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Column Fri Jul 02 2010
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, The Last Airbender, Love Ranch, Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky & Let It Rain
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
I remember about two years ago almost to the day standing in line for about two hours at the San Diego Comic-Con waiting to get into the panel that would include the world's first look at footage from Twilight. I had to be there to cover the event, but nearly everyone else in line wanted to be there. So I took advantage of the situation to chat with a woman about my age and her 14-year-old niece, both of whom were rabid fans of the then-three Stephenie Meyer books and were eagerly awaiting a chance to gaze upon the actors who had been chosen to embody their beloved characters. I was completely uneducated about the Twilight world when I got in line, but thanks to these two lovely ladies, I got schooled pretty fast. Although their quick synopsis of the first book wasn't winning me over, their unbridled enthusiasm was infectious, and it gave me the energy I needed to survive the screaming mayhem of the panel and the one-on-one interviews I got with the clearly shell-shocked star Kristen Stewart and director Catherine Hardwicke.
I remember while waiting to chat with Stewart, I looked to my right, and saw Robert Pattinson standing almost at my shoulder, unattended as he awaited his next interview. I said hello, told him I liked his work as Cedric in the Harry Potter movies, and for a brief moment, he seemed really happy not to be talking about vampires or how hot he was or what kind of underwear he wore. And if it were possible, he looked even more shaken up than Stewart, like a cannon had been fired while he was in a deep sleep. But again, my mind kept returning to those two ladies in line who made me understand a bit of why they loved the Twilight material. I was envious of their passion and I remembered a time in my younger days when it didn't take much to get me that revved up about a film. So imagine my surprise when I finally saw Twilight months later and felt like I'd just witnessed the birth on one of Satan's largest, most evil toilet babies.
I don't care how you slice it, Twilight is a hunk of shit. And while New Moon certainly wasn't much of an improvement, it was an improvement thanks almost entirely to the presence of Michael Sheen and Dakota Fanning as members of the Italy-based Volturi, who police the activities of vampires worldwide and discipline those clans who get a little too high profile. But the Volturi weren't a huge part of the proceedings, so they didn't even come close to saving the film. To make matters nearly intolerable, the love triangle between Bella (Stewart), Edward (Pattinson) and Jacob (Taylor Lautner) is one of the most drop-dead, snore-inducing romances ever committed to film. But the death stroke of all three films is that I can't get passed the fact that Bella is the biggest, most manipulative bitch imaginable as she seemingly goes out of her way to string two guys along over the course of three films (with the two-part Breaking Dawn still to go -- yay) by playing the horny virgin with a guy she knows wants to wait to have sex with her until they're married. While the guy who would tap that ass in a second, him she says she loves but not in "that way." But she still makes out with him, and I'm pretty sure I saw her twisting his often-exposed nipples at least once. So in conclusion, I hate Bella. And I'm not really a fan of the way Stewart plays her, and I say that as a Stewart fan.
That being said, the films in the Twilight Saga continue to improve for the pure and simple reason that there is less time devoted to the primary and secondary romances. The film's climactic battle -- between an army of newborn vampires (who are apparently stronger than long-term vamps because of the human blood is still in their system) and the alliance of the Cullens with Jacob's werewolf tribe -- is well staged by director David Slade (30 Days of Night, Hard Candy) even if the werewolf effects still look unbelievably fake. I liked the sequence because it doesn't pull any punches in terms of brutality. Heads and limbs are ripped off (albeit in that weird alabastery way that vampires die), and spines and other bones are shattered with nasty aggression. If for no other reason, Eclipse is a better movie than the previous two because of the action.
I did like the flashbacks that a few of the Cullen family members got in an effort to show us how they were turned into vampires. The only problem with them is that other than giving us the raw information, these flashbacks don't amount to anything beyond the storytelling. What we learn about their backgrounds doesn't help to enrich them as characters. It's the cinematic equivalent of empty calories. I liked the idea of one of the film's many new characters, Riley (Xavier Samuel), a missing young man from Bella's hometown who turns out to be the leader of the new vampire army. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that he's a pawn of Victoria (now played by Bryce Dallas Howard), still seeking revenge for her lover's death. Riley's dilemma might have been a great plot point, but anything that takes away from the sluggish love stories seems destined for the scrap heap.
Where Eclipse really screws the pooch is in the scenes between Jacob and Edward, who are forced to become uneasy friends in a joint effort to protect Bella from every non-Cullen vampire on the West Coast. Jacob and Edward's verbal jousts are about as convincing as kittens smacking each other in the face over a ball of yarn. The two of them should just fuck and get it out of their system; if it's good enough for gay porn, it's good enough for Twilight. And I'd bet you the fan base would grow exponentially... in numbers, I mean, not inches. Sorry.
Seriously though, a person can only handle so many hours of two guys gazing at one woman before it just seems stupid. And what might pass for sexual tension ends up turning into a joke. There's a sequence in the back half of the film in which Bella, Jacob and Edward end up on a snow-capped mountain in a tent (don't ask). Bella is freezing and the cold-blooded Edward is incapable of warming her. Naturally, the half-naked Jacob jumps right in the sleeping bag with Bella, suggests she remove her clothes, and suddenly it's boner city. OK, that last part didn't happen, but it really wanted to. The scene made me laugh out loud for every single wrong reason.
What makes me a bit sad for the die-hard fans of Meyer's books is that, for many, the romance aspect of the story is the thing that really hooked them. So to see those moments in the movies squandered with such abandon is an unfortunate thing. I'm still trying to figure out how such a talented writer like Melissa Rosenberg can be responsible for these deadly dull adaptations, but perhaps an effort (or pressure) to stay true to the source material has left her little to work with.
The brief glimpses we get of members of the Volturi (including Dakota Fanning's nasty Jane) in this film helped keep me awake, but endless debates over Bella becoming a vampire or getting married to Edward or whether or not she's in love with Jacob or how the whole fucking combined vampire and werewolf communities have to protect this awful young woman wore me down once again. Perhaps it took a little longer this time around to break me, but break me it did. Eclipse is another soul-draining Twilight movie, but maybe by the time they get to the second film in the Breaking Dawn story, they'll get it right. A guy can dream. And I say this without a hint of sarcasm: I hope my Comic-Con line-mates are digging the movies as much as I'm loathing them.
The Last Airbender
I'm going to speak plainly in a language everyone can understand. M. Night Shyamalan's The Last Airbender is a hate crime against film lovers. No one should ever have to endure what I was unexpectedly put through yesterday afternoon watching this murky 3-D shitstorm of a movie that appears to have been shot through unflushed toilet bowl water, which, upon reflection, seems 100 percent appropriate.
Before I launch into why this film is so abysmal, let me make a plea to all studios across the land. Please stop the unwatchable practice of converting movies into 3-D. I have no issues with shooting in 3-D or the array of lovely animated films made in 3-D, but you sons of bitches have not perfected the process of 3-D conversion to the point where it is safe for human viewing. And if you are going to convert these poor, helpless movies, don't choose ones in which 75 percent or more of the action takes place at night or in dimly lit settings. Stop cloaking your films in darkness on top of darkness. And I know this wasn't a projection issue here in Chicago, because I sat through two 3-D movies back-to-back on this particular day in the exact same theater, and the second one (an animated film) looked awesome and fairly bright. There are huge sections of The Last Airbender that simply don't even appear to be in 3-D, and when I removed my glasses, guess what? I could actually make out faces and action and decently rendered special effects. With the glasses? Everything looked like pond scum. Fuck everyone whose job it is to convert movies to 3-D and the people who hired you. It doesn't work, so just stop ruining my experience going to the movies.
That said, nothing on heaven or earth could have saved The Last Airbender from spiraling out of control and making it certainly the worst film I've seen all year so far, and an early candidate for the worst film of the decade. There isn't a single element to this movie that works, and I say that knowing nothing about the TV series on which it is based but as someone who went into this film thinking there was a strong chance I might enjoy my experience.
It's difficult to explain just how far Shyamalan strayed as a filmmaker, but he seems to have entered into this story with a tell-not-show attitude. Huge chunks of this movie are just people talking about action that has already happened or is going to happen. It's as if the production ran out of money to shoot certain action sequences, so the powers that be simply said, "OK, let's describe the action instead." Who does that? But I know that's not what happened because this movie looks like it cost a metric shit ton of money. All of those wasted funds are right there on the screen in the form of elaborate landscape backgrounds, mythical creatures (like a dragon and a giant beaver-like creature), elements being tossed around by "benders," who I think are people who can manipulate either air, fire, earth or water.
The writing here goes beyond just lame description of action. I could almost see the exclamation points at the end of every sentence in Shyamalan's screenplay. And the words are acted in kind by the lead child actors, who deliver each word with eyebrows raised and voices in full announcer mode, almost as if they thought they were recording dialogue for an animated movie (which would have looking a helluva lot better in 3-D -- zing!). I'm sure the tens of thousands of kids who see this movie are going to respond really well to all that 3-D talking.
And I don't mean to crap on these poor kids, but they are across-the-board terrible, especially the two white kids who follow the title character (white kid playing non-white) around. They are played by Nicola Peltz and Jackson Rathbone, who plays Jasper Hale in the Twilight films and does so in a far more interesting manner than in The Last Airbender. Poor guy has had a rough week. And don't even get me started on the Airbender himself, Noah Ringer as Aang, a young monk who is the reincarnation of the "Avatar," a bender who can control all four elements (with proper training), as opposed to regular benders who can only control one... I guess. Ringer has decent delivery, but all of his lines sound so clear, they seem dubbed. And while he does get a chance to fight in the film, he mostly just rattles on and on about his history, his destiny, his abilities, blah, blah, blah.
There are a few familiar faces, but they don't really do anything to remove the stink from this production. Cliff Curtis plays Fire Lord Ozai, the leader of the Firemen, or whatever the hell they're called. His disappointing son is portrayed by Dev Patel from Slumdog Millionaire, while the usually reliable Aasif Mandvi plays Ozai's top military leader Commander Zhao. For all of their yelling and posturing, you would think a little spark might be lit under the ass of this movie, but you'd be wrong. They just talk, talk, talk about fighting, fight a little, then talk some more.
And then there are plot points in The Last Airbender that are just plain dumb. See if my logic makes sense. Leading up to the big battle scene between the firebender warriors and the water bender monk-like people, a water dude makes a point to say that everyone in their camp should put out every fire so the fire people won't have anything to...bend, I guess. Fair enough: fire people need fire to do their tricks, water people need water, etc. But it's made very clear that the world in which this story takes place is somewhat industrialized. We see these machines that look like a cross between a tank and a bulldozer driving on their own steam, plus there are these giant metal battle ships that the fire people travel upon that clearly are operating on something other than air. Now I'm going out on a limb here, but I'm guessing that a race of people that possess and operate such devices might also have invented and carry around with them, I don't know, matches maybe. Perhaps even something as sophisticated as a flint-based lighter? Call me crazy. No really, call me crazy. It doesn't take long for the story to inform us that some firebenders can actually create fire out of thin air anyway, so why waste our time? Because they can, dummy.
As a critic, I always try to find one or two positive things to write about every film, even for the most trying movies I see in a given year. But for The Last Airbender, I've got nothing. No the 3-D doesn't help the film in any way; it actually makes is a whole lot worse. But even without the 3-D, this movie would have been an endurance test. There was a 14- or 15-year-old girl sitting behind me during this screening, and when the end credits began rolling, she turned to the person next to her and said, "Look at your watch. That movie was only 90-some minutes long; it felt like three hours." Truer words have never been spoken. If you still want to see this movie, you're either too dumb to understand why you shouldn't or too young to care. Fair enough. Enjoy spending the rest of your life with the memory of The Last Airbender fouling your brain. This summer is beginning to feel like the End of Movie Days. God save us.
Love Ranch
I make no secret that I will watch Helen Mirren in anything. That being said, since her Oscar-winning turn in The Queen, she has really tested my undying love for her work with performances in the National Treasure sequel, Inkheart and The Last Station, which I know some people liked, but I found tedious and overacted by everyone but her. She was quite good as a newspaper editor in State of Play, but it was a supporting part that only offered us a taste of what she's capable of. So the best news about her latest work, Love Ranch, is that she owns this thinly veiled account of Mustang Ranch madame Salley Conforte (renamed Grace Bontempo for this movie). And although the film is deeply flawed, I think admirers of Mirren's body of work are in for a treat, especially since she's playing opposite Joe Pesci, dragged out of semi-retirement to play husband Charlie (a sorta, kinda version of Joe Conforte, owner of the original Mustang Ranch, the first wholly legal brothel in Nevada).
Love Ranch also marks the first time Mirren has worked with husband-director Taylor Hackford since they met making 1985's White Nights. And while Hackford's body of work (including An Officer and a Gentleman, The Idolmaker, Dolores Claiborne, The Devil's Advocate, Proof of Life and Ray) is impressive, he's done something extraordinary bringing these two great actors together. At the top of the mid-1970s-era film, Grace is dealt a severe blow with a cancer diagnosis that puts an expiration date on her life and serves as the catalyst for her to take a look at her existence with Charlie, who cheats on her with their many employees (played by the likes of Gina Gershon, Taryn Manning, Bai Ling, Elise Neal and Scout Taylor-Compton). Clearly, she's stopped trying to talk him out of his behavior, but her death sentence has made his philandering far less easy to cope with. Around this time, Charlie also decides to buy the contract of Argentine boxer Armando Bruza (Spanish actor Sergio Peris-Mencheta, mirroring the career of boxing legend Oscar Bonavena), a handsome, charming and strangely sensitive man who shows a genuine interest in Grace, whom Charlie has assigned as Bruza's manager.
The elements of Love Ranch that are the most fascinating involve screenwriter Mark Jacobson's examination of the Bontempos' inability to run their perfectly legal business inside the law. They seem incapable of managing their operation without cheating the IRS and keeping two sets of accounting books, among their many offenses. I was especially impressed with Pesci's work as Charlie, a man who pitches his brothel and prostitutes like used cars. His ridiculous southern accent underscores the lengths he will go to to get people to like him and use his services. But he also manages to unleash an ugly, dangerous, slightly psychotic side that made me think, "Ah, there's the Joe Pesci we know and love." Mirren certainly goes for a more zen approach to her performance, but her real strength comes in the gradual breaking down of her resistance to falling in love with Bruza.
Although many of the things that happen in this movie also happened in real life doesn't mean that they mesh especially well on screen. I normally enjoy when a film refuses to be pigeonholed into one specific genre, so the idea that the story of the brothel and the love triangle occupy the same film doesn't bother me in theory. But something doesn't quite work here in blending these two elements. The performances carry the film through the rough spots, but you can still feel the bumps on this road. The plot loses its focus in the second half, as it becomes all about the love affair and Charlie's jealous rage at his wife announcing she's leaving him. For those familiar with how this story played out in real life, there could have been an entire movie about just that, and it would have been great with this cast. But the story Hackford chooses to tell is this one, and he loses his way at points with only the strength of his actors to guide him to a mildly satisfying conclusion. I am absolutely recommending the film for Mirren and Pesci's work, but if you aren't particularly drawn to them, you may find yourself losing interest in a hurry. The film opens today at the Landmark Century Center Cinema.
To read my exclusive interview with Love Ranch director Taylor Hackford, go to Ain't It Cool News.
Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky
Serving as something of a sequel to the recent Coco Before Chanel look at the fashion icon's rise from obscurity, this latest work from director Jan Kounen (Dobermann) concerns a very specific sliver of time when the lives of Chanel (the stunning Anna Mouglalis) and composer Igor Stravinsky (Casino Royale's Mads Mikkelsen), seven years after the notoriously disastrous premiere of his "The Rite of Spring" at the Theatre des Champes-Elysees. Chanel was impressed with the work, and when she runs into him and his family living destitute in Paris after fleeing the Russian Revolution, she invites them all to take refuge in her palatial home so Igor can work in peace while the children and his sickly wife (Yelena Morozova) are looked after and distracted.
But Chanel has ulterior motives for her generosity; she is deeply attracted to the artist, and her aloof, glamorous demeanor soon has Stravinsky under her spell. The film seems to indicate that Igor never really respected what Coco did for a living, but it also implies that she never cared. She had enough people in her life praising her work that she didn't require this man to do so. Their relationship was deeply passionate, and every encounter is fraught with tension because all of this was happening under one, albeit very large, roof.
It's entirely possible to lose oneself in the production and costume design of Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky, much of which was on loan from the archives of the Chanel company. Each room in her house is as immaculately laid out as she was -- simple lines, black and white, elegant to perfection. But there's also a deliberate coldness to both Chanel's home and Mouglalis' performance. I was actually genuinely entranced by the filmmaking and the acting here. This is a work that thrives on an understated canvas, except when it comes to the fairly explicit sex scenes. But for the most part, emotions are rarely expressed, unless that emotion is anger and/or resentment, which springs its head late in the game. Coco & Igor is beautifully directed by Kounen, and the screenplay (by Kounen and Carlo De Boutiny, from Chris Greenhalgh's novel) boils the relationship down to its essential lustful core. There's an odd coda to the film that may have audiences shaking their heads, but by that point I was on board with this haunting work about two passionate artists at their peak finding something like love with each other. I'm not sure this is a great movie, but it held my interest without fail. The film opens today at the Landmark Century Center Cinema.
Let It Rain
There's a little repertoire company in France that tends to work together under the direction of actress Agnes Jaoui (The Taste of Others, Look At Me, and the co-writer of Family Resemblances and Smoking/No Smoking) and her husband, co-writer, and acting partner Jean-Pierre Bacri. Each film is a biting, energetic comment on the human condition and bad behavior, and their latest work, Let It Rain, is among the best they have put together. Jaoui plays a politician with ambitions of running for office, but doesn't seem to like people, including her boyfriend. She seems equal parts flattered and annoyed when a documentary filmmaker (Jamel Debbouze) asks to shoot a segment on her for his film about powerful women. His bumbling partner (Bacri) seems intent on finding new and glorious ways of ruining each shoot, and the combination of the three leads to some enlightened conversations about the sociology of sex roles, ineffectual government, the death of romance and whatever else comes into their minds.
Each character has trials and tribulations. Bacri is trying to stay close to his young son, while carrying on a relationship with a married woman. Debbouze's attempting to make a better life for his family, including his aging mother, who is a housekeeper for Jaoui's recently dead mother. There's only the barest sketch of a plot in Let It Rain, but this film isn't about the narrative; it's about digging deep into the qualities of its characters that make them worth knowing. At its core, the film is a comedy, but there are moments of true frustration and pain in the lives of these people that might make you want to sob openly. Like rain itself, this work is something you let fall over you a drop at a time until you are soaked in its greatness. OK, maybe that metaphor doesn't quite do it, but you get the idea. Let It Rain is a charming, funny, and moving experience. It opens today at the Music Box Theatre.


