its best .
alvaraalto (39444) 2018-01-12 13:23
Hello Bev
Two lovely sunny summer scenes full of colourful flowers, just the right picture to banish the cold and grey weather outside for a moment.
You used the excellent conditions for this picture very well.
Have a good weekend. Groet Rob
carlo62 (81157) 2018-01-12 15:54
Ciao Bev
molto bello e caratteristico il paesaggio bretone, le città sono sempre arricchite con fiori.
Simpatica casualità, le nuvole sembrano seguire la prospettiva delle rive del canale.
Buon we
emka (143194) 2018-01-12 20:51
hello Bev, I always say that the most beautiful flower decorations are in the villages of france. And here is the proof. marvelous flower bed just along the river. who cares for it? Who waters? it is for me always a mystery. Charming composition.
Kind regrad s MAlgo
danos (110395) 2018-01-13 1:17
Hello Bev,
what a beautiful and colourful floral delights decorate the riverside as the bridge on middle of the scene! I like the excellent presentation with the maintenance of the flowers to be in the higher gradation ever seen for a town.
Have a good WE,Danos
Lidka (527) 2018-01-13 1:33
Dear Beverley!
Nice flowers.
Fine architecture in the background.
Good perspective.
Good exposure and capture.
Fine quality.
Original take.
Nice effect.
Well done!
ChrisJ (155529) 2018-01-13 2:12
Hello Bev,
The bright, colorful and cheerful fg on this side of the river contrasts well with the rather austere and drab architecture of the bg buildings across bridge, in the bg at right. Tfs!
pajaran (95197) 2018-01-13 2:37
Dobar dan.
Interesantan i lep pogled, lep trenutak, dobar tekst ...
Lepo pokazano mesto i trenutak, dobra perspektiva i kontrast, lepe boje, lepo uhvacen trenutak sa oblacima. Lepo cvece na obali reke i drvece, lepa arhitektura i most u pozadini.
Zelim vam lep dan, sve najbolje za vikend, srecno.
Good day.
Interesting and beautiful look, nice moment, good text ...
Beautifully displayed place and moment, good perspective and contrast, beautiful colors, beautifully captured moment with clouds. Nice flowers on the banks of the river and the trees, beautiful architecture and the bridge in the background.
I wish you a nice day, all the best for a weekend, happy.
adramad (63332) 2018-01-13 7:35
Hello, Bev.
The flowers can change everything, that line of houses next to the river, they do not have anything special, modern and with a touch of the environment of the area, but the beauty of these flowers, together with the bridge and the trees that we see in the background, They turn this beautiful composition into a winning image.
Good perspective of the image, very pleasing to the eye.
Colorful, sharpness and brightness are captured excellently.
Very good composition, magnificent presentation.
Have a good weekend.
Warm greetings.
worldcitizen (13226) 2018-01-13 15:44
Hello Bev,
This is a beautiful pair of photos, and I especially like the main one. The plants are so lush and colorful, and I like diagonal line across the bottom of the frame. The architecture is also very nice, and it looks like a scenic and relaxing place to take a stroll.
PaulVDV (49106) 2018-01-20 10:35
Hello Beverley,
A splendid summer picture whereby the many flowers brighten up more than only the foreground.
The long diagonal line in so many different colours provides a very charming scene. Also on the bridge and near the houses on the other side of the river we see many flowers. People in this town surely like to make the place where they live as attractive as possible.
Best regards, Paul
Photo Information
- Copyright: Beverley Robinson (Royaldevon) (66913)
- Genre: Lieux
- Medium: Couleur
- Date Taken: 2016-08-29
- Categories: Nature, Architecture
- Camera: Nikon D-300, NIKKOR AF-S 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G ED DX, 62 mm HOYA Circular Polarize
- Exposition: f/0.8, 30 secondes
- Versions: version originale, Workshop
- Date Submitted: 2018-01-12 1:33


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You can order any Russian standard and technical regulation in our store. Please use the document search field in the left upper corner of the page.


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Review: Universal Audio UAD-Xpander (Mac/Win)
FIG. 1: The UAD-Xpander delivers Universal Audio''s Powered Plug-ins to laptop users. The UA logo glows a brilliant blue when the Xpander establishes communication with the computer.
For eight years, Universal Audio (UA) has offered exquisite digital reproductions of classic analog processors to desktop computer users. With the UAD-Xpander expansion system, UAD Powered Plug-ins are now available for laptops and notebooks outfitted with an ExpressCard/34 or /54 slot — most new Windows machines as well as Apple MacBook Pros.
The Xpander's brain is a bare-bones box (see Fig. 1). It's about the size of a small paperback, with only the UA logo, a power switch, a jack for the included AC power supply, and a port for the yard-long cable to connect to the system's ExpressCard. You insert the card into your computer's slot (it is a nonlatching interface, so be careful not to tug it out during a session). The benefit of using the Xpander's interface is its lightning-fast 2.5 Gbps bandwidth, which smokes FireWire and USB 2.0. The drawback is that you can use only one Xpander, whereas PCI- and PCIe-based UA systems support as many as four DSP cards.
