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At first it may seem daunting... how can we extricate ourselves from a global system that relies heavily on mass consumerism, a model of 'never enough', one that cultivates addictions, disease, oil-dependency, the destruction of mother earth and a disconnection with the natural/animal aspect of ourselves? We may feel enslaved in the 'busy'ness of our current lives, feeling depleted and overextended... but nevertheless underneath, is a persistent call to 'something else', to living with more balance, simplicity, 'common sense'.
Over this year, I've felt much shifting inside and outside... and felt a calling 'outside' more and more - outside into nature, into community, and outside of old systems. It's as if much of our modern 'lifestyle' no longer fits or makes sense at a deep level. And it's easy to feel disheartened or overwhelmed, in this time of global shifting - with the recent earthquake & devastation in Japan, sweeping environmental changes, economic instability, a multitude of wars, conflicts and uprisings, and the ongoing shattering of existing structures. It seems the very foundation of our modern 'civilized' life is shattering! However, this time of shattering is also a very potent time to create new ways of being and living together. What we choose to create each day does matter!
Those of us who feel we're 'outsiders' : ) are really in a position to create new ways of being and living together on this planet - more sustainably, naturally, simply, healthily. I find when we attune to this fully, we will be guided in our choices and steps ahead. For me, taking even baby steps in this direction every day feels empowering and energizing, and can include:
- a focus on the breath... creating stillness and quiet every day to simply 'be' and feel.
- enjoying a practice of yoga or dance or other movement, to help 'empty out' and create space in the body and mind.
- listening and tuning into guidance. We all have an animal/instinctual/intuitive nature... when we become still and quiet, we can hear this little voice, 'gut instinct' more. We can actively hone and cultivate this skill every day.
- being outside in nature every day. It may be challenging in a city landscape, but nonetheless we can find a ravine, a path, a stand of trees, a river and simply feel the wind, the sun, the energy of the trees, plants and animal life, and breathe that in, feeling our connection to the whole.
- joining a community of people involved in creative thinking, new ideas, new experiences. Stay open and follow your heart - for me this included joining the David Suzuki Foundation to learn more about living with a lighter footprint on momma earth; dancing with other people in 5Rhythms/ecstatic dance; learning about community/local organic gardening, etc. Go where you feel drawn, energized...
- cultivating the practice of letting go - of stuff, of 'busy'ness, of people/circumstances that no longer feel 'right' or on purpose. Only when we let go will we truly be able to embrace new ways, new directions. Letting go also cultivates simplicity... and when we live more simply, we will live more gently as a species on this planet.
- practice giving, in kindness or other deeds, every day. Opening heart to share more with other human beings, and honouring/protecting the lives of our animal/plant/earth family, is key to leading a balanced, fulfilling life. To live within a circle, this wonderful earth community, means it's not just 'all about us' as a human species, but the integrity and health of the whole and how we support that. Opening heart allows us to let go of selfish/addictive agendas, seek balance, harmony, and move in service within the whole.
ps please visit www.callingalloutsiders.com/


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Professional Building & Design Plans
Easyplan Manchester provides architectural designers for home-owners in and around the Manchester area. We offer a complete pre-build service, taking you from the "ideas" stage right through to the day your builder can start work.
We offer a friendly, reliable service and realise the importance of communicating with our clients. Our aim is to make the process as easy as possible and ensure you get the most from your home and budget.

subset: commoncrawl


text: 134 Arctic Yearbook 2014 and contents) that currently support unsustainable societies. ESD affects all components of education: legislation, policy, finance, curriculum, instruction, learning, assessment, etc. ESD calls for lifelong learning and recognizes the fact that the educational needs of people change over their lifetime. Many individuals and organizations around the world already implement ESD (e.g. a teacher weaving sustainability themes into primary education using participatory methods; a community development worker raising people's awareness on rights which are denied to them; or a public health worker training people to draw water from clean sources). There are many programs using an ESD approach to learning which is critical for achieving sustainability. ESD has essential characteristics that can be implemented in many culturally appropriate forms. Education for sustainable development: is based on the principles and values that underlie sustainable development; deals with the well-being of all four dimensions of sustainability – environment, society, culture and economy; uses a variety of pedagogical techniques that promote participatory learning and higher-order thinking skills; promotes lifelong learning; is locally relevant and culturally appropriate; is based on local needs, perceptions and conditions, but acknowledges that fulfilling local needs often has international effects and consequences; engages formal, nonformal and informal education; accommodates the evolving nature of the concept of sustainability; addresses content, taking into account context, global issues and local priorities; builds civil capacity for community-based decision-making, social tolerance, environmental stewardship, an adaptable workforce, and a good quality of life; is interdisciplinary. No single discipline can claim ESD for itself; all disciplines can contribute to ESD (The official website of UNESCO). However, for the Arctic there is a history of education systems that tried to force central school models on local people, including different degrees of suppression of local language. This has been improved today to various degrees in the Arctic States. But the lack of skilled teachers with local roots is a circumpolar-wide challenge. Arctic higher educational institutions also face many challenges when attempting to be innovative and competitive due to their small size and geographic isolation (Kullerud 2009). Education should be an important indicator for human development in the circumpolar region. Each of the circumpolar states has a vested interest in education. There are certain common characteristics in northern education. For example, some aspects of what students learn during their primary and secondary school years, and even beyond to post-secondary education, is on the surface similar in all parts of the circumpolar North. In Narsaq, Greenland, students will acquire some of the same knowledge as those in Norilsk, Russia, even if there will be some obvious language and culture differences. The situation in the North is special because the region for many years has been impressed by closed borders – a border that separated the East from the West and that represents great language, economic, technological, and social differences. However, the peoples in the high North have much in common, such as their closeness to nature and its seasons. Comparisons show similar systems of organization, school administration, and textbook subject matter, though the size of classes and economics of education vary a great deal. This holds true when comparing a number of schools in each of the larger urban communities. The graduates from Lipatov


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Australia's main enterprise Software as a Service (SaaS) firm, TechnologyOne (ASX:TNE), announced as we speak that its 5 year relationship with Noosa Shire Council had been prolonged by another eight years with a second multi-million greenback deal for its OneCouncil SaaS answer. The authors counsel that this distinction emerges because wealthier, older people are more more likely to be invested in the status quo, but additionally as a result of trust is a product of stories turning out to be correct and fair many times," which takes time to recognize.
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We welcome scientists, social scientists, engineers and clinicians from any discipline and at any stage of their profession in academia or trade (excluding those at undergraduate stage), who have little or no media expertise however want to discover out more.
Ladies of colour represent just 7.ninety five {77adcb1e69a3dc7e41c9865333e1aeb50abe74a98481e530a54b1dc2c938c16c} of U.S. print newsroom employees, 12.6 p.c of native TV news staff, and 6.2 {77adcb1e69a3dc7e41c9865333e1aeb50abe74a98481e530a54b1dc2c938c16c} of local radio workers, in response to business analysis that is based mostly on information organizations' replies to skilled association queries.


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"Brilliant, I cannot speak highly enough of Rees Building Solutions. Not only is John's work great, he is always available when I need him."
"John and his team have completed a challenging project in our 100 year old property, correcting structural issues caused by the previous owners and leaving us with the peace of mind that was needed with the imminent start of our family! John fitted us in at short notice in light of the urgency of our work, and did as much as possible to reduce impact in other areas of the house. The work has been completed to perfection with a very high quality of finish with full sign off from Building regs. We would definitely use John for future building work and definitely recommend him."
"Everything was great."
"John is really helpful, listens to you, comes up with solutions quickly and a really genuine person."
"Very trustworthy, great craftsmanship and reliable."
"I had some excellent service the job was very accurately priced, the builder was very reliable, the quality of workmanship was very good."


