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Peter van Mensch, Amsterdam/Berlin
The following paper is based on and inspired by discussions within the ICOM International Committee for Collecting. This committee (usually referred to as COMCOL) was created in 2009, receiving full status within the ICOM institutional framework in 2013. The aim of the committee is to deepen discussions, and share knowledge on the practice, theory and ethics of collecting and collections (both tangible and intangible) development. The mandate includes: collecting and de-accessioning policies; contemporary collecting; restitution of cultural property and respectful practices that affect the role of collections now and in the future, from all types of museums and from all parts of the world.1
Three case studies
In November 2012 the Czech government decided to return Roman Catholic church property, confiscated by the communist regime in 1948, to the church authorities. In December 2015 a claim of the parish of Veverská Bitýška (now a suburb of Brno) concerning a 14th century painting in the collection of the National Gallery (Prague) was honoured (Neudert 2016). Since the mid-14th century the painting was shown in the chapel of Veveřy castle, later moved to the chapel of a local cemetery. During the first republic the castle became the property of the State Forestry Agency which donated the painting to the National Gallery. In March 2016 the painting was returned to Brno were it is exhibited in the Diocesan Museum (in the Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul).
The 14thcentury Madonna z Veveřy. (Photo source: http://muzeum.biskupstvi.cz/index.php?page=madona-z-veveri).
After the re-establishment of the Lithuanian State in 1990, church heritage, confiscated by the Soviet regime, was returned to the church authorities. For the management of its heritage the Archbishopric of Vilnius created the Church Heritage Museum in 2005.2 In 2011 the museum decided to restore the important "Our Lady of Lukiškės" icon from the Church of St. Philip and St. Jacob. The icon, which since the 18th century has been regarded to have miracle-working powers, had been returned to the church in 1992. When the icon was brought back to the church in 2013, its was completely different: the 18th century layer of paint has been removed in order to reveal its original 13th century appearance.
The icon Our Lady of Lukiškės in its 18th century version. (Photo: Bažnytinio Paveldo Muziejus [Church Heritage Museum], Vilnius).
The icon Our Lady of Lukiškės in its restored 13th century version. (Photo: Bažnytinio Paveldo Muziejus [Church Heritage Museum], Vilnius).
The world famous Brachiosaurus skeleton of the Museum für Naturkunde (Berlin) was excavated in 1909-1913 in Tendaguru (present day Tanzania). Recently, historian Michael Pesek made clear that this excavation cannot be seen independent from German colonial rule. Local population may not have been forced to work at the excavation, but they had no alternative to earn a living (Daum 2016), How do these case studies connect with the theme of the current conference? The connecting factor is the growing awareness within the museum community of the importance of the study of the history of collections, and the openness to discuss new forms of ownership.
The Brachiosaurus skeleton at the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin. (Photo: Carola Radke, Museum für Naturkunde).
Unpacking collections
The Collections for the Future report (2005) advocated 'new intellectual approaches [to] invigorate collections'. It considered museums to have 'a responsibility to be open to all alternative perspectives' (Wilkinson 2005). This involves a continuous reflection on the significance of the collection as a whole and its constitutive components, including a reflection on documentation and conservation-restoration practices. Every museum has to balance between the historicity of its collection and the requirements of the present day mission. The composition of collections reflects a development of knowledge. Old collections are, in fact, accumulations of `fossilised world views', each one covering the next, like matruskas, the wooden Russian dolls (Van Mensch & Meijer-van Mensch 2010). During the COMCOL annual conference of 2014 on "Collecting and collections in times of war or political and social change" (Celje, Slovenia) is was shown how important it is to reflect upon the history of collections and the documentary value that is embedded in this dimension (Van Mensch 2015a). This is covering new ground in museological thinking. The same perspective was developed in the book Unpacking the collection. Networks of material and social agency in the museum (Byrne Clarke Harrison & Torrence 2011). The book aims to uncover "new ways to think about relationships formed between object and individuals and among diverse groups spread across the globe" (p. 3). "Museum collections have been and are still active in forming social relations between varied persons and groups, including creator communities, collectors, anthropologists [the authors focus on ethnographical museums, PvM], curators, auctioneers and museum administrators, all of whom have also been shaped through interactions with each other and with the material objects" (p. 4). It is obvious that the authors are using the Actor Network Theory of Bruno Latour and others as a new instrument to analyse ("unpack") collections.
To some extend Unpacking the collection is an extension of the older concept of cultural biography as introduced by Igor Kopytoff (Kopytoff 1986). Kopytoff states that in doing the biography of a thing, one would ask questions similar to those one asks about people. For example, what, sociologically, are the biographical possibilities inherent in its "status" and in the period and culture, and how are these possibilities realized? (Kopytoff 1986: 66). In current museological theory the concept of biography is extended to the process of musealisation (Van Mensch 2015 b).
An example of the application of aforementioned two principles is the restoration of the Galerie d'Anatomie comparée at the Jardin des Plantes (Paris). The building was opened to the public in 1898. The preparations for the restoration started one hundred years later. It was decided to leave the arrangement of the objects (mostly skeletons) intact since this arrangement is reflecting scientific thought at the end of the 19th century. At the same time the arrangement is an example of museological practice of that period (Van-Praët 1999). Besides respecting the "culture scientifique" and the "esprit des concepts muséographiques" behind the gallery, labels were added with information about the history of individual objects. For example, the skeleton of an orangutan comes from the first living specimen shown in Europe. In 1777 the animal was exhibited in the zoo of the Dutch Stadtholder Prince William V. After the animal's death the skeleton was transferred to the Stadtholder's natural history cabinet. It was confiscated by the French in 1795, together with other objects from the cabinet, and added to the collections at the Jardin des Plantes. By adding cultural biographies to natural history specimens, the gallery becomes a "meta-museum" (Bal 1997), a place of "metadiscursive" critique (Bal 1992) where the visitor can reflect on how collections are accumulated and knowledge constructed.
The Galérie d'Anatomie Comparée in the Jardin des Plantes (Paris). (Photo: Peter van Mensch).
Sharing cultural biographies as metadiscursive practice raises questions of biased interpretation, legitimacy and ownership. In 1897 the British army destroyed the capital city of the Kingdom of Benin (in present day Nigeria). The royal palace was looted. Thousands of bronze decorations ended up in European and American collections. Most museums with a collection of Benin bronzes give information about the origin of these objects, but are less explicit about how these objects were acquired by the museum thus avoiding discussion about the moral dimension of ownership (Dohlvik 2006).
The looting of the Royal Palace Kingdom of Benin in 1897. (Photo by Reginald Granville, in collection of Pitt Rivers Museum/Oxford, U.K.. Source: https://de.pinterest.com/pin/411657222159566103/).
Reconsidering ownership
Palaeontologist and prolific writer about evolution, Stephen Jay Gould referred to natural history museums as guardians of the second best: "When the pith and essence disappear, we are reduced to arguing over scraps and relics […] but when we have lost the living by human malfeasance, what can be more residually noble than faithful preservation and accurate documentation of often pitiable fragments?" (Gould 1996: 281). To some extent the ICOM Code of Ethics for Museums can be considered as expression of what Gould describes as "residually noble". However, the code acknowledges the role of museums as "second best" option. In Chapter 1 it says: "Museums are responsible for the tangible and intangible natural and cultural heritage". In Chapter 2 this is qualified by stating that "Museums have the duty to acquire, preserve and promote their collections as a contribution to safeguarding the natural, cultural and scientific heritage". The articles on valid title, provenance, fieldwork, culturally sensitive material, living collections, and others, show that the acquisition and preservation of collections is subject to a general responsibility for the heritage of mankind. The use of the term safeguarding in this context is relevant (Van Mensch & Meijer-van Mensch 2016: 100). In The Routledge Companion to Museum Ethics Janet Marstine mentions guardianship as one of the cornerstones of "the new museum ethics" (Marstine 2011). About guardianship, the ICOM Code of Ethics for Museums states: "Museums that maintain collections hold them in trust for the benefit of society and its development. […] Inherent in this public trust is the notion of stewardship, which includes rightful ownership, permanence, documentation, accessibility and responsible disposal" (Chapter 2, Principle). To Marstine, this not only includes access as core value, but can also be connected with the concept of temporality. As Marstine writes: "In contemporary museum ethics discourse the concept of guardianship is a means towards respecting the dynamic, experiential and contingent quality of heritage and towards sharing in new ways the rights and responsibilities to this heritage". This involves more than the question by whom and where objects are kept. It also refers to intellectual ownership, i.e. the question of who decides about how objects are framed in museums.
Recently, the Rijksmuseum (Amsterdam) decided to remove racially charged terms from artwork's titles and descriptions (Siegal 2015). The museum will keep the original titles in its database as it does not want to change the cultural biography of objects. The project as such adds to the cultural biography with a new title and description as expression of a new awareness, and to some extend as an expression of a new understanding of intellectual ownership.
The ICOM Cultural Diversity Charter (2010) asks for the recognition and affirmation of "all forms of cultural diversity and biological diversity at local, regional and international levels, and to reflect this diversity in all policies and programs of museums across the world". It wishes to ensure "the ownership of the processes as the defining element". This principle is usually translated into the principle of shared responsibility: a shared responsibility of museum staff, a shared responsibility of organizations and interest groups, and a shared responsibility of museums and their creator (source) communities. The concept of shared heritage is related to the concept of mutual heritage. But the recognition that heritage is mutual, does not automatically involve the notion of sharing.
Re-visiting the case studies
It can be argued that the Berlin Brachiosaurus skeleton is part of Tanzanian (natural) history as much as it is part of German (natural) history. It is definitely not considered as shared heritage. Following the method as developed by the Dutch Atlas of Mutual Heritage3 information could be made for interest groups in Berlin, in Tanzania, and elsewhere via the internet. This is often referred to as virtual repatriation. The step from mutual to shared presupposes an active involvement of all parties concerned in decision making processes. An element in this is the full recognition of the cultural biography of the finds.
In Vilnius the issue of ownership seems to be solved: the heritage of the church is returned to its source community. However, who is to be understood as source community here: the archbishopric or the parish of St Philip and St Jacob? It can be argued that in the decision making process concerning the restauration, the icon is alienated from its community of use. The familiar appearance has disappeared, making place of an appearance favoured by the specialists of the museum.
The success of the claim from the parish of Veverská Bitýška may be considered as the recognition of the rights of the source community. Ironically, the painting was not returned to the parish, but is kept (permanently?) in the Diocesan Museum in the centre of the city of Brno.
The aim of the Washington Conference Principles on Nazi-confiscated Art is to use provenance research to identity the rightful owners with the purpose of restituting ownership. I do not want to challenge these principles but would advocate a broader understanding (and application) of the museological trends behind the principles. This involves a focus on the process of musealisation and the willingness to share this knowledge with our stakeholders (including the visitors). It also involves new concepts of ownership. The most important principle of all is transparency. Museums should be transparent as to their methods in past and present. Only then museums will be successful in building relationships with society that are based on trust.
Mieke BAL: Telling, Showing, Showing Off. In: Critical Inquiry 18:1992, pp. 556-594.
Mieke BAL: In het museum – hedendaags exhibitionisme. In: J.C.A. van der Lubbe/A.J.A. van Zoest (eds.), Tekens en betekenis. Haarlem 1997, pp. 126-140.
Sarah BYRNE/Anne CLARKE/Rodney HARRISON/Robin Torrence (eds.): Unpacking the collection. Networks of material and social agency in the museum. New York 2011.
Julian DAUM: Warum der weltberühmte Brachiosaurus im Naturkundemuseum in Berlin zu sehen ist. In: Berliner Zeitung 2016, March 10.
Charlotta DOHLVIK: Museums and their voices. A contemporary study of the Benin bronzes. Master's dissertation, Göteborg University 2006.
Stephen Jay GOULD: Dinosaurs in a Haystack. Reflections in Natural History. London 1996.
Igor KOPYTOFF: The cultural biography of things: commoditization as process. In: Arjun Appadurai (ed.), The social life of things. Commodities in cultural perspective. Cambridge 1986, pp. 64-91.
Janet MARSTINE: The contingent nature of the new museum ethics. In: Janet Marstine (ed.), The Routledge Companion to Museum Ethics. Redefining Ethics for the Twenty-First-Century Museum. Abbington 2011, pp. 3-25.
Peter VAN MENSCH: The meta-documentary value of collections. In: COMCOL Newsletter 27:2015 (a), pp. 6-7.
Peter VAN MENSCH: Museality at breakfast. The concept of museality in contemporary museological discourse. In: Museologica Brunensia 4,2:2015 (b), pp. 14-19.
Peter VAN MENSCH/Léontine MEIJER-VAN MENSCH: Collecting as intangible heritage. In: Collectingnet Newsletter 9:2010, pp. 2-4.
Peter VAN MENSCH/Léontine MEIJER-VAN MENSCH: New trends in museology – second edition. Celje 2015.
Franziska NEUDERT: Begehrtes Schlüsselwerk. Die Prager Nationalgalerie muss nach langem Rechtsstreit die "Madonna von Eichhorn" an die Kirche zurückgeben. In: Prager Zeitung 2016, March 10.
Nina SIEGAL: Rijksmuseum removing racially charged terms from artworks' titles and descriptions. In: New York Times 2015, December 10, ArtsBeat blog.
Michel VAN-PRAËT: Les galeries de paléontologie et d'anatomie comparée – vers une restitution. In: La Revue, Musée des Arts et Métiers 26:1999, pp. 55-57.
Helen WILKINSON: Collections for the Future. Museums Association, London 2005.
1. The International Committee for Collecting.
2. The Church Heritage Museum.