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Review Overview
- Sales Rank – 42.45
- Refund Rate – 50
- Link authority – 0
Don't want to read the whole review? Well you just have to read this summary where I give The Essential Guide to Cure Chlamydia in Women an overall score. My purpose has been to utilize stats to produce a totally unbiased review that can help to provide a clear idea of whether or not you should get this product. I looked at the sales figures, the refund rate and the authority of the product's website to set up an overall idea of reliability. It's a computer algorithm, yes, but it should be a fantastic help nonetheless. So, the final score is 44.17/100 – pretty good!.
Introducing yet another excellent review here at thebloggr.com. I make it my own mission in life to help consumers with their tough purchasing choices. I manage this, primarily, by referring to sales statistics but I additionally make sure that every item on the site has a 60 day money-back guarantee. OK dear followers, let's commence! If you've already purchased and are asking yourself how to lay claim to your bonus, just click here. To determine how the site is financed you can click the link – my main concern is my readers and I want everything to be clear. Alright, let us get this show started.
How's it selling?
To begin with, an admission. I am inclined to be impacted by the popularity of products. If I see everyone is purchasing something I often come along for the ride. My logic? Well, if everyone wants it, it must be good quality, right? Obviously, that's not usually true but product sales can be a fine proof of quality. Fortunately for you, I actually have some sales information for The Essential Guide to Cure Chlamydia in Women. First, I have a thing called Gravity which comes entirely from the payment processor. It provides us a rough indication of sales volume. The Essential Guide to Cure Chlamydia in Women has a gravity of 0, which is pretty low and could mean a low quality product, something I'd hate to see you waste your money on. Now, this gravity figure may not mean much to you. So, dear readers, I've evaluated the gravities of every product on this website and produced a sales rank! A rank of 100 implies that it's the best selling product here … and all the way down to 1 with the worst seller. So how about The Essential Guide to Cure Chlamydia in Women? Basically, it receives a sales rank of 42.45, which means it is undoubtedly substandard – I would recommend you see if any options do better.
Does it get many refunds?
Of course, I opt to give my readers more than just sales stats. You want to know about a product's quality. Unfortunately, my time restrictions (and bank balance!) don't allow me to try every product personally. So I use another stat – the refund rate.This stat comes directly from the payment processor, when it was available for a short time. The Essential Guide to Cure Chlamydia in Women scores 3 /5 which is the average score and suggests we either don't have any refund data or the refund amount is at a satisfactory level – should be OK to proceed here.
Do we know anything else?
So, what else can I tell you? Well, why don't we take a look at the domain that this product is bought from (banishchlamydia.com)? There are a few stats available that will give usa better idea about how reliable the product is. For starters, we know the website has 0 pages – the idea is that the more pages it has, the older and more reliable it is. So, in this case, 0 is 1-50 definitely not that many and could imply that this site is new51-100 not all that plenty and likely indicates this website is a recent arrival101-500 quite loads of pages and that might be a good indicator 501-1000 a lot of pages and that gets the thebloggr.com seal of approval1001-10000000 really a lot and indicates that I'm tempted to suggest it to you dear readers. But, naturally, you couldn't just judge a site by the number of pages it has. They could all be junk! Instead, let's learn something from Google's book and have a look at the amount of other sites that are linking in to this one. Loads of links from quality sites indicates that this one is bound to be quality too. So banishchlamydia.com has 0 backlinks with an authority score of 0/100, which means it hasn't received much approval from other sites yet (and therefore not from me either).
Additional products – does this vendor have anything else on sale?
We're approaching the end of this review now, but I still believe there's some more data to be found. I've hunted high and low and made a list of all the other products this merchant is selling, and also any specials they have on at the moment. Let's have a look… So, it seems The Essential Guide to Cure Chlamydia in Women has no special product(s) on sale.
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And what about any other products?