Up and at 'em
The ExpressCard is not hot-pluggable; you must power down both the computer and the Xpander every time they are connected or disconnected. Installing the Powered Plug-ins software (currently version 4.9.0) was very easy on my 2.2 GHz Apple MacBook Pro. The included disc contains installers for Mac OS X and Windows (on a Windows laptop, the Xpander works only with Vista), as well as AU and VST versions of the plug-ins. For use with Digidesign Pro Tools, it also supplies a UAD-only version of FXpansion's VST to RTAS Adapter.
The software contains authorized versions of the 14 base-set plug-ins, as well as fully functional 14-day demos of all of UA's plug-ins. You will need an Internet connection to register with uaudio.com to get authorizations for the remaining plug-ins in your bundle or any additional plug-ins you want to purchase.
Three bundles are available for the Xpander. UAD-Xpander Xpress comes with a $500 voucher toward your choice of plug-ins at UA's online store, and UAD-Xpander Xpert includes a $1,000 voucher. In addition to the 14 base-set plug-ins, UAD-Xpander Xtreme contains 16 Powered Plug-ins. The Xtreme package is clearly the best value, because the additional plug-ins are worth more than $2,800 if bought one at a time (and in my experience, you're going to want most, if not all, of them).
For users of multiple computers, an adapter card (the $99 Xtenda) is available for connecting the Xpander to a desktop computer outfitted with PCIe slots. Because the Xpander's hardware contains the authorizations, the transition between stations is very easy.
FIG. 2: UAD Meter shows how much of the Xpander''s processing power and RAM is being used.
Hardware Gone Soft
Because you can read EM's past reviews of UAD plug-ins (most recently in the June and December 2007 issues, available online at emusician.com), aside from the four newest processors, I won't go into how each one sounds and works. Every plug-in takes a different amount of processing power, and you can always check in with the UAD Meter application to find out where you stand in terms of the Xpander's CPU usage (see Fig. 2). In the roster of existing plug-ins, my personal favorites are Plate 140, Fairchild 670, 1176LN, Neve 1081 and 33609, and Helios 69. Boss CE-1, Roland Dimension-D, and Roland RE-201 Space Echo are also fantastic effects that get loads of use in my everyday studio work.
What follows are very condensed descriptions of the four newest additions to the UAD pack. As of now, none of them are included in any of the card bundles, but UA often offers special deals, so keep your eyes open for those.
Part of the Precision Suite (UAD's Mastering Series), Precision Maximizer ($199) makes material sound louder and more tubelike with the turn of a few knobs. According to UA, it does that without affecting the material's dynamic range, and therefore without the fatiguing artifacts induced by loudness-achieving limiters. Two knobs control Shape (harmonic content contour) and Mix (for blending in some of the dry signal), and a switch lets you select either one or three Bands; the latter, in effect, allows the plug-in to function as three Maximizers working on different frequency ranges. In practice, Precision Maximizer added a lot to the mastering jobs I employed it on, handily adding bushels of shine and presence to otherwise dull tracks while also getting the volume as hot as necessary.
Precision De-Esser ($99) is truly one of the best-sounding, easiest-to-use de-essers I've ever gotten my mitts on. This is the de-esser I've been waiting for — it's more musical, less intrusive, and more effective at curing pesky sibilance than any hardware or software de-esser I've ever used. You get knobs for Threshold, Frequency (2 to 16 kHz), and Bandwidth (from narrow to full highpass), as well as buttons for Speed (Fast/Slow) and Split (which compresses only the detected frequencies and leaves the rest alone). Split mode takes a little more processing, but I thought it sounded significantly better in most cases. This plug-in was effective at taming shrill trumpet notes and unruly hi-hats as well.
FIG. 3: Precision Buss Compressor puts the finishing touches on a mix in a way that practically makes the music come alive.
Precision Buss Compressor ($199) borrows a lot from the revered SSL G-Series stereo compressor but adds a few modern touches (see Fig. 3). Enhancements include a Mix knob for quick and easy parallel-style compression and a highpass Filter knob for filtering low frequencies out of the detector path. The plug-in also offers a Fade knob, which allows you to fade out (or in) the signal flowing through the compressor at a rate of from 1 to 60 seconds. This plug-in sounds unbelievably good. When you find the sweet spot at which all the compression artifacts are minimized, it makes the mix pop out of the speakers and into the room. And if heavy compression artifacts are what you're after, they sound great through this plug-in, too. I also had good results using it as a stereo drum bus compressor.
