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Herpetology was an event for the 2019 and 2018 seasons in Division B and Division C that dealt with the identification and life science of different specimens of amphibians and reptiles. It will be replaced by Ornithology for the 2020 season.
This article mainly deals with the general concepts of this event. Specific identification info can be found on Herpetology/Herpetology List.
The official taxonomy list used for this event for the 2019 season can be found here. States may also have their own lists, which can be found on the respective state's website.
- 1 General Herpetology Knowledge
- 1.1 Amphibians vs. Reptiles
- 1.2 Skull Morphology
- 1.3 Thermoregulation
- 1.4 Internal Anatomy
- 1.5 Reproduction
- 1.6 Behavior
- 1.7 Conservation
- 1.8 Ecology
- 2 Anatomy of Major Groups
- 3 General Advice
- 4 Sample Questions
- 5 References
- 6 Further Reading
General Herpetology Knowledge
Amphibians vs. Reptiles
From an evolutionary standpoint, reptiles are considered more "advanced" than amphibians because they evolved an amniotic egg, which contains amniotic fluid to provide moisture to the developing embryo. Thanks to this adaptation, many groups of reptiles were able to sever their ties with aquatic environments and colonize land, unlike their amphibian counterparts.
|"Two lives"
|"To crawl or creep"
|Anamniotic: The embryo is surrounded by a vitelline membrane, and the egg is composed of jellylike layers. It has a moist and spongy exterior.
|Amniotic: Tough and leathery outer shell, contains amniotic fluid to provide moisture to the developing embryo.
|Fertilization Method
|Internal or External
|Internal only
|Generally rely on water
|Generally terrestrial
|Moist glandular skin
|Keratinized, rough skin/scales
|Lobe-finned fishes
|Often webbed, without claws
|Clawed, less often webbed
|Lungs, skin, and/or gills
|Lungs, skin in rare cases.
|Urine Composition
|Most: Uric acids; Turtles: Urea
Skull Morphology
This event doesn't generally test extremely intricate specifics about amphibian/reptile skull morphology, but students should be familiar with the following major groups:
- Anapsids: The skull has no temporal fenestrae (openings). Turtles, salamanders, and frogs/toads are anapsids.
- Synapsids: The skull has only one temporal fenestra (opening, lower). Mammals, including humans, are synapsids.
- Diapsids: The skull has two temporal fenestrae (openings). Lizards, snakes, and crocodilians are diapsids.
All amphibians and reptiles are ectothermic, which means that they rely on external sources of heat to maintain their body temperature. This is also sometimes referred to as "cold-blooded," but this is misleading as the animal's blood is not "cold," but rather they are simply unable to regulate their own internal temperatures.
The alternative to this is endothermy, which birds and mammals exhibit. Endothermic animals can regulate their internal body temperature, and they are not dependent on external heat sources.
Other thermoregulation-related vocabulary that may be tested in Herpetology includes:
- Heliotherm: An animal that basks in the Sun's heat to regulate its body temperature; Many species of snakes, lizards, and turtles exhibit heliothermy.
- Heterotherm: An animal that can switch between poikilothermic and homeothermic strategies. For example, bats and hummingbirds are homeothermic when active and poikilothermic at rest.
- Homeotherm: An animal that maintains its body temperature at a constant level; Homeotherms are not necessarily endothermic: Many reptiles are considered homeothermic because they use behavioral methods to keep their body temperature constant.
- Kleptothermy: A form of thermoregulation in which an animals share metabolic heat; Animals may huddle together to conserve heat, but kleptothermy isn't necessarily reciprocal. Some male garter snakes produce "trick" female pheromones after emerging from hibernation, causing another male to cover them in an attempt to mate. The male "steals" heat through kleptothermy and uses it to his advantage when trying to find a true mate.
- Parietal Eye/"Third Eye": A light-sensitive structure on top of some lizards' heads that plays a role in thermoregulation.
- Poikilotherm: An animal whose internal temperature varies considerably; The opposite of a homeotherm.
- Regional heterothermy: The ability to maintain different temperature zones in different regions of the body.
- Thigmothermy: Obtaining heat by lying against a warm object, such as the ground; Often seen in snakes, Lacertidae, Scincidae, and Teiidae.
Internal Anatomy
Circulatory System: consists of two loops.
- Pulmonary loop - from heart to lungs and back
- Systemic loop - from heart to body tissues and back
Hearts in all herps other than crocodiles consists of two atria and one ventricle somewhat divided by a septum. Contraction of heart keeps oxygenated and deoxygenated blood separate even though ventricle isn't completely divided. In crocodiles, two atria and ventricles exist.
There are two main ways in which adult amphibians respire:
- Pulmonary respiration - breathing through lung by positive-pressure breathing
- Cutaneous respiration - respiration through the skin
Nervous System: brain is similarly sized (relatively) in amphibians and reptiles.
In reptiles, the cerebrum (used for controlling behavior) is larger than amphibians. Optic lobes are also large, due to the fact that many reptiles rely on sight for hunting. Some reptiles and amphibians have nictitating membrane which is a transparent,movable membrane that covers the eyes allowing them to see with their 'eyelids' closed.
Hearing is also important. Sound waves heat the tympanum and then are transferred to the inner ear through the columella. Snakes lack a tympanum and are effectively deaf. They are however able to sense vibrations caused by sound through a touch. They detect these ground vibrations which are transferred to columella by the bones of jaw.
The Jacobson's organ is an extra sense organ in the roof of the mouth of reptiles. This organ is used to detect scents in the air. Reptiles use their forked tongue to gather chemicals from the environment and transfer it to the back of their mouth. These scent chemicals are then analyzed by the brain to find prey by using the two segments of the forked tongue independently gathering scent, and determining in the brain the direction of the scent through the sensitivity on each fork. While reptiles can smell with their nostrils, the jacobson organ is vastly more sensitive and important.
Another 'sixth' sense is present in pit vipers. A heat-sensitive pit beneath eyes allows the snake to detect heat. This allows them to locate warm blooded prey instantly in any light.
Sexual reproduction involves combining of two sets of genetic material, while asexual reproduction produces genetically identical offspring. All reptiles and amphibians reproduce sexually, with the exception of some parthenogenetic whiptails, geckos, rock lizards, Komodo dragons, snakes, frogs, and toads. Parthenogenesis occurs when eggs can develop without fertilization, and parthenogenetic species are sometimes unisexual, containing exclusively members of one sex.
Fertilization: The joining of egg and sperm
- Internal Fertilization: Fertilized within female's reproductive tract
- Copulation: The union of the male and female sex organs
- External Fertilization: Fertilized outside of the female's body
|Internal Fertilization
|External Fertilization
Reptilian patterns of reproduction are divided based on how long eggs stay within female and how the developing embryo is provided with nutrition.
- Oviparity: "Typical" egg-laying; Females lay internally fertilized eggs which then undergo an incubation period before hatching.
- Ovuliparity: Females lay unfertilized eggs which males fertilize externally.
- Ovoviviparity: "Halfway" between laying eggs and giving live birth: Eggs develop inside of the female's body and either hatch while still inside of her or very shortly after being laid. Also spelled "ovovivipary" or "ovivipary."
- Viviparity: Live birth: Shell is not formed around an egg, and young mature in female's body while receiving nutrients by placenta.
Reproduction is also characterized by the number of times that an organism reproduces during its lifespan. Iteroparous organisms engage in multiple reproductive events during their lifetime, while semelparous organisms only reproduce once. Nearly all amphibians and reptiles are iteroparous.
Mating systems vary based on how whether males and females mate with multiple partners, differentiated as follows:
- Monogamy: One male mates with one female exclusively
- Polygamy: Any form of non-monogamous mating.
- Polygynandry: Multiple males mate indiscriminately with multiple females
- Polygyny: One male gets exclusive mating rights with several females
- Polyandry: One female gets exclusive mating rights with several males
- Cuckoldry: Mostly in fish, a variant of polyandry dominated by large and aggressive males
Courtship refers to behavior performed typically by males with the intention of persuading a female to mate. The following table outlines common courtship behavior in each major group on the Official List:
|Common Behaviors
|Order Crocodylida (Crocodiles & Alligators)
|Females may initiate; Jaw-slaps, roaring/bellowing, dominance, subordination displays, tactile communication such as underwater vibrations of the male's trunk
|Order Testudines (Turtles)
|Some territorial males may fight to establish a dominance hierarchy. Mating typically occurs underwater, and males flutter their forelimbs and claws in the female's face, bite the female's head/neck, and mount her.
|Suborder Lacertilia/Sauria (Lizards)
|Males may do "push-ups," bob their heads, and fight to establish a dominance hierarchy. Male anoles may change color and extend their dewlaps.
|Suborder Serpentes (Snakes)
|Females release pheromones trails for males to follow. Males court females by bumping their chin on the back of the female's head crawling over her. During copulation, the male will wrap his tail around the female's and meet at the cloaca.
|Order Caudata/Urodela (Salamanders)
|Courtship is less elaborate in salamanders, but males and females may stimulate each other's cloacas or wiggle their tails. Some males possess nuptial pads to help grasp females during mating, and others have a hedonic gland to secrete a substance used in sexual attraction/stimulation.
|Order Anura/Salentia (Frogs/Toads)
|Males call to attract females, and the male with the loudest call is most likely to find a mate. Nuptial pads and sticky skin secretions may be present. See below for information about amplexus.
- Hemipenes: Paired copulatory organs of male snakes and lizards.
Other courtship practices include:
- Sexual cannibalism: A female animal kills and consumes a male before, during, or after copulation, confers fitness advantages to males and females
- Sexual coercion: Males dominate females sexually by force and size.
- Tournament species: Members of one sex (usually males) compete for mates.
- Lekking: Males assembling at a communal breeding location and attract females using competitive displays.
- Mating Ball: Multiple male snakes court one female at once, swarming over her in order to form a ball.
- Natal Homing: The tendency to return to one's birthplace to mate.
- Storing of Sperm: Many females have the ability to store male spermatophores (packets of sperm) in their spermathecae (sperm-storing organs) for months or years, which allows them to delay egg-laying until conditions are suitable and produce eggs with multiple fathers in the same clutch.
Frogs and toads have a unique method of reproduction known as amplexus, which involves the male grasping the female from behind to that the external fertilization is successful. There are two main types of amplexus:
- Inguinal Amplexus occurs when the male grasps the female around her waist, and it is considered to be the more primitive of the two types.
- Axillary Amplexus occurs when the male grasps the female around her armpits, and it is considered more "advanced" from an evolutionary standpoint because it brings the cloacae closer together, which allows for more efficient fertilization.
With some exceptions, most amphibians and reptiles have an egg stage in their life cycle. The term "gravid" refers to a female who is pregnant, bearing eggs or developing young. Some lizards, snakes, and crocodilians have a carbuncle or egg tooth, a specialized structure used to break the egg shell from the inside.
A very important differentiation between amphibian and reptile eggs is that reptile eggs are amniotic, which means that provide amniotic fluid to the developing embryo.
Life Cycle
- Heterochrony: Developmental change in the timing or rate of events leading to changes in size and shape
- Neoteny: Delayed somatic development with constant reproductive development, leads to paedomorphism, e.g. larval gills in adult salamanders in axolotls (family Ambystomatidae, Ambystoma mexicanum)
- Progenesis/paedogenesis: Constant somatic development with accelerated reproductive development, leads to paedomorphism
- Paedomorphism: Retention of larval traits of adults
Sex Determination
Unlike humans, some reptiles exhibit temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD), in which the sex of offspring is not controlled by genetics, but instead by the temperature of the nest during the middle 1/3 of incubation (often referred to as the TSP, or thermosensitive period). TSD is seen in crocodilians, turtles, and some lizards. Scientists are unsure about the evolutionary origin or function of TSD, but two hypotheses include:
- "Phylogenetic Inertia": TSD was present in the groups' ancestor, and it was maintained because it was adaptively neutral.
- Natural selection would favor TSD in developmental environments where one sex has a survival advantage over the other.
Because climate change is causing global changes in temperature, scientists fear that it may be harming the sex ratios of many reptiles, especially sea turtles (family Cheloniidae). Many species with Pattern IA and II (see below) will nest earlier to preserve their sex ratios.
There are three primary types of TSD that are typical of reptiles:
- Pattern IA has a single transition zone, and eggs will hatch males if the temperature is below it and female if the temperature is above it. Most turtles follow this pattern of TSD.
- Pattern IB is similar to Pattern IA, but females hatch if the temperature is below the transition zone and males hatch at temperatures above the transition zone. It is seen in tuataras, lizard-like reptiles endemic to New Zealand which were not on the Official Herpetology List for the 2018-2019 season.
- Pattern II has two separate transition zones. Intermediate temperatures produce mostly males, while females are produced at both extremes. Lizards, turtles, and some crocodilians follow this pattern of TSD.
