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Judson A. Welborn, a member of Manning Fulton's litigation section, concentrates his practice in the areas of real property litigation, construction litigation and business litigation. He has extensive experience representing clients in the state and federal courts of North Carolina, as well as administrative agencies and arbitration forums, in a variety of litigation matters involving real property and title insurance disputes, construction disputes, franchise, taxation and other business disputes.
Judd also has experience representing landowners in condemnation proceedings involving the State of North Carolina, local municipalities and private condemnors, as well as representing taxpayers in property tax appeals before County Boards of Equalization and Review, the North Carolina Property Tax Commission and the appellate courts of North Carolina.
Selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® in the areas of Real Estate Litigation (2013, 2014, 2015), Commercial Litigation (2013, 2014, 2015), Land Use and Zoning Litigation (2013, 2014, 2015), Construction (2015) and Construction Litigation (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015), Judd is also recognized byBusiness North Carolina Magazine as one of North Carolina's Legal Elite in the areas of Construction Law (2006, 2008-2015), Business Litigation (2007-2009), Litigation (2013, 2014), and as one of North Carolina's best lawyers under the age of 40 (Young Guns 2007-2012, 2014). He is also listed in North Carolina Super Lawyers (2009-2015) as a Rising Star and in Benchmark Litigation (2010-2014), the nation's only publication of its kind that focuses exclusively on the practice of litigation. In addition, Judd holds Martindale-Hubbell's highest "AV" peer review rating.
Judd currently serves as the Chair of the Board of Trustees of Follow the Child Montessori School, and is a former member of the North Carolina Rules Review Commission and the Board of Directors of Carolina Ballet.
Specific Matters
- Lead trial counsel for an out of state financial institution in a $15 million lender liability lawsuit that was tried to jury verdict in the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina resulting in a finding of no liability on any of the counts asserted against the financial institution
- Lead counsel for former executive in a breach of fiduciary duty and unfair and deceptive trade practices claim in which former business partner sought damages in excess of $30 million which resulted in summary judgment in favor of the former executive
- Represented former executive in a bankruptcy matter alleging corporate malfeasance and breach of fiduciary duty in which Bankruptcy Trustee sought to recover damages in excess of $30 million from former officers and directors of bankrupt company
- Lead counsel for developer/owner of hotel in a construction defect claim involving more than 20 parties and more than $2 million in damages resulting from defective construction
- Lead counsel for an out of state financial institution in a $4 million lender liability lawsuit resulting in a dismissal of claims asserted against the financial institution
- Lead counsel for owner of a hotel in a Letter of Intent dispute with general contractor where general contractor sought to recover more than $1.5 million from the owner
- Represented numerous owners, lenders, sellers, purchasers, developers, general contractors and subcontractors in a variety of real property and construction litigation matters across North Carolina with amounts in controversy ranging from a few thousand dollars to more than $50 million
- Represented some of the nation's largest providers of title insurance services in a variety of litigation matters involving, among other things, lien priority disputes, deed reformation actions, boundary line disputes, undisclosed/missing heirs disputes, inheritance disputes and forgery actions
- Represented restaurant franchisee against multinational franchisor in franchise dispute resulting in settlement in excess of $10 million
- Lead counsel for international real estate investment group with more than $48 billion in assets in contract dispute and workout negotiation involving claims by commercial tenant valued at more than $1 million
- Represented multiple land owners and tenants in condemnation/eminent domain proceedings involving the State of North Carolina, local municipalities and private condemnors in connection with highway improvement projects, airport expansion projects, and utility service construction/expansion projects across North Carolina
- Represented second largest technology company in the world in multiple appeals before multiple North Carolina County Boards of Equalization and Review, the North Carolina Property Tax Commission and the North Carolina Appellate Courts in appeals establishing principles governing valuation of computer equipment in North Carolina involving computer equipment valued at over $5 billion and resulting in tax refunds in excess of $8 million
- North Carolina counsel for the largest tobacco company in the United States in a dispute with State of North Carolina over "non-participating manufacturer" adjustments to payment obligations under the Master Settlement Agreement between tobacco companies and 46 states
- Lead counsel for developer of affordable housing communities across North Carolina in a lawsuit against a municipality involving claims arising under the Fair Housing Act
- Represented real estate investment trust in a lawsuit arising from a major acquisition of other corporations, properties and assets that involved claims in excess of $10 million based on alleged fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, wrongful interference with contractual relations, civil conspiracy and commercial real estate broker compensation
- Represented purchaser of industrial equipment in breach of warranty action against equipment manufacturer with claims in excess of $8 million
- Coordinate and manage construction litigation prevention techniques on North Carolina construction projects for national general contractor
- Lead counsel for software developer in a lawsuit alleging fraud, breach of contract, breach of warranties under the Uniform Commercial Code and unfair and deceptive trade practices
- Lead counsel for restaurant franchisee in numerous complex commercial contract disputes, misappropriation of trade secrets claims and anti-competitive trade practices actions
- Represented real estate salespersons and brokers in disciplinary actions before the North Carolina Real Estate Commission
- Represented regional grocery store chain in licensing matters before the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission and North Carolina Board of Pharmacy
- Represented corporate taxpayer in improper garnishment and attachment proceeding resulting in consent judgment requiring taxing authority to refund over $700,000 to taxpayer plus interest
- Represented legal professionals in various lawsuits alleging legal malpractice arising from real estate transactions across North Carolina.
- Represented insurance professionals and insurance carriers in claims relating to insurance procurement, insurance policy interpretation and insurance coverage claims
- Represented commercial factor in dispute arising under Uniform Commercial Code about rights of factor and defenses of account debtors in connection with over $2.5 million in factored receivables
- Lead counsel for North Carolina based corporation in Business Software Alliance software licensing violations investigation
- Lead counsel for software developer in a lawsuit alleging fraud, breach of contract, breach of warranties under the Uniform Commercial Code and unfair and deceptive trade practices
- Lead counsel for non-profit corporation and its Board of Directors in significant number of claims for malfeasance, breach of fiduciary duty and negligence


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Currently ResearchingI am currently researching my lineage to Benjamin Foss and his wife Sarah Mitchell of Machias, Maine.
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- RT @Baseball_Photos: On this date in 1973: Carlton Fisk and Thurmon Munson mix it up after a home plate collision. #RedSox #Yankees http://… 5 years ago
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Maude Alta Smith of Jonesport Maine
Over the last two weeks I put together a sketch for Maude Alta Smith. She is my 2nd great grand aunt. The daughter of Henry E and Sarah Augusta (Foss) Smith. You can access it from the sketches page or … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized 2 Comments
Charles Francis Smith – Greenwood Cemetery, Jonesport, Maine
I went to the cemetery where my 2 x Great Grandfather Charles Francis Smith is buried. After getting back I updated http://www.findagrave.com with pictures for the stones and linked the family together. On findagrave there are two graves for Melzer. … Continue reading
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Deed Research in Machias
Yesterday I spent the afternoon at the Registry of Deeds in Machias, Maine. I am cataloging all the Manchester entries, up to 1940. You can see the index of what I found yesterday on the Deed Research section of this … Continue reading
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subset: commoncrawl