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Group Booking Terms and Conditions
Because you are making a Group Booking, there are additional Terms and Conditions that apply. Please read them and click 'I Accept' below to continue with your booking
General Group Booking Terms
By making a group reservation through Hostelworld.com you agree to the following terms and conditions as set by Hostelworld.com and as set by the hostel in question.
- In order to make a group reservation on Hostelworld.com it is necessary to pay a deposit. The balance is due directly to the hostel according to their payment conditions.
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- Please note that any cancellations must be notified directly to the hostel at least 24 hours in advance of your scheduled arrival date, unless otherwise stated in the hostel's conditions.
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- Cancellations for reservations must be made directly with the hostel and must conform with the individual hostels cancellation policy (see below)
- It is your responsibility to pay the balance of your accommodation cost to the hostel in accordance with their payment conditions (see below). Failure to do so may result in your reservation being cancelled by the hostel.
- Individual hostels may have special booking conditions relating to group stays, please read the hostel booking conditions carefully before making your reservation.
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The remainder of the amount due will be charged to your credit card 1 week prior to arrival. Should numbers or room selection change, the per person deposit times the number of people who actually travelled will be deducted from the total accommodation charge levvied by the hostel.
The following group types are not accepted by this hostel: Stag/Hen/Bachelor Party If you have misrepresented the type of group you are booking for, your booking may be cancelled by the hostel."
Additional Info:
Damage deposit. 250 euro
Any cancellations resulting from agreement to these terms and conditions under false pretences will result in loss of deposit.
Je moet de algemene voorwaarden accepteren om je reservering te bevestigen.
Beschrijving van de Accomodatie Inrichting
Located next to Bundoran boatquay. Near start of beautiful west end sea cliff walk. Guests can easily walk to sea with surfboard or sea kayak. Boat Sea fishing can be arranged at boat quay.
Roughy walk can be accessed in town. This brings you to Tullan strand. A 2 mile long beach. Bundoran has many bars and restaurants. Many bars have live music and An adventure park with fun rides and amusements. Water world is a family friendly indoor water park located in the town. Seaweed baths beside that.
Large area outside for bbq and relax enjoy the views. Comfortable sitting area inside. Breakfast room/kitchen. Plenty of Free parking. Come and stay you're going to love it.
The Boathouse Lodge Policies & Conditions:
Cancellation policy: 72 hours before arrival.
Payment upon arrival by cash.
Check in from 14:30 to 19:30 .
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Reception: 09:00 - 19.30.
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Child friendly.
Non smoking. Bekijk huisregels
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Representatives from Preservation Dallas and the Landmark Commission met yesterday morning with the Zoning Ordinance Advisory Committee and first assistant city attorney Chris Bowers to hammer out the details of a proposed ordinance aimed at expediting the demolition of historic structures, but once again, the committee voted to delay the item -- this time until September 10.
Committee members disagreed on three issues, the first of which is when the Landmark Commission should receive notification of demolition. Katherine Seale, executive director of Preservation Dallas, recommended a "parallel track," giving the Landmark Commission notice as the city attorney files a request for demolition in municipal court. This would provide the Landmark Commission a greater amount of time to find an alternative plan to rehab the structure.
However, the reason the city files with the court is because it isn't authorized for demolition approval through the Landmark Commission and doesn't own the property. Once it receives legal authorization, the city hopes the new ordinance will partially cut the Landmark Commission out of the process, in some cases with the court issuing repair agreements as opposed to demolition orders.
"I would ask the city attorneys how many cases actually end up in a repair agreement," Seale told Unfair Park. "My guess is that none of them are."
Seale says she's concerned because a municipal judge wouldn't have any interest in hearing arguments from Preservation Dallas regarding the analysis of a property's historical significance. "[To] the court it's a code issue; they are not considering the historic value, or if it's feasible to rehabilitate."
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The presence of a written transcript for city plan commission members' use while considering appeals after a court order for demolition also was a point of contention. Plan commissioner Neil Emmons, who's not on the committee but attended the meeting, said it was "wrong" not to have a transcript because there was no way they could look at evidence from the Landmark Commission. In response to a suggestion that they listen to the meeting's audio, a few committee members asked, "Who has time to listen to two hours of uhhh's and but's?"
Paul Ridley, chair of the Landmark Commission's Demolition Ordinance Amendment Task Force, said the city's position -- that the CPC should consider the court proceedings rather than Landmark Commission's studies, and therefore not waste money on making a formal transcript -- would basically eliminate the vast range of expertise involved in forming the commission's judgments.
Finally, the committee couldn't agree on how long Landmark Commission or a new property owner could have to formalize a plan for rehabilitation, though the city attorney did make a new, well-received amendment to give larger properties (exceeding 3,000 sq. ft.) a longer feasibility period to come up with a rehab plan.
Seale predicts one of two things will happen when the committee reconsiders the ordinance next month: Either there's going to be a version that the city attorney, Preservation Dallas and Landmark Commission can all agree on, or there will be a "boxed version that will have the city attorney's version and [next to it] alternate suggestions boxed out."


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Europe's Quarter-billion Dollar Lithium Battery Carrot to Benefit Lithium Suppliers, Further Boost Demand
USA News Group News Commentary
24 Nov, 2017, 14:00 GMT
LOS ANGELES, November 24, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --
USA News Group - Demand for lithium is set to rise yet again, with the recent announcement of the European Commission's latest increase of funding efforts to "kick start concrete projects," in order to scale-up lithium battery manufacturing on the continent.
As Europe scales up its lithium demands, along with further pressures from Asian and North American manufacturers, the benefactors who will be responsible for supplying those extra demands will be the world's lithium companies, including QMC Quantum Minerals Corp. (TSX-V: QMC) (OTC: QMCQF), Albemarle (NYSE: ALB), FMC Lithium (NYSE: FMC), Orocobre Limited (TSX: ORL) (OTC: OROCF), and Pure Energy Minerals (TSX-V: PE) (OTC: PEMIF).
An additional €200 million (US$235.53 million) was allocated by the European Commission as part of its Horizon 2020 program, designed to incentivize further innovation and research in targeted areas. This injection is on top of the already €150 million the commission had devoted to battery research and innovation.
As much of the world's lithium demands are coming from the consumer electronics market, the coinciding surge in grid storage and infrastructure upgrade demands is often overlooked. While analysts point to Electric Vehicles (EVs) and portable devices as the driver for lithium's boom, renewable and grid storage applications of lithium-ion battery technology are expected to surpass the USD $12 billion mark by 2024.
To meet those rising demands, most of the world's current lithium production comes from a small handful of large companies, while fresh ideas and exploration are coming from forward-looking junior companies that are working hard to bring on the world's next new lithium supplies.
One new lithium player making its mark as a result of this wave of new lithium demand is QMC Quantum Minerals Corp. (TSX-V: QMC) (OTC: QMCQF), which is seeking to put Canada's hard-rock lithium reserves firmly on the map. Through developing a large historical resource in Manitoba, QMC is banking on capturing the advantages of operating in one of the most mining friendly jurisdictions in the world.
Meanwhile, the majors aren't holding back their efforts to also expand their lithium reserves, and developing their assets to bolster development and race to meet rising demand. These companies include Albemarle (NYSE: ALB), FMC Lithium (NYSE: FMC), Orocobre Limited (TSX: ORL) (OTC: OROCF), and Pure Energy Minerals (TSX-V: PE) (OTC: PEMIF).
Under the "strategic work programme" Horizon 2020, funds from the European Commission will be directed towards innovation and research in a variety of areas. The funding will work in congruence with the coordinated efforts of academics and industry, which too have been endowed with approximately €30 billion in total funding from the European Union.
The primary push from the latest cash injection has been targeted towards more lithium-ion battery research and development particularly regarding the electrification of transport, and the commission's goals outlined in its "Delivering on low emission mobility" paper.
"From an industrial perspective, the growth in demand will require major investments in the battery value chain between now and 2025, including a massive upscale of battery cell manufacturing," the European Commission stated in the paper.
"We are therefore presented with a clear opportunity for Europe to attract investments along the value chain to the EU. Europe therefore needs to urgently take decisive steps towards establishing a complete value-chain for the development and manufacturing of advanced batteries in the EU."
Much of the draw on battery demands will also come from the dawn of a renewable energy revolution on the continent. Germany alone saw its annual electricity demand from renewable energy sources grow to 30% of the country's total output in 2015.
And the European Commission wasn't done with its impact just with the Horizon 2020 funding. The EU's regulatory arm also recently proposed a 30% reduction in CO2 from cars by 2030, forcing yet another shock to lithium demands, and sparking car manufacturers from around the world to ramp up their EV production for consumers scrambling to get away from the catalytic converter.
Soon-to-be Ex-EU member state, the UK, is also throwing its hat into the battery business, having set up the "Faraday Challenge" over the next two years-an investment totaling £246 million (US$320 million).
First announced in the spring of this year, the UK's promised funding is set to be feathered out over a four year span as part of the government's current industrial strategy of holding competitions.
"The work that we do through the Faraday Challenge will - quite literally - power the automotive and energy revolution where, already, the UK is leading the world," said British Business Secretary and Minister Greg Clark earlier this year.
So far the push in the UK is working, as registrations of Ultra Low Emissions Vehicles (ULEVs) have increased 1,864% since 2011. And it's no wonder British drivers are making the switch, as there is a looming ban on sales of all petroleum powered vehicles by 2040.
With all signs pointing towards an ongoing rise in demand coming from Europe and other continents in the world for lithium-based battery technology, the time is right for newcomers in the lithium production space to emerge-Canadian junior mining company QMC Quantum Minerals presents a strong case for being next in line.
By focusing its development in the extremely mining friendly jurisdiction of Manitoba, Canada, QMC has positioned itself in the second best mining district on the planet, according to a global survey.
Manitoba has everything a miner could ask for, including very competitive tax regimes, smooth and efficient permitting procedures, with consistent and fair environmental regulations and land-claim handling.
These advantages factored heavily into QMC's decision to pursue their current lithium development project. Now known as the Cat Lake Lithium Property, QMC acquired what was formerly known as the Irgon Mine back in 2016.
Since then, the company has actively pursued the potential that their team knows to be there.
The Cat Lake property is only 20km away from the world-class Tanco Mine, which was once North America's largest and sole producer of spodumene (Lithium).
Historical drilling spanning 1953-54 on the Cat Lake discovery yielded a massive resource estimate of 1.2 million tonnes, grading 1.51% Li20 over a 365-meter strike length, and to a depth of 213 meters. Should those historical estimates hold up today, QMC is sitting on a very significant amount of lithium that in today's market would be a no-brainer to bring to production, either through an off-take agreement with a buyer, or through conventional means.
The geological brain trust inside QMC stands firm that there's no reason to doubt the estimates of yesteryear, and are already actively drilling and stripping their way towards bringing the resource estimate into modern day compliance.
The belief is that with more development work, the team can not only prove up the lithium resource, but also extend the known strike length, and increase that tonnage in play.
With an onslaught of new lithium-ion battery developers, and a sea change towards drivers parking EVs in every garage by 2040, there's reason to believe there's a potential off-take buyer (either already established or soon-to-be formed from the EC and UK's R&D injections) that will come and finance the rest of the way toward QMC's eventual production in the coming years.
But as Europe is set to push demand up, it'll have to compete with Chinese buyers first, as China's lithium prices just hit a record high last month. With lithium prices not looking to slump any time soon, there will be pressure on the market for quick-to-turnaround lithium sources like QMC Quantum Mineral's Cat Lake Project in the crosshairs of the next round of buyers.
Albemarle (NYSE: ALB)
Albemarle Corporation globally develops, manufactures, and markets engineered specialty chemicals. The company offers lithium compounds, including lithium carbonate, lithium hydroxide, lithium chloride, and lithium specialties and reagents for applications in lithium batteries, high performance greases, thermoplastic elastomers for car tires, rubber soles and plastic bottles, catalysts for chemical reactions, organic synthesis processes, life science, pharmaceutical, and other markets; cesium products for the chemical and pharmaceutical industries; and zirconium, barium, and titanium products for pyrotechnical applications. Albemarle Corporation was founded in 1994 and is based in Charlotte, North Carolina.
FMC Lithium (NYSE: FMC)
FMC Lithium is a subsidiary of the FMC Corporation, which is a diversified chemical company, that provides solutions, applications, and products for the global agricultural, consumer, and industrial markets. FMC Lithium offers lithium for use in batteries, polymers, pharmaceuticals, greases and lubricants, glass and ceramics, and other industrial uses. FMC Corporation was founded in 1884 and is headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Orocobre Limited (TSX: ORL) (OTC: OROCF)
Orocobre Limited explores for and develops lithium and potash deposits in Argentina. Its flagship project is the Salar de Olaroz lithium project located in north-west province of Jujuy. The company also produces boron minerals and refined chemicals. Orocobre Limited is based in Milton, Australia.
Pure Energy Minerals Limited (TSX-V: PE) (OTCQX: PEMIF)
Pure Energy Minerals Limited is a lithium exploration and development company that engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties. Its primary project includes the Clayton Valley South Lithium Brine Project located in Clayton Valley, Esmeralda County, Nevada. The company was formerly known as Harmony Gold Corp. and changed its name to Pure Energy Minerals Limited in October 2012. Pure Energy Minerals Limited was incorporated in 2007 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.
For a more in-depth look into QMC you can view the in-depth report at USA News Group: http://usanewsgroup.com/2017/11/19/junior-lithium-miners-are-seeing-serious-upside-as-lithium-demand-soars/
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text:
Book of Saints – Auspicius
AUSPICIUS (Saint) Bishop (July 8) (2nd century) He is said to have been the fourth Bishop of Treves and successor to Saint Maternus (about A.D. 130). Some authorities, however, assert his identity with Saint Auspicius, the fifth century Bishop of Toul. Again, some refer to him as a Martyr, others simply as a Confessor.


