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Basics of Feature Writing
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Write your Memoir
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'Wholesale' - by Liam Kruger
My neighbour goes to the supermarket pretty regularly, because it's there she sometimes sees the face of God. It's a new model – some no-name Mithras counterfeit, I think – but there's a pretty loyal cult building up behind it. Some marketing kids out of a think-tank in Istanbul did their research, and targeted single working women in the city centre as their core faithful demographic. They wouldn't be the first.
I found her wandering the more distant aisles, the ones they tend to put in there just for show – you know, the ones with the trampolines and gardening equipment, the treadmills from a bygone era and luggage made of anything other than stainless steel.
"Are you lost, maybe?" I asked her, because I didn't want to tell her she looked doped up. "Narcotics are in the south wing."
But she just turned that wall-eyed face of hers into a smile, and said: "No, I'm good, thanks. Just looking for Gracchus."
It's a neat set-up. There was some connection that convinced the church to partner up with the sales reps at a couple of supermarket branches. See the face of Gracchus and 50% off your purchase. I'll tell you one thing, they've poured a lot of money into getting their deus ex machina just right; nobody's been struck dead in the middle of a grocery list, which was a problem when Rome was still a player, and nobody's running around with a fake stigmata either, trying to force a discount on their smoked stem cells. When people see The Divine Gracchus in the arrangement of canned tofu, they get all warm and ecstatic, post-coital and beneficent. Worst case scenario there's a little temporary glossolalia and relief from scrofula. All of which is hard to fake in Aisle 5.
I wasn't surprised by the religion. For as long as I'd known her, she'd been a tourist, flitting between Militant Zen, Orthodox Sapphism and Crust Buddhism without a backwards glance, sticking around only so long as their recruitment coupons got her free parking.
Which isn't to say she was unfaithful – I mean, you can't be. The recruitment guys can spot an atheist by their shoes. And when she was trying out Redundamentalism, you could hear her white noise speakers blasting from a block away. The new model can do three blocks. And I'm pretty sure she was planning to sacrifice me to Yog Sh'ggoth that time she came over with a basket of wine coolers and a fibre-glass hunting knife. She meant it when she put her name down on the insurance forms.
I mean, I think she was just looking for the god that was right for her - and was willing to devote herself to the wrong one until hers came along. Some people are like that; can't get out of bed in the morning if they don't have somebody to thank for the bed, or the morning. I don't think more than a week went by without her being attached to one sect or another.
So I was a little surprised when she let it drop that she'd exceeded the trial period and given up her credit card details to the Church of the Divine Gracchus (Ltd).
I know all this because she had a habit of giving my address to recruiters, instead of her own. I get a small bible's worth of parables, commandments, heresies and tickets to orgies every couple of days.
Nothing on Gracchus, though. After the first week she made sure those went straight to her place, devout-eyes-only, from Gracchus with love.
And, well – I don't know, I'm Vanilla Catholic, alright? Not a hell of a lot excitement going down at my end. Some of her pamphlets were kind of fun, if you knew better than to show up at the orgy beaches (and boy did I know better), and the night with the wine coolers hadn't been so bad, stitches notwithstanding. Figured it probably couldn't hurt to do a little digging – caveat fidelis and all that, right?
So I started tailing her to the supermarket. I was worried she'd notice – I mean we took the same tram from the same stop to the same building – but she was so busy psyching herself out for a brush with the divine, I could've been tugging at her sleeve and offering her discount fare on pilgrimages, and she wouldn't have batted an eyelid. Crowds parted for her, social advertising went mute, recruiters looked the other way; she walked with the calm and speed of the Faithful and it was a bitch keeping up with her.
It took seven visits, in the space of about two days; I thought she just went with the morning-evening vespers, but on the second night I figured out that she'd stopped sleeping and was slipping off with the midnight crowd to look for Gracchus under the fluorescents.
At this point I'd started to acquire some qualms – I mean if you go outdoors in the night, the newscasters don't even pretend to be outraged about the state of your corpse. You were asking for it.
But, you know, I hadn't had much sleep. And she seemed to carry it off okay. I followed her, out into the dark with its youths and its horrors, and so long as I stayed closed behind her, and more or less copied her weird, rictus expression, I didn't feel too threatened. I made it to the supermarket just a few paces behind her, sweating but unmolested by the city's indifference.
She started her usual route – along the rows of camping goods and dog food, imitation meats and drugs. I'd done this six times before, so I sort of zoned out and tramped behind her, mostly just surprised at not being dead yet. It was when we were in the games aisle – approaching a stack of Huxley's All-Ages Suicide Kit – that it happened. She fell to the ground, ululating, her limbs jerking in some kind of epileptic dance, her changed voice singing something unfamiliar to me; one or two other worshippers attracted by the sound rushed over and immediately collapsed too, joining her in whatever ritual this was, which I hadn't read the catalogue for. I stared hard at the shelves around me, trying to figure out where their sudden divine puppetry was coming from.
Not a damned thing. I stood around like an idiot in Aisle 6 at midnight, waiting for my neighbour to come out of it, so I could follow her home without getting myself murdered. Worst part is she used her 50% discount to a buy a stick of gum, the minimum required purchase for leaving the place. Did it with a smile.
I mean - she just looked so smug walking out past the security barrier. And there I was, out in the middle of the night without a revelation to call my own.
It's a miracle I waited as long as I did before shoving her in front of the tram.
Anyway. Sorry about that Father, it's been three weeks since my last confession. Do you take credit cards?
Basics of Feature Writing
Writing Articles for Websites & Blogs
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Tydskrifjoernalistieke kursus
Advanced Freelance Journalism
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This concise book, with more than 300 photos of pleated high-fashion creations and practical diagrams to follow, offers the basics needed to understand and use fabric pleating successfully. A foreword by Jack Sauma, founder of Mood Designer Fabrics, reminds us of how essential pleating is to the design world. Throughout, step-by-step explanations show you how, by understanding the types of pleats and their requirements in terms of fabrics, grain, bias, and other factors, you can improve your designs' creation process, budget planning, and "wow" factor. Authors Leon and George Kalajian are the father-and-son team heading New York's preeminent Tom's Sons International Pleating. While their firm caters to couture evening wear and runway fashion, the concepts and definitions they clearly explain in this book will allow everyone to properly execute and communicate designs to others in the industry. This is an essential reference for designers, seamstresses, pattern makers,costumers, factory owners, students, and everyone involved in fashion.
Size: 8 1/8″ x 9 1/8″ | 315 color images and diagrams | 176 pp
ISBN13: 9780764352966 | Binding: hard cover
Leon and George Kalajian are a father-and-son team who can trace their involvement in the garment industry back 150 years. They currently run their business, Tom's Sons International Pleating, located in New York City's Garment District. Known for their ability to execute complex work, they attract projects from all over the world including major Hollywood films and restoration work for museums. Leon is officially retired, but is committed to passing down his knowledge to his son, George. Both have a passion for pleating and enjoy spending quality time together discussing ways to refine their techniques.
Jack Sauma is the founder of Mood Designer Fabrics.

subset: commoncrawl


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Mag.(FH) Lucas Petri, MAConsultant, Core Team Member, Vienna/Austria
"Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution." Albert Einstein
- Design and implementation of trainings and learning curricula
- Process-oriented presentations and designing of taylor-made development formats
- Diagnostical and analytical instruments
- Change-projects with an intercultural emphasis
- Innovation in organisations
- Project management for international counselling projects
Languages: German, English, Spanish
Educational Background
- Magister Degree in Social Work and Master Degree in Social Economy/ Entrepreneurship, FH Campus Wien
- Study visits in Ecuador, Germany and Poland
- Further trainings in presenting, negotiating and counselling techniques
- Change Essentials, Heitger Consulting
Professional Background
- Since 2019 with Heitger Consulting, Vienna
- 2017 - 2018: Key Account Manager at HAYS Austria GmbH, Vienna
- 2011 - 2016: EU Programme Officer at OeAD GmbH (outsourced entity of the Austrian Ministry of Science), Vienna


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JESSICA_0029's Blogs
gained back 79lbs so ashamed :(
Sunday, March 10, 2013 16 comments
well that just about says it all...really mad at myself but I am determined to get back on track ... Read more
100 pounds gone
Tuesday, March 23, 2010 21 comments
Today I hit the 100 pound mark. I'm so happy and excited for all the new opportunities I have allowed myself by losing this weight and getting healthier. It's not all about the numbers but about how many more things I can physically do. I would ... Read more
360 pounds!!!!!
Monday, January 04, 2010 20 comments
When I started sparkpeople I was so afraid of telling anyone my weight. I want to change this now. When I joined a new team (50 pound challenge) I was shocked that I now had to share my weight. On my weight tracker I have always just shown how ... Read more
45 pounds gone!!!
Tuesday, November 03, 2009 10 comments
I have lost 45 pounds and am so happy. Things that were almost impossible for me are becoming much easier. I have increased my work out routine because I'm able to do more now. I can't thank my spark friends enough it's all of your positive co... Read more
A Good Day
Sunday, October 11, 2009 5 comments
Well today was a pretty good day for me. I spent the day at my mom's house and usually these two things never go together but today it did. She did not give me too much grief about bringing my own dinner and not eating the same dinner as everyon... Read more
weight loss
Monday, September 28, 2009 5 comments
I'm having a good day today. I lost 8 lbs last week!!! It is satisfying to me to know that my efforts paid off. I have a long way to go but I know I can reach my goals. This web site has given me a new lease on life it is very important to me ... Read more
The scale
Tuesday, September 15, 2009 9 comments
Ok here it goes I have never written a blog before but I felt kinda guilty because I like reading them so I decided I would write a little bit about my day. Well yesterday was weigh day keep in mind that on Sept.1 2009 was the first time I had w... Read more