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Artisan Box by Luxurion World Subscription Box Review – November 2015
Artisan Box by Luxurion World is a monthly subscription box bringing you handcrafted lifestyle items from India. Each month, the products will come from a different Indian state. November's products are from Jammu and Kashmir.
This box was sent to us for review purposes. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
The Subscription Box: Artisan Box by Luxurion World
The Cost: $44.92 a month (save with longer subscriptions, and please note that there may be fluctuations in price due to exchange rates)
I think they do a great job with the packaging. It's like opening a gift. FYI, this is the November box. With this subscription, shipping is later in the month and you will get it the next month because these packages come all the way from India.
Good to Know: This box ships via registered mail so a signature is required upon delivery. If you are not going to be home, you may want to have it delivered to your workplace, although I have had good luck signing the slip of paper the mail carrier leaves and requesting redelivery through the USPS website.
The Products: 3-5 lifestyle items handcrafted by artisans in India. The items come from local craftsmen and small businesses and produced in a sustainable, environmentally-friendly manner. A large percentage of the proceeds of Artisan Box are distributed to the artisans who make the products. Cost savings for the consumer are achieved through volume purchases and direct payment to the artisans without any middle agencies. This structure allows for improvement of the artisans' socioeconomic conditions.
Ships to: Worldwide; $20 cost to the US
Check out the Artisan Subscription Box Directory for similar boxes!
I think Artisan Box by Luxurion World has one of the best information cards out there – full-color photos, printed on really nice card stock. Many products from the box can be found in their store. All values are taken from the information card.
Walnut Wood Carving Key Holder – Value $10
Kashmir is known for walnut wood carving. This piece is hand carved and incorporates forms and motifs that have evolved over centuries. My keychain has so much junk hanging off it that it would totally obscure the artistry here, so I think I am going to hang some of my malas from this instead!
Papier Mache Christmas Decorations (2 pieces) – Value $12
The art of making pieces like these was introduced in Kashmir in the 15th century by a Kashmiri prince who had been imprisoned in Central Asia. This particular version of papier mache originated in Persia. I don't have a Christmas tree to put them on (four cats and a clumsy Rottweiler make that a bad idea) but I am definitely going to hang them somewhere because they are quite pretty.
Kashmiri Saffron (0.5 grams) – Value $15
Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world and this is a pretty generous quantity. Kashmiri saffron has a stronger flavor than Spanish saffron (which seems to be the easiest kind to find in the US). We are planning to make a vegetarian paella this week with the saffron (not an Indian dish, I know, but it jumped out at me from a cookbook I was looking at). Sorry if the picture looks blurry, but this wasn't a huge item to begin with.
Pure Silk Scarf – Value $30
This is lightweight and 100% silk; I love the vibrant colors. I have only recently started wearing scarves so I don't have too many yet, and this will get a lot of uses.
Aari Work Tea Cozy – Value $15
It's a little hard to tell from the photo, but this tea cozy is pretty big. I think it is a perfect excuse to buy a larger teapot! Aari embroidery is performed by pulling the thread through from the back side of the fabric using a little hook and is similar to tambour embroidery and has some aspects in common with crewel embroidery, as well.
Verdict: I calculated a value of $82 for the November Artisan Box from Luxurion World. They promise a monthly value of at least $70 and they exceeded that this month. I say this every month, but I actually think some of the items are probably worth more than the cost listed on the Luxurion World site – or at least, they would sell for more, individually, in the US. So the actual value may be even higher! I love the craftsmanship and that this subscription supports the artisans plus the items are beautiful and I find the stories of their creation quite interesting. I am also learning a lot about the various regions of India and what types of traditional crafts are practiced in each of them.
This is one of my favorite boxes to get each month. It is always so nicely packaged and the contents are beautiful and unique. I wouldn't even know to look for some of these types of items in the first place, but I have learned about all sorts of rare arts and crafts with this subscription.
What do you think of the November 2015 Artisan Box from Luxurion World?
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Allergies – they are a common problem and a troublesome one too. Allergy sufferers often feel stuffed up, are constantly sneezing and deal with watery eyes and uncomfortable itching. These symptoms are not pleasant; however, there are some great remedies available that can help anyone to combat their allergy symptoms.
Try a new antihistamine at home first. A lot of them can cause you to be very sleepy and slow your reflexes. Even where no alarming warnings are printed on the labeling, always take your initial doses when you have nothing important to do, and you do not plan on driving.
When you constantly battle allergies, it pays to devote a little extra time to cleaning the areas in which you live, work and play. For example, you should regularly wipe down any surface that you touch frequently like keyboards, countertops, door knobs and appliances. This reduces the amount of allergens that you come into contact with daily.
Know the outdoor plants you are allergic to and check the calendar! You should know this information, if you can plan outdoor activities. This way, you can plan them on what days you should be taking your allergy medicine or packing some with you for the day.
Good Health
While an allergy test can be useful in helping you to identifying the culprit of your allergy symptoms, there are certain times in which taking this test is ill-advised. For example, you should never agree to an allergy test when you are experiencing severe asthma symptoms. It is also best to avoid testing while in recovery from surgery, or illness. During these periods, your body may not respond to the tests, as it would in good health.
Health Food
Think about learning about homeopathic remedies. Although many people take medicine, homeopathic remedies may be a better choice for your allergies. These remedies usually don't have the horrible side effects you find in prescription medications, and they work much better than over the counter medications. Now, you are able to find some homeopathic remedies in your local drug or health food store.
Think about your current diet and consider practicing a healthier eating lifestyle. You are what you eat and sometimes, eating a lot of unhealthy foods can make you congested. Put some more veggies and white meats into your diet, this can help clear up your bloodstream, helping your body to combat congestion and allergies.
If you are prone to allergic reactions from scented or perfumed products, don't forget that shampoos and lotions usually contain large amounts of perfume and chemicals. Go for the basics and choose hypo-allergenic products from your health food store or nutrition center. Use fragrance-free deodorants and laundry soaps as well.
Allergies are unpleasant, uncomfortable and troublesome. Fortunately, there are some great tips available that can help sufferers to combat their troublesome symptoms. This article has introduced several effective measures that can help with the sniffles, sneezes and itchy eyes that often accompany allergies. Using a few of these measures might just help allergy sufferers to find some relief.…


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Spring has kicked off with gorgeous weather! As long as you can make it through without allergies, you have probably gotten a good start on all those outdoor activities like gardening, home projects, landscaping, and even exercising outside. Although exercising outdoors is a great way to enjoy walking, running, biking and hiking, don't drop your wellness center/gym membership yet! When we move all of our exercise outdoors, we may likely fall victim to mundane and repetitive workout habits. Cross training should be incorporated into your year-round routine.
What is cross training? It's a training routine that involves several different forms of exercise. It limits the stress that occurs on a specific muscle group because different activities use muscles in slightly different ways.
Here are some reasons to bring your workout inside a few times per week:
- Injury prevention Using one set of muscles repeatedly can increase your risk for repetitive injury. It is important to give them a break. By mixing up your routine, you will give your overused body parts a chance to rest and the under used a chance to strengthen. Try lap swimming or a Yoga class in place of your normal cardiovascular exercise.
- Better overall fitness You faithfully run several times per week and occasionally add in a fun run on the weekends and feel pretty fit, right? But, a friend asks you to go paddle boarding and suddenly you can't keep up and find yourself with muscle soreness for several days later. By incorporating several different modalities in your fitness routine you can increase your performance and overall fitness. Try adding a day of core work, some strength training and some different forms of cardio to mix it up!
- Reduces exercise boredom Doing one thing day after day, whether in your daily life, or in this case, your exercise regimen is sure to get old over time. By incorporating a variety of activities you'll keep it interesting, keep your body guessing, and will be more likely to adhere to a healthy lifestyle. As the old saying goes, "variety is the spice of life" even when it comes to exercise! So why not commit to trying a new group exercise class?
- Strength training Some of the benefits of strength training include disease prevention, increased stamina for activities of daily living, and an increased resting metabolism just to name a few. So needless to say it is very important to incorporate into your routine. Maybe you have some strength training equipment at home? Maybe a few dumbbells, or bands, but most of us do not have the wide array of equipment provided in a facility. And let's be honest – most of us with equipment at home do not use it at home. It more often than not becomes a dust collector.The American College of Sports Medicine recommends strength training at least two days per week. So, bring your workout inside and lift! Not sure how to get started? One of our nationally certified personal trainers would be happy to help you!
Rather than canceling your gym membership for the next 4-5 months because the weather is beautiful, keep it! You will truly find value in your membership by cross training with equipment and classes you won't have access to outside. And remember, there will always be rainy days. With a gym membership there are never excuses!


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Montreal to Hong Kong | $761 roundtrip including taxes | new record!
A few weeks ago, Delta had some ridiculous prices from Western Canada to Hong Kong, and now it looks like they are giving Eastern Canada the same treatment.
Delta has just set a new record for the cheapest flights between Montreal and Hong Kong that I've ever seen. Amazingly, they actually appear to be slightly cheaper from Eastern Canada than from Western Canada, which is rare.
While Beijing and Shanghai have dropped into the $700s on rare occasion, this is the first time I've seen Hong Kong break the $800 barrier.
For comparison, here are the current cheapest roundtrip flight prices from Montreal to Hong Kong, by airline, in the month of September....
As you can see, Delta is undercutting the next closest competing airline (Japan Airlines) by over 45% ! A ridiculous gap in the competitive world of airfares.
How to find and book these flights to Hong Kong
These cheap flights are currently showing in Delta's system for the months of September, October, November, and very early December. Incidentally, October and November are often cited as the two best months of the year to visit Hong Kong when the temperatures are at their most comfortable (19C-28C) and plenty of sunshine.
Here are some example searches on Kayak to get you started. When you get to Kayak, click on the orange 'Select' button which will take you to Delta.com where the flight can be booked. When you get to Delta's site, the verified price will show up as $761 CAD.
August 27 - September 08
September 03-17
September 10-24
October 01-15
October 15-29
November 05-19
November 12-26
November 19 - December 03
August 27 - September 08(Note: August 18 to September 8 looks to be available as well, try searching for it on FlightHub.com)
This is not an advertised sale, so it's hard to say how long it will stick around. Typically, with unadvertised price drops on Delta, I find they often disappear very quickly (under 24 hours). But sometimes they do stay around for a few days. From Western Canada, these similar fares to Hong Kong stuck around for about 5 days, but that doesn't guarantee anything.
If you're looking for amazing travel advice on Hong Kong, try asking the thousands of travel junkies from Montreal in the YUL Deals Facebook Group. To join the group, just go to http://www.facebook.com/groups/yuldeals/ and hit the 'Join Group' button to post a message on the wall.
Hit Like if you like this deal! Click Share to show your friends on Facebook.
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Setting up alerts allows you to be one of the first to see a new deal, before it sells out.
And don't worry, alerts are only sent when it's truly an amazing deal.
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4 Responses to "Montreal to Hong Kong | $761 roundtrip including taxes | new record!"
Thanks for the deal chris. I picked up a ticket for 760 in late September. I also was to point out that prices have dropped even more now, some to as low as $701
Nice! Thanks Matthew! Have a great time in Hong Kong.
Hey Chris, unfortunetly I waited too long on this deal and missed out. Regardless, I want to commend you for you efforts that was an incredible deal.
I'm curious though, in your experience how low does Montreal to Toyko tend to go during the course of the year? I am still determined to go to Asia this year.
Thanks in advance!
Hi Dan,
I would say the typical bottom price is around $1250-$1400 roundtrip including taxes.
Have a look on Google Flights Explorer, whenever Google gets it back up. Canadians crashed it with high traffic yesterday :)
Comments are automatically closed 30 days after the post is made.