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The IFRC-SRU's focus is on context-specific material and technical aspects of humanitarian shelter, and settlement solutions. The IFRC-SRU works through Projects, defined activities with a time frame and budget, funded by various parties, including, EU and public institutions, philanthropic foundations and other donors, like National Red Cross Societies that contract our expert services for tailor made shelter developments for their operations.
If you would like to collaborate with the IFRC-SRU on any of the three areas of our work: Mapping, Testing, R&D, please email email@example.com

subset: commoncrawl


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Note: Patients depicted in photos have provided their consent to display their pictures online. Results may vary.
Before I started seeing Dr. Corey, I had terrible anxiety when going to the dentist. Because of Dr. Corey and his staff, I no longer have dental anxiety. They truly are amazing!
Site Developed by


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I install the next two android application: sl4a_r6.apk and PythonForAndroid-r7b1.apk.
Use the PythonForAndroid-r7b1.apk just if you want to write some python scripts.
We can download it from here.
The first: sl4a_r6 it's used to write and run scripts like bash shell, HTML, Java, Python.
With this, the SL4A provides and make APIs available via JSON RPC calls.
The PythonForAndroid-r7b1 allow you to install python modules...
We can read more on this website.
Let's start with one simple bash shell script.
We will make a shell script to test the connection between Linux and Android tablet.
The connection will be through a wireless router that has opened the port through which the communication.
Tablet has Android 4.0.
We use the Linux command NC, see: nc command.
This is the script on the tablet and it will run first.
See the next image:
nc -l -p 7000
Button 1 - run the script
Button 2 - edit the script
Button 3 - save the script
Button 4 - remove the script
Use the next command with your IP on the Linux terminal.
If you type something in your terminal you will see on a tablet.
nc xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx 7000
The input from my linux terminal can be seen in the next image:
Ant this is the output on my tablet.
We can test multiple features of command nc.
I'm just curious if you have some new ideas on this subject.


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Co-produced by Necessary Angel Theatre Company, Electric Company Theatre, and The Theatre Centre
The Theatre Centre, 1115 Queen St. West
April 25–May 6, 2018
Tickets: Preview $17 | Rush (at door) $20 | General (advanced) $22.50
Service charges may apply
Book 416-538-0988 | PURCHASE ONLINE
Armed with the magical poetry of Persian poet Hafez, the musings of French philosopher Alain Badiou, and impossible questions, two lovers on a spiritual quest challenge themselves to live for 40 days and 40 nights making all choices based in Love. Mysterious, symbolic, and intimate, the couple is transformed through ceremony, tenderness, wisdom, and the sheer force of love itself.
A sensorial, ritualistic, celebration for the performers and the audience, 40 Days and 40 Nights is an investigation of the nature of love; how to contemplate love, how to talk about love, and how to be open to the possibility of love.
A show-in-motion, each performance of 40 Days and 40 Nights invites the audience into the conversation, offering them agency in the story, and embedding them in the feeling of love.
Created and Performed By: Daniel Brooks and Kim Collier
Consulting Director and Dramaturg: Jennifer Tarver
Composition and Sound Design: Andrew Creeggan
Additional Composition and Sound: Debashis Sinha
Scenographer: Ken Mackenzie
Assistant Set & Costume Designer: Lindsay Dagger Junkin
Associate Lighting Designer: Jennifer Lennon
Stage Manager: Michelle Galuszka
Creative Assistant: Lucy McNulty
Initially developed through The Theatre Centre's Tracy Wright Global Archive, and further workshopped by Necessary Angel Theatre Company and Electric Company Theatre
Wednesday, April 25 – 8:00PM – Preview. PWYC available at the door (cash only) 2 Hours before the performance.
Thursday, April 26 – 6:30PM – Necessary Angel's 40th Anniversary Party. For more information and tickets click here.
Friday, April 27 – 8:00PM – Opening
Saturday, April 28 – 8:00PM
Sunday, April 29 – 2:00PM
Tuesday, May 1 – 8:00PM
Wednesday, May 2 – 8:00PM
Thursday, May 3 – 8:00PM
Friday, May 4 – 8:00PM
Saturday, May 5 – 8:00PM
Sunday, May 6 – 2:00PM
Approximate running time: 1 hour and 30 minutes


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The idea of banks began as long ago as 1,800 BC in Babylon, a city in present day Iraq. In those days wealthy persons acted as moneylenders and made loans to people.
Beginning of formal banking can be traced to the functioning of money lenders in 12th and 13th centuries in the Italian towns of Florence and Genoa. In the 16th century, a German family called the Fuggers from Augsburg became prominent bankers.
At the end of the 17th century, England suffered heavy losses in war with France. So in 1694, a group of wealthy persons got together to form the Bank of England to provide loan to the government. The Bank of Scotland was founded in 1695.
In 1833, bank notes issued by the Bank of England were made legal tender i.e. they must be accepted as a valid means of payment. Modern banks began with the Bank Charter Act of 1844.
Chartered Bank of India opened its branches in Mumbai and Calcutta in 1858.
The existence of banking in India could be traced to the 500 BC. Chanakya's Arthashastra, dating back to 400 BC contains references to creditors, lenders and lending rates.
Beginning of formal banking in India dates back to opening of Bank of Bombay in 1720 in Mumbai. It was followed by Bank of Hindustan in 1770 in Kolkata.
Structured professional banking with government support began in June 1806 with the opening of the Bank of Bengal, first 'Presidency Bank' in Calcutta.
Later, two more Presidency Banks were opened – Bank of Bombay in 1840 and Bank of Madras in 1843. In 1921, these three presidency banks were merged to form Imperial Bank of India.
The first Indian owned bank was the Allahabad Bank set up in Allahabad in 1865, followed by the Punjab National Bank in 1895 in Lahore.
The following are some major milestones in the field of banking in India:
1935: Establishment of Reserve Bank of India.
1949: Enactment of Banking Regulation Act.
1955: Nationalisation of Imperial Bank into State Bank of India.
1969: Nationalisation of 14 major Banks.
1975: Creation of Regional Rural Banks.
1980: Nationalisation of six banks with deposits of over 200 Crores.
1988: Beginning of computerization in banks
1992: Introduction of NPA system
1994: Entry of private tech savvy banks, ATMs
2000: Dawn of online banking
2004/05: Beginning of RTGS/NEFT
2009: Incorporation of NPCI for retail payment systems
2010: Connectivity of ATMs
2015: Opening of Payment Banks and Small Finance Banks


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Contemplating the important questions at Alpha Game:
You can always trust a smart, unattractive man in the mold of Isaac Asimov to leap with certainty to the wrong conclusion when women are concerned. Just as you can trust a young woman to have no idea what it is that is tripping her attraction triggers. Granted, Asimov himself knew better – hence his joke about growing his ears out – but men are as deluded about the sex appeal of intelligence, honor, godliness, sincerity, and dedication as women are about educational degrees, snark, and being gainfully employed.
Intelligence is a useful DHV when a man is already considered attractive, but his intelligence is not why Spock was considered dreamy by women. After all, Scotty was plenty smart too and women didn't think he was dreamy.