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@skopemag Heads To Tennessee To Kick It With A'France
Congratulations to artist A'France and his new feature in Skope Magazine.
Original article at – https://skopemag.com/2018/02/06/skopemag-heads-to-tennessee-to-kick-it-with-afrance
We are here on the first Tuesday of February 2018 and we are here with a ferocious emcee, A'France. We got hip to this young musician with his singles 'Curious George' and 'Struggle.' He offers exactly what we love about hip-hop with unique vocals, strong beats, and real-life content. Join us as we talk about his new EP, lean, how he got his alias, and so much more!
Stoli: Where are we talking from today and how you feel about 2018?
We talking from Tennessee right now and I'm feeling pretty good about 2018. Feel like it's going to be a lot of growth going on this year.
Stoli: When did you really start to see music as a potential career?
I first saw it as a career back in November of 2017. Things started to take off a little bit for me and a lot of people rocking with my sound and my movement.
Stoli: How did you get the musical alias A'France and how did that name define your sound?
Man, my brother Dunkin called me that one time and it just kinda stuck. I ran wit it and everybody else did too, but that was before the rap. I chose to use it as my rap name because it was so original. My name "Anthony Francis" so it's just a piece of that made into one. Plus my music is about my life so my name just kinda stamped it I guess you can say.
Stoli: When you get ready to sit down and make music what setting & mood must you be in?
It depends really, sometimes I like it quiet with just the beat playing so I can think of crazy ways to tell my story. Then again I might roll up a blunt, get some homies in there with me and we turn up. When I do it like that I really catch that vibe on the beat and just get to spitting shit. That's why when you listen to my music you can listen to my lyrics and catch that vibe at the same time. Now when you listen to my music your head won't stop nodding until the song go off!
Stoli: How long would you say it took to perfect your signature sound and how do you seek out producers for beats?
Man, that shit was hell! It probably took me like a year. yeah about a year or shit maybe a little more! It was difficult to find a sound that I feel comfortable with but also could be versatile with ya feel me. You'll know when you found it bc everything will just kinda flow when you trying to make a song. But for the producers and shit, I usually try to connect with different producers or go to one of my dawg's listening sessions and meet new people. If you in a music environment I'm pretty sure it's go be other people there that's a producer or photographer or at least an artist. So I just really network and pick a producer that can make beats to fit my sound of rap ya feel me.
Stoli: How was growing up in TN and what is Nashville like for an emcee coming up?
Growing up in TN was straight. Just like everywhere else you go really. You got good parts and you got bad parts. But I know one thing though! If you an artist coming out of Nashville, you go have to network with different people from out of state and all that! Because you ain't really go be getting love from here! You know it's hard to get love from your hometown.
Stoli: Who are two established emcees that you admire & listen to and why?
Uhh man I listen to a lot of people but I would have to say Young Dolph and Kevin Gates. They both make real music speaking on real shit but, more importantly they being themselves. If you not being authentic when you rap it's go catch up to you in the long run. I try to just speak on topics I know about but also look on the
Stoli: Drinking lean has shown to have serious health consequences, do you partake and if explain why or why not?
Man I ain't go lie lean good as hell. Like the taste of it. That shit taste better than cool-aid! But I don't drink that shit! I have in the past but nah not anymore, because that shit really hit you in the long run. I'll stick to my weed I'm straight on everything else.
Stoli: I love your single 'Curious George v2'. Who made the beat and what inspired the lyrical content you speak on the track?
Made the beat. With my music I don't like to speak on things that I don't know about or haven't experienced. All my music come out naturally bc it's real life shit, but I also try to give you a vibe with it as well. For the people who can't relate to what I'm saying I make that vibe catch them fasho!
Stoli: You have an EP coming out soon. Please speak on that and will there be a music video for one of the songs?
Yeah definitely! My EP will be coming out in the springtime. Nothing but fire go be on them tracks! Also I'm looking to shoot a video to about 3 of the songs, but before my EP I'll be dropping a single first followed by a music video. So y'all stay alert!
Stoli: When you consume music do you buy or stream and what platform you use?
Honestly speaking I usually be on a couple different sites for music. I use Spinrilla, YouTube, Spotify and Apple Music. Those are like my go to platforms.
Stoli: What's coming up for A'France and where you @ online?
I got a couple things coming this year. Ima stay busy to keep y'all happy with my music so tune in with the kid.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/afrance_LTS
Check out EPR Artist Radio at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AvOf7Buywg&list=PLlc7M_mZ5j87JeTkDH8ro4yNeF7xSrC8c
Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/entirelypr
Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/entirelypr/