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This section contains 617 words
(approx. 2 pages at 400 words per page)
There ain't no sin and there ain't no virtue. There's just stuff people do. It's all part of the same thing. And some of the things folks do is nice, and some ain't nice, but that's as far as any man got a right to say. (Chapter 4)
Why do we got to hang it on God or Jesus? Maybe,' I figgered, 'maybe it's all men an' all women we love; maybe that's the Holyy Sperit—the human sperit—the whole shebang. Maybe all men got one big soul ever'body's a part of. (Chapter 4)
There is a warmth of life in the barn, and the heat and smell of life. But when the motor of a tractor stops, it is as dead as the ore it came from. The heat goes out of it like the living heat that leaves a corpse. Then the corrugated iron doors are closed and the...
This section contains 617 words
(approx. 2 pages at 400 words per page)


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Season 2 Premiere
We're back for Season two! In the premiere episode, we get caught up on our summer, talk about the bias and mistreatment by the justice system in protecting queer youth, our guest Josephine shares her story about androgyny, identity, and the queer aesthetic, and in Queer Movie Moment, we explore the adventurous rom-com D.E.B.S.
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | TuneIn | Spotify | RSS | More


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The power clean encompasses a combination of three reasons why you hit the gym:
You want to look better naked.
You want to reduce pain and feel better.
You want to improve strength and performance.
Yet, many of the most effective exercises, including the power clean, can be complicated.
It can take months of technical practice to do them optimally. More often than not, people get frustrated and quit, or they charge ahead with reckless abandon until the exercises become useless, at best, and injurious, at worst.
This exercise builds head-to-toe herculean power.
It's damn effective, but it's complicated. Like any exercise that involves both heavyweight and explosive movement, your technique is paramount for both improving performance and minimizing your chance of injury.
Fortunately, I have a solution: a simple step-by-step progression that will have you performing a decent power clean within a single workout.
Now, you won't have the technical mastery to compete in the Olympics, but your technique will be solid. You'll acquire the skills to build a dense, powerful physique and the safety to avoid snappin' yo bones like a training fail video.
The Power Clean requires total body coordination and synchronization of movements.
Now, you're probably reading that saying, "What does that even mean?" and I hear you. Think back to middle school: remember when Billy grew nine inches that one year and couldn't figure out how to use any of his limbs and he looked like a drunk baby giraffe in gym class?
That's a lack of coordination. Since most of us stop playing sports in our teens, a lack of coordination is one major roadblock to looking, feeling, and performing like an athlete.
The Power Clean requires movement through the wrist, elbow, shoulder, ankle, and knee, making it one hell of a bang-for-your-buck exercise.
Since so many joints are moving, the corresponding muscles that cross each joint must work together to take the barbell from the floor to your shoulders in a single smooth motion. That means nearly every muscle from your feet to your shoulders work in cooperation and explosively transfer power.
No exercise requires the biomechanical and coordinative demands like the power clean. It's a unique exercise that blends sudden strength, power, and coordination to build a high performance, show-and-go body.
The triple extension of your hip, knees, and ankles in a coordinated, explosive pattern simulates a similar triple extension in both sprinting and jumping.
While primarily a performance-based exercise, power cleans will get you absolutely jacked when coupled with higher rep work at the end of a workout.
By hitting nearly 200 muscles in your body, it creates a massive anabolic surge to drive muscle growth.
They also fire up your central nervous system, which in turn, helps increase muscle fiber recruitment. This activates high threshold muscle fibers, most responsible for explosive movements and muscle growth, and stimulates a huge anabolic surge .
Whether you want yoked traps to fill out your t-shirt or a powerful hip extension for a faster pull and stronger lockout, power cleans will help you develop a truly impressive physique.
There are many ways to teach and learn power cleans.
Since we're not talking about the mastery of movement that you'd need to impress judges in an elite weightlifting competition, we'll focus on getting you jacked by moving safely and competently.
– This is the starting position.
– Keep the chest tall and hold the bar at hip height against your mid-thigh.
– Brace your core and push your butt back like you're ready to twerk.
– The bar should pass just below the knees while the spine stays welded.
– When you return to a standing position, squeeze your glutes into the full hip extension.
– Begin with the bar just below knee-level.
– Accelerate the bar as it passes the knees, aggressively extending the hips forward, and "popping" the bar off the thighs.
– This movement teaches you to reach a full hip extension before breaking at the elbows during the pull.
– One easy cue to help remember that the hips need to extend first is, "If the elbows bend, the power ends."
– If you jump forward or drop under the bar too early, you're likely missing hip extension.
– This is to teach hip extension, so be conservative with bouncing the bar too far horizontally. Eventually, the bar will be moving up a body that's "retreating" from it while maintaining a vertical path with hip extension.
– The high pull is a great exercise for accelerating the bar AFTER the hip extension is reached.
– This teaches vertical displacement of the barbell and really pulls your traps into the exercise. It also helps you build thick shoulders and the ultimate "power look".
– Side note: the high power from the hang position or holding the barbell around knee high is an excellent muscle builder due to the added eccentric stress due to resetting the reps and controlling the bar down after each pull.
The hang power clean is both a great stand-alone exercise for building thick traps, explosive power, and an important progression to build technique towards the full power clean.
– Once you've grooved hip extension, complete the second pull and practice the catch phase.
– As you finish extending the hips, knees, and ankles, shrug the shoulders, bending the elbows as the bar rises and transferring the "weightless" bar.
– As the body reaches full extension, aggressively pull the body underneath, rotating the elbows forward, racking the bar on the front of your shoulders in the shelf position. Loosen the grip and allow the wrists to turn upwards and the elbows to stay parallel with the ground.
Finally, we're doin' the damn thing.
– This begins from the floor in a position similar to a conventional deadlift, but you'll drop your hips slightly lower for the Power Clean.
– Begin by driving your feet into the ground and standing up with the bar.
– Your shoulders should be squeezed and tension should radiate from head to toe.
– As the bar passes the middle of your shin, begin to accelerate with as much power as you can, extending the hips, driving your elbows up, and catching the bar in the shelf position.
The power clean works best with submaximal weight, meaning you shouldn't go all out for 1-rep maxes for the sake of your Instagram account.
Rest is also essential, especially for those looking to build muscle and improve performance. That is less so for those looking to just get shredded, but your technique should stay pretty damn spot on.
Unlike squats and deadlifts, cleans aren't an exercise you're able to "blast through" when fatigued because they have a high neurological demand. Freshness and optimal technique are essential for performance and safety.
– For maximum strength: 90-95% of 1RM for 4-5 sets x 1-2 reps and 2-5 min. recovery.
– For greater power and speed: 50-85% of 1RM for 4-6 sets x 2-4 reps with 1-3 min. recovery.
– For greater muscle growth: 50-85% of 1RM For a 4×6, 5×5, and 6×4 at 65-85% of 1RM with 1-2 minutes recovery.
– 5×5 with 60% of 1RM with 60 seconds of rest or less.
– 5×5 cleans with 75% of 1RM with 90-120 seconds of rest.
– Every minute on the minute (EMOM) 10×2 reps with 70% 1RM. (Do two cleans at the top of every minute for ten minutes. If your technique goes out the window, decrease the weight.)
Proper technique is still key, but don't be afraid to push the tempo. Cleans will leave the most seasoned lifters heaving, hawing, and pushing the redline of metabolic demand.
What about regular cleans?
The Power Clean denotes that you catch the weight in the "power", or tall position. I prefer most of my clients stick to the power position as it eliminates the complexity of an added front squat.
Can I just do hang cleans?
If you're primarily focused, on building size then the hang position is a bit better. Because you catch the bar and reset before doing more reps you have the added benefit of greater eccentric stress in your forearms, traps, and rhomboids. Basically, that leads to more gains.
What if I can't catch the bar?
First, try to loosen your grip when you rack the bar on your shoulders. The bar can sit in your fingertips with as few as two fingers underneath the bar. Otherwise, practice timed holds for 20-30 seconds to build flexibility. Direct joint pain or no way in hell you'll ever get there? The high pull is a great substitute.
Ugly Catches
We've all seen it. A good clean until the catch, and then legs split apart and stagger, there's valgus collapse on one leg, and the lifter takes a few steps to stabilize himself and get the hips underneath the bar. Leave your ego at the door. Be intelligent with your loading and ability levels. The power clean is a great tool, but don't be an idiot.
Looking good naked and performing like an athlete aren't mutually exclusive. They're carefully intertwined when properly programmed.
And that's exactly what I do in The Power Primer . I provide the step-by-step plan to look, feel, and perform like a high-performance athlete.
Take a minute and ask yourself: are you really seeing the results you've wanted over the last month, six months, or year?
For 99% of people, the answer is no.
That's where my new program, The Power Primer 2.0 comes in. It will revolutionize your training and bridges the gap between increased performance and building your best-looking body.
And a 12-week fat loss program is just one feature. There's a ton of awesome stuff:
Together, it's over 36 weeks of full programming designed to get you your ultimate body—one that's shredded and athletically capable.
All you need to do is follow the workout that matches your goals, put in the work, and reap the rewards of a truly athletic and powerful body.
Click here to check out what the Power Primer 2.0 delivers.
You deserve a plan that gets you the best results.