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Praise for Jefferson Prep
Do you have a story of "Praise" for Jefferson Prep you would like to share? We would love to hear them. Please send us your stories so we can post them.
JP Receives "A" RatingNovember 4, 2019 | jphs_admin
Did you hear?
The Arizona Department of Education notified us that JPHS has received the grade of A. JPHS ranks 14th out of 287 high schools in Maricopa County on Schooldigger.com. U.S. News and World Report has recognized Jefferson Preparatory … Read More
Choice Academies Is Ranked #6 in the State of Arizona!August 2, 2018 | jphs_admin
We are thrilled to announce Choice Academies is ranked #6 in the list of the top school districts in the state on the NICHE website. You can read the full article here.
JP has All-State Volleyball Team MembersDecember 8, 2017 | jphs_admin
A huge congratulations to Sarah Cox for making the 2017 CAA Division 1 Volleyball All-State Team as a Middle & Sarah Chapin on making the 2017 CAA Division 1 Volleyball All-State Team as a Libero!!!! (Middle and Libero are positions … Read More
Jefferson Prep RecognizedOctober 6, 2017 | jphs_admin
Jefferson Preparatory received accolades again this year with the AZ Merit scores reported by In and Out Magazine! JP is the second highest ranked high school in North Phoenix with an overall increase in scores of 17.7%. This is the … Read More
JP is Nationally RankedOctober 2, 2017 | jphs_admin
Jefferson Prep is nationally ranked! The US News and World Report awarded JP the bronze award placing us in the top 16% of schools in the country!
We love our school and think you would too, stop in and check … Read More
Top High SchoolFebruary 8, 2017 | jphs_admin
Congratulations on the award of the Top High School in Northern Phoenix! This is a testimony to hard work especially given that the school is only 3 years old. As a former teacher and huge advocate of educators, I am … Read More
5 Stars for JPAugust 17, 2016 | jphs_admin
Wonderful school, excellent teachers, excellent curriculum, truly caring staff, well-organized… We are a former homeschooling family and Jefferson Prep has been everything we hoped for. It's like a small, private school experience, but "free", since it's a charter school.
-Karen … Read More
JPHS – The best kept secret everyone needs to know about!January 6, 2015 | jphs_admin
Thank you so much for all you do. You have made my daughter's school life and world amazing this year. We have seen our daughter come home every day, and I mean every day, excited to go back. You have … Read More


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hello all,
New here. Solidworks 2015 user. I have an issue where sometimes when i am trying to input a length on a midpoint line using the numeric input the dimension will not snap to the input but to a line just past the input dimension. I will attach a before and after.
Before: both horizontal lines are 1/2" from the center line. I am drawing the midpoint line with numeric input. As you can see i've typed .4875 in the box.
Then i hit Enter.
After: well, it snaps directly to 1/2" making the line the full inch instead of the .975" i was looking for. Solidworks ignored my input.
I've had it to that to me with regular lines as well. There's no rhyme or reason to when it will snap to the next line as far as i know when the dims are close to the distance to the next line.
I just went through all the sketch snaps and unchecked all but the endpoint snap which i need to center my midpoint line and it still snaps the dim to 1/2". It snapped to 1/2" from my input of .4875" all the way down to .481". However, .480" did not snap. Most times i experience this issue i just draw the line off to the side and use the move command, which is annoying. Even more annoying is inputting something super short and then redimensioning. and the dim will only snap if there are lines above or below.
Anyone have any better ideas other than workarounds? I get off in an hour so i might not see any replies till Monday morning.


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Nepra to take legal action against K-Electric over gross violations
The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) on Tuesday took notice of the various violations committed by K-Electric and decided to initiate legal proceedings against the power provider.
In addition to this, NEPRA also ordered K-Electric to immediately start the commissioning of Korangi Combined Cycle Power Plant (KCCPP) and Bin Qasim Power Station (BQPS) II "on alternate fuel as soon as possible," read a statement issued by the authority.
A five-member committee of Nepra visited K-Electric from April 11 to 13 to investigate the actual reason behind the unannounced load-shedding which K-Electric claim is due to the alleged curtailment of gas supply by Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) — owing to which consumers were suffering badly.
The committee held detailed discussions with K-Electric officials, inspected main power generation plants and grid stations, and conducted surveys in affected areas.
Moreover, the authority has advised the government to ensure gas supply of 190mmcfd to K-Electric by SSGC.
The committee also noted that K-Electric is receiving around 50-60mmcfd less gas as compared to April 2017, and the situation has worsened due to increase in power demand owing to the early onset of summer.
Moreover, the Nepra committee noted that infrastructure for alternative fuel operations is available at both gas-turbine-based power plants of KCCPP (225 MW) and BQPS-II (529 MW); however, K-Electric has not commissioned them and "adopted an irresponsible approach in this regard".
The committee also noted under-utilisation of BQPS-I during March 27 till April 10, 2018, saying "it could have been operated [by K-Electric] at full capacity to minimise load shedding".
"Average loading position of BQPS-I was only 647MW, against the available capacity of 1,015MW," Nepra maintained.
Moreover, it was observed that unit 2 of BQPS-I — having a capacity of 180MW — was on unplanned outage since September 2017, "which indicates K-Electric's poor maintenance plan".
Furthermore, the Nepra committee noted that the load management carried out by K-Electric was beyond its claims and in addition to the load shedding on account of alleged gas curtailment.
"K-Electric network also experienced faults due to its fragile distribution system," said Nepra.
Nepra has also decided to acquire the Ramazan plan from K-Electric to comprehend the arrangements made by the distribution company in order to ensure uninterrupted power supply during Sehar and Iftar timings for the people of Karachi.


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Luke 17:
11 ¶ And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.
12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:
13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,
16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
Matthew 9:
22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.
Mark 10:
52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.
There are so many stories in the scriptures of Jesus healing people. The phrase "made whole" has always struck a chord with me. Especially reading the first story I shared here. When I would read about how 10 lepers were healed and only one went back to show gratitude, I always wondered why Jesus would tell him that his faith had made him whole. He had healed all 10 of them, so how was this grateful leper's blessing any greater? For a while I thought maybe it was because he was given the knowledge of how he was healed. Then I had an experience that taught me for myself that there actually was a difference between being healed and being made whole.
In 2011 I unexplainably started losing my vision. It affected both eyes, but my right eye more dramatically. I went to many doctors and no one could ever explain why my retina suddenly started to become defective. My blood vessels were leaking and I was losing my color and central vision. The first year was incredibly hard, especially because they could not identify the cause and therefore could not tell me how it would progress or whether it would spread to other systems. It was a time of great loss and much fear for me.
In my religion we believe in the power of healing blessings through God's power. I received many blessings of healing over this time. I struggled because I had faith that God could heal me, but for some reason felt that He did not want to. After nearly 2 years of working through things, turning to God for strength and answers, seeking the best medical help, sharing my feelings and fears with my friends and family, I got another blessing. After that blessing I had the strangest calm come over me. And in that calm I distinctly felt a lesson being taught to me. The anguish and uncertainty that had been so prevalent in my life for almost two years was gone. I felt peace. I could look back and see times of comfort, tender mercies of love, and so much I had gained… empathy for others, gratitude for the blessings in my life, an increased closeness to my family, and a better relationship with my God. I had received the miracle of one eye being healed and the other eye was being left with me the way it was, maybe as a reminder of those lessons. Maybe to keep me humble. Maybe so I would remember to testify of God's mercy in the other things I had learned. But at that point, it didn't matter. Even though I had not been physically healed in that eye, I had through God's power, my faith, my positive attitude, my searching for lessons in the trial, and my patience over that time been made whole.
Through that experience I was able to understand the story of the lepers. All were healed, but only that grateful leper was healed from his mental, emotional, and spiritual scars that had stemmed from his affliction. He was made whole because he turned back to the Savior. Though we may not be healed physically in this life, we can ALL be made whole emotionally and spiritually by doing exactly as the leper in this story did, we can turn to the Lord. And as we do this, He will help us start that journey of healing.
Made New
Wilt Thou Be Made Whole
Thought by Merrill J. Bateman:
(He was listening to a woman who had been paralyzed in a car accidentally bear witness to Good having healed her on the inside.)
"As I listened, the Spirit bore witness of the great miracles of the Atonement and the Savior's power to mend broken hearts, to heal from within. The Savior's parable of the ten lepers took on new meaning. Luke describes Jesus meeting ten lepers. Upon seeing the Savior, they cried, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." Jesus responded: "Go shew yourselves unto the priests." As they went their way, they were cleansed. One returned, fell on his face at the Master's feet, and gave thanks. Jesus said, "Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?" And then the Lord said to the one who returned, "Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole" (see Luke 17:12–19). In becoming a whole person, the grateful leper was healed inside as well as on the outside. That day nine lepers were healed skin deep, but only one had the faith to be made whole. The tenth leper and Sister Hee were changed eternally by their faith in the Savior and the healing power of his atonement.
The Savior's atonement in the garden and on the cross is intimate as well as infinite. Infinite in that it spans the eternities. Intimate in that the Savior felt each person's pains, sufferings, and sicknesses. Consequently, he knows how to carry our sorrows and relieve our burdens that we might be healed from within, made whole persons, and receive everlasting joy in his kingdom. May our faith in the Father and the Son help each of us to become whole.
Soul Searching Question:
How can you show faith and allow God to make you whole in one area of your life today?