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For those of you that follow my Twitter, you know I am Raleigh for another attempt at my CCIE R&S exam. I got here Saturday night and just had my exam yesterday, Monday at RTP. I went into this exam feeling very good as I had recently put huge amount of focus in with studying of BGP and MPLS. I had a whole day of quiet study in the hotel Sunday too, so I was looking good in that regard. For some reason though, my nerves were on edge this time like no other. Literally sick to my stomach from Saturday night until the exam Monday morning. But then, Monday morning came and it was on.
The waiting game
Monday morning I got to RTP building three early as I like to do before exams and got to waiting in the lobby. I got to talking to some of the other guys about how we prepped for the exam and what we were each going for. We had everything from RS to Security to Service Provider. Even a couple Mobility candidates. It was a very busy day in the lab. All I know is the time had come, I was ready to finally do this.
Exam Time
Got into troubleshooting and things were good. I ended up getting 8 of the 10 tickets fixed and verified against the sample output in the exam they give you to match, such as a traceroute. The problem was I ended up burning a good bit of time on one of the tickets and ran into my extra half hours of time that I stole from config. The fix ended up being something stupid I should have know to check for from last time. Oh well, 8 of 10 was enough to pass the section I thought, so I moved on with a positive attitude.
I LOVE the Diag section. Without mentioning what it consists of, it's right up my wheelhouse to how I normally try to troubleshoot things at work, so I was VERY happy with that. You have a half hour to complete this and can't move on until that half hour is complete. It took me 12 minutes to complete this whole section of the exam. I used the restroom, got a drink, and even closed my eyes for a minute. It was awesome to have this small break before Config. My thoughts are that I nailed this portion with no issues.
I love to hate this section. It's a huge topology with some things pre-configured and some not. Just because something looks pre-configured, double check- it may be wrong! Against my hopes for this exam, it was a different version than the one I got last time. Oh well. Same technologies, just a different setup. I was very confused by how the actual topology worked at first, so I put some thought into things to just get it straight in my head. Made complete sense once I did that. I completed almost twice as much before lunch as I did on my previous exam attempt. I felt awesome going into break and was in a great mood. After lunch, which was very good by the way, I had mostly the routing protocols left and the "extras" as I call them such as one off tasks.
I worked through the remaining items of the exam at a good pace. One of the tasks had me entering a command that I thought was right. Well, it wasn't and I broke everything, haha. A while later I realized my stupid mistake, went back, and fixed it. Pings and traceroutes were working across the board. Awesome. While I was taking a break from that issue, I completed the last two major sections of the exam in about 45 minutes. This was a large section of points that felt good to get. I HIGHLY recommend stepping away from a question if you hit a roadblock. I didn't do this on my first attempt and that's why I ran out of time.
The one thing I focused on this time was notepad. I typed all of my configs into notepad and pasted them into devices. That way, for other routers of the same routing protocol for instance, the bulk was done and I just had to change a few minor things before pasting it in another device. MAJOR time saver.
The exam was winding down for my and I had about an hour and 15 minutes left. All of the tasks were "completed". That being said I knew a few weren't working, so I had time to go back and troubleshoot. I was checking pings and traceroutes over again ensuring they were still working. I did have a few sections I know I didn't get working. Just makes it easier to know what to study now! 3:50pm came and we were done. I headed out and called it a day. I gave it my best and that's all I could do.
Keep on refreshing that email
I stayed up til about 11 at the hotel and had no emails. I really couldn't sleep because I knew it would be close if I passed or not. I woke up every half hour from there on out. Luckily that didn't last too long. 12:30am I got my email that my results were up. I logged into the CCIE portal and saw that I had failed. That got me wondering what I missed. I clicked the link and saw the one thing I was hoping I'd never see:
I had encountered the dreaded PASS-PASS-PASS-FAIL scenario people always talk about. I met the requirements to pass in each area, but not the overall score that I needed to get my number. That feeling sucks, let me just say that.
Next time
Now I know I'm as close as possible to passing the exam. I know what I need to study and should be able to get it from here. I've seen two different TSHOOT exams, two different DIAG exams, and two different CONFIG exams. I have a laundry list of things I can and will study up on for next time. I am also going to handle this differently for next time in terms of booking the exam. In the past I booked a date 3 months out and then worked towards that date. This time I will not be booking my exam until I feel 100% ready. This should take the pressure off if I randomly get stuck on my studies. I won't have a date looming over my head.
Otherwise, I am going on with a positive attitude. I came as close as possible without passing so I know my studying is working, I just need to kick it up that one remaining small bit that I can. I will give it all my effort for next time and get it done.
Thank you for all the support on Twitter from everyone before my exam. It truly felt awesome to have a group of people cheering me on before this test. You guys are all awesome!


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Drying airer suspended with pulleys, includes crank winch to raise and lower rack
Available Sizes of Ceiling Clothes Dryer with hand winch:
100cm x 60cm (8 meters length available drying space);
100cm x 80cm (10 meters length available drying space);
120cm x 60cm (9m60 meters of length available drying space);
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150cm x 60cm (12 meters length available drying space);
150cm x 80cm (15 meters length available drying space);
180cm x 60cm (14.40 meters spreading capacity);
180cm x 80cm (18 meters length available drying space);
Crank winch
Dimensions: Width: 9cm, Height: 11,50cm, Depth: 5,50cm.
Maximum load: 24 kg.
Fixation with 4 screws.
Capacity: 2.50m.length cord of 3 mm diameter
Removable crank. Length of the unfolded crank handle: 23cm, folded: 14cm.
The crank winch can be installed where it is most convenient: on the left side, on the right, behind or in front of the drying rack. The angle is not important
The winch must be placed on the most accessible side so as not to impede the raising and lowering of the drying frame.
We recommend that you leave at least 15 cm of free space on each side of the drying frame in order to prevent the frame or clothes from touching nearby walls or objects.
All components required for installation of the clothes lines are provided.
The package contains:
4 aluminium squares (25mm x 25mm), 4 connectors, 8 pulleys, 1 winch handle with fixing, 3mm braided polypropylene grey cord, plastic clothesline, 6 screw hooks, 6 plugs.
Easy Installation
You can easily install the drying rack yourself. Detailed installation instructions included.
Installation on a wooden ceiling - without plugs:
The screws that we provide are suitable for installation on a wooden ceiling.
Installation on a concrete ceiling, brick, or false ceiling:
We provide screws and fplugs suitable for hollow and solid supports.
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Installation is simple, our clothes line is ideal for sloped ceilings. Make sure the drying rack is level - the lengths of the cord will have to be adjusted to compensate for the slope.
For installation on very high ceilings (over 3m50) - contact us - we need to adapt the cord lengt.
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Indoor or outdoor clothes dryer
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Available in various sizes, this clever dryer adapts to the available space in the ceiling even in small rooms.
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The Ravi clothes dryer is robust and resistant - you can dry large volumes of laundry(small linen, sheets, towels, pillows, quilts, jackets, pants .....)
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The RAVI clothes airers are strong and durable. They last many years. You will only have to change the cord after a few years of use.


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Stephen Scherer is co-author on the recent paper 'Functional impact of global rare copy number variation in autism spectrum disorders'. I caught up with him via email to ask a few questions:
1) What is the 'bottom line' message readers can take away from your work?
I am always frustrated when I hear at the end of most news stories…'and we don't know what can cause autism'. Data from the past few years including our new study show alterations in genes can cause autism. We have not found all of the genes yet, and not all autism cases can be accounted for (the genetics can be complex) but genes can cause autism. For the specialists, through our new study we show either de novo or rare inherited copy number variations as one form of genetic alteration involved in autism. The genes affected are often linked together in a connected functional pathway and may of these molecules dictate how brain cells (neurons) develop and communicate. Some of the autism genes we found have already been found to cause intellectual disabilities, which is not entirely surprising since many individuals with autism also have these challenges.
2) How does your paper tie in with other gene/autism studies?
We validate many previous findings, but also find dozens and dozens of new autism risk genes. Our data furthers the hypothesis that rare genetic alterations contribute much more relative risk to developing autism than common genetic variations.
3) What should future researchers use your study for in terms of direction to take their own work?
I think one of the most important impacts of the study is the design itself. Nature really wanted us to include the Figure 1, which outlines the design and analysis. CNV studies are still quite tricky to do and the data has to be of the highest quality to make sense of it. I think our study on autism will set the standard for all other studies going forward, so they should follow it. Moreover, many of the functional pathway studies published before may have been either underpowered, flawed by low resolution arrays or high false discovery rates, or incomplete study designs. We spent alot of time thinking of how to best do this properly so if others are interested they should read the Supplementary Information carefully. Use it as a guide. Finally, for the functional biologists look at the long list of genes we present in the Supplementary Information since they may find their favorite gene to be an autism candidate gene!
4) How difficult was it managing the input from such a very large amount of co-authors?
The Autism Genome Project has some 120 scientists from 11 countries involved (see the authorship list). We selected a 'writing team' comprised of genome scientists, statisticians, medical geneticists, psychiatrists and developmental pediatricians. Interesting, everyone saw their own story in the data. I pretty much new in advance what I wanted to see in the final manuscript so much of my job was bring focus to the many other good ideas (note that there are five other papers spinning out of this larger study presenting some of these other data and interpretations). In took about 12 solid months of analysis of the data, three months of writing and editing, alot of cursing, and then submission to Nature (with even more cursing). The review time from submission to publication took ~six months. This was the hardest for me (except other than constantly changing the author list….and affiliations). The reviewers were very very thorough and Nature can (rightfully) be very demanding. In the end we are very proud of the manuscript. Dalila Pinto who is the first author and a post-doc in the lab was the driving force behind the analysis and deserved a lions-share of the credit. Would I do it again? I've had two Senior Author papers in Nature this year, which have been very draining. But I would do it again!