SPL Transient Designer ($199), which is based on Sound Performance Laboratory's unique and powerful rackmount Transient Designer, controls the envelope characteristics of a signal in a near-magical way. Other than Output Gain, it has just two knobs, for Attack and Sustain (see Fig. 4). With those two knobs, you can transform the tightest little click of a close drum microphone into a roomy wallop, or a diffused kick drum with zero definition into a beater-heavy punch in the gut. When I did an A/B comparison of the plug-in with my hardware Transient Designer, I slightly preferred the way that the hardware unit delivered, but the software version was highly effective and completely unlike anything else in my software toolkit.
FIG. 4: One of the most outstanding audio tools available, SPL Transient Designer actually changes the envelope characteristics of the audio passing through it.
Xpand Your Horizons
If you buy UAD-Xpander Xtreme and add the remaining seven plug-ins piecemeal, a fully loaded Xpander does not come cheap. However, the system is comprehensive and extremely portable, and it frees your host resources by running on its own CPU. Like any DSP host, it does introduce a bit of latency (see the sidebar "Of Late"). Did I mention that the whole package comes in a compact, durable flight case? When you consider the overwhelmingly meticulous approach that Universal Audio has taken toward modeling the best audio processors ever made, the price for what you get is actually quite fair.
Eli Crews owns and operates New, Improved Recording (newimprovedrecording.com), a studio in Oakland, California. Special thanks to New, Improved's co-owner, John Finkbeiner, for his help with this review.
DSP plug-in host Xpress $999 Xpert $1,399 Xtreme $2,199
PROS: Amazing array of impeccable plug-ins. Informative video clips on the Web. Can be used in desktop PCIe slots with optional Xtenda card.
CONS: Limited to one Xpander per system. Latency induced by external DSP hosting.
Universal Audio
Of Late
The main drawback of using any external plug-in processor is the latency induced by the round-trip to and from the DSP hardware. If your DAW has automatic latency compensation, you don't need to worry about it, but Pro Tools LE and M-Powered (one of which will be your version of Pro Tools if you're working on a laptop) don't. The trick is to have the same amount of latency on every channel (down to the sample if you are processing multiple microphones on a single source) to avoid phase or timing problems.
Luckily, you can Option-Command-click (Mac) on the decibel value at the base of any fader to view the latency of all of your tracks at once. Then, using the UAD Delay Comp plug-in, you can add the specific amount of compensating delay to any tracks that don't have enough latency. This all may seem rather cumbersome, but it is the price of using UAD plug-ins in Pro Tools LE, and I have gotten quite used to it. It's a testament to how good the plug-ins sound that so many engineers I know are willing to jump through these manual delay-compensation hoops in order to use them.


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Cleveland Cavaliers superstar Shaquille O'Neal is expressing concern for Tiger Woods while criticizing rumors surrounding Woods' car accident last week.
"Tiger's my guy," O'Neal says. "I'm not going to be like everybody else and say off-the-wall comments. I just hope he's OK."
MORE ACCESS ON THESE TOPICS: Tiger Woods - Shaquille O'Neal - Athletes - TV One - Celebrity Scandals
Like Woods, O'Neal has a home in Isleworth, a gated community near Orlando, Fla.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Tuesday that Woods will get a careless driving citation for the one-car crash near his home, and that will close the investigation.
"The problem going on is when you have people disguising as media putting out reports, and then people believing what they read," O'Neal said Tuesday. "We don't know what's fact, we don't know what's true. We just hope he's OK."


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A post-traumatic headache is a common symptom following injury or trauma to the head and neck.
Post-traumatic headache occurs after a trauma to the head and neck. The headache may be caused by:
- Blood or fluid build up inside the skull
- Changes in the brain caused by the injury
- Neck and skull injuries that are still healing
- Tension and stress
There are different types of headaches. Common post-traumatic headache types include:
- Tension headaches due to muscle tension or spasms and stress
- Migraine headaches due to a sensitive area in the brain that triggers a pain signal
- Cervicogenic headaches due to injury to the muscles and soft tissues
- Rebound headaches from medications used to treat headaches
The headache may also include psychiatric, behavioral, or social factors.
Risk Factors
Your chances of a post-traumatic headache is increased if you have had a history of head injuries.
A post-traumatic headache may occur right after the injury or as the injury is healing. Symptoms may include:
- Head pain—symptoms depend on the cause of the headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Light and sound sensitivity
- Visual problems such as seeing spots or bright lights
- Pain that occurs at the end of the day
- Pain that starts in the neck, shoulders, and back of the head
- Pain with neck movement
- Lightheadedness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Problems concentrating which may include difficulty with multitasking or quickly feeling fatigue performing mental tasks
- Mood and personality changes
You will be asked about your symptoms, medical history, and any recent injuries. A physical exam will be done. The diagnosis is based on the exam and history. You may be referred to a doctor who specializes in the brain and nervous system if the headache persists, there are changes on the exam, or it is severe.