Hermaphroditism is a condition that occurs when a given individual in a species possesses both male and female reproductive organs or can alternate between possessing first one and then the other, usually sequential from female to male (protogyny), less common for a male to switch to a female (protandry). Reptiles and amphibians are generally not hermaphrodites, and it is important not to confuse hermaphroditism with parthenogenesis. Reptiles and amphibians are most commonly gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious, which means that males and females are distinct organisms.
- Fossorial: Adapted to digging and living underground
- Natatorial: Specialized for swimming
- Benthic: Living on the benthos (bottom of an ocean, lake, or river)
- Motile: Having the capacity to move from one place to another
- Sessile/Sedentary: Fixed in one place
Daily Activity Patterns
Because all amphibians and reptiles are ectotherms, much of their behavior is governed by their need to maintain an appropriate body temperature. Many ectotherms have optimum temperatures of function (due to the optimum temperatures of enzymes), which causes many species in cooler habitats to be diurnal (active primarily during the day) and many species in hotter habitats to be nocturnal (active primarily during the night).
- Torpor: A state of decreased physiological activity, usually by a reduced body temperature and metabolic rate, some reptiles undergo this during short cooling periods, reptiles usually do not undergo this in the winter, mammals undergo this during hibernation
- Crepuscular: Active during dawn and dusk (twilight)
- Matutinal: Active during morning, wake up earlier than diurnal organisms, mostly bees
- Vespertine: Active during evening, wake up at around the same time as nocturnal, become active before nocturnal organisms
- Dormancy: A period in an organism's life cycle when growth, development, and physical activity are temporarily stopped, minimizes metabolic activity and helps an organism conserve energy
- Predictive dormancy: When an organism enters a dormant phase before the onset of adverse conditions
- Consequential dormancy: When an organism enters a dormant phase after the onset of adverse conditions
- Hibernation: Mechanism used by many mammals to reduce energy expenditure and survive food shortage over the winter, prepares by building up body fat, undergoes many physiological changes including decreased heart rate (by as much as 95%) and decreased body temperature
- Diapause: Predictive delay in development in response to regular and recurring periods of adverse environmental conditions, predetermined by an animal's genotype
- Estivation/aestivation: Consequential dormancy in response to very hot or dry conditions
- Brumation: Reptiles generally begin brumation in late autumn (more specific times depend on the species). They often wake up to drink water and return to "sleep". They can go for months without food. Reptiles may eat more than usual before the brumation time but eat less or refuse food as the temperature drops. However, they do need to drink water. The brumation period is anywhere from one to eight months depending on the air temperature and the size, age, and health of the reptile. During the first year of life, many small reptiles do not fully brumate, but rather slow down and eat less often. Brumation is triggered by lack of heat and the decrease in the hours of daylight in winter, similar to hibernation. This differs from hibernation because the reptiles do not go into a sleeping state. Originally proposed by Mayhew (1965) "to indicate winter dormancy in ectothermic vertebrates that demonstrate physiological changes which are independent of body temperature."
Note: Hibernation and brumation are sometimes used interchangeably for reptiles and amphibians.
Populations of various reptiles have diminished for several reasons. First of all is their (or their eggs) use as food in many cultures. (Snapping Turtle soup is actually quite tasty.) "Rattlesnake roundups" have occured in some states as recreational activities. Snakes are gathered to be killed by visitors who do so in belief that killing snakes protect public. Every year in Sweetwater, Texas, about 1% of the entire rattlesnake population of Texas is slaughtered. Some attendees claim that this is justified due to the fact that they collect venom, however the venom is useless for most any research as it is not collected in a sterile environment. Some are also gathered for use as folk medicine. Snake venom has use in medical research. Habitat destruction is also hurting various populations.
Amphibian populations have been mysteriously declining for several years. There are several proposed reasons for this decrease. Some believe thinning of the ozone layer increases the amount of UV B radiation that reaches sensitive eggs, embryos, and larvae causing them to die. Herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers also have killed amphibians when interfering with their natural hormones. Habitat destruction and disease have also lead to a large amount of decrease in population.
One of the largest threats to anurans (frogs and toads) is a lethal fungal infection that has been expanding in prevalence and range in recent year. This disease, known as chrytridiomycosis, is caused by the chrytid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. The disease is thought to increase in range with global warming. This disease is responsible for large numbers of frog death, and are among the leading causes of the extinction of several frog species, and possible more to come.
Organizations and Acts
- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES): An international agreement among governments
- International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN): An international organization working in the field of nature conservation and sustainable use of natural resources composed of both government and civil society organizations
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Founded in 1964, it is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species.
- Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA): Designed to enact provisions outlined in CITES, it was signed into law by Richard Nixon on December 28, 1973. It declares the categories E (endangered), T (threatened), C (candidate), ES/A (not endangered but similar in appearance to an endangered species), TS/A (not threatened but similar in appearance to a threatened species), XE (experimental essential), and XN (non-existential population)
- Species at Risk Act (SARA): Entered Canadian law on December 12, 2002, it is designed to enact provisions outlined in CITES, by the designation of the COSEWIC.
- Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) or Comité sur la situation des espèces en péril au Canada (COSEPAC): An independent committee of wildlife experts and scientists that identifies species at risk in Canada: it designates X (extinct), XT (extirpated in Canada), E (endangered), T (threatened), SC (special concern), and NAR (not at risk).
- Canada Wildlife Act: It specifies requirements for a geographic area in Canada to be designated a National Wildlife Area by the Canadian Wildlife Service division of Environment Canada. "The purpose of wildlife areas is to preserve habitats that are critical to migratory birds and other wildlife species, particularly those that are at risk." Further, the Wildlife Area Regulations, a component of the Canada Wildlife Act, identifies activities which are prohibited on such areas because they may harm a protected species or its habitat. In some circumstances, land use permits may be granted to individuals, organizations, or companies if the intended use is compatible with conservation of the area. Personal activities such as "hiking, canoeing, photography and bird watching can be carried out without a permit in most areas".
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS or FWS): Dedicated to the management of fish, wildlife, and natural habitats, it is an organization within the US Department of Interior. Its mission is "working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people".
Emerging Infectious Diseases
- Snake Fungal Disease (Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola): Has caused population declines in snakes throughout the Midwest and eastern US. It causes a white cloudiness in eyes, thickening of the scales or skin, scabs, abnormal molting (due to fluid-filled vesicles that form between the old and new skin), and facial disfiguration that can cause emaciation and death. It is probably spread via direct contact with other infected snakes or from the natural presence of the fungus in the environment.
- Chytrid Fungus/Chytridiomycosis (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, Bd): This fungus, first discovered in 1998, grows by using amphibian skin as a nutrient, which can be especially devastating since many amphibians rely on their skin for respiration.
- Evolution: The gradual change in genetic material of a population
- Natural selection: The breeding for specific traits by the environment
- Speciation: Formation of a new species
- Reproductive isolation: When two populations can no longer interbreed
- Ring species: When two populations that cannot interbreed are living in the same region and connected by a geographic ring of populations that can interbreed: See diagram.
- Biodiversity: The variety life in the world or an ecosystem
- Riparian: Living or located adjacent to a waterbody
- Nearctic: A biogeographic province, the northern part of the New World, includes Greenland, the Canadian Arctic islands, and all of the North American as far south as the highlands of central Mexico.
- Endemic/precinctive: The ecological state of a species being unique to a defined geographical location
- Cosmopolitan distribution: Range extends across all or most of the world in appropriate habitats
- Ephemeral: Having a short life cycle
- Perennial: (Of a plant) living for several years, generally bloom for one season, (of a stream or spring) flowing throughout the year
- Annual: (Of a plant) dying every winter, produce more flowers over more time
- Asl/Amsl: Above (mean) sea level
- Masl/Mamsl: Meters above (mean) sea level
Anatomy of Major Groups
|This section is incomplete. It does not cover all the important aspects of this subject. You can help by adding relevant information where applicable.
- Anatomy: Bodily structure of animals
- Morphology: Form of animals and the relationships between structures
- Physiology: Normal functions of living organisms and their parts
- Bilateral symmetry: Looks the same on both sides of an axis
- Radial symmetry: Looks like a pie, can be cut in to roughly identical pieces
- Spherical symmetry: Resulting parts look the same if cut through the center
- Asymmetry: When symmetry is incomplete or not present
- Dorsal: Upper side/back
- Ventral: Underside/abdomen
- Anterior: Front
- Posterior: Behind
- Superior: Above
- Inferior: Below
- Sexual dimorphism: When two sexes of the same species exhibit different characteristics beyond the differences in their sexual organs: the opposite is monomorphism
- Carapace: Upper shell of turtle
- Plastron: Lower shell of turtle
- Bridge: Connects carapace and plastron
- Keel: Central ridge
- Straight carapace length (SCL): Length of the turtle's carapace measured with a pair of large calipers
- Scute: Thickened horny or bony plate
General Advice
- If the current year's rules allow either a field guide or a binder, make a binder. Binder pages can be tailored to the list, and many field guides do not contain all of the required information about each group. Typing personalized notes also increases familiarity with the information and decreases the time that it may take to complete a test.
- Print out anatomy diagrams for each major group (crocodilians, turtles, lizards, snakes, frogs/toads) and put them in their respective section of the binder. General vocabulary may also be valuable to have.
- Use tabs in a binder to find major sections easily. Post-it notes are good for this.
- Use the binder frequently, and become comfortable with finding information in it. This makes moving through the test much easier, as it means less time is spent flipping through all the pages when trying to find something quickly.
- Summarizing information is also recommended, as it finding information faster and easier.
- If a field guide is used as a source of information, keep in mind that some field guides will only have the Western specimens and some will only have the Northeastern. Be sure to know both Western and Northeastern specimens, along with Central.
- Be able to identify quickly and by scientific name. A binder should only be relied on for identifying groups that are difficult to differentiate, such as Chrysemys versus Pseudmys.
- Make flashcards (using Quizlet or a similar service) to practice identification. Always put the scientific name of each organism on the back of the flash card - this makes it easier to remember scientific names without having to sit down and memorize them.
- Some tests will also require identification of sounds. These will mostly be frog/toad calls, but other vocalizations, such as gecko squeaking or crocodilian bellowing may be used. In the 2018 and 2019 seasons, students were required to identify frog/toad calls to the species level, which is more specific than what the rules require for photo identification. A digital flash card software may also be used to memorize the calls of common frog/toad species.
Day of the Event
- Avoid panicking. This can result in unnecessary mistakes and slow down progress.
- Bring extra writing utensils in case one is misplaced or breaks.
- Talk slowly and quietly so that other teams do not hear.
- Write neatly and legibly.
- If the test is being run as stations, ensure that each answer is under the correct station on the answer sheet.
- Avoid spending more than half of the time at a station attempting to identify the specimen. If possible, move on and use logic to determine the answer to the questions.
Sample Questions
- Identify the family and genus that this lizard belongs to.
- What kind of teeth does this species of lizards have?
- Are these lizards principally herbivores or carnivores?
- Identify the family and genus that this lizard belongs to.
- What is unique about the way certain species of this lizard produce?
- What do these lizards eat?
- National Audubon Society Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians: North America
- Peterson Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America, Fourth Edition; Peterson Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians
Further Reading
- 2019 National Herpetology List
- 2018 National Herpetology List
- Amphibian Embryology Webpage
- Note: This website was designed in 2002. As a result, some information may be out of date and other features may not function in modern browsers.
- Frog Call Quiz
- Identifying Californian Amphibians and Reptiles
- Detailed Information on Limited Taxa
- Center for North American Herpetology website