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President Trump's remarks to the United Nations General Assembly caused something not normally heard during formal speeches - laughter.
FOX's Tonya J. Powers has more:
It was an unexpected reaction to President Trump's claims of success in office:
(President Trump) "In less than two years, my administration has accomplished more than almost any other administration in the history of our country... so true... (laughs) Didn't expect that reaction, but that's okay."
The president has previously claimed his predecessors' weak leadership made other nations "laugh" at the U.S.
His speech included tough words for China on trade, and the announcement of sanctions on Venezuela.
At the U.N., Tonya J. Powers, FOX News.
Follow Tonya J. Powers on Twitter: @TonyaJPowers


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AC360° Correspondent
A Florida man who was convicted of murder in part because of the work of an allegedly infallible scent-tracking dog, was freed from jail eight months ago because DNA testing confirmed that the dog and the dog's owner were a fraud. Unfortunately for Bill Dillon he had to spend 26 years in prison before the error in his case was rectified.
Bill Dillon, was 22 when he was sentenced to life in prison in 1981, for killing a man in Canova Beach on the eastern coast of the state.
During the trial, Dillon was adamant that he had not committed the crime. But a man named John Preston testified in court that he and his scent-tracking German-Shepherd connected Dillon to the killer's bloody t-shirt. Preston said his dog, "Harrass 2," even tracked Dillon's scent repeatedly in later tests.
Dillon expected to remain in prison for the rest of his life – all because of "Harrass 2," and his handler, Preston, who billed himself around the country as a so-called scent -tracking expert.
But nearly three decades later, in 2007, DNA testing proved that Dillon's DNA did not match the DNA on the killer's shirt. The dog was wrong. Just eight months ago, after 26 years behind bars, Bill Dillon walked out of prison a free man.
"Supposedly the dog got my scent three times," Dillon told CNN, "and I never saw freedom again." Dillon also said he remembers the dog's "huge" head from the trial and that he looked like a "bear."
Henry Louis Gates Jr.
The Root
I would like to applaud President Obama for bringing Sergeant Crowley, me and our families together. I would also like to thank the President for welcoming my father, Henry Louis Gates, Sr., who for most of his life has been a Republican!
My dad turned 96 this past June, and the fact that he worked two jobs every day is the reason that my brother, Dr. Paul Gates, and I were able to receive such splendid educations. I am honored that he chose to join me at the White House, along with my fiancée, my daughters, and my brother.
Sergeant Crowley and I, through an accident of time and place, have been cast together, inextricably, as characters – as metaphors, really – in a thousand narratives about race over which he and I have absolutely no control.
Narratives about race are as old as the founding of this great Republic itself, but these new ones have unfolded precisely when Americans signaled to the world our country's great progress by overcoming centuries of habit and fear, and electing an African American as President.
There are new clues on how Michael Jackson may have obtained his drugs and some of the names he used. The details are coming from the search warrants issued when investigators went inside Jackson's doctor's properties in Las Vegas. We'll have the latest for you in the death investigation.
Want to know what else we're covering? Read EVENING BUZZ
Scroll down to join the live chat during the program. It's your chance to share your thoughts on tonight's headlines. Keep in mind, you have a better chance of having your comment get past our moderators if you follow our rules.
Here are some of them:
1) Keep it short (we don't have time to read a "book")
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5) Watch your language (keep it G-rated; PG at worst - and that includes $#&*)
And take a look at our live web camera from the 360° studio. Watch the WEBCAM
Maureen Miller
AC360° Writer
Tonight at the White House, it was the president, the professor and the policeman enjoying cold beers with a bunch of cameras and their controversial connection. You may recall, two weeks ago tonight white Cambridge Police Sgt. James Crowley arrested black Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates after he broke into his own home. The allegation from the cop: disorderly conduct. The allegation from the professor: racial profiling. Cops dropped their charge. But the controversy grew when days later Pres. Obama weighed in and said the cop acted "stupidly." That's when the president made some phone calls suggesting a beer and here were are tonight. How did the beer gathering go? Any tension? Candy Crowley has the raw politics.
Also on our radar, details on what was in the search warrants when cops raided the Las Vegas properties of Michael Jackson's doctor, Conrad Murray. Once again, 360's Randi Kaye is the first with this information. She got her hands on the search warrants filed in court today. There are also new developments on who will get custody of Jackson's children.
And, new clashes in Iran today. Police fired tear gas and beat protesters who gathered at a memorial for those killed in the uprisings since last month's disputed presidential election. Today marked the traditional 40-day mourning period for perhaps the most well-know victim of the violence, Neda Agha Solton. The 27-year-old student was shot on June 20, with her death caught on video. Today protesters chanted, "Neda is alive! Ahmadinejad is dead!", a reference to the president of Iran who opponents say had fraudulently won re-election. Ahmadinejad is expected to take his oath of office for a second-term next Wednesday. There will likely be more protests on that day.
Join us for these stories and much more starting at 10pm ET. See you then!
Alan Duke
Michael Jackson's ex-wife and the mother of his two oldest children, Debbie Rowe, has agreed not to challenge the singer's mother for custody of the children, according to a joint statement from lawyers for Rowe and Katherine Jackson.
The agreement does not involve any financial payments to Rowe "apart from the continuation of spousal support payments" that Michael Jackson personally agreed to make to Rowe after their divorce, the lawyers said.
Rowe will get visitation rights with the children and the "timing, frequency and manner of visits shall be implemented according to the best interests of the children, as determined by a child psychologist selected jointly, and paid jointly," by Jackson and Rowe, the announcement said.
Program Note: For more on the state of prescription drug use (and abuse), tune in to AC360° tonight 10p ET.
The Partnership for a Drug-Free America
Q: What age are teens abusing prescription drugs?
A: Kids as young as 12 are trying or using prescription drugs non-medically - to get high or for "self-medicating." Pharmaceuticals are often more available to 12 year olds than illicit drugs because they can be taken from the medicine cabinet at home, rather than marijuana which necessitates knowing someone who uses or sells the drug. Also, pills may have a perception of safety because they are easier to take than smoking pot or drinking alcohol and are professionally manufactured in a lab.
Q: What types of prescription drugs are teens abusing?
A: The National Survey on Drug Use and Health identifies 4 types of prescription medications that are commonly abused — pain relievers, stimulants, sedatives and tranquilizers. Eleven percent of teens (aged 12-17) reported lifetime non-medical use of pain relievers and four percent reported lifetime non-medical use of stimulants.
Q: Do different groups abuse different types of medications?
A: Yes. Painkillers are the most common pharmaceutical abused by teens, especially by younger teens. Stimulant abuse is more common among older teens and college students than younger teens. Girls are more likely to be current (past month) abusers of prescription medications than boys (4.3 vs. 3.6 percent). [Source: 2002 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. ]
Octavia Nasr | BIO
AC360° Contributor
CNN Senior Editor, Mideast Affairs
Support and solidarity for Iran's opposition continues to be expressed in many ways and forms around the world. In cities such as New York, Stockholm, Istanbul, Vancouver and Rome, supporters of the Iranian opposition movement have been organizing concerts, demonstrations and hunger strikes.
Iranian enthusiasts have been turning street corners of the world's major cities into activism centers where people gather and show support for Iranians who continue to dispute results of their presidential elections.
In Tehran today, Iranian police cracked down and dispersed thousands of protesters as they tried to commemorate the 40th day of mourning the death of Iran's icon, Neda Agha Sultan. Neda captured the world when her last moment of life and her death were recorded on a mobile phone camera. For Shiite Islam, the 40th day after death marks the final day of mourning.
Outside Iran, in Los Angeles, around the U.S. and across the world, people followed the news on anti-government radio stations where callers shared their eyewitness accounts of today's developments.
David Gergen | Bio
AC360° Contributor
CNN Senior Political Analyst
President Obama promised last week that he would convert the ugly confrontation between a black Harvard scholar and a white police officer into a "teachable moment" for the nation. As Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and Sgt. Jim Crowley come to the White House today for their "beer summit," how can he succeed? How should the three men structure their conversation and how should they then talk to the country?
For counsel, I turned to an excellent family therapist who has had a long record of success in counseling couples (aka, my wife Anne), and she provided some sound answers. Each of the parties, she said, has to recognize up front that during a contentious incident that set them off, their minds were flooded with emotions that overcame their rational selves.
The key to achieving reconciliation is for each of them to talk through the incident as they saw it each step of the way, analyzing what they saw and said, and with their rational minds, trying to figure out how they might have handled it better. It is critical that the other player(s) not interrupt but let them tell their story fully. Hearing the other person respectfully allows one to see how their perspectives differed – and from that, begin to reframe the incident in ways that bring them closer together.
Nick Wade and Joana Krause-Palfner
For CNN
Blind women are being trained to use their sensitive touch to help detect breast cancer earlier and more precisely than doctors.
The program, called "Discovering Hands," is the brainchild of German gynecologist Dr. Frank Hoffmann.
Two years ago, he created Braille strips as a system of orientation, allowing the blind to carry out breast examinations.
Using these strips blind women are trained to become Medical Tactile Examiners (MTUs) because they are more able to detect smaller lumps than sighted doctors.
Hoffman argues that because of their disability, the blind can possess a more acutely developed sense of touch, which has proved to be a valuable asset in breast examinations.
Once the strips are placed along specific areas of the breast, they are then used to report a precise location to the doctor as the MTU reads their Braille coordinates.
"We are turning a disability into a gift," Dr. Hoffmann told CNN.