subset: commoncrawl


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|There's more than one way to do things
Re: Problem with Parenthesesby james2vegas (Chaplain)
|on Aug 22, 2012 at 00:44 UTC ( #988911=note: print w/replies, xml )
|Need Help??
Also worth noting, you can use File::Find to duplicate this functionality without running a separate process.
Running find2perl . -type f \( -perm -0020 -o -perm -0004 -o -perm -0002 -o -perm -0001 -o -perm -1000 \) -ls returns this equivalent Perl code (find2perl here):
Obviously this code could be optimised.
In Section Seekers of Perl Wisdom


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Home >> Daily News >> Thailand News >> Investment >> Thai investment authority supports overseas investment
Thai investment authority supports overseas investment
Speaking at a seminar, Thailand's overseas investment an opportunity to success, Mrs Atchaka said the law will cover a provision with low interest rate soft loan for Thai investors who plan to invest in foreign countries.
The law will also stipulate a tax exemption for profit posted by overseas investment. Moreover, two times of the expenses the Thai investors spent for carrying out feasibility study on overseas investment will also be allowed deduct their annual corporate tax, she added.
After the completion of the revision and amendment, the law would be forwarded to the next government for consideration, said the BoI secretary-general.
Thailand's overseas investment cost over the past 10 years had increased from less than US$100 million to US$2.7 billion at present, according to Mrs Atchaka.
She expected the overseas investment capital will rise to more than $US 3 billion in 2011.
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USA Americans are eating less beef
The decrease in the consumption of beef documented in the report has, in large part, been a welcome side effect of growing concerns around the health impacts of eating too much red meat. In recent years, numerous public health organizations – from the American Heart Association to the World Health Organization to the Harvard School of Public Health have been recommending substituting healthier options for red meat. They cite an increased risk of cancer, heart disease, diabetes and premature death as reasons to cut our consumption. We can add the health of the planet to that list.
The marketplace is taking note. The restaurant industry has reported a decreasing preference for red meat in their menus. The James Beard Foundation, a leading industry collaborative said that one of the top food trend forecasts for 2017 is likely to be ""seeing beef move from the star of a menu to more of a supporting player." The National Restaurant Association's 2016 'What's Hot Survey' also stated that "nearly 60% of professional chefs listed meatless items among the top culinary trends."
But while Americans reduced beef consumption in recent years, they still eat much more than health experts recommend and much more than most countries in the world. They rank fourth globally in per capita beef consumption, eating more than twice as much red meat as suggested by USDA's recommended dietary patterns. This overconsumption also continues to have serious consequences for the planet. This analysis shows that beef consumption accounted for 34% of the emissions from the U.S. diet in 2014, the single largest source by far of any food. A continued reduction of red meat consumption in our diet will bring even more benefits to our environment and health.