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How Do You Upload Images Onto Google Image Search?
To upload images onto Google Image Search your image must be placed on a website or blog with relevant keywords. Google is a search engine and it searches websites and blogs to identify images it can upload to Google Images. No one is allowed to upload their images directly to Google Images since Google controls what and when images are loaded. To encourage Google to upload your images, you can submit the website or blog using the Google Add URL link. Launch your HTML editor, like Notepad or Dreamweaver, or start a free blog on Blogger or WordPress. See the "Resources" section of this article for links to free blogging sites. Place your images and relevant keywords on your website using free FTP software if you use Notepad, or using the FTP feature in Dreamweaver. See "Resources" if you need to download some free FTP software to do this. If you are using a blog, use the "Add Image" tool provided in Blogger or WordPress and make sure the "Tags" and text related to the images contain the


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The Association of Residential Cleaning Services, International (ARCSI) was established to assist residential cleaning service owners and professionals in starting, promoting, building and expanding their businesses. ARCSI is committed to providing valuable information to ensure the growth and development of our members' businesses.
Our mission is to provide members with a network of knowledge and experience throughout the industry, whether you are a veteran business owner, buying an existing business, or purchasing a franchise. By forging these connections, members benefit from new perspectives while also helping to foster profitable growth in the industry.
Having the resources of ARCSI available to you will make it easier to build your business, no matter what your business size or your business goals may be.
Membership in ARCSI can provide your business with the tools to achieve the success you want!
How? ARCSI offers an extensive member resource library containing policies, procedures, handbooks and forms to help your improve and grow your residential cleaning service. Members have free access to over 150 "Hot Topic" discussions on issues from common employee issues to understanding your financial statements to getting out of the field. ARCSI events – like the Annual Cleaning Convention and the Executive Leadership Conference – focus on getting you important, timely information so that you can be a better business owner.
We've had them every two weeks for over a year now . they clean the whole house. the workers are very polite. were normally not home, but they've never broken anything, so im assuming that they are careful. we like the quality and dependability. we tried another service years ago, but they stole some checks from us, so we were reluctant to try it again. but prestigious cleaning is a local Kennesaw company, and the owner is well thought of in the community, so we thought we give it another try. my wife and I both work, and weŕe not always home, so we needed someone that we could trust--that is the biggest thing. I would give them an A.
Prestigious Cleaning came out and cleaned my house. theyre very professional and thorough, and theyre very nice ladies. they brought their own cleaning supplies. what I liked most was the general professionalism of the people who came. they really looked good and professional, and they had uniforms ofn. they're hard workers--they don't fool around. I've had them now three times. I first thought of selecting them because of one of my neighbors. I would give them an A+.
Prestigious Cleaning did whole-house cleaning for me. I had started out with just the initial cleaning, and then because of the quality of their service, I switched to a biweekly program. I would give them an A+.
They cleaned up a rental home, and everything was perfect. I got my full deposit back, and I didn't have any problems with the leasing agent or anything. I didn't have to go back, and I didn't have any problems. they were on time and did a good job. I would give them an A.
This organization has been one of the biggest blessings to me as I move into the growth phase of my business.This connection means so much when you feel you're out there all alone putting out the fires.


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3 Design Challenges for the Low-tech Makerspace
Many educators have the misconception that makerspace activities always need to involve expensive technology like 3-D printers and circuit kits. But this isn't true. Students can have amazing learning experiences in makerspaces with low-tech and no-tech tools. Heather Lister shared many such tools in her post on low-tech makerspaces.
Once you have those low-tech tools in your makerspace, it can sometimes be tricky to figure out how to engage students with them. Enter: design challenges. In Challenge-Based Learning in the School Library Makerspace (available for pre-order now), Colleen Graves, Aaron Graves and I share strategies for creating design challenges in your makerspace that will engage your students in creativity and innovation. For this post, I've used our design prompt template to share several design challenge ideas that work great with low-tech and no-tech tools. I come from a middle school background, but these challenges can easily be adapted for both elementary and high school.
1. Cardboard Creature Challenge
The Cardboard Challenge has long been one of my favorite makerspace activities. Inspired by the amazing short film Caine's Arcade and the Imagination Foundation's Global Cardboard Challenge, I create a new variation on this challenge every year. We've created cardboard arcades, robots, buildings, etc.
For this post, I'm combining the Cardboard Challenge with another of my students' favorite challenges, the Creature Challenge. I've designed this one to last for two days, but you could make it longer or shorter as needed. I prefer to go for shorter time frames with cardboard challenges, mostly because it takes up lot of space to store student projects.
Cardboard projects are very messy, but so worth it. Students get excited about bringing their ideas to life with materials they already have at home.
To host a Cardboard Creature Challenge in your library, I recommend having these supplies:
- Electric cardboard cutters (we have four of these and they work fantastically)
- Several hot glue guns and lots of glue
- Scissors
- Packing tape
- Acrylic paint and paintbrushes
- Tinfoil
- Plastic wrap
- Rubber bands
- Googly eyes
Start your students off by watching Caine's Arcade together. Explain how to safely use any supplies and materials you have available. Introduce the design prompt to students, and then watch the magic happen.
Design prompt: Use cardboard to create a creature that does something. You can work alone or choose your own group. We will work on this for two days and then share by creating a video about our projects that we'll post online.
Learn More About Cardboard Challenges
- How to Connect Your Students to the World with the Cardboard Challenge (AASL Knowledge Quest)
- The 2015 Cardboard Challenge (Renovated Learning)
- Maker Projects: The Awesome Cardboard Maker Cave (Renovated Learning)
- Cardboard Challenge 2016 (Renovated Learning)
2. Tech Take-apart Robot Challenge
Tech take-apart is a classic makerspace activity. This design challenge takes it a step further by recycling the technology into a robot made by students. This project doesn't have to be super complex — picture a shoebox painted with black paint that has keyboard keys and circuit boards glued to it.
For this challenge, you'll need the following supplies:
- Several different types of technology that are relatively easy to take apart. Think broken computers, keyboards, alarm clocks, etc.
- Safety goggles for students to wear to protect their eyes.
- An assortment of tools, such as screwdrivers, pliers, etc.
For safety, cut off the power cords before allowing students to tackle the tech. Make sure to discuss how to safely take apart technology before letting students loose and set consequences for abusing the tools.
The first session will be mostly taking apart the tech and salvaging pieces for the students' designs. The second session will focus on brainstorming and creating their robots. The final session will be where students can create the stories or videos about their robots. You can have students share their projects during this session or during a following session.
Design Prompt: Working in pairs, take apart old technology and use the pieces you salvage to build a robot. Write a story and/or make a video about your robot to share with the class. You will have three days.
Need Ideas to Get Kids Making?
Your makerspace doesn't need to have the latest high-tech tools to be effective. Download the Guide to Low-Tech Making for easy and effective activities that can help you launch a maker program that boosts critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration.
3. Recycled Book Art Gallery
We all have damaged or out-of-date books that we've weeded from our library. Instead of tossing them out, why not transform them into recycled art? Browse Pinterest or check out some of the recommended resources below to gather inspiration for students. Provide students with a variety of arts and crafts supplies, including glue, tape, paint, scissors, glitter, etc. Teach the students about what an artist's statement is, and have them write one up once their project is done. Then create a gallery of all the students' projects in the library and invite classes to visit for a gallery walk. This is a great way to introduce students to the world of professional art and a fantastic way to recognize their work.
Design prompt: Working alone or in pairs, transform a used book into a work of art. You can use any arts and crafts materials, including paint, scissors, glue, tape, etc. Write an artist's statement explaining how you came up with your idea and how you created your art. You will have one week to complete the project. All of the book art will be displayed with artists' statements in a gallery in the library.


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Mostly people who get treatment for scabies often feel the skin condition will never be treated. Plus, the medication did not work. This certainly means that the infested person will again make more visits to the doctor and also apply more medicated or potentially toxic ointments on the irritated skin. Moreover, the excessive money spent on the treatment and increased stress level leaves you in a condition where you're not able to find a cure.
Yes, it's not hard to get re-infected with scabies. Even after treatment you may feel itchy due to the immune reaction, but it is never to scabies bites. It is just a reaction to the dead skins and excrement they leave behind as they live under your skin. However, if you still feel that you're getting new bites and bumps, it would certainly be an indication of new activity. This situation arises few questions: Did you eradicate all mites from the house as well as treating yourself?
A proper treatment for scabies may take few weeks to several months (depending on your current condition). Meanwhile, you also have to make sure that all the things around your house including bed sheets, towels and you clothes are also washed thoroughly. As these are some of the areas where the itch mites can still live, and may re-infect you soon after the treatment.
Before stressing too much about re-infection and costs, you must have a clear understanding about scabies, how it can be treated and what to expect aftermath of treatment. Here are few major points that would provide you proper information about scabies and also how it can be treated effectively.
Well, it is a contagious skin condition that's caused by an itch mite Sarcoptes scabiei. During diagnosis, the mites can be seen with a magnifying glass or microscope. The scabies mites tend to crawl but are unable to fly or jump. They are immobile at temperatures below 20-degree centigrade, although they may survive for prolonged periods at these temperatures.
Standard Treatment of Scabies
Standard treatment for scabies is applying 5-percent permethrin cream to the entire body, as indicated on the medication label. In certain cases, it is also necessary to apply the lotion on face, including just inside the nostrils and also on tops of the eyelids. This is because the mites may be found on these locations as well. But it's important to consult your physician before application of the medicine.
The lotion is meant to be left on overnight. In the morning, the infested person has to rinse the body with warm water and also wash all clothes that have been worn by him. Plus, the infested person's bedding, towels and other surfaces or items that have been touched for long duration can be cleaned.
Even after the treatment, you'll feel you have scabies
Even during and after treatment the small bums may continue to emerge for weeks or even months, depending on the treatment. Even experienced dermatologists would say that these outbreaks occur in places the mites have already formed burrows prior to treatment. To relive the person from itching, anti-itching cream such as hydrocortisone or antihistamine medicines can be provided. These medicaments will calm the body's immune reaction until the symptoms begin to reduce.
Alternative treatments for scabies
Except, permethrin cream, there are other lotions such as benzyl benzoate, sulfur in petrolatum, crotamiton, etc. that are also known to be effective in killing scabies. Ivermectin (Stromectol) can be taken orally- it is an anti-parasitic drug to kill scabies mites. Moreover, tea tree oil and neem oil are other great substitutes to relieve skin irritation.