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As Writer-in-Residence, Barbara preaches each month, contributes regularly to the parish blog, Epistles and Epiphanies, and writes profiles of parishioners for The Evangelist. She is also the coordinator of the OWLs luncheons (older, wiser laiety) that are held three times a year.
Barbara has been a deacon in the Episcopal Church in Minnesota for more than 30 years and enjoys reading, gardening, spending time with her kids and grandchildren, attending theater productions, and watching films. She is the author of Finding Faith at the Movies (Morehouse, 2004) and can be contacted at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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7 Most Ingenious Casino Scams
Casinos being a prime and open place to make money have been a subject of heist and break-ins. However, there have been many people who thought one-step ahead of what a regular robber would think of. These masterminds' succeeded in scamming some of the topmost casinos of the world, and even so, they remained successful to avoid arrest for quite sometime.
Let's move ahead and see the top 7 recent casino scams.
Ritz Casino Scam
It was the year 2004, when three super genius gamblers were able to get a whopping £1.3 million from London's most famous Ritz Club Casino. The trio made use of the laser technology to calculate the winning numbers for the roulette. The scanner was supposedly connected to a computer with software that could figure out the landing number for the roulette ball. The trio was arrested, however no charges were applied. Apparently, the "sector targeting" theory is not considered cheating.
Cutter Gang
2011 was the year when police was actively looking for "cutter gang". The team worked impeccably to take away millions of dollars from the baccarat table. This time also technology was apparently their big time helper. A player wore a very small camera, which was fitted inside the cufflink. The camera was to record the card values, which were then meticulously used by another player to cut the deck. Authorities had to let them go after no solid evidence was found after their arrest in Cosmopolitan Casino, Las Vegas.
Crown Casino Scam
The most famous casino of Melbourne, Australia, Crown Casino was robbed off $33 million AUD in 2013. The case is still open because the unknown subject(s) could not be traced back. Apparently the unknown person successfully hacked the surveillance system to carry out the heist. The scam seems to be carried out by more than 2 people. The details of the scam have not been shared by the casino officially, however they are determined to get back all of their money.
Contact Lens Scam
Year 2011, Cannes – 64,000 Euros were conned from a well known Cannes Casino, Les Princes Casino. The players, a Frenchman and 3 Italians used invisible ink marking and high-tech contact lenses to carry out the scam. During the game session of stud poker, the Frenchman used invisible ink to make a line for ace and cross for king on the cards. The Italians used their special contact lenses to see these symbols on the card. Unfortunately, their winning seemed fishy and police was called upon. They were arrested and are going to be in prison for long time.
1 Minute ATM Casino Scam
14 people were arrested for the theft of more than $1 million in 2012, using their Citibank debit card. Headed by Ara Keshishyan, the team opened multiple checking accounts with Citibank. The team then used the debit card all over the Las Vegas and Southern California casino ATMs to withdraw 10 times the original deposited money. There was a 1 minute withdrawal window that allowed them to carry out many unrecorded withdrawals. The withdrawn money was then split for gambling. Ara Keshishyan was arrested for million dollar bank fraud.
Roulette Ring Scam, New York
A group of almost 70 people was charged with the Roulette Ring Scam, New York in 2012. The group consisted of many players who would place extremely low bets per chip for the game. While few players were busy distracting the dealer, the others played on with colored chips. These chips were basically used to cash out high value on other tables - $1000-$2000 per cheat. Although only 4 people were arrested (who also pled guilty) for the scam, there's a speculation that the group was much bigger.
The Roselli Brothers Scam
A group of con artists made $37 million during a 5 year span from 1995 to 2000. These artists called themselves "The Roselli Brothers", who raked the casinos of Nevada, New Jersey and Puerto Rico using the identity theft scheme. The brothers were accompanied by a computer hacker who was able to find people with remarkable credits. Using their identity, the brothers opened bank accounts with an investment of $50,000 and in return they got access to the credit lines of all the major casinos. While the scamming was going on for almost 5 years, it was in the year 2000, when the FBI managed to figure out about the heist, only to find out that the real Roselli brothers were dead.
Considering the fact that most of the scams go unaccounted or unsolved due to the lack of evidence, these genius casino scams made it to the list that took place in the recent years.


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Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lydia DeGaris Pursell
How to Make It
Step 1
Preheat oven to 425°. Arrange bread slices on a baking sheet, and coat with cooking spray. Sprinkle with desired amount of salt and pepper. Bake 8 minutes or until toasted.
Step 2
Process beans and next 3 ingredients in a food processor until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides as needed. Toss together olives and next 2 ingredients. Spread bean mixture on toasted bread slices, and dollop with olive mixture. Garnish, if desired.


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Creamsicle Lip Butter stays on the lips for 3-4 hours at a time, which I think is great for a drugstore lip balm! However, these Lip Butters will not stay on the lips throughout eating, drinking, etc. Another thing that I love about the Lip Butters is the packaging - the lid is colour coded to the product inside. This makes it so much easier to find the proper shade if you have multiple shades in your purse.
I love the Lip Butters, and the next time I see them on sale (sometimes they go as low as $4.99 here in Canada!), I'm going to pick a few more up! Leave me your shade recommendations in the comments below!


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DMG MORI SEIKI Australia is presently restructuring its service and dealer organisation to strengthen its presence in Australia.
Jointly set up by German machine tool builder GILDEMEISTER AG and Japanese machine tool manufacturer Mori Seiki Co Ltd in Australia on 1 March 2010, DMG MORI SEIKI Australia has become a market leader in Australia with plans to increase its market share to 50%.
Backed by the combined strength of two leading global machine tools specialists, DMG/Mori Seiki offers solutions for 95% of all metal-cutting applications.
The proposed new sales structure in Australia will facilitate further strengthening of customer relations and service.
According to DMG/Mori Seiki Australia President Stefan Weiwadel, their strong product program in the metalworking world combined with their new sales structure will help in creating the conditions to further strengthen positions in Australia and the entire region while maintaining high service levels and product support for their customers.
Highlights of the DMG/Mori Seiki restructuring plan:
- The three (formerly Mori Seiki) independent dealers Qumac Engineering Services, QLD, HS CNC Machines, VIC, and Harris Machine Tools in WA will be fully integrated into the DMG/Mori Seiki Australia sales team, and will offer both companies' products, machines and service
- The existing (formerly DMG) direct sales structure with its currently seven Area Sales Managers will have responsibility in the area of sales, technical support and service for DMG and Mori Seiki products
As part of the training and teambuilding initiative, the company will train its staff on all machines locally as well as in the DMG and Mori Seiki factories in Germany and Japan.
DMG/Mori Seiki currently trains all sales and service staff including all dealers on the new DMG ECOLINE machines. Their equipment range includes high-end, price-sensitive quality CNC lathes, 5-axis milling machines, mill/turns and ultrasonic laser machines.
Mr Weiwadel explains that DMG sets new standards for entry-level machines by offering the best price in addition to high quality, reliable construction and modern 3D control technology.
The design of the economy version of the DMG turning and milling machines is based on the idea of delivering proven DMG quality at the best possible price by combining consistent standardisation, simple and reliable construction methods and state-of-the-art 3D control technology.
In addition to the highly successful universal turning machines in the CTX eco series, DMG's new CNC universal milling machine DMU 50 eco from the ECOLINE range is also making an impact in 5-axis machining.


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(This is a new feature I'm tossing about. I'm going to feature short videos, photo's random snippets of conversations I eavesdroppe- er, respectfully listened to, and other bits of fluff about interesting people I like to pretend I am.)
You know who she is. Well, for quite a long time you didn't, but now you do. She's the voice behind one of the most popular fashion twitters out there, and you haven't even SEEN the stuff she does WHILE she's tweeting. Meet....
DKNY PR Girl
(She has a real name, because most of us do, but this is so much more impressive)
Your fingers are just ITCHING for a blackberry now, aren't they?
ps. When I get to 200 followers, I have quite the little giveaway planned, and some HUGELY GLITTERASTIC (That's right, I just combined glitter and fantastic. Your mind: blown.) news. So go coerce your friends to follow me. Just stay within semi-legal means.