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Creek Fest
Join us for a free, family-friendly celebration including a cane pole fishing tournament (ages 16 and under), live music from Eric Erdman, hotdogs provided by Mobile Gas, door prizes and educational exhibits. Kayak rentals also will be part of the half-day event as the natural beauty of one of Mobile's historic waterways is showcased. Three Mile Creek was the city's first source of drinking water. There also will be opportunities for area Boy Scouts to earn merit badges. Creek Fest begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 2 p.m. For more information call Kelly at 251-690-8895.
99 Bottles of Beer on the Lawn
Southern Napa, Daphne's fine-wine house, hosts the second annual 99 Bottles of Beer on the Lawn craft beer festival at 2304 Main St. in Daphne. The first event will be Friday, May 6, with a local concert by Willie Sugarcapps. Tickets for the concert are $30 in advance. Tickets for the beer festival on Saturday, May 7 (1-4 p.m.) are $45 and include a commemorative tasting glass. For more information and tickets visit southernnapa.com.
Book sale
The Mobile Public Library's annual used book sale is set to take place this weekend at the ABBA Shrine Center on Hitt Road, just off Schillinger. The sale is open to the public from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Saturday, May 7, and Sunday, May 8, 1-6 p.m. With the exception of special-priced items, hardback books are $1 on Friday and Saturday, 50 cents on Sunday, while paperbacks are 50 cents on Friday and Saturday, and 25 cents on Sunday. We will also have audiobooks, DVDs, CDs and more at bargain prices! For more information on the book sale, contact Amber Guy at 251-208-7902 or email email@example.com.
Free skin cancer screening
Haley Dermatology in partnership with the American Academy of Dermatology is offering free skin cancer screenings Thursday, May 5, 4-6 p.m. at Haley Dermatology, 202 Rock Creek Parkway, Fairhope. For further information email Trisha Cooch at email@example.com or call 251-928-3844, ext. 452.
Exploring Spring Hill Avenue: A Walking Tour
May is Historic Preservation Month and the Bragg-Mitchell Mansion is hosting a walking tour and presentation of "Mobile's Finest Boulevard." In his witty and wonderful way, the delightfully fun Cartledge Blackwell of Mobile Historic Development Commission will guide us around Spring Hill Avenue and enlighten us about a few of Mobile's architectural and cultural venues. The event is Wednesday, May 11, at 5:30 p.m. and is free. Please call 251-471-6364 to reserve your place as seating is limited. We suggest you wear comfortable shoes and clothing for this walking event.
Spring quarterly meeting and luncheon
The Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women will hold its spring quarterly meeting and luncheon on May 11 at St. Pius X Family Life Building, 217 S. Sage Ave. St. Mary's Altar Sodality is the host for the meeting. Registration is from 9 to 9:45 a.m. The meeting will begin at 9:45 a.m. with mass following at 11 a.m. and lunch immediately following mass. Cost is $12. Please make reservations with Beth Cain at 251-232-8862 or email@example.com, orMargie Bunch at 251-661-6827 or firstname.lastname@example.com. Archbishop Rodi will be our guest at this meeting.
MCMA annual reunion
Join Mobile Country Music Association for its 30th annual reunion Saturday, May 7, from 10:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. for fun, food, fellowship and music. There is no admission charge but donations are accepted. For more information and directions call Marshall at 251-457-0762 or Carolyn at 251-455-6748.
National Public Gardens Day
National Public Gardens Day is celebrated nationwide on Friday, May 6, to promote public gardens' important role in environmental stewardship and awareness. Bellingrath Gardens, one of the state's oldest public gardens, will mark the occasion with special behind-the-scenes tours conducted by Bellingrath's horticultural management team. Find out how we grow our signature displays that provide beauty to more than 110,000 visitors every year. Two tours will be offered as part of regular admission: a guided tour of the Bellingrath greenhouses at 10 a.m. followed by a garden walk to discover our spring blooms at 11 a.m.; a guided greenhouse tour at 2 p.m. followed by a garden walk at 3 p.m. To register, call 251-973-2217 or visit bellingrath.org. Admission fees are $13 for adults, $7.50 for ages 5-12 and free to Bellingrath members and ages 4 and younger.
Mother's Day Evening Garden Concert
Spend a relaxing Mother's Day afternoon with your mom at Bellingrath on Sunday, May 8, and enjoy beautiful music under the trees on Live Oak Plaza. The concert will be performed at 5:30 p.m.by the Mobile Symphony Youth Orchestra under the direction of Rob Seebacher. A limited number of chairs will be set up, or guests may bring their own. Guests are also welcome to bring a picnic supper to enjoy during the concert. Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase. Discounted admission of $7.50 for adults and $4 for ages 5-12 begins at 4 p.m. There is no admission charge for Bellingrath members or for those aged 4 and younger. For details, call 251-973-2217 or visit bellingrath.org.
MHS Class of 1961
Graduates of Murphy High School Class of '61 are invited to our 55th class reunion May 6 and 7 at the Holiday Inn on Government Street. For more information call 251-342-2157 or 251-895-9374, or visit murphyhigh1961.com.
Market on the Square
Market on the Square runs from 7:30 a.m. to noon every Saturday through July 30 in Cathedral Square downtown. This time of year you can buy locally grown tomatoes, potatoes, sweet corn, cantaloupes, watermelons, plants and flowers, as well as seafood, baked goods, pastas, casseroles, pies, handcrafted goods and much more.
Brown Bag in Bienville Square
Come out and listen to the soothing sounds of live jazz as you lunch in Bienville Square around the historic Ketchum Fountain. Catt Sirten sets up live musicians and the city sets up tables for your enjoyment each Wednesday in the spring. To make your Brown Baggin' easier, stop in at your favorite Bienville Square eatery and ask for the Brown Bag special. They will provide you with your lunch-to-go in a nifty "Brown Bag" that you can easily transport to the square and recycle in one of the Keep Mobile Beautiful recycle bins. Wednesdays through May, from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.
Dauphin Island Boardwalk Talks
Boardwalk Talks are held the first and third Wednesday of each month at 11:15 a.m. Come to the Estuarium to participate in a dialog with the experts at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, 101 Bienville Blvd. The Northern Gulf Institute presents a series of informal conversations about all things scientific in the Gulf of Mexico region. For more information or with questions, call 251-861-2141.
Cocktail with Critters
Cocktails with the Critters, the 11th annual fundraiser for the Dauphin Island Sea Lab Foundation, will be Thursday, May 5, 6-9 p.m. at Bluegill Restaurant on the Causeway. There will be a fantastic silent auction, tasty hors d'oeuvres, wine and beer. For more information visit sealabfoundation.org or call 251-605-6624.
Taste of the Town
The annual Taste of the Town event is scheduled for Thursday, May 5, 6-8 p.m. at the Five Rivers Delta Resource Center located on the east end of the Causeway. Hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Daphne-Spanish Fort and Safe Harbor Financial, this year's event will offer a fun-filled evening benefiting the children of our area. More than 20 restaurants will be participating with taste venues galore, live music and both silent and live auction items. Tickets are $30 in advance or can be purchased for $35 the day of the event at the door. For more information visit www.daphnespanishfortkiwanis.org.
Dogs for Dawgs
On Friday, May 6, join us in the courtyard of the Renaissance Riverview Plaza hotel from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. for Dogs for Dawgs, a benefit to raise awareness and funds for the Mobile SPCA. Here you can get a footlong hot dog or grilled sausage, a bag of chips, a cold drink and a delicious homemade cookie, all for just $8. But wait, it gets better … your second sandwich will be only $4 and we will deliver any orders of $30 or more. The Mobile SPCA will also have the "Whisker Wagon" on hand so you can see and pet and get attached to and adopt a new best friend. For more information contact Carol Hunter, email@example.com or 251-434-8498.
Boy Scouts yard sale
On Saturday, May 7, Boy Scouts of America Troop #214 of Holloway Elementary School will have a yard sale, 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. at St. Stephens AME Church parking lot, 2707 Josephine St. There will also be drinks and hot dogs for sale. All proceeds benefit Boy Scout Troop #214 for a summer camping trip. For more information or with questions please call 251-401-1895.
St. Mary Catholic School Casino Night
St. Mary Catholic School Casino Night presents "The Lucky Mustang!" Saturday, May 7, at 6 p.m. Take to the streets of Dublin at St. Mary Catholic School's 27th annual fundraising event featuring live and silent auctions, games with local celebrity hosts, door prizes and great food and live entertainment! General admission tickets are $25 per adult in advance and $30 at the door. Seniors are $25. Special dinner tickets are $100 and admit two adults, offering an opportunity to take home $10,000! All proceeds benefit St. Mary Catholic School, located at 107 N. Lafayette St. For more information call 251-433-9904 or visit www.stmarymobile.org.
Mother's Day garden concert
Bellingrath Gardens and Home and the Mobile Symphony Youth Orchestra will present our annual Mother's Day Evening Garden Concert on Sunday, May 8, at 5:30 p.m. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon of family time under the beautiful oaks on Live Oak Plaza. A limited number of chairs will be set up and guests may also bring their own chairs. Guests are also welcome to bring a picnic supper. Discounted admission into the gardens begins at 4 p.m. For more information call 251-973-2217.
"Fun with Water" watercolor contest
This year, Mobile Area Water and Sewer System (MAWSS) calls on budding young artists to tap into their creative side for the 10th annual "Fun with Water" contest. The competition seeks students in grades K-12 to paint a picture of their favorite summer activity involving water. Prizes are awarded in four grade categories: K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12, and also to an overall winner. All winners receive $100 gift certificates. In addition, the grand prizewinner and that student's school or community organization also receive $250 gift certificates. The contest deadline is May 13. Official rules and entry forms are available at the following locations: The Shoppes at Bel Air (in the Chick-Fil-A corridor); MAWSS Payment Center, 1060 Spring Hill Ave.; or MAWSS Park Forest Plaza, 4725 Moffett Road. Also, visit www.mawss.com to download an entry form and contest rules.
First Friday Art Walk
The Eastern Shore Art Center returns with new art and music the first Friday of every month. Come check out the new exhibits and live pottery demonstrations while enjoying refreshments and live entertainment by The Sound Carpenters. The art walk begins at 6 p.m. at the Eastern Shore Art Center, 401 Oak St., Fairhope. For more information contact Adrienne at 251-928-2228, ext. 103.
"Charlotte's Web," The Musical
Public shows of the musical based on "Charlotte's Web" run through Sunday, May 8. Performance times are 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday night, Sunday matinee at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 for students/seniors, $15 for adults. All performances are at Playhouse in the Park, 4851 Museum Drive. For more information or tickets, visit playhouseinthepark.org.
"Oklahoma!" at Chickasaw Civic Theatre continues through Sunday, May 8. The Rodgers and Hammerstein classic musical is directed by Nedra Bloom. The theater is at The Lola Phillips Playhouse, 801 Iroquois St., Chickasaw. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinee is at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15; $12 for seniors, military and students. For details, or to order tickets, go to www.cctshows.com, call 251-457-8887 or email firstname.lastname@example.com.
Da Vinci: Machines and Robotics