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Fri, 15 August 2014
For Number 66 (hey, my Dad just turned 66, funny conincidence) we got together and recorded a drunken mess of a podcast, talking about tech, Gods Will be Watching and pet orgasms.
Sadly Markus couldn't join us for that one, because he's on vacation. But I found good substitutes:
Fabian Gruber - System Compiler working in France
Barry Guihen - Academic and fellow Podcaster at Brutal Gamer
Andreas Dobersberger - Gaming Pro and also a Podcaster at bildschirmsprünge
Josef Zorn is sorry for being so loud and mean.
Direct download: 66_Foursome.mp3
Category:Wellness Punk -- posted at: 12:08pm CET

subset: commoncrawl


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Browsing by Author "Vennapusa, Rami Reddy"
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Colloid deposition experiments as a diagnostic tool for biomass attachment onto bioproduct adsorbent surfaces Tarı, Canan; Vennapusa, Rami Reddy; Cabrera, Rosa B.; Fernandez-Lahore, Marcelo (Wiley, 2008-02)Background: Detrimental processing conditions can be expected in any downstream operation where direct contacting between a crude feedstock and a reactive solid phase is supposed to occur. In this paper we have investigated ...
Surface energetics to assess biomass attachment onto hydrophobic interaction adsorbents in expanded beds Vennapusa, Rami Reddy; Tarı, Canan; Cabrera, Rosa; Fernandez-Lahore, Marcelo (Elsevier, 2009-01)Cell-to-support interaction and cell-to-cell aggregation phenomena have been studied in a model system composed of intact yeast cells and Phenyl-Streamline adsorbents. Biomass components and beaded adsorbents were characterized ...


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Maternal Early Childhood Sustained Home-Visiting Program (MECSH)
Last updated: May 2013
In Brief
Evidence of Model Effectiveness
This model meets the criteria established by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for an "evidence-based early childhood home visiting service delivery model" for the general population, but does not meet the criteria for tribal populations.
Model Description
Based in Australia, the Maternal Early Childhood Sustained Home-Visiting (MECSH) program is designed to enhance maternal and child outcomes by providing antepartum services in addition to the traditional postpartum care women receive through Australia's universal system for maternal, child, and family health services. MECSH targets disadvantaged, pregnant women at risk for adverse maternal and/or child health and development outcomes. Registered nurses conduct a minimum of 25 60- to 90-minute home visits, from pregnancy and until the child's second birthday. During the visits, nurses focus on parent education, maternal health and well-being, family relationships, goal setting, and other issues such as housing and finances. Also available are parenting groups, activities to link families to the community, and referrals to other specialized care (such as dieticians and drug and alcohol counselors). For more information, please read the Model Overview.
Extent of Evidence
For more information, see the study database. For more information on the criteria used to determine the study ratings, please read Producing Study Ratings.
Summary of Findings
Please read Describing Effects for more information on these categories. Only results from studies that meet the standards for the high or moderate ratings are included above.
Criteria Established by the Department of Health and Human Services
Please read the HHS Criteria for Evidence-Based Models for more information.


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Home should be a place of comfort for you and your family. Heater repair is our specialty. At Complete Heating & Air Conditioning of Utah, your comfort is our foremost priority. Your heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems provide comfort, keeping you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It's our job to keep those systems running smoothly for you at a fair and honest price, and we take our job very seriously.
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HVAC is the acronym for "heating, ventilation and air conditioning." In most homes, particularly modern ones, HVAC is a "system" that works together. It includes state of the art technology that provides a comfortable environment in both homes and office. Utilizing mechanical engineering as well as best practices in thermodynamics, heat transfer and fluid mechanics, it's a complex system—and sometimes complex systems need repairs or replacement.
Routine maintenance is the key to optimizing an HVAC system, ensuring it works at the best possible standard while minimizing future costs. However, sometimes repairs are necessary. A reputable contractor is a must for HVAC repairs. This isn't something a property owner should undertake as it can be very dangerous.
Our services include emergency repairs, periodic inspection and maintenance, and the sales and installation of new furnace and air conditioning systems. We also offer air duct cleaning, to ensure a safe, breathable environment for our customers. Whatever you need, whenever you need it, we guarantee your complete satisfaction.
For every service we provide, we offer our 100% satisfaction guarantee. Our technicians are prompt, courteous and professional. They arriving onsite with the parts and equipment necessary to quickly restore your service and comfort.
Your budget is important to us as well. You have our promise that we will work with you to find a solution that meets all of your needs. We treat our customers like family.
We understand that there's never a good time for an outage, and that's especially true in the diverse and extreme climate conditions we experience in northern Utah. We are committed to helping you maintain your heating systems, so that you never have to experience the inconvenience and discomfort that comes with heater repair.
We, Complete Heating and Air Conditioning, know that comfortable customers are happy customers. Trust us when we say that our customers are a happy, happy bunch indeed. Contact us today for all of your heating, ventilation and air conditioning needs, and let us show you how we have earned our reputation as Salt Lake's most trusted heater repair provider.
Call Us Now to Schedule at (801) 871-3590. Business Hours : 7:00 am-11:00 pm Monday-Saturday.


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Window and Door Glossary
This window and door glossary is here to give definition to any and all of the terms you might encounter and not know.
2-Section Slider – a slider with 2 sashes.
242 or ¼-½- ¼ – a window configuration for triple units, meaning the middle unit is half the total width and the flankers are ¼ each.
3-Section Slider – a slider with 3 sashes, available in 242 or 333 configurations. The middle windows is a picture window, with the flankers being operable. Continue reading


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After announcing his platform last week, B.C. Liberal leadership candidate Todd Stone stopped by Revelstoke for a meet and greet.
Stone, serving his second term as an MLA in Kamloops- South Thompson, bumped shoulders with supporters Monday evening at the Regent Hotel.
Stone spoke about highway safety including variable speed zones and avalanche mitigation at Three Valley Gap during his tenure as Minister of Transportation.
He spoke about the spring election.
"We're in the midst of a very significant change in B.C. politics," he said. "What this has all triggered is a leadership race in the B.C. Liberal party.
"The fundamental question I believe in this race is what kind of leadership do we want for our province?"
Stone said he was the only candidate running for Liberal leadership who resided outside of the Lower Mainland.
Said Stone, "Our campaign is all about a new generation of leadership."
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.