You will also be asked about the frequency and pattern of your headaches. To help provide answers, you may consider keeping a diary of:
- When your headaches start and end
- What you were doing at the time
- What you tried to relieve the pain
- Any other symptoms you had with your headache
Images may be taken of your brain, head, and neck to look for signs of injury. This can be done with:
Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Options include:
Your doctor may advise medications to help manage pain. Medication options may include:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen
- Over-the-counter medications for migraines
- Prescription pain medication—antidepressants or triptans
- Muscle relaxers
- Anti-anxiety medication—rarely
Head and neck injuries can take some time to heal. It is important to follow your doctor's advice and adjust activities as needed. Complete rest is rarely needed.
Other home care steps may include ice and massage.
Stress-reduction techniques and stress-management techniques may also help decrease or manage pain.
To help reduce your chances of a head and neck injury:
- Wear a helmet during certain activities such as riding a bike or motorcycle, playing a contact sport, using skates, scooters, or skateboards, riding a horse, skiing or snowboarding.
- Reduce falling hazards at home.
- Always wear a seat belt in motor vehicles.
- Never drink and drive.
- Avoid using sedatives, especially when driving.
Revision Information
- Reviewer: EBSCO Medical Review Board Marcie L. Sidman, MD
- Review Date: 03/2018 -
- Update Date: 02/17/2014 -


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Police said the pair stuffed dozens of bras into bags about 4:30 p.m. May 27. The security video shows the suspects walking between tables of merchandise. The woman carried a large purse. The man had a large bag that appeared to get fuller as the minutes ticked by.
Police suspect the stolen merchandise will be sold on the Internet or the black market. Victoria's Secret's loss-prevention staff will monitor the Internet to see if the items are posted for sale.
Alarm.com Launches Industry-First Home Security Apps for iPhone and BlackBerry
In 2007, school district officials went before the aldermen's budget committee to request $554,00 for security upgrades. But the aldermen asked the school district to hire a consultant.
"That's what has happened and this is what they're coming back with,†Jim Mealey, the school district's chief operating officer, told members of the Board of Education on Tuesday night.
At the meeting, board members voted in favor of asking the Board of Aldermen to take the $2.21 million out of the city's school district capital reserve fund, which has about $7.3 million in it.
According to a memo from Smith, the district received 11 bids for the work, ranging in cost from $1.7 million to $2.9 million.
Smith wrote that Surveillance Systems was chosen because it was the lowest bidder to provide a Web-based system, which allows access to the system from remote sites, such as the police department.
As part of the merger, the dispatch operation will be located at a shared facility at Mount Holyoke. Otherwise, the officers currently stationed on each campus will stay in place, except in case of emergencies or special events. Officials said the response times for calls will not change.
Sweeten had a valid Pennsylvania driver's license with a photo that closely resembled her.
"It was a real driver's license, so it had all the security features that a real driver's license has," FBI Special Agent J.J. Klaver said.
The 38-year-old Bucks County woman "was using a driver's license of somebody who looked like her, and the ticket matched the name on the license," Klaver said.
"This country has decided that your driver's license is your primary form of ID," Klaver said. "Driver's license photos, to begin with, are not very good. Pull out your driver's license picture, and hold it up and look in the mirror. How much does it really look like you every day?"
TSA spokeswoman Ann Davis said, "Our officers are trained to make sure that passengers' travel documents and government-issued IDs are legitimate."
"They are looking for evidence of tampering" and "proper state markings on the ID. They do look at the photo," Davis said. "However, law enforcement tells us that the woman in question used the valid ID of a coworker with whom she shares a very strong resemblance."
"If the photo bears a strong resemblance to the passenger, and all other markings appear to be legitimate, then the ID would not raise any red flags," Davis said.
Sweeten paid cash at the US Airways ticket counter at the airport for two 4:15 p.m. tickets to Orlando.
Airlines track passengers who pay cash or buy one-way fares as part of market research, but such behavior is not considered suspicious or reported to security. "You are allowed to pay cash for an airline ticket," Klaver said.
"Whether she showed ID to buy an airline ticket, again, she had a driver's license that looked like her," Klaver said. "They don't ask for a second form of ID. We don't use biometrics - fingerprints, retinal scans. It would be prohibitively expensive. We use a driver's license."
"The woman took steps to get away. She was successful at it," Klaver said. "Does this show some systemic weakness in our security process? That's an opinion I'm not going to offer."
In a 2006 property rights case, she upheld a town's effort to take private property for redevelopment. But in 2002, she supported property rights in a case involving impounded cars.