Through May 15, an exhibit on Leonardo da Vinci features more than 60 machines, robotics and artworks, many of them interactive. Also on hand will be children's activities, computer animations and cinema. Other features are working models and machines crafted from Leonardo's original sketches, notes and designs, rare facsimile codices and a biographical documentary. Reproductions of Leonardo's most famous artwork, including "Mona Lisa" and "The Last Supper," are part of the exhibit. Exploreum hours are Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Friday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, noon until 5 p.m. For more information call 251-208-6893 or visit exploreum.com.
Tea for Two
Each Tuesday afternoon at 2 p.m., the Fairhope Museum of History hosts a tea where guests enjoy a cup of delicious Baldwin County tea, cookies and a lecture on an interesting aspect of Fairhope history. The May 10 speaker will be Dean Mosher, who will present his program on the University of Alabama before the Civil War. Most of the campus was burned and through diligent research, Mosher has reconstructed the campus with models and produced a large painting of the pre-war college. For more information call 251-929-1471.
Thursdays at MMoA
Every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. the Mobile Museum of Art offers free admission to all visitors. Join MMoA each week to experience the museum in new and exciting ways throughout the year. No reservations are necessary. MMoA is at 4850 Museum Drive.
Good Life Ride
The Seventh Annual Good Life Ride will take place in Baldwin County on Saturday, May 7. Riders can choose from four different route options: a 64-mile or a 40-mile route leaving from Fairhope and concluding in Gulf Shores at Tacky Jack's, and 22-mile and 10-mile round-trip routes from Tacky Jack's in Gulf Shores. Following the ride, Tacky Jack's will host a fun post-ride celebration which includes great food, two complimentary drinks, music and door prizes. Register for the ride by going to www.imathlete.com/events/2016GLR or by visiting www.GoodLifeRide.org. Registration is $35 until April 29 and then will be $45 through the day of the ride. Day-of registration is also available at all start locations.
Via Bolt 5K
Via Health, Fitness and Enrichment Center, 1717 Dauphin St. in Mobile, invites runners and walkers to participate in the Bolt 5K/Walk and Fun Run Saturday, May 7 at 8 a.m. This is a certified 5K course, with a fun run of approximately one mile. Pre-registration for the 5K is $20 for adults, $15 for students, $12 for seniors. The fun run is $10. Add $5 for day-of registration. Awards will be presented and drinks, food and entertainment will be provided afterward. For more information visit eventbrite.com or viamobile.org.
Mobile BayBears
The Mobile BayBears are back in action for a 20th season of MiLB Double-A baseball at Hank Aaron Stadium in Mobile. The BayBears return home Wednesday, May 4 for a five-game stint against visiting Chattanooga. For more information or tickets call 251-479-BEAR.
Ballroom dance
Azalea Ballroom Dance Club hosts dances with live music the second and fourth Tuesday of every month from 7-9:30 p.m., $10 admission. A dance class taught by professional instructors is available prior to the dance from 6:30-7 p.m. for a $10 fee. This event is BYOB, coolers, snacks. Partner not necessary. Beginners are welcome. At Via! Health, Fitness & Enrichment Center, 1717 Dauphin St. (Mobile). For more information email Cindy Youngblood, president, firstname.lastname@example.com, call 251-623-9183 or visit www.azaleaballroomdanceclub.com.
Irish dance lessons
The Maccrossan School of Irish Dance is offering beginner Irish dance lessons every Saturday morning at the Azalea City Center for Performing Arts, 63 Midtown Park E. in Mobile. Classes are available for ages 4 through adult. Learn the beautiful art form of Irish dance with instruction in jig, reel, figure and ceili dancing! For more details please contact Julie Ann Black at email@example.com or call 228-239-2422.
Ballroom dance
The Moonlight Chasse Ballroom Dance Society hosts dance classes the first and third Monday of every month, with dancing from 7-9:30 p.m. Admission is $10. This event is BYOB and there is no need to bring a partner. Beginners are welcome. Fitzpen Place, 11247 State Highway 31 (Spanish Fort). For more information email Cassie Fishbein at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Bridge lessons
The Mobile Bridge Center offers free bridge lessons each Tuesday beginning at 6 p.m. at the Mobile Bridge Center, 1510 University Blvd. Arrive a few minutes early to register. If you have questions call the Bridge Center at 251-666-2147 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Addiction counseling
Narconon would like to remind families the use of addicting drugs is on the rise. Take steps to protect your family from drug use. If you know anyone who is struggling with drug addiction, get them the help they need. Call for a free brochure on the signs of addiction for all drugs. Narconon also offers free screenings and referrals. Call 1-800-431-1754 or visit DrugAbuseSolution.com.
Top Cats Toastmasters
Top Cats Toastmasters meet every Monday from noon to 1 p.m. at the Red Lobster near the southeast corner of Airport Boulevard and Azalea Road in Mobile. You can practice your speaking and listening skills and learn to think on your feet in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Dues are $43 twice a year, and lunch must be purchased. Toastmasters International is a worldwide organization. For further information call 251-344-2938.
Downtown Toastmasters
The Downtown Mobile Toastmasters Club 2815 hosts a weekly educational lunch meeting at T.P. Crockmiers (261 Dauphin St., Mobile), from noon until 1 p.m. on Tuesdays. Practice your speaking, listening and leadership skills in a relaxed, friendly environment. Lunch must be purchased. Our dues are $42 twice yearly. Toastmasters International is a worldwide organization. For more information call 251-404-3924.
Jubilee Toastmasters
Jubilee Toastmasters meet each Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m at Homestead Village in Fairhope, in the Camellia Room. You can bring your lunch. We provide a supportive and positive learning experience in which members are empowered to develop communication and leadership skills. The meetings are open to anyone over 18 years of age. For more information visit www.9032.toastmastersclubs.org.
Eastern Shore Toastmasters
The Eastern Shore Toastmasters Club hosts a weekly meeting at Daphne United Methodist Church (2401 Main St.), in the Community Life Center on the second floor, 6-7 p.m. on Thursdays. Practice your speaking, listening and leadership skills in a friendly, relaxed and supportive environment. Guests are welcome! Visit us on Facebook (facebook.com/EasternShoreTM) or email firstname.lastname@example.com.
Mobile City Council
The Mobile City Council meets every Tuesday at Government Plaza, 205 Government St. Pre-council meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the first-floor conference room; council meeting begins at 10:30 a.m. in the first-floor auditorium. For more information visit www.cityofmobile.org.
Mobile Planning Commission
The Mobile City Planning Commission meets the first and third Thursday in the Government Plaza auditorium, 205 Government St., at 2 p.m. For agendas, minutes, zoning information and more visit urban.cityofmobile.org.
Daphne City Council
The Daphne City Council meets on the first and third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Daphne City Hall, 1705 Main St. City Council work sessions are the second Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. For more information visit daphneal.com.
Fairhope City Council
The Fairhope City Council meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Fairhope City Hall, 161 N. Section St. City Council work sessions are held before each council meeting at 4:30 p.m. in the Delchamps Room at City Hall. For more information visit cofairhope.com.
Fairhope Planning Commission
The Fairhope Planning Commission meets on the first Monday of each month at 5 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at Fairhope City Hall, 161 N. Section St. For more information visit cofairhope.com.
Foley City Council
The Foley City Council meets on the first and third Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Foley City Hall, 407 E. Laurel Ave. Work sessions begin at 4 p.m. before each regularly scheduled meeting. For more information visit cityoffoley.org.
Spanish Fort City Council
The Spanish Fort City Council meets on the first and third Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Spanish Fort Community Center, 7361 Spanish Fort Blvd. Work sessions begin at 5 p.m. before each regularly scheduled meeting. For more information visit cityofspanishfort.com.
Baldwin County Commission
The Baldwin County Commission meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 8:30 a.m. in the County Commission Chambers at the Baldwin County Administration Building, 322 Courthouse Square, Bay Minette. Work sessions are the second and fourth Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. with the location rotating between the Baldwin County Administration Building in Bay Minette, the Foley Satellite Courthouse, the Fairhope Satellite Courthouse and the Baldwin County Central Annex Building in Robertsdale. For more information visit baldwincountyal.gov.
Baldwin County Planning Commission
The Baldwin County Planning Commission meets at 6 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month at the Baldwin County Central Annex, 22251 Palmer St., Robertsdale. For more information visit baldwincountyal.gov.
Saraland City Council: Second and fourth Thursday, 6 p.m., 716 Saraland Blvd. S., 251-675-5103.
Chickasaw City Council: Second and fourth Tuesday, 7 p.m., 224 N. Craft Highway, 251-452-6450.
Citronelle City Council: Second and fourth Thursday, 6:30 p.m., 19135 Main St., 251-866-7973.
Creola City Council: Second and fourth Thursday, 6 p.m., 190 Dead Lake Road, #A, 251-675-8142.
Satsuma City Council: First and third Tuesday, 6 p.m. (working), 7 p.m.
(regular session), 5464 Old Highway 43, 251-675-1440.
Semmes City Council: First and third
Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., 7875 Moffett Road, 251-649-8811.
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I was listening to sports talk shows on the radio. They can be a lot of fun, but sometimes they drive you nuts. How many times can I hear people debate who is better between LeBron James and Michael Jordan? Or if the Lakers Lonzo Ball will be the next Magic Johnson, Jason Kidd, or … Todd Marinovich (anybody remember him? Last we heard, he was naked in a backyard with drug paraphernalia...but I digress). Imagine my excitement when I heard this story today and thought it would be a perfect blog.
Last year, anybody that followed football was surprised by the emergence of the Dallas Cowboys, being lead by two outstanding rookies -- quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott. When everyone thought the team would go back to Tony Romo behind center, Prescott came out like gangbusters. He did so well, it basically ended Romo's career and he retired.
You know those sports cards that are autographed? Well, Prizm Football apparently released some that were autopen. The company Panini America released a statement about it Friday.
Prescott and his representatives say they have no knowledge of how this happened.
On Thursday, Beckett Grading Services wouldn't verify the QBs autograph in a card set.
An announcement was also made that there's a long-term extension for Prescott to exclusively sign cards through Prizm, and that if you card a card, they'll replace it with remanufactured cards. They asked that you send them back. The new ones will feature a special Dak Prescott hologram to differentiate them.
The company said, "Prescott has autographed thousands of Panini America trading cards during his rookie season."
Uh, okay. Well, can somebody explain how autopen cards got out then?
Since I'm not a card collector anymore, I think back to the time being a kid that had a large collection. What I would've given to have gotten one of those baseball cards with a real signature, instead of one of those printed on autographs and a stale piece of bubble gum.
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For what these guys get paid it is sad they can't sign the darn cards.
I love the scene in "Jerry Maquire" when Tom Cruise, in the beginning, is getting frustrated by what he sees in sports. And one quarterback refuses to sign a card some kid hands him, because it's the brand he doesn't endorse.