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taped 2013-08-09 @ Arena Mexico
Oro Jr. & Stigma vs Disturbio & Guerrero Negro Jr.: Guerrero Negro doing Canadian Destroyers and moonsaults is not the way for him to advance in CMLL as a rudo (or it's problematic for CMLL if it does work.) This was a collection of the spots that weren't edited out and okay for that. Someone needs to show up late someday so we can get an idea of what Oro Jr. looks like in a full three fall match with dives and such.
Delta, Fuego, Guerrero Maya Jr. vs Misterioso Jr., Puma, Tiger: Good fun match. It's the match you expect from these guys with a few surprises. Guerrero Maya & Delta continue to be the uncrowned tag team champions in a promotion which doesn't appear to have top level tag team belts at the moment. Tiger still fits in better with his brother and in this mix of guys than he does with those he was facing in main events (out of Sombra.)
Atlantis, Marco Corleone, Shocker vs Kráneo, Psicosis, Último Guerrero: Fun main event, better than I would have figured it to be. Very much on the short side, but it worked that way with what they had to do. There's a lot less going on with Atlantis and Ultimo Guerrero than Sombra and Volador, but the mask ripping for over the seriousness of the feud.


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Cat Chat: Dr. Boyle Answers Curious Kitty Questions
In honor of National Answer Your Cat's Questions Day on January 22nd, we asked our clients to take a moment and think about what their furry felines would want to know regarding their own behavior and health, and why their people act like they do. Dr. Boyle has provided answers to some of the kitty queries. We hope these questions and answers help you be more mindful of your cat's behavioral and health issues.
I'm so warm and cozy in my house. Do I really need to go in my carrier and visit the vet for an annual exam?
Annual exams (We recommend semi-annual exams for senior pets over the age of seven) are extremely important for all species—but especially cats. Cats are masters at masking disease and pain until it is very advanced. Our veterinarians are very skilled at picking up early signs of disease; we can recommend monitoring lab work to keep your kitty happy and healthy for as long as possible.
For our more anxious feline friends that get stressed at exam time, we have a solution for you too! Leesburg Veterinary Hospital is proud be a Fear Free and Feline-Friendly Practice. This means we're implementing methods and protocols that reduce stress or remove anxiety triggers, which creates an experience that is rewarding and safer for all involved.
Watch below as Dr. Boyle gives her tips for reducing anxiety before, during, and after your cat's exam.
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Yes, our cozy house is great, but sometimes I really want to go outside to roam and hunt. Why do you keep me inside?
Outdoor cats are at high risk for trauma (getting hit by cars, high falls, etc.), animal fights (everything from other cats to raccoons and coyotes), infectious diseases, and parasites. It is much safer for our furry felines to live the life of luxury indoors!
If I must stay inside like you say, why do you insist on putting that topical preventative on me every month?
Leesburg Veterinary Hospital highly recommends all cats be on a monthly preventative (we recommend Revolution) to protect against several ecto-parasites (fleas and ear mites) which can ride in on the humans or other animals, endo-parasites (roundworms and hookworms) that can be found on shoes or in the potting soil of those indoor plants, and heartworm disease transmitted by those mosquitoes that sneak into your house.
When I'm not feeling well, wouldn't it just be easier to take some of your over-the-counter medicines like aspirin or antacids? Why do I need a veterinary-prescribed medication?
Cats are very sensitive to medications and even essential oils. It is very dangerous to think they can have human or dog medications. It is always best to check with your veterinarian before giving or applying anything to your cat.
I love my "fishy" breath, but you're always scrunching your nose when I give kisses, saying my mouth stinks. What's going on?
While some of the odor in your cat's mouth may be due to the odor of their food, there is also a strong possibility that it is due to some degree of dental disease. Bacteria thrive in inflamed gums and in the chunks of tartar on teeth, which creates bad breath (halitosis). Part of your kitty's annual exam will include evaluating their dental health; we will make recommendations to maintain their health, keep their mouth pain free, and to improve their breath!
Those were some great questions from our feline friends! Here are few questions from our kitty parents:
Why would my cat drink out of the fish tank?
I think this frisky feline is just a very smart cat and knows how important hydration is for our kitty housemates. It is important to encourage good hydration by providing fresh, clean water for them at all time. This maintains or can improve their kidney, urinary tract, and GI tract health and comfort.
Why does my cat keep pooping outside of the litter box?
To make sure the problem isn't related to an underlying medical issue, I'd recommend an exam by one of our veterinarians. If medical problems can be ruled out, your finicky feline's behaviors may be attributed to their litter box and its placement in your home. Some ideas for encouraging appropriate indoor defecation manners include:
- Adding a second litter box – Some cats prefer one box for urination and a different box for defecation
- Having a box that's easier to get into or covered for privacy. This may reduce stress or help your pet feel safer while they do their business
- Put the box in a smaller room (Again, to reduce stress)
- Change the litter substrate
- Make sure the box stays clean. Ideally the box should be cleaned out at least once a day but twice a day would be best. Cats may not want to defecate if urine is lingering in the box.
- Try Feliway diffusers.
We encourage you to discuss your cat's health and behavioral questions with your veterinarian at your next exam. The doctors at Leesburg Veterinary Hospital are happy to address your concerns relating your feline's behavior, health, nutrition, care.
All of the beautiful cat portraits shown above are courtesy of our talented friend Ellen Zangla.


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For Fans
New Beginnings
New Year -- New Project
The Ernst Project
"Æ" Logo
, 4" round vinyl sticker: $3 each
You can buy these as an add-on to your CD order, or you can buy one from a band member. Why don't you see
where we'll be
If you'd like to get a copy of
Are You Now or Have You Ever Been?
just email me:
Or you can fill out the form below and we'll send it to you. It's $18 for the CD mailed to your door, or $20 with a sticker.
Townies: CDs are $10 each, and Stickers are $3, or you can buy both for $12 if you buy directly.
CD Only - Mailed $18.00 USD
CD & Sticker - Mailed $20.00 USD
Enter your mailing address:
In a move out of the file marked
"that's about what I expected"
, it seems The Ernst Project (as it was) has died. Three years ago now, I conceived this project as an engine for me to record an album. A polished, studio perfect album. Which is exactly what we failed to do. What was supposed to be a workshop turned into a band, and what was supposed to be a polished studio album turned out to be a really good, but still not perfect live album. And I'm
proud of
Are You Now or Have You Ever Been?
but it was never what I had set out to do. And now with band members departing for personal, professional, and geographical reasons, it's basically down to me and Andy. And that does not a band make.
So now, it's back to the drawing board. This time, I'm going it alone. I'm re-designating the name The Ernst Project to my solo gig, which is: A new album!
Plans are now in the works for my solo album. Just me, a couple of guitars, a box of harmonicas, and maybe a few other odds and ends. But a simple, small, beautifully depressing album.
In the meantime, I'm still actively looking for members to form a new band, which (if I have my way) will be called either
The Scut Farcus Affair
Dorothy Mantooth Is A Saint.


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Google Plus
Yes I do NOT use FaceBook. It is a terrible website with incessant drama. I hate this drama. It is irritating me. So I use Google+. I never used FB in the first place. My family told me the drama on there, to prove it, they showed me. That is not at all what is wrong with FB, it also has futile posts. Like "I am going to the store." or "I just finished dinner." I doubt nobody cares what goes on during your day. If you went to the store or finished dinner, congradulations. Now stop putting inadequate posts on FaceBook. Everyone who is reading this currently, please switch to Google+. I extensively disagree with all of the drama.