¶And in a key property-rights case, Didden v. Village of Port Chester, Judge Sotomayor took part in a brief unsigned order from the Second Circuit in 2006. The order, which followed the Supreme Court's major property-taking decision in Kelo v. City of New London, supported a town's effort to seize property for the use of a developer. Richard A. Epstein, a conservative legal scholar at the University of Chicago, wrote in Forbes magazine that "American business should shudder in its boots if Judge Sotomayor takes this attitude to the Supreme Court.â€
IRVINE, Calif., May 28, 2009 – HID Global, the trusted worldwide leader in providing solutions for the delivery of secure identity, today announced that its iCLASS®secure contactless technology for physical and logical access control has been successfully combined with INSIDE Contactless' MicroPass®contactless payment platform featuring Visa®payWave capability to enable the industry's first converged card solution that incorporates identity and access control with payment. Recently debuted in a pilot for U.S. Bank, the converged solution enables U.S. Bank and Visa issuers worldwide to create new card programs using this converged solution, providing users with a single card that offers them the ability to gain access to secure buildings and facilities and make purchases. No longer are users required to carry multiple cards or tokens.
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If severe weather happens near you, we want to hear your story. Share your photos and videos with CNN iReport, but please be careful.
(CNN) -- Powerful storms and tornadoes barrelled through Mississippi, Alabama and moved into Georgia on Friday, toppling trees, snapping power lines and raising the storm's two-day death toll to 10.
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley declared a state of emergency Friday after reports of tornado touchdowns in at least six counties. He said that multiple injuries were reported in Sumter, Greene and Marengo counties and that one fatality was confirmed in Marengo County. Nine other deaths were previously reported in Oklahoma and Arkansas.
"This is a serious storm that has already caused significant damage across the South. I hope Alabamians take extreme caution while these storms move through," Bentley said in a statement.
Mississippi Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant and Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin similarly ordered states of emergency Friday for 14 Mississippi counties and 26 Oklahoma counties, respectively. Fallin is expected to tour the damaged area Saturday.
The National Weather Service reported a very large tornado on the ground in Washington County, in southern Alabama. It was located about nine miles east of Leakesville, Mississippi, and moving east at about 35 miles per hour Friday night.
The city of Clinton, Mississippi, suffered "extensive damage" when a tornado touched down, according to Mississippi's Emergency Management Agency.
The city's mayor said no one was injured in the storm, which tore the roof from a hotel and caused major damage to a bank and numerous homes. It narrowly missed an elementary school and a church daycare center packed with about 650 children between them, she added.
"We have a lot to be grateful for," Mayor Rosemary Aultman said. "It could have been a lot worse."
The storm also tossed cars on Interstate 20, Aultman said. The interstate remained closed Friday afternoon, according to the Emergency Management Agency.
The tornado in Clinton was one of several reported Friday in Mississippi and Alabama that cut a wide path of destruction.
CNN affiliate WAPT in Jackson, Mississippi, showed video of the destroyed home of a teacher at Hinds Community College.
Several of her students were at the house, helping to clean and salvage what they could from the wreckage.
"I've never seen anything like this," said one student. "My heart dropped because it hurt me to see my teacher's home like this. ... I know it's hurting her, but she's being strong about it."
Numerous power poles were snapped in Jackson along the storm's path, leaving more than 23,400 customers without power, utility company Entergy Mississippi said.
Choctaw County Sheriff Todd Kemp reported structural damage and trees down near the site of a tornado in State Line, Mississippi.
Elsewhere in Alabama, a tornado emergency was issued for the towns of Geiger, Panola, New West Green, and Pleasant Ridge, according to the National Weather Service. It said storm spotters were tracking a large and dangerous tornado that was a half mile wide and located about 23 miles northwest of Livingston Friday afternoon.
The weather service also said it had received a report of a tornado near Melvin, Alabama, that may have caused damage to the Hunt Oil Refinery there. A company spokeswoman said no damage had occurred there, however.
Tornadoes also were reported near Linden in Alabama and in or near the cities of Loper, Madden, Mount Sterling and Ludlow in Mississippi, according to the weather service.
It predicted a continued threat of thunderstorms and tornadoes in parts of the Southeast and Midwest through Saturday as the storms moved northeast.
Of immediate concern were the tens of thousands of fans gathered for a weekend of races at the Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama, which was under a tornado watch until 9 p.m.
Some 30,000 people were camped out, some in tents, on the infield of the speedway, said Steve Dover, spokesman for the Talladega County Emergency Management Agency. Thousands more were seated in the grandstands, he said.
Fans have been asked to secure anything that could become flying debris, make plans for evacuating in the event of bad weather and to monitor weather reports, Dover said. If the need arises, he added, authorities would open up traffic lanes leading into the track to speed evacuations, but he said there's little shelter at the track itself.
"There's no shelter big enough to put 100,000 people, of course," he said.
Cody Buchanan was one of the many fans determined to ride out the storm.
"If it gets bad, we'll just take everything down," he told CNN affiliate WBMA. "We're going to get inside the camper and hold on."
In Georgia, the National Weather Service issued a tornado watch for the western and northern parts of the state, predicting hail, dangerous lightning and possible wind gusts of up to 70 miles per hour. It issued a tornado warning Friday night for northern metro Atlanta, meaning that a tornado may already be on the ground or is expected to develop shortly.