text: This is not a map game. I'm sorry for all the guys who liked the map. I tried to map it out but it didn't work. Also, I got the player out of the jungle and didn't steal this one from I Shouldn't be Alive. Hopefully this one will be better.


text: Nestled within easy walking distance of the open-air shopping and fine dining of Levis Commons; minutes from Historic Downtown Perrysburg and I-75/I-475. Beautifully landscaped grounds and a fully-equipped clubhouse create an inviting atmosphere. Each home's sophisticated interior is accented with high ceilings, gourmet kitchens, walk-in closets and energy-efficient designs. We invite you to live luxuriously with a resort-style pool and sunning deck, theater and DVD library, outdoor grilling, private dog park, state-of-the-art fitness center, extensive community rooms, and so much more!


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anonymous user
I have had the privilege of photographing the talented and beautiful ballet dancer, Anna L. Russell. Here she is taking a break during our dance photo session.
Lighting was accomplished by having a strip box, slightly behind and on each side of the model for edge lighting. Each strip box was adjusted to equal light output. Directly in front of model was the fill light, a six foot umbrella with diffusion material on front. The umbrella's light output was adjusted to about 2 f-stops less light than the strip boxes.
Processing was done in Photoshop and Lightroom.
Model/Ballet Dancer - Anna L. Russell
Photographer - Paul Johnston


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Funny, functional, and totally unique flatware products made out of forks and spoon which is another awesome addition to the kitchen supplies line. This Salt and Pepper Grinders Fork stand makes an excellent display for the kitchen counter, bar, restaurant front. Perfect on the table top, right by your Salt and Pepper Stand.
- Handmade in USA.
- Two (2) grinders included with purchase.
- 100% Stainless steel and is dish-washer safe.
- It is welded with a special stainless steel to avoid corrosion, features a rich brushed texture.
- Lifetime Glass Replacement.
Keywords: Forked Up Art, Salt and Pepper Grinders Fork, Handmade, Tableware


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Money 20/20 Asia
Singapore, Asia
2018-03-13 - 2018-03-15
Event overview
"Come for the connections, all the networking and all the things you can learn from other companies." Dan Wernikoff EVP & GM, Intuit Consumer Tax Group
From alternative lending to open banking and augmented intelligence technology to the tokenized economy, APAC's innovation is taking on the world. Money20/20 Asia will bring together senior representatives from across the ecosystem – from the mighty markets of China and India, global financial hubs of Hong Kong and Singapore, innovation centres of Japan, South Korea and Australia and emergent fintech markets such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh, the Philippines and more to connect and create the future of money.
Our focal point is payments, and from this we take a unique, and widening, perspective. We bring together visionaries and innovators from across the spectrum who are inventing new ways to spend, manage, save, borrow, share and protect money.
From the next generation of fintech superstars, established Asian powerhouses and trailblazing start-ups from across the payments, FinTech and financial services ecosystem, the power in Money20/20 is that everyone shaping the future of money is there, every time. They will all be seizing the opportunity to meet the person or land the deal that will change the trajectory of their business.
Every edition of Money20/20 is a potent blend of people, tech, money and ideas that crackles with new potential. We provide the spark, you fuel the progress.
Organizer: Money 20/20Go to the event website


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Art Bridges 2017 : Invitation to The Second International Academic Conference and in the accompanying exhibition entitled Art Bridges - (Un)Common Structures
Call For Papers
Invitation to
The Second International Academic Conference
in the accompanying exhibition entitled
Art Bridges - (Un)Common Structures
On behalf of the organizers we invite you to participate in the second interdisciplinary meeting of scholars, theoreticians of art and culture, artists, designers, educators, and producers-manufacturers during The Second International Conference Art Bridges - (Un)Common Structures
Conference and exhibition Art Bridges - (Un)Common Structures is a cyclical event, bringing together visual artists, theoreticians and art critics. The previous edition of the conference was related to the topic of education and creativity in art education. The Second International Academic Conference with the accompanying exhibition Art Bridges - (Un)Common Structures aims to develop the topic in the field of artistic practices in the daily and festive role of local communities in the context of contemporary culture.
The event will highlight the prevalence, popularity as well as uniqueness and festive character of art and design in human life. The project in its artistic and scholarly assumptions will not only allow for theoretical reflections but also entering the visual space through the works of art of varied subjects in the disciplines of the visual arts (fine arts and design).
The organizers' aim is to create a forum for discussion on trends in art, educational methods and effects brought by teaching activities which take into account the multidisciplinary quality of contemporary artistic message. Interdisciplinary dimension of the project Art Bridges - (Un)Common Structures, which involves many communities, will facilitate a global perspective on the issues undertaken and will enable the exchange of reflections, insights and experiences of participants: artists, theoreticians and educators.
The conference is planned to involve four plenary sessions and talks by speakers from several institutions in Poland and abroad who educate artists and designers, as well as excellent specialists, whose academic, design and artistic activity concerns various areas of art, science and design.
Fabric as inspiration and artistic medium in the shaping of the spatial forms of contemporary (un)commonness.
Individual and collective forms of creating and using textile art.
Artistic creativity in education, including: textile media conforming to traditional and innovative conventions, and new media (non-traditional exhibits, forms and techniques, computer animations, video, installations).
Transformations of artistic projects.
The senses and the experiences of the viewer: tactile, visual, auditory.
Audio description, as a technique which allows for visual artistic works to be accessible verbally.
The synergy of music and visual arts in art and education, their mutual influences and relationships.
Developing and shaping of the aesthetic consciousness in the education process.
Social and cultural spaces of exhibiting art.
Anesthetizing of space and local social environments in the context of art and design.
Conditions of participation in the exhibition
1) Registration of the artworks (visual projects) with the enclosed REGISTRATION FORM OF PARTICIPATION IN THE EXHIBITION Art Bridges - (Un)Common Structures
Each participant may propose from 1 to 3 works in the exhibition. Every visual work can be max. 2m x 2m in size.
The visual works should be technically adapted to be hung and exhibited.
Application for participation in the exhibition should be sent to the organizer's address on the completed Application Form. Simultaneously with the Application Form one should send photos of the artworks: CD - 300 DPI. With the description of the last name, first name, technique, size, year of creative
Deadline: send the required documents until April 30, 2017 to firstname.lastname@example.com
On the basis of the submitted photograph the Jury will qualify works for the exhibition.
The qualification of the work for exhibition will be decided by the jury appointed by the organizing committee of the project, which will be published on April 4, 2017 on the WPA website devoted to Art Bridges 2017, which will present a list of participants of the exhibition as well as by email or telephone to inform the participants about qualification for the exhibition.
The costs of postage, delivery and reception of works are covered by the authors of the works.
The works must be very well protected against damage. The organizer does not insure works and does not take responsibility for any loss or damage of the works during transport.
The organizer reserves the right to invite special guests to participate in the Project.
Each participant of the Project will be able to publish their work, artistic or theoretical, in the catalogue and collective monograph accompanying the Project.
1.The duration of the exhibition: from June 9 to September 30, 2017.
2. The deadline for sending applications for participation in the exhibition along with the set of documentation of works as well as the Application Form: April 30, 2017.
3. Finished works for the exhibition should be delivered until May 10, 2017, to the following address: Art Bridges/Mosty Sztuki 2017, WPA UAM ul. Nowy Świat 28-30, 62-800 Kalisz
3. Deadline for the submissions of conference papers with an abstract (300 words): 05.15.2017.
4. Deadline for submitting finished articles for publication: September 1, 2017.
The condition for qualification for the publication in the multi-authored monograph is compliance with the editorial guidelines and positive reviews.
The planned schedule for the conference:
June 12, 2017 Monday
8 am - 9 am registration of guests and welcoming remarks
1st Session 10 am -1 pm
1 pm Opening of the exhibition Art Bridges - (Un)Common Structures
1.30 pm - 2 pm Break and refreshments
2 pm - 5 pm Second Session
6 pm Concert of Kord-Band, WPA UAM Chamber Hall
7.30 pm Gala dinner
June 13, 2017 Tuesday
3rd Session 9 am - 1 pm
1.30 pm - 2 pm Break and refreshments
4th Session 2 pm - 5 pm
5 pm End of the conference


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Sit back and relax in this beautiful villa! Casale degli Erei is the newest addition to the soloSicily collection and it is quite the find. Nestled in rolling countryside, surrounded by vines, This estate has so much space and exceptional facilities including a pool, a jacuzzi, a sauna and even a Turkish bath! Feel your cares drift away in this slice of Sicilian paradise.
Why come here? Near the villa there are several charming and authentic small Sicilian towns. Visit Piazza Armerina with its impressive Chiesa Madre and lovely views. The highlight of the area is without a doubt the stunning Villa Romana del Casale - a UNESCO recognised Roman villa with the most wondrous mosaics. Don't miss out on this incredible sight!
A week at Casale degli Erei starts from € 3000 (£ 2668) with soloSicily.com, t. 020 7097 1413.
Fly to Comiso Airport (RyanAir from London Stansted).
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Pastel Watercolour Cake with David Austin Rose x The Cake Botanist (NEW)
The Cake Botanist will take you through the basics to icing a cake, achieving crisp edges, using edible colours to create watercolour textures and mastering the techniques to making this stunning David Austin Sugar flower rose.
This course is aimed at students of who have done some cake decorating before, although beginners are more than welcome to come and learn too. The Cake botanist will demonstrate every technique and give you the cake confidence you need to go further and create more show stopping cakes!
You will learn the difference between sugarpaste and florist paste, how to blend colours on cakes, how to make large statement sugar flowers that can be used for any occasion.
About the Course
On this course you will learn:
- Learn how to mask a layered cake and use a acrylic ganaching plates and achieve sharp edges even with ganache
- How to work with Sugar Florist Paste and its unique properties from sugarpaste and other pastes
- How to work with various cutters and sugar flower modeling tools to shape flowers and give them a delicate finish
- How to sugarpaste sponge cakes and give them sharper edges
- How to work with sugar flower tints and dust sugar flowers to make them have that professional finish
- How to use edible tints to brush, blend and create watercolour effects on cakes
- How to assemble and style your flowers onto a cake to make it stand out
Plus a lot of skills and advice given to you that you can't find online and of course everything you have made in the class
Instructor Details
Naomi Lee (Guest Instructor)
Born in the UK and raised in Singapore, Naomi Lee is a professionally trained Pastry Chef. She graduated from Le Cordon Bleu, Paris, and then went on to work with the world famous Pierre Hermé, Paris specialising in French Patisserie. She also trained at the Valrhona Chocolate School in Tokyo and UFM International Baking School, Bangkok.