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- Condition: Used
- Make: Mercedes-Benz
- Model: 500-Series
- Trim: SEL
- Year: 1985
- Mileage: 170,000
- Color: BLACK
- Engine size: V8
- Fuel: Gasoline
- Transmission: Automatic
- Drive type: RWD
- Interior color: TAN
- Vehicle Title: Clear Want to buy? Contact seller!
1985 Mercedes-Benz 500-Series
Up for sale is a near perfect example of a 1985 Mercedes-Benz 500SEL. This is the U.S. European version lending slightly different features than the U.S. model. The paint and body looks as it did the day it was new. The interior is equally as nice, boasting tan leather spring suspended seats, and burl wood accents. The rear passenger compartment sports curtains on all three windows as well as tinted glass for extra privacy. The engine has just undergone an extensive tune up. List as follows.
Fuel system:
New Bosch injectors
CIS Flowtech (OE) remanufactured fuel distributor
Intake manifold cleaned and all gaskets and seals replaced
New distributor
New Bosch plugs
New Bosch plug wires
New Bosch ignition coil
New ignition module
New Bosch cap and rotor
Also replaced power steering pump and hoses
Everything on this car functions as it should including, brakes, lights, all power functions, climate control, engine, transmission, doors, windows, seats etc. The only known issue with this car is an untrustworthy fuel gauge. The gauge functions, but it did run out of fuel on me once before the needle reached the empty mark, so now I make sure I keep it above ¼ tank and it is not a problem.
This has been a great car. You will be hard pressed to find another 500SEL as beautiful as this.


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New Medium Thick Solid Open Loop Bail 925 Sterling Silver Findings Repair 13 mm
Product Description
This nice thick medium open loop bail perfect for repair or replace lost Bail.
Quick and Easy self fix design for Pendants and Charms.
Sterling Silver constructed of highest quality
This Bail is known for strong secure wear.
solid .925 Genuine Sterling Silver.
.925 stamp for authentication
Manufactured from Italy.
Nickel free & top quality Anti-Tarnish finish to prevent tarnishing
*Caution: All silver products can't go near or touch chlorine bleach. Chlorine bleach discolor and destroy gold filled and silver. This includes swimming pools and bathing in hot tubs as chlorine products are added to prevent bacteria growth.


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Mariners Notebook: Seattle Opens 2011 On Road
The Mariners released their tentative schedule for 2011, and they'll open on the road for a third straight year.
The season will begin April 1 at Oakland, with the home opener April 8 (a Friday) against Cleveland. Among home games will be a Mother's Day game May 8 against the Chicago White Sox, Memorial Day on May 30 against the Baltimore Orioles, Father's Day on June 19 against the Philadelphia Phillies and July 1-3 against the San Diego Padres.
The interleague schedule features home series against the Phillies June 17-19, Atlanta Braves June 27-29 and Padres July 1-3. The Mariners will play road interleague series at San Diego, Washington and Florida.
The 2011 season will begin and end three days earlier than recent years to avoid playing World Series games in November.
The Mariners' schedule is listed as tentative because game times and TV arrangements haven't been finalized. The complete schedule is on the Mariners' web site at http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com
Land of Hard Knocks
Mariners broadcaster Dave Sims wore a mark high on his forehead Tuesday, one day after a baseball whacked him while he was standing near the Red Sox dugout during batting practice.
Mariners infielder Chris Woodward had hit a line drive off the "L" screen near the pitcher's mound, where it rebounded into foul territory and caromed off Sims' head. It dazed him so much that he dropped to the ground.
"But only for a three-count," Sims said.
He was thankful that his play-by-play duties the next two nights were on radio only.
As expected, catcher Guillermo Quiroz of Class AA West Tennessee joined the team Tuesday, with other September callups expected after the Class AAA Tacoma Rainiers' season ends. Quiroz will be the third catcher behind Adam Moore and Josh Bard, with Moore getting most of the playing time, said manager Daren Brown. Among Mariners prospects assigned to winter league teams this offseason will be pitchers Dan Cortes and Jarrett Grube, plus third baseman Alex Liddi, to Venezuela and outfielder Carlos Peguero to the Dominican Republic, according to Mariners minor league director Pedro Grifol. Outfielder Greg Halman also is a possibility to play in Venezuela. Former Mariner Alvin Davis, accompanied by his mother Mylie, threw out the ceremonial first pitch before Tuesday's game. Felix Hernandez, wearing a catcher's mitt, caught the pitch.


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The European Master Crossing the Mediterranean: towards Investment and Integration (MIM) is a two-year study programme jointly offered by Università Ca' Foscari Venezia (Venice), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (Barcelona) and Université Paul-Valéry Montpellier(Montpellier). With an experience of 15 years, the MIM is a highly qualified academic programme focused on Mediterranean exchanges and integration. Its course is structured to give students a total of 120 ECTS, with three nationally recognized degrees (Master di I livello, Magister, M2).
The three universities have an outstanding reputation in their respective fields: languages, history, literature, religion, gender studies of the Southern bank of the Mediterranean (Cà Foscari); communication, human development, multimedia and Euro-Mediterranean regional integration and migrations (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona); applied social and human sciences, education, European law and immigration policies, migration studies and decentralized cooperation (Université Paul-Valéry Montpellier). The MIM provides students with the methodological tools to pursue research-oriented activities or research training, and with high-level competences in the field of mediation and cooperation. In this way, it meets the demand for skilled professionals and researchers capable to understand and master all the different scenarios presented by a complex and heterogeneous reality such as the Mediterranean area.
The adequacy of the programme is reflected by the high level of employability of the MIM students. A number of associated partners, which include the Université de Strasbourg, Université Moulay Ismail (Meknès), Université de Sousse, Anna Lindh Foundation, the Centre de recherche français de Jerusalem, the Barcelona Centre for International Affairs, the European Institute of the Mediterranean and the Fundación Tres Culturas del Mediterráneo provide a strong framework for complementary training and/or internship periods.