The storms were the latest in a round of severe weather that has hit parts of the Midwest and South since Thursday, when nine people died in Arkansas and Oklahoma, according to state and local authorities.
The storm left a trail of downed trees and power lines, scattered cars and crushed homes as it moved east. It killed two people in the southeastern Oklahoma town of Tushka, where authorities say a tornado touched down Thursday night. It also left seven dead when trees fell on homes in five incidents in Arkansas, authorities said.
In the most recent discovery, rescue crews found a 34-year-old woman lying in bed with her 7-year-old child, whom she had apparently come to comfort during the overnight storm, said Little Rock Fire Department Capt. Randy Davenport.
The two were killed by a giant oak tree that fell on the home, Davenport said. An 18-month-old child in another bedroom survived.
Other victims were a 24-year-old man and an 18-month-old girl who died when a tree fell on their mobile home while they were sleeping in Garland County, Arkansas, the sheriff's office there said.
"It was terrifying, seeing that this could happen to anybody," Zach Kelly told CNN affiliate KTHV. "There are so many trees around this neighborhood and it was just a scary thought walking over here that this could happen to any family here, including mine."
In Bald Knob, Arkansas, a 6-year-old boy died when a tree fell on his house, KTHV reported. A man died in Scott, Arkansas, when a tree fell into his recreational vehicle, crushing him, according to police. The Arkansas Department of Emergency Management also reported a death from a falling tree in St. Francis County.
In Oklahoma, in addition to the two deaths, the storm caused 43 injuries and extensive property damage in Tushka, about 125 miles south of Tulsa. The state Department of Emergency Management said a "relatively large" tornado sliced through the area around Tushka, where more than 100 structures were destroyed, including the town's only school.
"There's a tremendous amount of property damage," said Capt. Jeff Sewell with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. "Cars have been blown together. A lot of electric wires are down all over the place. Several houses were totally destroyed."
Damage was also reported in the city of Hominy, in the Allen and Stonewall areas of Pontotoc County, and in the Madill area, the state Department of Emergency Management said.
South of Stonewall, a mobile home's roof was blown off and three other homes also lost their roofs, the department said. A tree fell on a car, and softball-sized hail was reported near Hickory.
CNN's Ed Payne contributed to this report.


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Voice Stress Analysis
Modern Technological Innovation or "The Emperor's New Clothes"?
In a story by Hans Christian Andersen, an emperor is told by two tailors that they can make him a set of remarkable new clothes that will be invisible to anyone who is either incompetent or stupid. When the emperor goes to see his new clothes, he sees nothing at all, for the tailors are swindlers; there aren't any clothes. Afraid of being judged incompetent or stupid, he pretends to be delighted with the new clothes and "wears" them in a grand parade through the town. Everyone else also pretends to see them, until a child yells out, "He hasn't got any clothes on!"
Voice Stress Analysis: Introduction and History
The Computerized Voice Stress Analyzer
Okay, but Does the CVSA Work?
Litigation on the Horizon?
(August 25, 1998, correspondence from David Hughes.)
In Conclusion
Knowing whether a client is truthful or not permits many decisions to be made regarding an appropriate course of action prior to any formal proceeding. To this end it is not uncommon for many practitioners to subject clients to some form of credibility test, to assess their veracity. Law enforcement too has long used such tests to ferret out the truthful, eliminating them from suspicion and at the same time identifying and targeting those who are deceptive. Additionally, many businesses and law enforcement agencies have increasingly relied upon these tests to screen potential candidates for behaviors or characteristics that would be incompatible with their roles as defined by that organization. For years, the polygraph was the primary instrument used for this purpose. However, in the last two to three decades, a new technology has appeared, with its proponents espousing claims of increased accuracy and simplicity compared with older polygraph technology. This innovative technology is Voice Stress Analysis (VSA).
In the late 1960s, the United States Army conducted extensive research to explore the feasibility of detecting deception by measuring the amount of stress present in a person's voice. Although no documentation detailing that research was found within the literature, it is known that the military did not adopt the VSA technology for credibility assessment purposes. Nevertheless, in 1970, two Army officers associated with the VSA research, Charles McQuiston and Allen Bell, retired from the military and established the Dektor Counterintelligence and Security Company, Inc., in Virginia. Dektor's primary product was a device called the Psychological Stress Evaluator (PSE), the first commercially available voice stress analyzer. For those who purchased the PSE, Dektor offered a five-day training that, upon completion, certified them as voice stress analysts.
The premise on which voice stress analysis is based is that all speech is comprised of two components. The first are fundamental frequencies determined mainly by laryngeal structures. The second are formant frequencies that are produced by occur when air is passed through the vocal tract. Voice stress analysts believe speech also produces an inaudible FM signal, or micro-tremor, of 8 to 14 Hz. The belief is that this signal's presence is greatest during normal speech and dampened when a person is placed under stress. A voice stress instrument is designed to monitor and display the variance in micro-tremors as a person responds to specific questions. This hypothesis, however, is somewhat tentative, as research has not yet definitively established the existence of a micro-tremor in the muscles associated with speech; other studies question the relationship between vocal stress and deception.