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Celebrate the Savings with The Shrapnel Games' Summer's End Sale!
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August 7th, 2017, 04:30 AM
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Celebrate the Savings with The Shrapnel Games' Summer's End Sale!
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End Your Summer With Deep Discounts On Your Most Wanted Games!
Celebrate the Savings with The Shrapnel Games' Summer's End Sale!
End Your Summer With Deep Discounts On Your Most Wanted Games!
Wilmington, NC, 7 August 2014
School is starting soon and that can only mean one thing. Summer is ending. That means Shrapnel Games is offering their gaming titles at discounted prices in the hope that our sale will bring many people out of their end of summer blues. Play the very best in independent war and strategy games available today!
Check out the deals you can get from now until August 21st:
Air Assault Task Force, normally $39.95, only $34.95!
Air Command 3.0, normally $39.95, only $29.95!
ATF: Armored Task Force, normally $29.95, only $22.95!
Battle Group Commander: Episode One, normally $14.95, only $9.95!
Bronze, normally $29.95, only $24.95!
The Falklands War: 1982, normally $39.95, only $34.95!
Raging Tiger: The Second Korean War, normally $39.95, only $34.95!
Salvo!, normally $39.95, only $34.95!
Scallywag: In the Lair of the Medusa, normally $29.95, only $19.95!
The Star and the Crescent, normally $39.95, only $34.95!
War Plan Pacific, normally $39.95, only $34.95!
winSPMBT: Main Battle Tank (Enhanced Edition), normally $39.95, only $34.95!
winSPWW2 (Enhanced Edition), normally $39.95, only $34.95!
World Supremacy, normally $29.95, only $24.95!
And all month long we've been running our monthly specials. For all of August take advantage of the following deals:
Approaching Infinity, normally $39.95, only $32.95!
BCT Commander, normally $19.95, only $14.95!
You can get all games at our online store, the Gamers Front:
Remember, this sale only runs through August 21st. When the sale ends, so do the savings! Act now!
Shrapnel Games is an independent publisher of fine strategy and niche titles, the kind of titles that you don't see the big boys publishing anymore. If you're a fan of forgotten genres and intelligent gaming be sure to visit us at
and peruse our catalog of award winning titles. A new website design is coming soon!
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Irontail is the main antagonist in Here Comes Peter Cottontail. He is an evil rabbit. Irontail will stop at nothing to stop Peter from being the Easter Bunny. However, during the credits of the movie, he was foiled by being the clean-up crew and became good.
Role in the Story
Here Comes Peter Cottontail
Colonel Wellington B. Bunny, the retiring Chief Easter Bunny, names young Peter his successor despite Peter's propensity for boasting and telling fibs, which is exemplified when his left ear droops. Peter, who has dreamed of being the Chief Easter Bunny almost his entire life, gladly accepts. But not everyone in April Valley is happy with the Colonel's decision. January Q. Irontail, an evil, reclusive rabbit villain who lives in a craggy old tree, alone except for his assistant, a bat named Montresor, wants to be the Chief Easter Bunny... but only so he can ruin it for children everywhere, as revenge for the loss of his tail, which was run over by a small child who rollerskated over his fluffy tail (we are told), and replaced with a prosthetic iron one. Because the constitution of April Valley says only the rabbit who delivers the most eggs on Easter morning can be Chief Easter Bunny, Irontail proposes that Colonel Bunny hold a contest between himself and Peter to see who wins. Peter, eager to prove his worth, accepts Irontail's challenge even as Colonel Bunny is preparing to turn the evil rabbit down. Although Peter promises the Colonel that he won't fail, he stays up late partying with his friends. Though he sets his rooster to wake him up at 5:00, Irontail sabotages his friend by giving it magical bubble-gum. The magic gum causes the rooster's crows to float so far away that Peter can't hear them, resulting in Peter sleeping through and losing the contest.
Even though the unfriendly Irontail manages to deliver only one egg, it's still one more egg than Peter delivers and so Irontail is named the new Chief Easter Bunny, as per the constitution. Immediately, Irontail begins to wreck Easter by passing ridiculous new laws that will doubtless make the entire holiday a complete disaster. Meanwhile, Peter, ashamed that his overconfidence and irresponsibility led to this tragedy, leaves April Valley in shame.
He happens upon Seymour S. Sassafrass, who in addition to being the narrator in the present is also the friendly man who supplies April Valley with the dyes it uses to color its Easter eggs. He gets them from his Garden of Surprises, which includes striped tomatoes, orange string beans and blue cabbages. Proving to be a very compassionate and understanding man (if a somewhat offbeat one), Sassafrass offers to let Peter use his latest invention, the Yestemorrowmobile, a time machine. With the help of its pilot, a French caterpillar named Antoine, Peter will be able to go back to Easter and retake the contest.
Unfortunately, Irontail finds out about Peter's plan and sends a spider to sabotage the Yestemorrowmobile's controls, thereby making it so that Peter and Antoine can go to any holiday but Easter! The rules of the contest don't specifically say the eggs must be delivered on Easter, so Peter begins trying to give his eggs away at other holidays, without success. Along the way he rescues a talking bonnet, and meets Donna, a lovely girl bunny (with whom he briefly celebrates Valentine's Day). But Peter continues to attempt to persevere in his quest, even though no one seems to want eggs on any holiday except Easter. Antoine also disappears, (he is left behind accidentally in a town on Christmas Eve ). But Peter's biggest problem is still Irontail and Montresor the bat; who are always trying to steal the eggs, or otherwise sabotage Peter's efforts (at one point, with help from Madame Esmerelda, a Halloween Witch), eventually succeeding in turning the eggs a mottled green color.
After many failed efforts, including Irontail trying to kill Peter, but misses. Irontail crashed into the Christmas Tree to his death, and he who was injuries and killed, forever. Pitch the salesperson attempt to pitch the eggs as "explosive" torpedoes on the 4th of July, he finally manages to give the green eggs away on St. Patrick's Day. That afternoon, the bats are killed, including Montresor was badly injuries; however 79 of one hundred butterfly are killed was badly injuries. Since they are the appropriate color for the occasion. As a result, Peter is crowned Chief Easter Bunny, and Antoine returns as a butterfly.
Here Comes Peter Cottontail: The Movie
January Q. Irontail, last seen having been demoted to the janitor of April Valley, approaches Jackie Frost, the queen of winter, with a proposal. Jackie wants it to be winter forever, and Irontail, who knows of the Clock of Spring's existence, decides to team up with her to steal the golden spring which powers it. They do so when Junior irresponsibly runs off with his friends Chunk and Sophie, and as soon as the Spring of Spring has been purloined, March gains extra days.
Realizing the whole mess is his fault, Junior leaves his parents a note and sets out to find Irontail and Jackie and get the Spring of Spring back. Along the way, he teams up with a clumsy Robin named Flutter and a perpetually hungry mouse named Munch. As it turns out, Junior's desire to stop Irontail and Jackie couldn't have come at a better time, as the pair now plan to also steal the Sun of Summer and the Leaf of Fall! Meanwhile, a distraught Peter sends Antoine the caterpillar out to search for his son. Irontail succended to zapped Munch to their die.
Irontail and Jackie Frost steal the Sun Of Summer and the Leaf Of Fall, but Junior, Flutter, and Antonie un-freeze them (Irontail and Jackie Frost) and take the symbols back, Irontail was safe in the cave, but now the butterflies scared Irontail, accidentally Irontail falls into the lava to his death, now Irontail's head turned red is melting. In the end, Junior, Flutter, and Munch perform a rock version of the original song while penguins try to un-freezeJackie Frost.