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Quentin Tarantino's 'Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood' Is a Baffling Act of Historical Revisionism
The legendary director's hotly anticipated ninth film, Once Upon a time... in Hollywood, applies his trademark wit to '60s Hollywood, but ultimately it's an oddly conservative machismo, not inventive filmmaking, that shines through.
Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood
Quentin Tarantino
Sony Pictures
26 July 2019 (US) / 14 Aug 2019 (UK)Other
Quentin Tarantino, inarguably one of his generation's most influential and inventive filmmakers, has been saying for years that he only wants to make ten films in total. Unsurprisingly, the news has sparked many discussions — the director is only 56, after all — and critics and fans alike have since speculated about what his last films might be. Would he return to Kill Bill one last time? Maybe try something completely different? It was all besides the point, of course, because his next project would generate frenzied press regardless.
Add in Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt to the mix, and you've got an obvious hit. The problem with Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood, Tarantino's ninth film (and his penultimate, if all goes according to plan), is that it isn't worth the hype. Sure, the actors dazzle and showy camerawork abounds. History is giddily sent up. Lots of blood is spilled. But when it comes down to it, the film plays it shockingly safe, relying on the charms of A-list talent and tongue-in-cheek plot developments that diffuse necessary tension and lead to one-too-many dead ends.
At 165 minutes and with liberal editing that weaves in and out of several narrative threads, Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood is certainly audacious at face value. It's a strange film too, and it's already generated more conversation that the rest of this summer's fare combined. The problem is that it relies on DiCaprio and Pitt — and Al Pacino, Margot Robbie and a litany of young stars with famous parents — to carry the load of its oftentimes baffling storyline. There's not much of a risk when you've got three of the most bankable stars in the world, plus one of cinema's greatest talents, to fall back on. Without these names and Tarantino's acclaim, a more truly inventive film might have been able to shine through. Instead, it's a self-conscious parade of stardom and nostalgia-bating historical accuracies that cannily generates discussion without actually having hardly anything interesting to say.
Brad Pitt as Cliff Booth, Leonardo DiCaprio as Rick Dalton, and Al Pacino as Marvin Schwarzs (© Sony Pictures Entertainment / IMDB)
Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood follows Rick Dalton (DiCaprio), an actor in his late 30s who fears that his career is winding down. His buddy and stunt double is Cliff Booth (Pitt), an enigmatic and violence-prone beefcake who cares for little else in the world than his friend and his dog, Brandy. Dalton's existential crisis is first set off when the agent Marvin Schwarz (a miscast Pacino) tells him that his streak of playing villains will only continue to pigeonhole him moving forward. Instead, Schwarz says, he should move to Rome and boost his name with a few Spaghetti Westerns. And so he does.
On the other end are Dalton's neighbors, who happen to be Roman Polanski (Rafał Zawierucha) and Sharon Tate (Robbie). Whereas Dalton and Booth's storyline is full of drama and exposition, Polanski and Tate's is quiet and largely symbolic, meant to conjure the specter of the Manson Murders more than actually complicate the narrative.
The plot's organizing principle is four dates — February 8 and 9, 1969, and August 8 and 9, 1969 -- the latter the dates of the Manson Murders. Naturally, history is an important element to the film with Tate's murder always on the horizon, but the film subverts those expectations in more ways than one. The result is a highly discursive collage of Western sensibilities that comes together into a funny and occasionally charming but disappointingly bland project.
That Tarantino would mess with viewers is a given; that he would muddle American history with a bloated lineup of stars and tricks is the real surprise. Beneath all of the noise, one simply wishes for a good story. Once Upon a Time... in Hollywoodis only intermittently successful on that front.
None of this is to say that the film is entirely free of charm. DiCaprio and Pitt turn in expectedly excellent performances, the former as an insecure drunk and the latter as a cool, macho sidekick who knows how to get the job done. And though the film is overlong, there are a couple of scenes that stand above and beyond the rest.
The first involves a Manson girl called Pussycat (a standout Margaret Qualley) who baits Booth into giving her a ride to the Spahn Ranch — famously the residence of the Manson cult. Upon arrival, Booth meets an endless stream of young hippie girls played by some of Hollywood's most famous offspring, including Qualley, Lena Dunham and Maya Hawke. It's a funny scene but also an arresting one, as Booth muscles his way into the main house to chat with George Spahn (Bruce Dern) and faces the suspicions of the hippies. It's also one of the film's few scenes that manage to be both meta and satisfying in its own right.
Brad Pitt as Cliff Booth (IMDB)
Another standout scene involves Dalton in one of his first Italian film roles. Before shooting a pivotal scene, he runs into a precocious eight-year-old actress (Julia Butters, the film's real MVP) who takes her duties seriously and challenges him to do the same. Later, as the pair share a scene together, Dalton finally lives up to his latent acting talent, and DiCaprio gives a seething, maniacal monologue made for an Oscar reel. After the scene, the young actress whispers to him, "That was the best acting I've ever seen in my life," and he tears up. It's far and away DiCaprio's best moment in the film, and it's easily the film's most sincere moment.
The problem with Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood isn't that there's no fun to be had; it's that the truly charming moments — besides the obvious totems like Pitt taking his shirt off or Robbie clad in chic '60s outfits — are too few and far between and, ultimately, come together in a disappointing and somewhat baffling finalé. It's alarming to consider that Robbie actually had fewer lines in a previous edit considering how light her role is here, and how baiting it is to use the Manson Murders as a touchstone without adding anything new to the well-worn narrative.
Like many of Tarantino's best works (notably Jackie Brown and Pulp Fiction), Once Upon a Time... in Hollywoodsplices together errant narrative threads to form a larger picture. But where those films succeed by tying everything together in the third act, the director's latest effort falls back on senseless, gruesome violence, and an inexplicable act of revisionism to gather loose threads. Not only is this one of Tarantino's least risky films, it's also one of his most forgettable. With just one film left to his name, let's hope he's got more tricks up his sleeve — some that will make for great cinema, not just good discussion.
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Patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) treated with interferon-α-2b and ribavirin appeared to have a lower risk of Parkinson's disease than untreated patients, a retrospective insurance claims analysis in Taiwan found.
HCV therapy (not including newer direct-acting antiviral agents) was tied to a significant reduction in Parkinson's at 5-year follow-up and increased to the end of the follow-up period which was a maximum of 11 years, reported Ying-Zu Huang, MD, PhD, of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taoyuan, Taiwan, and colleagues in JAMA Neurology and presented simultaneously at the World Parkinson Congress in Kyoto, Japan.
"The results seem to support the theory that HCV infection is a risk factor for developing Parkinson's disease," they wrote. "Antiviral therapy has shown potential in lowering this risk."
Earlier research in Taiwan showed HCV patients had significantly increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease, but a study of Medicare recipients showed no link between the two in the U.S. A five-study meta-analysis published last year found a higher risk of Parkinson's disease among HCV-infected patients. But none of these studies looked at HCV treatment.
In this analysis, Huang and colleagues assessed 188,152 adults with a new HCV diagnosis from 2003 to 2013 in the Taiwan National Health Insurance research database, excluding people with an established history of severe liver disease, stroke, dementia, or Parkinson's. They categorized patients into treated and untreated groups depending on whether they received interferon-based antiviral therapy, then used propensity score matching to balance sex, age, comorbidities, and medications in two groups of 39,936 people each.
HCV therapy was a combination of pegylated interferon α-2b and ribavirin ranging from 16 to 48 weeks (direct-acting antivirals were not available in Taiwan's national health insurance during the study period). Patients were an average age of around 53 when treatment started and 55% were men.
The researchers defined the number of people with Parkinson's as the event number, and the proportion of event number in the cohort as the event rate. Because observation periods differed among patients, they used incidence density -- the event number divided by the sum of the observed duration of each participant, shown as a number per 1,000 person-years after the index date -- as an estimate of incidence rate.
After propensity score matching, the incidence density of Parkinson's disease was 1.00 (95% CI 0.85-1.15) in the treated group and 1.39 (95% CI 1.21-1.57) per 1,000 person-years in the untreated group.
At year 5 of follow-up, the risk of Parkinson's between the two groups was statistically significantly different (HR 0.75; 95% CI 0.59-0.96), which continued until the study's maximal follow-up at 11 years (HR 0.71; 95% CI 0.58-0.87). At year 1 and year 3, the risk was not different, the authors said.
In both groups, the event number and incidence density of Parkinson's rose gradually over the years, but the event rate in the treated group increased more slowly (from 3.03 per 1,000 to 4.06 per 1,000) than in the untreated group (from 3.93 per 1,000 to 5.51 per 1,000).
This study may point to a potentially treatable risk factor for Parkinson's development, observed Adolfo Ramirez-Zamora, MD, of the University of Florida, and co-authors in an accompanying editorial. The findings add to evolving knowledge about immunological and infectious factors in Parkinson's and "suggest mechanisms that may be responsible for this association, including neuroinflammation and clearance of HCV infection," the editorialists wrote.
Pathogenic mechanisms between HCV infection and Parkinson's aren't known, but "it is possible that HCV infection enters the brain through the microvasculature and then induces microglial and macrophages inflammatory changes, with damage associated with the release of neurotoxins such as nitric oxide and proinflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor, IL-1, and IL-6.10," Ramirez-Zamora and colleagues added.
The study had several limitations, Huang and co-authors noted: it did not assess newer antiviral therapies, the severity of HCV, or lifestyle risk factors for Parkinson's. It also could not draw conclusions about people ages 75 and older because very few treated patients were in this age group. Because Parkinson's is a slow, progressive disorder, a maximum 11-year follow-up period was not long enough to observe the course of infection, inflammation, or treatment, they said.
This study was funded by a grant from the Chang Gung Medical Research Fund of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital.
The researchers reported no conflicts of interest.
Editorialists reported relationships with Medtronic, Boston Scientific, Wilson Therapeutics, the Parkinson's Foundation, AbbVie, Gilead, Merck, and TARGET PharmaSolutions.
Primary Source
JAMA Neurology
Source Reference: Lin W, et al "Association of Antiviral Therapy With Risk of Parkinson Disease in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection" JAMA Neurology 2019; DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2019.1368.
Secondary Source
JAMA Neurology
Source Reference: Ramirez-Zamora A, et al "Is Interferon Therapy for Hepatitis C Infection a Treatable Risk Factor for Parkinson Disease?" JAMA Neurology 2019; DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2019.1377.


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FIVE MINUTES LATE doesn't raise an eyebrow at some places.
At Punahou, it's enough to get some good-natured ribbing from classmates, especially if the late dude is wearing a red Stanford baseball cap. When Spencer McLachlin walked through the conference room door of the athletic department at 7:05 a.m. yesterday, some of his volleyball friends and extended ohana were already there waiting.
McLachlin, Riley McKibbin, Elizabeth Ka'aihue and Larissa Nordyke signed their letters of intent to play volleyball at Division I universities.
McLachlin and McKibbin, the outside hitter and setter for No. 1-ranked Punahou, will likely take the court as competitors starting next year. McLachlin signed with Stanford, turning down offers from Pepperdine and USC.
McKibbin will do his setting for USC after considering Penn State and Stanford. The two have played together since they were toddlers. Chris and Beth McLachlin were McKibbin's babysitters some 17 years ago.
"It was hard to give up going to Stanford," said McKibbin, who accepted the best scholarship deal available. Scholarships in men's volleyball are rarely 100 percent.
"Penn State was too far away," said McKibbin, who was dressed in a Trojans shirt.
McLachlin will join former Iolani standout Kawika Shoji at Stanford. The 6-foot-6 two-sport athlete knew the Cardinal were his choice after visiting the school.
"It felt right," he said, noting that his family is close with coaches at the schools that made offers. "They're still friends of mine. It's not like we're gonna hate each other."
Parting will be such sweet sorrow, so to speak, for the lifelong friends.
"I've been setting him for 17 years," McKibbin said, only slightly exaggerating. "He writes me thank-you notes."
Hawaii didn't offer scholarships to either, knowing that they were intent on leaving the islands.
"I wanted to go away," McKibbin said. "They rarely recruit in-state for boys."
Nordyke has matured into one of the state's top players. The outside hitter will suit up for UC Irvine next season. She declined an offer from Santa Clara.
"I like the size of Irvine better. I like the location, too," she said, noting that the school is different from Punahou. "I want to try a new experience."
Ka'aihue, meanwhile, found what she needs right here at home.
"It's competitive, and they have the coaching and fan support," said Ka'aihue, who committed to UH as a junior. Her family will also be able to enjoy her collegiate career, she added.
Ka'aihue is at the top of her game. She pounded 21 kills as Punahou won its state-tournament quarterfinal match against Kamehameha-Hawaii the night before. The powerful, versatile outside hitter will be a setter and libero for Dave Shoji's Rainbow Wahine.
"Liz is the first libero we've recruited out of high school," Shoji said. "We wanted to get a scholarship player in that position, one we actually looked for. She is an outstanding volleyball player with natural instincts, is very aggressive, passes well and has all the attributes we want in a back-court player."
As a sophomore, the 5-foot-8 Ka'aihue was nearly unstoppable at the state tournament on Maui and carried her team to the title.
The Rainbow Wahine's only other letter came from Amanda Simmons of Elk Grove (Ill.) High. The 6-3 Simmons is a middle blocker who touches 10 feet with a standing touch of 7-8 and a blocking touch of 9-3.
"I compare Amanda to a Nickie Thomas (sophomore middle out with a knee injury), an unknown as far as the national picture is concerned," Shoji said. "I don't see any reason why she won't be a great player for us in the future."
Simmons was the only athlete to sign yesterday at her high school, but she said all of her Club Fusion teammates had committed to Division I schools.
"I'm really anxious and excited about coming, and it's only November," said Simmons, who attended the Wahine camp in August and made her official recruiting trip earlier this fall.
Mira Costa's Alix Klineman, who made a recruiting visit to Hawaii earlier this year, did not sign yesterday. The 6-5 Klineman, considered the top recruit in the country, had narrowed her choices to Hawaii, Stanford, Texas, UCLA and Washington.