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While snowbound on the East Coast, we've been fantasizing about escaping to less brutal climes. And we've found some excellent fuel for these fantasies: Taschen's 100 Getaways Around the World, a stunning selection of the world's most innovative hotels and guesthouses. From a glammed-up Swedish treehouse to a camp of sci fi-esque "eco-pods" in Switzerland to a desert resort in Abu Dhabi, this is hospitality at its most inventive. Some of the spots are cozy, affordable bed and breakfasts; others are glitterati favorites and dizzyingly priced. Here, 10 of the 100 getaways:
The Treehotel
Located in Harrads, a village in the north of Sweden, the Treehotel promises to fulfill childhood fantasies of living in the treetops like Tarzan. Six different "treerooms" and a freestanding sauna perch in branches 13 to 20 feet off the ground. The UFO room is, yes, shaped like an alien pod, and the Mirrorcube–literally, a cube with mirrored exteriors–reflects the surrounding natural beauty, which sometimes includes the Aurora Borealis. While many treehouse getaways have cropped up around the world of late, this one is the most design-forward of the bunch: the rooms are eco-friendly, with hydroelectric underfloor heating, and instead of a sewage system, each has an electric-powered combustion toilet that incinerates waste at 1,112 F.
The Whitepod
More than 4,000 feet above sea level in the heart of the Swiss Alps, this cluster of 15 geodesic domes resembles a sci-fi movie set. Covered in white canvas in the snowy winter and green canvas in the summer, these futuristic igloos camouflage into the surrounding mountains. The pods are lit by lanterns and heated by wood-burning stoves. Visiting pod-people pay up to $400 a night in winter.
Casa Zinc, in Punta Del Este, Uruguay
Designer and antiques dealer Arron Hojman originally intended to open a new showroom for his favorite vacation-home pieces, but the space somehow turned into this hotel. His six-room getaway is decorated with odd junkshop finds–apothecary jars, soda bottles, and vintage globes and radios. Most of the hotel's furniture, too, is recycled: Hojman used reclaimed doors, vintage lightshades, repurposed chairs from an elementary school, and windows salvaged from a defunct train station in Uruguay. With a façade of corrugated zinc, the Casa manages to make an industrial aesthetic charming instead of alienating. And unlike some of the other resorts in this book, this magpie hideaway doesn't cost an arm and a leg–rooms are about $160.
Golden Rock Inn, Gingerland, Nevis, Caribbean
Created from the buildings of a 19th-century sugar plantation, this dreamy compound was restored and expanded in 2009 by New-York based art stars Brice and Helen Marden. Along with the aptly named landscape architect Raymond Jungles, they painted the doors of its 11 stone cottages with sumptuous reds and oranges and designed sprawling gardens, rock sculptures, and stone footpaths.
The Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara, Abu Dhabi
Built in one of the largest uninterrupted sand deserts in the world, this 212-roomed resort seems a quixotic hallucination–in fact, its name translates to "Mirage Place." Built by 5,000 workers over the course of three years, the resort's palatial villas feature an amoeba-shaped pool, views of camel crossings, a world-class spa, and gourmet restaurants.
For more dreamy escapes, click the slide show above. 100 Getaways Around the World, edited by Margit J. Mayer, is available from Taschen for $59.99 here.


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Nothing screams "luxury" and "I'm amazing and you are a peasant" like a gigantic two-door coupe. And at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance this week, Maybach looks set to debut a coupe that will indeed make you feel like the inadequate wage-slave you are. Meet the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Concept, or at least, the front of it.
The full car won't be released until later this week, but today Maybach—now integrated into the Mercedes brand rather than a separate one—revealed the face of the coupe concept. Also its name, which is a bit clunky but fine I suppose.
Other details remain scarce, but I predict the car will have a huge enormous engine and an opulent beautiful interior that is nicer than your house.


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Mario Bresciani Artist
- 17 Monthly showcase visits
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- 7 Click on links
Artist eclectic classically trained academic, expert in applied arts.
Painter, restorer, designer, sculptor (Statue, architectures), production designer cinema / theater, props maker, artist mockup. cartoonist in his spare time .. (Very few).
If you look for constructive creativity .. concretization of ideas, even socks, but only in limited geographical area on the planet earth .. Happy ..! Have under-click the right person.
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text: "What General Weygand called the Battle of France is over. I expect that the Battle of Britain is about to begin. Upon this battle depends the survival of Christian civilization. Upon it depends our own British life, and the long continuity of our institutions and our Empire. The whole fury and might of the enemy must very soon be turned on us. Hitler knows that he will have to break us in this Island or lose the war. If we can stand up to him, all Europe may be free and the life of the world may move forward into broad, sunlit uplands. But if we fail, then the whole world, including the United States, including all that we have known and cared for, will sink into the abyss of a new Dark Age made more sinister, and perhaps more protracted, by the lights of perverted science. Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that, if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say, This was their finest hour." W.C. I don't have the time to state all losses for the Battle but I would like to pick one aircraft from each side per day as a tribute to the bravery shown during that Summer in 1940. For full figures and stats for the BofB see After The Battle - The Battle of Britain Then & Now All stats for the RAF are listed as Fighter Command unless stated.


text: Sunday sees us play one of our biggest games for years with a Challenge Cup semi-final spot at stake. Indeed if you listen to the bulls fans this is our cup final, Lol! Here's hoping we have some of our players back after the disapointment of Batley. Tangata should go better with a game under his belt and Grix too. I think it's a must to have QLT back, he certainly adds that something special to our attack and also hope BK is fit again. A repeat of the last two games against the bulls with a 50/50 in reffing calls and I would think we might just be o.k. Let's hope for a massive following, make the noise, paint the tip blue & white and see where that takes us. Up The Fax!


text: Singapore: A Biography You are here: Home Learn Resources Publications National Museum of Singapore Singapore: A Biography Share this page Facebook Twitter Email Singapore was not always the orderly and successful city-state that it appears to be now. Over the last seven centuries, the island has undergone several changes of identity.In this entertaining and wide-ranging account, drawn from research undertaken in collaboration with the National Museum of Singapore, Mark Ravinder Frost and Yu-Mei Balasingamchow present Singapore's mercurial life-story as experienced by the people who participated in it.Singapore: A Biography brings together a Ming-dynasty travelogue, 19th-centry memoirs and correspondence, modern oral histories and rven radio and television broadcast to reconnect a contemporary audience with the Singapore story. ISBN 978-981-4217-62-0 (Paperback) Published by Iskander Mydin | Cheryl-Ann Low Mei Gek | Jason Toh | Wong Hong Suen Publishers National Museum of Singapore Publication type Books Published Year 2009


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John Kim, now with US Kids Golf, has seen places and met people in golf you would not believe. John tells his story of how an obsession with the game lead to a long, incredible career in golf. He also shares a concept that could very well change the way golf is played across the globe.
Follow John on Twitter @johnkim.


text: Headlines Trending Videos Bulloch Public Safety Savannah man admits attempting to hire a hit man in murder plot Higher Education CSU Faculty Member Named as Grammy Award Semifinalist Crime & Safety 'Operation Who's Laughing Now' Sends Final Defendant to Federal Prison Business Georgia Ports Authority Provides State of the Port Address Business Georgia Power employees have raised more than $2 million in support of cancer research Georgia Politics BREAKDOWN: 3 Ballot Questions for Georgia Voters in November 2020 Bulloch Local News Latest COVID-19 Update for Bulloch County (Archive: Apr. 30, 2020 thru Sept. 30, 2020) Camden Local Government Dereliction of Duty: Brunswick DA's Office Reportedly Refusing to Assist Police Georgia News Arbery Family Friend Says DA Jackie Johnson Continued to Meet with Family Despite Recusal Bulloch Public Safety 10/15/2020 Booking Report for Bulloch County Camden Local Spotlight After IRMA: How is Camden County recovering? Glynn Local News Friends and family mourn the loss of two loved ones who drowned on Mother's Day on SSI Local Gov't Around GA Douglas Citizen Ejected From Heated Town Hall Meeting huerta5 huerta7


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think-cell helps you to quickly create professional, data-driven charts in PowerPoint. But what about automating periodic reports, or using a web service to create charts based on your parameters, or exporting your business intelligence reports as PowerPoint slides? Using think-cell's automation, you can do this quickly with your Excel or JSON data, and without the mistakes commonly found in a manual process. All you need is:
Let's begin by creating a PowerPoint presentation with a think-cell chart and a text box for the slide title as an automation template:
The initial data is not important as it will later be replaced programmatically by the real data.
The next step is to create programmatic logic which will merge your Excel or JSON data with the template slide.
With the process above you can create presentations with arbitrary combinations of think-cell charts. You can prepare a library of all the chart types you need and, as required, versions with different chart decorations enabled. Then, you can freely combine these templates and supply them with data for use in a new presentation using either Excel or JSON.
Note: This approach replaces the need for a general API to create charts and add chart decorations, which is not supported.


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Oranges And Sunshine adapts the true story of Margaret Humphreys, a social worker from Nottingham who, in the 80s, brought to light a scandalous process of child deportation supported by the British government. It is also the feature debut of Jim Loach, son of Ken.
Things begin slowly. We are introduced to Humphreys (Emily Watson) an everyday social worker who stumbles upon a remarkable and horrifying facet of recent British history. The film's story is not one that I was familiar with and I imagine the same will be true of many people, including some who lived through the period, and as such it carries with it (or did for me, at least) a certain weight of revelation.
Given that the story is true, or based on truth, it seems a little silly to try to avoid 'spoilers' but if people don't know the details, then it's better to leave them untold. Suffice it to say that Humphreys uncovers a terrible, systematic deportation of young children to Australia, children who were lured there under promises of 'oranges and sunshine' and other such niceties. Jim Loach's directorial style is by no means a carbon copy of his father's, but it does share a similarly naturalist, no-frills-attached sort of aesthetic which suits the material well. His presence is so subtle that even beautiful shots of Australian countryside and sea views don't seem glamourised at all.
It isn't necessarily easy to get into. At first it seems a little austere, a little muddled, and there are one or two instances of laboured scripting that get in the way somewhat, for example in early scenes where Humpreys and her husband discuss, quite clearly so we can understand, exactly what it is they're going to be doing. But luckily this doesn't last too long. It takes a little while to settle in, but when it does it finds a pleasing rhythm. Watson, too, seems to grow in confidence in her role as things move along. By the end she is fully convincing as an ordinary citizen turned whistle-blower, and she crucially carries absolutely no hint of self-satisfaction about what her efforts are beginning to achieve.
The film brightens up – both visually and, to a certain extent, tonally – when Humphreys makes her way to Australia and sets up her Child Migrants Trust. It is in Australia, too, that Aussie actors David Wenham and Hugo Weaving are able to make an impression on things. Their supporting turns – as victims of the deportation scheme – are moving in different ways. Weaving is likable in his edgy role as Jack, a man who has never felt whole, and Wenham is excellent as Len, the deeply hurt man who has locked his emotions away inside. There is a beautiful moment towards the end when Len takes Margaret to visit the site of his childhood. At first his motives are unclear, but it becomes obvious after a time that he has suffered, and that, in a perverse way, he needs the outpouring of Margaret's emotions to clarify the thoughts in his own head. It's a subtle, nuanced performance that deserves credit.
As a depiction of real events, Loach's film feels sincere without eulogising over the woman behind it all. The fact that Margaret Humphreys may well be deserving of praise is another matter – the film is sensible enough not to saint her before our eyes; we can decide to do that ourselves. It has a few dips here and there, and the first act is unfortunately the weakest, but overall this is a story worth telling, well told.