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An inexpensive off-contract Android phone is hard to find, and for $99 after a $50 mail-in rebate, MetroPCS' Huawei Premia 4G has a particularly attractive price tag for a 4G Android 4.0 phone.
There are some very decent features for the price point, including a 5-megapixel camera with flash, a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera, and a 1.5 GHz dual-core processor.
Yet, something has to give, and in this case it's the phone's battery life, and to a lesser extent, its voice quality. MetroPCS' 4G LTE network, while steady in my tests, also produces speeds you'd expect from a 3G handset, not a 4G device.
While The Premia is an OK choice, especially when compared with the outdated Samsung Galaxy Admire 4G, and ZTE Avid 4G, LG's Motion 4G is the better phone for the same cost.
Hands-on with the Huawei Premia 4G (pictures)See all photos
Design and build
If you've seen a black candy bar phone with rounded corners, you've seen the Premia 4G. It has a nice metallic-looking rim around the face, and a dark gray back cover that gets it grip from a fine layer of plastic goose bumps. I like that Huawei's placed the cover release on the phone's bottom corner; it makes popping it off obvious and manageable while still preserving your fingernails. It snaps reassuringly back into place.
The Premia measures 5 inches tall by 2.5 inches wide by 0.48 inch deep and weighs just under 5 ounces. It's fairly hefty, but doesn't seem overly brickish. I could slip it into a back pocket and carry it around with me indoors, but mostly I carried the Premia in my bag. The phone feels fine in the hand, and I had no complaints with it at the ear.
A 4-inch display is your window into Android, surrounded by a bezel that's fairly thick by today's standard. Its screen has a 800x480-pixel resolution, which isn't a sharp as some premium smartphones, but I think that with automatic brightness and support for 16 million colors, it does just fine indoors. If you're outside, you'll notice a substantial glare.Above the screen you'll find the 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera and below the screen are the three capacitive navigation buttons, including the Back, Home, and Menu buttons.
Turn the Premia toward its left spine to locate the Micro-USB charging port. Flip it the other way to raise or lower the volume. The top of the phone houses the power button and 3.5 millimeter headset jack, and on the back are the 5-megapixel camera lens and LED flash. If you've got a microSD card up to 32GB in storage size, you can insert that right under the back cover.
OS and apps
Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich may not be the most up-to-date Android version, but it covers all the basics of a modern Android operating system. Existing handsets are still getting Jelly Bean updates at this time, so I won't hold the lack of Android 4.1 against Huawei.
As an Android phone, the Premia 4G has all the Google services you could want on a smartphone, including Google Maps with Navigation, Gmail, access to all your contacts and to your Google Calendar, and then some. The Swype keyboard is one of a few different input options.
MetroPCS and Huawei have also loaded the phone up with a full roster of apps, one of which is incredibly intrusive by default. The offender in question is Metro's MyExtras app, which pings you all sorts of "news" items in the morning, afternoon, and evening. This was turned on by default in the Premia 4G. You can either adjust the pinging frequency in the settings, or, luckily, uninstall the app altogether in your apps manager settings.
Other MetroPCS app are much less obtrusive. You'll find a mobile hot-spot helper, a backup manager, the MetroWeb browser, and various other hubs for content and online connections.
In addition, Yahoo Answers, a DLNA connector app, Pocket Express, Rhapsody music, and Joyn messenger are other preloaded programs. You'll also find visual voice mail, a weather app, a note taker, and a sound recorder in addition to system apps like the clock, the calendar, and the music player.
Cameras and video
When taking photos outdoors in daylight, I was actually pleased with the quality of the Premia's 5-megapixel camera. Although images never rendered quite as sharp after processing as they did through the viewfinder, colors were pretty accurate and I took some nice shots I wouldn't mind uploading to my social networks or sharing via e-mail.
The Premia comes with autofocus, a bonus for a phone of this class, but you can also manually apply focus points. The camera doesn't seem equipped to handle extreme close-ups in automatic mode, either. Images blurred if I held the lens too near, and didn't resolve on screen. However, if I pulled back a little bit and refocused, the image generally grew sharper.
Adjusting camera settings is pretty straightforward on the Premia 4G: you can rotate the lens around and turn flash on and off with on-screen controls. A pop-out settings menu lets you toggle shooting modes, like HDR, burst, and panorama, plus there's a range of filters to choose from, including sepia tone and negative. White balance presets are also around, and in the settings, you can adjust ISO, photo quality, and face detection, among other items.
Video quality was also nice. Although the phone won't capture the highest-quality HD video, it does record 720p HD. Again, colors were on-point, and autofocus helped the picture readjust when I moved the focal point, for instance, panning a scene. Video played back smoothly and without interruption.


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[Plugin: Simple Facebook Connect] weird conflict with Secure and Accessible PHP
I've run across a strange conflict between Simple Facebook Connect and Secure and Accessibly PHP Contact Form.
On three sites that I'd recently updated to WP 3.2.1, I was still running SFC 0.25, and v.2.1WP-B20110125 of the form, and things ran fine.
Earlier this week, I updated two of those sites to use SFC 1.0, and a couple days later I realized that the contact form plugin was sending anywhere from 3-5 copies of the end user's message. At Mike Jolley's suggestion, I updated the form plugin to the newest version, v.2.1WP-B20110624, but the duplicate messages problem still persisted.
It took a little more digging, but after I realized that the third site I'd upgraded to WP 3.2.1 had the same form plugin but was not sending duplicate messages, I started turning off other plugins to test behavior, starting with the newest change and working backwards.
When I turned of SFC 1.0 on one of the affected sites, the duplicate messages from the contact form stopped.
I checked the settings for Simple Facebook Connect, and nothing immediately jumps out as something I could change, or that might cause this behavior.
The only SFC modules I have enabled on both sites are "Sidebar Widgets" and "Allow FB Login to Comment". All the others are turned off.
Otto, I can do some more debugging if you need! I love both these plugins, and I'd love to find a way to have them live together harmoniously again 🙂
- The topic '[Plugin: Simple Facebook Connect] weird conflict with Secure and Accessible PHP' is closed to new replies.


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On Thursday, June 15, the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) will join the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra and Pace Bus in celebrating the 12th annual Dump the Pump Day, a national initiative that promotes the benefits of public transportation and encourages commuters to leave their cars at home.
During morning rush hour on June 15, Cubic Transportation Systems, the developer of the Ventra™ fare payment system, will offer a free cup of coffee as a thank you to transit riders who show a Ventra Card, the Ventra mobile app or Metra ticket, while supplies last. Cubic is sponsoring the 'Coffee from Cubic' from coffee trucks at the Northwest Transportation Center in Schaumburg; the CTA Roosevelt Station; and near Ogilvie Transportation Center and Union Station in Chicago.
"We know that access to convenient public transportation is a major factor in attracting businesses and employees," said Leanne Redden, RTA Executive Director. "More than 60% percent of those who work in and around Chicago's Loop take public transit to get there. On Dump the Pump Day, we celebrate those regular riders and those who don't usually ride our system, asking them all to "dump the gas pump" for at least one day! Regular or first time riders should look for and share #DumpThePumpChi or #DTPChi as part of the celebration."
Started by the American Public Transportation Alliance (APTA) in June 2006, Dump the Pump Day promotes public transit as a convenient travel option that:
Saves riders money – On average, a two-person household in the RTA region can save more than $11,000 annually by downsizing to one car.
Fosters economic growth – Every $1 invested in public transportation generates approximately $4 in economic returns.
Reduces the carbon footprint – Public transportation use in the United States reduces the nation's carbon emissions by 37 million metric tons annually.
Decreases gasoline consumption – Public transportation use in the United States saves 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline annually.
Enhances personal opportunity – Access to public transportation gives people options to commute to work, school and more.
To learn more about the benefits of transit, visit rtachicago.org.
About the RTA
The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) is the only transit agency charged with regional financial oversight, funding, and transit planning for the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra and Pace bus and paratransit. The RTA region serves two million riders each weekday in six counties with 7,200 transit route miles throughout Northeastern Illinois. The Agency also provides customer services including on-line and telephone travel planning assistance and travel training for seniors and people with disabilities. For more information, visit www.RTAchicago.org.
(Source: rtachicago.org)


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Voice Actor – I provide professional voice over services for broadcast advertising, radio imaging, corporate video narration and internet applications. I have a home-based recording studio, and can provide fully produced and edited mp3 audio files.
Nutritionist/Blogger – The Voice of Clean Eating. I'm passionate about creating delicious and wholesome meals for my family. I enjoy taking tasty recipes with unhealthy ingredients and 'cleaning' them up to create flavorful, nutrient-dense dishes. Check out my Clean Eating Recipe and Lifestyle blog. Also, I am a Young Living Essential Oils Distributor.


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Saxmania! Great Solos
- This series of superb books offers an incredible wealth of great tunes in a wide range of styles all arranged for both E-Flat and B-Flat saxophones with a set of chord symbols for each instrument Songs Include Baker Street Starsky Hutch Lily Was Here and
- £9.99
Saxmania! Great Solos
Hayes Music > Music > Sheet Music > Woodwind


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…Is My Strange Addiction, Hoarders: Buried Alive, Embarrassing Bodies, Supersize vs Superskinny, Freaky Eaters, and pretty much any other voyeur type reality show. I have to slink off to the bedroom to covertly watch them on my laptop while the rest of the household watches something bright and sanitised in the lounge.
I hate that I watch shows like this, I don't understand my own fascination with them. I wouldn't go as far as to say I 'enjoy' them, however I'm clearly entertained on some level because I keep going back for more.
This type of reality TV focuses on people at their lowest point. Whether they're wading through thigh deep mummified food, animal faeces, and newspapers from 1982 just to answer the front door or gagging theatrically because a dietitian made them put their tongue on a sliver of strawberry, the subjects of these shows are rarely of sound body and mind. Should serious mental illness such as hoarding or food aversion be broadcast to an ogling mass audience? No, there is no justifiable reason that someone's downward spiral to self-destruction should be considered entertainment but here I am…
I'm not alone in this. The sky high ratings these shows get both here in New Zealand and overseas show this format sells and I have a few theories as to why.
- Superiority complex. We all feel at times like we just can't adult. Responsibilities, errands and chores mount up while we're engaged elsewhere (possibly watching Dr Christian Jessen talk us through some poor unfortunate soul's trench foot) watching other people unravelling more spectacularly than ourselves can be reassuring. Sure, we forgot to pay to have the bins emptied but at least we don't have a complete breakdown at the mere suggestion of a broccoli floret. This is surfing a dangerous line of putting others down to raise ourselves up which is not healthy or ultimately satisfying behaviour.
- Morbid fascination. Years ago people would flock to Freak Shows. The more shocking the deformity, the more gawking punters you could get through the doors. The human brain seeks to make sense and categorise all that it senses. When it can't, as we find oftentimes with clowns for example, we experience a kind of weirded out 'rush'. Anything that is outside of our normal understanding of the world will catch our attention. For the majority of people a dude being in a sexual relationship with his car or a woman who eats her own hair are not something we've experienced so we'll be naturally curious to know more.
- We like happy endings. The least morally reprehensible reason to watch is that we love to see people get the help they so clearly need and turn their lives around. I remember watching one episode of Hoarders where a woman's horrendous harpy of a sister kept threatening to sue her for custody of her daughter rather than actually helping her with the hoarding problem. I've never willed someone to succeed in cleaning up their house as fervently as I did during this particular episode. Many of these shows trigger our consonance and dissonance which creates the addictive viewing
So am I going to stop watching now I've written 500 words condemning this type of programme? Probably not. Boredom, bad days and half a bottle of pinot noir happen, my inbuilt nosiness happens and the fact I just can't help myself happens. It's also a break from the shiny perfection we're used to seeing on TV. However I hope now I will look at the people baring their lives and souls for the entire world with more empathy than judgement.