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Reader note:"I was at the DRC all week. NASA showed up with the most awesome/expensive looking tracker/trailer. It had a custom paint job, new custom "pelican" cases for all equipment, a fold out tent on the side, and a $15K Cadillac golf cart (image). The team, if you view their videos had 50+ workers, a high-bay work area, a specialize sewing team and a seemingly unlimited tax payer funded budget. Here's photo of it next to the Google buses." Larger image
-NASA JSC's Valkyrie Robot Tied For Last Place in DARPA Competition, earlier post
- No One is in the Driver's Seat at NASA, earlier post
- NASA JSC Has Developed A Girl Robot in Secret (Revised With NASA Responses), earlier post, earlier post
More pictures below
Check out my temporary digs! If you see me flying down the highway be sure to make some noise! pic.twitter.com/w9psJu1550— NASA Valkyrie (@NASAValkyrie) December 17, 2013
There they are! Give them a share! #bestteamever #DarpaRoboticsChallenge #TeamValkyrie pic.twitter.com/k9Dovug7VQ— J.D. Yamokoski (@yamokosk) December 16, 2013


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Art & graphic design
Let us help!
Made in close collaboration with Rams himself, this catalogue raisonné is the ultimate reference on one of the most influential product designers of all time.
A showcase of Craig Costello's seminal style and his extensive body of work, including site-specific installations around the world. It also chronicles his myriad of collaborations with leading brands.
A comprehensive and sumptuous survey that celebrates the beauty and appeal of flowers throughout art, history, and culture.
Art & Queer Culture is an unprecedented survey of visual art and alternative sexualities from the late nineteenth century to the present.
An insight into how designers are giving shape to materials and process, from reviving the loom and recycling waste to social inclusion and growing matter.
A clothbound collection of KAWS' instantly recognizable riffs on pop culture, featuring bold graphics and a familiar cast of characters.
A presentation of a new set of sculptures and the different stages of their manufacture by the artist Daniel Arsham for his latest exhibition Paris, 3020.
This monograph explores each of Ai's career phases up until his release from Chinese custody. It features extensive visual material to trace Ai's development from his early New York days right through to his recent practice.
A ground-breaking survey of the work of a new generation of Black artists.
This magnificent volume takes us through the world's most beautiful collections and offers no less than a brief cultural history of the miraculous.
This publication features over a hundred custom types created by designers and agencies working in diverse cultural contexts.


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On Saturday, mummy took Max to a community event, which had great entertainment for the children. Here he is, concentrating on designing his own badge. (Not before drawing over his lips first!).
The finished product. What an artist! 🙂
For safe keeping, he made Teddy wear it. ❤
~ Part Two to follow ~


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Netflix Is Bringing Back 'Carmen Sandiego' as an Animated Series
The new cartoon will feature voice work from Gina Rodriguez and 'Stranger Things' star Finn Wolfhard
Published Apr 18, 2017Television executives have just uncovered another '90s property ripe for reboot as Netflix has ordered a new Carmen Sandiego series.
The PBS show is being transformed into an animated series, with 20 episodes set to hit Netflix in 2019.
As The Hollywood Reporter explains, the show will star Jane the Virgin's Gina Rodriguez and Stranger Things' Finn Wolfhard.
On Twitter, Rodriguez said she's already got the wardrobe required for the show (not that she'd need it, since it's a cartoon):
I already have the fedora and coat. So it's definitely true. 🙌🏽😍🦄 https://t.co/Fg2T6yw8W3— Gina Rodriguez (@HereIsGina) April 15, 2017
In addition to her present-day escapades, the show will also highlight Carmen Sandiego's origin story.


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We have been provided with the following list of school supplies that are needed by the school in the US Virgin Islands. The Island was hit by last year's hurricane and this school has been seriously affected as a result. Your support this year would mean the 200 students they serve will have continued supplies of educational materials. If you are not able to donate the school supplies, will you consider a monetary donation to help us with the shipping cost of the school supplies?
For a monetary donation, please Click Here.
For School supplies donation, please see the list below and contact me email@example.com or 502.235.8682 to arrange to pick up/drop off.
- Many easel style whiteboards
- Small, lap size whiteboards
- Expo markers & erasers
- Sharpie markers (fine point, regular, extra-large)
- Graphing display calculators
- Cork boards
- Post -It; various sized packs of colors
- Post-It flags
- Thermal laminating pouches 8 7/8″ x 11 3/8 "
- 120 composition books-wide ruled Priority
- 120 composition books-college ruled Priority
- 120 graph ruled composition books-4 squares per inch Priority
- Pencils-pre-sharpened, #2, soft lead yellow barrel Priority
- Tri-fold display boards (black and white)
- Binder clips-assorted sizes
- Flash drives
- Banker boxes
Thank you so much for your continued support. We can't do all that we do without your help.
You are highly appreciated!
Senait Mareligne, Director, UniKids
UniKids, a 501©3 non-profit organization in Louisville, KY, provides gently used and new school supplies to students in orphanages and underprivileged families in developing countries.


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Michael Hastings' latest dispatch from the War in Afghanistan pretty much picks up where his piece, "The Runaway General," leaves off. Gen. Stanley McChrystal has been relieved of duty and President Barack Obama turns to Gen. David Petraeus -- last seen fainting at a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee -- to take charge of the effort in Afghanistan.
The immediate and popular thing to say about Petraeus at the time was some variation on, "Great news! This is the guy who wrote the book on counter-insurgency strategy." My own take on that matter was that McChrystal had been, at the time Hastings' piece blew him out of his commission, applying COIN in a pretty faithful, by-the-book manner. Indeed, much of what Hastings had to say about McChrystal's tactics bore that out -- with the additional news that the rank and file were starting to chafe at following a strategy that demanded that they assume a higher degree of danger.
When Petraeus assumed command, the initial reports on what-was-to-happen-next suggested that Petraeus was going to re-up on COIN. In Stars And Stripes, John Vandiver reported that Petraeus had no plans to alter the rules of engagement -- rather, he would "clarify actions soldiers may take to clear up confusion and alleviate frustration in the field."
It sure looked to me as if Petraeus was going to follow the standard COINdinista line -- promising a continuity of command, while alleviating the discontent of the soldiers who were tasked with carrying out the strategy. But according to Hastings' latest, Petraeus actually seems to have taken the counterinsurgency field manual, and 'roided it up quite a bit:
Taking over from McChrystal, Petraeus moved quickly to institute his own, more aggressive version of COIN -- one that calls for lots of killing, lots of cash and lots of spin. He loosened the restrictions McChrystal had placed on the rules of engagement, giving U.S. soldiers the green light to use artillery, destroy property and defend themselves more vigorously. He drastically upped the number of airstrikes, launching more than 3,450 between July and November, the most since the invasion in 2001. He introduced U.S. tanks into the battle, unleashed Apache and Kiowa attack helicopters, and tripled the number of night raids by Special Forces. The fighting was calculated to force the Taliban to the bargaining table and reduce NATO casualties, which soared to 711 last year -- the highest of the war.
"On the political front," says Hastings, "Petraeus knew that his primary weapon was money." And where did that money go? As it turns out, a lot of went to "Afghan militias that effectively operate as local gangs, outside the control of the Afghan army and police."
That has a lot of interesting implications!
During his time in Iraq, Petraeus earned the nickname King David, for the imperious manner in which he ruled over the ancient city of Mosul. In Afghanistan, a more apt honorific might be the Godfather. To get America out of the war, Petraeus has turned to the network of warlords, drug runners and thieves known as the Afghan government, which the general himself has denounced as a "criminal syndicate." Within weeks of assuming command, Petraeus pushed through an ambitious program to create hundreds of local militias -- essentially a neighborhood watch armed with AK-47s. Under Petraeus, the faltering operation has been expanded from 18 districts to more than 60, with plans to ramp it up from 10,000 men to 30,000.
In Afghanistan, however, arming local militias means, by definition, placing guns in the hands of some of the country's most ruthless thugs, who rule their territory with impunity. In the north, Petraeus is relying on Atta Mohammed Noor, a notorious warlord-turned-governor considered to be one of the most powerful men in Afghanistan, to prepare militias for a long fight with the Taliban. Smaller militias in the region -- which have been likened to an L.A. "gang" by their own American advisers -- are also getting U.S. training. In the east, where violence has significantly increased, efforts to back local strongmen have already resulted in intertribal violence. And in the south, Petraeus has given near-unconditional support to Ahmed Wali Karzai, the president's brother and one of the country's most unsavory gangsters.
"The Americans have backed so many warlords in so many ways, it's very hard to see how you unscramble the egg now," says John Matisonn, a former top U.N. official who left Kabul last June. "There has never been a strategy to get rid of the warlords, who are the key problem. The average Afghan hates them, whether they're backed by the Taliban or the Americans. They see them as criminals. They know that the warlords are fundamentally undermining the rule of law."
I point this part out only because recent events compel me to note that this might best be called the "micro-Mubarak/micro-funding strategy."
Hastings has a lot more worthwhile information to unpack, most notably the internecine sparring that went down over the most recent strategy review between Petraeus and the intelligence community. It all ended up in a final product that's entirely bogged down in foggy contradictions -- "We are making progress, but that progress is fragile and reversible. We have broken the momentum of the Taliban, but there will still be heavy fighting next year. The troops will start coming home soon, but they won't start coming home soon. We aren't "nation-building," the president says, though we'll stay in Afghanistan past 2014 to build its nation" -- the upshot of which is that you had better not have been counting on that July 2011 drawdown.
King David's War [Michael Hastings @ Rolling Stone]
[Would you like to follow me on Twitter? Because why not? Also, please send tips to firstname.lastname@example.com -- learn more about our media monitoring project here.]
How to vote
Register by: Varies by state
Your vote is your voice! It is your right and your responsibility. For your voice to be heard, in most states you must register before you can vote. Visit the state elections siteRegister to Vote
Vote-by-mail ballot request deadline: Varies by state
For the Nov 3 election: States are making it easier for citizens to vote absentee by mail this year due to the coronavirus. Each state has its own rules for mail-in absentee voting. Visit your state election office website to find out if you can vote by mail.Get more informationTrack ballot status
In-person early voting dates: Varies by state
Sometimes circumstances make it hard or impossible for you to vote on Election Day. But your state may let you vote during a designated early voting period. You don't need an excuse to vote early. Visit your state election office website to find out whether they offer early voting.My Election Office
General Election: Nov 3, 2020
Polling hours on Election Day: Varies by state/localityMy Polling Place