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Seize: The Story – Chris Conner
I have never written publicly about my Epilepsy, so this might be a little rough and raw. Epilepsy has made me who I am today. I know anyone that struggles with disease also battles with that disease defining them. You are forced to live a life within the parameters of your affliction, whether that means not being able to drive, relying on medication which takes away from the person you are, or being isolated within social circles. I used to believe that Epilepsy controlled who I was going to become, what I could become. I went through high school knowing that I would more than likely never be able to drive, that I may never have a family (for the fear of passing on my Epilepsy,) and that my career would more than likely be decided by what medications I was taking and how severe my Epilepsy became. All of adolescence was spent with this mind set, I missed out on a lot of great opportunities because I fed into the belief that "I couldn't" because of my Epilepsy. I stopped dating completely because I didn't believe anyone could ever fully understand what I was going through and also because I didn't want anyone to ever have to "deal" with my Epilepsy, I stopped playing soccer after ten years out of fear, fear that I would seize in the middle of a game and my peers would treat me differently. For 6 years I lived this way, until one day I was sitting in the Primary Children's waiting room (I remember it very specifically) and I looked around me. Every child with Epilepsy there was either confined to a wheel chair, a helmet, or had such severe brain damage they were in a vegetated state barely surviving day to day. At that moment I realized how good I had it, I may never drive, I may never have a family, but I have all the opportunity in the world! All the opportunity to be whatever I want to be! Something so many of these kids would never have the opportunity to experience, choice. They were confined to bodies that void them of so many life choices which we all take for granted on a daily basis. So from that moment forward I never complained about my Epilepsy again, I never resented it, and I used it to fuel a fire which propelled me to fight for those who couldn't fight for themselves.
I continued living life with medication controlled Epilepsy (Depakote, Topomax, Tegretol, and Lamictal.) And by medication controlled I mean four or five seizures a day instead of the fifteen or twenty I was having when they were at their worst. No matter what, I never lost that sense of purpose and determination, that "I will continue to fight because I can!" I had accepted I would have to live life having uncontrolled seizures, but I was still able to LIVE LIFE. That was what mattered. To this day there are still so many who don't realize or understand that mentality, that there are those who never get to live, I mean live in a way where you govern your own life. Unless you have experienced affliction in a way that your basic life functions are stripped from you I don't think you fully can comprehend or appreciate that, I had accepted that was always going to be part of my life. Then out of nowhere (and I mean out of nowhere) they finally found a focal point and surgery became an option. I remember going into the consultation with my mother and Dr. House explaining the risks involved and the possibilities of blood clots forming post op, before he could finish explaining all the possibilities I remember just saying "do it." My mother started crying and Dr. House asked me to take some time considering everything, I told him that it wasn't a choice, I couldn't go through life wondering "what if" I knew I had to try, no matter what the outcome. If there was even the smallest chance that it could get me to the point where I didn't have to live with the side affects of four medications, it would be worth it. So without going into a crazy amount of detail on the surgery, I went in and they forced my body to have grand mal seizures so they could pin point the location, they finally found exactly where the focal point was located, went in and removed it, and stapled me back up. I continued to seize for a year afterwards due to muscle memory, but eventually they subsided and now I have a seizure in my sleep maybe once every six months. Directly after my surgery the hospital approached me and asked if I would like to speak to candidates considering the surgery. I immediately declined, it wasn't for a lack of want or desire, and it's something I believe very few people outside of Epilepsy will ever fully understand. I felt hypocritical, I felt hypocritical because even before the surgery I had been able to live such a "normal" life compared to so many Epileptics. My epilepsy was never visible outside of the times I seized, I saw the way kids with visible side affects of Epilepsy were treated and I never had to experience that, so who was I to speak on behalf of them? But of course life had plans to change my mentality and in a huge way.
I continued to live my life for the past 5 years being grateful for the surgery and the gift I was given, but never fully grasping the opportunity I had been given. Then this past September everything changed. I work at Costco and a year ago was introduced briefly to a co-worker whose son had infantile spasms and was currently dealing with Epilepsy, I told her we should talk sometime if she felt up to it. She thanked me and it was one of those things where life just got in the way and we never addressed it further. In September of this year that little boy left this world, something stirred inside me as soon as I heard, I knew I had to go to his family. As I pulled up to their house two nights after his passing I had no idea what I was going to say, I barely knew this woman, but I knew without a shadow of a doubt this is exactly where I was supposed to be. We walked for over two hours and just talked about her little boy, that conversation will be something I take to my grave but I can tell you I had never felt such a sense of purpose as I did that night. I knew I had been guided to this woman, I knew I had been given Epilepsy for this purpose to help another individual heal. In that moment it all became so crystal clear, this was why I was given the gift of that surgery, because I could relate to the pain of Epilepsy and I could support her in her fight to continue life. They had an open speaker spot for his funeral and I asked if I could please speak, I had never met this boy but he felt like my own brother and I had an overwhelming feeling that I had an opportunity to share a message that might get through to this family in a way that would give them hope and a reason to believe their little boy lived a life of purpose. I didn't write anything down, I walked up to that pulpit and just spoke from my heart, I couldn't tell you what I said, but I can tell you that my words were guided by a purpose and meaning much greater than myself. Since that day that little boy has been my inspiration, he led me to this amazing family that showed me I can make a difference, I can give back, I can use the life I have been given to support others and show them that they can live, that life is beautiful and no affliction ever has to take that away from you. I now have the opportunity through the EAU to pursue my dream of showing those living with Epilepsy that there is support out there. This year I was lucky enough to be part of a cookie fundraiser put on by "Aud Cakes, Costco, and the Park Cafe.) Because of that fundraiser I was able to help give a family hope, to show a family that they aren't alone in their time of suffering and to support the EAU who is doing that for countless of families and individuals on a daily basis.
I don't know where I will be five or ten years from now, but I have purpose like never before. I have a focus in life and I am ready to see where it takes me next, I have been given a second chance at a life that I can make into anything I want, and I can't think of any better use for it than lifting up others and giving that same hope and inspiration that was given to me with my surgery. I still have so much to learn and I am still so far from who I believe I can be as a person, but I have the inspiration now because of a little boy I never even met. There is no doubt in my mind that I was given Epilepsy for a purpose, and if I could go back I would do it one hundred times over. I am epileptic and I am damn proud of it! I let Epilepsy make me not break me, it was a conscious choice and it has filled me with more purpose for this life than I could have ever imagined. I wouldn't be in this position without the love of my family, friends, and that little boy Wyatt Anderson. They have all shaped my life and gotten me where I am now. This is just the beginning and I can't wait to see what's next! In closing there is a quote I would always think of when my Epilepsy was at it's worst and it would fuel me to continue to push forward- "In life there are going to be some things that make it hard to smile. Through all the rain and pain you got to keep your sense of humor and smile for me now. Remember that." – Tupac Shakur
I discovered how to live life, I discovered the ability to live a full life regardless of your physical or mental situation. My life will never be free of struggle or trial, but I am in complete control of how I respond to those situations. With that knowledge I can enjoy my life no matter what the situation might be. So the greatest barrier I have overcome is the ability to enjoy life to the fullest.


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This year's TravelCountry's Runyak event on August 17, 2019 was the largest ever with over 150 participants. The race began with 2.5 kilometers (k) run, 3k paddle, 2.5k run at Secret Lake Park. Participants enjoyed great prizes,swag bags, and healthy post-race snacks. For race results and photos, visit the Run Yak website.