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Shrine of Our Lady of Europe
in Gibraltar
By Nick Nutter | 27 Sep 2019
A 600 Year Journey
On the 7th October 1967, the statue of Our Lady of Europe was carried into the Shrine of our Lady at Europa Point in Gibraltar, thereby completing an eventful journey that began almost 600 years previously.
The First Mosque at Europa Point
In 711 AD the Moors invaded Iberia and rapidly took over the greater part of the Peninsula. The initial landing was in the vicinity of the hill then known as Calpe, probably in what is now known as the Bay of Gibraltar or Algeciras Bay depending on which chart is examined. Calpe was renamed Gibel Tarik, 'the mountain of Tarik', to honour the Muslim commander of the invading forces Tarik Ibn Zayid. Soon after the occupation, a mosque was built at Europa Point.
Christian Shrine
In 1309 Gibraltar was taken from the Moors by King Ferdinand IV of Castile. The mosque was converted into a Christian shrine, then in 1333 the Moors once again took possession of Gibel Tarik and the shrine reverted to being a mosque. In 1462 Juan Alonso de Guzmán, 1st Duke of Medina Sidonia finally restored Gibraltar to the Spanish Crown and the mosque once again became a shrine.
The Shrine of Our Lady of Africa
In 1415, the Portuguese King John I captured Ceuta, just 20 kilometres south, across the Strait from Gibraltar. In 1421, his son, Henry the Navigator, sent a Holy Virgin statue to a shrine there that was consecrated to Our Lady of Africa. There is some dispute as to whether the shrine on Gibraltar was consecrated to Our Lady of Europe during the first period of Spanish occupation, 1309 to 1333, or the second, after 1462. Either way, by the late 15th Century, both Pillars of Hercules had become shrines consecrating their respective continents to Our Lady.
The Shrine of Our Lady of Europe
Soon after 1462, a chapel was built over the remains of the mosque and a statue of the Virgin and Child was installed. The statue was 61 centimetres tall and depicted a seated Virgin with the child Jesus on her lap. Both were crowned and the Virgin held a sceptre. The whole area of the shrine became known as The Shrine of Our Lady of Europe.
The shrine was revered by mariners who came ashore and left votive offerings for a safe voyage; a practice started at Gibraltar by the Phoenicians over two thousand years earlier who used Gorham's Cave for a similar purpose. The Middle Age mariners also left a supply of oil for the lamp in front of the statue and for the lamp that shone through a window in the tower above the chapel. The light from the tower was visible from the sea and acted as Europa Point's first lighthouse.
Raids by Barbary Pirates
Following the reconquest, completed in 1492, many Muslims were ejected from Spain and joined the Barbary pirates that operated from the shores of North Africa from Morocco to Tunisia. Raids on the Spanish coast became frequent and in 1540 Gibraltar was attacked and sacked on one such foray. Hundreds of Gibraltarians were taken as slaves and hostages, and the shrine itself was looted. Although damaged, the statue was left behind. It was later repaired in Seville and brought back to Gibraltar.
Statue Taken to Algeciras
On the 3rd August 1704, a combined Anglo-Dutch fleet commenced firing on the town and the fortifications of Gibraltar in preparation for a landing. Many of the townspeople took refuge in the Shrine of Our Lady of Europe. A British contingent landed at Rosia Bay and headed to the shrine. There they captured the civilians and, according to Juan Romero de Figueroa, the priest of the parish of St. Mary the Crowned who noted in the Baptismal Register, looted, '…twelve silver lamps, candlesticks, lecterns, crowns, gems and consecrated vessels, the clothes of many families, who had withdrawn there, and when there was nothing else to rob, they broke off the head of the statue which is so venerated in Spain and the child Jesus and threw it among the stones'.
The head and the remaining parts of the statue floated into the Bay of Gibraltar where they were found by a fisherman. He recovered them from the water and took them to Juan Romero de Figueroa who, in turn, smuggled the parts out of Gibraltar when he and most of the other inhabitants chose to live in Spain under Spanish rule. The remains of the statue were placed in the Chapel of St. Bernard in Algeciras and that chapel was dedicated to Our Lady of Europe. The original shrine, at Europa Point, passed into military hands. It was severely damaged during the Great Siege (1779-1783) and subsequently demolished.
First Replica in Gibraltar
Meanwhile, a replica of the statue had been made and installed in the Cathedral Of St. Mary the Crowned and St. Bernard on Main Street, Gibraltar. Sometime after 1927 Bishop of the Diocese of Gibraltar, Richard Joseph Fitzgerald put the replica into storage, where it was forgotten for almost 40 years. He replaced it, on the left-hand side altar with a different statue. The reproduction was rediscovered in 1965 by Charles Caruana, later Bishop of Gibraltar, who was then responsible for the sacristy. In 1986, after restoration, it was put back into the left-hand altar space, where it remains. Returning to the original statue, still in the Chapel of St. Bernard in Algeciras.
Original Statue Returns to Gibraltar
In the early 1860s, John Baptist Scandella, the Vicar Apostolic of Gibraltar, petitioned for the return of the original statue from Algeciras. An agreement was reached by Scandella, the Bishop of Cádiz and the Primate of Spain by which the original would be returned to Gibraltar if a copy were made to replace it in Algeciras. The replica was carved in Seville, and at the same time, the original was repaired. The original statue arrived back in Gibraltar in 1864.
Temporary Accommodation
The site of the original shrine, in 1864, was held by the military, so the statue was housed in the Loreto Convent on Main Street whilst a fundraising campaign was initiated to purchase a site on Engineer Road. The new chapel included an altar donated by Pope Pius IX (1846 – 1878), who, incidentally, was the longest reigning, elected pope in the history of the Catholic Church. The statue sat on Pope Pius's altar until World War II when it was returned to the Cathedral for safekeeping. For the duration of the war, the Cathedral unknowingly housed two statues of Our Lady of Europe. After the war, the statue was placed in the church closest to Europa Point, St. Joseph Parish Church. The building erected on the site of the shrine became a military storage facility until 1959 when, no longer required, the military decided to demolish it.
Bishop John Healy intervened, and in 1961 the building was ceded to the Catholic diocese. Following restoration, the first mass in 258 years was held at the shrine on the 28th September 1962. On the 7th October 1967, the statue of Our Lady of Europe finally returned home to the Shrine.
Blessed and Crowned by Pope John Paul II
That could have been her last journey but, in 2002, Bishop Caruana took the statue of Our Lady of Europe to Rome where Pope John Paul II blessed and crowned her. Yet another replica was given to the Pope as a gift.Go to: Gibraltar city
Museums in Gibraltar municipalityA Guide to Gibraltar National Museum in Bomb House Lane
Places to go in Gibraltar municipalityAlameda Gardens
Rockbuster - 100 Ton Gun
Coast and Beaches of Gibraltar
Kings Bastion Leisure Centre
The Legend of the Pillars of Hercules
Trafalgar Cemetery - the Ultimate Guide - Part 1
Gorhams Cave Viewing Platform
Irish Town, one of the oldest streets in Gibraltar
Great Siege Tunnels
The Jewish Cemetery
Walking in Gibraltar municipalityMediterranean Steps and Douglas Path Walk
Find on the map
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About the Author
Nick has lived and worked in Andalucia for over 20 years. He and his partner, Julie Evans, have travelled extensively and dug deep into the history and culture, producing authoritative articles on all aspects of the region. Nick has written four books about Andalucia and writes articles for other websites and blogs.


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For young people the internet is primarily a place for socializing and entertainment. As internet is such a large meeting place, it becomes important to behave respectfully to each others.
According to a study by the Swedish anti bullying organization Friends, 8% of girls and 5% of boys have been exposed to bullying via mobile phones, computers or tablets in the past year. Telia wants to stand up against net bullying to make the internet a nice place for everyone and we engage in various national initiatives against net-bullying.
Read and learn more how you as a young person or as an adult can be nice and support a respectful behavior online:
Estonian Union For Child Welfare


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Stormbringer Daire
Stormbringer Daire
Stormbringer Daire is the first boss encountered in Ardos Monastery
Basic Attack
Shoots and inflicts damage. Ranged ability. Cooldown: 2 seconds.
Tidal Wave
Daire attacks the opponent and inflicts damage in a cone-shaped area in front of her with a radius of 15 yards. Ranged ability. Cooldown: 15 seconds.
Daire awakens a geyser under her opponent that shoots out a jet of water and throws all nearby creatures in the air, and then Daire launches a series of fast attacks. Ranged ability. Cooldown: 15 seconds.