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Once upon a time there came along an app that changed the world of storytelling, will it live happily ever after?
We're talking about the release of Moving Tales Inc.'s first 3D animated storybook app for iPad (iTunes App Store, $4.99).
This first storybook app, The Pedlar Lady of Gushing Cross, is a tale about the journey of a poor pedlar woman who, guided by the shifting line between the real and the unreal, discovers a surprising and wonderful treasure.
Talk about bringing a story to life, we were impressed with all the features including 3D animation, poetic voice-over narratives and cover flow-like navigation (just to name a few).
Don't believe it? Check it out below:
Already a believer? Keep an eye out for the next part in the series "The Unwanted Guest".


text: Sports / Ashley Wagner Ashley Wagner Is Unimpressed, Sochi's 1st Meme US figure skater was not happy with her score, spawns meme By Polly Davis Doig, Newser Staff Posted Feb 9, 2014 12:21 PM CST Copied American Ashley Wagner was less than impressed with her results in the women's team short program, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, Pool) View 1 more image (Newser) – American figure skater Ashley Wagner, whose very selection to the US team proved controversial, is stirring the pot again. In perhaps the first meme to emerge from the Sochi Games, Wagner was photographed smiling radiantly after yesterday's performance—until her score was announced and put her in fourth place, and she scowls epically and appears to say "bullsh--." (Deadspin has the GIF; suffice it to say she was expecting a higher score.) US gymnast McKayla Maroney spawned a similar meme with her look of disgust over her silver medal in 2012. In another Olympic faux pas, the Washington Post notes that speedskater Olga Graf won Russia's first medal today—and accidentally almost flashed everyone when she "totally forgot" she was naked beneath her suit. (Read more Ashley Wagner stories.) View 1 more image


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North Face Men's Triclimate 3 In 1 Jacket Deep Sky Blue provides optimal cold and wet weather protection so you'll never need to debate which jacket is best for the conditions. For cold, wintertime weather, pair it with the insulated interior removable jacket for optimal warmth. Exterior North Face 3 In 1 Jacket features color blocking along sides and contrast front Napoleon pocket.
* Waterproof, breathable, seam sealed
North Face Mens Triclimate 3 In 1 Jacket Deep Sky Blue
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A little post about rethinking how you talk about yourself. If you wouldn't say it about someone else, don't say it about yourself.
Tag: blogging
Better Late Than Never!
A Look Inside My Bullet Journal
When it comes to my blog, my ideas come to me late at night or when I am out of the house. This means my ideas are usually in lots of different places at once. Usually, my notes are scribbled across old notebooks in the box under my bed or saved as a draft text… Continue reading A Look Inside My Bullet Journal
Review: Paperchase's Book Journal
This week I finally decided to spend my Paperchase gift card that I received for Christmas from my grandparents. I mostly bought sign pens in every colour but I also bought a little Book Journal for just £8 and I had to share it with you! The perfect companion for any book lover, this little journal is a great way… Continue reading Review: Paperchase's Book Journal
Blogmas Day 18: Wrapping Presents and Writing Christmas Cards
Today is Blogmas day 18 and me, Billy the dog and Stanley the cat have been writing Christmas cards and wrapping everyone's presents! This year, my wrapping paper and cards are from Next. I also bought a little stamp from Paperchase to add festive cheer to the envelopes! I love wrapping presents nearly as much… Continue reading Blogmas Day 18: Wrapping Presents and Writing Christmas Cards
Blogmas Day 16: Preparing for Toy Day on Animal Crossing New Leaf
That's right. I am not only worrying about Christmas shopping IRL, I still have to buy all my villagers presents for Toy Day on ACNL. 9 Days to go! This was taken last week. Every year, the snow starts at the beginning of December before the snow storm hits on the 10th. This is my… Continue reading Blogmas Day 16: Preparing for Toy Day on Animal Crossing New Leaf
Blogmas Day 8: My Christmas Jumpers!
It's Blogmas Day 8! Christmas jumpers are one of my favourite things about Christmas. Each year I add another to my collection. I love seeing everybody's Christmas jumpers so today I thought I would show you my little collection! My first ever Christmas jumper! Featuring a Skiing Santa! This one was from the Primark Men's… Continue reading Blogmas Day 8: My Christmas Jumpers!


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Puffing Billy with Wildlife and Lunch
Ride on Australia's most notable narrow gauge railway through the spectacular Blue Dandenong Ranges with bellbirds and kookaburras echoing the steam train's whistle. Tour through the richness of the Yarra Valley - a pastoral experience of farms and vineyards, haystacks and wine grapes. Healesville Sanctuary - a truly Australian experience - cradled in the forested foothills of the Great Divide where you can surround yourself with Australian wildlife.
Enjoy complimentary morning tea, feed Rosellas and Kings Parrots with provided feed. Feast on an awesome spit roast lunch (vegetarian available) with wine included. Visit a Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery with free samples. Enjoy a birds of prey live demo and also see Australian animals, like koalas, kangaroos, dingos and more.
This is a multi activity tour including a multitude of activities that has excellent feedback from customers and our travel team who have participated.
Melbourne's eastern suburbs
Visit Sherbrooke Forest - heart of the Dandenongs: tall eucalypts, kookaburras and bellbirds
Share Bush Billy Tea of Aussie grown tea and gum leaves, lamingtons and vegemite crackers with the locals...
Colourful Crimson Rosellas and Kings Parrots! (Opportunity to hand feed with seed provided)
Ride through the forest from Belgrave on Puffing Billy steam train - an original steam locomotive
Sherbrooke Forest - noted for its lyrebirds, tall mountain ash eucalypts and fern gullies
Pass through quaint villages noted for their restaurants, craft shops and beautiful gardens
Panoramic views from Grantulla Road
Opportunity to taste Australian wines at Fergusson's winery, a noted Yarra Valley wine producer
Enjoy a delicious spit roast lunch with a glass of wine as guests of Louise Fergusson (vegetarian meals available)
Tour through the Yarra Valley
Visit Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery - a sweet feast for the senses
Complimentary chocolate tastings, displays of premium chocolates and observe European Chocolatiers at work
Pass through the township of Healesville - set amidst mountain bushland
Visit Healesville Sanctuary, with over 200 species of Australian birds, mammals and reptiles in a natural bushland setting
Stroll through paddocks of kangaroos and wallabies
Explore wetlands and find birds of the wild - spoonbills, herons, egrets and galahs. Look out for the Little Pied Cormorant!
Witness a "Birds of Prey" aerial demonstration of hunting skills diving and soaring across the arena
Observe the underwater life of the platypus
Come face to face with a koala!
Meet a hairy nosed wombat!
See dingoes, Tasmanian Devils, Echidnas, snakes & goannas
Included is historic steam train ride (Puffing Billy), aussie style Bush Billy tea with lamingtons and vegemite with crackers, wine tasting and lunch at Fergusson's winery and entrance to Healesville Sanctuary.
Melbourne CBD, Victoria | More Melbourne CBD Tours
Mount Waverley, Victoria | More Mount Waverley Tours
NOTE: Unless otherwise specified, the rates listed are for the 2020 - 2021 season. The 2020 - 2021 season rates are valid from the 1st April 2020 - 31st March 2021. The 2021 - 2022 season rates commence on the 1st April 2021.


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Did U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia die of a heart attack? Conflicting reports leave the issue unclear, the Washington Post says. And there will be no autopsy to settle the matter.
After Florida eliminated its state quality standards for pediatric heart surgery in the wake of a report on one hospital's failings, a summit is being held in the state this week aiming to get centers to voluntarily release pediatric heart surgery outcomes already documented in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons' database.
PCSK9 inhibitors work as well in people with type 2 diabetes as in others, according to a meta-analysis.
Britain's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) rejected alirocumab (Praluent) on cost-effectiveness grounds but approved evolocumab (Repatha) contingent on discounts to patients through a patient access program and with a more restrictive indication than the FDA allowed.
Egg and relatively high dietary cholesterol intake didn't correlate with coronary artery disease risk in a Finnish population-based study, even in higher risk people with the ApoE4 phenotype.
Stress is an under-recognized factor in high cholesterol, the Wall Street Journal notes.
Statin treatment for 5 years had a significant legacy impact on cardiac risk over 20 years, long-term follow-up from the West of Scotland primary prevention study found.
How the sole cardiac hospital in Mecca handles the influx around the Hajj: interpreters, advance planning, and doubling the number of echo machines.
The FDA cleared the Tyke implant for repair of pericardial structures and defects in neonates and infants as well as the Bridge occlusion balloon for use in cardiac lead extraction surgeries to temporarily block vessels.
Cook Medical's central venous catheters and pressure monitoring sets and trays were recalled due to risk for catheter tip fracture and separation.
CardioBreak is a guide to what's new and interesting on the Web for cardiologists and other healthcare professionals with an interest in cardiovascular disease, powered by the MedPage Today community. Got a tip? Send it to us: email@example.com.


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The other day I stumbled upon a cool gadget called Ring Flash.
These flashes, as the name suggests, produce a circular flash of light. Its most important characteristic is providing even illumination with few shadows visible in the photograph, as the origin of the light is very close to (and surrounds) the optical axis of the lens.
Ring flashes are popular among fashion, macro and portrait photographers.
There are two models that caught my eye.