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You are playing blackjack and get an ace and a 6. The dealer's up card is a 6. What should you do? Hit, stand, or double? (There are no other players)
basic vocabulary: Hit, get another card (this can be done repeatedly until you choose to stop or bust). Stand, you don't need another card. Double, is to add additional money to your initial bet on the terms that you are dealt one, and only one more card, you will receive no additional cards after doubling. You can double for UP TO the amount of your initial bet. Splitting, is not an option in this case and so won't be defined.


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At the beginning of every Survivor finale, Jeff Probst offers a narrative of the season thus far. It ostensibly serves the purpose of filling in gaps for those who either missed episodes or have forgotten what transpired, but it's also a way for the producers to articulate the stories and characterizations that have been dominant this season.
Probst's voiceover was selling me a narrative of Blood vs. Water the most interpersonally complex Survivor ever, suggesting—for instance—that Ciera's decision to vote out her mother was the toughest thing anyone has ever had to do in the game of Survivor. And while I would ultimately argue the "loved ones" twist has been a nice change of pace this season, the best thing that happened in Blood vs. Water was when it stopped feeling like it was about the gimmick. The opening spends a lot of time on the early days of Rupert stepping in for Laura, John not stepping in for Candice, Colton's dramatic exit from the game, and Brad's dramatic Redemption Duel showdowns, but for me the game became far more interesting when its interpersonal dynamics were more subtle, and when the game had developed its own history versus being caught up in the game's larger past. The season became compelling not because of its conceit, but because the people they chose to bring back within the conceit made compelling choices and gave the editors strong stories to work with.
Unfortunately, despite those strong stories along the way, it's not the strongest final collection of players the game has seen, given that Tyson has singlehandedly been running the game. His dominant alliance with Monica and Gervase made the outcomes of the episode predictable: It didn't matter who came back from Redemption Island (it was Tina), and it didn't matter who won the first immunity challenge (it was Tyson), because in the end either Ciera or the person who came back from Redemption Island was going to go home first. While the previous two tribal councils were fiery and emotional, the results took a lot of suspense out of the game, and created a tribal council where Monica really only had one choice. With a jury dominated by players who Monica helped vote out with her alliance and who would vote for either Tina or Ciera over her in the end, Monica was always posturing in the hopes that she would be the more sympathetic option when she sat next to Tyson and Gervase. As it turns out, the first tribal become doubly redundant when Gervase played a hidden immunity idol and rendered moot the two votes he received to Ciera's three.
The editors try to create aftershocks from Tyson's panic move of giving Gervase his idol—which Monica rightly points out indicates they were uncertain regarding her loyalty (and which Tyson had offered her as a token of his loyalty). But the moment Tina fails to win immunity, there's no universe in which anyone would risk bringing her along to a jury sympathetic to her and bitter about the other two players. Rather, the penultimate tribal council becomes a sort of preview of the final tribal council, in which Monica and Gervase are both working to make the jury believe they're more than just the people Tyson aligned with early on. It becomes a battle between the two of them for the jury's sympathy, with producers planting the seed of Monica wanting to make a big move and force Gervase and Tina to make fire to say that she made a big move in front of the jury. However, even with Gervase taking offense to Monica's physical hindrance during the challenge, such a move would never make sense, given the governing logic of who you want to be with in the end.
By the time the game reaches its certain conclusion of the alliance of three as the final three, there's a strange detachment to the task at hand. I don't think anything Tyson, Gervase and Monica did was particularly villainous, as they simply played a smart game and weathered the challenges against them (even drawing rocks in the process). I went into tribal believing Tyson most deserved to win, but did I really care? Would I really mind if Gervase smiled his way into a victory by being the less devious right-hand to the real mastermind? Would Monica asserting her independence from her husband be that undeserving a Survivor narrative? And were there really any jury members whose opinions could change my feelings on this issue, or who had anything substantial to contribute?
Shrug. That's where I landed on Survivor: Blood vs. Water's conclusion in the end, a game that had a bunch of good moves and a collection of solid players but came to a dull conclusion. Laura going after Monica for lacking an identity and pushing on her insecurities is dramatic, but it's also inert, as it doesn't contribute to any sort of meaningful characterization: The idea seems to be that the jury thought Monica to be cold and unfriendly, but that narrative felt pulled out of thin air, as though the editors realized as they were editing the finale that they had forgotten to give either Monica or Gervase clear narratives in the game. The absence of those narratives made sense when Tyson walked away with a blowout 7-1 victory, with only Vytas—who swore to Tyson he would never vote for him if Tyson voted him out—throwing a vote in Monica's direction after Tyson's sharp gameplay was combined with a sympathetic narrative of playing for his eliminated girlfriend Rachel.
In the end, Survivor: Blood vs. Water struck me as Survivor getting lucky. With both Rupert and Colton—poxes on any game of Survivor they play—going out early, and with the cult of Brad Culpepper being removed from the game right about the point at which he was becoming an annoying presence (or rather the point at which Probst's obsession with the man became unbearable), the game settled into a nice rhythm of people who seemed to understand the game and who played it well. None of the casting was mind-blowingly great, and none of the challenges or gameplay structures were all that exciting, but the loved-ones dynamic was enough to make this feel, if not brilliant, than at least distinct. The reunion basically confirms this, stringing together a collection of engaging characters and stories that reaffirm why Survivor works without making the claim that it worked remarkably well in this case. Going into this season, there were concerns about this twist being a sign the show was going too far in an attempt to keep things fresh. Those fears would seem to be unfounded—and as the show looks to be moving away fro open casting calls, a repeat of this twist is unlikely. But even if the finale was disappointing, Survivor: Blood vs. Water was a solid season of a consistently solid show, even in its 27th season.
Stray observations:
- The first immunity challenge with the blocks was an interesting one, although it became pretty uncompetitive. I wonder if there was more back-and-forth that was edited out, or whether it was really that straightforward.
- The second immunity challenge was your classic two-stage Survivor puzzle challenge, with a third stage wherein the puzzle is a clue to a combination lock. I will say that the various different obstacles were fun, or maybe I just like the idea of pulling myself along a rope in a bathtub.
- Interesting that they eschewed the In Memoriam Walk in favor of more strategy time. I imagine this was to try to create some semblance of a narrative for Monica and Gervase (who would have otherwise been non-entities), although I wonder if we're living in an age where CBS could make it available as bonus footage online?
- The smile on Tina's face as she goes through the second immunity challenge is really charming—she's a fun player to watch play the game, and although she was never competitive after her return into the game I still liked her presence in those final challenges.
- I would challenge anyone to be snarky with Katie and Tina's earnest, heartfelt appreciation to their Survivor family after the death of their brother and son Taylor, respectively—they were both remarkably composed, and the show did a nice job being respectful of their situation.
- It was a fairly dull reunion overall, but Cochran's pre-produced skit with Will Arnett based on his time working on The Millers was a nice bit. Could have used a fart joke, though.
- I skipped through the parts of the reunion episode focused on Rupert and Colton. I have no regrets.
- Next season is Brawn vs. Brains vs. Beauty, which sounds… sigh.


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An arc's length means the same commonsense thing length always means — you know, like the length of a piece of string (with an arc, of course, it'd be a curved piece of string). Make sure you don't mix up arc length with the measure of an arc which is the degree size of its central angle.
A circle is 360° all the way around; therefore, if you divide an arc's degree measure by 360°, you find the fraction of the circle's circumference that the arc makes up. Then, if you multiply the length all the way around the circle (the circle's circumference) by that fraction, you get the length along the arc. So finally, here's the formula you've been waiting for.
Arc length:
Its degree measure is 45° and the radius of the circle is 12, so here's the math for its length:


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Dr. Balu B. Shetty
Colonoscopies: this doctor can do a colonoscopy
8775 Norwin Ave Suite 113
N Huntingdon, PA 15642
United States
Phone Number: (724) 864-0503
Submit your review
I've known Dr. Shetty for over fifteen years. He was recommended by my late fiancé who was a nurse. He has performed five colonoscopies during that time and they were all done under anesthesia. I suffered absolutely no pain in the days following as I have heard a lot of people do.
He diagnosed my serious ulcerative colitis in February 2014 and put me on a regimen of prednisone and an antibiotic for one month. After that period I was weaned off both and prescribed Lialda. I have had minor stomach pain and insomnia, however, many of the other medications had far more side-effects.
I highly recommend Dr. Shetty for anyone seeking to have a colonoscopy or suffering from Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn's Disease.


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Premium Salon Quality Nail Care Kit
Enjoy a salon quality beauty routine without the premium prices!
Handheld power buffer rubs away rough spots and perfectly files nails; the base dries wet polish in no time flat.
You'll look and feel like a pampered celebrity! The kit includes assorted tips for a complete manicure or pedicure, file, buffer, polisher, cone grinder, cuticle lifter, and cordless power handle.
Weight 1 lb. Plastic. Two AA batteries not included. 7" x 6" x 2 1/8" high.