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Savory Cherry Recipes for Spring (multiple dishes)
Savory Cherry Recipes for Spring (multiple dishes)
Wild rocket or mixed green with chopped walnuts and a medium boiled egg. Edible flowers like nasturtium petals and leaves and sprinkling of micro greens make for a beautiful (and peppery!) bite.
Savory Cherry Sones with Sharp Cheddar & Chives
Makes 8 Scones
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 cup very coarsely grated sharp cheddar cheese
Bonne Maman Cherry Preserves for serving
Wild Greens & Walnut Salad with Tangy Cherry Vinaigrette
Makes 6 Servings
2 heaping tablespoons Bonne Maman Cherry preserves
1 tablespoon whole grain mustard
Savory Cherry Sones with Sharp Cheddar & Chives
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 22 mins
Total Time: 32 mins
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F, grease baking sheet with butter and set aside. Add the flour, salt, baking powder and sugar into a stand mixer, using the paddle attachment mix on low until fully integrated. Add butter and mix until crumbled. Add cheddar, chives and cherries and mix well. Next add cream and mix until dough forms together.
Transfer dough onto a floured surface and form a flat disc approximately 3/4 tall. Place onto baking sheet and cut into 8 pieces. Place in oven for 22 minutes until golden brown. Allow to cool on baking sheet and serve with cherry preserves.
Wild Greens & Walnut Salad with Tangy Cherry Vinaigrette
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 0 mins
Total Time: 10 mins
Whisk all ingredients together and dress salad before serving.
Recipe by / Author: Kristin Guy
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Mike Bair, former 787 boss, gave a pretty blunt talk about 787 suppliers on Wednesday to a group in Everett. I was unable to attend, but check out my report, though late, on what he had to say.
Some of the highlights:
"Some of these guys we won't use again," Bair said.
He did not name names.
Did Bair mean to include Boeing's top-tier partners in the U.S., Italy and Japan that are responsible for manufacturing the composite wings and fuselage sections of the new jet?
I put that question to Boeing on Thursday.
"The suppliers you name and some of their subtiers," a Boeing spokewoman said when asked to clarify Bair's comments.
Was Bair's speech reviewed and approved ahead of time by his immediate boss, Scott Carson, or by anyone else at Boeing?
Bair did not have a prepared speech, the spokeswoman told me.
One industry analyst called Bair's speech "remarkable."
"It's remarkable that Boeing is saying publicly that some of their world partners are falling down on the job and that Boeing made a mistake and that they will do it differently the next time," said Scott Hamilton of Leeham.net.
For Boeing's next all-new jet program after the 787, Bair said, it would be better to have a central manufacturing site rather than the global assembly method that is being used for the 787. He said Boeing would put pressure on its suppliers the next time to locate in the same area.
On the 787 program, Boeing gave some of the design work to suppliers, in addition to manufacturing responsibilities. Bair said some of that design work had to be done by Boeing when suppliers could not.
"Some of them proved incapable of doing it," he said


text: Fairwinds Ormond by the Sea is another one of the waterfront neighborhoods not far from Ormond Beach that are within walking distance from the oceanfront. Although the majority of streets in Ormond by the Sea run in both western and eastern directions the Fairwinds homes are one of the few exceptions where the streets end at a certain point. Thus you'll be able to choose from Fairwinds real estate like a single family home tucked away in a corner surrounded by beautiful trees without having to deal with the noise and traffic associated with the main roadways. Even with the increased privacy you still get the nearness to the waterfront as well as the scenic views.


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Shipping Services
cargoservice areadispatchsafetyprofessional experienceequipment
CargoOur trucks will haul any type of general commodity. Our specialty is over-length loads of up to 90 feet in length. We operate environmentally controlled roll top trailers hauling any size of paper machine rolls.
Service AreaWe haul to the 48 contiguous states and Canada. Many of our deliveries are up and down the I-5 corridor. We are also California CARB certified.
DispatchOur dispatchers are available to serve the shipper's needs. Call 1 (800) 345-1416, and you will be connected with a representative that will provide you the best means to deliver your product.
SafetyWe are a 7 time winner for the OTA Safety Award. Safety is the #1 commitment at RAM Trucking. Our drivers and personnel strive to deliver our shipper's products on time while remaining safe both on and off the highway.
Professional ExperienceRAM Trucking's experienced personnel ensure that the customer's needs will be met or exceeded in a professional and timely manner.
EquipmentRAM Trucking operates a fleet of tractor, flat bed trailers, and lowboy trailers. We are tailored to haul any type of general commodity. Our longer wheel based configurations are well suited for "long-road" requirements.


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In my work I have found 7 Ways You Can Ease an Anxious Mind.
- Slow down – At the first sign of things speeding up – thoughts racing, heart pounding, breathing accelerating – move a little slower.
- Come to your senses – Take a few moments to connect with your five senses to bring you back into the moment.
- Do a reality check – Ask yourself, "Is this thought absolutely true?" Chances are your worst fears are just that – fears.
- Release the critic – Interrupt the self-critic by dropping into your heart and saying, "May I learn to be kinder to myself."
- Lie down and look up – Look up at the sky from time to time, and watch the clouds for a natural experience of mindfulness.
- Listen – As an experiment, take the day and set an intention to listen to the sounds of leaves in the wind, of kids playing, or someone speaking to you.
- Know your triggers – What makes you anxious? If you know your triggers, you can prepare soothing practices better.
These are just tips to play with in life to help give you the chance to settle into that space between stimulus and response where choice, possibility and freedom lie.


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It's hard to say what people expect of Rubio now, but he's in a pretty precarious position. Even before Saturday's debate, Rubio's hold on second place wasn't especially secure, and with Rubio, John Kasich, Ted Cruz and Jeb Bush all huddled with support in the low teens or high single digits, even a small post-debate dip could push Rubio from second to third ... or fourth ... or fifth....Nahhh, the media won't keep going after him. Oh, sure, he'll be damaged if he finishes third or somewhat worse, but as long as he's somewhere in the midst of that group fighting for second place (Cruz, Kasich, Bush), well ahead of the true losers (Christie, Carson, and Fiorina), he'll get a media do-over.
It's ... quite possible that one of the legs of his three-legged stool gets kicked right out from under Rubio in New Hampshire if he finishes third or worse. If that happens, who knows how the media will go after him.
The evidence is in this post from Erick Erickson:
The Marco Rubio Robot Bull—-Erickson published this last night, even before the polls opened in Dixville Notch. He was already working the refs: If Rubio tanks in New Hampshire, it's because the liberals want to destroy him, along with collaborators in the GOP Establishment. Never mind the fact that Rubio was tripped up by Chris Christie, not some bearded sous-chef from Brooklyn. Never mind the fact that members of the GOP Establishment fall on their knees every night and beg the Republican Jesus to give them a Rubio nomination. And never mind the fact that the mainstream press would love a presentable Republican nominee who can challenge the hated Hillary Clinton or that old guy who threatens the wealth of journalists' hedge-fund pals.
Much of the political press leans left and has zero experience in politics. Perhaps they graduated Ivy League, did a tour or two at Salon or some lefty blog, then got in on the ground floor at a national media outlet covering politics. They can afford to split rent with five other bros or gals, buy a couple pairs of skinny jeans that they'll refer to in the singular as a pant or a jean, and silently mock all the people they encounter on the campaign trail who are not cool or sophisticated or dressed like they robbed a Goodwill store in Bangkok. These political reporters have decided that Marco Rubio is a robot because they hear him repeat his lines all the time. They are idiots and Marco knows what he is doing....
For eight years the GOP elite and pundit class have bitched and moaned that the GOP needed to stay focused and on message. Along come Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio who both relentlessly stay on message and the GOP have decided one is unlikable and the other is a robot. It is all nonsense. It is a mutually sympathetic circle jerk of pundits and press racing each other to come up with the wittiest stereotype to capture the imagination of bored politicos tired of the cold in Iowa and New Hampshire. It is a game to the press, but is a life and death, daily struggle to the voters who yearn for something more and something else. Just as the "Cruz is not likable" line is unfair to Cruz, the "Rubio is a robot" line is unfair to Rubio. Cruz may be unlikable to Washington politicos and Rubio a repetitive robot to the same group, but the American public have not seemed to notice.
A Rubio loss will be blamed on liberal sabotage. Erickson is already assessing blame. Fox will undoubtedly follow up, given Rupert Murdoch's clear preference for Rubio. And the press -- already favorably disposed to Rubio -- will urge him to get back up on the two-wheeler and show us all that he can ride without falling down. His press after a New Hampshire loss will be "Can Rubio Come Back?" -- and hints that the answer is yes will be spotted everywhere. We'll be told he's sharper and crisper and clearly poised for a comeback if he just gets through a campaign appearance without repeating himself.
He'll still struggle to win the nomination, especially because several Establishment favorites are likely to stay in the race after New Hampshire. But he'll start getting great press again very soon.