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Hey everyone,
I opened up this crowdfund to help my parents out. I will tell you why:
For about five years now, my parents have tried to book vacations to unwind and relax from their jobs. I think they tried at least seven times, but every time they plan a vacation, there's something getting in their way.
Some examples of things that have happend: Strikes on the airport, they're not allowed to take any of their bags on the plane (including their golf clubs; they were going golfing in Spain); Brought the wrong passport to the airport, had a lot of stress and trouble starting their vacation; Car breaks down on the way to Italy; and more.
I just feel very bad that everytime they try to just relax and take some time off of their jobs, there's something getting in the way; like they wouldn't deserve to relax for once.
So, when they booked their tickets to fly to San Francisco this coming October (2017) they were very, very excited. My brother moved to California for his work about eight months ago and they would finally go there and see him again. They even took an extra week off for this (which is pretty difficult, since they're both teachers and are restricted to school vacations).
My mom works at a special college, and teaches basic skills to refugees, kids who don't have it as good as we do, and teen moms. It's a pretty heavy job and takes a lot of energy each day.
My dad helps kids at a lower school that have trouble learning. He accompanies them through their whole lower school and makes sure they are prepared to continue learning in a normal school, instead of being put in a special school. Also a very intensive job.
A couple of weeks ago, Air Berlin announced that they went broke. My parents have had no idea if their flight would be cancelled or continued, but last night they called the company againa and they were told that they could fly to the States, but not fly back with Air Berlin.
I feel so, so sorry for my parents that they have ANOTHER thing getting in the way of what should've been an amazing vacation.
They booked another ticket back (even though they're not sure if the flight will be cancelled eventually, but they don't want to stand in Los Angeles and not be able to fly back). I am praying that their first flight will go and will be fine, and hoping they can still have an amazing two weeks in California.
To help them out, I'd love to pay for their flight tickets: 1000€ in the first place (Air Berlin) and now, another €1000 to book an extra flight back with WoWair.
Too bad I am just a college student and work very hard to pay my school. I can hardly miss some of my own money but am prepared to do EVERYTHING to help my parents relax for 14 days.
If there are 200 people willing to donate 10€, we're good. I would be SO SO thankful if you guys could help me make this happen!


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Only 2 more days!
It's that time of year again for the Wombats and SGL Men's squad to go head to head in a game of international rules. This is the first match of the annual series, played in memory of past team mate of both teams and larger than life character Bill Niko who very sadly passed away. This is the 12th year of this series and this year we are combining this tradition with the first round of the Ladies Parish Cup Tournament to get the competitive season kicked off for all.
The Ladies Parish Cup will start at 12 o'clock sharp, with the International Rules game beginning at 3 o'clock so the girls can stay around to cheer on the lads, cans in hand!
The first match of the 2018 series will be hosted by SGL with plenty of beers, a BBQ and more after the game, followed by plenty more beers in McGettigans. Let us know if you have any dietary requirements and we will be happy to accommodate. Please click attending on the facebook event so we can get an idea of numbers!
Hope to see you all there!


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Veronica 'Shirley Blue'
Common Name: Speedwell
Genus: Veronica
Cultivar: 'Shirley Blue'
Category: Perennials
Growth Rate: Average
Features: Has interesting foliage, Good for wildlife, Long flowering period
|Hardiness: Hardy
|Height: 0.25 m (25 cm)
|Sun/Shade: Full sun or Partial shade
|Spread: 0.30 m (30 cm)
|Foliage Type: Deciduous
|Flower Colour: Blue
|Foliage Colour: Green, Grey/Silver
|Flowering Period: May to July
Soil Type: Normal/Loam or Sandy/Light
Soil Moisture: Moist, but well drained
Erect spires of vivid blue, saucer shaped flowers from May to July above low tufts of deeply toothed greyish-green leaves. This mat forming speedwell makes an attractive and long flowering edge for a sunny well-drained herbaceous or mixed border. The vivid blue flowers are excellent for attracting butterflies and bees into the garden.
- Garden care: Remove faded flower-stems in autumn. Apply a generous 5-7cm mulch of well-rotted garden compost or manure around the base of the plant in spring.
Similar Plants:
Veronica gentianoides
Veronica gentianoides
Veronica austriaca subsp. teucrium 'Royal Blue'
Veronica austriaca teucrium 'Crater Lake Blue'
Related Articles:


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Handmade Tales opens at Western Plains Cultural Centre
For years Meg O'Brien has been taking photos of art quilts and showing them to the Western Plains Cultural Centre.
The Dubbo Patchwork and Quilters Group president finally had her dream fulfilled at the weekend with the official opening of Handmade Tales.
The exhibition includes 37 items, mostly quilts, made in a variety of styles.
"There's one quilt, Labyrinth, and it's completely black and white. It looks like a maze," Ms O'Brien said.
She said the black and white quilt had been a challenge made to the quilter by a loved one. They had loved the finished product.
Handmade Tales was opened by Studio Art Quilt Associates president Lisa Walton, who has been experimenting with artistic quilts for the past 25 years.
"Some groups have 'quilt police' who judge the work but we don't judge our group, we just encourage them to do better, that's why I joined it. Lisa went out of her way to break every rule the quilt police set," Ms O'Brien said.
"We liked that and she got along with us quite well."
Ms O'Brien said when she emailed the quilt expert to see if she would open Handmade Tails, despite being in the United Kingdom and it being in the early hours of the morning, she instantly replied to say she was interested.
Ms O'Brien said she was extremely grateful to the Western Plains Cultural Centre for taking a chance on the exhibition, especially to Mariam Abboud for her exceptional help in curating and displaying the pieces.
The Handmade Tales exhibition will be open until December 9.


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Sep 12, 2017
There's still a few months left in 2017, so we take this week to do a bit of a "round table" discussion and talk about the shows/movies/events that we're looking forward to that take place between now and the year's end. We tangent (quite a bit!) and squee (of course!) and rant (soapboxes at the ready!). Plus news, some of which also leads into a few tangents and rants.
Listen on iTunes, Google Play & Stitcher
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Moscow may soon have the world's most adorable police force.
The department's canine unit is planning to qualify Welsh corgis to assist in their police work, according to Newsweek's translation of Russian commonwealth news organisation RIA Novosti . Specifically, officials are hoping that the dogs' short legs will help them sniff out bombards and other contraband.
Right now, such forces is civilizing two puppies. "It is not certain that they will be able to join the grades of services that are puppies, but even if they don't the venture will be interesting for everyone, " Elena Haikova, heads of state of the canine division, told RIA Novosti.
But there's reason to believe those corgis will be star students, according to American Kennel Club spokeswoman Brandi Hunter.
"[ Corgis] have great snouts, " Hunter replied. "They're very smart, they're easy-going to civilize … they can get into smaller spaces."
Because of those tones, she spoke, "they'd probably see superb investigation dogs."
Hunter also pointed out that corgis are already regularly employed as service animals, especially as therapy dogs or to help people who are deaf or hearing-impaired .
Historically, corgis were engendered to be herding bird-dogs in Wales, corralling big animals like kine by snipping at their ends. While there are two distinct corgi reproduces — Pembroke Welsh corgis and Cardigan Welsh corgis — both types have been around for more than 1,000 times. Pembroke Welsh corgis date back to at least 1107 A.D ., while historians belief Cardigan corgis have been around since at the least 1200 B.C ., according to the AKC.
Read more: www.huffingtonpost.com


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(416) 364-2345
Tatyana Yukhnovets graduated from Dnipropetrovsk University (Ukraine) and received her Bachelor's degree in Philology. She worked as a high school teacher in Kerch (Crimea, Ukraine) and Okha (Sakhalin, Russia).
Ms.Yukhnovets has also worked as an interpreter and translator for Era Aviation Inc., an offshore oil fields development company based in the north of Sakhalin Island. From 1996-2000 Ms. Yukhnovets lived and worked in Buenos Aires, Argentina. After immigrating to Canada, Ms. Yukhnovets completed her CDI College diploma in Paralegal Communications and has been with Levine Associates as a law clerk for the past two years.
Ms. Yukhnovets speaks Russian, Ukrainian and Spanish. Aside from learning new languages, Ms. Yukhnovets also enjoys painting.
- B.A., Dnipropetrovsk University
- English
- Russian
- Ukrainian
- Spanish


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Author: Larry Loh
I've been called many things in my life -- technology reporter, sometimes photographer, small-time entrepreneur, (very) casual jogger, avid reader, passionate traveller and most recently, Uncle Larry by one of my colleagues (in internet years, I'm the Ford T in a world of hybrid cars). Now, I'm just known as "that CNNGo guy" in local circles.
My daily obsession as CNNGo's Singapore City Editor is to hunt down the best places to eat, drink, shop, play and sleep in this little red dot of the world. It's a tough life, but hey, I'm gainfully employed and happily doing it -- caffeine overload, keyboard cramps, late nights and all.
I've written for CNET Asia, photographed for Harper's Bazaar, consulted for Nokia, and once upon a time, went camping with guns for the country. I'm a Singaporean born and bred, travelled as far and as frequently as my wallet and work allows, and I will never say no to Dr Pepper.


text: The graphical map of the yard provides the planner with a real time overview of all units on the premises. The user can recognize at a glance all important information such as the current location of units or the progress of loading and unloading activities. Units can be moved or dispatched via drag and drop.


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NEW PRODUCT OLIVE-series!
Moisturizing and conditioning OLIVE Body Cream for sensitive skin daily use. The cream rapidly absorbs and restores skin's natural moisture balance. Prevents skin dryness. Keeps skin refresh and soft for a long time. Contains B3, B5, B6, C and E-vitamins and nourishing olive oil. The product does not contain dyes and is mildly scented.


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Current Ithaca College community members may contribute stories and comments as well as view additional topics by logging in.
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Reminder - Campus Store & MACs Closing
Contributed by Rick Watson on 11/19/12
The Campus Store and MACs General Store will be closed November 20 - 21, 2012.
Please take care of any business on Monday, November 19th. The staff will be in the store on Tuesday and Wednesday and can answer telephone or email questions but the stores will not be able to be opened. We are upgrading our computer system and getting our floors cleaned.
If you have any questions, please contact me at firstname.lastname@example.com.
© Copyright Ithaca College. All rights reserved; unauthorized use prohibited. All material on this server is produced by our community but, except for designated pages, is neither approved nor verified by Ithaca College.


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From our family to yours!
EccoBike™ is a small family owned business located in New Westminster BC Canada that believes the future of transportation will be ecologically friendly and we are in a mission to deliver the right vehicle for a sustainable mobility at any age.
Our mission is clear, forget the car and get around with zero CO2 emissions on thousands of trails and roads across North America.
In the jungle of bicycles, our e-bikes have priceless animal names like Chamäleon, Gazelle and Nashorn, the German word for Rhino. Our belief is that e-bikes help to maintain personal mobility, substitute short car journeys and promote health and wellbeing.
If your work place is within our e-bike range, we encourage you to keep your internal combustion vehicles far from any traffic and start e-biking to work. Is that simple!