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To support women as they embrace another aspect of womanhood without guilt or shame.
To provide over-whelmed mothers with support and the tools they need to accept the mother they are and identify the woman they would like to be. As women move through our process we encourage them to find the best mommy self-care techniques that help them reduce their stress levels and increase mommy wellness.
To assist mothers who are feeling anxious, lonely, unsettled, ignored, and over-whelmed to identify and accept the woman they would like to be while flourishing in all aspects of wellness.
Our main goal is to build stronger families through education, training, and development of the mother's emotional intelligence. We provide one-on-one and group sessions as well as motivational speeches in large settings to women who wish to embrace the mothers they are and accept the women they have become.
Training and education are provided to assist mothers develop more effective parenting skills. Mothers will learn how to balance the different aspects of their lives and become better caretakers. As women begin to identify themselves as more than the caretakers of others, their self-esteem will increase and their guilt will decrease.
The tools we provide are essential to decreasing the anxiety levels of mothers especially those in vulnerable communities. Through the education and training we provide, mothers will have the ability to develop more effective parenting skill which will in turn make it easier for them to give themselves permission to accept support from others.


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Properly terminating and splicing medium voltage cable for safe and optimal performance is serious business, a craft at which Potomac excels. We terminate and splice paper insulated lead covered (PILC) cable, EPR and XLPE cable.
Our splicers are certified by the National Cable Splicing Certification Board (NCSCB) to ensure that every job is performed to the industry's highest standards.


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At Canadian Comfort Heating and Cooling Systems, we're proud to provide top quality furnace and air conditioning services to the London Ontario and surrounding areas. Without comprising quality, we deliver fast and friendly HVAC services that you can rely on. Here are what some of our happy customers had to say.
I called on a Saturday morning. My furnace had stopped working in the middle of the night. The service rep arrived in less than an hour, checked the furnace over and had it running right away. Great service, reasonable price, courteous and friendly service rep. I will definitely use them again.
John R July 18, 2017
I have extended to deal with Canadian Comfort Htg/Clg for all my plumbing related, heating and cooling needs. As a single mother you have to find someone who is reliable and reliable. This is what I discovered Canadian Comfort Htg/Clg to provide. Quick, pleasant support as well as guidance will go quite a distance. I've lately had an HRV installed as well as was very pleased.
Mary A July 18, 2017
I can't emphasize exactly how pleased I am with all the Cost and Quality of Service; honestly, it is extremely difficult to get these kinds of Air Conditioning Repair Contractors anymore. We love their truthfulness, professionalism, trust, personality. All of us believe in him or her much more compared to extended warranty. We now have evidence he'll go beyond which, to ensure his / her clients are well looked after.
Gabi B July 18, 2017
I just wanted to reach out and say a big Thank You to all of you at Canadian Comfort. I had you install a new furnace back in 2007 and was so very pleased with your products and service that when I finally was able to have air conditioning installed this year, I turned to you again. Everyone I've dealt with, from Debbie in the office to Gord and Bill in the field, have provided the very best service I could ask for. And when my existing thermostst ended up being less than was needed to run the new a/c, you even installed a new one at no charge even though you didn't have to. That may not seem like much to some but I can tell you that for me, that savings means a lot.
I have in the past and will continue to highly recommend your company whenever anyone asks who did the work in my home.
Thank you everyone!
Linda M
Linda M July 18, 2017