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Tata Magic Iris Features and Price in India
Tata Magic Iris is a well affordable and powerful A segment MUV. This is the updated version of its popular MPV Magic. The vehicle available in two variants as 4 seater and 5 seater with good safety and comfort features. The Magic Iris Diesel variants price tag is Tata Magic Iris Diesel 4 seater: Rs. 2,20,000/- and for Tata Magic Iris Diesel 5 seater: Rs. 2,35,000/- in Delhi, Ex-showroom.
This will be an excellent option if you are looking for a vehicle to carry heavy loads with great safety and stability. From exterior it offers the look of tough and robust look with fully covered model and features glass windows. Other style factors are bright angular headlamp cluster, pop-up knob provision for side-step, vertical tail lamp cluster, 12-inch radial tires, black colored ORVMs etc. Tata Magic Iris CNG is going to launch soon in 2014 and the expected price is Rs. 2,50,000/-.
Tata Magic Iris Top Technical Facts
- 4 stroke, Naturally aspirated engine
- 611cc engine displacement
- 11 Bhp @ 3000 rpm power
- 31 Nm @ 1600 rpm torque
- MacPherson strut suspension
- Front Disk, Rear Drum brakes
- 160.00 mm Ground Clearance
Engine Performance and Mileage
The Magic Iris Diesel powered by the 4 stroke, Naturally aspirated, Indirect injection, Water cooled diesel engine with 611cc engine displacement. The engine can churns out 11 Bhp @ 3000 rpm power and 31 Nm @ 1600 rpm torque on ride. It is mated with TA59 (Transaxle) with Synchromesh (4 forward gears), Constant mesh (reverse gear) gearbox and Single plate, Dry friction diaphragm type (160 mm diameter) clutch. The offered mileage of Magic Iris Diesel is kmpl. The vehicle can attain top speed of 55kmph.
Safety and Comfort Features
For safety and comfort during ride it is equipped with Hydraulically activated drum brakes at front and rear. The suspension used in this MUV is Independent MacPherson strut at front and Coil spring with semi trailing arm suspension at the rear for a stable ride. The steering is a Wheel steering, Mechanical rack and pinion type with 350 mm diameter. Other features are 145/80 R12 X 6 PR Radial tyres, 10 Litres fuel tank, 1650mm wheelbase etc. The seating capacity is 3+D, 4+D, 2+1+D based on variants. Seats are comfortable and Bucket seats – driver and co-passenger & Bench seats – passenger type.
Available Variants and color Options
The Tata Magic Iris available in 4 attractive color shades like Arctic White, Ruby Red, Jet Black and Skool Yellow. The two variant of this vehicle are listed below. They differ only in terms of passenger carrying space.
- Tata Magic Iris Diesel 4 seater
- Tata Magic Iris Diesel 5 seater
Tata Magic Iris Full Technical Specifications
|Tata Magic Iris Technical Specifications
|Tata Magic Iris Diesel
|4 stroke, Naturally aspirated, Indirect injection, Water cooled diesel engine
|Power (HP @ rpm)
|[email protected]
|Torque(Nm @ rpm)
|31 @ 1600 -1800
|Single plate, Dry friction diaphragm type (160 mm diameter)
|TA59 (Transaxle) with Synchromesh (4 forward gears), Constant mesh (reverse gear)
|Front Axle
|Independent stub axles
|Rear Axle
|Transaxle with CV shafts
|Brake front
|Hydraulically activated drum brakes
|Brake rear
|Hydraulically activated drum brakes
|Suspension front
|Independent MacPherson strut
|Suspension rear
|Coil spring with semi trailing arm
|Wheel steering, Mechanical rack and pinion type, 350 mm diameter
|145/80 R12 X 6 PR Radial
|Grade restartability
|Max speed
|Fuel Tank capacity
|10 Litres
|Dimensions (Length x width x height)
|2960 x 1512 x 1800 (unladen)
|Wheelbase (mm)
|Min Ground clearance (mm)
|Turning circle radius (m)
|Kerb Weight (Kg)
|Seating capacity
|Seat type
|Bucket seats – driver and co-passenger
Bench seats – passenger
Tata Magic Iris Price in India (Ex-Showroom, Delhi)
- Tata Magic Iris Diesel 4 seater: Rs. 2,20,000/-
- Tata Magic Iris Diesel 5 seater: Rs. 2,35,000/-


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A Cabinet Minister visited Sussex Innovation - Croydon last Thursday, speaking with the support team and several member businesses. The Rt. Hon. Matt Hancock MP was in Croydon to learn more about the borough's burgeoning Croydon Tech City movement, endorsing the support for digital, technical and creative businesses in the region as a "blueprint for the future".
During his tour of the Sussex Innovation hub, the Minister spoke with Director, John Coupland about the organisation's ambitions to help more high-growth businesses in Croydon to scale. He also met with Market Research Advisor, Kelly Roche, and was interested to hear about the important role that customer insight plays in the Sussex Innovation business support model. Researchers regularly conduct in-depth interviews on behalf of members, to identify emerging problems and needs within a given industry and inform product development.
The minister also heard from three of the first businesses to join Sussex Innovation - Croydon; ethical financial services company QuidCycle®, public procurement specialists Spend Network, and Heads Above the Cloud, who produce virtual 3D environments for the construction sector.
"We were delighted to meet the Minister," said Helen McNally, Project Manager at Spend Network. "As a champion of open data, he was interested to find out more about the uses we have made of government data on spending, including our work on fraud and error."
"Matt Hancock MP's visit enabled us to share our concerns over the recent loss of funding to help start-ups and SMEs like ourselves to survive," said Patrick Price, Co-founder and Director of Heads Above the Cloud. "As creators of immersive interactive digital content, we were pleased to demonstrate to him products which both surprised and entertained. He left supporting our vision, but with the knowledge that without policy changes businesses like ours will founder."
Matt Hancock MP became the latest of several high-profile politicians to visit No.1 Croydon over the past year. In April, then Shadow Business Secretary Chuka Umunna MP described Sussex Innovation - Croydon as creating "huge new opportunities for the local area", while the Minister for Small Business, Industry and Enterprise, Anna Soubry MP formally opened the new hub in October. Gavin Barwell, MP for Croydon Central, was also present at the opening and has visited on a number of occasions.
Matt Hancock MP and Frank Mukahanana, Founder and Director of QuidCycle®
Patrick Price, Co-Founder of Heads Above the Cloud, discusses small business funding with the Minister
The Minister discusses open data with Ian Makgill, Owner, and Helen McNally, Project Manager at Spend Network


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Biological machinery may be more than the sum of its parts in isolation, but it cannot be greater than the sum of the parts and their interactions. We are interested in the general question of how complex cellular functionalities emerge from molecules and their interactions, with a primary focus on endocytosis.
Our main research interests loosely fall into these two themes: the integration logic of protein assemblies involved in membrane traffic, and the physical and molecular basis underlying the variabilities of the endocytic machinery.
Specifically, we are interested in elucidating: the interplay of various curvature generating mechanisms, the coupling between actin-mediated force generation and membrane remodeling. We will develop experimental strategies to tackle these problems at three levels: live cell studies, cell-free reconstitution using cytosolic extracts and in vitro reconstitution with artificial membrane and purified proteins.
Collectively we aim to obtain a better understanding of endocytosis as a coherent but plastic machinery. We also think a more sophisticated mechanistic framework obtained here will allow us to pinpoint the subtle aberrations whose accumulating effects are detrimental in many diseased states.
Latest Publications
Yong J, Chen Y, and Wu M. Real-Time Monitoring of Clathrin Assembly Kinetics in a Reconstituted System. Methods Mol. Biol. 2018; 1847:177-187. [PMID: 30129017]
Yang Y, and Wu M. Rhythmicity and waves in the cortex of single cells. Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond., B, Biol. Sci. 2018; 373(1747). [PMID: 29632268]
McPherson PS, and Wu M. Light, space, and time in cancer signaling. Mol. Biol. Cell2018; 29(6):688. [PMID: 29535172]
Wu Z, Su M, Tong C, Wu M, and Liu J. Membrane shape-mediated wave propagation of cortical protein dynamics. Nat Commun 2018; 9(1):136. [PMID: 29321558]
Yang Y, Xiong D, Pipathsouk A, Weiner OD, and Wu M. Clathrin Assembly Defines the Onset and Geometry of Cortical Patterning. Dev. Cell 2017; 43(4):507-521.e4. [PMID: 29161594]


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Fallon's First 'Tonight Show' Guest Is...
Well we're a mere three months out from the debut of The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon (oh that's a fun mouthful to type), which means the wheels are churning on the ol' late night machine. Things are happening, sets are rising, Lorne Michaels is probably off somewhere scowling, and the first guests are getting booked. Oh my goodness, it's all really happening, you guys: the new generation of late night hosts are taking over.
But regardless of your preference for the old guard or the new, one thing is for certain: it takes a shit ton of work to get a late night show of the ground, especially one as venerated (and recently controversial) as the desk on The Tonight Show. From the New York Times:
Much of the planning for the first three weeks of the new show is already in place," Mr. Fallon said. "I know the first guest, kind of," he said, adding that he and his writers have "about four options" for how the first edition of the new Tonight show will open. "I don't think it will be a pretaped bit. I probably want to do it live," Mr. Fallon said, declining to give more details.
So: who might the lucky first guest be... kind of (whatever that means)? We're not sure but we've got some guesses as to who it could be — and why those choices might rule... or do something less-than-rule. (We're looking at you, Timberlake! Sorry.)
Jay LenoThis one feels obvious. Which could be good... or just plain annoying considering this isn't Leno's first departure from the desk. Sure, it could be adorable if Leno, say, came out and attempted to monologue instead of heading to the chair, only to switch places with Fallon momentarily before switching back before hitting Leno with a "So, you're unemployed now!" But considering how great Fallon and Co.'s video parodies of the late night wars are, it doesn't seem necessary to hash out all of this niceness and gratitude over and over again.
Justin TimberlakeAn unpopular opinion for the ages, but: please, no Justin Timberlake. Because when Timberlake is pit up against a comedian, he so frequently tries to (subconsciously or otherwise) one-up them, out-funny them, and then make the audience his trusty steed that he may gallop on out into the sunset. Considering it's Fallon's very big night at that, it seems unfair to put him next to someone who demands to be the center of attention at all times.
Tina FeyAww, Weekend Update desk memories! Wouldn't it be sweet if Fallon — who has such amazing chemistry with Fey it's nearly at Defcon 37 — brought on his show the first person he ever shared a desk with on TV? Plus any excuse to see the perma-funny duo play Box of Lies is A-OK with us, folks.
Seth MeyersSimilarly to the Leno option, Meyers could be cute and a fun way of passing the baton — but it still feels better suited to something video-related shown at the end of one show leading into the next. Still, we don't hate the idea, but we're not writing home to mom about it, either.
David Letterman & Jimmy KimmelThe chances of Letterman doing anything that involves The Tonight Show is pretty much a guaranteed 0, but it feels totally in line with Fallon's style to play the inclusivity card pretty hard, especially after the last go-around in the late night wars. Plus watching Letterman squirm under the quick-witted pressure of the dual Jimmies sounds like a guaranteed good time.
Conan O'BrienGosh: O'Brien's self deprecation alongside Fallon's goofy guffaws would be a surefire comedy hit. There would be plenty of awkward but tons of laughter and just imagine the dancing and singing that could take place. And considering their common ground (Late Night) it might be a nice way to bury the hatchet of these silly late night talk show host kerfuffles and finally — finally! — look forward.