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By Michael D. Mosettig
For two top officials of a beleaguered French government, their mission to Washington had multiple purposes: to reassert their country's central role in the war against the ISIS and Al Qaeda terrorist networks and to reassure opinion leaders that the European Union can rebound from the shock of Brexit.
A gathering of foreign and defense ministers from 60 nations, called to review and reinvigorate the war on terrorist groups, drew the French officials to Washington. They used the occasion, even as their nation is reeling from the third devastating terrorist attack in less than a year, to reach beyond the official meetings to sympathetic think tank audiences.
In the U.S. capital, where flags have been at half-staff for much of the month to mark a series of murderous assaults, the words of the French ministers fell on receptive ears: to fight terrorism while preserving liberties. And while steering clear of U.S. politics or specific references to Donald Trump, both ministers referred to populism that is surging throughout the West.
"We are determined to preserve what we are," Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault told an audience at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
"We must guarantee the security of our citizens while preserving our life and liberties," Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said to another gathering at the Brookings Institution.
The ministerial meetings in Washington and at a nearby military base focused on the campaign against ISIS, specifically the military effort to roll back the group's hold on territory in Iraq and Syria.
But as Le Drian emphasized, the struggle is multi-layered, beyond taking the fight to the terrorist groups to throttling their propaganda campaigns which have drawn hundreds of French and European citizens to the fighting in the Middle East. Even as progress is being made in the Middle East, Le Drian is supervising the deployment of 10,000 French military in his country's cities to help defend against home-grown terrorist attacks, most recently in Nice that killed more than 80 people.
Both ministers also tried to assure Americans still in disbelief about the June 23 Brexit vote. For Defense Minister Le Drian, the message was that France and Britain would remain allied as the only nuclear armed powers in Europe and capable of projecting military force beyond their borders.
More of Ayrault's talk was focused on Brexit, which he acknowledged "poses the image of a Europe in crisis." While calling for open and transparent exit negotiations, the minister insisted a single market had to include goods, services, capital and people.
"You cannot have one without the other," he said.
And he asserted that Europeans have to fight the temptation of an introverted Europe that is now doubly posed by terrorism and Brexit.
While offering few details, Ayrault said one of his priorities at the Quai d'Orsay would be to strengthen ties between France and Germany "in the service of the European project."
As if there were any doubts in his audience about the somber challenges facing France and Europe, Ayrault ended his talk with references to two of the darkest moments in his country's 20th century history: the 1938 Munich negotiations that sacrificed Czechoslovakia to Nazi Germany and France's submission under Marshal Philippe Petain to Nazi occupation in 1940.
"France is threatened," he said. "We cannot put democracy in parentheses."


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5 Things to Consider When Wavering Between iOS and Androidby QArea Expert on April 28, 2015
What's the Challenge?
When you're set to build a native mobile app, you should be ready for much work if you are developing for one platform already, no need to mention two or three platforms. Thus, you'll likely have to hire iOS developers or any other you need to do the work. Luckily, it's clearly seen that Android and iOS are top mobile platforms in the market today, so you need to choose one of these to ensure your app's potential profit.
When you don't have a strong preference but faced with such a choice, ground your decision on the following considerations.
5 Things for Consideration:
Your visitors may love one platform more than the other.
If you have a website, the visitors' statistics will help you find out where the majority of your visitors come from, Android or iOS. If you are building a native app for the first time, it makes sense to hold research to learn what platform your target audience prefers more.
Tablets are used widely.
Both Android and iOS are not only used in mobile devices, they are tablet operational systems as well. That means you should compare the number of tablet users on iOS and Android and opt for the platform with the most users. As Android tablets have a great share, iPad looks like the winner nowadays.
Your dev team has certain skills and preferences.
Talk to your mobile dev team to learn what technologies they are more familiar with, what they can and can't, even if you are going to hire some third party iOS or Android developers to do the job.
Monetization is a common thing.
If you are considering app monetization, you should decide on the appropriate mobile platform to do that. The opinion that Android mobile users don't pay anything for apps is only partly true while it's absolutely for sure that iOS users are much more willing to pay. Consider how you can get payments from both of the platforms, but when it comes to monetization, iOS should be the platform for your initial launch.
You may not need to choose at all.
In reality, you'll not know for sure everything you need until your app goes live. Whether you try your hand first at iOS, then at Android or the other way round, the most important is that you learn from your initial release and put what you've learned into the next one, for the other platform. The thing is that no matter which one you start with, you'll need to adapt your app for another the other OS to double your profit.
Contact us for further guidance and support!


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All Kind of Zipper Repair in Model Shoes Renew
Is the zipper to your favorite boot, handbag or purse broken? We can fix that. Here at Model Shoe Renew, we do not mess around. Check out some of our work below. To browse our large selection of colorful zippers for all your repair needs such as jackets, backpacks, bags, purses, briefcases, shoes, and boots click here.


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You may know Kerry Washington from her roles in the TV series Scandal and the films Ray, The Last King of Scotland, and Django Unchained . She also played the character of the Thing's wife in the film series Fantastic Four. Do you notice any difference from how she looked back then and now?
A lot of people noticed that she looks a lot different now from how she looked back then. She's said to have gotten a nose job, eyelid surgery, cheek augmentation, and botox. If it's true that she had these jobs done, it's a good thing that she doesn't have that waxy and unnatural look that can be associated with plastic surgery.
What do you think about the rumors that's plaguing this 38 year old actress? Share with us your take on this by leaving some comments below.


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Spongebob Squarepants: Trail of the Snail
Spongebob Squarepants Online Games Trail Of The Snail Game. SpongeBob took the Dirty Bubble Challenge and became so obsessed with paddle ball he didn't notice his most beloved mollusk was missing! Now it's up to you to help him find Gary.
Spongebob Squarepants: Trail of the Snail is a cool game which you can play for free online at GamesSoCool.Spongebob Squarepants: Trail of the Snail is one of the coolCartoon,Puzzle,Matching,Spongebob games to play similar games of cool, check out or or the all time best cool games page.


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Unlocking the hydrocarbon potential of Ethiopia.
In January 2012, with the addition of the Gambella acreage, SouthWest Energy became one of the top 10 oil and gas acreage holders in east Africa. As of October 2020, SouthWest Energy holds this position in east Africa's top 10 and continues to hold a leading acreage position in the Ogaden Basin, Ethiopia's largest proven hydrocarbon system.


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The Importance of Trust and User Experience in Search Engine Optimization
In the "Ask the SEOs" Q&A session at SMX West 2011, Danny Sullivan, Bruce Clay, Greg Boser, Vanessa Fox, Todd Friesen, Jill Whalen and Stephen Spencer discussed all things SEO, talking about current trends, future trends and SEO best practices.
In this spirited Q&A session, some of our favorite SEO experts offered their insights, advice and tips on everyday SEO questions and practices. The focus of the session was the importance of trust and user experience in creating the best, most valuable, and most trustworthy site on the web. Some key takeaways from the session:
- Focus on User Experience
- Understand your users, the intent of the search query and provide the most valuable information with clear conversion elements for that search.
- Create Quality Content
- Quality content enhances user experience. Make content relevant to the search query, easy to share and "like" on social media channels.
- Engage with Social Media
- Social signals are the new trustable link building opportunities. Engage with your market and create opportunities for your links to be shared.
- Integrate with PPC
- Share analytics between PPC and Organic to capitalize on the keywords that are already converting traffic.
- Optimize across Multiple Channels
- Now that local, social, mobile, PPC and organic are all merging together to help populate the most relevant search results, integrating these efforts helps to saturate all elements of search.
The overall consensus from the speakers? Build trust. Creating a great website for your users (one that is relevant, user friendly and trustworthy) and enhancing that great website with SEO, social media and local best practices, is the best way to generate traffic, convert visitors and stay on the search engine's good side.
Danny Sullivan, Bruce Clay, Greg Boser, Vanessa Fox, Todd Friesen, Jill Whalen and Stephen Spencer
Contributed by: Meagan Hasenoehrl, e-Strategist, Milestone Internet Marketing


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Being on holiday should leave you feeling rested, refreshed and rejuvenated.
Here at FreshEast, we offer you the chance to do just that at one of the most beautiful locations in the British Isles - the Pembrokeshire Coast.
You are welcome to take a look at our gallery below of the surrounding area and to read up on what we offer (including photos of the property itself).
We look forward to hearing from you, and will be pleased to answer any questions you may have.
Is this the first step towards your next holiday?
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