PSE research examining the validity and reliability of the instrument itself has also produced mixed results. A review of the relevant literature shows that when the PSE was used to detect deception, a large percentage of the studies concluded that the PSE's results were no better than chance. However, a few studies were found that suggest that the PSE may in fact measure stress in the human voice in some settings. For instance, in one study conducted in England, the PSE displayed "an exceedingly high level of stress" in a terrorist's voice just prior to his killing a hostage, compared to the level of stress present in his voice following the incident. Although some results appear promising, many questions have not yet been asked; answers will be found only through additional research.
The Computerized Voice Stress Analyzer
The Computerized Voice Stress Analyzer (CVSA) first appeared in 1988 and is based on the same technology as the PSE. The CVSA is marketed by the National Institute for Truth Verification (NITV), located in West Palm Beach, Florida. The NITV was founded by Charles Humble, who continues to control the organization as Chairman of it's Board of Directors. When the first CVSA was introduced, it was offered to the general public; later, as its popularity grew, it was offered only to law enforcement agencies.
Information provided by the NITV claims that over 700 law enforcement agencies across the country now use the CVSA instrument in one of two configurations. The first CVSA instruments were analog in nature. They used EKG chart paper to record voice patterns produced either by talking directly into a microphone attached to the instrument, or by holding a microphone near the speaker of a tape recorder as a cassette recording was played. Later, a cassette player/recorder was modified by the subcontractor who manufactured the analog CVSA for the NITV, allowing direct input from a cassette tape into the CVSA instrument.
In 1996, the second and current CVSA instrument was developed after Humble learned that a competitor had produced the first notebook computer voice stress analyzer, the Diogenes Lantern. Humble, acting as the NITV, contracted with a Florida-based software development company to create a program to capture voice data, using a notebook computer equipped with a built-in sound card. It was approximately a year later that the NITV began marketing the software, packaged in an inexpensive notebook computer.
Okay, but Does the CVSA Work?
One cannot argue the success many law enforcement agencies have had using a CVSA instrument to elicit confessions from possible suspects–if someone confessed to a crime, other suspects would then be eliminated. NITV's literature is filled with a great deal of anecdotal evidence in which these types of cases are highlighted. However, it appears that Humble and his Executive Director, David Hughes, a retired West Palm Beach police department captain, believe the evidence is sufficient to prove both validity and reliability, when in fact it proves little.
It is doubtful that anyone working within the criminal justice system for some period has not heard stories of inventive police officers, eliciting confessions from gullible suspects by using a Xerox machine to print out copies of "He's Lying," or by placing a vegetable strainer with wires attached to it on the person's head to monitor his brain waves! Almost anything can be portrayed as a magic device that will enable its user to see what is true. However, because a resultant confession does not mean that the device itself discriminates between what is true and what is deceptive. Unfortunately, this point is missed by those at the NITV and an even larger number of law enforcement officers and administrators.
Questions regarding the CVSA's validity (does it allow a user to discriminate accurately between truthful and deceptive people) and reliability (are the CVSA's results consistent from one test to another) are scientific issues that cannot be answered by anecdotal evidence. In 1993 the U.S. Supreme Court rendered a decision in the matter of Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, and held in part that scientific knowledge is that which can be tested and which has undergone the scrutiny of the scientific community. To date, only four studies have examined the CVSA instrument. Each study was conducted by Dr. Victor Cestaro, a scientist with the Department of Defense, using a laboratory environment for his research. This fact was seized upon by the NITV in what appears to be an attempt to weaken the study's findings. Other documents suggest that not only is the NITV disinterested in subjecting the CVSA to additional study, but the organization has attempted to thwart research conducted in a field, or real world, setting.
About two years ago the Canastota, New York, police department established a collaborative relationship with the United States Air Force Laboratory in Rome, New York. The ARome Laboratory@ conducts a wide range of research on new technology and obtained a sizable grant to support research examining the validity of both the Diogenes Lantern and CVSA voice stress instruments in the same setting. Michael Adsit, a criminal investigator with the Canastota police, wrote the NITV to inquire about training and the purchase of a CVSA instrument. In reply, David Hughes, NITV's executive director, wrote in part that:
The NITV is very concerned that the Canastota Police Department will participate in research by the ROME LAB. Therefore, the NITV must request a letter from the Chief of Police clearly stating the Canastota Police Department is purchasing the CVSA for their departmental investigative services; criminal and preemployment. That the Canastota Police Department will not allow anyone outside of their trained examiners, and specifically the Rome Lab, to use or have access to the CVSA and all proprietary interest will be protected. Additionally, the Chief of Police and the City Attorney will have to sign our (EULA) end user license agreement before purchase or training can be considered. (May 11, 1998, correspondence from David Hughes to Michael Adsit.