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Craft Beer And All That Shtick
A conversation with Jeremy Cowan, the founder of the kosher craft beer company, Shmaltz Brewing Company.
By Joshua E. London and Lou Marmon
Washington Jewish Week March 26, 2014
With the countdown to Passover upon us, we thought we'd take a departure from our usual wine and spirits to focus on some other tasty chametz: beer.
The nation is in the midst of something of a beer revolution. While the market is still dominated by big names such as Budweiser, Miller and Coors, a visit to nearly every bar and liquor store reveals a growing list of previously unknown beer makers with unusual, if not bizarre, names like Bad Martha, Flying Dog, Allagash, Dark Horse, Funkworks, Omission and Scuttlebutt.
The craft beer movement began in the United Kingdom in the 1970s and rapidly moved across the Atlantic. There are now nearly 2400 independent breweries operating in the US focusing on traditional brewing techniques to create distinctly flavorful and unusual beers. These often begin as an in-home hobby that eventually morphs into a full-time business, complete with all the entrepreneurial risks and responsibilities. Creativity abounds with exotic recipes that may include nearly every type of spice and flavoring including chocolate, various spices, fruits, honey and even chilies.
As it happens, one of the most successful craft breweries is also certified kosher — by the KSA of Los Angeles. The Shmaltz Brewing Company was established in 1996 by Jeremy Cowan. He decided his overwhelmingly Jewish volleyball team needed its own beer, so he created an ale. Declaring his "He'brew" as the "Chosen Beer," he took it commercial and followed up with a series of beers that have expressed his creativity, irreverence and, fortunately, considerable marketing savvy. Thankfully, these are also some mighty fine beers.
Moving from San Francisco to upstate New York, and from contract brewing to opening his own brewery, Cowan marked the opening with the release of his "Death of a Contract Brewer" Black IPA. Also tasty is his "Reunion Ale," made with cocoa nibs, vanilla cinnamon and coffee; sales help raise funds for Multiple Myeloma and bone cancer research.
We recently had an opportunity to ask Cowan about his experiences and future plans.
WJW: Among wine drinkers, "kosher" had a rotten reputation for decades and kosher wine producers have only just gotten past it. Are there any similar issues in the beer world?
Jeremy Cowan: Because so few beers had ever been kosher, I have not really seen this as an obstacle. Often it became a question of curiosity and a point of differentiation – and a great reason for buyers to put our beers in both the beer section and the kosher section!
What made you decide to move from San Francisco to upstate New York?
I started the "company" as an experiment with 100 cases brewed at a tiny brewery in northern California which we hand bottled and labeled and that I drove around door to door in my grandmother's car. After the first year I moved the brewing to a larger but still small craft brewer a couple hours north of San Francisco where we brewed for 6 years. In 2003, as I planned a switch to 6-packs and an expansion to new markets, it made sense to brew in New York – so I gave up my San Francisco apartment and literally spent the next 5 years on the road selling beer market to market. For 10 years we contract brewed in NY as we were fortunate enough to win tons of awards and make the "Top 100 Brewers in the World" on RateBeer.com. This year we finally built our own brewery in Clifton Park, NY just north of Albany, doubled our staff, and are looking forward to controlling all our own production, brewing the best beers we've ever produced!
How did you choose "Crafting Delicious Beer and Delicious Shtick" as a slogan and how do you evaluate its effectiveness?
As with all the shtick for Shmaltz Brewing – I made it up! Given our small size and our goal to make art in the form of fantastic beers – more than ever do any formal marketing surveys or consumer research – if it rings true, sincere, and fun for us, then we go for it.
You overcame quite a few financial and other hurtles during your start up. What are the most important lessons you learned?
Do a ton of extra research and before embarking on new projects – and then either make sure you can track the finances – or hire/beg/trade someone else to cover it all for you!
How do you decide on which new beers to create and which beers to retire?
Often times it starts with an idea, punchline, or fun angle – for example this year's new "Death of a Contract Brewer" – which then gets spun into a beer style – in this case a Black IPA brewed w 7 malts, hops, and alcohol riffing off the Jewish tradition of 7 days of shiva for a passing in the family. For us, it's our transformation from contract brewing to our own brewery. And then our anniversary for our 17th year is called "Jewbelation Reborn" – great beer and great shtick!
What exactly is "Extreme Jewish Brewing?"
Jewbelation Reborn: 17 malts, 17 hops, 17% alcohol – and a holiday gift pack with 8 different extreme beers that we make w Chanukah candles and instructions and a national contest about how to Build Your Own Beer Menorah.
Which charities does Shmaltz support and why?
We work with both Jewish community and general non profits (often educational, artistic, and community service) around the brewery as well as across the county. Tied into our Lenny Bruce tribute beer, I donate specifically to Center for Constitutional Rights, a civil rights legal advocacy organization.
What is the title of your next book?
Death of a Contract Brewer: How it took 18 years of craft brewing to become an actual craft brewer!
And the one after that?
One at a time!
What is next? Are you thinking of moving into Spirits?
Next?! I think a brand new $4 million mortgaged brewery with double our staff and double our beer portfolio is enough!!
He makes a solid point. L'Chaim!


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VMware Workstation 5.0Features | Documentation | Knowledge Base | Discussion Forums
Procedure to Upgrade Virtual Machines
1. Shut down the guest operating system and power off the virtual machine,
2. Choose VM > Upgrade Virtual Machine.
A dialog box appears, warning that the upgrade process cannot be reversed.
3. Click Yes to continue, then follow the on-screen directions.
4. Power on the virtual machine in Workstation 5.
5. Upgrade VMware Tools to the new version
Refer to Installing VMware Tools. Do not remove the older version of VMware Tools before installing the new version.
Note: If you are upgrading a virtual machine that runs from a physical disk, rather than a virtual disk, you may safely ignore the message: "Unable to upgrade <drivename>. One of the supplied parameters is invalid." Click OK to continue the upgrade.


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Celgene (NASDAQ:CELG) stepped onto Johnson & Johnson's (NYSE:JNJ) turf in 2014 with its launch of Otezla. The drug competes head-to-head with J&J's Stelara in the psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis markets. That's a fight that Johnson & Johnson is still winning, although Celgene has achieved significant success. But what about a match-up between the stocks of the two companies? Here's how Celgene and J&J compare.
The case for Celgene
Otezla is a key component of the investing case for Celgene. Sales for the drug in the first nine months of 2016 soared nearly 147% over the prior-year period to $712 million. More indications could be on the way. Late-stage studies are underway to evaluate Otezla in treating inflammatory disorders ankylosing spondylitis and Behçet's disease.
The bigger story for Celgene, though, continues to center on Revlimid. Sales for the blood cancer drug during the first nine months of this year topped $5.16 billion, up nearly 22% year over year. Celgene abandoned plans to pursue approval for Revlimid in treating diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) after disappointing results in a late-stage study. However, the biotech still hopes for success in several other phase 3 studies targeting lymphomas.
Another blood cancer drug is also making a big difference for Celgene. Sales for Pomalyst/Imnovid in the first nine months of 2016 climbed 35% year over year to nearly $933 million. The drug is approved in the U.S. and Europe as a third-line treatment for multiple myeloma.
Celgene's pipeline also looks strong. Outside of expanding indications for current drugs on the market, the biotech has eight late-stage studies in progress. Luspatercept, which Celgene is developing with partner Acceleron, is being evaluated for treating blood diseases myelodisplastic syndromes (MDS) and beta-thalassemia. Analysts think the drug could achieve peak annual sales of more than $2 billion if approved.
Otezla could also be joined by other autoimmune disease drugs if all goes well. GED-0301 (also known as mongersen) is in a late-stage study targeting treatment of Crohn's disease and a mid-stage study for treating ulcerative colitis. Analysts project peak annual sales could be between $2 billion and $3 billion.
The crown jewel in Celgene's pipeline is probably ozanimod. Phase 3 studies are underway to evaluate the drug as a potential treatment for multiple sclerosis and ulcerative colitis. Celgene thinks ozanimod could hit peak annual sales of at least $4 billion if approved for both indications.
With its lead products performing well and several solid pipeline candidates, Wall Street thinks that Celgene will grow earnings by an average of nearly 23% annually over the next five years. That kind of growth makes the biotech's seemingly high earnings multiple of 44 not nearly as scary.
The case for Johnson & Johnson
Stelara remains one of the brightest spots in Johnson & Johnson's lineup. Sales for the anti-inflammatory drug jumped nearly 36% year over year in the first nine months of 2016 to $2.35 billion.
J&J is also seeing solid growth for its other autoimmune disease drugs. Sales for Simponi during the first nine months of the year totaled $1.3 billion, an increase of more than 33% compared to the prior-year period. Meanwhile, the company's top-selling drug, Remicade, recorded year-to-date sales of $5.3 billion as of the end of the third quarter -- up over 9% year over year.
Looking at other therapeutic areas, Johnson & Johnson's winners include blood thinner Xarelto, diabetes drug Invokana, and antipsychotic Invega Sustenna. All are blockbuster drugs with year-over-year growth in the double-digit percentages.
The one J&J drug with the fastest-growing sales, though, is Imbruvica. Sales for the cancer drug totaled $905 million in the first nine months of 2016, nearly doubling the amount from the prior-year period.
And Imbruvica is just getting warmed up. Some analysts project the drug will reach peak annual sales of $6 billion. That could be on the low end of Imbruvica's potential. Johnson & Johnson won't see all of that amount, however. It splits revenue with partner AbbVie.
What about J&J's pipeline prospects? They look pretty good considering that the giant company claims over 30 late-stage clinical studies in progress. Some of these studies are pursuing additional indications for existing drugs. However, several new candidates are in the mix, notably including autoimmune disease drugs sirukumab and guselkumab.
Johnson & Johnson's earnings growth is expected to average less than 7% over the next five years. The company's other business segments, consumer and medical devices, will likely hold back its pharmaceuticals sales growth. However, J&J's strong dividend, which currently has a yield of 2.78%, helps compensate for the less-than-spectacular growth prospects.
Better buy
Johnson & Johnson is a good stock (especially with its dividend track record), but Celgene is the better pick for now. The biotech's growth prospects dwarf those of J&J.
I must emphasize the two words "for now," though. The biopharmaceutical world is constantly changing. If, for example, Revlimid lost steam due to competition or if Johnson & Johnson spun off its other segments, the dynamics would be much different. I don't see either of those scenarios happening anytime soon, but they're not out of the realm of possibility.