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Sanur, Sanur Selatan Denpasar Selatan Indonesia
Lagenda Malaysian & Fusion Restaurant
Jln. Nakula No. 88, Sunset Road, Kuta 80361, Bali – Indonesia
JL. Raya Kuta No. 90 Denpasar Bali 80361, Indonesia
Jl. Dewi Sri No.20, Legian, Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Jl. Dewi Sri No.20, Legian, Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Jalan Raya Gusti Ngurah Rai, Tuban, Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80362, Indonesia
Jalan Batu Bulan Gianyar Bali 80582 Indonesia
Jalan Batu Bulan Gianyar Bali 80582 Indonesia
Jalan Waringin Badung Bali 80361 Indonesia
Jl. Gatot Subroto Barat No.347, Denpasar Utara, Kota Denpasar, Bali 80111, Indonesia
Jl. Dewi Sri IV No.2, Legian, Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Jl. Satria Kuta Kab. Badung, Bali 80361 Indonesia
Jl. Kayu Aya No.21X Kuta Bali Indonesia
Jl. Wana Segara No.31, Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Sanur, Sanur Selatan Denpasar Selatan Indonesia
JL. Danau Buyan Gang Cempaka, No 4 Indonesia
JL. Ceningan Sari, Denpasar Selatan Indonesia
JL. Danau Beratan Timur Indonesia
Jalan Hang Tuah Indonesia
Are you planning to visit Indonesia anytime soon? Well, even if you aren't, you can't deny that Bali will be one of your destination ideas! Beaches, sunsets, volcanic mountains - these three words are usually most associated with Bali. But did you know Bali is also famous for its food?So scroll down as we show you the top 3 most scrumptious Indonesian cuisines that you can easily find in Bali. Not to worry, they're all Halal dishes and have very affordable prices too - perfect for a dine in with family and friends! 1) Nasi tekor Credit: @jalanmakanbali on InstagramThis one-of-a-kind Balinese cuisine is known as Nasi Tekor. Nasi Tekor is a dish which constitutes rice, chicken serapah, lawar, fried beans, Balinese condiments, young banana trunk soup, and all wrapped in traditional banana leaves. You can find this dish at Warung Nasi Tekor, which is located at Kertalangu Village, East Denpasar. There, you can enjoy the atmosphere of eating in an ancient Bali house made up of wood and bamboo! The stall owners I met there are very nice too, so that's definitely a plus. Their menu item is also pretty simple as it consists of various versions of Balinese mixed rice, namely Tekot Jukut Gonde Rice, Lawar Biu Batu Rice, Sere Lemo Grilled Chicken. Besides the food, this stall also sells a variety of drinks such as banana juice ice and coffee. The prices of their menu items range from a low cost of IDR 10,000 to IDR 20,000 only! How can you not resist? So why not pay Warung Nasi Tekor a visit the next time you go to Bali - you really have no reason not to! Address: Kertalangu Village, By Pass Ngurah Rai Tohpati number 28, Denpasar Phone number: +62 821-4785-7858 Opening hours: 8AM - 9PM (everyday) 2) Nasi Tempong Credit: @nailworx_soapsuds on Instagram Nasi Tempong is a dish derived from Java, Indonesia. This delicacy is served with many side dishes such as salted fish, tofu, tempeh, boiled spinach and not forgetting, super-spicy sambal - Yum! As for the main component in this dish, you are free to decide whether you want to have catfish, chicken, duck - the list is endless! Nasi Tempong is sold at a food place called Nasi Tempong Pink, which is located at Jalan Teuku Umar, Denpasar. They also have another stall located at Jalan Raya Kuta. What makes this stall so special is that their entire dining room is coloured in pink - perfect for an Instagrammable shot!Interestingly, their stall goes by this slogan: "Monyor Monyor". When translated to English, this means that you will be guaranteed to feel a spicy sensation that makes your lips swollen when you eat their food. So if you can take the heat, why not give this a shot! Fret not, their menu items are very affordably-priced at IDR 26,000 to IDR 45,000 only. So if you love spicy food or are up for a challenge, be sure to stop by Nasi Tempong Pink! Address: Jalan Teuku Umar number 176, Denpasar, Bali Phone number: +62 8174700003 Opening hours: 10AM to 11PM (Everyday) 3) Fish Soup Credit: @bennybong74 on Instagram I've saved the best for last! Presenting to you one of my favourite Indonesian cuisines: Fish Soup from Warung Mak Beng restaurant. This fish soup tastes so fresh and is full of flavour, unlike any kind of fish soup I've ever tasted. Even on your first scoop, you can already taste the galangal, turmeric, chili sauce and squeezed lime in the soup - how could you resist?Warung Mak Beng restaurant has opened since 1941 and has never been empty of visitors. This stall only has one primary menu, consisting of white rice, fried fish, fish soup and also super spicy sambal. What's more, while dining in, you can watch the sunsest at Sanur beach - perfect for a date with your partner. As for its menu prices, you can get one whole portion of fish soup for just IDR 45,000, so it's totally worth it! Hurry, the seats are limited here so make your way to Warung Mak Beng Restaurant as soon as possible! Address: Jalan Hang Tuah number 45, Sanur, Bali Phone number: +62 361 282633 Opening hours: 8AM to 10PM (Everyday) ...
In October of this year, American socialite and TV personality Kim Kardashian and her sisters, Kourtney and Khloé, had a vacation in one of the world's most beautiful islands in Indonesia. During their stay in Bali, they shared their experience at the luxurious Soori Hotel on Instagram. This hotel is one of the top 50 best beach hotels in the world! One of their posts showed them starting off their day with a floating breakfast accompanied by the sound of crashing waves. Unsurprisingly, the post blew up and now people across the globe are eager to try it for themselves. Soori Hotel might just be the most expensive hotel in Bali so here are 5 other places where you can also enjoy a fancy floating breakfast. Read more about Bali 1. AYANA Resort and Spa Picture: Kiwi Collection Only 10 kilometers from Ngurah Rai International Airport, AYANA Resort and Spa is a world-class resort in Badung Regency. Located on 90 hectares of cliff-top land above Jimbaran Bay, it offers an ocean-front view and a white-sand beach. You can start your day in style with an unforgettable breakfast served on a floating tray in your private plunge pool. A butler will set sail to this three-course gourmet brunch accompanied by coffee and tea when you request for no champagne. Adress: Jl. Karang Mas Sejahtera, Jimbaran, Kuta Sel., Kabupaten BadungContact: (+62) 361 702 222Website: Ayana 2. Kamandalu Ubud Picture: The Bali Bible This five-star hotel resort has existed since 1992. It is located on the hills of Ubud, an area famous for its rice terraces, ancient temples and traditional arts. This resort is beautifully built on curving ridges above the flowing Petanu River. It takes an hour to reach this resort from Ngurah Rai International Airport. Kamandalu resort has a facility called Awana Pool and Lounge where you can begin your day with a floating breakfast. You can have a relaxing swim while feasting on healthy and delicious dishes with exotic drinks on a large floating tray. As you are enjoying this unique experience in the pool, you can appreciate the view of Ubud's magnificent tropical forest and terraced landscape. Do remember to inform their staff if you have dietary requirements so that they can make necessary adjustments. Address: Jalan Andong, Banjar Nagi, UbudContact: +62 361 975825Website: KamandaluResort 3. Aksari Villa Picture: Aksari Villa Combining the enchanting culture, fascinating traditions and beautiful natural scenery of Bali, Aksari Villa is a perfect place for a romantic honeymoon on the Island of Gods. It is a luxury private villa where you can get a private pool and Jacuzzi. When you wake up seeing floating breakfast waiting for your arrival on your personal pool, you will definitely feel like royalty for a day. It is strategically located close to Legian and Seminyak which is just a 10 minutes drive from Seminyak Square and Padma Beach Legian. Address: Jl. Sunset Road Gang Baik Baik 2 No. 8, Seminyak, KutaContact: +6281238504678Website: AksariVilla 4. W Bali Picture: EatAndTreats The winner of TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence in 2017 is located around 15 kilometers from Ngurah Rai International Airport. It is a perfect choice if you would like to enjoy Bali's fascinating culture and nearby eclectic boutiques, famous art galleries and concept restaurants in Seminyak. Offering spacious rooms with sea views, W Bali is just a one-minute walk from Seminyak Beach. It has classy restaurants where you can taste the world's exquisite flavors from finest meats, seafood, and spices. To start your day in the morning, you can order a floating breakfast with the freshest selection of dishes on a colorful tray. Do note that they also serve champagne but you can definitely request for your serving to be alcohol-free. Address: Jl. Petitenget, Kerobokan, Seminyak BaliContact: +62 361 3000106Website: Marriott 5. Royal Purnama Picture: TheRoyalPurnama Around 15km from Sanur and 16km from Ubud, The Royal Purnama Art Suites and Villas is located alongside the beautiful Purnama Beach on the southeast coast of Bali, in Sukawati, Gianyar. Locals believe that Purnama(full moon) is a sacred day when Gods descend to the earth and give their blessing. The Purnama Beach itself has glittering volcanic black crystal sand that people like to use for therapy due to its mineral content. When you arrive, you will see lush plantations and rice fields on one side and the glittering black crystal sands of the beach on the other. Picture: TheRoyalPurnama One of the restaurants that they have is the luxurious Standing Stones Restaurant, an open-air beach lounge with a meandering freeform swimming pool. While swimming and relaxing, you can experience a floating pool breakfast and enjoy their food all day long. Their impressive menu merges western classics with Asian favorites. Address: Jl. Pantai Purnama, Sukawati, Gianyar, BaliContact: +62361 8493706Website: TheRoyalPurnama Get travel inspirations for 2019...
Indonesia is a country rich in diversity and natural wonders. With 18,110 islands, 6,000 of them inhabited, Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world. It has many magnificent islands waiting to be explored and promises an experience filled with adventure, relaxation, culinary delights and beautiful memories. Among the top tourist attractions in Indonesia, there are several places to observe Indonesia's natural beauty. Read on to learn more about these natural beauty spots in Indonesia so you can plan a visit to some or all of them during your Halal Trip to Indonesia. Venture off the well-worn tourist trail and uncover some of these extraordinary sights! Credit - giphy.com 1.Komodo Island, East Nusa Tenggara Located in East Nusa Tenggara, Komodo Island is one of Indonesia destinations. Komodo Island features some beautiful beaches and wild bushes. There is so much to do on the many islands around Komodo and most of these islands are uninhabited with exotic beaches. The blue skies and calm seas make it a perfect location for sunbathing or diving. The best attraction in Komodo Island is indeed the Komodo dragons. The dragons are native to Indonesia, and Komodo Island is one of the several places where they can be found living in the wild. The Komodo Natural Park is a protected site in Indonesia, and it has become illegal to hunt or harm these deadly dragons. With the permission of the local government, local and foreign tourists alike can visit the islands every year. 2. Gili Islands, Lombok Lombok is the most famous place in Indonesia for sunbathing, diving and snorkelling. It has villas with such a romantic panorama, that there is no way to forget them while making a list of most wonderful places in Indonesia. Lombok has the stunning beaches of Indonesia. Fringed by white sand beaches and blue water, the complex of three small and isolated islands named Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air bears have unique scenic appeal. This is a perfect site to spend hours of your Halal Travel to Indonesia as there are many places to stay. Besides adventure sports like snorkelling, surfing and diving, you can go island hopping, fishing and tour in glass-bottom boats. Else, just chill out in a beachside cafe or shack with your significant other. 3. Raja Ampat, Papua Raja Ampat, meaning Four Kings, is an archipelago comprising islands Waigeo, Misool, Salawati, and Batanta, besides 1500 minor ones. Located in the western part of Papua Island in Indonesia Part, Raja Ampat is one of the Indonesia's most famous attractions. The culture in Raja Ampat society, as elsewhere, is a mix of indigenous cultures and the descendants of successive waves of migration from outside the area which began in ancient times and continues to this day. The awe-inspiring backdrop of steep, forested islands, sizzling beaches, and marshy lagoons, small atolls looking like mushrooms and shining turquoise water makes the place a perfect delight for travellers. The area is rich in marine flora and fauna diversity including rare species of corals. That's why Raja Ampat is one of the best tourist attractions in Indonesia. When getting here, do be careful as you will have to pass several rivers and you might also have to climb some big slippery rocks. Other than that feel free to explore the area to your heart's content and fully appreciate it's magnificence. 4. Bali Island We know of Bali as a beach haven, a place for rest, relaxation and a great tan. Travelling to Bali is alluring to visitors in search of sea and sun. Indonesian culture in Bali is unique, don't worry you can take a tour package to explore Bali and learn about their culture. Few people don't know the hidden side of Bali, places that could take your travel adventures to the next level. If you don't experience the extraordinary, you'll never know what you've been missing out. Have you ever started planning a trip with your friends and family, then got lost and had no clue what to include in your itinerary? Whether you're in Bali with friends, family or with your couple for a honeymoon, there are endless activities available in Bali so you know you'll never be bored. Some of the best places to visit in Bali are Pura Ulun Danu Bratan, Mount Batur, Pura Luhur Uluwatu, Kuta Beach, Sanur Beach, Tanah Lot Temple, Ubud Monkey Forest, Elephant Safari Park North Ubud, and etc. Now you know the secrets to a super fun and photogenic vacation in Bali. You can also find Halal Tours to Bali to serve Muslim travellers around the world. 5. Bintan, Riau Islands Province Part of the Riau Islands Province, Bintan Island is ideal for sports and recreation. The unique side of Bintan is that it offers the perfect getaway with its high-end resorts, world-class golf courses, and refreshing coastal atmosphere. There are plenty of photography spots with a beautiful panoramic view in Bintan, such as street art at Tanjung Pinang, Louhan Temple, Trikora Beach, Calypso Bar-Nirwana Gardens, Sultan of Riau's Grand Mosque, and Sky Lantern-Bintan Lagoon Resort. As most resorts face the beach, you can easily avail these activities in the water sports centres of Bintan. November to March are ideal for boogie boarding, windsurfing, and longboarding as the north-easterly winds give the water a perfect swell that is a surfer's delight. On the other hand, April to October sees calmer waters that make it ideal for jet skiing, water skiing, and, of course, diving and snorkelling. Don't forget to get shopping when you visit Bintan. You will find Bintan's capital, Tanjung Pinang – a small and friendly town – to be a great hub for trying out local food, picking up souvenirs, and learning about the island's culture. There's been so much hype about Indonesia. So pack your bags and discover the natural beauty of Indonesia! ...
Bali is infamous for its villas. If you want the true holiday experience of soaking up the sun, sand, and skies, a Bali villa is however the way to go. Not every place is uber expensive though. So whether you're on a budget or you want to vacation first class, here is a taste of what you can get. . On a budget #denpasarbali #bali #balibeach #mengiat #mengiatbeach #bali2016 A photo posted by Andrew (@andrelissimo) on Jun 9, 2016 at 1:45am PDT Whether it's with a view of the paddy fields, open to the sky or right near the beach, these villas are nestled in the midst of the city while remaining in a world of its own to give you ultimate privacy. Private plunge pools only add to the excitement of having gorgeous views streaming through the large windows – especially built for that purpose, in these tastefully decorated villas. Sightseeing, restaurants and cafés, theme parks and more are only a short drive away, but who would want to leave these luxurious, relaxing and fully equipped temporary homes? Some of them come with staff who are happy to take care of your meals if you don't want to venture out, while almost all of them make special arrangements for a honeymooning couple. Try out: Pande Villas SPA and Restaurant, Zoe Villa, Pandan Tree Villa, Unique Balinese Tropical Paradise, Karana Villa, and Studio-style Villa in Pecatu Indah Resort In the midst A photo posted by Michaela Menichelli (@michaela_menichelli) on Jun 9, 2016 at 1:45am PDT Take advantage of the swimming pools to get a little exercise, in of the gazebos available at this price range. To shelter from the rain while still enjoying the weather, or to get lost in a book in the cool outdoors and of the staff who are trained enough to get the work done without making their presence felt too much. With their many bedrooms, these villas are the perfect getaway for the family. Keeping the kids occupied is a breeze, whether it be with the pool, the garden, the beach only a few minutes away, booking a horse ride, the DVDs in the villa, or sightseeing around the city. The villas are equipped with staff to help you out with meals, but most of them have splendid restaurants around the area so you should barely have a need to call in that resource. Try out: Rumah Campur, Villa Anjali Purple, Saba – Villa Arjuna, Villa Anjali Orange, Villa Kakatua, Villa Samaki, Villa Anjali Blue, and Rumah Puro Blanco . Tipping the scales Dinner by the beach #bali #fairmonthotelsanur What you're paying for here is prime location, in addition to prime quality. These villas are surrounded by nature, allowing you to observe wildlife while exploring by canoe, or they'll get you in touch with a complete range of water sports – from island tours to deep sea fishing - if you're looking for something more adventurous. Get a five-bedroom villa for a massive family trip or book a stay in a compound villa – these places are designed such that if you don't know your neighbours, you won't know they exist. You will be faced with the most difficult choices of a vacation: do you lounge around all day at the pool, the ocean of colourful cushions at the gazebo, on the sun-deck, or in the living room? Do you pick from the set menu at the villa, ask the chef to whip up a five course meal, try your hand at barbecuing, or head out to some of the best restaurants around? What do you do first: hit the gym, do some yoga, get a massage, take a dip in the pool, play on the PlayStation, watch a movie, or get lost in a good book from the library provided? The possibilities are endless! Try out: Puri Tirta – Villa Semanya, Villa da Vinci, Rumah Ipanema, The Arsana Estate, Villa Adasa – Laksmana, Villa Jamalu, and Villa Sipo For more information on Indonesia please visit http://www.indonesia.travel ...
A wide range of options are available for Muslim families when trying to select a Halal-friendly holiday destination. We have compiled a list of the best destinations for Muslim families along with a few tips on what each destination can offer Muslim travellers. Read on for more details! Muslim travellers need to be mindful of what facilities will be available to them while travelling. Access to Halal food and prayer facilities are amongst some of the most basic requirements of Muslim travellers that will need to be taken into consideration when planning a trip. Malaysia has been ranked the best destination in the world for Muslim travellers. Located in South East Asia, Malaysia will captivate travellers with its endless shopping opportunities, mouthwatering local fare and fascinating attractions. Kuala Lumpur, Georgetown, Johor Bahru, Melaka, Genting Highlands, Petaling jaya, Sepang and Kuah are some of the most prominent cities in Malaysia that are worth visiting during a trip to the country. The second-best destination for Muslim travellers is considered to be the United Arab Emirates. In addition to facilities for Muslim travellers which will be available in abundance, the country is also home to several prominent attractions such as the Burj Khalifa - the tallest building in the world. Other prominent attractions include Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi and the Wild Wadi Water Park in Dubai. Turkey is another immensely popular tourist destination amongst Muslim travellers and offers numerous facilities and places-of-interest to ensure an enjoyable visit. Its main cities are Istanbul, Ankara, Fethiye, Marmaris, Kusadası, Oludeniz, Cesme, Goreme, Ayvalık, Antalya, Kas, Side and Alanya, with each city having something different to offer. Attractions in Turkey range from ancient ruins from the Ottoman era to beautiful beaches to traditional Turkish baths. Rounding off the list of the 4 best destinations for Muslim travellers is Indonesia. Beautiful and exotic, Indonesia is made up of over 17,000 smaller islands and has plenty to offer Muslim travellers. Some of the must-visit cities in the country include Ubud, Seminyak, Jakarta, Kuta, Yogyakarta, Bandung, Sanur, Legian, Gili Trawangan and Jimbaran. Travellers must not miss out on the local Indonesian food – which is considered to be amongst the most-loved cuisines from around the world. Other excellent travel destinations for Muslims are Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Jordan, Qatar, Tunisia and Egypt. All these countries offer a wealth of facilities including Halal food and prayer facilities to ensure a fantastic travel experience for Muslim travellers. ...