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Screw vacuum pump and booster pump vacuum unit
Min.Order Quantity: 1 Set/Sets Screw vacuum pump and booster pump vacuum unit
Supply Ability: 400~700 Set/Sets per Month Screw vacuum pump and booster pump vacuum unit
Payment Terms: L/C,T/T,
Price: Online consultation
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JZJA(P)LG series Screw vacuum pump system belongs to oil-free dry vacuum system, with roots pump(main pump & secondary pump), dry screw pump (fore pump). Roots pump is similar to screw pump in working principle and structure. The vacuum system could be assembled reasonably as per the size of pumped system, vacuum receiver and its working pressure. The available suction ratio ranges from 1:2 to 1:8 among variant pump.
1) With both advantage of roots pump and screw pump.
2) With doubled capacity and high pressure matching with large capacity roots pump.
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4) High pumping capacity in high vacuum pressure.
5) Automatic controlling system
6) Capable for corrosive gas pumping.
7) Small area request with vertical or stepped construction.
8) With self protecting function for over-load, over-fluid, water-break condition.
9) Hard to accumulate dust or particles, specially suitable for condensable medium or dust suction.
It can be widely applied in industry like medicine, chemical, aerospace, electrical, solar energy, metallurgy, and food industry. In chemical industry, it is necessary for process of vacuum distillation, vacuum evaporation, vacuum dehydration and crystallization. And in electric industry, for process of vacuum impregnation and vacuum drying. Beside, it's the ideal choice for vacuum coating, vacuum melting, thermal treatment, oil filtration, vacuum freezing, space simulation test, etc.
Fill in your request to get solution & quotation by sales catherine
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Amazing nebula tattoo on arm. Beautiful cosmic views tattooed on this arm
Cosmic Tattoo On Arm is one of the many tattoo designs that we publish daily. This website is an online tattoo ideas database which consists of only high quality pictures collected from all over the internet. Enjoy selected tattoo images every day - bookm
This tatoo design is stored in the Arm Tattoos, Colorful tattoos categories.


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Humane Society Dropping GoDaddy As Domain Host
The Humane Society of the United States announced today that it was in the process of finding new hosting for the more than 650 domain names it currently has through GoDaddy.com.
The decision comes in the wake of massive outrage over CEO Bob Parsons posting video of himself killing a "problem" elephant in Zimbabwe, a death he says was justified on "humanitarian" grounds.
He shot the elephant at night, and claims it was a "problem elephant," writes HSUS President Wayne Pacelle. "It happened to be a bull elephant with sizeable tusks, just the type that trophy hunters like to kill. He seems to be a rather obsessive trophy hunter; one other self-produced video on the web shows him wounding and later killing a leopard, and the current edition of Safari Club International's magazine shows an array of animal heads mounted on his wall as trophies."
Pacelle adds that if Parsons is really serious about doing charitable work, he should spend time with philanthropists like Oprah Winfrey and Bill Gates. "Last time I checked, they didn't leave a trail of animal victims they've personally slain at the end of their visit," he quips.
In addition to other animal lovers dropping GoDaddy, the domain registrar's competitors have latched onto the controversy – offering slashed prices on new orders and transfers. Two companies, DomainIt.com and NameCheap.com are even offering to donate a portion of sales to animal charities SaveTheElephants.org and WWF.org.
How about you? Thinking about transferring? Word on the street is that it may be harder than it looks – which makes the HSUS move something to watch carefully. Let us know if you've had any luck!


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Dan Christopher, at the age of eight years, started to talk to himself. Not that that is unusual for a child of this age, but when he started to get responses, his parents became concerned. Being good parents, they sprang into action and, after finding out the cost of child psychiatry, opted instead to give him a little ventriloquist dummy for Christmas that year.
By the time he was 11, Dan was a pro, complete with business cards and a little act, he performed at childrens' parties, banquets, fairs, etc. He charged five dollars a show. Now, some twenty-five+ years later, Dan is still talking to himself (only now, thank goodness, he's getting paid a lot more)!
Through the years, Dan has done it all - worked in Singapore, Malaysia, Las Vegas, on major cruise ships, in comedy clubs and for corporate events. Additionally, Dan and his puppet pals produce educational/entertainment programs for schools throughout the State of Florida which has garnered him high acclaim amongst educators. If that isn't enough, he also operates Florida Magic Company, supplying variety entertainers with props, portable PA systems and other stuff they can use!
Visit Florida Magic Co. Web site
Sooo, if you need a great specialty act for a Vegas style Production or Variety Show, or a fun, after dinner show for that next corporate banquet, call Dan! His cast of wacky characters has rocked many a room with laughter. Don't forget the kids - Dan has a special show just for them, loaded with funny friends, mysterious magic tricks and lots of laffs! Adults, kids or family audiences, when you need a funny act that you can count on - call Dan Christopher and his "friends"... you'll be glad you did!
Contact Dan


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Lakes Gas provides dependable propane service to a variety of commercial and industrial users throughout Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. We understand your fleet is unique. We'll take the time to understand your needs so we can recommend the right solution and provide you with the most efficient propane autogas system available. We pride ourselves on being able to quickly adapt to your changing needs as your project matures.
Contact Jake Schanus today for more information.
Current Federal and State Autogas Incentives
- For a detailed list of federal incentives, laws, regulations and programs related to propane autogas, visit the Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC) website.
- For a list of incentives by state, visit the AFDC: Propane State Laws and Incentives website.
- Click this link for additional information
Discover the cost savings of a propane autogas fleet.
- Use one of the PERC Propane Autogas Calculator tools or apps to find out how much propane could save your business and boost your bottom line.
- Many school districts are enjoying the benefits of switching to propane autogas powered school buses for their transportation needs. In 2017, Blue Bird delivered their 10,000th propane autogas school bus. Learn more about this incredible milestone with this video from the Propane Education & Resource Council.
- Learn how propane-powered school buses have benefited Lakes Gas customer St. Francis Independent School District 15.


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Transdrift: Arctic Ice-Ocean-Interaction
Understanding changes that appear at the major flux gates such as the Fram Strait, requires a closer look at the origin of the ice leaving the Arctic Ocean.
It is assumed that a substantial part of the Fram Strait export is formed in the Siberian shelf seas, connected with Fram Strait via the Transpolar Drift. Among the Siberian shelf seas the Laptev Sea is considered one of the most significant regions of net ice production and export. Given the importance of the Laptev Sea for the Arctic Ocean sea ice budget, aim of the Russian-German Research Cooperation "Laptev Sea System", is to investigate how the ice export and ice formation in the Laptev Sea has changed throughout the past decades.
For more information, please see the Laptev See System Project Homepage


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In addition to the LCC Program, Massachusetts
Cultural Council supports the arts and culture sector
through a broad mix of funding programs and services:
Arts Program - funding initiatives that connect artists
and cultural organizations to local and state economic development
efforts, nurture new arts and cultural enterprise development,
raise awareness of the Commonwealth's cultural products, and
increase arts and cultural visitors to the state
Fellowships - grants to individual artists in Choreography,
Crafts, Drawing, Fiction/Creative Nonfiction, Film and Video,
Music Composition, Painting, Photography, Playwriting, Poetry,
Sculpture/Installation, and Traditional Arts.
Yellow School Bus - provides $200 grants to help schools
meet the transportation costs of educational field trips to
cultural institutions and activities in Massachusetts.
Facilities Fund - the fund provides Capital Grants to
promote the acquisition, design, repair, rehabilitation renovation,
expansion, or construction of nonprofit cultural facilities
in Massachusetts.
Investment Portfolio - provides unrestricted funding for
nonprofit arts, humanities, and interpretive science organizations
in Massachusetts.
Residencies - grants of $500-$5,000 to schools to support
creative learning residencies of three days or more in the
arts, sciences, and humanities.
Arts Apprenticeships - grants to master artists to support
the teaching of rare traditional arts.
- grants that promote out-of-school arts, humanities and science
opportunities in youth development programs.
ArtistLink - A collaborative
effort to create a stable environment for Massachusetts artists
as they seek workspace and housing.
Districts - This initiative will encourage Massachusetts
communities to strengthen this sense of place, while stimulating
economic activity, improving the experiences of visitors to
our communities, and creating a higher quality of life.
- A free online job directory, where creative employers and
jobseekers click in Massachusetts.
- MatchBook.org is an online cultural marketplace that brings
together New England's performing and teaching artists and
the people and organizations who hire them.
Copyright © 2001-2020
Mass Cultural Council
All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy


text: Ralph Stanley, 78, will have coronary artery bypass surgery on Monday (June 27). His doctors recommended the multiple bypass procedure after he went in for a regular checkup earlier this week. A full recovery is expected, according to the doctors, because he has not suffered a heart attack. Stanley released a gospel album, Shine On, on June 7.


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Cadillac Racing's O'Connell, Pilgrim Could Win Record Purse At Detroit GP
Sponsored Links
Pirelli World Challenge drivers will be going for it at the upcoming double header weekend in Detroit, with a series-high amount of prize money being offered to the race winning GT and GTA class drivers. The races are being held on Detroit's 2.3-mile circuit at Belle Isle park on Saturday May 30 and Sunday May 31 and will account for Rounds 10 and 11 of the 2015 PWC championship.
A race win in the main event on Sunday will send the winning driver home with an additional $20,000, while the second place driving will receive $15,000 and the third place driver will receive $10,000. Cadillac Racing drivers Johnny O'Connell has a strong track record at Belle Isle, with O'Connell winning the last three races there in a row, so the team could stand a good chance at going home with the record setting amount of cash.
The race will also be aired live on CBS Sports Network, rather than being aired the following Sunday as with other races in the series.
"The series is proud to be in a position to be invited to do a live race on CBS Sports Network and to have a great partner like Cadillac as our event sponsor," Pirelli World Challenge CEO Scott said in a statement. "The live race will be the first in modern day Pirelli World Challenge and the GT/GTA record nearly $70,000 payout will certainly bring excitement to the podium finishers."