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From traveling in the blind spot of the car next to you to being practically invisible after dark, you confront safety issues whenever you take your motorcycle out for a spin. As a biker, much of your concentration is directed toward watching the road and looking for possible hazards. However, because it is also very important for you to be observed by other motorists, here are four things you can do that will help drivers see you more clearly.
4 ways to improve your visibility as a motorcycle rider
How to handle a road rage situation
You have probably seen your share of aggressive drivers. There seems to be a lot of tension on our roads and highways, and some of it escalates into road rage, a term that was coined by a Los Angeles television station following a string of freeway shootings. You may be surprised to learn that you might be capable of experiencing road rage yourself or causing other drivers to feel this kind of angst.
5 Steps to take after a car accident
A car accident, even a minor fender-bender, is a stressful, upsetting experience for everyone involved. As a driver or passenger, however, it is important to collect yourself and remain calm. There are a few steps you need to take following an accident.
Improperly loaded trucks are a leading cause of accidents
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were more than 300,000 truck accidents in 2012 causing over 100,000 injuries and almost 4,000 fatalities. These accidents can cause serious, catastrophic and deadly injuries. Experts agree, that one of the leading causes of truck accidents is improper loading.
Steps to take after a car accident
A car accident is an event that is defined by confusion. No one plans to have a car accident. When it happens, even the smallest fender bender can be extremely frightening due to the disorientation a person experiences after a sudden and violent shock to the system. However, there are steps you can - and should - take after an accident to protect your health and your legal rights.
What are my options if the other driver doesn't have insurance?
Getting into a car accident is a scary experience - no matter what the circumstances are or whose fault it is. Even in minor fender-benders where there are no serious injuries, it's a major inconvenience at best.
Should you accept the insurance company's settlement offer?
When you are injured in a car accident, you may have many important concerns and worries. You might be seriously injured and worry that you won't be able to go back to work and earn a living. You may also be worried about paying your medical bills. This is one of many reasons why it is so important to speak with a lawyer. If you've been injured in a car crash, a lawyer can help with all aspects of your case.
Can You File A Personal Injury Claim If You're Partly At Fault?
Sometimes motor vehicle accidents are clearly the fault of only one driver. For instance, if you were obeying the traffic laws as you drove through downtown Charleston, only to be hit by a drunk driver in an intersection, it's clear that the accident wasn't your responsibility.
Research Shows Improving Economy Equals More Car Crashes
Over the past 40 years or so, the number of fatal car accidents has gradually decreased across the United States. It was decreasing, that is, until now.
Drunk Driving Victim? You're Not Alone, And You're Not Powerless
If you were injured by a drunk driver - or if someone you love was hurt - you may feel like you're all alone. The police want the facts, and the insurance company wants a statement, but neither bureaucracy really knows or cares what you're going through.


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BMAH sold data
TSM gather bought data from tsm users, it would be interesting to have that for BMAH items to have some kind of history or prices at which each items sold
The BMAH interface could also get an improvement, with a single page listing all possible items and the avg sold next to it, it would also give even more incentive for users to purchase premium in my opinion
Finally even if the player lose the deal, I believe TSM can still determine the price with the completed status. completed = sold for the shown amount
1 comment
Cael commented
also having in this page a "BMAH activity", which would help finding a realm appropriate to move and stay for bmah purposes. each time a unique tsm user checks the bmah, it adds 1 (I know you already upload data but I don't know if you upload data from everyone, I assume so)


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Cookies In Use on This Site
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Aston Somerville - St Mary's
Aston Somerville - St Mary's
Aston Somerville is a village in the attractive Cotswold area of south Worcestershire. Part of Gloucestershire until 1931, the parish is still in the Diocese of Gloucester. It is one of the Winchcombe Team of Parishes. Its church, St Mary's, is idyllically set in (or almost in) one of the village farmyards: further details of its history will soon be published on this site.
Details of Sunday Services and other activities are given below. For further information, see the Contacts page..
First Sunday: 9.30am Holy Communion
Second Sunday: 8.00am Holy Communion
Third Sunday: no service here
Fourth Sunday: 3.00pm [winter] 6.00pm [summer] Evensong.
| Printable Version


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12:58pm PT by Scott Feinberg
TCM Fest: Shirley MacLaine on Her Best Roles, Witnessing UFOs and Passing on 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' (Podcast)
One of the great highlights of the sixth annual Turner Classic Movies Film Festival, a terrific event that took place in downtown Hollywood from March 26-29, was the omnipresence of the legendary Shirley MacLaine. The 80-year-old Oscar and Emmy winner, who is celebrating her 60th year in Hollywood, was on hand for a number of different talkbacks and Q&As to mark the occasion, and also to help celebrate her two-time costar Christopher Plummer at his handprints and footprints ceremony in front of the TCL Chinese Theatre. (Her own took place in 1963.)
In the midst of all of this, MacLaine, who looks great and has as much sass and spunk as ever, found 20 minutes to grant an exclusive interview about her life, career and outlook at this time, which you can listen to at the top of this post.
Some highlights from the interview:
- How Shirley MacLean Beaty became Shirley MacLaine
- How one family produced two great actors, MacLaine and her brother Warren Beatty
- How she became interested in metaphysics and UFOs ("I was there in Arlington, Virginia in 1952 when a whole UFO squadron buzzed the White House and the Capitol"); what brought her from Virginia to New York and how, once there, a fateful series of events led to her being discovered and signed to film contract by Hal Wallis
- The nature of her first filmmaking experience, 1955's The Trouble with Harry, under the direction of Alfred Hitchcock
- How the 1958 film Some Came Running led to her first Oscar nom and association with the Rat Pack ("I was their girl friday — there was no sex at all, although later I had kind of a crush on Dean [Martin]")
- How a lot of improvisation took place in Billy Wilder's The Apartment, opposite Jack Lemmon, including the famous last line ("We only had 29 pages of script.")
- Her displeasure with her reunion with Wilder and Lemmon, Irma La Douce ("I thought it should have been a musical.")
- The many Jacks in her life — Lemmon, agent Jack Gilardi, friend and Terms of Endearment costar Jack Nicholson, Bernie costar Jack Black ("It's a good thing I didn't have an affair with Jack Kennedy!")
- Risque scenes that were cut from The Children's Hour ("Willie [Wyler], honestly, did compromise it... I think he got frightened, and I think the movie suffered.")
- Playing a dancer in Sweet Charity and The Turning Point ("Dancing on-screen is difficult.")
- How seeing the 1970 film Five Easy Pieces changed the way she approached acting ("When I saw what Jack did with the chicken salad sandwich scene...")
- How her focus shifted from acting to politics for a few years after she hit middle-age ("I was filling in the gaps with what else I was interested in."); playing the straight-man in Being There ("I was just so enamored of Peter [Sellers] and his ability.")
- Her experience with Terms of Endearment, generally (James L. Brooks is "an absolutely brilliant handful" but "anything with Jack Nicholson makes me so satisfied"), and Debra Winger, specifically ("Oh, talk about a handful... oy-yoy-yoy")
- How winning an Oscar actually hurt her career ("People don't think they should send you a script they're not sure about.")
- Playing a crazy mother in Postcards from the Edge ("I didn't play Debbie [Reynolds], I played my version of Debbie.")
- Her greatest strength as an actress ("Living in the moment... I don't have filters...")
- Jennifer Lawrence ("I think she's brilliant... I did meet with her right after she finished doing The Hunger Games, and we had some talks about life, love and the pursuit of happiness. She's my favorite.")
- How she would have handled the paparazzi if she had become a star in the 21st century ("I would have beaten them up. I would have gone over there and cracked them over the head with a bottle of scotch.")
- Her biggest regrets ("Breakfast at Tiffany's — I turned it down... although never would I have given Holly Golightly what Audrey [Hepburn] did.")
- Her life today ("If I can't be creative I'm in trouble.")
- Her legacy ("I would like to be remembered for making it clear that life itself is show business.")
Twitter: @ScottFeinberg
Scott email@example.com ScottFeinberg