text: Women's Missionary Union is a big part of Enon's overall missions emphasis. Not only do our ladies do projects to support national and international missions, they also take on projects at the local level, too. Whether it's making sunshine baskets to encourage one of our own members or shoeboxes for the Standing Rock Indian Reservation, you'll find our ladies at work attempting to make someone else's life just little bit better. The ladies meet formally on the second Sunday of each month at 6:00 pm but often work individually or in smaller groups throughout the month. They are learning missions, leading missions and teaching others by their example. You, too, can be part of a great work in the name of the Lord. Join the WMU.


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Humanitarian groups in famine-hit Somalia say thousands are dying while deliveries of desperately needed aid from big international agencies may be weeks, perhaps months away.
The delays are adding to the frustrations of aid providers overwhelmed by the human tragedy unfolding in the Horn of Africa.
Each day brings new evidence of the magnitude of the famine gripping Somalia. At Mogadishu?s Banadir Hospital, the main intake center for severe malnutrition cases, pediatrician Dr. Lul Mohammed says the number of new cases is staggering.
"I see an average 150-200 children every day. Every day we see 2 or 3 children dying. In July 90 children died, 3,155 were admitted in July. August is same. The number [dying] is increasing because they are coming later. All are severe. They have 2-3 things together. Sometimes severe malnutrition, severe dehydration, severe anemia, and the survival rate is very low," Mohammed said.
Despite these high death rates, those who make it to Banadir Hospital are considered the lucky few. Dr. Iftiqar Mohammed of the Islamic Relief Agency in Somalia says most famine victims die without ever seeing a doctor.
"The mortality rate is, it is difficult to figure out what is the number. Yesterday at one camp, 7 children died, and they [were] buried. Day before yesterday 9, [at a camp that] has only 1,600 households," Mohammed said.
Dr. Mohammed says the latest fear is that the famine has triggered a cholera epidemic in the tent camps that have sprung up all around Mogadishu as families stream into the capital from rural areas held by the al-Qaeda linked al-Shabab militant group.
"Our concern now is whether it can be cholera outbreak. We don?t know. We know diarrhea outbreak is there, but we are not sure whether it is cholera. But today?s and yesterday?s admissions at Banadir alert us whether it may be a cholera outbreak," Mohammed said.
Definition of Famine:
The word famine is a term that is not used lightly by humanitarian organizations. The United Nations describes a crisis as a famine only when the following conditions are met:
Current Famine:
Almost half of Somalia's population, 3.7 million people, are affected by the current crisis with malnutrition rates in southern Somalia the highest in the world, surpassing 50 per cent in some areas. The United Nations says it is likely that tens of thousands have already have died, the majority of those being children.
Previous Famines in the Horn of Africa:
Dr. Mohammed worries the aid on the way from the big international humanitarian agencies may not arrive in time. The World Food Program and others have little or no infrastructure for delivering aid in Somalia. They say even if tons of food arrives at Mogadishu port, getting it to those most in need will be difficult and dangerous.
The Sri Lankan physician is openly dismissive of the United Nations agencies based in nearby Kenya charged with providing aid in Somalia. He says their vantage point in Nairobi leaves them with no idea how bad conditions are.
"When we are sitting in Nairobi you don?t feel the severity of the situation here. Since you don?t see by your own eyes, you rely only on data and information gathering from the field. Figures only, but you don?t see the reality. But when you come here, that?s what we would prefer the UN organizations, UNICEF, WHO everyone, make a field visit and see, not just confined with the airport, come mingle with the IDPs [displaced people] hear them, what is the need, and see what is going on," Mohammed said.
News agency reports reaching Somalia say the big push is on in world capitals to gather the cash and the supplies of food and other life-saving materials for Somalia as fast as possible. A consortium of doctors and health professionals from Arab countries is due to arrive within days, and the head of the UN disaster relief organization OCHA is making an emergency visit to Mogadishu.
But for those doctors and parents watching children die each day, the frustrations are mounting. They ask, ?how long will it take, and how many more must die?"


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Designed and made by the people at "Lekha", these dhurries or floor rugs are hand-woven using recycled cotton. Made in colorful hues, these are just right for creating a lounge space at home and office or simply fold it and carry it for your next outdoor picnic.
Easy to fold and store, the rugs can be machine washed using a mild detergent.
Measurement: 3.5 feet* 6 feet
Out of stock
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It's a staple of every Super Bowl: Politicians pumping up the idea that a tidal wave of prostitutes, many of them underage, are about to descend on the host city.
News outlets lap it up, and no one pays any attention to post-mortem comments from cops who say they didn't notice any real increase in hookers during the Big Week.
Village Voice Media's Pete Kotz takes a look at the phenomenon, as Indiana attorney general Greg Zoeller whips up the troops:
Seven hundred cabbies have been trained to spot the victims of pimps. Nuns have been dispatched to hotels to lecture staff. Special soap -- more than 16,000 bars, reports the Indiana Statesman -- is being placed in hotel rooms, stamped with phrases like "Are You Witnessing Young Girls Being Prostituted?" In the event that the answer is yes, national hotline numbers are conveniently being stamped on bathroom walls.
Not to be left out, the Indiana legislature rammed through an emergency bill to keep the state safe for the game. Sell a child under age 16 for sex in the Hoosier State, and you're now looking at up to 50 years.
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"The Super Bowl Prostitution Hoax" takes a look at this ongoing urban legend.


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I've got a bedroom makeover to share...
but first, I wanted to show you
what you just might see
if Grandma buys your daughter
and underwater camera
for her birthday...
Too much fun!
Miss O thinks this is the best gift ever
(second only to the disco karaoke machine mom & dad got her...
WHAT were we thinking!!)
This is the camera she has...
super fun gift!
Be back with the big boy room!
Happy Sunday!


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Halloween is just around the corner. Here are some high quality desktop wallpapers that will get you into the mood a bit early. If you are looking for more Halloween goodies, don't forget to check the entire Halloween section.
Click on the images to download the high quality version of the Halloween wallpapers. If you want to use all of these as your wallpapers, don't forget to check the wallpaper rotator and manager which rotates the wallpapers after certain time intervals.
Do you have any Halloween wallpapers to share? Don't forget to leave links to it in the comments form.


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As all ages are included in God's covenant of love, The Presbyterian Church (USA) baptizes both adults as well as infants/children. Baptism is celebrated in a service of public worship where the congregation as a whole assumes responsibility for nurturing the baptized person in the Christian life. To honor the promises made by the individual, the parents, and the congregation, baptism is administered to those who are active participants in our congregation or another Christian community.
If you are considering baptism for yourself or your child, we invite you to speak with our pastor, to worship with our congregation, to become active in our ministries, and to consider whether University Presbyterian Church might become your spiritual home.