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The About Us page is really important if you are a small store, or even a well known brand. It provides a chance to tell your story, to set out your mission, history and guiding principles. A chance to connect with your potential customers and explain why you do what you do or more about your creative process.
If you are starting up on your own, establishing trust is critical. Would I buy from a store without reading the About Us page first? Probably not, I like to know who I'm dealing with. For my teenager, images speak louder than words, so video and pictures have more impact. Recommendations and testimonials count too, whether it's from happy customers or trusted social media influencers.
Fundamentally, the story page is an opportunity to sell more and to increase your reach by including quality SEO content.
For more About Us page ideas - try this Shopify blog article
Our Symmetry, Showcase, Canopy, Boost, Expression and Masonry themes all include an extra page template - page.story - to make it easier for you to tell your story. Add pictures, videos, testimonials, press comments and any other content you need, all in a beautifully designed template that brings the best of your homepage content options to other landing pages.
1. Create a new page selecting the page.story template
The page doesn't need any other content. Please note, only page templates in your published theme will show here.
2. Go to your Theme Editor and navigate to your new page
You can jump straight to the page in the Theme Editor dropdown or navigate to it if you've already added the new page into your menu.
3. Tap on Sections and then add the content blocks you need.
Note: The page.story template is designed for use on one page in your store. The same content will show on all pages using the page.story template.


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Chinese police on Thursday attacked a group of Tibetans protesting the threatened destruction of shops and guesthouses they had built to cater to tourists visiting a scenic stretch of Qinghai Lake, sources in the region said.
The June 23 assault in Chabcha (in Chinese, Gonghe) county in northwestern China's Qinghai province left at least eight seriously hurt, one local resident told RFA's Tibetan Service.
"Today in the afternoon, the head of the county arrived with about 30 police officers, and they beat up eight Tibetans from Karla and Choeje villages in Trelnak township," RFA's source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
"Some of them received serious injuries to their heads and legs," he said.
The police assault followed a demand by authorities two days before that Tibetans running small businesses in the area of Qinghai Lake demolish their shops, guest houses, and personal dwellings and leave the area, the source said.
"But the Tibetans were reluctant to comply, as they had invested large sums of money in the building of their structures," he said.
'We need to eat'
Several hundred business owners carrying a banner reading "We Need to Eat, We Need to Survive" then marched in protest along the road that circles the lake, "but authorities did not listen to their appeal," the source said.
"Instead, security forces attacked the Tibetans, injuring several of them."
This week's protest follows earlier moves by authorities in nearby towns to tear down "illegal structures" built by Tibetans hoping to attract business from the many tourists who visit the lake each year.
Hundreds of such structures have been demolished in recent months, sources say.
"Land grabs, destruction of property and environmental exploitation have become increasingly common sources of dispute between Tibetans and local authorities in the last few years," Eleanor Byrne-Rosengren, director of the London-based rights group Free Tibet, said in a June 23 statement.
"Tibetans continue to stand up for their rights, while their sense of grievance about Chinese rule grows ever deeper," Byrne-Rosengren said.
Radio Free Asia,2016-06-23


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The good book should be read as a great work of literature – but it is not a guide to morality, as the education secretary Michael Gove would have us believe.
UPDATE: You can hear Richard's discussion about this on the BBC World Service here. The discussion with him and Keith Porteous Wood of the National Secular Society begins at 43'57'
For some reason the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science (UK) was not approached for a donation in support of Michael Gove's plan to put a King James Bible in every state school. We would certainly have given it serious consideration, and if the trustees had not agreed I would gladly have contributed myself. In the event, it was left to "millionaire Conservative party donors".
I am a little shocked at the implication that not every school library already possesses a copy. Can that be true? What do they have, then? Harry Potter? Vampires? Or do they prefer one of those modern translations in which "Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, all is vanity" is lyrically rendered as "Perfectly pointless, says the Teacher. Everything is pointless"? That is Ecclesiastes, 1:2, as you'll find it in the Common English Bible. And you can't get much more common than that, although admittedly the God's Word translation provides stiff competition with "absolutely pointless" and the Good News Bible challenges strongly with "useless, useless".
Ecclesiastes, in the 1611 translation, is one of the glories of English literature (I'm told it's pretty good in the original Hebrew, too). The whole King James Bible is littered with literary allusions, almost as many as Shakespeare (to quote that distinguished authority Anon, the trouble with Hamlet is it's so full of clichées). In The God Delusion I have a section called "Religious education as a part of literary culture" in which I list 129 biblical phrases which any cultivated English speaker will instantly recognise and many use without knowing their provenance: the salt of the earth; go the extra mile; I wash my hands of it; filthy lucre; through a glass darkly; wolf in sheep's clothing; hide your light under a bushel; no peace for the wicked; how are the mighty fallen.
Written By: Richard Dakwinscontinue to source article at guardian.co.uk


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Icelandair announces scheduled flights to Portland, Oregon on the west coast of the US, starting May 19th, 2015. Portland International Airport (PDX) will be the company's 14th gateway in North America and operated twice weekly until October 20th.
"After successfully establishing services to Seattle and Vancouver in recent years, we see Portland as a good opportunity to add further options in the Pacific Northwest region. We will offer a very competitive service from the UK, often saving up to several hours of the journey times." Says Andrés Jónsson, General Manager Icelandair UK.
Located in the scenic state of Oregon, Portland is an increasingly popular city known for its friendly outdoor-loving residents, ambitious microbreweries and café culture. With three cabins of service, seat back entertainment, on-board Wi-Fi, and the unique option of booking a stopover in Iceland at no additional airfare, Icelandair is excited to start flying to this refreshing new destination.
The new flights will connect with Icelandair's network in the UK including London Heathrow, Gatwick, Glasgow and the newly announced Birmingham. The East Midlands city becoming the company's fifth gateway in the UK with twice weekly service, on Thursdays and Mondays starting February 5th.
Icelandair's route network is built around the hub at Keflavik International Airport, with morning flights to cities in Europe connecting with afternoon flights to North America. Flight schedule for 2015 will be the largest in the company´s history, seeing a 12% capacity increase from 2014 and passenger numbers reaching 2.9 million. The network has more than doubled since 2009.


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Chimpeur Enamel Pin
This product is currently sold out.
Grimpeur: A pure "climber", specialising and excelling in the mountains. French; 'climber'
Chimpeur: As above, with more bananas
Limited edition of 100 pieces.
A high quality enamel pin with card backer and metal butterfly clasp on reverse. For your cap, tool roll and bike bags, or add some Chimpeur panache to civilian lapels.
The pin measures 25mm wide and is made from smooth black-dyed enamel for a hard-wearing finish.
Designed & made in UK.
- Shipping Costs
- Customer Reviews
Destination Cost Typical speed UK £3.90 (Light Goods £1.90) 1-2 working days Europe £6.90 (Light Goods £3.90) 3-5 working days Rest of World £11.90 (Light Goods £4.90) 5-7 working days FREE Shipping on UK orders over £50, International orders over £100


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ONLY a few days after the police stopped the investigation into alleged blackmail connected with the privatisation of the Bratislava airport, the prosecutor will halt another case mentioned in the Gorilla file.
"Two other resolutions over stopping the criminal prosecution in connection with buying the votes of MPs during the vote on so-called Zajac's health-care laws are being prepared," Andrea Predajňová, the spokesperson for the special task department of the Office of the General Prosecutor, told the TA3 news channel.
The anonymously leaked Gorilla file, which emerged in late December 2011, is a lengthy document that purports to describe an operation conducted by the Slovak Information Service (SIS), the country's main intelligence agency, in which it collected information about the influence of the Penta financial group on senior Slovak politicians between 2005 and 2006.
In addition to the Gorilla file, leaked dispatches of the US Embassy, which were published on WikiLeaks, contained references to allegations of buying deputies' votes. According to the document, Penta financial group allegedly persuaded some independent MPs to vote for Zajac's reform. It allegedly offered them two million crowns per one vote, TA3 reported.
On the other hand, Predajňová said that the investigator of the specialised team has issued two decisions over launching a criminal prosecution over indirect corruption. Yet, she has not specified to which case this prosecution pertains, according to TA3.
Source: TA3
For more information about this story please see: Criminal prosecution stopped in one Gorilla file case
Compiled by Radka Minarechová from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
8. Oct 2013 at 14:00


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Home > HAN > Vol. 15 > Iss. 1 (1988)
History of Anthropology Newsletter
Volume 15, Issue 1 (June 1988)
Front Matter
Footnotes for the History of Anthropology
Malinowski and Gardiner: The Egyptian Connection
Michael Goldsmith and Alan Henderson Gardiner
Sources for the History of Anthropology
Gregory Bateson Archive
Rodney E. Donaldson
Research in Progress
Bibliographica Arcana
Gleanings from Academic Gatherings
Full Issue
The Editorial Committee
- Robert Bieder, Indiana University
- Regna Darnell, University of Alberta
- Curtis Hinsley, Colgate University
- Dell Hymes, University of Pennsylvania
- George W. Stocking, University of Chicago
- William Sturtevant, Smithsonian Institution


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Looks like The Finder is about to find a little time for family.
Annette O'Toole (Smallville) and John Ashton (Beverly Hills Cop) have been cast on the Fox drama as Elaine and Franklin Sherman, the mother and father of Geoff Stults' Walter Sherman, TVGuide.com has learned. They join Stults' real-life brother George, who will play Walter's older brother, Langston.
Get more scoop on your favorite shows in our Winter TV previewAs we previously reported, Langston turns up at Walter's Ends of the Earth Bar at the behest of their father, who is dying of emphysema. Franklin's dying wish is to say goodbye to Elaine, who has been missing for years after she and her new husband joined a cult and disappeared. Will Walter be able to find his mother before his dad dies?Either way, we doubt this will be a happy family reunion. Despite Franklin's interest in Walter's special finding abilities now, he once had his son committed after he came back from Iraq a little "different." And Elaine, whom Langston lived with for several years after the divorce, is a recovering alcoholic. We hope there's a therapist handy when and if this group ends up in the same room together!
Check out our list of TV's sexiest crime fighters!Besides most recently playing Martha Kent on Smallville, O'Toole also had notable roles on ABC's miniseries adaptation of Stephen King's It and Nash Bridges. Ashton, who played Sgt. John Taggart in two of the three Beverly Hills Cop films, headlined the short-lived 1989 NBC cop drama Hardball and had a recurring role on Dallas. More recently, he appeared on the big screen in Gone Baby Gone and on USA's Fairly Legal.The Finder airs on Thursdays at 9/8c on Fox. This episode is slated to air sometime in late March.