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It looks pretty and perfect for a shabby hightea or party, and I believe any girl would swoon over this. I've adapted it also to suit a little girl's birthday too, with fondant Peppa Pig and George jumping in muddy (chocolate) puddles. I do not have instructions on how to make a Peppa Pig cake on this page but it's very straight forward fondant modelling. You can really top this cake with anything, or simply leave the top plain. It's up to you. I hope you enjoy this delicious and exquisite looking cake as much as I did!
|Pink ombre cake with fondant flowers
|Pink ombre cake turned Peppa Pig and George style
HOW TO MAKE A PINK OMBRE CAKE (Adapted from How to Cook That)
2 precooked cakes of the same size (mine are about 18cm across each)
1 1/2 cups butter, room temperature
7 1/2 cups icing sugar
4+ tablespoons of milk
rose pink food colouring
To make the buttercream, beat the butter with the icing sugar and the 4 tablespoons of milk until smooth and light, adding extra milk if desired to reach a thick and smooth consistency.
7 1/2 cups icing sugar
4+ tablespoons of milk
rose pink food colouring
To make the buttercream, beat the butter with the icing sugar and the 4 tablespoons of milk until smooth and light, adding extra milk if desired to reach a thick and smooth consistency.
1. Take your two cakes and spread butter cream icing between them, then join them together. Set them on a serving plate which will enable you to work close to the bottom of the cake (plates with sides will not work as well. A flat or convex plate works best.) Smooth the sides of the cake with a thin crumb coat of butter cream icing to smooth any imperfections and inconsistencies. Take the remaining icing and colour with a little food dye. This will the the lightest coloured coat.
2. Place a few heaped tablespoons of the icing in a piping bag fitted with a large round open nozzle. A zip lock bag with the corner cut is also a quick and easy option for a piping bag if you don't have one or the round nozzle. Starting at the very top edge of the cake, begin to pipe a row of 10c sized blops of icing, ensuring the side of each blop touches the side of the one next to it. Continue around the whole diameter. Using the back of a teaspoon, smooth each blop downwards. It may help if you dip the spoon into warm water between each smear to get a smoother finish.
3. Add some more of the same food colouring to the remaining butter cream icing so that it is a few shades darker. Fill the piping bag with this darker shade and repeat the same process as previously, positioning the blops of icing along the bottom of the last row to cover any messy areas. When this row is completed, use the back of the teaspoon to smear the blops downwards as previously done.
5. Your pink ombre cake is complete! Finish it off with pretty fondant flowers or little fingurines like Peppa pig and George.


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What a Young Driver Should Know
Things a Young Driver Should Know There are a lot of topics covered in a driver's education course, but there are some important lessons that are not taught that can help a person be the best defensive driver they can be. Young drivers need to know how to handle possible situations that will occur during
- Published in Defensive Driving Information, Driving Habits, Driving Safety, Road Trips
Texas Night Driving Tips
Night driving is certainly not the same as driving in daylight hours. According to the National Safety Council, death rates on the road are greater at night than during the day. Why is night driving so hazardous? Is it because we are not aware of the hazards that are present at night? Or is it
- Published in Defensive Driving Information, Driving Habits, Driving Safety, Road Trips
Texting and Driving: Just Don't Do It Dallas!
In this new day and age you cannot turn around without seeing someone texting and driving. Almost everyone is using a cell phone to communicate with each other and it is great in the world of technology. But there is certainly a time and place to use it. Driving is definitely a time where you
- Published in Defensive Driving Information, Distracted Driving, Driving Habits, Driving Safety
Texas Seat Belt Safety
Two main reasons to practice seat belt safety every time you enter a motor vehicle: Practicing Seat Belt Safety Can Increase Your Chances of Surviving a Vehicle Accident Wearing your seat belt can decrease your chances of being seriously injured or fatally wounded, in a vehicle accident, by about 50 percent; seat belt safety is
- Published in Driving Safety
Avoid Distractions while Driving in Texas
Distractions while driving can be very dangerous. This does not just in Texas but all over the country. People are getting seriously injured or killed in car accidents as a result of distractions while driving. Cell phones have now become the new target when it comes to distracted driving, but honestly, drivers have been vulnerable
- Published in Driving Safety
How to be a Defensive Driver in Texas
Become A Defensive Driver Driving is a dangerous activity that most of us engage in on a daily basis; we can actually make these a less hazardous activity for ourselves by driving defensively. First and foremost, we must know and always apply the rules of the road. This means knowing what the current
- Published in Driving Habits, Driving Safety
Log into Your Grand Prairie Defensive Driving Course Online From Anywhere!
Defensive Driving Course A Sense of Humor Defensive Driving has been helping save lives through education for over two decades. In 2004, we passed on our traditions to a new format when A Sense of Humor launched our Defensive Driving Online Course. Our teachings and philosophy that was instilled in our classrooms, are
- Published in Defensive Driving Information, Driving Safety
Defensive Driving Course in Richland Hills Texas
Defensive Driving Most people feel strongly about their safety. When this concern is translated to driving, the initial thing to do would be to get a vehicle that has passed safety standards and if not the safest in the market. Despite the fact that we are very careful and are aware of driving risks,
- Published in Defensive Driving Information, Driving Safety, Road Trips
Defensive Driving Course Arlington TX (817) 812-2011
Defensive Driving Course Arlington A Sense of Humor Defensive Driving offers a State of Texas approved online defensive driving course serving the Greater Arlington and surrounding areas. The course fee is $25 with free audio. Our Texas defensive driving online course is convenient, fun and easy. Contact us today! A Sense Of Humor,
- Published in Defensive Driving Information
Senior Driving Tips Arlington Texas
Here are some warning signs and senior driving tips, to keep yourself or an aging loved one, safe while driving. Aging is a part of life and with it can come some significant changes in health, vision, flexibility, coordination, and strength; these are all factors that can affect an individual's ability to drive safely. There's
- Published in Defensive Driving Funnies, Defensive Driving Information, Driving Habits, Driving Safety


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Chaotic Kabul
January 19, 2010 Leave a comment
It is quite obvious from yesterday's incidents that the huge US-led ISAF force of over 100,000, has failed even to secure the Afghan Capital Kabul against attacks from the resistance. All they have done during the past eight years or so in the country is to cause widespread havoc, kill people by the tens of thousands, lay waste vast tracts of land and pulverise mountains.
Characteristic of guerrilla tactics, fighters of the Afghan resistance suddenly emerged from nowhere to strike at principal official buildings in Kabul on Monday, after they had reportedly quietly slipped into the Capital. There were explosions near the southern gate of the Presidency and a huge pall of smoke circled overhead. Smoke was also seen near the Central Bank and the Justice and Finance Ministries, and Kabul's only four-star hotel Serena and two shopping centres were on fire. There were chaotic scenes, as the people ran away from the directions from where the noises of exploding rockets and grenades and gunshots were being heard. NATO and international forces, working with the Afghan security, were busy trying to secure the area, as the Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid warned that as many as 20 of his men were engaged in the fighting that, latest reports suggest, has left 10 dead and many more injured. Officials maintain that among the dead are four suicide bombers.
To be exact, the resistance fighters did not have to come from anywhere; they are the ordinary Afghan citizens, who are determined to drive out the occupation forces, and might as well be living in the city. To cloud this reality, however, they are called Taliban – terrorists in the US and allies' terminology.
And if the world had thought that the freezing winter of the country would dampen their fighting spirit, it was badly mistaken. In fact, by the time summer sets in, the 37,000-odd US and NATO surge that would most probably be in place by then to augment the strength, would find a revitalised resistance ready to face the new challenge.
The solution clearly is not the surge but withdrawal without further delay. The resentment caused by the presence of foreign forces in the country has been swelling the ranks of resistance fighters. One hopes that the Americans intend living up to their declarations, as repeated by Special Envoy Richard Holbrooke, that negotiations should be held with the Taliban. They must acknowledge the fact that there is little distinction between 'good' and 'bad' Taliban when it comes to the urge for independence. The only right course for them is to leave Afghanistan and let the people work out a system of governance that reflects the country's ethnic mix and suits them best, and for Pakistan to stop fighting its own people and settle differences through negotiations.(The Nation)