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At Proton's recent Kuala Terengganu sales carnival, we had the chance to sit down with deputy CEO Datuk Lukman Ibrahim for a short chat, during which he talked to us about export plans and performance, the upcoming P2-30A Global Small Car and the general improvements that have been made at the national carmaker of late.
Regarding Proton's plans to re-enter the UK, Lukman confirmed the Preve, Exora and Suprima S as the three new models that would spearhead the revival there. We reported previously that the brand's relaunch was expected for December, and that British sales had not been encouraging due to the lack of new models.
"In terms of product development, our technical team are due to give me their readiness and availability report, while our commercial team are now working on price positioning and the level of advertising and promotion," Lukman said. "We hope to resume operation (in the UK) within this year."
The deputy CEO also indicated that the much-talked about six-speed manual gearbox (which has been announced for Australia from 2014) will be paired with the turbocharged 1.6 litre CFE engine rather than the non-turbo CPS and IAFM mills (for which five-speed manuals are already available).
This 6MT-CFE combo will be introduced in developed markets, including the UK. It's definitely in the plans for Malaysia; what's not so definite at present is who will get it first or when.
Where overseas sales are concerned, Proton is currently shifting over 1,000 cars a year in Indonesia. In Egypt, annual sales were previously around the 3,000 mark, but this has fallen in recent times to about 1,000, due to the unrest in the nation, Lukman said, adding that Brunei has registered a high growth rate for the company, although sales numbers there are small in comparison.
The much-anticipated Global Small Car (GSC) is expected to launch in Malaysia sometime around April. Lukman revealed that the vehicle has been designed with the intention for export, and will have features that meet international requirements (spyshots have revealed an ESC button on the vehicle's dashboard).
Will it be an Energy Efficient Vehicle (EEV)? "We are trying to meet the requirements," answered Lukman. "But even without the EEV (policy), it's the trend for manufacturers to come up with more fuel-efficient vehicles, (and this is) the direction that Proton is taking as well."
What kind of engine would the GSC have? "In terms of a solution, I think it's very much optimised," was Lukman's cryptic reply, leading us to suppose that an "optimised" version of an existing powerplant could be used for the B-segment hatch.
The legendary Proton Satria Neo S2000 rally car, of which we've not heard news for some time, has apparently been put on the back burner, if not retired altogether. "We are reviewing that (rally) programme in the long term," explained the deputy CEO.
"We need to study (it) further, maybe by this year we'll have a clear picture of our position in the context of (Super 2000) or even races outside of Malaysia."
Meanwhile, improvements have been made in product quality and after-sales, according to Lukman. The implementation of a "cross-functional team" – one in which data regarding customer complaints are shared between Edar and manufacturing – has been beneficial to customer service and problem-solving, he said.
"The trend of complaints have reduced and the closure of problems have been very much effective, with fewer outstanding, unattended and vehicle-off-the-road issues," said Lukman. He added that the increased availability of data has also made it easier for management to make decisions.


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A few years ago, frustrated with the economy and spending a lot of time talking to photographers who were finding new ways to "fight the battle", I started my own campaign: "Just because the media says it's going to be a bad year, doesn't mean it has to be!"
Well, here we are with two months to go in 2013. While the government would like us to think much of business has recovered, since they couldn't get their own act together, I'm curious where everybody else sees business headed.
In talking with photographers this week at Shoot NYC and PPE in New York, I'm hearing the usual mixed bag of challenges. One issue that I hadn't heard until recently is about weddings being down this year because too many people are superstitious over the "13". Others have talked about bridal spending down because of the continued fear in the economy etc. Then there have been photographers who are talking about this being one of the best years in their career.
I'm not minimizing the challenges with the economy, but I do see light at the end of the tunnel and I'm seeing it because of photographers who are doing well, but let's define the word "well". "Well" means they're trying new things. It means they're holding their own and still making a decent enough living to support their family. "Well" means they're exhausted, but in a great zone about how they feel about themselves and the future. Lastly, it means they still wake up every morning smiling.
If you want an even more objective definition of optimism, opposite what's typically been one of the biggest shows in the country, PPE, Hasselblad, for the last four years has been doing their own program, Shoot NYC. It's free and runs for two days yesterday and today. What helps in my definition of optimism is ShootNYC had over 3000 photographers register! I had a group yesterday morning in my short workshop on blogging/social media and they couldn't have been more positive about building their business.
Here's what I've learned from so many incredible incredible photographers this year. These are the keys to beating the media and ignoring the economy, at least enough to keep your business strong:
It all starts with your attitude. Stay away from self-fulfilling prophecies. There's that old statement – If you define a situation as hopeless, then it will be! You've got to stay focused on the importance of your contribution as a professional photographer.
Diversity in your skill set: Okay, you're a commercial photographer and you really hate shooting weddings, but do you at least know how to do it right if a client asks? Or, you're a wedding photographer and your brides from the last few years are all starting families – they loved your work the first time around. So, are you going to contact them and do the first portrait of the new baby or sit back and give the work to another photographer?
Listen to your vendors! This one is critical, because every photographer we consider iconic is working closely with several vendors. Every one of the SCU partners has new products to show or services to help you build a stronger business. The vendors are all putting their efforts into finding new tools for their clients to help find new business. They're investing time and money into ways to help you! Is it philanthropic? Of course not – but they know that if they can help you build your business you're going to need their products and services and everybody wins as the economy within photography at least, starts to improve.
Utilize your network! Every photographer I talk to is involved in something outside their direct business. They're blogging, guest blogging, shooting with other photographers, attending other workshops, reading every newsletter and article they can find and they're never slowing down. They're involved in many of the online forums because they believe in working together to find more solutions.
When I ask anybody the question, "How's business this year?" Those who say they're holding their own always finish with the same comment, "But I've never worked so hard in my life!" Nobody said it was easy, but nobody is afraid of hard work either.
I've been accused a lot of being overly optimistic. People have told me I'm too much of a cheerleader. But here's the view that I get to see, which you don't – I'm talking to hundreds of photographers every week. I have an advantage of a front row seat looking at the big picture. I'm getting feedback on new ideas, the economy and technology.
If necessity is the mother of invention then all of our survival is based on the necessity to continue to be part of the industry we love so much and find new ways to make it stronger. The media keeps telling us things are bad and from their perspective they are, but we've all got the opportunity to make changes and best of all as photographers, to make a difference!
Two great quotes I've used more than once in the past, both from Zig Ziglar that bring it all together:
You can have everything in life that you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.
It is your attitude, not your aptitude, that determines your altitude.


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The ancient art of yoga is known to increase flexibility, improve endurance and reduce stress. Guided poses and focus on controlled, mindful breathing will help participants find balance. The Naugatuck YMCA offers a variety of yoga programs for all ages and ability levels. Read below to find the class that is best for you!
Mindful Monday Morning Yoga
A gentle yoga class focusing on being mindful with our bodies as we learn basic yoga postures and breathing techniques. Great for beginners or for those who need a refreshing Monday morning pick me up.
Monday 9:30-10:30am
Evening Yoga
Come strengthen the body and relax the mind after a hard day's work.
Tuesday 6:15-7:30pm
Friday Morning Mixed Level Yoga
Increase strength, flexibility and balance through yoga. Classes will include breathing techniques and modifications to suit different needs. All levels welcome.
Friday 9:30-10:45am