The NITV's rationale in making such a demand is left to the reader's imagination. However, some insight may be gained from reading a reply from Humble to Dr. David Lykken, an outspoken critic of lie detection, who asked about the existence of CVSA validity studies. Humble wrote:
Insofar as "research" that has been conducted on the CVSA, we decided very early on not to follow in the same footsteps as the polygraph only to find ourselves in the same position the polygraph finds itself in today. The CVSA is sold as an investigative tool and nothing more. Our students are taught that it is not to be used in court, to obtain warrants, or to in any way persecute anyone. This system was design to identify innocent individuals and help remove them as suspects. All of our instructors teach that if a person is not able to "pass" the exam, it simply means that they are not eliminated as suspects. (Lykken, D. T., 1998, A Tremor in the Blood, Plenum Press: New York, p. 172).
Lykken interpreted this statement to mean that CVSA users, now limited to law enforcement officers, are encouraged to use the instrument simply as an interrogation tool and not to conduct a test per se.
Litigation on the Horizon?
Some members of the bar have already questioned the ethics of using the CVSA to elicit confessions. There are currently suits in Nevada and San Diego, California, seeking damages for confessions elicited using the CVSA instrument. The merits of each case are unknown. In an effort to thwart this type of litigation, the NITV provides all CVSA examiners with a release form for each person administered a CVSA examination to sign. The importance of the release form is evidenced by an admonishment from Hughes to all certified CVSA examiners, prompted by the Nevada lawsuit, stating in part that:
The release form that was included in your CEC [certified examiner course] manual contained a release form that was prepared especially to minimize exposure to frivolous litigation. If you have removed the phrase 'do hereby release, absolve and for ever hold harmless the NITV and (your agency's name), its servants, agents, and anyone acting in its behalf, from any and all claims, demands, or other damages from any matter, act, or thing arising out of aforesaid examination' from your release form, you have re-exposed you and your agency unnecessarily to this type of frivolous litigation and we recommend that you modify that situation immediately.
(August 25, 1998, correspondence from David Hughes.)
Whether this release would be binding in all jurisdictions is unknown, and it's application might require a case-by-case analysis.
Although issues regarding the CVSA's use as an investigative tool merit discussion, these matters are viewed as minor when compared to the potential liability law enforcement agencies incur by using the CVSA for preemployment testing. A large number of law enforcement agencies are governed by state or local Civil Service rules or acts. Consequently, these agencies are also subject to the promulgated rules of the government's Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, specifically 29 CFR 1607, the Uniform Guidelines on Employee Selection Procedures (July 1, 1998). These guidelines mandate that any test or other selection procedure used to make employment decisions must be valid (§1607.2). The guidelines state that users may establish validity using either criterion-related validity studies or construct validity studies (§1607.5) and that these studies must adhere to the technical standards outlined in §1607.14. A review of the NITV's literature would lead one to believe that the CVSA instrument has been validated. The truth, however, is that when asked for the name of just one person with whom construct, criterion and content validity issues could be discussed, Humble replied "there is no one like that." (November 1, 1995, telephone conversation with Charles Humble.). Consequently, if a law enforcement agency should find itself facing a suit by a rejected police officer applicant, challenging the CVSA's use as a part of the selection process, the agency may well find itself in an indefensible position. Surprisingly, at least some law enforcement agencies choose to ignore this liability and admit that their agency uses the CVSA only to facilitate the selection and screening process by eliciting admissions from potential employees.
For instance, a law enforcement official employed by an agency in the state of California was recently asked if his agency would participate in a research study to examine the CVSA's validity in a field setting. After some thought the official replied that his agency liked the CVSA because it was easy and they had spent a lot of money procuring the instruments and requisite training. He said that they didn't care if the instrument was only perhaps 60 percent accurate, because they used it to scare applicants into making admissions that which background investigators could then follow up. Continuing, he said, "I would hate to participate in a study, because if I participated in a study and the study says it's not valid [the CVSA] then I would have to stop using it. I couldn't even objectify the study, I'd just have to stop using it." (March 16, 1999, telephone conversation, name withheld.) Given increased scrutiny by the media and concerns regarding law enforcement ethics, this type of reasoning is not only foolish but potentially dangerous. Even though some applicants may make admissions, one cannot know, or even estimate, how often an applicant who lied about a criminal indiscretion or other disqualifying characteristic is called truthful. Absent a complete analysis of the CVSA and cooperation by its manufacturer, claims of validity or accuracy are nothing more than conjecture, and potentially a burgeoning area for litigation.
In Conclusion
Is the CVSA a modern technological innovation or "the Emperor's New Clothes"? As much as we would like to know, there is as yet no definitive answer. At the same time, however, I would not to be overly surprised should the next advertisement for the CVSA include as a part of the deal an offer for a new pair of slacks