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Helping Injured Workers in PA
Workers' Compensation law in Pennsylvania is complex. Your employer has a team of Philadelphia workers compensation attorneys working for the company. Who will fight for you?
The Philadelphia Workers Compensation attorneys at E.S. Borjeson & Associates understand the law and understand the emotional, physical and financial difficulties you and your family face if you have been injured on the job, suffer from a work-related illness or a loved one has been killed on the job. We tap all our resources to protect your rights and maximize your recovery.
Helping Philadelphia Pennsylvania Work Accident Victims
Our comprehensive knowledge of Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation law and 20 years of successful representation help protect clients when they need it most. We keep abreast of current laws and proposed changes and understand how changes affect our clients. We focus exclusively on Workers' Compensation cases. Workers' Compensation is not just one of the many things we do; it is the only thing we do.
We represent injured workers of all types who suffer from a wide range of job-related injuries. We stick by clients through the entire Workers' Compensation process — from the initial claim through negotiation, settlement or appeal of a Workers' Compensation award or denial. We will help you obtain the appropriate benefits which could include medical benefits, specific loss benefits, wage loss benefits and death benefits.
Our Philadelphia workers compensation attorneys are proud of the work we do. There is no greater satisfaction than seeing the victims of work injuries and occupational diseases get the compensation they deserve.
Don't go it alone. Over the years, we have seen that injured Philadelphia workers who are not represented by our highly competent Philadelphia Workers Compensation attorneys do not obtain the best results.
What To Do If Injured At Work In Pennsylvania
- Report the accident and/or injury to your employer as soon as possible. The employer must receive notice of the accident within 120 days.
- Seek treatment from a physician. Your medical bills will be covered by the employer or insurance carrier if it is a work-related injury.
- Be sure to tell the physician every part of your body that was injured to help document your claim.
- Follow your doctor's orders and return for treatment or physical therapy according to those orders. It is very important to have up-to-date medical reports available at the time of hearings and for all periods when you were unable to work.
- Keep a journal of every detail of your injury, treatment and medical bills.
What To Do If Your Workers Comp Claim Has Been Denied
If your employer has wrongfully denied your Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation claim, you may be forced spend months and even years appealing the decision. Delays in receiving the Workers' Compensation benefits to which you are entitled can make an already difficult time that much harder.
Some of the most common reasons an injured worker may experience a denial of benefits are improper and untimely reporting, an employee's status (employee vs. contractor), the cause of the injury as well as the nature of the injury.
Employees must report a possible Workers' Compensation claim to their employers within a certain period of time. Failure to timely report the incident by either of these parties may result in a denial of benefits. Failing to properly report a Workers' Compensation claim also can result in a denial of benefits. Missing information or incorrectly completed forms will lead to rejected Workers' Compensation claims. Employees must provide sufficient details about the workplace accident including the date and time of the accident, names of witnesses, the exact location of accident, the cause of the accident/injury, the nature of the workplace injuries and medical diagnoses or opinions.
In Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation claims are usually denied on the basis that the injury is not related to employment and or it as not sustained at work. If an individual's injuries are not caused at the place of employment, or easily relatable to employment, the Workers' Compensation claim may be denied. Employers may also deny a claim based on the status of an injured employee. Part time workers, undocumented workers and illegal aliens do not always qualify for Workers' Compensation benefits.
Medical documentation, more importantly the proper documentation, of the injury is essential to the success of any Workers' Compensation claim. Medical records should describe both the accident and the injury. Details about how and what caused the injuries should be found within the medical records. First reports of the injuries carry special significance. Proper tracking of all medical appointments also provides the necessary support for Workers' Compensation claims. When there has not been a specific traumatic injury, notations relating to repetitive motions or long hours can also support the legitimacy of a Workers' Compensation claim.
A denial of Workers' Compensation benefits is not the end of the story. Employees have the right to appeal a Workers' Compensation denial. The Workers' Compensation appeals process can be a complex and confusing time without the assistance of an experienced Philadelphia Workers' Compensation lawyer.
Helping Injured Workers Appeal Denied Work Comp Claims
If you have received a Notice of Workers' Compensation denial, immediately contact an experienced Workers' Compensation attorney. At E.S. Borjeson & Associates we have experience with all aspects of the Workers' Compensation appeals process including review of medical records. With offices conveniently located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, our work injury attorneys represent clients throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia County, Delaware County, Chester County, Montgomery County and Bucks County. Call us today at 215-772-3020 to discuss the types of Workers' Compensation benefits to which you may be entitled or contact us online
Philadelphia Workers Compensation Attorneys You Can Trust
Dealing with an injury at work may seem overwhelming. Count on the Philadelphia Workers Compensation attorneys at E.S. Borjeson & Associates to handle your claim and provide peace of mind. Our team of Philadelphia County workers' comp lawyers offer a no-risk, free consultation. Contact us. We can help you move forward with your life, 215-772-3020.
Our Philadelphia Workers Compensation attorneys serve injured victims and their families throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania and particularly in:
- Philadelphia
- Center City
- South Philadelphia
- Northeast Philadelphia
- West Philadelphia
- North Philadelphia
- Southwest Philadelphia
- Manayunk
- Roxborough
- Conshohocken
Employers In The Philadelphia Metro Area
Our Philadelphia workers' comp attorneys handle all types of work related injuries from all Pennsylvania employers. These companies are big and small and are City of Philadelphia government, University or Pennsylvania, Philadelphia School District, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOC) Temple Hospital, Temple University, Villanova University, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, SEPTA, US Airways, Albert Einstein Medical Center, Drexel University, Albert Einstein Medical Center, Drexel University, Hahnemann University Hospital, Comcast, Pennsylvania Health and Aria Health.
These are just some of the hundreds of employers we have fight with on behalf of our clients. No matter how big your employer is, or how small they are, let our Philadelphia workers compensation attorneys help you. Serving all of Southeastern PA including Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, Montgomery County and Philadelphia County.
Call Our Philadelphia Workers Compensation Attorneys
Our Philadelphia Workers Compensation Attorneys proudly serve all of Southeastern Pennsylvania including Aston, Avondale, Avon Grove, Bethel, Kennett Square, Chester, Darby, Darby Township, Glenolden, Yeadon, Collingdale, Radnor, Chester Heights, Swarthmore, Thornbury Township, Marple Township, Cheltenham, Haverford, East Goshen, East Bradford, East Fallowfield, Nether Providence Township, Newtown Square, Middletown Township, Lancaster, York, Harrisburg, Easton, Bethlehem, Allentown, Ridley Township, Ridley Park, West Chester, Coatesville, Concord Township, Brookhaven, Paoli, Downingtown, Oxford, Upper Darby, Media, Lima, Springfield, Broomall, Plymouth Meeting, King of Prussia, Doylestown, Blue Bell, Pottstown, Philadelphia, Norristown, Ambler, Malvern, Langhorne, Willow Grove and New Hope, Pennsylvania.


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Advertising watchdogs are investigating an "offensive" poster campaign by a Christian organisation which parodies a group of ultra-Orthodox Jews at one of their holiest sites.
The Advertising Standards Authority is looking into a billboard and newspaper campaign for the "Jews for Jesus" group that leading members of the Jewish community claim breaches its rules.
The poster includes a doctored image of six ultra-Orthodox Jews walking alongside the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. The photograph has been altered to show one of the men wearing a T-shirt bearing the slogan "Jews for Jesus", with the letter "O" represented by a Star of David. The advertisement's message states: "Things aren't always what they seem to be."
Senior Jewish figures have branded the advertisement, which has been carried in The Independent newspaper and on a billboard site in the north London - which has a large Jewish population - "offensive and sacrilegious".
Rabbi Shmuel Arkush, a spokesman for the Chief Rabbi and the director of Operation Judaism, an organisation set up to protect the integrity of the Jewish community, said: "These people specialise in trying to be ludicrous and provocative. I find it extremely offensive.
"It's an abuse of advertising, an abuse of religious sensibilities and an abuse of what we all stand for. I am surprised that the paper chose to print such an advert and I would call on all national papers to impose a ban on it."
The Wailing Wall, which is also known as the Western Wall, is the only surviving remains of the Second Temple in Jerusalem which was destroyed by the Romans 70 years after the crucifixion of Christ. It is seen as the closest place on Earth to God and many Jews leave written prayers in the cracks between the bricks.
Rabbi Jonathan Romain, the minister of the Maidenhead Synagogue and a spokesman for the Reform Jewish Community in Britain, said: "This advert does leave a very bad taste in the mouth. I am surprised it was carried in a national newspaper, although I suppose it is a free society and they have the right to express their views. There is a real danger, however, that things like this tarnish the whole of interfaith dialogue."
Jews for Jesus, which was founded in the United States in the 1970s, now has branches in all major European cities. Its main goal is to convert Jews to Christianity and it has in the past been criticised for its approach to advertising. In 2000 the group drew fire for using pictures of Harry Potter on publicity material.
Earlier this year the ASA, the body set up to police the advertising industry, issued specific guidance on the use of religion in advertising. It warned that "dismissive or irreverent depictions of sacred figures, symbols, text and places" may cause "widespread offence". It also cautioned advertisers to take into account "sensitive locations" when siting advertisements.
A spokesman for the ASA said: "We have received eight complaints about the advert from people who think it is offensive. We never comment on individual complainants but I can confirm we are investigating this matter.
"If we find that the complaints should be upheld, we will ask the organisation to remove the material and promise not to use a similar approach in future campaigns."
Joseph Steinberg, the UK director of Jews for Jesus, who is an ordained Anglican priest, defended the advertising campaign. "The advert should evoke a smile if not a laugh," he said. "We thought people would find it humorous and Jewish people, after all, are known for their sense of humour.
"It is intended to catch the eye of the reader. We did not intend to offend anyone. I have Orthodox Jewish friends who don't agree with what our organisation says but who find the advert amusing."
Mr Steinberg declined to say how much the advert had cost but confirmed that The Independent - which has a circulation of around 230,000 - had been selected because it was an "economical" choice.
He also said that faces in the original photograph had been replaced with shots of staff working for Jews for Jesus. He said: "Our organisation wants to convey the message that Jesus was a Jew and that Jews can accept him as a messiah figure. We do not want to go about deliberately upsetting people.
"I have spoken to the ASA myself and I have told them that we have changed the faces in the original photograph. I think that was something they took on board."
Laurie Proctor, the commercial director of The Independent, said: "We haven't had any complaints from our readers. It is obviously not for me as a commercial director to take a moral standpoint, but we did consider it carefully and didn't see anything wrong with it.
"It did not seem to break any ASA guidelines, it wasn't asking for money and it was paid for in advance. I can see no reason why we would not continue running the advertisement, depending on the ASA.
"Any allegations that we are anti-semitic are simply not true because Simon Kelner, our editor-in-chief, is Jewish."


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Floor Insulation in Atlanta
Maintaining Dry, Comfortable Floors All Year Round!
Many homeowners in the Atlanta, GA area do not consider their floors as an area that needs to be insulated. Walls and ceilings, sure – but floors? You'd be surprised at what a layer of quality insulation under your floors can do for home comfort and energy efficiency. Our Atlanta insulation experts highly recommend floor insulation in a variety of cases.
Here are some of the times when a homeowner needs floor insulation:
- There are living spaces above an unconditioned garage or carport.
- Decks have been converted and enclosed into conditioned living spaces.
- The home has cantilevered floors and/or small floors under bay window areas.
- The house is on a pier and has no foundation walls.
- There is existing floor insulation, but it is old, ineffective and possibly harmful to occupant health.
What Type of Insulation Do We Use for Floor Applications?
Bird Family Insulation installs spray foam insulation under floors. Our Atlanta insulation company has found this to be the only acceptable technique (compared to fiberglass batts) for rewarding our clients with a durable, lifetime insulation product that is both a thermal barrier and a moisture/air barrier! Dry wood floors are comfortable floors, year-round.
Using closed cell spray foam insulation provides these three key benefits:
- It's a moisture barrier.
- It's an air barrier.
- It's a thermal barrier.
You win with drier, healthier floors that aren't negatively influenced by the damp, harmful environment beneath your home. Now, your floors are SEALED, and positively influenced by the climate-controlled environment inside your home!
Our Process for Insulating Your Floor with Spray Foam
You never get an excuse from Bird, only solutions. If necessary, our insulation contractors in Atlanta will put multiple foam rigs on site to expedite your project completion.
Our Atlanta floor insulation specialists have a thorough and methodical approach to insulating your floor:
- Any mechanical systems are covered with protective poly. We don't want overspray to find it's way onto your furnace or water heater.
- Floors are inspected, and we remove any existing material in a safe and thorough manner.
- We perform a preliminary sealing of any gaps or voids where the spray foam could expand upward into your living space.
- In case there are mold and mildew stains under any insulation we are removing, we will offer to clean it up before applying the new spray foam.
- If we are spraying in your garage or carport, or under a deck, we use poly to drape the walls and protect against overspray.
- Our licensed and professional technicians apply the spray foam and clean up fully before leaving your home.
Call now! Schedule Jacob, Beau or Brian into your home for a FREE evaluation and quote for insulating your floors with spray foam insulation in Atlanta. (404) 666-8160